Colonial North America: Countway Library of Medicine

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Materia Medica

Tonics

failed in many others, Cullen says that if no good effect result from it in the course of a Month, It should for a time be laid aside = for he thinks it like lead injurious when taken in large quantities, the Cuprum Ammoniacum has been given for a great lenth of time without inducing the consequences dreaded by Cullen = I once cured Epilepsy by this medicine after bleeding, blistering, purging &c had been tried in vain 350 grains was given before the disease was effectually cured, it is hence we should begin with small doses, it is indeed a powerfull medicine its stimulating powers are great. It should not be given when the stomach is empty; is an observation of Dr_ that and flowers of Zink when they are combined as if either of them were given alone = the cuprum ammoniacum has been used in dropsy, hence it seldom fails to act as a diuretic = the Tinct Cup of Booerhave has been found usefull in this disease, in cases of worms the cuprum Amoniacum has been used with advantage, hence it may act in two ways, first as a direct poison to the worms, and secondly by giving tone to the alimentary canal, the escharotic powers of Copper have long been known and since the introduction of murcury [mercury] have been too much neglected. Dr Cullen thought Mercury and

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Tonics

I believe it is the most active ingredient in all the cancer powders of the efficacy of which I once had an opportunity of Judging in a case of cancer in in the Pennsylvania Hospital and certainly produced a cure, Plumpkins composition is as follows Rx brownFoot one handfull, dogs fennel three sprigs, crude sulphur and White Arsenic each three thimblefulls I have not the least doubt of this medicine, arsenic has been of great service in cancer. In syphilis I believe from my modus operandi of the medicine it certainly would be of service, it certainly does sometimes produce salivation, looseness of the teeth and all the effects which mercury does.

Flowers of Zinc. This preparation is employ'd in Epilepsy from 1 gr. to grs ij [1 to 2 grains] in twenty four hours = In this dose it is said to be of verry great advantage it has been used in the Pennsylvania Hospital with much efficacy, in combination with Cuprum Ammoniacum it may be exhibitted in larger doses than when alone, the flowers of Zink have been used in ulcers from gunshot wounds with the best effects.

Supersuphate of Zinc. Of this there are two kinds, this preparation has been used as an injection in Gonorrhea, it has also been used in Epilepsy and whooping cough. In the latter disease I have exhibitted

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Materia Medica

Stimulants

it to its ancient seat, but another application of the camphor translated it to the knee, and he did not use the remidy again for fear of driving the disease to the internal organs. I therefore think camphor a dangerous remidy in acute rheumatism and gout.

In Gonorrhea, I formerly used the medicine but have now laid it aside.

Bronchocele. In this affection of the thyroid gland Camphor has been found beneficial, it has also been used in Epilepsy, combined with Cuprum Amoniacum, Vit. Alba, flor. zink &c camphor has been employ'd in Tetanus, but not verry frequently. Dr Miller says he found it usefull in Asthma. It has been advantageously employ'd as an anodoyne in a painfull and difficult Menstruation by some British Practitioners and myself this medicine has been used in Mania It has failed in some cases and done great good in others, I presume it is best adapted to Melancholic Mania, when the pulse is low and the countenance pail. Camphor dissolved in the Mcilage of Gum Arab. has been externally apply'd by some German Practitioners in cases of Burns. Camphor has been employ’d in many more affections which it is unecessary to mention. Camphor may be given in doses of 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 to 50 vel [or] 60 grs pr diem [grains per day] there are various forms in which it may be exhibitted, it may be suspended in water with Gum Arabic