198 PHARMACOPOeiAc 



pectorants^ we observed, that the most effec- 

 tual medicines of that class, possessed a c?m- 

 retie quality, and that probably, by carrying 

 off some of the watery parts of the blood by 

 the kidneys, they produced their peculiar 

 effect upon the lungs, diminishing the secre- 

 tion of thin mucus in the branches of that 

 organ, and removing the cough, which an 

 abundant secretion had occasioned. Most 

 of the medicines we have here recommended 

 for chronic cough, possess a diuretic quality, 

 and it is probable, that their good defects de- 

 pend more upon this, than upon their amu 

 spasmodic power. 



Some of the medicines, however, are cer- 

 ta^inly antispasmodics, and as the greater 

 part are commonly said to act in that way, 

 we have brought them under that heaiU 

 (See Expectorants,) 



Antispasmodic mixtures, for suppres- 

 sion of urine, or pain and difficulty in void- 



ing It. 



No. 1 . Purified nitre, one ounce. 

 Camplior, two drams. 

 Remark — This riiay be made into a ball 

 with mucilage of gum arable, and a little 

 ilojir, or mixed with linseed infusion, or any 



