DOMESTIC ECONOMY, HYGIENE, DIETETICS. 



397 



(c) Used in dyspepsia and in head affec- 

 tions ; also as a common purgative. 



(d) Dose. One fourth of a grain to 5 grains, 

 well powdered, or dissolved in hot water. 



Alum. 



(a) Physical properties. A semi-transparent, 

 rough, irregular mass of saline matter. Taste, 

 acid-astringent. Soluble in 18 parts of water 

 at 60 degrees, and in a little more than an equal 

 weight of water at 212 degrees. 



(It) Therapeutical effects. Astringent and 

 styptic. 



(c) Used internally in hemorrhages ; exter- 

 nally in ophthalmia, or as a gargle. 



(d) Dose. 10 grains to 20. As gargle 

 1 drachm to a pint of water. 



Ammonia, Liquor of. Ammonia con- 

 densed in water. 



(a) Physical Properties. A stimulating so- 

 lution. Blisters the skin. 



(ft) Therapeutical effects. Stimulating, dia- 

 phoretic, anti-acid, when" given internally. 

 Externally, irritant and eschorotic. 



(c) Used, when largely diluted, in faintings, 

 asphyxia, hysteria, spasms, acidities of the 

 stomach ; and, externally, as an irritant of the 

 skin. 



(d) Dose. The aromatic spirits of ammonia 

 is the usual form for internal use. Dose from 

 15 to 40 minims. 



Ammonia, Sesqui-Carbonate of. Am- 

 monia united with carbonic acid. 



() Physical properties. A mass of irregu- 

 lar crystals, somewhat resembling white sugar, 

 but more transparent and striated. Smell, 

 pungent ; taste, sharp and alkaline ; soluble in 

 four times its weight of cold water ; becomes 

 opaque and friable on exposure to the air. 



(ft) Therapeutical effects. Stimulating, anti- 

 spasmodic, diaphoretic, and anti-acid. 



(c) Used in dyspepsia, hysteria, and all dis- 

 eases requiring a rapidly acting diffusible 

 stimulant. Externally, to the nostrils in 

 syncope. 



('/) Dose. 2 grains to 5, in pills or dis- 

 solved in any fluid. 



Antimony, Potassio-Tartrate of. Tar- 

 tar emetic. 



(a) Physical properties. A colorless, trans- 

 parent, inodorous, crystallized salt, with a 

 slightly metallic taste. Soluble in fifteen 

 times its weight of cold water, and twice its 

 weight of boiling water ~ insoluble in pure 

 alcohol, but soluble in proof spirit or wine. 

 The aqueous solution becomes decomposed by 

 keeping. 



(ft) Therapeutical effects. Emetic in large 

 doses ; diaphoretic in small ones ; expectorant, 

 slightly aperient and alterative ; externally ap- 

 plied, produces a crop of pustules. 



(c) Used to evacuate the stomach, to slow 

 the circulation, and to produce profuse per- 

 spiration. Externally applied in the form of 

 an ointment, to produce counter-irritation. 



(d) Dose. As an emetic, 1 grain to 4 

 grains in solution ; in pneumonia, 1-2 a grain 

 to 3 grains, often repeated ; as an expectorant, 

 or diaphoretic, 1-8 of a grain to 1-2 a grain. 



Asafostida, Gum, 



(a) Physical properties. A mass of irregular 

 pieces, varying in color from red or reddish- 

 brown to white ; odor resembling garlic, but 

 more fetid ; taste, bitter and slightly acrid ; 

 difficult to powder, unless rubbed with car- 

 bonate of ammonia. Forms a milky mixture 

 with water. 



(ft) Therapeutical effects. Antispasmodic, ex- 

 pectorant, anthelmintic. 



(c) Used in hysteria, flatulence, colic, etc. 



(d) Dose. 5 to 10 grains. 



Bismuth, Trisnitrate of. The metal 

 bismuth united with nitric acid. 



(a) Physical properties. A white, tasteless, 

 inodorous powder, very slightly soluble in 

 water. 



(ft) Therapeutical effects. Antispasmodic, 

 stomachic, and tonic. 



(c) Used much in dyspepsia, attended with 

 pain of the stomach, and water brash, and 

 diarrhoea. 



(d) Dose. 5 to 10 grains. 

 Borax. Biborate of soda. 



(a) Physical properties. Sweetish, shining, 

 efflorescent crystals, soluble in twelve parts of 

 cold and two parts of boiling water. 



(ft) Therapeutical effects. Absorbent, cool- 

 ing, and alterative. 



(c) Used in intestinal irritation of infants. 

 Externally applied to thrush, and to cutaneous 

 diseases. 



(d) Dose. 5 grains to 30. Externally ap- 

 plied, dissolved in eight times its weight of 

 honey, or mucilage, or, better, in pure water. 



Calomel, See MERCURY. 



Camphor, A peculiar substance, ob- 

 tained by distillation from the wood of the 

 Laurus camphor. 



(a) Physical properties. In large, white 

 semi-transparent cakes, with a strong pecul- 

 iarly fragrant and aromatic odor ; taste, bitter 

 and acrid ; insoluble in water ; soluble in alco- 

 hol, ether, acetic acid, and the fixed oils. 



(ft) Therapeutical effects. Stimulant, dia- 

 phoretic, sedative ; externally, soothing. 



(c) Used in hysteria, asthma, chorea, and 

 generally in spasmodic diseases. Externally, 

 in muscular pains, bruises, etc. 



(d) Dose. 3 grains to 5, in pills. When 

 dissolved in water as camphor mixture, the 

 quantity is scarcely appreciable. 



