Colonial North America: Countway Library of Medicine

98

Materia Medica

Astringents

Saccharum Sat. I believe now the latter the only preparation used internally the extract of lead is produced by boiling vinegar and litharge, it is recommended by Mr Golard as preferable to any other preparation of lead, but it differs verry much from Sach. Sat. this metal is easier calcined than any other none of the preparations made by the fire are taken internally, but are used externally. Booerhave says it brings on consumption of the lungs and other troublesome symptoms. Mr A supposes the preparations of lead never enters the system but I am led to believe they are sometimes absorbed one of the most dreadfull effects from lead is to produce Colica Pictonum which sometimes terminates in palsy. I have even doubted whether this was brought on by lead. I think the Mallic Acid or Cyder will bring on the same disease it has made its appearance in many parts of Pennsylvania from the use of Apple Butter, lead sometimes produces rheumatism of the wrist and palsy of the arms this I have seen in painters and glaziers, a quack advised some man who worked in lead to take every morning some bread and butter or oil, by blending its action on the stomach, from this hint I advised a potter to follow this practice he informed me he always prevented it in his