Copy 1, Volume 1

The study of medicine. Improved from the author's manuscripts, and by reference to the latest advances in physiology, pathology, and practice / [John Mason Good].

  • John Mason Good
Date:
1834
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The study of medicine. Improved from the author's manuscripts, and by reference to the latest advances in physiology, pathology, and practice / [John Mason Good]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    97/784 page 43
    — rine CL. I. ] DIGESTIVE FUNCTION. [ORD. I. 43 So the mastication of various other aromatic or stimulating Gey. I. plants will often produce a similar effect, and especially those that Sree. II. at the same time rouse the salivary glands to increased action, as * Oe Dolo; ; - rosa Catar- the bulbs of the alliaceous plants, the root of several of the seselis, jya1:. particularly the seseli vulgare, the common hartwort or daserpitium ¥rom cold. siler, Linn. Such masticatories, however, are chiefly of use in the tooth- Mastica- ache produced by rheumatism, or where congestion has taken tories. place in the neighbouring parts from inflammation of any other kind. The sensibility of the nerves may hereby, indeed, be in some degree éxhausted, but it is the evacuation that principally affords relief. On this principle relief is also not unfrequently obtained by smoking or chewing tobacco, and, as Dr. Cullen conceives, by the use of camphor *; though the camphor and tobacco may partly operate by the sedative power they possess. As errhines promote the same secretion as sialagogues, these have also been frequently employed with considerable success, as well in tooth-aches as ophthalmies; in both which cases, however, preparations of asarum have generally been found to produce more alleviation than those of tobacco, which is the basis of our common snuffs. A local application of cantharides in powder or ointment is inconvenient, but the tinctura cantharidis may be often used effectually with little trouble; yet the most elegant form of this stimulant for the present purpose is that of the French Pharmacopeeia, under the name of Oleum de Cantharidibus. It is Qleum de © made by digesting for six hours, with a gentle heat, one part of Canthari- powder of cantharides in eight parts of olive oil+; the oil thus dibus. impregnated is to be filtered, and is then fit for use. - Electricity has also been tried, and occasionally with success. Electricity. On the Continent, magnetism has been a still more favourite Magnetism. remedy; and has at least more writers in its recommendation {, whatever be the actual benefit it may have produced, of which I cannot speak from personal knowledge. Animal magnetism Animal ’ seems at one time, indeed, to have been very extensively employed Magnetism. for this as well as for other severe pains; and, if we may credit the } writers of a century or a century and a half ago, with instant and specific effect.§ ‘The grand magnetiser of the day was the then celebrated Valentine Greatrake, who operated by stroking his hands over the parts affected, much in the same manner as Mr. Perkins of America, not many years ago, employed his metallic tractors.|| And as strong emotions of the mind are well known to produce a more immediate influence on the tooth-ache, than on any other disease whatever, we may readily account for some of the cures hereby produced. Confident hope is as strong a stimulant as terror; and the latter is well known to operate so generally, that * Mat. Med. vol.ii. p. 304. ‘++ Codex Medicamentarius, seu Pharmacopeeia Gallica. Paris, 1818. + De la Condamine, Journ. de Méd. tom. xxvii. p. 265. Glaubrecht, Diss. Analecta de Odontalgia, ejusque remediis variis, precipué Magneta. Argent. 1766. Teske, Neuer Versucht in Curirung des Zahnschmerzens vermittelst eines Magnetischen Stahls. Kénigsb. 1765-6. § Schelhammer, Diss. de Odontalgia tactti sedenda. Jen. 1701. | Stubbes, An account of several marvellous cures performed by the stroking of the hands of Valentine Greatrake. Lond. 1666, 4to.
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