Potter, 1902: A Compend of Materia Medica.

Scanned version copyright © 2000–2024 Henriette Kress.

Note: I have left in all the toxic chemicals, because I think it's good to see just how much there were in general use, back then. That doesn't mean that you should start to use, say, arsenic, as a depilator, just because Potter thought it a good idea. There are better things these days. A razor, for instance. --Henriette

Preface

Explanation

Weights and Measures

Materia Medica and Therapeutics
Pharmacopoeias and Dispensatories
Official Preparations

Aceta - Alkaloids - Aquae - Cerata - Chartae - Collodia - Confectiones - Decocta - Elixiria - Emplastra - Emulsa - Extracta - Extracta Fluida - Glucosides - Glycerita - Infusa - Linimenta - Liquores - Massae - Mellita - Misturae - Mucilagines - Neutral Principles - Oleata - Oleoresinae - Pilulae - Pulveres - Resinae - Spiritus - Suppositoria - Syrupi - Tincturae - Tincturae Herbarum Recentium - Triturationes - Trochisci - Unguenta - Vina.

Unofficial Preparations

Balnea - Bolus - Bougia - Cachets - Capsulae - Cataplasmata - Collunarium - Collyrium - Discus - Dragée - Electuaria - Emulsa - Enemata - Fotus - Gargarysma - Glycecol - Granulum - Haustus - Inhalationes - Injectiones - Lotio - Pessaria - Pigmenta - Potus.

Administration of Medicines

Classification of Medicines

Every medicine should be first studied as an individual, both with respect to its physiological action, and its therapeutical applications. When the student has thus familiarized himself with the characteristic features of each article of the Materia Medica, he may commence to seek out their more delicate lights and shades, by comparing them, one with another, according to their general scope action and application. In order to do this intelligently, some method of classifications becomes necessary, to guide and direct the mind, and to assist the memory, in grasping the subject with a firm grip.

Stimulants and Sedatives - Agents Acting on the Nervous System - Agents Affecting the Organs of Special Sense - Agents Acting on Respiration - Agents Acting on the Circulation - Agents Acting on the Digestive System - Agents Affecting Metabolism - Agents Acting on Excretion - Agents Acting on the Generative Apparatus - Agents Acting on the Skin - Agents Acting on Microbes, Parasites, Etc. - Agents Acting on Each Other

Restorative Agents

This division of this Materia Medica includes all agents which in any way promote the constructive metamorphosis of tissue,—such as the Digestion-ferments, which aid digestion; the Foods, Tonics, Haematics or blood-restorers, and many substances generally known as Stimulants.

Digestion-Ferments - Acidum Lacticum (Lactic Acid) - Mineral Acids - Oils and Fats - Phosphorus - Phosphates and Phosphites - Ferrum (Iron) - Manganum (Manganese) - Bismuthum (Bismuth) - Arsenum (Arsenic) - Bitters - Eucalyptus (Blue Gum-tree) - Hydrastis (Golden Seal) - Cinchona (Peruvian Bark)

Agents Promoting Waste

Potassium - Sodium - Lithium - Calcium - Ammonium - Antimonium (Antimony) - Vegetable Acids - Sulphur, Sulphites, Sulphides

Alteratives

Iodine, Iodides - Hydrargyrum (Mercury) - Aurum (Gold) - Colchicum (Meadow Saffron) - Guaiacum (Lignum Vitae) - Stillingia (Queen's Root) - Sanguinaria (Blood-root) - Xanthoxylum (Prickly Ash) - Mezereum (Mezereon) - *Berberis (Barberry) - *Fucus Vesiculosus (Sea-Wrack) - Sarsaparilla (Smilax)

Astringents

Tannic and Gallic Acids - Argentum (Silver) - Cuprum (Copper) - Plumbum (Lead) - Zincum (Zinc) - *Cadmium - Cerium - Alumen (Alum)

Motor Excitants

Nux Vomica - *Ignatia (St. Ignatius' Bean) - Picrotoxinum (Picrotoxin) - Ergota (Ergot) - Digitalis (Foxglove) - Strophantus - Cimicifuga (Black Snake-root) - Convallaria (Lily of the Valley) - Scoparius (Broom) - Scilla (Squill) - Belladonna (Deadly Nightshade) - Hyoscyamus (Henbane) - Stramonium (Thorn Apple) - *Duboisia

Cerebral Excitants

Camphora (Camphor) - Asafoetida (Asafetida) - Ammoniacum (Ammoniac) - Valeriana (Valerian) - Serpentaria (Virginia Snake-root) - Cannabis Indica (Indian Hemp) - Coca (Coca, Cuca) - Caffeina (Caffeine)

Cerebral Depressants

Alcohols and Aldehydes - Aether (Ether) - Chloroformum (Chloroform) - Carbonei Disulphidum (Carbon Disulphide)Hydrate) - Opium - Humulus (Hops) - Lactucarium - Chloral (Chloral (Lettuce) - Bromine (Bromides)

Motor Depressants

Conium (Hemlock) - Gelsemium (Yellow Jasmine) - *Curare (Woorara) - Pilocarpus (Jaborandi) - *Muscarina (Muscarine) - Physostigma (Calabar Bean) - Aconitum (Aconite) - Pulsatilla (Pasque-flower) - Veratrum (Hellebore) - Arnica and Trimethylamine - Tabacum (Tobacco) - Lobelia (Indian Tobacco) - The Nitrites - Hydrocyanic Acid - Grindelia - Aspidosperma (Quebracho) - Phytolacca (Poke)

Antizymotics, Antipyretics, Antiperiodics

Antizymotic Drugs are those which arrest the fermentative processes, (see ante, page 44), including the Antiseptics, the Disinfectants and the Deodorants, etc. Many of these agents are also endowed with other qualities of great therapeutical value, due indirectly to their power over ferments; such ones being Antipyretics and Antiperiodics, as well as Antiseptics. [See also pp. 38 and 39, ante.] The members which stand at the head of this triple-crowned group, are the four Cinchona Alkaloids.

Cinchona Alkaloids - Antipyrinum (Antipyrin) - Acetanilidum (Acetanilid) - Naphtalinum (Naphtalin) - Carbolic acid (Phenol) - Salicin and Salicylic Acid - Thymol and Menthol - Mints and their Preparations - Antiseptic Oils - Benzoin and Benzoic Acid - Chlorum (Chlorine)

Evacuants

This division of the Materia Medica includes the remedies which promote some Evacuation from the body,—as the Emetics, Cathartics, Anthelmintics, Diuretics and Emmenagogues, for a discussion of which see the Introduction, pages 34 to 41.

Emetics - Ipecacuanha (Ipecac) - Cathartics - Bryonia (Bryony) - Baptisia (Wild Indigo) - Anthelmintics - Diuretics - Turpentine, Pitch, Tar, etc. - Emmenagogues

Topical Agents

Rubefacients and Epispastics - Emollients and Demulcents

Memoranda on New Remedies

Adonis Vernalis - Apiolum (Apiol) - Boldus (Boldo) - Cascara Amarga (Honduras bark) - Cereus (Cactus Grandiflorus) - Chaulmoogra Oil - Chrysarobinum - Damiana (Turnera aphrodisiaca) - Eriodictyon (Yerba Santa) - Erythrophloeum (Casca Bark) - Fuchsin - Hydrangea (Hydrangea Arborescens) - Hydrogen Dioxide - Jequirity (Abrus precatorius) - Kava-Kava (Piper methysticum) - Lippia Mexicana - Manaca (Franciscea uniflora) - Myrtus Chekan - Piperazinum - Piscidia Erythrina (Jamaica Dogwood) - Saccharinum - Sanitas - tonga - Verbascum Thapsus (Mullein) - Viburnum Prunifolium (Black Haw)

Prescription Writing

Prescription writing - Incompatibility - Latinizing

A Compend of Materia Medica, Therapeutics, and Prescription Writing, 1902, by Sam'l O. L. Potter, M.D., M.R.C.P.L.