THE ESSENTIALS OF MATERIA MEDICA AND THERAPEUTICS. It has been considered desirable to make two separate Hooks of the Work originally announced under the title of " Medicines: their Nature and Value in the Treatment*of Disease ." The " Essentials of Materia Medica and Therapeutics" is now published, a work of the kind being much in request at the present time. It will be folloived by a Companion Work completing the original idea, and devoted exclusively to the consideration of the value of Medicines in the treatment of Disease. Each Book will be complete in itself. May, 1864. III THE ESSENTIALS OF MATEEIA MEDICA AND THERAPEUTICS. BY ALFRED BARING GARROD, M.D, F.R.S., FELLOW OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS; PROFESSOR OF MATERIA MEDICA AND THERAPEUTICS AT KING'S COLLEGE, LONDON J PHYSICIAN TO KING'S COLLEGE HOSPITAL '. AND EXAMINEE IN MATERIA MEDICA IN THE UNIVERSITY OF LONDON. LIBRARY .iURGEON GEWfBAL'S OFFICE «m i?.-m2 NEWYORK: WILLIAM WOOD & CO., 61 WALKER STREET. 1 865. Entered, According to Act of Congress, in the year 1865, by AVILLIAM WOOD & CO., In the Clerk's office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York. NEW YORK : EDWARD O. JENKINS, PRINTER, 2U NORTH WILLIAM STREET. PREFACE TO THE AMERICAN EDITION. The work of Dr. Garrod supplies a want that has long been felt on this side of the Atlantic. It gives a succinct but accurate account of the natural history, of the physical and chemical properties of the articles of the Materia Medica, and of the adulterations to which they are frequently subjected; the physiological action and the therapeutic application of Medicines are very concisely given, but the absence of confused and sometimes contradictory details is often an advantage to the Student. The Editor has confined himself to supplying a few of the omissions of Dr. Garrod, and to indicating, where a difference exists, the preparations of the Pharmacopoeia of the United States. His aim has been to make such additions only as are strictly necessary for the American Student, keeping in view constantly the plan and scope of the original work. New York, February 25, 1865. PREFACE. The Author of the present volume has for some years devoted time and attention to a special study of the therapeutic action of drugs, and had hoped ere this to place the results of his labour before the Profession. In the progress of his task, however, he has discovered that every new fact obtained, suggested a new subject for investigation and research, while the experience gained by clinical observation did not tend to diminish the difficulties which seemed to him to surround so exhaustless an inquiry. He was, moreover, unwilling to content himself with a compilation of the data collected by others, or with that apparent simplification of the subject so common in works on Therapeutics, but which too often results only from a hasty credence in statements consonant with the writer's ideas, and a neglect of others not in harmony with those preconceived conclusions. It was the intention of the Author to have appended to the present volume a more detailed account of his experience of the treatment of disease derived from clinical study, but the publication of the British Pharmacopoeia rendered it desirable that a text-book should be immediately in the hands of the Student and Practitioner of Medicine, and hence the second edition of the " Essentials of Materia Medica and Therapeutics" is now published alone. The Author still hopes, in the course of a few months, to bring before the Profession a separate volume devoted exclusively to the value of medicines in the treatment of disease, and embracing the whole subject of Therapeutics. The present work is intended to serve as a text-book of Materia Medica, and while it is hoped that it omits nothing essential to the study of the science, it excludes such details as are often em- VIII PREFACE. barrassing to the Student and seldom necessary to the Practitioner. It has been his object, while limiting its size, to include all points connected with the officinal preparation of medicines, and so much information on the therapeutic action of drugs as would serve as a sufficient guide in actual practice. All controversial points have been avoided, as unsuited to the design of the work ; and the information confined to the facts really ascertained as to the action of each drug, and the purposes for which it has been advantageously employed. A Table of Contents, by a glance at which the reader will at once see all drugs scientifically arranged, together with their pharmaceutical preparations, is contained in the present edition ; as likewise a Table indicating the principal changes of nomenclature and important differences of strength between preparations in the British Pharmacopoeia and in the London Pharmacopoeia, 1851 ; and lastly, a somewhat copious Posological Table is now introduced. Under some articles there will be found references to Appendix A. and Appendix B.; when such is the case it implies that the substance is contained in the Appendix of the British Pharmacopoeia. The Author desires, in conclusion, to express his obligations to Dr. Footman for the assistance kindly rendered in the preparation of the present edition of the " Essentials of Materia Medica and Therapeutics." 84 Harley Steeet, Cavendish Square, W., May, 1864. TABLE OP CONTENTS. INTRODUCTION. Liquor Chlori . . 24 Chlorum. Chlorine . , . ... . 23 Bromine . . , , , , . " . 22 Sulphuris Iodidum ........ 22 Unguentum " Compositum . .'.'.*.".'. 20 Tinctura " . . , , " 20 Linimentum lodi . . . . , . . 20 Iodine . . . , , , jg Iodum Purificatum . . .'.".*.'..." 19 Phosphorus . . . . . , . ..." 18 Unguentum " " . . , .... 17 Confectio Sulphuris (sublimed) . . . . , . * 17 " Praecipitatum . . . . 17 " Sublimatum . . . , , 18 Sulphur . . . . , , .... 16 Carbo Animalis Purificatus . 16 Bone Black . . . . ...... 16 Cataplasma Carbonis . . . . . . .15 Carbo Ligni . . . 4 ...... 18 Carbon . . . , , t < > .15 Hydrogen . . . ... ",.*.* . 14 Nitrogen ........ .14 Oxygen 18 INORGANIC SUBSTANCES. General Pharmaceutical Directions 10 Ointments . . . . jq Wines . . . .'-."..'."..*. 10 Lozenges ....... 10 Tinctures . . , .... •*.'.*'• Suppositories . . . ...... 9 Juices . . , t 8 Spirits . . . ...,,*, 8 Solutions . . . , , . 7 Liniments . • . , ...... 7 Infusions . . , , . 7 Liquid Extracts . . . . 6 Extracts . . . , , 5 Decoctions . . . . . . . 5 Confections . . . . , ..." 4 Cataplasms . . . , , ..... 4 Waters . . . . , . ..." 4 Acids ........... 8 " of Pharmacopoeia Measures to Metrical Measures ... 3 " of Pharmacopoeia Weights to Metrical Weights . . . . 8 Relation of Measures to Weights ....... 2 Weights and Measures of British Pharmacopoeia ..... 1 INTRODUCTION. Table Exhibiting the more Important Differences between the British and London Pharm acopceiaa xxvii PAQK X CONTENTS. Water .......... 24 Aqua Deatillata .......... 25 Mineral Waters ......... 25 1. Chalybeate Waters ........ 25 2. Acidulous or Carbonated Waters ...... 26 3. Sidine Waters ......... 26 4. Sulphuretted Waters ....... 27 Acids . . . . . , . . . , . 27 Acidum Aceticum ......... 27 Acidum Aceticum Dilutum . . . . . . .28 Acidum Aceticum Glaciale ........ 29 Acetum ........... 29 Boracic Acid ......... 30 Acidum Carbonicum ......... 30 " Citricum . . . . . . . , , 81 " Hydrochloricum 32 Acidum Hydrochloricum Dilutum ...... 32 Acidum Hydrocyanicum Dilutum ..... 83 Sulphuretted Hydrogen ........ 86 Acidum Nitricum ......... 36 Acidum Nitricum Dilutum ....... 87 " Nitro-Hydrochloricum Dilutum . . . . . .87 Acidum Phosphoricum Dilutum ....... 38 " Sulphurieum ......... 39 Acidum Sulphurieum Aromaticum ...... 40 '' " Dilutum ....... 40 Acidum Sulphurosum ........ 42 " Tartaricum ......... 43 Oxalic Acid .......... 44 Ammonia Salts .......... 44 Ammoniai Liquor Fortior ....... 44 Liquor Ammonia ......... 45 Linimentum 11 ........ , 45 Ammonite Carbonas . ....... 46 Spiritus Ammonia} Aromaticus ...... 47 Ammonia; Bicarbonas ......... 48 Sulphate of Ammonia ........ 48 Ammonia? Hydrochloras ........ 48 " Acetatis Liquor ........ 50 " Benzoas . . . . . . . .61 M Oxalas ......... 61 Hydrosulpliuret of Ammonia ........ 51 Ammonise Phosphas ........ 52 Ammonii Bromidum ......... 53 " Iodidum ......... 58 Aluminum .......... 53 Alumen .......... 58 Alumen Exsiccatum ..... ... 54 Antimony ......... .55 Sulphuret of Antimony ........ 55 Antimonium Sulphuratum . . . . . . . . 55 " Tartaratum ........ 56 Vinum Antimoniale ........ 57 Unguentum Antimonii Tartarati . . . . . . .57 Antimonii Oxidum ........ .58 Dulvis Antinvmialis . . . . . . , .58 Antimonii Terchloridi Liquor . . . . . . . 59 Silver 69 Argenti Nitras ......... 59 Volumetric Solution of Nitrate of Silver . . 60 Argenti Oxidum . . . . . . ( . §\ Arsenic . . . . . . , , ... .62 Acidum Arseniosum ........ 62 Liquor Arsenicalis ......... 63 Soda? Arsenias . . . . . , t . ' . ' 64 Liquor Soda Arseniatis . . . . . . 65 Arseuici et Hydrargyri Ilydriodatis Liquor . . . . . 65 CONTENTS. XI Gold ... 66 Solution of Terokloride of Gold ...... 66 Barium ........... 67 Barii Chloridum ........ 67 Solution of Chloride of Barium ...... .67 Bismuth .......... 67 Bismuthum Album ......... 67 Trochisci Bismuthi ......... 68 Bismuthi Carbonas ......... 69 Cadmium .......... 69 Cadmii Sulphas .......... 69 " Iodidum ......... 69 Calcium 70 Calx 70 Calcia Hydras ......... 70 Liquor Calcis Saccharatus ....... 70 Linimentum Calcis . . . . . . * . .71 Calcis Carbonas Prsecipitata ....... 71 Creta Praeparata .......... 7l Mistura Greta, ......... 72 Pulvis " Aromaticus . ....... 72 " " " cum Opio ...... 72 Calcii Chloridum 72 Solution of Chloride of Calcium ...... 78 Calx Chlorata 78 Liquor Calcis Chlorates ........ 78 Calcis Phosphas Prsecipitata . . . . . . . .74 Plaster of Paris ......... 74 Solution of Sulphide of Lime . . . . . . .74 Cerium ........... 74 Oxide, Oxalate, and Nitrate of Cerium . . .... 74 Copper .......... 75 Cupri Sulphas .......... 75 Solution of Ammonio-Sulphate of Copper ..... 76 Subacetate of Copper (Verdigris) ...... .77 Iron. |. . . . . ... . .77 Ferrum Redactum . . . . . . . .77 Ferri Carbonas Saccharata . ...... 78 Mistura Ferri Composita ....... .79 Pilula M Caroonatis ....... 79 Ferri Iodidum .......... 80 Syrupus Ferri Iodidi ........ 80 Pilula " . . . / 80 Ferri Sulphas 81 Ferri Sulphas Exsiccata ........ 81 Ferri Sulphas Granulata ........ 81 " Arsenias . , A ........ 82 " Phosphas ......... 83 Syrupus Ferri Phosphatis ... ..... 84 Ferri Oxidum Magneticum ........ 84 " Peroxiduin ......... 85 Emplastrum Ferri ........ 85 Ferri Peroxidum Hydratum ........ 86 " Perchloridi Liquor ........ 86 Tinctura Ferri Perchloridi 86 Ferri Pernitratis Liquor ........ 87 Solution of Persulphate of Iron . . . . . . .87 Ferri Ammonio-Chloridum ........ 88 Tinctura Ferri Ammonia-Chloridi . . . . . .88 Ferri et Ammoniac Citras ........ 89 Ferrum Tartaratum 90 Vinum Ferri ......... 90 Ferri et Quiniae Citras ......... 90 Hydrargyrum. Mercury ........ 92 Hydrargyrum cum Creta ........ 92 Pilula Hydrargyri ........ 92 Emplastrum " . ........ 92 '• Ammoniaci cum Hydrargyro ..... 92 CONTENTS. XII Mercurial Preparations— (continued.) PAGE Unguentum Hydrargyri M Linimentum . . . . • • • • • 98 Calomelas .. . . • • • • • W Pilula Calomelanos Composita ....... 97 Unguentum " . . . . . • • • .97 Hydrargyrum Corrosivum Sublimatum . ..... 98 " Ammoniatum . . . . . . .99 Unguentum Hydrargyri Ammoniati ...... 100 Hydranrvri Iodidum Vinde . . . . . . . .100 '' « Rubrum 101 Unguentum Uydrargyri Iodidi Rubri ...... 101 Hydrargyri Oxidum Rubrum ....... 101 Unguentum Hydrargyri Oxidi Rubri • . . . . .102 Hydrargyri Nitrat'is Liquor Acidus ...... 102 Unguentum Hydrargyri Nitratis ....... 103 Hydrargyri Sulphuretum ........ 103 Sulphate of Mercury ......... 104 Lithium .......... 105 Lithia? Carbonas .......... 105 " Citras ......... 106 Magnesium .......... 106 Magnesia .......... 106 " Levis .......... 106 Pulvis Rhei Compositus . . . . . • • 107 Magnesia? Carbonas . . . . • . ... • 10< " Levis 108 Sulphas 109 Enema Magnesiae Sulphatis . . ". . . . . 109 Manganesium . . . . . • • • • .110 Black Oxide of Manganese ........ 110 Platinum ........... H° Solution of Bichloride of Platinum . . . . . .111 Plumbum (Lead) ......... HI Lithargyrum . . . . . . . • • .111 Emplastrum Lilhargyri . . . . ' . • .112 Plumbi Iodidum ......... 112 Unguentum Plumbi Iodidi ........ 112 Plumbi Acetas ......... 112 Pilula Plumbi cum Opio ........ 1W Liquor Plumbi Subacetatis ........ H3 Liquor Plumbi, Subacetatis Dihdus ...... 114 Unguentum Plumbi Subacetatis . . . . . . .114 Plumbi Carbonas .......... H4 Unguentum Plumbi Carbonatis ....... 115 Potassium .......... H5 Potassa Caustica . . . . . . . .117 Liquor Potassas, . . . . • • 115,117 Potassa? Carbonas ......... US " Bicarbonas . . . . . , . • • • 1M " Acetas . . . * • • • • .119 " Citras 120 " Tartras . . . . . . . ' • .121 " Tartras Acida ......... 122 " Sulphas 122 « Nitras 124 •« Chloras 125 " Permanganas 125 Liquor Potassas Permanganatis . . . . • .126 Bichromate of Potash ......... 126 Potassii Iodidum ......... 127 Unguentum Potassii Iodidi . . . . ' . . 128 Potassii Bromidum ......... 128 Potassa Sulphurata ......... 129 Potassii Ferrocyanidum ........ 130 Ferridcyanide of Potassium ........ 131 Sodium 131 Soda Caustica . . . . . . . . • • 132 Liquor Sodas ........ 131, 132 CONTENTS. XIII Sodas Carbonas .......... 132 Soda Carbonas Exsiccata ....... 188 Sodas Bicarbonas . . . . . . . - . 133 " Sulphas ......... 134 Acetate of Soda . . . . . . . . . 135 Sodas Sulphis ......... 135 Hyposulphite of Soda ... ..... 185 Nitrate of Soda ......... 186 Nitrite " . . . . . . . . . .186 Soda? Phosphas ......... 136 Borax ........... 137 Mel Boracis ......... 188 Liquor Sodas Chlorates ......... 138 Cataplasma Soda Chlorata ....... 189 Sodii Chloridum . . . . . . . . . 189 Sodas et Potassas Tartras . . . . . . 140 Stannum (Tin) .......... 141 Granulated Tin ......... 141 Solution of Chloride of Tin . . . . . . .141 Zincum (Zinc) ......... 141 Granulated Zinc ......... 141 Zinci Oxidum ......... 142 Unguentum Zinci Oxidi . . . . . . . .142 Calamina Prasparata 142 Ceratrum Calamina ........ 142 Zinci Chloridum ......... 148 " Sulphas .......... 144 " Carbonas ......... 144 " Acetas 145 Alcoholic and Ethereal Preparations. Alcohol 146 Spiritus Rectificatus ........ 146 Spiritus Tenu 'wr . . . . . . . . . 147 Spiritus Vini Gallici ........ 147 Mistura Spiritus Vini Gallici ....... 147 Vinum Xericum ......... 148 Cerevisias Fermentum ......... 148 Cataplasma Fermenti ........ 149 ........... 149 Spiritus ........ 150 Ether (Pure) 151 Spiritus JEtheris Nitrosi ........ 151 Chloroformum .......... 152 Linimentum Chlorqformi . . . . . . .153 Spiritus Gldoroformi . . . . . . . .153 Fousel Oil 156 Hydrocarbons. Creosotum .......... 157 Mistura Creosoti . . . . . . .157 Unguentum Creosoti . . . . . . . .157 Carbolic Acid ......... 158 Petroleum .......... 158 Spiritus Pyroxylicus ........ 148 Directions for Collecting and Preserving Vegetable Products . . . 159 XIV CONTENTS. VEGETABLE KINGDOM. Nat. Ord. Rantjnctjlace/E. Aconitum (Folia) . . . . . . . . .160 Aconiti Radix ......... 160 Aconitia ........... 160 Extractum Aconiti (leaves) . . . . . . .161 Linimentum " (root) . . . . . . . .3 61 Tinctura • • • • • .161 Unguentum Aconitia} (alkaloid) . . . . . . .161 Podophyllum ......... 163 Podophylli Resina . . . . . . . . .163 Helleborus .......... 164 Tinctura Hellebori ......... 164 Staphisagria . . . . . . . . .164 Actaea Racemosa ......... 165 Tinctura Aetata} ........ 165 Nat. Ord. Magnoliace^e. Cortez Winteri .......... 165 Illicium Ansiatum ......... 166 Nat. Ord. Mentspermace^e. Calumba .......... 166 Extractum Calumbce . . . . . . . .166 Infusum " ........ 167 Tinctura " ........ 167 Pareira . . . . . . . . . . 167 Decoctum Pareira . . . . . . . .168 Extractum " Liquidum . . . . . . .168 Cocculus .......... 168 Unguentum Cocculi ........ 169 Nat. Ord. Pap a ve raceme. Papaver . . . . . . . . , igg Decoctum Papaver is . . . . . . . .169 Syrupus 41 . . . . . . . .189 Opium . . . . . . . . , • , 170 Morphia? Hydrochloras . . . . . . . 170 Emplastrum Opii ........ 173 Enema, " . . . . . . , , , 178 Extractum " 174 " " Liquidum ....... 174 Linimentum " 174 Pilula " (Pil. Saponis Comv.) . . . . . 174 " Plumbi cum Opio , . . . . .174 Pulvis Greta Aromaticus ctim Opio ...... 174 " Ipecacuanha " " ...... 174 " Kino " " . . . . . . 174 Tinctura Opii . . . . . . , 175 " Camphora cum Opio (Tinct. Camphora, Comp.) . . . 175 Trochisci Opii ......... 175 Unguentum Galla cum Opio . . . . . . . 175 Vinum Opii . . . . . . . , 175 CONTENTS. XV Opium Preparations— (continued.) pagk Liquor Morphia Hydrochloratis ...... 176 Suppositoria ,l ........ . 176 Trochisci " ........ 176 " " et Ipecacuanha, ....... 176 Rhocas . . . . . . . . . 182 Syrupus lihcmdos ......... 182 Nat. Ord. CrtjcifePwE. Sinapis ........... 183 Cataplasma Sinapis . . . . . . . .184 Armoracia .......... 185 Spiritus Armoracia Compositus ...... 185 Nat. Ord. Violace^. Viola? .185 Syrupus Viola ......... 185 Nat. Ord. Polygalace.?:. Senega . . . . . . . ... .186 Infusum Senega . . . . . . . .186 Tinctura " . . . . . . . 186 Krameria .......... 187 Extractum Krameria . . . . . . . .187 Infusum " ........ 187 Tinctura •* ........ 187 Nat. Ord. Linace^e. Lini Semen .......... 188 " Farina 183 " Oleum . . . . . . . . .188 Cataplasma Lini (meal) . . . . . . .188 Infusum " (seed) ........ 189 Linuni Catharticum ........ 189 Nat. Ord. Malvaceae. Althaja 189 Syrupus Althaa ........ 189 Cotton Wool .......... 190 Pyroxylin .......... 190 C'ollodium .......... 191 Nat. Ord. Aurantiaoe.e. Aurantii Cortex . . . . . . . . .191 " Floris Aqua- ........ 191 Infusum Aurantii (rind) ........ 192 Syrupus M .....<. 192 Tinctura " " 192 Syrupus " floris ....... 192 Limonis Cortex . . . . . . . . .192 Oleum 193 " Succus . 198 Syrupus Limonis (peel and juice) ...... 193 Tinctura (peel) . . . . . . . .193 Bela . . 194 Extractum Bela Liquidum ....... 194 Nat. Ord. Guttifeb. • HI Decoctum Ulmi 82;1 Nat. Ord. CuPULiFEitiE. Quercus ........... 823 Decoctum Quercus ........ 323 Galla 824 Acidum Tannicum ......... 824 " Gallicum 324 Tinctura (Jallce ......... 825 Unguentum 825 " " cum Opto . . . . . . 826 Suppositoria Acidi Tannici ........ 826 Trochisci •* . * . . . . i . N . 826 Nat. Ord. Urticace^;. Ficus 327 Mori Succus . . • . . . . . , . 328 Syrupus Mori ......... 828 Cannabis Indica ......... £23 Extractum Cannabis Indices ....... 32!) Tinctura " 829 Lupulus 830 Extractum Lupuli ........ 330 Infusum tl ........ - 880 Tinctura " 331 CONIFER2E OR PINACE^E. Terebinthina; Oleum ......... 331 Resina 331 Confectio Terebinthinas . . . . . . . .831 Enema " . ....... 881 Linimentum a ........ 881 " " Aceticum ...... 381 Unguentum " . . . . . . . .881 Emplastrum Resinas ........ 3S2 Unguentum " . . . . . . . ' . 882 Terebinthina Canadensis ........ 834 Thus Americaniim ......... 834 Pix Rurgundica ......... 334 Emplastrum Picis . . . . . . . . .885 Pix Liquida .......... 835 Juniperi Oleum .......... 336 Spiritus Juniperi . . . . . . . . 836 Oleum Cadinum .......... 337 Sabina ........*.. 837 Sabina? Oleum .......... 337 Tinctura Sabince ........ 887 Unguentum . 833 Nat. Ord. Zikgieerace^;. Zingiber .......... 838 Tinctura Zingiberis ......... 889 Syrupus 889 Curcuma ........... 839 Turmeric Paper ......... 889 " Tincture ......... 339 Cardamomum ......... 840 Tinctura Cardamomi Composita ....... 340 Nat. Ord. Marantace/e. Maranta ....... . . 841 CONTENTS. XXIII Nat Ord. Ihidace^;. Crocus ........... 841 Tinctura Croci ......... 841 Nat. Ord. 8milace.e. Sarsa ........... 842 Decoctum Sarsce .......... 844 " " Compositum ....... 844 Extractum " Liquidum ....... 344 Nat. Ord. Palji^e. Sago ........... 345 Nat. Ord. Liliaceji. Scilla . . . . . . . . . 84« Pilula Scillez Composita ........ 346 Syrupus . 846 tinctura" . . . . . . . . . . 847 Aloe Barbadensis ......... 347 Aloe Socotrina 347 Enema Aloes (Barbadoes or Socotrine) ..... 349 Extractum Aloes Barbadensis . . . . . . .349 Pihila " . . ... . . .849 Decoctum " Compositum (Socotrine) . . . . . 350 Extractum " Socotrinat ....... 350 Pilula " ** ........ 860 " " et Assafwtidoz (Socotrine) .... 350 " " et Myrrhce " . . . . . .850 Tinctura " (Socotrine) ...... 350 Vinum '* ....... 861 Nat. Ord. Melanthacejb. Veratrum . . . . . . . . . . . 352 Vinum Veratri ......... 852 Veratrum Viride ......... 353 Sabadilla .» .... . . 854 Veratria ........... 854 Unguentum Veratria} . . . . . . . 854 Colchici Corm us ......... 355 " Semen . . . . . . ' . . . 855 Extractum Colchici (corm) ......... 856 " " Aceticum (conn) ..... 856 Vinum " (corm) ....... 856 Tinctura M Seminis ....... 856 Nat. Ord. Gbaminace/e. Farina . . . . . . . ... . .868 Bread . .' . . . . . . . $58 Amylum . . . . . • . . • • . 858 Mucilago Amyli ......... 359 Ilordeum .......... 859 Decoctum Ilordei ........ 359 Arena ........... 869 Ergota . . . . . . . . . .860 Extractum Ergot as Liquidum . . . . . . .361 Infusum tX ........ ' 861 Ttnctura ** . . . • . . . . . 861 Saccharum Album . • . . . . . . 362 Syrupus . . . . . . • ¦ * . 862 Theriaca .......... 863 XXIV CONTENTS. Unguentum Simplex . . . . 379 " Flava . . . • . 879 Cera Alba . . . . . , , 379 Oxymel .......... 378 Mel Depuralum . . . . . . . . .378 Mel Boracis ......... 878 Mel . . . . .378 CLASS—INSECTA. Hymenoptera. Olejum Morrhua) ......... 8/5 Solution of Gelatine . . . . . * . . . 374 Isinglass 874 CLASS—PISCES. " Vitellus .......... 373 Ovi Albumen .......... 873 CLASS—AVES. Unguentum Cetacei ........ 373 Cotaceum .......... 373 Cetace^k Unguentum Simplex ........ 872 Adeps Pra>paratus ......... 372 Pachydermata. Pepsina ........... 871 Saccharum Lactis . . . . . . . . 369 ( Fel Bovinum Purificatum ........ 370' " Ustutn • . . .868 Cornu ........... 868 Sevum Praeparatum ........ 368 Moschus ........... 867 RuMINANTIA. Tinctura Gastorei ........ 866 Castoreum .......... 866 RODENTIA. CLASS—MAMMALIA. ANIMAL KINGDOM. Bed " 865 Blue Litmus Paper ......... 365 Tincture of Litmus . . . . . . . .365 Lacmus ........... 865 Decoctum Cetraria} . . . . . . . .865 Cetraria ........... 864 Nat. Ord. Lichenes. Extractum Filicis Liquidum . . . . . . 1 364 Filix . .863 Nat. Ord. Filices. CONTENTS. XXV Index ........... 427 Granular Effervescing Salts ....... 425 Table exhibiting the Amounts of important Medicinal Agents in the various Pharmaceutic Preparations ........ 421 Posological Table ......... 404 Test-Solutions for Quantitative and Qualitative Analyses .... 386 Spongia Usta . . . . ¦ . . . . . 385 CLASS—POR1FERA. Hirudo . . . . . . . . . .384 CLASS—ANNELIDA. Unguentum " ........ 882 Tinctura " . . . . . . 882 Linimentum Cantharidis ........ 382 M Catyfaciem ....... 382 Emplastrum " ..... 381 Aaetum Cantharidi* ........ 382 Canthnris . . . . . . . .881 COLEOPTERA. Tinctura Cocci ......... 380 Coccus . . . . . . , ' . . .880 Hemiptera. TABLE The following Table exhibits the more important differences between the nomenclature of the London Pharmacopoeia, 1851, and the British Pharmacopoeia, 1864. The substances represented by the names which stand opposite to one another in the columns of the table, are, for all practical purposes, identical. The second division of the table indicates those alterations in the strength of preparations of sufficient importance to render them essential to be borne in mind in prescribing. Many minor differences of strength will be discovered, depending on the alteration in the value of the solid ounce ; but even when these occur in the preparations of the more active medicines, they will not materially influence the doses, being far less than those due to the varying qualities of drugs : London Pharmacopoeia, 1851. Ammonia) Sesquicarbonas Antimonii Oxysulpburetum Antimonii Potassio-Tartras Bismuthi Nitras Calx Chlorinata Chloroformyl Ferri Potassio-Tartras Hydrargyri Bichloridum Hydrargyri Biniodidum (183G) Hydrargyri Chloridum Hydrargyri Iodidum Hydrargyri Precipitatum Alburn Hydrargyri Nitrico-Oxidum Iodinium Liquor Chlorinii Liquor Soda) Chlorinates Magnesia Magnesia) Carbonas British Pharmacopoeia. Ammonia) Carbonas Antimonium Sulphuratum Antimonium Tartavatum Bismuthum Album Calx Chlorata Cliloroformum Ferrum Tartaratum Hydrargyrum Corrosivum Sublimatum Hydrargyri Iodidum Rubrum Calomelas Hydrargyri Iodidum Viride Hydrargyrum Ammoniatum Hydrargyri Oxidum Rubrum Iodum Liquor Chlovi Liquor Soda) Chlorata) Magnesia Levis Magnesia) Carbonas Levis (The heavy variety of Magnesia and its Carbonate being now termed Magnesia and Magnesite Carbonas.) XXVIII TABLE. London Pharmacopoeia, 1851. Oleum Tiglii Plumbi Oxidum Potassa; Hydras Potassii Sulphuretum Quinse Disulphas Sacchari Faex Sapo Thus British Pharmacopoeia. Oleum Crotonis Lithargyrum Potassa Caustica Potassa Sulphurata Quinise Sulphas Theriaca Sapo Durus Thus Americana Confectio Amygdalae Confectio Aromatica Infusum Rosa; Compositum Mistura Camphorse Pilula Galbani Composita Pilula Saponis Composita Pulvis Ipecacuanhas Compositus Pulvis Kino Compositus Tinctura Camphorse Composita Pulvis Amygdalae Compositus Pulvis Creta; Aromaticus Infusum Rosa; Acidum Aqua Camphorse Pilula Assafoetidas Composita Pilula Opii Pulvis Ipecacuanha? cum Opio Pulvis Kino cum Opio Tinctura Camphorse cum Opio ALTERATIONS IN STRENGTH. The dilute mineral acids, although a little altered, are not sufficiently so as materially to affect the doses. Decoctum Scoparii is now simple, without Juniper and Taraxacum. Extractum Colocynthidis Compositum-. restored as in Ph. Lond. 1836. Pilula Colocynthidis Composita is the same as the Edinburgh preparation, containing powdered Colocynth pulp. Extractum Jalapa) is made with cold water and spirit, in place of boiling water, and is about twice the strength of the Extractum Jalapse of 1851. TABLE, XXIX Extractum Colchici, and Extractum Colchici Aceticum, are stronger than the same preparations of 1851, from the subsidence of the starch being allowed to take place before the concentration of the juice. Extractum Stramonii is made with proof spirit in lieu of water, and is therefore a much stronger preparation, and less liable to mould, than the Extract of the London Pharmacopoeia. Infusum Aurantii contains neither lemon-peel nor cloves. Infusum Calumba? is made with cold water. t Infusum Gentiana; Compositum contains spirit and coriander, but no lemon-peel. Infusum Quassia? is made with cold water. Liquor Ammonia? Acetatis is Jive times stronger than that of 1851. Liquor Potassa? and Liquor Soda?, although a little altered in strength, are not sufficiently changed to affect the dose. Liquor Morphia? Hydrochloratis is half the strength of the London preparation. The Spirits of the British Pharmacopoeia, made by dissolving the volatile oils in rectified spirit, are now of uniform strength, and contain one fluid part of oil to nine fluid parts of rectified spirit, and may be regarded as essences; they have no relation to the corresponding spirits of the London Pharmacopoeia, some being thirty-one times, and some as much as ninety-five times stronger. Spiritus Chloroformi contains one part by measure of chloroform to nineteen of rectified spirit, and is a substitute for the preparation previously called Chloric JSther, which varied much in strength. Syrupus Senna? is now much stronger, and is an efficient preparation. Tinctura Aconiti is about one-third the strength of the London Tincture, 1851. Tinctura Belladonna? is about half the strength of the London Tincture, 1851. XXX TABLE. Tinctura Conii Fructus, about twice as strong as Tinctura Conii (Folia) Lond. 1851. Tinctura Digitalis, about one-sixth stronger than the London Tincture. Tinctura Opii, only diminished in strength in the ratio of 4375 to 480. Tinctura Zingiberis, about twice as strong as the Tincture, 1851. Vinum Ferri now contains one grain of tartarated iron in each fluid drachm of the preparation. Vinum Opii is made with powdered opium in lieu of the extract, and contains no aromatic substances; it is of the same strength as the tincture of opium. THE ESSENTIALS OF MATERIA MEDICA AND THERAPEUTICS. MATERIA MEDICA. INTRODUCTION. In the various preparations contained in the first part of this work, constant reference is made to weights and measures, temperature, ¦ contains > eight fluid drachms, fz . The fluid drachm S ) sixty minims, itl. ] RELATION OP WEIGHTS OP THE BRITISH PHARMACOPOEIA TO METRICAL WEIGHTS. 1 pound = 453588 grammes. 1 ounce = 28-349 " 1 grain = 0-0648 " RELATION OF MEASURES OF THE BRITISH PHARMACOPOEIA TO METRICAL MEASURES. 1 gallon = 4-543458 litres. 1 pint = 0-567932 " 1 fluid ounce = 0 028396 u 1 fluid drachm . . = 0-003550 " 1 minim = 0*000059 " The following remarks concerning certain groups of pharmaceutic preparations contained in the British Pharmacopoeia may prove of service to the reader, by enabling him to discover at a glance the nature of their more important general characters, and facilitating the understanding of some peculiarities in nomenclature and methods of preparation found in many of them. Acida. Acids. Among this group, directions are found for making certain dilute acids, and the same rule has in most instances been followed ; for example, Acidum Hydrochlorium Dilutum, Acidum Nitricum Dilutum, Acidum Nitro-hydrochlorium Dilutum, Acidum Phosphoricum Dilutum, and Acidum Sulphuricum Dilutum, will be seen to have nearly the same neutralising powers, measured, except in the case of dilute phosphoric acid, by the amount of an alkaline solution which they are capable of saturating. Acidum Sulphuricum Aromaticum, which is really a dilute acid, is some- 4 MATERIA MEDICA. what weaker ; and Acidum Aceticum Dilutum has been so formed as to assimilate it closely in strength with Acetum, or vinegar. Acidum Hydrocyanicum Dilutum hardly belongs to the same category of medicines, as it is not employed on account of its acid properties. Aquce. Waters. The waters of pharmacy consist of water holding in solution very small quantities of oils or other volatile principles. In the British Pharmacopoeia two principal methods are adopted for making these preparations. In the first, the part of the plant is ordered to be placed with water in a retort, and a certain quantity of water brought over by distillation ; this is the case with the dill, caraway, cinnamon, fennel, cherry-laurel, pimento, rose, and elder-flower waters. The second method consists in distilling the volatile oils, previously obtained from the plants, with water ; peppermint and spearmint waters are thus prepared. Aqua Camphora?, formerly termed Mistura Camphoraj, is made simply by allowing water to dissolve as much camphor as it is capable of taking up ; and Aqua Destillata is only water distilled with such precautions, as to ensure its freedom from any appreciable or important amount of foreign matters. Cataplasmata. Cataplasms or Poultices. Cataplasms are soft, moist, local applications, employed sometimes solely for the sake of their moisture and temperature, but more frequently, in addition to these properties, on account of certain peculiar active remedies contained in them. The basis of the cataplasms in the British Pharmacopoeia is linseed meal, either alone, or united with bread or flour ; boiling water is employed for mixing the ingredients, except in the case of Cataplasma Fermenti, when water at 100° Fah. is made use of, in order that the catalytic powers of the ferment may not be injured by the heat. Olive oil is added to the Cataplasma Lini as a substitute for the natural oil which has been removed from the linseed by expression. jConfectiones. Confections, Electuaries, or Conserves. Confections .are used sometimes merely as a basis for pill masses, &c, sometimes for the exhibition of sparingly soluble remedies which require to be administered in bulky doses. Honey or sugar, or .both these substances, form a prominent part of all confections. INTRODUCTION. 5 Decocta. Decoctions. A decoction is a watery solution of a medicinal substance prepared by boiling. The length of time ordered in the Pharmacopoeia is in most instances from ten to twenty minutes ; in some cases boiling for an hour is directed, and, in one instance, Decoctum Granati Radieis, two pints are to be reduced to the bulk of a pint. The length of time should be proportionate to the solubility of the active matter of the drug; but prolonged boiling is often objectionable from rendering this portion less active, or even inert. In two decoctions only, namely, Decoctum Aloes Compositum and Decoctum Sarsae Compositum, are the preparations made compound by the introduction of more than one active drug. Only those medicines should be used in the form of decoction which contain active principles not injured by the boiling temperature ; if volatile oils are present, these are dissipated in the process. Decoctions should be strained when hot, as a deposit of active matters occasionally takes place when the preparation becomes cold, as in Decoctum Cinchonas Flavae. All the decoctions are prepared from vegetable substances. Extracta. Extracts. Many different kinds of extracts are to be found in the British Pharmacopoeia. 1. Some consist of the fresh juice, reduced to the state of solid extract by evaporation : these are commonly termed fresh or green extracts, and are ordered to be prepared in the following manner. The juice obtained from the fruits of the plant, leaves and flowering tops, &c, is first heated to 180°, in order to coagulate the green colouring matter, filtered and heated to 200°, at which temperature the albumen is coagulated. After being again filtered to remove the albumen, the juice is evaporated at a temperature npt exceeding 140° to the consistence of a thin syrup, and the colouring matter, previously separated by the first coagulation, is added, and the whole evaporated to the proper consistence of an extract. It will be observed, if the details of the process be examined, that the colour of a green extract is no test of its goodness, for the evaporation of the bulk of the juice may have been carried on at too high a temperature, and yet the product may preserve its green appearance, provided the last part of the process be carefully conducted. 6 MATERIA MEDICA. The green extracts of the Pharmacopoeia are Extractum Aconiti, Extractum Belladonna?, Extractum Conii, and Extractum Hyoscyami. Extractum Colchici, Extractum Colchici Aceticum, and Extractum Taraxaci, are formed in a similar manner, with the exception that in the preparation of these extracts the temperature of the juice is at once raised to 212° to coagulate the albuminous matters, and the filtered juice afterwards reduced to the proper consistence at a temperature of 160°. 2. A second group of extracts is formed from the drugs in a dry state, by the action of cold or boiling distilled water, by which means all the matters soluble in this menstruum are dissolved, and the fluid afterwards reduced by evaporation to the proper consistence. In this manner the following extracts are prepared :— Extractum Aloes Barbadensis, Extractum Aloes Socotrina?, Extractum Anthemidis, Extractum Gentiana?, Extractum Glycyrrhiza?, Extractum Ha?matoxyli, Extractum Krameria?, Extractum Opii, and Extractum Quassia?. 3. A third group is formed in a similar manner, except that the active matters are extracted by means of rectified or of dilute spirit, in place of water. This group consists of Extractum Calumba? (proof-spirit), Extractum Cannabis Indica? (rectified spirit), Extractum Colocynthidis Compositum (proof-spirit), Extractum Jalapa? (first spirit, then cold water), Extractum Humuli (spirit, then by boiling in water), Extractum Nucis Vomica? (rectified spirit), Extractum Rhei (spirit and water), and Extractum Stramonii (proof-spirit). 4. In the British Pharmacopoeia liquid extracts are introduced ; these preparations are made for the most part by macerating the drug in a large quantity of cold water, and extracting by this means such of the active matter as is soluble in this menstruum ; afterwards evaporating the watery infusion, and, lastly, adding sufficient spirit to prevent decomposition. In the Pharmacopoeia the following liquid extracts are found : Extractum Cinchona? Flava? Liquidum, Extractum Ergota? Liquidum, Extractum Filicis Liquidum, Extractum Opii Liquidum, Extractum Pareira? Liquidum, Extractum Sarza? Liquidum. In the case of the liquid extracts of Bael, Ergot, and Pareira, each fluid part represents a solid part of the drug employed. 7 INTRODUCTION. 5. Ether is occasionally employed in lieu of water in the formation of the liquid extracts, especially when the drug contains much oleaginous matter. In the case of Extractum Ergota? Liquidum it is used to free the preparation from the oil; in that of Extractum Filicis Liquidum it is employed as the solvent of the active matter. Infusa. Infusions. There are a few points to be noticed under Infusions. In the preparation of the majority of them, boiling distilled water is ordered, the time of infusing varying from ten minutes to two hours, according to the solubility of the active ingredients of the drugs; in some few cases, as in those of the infusions of Chiretta and Cusparia, water at 120° Fah. is made use of; and in others, as the infusions of Calumba, Gentian, and Quassia, cold distilled water is employed. In the case of calumba the use of cold water is of advantage, as the starch is not dissolved, and hence the infusion will keep much longer, and will not strike a blue colour in the presence of free iodine. In making Infusum Gentiana? Compositum, a different method of procedure is adopted. A little proof-spirit is first poured upon the dry ingredients, and, after maceration, cold water is added, and the process continued as with other infusions. Linimenta. Liniments, Embrocations. A liniment, derived from linio, I anoint, implies strictly a preparation capable of being used in anointing, and therefore of an oily or soapy nature. In the British Pharmacopoeia the word is employed in a more extended sense, and includes most of the liquid pharmaceutic preparations which are employed as external remedies, and either rubbed or painted upon the part. The majority of the liniments contain either a fixed or volatile oil or soap, camphor being regarded as a concrete volatile oil; the exceptions are Linimentum Cantharidis and Linimentum Iodi; both of which, unless united with other liniments or oily substances, are best used as paints, for producing blistering or powerful counter-irritation. Liquores. Solutions. These preparations are watery solutions, either of inorganic substances or of certain definite active organic principles, and should not be confused either with juices of 8 MATERIA MEDICA. plants (sued), or with liquid extracts: this error is frequently made. It is important to remember certain points in regard to these preparations. When made by the solution of a salt or alkaloid, the strength is such that four grains of the active principle are contained in one fluid ounce of the preparation; this is the case with Liquor Arsenicalis, Liquor Atropia?, Liquor Morphia? Hydrochloratis, Liquor Potassae Permanganatis, Liquor Sodae Arseniatis, and Liquor Strychnia?. It must be remembered that Liquor Morphias Hydrochloratis is only half the strength of the preparation in the London Pharmacopoeia; also, that Liquor Ammonia? Acetatis is five times stronger. Spiritus. Spirits. Many of the spirits of the British Pharmacopoeia differ greatly from the preparations bearing the same name in the London Pharmacopoeia. Those made with volatile oils have now a uniform strength, containing one fluid part of the oil to nine fluid parts of rectified spirit. Of this composition are Spiritus Cajuputi, Spiritus Camphora?, Spiritus Juniperi, Spiritus Lavandulae, Spiritus Mentha? Piperita?, Spiritus Myristica?, and Spiritus Rosmarini. The above compounds are the same as the essences of the last Dublin Pharmacopoeia. Spiritus Chloroformi contains only one fluid part of chloroform to nineteen fluid parts of rectified spirit, and is the correct name for the so-called chloric ether, a preparation which varies so much in strength at different establishments. Spiritus iEtheris is the old compound spirits of ether, with the omission of the oil of wine. Spiritus Juniperi contains about ninety-five times, Spiritus Mentha? Piperita? forty-seven times, and Spiritus Rosmarini thirty-one times, as much volatile oil as the corresponding preparations of the London College. Sued. Juices. These preparations have been for some time used in medicine, and three are now made officinal: Succus Conii, Succus Scoparii, and Succus Taraxaci. In each instance the expressed juice of the plant has one-third of its volume of rectified spirit added, a quantity found sufficient to preserve it from decomposition. The strength of these juices is liable to vary from the influence of situation, soil, and season upon the plant. 9 INTRODUCTION. Suppositoria. Suppositories. Preparations newly introduced for the local application of certain drugs ; they are two only in number, namely, tannic acid and morphia ; these agents are ordered to be made up with sugar or glycerine, lard, and soap, divided into cones, and then coated with a thin covering of wax. [Suppositories are not officinal in the U. S. Pharmacopoeia. They are best made with butter of cacao in the form of small cylinders, and introduced by means of a suppository syringe.] Tincturce. Tinctures. In the British Pharmacopoeia this group is very extensive, and it will be observed that in the preparation of the various tinctures, different menstrua are employed, as rectified spirit, proof spirit, compound spirit of ammonia, and spirit of ether. Rectified Spirit is used whenever the active portion of the drug from which the tincture is made is of sparing solubility in more dilute alcohol. This is the case with some alkaloids, resinous, and oily matters. In the Pharmacopoeia, rectified spirit is used in the tinctures of Aconite, Arnica, Assafcetida, Benzoin, Indian Hemp, Capsicum, Castor, Perchloride of Iron, Iodine, Kino, Lavender, Myrrh, Nux Vomica, Tolu, and Ginger. Aromatic Spirit of Ammonia is employed pharmaceutically with the same object as rectified spirit, namely, to dissolve resins and oily substances, but it is also used with a view to its own medicinal powers ; its alkaline properties render it a potent solvent of resinous acids. It is only ordered for two tinctures, viz., Tinctura Guaiaci Ammoniata and Tinctura Valeriana? Ammoniata. Spirit of Ether (a mixture of two parts by volume of rectified spirit and one part of ether) is used to form one tincture, Tinctura Lobelia? iEtherea, and in this instance the antispasmodic virtues of the ether, rather than its solvent powers, have doubtless led to its employment. Proof Spirit is used in making the remainder of the tinctures, containing matters partly soluble in water, partly in spirit; the amount of alcohol in proof spirit is more than sufficient to ensure an absence of all decomposition in the preparations, even when kept for a lengthened period. Many of the tinctures made with rectified spirit, or with aro- 10 MATERIA MEDICA. raatic spirit of ammonia, become milky when added to water, on account of the precipitation of the resinous or oily matters which are insoluble in water, and a species of emulsion is thus formed. Under these circumstances it is often desirable to have mucilage of acacia rubbed up with the tincture before the addition of the water, and by this means the insoluble matters are held in suspension for a long time. Trochisci. Lozenges. This, group, although long officinal in the Edinburgh, is now for the first time introduced into an English Pharmacopoeia. There are six different lozenges; viz., of Tannic Acid, Bismuth, Catechu, Morphia, Morphia with Ipecacuanha, and Opium. In all cases the lozenge mass is ordered to be divided into a given number (720) of lozenges, and hence a definite quantity of the active matters is contained in each. Uhguenta. Ointments. It will be observed that cerates are altogether omitted from the Pharmacopoeia, but many of the present ointments contain wax, and are similar in character and composition to preparations formerly termed cerates. In the ointments of the active principles of vegetables, as of Aconitia, Atropia, and Veratria, eight grains of the active principle are contained in about an ounce of the preparation. Vina. Wines. In these preparations sherry wine is used as the menstruum. Vinum Ferri is now made by dissolving tartarated iron in sherry, and Vinum Opii by digesting opium in the same ; in the London Pharmacopoeia iron wire was employed for the former, and extract of opium for the latter preparation. Attention to the following directions may prove of some value. Care must be taken that medicines do not acquire any impurity from the material of the vessels in which they are either prepared or kept; therefore, unless otherwise ordered, glass, or vitrified ware, such as porcelain or stone, whose surface is not glazed with lead, should be employed. All acid, alkaline, or metallic preparations, and salts of every kind, should be kept in stoppered glass bottles, and occasionally those made of green or black glass are desirable. When the saturation of acids or alkalies is ordered, it is sup- 11 INTRODUCTION. posed that this is determined by the use of litmus or turmeric papers. In applying tests, distilled water should be made use of; and, unless otherwise ordered, white bibulous paper should be used. In the filtration of liquids, or drying of crystals, degrees of heat are measured by Fahrenheit's thermometer : boiling heat is 212° ; a gentle heat between 90° and 100°. Specific gravities are to be taken at the temperature of 60°. In ascertaining the weight of any precipitate, the precipitant should be added in excess, and the precipitate well washed, and afterwards dried at 212° ; care, however, is sometimes necessary, in order that the precipitate be not redissolved by the excess of the precipitant. Crucibles should be made of Hessian or Cornish ware. Exposure to hot water, or the vapour of boiling water, in a proper vessel, constitutes a Water Bath. A Sand Bath consists of sand heated in a suitable vessel. MATERIA MEDICA INORGANIC SUBSTANCES. OXYGEN. (0. Eq.=8.) Oxygen is a colourless and odourless gas ; it forms, on an average, 20*81 per cent, by measure, or 23*01 per cent, by weight, of atmospheric air. The specific gravity is 1*1057, the specific gravity of air being 1. It combines in various proportions with nearly all the elementary substances, and is the great supporter of combustion and respiration. In combination with hydrogen it forms water. Oxygen may be prepared in various ways ; when large quantities are required it is generally obtained by the action of heat on peroxide of manganese, 3 Mn0 2 =MnO, Mn 2 0 3 + 2 0, pure Oxide of manganese yielding about one-ninth of its weight of oxygen. Chlorate of potash may be used for the same purpose, and the decomposition is then as follows : K0,C10 6 =KC1 + 6 0. A peculiar modification of oxygen, known as Ozone, is produced under certain circumstances, as when a succession of electric sparks is passed through air, or through oxygen, a large portion of the oxygen is converted into ozone, which has a peculiar odour, is much denser than oxygen, and seems to be a more active form of this gas ; it can be formed by other means, and in the course of the slow oxidation of phosphorous and other substances, is produced in small quantities. It is a powerful oxidising agent; it displaces iodine from its metallic combinations; starch paper impregnated with a solution of iodide of potassium is generally used to detect its presence in the atmosphere, the iodine being set free combines with the starch 14 MATERIA MEDICA. to form the blue iodide ; it converts the protosalts of manganese into persalts, and the sulphite of lead into sulphate. Therapeutics. A solution of oxygen in water has been used as a slight stimulant and excitant. Considerable advantages were at first anticipated from the introduction of the gas as a remedial agent, but clinical experience has not confirmed these anticipations. Its inhalation, which has been tried in certain states of the system accompanied with deficient aeration of the blood, has not been attended with much success. NITROGEN. (N. Eq.=14.) Nitrogen constitutes 79*19 per cent, of the atmosphere by measure, or 76*99 by weight. Sp. gr. 0*9713. It seems to act the part of a diluent in the air, counteracting the too stimulating properties of oxygen. Nitrogen forms acids with three and five equivalents of oxygen (N0 3 and N0 6 ); the salts known as the nitrites and the nitrates, especially the latter, are much used in medicine. With hydrogen it forms ammonia, with carbon it forms cyanogen, and enters into the composition of all the alkaloids, and many of the other most active medicinal principles, as morphia, quinia, and prussic acid. Water at the ordinary temperature dissolves about sVth of its bulk of nitrogen. It is rarely or never employed in its free state as a therapeutic agent. HYDROGEN. (H. Eq.=l.) Hydrogen is a colourless inodorous gas, which has never been liquefied, and is but slightly soluble in water. It is the lightest form of matter known, and has a sp. gr. 0*0692. In combination with one equivalent of oxygen it forms water, and with two equivalents the peroxide of hydrogen (H0 2 ). The latter is a liquid of syrupy consistence, and is a very unstable compound ; it possesses powerful oxidising properties, bleaches a solution of litmus, and has a somewhat metallic taste. Therapeutics. Hydrogen possesses but little value as a remedial agent. When mixed with a certain quantity of oxygen and breathed, it imparts a peculiar shrill and sharp tone to the voice. The peroxide of hydrogen whitens the epidermis and epithelium 15 CARBON. of the tongue, and is supposed to possess some stimulant and disinfecting action upon the system, but further investigations are required to establish its value as a medicine. CARBON. (C. Eq.=6.) An elementary body found pure, or almost so, in the diamond, plumbago, and anthracite ; combined with other elements, it enters into almost all vegetable and animal substances. In medicine it is now only employed in the form of charcoal, of which there are two varieties, vegetable and animal. Carbo Ligni. Wood Charcoal. Wood charred by exposure to a red heat without access of air. Prep. Obtained by burning wood with a limited supply of air, by which the hydrogen, etc., are burnt off, and the carbon remains. Wood yields from seventeen to twenty-three per cent. It is met with either in the form of the pieces of wood from which it was made, or as a black powder. Prop. & Com. It is odourless and almost tasteless; it possesses the power of absorbing gases and odours to a great extent, especially when recently prepared; besides carbon, it contains some salts, about two per cent. It is insoluble in water, and in close vessels is neither melted nor volatilized by the most intense heat. Off. Prep. Cataplasma Carbonis, Charcoal Poultice. (Wood charcoal, in powder, half an ounce ; bread, two ounces • linseed meal, one ounce and a half; boiling water, ten fluid ounces. Mix the water, bread, and linseed ; then add half the charcoal, and sprinkle the remainder on the surface.) Therapeutics. It has been employed on account of its absorbing power, as an antiseptic and corrector of acidity and flatus of the stomach and intestines, and to correct the state of the faeces in some diseases. As an external application it is used in the form of poultice, to prevent the fcetor of ulcers, etc. Dr. Stenhouse has recently proposed its being used in the manufacture of respirators for those who are subjected to the influence of injurious gases or vapours. Internally it is given in certain forms of dyspepsia, accompanied with flatus and acidity. Dose. Internally from a teaspoonful to a tablespoonful, recently 16 MATERIA MEDICA. made, and carefully preserved in stoppered vessels. It is sometimes made into a biscuit and thus employed ; sometimes also it is given in the form of lozenges. Bone Black. Ivory Black, Animal Charcoal, Appendix A. The residue of ox and sheep bones which have been exposed to a red heat without the access of air, reduced to powder : it contains about 10 per cent, of carbon, the remaining 90 per cent, consisting of phosphate, with a little carbonate, of lime. Carbo Animalis Purificatus. Purified Animal Charcoal. Bone black, deprived of its earthy salts. Prep. It is prepared by treating bone black with very dilute hydrochloric acid, to remove all the salts ; then washing and drying, and afterwards heating to redness in a covered crucible. Prop. & Comp. Inodorous and almost tasteless ; absorbs gases and odours, and has also great power in abstracting almost all principles from their solutions, such as alkaloids, bitter and colouring matters, etc. Therapeutics. Animal charcoal may be used in the same way and for the same purposes as vegetable, in addition to which the author has shown that its antidotal power against vegetable poisons is very great, rendering inert opium, nux vomica, aconite, and almost all the active organic poisons. In pharmacy it is used to deprive alkaloids and other principles of their colour, etc. Dose. As an antacid and corrector of fcetor, from a teaspoonful to a tablespoonful; as an antidote, from half an ounce to two ounces or more, according to the amount of poison taken ; it may be suspended in water for a short time, and thus administered. Common bone black in the state of fine powder may be used as an antidote or externally applied ; it is much more powerful than the purified charcoal, if estimated by the amount of contained carbon. SULPHUR. (S. Eq.=16.) An elementary body found native as virgin sulphur ; also in combination, as sulphurets of metals, etc. Sulphur Sublimatum. [U. S.] Sublimed Sulphur ; Flowers of Sulphur. [Sulphur Lotum. Washed Sulphur. IT. S.] 17 SULPHUR. Sulphur Praocipitatum. Precipitated Sulphur; Lac Sulphuris. Prep. Sublimed sulphur is generally prepared from the virgin sulphur, by causing it to rise in vapours, which are condensed in a chamber. It may also be made from any metallic sulphuret, but is then more liable to contain impurities, as arsenic, etc. The precipitated sulphur is directed in the Pharmacopoeia to be prepared by first forming a sulphuret of calcium, by heating sulphur and lime with water, then causing the precipitation of the sulphur by means of hydrochloric acid, and washing the product with distilled water until the washings cease to have an acid re-action or precipitate with oxalate of ammonia; showing that the acid and lime have been removed. The sulphur should be dried at a temperature not exceeding 120°. Prop. & Comp. Sublimed sulphur is a citron or bright yellow coloured powder, without taste and odour, sp. gr. 1*98, which rises in vapour at 600° Fah., it is soluble in hot oil of turpentine and bi-sulphuret of carbon, and to a small extent in oils. It burns with a blue flame, and the evolution of sulphurous acid. Precipitated sulphur forms a pale yellow powder; in other respects resembles sublimed sulphur. Neither should give an acid reaction to water. The composition of both kinds of sulphur is the same. When heated to a certain point sulphur assumes a peculiar viscid condition. Off. Prep. Of sublimed sulphur. Confectio Sulphuris. Confection of Sulphur. (Sublimed sulphur, four ounces ; acid tartrate of potash, in powder, one ounce ; syrup of orange peel, four fluid ounces.) Unguentum Sulphuris. Ointment of Sulphur. (Sublimed sulphur, one ounce ; prepared lard, four ounces.) [Sublimed sulphur, one troy ounce ; lard, two troy ounces ; mix them. U. S.] Therapeutics. In small doses sulphur is absorbed and then acts as a stimulant to the skin and different mucous membranes, passing off as sulphuretted hydrogen from the skin, becoming partly oxidised, and increasing the amount of sulphuric acid in the urine. In larger doses it produces a laxative or very mild purgative effect upon the bowels. Externally it is a slight stimulant, and has the power of destroying the acarus scabiei or itch insect. It is given as a stimulant in chronic cutaneous affections, chronic 3 18 MATERIA MEDICA. bronchitis, and rheumatism ; as a laxative to children and delicate persons ; also in diseases of the rectum, as piles. Externally it is applied as an ointment in skin affections, especially scabies. Dose. Of either form of Sulphur. As a stimulant, from 10 gr. upwards. As a laxative, 30 gr. to 60 gr. or more. Of confection, 20 gr. to 120 gr. Formerly sulphur, dissolved in olive oil, and called balsam of sulphur, was a favourite remedy. Adulteration. Sublimed sulphur may contain a trace of sulphurous acid from oxidation during sublimation ; it should, however, be free from this, and not redden moistened litmus paper ; and a solution of ammonia which has been agitated with it should not leave any residue ; when washed it is called mlphur lolum. The precipitated sulphur contains sometimes from 50 to 70 per cent, of sulphate of lime, arising from sulphuric acid being occasionally used to precipitate it; this impurity can be detected by its not subliming with heat; sublimed sulphur when pure does not show any crystals under the microscope, but simply opaque globules. PHOSPHORUS. (P. Eq.=z31.) Phosphorus. (Appendix.) Phosphorus. Prep. From phosphoric acid or superphosphate of lime (made by acting upon bone ashes with oil of vitriol) by distillation with charcoal, when carbonic acid is formed and phosphorus set free, which sublimes. Prop. (& Comp. A waxy-looking substance, usually in the form of pipes, from being cast into moulds, almost colourless and transparent when fresh, luminous in the dark, from oxidating and forming phosphorus acid (P0 3 ), very easily inflamed ; sp. gr. 1*77 ; melts at 108° Fah.; insoluble in water ; soluble in ether, oils, and true naphtha ; entirely soluble in boiling oil of turpentine and bisulphide of carbon. When burnt, forms phosphoric acid (P0 5 ); becomes opaque and reddish on the surface when old, from the formation of a suboxide, to prevent which it should be kept in water and in the dark. Phosphorus also exists in a peculiar allotropic condition, known as amorphous or red phosphorus, in the form of a red powder, which may be exposed to the air without giving off any fumes, and may be heated in the open air till 19 IODINE. the temperature reaches 500°, at which point it takes fire, etc. This variety is not soluble in bisulphide of carbon. Therapeutics. Very seldom given internally ; it is said to act as a powerful stimulant and aphrodisiac, producing considerable gastro-intestinal irritation and other dangerous effects in large doses; it has been employed on the Continent in low fevers, cholera, etc., and in this country in the treatment of phthisis. The fumes of phosphorus produce on individuals exposed to them for a lengthened period, a peculiar disease of the jaw-bone, probably from phosphorus acid being present. Dose. Gr. ₯ V to gr. tV dissolved in ether or olive oil. Phosphorus is introduced for the preparation of phosphoric acid. IODINE. (I. Eq. = 127.) Iodum Purrificatum. Purified Iodine. [Iodinium, Iodine. U. S.] Iodine, in crystals (so named from Zwot/c, violet). Prep. Iodine is prepared from kelp, the vitrified ashes of seawrack, found in the Western Islands, north of Scotland and Ireland ; from the solution of this substance, after the crystallization of most of the salts, as the carbonate of soda, &c, a liquor remains, containing the iodides of sodium, potassium, and magnesium ; this, when treated with sulphuric acid and binoxide of manganese, yields iodine, which sublimes, and is collected in receivers ; by means of the peroxide of manganese oxygen is set free and replaces the iodine ; if we suppose one equivalent of iodide of sodium to be acted on by one of binoxide of manganese and two of sulphuric acid, the formula representing the changes is as follows : (Na I+Mn 0 2 +2 S0 3 =Na 0, SO. + Mn 0, S0 3 +I). Prop. (& Comp. Black scales, or laminar crystals, with metallic lustre, sp. gr. 4*95, odour similar to chlorine, melts when heated, then sublimes in a beautiful violet vapour, soluble in rectified spirits and ether, but slightly so in pure water, about 7 oVo P art > much more soluble in a watery solution of iodide of potassium and chloride of sodium. The aqueous solutions precipitate 20 MATEEIA MEDICA. starch of a dark-blue colour. In free alkaline solutions iodine dissolves and forms salts. Off. Prep. Linimentum Iodi. Liniment of Iodine. (Iodine, one ounce and a quarter ; iodide of potassium, half an ounce; rectified spirit, five fluid ounces.) [Liquor Iodinii Compositus. Compound Solution of Iodine. Lugol's Solution of Iodine. Iodine, 360 grains ; iodide of potassium, 720 grains ; distilled water, a pint.] Tinctura Iodi. Tincture of Iodine. (Iodine, half an ouuce : iodide of potassium, a quarter of an ounce ; rectified spirit, twenty fluid ounces.) [Tinctura Iodini. Tincture of Iodine. Iodine, a troy ounce ; alcohol, a pint. U. S.] [Tinctura Iodinii Composita. Compound Tincture of Iodine. Iodine, half a troy ounce ; iodide of potassium, a troy ounce ; alcohol, a pint. U. S.] Unguentum Iodi Compositum. Compound Ointment of Iodine. (Iodine, thirty-two grains ; iodide of potassium, thirty-two grains ; proof spirit, one fluid drachm ; prepared lard, two ounces.) [Unguentum Iodinii. Ointment of Iodine. Iodine, twenty grains; iodide of potassium, four grains ; water, six minims ; lard, a troy ounce. U. S.] [Unguentum Iodinii Compositum. Compound Ointment of Iodine. Iodine, fifteen grains ; iodide of potassium, thirty grains ; water, thirty minims ; lard, a troy ounce. U. S.] Therapeutics. When applied externally, free iodine acts as an irritant, or vesicant, according to the mode of using it; and when rubbed in for some time, it is absorbed, and influences the neighbouring parts, and also the system at large: when the diluted vapour is inhaled, it acts topically on the mucous membranes of the respiratory passages. Internally, free iodine produces irritation of the mucous membrane of the alimentary canal, causing, in large doses, heat and pain at the epigastrium, and vomiting ; and, when the full influence of iodine upon the system is desirable, the drug is usually given in combination, more especially as iodide of potassium, which produces but little local irritation. Iodine is rapidly absorbed into the blood, and can be detected in many of the fluids soon after administration, especially in the urine; the 21 IODINE. constitutional effects produced are increased activity of most of the secreting and excreting organs, as the kidneys, mucous membranes, and Nskin ; it also powerfully influences the glandular and absorbent systems, as seen when such parts are enlarged, as in bronchocele, and in scrofulous glands of the neck and abdomen. It is stated occasionally to cause the wasting of even healthy glands, as the breasts and testes; it has a powerful alterative action, as exhibited in its influence over scrofulous affections and secondary syphilitic disease. When given in large medicinal doses, the mucous membrane of the nose, frontal sinus, eyes, pharynx, &c, often become irritated, and catarrhal coryza, &c, are induced ; occasionally much depression ensues from its administration, accompanied by a low febrile state of system. Iodine or iodide of potassium is administered in very many diseases, as the different forms of scrofula, in bronchocele and other glandular enlargements, in hypertrophy and induration, of organs or other structures, produced by inflammation, as in hypertrophy of the spleen, liver, or uterus, in nodes, &c. j in chronic skin affections, syphilitic or not; for the relief of other secondary or tertiary symptoms, and also in chronic rheumatism ; in dropsies as a diuretic ; in some forms of amenorrhcea, as an emmenagogue ; and in various obstinate mucous discharges, as leucorrhcea, as an alterative. Externally iodine is used in chronic skin diseases and over enlarged and indurated parts and diseased joints, to alter action or cause absorption ; for this purpose it may be applied in the form of the liniment, tincture, or ointment. As a speedy vesicant, the liniment may be painted over the part two or three times ; one application, however, is often sufficient. A few drops of the tincture, put into half a pint of hot water, may be used as an inhalation in some forms of chronic bronchitis and phthisis. Dose. Of iodine (free) \ gr., gradually increased ; of tinct. iodi., 5 to 20 minims ; of iodide of potassium, vide Potassii Iodidum. [The compound tincture of iodine, U. S., may be given in doses of from 10 to 30 drops, largely diluted, and repeated two or three times a day. The compound solution, 5 to 15 minims in water three times a day.] Adulteration. Water is often present, also iodide of cyanogen ; 22 MATERIA MEDICA. besides these, fixed impurities, as plumbago, black oxide of manganese, charcoal, iron, &c. The first two are volatile ; water can be detected by finding whether bibulous paper is moistened by the iodine• iodide of cyanogen by distilling at a very low temperature, when this body sublimes, if present, in white crystalline needles before the iodine ; the fixed impurities are left after sublimation. The Pharmacopoeia gives the following quantitative test: 12*7 grains, dissolved in an ounce of water containing 15 grains of iodide of potassium, require for complete decoloration 100 measures of the volumetric solution of hyposulphite of soda. In this process, iodide of sodium (Na I), which is colourless, and also tctrathionate of soda (Na 0, S 4 0 5 ), are formed. The following formula will serve to illustrate the changes which ensue, 2 (Na O, S 2 0 2 ) + I=Na I, + Na 0, S 4 0 5 ; the amount of iodine can thus be estimated, 100 measures of the volumetric solution corresponding to 12*7 grains of iodine. Sulphuris Iodidum. Iodide of Sulphur. (Not officinal.) [Officinal. U.S.] Prep. (Sulphur, one ounce ; iodine, four ounces. Put the sulphur in a glass vessel, and place on it the iodine ; hold the vessel immersed in boiling water until they have united; afterwards, when cool, the vessel being broken, break the iodide into fragments, and keep in a well-stoppered vessel.) Prop. & Comp. A bluish black crystalline metallic-looking substance, not unlike sulphuret of antimony in appearance, having the odour of iodine, it stains the skin yellow, is decomposed by boiling in water, and, if properly prepared, should give, when so boiled, 20 per cent, residue of sulphur. Composition (IS 2 ) or a bisulphuret of iodine. Therapeutics. Applied externally in the form of an ointment of the strength of about thirty grains of the salt to an ounce of lard, it acts in a manner very similar to iodine, and has been employed in some obstinate chronic skin diseases, as lepra, porrigo, acne indurata, &c. Internally it possesses no particular value, but has been given as an alterative. Pose. Half gr. to 3 gr. or more. BROMINE (Br. Eq.=80.) Bromine, Appendix A. [Beominium. U. S.] (so named from 23 CHLORINE, Ppvuoc, a stench). An elementary body contained in combination with metals in sea water, sea plants, &c. Prep. From bittern, the liquor left from sea water, after the crystallization of common salt; it is present as bromide of magnesium, and can be obtained by passing a current of chlorine gas through the liquor, whioh unites with the magnesium, and liberates the bromine ; this is often taken up by shaking with ether, which dissolves the bromine, and rises with it to the surface. Subsequent purification is required, usually effected by converting the bromine into bromide of potassium, and again liberating the bromine by means of bin-oxide of manganese and sulphuric acid. Prop. & Comp. A dark brownish-red liquid by reflected, but hyacinth-red by transmitted light through thin layers; of an intensely disagreeable acrid odour and taste, very volatile, and fumes when exposed to the air ; sp. gr. 2*966 ; soluble in ether, alcohol, and slightly in water ; soluble in alkaline solutions, forming salts ; precipitates starch of an orange colour. Therapeutics. Bromine is never administered in its free state, most commonly as bromide of potassium, occasionally as bromide of ammonium and of iron ; the effects of these salts are described under the head of their bases. Adulteration. Bromine sometimes contains iodine. Agitated with a solution of soda, in such proportion that the fluid remains very slightly alkaline, it forms a colourless liquid, which, if coloured by the addition of a small quantity of chlorine, should not become blue on the subsequent addition of starch. CHLORINE. (Cl. Eq.=35-5.) Free chlorine occurs in the form of a greenish-coloured gas, having a peculiar acrid odour, very soluble in water, especially when cold ; it possesses intense chemical powers, bleaches all vegetable colours, and acts as a powerful disinfectant, probably by decomposing the organic particles producing diseases. For this purpose it can be evolved from chlorated lime by the addition of some acid, or more economically by the following method :—Mix one part of common salt and one part of bin-oxide of manganese intimately together, and add to these (put into a shallow dish) two 24 MATERIA MEDICA. parts by weight of oil of vitriol previously diluted with two parts of water; such a mixture will continue to give off chlorine for some days. Liquor Chlori. Solution of Chlorine. Prep. (Hydrochloric acid, six fluid ounces ; black oxide of manganese, in fine powder, one ounce ; distilled water, thirty-four fluid ounces. Mix the acid and oxide in a retort, then pass the chlorine through an intermediate small phial, containing three ounces of water, to the bottom of a three pint bottle containing the remainder of the water, until it has almost ceased to be given off.) In this process the decompositions which take place are represented in the formula (2 H Cl + Mn O a =Mn Cl+2 HO + C1). Prop. & Comp. This is a solution of chlorine gas dissolved in half its volume of water, and constituting 0*006 of the weight of the solution. It is a liquid, having a slight green colour, with a very strong odour of chlorine, and immediately discharging the colour of a dilute solution of sulphate of indigo ; when exposed to the light it is decomposed, with the formation of hydrochloric acid and oxygen, and hence should be used recently prepared. Therapeutics. Its action as a remedy resembles that of the Liquor Soda? Chlorata?, and it may be used, when diluted about seven times with water, as a gargle or lotion ; or; still more dilute, it may be given as an internal remedy in low or typhoid states of the system, as malignant scarlatina, to be divided into four hundred pills.] Tinctura Aloes. Tincture of Aloes. (Socotrine aloes, in 351 VINUM ALOES. coarse powder, half an ounce; extract of liquorice, one ounce and a half; proof spirit, twenty fluid ounces.) . [Tinctura Aloes et Myrrha. Tincture of Aloes and Myrrh. Socotrine aloes, myrrh, each, three troy ounces; saffron, a troy ounce. Two pints of tincture are obtained by percolation. U. S.] Vinum Aloes. Wine of Aloes. (Socotrine aloes, one ounce and a half; cardamoms, ground, eighty grains • ginger, in coarse powder, eighty grains; sherry, two pints. By maceration.) [Socotrine aloes, a troy ounce • cardamom, ginger, each, sixty grains ; sherry wine, a pint. By maceration. U. S.] Socotrine aloes are also contained in Extractum Colocynthidis Co., Pilula Rhei Co., and Tinctura Benzoini Composita. Therapeutics. Aloes, when taken internally, acts as a purgative, affecting chiefly the lower portion of the intestinal canal, sometimes causing haemorrhoids. The secretions of the tube are but little augmented, and the action is slow in character; by some observers the bile is asserted to be increased in quantity, and the drug appears to influence the whole portal circulation. Emmenagogue effects also are frequently produced. Upon the upper part of the canal, tonic and stomachic effects seem to be induced when small doses are administered Aloetic preparations are given in cases of habitual constipation, and are of great value from the little disposition they possess to produce a subsequent confined state of the bowels. In chronic dyspepsia they frequently form a portion of the habitual pill, and may be combined with tonics and stomachics. They are often used as adjuncts to other purgatives, as colocynth rhubarb, scammony, &c, when full cathartic effects are desired, and when there is a defective secretici of bile. f Combined with iron and myrrh, aloes are frequently given in amenorrhcea, connected with defective action of the pelvic organs, and an anaemic condition of the blood. Aloes should be avoided in cases where there is much tendency to haemorrhoids, or when inflammatory action is present in the abdominal organs. There appears to be but little difference of action between the officinal species of aloes. Cape aloes, however, which is not unfrequently employed, is less active than the others. 352 MATERIA MEDICA. Dose. Of either barbadoes or socotrine aloes, in powder, 2 gr. to 6 gr.; of the extracts of aloes, 2 gr. to 6 gr.; of the compound decoction of aloes, 1 fl. oz. to 2 fl. oz.; of the barbadoes or socotrine aloes pill, 4 gr. to 15 gr. ; of aloes and assafcetida pill, 5 gr. to 15 gr.; of aloes and myrrh pill, 5 gr. to 15 gr. ; of the tincture of aloes, 1 fl. drm. to 3 fl. drm.; of the wine of aloes, 1 fl. drm. to 2 fl. drm. Smaller doses may be given as adjuncts to other purgatives, or when the drug is given in combination with stomachics. The watery extracts are considered to be milder preparations than the aloes from which they are prepared. MELANTHACEiE. "Veratrum. [Veratrum Album. IT. S.] White Hellebore. The rhizome of Veratrum album; Lin. Syst., Polygamia monoecia; growing in the Pyrenees and Alps. (Not officinal.) Description. The rhizome is met with in conical truncated pieces, about two or three inches long, and about one inch in diameter, with numerous radicles proceeding from it; yellowishbrown and wrinkled on the outside, light-coloured within, with little odour when dry, but an acrid bitter taste. Prop. & Comp. White Hellebore contains the alkaloid, veratria, united with an acid formerly considered to be gallic acid, probably veratric. Prep. Vinum Veratri, Pond. 1851. Wine of White Hellebore. (White hellebore, sliced, eight ounces; sherry wine, two pints. Macerate for seven days, and strain.) Therapeutics. Veratrum acts as a powerful emetic and drastic purgative, causing much thirst and irritation of the alimentary canal; when applied to the mucous membranes of the nose, intense sneezing results ; and on the skin it also acts as a topical irritant. It is not much employed as a remedy at the present time, but was formerly given in cerebral affections, as mania, epilepsy, &c. It has been proposed as a remedy in gout, in lieu of colchicum, but from the author's experience of its effects, he is sure that its action differs completely from that of colchicum ; it appears to produce a burning sensation of the oesophagus, parched mouth, and intense thirst, accompanied by great depression, without any alleviation 353 VERATRUM VIRLDE. of the gouty symptoms. Externally veratrum is used in scabies, and occasionally in obstinate skin affections, in the form of the Compound Sulphur Ointment of the London Pharmacopoeia, 1851. Dose. Of vinum veratri, 10 min. to 20 min. Veratrum Viride. The rhizome of Veratrum viride ; American or Green Hellebore; called also Swamp Hellebore and Indian Poke; growing in the marshes and swampy districts of North America. (Not officinal.) [Officinal in U. S. P.] Description. The rhizome is thick and fleshy, and sends off numerous pale yellow radicles ; it resembles closely, in appearance and sensible properties, Veratrum album ; it has a peculiar acrid taste, and produces the same sensation of tingling about the fauces as the white hellebore. Prop. <& Comp. The rhizome has been as yet but imperfectly examined ; it is, however, stated to contain veratria / at any rate, the alkaloid obtained from it causes the intense local irritation and sneezing produced by that principle ; in its chemical reaction also, it appears to resemble the active principle from the sabadilla seeds. [Tinctura Veratri Viridis. Tincture of American Hellebore. U S.] Prep. A tincture has been made with eight ounces of the dried root to sixteen fluid ounces of the spirit; also an extract from the fresh juice. [Extractum Veratri Viridis Fluidum. Fluid extract of American Hellebore. U. S. Three pints of tincture obtained by percolation from sixteen ounces of American Hellebore, are evaporated to sixteen fluid ounces.] Therapeutics. Veratrum viride appears to act upon the system in a manner very analogous to Veratrum album, causing the topical irritation, as shown by the dryness of the fauces and vomiting ; and after absorption, it produces extreme depression of the heart, arterial and nervous systems ; it has been stated to differ from white hellebore in not causing purging, but cases are on record of poisoning with white hellebore without the occurrence of this symptom. Possibly the production of purging may depend on the form in which it is given, whether in substance or solution. Veratrum viride is asserted to be a valuable agent in controlling the 24 354 MATERIA MEDICA. vascular system in cases of inflammatory disease, and especially in rheumatic fever, gout, and allied affections. The depression and slowness of the pulse appear to be characteristic symptoms of its action. Dose. Of the powdered rhizome, 1 gr. to 3 gr. or more ; of the tincture, 5 min. to 15 min. or more ; of the extract (made from the fresh juice) \ gr. to f gr. or more. [Of the fluid extract, 3 to 8 minims.] This drug should be used with caution, and any symptom of depression carefully watched for. Sabadilla. Cevadilla. The dried fruits of Asagrsea officinalis; Lin. Syst., Hexandria trigynia; imported from Vera Cruz and Mexico. Veratria. An alkaloid obtained from Cevadilla; not quite pure. Description. The fruit is about \ an inch long, consisting of 3 light brown papyraceous follicles, each containing from 1 to 3 seeds, which are about J of an inch long, blackish-brown, shining, slightly winged, with an intensely bitter acrid taste. Veratria occurs in the form of a white or dirty-white powder. Prop. & Comp. The cevadilla fruit owes its virtues to the alkaloid veratria, which is almost insoluble in water, sparingly soluble in ether, but freely soluble in alcohol, and readily so in dilute acids, leaving traces of an insoluble brown resinoid matter. It has no odour, but a strongly and persistently bitter and highly acrid taste. Veratria is crystalline, and can be obtained in long needles from an alcoholic solution ; though the veratria used in medicine is always in an amorphous state. The formula of the pure alkaloid is (C M H 52 N 2 0 16 ). It causes violent sneezing when applied to the nostrils. Brought into contact with strong sulphuric acid it assumes an intense red colour, and with nitric acid forms a yellow solution. The veratria of commerce is said to contain another principle, sabadiUina, insoluble in ether, in which it differs from veratria ; it does not excite sneezing. Gallic acid appears to be united with veratria in the cevadilla fruit. Off. Prep. — Of Veratria. Unguentum Veratria. Ointment of Veratria. (Veratria, eight grains ; prepared lard, one ounce ; olive oil, half a fluid drachm.) [Veratria, twenty grains ; lard, a troy ounce. U. S.] COLCHICI SEMEN. 355 Veratria. The alkaloid is ordered to be made by macerating cevadilla with boiling distilled water, then drying and separating the seeds, which are ground in a coffee-mill, and thoroughly exhausted with rectified spirit. The alcoholic solution is concentrated so long as no deposit forms, and then poured, when hot, into twelve times its bulk of cold distilled water. The precipitate thus formed is removed by filtration, and washed ; and to the filtered liquid ammonia is added in slight excess, the precipitate allowed completely to subside, then collected on a filter and washed ; while still moist, it is diffused through distilled water, and sufficient hydrochloric acid is added to make the fluid acid. It is then digested with animal charcoal, filtered, re-precipitated with ammonia, the precipitate washed on a filter till the washings cease to be affected by a solution of nitrate of silver acidulated with nitric acid, and finally dried by imbibition and on a steam bath. Therapeutics. As veratrum, but much more powerful ; sometimes it is used as a topical irritant in lieu of aconite ; it has a less benumbing effect. Dose. -jL gr. to £ gr. It should be exhibited with great care if used internally. Colchici Cormus. [Radix. U. S.] Colchicum Corm. The re- cent and dried Corm of the wild herb Colchicum autumnale; Lin. Syst., Hexandria trigynia ; indigenous. Colchici Semen. The Seeds, fully ripe, of the Colchicum autumnale. The Pharmacopoeia directs that the corm should be dug up about the end of June, or before the autumnal bud is developed ; and for the drying, it directs that the dry tunics being first removed, the corm should be cut transversely into thin slices, and dried at first with a gentle heat, gradually increasing to a temperature not exceeding 150° Fah. Description. The corm is about the size of a chestnut, and of a somewhat similar shape, being convex on one side, and flattened or slightly concave on the other, where it has an undeveloped bud. When recent, it is solid and fleshy with an external brown membranous coat, internally white, and yielding a milky juice on section. There is often a small lateral projection from its base. 356 MATERIA MEDICA. When dried and deprived of its outer coat, it is of an ash-greycolour ; it is generally met with in transverse slices forming a somewhat oval plane, about a line thick, firm, flat, whitish, and amylaceous ; one border convex, the other concave or slightly hollowed out. The taste is bitter and acrid. The seeds are spherical, externally of a reddish-brown colour, white within, rather more than a line in diameter, and about the size of black mustard seed. Prop. & Comp. The corm, and also the seeds, contain fatty matters, gum, starch, lignin, with a peculiar acid—the Cevadic acid—and a crystalline principle, Colchicine, more soluble in water than veratria, soluble also in alcohol ; it has very seldom been isolated. Off. Prep. — Of the Corm. Extractum Colchici. Extract of Colchicum. [Not officinal in U. S. P.] (The expressed juice, heated to 212°, strained and evaporated at a temperature not exceeding 160°, to the proper consistence.) Extractum Colchici Aceticum. Acetic Extract of Colchicum. (As the above, with the use of six fluid ounces of acetic acid to seven pounds of corms deprived of their coats.) [Twelve troy ounces of powdered colchicum root, are mixed with four fluid ounces of acetic acid, diluted with a pint of water, the mixture placed in a glass percolator and water poured on gradually until it passes with little or no taste. The filtrate is then evaporated to the consistence of an extract. U. S.] Vinum Colchici. Wine of Colchicum. [Vinum Colchici Radicis. Wine of Colchicum Root. U. S.] Colchicum corm, dried and sliced, four ounces ; sherry, twenty fluid ounces. Prepared by maceration.) [Two pints of wine of colchicum root are obtained by percolating twelve troy ounces of the root in fine powder, by a sufficient quantity of sherry wine.] [Vinum Colchici Seminis. Wine of Colchicum Seed. U. S. Colchicum seed, in coarse powder, four troy ounces ; sherry wine, two pints. Prepared by maceration.] Of the Seed?. Tinctura Colchici Seminis. Tincture of Colchicum Seed. (Colchicum seed, bruised, two ounces and a half; proof spirit, twenty fluid ounces. Prepared by maceration and percolation.) 357 VINUM COLCHICI. Therapeutics. Colchicum in medicinal doses produces increased action of some of the secreting organs• the bile appears to be thrown out in larger quantities, and the faeces become more coloured, and often give evidence of containing the real organic portion of that fluid as well as the colouring matter. The urine is sometimes increased in quantity, and it is generally asserted that the urea and uric acid are also augmented, but from numerous trials the author is inclined to question the accuracy of the last assertion ; at times, also, the action of the skin is increased. The heart's action is diminished, and in some patients, intermission of the pulse is produced by the drug ; in large doses, vomiting and purging, accompanied by intense prostration, ensue. In gout, when colchicum is administered to patients suffering from inflammation and pain, these symptoms are usually greatly relieved, and to such an extent does this occur, that the drug is regarded as almost a specific in an acute attack of the disease. Colchicum is employed very extensively in the different forms of gout; sometimes given in small doses short of inducing purging, at other times to act freely on the bowels ; it certainly possesses a power of controlling the pain and inflammation in gout, independent of all evident increase of the secretions ; in what way this effect is produced is at present unknown. In acute rheumatism and other inflammatory affections, colchicum often relieves, probably rather by its controlling power over the heart's action, than by any specific effect of the medicine. Colchicum may also be very advantageously given, in cases of imperfect action of the liver, as a cholagogue, combined with other purgatives; and it may be often substituted for mercurials. It has occasionally been prescribed in dropsies and skin affections. Some practitioners prefer the seeds, some the corm, some again the flowers ; it appears however most probable, that the same principle gives activity to all parts of the plant, and that any difference is in degree rather than in character. Dose. Of pulvis cormi colchici, 2 gr. to 8 gr. ; of extractum colchici, |f gr. to 2 gr.; of extractum colchici aceticum, J gr. to 2 gr.; of tinctura colchici, 10 min. to £ fl. drm.; of vinum colchici, 10 min. to £ fl. drm. 358 MATERIA MEDICA. GRAMINACEiE. Farina. Wheat Flour. Appendix A. The flour of the seed ground and sifted, of Triticum vulgare; Lin. Syst., Triandria digynia; growing in Europe, and cultivated also over the greater part of the civilised world. Bread. Bread made with Wheat Flour. Appendix A. Amylum. Wheat Starch. Starch procured from the seed of Tri- ticum vulgare. Description. These substances are too well known to need description. Starch occurs in white columnar masses, which become blue with solution of iodine. Prop. (& Comp. Flour consists chiefly of starch and gluten, together with gum, sugar, mucilage, and water. If kneaded under a stream of water, the starch is washed away, and a tenacious mass left behind, which consists of gluten, constituting from 10 to 12 per cent, of the flour. Gluten prepared in the above manner consists of two different substances, one of which is soluble in alcohol, pure gluten, or vegetable fibrine, the other insoluble in that menstruum known as vegetable albumen. Starch occurs as a white granular powder, without odour or taste, which under the microscope is found to consist of grains of varying size, having more or less of a circular outline and flattened, the hilum in the centre is surrounded by a series of concentric rings reaching sometimes nearly to the circumference. Each grain is formed of a thin external albuminous coat, containing a substance which is termed amidin or gelatinous starch. Amidin is the same from whatever source derived, and it is to the different forms of the external coat that the peculiarities of the different granules of starch, when derived from the different sources, are due. Amidin is soluble in hot water, but starch requires boiling for some little time, in order that the contents of the granules may swell and burst the envelope, before a solution can be made. Amidin strikes a fine blue colour on the addition of free iodine, forming a compound (Iodide of Amidin), which is a ready means of detecting its presence ; this blue colour is destroyed by a heat of 200° Fah., but returns when the solution 359 AVENA. cools. By heating for some time with dilute sulphuric acid, starch is first converted into dextrine, and afterwards into glucose or grape sugar. Strong nitric acid changes starch into oxalic acid. The composition of amidin or gelatinous starch is represented by the formula (C 24 H 20 O 20 ). Off. Prep. — Of Amylum. Mucilago Amyli. [Not officinal in U. S. P.] Mucilage of starch. (Starch, one hundred and twenty grains ; distilled water, ten fluid ounces. Prepared by trituration and boiling.) « Therapeutics. Made into bread, flour forms a well-known nutritive article of diet. In medicine it is chiefly used in the form of bread crumbs (mica panis), for giving consistence to pills ; it is also employed as an emollient cataplasm. Flour is used as an ingredient of Cataplasma Fermenti. Starch is a mild nutritive demulcent ; in the form of mucilage, it is used as a vehicle for enemata. Hordeum. Pearl Barley. The decorticated seeds of Hordeum distichon ; Lin. Syst., Triandria digynia; cultivated in Britain. Pescription. Chiefly seen in 'the shops in the form of pearl barley, white, rounded, retaining a trace of the longitudinal furrow. It consists of the seeds decorticated and rounded in a mill. Prop. & Comp. It contains gluten, starch, gum, and saccharine matters. Off. Prep. Decoctum Hordei. Decoction of Barley. (Pearl barley, two ounces • boiling distilled water, thirty fluid ounces. Prepared by washing the barley well in cold water, rejecting the washings ; and subsequent decoction.) Therapeutics. Used in medicine in the form of decoction as a mild nutritive and demulcent drink. Pose. Ad libitum. A vena. Oats. (Not officinal.) The decorticated seeds of Avena sativa, the Common Oat; Lin. Syst., Triandria digynia; growing in almost all parts of the world. Pescription. The decorticated grains are known as groats ; when decorticated and ground to powder, as prepared groats. 360 MATERIA MED1CA. First dried in a kiln, and then coarsely ground, they form oatmeal. Prop. & Comp. Oatmeal contains starch, gluten, lignin, sugar, and bitter extractive. The amount of starch is considerable, amounting sometimes to 72 per cent. Therapeutics. A useful demulcent and emollient, much used in the form of a decoction familiarly known as gruel, also as an enema. Ergota. Ergot. The grain of tHe Secale cereale, diseased by an imperfect fungus. [The diseased seeds of Secale cereale. U. S.] Secale cornu.tum, Spurred Rye. Pescription. Ergot occurs in grains, varying in length from one-third of an inch to an inch, and in breadth in the same proportion ; somewhat triangular in form, curved, obtuse at the ends, furrowed on two sides, of a purple or brown colour, covered more or less by a bloom ; moderately brittle ; fracture short, exhibiting a white or pinkish interior ; odour faint, but in large quantities, strong and peculiar. Ergot has been considered as a fungus growing in the place of the ovary between the glumes, or as a diseased condition of the grain, produced by the mycelium of Cordyceps purpurea. The latter view seems to be the one more generally entertained at present. The healthy grain of rye consists of the sced-coat, composed of outer and inner layers, and the cells, containing gluten ; and next, the cells of albumen, containing starch. In the ergotized grain, the secd-coat and gluten cells are replaced by a layer of dark cells—the large cells of the albumen by the small cells of the ergot, and the starch grains of the albumen cells by drops of oil. The bloom consists of the sporidia of the fungus. The ergot is liable to be fed on by a species of acarus, which sometimes destroys the whole interior, leaving only the outer shell and its own excrementitial matter. Prop. & Comp. Ergot contains a large quantity of fixed oil, about 35 per cent. ; this was at first thought to be the active principle ; subsequent researches have shown, however, that the fixed oil, when obtained by expression, is inactive, and it would seem that the active principle is extracted with the oil, and remains dissolved in it, but the oil itself is not that principle. A 361 INFUSUM ERGOT JB. peculiar reddish-brown substance having active properties has been named Ergotine, soluble in water, forming a red solution, and having a strong bitter taste. It is stated that ergotine constitutes about 15 per cent, of the ergotized grain. By distillation with potash, propylamin (C„ H 9 NH 2 ) has been procured from ergot, a substance having the peculiar odour of herring pickle. Ergot yields its peculiar virtues to alcohol and water. Off. Prep. Extractum Ergota Liquidum. Liquid Extract of Ergot. (Ergot, in coarse powder, one pound ; ether, twenty fluid ounces; distilled water, seventy fluid ounces ; rectified spirit, eight fluid ounces. The product should measure sixteen fluid ounces. Prepared by removing the oily matters by percolating with well-washed ether, digesting the marc in water at 160°, evaporating this liquid, and then adding spirit, and filtering from the coagulum which is formed.) Each fluid part of this extract represents a solid part of the drug. [Extractum Ergota Fluidum. Fluid Extract of Ergot. U. S. Ergot, in fine powder, sixteen troy ounces; acetic, half a fluid ounce. The acid is mixed with three pints of diluted alcohol, and with the mixture twelve ounces of tincture are obtained by* percolation. This is set aside/and the ergot is then percolated with the remainder of the mixture, and with diluted alcohol, until three pints more of tincture have been obtained. This last is evaporated to four fluid ounces, and mixed with the reserved tincture] Infusum Ergota. Infusion of Ergot. [Not officinal in U. S. P.] (Ergot, in coarse powder, one quarter of an ounce ; boiling distilled water, ten fluidounccs.) Tinctura Ergot a. Tincture of Ergot. [Not officinal in U. S. P.] (Ergot, bruised, five ounces ; proof spirit, twenty fluid ounces. Prepared by maceration and percolation. [Vinum Ergotas. Wine of Ergot. U. S. Ergot, in powder, four troy ounces. Two pints of wine are obtained by percolation with sherry wine.] Therapeutics. Ergot exercises a peculiar influence on the muscular coat of the uterus, causing powerful contractions, especially when in a pregnant state ; it also acts on the muscular coats of the vessels of that organ, and apparently on those of the general system. When taken for a long period in small quantities, as in 362 MATERIA MEDICA. the form of bread made from ergotized grain, it produces a species of gangrene, resembling gangrena senilis, probably due to its causing obstruction of the vessels by diminishing their calibre. In large doses it induces nausea, vomiting, delirium, stupor, and even death. Its action is said to diminish the frequency and fulness of the pulse. It is most frequently employed to cause contraction of the uterus in cases of labour, and the contractions induced by it differ from the natural ones in being continued, instead of alternating with relaxations. In haemorrhage after delivery it is especially indicated, also in menorrhagia, leucorrhoea, and sometimes in amenorrhcea. Dose. Of the liquid extract, 20 min. to 1 fl. drm.; of the infusion, 1 fl. oz. to 2 fl. oz.; of the tincture, £ fl. drm. to 1 fl. drm.; of the powder, 20 gr. to 30 gr. (Infused in boiling water for about 20 minutes, and both infusion and dregs taken.) Saccharum Album. [Saccharum. U. S.] Refined Sugar. The purified crystalline juice prepared from the stem of Saccharum officinarum; Lin. Syst., Triandria digynia; cultivated in the West Indies and other tropical climates. Description. White or lump sugar is too familiar as an article of domestic economy to receive detailed description. It occurs in compact crystalline conical loaves, snow white, dry, scentless, and intensely and purely sweet. Prop. & Comp. The uncrystallizable liquid forming the mother liquor from which the sugar is crystallized is molasses or treacle ; the crystalline portion is clarified and refined in a manner the description of which would occupy too much space in a work of the present size. Cane sugar has the formula (C 12 H u O n ); it is soluble in half its weight of cold, and in a much less quantity of hot water ; a very strong and viscid solution is called syrup. Carefully crystallized from a strong solution with the addition of spirit, it forms oblique four-sided prisms, sugar candy. Heated to 365° Fah., it melts, forming a viscid liquid, which when suddenly cooled, solidifies into an amorphous transparent substance, called barley sugar. It is less soluble in water than grape sugar, and readily converted into that substance by the action of weak acids, or by fermentation. Off. Prep. Syrupus. Syrup. (Refined sugar, five pounds; distilled water, forty ounces. The specific gravity should be 1*33.) FILIX. 363 Therapeutics. Sugar is demulcent; its sweet taste renders it useful to cover the unpleasant flavour of some remedies. Sugar is used in the formation of the syrups of the Pharmacopoeia, and in various other preparations. Dose. Of sugar or syrup, ad libitum. Adulteration. Sugar is liable to contain some sulphate of lime, and also lead, from its mode of purification; but the proportion of these substances is so minute, as to be innocuous in the amount given medicinally, though not harmless when sugar is daily used in considerable quantities for domestic purposes. Theriaca. Treacle. [Not officinal in U. S. P.] Sacchari Faex., Ph. Lond. 185L The uncrystallized residue of the refining of sugar. Prop. & Comp. Treacle occurs as a dark reddish-brown thick fluid ; very sweet; sp. gr. 1*40. It consists chiefly of sugar rendered uncrystallizable by heat; it is capable of fermentation with yeast, and then yields rum by distillation. It should be free from a burnt odour and taste. Therapeutics. Treacle acts as a slight laxative, in doses of a teaspoonful and upwards; it is often given in combination with sulphur. CLASS III. ACOTYLEDONES. Sub-Class I. AcROGENiE. FILICES. Filix. Fern Root. The dried rhizome of Aspidium Filix-mas; Lin. Syst., Cryptogamia Alices ; Male Shield Fern; indigenous; it should be collected in summer. Description. The central part, or caudex, is thick and cylindrical, with numerous leaf-stalks surrounding the axis ; the spaces intervening between are covered with silky scales, and numerous radicles descending beneath them. The dried root is of a greenish brown colour externally, yellowish within, with a peculiar though slight odour, and a taste at first sweet, then bitter. The colour of the powder is yellowish-green, with a disagreeable odour and a nauseous, bitter, somewhat astringent taste. 364 MATERIA MEDICA. Prop. & Comp. In addition to starch, gum, and salts, the male fern contains a volatile oil, resin, and a fixed oil. The active properties of the rhizcme are soluble in ether ; the etherial extract referred to below, commonly known as the oil of male fern, is of a dark colour, containing the volatile and fixed oil, resin, and colouring matter in solution. Off. Prep. Extractum Filicis Liquidum. Liquid Extract of Fern Root. [Not officinal in U. S. P.] (Fern root, in coarse powder, two pounds; ether, eighty fluid ounces, or a sufficient quantity to exhaust the root. Prepared by percolation and subsequent evaporation or distillation of the ether.) Therapeutics. Fern root is used as an anthelmintic, and acts apparently by killing the worms, and thus aiding their expulsion from the intestinal canal. Its use has been attended with much success in cases of tapeworm ; it is said to be more useful against the Bothriocephalus latus than against the Taenia solium. It should be given on an empty stomach, and followed after an interval by some mild purgative. Dose. Of the powder, 60 gr. to 180 gr. ; of the liquid extract, 30 min. to 2 fl. drm. Sub-Class II. Thallogena. LICHENES. Cetraria. Iceland Moss. Cetraria islandica; Lichen islandicus ; Island Lichen or Moss; Liverwort; the entire lichen obtained in large quantities in Iceland, hence its name. Description. Iceland moss consists of a foliaceous thallus, the lobes irregularly subdivided, crisp, cartilaginous, brownish-white, paler beneath, fringed at the edges • bitter and mucilaginous. Prop. (& Comp. The soluble portion is taken up by boiling water. The decoction, on cooling, thickens, and deposits a gelatinous matter ; this, when dried, forms a semi-transparent mass, insoluble in cold water, alcohol, or ether, but soluble in boiling water, and striking blue with iodine; this is named Liclienin. Iceland moss contains also & bitter principle, soluble in alcohol and ether, and readily in alkaline solutions, but sparingly so in water ; 365 LACMUS. this is crystallizable, and has acid properties ; it is called cetraric acid. i Off. Prep. Decoctum Cetraria. Decoction of Iceland Moss. (Iceland moss, well washed in-cold water, one ounce; distilled water, thirty fluid ounces. Reduce to twenty by boiling.) Therapeutics. Iceland moss, deprived of its bitter principle, is used by the natives of Iceland and Lapland as an article of diet. The decoction is demulcent and slightly tonic. The cetraric acid is said to have been useful in intermittents as a substitute for quinia. Pose. Of the decoction, 1 fl. oz. to 2 fl. oz. Lacmus. Litmus. Appendix B. A peculiar blue colouring mat- ter, obtained from Roccella tinctoria, Lecanora tartarea, and other lichenous plants. Litmus is extensively prepared in Holland. Pescription. It occurs in small cakes, made up of a granular powder, of a fine blue colour. Prop. & Comp. It is prepared by macerating the lichen for some time in water, rendered alkaline by lime and potash, and mixed with urine; a species of fermentation occurs : the mass becomes first red and afterwards blue; it is then removed and reduced to the proper consistence by sand, lime, &c. Off. Prep. Tincture of Litmus. Appendix. (Made by digesting one ounce of powdered litmus in ten fluid ounces of proof spirit.) Blue Litmus Paper. Appendix. (Made by steeping unsized paper in the tincture of litmus, and drying by exposure to the air.) Red Litmus Paper. (Made by steeping unsized paper in the tincture previously reddened with a trace of sulphuric acid, and dried in the air.) Uses. — Blue Litmus Paper is used as a test for acids, as any liquid having an acid reaction turns the colour of the paper from blue to red. Red Litmus Paper, on the contrary, serves to indicate the presence of any substance having an alkaline reaction, which restores the original blue colour to the paper. The Tincture of Litmus, when diluted with water, may be used as a test for the presence of acids. 366 MATERIA MEDICA. ANIMAL KINGDOM. CLASS, MAMMALIA. RODENTIA. Castoreum. Castor. The follicles of the prepuce of the Castor Fiber, Beaver, filled with a peculiar secretion; dried and separated from the somewhat shorter and smaller oil-sacs, which are frequently attached to them; from the Hudson's Bay Ter- ritory. Description. The follicles are in pairs, about 3 inches long, fig-shaped, firm and heavy, brown or grayish-black, and contain a dry resinous highly odorous secretion. The castor of commerce is of two varieties, the Russian and Canadian; the former is the most highly prized. This substance is secreted by a pair of membranous pear-shaped follicles, situated between the anus and external genitals, and united by a common duct to one another. It is a dark-coloured matter, of the consistence of putty, with a peculiar odour. In Russian castor, the sacs are larger, fuller, and have a stronger smell. In the Canadian variety, they are more or less wrinkled externally, and the contents inferior. The consistence of the contents varies with the amount of water present. Prop. & Comp. Castor contains volatile oil, uric, phosphoric and benzoic acids, combined with potash, soda, and lime, also carbonate of ammonia, salicine, carbolic acid, and a peculiar principle, castorin. Its active properties are taken up by ether and alcohol• slightly by water ; but they are decomposed by boiling for some time. The contents of the sacs should be in great part soluble in rectified spirit and ether. Off. Prep. Tinctura Castorei. Tincture of Castor. (Castor, one ounce ; rectified spirit, twenty fluid ounces. [Castor, two troy ounces ; alcohol, two pints. U. S.] Prepared by maceration.) Therapeutics. Castor is stimulant, and antispasmodic ; hence 367 MUSK, it has been used in hysteria and epilepsy, and also to rouse the system in cases of an adynamic type, as in typhoid pneumonia. Dose. In substance, 5 gr. to 15 gr.; of tincture, \ fl. drm to 2 fl. drm. RUMINANTIA. Moschus. Musk. The inspissated secretion deposited in the follicles of the prepuce of Moschus moschiferus; native of Thibet and other parts of central Asia. Description. Musk is contained in a sac situated midway between the umbilicus and the prepuce ; the sack is oval and hairy, opening externally by a narrow orifice, small and hairy at its anterior part; internally, lined.by a smooth membrane, secreting the musk. There are two chief varieties, the Chinese and the Russian. The sacs are about two inches in diameter, hairy on one side, destitute of hairs on the other, with the hairs concentrically arranged around the opening; the Chinese sacs are the smallest, and of the hairs darker than in the Russian variety. From 100 to 200 grains of musk are contained in each sac. Prop. & Comp. Musk occurs in irregular, reddish-black, rather unctuous grains concreted together, soft to the touch; the odour is very strong, and diffuses itself over a great space • it contain* ammonia, stearine, oleine, cholesterine, various salts, and small quantities of animal matter, with a volatile oil, thought by some to be in combination with ammonia ; the proportion of these substances varies in different specimens; the active ingredients are soluble in alcohol and ether. Potash evolves ammonia, and increases the peculiar odour. Therapeutics. Musk is stimulant and antispasmodic, resembling castor in its action, and is useful in the same class of cases. Pose. 5 gr. and upwards. Adulteration. On account of the high price of this drug, it is very liable to be adulterated; the sac containing the musk is often emptied of its contents, and filled up with a mixture of dried blood, with a greater or less proportion of true musk, and the sac carefully closed again ; traces of the opening should be sought for. Sacs are manufactured from the scrotum or skin of the animal, 368 MATERIA MEDIC A. and filled with a spurious mixture of musk, sand, and dried blood. The form and character of the bag should be noted, to see whether it differs from that described as genuine ; the bag, if made from any other portion of the skin, may be recognized by the peculiar arrangement and microscopic character of the hairs ; those of the true sac exhibit distinct, regular colour-cells, not found in the hairs of spurious pods. Sevum Praparatum. [Sevum. U. S.] Prepared suet. The internal fat of the abdomen of Ovis Aries, The Sheep ; purified by melting and straining. Description. Suet is the fat of the sheep chiefly obtained from the region of the kidney. It is prepared by melting at a gentle heat, and straining. Suet is white, soft, smooth, almost scentless, fusible at 103° ; it is soluble in ether and boiling alcohol; it consists principally of stearine and oleine. Stearine forms the chief portion of suet; it may be obtained crystallized from an etherial solution, and then appears in small white plates of a shining character; fuses at 143° Fah., and when it solidifies, becomes opaque, and loses its crystalline character ; it is soluble in alcohol and boiling ether, but insoluble in cold ether ; its formula is (C 1U H uo 0 12 ); by saponification it is converted into stearic acid (HO, C 30 H 35 0 3 ), and glycerine (C 6 H„ 0 6 ); stearine has lately been artificially produced by heating under pressure stearic acid and glycerine. Oleine is the more liquid constituent of»fat; it forms an oily fluid varying in quantity in the different varieties of fat, and generally holds in solution more or less of the solid constituents, from which it is separated completely with some difficulty. It exists in large quantity in the vegetable oils. The exact composition of oleine is doubtful; it is more soluble in alcohol than cither stearine or margarine ; by treatment with an alkali it is resolved into oleic acid (HO, C 36 H 33 0 3 ) and glycerine. Therapeutics. Suet is emollient, and is used in the preparation of certain ointments and plasters, sometimes also as an addition to poultices. Corim. The horn of Cervus Elephas. Hartshorn. (Not of- circal.) Cornu Ustum. Burnt Horn. Phosphate of lime, prepared from horn by fire. (Not officinal.) 369 CORNU TJSTUM. Description. Hartshorn is met with in the form of fine shavings, of a yellowish colour, without odour. Cornu ustum occurs as a white powder, obtained by the calcination of the horn. Drop. <& Comp. Hartshorn yields about 27 per cent, of gelatin, and 75*5 of phosphate of lime. By destructive distillation, the shavings yield an impure solution of carbonate of ammonia, formerly known as spirits of hartshorn. Phosphate of lime as prepared from the horn occurs in the form of a whitish powder ; it consists of phosphate of lime (3 Ca 0, P0 5 ), but often contains some lime not in the state of phosphate; this phosphate is identical with bone-earth. Therapeutics. The gelatine flavoured to suit the taste may be used as an article of diet. Cornu ustum has been recommended in rickets and mollitus ossium. Saccharum Lactis. Sugar of Milk. Crystallized sugar, obtained from the whey of cow's milk by evaporation. Prep. The milk is coagulated, the curd separated, and after the whey has been evaporated to the crystallizing point, pieces of wood or cord are introduced, upon which the milk sugar crystallizes. Prop. & Comp. Milk sugar occurs in cylindrical masses> about 2 inches in diameter and several inches in length, having an axis of cord or wood : the masses are composed of crystals, grayish white, translucent and hard ; without odour, and with a slightly sweet taste ; it is gritty in the mouth from the slight solubility of the sugar in the saliva. Milk sugar consists of a crystalline principle, termed Lactin or Lactose, which has the composition (C 24 H 24 0 24 ) ; or it may be represented by the formula (C 24 H 19 0 19 +5 HO), the water in the compound being capable of replacement by oxide of lead. Lactose can be obtained in 4-sided prisms, terminated by 4-sided pyramids ; it is soluble in about 6 times its weight of water, the solution is much less sweet than that of cane sugar • it is not soluble in alcohol or ether. It is not subject to alcoholic fermentation, but milk is so from the prior slow conversion of the lactose into glucose. When milk ferments in contact with chalk, lactic acid is formed. Therapeutics.' It may be employed for the purpose of rubbing up powerful medicinal powders, as white bismuth, calomel,. 25 370 MATERIA MEDICA. hydrochlorate of morphia,