Under this head I shall consider all kinds of breaking out, exclusive of that, which attends inflammatory and acute fevers, as they are all of one nature, and will all yield to one method of cure.—All proceed from a corrupted humour, which nature endeavours to expell from the body, by driving them to the surface, as that is the least resisting part.
Of the Itch.
The itch may either proceed from original acrimony, or it may be catched from a mess-mate who is infested with the disease. In itself it is of different kinds, but the diversity in this respect depends principally on the habit of body afflicted with it. Sometimes it is dry, scaly, and attended with very great itching; in that case, it proceeds generally from a scorbutic habit, and is attended with a slow inward fever. Sometimes it is more moist, and utters itself with bladders all about the hands, particularly betwixt the fingers, and is a sufficient testimony of the disorder. The principal indication is to purify the blood; and in the mean time recourse may be had to external means. A purge is first requisite.
No. IX
Take powder of jalap (R) one scruple; calomel (N) three grains, mix it with a little sugar and water, and let the patient take it early in the morning, working it off with balm or any other tea; after this some pills may be made of calomel.
No. X
Take stomach powder (M) two scruples, calomel (N) one scruple; sugar about one scruple; mix them, and with a few drops of water make it into a mass, and divide it into twenty pills. Of which let him take one every morning and night.
Externally make use of the following:
No. XI
Take Turner’s Cerate (K) two ounces; Precipitate (O) two drachms; mix them.