272 



DRUGS, NEW. 



new mode of preparing the juice. The modus 

 operandi is as follows : "A freshly-gathered and 

 nnpeeled lemon being taken, cut into thin slices, 



ut into three teacupfuls of water, and boil 

 own to one teacupful in a clean earthenware 

 jar. This decoction is then allowed to stand 

 overnight in the open air, and is given the 

 first thing in the morning." Freshly -plucked 

 lemons should be used, and one daily is gener- 

 ally enough. Under this homely treatment, 

 not only is simple malaria curable, but perni- 

 cious intermittent fever may be effectually con- 

 trolled. What the active principle of the lemon- 

 juice is, is not known, but it is doubtless some 

 undescribed alkaloid. The remedy has been 

 tested too often, and by too eminent authori- 

 ties, to allow of any doubt as to its efficacy. 



Menthol (synonym, menthylic alcohol). This 

 is a white, crystalline substance deposited from 

 oil of peppermint. It melts at 97 Fahr. It 

 is prepared principally from the Japanese oil, 

 by freezing and thawing this several times un- 

 til no more menthol crystallizes out. The crys- 

 tals are slightly soluble in water, more soluble 

 in fixed and volatile oils and ether. The drug 

 is considered a reliable remedy in the less se- 

 vere neuralgic affections of the face, especially 

 in brow-pains. A solution of one part of men- 

 thol to ten of alcohol is the strength usually 

 employed. If the finger be dipped in this prepa- 

 ration and applied lightly to the seat of the pain, 

 the relief is often almost immediate. The Ger- 

 mans have popularized the "Migrane-stift," or 

 headache-pencil, which is simply a concen- 

 trated preparation of menthol in a solid form. 

 This is rubbed over the affected nerve, and ap- 

 pears to dull its sensibility. 



Naphthalin. Several valuable derivatives of 

 coal-tar exist, one of the most recent being 

 naphthalin. This hydrocarbon is insoluble in 

 water, but soluble in alcohol, ether, and the 

 volatile oils. It is an active poison to all 

 rnicro-organisms, but is innocuous to man, 

 whether used internally or as an external ap- 

 plication. It is employed in the treatment of 

 inflammations of the alimentary tract, with or 

 without ulceration. The allied derivative, 

 naphthol, has assumed a good deal of impor- 

 tance as a remedy for the cure of certain af- 

 fections of the skin, characterized by obstinate 

 itching. As recommended by Prof. Kaposi, 

 of Vienna, it is applied in the form of a weak 

 ointment (one part of naphthol to ten parts of 

 vaseline). He has treated thus the affection 

 known as " prurigo " with brilliant results. 



Quebracho. From the bark of this tree six 

 different alkaloids have been extracted, the 

 most active of which are quebrachine and aspi- 

 dospermine. Quebracho seems to act princi- 

 pally upon the nervous system. It diminishes 

 the number of heart-beats as well as the respi- 

 rations, and also renders tlie cardiac contrac- 

 tions more regular. It is especially valuable in 

 dyspnoea of nervous origin, and hence is large- 

 ly used in the treatment of asthma. Although 

 the results obtained by the use of this drug 



are somewhat variable, its rapid action, free- 

 dom from bad effects, and almost specific prop- 

 erties in asthma, have made it deservedly popu- 

 lar. 



Kesorcin. This is a resin belonging to the 

 class of phenols. It occurs in the form of fine, 

 colorless crystals, which are soluble in water 

 and alcohol. It has a sweet, sickish taste, and 

 in large doses may give rise to unpleasant or 

 even alarming symptoms. It is a powerful 

 disinfectant and deodorizer, and probably owes 

 its virtues in certain diseases to its germicidal 

 action upon the parasites that accompany or 

 occasion these affections. Although it is by 

 no means a new drug, it is only lately that it 

 has been extensively used in practical thera- 

 peutics. As a local application it forms a valu- 

 able remedy in suppuration of the middle ear. 

 It is given internally in malaria, and is said to 

 be efficacious in some cases in which quinine 

 fails. In the intestinal catarrh of infants it 

 has proved to be of considerable value. A 

 Brazilian physician has reported a large num- 

 ber of cases of whooping-cough in which the 

 attacks were arrested and the disease shortened 

 by the application of resorcin to the mucous 

 membrane of the larynx through an atomizer. 



Stigmata Maidis. This is the green silk of the 

 ordinary Indian corn, from which an extract 

 is made by macerating it without the use of 

 heat. The true value of the drug lies in its 

 power to increase the flow of urine, but it has 

 also been shown to exert a regulating action 

 over the heart. It is particularly indicated in 

 cases of heart-disease accompanied by exten- 

 sive dropsical effusions. Its effects are ob- 

 served within a few hours after administration, 

 and are manifested by an increased flow of 

 urine, diminution of the dropsy, and a lower- 

 ing of the pulse-tension. The heart's action 

 becomes slower and more regular. The drug 

 is entirely without unpleasant effects ; it close- 

 ly resembles convallaria in its effects, and is 

 more rapid in its effects than digitalis. 



Tanno-cannabine. This is one of the many 

 new alkaloids or preparations of alkaloids that 

 have been lately discovered. It is a crystal- 

 line substance extracted from Cannabis Indica 

 (Indian hemp). It is said to resemble strychnine 

 in its physiological action. The active prin- 

 ciple of the plant is an alkaloid known as can- 

 nabine. When tannin is added to the latter a 

 new body is formed, which appears as color- 

 less, crystalline needles, quite soluble in water 

 and alcohol, and is known as tannate of can- 

 nabine, or tanno-cannabine. Valuable seda- 

 tive and hypnotic properties have been claimed 

 for the drug ; in fact, it is said to act in a man- 

 ner similar to opium, though it is free from 

 the disagreeable after-effects (headache, nausea, 

 etc., of the latter.) Frohmuller, who has used 

 this new remedy in a large number of cases, is 

 of the opinion that it possesses superior ad- 

 vantages as a sedative, not the least important 

 being the fact that in its use there is no danger 

 from poisoning, as in the case of opium. 



