The Journal of Negro History, Volume 1, January 1916 by Various
Take the roots of plantane and wild hoarhound, fresh or dried, three ounces, boil them together in two quarts of water to one quart, and strain it; of this decoction let the patient take one third part, three mornings fasting, successively, from which, if he finds any relief, it must be continued until he is perfectly recovered. On the contrary, if he finds no alteration after the third dose, it is a sign that the patient has not been poisoned at all, or that it has been with such poison that Cesar's antidote will not remedy, so may leave off the decoction.
During the cure the patient must live on spare diet, and abstain from eating mutton, pork, butter, or any other fat or oily food.
N. B. The plantane or hoarhound will either of them cure alone, but they are most efficacious together.
In summer you may take one handful of the roots and of the branches of each, in place of three ounces of the roots each.
For drink during the cure let them take the following: Take of the roots of goldenrod, six ounces or in summer, two large handfuls of the roots and branches together, and boil them in two quarts of water to one quart, to which also may be added, a little hoarhound and sassafras; to this decoction after it is strained, add a glass of rum or brandy, and sweeten with sugar for ordinary drink.
Sometimes an inward fever attends such as are poisoned, for which he ordered the following: Take one pint of wood ashes and three pints of water, stir and mix well together, let them stand all night and strain or decant the lye off in the morning, of which ten ounces may be taken six mornings following, warmed or cold according to the weather.
These medicines have no sensible operation, though sometimes they work on the bowels, and give a gentle stool.
The symptoms attending such as are poisoned, are as follows: A pain of the breast, difficulty of breathing, a load at the pit of the stomach, an irregular pulse, burning and violent pains of the viscera above and below the navel, very restless at night, sometimes wandering pains over the whole body, a reaching inclination to vomit, profuse sweats (which prove always serviceable), slimy stools, both when costive and loose, the face of pale and yellow color, sometimes a pain and inflamation of the throat, the appetite is generally weak, and some cannot eat anything; those who have been long poisoned are generally very feeble and weak in their limbs, sometimes spit a great deal, the whole skin peels, and lastly the hair falls off.
Cesar's cure for the bite of a rattlesnake: Take of the roots of plantane or hoarhound (in summer roots and branches together), a sufficient quantity; bruise them in a mortar, and squeeze out the juice, of which give as soon as possible, one large spoonful; this generally will cure; but if he finds no relief n an hour after you may give another spoonful which never hath failed.
If the roots are dried they must be moistened with a little water.
To the wound may be applied a leaf of good tobacco, moistened with rum.
The Massachusetts Magazine, IV, 103-104 (1792).
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Chapter 1 THE NEGRO CESAR'S CURE FOR POISON
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Chapter 2 11, 1740.
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Chapter 3 No.3
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Chapter 4 743.
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Chapter 5 No.5
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Chapter 6
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Chapter 7 No.7
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Chapter 8 11, 1760.
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Chapter 9 No.9
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Chapter 10 , 243; Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll., VII, 336.
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Chapter 11 , 71. Hamilton, Letter to Jay, March 14, 1779.
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Chapter 12 No.12
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Chapter 13 No.13
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Chapter 14 No.14
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Chapter 15 No.15
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Chapter 16 No.16
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Chapter 17 221, 263; 1776, pp. 60, 874; 1779, pp. 386, 418.
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Chapter 18 No.18
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Chapter 19 No.19
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Chapter 20 No.20
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Chapter 21 , 6.
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Chapter 22 , 6. 22
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Chapter 23 , 7.
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Chapter 24 No.24
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Chapter 25 ]
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Chapter 26 Fifth Series.
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Chapter 27 B., General and Commander-in-Chief of all His Majesty's Forces within the Colonies lying on the Atlantic Ocean, from Nova Scotia to West Florida, inclusive, etc.
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Chapter 28 No.28
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Chapter 29 475.
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Chapter 30 22, 1784.
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Chapter 31 No.31
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Chapter 32 No.32
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Chapter 33 No.33
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Chapter 34 24, 1775.
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Chapter 35 No.35
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Chapter 36 78.
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Chapter 37 No.37
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Chapter 38 No.38
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Chapter 39 No.39
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Chapter 40 No.40
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