AND PHARMACOPGEIA. 513 



The compound tincture is thus pi'epared : — 



Aloes 4 ozs. 



Myrrh 2 ozs. 



Rectified spirit 2 lbs. 



Water 1 lb. 



Macerate fourteen days, frequently shaking it. 



The first tincture is useful in ulcers in the mouth, but the 

 latter is more commonly employed with horses, being an excel- 

 lent application to all wounds. 



NAECOTICS. Medicines that stupify and produce sleep; 

 such as opium, &c. 



NIGHTSHADE. See BelladOxNNA. 



NITRATE OF POTASS. — Poto^^^ Nitras. Nitre, or 

 saltpetre. A neutral salt, formed by the combination of nitrous 

 acid and potash. This is a medicine of great utility in veteri- 

 nary practice, and highly esteemed by veterinarians. It pos- 

 sesses a cooling and diuretic property, which renders it extremely 

 useful in fevers, and all inflammatory complaints. 



In fevers, it is often joined with emetic tartar and digitalis 

 with good effect. In catarrh, or cold, nitre is a useful remedy ; 

 and in troublesome coughs it often gives relief. 



The usual dose of nitre, is about one ounce, though farriers 

 often give double that quantity, or more : but in such large 

 doses it is apt to irritate the stomach, and do mischief; there- 

 fore, in urgent cases, half an ounce may be given every fourth 

 hour, in which way there will be less danger of its producing 

 that effect, particularly if it be given in a mucilaginous drink, 

 or in water gruel.* If nitre be given in the form of a ball, it is 

 advisable to offer some water immediately before or after, or to 

 wash it down with a horn-full of water gruel. 



NITRATE OF SILVER. See Argenti Nitras. 



NITRIC AND NITROUS ACIDS. See Acid, Nitrous. 



NUX VOMICA. A poisonous vegetable ; the fruit or the 

 seed of the Strychnos Nux Vomica. A small quantity will 

 destroy dogs, rats, or mice. It has been given to the human 

 subject in epilepsy and dysentery, but is now rarely used, being 

 considered a dangerous medicine.f iSI. Collaine, Professor of 



* Even in this dose it sliould not be continued beyond a single day; in 

 such short periods it will greatly irritate the urinary organs. — ^^Ed. 



t Strvc' nia is the form in which nux vomica is usually exhibited medici- 

 nally, it is prepared, by an elaborate process, from the nux vomica, the 

 active principle of which it contains. It is thus spoken of by j\lr. Mortion : — 

 " Strychnia is in the form of minute crystals, which are colourless and in- 

 odorous ; possessing an intensely bitter taste, requiring between 6000 and 

 7000 parts of cold water for its solution, and iiisoluble in absolute alcohol ; 

 but by diluted alcohol, specific gravity -835, it is dissolved readily. It acts 

 like the alkalies on vegetable colours, and unites with the acids, forming salts, 



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