DIAPHORETICS. 



67 



Kermes Mineral is a similar compound, made like the preceding, 

 with the exception that no acid is added, but the precipitate falls 

 spontaneously. . -j i 



Golden Sulphur of Antimony is formed by addmg an acid to the 

 liquid, after the precipitation of the Kermes mineral: it contains 

 some uncombined sulphur. 



None of these preparations are much used at present. They are 

 occasionally given as alteratives, combined with guaiac and calo- 

 mel, in the form of Plummer's Pill, in chronic skin diseases. Dose, 

 1 to 2 grs. . 



3. Anti7no7iial Powder .—{Pulvis Antir)wnialis, U. S.) made in 

 imitation o^ Ja7nes' PoirrZer.— Prepared by burning the sulphuret of 

 antimony with hartshorn shavings, in a wide-mouthed vessel. It 

 consists of phosphate of lime an^ oxide of antimony ; colour, white; 

 no taste or smell; insoluble in water; uncertain in its operation. 

 Used in fevers and cutaneous diseases. Dose, 3 to 8 grs. 



LOCAL REMEDIES. 

 CLASS VI.-DIAPHORETICS. 



Diaphoretics are medicines which increase the function of perspi- 

 ration. The name sudorijics is often applied to such as increase 

 the sensible perspiration or siveat. They act in different ways : (1) 

 by relaxing the surface ; (2) by direct stimulation of the sudoriferous 

 glands; (3) by stimulating the system generally. As a class of 

 medicines, their action is not very certain, depending a good deal 

 upon the state of the system at the time. They are useful as eva- 

 cuants, promoting at the same time absorption ; they also produce 

 revulsion to the surface. Diaphoretics may be divided into the 

 refrigerant, the nauseating, and the alterative. 



Citrate of Potassa.— (i^o^^ss^e Citras, U. S.)— Prepared by 

 action of citric acid, or lemon-juice, on carbonate of potassa. A 

 white, soluble, deliquescent salt; used as a diaphoretic in fevers, 

 particularly in the forms oUieidral mixture Rr\A effervescing draught, 



NeiUral Mixture— (Solutio PotasscB Citratis, U. S.) — Prepared 

 by saturating lemon-juice, (or an ounce of citric acid, rubbed up 

 with four minims of oil of lemons, and dissolved in a pint of water,) 

 with carbonate of potash, and filtering. Dose, a tablespoonful every 

 hour or two: this quantity contains 15 grains of the salt. 



The effervescing draught is the same, given in a state of effer- 

 vescence. It is made by dissolving 3ij of the carbonate, or 3iij of 

 the bi-carbonate in fSiv water; then add, a tablespoonful of thissolu- 

 tion, mixed with the same quantity of water, to a tablespoonful of 

 sweetened lemon-juice, or citric acid solution. Laudanum, in small 

 quantities, may be added, if it produces griping. 



Spirits of Minder eri,—{ Liquor AmmonicB Acetatis, U. S.) — Pre- 



