Colonial North America: Countway Library of Medicine

158

Materia Medica

Tonics

this is found principally in the mountainous parts of Germany, Professor Bergius says it is Emetic, Diuretic, Diaphoretic, Errhine, and Emmenagogue, it is used in Germany to dissolve coagulated blood. Dr Cullen of Vienna used the flowers in Spasmodic paralytic diseases from ℥i to ℥ij [1 to 2 ounces] a day he speaks of its efficacy in intermittant fevers. Dr Haen says he does not know of a medicine more entitled to the name of a specific than this, he says it is preferable to all others in Dysentaries and malignant fevers, he used it likewise in Phthisis, Collequative sweats &c, ℥fs [½ ounce] every two hours. Dr Monroe gave it with good effect in several cases of intermittant fevers it has been used in Scorbutic diseases. Authors inform us when it cures paralysis it excites much uneasiness; if we believe all that is said of this medicine we should rank it with the most valuable. It has been used but little in Britain, and never that I know of in America, however it is a medicine deserving attention.

Eupatorium Perfoliatum. I have not spoken of this before in any of my lectures. It grows in wet situations, in New England it is called thorough stern, in Virginia Cross Wort and in what the Indians call Ague Weed, the leaves are evidently bitter

388

Materia Medica

Stimulants

the granulations which it forms between the fingers are pretty good tests with respect to the dose. Mr Wall says that under grs vi [6 grains] he never knew it do any good, Cullens dose is from X to XXX grs. [10 to 30 grains].

Small has published a dissertation in which he endeavors to prove this article worthy attention Artificial Musk. This has been recommended by Musgrave and many Physicians and by Mana invented, and is thus prepared Rx Ol. Amber Ʒi [1 dram] concentrated Nitric Acid Ʒiij [3 drams] the acid is to be added to to Oil guttation and after the action has ceased the product is to be well washed in water it is then to be dissolved in Alcohol in propotion of X grs. [10 grains] Musk to a pint of Alcohol, two drops of this is a dose to a child, it is said to be equal to the best animal musk, it is much employd in many diseases &c.

Castor. This is generally supposed to be obtained from the inguinal glands of the bever, but we now know it is a peculiarly odiferous matter which is produced from 2 bogs, the best castor is brought from Russia in round hand balls. Dr Cullen says it is often found a powerfull antispasmodic in nervous diseases, it is also employ'd as an emmenagogue. Castor is best given in substance and in large doses from X to XXX grs. [10 to 30 grains] or even to Ʒi [1 dram]. The tincture is made thus Rx Castor Ʒij [2 drams] Proof

592

Materia Medica

Emmenagogues. That set of Medicines employ'd with a view to bring on Catamenia when they have never appeared, and to restore them when suspended, are called Emmenagogues or Menagogues, it has been disputed whether such medicines exist, but independent of all argument, my own experience has proved to me that they are not an inconsiderable class producing that effect, there are it is none which at all times specifically act upon the Uterus, but there are many that frequently produce that effect upon that organ. I have not time to consider this peculiar function, said to be peculiar to the females of the Human family, but this is not the case since there are some animals that menstruate, tho not at so regular periods as the females of the Human race, this is an interesting subject in a Physological point of view, but I must pass it over for the reasons I just mentioned. In treating of Emmenagogues and the employment it is necessary to keep in view that by the retention of the menses we mean we understand a stopping or irregular appearance after having flow’d at the regular period. It is by no means certain that retention is the effect of debility or atony; for I have known the periodical flow to appear in languid and debilitated girls, and retention occur in

594

Materia Medica

Emmenagogues

robust and plethoric ones. Besides the passions of the mind have much influence as amorous dispositions &c But this is a subject too delicate to dwell on, if even we had sufficient time. As some of our Emmenagogues are derived from the tonic and stimulating classes we will treat of them regularly and first of the.

Tonic Emmenagogues.* [footnote back 1 page] The preparations of Iron form some of the most important Emmenagogues they appear peculiar to retention and only proper when there is a flaxcidity of the system. My favourite preparation is the Rubigo Ferri. Dr Cullen supposes that retention of the menses depends on a constriction which I certainly do not believe, yet that is no reason why the medicine should be improper.

Chamomile. The flowers of this I have used on Heberdens recommendation with advantage.

Cold bath. Of all the tonic Emmenagogues there is perhaps not one better than the cold bath, but this is only in retention and even then should sometimes not be employ’d but with great caution.

Rubia Tinctorum. Though this is not a powerfull Tonic it has long been administered as a deobstruent and Emmenagogue. Dr Home of Edinburgh gave it to 19 Patients and cured 14 he gave it to the extent of Ʒfs [½ dram] & Ʒi [1 dram] twice a day and in general found that it

596

Materia Medica

Emmenagogues

restored the Uterine discharge, before or about the 12th day, and did not lie heavy upon the stomach. I have employ’d it both in private and Hospital Practice, and tho it sometimes failed yet upon the whole I cannot hissitate to recommend it. I will here take the oportunity of mentioning a circumstance worth your recollection, in the year 87, I assisted Dr L_ of Rhode Island in discovering the connection between the mother and foetus in Utero, we try'd whether madder would tinge the bones of the foetus by giving it to pregnant rabits &c but we found it always produced abortion and thus our experiments fail’d.* [footnote back 1 page]

Stimulating Emmenagogues.

Mercury. We have already observed that this article is a stimulant of a verry powerfull kind, it is also classed among the Emmenagogues Dr Cullen thinks it usefull in obstruction, but not in retention of the menses, he did not carry it so far as to excite salivation. I have employ’d it to advantage in retention and have excited a salivation with good effects.

Rosemary. This is an article doubtless familiar to all of you, it is given as an emmenagogue in the form of a decoction.** [footnote back 1 page]

Juniperus Sabina. This is well testafy’d as an Emmenagogue, it has been used to expel the placenta in difficult cases, and