518 MATERIA MEDIC A 



Mix cautiously in the open air, or in a chimney, in a vessel 

 large enough to hold one pound and a half ; stir the mixture, 

 and, when perfectly combined, add one pound and a half of 

 hog's lard : continue stirring until cold. 



DIGESTIVE OINTMENT. 



Hog's lard 1 lb. 



Common turpentine 1 lb. — Melt, and add 



Verdiaris 2 oz. 



o 



Continue stirring until cold. 



HOOF OINTMENT. 



Tallow 1 lb. 



Tar 1 lb. 



Melt, and continue stirring until cold. 



In concluding this article, it is right to observe, that oint- 

 ments are not so commonly applied to wounds or inflamed parts, 

 as they were formerly ; and that powders, lotions or washes, 

 and fomentations are often found more efficacious. See Astrin- 

 gents, Digestives, Detergents, Escharotics, Caustics, 

 Emollients, Blisters, &c. 



OPIUM. The inspissated juice of the White Poppy. 



This is one of the most important articles of the Materia 

 Medica. 



It is classed among the narcotic sedatives, of which it is un- 

 doubtedly the most useful. 



Opium is brought to this country in chests from Turkey and 

 India. The Turkey opium is in flat pieces, covered with leaves 

 and the reddish capsules of some species of dock, which is con- 

 sidered a indication of its goodness, as the inferior kinds of 

 opium have none of these capsules adhering to them. Turkey 

 oi)ium generally contains about one fourth part of im[)urities. 

 Indian opium is less pure ; it is in round masses, covered with 

 leaves to the thickness nearly of one fourth of an inch. Mr. 

 Kerr relates that, at Bahar, it is frequently adultei'atcd with 

 cow-dung, the extract of the poppy procured by boiling, and 

 various other substances. It is made also from lettuces in 

 India. 



In Malava it is mixed with oil of sesamum, which is often 

 one half of the mass ; ashes, and the dried leaves of the plant, 

 arc also used. Opium is regarded as bad, when it is either very 

 soft or friable, of an intensely black colour, or mixed with many 

 impurities. 



In flatulency or spasm of the bowels it is an excellent remedy, 

 particularly if joined with aromatic powder, ginger, or some 

 other stimulant. In diarrhoea it is an effectual remedy, but 

 must be given cautiously. In diabetes I have found it very i. 



