The Midwest pioneer, his ills, cures, & doctors - University Library ...

64
to get wet or expose yourself to damp or night air, or even
heating yourself, or in fact you should not expose yourself
in any way."
At dropsy Dr. Carter was a whiz. There was the case of
Mrs. Ruth Wray, who was "taken with the dropsey,
(or
rather in the winter) I first was taken with a pain in my
Wright side, which still increased more and more as also did
the swelling. I was in such a condition that I thought I
never should recover. . .
." Though "Dr. Rush advised
sea bathing, travelling, sudden surprise, or scareing the
patient," Carter tackled the disease with an ointment of
camomile flowers and fresh butter and dosage of horseradish
roots, parsley roots, mustard seed, refined niter and
a "small handfull of alicumpane" put down in hard cider.
Lest the treatment be not effective and swelling return, the
doctor recommended a flock of other mixtures including
burnt egg shells strained through a silk handkerchief and
mixed with jalap and cream of tartar. "And with this
regimen, medicine and treatment, she soon became sound
and well."
^'Behold a female in distress
Afflicted with the ascites,
Her system sweWd and racked with pain.
While she upon her bed is lain;
The Doctors they have had their will,
While Doctresses have tried their skill.
And yet the patient's grotcing worse,
So what to do they're at a loss;
Observe the last alternative.
They all agree she cannot live;
So then to me she is conveyed,
To see if I could give her aid;
With all my might to tvork I taent.
And used my skill to the extent;
And through God's mercy did direct.
The means which did a cure perfect;
So notwithstanding I'm abused