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.)

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    freely, and leaves the mouth clean and moist, it is good : but, on the other hand, if it dries up the juices, and leaves the mouth rough and dry, it is bad and should be avoided. BaYBERRY, Or CANDLEBEKRYr This is a species of the myrtle from which wax is ob- tianed from the berries, and grows common in many parts of this country. It is a shrub growing from two to four feet high, and is easily known by the berries which it produces annually, containing wax in abundance ; these grow on the branches close to them,similar to the juniper; the leaves are of a deep green. The bark of the roots is what is used for medicine, and should be collected in the spring before it puts forih its leaves, or in the fall, after it is done growingi as then the sjip is in the roots; this should be attended to in gathering all kinds of medical roots ; but those things that the tops are used, should be collected in the summer when nearly full grown, as then the sap ia in the top. The roots should be dug and cleaned from the dirt, and pounded with a mallet or club, when the bark is easily separated from the stalk, and may be ob- tained with little trouble. It should be dried in a chamber or loft, where it is not exposed to the weather; and when perfectly dry, should be ground or pounded to a fine pow- der. It is an excellent medicine either taken by itself, or compounded with other articles ; and is the best thing for canker of any thing I have ever found. It is highly stimulating and very pungent, pricking the glands and causing the saliva and other juices to flow freely. Is good used as tooth powder, cleanses the teeth and gums, and removes the scurvy; taken as snuff, it clears the head and relieves the head-ach. It may be taken to advantage in a relax, and all disorders of the bowels. When the stomach i* very foul, it will frequently operate as an emetic. For a dose, take a tea spoonful in hot water sweetened. WmTB Pond Lily—the Root. This is well known from the beautiful flower which it bears, opening only to the sun and closing again at night. It grows in fresh water ponds, and is common in all part*