444 MATERIA MEDICA 



decomposed ; so that wlieu applied to ulcers its action is of very- 

 short duration. 



CABALLINE or FETID ALOES. This species is dis- 

 tinguished from the Socotrine and Barbudoes or Hepatic Aloes 

 by its rank offensive smell, of which, when prepared in the most 

 careful manner, it cannot be divested. It is supposed to be the 

 remains after the Barbadoes extract has been obtained. 



CAJEPUT OIL, or CAJUPUTI OI'L.— Cajujmti Oleum. 

 The tree whence this oil is obtained is a native of the Molucca 

 islands. It is a medicine of highly stimulating properties, and 

 possesses a fragrant, agreeable smell, not unlike a mixture of 

 camphor and oil of turpentine. If dropped on Avater it imme- 

 diately diffuses itself over its svu'face and quickly evaporates, and 

 this is one test of its purity. It is frequently adulterated with 

 oil of turpentine, and in this case will not, like other volatile oils, 

 be found soluble in alcohol. The properties of this oil are consi- 

 dered to be stimulant, antispasmodic, and diaphoretic internally ; 

 but in veterinary medicine it is more commonly employed as an 

 embrocation in chronic cases of rheumatic pains, old strains, &c. 

 It may be used alone or diluted witli olive oil. A mixture of 

 oil of turpentine, camphor, and oil of rosemary is a good substi- 

 tute for it. 



CALAMINE. — Carbonas Zincilmpurus. Impure Carbonate 

 of Zinc. An ore of zinc, which, when powdered, resembles a 

 white earth inclining to a red colour. It is employed for the 

 purpose of drying or healing ulcers which discharge a thin acri- 

 monious matter : it is also mixed with hog's hard, oil, and wax, 

 so as to form an ointment, which is used for the same purposes. 

 This ointment, or cerate, is the celebrated Turners Cerate. 



CALCINATION. The operation of submitting any sub- 

 stance to the action of fire for a considerable time, in order to 

 de])rive it of its aqueous and volatile particles. 



CALCINED MAGl^^^l A.— Magnesia. In this prepa- 

 ration the carbonate of magnesia is deprived of its acid and 

 water. It is used for the same purposes as the carbonate of mag- 

 nesia, but is preferable to it in cases accompanied by great 

 flatulence or acidity of the stomach (as in the affection known by 

 the name of blasting), because it contains more magnesia in a 

 given bulk, and, being deprived of its acid, neutralises the acid 

 it meets in the stomach and bowels, without the extrication of 

 gas, which, if it occurs, obviously cannot fail to prove hurtful 

 where there is a tendency to flatulence. The dose may vary 

 from half an ounce to four ounces, according to the effect 

 required to be produced. 



OAluOlSlYiLt. — H^drargyri Suh-Murias. Sub-muriate of 

 Mercury. New name, Chloride or Proto-chloride of Mercury, 

 Hrjdrarrjyri CMoridnm. This is the most useful of the mercurial 



