Part 67

When People are ignorant of the Strength of the Tartar emetic (which is often various) or of the Patient's being easy or hard to vomit, a Dose and a half may be dissolved in a Quart of warm Water, of which he may take a Glass every Quarter of an Hour, whence the Operation may be forwarded, or otherwise regulated, according to the Number of Vomits or Stools. This Method, much used in Paris, seems a safe and eligible one.

No. 35.

Take thirty-five Grains of Ipecacuanna, which, in the very strongest Constitutions, may be augmented to forty-five, or even to fifty Grains.

No. 36.

Prescribes only the common blistering Plaister; and the Note observes that very young Infants who have delicate Skins may have Sinapisms applied instead of Blisters; and made of a little old Leaven, kneaded up with a few Drops of sharp Vinegar.

No. 37.

Take of the Tops of Chamaedrys or Ground Oak, of the lesser Centaury, of Wormwood and of Camomile, of each one Pugil. Pour on them three Pints of boiling Water; and suffering them to infuse until it is cold, strain the Liquor through a Linen Cloth, pressing it out strongly.

No. 38.

Take forty Grains of Rhubarb, and as much Cream of Tartar in Powder, mixing them well together.

No. 39.

Take three Drachms of Cream of Tartar, and one Drachm of Ipecacuanna finely powdered. Rub them well together, and divide them into six equal Parts.

No. 40.

Take of the simple Mixture one Ounce, of Spirit of Vitriol half an Ounce, and mix them. The Dose is one or two Tea Spoonfuls in a Cup of the Patient's common Drink. The simple Mixture is composed of five Ounces of Treacle Water camphorated, of three Ounces of Spirit of Tartar rectified, and one Ounce of Spirit of Vitriol. If the Patient has an insuperable Aversion to the Camphor, it must be omitted, though the Medicine is less efficacious without it. And if his Thirst is not very considerable, the simple Mixture may be given alone, without any further Addition of Spirit of Vitriol.

No. 41.

Take half a Drachm of Virginia Snake-root, ten Grains of Camphor, and make them into a Bolus with Rob of Elder-Berries. If the Patient's Stomach cannot bear so large a Dose of Camphor, he may take it in smaller Doses and oftner, viz. three Grains, every two Hours. If there is a violent Looseness, Diascordium must be substituted instead of the Rob of Elder-berries.

No. 42.

Prescribes only the Theriaca pauperum, or poor Man's Treacle, in the Dose of a Quarter of an Ounce. The following Composition of it is that chiefly preferred by our Author. Take equal Parts of round Birthwort Roots, of Elecampane, of Myrrh, and of Rob or Conserve of Juniper-berries, and make them into an Electuary of a rather thin, than very stiff Consistence, with Syrup of Orange-peel.

No. 43.

The first of the three Medicines referred to in this Number, is that already directed, No. 37. The second is as follows.

Take equal Parts of the lesser Centaury, of Wormwood, of Myrrh, all powdered, and of Conserve of Juniper-berries, making them up into a pretty thick Consistence with Syrup of Wormwood. The Dose is a Quarter of an Ounce; to be taken at the same Intervals as the Bark.

For the third Composition--Take of the Roots of Calamus Aromaticus and Elecampane well bruised, two Ounces; of the Tops of the lesser Centaury cut small, a Pugil; of Filings of unrusted Iron two Ounces, of old white Wine, three Pints. Put them all into a wide necked Bottle, and set it upon Embers, or on a Stove, or by the Chimney, that it may be always kept hot. Let them infuse twenty-four Hours, shaking them well five or six Times; then let the Infusion settle, and strain it. The Dose is a common Cup every four Hours, four Times daily, and timing it one Hour before Dinner.

No. 44.

Take a Quarter of an Ounce of Cream of Tartar, a Pugil of common Camomile; boil them in twelve Ounces of Water for half an Hour, and strain it off.

No. 45.

Directs only the common Sal Ammoniac, from two Scruples to one Drachm for a Dose. The Note to it adds, that it may be made into a Bolus with Rob of Elder; and observes, that those feverish Patients, who have a weak delicate Stomach, do not well admit of this Salt; no more than of several others, which affect them with great Disorder and Anxiety.

No. 46.

The Powder. Take one Pugil of Camomile Flowers, and as much Elder Flowers, bruising them well; of fine Flour or Starch three Ounces; of Ceruss and of blue Smalt each half an Ounce. Rub the whole, and mix them well. This Powder may be applied immediately to the Part.

The Plaister. Take of the Ointment called Nutritum, made with the newest sweet Oil, two Ounces; of white Wax three Quarters of an Ounce, and one Quarter of an Ounce of blue Smalt. Melt the Wax, then add the Nutritum to it, after the Smalt finely powdered has been exactly incorporated with it; stirring it about with an Iron Spatula or Rod, till the whole is well mixed and cold. This is to be smoothly spread on Linen Cloth.