230 
HINTS TO TRAVELLERS. 
rhoea. The drug is Leavy, aud therefore gum or starch water should be 
used to suspend it. 
It is often combined with opium and bicarbonate of soda to check 
vomiting and diarrhoea. Ore ounce of gum water, to which has been 
added two drops of carbolic acid, five grams each of bicarbonate of soda 
and carbonate of bismuth, and ten drops of laudanum, is useful in cases 
of dysentery, profuse diarrhoea and cholera. 
Bismuth may also be used as a dusting powder. 
Bismuth subnitrate.—See Bismuth carbonate. 
Boric acid , or boracic acid. —Chiefly used in solution, for its mild anti¬ 
septic properties, as a gargle, injection, eye lotion, or mouth wash. On 
the same account, it is used for washing wounds, or syringing out ulcers, 
or sore and inflamed ears. It is practically non-poisonous. 
Lotions should contain from five to ten grains to the ounce. Boric 
ointment is a useful dressing for sores, burns or wounds; it may be 
made by adding one part of powdered boric acid to nine of vaseline 
or fat. 
One part of finely-powdered boric acid added to six parts of starch 
makes a good dusting powder for moist eczema, bedsores, chafes, and 
perspiring feet. 
Boric lint (lint impregnated with boric acid) is useful as a dressing for 
wounds, ideers and abrasions. 
Boric wool is absorbent cotton-wool impregnated with boric acid, and 
is the most generally useful antiseptic wool. 
Bromides. —The bromides generally used are those of potassium, or 
ammonium. Dose in either case, five to twenty-five grains. They are 
sedatives, and are used in convulsions, epilepsy, and delirium; they 
relieve headache, especially if taken with sal volatile, and may be com¬ 
bined with chloral ( see Chloral). The bromide of ammonium is less 
depressing than the bromide of potassium. 
Calcium sulphide , i.e., sulphurated lime .—Dose, a quarter to one grain 
three times a day. Useful for those who are suffering from boils or 
carbuncles. 
* Calomel , or subchloride of mercury. —Dose, two to five grains. Calomel 
may be used in almost all cases requiring an aperient; its action will be 
assisted by giving fruit salt, or citrate of magnesia, four hours later. In 
cases of insensibility or delirium, it is specially useful, for the powdei’ 
