EVERY MAN HIS OWN PHYSICIAN.
BEING, A complete Collection of efficacious and APPROVED REMEDIES, For every DISEASE incident to the HUMAN BODY.
WITH Plain Instructions for their common Use.
Necessary to be had in all families, particularly those residing in the country.
By JOHN THEOBALD, M. D. Author of MEDULLA MEDICINAE.
Compiled at the command of his Royal Highness the Duke of CUMBERLAND.
Diseases are cured, not by eloquence, but by remedies, so that if a person without any learning be well acquainted with those remedies that have been discovered by practice, he will be a much greater physician than one who has cultivated his talent in speaking without experience.
The FIFTH EDITION, IMPROVED.
LONDON: Printed and sold by W. GRIFFIN, in FETTER-LANE; R. WITHY, in CORNHILL; and G. KEARSLY, in LUDGATE-STREET.
MDCCLXIV.
[Price Eighteen-pence.]
PREFACE.
ALTHOUGH publishers of receipts have been always very numerous, yet it has so happened, that the least able have hitherto undertaken this task, as the most easy and likely to answer any mercenary views; which seems to have been the reason, that more able persons have neglected it as an under part of their profession. Nevertheless, I have persuaded myself, that I should perform a work, neither entirely void, of use, nor foreign to the duties of my profession, if I made the public partakers of the principal helps against most diseases, which I had either learned by long experience, or selected from the writings of the most eminent physicians. As these receipts are published chiefly for the use of persons residing in the country, whose convenience or abilities, will not allow of the attendance of a physician or apothecary, I have studied plainness in my stile, and in my directions, with regard to the treatment of diseases, that I might render this treatise as useful as possible.
PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION.
THE favourable reception this work has met with, as is sufficiently shewn by the remarkable quick sale of the first large impression, has induced the editor (to support the credit of what is really beneficial to the public, and add weight to the receipts) to publish the authorities from whence those receipts were taken; and to make it still more useful, has added the signs of diseases, and some plain and concise directions for bleeding: he begs leave to remark, that although Dr. Theobald has given no more than one receipt for the cure of several disorders, yet he has been careful to select such, only, as upon a long experience were found to be the best; and that although receipts are given for diseases which are seldom cured, (as the apoplexy, consumption, &c.) yet if it is in the power of medicine to remove any of these complaints, there is the greatest reason to imagine, that the remedies directed in this pamphlet will effect a cure.
INDEX.
Of diseases, for which, remedies are proposed in this Treatise.
- ACHES, from Colds Page 1
- After-pains ibid
- Agues Page 2
- Apoplexy Page 3
- Appetite, want of Page 4
- Astma ibid
- Saint Anthony's Fire Page 2
- Baldness Page 5
- Bleeding at the Nose ib.
- Blood, spitting of ibid
- Bloody Flux Page 6
- Boils ibid
- Bruises, External Page 7
- — Internal Page 6
- Burns and Scalds Page 7
- Cancer Page 7
- Cholick Page 8
- Colds ibid
- Consumption Page 9
- Convulsions ibid
- Corns Page 10
- Costiveness, to prevent ibid
- Cough ibid
- Decays, see Consumption Page 11
- Deafness ibid
- Delivery, to promote ibid
- Diabetes, and pissing of Blood. ibid
- Dropsy Page 12
- Dry Belly-Ach ibid
- Ear-Ach Page 13
- Excoriations ibid
- Eyes, disorders of ibid
- Fainting Page 14 Falling Sickness ibid
- [Page]Fevers, Inflammatory Page 14
- — Nervous Page 15
- — Spotted Page 16
- Fits, see Histerics
- Fistula Page 17
- Giddiness Page 17
- Gout ibid
- Gravel Page 18
- Green Sickness ibid
- Gripes Page 19
- Head-Ach Page 19
- Heart-burn ibid
- Hoarseness ibid
- Histerics Page 20
- Hard Swellings ibid
- Hip-Gout ibid
- Jaundice Page 21
- Indigestion ibid
- Inflammations ibid
- Itch Page 22
- Inflammation of the Bowels ibid
- Intermitting Fever, see Ague
- King's Evil Page 23
- Leprosy Page 23
- Lethargy Page 24
- Looseness ibid
- Madness Page 24
- Measles Page 25
- Menses, immoderate flow of ibid
- — Suppression of Page 26
- Miscarriage ibid
- Nervous Disorders Page 26
- Noise in the ears ibid
- Opiate Page 27
- Obstructions ibid
- Old Ulcers ibid
- Ointment for the eyes Page 13
- Pains in the Joints, See Hip-Gout Page 20
- Pain in the Stomach Page 27
- Palsey Page 28
- Piles ibid
- Pleurisy ibid
- Quinsey Page 29
- Rheumatism Page 29
- Retention of Urine Page 30
- Rickets ibid
- Ruptures Page 31
- Scald Head Page 31
- Scurvy ibid
- Small Pox Page 32
- Sprains Page 33
- Sweating, Excessive Page 34
- Slow Fever, see Nervous Fever
- Stranguary Page 31
- Stone, See Gravel
- Stitch in the side Page 31
- Shingles Page 33
- Swell'd Legs Page 34
- Tooth-Ach Page 34
- Tettars Page 35
- Thirst, unquenchable Page 36
- Thursh ibid
- Throat, Sore, See Quinsey
- — Putrid Page 35
- Tympany Page 36
- Violent pains after Delivery, See After-Pains
- Vomiting Page 37
- Ulcers of the Lungs ib.
- — Kidneys ibid
- — Bladder Page 38
- —Womb ibid
- Warts Page 38
- Whites Page 39
- White Swellings ibid
- Wind ibid
- Watery Gripes ibid
- Wasting away of children Page 40
- Worms ibid
- Wounds, green ibid
- Directions concerning Bleeding Page 41
Just Published. [Price 1 s. 6 d.]
Written by the AUTHOR of this Pamphlet; The Young WIFE's GUIDE.
CONTAINING Every thing necessary to be known relative to the magement of Children, from the time of their Birth to the Age of Seven Years; with a plain and full account of every Disorder to which Infants are subject, and a collection of efficacious Remedies suited to every Disease.
LONDON: Printed and Sold by W. GRIFFIN, in Fetter-Lane; R. WITHY, in Cornhill; and G. KEARSLY, in Ludgate-street.
Every Man his Own Physician.
ACHES AND PAINS.
RUB a little Opodeldoch upon the part affected, two or three times a day, and wear a flannel upon it; if this does not give relief, take twenty drops of volatile tincture of Guaicum, (prepared as directed in the Appendix,) every night and morning, in a glass of spring water.
AFTER-PAINS.
TAKE one scruple of Sperma Ceti, five grains of volatile salt of Hartshorn, five drops of balsam of Peru, and half a drachm of Venice treacle; mix them into a bolus, with as much syrup of White Poppies as is sufficient to make a bolus; to be repeated every six hours till the pains abate. Cover the woman up warm, and let her drink plentifully of caudle.
AGUE, or INTERMITTING FEVER, Signs of.
A violent head-ach, a weariness of the limbs, a pain in the loins, a coldness of the external parts, a shivering and shaking, sometimes so much as to make the very bed shake under them; a great thirst and burning heat, and frequent inclination to vomit. Afterwards the symptoms begin to abate, the skin becomes moist, the urine is of a flame colour, but without a sediment, and a sweat breaking out terminates the fit.
METHOD OF CURE.
FIRST vomit the sick person, by giving half a drachm of the powder of Ipecacoanha, and work it off with Chamomile tea; then let the sick person take the following powder:
Of the best Peruvian bark powdered, one ounce, of Virginia Snake root, and salt of Wormwood, each one drachm; mix these well together, and divide them into eight doses, one paper to be taken every two hours in a glass of red wine or any other liquid. This is a certain and infallible cure; but care must be taken to administer it only in the intervals of the fits; but it must be repeated for two or three days, about ten days after the first cure, or else the disorder will frequently return. In obstinate cases, removing into a drier air has been found of great service.
SAINT ATHONY's FIRE. Signs of.
This disease affects every part of the body, but most frequently the face, and it happens at all times of the year. But whatever part is affected, [Page 3]a chilliness and shivering generally attend the disorder, with great thirst, restlessness, and other signs of a fever; the face swells of a sudden, with great pain and redness, and abundance of small pimples appear, which often rise up into small blisters, and spread over the forehead and head, the eyes being quite closed by the largeness of the swelling. This, in the country, is usually called a Blast.
METHOD OF CURE.
LET the sick, person loose eight or ten ounces of blood, and repeat the bleeding more than once if the symptoms run high, and apply to the part a pultice of white bread and milk, with a little Hogs Lard in it; let the pultice be changed twice in a day, and every other morning take the following purge, till the disorder is cured, viz.
Glauber's salt one ounce, Manna half an ounce, mix and dissolve it in warm water for one dose.
The diet in this disease must be very low, chiefly Water Gruel, or at most weak broth; all strong liquors must be avoided as poison.
APPOPLEXY. The immediate preceding Signs are,
Tremblings, staggering, a giddiness in the head, dimness of sight, sleepiness, loss of memory, noise in the ears, and deep and laborious breathing. The disease itself is a total deprivation of sense and motion, except that of respiration, which is performed with difficulty, and snoring. It usually ends in a paralytic disorder, and is seldom curable, but always leaves behind it a great defect of memory, judgment and motion.
METHOD OF CURE.
CUPPING in the nape and sides of the neck is always useful, provided the scarifications are [Page 4]deep enough to give a free passage to the blood; stimulating clysters and warm purges are also of service, as is also the following electuary: Take half an ounce of powdered Heath Valerian, and one ounce and an half of conserve of Orange peel, and mix them together; the dose is the quantity of a nutmeg every four hours, dissolved in a cupful of Rosemary tea. Apply a strong blister to the back, the diet must be very sparing.
APPETITE, want of
DRINK Chamomile tea every day an hour before dinner, or take ten drops of Acid Elixir of Vitriol in a glass of water, about two hours before, and about two hours after dinner, every day. A gentle Puke should precede the use of these remedies, for which purpose nothing is preferable to the powder of Ipecacoanha, a scruple of which is sufficient for a dose, and should be worked off with weak Chamomile tea.
ASTHMA OR PHTHISICK. Signs of.
An obstructed and very laborious breathing, attended with unspeakable anxiety, and a straitness about the breast.
METHOD OF CURE.
DISSOLVE two drachms of Gum Ammoniacum in half a pint of Pennvroyal water, and add an ounce of Oxymel of Squills. Three large spoonfuls of this mixture may be taken frequently; or from 20 to 30 drops or the Paregoric Elixir, may be taken in Pennyroyal water, two or three [Page 5]times in a day. Bleeding is generally proper, as is a large blister applied to the back, and gentle vomits; the diet should be slender. Malt liquors must be avoided, being very pernicious.
BALDNESS.
RUB the part frequently with an onion till it looks red; the use of Bears grease is also recommended as particularly serviceable in this case, being more subtle and penetrating than any other animal fat hitherto known.
BLEEDING at the Nose.
APPLY to the back part and the sides of the neck, a linnen cloth dipt in cold water, in which salt Prunella has been dissolved. In very obstinate cases bleeding in the foot is useful. Internally the quantity of a nutmeg, of the following electuary may be taken or four three times in a day. Take the seeds of White Henbane, and White Poppies, each half an ounce, Conserve of Roses three ounces, and mix th [...]m into an electuary with syrup of Diacodion.
Spitting of BLOOD.
TAKE Red rose leaves dried, half an ounce, twenty drops of oil of Vitriol, one ounce and an half of refined Sugar, and pour two pints and an half of boiling water on these ingredients in an earthen vessel; let it stand to be cold, and take half a quarter of a pint frequently. In this disorder frequent bleeding in small quantities is proper, not exceeding four, or at the most six ounces at each time, according the strength of the sick person.
BLOODY FLUX. Signs of.
Generally begins with coldness and shivering, succeeded by a quick pulse, and intense thirst. The stools are greasy, and sometimes frothy mixt with blood, with filaments intermixt, which have the appearance of melted suet, and are attended with intolerable gripings, and a painful descent as it were of the bowels.
METHOD OF CURE.
BLEED first, then give the following vomit; half a drachm of powder of Ipecacoanha, work it off with Chamomile tea, repeat this vomit every other day, for three or four times. On the intermedite days between each vomit, let the sick person take a large spoonful of the following mucilage, warm, every hour: Dissolve half an ounce of Gum Arabic, and half an ounce of Gum Tragacanth, in a pint of barley water, over a gentle fire. Clisters made of fat mutton broth are of great service, the sick person must abstain, from malt and spirituous liquors.
BOILS.
APPLY a plaister of Diachylon with the gums, once every day till they are cured.
BRUISES, Internal.
TAKE a large spoonful of cold drawn Linseed oil, two or three times in a day. The patient must also be blooded to the quantity of eight or ten ounces.
BRUISES, External.
BATHE the part with a little spirits of wine and Camphire, which in slight cases will effect a cure, but if that fails it will be necessary to apply a pultice of stale beer grounds, and oatmeal, with a little Hog's lard, which must be applied fresh every day till the bruise is entirely cured.
BURNS AND SCALDS.
TAKE May butter unsalted, and white wax, of each six ounces, oil of Olives half a pint, Lapis Calaminaris one ounce and an half; melt the wax and butter with the oil, and stir in the Lapis Calaminaris finely powdered, till it is too hard to let it settle. This is an excellent ointment for the above purposes, and is to be applied once a day spread on a fine linnen rag.
CANCER. Signs of.
Begins at first with a small Tumour, about the size of a nut, which does not change the colour of the skin, and sometimes remains for several years without encreasing. But as soon as the virulent humour becomes more active, the small hard swelling becomes all of a sudden a large, round, livid, unequal Tumour, and is attended with an intense shooting pain, at length it breaks, and turns into a sharp stinking sanies, which eating away the sound parts, the lips of the wound become offensive to the sight, and the patient being worn out with intolerable pain, at last ensues death. [Page 8]This disorder may infect any part of the body, but most frequently the breasts, armpits, behind the ears, the lips, nose, and private parts.
METHOD OF CURE.
BOIL a quarter of a pound of Guaicum shavings in six pints of water, till it comes to four pints, drink a pint of this decoction twice a day, milk warm. External applications most proper, are pultices of white bread and milk, and fomentations of milk and water, and the cancer should be defended from the cold air, by a piece of fine linnen, on which a little of the Sperma Ceti ointment (the composition of which you will see in the appendix) is spread, and should be renewed two or three times in a day.
CHOLICK.
TAKE two ounces of Daffy's Elixir, and repeat it as occasion may require, or half a drachm of power of Rhubarb toasted a little before the fire.
COLDS.
COLDS, may be cured by lying much in bed, by drinking plentifully of warm Sack whey, with a few drops of spirits of Hartshorn in it, or any other warm small liquor; living upon puddings, spoon meats, chickens, &c. and drinking every thing warm. In short, it must at first be treated as a small fever, with gentle Diaphoretics, such as half a drachm of the compound powder of Contrayerva, taken night and morning, or half an ounce of Mindererus's spirit, may be given every night going to rest, drinking a plentiful draught [Page 9]of weak Sack Whey after it. If any cough should remain, after using this method a few days, the medicines directed under the article of Coughs, must be taken,
This is a much more easy, natural and certain method, than the common practice by Balsamics, Linctuss's, and the like, which spoil the stomach, destroy the appetite, and hurt the constitution.
CONSUMPTION. Signs of.
A dry cough, a disposition to vomit after eating, an uneasy straitness of the breast, spitting of blood, a quickness of the pulse after meals, and flushing of the cheeks; as the disease advances, the matter brought up by the cough, if spit into the fire yields an offensive smell, if into a glass of water it sinks to the bottom, profuse night sweats, looseness, and wasting away of the whole body.
METHOD OF CURE.
A milk diet, riding on horseback, country air, and bleeding frequently in small quantities, at each time taking away not more than six ounces of blood, are the most efficacious remedies in this distemper; snails boiled in milk have sometimes been of service, as is also the Peruvian bark, when it does not occasion a purging.
CONVULSIONS in Children. Signs of.
The mouth is drawn awry, the eyes are distorted, and the face turns blackish, the child's fist is [Page 16]clenched, and the globes of the eyes seem immoveable; when these symptoms give way, the child is sleepy till another fit comes on.
METHOD OF CURE.
GIVE three or four drops of the tincture of Wood soot in a tea-spoonful of water frequently. A blister applied to the nape of the neck is also serviceable.
CORNS.
After soaking them for a considerable time in warm water, pare away carefully with a penknife the uppermost and hardest surface, then apply a plaister of Green wax, or Diachylon with the Gums spread on thin Leather; repeat this method (which is perfectly safe) a few times, and it will seldom fail to extirpate them entirely.
COSTIVENESS.
TAKE the size of a nutmeg of Lenitive Electuary every morning, or as often as occasion requires.
COUGH.
TAKE oil of sweet Almonds and syrup of Balfam, of each two ounces, four ounces of Barley water, and thirty drops of spirits of Sal Volatile; shake them well together, and take two larger spoonfuls when the cough is troublesome: If this medicine does not remove the cough in a few days, it will be absolutely necessary to be blooded.
DEAFNESS.
SYRINGE the ears well with some warm milk and oil, then take a quarter of an ounce of liquid Opodeldoch, and as much oil of Almonds, mix them well, and drop a few drops into each ear, stopping them with a little cotton or wool; repear this every night going to rest.
DELIVERY, to promote.
DIVIDE one grain of purified Opium into two pills, to be taken one six hours after the other.
DIABETES. Signs of.
Is an excessive discharge of urine, of the taste, smell, and colour of honey, attended with an intense thirst, and a wasting away of the whole body.
METHOD OF CURE.
TAKE of the shavings of Sassafras two ounces, Guaicum one ounce, Liquorice root three ounces, Coriander seeds, bruised, six drachms; infuse them cold, in one gallon of Lime-water for two or three days, the Dose is half a pint three or four times in a day. Or four ounces of Alum Whey, (which is prepared by boiling four pints of milk over a slow fire, with three drachms of Alum, till it is turned into Whey) may be taken three times in a day.
N.B. Lime water is made by pouring twelve points of boiling water on a pound of unslacked lime; when it is cold it is fit for use.
DROPSY. Signs of.
Difficulty of breathing, making very small quantities of urine, costiveness, great thirst, swelling of the feet and ancles, which when prest with the fingers will pit; swelling of the belly, and falling away of the other parts.
METHOD OF CURE.
TAKE powder of Jalap, cream of Tartar and Florentine Iris, of each a quarter of an ounce, mix them: the dose is from thirty to forty grains every other day. On the intermediate days take the quantity of a large nutmeg, every night and morning, of the following electuary: Take two drachms of powder'd Chamomile flowers, as much Ginger, and half the quantity of prepared Steel, make it into an electuary with two ounces of Conserve of Orange Peels. Diuretics should also be made use of; the following is excellent: Take Broom ashes half a pound, and steep them in a quart of Rhenish Wine cold, strain off the liquor, and take a quarter of a pint, three times in a day.
Dry BELLY-ACH, or Nervous Cholic. Signs of.
Extreme costiveness, a most violent pain in the bowels, coldness of the hands and feet, trembling, extreme anxiety, and a disposition to fainting, which is frequently succeeded by the palsy.
METHOD OF CURE.
GIVE frequently the following clyster; take dry'd Mallow leaves an ounce, Chamomile flowers, and sweet Fennel seeds, of each half an ounce; water a pint; boil it for use. Take half a pint of this decoction and add two spoonfuls of sweet oil, and half an ounce of Epsom salt, mix it for a clyster to be repeated frequently. The warm bath is of the utmost service in this disorder, as is also Balsam of Peru given inwardly from twenty to forty drops in a spoonful of powdered loaf sugar, three or four times in a day.
EAR-ACH.
THE smoke of Tobacco blown into the ear is excellent.
EXCORIATIONS in Children.
DISSOLVE a little white Vitriol in spring water, and dab the part with it, which will heal presently.
DISORDERS of the eyes.
AN excellent Eye-water. Take two grains of sugar of Lead, dissolve it in a quarter of a pint of spring water.
An OINTMENT for the Eyes.
DIP a feather in a little ointment of Tutty, and gently rub it across the eyes every night going to sleep.
FAINTING.
APPLY to the nostrils and temples some spirits of Sal Armoniac, and give a few drops in a wine glass of water inwardly.
FALLING SICKNESS. Signs of.
A weariness of the whole body, an heavy pain of the head, unquiet sleep, dimness of sight, a noise in the ears, a violent palpitation of the heart, a coldness of the joints, and a sense as it were, of a cold air ascending from the extreme parts to the heart and brain, then they fall suddenly on the ground, the thumbs are shut up close in the palms of the hands, the eyes are distorted and all sensation is lost, so that by no noise, nor even by pinching the body, can they be brought to themselves: they also froth at the mouth.
METHOD OF CURE.
TAKE of Peruvian bark powder'd one ounce, of wild Valerian root half an ounce, of syrup of Orange-peel a sufficient quantity, make an electuary of this, and let the patint take the quantity of a nutmeg, (after proper evacuations, such as bleeding and purging) morning and evening, for three months together, and then repeat it three for our days before the new and full moon.
FEVERS Inflammatory. Signs of.
The breath is very hot, and there is a dryness of the whole skin, and sense of heat, the respiration is thick, difficult and quick, the tongue is [Page 15]dry, yellow, parched and rough, the thirst is unquenchable, a vast anxiety, restlesness, and weariness, frequent inclinations to vomit, and sometimes lightheadiness and convulsions.
METHOD OF CURE.
BLEED to the amount of ten or twelve ounces, vomit with half a drachm of Ipecacoanha, work it off with Chamomile tea; if costive, inject as often as occasion requires, the clyster directed under the article of the Dry-Belly-Ach, and give inwardly the following mixture. Take of salt of Wormwood half a drachm, Lemon-juice three quarters of an ounce, salt of Prunella ten grains, spring water one ounce; mix them together for one dose, and repeat it every six hours.
NERVOUS FEVERS. Signs of.
Slight chillinesses often in a day, with uncertain flushes of heat, a vast dejection and anxiety of the spirits, a giddiness and pain of the head, an inclination to yawn and doze, a dryness of the lips and tongue without any considerable thirst, the countenance heavy, pale and dejected, frequent sick fits, the urine is pale and made often and suddenly, the pulse is low, quick and unequal.
METHOD OF CURE.
A Vomit is necessary when the sickness and load of the stomach is urgent; if the body is costive, clysters of milk, sugar and salt, may be injected every second or third day. Blisters must be applied to the nape of the neck, head and legs, the sick person must be kept quiet in body and mind, opiates are commonly hurtful; a little wine may be allowed, and thin wine whey is proper for common drink. Give the following draught every [Page 16]six hours: Take salt of hartshorn ten grains, Lemon-juice half an ounce, simple Mint-water one ounce and an half, compound spirits of Lavender and syrup of Saffron of each one drachm and an half, mix them together for one dose.
PUTRID OR SPOTTED FEVERS. Signs of.
The head aches and is hot, dull, and attended with a dejection of mind from the very beginning, a constant watchfulness, the countenance is dejected, the pulse is languid, small and low. A pain in the back and loins, a great load at the pit of the stomach, a perpetual vomiting of black bile: the thirst is commonly very great, and all drinks seem bitter and maukish: the tongue at the beginning is white, but grows daily more dark and dry, with a kind of dark bubble on the top, and livid or brown spots appear over the whole surface of the skin.
METHOD OF CURE.
GENTLE Vomits are necessary in the beginning, and if the body is too costive, a clyster of milk, sugar and salt, may be given as often as occasion requires; wine diluted with water, and acidulated with the juice of Seville oranges, may be used for common drink, and the following has been found of greater efficacy in this disorder than any other medicine.
Boil three drachms of Peruvian bark in powder, and three drachms of Virginia snake-root in powder, in a pint of water, till half a pint is boiled a way, then add a quarter of a pint of good Red Port wine; the dole is a tea cup full every three or four hours.
FISTULA.
TAKE a quarter of a pound of Elecampane root, three quarters of a pound of Fennel seeds, and a quarter of a pound of Black Pepper, pound these separately and sift them through a fine sieve; take half a pound of Honey, and half a pound of powder Sugar, melt the honey and the sugar together over the fire, scumming them continually till they become bright as amber, when they are cool mix and knead them into your powder, in the form of a soft paste. The dose is the size of a nutmeg, morning, noon, and night, drinking a glass of wine or water after it.
This is Dr. WARD'S receipt for curing Fistula's.
GIDDINESS.
TAKE twenty drops of tincture of Castor in a glass of water two or three times in a day; or from a scruple to a drachm of powder of Valerian root, three or four times in a day.
GOUT. Signs of.
A pain resembling that of a dislocated bone, succeeded by a chilness, shivering and slight fever, usually seizes the great toe, heel, the calf of the leg or ancle, which become so exquisitely painful as not to endure even the weight of the bed cloaths; the part looks red and is very much swelled; the urine is high coloured, and lets fall a kind of red gravelly sediment.
METHOD OF CURE.
TAKE a tea-spoonful of Volatile tincture of Guaiacum every night going to rest, in a glass of water: be covered warm, and drink plentifully of weak sack whey. In the Intervals of the fits, exercise, such as walking, and riding, is absolutely necessary to prevent a return, and the duke of Portland's Gout powder, the receipt of which we have given in our Appendix, should be taken according to the directions annexed thereto.
GRAVEL AND STONE. Signs of.
A pain in the loins, bloody urine, a numbness of the thigh or leg on the side affected, a sickness at the stomach, and frequent vomitings.
METHOD OF CURE.
TAKE one pound of calcined oyster shells, and pour thereon twelve pints of boiling water, strain it when cold, and take half a pint mixed with a little new milk three times in a day, gradually increasing the quantity, till it amounts to four pints a day. If the Patient is costive, two ounces of Manna dissolved in a quart of whey, should be taken for one dose, once or twice every week.
GREEN SICKNESS. Signs of.
A pale complexion, swelling of the ancles, weariness of the whole body, difficulty of breathing, a palpitation of the heart, drowsiness, a desire of eating coals, chalk, &c. and a suppression of the monthly courses.
METHOD OF CURE.
TAKE thirty drops of the tincture of Black Hellebore, two or three times in a day, in a glass of water or wine, using moderate exercise. Chalybeate Waters are also of service, and bleeding in the foot about the time of menstruation.
GRIPES.
TAKE half a drachm of powdered Rhubarb, and toast it a little before the fire, then add a little powder of Ginger to it, and mix it for one dose, to be repeated as occasion requires.
HEAD-ACH.
APPLY Leeches behind the ears, and take twenty drops of tincture of Castor in a glass of water frequently.
HEART-BURN.
TAKE a little chalk scraped in a glass of water, or a tea-cup full of Chamomile tea.
HOARSENESS.
TAKE the medicines directed under the article of Coughs, or as much as will lie on a shilling of the following powder, three or four times in a day: take Sperma Ceti and Sugar-candy, of each equal parts, and make them into a fine powder, or a tea-spoonful of Barbados Tar in a glass of old Rum, every night going to rest. Three or four [Page 20]Wellfleet oysters swallowed early in the morning fasting, afford surprising relief in this complaint.
HYSTERICS. Signs of.
An intercepted breathing, almost to suffocation, fainting, loss of speech, great drowsiness, exceeding costiveness, and making large quantities of urine, almost as clear as water.
METHOD OF CURE.
TAKE Simple Pepper Mint water, twelve ounces, one ounce of powdered Valerian, and half an ounce of Lavender drops, mix them together, and take three large spoonfuls two or three times in a day, and also apply to the navel a large Galbanum plaister.
Hard SWELLINGS.
APPLY a Plaister of Diachylon with the gums, spread thick on leather.
HIP-GOUT. Signs of.
A violent pain in the joint of the thigh, and lower part of the loins, which sometimes reaches to the leg, and even the extremity of the foot, without any swelling or change of colour of the skin.
METHOD OF CURE.
TAKE a drachm of aetherial oil of Turpentine, with three times as much honey mixt with it, every [Page 21]morning, for six or seven days at farthest, drinking plentifully of warm Sack whey after it.
JAUNDICE. Signs of.
A yellowishness of the whites of the eyes, and of the whole body, bitterness of the tongue, heaviness, and lassitude, vomiting of gall, the stools almost white, and the urine of a Saffron colour, tinging linen dipt therein yellow.
METHOD OF CURE.
TAKE Venice soap half an ounce, oil of Anniseeds sixteen drops, mix them well together, and make it into middle sized pills. The dose is three or four, two or three times in a day; if costive, half a drachm of Rhubarb must be taken in the morning twice in a week.
INDIGESTION. Signs of.
Pain, and sense of weight in the stomach, attended with frequent belchings, heartburn, &c.
METHOD OF CURE.
TAKE a large spoonful of tincture of Hiera Picra every day, an hour before dinner; or from ten to twenty drops of Acid Elixir of Vitriol, in a glass of water, two or three times in a day. Pyrmont, and Spaw waters are also very efficacious in removing this complaint.
INFLAMMATIONS.
TAKE away ten or twelve ounces of blood, and repeat it if necessary; give cooling purges, [Page 22]and apply to the part a pultice of bread and milk, with some ointment of Elder in it.
ITCH. Signs of.
Watery pimples, attended with intollerable itching, between the fingers, under the hams, on the arms, and on the thighs.
METHOD OF CURE.
ANOINT the parts which break out every night with the following ointment: take Hog's lard half a pound, flower of Brimstone and Sulphur Vivum, of each two ounces, powdered cloves one ounce, mix them together: two or three weeks is as little time as can be depended upon, and the same linen must be wore the whole time. This is a never failing remedy.
INFLAMMATION of the BOWELS. Signs of.
A burning pain in the belly, attended with a fever, vomiting, and frequently an obstinate costiveness.
METHOD OF CURE.
TAKE away ten ounces of blood, and repeat the bleeding according to the urgency of the complaint, give the clyster directed in our Appendix, twice every day, till the patient has had two or three stools, and to appease the pain, and stop the excessive vomiting, give ten drops of liquid Laudanum, in a little broth every six hours. The diet should consist entirely of weak broths.
Juice of Lemons taken inwardly in obstinate cases, has sometimes afforded surprising relief.
INTERMITTING FEVER, see AGUE.
KING's EVIL. Signs of.
Hard swellings in the neck, armpits, and groin, and Tumours on the joints and fingers, attended with a swelling, and a rottenness of the bones, soreness of the eye lids. In short there is no part of the human body which may not be affected with tumours, abscesses, or ulcers, by this disease.
METHOD OF CURE.
TAKE a scruple of burnt Sponge, and four grains of Rhubarb, mix them together for one dose, which is to be taken every night and morning, with a draught of whey. Drinking sea water is very efficacious in curing this disease.
LEPROSY. Signs of.
Red pimples, or postules, commonly first break out in the elbows and knees, which gradually increase in such a manner, that the whole body is covered with a leprous scurf.
METHOD OF CURE.
TAKE sharp pointed Dock roots half a pound, Monks Rhubarb a quarter of a pound, Stick Liquorice and Coriander seeds, of each half an ounce, [Page 24]boil them in a gallon of spring water till it comes to three quarts, and to the strained liquor add two ounces of Diaphoretic Antimony. The dose is a pint every morning and evening.
LETHARGY, see APOPLEXY.
LOOSENESS.
TAKE half a drachm of Ipecacoanha for a vomit; and work it off with Chamomile tea. Abstain from malt liquors. If this does not entirely remove the looseness, take half a drachm of powder of Rhubarb, made into a bolus, with a little Diascordium, and repeat it every day till the looseness is entirely stopped.
For common drink the sick person may take Hartshorn drink, or Rice boiled in water with a little cinnamon.
MADNESS. Signs of.
A redness of the eyes, grinding of thee teeth, strange malice to particular persons, want of sleep, singing in the ears, incredible strength, insensibility of cold, and an exc [...]ssive rage when provoked to anger.
METHOD OF CURE.
BLEEDING is useful in this disorder, and take forty drops of tincture of black Hellebore in a glass of water, two or three times in a day; or half a drachm of Camphor may be taken every right going to rest.
MEASLES. Signs of.
A chilness and shivering, which is succeeded by a fever, accompanied with great sickness, thirst, a continual drowsiness, slight cough, and an effusion of tears, which is the most certain sign of the Measles. About the 4th day little red spots like flea bites appear over the whole body, which do not rise above the surface of the skin.
METHOD OF CURE.
FIRST, bleed the sick person, then let him or her drink plentifully of the following decoction: take Pearl Barley, Raisins and Figs, of each two ounces, stick Liquorice bruised half an ounce, boil them in four quarts of water till it comes to two quarts, strain it for use, and add a quarter of an ounce of salt Prunella. You must purge often after this disorder, and the diet and management must be the same as in the Small-pox.
MENSTRUAL DISCHARGE, Excessive. Signs of.
Loss of strength and appetite, bad habit of body, sallow complexion, and swelling of the feet.
METHOD OF CURE.
BLEED according to the strength of the patient, and give thirty grains of the following powder in a glass of red Wine three times in a day: Take three quarters of an ounce of Roch Alum, and a quarter of an ounce of Dragon's blood, and mix them together.
MENSTRUAL DISCHARGE, Suppression of. Signs of.
A swelling of the belly, pain in the loins and groin, difficulty of breathing, cold sweats, frequent faintings, and sometimes hysteric fits.
METHOD OF CURE.
USE exercise, and take the quantity of a nutmeg three times a day of this electuary: Take conserve of dried Orange-peel, a quarter of a pound, candied ginger half an ounce, powder of steel two ounces; mix them into the consistence of an electuary with any syrup: or a tea spoonful of tincture of black Hellebore may be taken in a glass of warm water twice in a day.
MISCARRIAGE.
TO prevent miscarriage. Bleeding is useful and necessary, about the third month of pregnancy, more or less, according to the constitution of the woman with child. The body should also be kept open with Manna or Rhubarb, in the first months especially.
NERVOUS DISORDERS.
COUNTRY air, exercise, and the cold bath, with the mixture directed under the article of Hysterics, will prove a certain cure for every species of these disorders.
NOISE in the EARS.
MAY be cured by the vapour of a decoction of Rosemary flowers prepared with wine, being conveyed to the ear by a funnel.
A safe OPIATE for a grown Person.
TAKE twenty drops of liquid laudanum in a glass of wine and water going to rest. The quantity must be proportionably lessened for children, according to their different ages.
OBSTRUCTIONS.
TAKE species Hiera Picra half an ounce, salt of Steel one drachm, make into pills of a moderate size, with a little syrup of Saffron: the dose is five pills twice a day.
OLD ULCERS.
TAKE a quarter of a pound of Basilicon, and an ounce and an half of oil of Olives, and mix therewith half an ounce of Verdigrease; dress the sore with this ointment, spread upon a little tow, after fomenting it well, with a decoction made of Chamomile flowers and Mallow leaves; or the fomentation directed in the Appendix. Take frequently a dose of cooling physick, and live regularly.
PAIN in the STOMACH, see HEART-BURN.
PAINS in the JOINTS, see HIP-GOUT.
PILES. Signs of.
A violent pain at the time of going to stool, the excrements streakt with blood, and small swellings like warts on the verge of the anus.
METHOD OF CURE.
TAKE of Lenitive Electuary one ounce and an half, flour of Brimstone half an ounce, mix them together, the quantity of a nutmeg to be taken every night and morning: apply outwardly a little of this ointment; Take two ounces of white Diachylon, two ounces of sweet oil, and half an ounce of vinegar, mix them together. Leeches applied as near the Piles as possible, or on the Pile itself, afford surprising relief.
PALSEY.
BLISTERS are serviceable, and the following drops have frequently afforded great benefit: Take Sal Volatile drops half an ounce, Lavender drops, and tincture of Castor, a quarter of an ounce each, mix them together: the dose is forty drops frequently in a glass of wine and water, or half a drachm of wild Valerian root in powder, may be taken three times in a day.
The diet should be warm and attenuating.
PLEURISY. Signs of.
A violent pain in the side accompanied with heat, thirst, and the other usual symptoms of a fever, and a troublesome cough; if the sick person [Page 29]is bled, the blood, when cold, looks like melted tallow.
METHOD OF CURE.
BLEED frequently till the pain abates, apply a blister to the side, and take half a pint of the following infusion twice a day: Take fresh horse-dung six ounces, and pour on it a quart of boiling Pennyroyal water, strain it when cold, and add a quarter of an ounce of Venice treacle, mix for use.
QUINSEY or SORE-THROAT. Signs of.
A swelling of the parts concerned in deglutition, accompanied with great pain, inflammation and a fever, so as to hinder the swallowing any solid meats, and almost stop breathing.
METHOD OF CURE.
BLEEDING is sometimes necessary, and cooling physick, but often jelly of black Currants swallowed down leisurely in small quantities, effects a cure.
RHEUMATISM. Signs of.
It begins with chilness and shivering, heaviness of the joints, and coldness of the extreme parts. The appetite is lost, the body is costive, and feverish, and a racking pain is felt sometimes in one part, sometimes in another; frequently shifting from place to place, and leaving a redness and swelling in the part visited last.
METHOD OF CURE.
TAKE half a drachm of powder of gum Guaicum in a draught of warm ale going to rest, and be covered with a larger quantity of cloaths than usual; persist in this method a few days, and you will find relief. Bleeding is of service in phlethoric constitutions.
RICKETS in CHILDREN. Signs of.
A swelling of the belly, constant desire of sitting still, the bones are crooked, and the joints seem very large, as if knotted, the head is over large, and the child's understanding exceeds its years.
METHOD OF CURE.
GIVE the child two grains of Ens Veneris, dissolved in a spoonful of wine and water, every night; to this must be joined cold bathing, frictions of the back, exercise, and a strengthning diet.
RETENTION of URINE.
TAKE a quarter of an ounce of Nitre, a drachm of Volatile salt of Amber, a quarter of an ounce of powder of egg-shells, and half an ounce of fine sugar, mix them together: the dose is as much as will lie on a shilling, two or three times a day, drinking a draught of Marshmallow tea after each dose.
RUPTURES.
ARE cured by applying a strengthning-plaister spread on leather, (the composition of which is set down in our appendix,) and a truss, which may be had of Mr. White, Truss-maker, in Fleet-street, London.
SCALD-HEAD.
FIRST shave, then cover the head with a Pitch plaister spread on leather, and give inwardly one grain of Calomel, made into a pill, with a little conserve of Roses, every night going to rest, and a a dose of cooling physick twice in a week.
STRANGURY.
TAKE half a drachm of Camphire, a scruple of powdered Gum Arabic, liquid Laudanum five drops, with a sufficient quantity of Turpentine to make it into a bolus, to be taken night and morning, drinking a draught of Marshmallow tea after each dose.
STITCH in the SIDE, see PLEURISY.
SCURVY. Signs of.
A sallow complexion, difficulty of breathing after exercise, spongy gums subject to bleed with [Page 32]the slightest touch, frequent bleeding at the nose, a swelling of the legs, accompanied with livid spots, and unusual laziness, and pains over the whole body, resembling the Rheumatism.
METHOD OF CURE.
TAKE one ounce of acid elixir of Vitriol, and one ounce of tincture of Peruvian bark, mix them together; a tea-spoonful is to be taken twice in a day in a glass of water. A decoction of the tops of the spruce fir may be taken, the quantity of half a pint, twice in a day. Bathing in the Sea, and drinking Sea water are of infinite service.
SLOW FEVER, see NERVOUS FEVER,
SMALL-POX. Signs of.
A chilliness, shivering, and other usual symptoms of a fever, attended with a violent pain in the head and back, and an inclination to vomit, and great propensity to sweat. In children, a dulness, and drowsiness, and sometimes epileptic fits: About the third or fourth day, red spots about the size of a pin's head appear on the breast, face, and the whole body, which increase in size every day, till they are of the size of a large pea, and are filled with matter.
METHOD OF CURE.
THE sick person must be kept in bed, taking care to defend him or her from the inclemency of the winter, by proper means, and to moderate the excessive heat in summer by cool air, for the patient ought not to be stifled with heat and cloaths, [Page 33]nor should the eruption and perspiration be check'd by cold. With regard to diet it ought to be very slender, moistning and cooling, such as watergruel, pipping-liquor and milk pottage; and in the beginning the best regimen is that which keeps the body open, and promotes urine, as figs, Damascene Prunes, and Tamarinds, and by giving subacid liquors for drink, as Small Beer sharpned with Orange or Lemmon-juice; whey made with apples boiled in milk, emultions made with barley water and almonds, or Rhenish wine, plentifully lowered with water.
SHINGLES. Signs of.
An Eruption of watery Pustules, about the size of Millet feeds, which encircle the body like a belt, of an hand's breadth, and occasion an intolerable itching and soreness.
METHOD OF CURE.
TAKE two ounces of white Diachylon, two ounces of sweet Oil, and half an ounce of Vinegar, mix together for a liniment, which spread on a piece of fine linnen and apply to the part affected, repeating it as occasion requires; this with two or three doses of Glauber's salt, and a cooling and spare diet, will entirely remove this complaint.
SPRAINS.
AFTER somenting with warm Vinegar, apply a pultice of stale beer grounds, and oatmeal, with a little Hog's Lard, every day till the pain and swelling are abated; then apply the strengthening plaister directed in our Appendix, Observing [Page 34]the following rules, will much shorten the cure: Let the person stand three or four minutes at a time on both his feet, and sometimes move the strained foot, and when sitting with his foot on a low stool, let him move it this way or that as he can bear it; let the strained part be gently rubbed with a warm hand several times in a day, which will contribute very much to contract the overstretched vessels, and recover a due circulation of their fluids through them.
STONE, see GRAVEL.
SWEATING, Excessive.
TAKE twenty drops of acid elixir of Vitriol, in a glass of water, two or three times a day.
SWELL'd LEGS.
TAKE the same medicines which are advised under the article of the Dropsy.
TOOTH-ACH.
THE root of Yellow water Flower de Luce rubbed on the tooth which is painful, or chewed in the mouth, in an instant, as if by a charm, drives away the pains of the teeth, arising from what cause sover.
Putrid SORE THRAOT. Signs of.
A giddiness, chillness, and shivering, like that of an Ague fit, followed by an intense heat, a violent head-ach, heat and soreness in the throat, stiffness of the neck, great sickness, vomiting or purging, or both; the face looks red and swelled, the eyes inflamed and watery, with restlessness, anxiety and faintness; frequently a great number of small pimples appear on the neck, breast, and hands, which are sensibly swelled, the inside of the mouth and throat are swelled, and appear of a florid red colour, sometimes of a pale white, surrounded with red.
METHOD OF CURE.
ALL Evacuations which lessen the strength, particularly Bleeding and Purging, and all cooling medicines, are highly prejudicial. The hot steam of a boiling mixture of Vinegar, Myrrh and Honey, is to be received into the throat, through an inverted funnel; this cannot be used too frequently. The decoction of the Peruvian bark made by boiling an ounce of bark in a pint and a half of water, till it comes to half a pint, and adding a drachm of acid elixir of Vitriol, is the best medicine in this disorder, if given, a tea cup full, every four hours.
TETTARS.
TAKE four ounces of sweet Oil, one ounce of white Wax, one ounce of Sperma Ceti, and [Page 36]twenty-five grains of Camphor, mix them together for a liniment, with which gently touch the tettars three or four times in a day.
THIRST, unquenchable.
A quart of water mixed with an ounce or two of White wine Vinegar will make an agreeable drink.
THRUSH. Signs of.
Little white ulcers affect the lips, gums, cheeks, tongue, palate, and the whole inside of the mouth.
METHOD OF CURE.
RUB the child's mouth with a linnen rag dipt in the following mixture; Take honey of roses an ounce, oil of Vitriol six drops, mix them together; or the child's mouth may be frequently washed with a docoction of Elm Bark.
TYMPANY. Signs of.
A great swelling of the belly, which being occasioned by air pent up in the cavity of the belly, gives an hollow sound when struck by the hand.
METHOD OF CURE.
THE same medicines which are directed for the Dropsy are also of service in this disorder.
VOMITING.
TAKE Mint water one ounce, Lemon-juice half an ounce, a scruple of salt of Wormwood, mix them for one dose, to be repeated as occasion may require.
ULCER of the LUNGS.
REQUIRES the same treatment as is directed under the article of Consumptions.
ULCER of the KIDNEYS: Signs of.
Fleshy excrescences are voided by urine: The h [...]at and pain in making water comes by intervals, the matter that comes from the kidneys is more plentiful, white and thin, than in an ulcer of the bladder, and is not foetid; the urine looks like milk when first made, but after standing some hours, th [...] matter separates from it, and falls to the bottom.
METHOD OF CURE.
BUTTER-Milk not very sour, is extremely beneficial, as is also an emulsion made of Barleywater and sweet Almonds. Chalybeate waters have been sometimes of service.
ULCER of the BLADDER. Signs of.
A voiding of stinking matter or blood, and sometimes scales, or a membranous skin along with the urine, and a continual heat and pains in the urinary passages.
METHOD OF CURE.
THE Seller's mineral water mixed with milk are excellent, as is also the constant use of Spawwater.
ULCER of the WOMB. Signs of.
A flux of purulent matter, or matter mixt with blood, which is more viscid and foetid, than the Whites, and attended with a fixed pain.
METHOD OF CURE.
AN injection, composed of Barley-water, a pint, and honey of Roses two ounces, must be used to the part affected by the help of a syringe, several times in a day. You may add a small quantity of tincture of Myrrh.
WARTS.
MAY be removed by rubbing them with the juice of Celandine, or milk of Spurge, but when they are situated about the Eye-lids, to prevent hurting the eyes, it is proper to surround the wart with a ring of Wax, or a piece of Plaister with a hole in the middle, so that the wart may come through, by which means the warts will be destroyed, without hurting any other part.
WATERY GRIPES in Children.
TAKE half a drachm of Magnesia alba, and half a drachm of Rhubarb, mix them together, and give the child three or four grains in its pap every morning and evening.
WHITES. Signs of.
A flux of matter from the womb, attended with a pain and weight in the loins, loss of appetite, pale complexion, difficulty of breathing, a liableness to miscarriage, and a swelling of the eyes and feet.
METHOD OF CURE.
APPLY a large strengthning plaister to the small of the back, and take a quarter of a pint of this decoction, every night and morning: Take cow's milk half a pint, and boil in it one handful of Archangel flowers, and a bit of Cinnamon, strain it for use; in obstinate cases, Bathing in the sea, and drinking sea water, is far preferable to any thing else.
WIND.
TAKE of the powder of Angelica seeds, Carraway seeds, and Parsley seeds, of each a quarter of an ounce, make them into an electuary with the syrup of Clove Gilliflowers: the dose is the quantity of a nutmeg at discretion.
WHITE SWELLINGS of the Joints.
ANOINT the part with Barbados tar, before a good fire, two or three times in a day, covering [Page 40]it with a bladder, and drink half a pint of seawater every morning fasting.
WASTING AWAY of Children.
TAKE salt of Tartar, Nitre and Arcanum Duplicatum, of each a quarter of an ounce, Sal Armoniac three drachms, mix them together; a very little of this must be put into the child's drink, according to its age.
WORMS. Signs of.
Paleness of the countenance, itching of the nose, voraciousness, startings, and grinding the teeth in sleep, loosenesses, stinking breath, hard swelled belly; and sometimes epileptic fits.
METHOD OF CURE.
TAKE burnt Hartshorn, and the best Scammony in powder, of each a quarter of an ounce, Calomel one drachm, powder of Tin a quarter of an ounce, mix them together, and let the child take eight or ten grains according to its age, every other morning, in a tea-spoonful of roasted apple.
GREEN WOUNDS.
DRESS them every day, with yellow Basilicon spread on fine lint, after fomenting them well with the Fomentation, the receipt for making which is inserted in the Appendix.
DIRECTIONS concerning BLEEDING.
THOUGH Bleeding has been directed in many disorders in the course of this work; yet as the improper use of it is attended frequently with the most fatal consequences, it has been judged necessary to bring into one point of view all those cases in which bleeding may be administered with advantage, as well as those in which it is highly prejudical. In all inflammatory diseases, it should by no means be omitted, as in the Pleurisy, and Peripneumony, during the first days; but so soon as the symptoms of suppuration appear expectorating medicines are the most proper means from which to expect relief, and the use of the lancet must be totally forbid. In the Apoplexy, Epilepsy, Bloody-flux and Inflammation of the bowels, bleeding must be repeated according to the exigence of the symptoms: it is also useful, sometimes to promote suppuration in large abscesses, where nature is too much opprest by the violence of the inflammation. In Inflammations of the Eyes, Bladder, or Womb, Ischiatic pains, Rheumatisms, Coughs, Head-achs, Quinseys, Asthmas, Hemorrhages, and Nephritic complaints, Bleeding is of the utmost service: but in every disorder proceeding from a relaxed state of the vessels, and impoverished state of the Blood, attended with a cachectic habit of body, such as Dropsies, Jaundice, Gout, &c. bleeding must be abstained from with the utmost caution, as it will, instead of relieving, greatly aggravate those distempers.
APPENDIX.
A choice receipt to make OPODELDOCH.
TAKE of Hungary water a pint, Castile soap sliced three ounces, Camphor an ounce, let them stand together in a glass closely stopped, till the Soap and Camphor are entirely dissolved in the Hungary water.
The CLYSTER Decoction.
TAKE of dried Mallow leaves an ounce, Chamomile flowers, and Fennel seeds, of each half an ounce, boil them in a sufficient quantity of water to strain off about half a point, then add two ounces of sweet Oil and it is fit for use.
HARTSHORN-DRINK.
TAKE burnt Hartshorn two ounces, Gum Arabic two drachms, boil them in three pints of water till one pint is wasted away, then strain it and it is fit for use.
BARLEY-WATER.
TAKE two ounces of Pearl barley, and wash it well in cold water, then boil it in half a pint of water for a very little while; this water will look reddish, and is to be thrown away, then add four pints of water and boil it away to one half, the remainder is fit for use.
An Excellent FOMENTATION.
TAKE Southernwood and wormwood dry'd, and Chamomile flowers, of each an ounce, Bay leaves dried half an ounce, boil them gently in six pints of water and strain it of for use. All green wounds, and old sores, should be fomented with this every day, before they are dressed.
The Infusion of SENNA.
TAKE three quarters of an ounce of Senna, Cream of Tartar three drachms, Carraway seeds bruised two drachms; boil the cream of Tartar in half a pint of water till it is dssolved, then pour the boiling water upon the rest of the ingredients, and let it stand until it is cold, then strain it off, and it is fit for use.
A PURGING DRAUGHT.
TAKE of the infusion of Senna as above directed, two ounces, syrup of Buckthorn one ounce, mix them together for one dose, which may be taken in the morning fasting, three times in a week, and as it is a safe and sure purge, it may be taken in all cases where purging is proper.
A dose of Cooling Physick.
TAKE Glauber's salts an ounce, Manna half an ounce, dissolve them in a little boiling water for one dose, to be taken as often as occasion requires.
HIERA PICRA.
TAKE of Sucotrine aloes finely powder'd, a quarter of a pound, Winter's bark finely powder'd, three quarters of an ounce, mix them together.
Tincture of HIERA PICRA.
STEEP an ounce of Hiera Picra, made as above directed, in a pint of Mountain wine, for a week or ten days, by which time it will be fit for use.
MINDERERUS's SPIRIT.
TAKE a quarter of an ounce of Volatile Salt Armoniac, and add to it by degrees distilled Vinegar, till the effervescence entirely ceases.
An Excellent Bitter Tincture.
TAKE Gentian root, and Orange Peel dried, each two ounces, Cochineal bruised, half a drachm, infuse them in a quart of French Brandy for three or four days, then strain off the liquor for use. This is a very pleasant and wholesome [Page 45]Bitter, and may be used occasionally to provoke an appetite and assist digestion.
Duke of PORTLAND's GOUT POWDER.
TAKE of Round Birthwort root and Gentian root, of the tops and leaves of Germander, Ground Pine, and Centaury: Take of all these well dried, powder'd, and sifted as fine as possible, an equal quantity; mix them well together, and take one drachm of this mixed powder every morning fasting, in a cup of wine and water, broth, tea, or any other vehicle you like best; keep fasting an hour and an half after it, continue this for three months without interruption, then diminish the dose to three quarters of a drachm for three months longer, then to half a drachm for six months more, taking it regularly every morning if possible. After the first year, it will be sufficient to take half a drachm every other day.
As this Medicine operates insensibly, it will take perhaps two years before you receive any great benefit; so you must not be discouraged though you do not perceive at first any great amendment, it works slow but sure: it doth not confine the patient to any particular diet, so one lives soberly, and abstains from those meats and liquors that have always been accounted pernicious in the Gout, as Champaign, Drams, high sauces, &c.
N. B. In the Rheumatism, that is only accidental and not habitual, a few of the drachm doses may do; but if habitual, or that has been of long duration, then you may take it as for the Gout: The remedy requires patience, as it operates but slow in both distempers.
Sir HANS SLOANE's Ointment for SORE EYES.
TAKE prepared Tutty one ounce, Blood-stone finely prepared, two scruples, Sucotrine Aloes in fine powder, twelve grains, prepared Pearl four grains, mix them together in a marble mortar, with as much Vipers fat, as is sufficient to give it the consistence of an ointment.
This ointment is to be applied with a hair pencil, the eyes winking or a little opened.
It must be observed, that purging medicines are hurtful to the diseases of the eyes, which are cured by this medicine.
Dr. MEAD's Remedy for the Bite of a MAD DOG.
TAKE Ash coloured Ground Liverwort four drachms, Black Pepper two drachms, mix them together into a fine powder:
This is to be divided into four doses, whereof one is to be taken in warm milk in a morning fasting, for four mornings successively; after this the person must be put into a cold bath, pond, or river, for thirty days together, early in the morning, and before breakfast: he is to remain in it with his head above water, not longer than half a minute. The wound should be continually fomented, with a pickle made with Vinegar and Salt, as warm as it can be borne.
Mrs. Stephens's famous cure for the STONE and GRAVEL, as amended by Dr. Hartley.
TAKE two scruples of calcined Egg-shells, three times in a day, in a glass of any convenient liquor, drinking after each dose, a third part of the following decoction: Take two ounces of Castile soap, dissolve it in a quart of soft water, and sweeten it according to your taste, with Honey or Loaf sugar. If this decoction is made in a copper vessel, care must be taken that it is well tinn'd. The taking of these medicines must be continued for some time after the complaint ceases, lest any part of the Stone should remain, which being rough and unequal might occasion exquisite pain. It is common after a few days use of these medicines, to have an increase of pain in making water, at which time, a soft diet, emollient drinks, and rest, are proper. For common drink, milk and water, or a decoction of Marshmallow roots, Parsley and Liquorice may be used; but if the person has been used to strong liquors, small punch made without acid may be drank sparingly. Artichoaks, asparagus, spinnage, lettuces, succory, parsley, turnips, carrots, potatoes, radishes, peas, &c. may be safely used, but onions, leeks and cellery, are to be preferred to all other vegetables.
The patient ought to drink no more of any liquor than is sufficient to quench his thirst, and he should hold his water, as long as he can without great uneasiness, that it may have the longer time to act on the stone. If these medicines occasion costiveness, it will be necessary now and then, at discretion, to take a dose of Glauber's salt and Manna.
A Warm Purge, proper to be given in the PALSY and APOPLEXY.
TAKE tincture of Hiera Picra two ounces, syrup of Buckthorn three quarters of an ounce, Lavender drops a quarter of an ounce; mix them together for one dose, which may be given in the morning fasting, twice a week, or as often as occasion may require.
DAFFY's ELIXIR.
TAKE Raisins stoned four ounces, Senna three ounces, Carraway-seeds bruised one ounce, steep these ingredients in a quart of Brandy, for three weeks or a month, then strain it off for use, and keep it in a bottle close stopped.
VOLATILE TINCTURE of Guaicum.
TAKE an ounce of Gum Guaicum in gross powder, and steep it for a week or ten days in six ounces of Sal Volatile drops, in a Bottle closely stopped.
FRYER's BALSAM.
TAKE of Gum Beniamin, one ounce and an half, of strained Storax one ounce, of Balsam of Tolu half an ounce, of Sucotrine Aloes a quarter of an ounce, rectified Spirit of Wine, a pint. Digest them together till the Gums are dissolved as much as possible, then strain off the Tincture for use.
DIACHYLON with the Gums.
TAKE three quarters of a pound of white Diachylon, two ounces of strained Galbanum, Turpentine and Frankincense, of each three quarters of an ounce; melt them together over a slow fire.
WHITE DIACYLON Plaister.
TAKE Litharge finely powder'd a pound and a quarter, Sweet-oil a quart, boil them together with a quart of water, till they are thoroughly mixed, and are of a proper consistence for a plaister, and look quite white; if the water should be entirely wasted away, you must add some more to prevent its turning black.
An excellent STENGTHNING Plaister, see page 31 and 33.
TAKE white Diachylon half a pound, Frankincense two ounces, and Dragon's Blood three quarters of an ounce; melt the Diachylon over a slow fire, and then add the other ingredients finely powder'd, and mix them well together, by stirring them continually till the plaister is quite cold.
Ointment of ELDER.
IS made, by boiling the young leaves of Elder in Mutton-suet, till they are quite crisp, and the suet is of a deep green colour.
SPERMA CETI Ointment.
TAKE a quarter of a pint of the best Sallad-oil, a quarter of a pound of white Wax, and half an ounce of Sperma Ceti; melt these ingredients together, over a gentle fire, and keep them continually stirring until the ointment is quite cold.
Ointment of MARSHMALLOWS.
TAKE half a pound of Marshmallow-roots, of Linseeds and Faenugreek-seeds, each three ounces, bruise them, and boil them half an hour gently, in a quart of water, then add two quarts of sweet oil, and boil them together, till the water is quite wasted away, then strain off the oil, and add to the oil a pound of Bees-wax, half a pound of yellow Rozin, and two ounces of common Turpentine; melt them together over a slow fire, and keep them continually stirring, till the ointment is cold.
TURNER's CERATE, see the article of BURNS and SCALDS.
Yellow BASILICON.
TAKE sweet Oil a quarter of a pint, Beeswax, yellow Rozin, and Burgundy pitch, of each a quarter of a pound, Venice Turpentine three quarters of an ounce; mix them together over a slow fire.