I have generally prescribed these two preparations in cinnamon or mint water, in which form they are seldom disagreeable to the stomach. I have avoided, as much as possible, joining them to any tinctures or infusions, as we are yet in a great degree unacquainted with the chemical habits of iodine and the different vegetable substances. It will be sometimes, however, found advisable to use tonics with iodine.
Ointment of Hydriodate of Potass.
Take of Hydriodate of Potass, ½ dr.
Axunge, 1½ oz. Mix.
NOTE.
Since these pages were put to press, I have received from Professor Maunoir the following details of the case mentioned at [page 49]. As far as I know, it is the only case of the kind on record. I make no apology, therefore, for inserting it in this place.
“C’est le 18 Mars 1821, que j’ai été consulté pour la première fois pour le jeune B—— de Soleure, enfant de huit ans, atteint, depuis moins d’un an, d’un white swelling au genou droit; pour lequel on avoit employé inutilement vésicatoires, sangsues, topiques résolutifs de toute espèce, remèdes internes, &c. Il avoit alors une augmentation considérable dans le volume du genou, que le médecin supposoit avoir lieu dans les os plutôt que dans les parties molles, et en même tems une diminution sensible dans le volume de la jambe. L’enfant ne pouvoit faire un pas sans douleur avec des béquilles; car il y avoit flexion de la jambe sur la cuisse, je ne sais pas à quel angle, mais impossibilité d’extension.
“Je l’ai traité par correspondance sans le voir; on lui a fait des frictions avec l’onguent d’iode, gros comme une noisette, matin et soir. Il a pris la teinture d’iode à la dose d’ 1/12 de grain au plus. Son estomac n’en a été nullement affecté, et huit mois après le père n’a pas pu résister au plaisir de me montrer son enfant. Il me l’a amené à Genève, et j’ai vu cet enfant, marchant et courant lestement, le genou droit de la même grosseur que le gauche, et aussi serviable que celui-là.”
THE END.
LONDON:—PRINTED BY J. MOYES, GREVILLE STREET.
[1] The total inefficacy of this medicine in the hands of British Practitioners, while its virtues are so palpable and evident at Geneva, that not only Physicians, but also the inhabitants in general, are convinced of their reality, had always surprised me. I was at a loss to account for testimony so contradictory. It seemed as if medicine were a science so uncertain and futile, that its plainest facts depend more on the authority of name than on the substantial evidence of observation and experiment. I lately obtained an explanation of this difficulty from a quarter in which I can place implicit reliance. It seems that the chemists are much in the habit of substituting charcoal for burnt sponge, of which an undeniable proof is the fact, that burnt sponge is sold at an inferior rate to the same article before it has undergone the process of combustion.—I may also be allowed to state in this place, that I have sent prescriptions for the hydriodate of potass to several chemists in London—that my prescriptions were said to have been made up; but that a few days afterwards, when I called at their shops, in order to examine the medicine, I discovered that they were not even aware of the existence of such a drug. If such frauds continue to be committed with impunity, the sick had better submit patiently to their pains, than have recourse to physicians, whose science is rendered unavailing for the profit of tradesmen.