Materia Medica. 125 



dry caustics. The last is often a dangerous remedy in 

 the hands of unskilled persons. 



4. Muriate, or butyr of antimony, is a powerful caustic, 

 - useful for fungoid growths, &c. The addition of water 



effectually destroys it. When dilution is needed, tincture 

 of myrrh is the proper agent. 



5. Sulphuric, nitric, muriatic, and acetic acids are 

 also povveiful caustics, and with No. 4, are usually 

 applied by means of a small mop of cotton wool. 



Caustic Lotions are made of any required degree of 

 strength, by the addition of water as follows : 



6. Nitrate of silver, 3 to 15 grs. per ounce. 



7. Corrosive sublimate, 3 to 10 grs.; muriatic acid, 

 J fluid drm.; cold distilled water, 7 J fluid drms. An efl"ec- 

 tive remedy for fistulous sinuses, indolent tumours, &c. 



8. Sulphate of copper, 3 to 6 drms. ; sulphuric acid, 

 \ fluid drm. ; water, one pint. 



9. Chloride of zinc, 3 to 5 grs. ; muriatic acid, 3 to 5 

 drops ; distilled water, i fluid oz. 



Caustic Ointments find their base in hog's lard, vase- 

 line, cocoa butter, &c. 



10. Verdigris, finely powdered, i to 3 or 4 oz. of one 

 or other of the bases named. 



11. Sulphate of copper, finely powdered, i oz. ; to 3 

 or 4. 



12. Burnt alum, i oz. to 3 or 4. Mix, in each case 

 causing thorough incorporation. 



Clysters, Enemas or Injections. — Tv;o kinds of 

 clyster are in common use, fluid and gaseous. The 

 first are used to unload the rectum, remove obstruction, 

 relieve spasm, and promote intestinal action in debility ; 

 also to convey nutritious fluids to the bowels during the 

 process of wasting disease ; gaseous enemas are eff'ective 

 in allaying spasm, as in colic, &c. 



I. Warm fluid clysters are constituted as follows: 

 They are used at a temperature of 90° to 100° F. Soft, 

 or hard soap, 2 drms. Cover the soap with boiling 

 water, and when the former is dissolved, add sufficient 

 cold to secure the above-named temperatures. Inject a 

 teacupful as required. 



