262 
SACCHARUM OFFICINARUM. 
Thenard and Gay Lussac, 100 parts of sugar contain oxygen 50.63, 
carbon 42.47, hydrogen 6.90. Lavoisier gives 64 oxygen, 28 
carbon, and 8 hydrogen, in 100 parts. » 
Medical Properties and Uses. Raw sugar is laxative, but 
can scarcely be considered as a medicine ; as an article of diet it is 
in general use, and has been thought to increase corpulence : others 
however imagine it to have a contrary effect, and say that, from the 
acid it contains, it rather tends to emaciate than to fatten the body ; 
Boerhaave was of this opinion. Mr. John Hunter, however, recom- 
mended sugar, as the best restorative to those who were much 
debilitated by a long course of mercury. That sugar affords a con- 
siderable share of nourishment, both in its crude state, and combined 
in various vegetable matters, admits of no question. We are told 
that those animals which wholly feed upon it in the sugar islands, 
become remarkably corpulent ; and that the negro children, whose 
diet is confined to molasses for a season, are distinguished from 
others by their superior bulk. Sugar however, when taken in 
immoderate quantities, lays the foundation of many complaints, by 
imparing the digestive powers : and to those afflicted with dyspeptic 
and bilious complaints, it generally proves hurtful ; but is an useful 
antiseptic in scurvy. Sugar is said to prove deleterious to various 
kinds of worms, hence it is recommended to thoste afflicted with 
them. In a remedial point of view, the most important use to which 
sugar has been applied, is as an antidote to the poison of verdigris ; 
it must be taken in large quantities, both in its soli'd state and 
dissolved in water. It is supposed to act chemically on the poison, 
and at the same time to increase the peristaltic action of the intes- 
tines. Sugar has also the property of preserving animal and 
vegetable substances from decay and putrefaction ; hence it is often 
employed for those purposes, viz. in preparing conserves, sweet- 
meats, &c. 
Off. Raw and Refined Sugar. 
Off". Pp. Confectiones omnes, L, 
Syrupi omnes, L. E. D. 
Trochisci omnes, E. 
