The American new dispensatory : Containing general principles of pharmaceutic chemistry; chemical analysis of the articles of materia medica; pharmaceutic operations; materia medica, including several new and valuable articles, the production of the United States; preparations and compositions. With an appendix, containing an account of mineral waters; medical prescriptions; the nature and medical uses of the gases; medical electricity; galvanism; an abridgment of Dr. Currie's reports on the use of water; the cultivation of the poppy plant, and the method of preparing opium ... The whole compiled from the most approved authors, both European and American.

  • Thacher, James, 1754-1844.
Date:
1817
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The American new dispensatory : Containing general principles of pharmaceutic chemistry; chemical analysis of the articles of materia medica; pharmaceutic operations; materia medica, including several new and valuable articles, the production of the United States; preparations and compositions. With an appendix, containing an account of mineral waters; medical prescriptions; the nature and medical uses of the gases; medical electricity; galvanism; an abridgment of Dr. Currie's reports on the use of water; the cultivation of the poppy plant, and the method of preparing opium ... The whole compiled from the most approved authors, both European and American. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    one it produced no effect. Future experience may im- prove our knowledge of the various properties of this pro- duction. In two instances, ergot is stated to have been administered with particular views, during the early stage of pregnancy. In one case, about four drachms were taken within a few days ; the consequence was regular pressing down pains, resembling the severest throes of parturition ; and these recurred with every repetition of the medicine, yet on examination, the os uteri was not much dilated. In neither case was the natural term of gestation interrupted by the operation of the medicine. The fact has long been known among our farmers, that rye itself possesses a qua- lity of inducing abortion in females of the animal tribe; and they carefully withhold that grain from such, during their periods of gestation. An accusation has recently been brought against ergot, as having an agency in pro- ducing the fatal epidemic called spotted fever. Attempts to vindicate or to invalidate the imputation, might be con- strued to imply a zeal without knowledge, since the subject is confessedly involved in deep obscurity, and we are favoured only with the feeble light derived from spe- culative knowledge, and doubtful assumption. Suffice it here to observe, as a pertinent fact, that ergot has been taken with impunity, or with temporary inconvenience only, to the amount of six or more ounces; and it is not presumable that this article is often so abundant that indi- viduals are liable to receive a greater quantity in any one season, by way of food. It is well known also, that spot- ted fever has been prevalent in situations where spurred grain has seldom, or perhaps in no instance been pro- duced. The position is nevertheless to be regarded, that morbid or damaged grain may predispose to, if not ac- tually prove the generating cause of diseases; and no one will hesitate to recommend to farmers and others, the greatest vigilance in separating ergot from the pure grain intended for use ; and it will be profitable for the farmer to collect the ergot and sell it to druggists. Sesamum Orientale. Oily Grain. Benne. The leaves and seeds. This, originally an African plant, has become well known by the name of benne in South Carolina and Geor- gia, or the Vangloe of the West Indies. It is an annual plant, rising with an herbaceous four cornered stalk,, two