MATERIA MEDICA. 



In the use of emetics we ought to pay 

 attention to the circumstances of infancy, 

 old age, pregnancy, delicacy of habit, and 

 plethora. The circumstances chiefly to 

 be regarded with respect to the regimen 

 necessary for this class, are, the state of 

 the stomach when the emetic is exhibit- 

 ed; the means of facilitating the opera- 

 tion ; the time of exhibiting the medi- 

 cine ; the temperature in which the pa- 

 tient is kept, after its operation is finish- 

 ed. The different individuals belonging 

 to the class of emetics are chiefly contra- 

 indicated by the presence of the follow- 

 ing morbid states : a rupture or relaxa- 

 tion of containing membranes ; topical in- 

 flammation of the internal viscera ; a high 

 degree of morbid debility in these ; fixed 

 obstructions to the circulation. 



2. Of Expectorants. 



The direct effects of the medicines 

 which are employed under this name are 

 as follow : they stimulate the lungs them- 

 selves; they augment the secretion tak- 

 ing place by the mucous glands of the 

 lungs; they increase the excretion of 

 mucus from the lungs. The changes in- 

 duced in the system, from the primary 

 effects of expectorants, are, an alteration 

 in the state of the mucus excreted to a 

 more thin and fluid consistence ; an in- 

 crease of the sensibility of the lungs ; free 

 circulation through the blood-vessels of 

 the secreting glands ; and the evacuation 

 of those cavities in the lungs in which 

 mucus is deposited. 



Expectorants may be divided into the 

 nauseating, as squills, gum-ammoniac, 

 and garlic ; the antispasmodic, as blis- 

 ters, feet, and vapour-baths ; and irrita- 

 tive, as acid vapours, and the common 

 smoking of tobacco. The indications 

 these medicines are capable of fulfilling 

 may be traced as follows : 1. From their 

 affecting the secretion of mucus; whence 

 they may be used, to promote the secre- 

 tion of mucus by the lung;;, when mor- 

 bidly diminished there ; to render the 

 mucus of the lunge thinner, when mor- 

 bidly thick and viscid. 2. From their af- 

 fecting the excretion of mucus ; whence 

 they may be employed, to evacuate mor- 

 bid accumulations of mucus in the lungs ; 

 to supply irritation to the lungs when 

 morbidly deficient. 3. From their af- 

 fecting the state of the lungs themselves; 

 whence they may be employed as local 

 stimulants. The caution* to'be observed 

 in the employment of expectorants, as 



VOL. IV. 



derived from their nature, chiefly respect 

 their operations as exciting nausea; their 

 power of stimulating the system in gene- 

 ral from acting on the stomach; and their 

 influence as irritating the lungs them- 

 selves. The conditions of the system 

 which chiefly require attention in their 

 employment are, the degree of irritabili- 

 ty with which the lungs are endowed; and 

 the youth of the patient. The circum- 

 stances chiefly to be attended to in the 

 regimen necessary for this class, are, the 

 state of the stomach; the employment of 

 diet fitted to conspire with the effect of 

 the medicine; the free use of exercise; 

 and the state of the atmosphere in which 

 the patient breathes. 



The different individuals belonging to 

 the class of expectorants, are chiefly con- 

 tra-indicated by the presence of the fol- 

 lowing morbid states; a high degree 

 of increased sensibility in the lungs; 

 and an uncommonly quick excretion of 

 mucus from the lungs. 



3. Of Diaphoretics. 



These are medicines, which, taken in- 

 ternally, increase the discharge by the "' 

 skin, without exciting this effect in con- 

 sequence of violent agitation or acute 

 pain. The following are their direct 

 results : they accelerate the motion of 

 the blood ; produce free circulation 

 through the vessels on the surface ; and 

 excite a discharge of sweat. The changes 

 induced in the system, from the more 

 immediate effects of diaphoretics, are, a 

 change in the balance of the circulation ; 

 a diminution of the quantity of circulating 

 fluids ; and a diminution more particular- 

 ly of the serosity. 



Diaphoretics may be regarded as pun- 

 gent, of which we have instances in spirit 

 of hartshorn, oil of lavender, or amber; 

 stimulant, as various preparations of anti- 

 mony and quicksilver, guiacum, contra- 

 yerva, and snake-root; antispasmodic, as 

 musk, opium, and camphor; and diluent, 

 as water and whey. Their use and indi- 

 cation may be collected, 1. From their 

 changing the mode of circulation; whence 

 they may be employed, to obviate morbid 

 determination taking place to the inter- 

 nal viscera ; to remove various causes ob- 

 structing or impeding the natural state of 

 circulation on the surface ; to restore the 

 natural discharge from the body, which 

 should take place by the surface, in those 

 cases where it is morbidly diminished. 2. 

 From their producing evacuation; whence 



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