This is a medicine of much use in painful and restless diseases, but should never be had recourse to, unless the greatest necessity require it. For, whilst it lulls the nerves from their irritation, it is apt to weaken their tone, and by that, greatly lessen the strength of the whole body; but where really requisite, it is a happiness that ease can be given, by which to relieve nature in pain that it may be restored again to tranquillity. The dose of this tincture is from 10 drops upwards to 30.
U. Essential Oil of Peppermint: This is one of the most grateful nervins in the whole materia medica; and at the same time the least stimulant. In all cases where there is weakness and feebleness, I would advise this in preference of spirit of hartshorn, or any other stimulant whatever. It warms the stomach, comforts the bowels, and infuses a liveliness over the whole nervous system. The dose is from 3 or 4 to 6 drops, on a little lump of sugar, and dissolved either in a glass of wine, or water; which may be repeated occasionally, without the least hurt to the constitution.
W. Turlington’s Balsam:
Take St. Johns worth a small handful, rectified Spirit of wine two quarts; digest them for a few days, then strain and filter the extracts; then take Angelica root, Olebanum, Myrrh, and Socotorine Aloes, of each one ounce; Styrax, Benzoin, and Peruvian balsam, of each an ounce and a half; digest the whole in a slow heat for some days, and filter the balsam off for use.
This is the genuine receipt of the celebrated Turlington’s Balsam, and an excellent medicine it is, for many purposes. Externally, it is an efficacious remedy for all green wounds, cuts, bruises, &c. if immediately applied.
But particularly for internal uses, its virtues are great: It warms the stomach, promotes good digestion, enriches the blood, warms the whole system, and, above all, is a sovereign remedy in all rheumatic complaints. The dose is about a tea spoon full, in a glass of wine, or any other convenient vehicle; and on all occasions, where bitters are made use of, this ought to have the preference, being one of the best stomachics. But at the same time it should be observed, that where there is a fever in the system, it ought to be avoided, as it is remarkably heating in its nature, and therefore agrees best with cold constitutions, and where the habit is weak.
Here then I shall end this lecture; and only observe, that though there are various other medicines of the greatest importance, as well for external as for internal uses, I have purposely avoided them, as their application requires more care, than what we may expect from men who have not made medicine their peculiar study. At the same time I must also confess, that the forementioned will be sufficient, if managed as I have already intimated. It is a maxim with me, ’tis not so much the medicines themselves whereon the success depends, as the judgment requisite to know how and when properly to make use of them.
I must likewise take notice, that I have purposely adhered as close to the recipes of the Dispensatory as I could with propriety, because it may the better suit the apothecarys’ shops in all parts of the world; and that when a medicine is wanted it may the easier be supplied. It would have been an easy matter for me to alter every medicine in its composition; but I conceive this would have tended but to raise difficulties in procuring them, and taken away from the general utility of the book.