[509]. Forge Water. This popular remedy as a lotion for Aphthæ and other similar diseases, I am well satisfied possesses considerable efficacy. It may, perhaps, be necessary to state that Forge-water is that in which the Blacksmith has plunged his hot iron, for the purpose of refrigeration. It is to be taken early in the morning, when, all the mechanical impurities having had time to subside, it is beautifully limpid. Upon examining some of this water I found it to contain sulphate of iron. The sulphuric acid was probably derived from the sulphur of the coals.
[510]. Besides the preparations of Iron mentioned by our author, there is another which has recently been introduced into practice, by Dr. Zollickhoffer of Maryland, and this is the Prussiate of Iron, or Prussian Blue. Like the other forms of iron it acts as a powerful tonic, and as a remedy in intermitting and remitting fevers, Dr. Z. conceives it to possess many advantages over Cinchona. These he states to be the following: “1. It is void of taste, and may therefore be much more readily exhibited than the Cinchona Officinalis, which to some is extremely unpleasant. 2. It may be given in every stage of the disease, while the administration of bark is confined to the apyrexiæ. 4. The dose is much smaller, being from four to six grains twice or thrice in twenty-four hours; or at morning, noon and night; while bark, to be effectual, must be given in much larger doses. 4. It never disagrees with the stomach, or creates nausea, even in the most irritable state of this viscus; while bark is not unfrequently rejected. 5. In its effects as a remedy calculated to prevent the recurrence of future paroxysms, it is more certain, prompt, and effectual, than the justly celebrated Cort. Peruvian. 6 and lastly, A patient treated with this article will recover from the influence of intermitting and remitting fevers, in the generality of cases, in much less time than is usual in those cases in which bark is employed.” In using the Prussiate of Iron, Dr. Zollickhoffer directs that care should be taken to select that which is of a very dark blue colour, approaching to a black, having a shining coppery fracture, and adhering firmly to the tongue.
Ed.
[511]. Mathieu’s Vermifuge. This consisted of two distinct Electuaries, the one for killing, the other for expelling the Tapeworm. The former of these was composed of an ounce of Tin Filings, six drachms of the Fern root, half an ounce of Semina Santonici, a drachm of the resinous extract of Jalap, and of Sulphate of Potass, and a sufficient quantity of Honey to make an Electuary, of which a tea-spoonful was taken every three hours for two days; after which the latter electuary was given in the same dose, and consisted of two scruples of powdered Jalap, and Sulphate of Potass, one scruple of Scammony, and ten grains of Gamboge, made into an Electuary with Honey. The inventor of this receipt received the title of Counsellor of the Court, as well as a large pension for life, from the King of Prussia, for making it public!
[512]. Seguin first proved that gallic acid, and tannin or the astringent principle, are different substances; it is to the former that the property of giving a black colour to the solutions of iron is owing.
Mr. Hatchett has shewn that tan or tannin may be artificially produced by the action of nitric acid upon various vegetable substances.
[513]. By Dr. Bardsley the same quantity was taken and with similar results. In many cases of Dyspepsia, attended with an irritability of stomach that does not admit of the employment of bulky medicines, gentiania may be used with much advantage. The preferable form is that of pill, given in doses of one grain to be repeated two or three times a day. Unlike the plant from which it is obtained, Gentiania has no tendency to keep the bowels open. Ed.
[514]. It takes its name from Gentius, king of Illyria, its discoverer, who was vanquished by Anicius the Roman Prætor, A. U. 585. i. e. A.C. 167, so that it is neither to be found in Hippocrates nor Theophrastus.
[515]. Brodum’s Nervous Cordial consists of the tinctures of Gentian, Calumba, Cardamom and Bark, with the Compound Spirit of Lavender, and Wine of Iron.
Stroughton’s Elixir. Is a tincture of Gentian, with the addition of Serpentaria, Orange Peel, Cardamoms, and some other aromatics.