ELAURUS CAMPHORA. “ORD. XL. Oleracce. 691 
mentioned in relieving toothach, but it is also by exciting a copious flow of saliva 
and mucus from the internal surface of the mouth, that water somewhat impreg- 
nated with Camphire, employed to wash the mouth, has been frequently of service 
in relieving the disease 
‘* However it may be with respect to toothach, we have no doubt that the 
antiphlogistic nature of Camphire may be of use in curing ophthalmia: and this 
gives a good ground fer the many attempts that have been made to introduce 
Camphire into the medicines intended to be employed externally in the cure of 
ophthalmia. 
‘¢ We have now ountiined:. many of the virtues of Camphire as employed by 
itself, and must now mention some instances of its peculiar utility when combined 
with other medicines. 
‘¢ When combined with drastic purgatives, it is said to moderate their acrimony, 
and thereby their violent operation. We have not indeed perceived this, and 
perhaps rever tried it in a proper manner; but in the mean time, the res 
authority of Mr. Lasonne,$ the father, satisfies me that it is well founded. 
‘* Another opinion that has been very general is, that Camphire has the power 
‘of correcting the acrimony of cantharides. In opposition to this, we would not 
quote the facts given by Dr. Heberden of two several instances in which Camphire 
scemed to occasion strangury ;+ for I must conclude these facts to have been very 
accidental occurrences, as | haye employed Camphire fifty times, even in large 
doses, without my ever observing its having any efiect upon the urinary passages.' 
Mr. Lasonne, the father, has observed, as 1 have eon ps ef that 7 
though given very largelys: never iseysect its smell ell in quently 
ste aaa aad 
<¢ Jt was formerly” a frequent practice in this country to anoint a blistering 
oleriat that was to be applied to the back, or other part, with camphorated oil, 
aud this with a view of preventing strangury from the cantharides. The practice 
however has been long ago Jaid aside, because it was perceived that, in most 
persons, if the plaster was allowed to continue applied for above twelve hours, and 
while at the same time it was omitted to give the patient a large quantity of drink, 
a strangury would come en notwithstanding the unction of camphorated oil, and 
eyen the exhibition of a quantity of Camphire internally. The practitioners of 
this country have lost their faith in the power of Camphire in correcting the 
acrimeny of cantharides; and for preventing the strangury that might otherwise 
arise, they trust ested to a Jarge exhibition of Arabic emulsion, and to the 
ple not being allowed to lie on too long. 
* Another virtue ascribed to Camphire in combination, is its listing the 
& Lassone sen. in Hist. de la Société. Roy. de Medecine de Paris, vol. 5. pr. 265. 
+ Med. Trans. vol. i. p. 471. 
