PHARMACOLOGY. 417 



of distilled water, at 60, weighs precisely 7289.7 grains. The 

 pint, is divided into 16 Jluidounces, (/g) ; each of these into 8 

 Jluidrachms, (/3) 5 an ^ the fluidrachm contains 60 minims, (m) ; 

 of which, therefore, 480 make one fluidounce. 



4. Toxicology, is the study of poisons ; their effects, and their 

 antidotes. These should be understood not only by the physician, but 

 also by the apothecary, who may often be called on directly to furnish 

 a remedy. A poison, is any substance which, applied to the bod , 

 will destroy life ; and the remedy for it is called its antidote. Some 

 substances are poisonous when applied externally, being absorbed 

 into the system : some gases are poisonous to inhale ; and indeed, 

 no gas except pure atmospheric air, can be considered as entirely 

 healthy: but the poisons which most frequently prove fatal, are those 

 taken into the stomach ; sometimes by mistake ; but at other times 

 administered with criminal designs. For these, the first best remedy, 

 if at hand, is their immediate extraction by the stomach pump ; to 

 be followed by vigorous curative measures, under medical direction. 



The antidote for arsenic, is freshly precipitated peroxide of iron, 

 speedily administered : that for antimony, or its preparations, is 

 tannin, gall nuts, or Peruvian bark; that for sugar of Jead, Epsom 

 or Glauber's salt ; and for corrosive sublimate, and the salts of cop- 

 per, the best antidote is the white of eggs, swallowed in a raw state. 

 For oxalic acid, the antidote is lime water, or powdered chalk ; for 

 Prussic or hydrocyanic acid, liquid ammonia, or chloride of soda, 

 if it can be administered before it be too late ; and for other strong 

 acids, the best antidote is magnesia, or the carbonates of potassa,. 

 soda, magnesia, or lime. For alkalies, as caustic ammonia, potassa 

 or soda, the best antidotes are fixed oils, or vinegar, or lemon juice. 

 When any acid gases have been inhaled, the best antidote is the 

 cautious inhalation of ammonia; but for sulphuretted hydrogen, 

 the cautious inhalation of dilute chlorine is recommended ; and for 

 chlorine itself, the inhalation of vapor of ammonia or ether. For 

 ammonia, taken into the lungs, perhaps the fumes of vinegar would 

 be the best antidote. 



For most of the vegetable poisons, containing an alkaline principle, 

 the best antidotes yet discovered are chlorine, iodine, or bromine ; 

 which act by neutralizing or decomposing the poisonous principle. 

 As morphia, quinia, ipecacuanha, and other vegetable alkalies form 

 sparingly soluble salts with iodic acid, perhaps this would be found 

 a beneficial application, when they are taken in excess. Tannin, or 

 infusion of gall nuts, is also found to have a beneficial effect, in some 

 cases of vegetable poisoning, particularly as an antidote for opium, 

 and its proximate principles. For poisoning by the bite or sting of 

 animals, strong ammonia, and chloride of soda, are among the best an- 

 tidotes ; but if the wound be severe, a ligature should be immediately 

 applied to the part affected, to prevent the poison from circulating ; 

 and, if possible, the poison should be withdrawn by suction, or the 

 poisoned part cut away. In slight cases, common salt, or ammonia, 

 in solution, is often successfully employed. 

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