668

ELEMENTS OF MATEKIA MEDICA.

p. 769) justly observes^ that, although we cannot point out the mannerin which a remedy “ operates, we are not, on that account, to with'hold our confidence in its power. It is enough for us, in medicalscience, to know that certain effects take place. In point of fact, we arein many cases unable to distinguish the modus operandi of medicines-"the manner in which their influence is produced.” The most plausibleexplanation of the agency of alterative medicines is that offered bVMuller ( Physiology , vol. i. pp. 59 & 363), and which I have before hadoccasion to notice (p. 10). It assumes that these remedies cause changesin the nutritive fluids (the chyle and blood), and thereby produce slightchemical alterations in organs morbidly changed in composition, bywhich already existing affinities are annulled, new ones induced, and thevital principle enabled to effect the further restoration and cure. Th lShypothesis may be used to explain the remedial influence of sarsa-parilla.

Sarsaparilla has been found especially serviceable in the followingmaladies:—

1. In inveterate venereal disease. —It is beneficial principally whe»the malady is of long continuance, and the constitution is enfeebled anemaciated, either by the repeated attacks of the disease, or by the use njmercury. . In such cases it is, as Sir William Fordyce {Med. Obs.

Inq. vol. i. p. 169) correctly observed, “ the great restorer of appetit®’flesh, colour, strength, and vigour.” When the disease resists, or is agg 1 ^vated by the. use of mercury, sarsaparilla evinces its most salutaCpowers. It is given to relieve venereal pains of a rheumatic character Jto remove venereal eruptions; to promote the healing of ulcers of tb°throat; and to assist in the cure when the bones are affected. In reccnchancre, or bubo, it is of little use; nor does it appear to possess m cleast power of preventing secondary symptoms. We cannot ascribe 0it “ the same anti-syphilitic properties—that is, the same power 0arresting or curing the venereal disease—that experience warrants us *)'attributing to mercury” (Lawrence, op. cit. p. 769; see also Mr. PearsonObservations on the Effects of various Articles of the Materia Medkf 1the Cure of Lues Venerea , p. 39, 1800). Sarsaparilla is sometimes g 1 ' 011alone, but more frequently with other remedies: as with stimulatingdiaphoretics (mezereon, sassafras, and guaiacum), or with mercurials 111small or alterative doses, or with acids (especially the nitric), oralkaline substances (as potash or lime), or with the bitter tonics. ^ 1difficult to lay down concise rules to guide us in the selection of the®adjuncts. In \ enereal pains and eruptions, sudorifics, the copious u®,of w arm diluents and warm clothing, are especially applicable, a ®.should be conjoined with sarsaparilla. In scrofulous constitutions, 111 <•enlarged glands, it will be for the most part advisable to avoid the use 0mercury. In such I have seen the alkalies most serviceable- ^ a-aextreme debility is present, the bitter tonics and nitric acid are ofi eladded to sarsaparilla with benefit.

2. In chronic rheumatism sarsaparilla is often advantageously ° 0l l

joined with powerful sudorifics and anodynes (as opium or hyoscyan 111 ® ’especially when any suspicion exists as to the venereal origin of 11disease. c

3. In obstinate skin diseases benefit is frequently obtained by the

of sarsaparilla. Its employment is not confined to cutaneous affect 101