The American domestick medicine; or, Medical admonisher ...

Front matter

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Introduction

THE author, in presenting this volume to the publick, begs leave to call the attention of its readers, to the circumstance of the very limited number of Original Works in the United States. The subject here treated of, is certainly highly important, and strongly claims the attention of every intelligent person.

The foregoing highly respectable recommendations were bestowed on the first edition; and as the work has undergone a careful revision, and appears now with some additions, and improvements, it is hoped it will not be deemed either arrogant or false to say, that this work is an improvement upon all that have preceded it.

Among the additions may be mentioned an alphabetical index, which will greatly assist the reader in finding what may be wanted suddenly. But, it is confidently believed, most persons will find some amusement and instruction in perusing these sheets, either by finding something new, or refreshing the memory in what may be already known. To an enlightened and liberal publick the author now appeals, with a confidence reafcoflably arising from ample opportunity of understanding the subject.

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATE.

THE design is from a picture in the possession of my brother, Dr. Jameson, of York, Pennsylvania. It represents the celebrated Galen, viewing a human skeleton, of whom it is saiuHhat, "Though an Atheist, he was a strict observer of nature, till by chance finding a skeleton, he thought it of too curious a construction to be the work of chance." The vast and sudden expansion of his views of the Deity, in the following lines, while they agreeably surprise us, are a strong confirmation of the existence of a "light," in the human capacities, "which lighteth every man."

"Forbear, vain man, to launch with reason's eye,

Through the vast depth of dark immensity;

Nor think thy narrow, but, presumptuous mind,

The least idea of thy (rod can find.

Thought, crowding thought, distracts the laboring brain;

For how can finite infinite explain?

Then God adore, and conscious rest in this,

None, but Himself, can paint him as He is."

Table Of Contents

1st PART— of ANATOMY.

Page.

Sect. 1. of the Skin - - - - 17

Contents

XV

466 469 475

Sect. 2. of Vomiting - . , . . P ^q

Section I

THE Anatomy of the human body has been aptly compared, by the illustrious Bell, to a circle; so that, in our efforts at demonstration, it matters but little from what point we set out; tracing on the various parts of which it is composed, all equally dependant on a certain assemblage of parts and functions, we arrive at the point from which we embarked.

I have deemed it most natural, and equally convenient with any other course, to commence with the skin, it being that part in which all the others are enveloped, and which in some measure characterizes the man. The art of modern anatomists has discovered the skin to consist of four lamance, or folds; the cuticle, or scarfskin; mucous body, or reticular tissue; cutis vera, or true skin; and from this last there is separated a vascular membrane, which is the organized surface of the true skin.

The first, or scarfskin, is the outside, and is but a thin pellicle, except on particular parts exposed to friction. Persons who go barefooted, and those who labour much with the hands, have this part of the skin of great thickness on the soles of the feet, and palms of the hands. Nature has wisely provided, even for the infant, a greater body of this substance on those parts; 3 thereby evidently fitting liim for the various laborious duties which fall to the lot of the mass of mankind. Over the body, in general, it serves the purpose of defending the true skin, and is that part which we remove by the application of blisters. However insensible in general, there is a point at which it will resist injuries; by wearing tight shoes, &c. excrescences, as corns, are formed, which become exquisitely sensible, and teach us, together with its regular organization, that it is a living part, and of vast importance to the human creature. The cause of this disease, appears to me, to be a union of the scarf with the true skin, brought about by a long continued pressure, by which the mucous body is removed or destroyed. Affections of the clavus, or corn kind, occur sometimes along the sides of the finger nails, for which it is only necessary carefully to pare down the hardened skin, leaving the nails untouched with the knife, otherwise, you produce deformity, and increase the disease. In youth, the scarfskin is thin and smooth, in old age it becomes thicker, rough, and disposed to furrow.

The second layer, or mucous body, is endowed with organization, being reticular or net-like, and is transparent, black, brown, yellow, &c. and gives to the body the colour of the European, Negro, Sambo, Mulatto, Mustee, &c. This substance is subject to disease, and to changes which may comport with the health of the person affected, but changing very materially the colour, hence the cause of white negroes. It is highly probable this part of the skin at times acquires considerable acrimony, which may arise either from disease in itself, or be the consequence of vicious secretions of the glands, or vessels of the skin. This organized membraneous mucous appears to be much affected in leprosy, plica polonica, and tinea capitis, or scaldhead.

Naturalists, and others, have been much engaged in dispute about the cause of this interesting colouring matter. Many ascribe it to the effects of climate, and other causes arising from filthy habits. It appears to be an unnecessary inquiry, as we find many virtues, and bright intellectual powers enclosed within the black, or eo-

OF THB HUMAN BODt. 19

loured skin; and those who really believe in Revelation must admit, that we are all from one common pareat, and it matters little whether we suppose it the effect of climate, or whether we attribute it to some special act of the Deity.

The third, Cutis Vera, or true skin, has considerable body and strength, and is endowed with a large share of sensibility, being furnished with a tissue of nerves innumerable: we cannot touch it with the finest point of a needle without causing pain. It in some measure serves to brace and give strength to the muscles. The fourth or inner layer, being a mere tissue of vessels connected with the more dense part of the skin, is merely mentioned as a matter of fact, without pretending to point out its particular use, or even its organization.

The skin then, taken with all its component parts, holds a high place among the important organs of the human system. The healthy skin covering a healthy body, presents to our view, in the pretty cheek, shades of red and white, more beautiful than the rose; the evanescent shades of which no pencil can trace — To the lip a ruby tinct, more beautiful than the coral — To the plump and well turned limbs and heaving bosom, a tension and smoothness, the master-piece of beauty — To the fingers of both sexes, perceptions and skill which afford pleasures, exquisite, rational, ornamental, and useful. Pre= cious Robe, what brilliant intellect and virtue has been enveloped within thy folds? What mighty deeds have the human muscles performed, assisted by this wonderful covering. The skin being carried over every part as a defence, and being furnished with vessels, glands, &c.r suitable for carrying on the important processes of sensible and insensible perspiration, must be acknowledged to hold a high place in the living assemblage. For on no function of the system are we more dependant for health, than that of insensible perspiration, a constant discharge through the skin, consisting of worn out parts divested of all living principle, and therefore highly noxious. Sensible perspiration or sweating, comes in as the kind guardian of the labourer's health, when exposed to the scorching sunj for by its rapid and constant g,0 OF THE ANATOMY

evaporation, the body is cooled several degrees, and is kept pliant and healthy.

Experienced physicians have long been aware of a strong connexion or sympathy, between the skin and the system generally. It is the most remarkably associated with the stomach and lungs; hence the absolute necessity of cleanliness. It is true many persons of robust constitutions, are raised in dirt, and wallow in it during a long life of activity. But this only argues, that nature can accommodate herself to powerful evils; to the valetudinarian, the idler, and to persons generally, who live in an unwholesome atmosphere, nothing can be more hurtful than filthiness, nothing is a more common passport to disease and to death.

Section II

I deem it equally natural and convenient, after having treated of the general envelope, to enter on the bones, and divide the skeleton into its three prominent parts; these are the Head, the Trunk, and the Extremities or Limbs. And first of the head: This is the Emporium of the living system; here, secure in a strong box of bone, lies the brain.

The bones may be divided into those of the head or skull-cap, and those of the face. Those of the skull-cap are eight in number. 1st. Frontal, forming the forehead. Snd. Two Parietal bones, or great side walls of the head. 3d. The Occiput, forming all the back part of the head, and a considerable part of it attached to the neck. 4th. Temporal bones, forming the temple on either side. 5th. Ethmoidal bone. 6th. Sphenoidal bone; these two last are difficult to describe. The Ethmoidal bone is a small square bone, and divides the hollow of the nose from the cavity of the skull. It is perforated by the Olfactory nerves in so many places as to give it the appearance of a sieve, and hence its name.

All these bones are joined together with Sutures, so called from the bones being indented or dove-tailed into each other. The Coronal Suture extends across the head almost from ear to ear, and joins the Parietal bones to

OF THE HUMAN BOD\. 21

the Frontal. The Lambdoidal Suture runs from behind one ear over the head to the other, and in its course somewhat resembles the letter V. The Sagittal Suture runs from the Lambdoidal Suture to the Coronal, joining the Parietal bones to each other. The Temporal Sutures join the temporal bones to the Frontal, Parietal, and Occipital bones.

There are several other sutures which pass through the base of the skull and face, which it is unnecessary to describe here. The bones of the head being thus divided into several pieces, may probably secure the head better from injuries, than one entire or solid box of bone. But it is in the birth of the child we see the admirable wisdom of this contrivance. By long continued pressure these bones overlap, and thus lengthen and diminish the volume of the head, so as to suffer it to pass through, where otherwise the solid head must be the destruction of both mother and child. Where the Frontal bone meets the Parietal, there is in the infant a considerable opening called the FontaneUe, which remains open from one to three years. In rickety or scrofulous children, it remains long open, and in those affected with the watery head, it sometimes dilates to a considerable extent.

The skull-cap is perforated with a number of holes, which serve as outlets to the spinal marrow into the neck, and for the nerves, and vessels connecting the head with the body.

The bones of the face are pretty numerous, but being all united to form the upper jaw and nose, no benefit can arise from an enumeration of them. The upper jaw is slightly moveable.

The under jaw is too familiar as respects its form and use, to require any particular description. Each jaw has sixteen teeth, the four first in each jaw are called incisor es; the two next canine; the rest molar es; the four last of which are named dentes sapientice, because they do not arrive till years of discretion. The first six teeth in either jaw, have, in general, but one root; the molar es have from two to four roots, and are most spread in the upper jaw, which seems necessary to fix them securely in the spongy bone, of which the jaw bone is in good part composed,

S$ OF THE ANATOMY

The bones of the trunk are those of the Spine, Pelvis* Hibs, and Stern tan; the collar bones and shoulder blades belong to the arm. The spine has generally seven bones of the neck, twelve of the back, five of the loins; Sacrurn and Coxcygis, are a continuation of the spine, but belong particularly to the Pelvis.

The two first bones of the neck are called Atlas and JDentata, and are remarkable for giving the principal rotatory motion to the head. Those of the back are remarkable for their strength, and connexion with the heads of the ribs. Those of the loins display the wisdom of the contriver, being possessed of a strength and facility of motion truly astonishing, in every position of the body. The spine, throughout its whole length, with the exception of the Coxcygis, has a considerable channel, where the spinal marrow, or elongation of the brain, is securely lodged; between the vertebrae, or bones of the back, there is a substance in some measure of the nature of both cartilage and ligament. This substance is so highly elastick as to yield to all the complicated motions of the spine, accommodating itself, in a surprising manner, to the stooping, twisting, and rapid motions of the body. It is a well established fact, that it yields during the day to the pressure upon it, and recovers during the night, so that we are about an inch taller in the morning than at night. By long continued inclination forwards, backwards, or sideways, this substance accommodates itself to the bend, yielding on one side, and enlarging on the other, and if long continued produces deformity.

Some tolerable idea of the human spine may be formed by viewing that of quadruped animals. The ribs are usually twelve on either side; seven are called true ribs, because they reach the Sternum, or breast-bone; the remaining five are called false ribs; these are not connected with the Sternum, but are below it, and are fastened together by cartilages. The ribs are all, except the two or three lowermost, connected to the bones of the spine at two points; and they afford a pretty secure lodgment to the viscera, and assist largely in the process of respiration.

ijl> THE HUMAN BODY. $£

It has been a prevalent opinion that man has an odd rib. This supposition is founded on the belief of our partaking of Adam's altered form, in giving a rib for his mate; but this case is easily reconciled, by supposing man was originally formed with an odd one for that very purpose; we are not to suppose the work of creation, partaking of what we call chance, but that the Creator in his wisdom had, from all eternity, provided for every possible thing the suitable means.

The Sternum, or breast-bone, completes the bony fabrick of the Thorax or chest, and lies pretty much over the heart. In infancy it is composed of eight pieces, in more advanced life it has but three, and in old age it becomes one entire piece; even the cartilage with which it is connected, becomes bone in many cases; this cartilage, which runs down, shaped somewhat like a sword, derives its name from that circumstance, and is called ensiform cartilage. To the upper end of the Sternum is attached the Clavicula, or collar bone. Having now spoken of the Vertebrae, the Ribs, and Sternum, which form the Chest, we are regularly brought to the Sacrum and Coxcyx, they being the termination of the Spine^ and forming a considerable part of the Pelvis. The Sacrum forms the back part of the Pelvis, and is a flat wedge-like bone; to its lower end is attached the Coxeyx, a small bone composed of several pieces, turning inwards so as to give some support to the parts within the Pelvis. In time of labour this bone forms the only moveable part of the Pelvis, for by straightening it enlarges the lower aperture in a small measure.

In examining the Pelvis, we are first led to contem plate it as a great living arch placed between the trunk and lower extremities; it beiug an irregular circle formed of large solid bones. It has too deep cavities, one on either side, they are called Acetabula; these afford a deep and firm socket for the head of the thigh bone. In the child it consists of many pieces; in the adult they are united. The entire Pelvis has free motions on the thigh bones, and also where it is connected to the loins; but its parts are firmly bound together. So strongly are the bones of this living arch bound together, that they can

'M< OF THE ANATOMY

not yield, even in time of labour, without extreme vio= lence being done.

The Ilium, a large flat bone, forming the haunch; the Ischium, or hip-bone, the lowest part, and that on which we sit; the Pubis, to which the genitals are attached, all unite in forming the Acetabulum, on either side and with the Sacrum and Coxcygis form the whole Pelvis. The last described bones being connected with the thigh bones, it will be most in order to enter on the bones of the lower limbs next.

The thigh bone called Femur, is strongly bound by a large round knob or head to the Pelvis; its body is composed of very solid bone, it has a neck about an inch and a half long, which connects the body of the bone with its head, and going off almost at right angles, leaves a prodigious stress on this part, when we carry heavy bodies. Its lower end is large and spongy, formed of two knobs or processes, called Condyles; these form the upper part ef the knee joint, and by their large size give room for the insertion of many powerful muscles.

The leg has two bones called Tibia and Fibula; one of which, the Tibia, is connected with the thigh bone in forming the knee joint; it also forms the shin. Immediately over the knee joint is the Patella, or knee-pan, a small flat bone somewhat triangular, and plays over the knee joint as a pulley.

The Fibula is attached to the Tibia a little below the knee joint, and on the outside. The Tibia and Fibula unite in forming the ankle joint, the former being the inner, and the latter the outside ankle.

The foot is formed of seven bones, two of which it may be necessary to name. The Astragalus is connected with the leg bones in forming the ankle joint. The Os Calcis forms the heel, and gives a firm hold to the greatest tendon of the body, called Tendino Jlchillis. The remaining bones of the foot, which, with the last described, composes the Tarsus, and the five metatarsal bones, with those of the toes, it would be useless to describe; it may be observed, that the great toe has but two bones, and all the others have three each.

We are now to return to the upper limbs, and there complete our description of the skeleton. The Clavicle, on either side, is connected to the Sternum in a manner somewhat peculiar; it has no Capsular Ligament, as the other joints, and has a small moveable cartilage interposed between it and the Sternum, which, like a washer in machinery, facilitates motion, and lessens the friction. This bone is solid and pretty round, moving freely on the Sternum, at its inner end; it is connected with the Scapula, or shoulder-blade, by strong ligaments, which leave it very little motion.

The Scapula, or shoulder-blade, is a very complex bone, and divided by the anatomist into many parts; it is a thin flat bone of considerable size, attached to the ribs, &c. by powerful muscles, >vhich allow it free motion. At its upper edge there is a considerable projection or process, called the Acromion, which is highly important, as it prevents the head of the Humerus, or shoulder-bone, from slipping upwards. Just below this is the Glenoid cavity, a very slight cavity or depression, into which the head of the shoulder-bone is received, or perhaps more correctly speaking, to which it is attached; for there is but a very shallow socket, which leaves this joint more subject to dislocation than any joint in the body.

The Humerus, or upper arm-bone, is a pretty round smooth bone, with a large round head, where it is connected with the shoulder-blade. At its lower end it has two prominences, called Condyles, which form the upper part of the elbow joint; these, or either of them, may be fractured and mistaken for dislocation of the joint, and therefore, it requires much caution in managing injuries of this joint.

The forearm is composed of two bones, the Radius and Ulna. The Radius is connected to the outer Condyle of the Humerus, by a round head, which gives to the arm its principal rotatory motion; it forms the principal connexion with the Carpus, or bones of the wrist.

The Ulna forms a large share of the elbow joint, being connected with the inner Condyle of the Humerus; and with a hook-like elongation, passes some distance round 4 the arm-bone, forming a hinge-like joint; this process is called the Olecranon, and is subject to be fractured.

The wrist is composed of eight bones, called Carpal bones, while the bones of the hand are called Metacapal, and are five in number. It is notorious that the finger* have each three bones, the thumb has but two.

Having now completed our description of the bones, so far as it can easily be understood without plates, or actual dissection, I shall pass on to the Cartilages and Ligaments.

SECTION III. Of the Cartilages

Cartilage, or gristle, composes the head or knob of jointed bones, being smooth and in a great degree insensible; it is well suited to the purposes of giving free and easy motion to the joints, without friction or irritation. The whole skeleton is Cartilaginous in the Foetus, or forming child; and it is by slow degrees only, that the Cartilage is removed by the proper vessels, at the same time the bones are forming, by new depositions of bony matter: The external ear, and a considerable part of the nose, remain Cartilaginous during life. The inner end of each true rib, is connected to the Sternum by a Cartilage of considerable length, which leaves a portion of the breast without any better defence than this soft Cartilaginous substance; it, however, gives great freedom of motion to the ribs; the false ribs are connected to each other by Cartilage at their inner ends; the Sternum is terminated downwards with Cartilage; the eye lids are edged with Cartilage. In short, every union or connexion between bones throughout the body is formed of Cartilage. It is remarkable of the Cartilage, that while it lays down the form of the skeleton, in the Foetus, or forming child, it has no agency in forming the Callus, which unites fractured bones. When the ossifying process, or forming of bone, is impeded by accidents, in a fractured bone, instead of a proper bony matter, Cartilage is formed, and leaves a kind of artificial joint.

Cartilage, in the finished skeleton, has no perceivable blood vessels. The Trachea, or windpipe, is formed of Cartilaginous rings.

Up to the twentieth year, the Cartilage, forming the two ends of most of the bones, will separate from the body of the bone by maceration in water, and is a curious coincidence of agreement, between the perfection of the body, and that which, I believe, all nations have agreed on as the period at which man becomes independent, or in common language, obtains his age; this being the twenty -first year, and the first year of the skeleton's completion.

SECTION IV. Of the Ligaments

The whole skeleton is covered with a membrane^ which is called Periosteum, except on the head where it has got the name of Pericranium; it is a strong covering of skin-like substance, and runs from one bone to another, throughout the whole body, and by being attached to the circumference of the joints, forms a sack, called a Capsule which serves the purpose of strongly fastening the bones together, and of confining the Synovia, or liquor of the joints; here, it takes the name of Ligament. Besides these Capsular Ligaments, formed so immediately from the Periosteum, there is many other strong ones running in strap-like pieces, in various directions, so as to give to the joints great strength; they are composed of a matter extremely strong, inelastick, and possessing little sensibility.

section v. Of the Muscles

We come now to treat of a very important part of the animal system, the Muscles or fleshy part of the body; in its general appearance it must be familiar to every person, from its resemblance to that of our domestick ani* mals. Each little bundle or portion of flesh is called & muscle, and every muscle has its origin and insertion; they arise from, and are inserted into the bones through the medium of the Periosteum. Many of the most powerful muscles terminate in Tendons, or sinews, which like ropes, or cords, increase the length, and strength of the muscle. It was supposed till very lately, that these connecting sinews, or Tendons, were mere condensations of the muscular fibres; but it is now well understood that they are distinct in their nature, and possessed of no power but what is imposed on them by the muscles. Every muscle is made up of a vast bundle of fibres, or thread-like parts; the distribution of these fibres alters the moving power of the muscle, some being designed for strength, while others are particularly suited for quickness of motion, and act with a velocity altogether inconceivable. Those having straight long fibres, act more slowly, but possess greater strength than those which have their fibres running obliquely; the first are called rectilineal, and the latter penniform muscles »

Perhaps nothing in creation is more surprising than the muscular power; for a muscle which in the living man could raise an immense weight, immediately after death would be torn by the force of a few pounds. Authors still dispute whether there is any inherent power residing absolutely in the muscle, or whether they derive all their power from the nerves. It is of little consequence where the power resides; it is equally inscrutable as a resident of the nerves, as of the muscles; to know that it exists may exalt our views to Him who formed us, but all disputes referring living principles to mechanical agency, serve but to degrade the disputants. The red colour of the muscle in man, and many other animals, is not a necessary property; we see many animals having great activity and strength, whose muscles are nearly white.

The celebrated John Bell, supposes the muscular power to be ever the same, and that fatigue is the consequence of want of the nervous energy, which, rouses the dormant power of the muscles into action. Throughout the muscular system each one, (or every bundle of tfF THE HUMAN BODY. &9

fibres,) has a sheath or covering, which in many places has great strength: to the great muscles of the thigh, in particular, it gives much support; this is called the cellular Membrane, but gets the name of Fascia. where it acts as a brace; where it passes over bone, or where Tendons rub together, it becomes thicker, and takes on the office of lubricating and smoothing those parts.

But while we admire the wondrous power of the muscles, let us not forget what a high place they hold, in giving suitable form and beauty to the human creature. Examine the well turned leg and arm, the lips and face, or the fingers, with power surpassing wonder; study the numberless motions of the body, the neatness and the convenience with which such a variety of muscles act without hindrance or incommoding each other, and who can but truly and emphatically say, this is the work of omniscience.

SECTION VI. Of the Muscles within the body

Tracing on the muscles, we come to those situated within the body; here we discover other wonderful powers, by which involuntary motions are effected, designed for the accomplishment of the circulation of the blood, &c. Among these, the Heart holds the first place. This muscular organ plays incessantly from the time of the formation of the Punctum Saliens, (the first moving power in the germ,) to the cessation of life. The general appearance of the heart must be well known; it lies somewhat obliquely in the chest, and is principally on the left side.

The Diaphram, or inidrif, is that fleshy partition which we see in animals, dividing the chest from the Abdomen, or belly. It is the principal agent in the business of respiration. Although the ribs in general concur by means of the muscles of the chest in respiration, many cases have been found where the ribs had become one entire frame of bone, without the power of motion, and yet, respiration went on without any serious impediment. This muscle seems to partake, in a high degree, of the influence which the passions have over us: it has led a celebrated naturalist to believe this was the centre of the nervous power, but unfortunately for his notion, he mistook a tendon for a large nerve The urinary bladder is a hollow muscle, whose office is well known. The stomach, the intestines, the arteries, and veins are all furnished with muscular coats, or in other words, they are made principally of muscular matter.