Domestic medicine : $b or, a treatise on the prevention and cure of diseases by regimen and simple medicines. With an appendix, containing a dispensatory for the use of private practitionersBuchan, William
Science
Domestic medicine : $b or, a treatise on the prevention and cure of diseases by regimen and simple medicines. With an appendix, containing a dispensatory for the use of private practitioners
Buchan, William
Medicine, Popular -- Early works to 1800
If the milk should happen to purge, it may be mixed with old conserve of
roses. When that cannot be obtained, the powder of crabs claws may be
used in its stead. Asses milk is usually ordered to be drank warm in
bed; but as it generally throws the patient in a sweat when taken in
this way, it would perhaps be better to give it after he rises.
Some extraordinary cures in consumptive cases have been performed by
women’s milk. Could this be obtained in sufficient quantity, we would
recommend it in preference to any other. It is better if the patient can
suck it from the breast, than to drink it afterwards. I knew a man who
was reduced to such a degree of weakness in a consumption, as not to be
able to turn himself in bed. His wife was at that time giving suck, and
the child happening to die, he sucked her breasts, not with a view to
reap any advantage from the milk, but to make her easy. Finding himself
however greatly benefited by it, he continued to suck her till he became
perfectly well, and is at present a strong and healthy man.
Some prefer butter-milk to any other, and it is indeed a very valuable
medicine, if the stomach be able to bear it. It does not agree with
every person at first; and is therefore often laid aside without a
sufficient trial. It should at first be taken sparingly, and the
quantity gradually increased, until it comes to be almost the sole food.
I never knew it succeed unless where the patient almost lived upon it.
Cows milk is most readily obtained of any, and though it be not so
easily digested as that of asses or mares, it may be rendered lighter by
adding to it an equal quantity of barley-water, or allowing it to stand
for some hours, and afterwards taking off the cream. If it should
notwithstanding prove heavy on the stomach, a small quantity of brandy
or rum, with a little sugar, may be added, which will render it both
more light and nourishing.
It is not to be wondered, that milk should for some time disagree with a
stomach that has not been accustomed to digest any thing but flesh and
strong liquors, which is the case with many of those who fall into
consumptions. We do not however advise those have been accustomed to
animal food and strong liquors, to leave them off all at once. This
might be dangerous. It will be necessary for such to eat a little once
a-day of the flesh of some young animal, or rather to use the broth made
of chickens, veal, lamb, or such like. They ought likewise to drink a
little wine made into negus, or diluted with twice or thrice its
quantity of water, and to make it gradually weaker till they can leave
it off altogether.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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