J LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. # ...-"__.. {|hap. Si. IwigM |. * UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. | THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND CONTAINING A DESCRIPTION OF THE PRINCIPAL DISEASES TO WHICH MOST PERSONS IN THIS COUNTRY ARE LIABLE, TOGETHER WITH THEIR TREATMENT AND CURE, SIMPLIFIED SO THAT Every Man Can be his own Doctor, TO WHICH IS APPENDED A DISPENSATORY OF AMERICAN BOTANICAL MEDICINES — - — BY DR. G. WHITAKER, flEW YORK. E. H. HOUGH, PRINTER, HORNELLSVILLE, N. Y. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1870, By DR. G. WH.ITAKER, of New York, In the Clerk's Office of the United States District Court, for the Northern District of New York. INTRODUCTION, In preparing a Family Medical Friend, for private and popular use, and in such language so that people unacquainted with the terms and technicalities of the different medical professors may avail themselves of the information which it conveys, and apply the remedies which it pre- scribes, it has been the study and business ol the author of this work to simplify his description of diseases, and their treatment and remedies, so plain that any person who can read the English language, may understand what it means. In the medical profession, the most simple remedies are generally designated by many very long, hard names, for instance, Hydrargyri chloridum mite, sub murias hydrogyri mitis, calomelas sub- limatum. Now, all these big, long words, have no other meaning more nor less than the single IV INTRODUCTION. word Calomel, Again, Peppermint is an herb which every child knows by its name, yet the physicians call it menthexe piperitse herba, also orange peel is an equally familiar name known to every person, yet the physicians call it au- rantii cortex, once more, should the doctor write a prescription where brown sugar is one of the ingredients, he wouid be apt to call it saccharum non punflcatum. I will now give a prescription, Ijt. — Extractum Glycyrrhizse, 3j Aqua fulegii F §j M. quce distillate F §iij Imposing as this prescription is, such mysterious, long, crooked words may seem to you, they mean no more than 1 drachm ol the extract of liquorice, one ounce of Pennyroyal water and 3 ounces of pnre water mixed,the reader will perceive that all this great display of words is made for the next thin«2 to nothing, and could you" translate all the prescriptions that are sent to the druggist, for the writing of each the patient is charged fifty cents at least, you would find among them many of no greater value than the one that I have just written. INTRODUCTION. V It is not my wish to disparage the profession, but I would wish to undeceive some that are made to believe all the great skill lies in being able to use the latin terms and phrases, such as are not by everybody understood, in which the various medicines the doctors prescribe, are known in their books ; now, I believe, there can be a medical work calculated, and in so plain terms, as to afford nearly all the instruction of the diseases, their prevention and their cure, it can be written so that persons with only a common education, and an ordinary share of common sense, can understand it, and, in most cases, not only save the expense of a physician ; but by appropriate timely remedies, prevent themselves or their families from severe iits of sickness, which would weaken their constitutions uf ter minate prematurely their earthly existence. Now, such a work as this, the writer flatteis himself, is to be found in this little volume, and should it be carefully read, and necessary con- sulted, and judiciously followed, it may not pre- vent the necessity of calling; a physician some- times, yet it will save that trouble and expense frequently, and where families reside at a great distance from a physician, it is indispensably VI INTRODUCTION. necessary that they should be able, at times, to doctor themselves and their families, in all com- mon attacks of disease. In prepariug these sheets, the writer has, in connection with his own knowledge and experience, availed himself of, he thinks, at least, some of the best helps within his reach, from Doctors Zenant, Bachs, Howard, Thompson, and several Indians and others, which may be mentioned in the conclu- sion, therefore he has derived much help, both in the theory and practice of medicine, and also from Dr. Clemment, and a botanic dispensatory. One great object at which the author has aim- ed in compiling this work, is utility rather than originality, and having received an education himself, and withal some twenty -five years ex- perience in the healing art, he flatters himself that he is somewhat able to select the good, from those wiiose practical knowledge has been ex- tensive in the profession, and to ofier to the pub- lic a work suitably adapted to the general use- fulness as a Sick Family Friend. He would also add, that in preparing this book he has Lad three important things in view, 1st. —The prevention of disease. INTRODUCTION. Vll 2d. — The arrest of disease when threatened by it, and 3d. — The cure of disease when once it fully fastens upon the patient. By following out the directions furnished in this volume, the author feels confident that much success will attend, with regard to the 1st and 2d, without any further medical advice, but as for the 3d, he cannot speak so confidently, because it is not so easy a matter to cure disease as may be imagined, unless the principles are carried out. Many get w r ell under the hands of physicians who are net cured, but they recover in spite of their doctors, and yet the doctors get the credit of curing them, but still the author would say, when once a dangerous disease fastens upon you, do not attempt to be your own physician, but send for the best skillful medical man you can find, the author would prefer a botanic. Safety lies in not allowing the disease to progress thus far. A stitch in time saves nine, is a common and true proverb. A dose of medicine, when threatened with disease, and a little careful nurs- ing for a day, is the stitch in time, or equally important it is to take such care of ourselves, as Vlll INTRODUCTION. to diet, exercise, etc , as will tend to prevent even any exposure to disease, in order for this in some sense, though every man may have his medieai adviser, yet he should be his own doctor, and with a little observation and applying himself to studying this little volume, may acquire a sufficient amount of knowledge of his own con- stitution, and the means by which his health may be promoted, as to be able to prescribe for himself and his family as correctly and skillfully as his medical adviser would if he were sent for, at least in all ordinary cases of indisposition. I may add, that the style of this work, so far as practical, has been rendered simple, and the words and phrases, selected with special refer- ence to the ordinary language of persons not ac customed to medical terms. The Author. GENERAL RULES FOR PRACTICE. RULE FIRST. In all complaints whatever, where you find the pulse quick, hard, full and strong, foul tongue, hot skin, and headache, or other symp- toms of an inflammatory character, the proper course is to reduce it, for which, sweat; soon after the sweat starts, give an emetic, after its opera, tion, physic, sometimes bathe and poultice the feet, and abstinence from food. RULE SECOND. If, on the other hand, the pulse be found small, soft, feeble, and intermitting, dark tongue, and general languor, the whole plan must be changed except one, give physic and warm diet mild tonics. 10 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND RULE THIRD. Let the apartments of the sick be kept well ventilated, fresh air is an important remedial agent in all diseases, but be sure to always avoid a current of air upon the patient, this last remark as much concerns the well as the sick. RULE FOURTH. By observing carefully the effect of the vari- ous articles of food upon your own health, you will learn soon what is best adapted to your na- ture ; always choose that which experience has proved to be the best for you. RULES GUIDING TO HEALTH. RULE FIRST. Persons whose muscles are weak and relaxed, ought to avoid all such things as are difficult of digestion, their diet, however, should be nour- ishing, and they should take sufficient exercise in the open air. RULE SECOND. Such as are very lull of blood should be spare- THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. 11 ing in the use of everything that is very nourish- ing, as fat meat, rich wine, strong ales, and such like; their food should chiefly consist of bread and other vegetable substances, and their drink ought to be water, buttermilk or small beer. RULE THIRD. Fat people should not eat meat at all, but should foUow a vegetable diet, their drink should be water, principally, if tea and coffee at all, very weak, much exercise and little sleep, those who are too ^ean may follow an opposite course, if their digestive organs will permit. RULE FOURTH. Such as are troubled with acidities, or whose food is apt to sour on their stomach, should cleanse their stomach and bowels often, and be regular as to their diet. RULE FIFTH. People who are afflicted with Gout. Hypo- chondriac or Hysteric disorders, ought to avoid all food that produces wind in the stomach, and everything that is hard of digestion, all salted or smoke-dried provisions, and whatever is hard 12 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. acid, or apt to turn sour upon the stomach. Their food should be light, spare, cool, and of an opening or looseniug nature. RULE SIXTH. The diet ought not only to be suited to the age and constitution, but also to the manner of life, a sedentary or studious person should live more sparingly than one who labors hard out of doors, many kinds of food will nourish a farmer well which would prove almost indigestible to a citi- zen, and the latter would live upon a diet on which a farmer would starve. RULE SEVENTH. Diet ought not to be too uniform, the constant use of one kind of food might have some bad effects ; nature teaches us this, by the great va- riety of food which she has provided for man, and likewise by giving him an appetite for dif- ferent kinds of food. RULE EIGHTH. Those who labor under any particular disease ought to regulate their diet accordingly; for ex- ample, a gouty person should not indulge in fat THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. 13 meats, strong soups, or gravies, and should avoid all acids ; one who is troubled with gravel ought to shun all sour and astringent aliments, and those who are affected with a diseased skin should be sparing in the use of fat and salted provisions, RULE NINTH. It has always been an established rule, with respect to diet, that the softer and milder kinds of food are best adapted for children, and youno* subjects generally, that for grown up people the more substantial is necessary, and with regard to old people, they should gradually, as they ad- vance towards their climax, lessen the quantity of solid food, while they increase that of the lighter kind, with more drink; this, however, should be done very gradually. RULE TENTH. It is not only necessary for health that our diet be wholesome, but also that it be taken at regular periods. Some imagine that long fast- ing will atone for excess, but this, instead of mending the matter, generally makes it worse, when the stomach and intestines are over dis- 14 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. tended with food, they lose their proper tone, and by long tasting they become weak and in- flated with wind, thus, either gluttony or fasting destroys the power of digestion. Fasting is ex- tremely hurtful to the young, it vitiates their humors, and prevents their growth, it is also dangerous for the aged. Old people, when their stomachs are empty, are frequently seized with a giddines, headache, and faintness, these com- plaints may generally be removed by a piece of bread aad a glass of wine, or taking any other solid food, which plainly points out the method of preventing them. It is more than probable that many of the sudden deaths which happen in the advanced periods of life, are occasioned by fasting too long, as it exhausts the spirits and fills the bowels with wind, persons, there- fore, in the decline of life, never ought to allow their stomachs to be too long empty. RULE ELEVENTH. When we recommend regularity in diet, we would not be understood as condemning every small deviation from it. It is next to impossi- ble for people at all times to avoid some degree 15 of excess, and living too much by rule might make even the smallest deviation dangerous. It may, therefore, be prudent to vary a little sometimes, taking more or less, and of different kinds of food and drink, provided, always, that a due regard be had to moderation. RULE TWELFTH. Having passed through with my labor as rep- resented in the introduction of this volume, without making any remarks with regard to any other practitioners, but let me here say, bleed, blister and mercury never entered into my practice, as I could not find any cases where it was required. These agents were the first of my reading medical books, after two years study, I condemned the whole of it; then read Dr. Thompson's Works, found some good things in them, but not satisfied until I had gone through with the botanic practice, which has been my en- deavor to support these twenty-five years past, but in the course of this time I have witnessed so many patent medicines, and how highly they are puffed in almost every newspaper and almanac, they ought not to pass without some notice. Did people know the ingredients of the nos- trums which they purchase, they would lose all 16 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. confidence in them. The basis of their applica- tions is usually arsenic, mercury, or some other poisonous article. It is said, most of the lozen- ges and worm preparations contain mercury, also many other remedies, highly extolled, con- tain the same deleterious article, many of the syrups and panaceas denominated vegetable, contain corrosive sublimate. Now, it appears to me, that nostrums and patent medicines ought to be ranked with the greatest evils to which our country is exposed, and one also which has not been felt the least, is the use of nostrums and patent medicines, the great number of which that are offered for sale at the present day are almost innumerable, each of which is recom- mended to be a specific for nearly or quite all of the diseases to which a human being is subject. Now it is high time the public should arise, and open their eyes and resist these gross impositions which have been the cause of many premature and untimely deaths. The honest and unsus- pecting sufferers, who are laboring under afflict- ing diseases, feeling anxious for relief, and being induced by the high recommendation attached to these drugs, and likewise being ignorant of their composition, vainly trust in them for relief the sicfi Man's Friend, if till many times their complaints advance beyond the reach of the most efficacious and judiciously applied remedy. Such cases have came under my observation several times. Did the public know the composition of these nostrums, which they certainly ought, before hazarding the appli- cation of them, they would undoubtedly detest the most of them as odious and baneful. The nostrum called Panacea, contains for its base, corrosive sublimate, upon which all its virtues and activity depend. This is a fact which has been demonstrated by the most eminent chemists. Now, corrosive sublimate is a preparation of mercury, of which, if a few grains should be taken into the stomach, it would undoubtedly produce death in a short time, if not immediate- ly counteracted. The Welch Medicamentum, of which it is said, if a person uses he will never need nor require the healing art, is nothing more nor less than a compound of tincture of Aloes^ diluted and mixed with a few aromatics, more to disguise it than to sooth its operation. The virtues of Anderson's Cough Drops depend on the Opium which they contain, also the prepar- ation sold for the cure of Dysyepsia, and which has gained considerable credit, is wholly depend- 18 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. ent on Prussic Acid for its active agency. Prus- sic Acid is a substance which, if one drop should be applied to the tongue, in its concentrated state, would produce death as quick as an elec- tric shock. Be particular, as you value your lives and health, to avoid all patent medicines of which you know not the nature nor composition, and the practising physician who uses or recom- mends to his patients these articles, only indi- rectly, acknowledges that he has no confidence in his own preparations of medicine, and his ignorance of the healing art. Pease's Hoarhound Candy, as well as most of the compounds ad- vertised, are base impositions, and I would ask what kind of a conscience can these nostrum mongers have, thus to cheat and wrong the sick out of their hard earnings? Says one, why do not the editors of papers expose such villiany ? Answer, because, no doubt, their interest is at stake. If any one wishes for a medicine that will infalliably cure every disease to which the human flesh is heir, he has only to take up the nearest paper and he will find it advertised ! The distinguished Hoffman lays down as one of his seven rules of general health: u Avoid medicine and physicians, if you value your THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. 19 health," and he might have added, the calami- tous, pernicious, and wide-spreading evil of the eternal and suicidal mania of pilling, pilling, drugging, drugging. The whole land is flooded, from Dan to "Beersheba, with quack medicines, and there is no knowing what amount of injury they inflict on a diseased community. The evil ought to be met, overcome, and destroyed, peo- ple must be convinced of the nature and effects of those compounds put into circulation for gain, and besides, there must be placed before them a judicious practice of medicine, then, if after all this, they will use nostrums, there is no hope of their reformation, let them be humbugged, what more could be done? A word to the wise is generally sufficient. A WORD TO THE WISE. As perfect health is the greatest earthly bless- ing we can enjoy, without which all other bless- ing are of little consequence, disease may be considered the consequence of the immoral con- duct of man, in deviating from a line prescribed by his Maker. The powers of life may be com- 20 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. pared to the oil in a lamp, in time they will be exhausted, they may be supported or diminished; when exhausted, death invariably closes the drama. Death from mere old age may be compared to the extinction of the light when the oil is all consumed, and death from^disease, to the blow- ing out of the light w T hen the oil is not all con- sumed, and might have burned longer. There are laws in nature by which man maj r arrive to maturity, to the summit of health and vigor, and there are laws by which his powers of life are lessened, and finally exhausted. These are the bounds which he cannot pass. O, Temperance, thou physician of the soul as well as the body, the best guardian of youth and support of old age, the goddess of health and universal medicine of life, that clears the head and cleanses the blood, that euses the stomach and strengthens the nerves, enlightens the eyes, and comforts the heart, and thereby avoids the fumes and winds to which we owe the colic and spleen, those cruelties and sharp humors that feed the scurvy and gout, and many other dis- eases ; and yet so little notion have the general- THE SICK MAN'S FKIEND, 21 ity of mankind of the virtue of temperance, that life with them is nearly one continued scene of intemperance. To what cause, so much as to in- temperance, are owing faded youth and prema- ture old age, an enervated body and an enfeebled mind, together with all that long train of diseases which the indulgence of appetite and sense have introduced into the world. Health, cheerfulness and vigor, are well-known .to be the offspring of temperance. The man of moderation culls the flowers of every allowable gratification without dwelling upon it until the flavor be lost. He tastes the sweets of every pleasure without pur- suing it till the bitter dregs rise; whereas, the man of the opposite character dips so deep as to stir up an impure and noxious sediment, which lies at the bottom of the cup. How quickly does the immoderate pursuit of carnal pleasures or the abuse of intoxicating liquors ruin the best constitutions. Indeed these vices generally go hand in hand. Hence it is that we so often be- hold the votaries of Bacchus and Venus, even before they have arrived at the prime of life, worn out with disease, and hastening with swift pace to an untimely grave. Did men reflect on the painful diseases and premature deaths which 22 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. are daily occasioned by intemperance, it would be sufficient to make them shrink back with horror from the indulgence even of their dar- ling pleasure. The innocent too often feel the direful effects of it. How many wretched or- phans are to be seen embracing dung-hills, whose parents, regardless of the future, spend in riot and drunkenness, what might have served to bring up their offspring in a decent manner ? How often do we behold the miserable mother, w T ith her helpless infants pining in want, while the cruel father is indulging his insatiate appe- tite ? ■:o:- TOBACCO. The use of tobacco has become so prevalent in this country, that a large majority either snuff, smoke or chew it. When we take into consideration the disagreeable and repulsive character of this production to the uninitiated palate, it is truly surprising that it should ever have been thought of as an article for such use at all. Many, however, are not aware of its per- THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. 23 nicious effects ; I propose, therefore, to exhibit some ot these effects in their true colors, in the hopes of inducing some to abandon those bane- ful habits. It should be understood .then, that tobacco is an actual and virulent poison. First, the chemists tell us that tobacco leaves, distilled in a retort, without addition, yields an acrid, empyreumatic, poisonous oil, seeing that a single drop of the chemical oil of tobacco, applied to the tongue of a cat. has produced violent convul- sions, and caused death in one minute, and a thread dipped in the same oil and drawn through a wound made by a needle in an animal, has killed it in seven minutes. Some of those evils we will here bring into view. As to smoking, every medical man knows that the saliva, which is so copiously drained off by the pipe, is the first and greatest agent which nature employs in digesting food; chewing likewise drains oft this liquid so necessary to digestion, who can wonder at the dizziness, the pain in the head, the faintness, the pain in the stomach, weakness, tremulousness, huskiness of the voice, disturbed sleep, nightmare, mental depression, epilepsy, and even mental derangement, of the victim of 24- THE SICK MAN 5 S FRIEiND. tobacco. It fixes its deadly grasp upon the or- gans of vitality, gradually undermining the health and sowing the seeds of disease, which are sure, sooner or later, to take root and spring up, carrying away its victim to a premature grave. It seems to act directly upon the nervous system, enfeebling, exhausting or destroying the powers of life, it diminishes the sensibility of the lining membrane of the nose, mouth and stomach, it has a direct tendency to produce dyspepsia, with all its direful train of symptoms, it is said, almost every case of cancer on the under lip are caused by the pipe. Dr. Borrhi states, that the brain of the immoderate smoker, on dissection, was found dried and shrivelled up by his excessive use of the pipe. Tobacco pro- duces a dryness or huskiness of the mouth, thus creating a thirst, which, in many cases is not satiated w T ith anything short of alcohoic drinks ; in this way the use of tobacco often lays the foundation of drunkenness. To this dark cata- logue of evils, arising from the use of tobacco, may be added the turbid nostril, the besmeared lip, the spitting of saliva imbued with this baneful narcotic, on the floor, furniture, and even upon the clothes of those around them, the foul THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. 25 and offensive breath, which, to those whose ol- factories have not been perverted by the use of narcotics, is almost insupportable, the use of to- bacco is a waste of money. The loss of time is likewise another serious evil connected with the use of tobacco, some spend three, four, five and even six hours in twenty-four in smoking. To the consumer of tobacco let me now say, desist. First, for the sake of your health, which must be materially injured, if not destroyed by it ; secondly, for the sake of your property ; thirdly, lor the sake of your time, a large por- tion of which is irreparably lost, particularly in smoking ; fourthly, for the sake of your friends, who cannot fail to be pained in your company ; fifthly, for the sake of your voice, a continuance in it will infallibly ruin it, as the nasal passages are almost obliterated by it ; sixthly, for the sake of your memory that it may be vigorous and re- tentive, and for the sake of your judgment, that it may be clear and correct to the end; lastly, for the sake of your soul, do you not think that Ood will visit you for your loss of time, waste of money, and needless self-indulgence. Have you not seen that the use of tobacco leads to drunk- 26 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. enness, do you not know that habitual smokers have the drinking vessel often at hand, and fre- quently apply to it, nor is it any wonder, for the quantity of necessary moisture which is drawn off from the mouth, etc,, by these means, must be supplied in some other way. You tremble at the thought, and well you may, for you are in great danger, may God look upon and save you before it be too late. It is with pain of heart that I am obliged to say, I have known several, who, through their immoderate attachment to the pipe, have become mere sots. There are others who are walking unconcernedly in the same dangerous road. I tremble for them. Should these lines fall into their hands, or salute their ears, may they receive it as a warning from God. Should all other arguments fail to produce a reformation in the conduct of tobacco consumers, there is one which is addressed to good breeding and benevolence, which for the sake of politeness and humanity, should prevail. Consider how disagreeable your custom is to those who do not follow it, an atmosphere of tobacco effluvia sur- rounds you whithersoever you go, every article THE SICK MAN^S FRIEND 27 about you smells of it, your apartments, your clothes, and even your very breath; nor is there a smell in nature more disagreeable than that of stale tobacco, arising in warm exhalations from the human body, rendered still more offensive by passing through the pores, and becoming strong- ly impregnated with that noxious matter which was before insensibly perspired. Consider what pain your friends may be pat to in standing near you, in order to consult yoii on some impor- tant business, or to be improved by your conver- sation, in the black stinking fume thereof, nearest resembling the horrible Stygian smoke of the pit that is bottomless. :o:- FEVERS IN GENERAL. Of all the morbid affections of which the hu- man body is susceptible, fever is the most im- portant^ ecause the most common and most fa- tal disease with which we meet. Some diseases are always accompanied by fever, others are not always attended by it, but in those which are 28 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. not we must be prepared tor it if it should make its appearance. By the presence or absence of fever all our plans of treatment are regulated, and by the degrees ot its violence we are enabled to estimate the danger in each particular case. When a person is suddenly seized with shiver- ings or rigors, followed by a hot skin, a quick pulse, thirst, loss of appetite, uneasiness, and a feeling of general languor and lassitude, he is said to have an attack of fever. As before ob- served, shivering or chilliness is the first symp- tom of tever, and though sometimes very slight, it is, perhaps, that is never wanting. In some cases the rigors or cold chills are so violent as to make the teeth chatter, and the patient com- plains bitterly of cold, his limbs tremble, the features shrink, and the skin is contracted, pale, and rough to the touch, there is generally a pain in the back, head and limbs, with tightness across the breast, sometimes a sensation is felt as though cold water is running down the back. The chills subside by degrees, and are succeeded by a heat of the body much greater than the natural warmth, the color of the skin returns, the cheeks become flushed, the eyes are suffused, THE sick man's friend. 29 and the features generally appear fuller than in health, this is called the hot stage of fever, as in the case of ague, goes off in an hour or two commonly, or may continue longer, as in com- mon continued fever ; after the hot stage has subsided, the swelling stage commences, the breathing becomes free and easy, the pulse soft- er, and the urine after standing a while, depos- its a sediment at the bottom which is generally the color of brick dust, sometimes yellow, and the patient left free from pain, but much wearied, yet subject to the returns of all the symptoms of uncertain continuance and severity. The above are the most prominent symptoms of fever. I have thought them sufficient at pres- ent, as I shall have to notice the more minute derangements of the animal functions, when treating of individual diseases, but here permit me to say that the symqtoms vary in the same lever on different individuals, and on the same person in different places and under different circumstances. You will ask then, perhaps, how shall we proceed under so many circumstan- ces ? i answer, there is nothing more easy, if we remember one thing, and that is, that the 30 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. same symptoms, wherever we find them, always require the very same treatment. You prescribe for a name, but to watch the symptoms, to treat the symptoms and nothing but the symptoms* Fever is an increased action of the heart and ar- teries, to expel from the system irritating matter, or to bring about a healthy action. It is some- times fatal, but this is rather to be attributed to the fault of the constitution than the disesae itself, or rather to the want of proper remedies. The plan of cure followed by the East Indians in fevers, where they cure the intermittent fever in one single day, this has been my course for years past, when called at the commencement of the disease, namely, by sweating, vomiting, pur- ging. All those that follow the same course, I think will have the same successs. As much speculation as there is respecting the nature of fever, we think there is no complaint that is more easily understood as regards causes, symptoms and treatment. THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. 31 YELLOW FEVER. The Yellow Fever is, by some, considered as only a more intense form or higher degree of re- mittent lever, whilst others regard it as a distinct variety, or even species of fever. This fever makes its attack with a diversity of appearances and symptoms, some of which are common to all fevers, and others peculiar to itself; occasion- ally the symptoms are very mild, but more com- monly they are violent and distressing from the beginning, the heat of the skin, and pain in the head and limbs, usually increase during the first thirty-six hours, and then gradually decrease for the same length of time, so that at the end of seventy two hours, the patient is sometimes en- tirely free from all symptoms of the disease, and a speedy recovery takes place, but more com- monly there is only a short and partial remission, which in a few hours is followed by a far more distressing train of symptoms, particularly a burning sensation in the stomach, accompanied with almost constant sickness and straining to vomit, the pulse now becomes small, quick and 32 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. irregular, the stomach painful on pressure, and generally a costive state of the bowels ; these symptoms, if not relieved by proper means, con- tinning to increase, are, in a short time, succeed- ed by a cessation of pain and fever, and a vom- iting of a flaky, dark colored matter resembling coffee grounds, or a mixture of soot and water, this matter, which is called the black vomit, is usually thrown up at short intervals, and appears to contain more fluid than has been drank. In this stage of the disease, during the intervals from vomiting, the patient feels so much ease that he imagines himself out of danger, and con- verses quite freely, though often incoherently, sometimes getting out of bed and walking the room, but is soon exhausted, and obliged to lie down, convulsions or lethargy generally follow these exertions, and the scene is quickly closed by the curtain of death. The symptoms which distinguish this fever from every other that has appeared in this country, are the suddenness of the attack, commencing in most cases without any preceding lassitude or indisposition, the red* ness of the eyes and flushing of the face, and the long continued paroxysm, being generally thirty- THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. 33 six hours before any abatement takes place, to this may be added, the new and severe train of symptoms which soon follow the remission, the golden yellow color of the skin and the black vomit, in some instances, however, instead of the black vomiting, the patient becomes sleepy, and dies without a struggle, while in others, putrid symptoms of a most virulent character occur, and bleeding takes place from the nose, mouth > eyes, ears or bowels, &c. -:o:- TREATMENT. The only safe treatment is stimulation, the first step is to clear the stomach by an emetic, the second the bowels by a brisk purgative, the third to promote a copious perspiration as soon as possible, the sweating powders, assisted by hot bone-set tea are indispensable. The stomach in this complaint, is in a very irritable and mor- bid state, in consequence of a secretion of acrid, vitiated bile from the liver, probably an acid of a peculiar nature is generated, it therefore be- 34 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. comes necessary to use the most prompt means to bring about a healthy state of these organs. Emetics have been given by almost all practi- tioners, by reason of the extreme irritability which exists, and that, too, very justly, except an opportuuity offers to prescribe before this state of the stomach appears, previous to which a vegetable emetic may be given with safety and advantage, it will have a tendency to mitigate the violence of the disease, ;,and act favorably upon the liver. It is indispenably necessary in any stage of this fever, to administer a brisk purgative, the same kind may be given as direct- ed in the preceding disease, viz: the common anti-bilious physic. "When the stomach is over- loaded with bilious matter it often acts as a mild emetic, then as a cathartic, evacuating the stomach and the first passages thoroughly, and exerting a healthy action upon the liver and the whole alimentary canal. These purgatives re- lieve the head, lessen the fever, and in every respect improve the condition of the patient. The whole surface, as early as possible, must be thoroughly bathed with a wash of vinegar, cay- enne pepper, salt, and a very little water, if the THE SICK MAN'S FJRIEND. 35 vinegar be strong, bathe atleast every two hours through the day and night, if the patient does not sleep, or as often as the fever increases ; this will have a remarkable effect in allaying the fe- brile excitement. The transition from pain to relief, by this application, is truly surprising, not only in this but in all febrile diseases. Bone- set is also a very valuable remedy in yellow fe- ver. Make a strong tea of boneset, two quarts, add half pint of good brandy, the whole to be taken as soon as possible, and as warm as can be borne ; this, from its action upon all the ex- cretions, stomach, skin, etc.; this soon arrests the disease, and soon recovery may, with safety be looked for. The VVest Indians have no terror of contagion, they neither speak of or heed its im- portation, they know its true cause, and call yel- low fever the highest grade of indigenous bilious fevers among them. They have already, in most of the islands, rendered its effect mild and man- ageable, to a great extent among themselves, and may, by this simple practice, within reach of everybody, ultimately neutralize its conse- quences, perhaps to its final melioration. The great danger in all diseases is the application of 60 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. too much art, interrupting the efforts of nature. :o: Intermittent Fever, Fever and Ague or Chill and Fever. This appellation is applied to that kind oi fever which consists of a succession of paroxysms or fever, between each of which there is a distinct and perfect intermission from febrile symptoms. Different names have been applied to this fever, accoi ding to the distance of time observed be- tween the periods of its return, as first, second, third and fourth day ague. We shall divide this disease into three stages, viz : — 1st. The Cold stage. 2d. The Hot stage. 3d. The Sweating stage. Intermitting Fever generally begins with pain in the head and loins, weariness of the limbs, coldness of the extremities, stretching, yawning, with, sometimes, great sickness and vomiting, to which succeed shivering and vio- lent shaking, respiration is short and anxious, frequently delirious hot stage after the shivering; the heat of the body returns, then hot flushes THE SICK MA^S FRIEND 37 soon bring on dry and burning heat, much above the natural standard, the skin, which was pale, becomes now swollen, tense and red, and tender to the touch; the sensibility in the cold stage is now very acute ; pains attack the head, and fly- ing pains are felt over various parts of the body, the pulse is quick, strong and hard, the tongue white, thirst great, and the urine high colored ; then comes on the sweating stage, a moisture soon comes on the face and oeek, which soon covers the whole body, the heat falls to its com- mon standard, the puke soon becomes full and free, the urine deposits a sediment, the bowels are no longer confined, sweating is free and full, all the functions are restored to their natural or- der. After a space of time the paroxysm returns and performs successional revolutions. Some times, in this fever, there is more or less deli- rium. The cure of the Fever arid Ague, Chill and Fever, is very easily and quickly done. Take 2 scruples sulphate quinine, ^ ounce pul- verized Cayenne, 25 drops oil vitriol 30 drops -spirits turpentine, put in a bottle, add three half pints soft water, shake well. 38 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. DOSE. — One table spoonful three times a day, to be continued until all is used. It will stop, in most cases, the first dose taken, there may be, at the time for the next shake, some little symp- toms felt, but no more. If the stomach is foul take physia Where a person has had this dis- ease long, he must be recruited with the Wine Bitters, according to directions. -:o:- REMITTENT FEVER. By a Remittent Fever is to be understood that modification of fever which abates, but does not go entirely off before a fresh attack comes on, or, in other words, where one paroxysm follows another so quickly that the patient is never without some degree of fever. -:o:- CAUSES, Remittent fever is mostly induced as well as remittent by stagnant water, decaying remains 39 of animal and vegetable substances. It is very common on the borders of our great lakes, and on the rivers in the Western and South-Western sections of our country ; in warm climates, low marshes, dead-water, &c, these types of fever prevail epidemically. TREATMENT. This fever may be broken up on the first by s seating, vomiting and purging, but if the fever has got settled it will not do. Give an emetic or cathartic, aud the botanic Dover Powders, one- eighth of a level teaspoonful once in two hours if the fever is very high, if not, once in four hours, half-way between give a powder of qui- nine and carbonate of ammonia, mix together . Sweet Balsam tea for drink. -:o:- SCARLET FEVER. This fever receives its name from the scarlet color and eruptions which appear on the body. It occurs at all seasons of the year, but general- 40 THE SICK MAN'S FRlENt?. ly in the fall or beginning of winter. It often seizes whole families, but children and yonng persons are more subject to it. The scarlet fe- ver commences with a chill and shivering like other kinds of fever, with nausea and often vom- iting, great sickness, succeeded by heat, thirst and headache, in a very mild degree, at others more violent, pulse and breathing quick, the eyes red and eyelids swollen. In two or three days the flesh begins to swell, a pricking sensa- tion is felt, and an eruption appears on the body in the form of a red stain or blotch, or rather of a fiery redness. It usually appears first on face, breast and arms, then over the whole body, of a uniform red color. The scarlet fever may be known from the measles by the eruptions of the former being more of a fiery redness, and cover- ing the whole body, and not as in measles, in distinct spots. Sweating medicines will be found useful in the commencement of this fever, so will the emetics. At the commencement of the fever purgatives are highly necessary, give the Dover powders and sweet balsam tea. "Wash the pa- tient often with vinegar, salt and water or with THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND, 41 lye-water ; be careful that the patient does not take cold, to bring on a relapse, it will be wel* to stay in the house for a week or two. — :o: INFANTILE REMITTENT FEVER, This fever is mostly confined to children from one to six years old. It is very slow manifesting itself, by irregularity, sometimes costiveness, at other times by relaxation of the bowels. On its appearance the child is fretful, lips dry, hands hot, breath short, head painful, pulse quick, be- ing often to 120 in a minute, unwilling to stir or speak, starting in its sleep, rejects food, some- times very little is discharged by stool, at others too much, the stools being mucous or slimy* Some children are deiirious, or lost and stupid, some, for a time, are speechless. In the course of the day some slight fever, the child is drowsy ; at times the patient feels is anti- bilious purgative, a heaping teaspoonful with two of sugar, put in a tea cup, fill one- third full of boiling water, stir, let stand till 44 Me sick man's FRtE^iD. cool, stir, take all. In ten or fifteen minuted take a cup of warm tea, keep warm- in bed. If it does not move the bowels in two hours give another, till the stomach and belly are well un* loaded of their filthy contents, after this give the strengthening powder and Dover powders, according to the severity of the case. If there is very high fever give the Dover once in two hours, if not, four hours, half-way between give the strengthening powder, continue these pow- ders until the fever has left. For drink, sweet balsam tea, as much as the patient wants to sat- isfy thirst; neither give or show food to the pa- tient until the appetite returns. Those powders and tea will support the patient without any- thing else, you will with this treatment feed out the fever in about four days. The above medi- cine will keep the patient's strength up, so that he will be about as strong as he was before, when well. * :o: ■— - SIMPLE CONTINUED FEVEfi. This fever was formerly called long fever, a sort of inflammatory, typhoid, or putrid symp- THE SICK MAN'S FRIEffD. 45 toms, constitutes simple continued fever. What- soever has a tendency to debilitate the system may act as a cause of continued fever. This fever, taken in 'the commencement, by sweating, vomiting and purging, will be broken up at once, at least in 99 cases out of 100; if not, treat the same as in inflammatory fever. N. B. — In all kinds ot fever the patient should be washed with a solution of vinegar, water and salt, a little warm, wash three or four times a day, give the Dover's powders in sufficient quan- tity to keep up a little moisture on the surface. By so doing the disease is thrown out ; by wash- ing often it hastens out and off the fever, the patient soon gets well. -:o:- NERVOUS FEVER. This is also called long fever, slow, mild and typhus fever. The word typhus is derived from a Greek word, which signifies stupor, this being the characteristic symptom of the disease. This fever usually commences with a great degree of mildness in all its symptoms. It is generally 46 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. preceded by slight indisposition for some days, succeeded by rigors or chills, debility, sighing and oppression in breathing, with nausea and loss of appetite, with an unpleasant, uneasy sensation in the pit of the stomach, the coun- tenance is pale and dejected, the eyes are dull and heavy, and there is tremor of the extremi- ties, sense of weariness. Toward evening there is some increase of these symptoms, if permitted to run, not being broken up at first. In the course of a few days, as the disease advances, there is oppression in the chest, urine high col- ored, confusion in the intellect, and great depres- sion of nervous energy, the tongue is dry at first, white coated, the pulse is generally, as I have found it, from fifty -five to seventy-five per min- ute ; this nervous fever, I have had a good many cases of, and have found but one course of treat- ment necessary, that is, administer hot bone-set tea, the patient will soon be in a good sweat, continue the tea until the patient vomits freely, after which, give purges to cleanse the bowels, to your surprise the patient is well the next day, but if the fever is seated, feed it out as recom- mended above, Dover powders, strengthening THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. 47 powders for the kidneys, to regulate the high colored water, the diuretic drops, one teaspoon- ful twice a day ; not only in this complaint, but in every case where the water is not of the reg- ular color. Those drops will mend the broken back that so many complain of while laboring under those fevers. I never urge food in fevers, it only protracts the tever. Of the number of cases under my treatment for the nervous fever, they are well about the fifth day, one case, the longest, was seven days. To such as follow my course will be pretty likely to meet with the same success. PUTRID MALIGNANT FEVER. This fever commences very suddenly, the patient complains of cold bitterly, soon of pain in the head, back, and the extremities, the chills are severe, the eyes appear full, heavy and yel- lowish, some inflamed, the tongue is dry and parched, breathing hard and interrupted with deep sighs, breath hot and offensive, pulse runs 48 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. to 100 and often to 130 in a minute, the patient in an hour or so is so delirious that it is difficult to understand him, and soon becomes almost en- tirely unconscious. The malignant fever is adapted to the cold climate, the putrid to warm climates. Malignant fever made its appearance in Wes- tern New York about 1861 or 1862. A man got a bag of rye ground for bread, his son, a young man 20 years of age came home, they all ate of the bread, the young man was soon taken sick, a doctor was sent for, and on seeing the patient, called for counsel,decided it poison from rye. Other doctors visited for information, but universally decided it to be poison. I think the fourth day the young man died, soon the lady, next the man, all three died. The rye was fed to the pig, hens and dog, but it did not poison them. In the course of one week there was an- other case four miles from there which died in a few days, same disease, ate no rye. In a week or so my grandson was home with his mother on a visit, a boy seven years old, he was taken the same as others, complained, and had all the symptoms as described above. Having had this THE SICK MAN 5 S FRIEND. 49 disease to treat in other places, I knew what to do. I did not see either of those that died. -:o:- TREATMENT. First gave hot bone-set tea till the sweat start- ed, with that he vomited, soon as vomiting was over, a rounded tea spoonful of Kheubarb, the same of cream tartar, one-third as much pearl soda mixed in a cup one-fourth full of cold water and gave at a dose. This emptied the stomach and bowels of all their morbid matter. It pass- ed and the disease went with it, the boy was free from the disease in one day. I have done the same to others. If this fever is not routed immediately it will prove fatal. It is contagious though, with proper care, it may be prevented. One good preventive is to cleanse the stomach and bowels every month. When symptoms of putrefaction occur, let good yeast be given free- ly, brewer's yeast is preferable, if it can be pro- cured. A wine glass full may be given every three hours through the day, in order to aid the process of sweating, and consequently to abate 50 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. the febrile symptoms. Let the whole surface be thoroughly and repeatedly bathed with rinegar, water and salt, or tepid lye water. The happy and permanent effects of this practice, the aston- ishing power that it possesses to arrest and des- troy fevers of every grade, can only be known by those who have experienced it. It seems al- most capable at once of snatching the victim from the grave, it lowers the pulse, diminishes arterial excitement, removes pain, tension and congestion, equalizes the circulation, quenches thirst, procures rest and sleep, and, in short, is one of the best anti-febrile remedies which we possess. The examinations of those w T ho have died of fever, particularly of putrid malignant, in different parts of the world, show that the gall-bladder, and sometimes the first passages, are in a very congestive or morbid condition, and sometimes the spleen. A black and fetid fluid, resembling tar or coffee grounds is found secreted by the liver, which proves the necessity of resorting to prompt means in order to excite a healthy action of the secretions, or otherwise the system is in danger of sinking under the prostrating power of febrile poison, and it is, no THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. 51 doubt, owing to this poison that the intestines and contiguous organs are so frequently found inflamed and ulcerated. This state points out the advantage of giving freely ol yeast, and slippery elm bark, especially in advanced stages of the disease, as well as the treatment already recommended in the first stages. ■:o:- PUERPERAL FEVER. This is a disease peculiar to women after de- livery. It is supposed to occasion the death of one-half who die in child-bed, This fever com- mences with rigor or chills, followed by great heat, ends in perspiration, the symptoms by which it is always accompanied, are pain in the region of the womb, is generally attended with pains resembling after pains, but have no inter- mission as they always have. The pulse rises after a while to 130 and 160 in a minute. In the cure of this disease, first subdue the inflam- matory symptoms, to effect this, sweating and purging are the two best and safest remedies to 52 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND, be relied on. The sweating powders may be given every two hours until free perspiration is produced. Purgatives are important in reduc- ing this fever. The anti-bilious powder or rheu- barb, cream tartar and soda, and repeat once a day. If vomiting takes place, give the settling powder, made thus : One teaspoonful oi rheu- bard, one of cream tartar, one half soda, with one-third of a tea cup of cold water, stir. Dose one teaspoonful every eight or ten minutes, but drink no cold water after vomiting, if you do you cannot stop it. This powder, given in the manner directed stops vomiting in all eases, but all taken at once makes a good purgative. To ease soreness and swelling of the bowels, make use of fomentations, bitter herbs steeped in hot water well salted, applied as warm as the patient can bear, heat over as soon as cool. This disease is contagious among puerperal women, or in hospitals. All communication ought to be cut off between those that are affected and such as have been confined or expect shortly to be so* THE StCK MAN^ FRIEND, 53 Chronic Inflammation of the Bronchia, This is often the result of acute bronchitis. It is a complaint which has become very common., Those afflicted with it find a loss of appetite, hearty food produces an awful distress at the pit of the stomach, troubled with lame back across the kidneys, urine scanty and red, bad cough and gagging on rising from bed. If the patient can raise a spoonful or two of white, frothy mucus, which resembles the white of an egg, he is generally free from cough till the next morning. -:o:- TREATMENL In the treatment of bronchitis, first an emetic as soon as out of bed in the morning. Mix equal parts of lobelia and blood-root. Dose, 1 tablespoonful of this will bring up the mucus and relieve the cough ; apply the anodyde plas- ter to the pit of the stomach, one on the leftside where the sore spot is, on the back ; keep out of 64 the cold, wear flannel, be careful not to lift bard* In this complaint much depends on the diet, let the food be light and easy to digest, fat meat, butter and salt are hurtful. The patient may eat skimmed milk, with Indian bread and pud- ding, for drink, barley coffee ; no flour, in any shape should be used, as it is hurtful. If the bowels are not gently loose, take physic to keep them so. The anodyne plaster you find in the formula or receipts. -:o:- COLDS AND COUGHS, Colds and coughs should be attended to, they are the first steps leading to consumption. See Cough Drops in the receipts. INFLAMMATION OF THE EAR. This is an inflammation of the membranous well, furnished with nerves which are spread upon the internal surface of the ears, pain very THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND, 55 great. If too severe, take hops, vinegar and water, simmer together, enclose the hops in a bag, apply them to the ear, continue the same till the pain subsides ; let the feet be bathed in warm water, if this fails, give an anodyne. If these fail, cut a stick of green hickory or walnut, place it to the fire, set a cup at each end to catch the sap ; by dropping into the ear occa- sionally it is said to be a sure cure. This is the Indian cure, it is well worth a trial. -:o:~ MUMPS, This is an inflammation of the glands situated at the corner of the jaw, just under the ear. It runs its course, one week ; it is contagious. The mumps seldom require medical treatment, but confinement to the house, warm fomentations and a dose of salts or other physic are all that is generally necessary in ordinary cases. Beware of taking cold, if the testicles become affected use fomentations to the parts, 56 THE SICK MAN'S FKIEKD. CROUP. Croup is an inflammation of the lower pat-t of the windpipe, and is mostly prevalent among children ; they are most liable to it between the first and fifth year of life, sometimes later. Cure. — I have always given, soon aspossible^ a lobelia emetic, made thus: one-half teaspoon- full of the seeds and pods, one-halt teaspoon- full blood-root, pulverized, add three tablespoons- full of hot water, stir; when cool, give one tea spoon full every six or eight minutes till the child vomits well, at the same time spread goose oil or lard on cloth, cover with scotch snuff, ap- ply to the throat. :o:- Quinsy, or Inflammatory Sore Throat. This is an inflammation of the throat, affecting especially the glands called the tonsil glands, and spreading, in many instances, to the palate, tongue and nose. It usually runs its course in six or eight days. This is not considered a dig- THE sick man's friend. 57 ease of much danger generally, yet it was that which deprived not only the United States, but the world, of its brightest ornament — George Washington — and thousands of others. In the incipient stages of quinsy, it is best to give an emetic, this often affords immediate relief. If the attack is very severe, and continues, the pa- tient should steam the throat with bitter herbs, wormwood, hops, catnip, equal parts, with vine- gar and rain water, boil one or two hours, put these into some convenient vessel, cover with a funnel, then let the patient inhale the steam for fifteen or twenty minutes each time, to be repeat- ed every two hours until the urgent symptoms are removed ; the herbs may be bound on the neck, this generally gives immediate relief. The quinsy liniment must now be applied to the throat. Take sweet or olive oil, hartshorn, cam- phor, mix, warm, bathe frequently, wear a piece of flannel around the neck. It will be well to gargle the throat with a gargle of vinegar, water and salt, sweetened with honey or molasses, fre- quently. Use the gargle, then administer a purgative. This is good in all diseases to cleanse the system, to carry off all that remains, so that 58 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. there is none of the relics of the disease left. By close attention to keep the stomach cleansed* is a good preventive against disease. -:o:- ASTHMA. This disease is an affection of the lungs or the bronchial vessels, generally of a spasmodic na- ture, that occurs in paroxysms which take place usually at night, but more particularly the spas- modic, is brought on by almost everything which increases the action of the heart, and which stimulates and fills the vessels of the mucus membrane, or congestion of blood, or of serious humors in the lungs, noxious vapors arising from a decomposition of lead or arsenic, impure air, cold and foggy atmosphere, as asthma having once taken place it is apt to return periodically. To cure this complaint, many have prescribed a variety of medicines. Some are good, but I will only notice such as have come under my hand. Some twenty years ago, in Windsor, Vt., I made the following prescription for Isaac Gates, he had the asthma for fifteen years, did no work THE SICK MAN ? S FRIEND. 59 at all, he was then very low. I gave fir balsam bark, say a piece two or three inches square, to lay on a shovel or pan of live coals, the outside down, which soon began to sraoke ; then to open his mouth, to inhale the smoke as long as he could bear it, and to continue this three or four times a day, and once a day a light emetic of lobelia, these were the only medicines used. I did not see him again for ten or twelve years, he informed me that his health was then restored, and had been ever since. A young man forty miles north of that place had the asthma, sever- al doctors attended him until they gave him up to die, for the consumption, theysaid, had set in and there was no hope of recovery, he used the bark, and inhaled so much the first time that it put him in such distress for a few moments that he thought he must say good bye, but vomiting soon took place, he raised one quart of bad stinking matter, then he felt relieved, and soon gained his health. Another cure recommended and tried by some that informed me of it, is to take pine turpentine, five table spoons full, fresh hogs lard, five table spoons full, warm, mix into this as much of the best loaf sugar as you can. 60 Dose. — A piece about the size of a chestnut three times a day has effected a cure. Try it. Inflammation of the Lungs. This disease attacks all classes, and is extreme- ly prevalent. It attacks principally those of a robust constitution and plethoric habits. My course in this disease, which terminates with good success is, first give a light emetic, then bathe the head, neck and breast with heat- ed camphor spirits as hot as the patient can bear for ten minutes then cover the neck and breast with flannel for a few minutes, bathe again, and so on till the inflammation subsides ; after give physic and occasionally an emetic. I have al- ways succeeded with this treatment. All local inflammations are to be treated as described in the above, with hot camphor spirits. PLEURISY. Pleurisy is to be treated w T ith pleurisy root tea, strong, and drank freely, then a portion of THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND, 61 our anti-bilious physic, or some other may be given to cleanse the stomach and bowels. I sometimes administer a tea spoon full of hot drops, if the tea does not allay the pain. CONSUMPTION. The causes which produce this affecting mal- ady are, bleeding of the lungs, catarrh, asthma, and tubercles, the last of which is by far the most general. Intemperance in living, and folly of dress, serves to cause this disease ; this dress, tight lacing, till a female can hardly stoop or breathe, one minute in a heated ball room, or in a crowd in a state of perspiration, the next in extreme cold air ; a cough follows, next the hasty consumption. This disease is so well understood it does not require a very extensive catalogue of descriptions and causes, the cure is what the sick are after. TREATMENT. fc'or the cure of consumption I give a light 62 THE SICK MAN'S FftlEND. emetic, for the cough, cough drops ; to brace up the stomach and system in general, the wine bitters. These you will find in the recipes in this work. Take two new layed fresh eggs, with the shells on ; put into one quart of good cider vinegar, let them stand forty-eight hours, then add three pounds of good strained honey. Mix. Dose, one table spoon full three times a day. It will be best to commence with one-half spoonful and in- crease the dose as the stomach will bear. I have cured several with these medicines, they are considered the best in the world. PALPITATION OF THE HEART. Use the palpitation pills, made thus: The yolk of one hen's egg, the same bulk of rock soot, same of black pepper, wet with vinegar, make into pills. Dose, one in the morning, two at night. THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND 63 LIVER COMPLAINT. The most common symptom in liver complaint is a grin n pain in the back near the shoulder blades, another at the stomach, sometimes at the right or left side, some have this at the pit of the stomach, it is owing to what part of the the liver is is affected ; it is sometimes soreness between the neck and point of the shoulder, eyes sunken, with a dark circle surrounding them, and costiveness, a person cannot sleep on one side as well as the other. The above are the most prominent feelings in this disease. CURE. Take one-half ounce pulverized rheubarb, one tea spoon full cream tartar, half pint brandy, put together, shake. Dose, one table spoon full soon as you rise in the morning, continue this until it is all used. If costive shake it up, if not pour off clear. When this is all used, on the last 64 day, take four table spoons full of pulverized sage, two spoons full of rock soot, taken from a stone chimney, pulverized, put into a conveni- ent vessel, pour on one pint boiling water ; this is ready for the next morning soon as up. Dose, one and a half table spoons full with the yolk of an egg* Take this for three mornings, then omit three mornings, then commence again, three, omit three, and so on until you have taken nine e The first washes and cleanses the liver, he last heals it; this I have witnessed in post mortem examinations. In the last twenty years I have had not less than from fifteen to seventeen hun- dreds of patients, sufferiug from this complaint, and not one failure in all that number. It is- well to take some physic, say once in four or five days after you commence the second medicine, to carry off the offensive matter. -:o: DELIRIUM TREMENS, This disease occurs very often in these days THE SICK MA& ? S FiilE&b. 65 amorig those who are addicted to an excessive use of ardent spirits, and such as indulge in the use of opium and other narcotics. It presents itself by trembling of the hands or whole frame, sleepiness, delusions of sight, talks wild and sometimes raves, and offers violence to himself and others. It is very dangerous, if not cured it rims its course in four or five days, and some- times ends in a fatal epileptic fit. These are pretty nice cases to administer for, but it can be done. I have given a dose of hot drops which set the patient singing for an hour, then went to sleep through the night, walked about the next day, and recovered. If vomiting occurs, give the settling powder, take one half tea spoon full of rheubarb, one half of cream tartar^ and one fourth soda with three table spoons full of cold water, mix, give one tea spoon full every five minutes, to allay vomiting. If this does not stop it give a large portion of the anti-bilious physic, as in the formula. Sometimes it cannot be done without physic, if you give an emetic, it should be mixed with the same kind of spirits that the patient has been in the habit of taking* Where there is too much wakefulness, give a 66 tHE SiCiC MAN^S FItiENfr., common sized pill of opium once in two of three hours till sleep is procured, :o:- FLATULENT COLIC. Violent pains in the stomach, caused by eating unripe fruit, windy vegetables, and substances that disagree with the stomach. For this a physic is a good cure ; when the wind comes up shut the mouth, let it up then swallow it back, continue this, it will cure and stay cured, simple as it is. -:o:- MELANCHOLY. This disease is a low kind of delirium, with some fever, attended with fear, heaviness and sorrow, without any apparent occasion ; it is sometimes produced by gloomy and fanatical notions of religion, in some cases the feelings are so miserable that the patient seeks anoppor* tunity of putting an end to them by terminating his existence. To the above might be added a multitude of causes. In the treatment of this disease, first give one tea spoon full of anodyne drops, take one part tincture of bever castor, one ME SICK MAN 5 S FRIEND, 6? part tincture of assafoetida, one part paregoric, half part spirits camphor. Dose, one tea spoon ful, if this does not quiet in thirty minutes give two more, then the patient will be pretty likely to get some sleep ; after sleeping give a portion of the anti-bilious physic. At any time that the patient feels wild give the anodyne drops, also the wine bitters to strengthen the system, above all means the patient should have lively company. With this course of treatment I kept my wife quite comfortable for five years, then paralytic fits closed the scene with her. Some patients do not live more than a week* HYSTERICS. This disease is mostly adapted to females. It generally shows itself by causing the patient to laugh and cry without any visible cause ; it may be produced by various causes. In such cases, as soon as possible give an emetic. I have known several persons cured with one single dose of medicine, that is, take the scab from a 68 horses leg, steep it in spirits, and when the pa-^ tient is raving or quiet, give one tablk spoon full and there will be no more trouble. :o:- PALSY. This disease affects the nervous system by a loss of motion or feeling, or both, in one or more parts of the body* It may arise by an attack of apoplexy, in short, whatever tends to relax and enervate the system may likewise prove an occasional cause of this disease. For the last fifteen years my treatment in this disease has been as follows : The wine bitters and occasionally physic \ oil every mouthful of food, either grated horse radish, or mustard mixed with vinegar. I had a young lady brought to my house to be doctored, her right side was so she could walk some, but had no use of her right hand, in fact the whole of the right side from the top of her head to the feet was of but little use to her. I thought of electricity, every evening we took off our shoes and stockings, one THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. 69 placing their foot on the foot of the other, then crossing our wrists press the hollow of our hands together, in half a minute there would be a shock, in my right arm, in half a minute more she would look at her arm and say, that side feels like the other. In three weeks and four days she went home well. This is the course I intend to follow. -:o:- CRAMP IN THE STOMACH, This is a violent spasmodic pain in the stom- ach, so severe as to nearly occasion fainting. It is a disease that attacks people very suddenly, and it is very dangerous, it requires immediate attention. The best medicine is to give one tea spoonful of the hot drops ; if this does not do give again till it stops/ Feeble persons recruit with wine bitters. -:o:- HEARTBURN. This is not a disease of the heart, but an un- easy sensation or acrimony about the pit of the 70 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. stomach. For this disease carbonate of mag- nesia is good ; a mild emetic followed by phy- sic, but my remedy is to take a piece of alum about the size of a pea, chew it and swallow, it very soon gives relief. -:o:- VOMITING. When occasioned by too much food, an emet- ic is to be administered to partly unload the stomach, but all cases of vomiting, from what- ever cause, can be stopped in a short time with the settling powders, rheubarb, cream tartar, one tea spoon full each, one half tea spoon full soda, five spoony full cold water, mix. Dose, one tea 6poon full once in six or eight minutes, but no cold water or drink to be taken after. I have succeeded with this remedy for twenty years, and only failed in one case, that case was where a man had used whisky for a number of years, and kept just about so far gone all the time. I was called in the morning, gave the usual remedy but it did not affect. About noon I administered a dose of anti-bilious physic THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. 71 which moved the bowels, the same looking mat- ter went down as had come up, the man soon recovered. •:o:- BLEEDING AT THE NOSE. I have frequently stopped by applying cold water to the nape of the neck and head, but when this would not do, take some tow hetcheled from flax, scorched brown, draw out and wet in strong vinegar, put around the neck. It will dry in one or two minutes, wet it aguin. -:o: CANKER THRUSH, OR SORE MOUTH. This is a very troublesome disease ; canker presents itself in many diseases, canker rash, sores, nursing ; sore mouth, &c. For this disease, use the canker powder, pre- pared thus : Take a piece of steel, heat it about cherry red, then hold on it a piece of roll brim- stone which will soon begin to melt, let it run 72 THE SICK MAN^S FRIEND. oft' into a dish of cold water, take it out, let it dry, powder it fine, apply it by sprinkling on the parts affected. If the throat and stomach is cankered, place some in the mouth, and rinse it down with some tea or water . I have had many of my patients say that canker could not stay where this powder was. I use this powder in all cases of canker, nothing can be better. :o:- Summer Complaint, Dysentery or Diarrhea. Inasmuch as all of these complaints are so much alike, it is deemed unnecessary to make any distinctions between the different names, in- asmuch as one name will cure either or all of them. To be sure, there are many medicines which may be used that are good, but to give a long history of them would be useless, as there is one that never fails in either case. Cure. — Take choke cherries, fill a bottle near- ly full, then fill it with any kind of spirits, let it stand to get the strength of the cherries, to this extract add one half as much paregoric. Dose, THE SICK MAN 5 S FRIEND. 73 one table spoonfull, after which a person is apt to be very thirsty, but it will not do to take any kind of drink whatever. Should there be move- ments of the bowels in half an hour, take one half spoonfull more, till it is completely checked; it seldom requires more than the first dose. In chronic cases do not take more than one tea spoonful at a time, repeat once in two or three hours, as it will not answer to check it at once, it may produce a fever. Where the cherries cannot be procured take bark, steep in water till quite strong, add paregoric as above. Involuntary Discharge of Urine, or Diabetes. This disease is well known by the large quan- tities of urine, and often involuntary discharges of it. Both old and young children that wet the bed several times in the course of the night may be very easily cured. A cure of this dis- ease may be expected by the following : Take two ounces red rose willow bark, two ounces of the inner bark of red beech, put into a bottle, add one quart of wine. Dose, one tablespoon- 74 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. full three times a day. Where the patient is reduced very low, strengthen with the wine bit- ters. I have restored a great many with it. :o:- Whites, or Fluor Albus, (Leucorrhea.) We understand bj r this disease a discharge of mucous from the vagina, which consists of a thin white or yellow matter. To cure this the patient should take one tea spoonfull of the diuretic drops twice a day, and inject the following solution twice a day : Take a heaping teaspoonfull of saleratus, and dissolve in one pint of cold water ; also make a tea of hollyhock blows and rose blossoms, drink freely, but omit all strong tea and coffee. -:o: Retention of the Menses^ It is well known that females from the age of twelve to sixteen, (or, according to the climate,) THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. 75 begin to menstruate, and which constitutes a critical period in their Jives, as health depends very much upon this discharge. It is liable to be obstructed at the period when it ought to ap- pear ; the cause seems to be a want of power in the system to propel the blood into the uterine vessels, and allow a discharge of blood from them. First administer warm tea as hot as the patient can bear, such as life root, pennyroyal, or motherwort, bathe the feet in lye water, take also, a dose ot anti-bilious physic. In most all of these cases the patient is so debilitated it will be necessary to strengthen with the wine bitters. Dose, one table spoonfull three times a day. Young girls should be very careful of their health for one year till the periods are well es- tablished. -:o:- Cessation of the Menses. (Turn of Life.) That period at which the menses cease to flow is likewise very critical to the sex, yet it is a time long looked for, but awfully dreaded, and 76 THE SICK MAft's FRIEND. thankfully received, when the high hand of na- ture condescends to lock up those conveying ducts, and child-bearing pains. In such cases there is but little medicine needed, more than to keep the bowels gently loose by taking one or two tea spoonsfull of white mustard seeds twice a day. Be careful not to over-exercise. -:o: Suppression of the Menses. (Amenorrhea.) In this disease there is a partial or total ob- struction of the menses in women from other causes than old age and pregnancy, such as de- bility, colds, and any interruption occurring af- ter the menses have once been established in their regular course. I will relate one circum- stance that took place in Livingston County, N* Y., some years ago, a young lady had received an invitation to attend a camp-meeting on the Sabbath, and wishing to dress in white, being unwell, on Saturday night she stepped into a pail of water and stood a few minutes, being a robust girl it made little or no impression, the 77 hext morning before the family was up she drew a tub of water from the well, stood and sat down in it, the sudden transition from a warm bed to a cold bath produced the desired effect. An old physician was for, he told me that she often spoke of the presumptuous act. In six weeks the grave closed over her remains. Females, look out. -:o:- CURE. As this disease sometimes proceeds from de- bility, take wine bitters to restore the system, then if there is not a return of the menses, take the female regulator pills, Take two ounces pine turpentine, half an ounce pulverized cop- peras and make into pills. Dose, two or three of the pills three times a day. These pills I have used in a number of cases, and have hot failed in one case to restore the periods. 78 THE sick man's FKimti. JAUNDICE, This disease is occasioned by some derange- inent in the secretions of the liver,, obstructions in the tubes or pipes, or by the bile being so thick that it cannot flow freely into the intestine. In this case the bile cannot be appropriated to its natural use, is absorbed into the varcular sys- tem, and diffused through the mass of blood and humors, giving a yellow tinge to the urine, the skin, and white of the eye, the stools become white or ash colored, from the deficiency of bile to color them, and the bowels costive from a lack of their natural stimulus ; there is also a species of this disease called black jaundice. No medicines are more beneficial in jaundice than emetics, occasionally repeated, followed by gentle purges of rheubarb, cream tartar and soda, also the jaundice bitters, made thus : One ounce picra, one pint spirits, stand twenty-four hours, add half pint of molasses, shake to mix. Dose, from half to a full table spoonful ; best to take the bitters soon as up in the morning. the sick man's friend, tS WORMS. The presence of worms may be known by a gnawing sensation about the stomach, grinding of the teeth, red cheeks, white around the nose and mouth, offensive breath. It is supposed that a weak state of the digestive organs is that which leads to their production. There are dif- ferent kinds of worms, lor the treatment of which I have used pink and senna, cowhage, vermi- fuge, castor oil with spirits of turpentine, but for fifteen years past I have rejected them all ; since then I have, for the large round worm, used tansy buds or the leaves, witJi sage, make a strong tea, sweeten with molasses, worms like molasses. After taking this tea for a while give a dose of physic, it carries them off; for pin worms give the jaundice bitters, one teaspoonful as soon as up in the morning, for some time ; generally the third day they may be seen by close examination of the stools. With this I cured a young man about twenty years old, he told me he had not done any work for three years, but had doctored with three doctors all the time. The bitters brought away very large 80 TfiE sick man's friend. quantities of pin worms, in a short time he re- gained his health. I wish for no better. Notice. — After using the jaundice bitters, do not eat a particle of food for an hour, let the worms have a chance to get the medicine. It has been said that spirits of turpentine has re- moved the tape worm, taken in table spoonful doses, mixed with milk and sweetened ; again take two pills of common brown soap the size of a pea, twice a day, has brought away the tape worm when all other means failed* AGUE IN THE BREAST. This arises from taking cold^ or other causes^ which obstructs the flow of milk, which causes great pains, swelling of the breasts of women. If not soon attended to will run into what is called a broken breast, which is one of the most painful things which a person can be afflict- ed with. When the breasts begin to swell, and there is any appearance of caking, take a piece of alum about the size of a large chestnut, burn it on the stove or shovel till it is crystalized* tHE SICK MAN ? S FRIEND. 81 make it fine, then take the white of an egg, beat it all to a perfect froth, mix the burnt alumf, beat it well, put it on brown paper and apply it to the breast, it will soon effect a cure. -:o: CARBUNCLE. Is a very uncomfortable and unwelcome vis- itor, he first introduces himself by a small pim-^ pie, next by a deeply seated hard tumor, which grows to a very large size, and presents many small pimples which soon collect together into one or two, which will open and discharge a watery matter, looking like water with a little flour stirred in it. The shortest and best course is to apply the aromatic poultice, for which, take slippery elm bark, spikenard root, made fine, equal parts ; poppy leaves, stramonium leaves, cicuta leaves, a little, warm sweet milk, stir ; of this powder sufficient to make a pulp, apply warm, change as often as it becomes dry. Every time it is dressed wash with strong soap suds, the cure, occasionally take physic. If all these ingredients cannot be procured, get as 82 THE 8T0K: MAN'S FRIEND. many as you can. I have been told by some who have had them, that it took from five to seven weeks to cure them, but I have just got over a very bad one on my neck and back part of my head, it took me eight days. -:o: PILES. For the blind piles take a table spoonful three times a day of tar water, gather a handful of planten leaves, mash them, have some one rub the whole length of the back for ten or fifteen minutes night and morning till cured. For the common piles use the pile salve and tar water ; for the salve take fine cut tobacco, put into an iron or tin vessel, cover it over, set it on the stove or over the fire until it is burned to ashes, mix the ashes with lard, anoint with this two or three times a day till cured. -:o:- WHITE SWELLING. This is another unwelcome visitor, especially THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. 83 to those it calls upon. It might be said to arise from bad blood, or something in the blood, be it as it may, it has taken thousands to an untimely grave, and yet it is what I have had a goodly number to administer for, and have not, as yet, lost one ; many have said it ought to be publish- ed, and I am now about to do so. The cure is this : Take one quart good cider vinegar, heat it nearly to boiling, then remove from the fire, add one ounce sugar of lead, let it dissolve in the vinegar. If the swelling is on the knee or elbow, bandage it tight six inches above and over the joint, when the solution is cool, not more than milk warm, if as warm as that, wet the bandage continually with this solution ; remove the band- age twice a day to tighten it, in the course of four days the swelling will be all reduced, and the limb come to its natural size. Out of the many cases 1 have had there is not one but could walk well in three or four days, although they were unable to take a step before. I hope this will go to all the world, for there has been enough suffering and death from this cause. 84 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. CHILBLAIN. This is a painful inflamed swelling of the feet and toes, and may affect other parts. For this, make a liniment, olive oil one part, hartshorn two parts, tincture cayenne one part, camphor spirits one part, mix. Bathe frequently. I have used paregoric instead of cayenne. -:o:- VENEREAL DISEASE. Of all the most loathesome, degrading and blackest of diseases, this is altogether the worst that the human family could be cursed with, yet it appears that this disease may be traced to the camp of Israel, as may be inferred by reading the fifth chapter of Numbers. No doubt it was then inflicted upon mankind as a curse in wandering from moral rectitude, or the laws of God. This disease is at first called gonorrhea, this presents itself by a discharge of matter from the urethra, with heat of urine, &c, caused by impure coition, then there is a dis- the sick man's friend. 85 charge of mucous matter called gleet, it begins with an itching in the glands, penis, and ting- ling along the course of the urethra, soon after there is some whitish matter at the end, also pain in making water ; this matter will increase shortly, and change its color to a greenish yel- low, the stream of urine will be quite small, and a great pain and scalding heat at every at- tempt to make water. When the penis curves downward it is called the chordee, the stimulus causes it to raise when warm in bed, which de- prives the patient of sleep, and in some cases an involuntary emission of semen. Chancre is known by little pimples, scabs and ulcers on the head of the penis, with itching, a small pimple full of matter, not much inflamma- tion or swelling, the itching is soon turned into pain, then into an ulcer ; when it comes on the head it is sometimes destroyed, or a hole is made in it by ulceration. The next is the bubo, it affects the groin, with a pain and small swelling. at length becomes as large as an egg S/ which makes some difficulty in walking, some throbbing in the tumor and redness of the skin, sometimes ft goes off without any formation of matter. 86 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. From improper treatment, this poison is taken into the circulation, and the whole system is dis- eased, the head, mouth, tongue, tonsils, palate, eyes, throat and skin, all very much diseased, ulcers are formed, affording fetid matter, which is very loathesome. Painful swellings arise called nodes, which sometimes prove fatal. Females afflicted with this disease in time of pregnancy, vaccinates the child in the womb, which often destroys it before it is born, at other times these marks are seen afterwards, which are to be suffered during life. Oh ! what a curse to the sexes, and yet there are some who advo- cate the practice under the sanction of religion, even the highest holiness. Amen. For Gonorrhea, the first commencement, take hemp seed, pulverized, epsom salts, equal parts. Dose, one teaspoonful twice a day, diuretic drops, one teaspoonful twice a day. Drops. Take two ounces sweet spirits nitre, one ounce balsam fir, one-fourth ounce spirits turpentine, one-fourth ounce spirits camphor, shake. Dose, one teaspoonful twice a day. Take a piece of nitrate of silver as large as a kernel of wheat, add two ounces soft water, inject with a syringe TH]£ SICK MAN'S FRIEND. 87 twice a day. For chancre, when scabs and ul- cers appear, take a stick of nitrate of silver, touch them with it sufficient to burn them well, if once is not enough apply it again, should there be swellings so as to make it difficult to dress it, apply the elm poultice to allay the in- flammation, this may take some little time, but the poultices should be continued until the swel- ling is down to give a chance to dress the ulcer. It will be necessary to give a purge occasionally. The ulcer may be dressed with the marrow of a hog's jaw bone, this is the best thing to extract the poison. For bubo, a liniment, made by taking half an ounce sweet oil, half ounce spirits camphor, one ounce aqua ammonia, one oz water, shake. Bathe the parts two or three times a day, this will cause smarting, but it soon redu- ces the swelling. For stricture, inject with a solution of borax and sweet milk. Should this make a discharge that continues too long, syringe with the nitrate of silver. Nodes, should these trouble you, make a solution of one quart of cider vinegar and one ounce of sugar of lead- apply cold. This is also good for neuralgia, and pain in the head, for the last I add laudanum. 88 A French recipe, said to cure the first in three days, is to take extract of hemp seed, spirits nitre, then inject with nitrate ot silver and mor- phine, then inject with borax and sweet milk, j have had a great deal of practice in those dis- eases. Two persons had the clap, doctored three years in the city oi New York, kept about so, got no better, called on me, in ten days cured both. A peddler called, said he doctored two or three years without deriving any benefit, I gave him medicine, he left. In nine days from that time I wais called to the hotel, the hired girl told me she could not walk across the room to save her life. Her pulse and countenance de- noted her case. Said I to her, I am in a hurry, own up the corn, you have been playing with the boys ; pretty hard, but it was the peddler. Well, you have owned up, I taxed him five dol- lars, now, you pay me three dollars and I will cure you so quick that it will make your head swim, you will not believe you ever had it. After two nights and one day she went to work, next day said she was well as ever. The sick Man's friend. INFLAMMATION OF THE EYE, Every person knows that when the eye gets injured, it causes inflammation. Now for the treatment. Take some sticks of tag alder two or three inches through, and eighteen or twenty inches long, bore a hole in the middle, fill it with rock salt, plug it with the same kind of wood, make a fire at each end, burn to a coal, take out the salt, pulverize it, put one teaspoon- ful of the salt into an one ounce vial, add fifteen drops of laudanum or twenty-five drops paregor- ic, one ounce soft water. Apply to the eyes several times a day. Where the inflammation is very high, mix a Cup of it, wet a linen cloth and cover the eyes with it, keep them continually wet, it soon brings out the disease, be careful not to rub them, nor touch any other cloth to them but linen. :o: — Cumulation of the Eye Lids. This requires pretty nice and particular treat- ment ; the granulation is a thick red coating on 90 THE SICK MAN'S Fl&IEND. the inside of the eye lids, this must be removed in order to effect a cure. The eye is a very ten- der organ and requires skill and carefulness. In the treatment of granulation on the eye lids it requires a person possessing steady nerves» Take two tumblers, one part full of soft water, turn the other bottom end up, scrape on it nitrate of silver a pile about the size of a kernel of rye 9 then take a camel hair pencil, wet it, then drop on a teaspoonful of ivater, have some old cloth around the patient's neck and bosom to keep the medicine from the clothes, then turn the lids over, wet the pencil brush in the solution, draw it across the lid, put in two or three times, then turn the other and do the same. It will smarts but it must be borne with for a few minutes, then sweeten half a tumbler of water middling sweet with loaf sugar, let the patient lay on his back, with a spoon feed in the sweetened watery this is called washing the eyes, and is to be done twice a day for a few days, then once a day till cured; if any inflammation is present, use th^ water as above. ?Me sick Man's fkiknd. 91 STRENGTHENING EYE-WASH. Weak eyes require to be strengthened, to do this, take the white of an egg, four grains sugar ot lead, four grains white vitriol, fifteen drops laudanum, beat into a perfect froth ; apply this by rubbing on the edges of the eye lids three or four times a day. COMMON WEAK EYES, Take one ounce cold tea, add three grains ni- trate silver, apply a little night and morning. In all cases of the eye> keep the stomach and bowels well cleansed. -:o:- FILM ON THE EYE, Film is a whitish mass or substance congealed to the eyeball, generally to the inside corner, that is, towards the nose, it spreads along to the pupil of the eye, it soon begins to obstruct the sight when left to grow it soon covers the pu- 92 the sick man's Jrfcteirb. pil 5 then blindness is the consequence. film can be cured by taking a piece of unslacked lime the size of a hen's egg, ptit into one pint of soft water, let it stand six hours, pour off and add four grains corrosive sublimate ; apply t<3 the film with a camel hair pencil, then in fifteen minutes apply lunar caustic, once a day, is re. commended in granulation, till cured. Much caution should be used in those diseases as re- gards food and drinks. A cooling vegetable diet helps in the cure of all diseases. I would here pen a few cases which have been treated by me. First, my daughter, twelve years of age, took cold > which caused inflammation and granulation in both eyes, I treated her until my skill was ex- hausted, had others, and all the eye-waters and salves I could hear of, but to no effect. I heard of Dr. Donaldson curing Hector McLean, after he had been to Albany, New York City, Boston, and had expended eight hundred dollars, given up by all of them. I immediately layed by till* I heard the above, then I cured my daughter in fifteen days. Atwood, in Vermont, after being treated six years by the faculty of one hundred physicians, I cured in three weeks; when I conv THE SICK MAN'S FKIEND. 93 tnenced he was stone blind, but got good eyes again. A Mrs. Baker of New Hudson, N, Y., after five years treatment at several places of curing, called on me, in three weeks was cured* One of my neighbors where I now reside, after six weeks trial by a physician, had become per- fectly blind, called on me, I saw his case to be granulation, and cured him in ten days so that he was able to attend to his work ; again, the woman spoken of above had a film on one eye, and both granulated, and blind as she could be. These are only a few, I might fill volumes if I had room, for further proof. Follow the above and yoa will be convinced that this is all true. One more, when dirt, sand, flies, coal, or any kind of substances get in the eyes, let the person lay on his back, pour in water sweetened with loaf sugar, you can drown it out with this. :o: Suppression and Retention of Urine, When a person is troubled with passing water, take strong tea of spearmint, and spirits of nitre, of each four ounces, mix. Dose, two teaspoon- fills every hour or two ; take the diuretic drops 94 fHE SICK MAK 5 8 FRIEftb. twice a day, this generally relieves. Queen of the meadow root in tea with pumpkin seeds is good ; take a gill of red onion juice at night 5 gravel weed tea is good ; a tea of wild carrot has carried off gravel and affected a cure. -:o: FELON, OR WHITLOW. These both commence with pricking, throbbing and inflammation. The quickest way to dis- perse them is a painful way. Take a piece of unslaked lime the size of a large pea, put into a top thimble, drop on enough water to slake the lime, turn it over the place where the pain is, put a piece of sole leather on the thimble to to press it on for a while, it almost always cures. I have made a poultice of lime and soft soap, bind on for one hour then take it off, if there is not any matter comes apply another, and so on till there is some. I have used still another, take a kettle with ashes and water, set it over the fire, put the hand into it, let it heat with the hand in it as long as it can be borne. I have known all these to cure time after time. THE SICK MAN'S FBIEND. 95 SALT RHEUM, This is a troublesome eruption appearing on the hands or feet, as a general thing it is caused like many eruptive diseases, from impurity of the blood and system. To effect a sure cure, take the blood bitters, they will throw the humor to the surface, then apply my cancer wash, best to commence both together. With these I have cured a great many. It should be remembered that the stomach and bowels must be cleansed in this and all other eruptive complaints. ENLARGEMENT OF THE TONSILS, This has happened to some small children, and has been thought to be phthisic, on examin- ing found the tonsils badly swollen. If the child can take water, gargle in the mouth, make a strong decoction of cranes-bill and alum, let the patient gargle this several times a day, make a liniment of s - eet oil half an ounce, hartshorn one ounce, camphor spirits half an ounce, bathe the throat several times a day. With these I have cured a great many. The enlargement of THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND the tonsils has often been taken for the croup, to my knowledge. It appears to be natural for some children to be troubled with this difficulty. -:o: CORNS OR WARTS, Corns need no description, every one knows they are troublesome, and caused by wearing shoes that are too tight or small. To cure, pare or scrape them, but not so as to make them bleed, then use the cancer wash a few times, that will cure them. For warts wet them frequently with the cancer wash till cured. I have cured cancer warts with it. -:o: RINGWORMS. This disease shows itself in small red pimples in a circular form. When the body is heated by exercise these will itch very bad. The best remedy for these is to bathe often with the can- cer wash, that will cure in two or three days, every time. THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND 97 ITCH. The itch arises from small insects which are first produced by uncleanliness, and spreads by contagion. These insects insinuate themselves under the skin and produce small festers ; that is the old fashioned itch. There is another I have called the counterfeit itch, the more sulpher and brimstone you use the worse it is. Army itch is another, barber's itch is another. For the two first, take one pound fresh butter, half pound resin, melt together, when partly cool add half an ounce red precipitate, half an ounce spirits turpentine. Anoint twice a day. Take sulphur and cream tartar mixed with mo- lasses night and morning. For army itch and lice, take anaguintum and verdigris, one-sixth part as much, mix together, then turn your drawers and under shirt, spread this ointment on the seams and hems of them both, turn and put them on quick, cures army itch and lice. Barber's itch, wet often with the eAncer wash, you will find it made thus: two ounces white vitriol, one ounce copperas, one ounce gun pow- der, one ounce blue vitriol, one ounce saltpetre, half an ounce sugar of lead, one pint soft water, put all together, keep corked tight or it will lose its strength. Wet the face often with the wash. :o: BURNS AND SCALDS. For burns, if there is inflammation, apply the elm poultice, when the inflammation is out, ap- ply dog oil till cured. For scalds, take cream or milk and wheat flour, mix to the thickness of a griddle cake or batter, spread on a cloth suffi- cient to cover the scalded parts. If this can be got on before it blisters, it will not blister at all. Soon as this is put on make another, when the first has been on five minutes have the second ready to put on as soon as the first is off, so as not to have the air strike it any more than pos- sible, change in five or six minutes; four of five of these are generally sufficient to effect a cure. If it blister before the flour poultice is applied, use it to draw the fire out, nothing is better. I have used this for a great many. :o: DEAFNESS. Take oil sassafras five or six drops, oil of al- THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. 99 monds half an ounce, mix. Drop two drops in the ear two or three times a day. This is a pretty sure cure. Sometimes it will restore the hearing to stand near a cannon when firing. — — ^:o: CANCER. Cancers usually begin with a small swelling in the gland, or if it be seated in some other part, as the face, hand, etc,, with a small swell- ing resembling a wart or pimple, and no pain' it generally increases in size and hardness, soon there is a twinging sensation as though there was a horse hair, that feels very uncomfortable, so much so that the person can hardly keep his fingers from trying to pick it off. Cancers seat themselves in or on different parts, some on the face, hand, back, leg, foot, side, and some on the female breast and uterus. There is a num- ber of different kinds of cancers, such as the rose, wart, spider, eating, blue, and the fungus hsematode, which is a species of cancer, and the worst of all cancers yet named, allowing me to be the judge. I have had all of those to deal with for twenty-five years past, and have cured 100 THE HCK MAN'S FBIEM). all kinds without any difficulty, and do not deem it necessary to spread the whole universe over with all the descriptions, causes, effects and pre- scriptions of what is very good in cancer cases, therefore I will come to the point. As cancers first come from a cancerous humor which is in the blood, we will commence by cleansing the blood by giving my blood bitters. Take one ounce of Virginia snake root, half ounce prickly ash bark, half an ounce of mustard seed in the kernel, put together, add one quart of any kind of spirits. Dose, two or three table spoonfuls, or as much as the patient can bear, three times a day. At the same time you commence with the bitters, apply the wash; if you can keep the cancer so that it will not gain for a few days you will do pretty well, for the bitters will soon bring it to the surface, if it lias not taken its seat some where upon the inner parts. To make the cancer wash, take two ounces white vitriol, called sulphate of zinc, one ounce each, copperas, gun- powder, blue vitriol, saltpetre, half an ounce of sugar of lead, put all into a bottle, add one pint of soft water, cork tight, as it will lose its strength soon by being open to the air ; wet the cancer THE &ICK MAN'S FRIEND. lOl often with this wash, shake it to mix. This will soon form a thick black scab ; continue the ap- plication of the wash, the scab will come off itself; apply again to form another. You will see every time the scab comes off that the eari- cer is smaller ; continue till it is all gone, and two or three weeks afW ; there are so many fibrous roots, the wash will find the last ends of those fibres, no danger of any more cancers from them. It will be^ necessary to keep the stomach and bowels well cleansed. The diet— you must not take anything of a greasy, oily or salty nature, a cooling vegetable diet is the best, ardent spirits, coffee and tea are hurtful in this complaint. I would relate several cases of cures ; but it would be taking too much time, neverthe- less I will, as I have not written on the fungus bsematode, give you- the history and cure of it* and never heard of one coming out again. Mrs. Culver, a lady some thirty-five years of age, living in Elmira, after fourth and last child was born, was afflicted with what her doctors called a milk leg. They gave her, as she told me, morphene till it became a second nature, and would have no effect, then opium. All the 102 THE SICK MAN 5 S FRtEfttf. doctors in Elmira had a trial at this for eleven years. Her daughter lived one mile from me, she wrote to her mother, and she came ; I was called, and on viewing it, measured across the toes six and one-halt inches, five inches down through the foot, toes about one-fourth of an inch long. The disease had all settled in the foot. She asked me what I called it, my doctors called it a milk leg, I answered, a fungus hsem- atode. It was covered with a thick dark scab, cracks through the scab, a dark greenish fetid matter oozing out, with an awful bad smell. I commenced cleansing the blood with the blood bitters, applied the aromatic poultice, soon after, the cancer wash. Alter some time I gave syrup of tag alder, tags, not trom the boughs, but from tags that grew under the roots, look like yellow- ish seeds ; one pint of those, three pints water simmered to three half pints, added a little spir- its and loaf sugar to make one quart. Dose, one table spoonful twice a day. I had to break her of the opium habit before I could make much headway, that was done w T ith three ounces of my anodyne drops. In about one year the foot be- come a mate to the other, and well. She wore THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. 103 shoes size 2J or 3's, and at last walked np and back that mile several times, and returned back to Elmira well and hearty. :o:- PSOAS, AND LUMBAR ABSCESSES. By these terms are understood chronic collec- tioas of matter which torm the cellular substance of the loins. The matter is formed slowly and imperceptibly, and occasions at first no manifest swelling. When the matter has collected, it spreads until it reaches the origin of the psoas muscle, which passes into ulceration and forms a bag, surrounded by a complete ring. My course of treatment in these is, first apply the aromatic poultice, take slippery elm, spikenard^ cicuta, a little, belladonna, a little, stramoninm leaves, a little, poppy leaves, a little ; make a poultice with warm sweet milk, change twice a day, no rubbing, pinching or squeezing the tumor at all. If no matter has started, this poultice will cure without suppuration, but if it has be- gun to collect, it will hasten its suppuration and open itself. Keep this poultice on until it is all 104 THE SlCk MAN'S frRlfiftb. out arid healed. In case the patient is reduced low, brace up with the wine bitters. Hydrophobia, or Canine Madness. The bite of a mad dog produces a disease termed hydrophobia, signifying a fear or dread of water, which is one of its most peculiar and characteristic symptoms. When first bitten bathe well with salt and vinegar, then with a strong tincture of lobelia, then bind the mar- row of a hog's jaw bone, then make a cake of the white of one or two &ggs and oyster shell lime. This lime is made by burning oyster shells. Put lime enough to the egg to form a suitable dough, fry it in fresh butter, let the patient eat one a day for som& time* This cake is the only medicine used in Canada, where there is a great deal of canine madness* It is said never to fail* :o: - — DIPTHERIA, This disease is somewhat new iti these paits* THE SICK MAN 1 S FRIEND. 105 About ten or twelve years ago it made its first appearance here, and made great slaughter with the people in these parts. It commences with a dull, heavy sleep, weakness, soon pain across the shoulders, headache, the throat, tonsils, pal- ate and the roots of the tongue all become swol- len and painful, a whitish smooth coat covers them in a short time, which gains to a consider- able thickness. Sometimes the patient is so weak that he cannot stand or set up. The treat ment for this disease is as follows i make a bag as large as your arm, long enough to reach around the neck, fill it with bitter herbs, then put in a pan, pour on hot water to heat it, then sprinkle a handful of fine salt, squeeze and ap- ply it around the neck, heat it over in fifteen minutes, this must be repeated till well. Make a gargle of vinegar, if strong add some water, for a teacup of it add one heaping tea spoonful salt, two tea spoonfuls tincture cayenne pepper, or two-thirds of a tea spoonful of the dry pow- der of cayenne, sweeten with honey or molasses 5 gargle the throat every fifteen minutes, swallow a little each time, bathe the head in camphor as warm as the patient can bear. This bathing 106 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. must be kept up as long as the above, next ad- minister half a wine glass or more of gin or whisky, with a teaspoonful of the tincture of cayenne every half hour. All these medicines must be continued till the patient feels free from the complaint, then give a dose of anti- bilious physic. It usually takes me about six hours to effect a cure, while others will doctor some six days, and lose the patient in the end. I had a young lady at my house a few weeks to be doctored. She got well, and was going home on Monday, I was taken sick with the diptheria on Sunday afternoon, my wife could not get around very well, the lady went into the office and got all the medicines and administer- ed the above treatment. In six hours I told her I was well and she might retire. I saw her in six weeks, she said, in just two weeks she was taken as I was, and they had all the medicines in the house, took the same treatment, and in six hours was well. Reader, it you wish further evidence^ try the above and you ^will be con* vinced. THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. 107 FEVER SORE. Fever sores generally come on the foot or leg, caused by bruises in common, then taking cold, and fever setting in, makes a fever sore, attend- ed with much pain. If not cured soon it produ- ces a deep sore, some have lost the whole bone of the leg with it, and have been made cripples for life. At first, before there is much of a sore, take half a table spoonful each of erocusmartus and white vitriol, one quart soft water, bandage the limb, keep it wet with it, this generally cures ; but when there is a deep sore use the salve found in the formula, which is : Take one tea cupful of tar, two quarts of water, boil both together till the water is boiled out, then take it out, mix one table spoonful red lead and one of goose oil or hen's oil, work it well together, use as a plaster. It should be changed as soon as it gets dry. Soon cures. ~:o:- INFLAMMATORY RHEUMATISM. This disease usually makes .its attack at the lower or upper extremities. When at the feet 108 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. or legs it soon works up by degrees to the head, and sometimes goes off there, but when it does leave at the head it soon returns. When it leaves at the feet it will be some time before it returns. Frequently the patient loses all power to move the first joint, but will want some one to move their feet or head ; the least stir will make them yell awfully. I have attended a great many such patients. At the first appearance of this disease, bathe the parts affected with the rheu- matic liniment. Take oil of hemlock one ounce, oil red cedar half an ounce, spirits camphor half an ounce. This usually stops further progress, but where it progresses ft) stiffness, swelling and pain, with fever, the patient should be sweated with hemlock boughs as follows : Take a quan- tity of hemlock twigs, put thena into a pan then pour on boiling water, the patient should be stripped for bed, set on a chair, cover three bed quilts around the neck, coming to the floor, put the pan of boughs under the chair. If the patient does does not soon begin to sweat, put in heated bricks or stones, when sweat gets started, give an emetic of lobelia and blood root, let the patient sweat and vomit together. When this is THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND, 109 done give the anti-bilious cathartic powders, get into bed, cover up warm. With this treat- ment 1 have cured a great many poor sufferers. -:o:- CHRONIC RHEUMATISM. The chronic differs from the above, not being much inflammation or fever, the pain mostly confined to some particular part, generally some joint. The medicines for the chronic rheuma- tism are, black cohush root and brandy, in doses ot one table spoonful, two or three times a day. My remedy is some roots of wandering milk weed, some call it mountain milk weed, put into one pint of gin or whisky. Dose, a small table spoonful three times a day ; take physic occa- sionally. Out of a great many cases I have not had one failure with the last medicine. -:o:- MERCURIAL RHEUMATISM. Mercurial, is similar to chronic, is more pain- ful and more difficult to cure. It is caused by mercury being used in some form or other ; per 110 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. sons having used mercury and taken cold, gets settled in the system, and bones becomes a per- fect barometer, and can tell the approach of storms, this is balled sciatic rheumatics ; when it is blended with the inflammatory rheumatics, Dr. Barney calls it the devil's disease. I think it appears so to the patient too, by its being ac- companied with so much pain. It usually seats itself at the hip or knee, usually occupies both. My course is the hemlock sweat, emetic, cathar- tic, administered as in inflammatory rheumatics ; the rheumatic liniment sparingly nsed, a level tea spoonful of sulpher taken every morning ior a week, then miss a week, and so on for a few weeks. The patient should be strengthened with the wine bitters, or instead of wine, take one pint of brandy, add one pint of cold water, or whichever will agree with the patient best, ac- cording to the constitution or habits of the pa- tient. :o: MEASLES. Measles usually appear with some fever, cough, and sneezing, a discharge of watery matter from the eyes and nose, and a determination of acrid THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. Ill matter to the surface, showing itself in little red spots on the face and stomach, then over the body. It usually goes off in about four days, If the pimples do not appear in a few hours, they should be assisted by some warming teas, such as Virginia snake root, life root, saffron, or mountain mint, and got into a sweat ; this will bring out the measles, and with some of those teas they must be kept out upon the surface. Cleanse the stomach and bowels, keep the bowels gently loose. The black measles are to be treat- ed the same. :o: Dropsy of the Abdomen, or Belly. By this disease we understand a collection of water in the abdomen. Dropsy may be caused by a great quantity of water in the blood, which may be occasioned by a penurious diet, profuse hemorrhage and repeated bleeding, weakened powers of digestion, interruption of the watery excretions, jaundice, &c. Cure, I have had good success with wahoo bark, dwarf alder roots and princess pine leaves and roots, of each a handful, make a tea and 112 THE SICK MAN'S FRlENr. drink. This is also the best in a relapse of scarlet fever. Spearmint tea, strong, add spirits of nitre one-fourth ; take a table spoonful two or three times a day, also the diuretic drops, one teaspoonful twice a day. If the belly is badly swollen, rub with sweet oil and camphor spirits mixed ; once a day tincture of fox glove, or the leaves in tea. -:o:- HEADACHE. Pain in the head proceeds from various causes, and is generally the symptoms of some other disease. Indigestion, foul stomach, an exposure of the head to the hot sun, a rush of blood to the head, and strong tea are the most common causes. In treating the headache, first ascertain the cause of it, if from the stomach, give a pur- gative, bathe the feet in warm water and lye or ashes, bathe the head with camphor, or one tea spoon level full of sugar of lead, add to it half pint vinegar. To prevent the headache, wash the head with cold water as soon as up in the morning, keep out* of the cold air at nights, leave otf the use of strong tea aud coffee, and THE SICK MAN^S FRIEND. 113 keep the stomach and bowels frequently well cleansed, The doses mentioned in this book are generally intended for adults. Children fourteen years may take two-thirds of a dose ; of seven, one- half; of five, one-third; of three, one-fourth; of one, one eighth ; of six months, one twelfth • two months, one-fifteenth. TO MEASURE INSTEAD OF WEIGHING. A drachm of any substance that is near the weight of water will fill a common teaspoon level full, four tea spoonfuls make a table spoon, fill, or half an ounce, two table spoonfuls an ounce, and so on. On the same principle, one- third of a tea spoonful will be one scruple, or twenty grains in weight. As a general rule, the above table of doses v ill be quite sufficient, but much must always be left to the judgment of the prescriber, who alone can judge of the constitution and state of the case* Inflammation of the Womb. This disease is characterized by fever, heat. 114 THE SICK MAN^ FRIKNH. tension, tumor, pain in the region of the wumb, and vomiting. Besides the common causes pro ductive of inflammation, this disease sometimes takes place after delivery, particularly where the labor has been long protracted, intruments have been used, or the lochial discharge, which ought to have taken place, has been suddenly stopped by an exposure to cold. It is accompanied by pains in the lower regions of the belly, which are greatly aggravated upon pressure with the hand, as also by tension or tightness of the sur- rounding parts, considerable depression of strength, a change of countenance, increased heat of the whole body, great thirst, nausea, the bowels confined, the urine high colored and scanty, the secretion of milk somewhat inter- rupted, and the lochial discharge much diminish- ed, if not wholly suppressed. TREATMENT. Perspiration ought to be promoted as soon as possible. Give the sweating powders, bathe the feet, apply the fomentation bag of bitter herbs to the belly, heat and change often ; should there be great irritation and pais, give two tea- spoonfuls of the anodyne carminative drops, a THE SICK MAN'S FKIEND. 115 light cathartic may be given occasionally to keep the bowels gently loose, and the tincture of spearmint, made by bruising the green herb and adding spirits to make a strong decoction, and to one pint add one gill of spirits of nitre. Give freely with these remedies. I have been able to cure a goodly number. After relief is obtained make the following solution : Take a large tea spoonful of saleratus, a little sugar of lead, add one pint of water; inject with a female syringe twice a day. This solution is excellent also for whites, and all kinds of female weaknesses. -:o:- Onanism, or Self Pollution, This practice causes along train of complaints, tremors of the limbs, headache, restless nights? gleets or discharges from the urethra, pains in the system in different parts, the memory, judg- ment and reason become impaired, discharge of semen, particularly at the thought or sight of women, pain in the breast and loins, cough and consumption, weakness in the back and genitals, sometimes fits of apoplexy, hypochondria and 116 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. hysteria, and great dispondency of mind. By this pernicious practice is meant the emission of semen artificially, and which prevails among both sexes to a most fearful extent. Understand that the emitting of semen artificially by the too common practice of onanism, lays the foun- dation for many incurable complaints, and causes more bad health than even physicians are aware of. It has been shown by reports of lunatic asylums, that it often causes insanity in both sexes. TREATMENT. The first step, the patient must abandon the practice immediately. Second, if residing in a city or village, repair to the country and shun the company of the opposite sex as much as possible. Third, if there are involuntary emis- sions of semen, let the patient take the Dover or sweating powder at bed time. Fifth, the patient must take the urine bitters. Sixth, the patient should use a cooling nutritious diet, and abstain from all spirituaus liquors and the use of tobacco. With the above treatment I have cured a great many, some of whom were so far reduced that they were not able to walk. THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. 117 ERYSIPELAS, This disease is an inflammation of the skin, commencing generally with fever, drowsiness, and often delirium. It more frequently appears on the face, legs and feet, than anywhere else, when seated externally and in warm climates, it is a more frequent form of inflammation than that which terminates in suppuration. Although this disease sometimes attacks infants, and occa- sionally youths, yet it seldom occurs before the person has arrived at mature age, and is most usually met with in advanced life, more often amongst women than men, particularly those ot a sanguine, irritable habit or temperament. In some people there exists a pre- disposition to the disease,sometimes returning periodically, making its attacks once or twice a year, and in some in- stances much oftener, producing great exhaus- tion and debility. This disease appears to be most dangerous when it attacks the face, in this case it comes on with chilliness, succeeded by fever, thirst, restlessness, with drowsiness, or tendency to delirium, and the pulse is frequent and full. After two or three days, a fiery red- 118 THE SICK MAN'S FKIEND. ness shows itself on some part of the face, which at length extends to the head, and gradually down the neck, leaving every part which the redness has occupied a little swollen. In the course of the disease the disposition to sleepiness and delirium occasionally increase, and the pa- tient is sometimes destroyed between the seventh and eleventh days of the complaint. TKEATMENT. As this disease often goes off spontaneously by a sweat, we should give a sweat and an emetic in the first stage of the complaint, then make a strong tea of sweet alder blossoms, let the patient drink freely of it, and wash or bathe all the affected parts often with the tea. This tea drank and used for bathing is all that is re- quired to effect a cure, unless mortification should appear, if it does, the measures should be pursued, for which see under the proper head. :o: URGICAL OPERATION. While small children are playing in and around the house, they will pick up every little hard substance, such as a bean, a kernel of corn, THE SICK MAN J S FRIEND. 119 small buttons, pebble stones, and such like. It is often crowded into the nose, nearly out of sight, then it is away with the child to the doc- tor to have its little nose scratched and cut, besides a loss of blood. Every person has with them all the instruments necessary for this opera- tion. I have performed a great many operations by placing the child on its back, the finger on the opposite nostril, then my mouth to the mouth of the child, and blow hard. This will throw the substance across the room without hurt. :o: Cure for Dysentery, &c. For summer, bowel, dysentery and cholera morbus, fill a bottle nearly full with choke cher- ries, then add as much whisky as the bottle will contain. In a few days it will be fit for use. take three table spoonfuls of this, and one spoon full of paregoric, mix. Dose, one table spoonful. If the bowels move in thirty minutes, give half a dose, and so on until it is stopped. The pa- tient must not drink any water after taking the medicine, if he does, tbis nor any other medi- cine can cure. In all these complaints persons 120 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. are very thirsty, and call for cold water, as long as water is drank, so long will the disease run. It is not always that the choke cherries can be procured, if not, use the bark by steeping it in water to make a strong tea, but add the paregor- ic. This has been my remedy for more than twenty years, and in several hundreds of cases, without one failure as yet. It is both safe and sure. :o:- LOCK JAW. In lock jaw the muscles of the lower jaw be- come contracted and hard, at length the patient cannot open the mouth at all, a difficulty of swallowing succeeds, resembling hydrophobia, the muscles of the neck, and indeed, of the whole body, become successively affected with violent spasms. The symptoms are sometimes rapid, at others slow in their progress. If the patient survives the fourth day there is a chance for his recovery. The symptoms never recede but by slow degrees. The confidence I have in the botanic remedies, satisfies me that cases of 121 locked jaw would scarcely ever occur, if such injuries as produce this complaint were properly treated by them. TREATMENT. If the muscles become stiff and contracted, the patient must be thoroughly sweated, at the same time let him drink freely of warming teas, then administer the^hot tincture, made thus : One ounce of the seeds of lobelia, made fine, two ounces cayenne pepper, and half a pint of hot drops. This should be kept bottled for use, to be shaken when used. This will go through the system at once. By pouring a little into the mouth between the teeth and cheek, when the jaws are set, it will relax the spasms as soon as it touches the glands at the roots of the tongue, and the jaws will at once become loosened, then give a dose of it as soon as the spasms have abated, and drink freely of penny royal tea. It is said to be a cure for the bite of a mad dog; it should be taken in doses of one tea spoonful at a time, and continued for some time. This has cured several cases where madness has already commenced. 122 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. DIRECTIONS FOR THE GATHERING, SELECTION AND PRESERVATION OF VEGETABLE MEDICINES, They should be gathered in proper season. A judicious selection and careful preservation of them are matters of the utmost importance. When we reflect upon the sufferings of the sick 5 their anxiety, as well as the sympathy of their friends, and the necessity, in many instances, of promptly administering the best remedies in or- der to save life, we shall be better able to appre- ciate the high importance of carefully selecting, preparing and preserving the various articles of medicine. Brother Botanic, how much more natural it is to look to the field and the forest for plants, than to dig in the bowels of the earth and procure certain metals, which prove poison- ous and destructive, even in obtaining them, and much more so after having been subjected to a THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. 123 chemical process. Yes, it is more natural, as it was the only practice for fourteen hundred years before the days of Socrates, the first discoverer of minerals ; but still the savage and the brute are taught by reason and instinct to use those vegetables which are scattered so richly around them, to relieve their diseases. Those who have traveled among the natives of all countries, testify to these facts. The Indians of North America know how to treat their complaints, both in physic, surgery and midwifery. I can- not close these remarks without expressing my thanks to them for their kindness, and the in- structions received from them. Brother, the way to acquire knowledge from an Indian is to be a good Indian with him. It is from the extreme and criminal carelessness or negligence in the curing of medicine, that disappointments as to their efficacy arise, and by which means also, many valuable articles have fallen into disrepute. Great care ought to be taken to reject or separ- ate everything from the medical article which does not belong to it, as poisonous substances are sometimes gathered along with medicines. The time to collect roots is in the spring, be- 124 THE SICK MAN 5 8 FRIEND. fore the sap begins to rise, or in the fall after the top is dead. They must be trimmed, washed, and dried in the shade. The large roots may be split lengthwise. Such as skunk-cabbage, wild turnip, sliced, dried and pulverized, and bottled for use, and kept free from air. Barks may be stripped from the tree or shrub any time when the sap prevents it from adhering to the wood ; the outside must be shaved off, then the bark must be cut thin and dried in the shade. Medi- cal herbs should be collected while in blossom, and dried in the shade. Some may be let stand until it is near time for frost. Flowers and seeds should be collected when they ■ are fully ripe, and likewise dried in the shade, should be kept from the air, and preserved air tight, or in a dry place. In this way they may be preserved many years without losing any of their medicinal properties. For infusions or teas, take a handful of herbs, put into some convenient vessel, add one pint of boiling water, let it stand fifteen or twenty min- utes, take a full drink three or four times a day, unless differently prescribed. THE SICK MAN 5 S FRIEND* 125 DISPENSATORY OF AMERICAN BOTANICAL REMEDIES, It is not to be doubted that every country con- tains the best remedies for its own diseases. North America, for its botanical remedial agents is, perhaps, excelled by no other land, as an old practitioner remarks, instead of sending our ships to foreign climes after costly unnatural medicines, why is it that we do not open our eyes on the vegetable kingdom around us, and accept at our own doors, without money and without price, those natural remedies which the God of nature has planted for us, as being more congenial to our constitutions. What, then, in the name of common sense, is the use of import- ing from a foreign nation, as we have those at our own doors, which are better adapted to our climate, than those brought from some different climate ; besides that it requires so much time to procure, transport, and sell them, and deal to the sick, they have become inert, and good for nothing. Why, we will once more ask, continue in the use of these inhospitable medicines which 126 the sick man's friend. have so often given melancholy proofs of their destructive character by scattering disease, dis- may and death, amongst the most enlightened portions of the human race, when, at the same time, they grow not only upon some height, or along the margin of some stream, but indiscrim- inately over mountain, hill and dale, the choicest remedies for all the maladies of man. In the following the reader will find briefly described the most important plants and roots, together with their medical properties, and how to use and apply them. For a description of a course of medicine, so often mentioned, under the head of treatment, the reader is referred to the index. It should always be resorted to in violent at- tacks. ANGELICA. This is well known, and grows in marshy meadows and hedges ; the root of angelica is strengthening and aromatic ; it is good for colic arising from wind in the stomach and bowels. One or two tea spoonfuls of the powdered root is a dose, or it may be used in decoction, and dogwood berries or bark may be steeped with it. THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. 127 ALUM ROOT. This root is a powerful astringent, and is used in hemorrhage, or bleeding from weakness, &c. It is used for a gargle in sore mouths. The In- dians apply it to wounds, ulcers and cancers. AGRIMONY. Common agrimony has a perennial root, with a rounded heavy stem, growing from one to two feet high, blossoms yellow, producing a small green bristly bur, which often sticks to clothes that come in contact with it. The root of agri- mony is a mild astringent tonic, it may be used in tea for bowel complaints, fevers, &c. ASARIUM, OR SWAMP ASARABACCA, grows in low grounds, has but two leaves rising from the root, the flowers are purple and bell- shaped, and proceed from between the leaves It has a nauseous, bitter taste. From a half to a table spoonful of the powdered root operates up- wards and downwards, steeped in boiling water. A table spoonful may be given every half hour for whooping cough ; in doses of a tea-cup full three times a day it promotes the menses or courses. 128 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. CAMOMILE. A warm decoction of the flowers in large quantities will act as an emetic, in small doses, taken cold, it is an excellent tonic to strengthen the stomach. It enters into the wine bitters in this work. DEADLY NIGHT SHADE, Or BELLADONNA, grows two or three feet high, among rubbishy and in uncultivated places. The berries are very plump and round, first green, then red, and when ripe of a shining black. This poisonous plant has performed great cures in palsy, epilepsy, jaundice, dropsy and tumors. Halt a grain of the powdered root or leaves is sufficient to begin with, or infuse twenty grains in a pint of boiling water, strain when cool, one or two table spoon- fuls once a day is a dose. colt's foot is generally known. Boiling injures it, better put into spirits. A strong tea, by steeping, brings out a moisture on the skin and strength- ens the stomach. MAN DRAKE, Or MAY APPLE, needs no description, it is an excellent purgative in doses from ten to thirty grains, or double that 129 quantity, infused in a gill of water, or equal quan- tities mandrake juice and molasses may be mixed, and a tablespoonful taken every hour or two until it operates. The Indians gather the root in the fall, when the leaves turn yellow, and dry it in the shade and pulverize it for use. rhubarb root, (Radix Rhei,) is generally cultivated in our gardens for the sale of the stalks, which are made into excellent pies ; the root, however, is of the same kind of rhubarb as that which is imported from Asia. Small doses of rhubarb, from six to ten grains are as- tringent and strengthening to the stomach ; in larger doses, a tea spoonful, it is first purgative and then astringent. It is, therefore an excel- lent medicine for diarrhea and dysentery, because it evacuates any acrid matter that may be offend- ing the bowels, before it acts as an astringent. AMERICAN IPECAC, Or INDIAN PHYSIC grows about two or three feet high, in low woods and meadows, and is very common in all parts of the country ; it is equal to foreign ipecac. Thirty or forty grains of the pulverized root act as an emetic. In doses of five or six grains every two hours it acts as a sudorific, or a hand 130 THE SIOK MAN'S FRIEND. full of the fresh root may be infused in a pint of boiling water, and a small tea spoonful taken every fifteen or twenty minutes, until it produ- ces vomiting. CELANDINE grows by running brooks, is about two feet high, and the stalks have larger joints than are com- mon with other plants, and are very easily bro- ken, it is generally well known. Twenty or thirty drops of the juice, or half a tea spoonful of the powdered root in new milk, morning and evening is a cure for the dropsy, green sickness, and cutaneous eruptions. The juice rubbed on warts, ring and tetter worms, completely removes them. Made into an ointment or plaster, is a good application for piles, and effectually cures the king's evil. SWEET FLAG. This is well known by everybody by the name of calamus. It is good for wind colic in children, where there is no fever. BEARBERRY is a low ever-green shrub, also called whortle- berry and wild cranberry. It relieves the stone, gravel, course? of females, and also catarrh and THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. 131 consumption. Make a tea of the leaves, a handful to a pint of water, take half a pint two or three times a day. AVENS ROOT, Called chocolate root, throat root, cure-all, is a powerful astringent and a good tonic. A strong decoction sweetened, is useful in all cases of de- bility, dyspepsia, bleeding at the lungs, relax, colic, sore throat, and uterine hemorrhage. FIYE FINGER, Or CINQUEFOIL. This root is a gentle astringent, and has been found by experience to be very beneficial in fevers, and particularly when there is great de- bility, lassitude, and night sweats, which last it seldom fails to check, it also helps the appetite. It is taken in decoction, or may be boiled in milk. It is serviceable in allaying fluxes, im- moderate flow of the menses, &c. BEECH DROPS, Cancer root or broom-rape, grows under beech trees, six or eight inches high, brittle^ of a brown color but no leaves, bulbous root. It is disagreeably bitter, tonic and astringent. The fresh bruised root externally applied is celebra- ted for curing the cancer, ulcers and St. Vitus 132 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. fire ; internally it is good for convulsions, and after physic lias been taken for dysentery and diarrhea. FEATHERFEW. A common garden plant ; a tea of it freely drank, expels wind, promotes the menses, and relieves hysterics and low spirits. LIFE ROOT is a very choice medicine, it is good combined with angelica root, meadow cabbage root, make a tea for females. A good cure for gravel, it is a powerful diuretic. BLOOD ROOT is also called red root, Indian paint, &c, and is generally well known. The powdered root twenty or thirty grains is a powerful emetic, in smaller doses, for ulcerous sore throats, croup and hives, it is equal to the Seneca Snake root f and one or two grains every two or three hours, is an excellent diuretic in colds, pleuricies, bleed- ing of the lungs, good in scarlet fever ; in tinc- ture ten drops a day, three or four times, for suppression of the menses. STRAMONIUM, THORN APPLE, STINK WEED, &C. The leaves and seeds are used. This is one of THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND, 133 the wandering plants, common to all parts of the world, and spreading with the utmost facility. Stramonium leaves, green or dry, used in the elm poultice for inflammatory swellings of every kind, the ointment is good for piles, burns, etc., the juice in doses of two grains twice a day is good for epilepsy and other fits. WILD CARROT. • This plant grows in most parts of the United States, and is found by the sides of old fields and uncultivated grounds. Properties — this plant is diuretic, acting particularly upon all the urinary organs. Given in strong tea it is very useful in gravelly complaints, and in the passage of stone from the kidneys and bladder. For gravel take strong tea, warm, through the day. SAFFRON, GARDEN SAFFRON, Saffron, in small doses, is given as a driving, forcing medicine, producing perspiration. It brings out the red gum, upon young infants, also the measles, small pox, rash, and all erup- tive diseases. WELD INDIGO, Or BAPTISIA TINCTORIA. This plant is found all over the United States. It is purgative, emetic, and stimulant ; in the 134 form of poultice, is very good in inflammatory affections, bordering upon gangreen ; the cortical part of the bark is that which we use. It is good in syphilitic ulcers, also for almost every sore, such as malignant ulcerous sore mouth and throat, mercurial sore mouth, sore nipples, &c. It may be used externally in strong decoction, as a wash, fomentation, poultice, or ointment., made with cream or lard ; it is a prominent part in the yellow salve, which is very useful in various kinds of ulcers. For a poultice make a strong decoction, thicken with slippery elm and spikenard. OAK BARK. Either black or red oak bark is tonic, astrin- gent, and powerfully anticeptic, and is good in all cases where peruvian bark is good, and may be used in decoction internally and externally. SPIKENARD. This is a common plant, and well known ; the roots and berries are the parts used, and are pop- ular remedies throughout the United States for coughs, female weakness, as general tonics, used in tea or syrup. The roots bruised and used in poultice, are applied by the Indians to all kinds THE SICK MAN'S FRIENtD. 135 of wounds and ulcers, and also to ring worms, they are better than sarsaparilla, in syphilis and all other complaints in which that article is used. MALE FERN. This root appears to be very troublesome to intestinal worms, and particularly to the tape worm. This article constitutes the basis of the celebrated specific of Madam Nomer for the tape worm. There is much evidence that it has expelled the tape worm. It is said to be much used in Europe for this purpose. A table spoon- ful of the powdered root may be given three or four times a day ; three days afterward give a strong purgative, or a strong tea may be freely drank. The oil of the same is highly recom- mended for tape worm. PRICKLY ASH BARK AND BERRIES, Generally found in meadows and low moist ground. This bark possesses very energetic stimulant, and diaphoretic properties. It is a popular medicine, and often used as a remedy in chronic rheumatism. It, combined with Vir- ginia snake root, mustard seeds and wahoo bark, put into spirits, is very thinning to the blood. It 136 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. quickens and cleanses, and throws out all erup- tive diseases. This is my Blood Bitters, which I have made great use of in my ^practice for over twenty-five years. sumach, bake: of the root and berries; [This grows throughout the United States, in bar- ren fields, by the sides of fences, generally in gravelly soils. It is astringent, an infusion of the berries, sweetened with honey, is sometimes used as a gargle in sore throats, and for cleans- ing the mouth in putrid fevers. The bark of the root is considered good in the form of poultices for old ulcers, it is hardly equalled by any. The bark in decoction, for prolapsus, falling of the bowels and of the womb. A decoction of the berries make an excellent gargle for quinsy and putrid sore throat, also tea made strong, checks excessive flooding. pokeweed Is very active, and operates as an emetic and cathartic. If an ounce of the root be steeped in a pint of wine, two table spoonfuls will operate well as an emetic, in smaller doses it is an ex- cellent remedy for rheumatism, and it cures the venereal disease without mercury. A decoction the sick: man's friend. 137 of the leaves is used externally for the piles ;. an ointment made by simmering a handful of the roots or leaves in a pint of lard, adding a little beeswax is applied to ulcers, HORSE RADISH, ROOT. A very stimulating medicine. Horse radish grated and mixed with vinegar, and mustard with vinegar, are very good in palsy, take a little on every mouthful of food taken. The first used as a wash removes freckles. SASSAFRAS. Is an aromatic or pleasant tonic. Sassafras, prickly ash, dogwood, and American gentian, make as powerful and as pleasant a bitters as the foreign gentian, columbo, peruvian bark, cloves and cinnamon, as that we buy at the drug stores. GRAVEL WEED, Grows on dry land where wintergreen is found, the stalk does not rise much from the ground, but runs along and takes a new root, the leaf is a pale green, thick and round, and bears a small white blossom. It grows in little beds or mats, the leaves thick together; boiling injures it ; an infusion of the leaves and vines in hot water is 138 the sick: man's fbiend. said to be an effectual cure for gravel in the kid- ney, or stone in the bladder. The use of it must be continued for some time. kino's evil weed grows in the woods something like plantain, but the leaves are smaller, spotted green and white, a single stalk runs up from th'B middle of the plant six or eight inches high, bearing on the top a small round bud. It is considered an in- fallible cure for king's evil. Make a poultice of the whole plant, and apply it to the swelling, and use a tea of the same for constant drink. YELLOW DOCK. The root is very efficacious in cleansing the blood of humors, and open cancers have been cured by applying the narrow leaved dock as a fomentation poultice, and by drinking each day from a pint to a quart of the decoction. An ointment is also good to discuss indolent tumors. SARSAPARILLA. We make much use of this article in our prac- tice. It is good for impurity of the blood and disorders of the skin. If used in decoction, a large handful of the roots to one quart of water boiled down one- third. THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND 139 BLUE FLAG. This root is very good in several diseases, given in doses of six or eight grains night and morning it proves gently laxative. It is good in venereal, fluor albus, &c, it is good combined with male fern for dropsy, in tea, use freely. RATTLE-SNAKE ROOT, CORN-SNAKE ROOT. The root, chewed or bruised, and laid on the wound, cures the bite of a snake. LADIES SLIPPER. A tea of ladies slipper is used as a substitute for valerian, and is a fine regulating medicine in female complaints* TAG ALDER. Bark of the roots boiled in cider is good to cleanse the blood in the spring of the year. BETH ROOT. This plant is a native of North America, well known. The root of this plant is astringent, tonic, alterative, &c, the root is employed inter- nally in bleeding from the kidneys, bladder or urethra, in uterine hemmorrhage, immoderate menstrual evacuations, spitting of blood, hectic fever, asthma, coughs, &c. In doses of a tea spoonful of the powdered root, or in infusion, are 140 THE SICK MAN'S FRIKNI). good in fluor albus of females, Externally this root is very useful in the form of a poultice in tumors, putrid ulcers, carbuncles and mortifica- tion, by itself, or what is still better, in combi- nation with blood root. COMFREY. The roots of this plant are good in pulmonary irritations, arising from colds, coughs, &c. In consumption it is a valuable remedy. We make extensive use of it in combination with other ingredients, and principally in the form of syrups. DWARF ALDER. A tea made of this bark and wahoo has cured dropsy in many cases. The extract of the inner bark is good in piles, the juice will vomit and purge, both. DANDELION. This plant is well known, it is one of the most valuable plants we have ; it exerts a sure and efficacious effect upon the liver, removing ob- structions; it is also excellent for the gravel and kidney complaints, and may be taken in the form of tea, freely. The inspissated juice of the plant is the best form to give it. THE SICK MAN 5 S FRIEND. 141 ELECAMPANE Is a very common plant, and possesses pretty- good tonic properties ; it is an excellent article in combination with others in coughs and colds. It enters into my cough drops. WINTERGREEN, This plant is a stimulant, anodyne and cor- dial, and a popular remedy in many parts of the country. It is generally used as a tea, but the essence and oil possess all the properties, and are kept in the shops, the oil to disguise a great many patent medicines. LOBELIA, INFLATA OR INDIAN TOBACCO. This plant is well known throughout the coun- try. When given in tea spoonful doses, repeat- ed every ten or fifteen minutes, it pukes freely. It is best combined with those articles which modify its action, in which manner I administer it. I combine it with blood root and Ipecac, equal parts, which make an excellent emetic in all cases where its use is required. It is very useful in asthma, &c. It enters into my emetic powders. QUEEN OF THE MEADOW. A large handful of the roots boiled in three 142 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. pints of water, down to a quart, and g iven in doses of a tea cupful every two hours, is good in gravel, bloody urine and suppressions of urine ; it strengthens, and carries off the water in dropsy. BONE-SET, Or THOROUGHWORT. This plant possesses very active properties, ac- cording to the dose in which it is administered. The warm infusion acts as a sudorific, producing copious sweating. It is also an excellent article for coughs, and is likewise used in hysterical complaints. In dropsical complaints it is em- ployed as a diuretic. The leaves and blossoms are the parts used for medical purposes, of which the extract and syrups contain all the medical properties, and are less disagreeable to the taste. PLEURISY ROOT. Common names, pleurisy foot, white root, flux root, wind root. It is found throughout the United States. This root is a popular remedy for pleurisy, and is used in the form of tea to promote perspiration, it is also recommended for colic, flatulency, and lung complaints. I some- times add man-drake root, and give a strong tea in pleurisy. THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. 14:3 cicuta, common name, hemlock. In the form of extract and made into pills half the size of a small pea, given twice a day, is good to discuss scrofulous and cancerous tumors of the breast. The plaster is also good for tumors and swellings. For tumors take inspissated juice of hemlock, or the extract, wax and resin, of each two parts, olive oil, one part, melt and spread on leather. I use the leaves in my aromatic poul- tice. AMERICAN GENTIAN, THE ROOT. Grows two or three feet high, the stem is 6trong and erect, but the leaves surround the stalk like bone-set, and at the junction of the leaf with the stalk, on the upper side, yellow flowers appear, which terminate in bitter berries containing seeds ; it is better than imported gentian. Not only is it a tonic, but it corrects unhealthy secretions, and produces that healing effect upon the lungs and liver which no other medicine can do. It enters into my wine bitters. SAMPSON SNAKE ROOT Grows one, two or three feet high, the leaves are dark green and very smooth on the under side. It blossoms about the last of August, bearing 144: THE SICK MA.n's FlilEND. circular, pale blue flowers on the top of the stalk. The root is fibrous, of an agreeable taste, run- ning near the surface, from which, in the fall, red sprouts are found shooting up to form the stalk. It is used in debility of the nervous sys- tem. A wineglass full of the tincture, or more of the decoction, three times a day. DOGWOOD Grows fifteen or twenty feet high, bearing large white flowers, is well known. It is a powerful tonic, and is equal to the peruvian bark. The bark is used for the ague, either pulverized, or in tincture or decoction, and the Indians make use of the flowers for the same purpose. ROSE WILLOW. This grows on the banks of brooks or rivers, about the size of an apple tree, with a bunch in the top resembling a bunch of roses, grey color- ed bark outside, red within. A large handful of the bark boiled in three pints of water, down to a quart, is used for the gleet, whites, immoderate flowing of the menses, and cutaneous eruptions. I make use of it as follows : Take two ounces of the bark, two ounces uf the inner bark of red beech pulverized, add one quart wine. Dose, THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND 145 one table spoonful three times a day. This is an effectual cure for children wetting the bed, it cannot be beat in the cure of diabetes. MUSTARD. The pulverized seeds are a diffusable stimulus. When taken whole, in the dose of a table spoon- ful or more, they produce a gentle evacuation without weakening the stomach and bowels, also good in doses of two tea spoonfuls twice a day in the turn of life. FOXGLOVE, THE LEAVES. This plant grows on dry, sandy ground, for tiie most part, on the high as well as the low places, and flourishes well in America. Proper^ erties — Sedative and diuretic, diminishing the activity of the pulse and the general irritability of the system, and increasing the action of the absorbants and the discharge of urine ; and for dropsy in the chest this medicine is very useful. Add half a pint of boiling water to a tea spoon- ful of the leaves, and for dropsy give a table spoonful every two hours. It never fails to in- crease the discharge of urine and afford relief. MALLOWS grow in almost every door yard. There are two 146 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. kinds, but the properties of both are the same. It is mucilaginous, and useful in dysentery, gravel, stranguary, and the scalding of urine. SKUNK CABBAGE. The root and seeds of the skunk cabbage are expectorant, antispasmodic and anti-hysteric. As an expectorant they are useful in asthma, cough, consumption, and all affections of the lungs that need medicines of this kind, they are used in hysterics, whooping cough, convulsions lying-in-women, and in all spasmodic affections, and are said not to be inferior in efficacy to the best remedies of that class. The pulverized root may be given in tea spoonful doses, repeated ac- cording to circumstances, or it may be combined with angelica and life root, make a tea, and drink freely. This is the green tea that has been dealt out so much by myself and Dr. Tenant for a good many years in this State. WORMWOOD. Wormwood is possessed of very valuable pro- perties, both stimulant and tonic. When given in moderate doses it promotes the appetite and digestion, quickens the circulation and imparts to the whole system a strengthening influence. THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND, 14:7 It is given in all cases requiring tonics, in dys- pepsia, and all tonic states of the intestinal canal, in debility of the membranes of the intestines. It is often given in intermittent fevers with good success ; it is very useful in fomentations for bruises and inflammations in general. Dose of the powder, from half to one ounce in a pint of cold water, externall as a fomentation. TANSY. Very useful as a tea in fevers, agues, hysterics, dropsy, and to regulate labor pains, given in the form of tea. Tansy and sage is the best, safest and surest of all medicines for worms, given in a strong tea, sweetened with molasses. WILD TURNIP, INDIAN TURNIP. This article must be used in substance, and generally enters into compounds for coughs. When in a dry state, or the fresh roots may be grated and mixed with three times their weight of sugar, thus forming a conserve, which must be taken in tea spoonful doses, three times a day. A poultice made by bruising the green roots and leaves is said to be very useful for scrofu. lous swellings, &c. 148 THIS SICK MAN'S FRIEND. SENECA SNAKE BOOT. This root is deemed an antidote for snake bites, as well as being stimulant, diuretic, emet- ic, purgative and emmenagogue; useful in colds, pleurisies and female obstructions. It may be given in powder, tea or syrup. The proper dose of the powder is from one-third to a half tea spoonful, every three hours until the desired effect is produced. POPLAR. The bark of this tree affords one of the finest tonic bitters. It may be used in powder or de- coction or tincture, for diarrhea, obstruction of the urine, indigestion, faintness at the stomach, consumption and worms. The bark may also be pulverized and compounded with other tonics, and used in all cases. MILK WEED, Or SILK WEED. The root of this plant is a powerful diuretic. Boil eight ounces of the root in six quarts of rain water, to three, strain it for use. For the dropsy take a gill of this decoction four times a day, increasing the dose according to the effect. Those who are troubled with a suppression of the urine may take a tea cup full of this decoc- THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. 149 tion four times a day, sweetened with honey. WANDERING MILK WEED. The root of this plant is a good cure for chron- ic rheumatism; take the roots and add a pintot whisky. Dose, one table spoonful twice a day. The powdered root added to catarrh snuff is good for the headache. SPEARMINT. Infusion made by bruising a handful in a quart of boiling water. It constitutes the prin- ciple article in the spirits of mint, which is made by bruising the green plant and ad ding sufficient fourth proof gin to make a saturated tincture, which makes a preperation good in suppression of urine, gravelly affections, &c. The doses of this preparation is a wineglass full, drank as often as the stomach will bear. Cotton wet in the above tincture and applied to the piles, af- fords immediate relief. This makes the spirits of mint. CALUMBA. This is one of our native plants, it acts as a tonic, it gives strength to the stomach and intes- tines without stimulating. In dyspeptic com- plaints it exerts its greatest benefits, and it is one 150 THE SICK MAN ? S FRIEND. of the best tonics that we can employ. This with ipecacuanha is good in dyspepsia- Give ten or twelve grains of calumba and two of ipe- cacuanha. HOPS. The tincture of hops relieves pain. In tea spoonful doses it relieves after pains, and in cases where opium cannot be taken. Boiled in vine- gar and water it makes an excellent fomentation to relieve pain in the bowels, head and other parts ; the extract is a good anodyne. POPPY. The action of opium appears to be on the nervous system ; when given in small doses it diminishes sensibility and causes a tranquility in the system and sleep. It should be used only as an anodyne, but when combined with other ingredients, with a view to act upon the secre- tions, it may be given in many diseases with a signal benefit. Opium may be given in doses of from one to three grains, laudanum from thirty to sixty drops. A medium dose for a grown person is forty drops. A syrup made of the capsules or heads is the best for children, as the water takes up less of the narcotic principle THE SICK MAJST's FRIEND. 151 than spirits. In cases where other means fail to allay pain, it is good to give opium in the form of pills or powder, but should be dispensed with in every case where it is possible. VIRGINIA SNAKE ROOT Is tonic, and therefore good to strengthen the stomach, and good combined with prickly ash, mustard, wahoo, and spirits, to cleanse the blood and bring out humors. CRANES BILL. The best time for collecting this plant is in the fall. It is a very good astringent, useful in bleeding, internally or externally, from the lungs, womb &c. A tea made of beth root and cranes bill is excellent for flooding, whites, etc. A tea of cranes bill is said to be good ior whooping cough, it should be sweetened with honey. MOUNTAIN MINT, Or DITTANY, STONE MINT. The whole plant has a warm, fragrant, aromat- ic, pungent taste and smell, containing an essen- tial oil, easily extracted by distillation. Dittany is deemed stimulant, tonic and nervine ; the whole plant is used, commonly in warm tea, and is a good medicine for colds, headache, hysteri- cal affections, fevers, and especially for females, 152 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. and in all cases where it is an object to excite perspiration. It is said to be good for the bites of snakes, externally applied, killing rattlesnakes by holding it to the nose with a stick. The In- dians use it for wounds, and to expel dead children, CLIVERS, CLEAVERS, Or GOOSEGRASS. This plant grows to the height of three feet, stem square, slender, has many joints, branched, with sharp teeth or prickles, leaves small and pointed, flowers small and white, grows in wet rough places. This plant made into a strong tea in cold water and drank freely is good for gravelly complaints and all obstructions of the urine. This plant is as good a diuretic as we have. I have made great use of it, and found jt a good medicine in all suppressions of urine and gravelly complaints. PENNYROYAL. A strong tea of the leaves and stalks of pen- nyroyal is in high repute. It is a good remedy in fema e obstructions, and may be used either in tea, tincture or essence. GOLDEN SEAL, Or YELLOW ROOT. This plant has a round stem, straight, grows THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. 153 about one foot high, commonly has two rough leaves on the top, in the centre of which the flower appears. It is principally confined to the Western States. Golden seal is a good and val- uable bitter tonic, highly useful in all cases of debility and loss of appetite. It may be used alone or with other tonics ; it is one of the very prominent ingredients in my wine bitters, which give life and strength. PARTREDGE BERRY, Or SQUAW VINE. This plant is well known, and is very valuable for child-bearing women. Squaw vine received its name by the squaws making so much use of it. Make tea and drink three or four weeks previous to and during delivery ; and it was the use of [this plant that rendered that generally dreaded event so remarkably sate and easy with them. CATNIP, Or CATMINT. This common plant is accounted valuable as an external application poultice to swellings ; used in tea it is good for headache, colic, female obstructions, hysterics and spasms, it is also good to relieve the restlessness and colic of chil- dren, for which it is highly valuable. 154 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. BALSAM FIR, CANADA BALSAM. As an internal remedy this balsam is good. In complaints of the lungs, either pain, soreness or cough, it strengthens the nervous system, loosens the bowels, cleanses and heals internal ulcers, and diseases of the urinary passages, often proving useful in the cure of gleet as well as the preceding stages of the venereal complaint and in fluor albus or whites. Externally this valuable balsam is applied to ulcers and wounds, being a good article, used in the healing salves. Dose, internally, half a tea spoonful, with sugar or molasses. SWEAT ROOT, ABSCESS ROOT. The root of this plant is the part employed as medicine ; the knowledge of the virtues of which was derived from the Indians, and has been con- firmed by the experience of several botanic practitioners. The Indians make a tea ot the roots and drink freely of it in fevers, pleurisies, and in all cases where they wish to produce a good sweat. To make tincture, take a handful of the roots, add one quart of whisky ; take half a wine glass full three times a day to cleanse the blood and system of humors. THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. 155 SKULLCAP. This plant is quite common and needs no des- cription. It is exceedingly good in the cure of St. Vitus dance, and has become quite famous as a cure for the bites of mad dogs. Its pro- perties as a medicine in this disease was first discovered by Dr. Vanderveer, who used it with the utmost success until 1815, at which period he died. It is said that he cured four thousand of this disease, and prevented one thousand more from becoming affected after they had been bitten by rabid animals. It is very useful in convulsions and tumors, lock jaw, and all cases of nervous irritations, given in form of infusion or tea, to be drank through the day ; it is an excellent nervine, used as a common drink. MAN ROOT. Or MAN IN THE GROUND. The stem is a climbing vine of a purplish col- or, from three to twelve feet long, leaves heart- shaped at the base, flowers resemble the morning glory, white or purplish. The root is cathartic, diuretic, is used in dropsy, gravel, coughs, con- sumption, asthma, &c. The extract is, by some, considered a very valuable cathartic, equal to jalap, rhubarb or scammony, and may be used 156 the sick: man's friend. in substance or decoction, or it may be made into a syrup with skunk cabbage. SWEET BALSAM, Or LIFE EVERLASTING. A tea is good for pain in the breast, weakness of the lungs, and in consumption, stranguary, gravel and fluor albus, excellent to excite per- spiration. I have used this balsam in my prac- tice for twenty years ; in all cases of fevers, for common drink, it is the best help of any tea I have ever found. HOARHOUND, THE LEAVES AND STEMS. Grows about a foot in height, leaves in pairs, flowers white, and is found growing along fences and roadsides. It is tonic, and it is a very ex- cellent remedy in colds, coughs, and all pulmon- ary affections ; it is very good in consumption, and is most generally given in the form of syrup and infusion, or tea ; it is used in the form of syrup for colds and coughs. SLIPPERY ELM. This bark is of much importance in medicine; infused in water it affords an abundant mucilage, which is useful in dysentery, coughs, pleurisies, quinsies, &c. A very good way of preparing the bark for internal use is to pulverize it finely, THE SICK MAN 5 S FRIEND. 157 mix an equal quantity of sugar with it, and add warm water enough to form it into a soft, pulpy mucilage. Some prefer the bark simply infused in cold water, the patient drinking oft' the mu- cilagmous liquid ; prepared in either way it is good in diarrhea and dysentery. It is also good in sore throats, colds, coughs, fevers and poultices. INDIAN FEVER ROOT. This is one of the sweating plants used by the Indians; made in a tea and drank moderately will relax the bowels and produce sweating and effectually cure fevers. SMART WEED. This valuable plant is well known ; it is a powerful herb, and allays inflammation, removes cold sweatings and dissolves congealed blood in bruises blows, &c. For these purposes it should be applied in 6trong poultice. The juice des- troys w rmsin the ears, when dropped into them. RED RASPBERRY. The leaves of this article are valuable when given in tea, to facilitate the operation in emet- ics, good astringent in decoction, useful in bowel complaints, and for external applications to soften poultices for scalds and burns, and as a wash, 158 * THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. with the addition of borax, to wash soi e nipples ; also in a strong tea to regulate the pains of wo- men in travail, much use is made of it. BLOOD ROOT. This root pulverized is good in bleeding of the lungs, combined with lobelia, is used as an emet- ic in croup, scarlet fever ; in cough drops ; in the form of snuff for the cure of catarrh, poly- pus and foul ulcers. It has been used with good effect in tincture with the tincture of gum mjrrh for the suppression of the menses, in doses of one tea spoonful twice a day, continued for some time. The two tinctures are very healing for fresh wounds, blows, &c. Blood root mixed with vinegar is also an excellent cure for ring worms, and the powder applied to fungus or proud flesh removes it. The Alleghany Indians near me make great use of blood root. KNOT ROOT. Used for sores, painful parts, swellings, poison, headache, in tea. For headache, colic, cramp, dropsy, indigestion, &c, used in a poultice, the whole leaves, fresh or dry. GOLD THREAD. The leaves ever-green, on long slender foot THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND, 159 stalks, growing three together, flowers white and yellow on a separate stern. Gold thread is a strong bitter tonic, it promotes digestion and strengthens the system, useful in all cases of de- b lity. It is used as a remedy for sore mouth and canker. The roots are the only part used, and may be used in powder or tincture, in tea spoonful doses, three times a day. BLACK COHOSH, Or SQUAW ROOT. This is the Indian remedy, and much used in rheumatism, and also to facilitate child-birth, so its name, squaw root. It is good tinctured in brandy for chronic rheumatics, also good in female obstructions. It is used by the Indians for the bites of snakes, and for that purpose it is bruised and applied to the wound, It may be taken in strong tea very effectually. GUM MYRRH. Myrrh is a good tonic, it strengthens the stomachy assists digestion and promotes the se- cretions. It is good in malignant, putrid disor- ders, also in ulcers, both externally and internal- ly applied. It is made in tincture, take six ounces of myrrh, pulverized, add two quarts of alcohol, bottle and set in a warm place. It 160 THE SICK MAN'S FLUES D. should be shaken often for ttn or twelve days, then pour it oft for .use. This is very good in dysentery. The tincture of myrrh and tincture of cayenne pepper mixed half and half, given in tea spoonful doses with sweetened milk, cures colic, and makes a sharp, delightful milk punchy It is also the best remedy for cramp in the side or stomach, and is good in all bowel complaints that are attended with griping. GENTIAN, AMERICAN. Gentian is a very useful tonic, in all cases where tonics are required. In dyspepsia this article cannot be beat, it is given in conjunction with othej tonics and astringents, which appear to increase its value. It is used in the wine bit- ters, syrups, &c. ELDER, FLOWERS, LEAVES, BARK BERRIES. This shrub grows all over the United States, flowers in June. Every part of this shrub con- tains good medical qualities, the bark is useful in dropsy, the leaves are used in an ointment, the flowers are good in erysipelas. Make a strung tea, let the patient drink freely of it, and wash frequently with the tea. I have cured a great many with it. They aie excellent to purify the THE SICK MAN ? 8 FRIEND. 161 blood, good in poultice, the ted is very good to remove the hepatic affections of children, and to regulate the bowels. The elder berries are useful to make medical wine, take the berries and black berries, half and half, say ten or twelve quarts each, jam, press out the juice, add fifteen pounds sugar, makes five gallons good medical wine alter it is fermented. I prefer maple sugar for wine. culver's physic, black root or bowman root. Good purgative, it operates with mildness and certainty, without debility. In malignant and bilious fever it removes a black, tarry and mor- bid matter from the intestines. Dose a large tea spoonful in a gill of boiling water, sweeten. If it does not operate, repeat in two hours or so. BLACK PEPPER. Appears to possess, in an inferior degree, the stimulant properties of cayenne, for which it may be substituted. It is slightly astringent and may be used as a substitute for cayenne or red. Dose, one teaspoonful in hot water sweet- ened. BLACK ALDER, Or WINTER BERRY. This is a common shrub or bush, growing in 162 THE SICK MAN'S FKIEND. swamps near ponds and streams, and in weS lands, it is usually in bunches, from six to ten feet high, bark a dark ash color, spotted and white, flowers small and white, producing ber- ries. This shrub may be distinguished by its berries from the tag alder, or any other. The bark is highly celebrated as a tonic, it is altera- tive and vermifuge; useful in all cases ol re- covery from fevers and other sickness. In drop-* sy, jaundice, externally fur foul ulcers, mortified parts ; it may be combined with sassafras or other stimulating tonics ; used in decoction, both externally and internally ; for all complaints of the skin this article is an excellent remedy, by drinking a tea cupful of the decoction several times a day, and using the same frequently as a wash. The berries are also used for the same purpose as the bark, and may Le tinctured in spirits, which make a good tonic for all com- plaints, particularly for worms. Dose, from half to a whole tea spoonful three or four times a day, in hot water sweetened, or an ounce of the bark may be steeped in a pint and a half of water down to a pint, and taken in gill doses, twice a day. THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND, 163 Black birch, or sweet birch, spruce birch. This tree is so common that it needs no des- cription. The bark smells and tastes much like the wintergreen, it is deemed a good tonic, and and as such may be either used alone in strong tea, or may be combined with other tonics and used in decoction or made into a syrup, and taken to restore the strength and tone of the bowels after all kinds of bowel complaints. It is also said to be useful in gravel, and to remove female obstructions. It always grows on upland. mullein. This plant is too "valuable to pass unnoticed, as it is so common everywhere. The leaves are used instead of flannel, and dipped in hot water or medicated decoction. They are valuable for fomentations, also useful with the slippery elm in poultices applied to swellings and contracted sinews. A strong tea taken as a drink is good for asthma, coughs, bleeding at the lungs ; good as a wash for scalds, burns, and piles. A fine relaxing oil may be made from the flowers by putting them into a glass bottle, cork it tight and place it in the sun, the warmth of the sun will soon extract the pure oil- 164 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. CARAWAY, THE SEEDS. This plant is cultivated in our gardens both for medical and culinary purposes, on account of their aromatic smell and warm pungent taste. The seeds of caraway may be classed among the finest stomachics and carminatives of our cli- mates. To persons afflicted with flatulency, and liable to colics, if administered in proper quan- tities, they generally afford relief. ROSE, THE FLOWERS* Astringent, tonic, &c, used with advantage in passive hemmorhage, mucous discharges, di- arrhea, and other similar aflections. It is used by some externally, in the form of an eye water, by adding rose water to the pith of sassafras, which constitutes a mucilaginous liquid, and is very serviceable in ophthalmia, or inflammation of the eyes ; good in infusion by adding two pinches of the petals to a pint of boiling water Syrup of roses is made by adding one part of roses to nine of boiling water and ten of sugar. st. John's wort. Pectoral and nervine, blossoms chiefly used, although they are yellow, they will dye oils red* In bear's oil, sweet oil, &c, they make a fine THE SICK MAN'S FK1KND. 165 balsamic ointment tor wounds, sores, swellings, ulcers, tumors, rough sk n, &c. A. tea of the leaves gives relief ill diseases of the lungs, hys- terics and low spirits. A syrup made with sage is good for coughs. Dose for a child one year old, one table spoonful. HOLLYHOCK. This beautiful plant is raised in our gardens, and the leaves are a good astringent. A tea of them anEt>. It is said that the properties of this plant are voluntary astringent and pectoral. A decoction of it drank will immediatel stop immoderate flowing of the menses nnd other hemmorrhages. The powder oi blood wort mixed with an equal quantity of blood root and a little alum, and used as a snuff for polypus in the nose, frequent- ly destroys it iu the course of a week. The de- coction of this root, made into a syrup, has been found very beneficial in consumptions accom- panied with spitting of blood The juice of tne green leaves of bloodwort, bone set and rattle- 166 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. snake plantain, equal parts, a gill drank at a dose, is said to be an infallable cure for the bite of a rattle-snake, or any other poisonous reptile. The bruised leaves should also be applied to the wound, and changed often. WttlfU HELLEBORE. Grows by the side of brooks and is among the first plants seen in the spring, with large green leaves. A few grains of the powder causes a continual sneezing. An ointment cures the itch, scald head and other eruptions. A sub- stance, veratria, is made from it, which is pow- erful to deaden pain. WHORTLEBERRY, Or HUCKLEBERRY. This fruit is much used and esteemed to make pies, puddings, cakes, &c , yet the berries and root are strongly diuretic. Tuke of these ber- ries and juniper berries, half and half, bruised and put into gin and drank as the stomach will bear, seldom ever fails to relieve or cure the gravelly and dropsical affections. JUNIPER, THE BERRIES. This shrub is very common, growing on the banks of streams and rivers. The berries and oil are both possessed of a powerful diuretic THE SICK MAISTS FRIEND. 167 quality, exercising a very decided stimulating action on the general economy, but more especial- ly upon the kidneys, by increasing the secretions of these organs. They are principally exhibited in dropsy, the oil is carminative, and may be given in flatulency, gravel, &c, the berries may be given in tea, and the oil in sweetened water, from four to six drops at a time. yaw root, or queen's delight. This is a large root, purgative, alterative, anti- venereal, very valuable in yaws, ulcers, venereal and dropsy. Make a syrup or decoction, and take sufficient to loosen up the bowels well. MOUNTAIN DITTANY, Or HORSE MINT, STONE MINT. The properties of this plant are stimulant, nervine, sudorific, cephalic and aromatic ; it is also good tor colds, headache, and in all cases where it is necessary to excite perspiration ; good for nervous headache, hysterics and suppressed menses and urine. gall, from the gall-bladder of an animal. Is highly recommeded as a medicine, and has been used in many complaints with signal bene- fit. In stomach and liver diseases, mixed with mandrake, made into pills, and give three or 168 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND, four twice a day, is said to act upon the human system as oil does upon a watch, which makes it run easy. COMMON SALT. This salt possesses great medicinal as well as antiseptic properties. Dissolved in good spirits it is good for sore throat and all kinds of ulcers* also to drive away scrofulous and other swellings, fistula, tumors, wens, &c. A tea spoonful taken frequently is good to stop bleeding of the lungs, and applied externally to stop it from wounds ; good also for fevers, dyspepsia, &c. Dr. Bond, a botanic physician, prescribes salt mixed with vinegar and hot water, with great success in the cholera, and recommends it for all diseases, par ticularly of the stomach, as follows: common fine salt one tea spoonful, two table spoonfuls of pure cider vinegar, boiling water half pint. Give the whole as soon and as hot as possible, in half an hour give an injection of the same, about a pint, sweetened with molasses, repeat as occasion requires. CREAM OF TARTAR. Cream of tartar is laxative and diuretic. Small doses in water form a cooling drink in febrile THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. 169 diseases, and excites the urinary secretions. Large doses, in substance, occasions copious watery discharges from the bowels, hence it is very useful in dropsical cases, whether it oper- ates by the kidneys or alimentary canal. When added to the resinous purgatives, it renders them better suited to inflammatory cases, as in the compound powder of rheubarb and soda, or powder of jalap and mandrake, and is one of the ingredients in my settling powders, found in formula. COPPERAS, Or GREEN VITRIOL, SULPHATE OF IRON. This is used as an external application by sub- mitting copperas to the action of a red heat ; by it a red powder is formed called crocus martes, which as a very powerful astringent. The cro- cus martes add sulphate of zinc, equal parts, one table spoonful, with one quart of soft water, makes a good wash in the cure of lever sores. HEMLOCK TREE. The inner bark affords a very good astringent, and may be employed in all cases where articles of that class are indicated; the leaves and boughs make a strong tea, drink and set over the steam produces a good sweat ; excellent in rheumatism 170 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. and in the first attacks of fever, good as a fo- mentation for swelled testicles, caused by the mumps settling to these parts ; used as wash for the falling of the bowels and womb. The oil, mixed with oil of red cedar is good to bathe for rheumatics. The essence is a good stimulant, useful in coughs and headache ; the gum for plasters, with pine turpentine and burgundy pitch. COMPOUNDS or FORMULAS. Having passed through with a description of the single articles, and pointed out their proper^ ties and acknowledged virtues, together with their mode of preparation, doses, &c, we now direct our attention to the various compounds or formulas into which they enter. BLOOD BITTERS. Virginia Snake Root % oz. Wahoo Bark j| oz. Mustard Seeds 1 table spoonful. Spirits 1 quart. Dose, half a wineglass three times a day ; this is, perhaps, the best for cleansing the blood ; it cleanses, quickens and makes it flow freely THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. 171 through the veins, and throws all eruptive dis- eases to the surface. WINE BITTERS. Golden Seal J^ ounce Black Alder Bark % do Cammomile Flowers j|" do Gum Myrrh % do Blood Root % do Ginseng Root ^ do Lady Slipper % do Wine 1 quart. Dose, one table spoonful three times a day. This is a good tonic in all cases where tonics are required, it increases the appetite, makes blood* which is strength and good health. It is good for feeble women after confinement, and in all cases of debility. DIURBTIO DROPS. Sweet Spirits Nitre 2 ounces Balsam Copaiba % do Balsam Fir )| do Sweet or Olive Oil % do Spirits Turpentine % do Mix Add Camphor . , . 1 scruple. Dose, one tea spoonful two or three times a day. These drops are administered in scalding of urine, whether arising from venereal, reten- tion of urine or other complaints, in inflammation of the kidneys they give prompt relief. 172 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. COUGH DROPS. Extract Licorice i 2 ounces Wild Turnip Root. }£ do Elecampane j| do Blood Hoot. J£ do Alum )£ do Put these together with one pint of whisky ]et it stand two days, stir it frequently, let it set- tle. Pour off the liquor, add to it a half pint of molasses or honey. Dose, from two to five tea spoonfuls as often as five or eight times a day. It loosens the mucous, allays the cough, and soon gives relief. These are the best cough drops that can be produced. TOOTH DROPS. Take oil of cloves, oil of sassafras, strong tinc- ture of cayenne and blood root, equal parts, wet cotton and apply to the tooth. If this does not give relief apply the forceps and extract the tooth. ANODYNE CARMINATIVE DROPS. Tincture Beever Castor 2 ounces Tincture Assafoctida 2 do Tincture Paregoric 2 do Spirits Camphor - 1 do Mix. Dose, from one to two tea spoonfuls ; use to regulate and quiet the nerves and procure sleep ; good for melancholy, hipo or blues, hys- terics, &c. I find much use for it. the sick man's friend. 173 diuretic decoction. Spear Mint, herb 2 ounces Dwarf Elder 2 do Juniper Berries 2 do Queen of the Meadow Root 2 do Common Milk Weed Root 2 do Clivers, herb 2 do Bruise all together, make a strong tea. Dose, half a pint occasionally through the day. Very useful in dropsy, gravel, and to promote the urine, &c RHEUMATIC DECOCTION. Queen of the Meadow 3 ounces Sassafras Bark 2 do Marsh Mallows 3 do Prickly Ash Bark. 2 do Burdock Seeds 2 do Pound, add two quarts water, steep to three pints. Dose, half a pint twice a day ; this is good in chronic rheumatism. GRAVEL DECOCTION, Take life root with the tops, Jacob's Ladder, Spearmint ; make a strong tea, drink freely, this is highly useful. Godfrey's cordial. Opium 1 ounce Oil Sassafras 1 teaspoonful Alcohol 2 ounces Dissolve the opium and oil, add four pounds molasses with one gallon boiling water. When 174 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. cold mix them all together. Use for children same as paregoric. ASTRINGENT GARGLE. Take crane's bill root, alum, cohosh, make a strong tea, gargle frequently for quinsy. SORE THROAT GARGLE. Take half and half, vinegar and water ; to a tea cupful add one table spoon rounding full of salt, two tea spoonfuls tincture cayenne or half spoonful powdered, sweetened with honey or molasses ; gargle often, and each time swallow half tea spoonful or more. COMMON FOMENTATION. Take a handful each of wormwood, smartweed, tansy, hoarhonnd, catnip and mullein, if you can- not get all, get as many as you can, put into a bag of cloth, put into a pan, pour on boiling water to heat, then sprinkle a handful of salt o\er, squeeze and apply, in fifteen or twenty minutes heat again ; this iollowed, will reduce inflammatiou and ease pain. COMMON INJECTION. Take milk and water, salt, paregoric, a little soft soap, molasses; heat it a little warmer than milk-warm and inject. 175 PILE OINTMENT. Take fine cut tobacco, put into some conve- nient pan or spider, cover it over, set on the stove or fire, burn it to ashes, make it fine, mix with hogs lard. Oint around twice a day, set some of it up as well as you can ; this is extra good for piles. ITCH OINTMENT. Fresh Butter 1 pound Red Precipitate % ounce Resin 8 ounces Spirits Turpentine % ounce Melt the butter and resin together, when partly cool add the precipitate and turpentine, mix well. Oint twice a day, and take sulphur and molasses. This ointment cures all kinds except the army. ARMY ITCH AND LICE OINTMENT. Take anaguintum, one part, verdigris one- fourth part, mix well together. Put this on the seams and hems of the undershirt and drawers, put them on, in two or three days will be cured. STICKING PLASTER. Take three-fourths of a pound of resin, one ounce each, mutton tallow, beeswax, melt to- gether, pour into water. 176 THE SIOK MAN'S FRIEND. ..... ,^ GOOD PLASTER. Take one ounce burgundy pitch, half ounce each camphor, black pitch, white turpentine, melt together for plaster. POWDERS, Powders are the most simple form in which medicine can be given, as their virtues are not impaired by passing through any particular process, but when it is necessary to administer a large quantity of any article, they cannot be conveniently taken. They are either simple or compound. All powders should be kept in glass vessels, closely corked, and free from the light, otherwise their virtues may be impaired. Pow- ders may be administered in molasses, sauce' honey, &c. DOVER POWDERS. Ipecac, pulverized 1 ounce Opium 1 do Sulphate Potash 8 do Mix. Dose, one level tea spoonful will make twelve powders. These powders produce sleep and perspiration. These are my fever powders which I use in all fevers that require powders. FLOWING POWDERS. To stop excessive flowing, take deer horn, saw THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. 177 it into thin slices, bake it till brown, then pul- verize, make fine. Dose, one tea spoonful, take into the mouth, wash it down with some kind of drink. It seldom ever requires anything more, but if it does not stop in thirty minutes take another. I never knew or heard of a failure, and I have used it in a great many cases. I obtained this remedy of an elderly lady mid- wife, she was one of the best, and when doctors failed to stop excessive flowing in cases of par- turition, sent for her, and she stopped it first dose. WORM POWDERS. Take calves rennet, one table spoonful, put in a tea cup three or four spoonfuls of warm water, stir, give half a spoonful, if this does not turn the worms repeat the dcse every eight minutes, it will turn them with safety. To carry them off, give a tea of sage and tansy, sweetened with molasses ; if it does not move the bowels after taking a number of doses, give physic, this is the safest and best. COUGH POWDER. Take wild turnip, meadow cabbage, ginger, little of lobelia, alum, crane's bill, mix in mo- lasses. Di»se, a tea spoonful occasionally. Good 178 THE SICK MAN ? 8 FRIEND. in common cough, also in whooping cough. COMMON EMETIC POWDER. Take blood root, lobelia some times ipecac. Mix. Dose, to two tea spoonfuls of the powders add two or three^table spoonfuls of warm water, take one third, stirred up ; if this does not vomit in fifteen minutes give more, and so on till it operates. This is excellent in croup. COLIC POWDER. Pleurisy Root „ 1 ounce Cayenne Pepper.. /% do Pulverize, mix, add half pint water. Dose, one table spoonful every fifteen minutes till re- lieved. CATARRH SNUFF IN POWDER. Take blood root, bark of the baberry root, each one ounce, camphor gum and gum myrrh, one eighth of an ounce each, mix. This may be scented to suit. PLASTERS. Plasters, like ointments, have generally for their basis, an oily or fatty substance, but they are more solid and tough, and adhere to the parts without melting. THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND, 179 COMMON PLASTER. Litharge 4 ounces Olive Oil 8 do Water 1 quart Boil till the litharge and oil unite into a plas- ter. Use for common dressings. STICKING, Or ADHESIVE PLASTER. Common Plaster 4 ounces Burgundy Pitch 2 do Melt them together, stir well till cold. ANODYNE PLASTER. Melt four ounces of adhesive plaster, and while it is cooling stir in half an ounce of opium, and half an ounce of camphor gum, both made fine ; the camphor gum put on a few drops of sweet oil will pulverize easy. This plaster is good for pain in the back, side, or any part of the body, on the temples for headache, neuralgia, on the pit of the stomach for weakness. ANOTHER STRENGTHENING PLASTER. Take of hemlock gum, burgundy pitch, equal parts, add one-fourth part white pine turpentine, melt together ; good plaster to strengthen. BLISTER PLASTER. Take mutton suet, beeswax, white resin, of each equal parts, add one portion Spanish flies pulverized. 180 THE SICK MAN 5 S FRIEND. SALVES. Salves are medicines of proper consistency for spreading on linen or soft leather, designed for externa] use, for burns, ulcers, pain, &c. They are formed by uniting wax, resin, or oih with some remedial agent, either vegetable or some of the metalic oxides, such as red lead, &c. FEVER SORE SALVE. Take one teacupful of tar, two quarts water, boil together until the water is boiled out, then take it out, mix with it one table spoonful of red lead, one of goose or hen's oil, work it well to- gether, spread on cloth, renew twice a day. It soon heals, after everything else has failed. I have used this plaster for a great many years. SALVE FOR BURNS. The best salve for burns is to oint with dog's oil. For scalds with hot water, make a batter the consistency of pancake, with cream or milk and wheat flour ; apply once in six minutes for four or five times ; this takes out the fire. AROMATIC POULTICE. Take slippery elm bark, spikenard, equal parts ; stramonium leaves, cicuta leaves, poppy leaves, one eighth part, all to be pulverized, THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. 181 mix ; take some warm milk and stir in to make it of proper consistency for poultice ; change before it gets dry. This poultice eases pain and inflammation ; good to cleanse foul and ugly ul- cers. This is the poultice I have alluded to in all cases of inflammation. PILLS. Pills are round smooth substances, composed of vegetables, and are designed to operate in small doses ; in general they do not operate as soon as medicine in other forms. Pills are a good form to administer some kinds of medicine, as some can take it made in this manner better than any other. COMPOUND PILL. Pulverized Rheubarb - 1 ounce Aloes - - - - % do Gum Myrrh . - % do Oil Peppermint Y 2 drachm. All pulverized, mix with syrup of orange peel ; form into pills. Dose, two at bed time, five or six will produce emetic and cathartic ; good to cleanse the stomach and bowels. PALPITATION PILL. Take the yolk of an egg, the same bulk of rock soot, and same of black pepper, all made 182 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. fine ; mix with vinegar, roll in cream tartar. Dose, one night and morning. With these pills I have cured a great many of the palpitation of the heart, they are a sure remedy. GUM PILL. Take egg shells, brown them at the fire, then pound up fine, mix with white pine gum, make into pills. Dose, two at a time three times a day. Good in fluor albus and whites, CROTON PILL Take ol croton oil two drops, extract of rhu- barb or mandrake one eighth oi an ounce ; make into pills. Dose, two a three every night, they keep the bowels regular; no debility. FEMALE REGULATOR PILL. Take white pine turpentine, four ounces cop- peras, make it fine, mix, roll into pills. Dose, two or three, three or four times a day. These will promote the menses when obstructed by taking cold, I have used tbem for a great many, they always prove effectual and safe. I have had some patients that have gone some four and six, one eleven months, she had several doc- tors, but could not make any move, then she .sent for me. I found her system too much re- THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. 183 duced to afford its return, gave the wine bitters one week, then these pills with the bitters, when she soon came around, got well ; and has been for five years. Worthy medicine this. ANTI-BILIOUS PHYSIO POWDER. Jalap Root 8 ounces Alexander Senna 1 pound Cloves 1 ounce Let these articles be separately pulverized, then mix them together and pass through a fine seive. Dose, a tea spoon rounding full. It should be put into a tea cup with some white sugar, a gill of boiling water added ; stir, give to the patient when cool ; best on an empty stomach. This makes the best general purga- tive that is known. It is very mild, and acts through the whole alimentary canal, cleansing it and producing a healthy action. It may be given to every age and sex ; it is valuable in bilious and febrile diseases. These articles must be genuine; gruel alone to be drank the day the above is taken, NERVOUS PILL. Assafoedita 1 ounce Opium 1 do Carbonate of Ammonia 1 do Dissolve these over a fire, mix, make into pills 184 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. the size of a pea. Dose, one every hour, or two if necessary. It is useful in hysterics, and all nervous cases. OPIUM PILL. Take Turkey opium, cut out the soft part, make into pills the size of a pea, rub them in a little flour. Dose, one every hour or two if ne- cessary. This is the best form to give opium in very urgent and acute cases, in vomiting from any cause, attended with spasms, it affords prompt relief, and is also useful in colics, &c. IPECAC PILL. Take ipecac, make into pills with molasses the size of a pea. Dose, one or two, three times a day ; good for fevers, dyspepsia, &c. MANDRAKE PILL. Take extract of mandrake two parts, cayenne one part, mix, make into pills common size. Dose, three or four every night, or sufficient to regulate the bowels; excellent for liver, bilious, dropsical, dyspeptic and nervous complaints. BED, Or STIMULATING PILL. Take cayenne pepper, add sufficient of molas- ses and flour to form into pills. Useful in drop- sy of the chest, asthma, flatulency, indigestion, pain, &c. 185 ASTRINGENT WASH. Dried bark of large Hemlock ^ Upland Sumach, bark of root. I tt, ol ^ . Witch Hazel Bark, \ E( * ual P arts * White Oak Bark. J Make a strong decoction. This is useful to inject in fluor albus, to wash the parts in pro- lapsus uteri, or falling of the bowels and womb. It is most convenient to wet a sponge, tie a tape to it, and keep it up the uterus till the complaint is cured. A decoction of oak and alum is good. NEURALGIA WASH. Take of vinegar one teacup, sugar of lead one teaspoonful, fine salt two tea spoonfuls, lau- danum one tea spoonful, mix. Bathe the part affected with it, either cold or warm, to suit the patient. I use this a great deal in my practice, and always find it to give relief COMMON WASH. Take vinegar, water, salt ; wash or bathe. This is very beneficial in all kinds of fevers, or inflammations. It lessens fever, cools the pa- tient Wash with this twice a day all over. When there is high fever, wash every half hour the face, neck, hands and arms. 186 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. EYE WATER, Sulphate of zinc 4 grains. Sugar of Lead 4 do Paregoric 30 drops Water 1 ounce. Good eye water, apply two or three times a day. INFLAMMATION EYE WATER. Take some green tag alder, two or three inch- es »hrough, eighteen inches long, bore a hole in the middle, fill it with rock salt, plug with the same kind of wood, bum by setting a fire at each end, up to near the salt, then take the salt out and pulverize it ; take an even tea spoonful of this with twenty-five drops paregoric. Wet the eyes three times a day. I have made gal- lons of it during the last twenty years. QUINSY LINIMENT. Sweet or Olive Oil 1 ounce Hartshorn 2 ounces. Spirits Camphor J^ ounce Shake well to mix. Bathe frequently the affected parts. Good for quinsy, sprains, and stiff joints. For quinsy, after bathing some time, put a piece of flannel around the neck, but bathe often. Soon cures. CRAMP LINIMENT. The same as the above, only add one half as much tincture of cayenne pepper. THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. 187 RHEUMATIC LINIMENT. Oil of Hemlock 2 ounces Oil of Red Cedar 1 ounce Ca i phor )£ do Mix, shake well, bathe lightly. It is very powerful. Use in the commencement of all kinds of rheumatism. It often cures. TINCTURES.! i Tinctures are certain active ingredients, prin- cipally vegetable substances, which are imparted to alcohol. Spirits or wine tinctnres are excel- lent for administering a great variety of medical agents, but in some cases there may be an ob- jection to them, in consequence of the spirits which they contain. Substances yield their vir- tues more readily to spirits by the addition of heat. DROPSICAL TINCTURE. Bark of Sweet Elder 1 pound Good Wine 1 gallon Let it stand for an hour, strain and bottle. Dose, a wine glass three times a day. This tinc- ture is good in abdominal dropsy, and often cures without any other medicine. TINCTURE OF LOBELIA. Take of pulverized seeds and pods, two ounces, 188 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND, spirits two quarts, let it stand five or six days and strain. VALERIAN, Or NERVINE TINCTURE. Skull Cap , 4 ounces American Lady Slipper 4 do Brandy 1 quart Bruise the plants, add to the brandy. Dose, from one to four tea spoonfuls in sweetened water as occasion may require. This is good in all nervous diseases TINCTURE OF CASTOR. Take of castor two ounces, spirits one quart, let it digest one week. Good in suppressed menses. EXPECTORANT AND SPASMODIC TINCTURE. Ipecac 2 ounces Lobelia Seeds . . 1 ounce Blood Root 1 do Cayenne Pepper 3^ do Wine, Spirits or Metheglin 3 pints Let it stand ten days ; when taken, mix some water. JDose, one table spoonful twice a day, oftener if occasion requires. Good in inflam- mation of the lungs, pleurisy, consumption, fits, whooping cough, and when there is an j difficul- ty of breathing. THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. 189 TINCTURE OF FOXGLOVE. Fox Glove 1 ounce Proof Spirits 1 pint Let stand eight days then strain. Dose, irom fifteen to twenty drops three or four times a day, in some herb tea. Used in inflammatory disea- ses it lessens the pulse by diminishing excite- ment, and thereby prevents the necessity of bleeding. It is recommended in inflammation of the lungs, and is very valuable in dropsy of the chest, by promoting the urine. TINCTURE OF STRAMONIUM. Pulverized Seeds Stramonium 2 ounces Proof Spirits 1 quart Let it stand one week, when taken add some water. Dose, twenty-five drops twice a day, or as often as may be necessary. In fits it may be increased until it causes some pain or dizziness of the head. It is useful in epilepsy,neuralgia,&c. SWEATING DROPS, Or TINCTURE. Virginia Snake Root 1 ounce. Saffron 1 do Opium 1 do Camphor 1 do Ipecac 1 do Gin, or Proof Spirits 3 pints Let it stand fifteen days and strain. Dose, one tea spoonful in a wine glass of catnip tea every hour or two till it produces sweating. This 190 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. tincture is probably the best medicine for which it is given, which is generally to produce free perspiration ; one or two doses, aided by warm teas, and bathing the feet, causes a good sweat. It is useful in a variety of diseases, in fevers, in. flammations, &e. TONIC TINCTURE. Horse Radish Root 1 pound White Oak Bark 10 ounces Golden Seal Root 4 ounces Seneca Snake Root ... 6 ounces Carbonate of Irun . 6 ounces Cayenne Pepper 2 ounces Good Hard Cider 4 gallons Bruise all fine, put in the cider, let it be sha- ken every day for twelve days. A sure remedy for intermittent fever, debility, and an impover- ished state of the blood, and is good in obstruct- ed menses, dropsy, worms, and many other complaints, and is also good for young females to promote the first periodical evacuations. SPASMODIC TINCTURE. Tincture of Lobelia 1 pint Tincture of Cayenne 1 do Compound Tincture of Lady Slipper 3 gills Mix and bottle for use. Dose, from a tea spoonful to a table spoonful in a wine glass of water or herb 'tea, to be *given every twenty minutes. This tincture is recommended for fits, THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND 191 spasms, and all violent attacks of disease, sus- pended animation from drowning, hanging, lightning, or any other cause, it is also good in cases where poisons have been taken. HOT DROPS, Or TINCTURE. Gum Myrrh 1 ounce Cayenne Pepper 1 do Good Proof Spirits . 1 pint Mix, let it stand two weeks, shake well every day. Dose, one tea spoonful in sweetened water or milk, it may be repeated if necessary. Very useful for cramp in the^stomach, colic, good when a person is suffering with cold chills, summer complaints, dysentery, cholera, &c. LAUDANUM, Or TINCTURE OF OPIUM. Turkey Opium 1 ounce Proof Spirits 1 pint Let stand one week. Dose, from thirty to sixty drops, administer as an anodyne. TINCTURE PAREGORIC. Opium 1 drachm Flowers of Benzoin 1 do Camphor Gum 2 scruples Anise 1 drachm Proof Spirits 1 quart Dose, a tea spoonful for a child a year old ; given to allay irritation, for bathing and liniment. 192 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. ESSENCE OF PEPPERMINT. Oil of Peppermint 1 ounce Alcohol. 1 pint Mix, dose, tu enty-.fi ve or thirty drops. Useful in pain of the breast, sprains, &c. ESSENCE OF HEMLOCK. Made in the same manner. Dose, twenty-five or thirty drops in sweetened water, useful in rheumatism and pain in the breast, sprains, &c. ESSENCE OF SASSAFRAS. Made in the same manner. It is very useful in gout, rheumatism, pain in the breast, urinary diseases, &c. All other essences are made in the same manner, and their virtues are the same as the oils from which they are made. TO STOP VOMITING. Take one teaspoon ful each of rhubarb and cream tartar, half spoonful soda, four table spoons of water. Dose, one tea spoonful every six minutes. WASH FOR FRECKLES. Take horse radish, grate, add vinegar, let it stand one week, bathe the face neck and hands frequently* ERUPTIVE WASH. Take yellow dock, poke root, lobelia, equal THE SICK MiN's FRIEND. 193 parts pulverized or bruised, add one table spoon- ful to one pint of vinegar. Bathe often for erup- tions of the skin. TOOTH POWDER. Take fine salt, scorch it till brownish, g make fine, add charcoal made fine, rub the teeth and rinse with water. TO PRESERVE THE TEETH. Put nothing, either hot or cold to them, either food or drink, no metalic tooth pick, keep them well cleansed with the above powder. FRENCH TOOTH PASTE. Take of anodyne plaster one ounce, add three grains of arsenic, the same of quinine, mix. Where the tooth is decayed to the nerve, fill it with this paste, let it remain two hours, then take it out and throw it way. If it comes to the nerve it will pain no more, neither will it decay. I know of teeth which I pasted fifteen years ago, they are good teeth yet. CURE FOR WENS. Take the yolks of eggs, beat up and a 'id as much fine salt as will dissolve, and apply a plaster to the wen every eight hours. It cures without pain or any other inconvenience ; the same cures corns. 194 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. WINE OF IPECACUANHA, 01* TINCTURE Roc t of Ipecacuanha, in powder 1 ounce Malaga Wine 1 pint Macerate one week and strain. Dose, for adults one ounce, children one or two years old, one tea spoonful every ten minutes till it pukes them. CARROT POULTICE. Boiled Carrot, mashed 1 pound Flour 1 ounce Butter % do Mix them with a sufficient quantity of hot water to form a pulp. This will be found a val- uable application to ulcerated sores and swellings scrofulous sores, and many other inveterate ul- cers. YEAST POULTICE. Take of milk a little warm, one pint, yeast one gill, stir in fine elm bark to form a poultice, this is a good poultice to apply to gangrenous ulcers, it is better than any other ; it soon arrests mortification \ Used with proper auxiliaries, it is very serviceable in other species of inflamma- tion. ANOTHER CARROT POULTICE. Take the common carrot, scrape, add to it a decoction of spikenard root, and stir in Indian THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. 195 meal ; this poultice is good in all cases of in- flammation bordering on gangrene or mortifica- tion, and other sores. WILD TURNIP POULTICE. Take of the tops and roots if green, if dry, the roots of the wild turnip only ; steep in water and add slippery elm bark and a little stramon- ium leaves made fine, and poppy leaves fine, form into a poultice. This poultice is used in the treatment of kings evil or scrofula, with good effect. I think it is superior to all other poultices in scrofula, in a state of swelling and inflammation. WHITE POPPY SYRUP. Take white poppy heads, steep them in warm water for ten or fifteen hours, then boil a few minutes and strain, and add sufficient sugar to keep from souring; this makes a good anodyne for infants and children. Prepared in this man- ner there is less of the narcotic property of. the herb, than when prepared with spirits. Dose, the same as paregoric. It relieves cough and griping pains similar to paregoric, and is about the same strength. CORDIAL FOR DYSENTERY, SUMMER & LOOSENESS. Take choke cherries, if they can be had. if not 196 THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND, take the bark of the rout, steep them in cheap spirits, make it strong, and add half as much paregoric to it. Dose, for an adult, one table spoonful, children, according to age ; if there is any movement of the bowels in half an hour, take half a dose soon, until it is stopped. Be sure not to drink any water, if you do it will come on again. I have had hundreds of cases in the last twenty-five years, and have not failed in one single case as yet. CANKER POWDER. Heat a bar of steel till red, then hold a roll of brimstone on it, let it melt and run off into a dish of cold w r ater set for that purpose, then take it out and let it dry, then make it fine, and it is fit for use. I use this powder in all cases, spots and places where there is any canker. Sprinkle on the dry powder occasionally, canker will soon disappear. CHAFING OK GALLING. Very fleshy people are subject to this, young children are very apt to become chafed in differ- ent parts of the body, especially about the arms, ears, wrinkles about the neck, groins, &c, occa- sioned by being much moistened with sweat or THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. 197 urine ; these prove very troublesome to children, in some cases it is owing to an undue care of the mother or nurse to prevent and remove all such when they do occur. To prevent this it will be best to wash these parts daily, and change its clothes often and keep the child sweet and clean. After all this care, should there be any chafing, then, after washing, dry the parts and sprinkle them with the canker powder. TO REGULATE INFANTS BOWELS. The bowels of all infants at the time of their birth are filled with a darkish colored matter ; generally nature is sufficient to carry it off, if assisted by its mother's milk, which is always of a loosening nature. Infants should be soon ap- plied to the breast and learned to nurse, and after the child is two months old its bowels should be regulated, for which take magnesia and cream tartai\ equal parts, given in water; this regulates. children's cordial. Take two ounces each pink blows, smell age root and pleurisy root, boil in two quarts of water down to one quart, strain, add one quait proof spirits and one pound of white sugar. Dose for a small child, one teaspoonful, repeat if ne- 198 txuc sick man's fiuend. cessary ; good for wind, colics, fits, gripings, green stools. It is very soothing and quieting for children, much better than paregoric. FEMALE STRENGTHENING SYRUP. Take four ounes comfrey root, dried, two ounces of elacampane root, one ounce hoarhound. Boil them in three quarts of water down to three pints, strain and add while warm, half an ounce of beth root pulverized, one pint of spirits and one pound of loat sugar. Dose, half a wine glass full three or four times a day, useful in fe- male weaknesses, bearing down of the womb, fluor albus, debility and relaxation of the geni- tal organs, barrenness, &c. TO RESTORE THE HAIR. Take of pulverized lobelia herbs, fill a bottle full, add proof spirits, three parts, and one part bears or dogs oil, pour in as much as it will con- tain. It will soon be fit for use, rub the head once a day with this liquid. This has produced a beautiful head of hair ; the scalp should be well rubbed with a coarse rough cloth previous to applying the tincture. The head should be rubbed the same way you wish to comb the hair, no other way, as it will break off the young fine hairs. THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND, 199 SPEARMINT TEA. Take spearmint and hot water, steep a short time and strain. Dose one table spoonful every two hours for a child one year old ; this tea is said to be one of the most powerful vermifuges in the vegetable kingdom. It is warming to the stomach, good to relieve nausea and vomiting. Those who have children that are subject to an excess of worms, will find the i importance of the use of this tea, with other medicines, such as tansy and sage, and is good to diminish fever and inflammation, by promoting a discharge of urine. NEUTRALIZING CORDIAL. Take of rhubarb, saleratus or soda, and pep- permint herb, equal parts, all pulverized and mixed ; take a large tea spoonful in halt a pint of boiling water, when cool strain, sweeten with loaf sugar and add a table spoonful ot spirits. Dose, one or two table spoonfuls every quarter, half or one or two hours, according to symptoms. This is one of the most valuable preparations known for cholera morbus, cholera infantum or summer complaints of children, diarrhea, dysen- tery, &c. Its operation and action appear to be 200 THE SICK MAN'S FUIEND. a specific, if not infallible, and is excellent for pregnant women, to allay sickness and regulate the bowels. COMPOUND POWDER OF MANDRAKE. Take of pulverized mandrake root, spearmint herb pulverized, and cream tartar, equal parts, mix. Dose, one teaspoonful in tea or syrup, useful in diseases of the liver, venereal, obstruct- ed menses, dyspepsia, dropsy, and in every taint of the system. TINCTIRE OF LOBELIA. Take of lobelia fresh gathered herbs, a quanti- ty, bruise in a mortar and put into an earthen or tin vessel, press it down close and firm, then add of proof spirits sufficient to cover the herbs, stop the vessel close, and let it stand three or four days, then strain and press out the liquor from the herbs, and to each quart of this tincture add one ounce of the essencs of sassafras, and bottle it for use. Dose, as an emetic, from one to ten tea bpoonfuls, as occasion may require. This tincture is valuable, not only as an emetic, but also as an expectorant and external application to wounds, bruises, inflammations, ulcers, erup- tions of the skin, and poisons of every descrip- tion. THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. 201 VEGETABLE CATHARTIC PILLS- Maodrake Root . 6 ounces Blood Root 4 do Culver's Physic Root 4 do Aloes 4 do Anise Seeds 4 do Cayenne 3^ do all finely pulverized, sifted and well mixed, to form into pills ; make a thick mucilage of gum arabic or slippery elm bark, by dissolving in water, or instead of this take molasses and moisten the powders just so as to have them ad- here together, then form into pills the size of a pea, and roll them in fine slippery elm or flour, lay them in a dry place exposed to the air to dry, after which they may be put in boxes. Have a little fine baberry or elm mingled with them to prevent their sticking together. Dose, from three to six, in ordinary cases, at bed time, or two- thirds may be taken at night and the rest in the morning. CANCER WASH. White Vitriol, or Sulphate of Zinc 2 ounces Copperas 1 do Gum Powder 1 do Blue Vitriol 1 do Saltpetre 1 do Sugar of Lead % do Rain Wal er 1 pint Put the whole in a bottle; cork it firm. It 202 the sick man's fkiend. should not be suffered to stand open, as it will spoil Shake up when used. This wash cures cancers, warts and corns. Apply often with a feather, or some other con- venient article. SWEATING POWDER. Gum Opium % drachm Camphor. . . 2 do Ipecacuanha 1 do Super Carbonate of Soda 1 ounce Pulverize all separately, then mix ; best to use pulverized opium. D<>se, half a teaspoonful as often as may be necessary. This forms a good anodyne. As a sweating medicine it is one of the best powders employed in fevers, diarrhea, dysentery, cholera morbus, and St. Anthony's Fire ; also in all cases where an anodyne is re- quired. It promotes perspiration without in- creasing the heat of the body. It produces a constant moisture of the skin for a great length of time. It is useful to allay all irritations I have used it in my practice for many years with very great success. OUKE FOE AGUE AND FEVEB. Sulphate of Quinia 2 Scruples Cayenne Pepper 3^ °"nce Oil of Vitriol 25 drops Spirits of Turpentine 30 drops, Soft or Rain Water 1% pints THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND. 203 Put all in a bottle, shake it well, and it is fit for use. Dose, one table spoonful three times a day. This preparation is used in every variety of ague diseases. I have during the past fifteen years given it to one thousand persons, at least, and a cure has been complete in every case and climate throughout the Union. This is the first time that it has been committed to print. As this disease reduces the patient very low it will be best to recruit with the wine bitters ; they are an excellent tonic. GENERAL DEBILITY. Many times persons are afflicted with uni- versal langour, debility or great weakness, with- out being able to trace it to any particular cause. They complain of a sense of sinking, loss of appetite, sleep interrupted, no ambition or strength to do any kind of work, and no par- ticular organ seemingly deranged. TREATMENT. First, cleanse the stomach and bowels ; second make use of the blood cleansing bitters ; third, if the patient is weak, take the wine bitters ; fourth, use a healthy diet, free exercise in the open air ; dispise the use of tobacco in anv of 204 THE sick man's fkiend its forms; sixth, reject ardent spirits as a beverage at all times ; seventh, live a sober, temperate life in all things, and your last days will be your best days. CONCLUSION. The author trusts he has abundantly shown that the indications to be answered in the treat- ment of disease are few, and easily compre- hended. And now, if all the various articles calculated to answer each one of those indica- tions could be thrown together under one head, how much more easy would it be for an indi vidual having but a slight knowledge of medi- cines to understand and apply them ; the prac- titioner, or the family could at once refer to the class from which he or they wished to make a selection, and choose such as appeared most appropriate to the case. It has been my object to make this work so plain that it would answer the purpose for which it was prepared, viz : — "JThe Sick Man's Friend," being often solicited by my friends and patrons, and anxious to have my practice and treatment alter I had left the world is the cause and the reasons together for the Botanic Re nedies used in the healing art to THE SICK MAN'S FRIEND 205 become known to after generations. There would be something highly systematic, beautiful, and jet simple, in such an arrangement ; and I hope that ultimately the advancement of medical sci- ence will lead to this important result, and all other important information from every accessi- b e source; and that I shall be pardoned through- out for crediting but few quotations or authorities which I thought proper to use. GENERAL INDEX. Asthma 58 Ague in the Breast 80 Anodyne Carminative Drops 172 Astringent Gargle . ,174 Army Itch Ointment 175 Anodyne Plaster 179 Another Strengthening Plaster. 179 Aromatic Poultice ISO Anti Bilious Physic Powder 183 Astringent Wash .185 Another Carrot Poultice ... _ . 194 Angelica , 1 26 Alum Root ..127 A Word to the Wise 19 Agrimony 127 Asarium, Swamp Asarabacca...l27 American Ipecac 129 American G entian 143 Aven's Koot 131 American Geutian. 160 Bleeding at the nose 71 Burns and Scalds 98 Blood Koot.. ; 158 Bi ood Bitters 170 Blister Plaster 179 Beach Drops 161 Blood Root 132 Boneset . _ 1 41 Balsam Fir ..154 Black Cohosh 159 Black Pepper 161 Black Alder 161 Black Birch . 163 Blood Wort Striped 165 Bearberry.. _. ...130 Common Plaster 179 Cure forW T ens 193 Chronic Inflammation of the Bronchial Tubes 53 Canker Powder 196 Colds and Cough... 54 Croup 56 Consumption 61 Cramp in the Stomach 69 Canker Thrush or Sore Mouth . . 71 Cessation of the Menses, or turn of Life 75 Culver's physic .161 Carbuncle 81 Chilblains 84 Common Weak Eyes 91 Corns and Warts 96 Cancers 99 Chronic Rheumatism J 09 Compounds or Formulas .17