TURPENTINE. 625 



Sulphur 



is useful in the form of sulphurous acid, for fumigating a building. 

 The doors and windows should be closed, and four or five shovelfuls 

 of burning coal placed inside it in convenient positions. On each 

 shovelful of coal about J lb. of sulphur should be thrown, and the 

 fumes of the sulphurous acid allowed to fill the building for at least 

 twelve hours. 



Candles containing sulphur and also corrosive sublimate are 

 made by wholesale chemists, and are very useful and convenient for 

 disinfecting purposes. 



Tannoform, 



which is a compound of tannin and formic aldehyde, is an ad- 

 mirable dry antiseptic dressing, especially for wounds which 

 have a broad surface; and it rapidly produces a dry scab, in 

 which respect it is far superior to iodoform. A solution of it in 

 methylated spirit can also be used. It is a valuable agent in 

 the treatment of diarrhoea (pp. 428 and 430). When given by 

 the mouth, it passes through the stomach unchanged; and, when 

 it reaches the small intestine, it breaks up into tannin (an astrin- 

 gent) and formic aldehyde (an antiseptic). These components 

 are particularly active in their respective functions. 



Tartar Emetic 



seems, when given internally, to stimulate the glands of the skin, 

 the appearance of which it consequently improves. It is a valuable 

 worm medicine (p. 400). It is also used to increase the action of 

 aloes. Such large quantities as 1 oz. or more, administered daily 

 for several days, have been borne with impunity. As a rule, about 

 J lb., given at one time, will kill a horse; 15 grains a man; and 

 5 grains, a dog. Dose, 1 to 2 drachms daily in the food. 



Turpentine 



may be given internally, as an astringent, in 1 oz. doses three times 

 a day. For destroying worms in the intestines, it should be 

 given in full doses of, say, 4 oz. In doses of 2 oz. it is very useful 

 in cases of flatulent colic. When given internally, it should 

 always be combined with linseed or other sweet oil or with 

 gruel, so that it may not injure the mucous membrane of the 

 mouth, gullet, etc. It is an admirable antiseptic (p. 68). 



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