This Book entituled, Every Man his own
Doctor, was first printed in Virginia, for the Use of which
Colony it was written by a Gentleman residing there. Great Numbers
have been distributed among the People both in Virginia and
Maryland, and ’tis generally allow’d that abundance of Good has
been thereby done: And as some Parts of Pennsylvania, the Jerseys,
and the Lower Counties on Delaware, are by the lowness and
moistness of their Situation, subject to the same kind of Diseases,
I have been advised to reprint this Book here, for the Use and
Benefit of such People in these Countries, as live at too great a
Distance from good Physicians. It is necessary, however, to give
the Reader this one Caution, that the Ipecacuania or
Indian Physick so frequently prescribed by the Author, is
much weaker in Virginia, than that which grows in Pennsylvania; so
that whereas he prescribes 80 Grains for a Vomiting Potion, and 70
for a Purge; 12 Grains of our Indian Physick, or
Ipecacuania, will be sufficient for a Vomit, and 10 for a
Purge: There is another Sort which comes to us from Europe, and is
to be found in the Apothecaries Shops, of which 30 or 32 Grains is
commonly given for a Vomit, and 27 Grains for a Purge, which will
work most Constitutions sufficiently.
A Physician in Virginia has lately published an
Essay on the Pleurisy, in which he discovers a Method of
treating that fatal Distemper, that he says he always found to
succeed. The principal Part of the Cure depends on the Use of a
Simple that begins to be known in this Country by the Name of
Rattle-Snake Root, being the same that the Indians use in
curing the Bite of that venemous Reptile. The Method which the
Author practices and recommends, is as follows.
“Let the Patient first have 10 Ounces of Blood
taken from the Arm of the well Side, or Foot if both Sides are
affected; and every 6 Hours 3 Spoonfuls of the following Tincture
is to be given, the first Dose immediately after, and continued
’till the Symptoms abate.
“Take of the Rattle-Snake Root, 3
Ounces, wild Valerian Root, an Ounce and a Half, let them be
well bruised in a Mortar, then mix them with a Quart of old
Canary, and digest in a proper Vessel in a Sand-Heat for Six
Hours, afterwards decant for Use.
“Let fifteen Drops of Balsam Capivi, and
as many of Sal volatile Oleosum, be given in a little
ordinary Drink, twice between each Dose of the Tincture, beginning
with the first Dose two Hours after the Tincture; and give the
second Dose two Hours after.
“Let the ordinary Drink be a Tea made of
Marsh-mallow Roots, always given warm.
“If the Patient has been ill some Days before
any thing administred, the Balsom is to be continued for
some Days after a considerable Amendment.
“Bloodletting is to be repeated the second Day,
and in the same Quantity as the first, if the Patient is not much
better, or the same Day unless something better in 4 Hours: But
such is the Efficacy of this Medicine, that there is seldom
Occasion. The Symptoms generally abate considerably in 24 Hours,
and the Recovery Certain.”
But because every one may not have Conveniency
for preparing this Tincture, nor have the other Medicines mentioned
at hand, and do not live within reach of a Physician, it is
necessary to acquaint the Reader with what the Author adds further,
viz.
“A Decoction of the Rattle-Snake Root
alone in Spring Water, 3 Ounces to about one Quart; together with
Pectoral Teas sweetned with Honey will prove effectual,
without any thing else; if the Patient has been let Blood as
soon as taken, and this Decoction immediately given
afterwards.”
This is to be understood of the genuine
Pleurisy or Peripneumony attended with a Fever.
As for the other Disease, which often
personates a Pleurisy in these Parts, the Symptoms of which
are, that the Patient is cold in a somniferous State, and
sometimes convulsed.
In this Case the Author omits Bloodletting as
pernicious; but says the Tincture aforesaid is as effectual here as
in the genuine Pleurisy, only advises that the
Rattle-Snake Root and Valerian be in equal Quantities.
We have not room to add more out of the
abovementioned Essay; and indeed the greatest Part of it being
taken up in abstracted Reasonings on the Texture of the Blood, and
the Operations of different Medicines, &c. to make a larger
Extract would be of little Use to the unlearned Reader, for whom
this Book was originally intended; and ’tis supposed that in Cases
of Danger, the Patient will always consult a skilful Physician
where it can possibly be done.
But while we are solicitous about the Health of
the Body, let us not forget, that there are also Diseases of the
Mind, which concern us no less to be thoroughly cured of. The
divine Assistance and Blessing on our Endeavours is absolutely
necessary in both Cases; which we ought therefore piously and
devoutly to request. And being healed, let us gratefully bless and
praise that Great Physician, from whose Goodness flows every Virtue, and
the Discovery of every useful Medicine.