1S33 3,mw jo Aavaan ivnoiivn snoicmw jo Aavaan ivnoiivn 3Ni3ia3 ICNAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE NATION ifN i /'Mk ■ imk\ \ : %->- 3NI3I03W jo Aavaan ivnouvn 3Ni3iasw jo Aavaan ivnouvn a N ATIONAL LIBR ARY OF ME Dl C I NE NATIONAL IIBHAIY OF MEBICIN! I / t 3NI3IQ3W jo Aavaan ivnouvn jnidiqiw jo Aavaan ivnouvn NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE 3NI3I03W jo Aavaan ivnouvn 3Ni3i03w jo Aavaan ivnouvn NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE I /VJVS I.Af I NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE / • l/ THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH- GIVING Ji description ofilie Diseases to ivhich Families are subject^ and tlieir Treatment. ALSO INSTRUCTIONS HOW TO PREPARE THEIR ME^S^E^ AND ADMINISTER THEM WT WITH A History of the origin and pro± SPASMODIC CHOLERA, AND THE MOST SUCCESSFUL PLAN OF TREATMENT TOGETHER WITH AS EXPOSITION OF THE TAiomsomaw PYeiparatioiis o? .Medicine, As given in the New York Medicul and Physical Journal (A'ol. 1, New Series.) Taken from the original specification at the Patent Ofiice. SELECTED BY A PHYSICIAN. 2&3lttnua*e: PUBLISHED BY J. G. HANZSCHE, UNION ARCADE, IS33. WBA F! - 100 Eye, inflammation of - - 15 Ear, inflammation of - - 16 Exercise, observations on - 82 Fever in general, 8 " simple inflammatory, - 9 " and Ague, - - - 10 " remittent, - - - 11 ■' bilious, - - - 11 '* typhus, - - - 13 " scarlet, - - - 50 Fainting, - - - - 49 Felon or Whitlow, - - 74 Gravel, treatment of - - 44 Gout, = % _ " 46 Ganglions, -.'; - ■■ h - 73 Head-ach, treatment of- - 15 Heart, palpitatition of - Hiccup,..... Heartburn, - - - Hip-joint, disease of Herpes, or ring worm, - Introduction, Inflammation of the throat, - Page. - 23 - 26 - 26 - 43 - 57 - 1 18 of the stomach, 24 of the liver, - 28 " of the intestines, 30 " of the eye, - 16 " of the ear, - 16 Indigestion or Dyspepsia, - 26 Jaundice, - - - - 29 Itch,.....56 Intemperance, observations on 121 Inflammatory Rheumatism, - 47 Lock-jaw, - - - - 49 Mercurial disease, - - 18 Measles, - 52 Nettle-rash, - - - - 57 Pulse, how to examine, - - 7 Putrid sore throat, - - 19 Pleurisy, - - - - 22 ■ Piles—blind ;—and bleeding ; 75 Polypus, - - - - 17 PepWc precepts, -_ - - 114 iiheumatlsm, chronic - - 47 Rheumatism, inflammatory - 47 | Ruptures, descriptions of - 58 Rules for preserving health, - 81 I " Dr. Bcerhaave's, - - 82 jSt. Vitus.'s danee, - - - 50 St. Anthony's fire, - - 51 Small-Pox, - 54 Sprains, - - - - 76 Scalds and burns, - - - 7S Summer complaint, - - 80 Throat, inflammation of - 19 Throat, putrid state of - - 19 Tapeworms, - - - 44 I Tumors in general, - - 5S Tumors fleshy, - - - 72 " doughy, - - - 72 " encysted, - - 73 Thrush,.....80 Thomsonian practice, - - 101 " First speeificatiou of 103 " Si cond spec ificationof 105 Uvula, enlargement of - - 18 Ulcers, - - - . - - 76 Worms, - - - - 43 Whitlow or Felon, - - 37 Wounds, - 77 A GLOSSARY. Antiseptic, medicines that purify and prevent mortifi- cation. Alimentary canal, all of the intestines, stomach, and throat. Antispasmodic, that which relieves spasm. Acidity, sourness. Cuticle, the skin. Diaphragm, the partittion between the abdomen, and the chest. Delirium, a derangement of the mental faculties. Emaciation, a wasting of the body. External oblique muscle, a part of the flesh boundaries of the abdomen. Femoral Rupture, in the fore part of the thigh. Hernia, Rupture. Intestines, the guts. Inguinal Rupture, relative to the groin. Nausea, sickness of the stomach, inclination to vomit. Omemtum, the caul, the fatty substances that lies in front of the intestines. Precordia, (from pre, before, and cor, the heart,) the fore and lower part of the chest. Peritonaeum, the lining of the vicera. Respiration, the act of breathing. Strangulated Heinia, a protruded intestine that cannot be reduced within the walls of the abdomen. Scrotum, peculiar to the male. Sloughing, throwing off dead flesh, large pieces of flesh coming out, and leaving a cavity. Testicle, peculiar to thebaic Tunica vaginalis testis, the lining membrane, of the scrotum. Tonio, medicines intended to jrive strength to the patient. Viscer:i, that which is contained within th* abdomen, r chest, &c. f \enlral Rupture, that which is caused by srlme violence done any part of tiie abdomen, by an instrument of some kind. ADVERTISEMENT. Ww ould it be either sufficient, or satisfactory, were the question ask- ed, "why this work has been given to the public?" to merely answer, because we were of opinion, that it was wanted. Certainly it is loud- •Iv called for. We have therefore attempted by means of our own observation, together with that of others, as collected from extensive reading, to make this work useful and acceptable to families, and to those who have a desire to know what the Thomsoniau Practice consists of. And also, a history of the Spasmodic Cholera, as taken from the best authority. If this wish be ever realized, our object VI ADVERTISEMENT. will be abundantly answered. As this work is intended to be fraught with interest to the community at large, as well as to families and individuals, and will carry im- portant information into the do- mestic circle where it must prove of the greatest* utility, having a salutary tendency to prevent the public against the horrid evils of empirical practice, and nostrums. » INTRODUCTION. Medical Science,consideredasrelatingstrictly to the treatment of disease, may be presented un- der two points of view, under one, the symp- toms of diseases are described, their causes are investigated, the indications are delivered by which their cure is to be attempted, and the re- medies are enumerated-hy which these indica- tions are to be fulfilled. When this method is followed, a previous knowledge is supposed of the natural history, properties, and medicinal powers of the substances employed as remedies; and they are no further subjects of attention, than to point out their application in particular cases. But in order to make this work useful to those who are not acquainted with the powers of medi- cines, we will give the symptoms of diseases, and the remedies according to the symptoms, with a description of the weights and measures, used by the apothecaries, so that they may be enabled to prepare their medicines, and adminis- ter them with certainty. We will first give a description of the weights that are made use. of: The small pieces of sheet-brass, which accompany the small scales, are intended to weigh grains, and the in- dentations in them, represent the number of grains; and the square bits of brass represents 1 2 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. scruples and drachms; the scruple is marked thus 9i, and is equal to twenty grains, a drachm thus 3i, and an ounce thus I i, a drachm is equal to three scruples, and an ounce equal to eight drachms. In order to measure fluids, glasses graduated on their sides, will be found useful; and one measuring three ounces, is sufficiently large for all ordinary purposes, the first line crossing the central line on the glass, represents half a drachm, and the next a drachm, and so on until eight drachms are marked; they then represent two drachms, and double as the glass widens: the drachm mark will be found on one side of the central line, and the ounce on the other. By becoming acquainted with those weights and measures, and the manner of dividing the in- gredients, which will hereafter be given, any per- son may be able to compound or prepare their own medicines, and be a saving of more than one half of the expense that it would to go to the apothecaries; and be much safer as medicines are frequently compounded by boys in shops. And by having the medicines in the house, where they can be administered immediately, save a pa- tient from a great deal of suffering. We will here give a list of such medicines, and medical utensils, as ought always to be kept in a large family. The first is a medicine chest:—containing two ounces of Calomel, four ounces of Jalap, four ouncesof Rhubarb, two ounces of Calcined Mag- nesia, two drachms of powdered Gamboge, four drachms of Tartar Emetic, a bottle of Mustard, THE FAMILIES1 NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 3 a pint of the Tincture of Lobelia, four drachms of Quinine, a bottle of Castor Oil, half a pint of sweet spirits of Nitre, half a pint of spirits of Hartshorn, two drachms of Opium, half a pound of Nitrite of Potash, two ounces of Ipecacuanha, two ounces of Cayenne pepper, four ounces of the best Aloes, four ounces of Burgundy pitch, a box of blistering Plaster,—a stick of adhesive Plaster, half a pint of Laudanum, a pint of spirits of Camphor, a cake'of Castile soap, four ounces of Senna,-ten pounds of Epsom Salts, a pint Syringe, a three ounce graduate glass, an apothecaries scales and weights, and a small wedge wood mortar. The manner of making pills is as follows; reduce your articles to powder, if not powdered; mix your several ingredients together in the mor- tar, and add a small portion of syrup, mix it well in the mortar, until you get it to a proper consis- tence ; then take it out of the mortar and roll it on a board until it gets to about the thickness of a pill; (a case knife is best to roll it with,) then take your knife and divide it into as many pills as you may think proper, after which you will roll them with your fingers, and put them in some flour or magnesia, so as to keep them: from stick- ing together. To make powders; rub your ingredients well together in the mortar, after which, put the pow- der on a board and devide it equally into as ma- ny powders as may be wanted, according to the directions, and fold them up in smooth paper, as rough paper wastes a portion of the powder. The next is a suitable frame, for giving a steam bath. It is formed somewhat like the following 4 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. description:—Haifa circle or a half-hoop of good strength, and twenty-two inches in diameter, will form the end which is to stride across the neck of the patient. A half circular plank, eighteen inches in diameter, will make the foot end of the frame. A thin board four or five feet long should cover the top, and a lath or two of similar length, should secure each of the sides. A hole of a suitable size, should be made in the middle of the foot end, for the introduction of a tin tube, which must be made in the following manner: two feet and a half long, and to be bent so as to form about the fourth of a circle, and to be twelve inches in circumference at one end, and about six at the other, the small end to be introduced into the hole in the foot board, a blanket to be tied around the large end, and placed over a tub of hot water, this will conduct the steam into the frame, and when you wish to increase the steam, throw into the tub hot rocks; this will rise as much steam as you may want. The patients should be stripped of all their clothing, except their linen, which after the bath goes into operation, they may draw up to their chin. The frame is to be laid over them in bed, and a sufficient weight of bed-clothes should be used so as to confine the heat properly. The weight of the bed clothes being properly sus- tained by the frame, they can turn themselves over at pleasure. After steaming the patients until they feel a faintnes*s, (which ought to be done in all instan- ces if possible) wash them off with whiskey and rub them well with a flannel cloth. This must THE FAMILIES'1 NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 5 be done in order to keep them from taking cold, and serves many other good purposes, as it causes a determination of the circulation to the skin; which is a great object in many diseases, and particularly those of the bowels and stomach. General Rules to be observed in Treating of Diseases. Rule 1st.—In every complaint, whatever it may be called, if you find the pulse quick, hard, full, and strong,—the head ach,—tongue foul,— skin hot, or those marks which denote it of an in- flammatory nature, remember the plan is to re- duce it by purging,—low diet,—and steaming. Ride %id.—If on the contrary, the pulse be soft, feeble, and intermitting—the tongue dark, and great debility or weakness is evident, reverse the whole plan; the diet must be generous and nourishing,—the bowels opened with gentle lax- atives,—and the strength supported by bark, sulphate of Quinine, wine and tonics of vari- ous kinds. It is necessary, however, to be careful in dis- tinguishing the weakness which is here meant, from that state of debility which arises from ex- cessive action, from the stuffing up of the ves- sels, and which requires the steam-bath or lancet. As a mistake might prove fatal, attention should be paid to the pulse, bp which they can be known. In that state which require tonics, the pulse is small, soft—sometimes like a thread and quick. In the other, it is slower and full, giving con- siderable resistance to the pressure of the fin- gers. But always bear it in mind, that where 6 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. there is a difficulty in discriminating, and you have failed to give relief, send for your physi- cian. As this work is not intended to make a physician of any one, but to serve as a guide, to prevent diseases from becoming seated, by re- moving the first indications, without doing in- jury to the patient, or that you may be enabled to treat a patient where a physician cannot be obtained. Rule 3d.—If in addition to those symptoms mentioned in the second rule, the tongue be co- vered with a black coat,—foul dark-looking sores from about the gums and insides of the cheeks, the breath be offensive &c, the same class of re- medies is to be vigorously employed, with a free use of acidulated drinks, and garles of yeast; Cayenne pepper, tincture of myrrhse and other antiseptic articles. Rale 4th.—-Local pains, as in the head, side, &c. may be relieved by the use of the steambath, purging, and blisters to the part, but if severe they will require the use of the lancet. Rule 5/A.—Observe carefully, the effects of various articles of food, as well as physic, upon your own body, and chose those which expe- rience proves to agree best with you. It is a vulgar but true saying, that "what is one man's meat is another's poison." Rule 6th.—Keep a siflt room always well ventilated. Plenty of fresh air is an important remedial agent in all diseases, a clean room, and a punctual attendance to administering the me- dicines. It is not meant by this that the patient should THE FAMILIES' EEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 7 be exposed to a direct current of air, or a damp room from scrubbing, which should be always avoided by well and sick. OF THE PULSE. The pulse is the beating of an artery. Every time the heart contracts, a portion of blood is forced into the arteries, which dilate or swell to let it pass, and then immediately regain their for- mer size, until by a second stroke of the same organ, a fresh column of blood is pushed through them, when a similar action is repeated: this swelling and contracting constitutes the pulse, and consequently it may be found in every part of the body where those vessels run near enough to the surface to be felt. Physicians look for it at the wrist, from motives of convenience. The strength and velocity vary much in differ- ent persons, even in a state of perfect health. It is much quicker in children than in adults; and in old men, it grows more slow and feeble, owing to a decreased energy of the heart. The pulse is increased both in strength and velocity by run- ning, walking, riding and jumping; by eating, drinking, singing, speaking, and by joy, anger, &c. It is diminished in like manner, by fear, want of nourishment, melancholy, excessive evacuations, or by whatever tends to debilitate the system. In feeling the pulse in patients, allowance should be made for these causes, or what is bet- ter, we should wait until their temporary effects have ceased. A full, tense and strong pulse is, when the ar- tery swells boldly under the finger, and resists 8 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. its pressure more or less; if, in addition to this, the pulsation be very rapid, it is called quick, full and strong; if slow, the contrary. A hard, corded pulse, is that in which the ar- tery feels like a string of a violin, giving conside- rable resistance to the pressure of the finger. The soft and intermitting pulses, are easily known by their names. In cases of extreme de- bility, on the approach of death, and in some particular diseases, the artery vibrates under the finger like a thread. In feeling of the pulse, three or four fingers should be laid on it at once. The most con- venient spot to do this, (as already mentioned,) is the wrist, requesting the patient to let his hand rest on something. ♦ There are two kinds of blood-vessels in the human body: arteries and veins, the arteries car- ry the blood from the heart to the extremities of the body, where they are connected with the veins which bring it back again. An artery pul- sates or beats; a vein does not. OF FEVER. Fevers are by far the most common complaints to which the human body is subject. It may be briefly described as a combination of heat, thirst, loss of appetite, weakness, and inability to sleep. It makes its appearance in two ways: either sud- denly and violently, or gradually and gently. When it comes on in the first manner, a cold shaking attended with sickness at the stomach, or vomiting, marks its access; the cold is more severe than in the latter; as is also the pain iu THE FAMILIES' NEW GTIDE TO HEALTH. 9 the head, and other symptoms. When its at- tacks are gradual, a feeling of soreness over the whole body, such as is experienced after a hard day's work by one not accustomed to it, shows its approach. Nausea, pains in the head, chills, and more or less heat and thirst soon follow. As these symptoms vary infinitely in their de- gree of violence, the vigour of the treatment to be pursued, must differ accordingly. Thus the same directions that are given for simple inflam- matory fever, must be adhered to; in one whose symptoms are lighter, though similar, only there is no necessity for pushing them to so great an extent. SIMPLE INFLAMMATORY FEVER. Symptoms.—Chills, flushed face, skin hot, eyes red, pulse quick, full strong and regular, great thirst, tongue white, urine high-coloured and small in quantity, bowels costive, breathing quick, and a sense of soreness nuthe joints. Cause.—Cold, violent exercise whilst exposed to the heat of the sun, and intemperance. Treatment.—Give at the very beginning of the attack one fourth of a grain of Tartar Emetic, and repeat it every ten minutes until it produces nausea. Then place the patients under the in- fluence of the steam-bath, until they feel faint. If they should have great pain in the head whilst steaming, apply cold water to the head. And immediately after steaming give twelve grains of Ipecacuanha, and ten of Calomel. If it vomits, en- courage it by giving plenty of warm water, and when it operates on the bowels, give chicken 10 THE FAMILIES'1 NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. water, seasoned with Cayenne pepper. After this, if the fever continues, repeat the steam, and give the following mixture: One ounce of Epsom salts, two grains of Tartar Emetic, dissolved in a pint of water; one table spoonful to be given every two hours, followed up with the chicken water and Cayenne pepper. The room should be kept quiet, cool and dark, every source of ex- citement being removed. And for a common drink lemonade, or the liquor of stewed fruit. Intermittent, or Ague and Fever. Of this fever, there are several varieties, which differ from each other only in the length of time that elapses between their attacks. Symptoms.—The symptoms of ague and fever are, unfortunately, too well known among us, commencing with yawning, stretching and un- easiness; this is succeeded by slight chills or shiverings, that end in a violent or convulsive shaking of the whole body. This is the cold fit, and is immediately followed by the fever or hot fit. The pulse rises, the skin becomes hot, pain in the head, tongue white, and all the marks of fever, terminating in a profuse sweat, which gra- dually subsiding leaves the patient in his natural state, though somewhat weakened. Causes.—Living in low damp situations, and imprudent exposure to night air, intemperance, &c. Treatment.—On the first alarm that is given by a chill, or any of those feelings indicative of its approach, take ten grains of Calomel and three grains of Tartar Emetic, this will act first as an THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 11 emetic and then as a cathartic. If this does not give entire relief, use the steam bath, after which give a one grain Quinine pill every hour, whilst there is no fever. If this fails, give three of No. 1. Anti-bilious Pills,*) and repeat the steam, at the commencement of the chill, and continue the Quinine after the fever is gone off. A repe- tition of this treatment will never fail to cure. REMITTENT FEVER. This is a kind of fever which occasionally abates, but does not entirely cease, before a fresh attack comes on, so that the patient is never com- pletely free from it. The symptoms are of three kinds. When bile predominates, it is called Bilious remittent or Bilious Fever, which in a highly aggravated state is the true Yellow Fever of the United States and West Indies. This consti- tutes the first kind of remittent. The second is marked by debility, when it is called typhus or low nervous fever. The third exhibits all those marks of debility and putrescency, which consti- tute putrid fever. BILIOUS FEVER Symptoms.—In this disease all the marks of great excitement and a superfluity of bile are vi- sible; the skin is hot, the pulse tense and full, tongue white in the commencement, changing to brown as the fever increases, breathing hurried and anxious, bowels very costive, and skin of a •) See No. 1. Anti-bilious Pills in the sequel of this work. 12 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. yellowish hue. In bad cases, there is great paiifr in the head, with delirium; the patient picks at the bed clothes, a convulsive jerking of the tendons at the wrist, tongue black and furred, a deep yellow skin, vomiting of a dark matter that looks like coffee grounds, and hiccup. When the latter symptoms prevail, it is called Yellow fever. Causes.—A peculiar torpor of the liver, which is more common in low, marshy places than any other. There also appears to be a predisposition to this disease in certain seasons more than in others, also in particular persons. One might suppose that it was caused by certain changes in the atmosphere. Treatment.—This must be conducted on ge- neral principles. As the inflammatory and bilious symptoms are the most predominant at the com- mencement, steam the patient freely, and apply cold water to the head, and repeat the operation if the pulse requires it. The next step is to cleanse the stomach, and rouse the liver by an emetic, giving twelve grains of Ipecacuanha, with ten of Calomel. This will put the liver into action. Then the following saline mixture must be given, until copious evacuations are produced: Epsom Salts one ounce, Senna half an ounce, Aniseed two drachms, Tartar Emetic three grains, one pint of boiling water to be poured over, and then steeped for fifteen minutes. Give a wine glass- ful of this mixture every hour until free evacua- tions are produced. And if there is a difficulty in getting free evacuations, give an injection of one table spoonful of common table salt, the same proportion of lard, with a tea spoonful of THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. IS Cayenne pepper, and half a pint of milk warm water, repeat this as often as is necessary. The diet should he chicken water well seasoned with Cayenne pepper, rice water, lemonade, or the liquor of stewed dried fruit, taking care to keep the bowels discharging freely, during the whole of the disease. If, however, all endeavours fail, and the dis- ease seems to advance, the No. 2 Quinine mix- ture must he given, a tea spoonful every hour and in the intervals wash the patient with spirits of camphor and vinegar, equal proportions. As soon as putrescency makes its appearence, give the No. 3 Anti-septic mixture in combination with the Quinine mixture, a tea spoonful of each every hour, keeping the patient cool and comfortable as possible, excluding all noise. But in all such low cases a skilful physician had better be sent for, as those low grades of fever require the nicest management imaginable. And if a skil- f ul physician cannot be obtained, you had bet- ter rely on your own judgement, and follow the plan of treatment here laid down, for your guide. Typhus, or low nervous Fever. Symptoms.—Languor, debility, dejection of mind, alternate flushes of heat and chills, loath- ing of food, confusion of ideas. These are suc- ceeded by pain in the head, difficulty of breath- ing, frequent weak, and sometimes intermitting pulse, the tongue dry, and covered with a brown coat, the teeth and gums being encrusted with the same, the forehead covered with sweat, while 2 14 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. the hands are dry and glow with heat, the pa- tient talks wildly. Causes.—Whatever tends to weaken the system, a poor diet, grief, living in close, filthy apartments. Distinguished from putrid fever by the attack coming on more gradually, and by the greater mildness of the symptoms, by the want of those putrid marks mentioned in the former, and by the absence of vomiting. Treatment.—If the bowels be costive, give some gentle laxative, as No. 4 cathartic Pill, give three, and if this does not operate, repeat the dose. As soon as they have operated, or even before (if the weakness of the patient re- quires it) exhibit good Madeira wine as freely as the stomach will bear, not only as drink, but mixed with the food, which should be sago, ta- pioca, panado, jellies and rice. Wine, brandy or porter (an important article when good) are to be freely employed, always remembering, that if the strength be not supported by these means, they will die of debility. Steaming and spung- ing the body with vinegar, is a remedy in this disease of great value. If delirium or insensi- bility come on, shave the head and apply a bli- ster to it, or clothes wrung out of iced water and vinegar. If a purging ensues, it must be stopped or it will prove fatal. This may be done by the No. 5 Astringent mixture, a table spoonful every two hours, until it is stopped. Great reliance is now placed upon the sulphate of Quinine, which may be taken in two grain doses every hour, also the No. 6 Stimulating Pill, one to be taken every two hours. The pa- THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 15 tient should be kept cool, clean, and comfort- able. HEAD ACH. Causes.—Some particular disease of which it is a symptom. Indigestion, a foul stomach, tight cravats or shirt collars, exposure to the heat of the sun, a determination of the blood to the head. Treatment.—This will vary according to the cause. If it arises from indigestion, that must be attended to. A foul stomach is one of the most usual causes of head ach: such is the con- nexion between these parts, that the one is sel- dom out of order, without notice being given of it by the other. In this case, twenty grains of Ipecacuanha and one grain of TartarEmetic should always be administered, which, at a day's inter- val, is to be followed by a purgative. If from the beating of the artery in the temples and a sense of fulness in the head, we suspect it to be an undue determination to that part, steam freely, and apply cold water to the head. Long continued and obstinate head ach has been fre- quently benefited by emetics, and the steam-bath, several times repeated. INFLAMMATION OF THE EYE. Symptoms.—Pain, heat and swelling of the parts, which appear blood-shot, the tears hot and scalding, fever, intolerance of light, sometimes, when the lids are affected, the edges become ul- cerated. 16 THE FAMILIES'" NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. Causes.—External injuries, as blows, par- ticles of sand, &c. getting in them, exposure to cold, a strong light, intemperance, &c. Treatment.—If the complaint is caused from foreign bodies, they must be removed by in- jecting warm milk and water into the eye, with a small syringe. From whatever cause it may originate, the inflammation must be subdued by purging with Epsom Salts and a small portion of Tartar Emetic combined, and the steam-bath must be applied, with a strict attention to low diet. If the eye is very painfull, No. 7 Eye water may be used, by clipping clothes in it and applying them to the eye, also bread and milk poultice, with half a drachm of sugur of Lead in it; to be applied when cold. INFLAMMATION OF THE EAR. Symptoms.—Pain in the ear, which at last either gradually ceases, or matter is discharged through the opening. Causes.—The accumulation of hard wax, insects getting into it, injuries from blows, fyc. Treatment —A little warm olive oil, with an equal part of laudanum, dropped into the ear, and retained there by a piece of wool, will fre- quently procure almost instant relief. If it be caused by hard wax, inject warm soap suds or salt water to soften it, and then, with care, en- deavour to extract it, when the oil and laudanum may again be employed. In cases of great seve- rity, a blister may be applied behind the ear. A temporary deafness frequently results from this complaint, and sometimes, when matter is form- THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 17 ed, the bones of the organ are destroyed, and hearing is lost forever. BLEEDING AT THE NOSE. Causes.—Fulness of blood, violent exercise, particular position of the body, blows, &c. Treatment.—Keep the patient erect or sit- ting with his head a little thrown backwards, take off their cravat, unbutton their shirt-collar, and expose them freely to the cold air; apply ice or cold vinegar and water to their genitals, and the back of the neck. If these are not sufficient, moisten a plug of linen with brandy, roll it in powdered Alum, and put it up the nostril. If the pulse be full, give a brisk purge of Epsom salts with a small portion of Tartar Emetic in it. POLYPUS. ' The nose is subject to two species of this tu- mor:—the pear-shaped or pendulous polypus, and a flattened irregular excrescence, which is extremely painful,, and is of a cancerous nature. As soon as any affection of this kind is suspect- ed, apply to a skilful surgeon. CANCER OF THE LIP AND TONGUE. This kind of cancer always commences in a small crack, which, after a while, becomes ex- quisitely painful. If closely examined, this crack is found to be seated in a small hard tu- mor, which soon ulcerates, and if not checked, extends the disorder to the throat, thereby en- dangering the patient's life. 18 THB FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. Treatment.—No time should be lost in use- less attempts to cure it by medicines. The only safety for the patient is in the knife, and that at an early period. MERCURIAL ULCERS IN THE MOUTH. Large, dark looking ulcers in the mouth are a common effect of the abuse of mercury. They may be known by the horrid smell of the breath, by the teeth being loosened from the gums, and by a coppery taste in the mouth. Treatment.—Give the patient to drink quan- tities of sarsaparella tea, and use the steam-bath at least once a week, also give a tea spoonful of sulphur every day until all the ulcers are healed. ENLARGEMENT OF THE UVULA. The uvula is the little tongue-like appendage, that hangs down from the middle of the fleshy curtain, which divides the mouth from the throat. It is very subject to inflammation, the conse- quence of which is, that it becomes so long that its point touches, and sometimes even lies along the tongue, which creates considerable uneasi- ness, and is now and then the cause of a con- stant cough, which finally ends in consumption. It is commonly called the falling of the palate. Causes.—Cold; damp clothes; wet feet, fyc. Treatment—Strong gargles of bayberry bark and vinegar, with a small portion of Cayenne pepper. After which give a steam-bath, and a mild purge of Epsom salts. THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 19 INFLAMMATORY SORE THROAT. Symptoms.—Chills and flushes of heat suc- ceeding each other; fever; the inside of the mouth, the throat and tonsils much inflamed; swallowing is painful; hoarseness; heat and darting pains in the throat. Causes,—Cold; damp clothing; wet feet; excessive exertions of voice. Distinguish it from putrid sore throatby the fever being inflammatory. Treatment. — An emetic, taken at a very qarly stage of this disorder will frequently prevent it from forming. The next step is to give the steam- bath and to steam freely and give a dose of Ep- som salts with a fourth of a grain of Tartar Emetic in it. A mustard plaster, or a blister to the throat, is an invaluable application. The diet should consist of barley or rice. The throat should be gargled with vinegar and water, in- haling the steam of hops in water, from the spout of a teapot. If symptoms of putrescency appear, treat it as directed in putrid sore throat. PUTRID SORE THROAT. Symptoms.—All the marks of typhus; on the second day a difficulty of swallowing; respi- ration hurried; breath hot; skin dry and burn- ing; a quick, weak and irregular puke; scarlet blotches break out about the lips, and the inside of the mouth and throat is of a fiery red colour. About the third day blotches of a dark, red co- lour rn^ke their appearance about the face and neck, which soon extend over the whole body. Upon examining the throat a number of specks, 20 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. between an ash and a dark brown colour, are ob- served on the palate, uvula and tonsils; a brown fur covers the tongue; the lips are covered with little vesicles or bladders, which burst and give out a thin acrid matter, that produces ulceration wherever it touches. In bad cases the inside of the mouth and throat become black, and are co- vered with foul spreading ulcers, when all the symptoms that characterize putrid fever ensue. Distinguish it from scarlet fever, by the fever being a typhus and not inflammatary, by the sore throat, dark tongue, and putrid symptoms; and from measles, by the absence of cough, sneezing, watering of the eyes, &e. Treatment.—Emetics in tne beginning are used with advantage, also moderate steaming, with the following injection, warm water one pint, Ceyenne pepper one drachm, molasses four ounces, and Tincture of Myrrha one ounce, but the great and evident indication is to prevent and counteract the disposition to putrescency, and to support the strength. For this purpose the No. 3 Antiseptie mixture should be given every two hours, in table spoonful doses, Cayen- ne pepper is a valuable article; it may be taken in the form of pills. To clean the throat, use the fol- lowing gargle, Yeast two ounces, Cayenne pep- per one drachm, Tincture of Myrrha one ounce, water two ounces. Any looseness of the bowels nUst be checked by giving a strong tea made of bayberry bark or black oak bark. The diet should consist of arrow root, jelly, panad#, tapio- ca, and gruel, and a drink of wine whey, wine and water, &c. THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 2l CATARRH, OR COLD. Symptoms.—A dull pain in the head, swelling and redness of the eyes, the effusion of a thin acrid mucus from the nose, hoarseness, cough, and fever. Treatment.—If the symptoms be violent, give the steam-bath and boneset-tea in large quanti- ties. The patient should be confined to his bed, and be purged freely. If there is great pain in the breast, apply the steam-bath again and give No. 8 cough mixture, a tea spoonful every fifteen minutes, or till relief is given. The influenza is nothing more than an ag- gravated state of catarrh, and is to be cured by the same remedies. No cough or cold is too light to merit attention. Neglected colds lay the foundations of diseases, that every year send thousands to the grave. ASTHMA. Symptoms.—A tightness across the breast, frequent short breathing, attended with wheez- ing, increased by exertions and when in bed. It comes on in fits or paroxisms. Treatment.—If robust and young, give the steam-bath and apply cold water to the head, and give No. 9 Tincture of Lobelia in tea spoonful doses every ten minutes until it gives relief, after which give a mild purgative. In old people omit the steam, it may* debilitate them too much. We depleat fully as much with the steam-bath as we do by bleeding. 22 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. PLEURISY. Sym0oms—A sharp pain or stitch in the side, increased upon breathing, inability of lying on the affected side, pulse hard, quick and corded, torfgue white. Causes.—Imprudent exposure to cold damp weather, without being sufficiently clothed, and wearing of damp clothes, &c. Treatment.—Steam the patient at first until they faint or nearly so, and give twenty grains of Ipecacuanha in half a teacup of milk warm water, and after the operation of the emetic, give a dose of No. 1 Anti-bilious Pills. The patient should be confined to bed, and take for a common drink a warm decoction of the common hemlock leaves, or balm-tea, and in liberal quantities. The diet should always consist of rice or barley water. And if the pain in the side should not be entirely relieved, repeat the steam-bath and rub the side with Compound No. 10. SPITTING OF BLOOD. Symptoms.—Blood of a bright red colour, of- ten frothy, brought up by coughing. Causes.—Consumption and its causes, a ful- ness of blood, rupture of a blood vessel from any cause. Distinguish it from vomiting of blood, by its bright colour, and being brought up by cough- ing. Treatment.—Give the patient at once a table spoonful of common salt and direct him to swal- low it. If the pulse be full* give the following injection, common salt a table spoonful, Cayenne THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 23 pepper one drachm, wTarm water one pint, after which give the steam-bath freely. CONSUMPTION. Symptoms.—A short, dry cough, languor and gradual loss of strength, pulse small, quick and soft, pain in the breast, expectoration of a frothy matter, that at last becomes solid and yellow, the breath becomes more anxious and hurried, the emaciation and pain increase, hectic fever, night sweats and looseness of the bowels come on, and the patient, unsuspicious of danger, dies.. Causes.—Neglected colds, dissipation, sup- pressed menses, &c. Treatment.—In a confirmed state of consump- tion, nothing that art has hitherto been able to do, can afford us any solid hope of cure. When once the disease is firmly seated in the lungs, all that is possible, is to smooth the passage to the grave, and perhaps for a while to retard it. If, however, the disease is taken in its very bud, much may be done by removing the cause, and change of climate, a milk diet, vigorous and daily exercise on horseback, and by carefully avoiding cold and all exciting causes. A removal to a warm climate should be the first step taken, if practicable: if not a voyage to sea, or a long jour- ney on horseback. A complete suit of flannel, worn next the skin, is an indispensable article for every one, who is even inclined to this most fatal disorder. PALPITATION OF THE HEART. The symptoms of this disease must be obvious from its name. When it arises from a diseased %4 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. state of the heart or its vessels, nothing can be done to cure it. The patient should be careful to avoid a full habit of body, and abstain from vio- lent exercise. He should live low, and keep as quiet and composed as possible. A fit of anger or any imprudence may cost their life. There is a milder form of this disease, resulting from debi- lity, which must be remedied by resting the ge- neral strength of the system. It is symptomatic of other diseases, and must be treated accord- ingly. DROPSY OF THE CHEST. Symptoms.—Difficulty of breathing, which is increased in lying down, oppression and weight at the breast, countenance pale or livid, and ex- tremely anxious, great thirst, pulse irregular and intermitting, cough, violent palpitation of the heart, the patient can lie on one side only, or cannot lie down at all, so that they have to sleep sitting, frightful dreams, a feeling of suffocation, &c. Treatment.—This is another of those diseases that mock the art of man. To say it is incurable, would be hazarding too much, but as yet, it has nearly always proved so. All that can be done, is to treat it as is laid down for dropsy in gene- ral, which consists of steaming, purging, and emetics. But in diseases of so serious a nature a skilful Physician should be applied to. INFLAMMATION OF THE STOMACH. Symptoms.—A fixed burning pain in the sto- mach, small, very quick pulse, sudden and great THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 25 weakness^ the pain in the stomach increased on slightest pressure, vomiting, hiccup. To these are sometimes an erysipelatous inflammation, extending from the mouth to the stomach, fain- ting, clammy sweats and death. Causes.—Cold suddenly applied to the body or stomach, drinking largely of cold water while very warm. The striking in of eruptions, poi- sons, gout, rheumatism, &c. Treatment.—Give a steam-bath immediately and very freely, rub them all over with the Compound No. 10,rand apply a poultice of hops and vinegar to the pit of the stomach. A warm laxative injection must be given and repeated frequently, which is composed of molasses half a pint, warm water one pint, Cayenne pepper one drachm, common salt a table spoonful. This plan of treatment t%Joe kept up until the inflammation is subdued. When the inflammation is reduced, and the stomach will bear it, arrow root jelly or gum arabic tea, from time to time is to be given. The most rigid diet must be observed, and the pa- tient kept very quiet. If mortification ensues, death is the* inevitable consequence. It may al- ways be expected to take place, when from the state of torture we have just described, there is a sudden change to one of perfect ease. CRAMP IN THE STOMACH. Symptoms.—Violent spasmodic cramp, with excruciating pain in the stomach, which is so se- vere, as nearly to cause fainting. 3 26 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. Causes.—Imprudence in eating articles that do not agree with the stomach, such as will not digest. Treatment.—A teaspoonful of No. 9 Tincture of Lobelia, to be repeated every ten minutes until it vomits the patient, if this does not give imme- diate relief give a steam-bath. HICCUPS. Symptoms.—A spasmodic affection of the sto- mach and diaphram, producing the peculiar noise, which gives rise to the name. Treatment.—When hiccup occurs at the close of any disease, they may be considered harbingers of death; they, however, frequently arise from acidity in the stomach and other causes. A long draught of cold water, a sudden surprise, or fright, puts a stop to them. Violent cases of hiccup have been relieved, that have resisted eHry other reme- dy by giving five drops of oil of amber every ten minutes, it may be taken in a little mint water HEART-BURN. This common and distressing complaint is most generally connected with indigestion. To relieve it for the moment, magnesia, and soda water, may be employed. To cure the complaint, it requires to strengthen the digestive powers by tonics, bitters, and the different treatment for that purpose. INDIGESTION. Symptoms.—Want of appetite, low spirits, pains and fulness in the stomach, belching, a sour THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 21 water rising in the mouth, heart-burn, the bow- els are irregular and generally costive, weakness and emaciation, pulse small and slow, pain in the head, skin dry, great uneasiness after eating. Causes.—All those that produce debility, ex- cessive indulgence in the pleasures of the table, or intemperance in any way; a sedentary life or want of exercise ;not indulging the appetite when hungry, a diseased liver, &c. Treatment.—In every case of indigestion, the first thing the patient should'do, is to abstain from whatever may have tended to produce it. The diet should consist of animal food, that is light, nourishing, and easily digested. Roasted mutton is perhaps preferable to any other. Coun- try air, and constant exercise on horseback are invaluable remedies in this disease, as it is ge- nerally occasioned by a departure from natural habits and employments, it must be relieved by a return to them. Flannel should be worn next the skin, and care taken, to avoid cold or exposure to wet weather. An emetic should be given, twenty grains of Ipe- cacuanha and a moderate steam-bath, after which, take three times a day a tea-spoonful of the com- pound No. 10, and keep the bowels open by seme warm laxative, No. 4 cathartic Pills, are very good for that purpose, one or two to be taken at night, and the whole frame braced by the daily use of the cold bath, taking care to take plenty of exercise and fresh air. If the disease arise from a diseased liver, recourse must be had to the plan laid down for its cure. 28 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. * Inflammation of the Liver. Symptoms.—A dull pain in the right side be- low the ribs, which is more sensible on pressure, an inability to lie on the left side, pain in the right shoulder-blade, a sallow complexion. Such are the symptoms of an acute attack of this dis- ease. There is another species called chronic, in which its approaches are so gradual, that it is a difficult matter to determine its nature. It commences with all the symptoms of indigestion and ends in jaundice or dropsy. Causes.—Long continued fever and ague; in- flammation; acrid bile; drunkenness, or a free use of spirituous liquors is a very common cause; in- juries from blows, &e. Distinguish it from pleu- risy by the pain not being so severe; and by its extending to the shoulder-blade; by not being able to rest on the left side. Treatment.—Use the steam-bath freely, ac- cording to the age, strength, and violence of the pain, and after steaming, give a tea-spoonful of No. 9 Tincture of Lobelia, every ten minutes until it vomits, and if it should not vomit after repeating the dose three or four times, add to a pint of warm water, a piece of pearl-ash about the size of a pea, and give it at one draught. Af- ter which give the following injection, one pint of warm water, Epsom Salt one ounce, Cayenne pepper half a drachm, molasses four ounces. This is to be repeated once daily, as long as there is any symptoms of the disease. The whole of the treatment may be repeated as often as thought proper, or until the inflammation is entirely re- duced. After which, in order to restore the tone. THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 29 of the system, give a wine glassful of the com- pound No. 10, every morning fasting. If an ab- cess forms and points outwardly, apply bread and milk poultices to the tumor, and as soon as mat- ter is formed within it, and can be distinguished by the feel, open k at its lowest and most pro- jecting part with the point of a sharp lancet, and let out its contents slowly, taking care not to close the wound, until this is completely effect- ed. The patient must be supported with good wines and a generous diet, or they will sink un- der the disease. JAUNDICE. Symptoms.—Languor, loathing of food, a bit- ter taste in ifie mouth, vomiting, the skin and eyes of a yellow colour, the stool clayey, and the urine giving a yellow tinge to rags dipped in it. There is a dull pain in the right side under the last rib, which is increased on pressure. When the pain is severe.there is fever; the pulse hard, full, &c. Causes.—An interruption of the regular pas- sage of the bile, which is carried into the blood. It is occasioned by gall-stones, a diseased liver, &c. Intemperance is a very common cause, hence tipplers are more subject to it, than others. Treatment.—If the pulse be hard and full, the pain great, and other inflammatory symptoms be present, an emetic of twenty grains of Ipecacuan- ha should be given, and if this should not vomit freely, repeat the dose. They should be placed in the steam-bath and steamed freely as the age and strength of the patient, and the violence of the pain, seems to demand.. If the pain he acute 3* 30 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. at one particular spot, there is reason to suppose that a gall-stone is lodged there, and the same treatment must be repeated as long as there is any symptoms of the disease, taking care to keep the bowels freely open, with No. 1 anti-bilious Pills. The diet should be chicken and mutton soup, well seasoned with Cayenne pepper. Re- gular exercise (on horse-back, if possible) should never be neglected by persons subject to this disease. Inflammation of the Intestines. Symptoms.—Sharp pain in the bowels which shoots round the navel, and is increased on pressure, sudden loss of strengtn, vomiting of dark coloured, sometimes excrementitious matter, costiveness, small, quick, and hard pulse, high coloured urine, &c. Distinguish it from cholic, by the pain being increased by pressure, whereas in cholic it is re- lieved by it. Causes.—Costiveness, strangulated hernia, vio- lent colds, &c. Treatment.—This is another of those formi- dable diseases, that require the most prompt and efficient treatment, as it frequently runs its course in less than twenty four hours. If a skillful Physician cannot be obtained immediately, the following course of treatment may be pursu- ed. Give twenty grains of Ipecacuanha, for an emetic, and give a steam-bath immediately, and freely, after which apply a large poultice of hops and vinegar all over the abdomen, and rub the legs and arms with the compound No. 10. If a THE FAMILfts' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 31 protruded intestine is the cause of it, apply ice to the tumor, and press it up genteelly and give a dose of castor Oil. If costiveness is the cause, injections of warm soap suds must be given and repeated until free discharges are brought on, af- ter which the patient can take some chicken broth, flaxseed tea, or barley water. .q + CHOLERA. This distressing disease, generally termed spasmodic Cholera, which is now prevailing on this continent, is no new disease. The most re- markable epidemic of this kind which has pre- vailed, was early in the fourteenth century, a time when medical science was at a low ebb. There are accounts of the most frightful aspect, relating to this disease at that time, some of the towns in the north of Europe, were nearly depopulated. We have frightful accounts of its existence in the sixteenth century. Bontias, a Dutch physician, who wrote of the disease at Batavia in 1629, says, the Cholera morbus "is extremely fre- quent"—the patients often die of it u so quickly, as in the space of twenty four hours at most. "This disease is attended with a weak pulse, difficult respiration, and coldness of the extreme parts, to which are joined, great internal heat, and insatiable thirst, perpetual watching, and restless and incessant tossing of the body. If together with these symptoms, a cold fetid sweat should break forth, it is a certain sign that death is at hand." The Madras medical board gives the follow- ing particulars: A disease having, in October 3£ THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. last, prevailed at Arcot similar to an epidemioi that raged amongst the natives about Paliconda^ in the ambrose valley, in 1769 to 1770, in an ar- my of observation January 1783, and the Bengal detachment at Laugand in 1781, and several other places at different times, as well as under the ap- ^e^pance of dysentery, cholera morbus, or mor- dixim, but attended with spasms of the precor- dia, and sudden prostration of strength as charac- teristic marks." Dr. Paisley notices Cholera in- 1774, at Ma- dras. He says it is often " epidemic among the blacks, whom it destroys quickly." When the disease is epidemic, it " brings on sudden pros- tration of strength, and spasms over the whole surface of the body.1' Dr. Somerat notices this disease as it appear- ed from 1774 to 1781. " There is also another disorder, which reigns and in twenty four hours or sometimes less, car-j ries off those who are attacked." Debauchee* and those who have indigestions, or are attackecf with a looseness, or rather with an involuntary flux of the excrementary matter become liquid." This "flux," some years ago, destroyed "above sixty thousand people from Cherigam to Pondir cherry." The symptoms of this disorder were— a wratery flux, accompanied with vomiting an<{' extreme faintness, a burning thirst, great oppres- sion of the breast, and suppression of urine. Two years afterwards, there was another epi- demic, in which-"H,hose attacked had thirty eva- cuations in five or six hours, which reduced them so weak, that they could neither move or I THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 33 speak." They were often without pulse; the hands and ears were cold, the face lengthened, the sinking of the sockets of the eyes, was the sign of death. Cholera observed at Mauritias in 1775 and 1819 by LV. Burne—"the mortality was parti- cularly amQig the people of colour." At Gangam in 1781, Cholera was extensively seen as an epidemic. "It assailed them with al- most inconceivable fury. Men previously heal- thy dropped down by dozens; and those less se- verely affected were generally dead or past re- covery in an hour. The spasms of the extremi- ties and trunk were dreadful; and distressing vomiting and purging was present in all. Be- sides those who died, upwards of five hundred were admitted into the hospital daily." This disease has been noticed by Curtis in 1782. From this up to 1790, the disease is said to have prevailed very frequently in different parts of the East Indies. It would be useless to repeat the symptoms, they were generally such as we have already noticed. It is stated in the "Bengal report," that in April, 1783, Cholera destroyed above 20,000 people who had assembled at a festival. The Madras board of health observe, that those au- thorities would seem accordingly to establish the facts of its existence, during the period extend- ing from 1769—'70 to 1787, where we find the first records of this office as given in the extracts, and which we now come to consider. Dr. Duffin treats of Cholera in 1787. "The Cholera rages at Arcot with great violence—ma- 34 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. ny of the men are carried off in twelve hours ill- ness." The symptoms are such as we have al- ready enumerated, and need not be repeated here; this epidemic, under the notice of Dr. Duffin, seems to have partaken a good deal of the spaS) modic character. This epidemic at Arcot ha.) been noticed by Mr. Thompson also, who says,| among other things, that "the bladder was con-l tracted to the size of a walnut." Cholera has also been -loaeed in the northern Circars—"the disorder wras characterized by pre- cisely the same symptoms which marked the late epidemic. It began with violent pain and spasms in the stomach and bowrels; which were followed by purging and vomiting* and all the signs of ex- treme debility." It appears, by the foregoing history of the dis- ease, and some additional reports of the Madras board, that Cholera did not commence, as has been very generally supposed, in the year 1817 in India. From that date it seems to have taken on a more epidemic character. We are told that " the epidemic Cholera com- menced its destructive ravages in various parts of the Delta, formed by the mouth of the river Ganges, in India, during the summer of 1817. Presenting many of the features of the ordinary Cholera morbus, it had some symptoms superad- ded, which distinguished it from that disease. The chief of these latter are, the suddenness of the onset, and the rapidity of its course, the ex- treme exhaustion of the animal powers, the dis- tressing cramps or spasms of the muscles of the limbs and body, which commonly attend it, and, THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 35 more especially, its strongly marked epidemic character. " Continuing its ravages from the period men- tioned, by the end of 1818, the disease had per- vaded nearly the whole of Hindostan, from the Himalayan mountains in the north, to cape Co- morin on the south ; and from Bombay and Surat on the west, to Sylhet on the east. In 1819 it broke out in the kingdom of Arracan on the east; Tenang and Java on the south east; and in the f isles of France and Bourbon on the south west. The effects of the epidemic were, also, experienc- ed still further to the south east, over the whole ■of the India Chinese peninsula. In 1820, it pre- vailed in Siam, Malacca, the Philippine Islands, the southern province of China, and at Guzzerat in India. In 1821 it occurred at Muscat, on the f southern extremity of the Arabian peninsula, and t again in the Island of Java. During this year, Bushire, Sebiraz, and other parts of Persia; 'Bassora and Bagdad in Arabia; the Island of Bahrien in the Persian gulph; and in a south )! eastern direction, the Island of Borneo, suffered r severely from the presence of the epidemic. Dur- ii ing the succeeding winter, the disease, became '1 dormnant, both in Persia and Syria, but in the r spring of 1822 it again revived and made its ap- i pearance among other places, in Ispahan, Tehe- ( rand, Tabriz, Mousul and Diarbeker. By the t end of the year, indeed, almost every place of i note in Persia had been ravaged by the pestilence. r In the spring of the year ensuing, (1823,) it broke i out at Latokia, Antioch, Tortosi, Tripoli and in , other towns along the eastern shores of the Me- 56 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. diterranean, and in the Spice Island, as well as still further south, in the Island of Timor near New Holland. Previously to the autumn of this year, the disease had prevailed throughout Asia- tic Turkey, from Bassora and Bagdad, to Erze- roum and Antioch. Egypt, however, escaped until a much later period. In August of this year, the disease prevailed in the province of Shervan and in Backu, as well as in other places on the western side of the Caspian sea; and it, finally, made its appearance in the city of Astra- can, near the mouth of the Volga. Subsequent- ly to the year 1823, the disease continued its ravages throughout China and in various parts of India; and towards the close of 1826, it al- most depopulated several cities in Mongolia, oc- curring as far north as the borders of Siberia. In 1820 it appeared at Tiberus in India. In Persia, the epidemic reappeared several times; the city Teheran being ravaged by it in 1829. In 1828, the disease once more broke out in the Russian dominions, appearing unexpectedly at Orenburg, a town situated on the Ural river, four hundred and eighty miles north east from Astra- can. On the setting in, soon after, of cold weather, it however, completely and promptly ceased. But in the summer of 1829, it recom- menced its ravages with greater severity, and oc- curred in many places, also of the neighborhood. About the middle of June 1830, the Cholera made its appearance in Triflis, a city in Georgia, and, in the meantime reoccurred at Backu. By the 20th of July, Astracan was for the second time a sufferer from the epidemic. This disease THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 37 occured successively in various towns and villages, situated along the shores of the Volga, and from the south of the Caspian sea, Tver and Vologia; in a short period the disease made its appearance at Archangel on the north, and in the greater part of Poland on the south; ravaging, in fact, the principal places from the borders of Prussia to Odessa, and from Odessa to the White sea. (The disease appeared at Moscow in the middle of September, J 830.) In April, 1831, Warsaw was attacked, Riga in May, Archangel in June; in the latter month the disease appeared like- wise in St. Petersburg, and in J#ily at Cronstadt. In Dantzic in Prussia, the epidemic broke out in May, 1831, and at the same time in Brody and Lemberg in Austria. In Berlin the disease com- menced in August, in Vienna in September; it likewise occurred in various parts of Hungary, and before the close of the year, it had desolated nearly fourteen thousand towns and villages. In October it suddenly appeared in Hamburg, and in different parts of the kingdom of Hanover. In the month of August, it made its appearance in the eastern part of England, at Sunderland,.a sea port in the county of Durham, situated at the mouth of the river Wear. The disease did not however, attract much notice, until near the end of October. In December it proceeded at New Castle, on the Tyne, to the north of Sunderland, and at Gateshead to the south. It likewise ap- peared subsequently in various places to the west, and in different parts of Scotland: Lon- don became subject to the epidemic in 1832, and accounts have reached us, of its appearance also 4 38 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. at Dublin, and other parts of Ireland, while in the month of May, 1832, it was prevailing to an alarming extent at Paris and its neighbor- hood." In the month of June, 1832, it made its ap- pearance at Montreal and Quebec, and was at- tended with great mortality. The disease also appeared in New York, in the month of July, presenting there its malignant form, and in the same month at Philadelphia, and about the first of August at Baltimore. In summing upithe different views of this epi-' demic, we would suppose it to be a specific dis- ease, caused by a specific poison floating in the atmosphere, or in the vegetation, that, there- fore, there is but one disease of the kind; but there are different and well marked forms—these forms may be more or less blended, or may exist in succession—and this being an epidemic, is specifically different from common Cholera mor- bus, which is caused by eating some indigestible article, they are materially different. Whether all epidemic Choleras are the product of one poi- son, we will not pretend to say—thus, the disease sometimes nearly resembles malignant bilious fever, there can be no doubt—and, in every sea- son that bilious fever assumes a malignant form, more or less cases of Cholera morbus are report- ed, and more or less cases that have terminated fatal in a few hours after the attack. Information collected from all countries, con- tribute to show, that Cholera does not assume its malignant form except the system be prepared ^ for it. As many have dysentary, Cholera mor- THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 3. bus, bilious fever, &c, and are cured, without getting the malignant cholera; bjrt most un- doubtedly, if either of these diseases were suf- fered to run on' without medical aid, they would terminate in spasmodic cholera. If the intem- perate, the impoverished, the unclean, the im- prudent gourmandizer of every trash, and those labouring under indigestion and other chronic affections, be attacked at this time with an acute disease, it will be malignant cholera, be- cause their .system is already predisposed for the prevailing disease, and it being spasmodic cho- lera. In the same manner are patients taken off suddenly with typhus, or yellow fever, when they prevail as an epidemic, and persons of correct habits are almost never overtaken with the ma- lignant form of the disease. Such being the case, we have no hesitation in saying, that the chances of escaping danger from epidemic cholera will be gre'atest to those who live upright and prudent. Symptoms.—Malignant cholera appears gene- rally to put on the same symptoms, no matter what disease may precede it, and the attack gene- rally very sudden. The patient is attacked with vomiting, purging, violent pain and cramp in the abdomen, attended with spasm, the whole body and the tongue cold as ice, the face looks as if frozen, the hands appear blue with cold, and corugated as if they had been soaked in soap suds; the eyes deeply sunk in their sockets, the tongue coated white, pulse imperceptible, violent cramp in the feet and hands, difficult respira- tion, and apparent drowsiness; the discharges 40 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. sometimes Wtve the appearance of rice water, but not always. I have seen it sometimes quite a yellowish brown, and an hour t>r two before death they complain but little of pain, but be- come very restless, having great thirst through- out the progress of the disease. And when the symptoms here described make their appearance, they put all medical skill at defiance. It appears in vain to attempt to arrest its progress. But this should not deter the skilful physician from trying to do something as long as the vital .-park remains in the body. Treatment—The following treatment has been pursued in the last stages of the premonito- ry symptoms, when the first symptoms of cho- lera made their appearance, and with very great success. The patient is placed in a steam-bath, and a table spoonful of No. 9 Tincture Lobelia given every t<;n minutes until it vomits, and re- lieves the cramp; the body is then rubbed all over with the No. 10 Compound; after which one of the No. (i Stimulating Pills is given every half hour, and in the intervals as much good. French brandy and water as they will drink. This proves strongly the mistaken notion as it respects the inflammation of the inner coat of the intestines. It is nothing more than a debility of those vessels, and it is owing to the warmth, and the small portion of vitality that remains, wThen the cuticular vessels having lost their vitality, the blood retreats to those internal vessels, and they being unable to defend themselves, become en- larged, hence the propriety of using the steam- bath and stimulants externally, and the adminis- THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 4l tering of defusible stimulants internally, in order to equalize the circulation. The Tincture of Lobelia serves to cleanse the stomach of any of- fending matter that may be lodged there, and at the same time being our most powerful anti- spasmodic, relieves the spasms. And when wre find the patient convalescent, a tea-spoonful of No. 2 Quinine mixture should be given every half hour, and the diet should be chicken water moderately seasoned with Cayenne pepper, and nothing heavier given, for the system being in such an extreme state of debility, it is unable to digest any thin"; solid or heavy, and if taken it will throw ihe patients into a stare of collapse, from which they never can recover. W hen the premonotory symptoms make their appearance, they should be treated according to the rules laid down for the treatment of bilious fever, diarrhoea, dysentery, &e. DYSENTERY. Symptoms.—Fever, frequent small stools, ac- companied by griping, and bearing down pains, the discharge.consisting of pure blood, or blood and matter, sometimes resembling the shreds of washing of raw flesh, a constant desire to go to stool, attended frequently with vomiting. Distinguish it from diarrhoea or lax, by the le- ver, griping pains, and the constant desire to eva- cuate the bowels, by the discharge itself being blood, or matter streaked with blood, &c. Treatment—An emetic of twenty grains of Ipecacuanha should be given, and after the opera- tion of the emetic, place the patient under a 42 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. steam-bath, and rub him well with No. 10 com- pound, and take a tea-spoonful of No. 5 Astringent mixture every hour, with the following injection,' Bayberry bark in powder one ounce, Tincture of Myrrha one ounce, Molasses half a pint, strong hop tea one pint—this is to be repeated every half hour, while there is pain. And if this does not give relief, apply a large poultice of hops and vine- gar, as hot as they can bear it, all over the abdo- men. The diet should be very light and the No. 11 Diet drink to be given throughout the disease. DIARRIKEA OR LAX. Symptoms.—Repeated and large discharges of a thin excrementitious matter by stool, attend- ed with griping and a rumbling noise in the bowTels. Causes.—The same causes produce dysentery that produce diarrhoea, eating of indigestable ar- ticles of food and unripe fruit, living in a low damp situation, lying on the damp ground after a hard day's labour or when overheated. Treatment.—Take a steam-bath, after which take half a pint of rhubarb tea made in the fol- lowing manner: two drachms of the bruised root of Rhubarb, and a small portion of anis-seed, pour over it half a pint of boiling water and let it steep for ten minutes. If this should not °-ive entire relief, take a few doses of No. 10 com- pound. COLIC. Symptoms.—Violent shooting pain that twists round the navel, the abdomen much swollen, ob- THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 43 stinate costiveness, cold chills at times, then flushes of heat, great inclination to vomit, with- out being able at times, cramps in the legs, &c. Causes.—Eating of indigestible articles of food when costive, a predisposition to colie when costive, particularly painters, exposure to cold and wet, fermented liquors, eating of nuts, honey, &c. Treatment.—The first thing to be done is to give an emetic to remove the offending matter in the stomach, and the following injection: table salt two table-spoonsful, warm soap suds a pint, one drachm of Cayenne pepper, the steam-bath is particularly serviceable in this complaint, also the hop poultice, after which give a decoction of sennas two drachms, Epsom Salts one ounce, anis-seed two drachms, and repeat the dose un- til it operates freely. In bilious colic, when there is a vomiting of bilious matter, the same injection as is described in common colic must be given immediately, and repeated if the vomiting continues, and give chicken water made quite salt to drink, also peppermint tea, and after you have quieted the stomach, the decoction of sennse and salts may be given and repeated as long as there are discharges of bile and if i here is much fever, give the steam- bath freely. WORMS. Symptoms—Intolerable itching at the nose, sometimes at the fundament, disagreeable breath, grinding of ihe teeth and starting during sleep, hardness of ttie belly, gradual emaciation, colic, and someti-ii ' convulsions. 44 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE T© HEALTH. Treatment.—This will vary according to the kind of worm that is to be destroyed. They are of three kinds: If it is the white thread worm^ which are generally found near the fundament! take aloes one ounce, liquorice two ounces, co- riander seeds half an ounce, gin one pint. Di- gest in a bottle for a week, shaking the bottle frequently. The dose for a child is a tea-spoon- ful every morning, and for an adult a table-spoon-* ful with half the quantity of a strong decoction of the Carolina pink root. This is not only good for the thread worm, that resembles a small piece of white thread, but also to kill the long round worm. If it should fail, half a drachm of wormseed oil mixed with an ouuce of castor oil may be divided into two doses, and give one each morning. THE TAPE WORM Inhabits the whole of the internal canal, and frequently defies all our efforts in trying to re- move it. Large doses of spirits of turpentine, from half an ounce toan ounce, in barley water, have been advantageously employed for this purpose; it may be taken daily for several days, but the patient must take freely of gruel or barley wa- ter to prevent it from entering the stomach and kidneys. The patient should be particular to strengthen his bowels and system by bitters, wine, and animal food. GRAVEL. Symptoms.—A fixed pain in the loins, numb- ness of the thighs, inclination to vomit, urine THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 45 small in quantity, voided with pain, and some- times bloody. As the gravel passes from the kidney into the bladder, the pain is so acute as to cause fainting, vomiting and hiccup. When the stone is in the bladder, there is a constant desire to make water, which comes away in small quantities at a time, and is often suddenly interrupted, the last drops of it occasioning great pain. Riding over a rough road, or any irregular motion or jolting, causes excruciating pain and bloody urine, accompanied with a constant de- sire to go to stool. 'Treatment.—When the stone is in the bladder, the only remedy is to apply to a surgeon and have it taken out. The pain may be relieved by applying the hop poultice, and giving twenty grains of Sodre every hour with Uva Urci tea, also the steam-bath may be given freely with great advantage. Persons subject to this dis- ease, should be careful to keep the bowels open, and avoid eating; pickles, or taking acids, ferment- ed liquors of all kinds, including the red wines, beer, &c. For a common drink, soft water, So- das water is to be preferred. Diabetes, or an immoderate flow of Urine. Symptoms.—Frequent discharges of large quantities of urine, which is sometimes of a sweet taste, skin dry, bowels costive, appetite voracious, weakness, and gradual emaciation of the whole body. Treatment.—The principal remedy for the cure of this disease, consists of animal food used exclusively, and the steam-bath. The carbonate 46 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. of Ammonia, in doses of eleven or twelve grains three times a day, has been strongly recommend- ed, upon high authority. DROPSY. Symptoms.—A swelling generally commenc- ing in the feet, and in a short time extends to the abdomen, preceded by a diminution of urine, dry skin, and afterwards an oppression at the breast. If there be pressure made with the fin- ger, the depression remains for some length of time. Causes.—Diseased liver, ague and fever, in- temperance, &c. Treatment.—One of the most valuable reme- dies is two drachms of Cream of Tartar, and half! a drachm of Jalap mixed and taken twice daily. The patient should be steamed at least once a day and be well rubbed with a flesh brush. For a common drink the patient should take Cream of Tartar and water. This will cause large watery evacuations, and give almost immediate relief. At the decline of the disease, the strength of the patient must be supported and restored by barks, wine, and the tonic plan recommertdea for indigestion. j GOUT. Symptoms.—Pain in the small joints, gene- rally in the ball of the great toe, the parts swollen and red, the attack coming on in the night. Such are the striking symptoms of this disease, and generally the first that are noticed. It is occasionally, however, preceded by all those at- THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 47 tendant on indigestion. In the advanced stages chalky lumps are formed in the joints. Causes.—High seasoned food, fermented li- quors, indolence and intemperance. Treatment.—If the patients be young and vi- gorous, they must be treated accordingly, con- fine them to low diet, purge them freely with No. 1 anti-bilious pills, and steam them freely. When they are relieved of their pain, they must take exercise daily, and avoid the causes above mentioned. If from any cause, the disease leaves the extremities and flies to the stomach, apply mustard poultices and blisters to the an- kles and wrists, also apply a hop poultice to the stomach, after which the patient must be purged, and steamed freely. INFLAMMATORY RHEUMATISM. Symptoms.—Pain, swelling and inflammation in some one (or several) of the larger joints. The pain shifting from one part to another, all the symptoms of fever, pulse full and hard, tongue white, bowels costive, and urine high • coloured. Treatment—Steam the patient freely, and give twenty grains of Ipecacuanha in half a tea cup of warm water, and if this should not vomit, repeat the dose; after which purge the patient freely with sennse and salts; No. 10 compound should be given every two hours, after the ope- ration of the medicine, until the patient gets relief. CHRONIC RHEUMATISM. Symptoms—A chronic rheumatism is nothing more than one of long standing. It is unaccom- 43 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. panied by fever, and makes its attacks on every change of the weather, or getting wet, &.e. Causes.—Exposure to cold without suffi- cient clothing, intemperance, lying on tho damp • round, wearing of damp clothes, sleeping in damp rooms, &.c. Treatment.—Rub the parts well with No. 10 compound, and wrap them up in flannel, and pursue the same treatment as is laid down for inflammatory rheumatism. The best safeguard against the complaint is, the use of flannel next the skin, summer and winter. HIP JOINT DISEASE. Symptoms.—Excruciating pain in the hip- joint and knee, the leg becomes first longer and then shorter than its fellow. When lying down the foot rolls outwards, the buttocks appearing flat- ter than usual, lameness, after a while abscesses in various parts of the thigh, a wasting fever and death. Causes.—A predisposition to scrofula or bad • swellings, injuries done by falls on the hip. Treatment.—Whenever the first symptoms make their appearance a skilful Surgeon should be sent for immediately, so that he may have an opportunity of restoring the limb to health, as it ean be done by taking it in time. If it should be suffered to run on until matter is formed, barks, wine, and a generous diet must be em- ployed. It mostly proves incurable when it gets to this state. And in all cases of swellings and tumors, a skilful physician should be an- ', plied to. THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH*. 40 FAINTING. Causes.—Sudden and violent emotions of the mind, bleeding, diseases of the heart and its great vessels. Treatment.—Lay the patients on their back, take off their cravat, then open the door and windows, and sprinkle cold water on their face. Smelling salts may be held to their nose if con- venient, if not, burnt feathers, which sometimes answers a much better purpose than the salts. TETANUS OR CRAMP. There are many very long and learned names affixed to this disease, as it may happen to attack one part of the body or another. When it is confined to the muscles of the neck and jaws, lock-jaw is the common and expressive term for it. The affection, is alwajj^he same, requires similar treatment, and consists in an involuntary contraction of the muscle, the senses^ remaining perfect. * LOCK-JAW. Symptoms.—A stiffness in the back of the neck, which renders it first painful, and at last impossible to turn the head round, difficulty in swallowing, pain in the breast shooting to the back, the lower jaw becomes stiff, and gradual- ly closes. Causes.—It arises from a wound done with a small and narrow instrument, which closes up di- rectly; and severe injuries done the sinews of a part. r 5 50 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. Treatment.—If the disease is supposed to arise from a wound by a small instrument, it must be enlarged, then pour laudanum and spirits of turpentine, into it. If it be wTounded tendons, the limb must be amputated immediately. In the first instance the patient may be steamed freely, and thirty drops of No. 9 Tincture Lobelia be given every ten minutes until relief is given. ST. VITUSS DANCE. Symptoms.—Irregular and convulsive motions of the head and limbs, generally of the arm and leg of one side only. It varies, however, in dif- ferent persons, and is frequently counterfited by beggars. Treatment.—The daily use of the cold bath, with a tea spoonful of No. 2 Quinine mixture, every two houiv., and every morning a dose of No. 1 anti-biliou&jrills. SCAftLET FEVER. Symptgns.—Chills, heat, thirst, head-ach, the skin is marked with large red or scarlet patches, which come out on the second day of the fe- ver and at last unite, disappearing in a kind of branny scurf, sore throat, &c. Treatment —An emetic, Ipecacuanha twenty grains should be given immediately, after which a dose of No. 4 Cathartic Pills, should be given, and worked off with chicken water, seasoned with Cayenne pepper. If there is great excite- ment, the pulse full and strong; head-ach, and great thirst, give a steam-bath and repeat the pur- gative. If the throat should get very sore use THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 51 the following gargle, yeast half a pint, honey a ' table-spoonful, and four table-spoonsful of No. 10 compound, the throat must be gargled seve- ral times a day with this gargle. And if it should put on a malignant form, it must be treated in the same manner as is laid down for putrid sore throat. Erysipelus, or St. Anthony's Fire. Symptoms.—Fever, delirium, ^miiting, pulse strong or weak as the fever inclines to the in- flammatory or typhus kind, on the fourth day, sometimes on the second or third, the skin in some one part becomes red and inflamed, which is soon extended to others, the parts affected be- ing swollen and of a bright scarlet. If the face is attacked, it spreads itself on the scalp, and the eyelids sometimes swell so as to prevent them from seeing; after a longer or shorter period, the eruption ends in small watery vesicles, or, in branny scales. At this period, the fever some- times abates, at others, drowsiness or delirium comes on, which increases it and destroys the patient by the eleventh day. But this is not common, except it be with patients that have been broken down by intemperance and exposure. Treatment.—This disease is of two kinds. One of which is principally confined to the skin, while the other effects the whole system. If the accompanying fever is inflammatory, steam fre(0 lv and purge with salts and sennse. If it should be of a low grade, treat it with tonics, No 2, and 3, freely, and for a common drink lemonade, wine and water, soups, &c. If inflammatory, the 52 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. • diet should be very light, and the drink lemon- ade. If the parts affected should have the ap- pearance of mortifying, apply a blister over them, and if mattei^should be formed underneath, a free incission-Should be made. In the forming stage of the disease cold wrater may be applied with advantage, but flour and articles of the kind ought never to be used. MEASLES. Symptoms.—Inflammatory fever, a dry cough and hoarseness, sneezing, watering of the eyes, which itch, a running from the nose, great drow- siness. On the fourth day, small red points break out, first on the face, and then gradually over the body. They are in clusters, and on passing the hand over them, are found to be a little raised. On the fifth or sixtli clay the vi- vid red is changed to a brown, and the eruption goes off. Distinguish it from Small-Pox and ail other diseases, by the dry cough and hoarseness, by the appearance of the eyes, which are red, swol- len, and loaded with tears. Treatment.—The patient must be confined to a low diet, and kept in bed as mu6h as possible, and no more covering than is agreeable to their feelings, the room should be cool, and if there is much fever and pain in the head, the bowels jpi||puld be opened freely with the following pur- gative : Rhubarb twenty grains, Ipecacuanha ten grains, to be repeated if it does not give relief. Care must be taken not to repel the eruption by cold. If this should happen give a steam-bath r THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 53 immediately, and if it should affect the eyes very *> much, apply poultices of herbs and flour, or flax- seed with a small portion of mustard to the feet, frequently warming and applying them as hot as they can be borne. If the disease should put on a typhus form, treat it as laid down for ty- phus fever. CHICKENPOX. Symptoms.—Fever, inability to sleep, pain in different parts of the body, a crop of little pim- ples or points on the back, which, by the second day, are changed into blisters, which fill with matter, and sometimes leave pits behind them, the same as Small-Pox. Distinguish it from Small-Pox,by the eruption coming out on the back, by the mildness of the fever, by the fluid contained in the vesicles or blisters not being true matter, and by the whole falling off on the fifth day. Treatment.—Confine the patients to their bed, keep them cool and quiet, and give a dose of salts, this is all that is necessary. COW-POX. Symptoms.—A pimple at the spot where the matter was inserted, which gradually undergoes certain regular changes, that characterize the complaint, and determine it to be genuine. Changes of genuine Cow-Pox.—On the se- cond day or sooner, from the time of the inser- tion of the matter, a small speck of inflammation is to be perceived, which, on th$ fourth day, is a pimple, surrounded by a circle of inflammation. 54 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. On the fifth, this pimple changes to a vesicle, con- taining a thin fluid. On the sixth, this vesicle is more perfect, its margin forming a regular circle; it is also a little flattened on the top, the centre of which is of a dark colour. On the eighth or ninth day, a slight fever w7ith chills are felt, accompanied by swelling of the pustule, and pains shooting up the arm, the glands or kernals of which occasionally swell. On the tenth or eleventh day, the pustule is sur- rounded by a circular, vivid, inflammatory blush, that is very beautiful. This is regarded as a de- cisive proof of the presence of the genuine Cow Pox. On the eleventh day, tflte centre of the pustule begins to grow dark coloured, which gradually increases to a brown or mahogany, (which shows the crust to be genuine, if you wish to vaccinate with it) and leaves the arm about the second week, and may be taken off. If it is intended for use, it mubt be kept in wax, so as to keep the air from it, and may be by this means preserved six months, after which, it is good for nothing. Treatment.—Keep the patient on low diet and give a dose of salts. If there should be much inflammation, bathe the pustule with cold water. SMALLPOX. Symptoms.—Inflammatory fever, drowsiness, pain in the pit of the stomach, hep d-ach, pain in the back, inclination to vomit, oa the third day, i the eruption breaks out on tiie face, neck and breast, in li(ge red points, that look like flea- bites and which^radually appear over the whole = THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 55 body. On the fifth day, little round vesicles, filled with a transparent fluid, appear on the tops of each pimple. The eruptive fever now de- clines. On the ninth day the pustules are per- fectly formed, being round and filled with thick yellow matter, the head and face also swelling considerably. On the eleventh day, the matter in the pustules is of a dark yellow colour, the head grows less, while the feet and hands begin to swell. The secondary fever now makes its appearance. The pustules break and dry up in scabs and crusts, which at last fall off, leaving pits, which sufficiently mark the cause. Such are the symptoms of the mild form of the disease, but it frequently assumes a more terrible shape, in#what is called confluent Small-Pox. In the latter, all the symptoms are more violent from the beginning. The fever is a typhus, there is delirium, preceded by great anxiety, heat, thirst, vomiting, &c. The eruption is ir- regular, coming out on the second day in pus- tules, the vesicles of which are flatted in, neither does the matter they contain turn to a yellow, but to a brown colour. Instead of the fever go- ino- off on the appearance of the eruption, it is in- creased after the fifth day and continues through, out the complaint. The face swells in a fright- ful manner, so as to close the eyes; sometimes pu- trid symptoms prevail from the commencement. Treatment.—Place the patient in a cool airy room, and let the be..I clothes be li-ht. Purge them with salts every other day. The diet should consist of rice, barley, ke. and the drink lemonade not very warm. If frees any cause, 56 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. the eruption should be struck in, steam them freely, and give warm wrine to drink, using poul- tices to the feet, as directed in measles. Obsti- nate vomiting is to be stopped by giving a tea- spoonful of No. 9, every ten minutes, until you have given three tea-spoonsful, then give some strong coffee, without milk or sugar. In the confluent Small-Pox, the treatment must be varied as it inclines more or less to the in- flammatory or putrid typhus. If it inclines to the first, act as is directed for the distinct kind; if to the last, employ all those means directed in putrid fever. If the eyes are much affected, it will be necessary to bathe them frequently with warm milk, and to smear the lids with some sim- ple ointment. A ITCH. Symptoms.—An eruption of small pimples between the fingers, or on the wrists, and over the whole body, which form matter, and are attended with an intolerable itching. Treatment.—There are several varieties of this troublesome complaint. A very bad kind is contracted by the dogs when they have got the mange. The remedy is sulphur: It should be used internally with Cream of Tartar, equal propor- tions, and the following wash made use of, aqua- fortis two ounces, three cents beat as thin as possible, to be put into the aquafortis, and to re- main there as long as it acts on them, the whole is then to be mixed with a quart of lime water- the lime water can be made, by throwing a lump of unslacked lime in water, and shaking it for THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 57 several days, and then pour it off. It is very useful in families and ought always to be kept. HERPES. Symptoms.—Broad itchy spots of a redish or whitish colour, breaking out in different places, which at last run into each other, after a time they become covered with scabs, which fall off, leaving the surface below red; while the dis- ease heals in one place it breaks out in another. And when the patients have it on their body it is tetter, and when on the head, scald head. Treatment.—This is a very troublesome dis- ease, and requires great cleanliness. Tea made of sarsaparilla should be drank freely. And if it is the head that is affected, shave the hair off and wash the head very clean with castile soap, after which, use the wash that is directed for the itch. If on the body, wash it also frequently, and use the above named wash. Ring-wTorm belongs to this class of diseases, and should be treated in the same manner. And if sarsaparilla cannot be obtained conveniently, Burdock root may be used, or is very good to use with the Sarsaparilla. When they are combined, and made a syrup of, with a little winter-green added, it forms the ac- tive part of Swaims Panacea, and is just as g jod, NETTLE-RASH. Symptoms.—An eruption, similar to that caus- ed by the stinging of nettles, hence its name. On rubbing the skin which itches, the eruption will suddenly appear, remain for a moment, and then vanish, breaking out in some other spots. 58 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. The parts affected are swollen, at one time pre- senting the appearance of welts, as from the stroke of a whip lash, and at another, that of white solid bumps, and is called by the nurses hives. Treatment.—A dose of Cream of Tartar, and a little attention to the diet, which should be mild, is generally sufficient to remove it. OF THE TUMORS. By the word tumor is meant a swelling of any part of the body. They are divided into differ- ent kinds, arise from various parts of the body, and from various causes, and are more or less dangerous, according to the nature of their con- tents, and the spot they occupy. OF RUPTURES. Ruptures are tumors, caused by a protrusion of a part of the bowels, through certain natural openings in the walls of the abdomen. They are divided into reducible, irreducible, and stran- gulated. They mostly occur in males in the groin and pass down into the scrotum, in fe- males, the upper and fore parts of the thigh and navel. Infants are particularly liable to ruptures and is somewhat different from that of adults. 'And as ruptures generally are but little attended to by physicians, it will be necessary to give a full de- scription of the disease. Thousands throughout the United States die of this disease without ! knowing what the cause was, but is generally at- * tributed to cramp colic; and females more par- ticularly as their ruptures are generally small ' THE FAMILIES' NEW GLIDE TO HEALTH. 59 It should never be neglected in a case of vio- lent colic, to examine the groins, &c. The tumor may not be over the size of a large bean, yet sufficient to cause death, and in no case should it be delayed to send for a surgeon imme- diately, if it cannot be reduced by the means which will hereafter be laid down. And in ca- ses of infants, a truss should be applied immedi- ately, but beware of trusses that are not kept on by a strap; for trusses that are retained in their situation by the strength of the spring alone, are not only pernicious to infants, but also adults, the pressure being entirely too great on the back, and ruptured parts. A truss lately invented by Dr. J." Knight of Baltimore, appears to be supe- rior to any of the kind now in use, as it can be applied by any person, and is very easy to the pa- tient, requiring but a light pressure, which is equalized around the body, and retained in its situation by means of a buckle and stiftp. As infants are particularly affected with rup- tures, it is necessary to give the cause. The testicles in the unborn infant, till near the period of delivery, arc lodged in the cavity of the abdomen, in the same manner with the rest of the abdominal viscera. They are situated im- mediately below7 the kidneys, and by the side of the rectum, (or large intestine) where their ex- ternal covering adheres by its posterior surface to those parts of the peritoneum on which they rest, while all their anterior and lateral surfaces lie loose in the abdominal cavity with the other viscera; even in this situation, how- ever, a connection takes place between the testis 60 the families' NEW GUIDE T© HEALTH. and scrotum. This is formed by means of a sub- stance that runs down from the testes to the scro- tum, forming a kind of pyramidal shaped liga- ment; its large bulbous head being fixed to the lower end of the testis; and its under extremity. after having passed through the ring in the ex- ternal oblique muscle, being lost in the cellular membrane of the scrotum. This ligament is evidently vascular and fibrous, and seems in part to be composed of a muscle turned inwards. All that portion of the ligament contained within the parietes of the abdomen, passes be- hind the peritonaeum, and receives a covering from it in the same manner with the testes and other viscera: the peritonaeum even gives a coat to a portion of the ligament after it has got into the groin, by passing down along with it from the abdomen into the upper part of the groin. At this place, viz. at the annular opening of the extern^ oblique muscle, the peritonaeum is very loose; and when the ligament and scrotum are drawn downwards, an aperture is observed from the cavity of the abdomen all around the forepart of the ligament, that seems ready to re- ceive the testis; and this aperture gradually be- comes1 larger as the testis descends behind the peritonaeum in its way to the scrotum. This passage from the cavity of the abdomen to the scrotum is, in general, very soon cut off, by a firm adhesion taking place between the sides of the peritoneal process at its upper extremity where it descends from the abdomen. What the cause of this adhesion may be, is uncertain; per- haps it may proceed from some slight degree of THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 61 inflammation being excited upon the contiguous parts by the forcible passage of the testis; but, whatever the cause may be, the fact is, that at the time of birth this passage, in general, is completely obliterated. It is in the neck only, however, or in the su- perior part of this process, (or lining) that this adhesion takes place; the lower extremity of the sack remaining opened and loose through life, and forms the tunica vaginalis testis, the common seat of dropsy. If attention is given to this description, it must appear, that if immediately upon the testicle descending from the abdomen, and before the passage of the testicle is sufficiently contracted, any portion of the alimentary canal or omentum should likewise fall into the opening, such parts must for certain lodge in the same bag or cover- ing with the testis itself; and as long as they re- main there, that they must effectually prevent the usual obliteration of the passage from.being accomplished. It is this occurrence, of a portion of some of the abdominal viscera getting into the tunica vaginalis testis, (or lining membrane of the tes- ticles) which forms that kind of Hernia to which new born infants are liable, termed congenital Hernia. The testicle and protruded intestine being here in contact, the tunica vaginalis testis forms the Hernial sack. If the intestine, or other parts which have fal- len down, are again pushed into the abdomen, and retained there by a proper truss, the passage Boon fills up, and no return of Hernia takes 62 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. place. But if this is neglected, and the intes- tine allowed to remain long down, the parts forming the passage seems thereby to lose that power of adhesion which naturally they are known to possess; instances being often met with, where no art is able to produce this wish- ed for obliteration. It is evident then, in what manner congenital Hernia is produced: we shall now enquire into the causes of Hernia, in its more usual form. 1. The abdominal muscles are excited to se- vere contraction, by various causes, particularly by violent coughing, crying, laughing, and severe bodily exertions; and as the contraction of these muscles must always lessen the abdominal cavi- ty, these causes, therefore, are frequently pro- ductive of Hernia. 2. Falls, in consequence of the derangement which they produce in the abdominal viscera, from the sudden and violent shock with which they are often attended, are not unfrequently the immediate causes of Hernia. 3. Persons of a preternatural laxity of frame, are very liable to Hernia. The containing parts of the abdomen, from the want of sufficient tone and firmness, are unable, in such people, to re- sist the weight of the different viscera: they are therefore more particular liable to Hernia on the application of any of those causes. 4. Sprains are apt to induce a laxity of injur- ed parts, and have, therefore, a similar influence in inducing Hernia with general laxity. 5. It has been observed, in those countries where oil is much used as an article of food,^ THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 63 that the people are particularly liable to Hernia. In whatever parts the walls of the abdomen are the weakest, these various causes will most rea- dily operate in producing Hernia; and accord- ingly we find, that descents of the bowels usual- ly occur only in such parts. The parts which, from anatomy, we would previously suspect to be most liable to Hernia, arc, the openings already described in the exter- nal oblique muscles; the arch formed by Pou- part's ligament for the passage of the great blood vessels of the thigh; and the naval, where the same firmness does not take place as in the rest of the tendinous expansion of the abdomin- al muscles. These, as I have already observed, are the usual seats of Hernia; but it sometimes hap- pens, that parts of the viscera are protruded be- tween the interstices of the different muscles of the abdomen: this, however, is not frequent. In whatever part a descent of any portion of intestines occurs, except in congenital Hernia, as all the viscera are contained in the manner al- ready described, within the peritonajum, a por- tion of that membrane, it is evident, must be car- ried down along with the parts that are protrud. eoV and in every such instance, it is this por- tion of the lining membrane going down along with the gut, that is termed the Hernial sac. The size and thickness of this sac is various in different subjects, and in different stages of the same disease. . On the first appearance of Hernia, the sac is commonly small, for the protrusion seldom be- 64 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. comes large at once; but by repeated descents* of the bowels, the sac is pushed lower and lower, till in some instances its bulk is very consider- able indeed; and when in this advanced period of Hernia, the sac is laid open, it is found to oontain large quantities of omentum or intestine, and frequently large portions of both. Although every instance of any portion of the intestine protruded from its natural situation, is to be considered as a derangement, and as such, demands our attention, yet daily instances occar both of recent Hernia, and of those of long-du- ration, from which no bad symptoms ensue.'1! Thus, we often meet with large Hernial swel- lings, without the patient suffering in any other manner, than from the inconvenience arising from the bulk of the tumor. In general, how- ever, it is otherwise; and troublesome symptoms most frequently take place; but whether they do or not, when the reduction of Hernia can be ac- complished, it ought always to be done as quick- ly as possible, and a suitable truss applied, ta- king care to have it well adapted to the part. All the bad symptoms arising from Hernia, proceed either from»a bad truss, or'an obstruc- tion of the feces when the intestinal canal forms the tumor, or from a stoppage of circulation oc- casioned by stricture on the prolapsed parts; so that the danger of the attending symptoms, it is evident, will always, in a great measure, depend on the nature and importance of the parts that are protruded. Thus, when a portion of omentum alone forms the substance of a Hernial swelling, as THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 65 that organ is not so immediately necessary to life as many of the other viscera, it is not so fre- quently productive of danger, as when a part of the alimentary canal is either protruded by it- self, or along with the omentum. Although this, however, is in general the case; yet it sometimes happens, that even an omental rupture is attended with danger. When the stricture is so complete, as to put a stop to the circulation in the protruded part, mortifica- tion, with all its bad consequences, must ensue. And besides, the connection between the omen- tum, stomach, and other viscera, is such, that a sudden descent of any considerable portion even of omentum, is apt to bring on vomiting, hiccup, and other symptoms of distress. And, lastly, although a rupture contairffcg omemtum only, might not. of itself, prove hazardous; yet, as the passage through which the omentum has slip- ped, must remain open as long as the protrusion continues, and as this must render it easy for a portion of gut likewise to get down, this of it- self is a sufficient reason for bestowing even up- on an omental Hernia our most serious attention. But whatever the contents of Hernia may be, whenever stricture occurs on them, sufficient to produce either a stoppage of the circulation or of the fecal contents of the alimentary canal when a portion of gut forms the disease, the following, in general, are the symptoms that take place. An elastic colourless swelling is observed at the part affected; a slight pain is felt, not only in the tumor itself, but, if part of the alimentary canal is down, an universal uneasiness is per- I 6* 66 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. ceived over the whole abdomen, and the pain is always rendered worse by coughing, sneezing, or any violent exertion. The patient complains of nausea; an inclination to retch; he can get no discharge by stool; he becomes hot and restless;' and the pulse is commonly hard and quick. If the swelling is entirely formed by a portion of gut, and if no feces are contained in it, it has a smooth, equal surface; and although easily com- pressible, it instantly returns to its former size on the pressure being removed. But in gut rup- tures of a long standing, where hard feces have collected, in the protruded bowels, firm inequali- ties very commonly take place. When, again, the tumor is composed both of gut and omentum, its appearance is always un- equal ; it feels soft artl somewhat like dough, nor is it so elastic as when part of the intestal tube only is down; for although like the other, it is compressible, it does not so readily regain its for- mer dimensions on the pressure being taken off. If the symptoms arising from a strangulated gut, are not soon obviated by the stricture being removed, the nausea and retching terminate in frequent vomitings, first of a bilious, ana\ after- wards of a more fetid matter; the belly becomes tense; the pain more violent; a distressful hic- cup takes place; the fever, which at first, wTas of little importance, begins to increase, the patient is all along exceedingly restless, and continues in a disagreeable state of anxiety through the whole course of the disease. These symptoms having, for some time, gone on with violence, the patient is apt, at last, to be « THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 67 suddenly relieved from pain, when he flatters himself that every risk.is at an end; but instead of this, the pulse, from "being hard and frequent, becomes languid and interrupted; cold sweats break out over the whole body, and especially on the extremities; the eyes become dull and lan- guid; the tenseness of the abdomen subsides, and the tumor, in part, disappears; the skin co- vering the tumor, which before was either of a natural appearance, or red and inflamed, now becomes livid, and a windy, crepitous feel is dis- tinguished in the substances of the tumor. ff the protruded parts have not, of themselves, gone entirely up, their return is now, in general, easily effected with gentle pressure, and the pa- tient then discharges freely by stool; but the cold sweats increasing, the hiccup turns more violent, and death itself is at last ushered in by its usual forerunners. These are the ordinary symptoms of what is termed, a strangulated or incarcerated gut rup- ture * that is, when the parts protruded become so affected by stricture, as to produce pain, and do not either return to their natural situation on the patient's getting into a horizontal posture, or cannot be replaced by the hands-of an assistant. In whatever situation a strangulated Hernia may occur, our only rational method of cure must consist in the removal of that stricture by which the return of the protruded parts is prevented. It is this that we are to consider as the eause of the mischief; and unless it is completely removed, nothing effectual can be done for the relief of the patient. 68 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. Various methods have been proposed for they removal of these strictures.; all of them, however, may be comprehended under two general heads. • I. Such as tend to the reduction of the parts, without the interposition of any surgical opera- tion. II. A division of the parts producing" the stric- ture, so as to admit of a replacement of the de-^ ranged viscera, constituting what, in general, is termed the operation for the Hernia. » 'The remedies to be employed for the first cir-1 oumstance requiring attention, is, the posture of the patient, with the manual assistance of a friend; bleeding; tobacco glysters; and ice; ap- li plied to the tumor. As soon as a practitioner is called, the first cir- * oumstance requiring his attention, is, the posture!** of the patient, which ought to be such as will most readily favour the return of the protruded parts. Thus, when the tumor is in the groin, Or in the forepart of the thigh, the patient should be 90 placed, as to raise his thighs and legs con- ;f siderably higher than his head and trunk. This position causes almost the whole quan- tity of intestines to hang by the protruded parts, and it frequently proves a means of reducing j them: placing the patient's feet over the shoul- t ders of another person, while his body is allow-' ed to hang downwards, and causing him, in this posture, to be jolted about,has, in some instances, . answered, when every other means have been tried in vain. For the same reason, that in the inguinal and femoral Hernia, this position is more advisable THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 09 tihan any other, the usual erect posture of the body becomes most proper in cases of exom- phcelUs or umbilicle rupture; and again, a hori- zontal posture is most likely to prove useful in ventral Hernia. While the patient is thus placed in the most suitable posture, the surgeon should endeavour to assist the return of the protruded parts, by gentle pressure with his hands and fingers. In the inguinal or scrotal Hernia, the pressure should be made obliquely upwards towards the hip bone, sq as to correspond, as nearly as pos- sible, with the opening in the external oblique muscle. In the femoral Hernia, the pressure should be directly upwards; in the umbilical or naval Hernia, downwards and backwards; and in the ventral Hernia, directly backwards. In Hernia of any considerable size, pressure is most conveniently made, by grasping the swel- ling with one hand from the bottom upwards, while with the fingers of the other we endeavour to push forward the contents of the superior part of the tumor. Some surgeons, in pushing for- ward the intestine, employ the fingers of both hands, at the upper part of the tumor; but the same purpose is answered equally as well with the index and middle finger of one hand, while the other is employed with advantage in pressing the under part of the tumor upwards so as to co- operate in tMs manner in the reduction. It is this operation, which, by authors, is termed taxis: but this must always be had in view, that any pressure we employ should be of the most 70 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. gentle kind; for whatever creates much pain., proves prejudicial, and ought to be avoided. In attempting to reduce the contents of Hernia, so much force is often employed, and in such a rough manner, as can scarcely fail to injure the protruded parts; nor is the risk, that ensues from this, ever compensated by the practice proving more successful; for where a proper application of gentle pressure does not answer, we never suc- ceed with much force. The public, generally, are much concerned as it respects the operation of Hernia; but with practitioners of reputation, this circumstance cannot require much discussion. The latter know, that the operation should be seldom per- formed in any case of Hernia, where violent symptoms do not actually exist; but the former, not being able to judge of the various circum- stances to be taken into consideration, are too frequently imposed on by that numerous set of itinerants with which every country abounds. By these, a variety of operations are put in prac- tice, for performing what they call a radical cure of ruptures; by which they mean to say, a pre- vention of future descents. But as no remedy with which we are acquaint- ed, a well adapted truss only excepted, can be de: pended on for this purpose; and as all the other means that have been advised for it, are not on- ly painful, but highly dangerous. If any of these means, however, were to pro- duce the wished-for effect, the prevention of future descents, the risk would, in some measure be compensated by the advantage: but the fact is THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 71 much otherwise; for unless a truss is applied, the patient continues liable to a return of the dis- ease in nearly the same degree as if no operation had been performed. Even the operation for the Hernia itself, does not, as has heen supposed, fortify the parts against a return of the disease, the use of a truss being nearly as necessary after the operation as if it had not been performed. In a few cases, the opening may be so com- pletely closed by the inflammation induced by the operation, that no further descent would take place; but as it is known different instances of its failure, in which, from neglecting to wear a truss, the disease returned with the same symp- toms of strangulation as before, it can be said, without hesitation, that the principle should be adopted. ANEURISM. Symptoms.—A small tumor without pain or colour, attended by a peculiar throbbing. It dis- appears on pressure, and returns the moment it is removed. As the tumor increases in size, the throbbing or beating of the artery grows less perceptible. It is generally found in the ham, thigh, neck, groin and arm. It is divided into true and false. Distinguish it by the beating or throbbing, which is diminished by pressing on the artery above the tumor, and by the latter dis- appearing on pressure, and returning when it is removed. Treatment—In the early stage of the disease apply a soft cushion to the tumor, and bind it tightly over it by a bandage. The diet should in 72 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. all cases be extremely low, just sufficient to pre- serve life, and no more. If the patients are of a full habit, they, should be bled and purged. This plan, steadily and vigorously pursued for a long time, has sometimes effected complete cures. There is nothing, however, but an operation that can be depended on, wherefore, as soon as any swelling of this nature is perceived, no time should be lost in procuring surgical assistance. If the tumor is left to itself, it will finally burst, and death be the inevitable consequence. FLESHY TUMORS. Symptoms.—Small warty projections, which, as they increase in size, drag down the skin from the neighbouring parts, which forms a kind of stern or foot-stalk on which the tumor hangs. They are hard, full of vessels, and are neither painful, nor inflamed!? Treatment.—When very small, they may be frequently touched .with caustic, which will de- stroy them. If large, the ligature or the knife must be employed, for which purpose have re- course to a surgeon. STEATOMATOUS TUMORS. Symptoms.—A small, doughy swelling, which gradually increases, and sometimes grows to an enormous size. It is soft and free from pain,t the colour of the skin remaining unaltered. Tre-itment—These tumors, technically called steatomatous, are merely inconvenient from their* bulk, and for their removal apply to a surgeon. ' THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 73 ENCYSTED TUMORS. Symptoms.—A distinct, hard, circumscribed swelling, gradually growing larger, until a slight inflammation comes on, when it becomes a little painful, soon after which a fluctuation is distinct- ly to be perceived. As it progresses the vessels become enlarged; it seldom exceeds the size of an egg. GANGLIONS. Symptoms.—A small, moveable, elastic swel- ling, with little or no pain or alteration in the skin, situated under or between the tendons or sinews, and generally near a joint, as the wrist is frequently the place of their location. Treatment—Apply pressure, blister, or rub with mercurial ointment and camphor. If these are of no avail, make a small puncture in it with the point of a sharp lancet, let out its contents,- and apply pressure to the parts, so as to make the two sides of the sack grow together. BILES. Symptoms.—A hard, circumscribed, inflamed, and very painful tumor, of a conical shape, seldom exceeding in size a pigeon's egg. Treatment.—If the patient is of a full habit, he should be purged freely with Epsom Salts. A hop poultice as warm as the patient can bear it, and should be repeated as often as it gets cool, and if it is very painful, make it of hop tea and rye meal. In a few days matter will be form- ed, when it may be let out with a sharp lancet, taking care to make a free opening. 74 THE families' new guide to health. CARBUNCLE. Symptoms.—A deeply seated, hard, immove- able and circumscribed tumor, which generally; appears on the back, shoulders, &c. About*,the middle it is of a dark red or purple colour, being much paler or mottleyed around its edges. It is attended with an intolerable itching and burning pain, and at last becomes a kind of sloughing ulcer. * Treatment,—This will depend on the state of the constitution. Mdfcrt generally there is great weakness, in which cases the diet must be gene- rous. And if painful the hop poultice should be used, and the steam-bath occasionally, but very moderately. After they are once opened, use No. 12 Ointment. WHITLOW, OR FELON. Symptoms.—An inflamed tumor, at the end of the finger. It is of three kinds. The first is situated immediately under the skin, around the nail, and is called a run round. The second is seated a little deeper and is much longer in get- ting ripe to open. The third lies under the sheath or covering of the sinews, of the fingers, and is infinitely more violent, painful, and dan-' gerous, than either of the others. Treatment—The treatment is all to be alike warm poultices to be applied immediately, and if the disease is deep seated, make an early inci- sion down to the bone, this will give almost in- i stant relief, after which, poultice it. Instances have been known where whitlows have been J THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 75 known to destroy the use of the hand, for the want of being opened early, as they never open themselves, but extend to the hand. PILES. Symptoms.—A pain in the fundament when going to stool; on examination small tumors, are perceived to project beyond its verge. They are of two kinds, the blind and bleeding. They may also be internal and external. BLIND PILES. Treatment.—A diet of rye mush and milk, strictly adhered to for a length of time, will very frequently cure the disease. If they are painful, wash them with hop-tea, and use No. 12 Oint- ment, with the same bulk of powdered gall nuts, and ten grains of powdered Opium, and ru& them well together. After which take the fol- lowing electuary, powdered Nutmegs, Sulphur, and conserve of Roses, each a tea-spoonful, to be rubbed together; dose, a tea-spoonful morn- ing and night. 4. BLEEDING PILES. Treatment—If the bleeding is considerable, inject a strong decoction of white oak bark and hop-tea, frequently, and pursue the same plan as is laid down for the blind piles. OF ABSCESS. Symptoms.—-'The formation of matter under the skin, or in any part of the body, preceded by inflammation, and marked by a dull heavy weight; by the pain becoming more acute dart- 76 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. ing; and a peculiar throbbing; by the swel- ling becoming more elevated, and soft to the touch. If the tumor is not opened it bursts. Treatment.—Apply a soft, and warm poultice of linseed or bread to the part, and endeavour to hasten the formation of matter. When this is evident, let it out with a sharp lancet. If the patient is weak, let him have a generous diet with wine, porter, barks, &c. OF ULCERS. By ulcers, are meant holes or sores in the skin and flesh, which discharge matter. They are divided into inflamed, fungous, sloughing,' and indolent ulcers in the neighbourhood of ca-; rious bone, and those attended by a peculiar dis- eased action. Treatment—Confine the patient to the house, place the limb in an elevated position, and very low diet must b# observed. The parts1 must be poulticed until they discharge healthy" matter, which is of a light yellow. The patient taking constantly the No. 13 diet drink, andr some mild purgative. After the parts begin to discharge healthy matter, dress it with No. 12 Ointment. If there should be proud flesh in them, dust it with powdered burnt Alum andi Rhubarb. If the patients be very weak, they must take wine, barks, &c. OF SPRAINS.* Plunge the part into very cold water, and hold.1 it there as long at a time as you can bear h>- ■ for several hours—then rub with No. 10 Com- THE FAMILIBS' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 77 pound. If the accident has happened to a joint, as in the ankle, and it remains weak, pour cold water on it from the spout of a tea-kettle, held at a distance, several times a day. The most seri- ous effects, however, resulting from contusion, are when the blow is applied to the head, pro- ducing either concussion or compression of the brain. The only recourse is by applying to a Surgeon. OF WOUNDS. Wounds are of three kinds, viz. incised, punc- tured and contused; among the latter are includ- ed gunshot wounds. The first step in all wounds, is to stop the bleeding. If the flow ot blood is but trifling, draw the edges of the wound together with your hands, and hold them in that position^some time, when it will frequently stop. If on the contrary, it is large, of a bright red colour, flowing in spirits or with a jerk, apply your finger where it springs from, and hold it firmly, while an assistant passes a handkerchief around the limb, (taking care to always place it between the heart and the wound, as the blood flows from the heart,) and tie its two ends to gether in a hard knot. A stick of any kina must now be passed under the knot, (between the upper surface of the limb, and the hand- kerchief) and turned round and round, until the stick is brought down to the limb, so as to make it encircle the limb with considerable tightness. You may then remove your fingers, and if it continues to bleed, make it tighter. The pa- tient may now be removed (taking care to se- 1& THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. cure the stick in its position) without running any risk of bleeding to death by the way. As this apparatus cannot remain on long^ without destroying the limb, a supgeon must be sent for immediately. If the wound is on the head, press your finger on it, until a compress be brought, which must be bound firmly over the bleeding artery, by a bandage. If the wound should inflame, it must be poulticed, but not more than is actually ne- cessary for it to heal; use No. 12 Ointment^ dressing it frequently. OF BURNS AND SCALDS. There are three kinds of remedies employed in accidents of this nature. Cooling applica- tions, such as ice, snow, vinegar, cold water, lead water, &c. Stimulants, as warm spirits of turpentine, brandy, or any ardent spirits, and ' carded or raw cotton. >i.if Any one of these articles that happens to be at hand, may be tried, although the preference is due to molasses and raw cotton," in cases of extensive scalds. It should remain on, until' matter is formed, and then it should be removed^ and as speedily as possible covered again, with! No. 12 Ointment, made very thin with spirits of turpentine. If extensive inflammation, andk sloughing should come on, use the following poultice; yeast, flaxseed, and barks stewed to- gether, and renewed every. hour, each time an- ointing the parts with linseed oil. In cases of slight injury, a liniment made of linseed oil, and) limewater, may be used with great advantage. THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 79 If the patient should appear to sink under the injury, wine, barks, and a generous diet must be administered. CHILBLAINS. This disease is caused from exposure to frost, it is attended with an intolerable itching, and burning, when the part becomes warm, and at times breaks open and becomes very sore. The following plaster has been found very useful in removing this disease: red lead one ounce, rosin two ounces, lard one ounce, the lard and rosin to be melted together, and when cool, the lead to be rubbed into it, and then spread on leather. This has been known to be useful in all stages of the disease, and to give relief when every thing else failed. Also it has removed the worst corns, by using it after the corns were pared down. DISEASES OF CHILDREN. The first appears to be griping and flatulency. These are known by the continued crying, rest-, lessncss, and drawing up of the legs. When at- tended by diarrhoea and green stools, it is to be relieved, in general, by the administration of a few grains of Rhubarb and Magnesia. If sour belching, &c. still continue, it will be proper to o-ivc ten drops of No. 9, and repeat until it vo- mits the child. After this, particularly if there be any purging, it will be proper to give a little Rhubarb and Magnesia again, and now andjhen a portion of No. 11 Diet drink. "*• , 80 the families' new guide to health. Cholera Infantum, or Summer Complaint. This may, in general, if the stools are green,: be relieved by giving from two to four grains of Calomel, and repeat the dose every two hours, until the colour of the passages is changed to a natural colour, when a small dose of Rhubarb should be given. If the stool should be very fetid and much vomiting, give ten drops of No. 9, and repeat it two or three times, after which give. the Calomel as before directed. The child should be clothed entirely in flannel, and be rubbed three, or four times in a day, and take as much ot No. 11, as its stomach will bear. Great caution? must be taken to stop the use of the Calomel, as soon as there is a change in the stools, or it will salivate the child. But if caution is taken, it is as safe, and the most efficacious remedy used in* this disease. * THRUSH. This disease makes its appearance by little ulcerations in the mouth, tongue, &c, of a white colour, and sometimes of a yellowish cast. They are generally owing to acidity of the stomach. In this disease nothing avails more than an emetic at first, and then a little Magnesia an<£ Rhubarb. If there is much griping, treat it as before laid down. Its mouth should be washed' iVequently with strong sage tea and a small lump of borax in it. CROUP. This disease is peculiar to children, and fre-. qjieHly fatal, if care is not taken in the com-? the families' new guide to health. 81 mencement of the disease. It commonly ap- proaches with the usual signs of cold, with a pe- culiar hoarseness, with a shrill ringing sound both in speaking and coughing, as if the noise came from a brazen tube. The cough is gene- rally dry, and the respiration difficult, as though there was spasm of the windpipe, which there actually is. Treatment.—As soon as possible the child should be put into a warm bath, the water to be about milk warm, and a tea spoonful of No. 9 given and repeated until relief is given, which is frequently effected by the use of this article with- out vomiting. The child should be then purged freely with Rhubarb and Magnesia. General Rules for preserving Life and Health. 1. Rise early, and never sit up late. % Wash the whole body every morning with cold water, by means of a large sponge, and rub it dry with a rough towel, or for ten or fif- teen minutes with a flesh brush. 3. Drink water generally, and avoid excess of spirits, wine, and fermented liquors. 4. Keep the body open by the use of such ar- ticles of food, as best *erve for that purpose 5. Sleep in a room that has free access to the open air. 6. Keep the head cool by washing it frequent- ly with cold water, and abate feverish and in- flammatory symptoms when they arise, by dimi- nishing the diet and keeping quiet. 83 the families' new guide to health. 7. Correct symptoms of indigestion, by eating and drinking only such articles as digest well. 8. Never eat a hearty supper of meat or drink much spirituous or fermented liquor, as thej should only be used about dinner time. Dr. Boerhaave'>8 Rules. This great man left, as a legacy to the wofl the following simple and unerring directions foi preserving health; they contain the sum and suf stance of his vast professional knowledge, duriii a long and useful life: "Keep the feet warm; tl head cool; and the body open." If these nil were generally attended to, the physician's aii would but seldom be required. EXERCISE. The importance attached to exercise in all ages is fully evinced by the numerous essays and dis- cussions upon the subject, particularly by medi- cal men, the attention paid by legislators and governments of old to games promoting this ob- ject, and the rules and regulations at different times for its proper and efficacious employment. Great stress has been laid upon its utility—naf absolute necessity—and wonderful effects pro- mised from a faithful and assiduous attention to it. It has ranked high as a prophylactic against many diseases, as a remedy in more—and in fine, it has been in the hands of some, magnified into a specific and panacea. Our object at present is not, to decry its importance, nor abstract from its merits—far from it; none are more sensible than ourselves of its utility and powers when pro- THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 83 perly administered—but it is to its abuse, its ill- timed and excessive application, that we wTould wish at this time to direct attention; and that it may, like every thing else be abused, we presume none will deny. It does not enter into our plan to discuss the comparative merits of the dir%elit kinds of exer- cise__all are good in their place, and each may have an advantage over the others in particular cases: we will not therefore unnecessarily swell our work with this part of the subject, but refer our readers to those whose labors have been particularly and expressly directed to this point —let us now speak of the most common kind— viz. walking. The benefit to be derived from pedestrian exer- cise is so obvious as not to be disputed, but to insure this, attention must be paid to certain cir- cumstances—time, quantity, &c, which we will now examine. An opinion very generally prevails, that a walk before breakfast is of all others the most useful, though from certain causes, it has fallen con- siderably into disrepute. We hear some assert that when they walk before breakfast, they feel the worse for it throughout the day, and we have no reason to doubt the fact; but to what is this owing? to the abuse, of what is, with proper re- striction, very beneficial. We have from some experience and much observation come to the following conclusions, which if generally adopt- ed, would we believe considerably lessen the number of complaints on this head. In the first place we should rise early, and this being a re- 84 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. lative term, and not considered alike by all, we will mention what we mean by it. During the summer months we would consider 6 o'clock or a little before as sufficiently early to be out—wc will thus, (if we consume not to much of the mid night oil) have had a sufficiency of sleep, and avoid the extreme$pf damp or deny air, which'a too early turnout exposes us to. During winter, an hour later will be preferred. The extent of our walk should now be regulated by our habits as regards walking, and our actual feeling at the time. Half a mile, one, or two miles, leisurely walked, so as not to induce fatigue, (which is easily brought on before breaking our fast) will generally be sufficient. We should be particu- larly careful not to overdo the matter; the least languor, exhaustion or fatigue, should be the signal for a cessation of the exercise, and our morning's meal should speedily follow, for which, if the above suggestions are attended to, we will generally have an appetite. In fact we consider the main object of this walk to be, to thoroughly rouse our dormant faculties, and furnish our lungs with a fresh suply of pure air. The goof. effects of this plan will soon be perceived in the rosy cheek, the bright eye and clear intellect. But if on the contrary we walk too fast or too long, as is too often the case with our early risers, who think they should make the most of their time, exhaustion takes place, the appe- tite vanishes, drowsiness supervenes, and we find ourselves as it were exhausted, and ren- dered in a great measure unfit for the duties of tjie day. We appeal to those who have experience' THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 85 in these matters, whether this is not substantial- ly the case. Having finished our breakfast, and rested a reasonable time, (which may be agreeably and suitably occupied in the perusal of a newspaper) we are prepared to undertake the active exer- tions of the day, which can be better performed now than at any other time. We should always however, endeavour to have half an hour or more before dinner to rest, and allow the diges- tive organs to make ready for their approaching duties. "After dinner sit awhile." Exercise as little as conveniently may be after the principal meal of the day, that all our powers may be cen- tered in the digestive apparatus. j|But "after supper ivalk a mile,'''' that the internal organs which now begin to flag somewhat, may be roused to a little further exertion, and that we may not be prevented from enjoying a refresh- ing sleep. Our remarks might be still further extended, were we to enter into all the details and minutiae connected with the subject, but our limits forbid this, and we are only afraid that our readers may- think we have already said too much; but upon apparent trifles, often depends much of the elu- cidation of a subject. We conclude by extracting some remarks of Dr. Johnson upon this subject, which as they do not treat the matter exactly in the light we have done, will not be deemed superfluous. Dr. J. is the author of many valuable works, and editor of the Medico Chirurgical Review; and his sound 86 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. mind, and discriminating judgment impart a value to all that falls from his pen. "Physicians and philosophers, in every age, have extolled exercise as the grand prophylactic^ in guarding against the accession of all diseases^ That man was designed for exertion, cannot be doubted; but, that much injury is every da^ done by invalids, and those confined to sedentary: occupations, attempting to>strengthen their con?. stitutions by strenuous exercise, at intervals, I am well convinced. Violent exercise did grea^ harm, even when nations were nearer a state of nature than they now are. Galen, in his dis- course to Thrasibulus inveighs against the ath-i letic practices of the Gymnasium. A smart wralk of a mile is^o a valetudinarian, what a furious wrestle would lie to an athleta. If we trace those dreadful aneurismal affections of the heart and arteries in early life, we shall find their origins in violent exercise, or sudden over-exertion, in nine cases out of ten, where age and ossification are not concerned. In the long catalogue, therefore, of nervous diseases, where there is any suspicion of functional or organic lesions, indi- cated by palpitations, shortness of breath, and flushings of the face, let long continued or stren- uous exercise be dreaded. The passive exercise of a vessel or carriage is safe; but quick walking is extremely prejudicial. Because we see the laborious classes of society robust, having been inured to labour by long habit, we are not to expect that we can exchange debility for vigour, by imitating their manners, in the middle, or latter periods of life. £ ** THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 87 It is with exercise indeed, as with food and drink. By long habit we'may become gluttons and drunkards, apparently with impunity; and so, by early and long* continued habit, we may become capable of walking a thousand miles in as many successive hours, or of labouring hard, sixteen or eighteen hours out of the twenty-four. But although no organ or part gives out at the time, we are inevitable laying the foundation for future diseases in all three instances. If habit cannot secure us from the injurious effects of inordinate exei*cise, how can we expect to escape when we fly to it, or indulge in it, at irregular periods? In fine, moderate and slow exercise in the open air is extremely salutary; but where it is carried to the length of much accelerating the velocity of the circulation, it endangers de- rangement of the heart, lungs, brain, or any weakened viscus, in valetudinary constitutions. In the healthy and robust, active exercise may be indulged in to a considerable extent, though even here it has its limits. There is not a year that cricket matches do not lay the foundation for aneurisms and diseases of the heart. It is on this principle, also, that hard labour is said by the vulgar, and most truly too, "to wear a person out." Blacksmiths, Por- ters, arifi all those who are accustomed to inor- dinate muscular exertion, or in the habit of lift- ing heavy burthens, are particularly liable to diseases of the heart and arteries, that shorten their lives. Even that noble animal, the horse, is very .subject to disease of the heart, in conse- 88 THE families' new guide to health. quence of his spirited muscular exertions in the chase, in drawing heavy loads, and in racing. As for ruptures, and other consequences of violent exercise, straining, &c. they are too fa- miliar to require animadversion here; but I trust, that enough has been said to excite the attention^ both of patient and practitioner, to this impor- tant subject. I wish it, however, to be distinct- ly understood, that-the foregoing observations are only applicable to inordinate corporeal exerr cise, especially when attempted by the valetudi- narian, or those usually employed in sedentary occupations Moderate, or even pretty free pe- destrian exercise is, in general, extremely salu- tary, and is probably the most natural, were we in a stale of nature; but, in proportion as we re- cede from this state, by advancing civilization, and particularly as we congregate in large cities, where every thing around us, almost to the air wTe breathe is artificial, our muscles lose their tone, and incapacitate us for those athletic exer- cises so praised by the ancients. Fortunately, there is an oth^r species of exercise within the reach of ihc upper class of society, to whom it is most necessary, and which has not been duly appreciated by the profession, but to which we would draw the attention both of patient and practitioner—this is passive exercise, in»carriage or on horseback, including sailing, swinging, &c. Where the invalid is unequal to pedestrian exer- cise, he should gradually increase his carriage or horse exercise in the open air; but pedestrian exercise is to be resorted to whenever he is able the families' new guide tq. HEALTH. : 89 to endure it, for it is upon this .that the great hope of health must ultimately rest.'' Having taken a view of such diseases and medical agents as more particularly concern this work, we will now proceed to give some addition- al practical observations, in a review of the same grades which are laid down in the foregoing ex- planations and directions. Explanations ofthe Nature of the Remedies, &?c. The bodily health of man, depends upon the regular production, and uniform co-operation of four powers, essential to life, each of which we shall consider distinctly, under the following terms: Excitability, Excitement, Stimuli, and Vital-Heat 1st. Excitability, which has also been called vital power, and sensorial power, would be as well understood perhaps, i£we were to say, it is the principle of life. Under the influence of thil power, the several parts and organs of the system, are made capable of receiving active impressions. The eye for instance, which from its con- struction, is itself a most perfect perspective, or telescope, would nevertheless be altogether use- less, did not the excitability make it capable of feeling the impression, made upon it by the rays of light. .,,.,. The ear, by the excitability with which it is charged, feels the impression made upon it by sound. 90 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. The membrane which lines the nose also, by this same power, is capable of feeling the impress «ion made by odors. In the same manner, the tongue is made capable of perceiving tastes. The skin, is likewise prepared to feel the im- pression, made by external agents or substances; as of heat or cold, or by the touch of any thing soft or solid, rough or smooth. But the impressions made on the organs of sense, are not immediately connected with that co-operation of powers, upon which life depends^ Each of the senses, when awakened by any suit-* able impression, furnishes an instance of percep-i tion; and in this way, may have more or less in-' fluence upon the state of health. There is an- other exhibition of the presence and influence of excitability, essential to the preservation of the . system, which will help to an understanding of what wre mean, by the term Excitement. 2nd. The influence of excitability upon the heart, arteries, vein^lymphatics, glands, and se- cretory vessels, makes these several organs, ca- pable of feeling the impressions made by the stimulant powers which act upon them, and pre- pares them to perform those peculiar motions, by i which they are alternately expanded and con- tracted, &C. By these almost inexplicaple motions, the i blood and lymph are circulated; the various ab- sorptions and secretions are carried on, and ' the different excrements are thrown out of the system. The organic motion, maintained for these important purposes, we shall call Excite- ment THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 91 As impressions made on the organs of sense awaken perception, so also it would seem, that impressions made upon the blood vessels, &c. excite motion. Pleasant impressions made on the organs of sense, are desirable, and can be a long time sus- tained. But too much light, acting beyond a cer- tain limited duration upon the eye, extinguishes the power of vision; and too loud sounds, destroy the power of hearing. So also, healthful excite- ment is pleasant and can be sustained in many in- stances, three score years and ten. But if raised too high, the vessels feel pain, and life may be prematurely extinguished. Excitement is maintained at the expense of excitability; and theiefore, there must be a con- stant production of excitability in the system, equal to the expenditure necessary for the main- tenance of perpetual excitement. If the excitability be produced in a degree be- low its natural quantity, it will make the system liable to disease. If the excitability be accumu- lated to a morbid degree, it will also make tl e system liable to disease, in another and opposite condition. And as excitement is dependant upon the pre- sence and co-operation of excitability with other powers, it is obvious, that every distinct varia- tion in the state of the excitability, must also af- fect the excitement. These variations therefore, will be considered more at large, under t he next division of powers. 3rd. The third order of powers, which are «!»■ muli, includes a varif 3ty of agents, such as the drf- 92 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. ferent aliments, heat, atmoshere, light, sounds, odors, bodily exercise, thought, &c. to which must be particularly added, the touch and motion of the blood, as it acts upon the heart, arteries-and- veins, as also the touch and motion of the lymph, ai.cl other fluids secreted and deposited in their various receptacles, or moving in their passage. through their appointed tubes. These various stimuli, acting upon fibres and vessels, and organs, charged with excitability, rouse them to action; and by repeated or contin- ued impression, urge them on a kind of perpetu^ al motion. Therefore, if the excitability be regularly pro- duced and distributed throughout every part of the system, and if the nourishment and other Sti- muli are present in due order and proportion, the xcitement will be equable and healthful. The application of preternatural stimuli will producee more than ordinary excitement, and of course an extraordinary expenditure of. ex- citability. The system, if long oppressed by preterri'atut ral stimuli, will sink into a state of indirect de- bility—a state in which there is a deficiency of excitability. A man staggering from the use of ardent spirit, or from chewing tobacco, furnishes an instance of this kind of debility. He has been checking too heavily upon his stock in life. The same or a similar effect may be produced by a sk>kly atmosphere. And such is the state of things in most cases of sudden and dangerous THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 93 fever—as the yellow fever, violent bilious fever of almost every grade, cholera, &c. By the subduction of any of the natural sti- muli, excitement will be diminished, and conse- quently, excitability accumulated. The same effect may be produced by certain sedative agents, such as cold and fear. When- • ever excitement is long reduced to a state below that which is natural, whether by the subduction of stimuli, or by the application of a sedative agent, the system rvt discoverers, especially when under its intoxicating influence, should have formed the most sanguine and ex- travagant anticipations, in regard to its effects on the human system. They expected, indeed,- to create by it a re- volution in man's physical and moral nature. They believed that they had discovered a reme- dy which would enable the'powers of life suc- cessfully to combat every form of disease; which would extend the span of our brief existence, and furnish a source of joy and gladness, that should alleviate.every form of moral arid physi- cal suffering. 122 THE families' new guide to health. The excessive indulgence to which such anti- cipations must have given rise, betrayed the true character of the insidious enemy. It was soon discovered that the haggard visage of disease lurked beneath its smiling mask; that the ribs of death wrere wrapped in its gorgeous mantle; and that the wand, so beautifully wreathed with vine leaves, was nothing but the fatal dart which, for six thousand years, has been doing its work of destruction. It soon became manifest that the human sys- tem was altogether incapable of long enduring this tumult of action, and that its sensibilities at length became exhausted—the organs wearied, and that a degree of debility and prostration fol- lowed, precisely corresponding to the degree of previous excitement It was found, too, that this hurried action often injured the delicate structure of important organs, and paved the way for disease. The Arabians, therefore, then the most enlightened and refined people in "the world, rejected the article as unfit for the use of man. Their knowledge of it was, however, im- parted to the inhabitants of Europe, then in that state of semi-barbarism which favours indulgence in gross sensualities. With a large portion of the inhabitants of those regions it has ever since been employed as a customary beverage. So general and so free has its employment at length become, especially in our own country, and so astonishing is its influence on the con- stitution and character of man, that the benevo- lent of all countries have become greatly alarm- ed at the degradation of their species which it THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 123 threatens to effect. Whether these fears are well or ill founded, is the object of our inquiry. The effects of the intemperate use of ardent drinks, are so fatal to health and character, that it is unnecessary to speak of its impropriety. Even the drunkard will hiccup his disapproba- tion of drinking to excess. Let us, then, in- quire whether the practice of what is termed temperate drinking, so universally practised, is either necessary, safe, or justifiable. The common apologies for its habitual use are: 1st. That it promotes cheerfulness and harm- less conviviality. 2d. That it increases the energy of the men- tal powers. 3d. That by increasing man's muscular vi- gour, it enables4um to accomplish more labour, in a given time, and supports him during every variety of muscular exertion. 4th. That, when taken at the hours of eating, it creates appetite, and greatly aids the stomach during the process of digestion. 5th. That it protects the system against the vicissitudes of heat and cold—guards it against the diseases of unhealthy climates, and against the influence of contagion. That the animal spirits are exhilarated by the use of alcohol we cannot deny> and if the effect were attended with no corresponding depression, nor derangement of healthy action, we should be compelled to acquiesce; but it is absolutely cer- tain, that just so much as the spirits are raised above the natural standard, must they subse- quently sink below it. Indeed, the despondency 124 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. which follows is more remarkable, and longer continued than the excitement. Besides, trie pleasurable emotion is not pure, as it is alwajS mingled with certain feverish and disagreeabfc sensations. Every one regards an even—uniform flow of spirits, as a happy temperament; but great vicis- situdes of feeling are the necessary consequence of alcoholic excitement. Certainly no one would seek artificial excitement when in a happy frame of mind; and if in a state of mental anxiety,; from circumstances of adversity, it would be ve- ry absurd to seek relief in partial inebriation; for, if he has real cause for sorrow, it is prope? that he should feel it, in order that he may be made to appreciate and meet thj^ difficulty which threatens him. Unseasonable joy will only conceal the evil, till, perhaps, it is too near to be avoided. The joyous emotions of the drinker are all unsound. The hope with which the cup in spires him will result in disappointment; the fortitude which it imparts, is not moral firmness. At the festive board, he promises to himself and others more than the sober realities of life will permit him to accomplish. All his thoughts; words, and deeds are suited to circumstances that do not exist. So long as he is excited, he is dreaming, and when he wakes, it is to taste the bitterness of disappointment. If a person in an ordinary frame of mind drinks for pleasurable excitement, he will have twice as strong an inducement to do so when the de- spondency, which is its secondary effect, takes THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 125 place, and so whenever it recurs; and thus his temperate drinking ends in intemperate indul- gence. Hence, as observation will show, al- most every individual who drinks for exhilara- tion, fastens upon himself an irresistible habit. The drunkard, as every one will admit, is the most wretched of beings; but his mental condi- tion differs from that of the habitual temperate drinker, only in degree. But another individual alleges that he is occa- sionally compelled to make great mental exer- tion, and he desires to concentrate all his intel- lectual poorer within some brief occasion. To effect this*, he stimulates. But the excitement of alcohol is an irregular and delirious excite- ment Although the conceptions which result are vivid, they are incoherent. There is a pe- culiar Want of precision in the use of words, in one who is under its influence. In speaking, and in writing, there is something so character- istic in the style of one thus excited, some- thing so wild and grotesque, that'a nice critic would, almost always, at once distinguish it. Shall we call it the alcoholic style, or what shall we term it? Look for it in some of the pages of Don Juan, the very stanzas of which reel and stagger. We need hot the confessions of the autjtior, to know that he was inspired by the •'Sweet naiad of the phlegethontic rill," whom he so often celebrates. The excitement which produces the most pow- erful and sublime intellectual efforts is moral, and not physical excitement. We are not indebted to the inspiration of alcohol for the speeches of 11* 126 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. % Demosthenes, of Cicero, of Chatham, or of Patrick Henry. Anthony possessed as much native talent as Cicero; if stimulation could in- crease the powers of the mind, he ought to have been a much greater man. But, granting that alcohol does create par- ©xysms of intellectual power, yet he who resorts to it soars upon pinions of wax, which will de- sert him, perhaps in the very zenith of his airy flight, and hurl him from the sublime to the ridi- culous. The intellectual excitement of alcohol lasts, indeed, but a few minutes. But there is a still stronger objection to this plea for alcoholic excitement. The nervous system comprises the organs wrhich are most im- mediately necessary to the operations of the mind—they are, indeed, the instruments of thought. Preternatural excitement wears upon all the organs of the human system. But the brain and nerves are composed of a material on which alcohol acts chemically, rendering it hard and insensible; certainly,then, it must diminish the delicacy and quickness of our perceptions. % No one will deny that, in the drunkard, mental power is greatly impaired. In him, the moral sense of right and wrong is blunted; judgment perverted; memory rendered unfaithful. Fancy sees nothing sublime or beautiful through the turbid medium of the drunkard's maudlin eye. When is it that this acknowledged decay of the mind, from the use of alcohol, begins to take place? Does the cause produce its effect only after long continued intemperance, and then sud- denly, or is the poison insidious, and imper- THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 127 ceptible in its progress? As a physician I aver that it must be the latter, and that the effect be- gins with the first exercise of the cause—long before the signs of habitual intemperance are manifest. Nay, we must infer that the unneces- sary stimulation of alcohol is never produced without impairing, in some slight degree, the noblest attributes of man. The effect, indeed, is at first but as a mote in the balance, but by repe- tition the mote becomes a mass, and then stu- pidity preponderates, and wisdom and virtue kick the beam. But a third individual drinks habitually to in- crease his muscular strength, and to ease the burden of his daily task. The human body is avital machine, designed, as we before stated, to be operated upon by a given power, which is the natural stimulus of our food and drink. The strength of the mechanism is adapted to this power. Now, let us ask, whether if a machinist had constructed a mill with a degree of strength adapted to ten feet head of water, it would be wise to pour upon it twice that quantity, because, for a time, it might bear it without obvious injury, and execute more wrork? Would any one, even if his courage was screwed up to the point with alcohol, like to ride on the Rocket, or the Novelty, if he knew it was enduring more force of steam than that for which the maker had constructed it? Two kinds of mischief are liable to result from this hurried action. The machine will wear out far more quickly, and all its parts are constantly exposed to the danger of breaking. . . 128 the families' new guide to health. The vulgar phrase of the day by which to ex- press the excitement of drink is, "raising the steam." Nothing could be more apt; it is in- deed raising the steam above the point of safety. It is applying the high-pressure principle to an apparatus designed for low-pressure. The con- sequence is that the cylinders, pistons, wheels, shafts, &c. are subjected to a tremendous wear and tear; or, what is worse, the boiler bursts, or a beam snaps, and the whole goes to ruin. Now, by the analogous excitement which is produced in the living system, the organs of the vital machine are in the same manner worn and exhausted. It is true they have a power of self- reproduction and reparation, but even this facul- ty must of necessity decay, and the oftener it is called upon the sooner will it be exhausted. There is much truth in the phrase "a broken constitution." It signifies a constitution in whieh some of the organs are impaired by unequal or excessive action; and which have lost, in part, the power of regenerating themselves. But there are other equally valid reasons wThy alcohol does not render labour more effective. The increased action produced by it is irregular and unsteady; the power of the muscles is capri- cious and ill-directed. In a personal conflict the steady eye and the obedient arm of the man not agitated by passion, always triumphs over the powerful, but convulsive struggles of anger. But granting that the alleged effect is actually pro- duced, it is but transient, and the energies of the system must at last sink in a degree precisely corresponding to that of the previous excitement. the families' new guide to health. 129 Others there are who indulge in an evening glassy to relieve the sensation of exhaustion and fatigue caused by the labours of the day. Nothing can be more palpably absurd. What! goad the fatigued organs—the stomach—the heart—the nerves into artificial excitement to obviate the effects of exhaustion? As well might we scourge a jaded and drooping* race horse to make him exhibit less evidence of fatigue. But if there are those who will be persuaded only by matter of fact, we appeal to the numerous experiments which abundantly shew that more labour may be executed without the aid of alco- holic stimulus than with it. Those experiments were long ago made by Franklin on his own per- son. They have been made in numerous in» stances in the manufacturing establishments of our country; they have frequently been made even on ship board, where the human frame is made the sport of contending elements. Even in this his extremity of suffering and exhaustion it has been ascertained by satisfac- tory trial, that alcohol eontributes nothing to our support; that, on the other hand, this article has been far more fatal to that useful class of men than the quicksand or the tornado. The fourth class drink to promote digestion. They assert that it is necessary to stimulate be- fore eating, in order to create appetite, and again after, for the purpose of sustaining the powers of the stomach. If alcohol is indeed necessary to digestion, how unhappy must have been the lot of the wretched dyspeptics, who occupied the earth for 130 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. the first five thousand years of its existence? What qualms, what paroxysms of colic, what borborygmi, what acidities of stomach and tem- per, must have befallen the antediluvians; and how tediously must have passed off a life of 900 years of imperfect digestion, without one sip of brandy-toddy, whiskey-punch, or aquavitse! How should it happen too, if alcohol be a ne- cessary aid to digestion, that the ancient commu- nities of men were possessed, as we have ample reason to believe, of far firmer bodily stamina than those of this generation. There is no truth more obvious than that the stomach of a man in health is not prepared to re- ceive food and digest it, till he is conscious of an appetite. This sensation is the instinct which nature has bestowed upon the organ, causing it to demand materials as soon as it is in a condir tion to act upon them. If there occur no desire for food, it is either because the organ is exhaust- ed by previous over-action or because it is in a state of disease. In either case it requires repose. But alcohol, in this condition of the organ, creates an artificial and forced appetite. The stomach then demands more food than it can manage, and promises more than it can subsar quently accomplish. For a short time indeed it acts with energy, but when the transient excite- ment is gone, it shrinks from its task; then the mass of food undergoes fermentation, produces acidities, and inflicts a kind of irritation which is the source of half the diseases that prey upon our species. THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 131 The result is much the same when stimulus is taken after eating. When one feels annoyed and oppressed by his meal, it is because he has indulged too freely, and the stomach is sinking beneath its load. If he drinks then, he is indeed relieved for a time, the stomach being urged to a desperate effort. But the gormand is cruel to the organ, and is like the unfeeling driver, who loads his beast with a burden under which it can scarce stagger, and supplies its want of strength with plenty of stripes. Another argument in favour of occasional drinking is founded on its supposed effects in defending the system against the vicissitudes of temperature, against the diseases of sickly re- gions, and against the influence of contagion. As to vicissitudes of heat and cold, they pro- dufteTdisease by the sudden transitions from great to diminished action which they occasion, and vice versa. NowT, it is notorious that this is also the legitimate effect of dram-drinking, and hence the extreme absurdity of employing it as a re- medy. Be^fls, it weakens the stamina of the system, impairs digestion—every function in- deed, and predisposes to every form of disease. Contagion and other subtle causes of fever as- sail the system most successfully, when there has occurred something to disturb the uniformity and balance of action. This disturbance is pro- duced by alcohol, and although the system, while under its immediate influence, is perhaps not particularly susceptible, yet soon the period of sinking must arrive; then the vital powers are prostrate; the sentinels of life are slumbering on 132 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. their posts, and insidious contagion steals into the inmost recesses of the system. As a remedy to be employed in the treatment of certain forms of disease, alcohol ought un- doubtedly to hold a place among medicines; but physicians are now very generally persuaded that, even thus employed, it has heretofore been regarded as far more efficacious than it actually is. The very general employment of some form of alcohol in the treatment of disease, has been chiefly owing to the influence of the Brunonian theory of medicine. This doctrine was taught in Edingburgh by the celebrated Dr. Brown, about 40 years since. Its fundamental hypo- thesis is, that all diseases consist of but two classes, the one arising from increased, the other from diminished action. He believed the latter class to be far the most numerous, and as, m his view, they arose from debility, he regarded the various energetic stimuli as their appropriate remedies. Of these alcohol and opium were the most important. To the younger members of tfce^ profession this system was addresed with the most eloquent and plausible sophistry. As it was extremely simple and easy of acquisition, promising a sort of'north-west passage to the very ultimatum of science and skill, the doctrine spread like conta- gion and with far more fatal influence. When, after many years, its absurdities were at length exposed, a learned au|hpr remarked, that the f theory of Brown had been in the hands of a me- dical sect, "what fire and sword are in the battles of the cruel." THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 133 It is true that fatigue, and the abstraction of ordinary nourishment and stimuli, may so pro- strate the powers of life, that a prompt stimulus, like that of alcohol, may be necessary to give an # impulse to the, functions of the organs which afterwards must be sustained by nourishment But if alcohol is longer employed, it forces the organs to a degree of action which they cannot endure; and, furthermore, it converts debility in- to discase,by creating unequal excitement, which is the very essence of the latter. There are, it is true, certain rare diseases which seem to strike at once at the vital sensi- bilities of thf system, and which are attended with a sudden and alarming subsidence of action. Here also, it may be proper to employ the quick- ening influence of an ardent stimulus; but when once the powers of life are roused to the strife, its continuance would only aid the pnemy. Vast mischief has resulted to mankind from the employment of certain eordial medicines in the form of tinctures. They are often prescrib- ed by physicians when, the system being ex- hausted by disease, both body and mind arc pue- rile and capricious, and hence the easy victims of a vicious habit This is apt to occur especial- ly to delicate, nervous females, whose unpleasant sensations are always temporarily relieved by the excitement which is produced. Thus has it been endeavoured to reply to the various arguments, which, by different classes of individuals, are urged in favour of the occasional employment of alcohol. But there are important • 12 134 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. facts which could not be embraced under these heads. What (let it be emphatically asked,) is the source of intemperance, with all its digustinf progeny of vice and disease? Does it rush upon us at once, in all its loathsome deformity, or does it not rather approach us in the garb of tem- perance, cheering us at the festive board, prof- ferring aid in the task of labor, and promising protection from the arrows of pestilence—never casting off its disguise till the moral sense is per- verted, and we can look upon it without loath- ing? Dmnkeness is a disease; a disease marked by strong and peculiar traits which«are too familiar to need description. Whenever the physician seeks to cure, or to prevent disease, he always looks first to the cause. The causes of some diseases are obscure, others may result from one of many causes; but intemperance has but one parent—one prolific and sufficient source, and that is TEMPERATE DRINKING. ON CLOTHING. Delicate and dyspeptic persons are often dis- tressed by changing their dress, which must be- as uniform as possible, in thickness, in quality, and in form, especially (flannel, or indeed) what ever is worn next to the skin. To wear soft flannel next to the skin cannot be too strondj recommended to those who are afflicted with any affection of the lungs or bowels; the application of a double or treble piece of flannel upon the hreast in coughs, the belly in colics 'and to any THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 135 parts affected by rheumatism, often affords great relief. Great care should be taken that your flannel waistcoat be thoroughly aired; have two a week (especially during warm weather,) wearing them alternate days, and the intervening days let it hang before your dressing-room fire; this will render it comparatively fresh and pleasant. The change of a thick waistcoat for a thin one, or a long one for a shorter one—not putting on winter garments soon enough, or leaving them off too soon, will often excite a violent disorder , in the lungs or bowels, < seasons and variable climates, especially to the feeble and infirm. In the northern and middle States, this article ought to be worn next to the skin, and be changed at least twice a week; this practice, connected with the frequent use of the flesh-brush, may be considered as one of the greatest preservatives of health. In the cold seasons, flannel ought to be worn both in the form of shirt and drawers, and by the female as well as the male. Many people lose the advan- tage of wearing flannel by neglecting to put it on sufficiently early in the fall, and by leaving it off too early in the spring. It ought to be put on as early as the autumnal "e piinox, or on the first appearance of frost, and its use ought not to be relinquished until the weather has become sett- led and warm. From the want of a due ob- servance of'this rule, many persons suffer mate- rial injury; they contract cough, rheumatism, or some other evil which not unfrequently con- tinues with them through life. Some medical men are of opinion that flannel ought to be worn at all seasons of the year. This, perhaps, may be a good rule as it respects teeth- ing children and persons advanced in life, as the practice is calculated to produce an irritation on the skin and a determination of the fluids to the surface; this practice may likewise prove bene- ficial in cold and moist climates as a preventive of rheumatism, and other inflammatory affec-( tions; but it cannot be expected that people in general will submit to the use of flannel under ^ the feivid rays of a summer sun. In petsons of THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 137 feeble and debilitated habits, the practice of wearing flannel in warm seasons would certain- ly prove injurious, by producing too profuse a discharge from the surface; this would unquest- ionably increase their sufferings. Many persons think they cannot wear flannel on account of its fretting their skin; but there are few who cannot bear the action of the softer fabrics, by inuring themselves to it for a short season. Matter of fact will show that persons of the most tender skin and of the most delicate constitutions wear them with great comfort during the whole summer. Those who will not submit to the course here recommended, will find great advantage in wearing flannel over their linen. True wisdom consists in rendering the remain- ing years of life as comfortable as possible: "Be old betimes that thou mayest long be so." "Wear a woolen great-coat in winter, or You may want a wooden one ere summer." The aged should beware of changing that fashion of their clothes, &c. which time has made, as it were, a part of their body. Our coat should be made so large, that when buttoned we may be as easy as when it is un- buttoned; so that without any unpleasant increase of pressure on the chest, &c. we can wear it closely buttoned up to the chin; the power of doin°- this is a very convenient provision against the sudden alterations from heat to co.d; but- t min<* UP th'^ outer garment will protect the de- licate°from many mischiefs which often arise n this inconstant climate from the want of such a 138 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. defence; and the additional warmth it producet will often remove those slight chills, which other- wise soon become serious. When the circulation is feeble, and your feet are cold, wear worsted stockings (those who are old and chilly must have two pair,) have your shoes well warmed, and when you take them from the fire, put your slippers to it, that they may be warm and comfortable for you on your return home. The best panacea for a languid circulation, which is the cause of the dullness, and coldness of the feet, &c, is exercise,—walking briskly in the open air for 15 or 20 minutes, three or four times in a day, taking your first walk about a quarter of an hour after breakfast, and another about three or four hours after; the more ex- ercise the better—take care not to fatigue your- self;—remember—exercise excites, fatigue de- bilitates. Weak people in very cold weather can hardly wralk fast enough to excite sufficiently increased action in their system to make and keep them- selves warm; and the chilling blast steals away the heat of their body faster than its enfeebled powers can supply the loss, even if they wear as many great-coats as an onion, unless they pre- viously set the circulation agoing—by taking, just before they start a cup of warm coffee, and eat a crust of bread with it; these are very pro-. per overtures before starting out, in extremely -J cold weather. The chilling effect of the at- mosphere is not to be judged of by the ther- mometer; we feel as cold when there is much THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 139 wind, and the thermometer at 45 degrees, as we do when the air is still and the thermometer at 35 degrees. Cold out of the usual season is trebly injuri- ous to delicate persons who have passed the me- redian of life, as when it comes at the period it is expected. The grand counteractor of cold is exercise; and the best exercise is walking in the open air, because, in walking, more of our muscles are brought into action than in any other kind of ex- ercise, and consequently the circulation is more universally excited. When you wish to walk fast- est, in frosty weather, the ground is often so slip- pery that a quick movement is extremely impru- dent: to enable you to ambulate with convenient celerity for collecting caloric, do not put on a pair of shoes with very thick soles, but those which are thin enough, and large enough to allow such action to your toes that you may be sure-footed: put on over these list shoes; they will effectual- ly prevent your slipping, and also enable you to walk fast, and to take exercise pleasantly, with- out fear of falling; which in cold weather is es- sentially necessary to all, but especially to per- sons who have cold feet and a languid circula- tion—for which there is no remedy so effectual as a smart walk, two or three times a day, for : fifteen or twenty minutes; in such cases, there is no substitute for walking exercise. Always endeavour to get your feet warm by walking before you go to dinner. Digestion is perfect in the proportion that the circulation's free and perfect. 140 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. The restoration and the preservation of the health, especially of those who have passed their fortieth year, depend upon minute and unremit- ting attentions to food, clothes, exercise, &c.; which, taken singly, may appear trifling,—com- bined, are of infinite importance; and in fact in- dispensable, not only to the comfort, but to the continuation of life. It is a comforting consideration for delicate persons, that long life is not necessarily connect- ed with high health; there are many who have at- tained a very advanced age, although they have enjoyed scarcely one week's uninterrupted good health for many years. The returns uf many benefit societies prove, that sickness and mortality bear no distinct pro- portion to each other; nor is it at all likely that they should, while the human frame is subject to feebleness and tedious disorders, which leave no bad consequences after recovery, and while sud- den deaths are frequent. By a regular observance of a few salutary precepts, a delicate constitution will last as long, and will afford its proprietor as many amuse- ments, as a strong body whose weak mind takes but little care of it. Put on a great coat when you go out, and the temperature of the external air is not higher than 40 degrees. Some susceptible constitutions re- quire this additional clothing when the ther- mometer falls below 50 degress, especially at the commencement of the cold weather. A great-coat and a hat ought to be kept in a room where there is a fire: if a great-coat has THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 141 been hung up in a cold damp hall, as it often is, it will contribute about as much to your warmth, as if you wrapped a wet blanket about you. Persons who are very susceptible of the va- riations of temperature should have two great- coats, one for cool and fair weather (above 35 degrees Fahrenheit,) of coating—and another for cold and foul weather, of broad cloth, and lined with fur, as a "dreadnaught" against frost and snow, which, if it is intended to defend you from cold wind and rain, should also lap over at least four inches. Clothes should be warm enough to defend us from cold,—and large enough to let every move- ment be made with as much ease when they are on as when they are off. Those whose employments are sedentary—es- pecially diligent students who neglect taking sufficient exercise, suffer extremely from the pressure of tight waistbands, garters, &c, which are the cause of many of the mischiefs that arise from long sitting—during which they should be loosened. 142 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. COMPOUNDS OF MEDICINES, that are directed to be used in the cure of diseases as described in this work. No. 1, Anti-bilious Pills.—Jalap 2 drachms, Aloes 2 drachms, Calomel \ drachm, Gamboge half a drachm, Tartar Emetic 5 grains, Castile Soap 1 drachm. #To be mixed with water, and made into pills of ordinary size. Dose 3, to be repeated if they should not operate. No. 2, Quinine Mixture.—Quinine 20 gr., Loaf Sugar and Water, 3 ounces of each, Essence of Peppermint 1 ounce, Elixir of Vitriol 15drops. The whole to be mixed in a phial. Dose a tea- spoonful, to be repeated as necessity may require. No. 3, Anti-septic Mixture.—Best Madeira wine 2 ounces, Gum Myrrha 1 ounce, Cayenne pepper £ drachm. The whole to be well rubbed in the mortar, and then put it in a phial for use. Dose, a tea spoonful. No. 4, Cathartic Pills.—Rhubarb 1 ounce, Supercarbonate of Sodae \ ounce, Cayenne pep- per 20 grains, Oil of Sassafras 10 drops, Sy- rup sufficient to make the whole into a mass, after which make it into pills of ordinary size. Dose, 3, to be repeated if not sufficient to operate. No. 5, Astringent J\Iixture.—sBayberry bark in powder 2 ounces, "Cayenne pepper £ ounce, Loaf Sugar 1 ounce, Powdered Myrrha 1 ounce, One pint of the best 4th proof brandy, the whole to be mixed and let stand for two days. Dose, a table spoonful. THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. 143 No. 6, Stimulating Pill.—Camphor ] drachm powdered (a drop or two of spirits of any kind, must be added in order to be able to powder it) Hartshorn 1 drachm. To be mixed with thick syrup or paste, and made into 30 pills. One to be taken for a dose. No. 7, Eye-water.—Sugar of Lead 6 grains, Sulphate of Zink 6 grains, Laudanum 12 drops, Rose water 6 ounces. To be put in a bottle and used after settling. No. 8, Cough Mixture.—Syrup of Squills 1 ounce, No. 9 Tincture of Lobelia 1 ounce, Ho- ney T ounce, Cayenne pepper ^ drachm, Water 4 ounces, Powdered skunk cabbage 1 ounce. To be mixed in a bottle and well shook before using. Dose, tea spoonful, to be repeated frequently if the cough is bad. No. 9, Tincture of Lobelia.—Lobelia leaves, stems, and pods, -a sufficiency to fill a bottle as full as you can, then add of good brandy as much as the bottle will hold. In five days it may be used; but the bottle must be kept in the dark, or it will loose all its strength. Dose, a tea-spoonful. No. 10, Compound.—4th proof brandy, half a gallon; Gum Myrrha, a quarter of a pound: Cayenne pepper, one ounce; No. 9, Tincture of Lobelia, four ounces; to be put in a bottle and frequently shook for ten days. Dose, teaspoonful. No. 11, Diet Drink.—Young mullen before it shoots to seed, one pound; water, two quarts; to be boiled down to one quart, then strain- ed, and add a pint of new milk; half a pound of loaf Sugar; and half a pint of good brandy. Dose, a table spoonful. 144 THE FAMILIES' NEW GUIDE TO HEALTH. No. 12, Ointment— White Rosin, one pound; Lard, two pound; Beeswax, one pound; to be melted and strained for use. No. 13,Diet Diink.—Sarsaparilla, one pound; Burdock root, half pound; Sassafras bark of the root, one pound; water, ten pints; to be boiled down to five, and add two pounds of Sugar, bring it to a boil again, then bottle it for use. Dose, a wine glassful three times a day. The dose of every medicine is mentioned, whenever it appeared necessary. When this is omited, it is to be understood that the medicine may be used at discretion. The dose mentioned is always for an adult, unless when the contrary is expressed. The following general propor- tions may be observed; but they are by no means intended for exact rules. A patient between twenty and fourteen may take two thirds of a dose ordered for an adult; from fourteen to nine, one half; from nine to six, one third; from six to four, One fourth; from four to two, one sixth; from two to one, a tenth; and below one, a tenth. 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