Domestic medicine, or, A treatise on the prevention and cure of diseases by regimen and simple medicines : containing observations on the comparative advantages of vaccine inoculation, with instructions for performing the operation, an essay, enabling puptured [sic] persons to manage themselves, with engravings of bandages, which every person may prepare for himself, and a family herbal / by William Buchan, M.D. of the Royal College of Physicians, Edingburgh ; to which are added, such useful discoveries ... as have transpired since the demise of the author.
- Buchan, William, 1729-1805.
- Date:
- 1823
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Domestic medicine, or, A treatise on the prevention and cure of diseases by regimen and simple medicines : containing observations on the comparative advantages of vaccine inoculation, with instructions for performing the operation, an essay, enabling puptured [sic] persons to manage themselves, with engravings of bandages, which every person may prepare for himself, and a family herbal / by William Buchan, M.D. of the Royal College of Physicians, Edingburgh ; to which are added, such useful discoveries ... as have transpired since the demise of the author. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by University of Bristol Library. The original may be consulted at University of Bristol Library.
![and vinegar to Iwi ajjplied to the feet, having recourse to ousters onli in tile utmost extremities. It is conuiion in tlie beginning of this fever to give the emetic tar- tar in small doses, repeated every second or third hour, till it shali either vomit, purge, or throw the patient into a sweat. This prac- tice is very proper, provided it be not pushed so far as to weaken tiie patient. A very ridiculous notion has long prevailed, of expelling the poi sonous matter of malignant diseases by trifling doses of cordial or alexipharmic medicines. In consequence of this notion, the contra- yerva-root, the cordial confection, the mitliridate, &c. have been ex- tolled as infallible remedies. There is reason, however, to believe, that these seldom do much good. Where cordials are necessary, we know none that is superior to good wine; and therefore again recom- mend it both as the safest and best. Wine, with acids and antisep- tics, are the only things to be relied on in the cure of malignant fevers. In the most dangerous species of this disease, when it is attended with purple, livid, or black spots, the Peruvian bark must be admi- nistered. I have seen it when joined with acids, prove successful, even in cases where the petechife had tlie most threatening aspect. But to answer this purpose, it must not only be given in large doses- but dulv persisted in. The best method of administering the bark h certainly in substance. \n ounce of it in powder maybe mixed with half an English pmto* water, and the same quantity of red wine, and sharpened with the elixir or the spirit of vitriol, which will both make it sit easier onthf stomach, and render it more beneficial. Two or three ounces of the syrup of lemon may be added, and two table-spoonsful of the mix- ture taken every two hours, or oftener if the stomach is able to l363.]r it Those who cannot take the bark in substance, may infuse it m wine, as recommended in the preceding disease. All drinks in putrid levers ought to be given cold, because they are then much more tonic. . If there be a violent looseness, the bark must be boiled m redwme, with a little cinnamon, and sharpened with the elixir of vitriol as above. Nothing can be more beneficial iu this kind of looseness than Dlenty of acids, and such things as proir.otr- a gentle perspiration. If the patient be troubled with vomiting, a dram of the salt of wormwood, dissolved in an ounce and a hall of fresh lemon juice, and made into a draught, with and ounce of simple cinnamon water, and -i bit of sugar, may be given and repeated as often as it is necessary. As the alimentary canal is the storehouse of putrefaction, the bow- elsshould be cautiously evacuated ; that being done^astomshing ciires in putrid levers have been performed by yeast. The patients from being reduced to the last extremity, were in four-and-tNventy hours so far restored to health, as to leave not only their beds, but the house also, and to pursue their usual occupations. Two large M>oonsfo o< ijeast were given in three hours, intcri>osing cinchona (Peruvian](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b21441017_0122.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
