N. 16
On the 16th an elderly male slave from the Windward Coast was suffering from dysentery. I purged the body twice with:
- Pulverized roasted rhubarb
- Nutmeg
- F. Pulvis
I also used two scruples of a pulverized emetic to make him throw up. Between that medicine and a syrupy drink (prescription 7) I gave him a glass of wine and also let him drink a decoction (prescription 8). But since he was of old age and lacked strength he died on the previously mentioned date.
Prescription 7: in case of dysentery
R/ Misce fac conditum [mix and make a viscous potion] in the morning and evening ʒ I
- Conserva rosarum rubrarum [rose hip conserve; against scurvy]: ℥ I
- Diascordium Fracastorii [diascord, is a kind of electuary, or opiate, first described by Fracastorius, and denominated from the dried leaves of scordium, which is an ingredient therein]: ℥ß
- Balzamum copaivae [copaiba is a certain Surinam type of wood; used in case of syphilis]: ʒ VI
- Sanguis draconis [dragon’s blood; a bright red resin that is obtained from different species of a number of distinct plant genera: Croton, Dracaena, Daemonorops, Calamus rotang and Pterocarpus; styptic]
- Pulvis cornu cervi usti [powder of burnt cornu-cervi]: ana ʒ III
- Laudanum opiatum [opium drops, analgetic]: gr: VIII
- Oleum menthae [mint oil]: dropguttae X
- ℈ scruple = 20 grain, so approximately 1,3 g
- ʒ drachma = 3 scruple, so approximately 4 g
- ℥ uncia = ounce = 8 drachmae, so approximately 31 g
- ß = ½ of the given amount
- āā en ān: and ānn = ana (Gr.) take an equal amount of all
Prescription 8: to drink in cases of heavy thirst, hot fevers and of all burning diseases
R/ Fiat decoctum [liquid]
- Herba altheae [agrimony]
- [Herba] menthae [peppermint]
- Cornu cervi rasparati [grated cornu-cervi]: manupulum unam
- Radix liquiritiae [liquorice]: ℥ I
- Aqua communis [normal water]: quantum sufficit
- Spiritus nitri dulcis [spiritus aetheris nitrox, ethyl nitrite]: guttae XXXX
- ℥ uncia = ounce = 8 drachmae, so approximately 31 g
- āā en ān: and ānn = ana (Gr.) take an equal amount of all
- man: = manupulus = a handful
