Of the Prescriptions and Medicines, referred to in the foregoing Treatise: Which, with the Notes beneath them, are to be read before the taking, or Application, of any of the said Medicines.
As in Order to ascertain the Doses of Medicines, I have generally done it by Pounds, Ounces, Half-Ounces, &c. &c. and as this Method, especially to the common People, might prove a little too obscure and embarrassing, I have specified here the exact Weight of Water, contained in such Vessels or liquid Measures, as are most commonly used in the Country.
The Pound which I mean, throughout all these Prescriptions, is that consisting of sixteen Ounces. These Ounces contain eight Drachms, each Drachm consisting of three Scruples, and each Scruple of twenty Grains; the medical Scruple of Paris solely containing twenty-four Grains.
The liquid Measure, the Pot used at Berne, being that I always speak of, may be estimated, without any material Error, to contain three Pounds and a Quarter, which is equal to three Pints, and eight common Spoonfuls English Measure. But the exact Weight of the Water, contained in the Pot of Berne, being fifty-one Ounces and a Quarter only, it is strictly equal but to three Pints and six common Spoonfuls English. This however is a Difference of no Importance, in the usual Drinks or Aliments of the Sick.
The small drinking Glass we talk of, filled so as not to run over, contains three Ounces and three Quarters. But filled, as we propose it should for the Sick, it is to be estimated only at three Ounces.
The common middle sized Cup, though rather large than little, contains three Ounces and a Quarter. But as dealt out to the Sick, it should not be estimated, at the utmost, above three Ounces.
The small Glass contains seven common Spoonfuls; so that a Spoonful is supposed to contain half an Ounce.
The small Spoon, or Coffee Spoon, when of its usual Size and Cavity, may contain thirty Drops, or a few more; but, in the Exhibition of Medicines, it may be reckoned at thirty Drops. Five or six of these are deemed equal in Measure, to a common Soup-Spoon.
The Bason or Porrenger, mentioned in the present Treatise, holds, without running over, the Quantity of five Glasses, which is equivalent to eighteen Ounces and three Quarters. It may be estimated however, without a Fraction, at eighteen Ounces: and a sick Person should never be allowed to take more than a third Part of this Quantity of Nourishment, at any one Time.
The Doses in all the following Prescriptions are adjusted to the Age of an Adult or grown Man, from the Age of eighteen to that of sixty Years. From the Age of twelve to eighteen, two thirds of that Dose will generally be sufficient: and from twelve down to seven Years one half, diminishing this still lower, in Proportion to the greater Youth of the Patient: so that not more than one eighth of the Dose prescribed should be given to an infant of some Months old, or under one Year. But it must also be considered, that their different Constitutions will make a considerable Difference in adjusting their different Doses. It were to be wished, on this Account, that every Person would carefully observe whether a strong Dose is necessary to purge him, or if a small one is sufficient; as Exactness is most important in adjusting the Doses of such Medicines, as are intended to purge, or to evacuate in any other Manner.
Nº. 1.
Take a Pugil or large Pinch between the Thumb and Fingers of Elder Flowers; put them into an earthen-ware Mug or Porrenger, with two Ounces of Honey, and an Ounce and a half of good Vinegar. Pour upon them three Pints and one Quarter of boiling Water. Stir it about a little with a Spoon to mix and dissolve the Honey; then cover up the Mug; and, when the Liquor is cold, strain it through a Linen Cloth.
Nº. 2.
Take two Ounces of whole Barley, cleanse and wash it well in hot Water, throwing away this Water afterwards. Then boil it in five Chopins or English Pints of Water, till the Barley bursts and opens. Towards the End of the boiling, throw in one Drachm and a half of Nitre [Salt Petre] strain it through a Linen Cloth, and then add to it one Ounce and a half of Honey, and one Ounce of Vinegar.
Nº. 3.
Take the same Quantity of Barley as before, and instead of Nitre, boil in it, as soon as the Barley is put in to boil, a Quarter of an Ounce of Cream of Tartar. Strain it, and add nothing else
Nº. 4.
Take three Ounces of the freshest sweet Almonds, and one Ounce of Gourd or Melon Seed; bruise them in a Mortar, adding to them by a little at a time, one Pint of Water, then strain it through Linen. Bruise what remains again, adding gradually to it another Pint of Water, then straining; and adding Water to the Residue, till full three Pints at least of Water are thus used: after which it may again be poured upon the bruised Mass, stirred well about, and then be finally strained off. Half an Ounce of Sugar may safely be bruised with the Almonds and Seeds at first, though some weakly imagine it too heating; and delicate Persons may be allowed a little Orange Flower Water with it.
Nº. 5.
Take two Pugils of Mallow Leaves and Flowers, cut them small, and pour a Pint of boiling Water upon them. After standing some time strain it, adding one Ounce of Honey to it. For Want of Mallows, which is preferable, a similar Glyster may be made of the Leaves of Mercury, Pellitory of the Wall, the Marsh-Mallows, the greater Mallows, from Lettuce, or from Spinage. A few very particular Consititutions are not to be purged by any Glyster but warm Water alone; such should receive no other, and the Water should not be very hot.
Nº. 6.
Boil a Pugil of Mallow Flowers, in a Pint of Barley Water for a Glyster.
Nº. 7.
Take three Pints of simple Barley Water, add to it three Ounces of the Juice of Sow-thistle, or of Groundsel, or of the greater Houseleek, or of Borage.
Nº. 8.
To one Ounce of Oxymel of Squills, add five Ounces of a strong Infusion of Elder Flowers.
Nº. 9.
There are many different emollient Applications, which have very nearly the same Virtues. The following are the most efficacious.
1, Flanels wrung out of a hot Decoction of Mallow Flowers.
2, Small Bags filled with Mallow Flowers, or with those of Mullein, of Elder, of Camomile, of wild Corn Poppy, and boiled either in Milk or Water.
3, Pultices of the same Flowers boiled in Milk and Water.
4, Bladders half filled with hot Milk and Water, or with some emollient Decoction.
5, A Pultice of boiled Bread and Milk, or of Barley or Rice boiled till thoroughly soft and tender.
6, In the Pleurisy (See § 89) the affected Part may be rubbed sometimes with Ointment of Marsh-mallows.
Nº. 10.
To one Ounce of Spirit of Sulphur, add six Ounces of Syrup of Violets, or for want of the latter, as much Barley Water, of a thicker Consistence than ordinary.
Nº. 11.
Take two Ounces of Manna, and half an Ounce of Sedlitz Salt, or for want of it, as much Epsom Salt; dissolving them in four Ounces of hot Water, and straining them.
Nº. 12.
Take of Elder Flowers one Pugil, of Hyssop Leaves half as much. Pour three Pints of boiling Water upon them. After infusing some time, strain, and dissolve three Ounces of Honey in the Infusion.
Nº. 13.
Is only the same Kind of Drink made by omitting the Hyssop, and adding instead of it as much more Elder Flowers.
Nº. 14.
Let one Ounce of the best Jesuits Bark in fine Powder be divided into sixteen equal Portions.
Nº. 15.
Take of the Flowers of St. John's Wort, of Elder, and of Melilot, of each a few Pinches; put them into the Bottom of an Ewer or Vessel containing five or six English Pints, with half an Ounce of Oil of Turpentine, and fill it up with boiling Water.
Nº. 16.
Is only the Syrup of the Flowers of the wild red Corn Poppy.
Nº. 17.
Is only very clear sweet Whey, in every Pint of which one Ounce of Honey is to be dissolved.
Nº. 18.
Take of Castile or hard white Soap six Drachms; of Extract of Dandelion one Drachm and a half; of Gum Ammoniacum half a Drachm, and with Syrup of Maidenhair make a Mass of Pills, to be formed into Pills, weighing three Grains each.
Nº. 19.
Gargarisms may be prepared from a Decoction, or rather an Infusion, of the Leaves of Periwinkle, or of Red Rose-Leaves, or of Mallows. Two Ounces of Vinegar and as much Honey must be added to every Pint of it, and the Patient should gargle with it pretty hot. The deterging, cleansing Gargarisin referred to § 112, is a light Infusion of the Tops of Sage, adding two Ounces of Honey to each Pint of it.
Nº. 20.
Is only one Ounce of powdered Nitre, divided into sixteen equal Doses.
Nº. 21.
Take of Jalap, of Senna, and of Cream of Tartar of each thirty Grains finely powdered; and let them be very well mixed.
Nº. 22.
Take of China Root, and of Sarsaparilla of each one Ounce and a half, of Sassafras Root, and of the Shavings of Guiacum, otherwise called Lignum vitÆ, of each one Ounce. Let the whole be cut very fine. Then put them into a glazed earthen Vessel; pouring upon them about five pints of boiling Water. Let them boil gently for an Hour; then take it from the Fire, and strain it off through Linen. This is called the Decoction of the Woods, and is often of different Proportions of these Ingredients, or with the Addition of a few others. More Water may, after the first boiling, be poured on the same Ingredients, and be boiled up into a small Decoction for common Drink.
Nº. 23.
Take one Ounce of the Pulp of Tamarinds, half a Drachm of Nitre, and four Ounces of Water; let them boil not more than one Minute, then add two Ounces of Manna, and when dissolved strain the Mixture off.
Nº. 24.
Is only an Ounce of Cream of Tartar, divided into eight equal Parts.
Nº. 25.
This Prescription is only the Preparation of Kermes mineral, otherwise called the Chartreusian Powder. Dr. Tissot orders but one Grain for a Dose. It has been directed from one to three.
Nº. 26.
Take three Ounces of the common Burdock Root; boil it for half an Hour, with half a Drachm of Nitre, in three full Pints of Water.
Nº. 27.
Take half a Pinch of the Herbs prescribed Nº. 9, Article 2, and half an Ounce of hard white Soap shaved thin. Pour on these one Pint and a half of boiling Water, and one Glass of Wine. Strain the Liquor and squeeze it strongly out.
Nº. 28.
Take of the purest Quicksilver one Ounce; of Venice Turpentine half a Drachm, of the freshest Hog's Lard two Ounces, and let the whole be very well rubbed together into an Ointment.
Nº. 29.
This Prescription is nothing but the yellow Basilicon.
Nº. 30.
Take of natural and factitious, or artificial Cinnabar, twenty-four Grains each; of Musk sixteen Grains, and let the whole be reduced into fine Powder, and very well mixed.
Nº. 31.
Take one Drachm of Virginia Snake Root in Powder; of Camphor and of Assa-foetida ten Grains each; of Opium one Grain, and with a sufficient Quantity of Conserve, or Rob of Elder, make a Bolus.
Nº. 32.
Take three Ounces of Tamarinds. Pour on them one Pint of boiling Water, and after letting them boil a Minute or two, strain the Liquor through a Linen Cloth.
Nº. 33.
Take seven Grains of Turbith Mineral; and make it into a Pill or Bolus with a little Crumb of Bread.
Nº. 34.
This is nothing but a Prescription of six Grains of Tartar
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.
A Quarter of an Ounce of Smalt may also be mixed exactly with two Ounces of Butter or Ointment of Lead, to be used occasionally instead of the Plaister.
Nº. 47.
Take one Ounce of Sedlitz, or for want of that, as much Epsom Salt, and two Ounces of Tamarinds: pour upon them eight Ounces of boiling Water, stirring them about to dissolve the Tamarinds. Strain it off; and divide it into two equal Draughts, to be given at the Interval of Half an Hour between the first and last.
Nº. 48.
Take of Sydenham's Liquid Laudanum eighty Drops; of Bawm Water two Ounces and a half. If the first, or the second, Dose stops or considerably lessens the Vomiting, this
Nº. 49.
Dissolve three Ounces of Manna and twenty Grains of Nitre in twenty Ounces, or six Glasses, of sweet Whey.
Nº. 50.
To two Ounces of Syrup of Diacodium, or white Poppy Heads, add an equal Weight of Elder Flower Water, or, for want of it, of Spring Water.
Nº. 51.
Directs nothing but a Drachm of Rhubarb in Powder.
Nº. 52.
Take of Sulphur vivum, or of Flower of Brimstone, one Ounce; of Sal Ammoniac, one Drachm; of fresh Hogs Lard, two Ounces; and mix the whole very well in a Mortar.
Nº. 53.
Take two Drachms of crude Antimony and as much Nitre, both finely powdered and very well mixed; dividing the whole into eight equal Doses.
Nº. 54.
Take of Filings of Iron, not the least rusty, and of Sugar, each one Ounce; of Aniseeds Powdered, half an Ounce. After rubbing then very well together, divide the Powder into twenty-four equal Portions; one of which is to be taken three times a Day an Hour before eating.
Nº. 55.
Take of Filings of sound Iron two Ounces; of Leaves of Rue, and of white Hoar-hound one Pugil each; of black Hellebore Root, one Quarter of an Ounce, and infuse the whole in three Pints of Wine in the Manner already directed, Nº. 43. The Dose of this is one small Cup three times a Day, an Hour before eating.
Nº. 56.
Take two Ounces of Filings of Iron; of Rue Leaves and Aniseed powdered, each half an Ounce. Add to them a sufficient Quantity of Honey to make an Electuary of a good Consistence. The Dose is a Quarter of an Ounce three times daily.
Nº. 57.
Take of the Extract of the stinking Hemlock, with the purple spotted Stalk, one Ounce. Form it into Pills weighing two Grains each; adding as much of the Powder of dry Hemlock Leaves, as the Pills will easily take up. Begin the Use of this Medicine by giving one Pill Night and Morning. Some Patients have been so familiarized to it, as to take at length Half an Ounce daily.
Nº. 58.
Take of the Roots of Grass and of Succory well washed, each one Ounce. Boil them a Quarter of an Hour in a Pint of Water. Then dissolve in it Half an Ounce of Sedlitz, or of Epsom Salt, and two Ounces of Manna; and strain it off to drink one Glass of it from Half Hour, to Half Hour, till its Effects are sufficient. It is to be repeated at the Interval of two or three Days.
Nº. 59.
Is a Cataplasm or Pultice made of Crumb of Bread, with Camomile Flowers boiled in Milk, with the Addition of some Soap, so that each Pultice may contain half a Quarter of an Ounce of this last Ingredient. And when the Circumstances of female Patients have not afforded them that regular Attendance, which the Repetition of the Pultice requires, as it should be renewed every three Hours, I have successfully directed the Hemlock Plaister of the Shops.
Nº. 60.
Take a sufficient Quantity of dry Hemlock Leaves. Secure them properly between two Pieces of thin Linen Cloth, so as to make a very flexible Sort of small Matrass, letting it boil a few Moments in Water, then squeeze it out and apply it to the affected Part. It must thus be moistened and heated afresh, and re-applied every two Hours.
Nº. 61.
Take of the Eyes of the Craw-fish, or of the true white Magnesia, two Drachms; of Cinnamon powdered four Grains. Rub them very well together, and divide the whole into eight Doses. One of these is to be given in a Spoonful of Milk, or of Water, before the Infant sucks.
Nº. 62.
Take of an Extract of Walnuts, made in Water, two Drachms; and dissolve it in half an Ounce of Cinnamon Water. Fifty Drops a Day of this Solution is to be given to a Child of two Years old; and after the whole has been taken, the Child should be purged. This Extract is to be made of the unripe Nuts, when they are of a proper Growth and Consistence for pickling.
Nº. 63.
Take of Rezin of Jalap two Grains. Rub it a considerable time with twelve or fifteen Grains of Sugar, and afterwards with three or four sweet Almonds; adding, very gradually, two common Spoonfuls of Water. Then strain it through clear thin Linen, as the Emulsion of Almonds was ordered to be. Lastly, add a Tea Spoonful of Syrup of Capillaire to it. This is no disagreable Draught, and may be given to a Child of two Years old: and if they are older, a Grain or two more of the Rezin may be allowed. But under two Years old, it is prudent to purge Children rather with Syrup of Succory, or with Manna.
Nº. 64.
Take of the Ointment called Nutritum one Ounce; the entire Yolk of one small Egg, or the Half of a large one, and mix them well together. This Nutritum may be readily made by rubbing very well together, and for some time, two Drachms of Ceruss [white Lead] half an Ounce of Vinegar, and three Ounces of common Oil.
Nº. 65.
Melt four Ounces of white Wax; add to it, if made in Winter two Spoonfuls of Oil; if in Summer none at all, or at most, not above a Spoonful. Dip in this Slips of Linen Cloth not worn too thin, and let them dry: or spread it thin and evenly over them.
Nº. 66.
Take of Oil of Roses one Pound; of red Lead half a Pound; of Vinegar four Ounces. Boil them together nearly to the Consistence of a Plaister; then dissolve in the liquid Mass an Ounce and a Half of yellow Wax, and two Drachms of Camphor, stirring the whole about well. Remove it then from the Fire, and spread it on Sheets or Slips of Paper, of what Size you think most convenient. The Ointment of Chambauderie, so famous in many Families on the Continent, is made of a Quarter of a Pound of yellow Wax, of the Plaister of three Ingredients (very nearly the same with Nº. 66) of compound Diachylon and of common Oil, of each the same Quantity, all melted together, and then stirred about well, after it is removed from the Fire, till it grows cold. To make a Sparadrap, or Oil Cloth, which is Linen, covered with, or dipt in an emplastic Substance or Ointment, it must be melted over again with the Addition of a little Oil, and applied to the Linen as directed at Nº. 65.
Nº. 67.
Gather in Autumn, while the fine Weather lasts, the Agaric of the Oak, which is a Kind of Fungus or Excrescence, issuing from the Wood of that Tree.
It consists at first of four Parts, which present themselves successively, 1, The outward Rind or Skin, which may be thrown away. 2, That Part immediately under this Rind, which is the best of all. This is to be beat well with a Hammer, till it becomes soft and very pliable. This is the only Preparation it requires, and a Slice of it of a proper Size is to be applied directly over the bursting, open Blood-vessels. It constringes and brings them close together; stops the Bleedings; and generally falls off at the End of two Days. 3, The third Part, adhering to the second may serve to stop the Bleeding from the smaller Vessels; and the fourth and last Part may be reduced to Powder, as conducing to the same Purpose.
Nº. 68.
Take four Ounces of Crumbs of Bread, a Pugil of Elder Flowers, and the same Quantity of those of Camomile, and of St. John's Wort. Boil them into a Pultice in equal Quantities of Vinegar and Water.
If Fomentations should be thought preferable, take the same Herbs, or some Pugils of the Ingredients for Faltrank: throw them into a Pint and a Half of boiling Water: and let them infuse some Minutes. Then a Pint of Vinegar is to be added, and Flanels or other woollen Cloths dipt in the Fomentation, and wrung out, are to be applied to the Part affected.
For the aromatic Fomentations recommended § 449, take Leaves of Betony and of Rue, Flowers of Rosemary or Lavender, and red Roses, of each a Pugil and a Half. Boil them for a Quarter of an Hour in a Pot with a Cover, with three Pints of old white Wine. Then strain off, squeezing the Liquor strongly from the Herbs, and apply it as already directed.
Nº. 69.
Directs only the Plaister of Diapalma.
Nº. 70.
Directs only a Mixture of two Parts Water, and one Part of Vinegar of Litharge.
Nº. 71.
Take of the Leaves of Sow-bread, and of Camomile Tops, of each one Pugil. Put them into an earthen Vessel with half an Ounce of Soap, and as much Sal Ammoniac, and pour upon them three Pints of boiling Water.
N. B. I conceive all the Notes to this Table, in which I have not mentioned the Editor at Lyons, nor subscribed with my initial Letter K, to come from the Author, having omitted nothing of them, but the Prices.
