OAK. 187 



Arnoldus de Villa Nova, and the later assertions of Schrceder, 

 that there is not a better remedy for glandular and visceral ob- 

 structions, and of Marx and Kaiser of their efficacy in the 

 rickets of scrofulous children, epilepsy, tabes, &c. ; perhaps un- 

 deservedly, for Karch asserts, that a decoction of roasted acorns 

 taken as a beverage, and used also as a clyster, is of great service 

 in dysentery *. The indiscriminate use of a remedy must neces- 

 sarily produce mischief, and accordingly we find it condemned 

 altogether, in a Dissertation written by Mueller ; but the judi- 

 cious Murray f observes, that no ill consequences are to be feared, 

 if its use be preceded by proper evacuants, extracts of triticum, 

 taraxacum, &c, and antimonials. Indeed the acorn deserves to 

 be subjected to fresh clinical experiments. 



Galls are applicable to the same indications as oak bark, 

 and by possessing a greater degree of astringent power, are 

 better suited for external purposes. They have been found 

 more or less successful combined with aromatics in the treat- 

 ment of intermittents ; in dysentery, diarrhoea, passive internal 

 hasmorrhages ; and in various other disorders in which powerful 

 astringents are admissible. Reduced to a very fine powder 

 and made into an ointment, with a small quantity of powdered 

 opium, they form an excellent application to haemorrhoidal af- 

 fections. 



DECOCTION OF OAK 



Take of Oak bark, bruised ten drachms ; 



Distilled water two pints ; 



Boil down to a pint, and strain. Chiefly used externally. 



COMPOUND DECOCTION OF OAK. 



Take of Oak bark one ounce ; 



Quassia wood one ounce ; 



Cascarilla bark half an ounce ; 



Water two pints. 



Boil down to one pint, and strain. Dose, from one to three ounces. 



* Karch, Anmerk. tiber die Heilkraft der Eicheln, &c. 1780. 



•j- Ap. Med. /. c. 



\ Decoctum quercuV Pharm. Lond. 



o 2 



