OIL OF TURPENTINE. 39 



of the system ; and some of them have a particular tendency to the 

 spinal system of nerves, and prove powerful means in controlling 

 spasm, from which cause they are frequently denominated Anti- 

 spasmodics. Many substances spoken of under other heads often 

 produce stimulant effects, as alcohol, ether, opium, &c. ; only such 

 are treated of under the present head as cause stimulation, either of 

 the circulation, or of the nervous system, as their principal effect. 

 Those which produce a powerful and rapid, but transient action, are 

 called diffusible stimulants. 



ORDER I —ARTERIAL STIMULANTS. 

 Carbonate of Ammonia. — (Ammonia Carbonas, U. S.) 



Chemically a sesquicarbonate ; improperly termed volatile alkali. 

 Prepared by subliming together carbonate of lime and sal ammoniac. 

 When first made it is a solid, white, transparent cake : odour strong 

 and pungent; taste, acrid and alkaline; soluble in water and alco- 

 hol ; efflorescent on exposure, losing its stimulant properties. 



Effects. — A powerful diffusible stimulant, acting chiefly upon the 

 circulation; has a local tendency to the lungs and skin. 



Uses. — Much employed in the sinking stages of fever, or of acute 

 diseases ; also in atonic gout, and dyspepsia attended with acidity of 

 stomach ; externally, to bites of poisonous insects. Dose, 5 grains 

 every hour or two, given in solution with gum and sugar, to obtund 

 its acrimony. 



The aromaXic spirit of ammonia consists of alcohol impregnated 

 with jraseous ammonia, and some of the volatile oils ; — dose, f 3ss. 

 to f 3l. 



Oil of Turpentine. — (Oleum TEREBiNTiiiNJi:, U. S.) 



Procured from common turpentine, which consists of the volatile 

 oil and resin, by distillation. Called improperly spirits of turpentine. 



Prop. — A colourless limpid fluid ; odour, strong and peculiar ; 

 taste, hot and peculiar ; rather lighter than water, with which it is 

 slightly soluble; its proper solvent is boiling alcohol. Chemically, a 

 hydrocarbon ; but when exposed to the air, absorbs oxygen, which 

 converts part of it into resin. 



Effects. — Small doses produce a warming, stimulating effect upon 

 the stomach and the system generally, increasing the action of the 

 heart and arteries. It is absorbed into the circulation, as proved by 

 its being exhaled from the secretions. Apt to act upon the kidneys, 

 sometimes with violence. Large doses act as a cathartic, and an- 

 thelmintic. 



Uses. — A valuable stimulant, particularly in low forms of fever ; 

 more especially in typhoid fever ^ attended with dry tongue, delirium, 

 tympanitis and subsultus. It is believed by some to produce an 



