Domestic Medicine - Chapters 44-46



CHAPTER XLIV.
DISORDERS OF THE SENSES.

WE do not mean to treat of the nature of our sensations, or to give a 
minute description of the various organs by which they are performed, but 
to point out some of the diseases to which these organs are most liable, 
and to shew how they may be prevented or remedied.


OF THE EYE.

No organ of the body is subjeft to more diseases than the eye; nor is 
there any one of which the diseases are more difficult to cure. Though 
more ignorant persons pretend to cure these than any other class of 
diseases; yet a very superficial acquaintance with the stricture of the 
eye, and the nature of vision, will be sufficient to convince any one of 
the danger of trusting to them. These diseases often exceed the skill of 
the most learned physician; hence we may easily infer the danger of 
trusting them to ignorant quacks, who, without all peradventure, put out 
more eyes than they cure. But, though the diseases of the eye can seldom 
be cured, they might often, by due care, be prevented; and even where the 
sight is totally lost, many things might be done, which are generally 
neglected, to render the unhappy person both more useful to hirnself and 
to society. It is pity those who have the misfortune to be born blind, or 
who lose their sight when young, should be suffered to remain in 
ignorance, or to beg. This is both cruelty and want of oeconomy. There are 
many employments of which blind persons are very capable, as knitting, 
carding, turning a wheel, teaching languages, &c. Nor are instances 
wanting of persons who have arrived at the highest pitch of learning, 
without having the least idea of light. Witness the late famous Nicholas 
Sanderson of Cambridge, and my worthy friend Dr. Thomas Blacklock of 
Edinburgh. The former was one of the first mathematicians of his age, and 
the latter, besides being a good poet and philosopher, is master of all 
the learned languages, and a very considerable adept in the IiberaI arts.

THE eyes are hurt by viewing bright or luminous objects; keeping the head 
too long in a hanging posture; violent head-achs; excessive venery; the 
long use of bitters; the effluvia from acrid or volatile, substances; 
various diseases; as the small-pox, measles, &c. but, above all, from 
night- watching, and candle-light studies. Long fasting is likewise 
hurtful to the eyes, and frequent heats and colds are no less pernicious. 
The eyes are often hurt by the stoppage of customary evacuations; as 
morning sweats; sweating of the feet; the menses in women; and the 
bleeding piles in men. All kinds of excess are likewise hurtful to the 
sight, particularly the immoderate use of ardent spirits and other strong 
liquors.

IN all diseases of the eyes, especially those attended with inflammation, 
the cool regimen ought to be observed. The patient must abstain from all 
spirituous liquors. The smoke of tobacco, smoky rooms, the vapours of 
onions and garlic, and all vivid lights and glaring colours, are carefully 
to be avoided. The drink may be water, whey, or small beer; and the 
aliment must be light and of easy digestion.

FOR preventing disorders of the eyes, issues and setons are of prime use. 
Every person, whose eyes are tender, ought to have one or more of these in 
some part of the body. It will likewise be of use to keep the body gently 
open, and either to bleed or purge every spring and fall. All excess and 
night studies are to be avoided. Such as do not chuse a seton or an issue, 
will find benefit from wearing a small Burgundy-pitch plaster between 
their shoulders.

A gutta serena, or amaurosis, is an abolition of the sight without any 
apparent cause or fault in the eyes. When it is owing to a decay or 
wasting of the optic nerve, it does not admit of a cure; but when it 
proceeds from a compression of the nerves by redundant humours, these may 
in some measure be drained off, and the patient relieved. For this 
purpose, the body must be kept open with the laxative mercurial pills. If 
the patient be young and of a sanguine habit, he may be bled, Cupping, 
with scarifications on the back part of the head, will likewise be of use. 
A running at the nose may be promoted by volatile salts, stimulating 
powders, &c. But the most likely means for relieving the patient are 
issues or blisters kept open for a long time on the back part of the head, 
behind the ears, or on the neck. I have known these restore sight, even 
after it had been for a considerable time lost.

SHOULD these fail, recourse must be had to a mercurial salivation; or what 
will perhaps answer the purpose better, twelve grains of the corrosive 
sublimate of mercury may be dissolved in an English pint and a half of 
brandy, and a table-spoonful of it taken twice a-day, drinking half a pint 
of the decoction of sarsaparilla after it.

A cataract is an obstruction of the pupil, by the interposition of some 
opaque substance which either diminishes or totally extinguishes the 
sight. It is generally an opacity of the crystalline humour. In a recent 
or beginning cataract, the same medicines are to be used as in the gutta 
serena; and they will sometimes succeed. But when this does not happen, 
and the cataract becomes firm, it mull [sic? must?] be couched, or rather 
extracted. I have resolved a recent cataract by giving the patient 
frequent purges with calomel, keeping a poultice of fresh hemlock 
constantly upon the eye, and a perpetual blister on the neck.

THE myopia, or short-sightedness and the presbyopia, or seeing only at too 
great a distance, are disorders which depend on the original structure or 
figure of the eye, therefore admit of no cure. The inconveniencies arising 
from them may however be, in some measure, remedied by the help of proper 
glasses. The former requires the aid of a concave, and the latter of a 
convex glass.

A strabismus or squinting, depends upon an irregular contraction of, the 
muscles of the eye from a spasm, palsy, epilepsy, or an ill habit. 
Children often contract this disorder by having their eyes unequally 
exposed to the light. They may likewise acquire it by imitation from a 
squinting nurse or play-fellow, &c. As this disorder can hardly be cured, 
parents ought to be careful to prevent it. Almost the only thing which can 
be done for it is to contrive a mask for the child to wear, which will 
only permit him to see in a straight direction.

Spots or Specks on the eyes are generally the effect of inflammation, and 
often appear after the small-pox, the measles, or violent ophthalmias. 
They are very difficult to cure, and often occasion total blindness. If 
the specks are soft and thin, they may sometimes be taken off by gentle 
caustics and discutients; as vitriol, the juice of celandine, &c. When 
these do not succeed, a surgical operation may be tried: The success of 
this however is always very doubtful.

THE blood-shot eye may be occasioned by a stroke, a fall, retching, 
vomiting, violent coughing, &c. I have frequently known it happen to 
children in the hooping-cough. It appears at first like a bit of scarlet, 
and is afterwards of a livid or blackish colour. This disorder generally 
goes off without medicine. Should it prove obstinate, the patient may be 
bled, and have his eyes fomented with a decoction of comphry roots and 
elder flowers. A soft poultice may be applied to the eyes; and the body 
should be kept open by gentle purgatives.

THE watery, or weeping eye is occasioned by a relaxation or weakness of 
the glandular parts of that organ. These may be braced and strengthened by 
bathing the eye with brandy and water, Hungary-water, rose-water with 
white vitriol dissolved in it, &c. Medicines which make a revulsion are 
likewise proper; as mild purgatives, perpetual blisters on the neck, 
bathing the feet frequently in lukewarm water, &c.

WHEN this disease proceeds from an obstruction of the lachrymal duct, or 
natural passage of the tears, it is called a fistula lacrymalis, and can 
only be cured by a surgical operation..


OF THE EAR.

THE functions of the ear may be injured by wounds, ulcers, or any thing 
that hurts its fabric. The hearing may likewise be hurt by excessive 
noise; violent colds in the head; fevers, hard wax, or other substances 
sticking in the cavity of the ear; too great a degree of moisture or 
dryness of the ear.

DEAFNESS is very often the effect of old age, and is incident to most 
people in the decline of life. Sometimes it is owing to an original fault 
in the structure or formation of the ear itself. When this is the case, it 
admits of no cure; and the unhappy person not only continues deaf, but 
generally likewise dumb, for life. Though those who have the misfortune to 
be born deaf are generally suffered to continue dumb, and consequently are 
in a great measure lost to society, yet nothing is more certain than than 
that such persons may be taught, not only to read and write, but also to 
speak, and to understand what others say to them. Teaching the dumb to 
speak will appear paradoxical to those who do not consider that the 
formation of sounds is merely mechanical, and may be taught without the 
assistance of the ear. This is not only capable of demonstration, but is 
actually reduced to practice by the ingenious Mr. Thomas Braidwood of 
Edinburgh. This gentleman has, by the mere force of genius and 
application, brought the teaching of dumb persons to such a degree of 
perfection, that his scholars are generally more forward in their 
education than those of the same age who enjoy all their faculties. They 
not only read and write with the utmost readiness, but likewise speak, and 
are capable of holding conversation with any person in the light. What a 
pity any of the human species should remain in a state of idiotism, who 
are capable of being rendered as useful and intelligent as others! We 
mention this not only from humanity to those who have the misfortune to be 
born deaf, but also in justice to Mr. Braidwood, whose success has far 
exceeded all former attempts this way; and indeed it exceeds imagination 
itself so far, that no person who has not seen and examined his pupils, 
can believe what they are capable of. - As this gentleman, however 
willing, is only able to teach a few, and as the far greater part of those 
who are born deaf cannot afford to attend him, it would be an act of great 
humanity, as well as of public utility, to erect an academy for their 
behoof.

WHEN deafness is the effect of wounds or ulcers of the ears, or of old 
age, it is not easily removed. when it proceeds from cold of the head, the 
patient must be careful to keep his head warm, especially in the night; he 
should likewise take some gentle purges, and keep his feet warm, and bathe 
them frequently in luke-warm water at bed-time. When deafness is the 
effect of a fever, it generally goes off after the patient recovers. If it 
proceeds from dry wax sticking in the ears, it may be softened by dropping 
oil into them; afterwards they must be syringed with warm milk and water.

IF deafness proceeds from dryness of the ears, which may be known by 
looking into them, half an ounce of the oil of sweet almonds, and the same 
quantity of liquid apodeldoch, or tincture of asafoetida, may be mixed 
together, and a few drops of it put into the ear every night at bed-time, 
stopping them afterwards with a little wool or cotton. Some, instead of 
oil, put a small slice of the fat of bacon into each ear, which is said to 
answer the purpose very well. When the ears abound with moisture, it may 
be drained off by an issue or seton, which should be made as near the 
affected parts as possible.

SOME, for the cure of deafness, recommend the gall of an eel mixed with 
spirit of wine, to be dropped into the ear; others, equal parts of Hungary-
water and spirit of lavender. Etmuller extols amber and musk; and Brookes 
says, he has often known hardness of hearing cured by putting a grain or 
two of musk into the ear with cotton-wool. But these and other 
applications must be varied according to the cause of the disorder. A 
gentleman, on whose veracity I can depend, told me, that after using many 
things to no purpose for an obstinate deafness, he he was at last advised 
to put a few drops of his own urine warm into his ears every night and 
morning, from which he received great benefit. It is probable that a 
solution of sal ammoniac, in water, would produce the same effect.

THOUGH such applications may sometimes be of service, yet they much 
oftener fail, and frequently they do hurt. Neither the eyes nor ears ought 
to be tampered with; they are tender organs, and require a very delicate 
touch. For this reason, what we would chiefly recommend in deafness, is, 
to keep the head warm. From whatever cause the disorder proceeds, this is 
always proper; and I have known more benefit from it alone, in the most 
obstinate cases of deafness, than from all the medicines I ever used.


OF THE TASTE AND SMELL.

THOUGH these senses are not of so great importance to man in a state of 
society, as the sight and hearing, yet, as the loss of them is attended 
with some inconveniency, they deserve our notice. They are seldom to be 
restored when lost; which ought to make us very attentive to their 
preservationi by carefully avoiding whatever may in the least prove 
injurious to them. As there is a very great affinity betwixt the organs of 
tasting and smelling, whatever hurts the one generally affects the other.

LUXURY is highly injurious to these organs. When the nose and palate are 
frequently stimulated by fragrant and poignant dishes, they soon lose the 
power of distinguishing tastes and odours with any degree of nicety. Man, 
in a state of nature, may perhaps have these faculties as acute as any 
other animal.

THE sense of smelling may be diminished or destroyed by diseases; as, the 
moisture, dryness, inflammation or suppuration of that membrane which 
lines the inside of the nose, commonly called the olfactory membrane; the 
compression of the nerves which supply this membrane, or some fault in the 
brain itself at their origin. A defect, or too great a degree of solidity, 
of the small spungy bones of the upper jaw, the caverns of the forehead, 
&c. may likewise impair the sense of smelling. It may also be injured by a 
collection of foetid matter in those caverns, which keeps constantly 
exhaling from them. Few things are more hurtful to the sense of smelling 
than taking great quantities of snuff.

WHEN the nose abounds with moisture, after gentle evacuations, such things 
as tend to take off irritation, and coagulate the thin sharp serum, may be 
applied; as the oil of anise mixed with fine flour; camphire dissolved in 
oil of almonds, &c., The vapours of amber, frankincense, gum-mastic, and 
benjamin, may likewise be received into the nose and mouth.

FOR moistening the mucus when it is too dry, some recommend snuff made of 
the leaves of marjoram, mixed with the oil of amber, marjoram, and 
aniseed; or a sternutatory of calcined white vitriol; twelve grains of 
which may be mixed with two ounces of marjoram-water and filtrated. The 
steam or vapour of vinegar upon hot iron received up the nostrils is 
likewise of use for softening the mucus, opening obstructions, &c.

IF there is an ulcer in the nose, it ought to be dressed with some 
emollient ointment; to which, if the pain be very great, a little laudanum 
may be added. If it be a venereal ulcer, it is not to be cured without 
mercury. In that case, the solution of the corrosive sublimate in brandy 
may be taken, as directed in the gutta serena. The ulcer ought likewise to 
be washed with it; and the fumes of cinnabar way be received up the 
nostrils.

IF there be reason to suspect that the nerves which supply the organs of 
smelling are inert, or want stimulating, volatile salts, strong snuffs, 
and other things which occasion. sneezing, may be applied to the nose. The 
forehead may likewise be anointed with balsam of Peru, to which may be 
added a little of the oil of amber.

THE taste may be diminished by crusts, filth, mucus, aphthae, pellicles, 
warts, &c. covering the tongue: It may be depraved by a fault of the 
saliva, which, being discharged into the mouth, gives the same sensation 
as if the food which the person takes had really a bad taste; or it may be 
entirely destroyed by injuries done to the nerves of the tongue and 
palate. Few things prove more hurtful either to the sense of tasting or 
smelling than obstinate colds, especially those which affect the head.

WHEN the taste is diminished by filth, mucus, &c. the tongue ought to be 
scraped and frequently washed with a mixture of water, vinegar and honey, 
or some other detergent. When the saliva is vitiated, which seldom 
happens, unless in fevers or other diseases, the curing of the disorder is 
the cure of this symptom. To relieve it however in the mean time, the 
following things may be of use; if there be a bitter taste, it may be 
taken away by vomits, purges, and other things which evacuate bile: What 
is called a nidorous taste, arising from putrid humours, is corrected by 
the juice of citrons, oranges, and other acids. A salt taste is cured by 
plentiful dilution with watery liquors: An acid taste is destroyed by 
absorbents, and alkaline salts, as powder of oyster-shells, salt of worm-
wood, &c.

WHEN the sensibility of the nerves which supply the organs of taste is 
diminished, the chewing of horse- radish, or other stimulating substances, 
will help to recover it.


OF THE TOUCH

THE sense of touching may be hurt by any thing that obstructs the nervous 
influence, or prevents its being regularly conveyed to the organs of 
touching; as pressure, extreme cold, &c. lt may likewise be hurt by too 
great a degree of sensibility, when the nerve is not sufficiently covered 
by the cuticle or scarf-skin, or where there is too great a tension of it, 
or it is too delicate. Whatever disorders the functions of the brain and 
nerves, hurts the sense of touching. Hence it appears to proceed from the 
same general causes as palsy and apoplexy, and requires nearly the same 
method of treatment.

IN a stupor, or defect of touching, which arises from an obstruction of 
the cutaneous nerves, the patient must first be purgred; afterwards such 
medicines as excite the action of the nerves, or stimulate the system, may 
be used. For this purpose, the spirit of hartshorn, sal volatile oleosum, 
horse-radish, &c. may be taken inwardly; the disordered parts, at the same 
time, may be frequently rubbed with fresh nettles or spirit of sal 
ammoniac. Blistering-plasters and sinapisms applied to the parts will 
likewise be of use, as also warm bathing, especially in the natural hot 
baths.



CHAPTER XLV. 
OF A SCIRRHUS AND CANCER.

A SCIRRHUS is a hard indolent tumour seated in some of the glands; as the 
breasts, the arm-pits, &c. If the tumour becomes large, unequal, of a 
livid, blackish or leaden colour, and is attended with violent pain, it 
gets the name of an occult cancer. When the skin is broken, and a sanies 
or ichorous matter of an abominably foetid smell is discharged from the 
sore, it is called an open or ulcerated cancer. Persons after the age of 
45, particularly women, and those who lead an indolent sedentary life, are 
most subject to this disease.

CAUSES. - This disease is often owing to suppressed evacuations; hence it 
proves so frequently fatal to women of a gross habit, particularly old 
maids and widows, about the time when the menstrual flux ceases. It may 
likewise be occasioned by excessive fear, grief, anger, religious 
melancholy , or any of the depressing passions. Hence the unfortunate, the 
choleric, and those persons who devote themselves to a religious life in 
convents or monasteries, are often afflicted with it. It may also be 
occasioned by the long-continued use of food that is too hard of 
digestion, or of an acrid nature; by barrenness; celibacy; indolence; 
cold; blows; friction; pressure; or the like. Women often suffer from the 
last of these by means of their stays, which squeeze and compress their 
breast so as to occasion great mischlef. Sometimes the disease is owing to 
an hereditary disposition.

SYMPTOMS. - This disorder seems often very trifling at the beginning. A 
hard tumour about the size of a hazle nut, or perhaps smaller, is 
generally the first symptom. This will often continue for a long time 
without seeming to increase, or giving the patient great uneasiness; but 
if the constitution be hurt, or the tumour irritated by pressure, or 
improper treatment of any kind, it begins to extend itself towards the 
neighbouring parts, by pushing out a kind of roots or limbs. It then gets 
the name of cancer, from a fancied resemblance between these limbs and the 
claws of a crab. The colour of the skin begins to change, which is first 
red, afterwards purple, then bluish, livid, and at last black. The patient 
complains of heat, with a burning, gnawing, shooting pain. The tumour is 
very hard, rough, and unequal, with a protuberance, or rising, in the 
middle; its size increases daily, and the neighbouring veins become thick, 
knotty, and of a blackish colour.

THE skin at length gives way, and a thin sharp ichor begins to flow, which 
corrodes the neighbouring parts till it forms a large unsightly ulcer. 
More occult cancers arise, and communicate with the neighbouring glands. 
The pain and stench become intolerable; the appetite fails; the strength 
is exhausted by a continual hectic fever; at last, a violent haemorrhage, 
or discharge of blood, from some part of the body, with faintings, or 
convulsion fits, generally put an end to the miserable patient's life.

REGIMEN. - The diet ought to be light, but nourishing. All strong liquors, 
and high-seasoned or salted provisions, are to be avoided. The patient may 
take as much exercise as he can easily bear; and should use every method 
to divert thought, and amuse his fancy. All kinds of external injury are 
carefully to be guarded against, particularly of the affected part, which 
ought to be defended from all pressure, and even from the external air, by 
covering it with fur or soft flannel.

MEDICINE. - This is one of those diseases for which no certain remedy is 
yet known. Its progress however may sometimes be retarded, and some of its 
most disagreeable symptoms mitigated by proper applications. One 
misfortune attending the disease is, that the unhappy patient often 
conceals it too long. Were proper means used in due time, a cancer might 
often be cured; but after the disorder has arrived at a certain height, it 
generally sets all medicine at defiance.

WHEN a scirrhous tumour is first discovered, the patient ought to observe 
a proper regimen, and to take twice or thrice a-week a dose of the common 
purging mercurial pill. Some blood may also be let, and the part affected 
may be gently rubbed twice a-day with a little of the mercurial ointment, 
and kept warm with fur or flannel. The food must be light, and an English 
pint of the decoction of woods or sarsaparilla may be drank daily. I have 
sometimes discussed hard tumours, which had the appearance of beginning 
cancers, by a course of this kind.

SHOULD the tumour however not yield to this treatment, but, on the 
contrary, become larger and harder, it will be proper to extirpate it, 
either by the knife or caustic. Indeed, whenever this can be done with 
safety, the sooner it is done the better. It can answer no purpose to 
extirpate a cancer after the constitution is ruined, or the whole mass of 
humours corrupted by it. This however is the common way, which makes the 
operation so seldom succeed. Few people will submit to the extirpation 
till death stares them in the face; whereas, if it were done early, the 
patient's life would not be endangered by the operation, and it would 
generally prove a radical cure.

WHEN the cancer is so situated that it cannot be cut off, or if the 
patient will not submit to the operation, such medicines as will mitigate 
or relieve the most urgent symptoms may be used. Dr. Home says, that half 
a grain of the corrosive sublimate of mercury, dissolved in a proper 
quantity of brandy, and taken night and morning, will often be of service 
in cancers of the face and nose. He likewise recommends an infusion of the 
solanum, or nightshade, in cancers of the breasts.

BUT the medicine most in repute at present for this disease is hemlock. 
Dr. Stork, physician at Vienna, has of late recommended the extract of 
this plant as very efficacious in cancers of every kind. The Doctor says, 
he has given some hundred weights of it without ever hurting any body, and 
often with manifest advantage. He advises the patient however to begin 
with very small doses, as two or three grains, and to increase the dose 
gradually till some good effect be perceived, and there to rest without 
further increase. From two or three grains at first, the Doctor says he 
has increased the dose to two, three, or four drachms a-day, and finds 
that such doses may be continued for several weeks without any bad 
consequences.

THE regimen which the Doctor recommends during the use of the medicine, is 
to avoid farinaceous substances not fermented, and too acrid aromatics. He 
says, good wine will not be hurtful to those who are accustomed to it, nor 
a moderate use of acids; and adds, that the patient should live in a pure 
free air, and keep his mind as quiet and cheerful as possible.

THE Doctor does not pretend to fix the time in which a cancer may be 
resolved by the use of hemlock, but says he has given it for above two 
years in large doses without any apparent benefit; nevertheless the 
patient has been cured by persisting in the use of it for half a year 
longer. This is at least encouragement to give it a fair trial. Though we 
are far from thinking the hemlock merits those extravagant encomiums which 
the Doctor has bestowed upon it, yet, in a disease which has so long 
baffled the boasted powers of medicine, we think it ought always to be 
tried.

THE powder of hemlock is by some preferred to the extract. They are both 
made of the fresh leaves, and may be used nearly in the same manner. Dr. 
Nicholson of Berwick says, he gradually increased the dose of the powder 
from a few grains to half a drachm, and gave near four drachms of it in 
the day with remarkably good effects. The hemlock may also be used 
externally either as a poultice or fomentation. The sore may likewise be 
kept clean by injecting daily a strong decoction of the tops and leaves 
into it.

FEW things contribute more to the healing of foul sordid ulcers of any 
kind than keeping them thoroughly clean. This ought never to be neglected. 
The ideal application for this purpose seems to be the carrot poultice. 
The root of the common carrot may be grated, and moistened with as much 
water as will bring it to the consistence of a poultice or cataplasm. This 
must be applied to the sore, and renewed twice a-day. It generally cleans 
the sore, eases the pain, and takes away the disagreeable smell, which are 
objects of no small importance in such a dreadful disorder.

WORT, or an infusion of malt, has been recommended not only as a proper 
drink, but as a powerful medicine in this disease. It must be frequently 
made fresh, and the patient may take it at pleasure. Two, three, or even 
four English pints of it may be drank every day for a considerable time. 
No benefit can be expected from any medicine in this disease, unless it be 
persisted in for a long time. It is of too obstinate a nature to be soon 
removed; and, when it admits of a cure at all, it must be brought about by 
inducing an almost total change of the habit, which must always be a work 
of time. Setons or issues in the neighbourhood of the cancer have 
sornetimes good effects. In a cancer which had set all medicines, and even 
surgery at defiance, I lately saw remarkable effects from an obstinate 
perseverance in a course of antiseptics. I ordered the deep ulcers to be 
washed to the bottom by means of a syringe, twice or thrice a-day, either 
with an infusion of the bark, or a decoction of carrot, and that the 
patient should take, four or five times a-day, a glass of good wine with 
half a drachm of the best powdered bark in it. The sores, after being 
washed, were likewise sprinkled with the same powder. When the patient 
began this course, her death was daily expected. She continued if for 
above two years, with manifest advantage; but being told by an eminent 
surgeon, that the bark would not cure a cancer, and that the sores ought 
not to be washed, she discontinued the practice, and died in a few weeks. 
This course was not intended to cure the cancer, but to prolong the 
patient's life, which it evidently did almost to a miracle.

WHEN all other medicines fail, recourse must be had to opium, as a kind of 
solace. This will not indeed cure the disease, but it it will ease the 
patient's agony, and render life more tolerable while it continues.

TO avoid this dreadful disorder, people ought to use wholesome food; to 
take sufficient exercise in the open air; to be as easy and cheerful as 
possible; and carefully to guard against all blows, bruises, and every 
kind of pressure upon the breasts or other glandular parts. As hemlock is 
the principal medicine recommended in this disease, we would have given 
some directions for the gathering and preparing of that plant; but as its 
different preparations are now kept in the shops, we think it much safer 
for people to get them there, with proper directions for using them.



CHAPTER XLVI.
OF POISONS.

EVERY person ought, in some measure, to be acquainted with the nature and 
cure of poisons. They are generally taken unawares, and their effects are 
often so sudden and violent, as not to admit of delay, or allow time to 
procure the assistance of physicians. Happily indeed no great degree of 
medical knowledge is here necessary; the remedies for most poisons being 
generally at hand, or easily obtained, and nothing but common prudence is 
needful in the application of them.

THE vulgar notion, that every poison is cured by some counter-poison, as a 
specific, has done much hurt. People believe they can do nothing for the 
patient, unless they know the particular antidote to that kind of poison 
which he has taken. Whereas the cure of all poisons taken into the 
stumach, without exception, depends chiefly on discharging them as soon as 
possible.

THERE is no case wherein the indications of cure are more obvious. Poison 
is seldom long in the stornach before it occasions sickness, with an 
inclination to vomiit. This shews plainly what ought to be done. Indeed 
common sense dictates to every one, that, if any thing has been taken into 
the stomach which endangers life, it ought immediately to be discharged. 
Were this duly regarded, the danger arising from poisons might generally 
be avoided. The method of prevention is obvious, and the means are in the 
hands of every man.

WE shall not take up the reader's time with a detall of the ridiculous 
notions which have prevailed among ignorant people in different ages with 
regard to poisons; neither shall we mention the boasted antidotes, which 
have been recommended either for preventing or obviating their effects; 
but shall content ourselves with pointing out the poisons most common in 
this country, and the means of avoiding their dangerous consequences.

POISONS either belong to the mineral, the vegetable, or the animal kingdom.

MINERAL poisons are commonly of an acrid or corrosive quality; as arsenic, 
cobalt, the corrosive sublimate of mercury, &c.

THOSE of the vegetable kind are generally of a narcotic, or stupefactive 
quality; as poppy, hemlock, henbane, berries of the deadly night-shade, &c.

POISONOUS animals communicate their infection either by the bite or sting. 
This poison is very different from the former, and only produces its 
effects when received into the body by a wound.

MINERAL POISONS - Arsenic is the most common of this class; and, as the 
whole of them are pretty similar both in their effects and method of cure, 
what is said with respect to it, will be applicable to every other species 
of corrosive poison.

WHEN a person has taken arsenic, he soon perceives a burning heat, and a 
violent pricking pain in his stomach and bowels, with an intolerable 
thirst, and an inclination to vomit. The tongue and throat feel rough and 
dry; and, if proper means be not soon administered, the patient is scized 
with great anxiety, hiccuping, faintings, and coldness of the extremities. 
To these succeed black vomits, foetid stools, with a mortification of the 
stomach and intestines, which are immediate forerunners of death.

ON the first appearance of these symptoms the patient should drink large 
quantities of new milk and sallad-oil till he vomits; or he may drink warm 
water mixed with oil. Fat broths are likewise proper, provided they can be 
got ready in time. Where no oil is to be had, fresh butter may be melted 
and mixed with the milk or water. These things are to be drank as long as 
the inclination to vomit continues. Some have drank eight or ten English 
quarts before the vomiting ceased; and it is never safe to leave off 
drinking while one particle of the poison remains in the stomach.

THESE oily or fat substances not only provoke vomiting, but likewise blunt 
the acrimony of the poison, and prevent its wounding the bowels; but if 
they should not make the person vomit, half a drachm or two scruples of 
the powder of ipecacuanha must be given, or a few spoonfuls of the oxymel 
or vinegar of squills may be mixed with the water which he drinks. 
Vomiting may likewise be excited by tickling the inside of the throat with 
a feather. Should these methods however fail, half a drachm of white 
vitriol, or five or six grains of emetic tartar, must be administered.

IF tormenting pains are felt in the lower belly and there is reason to 
fear that the poison has got down to the intestines, clysters of milk and 
oil must be very frequently thrown up; and the patient must drink 
emollient decoctions of barley, oatmeal, marsh-mallows, and such like. He 
must likewise take an infusion of senna and manna, a solution of Glauber's 
salts, or some other purgative.

AFTER the poison has been evacuated, the patient ought, for some time, to 
live upon such things as are of a healing and cooling quality; to abstain 
from flesh and all strong liquors, and to live upon milk broth, gruel, 
light puddings, and other spoon meats of easy digestion. His drink should 
be barley-water, linseed-tea, or infusions of any of the mild mucilaginous 
vegetables.

VEGETABLE POISONS, besides heat and pain of the stomach, commonly occasion 
some degree of giddiness, and often a kind of stupidity or folly. Persons 
who have taken these poisons must be treated in the same manner as for the 
mineral or corrosive.

THOUGH the vegetable poisons, when allowed to remain in the stomach, often 
prove fatal; yet the danger is generally over as soon as they are 
discharged. Not being of such a caustic or corrosive nature, they are less 
apt to wound or inflame the bowels than mineral substances; no time, 
however, ought to be lost in a having them discharged.

OPIUM, being frequently taken by mistake, merits particular attention. It 
is used as a medicine both in a solid and liquid form, which latter 
commonly goes by the name of laudanum. It is indeed a valuable medicine 
when taken in proper quantity, but as an over-dose proves a strong poison; 
we shall point out its common effects, together with the method of cure.

AN over-dose of opium generally occasions great drowsiness, with stupor 
and other apoplectic symptoms. Sometimes the person has so great an 
inclination to sleep, that it is almost impossible to keep him awake. 
Every method must however be tried for this purpose. He should be tossed, 
shaked, and moved about. Sharp blistering-plasters should be applied to 
his legs or arms, and stimulating medicines, as salts of hartshorn, &c. 
held under his nose. It will also be proper to let blood. At the same time 
every method must be taken to make him discharge the poison. This may be 
done in the manner directed above, viz. by the use of strong vomits, 
drinking plenty of warm water with oil, &c.

MEAD, besides vomits, in this case, recommends acid medicines with 
lixivial salts. He says, that he has often given salt of wormwood mixed 
with juice of lemon in repeated doses with great success.

IF the body should remain weak and languid after the poison has been 
discharged, nourishing diet and cordials will be proper; but when there is 
reason to fear that the stomach or bowels are inflamed, the greatest 
circumspection is necessary both with regard to food and medicine.


OF THE BITES OF POISONOUS ANIMALS.

WE shall begin with the bite of a mad dog, as it is both the most common 
and dangerous animal poison in this country.

THE creatures naturally liable to contract this disease are, as far as we 
yet know; all of the dog kind, viz. foxes, dogs, and wolves. Hence it is 
called the rabies canina, or dog madness. Of the last we have none in this 
island; and it so seldom happens that any person is bit by the first, that 
they scarce deserve to be taken notice of. If such a thing should happen, 
the method of treatment is precisely the same as for the bite of a mad dog.

THE symptoms of madness in a dog are as follow: At first he looks dull, 
shews an aversion to food and company: He does not bark as usual, but 
seems to murmur, is peevish, and apt to bite strangers: His ears and tail 
droop more than usual, and he appears drowsy: Afterwards he begins to loll 
out his tongue, and froth at the mouth, his eyes seeming heavy and watery: 
He now, if not confined, takes off, runs panting along with a kind of 
dejected air, and endeavours to bite every one he meets. Other dogs are 
said to fly from him. Some think this a certain sign of madness, supposing 
that they know him by the smell; but it is not to be depended on. If he
escapes being killed, he seldom runs above two or three days, till he dies 
exhausted with heat, hunger and fatigue.

THIS disease is most frequent after long dry hot seasons; and such dogs as 
live upon putrid stinking carrion, without having enough of fresh water, 
are most liable to it.

WHEN any person has been bit by a dog, the strictest inquiry ought to be 
made, whether the animal was really mad. Many disagreeable consequences 
arise from neglecting to ascertain this point. Some people have lived in 
continual anxiety for many years, because they had been bit by a dog which 
they believed to be mad; but, as he had been killed on the spot, it was 
impossible to ascertain the fact. This should induce us, instead of 
killing a dog the moment he has bit any person, to do all in our power to 
keep him alive, at least till we can be certain whether he be mad or not.

MANY circumstances may contribute to make people imagine a dog mad. He 
loses his master, runs about in quest of him, is set upon by other dogs, 
and perhaps by men. The creature, thus frightened, beat, and abused, looks 
wild, and lolls out his tongue as he runs along. Immediately a crowd is 
after him; while he, finding himself closely pursued, and taking every one 
he meets for an enemy, naturally attempts to bite him in self-defence. He 
soon gets knocked on the head, and it passes currently that he was mad, as 
it is then impossible to prove the contrary.

THIS being the true history of, by far, the greater part of those dogs 
which pass for mad, is it any wonder that numberless whimsical medicines 
have been extolled for preventing the effects of their bite? This readily 
accounts for the great variety of infallible remedies for the bite of a 
mad dog, which are to be met with in almost every family. Though not one 
in a thousand has any claim to merit, yet they are all supported by 
numberless vouchers. No wonder that imaginary diseases should be cured by 
imaginary remedies. In this way, credulous people first impose upon 
thernselves, and then deceive others. The same medicine which was supposed 
to prevent the effects of the bite, when the dog was not mad, is 
recommended to a person who has had the misfortune to be bit by a dog that 
was really mad. He takes it, trusts to it, and is undone.

TO these mistakes we must impute the frequent ill success of the medicines 
used for preventing the effects of the bite of a mad dog. It is not owing 
so much to a defect in medicine, as to wrong applications. I am persuaded, 
if proper medicines were administered immediately after the bite is 
received, and continued for a sufficient length of time, we should not 
lose one in a thousand of those who have the misfortune to be bit by a mad 
dog.

THIS poison is generally communicated by a wound, which nevertheless heals 
as soon as a comon wound: But afterwards it begins to feel painful, and as 
the pain spreads towards the neighbouring parts, the person becomes heavy 
and listless. His sleep is unquiet with frightful dreams; he sighs, looks 
dull, and loves solitude. These are the forerunners, or rather the first 
symptoms of that dreadful disease occasioned by the bite of a mad dog. But 
as we do not propose to treat of the disease itself, but to point out the 
method of preventing it, we shall not take up time in shewing its progress 
from the first invasion to its commonly fatal end.

THE common notion, that this poison may lie in the body for many years, 
and afterwards prove fatal, is both hurtful and ridiculous. It must render 
such persons as have had the misfortune to be bit very unhappy, and can 
have no good effects. If the person takes proper medicines for forty days 
after the time of his being bit, and feels no symptoms of the disease, 
there is reason to believe him out of danger.

THE medicines recommended for preventing the effects of the bite of a mad 
dog, are chiefly such as promote the different secretions, and 
antispasmodics.

DR. MEAD recommends a preventive medicine, which he says he never knew 
fail, though in the space of thirty years he had used it a thousand times.

THE Doctor's prescription is as follows:

"TAKE ash-coloured ground liver-wort, cleaned, dried, and powdered, half 
an ounce; of black pepper powdered, a quarter of an ounce. Mix these well 
together, and divide the powder into four doses, one of which must be 
taken every morning fasting, for four mornings successively, in half an 
English pint of cows milk, warm.

"AFTER these four doses are taken, the patient must go into the cold bath, 
or a cold spring or river, every morning fasting, for a month; he must be 
dipped all over, but not stay in (with his head above water) longer than 
half a minute, if the water be very cold. After this he must go in three 
times a-week for a fortnight longer.

"THE person must be bled before he begins to use the medicine."

THOUGH we give the prescription on the credit of Dr. Mead, yet we would 
not advise any person, who has reason to believe that he has been bit by a 
dog which was really mad, to trust to it alone. Mead was an able 
physician, but be seems to have been no great philosopher, and was 
someimes the dupe of his own credulity.

WE shall next mention the famous East India specific, as it is called. 
This medicine is composed of cinnabar and musk. It is esteemed a great 
anti-spasmodic; and, by many, extolled as an infallible remedy for 
preventing the effects of the bite of a mad dog.

"TAKE native and factitious cinnabar, of each twenty-four grains, musk 
sixteen grains. Let these be made into a fine powder, and taken in a glass 
of arrack or brandy."

THIS single dose is said to secure the person for thirty days, at the end 
of which it must be repeated; but if he has any symptoms of the disease, 
it must be repeated in three hours.

THE following is likewise reconed a good antispasrnodic medicine:

TAKE of Virginian snake-root in powder, half a drachm, gum asafoetida 
twelve grains, gum camphire seven grains; make these into a bolus with a 
little syrup of saffron."

CAMPHIRE may also be given in the following manner:

TAKE purified nitre half an ounce, Virginian snake-root in powder two 
drachms, camphire one drachm; rub them together in a mortar, and divide 
the whole into ten doses.

MERCURY is likewise recommended as of great efficacy, both in the 
prevention and cure of this kind of madness. When used as a preventive, it 
will be sufficient to rub daily a drachm of the ointment into the parts 
about the wound.

VINEGAR is likewise of considerable service, and should be taken freely, 
either in the patient's food or drink.

THESE are the principal medicines recommended for preventing the effects 
of the bite of a mad dog. We would not however advise people to trust to 
any one of them; but from a proper combination of their different powers, 
there is the greatest reason to hope for success.

THE great error in the use of these medicines lies, in not taking them for 
a sufficient length of time. They are used more like charms, than 
medicines intended to produce any change in the body. To this, and not to 
the insufficiency of the medicines, we must impute their frequent want of 
success,

DR. MEAD says that the virtue of his medicine consists in promoting urine. 
But how a poison should be expelled by urine, with only three or four 
doses of any medicine, however powerful, is not easy to conceive. More 
time is certainly necessary; even though the medicine were more powerful 
than that which the doctor prescribes.

THE East India specific is still more exceptionable on this account. As 
these and most other medicines, taken singly, have frequently been found 
to fail, we shall recommend the following course:

IF a person be bit in a fleshy part, where there is no hazard of hurting 
any large blood-vessel, the parts adjacent to the wound may be cut away. 
But if this be not done soon after the bite has been received, it will be 
better to omit it.

THE wound may be washed with salt and water, or a pickle made of vinegar 
and salt, and afterwards dressed twice a-day with yellow basilicon mixed 
with the red precipitate of mercury.

THE patient should begin to use either Dr. Mead's medicine, or some of the 
others mentioned above. If he takes Mead's medicine, he may use it as the 
Doctor directs for four days, successively. Let him then omit for two or 
three days, and again repeat the same number of doses as before.

DURING this course, he must rub into the parts about the wound, daily, one 
drachm of the mercurial ointment. This may be done for ten or twelve days 
at least.

WHEN this course is over, he may take a purge or two, and wait a few days 
till the effect of the mercury be gone off. He must then begin to use the 
cold bath, into which he may go every morning for five or six weeks. If he 
should feel cold and chilly for a long time after coming out of the cold 
bath, it will be better to use a tepid one, to have the water a little 
warmed.

IN the mean time, we would advise him not to leave off all internal 
medicines, but to take either one of the boluses of snake-root, 
asafoetida, and camphire; or one of the powders of nitre, camphire, and 
snake-root, twice a-day. Those may be used during the whole time he is 
bathing,

DURING the use of the mercurial ointment, the patient must keep within 
doors, and take nothing cold.

A PROPER regimen must be observed throughout the whole course. The patient 
should abstain from flesh, and all salted and and high seasoned 
provisions. He must avoid strong liquors, and live mostly upon a light and 
rather spare diet. His mind should be kept as easy and chearful as 
possible, and all excessive heat and violent passions avoided with the 
utmost care.

I HAVE never seen this course of medicine, with proper regimen, fail to 
prevent the hydrophobia, and cannot help again observing, that the want of 
success must generally be owing either to the application of improper 
medicines, or not using proper ones for a sufficient length of time.

MANKIND are extremely fond of every thing that promises a sudden or 
miraculous cure. By trusting to these they often lose their lives, when a 
regular course of medicine would have rendered them absolutely safe. This 
holds remarkably in the present case: Numbers of people, for example, 
believe if they or their cattle be once dipped in the sea, it is 
sufficient; as if the salt water were a charm against the effects of the 
bite. This, and such like whims, have proved fatal to many.

IT is a common notion, if a person be bit by a dog which is not mad, that, 
if he should go mad afterwards, the person would be affected with the 
disorder at the same time; but this notion is too ridiculous to deserve a 
serious consideration. It is a good rule, however, to avoid dogs as much 
as possible, as the disease is often upon them for some time before its 
violent symptoms appear. The hydrophobia has been occasioned by the bite 
of a dog which shewed no other symptoms of the disease but listlessiness 
and a fallen disposition. It is somewhat surprising, that no proper 
enquiry has ever been made into the truth of the common opinion, that a 
dog which has been wormed cannot bite after he goes mad. If the fact could 
be ascertained, and the practice rendered general, it would save both the 
lives and properties of many.

THOUGH we do not mean to treat fully of the cure of the hydrophobia, yet 
we are far from reckoning it incurable. The notion that this disease could 
not be cured, has been productive of the most horrid consequences. It was 
usual either to abandon the unhappy persons, as soon as they were seized 
with the disease, to their fate, to bleed them to death, or to suffocate 
them between matrasses, or feather-beds, &c. This conduct certainly 
deserves the severest punishment! We hope, for the honour of human nature, 
it will never again be heard of.

I HAVE never had an opportunity of treating this disease, and therefore 
can say nothing of it from my own experience; but the learned Dr. Tissot 
says, it may be cured in the following manner:

1. THE patient must be bled to a considerable quantity; and this may be 
repeated twice, or thrice, or even a fourth time, if circumstances require 
it.

2. THE patient should be put, if possible, into a warm bath; and this 
should be used twice a-day.

3. HE should every day receive two, or even three emollient clysters.

4. THE wound, and the part adjoining to it, should be rubbed with the 
mercurial ointment twice a-day.

5. THE whole limb which contains the wound should be rubbed with oil, and 
be wrapped up in an oily flannel.

6. EVERY three hours, a dose of Cob's powder should be taken in a cup of 
the infusion of lime-tree and elder-flowers. This powder is made, by 
rubbing together in a mortar, to a very fine powder, of native and 
factitious cinnabar, each twenty-four grains; of musk, sixteen grains. The 
Ormskirk medicine, as it is called, seems to me to consist chiefly of 
cinnabar. Though it is said to be infallible, as a preventive; yet I would 
not advise anyone to trust to it alone. Indeed it is ordered to be taken 
in a manner which gives it more the appearance of a charm than of a 
medicine. Surely if a medicine is to produce any change in the body, it 
must be taken for some considerable time, and in sufficient quantity.

7. THE following bolus is to be given every night, and to be repeated in 
the morning, if the patient is not easy, washing it down with the infusion 
mentioned above: Take one drachm of Virginian snake-root in powder; of 
camphire and asafoetida, ten grains each; of opium, one grain; and, with a 
sufficient quantity of conserve, or rob of elder, make a bolus.

8. IF there be a great nausea at the stornach, with a bitterness in the 
mouth, thirty-five or forty grains of ipecacuanha, in powder, may be taken 
for a vomit.

9. THE patient's food, if he takes any, must be light; as panado, soups 
made of farinaceous or mealy vegetables, &c.

10. IF the patient should long continue weak, and subject to terrors, he 
may take half a drachm of the Peruvian bark thrice a-day.

THE next poisonous animal which we shall mention is the VIPER. The grease 
of this animal rubbed into the wound is said to cure the bite. Though that 
is all the viper-catchers generally do when bit, we should not think it 
sufficient for the bite of an enraged viper. It would surely be more safe 
to have the wound well sucked, and afterwards rubbed with warm salad-oil. 
A poultice of bread and milk, softened with salad-oil, should likewise be 
applied to the wound; and the patient ought to drink freely of vinegar-
whey, or water-gruel with vinegar in it, to make him sweat. Vinegar is one 
of the best medicines which can be used in any kind of poison, and ought 
to be taken very liberally. If the patient be sick, he may take a vomit. 
This course will be sufficient to cure the bite of any of the poisonous 
animals of the country.

THE practice of sucking out poisons is very ancient; and indeed nothing 
can be more rational. Where the bite cannot be cut out, this is the most 
likely way for extracting the poison. There can be no danger in performing 
this office, as the poison does no harm unless it be taken into the body 
by a wound. The person who sucks the wound ought however to wash his mouth 
frequently with salad-oil, which will secure him from even the least 
inconveniency. The Bysili in Africa, and the Mersi in Italy, were famed 
for curing the bites of poisonous animals by sucking the wound; and we are 
told, the Indians in North America practise the same at this day.

WITH regard to poisonous insects, as the bee, the wasp, the hornet, &c. 
their stings are seldom attended with danger, unless when a person happens 
to be stung by a great number of them at the same time; in which case 
sornething should be done to abate the inflammation and swelling. Some, 
for this purpose, apply honey, others lay pounded parsley to the part. A 
mixture of vinegar and Venice-treacle is likewise recommended; but I have 
always found rubbing the part with warm salad-oil succeed very well. 
Indeed, when the stings are so numerous as to endanger the patient's life, 
which is sometimes the case, he must not only have oily poultices applied 
to the part, but must likewise be bled, and take some cooling medicines, 
as nitre, or cream of tartar, and should drink plentifully of diluting 
liquors.

IT is the happiness of this island to have very few poisonous animals, and 
these which we have are by no means of the most virulent kind. Nine-tenths 
of the effects attributed to poison or venom in this country are really 
other diseases, and proceed from quite different causes.

WE cannot however make the same observation with regard to poisonous 
vegetables. These abound every where, and prove often fatal to the 
ignorant and unwary. This indeed is chiefly owing to carelessness. 
Children ought early to be cautioned against eating any kind of fruit, 
roots, berries, which they do not know, and all poisonous plants to which 
they can have access, ought, as far as possible, to be destroyed. This 
would not be so difficult a task as some people imagine.

POISONOUS plants have no doubt their use, and they ought to be propogated 
in proper places; but, as they prove often destructive to cattle, they 
should be rooted out of all pasture-grounds. They ought likewise, for the 
safety of the human species, to be destroyed in the neighbourhood of all 
towns and villages; which, by the bye, are the places where they most 
commonly abound. I have seen the poisonous hemlock, henbane, wolfsbane, 
and deadly night-shade, all growing within the environs of a small town, 
where, though several persons, within the memory of those living in it, 
had lost their lives by one or other of these plants; yet no method, that 
I could hear of, had ever been taken to root them out; though this might 
be done at a very trifling expence.

SELDOM a year passes but we have accounts of several persons poisoned by 
eating hemlock-roots instead of parsnips, or some kinds of fungus which 
they had gathered for mushrooms. These examples ought to put people upon 
their guard with respect to the former, and to put the latter entirely out 
of use. Mushrooms may be a delicate dish, but they are a dangerous one, as 
they are generally gathered by persons who do not know one kind of fungus 
from any other, and, take every thing for a mushroorn which has that 
appearance.

WE might here mention many other plants and animals of a poisonous nature 
which are found in foreign countries; but, as our observations are chiefly 
intended for this island, we shall pass these over. It may not however be 
amiss to observe, for the behoof of such of our countrymen as go to 
America, that an effectual remedy is now said to be found for the bite of 
the rattle-snake. - The prescription is as follows: Take of the roots of 
plantain and horehound, in summer, roots and branches together, a 
sufficient quantity; bruise them in a mortar, and squeeze out the juice, 
of which give, as soon as possible, one large spoonful; if the patient be 
swelled, you must force it down his throat. This generally will cure, but 
if he finds no relief in an hour after, you may give another spoonful, 
which never fails. If the roots are dried, they must be moistened with a 
little water. To the wound may be applied a leaf of good tobacco moistened 
with rum.

WE give this upon the faith of Dr. Brookes, who says it was the invention 
of a negro; for the discovery of which he had his freedom purchased, and a 
hundred pounds per annum settled upon him during life, by the General 
Assembly of Carolina.

IT is possible there may be in nature specific remedies for every kind of 
poison; but as we have very little faith in any of those which have yet 
been pretended to be discovered, we shall beg leave again to recommend the 
most strict attention to the following rules, viz. That when any poisonous 
substance has been taken into the stomach, it ought, as soon as possible, 
to be discharged by vomits, clysters, and purges; and, when poison has 
been received into the body by a wound, that it be expelled by medicines 
which promote the different secretions, especially those of sweat, urine, 
and insensible perspiration; to which may be joined antispasmodics, or 
such medicines as take off tension, and irritation; the chief of which are 
opium, musk, camphire, and asafoetida.