THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN.
[]ASTHMATIC TINCTURE.
THIS tincture is of uſe in a difficulty of breathing, tightneſs acroſs the breaſt, and ſhort coughs, parti⯑cularly if brought on by cold north-eaſterly winds, which frequently affect the breaſt, ſides, and lungs: it allays the cough, opens the cheſt, and looſens the phlegm, ſo that it eaſily comes away; and frees the pores of the ſkin which have been ſhut up by the winds.
It may be taken as often as occaſion requires, from thirty to ſixty or eighty drops, in a little* pectoral drink or barley water, with which you ſhould dilute plentifully, drinking it of the ſame heat as you would a diſh of tea.
ASTRINGENT ELECTARY.
NEVER be too haſty in the uſe of this electary; it is often found that a purging is the means made uſe of by Nature to carry off other complaints, or to free the body from bad humours, which might in time beget diſorders; now, by ſtopping this wholeſome [2]drain too ſoon, theſe bad humours may be thrown back into the blood, and produce the worſt conſequences: therefore you will ſeldom or never err, by ſuffering the purging, if not over violent, to continue two or three days, at the end of that time, ſhould you find the patient weakened by it, or that it is really a diſorder it⯑ſelf, and not a cure for other diſorders, then you may give a doſe or two of rhubarb, and afterwards proceed to the uſe of the electa⯑ry: by theſe means you will cleanſe the ſtomach and bowels, and get rid of the complaint without any farther trouble.
Fluxes, which ſeafaring people are ſubject to, are to be treated much in the ſame manner, but be very careful to cleanſe the bowels firſt.
Some of my friends who have been many years accuſtomed to the ſea, recommend the* purging apozem before the uſe of aſtrin⯑gents: they ſay it cools the body, and carries off every thing which is diſagreeable to the bowels, better than rhubarb, or any other purge. After having cleanſed the ſtomach and bowels of the filth which occaſioned the diſorder, by the one or other of theſe means, you will find ipecacuanha given with the aſtringent electary in very ſmall quantities, viz. from half a grain to one or two grains, of infinite ſervice; but this ſhould be practiſed only by thoſe who have ſome little knowledge in phyſic, and they will have the ſatisfaction to find the method here recommended will ſeldom, if ever, fail of ſucceſs.
ITS DOSE.
- Above 14 years — from 2 ſcruples to 1 dram.
- Between 7 and 14 — from 1 ſcruple to 2 ſcruples.
- Between 3 and 7 — from 10 grains to 20 grains.
Under three years old decreaſe the quantity in proportion.
This may be given once in ſix or eight hours, or night and morn⯑ing, as the caſe requires; either ſwallowed whole, or diſſolved in a little hartſhorn drink.
[3]Remember beer ſhould be forbid; and* hartſhorn drink ſupply the place of other ſmall liquors. Rice gruel is a proper food.
Should this or any other of the electaries grow dry, they may be ſoftened with a little ſyrup, or a ſpoonful of white wine.
BALSAMIC ELECTARY
Is good in all tickling coughs, ſoreneſs at the breaſt, inward bruiſes, and ſuch like complaints.
The quantity of a nutmeg may be taken night and morning, and once or twice in the day beſides, with a large draught of pectoral drink made hot after it.
If coſtive, take a little of the opening electary, or a few ſpoonfuls of the purging apozem, as you judge moſt proper,
BARK.
THE febrifuge quality of this bark, and its peculiar efficacy in curing intermittent fevers, is now univerſally known, yet a two haſty uſe of it oftentimes proves prejudicial, a† remittent or con⯑tinual fever being the conſequence. You will ſeldom or never err, by giving a vomit firſt, and if the ſick be of a full habit of body, you may alſo purge with ſafety; you will act more prudently by waiting till they have had four or five ague fits before you throw in the bark, giving a ſalt of wormwood‡ draught once in ſix or eight hours, which will make the fits more regular, and prepare the blood for the bark. You ſhould begin when the fever is gone intirely off, and give at leaſt one ounce before you expect it to [4]return*; half a dram, two ſcruples, or a dram may be given for a doſe, as the ſtomach will bear it, the leſs you adminiſter at a time the more frequent it muſt be repeated; for, unleſs you get the whole quantity down within the time you do nothing.
The fit being put by, a ſecond ounce ſhould be taken in the like ſmall doſes within the three following days, at the diſtance of about ſix or eight hours; the patient may now reſt ſix days, unleſs ſigns of the ague's return require the bark to be repeated ſooner, when a third ounce is to be taken in like manner, a doſe every ſix or eight hours; another week being elapſed, a fourth ounce is alſo to be adminiſtered, when you may take your leave of them, and be pretty well aſſured they will not be ſubject to a return.
The common mixture to give it in may be made of three quarters of a pint of ſpring water, and a quarter of a pint of good French brandy, ſweetened with a bit of ſugar, a teacupful of which ſhould be taken with each doſe; mix the powder in a little of it, and drink the remainder after it.
If it purges, which is oftentimes the caſe, it ſhould be given in a little cinnamon tea; ſhould that not anſwer, two, three, or four drops of laudanum muſt be added to each doſe.
If, on the contrary, the bark ſhould bind, a few grains of rhu⯑barb may be given with each doſe as long as you ſee neceſſary.
Above the age of fourteen it will require this quantity to cure the ague, under theſe years your judgment muſt direct you to de⯑creaſe it; the manner of giving it muſt be exactly the ſame†: [5]ſometimes, when the ſeaſon is unfavourable, you may meet with caſes which do not intirely give way to this treatment, if ſo, let them continue the following a fortnight or three weeks after⯑wards.
BARK WINE.
TAKE of bark, groſsly powdered, two ounces, the yellow peel of two Seville oranges, and one nutmeg grated; pour three pints of old rough red port upon theſe ingredients; let them ſtand by a gentle fire, in a large bottle, for three or four days, ſhaking it frequently; then pour off a wine-glaſsful of the clear liquor at the time you take it, which ſhould be morning, noon, and night; when you have taken one half, another pint of wine may be added, and kept upon the ingredients till the whole is taken, at leaſt for ten days or a fortnight. A few drops of elixir of vitriol two or three times a day with the wine, or mixed in a glaſs of water, may be alſo ſerviceable.
BARLEY WATER.
TAKE two table-ſpoonfuls of pearl barley, waſh it, and boil it in half a pint of water for two or three minutes; pour away this water which will be coloured, and add about three pints of boiling water; let it ſimmer till one pint is conſumed. This is a com⯑mon and good drink in fevers and every other complaint when a ſoft diluting liquor is adviſeable.
COLIC MIXTURE.
THIS mixture is warm and comfortable to the ſtomach and bow⯑els, ſomewhat opening, proper in colic complaints, and for the wind, particularly if after meals; it is likewiſe ſerviceable for pains in the ſtomach.
Two or three table-ſpoonfuls may be taken at a time.
[6]But if the pain is very violent, and ſtools are much wanting, give of the purging apozem freely, or the opening electary.
If there are too many ſtools, firſt give a little rhubarb, then uſe the aſtringent electary, which ſee.
DIACHYLON PLASTER.
THE uſe of this plaſter is well known in ſlight cuts, or other lit⯑tle accidents; it ſhould be ſpread with a warm knife upon a piece of fine rag or an old glove.
DIURETIC MIXTURE.
THIS mixture is good in all gravelly complaints, and for the dropſy, heat of urine, pains in the loins, and ſtoppage of water. One large ſpoonful, or two upon an emergency, may be given for a doſe, every ſix or eight hours, or night and morning as the caſe requires, mixed in half a pint of marſhmallow drink, if you can procure it, if not, barley water. But obſerve, if the pain is vio⯑lent, you will do right firſt to give the purging apozem to promote ſtools, and let them drink plentifully of thin water gruel, which will cleanſe the bowels and urinary paſſages, and greatly aſſiſt the intention of this mixture. Remember the body ſhould always be kept open; and thoſe who are ſubject to theſe complaints, ſhould accuſtom themſelves to drink very plentifully of ſmall liquors at all times*, which will often of themſelves perform a perfect cure.
ELIXIR OF VITRIOL.
THIS is eſteemed good to ſtrengthen the ſtomach and bowels, to create an appetite and brace up the ſolids.
ITS DOSE.
[7]- Above 14 years — from 20 to 30 drops.
- Between 7 and 14 — from 10 to 20.
- Under that age — from 5 to 7 or 8.
It may be given in a little water, or wine and water; but where the patient can be brought to take it, a cup of chamomile tea is preferable to any other liquid whatever.
The proper times for taking it are in a morning faſting, an hour before dinner, and two hours after dinner.
When joined with the tincture of bark, it will be found to add conſiderably to the efficacy of that noble medicine.
FEVER POWDER.
WHEN the ſkin is hot and parched, the tongue white, and other common ſigns of a fever, which every one is acquainted with, ſuch as thirſt, wearineſs, &c. put them to bed, and give a doſe of the fever powder every ſix or eight hours; let them drink freely of pec⯑toral drink, barley water, or the like ſmall liquors, to dilute the blood, and encourage a breathing ſweat; if you find them mend un⯑der this management, and the fever to diſappear in a day or two, before you quit them, give the purging apozem, which will ſecure their health and add to your reputation. When they are young and very full of blood, and the pulſe throbbing with great violence, it is a ſtrong indication to bleed, to ſatisfy you more particularly in this point refer to the article Bleeding.
It will be frequently neceſſary under the above ſymptoms, parti⯑cularly if coſtive, to give the purging apozem before the powder, thereby you cleanſe the bowels and cool the body, but here your ob⯑ſervation can alone direct you.
ITS DOSE.
[8]- Above 14 years — from 12 to 30 grains.
- Between 7 and 14 — from 8 to 20.
- Between 1 and 7 — from 4 to 12.
Within the months as your judgment directs.
On the contrary, ſhould the diſorder not give way, unleſs you have ſome knowledge in phyſic, it will be moſt prudent, if you can have advice, to commit them to the care of ſome gentleman of the faculty, as you may conclude it is that kind of fever which will not yield to this ſimple method.
Should I attempt to deſcribe the various kinds of fevers, it would only puzzle the unſkilful, therefore the above directions are ſuffici⯑ent for thoſe who ſtand in need of any aſſiſtance, to enable them frequently to render ſervice, and prevent their ever doing any injury.
FIT DROPS FOR CHILDREN.
THESE drops are very good againſt fits in general, for grown perſons as well as children; but they are particularly ſerviceable to the latter, more eſpecially in thoſe fits which attend the cutting their teeth.
From three to ten drops may be given for a doſe to children under twelve months old, above that age increaſe the number as you think fit; grown people may take a large tea-ſpoonful for a doſe.
They may be given in black cherry water, or any other liquor, and repeated as often as neceſſity requires.
FRYAR'S BALSAM
[9]IS applied to freſh wounds, and is eſteemed good to ſtop bleed⯑ing; be careful not to uſe it to old ſores, as it frequently proves prejudicial.
It is given internally, from ten to ſixty drops, in a little powder⯑ed ſugar or a glaſs of water, in inward decays, bleedings or bruiſes, alſo in coughs and hoarſeneſs.
GASCOIGN'S POWDER.
THE reputation of this powder, ſo long eſtabliſhed, renders it almoſt unneceſſary to ſay any thing about its efficacy; its uſe among children is very common, to correct gripings, prevent aci⯑dities, and remove little feveriſh heats; it is frequently, and with great propriety, joined with a few grains of rhubarb.
A child within the month may take from 1 to 4 grains.
- Between 1 and 12 months — from 4 to 8.
- Between 1 and 5 years — from 8 to 12.
Thoſe who are more advanced in life from 10 to 30.
It may be taken every ſix or eight hours, us you ſee neceſſary.
GARGLE FOR SORE THROATS.
TAKE half a pint of pectoral drink, two ſpoonfuls of virgin ho⯑ney, and a like quantity of the beſt white wine vinegar; let the throat be gargled frequently with this, as hot as you can bear it. If the glands are much ſwelled, ſo as to render it difficult to ſwallow, and the patient is very hot and feveriſh, with a full quick pulſe, refer to the article Bleeding, and give the purging apozem to open the body three or four times, then let him take the fever powder, and dilute very plentifully with pectoral drink, or the like.
[10]If, on the contrary, there is a ſmall fluttering pulſe (ſometimes rather quick) with ſpecks in the throat, and it looks diſcoloured, give wine and cordial things.
GLAUBER'S SALTS.
THIS ſalt is ſeldom taken alone, except by common people who cannot afford to join manna with it, which not only makes it more palatable, but prevents the roughneſs of its operation.
From ten years old its doſe is from half an ounce to one ounce, with an equal quantity of manna (ſome people add a double quantity of manna) diſſolved in a little water, water gruel, or ſena tea, but the beſt form is the purging apo⯑zem, which ſee.
HARTSHORN DROPS
ARE given in faintings, and eſteemed good to thin the blood, its known uſe renders a more minute detail unneceſſary.
The doſe is from ten to ſixty drops, in any liquid you pleaſe.
HARTSHORN AND GUM.
POUR three pints of water on each paper of hartſhorn and gum, let it boil till you can ſtrain off a quart, which ſhould be poured through piece of a fine rag, or a lawn ſieve, juſt before you take it from the fire, you may add a cruſt of bread and a bit of cinnamon, if agreeable; it may be ſweetened to your palate. This is the proper drink to be uſed in common for purgings, after a little rhubarb or ſomething of that kind has been given.
HEART-BURN LOZENGES.
[11]ONE of them may be kept in the mouth as often as agreeable; if coſtive a few grains of rhubarb ſhould be taken, or a little magneſia alba.
HIERA PICRA
IS a warm phyſic, good for diſorders in the ſtomach, and parti⯑cularly in female complaints.
Its doſe from one table ſpoonful to four, at bed time or in a morning.
HYSTERIC MIXTURE.
THIS mixture may be taken from a tea-ſpoonful to a table-ſpoonful, which is the proper doſe for a grown perſon, in any hyſterical complaint; it ſhould be mixed with a little water, or with a cup of hyſteric and pennyroyal water, being too ſtrong to take alone.
JAUNDICE ELECTARY.
WHERE it has not been preceded by the colic, nor is attended with a fever or bleedings, it is moſt likely to proceed from a ſlug⯑giſh, viſcid bile; in which caſe the cure is eaſy, and may be ef⯑fected in the following manner: the ſymptoms every one knows are a yellowneſs of the ſkin and upon the whites of the eyes, high-coloured urine and white ſtools, an inactivity, wearineſs, oppreſſi⯑on of the ſpirits, and loſs of appetite.
[12]Firſt give a gentle vomit of ipecacuanha, the following morn⯑ing let them be purged four or five times with the purging apozem, which ſhould be repeated every fourth or fifth day; on the inter⯑mediate days of purging give them the quantity of a nutmeg of this electary, night and morning, with a ſalt of wormwood draught af⯑ter it; let them dilute plentifully with lemonade, and live upon light food. This method will quickly reſtore their colour, ſtrength and ſpirits.
IPECACUANHA
IS a gentle vomit, and may, where there is occaſion, be ſafely given to children. I am afraid it is in general rather over-doſed, whereby the patient is ſometimes injured by ſtraining more vio⯑lently than their ſtomach and conſtitution will bear. I am con⯑vinced from experience, that a few grains will operate on many people far better than large doſes. The beſt way of adminiſtering it to children, and indeed to every body, is to give three, four, five, or ſix grains, mixed in a little water or chamomile tea; and, if it does not take effect in ten minutes or a quarter of an hour, repeat the ſame quantity. This method will certainly prevent the bad conſequences ſometimes attending violent vomits, and make the operation more eaſy and pleaſant.
Let them drink thin water gruel, chamomile tea, or the like, to work it off.
FOR THE ITCH.
AN ointment made of one third part of flowers of ſulphur, and two thirds hog's-lard rubbed in night and morning where it appears, is a ſafe and certain cure, though perhaps not ſo expeditious [13]as mercurial preparations, but they have no place here*
LAUDANUM.
I HAVE directed the uſe of this with the bark; a few drops may alſo be joined with the aſtringent electary, if the purging is obſti⯑nate, and does not readily give way: it is likewiſe proper in many other caſes; but I would not have the unexperienced be too free with it, therefore ſhall ſay no more.
MAGNESIA ALBA
IS a medicine ſtrongly recommended by many writers, particu⯑larly for young children.
It corrects acidities in the ſtomach more powerfully than chalk, oyſter-ſhells, pearls, coral, crabs eyes, or the like teſtaceous pow⯑ders; and, joined to this, it has a gentle purgative property, and is the only one of an alkaline nature at preſent made uſe of; it is al⯑ſo ſerviceable in the heart-burn.
It may be given to children from twenty grains to a dram, or even two drams in a day, a little at a time, mixed in their food; grown people may take it more freely.
MANNA
IS a gentle purge, which affects only the ſtomach and bowels; it is in much eſteem for children, and given from one or two drams [14]to one ounce; grown people may take one ounce and a half or two ounces, without ſtirring them, for which reaſon it is quickened with Glauber's ſalts, which ſee.
MARSHMALLOW DRINK.
TAKE a quarter of a pound of marſhmallow roots waſhed very clean, and boil them in three quarts of water until one is conſumed, remove it from the fire, and, when cold, decant off the liquor; if you do not think the thickneſs diſagreeable, it will be more effica⯑cious by preſſing the roots; it may be ſweetened with virgin honey. This may be drank at pleaſure, and is recommended in all caſes where a ſoft lubricating regimen is proper; it is much eſteemed for the gravel and heat of urine.
NERVOUS TINCTURE.
NERVOUS complaints are too common in England to need a particular deſcription, in all kinds of them this tincture is very ſer⯑viceable; it is likewiſe proper in lowneſs of ſpirits, faintings, and hyſterical caſes, giving ſtrength and chearfulneſs, and raiſing the depreſſed ſpirits. The doſe is from one to two tea-ſpoonfuls, two or three times a day, in a glaſs of wine and water, or valerian tea.
OIL OF ROSES.
THIS is an excellent outward remedy for all parts in a ſtate of inflammation, eſpecially when attended with great pain; in which caſe it is alſo proper to refer to Bleeding, and the purging apozem.
The method of applying it is by rubbing it in with a warm hand.
OILY EMULSION.
[15]TAKE four large ſpoonfuls of oil of almonds, half a pint of cold barley water, two drams of fine ſugar, in powder, and ſixty drops of ſpirit of hartſhorn; ſhake them well together, and the whole im⯑mediately becomes a white emulſion; two ſpoonfuls of cinnamon water being added, will make it very palatable.
It is good in ſtitches and pleuritic pains in the ſide and breaſt, hoarſeneſs, coughs, &c.
A tea-cupful may be taken frequently.
OPENING ELECTARY.
THIS electary gently relaxes the belly, without cauſing ſickneſs or gripings, which quick purges are apt to do.
When intended only to open the body, for a grown perſon, the doſe is the quantity of a nutmeg at bed-time; if deſigned to purge more briſk, repeat the doſe in the morning.
It may be given to children in a proportionably leſs degree and proves a good phyſic, particularly where they are troubled with phlegm.
If more agreeable in a liquid form, you may diſſolve it in a ſmall quantity of any weak drink.
OPODELDOC
IS very ſerviceable in bruiſes or ſtrains; it ſhould be rubbed in with the warm hand three or four times a day.
PALSY DROPS.
[16]IN all caſes where a heavineſs hangs upon the ſpirits, with a drowſineſs, dizzineſs, or ſwimming of the head, theſe drops are equally ſerviceable as in the palſy; all theſe complaints proceeding from the ſame bad diſpoſition of the blood.
The doſe is from one to two tea ſpoonfuls, two or three times a day, in a glaſs of wine and water, or valerian tea.
PARALYTIC OR PALSY-LINIMENT.
THIS liniment is good in all paralytic complaints, likewiſe where a ſtiffneſs and numbneſs remain after the rheumatiſm; it will remove thoſe acute rheumatic pains which ſeize the limbs on taking cold, and oftentimes proves a cure for the ſciatica or hip gout: its warm ſtimulating quality puts the part rubbed with it into a glow, frees the pores of the ſkin, and, by quickening the circulation, removes thoſe obſtructions which were the cauſe of pain.
It ſhould be applied, night and morning, with a warm hand, if before the fire the better, and the part afterwards covered with a piece of warm flannel; where the diſorder does not give way, let the palſy drops be taken alſo.
PECTORAL DRINK.
TAKE two table-ſpoonfuls of pearl barley, boil it two or three minutes in half a pint of water, pour away that water, and add a quart and half a pint of freſh water to the barley, let it boil ten minutes; then add twenty ſtoned raiſins, and one fig cut into ſlices, alſo a bit of ſtick liquorice as long as your finger; let theſe boil together a few minutes, and ſtrain off a quart of the pectoral drink.
[17]This is an agreeable ſoft liquor, good in any caſe where the in⯑tention is to dilute; but more eſpecially in coughs, colds, oppreſ⯑ſions of the breaſt, and ſuch like complaints.
PILE ELECTARY.
TAKE the quantity of a nutmeg of this electary night and morning, ſo as to keep the body gently open; avoid pepper and all heating things, little or no wine ſhould be drank, and your food muſt be of the lighter and vegitable kind.
PILE LINIMENT.
IF the piles are external, apply a little of this liniment upon a piece of fine rag very frequently, which will cool the part, and procure eaſe. Setting over the ſteam of warm water is frequently ſerviceable, eſpecially if an handful or two of marſhmallow leaves and a little bran be added.
POWDER FOR SWEATS.
INEED not point out the particular circumſtances in which this is neceſſary, every one being ſenſible how much it is of ſervice in colds, achs, and pains in the bones, and the like complaints.
ITS DOSE.
| Above the age of 14 — | from 20 to 30 grains. |
| Between 7 and 14 years — | from 10 to 20 |
Under ſeven years old decreaſe the quantity as your judgment directs; let it be taken at bed-time, with a large draught of white wine whey, or ſomething of that kind, and, if very hard to ſweat, twenty or thirty drops of ſpirits of hartſhorn or ſal volatile in it; but obſerve, if there is any fever, the fever powder is moſt proper.
PURGING APOZEM.
[18]POUR a pint of boiling water upon one ounce of Glauber's ſalts, one ounce of manna, and one dram of bruiſed caraway ſeeds; ſtir them a little to diſſolve the manna and ſalts, cover the veſſel, and let it ſtand to cool; you may, if you pleaſe, add a little ſlice of Se⯑ville orange peel to the above.
This is the beſt method I know of diſguiſing the ſalts, and ma⯑king them ſit eaſy upon the ſtomach.
Of the ſtrained liquor a draught may be taken in the morning, and repeated once in half an hour or an hour, as the ſtomach will bear it, till it purges ſufficiently. The age of the perſon muſt be conſi⯑dered; and, as you know the ſtrength of the apozem, it will be ea⯑ſy to adjuſt the doſe.
If intended only to relax the body, a few ſpoonfuls taken at bed⯑time, or in the morning, will have the deſired effect.
A leſs quantity may at any time be prepared as you find occaſion for it.
QUICK PURGING POWDER.
IN many caſes, ſuch as dropſical and groſs habits of body, foul⯑neſs of ſtomach (when a vomit is ſometimes previouſly to be taken) and for people of ſtrong conſtitutions, who live much upon a fleſh di⯑et and ſalt proviſions, where you think manna and ſalts are not pow⯑erful enough; and even to younger perſons whom you want to purge very briſkly, this purging powder is recommended, and may be gi⯑ven in a little of any liquor.
ITS DOSE.
| Above the age of 14 — | from 25 grains to 2 ſcruples. |
| Between 7 and 14 — | from 15 grains to half a dram. |
| Between 3 and 7 — | from 6 grains to 1 ſcruple. |
RHEUMATIC POWDER.
[19]THIS powder may be given night and morning, from one to two ſcruples, with twenty or thirty drops of ſal volatile, in white wine whey, ſage tea,* or any ſmall liquor.
The doſe ſhould be increaſed or diminiſhed, ſo as to keep the body open; if the pains are very violent, and the pores of the ſkin ſhut up by preceding colds, let the paralytic liniment be uſed.
RHUBARB POWDER.
ALL phyſicians agree in the excellency of this root; it is a good purge in many complaints, and ſtrengthens the ſtomach and bowels; it is particularly recommended for children, more eſpecially for the worms, as it purges off thoſe crudities in which they breed.
ITS DOSE.
| Above 14 years — | from 15 to 30 grains. |
| Between 7 and 14 — | from 10 to 20 grains. |
| Between 1 and 7 — | from 5 to 15 grains. |
| Within the months — | from 1 to 5 grains. |
SALOP
[20]Is of late years brought into much eſteem in England; it is of a reſtorative and ſtrengthening quality*; many ladies, whom I have had the honour to recommend it to, of tender conſtitutions, where tea has been found to prey over-much upon a week ſtomach and where more nouriſhment has been neceſſary than they received from their ordinary food, eat it in a morning for breakfaſt; and I muſt confeſs it would much pleaſe me to ſee it more univerſally re⯑ceived, particularly by thoſe who are ſubject to nervous complaints, being in its own nature very ſtrengthening, eaſy of digeſtion, and, in the manner here recommended, affords a great deal of nouriſh⯑ment in an impoveriſhed ſtate of blood; therefore the propereſt food that can be received after a ſevere fit of ſickneſs, whereby the patint is much weakened.
The common way of preparing it is with water, and a glaſs of wine added to it, but the method I think far preferable is this:
Boil half a pint of milk with as much water, while it is in a boil⯑ing ſtate, let two tea-ſpoonfuls of the powder of ſalop, firſt mixed in a baſon with a ſpoonful or two of cold water, be thrown into it; after it has ſimmered a minute or two, ſtirring it the while, you will find the whole of a ſmooth creamy conſiſtence; a bit of ſugar, and a little nutmeg may be added to make it palatable. Thoſe whom milk is apt to render coſtive, ſhould mix the ſalop with the water alone as above directed, and add the milk to it after it is ta⯑ken from the fire.
[21]We all know how ſerviceable a milk diet is in many caſes; by this method it will agree with them, upon whoſe ſtomach it other-ways turns ſour and curdles.
SALT OF WORMWOOD DRAUGHT.
TAKE a ſcruple of ſalt of wormwood, pour upon it by little and little freſh lemon juice, till it has done fermenting and taſtes quite inſipid, about one large ſpoonful is ſufficient; then add a little fine ſugar to make it palatable, about a wine-glaſs of ſpring or barley water, and a pap-ſpoonful of cinnamon water, makes a moſt plea⯑ſant draught.
Above the age of fourteen, it may be given once in ſix or eight hours, in any little feveriſh complaints, ſickneſs at ſtomach, watch⯑ings, parched dryneſs of the mouth, and ſuch-like ills, and is often preferable to the fever powder. From ſeven to fourteen years, half a draught is ſufficient; under that age ſtill decreaſe the quantity.
SAL VOLATILE.
THE uſe of theſe drops is ſo common and well known for raiſing the ſpirits, that I need only take notice of its doſe, which is from ten to ſixty drops, in a glaſs of water, or what you pleaſe.
SCORBUTIC ELIXIR.
THIS preparation is in an eſpecial manner devoted to the relief of ſcorbutic diſorders. It is of a ſcouring nature, breaks and divi⯑des all obſtructions of the glands proceeding from a more than or⯑dinary thickneſs of the blood, and, by reſtoring the maſs to a due ſtate of fluidity, prevents thoſe feveriſh diſpoſitions which naturally ariſe from any hindrance in the neceſſary ſecretions, ſuch as urine, ſtool, &c. It is a great promoter of urine, and a great quickener of the motions of the fluids; it may be likewiſe ſerviceable in an [22]unwieldy habit from ſluggiſh humours, and help to throw off a dropſy. From fifteen drops to two tea-ſpoonfuls may betaken to or three times a day, in a draught of ſage tea or any other liquor, and continued for ſome time.
SENA TEA.
THE uſual method of preparing this, is, by putting as much of the ſena leaves as your thumb and two fingers will contain into a tea⯑pot, and pouring upon it a gill of boiling water; when cold, pour out the liquor, which will be ſtrong enough to give a grown perſon a ſtool or two.
A little manna and ſalts may be diſſolved in this ſena tea, which makes it operate briſker.
SNUFF FOR THE HEAD-ACH.
THIS ſnuff may be ſafely uſed in all complaints of the head. It is prepared from herbs which have a particular efficacy in thoſe caſes, as is manifeſt from the infinite ſervice received from it, in old and ſettled pains of the head.
It may be taken as freely as you pleaſe.
SPERMA CETI BOLUS.
Take of ſperma ceti one ſcruple, of fever powder ten grains, make theſe into a bolus with a ſufficient quantity of ſyrup, to be taken once in ſix or eight hours, with a little penny-royal and hyſteric water, in lying in caſes and miſcarriages, in either of which where the pains are violent you may add three, four, or five drops of Lau⯑danum to each bolus; remember alſo to prevent coſtiveneſs either by gentle clyſters, a little ſena tea, or ſome other mild purga⯑tive.
SPERMA CETI EMULSION.
[23]TAKE two drams of the powder of ſperma ceti, rub it in a mar⯑ble mortar, with a quarter part of the yolk of one egg, till it is a ſmooth pulp; then add two drams of fine ſugar in powder, mix them well together, and by little and little pour on half a pint of cold barley water; ſtrain it through a fine hair or coarſe lawn ſieve, which will keep back the undiſſolved part of the ſperma ceti, and render the emulſion ſmooth and even; to the whole you may add two ſpoonfuls of cinnamon water.
A wine-glaſs may be taken as often as agreeable, in coughs, hoarſeneſs, when troubled with flegm, or any of the like complaints; alſo in the hooping cough, when, if they are feveriſh, you ſhould join a little fever powder with it, and purge them with rhubarb or the quick purging powder once in four or five days; you may likewiſe give the ſtomach tincture between breakfaſt and dinner and between dinner and ſupper: gentle vomits are oftentimes alſo ſerviceable.
SPERMA CETI AND SUGAR CANDY.
THIS may be taken at pleaſure, when troubled with a cough or hoarſeneſs, difficulty of breathing, or with phlegm; it is often of ſome ſervice, and ſo innocent, it can do no harm even to young children.
SPIRIT OF LAVENDER
IS uſed in lowneſs of ſpirits as a cordial; it is alſo given in faintings and pains in the head; and may be taken frequently, from ten to ſixty drops, on a lump of ſugar, in wine and water, or any other liquor.
STEEL ELECTARY.
[24]IN female obſtructions this electary may be given, from half a dram to one dram, night and morning, in the form of a bolus, or made into pills, as is moſt agreeable, drinking a cup of cold chamo⯑mile flower tea, or a little penny-royal and hyſteric water; if you have reaſon to think phyſic is proper, give a doſe of hiera picra; at bed-time, let the feet be bathed in warm water for ten minutes, then wipe them very dry, and, if the weather is cold, wrap them up in a piece of flannel.
STOMACH TINCTURE.
THIS tincture is highly proper in a weakneſs of the ſtomach, loſs of appetite, or bad digeſtion; as a bitter, it frequently contributes to the deſtroying of worms; and not only excites the ſenſe of hun⯑ger, but, by its warm aromatic property, at the ſame time that it gives a grateful ſenſation, ſtrengthens the coats of the ſtomach, which by any cauſe may have been weakened, and renders it more able to break and digeſt the food taken in for the nouriſhment of the body.
The doſe for a grown perſon is from one to two tea-ſpoonfuls, an hour before dinner, and three hours after dinner, in a glaſs of water; thoſe who are accuſtomed to drink wine, may add an equal quantity to the water.
When given to children for the worms, it ſhould be taken the firſt thing in the morning, and laſt at bed-time, in a little water or chamomile flower tea.
A child of ſeven years old may take a tea-ſpoonful for a doſe; un⯑der that age decreaſe the quantity as your judgment directs.
[25]If you have reaſon to imagine the ſtomach is foul, let a gentle puke of ipecacuanha be taken before the uſe of this tincture.
If inclined to be coſtive, now and then at bed-time take a doſe of the opening electary, or a few grains of rhubarb.
STRENGTHENING PLASTER.
A PIECE of this plaſter may be applied in any wrench or ſtrain, weakneſs of the loins, or other parts.
TO MAKE A SYRUP.
DISSOLVE a pound of ſugar in half a pint of water, over a gentle fire, in an earthen pipkin; let it ſimmer one minute or two, take off the ſcum, and preſerve the ſyrup, which is proper to ſoften the electaries when they grow dry, to make up pills or boluſſes, and to give children their powders in.
TINCTURE OF BARK.
THIS is ſerviceable in many complaints, in weak and relaxed habits of body, fluſhings and hectic heats; it checks profuſe ſweats, and braces up the ſolids; it is highly proper in all kinds of bleedings, but more efficacious when joined with a fourth part of elixir of vitriol.
It may be given on any emergency; when taken for a conſtancy, the proper hours are the ſame as for elixir of vitriol, which ſee.
The doſe is from one to two tea-ſpoonfuls in any liquor.
TOOTH POWDER FOR THE SCURVY IN THE GUMS.
THIS powder eleanſes and preſerves the teeth and gums, takes off ſcales and all kind of filth without injuring the enamel, which gritty powders are apt to do.
[26]It ſhould be uſed with a piece of ſpunge, every thing which is hard or rough being prejudicial, as they deſtroy the enamel, when the teeth muſt neceſſarily decay.
TURNER'S CERATE
IS commonly uſed for burns, cuts, ſcalds, bruiſes, chilblains, and other little complaints where the ſkin is worn off, and is ſo well known I need not be more particular.
VALERIAN ROOT
IS of late years come into great eſteem in all nervous diſorders; of the bruiſed root they make a tea in the ſame manner as ſena tea, and drink it three or four times a day, which is a proper thing to take the nervous tincture in, being of itſelf I am afraid not effec⯑tual, as the quantity of the root given in this manner, or in the tincture prepared from it, is too trifling to have any great depend⯑ence upon.
VALERIAN ROOT IN POWDER.
IF you intend to reap benefit from it, you muſt take it in pretty large quantities. It is uſually given from half a dram to one dram, in a little liquor of any kind, and ſhould be repeated once in ſix or eight hours.
YELLOW BASILICON
IS made uſe of in caſes which require more diſcharge than the Turner's cerate will promote, but in a great meaſure applied for the ſame intention.
WORM POWDER.
THIS powder ſhould be taken the very firſt thing early in the morning, and the laſt at bed-time, at leaſt one hour after ſupper, mixed in a little honey, currant jelly, or ſomewhat of the like [27]nature, and where it is not a ſpoiled child, let a cupful of cold camomile tea, or water with a tea-ſpoonful of the ſtomach tinc⯑ture, be drank after it. This will keep them open; nevertheleſs, in moſt caſes you ſhould purge once in four or five days; for very young children rhubarb is proper; ſhould that not prove ſtrong enough, the quick purging powder may be given; but where they are older and will take it, cleanſe their bowels with the purging apozem.
ITS DOSE.
- Above 14 years — from 25 grains to 2 ſcruples.
- Between 7 and 14 — from 1 ſcruple to half a dram.
- Between 3 and 7 — from 12 grains to 1 ſcruple.
- Between 1 and 3 — from 6 to 12 grains.
ON BLEEDING.
[28]IRATHER chuſe to mention the complaints in which bleeding is adviſeable under this general head, than with the medicines for the reſpective diſorders, becauſe it may naturally be ſuppoſed they cannot always procure the aſſiſtance; for which reaſon, di⯑recting to bleed before the uſe of the medicines, in caſes where it might prove ſerviceable, may be a means of preventing their admi⯑niſtering thoſe remedies, which, taken in time, will frequently alone remove the complaints. Beſides, I would not wiſh the un⯑ſkilful to be too free with the lancet, as an injudicious evacuation of blood may be ſucceeded with very bad conſequences; and my in⯑tention through the whole, as I obſerved in the preface, being no other than to ſupply families with a few uſeful remedies for ſlight indiſpoſitions, by which they may frequently prevent tedious ill⯑neſſes, but not to put the unexperienced upon trifling with them⯑ſelves when they are really ill, and can have proper advice.
Blood ſhould be taken away in the beginning of fevers, when there is a ſtrong, quick pulſe, the eyes red and fiery, with great heat and thirſt; but never when they are in the decline, as, from being inflammatory, they are often at this period degenerated into the nevous kind, when the chief of the affair is to be ma⯑naged by the frequent application of bliſters.
In aſthmatical complaints, if the patient be of a full habit of body.
[29]In coughs, if the pulſe is quick and full, with an oppreſſion at the breaſt, or difficulty in breathing.
In colics, where the pain is violent, the bowels inflamed, and no ſtools.
In fits, if the ſpirits are hurried and overpowered, and the patient full of blood.
In ſwimmings, dizzineſs, and pains of the head.
In ſtitches, and pleuritic diſorders of the ſide and breaſt, particu⯑larly if it gives pain to take a deep breath.
In ſore throats, where there is a ſtrong, quick pulſe, and the throat greatly ſwelled and inflamed.
For the piles it is ſometimes ſerviceable; as likewiſe in female obſtructions, and frequently in rheumatic complaints; in apoplec⯑tic diſorders, a dyſentery or bloody flux, and irkſome heat of the bowels; for the hooping cough, particularly if of a full habit of bo⯑dy, and the phlegm which is brought up appears ſtreaked with blood; in all of which caſes, the quantity taken away muſt be proportioned to the age of the patient, and the violence of the complaint.
Bleeding again ought to be directed in large abſceſſes or ſwellings, where the heat and pain is immoderate; for in theſe caſes, by draw⯑ing blood, the matter is more eaſily and ſpeedily brought to ripen, and by that means the body more effectually freed from its diſtempers.
In a word, wherever prevail ſore eyes, ſciatica or hip gout, a dry huſky cough, an head-ach, pains of the womb or of the bladder, dry gripes, ſtrangury, gravel, pain from the ſtone, violent bleedings of the noſe, ears, or other parts, an inveterate ſcorbutical itch, and the like, opening a vein is of peculiar ſervice; but in dropſies, a jaundice, the gout, and all illneſſes occaſioned by a relaxed ſtate of body, an impo⯑veriſhed blood, or too great weakneſs of the veſſels, you muſt ſeek re⯑lief from the medicines recommended in this little manual, and not, by an abrupt and prepoſterous uſe of bleeding, increaſe the diſorder, and ruin the health of the patient and your own reputation.
ON THE APPLICATION OF BLISTERS.
[30]TO the cautions here laid down with reſpect to bleeding, I ſhall add a word or two concerning the application of bliſters.
The moſt excellent remedy may be proſtituted by an inconſide⯑rate, raſh, and fooliſh practice; which, it is plain, oftentimes hap⯑pens with regard to bliſters, by ordering them indiſcriminately in all ſevers, and without diſtinction in any time of the diſtemper, which can only be the effect of ignorance.
Therefore, before we reſolve on an expedient of this nature, it would be convenient to conſider whether the fever be of the in⯑flammatory or nervous kind; if of the former, inſtead of bliſtering the lancet ought to be uſed, and a mild cooling regimen ſet on ſoot, as already directed; this will moderate the heat of the blood, and by degrees reſtore it to its due temper. On the other hand, in fevers of the nervous claſs, where the ſymptoms are quite dif⯑ferent, the pulſe being low and weak, the ſpirits almoſt ſpent, and the eyes, inſtead of appearing ſparkling, red and fiery, grown quite dim, we ought by all means to make uſe of bliſters, and that freely.
They are oftentimes proper in paralytic and nervous complaints, as likewiſe in rheumatic pains and pleuriſies, in which caſes a bliſ⯑ter applied immediately upon the part affected frequently affords great relief; and, and in a variety of other caſes they are of infinite [31]ſervice; but then regard muſt be paid to the ſtate of the patient's blood, for if a full, quick pulſe, great heat, thirſt, and the other ſymptoms of an inflammatory fever attend upon the diſorders, the fever muſt firſt be conquered, and afterwards, if neceſſity requires it, let bliſters be applied. Should they cauſe a ſtrangury, which will ſometimes be the caſe, give the patient plentifully of marſhmallow drink, or barley water with a little gum arabic diſſolved in it; or if there is a purging, which you would wiſh to be ſtopped, of the hartſhorn drink, and this inconvenience will ſoon be remedied.
In regard to the management of them, the plaſter ſhould be ſpread upon a piece of an old glove, and bound on to the part intended; after twenty-four hours, the ſtrength of the flies being pretty well ſpent, you may remove the bliſter, and, if you cannot procure the proper dreſſings, a little Turner's cerate ſpread upon a piece of fine rag may ſupply its place.
Should any bliſters appear unbroke, ſnip them with a pair of ſciſ⯑ſars; if they give violent pain, this may be done when the plaſter has been applied only twelve hours; when, by diſcharging the wa⯑ter, and laying it ſmooth on again, you eaſe the patient, and give the bliſter an opportunity of acting more.