From ergot to "Ernutin" : an historical sketch.

Date:
[1908]
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: From ergot to "Ernutin" : an historical sketch. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    The practitioner thought hero was a chance to try the effects of the new ecbolic, and immediately thrust 30 grains down the fowl's throat, after which, he states, the lien quickly laid, but whether post hoc or propter hoc let others determine. Early Methods of administering Ergot The earliest known method of administering ergot was in its natural state in the form of fine powder. In this manner it was given by Desgranges and Stearns, and was called by the latter Pulvis parturiens, and was also known as Pulvis purtum accclcrans. By Desgranges it was termed poudre obstetrical, and by Bordot poudre oc^-oticine/' By some it was recommended to be given in good generous wine; by others '-mixed with milk or cloves or with tin; distilled waters of nutmeg or mint. Balardini advises that it should be swallowed with white wine, while Bordot frequently prescribed it in combination with powdered riutmeg and sugar. The dose given varied according to the circumstances of the case, and the susceptibility of the patient. The maximum prescribed by Stearns was ten grains, but it was frequently given by other practitioners in 90-grain doses, in a wineglass- ful of barley water, cinnamon or orange water. Goupil relied on the following formula:— I£ Secalis Nigri Pulv., dr. i. Syrupi Simplicis, oz. \. Ol. Menthae Essent., gutt. iij. Misce in mortario. To be given in doses of a spoonful at intervals of ten minutes Stearns and Gill suggested the admixture of opium with ergot in the proportion of one grain of the former to thirty of the latter. Another early method of administration chiefly employed in America, was in the form of an infusion, commonly called Tea of black rye. It was thus