A Plaster to Treat Liver Pain

[ A Plaster to Treat Liver Pain ] Dr. William James Almon

Contributors
Contributor Role
Compiler
Contributor Name
Dr. William James Almon
Contributor Role
Author
Contributor Name
John Sabatier

Date: Late 18th century; exact date unknown. | 1790/01/01 to 1800/01/01

Publication Format
Manuscript

Type
Medicine

Symptoms
pain
tumefaction
costiveness
uneasiness
inspipated bile

Ingredients
mercurial ointment
hog's lard
opium powder
opium
leather
sticking salve
calomel

Places
Bath
England
Halifax
Nova Scotia

Source: Manuscript Notebook of Dr. William James Almon
Institution: Nova Scotia Archives | Source Origin: Almon Family Fonds | Reference: MG 1 / Microfilm Reel 10,045

Description

A recipe from Mr. John Sabatier of Bath for a salve used in a plaster applied to treat liver pain arising from blocked bile ducts, p. 265.


Images
Transcription


  1March 17th 1800.Extract of a letter from Mr. John Sabatier dated Bath_
My complaint was a constant pain more or less
Violent on the region of the Liver attended
sometimes with tumefaction, and costiveness; it
arose from inspipated bile that would not pass
through the ducts. Calomel afforded but temporary
relief. Mere Ointment rubb’d in none._ Since July
last the following plaster which I renew every
week or ten days and keep constantly on the part
has entirely removed all pain and uneasiness what-
ever and acts as a gentle and constant Cathartic 
rendering all in internal Medicines unnecessary--
Instead of taking half a Pill or one every night
I dont take one in three Months
                      Recipe

2/3rds Mercurial Ointment the Usual sort
triturated with hogs lard mixd with
1/3d best Opium in powder laid thick on the 
centre of a thick Leather the size of a crown
piece _ the Margin of which must be spread 
with sticking salve of the same size to make it
adhere to be applied separately in as many
places as the pain is felt
I have never known this application affect the
Mouth
 

Annotations
Mercury chloride, once used as a purgative as well as an insecticide and fungicide.