No. XXII
Take oil (C) two ounces; camphor, one scruple; mercurial ointment, one drachm; mix it.
The patient should take a vomit of ipecacuanha (S) one scruple; and a few drops of the essential oil of peppermint (U), on a lump of sugar, and dissolved in water, which should be repeated after the operation of the vomit as often as occasion requires. The fat of a rattle snake, is accounted a sovereign specific, if applied immediately to the wounded part, and the patient drinking a decoction made of snakeroot.
The same remedy here recommended to the bite of a rattle snake, (namely, sucking the fresh made wound) is also recommended to all other venomous bites. The viper, the adder, the santapea or scolopandra, the scorpion, tarantula, &c.
That oil is an antidote, (or as we may say a poison) to all these venomous animals is evident from their expiring in great agony, when oil is poured on them; but whether this effect is because of the penetration it has on their bodies, or annihilating their poison, is as yet undetermined.
I was once told a secret for the sting of a scorpion, avered to have been experienced, by a commander of a ship, trading to the bay of Honduras, viz. that the part stung by a scorpion should be touched with the glans of the penis, which would immediately draw out the poison, without effecting the glans that touched it; and it differs not, whether the patient himself or any other person does it.——If there is any virtue in this, I own it is beyond my comprehension.——I thought proper however to mention it, though I cannot advise it as a safe experiment, unless farther confirmed by those who have actually experienced it.
I have however a great opinion of mercurials in such exigencies; and would advise recourse to be had to it immediately, both external as well as internal; this we are at least assured of, it cannot be attended with danger.