[184]. Take of crabs claws prepared half an ounce, purified nitre two drachms, saffron powdered half a drachm; rub them together in a mortar, and divide the whole into eight or nine doses.
When the patient is low-spirited, or troubled with hysterical complaints, she ought to take frequently twelve or fifteen drops of the tincture of asafœtida in a cup of penny-royal tea.
[185]. Midwives ought to be very cautious in administering vomits or purges to women in child-bed. I have known a woman, who was recovering extremely well, thrown into the most imminent danger, by a strong purge which was given her by an officious midwife.
[186]. Dr. Cheyne avers, that want of children is oftner the fault of the male than of the female, and strongly recommends a milk and vegetable diet to the former as well as the latter; adding, that his friend Dr. Taylor, whom he calls the Milk-doctor of Croydon, had brought sundry opulent families in his neighbourhood, who had continued some years after marriage without progeny, to have several fine children, by keeping both parents, for a considerable time, to a milk and vegetable diet.
[187]. Of the officious and ill-judged care of midwives, we shall adduce only one instance, viz. the common practice of torturing infants by squeezing their breasts, to draw off the milk, as they call it. Though a small quantity of moisture is generally found in the breasts of infants, yet, as they are certainly not intended to give suck, this ought never to be drawn off. I have seen this cruel operation bring on hardness, inflammation, and suppuration of the breasts; but never knew any ill consequences from its being omitted. When the breasts are hard, the only application that we would recommend is a soft poultice, or a little of the diachylon plaster, spread thin upon a bit of soft leather, about the size of half a crown, and applied over each nipple. These may be suffered to continue till the hardness disappears.
[188]. See Appendix, Laxative absorbent Mixture.
[189]. Some nurses remove this complaint by sucking the child’s nose. This is by no means a cleanly operation; but when nurses have the resolution to do it, I am far from discouraging the practice.
[190]. I some time ago saw a very striking instance of the danger of substituting drying medicines in the place of cleanliness and wholesome food, in the Foundling Hospital at Ackworth, where the children were grievously afflicted with scabbed heads and other cutaneous disorders. Upon inquiry it was found, that very little attention was paid either to the propriety or soundness of their provisions, and that cleanliness was totally neglected; accordingly it was advised that they should have more wholesome food, and be kept thoroughly clean. This advice, however, was not followed. It was too troublesome to the servants, superintendants, &c. The business was to be done by medicine; which was accordingly attempted, but had nearly proved fatal to the whole house. Fevers and other internal disorders immediately appeared, and at length a putrid dysentery, which proved so infectious, that it carried off a great many of the children, and spread over a considerable part of the neighbouring country.
[191]. In this disease bleeding is not always proper; but in very full habits it must certainly be of use.
[192]. I was lately favoured with a letter from Dr. William Turnbull in London, a physician of great experience, and who, from his former situation on the north-east coast of England, had many opportunities of observing the symptoms and progress of this dangerous disease. I am sorry the letter came too late to be inserted at length; but as the Doctor’s sentiments differ very little from my own, this misfortune is the less to be regretted. The Doctor indeed observes, that he never found blistering of any service; but recommends cataplasms of garlic, camphor, and Venice treacle, to be applied both to the throat and soles of the feet. He likewise recommends boluses of camphor, castor, valerian root, salt of hartshorn, and musk, adapted to the age, strength, &c. of the patient; after which he advises two spoonfuls of the following decoction:—Take of garlic and distilled vinegar each an ounce, hysop-water eight ounces; beat up the ingredients together, gradually mixing the water, and adding three ounces of honey. Let the whole be simmered over a gentle fire, and afterwards drained for use.