ALUMINUM SULPHATE 159 



therefore, occasion any astringent action in the body outside 

 of the digestive tract, and is excieted by the bowels. 



Uses External. — Alum is employed mainly for local 

 surgical purposes. In arresting slight hemorrhages it may 

 be applied in saturated solution on absorbent cotton 

 pledgets, or in the form of burnt alum dusted upon the 

 bleeding surface. Epistaxis may be controlled by the 

 injection of a strong solution into the nostrils, or by insuffla- 

 tion of burnt alum. Alum is sometimes used on granulating 

 surfaces of indolent ulcers, or wounds, as a slight caustic, 

 stimulant and antiseptic. It can be employed alone, or as 

 a dusting powder, containing : alum, 1 part ; charcoal, 4 

 parts; and salicylic acid, 2 parts. Alumen exsiccatum will 

 often prevent the escape of synovia from small punctured 

 wounds when applied to their apertures. ' Solutions 

 (gr.iii.-v. to 5 i-) a-r© occasionally instilled into the eye in 

 conjunctivitis, but alum is not generally so satisfactory as 

 boric acid, zinc sulphate, or silver nitrate, in this disease. 

 Alum crystals may be applied with profit to granular lids. 

 Alum is used more frequently in the treatment of stomatitis, 

 or apthous sore mouth. It is also beneficial in ptyalism. A 

 5-per-cent. solution may be utilized to touch the inflamed 

 oral parts by means of a swab. A spray of the same strength 

 is serviceable for the cure of laryngitis and bronchitis in 

 dogs. 



A 2-per-cent. solution is appropriate as an injection for 

 otorrhoea, or canker of the ear, attacking dogs. A similar 

 solution will relieve leucorrhoea, pruritus vulvae, and pro- 

 lapsus ani. 



Uses Internal. — Alum is a prompt, safe and non-depress- 

 ing emetic for dogs. It is suitable in poisoning, or when 

 the secretions are excessive in laryngitis or bronchitis. 

 Teaspoonful doses should be given in solution in syrup 

 every 15 minutes in these latter diseases, until vomiting 

 occurs. Aluminum hydrate is an antacid and astringent. 

 It combines with acid in the stomach, (antacid) and goes 

 into a soluble form when it acts as an astringent in the 



