The improved American family physician, or, Sick man's guide to health : containing a complete theory of the botanic practice of medicine, on the Thomsonian and hygeian system, with alterations and improvements : to which is appended a concise formula for compounding medicines for the cure of every complaint incident to human nature : also, a complete digest of midwifery, so that the old proverb may be verified, that every man may be his own physician.

  • Day, L. Meeker.
Date:
1833
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The improved American family physician, or, Sick man's guide to health : containing a complete theory of the botanic practice of medicine, on the Thomsonian and hygeian system, with alterations and improvements : to which is appended a concise formula for compounding medicines for the cure of every complaint incident to human nature : also, a complete digest of midwifery, so that the old proverb may be verified, that every man may be his own physician. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

    56/126
    tauce is good for the same purpose. A tea-spoonful of Cayenne may be taken in a tumbler of cider, and ii much better than ardent spirits. There is scarce any preparation of medicine that I make use of in which I do not put some of this article. It will cure the ague in the face, by taking a dose, and tying a small quantity in fine cloth, and pat it between the cheek and teeth oa> the side that is affected, sitting by the fire covered with a blanket. It is good to put on old sores. Red Peppers. M These are plentiful in this country, being cultivated in gardens, and are principally made use of for pickling ; for which purpose the pods are gathered when green and* preserved in vinegar. It is of the same nature as Cay- enne pepper, but not so strong ; and is the best substitute for that article, of any thing I have ever found. For medical use they should not be gathered till ripe, when they are of a bright red colour; should be reduced to a fine powder, and may be u >ed instead of Cayenne, when that article cannot be obtained. Ginger. Thisis a roue which is brought from foreign countries, and is too well known to need any farther description. It is a very good article, having a warming and agreeable effect on the stomach. It is a powerful stimulant, and is not volatile like many other hot articles ; and is the next best thing to raise the inward heat and promote perspi- ration ; and may be used with good success for that purpose, as a substitute for Cayenne, when that or the red peppers cannot be had. It is sold in the shops ground, but is sometimes mixed with the other articles to increase the quantity, and is not so strong. The best way is to get the roots and grind or pound them to a fine powder. The dose must be regulated according to cir- cumstances ; if given to raise the internal heat and cause perspiration, it must be repeated till it has the desired effect. It makes an excellent poultice, mixed with pound- ed cracker, or slippery elm bark, for which I make use of it. .To keep a piece of the root in the mouth, and