QUININE. 635 



Add tlie linseed meal to the water, and stir them together, so 

 that a soft poultice may be formed. Mix with this, half the 

 charcoal, and sprinkle the remainder on the surface of the poultice. 



Linseed Meal Poultice. 



l^inseed meal ... ... ... ... 4 oz. 



Olive oil ... ■ ... ... ... ... \ „ 



Boiling water ... ... ... ... i pint. 



Mix the linseed gradually with the water, and then add the oil 

 with constant stirring. 



Prussic Acid 



is used externally to allay irritation of the skin (p. 152). 



Quinine 



is very valuable for ch&king the hurtful action of disease germs 

 (p. ii&), and also during recovery from a debilitating illness. It 

 might be tried in two-drachm doses, twice a day, with a drachm 

 of tincture of iron in a pint of water ; or it may be given in a 

 ball without the tincture of iron. Quinine, by itself, will require 

 the addition of a little acid, sulphuric for instance, to make it 

 dissolve in water. Tincture of ii-on contains a certain amount of 

 free nitro-hydrochloric acid. 



Sal-ammoniac. 



See p. 540. 



Sodium. 



Soda, Bicarbonate of (Baking Soda), 

 corrects acidity of the stomach ; allays in a marked manner irrita- 

 tion of the mucous membrane of the intestinal canal ; and assists 

 the liver in purifying the blood. Dose, 2 oz. daily in the food. It 

 also acts as an antiseptic (p. 68). 



Soda, Hyposulphite of, 

 is given internally as an alterative and antiseptic. 



Spirits. 



Brandy and whisky may be given in J-pint doses, mixed with 

 water. Remember that when stimulants are given to keep up the 

 strength in wasting diseases, they should be used only to improve 

 the appetite. If they fail in this, they should be discontinued ; 

 for any apparent improvement in the strength will be obtained at 

 the expense of the tissues. 



