_Take oil_ (C) _two ounces; camphor, one scruple; mercurial
ointment, one drachm; mix it._
The patient should take a vomit of _ipecacuanha_ (S) _one scruple_; and
a few drops of the essential _oil_ of _peppermint_ (U), on a lump of
sugar, and dissolved in water, which should be repeated after the
operation of the vomit as often as occasion requires. The fat of a
rattle snake, is accounted a sovereign specific, if applied immediately
to the wounded part, and the patient drinking a decoction made of
_snakeroot_.
The same remedy here recommended to the bite of a rattle snake, (namely,
sucking the fresh made wound) is also recommended to all other venomous
bites. The _viper_, the _adder_, the _santapea_ or _scolopandra_, the
_scorpion_, _tarantula_, &c.
That oil is an antidote, (or as we may say a poison) to all these
venomous animals is evident from their expiring in great agony, when oil
is poured on them; but whether this effect is because of the penetration
it has on their bodies, or annihilating their poison, is as yet
undetermined.
I was once told a secret for the sting of a scorpion, avered to have
been experienced, by a commander of a ship, trading to the bay of
Honduras, viz. that the part stung by a scorpion should be touched with
the glans of the penis, which would immediately draw out the poison,
without effecting the glans that touched it; and it differs not, whether
the patient himself or any other person does it.——If there is any virtue
in this, I own it is beyond my comprehension.——I thought proper however
to mention it, though I cannot advise it as a safe experiment, unless
farther confirmed by those who have actually experienced it.
I have however a great opinion of mercurials in such exigencies; and
would advise recourse to be had to it immediately, both external as well
as internal; this we are at least assured of, it cannot be attended with
danger.
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