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1902

Page 80

Presented as published in 1902. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
Scarlatina. Dr. Tully has used the decoction as a gargle with benefit, and Dr. Stevens, of Ceres, denved great benefit from full emetic doses of the decoction in the malignant form of scar- latina. It removes the morbid secretions of the mucous membrane of the stomach, oesophagus, and fauces, and tends to break up the morbific influence of the disease. In an epidemic of scarlatina, with symptoms of the most alarming character, Dr. R. G. Jennings, of Vir- ginia, after the failure of almost every thing else, including nitrate of silver, found gargles of the infusion of sanguin- aria in vinegar most efficacious. They effectually cleansed the throat of viscid secietion, and afforded much comfort to the suffering patients, allaying all irrita- tion. BLOOD-ROOT BLO 70 Rheumatism has been treated by Professors Smith and Ives, in the acute form, with the tincture or decoction, given till its operation upon the skin and system generally becomes manifest. Very many other physicians speak of its use in the chronic form. I have cured some cases of chronic rheumatism by the tincture and compound powder. In one, a female of 29, the subject of leucorrhoea and rheumatism, all the pains disappeared in a fortnight, and even the leucorrhoeal discharge dimin- ished. Hepatic or Liver Diseases. In the Southern States of America, yellow fever, jaundice, inactivity of the liver, &c. from the nature of the climate, pre- vails, but the sanguinaria has been found by Dr. Macbride of Charleston, of utility in torpor of the liver, with colic and yellowness of the skin. Jaundice he submitted to frequent trials of the medi- cine with advantage. Dr. A. D. Wilson cured a case of enlargement of the liver and spleen in a girl of 16, by the tinc- ture and extract. The evidence of its value in jaundice, is favourable by a host of careful American writers. Amenorrhcea. It is an emmena- gogue of some importance and power. Indeed, its first known use among the native Indian women was for this pur- pose. If the patient is plethoric and of full habit, large doses are necessary ; and if combined with aloes, shortly be- fore the usual monthly period, it will scarcely or never fail to produce men- struation. Powder. The usual dose of this as an emetic is from ten to twenty grains suspended in water. It is preferable sometimes to administer it as a pill, to avoid the irritation of the fauces. Dr. Leonard frequently combines it with ipecacuanha ; the dose is from one to five grains, repeated according to the 2ffect desired. Grain doses will produce a diaphoretic and expectorant effect ; if given every one or two hours, it will then exert a sedative action, and reduce the frequency of the pulse. Compound Powder. Powdered blood-root, two Scruples ; opium pow- dered, one scruple ; sulphate of potass, powdered, seven scruples. Mix. Dose is from three to fifteen grains. It is probably the least irritating of all the preparations. The Powder of Sanguinaria with Camphor. Take of Sanguin- aria powdered, one scruple; powdered camphor, eight grains ; powdered cloves, thirty-two grains. Mix. This is used in cold in the head, and proves very efficacious. Infusion of Sanguinaria. San- guinaria bruised, five drachms ; boiling water, a pint. Macerate for four hours, and strain. The emetic dose is from half an ounce to an ounce, at short in- tervals, till its effects are produced.