Colonial North America: Countway Library of Medicine

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been accused and perhaps justly of inducing scurvy whenever it may be used to too great extent.=

Muriate of Baryte. Baryte or ponderous earth from which the muriate is obtained, is never found pure but combined with the sulfuric or carbonic acids forming a sulphurate or carbonate of Barytes it has been found in the neighborhood of this city, the muriate of Barytes is verry unpleasant to the taste and its effects under some some circumstances are deleterious in scrophulous affections it has been recommended in doses from five to ten gtt. [drops] it has also been advised in venerial symptoms and cancers, we have been told it produces a cure in some diseases when the bark has failed.

Lime. When pure is soluble in water, the solution has a styptic taste, lime water has shown evident tonic effects taken in the quantity of a wine glass full 3 or 4 times a day in Dyspepsia it has been frequently used with the desired effect as an anthelmintic. In vomitings which occurred in the yellow fever and other diseases, in 1798 I visited a woman on the 5th day (with the yellow fever) of the disease she was affected with the black vomit I immediately ordered lime water which prevented the vomiting for that day the next morning the vomiting returned and was arrested by the same

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medicine. In my own case I have experienced the good effect of lime water in Arthritic vomiting = It generally proves most usefull in the vomiting of children, but it sometimes fails, when a weak solution of assafoetida have been efficacious, the dose of lime water is a small wine glass full in as much milk or water two or three times a day, it has been used as a wash in old ulcers, in burns it is an excellent application and its good effect may be attributed to its tonic power = But of this I am verry doubtfull, I generally use it in the following manner Rx Ol. Olivar ℥i [1 ounce] Lime Water ℥iv [4 ounces] agitated together and applied frequently frequently to the affected part with linnin cloths, this is the best application I ever used in burns, of the Lythontriptic qualities attributed to it by some I cannot say anything of from my own experience.

Muriate of Lime. As a tonic this is more entitled to attention than lime alone it has been highly recommended in Scrophula, dyspepsia, &c, it may be used in either of those diseases to the extent of 1, 2, or 3 Ʒ [drams] a day be commencing with small doses such as will not produce nausea and vomiting, we should always begin with small doses and begin them gradually. I have used it efficaciously in Bronchocele or Goitre, after using Nitric Acid

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Nitric Acid my patient was eventually cured by taking it.

Tin. This medicine was once much used, but has now fallen into disrepute it is a week tonic, and is still employ’d as an anthelmintic, it probably acts in this case mechanically, it has been celebrated for its antispasmodic power, as in Epilepsy those who used it gave it in large doses and it has been said to be advantageous, but in those cases where it was used the disease originated from worms. Monroe has used but always found that worms were voided.

Bismoth. The white oxide of bismoth is that which is generally used though it has never been used in this city, yet it is highly recommended by the Physicians in Europe. In affections of the stomach bismoth should here come next to Lime. The practice of giving this medicine originated in Geneva in the form of the Magistery of Bismoth, and has been used by the Ladies for painting their faces. It is called by Dr Davy the White Hydrate of Bismoth. It is given in hysteria accompanied with dyspepsia. Dr Jackson gave it in the same complaint to the extent of 20 grs. [grains] in 24 Hours in union with gentian and Iron, the patient was completely cured, the usual dose is from 4 to 5 grains combined with Gum. Tragacanth.