72 MATERIA MEDICA. 



Nitrate of Potass a. — Already spoken of under the head of refri- 

 gerants. Sometimes powerfully diuretic, especially when the sur- 

 face is kept cool : used in the same cases as the two former. Dose, 10 

 to 20 grains, repeated, so that from 3j to 5ij may be taken in twenty- 

 four hours. 



alkaline diuretics. 



Carbonate q>f Potassa — {Potassce, Carbonas, U. S.) — Prepared 

 from pearlash by dissolving in cold water, filtering, and evaporating ; 

 at the same time stirring so as to cause it to granulate, the object of 

 which is to expose as small a surface as possible to the air, and 

 thereby prevent deliquescence. It contains impurities, as the sili- 

 cate, sulphate, and muriate of potassa. 



The purest carbonate, called salt of tartar^ is made by heating two 

 parts of cream of tartar with one of nitre. 



Occurs in the form of small white globules, of a nauseous, alka- 

 line taste. It is a decided diuretic ; used chiefly as an adjuvant to 

 others, as in dropsy accompanied with acidity of stomach; also as 

 an antilithic in gravel. Dose, 10 to 20 grains, three or four times 

 a day ; — may be given in carbonic acid water. 



The Bicarbonate — Potassce Bicarhonas. — Is prepared by passing 

 carbonic acid through a solution of the carbonate. Occurs in white 

 flat prisms, inodorous, not so soluble as the carbonate. 



Uses. — Same as the carbonate, but preferable on account of its 

 more agreeable taste. Dose, 3ss. to 3j, repeated. 



stimulant diuretics. 



Squill — (Scilla, U. S.) — Bulb of the Scilla maritima, a plant 

 growing upon the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. It is a peren- 

 nial plant, having a large pyriform bulb, from which spring long 

 shining green leaves, and a single long flower stem. There are 

 two varieties, the white and the red ; but they are similar in proper- 

 ties. The bulb is sometimes imported whole, but generally in trans- 

 verse or longitudinal slices, of a yellowish-white colour ; contorted, 

 tough ; of a feeble odour, and a bitter, nauseous taste. Imparts its 

 virtues to alcoholic water and vinegar. Contains a peculiar p.(^n- 

 ciple called scillitin. 



Effects. — In moderate doses, stimulant to most of the 



particularly the kidneys and lungs. In large doses, it 



cathartic. Much used in dropsies of an enfeebled characteif ' "^ten 

 advantageously combined with calomel, and sometimes with digitalis. 

 Dose, 1 to 3 grs., two or three times a day, gradually increased till 

 some obvious effect is produced. As a diuretic^ it is usually given in 

 form of pill or powder. i^* 



juliar pan- 



