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REPROE) UCTION SERIES, No. 2
T H E
INDIAN DOCTOR'S DISPENSAgº)
FATHER SMITH'S ADVICE
R E S P E C T I N G
DISEASES AND THEIR CURE
By PE TER SMITH
Of the Miami Country
C I N C I N N A T I
PRINTED BY BROWNE AND LOOKER
F O R T H E A U T H O R
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B U L L E T IN OF T H E
L L O Y D L I B R A R Y
The Lloyd Library was instituted for the purpose of col-
lecting works on Botany, Pharmacy, Materia Medica, and the
allied sections in science. To this was subsequently added a
herbarium of flowering plants, and a micrological mºm of
dried hard fungi, and of fleshy fungi preserved in alcohol.
Some months ago it was determined to issue reprints of
rare publications; our plan being to publish, in as nearly facsimile
as possible, the rarest of the early works connected with Phar-
macy, Materia Medica, and Botany, and to exchange them with
\ Journals and Societies connected with these branches of science,
N - and also at the nominal price of $1.oo per issue, to persons who
... 1 , | 1 , ! . . ,
we propose also to contribute original matter, biographies, and
portraits.
Bulletin No. 1 consisted of a facsimile reprodućtion of Mr.
Barton's rare work, “Collections for a Materia Medica of the
United States,” with portrait and Biography of the author.
The present Bulletin carries a complete reprint in facsimile
the rºst book connected with American Pharmacy, “Dr.
ter Smith's Dispensatory,” of which, as is shown in our
f
e t * § &
biography, but one copy is known to be in existence. We
this Interesting personage.
Our third Bulletin will probably consist of a facsimile of
the Materia Medica Americana, by Schoepf, the first botanical
work connected with American medicinal plants.
Address LLOYD LIBRA RY,
CINCINNAT1, Ohio.
e . * • * * ---, ec rT., 2 : : • . *-* * * * 1.
desire thern for private 11bſ alſº. 4 G -tnis it Inay De atrued, trrat-r
' regret very much that no portrait remains to picture the face of
--















BULLETIN No. 2. I 9o I. REPRODUCTION SERIES, No. 2 |
B U L L E T IN
of the
LLOYD LIBRARY
of -
BOTANY, PHARMACY AND ||
| MAT E. RIA ME DIC A
J. U. & C. G. LLOYD
CING IN NAT1, oh Io
REPRODUCTION SERIES, No. 2
T H E -
INDIAN DOCTOR'S DISPENSATORY
B E I N G,
FATHER SMITH'S ADVICE
R E S P E C T I N G,
DISEASES AND THEIR CURE
By PETER SMITH
Of the Miami TCountry
C IN C IN N A T I
PRINTED BY BROWNE AND LOOKER
F O R T H E A U T H O R
* 8 I 2
W IT H B I O G R A PHY BY JOHN U R I L L O Y D
Chérºisily
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BIOGRAPHY OF DR. PETER SMITH."
Close following the frontiersmen, whose footprints were scarcely rubbed out,
and whose rifles had not yet been silenced in the territory embracing the Ohio
Valley, came a band of men who cleared away the forest and founded their homes
among the stumps. The subject of this sketch may be numbered among these
people. He was a typical Puritan, an educated, stern man, of indomitable will,
and religious to the utmost degree.
The end of the War of the Revolution had been consummated before the
Indian had departed from the Miami lands, where this man lived. John Filson
tramped from Lexington to the Ohio River, laid out the village of Losantiville,
afterward Cincinnati, and, venturing too far from the fort, left his bones some-
where among the adjacent hills. This happened several years after the subject
of this sketch was married. David Schoepf, the talented scientist, that energetic
Hessian, who, after the surrender of the British, took his pack on his back and
tramped over our land in search of American medicinal plants, had not yet
written his Materia Medica Americana, which is the first systematic publication
concerning the American Materia Medica."
B. S. Barton, of the University of Pennsylvania, who, in 1798, contributed
the first study of American drugs, from an educational institution,” and Samuel
Thomson” the combative champion of lobelia, who fought the dogmatism, as he
viewed it, of the medical profession, and introduced the Thomsonian method of
medication, were contemporaneous with Peter Smith. C. S. R. Rafinesque,” that
picturesque, gifted, erratic, enthusiastic scholar, had not landed in America when
Peter Smith trod the Kentucky path.
Coming into the Ohio Valley from the South that he hated because of its
slavery, preaching the Word of God and practicing medicine, Peter Smith, the
representative of a class of men who sought neither fame nor gold, and who feared
no privation, made his mark and passed away.
PETER SMITH's DISPENSATORY AND ITS Recovery. “Peter Smith,
the Indian Herb Doctor.” The name was familiar during the writer's
boyhood in Kentucky. It lingers yet about Western domestic medicine,
and is occasionally seen in orthodox medical print. Rafinesque cited Peter Smith
* Read at the December meeting of the Cincinnati Section of the American Chemical Society.
Revised reprint from the American Journal of Pharmacy, January, 1898.
* “Materia Medica Americana,” 1787.
* “Collections for an Essay towards a Materia Medica of the United States,” by Benjamin Smith
Barton, M. D., 1798. See Bulletin No. 1, Lloyd library.
* See “A Narrative of the Life and Medical Discoveries of Samuel Thomson,” 1822.
* “The Life and Writings of Rafinesque.” Prepared for the Filson Club, Louisville, Ky., and read
at its meeting, Monday, April 2, 1894, by Richard Ellsworth Call, M. A., M. Sc., M. D.

4 ANA’. AAE 7TEAE SMZ ZTAſ.
as one of the authorities consulted in the formation of his Materia Medica, but
Smith's book was lost to sight. Tradition also told of a book by Peter Smith,
but no such book was anywhere to be found. Second-hand booksellers, old men
and women throughout the “Miami Country,” old physicians' libraries, were
appealed to in vain. Neither is a copy of this book to be found in the Surgeon
General's library. The name of the man alone remained, the book that he wrote
had vanished. Then at last, after a search of twenty-five years, the writer gave
up in despair.
Last summer (1897), by invitation of Mr. Le Roy Brooks, the day was spent
with the Toledo Club at Middle Bass Island, Lake Erie. General J. Warren
Keifer, in speaking about old books, chanced to mention Peter Smith's Dispen-
satory, a copy of which he incidentally remarked he chanced to possess. The
lost book was found, and, in addition, the history of its author was recovered, for
Peter Smith was the father of General Keifer's mother. Added interest accrued
from the fact that it was learned that the field of Dr. Smith's operations about
Cincinnati was near the old Duck Creek church, a pioneer monument in the
history of the Ohio Baptists, in which he officiated, being within a few moments’
walk of the home of the writer.
HISTORY OF PETER SMITH." Dr. Peter Smith was a son of Dr. Hezekiah
Smith, of the “Jerseys,” “a home old man, or Indian doctor.” Peter was born in
Wales, Februrary, 6, 1753, from whence this branch of the Smith family came. He
was also a relative of Hezekiah Smith, D. D., of Haverhill, Mass. Peter Smith was
educated at Princeton, and was married in New Jersey to Catherine Stout, De-
cember 23, 1776. He seems to have early, under his father, given some attention
to medicine, and became familiar with the works of Dr. Rush, Dr. Brown, and
other writers of his day on “physic,” as well as with the works of Culpepper.
He also, during his life, acquired much information from physicians whom he
met in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia,
Kentucky, and Ohio. He called himself an “Indian doctor,” because, as he said,
he relied in his practice much on herbs, roots, and other remedies known to the
Indians, though he did not confine himself to botanical remedies. He seems to
have been an original investigator, availing himself of all opportunities
within his reach for acquiring knowledge, especially acquainting himself with
domestic and tried Indian remedies, roots, herbs, etc.
Starting from New Jersey about the year 1780, he commenced his wandering,
emigrating life with his wife and “some "small children. He lingered for a time
in Virginia, then in the Carolinas, and “settled ” in Georgia. He sought out
people from whom he could gather knowledge “ of the theory and practice of
medicine,” and preached the gospel, possibly in an itinerant way. He was a
devout Baptist of the old school. A strong anti-slavery man, even in that early
day, he could not be content with his Georgia home, as he put it, “with its many
scorpions and slaves.” Accordingly, he took his family on horseback—little
* Credit is due General Keifer for the facts that gave this information,-I,.
AA’. AAE 7'EAe SMZ ZTH/. 5
children, twin babes among them, carried in baskets suitable for the purpose,
hung to the horns of the saddle ridden by his wife—and thus, without roads to
travel, crossed mountains, rivers, and creeks. The wilderness was not free from
danger from Indians, but he traversed the woods from Georgia' through Ten-
nessee to Kentucky, intending there to abide. But, finding that Kentucky had
also become a slave State, the dogmatic old man and his family bid good-bye to
Kentucky. He left that State with a parting shot to the effect that it was the
home of “head-ticks and slavery,” and emigrated to Ohio, settling on Duck
Creek, near the Columbia Old Baptist Church, now adjacent to Norwood village,
and near the limits of Cincinnati, reaching there about 1794.
He became, with his family, a member of the Duck Creek congregation, and
frequently preached there and at other frontier places, still pursuing the double
occupation of farming and the practice of medicine. In 1804 he again took to the
wilderness with his entire family, then numbering twelve children, born in the
“Jerseys and on the line of his march through the wilderness, the States and the
Territories.” He finally settled on a small, poor farm on Donnel's Creek, Ohio,
in the midst of rich ones, where he died December 31, 1816. It seems from
his book (p. 14), published while he resided at his last home, that he did not per-
sonally cease his wanderings and search for medical knowledge, as he states that
he was in Philadelphia, July 4, 1811, where he made observations as to the effect
of hot and of cold air upon the human system. It is certain that he not only
taught to the end in the pulpit, but ministered as a physician to his neighbors
and friends, often going long distances from home for the purpose. He con-
cluded, near the termination of his long and varied experiences, that “Men have
contrived to break all God's appointments but this: ‘It is appointed for all men
onzce to die.’”
Peter Smith, preacher, farmer, physician, pioneer, aggressive Abolitionist be-
fore Wendell Phillips or William Lloyd Garrison were born, is buried in a
neglected graveyard near Donnelsville, Clark County, O. No photograph or
other likeness remains to revive the features of this picturesque personage.
Such is the life-record of this man, who, so far as the writer can determine,
ventured to publish the first Western work on materia medica.
THE DISPENSATORY. It is to be regretted that Dr. Smith neglected the use of
botanical names. His plants are all employed under common names, but he de-
scribes the appearance and habitat of each specimen so carefully as to enable the
experienced reader to identify most of them. Rafinesque, who credits Dr. Smith's
work, objects to his common names, which, however, are very interesting in con-
nection with the text. The pains he takes to credit authorities from whom he
obtained information is very refreshing, the relationship of these names to the
substances used being useful to us to-day in connection with many drugs.
A few examples both of lost terms and others still in use may be cited:
Brinton's or Culver's Root.
Miami Columbo (American Columbo) Root.
The Nine-bark Root.
6 ANA’. AAE ZTEAC SMZ ZTHZ.
The Square-stalk Root.
The Corn Snake Root.
The Horse Balm.
The Mountain Mint.
The Sore Throat or Blueberry Root.
The Devil's Nip.
The Devil's Bit.
The Backache Root, etc.
Following the description and uses of simples come recipes for diseases, in
which the originator of each compound is conscientiously credited. We find a
few of these names familiar yet; e. g., green ointment and ointment of red lead.
Concerning this latter, he refers to an interesting Revolutionary incident where it
had been used with good result on a soldier “who had been wounded at the
Germantown battle, 1777, in the Revolutionary War. One of his legs had been
broken and shattered while he was one of the forlorn party sent to tear down the
fence and palings about Chew's house.”
Passing to some of his remedies, we are reminded of the animal drugs of
mediaeval times; e. g., a dead toad is recommended as an application to a wen,
and Smith's remedy for toothache—well it would credit the animal extract men,
past or present. Dr. Smith seems to have anticipated the cold-water curers (hydro-
paths), but he recorded his views in language which demonstrates that he stood
close to some of the sanative surgeons of to-day. He says:
“Cold WATER APPLICATIONs I reckon among the choicest of my discoveries.
“The following I recommend:
“When the accident of a bruise, piercing of a nail, a cut, a broken bone, an eye knocked
out and put in again, etc., takes place, immerse the part in cold water as quick as possible,
and then dip a large, soft linen cloth into cold water and apply it, and keep out the air. This
cloth should be kept close; aid this by dropping cold water upon it for fifteen minutes, and
continue it close for twelve hours. The inflammtion by this means will be kept back, and the
cure by anything else will be almost forestalled; and then a bruise, a strain or broken bone,
will scarcely swell at all; and a like application to a burn will have a similar effect. In about
fifteen minutes the first pain will be over, and the future ease will be steadfast.
“I have tried the foregoing application of cold water, with full demonstrations, for forty
years past.”
And that his observing eye caught yet finer lines is evidenced by the fact
that he pointed out an “insect” theory of disease, and placed himself (pp. xiv,
xv) in the ranks of the microbe theorists of to-day by asserting, in an extended
argument, that the “plague, yellow fever, and other bilious and contagious com-
plaints" were caused by “invisible insects;” and in accordance with his methods
the Doctor takes pains to credit another for the suggestion.
But enough has been said concerning this upright, picturesque character,
whose “Dispensatory" is reproduced in facsimile in the pages that follow,
whose face has left no print, but who wrote the first Materia Medica “Dispensa-
tory” published in the West. J. U. L.
THE
INDIAN DOCTOR'S
DISPENSATORY,
BEING
FATHER SMITH'S ADVICE
R. E. SPECTING
DISEASES AND THEIR CURE;
CONSISTING of PRESCIRIPTIONS FOR
MANY COMPLAINTS :
AND A DESCRIPTION OF MEDICINES,
SIMPLE AND COMPOUND,
sHow ING THEIR virtues AND How to APPLY THEM.
DESIGNED FOR THE BENEFIT OF HIS CHILDREN, HIS FRIENDS AND THE
PUBLIC, BUT MoRE ESPECIALLY THE CITIZENs of THE western
PARTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
BY PETER SMITH,
OF THE MIAMI COUNTRY.
Men seldom have wit enough to prize and take care of their
health until they lose it—And Doctors often know not how to get
their bread deservedly, until they have no teeth to chew it.
=
CINOINNA TI :
PRINTED BY BROWNE AND LOOKER,
FOR THE AUTHOR.
1813.
District of Ohio, to wit:
BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the twenty-ninth
*Ex day of May, in the thirty-sixth year of the
# Seal. # Independence of the United States of Amer-
§º ica, Peter Smith, of the said district, hath
J -- a -- J - J - * * deposited in this office the title of a book, the
right whereof he claims as author, in the words follow-
ing, to wit:
“The Indian Doctor's Dispensatory, being Father
Smith's advice respecting diseases and their cure, con-
sisting of prescriptions for many complaints; and a
description of medicines, simple and compound, showing
their virtues and how to apply them. Designed for the
benefit of his children, his friends, and the public, but
more especially the citizens of the western parts of the
United States of America. By Peter Smith, of the Mi-
ami country. Men seldom have wit enough to prize
and take care of their health until they lose it—And
Doctors often know not how to get their bread deser-
vedly until they have no teeth to chew it.”
In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United
States, entitled “An act for the encouragement of
learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts and
books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies,
during the times therein mentioned,” and also an act
entitled “An act supplementary to an act entitled “An
act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the
copies of maps, charts and books, to the authors and
proprietors of such books, during the time therein men-
tioned,’ and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of
designing, engraving and etching historical and other
prints.”
ANGUS LEWIS LANGHAM,
Clerk of the District of Ohio.
AD VERTISEMENT.
THE author would notify the purchaser that he
puts the price of one dollar on this book of advice,
well knowing that 75 cents would be enough for the
common price of a book of its size. He is conscious
that propriety, perspicuity and brevity will be found
marked on every piece—and if so, the shorter the
better.
But those who do not chuse to allow him 25 cents
for his advice, may desist from the purchase. He
conceives that these advices are calculated to assist
every citizen in the preservation of his health, and
his recovery if diseased; so that by attending to
them, he may easily receive 30, 60, or an 100 fold
for his dollar : by which he may also meet the
wished for assistance set forth in simples and prepara-
tions, that will be in his own power.
Besides, if a physician must be employed, the
boss, or head of the family, ought to know so much
about the work he hires his artist to do, as to be
able to estimate the value of it. He claims this 25
cents as a small compensation for the labor and
observations of fifty years, without having made his
labor an emolument of advantage heretofore to him-
self or family.
The author is well aware that the public mind
has been long impressed with these ideas: viz.
“The natives of our own country are in poss3e38ion of
cures, simples, &c. that surpass what is used by our
best practitioners.” He conceives this publication will
gratify such generally, whose minds remain under
such impressions.
iv ADVERTISEMENT.
He presumes to add, that he conceives nature has
made him a physician; and that to the best of his
recollection, he has always remembered every thing
that he has ever met with in a medical way, that
he has counted valuable. In his youth he had a
strong desire to become a student of physic, that he
might act with propriety therein as a regular prac-
titioner, but he was somehow providentially pre-
vented ; and it now appears to him, that his oppor-
tunities have been just such as to allow him to roam
in search of every thing in the science of diseases,
and their cure, and at length to satisfy himself,
that generally speaking, his knowledge is accurate,
and the prescriptions he has been able to make will
be found valuable.
As diseases radically are but few, and may be all
cured by but a few medicines, he conceives he has
prescribed enough here for general use, and that
they are the best that he has gained knowledge of.
PREFACE.
Something relating to the following work has
been on my mind for twenty years past.
In my younger days I made a few memorandums
and receipts; but finding as I advanced in reading
a little on physic, and conversing with my friends
who were physicians, that far the greatest part of
them were trivial, I omitted making many more.
However, having an insatiable taste and constant
desire for relieving the afflicted and diseased, I
have still been trying my hand from my youth up, and
I am now in my sixtieth year.
My father, old Hezekiah Smith, of Jersey, was
always, since I could remember him, a home old man,
or Indian Doctor, with whom, in my raising, I
contracted ideas, practice and experience, that have
never left me.
There are a few things I wish to state in my
preface.
I acknowledge the kindness of my friends in the
medical profession, in every place where I have
lived for forty years past, and I must acknowledge
that I am conscious I shall transgress a little in
publishing their communications without their ex-
press leave : but I console myself by recollecting,
that great minds are generally liberal.
About thirty years ago I called on old Dr. Wilkey,
a German, who had been in the business of his pro-
fession, in the Flanders wars. He proposed to me to
spend a few days with him, to instruct me in some
knowledge which he had gained in his long life, and
which he regretted should die with him ; especially to
1%
vi PREFACE,
make his Leotrill, a liquid which he prepared ; for
the obtaining of which he had paid a large sum in
Flanders. With this medicine he did many of his
cures, both in physic and surgery. With this, said
he, “I can put a person in a complete salivation in
ten minutes. I need only throw this with a syringe
into any sore, ulcer or wound, and it is fit at once for
healing. Yes (said he) if there is a bullet lodged,
it need scarcely ever be cut out; and a cancer in a
woman's breast, I have never failed to cure with it.”
I only called to spend a few hours with this eminent
old German, on my route from Virginia to Georgia,
but have regretted, perhaps a thousand times, that I
missed this great opportunity, so kindly proposed. I
sometimes think of going yet to see his children (for
he had some beautiful young folks, children by an
English wife, when I was there) and try to obtain
this Leotrill, and add it to my prescriptions.
There is an herb cultivated among the Germans,
on the west side of the big Miami, I think it is in
Montgomery county, particularly, I have been told,
by the old Dunkard preacher, Jacob Miller. This
herb, I have full reason to believe, is an infallible
cure for the bite of the mad dog, or hydrophobia.
I have seen this herb in powder, and was assured
that only this was used for several, man and beast,
where no scruple could be entertained of their ha-
ving been bitten with a mad dog, and nothing of the
dire complaint was experienced ; while those crea-
tures to which it was omitted, fell victims. I can-
not describe this herb, nor do I remember its name.
I remember the dose is only what you may lift on
the point of a case knife in powder. This is to be
eaten on a piece of bread and butter, three mornings
successively, and the cure is effected.
I have mentioned the two foregoing remedies,
that if I should never live to obtain them, other
persons may avail themselves of them.
PREFACE. vii
If vouchers for the efficacy of my medicine herein
described, may be wished for, I can observe that
Mr. Edward Bartholomew, who lived in Philadel-
phia and kept the excise office in 1790, was one of
my patients. He was a very heavy fat man ; one
of his legs had been broken, which often inflamed,
and appeared like mortifying. After he had given
out applying to doctors, I undertook him ; no cure,
no pay. I saw him in Philadelphia, about fourteen
years afterwards; he then gave me full credit for
my applications, tho he had paid me in a few weeks
after I first tried my means. His leg, when I first
began with him, was as black as an old hat, and as
big again as the other. My applications are descri-
bed in Nos. 23 and 28.
Another voucher I will mention, is Mr. David
Jones, a young Baptist minister, who lately lived
with Dr. Samuel Jones, of Lower Dublin, Phila-
delphia county; who, residing a few years ago in
the Miami country, I heard that he was sick, and
went to see him. I found him attended by two
doctors. His disorder was what I call the second
grade of the bilious fever, attended with vomiting
almost without intermission, which had then been
for eight days. One of the doctors tarried with
him, and I looked on, until the doctor and all pre-
sent were convinced that he must die, and that
quickly, unless something more effectual could take
place. I then begged him of the doctor, who after-
wards tarried with us for twenty-four hours.
I gave him my emetic, No. 1, and tho’ he had
thrown every thing suddenly from his stomach be-
fore, this lay on for about twenty minutes: he then
had three or four reaches, which were moderate,
throwing up considerable bile, notwithstanding his
violent vomiting before. At this time we thought
that alarming symptoms plainly appeared of an ap-
proaching mortification; at least his breath, mouth
viii PREFACE.
and tongue plainly shewed a putrid state: But all
yielded to applications, which under God, effected a
sudden cure. As soon as the above emetic had
done, I began to apply No. 26, to overcome the
cholic and spasmodic affections and No. 25, to act
as a tonic, which succeeded so that in one hour he
had manifest relief and ease. These two last num-
bers he continued to use, as directed in the present
prescriptions; and in one week's time was able com-
fortably to ride about. He mended unusually fast,
and became healthy and well; taking no other medi-
cine. But he continued to take No. 25 three times a
day, according to the prescription.
This mode of treating all bilious complaints, I
have proved for several years past with general
success; and several instances somewhat astonish me
when I think of them. And I have found out that
in learning to cure one, I have learned to cure them
all. For all the bilious tribe of disorders, if I am
not much mistaken, will yield to the process discribed
in the case of Mr. David Jones.
But before I conclude, I wish to state my objec-
tions against the use of calomel. I learned in early
life to give calomel both as a purge and as an altera-
tive. And tho’ I gave it, I believe, with the usual
success, it is clear to me now, that I since have done
much better without it. I have therefore left it out
of my prescriptions.
In the winter of 1777, I inoculated about 130
persons for the small-pox. To the first parcel of
them I gave calomel in the usual way, with jalap to
work it off. The whole of them were allowed to
have the small-pox very favorably, so that my prac-
tise justified itself. But I observed that every one
whose physic had worked him pretty well, as we say,
had a sufficient portion of the small-pox ; but on
the contrary those whose physic had scarcely mo-
ved them, all had it very favorably; I then con-
PREFACE. ix
cluded that I would try Warner's pills No. 28. And
living at my father's house at that time, I had
plenty of them, where they were always kept. Ac-
cordingly I gave them to my next squad of small-pox
patients which were about twenty. Observing the
abstemious diet usual, I gave them nothing till about
one day before I expected the fever: then I gave a
small portion of the pills above named in such a
manner as to purge very little if any, which is
usually the case when they are given. But what was
very special, there were scarcely any of them that
were sick with the fever—and they had small-pox
scarcely enough to give any of them a receipt.
Afterwards I proceeded with all the rest in the like
manner, and with the same success; and of several
families it might be said, they wanted two cooks for
OD16, Ill!I'Sé.
While I lived in Georgia, a very great attention
was paid by almost every body there, to calomel
and jalap; for after Dr. Rush's publications rela-
tive to the Yellow Fever, there was calomel and
jalap prescribed for every thing; so that the poor old
tartar emetic lay dead in the shops: and I, like other
fools, gave it liberally, and it was thought to do
well; and so I went on for some years, not con-
sidering that all the cases in Georgia, and other hot
climates, during the nine warmest months, were
bilious, and two-thirds of them in the other months,
and always belong to debility; or what Brown's
Elements state to be the asthenic diathesis; and in
every instance, therefore, I think calomel is impro-
per. Besides, I have noticed that when I gave No.
2 (which we had abundance of in Georgia) the relief
was sudden ; and if sudorific and bracing medicines
were joined, to hold fast the advantage of the purge,
the disorder was soon cured, and the patient became
healthy. But the speedy restoration to good health
was not half so common when the calomel was
X PREFACE.
used; and besides, a state of languor frequently
rested upon the patient who had taken calomel,
with a dull heavy pain about the abdomen or stomach,
attended with other expressions of remaining de-
bility.
If ever calomel has been given to advantage, I
conclude it has been in the pleurisy; but I will
venture to compare notes at any time with those
who use calomel, and only let me have No. 2 or No.
3, there being no comparison (commonly speaking)
between the success with which the latter is marked
and the former, both as to certainty and speed of the
CUlre. -
Now if we can do better without calomel than
with it, both in debility and plethora, why should we
not throw by the use of it 2 especially considering
that the unhappy sufferer may perhaps happen to
take a drink of cool water, or otherwise transgress.
I then conclude
1. In bilious cases only, move the bile by taking
No. 1, and then follow it with No. 4, or its prepa-
rations, or No. 5; then by some course keep up per-
spiration, and you need no calomel.
2. In plethoric and inflammatory cases, take No.
2 or 3, and bleed, if the pulse is high ; mind to re-
store perspiration, then brace up a little (Say by
agrimoney tea) and you need no calomel. -
I call myself an Indian Doctor, because I have in-
cidentally obtained a knowledge of many of the
simples used by the Indians; but chiefly because I
have obtained my knowledge generally in the like
manner that the Indians do. -
I have indeed had the advantage in my early life
of a slight classical education, and of reading some
books on the medical business: such as Buchanan,
Tissot, Sharp, Culpepper, a little on anatomy, Smith
on the nerves, Brown, &c. But as I never pretended
to live by my practice, I kept very little of the
PREFACE xi
medicine of the shops; consequently my advices to
my friends mostly were simples; and by this means
I have by continued observation come to be of opi-
nion, that our best medicines grow in the woods and
gardens. I conceive, moreover, that my mind has
providentially been led a step higher than the an-
cients or the Indians; their views being little more than
“This thing is good for that thing; this medicine will
cure that complaint.” But it stands demonstrated to
me, that there are but two radical disorders (see
Introduction chap. 2) consequently there need be
only two classes of medicine.
In cases of debility, give No. 1 or No. 2, and then
brace up, and correct the flatulence and spasms with
No. 9, No. 25 and No. 26, promote a gentle respi-
ration, and you will mostly cure all cases of debility.
The cases of plethora and irritation are to be cor-
rected on as simple and general a plan.
Now since I have adopted these views, I seldom
feel at a loss to know what ails any patient, or what
medicine is suitable to apply.
I have here prescribed many things, so that you
may have variety of choice.
Some cases, however, require a radical recruit of
the iron property in the blood; and every thing will
be in vain until that is done. Such I believe is
consumption, derangement, &c. unto which stim-
ulants should be applied ; such as Nos. 2, 15, 16,
No. 9 and 26, to take off the spasms and flatulence;
but the radical cure should be attempted with No.
44 and No. 5. See No. 45.
I mention so many numbers not that they should
all be used at once. Yet no one alone should be
trusted to—and they may all or any of them be ap-
plied in their turns, should the first fail.
Dropsy, echronic-rheumatism, palsy, fits, cramps,
&c. I conceive have the same root, and require the
like treatment. But there are some medicines which
2
xii PREFACE.
become common to both diathesis: they are stim-
ulants, and therefore proper to cases of debility in
general. Yet when given in plethora and irritation,
they soon carry the tide of flood to its summit,
and by an easy transition bring on a salutary indi-
rect debility. This may be noticed in the three first
numbers and in No. 16, and 26. And corres-
ponds with the use of opium generally. This may
stand demonstrated in the pleurisy and other cases
that are akin to it. When these stimulant medi-
cines, therefore, are applied, they are not only prop-
er for debility, but perhaps the best that can be for
plethora and irritation. This we may rationally
account for, when we consider that all emetics and
cathartics operate on the principles of indirect de-
bility.
My prescriptions in general I must leave to speak
for themselves: I, however, feel a degree of satis-
faction in thinking that herein I have in prospect
the real benefit of my own children and of their ri-
sing, numerous progeny and my fellow men in gen-
eral, as to their bodily comfort in this life.
INTRODUCTION.
CHAPTER I.
The Doctrine of Respiration I think somewhat im-
portant, because it will show the necessity of breath-
ing good air.
An Indian, it is storied, when asked what he
thought was the reason of the ebbing and flowing
of the tide, made answer : “You know there is a
great deal of odds between a big creature and a lit-
tle one ; a horse draws his breath a great deal slower
than a mouse: the world is a big creature—he draws
his breath only twice in the day and night; that
makes the tide.
Now my intention is not to enquire about the tide,
but to state to you how I think we draw our breath,
or respire.
I consider the lungs to be the pump of life.—
Fresh, cool air, drawn into the lungs or lights, im-
mediately is rarefied by their heat, and is directly
forced back again, in the same way that it was taken
in ; then we are by some means (voluntary or invo-
luntary) disposed to fill ourselves again with fresh
good air. Thus our respiration is carried on by the
great author of our existence, to whose praise we
ought ever to be ready to say:
“His spirit moves our heaving lungs,
“Or we should breathe no more,”
2
xiv INTRODUCTION.
and however our lungs may act on the principles of
the steam machine, and so operate from natural
causes, we shall not always breathe.
Men have contrived to break nearly all God's ap-
pointments; but this “It is appointed for all men once
to die,” has never been abrogated or defeated yet by
any man. And we should always remember, when
we are about to take medicine, if the Lord will,
we shall do this or that with success; if the Lord
will, I shall get well by this means or some
other. º -
But to return to the breath—If the air be cool
and clear it will always have elasticity, as it is
called ; it will swell and fly back again easily, when
we receive it into our lungs. But if the air is warm
or hot, we should soon find a difficulty to draw our
breath. This was very sensibly experienced in New-
York, New-Jersey and Pennsylvania, in which I
witnessed it, being in those parts about the 4th of
July, 1811; and I conclude that a farther degree of
the warmth of the air, might soon have prevent-
ed us from respiring at all.
Such likely was the case in Calcutta, where a
close room being filled with about 160 prisoners, it
is said they all died except 18 in about 12 hours.
If the air is any how nearly as warm as the lungs,
I cannot see how we should breathe at all : it is
necessary therefore for us to try to breathe good air,
if we would wish to live.*
* In South Carolina I was once in company with old
Dr. Dillihoo, who was noted for great skill and experi-
ence, having travelled into many parts of the world.
In the course of our conversation, I asked him what he
conceived the plague to be, which has been so much
talked of in the world. He readily told me “that it
was his opinion the plague is occasioned by an invisible
insect. This insect, floating in the air, is taken in with
INTRODUCTION. XV
The motion and circulation of the blood is mani-
festly connected with our breathing. For every
breath extends and contracts our lungs; and by this
motion I conceive the valves of the heart are kept
in operation; and every spring of the arteries and
beating of the pulse are exactly in proportion to the
operation of the lungs. When the breath is let out,
the breath into the lungs, and there it either poisons, or
propagates its kind, so as to produce that dreadful dis-
ease. This, he was confirmed, was likely to be the
truth, from the experiments frequently made at Gibral-
tar. For there, said he, they of the garrison, when
they fear the plague, have a way to elevate a piece of
fresh meat, pretty high in the air ; they put it up at
night, and if it comes down sound and sweet in the morn-
ing, they conclude there is no danger of the plague.
But if the plague is in the air, the meat will be tainted
and spoiled, and sometimes almost rotten.
“He was farther confirmed in his opinion of the insect,
because in and about tobacco ware houses, the plague
has never been known.” I will remark. Now it is well
known that tobacco will prevent moths from eating our
woolen clothes, if we pack but a little of it with them,
that is, the moth cannot breed nor exist, where there is a
sufficient scent of the tobacco—this scent may be death
to the invisible insect even after they are drawn in with
the breath and fastened upon the lungs. This may ac-
count for tobacco being burned (as I have heard it is) in
many old countries, on a chaffing dish in a room, that the
people of the house may take in the smoke plentifully
with their breath, to preserve their health and prevent
pestilential disorders. -
Agreeable to this view, we may conclude that all
tainted air may bring disease and death to us. And tho
the plague has never been (properly speaking) in Ame-
rica, as we know of. Yet other effluvia taken in with
the breath may have occasioned other fearful diseases :
such as the yellow fever, and other bilious and contagi-
ous complaints.
xvi INTRODUCTION.
the lungs are immediately, in their blood vessels,
filled with blood ; and when the breath is drawn in
again, the blood in the lungs is forced out into the
heart. That is, they say, “From the lungs when
the air is inhaled, the blood is pressed into the left
auricle of the heart, from thence to the left ventri-
cle, thence to the aorta, and by it and its branches
through the body to the capillary extremities of
the arteries, through them into the veins, and by the
veins to the right auricle of the heart, from thence
into the right ventricle, from thence through the
pulmonary arteries, at the time of respiration or
exhaling the air from the lungs, into the lungs.”
Thus the lungs are alternately filling, first with
blood, then with air, at every breath, the one pump-
ing or working the other. By this circulation the
blood runs its rounds, and is carried (at least some of
it) to the extremities of the body in a few mi-
nutes; feeding our nerves, sinews and flesh as it
passes on, and supplies and forces out that little
juice through the pores of the skin, which we call
perspiration and sweat.
From the blood vessels in the lungs is communi-
cated a little stream of moisture, which grows into
phlegm, and in a relaxed state produces that matter
which is raised and coughed up from the lungs.
Indeed I consider that this motion and circulation
of air and blood is the true cause of heat being kept
up in the body ; and as the lungs have the most, and
most violent motion, they possess the greatest de-
gree of heat of any part of the body, and even heat
the blood.* And it is by this motion, together
* The heat of the lungs and blood ought, I think,
never to be suddenly checked or counteracted by cold:
especially when the weather is hot, or when violent ex-
ercise has raised unusual heat in the lungs, and thro'
INTRODUCTION. xvii
with some irregularities, that a fever takes place,
producing a kind of electrical charge. When this
is attended with too much bile, or an undue portion
of the gall of the liver, then the fever is called a
bilious fever, and always belongs to the diathesis of
debility; and if the weakness is very prevalent, the
nerves and tendons tremble and start, and the
strength to speak or act be suspended, this is called
a typhous or nervous fever.
But if there be a fullness of blood, a hard pulse,
a fresh countenance, and an ability to speak and
act with a degree of vigor or strength, then the fe-
wer may be called an inflammatory fever, and is ex-
actly the opposite to the first mentioned. And
your treatment must be accordingly. This belongs
to the diathesis of plethora and irritation.
Here may we reflect on the balance of air and
blood kept in motion to carry on life. For if the
air and breath be suspended, how soon will death
the system. Then take care how you go into cold wa-
ter, to swim, or even to wash. Remember that cold
will coagulate and clot blood—and that very soon if
its motion and circulation should be much or suddenly
abated. Ah! how many have lost their lives, or their
health, or become cripples for life, just by such folly
A large drink of cold water has often proved fatal
when the lungs and blood have been so heated, for the
reason before assigned.
Indeed, in very hot weather, I think very cold water
ought to be used with caution; and in small quantities,
at least until the stomach is moderately cooled by it.
I am persuaded that instead of taking cold drink,
when we are very hot, and if we find it is with difficulty
we get our breath, we had better take warm drink.
I have noticed how easy it is to breathe in the hottest
seasons after I have drank a good dish of hot coffee.
**.
2 2 º
xviii INTRODUCTION.
ensue; * or if the blood be taken away, how soon
will all vital motion cease.
* A man who had been prisoner among the Indians,
related to me the following most horrid incident.
Said he. “I was present at the burial of a squaw
who died leaving a young child. When the Indians
met to bury her, an old mother squaw took the infant.
child and offered it to every squaw in the company to
take care of, but they severally refused : she then said,
now then the mother must take care of it. She then
taking hold of the child’s nose with one hand, and ap-
plying the other to its lips, held them both fast closed.
The event was that the child in a minute or two, strug-
#. in death, and expired. She then laid it in the
ead mother’s arms, who were both buried together.
He further said, that he could not but observe how well
the old savage understood her business.”
CHAPTER II.
The diathesis of diseases, agreeable to Brown's
Elements, I conceive to be the truth. I became
somewhat acquainted with this system about 22
years ago. g
Agreeable to that plan, there are but two kinds
of diseases of the humany body : consisting 1. in
Plethora and Irritation; and 2 in Debility, Weak-
mess and Languor. *
Generally speaking, it is of importance for us to
know to which of these an afflicted sufferer belongs.
The cases I have compared to a lighted candle—
if your candle burns strong and has a superfluous
wick, then you may safely snuff it; but if it is dim,
burns dull, and its wick is too short already, you
nust beware of Snuffing it, lest you put it out. You
had better pick open your wick, and gently feed the
flame until you bring it to burn well.
Plethora and Irritation are not so critical. You
may then bleed liberally ; especially if the pulse
is hard and high ; No. 2 or No. 3 may then be given
to great advantage. I have sometimes taken blood,
and succeeded wonderfully, when mere stagnation
had nearly prevented the pulse from beating at all.
But it is altogether critical in all cases of real de-
bility to which belong all bilious cases, cramps,
fits, hysterics, &c. Then blood ought very cau-
tiously to be let, if at all. And all diuretic and
weakening medicines, should be very cautiously
given, and sometimes carefully avoided. Your
treatment should be strengthening and what is call-
ed tonic. Such as No. 1, No. 5, No. 9, &c.
Consequently in consumptive cases, nothing in
my view is more improper than calomel, British oil,
Tar water, &c. And I think it no wonder that con-
sumptions have so long proved mortal, when it is
XX INTRODUCTION.
clear in my mind, that nothing but a recruit of
good blood will affect the cure, such poor victims
languishing under real debility and weakness. See
my note to No. 44.
So that the elements by Brown seems to me plain,
reasonable and practicable. But I have to say of
his prescriptions, as David did of Saul's armour,
when it was put upon him. “I cannot go with this,
for I have not proved it.” He then chose his sling,
his staff, shepherds bag and stones, because he was
used to them, and could recollect what he had here-
tofore done with them.
I acknowledge myself highly indebted to Brown
for his doctrines of excitability, of predisposition of
diseases, and observation on the pulse. The nature
and use of opium and other stimulants, and his o-
pinion concerning the consumption, and its being a
curable disease. *
But I conceive that after all, he has in a measure
missed the radical cause of the consumption, and
that mere stimulants will never effect the cure.
But since I have buried two or three of my own
family with that fatal disease, the iron doctrine
has been strongly impressed on my mind. See the
note to No. 44.
The few experiments that I have been enabled to
make, justify what I have inserted on that subject.
I wonder that this doctrine has never been adverted
to before (that I know of) especially when I consi-
der that the iron in the blood has been long disco-
vered, and that in Georgia and South Carolina the
cachexy+ is often cured with iron, when nothing
else will cure it; that a recruit of good blood is
frequently obtained by giving iron in female weak-
nesses; and that the observation may so fairly be
* The cachexy is a kind of dropsy, frequent in
southern climates. -
INTRODUCTION. xxi
made, that black-smiths and those that work in iron
are never consumptive or dropsical persons.
To Brown's opinion I assent in one thing more,
for I am quite of his mind: to wit, an old man
ought never to marry a young woman.
A word to the wise is enough.
CHAPTER III.
Obstructed Perspiration I suppose to be the real
first cause of half the diseases of the human body.
In a state of oozing out of perspiration, or what is
called moisture on the skin of a person, all over him,
which it is allowed (if my recollection is correct)
vents and discharges half or more of all that we
eat and drink daily.
It would surprise you to see this floating all over
you, in a state of health, like water over a piece of
watered meadow.
This salutary perspiration is commonly obstruct-
ed, and the skin becomes dry by what we commonly
call catching cold. Its first symptoms are a stop-
age of the nose, sneezing, and frequently a little
dull headach. -
xxii INTRODUCTION.
But if the cold is suffered to continue, and the
perspiration remains obstructed. The lungs will be
soon affected. Or the headach will perhaps be-
come violent. Or a lap or griping in the belly
will most likely take place, and sometimes a vio-
lent vomiting with it; or a fever of some sort. The
weak and the strong are all the subjects of this
kind of the beginning of diseases. -
All this evacuation is by the perspiration being
obstructed thrown back upon the blood and intes-
tines. Now all this mischief may easily, or com-
monly be prevented if when the simptoms are first
felt, or you have reason to think that you have ta-
ken cold, you will pursue the following directions.
Drink sage tea” copiously and go to bed—and
drink it, hot or cold, but not very strong, until you
bring yourself into a little sweat, then go to sleep
and you may expect to wake up well. But if you
have neglected a little too long, take a pill No. 26,
and go to sleep but dont neglect the tea. If that
do not cure you try No. 29, and some physic, perhaps
such as No. 1, 2, or 5. If the stomach or bowels
are affected: or pain or inflammation takes place
any where.
* Or any other warming, sweating tea will do—such
as pennyroyal, mint, Sassafras or dogwood buds.
MEDICAL PRESCRIPTIONS.
No. 1. -
The home Ipecacuanha, or Indian physic,
is an emetic, but commonly operates also as a purge.
It is always safe, if moderately taken. After dis-
charging the bile, it leaves the stomach braced, so
that in the lowest cases of debility, tonics (such as
Columbo root or its preparations) may be taken
after it to advantage. Contrary to other physics,
I have found that weakly persons, who were of
mere broken constitution, have become healthy
and strong, only by taking this to vomit them on
every occasion. -
This is my great pioneer to clear the way for
other medicine, in all cases of oppression in the
breast, nausea, violent vomitings & fever in general.
To use it moderately—take a pugil, or what you
can grasp moderately with the thumb & fore-finger
of the green root, four inches long, or the like quan-
tity of dry root, make it into a decoction (say half
a gill) and to a grown person give one third of it at
a time every ten minutes, and if it does not work
there is no harm done; but I chuse to continue it
until it does work up or down. Cool water may be
drank during its operation, only quench a coal in it,
if you begin that way; gruel may also be given, so
as to keep something in the belly. Should its ope-
ration be too fierce, a little laudanum may be ne-
cessary; for if the dose of the ipecacuanha be too
large, it is a lion, otherwise a lamb.
This Ipecacuanha is a very bitter root. In a
good bunch the green root will frequently be as
big as a goose quill, is quirly and lumpy. The
roots adhere in all sizes to a common root. The
top and leaf resemble a bunch of close set briars,
but smooth. The sprout for the new growth very
24 PRESCRIPTIONS.
much resemble the briar sprout. Many stalks grow
to a good bunch two feet high, full of branches. On
the top of which are very many lived whitish blos-
soms. They issue in small nubs or squareish pods,
about the size of a buckwheat grain. It grows plen-
tifully in many of our mountains in America, and I
believe may be cultivated in our gardens, any where
in the United States. - -
I have raised by planting the sprouts in my gar-
den to great advantage. I wish it to be planted in
every man's garden; 'tis a great ornament—it will
grow either from the seed or the sprouts. One hill
from a single sprout, when three years old, I have
found to make half a pound of dried root. What a
pity this should be neglected—as it has been suffi-
ciently proved to be fully equal if not superior to
the imported. Ipecacuanha of south America. It
makes a most excellent and wholesome bitter when
put in spirits. *
No. 2.
The Scurvy Grass root,
is a special good purge. The stalk and leaf is ra-
ther of the flag kind, from six to ten inches long,
has a small blue blossom on the top, issuing in a
foursquare pod, full of small seeds like tobacco
seeds. The roots are fine as Virginia Snake root,
of a pale yellow colour, and taste very hot and pep-
pery, turning the lips and tongue yellow. It is
found very plentifully in Virginia, and the southern
states. And it is sometimes to be found in mead-
ows, in Jersey, Pennsylvania and the Ohio states.
The top is so hardy as to live thro the winter.
I have planted this in my garden for a number of
PRESCRIPTIONS. 25
years past, in the manner of shives, and from a sin-
gle stool find it increase in two years to a bunch
enough for several portions of physic. This can
easily be procured from its spontaneous growth in
the Southern states. The green roots are to be
made use of, as the dry will not purge. A pugil of
the roots made into a decoction, and given at two
draughts at 15 minutes distance, may be given as a
common purge for a grown person.
Its operation is tolerably quick, always safe, and
if it fails working, it does no hurt.
This little native of the woods was shown to me
by old Dr. Wilkey, of South Carolina, who highly
commended it ; saying that he had known more
sudden and effectual reliefs from it, than from any
other medicine.* This I have abundantly used for
33 years, without regretting that I had made use of
it in a single instance. From my own observations
of it as a purge, the idea is impressed upon me, that
the waters drained off by it take with them that
viscid quality which is the cause of inflammation
and pain. Poisons, errors of corrosive sublimate,
inflammatory cases, &c. such as pleurisy, are spee-
dily relieved by it; and cases of the contrary dia-
thesis, such as costiveness, cholics, cramps, pains
*I remember that Dr. Wilkey related to me the fol-
lowing fact: said he—“I was one morning very early
called to visit a woman who had taken a dose of corro-
sive sublimate (in mistake, thinking it was tartar emetic)
when I came to her, her tongue was so swelled that she
could not speak a word. I thought it was over with
her, but I would try my little root (meaning the Scurvy
grass root) I prepared a decoction as soon as possible,
and tho it was supposed she could not swallow, yet we
tried one spoonful after another, and found it made
way for itself.-And what was surprising, she was so
soon relieved, that on that very morning the Woman
fried pan-cakes for my breakfast.”
3
26 PRESCRIPTIONS.
in the stomach, bowels or limbs, &c. can receive no
better remedy.
It is to be noticed, that if the skin is chafed with
vinegar, and a small poultice of these roots applied,
they will draw a good blister. When this is given
as a purge, bracing medicine should follow it, such
as No. 4, No. 5, or No. 9.
I have sometimes filled a phial with the roots, and
then put on spirits, and given a teaspoonful at a
time, where the system requires warming and sti-
mulating.
No. 3.
Culver's or Brinton's root,
is a purge, and famous for the cure of the pleurisy.
Its top is a weed growing two or three feet high,
having leaves coming out of the stalk at joints,
some three, some four and so on to seven at a joint,
according to the age of the root; a white tasseled
blossom grows on the top of each branch, frequently
as long as one's finger.
Out of a common stool grow a number of pale
yellow roots, about as big as knitting-needles,
and taste very bitter. A large handful of the roots
made into a decoction, is enough for a common dose.
This root is good for use when dry; it possesses
much of the narcotic, and requires the patient
sometimes to be roused to keep him from falling
asleep during its operation. It may be powdered
and used like jalap, generally as a purge.
tº My father, Hezekiah Smith, for the cure of the
pleurisy, practised long with this root, and used to
cure the pleurisy with amazing speed. I have found
that the root No. 2 is fully as good, or better.—
Bleeding should precede the purge, when the pulse
beats hard, and the inflammation is high.
PRESCRIPTIONS. 27
No. 4.
The Columbo, or Miami root,
is found in plenty in the Ohio and Kentucky states.
This valuable production is several years old before
it sends up its stalk. The leaves are very smooth
and grow in bunches nearly as big as mullen leaves,
but not so wide; the stalk is round as a musket
barrel, and often grows six or seven feet high, ha-
ving always four leaves at right angles growing at
a joint; its seed grows in pods shaped like a horse-
bean, and are much like parsnip Seeds.
The Columbo leaves occasion sweat copiously,
when laid to the forehead, and will commonly relieve
the headache; and this relief will be found special
in many other cases—to sweat away boils, inflam-
mations, and even old chronic pains.
The Columbo root ought to be used as a bracing
or tonic medicine; but it is both an emetic and a
cathartic, if taken in large quantities. People who
will keep this root by them, and only chew as much
as their stomachs will easily take (taking it in sub-
stance, which is preferable to any other way) will
find it a remedy for almost any complaint, especially
gripings, purgings, cholics, and generally all pains
of the bowels.
One of the peculiar traits of the Columbo root is,
that it braces the stomach, if only two or three chews
of it are taken, and the Spittle or saliva swallowed,
that a plentiful drinking of cold water will not hurt
you—yet it will perhaps be the best means in order
to a sudden and positive cure. This may be relied
on in a cholic, or almost any sudden attack of dis-
ease—and if you have an insatiable thirst, so that
one drink of water only makes way for another,
then take this Columbo root until the thirst abates,
and drink what cold water you please. But after
the thirst is abated, then if you drink cold water
as much as you can well force down, you will very
likely cure the fever at once.
3
28 FRESCRIPTIONS.
To finish the cure of fevers, it should be taken in
some form, until health is confirmed. Such is the
efficacy of this root, that when they who take it re-
cover, they are indeed well at once, needing no other
medicine.
Bitters made of this root, are proper to confirm
health; and I believe that this root, or its prepara-
tions, is the best relief for the nausea and costive-
ness of a pregnant woman. -
The use of this root will, I expect, supercede that
of the Jesuit barks, and so fill their place that we
shall need none of them.
This Miami-Columbo root is of a pale yellow, its
taste is a mild bitter, but of a lower jist than the
imported, allowed to be so by reason of the odds of
climate, yet fully as efficacious as the other.
This root might be sent to market in great quan-
tities from the Miami country.
Dr. Richard Allison, of Cincinnati, claims the
honor of discovering this to be the Columbo root in
our country, and to him I am indebted for my first
ideas of its virtues. -
After Dr. Allison had been informed that the
Doctors in Philadelphia denied it to be the Columbo
root, I heard him say “I know the Columbo root
as well as any of them—and I believe it to be the
Columbo root.”
gºesºsºsºsºmºmºsº
No. 5.
The Butternut or White-walnut bark pills,
are a valuable purge, very easy and safe, to all
persons under disease. -.
These pills may be prepared by boiling a kettle
of the bark of the butternut tree in water, until you
PRESCRIPTIONS. 29
gain the substance of the bark, then strain the li-
quor and boil it down ; when it becomes thick as
syrup, take care not to burn it, but simmer it to a
substance like hard wax; then put it by in a cup or
gally pot, and make it into pills as they are wanted,
for if the pills are made up, they will run together
and dissolve in a little time.
This purge is preferable to any that I know, in a
weak and debilitated state of the bowels. It may
be taken in as small quantities as you please, for if
they do not purge immediately, they act the better
as a stimulus and tonic to the system, and will pro-
duce a good habit of body by repeating them every
night, and this may be done for a month together.
This differs from all other purges that I know of
in this—that your doses may be less and less, but
other physic must have more and more, or it will
not purge. Other purges generally leave the body
in a worse habit, but this in a better. Its general
ease and safety, and its answering in almost every
disease, so that I venture to say the trial of it will
never be wrong, make it a far preferable medicine
to salts or any other purge, where repeated applica-
tions are wanted. --
I advise to begin with one or two pills at night,
going to bed, which may be swallowed in a little
stued fruit or rye mush, and the doses may be in-
creased a little every night till they purge ; then
take less and less till the patient is quite well. Try
this for pain in the stomach, worms, colds, consump-
tive coughs, costiveness, laxes, hemorrhage, or what
you will, all is safe.
Those who are exposed by attending the sick, or
where fevers or fluxes are suspected to be infectious,
ought to take the butternut pills as a preventative.
Their nature, and the proofs that I have known,
cause me to suppose that they will seldom fail to
prevent such infections, if taken for that purpose as
3%
30 PRESCRIPTIONS.
here recommended. Drenches made of a decoc-
tion of this bark may be used for horses that have
the yellow water, or for cattle that have the mur-
rain. I have heard of both being speedily and ef.
fectually cured by it.
*-
No. 6.
The China Rhubarb root,
will vomit and purge both. The sprouts from
which this root was first raised in America, are
said to have been brought from China by Doctor
Johnson, of Pennsylvania. It is raised only by
planting the sprouts. The leaves are nearly as
large as burdock leaves and are smooth as beet
leaves; it sends up a stock and blooms plentifully,
but always blasts.
The roots are long, and lie in different directions,
much in the form of horseradish roots, of a redish
colour without and within—the root will come to a
good maturity in two years.
This I suppose to be a rhubarb of a superior
quality. I have chiefly used it by compounding
with other medicine. It is a great tonic, but re-
quires to be given in small quantities at a time.
No. 7.
The Nine-bark root,
is found growing plentifully in the state of Ohio,
and on the waters of the Ohio river. Its top is a
straight stem, partly between the wood and weed
kind, growing about three or four feet high, having
a pith like elder (but there are no joints in the stalk
like elder, to prevent running out the pith, of which
weavers' quills are made) the roots grow nearly on
PRESCRIPTIONS. 31
the top of the ground, and an armful of them can
be commonly collected as soon as an armful of the
tops. Its situation is commonly near creek banks.
This root is said to be a great cathartic, but I
have never proved it.
The Indians use a decoction of these roots for
formenting and poulticing, in all cases which require
such applications.
It removes the anguish, and cures a burn beyond
credibility; cases verging on mortification, fellons,
swellings, rising of a woman's breast, &c. yield to
its application beyond any thing else.
To apply it, boil the roots and make a strong de-
coction, then take of the liquor and thicken up a
poultice with bran or Indian meal, this may be put
into a little bag made of a thin cloth, and apply it as
warm and as moist as will be agreeable; this may
be repeated as often as you will, until the pain or
inflammation is quite gone, or the wound or sore
cured. Linen or cotton cloths dipt in the liquor, hot,
and applied as warm as can be borne, and then kept
close while the case remains, and so repeated, will
be a good way to apply it.
======
No. 8.
The Square-stalk root,
and its leaves, are both medicinal. The stalk is
Square, nearly of the size and shape of the catnip
stalk. It is a native of the soil, grows five or six
feet high, branching out with two stems at a joint;
its pods and seeds nearly resemble the tobacco; its
leaves are beautiful and smooth on both sides.—
The Porter's ointment is principally made of these
leaves. The root when pulled up, appears tender
32 PRESCRIPTIONS.
and white like a white radish, branching in different
directions, somewhat larger than a goose quill.—
This root has frequently been used to make poulti-
ces for sores, but its chief use by the Indians is for
women's complaints. Use it in tea or decoctions,
which may freely be drank, being quite innocent,
but very efficacious.
It is a remedy for pains attending the peculiar
state, or purgations of females; it may be given
both before and after child-birth ; it will restore
obstructed lochia, and briefly speaking, it is the best
women's root that I know.
*-
No. 9.
Agrimoney
is a valuable medicine, both the herb and the root.
It is a tonic, or strengthener of the system, and af.
fects most sensibly the regions of the kidneys and
bladder. A tea or powder of this simple is a remedy
for the diabetes, or involuntary emission of urine.
I conclude it is very advisable to give it either as a
tea for breakfast and supper, or as a diet drink,
whenever we wish to promote nervous strength.
The roots may be boiled in milk and water, and
given in dysentery and other fluxes.
Culpepper's English physician describes and
highly commends this herb. It is a native of the
woods, but is friendly to cultivation. There are
two kinds, the high land, and water agrimoney, it is
the former I recommend.
It may be known by its little lonely stalks being
strung with small yellow blossoms, which issue in
Small burs, it has a rough leaf, a little like a straw-
berry leaf, but strung out on each side of a stem in
PRESCRIPTIONS. 33
many divisions from the stalk to the tip of its point.
It is of a rough-like taste, and scarcely bitter; the
roots taste much like the tops, grow from the stool
in a circular direction, are black, and large as knit-
ting needles. The herb and roots may be used
green or dry.
-
No. 10.
The Black Snake root,
is a purger of the urine and kidneys, and a dissolver
of scorbutics. -
A tea of it may be freely drank in a fever, a
handful to make a quart of tea, and is a special
medicine where there is Soreness or aching across
the loins. The yellow fever has been suddenly cu-
red by this tea, the bile having first been moved by
an emetic. It cures the bite of a snake by chewing
and swallowing the root, and by applying it to the
bite as a poultice, chewed or bruised.
The appearance of this root and its top is a good .
deal similar to the agrimoney, having a leaf more
like the strawberry leaf, but smooth, and at full
growth much larger, more round, and regularly
cleaved like a five-finger leaf, and often as broad as
a colt's hoof; when it ascends into a stalk with a
spreading top, it produces at the extremities a bur
a little larger than the agrimoney. This root is
blackish, tastes earthy and aromatic, is situated
regularly round its stool in every direction, in
straight roots, a little larger than knitting needles.
The Indians cure the ague by sweating with this
root. It is friendly to cultivation. It may be used
green or dry.
34 PRESCRIPTIONS.
No. 11.
The Corn Snake root,
grows plentifully in the prairies in the state of Ohio.
I call it corn snake root, because its leaf resembles
young corn, has prickly points all along on its edges,
and a superior one at the extreme point of its leaf;
it sends up a round stalk sometimes two feet high,
with those prickly pointed leaves scattering along
upon it; and on the top grows a round ball about as
large as a musket bullet, covered thick with white
bloom. The root consists of a knob about an inch
long, the bottom being the largest, and appears al-
ways as if it was decayed or rotted off, there are
small roots adhering round this stool or knob.
The taste of this root resembles the black snake
root, but its taste very pungent, and is perhaps fifty
times as strong as that.
The great use (as far as known) of this root, is to
cure the bite of the rattle snake, or any other poi-
sonous bite or sting. The root need only to be
chewed and laid on the bite, and a little of it swal-
lowed. If this can be done when the bite is first
sustained, it prevents the place bitten from swelling.
It is generally, first or last, a speedy cure.
As this root surpasses every thing we know of
for the Snake poison, and must pass thro’ the secre-
tions amazingly quick, moving the urine and per-
spiration, and is similar in taste and operation to
the black snake root, but vastly more powerful, it
becomes an object, cautiously to try it in the cases
mentioned, and proved, of the black snake root, that
is, in Scrophulous and venereal complaints, the bili-
ous, typhus or camp fevers, and in infectious dis-
eases generally.
But it should always be remembered, that when
these attenuating, dissolving, diuretic roots are
used, they should be continued but for a short time,
and then followed with bracing medicine, as agri-
money tea, Columbo root, or chalybeate oxymel, No. 44.
PRESCRIPTIONS. 35
No 12.
The Mountain Mint,
is a large wild herb, of a very hot taste, grows fre-
quently between two or three feet high, bearing a
blossom on the top of its stem like a small rose.
A tea made of this herb has been found very ef.
fectual to relieve the gravel, and that when other
medicines had proved ineffectual (but see for re-
lieving that complaint No. 24.) The mountain
mint may easily be raised in our gardens; and is
generally speaking, a fine, safe, diuretic and perspi-
rative medicine, when made into a tea.
No. 13.
The Horse Balm,
or as it is called by some, Clown Wounds Wort,
Rich Weed, and Hard Root. The leaves are fa-
mous for raising sweat wherever a bunch of them is
applied to the skin, and by that means give ease of
pain in any part where they are applied. Apply a
bunch of them to a stiff neck, bind them close, it
will raise a sweat and effect a cure. These leaves
thus applied to boils, softens them and eases their
anguish, and frequently will carry them away when
half grown. The same application will merit a
trial in any inflammations on the skin, or more
deeply seated in any part of your body, or the ach-
ing of your back, or any joint or limb.
The New-England people, I have been told, make
an ointment of these leaves to put upon the necks of
their oxen.
The root of these medicinal leaves is much like
an artichoke, but of a wood-like substance ; its stem
is round and small, grows about two feet high, the
36 PRESCRIPTIONS.
leaves are notched like a hickory leaf, but wider and
very smooth, its blossoms are yellow, it has a deli-
cious smell. It is a native of the woods, but will
be soon eat out where stock run. It will grow well
in the garden.
No. 14.
The bark of the White Pine,
is a great medicine for sores. It should be boiled,
and the soft part stript out and beat to a poultice in
a mortar, and then sufficiently moistened with the
liquor and applied to burns, or sores of any kind.
Repeat the poultices and wash with the liquor until
the sore is well. This will not terrify or smart in
its application ; a new skin will come on quickly,
without a scar.
The same application is a cure for the piles. A
little tea of the bark should be drank, while the
external applications are continued. As this bark
cannot always be had, it would be desirable that an
essential oil should be made of the white pine, or an
essence of the bark and limbs, which if mixed with
water in a bottle, and applied with a feather, it is
conceived would answer in place of the above appli-
cation of the bark.
*-m-mºss-smºm-
No. 15.
The Abela, or Trumpet-weed root,
is a fine stimulus, and promotes excitability in cases
of numbness, and want of sensibility in the feelings,
which follow fevers, or may otherwise exist. Two
drachms of the dried root, or a pugil of the green,
may be put into a pint of spirits : a teaspoonful
or two at a time may be given three times a day
PRESCRIPTIONS. 37
when the stomach is most empty, in a little tea, and
a little nourishment may follow in a few minutes.
It should be continued, increased or omitted, accord-
ing to its effect on the patient.
This root the Africans, give to make the wenches
amorous and fruitful. It is supposed to excite ve-
nereal desires.
The Abela, or Trumpet-weed root grows plenti-
fully in the southern states, and some of it I have
found in the Miami country. The leaf is large as a
horse's hoof; the stalk is round, and grows five or
six feet high, having a scatter of leaves, one at a
place, on the stalk, which is guttered like fine dimi-
ty, of a rough and russet appearance ; the show of
its blossom is much like the cotton weed ; the roots
are remarkably small for the size of the top, con-
sisting of a stool as long as one's finger, to which
adhere a number of small brown roots, not much
larger than knitting-needles: the taste of these
roots is mild and spicy, but becomes pungent in a
minute or two.
--
No. 16.
The Blue-berry, or Sore throat root
is a very pungent aromatic. The stalk and leaves
much resemble the squaw root, but are more slender
and nice; it grows about knee-high, & is divided re-
gularly into three branches, and then subdivided in
the same manner. It bears a few berries on a mid-
dle stem, which when ripe are blue, and rather lar-
ger than a blue whortleberry. The roots adhere
to a stool, and form a great bushy bunch ; the fibres
are not much larger than Virginia Snake root, and
4
38 PRESCRIPTIONS.
are very strong and severe in taste, but leave a
sweet and agreeable relish at last. See No. 48.
A tea made of the blue berry root, when it comes
to be known and proved, will probably be esteemed
as the best antispasmodic in the compass of medicine.
That is, it will prevent and do away spasms of every
description in a safe and superior manner. By
spasms I mean involuntary contractions—such as
cramp, hiccup, cholic, cholera morbus, epilepsy,
hysterics, and I suppose every other species of fits,
even the ague.
Should the blue berry root be wanted abroad and
in the shops, the state of Ohio can furnish great
quantities of it for market.
The blue berry root is said to be the great medi-
cine that the squaws use at the birth of their chil-
dren. Experience has however proved, among
white women, that its assistance is very special.
It is to be made use of in the following manner—
Take a good handful of green or dry roots, make it
into a tea (say half a pint) give the half of it, and
fill up with hot water; repeat the drinking every 10
minutes, or oftener, until it has its effect.
When a woman finds that she is taken in labor,
let her drink as above, having her help at hand—
if it is not her time, she will probably get easy and
be well; but if it is her time, expect the delivery
will be facilitated with much safety. It is to be
noticed, that if the anguish attending the delivery
is not moderated, the doses have not been strong
enough ; for they act on the same stimulant prin-
ciples that opium does—and a suitable degree of
indirect debility will moderate the great distress
that must otherwise be experienced. The delivery
is facilitated by it, so as seldom to be slow and lin-
gering. But the great benefit is the state of safety
and of speedy and sure recovery that the mother
experiences afterwards.
PRESCRIPTIONS. 39
The Squaws, I have heard, drink a little of a tea
of this root for two or three weeks before their ex-
pected time. I have given this tea in a case of in-
flammation of the uterus, and found it a speedy
CUlfe. g
The tea of this root is neither a purge nor a vo-
mit, but acts as a stimulus to the nervous system,
till by indirect debility it will give ease in any dis-
tress. I believe that it is always safe.
No. 17.
The Squaw root,
is also called Rattle weed and Black Snake root.
Its stalk is parted regularly into three branches,
which support nice leaves at about two feet high,
but the stalk that goes to seed is often four or five
feet high, strung towards the top with white blos-
soms, which terminate in a jumble of pods filled
with fine seed; adhering to the stool is a great
bunch of small black roots: these roots are purga-
tive, make a good bitter when put in spirits, famous
for curing the chronic rheumatism, and strength-
ens the system when moderately used. See No. 48
and No. 65.
I have heard that this root is famous for the
cure of a snake-bite. The root is to be applied to
the bite in a poultice, and a little taken inwardly.
40 PRESCRIPTIONS.
No. 18.
The Back-ache root,
is, I believe, the same that is called Devil's bit by
the New-England people. It grows plentifully in
the prairies of the Ohio and western country. The
stalk is a round weed about three feet high, lightly
strung with long leaves, and towards the top arises
a kind of tassel of purple bloom. The root is a
knob much like the corn snake root; its taste is
mild and spicy, but with all resembles the taste of
a pine bud.
This root, if made into a tea, is said to promote
a gentle sweat, and cure the backache. The croup,
or bold hives, used to be speedily cured in New-
England, I have been told, by giving this tea, and
taking a handful of these roots sliced, hot out of the
decoction, and binding them to the child’s breast.
No. 19.
The Devil's nip,
as it is shamefully called, grows about knee high,
parting its stalk into three branches, on which are
situate handsome oval pointed leaves; on a slender
middle stem grows one handsome flower, resembling
a lilly, some of which are white, and some of a pale
pink color. The root is a knob; the whole resem-
bles the well known Indian turnip, but the root is
more conical; its taste is too severe to be endured,
but not biting like the Indian turnip. It is said,
that any person carrying a root or two, need never
fear that any snake will bite him. A little of it put
in the mouth of a snake, is instant death to him.—
A German doctor used to give it to persons deran-
ged and announced their cure by it. Its stimulant
qualities are certainly rare.
PRESCRIPTIONS. 41
No. 20.
The Devil's bit,
like the foregoing, has an ill name, but is a good
root. This is, in some places, known by the name
of Star root. It has a small round stalk, about nine
inches or a foot high, Scattered round with little
leaves, resembling corn leaves, and has a white tas-
selled bloom on the top ; the root is conical, being a
knob about an inch long, largest at the bottom, and
appears as if it had rotted off.
This root is a delicate nice bitter, and of a tonic
and bracing nature. It is said to be excellent for a
Sore throat, and is one of the ingredients in a for-
mer celebrated preparation for the choaking quins.y.
It has been called Maiden's Relief, because when
used in tea, it relieves from pains and distress
which are peculiar to the fair sex. It will help
with dogwood and wild cherry bark to make a very
pleasant and wholesome bitter when put in spirits.
No. 21.
The Small Asmart,
if dried, makes a tolerable and very wholesome tea.
It has been used by persons troubled with the gra-
vel, or otherwise passing their urine in distress, to
their great relief.
It is amazing to see how plenty this invaluable
remedy grows in our country every where, and how
few know and respect it. A tea made of this herb
would probably cure a cough or cold in a special
manner, and will always be quite innocent. The
herb is so common and so well known, that I need
not describe it. I will only add, I have drank it
myself, and know what I have here written to be true.
4%
42 PRESCRIPTIONS.
I conjecture that the asmart tea would destroy
and expel worms; but the thought is new with me.
I recollect that I once saw some boys catching fish
in a little pond where they had previously scattered
asmart, and in a little time they had the fish floating
dead on top of the water.
No. 22.
John's Wort,
is a valuable herb, and should be cultivated in our
gardens. It is so generally known, that I hardly
need to describe it. But I will just say—the tops
of its branches grow full of little yellow flowers,
and contain its seed in small knobbed pods, not
much larger than buckwheat grains. It is a native
of the soil, and grows in all parts of our country.
(But it should always be noticed, that what I here
commend, is not that noxious weed which grows
in old fields, and causes Sores and scabs on the hor-
ses noses that are white.)
A tea made of this herb, relieves the lungs and
breast, when respiration is obstructed, especially if
joined with sage. Ointments and Oils prepared
with it, are delicate and valuable, and may be ap-
plied to a fretted skin, a galled groin, a swelled
face, &c. See No. 47 & 48.
No. 23.
Eye-water,
first prepared by Doctor Elijah Reeder.
To make 3 gills—take a spoonful heaped up of
white vitrol, and the same quantity of common
salt, calcine them together on copper, or a piece of
earthen, on coals, stirring it with a stick, until it be-
PRESCRIPTIONS. 43
comes a grey powder; then put it into a bowl, and
add to it three gills of rain water. Strain it thro
paper, or a fine rag two or three double—then add
two table spoonfuls of white sugar and a lump of
blue-stone, as big as a large grain of Indian corn,
and bottle it for use. Three times the quantities
will make a bottle, or quart. Remember, no iron
or pewter is to be employed in the process. This eye-
water will keep good for years, but beware of frost,
lest you loose your bottle. This eye-water cures
the western country sore eyes, which are scarcely,
if ever relieved by the old eye-waters. This eye-
water I have kept and used these fifteen years, with
the greatest success, and without a single complaint
of its doing hurt.
Throw a drop or two of this eye-water into your
eye out of a silver teaspoon, and repeat it often, if
your eyes are bad; or wet them with your finger,
and you will find, commonly, that the inflammation
will soon abate, and the eye will bear it better and
better; and then you may prolong your times to
two or three times a-day, but continue to use some
till your eyes are quite well. This eye-water will
scarcely affect a well eye at all. It cures old sore
eyes of drinking people—but a gentle purge, and
sometimes a blister, in highly inflamed cases, have
been necessary.
---
No. 24. -
Dr. Perkins' last remedy, *
is prepared by taking a small quantity of good vin-
egar (say two table spoonfuls) and dissolve common
salt in it as long as it will melt; then take a table
spoonful of this mixture, put it into a teacup, and
add four table spoonsful of boiling water, and as
soon as it is cool enough, it is to be drank. Or it
4
44 PRESCRIPTIONS.
may be taken gradually; and respect should always
be had to the age and strength of the patient. This
is recommended in obstinate fits of the cholic, dy-
sentery, and in all cases where pains are occasioned
by obstructed perspiration. I have given it in ob-
stinate vomiting, dividing it into three doses, and
giving it at ten minutes distance, and when thrown
up, repeating it until it did stay. The whole sur-
face of the body being cold, became warm, and the
patient lived, when probability said he must die.
-
No. 25.
The Columbo Root Oxymel.
To prepare— ,
When our Miami root (No. 4.) can be had green,
slice up enough to fill a tin cup ; put it in, and cover
it with good Vinegar, and stew, and fill up, until the
root will yield its strength to the liquor. Then
strain and wring it out, and return it to stew: then
add a teacup of sugar and a gill of spirits: then
simmer it down to molasses, and bottle it for use.
The process with the dry, or the imported root,
will be easy; and larger quantities may be made by
proportion.
This oxymel may be taken hourly for three or
four hours, a teaspoon full at a time for a grown
person, in extreme cases, or until ease takes place:
after that three doses in twenty-four hours is com-
monly enough.
In the rise of a fever, it may be given sparingly
or in small doses, but when a remission or intermis-
sion takes place, it should be taken more liberally,
cool water may be drank plentifully, in all cases, a
few minutes after taking the oxymels. The third
PRESCRIPTIONS. 45
will undoubtedly abate, by the oxymel being thus
taken ; but then, a plentiful drinking of cold water
will greatly facilitate the cure of a fever.
Respect should be had to the strength of the pa-
tient; for excess or indiscression may occasion in-
direct debility; but a long continuance (at times
omitting it) will never do hurt, but is always calcu-
lated to promote health and strength.
Give it in cases of nausea, diarrhoea, dysentary and
costiveness. The last will be relieved in two or
three days without any other medicine.
It is calculated to brace the system, especially
the stomach and bowels, acting principally upon the
nerves: and where this is used, barks and wine may
be omited.
Nothing can be better to relieve the sick qualm
and costiveness of a pregnant woman.
No. 26.
Anodyne Pills,
for the cholic, hysterics, &c.—Take half a ounce
of opium and one ounce of asafoetida, rub them in
a mortar, and moisten them with a few drops of
spirits, till they form a mass of pills. This may be
put by in a roll, and made up as they are wanted.
A pill of a common size should be given as early as
possible, when a cholic is approaching, and if in one
hour the symptoms do not subside, repeat the pill
hourly till ease and drowsiness takes place ; for the
exact dose can never be known but by this sparing
hand procedure; but one pill will be a cure nine
times out of ten.
The hysterics, and all spasms and cramps, espe-
cially of the stomach, may be relieved the same way.
46 PRESCRIPTIONS,
Children that suck, have often taken this to
quiet them and cure their belly-ache ; a pill as big
as the head of a pin is commonly enough for a child
six months old. This composition is such as to flux
the opium, that its killing power seems to be laid
aside; and a person may safely take four times as
much opium in this state, as they might otherwise
dare to take.
This pill I have always found to be laxative, and
slowly operates in that way in the course of 24 hours.
I have carried these pills with me constantly for
more than twenty years, and tried them instead of
laudanum, on almost every occasion.
A child in my neighborhood was obliged constantly
to take these pills, twice a-day for six months, and
increase their size; he throve well upon them, and
finally they overcame his spasms, belly-ache (and
otherwise continual crying) and after awhile he
could do as well without them as any body, and is
now a stout hardy boy. This child doubtless par-
took of the affection of his mother, who was dread-
fully affrighted before he was born.
No. 27.
Dr. Reeder's chalybeate, for female weaknesses.
To prepare—take three quarts of strong vinegar,
two ounces anvil scales, pounded fine, and the dust
blown out, one pugil of Virginia or Seneca snake
root, one pugil of mountain ditny or garden ground
ivy, simmer them together in an iron pot to a pint ;
then strain the liquor and return it into the pot;
put into it ten grains of myrrh and ten grains of
aloes, a pound of sugar and a gill of spirits; cover
it close, and simmer it down on coals to thick mo-
lasses, and put it by for use.
PRESCRIPTIONS. 47
A teaspoonful is a dose, night, morning and night;
then miss the like times, and take it again ; and so
continue the course till nature is braced & strength-
ened. This is a cure for obstructed menses, or
wasting fluor. See No. 44 how to give it.
With this medicine many have been relieved:
the barren have become fruitful; and those des-
pairing of life, have been restored to health by ta-
king this.
The prescriptions No. 25 and No. 44 were devised
after the pattern of this, for which I am ever in-
debted to the friendship of Dr. Elijah Reeder, of
Franklin, on the big Miami.
ass=s*-
No. 28.
Warner's blood-purging pills.
To prepare—take one pound of ipecac. No. 1, of
dry roots, or two pounds of green roots, four pounds
of green horse radish roots, and two inches of blue
flag root; put them into a pot and boil them in stale
cider until you gain the strength of the roots; then
strain and wring out the liquor; boil it down to a
quart; then add half an ounce of aloes and half an
ounce of myrrh, and simmer it down to a mass for
pills: then put it by for use in a vessel or galley pot.
This kind of pills, my father used to make and
keep in my day of living with him, and long before
I was born. He used always to sell them at three
prices. He used to give them in his cures of old
ulcers, and sores, frequently two or three times a
week. Those who took them said they generally
made them hungry.
I believe they give the blood a lively circulation.
I have given them to my patients inoculated with
the small pox, a few hours before I expected the
fever, having given nothing before it ; the effect
48 PRESCRIPTIONS.
was favorable, beyond all expectation; for they
then had little or no fever at all.
Three or four pills of common size, is a common
dose; it is expected only to be a slow purge, but it
will sometimes puke a little. Take care to give
little enough, and you are always safe.
sºsºsºsºmsº
No. 29.
Porter's ointment.
To prepare—take four pounds of square-stalk
leaves, No. 8, two pounds of elder leaves, and one
pound of catnip leaves; beat them well in a mortar
and mix them up in fresh butter or good hog's fat,
put them in a brass kettle or an earthen pot, and
heat it or stew it moderately, keeping grease enough
in it to cover the herbs; keep it about the fire, and
simmer it at times for a week; then wring out the
ointment, and put it by for use.
The Green Ointment, or tent salve, is made by ta-
king of the above ointment and Venice turpentine,
of each half a pint; put them in a saucepan or some
suitable vessel, not iron; add of blue stone the size
of two grains of Indian corn, and the same quantity
of verdigrease; both are to be powdered and stirred
in : the whole is to be boiled or simmered on the
fire until it looks like green glass. This tent oint-
ment cleanses ulcers and old sores to the bottom,
and keeps out proud flesh or fungus. My father
used to say it would scrape a bone. The cure may
always be looked upon as sound, where this is used.
The first ointment is to be used for formenting
benumbed and withered limbs. Such have been
often restored by it, when many other applications
had failed.
PRESCRIPTIONS. 49
Sores are to be anointed with this first oint-
ment, around, even when the tent ointment is put
in ; and it is very excellent to anoint a woman’s
SOre breast.
No. 30.
The Red Lead Sear Cloth Salve.
To prepare—take three half pints of Sweet
Oil, or in case that cannot be had, take the like
quantity of fresh butter when boiled & skimmed;
One pint of Linseed oil: boil them in a skil-
let, so hot that it will burn a feather; then add
one pound of pulverised Red Lead to be stirred
gently into it, while hot, (but the oil must be
somewhat cooled or it will foam and run over)
until it becomes like soft wax.
This is to be spread on thin leather, and ap-
plied as a Sear Cloth or Plaster; which is not
to be taken off, until it comes off of itself. If
matter should gather in a sore, it must be let out
by an awl through the plaster.
This plaster I have heard was formerly in the
possession of a German whose name I do not re-
collect, who lived latterally in Kentucky. He
performed many astonishing cures with it. I
saw one of his patients, who had been wounded
at the Germantown battle, 1777, in the Revolu-
tionary war; one of his legs had been broken
and shattered, while he was one of the forlorn
party sent to tear down the fence and palings
about Chew's house. He told me that due care
had been taken in setting the bone, and trying
5
50 PRESCRIPTIONS.
to cure the humours, but all in vain, he had to
endure grievous sores, every application being
of little or no avail; until in about twenty years,
he fortunately fell in with this German, who by
the means of this plaster, cured his leg. It was
then sound and well, when I had this story from
his own mouth.
Since the secret has been disclosed, I know
families who keep it and use it on all occasions,
and speak in the most absolute terms in its
praise.
Before this disclosure, there were people who
would have paid twenty dollars for this receipt,
as willingly as any of you would pay twenty
dollars for a horse worth an hundred.
Put this plaster to a fresh wound or cut, it
keeps all close, and you have no trouble with it
as a gaping, freting and running Sore.
No. 31.
Common Salve,
May be made by taking Horse balm leaves,
(No. 13.) Burnet, Mallelet, Spikenard Root, or
any two or three of them ; beat them well in a
mortar, and stew them in tallow and fresh but-
ter, equal quantities; and when you get the
strength of the herbs, strain and ring out the
rese, and add equal quantities of Rosin and
astile Soap, until your salve becomes a right
consistence.
PRESCRIPTIONS. 51
No. 32.
Wild Pursley Ointment,
There is , in our western country, near our
creeks, on places overflown in high water, a lit-
tle wild Evergreen, much resembling Pursley.
It is one of the Indian medicines for Snake-bites,
and other poisons; they use it inwardly and .
Outwardly ; but when an ointment or salve is
made of it, I have found it very cool and paci-
fying to freting, Smarting sores; it is the best
for blistering humours, of any thing I have ever
tried. I have proved it on sore lips and other
inveterate smarting sores.
A little Tar put into this ointment will add to
its excellence.
No. 33.
A Tent Salve for Fellons,
May be made, by taking equal quantities of
Brimstone, Bluestone and Allum ; rub them in
a brass mortar, and when powdered, moisten it
with spirits, honey and white of an egg, mixed,
equal quantities; rub all together fifteen minutes
with a brass pestle, and make it of a right con-
sistence.
The property of this tent salve is to destroy
fungus or inflamed flesh, by turning it quickly in-
to matter; and if followed up and attended right-
ly, it will bring out the core, and get to the bot-
tom of any rising in two or three days. Cancers
may be destroyed and eaten out by it.
This will answer all the ends of what is call-
ed caustic, with less anguish.
52 PRESCRIPTIONS.
No. 34.
The Tooth-ache, to cure by Sympathy.
The process—The patient is enjoined not to
narrate what is done to him, or the Tooth-ache
will return, (but a repetition will restore the cure.)
All the finger and toe nails are to be trimmed,
the pieces off of each are to be laid on a rag or
paper; to which also is to be laid a lock of hair
taken from the head; then the gum of the tooth
is to be gouged or pierced, to add some blood to
the nails & hair; then the whole is to be wraped
together in the bank of some creek or #. at
a place where no creature crosses. . The opera-
tor may keep the putting away to himself, if he
pleases.
Indians they say have queer notions. Hah!
but I have tried this for perhaps fifteen years,
on myself and many others, and seldom without
immediate success. The tooth, it is believed,
when it becomes easy, will never ache again.--
#. the pain remains, chew root, No. 2, or No.
If you are willing to try this, you may rest as-
sured, it will do you no hurt.
No. 35.
The Ear-Ache,
Will often be cured by the application of
Spikenard Root. Take the green Spikenard
Root, beat it and add a little water to moisten
the root; then squeeze out the juice and put it
into a phial ; drop this into the ear, morning and
PRESCHIPTIONS. 53
evening, a drop or two at a time, and continue
it as long as you please.
This is likely to help a deaf ear, if any thing
Will, and is a real Indian cure. The Oil of
Spikenard, used in like manner, might perhaps
be better than the above.
No. 36.
The King’s Evil,
Has I know been cured by the Pond Lilley
Root; I mean those of a slender stem, a floating
leaf, shaped like a horse's foot; often growing
in water eight or ten feet deep; the Lilley is
the most delicious, also floating on the water,
held by a slender flexible stem. The root is
knotty and Oval, like a Calamus root, and as large
nearly as a chair-post. This root should be
boiled, beat soft in a mortar, and moisten to a
pºliº with the liquor; a little of which should
e drank morning and evening, and the poltices
repeated.
hese boils and risings in the glands of the
neck, called the King's Evil, have been also di-
gested and cured, by applications of green Frog-
spawn, taken out of springs, and applied as a
poltice.
I would recommend the root and bark, No. 7
and No. 14 to finish the cure.
#5
54 PRESCRIPTIONS.
No. 37.
Cold Water Applications,
. I reckon among the choicest of my discove-
I’IGS.
The following I recommend :
When the accident of a bruise, piercing of
a nail, a cut, a broken bone, an eye knocked out
and put in again, &c. takes place, immerse the
º in cold water as quick as possible, and then
lip a large soft linen cloth into cold water and
apply it, and keep out the air. This cloth should
be kept close; aid this by dropping cold water
upon it for fifteen minutes, and continue it close
for twelve hours. The inflamation by this means
will be kept back, and the cure by any thing
else, will be almost forestalled ; and then a
bruise, a strain or broken bone, will scarcely
swell at all; and a like application to a burn
will have a similar effect. In about fifteen mi-
nutes the first pain will be over, and the future
ease will be stedfast.
I have tried the foregoing applications of cold
water, with full demonstrations, for forty years
past.
No. 38.
The Poor Man’s Medicine.
Boil four ounces of pure Quicksilver in an
iron pot, with two quarts of water, until half is
evaporated, and bottle the water for use. -
e same Quicksilver will serve, again and
again, as often as you want a fresh supply of
PRESCRIPTIONS. 55
the water. This medicine is said to be as sim-
ple in taste, and as safe in using as so much sim-
ple water, and may be drank as often and as
much as you please. The virtues are many : it
may be used externally or internally; it destroys
worms, purifies the blood, opens obstructions,
scours the glands, cures all impurities of the skin,
ulcers, scald-head, &c.
The yellow water in horses, we have often
cured, by boiling only one ounce of Quicksilver
in a large pot of water; letting the horse drink a
gallon at a time, or mixing his feed with the wa-
ter; continuing the course for about ten days,
and boiling the Quicksilver again and again;
and I have found them cured, of imposthumes,
following the throat-distemper, by the same
IOlea, ſlS.
sºmº-ºº ºs-º-º-º-º: * *
NO. 39.
A Sweat of Virginia Snake Root and Sage Tea,
Is one of my old remedies for fevers.
Take one drachm of Virginia Snake Root, and
make it into a decoction, say half a gill; let the
atient drink it and cover warm in bed; then
ave ready a coffee-pot of weak Sage Tea, say
three pints; let the patient begin to drink in ten
or fifteen minutes, as warm and as much as he
can, out of the spout, not rising or uncovering.—
By this drinking keep up the sweat for four
hours; then cool moderately and take care of all
exposure and excess for the first twenty-four
hours. Follow it with No. 9 or 25.
56 PRESCRIPTIONS.
This sweat I have often given (after a puke or
purge) in obstinate fevers, such as the nervous,
the intermittent, the fever and ague, &c.
I have used this sweat in old second or third
day agues, always with success. I have chosen
to begin about an hour before the ague, and take
up the hour of ague in the sweat. In other cases,
I have chosen the wellest time, and never omit it
when pain or sickness attend the rise of a fever.—
Chips or blocks of wood taken out of a pot of boil-
ing water, may be wrapped up and put in the
bed with the patient, to set the sweat agoing.
This sweat should be repeated again, after two
or three days, if there is not manifest signs of re-
covery.
Such a sweat has appeared to me, to move off
the obstructions to a right circulation, and to take
away the very offending matter out of the blood.
Persons very weak, and especially those who
have pain in any part of the body, or all over them,
ought to try this. But it should always be fol-
lowed with bracing medicine, such as the above
cited or No. 4. Dont omit, even if the patient
seems fairly well by the sweat.
No. 40.
To cure the Jawndice.
1. Give the Emetic No. 1.
2. Give the Pills No. 41, every night, what the
stomach can bear.
3. Make a diet drink of wild Cherry bark, and
use it constantly till well.
PRESCRIPTIONS. 57
4. If the case is obstinate, give one dose of No.
24, to move the perspiration.
5. Then save the urine, (say a pint) mix it into a
cake with rye meal, and burn it slowly behind
* * log twice or three times, (per sympa-
thV.
6. & Chalybeate Oxmel, (No. 44.)
Doctor Hole relates, that he was cured of an
obstinate habit of the Jaundice, into which he had
several times relapsed, and which he had proved
on others for twenty years, with the most happy
success. The process is as follows:
1. Put wild Cherry bark into stale cider, (say
a double handful to two quarts.)
2. Take the scale that forms on an old chim-
ney back-wall, or on an old iron tramel, (scrape
off a good handful) and make a decoction.—
Drink turn about of each of these, five or six times
a day, as much as the stomach can take, and fol-
low it up till the cure is perfected. Probably
there is a good portion of Oxigen in the scale
that is generated by smoke. See note, No. 44.
You can have choice, and if one thing wont do,
try the other. - -
No. 41. -
Pills for the Jaundice.
Take three ounces of China Rhubarb, pow-
dered (No. 6) one drachm of Myrrh, and one
drachm of Alloes, rub them fine, and put altoge-
ther, and moisten it with spirits to form a mass
of Pills. They must be made up soon, or they
58 PRESCRIPTIONS.
become hard. I choose always to keep some of
this preparation by me in a roll; I can then put
some of it into a phial of spirits, so that a tea
spoonful will be a dose. This roll will make
excellent bitters, will be an antidote against
Dysentery, excess of Bile, the Jaundice, &c.
A little matter of these pills, will answer to
relieve costiveness; they answer best, gently or
gradually taken; they will then strengthen the
system. In this they will be good in Diarrhoea
or fluxes, but are not equal to No. 25.
No. 42.
An Antidote for Epidemic Diseases.
Prepare you a few Brimstone matches, and a
bottle half full of spirits; light a match and thrust
it into the mouth of the bottle, so as to fill the
empty part with smoke. When the match is ta-
ken out, put your thumb on the mouth, and shake
the spirits, to incorporate the smoke what they
can. Do thus with several matches. -
This I had from a very old man, when I was
but a little boy. I remember he said, a dram of
this rum will keep you from catching the Small-
Pox or Meazles; yes, if you will drink a dram
of this in the morning, you may go safely where
the plague is all day. But I rather suppose it
had É. be taken morning, noon and night.—
I tried it myself before I had the Small-Pox.—
See Antidote, No. 5.
PRESCRIPTIONS. . 59
No. 43.
Huron's Cure for the Dropsy.
Take Bitter Sweet Root, White Roots of El-
der, Horse Radish Roots, of each a large hand-
ful, steep them in one gallon of Cider. Take a
tea cup full in the morning, and always before
meal times through the day.
In a very weak case, a jelly of calf's-feet is to
be eaten cold, with vinegar. If the stomach re-
jects food, a little Elixer of Vitriol made into
punch, may be allowed. Diet is not to be high .
seasoned, but any kind to be liberally used, that
the stomach will take. This medicine may be
prepared with Vinegar, or even with water where
cider can not be had. This receipt came to me
well attested; by it was performed several sin-
gular cures, after patients were given over by
physicians for lost.
A single instance experienced but in one trial,
from a child of my own I wish to relate.
My youngest daughter, when about two years
old, lost her appetite, became uncommonly dis-
posed to sleep, her sprightliness turned to stu-
pidity, and in a few days she became bloated and
apparently filled with water or dropsical swell-
ing in her whole frame; and as I could not con-
ceive how I could administer any means of relief
to her by any thing I could give her internally,
I studied to endeavour it by an external applica-
tion.
I took Horse Radish and Spiknard Root, (two
diureticks) equal quantities, pounded them in a
mortar, green, and applied them by way of pol-
tice to the bottoms of her feet. The wished for
5
60 PRESCRIPTIONS.
effect, a plentiful emission of urine took F.
& cleared the dropsy in about forty-eight hours.
I gave her a few doses of Linseed Oil, agreeably
to No. 55, and she soon became well and hearty.
But try the following (No. 44) for the Drop-
Sy.
No. 44.
Chalybeate Oaymel.
Take two ounces of Columbo Root,” one
drachm of Virginia Snake Root, twenty ten-
penny Nails, and one quart of good Vinegar, put
them together in an iron pot; simmer it a little
over fire; then let it stand forty-eight hours; then
boil it down to a pint; strain and wring out the
liquor, and return it into the pot; then add one
ound of sugar and a gill of spirits; simmer it
own on coals to the consistence of molasses, and
bottle it up for use.
The common dose for a grown person may be
a tea-spoonful, morning, noon and night, when
the stomach is empty, about ten minutes before
meals; but begin with less, and increase the
dose, as you find the stomach can bear it.
The intention of this medicine is to recruit the
blood, and strengthen the system. It may be
taken a week, and then miss a week; and then
take it again; and so at intervals renew the
* The Columbo Root, if left in whole pieces, may
afterwards be strung and dried, it will then be good to
chew, or to be used instead of barks.
PRESCHRIPTIONS. 61
course, more or less, until the patient is quite
well and strong.
In consumptive cases the person should drink
round ivy, or agrimoney tea, for two or three
ays at a time, and then miss as long, and then
resume it again. The latter of these herbs is
preferred for bracing and giving strength, but
the former is conceived to touch the disorders of
the liver.
This medicine will be found a superior reme-
dy for worms, as those vermin cannot live with
the iron. It is most excellent for the weakness-
es of women, either under suppressions, or in
excess of the fluor of either kind. But when it
takes place, the doses should be omitted until it
subsides. It may be given to finish the cure of
fevers in general. It merits a trial in all reduced
and low cases of the blood, such as consump-
tion, dropsy, asthma, jaundice, derangement, &c.
to recruit the oxygen,” or iron property in the
blood; a deficiency of which, as I conceive, is
the radical cause of these diseases. -
Healthy persons have a right proportion of
Oxygen; bui an excess or deficiency may either
of them be the occasion of disease. The excess
* Take notice—There is a certain part of our bodily
substance that I call oxygen, or iron; this is the basis
of strength. There is abundantly more oxygen in the
blood than in any part of us. When blood is taken in a
vessel and stands to be cold—1. There is the clods, or
viscid, tenacious part, called the grume: 2. The thin
and watery part, called the serum. It is said there is
much more iron in the serum than in the grume.
6
62 PRESCRIPTIONS.
of oxygen” is not so much to be feared, and
occurs but seldom ; but deficiency of oxygen
happens very often, and I expect always in con-
sumption, dropsy, jaundice and palsy ; but I
leave it to future observation more accurately to
determine this. I have however observed, that
blacksmiths, or those working in iron, seldom if
ever have the consumption or dropsy.
A late patient of mine, who had been a year
or two in a state of melancholy, told me that the
electrical machine had been tried on her, but the
same charge that would shock other people hard,
had little or no effect on her. I leave it to those
who have opportunity to observe, whether the
electrical shock will not be the same in the cases
of consumption, dropsy and jaundice; and whe-
ther it does not announce a deficiency of oxygen.
But the great question with me is how to re-
store the oxygen in a consumptive person; iron
or a preparation of it being my alternative. Two
things I fear—1. An increase of the pulmonary,
or pain in the breast; 2. Bleeding at the lungs.
My prescription No. 44, I conceive will not ex-
pose the patient either as to pulmonary or bleed-
ing at the lungs; but will gently increase the
oxygen, and innocently prepare good blood : the
issue will be a recovery to good health, if such a
thing be possible.
* I have noticed that blacksmiths are very subject to
rheumatic pains: the cause, I conceive, is an excess of
oxygen : and this may most generally exist with, and be
the root of the diathesis of plethora and irritation. The
remedy most probably will be No. 39 and 72.
PRESCRIPTIONS. 63
My children and friends—after you look over
this, when you see a person with a white face,
male or female, you will be ready to say “That
erson wants Father Smith's chalybeate oayme!”
o. 44. -
No. 45.
Dr. Tiffin’s prescription for derangement, or
mania.
Get gum myrrh, asafoetida, aloes and castor,
of each a quarter of an ounce, opium and cam-
phor one drachm each ; powder them separate-
ly, and mix them all together with oil of amber
sufficient to make them up into pills the size of
garden peas. Get at the same time two ounces
of Peruvian bark, red or yellow, and half an
ounce of rust of steel; mix them well together
into a powder. Give two of the above pills
morning, noon and night; give also a teaspoonful
heaped up of the powder every day, an hour be-
fore breakfast and dinner, which is twice a day.
The diet may be any thing that the patient likes
best, and which will best agree with the stomach.
This prescription I was honored with by Dr.
Edward Tiffin, late governor of the state of Ohio.
I used it for my daughter, Nancy John, who had
been four months in a state of alarming mania,
or derangement; when she had taken it about
two weeks, she suddenly came to her reason;
and after using agrimoney tea a few weeks, be-
came very stout and healthy.
64 PRESCRIPTIONS.
The Doctor, in his letter to me, states, her
diathesis “I take to be great debility, and (to
use a common expression) the nervous system
unstrung.” -
I think to apply in such a case No. 44 and
26, also No. 9, will likely prove a cure.
No. 46.
Syrup for the Dysentery.
I have for a long time, perhaps 30 years, pre-
scribed in the following manner, and it has near-
ly always been used with success: Take a
handful of garden rhubarb, or patience, or horse
dock roots, or any one of these, and shred them
up green or dry. Also, a handful of persimmon
or wild cherry bark (either will do) put the root
and the bark together into a quart mug or pitcher
that will bear the fire, and put in with them four
tablespoonfuls of sugar, and fill up the quart
with boiling water; set it on the coals until it is
drawn like tea. The patient is then to begin to
take it, a tablespoonful at a time (if a grown per-
son) every fifteen minutes, until ease begins to
take place in the bowels; then not so often, and
so by degrees break off; yet take some until
good health takes place.
This syrup should be boiled every day, and a
little spirits put into it to keep it from getting
sour; and may be filled up and sweetened to
the taste, or renewed as there is occasion.
Give at the same time a flour coffee (wheat or
rye meal fried brown) boil it with milk and su-
PRESCRIPTIONS. 65
gar in it, to fill up the belly and promote sweat
by a plentiful drinking of it hot or cold: this will
greatly assist the cure.
By this course the faeces, or lumps in the illium
uts (which occasion the dysentery) will be gra-
ually dissolved, and the cure be permanent;
but the first effect or sympton of cure, is ease in
the belly. See No. 25, 9, and 41. This syrup
may be given in any diarrhoea or flux.
No. 47.
The Croup, or Bold Hives,
that so alarmingly choak children to death, bein
a swelling or stoppage of the lungs, I have cure
by the following syrup for 12 years past: the
success has been truly singular; it is a discove-
ry of my own, by mere accident.
Take a handful of John’s wort, No. 22, and a
handful of sage, and sugar sufficient; make
them into a syrup, in the manner directed in the
foregoing number. The dose for a child six
months old, should be only a teaspoonful; but
to one six years old, a tablespoonful. The times
º ºntinuance may also be like No. 46. See
O. 18.
No. 48.
Syrup for the Quinsy, catarrh, and ulcerated
sore throat.
To prepare—Take one ounce of squaw root
dried, or a like quantity of green, No. 17, half
66 PRESCRIPTIONS.
as much blueberry root, No. 16; boil the roots
in three quarts of water to less than one, add
alum and honey to make it rough and palatable.
Gargle the throat, & swallow some pretty often.
Report is, that a noted root doctor of Jersey,
near Elizabethtown, made use of this with the
greatest success. I had it from Dr. Hole, who
highly recommended it; but as these complaints
scarce ever have prevailed where I have lived, I
have never put it to the trial. A tea made of the
root No. 16, will probably be a relief and cure
in the most of such cases. -
No. 49.
JFor the Camker.
The canker is a hot humor which has its seat
in the stomach; shows itself in whitish sore spots
on the tongue, palate, and inside of the mouth
and lips, that will sometimes eat and consume
away the palate. It is generally attended with
fever and great thirst, uneasiness and distress.
Children have been mostly the subjects of it, but
sometimes it goes thro’ the whole family; and
to small children it has sometimes proved very
mortal.
A Mr. Huston, from whom I obtained the re-
ceipt, cured it easily and certainly, if applied to
in time. His º is as follows: lignum
vitae chips or dust, black snake root, No. 10,
squaw root, No. 17, Virginia or Seneca snake
root, black haw bark, John’s wort, No. 22, beech
drops, of each a tablespoonful powdered: of blue
PRESCRIPTIONS. 67
flag root, and blood or puccoon root, each a tea-
spoonful, if powdered; these put together are
to be made into a syrup (say 3 # ints) in like
manner as No. 46, and given like No. 47. The
dose for a child is a teaspoonful every 10 minutes
for the first hour; a tablespoonful for a grown
person; then lengthen more and more between
times of taking of it. If the belly is bound,
clystering, castor oil, or some other gentle, easy
purge ought to be given : sweet fern, blue whor-
tleberry bushes and healall,” or some of them,
are to be used as a tea. The syrup should be
iven warm, especially at first; and heated,
filled up, or renewed, till its end is answered.
I have known cures by this medicine when the
tongue had become black, and the blotches were
spreading, eating sores. Milk diet is to be
avoided, and all salt and dried meat; any other
food may be freely taken. This disease is sel-
dom found in southern climates. Try for it No.
14 in tea, and No. 48, but more particularly No.
16 in tea.
No. 50.
Pain in the Breast,
is often occasioned by an acid, or sour state of the
stomach, or if you please, the stomach having too
much rennet.
Make the following drink: chip green horse
radish roots, as much as will lie in a half pint
* The healall is a wild herb, bearing a whitish
blossom, resembling red clover.
68 PRESCRIPTIONS.
tumbler, and put them in a quart bottle; then
take vinegar, and if strong, mix it half water,
sweeten this with sugar pretty sweet, and fill up
your bottle with it. Take this drink three
times a day, about 10 minutes before meals; the
dose a spoonful or two, or a wine glassful, as the
stomach will bear it. This course will generally
help the digestion; the want of which is fre-
. the occasion of the pain in the stomach.
ut sweet tea, or coffee must sometimes be avoid-
ed, with every thing else that would turn to win-
egar quickly. But when there is a burning at
the stomach, which frequently happens by drink-
ing drams, grog, punch, wine, &c. these are to be
forborne or left off, as it may be presumed that
they are the occasion. My No. 26 will often be
a temporary cure, and ought to be tried, especi-
ally if there is flatulence or colic symptoms; yea,
this pain is frequently only wind pent up, and
the beginning of a colic.
Pain in the stomach is a common attendant in
a consumption, together with pain in the side and
shoulder; then both the above may be mode-
rately tried: but No. 44 will be most likely to
effect the cure. -
No. 51.
Persons stunned with thunder, drowned, stran-
gled, or the breath suddenly lost or struck out
of them by any accident, such as damp in a
well déc. may often be restored by the follow-
Žng process:
PRESCRIPTIONS. 69
Let a person of good strong lungs apply his
mouth .. *ś. h; at ; jºi.
his nostrils close, and blow his breath (as we say)
as hard as he can into the sufferer's lungs; he
must then leave him to expire while he gets his
own breath, and then repeat the effort as soon
and as often as he can, perhaps a hundred times,
if self respiration does not . place sooner. A
reed or pipe like a weaver's quill may be made
use of for the purpose, and sometimes a pair of
hand bellows have been used; but I would pre-
fer the breath, as most likely to keep the lungs
and blood warm.
For drowned persons, cloths dipt in hot water
Ought to be laid on the breast as warm as a living
person could bear, and a blanket dipt in like
manner ought to be wrapt around the naked body,
and the hands and arms, feet and legs should be
rubbed with hot wet cloths; this warming and
rubbing is prescribed in order to keep the blood
from §ºn. Drowned persons, I think,
should not be rolled upon a barrel, but only be
laid with their heads down, so that the water
in them may run out, and no violence done them;
but the blowing should be begun and kept on as
Soon as possible. -
In a treatise that I have read respecting the
recovery of drowned persons, it is stated (if I
mistake not) that they have been recovered who
have been under the water five or six hours.
I once happened to be present at the town of
Washington, Georgia, when a person was struck
dead (as we say) with thunder; and I witnessed
the before described process, as it relates to blow-
70 PRESCRIPTIONS.
ing the breath, and beheld the recovery of the
erson. This happened on a court day, about
30 years ago; many as well as myself saw the
melancholy, but afterwards joyous scene. I as-
sisted shortly after the shock, in opening a vein
in the young woman's arm: but there was no
spring or motion in the blood. The whole pro-
cess that proved her recovery was ordered by
Mr. Jer. Walker.
No. 52.
Stopping of Blood, and of Hemorrhages,
are of great importance to be known. If you
should be wounded, so as to wish to stop the
blood: 1. Close the wound as well as you can,
and put to it a large cloth wet with cold water,
and drip on a little cold water for 15 minutes,
keeping it as close as possible for twelve hours;
sometimes it will be best to take a few stitches
to close the orifice. But apply No. 37 in pre-
ference to every thing, if you can; and then the
plaster, No. 30. Or 2. Take vinegar and dis-
olve alum in it as much as is suitable, then scrape
the soot from the bottom of a dinner pot, and
moisten it with the alum and vinegar, so as to
make a small poultice, and apply that ; or if you
can get it, take the powder of the leaves of lamb's
quarter, and apply closely: this well known
herb has been proven to be first rate for stopping
blood. Or 3. Boil a strong decoction of the
bark of the pignut hicory, this is the Indian styp-
tic, and probably as good as any thing.
PRESCRIPTIONS. 71.
In hemorrhages, or discharges of blood from
the womb or bowels—take a little vinegar pre-
pared with alum as above, give a teaspoonful
every 10 minutes, or as much and as often as the
stomach will take. At the same time, if the case
is urgent, apply cloths wet with vinegar prepared
with alum as above, or in cold water, put them
cold on the belly, and repeat them as occasion
requires. But sometimes it is needful to take a
little blood from the arm, as that will turn the
circulation ; ... then probably the above ap-
plications will take the desired effect. Alum
dissolved in water, or alum whey, taken as much
as the stomach can bear, until the hemorrhage
ceases, are proper in extreme cases. But drink
agrimoney tea, if you can get it, for two or three
º: as stated in No. 9; and if the unhapp
sufferer is much exhausted, to restore .
and good blood, try No. 44.
No. 53.
Bleeding at the Wose
is sometimes to be a little indulged, as they say
it prevents the headache; but generally it is
from debility, and shows a weak state of the
system, therefore the sooner it can be prevented
the better. In order to which, observe the fol-
lowing directions:
1. #. your nose pretty smartly two or three
times, and then bear against it where the blood
issues, if you can, with your thumb, and hold
it close a few minutes. 2. If this fails, dissolve
72 . PRESCRIPTIONS.
alum in good vinegar, as in No. 52, dip a little
lint or fine rag in it, and put it into the nostril.
3. But sometimes a habit of bleeding at the nose
frequently and every day takes place, and the
blood becomes very vapid, so that it will hardly
stain a cloth. When such a habit takes place,
the only effectual remedy that I have ever found
is to learn the person to smoke tobacco. This I
have had to try for myself, or be exposed to
bleed to death at the nose: but smoking a little
every day has always overcome this habit, as
far as my knowledge extends.
No. 54.
Bleeding at the Lungs
I believe, may always be considered as one of
the expressions of great debility. What I shall
say about it, take as follows: -
1. Try about a teaspoonful of fine salt, which
you may lick up by itself out of your hand; do
this every day, or oftener, if the complaint is ur-
gent. , 2. The most likely thing that now strikes
my mind, to be a radical cure, is to make use of
agrimoney tea, the root as well as the tops; use
it cold about three days at a time, and then miss
three days, and so use it as a diet drink in some
form. See No. 9. -
You will wonder, perhaps, why I am always
commending No. 9 }. every thing: but as a
reason I will state the following fact, which I
personally know to be the truth:
PRESCRIPTIONS. 73
An old man of my acquaintance, after a spell
of the gravel, which nearly took his life, was
for several months unable to retain his urine,
but it dript from him continually. He was at
length advised by Dr. George Foulk, a German,
to drink agrimoney tea: this tea being the only
medicine he used, he became a well man in a
few days, being as free from this complaint as in
his youth, and he was then above eighty years
of age. .
No. 55.
Jönseed Oil,
for children supposed to be troubled with worms,
has been generally my medicine. In raising my
own family I have scarcely ever given any thing
else. Let it be taken as follows:
Give a teaspoonful of linseed oil, put with as
much sugar or molasses, morning, night and
morning; that is, three times, then miss three,
then give it again, and so repeat it until the child
has taken it nine times. This is a dose for a
child two or three years old, and respect should
always be had to the age and strength of the pa-
tient. But see No. 44 for worms, and No. 21.
*** *- sºmº-mºmº
No. 56.
Preserving the teeth, and curing an odious taste
&n the mouth, may always, I presume, be ºf
fected by this little simple process:
7
74 PRESCRIPTIONS.
. Only wash and rinse your mouth every morn
Ing. In your own urine.
Hezekiah Smith, D. D., deceased, late of Ha-
Verhill, Massachusetts, had his teeth all entire
when he was above sixty years old. He told
me the only means he had used, is what I have
above advised, which he had followed from the
days of his youth.
elief from the ill taste I have proved, and I
do not think the remedy worse than the disease.
Those who know this in their youth, and will
not try it, who can pity them when they groan
with the tooth-ache
No. 57.
The cure of venomous Bites and Stings,
ought to be known, if possible, by every body;
for a little delay will often render the bite or
sting dreadful, and sometimes incurable. How
important must it be to be able to cure the bite or
sting of serpents and spiders, especially the black
spider with a red spot on his back, called the
tarantula, so common and dreadful in southern
climates, hornets, wasps, bees, &c.
To cure any of these, you may only wet a
thimbleful of indigo with good vinegar, to make
it into mud, and apply it to the bite or sting. If
done soon, the danger will immediately be over;
and it is stated to me, that the place will not
swell at all.
#The above is a discovery lately made in Sus-
sex county, New-Jersey, where the snake called
PRESCRIPTIONS. 75
the pilot, or copper-head, was so common and bit
so many, that the mowers would scarcely venture
into the meadows, until this discovery was made.
They then kept some of the indigo mud by them,
and found that they could cure themselves at
once by this º: ºppº,
But see Nos. 10, 11, & 17, and you may also
remember that honey, sweet oil and hog's lard
are severally good to take inwardly and out-
wardly, both for bites and stings. That man
who received the sting of a bee on the tip of his
nose,” and died in a few hours, might likely have
been saved by any of these, had the application
been made in due time.
No. 58.
The Thºrn/Sh
is a sore mouth common to young children, be-
ginning in little white scruffy blisters. Its cure
may be attempted, 1. By the white elm bark
(that is, the rough, not the slippery) make of
the bark a strong tea, wash and gargle the mouth
and let the child often swallow some, if it is only
a teaspoonful at a time; this commonly brings
off the scruff in a day or two, and does not ter-
rify at all. Or 2. Make a syrup by dissolving
loaf sugar in three or four tablespoonfuls of wa-
ter, and add borax (the size of a º of Indian
corn) made fine; give the child a teaspoonful
every 2 or 3 hours, until you find it is mending;
then not so often, and by degrees Omit it.
* The case was related in a late newspaper.
6
76 E’RESCRIPTIONS.
No. 59.
Solution of Corrosive Sublimate,
for the yaws and venereal disease, may be pre-
pared and applied, by taking, 1. Ten grains of
corrosive sublimate, to a pint of good spirits. 2.
one drachm of gum guiacum, to sweat. 3. One
drachm rhubarb, to render it purgative.
Scorbutic and venereal diseases are cured by
taking a spoonful of the above, morning and
evening : drinking sarsaparilla tea plentifully,
our bitter-sweet root, or little parilla, is quite as
good, and I presume my No. 9 may be found a
reat deal better. The course about 10, 12 or 14
ays, as the case may require.
Caution—This course ought always to be ma-
naged by a person of tolerable medical skill, for
edge-tools may be dangerous in aukward hands.
ain in the breast or bowels, or excessive lax,
or salivation occasioned by the above, are reme-
died by taking brimstone; a large teaspoonful of
the flour of sulphur mixed in honey or molasses,
per dose. This is to be repeated daily until the
complaint subsides, and the solution omitted.—
But see No. 2. -
With this course of the solution I once saved a
man, nearly covered all over with ring-worms;
other small applications having failed.
No. 60.
Solution for Tetters and Ring-worms.
To prepare—take five grains corrosive subli-
mate, put to two tablespoonfuls of spirits in a
PRESCRIPTIONS. 77
º and if found too biting, add more spirits.
he tetter or ring-worm only need be touched
with a feather dipt in this, two or three times
daily. Warts, pared a little, may be touched
in the same manner; continue to touch them till
they are dead.
No. 61.
Tetters, or obstinate breaking-out
a-kin to them, on the hands, feet or any where
else, I think may be cured by the following pre-
paration : take a half pint of brandy (peach I
F. put it in a skillet with half a gill of tar,
eat and stir them together, and stir in a large
teaspoonful of potash; then bottle it for use.
This need only be put on with a feather pretty
plentifully for a few times, say every day for 4
or 5 days. My ideas are that some small inha-
bitants have their cities and plantations in these
regions, but this anointing will overcome these
Anakims as effectually as the people of the old
world were overcome by the flood. You may
try this for the itch, and for wens and cancers.
No. 62.
Old Dr. Witts’ cure for Wens.
1. The patient must wash the wen morning
and evening in his own urine, and once a-day he
must grease it with grease broiled out of a wood-
en potlid, such as in old times they used on their
7%
78 PRESCRIPTIONS.
dinner º: ; probably the marrow out of an old
bakened hog's jaw would do as well. This is
expected to break the wen in about two or three
weeks, without pain; the contents being turned
into pure pus or matter, will be discharged, and
then the place may be cured up like any other
sore, and will never rise again. 2. Should the
above fail to break the wen, a hubbed toad may
be just knocked in the head, and laid upon it;
this, it is said, will surely break it. I think it
ought to be two or three times repeated.
his account I received from Dr. Daniel
Hunt, of North Carolina, above 30 years ago;
he told me he had made several trials of it, and
always succeeded ; one he told me of, was as
big as a two quart bottle, and hung down by a
neck. I have made two small trials with suc-
cess, which are all that I have had opportunity
to attend to. -
No. 63.
Cancers have been cured by the common Snails
They are to be dissolved in salt, on a pewter
plate set on coals, and the slime or ointment ap-
plied by way of tent. In one instance, I was
told, only the naked snail was laid to the cancer,
and dried fast, and in a few days the cancer and
its roots all came off together. This is a late
discovery, but came to me well attested. Try
muscles or clams out of the creek, if snails can-
not be had. Cancers have also been cured by
the following preparation : Take a handful of
PRESCRIPTIONS. 79
comfrey root scraped, fry it in half a pound of
hog's lard, until it is crisp, then strain and wring
out the grease; then add a tablespoonful of gun-
powder pulverized, and a quarter of an ounce of
red precipitate, rubbed together; then stir in and
stew the whole to make an ointment. Put a
fresh plaster of this on the cancer, morning and
night, until the roots come out, or are killed: if
it occasions much pain, there is too much preci-
pitate in it. From Dr. Chn. Coffman.
No. 64.
The Tape Worm,
has been expelled by taking alum, as follows:
Take pulverised alum, as much as will lie on
the eighth of a dollar, mix it with a teaspoonful
of molasses or honey, and let the patient take it
in the morning, fasting; increase the dose a lit-
tle every morning, and take it three mornings
and miss three, until he has taken it nine morn-
ings. . This course, it is supposed, will destroy
the whole breed of the tape worm in a person ;
and no one need be afraid of alum : at the same
time let the patient drink a tea of the herbs No.
9, 12 or 21. Look at Buchanan's Family Phy-
sician for the symptoms.
No. 65.
Ointment for Burns.
To prepare—take six pounds of the leaves of
squaw root, No. 17, or as much or as little as
80 PRESCRIPTIONS.
you please, beat them well in a mortar, then mix
up these pounded leaves with fresh butter (say
three pound) then wrap it up in rolls, about a
handful in each, and lay them on a dish or board,
and set it by in your cellar until it is covered and
filled with mould (say two weeks) then mash it
up again in fresh butter, and stew it gently an
hour or two on coals, having grease enough to
cover the herbs; then strain and wring out and
put by your ointment for use.
If this ointment can be applied to a burn or
scald, before it blisters, it will prevent its blister-
ing at all; when a burn is raw, and exposed to
smart, it will terrify a little when first applied;
but if you melt your ointment and apply it ſº
and frequently with a feather, it will terrify less
and less, until the smarting will be overcome
by it, and you may expect the cure to be soon
completed.
The green ointment, No. 29, may be º:
in like manner, and will have the like effect.
See also No. 7 and No. 14.
An account of this ointment for burns I ob-
tained from Dr. Peter Evans, of Montgomery,
Pennsylvania, about 35 years ago. He used
always to keep it, and spoke in the most absolute
terms in its commendation.
The following advice may be useful to some,
reºg burns:
have been told, that in glass houses is kept
and used, a preparation of lime and linseed oil:
unslacked or fresh lime is mixed in a vessel with
water and stirred up, and when it settles, the
water being poured off, they then pour off the
PRESCRIPTIONS. 81
pure whitewash, leaving the grounds or gritt
art behind; this lime batter is then mixed wit
inseed oil, put in a bottle and kept in readiness.
If they get burnt, who work at the glass, which
often happens, they take a patch large enough
to cover the affected place, and make a plaster
by spreading it with this preparation, put it on,
and go on with their business; this plaster, in
common, being an immediate cure. If this is
true, it may be of great use to be more generally
known. -
Mote.—Whatever is a cure for a burn, will
also be a cure for a frost bite, or sore occasioned
by frost.
No. 66.
Pepper, for preventing the Fever and Ague.
If rightly taken, I suppose, pepper will com-
monly prevent all persons and families from ta-
king the fever and ague, and perhaps most other
bilious disorders.
At a season when you expect yourself exposed
to the ague, keep fine black pepper by you; take
about as much as will lie on the eighth of a dol-
lar, and lick it up by itself if you please, or mix
it in a teaspoonful of molasses or a little water,
and swallow it. Do this every morning for
about four mornings, before you go out, and then
you may miss a week, and then take it again, and
so go on, more or less, until the sickly season is
over. The story connected with this process is
as follows:
82 PRESCRIPTIONS.
A certain man inadvertently rented a good
farm, lying in the bend of a river, but was much
alarmed when he heard that the ague always
had heavily afflicted every family who had lived
upon the place; but meeting with a certain phy-
sician, he received from him the before stated
advice; this advice he and his family took, and
found that they could º: the ague there, on
that farm, as well as any where.
No. 67.
Pºor the Asthma.
Take sena, pulverised; sulphur, and sperma-
ceti, of each one ounce, two ounces cream of
tartar, half an ounce anniseed, pulverised; rub
them together in a mortar: take a teaspoonful in
molasses, going to bed, two or three nights at a
time, I have found enough for to relieve me. It
is a moderate purge, and a little debilitating.
See No. 44.
No. 68.
Ointment for the Itoh.
To prepare—take sulphur or fine brimstone,
salt, black º pulverised ; gunpowder or
salt petre, and tar, of each a tablespoonful; put
them in a mortar, and add fresh butter or fat,
enough to make it into an ointment, and rub or
mix it well together. Apply this about the
joints, hands, wrists and hams, every night for
PRESCRIPTIONS. 83
a week; wear the same clothes for a week. This
. will be enough for ten persons, never
ails curing the itch, or does any hurt.
Precipitate Ointment.
To prepare—take three quarters of an ounce
of red precipitate, three ounces of Venice tur-
pentine, and half a pound of fresh butter; rub
the precipitate in some of the turpentine and but-
ter in a marble or brass mortar (not iron) or an
earthen bowl, and then add the remainder of the
turpentine and butter, and stir it again; then add
nine spoonfuls of water, one at a time, stirring a
little between every one, until all is well mixed.
This ointment is to be applied like the fore-
§ only not so liberally, for the itch. It will
also be good for any hot, itching humor. But
care must always be taken not to expose your-
self much in cold water, to wash in, or drink it,
lest it bring a worse evil than it cures. If you
get pains after using this ointment, by being ex-
posed, take brimstone (say a teaspoonful) and
drink sage tea till you sweat; do this for two or
three nights.
No. 69.
A dislocated Shoulder
may be replaced by the following process:–
1. Tie the body fast to a post with a sheet, or
something, to keep it from giving way when the
extension is made. 2. Let a strong person be
provided to grasp the arm, and be directed to pull
84 PRESCRIPTIONs.
it in an even direction, from the body; he is to
be instructed, at a signal to be given by the ope-
rator, that the arm must be moved forwards and
a little down, so that the elbow will be moved
about ten inches, a little briskly. 3. The ope-
rator must put his hands, one under the hollow
of the arm, about where the knob or end of the
bone is, and the other hand on the top of the
shoulder, and when the extension is sufficiently
made (which in common does not take very hard
pulling) he is then to give the signal for the mo-
tion before directed, and at the same instant bear
the knob end of the bone into its socket.
This commonly is not a hard operation, but it
is important to know how rightly to go about it.
If possible, when the shoulder is first dislocated,
apply No. 37, and replace it as soon as you can ;
but if this has been neglected six hours, it is best
to bathe the shoulder with hot winegar, which
may be repeated twice a day for three or four
days; afterwards cold vinegar will be best, and
lastly, if the shoulder remains weak, try No. 37
for a few days, beginning in the morning, and
continuing the cloths for half an hour: but the
whole of this lºgº &c. may be omitted, if the
first application, No. 37, be applied in time.
Follow it then with the plaster No. 30.
No. 70.
For a broken, Bone.
When a bone is broken, let it be leg, arm or
any other limb, the process may be much like
PRESCRIPTIONS. 85
that of the dislocated shoulder, and I think no
material difference is necessary in the applica-
tions. The main thing is, at the time of the ex-
tension, try to get the broken-off ends of the
bone together as well as you can, and have the
bone straight in its natural position. Then if
you have used No. 37 in time, you may imme-
diately apply the plaster No. 30; then have
ready a splinter work fixed between cloths and
quilted, so as to wrap round and fasten with a
lace or running string thro’ holes, that you may
loosen it and take it off when you please. When
you have reason to believe that the bone is knit
and getting strong, the stays may be taken quite
away; but if the limb should seem to wither, or
remain very weak, try the cold water cloth for a
few days, as advised in the foregoing No. 69–
for cold water is certainly, I think, the best thing
to strengthen such withering limbs. After the
wet cloth is taken off, the limb should be wrapt
in dry flannel, but not kept very hot.
Every body should know that a light diet is
the best for such unfortunate sufferers, or espe-
cially they should not eat much pork; otherwise
they may eat and drink according to their own
inclination, what is moderate and reasonable.
No. 71.
For a sprained Ankle or Wrist,
or indeed . other wrench or bruise, I advise
1. You had better try No. 37, than any thing
else, at the beginning. 2. Then apply the sear
8 -
86 - PRESCRIPTIONS.
cloth, No. 30, and little more need be done. 3.
But treat it otherwise with hot winegar, and ge-
nerally like as directed No. 30, or 69, 70. The
Porter's ointment, No. 29, may sometimes be of
especial service.
No. 72.
General directions for venesection, or letting
blood.
It is necessary to know—1. How to bleed—
2. Where to bleed—3. When to bleed—
4. When not to bleed.
1. How to bleed—The operator should have
a good lancet, sharp as a razor; let him then
put a bandage on the arm, above where he wish-
es to raise a vein, or on the leg or round the
neck, so as to prevent a sufficient quantity of
blood from reaching the heart, and to raise a
vein; , he should also be capable of opening
the vein in a delicate and suitable manner, so as
to make the vent or orifice about one-fourth of an
inch in length.
I have been told that the Indians make a lan-
cet of a nice piece of flint, which they tie in a
stick & strike it, like a fleam, with another stick,
and so open a vein very well: and it vexes a-
body to think that any white man should make a
more bungling and indifferent hand at letting
blood than the poor Indian. But to be serious,
due care and discretion ought to be used, not to
injure the place on which you operate. If you
have a spring-lancet, set it with judgment, just
PRESCRIPTIONS. 87
fairly to go into the vein, and no deeper, and by
no means strike thro’ the vein. When I lived
in Georgia, in bleeding the blacks, I learned to
rip the skin with my thumb-lancet (for I always
have bled with sort) and then I could fairly and
safely open the vein; and when I have bled a
white person, I have chose to do it, by a slanting
thrust, in the ripping way.
2. Where to bleed, I link of some importance
—When you bleed for a bruise or pain, I think
it best to chuse a vein as near the affected part
as you can get ; and if for the pleurisy or pain
in the side or shoulder, chuse your vein on the
same side that the pain is, lest, as they say, you
should draw the pain across the heart; and for
a violent pain in the head, I would recommend
to open a vein in the forehead. You may by
drawing a handkerchief about the neck, raise
good veins in the forehead; and if you open one
of them, it will bleed as well as the arm, and I
count it the safest place in the body; the skin is
a little thicker than elsewhere, but the blood will
never flow when the neck is loosed. I have
experienced, from this operation, the most sensi-
ble relief in my own person, when from the pain
in my head (as we used to say) my eyes were
ready to burst. Let this be a general rule, when
you bind up an arm to raise a vein, take that
vein which rises best. From half a pint to three
half pints, is a suitable portion of blood to take
from a grown person at a time: and that ought
to vary according to the strength and circum-
stances of the person.
3. When to bleed, I think a matter of singu-
88 PRESCRIPTIONS.
lar importance—Generally, it will be safe to
bleed in all cases of plethora and irritation; then
expect the countenance fresh and the pulse high.
If then the patient has pain and distress any
where in the body, especially in the breast, you
may let blood, and it will likely be to considera-
ble advantage. Young men, they say, should
be bled, if they are healthy, once or twice at
about 20 or 21 years old; and women, if stron
º about the turn of life, at the age of 4
or 45. Pregnant women, if strong and hardy
enough, are recommended to be bled about the
third, the fifth and the ninth months ; and near
to delivery, when their labor is like to be tedious.
4. When not to bleed, is a matter of still more
importance for us to know than the former, if it
be possible—I advise generally not to bleed in
the cases of weakness, debility and languor;
then the pulse will be low, the countenance pale,
and bleeding will always then reduce the patient
and make him more weak, and sometimes, I be-
lieve, will be the occasion of inevitable death.
No. 73.
Por the Dew-worm, or child’s sore head.
Take one spoonful of tar, one spoonful of the
scraping of a copper kettle, black pepper and
brimstone, of each a teaspoonful, and tallow the
size of a hen's egg; put all in one pint of spi-
rits, and simmer them together over a fire to an
ointment. Anoint the child’s head once a-day
until it is well, and let him wear the same cap.
PRESCRIPTIONS. 89
No. 74.
Ointment for the Piles.
To prepare—Take elder roots, hearts of
plantain, of burdock, of mullein, mallows, catni
and motherwort, a handful of each; to be stewe
in one F. of fresh butter—with this the pa-
tient is frequently to grease himself. See No. P.
Mote—No. 73 and Wo. 74 are old Dutch re-
ceipts, that have often been proved.
No. 75.
Por a person breaking out with Boils.
Take elder stalks one year old, cut them in
chunks, split, them open, and fill a pint mug or
vessel with them, and put on cold water to stand
all night; let the person drink half a pint of the
water in the morning. Renew and drink three
mornings successively. This little course will
so purge and cool the blood, as to prevent their
rising any more.
Boils are generally thought to be a sign of
health, but they are so sore, that you will wish to
prevent them, if you can. When a boil first
appears, it commonly has a little white head
with a small drop of matter in it; if then you
will pierce it, a little lower than the skin, and
squeeze out a drop of black blood from the bot-
tom, it will die away and hurt you more. But
sometimes boils rise in great abundance, and I
have heard of some instances of their taking life.
Prevent them them, in time, if you can. -
8-k
90 PRESCRIPTIONS.
No. 76.
The cure of bilious, typhows or nervous fevers
may be attempted in the following manner:
1. Give No. 1, to move the bile; this is pre-
ferable to any thing else, I believe, to lay the
foundation of a cure, as it will brace the stomach
(the common ipecacuanha may answer) and fit it
to receive the following.
2. As soon as the puking has ceased a little,
give No. 25, and continue this according to the
Prº until the patient is quite well.
3. Keep No. 26 in readiness, and if any thing
of the flatulent or colic kind is perceived, give it
freely according to the prescription, until that is
overcome; No. 25 and No. 26 may both be used
#. and I believe they will always be found
sufficient to carry off the remaining bile, and they
will give ease and sleep; but the patient should
take, as soon as he can, the coffee directed in No.
46, and proceed to other nourishment as the sto-
mach will take it: this commonly finishes the
CUII’ê. -
3. When an obstinate hickup has taken place,
I have dissolved three or four pills, No. 26, in a
spoonful of hot water, and given it; and conti-
nued to repeat it while there was occasion. Per-
haps No. 16 in tea would do as well, or better.
. At the beginning, if there is extreme pain
in the head, take a little blood from the forehead,
as mentioned in No. 72, but the quantity ought
to be according to the strength of the patient;
and blood in like manner may be taken from the
arm, in case of extreme pain or distress in the
breast. -
PRESCRIPTIONS. 91
5. If coldness of the extremities remain after
the operation of the emetic, give No. 24. I have
found the needed, tho’ despaired of, assistance
from this. I have by this course recovered per-
sons who had been vomiting several days (as
long as ten) and have found them recover, when
even dying symptoms were upon them. I have
tried to excuse persons who have been long and
hard vomiting, from taking No. 1, but have
found it impracticable. These hard cases I have
suceeded in, when their physicians have aban-
doned them. See preface.
6. Every body should know, that a passage
should be procured, in a fever, thro’ the draught;
but after the puke, if need be, it will be best to
procure a passage by injections.
7. If the fever does not yield to the above ap-
rº in two or three days, give the sweat
No. 39; and always try to keep up the perspi-
ration by a plentiful º; of some suitable
herb or root tea, such as No. 9, 10 or 12, or sage
tea.
It matters little what you call the disease—
remittent, camp, bilious, nervous, typhus, yellow
fever or sick stomach;” all will yield to the
above directed process, or I am mistaken—the
commission of death only excepted.
* The yellow fever and the sick stomach I take to
be the same disease ; their difference being chiefly in
external circumstances. But they are both, properly
speaking, the bilious fever.
7
92 PRESCRIPTIONS.
No. 77.
For a swelling of the belly and legs after a fever,
or by taking a cold.
Take a pint of mustard seed, ground or poun-
ded, and a double handful of horse radish roots,
scraped or shreded; steep them in half a gallon
of stale cider, in a jug, and shake it often. After
24 hours begin with half a gill per dose, or what
the stomach can bear ; take it in the morning,
and always before meals thro’ the day, till you
are relieved; and continue to take some at times.
If hot pimples or boils break out on the skin,
wash them with a decoction of maple bark.
This has been found a very successful remedy
in the southern states.
If cider cannot be had, this medicine may be
prepared with vinegar, reduced, sweetened, &c.
like No. 50.
No. 78.
The Hydrops, a cure for the Hydrophobia, or
bite of a mad dog.
A certain herb is now known, and cultivated
in gardens, that from the best information is an
effectual remedy for this most alarming and aw-
ful disorder. -
This herb I call hydrops, but by some of the
Germans it is called huner dorm (or alsine, latin)
and from among them it came into use. But
from a Dutch herbal, the herb by that name ap-
pears to be another thing—that has a yellow
blossom, this a beautiful pink red; that lives
PRESCRIPTIONS. 93
thro’ the winter, this dies with the frost, and
comes up from the seed in the spring.
The hydrops is a small running vine, a little
resembling the madder; its stalk or vine is four
Square, having two leaves at a joint, one on each
side, and the next leaves are transverse; a grown
leaf is about three-quarters of an inch in length,
a beautiful oval, without notches or roughness
any where; the under side of the leaf is thickly
speckled with brown or dun-colored spots, not
much larger than the prick of a pin ; on the set
of the leaf, joining the stalk, are sprouts, some
becoming roots, some new vines, and some the
beautiful lilly, which begins to show its red leaf
when near the size of a grain of wheat, supported
by a little round stem about an inch and a half
from the stalk; the bud or heart abounds with
these little transverse leaves, closely crouded.
These vines put out thick in every direction,
creeping on the ground and taking root at the
distance of a foot or two from the first root ; and
when it has once gone to seed, it will come again
the next year without sowing.
The tradition or saying is, that this herb ought
to be gathered on the longest day in the year, in
the forenoon; but I believe this is only a foible,
for it must be like other herbs, best when in its
bloom and greatest perfection. The , Dutch
herbal directs to gather the huner dorm when the
sign is in the twins, or breast; and they may do
that who please, I dare say it will do.
However, the old lady, mother Cints, in whose
garden I found the herb, and who gave me the
most correct account, which she states from cer-
94 PRESCRIPTIONS.
tain facts with which she was acquainted, says
it will do to take it green out of the garden, at
any time, and make a tea of it, and it will cure
the bite of the mad dog. #
The manner in which the hydrops was directed
to be given by father Miller, is to have it dried
and powdered, and to put as much of the powder
as will lie on a quarter of a dollar, on a piece of
bread and butter, and let the person or creature
eat it; and let this be done three days succes-
sively. (But we may know that a cow or a horse
may take ten times as much as a man.) It is
advisable to lose no time in giving it.
In this manner a family with whom I am ac-
quainted, made a fair and successful proof of it.
A boy and a dog or two took the powdered herb,
and continued well; while some other creatures,
bitten at the same time, underwent the awful
agony and died.
The efficacy of this herb, in curing the bite of
the mad dog, is asserted by so many, that no
doubt of it can remain. It has been published
in the public news, and in a Dutch almanac, but
I have not had the advantage of either of them to
assist me in this prescription. This is the cure
mentioned in the preface.
My acquaintance with the hydrops is too small
to enable me to judge much of its virtues, or of
its general operation. But I make no doubt
that it possesses the most rare qualities. Proba-
bly it may be found an antispasmodic of the most
salutary kind. I think it may safely be tried in
mania or derangement, epilepsy, cramp, hyste-
rics, &c. and the quantities, times and manner of
giving, may vary at discretion. }
PRESCRIPTIONS. - 95
No. 79.
For a diarrhaea, or looseness of the belly.
The following has been found peculiarly effi-
Cacious, when other means have generally failed:
Take the yard or pizzle of a buck (get it saved
and dried by a deer hunter) reduce it to powder,
put a spoonful of the powder in a bottle with a
pint of spirits; take this solution in small quan-
tities, every hour, till relief is obtained; say
from a teaspoonful to two tablespoonfuls, as the
case may require.
This I remember to have heard, was used in
camp, in the old Canada war with the French,
when the complaint was very common, and had
carried off many; but when this was applied, it
was found a speedy and certain cure.
I have known this kept as a family medicine,
and given with success to both man and beast.
No. 80.
For a stranguary, or depression of wrime.
When a person would make water, but cannot,
but with pain and difficulty, from whatever occa-
sion, the following may be tried:
Make a tea of the slippery elm, buds or bark,
or lyn buds or bark, either may be used; the tea
must be plentifully drank and continued till the
patient is well, less or more. Small doses of
nitre and camphor, are the usual remedies; but
the above tea is perhaps preferable, and the
others may be resorted to if it fails.
96 PRESCRIPTIONS.
No. 81.
For the diabetes, or an eacess of urine.
I have found a coffee made of flaxseed, and
used as a constant drink, of singular benefit.
No. 82.
Por a person struck with the Dead Palsy
the following advice may be highly important :
Get good spirits of any kind, such as Jamaica
spirits, brandy, gin or whisky, it is not material
which, but the first has been oftenest tried; wet
with the spirits the hand, arm, foot and leg, and
the whole affected side, three times a-day, and
rub the most numb and affected part with a
woolen cloth ; continue the application for two
or three weeks, or until a recovery takes place.
This application has been several times tried,
that I know of. I hearn of it in New-Jersey, in
several instances, more than twenty years ago;
but never had an opportunity, till since the pre-
sent copy of this work was written, to see the
proof of it under my own notice, and this was
with success.
No. 83. -
To eayel Worms by eaſternal application.
Take beef gall and rue juice, equal quantities
if green, and a like proportion of the gall and a
decoction of the dried rue ; stew them together
till you can spread a plaster with it. Then
PRESCRIPTIONS. 97
apply a plaster about three inches square on the
it of the stomach, and expect in the space of
orty-eight hours the worms to be expelled;
some gentle purge should be given, about the
second day, to carry them off.
This application has succeeded, when many
º have been tried without the wished for
relief.
No. 84. -
The cure of Fevers by easternal application
may be attempted by preparing the slippery elm
bark, to make a poultice (that is by stripping,
scraping or pounding it in a mortar, and then
working it to a slimy mass with a little water)
this may beº into a small bag prepared for the
purpose, and laid a little warm to the belly of
the person in a fever. This poultice should be
removed, and a new one applied pretty often,
for it will soon become infected and loathsome.
This application has succeeded in obstinate fe-
vers, when internal medicine was apparently
useless.
No. 85.
The virtue and right use of the Yellow Springs,
or chalybeate waters,
I am persuaded would be of special service to
be known. The following are my ideas:
9
98 PRESCRIPTIONS.
Those waters that are well impregnated with
iron-mine, possess medical properties of the
most healthful and restorative kind; which for
safety and efficacy exceed all other medicine.
They answer, 1. To recruit the oxygen in the
blood (see No. 44 in the note) Wo. 44 Anay be
joined with the use of this water, perhaps to a
considerable advantage. g
2. To strengthen the stomach, and the system
in general; and to give a good appetite for, and
digestion of food. It will sometimes raise a
person, when any other means would be worse
than none.
3. Female weaknesses and rheumatic com-
plaints may be frequently relieved by a mode-
rate, but plentiful drinking, and prudent bathing.
4. Consumptive persons may be cured by
these waters, when other means would fail.”
5. Those families who live by, and drink
this kind of water, are peculiarly healthy (to an
individual) in every part of America.
But observe for the diseased, 1. There should
be a copious drinking of the water for a conside-
rable time, º for three or four months to-
gether; and drinking will frequently answer all
purposes, without bathing. *.
2. Bathing should be quickly performed, and
the body should be covered and got warm as
* There are sulphur springs in America; they have
a yellow spew, but smell and taste , like gunpowder,
the drinking of which is noted for hurrying off con-
sumptive people. The warm springs in Bath county,
Virginia, and those on French Broad river, North Ca
rolina, have the same character. -
PRESCRIPTIONS. 99
soon as possible; once in 24 hours is enough—
oftener will do more hurt than good, especially
if they take cold, and that a person bathing is
sure to do, if not soon got warm.
3. No person should take the cold bath when
heated by , walking or work; the morning is
generally the best time.
4. It may be noticed as an invariable maxim,
that whoever takes the cold bath (sick or well)
and can get quickly warm, will be benefitted by
it. -
These waters, if good, are covered with a
blue scum, where they stand, and do not run off
immediately; and are frequently very cold—
". cover wood and stones (that they run over)
with a deep yellow paint, like what is commonly
called copperas color. -
The Yellow Spring, in Green county, Ohio,
has emitted a spew like the above, that has
formed a vast heap of paint, like iron rust or
Spanish brown; and the water is conceived to
be of the first rate medical quality. Also, there
are many other springs in the state of Ohio of the
like virtue, and doubtless in many other places
in America.
Commonly when a person takes a good potion
of this water, in a little time (perhaps in half an
hour) his urine will become as clear as the water
he drank, and he finds himself cool and lively in
his feelings.
Persons should drink this water, not because
they are thirsty, but because they will drink it.
ho’ the taste of this water is disgusting to
some at first, a little use brings it to be altogether
100 - PRESCRIPTIONS.
agreeable. . The quantity to be drank at a time,
may vary from half a pint to a quart, as the sto-
mach can receive it; but some drink two quarts.
It should be drank some time before meals (say
half an hour;) mostly after a º: draught, the
stomach throws or gulps up a little wind; the
person, then may drink copiously afterwards,
and all will lie easy: but if the wind is not
thrown up, it causes to vomit. But a few trials,
and a little use, will make it perfectly agreeable
to every one. -
The water is never counted good, when kept
long from the fountain.
THE END.
PRESCRIPTIONS. 101
[The following Numbers, additions and alterations
have been collected and written since the book was put
to press, and a considerable part of them bound.]
NO. 86.
Vaccine Innoculation
Is now fully established to be an antidote against the
small-pox. *
This was discovered and introduced about the begin-
ning of the present century, (i. e. the 19th) by some Doc-
tors in England, who transmitted it to America.
It has now been practised with, for about 12 years,
to general satisfaction, and patronised by two of the
honorable presidents of the United States of America,
Jefferson and Madison.
The history, as near as I recollect, is as follows: Cer-
tain Milk-Maids, in England, being inoculated with
the small-pox, it was found that the small-pox could
not be communicated to them ; and when the reason
was sought, it was conceived that the said Milk-Maids
had taken an infection from the Cow’s bags or teats, on
their hands, which had brought blisters and sores on
them ; and that in the instances where this had taken
place, the small-pox could not be communicated.
* The Cows are said to have had such watery blisters,
terminating in a scab, on their bags and teats; and it
was from these blisters, found upon the cows in Eng-
land, that the vaccine inoculation was begun; and for
this reason it was called the Cow-pox or Kine-pox.
Now the process I would advise:
1. Take the watery slime, at about the 6th or 8th
day, from the arm of a healthy person who has been in-
noculated, while the blister is still in its clear state;
for when it becomes yellow, it will be uncertain to give
the infection.
2. Raise the cutis, or grain of the skin, about two
inches above the knuckle bone of the wrist, with a lan-
* Whether Cows in America, have ever such watery blisters
and scabs, I am not able to assert:—But I have heard that a cow
was inoculated with the small-pox, and she had the disease
fairly. Matter was taken from her and tried (at least. On One
person) but it was found to be the sº still, in all its in-
veteracy. This was done in the state of Ohio.
102 PRESCIRIPTIONS.
cet or needle, into a little oup, so deep that the water
will just rise in it; then introduce a small drop of the
above, such as you can carry on the point of your lan-
cet or needle, into the raised cup—and cover the ino-
culated cup, with a little lint or clean cotton, touched
with spittle, or the white of an egg, to make it stick.
3. In a few hours the lint may be removed from the
arm ; and if the infection has taken, it will show a lit-
tle inflammation in 48 hours. All excesses in eating,
drinking and exercise should be avoided, as the sys-
tem will be thoroly affected; and frequently the per-
son will experience, chills and a slight fever—and ker-
nels in their groins and under their arms—and you may
expect the sore on the arm to be considerable.
The reason why I would prefer the wrist to the upper
part of the arm, is because I think it a more favorable
place to keep cool, and wash frequently with a rag dip-
ed in cold water, which should be carefully attended to,
during the first stages of the rising of the blister, and
inflammation; and if you must have a sore arm it is
better to have it there. -
If you have to carry the infection any distance or
time, I would advise to carry it on a cotton thread, ab-
sorbed full of the vaccine water, dried moderately be-
fore the fire, and dropped into a phial—This may be
cut to pieces, and moistened with spittle on a bit of glass
or earthen, and the bigness of half a pin's head will do
to inoculate a person.
If you wish to preserve the infection for a considera-
ble time, you may save the first scab, taken off as soon
as the watery state subsides. Seal it in a phial, and it
will answer for years, to begin this inoculation.
We have to say, in favor of this vaccine inoculation,
that no one ever catches the infection otherwise than
by being inoculated ; and we have heard of no one’s
death being occasioned by it, young or old : but the
small-pox inoculation carries off many.
If this inoculation should be still attended to, the ri-
sing generation will scarce ever see the truly deplora-
ble and affecting scene of persons dying, or torn to pie-
PREscripTIONs. 103
ces with the small-pox, which every human creature is
exposed to, if not secured from it by vaccine inocula-
tion.
NO. 87.
Tincture of Cantharides.
TO Fº half an ounce of cantharides, (or
Spanish flies) pulverise them and put them in a bottle
with half a pint of spirits, shake them together a suffi-
cient time, then strain out what you want for present
use, thro' a fine rag, two or three double.
The particular use of this medicine is to remove, in
females, that obstruction usually occasioned by catch-
ing cold, frequently so fatal to women, (i.e. obstructed
menses.)
I would advise to have this in readiness; and after
trying No. 27 or No. 44, to recruit the system if possi-
ble and prepare good blood, for 5 or 6 days, then give
this tincture.
Begin by dropping three drops in a little water (say
a wine glass full) let her drink it, and repeat the do-
ses three times a day, adding one drop more in every
potion, until a stranguary takes place, or the wished
for fluor; then stop, and attend to the remedy for the
stranguary, No. 80.
Then rest from this 4 or 5 days, and in this time give
one of the chalybeates above mentioned; then give the
tincture again, beginning with the number of drops
which you last gave, three times a day, till one or the
other of the before-mentioned succeeds; then stop and
proceed as above directed. If the end is not answered
by the second effort, try the third; but I think, common-
lººking, you need not rise above 15 or 20 drops at
8, Oi OS62. -
This course commonly speaking, gives no disturbance,
and will be found a safe and easy process, and very
sure to succeed, if such a thing be possible—it being
one of the gentle attempts to be made in the stimulant
104 PRESCRIPTIONS.
course, and will frequently be the cure of fits, approach-
in; consumption, &c.
he fluor, once obtained, will commonly regulate it-
self: at least with the assistance of No. 8.—But in the
cases, so critical and delicate, I advise, that the patient
§: Mºer the notice of a skilful physician, if such can
€ 1801.
NO. 88.
To prevent or counteract a mortification.
Prepare the following: Take brimstone and allum,
equal quantities (say the size of a thimble) put them
both in a scale and balance them with gun-powder;
then pulverise them separately, and mix them well to-
gether. Take of this mixture, as much as can lie on a
quarter of a dollar, make it into a potion, with vinegar
and water (say half a gill) for a grown person ; and in
proportion, for a child. Let the patient drink it with-
out delay. Its first effect, commonly, is a chilly fit or
shivering, which is to be esteemed a good symptom of
its success. The like potion may be repeated daily, till
taken three times which is commonly enough. It usual-
ly will bring the patient into a good state of perspira–
tion ; but its peculiar intention is to move and loosen all
obstructions thro’ the system. The good effect will
commonly soon appear in the tumor or wound, or affect-
ed part of the body, where the mortification is feared,
or may be begun; and will greatly assist external ap-
plications to save life, if it be possible. For external
application, apply No. 7 or No. 14, if convenient ; but a
decoction of dogwood and sassefras roots, to wash and
poltice with, is very good.
I have applied this mixture for an obstinate cold, as
we call it, when the lungs could not be relieved by rais-
ing or coughing up any thing, and I found it to have a
speedy and happy effect.
I was favored with this medicine by Dr. Geo. Foulk,
a German. -
PRESCIRIPTIONS. - 105
NO. 89.
For persons lean and poor in flesh,
I would advise the following: Take a teaspoonfull
of sugar, and just whiskey or spirits enough to dissolve
it and make it swim, (say a tablespoonfull) infuse them
together, and let the poor person drink it of a morning
and eat something in about 10 minutes; but drink no
more spirits thro’ the 24 hours.
Try this every morning, for two or three weeks. This
I conceive will increase the quantity of chyle in the sto-
mach, and recruit the blood, and nourish all the exte-
rior of the body in a special manner.
These ideas I have formed from what took place by
two of my acquaintance making use of the sugar and
whiskey as above; and from being very spare and poor
in flesh, as was their common habit, they became .
healthy, stout, robust, and fleshy enough ; and I thin
they may be a good example for others.
NO. 90.
The Silver Root
Is famous, as a poltice, to relieve rheumatic pains,
when seated in a knee, shoulder, &c.
This root may be known by its small stem, about two
feet high, strung towards the top with blue blossoms. It
grows in marshy places, and on sandy banks of creeks,
where the freshes have washed. The roots, when dig-
ged or pulled up, are white as silver, from whence it
has its name—are small, and grow from their stool in
every direction. They taste aromatic, but not severe.
They should be pounded and applied. I have tried this
but a few times. They succeed beyond expectation ;
and its character is that of an absolute cure,
106 PRESCRIPTIONS.
[The following is intended, in any future edition, to be
inserted instead of the No. 18, in page 40 of this book.]
N{}. 18.
The Back-ache root
Grows frequently in dry prairies and glady barrens,
in the western country and state of Ohio; and I believe
it may be cultivated from the seed.
It is called back-ache root, from its special use for that
complaint (the back-ache.)
It is also frequently called colic-root, because it is
a known cure for the colic. But its more ancient
name has been The Devils Bitt.
The top is a round weed, from two to five feet high,
having no branches at all, but thickly strung with long
scattered leaves. About one fourth of the stalk from
the top point, is covered, in the summer, with purple
blossoms growing out of the stalk like the mullen;
but the stalk is not much bigger than a pipe stem, and
seems as if it grew always in a bunch of grass, which
grass indeed is the leaves of the root.
The root itself is a lump or knub of irregular form,
and various in shape and size ; its taste is mild, resem-
bling the taste of allocompain, or a pine bud, or both.
The properties of this root I conceive are special, be-
ing a mild aromatic, yet a powerful stimulus; answer-
ing generally as an antispasmodic, and may be found
useful in all the nervous disorders.
In w8ing the Back-ache root, observe,
1. A chew of this root is a quick relief for the tooth-
ache.
2. By chewing this root, persons have been cured of
the colic and finally of the habit, or return of it.
3. The Crowp or bold Hives, have been speedily cu-
red by drinking a decoction of this root, making the same
root into a poltice, and laying it warm to the pit of the
stomach. The decoction should be given, as liberally
as possible, till the child gets relief.
4. I have found the decoction of this root, a speedy
remedy for the head-ache.
5. The back-ache has been cured by this root, and in
PRESCRIPTIONS. 107
one instance, it was taken in bitters, chewed, and in de-
coction, so that a man took as much as six pounds of
the root in nine days, but had his back cured, with which
he had been a cripple for some years.
6. I have experienced myself, great relief in a chronic
rheumatism, by only taking it in liquor as bitters.
7. From the foregoing facts, I am encouraged to
think, that a decoction of this root will likely cause the
intermission of a fever, and may perhaps become a gen-
eral cure for fevers; but a purge, or vomit, should be
given before it.
8. It merits a trial in hysteric, and hypochondriac
complaints, and in all cramps, spasms, epileptic and
convulsion fits, and to prevent the return of the appo-
plexy, that king of terrors.
Observe—That the using of this root has never been
known to issue in indirect debility. It never occasions
vomiting or purging, nor a flow of urine, sweat, or sali-
va; nor does it occasion sleep or stupor, like Opium; but
the patient sits easy as to all these, tho using this pun-
gent root most liberally.
If these ideas should be justified, when put to a suffi-
cient further proof, this root must be placed in the first
rank of simples, of all the materia medica; and I should
not hesitate to conclude the entire propriety of these
remarks, was it not that I remember to have heard, fifty
years ago, that it was a root of excellent virtues; and
we may wonder why those virtues have not brought it
into use, more generally ere now. But, why should we
wonder when so small a portion of the riches of the field
of nature is yet discovered ?
ADDITIONS AND ALTERATIONS.
Page xxi, instead of the second paragraph of chapter
iii, read—It would surprise you to see this floating all
over you, in a state of good health, like water over a
piece of watered meadow, and a steam flying from you
in every direction, like your breath in a frosty morning,
which you might discover by a good microscope.
8
108 ALTERATIONS &c.
To be added to the introduction, page xxii.
Before I quit my introduction, I wish to lay down
two general rules in taking medicine.
1. If the patient has ever received special relief
from any one medicine, try that again in almost any
complaint, for that person.
2. Never trust to one medicine alone, where the
complaint is severe or obstinate; but give the first aid
by the next best that you can get.—Two men with
handspikes, may roll a log that one cannot.
Page 69, line 13, add—New-born infants, strangled
in the birth, may frequently be restored to life by the
like process.
Page 77, at the end of No. 61—Note, if it be true that
cancers and wens are occasioned by the residence of a
family of worms, we may be pretty sure of the success
of this preparation, if duly applied. A tincture made
of No. 19, and applied as above, would likely succeed.
If there be a running sore, dress it with the bark of the
common Red-root made into a powder, and cover as far
as you have annointed round, with some kind of plaster
to keep out the air, and dress twice a day.
Page 90, at the end of article 3, 21st line from the
top, add the following: Give No. 2 every other day as
long as the fever continues. If the distress is great,
give it in the fever. I have found the distress abate
immediately.
ERRATA.
Page vi, 1st and 18th lines, for “Leotrill,” read
ectrill.
Page xxii, 4th line, for “lap ’’ read lar.
Page 44, last line, for “third,” read thirst.
do. 89, 4th line, from the bottom, for “hurt you
more,” read, hºwrt you no more.
Page 46, 3d line No. 27, for “two anvil scales,”
read two ounces anvil scales. -
CONTENTS.
I. A brief Preface, showing the author's
Opportunities, &c. Page 5
I. An Introduction, containing three
chapters; attempting ideas upon
1. Respiration, the circulation of the blood
and the origin of fevers,
2. Upon the diathesis of diseases, agreea-
bly to Brown's Elements,
3. Upon obstructed perspiration, and its
remedy,
III. Prescriptions, &c.
No. 1. The home ipecacuanha, or Indian
fº.
The Scurvy-grass root,
1.
2
3. Culver's, or Brinton's root,
4. The Columbo, or Miami root,
5. Butternut or White walnut bark
pills,
6. China rhubarb root,
7. The Nine-bark root,
8. The Square-stalk root,
9. Agrimoney,
10. Black Snake root,
11. Corn Snake root,
12. Mountain mint,
13. Horse balm,
14. Bark of the White Pine,
15. Abela, or Trumpetweed root,
16. The Blueberry, or sore throat root,
17. The Squaw root,
18. The Back-ache root,
19. The Devil's Nip root,
20. The Devil's Bit, or Star root,
21. The small Asmart,
13
19
21
23
24
26
27
28
30
30
31
32
33
34
35
35
36
36
37
39
40
40
41
41
CONTENTS.
50.
Page.
. John's Wort, 42
. Eye Water, 42
. Dr. Perkins's last remedy, 43
. The Columbo root oxymel, 44
. Anodyne pills, - 45
. Dr. Reeder's chalybeate for fe- -
male weaknesses, 46
. Warner's blood-purging pills, 47
. Porter’s ointments, 48
. Red lead sear cloth salve, 49
. Common salve, 50
. Wild Pursley ointment, 51
. Tent salve, for felons, 51
. Tooth-ache, to cure by sympathy, 52
. For the Ear-ache, 52
. For the King's-evil, 53
. Cold water applications, 54
. The poor man's medicine, 54
. Virginia Snake root and Sage
tea sweat, 55
To cure the Jaundice, 56
. Pills for the Jaundice, 57
. Antidote for epidemic diseases, 58
. Huron’s cure for the Dropsy 59
. Chalybeate oxymel, 60
. Tiffin's prescription for derange-
ment, or mania, 63
5. Syrup for the Dysentery, 64
. For the Croup, or Bold Hives, 65
. For the Quinsey, Catarrh, & ulce-
rated Sore throat, 65
. For the Canker, 66
For the pain in the Stomach, 67
CONTENTS.
51.
52.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.
59.
60.
62. Brandy, Tar and Potash for ditto, 77
2.
63.
64.
65.
66.
67.
68.
69.
70.
71.
72.
73.
74.
. For a person breaking out fre-
Page.
For the recovery of a person stun-
ned with thunder, or drowned,
strangled, &c. 68
; of Blood, Hemorrhages, &c.70
. Bleeding at the Nose, 71
Bleeding at the Lungs, 72
Linseed oil, for Worms, 73
For preserving the teeth, and for
an odious taste in the mouth, 73
Cure of venomous bites and stings, 75
Thrush, or child’s sore mouth, 75
Solution of Corrosive Sublimate,
for the Yaws & Venereal disease, 76
Solution for Tetters & Ring-worms, 76
Old Dr. Witt's cure for Wens, 77
For Cancers, 78
For the Tape-worm, Alum, 79
Ointment for Burns, 79
To prevent the Ague, and other
bilious disorders, ... 81
For the Asthma, 82
Ointment for the Itch, 82
How to treat a dislocated shoulder, 88
A broken bone, 84
A sprained ankle or wrist, 85
General directions for venesection, sº
or letting blood, 86
For the Dew-worm, or child’s
sore head, 88
Ointment for the Piles, 89.
quently with Boils, s 89
CONTENTS.
76.
77.
78.
79.
80.
81.
82.
83.
84.
85.
Page.
The cure of bilious, typhous or
nervous Fevers,
For a swelling of the belly & legs
after a fever, or by taking cold,
The Hydrops, a cure for the Hy-
drophobia, or bite of a Mad Dog,
For a Diarrhoea, or looseness of
the belly,
For a Stranguary, or depression
of urine,
For the Diabetes, or an excess of
urine,
For a person struck with the Dead
Palsy,
To expel Worms in children by
external application,
The cure of Fevers, by external
application,
Yellow Springs, or chalybeate
waters,
90
92
92
95
95
96
96
96
97
97
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
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