296 PRACTICE OF PHYSIC. 



particular determination to the latter, except in as far as they act 

 as antispasmodics, in removing some spasmodic constriction of 

 the vessels of the uterus, in which view they may sometimes 

 be of considerable use. 



The fetid gums have always been recommended as emmen- 

 agogues ; and certainly the asafoetida should have the best 

 pretensions to this power : but whether it be owing to the 

 imperfect state in which we too frequently have this medi- 

 cine, or to somewhat in the nature of the amenorrhrea, I would 

 not positively determine ; but this is certain, that I have very 

 seldom succeeded in employing the asafoetida as an emmena- 

 gogue. Upon the authority of Dr. Mead, the Black Hellebore 

 has been often, and I have seen it often, employed as an emmen- 

 agogue : but whether from the imperfect state of the medicine, 

 from improper administration, or from other causes, I would 

 not determine; but I can assure my readers, that in many trials, 

 I have never found the emmenagogue virtues of this medicine; 

 nor have I met with any practitioners in this country, who had 

 better success in this respect ; and particularly neither in my 

 own practice, nor that of others, have I met with one in- 

 stance of the power of hellebore in producing haemorrhagy. 

 Saffron has been especially famous for its supposed emmen- 

 agogue powers, and in one or two instances I have had reason 

 to believe in its power of this kind : but in many other in- 

 stances, though repeatedly employed in large doses, it has en- 

 tirely disappointed my expectations. Savin is a very acrid and 

 heating substance; and I have been often, upon account of these 

 properties, prevented from employing it in the quantity perhaps 

 necessary to render it emmenagogue. I must own, however, 

 that it shews a more powerful determination to the uterus 

 than any other plant I have employed : but I have been fre- 

 quently disappointed in this ; and its heating qualities always 

 require a great deal of caution. It is only when amenorrhcea 

 can be considered as a part of a spasmodic affection that the 

 Oleum Succini shews any emmenagogue powers* In some cases 

 of retention and chlorosis, I have found the Aristolochia useful 

 as a warm and stimulating medicine : but in cases of suppres- 

 sion I never found it of any use. M . M. 



Mercury, as an universal stimulant, may act upon the uterus. 



