-TV THE AMERICAN DISPENSATORY, "> >-*t>STAINING THE NATURAL, CHEMICAL, PHARMACEUTICAL, ^**f-* — ABU * ^l| MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE DIFFERENT SUBSTANCES EMPLOYED IN MEDICINE; TOGETHER WITH THE OPERATIONS OF PHARMACY; ILLUSTRATED AND EXPLAINED, ACCORDING TO THE PRINCIPLES OF MODERN CHEMISTRY: TO WHICH ARE ADDED, TOXICOLOGICAL AND OTHER TABLES; / PRESCRIPTIONS FOR PATENT MEDICINES, AND VARIOUS MISCELLANEOUS PREPARATIONS. EIGHTH EDITION, IMPROVED AND GREATLY ENLARGED. BY JOHN REDMAN COXE, M. D. Professor of Materia Medica and Pharmacy in the University of Pennsylvania; Mem- ber of the American Philosophical Society, and of the Batavian Society of Sciences at Haarlem; Ordinary Member of the Royal Medical So- ciety of Copenhagen; aud Foreign Member of the Royal Society of Sciences at Copenhagen, &c. &c. *fC\.VJ^-r* * i-"*! bjC*^ PHILADELPHIA: CAREY & LEA. 1830. V A.Y1 C- 9 ab i a a a Eastern District of Pennsylvania, to wit: ******** BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the sixth day of April, in the fifty- • Seal. * fourth year of the Independence of the United States of America, A. D. 5******5 1830, John Redman Coxe, M. D. of the said District, hath deposited in this office the title of a Book, the right whereof he claims as author, in the words following, to wit: " The American Dispensatory, containing the Natural, Chemical, Pharmaceutical, and Medical History of the different substances employed in Medicine; together with the Operations of Pharmacy; illustrated and explained, according to the prin- ciples of Modern Chemistry: to which are added, Toxicological and other Tables; the Prescriptions for Patent Medicines, and various Miscellaneous Preparations. Eighth edition, improved and greatly enlarged. By John Redman Coxe, M. D. Professor of Materia Medica and Pharmacy in the University of Pennsylvania; Member of the American Philosophical Society, and of the Batavian Society of Sciences at Haarlem; Ordinary Member of the Royal Medical Society of Copen- hagen, and Foreign Member of the Royal Society of Sciences at Copenhagen, &c. &c." In conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United States, entitled, " An Act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the Copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the Authors and Proprietors of such Copies, during the times therein mentioned." —And also to the Act, entitled, " an Act supplementary to an Act, entitled, " an Act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the Authors and Proprietors of such Copies during the times therein mentioned," and extending the benefits thereof to the Arts of designing, engraving, and etching historical and other Prints." D. CALDWELL, Clerk of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. $CJ* The Letters connected with the articles, (viz. L. E. D. A.) point out the names by which they are designated in the London, Edinburgh, Dublin, and American Pharmacopoeias. The last, is frequently given, simply as a note at the bottom of the page. SKERIIETT—NINTH STREET, PHILADELPHIA. PREFACE. I HE eighth edition of the American Dispensatory demands from the Editor of that work, the warmest acknowledgment for the fa- vourable reception it has met with since its first introduction to public notice. It was hoped that the present edition would have been accompanied by an improved version of the American Pharma- copoeia, which, by the regulations adopted on its first formation, was to have been duly revised and corrected at Washington, in confor- mity to a call regularly made by Dr. Mitchell of New York. From some cause, a postponement has taken place, and the looked-for mo- difications are necessarily omitted. In the present edition, it will be found that considerable additions have been made, especially under the heads of Cinchona and Papa- ver, from the pens of Dr. Staples and Mr. Carpenter; and we may be permitted to add, that a degree of certainty on the subject of Jalap, is also attained, which heretofore has been a desideratum in the history of that long-prized article of the materia medica. It has long been the conviction of the editor of this work, and which * he has repeatedly adverted to in prior editions, that whatever would facilitate the important operations of the apothecary, and tend to lessen the difficulties of the apprentice in acquiring a knowledge of his pro- fession; would be of equal benefit to the community, interested as it so greatly is, in having the chances of mistake and error diminished as much as possible. Under this impression, the editor respectfully reiterates the suggestion heretofore made, and requests the co-opera- tion of the College of Pharmacy, if it should view the suggestion as worthy of consideration, to endeavour to fix upon some general and uniform plan of arrangement in their shops; so that, as fair as circum- stances will permit, the various articles may be invariably located in the same place. Such a measure, fully matured under the sanc- tion of that excellent institution, would unquestionably be willingly adopted in every part of the union. Since, independently of being already arrangedTin a certain but indeterminate way, there can be no particular reason to influence any individual in adhering to the pre- sent unsettled form of arrangement. The advantages of uniformity must be self-evident!—Every one already acquainted with the business, will at once be at home in any shop, either here or elsewhere: whilst an engraving, with accompa- nying directions, could not fail of facilitating the information of the apprentice, in a manner infinitely more expeditious than at present is the case. IV PREFACE- In connexion with.this, we maybe permitted to repeat what every day's experience proves to be desirable; that the hazard of mistak- ing poisons for articles not dangerous, can only be perfectly-obviated, by making it incumbent on every apothecary to keep such articles as are poisonous, or even hazardous, in bottles of a different form from those intended for other purposes. If square bottles were sanction- ed by the College of Pharmacy for this especial intention, the very circumstance of taking up one of that form, would instantly, to the very youngest apprentice, warn him that the article is to be care- fully attended to. Nor can there be a single reason assigned why this, or some similar measure should not be adopted. To this we would also add, that the often improperly placing ar- ticles in bottles or drawers, with labels different from the real arti- cle therein contained, is unquestionably hazardous for the ignorant apprentice; independently of its producing in his mind a relaxation of that attention to the strictest order wliich the business of the apo- thecary so strongly demands. The only other subject that seems of consequence to notice, is one that the editor has much at heart, and which he has repeatedly brought forward, with the hope of being seconded in his views!—-One, indeed, in which every branch of the medical profession, and every member of each branch is deeply interested, viz.: that of providing a fund, by a small annual subscription, the interest of which, when suffi- ciently augmented, to be applied for the relief of indigent members in sickness, and for that of their families in case of death. Numer- ous are the demands of this description! as every member of the pro- fession can testify. How much better that arrangements of a per- manent character should be adopted, by which the required assist- ance should be considered not as a mere matter of temporary charity, but one on which every unfortunate member, or his family, (having been a subscriber to the fund,) could confidently rely, when sick- ness or death should have prostrated the hopes awakened in more auspicious moments. It is hoped that further delay on so important and interesting a subject, will not much longer be admitted! Who of our profession may require the aid of such an institution, is at present unknown; but, as none are exempt from the calamities and casualties of life, so each one may perchance, (however unlikely the present prospect,) in the changes he may live to experience, find the contribution made to it, one of the most fortunate events that could have possibly occurred. Philadelphia, April, 1830. MATERIA MEDICA ET PR^PARATA. EVERY substance employed in the prevention or cure of disease, whether in its natural state, or after having undergone various phar- maceutical preparations, belongs to the Materia Medica, in the ex- tended acceptation of the words. But in most Pharmacopoeias, the Materia Medica is confined to simples, and to those preparations which are seldom prepared by the apothecary himself; but which are commonly purchased by him, as articles of commerce, from druggists and others. Systematic authors on this branch of medical knowledge, have bestowed much pains in contriving scientific arrangements of these articles. Some have classed them according to their natural resem- blances; others, according to their active constituent principles; and others, according to their real or supposed virtues. Each of these arrangements has its particular advantages. The first will probably be preferred by the natural historian, the second by the chemist, and the last, by the physiologist: all the arrangements hither- to adopted are, however, liable to numerous objections. Without en- tering into the merits or imperfections of either, we may remark, that no adequate reason has been assigned, why the pharmaceutic prepa- rations should not immediately follow the articles which constitute the bases of these preparations, so as to embrace together, in one view, every thing connected with them. It is the plan heretofore adopted in the former editions of the American Dispensatory, and it is the one herein pursued. We have added to most of the articles of any importance, their Synonymes, in the following languages, distinguished by the abbre- viations affixed, viz. Arabic.....(A.) Italian......(I.) Bengaleese - - - - (B.1 Persian-;.....(Pers.) Dukhanie - - - - (D.) Russian......(R.) French.....(F.J Sanscrit.....(Sans.) German ----- (G.) Spanish......(S.) Hindostanie - - - - (H.) Tamool.....(Tarn.) Some of these may be useless, but as many of our remedies are brought from the East, it was thought it might gratify the curiosity of our readers. 1 2 A__Acacia. ACACIA. 1. ACACIA VERA. Acaci-k Gummi. L. Acacia Arabics Gummi. E. Gummi Ara- bicum. D. Acacia Gum. Mimosa Gum. Gum Arabic. Polygamia Monoecia. Nat. Orel. Lomentacese, Linn. Leguminosse, Juss. Syn. Gomme Arabique, (F.) Arabischen Gummi, (G.) Goma Arabiga, (S.) Tohl, (A.) Vullam Pisin, (Tarn.) Ak*v$o; ai-yumm, Hip. Akmio., Dioscor. This species of acacia grows in the sandy deserts of Africa, Ara- bia Petrsea, and Egypt. The greatest quantity of pure gum, com- monly called Gum-Arabic, is furnished by this tree, from which it exudes either spontaneously, or from incisions made into the bark, and afterwards hardens in the air. But a similar gum may be obtain- ed from all the species of acacia, and from many other trees, such as the Swietenia febrifuga, Melia azedirachta, and the different spe- cies of Terminalia; it would therefore have been better to have still retained the old name, which time had consecrated. It is remark- able that the barks of all the trees which furnish this bland mucila- ginous substance are highly astringent; that of the acacia itself is used in India for tanning; and in our country, the cherry and plum trees, which sometimes yield a little gum, have very astringent barks. There are two kinds of gum found in the shops, and sold promis- cuously, distinguished by the names of Gum-Arabic, and East India gum. Gum-Arabic consists of roundish transparent tears, colourless, or of a yellowish colour, shining fracture, without smell or taste, and perfectly soluble in water. The pieces which are most transparent, and have least colour, are reckoned the best. They are sometimes selected from the Gum-Arabic in sorts, and sold for about double the price, under the title of picked gum. The East India gum is darker coloured than Gum-Arabic, and is not so readily soluble in water. Dr. Duncan possesses a mass of gum, gathered from an acacia in New South Wales, by Mr. Jamieson. It is darker coloured even than East India gum, and is also less soluble than it; for when suspended in water, it gives off white films, which float through the mucilage. But its most remarkable property is, that it does not precipitate si- licized potass; in which respect it agrees, as far as the Doctor's ex- periments go, with gum collected in the neighbourhood from the commom cherry and plum trees. It is also remarkable, that the coarsest gum forms the thickest mucilage; at least Botany-Bay gum forms a thicker mucilage than East India gum, and this than Gum-Arabic. Gum-Arabic was originally brought from Arabia, by the way of Egypt, to Marseilles; and it was not until the beginning of the seven- teenth century, that the Dutch made the gum of Senegal known in Europe. After the French got possession of that river, they direct- ed their attention to it, as an important object of commerce, and as- certained, by experiments made in the latter half of the seventeenth A.—Acacia. 3 century, that gum Senegal was superior to the best gum of Arabia; and for about fifty years it has had the preference. M. Adanson examined all the gum trees of West Africa with great care, and has given the best description of them. They amount to forty in number; but the three great forests which supply the Se- negal market consist chiefly of two kinds; one which produces a white gum, called Vereck, and another, called Nebueb, which yields a red gum. About the middle of November, that is, after the rainy season, which begins early in July, a gummy juice exudes spontaneously from the trunk and principal branches. In about fifteen days it thickens in the furrow, down which it runs, either in a vermicular shape, or more commonly assuming the form of round or oval tears, about the size of a pigeon's egg, of different colours, as they belong to the white or red gam tree. About the middle of December, the Moors encamp on the borders of the forest, and the harvest lasts six weeks. The gum is packed in very large sacks of tanned leather, and brought on camels and bullocks to certain ports, where it is sold to the French and English merchants. In 1787, the annual quantity purchased by the former was about 800,000 pounds, and by the lat- ter 400,000, according to the information of M. Golberry. Mr. Jackson, in his account of the Empire of Morocco, informs us, that from Mogadore they export two sorts of gum, one the com- mon Gum-Arabic, the produce of Morocco, and called Barbary gum; the other finer, called Gum-Soudan, or Senegal, brought from Tim- buctoo by the caravans. He also says, but it must be observed that he is no botanist, that the gum called Morocco or Barbary gum, is produced from a thorny tree, called Attaleh, having leaves similar to the juniper, whereas ail the acacias have pinnated leaves. It yields most gum during the hot and parching heat of July and August; and the hotter the weather and the more sickly the tree appears, the more gum it yields. A wet winter and a mild summer are unfavour- able to gum. Gum is highly nutritious. During the whole time of the harvest, of the journey, and of the fair, the Moors of the desert live almost entirely upon it; and experience has proved, that six ounces are suf- ficient for the support of a man during twenty-four hours. Qualities.—When pure, it is dry, brittle, semi-transparent, colour- less, insipid; by exposure to the air, it undergoes no change. Solubility.—Soluble in water in every proportion, forming a vis- cid solution, (mucilage.) One part in six of water, affords a fluid of the consistence of syrup; and in two parts, a medium well calcu- lated for the union of dry powders. It is also soluble in pure alkalies and lime water, as well as in vegetable acids, especially vinegar, with which it forms a mucilage that may be used as a cement, like the watery solution, and possessing the advantage of not being sus- ceptible of mouldiness; it may be kept for years without change. It is insoluble in alcohol, as well as in ether and oils. Alcohol even precipitates it from mucilage; it renders a small quantity of oil or resin, by trituration, miscible with water. Strong acids decompose it By the action of nitric acid upon it, it forms successively mucic, 4 A.—Acacia. malic, and oxalic acids: and with chlorine, it forms citric acid. Exposed to heat it does not melt, but softens, swells, and becomes charred and incinerated. Its products are carbonic acid, carbureted hydrogen gas, empyreumatic oil, and a considerable quantity ot acetic acid, combined with a little ammonia; Thompson asserts it to contain a small proportion of gluten. Medical use.— It possesses the powers of a mucilaginous demul- cent in a high degree. It is useful, 1. In all cases where there seems a natural deficiency of mucus in the intestinal canal, and was, therefore, recommended by Degner, Pringle, and others, dis- solved in milk, barley water, &c. to remove tenesmus and painful stools. Zimmerman gave it in glysters for the same purpose. 2. In cases of acrid poisons, or acrid substances in general, taken into the stomach, to envelop their particles, and mitigate their action. With the same view, it is sometimes given along with acrid medicines. 3. In an irritable state of the respiratory passages, as catarrh, hoarseness and cough, used either in substance as a troche, or in a strong solution, as a linctus, and maybe combined with a little opium. 4. In gonorrhoea, and ardor urinse. 5. In salivation after mercury. 6. In phthisis pulmonalis, both as being supposed by some to check hemorrhage, and as a light nourishment. Externally it is applied, 1. In powders to bleeding vessels of a small size, as a styptic, operating by gluing them up. 2. In solution, as an injection in gonorrhoea, &c. Dose.—Almost ad libitum, in powder or solution, alone or com- bined with syrups, decoctions, &c. Adulterations.—Gum-Senegal is not unfrequently substituted for it, but this may be distinguished by its clammy and tenacious nature, like the gum produced from the plum or cherry tree; whereas genu- ine Gum-Arabic, is dry and brittle. In a medicinal point of view, the fraud is of no consequence. (Tjf* In the Pharmacopoeia of the United States this article is called by the name selected by the London College. 2. ACACIA CATECHU. Acacia Catechu Extraotum. E. Catechu E.xtractum. L~ Catechu. D. Terra Japonica. Catechu. The extract of the wood, and green fruit. Polygamia Monoecia. Nat. Ord. Lomentacese, Linn. Leguminosae, Juss. Syn. Cachou, (F.) Katechu? Kaschu, (G.) Cato o Catecu, (I.) Cutt, (H.) Ax,ctvSo; pu;, Theophrast. This tree is a native of Hindostan. The extract of catechu, which was formerly termed, with peculiar impropriety, Japan Earth, is principally prepared in Bengal, from the internal coloured part of the wood, by decoction, evaporation, and exsiccation in the sun. But catechu is also prepared in India from several other species of acacia, and even from the woods, barks, and fruits of other gene- ra. In Bombay, it is chiefly prepared from the nuts of the Areca Catechu. The nuts are taken as they come from the tree, and boil- A.—Acida. 5 ed for some hours in an iron vessel. They are then taken out, and the remaining water is inspissated by continual boiling. The pro- cess furnishes the Kassu, or the most astringent terra japonica, which is black, and mixed with paddy husks,"and other impurities. After the nuts are dried, they are put into a fresh quantity of water, and boiled again; and this water being inspissated like the former, yields the best or dearest kind of catechu, called Corny. It is yellow- ish-brown, has an earthy fracture, and is free from the admixture of foreign bodies. The Bombay catechu is of a uniform texture, and of a red-brown tint, its specific gravity being generally about 1.39. The extract from Bengal is more friable and less consistent. Its colour is like that of chocolate externally, but when broken, its fracture presents streaks of chocolate and of red-brown.—Its specific gravity is about 1.28. Their tastes are precisely similar, being astringent, but leav- ing in the mouth a sensation of sweetness. They do not deliquesce, or apparently change by exposure to the air, and are not fusible. Qualities.—Of the two varieties above mentioned, are the same, differing only in the degree of austerity and bitter taste. Chemical composition.—Tannin, rather more than fifty per cent. A peculiar extractive matter, thirty-five per cent. Mucilage, six to eight per cent. Earthy impurities, five to seven per cent. Solubility.—Almost entirely dissolved both by water and'spirit. Incompatible substances.—Its astringency is destroyed by alkaline salts, and precipitates are produced by metallic salts, especially those of iron. Medical uses.—-A most powerful astringent in relaxed states of the uvula and fauces, ulcers and aphthae in the mouth, diarrhoea, &c. It forms an excellent dentifrice with equal parts of bark, and one-fourth of powdered myrrh. Dose, ten to twenty grains, or more. ICT3* See Kerr, in the Med. Obs. and Inq. 5. p. 151. JQ0" Catechu of the Pharmacopoeia of the United States. ACIDA.—ACIDS. When by combination, any substances acquire a sour taste, the properties of converting vegetable blues to a red; and of saturating or destroying the characteristic properties of alkalies, earths or me- tals, they obtain the name of Acids. Every acid is not, however, possessed of all the above mentioned properties. Some of them form salts, by combining with the alka- lies, &c. but have neither a sour taste, nor do they change the vege- table blues to a red. One or more of the properties stated, is to be considered essential to the constitution of an acid. In general, acids combine with water, in almost any proportion; and without any change of properties, beyond what is dependant on mere dilution. 6 A.—Acida. It is probable, that without the actual presence of water, none of the so called acids, are capable of evincing their peculiar effects. Some substances have the property of acids induced, by combina- tion with oxygen; others, by combination with hydrogen; and some are capable of undergoing the change, by uniting with either. Those acids formed by the conjunction of hydrogen are denominat- ed Hydracids. Acids have either simple or compound bases. Those with simple bases are the arsenous, arsenic, boracic, carbonic, iodic, hydriodic, muriatic, nitrous, nitric, phosphorous, phosphoric, sulphurous, sul- phuric, hydro-sulphuric. There are, besides the above mentioned, several more of no use in medicine, and which do not consequently require to be here men- tioned. Acids with compound bases are either ternary or quaternary, that is, embracing three or four principles; they possess the properties of acids in general, but are distinguished from those with simple bases by their great alterability. The ternary acids coincide nearly with the vegetable acids, and are characterized by being converted entirely into water and carbonic acid when completely decomposed by oxygen. They consist of various portions of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. To this, however, the Prussic acid, which is a ternary one, is an exception, its principles being carbon, hydrogen, and ni- trogen. The quaternary acids coincide nearly with the animal acids, and are characterized by furnishing ammonia, as well as water and car- bonic acid, when decomposed. Hence they contain, in addition, a portion of nitrogen. None of these are employed in medicine. Of the ternary, which are numerous, those principally employed in me- dicine are the acetic, benzoic, citric, gallic, succinic, tartaric. Some of the acids are solid; viz. arsenic and arsenous, benzoic, boracic, camphoric, citric, chromic, gallic, molybdic, oxalic, phos- phoric, succinic, tartaric, &c. Some are fluid; as the nitric, phos- phorous, sulphuric, &c. Some are gaseous, viz. carbonic, nitrous, muriatic, sulphurous, hydro-sulphuric, &c. The particulars of each acid employed in medicine, will be noticed under their respective heads. It may be observed here, that the word acid is derived from the Greek ux.ts, ("acies, acumen: quod acida linguam pungendo velli- cent." Blanchard's Lexicon,) or from «gi/S, acidus, from whence, in part, oxygen. A.—Acetum. 7 ACETUM. Acetum Vini. D. White-wine Vinegar. Acetum. Vinegar. L. E. Acidum Aceticum Impurum. Impure Acetic Acid. Acidum Acetosum. Acetous Acid. Syn. Vinaigre, (F.) Essig, (G.) Aceto, (I.) Vinagre, (S.) Khull, (kA Ukzus, (R) V J This is the first acid of which we have any account. This acid is employed in three different states, distinguished from each other by peculiar names. When first prepared by the fermentation of vinous liquors, it is called vinegar; when purified by distillation, it assumes the name of distilled vinegar; and when concentrated as much as possible, by peculiar processes, it is called radical vinegar, or acetic acid. All of these are, however, properly speaking, the same; differing only by varied degrees of dilution, and the presence of some extraneous admixtures. There are, conse- quently, only one class of salts produced by them, viz. acetats. Qualities.—These are so well known as not to need description. Chemical Composition.—Common vinegar consists of acetic acid largely diluted with water; it contains also vegetable gluten, muci- lage, sugar, extractive matter, and frequently malic, phosphoric, and tartaric acids together with small proportions of sulphat of lime' sulphat of potash, and alcohol. Its composition, however, varies according to the fermented liquor from which it is obtained; viz. wine, cider, malt, &c.: thus wine yields a paler, purer, and stronger acid than fermented malt liquors or solutions of sugar; hence it is said the vinegar of France and Italy is superior to that prepared elsewhere. Mr. Chenevix found that English vinegar of 1.0042 specific gravity contained more water and mucilage, but less acid and spirituous liquor than French vinegar of 1.00721. It should be of a pale yellow colour, perfectly transparent, of a pleasant some- what pungent acid taste, but without any acrimony. It is liable to spontaneous decomposition, or to become mouldy and ropy; and hence for pharmaceutical purposes, at least for some of them, it re- quires to be distilled; as, however, the change depends upon the presence of gluten, it may, if boiled, be kept for a much longer time, especially in bottles completely filled and well corked. If powder- ed charcoal be added previously to boiling, it will become quite colourless, like distilled vinegar, and without being impaired in strength, as is the case with that subjected to distillation. This was long ago shown by Lowitz in Crell's Chem. Jour. 2. p. 237-248, and no doubt led to the introduction of an article under the name of Ace- tum puriflcatum into the American Pharmacopoeia.* It is a curious circumstance, that this is the only vegetable acid, except the Prussic, that rises in distillation in combination with water. Preparation or Manufacture.—This varies in different countries, * It consists in boiling an ounce of fresh burned powdered charcoal with a gallon of vinegar, and then straining and filtering the liquor. 8 A.—Acetum. from the greater facility of procuring the various articles from which it is prepared. . . . We can obtain vinegar from wine, beer, cider, &c. It is sufficient for the purpose to expose those liquids to the air. The following process is pursued at Orleans.—They begin by pouring 100 quarts, (litres,) of boiling vinegar into an open cask ot 400 quarts capacity, placed in a manufactory whose temperature ought to be constantly at 18 or 20°, (Cent. = Fahrenheit 65 to 68°;) at the end of eight days, ten quarts of wine, whose dregs are depo- sited, are poured into it; eight days after, ten quarts more of wine are added: this is continued every eight days, until the cask is full. Fifteen days after the cask is thus filled, the wine is found to be con- verted into vinegar; one-half of it is poured off, and they recom- mence the pouring in ten quarts of wine every eight days. If the fermentation is too rapid, which is known by the large quantity of foam with which a stick plunged into the cask is covered, more wine is added, and at shorter intervals. White vinegar is obtained from white wine, or from red wine which has been left to turn sour on the skins of white grapes. Red vinegar is made from red wine: it may be rendered colourless, as Figuier has shown, by filtering it several times through charcoal; when it is muddy, it is cleared with boiling milk; it is only neces- sary to pour a glassful into twenty-five or thirty quarts of the acid, and to strain the liquid to separate the coagulum. Adulterations.—Sulphuric acid, (not producing any turbid appear- ance in vinegar,) is usually selected for sharpening its taste. We are not, however, to infer its presence from the mere occurrence of a precipitate by an acetat of barytes, (see acetic acid,) since the sul- phat of lime or of potash, so often present in common vinegar, would, equally with free sulphuric acid, produce with this test, precipitates insoluble in nitric acid. To avoid this fallacy, it must be assayed for sulphuric acid in the following manner. Saturate a given quan- tity with chalk, add distilled water, and throw the whole upon a filtre; if any sulphuric acid is present, an insoluble sulphat of lime will be formed, recognisable by the usual tests. Vinegar is made to appear stronger, by infusing in it certain acrid vegetables, as grains of paradise, berries of spurge-flax, capsicum, pellitory of Spain, &c. These may generally be detected by tasting the vinegar with attention, by which their pungency is per- ceptible. Medicinal and other uses.—Vinegar is much employed in domes- tic economy, for the purpose of pickling, &c. It would seem that its chief purpose is to abstract the water of vegetation from the ve- getable matter, and takes its place; for the vinegar in which this is ' first placed, loses so much of its strength, as to be unable to preserve the substance. A fresh quantity is therefore added, after removing the first portion. In medicine, its action on the system seems to be gently stimu- lant; it promotes transpiration, and urinary discharge; probably not more so, however, than an equal amount of aqueous fluid with which, as a drink, it is always largely diluted. An ounce of vine- gar to a quart of water is a good proportion for this purpose. It A—Acetum. 9 has been used in scurvy, and to counteract the effects of narcotic poisons, (though incorrectly, according to Orfila,) and mephitic va- pours. It has been employed as a glyster in obstinate constipation, and in some diseases. Externally, it is used as a fomentation and bath, and its vapour is inhaled, by means of a funnel, in putrid sore throat, and other complaints of that and the adjacent parts. It is likewise sprinkled in the chambers of the sick to correct unpleasant smells, &c. Pyroligneous Acid. Vinegar is obtained under the name of pyroligneous acid, by de- composing wood in ovens of brick, or in large sheet-iron cylinders. The products of this distillation are charcoal, oil, acetic acid, water, carbureted hydrogen gas, gaseous oxyd of carbon, and carbonic acid.* The liquid product of this distillation is collected in a wooden reservoir; it consists of water, acetic acid, and a thick oil, resem- bling, in a certain degree, tar; it is left to itself until the greater part of the oil subsides; it is then poured off and saturated with chalk; an acetat of lime is produced, which remains dissolved, whilst the remaining oily matter comes to the surface, and is skim- med off. The liquid containing acetat of lime is mixed with sulphat of soda; the two salts are decomposed, and give rise to an almost insoluble sulphat of lime, which falls to the bottom, and to a soluble acetat of soda; this last is evaporated, and yellow or brownish crys- tals are obtained, coloured by the oil, from which they may be se- parated by drying, and causing them to undergo the igneous fusion to destroy the oily matter; then redissolving them in water, and recrystallizing. These crystals, dried and gently heated in a dis- tilling apparatus with concentrated sulphuric acid, are decomposed, and afford pure and concentrated acetic acid; sulphat of soda re- mains in the retort. The most usual method of obtaining this acid, however, consists in dissolving acetat of soda in a quantity of water, and decomposing it with common sulphuric acid: the sulphat of soda crystallizes, and we can procure the acetic acid by simple distillation. The pyroligneous acid has lately been very generally made to supersede the distilled vinegar in medicine and the arts. It has been so completely separated from all foreign matter, as to afford a perfectly pure acetic acid, invariable in acid powers, and con- stant in its chemical properties. Such an acid is now prepared by Messrs. Beaufoy & Co. of South Lambeth, (London,) and is sold under the name of improved distilled vinegar. It is said to be perfectly free from any unpleasant taste, colour, or sediment; and it forms a limpid, colourless solution with ammonia. The common distilled vinegar of the shops varies essentially in strength as well as purity; its acid powers differing from thirty to forty per cent, in value; and it is sometimes 7°, at others less than 5° * For a description of the process as followed by Mr. Mollerat, at Choisi* sur-Seine, see Practical Chemistry, p. 136. 2 10 A__Acetum. by the revenue acetometer;* and hence the difficulty of procur- ing an uniform article for medical application. This difficulty seems now obviated, as the pyroligneous acid may be procured of any degree of concentration, from 6° of the acetometer, or 2.898 per cent, of real acetic acid, to 130°, or 63.09 per cent, of acid; and even higher, if required; the common or proof acid about equals in strength that of the best malt vinegar, 100 parts of which, will satu- rate 14! parts of crystallized sub-carbonat of soda; and consequently contains somewhat less than five per cent, of real acid, requiring at least one-half part of water to reduce it to the strength of the best common distilled vinegar. It is found that acetic acid of forty-five per cent, real acid, dissolves camphor and the essential oils very readily. The British Colleges employ this distilled acid for most of the preparations in which the acetum purificatum of the American Phar- macopoeia is ordered. Indeed, as to any use made of it in that work, it might have been altogether omitted. Acetum Distillatum. D. Distilled Vinegar.^ Acidum Aceticum Tenue. E. Weak Acetic Acid. Acidum Aceticum Dilutum. L. Acetic Acid. Syn. Vinaigre distille, (F.) Distillirter Essig, (G.) Aceto distillato, (I.) Vinaigre distilado, (S.) Take of Vinegar, a gallon.—Distil from glass vessels on a sand bath. Throw away the first pint which comes over, and preserve the next six pints. L. The specific gravity of the distilled acid appears to vary in the for- mulge of the different colleges from 1004 to 1009. In its qualities, its odour is fainter and less agreeable than that of common vinegar; in taste, less acid; and it ought to be colourless and entirely volatile. The reason why the distilled acid is weaker than common vinegar, appears to be, that the water being rather more volatile than the acid, comes over first; hence a considerable por- tion of concentrated acid is left behind in the retort, in order to pre- vent the empyreumatic taste which it would acquire if completely distilled over. The process may be performed either in a common still, or rather in a retort. The better kinds of wine vinegar should be used. In- deed, with the best kind of vinegar, if the distillation be carried on to any great length, it is extremely difficult to avoid empyreuma. The best method of preventing this inconvenience is, if a retort be used, to place the sand but a little way up its sides, and when some- what more than half the liquor is come over, to pour on the remain- der a quantity of fresh vinegar equal to the liquor drawn off. This may be repeated three or four times; the vinegar supplied at each time being previously heated. The addition of cold liquor would * The acetometer was invented by Messrs. Taylors for this particular pur- pose. The principle consists in first forming a neutral salt with dry hydrat of lime and the acid to be examined, and then taking the specific gravity of the solution. + So named also in the Pharmacopoeia of the United States. The formula differs in no essential point from the above. A—Acetum. a not only prolong the operation, but also endanger the breaking of the retort. Lowitz recommends the addition of half an ounce of re- cently-burnt and powdered charcoal to each pound of vinegar in the still, as the best means of avoiding empyreuma. If the common still be employed, it should likewise be occasionally supplied with fresh vinegar, in proportion as the acid runs off, and this continued until the process can be conveniently carried no fur- ther. The distilled acid must be rectified by a second distillation in a retort or glass alembic; for although the head and receiver be of glass or stone-ware, the acid will contract a metallic taint from the pewter worm. The residuum of this process is commonly thrown away as useless, although, if skilfully managed, it may be made to turn to good ac- count, the strongest acid still remaining in it. Mixed with about three times its weight of fine dry sand, and committed to distillation in a retort, with a well-regulated fire, it yields an exceedingly strong empyreumatic acid. It is, nevertheless, without any rectification, better for some purposes, as being stronger than the pure acid; par- ticularly for making acetat of potass or soda; for then the empyreu- matic oil is burnt out. If we desire to obtain an acid both purer and also much stronger, common vinegar may be subjected to the process of freezing in the winter; the watery parts consolidate as a spongy mass, whilst the acid remains diffused through it; and by breaking down the mass, the acid will drain from the ice, and with a corresponding increase of strength. I have thus obtained from one gallon of good wine vinegar, about two pints of acid of very great strength, the other three-fourths being the watery parts almost entirely. If this is boil- ed for a few minutes with charcoal, it loses its colour, and is an acetic acid of great power. Mr. Phillips says," the best malt vinegar has a specific gravity 1.0204; that the first eighth part which it yields on distillation is of specific gravity 0.99712, has a decidedly acid taste, and a fluid ounce decomposes from 4.5 to 5 grains of precipitated carbonat of lime; whilst the subsequent six-eighths are of specific gravity 1.0023, and a fluid ounce decomposes 8.12 grains of carbonat of lime: hence he concludes that it is improvident to reject the first eighth, since it contains about one-twelfth of the acid obtained, and there is no cir- cumstance rendering it necessary to have distilled vinegar either of very equal or of very great strength. Chemical Composition of distilled vinegar. Acetic acid more largely diluted than that in vinegar; with minute portions of uncom- bined mucilage and extractive. Solvent Powers.—It dissolves all vegetable principles that are soluble in water; and in some cases, as in squills, colchicum, seve- ral aromatics and narcotics, its acid appears to extend its solvent powers; at the same time, according to some, it often modifies or di- minishes the medicinal virtues of the substances, as those of narcotics, an opinion not adopted by other writers. When employed, a por- tion of spirit should be added, in order to obviate the spontaneous decomposition to which it is liable, and the access of the air should be guarded against. I have found that two ounces of pretty strong 12 A.—Acetum. alcohol were not more than sufficient to prevent the mouldiness, &c of a pint of acetic solution of opium, (one ounce to the pint,) during the summer season. Acetic acid has some action on the gum resins; but not on true resins. Dr. Powell states, (Transl. of Pharm, of Lond. 1815,; that one fluid ounce ought to dissolve at least thirteen grains of white mar- ble, or, what is equivalent to it, 39.67 grains of crystallized sub- carbonat of soda. Such acid corresponds very nearly with 6° of the British revenue acetometer, the proportions being as follow: 100 grains of Pharmacopoeia strength will saturate 8.68 grains of crys- tallized sub-carbonat of soda; 100 grains of acid of 6° of the aceto- meter will saturate 8.70 grains of that salt. Adulterations.—Sulphuric acid is detected by a white precipitate being produced, on adding acetat of barytes. Nitric acid, by satu- rating the suspected sample with pure potash, evaporating to dry- ness, and treating the product with highly concentrated alcohol; the acetat of potash is thereby dissolved, but no action is exerted on the nitrat; it is of course found in the residuum, and may be recog- nised by deflagrating when thrown on burning charcoal. Copper is detected by supersaturating the acid with ammonia, which produces a blue colour; and lead, by the dark-coloured precipitate produced by a solution of sulphureted hydrogen. Tin is said to be the more usual source of contamination, for no vegetable acid will act upon lead while any tin is present in the mixture; the latter being most oxydable, is exclusively dissolved. ACIDUM ACETICUM. D. Acetic Acid. Acidum Aceticum Forte. E. Strong Acetic Acid. Concentrated Acetic Acid. Radical Vinegar. Syn. Acide Acetique, (F.) Essigsaure, (G.) Acido Acetico, (I.) Take of sulphat of iron dried, one pound; acetat of lead, ten ounces.— Rub them together, put them into a retort, and distil in a sand bath, with a moderate heat as long as any acid comes over. E. This is one of the easiest processes for the purpose. Many others have been proposed, all of which are reducible to three classes, viz. 1. Decomposing metalline acetats by heat, as verdigris. 2. Decomposing acetats by sulphuric acid, as in the Dublin for- mula, viz. acetat of potash and sulphuric acid. 3. Decomposing acetats by means of sulphats; as in the' formula above introduced from the Edinburgh College. The difference of the three classes is at once perceived. In the first case, the affinity of the metallic oxyd for the acid is broken up by the agency of heat; but the degree necessary is so great, that a part of the acid itself is generally decomposed, and the product has an unpleasant empyreumatic smell. In the second case, the acetic acid is driven from the base it was united with by the superior affi- nity of the sulphuric acid. A part of the sulphuric acid, if great care be not taken, is decomposed, and sulphurous acid passes over A.—Acetica. 13 and contaminates the product. This is a case of single affinity. The third, which is a case of compound affinity, is preferable, in being more economical, and in furnishing a purer acid. The acetat and sulphat are mutually decomposed; the acetic acid being vola- tile, passes over, and is condensed in the receiver; the sulphuric acid combines with the oxyd of lead, and forms a sulphat of lead, which, with the oxyd of iron, are left in the retort. It is difficult to say why the Colleges have retained a process, the product of which is scarcely employed in medicines, at least in regular practice; although perhaps it might be useful, since its solvent powers are far superior to those of common or distilled vinegar. It is capable of dissolving camphor, resins, and essential oils, copiously, but they are precipitated by dilution. Acetic acid is a transparent and colourless fluid, of an extremely pungent smell, and a caustic acid taste, capable of reddening and blistering the skin. It is very volatile, and its vapour is highly in- flammable; it combines with water in every proportion; it combines with sugar, mucilage, volatile oils, alcohol; it dissolves boracic acid, and absorbs carbonic acid gas; it is formed by the acidification of sugar, and by the decomposition of some other ternary and quater- nary compounds by heat or acids. It is decomposed by the sulphuric and nitric acids, and by heat. The proportions of its constituents are not ascertained. In its ordinary state, it has only an acid taste, a pleasant odour; specific gravity, 1.0005; congeals and crystallizes at —22°, and is vaporised at 212°. It combines with alcohol, and forms a species of ether. Gold, platina, glass, and earthenware, can alone retain this concentrated acid without corrosion. Medical Use.—It is sometimes used as an analeptic remedy ire syncope, asphyxia, hysteric affections, and head-ache. Applied to the skin, it acts as a stimulant and rubefacient. Common vinegar, is, however, more frequently the form in which it is thus employed. The only officinal preparation into which it enters, is the acidum aceticum camphoratum of the Edinburgh College. Vide Acetica. ACETICA. MEDICATED VINEGARS. These are infusions of vegetable substances in acetic acid. The action of the acid in this case may be considered as two-fold., 1. It acts simply as water, in consequence of the great quantity of water which enters into its composition, and generally extracts every thing which water is capable of extracting. 2. It exerts its own peculiar action as an acid. In consequence of this, it sometimes increases the solvent power of its watery por- tion, or dissolves substances which water alone is incapable of dis- solving, and in a few instances it impedes the solution of substances which water alone would dissolve. As acetic acid, in itself sufficiently perishable, has its tendency to decomposition commonly increased by the solution of any vegetable matter in it, it should never be used as a menstruum, unless where it promotes the solution of the solvend, as in extracting the acrid 14 A___Acetica. principle of squills, colchicum, &c. and in dissolving the volatile, and especially the empyreumatic oils, or where it coincides with the virtues of the solvend. Acidum Aceticum Aromaticum. E. Aromatic Acetic Acid. Aromatic Vinegar. Syn. Vinaigre antiseptique, (F.) GewUrzessig, (G.) Take of tops of Rosemary, dried, leaves of Sage, dried, (each) four ounces; flowers of Lavender, dried, two ounces; Cloves, two drachms; distilled Acetic acid, two pounds.—Macerate for seven days, express the liquor, and filler it. This is given as an improved preparation of the Vinaigre des qua- tre voleurs, which was supposed to be a certain prophylactic against the contagion of plague, and similar diseases. It is in fact a pleasant solution of essential oils in vinegar, which will have more effect in correcting bad smells than in preventing fever. Dose f5ss. to f3i. Acetum Colchici. L. Vinegar of Colchicum or Meadow Saffron. Take of fresh bulb of Meadow-saffron, sliced, one ounce; Acetic acid, one pint; proof Spirit, one fluid ounce.'—Macerate the root with the vinegar, in a covered glass vessel, for twenty four hours; then ex- press the liquor, and let it settle; lastly, add the spirit to the clear liquor. This is substituted for the oxymel of the former London Pharma- copoeia, and by some is considered to be a more convenient form for preserving. It is said to be powerfully diuretic. The acrid principle, in which the virtue of colchicum resides, seems to be more soluble in vinegar than in water. The diluted al- cohol is added to prevent its spoiling. In very warm weather, it is probably scarcely sufficient. Dose, fluid half-drachm to fl5j. in any bland fluid. Acetum Scill;e. L. D.* Acidum Aceticum Scilliticum. E Vinegar of Squills. Syn. "Vinaigre Scillitique, (F.) Meerzwiebelessig, (G.) Take of Squills, dried, half a pound; Wine-vinegar, three pints; proof Spirit, four ounces.—Macerate the squills in the vinegar for four days, in a glass vessel, frequently agitating it; then express the acid; to which, poured from the faeces after they have subsided, add the spirit. D. Vinegar of squills is a medicine of great antiquity. It is a very powerful stimulant; and hence it is frequently used, with great suc- cess, as a diuretic and expectorant. The dose of this medicine is from half a drachm to half an ounce: where crudities abound in the first passages, it may be given at first in a larger dose, to evacuate * The name in the Pharmacopoeia of the United States is the same. The for- mula is an old one of the Ed. Col. and may be found in the Ed. Dispens. 1813. A.—Acetica. ± 5 them by vomiting. It is most conveniently exhibited along with cin- namon, or other agreeable aromatic waters, which prevent the nau- sea it would otherwise, even in small doses, be apt to occasion. When kept, Vogel, (An. de Chim. V. 83. p. 157,) says the vinegar of squills deposits a precipitate, consisting of citrat of lime and tan- nin. It is to be regretted that the formulae of different Pharmacopoeias should vary greatly from each other; more especially in medicines, good in themselves, or which serve as the basis of others. It appears very desirable that all our preparations should be made as strong as possible. We can always modify the dose to meet existing circum- stances; but if originally weak, it demands a proportionate increase in the dose, which, in a remedy so nauseous as the one under notice, it would be well to avoid. Acidum Aceticum Camphoratum. D. E. Camphorated Acetic Acid. Syn. Acide acetique camphre, (F.) Take of strong Acetic acid, six ounces; Camphor, half an ounce.-*- Triturate the camphor with a little alcohol; add it to the acid, and dissolve. The alcohol in this preparation is used merely to facilitate the re- duction of the camphor to powder; for the acetic acid is capable of dissolving even a larger portion of camphor than is directed in the above formula. This solution is a powerful analeptic remedy. Its vapour snuffed up the nostrils, which is the only method of using it, is one of the most pungent stimuli we possess. It is so extremely volatile, that it cannot be preserved without excluding it from the contact of the air; and it is so powerful a menstruum, that it corrodes cork, and almost all common metals except gold. It should therefore be kept in glass phials, with ground glass stoppers, or in small gold boxes, such as are used for Henry's aromatic spirit of vinegar, for which it is in fact a simple substitute. Henry,s aromatic vinegar is merely an acetic solution of camphor, oil of cloves, of lavender, and rosemary. A preparation of this kind may be made extemporaneously, by putting one drachm of acetat of potash into a phial with a few drops of some essential oil, and n\,xx. of sulphuric acid. This is a patent nostrum. ACETUM OPII. Vinegar of Opium, or Black Drop. Take of Opium, half a pound; Vinegar, three pints; Nutmeg, bruised, one ounce and a half; Saffron, half an ounce.—Boil them to a pro- per consistence, then add Sugar, four ounces; Yeast, one fluid ounce.—Digest for seven weeks, then place in the open air until it becomes a syrup; lastly, decant, filter, and bottle it up, adding a little sugar to each bottle. Am. In vol. ix. of the Philosophical Transactions of London, for 1674, p. 147, we have the mode of preparation of laudanum by Van Hel- mont, in a paper by Robert Boyle, (and the same is noticed in his 16 A___Acetica. Philosophical Writings, vol. i. 99, and iii. 648.) See also the Abridg- ment of the same by Dr. Pearson, vol. ii. 155. The prescription is said to have been given to Boyle by Van Helmont himself. It is highly commended, and seems, indeed, nearly to resemble in prepa- ration the celebrated black drop. It appears there were two kinds of Helmontian laudanum, one by the senior, the other by the son: the one here noticed is the latter. " Laudanum Helmontii Junioris. "Take of opium, one quarter of a pound, and of the juice of quinces four pounds at the least, [for near five pounds would per- haps do better;] the opium being cut into very thin slices, and then as it were minced, to reduce it into smaller parts, is to be put into, and well mixed with the liquor, first made lukewarm, and ferment- ed with a moderate heat for eight or ten days, rather more than less: then filter it, [omitted sometimes by Van Helmont,] and having in- fused in it, of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, of each one ounce, [sometimes Van Helmont used one ounce and a half of each;] let them stand three or four days more; if a full week the better; then filter, (or strain through a canvass bag,) once more, having let it boil a walme, [qu. ? a little while,] or two after the spices are put in. This done, evaporate the superfluous water to the consistence of an ex- tract, or to what other consistence you please. Lastly, incorporate very well with it, two ounces of best saffron reduced to fine powder. [Instead of the powder, Van Helmont sometimes used as much ex- tract as can be obtained from that quantity.] According to the consistence you desire to have it, you may order it so, as either to make it up into a mass of pills, or keep it in a li- quid form; in which case the evaporation must be less, after putting in the saffron. The dose is five or six to ten drops, according to circumstances; of the pills, somewhat less. Black Drop. If we may judge from the writings of William Salmon, 1676, we may well believe that acetic preparations of opium had been long celebrated. Hartmann, in his Tractatus Physico-medicus de Opio, (1615,) pre- ferred it to every other. The Anodynum Specificum Paracelsi seems to have been of the same nature. Salmon gives its formula thus: " R Theban opium, two ounces; juice of sour oranges and quinces, a one ounce and half; cinnamon, cloves, saffron, a one ounce.— Digest with a gentle heat for about an hour, strain and add musk, one scruple; amber grease four drachms; magistery, or corral and pearl, 5 one drachm.—Mix and digest awhile, then add of the quin- tessence of gold, one drachm. " This is the specific anodyne of Paracelsus." The laudanum of Clossaeus was also an acetic preparation of opium. In Paris's Pharmacologia, p. 469, art. Opium, in relation to this article we have the following information: A.—Aconitum. 17 " The Black Drop, or the Lancaster or Quaker's Black Drop.— This preparation, which has been long known and esteemed, as being more powerful in its operation, and less distressing in its ef- fects, than any tincture of opium, has, until lately, been involved in much obscurity: the papers, however, of the late Edward Wal- ton, of Sunderland, one of the near relations of the original proprie- tor,* having fallen into the hands of Dr. Armstrong, that gentleman has obliged the profession by publishing the manner in which it is prepared, and is as follows: « Take half a pound of opium sliced; three pints of good verjuice, (juice of the wild crab, or the ex- pressed juice of unripe grapes,) and one and a half ounce of nut- megs, and half an ounce of saffron. Boil them to a proper thick- ness, then add a quarter of a pound of sugar, and two spoonsful of yeast. Set the whole in a warm place near the fire for six or eight weeks; then place it in the open air until it becomes a syrup. Lastly, decant, filter, and bottle it up, adding a little sugar to each bottle.' One drop of this preparation is considered equal to about three of the tincture of opium. P. L. It would appear that an acetat of morphia is formed, which is more active and less distressing in its, effects, than any other narcotic combination." "The above ingredients, agreeably to the experiments of a scien- tific friend, ought to yield, when properly made, about two pints of strained liquor, "t Dr. Paris likewise mentions a preparation very similar to the Black drop, from the French Codex, called Vimim Opiatum fer- mentatione paratum, or Guttae, seu Laudanum Abbatis Rousseau, made with honey in a state of fermentation. J ACONITUM. ACONITE. Aconitum Neomontanum. D. Aconitum Napellus. L. E.§ Large Blue Wolfsbane. Monkshood. Aconite. The leaves. Polyandria Trigynia. Nat. Ord. Multisiliqux. Syn. Aconit, chaperon de moine, (F.) Blauer-strumhut, (G.) Napello, (I.J Aconito, (S.) The Neomontanum, we are assured by Willdenow, is the species of aconite which has always been used in medicine, although it is al- most universally known by the name of Aconitum Napellus in conse- quence of a botanical error of Stoerk, who introduced it into practice. It is a perennial plant, found in the Alpine forests of Carinthia, Carniola, and other mountainous countries in Germany, and culti- vated in our gardens. The fresh plant and root are very violent poisons, producing re- markable debility, paralysis of the limbs, convulsive motions of the * Edward Tonstall, a medical practitioner of Bishop's Aukland, in the coun- ty of Durham, one of the Society of Friends, about a century ago. It is the formula of the United States' Pharmacopoeia, with scarcely a modification. f Thomson's Annals of Philosophy, ii. 232. * Sec some good observations on the subject of the black drop, by Mr. T. Evans, in the Journal of the Philad. Col. of Pharmacy, 2d No. 1st series. § Aconitum, Ph. U. S. 3 18 A__Acorus Calamus. face, bilious vomiting, and cathaeresis, vertigo, delirium, asphyxia, death. The fresh leaves have very little smell, but when chewed have an acrid taste, and excite lancinating pains, and swelling of the tongue. By drying, its acrimony is almost entirely destroyed. For medical use, the plant must be gathered before the stem shoots. An alkaloid substance has been obtained from this plant, called aconita. It contains likewise a black oily matter; a green matter analogous to that of cinchona; albumen; malat, muriat, and sulphat of lime; starch, and lignin. Aconita is in form of yellow scales, transparent, of a bitter taste, soluble in water, scarcely so in cold alcohol, and slightly alkaline. Uses and Dose.—When properly administered, it acts as a pene- trating stimulus, and generally excites sweat, and sometimes an in- creased discharge of urine. On many occasions, it has been found a very effectual remedy in glandular swellings, veflereal nodes, anchylosis, spina ventosa, itch, amaurosis, gouty and rheumatic pains, intermittent fevers, and con- vulsive disorders. We may begin by giving one or two grains of the dried leaves in powder, but it is commonly used in the form of an inspissated juice. As soon as the plant is gathered, the juice is expressed, and evapo- rated without any previous clarification, to the consistence of an ex- tract. It is an unfortunate circumstance, that the powers of this medicine vary very much, according to its age and the heat employ- ed in its preparation. When recently prepared, its action is often too violent, and when kept more than a year it becomes totally inert. It may therefore be laid down as an universal rule, in the employ- ment of this, and of many other similar active medicines, to begin with very small doses, and to increase them gradually to the neces- sary degree; and whenever we have occasion to begin a new parcel of the medicine, we should commence with an inferior dose, and proceed with the same caution as at first. We may begin by giving half a grain of this extract, either form- ed into a powder with ten grains of white sugar, or made up with any convenient addition into a pill, twice or thrice a day, and gra- dually increase the dose: or a tincture of aconite may be prepared by digesting one part of the dried leaves in six parts of spirit of wine; the dose of which will be at first five or ten drops, and may be gradually increased to forty and upwards. A decoction of the roots is said to destroy bugs, and to prove fatal to rats and mice. ACORUS CALAMUS. E. L. D.* Sweet Flag. The root. Hexandria Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Piperitse. Syn. Acorus Odorant, (F.) Kalmuswurtzil, (G.) Calamo Aromatico, (I.) Acoro Calamo, (S.) Bach, (H.) Vacha, (San.) Kctxajuov apufxamiioii, Dioscor. This plant is perennial, and grows plentifully in rivulets and * Calamus, Ph. U. S. A.—Actea Spicata. 19 marshy places about Norwich, and other parts of England, of the canals of Holland, in Switzerland, and in other countries of Europe. It is also abundant in America. The shops have been usually sup- plied from the Levant with dried roots, which are not superior to those of our own growth. The root of acorus is full of joints, crooked, somewhat flatted on the sides, internally of a white colour, and loose, spongy texture: its smell is strong; the taste warm, acrid, bitterish, and aromatic; both the smell and taste are improved by exsiccation. This root is generally looked upon as a carminative and stomachic medicine, and as such is sometimes made use of in practice. It is said by some to be superior in aromatic flavour to any other vegetable that is produced in the northern climes of Europe; which is by no means strictly true: it is, nevertheless, a sufficiently elegant aroma- tic. The fresh root, candied, is said to be employed at Constanti- nople as a preservative against epidemic diseases. The leaves of this plant have a sweet, fragrant swell, more agreeable, though weaker, than that of the roots. Neumann obtained by distillation about two scruples of fragrant volatile oil from sixteen ounces of the dried root. It .also rose in distillation with water, but not with alcohol. The spirituous ex- tract from two ounces weighed 370 grains, and water extracted from the residuum 190 grains. The watery extract from two ounces weighed 445 grains, and the residuum gave out to alcohol 43. Chemical Composition.—The principles in which its qualities re- side, appear to be essential oil and bitter extractive. The root contains also fecula, which is copiously precipitated by sub-acetat and acetat of lead from its infusion. Watery infusion extracts all its virtues, but decoction impairs them. Spirit is also an appropriate but less efficient solvend. It may be considered as a mild stomachic, carminative, and tonic; and may perhaps be usefully combined with some*of the infusions of vegetables possessing similar powers. It may be given in doses of a cupful of the infusion of one drachm of the dried root to a pint of boiling water, or in powder, from one scruple to one drachm: but the Materia Medica would probably be no ways injured by its omission, as its place may be well supplied by ginger. ACTEA SPICATA. Herb Christopher. Baneberries. The root. This vegetable is perennial, growing in woods and shady places. It attains the height of about two and a half feet, and flowers in the months of May or June; and produces black, shining, pulpy berries in Autumn, about the size of peas, which are considered as poison- ous. On account of its fetid smell, this plant is said to be frequent- ed by toads. There are two varieties of this plant in the United States; one of which is thus described by the Rev. Dr. Cutler: " Christopher bane- berries. Blossoms white, berry red. In woodland and shady 20 A.—Adeps. places.—May. The berries are exceedingly poisonous. Dr. Wither- ing says, the plant is powerfully repellent; and that the root is useful in some nervous cases, but it must be administered with caution." Actea racemosa, (says Dr. Mease, Doin. Encyclop.) black snake root, or rich weed, is a very beautiful plant when in flower. The utility of the root of this plant is well known. It is an astrin- gent; and Dr. Barton says, it was used in the form of decoction as a gargle, with success, in a putrid sore throat, which prevailed in New Jersey, many years ago. A decoction of the root cures the itch. In North Carolina, it has been useful as a drench in the disease of cattle, called the murrain —Some have supposed it possessed of nar- cotic powers.* ADEPS. FAT, GREASE, TALLOW. Except in consistency, there appears to be no very considerable difference, in a medicinal point of view, between the different kinds of animal oils, or fats. They are known under different names, and are individually employed in different places, more probably from the facility of obtaining them, than from any actual superiority of the one above the other. The greater consistency of some than of others, makes a change of proportion necessary sometimes, in winter and summer, for the preparation of ointments, &c. to the formation of which, all these animal oils may be considered as chiefly devoted. Adeps Anseris.—Goose Grease, from roasted geese, esteemed by many as highly emollient, and used occasionally in glysters. Adeps Hominis.—Human fat, said to be the most emollient of fats, and still used in the Russian hospitals. Adeps vel Pinguedo Ursi.—Bear's Grease. Adeps Suillus Pr^eparatus. D. Adeps Pr^eparata. L. Adeps Sui Scrofje.—vulgo Axungia Porcina. EA Prepared Hog's Lard, fat.—Axunge. Ab unguendo plaustri axe, (Plin.)from being used as the grease of wheels. Syn. Sain doux, (F.) Schweineschmalz, (G.) Lardo, (I.) Pingue, (S.) Punnil colupoo, (Tam.) This is obtained like the other animal fats, from the raw lard, by chopping it fine, or rolling it out, in order to break the cells in which the fat is lodged, and then melting it in a water bath, or other gen- tle heat, and straining it whilst warm. Qualities.—Consistence, soft, or nearly semi-fluid. Odour and taste, none, if pure; it melts at 97°. Chemical composition.—-It appears like other fats, to consist of two distinct bodies existing together in a state of mechanical mix- ture, viz. stearin, (from frft*f, tallow,) which is white, brittle, and * See Philad. Jour, of Med. and Surg. Sept. 1827. \ Adeps, Ph. U. S. A.—Adeps. 21 somewhat resembling wax; and elain, (from e^aiov, oil,) very simi- lar in appearance to vegetable oil, and liquid at 59°. According to Braconnot's experiments, the proportion of elain to that of stearin, in hog's lard, is as 62 to 38. For the method of procuring these substances, see Practical Chemistry, p. 138. Solubility.—Insoluble in water and alcohol, but unites with alka- lies, and forms soaps. Table of Solubility of Fats in 100 parts of alcohol and sulphuric ether. By P. F. G. Boullay. Hog's lard Mutton suet Spermaceti Alcohol, sp. gr. 0828. 48 Fahr. 74 boiling. 1.04 . . 1.74 0.69 . . 1.39 1.39 . . 8.33 Ether. 48 Fahr. 25 10 20 Proportion of Oils and Suet in various Fats, according to Braconnot. Oil. Suet. at-iciicu uuiiai, summer . winter uu 35 65 Hog's lard 62 38 Beef marrow . 24 76 Mutton marrow 74 26 Goose grease 72 32 Turkey grease 74 26 Olive oil ... 72 28 Oil of almonds 7G 24 -----colsa 54 46 Incompatible substances.—Extracts, spirituous preparations, tinc- tures, and infusions, are incapable of perfect union with lard, with- out some intermedium; the following substances, on the contrary, are capable of intimately combining with it, viz. all dry powders, whether vegetable or mineral; fixed and volatile oils, balsams, cam- phor, soaps. Adeps Ovillus. E. Sevum. L. D. A. Mutton Suet. Syn. Graissede Mouton, (F.) Hammeltalg, (G.) Grasse duro, (I.) Grassa, (S.) This, as being firmer than the preceding, is employed, when greater consistency in ointments, &c. is required. It is the stiffest, and least fusible of the officinal fats. Adeps Bovis vel Sevum bovinum. Beef Suet, or Tallow. It possesses no properties different from the preceding; either may be employed indiscriminately. Adeps Cetaceus. Spermaceti* Sperma Ceti. E. D. A. Cetaceum. L. Spermaceti. Syn. Spermaceti;C£tine,(F.) Wallrath, (G.) Spermaceti, (I.) Espermaceti,(S.) The spermaceti whale, (Physetcr, vel Catadon macrocephalus,) is characterized by his enormous head, great part of which is occupied 22 A.—Adeps. by a triangular cavity of bone covered only by the common integu- ments. In the living animal this cavity is filled with a white, fluid, oilv substance, amounting sometimes to many tons in weight. On the death of the whale, it congeals into a white unctuous mass, from which a considerable quantity of very pure whale oil is obtained by expression. The residuum, afterwards freed from impurities, by washing with water, melting, straining, expression through linen bags, and, lastly, washing in a weak ley of potass, is the peculiar substance well known by the name of spermaceti. It is also contained in solution, in the common whale and other fish oils; for it is often found deposited, by a species of crystallization in the reservoirs containing; them. Spermaceti may be obtained crystallized in white argentine plates, of an unctuous feel and taste, and a vapid smell. It melts between 90° and 95°, and at a higher temperature may be sublimed almost unchanged. Its vapour is inflammable, and its flame is bright, clear, and without smell. By exposure to air it becomes rancid. It is solu- ble, especially by the assistance of heat, in alcohol and in ether. In its other properties it agrees with the fixed oils, with which it unites very readily by fusion. Muscular flesh by long maceration in water is converted into a substance very analogous to spermaceti, but more fusible, melting at 82°; and biliary calculi often consist of another, which is much less fusible, requiring a heat of 192° for its fusion. For all these varieties, Fourcroy has proposed the generic name Adipocere. As a medicine, for internal use, it agrees with the fixed vegetable oils; and in the composition of ointments, &c. its place maybe very well supplied by a mixture of oil and wax. It may be proper here, cursorily to notice the sebacic acid, or acid of fat, which, although it does not enter into the Materia Medica, must, doubtless, by its presence at times, influence the properties of many preparations, into which fat or tallow enter. It is probable it may tend to induce rancidity, if not itself a product of this pecu- liar change; and it is not impossible, that to its presence, may be owing the greater facility with which rancid fat, or old ointment, are enabled to kill quicksilver. Sebacic acid has no smell, and a slightly acid taste. It is crystal- lizable, melts like fat, and is not volatile. It is so soluble in hot water as to become solid on refrigeration. It is also very soluble in alcohol. It precipitates the nitrats of lead, silver, and mercury, and the acetats of lead and mercury. It does not precipitate the waters of lime, baryta, or strontia. This acid may be formed according to Plenck, (Hygrologia, p. 236, Lond. 1797,) by exposing tallow to a gentle heat, in a frying- pan, and mixed with one-third of quick lime. By continued agita- tion, a sebacic calx is formed. Boil this calx in twelve parts of water, filter, evaporate to dryness, and calcine the salt; distil with half the amount of sulphuric acid; a sulphat of lime remains, and pure sebacic acid passes into the receiver. See also, Practical Chemistry, p. 174. A.—Agrimonia Eupatoria. 23 ^ESCULUS HIPPOCASTANUM. D. Horse Chesnut. The bark. Heptandria Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Trihilatse, Linn, Acera, Juss. Syn. Marronier d'Inde, (F.) -Ippocastano, (I.) This is a common and well-known tree. The fruit, which con- tains much amylaceous matter, has been used as food for domestic animals, and even for men, in times of scarcity. But its introduc- tion into the Pharmacopoeias, was probably owing to its having been used and recommended as a sternutatory in some cases of ophthal- mia and head-ache. With this view it was drawn up the nostrils in the form of an infusion or decoction. The bark has been proposed as a substitute for the very expensive and often adulterated Peruvian bark. Some successful experiments of its effects when given internally in intermittent and typhus fever, and also when applied externally in gangrene, sufficiently wan-ant future trials. Although chemical analysis is not yet sufficiently ad- vanced to enable us to determine from it the medical uses of any substance, it appears that the active constituent of this bark is tannin, which is incompatible with the presence of Cinchonin, the predo- minant, and probably the active constituent of Peruvian bark. In powder it may be given to the extent of a scruple and a half, or a drachm for a dose. Buchholz prefers a solution of a drachm of the extract in an ounce of cinnamon water, of which sixty drops are to be given every three hours. AGRIMONIA EUPATORIA. D. Agrimony. The herb. Bodecandria Digynia. Nat. Ord. Senticosse. This plant is arranged in the Edinburgh New Dispensatory in the class Dodecandria Digynia.—Mr. Nuttall classes it in Icosandria. It is a native of the United States. It is said the Indians used an infusion of the roots in inflamma- tory fevers with great success; and, according to Kalm, the Cana- dians have great confidence in it for the same purpose. The leaves of this vegetable are said to be aperient, detergent, and to strengthen the tone of the viscera; hence they have been used in laxity of the intestines, in scorbutic, and other disorders arising from debility. Digested in whey, agrimony affords a diet-drink grateful to the pa- late and stomach, and was formerly supposed to be an effectual re- medy for the jaundice. The leaves and stalks, together with the closed flowers, afford a dark yellow decoction, which when previously impregnated with a diluted solution of bismuth, imparts a beautiful and permanent gold colour to animal wool. The herb, when fresh, has a pleasant smell, which however is lost on drying. Its taste is then bitterish and astringent. Lewis got from it an oil of a yellow colour. 24 A.—Alcohol. ALCOHOL.—ALCOHOL. Alcohol Fortius. E. Spiritus Rectificatus. L.* Spiritus Vinosus Rectificatus. D. Alcohol. Rectified Spirit of Wine. Syn. Eau de Vie rectifie, (F.) Rectifizirter weingeist, (G.) Acquavite ret- tificata, (I.) Agua ardiente, (S.) Alcohol is a term of Arabian origin, and implies the purer part of a substance, separated from its impurities. The specific gravity, according to the London and Edinburgh Pharmacopoeias, to that of water, should be .835, that of Dublin or- ders it at .840. The Edinburgh Pharmacopoeia has no process for the preparation of pure alcohol. The pure alcohol, which is direct- ed to be prepared by the London and Dublin Colleges from the arti- cle under consideration, will be presently adverted to. In the preparation under notice, alcohol is in as high a state of concentration as it can readily be prepared in the large way for the purposes of trade. That of .835 specific gravity, at 60° Fahr. con- sists of 85 per cent, of pure alcohol and 15 of water. The other of .840 has only 83 per cent, of real alcohol. The various degrees of strength of ardent spirits is technically denominated by numbers, referring to an arbitrary strength, called in the English laws, proof spirit; a gallon of which weighs seven pounds eleven ounces and three drachms avoirdupois. When spirit is said to be one to three over proof, it is meant, that one gallon of water added to three gallons of the spirit, will reduce it to proof; on the contrary, one in three under proof; signifies, that in three gallons of that spirit, there is contained one gallon of water, and the remaining two are proof spirit. By the same authority, a gallon of water weighs eight pounds seven ounces and five drachms avoir- dupois, so that the specific gravity of proof spirit is to that of water, as 910 to 1000. The spirit distilled from the wash or vinous liquor, until a glass of it, thrown upon the still head, does not take fire by a candle, is called low wines, and this being again distilled, is called spirit. Alcohol is the characteristic principle of vinous liquors. It arises from the decomposition of sugar by fermentation, and is found in greatest quantity in the wines of warm countries, prepared from thoroughly ripened fruit. In the south of France, some wines yield a third of brandy. It is the proportion of alcohol which renders wines more or less generous, and prevents them from becoming sour. The richer a wine is in alcohol, the less malic acid it contains, and therefore, the best wines give the best brandy, because they are free from the disagreeable taste which the malic acid imparts to them. Old wines give better brandy than new wines, but less of it. Alcohol is procured from wine by distillation; in conducting which, the following rules are to be observed: 1. To heat the whole mass of fluid at once, and equally. 2. To remove all obstacles to the ascent of the vapour. * Alcohol, Ph. U. S. A.—Alcohol. 25 3. To condense the vapour as quickly as possible. The distillation is continued until the liquor which comes over is not inflammable. Beaume mentions a very remarkable fact concerning the prepara- tion of alcohol. He distilled two pounds of alcohol, sp. gr. 832, in the water bath, and filled the refrigeratory with ice, and he obtained two pounds four ounces of an alcohol having only sp. gr. 862. This he ascribes to the water condensed from the air in the worm by the cold- ness of the ice, and he assures us from experience, that to get an alcohol of 827, it is absolutely necessary that the refrigeratory be filled with water of 145° F. Distillers judge of the strength of their spirits by the size and durability of the bubbles it forms, when poured from one vessel into another, or in agitating it in a vessel partly filled. Another proof is, by the combustion of gunpowder: some of which is put in a spoon; it is then covered with the spirit to be tried, which is set on fire; if it kindle the gunpowder, it is supposed to be strong, and vice versa. But a small quantity of spirits will always kindle gunpowder, and a large quantity never. Another proof is, by the carbonat of potass, which attracts the water, and dissolves in it, while the alcohol swims above. But all these are uncertain, and dependence can only be put in the proof by hydrometers, or some such contrivance, for ascer- taining the weight of a given quantity at a given temperature. Different materials are employed in different countries to under- go the vinous fermentation, as the previous step to distillation, in order to separate the alcoholic parts thereby produced; thus, in France, Spain, &c. wine from the juice of the grape is distilled for the purpose, affording the well-known liquor brandy; called also Eau de Vie, Aqua Vitae, and Spiritus Vini Gallici. Some wines yield nearly one-third, and others less than one-eighth of brandy. Malt Spirit is made from barley and other grains infused in water, and suffered to ferment. When it is in a fit state, it is subjected to distillation. Rum—from the refuse of the raw sugar manufactories, mixed with molasses; or from the juice of the sugar cane. Arrack—from the juice of the palm tree in Batavia, and from rice or millet in China. Koumiss—from mare's milk, by the Tartars, and a similar spirit, though weaker, has been obtained from the milk of the cow. Cider, Beer, and all other fermented liquors, are more or less proper for its extraction. * Alcohol Dilutius. E. Spiritus Vinosus Tenuior. D. Spiritus Tenuior. L. Diluted Alcohol. Spirit of Wine. Proof Spirit. This is a rectified spirit, diluted with a certain proportion of wa- ter. The specific gravity of the diluted alcohol of the London and Dublin colleges is .930, that of Edinburgh .935. The diluted alcohol of the two first named colleges above, consists * For some particular details on the subject of distilling spirits, consult Practical Chemistry, p. 148. 4 26 A.—Alcohol. of forty-four per cent, of pure alcohol, and may be formed by mixing four parts by measure of rectified spirit, with three of water; the other, in which our own coincides, contains only forty-two per cent. of pure alcohol, and is made by mixing equal parts of rectified spi- rit and (distilled) water. In this state of dilution, alcohol is better adapted for taking up the principles of vegetables than rectified spirit. It acts upon bodies as a chemical compound, and will dissolve what neither of the ingredients would, if separately applied. Hence the necessity of uniformity of strength in the spirits we employ. Most of the spirit employed by Apothecaries is unfit for the purposes of pharmacy, being too often whiskey or some imperfect material, usually contaminated with some empyreumatic oil, which communi- cates a disagreeable flavour to the medicines. It is therefore correctly ordered by all the colleges, that rectified spirit, and the same diluted, should alone be used for the preparation of tinctures, &c. The following table exhibits the specific gravity of various mix- tures of alcohol and water, &c Table of the Specific Gravities according to Gilpin, and degrees ac- cording to Beaume's hydrometer, and in Clark's hydrometer, which is used in the revenue, (Great Britain,) of various mixtures, of alcohol and water. Water. Alcohol. Specific Gravities. Degrees. Sp. Gr. Clark's Hydronn. 60° 55° 55° 60° 0 100 .825 .82736 38 833 Spirit of Wine. 10 100 .84568 .84802 34-f 858 1 to 2 20 100 .86208 .86441 30— 881 3 30 100 .87569 .87796 29+ 891 4 40 100 .88720 .88945 27+ 896 5 50 100 .89707 .89933 25-f 900 6 60 100 .90549 .90768 23— 904 7 70 100 .91287 .91502 22 907 8 80 100 .91933 .92145 21— 909 9 90 100 .92499 .92707 20— 910 10 100 100 .93002 .93208 19— 913 15 100 90 .93493 .93696 19+ 916 20 100 80 .94018 .94213 18 920 Proof Spirit. 100 70 .94579 .94767 17— 926 1 in 20 100 60 .95181 .95357 16— 928 15 100 50 .95804 .95966 16+ 932 10 100 40 .96437 .96575 15 + 933 9 100 30 .97074 .97181 14+ 934 8 100 20 .97771 .97847 13 + 936 7 100 10 .98654 .98702 12+ 938 6 100 0 .1 10 942 945 954 964 5 4 3 2 If common water be employed for diluting alcohol; the resulting spirit will be turbid, owing principally to the precipitation of sul- phuric salts. Dr. Paris states a curious fact noticed at the laboratory A.—Alcohol. 27 of the Royal Institution, viz: that diluted spirit becomes stronger by being kept in vessels that are carefully closed by bladder! Whence it would seem, he adds, that alcoholic vapour transpires through this animal membrane less freely than aqueous vapour, and which he thinks is probably connected with the different solvent powers of these two liquids in relation to the animal membrane. This diluted alcohol is employed in the preparation of all the tinctures and distilled spirits, which are not expressly directed by the colleges to be prepared with alcohol. (Spiritus Vini Rectifica- tus.) This latter is the article used in the preparation of pure alco- hol and of ether, &c. Alcohol. Alcohol. L. D. Syn. Alcohol, (F.) Hochst rektifizirter weingiest, (G.) Alcoole, (I.) Take of rectified Spirit of Wine, one gallon; Pearl-ashes, dried at 300° Fahr. and still warm, one pound; Caustic kali, in powder, one ounce; Muriat of lime, dried, half a pound.—Mix the spirit and kali; add the pearl-ashes, previously reduced to powder, and digest the mixture for three days in a close vessel, frequently agitating it; then pour off the spirit, mix with it the muriate of lime, and distil with a moderate heat, until the residuum begins to grow thick. (D.) Spec. Grav. 815. L. D. The muriat of lime is readily obtained from the residuum left in the preparation of water of caustic ammonia. When any ardent spirit is redistilled to produce alcohol, the wa- ter bath is commonly used, which gives a more equal and temperate heat, and improves the product. Gren says, that the addition of four pounds of well-burnt charcoal, and three or four ounces of sulphu- ric acid, previous to this rectification, destroys entirely the peculiar taste of malt spirit; and that a second rectification with one pound of charcoal, and two ounces of sulphuric acid affords an alcohol of very great purity.* But the affinity of alcohol for water is so very strong, that it cannot be obtained entirely free from it by simple dis- tillation. We must, therefore, abstract the water by means of some substance which has a stronger affinity for it than alcohol has. Car- bonat of potass was formerly employed; but muriat of lime is prefer- able, because its affinity for water is not only very great, but by be- ing soluble in alcohol, it comes in contact with every particle of the fluid. For this purpose, one part of muriat of lime, rendered per- fectly dry by having been exposed to a red heat, and powdered after it becomes cold, is put into the still. Over this, three parts of highly rectified spirits are to be poured, and the mixture well agitated. By distillation with a very gentle heat, about two-thirds of the spirit will be obtained in a state of perfectly pure alcohol. The chemical properties of alcohol are as follow. Alcohol is a transparent colourless liquid, of an agreeable pene- trating smell, and pungent burning taste: specific gravity 0.8. It remains fluid in the greatest natural or artificial cold. It boils at * Although this is an old established fact in Europe, yet a patent has been obtained in the United States for the same employment of charcoal!! 28 A__Alcohol. 176°, and in vacuo at 56°. Alcohol unites with water in every pro- portion. During the combination, caloric is evolved, and the specific gravity of the compound is greater than the mean of those of the compo- nents. Alcohol dissolves about 60 of sulphur, when they are presented to each other in the state of vapour. It also dissolves iodine, and a little phosphorus. These solutions are decomposed by water. It dis- solves the boracic and carbonic acids, ammonia, soda, and potass, and is the means employed to obtain the two last in a state of pu- rity. Its action on the salts is various. It dissolves the volatile oils, resins, soaps, balsams, camphor, sugar, tannin, extractive, and in part, the gummy resins. Alcohol is very inflammable, and when kindled it burns entirely away with a blue flame without smoke. The products of this combustion are carbonic acid and water. It is also decomposed by being transmitted in the state of vapour through a red-hot porcelain tube; by being heated with the fixed alkalies; and by the action of the sulphuric, nitric, oxy-muriatic, and acetic acids. Chemical Composition.—In a state of purity, alcohol consists of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, in proportions not yet accurately de- termined. The preparation here described, contains seven per cent. of water. Lowitz and Saussure succeeded in obtaining it of specific gravity .791, which is nearly pure. Medical uses.—Which ever of the ardent liquors are employed, they are to be regarded as diluted alcohol, although each possesses a peculiarity of operation, owing to the modifying influence of the other elementary ingredients, &c. On the living body alcohol acts as a most violent stimulus. It coagulates all the albuminous and gela- tinous fluids, and corrugates all the solids. Applied externally, it strengthens the vessels, and thus may restrain passive haemorrha- gies. It instantly contracts the extremities of the nerves it touches, and deprives them of sense and motion; by this means easing them of pain, but at the same time destroying their use. Hence employ- ing spirituous liquors in fomentations, notwithstanding the specious titles of vivifying, heating, restoring mobility, resolving, dissipating, and the like, usually attributed to them, may sometimes be attend- ed with unhappy consequences. These liquors received undiluted in the stomach, produce the same effects, contracting all the solid parts which they touch, and destroying, at least for a time, their use and office: if the quantity be considerable, a palsy or apoplexy fol- lows, which ends in death. Taken in small quantity, and duly di- luted, they act as a cordial and tonic: if further continued, the senses are disordered, voluntary motion destroyed, and at length the same inconveniences brought on as before. Vinous spirits, therefore, in small doses, and properly diluted, may be applied to useful pur- poses in the cure of diseases; whilst in large ones they produce the most deleterious effects. A.—iEtherea. 29 Table of the different kinds of Spirits. Materials from which they are distilled. Pulque, the fermented juice of the Agave Coarse palm sugar, named jaggery, fermented with the bark of the Mimosa leucophlea: also from rice and the fermented juice of the Palm - - Flowers of the Madhuca tree, Bassia butrya- cea ---------------- Palm wine ------------- Kou mis, fermented Mare's milk - - - - - Dates......... ..... Fermented Cow's milk, a variety of Koumis - Wine, figs, peaches, Persiman apple, mulber- ries, and sometimes other fruits ------ Rice --------------- Husks of grapes, mixed with aromatics - - A compound of brandy, Ros-solis, and other plants --------------- Husk of grapes, fermented with barley and rye Lees of wine and fruit -------- Malted barley and rye, rectified on Juniper ber- ries ---------------- Malted barley, rye, potatoes, rectified with tur- pentine -------------- Wheat, barley, and rye, rectified with aniseeds, cinnamon, and other spices - - - - . . - Machaleb cherry ........... Macarska cherry -------.., Cane Sugar and Molasses ....... Maple sugar ------------ A sweet grass ----------- The lees of Mandarin, a wine made from boiled rice ---------------- Malted and raw barley, rye, oats, and potatoes Sloes -----.......... The root of the Teeroot, baked, pounded, and fermented -------------- Countries producing them. Agua ardiente - - Arrack - - - - Var. Mahieah Ar- rdck - - Tuba - - - Araka - - - - - Araki - - - - - Arika - - - - - Brandy* - - - - Var. Lau - - - Rakia - - - Rossolio - - Troster - - Sekis-kayavodka Genevat Hollands Var. Gin\ - - - Goldwasser - - - Kirchwasser - - - Maraschino - - - Rum{ Var. Slatkaia trava Show-choo - - - WhiskeyU - - - India. India. Phillipine Islands. Tartary. Egypt. Tartary, Iceland. Europe, Asia, N. & S. America: wher- ever wine is made. Siam. Dalma tia. Dantzic. On the Rhine. Scio. Holland. England. Dantzic. Switzerland. Zara, Capital of Dal- matia. West Indies and N. and S. America. North America. Kamschatka. China. Scotland, Ireland, & America. South of France. Sandwich Islands. ^ETHEREA__Preparations of Ether. The action of several of the acids on alcohol produces an order of compounds, which possess both important chemical properties and medicinal virtues. They are named Ethers, and agree in certain ge- neral qualities, but differ in others, according to the acid used in the formation—they are all extremely volatile, and require to be kept in close-stopped vials, and in cool situations. We shall mention only those that are used in medicine. .ZEther Sulphuricus, vel Vitriolicus. Sulphuric or Vitriolic Ether. L. E. D. Syn. Ether, (F.) Schwefelatther, (G.) Etere, (I.) Take of Rectified spirit, Sulphuric acid, of each one pound and a half. Put the spirit into a glass retort, and gradually add to it the acid, * The best Brandy is that of Cogniac, the next of Bourdeaux and Rochelle. t Named from Gencvre, the French for Juniper. t The quantity made in England annually exceeds 3,000,000 gallons. § The appellation Rum is supposed to be derived from the terminal syllable of the word Saccha- rum; but the native Americans called this liquor Rum. || 2,499,880 gallons were distilled in Scotland in 1822,1,341,978 gallons of which were sent to Eng- land, unrectified, for making Gin and compounds. In the same year, the quantity made in Ireland was 4,318,012 gallons. The name whiskey is supposed to be derived from usque, the two first sylla- bles of usquebaugh, the name it originally had in Ireland, whence the Scots appear to have derived their knowledge of it. In Ireland it was also called buil-ceaun, which literally signifies maaness of the head. The best Scotch whiskey is Glenlivet; the best Irish, Ennishoxven. 30 A.—iEtherea. shaking them frequently, and taking care that the temperature during the mixture, do not exceed 120° Fahr. Then cautiously place the retort in a sand-bath, previously heated to 200°, so that the liquor may boil as quickly as possible, and the ether may be distilled over into a tubidated receiver, to ivhich a vessel cooled with ice or snow is fitted. Continue the distillation, until a heavier fluid begin to come over, tvhich is seen in the bottom t>f the re- ceiver, below the ether. Pour twelve ounces more of Rectified spirit upon the liquor remaining in the retort, and repeat the distillation of ether in the same manner. We have not, however, as yet, by the preceding process, obtained ether fitted for medical use. Powell tells us, it is "impregnated with some sulphurous acid, as is evident to the smell, and with some ethereal oil; and these require a second process, or rectification, to separate them." It contains, likewise a large amount of water and alcohol. To remove these, that process is recommended by all the colleges, which is called rectification, and is as follows, after the same college, from which the preceding formula is selected. iETHER Rectificatus. Rectified Ether. L. Take of Sulphuric ether, fourteen fluid ounces; fused potass, half an ounce; distilled water, huo fluid ounces.—Dissolve the potass first in the water, and add the ether to it, shaking them constantly un- til they are mixed. Lastly, with a heat of about 120°, distil from a large retort into a cold receiver, twelve fluid ounces of rectified ether. Qualities.—Ether is a colourless liquid, of specific gravity, (.739, Dr. Paris,) .765, Dublin; .758, Edinburgh Dispensatory. It has been obtained, by Lowitz, of only .632 specific gravity. (Thorns. Chern. 2. 443. 4th edit.) Odour.—Pungent and fragrant. It is highly volatile, and when properly freed from alcohol, it boils at 98°; its extreme inflamma- bility, is a circumstance which should be remembered, when it is poured out by candle-light. Chemical Composition.—Like alcohol, it consists of oxygen, hy- drogen, and carbon. It is difficult to comprehend precisely the cir- cumstances of the difference of these two fluids, their principles be- ing the same. I think the explanation given by Thenard is one of the simplest, and may sufficiently elucidate the changes that ensue, when sulphuric acid is made to act upon alcohol. According to Thenard, there are two kinds or genera of ether, viz. 1st. genus comprises only one ether, composed of hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen, and containing not a particle of acid; such is the case with sulphuric, phosphoric, arsenic, and fluoric ether, since it can be pro- cured with either of them. 2dly. Ethers of the second genus, are nine in number, viz. hydrochloric, nitrous, hydriodic, acetic, ben- zoic, oxalic, citric, tartaric, and gallic, and are regarded as consist- ing of alcohol and acid, in which the acid is more or less neutralized by the alcohol; or they may be considered as formed of the consti- tuent principles of the one or other of these bodies. Sulphuric ether, it is added, is the result of the action of concen- A.—iEtherea. 31 trated sulphuric acid on alcohol, at a boiling heat. Analysis shows that the elements of alcohol may be represented by Two volumes of defiant gas, (percarbureted hydrogen,) Two do. of the vapour of water, (oxygen and hydrogen,) Th. de Saussure. and the elements of ether, according to Gay Lussac, may be repre- sented by Two volumes of olefiant gas, One do. of vapour of water, (oxygen and hydrogen,) from whence it follows, that to convert alcohol into ether, we must merely remove the half of the water it contains, or at least, of its elements, oxygen and hydrogen, in the proportion in which they form water; it is therefore evident, that when alcohol and sulphuric acid are made to act on each other, this last, possessing a great af- finity for water, determines its formation at the expense of the oxy- gen and hydrogen of the alcohol, which by this is transformed into ether.—Vide Practical Chemistry, p. 151. Be this theory correct or not, it is the most simple I have met with, of the formation of ether; and any one interested in the con- sideration, will do well to consult the whole view of the subject as detailed in the work adverted to. The superiority of the plan there proposed by Mr. Boullay, is conspicuous; since that gentleman, it is affirmed, etherified twenty pounds of alcohol, with twelve of acid; whilst by the old process, we only etherify an equal weight to the acid employed. After detailing the processes for the other ethereal preparations, we shall introduce the observations of the Edinburgh Dispensatory, which are well deserving of attention. Rectified ether, is one of the most powerful solvents known in ve- getable chemistry, as it dissolves balsams, resins, gum-resins, wax, camphor, extractive, &c. It takes up about one-twentieth its weight of sulphur, but exerts no solvent power upon the fixed alkalies. It may be given internally, in any liquid vehicle, in doses of from twenty drops, to two fluid drachms, and is highly valuable as a dif- fusible stimulant, narcotic, and antispasmodic. In order to produce its full effects, the remedy requires to be repeated at short intervals. In catarrhal and asthmatic complaints, its vapour is inhaled with advantage, by holding in the mouth a piece of sugar on which ether has been dropt. It is given as a cordial in nausea, and in febrile diseases of the typhoid type; as an antispasmodic, in hysteria, and in other spasmodic and painful diseases; and as a stimulus in sopo- rose and apoplectic affections. Regular practitioners seldom give so much as half an ounce, much more frequently only a few drops, for a dose; but empirics have sometimes ventured upon much larger quantities, and with incredible benefit. When applied externally, it is capable of producing two very opposite effects, according to its management; for, if it be prevented from evaporating, by covering the place to which it is applied closely with the hand, it proves a powerful stimulant and rubefacient, and excites a sensation of burn- ing heat. In this way it is frequently used for removing pains in the head or teeth. On the contrary, if it be dropt on any part of the body, exposed freely to the contact of the air, its rapid evapora- 32 A___aEtherea. tion produces an intense degree of cold; and as this is attended with a proportional diminution of bulk in the part to which it is applied, in this way it has frequently facilitated the reduction of strangulat- ed hernia. Ether, according to Dr. Reid, produces decided sedative effects on the spinal system, as he convinced himself, by giving it in the form of enema, to a patient who had not been able to swallow for two days, in consequence of tetanus. " In a few minutes the patient said he felt a warm glow within, the spasm totally relaxed, and he sat up and eat a bowl of jelly."'—Med. lntellig. vol. ii. p. 214. Adulterations and impurities.'—Its specific gravity, affords the best indication of its purity. Sulphuric acid may be detected by a preci- pitation, on adding a solution of barytes, and by its reddening the colour of litmus. Alcohol, by its forming with phosphorus, a milky, instead of a limpid solution. When long kept without disturbance, Gay Lussac has observed, that it undergoes spontaneous decompo- sition; and that acetic acid, perhaps some alcohol, and a particular oil, are produced from it. SPIRITUS .2ETHERIS SULPHURIC I. L. .ZEther Sulphuricus cum Alcohole.. E. Sulphuric Ether with Alcohol. Sweet Spirit of Vitriol. Liquor tEthereus Sulphuricus. D. Sulphuric Ethereal Liquor. Take of Sulphuric ether, half a pint; Alcohol, one pint; Mix them. The ether of the United States' Pharmacopoeia, is, in every essen- tial particular, the same as this. Indeed, the Dublin college direct this preparation under the name of Sulphuric Ethereal Liquor, as preparatory to the production of pure ether, by rectification. The medicine has all the properties of ether, but in an inferior degree. Its dose is one to three fluid drachms. OLEUM ^THEREUM. L. Ethereal Oil. Oleum Vim. Oil of Wine.* Syn. Huile douce de vin, (F.) After the distillation of sulphuric ether, continue the process with a gentle heat, until a black froth swell up. Immediately remove the retort from the fire, and pour water, (warm,) upon the liquor in the retort.^ Skim off the oily matter, which swims upon the water, and mix it with as much lime water as will saturate the acid in it. Shake them together; and collect the ethereal oil after it has separated. LIQUOR ^THEREUS OLEOSUS. D. Oily ^Ethereal Liquor. Take what remains in the retort after the distillation of sulphuric ether. Distil to one-half, by a moderate heat. Both the above processes yield a thick oily matter of a yellow colour, less volatile than ether, soluble in ether and in alcohol, but insoluble in water. Its nature is not well understood. It is only * Oleum jEthereum, Pharm. U. S. A.—iEtherea. 33 used to prepare the compound spirit of sulphuric ether, an article supposed to resemble Hoffman's Anodyne liquor. SPIRITUS ^THERIS SULPHURICI COMPOSITUS. L. A. Compound Spirit of Sulphuric Ether. Hoffman's Anodyne Liquor. Syn. Alcool Sthereux par I'acide sulphurique, (F.) Anodino minerale dell' Hoffmann, (I.) Take of Spirit of sulphuric ether, one pint; Ethereal oil, two fluid drachms; Mix them. L. This preparation is intended as a substitute for the liquor anody- nus mineralis of Hoffman, although its composition was never re- vealed by him. Dr. Powell, in his translation of the London Phar- macopoeia, p. 263, 1809, refers to " Obs. Phys. Chem. lib. ii. Dissert. de acido vitriol, vinos. Med. Rat. Syst. v. Hi." I have not been able to find any part of Hoffman's works in which it is particularly specified except possibly in vol. 4. lib. 2. Obs. 13, under the title of "de verool: vit: dulc." See also vol. 4. p. 494.—Lieutaud, Mat. Med. vol. 2. p. 372. Also Crollius, in his Basil. Chym. p. 346. Vogel, Inst. Chem. p. 220. Sprengel, Histoire de la Med. vol. 5. p. 303. B. Hoffman, Med. Syst. torn. 3. S. 2. ch. 7. p. 575. In the Diet, des Sciences Med. v. 13, p. 382, it is said to be composed of equal parts by weight of alcohol and ether, ?2—add to this twenty- four drops of sweet oil of wine. It is supposed by many practitioners to possess an anodyne property, and to allay irritation more effec- tually than any other preparation of ether. Its dose is from half a drachm to two drachms. Observations on the formation of Ether. The products arising from the decomposition of alcohol by the action of the acids, are extremely curious and interesting. The theory of their formation was not understood until lately, when it was very ingeniously attempted by Fourcroy and Vauquelin, who endeavour to show that the acid remains unchanged, and that the alcohol is converted into ether, water, and charcoal. The most convenient way of mixing the ingredients, is to put the alcohol into a tubulated retort, and with a long-tubed funnel reach- ing down to the bottom of the retort, to pour in the acid. By cautious agitation the two fluids unite, and heat is produced, which may be taken advantage of in the distillation, if we have a sand bath pre- viously heated to the same degree, to set the retort into immediately after the mixture is completed; nor is there any occasion for a tubu- lated receiver, if we immerse the ordinary receiver, which ought to be large, in water, or bury it in broken ice. The distillation should be performed with an equal and very gen- tle but quick heat; but Mr. Phillips says erroneously, for when the distillation of ten ounces of product was completed in three hours, its specific gravity was 0.791; but when it occupied almost nine hours, it was only 0.782. The juncture of the retort and recipient is to be luted with a paste made of linseed meal, and further secured by a piece of wet bladder. 5 34 A.—iEtherea. Immediately on mixing the acid with the alcohol, there is a consi- derable increase of temperature, and a slight disengagement of alco- hol, somewhat altered, and having an aromatic odour. On placing the retort in the sand bath, a portion of pure alcohol first comes over; and when the mixture in the retort boils, the ether rises, and is con- densed in thin, broad, straight streaks, having the appearance of oil. Until the liquor which passes over into the receiver amounts to about half, or somewhat more than half of the alcohol operated on, it consists almost entirely of alcohol and ether, and there has been no production of any permanently elastic fluid; but now the product of ether ceases; the sulphuric acid is decomposed; and sulphurous vapours begin to arise, which condense in irregular streaks, or in drops: we must therefore either put a stop to the process, or change the receiver. In the latter case the products are, sulphurous acid, acetic acid, water, and oil of wine, as it was called, accompanied towards the end by a peculiar species of carbureted hydrogen gas, called by the Dutch chemists Olefiant gas; because when mixed with oxygenized muriatic acid, it forms an oil. At last the matter in the retort, which has now become thick and black, swells up, and prevents us from carrying the process further. If we stop the process before the sulphurous vapours arise, the whole acid, diluted with a proportion of water, and mixed with char- coal, remains in the retort: but if we allow the process to go on, there is a continual decomposition of the acid, which is therefore diminish- ed in quantity. Mr. Phillips has ascertained the specific gravity of the products at different periods of the distillation. From sixteen ounces of acid, specific gravity 1.837, and an equal weight of spirit, specific gravity 0.830, he got twelve ounces of product; four of ethereal spirit of specific gravity 0.779; four more of specific gravity 0.753; then two and a half of yellow sulphurous spirit of specific gravity .784; and lastly, one and a half of heavy fluid of 0.981. According to Proust, the sulphuric acid may be obtained from the black residuum in the retort, by diluting it with twice its weight of water, filtering it through linen, and evaporating it till it acquire the specific gravity 1.84, then adding about one five-hundredth part of nitrat of potass, and continuing the evaporation until the acid be- come perfectly colourless, and acquire the specific gravity of 1.86. The residuum, however, may be more advantageously preserved, as the Edinburgh college direct, for preparing more ether, by repeating the process with fresh quantities of alcohol. Proust indeed denies that this residuum is capable of converting more alcohol into ether; but that excellent chemist has somehow fallen into error, for it is a fact that was known in the time of that no less excellent chemist Dr. Lewis, and inserted in his first edition of the Edinburgh Dispensa- tory, published in 1753, and not a recent discovery of Citizen Cadet, as Fourcroy would lead us to believe. If further confirmation be wanted, we shall instance Gottling, who says, that from three or four pounds of this residuum, he has prepared sixty or seventy pounds of the spirit of vitriolic ether, and more than twelve pounds of vi- triolic ether, without rectifying the residuum, or allowing the sul- phurous vapour to evaporate. A___iEtherea. 35 Mr. Phillips, from a pound each of acid and of spirit, got seven and a half ounces of ether, specific gravity 0.768: and by a second distillation/after eight ounces more of spirit were added to the re- siduum, eight ounces of 0.887. The mixture of these gave a specific gravity about 0.788, whereas the former of these products alone constitute the Spiritus Mtheris Vitriolici of the late Pharmacopoeia. By adding the spirit ordered to convert it into Spiritus Mtheris Vi- triolici, it acquires specific gravity 0.816, which is much weaker than the liquor of the same name in the former London Pharmacopoeia. The ether may be separated from the alcohol, water, and sulphu- rous acid, with which it is always mixed, by re-distilling it with a very gentle heat, after mixing it with potass, which combines with the acid, water and alcohol. The alkali ought to be added in sub- stance, according to the directions of the Edinburgh college, not in solution, as prescribed by that of London. SPIRITUS MTHERIS NITROSI. E. A. Spiritus ^Etheris Nitrici. L. Spiritus ^Ethereus Nitrosus. D. Spirit of Nitric Ether. Spirit of Nitrous Ether. Nitrous Ethereal Spirit. Spiritus Nitri Dulcis. Sweet Spirit of Nitre. Syn. Alcool 6th£reux par I'acide nitrique, (F.) Atherischer salpeter spi- ritus, (G.) Spirito di nitro dolce, (I.) Take of Alcohol, two pints; Nitric acid, three ounces, by weight.— Pour the acid gradually upon the spirit, and mix them, taking care that the heat do not exceed 120°, and distil with a gentle heat, (not exceeding 212°,) 24 fluid ounces. L. The action of nitric acid upon alcohol is so energetic, that great care is necessary in preparing the above. A better mode of preparation, I think, is the following, which was given me some years ago by an experienced practical man of this city, who made the article very largely. Take of purified nitre, ten pounds; Alcohol, six and three quarters gallons; Sulphuric acid, six and a half pounds.—Digest them to- gether gently for six or eight hours, in the retort, and distil off six gallons. The superiority of this process must be apparent; the very active ingredients, nitric acid and alcohol, do not come into immediate con- tact; but by the slow, progressing decomposition of the nitre by the sulphuric acid, the nitric acid in its nascent state, as it escapes is taken up by the alcohol, and passes over into the receiver as the pro- duct wanted; whilst a sulphat of potash is left behind. The only one of the British colleges which gives a formula for Nitric or Nitrous Ether, is that of Dublin. Why it should have been thought necessary, I cannot well imagine, since it is not employed in medicine. It" is true they employ the residuum for the forma- tion of the sweet spirit of nitre, by adding alcohol, and distilling; but, altogether,#it is troublesome, and the first part a hazardous process. It was not thought necessary to be introduced here. Any 36 A.—iEtherea. one desirous of making it, will find a more convenient process in Silliman's Journal, by Dr. Hare, Vol. II. The general remarks on the process for the sweet nitrous spirit as given in the Edinburgh Dispensatory, deserve attention. The action of alcohol and nitrous acid upon each other is much influenced by their proportions. If Ave use a small proportion of al- cohol, or pour alcohol into nitrous acid, there immediately takes place a great increase of temperature, and a violent effervescence and dis- engagement of red fumes. On the contrary, by placing the phials containing the alcohol and acid, in cold, or rather iced water, they may be mixed without danger, in the proportions directed by the colleges, and if the acid be added in small quantities at a time, and each portion thoroughly mixed with the alcohol by agitation, no action takes place until heat be applied. It is therefore unnecessary to keep the mixture for seven days, but we may immediately proceed to the distillation, which must be performed with a very slow and well regulated fire; for the vapour is very apt to expand with so much violence as to burst the vessels; and the heat must at no time exceed 212°, otherwise a portion of undecomposed acid will pass over and spoil the product. Qualities of sweet spirit of nitre.—It is a colourless fluid of spe- cific gravity . 850. Odour, extremely fragrant. Taste, pungent and acidulous. It is very volatile and inflammable. Chemical Composition.—A portion of nitric ether and nitric acid combined with alcohol; for by diminishing the quantity of alcohol, we obtain a fluid having a similar relation to the spirit of nitrous ether, which sulphuric ether has to the spirit of sulphuric ether. By adding alcohol to the residuum of nitrous ether, the Dublin college, as we have stated, prepare their spirit of nitric ether, in the same way that spirit of sulphuric ether is prepared from the residuum of sulphuric ether; and by mixing nitrous ether with alcohol, we obtain a fluid exactly resembling spirit of nitrous ether. Solubility.—It is soluble both in water and alcohol. Incompatible substances.—With a solution of green sulphat of iron, it strikes a deep olive colour, owing probably to its holding in solu- tion a portion of nitrous gas; and with Tincture of Guaiacum it produces a green or blue coagulum. By age and exposure to the air, it is gradually decomposed, giving rise to the reproduction of nitrous acid, from which it may be rectified, by saturating the acid with lime water, and distilling off the ethereal fluid. I have been told that this article, which, when properly prepared, is an excellent medicine, has been extemporaneously made, by adding a few drops of nitric acid to an ounce or two of alcohol; the action that ensues is necessarily productive of a small quantity of nitrous ether, which is held in solution by the alcohol; but this is a most fraudulent and injurious measure! Id* It is also made of a quality proportionate to the price offered for it, by ample dilution!! Medical use.—Spirit of nitrous ether has been long deservedly held in great esteem. It quenches thirst, promotes the natural se- cretions, expels flatulencies, and moderately strengthens the sto- mach. It may be given in doses of from twenty drops to a drachm, A.—Aletris.—Alkali. 37 in any convenient vehicle. Mixed with a small quantity of spiritus ammoniae aromaticus, it proves a mild, yet efficacious diaphoretic, and often remarkably diuretic; especially in some febrile cases, where such a salutary evacuation is wanted. A small proportion of ihis spirit added to malt spirits, gives them a flavour approaching to that of French brandy. ALETRIS FARINOSA. Star Grass. Mealy Star Wort. Professor Bigelow, in his Medical Botany, says, "I know of no plant which surpasses the aletris farinosa in genuine, intense, and permanent bitterness. Neither aloes, gentian, nor quassia, exceed it in the impression produced on the tongue." Vol. iii. p. 92. It appears that the root is highly resinous, and contains extrac- tive. That its alcoholic tincture is intensely bitter; its decoction moderately so. It possesses but little, if any tannin or gallic acid, since chalybeate solutions undergo little change from its addition. It is used as a tonic and stomachic. ALKALI. An Arabian word introduced in chemistry, after it had long been applied, to designate a plant which still bears the name of kali; hence the word above, is often very incorrectly spelled alcali. Three alkalies were formerly described, viz. two fixed, and one volatile, under the names of Potass, .... or fixed vegetable alkali. Soda, .... or fixed mineral alkali. Ammonia, ... or volatile alkali. It being, however, discovered that other substances possessed pro- perties analogous to those which characterize the above, they were by some chemists arranged in the same class of bodies; such were barytes, strontia, lime, magnesia; and of late, several other princi- ples derived from vegetables, and of a compound nature, have been found to possess a right to a similar arrangement; such are mor- phine, strychnine, &c. These will be mentioned more particularly under their appropriate places. As to the general properties of alkalies, they are defined to be in- combustible, soluble in water, caustic, and capable of neutralizing the acids, of combining with alcohol, oils, earths, sulphur and phos- phorus, and of changing vegetable blues and reds to green: but as many of these properties are possessed in a greater or less degree by substances usually classed with the earths, and as there is a conti- nual gradation from the insipidity, insolubility, and infusibility of silica, to the causticity, solubility, fusibility, and comparative vola- tility of potass, they may be classed together under the general name of Salifiable Bases. 88 A.—Allium. ALLIUM. 1. ALLIUM SATIVUM. E. L. D. A. Garlic. The root. Hexandr'ia Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Spathaccie, Linn. Jsphodeli, Juss. Syn. Ail, (F.) Knoblauch, (G.) AgTio, (I.) Ajo Sativo, (S.) Lasuna, (San.) Lehsen, (H.) Sjcc^cJ&v, Theoph. and Dioscor. The garlic is a perennial bulbous-rooted plant, which grows wild in Sicily, and is cultivated in our gardens. The root consists of five or six small bulbs, called cloves, inclosed in one common membra- nous coat, but easily separable from each other. All the parts of this plant, but more especially the roots, have a strong, offensive, very penetrating and diffusible smell, and an acrimonious, almost caustic taste. The root is full of a limpid juice, of which it furnishes almost a fourth part of its weight by expression. The root loses about half its weight by drying, but scarcely any of its smell or taste. By Neumann's analysis, it lost two-thirds of its weight by exsicca- tion. By decoction from 960 parts, water extracted 380, and the re- siduum yielded 27 to alcohol, and was reduced to 40. Alcohol ap- plied first, extracted 123, the residuum yielded 162 to water, and was reduced to 40. In both cases the alcoholic extract was unctuous and tenacious, and precipitated metallic solutions. But the active ingredient was a yellowish, thick, ropy essential oil, according to Hagen, heavier than water, not amounting to more than 1.3 of the whole, in which alone resided the smell, the taste, and all that dis- tinguishes the garlic. Medical use.—Applied externally, it acts successively as a sti- mulant, rubefacient, and blister. Internally, from its very powerful and diffusible stimulus, it is often useful in diseases of languid cir- culation and interrupted secretion. Hence in cold, leucophlegmatic habits, it proves a powerful expectorant, diuretic, and, if the patient be kept warm, sudorific: it has also been by some supposed to be emmenagogue. For the same reason, in cases in which a phlogistic diathesis, or other irritability prevails, large doses of it may be very hurtful. It is sometimes used by the lower classes as a condiment, and also enters as an ingredient into many of the epicure's most favourite sauces. Taken in moderation it promotes digestion; but in excess, it is apt to produce head-ache, flatulence, thirst, febrile heat, and in- flammatory diseases, and sometimes occasions a discharge of blood from the haemorrhoidal vessels. In fevers of the typhoid type, and even in the plague itself, its virtues have been much celebrated. Garlic is with some also a favourite remedy in the cure of inter- mittents; and it has been said to have sometimes succeeded in ob- stinate quartans, after the Peruvian bark had failed. In catarrhal disorders of the breast; asthma, both pituitous and spasmodic; flatu- lent colics; hysterical and other diseases, proceeding from laxity of the solids, it has generally good effects: it has likewise been found serviceable in some hydropic cases. Sydenham relates, that he has known the dropsy cured by the use of garlic alone; he recommends it chiefly as a warm strengthening medicine in the beginning of the disease. A.—Allium. 39 It is much recommended by some as an anthelmintic, and has been frequently applied with success externally as a stimulant to in- dolent tumours, in cases of deafness proceeding from atony or rheumatism, and in retention of urine, arising from debility of the bladder. Garlic may be either exhibited in substance, and in this way seve- ral cloves may be taken at a time without inconvenience, or the cloves cut into slices, may be swallowed without chewing. This is the common mode of exhibiting it for the cure of intermittents. The expressed juice, when given internally, must be rendered as palatable as possible by the addition of sugar and lemon juice. In deafness, cotton moistened with the juice is introduced within the ear, and the application renewed five or six times in one day. Infusions in spirit, wine, vinegar, and water, although containing the whole of its virtues, are so acrimonious, as to be unfit for general use; and yet an infusion of an ounce of bruised garlic in a pound of milk, was the mode in which Rosenstein exhibited it to children af- flicted with worms. But by far the most commodious form for administering garlic is that of a pill or bolus conjoined with some powder, corresponding with the intention of giving the garlic. In dropsy calomel forms a most useful addition. It may also sometimes be exhibited with ad- vantage in the form of a clyster. Garlic made into an ointment with oils, &c. and applied external- ly, is said to resolve and discuss indolent tumours, and has been by some greatly esteemed in cutaneous diseases. It has likewise some- times been employed as a repellent. When applied under the form of a poultice to the pubes, it has sometimes proved effectual in pro- ducing a discharge of urine, when retention has arisen from a want of due action in the bladder. Sydenham assures us that among all the substances which occasion a derivation or revulsion from the head, none operate more powerfully than garlic applied to the soles of the feet: he was led to make use of it in the confluent small-pox: about the eighth day after the face began to swell, the root cut in pieces and tied in a linen cloth, was applied to the soles, and re- newed once a-day till all danger was over. The most powerful antidotes to the flavour of this tribe of vege- tables, are the aromatic leaves and seeds of the umbelliferae; thus the disagreeable odour of a person's breath after the ingestion of an onion, is best counteracted by parsley; and if leek or garlic be mix- ed with a combination of aromatic ingredients, its virulence will be greatly mitigated and corrected.—Paris'1 Pharmacologia. 2. ALLIUM CEPA. D. Onion. The root. Syn. Ognon, (F.) Swiebel, (G.) CipoUa, (I.) Cebolla, (S.) Palando, (San.) Pecaj, (H.) Bassul, (A.) Kpo/uuov, Uioscor. This is also a perennial bulbous-rooted plant. The root is a sim- ple bulb, formed of concentric circles. It possesses in general the same properties as the garlic, but in a much weaker degree. Neumann extracted from 480 parts of the dry root, by means of alcohol, 360, and then by water 30; by water applied first, 395, and then by alco- hol 30: the first residuum weighed 56, and the second 64. By dis- 40 A.—Aloe. filiation the whole flavour of the onions passed over, but no oil could be obtained. , Wiegleb says, that all this class of vegetables, as well as the acrid cruciform, owe their acrimony to a subtile essential oil, and that they contain combined ammonia, which can be obtained by dis- tillation with a solution of potash. Vauquelin ascribes its acrimony to volatile oil combined with sulphur, and its sweetness to uncrys- tallizable sugar with mucus, gluten, and animo-vegetable matter. Medical uses.—Onions are considered rather as articles of food than of medicine: they are supposed to yield little or no nourish- ment, and when eaten liberally, produce flatulencies, occasion thirst, head-aches and turbulent dreams; in cold phlegmatic habits, where viscid mucus abounds, they doubtless have their use; as by their sti- mulating quality they tend to excite appetite, and promote the se- cretions: by some they are strongly recommended in suppressions of urine and in dropsies. The chief medicinal use of onions in the pre- sent practice is in external applications, as a cataplasm for sup- purating tumours, &c. 3. ALLIUM PORRUM. L. Leek. The root. Syn. Poireau, (F.) Spanische lauch, (G.) Porro, (I.) aywow, Theoph. and Dioscor. The common leek is rather an article of the Materia Alimentaria, than of the Materia Medica. In its properties, ifc is analogous to garlic, but weaker even than the common onion. A decoction of the beards or filaments of the bulbs is supposed by the vulgar to be lithontriptic. ALOE.—ALOES. Hexandria Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Coronarisc, Linn. Asphodeli, Juss. Syn. Sue d'Aloes, (F.) Glausinde Aloe, (G.) Aloe, (S.) (I.) Elwa, (H.) Musebber, (A.) Amu, IJioscor. The London college now agree with that of Dublin, and with Thunberg, in indicating the Aloe spicata as the species which pro- duces the Socotorine aloes, and they assume as the source of the Barbadoes aloes, a species to be described under the name of Aloe vulgaris, in the great work of the late Dr. Sibthorpe, the Flora Grseca, now preparing for publication by Dr. Smith, who informed Dr. Powell, " that the plant described under the above name is as- serted by Dr. Sibthorpe to be the true Aloe of Dioscorides, which is described as producing our officinal Barbadoes aloes by Sloane in his history of Jamaica." During the first four years that the Cape of Good Hope was in possession of the British, more than 300,000 pounds, the produce of that settlement, were imported into England; and as this quantity was infinitely greater than could be required for the purposes of me- dicine, it is not improbable, that, as Mr. Barrow states, its principal consumption was by the London porter brewers. A.—Aloe. 41 ALOE SOCOTORINA. D.* Aloe Spicata. L. Aloe Perfoliata. E. TJie Gum resin or Extract, called Socotorine Aloes. Cape Aloes. Aloe Vulgaris. L. Aloe Hepatica. E. D. Common, or Barbadoes, or Hepatic Aloes. The extract. Socotorine AloesA—This species, which is the most esteemed, is brought, wrapt up in skins, from the island of Socotorain the Indian Ocean, also from the Cape of Good Hope. It is dark-coloured, of a glossy clear surface, and in some degree pellucid; in mass, of a yel- lowish red colour, with a purple cast; fracture unequal; easily pul- verisable; when reduced to powder, of a bright golden colour.- It is hard and friable in the winter, somewhat pliable in summer, and growing soft between the fingers. Its taste is bitter and disagree- able, though accompanied with some aromatic flavour; the smell is not very unpleasant, and somewhat resembles that of myrrh. It is said not to produce haemorrhoidal affections so readily as Barbadoes aloes. It is prepared in July, by pulling off the leaves, from which the juice is expressed, and afterwards boiled and skimmed. It is then preserved in skins, and dried in August in the sun. According to others, the leaves are cut off close to the stem, and hung up. The juice which drops from them without any expression, is afterwards dried in the sun. Hepatic or Barbadoes Aloes, is of two kinds, the one from the East Indies, the other from Barbadoes. The former has a light brown, or reddish yellow colour, a clean fracture, and possesses nearly the same medical properties as the socotorine. Barbadoes aloes is not so clear and bright as the foregoing sort; it is also of a darker co- lour, more compact texture, and for the most part drier; though not so brittle. Its smell is much stronger and more disagreeable; the taste intensely bitter and nauseous, with little or nothing of the aromatic flavour of the socotorine. The best hepatic aloes from Bar- badoes is in large gourd shells, and an inferior sort of it, which is generally soft and clammy, is brought over in casks. In Barbadoes the plant is pulled up by the roots, and carefully cleaned from the earth and other impurities. It is then sliced into small hand-baskets and nets, which are put into large iron boilers with water, and boil- ed for ten minutes, when they are taken out, and fresh parcels sup- plied till the liquor is strong and black, which is then strained into a deep vat, narrow at bottom, where it is left to cool and to deposit its feculent parts. Next day the clear liquor is drawn off by a cock, and again committed to a large iron vessel. At first it is boiled briskly, but towards the end it is slowly evaporated, and requires constant stirring to prevent burning. When it becomes of the con- sistence of honey, it is poured into gourds or calabashes for sale, * Both these species are admitted into the Pharm. of the U. S. by the names of Aloe Socotrina and Barbadensis. f This name, says Renodxus, (1645,) "vel Succotrina, quasi succo-ciirina, quod ejus pulvis citrinus sit, dicitur: aut, ut quidam volunt, Socotorina, quod ex Socotorina insula deferatur pratstantissima."—Dispensatorium, p. 351. 42 A.—Aloe. and hardens by age. Barbadoes aloes is extremely apt to induce haemorrhoids; but it is generally preferred, because it is very diffi- cult to adulterate it without altering its appearance. There is a third kind found in commerce under the name of Caballine or Horse Aloes. It is easily distinguished from both the foregoing kinds by its strong rank smell; although, in other respects, it agrees pretty much with the hepatic, and is not unfrequently sold in its stead. Some- times the caballine aloes is prepared so pure and bright, as not to be distinguishable by the eye even from the socotorine, but its offensive smell, of which it cannot be divested, readily betrays it. Its fracture also resembles that of common rosin, with which it is often adulterat- ed, whereas the fracture of socotorine aloes is unequal and irregular. Chemical Composition.—In this there appears to be some obscu- rity; Mr. Braconnot, (Ann. de Chim. torn. 68,) conceives it to be a substance, sui generis, which he terms "bitter resin;" whilst others regard it as composed of resin, gum, and extractive, the proportions of which are supposed to vary in the different species, but that their peculiar virtues reside in the extractive part.* From sixteen ounces of aloes, Neumann extracted near fifteen by means of alcohol. From the residuum water took up one drachm, about an ounce of impurities being left; on inverting the procedure, and applying water first, he obtained but thirteen ounces and a half of watery extract, and from the residuum alcohol dissolved an ounce and a half. According to this analysis, 1000 parts of aloes contain about 7.8 soluble in water only, or analogous to gum, 94 soluble in alcohol only, or resinous matter, and 825 soluble both in alcohol and water or extractive. Tromsdorff makes them consist of 25 resin and 75 extractive, and Lagrange of 52 resin and 86 extractive. Dr. Lewis also remarks, that decoctions of aloes let fall a precipitate, as they cool, probably from extractive being more soluble in boiling than in cold water. He also found the hepatic aloes to contain more resin and less extractive than the socotorine, and this less than the cabal- line. Tromsdorff, on the contrary, gives 81.25 extractive, 6.25 resin, and 12.50 albumen, as the constituents of hepatic aloes. Boulduc also found in socotorine aloes one-fourth, and in hepatic aloes one- third of resin. The resins of all sorts, purified by alcohol, have little smell; that obtained from the socotorine has scarce any per- ceptible taste; that of the hepatic, a slightly bitterish relish; and the resin of the caballine, a little more of the aloetic flavour. The ex- tractive obtained separately from any of the kinds is less disagreea- ble than the crude aloes: the extractive of socotorine aloes has very little smell, and is in taste not unpleasant; that of the hepatic has a somewhat stronger smell, but is rather more agreeable in taste than the extract of the socotorine: the extractive of the caballine retains a considerable share of the peculiar rank smell of this sort of aloes, but its taste is not much more unpleasant than that of the extractive obtained from the two other sorts. * See some observations on this subject, in No. 2, second series of the Jour- nal of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. A__Aloe. 43 Medical use.—Aloes is a bitter stimulating purgative, exerting its action chiefly on the rectum. In doses of from 5 to 15 grains it emp- ties the large intestines, without making the stools thin; and like- wise warms the habit, quickens the circulation, and promotes the uterine and haemorrhoidal fluxes. If given in so large a dose as to purge effectually, it often occasions an irritation about the anus, and sometimes a discharge of blood. It is to the slowness with which aloes is dissolved in the primae viae, that it is indebted for the medicinal properties which distin- guish it; by boiling water it is dissolved, but on cooling a precipita- tion occurs, and by long decoction it becomes quite inert; weak acids dissolve it more abundantly than water, but proof spirit is its most perfect solvent. Its solubility is increased by alkaline salts and soaps, but by such combination, aloes undergoes a material change in its medicinal properties; the bitterness is diminished; its purgative effects impaired, and it ceases to operate specifically upon the large intestines; a fact, the knowledge of which is valuable, as it enables us in certain cases to obviate its irritating action upon the rectum. It is frequently employed in cases of suppression of the menses, or of the haemorrhoidal discharge; but it is particularly serviceable in habitual costiveness, to persons of a phlegmatic temperament and sedentary life, and where the stomach is oppressed and weakened. For its use in typhus fever, scarlatina, cynanche maligna, marasmus, chlorosis, haematemesis, chorea, hysteria, and tetanus, Dr. Hamil- ton's excellent work on purgatives may be consulted. Aloes is also used as an anthelmintic, both given internally and applied to the abdomen in the form of a plaster. Dissolved in alcohol, it is em- ployed to check haamorrhagies in recent wounds, and as a detergent in ulcers. Aloes is administered either a. Simply, or b. In composition: 1. With purgatives. Soap, scammony, colocynth, rhubarb. 2. With aromatics. Canella. Hiera picra. 3. With bitters. Gentian. 4. With einmenagogues. Iron, myrrh. It is exhibited in the form of a. Powder; too nauseous for general use. b. Pill; the most convenient form. c. Solution in wine or diluted alcohol. From its extreme bitterness, the form of pill is best adapted for its employment. Aloes form the basis of most of the antibilious and purging pills sold as patent medicines, thus we have, Anderson's pills—Composed of Barbadoes Aloes, with a proportion of jalap and oil of aniseed. Hoopers pills—Composed of the pil. aloes cum myrrha, (the former pil. Rufi,) sulphat of iron and canella bark, with a portion of ivory black. FothergilVs pills.—Aloes, scammony, colocynth, and oxyd of anti- mony. Cum multis aliis! 44 A__Ammonia. ALTHiEA OFFICINALIS. E. Alth^a. L. Marsh Mallow. The Root and Leaves. Monodelphia Polyandria. Nat. Ord. Columnifcrse, Linn. Malvaceae, Juss. Syn. Guimauve, (F.) Eibisch, (G.) Altea, (I.) Malvarisco, (S.) AkQm*, Dioscor. The marsh-mallow is a perennial plant, which is found commonly on the banks of rivers, and in salt marshes. The whole plant, but especially the root, abounds with mucilage. The roots are about the thickness of a finger, lorig and fibrous. They are peeled and dried, and then are perfectly white. Medical use.—It is used as an emollient and demulcent, in dis- eases attended with irritation and pain, as in various pulmonary com- plaints, and in affections of the alimentary canal and urinary organs; and it is applied externally in emollient fomentations, gargles, and clysters. It is about on a footing with gum Arabic, flaxseed, and the like. AMMONIA,—VOLATILE ALKALI. This very extraordinary substance was, for a time, considered a simple body. It was first discovered by Dr. Priestley. The arti- cle known by the name of ammonia, anterior to that period, was the carbonat. Ammonia consists of one part of nitrogen, with three of hydrogen by bulk, or of three of hydrogen and thirteen of nitrogen by weight. It exists in its purest form combined with caloric as a gas, which is perfectly transparent and colourless, elastic and compressible; spe- cific gravity 8 to hydrogen, or 100 cubic inches weigh eighteen grains. It has an urinous and acrid odour, irritating the nostrils and eyes, and an acrid and caustic taste; it does not dissolve animal substan- ces; is irrespirable; extinguishes flame; colours vegetable blues green; and is decomposed by being transmitted through a red-hot tube, and by the electric spark, into its constituent gases; and by oxygen and atmospheric air at a red heat; and by oxy-muriatic acid, it is converted into water and nitrogen gas. It is absorbed without change by porous bodies; it dissolves sulphur and phosphorus; and combines readily with water in all its states. Water at a mean temperature and pressure is saturated by 670 times its volume of gaseous ammonia, and is thereby increased in bulk, and acquires the specific gravity of 0.875. Ammonia combines with all the acids, forming neutral salts. It is formed during the putrefactive fermen- tation. Ammonia, in its gaseous form, is not an article of the Materia Medica: but if made to impregnate water, or alcohol, it then be- comes so, under the names of Aqua, and Spiritus Ammonia?. Ammonia Murias. L. E. D. A. Muriat of Ammonia. Sal Ammoniac. Hydrochlorat of Ammonia. Syn. Sel Ammoniac, (F.) Salmiak, (G.) Sale ammoniaco, (I) Sal armo- niaco, (S.) Nosader, (H.) Muriat of ammonia is found native, especially in the neighbour- A.—Ammonia. 45 hood of volcanos.* It was first prepared in Egypt from the soot of camel-dung by sublimation. But the greatest part of that now used, is manufactured in Europe, either by combining directly ammonia with muriatic acid, or by decomposing the sulphat of ammonia by means of muriat of soda, or the muriats of lime and magnesia by means of ammonia. In commerce, muriat of ammonia occurs either sublimed in firm, round, elastic, concavo-convex cakes, or crystallized in conical masses. The latter commonly contain other salts, especially mu- riat of lime, which renders them deliquescent; and therefore the sublimed muriat of ammonia is to be preferred for the purposes of medicine. Muriat of ammonia has an acrid, pungent, urinous taste. It is so- luble in about three times its weight of water at 60°, and in an equal weight at 212°. During its solution, it produces 32 degrees of cold. It is also soluble in about 4.5 parts of alcohol. It is permanent in the ordinary state of the atmosphere. By a gentle heat, it may be de- prived of its water of crystallation, and reduced to the form of a white powder. At a higher temperature it sublimes unchanged. Its crystals are either six-sided pyramids, aggregated in a plumose form, or still more commonly four-sided pyramids. It consists of 42.75 muriatic acid, 25.00 ammonia, and 32.25 water. But in con- sequence of the present unsettled opinions respecting the nature of muriatic acid and ammonia, and the changes which they undergo by combination with each other, the composition of this salt is in- volved in much obscurity. According to Dr. Thomson, it consists of equal volumes of muriatic acid gas, and ammoniacal gas; or it may be a compound of chlorine and ammonium, the hypothetical base of ammonia. Unlike all other ammoniacal salts, it is not de- composed by h«*t; which may be regarded as strong evidence of its being a compound of chlorine, and an unknown base. Incompatible Substances.—The sulphuric and nitric acids unite with the ammonia, and expel the muriatic acid. On the contrary, ammonia is disengaged by the action of potash and its carbonat, car- bonat of soda, lime, magnesia, &c. which combine with the muriatic acid. All metallic salts, whose bases form insoluble compounds with muriatic acid, as silver, lead, are incompatible. Medical use.—Muriat of ammonia is now seldom used internally. It was formerly supposed to be a powerful aperient and attenuant of viscid humours. Externally applied, it is a valuable remedy. It may act in two ways. 1. By the cold produced during its solution. It is from this cause that fomentations of muriat of ammonia pro- bably prove beneficial in mania, apoplexy from plethora, and in vio- lent head-aches. When used with this intention, the solution should be applied as soon as it is made. 2. By the stimulus of the salt. On this principle we may explain its action as a discutient in in- • The eruption of Etna in 1811, afforded as much sal ammoniac as suppli- ed all the manufactories and apothecaries' shops in Sicily. Ann. de mines, torn. 5. 46 A.—Ammonia. dolent tumours of all kinds, contusions, gangrene, psora, ophthal- mia, cynanche; and in stimulating clysters. In some cases, as in chilblains and other indolent inflammations, both modes of action may be serviceable. When first applied, the coldness of the solu- tion will diminish the sense of heat and uneasiness of the part, and the subsequent stimulus will excite a more healthy action in the vessels. If pure, this salt should be entirely volatilized at a low heat. If sulphat of ammonia be present, which also is volatile, this may be detected by muriat of barytes. Muriat of ammonia is the salt from which all the principal phar- maceutic ammoniacal preparations are made. AQUA AMMONLE. E. A. Aqua Ammonia Caustics. D. LiquoR Ammonue. L. Water of Ammonia. Water of Caustic Ammonia. Liquor of Ammonia. Syn. Dissolution d'Ammoniaque, (F.) Atzender Ammonium-liquor, (G.) Li- quore di Ammoniaco, (I.) Take of Muriat of ammonia, i?i powder, one pound; Lime, fresh burnt, one pound and a half; Water, one gallon.—Add to the lime, two pints of the water; let them stand until the lime is slacked; then put the lime into a glass retort, resting on a sand bath, to the beak of which is connected a large glass receiver, which is to be kept cold; add to the lime the muriat of ammonia, and the re- mainder of the water; and distil with a slow fire, until the liquid in the receiver amount to two pints. The formula here adopted, is apparently injudicious; the quantity of water being far greater than is required to absorb all the ammo- nia, renders it necessary to employ retorts of large size. It is true, the remaining muriat of lime, formed during the process, and left in the retort, is thereby retained in solution; but as it is one of the most soluble salts, a much inferior quantity would answer this end. The process differs from that recommended by the London college, chiefly in using more lime, and in this particular, it is preferable. In our opinion, the Edinburgh formula is superior to the others; in it, the ammonia passes over as a gas, which combines with the water placed in the receiver. Dorfurt, Bucholz, and Van Mons, agree in recommending nearly the following process, which resembles that of the Edinburgh college. Slake sixteen ounces of lime with a sufficient quantity of water to form a thick paste; put it into a cucurbit, and add sixteen ounces of sal ammoniac; lute on the capital, furnished with a bent tube, reaching to the bottom of a receiver containing twenty-four ounces of water, and draw off twenty-four ounces, so as to "fill the space of forty-eight ounces, previously marked on the receiver, and keep it in phials perfectly closed, by dipping their necks when corked in melted wax. The specific gravity of the aqua ammoniae, as prepared by the Dublin College is .934, that of London .960, and that of Edinburgh is .939. A.—Ammonia. 47 Table of the quantities of Real or Gaseous Ammonia in solutions of different Specific gravities. (Dalton.) Specific Gravity. Grains of ammo-nia in 100 water grain measures of liquid. .85 . . 30 . .86 . . 28 . .87 . . 26 . .88 . . 24 . .89 . . 22 . .90 . . 20 . .91 . . 18 . .92 . . 16 . .93 . . 14 . .94 . , 12 . .95 . . 10 . .96 . 8 . .97 . . 6 . .98 . . 4 . .99 . . 2 . Grains of am-monia in 100 grains of li-quid. Boiling point of the liquid. Fahr. scale. Volume of gas condensed in a given vol. of liquid. 35.3 . 26° . 494 32.6 . 38 . 456 29.9 . 50 . 419 27.3 . 62 . 382 24.7 . 74 . 346 22.2 . 86 . 311 19.8 . 98 . . 277 17.4 . 110 . 244 15.1 . 122 . 211 12.8 . 134 . 180 10.5 . 146 . 147 8.3 . 158 . . 116 6.2 . 173 . '87 4.1 . 187 . 57 2. 196 . 28 Sir Humphrey Davy's results were somewhat different. He found 100 parts of specific gravity 0.87.), to contain 32.5 of ammonia: of specific gravity 0.9054, 25.37; and of specific gravity 0.9692, 9.5 of ammonia. For ordinary purposes it is useful to know, that a phial capable of containing 224 grains of distilled water, can hold no more than 216 grains of the strong solution. Water of ammonia decomposes many of the earthy, and all the metalline salts, and is capable of dissolving, or combining with many of the metallic oxyds, and even of oxydizing some of the me- tals. When pure, water of ammonia does not effervesce with any of the acids, or form a precipitate with alcohol. As it readily absorbs carbonic acid from the atmosphere, the Edinburgh college, very pro- perly, order it to be kept in small phials. By neglecting this precau- tion in the shops, it becomes carbonated before the large bottles, in which it is often kept, be half empty, or it becomes weakened. Qualities.—Form, a limpid colourless fluid, specific gravity, .960, or one fluid ounce weighs about 438 grains. Odour.—Strong and pungent. Taste.'—Extremely caustic. Chemical Composition.—A solution of ammoniacal gas in water, varying considerably in strength, in the different pharmacopoeias. It is an active solvent of many vegetable principles. With alcohol it unites in every proportion. It assists the oxydizement of copper and zinc, and dissolves many of the metallic oxyds. Adulterations.—The aqua ammonias should contain nothing but the volatile alkali; and if properly saturated, its specific gravity at 60° Fahr. will be about .905, free from carbonic acid. The carbonic acid is shown by a precipitation, on mixing the solu- tion with one of muriat of lime, which earthy salt is not precipitated by pure ammonia. If other salts are present, they may be discover- ed by saturating a portion with pure nitric acid, and adding the re- quisite tests. 48 A.—Ammonia. Medical use.—Rarely given internally; but in doses of five to twenty drops, largely diluted, it acts as a powerful stimulant. Ex- ternally, it is applied to the skin as a rubefacient, chiefly, however, combined with sweet oil, forming a-saponaceous liniment. AquA Ammonia Diluta. E. Diluted Water of Ammonia. Take of water of ammonia, one part; distilled water, two parts; mix them. This formula for a diluted solution of ammonia, we are told, is absolutely necessary: for water of ammonia, of the strength obtained by the direction of the colleges, is perfectly unmanageable. This is true, but it would seem unnecessary to introduce a specific for- mula for the mere purpose of dilution, which might always be done at the moment as heretofore. ALCOHOL AMMONIATUM. E.* Ammoniated Alcohol. Spiritus Ammonite. L. D. Spirit of Ammonia. Spirit of Sal Ammoniac. Syn. Sp. Salis ammoniaci dulcis P. L. 1745. Alcohol ammoniacal, (F.) Gristig-er ammonium liquor, (G.) Alcoole ammoniato, (I.) Take of Alcohol, two pints; Lime, recently burnt, one pound; Muriat of ammonia, in powder, eight ounces; water, six ounces. Add the water to the lime, let them stand till the lime is slacked; then put the lime into a glass retort resting on a sand bath, to the beak of which is connected a glass receiver, which is to be kept cold; add to the lime the muriat of ammonia and the alcohol, and distil with a slow fire, until the liquid in the receiver amounts to one pint and a half. It may be a question, why only a pint and a half of spirit are distilled over when two pints of alcohol are contained in the prescrip- tion; is there not a loss sustained? This preparation, which is a solution of ammoniacal gas, in spirit, in place of water, is not much employed as a medicine by itself; it is rather as the basis of some other compounds hereafter to be no- ticed. TlNCTURA AMMOXIATA ArOMATICA. EA Ammoniated Aromatic Tincture. Spiritus Ammonite Aromaticus. D. L. Aromatic Ammoniated Tincture. Aromatic Spirit of Ammonia. Spiritus Ammonix Compositus. Spiritus Volat. Aromaticus. Syn. Spiritus salis volatilis oleosus. Take of Ammoniated alcohol, half a pint; Oil of rosemary, one fluid drachm and a half; Oil of sassafras or lemons, one fluid drachm. Mix them that the oils may be dissolved. Medicines of this kind may be prepared extemporaneously, by dropping any proper volatile oil into ammoniated alcohol, which • Alcohol Ammoniatum, Ph. U. S. f Tinct. Ammoniata Aromatica, Ph. U. S. A.—Ammonia. 49 will readily dissolve the oil, if the ammonia.in the solvent be caustic; for, if it be carbonated, such as it was when prepared according to the former directions of the London college, it does not dissolve the oils here ordered; and is therefore totally unfit for this preparation. Mr. Phillips says, that the oils as imported are commonly adulte- rated with fixed oil, which renders the aromatic spirit coloured and turbid, and that it is therefore the usual practice of chemists to distil the mixture of oils and spirit. Medical use.—Ammonia, thus united with aromatics, is not only more agreeable in flavour, but likewise more acceptable to the sto- mach, and less acrimonious, than when uncombined. The dose is from five or six drops to sixty or more. TlNCTURA AMMONIATA AsS-ffiFCETICffi. E. Spiritus Ammonije Fcetidus. L. D. Ammoniated Tincture of Assafcetida. Foetid Spirit of Ammonia. Alcohol Ammoniatum Fcetidum. Take of Ammoniated alcohol, eight ounces; Assafcetida, half an ounce. Digest in a close vessel twelve hours; then distil off, with the heat of boiling water, eight ounces. E. This spirit, which is easily prepared, is designed as an anti-hys- teric, and is undoubtedly a very elegant one. Volatile spirits, im- pregnated for these purposes with different fetids, have been usually kept in the shops; the ingredient here chosen, is the best calculated of any for general use, and equivalent in virtue to them all. The spirit is pale when newly-distilled, but acquires a considerable tinge by keeping. It is not very evident why the different Pharmacopoeias order this to be distilled. The process is at best unnecessary. It is, however, an excellent remedy, and might be employed with advan- tage to form some of the ammoniated tinctures, especially that of guaiacum. Its dose is the same as the preceding. Spiritus Ammonite Succinatus. L. Succinated Spirit of Ammonia. Syn. Eau de Luce. Take of Mastich, 3 drachms; Alcohol, 9 fluid drachms; Oil of La- vender, 14 minims; Oil of Amber, 4 minims; Solution of Ammo- nia, ten fluid ounces. Macerate the mastich in tlie alcohol; when dissolved, pour off the clear tincture; add the other ingredients, and mix them by agitation. The preparation of the pharmacopoeia of 1787, under this name, did not preserve the milky appearance, characteristic of Eau de luce, for whicn it was substituted: the present formula is said to furnish a compound, capable of preserving its milkiness for a considerable time. It is stimulant and antispasmodic: and has been successful in India against the bite of snakes. Dose, ten minims to 5ss« or more, in any convenient vehicle. 50 A.—Ammonia. AM MONI/E, SUB-CARBON AS. L. E. D.' Sub-carbonat of Ammonia. Ammonia Pr^parata. Sal Volatile, &c. Volatile Salt. Carbonat of Ammonia. Concrete Volatile Alkali. Syn. Carbonate d'Ammoniaque, (F.) Kohlensaures Ammonium, (G.) Take of Muriat of ammonia, one pound; soft carbonat of Lime, dried, one pound and a half. Having triturated them separately, mix them thoroughly, and sublime from a retort into a receiver kept cool. L. ■* The neutral carbonat or bi-carbonat of ammonia was formed by Berthollet, by impregnating a solution of sub-carbonat with carbonic acid gas. According to his experiments it is composed of Ammonia . . -. 28.19 . . 100 . . 39.2 Carbonic acid . . 71.81 . . 255 . . 100. 100. 355 139.2 From the known specific gravity of those two bodies, Gay Lussac has calculated that the neutral carbonat consists of exactly equal quantities by measure of the two gases, while the sub-carbonat is composed of two volumes of alkaline gas to one of carbonic acid gas. This is a case of mutual decomposition. The carbonat of ammonia formed, being volatile, passes over into the receiver; the muriat of lime remains in the retort. It is more generally made in the large way. The chalk employed should always be very carefully dried; as the presence of moisture injures the product. It requires a con- siderable heat to promote the mutual action of the substances on each other. Gottling says, that the sublimation must be conducted in the open fire, and therefore uses an earthenware cucurbit, with a tubu- lated capital. When a glass retort is employed, it should have a very wide neck; and the best form for the receiver is cylindrical, as it en- ables us to get out the carbonat of ammonia condensed in it without breaking it. The residuum which remains in the retort, furnishes muriat of lime by lixiviation and evaporation. Sometimes carbonat of potass or soda, is employed for the prepa- ration of carbonat of ammonia. The theory of the process is the same, and the decomposition is effected at a lower temperature. But as potass or soda are very rarely saturated with carbonic acid, part of the ammonia is evolved in the form of gas, which, if not permitted to escape, will burst the vessels. To prevent this loss, therefore, Mr. Gottling uses a cucurbit and capital, furnished with a bent tube which is to be immersed in a phial of water; by which contrivance' while the carbonat of ammonia is condensed in the capital, the gase- ous ammonia is absorbed by the water. The residuum contains either muriat of potass or soda. Qualities.—Form, white, semi-transparent masses, fibrous tex- ture, efflorescing on exposure to air. Odour.— Pungent and peculiar. Taste.— Acrid, but cooling. Chemical Composition.—Varies materially, according to the tem- * Ammonia: carbonas. Phar. U. S. corrig. sub-carbonas. A.—Ammonia. 51 perature employed in its preparation. As usually prepared, Mr. Phillips says it contains about half its weight of carbonic acid; its composition being carbonic acid 50, ammoniac 39, water 11. It is, indeed, said to differ in the amount of alkali contained, from fifty to twenty per cent. As a medicine, this is a fact of infinite importance to its value. Solubility.—About three times its weight of cold water are re- quired to dissolve it. Increase of temperature augments its solubili- ty; approach to a boiling heat, volatilizes, and partially decomposes it. Insoluble in alcohol, and hence the addition of spirit to a strong solution, produces a dense coagulum. Incompatibles.—Acids, fixed alkalies and £heir carbonats, lime, magnesia, alum, super tartrat of potass, and all acidulous salts, sul- phat of magnesia, acetat of mercury, calomel, and corrosive subli- mate, super acetat of lead, tartarized iron, and sulphats of iron and zinc. If added to decoctions or infusions, they must be previously cooled. It is best exhibited in the form of a pill, or julep. Medical use.—It exactly resembles ammonia in its action, except that it is weaker, and its efficacy as a stimulant, must, therefore, de- pend on the excess of ammonia in it, that is, the unsaturated part. It is probable, a perfectly neutral carbonat of ammonia would be no more efficient, than an equal dose of acetat or muriat of the same salt. If it meets with an acid in the stomach, it is immediately de- composed, and a new salt will necessarily be produced. Unequal as it is in strength,* we are nevef certain of administering the same amount; it would therefore be well to dismiss it from use, and em- ploy the aqua ammonia in its place. Given as it usually is, in the low states of disease, with other powerful stimulants', as wine, brandy, &c. it is probably much overrated in practice. In large doses, (half a drachm to two scruples,) it is said to be emetic. It has been found useful in gastric affections, which super- vene habits of irregularity and debauchery; probably by its alkales- cent nature in neutralizing acid, which not unfrequently attends it. It is employed for smelling too, in syncope, hysteria, &c. and is used in preparing some other1 articles of medicinal employment. Its dose is from five to twenty grains. Adulteration.—It ought to be entirely volatilized by heat. If any thing remain, when it is laid on a heated iron, carbonat of potash or lime may be suspected; and this is not unlikely to be the case, if the salt be purchased in form of powder. Always purchase it in solid lumps. Sulphuric or muriatic salts, lime, iron, &c. may be discover- ed by adding to the alkali, saturated with nitric acid, the appropri- ate tests, t It ought to be free of every smell, excepting its peculiar ammoniacal odour. Dr. Paris asserts, that there is a large quantity * By Dalton's experiments on this subject, 100 grains of carbonat of ammo- nia lost as follows, by exposure to a temperature of 45°. In 4 hours, lost 20 grains. 8 43 11 48£ 18 49£ 24 50 f Muriat of barytes, nitrat of silver, oxalat of ammonia, tincture of galls, &c. 52 A.—Ammonia. of an impure salt in the English market, manufactured from the re- siduum of the gas-light manufactories. AQUA CARBONATIS AMMONIA. D* (Solutio. E.) LiquoR Ammonite Subcarbonatis. L. Water of Carbonat of Ammonia. Solution or Liquor of Sub-Carbonat of Ammonia. Take of Muriat of ammonia; Carbonat of potass, each sixteen ounces; Water two pints. Having mixed the salts and put them into a glass retort, pour the water upon them, and distil to dry- ness in a sand bath% gradually increasing the heat. This is an old formula to be found in Duncan's seventh edition of the Edinburgh Dispensatory, for 1813. Why this trouble should have been taken for the formation of an article which can at once be made by dissolving the preceding salt in water, is difficult to say; certainly, it is by no means superior, if equal to that at present pur- sued, both by the Edinburgh and London colleges, viz. by dissolv- ing one part of the sub-carbonat in four of distilled water. This last is even more economical, since the muriat of potass left in the retort is of no use. The Dublin college employ soda instead of potash. A plan I have pursued, not unfrequently, to prepare this solution, is to impregnate the aqua ammonias placed in the middle vessel of Nooth's apparatus, with carbonic acid, evolved from marble by mu- riatic acid. It is expeditious and %asy of execution; but possesses no superiority over the common solution, of the solid sub-carbonat. The specific gravity of the solution, as given by the Dublin college, prepared by the present plan, and followed by the pharmacopoeia of the U. S. is 1095. Dr. Henry, in his chemistry, says it should have the specific gravity of 1150; that it should effervesce on the addition of" acids; and should afford a strong coagulum on adding, (twice its bulk, Paris,) alcohol. This article is scarcely used in medicine, and might, without in- jury, have been omitted; the solid carbonat being amply adequate. Its dose is twenty to sixty drops, still further diluted. LiqUOR VoLATILIS CoRNU CeRVINI. D. Volatile Liquor of Hartshorn. Spirit of Hartshorn, fyc. Syn. Alkali volatil fluor, (F.) Take of Hartshorn any quantity. Distil with a fire gradually in- creased, the volatile liquor, salt, and oil. ' Repeat the distillation of the volatile liquor until it becomes as limpid as water, separat- ing by filtration, the oil and salt after each distillation. The liquor is more easily purified, if, after each distillation, except the first, we add one-sixth of wood charcoal, previously heated to red- ness, then extinguished, by covering it with sand, and powdered while hot. If a sufficient quantity of hartshorn cannot be procur- ed, the bones of any land animals may supply its place. This is an impure sub-carbonat of ammonia, of no use in medi- * Aqua ammonix fsubj carbonatis, Ph. U. S. corrected. A.—Ammonia. 53 cine, which the preceding articles cannot supply; it is wisely reject- ed by the framers of the other Pharmacopoeias. So many repetitions of the same substance, (under different names,) might well expose the recommenders of them to ridicule. The wholesale dealers have very large pots for this distillation, with earthen heads, almost like those of the common still; for receiv- ers, they use a couple of oil jars, the mouths of which are luted to- gether; the^pipe that comes from the head, is connected by means of an adopter with the lower jar, awhich is also furnished with a cock for drawing off the fluids condensed in it. The upper jar is entire, and in it is condensed the solid carbonat of ammonia. When a large quantity of the subject is to be distilled, it is customary to continue the operation for several days successively; only unluting the head occasionally, to put in fresh materials. When the upper jar be- comes entirely filled with carbonat of ammonia, it cracks. It is then to be removed, the salt to be taken out of it, and a fresh one substi- tuted in its place. When only a small quantity of spirit or salt is wanted, a common iron pot, such as is usually fixed in sand furnaces, may be employ- ed; an iron head being fitted to it. The receiver ought to be large, and a glass, or rather tin adopter, inserted between it and the pipe of the head. The distilling vessel being charged with pieces of horn, a mode- rate fire is applied, which is slowly increased, and raised at length almost to the utmost degree. At first water arises, which gradually acquires colour and smell, from the admixture of empyreumatic oil and ammoniacal salts; carbonat of ammonia next arises, which at first dissolves, as it comes over, in the water, and thus forms what is called the spirit. When the water is saturated, the remainder of the salt concentrates in a solid form to the sides of the recipient. If it be required to have the whole of the salt solid, and undissolved, the water should be removed as soon as the salt begins to arise, which may be known by the appearance of white fumes; and that this may be done the more commodiously, the receiver should be left unluted, till this first part of the process be finished. The white vapours which now arise, sometimes come over with such vehemence as to throw off or burst the receiver: to prevent this accident, it is convenient to have a small hole in the luting, which may be occa- sionally stopped with a wooden peg, or opened as the operator shall find proper. Lastly, the oil arises, which acquires greater colour and consistency as the operation advances. Carbonat of ammonia still comes over, but it is partly dissolved in the hot oily vapour. At the same time, there is a considerable disengagement of gas, con- sisting of a mixture of carbureted hydrogen often containing sulphur and phosphorus, and of carbonic acid. All the liquid matters being poured out of the receiver, the salt which remains adhering to its sides, is to be washed out with a lit- tle water, and added to the rest. It is convenient to let the whole stand for a few hours; that the oil may the better disengage itself from the liquor, so as to be at first separated by a funnel, and after- wards more perfectly by filtration through wet paper. None of these products, except perhaps a small quantity of the 54 A.—Ammonia. water, exist ready formed in the matter subjected to the distillation, but are produced by a new arrangement of its constituents. For the production of ammonia, it is absolutely necessary that it contain nitrogen, or be what is called a quaternary oxyd. Although some vegetable, and most animal substances are of this kind, yet only the most solid parts of animals, such as bone and horn, are employed for the production of ammonia; because they furnish it less mixed with other substances, are easily obtained, and at little expanse, and are very manageable in the distillation. On the application of heat, as soon as all the water which they contained is expelled, then- elements begin to act on each other, and to form binary, or at most ternary compounds. Water is formed of part of the oxygen and hydrogen, ammonia of nitrogen and hydrogen, carbonic acid of car- bon and oxygen, then oil, of hydrogen and charcoal, while, the super- fluous carbon remains in the retort in the state of (animal) charcoal. As the formation of these substances is simultaneous, or in immediate succession, they are not obtained separately, but are mixed with each other. The water is saturated with carbonat of ammonia, and im- pregnated with empyreumatic oil, while the carbonat of ammonia is discoloured with oil; and the oil contains carbonat of ammonia dis- solved in it. They may, however, be separated from each other in a great measure, in the manner already described. But a small por- tion of oil obstinately adheres both to the salts and its solution, which constitutes the only difference between salt and spirit of hartshorn as they are called, and the purer carbonat of ammonia, as obtained by the decomposition of muriat of ammonia. In the large way, this impure preparation may answer to form muriat of ammonia. AquA Acetatis Ammonia. E. D. LiquoR Ammonite Acetatis. L.* Water, or Solution of Acetat of Ammonia. Spirit of Mindererus. Take of Carbonat of ammonia, in powder, two ounces.—Add, by small portions, with frequent agitation, so much distilled Vinegar, as shall be sufficient exactly to saturate the ammonia. D. This is much better recommended, we think, as an extemporane- ous prescription, than as a permanent article to be kept on the shelves of the apothecary. It is like other acetats in solution, liable to de- composition; and few persons will throw it away, even if spoilt, to form a fresh supply. By this process we obtain acetat of ammonia, dissolved in the water of the acetic acid; but as this is apt to vary in quantity, the solution also varies in strength, and the crystallization of the salt is attended with too much difficulty to be practised for pharmaceutical purposes. Its crystals are long, slender, and flatted, of a pearly- white colour, and of a cool sweetish taste, are very deliquescent, melt at 170°, and sublime at 250°. It is decomposed by the acids, alkalies, and several of the earths, and metalline salts; and when in solution, its acid is decomposed spontaneously, and by heat. Different proposals have been made to get a solution of greater strength and uniformity, than that still retained by the British * Ammonix acetas liquidus, Pharm. U. S. A.—Ammonia. 55 colleges. Mr. Lowe saturates four ounces of carbonat of potass with distilled vinegar, and evaporates the solution to 36 ounces. He then mixes it with two ounces of muriat of ammonia, and dis- tils the mixture in a glass retort. Acetat of ammonia comes over. The last edition of the Prussian Pharmacopoeia prepares it by satu- rating three ounces of carbonat of ammonia with a strong acetic acid, (obtained by distillation from acetat of soda, dissolved in two parts of water, and decomposed by sulphuric acid,) and diluting the solution with water, so that it shall weigh twenty-four ounces. One ounce, therefore, contains the alkali of a drachm" of carbonat of ammonia. Incompatible substances.— Acids, fixed alkalies, alum, lime-water, the sulphats of magnesia, zinc, copper, and iron, nitrat of silver, corrosive sublimate. Medical use.—Acetat of ammonia, when assisted by a warm regi- men, proves an excellent and powerful sudorific; and as it operates without quickening the circulation, or increasing the heat of the body, it is admissible in febrile and inflammatory diseases, in which the use of stimulating sudorifics are attended with danger. Its action may likewise be determined to the kidneys, by walking about in the cool air. The common dose is half an ounce, either by itself, or along with other medicines adapted to the same in- tention. This medicine may be made very readily and extemporaneously, by adding the acetic acid to the carbonat in a phial; by corking it, the carbonic acid is prevented from escaping; it unites in conse- quence of the pressure, with the acetat of ammonia, and forms a much more pleasant mixture. It is often very improperly prepared by apothecaries, with com- mon impure vinegar. The article is very unpleasant to many sto- machs. The Ph. U. S. employs the purified vinegar. HYDROSULPHURETUM AMMONLE. E. D. A. Hydro-sulphuret of Ammonia. Hydro-sulphat of Ammonia. Take of TValer of Ammonia, four fluid ounces; subject it in a chemi- cal apparatus to a stream of the gas, which arises from Sulphuret of antimony, four ounces; Muriatic acid, eight ounces, previously diluted with two pints and a half of water.—Preserve the product in a close-stopped glass vessel. Except in using sulphuret of antimony which the French have long employed, instead of sulphuret of iron, the above formula is that which is given by the Edinburgh college. Sulphureted hydrogen, or hydro-sulphuric acid, is capable of com- bining with different bases. In the present preparation it is combined with ammonia. It is obtained by decomposing a sulphuret, as of iron, with muriatic acid. As soon as the acid, by its superior affinity, se- parates the iron from the sulphur, the latter immediately reacts on the water, the oxygen of which forms with one portion of it, sulphu- ric acid, while the hydrogen dissolves another portion, and forms sulphureted hydrogen gas. The combination of this with ammonia is facilitated by reduction of temperature, and by making it pass through a column of the water of ammonia by means of an apparatus, 56 A.—Ammonia. such as Woulfe's or Nooth*s. The ammonia very readily assumes a greenish yellow colour, from the absorption of the sulphureted hy- drogen. Tromsdorff has proposed, that the sulphureted hydrogen gas should be obtained by the decomposition of sulphuret of potass; but in this way its formation is too rapid to be easily managed. Gottling says, that the acid should be added gradually, and that the whole must be constantly agitated. But these precautions are ren- dered unnecessary by diluting the acid in the degree directed by the Pharmacopoeia. Mr. Cruickshank, who first suggested the use of hydro-sulphuret of ammonia in medicine, directs the sulphuret of iron to be prepared by heating a bar of iron to a white heat in a smith's forge, and rubbing it against the end of a roll of sulphur. The iron at this temperature immediately combines with the sulphur, and forms globules of sulphureted iron, which should be received in a vessel filled with water. The above remarks may be useful, as sulphuret of antimony may not be always at hand. An easy mode of preparing the sulphuret of iron is given in the Dublin Pharmacopoeia, as an accompaniment to the old process for the remedy we are considering, viz. Sulphuret of Iron. D. Take of purified filings of Iron, six ounces; Sublimed sulphur, two ounces; mix and expose them to a moderate degree of heat, in a covered crucible, until they unite in a mass. Medical use. ->—Hydro-sulphuret of ammonia, or more correctly, sulphureted hydroguret of ammonia, acts powerfully on the living system. It induces vertigo, drowsiness, nausea, and vomiting, and lessens the action of the heart and arteries. According to the doc- trine of the chemical physiologists, it is a powerful disoxygenizing remedy. It has only been used in diabetes by Dr. Rollo and others, under the name of hepatized ammonia, in doses of five or six drops three or four times a day, gradually increased till slight giddiness en- sues, when no further augmentation should take place. The Dublin college have also given a process for preparing the AquA Sulphureti Ammonite. D. Water of Sulphuret of Ammonia. Take of fresh burnt Lime, Muriat of ammonia, in powder, each, four ounces; Sublimed Sulphur, Hot water, each, two ounces.— Sprinkle the water upon the lime, placed in an earthen vessel, and cover it up until the lime falls to powder, which, as soon as it is cold, is to be mixed by trituration with the sulphur and muriat of ammonia, avoiding the vapours. Put the mixture into a retort, and distil with a sudden and sufficiently strong degree of heat. Keep the liquor thus obtained in a phial, accurately closed ivith a glass stopper. The products is, in fact, very little different from the former. The results of both may be regarded as the same.* In the former, the sulphureted hydrogen and ammonia, are presented to each other in * This last contains, it is asserted, a portion of uncombined alkali, to which Lt owes its fuming property, but which is speedily lost, if not kept accurately. It is decomposed by all acids, and most metallic solutions. A.—Ammoniacum. 57 a fully formed state. In this, they meet each other in a nascent state. This is the Fuming Liquor of Boyle; and by the French, is called, (in conformity to this view of sulphureted hydrogen being an acid,) sulphureted Jiydro-sulphat of ammonia. AMMONIACUM. L. D. E. A. Gum Ammoniac. Heracleum Gummiferum. Gum-bearing Heracleum. Pentandria Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Umbellatse. Syn. Gomme ammoniaque, (F.) Ammoniak, (G.) Gomma ammoniaco, (I.) Amoniaco, (S.) Ushok or Feshook, (Arab.) Ammoniacum is a concrete, gummy-resinous juice, brought from the East Indies, usually in large masses, composed of little lumps or tears, of a milky colour, but soon changing, upon being exposed to the air, to a yellowish hue. Gum-ammoniac is now referred by the London College, on the authority of Willdenow, to the Heracleum Gummiferum, which he raised from seeds taken out of the Ammoniacum of the shops; and which, he is satisfied, is the plant that yields it, although he has not been able to procure it from the plants raised at Berlin. This plant is depicted in the Flora Berolinensis, and the question of its origin might be decided by comparing it with the figure given by Mr. Jackson in his account of the Empire of Morocco, who was perfectly familiar with it. He gives the following account of it: "Ammoniacum, called Fes- hook in Arabic, is produced from a plant similar to the European fennel, but much larger. In most of the plains of the interior, and particularly about El Araiche and M'sharrah Rummillah, it grows ten feet high. The gum ammoniac is procured by incisions in the branches, which when pricked, emit a lacteous glutinous juice, which being hardened by the heat of the sun, falls on the ground, and mixes with the red earth below; hence the reason that gum ammoniac of Barbary does not suit the London market. It might however, with a little trouble, be procured perfectly pure; but when a prejudice is once established against any particular article, it is difficult to efface it. The gum in the above-mentioned state, is used in all parts of the country, for cataplasms and fumigations. The sandy light soil which produces the gum ammoniac, abound in the north of Morocco. It is remarkable that neither bird nor beast is seen where this plant grows, the vulture only excepted. It is how- ever, attacked by a beetle, having a long horn proceeding from its nose, with which it perforates the plant, and makes the incisions whence the gum oozes out." Ammoniacum has a nauseous sweet taste, followed by a bitter one; and a peculiar smell, somewhat like that of galbanum, but more grateful: it softens in the mouth, and acquires a white colour upon being chewed. It softens by heat, but is not fusible; when thrown upon live coals, it burns away in flame: it is in some degree soluble in water and in vinegar, with which it assumes the appearance of milk: but the resinous part, amounting to about one-half, subsides on standing. Such tears as are large, white, dry, free from small stones, seeds, 8 58 A.—Amomum. or other impurities, should be picked out and preferred for internal use; the coarser kind is purified by solution, colature, and careful inspissation; but unless this be artfully managed, the gum will lose a considerable deal of its more volatile parts. There is often vended in the shops, under the name of strained gum ammoniacum, a composition of ingredients much inferior in virtue. Neumann extracted from 480 parts, 360 by alcohol, and then by water 105; by water applied first 410, and then by alcohol 60. Al- cohol distilled from it arose unchanged, but water acquired a sweet- ish taste, and the smell of the ammoniac. More modern chemists say that the spirit drawn from it by distillation smelt strongly of the gum, and that a small portion of a very pungent, strong smelling oil could be got from it. The solution in alcohol is transparent; but on the addition of water, becomes milky. It therefore seems to consist principally of a substance soluble both in water and in alcohol, com- bined with some volatile matter. Braconnot makes it consist of 700 resin, 184 gum, 44 gluten, and 60 water. Medical use.—The general action of gum-ammoniac is stimulant. On many occasions, in doses of from ten to thirty grains, it proves a valuable antispasmodic, deobstruent, or expectorant. In large doses it purges gently, excites perspiration, and increases the flow of urine. It is used with advantage to promote expectoration in some pulmonary diseases; in dropsical affections, to augment the flow of urine, and to support the salivation of small-pox. It is also an use- ful deobstruent, and is frequently prescribed for removing obstruc- tions of the abdominal viscera, and in hysterical disorders occasion ed by a deficiency of the menstrual evacuations. In long and obsti- nate colics, proceeding from viscid matter lodged in the intestines, this gummy resin has produced happy effects, after purges and the common carminatives had been used in vain. Externally, it is sup- posed to soften and ripen hard tumours. A solution of it in vinegar has been recommended by some for resolving even scirrhous swellings. It is exhibited internally, a. In solution, combined with vinegar, vinegar of squills, assa- fcetida, &c. b. In pills, with bitter extracts, myrrh, assa- fcetida. c. And externally, combined with vinegar, tur- pentine, common plaster, &c. If rubbed with camphor, a mass is produced very suitable for pills, and vineger renders it soft and fit for plasters. AMOMUM. 1. Amomum Cardamomum. D. Amomum Repens. E.* Elettaria Cardamomum. L. Lesser Cardamom. The Seeds. Monandria Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Scitamtneas, Linn. Syn. Petit Cardamome, (F.) Kleine Kardamomen, (G.) Amomo minore, (I.) Kahulah, Hal, (Arab.) PurbiandGuzratiClachi, (II.) Ela, (San.) Ketpfa/uu/mov, Hippoc. Both of the species of amomum are natives of India, growing on • Cardamomum, Ph. U. S.—Lately called Matonia, in the tenth volume of the Transactions of the Linnaean Society, after Dr. Maton. A.—Amomum. 59 the mountains above Cochin and Calicut. The Edinburgh College, on the authority of Sonnerat, has supposed these seeds to be the pro- duct of the repens, while the Dublin College, with Murray, Willde- now, and all the foreign pharmaceutical writers, ascribe them to the Cardamomum; and, to increase the confusion, the London College have referred this last to a new series; the reason for which is thus stated by Dr. Powell: " From an accurate description of the plant producing this valuable aromatic, (lesser cardamoms,) communicated to the Linnaean Society, by Mr. White, surgeon, Madras, (who, fol- lowing the example of the other botanical writers, improperly refers it to the genus amomum,) it has been thought necessary to place the cardamom under a new genus, which Dr. Maton has named Eletta- ria, from the appellation of Elettari, originally given to this tribe by Van Reede, in his hortus malabaricus." As this has notas yet received the sanction of the other colleges, it is deemed most prudent still to retain it in its former place until its •situation is definitely settled. Cardamom seeds are a very warm, grateful, pungent aromatic, and frequently employed as such in practice: they are said to have this advantage, that notwithstanding their pungency, they do not, like those of the pepper kind, immoderately heat or inflame the bowels. Both water and rectified spirit extract their virtues by infusion, and elevate them in distillation; with this difference, that the tincture and distilled spirit are considerably more grateful than the infusion and distilled water: the watery infusion appears turbid and mucila- gindus; the tincture limpid and transparent. From 480 parts Neu- mann got about 20 of volatile oil, 15 of resinous extract, and 45 of watery. The husks of the seeds, which have very little smell or taste, may be commodiously separated, by committing the whole to the mortar, when the seeds wili readily pulverize, so as to be freed from the shell by the sieve: this should not be done till just before using them; for if kept without the husks, they soon lese a consider- able portion of their flavour. Medical use. —They are carminative and stomachic, and are grateful additions to bitter infusions. Dose of the powder, five to twenty grains. |C7» Consult Trans. Linn. Soc. X. part 2d. Hort. Malab. IX. Asiat. Research. XI. p. 355. 2. Amomum Zedoaria. D. Long Zedoary. The Root. Curcuma Zedoaria. Thomson's Lond. Disp. Monandria Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Scitaminese, Linn. Drymyrrhizx, Juss. Syn. Judwar, (Arab.) Nirbisi, (H. and Sans.) Banhaldi, (Beng.) It would appear that some late writers have rendered it probable that this plant should be removed from its former location as an amomum, to that of Curcuma. It is of little importance, for it is at present only retained by the Dublin College, although formerly much esteemed. See Linn. Trans. 8. p. 354. The Zedoary is perennial, and grows in Ceylon and Malabar. The roots come to us in pieces, some inches in length, and about a finger thick. Externally they are wrinkled, and of an ash-gray colour, but internally are brownish-red. The best kind comes from 60 A.—Amomum. Ceylon, and should be firm, heavy, of a dark colour within, and neither worm-eaten nor very fibrous. It has.an agreeable, fragrant smell, and a warm, bitterish, aromatic taste. In distillation with water, it yields an essential oil, heavier than water, possessing the smell and*flavour of the zedoary in an eminent degree; the remaining decoction is almost simply bitter. Spirit like- wise brings over some small share of its flavour: nevertheless the spirituous extract is considerably more grateful than the zedoary it- self. From 7680 parts Neumann got 2720 of watery extract, and af- terwards 140 of almost insipid resin; by applying alcohol first, 720, and water afterwards, 2400, much bitterer than the original watery extract.—See Asiat. Research, xi. p. 165. 3. Amomum Zingiber. E. D. Zingiber Officinale. L.* Ginger. The dried root. Preserved Ginger. Monandria Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Scitaminese, Linn. Cannas, Juss. Syn. Gingembre, (F.) Ingwer; Imber, (G.) Zenzero, (I.) Gengibre, (S.) Sont'h, (H.) Sunt'hi, (San.) Ale, by the Brahmins. In the botanical arrangement of the well-known plant which pro- duces the Ginger, the London College has followed Mr. Roscoe of Liverpool; who has given a new classification of the Scitamineous plants in the eighth volume of the Linnaean Society, in which he has separated the zingiber from the cardamom, " It has been well re- marked by Jussieu," says Mr. Roscoe, " that the zingibers flower in a dense spike near to the stein; the cardamoms in a lax panicle in the base of the stem. Such an uniform natural distinction in the habit of these plants, gave great reason to suppose that, by a closer examination, sufficient, generic distinctions would be ascertained. This expectation has been fully confirmed. In the plants of the ginger tribe, it appears that the anthera-bearing filament is extended beyond the anthera, and terminates in an awl-shaped appendage, with a groove or furrow to receive the style after it has passed be- tween the lobes of the anthera, and which terminates with the stig- ma, a little beyond the extremity of the filament; but in the plants of the cardamom, or proper amomum tribe, the anthera-bearing fila- ment terminates in an appendage of three or more lobes, and differs also in other respects." Ginger is a perennial plant, indigenous in the East Indies, but now cultivated in the West India islands. It is cultivated there very much in the same manner as potatoes are here, and is fit for digging once a year, unless for preserving in syrup, when it should be dug at the end of three or four months, at which time it is tender and full of sap. Ginger is distinguished into two sorts, the black and the white. The former is rendered fit for preservation by means of boiling water, the latter by insolation; and as it is necessary to select the fairest and roundest sorts for exposure to the sun, white ginger is commonly one-third dearer than black. Black ginger consists of thick and knotty roots, internally of an orange or brownish colour; externally of a yellow-gray. White gin- * Zingiber, Ph. U. S. A.—Amygdala. 61 ger is less thick and knotty, internally of a reddish-yellow, and ex- ternally of a whitish-gray or yellow. It is firm and resinous, and more pungent than the black. Pieces which are worm-eaten, light, friable, or soft, and very fibrous, are to be rejected. Preserved ginger should be prepared in India from the young and succulent roots. When genuine, it is almost transparent. That ma- nufactured in Europe is opaque and fibrous. Ginger has a fragrant smell, and a hot, biting, aromatic taste. Neumann obtained by distillation with water from 7680 parts of white ginger, about 60 of a volatile oil, having the smell and distin- guishing flavour of the ginger, but none of its pungency. The wa- tery extract was considerably pungent, and amounted to 2720, after which alcohol extracted 192 of a very pungent resin. Alcohol ap- plied first, extracted 660 of pungent resin, and water afterwards, 2160 of a mucilaginous extract, with little taste, and difficulty exsic- cated. The black ginger contained less soluble matter than the white. Medical usc.<—Ginger is a very useful spice in cold flatulent colics, and in laxity and debility of the intestines; it does not heat so much as the peppers, but its effects are more durable. It may also be ap- plied externally as a rubefacient. Lately, the powder of ginger, taken in very large doses in milk, was supposed to be almost speci- fic in the gout. Its best use is for gingerbread. Ginger Beer. A popular beverage in England, and lately intro- duced amongst us, is made as follows:— Take of Lump sugar, half a pound; Cream of tartar, half an ounce; Bruised ginger, one ounce; Boiling water, one gallon.-—Ferment for twenty-four hours, with yeast. Ginger Beer Powders. White sugar, one drachm and two scruples; Ginger, five grains; Subcarbonat of soda, twenty-six grains.—In each blue paper.— Tartaric acid, thirty grains, in each white paper. These proportions are directed for half a pint of water. AMYGDALA DULCES. L. D. AMYGDALA AMAR^. L.* Amygdalus Communis. E. Sweet and Bitter Almonds. Varieties of the Amygdalus Communis. Kernel of the Fruit and the Oil. lcosandria Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Pomaceas, Linn. Rosacese, Juss. Syn. Amandes douces & ame>es, (F.) Bittere und Siisse Mandeln, (G.) Man- dorli dolce & amare, (I.) Almendra, (S.) Lowz, (A.) IWm, Theophr. The almond tree nearly resembles the peach. It originally came from Syria and Barbary; but is now much cultivated in the south of Europe. The eye distinguishes no difference betwixt the tree which produce the sweet and bitter, or betwixt the kernels themselves; it is said that the same tree has, by a difference of culture, afforded both. * Amygdalus, Ph. U. S. 62 A.—Amygdala. The almond is a flatfish kernel, of a white colour, and of a soft sweet taste, or a disagreeable bitter one. The skins of both sorts are thin, brownish, unpleasant, and covered with an acrid powdery sub- stance. They are very apt to become rancid on keeping, and to be preyed on by a kind of insect, which eats out the internal part, leav- ing the almond to appearance entire. To these circumstances regard ought to be had in the choice of them. Sweet almonds are of greater use in food than as a medicine, but they are reckoned to afford little nourishment; and when eaten in substance, are not easy of digestion, unless thoroughly comminuted. They are supposed, on account of their unctuous quality, to obtund acrimonious juices in the primae viae: peeled sweet almonds, eaten six or eight at a time, sometimes give present relief in the heart- burn. Boullay has lately confirmed the analogy which Proust had stated to exist between the emulsion of sweet almonds and human milk, viz. the former consists of oil 54, albumen 24, sugar 6, gum 3, with traces of acetic acid; the indigestible property of the almond depends upon its albuminous matter. The bitter almond, in addition to those constituents, contains hydro-cyanic, (prussic,) acid, in union with a peculiar volatile oil, upon which its narcotic properties depend;* the leaves of the peach tree, the pips of apples, and the kernels of many fruits, particularly of those which have the flavour of bitter almonds, all contain prussic acid. That peculiar odour of the peach blossom or bitter almond, is characteristic of the presence of prussic acid. It is said to be in the thin pellicle which envelops the kernel, that it is most abundantly formed. The fleshy parts of the fruit do not contain it; and even the berries of the Lauro cerasus may be eaten with impunity; yet the distilled water and oil of cherry laurel are the most destructive of all narcotic poisons.t The watery extract of laurel is harmless, since this acid is vola- tilized before the fluid can assume the state of extract. For further remarks on prussic acid, vide Cyanogen. Both sorts of almonds yield, on expression, a large quantity of oil, which separates likewise upon boiling the alm'onds in water, and is gradually collected on the surface. The oils obtained by expression from both sorts of almonds are in their sensible qualities the same. They should be perfectly free from smell and taste, and possess the.other properties of fixed oils. Medical use.—The general virtues of these oils are, to blunt acri- * Noyau, creme de noyau, a liquor of a very agreeable nature, but not de- void of danger; the late Duke Charles, of LoiTaine, nearly lost his life from swallowing some " eau de noyau," (water distilled from peach kernels,) too strongly impregnated. Noyau is made thus:—Bitter almonds blanched, one ounce; proof spirit, half a pound; sugar, four ounces. It is sometimes colour- ed with cochineal. ■j- Although this fact was long known, it was not until within a few years that the identity of this destructire principle, and prussic acid, was fully proved. In the year 1782, Dr. Price, of Guilford, professed to convert mercury into gold, and his experiments were to be repeated before an adequate tribunal; but he put a period to his existence by swallowing laurel water, &c. A.—Amyris. 63 monious humours, and to soften and relax the solids: hence their use internally, in tickling coughs, heat of urine, pains and inflamma- tions; and externally, in tension and rigidity of particular parts. On triturating almonds with water, the oil and water unite together, by the mediation of the other matter of the kernel, and form an. unctu- ous milky liquor, called almond milk or emulsion. The milky solutions of almonds in watery liquors, commonly call- ed emulsions, contain the oil of the subject, and participate in some degree of its emollient virtue; but have this advantage above the pure oil, that they may be given in acute or inflammatory disorders, with- out danger of the ill effects which the oil might sometimes produce; since emulsions do not turn rancid or acrimonious by heat, as all the oils of this kind in a little time do. As the bitter almond imparts its peculiar taste when treated in this way, the sweet almonds are em- ployed in making emulsions. Several unctuous and resinous substances, of themselves not mis- cible with water, may, by trituration with almonds, be easily mixed with it in the form of an emulsion; and are thus excellently fitted for medicinal use. The emulsion has been recommended as a local ap- flication or lotion in impetigo and some other cutaneous eruptions. n this form, camphor, and the resinous purgatives, may be commo- diously taken. For the article prussic acid, vide Cyanogen.—Consult also the writings of Fodere, Langrish, Orfila, Heberden, Watson, and more especially Dr. Granville's treatise on the hydrocyanic acid. AMYLUM. Starch. (See Triticum.) 1. AMYRIS ELEMIFERA. L. D. The Resin called Elemi. Octandria Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Terebintacese, Juss, Syn. Eleme, (F. G. I.) The tree which furnishes elemi grows in Carolina and Spanish America. In dry weather, and especially at full moon, incisions are made in the bark, from which a resinous juice flows, and is left to harden in the sun. It is brought to us in long, roundish cakes, gene- rally wrapped up in flag leaves. The best sort is softish, somewhat transparent, of a pale whitish yellow colour, inclining a little to green, of a strong, not unpleasant smell, resembling somewhat that of fennel. Dr. Wright says, that on wounding the bursera gummi- fera, a thick milky liquor flows, which soon concretes into a resin no way different from the elemi of the shops. Of 100 parts 94 dissolve in alcohol, and part of its fragrance rises along with this menstruum in distillation: distilled with water it yields 6.4 of pale-coloured, thin, fragrant, essential oil. Its only constituents, therefore, are re- sin and essential oil. It gives name to one of the officinal unguents, and is at present scarce any otherwise made use of; though it is cer- tainly preferable for internal purposes to some others which are held in greater esteem. 64 A.—Ahchusa. 2. AMYRIS GILEADENSIS. E. Balsam of Gilead. A Liquid Resin. Syn. BaTsamier de la Mecque, (F.) Opobalsamo, (I.) Balsamo, (S.) Akoo- yeelarsemoonroome, (Arab.) Baxo-^ov Mpw, Theoph. & Dioscor. This substance, which has also had the name of Balsamuin Judia- pum, Syriacum, de Mecca, Opo-balsamum, &c. is a resinous juice, obtained from an evergreen tree, growing spontaneously, particu- larly near to Mecca, on the Asiatic side of the Red Sea. The best sort of it is a spontaneous exudation from the tree; and is held in so high esteem by the Turks, who are in possession of the country where it is produced, that it is rarely, if ever, to be met with genu- ine among us. From the high price set upon it, many adulterations are practised. The true opo-balsamum, according to Alpiiius, is at first turbid and white, of a very strong pungent smell, Hke that of turpentine, but much sweeter; and of a bitter, acrid, astringent taste: upon being kept for some time, it becomes thin, limpid, of a greenish hue; then of a gold yellow, and at length of the colour of honey. This balsam is in high esteem among the eastern nations, both as a medicine, and as an odoriferous unguent and cosmetic. It has been recommended in a variety of complaints. But in Europe it is never obtained genuine; and as all the signs of its goodness are fallacious, it has been very rarely employed. Nor need we regret it; for any of the other resinous fluids, such as the balsam of Canada or Copaiba, will answer every purpose full as well. See Bruce's Travels, Appendix, for the best account of it. ANCHUSA TINCTORIA. E. Anchusa. D. Alkanet. False Alkanet. The Root. Pentandria Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Jlsperifolise, Linn. Boraginex, Juss. Syn. Orcanette, (F.) Alcanna, (I.) This plant is a native of Europe: it is sometimes cultivated in gar- dens; but the greatest quantities are raised in Germany and France, particularly about Montpelier, from whence the dried roots are usu- ally imported to us. The alkanet root produced in England, is much inferior in colour to that brought from abroad; the English bein<>- only lightly reddish, the others of a deep purplish red; and it has5 been suspected, but without sufficient foundation, that the foreign roots owe part of their colour to art. The cortical part of the root is of a dusky red, and imparts an elegant deep red to alcohol, oils, wax, and all unctuous substances, but not to watery liquors. Alkanet root has but little or no smell; when recent, it has a bit- terish, astringent taste; but when dried, scarcely any. As to its virtues, the present practice expects not any from it. Its chief use is for colouring oils, ointments, and plasters. As the colour is con- fined to the cortical parts, the small roots are best, having propor- tionally more bark than the large. According to John, of Berlin, the colouring matter is a peculiar A.—Anethum. 65 substance, soluble in alcohol, ether, and oils; not soluble in water; infusible, and not precipitated from alcohol by water, as resins are. He calls it Pseudo-Alcannin, to distinguish it from the unexamined colouring matter of the real alkanet, furnished by the Lawsonia in- ermis, a native of India, Syria, and Egypt. ANDROMEDA MARIANA. Broad-leaved Moor-wort. Decandria Monogynia, Nuttall. The different species of the andromeda are very nearly akin in botanical character to the rhododendron and kalmia, and are sus- pected by the late professor'Barton to be poisonous. A decoction of the plant under consideration has been successfully employed as a wash, in a disagreeable ulceration of the feet, which is not uncom- mon among the slaves, &c. in the southern states, and which is known by the name of the toe-itch and ground-itch. The brown powder attached to the foot-stalks of the leaves of the andromeda, is considerably errhine. The powder about the seeds, in the seed-vessels, possesses a similar quality.* ANETHUM. 1. ANETHUM GRAVEOLENS. L. E. Dill. The Seed. Pentandria Digynia. Nat. Ord. Umbellatae. AyyiBov, Dioscor. Syn. Fenouil puant, ou persil odorant, (F.) Dill, (G.) Dill is an annual umbelliferous plant, cultivated in gardens, as well for culinary as medical use. The seeds are of a pale yellowish colour, in shape nearly oval, convex on one side, and flat on the other. Their taste is moderately warm and pungent; their smell aromatic, but not of the most agreeable kind. These seeds are re- commended as a carminative in flatulent colics. The most effica- cious preparation of them, are the distilled oil, and a tincture or ex- tract made with rectified spirit.—Dose 15 grs. to 3i. 2. ANETHUM FffiNICULUM. E. L. D. Sweet Fennel. The Root and Seed. Syn. Fenouil ou Anis douce, (F.) Fenchelsamen, (G.) Eneldo hinojo, (S.) This is a biennial plant, of which there are two varieties. The sweet fennel grows wild in Italy; but is cultivated in gardens in England. It is smaller in all its parts than the common, except the seeds, which are considerably larger. The seeds of the two sorts differ likewise in shape and colour: those of the common are round- ish, oblong, flatfish on one side, and protuberant on the other, of a dark almost blackish colour; those of the sweet are longer, nar- * Barton's collection towards a Materia Medica, part 1st. 9 66 A___Angelica. rower, not so flat, generally crooked, and of a whitish or pale yel- lowish colour. The seeds of both the fennels have an aromatic smell, and a moderately warm, pungent taste: those of the fceniadum dulce are in flavour most agreeable, and have also a considerable degree of sweetness. From 960 parts, Neumann obtained 20 of volatile oil, 260 of watery extract, and afterwards some alcoholic extract, which could not be exsiccated on account of its oiliness. By alcohol first, he got 84 resinous extract, 120 fixed oil, and then by water 129 of a bitter extract. ANGELICA ARCH ANGELIC A. E. Angelica. The Root. Pentandria Digynia. Nat. Ord. Umbellatae. Angelica is a large biennial umbelliferous plant. It grows spon- taneously on the banks of rivers in Alpine countries; but for the use of the shops, it is cultivated in gardens in different parts of Europe. All the parts of angelica, especially the roots, have a fragrant aromatic smell; and a pleasant bitterish warm taste, glowing upon the lips and palate for a long time after they have been chewed. The flavour of the seeds and leaves is very perishable; particularly that of the latter, which, on being barely dried, lose the greater part of their taste and smell: the roots are more tenacious of their fla- vour, though they lose part of it with keeping. The fresh root, wounded early in the spring, yields an odorous yellow juice; which slowly exsiccated, proves an elegant gummy resin, very rich in the virtues of the angelica. On drying the root, this juice concretes into distinct moleculae, which, on cutting it longitudinally appear dis- tributed in little veins; in this state, they are extracted by alcohol, but not by watery liquors. Angelica roots are apt to grow mouldy, and to be preyed on by insects, unless thoroughly dried, kept in a dry place, and frequently aired. We apprehend, that the roots which are subject to this inconvenience, might be preserved by dip- ping them in boiling spirit, or exposing them to its steam, after they are dried. Baume says that it is only the roots gathered in the spring that are subject to this inconvenience, and that when ga- thered in the autumn, they keep good several years. Roots only worm-eaten are as fit as ever for making a tincture, or affording vo- latile oil. Angelica is one of the most elegant aromatics of European growth, though little regarded in the present practice. The root, which is the most efficacious part, is used in the aromatic tincture. The stalks make an agreeable sweatmeat. Johns analyzed the dried angelica root, and proved that it owed its peculiar properties to a considerable proportion of essential oil, and acrid resin. It also contained much glim and some inulin. 4 * A__Angustura. 67 ANGUSTURA. D. A. Cusparia Febrifuga. L. Bonplandia Trifoliata. E. Angustura Bark. Cusparia Bark. Bonplandia Bark. Gallipoea Febrifuga, St. Hilaire. Pentandria Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Quassise, Juss. Syn. Angusture, (F.) Angusturarinde, (G.) Angustura, (I.) The natural history of this bark was long but imperfectly known. The first portion of it was imported from Dominica to England, in 1788, with an account, " that it had been found superior to the Pe- ruvian bark in the cure of fevers." Subsequent importations from the Spanish West Indies, either immediately, or through the me- dium of Spain, gave reason to suppose, that it was the produce of South America. This has been fully established by the late travels of Humboldt in that country. He gave to Willdenow a dried spe- cimen of the tree of which it is the bark, and that eminent botanist discovered it to be a new genus, to which he gave the name of Bonplandia, in honour of the botanical companion of Humboldt's travels.—See Mem. de l'lnstitut. 184. Part I. p. 82. pi. 10. The London college, however, give this tree the name of Cuspa- ria Febrifuga, derived from Cuspa, the native appellation of the tree; but this name must be abandoned, for although it was inserted by Humboldt in the chart belonging to his geography of plants; that of Bonplandia trifoliata is adopted by him in his Plantas iEquinoctia- les. The name Angustura bark is derived from the Spanish deno- mination, cascarilla, or corteza del Angustura, which is the vulgar name of the town of St. Thomas, near the Straits of the Oronoco, where it forms a considerable article of commerce. The appearance of the bark varies, according as it has been taken from larger or smallar branches. It is only one or two lines in thick- ness, and is sometimes cracked externally. The outer surface is more or less wrinkled, and of a grayish colour, and the inner surface is of a dull dark brown. The bark of the younger branches is of a fine green colour, dotted with grayish tubercles. Its substance is of a yellowish brown colour. Its fracture is short and resinous. Its taste is intensely bitter, and slightly aromatic, leaving a strong sense of heat and pungency in the throat and fauces. The odour is peculiar. The powder is yellow. According to the experiments related by Mr. Brande, from 3840 parts of angustura, there were extracted by alcohol, 144 of resin, and 300 of an acrid unctuous substance, the residuum yielded to water 1500 of dry gummy extract. Treated first with water, it gave 2110 grains of a clear brown extract, bitter, but not acrid, and after- wards 161 of a resin of a light brown colour, and extremely acrid. By distillation it gave 26 of essential oil. The tincture is of a deep yellow colour, and reddens infusion of turnsole, and becomes turbid and white on admixture with water. By repeated filtration a brownish resin is separated; and the transparent fluid has a pale yellow colour. It is not precipitated by solution of gelatin, but by infusion of galls. It therefore does not contain tannin but cinchonin; and it has the peculiar property of acquiring a deep red colour with red sulphat of iron, and depositing a purplish slate-coloured preci- pitate. 68 A.—x^ngustura. Dr. Rambach, of Hamburgh, first observed poisonous effects from some Angustura bark, and his observations have been fully confirm- ed by other accidents and by experiments on animals. The Austrian fovernment on this account, ordered all the Angustura bark in the ingdom to be destroyed, and interdicted its future importation. Other states have followed its example. It still has a place in the British Pharmacopoeias. It becomes necessary, therefore, to point out fully the means of distinguishing the genuine from the spurious sort, which Planche has called Angustura Pseudo-ferruginaea. Genuine. The produce of the Bonplandia tri- foliata of Humboldt, a native of South America. Size from § to f of an inch broad; 2,3, or 4 inches long; half a line thick. Outer surface uniform grayish-white, as if covered with an uneven mealy coat, which is easily removed, and ex- poses a brown surface beneath. Inner surface grayish-yellow, or light-brown. Texture fine; very brittle. Fracture even; much darker and browner than the inner surface; somewhat shining and evidently resinous. Smell aromatic; somewhat nause- ous. Taste aromatic bitter, but not at all disgustingly bitter, or astringent, suc- ceeded in some degree by an aromatic flavour like mace. Bark, on being chewed, becomes dark-brown yellow. Powder, when fresh, yellow, like good rhubarb, be- coming paler by keeping, with a more aromatic smell than the bark. Concentrated infusion clear, of a fine reddish-brown or orange colour, and a bitter, only slightly acrid taste. Diluted with water, its colour be- comes yellow. On the addition of an alkaline car- bonat it is changed to dark red, and after some time deposites a clear citron yellow, somewhat flocculent precipi- tate. A solution of persulphat or permu- riat of iron imparts to it a higher red colour, and after some time throws down a rose-coloured precipitate. Spurious. Unknown. Said by some to come from the East Indies; and one kind suspected by Planche, but contrary to probability, to be got from a variety of the Cinchona magnifolia of Bon- pland. Size generally of greater breadth than length; two lines thick. Outer surface covered with a web of distinct small white warts, not easily removed, or with an uniform rust-coloured lichen-like covering. Inner surface, dirty yellowish-white, or gray, or most commonly black, without visible fibres. Texture coarse; very brittle. Fracture even; partly white, or yel- lowish-white, or even clear brownish; not shining and resinous, but more mealy, and partly exhibiting two dis- tinct layers. Smell resembling somewhat that of the genuine kind. Taste in the highest degree disgust- ingly bitter; very durable, and not at all aromatic, or astringent. Bark, on being chewed, becomes paler. Powder clearer yellow. Concentrated infusion, not so clear, more of a dirty-brown colour, and of a most disgustingly bitter taste. When diluted, it does not become yellow. On the addition of an alkaline car- bonat, it becomes greenish, and de- posites a flocculent grayish-yellow precipitate, and the supernatant liquor becomes gradually dark-brown, be- ginning at the surface. A solution of persulphat or permu- riat of iron imparts to it a dark-green colour, and soon throws down a copi- ous satin-black precipitate, verging somewhat to ash-gray, which is per- fectly redissolved by nitric acid, and forms an olive solution. A.—Anthemis. 69 Genuine. Spurious. Is not rendered turbid by solution Is not rendered turbid by solution of gelatin. of gelatin. Saturated decoction of a fine red- Saturated decoction, brownish-yel- brown, on cooling becomes turbid, low, and on cooling, deposites a very and deposites a deep yellow powder, copious gray-brown precipitate. Saturated tincture, dark-red brown, Saturated tincture, much paler; and, becoming very turbid by the addition on the addition of distilled water, only of distilled water, and depositing a gets a pale yellowish opaline appear- clear yellow resin. ance, without becoming red, or depo- siting any precipitate. The spurious angustura belongs to the same class of poisons as the Faba St. Ignatii, the Upas tieute, &c. Medical use.—As an aromatic bitter, it acts as a tonic and stimu- lant of the organs of digestion. It increases the appetite for food, removes flatulence and acidity arising from dyspepsia, and is a very effectual remedy in diarrhoea proceeding from weakness in the bow- els, and in dysentery; and it possesses the singular advantage of not oppressing the stomach, as cinchona is apt to do. It does not cure intermittents. It is exhibited, 1. In powder, in doses of from 5 to 20 grains, either alone or with rliubarb, magnesia, or carbonat of lime. 2. In infusion: the infusion of one drachm in four ounces of water may be used daily. 3. In tincture: one or two drachms in dyspepsia. 4. In watery extract. Humboldt informs us, that the Catalonian Capuchins, who possess the missions of Carony, prepare with great care an extract of this bark, which they distribute to the convents of Catalonia. For a more particular detail of its botanical history, consult the Eclectic Repertory, vol. iv. p. 135.* ANTHEMIS. 1. ANTHEMIS NOBILIS. E. L. Cham^melum. Z?.* Common Chamomile. The Flowers. Syngenesia Superf.ua. Nat. Ord. Composite Discoidex, Linn. Corymbiferse, Juss. Syn. Camomille Romaine, (F.) Roemische hamiller, (G.) Camomilla Roma- na, (I.) Manganella de Botera, (S.) Chiimaindoopoo, (Tam.) AvBe/uis, Diosc Chamomile is a perennial plant, indigenous to,the south of Eng- land, but cultivated in most gardens for the purposes of medicine. The flowers have a strong, not ungrateful, aromatic smell, and a very bitter nauseous taste. These are so very generally employed in medicine, as to render their extensive cultivation in the United States well worthy of attention. The single variety is best. * Sec also more on the subject, in Orfila's Toxicology, 2d vol. and Lond. Med. Repos.—Brucine, the peculiar deleterious principle present in the spuri- ous kind, is described in Ann. de Chim. et Phys. 12, p. 113. f Anthemis, Ph. U. S. 70 A.—Anthemis. Their active constituents are bitter extractive, and essential oil. To the latter is to be ascribed their antispasmodic, carminative, cor- dial, and diaphoretic effects; to the former their influence in pro- moting digestion. , , Neumann obtained from 480 parts, 180 of alcoholic extract, ana afterwards 120 of watery; and reversing the procedure, 240 watery, and 60 alcoholic. , , Medical use.— Chamomile flowers are a very common and excel- lent remedy, which is often used with advantage in spasmodic dis- eases, in hysteria, in spasmodic and flatulent colics, in suppression of the menstrual discharge, in the vomiting of puerperal women, and in the after-pains; in gout, in podagra, in intermittents, and in ty- phus. As chamomile excites the peristaltic motion, it is useful in dy- sentery, but is not admissible in all cases of diarrhoea. From its sti- mulating and somewhat unpleasant essential oil, chamomile is also capable of exciting vomiting, especially when given m warm infu- sion; and in this way it is often used to assist the action of other emetics. A cold infusion made by suffering cold water to stand over the flowers for eight or ten hours before use, forms a most delightful drink, being divested of that oil, which is very ungrateful to many, in the warm infusion. Externally, chamomile flowers are applied as a discutient and emollient; in the form of clyster or embrocation, in colic, dysentery and strangulated hernia, &c. Chamomile flowers are exhibited, 1. In substance, in the form of powder, or rather of electuary, in doses of from half a drachm to two drachms, either alone or com- bined with Peruvian bark, as for the cure of intermittent fevers. 2. In infusion, in the form of tea. This may either be drunk warm, for promoting the action of emetics, or cold, as a stomachic. 3. In decoction or extract. These forms contain only the extrac- tive, and therefore may be considered as simple bitters. 4. The essential oil may be obtained by distillation. This pos- sesses the antispasmodic powers in a higher degree than the simple flowers, but on the contrary, does not possess the virtues depending on the presence of the bitter extractive. It is a most agreeable ad- dition to many pills. 2. ANTHEMIS PYRETHRUM. E. L. Pyrethrum. D. A. Pellitory of Spain. The Root. Syn. Pyrethre, (F.) Bertram Wurtzel; Zahn Wurtzell, (G.) Piretro, (I.) Anthemis pelitri, (S.) Akur kurha, (Arab.) nu/>s8/w, Dioscor. This plant, though a native of warm climates, as Barbary, bears the ordinary winters of England, and often flowers successively from Christmas to May; the roots also grow larger there than those with which the shops are usually supplied from abroad. They are seldom so big as the little finger, and the best are dry, compact, of a brown,colour, and not easily cut with a knife. Pellitory root has no sensible smell: its taste is very hot and acrid, but less so than that of arum; the juice expressed from it has scarce any acrimony, nor is the root itself so pungent when fresh as A.—Antimonium. 71 after it has been dried. Neumann obtained from 960 parts of the dry root, only 40 of alcoholic extract, and afterwards 570 of watery; and by a reverse procedure, 600 of watery, and 20 of alcoholic ex- tract. Both the alcoholic extracts were excessively pungent. Its acrimony, therefore, is derived from a resin. Johns found much inu- lin in the watery extract. Medical use.—The principal use of pyrethrum in the present practice is as a masticatory, for promoting the salival flux, and eva- cuating the viscid humours from the head and neighbouring parts; by this means it often relieves the tooth-ache, some kinds of pains of the head, and lethargic complaints. A vinous infusion is also useful in debility of the tongue. ANTIMONIUM. Antimonium. Stibium. Antimony. Syn. Antimoine, (F.) Spiessglanz metall, (G.) Antimonie, (I.) Antim6nio,(S.) iTifAfxt, (Gr.) Antimony is white, very brilliant, lamellated; specific gravity 6.702; moderately hard;puiverizable; fusible at 809°; volatile when highly ignited; sensible taste and smell; unalterable in cold air; oxydizable by air and heat; oxyd fusible into a yellow brown glass; decomposes water when ignited; oxydized by the sulphuric and ni- tric acids;]combines with phosphorus and sulphur. Oxyds are black, brown, orange, yellow, white; and they colour glass yellow or hya- cinthine. Antimony is found native, ' I. In its metallic state, at Stalberg in Sweden, and Allemontin France, combined with silver and iron. II. Mineralized with sulphur. 1. Gray Sulphuret of antimony. a. Compact, b. Foliated, c. Striated, d. Plumose. 2. Red Antimony. III. Oxydized. White Antimony. IV. Acidified. 1. Muriated. 2. Phosphated. The gray ore of antimony is the state in which it is officinal, and also that in which it is most commonly found. Antimony is obtained from its ores by gradually detonating in a large crucible four parts of sulphureted antimony, three of crude tartar, and one and a half of dry nitrat of potass, reduced to a fine powder, and intimately mixed. The detonated mass is then to be fused and poured into a heated mould, greased with a little fat, in which it is allowed to consolidate. It is then turned out, and the scoriae are separated from the antimony, which will weigh about one-fourth part of the sulphuret employed. The scoriae are a mix- ture of sulphuret of potass and of antimony, and may be preserved for other purposes. Another method of obtaining antimony, is by melting three parts of sulphureted antimony, with one of iron. The sulphur quits the antimony, and combines with the iron. 72 A.—Antimonium. Antimonii Sulphuretum. E. Iy. D. A. Sulphuret of Antimony. Crude Antimony. Syn. L'antimoine sulfure, (F.) Spiessglanz, (G.) Sulfuro d'antimonio, (I.) Kohul, (Ar.) Surmeh, (H.) Saubira, (San.) Although sulphuret of antimony be a natural production, yet it is commonly sold in the form of loaves, which have been separated from the stony and other impurities of the ore by fusion, and a spe- cies of filtration. For the ore is melted in conical well-baked earthen pots, having one or more small holes in their apices. The fire is applied around and above these pots; and as soon as the sulphureted antimony melts, it drops through the holes into vessels placed beneath to receive it, while the stony and other impurities remain behind. As antimony is very volatile, the mouths and joinings of the pots must be closed and luted. The upper part of the loaves thus obtain- ed is more spongy, lighter, and impure, than the lower, which is there- fore always to be preferred. These loaves have a dark gray colour externally, but on being broken, they appear to be composed of ra- diated striae, of a metallic lustre, having the colour of lead. The good- ness of the loaves is estimated from their compactness and weight, from the largeness and distinctness of the striae, and from their being entirely volatilized by a red heat. Lead has been sold for antimony; but its texture is rather foliated than striated, and it is not vaporiza- ble, nor easily powdered. The presence of arsenic, which renders the antimony useless for medical purposes, is known by its emitting the smell of garlic when thrown upon live coals, and by other tests mentioned under arsenic. The presence of manganese or iron is known by their not being volatilized by a red heat. In composition, sulphuret of antimony consists of antimony 100, sulphur 35.572. It has been known from the time of Basil Valentine, to the present, in market, by the improper name of antimony, which is applicable only to the pure metal. It is now scarcely ever employ- ed in medicine, although formerly much so. Its chief use is in the preparation of other antimonial compounds, which are at present very limited in number, and might perhaps be still more so without any detriment to medicine. In estimating the comparative value of antimonial preparations in medicine, we may attend to the following observations. All the metallic preparations are uncertain, as it entirely depends on the state of the stomach, whether they act at all, or operate with dan- gerous violence. The sulphuret is exposed, though in a less degree, to the same objections. Its dose is 5 to 50 grains. The preparations in which antimony is in the state of peroxyd, are perfectly insoluble in any vegetable or animal acid, and are also found to be perfectly inert when taken into the stomach. The remaining preparations of antimony, or those in which it is in the state of protoxyd, are readily soluble in the juices of the sto- mach, and act in very minute doses. Of its saline preparations, only those can be used internally which contain a vegetable acid; for its soluble combinations with the simple acids are very acrid and corrosive. In general the surest and best preparations of antimony A.—Antimonium. 73 are those which contain a known quantity of the metal in the state of protoxyd. The general effects of antimonials are, in small doses, diaphore- sis, nausea: in large doses, full vomiting and purging. Some allege that antimonials are of most use in fevers when they do not pro- duce any sensible evacuation, as is said to be the case sometimes with James's powder. They therefore prefer it in typhus, and emetic tartar in synochus, in which there is the appearance at first of more activity in the system, and more apparent cause for eva- cuation. Various medicines are prepared from the Sulphuret of Antimony, viz. a. By trituration simply—Antimonii Sidphurelum Prseparatum. b. By the action of heat—Antimonii Vitrum. Antimonii Vitrum Ceratum. c. By the action of heat, with phosphat of lime—Antimonii oxy- dum cum phosphate calcis. d. By the action of alkalies—Antimonii Sulphuretum Prsecipita- tum. e. By the action of acids—Antimonii Oxydum Nitro-Muriaticum. Antimonium Tartarizatum. Antimonii Tartarizati Vinum. ANTIMONII SULPHURETUM PR^PARATUM. E. D. A. Prepared Sulphuret of Antimony. This is to be prepared in the same way as carbonat of lime, and is merely intended to fit the sulphuret for internal use. By reducing the sulphuret of antimony to the state of an impal- pable powder, it is both rendered much more active than it would otherwise be, and it is prevented front irritating the stomach me- chanically, of which there would be some danger from the sharp- ness of its spiculae. Even in this state, however, it is not a very certain remedy. In general it operates as a very mild sudorific or cathartic; but sometimes, if it meet with much acid in the stomach, it becomes more active, producing vomiting or hypercatharsis. Therefore, it seems prudent to evacuate the primae viae before it be exhibited, and to combine it with an absorbent earth. It is principally given in scrofula, glandular obstructions, cutane- ous diseases and rheumatism. Its dose is from 10 to 30 grains and upwards, and it is best exhibited in the form of a powder or bolus. It is said to constitute a quack remedy which has acquired some reputation in Ireland, for the cure of cancer, used externally as a dressing to the sore. 10 74 A__Antimonium. OXYDUM ANTIMONII cum SULPHURE V1TRIFICA- TUM. E.* Vitrified Oxyd of Antimony. Vitrum Antimonii. L. Glass of Antimony. Take of Sulphuret of antimony, any quantity, beat it into coarse pow- der like sand. Strew it upon an unglazed shallow earthen vessel, and place it over a gentle fire, that the sulphuret of antimony may be slowly heated, at the same time stirring the powder constantly, to prevent it from running into lumps. White vapours, having the odour of sulphur, will arise from it. When these cease with the degree of heat first applied, raise the heat a little, so that the vapours may arise again; go on in this manner, till the powder, brought to a red heat, exhales no more vapours. Melt this powder in a crucible, with an intense heat, till it assumes the appearance of melted glass; then pour it upon a heated brass plate. Ed. Some of the British Colleges have rejected this old article from the catalogue of medicines, and consequently the next to be men- tioned, which depended on this for its preparation. It well deserv- ed to be retained for the purpose, if only half of the virtues ascrib- ed to it are correctly stated in the fifth volume of the Edinburgh Medical Essays and Observations. Glass of antimony, according to Proust, consists of one part of sulphuret of antimony, combined with eight of oxyd of antimony; now, by this process, the greatest part of the antimony is deprived of its sulphur, and is at the same time converted into the protoxyd, which combines with the small portion of sulphuret that remains undecomposed. But as this preparation is not easily made in the manner here directed, unless in a furnace constructed on purpose; apothecaries may advantageously adopt the synthetical method of Bergmann, which consists in melting in a crucible, with one-twelfth or eighth of its weight of sulphur, protoxyd of antimony prepared by deflagrating it with more than twice its weight of nitre. At the temperature necessary for melting it, part of the protoxyd of anti- mony loses its oxygen and is converted into sulphuret, and combines with the remaining protoxyd, in the proportions which form the glass of antimony. In which ever way prepared, the glass of antimony is transparent, and has a fine hyacinthine colour. On dissolving it in muriatic acid, it gives out sulphureted hydrogen gas. Its medical operation is so uncertain, that it is only used in making other preparations. A glass of lead, within a few years, was fraudulently sold in Lon- don, it was said, for this preparation. To discover so criminal an imposition, reference may be had to the colour of the two; that of antimony being of a rich brown or red- dish, with the usual transparency of coloured glasses. That of lead, is of a deeper and duller colour against the light, less transparent and- sometimes quite opaque. * Antimonii Oxydum Vitrificatum, U. S. Ph. A.—Antimonium. 75 Specific gravity of glass of antimony never exceeds 4.95 Specific gravity of glass of lead is 6.95 or in round numbers, their comparative weights are as 5 to 7. If these are insufficient, pursue the other methods laid down by Howard. See Philosophical Magazine, vol. xxxv. 236. OXYDUM ANTIMONII VITRIFICATUM CUM CERA. E. A. Vitrified Oxyd of Antimony with Wax. Cerated Glass of Antimony. Take of Yellow wax, one part; Vitrified oxyd of Antimony, eight parts. Melt the wax in an iron vessel, and throw into it the pow- dered oxyd; roast the mixture over a gentle fire for a quarter of an hour, continually stirring it with a spatula: then pour it out, and, when cold, grind it into powder. Ed. The glass melts in the wax with a very gentle heat; after it has been about twenty minutes on the fire, it begins to change its colour, and in ten more comes near to that of Scottish snuff; which is a mark of its being sufficiently prepared; the mixture loses about one-ninth of its weight in the process. This medicine was for some time much esteemed in dysenteries. The dose is from two or three grains to twenty, according to the age and strength of the patient. In its operation, it makes some per- sons sick, and vomit; it purges almost every one; though it has sometimes effected a cure without occasioning any evacuation or sickness. It is now, however, much less used than formerly. It has been recommended in cases of cynanche trachealis, by Dr. Stearns, of the state of New York.* PULVIS ANTIMONIALIS. L. D. A. Antimonial Powder. James's Powder. Oxydum Antimonii cum Phosphate Calcis. E. Oxyd of Antimony with Phosphat of Lime. Take of Sulphuret of antimony, in coarse powder, Hartshorn, in shavings, of each, equal weights. Mix, and put them in a wide, red hot iron pot; and stir the mixture constantly, until it be burnt into a matter of an ash-gray colour, which is to be then removed from the fire, ground into powder, and put into a coated crucible; lute to this crucible, another inverted over it, and perforated in the bottom with a small hole, and apply the fire, which is to be raised gradually to a white heat, and kept in that increased state for two hours; lastly, grind the matter, when cold, into a very fine pow- der. Ed. This is supposed to be nearly the same with the celebrated nos- trum of Dr. James, the composition of which was ascertained by Dr. George Pearson, to whom we are also indebted for the above formula. By burning sulphuret of antimony and shavings of hartshorn in a white heat, the sulphur is entirely expelled, and the antimony is * See Medical Museum. 76 A.—Antimonium. oxydized, while the gelatin of the hartshorn is destroyed, and no- thing is left but phosphat of lime, combined with a little lime. There- fore, the mass which results is a mixture of oxyd of antimony, and phosphat of lime, which corresponds, at least as to the nature of the ingredients, with James's powder, which, by Dr. Pearson's analysis, was found to consist of 43 phosphat of lime, and 57 oxyd of anti- mony. M. Pulley also analysed some of James's powder, and found it composed of protoxyd of antimony 37, phosphat of lime 21, sulphat of potass 24, and potass combined with protoxyd of antimony 18. Phosphat of lime is most conveniently obtained pure by dissolving calcined bone in muriatic acid, and precipitating it by ammonia. If the ammonia be quite free from carbonic acid, no muriat of lime is decomposed. Mr. Chenevix also found, that this precipitate is en- tirely soluble in every acid which can dissolve either phosphat of lime or oxyd of antimony separately, and that about 0.28 of James's powder, and at an average 0.44 of the pulvis antimonialis of the late London Pharmacopoeia, resist the action of every acid. In the new edition, twice the proportion of hartshorn shavings is used, which is said to obviate the inconvenience of the vitrification of part of the antimony when too high a temperature was applied, to render the process more manageable, and to furnish a whiter pro- duct; but it does not correspond with Dr. Pearson's analysis of James's powder, for which it was intended as a substitute, and alters materially the strength of an established preparation. Medical use.—The oxyd of antimony with phosphat of lime, how- soever prepared, is regarded by some as one of the best antimonials we possess, but by others is but slightly esteemed. It is given as a diaphoretic in febrile diseases, in doses of from three to eight grains, repeated every third or fourth hour. In larger quantities, it operates as a purgative or emetic. From its being insoluble in water, it must be given either in the form of a powder, or made into a pill or bolus. SULPHURETUM ANTIMONII PR^ECIPITATUM. L. E. A. Precipitated Sulphuret of Antimony. Sulphur Antimoviatum Fuscum. D. Brown Antimoniated Sulphur. Sulphureted Hydro-sulphat of Antimony. Syn. Soufre dor6 d'Antimoine, (F.) Gelber Spiessglanz schwefel, (G.) Zolfo dorato di antimonio, (I.) Take of Solution of potass, four pounds; Water, three pints; Pre- pared sulphuret of antimony, two pounds. Boil them in a covered iron pot, oyer a slow fire, for three hours, frequently stirring the mixture with an iron spatula, and adding water as it may be re- quired. Strain the hot liquor through a doubled linen cloth, and add to it, when strained, as much diluted sulphuric acid as may be necessary to precipitate the sulphuret, which must be well wash- ed with warm water. Ed. Within the compass of a few years the Pharmacopoeias had three preparations of antimony, which under different names, differed very little, in chemical or in medicinal properties. These were the cele- A.^—Antimonium. 77 brated Kermes Mineral, the Sulphur Auratum Antimonii, and the Sulphur Antimonii Prsecipitatum. If sulphuret of antimony and potash are united together, boiled in sufficient water, and filtered whilst hot, a portion of the oxyd of an- timony combined with sulphur, which at the temperature of boiling water could be held in solution, falls down as the solution cools, in a brown-colou red precipitate. Thisfirst formed powder was the Kermes; after this was removed, a quantity of oxyd and of sulphur might still be produced, by adding to the solution almost any acid. This acid seizing on the potash, by which the antimonial oxyd and sulphur were maintained in solution, formed a salt which remained dissolved, whilst a bright orange-coloured powder precipitated. This was the Sulphur Auratum Antimonii. If, instead of allowing the Kermes to precipitate of itself, and then by the addition of the acid producing the latter; the acid was added at once to the hot filtered liquor, it is obvious that a precipitate would ensue, which would consist of an intermixture of both the preceding, constituting the preparation above adopted by our Pharmacopoeia, which is not exactly analogous to the golden sulphur of antimony. Hydro-sulphuret of antimony is prepared either in the dry way, (Dublin,) or in the humid, as by the Edinburgh and London Col- leges. When sulphuret of antimony is boiled in a solution of pot- ash, water is decomposed, the hydrogen combines with the sulphur, and the antimony is oxydized; and as long as the solution boils, it contains a mixture of hydro-sulphuret of potash, and hydro-sulphu- ret of antimony. But, on cooling, a great part of the latter precipi- tates in the form of a red powder, (Kermes mineral.) In the dry way, when sulphuret of antimony and carbonat of po- tass are melted together, the carbonic acid is expelled with efferves- cence, and a sulphuret of antimony and potass is formed. On boil- ing this in water, water is decomposed, the antimony is oxydized, and the hydrogen combines with the sulphur. The sulphureted. hy- drogen thus formed, combines partly with the potass, and with the oxyd of antimony. Such is the present theory for the formation of Kermes mineral. With regard to the practice; Lemery melted sixteen parts of sul- phuret of antimony, and one of sulphur, with eight parts of carbonat of potass. The last edition of the Prussian Pharmacopoeia directs two parts of sulphuret of antimony, and one of exsiccated carbonat of soda, to be melted, and afterwards boiled fifteen minutes in six or eight parts of water, which on cooling deposits a considerable quantity of Kermes. The fluid from which the Kermes has been de- posited may be again boiled in the residuum of the first decoction, and it will dissolve a fresh portion of Kermes; and this process may be repeated as long as there remains any to dissolve. After this, the residuum, when melted, consists almost solely of antimony. It there- fore appears, that the alkali renders almost all the sulphur soluble, and only disposes the oxydizement of as much antimony as is capa- ble of combining with the sulphureted hydrogen. There appears to be no reason why the whole of the antimony should not be converted into Kermes by employing a proper addition of sulphur and alkali. Kermes is also made in the humid way. Fourcroy boils, in twenty 78 A.—Antimonium. parts of water, six parts of pure potass of commerce, and into the boiling solution throws about the twentieth part of the weight of the alkali, or 0.3 of a part of powdered sulphuret of antimony, and con- tinues the boiling for seven or eight minutes, then filters, and allows the Kermes to precipitate by cooling. Hermbstadt uses very differ- ent proportions; for he boils twelve parts of sulphuret of antimony, and three of salt of tartar, in ninety-six parts of water, down to sixty-four, and then filters, &c. Gren employs four parts of sul- phuret of antimony, sixteen of carbonat of potass, and sixty-four of water, and boils for several hours. Gottling boils eight parts of sul- phuret of antimony, and two of sulphur, in a sufficient quantity of solution of potass down to one-half. The precipitated sulphuret of antimony, like the Kermes, may be prepared either in the dry or in the moist way. The latter mode seems to be the most universally employed on the Continent. Gott- ling boils two parts of sulphuret of antimony, and three of sulphur, in a sufficient quantity of a recent solution of potass, filters the so- lution and precipitates with sulphuric acid, diluted with twelve times its weight of water. The Prussian College use equal parts of sulphu- ret of antimony and of sulphur. Wiegleb treats in the same manner two parts of sulphuret of antimony with one of sulphur. But to his proportions it has been objected, that the product resembles Kermes more than sulphur auratum. If this objection be just, it must apply in a still stronger degree to the formula of the British Colleges, in which no sulphur is added. In the dry way, two parts of sulphuret of antimony and three of sulphur may be melted with five or six of pure carbonat of potass in a covered crucible, as quickly as possible, poured into an iron mor- tar, reduced to powder, and dissolved by boiling the powder in wa- ter. The solution is to be filtered warm, diluted with a sufficient quantity of water, and precipitated with diluted sulphuric acid. By some, the solution is allowed to remain at rest for twenty-four hours before it be filtered, and some precipitate with nitrous acid. The processes for making the golden sulphuret of antimony, de- pend on the property which the hydrogureted sulphuret of potass possesses, of dissolving, and retaining dissolved, even at ordinary temperatures, a portion of orange oxyd of antimony; and as the at- traction by which potass exists in this compound is weaker than its affinity for acids, on the addition of any acid, the potass unites with the acid; a portion of sulphureted hydrogen gas escapes; and the oxyd of antimony, combined with the rest of the sulphur and hydro- gen, are precipitated in the form of a light orange powder. When the acid is added gradually, the proportion of oxyd of antimony al- ways decreases, while that of the sulphur increases in each succes- sive portion of precipitate. Hence in the old manner of preparing this substance from the scoriae formed in reducing antimony from its sulphuret, aud which contained but little sulphur, the two first por- tions of precipitate, being dark-coloured, were rejected, and only the product of the third precipitation retained for use. The want of eco- nomy in this process is sufficiently obvious, as well as the very °reat improvement in modern times of adding a sufficient quantity ofsul- phur, and precipitating the whole at once. A.—Antimonium. 79 Medical use.—In its action on the body, the hydro-sulphuret of antimony is an active substance, and, according to its dose, acts as a diaphoretic, cathartic or emetic. Its use is, however, in Great Britain and America, in a great degree superseded by more certain preparations. To adults the dose is a grain to two or more. Adulterations.—It is said to be often sophisticated with chalk, &c. It ought not to effervesce with acids. It should be entirely vapori- zable by heat, and it ought to be of a bright orange colour. A spu- rious article has been sold in England, it appears, consisting of sul- phur and sulphuret of antimony coloured with Venetian red! Oxydum Antimonii Nitro-Muriaticum. D. Nitro-Muriatic Oxyd of Antimony. Take of Prepared sulphuret of antimony, two ounces; Muriatic acid, eleven ounces by measure; Nitrous acid, one drachm, by measure. Add the sulphuret gradually to the acids, previously mixed in a glass vessel, avoiding the vapours. Digest with a heat gradually increased, until the effervescence cease, and then boil for one hour. Filter the liquor when cold, and receive it when filtered in a gallon of water. The oxyd of antimony will fall to the bottom. Wash this repeatedly in a sufficiently large quantity of water, until the liquor poured off is perfectly free from acid, as known by the test of litmus; and, lastly, dry the oxyd upon bibulous paper. Here, the antimony oxydized by the nitric acid, is dissolved in the muriatic; the muriat of antimony thus formed, is decomposed by water. According to Sir H. Davy, a portion of the water, furnishes oxygen to the metal, and hydrogen to the chlorine, which are thus converted into protoxyd and muriatic acid; a supermuriat remains in solution, and an insoluble submuriat precipitates in white aci- cular or silky crystals, formerly known under the title of Pulvis Algarothi, the subject of the above prescription. That it is a sub- muriat is proved by its yielding a small proportion of muriat on dis- tillation, according to Bergmann. It is only used in the preparation of tartar emetic. Muriat of antimony was originally prepared by distilling sulphu- ret of antimony with muriat of quicksilver. Muriat of antimony, or butter of antimony, as it was called from its appearance when recent- ly prepared, passes over into the receiver, and black sulphuret of quicksilver remains in the retort; or, by increasing the heat, red sulphuret of mercury, (which, when obtained by this process, was formerly termed Cinnabar of Antimony,) is sublimed. But this mode of preparation is both expensive, and dangerous to the health of the operator. To avoid these inconveniences, Scheele prepared a sul- phureted oxyd of antimony, by deflagrating two parts of sulphuret of antimony with three of nitrat of potass in an iron mortar. The mass thus obtained is to be powdered, and one pound of it put into a glass vessel, on which is to be poured, first a mixture of three pounds of water and fifteen ounces of sulphuric acid, and afterwards fifteen ounces of powdered common salt. The whole is to be digest- ed for twelve hours, and stirred all the while, and the solution, when cool, strained through linen. On the residuum, one-third of the 80 A__Antimonium. above menstruum is to be poured, and the mixture digested and strained. Mr. Stott says, that the digestion need not be continued longer than two or three hours, and that the heat must be kept mo- derate, as the muriat of antimony begins to evaporate before it boils. This process furnishes an easy, if not the best, mode of preparing the submuriat of antimony, but it does not give us the solution of the muriat in a state of purity. But in consequence of its volatility, we may easily separate it from the other salts by distillation. This was first proposed by Gmelin, and improved by Wiegleb, who distilled a mixture of one part of sulphuret of antimony, four of muriat of soda, and three of sulphuric acid diluted with two of water; but in this process, the product is rendered impure by the admixture of sulphur, and there is great danger of the vessels bursting from the immense quantity of sulphureted hydrogen gas disengaged. The Prussian Dispensatory pours upon two ounces of crocus of antimony, and six of dried muriat of soda, in a retort, four ounces of sulphuric acid, previously diluted with two ounces of distilled water, and distils. But we have already observed, that the oxyd of antimony made use of in this preparation, is seldom sufficiently oxydized or deprived of its sulphur, which occasions the production of much sulphureted hy- drogen gas; and from the concentrated state in which the materials are employed, the muriatic acid gas is sometimes disengaged, espe- cially if the heat be improperly applied, so rapidly, that it has not time to act upon the oxyd of antimony. At last, in 1797, Gottling, by substituting the glass of antimony for the crocus, diluting the sulphuric acid, and using the muriat of soda crystallized, removed these inconveniences. He introduces into a retort a mixture of four ounces of glass of antimony in powder, with sixteen of muriat of soda, and then pours into it twelve ounces of sulphuric acid, diluted with eight of water. He lutes on a tubulated receiver with gypsum, and distils to dryness in a sand bath, with a heat gradually increased. By this process, he says, about twenty ounces of very strong fuming solution of muriat of antimony are obtained. The residuum in the retort is sulphat of soda, but unfit for internal use, on account of its being mixed with some antimony. Butter of antimony is crystallizable. It is remarkably deliques- cent, and forms a permanent solution; but if more than a certain proportion of water be added, it is decomposed, a large quantity of submuriat of antimony being precipitated, in the form of white silky crystals, while a supermuriat remains in solution. It consists, ac- cording to Mr. J. Davy, of 56 antimony, and 44 chlorine, or 1 pro- portion of antimony to 2 of chlorine. A.—Antimonium. 81 IARTARUM ANTIMONIATUM sive EMETICUM. D. Tartras Antimonii. E. Tartrat of Antimony. Antimonium Tartarizatum. L. A. Tartarized Antimony. Antimoniated or Emetic Tartar. Tartras Antimonii et Potassae. Syn. Tartrate de potasse antimonie, (F.) Spiessglanz-weinstein, (G.) Tartaro Antimoniato, (I.) Take of Nitro-muriatic oxyd of antimony, two ounces; Crystals of tartar, in very fine powder, two ounces and a half; Distilled water, eighteen ounces.—Boil the water in a glass vessel, then gradually throw into it the oxyd and tartar, previously mixed, and boil for half an hour; then filter the liquor through paper, and crystallize by slow cooling. D. The tartaric acid is capable of combining, in many examples, with two bases at the same time, forming with them triple crystallizable salts. In the present instance, it is combined with oxyd of anti- mony and potass: and as the potass is essential to its constitution, and the real tartrat of antimony is a different salt; its name, on chemical principles, should certainly have been tartrat of antimony and potass. In the preparation of this salt, the different combinations of pro- toxyd of antimony have been employed. Any of them will afford a very pure salt. The crocus, precipitated oxyd, submuriat and glass, are all occasionally employed. The Edinburgh College uses the cro- cus. To this the principal objection is, that it is rarely found in the shops in a state fit for this purpose. Even when properly prepared, » it is with difficulty acted upon by the supertartrat of potass, unless it be levigated and elutriated. Mr. Phillips found, that 100 parts of cream of tartar dissolved only six parts out of 100 of very finely powdered crocus, 16 when levigated, but 75 when it was elutriated; and in the last case, the liquor assumed a deep-green colour, which, though proceeding from the presence of iron, is a test that a suffici- ent proportion of the metallic oxyd is dissolved, as it does not occur until the tartar has taken up three-fourths of its weight of the crocus. But, besides the expense of levigating and elutriating the crocus, it is liable to be mixed with carbonat of lime, derived probably from the stones employed in the levigation; and the crystals of tartarized antimony procured in this way, are consequently contaminated even with a larger portion of tartrat of lime than is furnished by the tartar. The glass is more easily soluble than the crocus, as, when finely powdered, 78 parts were dissolved, and gave the solution a dark-green colour. But this oxyd is very expensive, and glass of lead is sometimes fraudulently substituted for it. When the glass or cro- cus is used, Mr. Phillips recommends, that after being powdered or levigated, they should be boiled in dilute sulphuric acid to remove any carbonat of lime, and that a small quantity of sulphuric acid should be added to decompose the tartrat of lime. To the oxyd of antimony, as prescribed by the London College, 1809, Mr. Phillips objected its great expense, its quantity being too small in propor- tion to the tartar, and that the crystals of tartar emetic formed with it, as well as with the crocus or glass, are contaminated with the 11 82 A.—Antimonium. tartrat of lime usually contained in the tartar. To the use of the submuriat, as directed by the Dublin College, this last objection does not apply, because the muriatic acid retains the tartrat of lime in solution when the tartrat of antimony crystallizes. Having criti- cized the processes of all the Colleges, Mr. Phillips proposed to substitute one of his own. The qualities requisite in an eligible me- thod of preparing tartar emetic, he says, are, the certainty of obtain- ing protoxyd of antimony, unmixed with peroxyd or sulphureted oxyd, yet not absolutely pure, but mixed with a substance capable of preventing the crystallization of the tartrat of lime; moderate expense, and the possibility of using iron vessels, both in preparing the oxyd of antimony and the tartarized antimony. These requisites Mr. Phillips thinks he has found, in employing the Sulphat of anti- mony prepared by boiling powdered metallic antimony, in twice its weight of sulphuric acid to dryness in an iron vessel over a common fire, and stirring it with an iron spatula. The grayish coloured pro- duct was thrown into water, and washed, till the uncombined sul- phuric acid was removed.* One hundred parts of the subsulphat thus procured were boiled in a solution of an equal weight of tartar; about 7Q parts of the subsulphat were readily dissolved, and the so- lution, when filtered, afforded at the first crystallization rather more than 90 parts of crystals of tartarized antimony, perfectly white and unmixed with any extraneous salt. The solution, by further evapo- ration, furnished an additional quantity of crystals of emetic tartar, slightly incrusted with sulphat of lime, from which, however, they were completely purified by solution, and repeating the crystalliza- tion. A considerable quantity of sulphat of lime was also deposited and separated during the evaporation. This process Mr. Phillips as- serts to be neither tedious, difficult, uncertain nor unsafe. The pro- cess adopted in the present edition of the London Pharmacopoeia, is of the same nature, depending upon the formation of a sulphat of antimony, although in a more complicated way.t Dr. Powell tells us that the new formula, which " has, after numerous trials, been adopt- ed, is due to Mr. Hume of Long-Acre, to whose practical skill it is right to acknowledge great obligation. It is necessary that the whole of the supertartrat of potass should be combined with the oxyd, and therefore, that there should be a full sufficiency of the latter, other- wise the first crystals, as it cools, will be of the supertartrat only; * This is the plan adopted by the Pharmacopoeia of the United States. We prefer, from our own experiments, the Dublin process. f In a comparison of the activity of tartar emetic, as prepared by different formulae, by Mr. Henry, Sen. by ascertaining the amount of sulphuret-of anti- mony precipitated by sulphureted hydrogen, from a given weight of various specimens, the comparison is strongly favourable to the Dublin formula. Thus two parts of a standard preparation, gave of Sulph. of Antimony 1.04 Same amount of London Pharmacopoeia . 0.98 Do. Edinburgh........ 0.99 Do. Paris.......' * q!68 Do. Phillips, (Amer.)..... 0.74 Do. Dublin....... j^OO —Journ. de Pharm. July, 1825. Experiments on the impure or unrectified preparations.—North Amer. Med. and Surg. Journ. No. I. A.-—Antimonium. 83 whilst, on the other hand, if a superabundance of oxyd of antimony be used, it will remain upon the filter, and not influence the crystals; the former inconvenience, therefore, is especially to be avoided, and for that purpose, more oxyd than may be strictly necessary, is di- rected. The evaporation must not be carried too far, as there ap- pears to be some tartrat of potass in the solution, whose crystals, will, in that case, be mixed with the triple salt. The crystals ought always to be formed, for it is only when they are, that the proportions of the salt can be considered as precise." But whatever form of pro- toxyd of antimony may be preferred, the quantity of water employ- ed must be sufficient to dissolve the tartar emetic formed. The time during which ebullition is to be continued, is stated differently by different pharmaceutists. No harm can arise from continuing it longer than is absolutely necessary; but it is certainly a waste of time and fuel to protract it for hours. Another circumstance which renders tartar emetic variable in its effects, is, the mode of crystallization. Some evaporate it to dry- ness; others to a pellicle, and set it aside to crystallize, and others again crystallize by slow evaporation. On account of the silica which is combined with the oxyd of antimony, and which, being held in solution by the potass, impedes the crystallization, and varies the nature of the product, Vauquelin recommends that the solution be first evaporated to dryness, and that the saline mass obtained should be redissolvcd in boiling water, and then crystallized; for towards the end of the first evaporation, the silica separates, and becomes tor tally insoluble. In this way, he says, we obtain both a purer salt, and in larger quantity. If we employ an excess of supertartrat of potass, part of it will remain undecomposed, and will crystallize be- fore, or along with the tartar emetic. This source of impurity is easily avoided, by using an excess of the antimonial oxyd, which re- maining undissolved, occasions no error, and prevents the necessity of throwing away the crystals which form on the filtering paper, if the solution be saturated. The primitive form of the crystals of tartrat of antimony and po- tass seems to be the regular tetrahedron, but it assumes a variety of secondary forms. It has a styptic metallic taste. It is soluble in three times its weight of water at 212° and in fifteen at 60°. As this statement of its solubility is very different from that of most writers, from Bergmann to Fourcroy, who say that it requires 80 parts of water at 60°, and somewhat less than forty of boiling water, it is necessary to mention, that it was ascertained by careful experi- ment with very fine crystals of tartar emetic, more than half an inch in length, and perfectly free from the admixture of any foreign salt. The crystals, by exposure to the air, become white and opaque, but do not readily fall to powder. The property of deliquescing, ascrib- ed to them by Gottling, must have arisen from the presence of other salts, as he does not prepare his tartar emetic by crystallization, but by evaporating the solution to dryness. The solution of tartar emetic slightly reddens tincture of turnsole. It is decomposed by acids, alkalies, alkaline carbonats, sulphureted hydrogen and its compounds, vegetable juices, decoctions and infusions, and many of the metals. 84 A.—Antimonium. In its chemical composition there is still much obscurity; whether it be a triple salt, consisting of tartaric acid, oxyd of antimony and potash, or a mixture of tartrat of antimony and tartrat of potash, seems not. yet fully agreed on. Others have even supposed that in this combination, the supertartrat of potash acts the part of a simple acid, which is by no means improbable.* Tartar emetic should always be purchased in crystals; a solution of it in distilled water, ought to furnish a copious gold-coloured pre- cipitate with dilute sulphuret of potash or ammonia; a precipitate soluble in nitric acid, with acetat of lead; and with lime water, a white and extremely thick precipitate, dissolving with facility in pure nitric acid. If the crystals deliquesce, the presence of other salts may be inferred; and they ought to readily and totally dissolve in water, forming a clear solution both previous to, and after adding the wine, in making the antimonial wine. Incompatibles.—Mineral acids, alkalies and their carbonats, many of the metals, soaps, hydro-sulphurets, and many infusions and de- coctions of bitter and astringent vegetables: thus, one fluid ounce of decoction of yellow bark, completely decomposes one scruple of tartar emetic and renders it inert; hence it is useful when an over- dose has been taken. Rhubarb is equally incompatible, but gentian and wormwood, it is said, do not decompose it. Alkaline sulphats if neutral, are not incompatible; but if the acid is in excess, a white insoluble sulphat of antimony is precipitated. . Medical use.—In doses of from one to three grains it operates as an emetic, and sometimes as a cathartic. In smaller doses, it excites nausea, and proves a powerful diaphoretic and expectorant. As an emetic, it is chiefly given in the beginning of fevers and febrile dis- eases, in chincough, and, in general, whenever we wish to evacuate the stomach quickly. When great debility is present, and in the ad- vanced stages of typhoid fever, its use is improper, and even some- times fatal. As a diaphoretic it is given in small doses, or from an eighth to a quarter of a grain; and as an expectorant in doses still smaller. The only proper form for exhibiting it is in solution; and as the intensity of its action on the body is liable to variation, from differ- ences in its own strength, and in the constitution of the patient, it should almost always be given in divided doses, at short intervals, if we wish to excite vomiting; and at longer intervals, if we wish it to act only on the skin or lungs. This salt forms a most beneficial application as a rubefacient, in deep-seated inflammations, especially of the chest; it occasions a pustular eruption on the skin of a very singular aspect, the cica- trices of which are permanent for a long time. It may be used in the proportion of one or two dracljms, incorporated with one ounce of lard, or it may be dusted over a piece of leather spread with ad- hesive plaster, taking care to leave a margin untouched that it may adhere more firmly. * On this account, we apprehend, the well known name of Tartar Emetic, should supersede every other denomination. A.—Antimonium. 85 VINUM ANTIMONII TARTARIZATI. L. A. Solution, or Wine of Tartarized Antimony. Vinum Tartratis Antimonii. E. Liquor Antimonii Tartarizati. L. Antimonial Wine. Take of Tartarized antimony, two scruples; Boiling distilled water, two fluid ounces; White wine, eight ounces.—Dissolve the tartar- ized antimony in the boiling distilled water; then add the wine. L. This is a very important article of domestic medicine, and of con- sequence, therefore, ought to be of uniform strength. The English Col- leges formerly differed in this particular, that of Edinburgh containing only two grains to the ounce, whilst that of London was double the strength. They have latterly made it of the same standard, viz. two grains to the ounce. We have continued the stronger preparation of four grains to, the ounce, as formerly directed by the London College, and adopted, as to its strength, by the Pharm. U. S. In its employment and effects, it is analogous to a watery solution of tartar emetic of equal strength. * Oxydum Antimonii cum Sulphure per nitratem Potass.e. E.* Oxyd, (formerly Crocus,) of Antimony. Take of Sulphuret of antimony; Nitrat of potass, of each equal weights.—After they are separately powdered and well mixed, let them be thrown into a red hot crucible. When the deflagration is over, separate the reddish matter from the whitish crust, and re- duce it to a powder, which is to be repeatedly washed with hot wa- ter, till the water remains insipid. This article is no longer retained by that name, nor even intro- duced as a separate preparation in the British Pharmacopoeias. It is now found under the head of Tartras Antimonii, as the preliminary part of the process for making tartar emetic by the Edinburgh col- lege. Why it is retained at all, being long since rejected by the London college for other more certain preparations, might be difficult to say. In the process abovementioned, the nitric acid of the nitre, and part of the sulphuret, are mutually decomposed; the sulphur is aci- dified, and combines with the potass of the nitre, while the anti- mony is converted into protoxyd, which combines with the undecom- posed portion of the sulphuret, and forms a dark brown, opaque, vi- trified mass; so that after the scoriae and other saline matters have been removed by washing, the substance which remains, according to Proust, consists of three parts of oxyd of antimony, and one of sulphuret of antimony. W ith regard to the mode of preparation, Bergmann observes, that by the common process of throwing the mixture into an ignited un- covered crucible, there is sometimes a loss of nearly one-half; and * The Antimonii Oxidum, of the U. S. Pharm. p. 78, but altered in the Corrigenda to Antimonii Oxidum Sulphuratum. 86 A.—Aqua. therefore advises the mixture to be put into a cold crucible, which is to be covered and heated until the matter melts, by which means there is very little loss. What is kept in the shops is almost universally prepared with less nitre than is here ordered. The consequence is, that too much sul- phur remains not acidified, the antimony is scarcely oxydized, and the preparation is unfit for uses to which it ought to be applied. When nitre has been thus culpably economized, the crocus has a steel-gray, instead of a liver-brown colour. The sulphureted oxyd of antimony is a very uncertain prepara- tion, often operating with very great violence. Its internal use is therefore almost proscribed, or at least confined to maniacal cases, and veterinary practice. Antimonii Oxydium. L. Oxyd of Antimony. Take of Tartarized antimony, one ounce; Sub-carbonat of ammonia, two drachms; Distilled water, what is necessary. Dissolve the salts separately in water, then mix the liquors, and boil until the oxyd of antimony be precipitated. Wash this with water, and dry it. This process, which was some time since introduced by the Lon- don College as a substitute for the numerous impure oxyds of anti- mony in preceding Pharmacopoeias, will furnish a very pure pro- toxyd of antimony, and does not seem liable to any objection. APOCYNUM ANDROSjEMIFOLIUM. Dog>s Bane. The root. Pentandria Digynia. Nat. Ord. Contorts, Linn. Apocinex, Juss. This is a perennial lactescent plant, found from Canada to Caro- lina. From the facts connected with it, it is concluded that it contains a bitter extractive principle, a colouring principle, soluble in water and not in alcohol, caoutchouc, and a volatile oil. Thirty grains of the root evacuate the stomach as effectually as two-thirds of the amount of ipecacuanha; by which name it is known in various parts of the eastern states. Its power is diminished by keeping, and is destroyed by age It is introduced into the secondary list of the United States' Pharmacopoeia. AQUA.—WATER. It is rather surprising that water, an article the most abundantly employed in medicine, should not have been regularly admitted into the lists of the Materia Medica. It is now introduced into the Phar- macopoeia of the United States; and in point of real efficacy few will deny that it is equal to almost any other individual substance in the cure of disease. What should we anticipate from the use of our sudorifics, diuretics, &c. without the co-operation of this import- ant agent! how greatly would a want of it tend to baffle the most A—Aqua. 87 anxious exertions of the practitioner! It is its universal distribution that has caused us to overlook the benefits we derive from its em- ployment on every occasion. Water chemically considered consists of hydrogen combined with oxygen in the proportion of 14.42, to 85.58, by weight, or two of hydrogen to one of oxygen, by volume. Water is transparent, colour- less, inodorous, and insipid. As water is assumed as the standard, or unity, in all tables of specific gravity, it is necessary to know that a cubic inch of it weighs, at 30 inches of the barometer, and 60° thermometer, 252.422 grains. At 32° it exists'in a solid form, and is crystallized. At 212° it expands to 2000 times its bulk, and is converted into a very elastic vapour. It absorbs small quantities of the simple gases, especially oxygen. It dissolves several of the salifiable bases, and in some degree all saline bodies, and is essen- tial to their crystallization. It is composed and decomposed in many instances, and its chemical agency is almost universal. It is the only binary combination of hydrogen with oxygen, at present known with certainty. Water, from its extensive powers as a solvent, never occurs in a state of absolute purity; the nature and degree of its contamination must necessarily vary according to circumstances. It generally holds earthy matter in a state of mechanical suspension, or saline and other bodies in chemical solution. Celsus has laid down the follow- ing arrangement, &c. as it respects water, and it can scarcely be amended in the present day. " Aqua levissima pluvialis est; deinde fontana, turn ex flumine, turn ex puteo; posthaec ex nive, aut glacie; gravior his ex lacu, gravissima ex palude."* 1. Aqua Pluvialis. Rain Water. This, when collected in the open fields, is the purest natural wa- ter, and of the least specific gravity. The only bodies which it holds in solution are carbonic acid, and minute traces of carbonat and mu- riat of lime. 2. AquA Fontana.I Spring Water. In addition to the substances detected in rain water, spring water generally contains a small proportion of muriat of soda, and fre- quently other salts; the larger the springs, in general, the purer; more especially those which occur in primative countries, and in si- licious rocks or beds of gravel. The water of some springs dissolves soap, that of others decomposes and curdles it; the former are called soft, the latter hard water, and is a practical fact of some importance. Soft water is a more powerful solvent of all vegetable matters, and is preferable both for domestic and medicinal employment. Even animals instinctively prefer it. 3. AquA Fluvialis. River Water. This is derived from the conflux of numerous springs and rain wa- ter. It is generally pretty pure, although its transparency is often impaired from the mechanical suspension of earthy matter. * Celsus, B. 2. c. 18. t Pharm. U. S. 88 A.—Aqua. 4. AquA Putealis. Well Water. This is essentially the same as spring water, but more liable to impurity from its confinement, and slow infiltration through the walls, the soluble parts of which are carried along with it. Old wells are therefore generally superior to recent ones, and the more the water is drawn from it, the softer does it become. 5. AquA Nivata. Snow Water. This water from time immemorial has been deemed unwholesome; but it would seem an unfounded supposition. There is nothing in its composition in which it differs from rain water, and our fountains and rivers owe much of their water to the melting of snow during the warmer seasons. 6. AquA ex Lacu. Lake Water. The accumulation of Water in one place contaminated by the putrefying process of animal and vegetable bodies, must necessarily be less pure than those waters previously noticed. This will depend considerably also on the magnitude of the collection, and the degree of its stagnation. 7. AquA Paludosa. Marsh Water. As this is the most stagnant, so it is, generally speaking, the most impure of all water, and is more loaded with decomposing vegetable and animal matters. To what extent the impurities of water are capable of influencing their salubrity, has been a subject of inquiry from the remotest pe- riod. Too much importance has been attached to many of these na- tural contaminations. Unless in large amount, it is the height of affectation to suppose the quality ot water can be rendered noxious by the presence of minute portions of such earthy salts as usually occur in solution. No persons are healthier than the inhabitants of limestone districts; habituated to the use of water strongly impreg- nated with that earth, they feel no ill effect from it, whilst a stranger is generally disordered by its use. All metallic contaminations, with the exception perhaps of iron, are highly injurious, and should be carefully avoided. For the purification and preservation of water, numerous modes have been adopted. Mechanical impurities are removed by filtration in various ways; muddy water may also be cleared by adding a few grains of alum to each pint; and when water has contracted a putrid smell, it may be rendered sweet by passing it through charcoal, or by agitation with a small portion of magnesia, or with black oxyd of manganese, in the proportion of 1^ parts to 250 of water. Water, when kept for a long time in casks, especially on long voyages, is partially decomposed; carbureted hydrogen is evolved, which imparts to it its characteristic-taste and smell. This is partly obviated by charring the inside of the casks, or by substituting iron tanks for wooden vessels. In pharmacy, common water, if employed, should not be hard; filtered rain water will answer for most purposes. It is, however, A.—Aqua. 89 thought necessary on many occasions with an undue degree of refine- ment, to direct the use of AQUA DISTILLATA. E. L. D. A. Distilled Water. Syn. Eaudistillee, (F.) Einfaches distillertes wasser, (G.) Acqua distillata, (I.) Agua distillada, (S.) Let the water be distilled in clean vessels until two-thirds have come over, which is to be kept in a glass bottle. Ed. This process is more especially required for chemical processes, in which the heterogeneous matters removed by distillation, might produce changes not desirable; but for infusions or decoctions, it cannot be deemed essential, if pure rain or river water is at hand. It is best to avoid all unnecessary rules, lest they be infringed, with- out the possibility of detection. Whenever in extemporaneous pre- scriptions, the following substances are employed, distilled water may correctly be ordered, for changes are often induced by the che- mical action of the saline matters contained; viz. nitrat of silver, cuprum ammoniatum, corrosive sublimate, aqua ammoniae, sugar of lead, muriat of barytes, sulphuric acid, citric acid, tartar emetic, ferrum tartarizatum, &c. In order to test the purity of water, its transparency ought to be undisturbed by the nitrat of silver, muriat of barytes, or oxalat of ammonia. Of Mineral Waters. Although all waters that flow from the earth, are, inasmuch as they contain mineral bodies in solution, strictly speaking, mineral waters; yet custom has restricted the term to such only, as are dis- tinguished from those already mentioned, by a peculiarity in colour, taste, smell, or any obvious properties; or by the medicinal effects they are known to be capable of producing on the system. Whatever, however, may be strictly due to mineral waters as me- dicinal agents, certain it is, that far too much has been abscribed to them, and too little to the concurring circumstances of their exhibi- tion. There is scarcely a water found in nature which cannot be imi- tated by art, and even with much augmented strength; and yet it is sufficiently obvious, that drunk at home, they are not equally be- neficial, as when taken at their source. If this were not true, where is the necessity of ordering patients to take a long, and perhaps in- convenient and expensive tour, when our mineral fountains are at hand for their relief. A variety of causes co-operate to render the journey expedient and useful, of which the mere drinking of the wa- ters constitutes the least part. The journey itself, of perhaps some hundred miles, is an active source of health; a cessation from the continued routine of domestic and official duties; a complete change of the habits of life; of scene; of company: perhaps the substitution of a wholesome beverage, water, in place of excess in wine or ardent spi- rits. These and other causes which will occur upon reflection, will be found the most efficient sources of renewed health. In increasing the discharges from the various emunctories, the copious draughts of the mineral waters taken, undoubtedly are useful; but alone, they are inadequate to the end proposed. 12 90 A.—Aqua. Be this, however, as it may, it is usual to divide mineral waters into acidulous, chalybeate, sulphurous, and saline. Some springs are useful from the increased temperature which ac- companies them, rather than from any active ingredient in their com- position, and are called warm springs. Examples of which are found in every country. 1. Acidulje. Acidulous, Owe their properties chiefly to an excess of carbonic acid. They have an acid pungent taste, and sparkle like Champagne on being poured out. They generally contain some muriat of soda and some earthy carbonats. They are considered tonic and diuretic* They are transiently exhilarating in large doses; and stimulant. They are considered serviceable in bilious complains, atony of the stomach, nausea, vomiting, and fevers of a typhoid type. The most celebrated waters of this description, are those of Pyr- mont, Seltzer, Spa, on the continent of Europe; Cheltenham and Scarborough, in England; and Saratoga and Ballston, in the United States. 2. Chalybeate. Chalybeates. These contain iron in the form of sulphat, carbonat, or muriat. They have a styptic inky taste, strike a black colour with galls, oak bark, or other vegetable astringent: some of them, in which the iron is held dissolved by carbonic acid, are acidulous, and deposite the iron in form of an ochre, by boiling; as is the case with the Pyrmont and Spa water. Others, in which sulphuric acid is the solvent, re- tain their power of striking a black colour after being boiled and fil- tered. There is scarcely any country which does not largely abound with chalybeate springs. Tunbridge, Brighton, Bath, Scarborough, &c. in England; Carlsbad, Vichy, &c. on the Continent of Europe. With us, they are too numerous to mention. These waters are used as tonics in cases of debility, cachexia, chlorosis, fluor albus, amenorrhcea, and nervous diseases. They sti- mulate and increase the circulation; and generally act as gentle laxa- tives, from containing neutral salts. 3. Sulphureje. Sulphurous. These derive their character from sulphureted hydrogen, (hydro- sulphuric acid,) either uncombined or united with lime, an alkali, iron, &c. as at Enghein, Aix-la-Chapelle, Harrow gate, Moffat, and others in Europe. The sulphurous waters in our own country are also abundant. They are known by their stinking smell, resembling a rotten egg, or washing of a gun-barrel; they blacken a piece of bright silver when placed in them. * Which last property we believe will be admitted to belong even to com- mon water, when drank as largely. Dr. Meade, in his account of the Saratoga Springs, &c. mentions, seventy-five glassfuls of the water to have been drank in a. day!! If they had not fortunately proved diuretic, the person must have burst; for at the most moderate calculation of half pint glasses, it amounts to four gallons and a half, or the volume of a good-sized demi-john. A.—Aqua. 91 These are chiefly used in cutaneous and glandular diseases; they are stimulant and heating, and operate on the skin and bowels. 4. Saline. Saline. These, for the most part, are purgative, from containing different saline ingredients, such as common salt, which waters are known by their saltish taste; the formation of small crystals, in cubes, by eva- poration; precipitating the nitric solutions of lead, silver, or mercury in white clouds. Some of the proper purging springs, such as Epsom, &c. have a bitter taste, precipitate the nitric solutions of silver, lead, and mer- cury, are not affected by acids, but afford precipitates with carbonat of potash. Others are of an alkaline nature, and turn blue vegetable colours to a green, they effervesce with acids, and yield a precipitate with alum water. Such are Carlsbad, Barege, and some others. They are used in diseases of the urinary organs, and in morbid acidity of the stomach, &c. Some are calcareous, as Matlock, Buxton, and all hard waters, called also petrifying waters; they contain carbonat of lime in solu- tion, which they deposite, by standing or boiling.—In general they may be considered unwholesome. The presence of lime may be dis- covered by means of the oxalat of ammonia. Purging waters derive their effects from the neutral salts they contain, especially the muriats of soda, lime, and magnesia, and sul- fihats of soda and magnesia. They are frequently employed for a ong time together, to keep the bowels open, by exciting the natural action, rather than to produce full purging; and they thus tend to increase the appetite, health, and strength. The following table gives the contents of the celebrated Springs at Ballston, Sara- toga, and Lebanon, in New York, as analyzed by Dr. Meade. Names of the Springs. quan-tity of water. Gases. Carbonats of Muriates of 11 CO 2* ■3 O O 2 0 CO* a. s H Car-bonic Acid. Nitro-gen. atmos-pheric Air. Lime. Mag-nesia. © CO quart. cubic inches cubic inches grs. grs. grs. grs. grs. grs. grs. deg. Ballston. Lowes' Well -Public Well - 1 1 60£ 61 - Mi n 7i 11| 43 42 4 3J 2| 1* - I 1 1008 1008 52 52 Saratoga. Congress Sp. -Flat Rock - - 1 1 66 66 2 1 _ 27* 15* 17 10J 103 41 31 4| 4 - i i 1012 1007 1002 52 52 73 Lebanon - - - 2 - 13 8 i - 1* 1 - H Table of the more celebrated Mineral Waters in Europe, showing the Ingredients contained in a given Quantity of Water. quan-tity of Water. Gases. Carbonats of Sulphats of Muriats of OT a c 1 P < 1 Tem-pera-ture. Names of the Springs. r. 1 Car-°xy bonic P*- \ Acid. Sulph. Hydr. Nitro-gen. Soda. Lime. Iron. Soda. Lime. Soda. £ '.3 1 0 04 grains. cubic inches. cubic inches. cubic inches. cubic inches. grs. grs. grs. grs. grs. grs. grs. grs. grs. grs. grs. 2.8 9.1 8.0 grs. grs. 2.25 grs. grs. 6. f Seltzer (1) - - -s - 1 Pyrmont(l) - -:2=nl^.w.-.n. tluo m-ntti- mac Clio-- immediately alter the application of the caustic. If arsenic be present, a bright queen's yellow is instantly produced which remains permanent for nearly an hour: but when the lunar caustic produces a bright yellow before the ammonia is applied, we may suspect the presence of some phosphate rather than arsenic— l nom- son's London Dispensatory. 118 A.—Arsenicum. Preparations of Arsenic. 1. Arsenous acid, dissolved in distilled water, in the proportion of four grains to a pint. A table-spoonful of this solution, mixed with an equal quantity of milk, and a little syrup of popp™,« directed to be taken every morning fasting, and the iteqt ency of the dose gradually increased until six table-spoonfuls be taken daily. M. Le Febure's method of curing cancer. 2. Arsenous acid, in the solid form, as a pill. 3. Arsems Potass*. Arsenite of Potash, or Fowler's Solution.* Liquor Arsenicalis. L. Solutio Arsenicalis. E. Arsenical Solution. Solution of Arsenic. Take of Arsenous acid in fine powder, Subcarbonat of potass, each sixty-four grains; Distilled water, one pint.—Boil them together in a glass vessel until the arsenic is entirely dissolved. When the solution is cold, add thereto Compound Spirit of Lavender, four fluid drachms; and so much distilled water as shall altogether make a pint of fluid. The dose of this medicine is from two to fifteen drops, once, twice, or thrice a day; it may be safely augmented by slow degrees. I have administered it even to the extent of eighty drops three times a day.t I do not remember to have seen it noticed in any work; but I have remarked that in a bottle I have had by me for several years, that a decomposition had taken place, and the garlicky smell of the arsenic was very perceptible. Can this be dependant on the vegetable mat- ter of the lavender? 4. The Dublin college have introduced, and still retain the use of " Macquer's Arsenical salt," or Arsenias Kali. D. Arseniat of Kali, or Potash. Take of White oxyd of arsenic, Nitrat of kali, (nitre,) of each one ounce. Reduce them separately to powder; and, after mixing them, introduce them into a glass retort, placed in a sand bath', which is to be gradually heated, until the bottom of the retort becomes ob- scurely red. It is of advantage to transmit the vapours issuing from the retort, by means of a proper apparatus through distilled water, that the nitrous acid extricated by thejieat may be condensed. Dissolve the residuum in four pounds of ^boiling distilled water; and, after due evaporation, set it aside to \rystallize. In this process the nitric acid is partly decomposed, and passes over into the receiver in the state of nitrous a<||d. The arsenous acid is at the same time converted into arsenic acid, and combines with the potass. The product, which is arseniat of pjfetass, is found in the bottom of the retort, which may be obtained in%e form of crystals of a prismatic figure, by dissolving it in distilled'water, filtering the solution through paper, evaporating and crystallizing. Dose -j^th to ^■th of a grain, formed into a pill with crumb of bread. 5. Arsenic is used, moreover, combined with six times its weight * Called in the Pharm. U. S. Liquor Potassac Arseniatis, but corrected sub- sequently to Arsenitis. \ See Philadelphia Med. Museum. A.—Artemisia. 119 of black pepper, by the native physicians in the East Indies for the cure of the Persian fire, (syphilis,) and a species of elephantiasis, called juzam. It is also highly recommended in the bites of venom- ous serpents in large doses of several grains. See Eclectic Repert. vol. iii. p. 324. 6. Arsenous acid, in substance, to the extent of an eighth of a grain for a dose, combined with a little of the flowers of sulphur, has been said to be employed internally in some very obstinate cases of cutaneous diseases, and with the best effect.* ARTEMISIA. 1. Artemisia Abrotanum. D. Southernwood. The leaves. Syngenesia Superfl.ua. Nat. Ord. Nucamentaceae, Linn. Corymbiferae, Juss. Syn. Citronelle Auronne, (F.) Eberante, Staburerz, (G.) This is a perennial shrub, which grows readily in our gardens, though a native of the south of Europe. Southernwood lias a strong smell, which to most people is not disagreeable; it has a pungent, bitter, and somewhat nauseous taste. These qualities are very completely extracted by alcohol, and the tinc- ture is of a beautiful green colour. They are less perfectly extracted by watery liquors, the infusion being of a light brown colour. Medical use.—Southernwood, as well as other species of the same genus, particularly the absinthium and santonica, has been recom- mended as an anthelmintic, and it has also been sometimes used as a stimulant, detergent, and sudorific. Externally, it has been em- ployed in discutient and antiseptic fomentations; and under the form of lotion and ointment for cutaneous eruptions, and for preventing the hair from falling off. But it is at present very rarely used in any way. It appears to have been applied to the os uteri hi amenorrhoea, by Hippocrates.—Fasius, p. 586. 2. Artemisia Santonica. E. Santonicum. D. Tartarian Southernwood. Wormseed. The Tops and Seeds. Syn. Sementine, (F.) Tartarisches Beyfus, (G.) Santonico, (I.) 2*vrwev, Dioscor. The Edinburgh and Dublin Colleges have given this species as the plant which produces these seeds, but it is by no means ascertained. They have been ascribed by different writers to other species of the same genus, the Judaica, the Contra, and the Austriaca, and are even said by Saunders to be the produce of a species of Chenopodium. The seeds themselves are small, oblong, smooth, and of a green- ish or grayish-yellow colour. As the whole head is gathered after the seeds are ripe, they are mixed with the scales of the calices and bits of stalks. Their taste is bitter, and somewhat acrid; their smell strong and disagreeable. Those which come from Alep- po are esteemed the best, and those from Barbary the worst. When * Mr. John Marshall's essay, entitled " Remarks on Arsenic, considered as a poison and a medicine," ike. is strongly recommended to the consideration of the reader. Also, Mr. Hill's paper in the Edinburgh Medical Journal. 120 A.—Artemisia. they have no smell, and a less intensely bitter taste, and are disco- loured, and mixed with a longer kind of seed, they are to be reject- ed. They are also adulterated with the seeds of tansy and worm- wood. The latter are easily known, by having a light yellow colour, and resembling powdered hay more than seeds. Neumann obtained from 480 parts, 213 of alcoholic extract, and 110 watery, and in- versely, 260 watery, and 28 alcoholic. It gave a slight flavour to water distilled from it, but no oil. Medical use.—Wormseed, now rejected by the London College, is one of the oldest and most common anthelmintics, especially in the lumbrici of children. On account of their essential oil, they are heating and stimulating. They are given to children, 1. In substance to the extent of ten grains, or half a drachm, finely powdered, and strewed on bread and butter: or made into an electuary with honey or treacle; or candied with su- gar; or diffused through milk, and taken in the morning when the stomach is empty. 2. In infusion or decoction, but to these forms their bitterness is a strong objection. After they have been used for some days, it is customary to give a cathartic, or they are combined from the beginning with rhubarb, jalap, calomel, sulphat of iron, or muriat of ammonia. 3. Artemisia Absinthium. E. Absinthium. Z. Common Wormwood. Leaves and Flowering Heads. Syn. Absinthe Commun, (F.) Wormuth, (G.) Assenzio, (I.) A^/vflw, Dioscor. This perennial herb grows by the road-sides and on rubbish in many parts of Britain; and about London is cultivated for medical use. Its smell is strong and disagreeable; its taste intensely bitter. Its active constituents are bitter extractive and essential oil. It is used in stomach complaints, and is of great service to hypochon- drists. It is also employed in intermittent fevers, in cachectic and hydropic affections, in jaundice, and against worms. Many persons cannot suffer the disagreeable smell of wormwood, which is apt to occasion head-ache, but it may be freed from it in a great measure by decoction. The extract is a pure and simple bitter. The essential oil is of a dark green colour, and contains the whole flavour of the plant. It is stimulating, and is supposed to be a powerful antispas- modic and anthelmintic. It was formerly much used for the prepa- ration of medicated wines and ales. |C7- The following remark of an excellent old professor, Fran- ciscus de la Boe Sylvius, to Dr. Baynard, as related in a letter from this last to Sir John Floyer, on cold baths, we doubt not will apply to nine-tenths of all the articles of the Veg. Mat. Medica. " I re"- member, (says the worthy doctor,) when I was at Leyden, in Hol- land, not much short of forty years since, walking in the physic garden, a Scotch gentleman, a student there, asked the Professor, what Absinthium marinum* was good for? The Professor smilingly * A plant long used in the shops instead of the true Roman wormwood. See James' Pharmacop. Univers. p. 202. A.—Arum Triphyllum. 121 asked him, what countryman he was? He answered Scoto-Britan- nus. He asked him, if, in their metropolis, Edinburgh, they had not such a punishment as the boot, to extort confession from the stubborn criminals? He answered, yes. Why then, quoth Sylvius, take this plant in his luxuriant season, root and branch, and clap him into the boot, and squeeze it hard, for without it confesses, I doubt neither thee nor /shall ever know what his virtues are." We apprehend, the trial of the boot might well apply to other plants than the one in question! ARUM MAC ULATUM. D. Wake-robin. Cuckow-pint. The recent Root. Monoecia Polyandria, Nat. Ord. Piperitse, Linn. Aroidese, Juss. Syn. Gouet, (F.) Arouswurzel, (G.) Aro, (I.) This is a perennial, solid, bulbous-rooted plant, which grows wild in shady situations, and by the sides of banks, in many parts of Bri- tain. The root is knotty, roundish, and white. When collected in spring before the leaves shoot, or in autumn after flowering, it con- tains a milky juice of very great acrimony. Applied to the tongue, it causes a burning heat which lasts for many hours, and excites con- siderable thirst. These disagreeable symptoms may be relieved by buttermilk or oily fluids. Rubbed between the fingers, it blisters and excoriates them; it is therefore a corrosive vegetable poison. In the state of dry.powder, it is perfectly inert, but the roots may be preserved fresh for a year by burying them in a cellar in sand. It is also rendered perfectly mild by frequent washing with water. Its acrimony is therefore easily destructible; and, as it does not arise from the presence of an essential oil, it depends upon a vegetable principle different from all others, and not well understood. It does not rise in distillation either with alcohol or with water, and is not contained in its extract, although the root is thereby deprived of it. Neumann obtained from 480 of the dry root 20 of alcoholic extract, and about 180 watery. The former had some slight pungency, and the latter none. Medical use.—In the recent root, the degree of acrimony is so very uncertain, and often so excessive, that its effects, as an inter- nal remedy, cannot be depended on. The dried root is perfectly in- ert, so much so, that the French prepare from it the harmless but high-priced cosmetic called Cypress powder; but the fresh root may be kept in a state fit for medical use, for a year, by burying it in a cellar in sand. It is given in chlorotic cachectic cases, and in a re- laxed state of the stomach supposed to arise from an accumulation of phlegm, and in some rheumatic affections, in the dose of ten or fifteen grains, three times a day, in the form of a conserve or bolus. ARUM TRIPHYLLUM. Indian Turnip. Dragon-root. The Root.* The acrimony of the recent root of this plant is well known. By drying, much of this is lost. It has been very beneficial in asthma, * Arum, Pharm. U. S. 16 122 A__Asarum Europseum. especially in old people; in the croup and hooping cough. The re- cent root boiled in lard to the consistence of an ointment, has been found useful in tinea capitis; the fresh root boiled in milk has been advantageously employed in consumption. Dr. Mease recommends the following as the best form for exhibiting it: " Grate one dried root, and boil it in half a pint of milk." Some acrimony should be perceptible to the tongue and throat in its exhibition. He says it never affects the general circulation, but acts solely on the parts just named; to the glands of which it is a powerful stimulus, causing a copious secretion of mucus. A fine sago has been prepared from the root, in the proportion of one part, to four of the root, freed from its exterior coat. For the particular details respecting this plant, see Bigelow and Barton's Medical Botany. ASARUM EUROPIUM. E. L. D. Asarabacca. The Leaves. Dodecandria Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Sarmentaceae, Linn. Aristolochias, Juss. Syn. Asaret; Cabaret, (F.) Hazelwurtzel, (G.) Asaroon, (Ar.) Asaro, la bacchera, (I.) Asaro de Europa, (S.) This perennial plant is a native of some places of England, although the dried roots are generally brought from the Levant. It grows in moist and shady situations. It produces only two leaves, which are uniform and very obtuse. The root is fibrous, of a gray brown co- lour externally, but white within. Both the roots and leaves have a nauseous, bitter, acrimonious, hot taste; their smell is strong, and not very disagreeable. In its analysis, it is said by Neumann to agree with ipecacuanha, but it seem to con-tain, besides its odorous principle, which is pro- bably camphor, a portion of the same acrid principle, which has been noticed when speaking of arum. Upon this its virtues depend; and as this principle is volatile, we find accordingly that asarabacca loses much of its activity by decoction and long keeping. Medical use.—Given in substance from half a drachm to a drachm, it evacuates powerfully both upwards and downwards. It is said, that tinctures made in spirituous menstrua possess both the emetic and cathartic virtues of the plant: that the extract obtained by inspis- sating these tinctures acts only by vomiting, and with great mildness: that an infusion in water proves cathartic, rarely emetic: that aque- ous decoctions made by long boiling, and the watery extract, have no purgative or emetic quality, but prove good diaphoretics, diuretics, and emmenagogues. The principal use of this plant is as a sternutatory. The root of asarum is perhaps the strongest of all the vegetable errhines, white hellebore itself not excepted. Snuffed up the nose, in the quantity of a grain or two, it occasions a large evacuation of mucus, and raises a plentiful spitting. The leaves are considerably milder; and may be used to the quantity of three, four, or five grains. Geoffroy relates, that after snuffing up a dose of this errhine at night, he has fre- quently observed the discharge from the nose to continue for three A.—Asclepias Tuberosa. 123 days together: and that he has known a paralysis of the mouth and tongue cured by one dose. He recommends this medicine in stub- born disorders of the head, proceeding from viscid tenacious matter, in palsies, and in soporific distempers. ASARUM CANADENSE. Canada Snake-root. Wild Ginger, fyc. The Root. * Although approaching the preceding species in form, it differs from it in its effects on the human system. From the agreeable aromatic taste of the root, the names of Wild Ginger and Snake-root have been given it in different parts of the country. It is also known by that of Colt's Foot. By analysis, Dr. Bigelow obtained from the root a light coloured, pungent, volatile oil, a resin of a reddish colour and very bitter, faecula, and a gummy mucus. It is not emetic as usually asserted, even in doses of half a drachm. It is considered as a substitute for ginger, and it is said to act as a warm stimulant and diaphoretic. Upon the whole, it may well be dispensed with for medical use. ASCLEPIAS TUBEROSA. Asclepias Decumbens, &ct Butterfly weed. Pleurisy Root. Flux Root, fyc. The Root. Pentandria Digynia. This is one of our most beautiful perennial plants, flourishing best in a light, sandy soil, by the way side, under fences, and near old stumps in rye fields, &c. It abounds in the southern states. There are sometimes fifteen or twenty, or more stalks, the size of a pipe stem, proceeding from one root, rising from one to two feet in height, and spreading to % considerable extent, generally in a decumbent position. The stalks are round and woolly, of a reddish brown co- lour on the sun side; the leaves stand irregularly, and are spear, or tongue-shaped, with a short foot stalk, and covered with a fine down on the under surface. The umbels are compact at the extremities of the branches, and formed like the common silkweed, but differing from it in the colour of the flowers, being of a beautiful bright orange colour, while those of the silkweed are of a pale purplish hue. The flowers appear in July and August, and are distinguished by their size and brilliancy from all the flowers of the field. These are suc- ceeded by long slender pods, containing the seeds, which have a de- licate kind of silk attached to them. This is probably the only variety of asclepias that is destitute of a milky juice. The root is spindle, or carrot shape, of a light brownish colour on the outer surface, white, coarse and striated within. It has been long celebrated in Virginia and the Carolinas, as a remedy in pleurisy, and in pneumo- nic affections in general. It is said to display a "remarkable power of affecting the skin, inducing general and plentiful perspiration without heating the body. In the form of decoction it often induces a diaphoresis when other medicines have failed to produce that effect. The powdered root frequently acts as a mild purgative, but it is par- * Asarum, Pharm. U. S. secondary. f Pharm. U. S. secondary. 124 A.—Asclepias Incarnata. ticularly valuable for its virtues as an expectorant, diaphoretic, and febrifuge, and in this respect its efficacy is amply confirmed by the testimony of Dr. Benjamin Parker, of Bradford, Massachusetts, from his own observation during an extensive practice of twenty-five years. In pneumonic fevers, recent colds, catarrhs and diseases of the breast in general, this remedy has in his hands proved equally efficacious. He directs it to be given in the form of strong infusion, a tea-cupful every two or three hours. By many families in the country this root has long been esteemed as a domestic medicine, and resorted to for the relief of pains of the stomach from flatulence and indigestion, hence the vulgar name of wind root, by which it is known in some parts of the country, and from its colour it is by some called white root. As a diaphoretic, Dr. Chapman speaks of it in a manner equally favourable. Dr. Bigelow has given an engraving of this plant in his medical botany, and very fully detailed all the information possessed respect- ing it. ASCLEPIAS SYRIACA.* Common Silkweed. The Root. From the abundance of its ffiilky juice, this has also been called milk-weed. The leaves are spear or tongue-shaped, larger than the preceding, and in August, its aggregater reddish, or purple blossoms, are exhibited at the extremities of the branches and axillae of the leaves. The seeds are contained in large oblong pods, and are crowd- ed with down extremely fine and soft, resembling silk, which has occasioned the name of silkweed. This substance has been mixed with cotton, and spun into candle-wicks. The stalk of this species is from three to six feet high, the leaves large, standing on short foot stalks. A milky juice exudes from the stems or leaves when broken. The root, as soon as it penetrates the earth, shoots off horizontally, and often sends out other stalks. The large roots are cortical and ligneous. It abounds near fences on the road side in all parts of the country. Dr. Abijah Richardson, of Medway, Massachusetts, has been in- duced to try the effects of this species. He gave the cortical part of the root in powder, one drachm in a day, in divided doses, and also in strong infusion. An asthmatic patient was much benefited by its use. In one case of typhus fever, with catarrhal affection of the throat and bronchias, it rendered the expectoration more copious, and the matter thicker and more digested. In both cases it had an anodyne effect; the patients were relieved from pain, from dyspncea and cough; and expectoration became easier, and sleep more re- freshing, ASCLEPIAS INCARNATA.* Fleslh-coloured Asclepias. The Root. I know nothing of the virtues of this plant. The family of asclepias is very abundant, and it is probable they are all possessed of the same properties in different degrees. * Pharm. U. S. secondary. A.—Assafcetida. 125 ASSAFCETIDA. E. L. D. Assafcetida. Gum Resin. Ferula Assafcetida. A. Pentandria Digynia. Nat. Ord. Umbellatse. Syn. Assafetida, (F.) Stinkender Asand, (G.) Assafetida, (I.) Assafetida, (S.) Hiltect, (Ar.) Hing, (H.) Hinga, (San.) 2/\

Carota, Pharm. U. S. secondary. * A peculiar resinous, crystallizable matter, of a satin-white appearance- rough, inodorous, and insipid, has been found in cloves by Mr. Lolibert, who calls it caryophyllin. C.—Cassia. 169 CASSIA. 1. CASSIA FISTULA. E. D. L. A. Cathartocarpus Fistula. Purging Cassia. The Pulp of the Pods. Decandria Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Lomentacese, Linn. Leguminosx, Juss. Syn. Casse, (F.) Rohnkassie, (G.) Polpa di Cassia, (I.) Fistularis, (S.) Ameltas, (H.) Suvernaca, (San.) Th.vKcx&xa.y.w, Myrepsici, ultimi fere Gr»- corum Medicorum. Chaiarxambar, of the Egyptians, Prosp. Alpinus. Cap. 2. de plant. Egypt. This tree is indigenous in India and Egypt, and is cultivated in Jamaica. It rises to about thirty feet high, and has long flower spikes, with yellow papilionaceous blossoms. Its fruit is a cylindrical pod, a foot or more in length, and scarcely an inch in diameter: the outside is a hard brown bark; the inside is divided by thin, transverse, woody plates, covered with a soft black pulp, of a sweetish taste, with some degree of acrimony. There are two sorts of this drug in the shops; one brought from the East Indies, the other from the West, (Cassia Javanica?) the canes or pods of the latter are generally large, rough, thick-rhined, and the pulp nauseous; those of the former are less, smoother, the pulp blacker, and of a sweeter taste; this sort is preferred to the other. Such pods should be chosen as are weighty, new, and do not make a rattling noise, (from the seeds being loose within them,) when shaken. The pulp should be of a bright, shining, black colour, and have a sweet taste, neither harsh, which happens from the fruit be- ing gathered before it has grown fully ripe, nor sourish, which it is apt to become upon keeping; not at all mouldy, which, from its being kept in damp cellars, or moistened, in order to increase its weight, it is very subject to be. Greatest part of the pulp dissolves both in water and in alcohol, and may be extracted from the pod by either. The shops employ water, boiling the bruised pod therein, and afterwards evaporating the solution to a due consistence. Vauquelin has analyzed this pulp, and found it to consist of pa- renchyma, gluten, gelatin, gum, extractive, and sugar. Medical use.—The pulp of cassia, from its saccharine and extrac- tive constituents, is a gentle laxative medicine, and is frequently given, in a dose of some drachms, in costive habits. Some direct a dose of two ounces or more, as a cathartic, in inflammatory cases, where the more acrid purgatives are improper; but in these large quantities it generally excites nausea, produces flatulencies, and sometimes gripings of the bowels, especially if the cassia be not of a very good kind: these effects may be prevented by the addition of aromatics, and by exhibiting it in a liquid form. 2.. CASSIA SENNA. E. SENNA. L. D. A. Senna. The Leaves, and Follicles. Syn. S6n£, (F.) Sennablater, (G.) Senna, (I.) Sena, (Ar.) Seni Mecci, (H.) This species of cassia is annual, although in its mode of growth it resembles a shrub, and sends out hollow wooden stems, to the height of four feet. It grows principally in Upper Egypt, from whence the leaves are brought, dried, and picked from the stalks, to Alexandria 22 170 C.-^Cassia. in Egypt, and thence imported into Europe. They are of an oblong figure, sharp-pointed at the ends, about a quarter of an inch broad, and not a full inch in length, of a lively, yellowish-green colour, a faint, not very disagreeable smell, and a sub-acrid, bitterish, nause- ous taste. Some inferior sorts are brought from other places. These may easily be distinguished by their being either narrower, longer, and sharper pointed, from Mocha; or larger, broader, and round pointed, with small prominent veins, from Italy; or larger and obtuse, of a fresh green colour, without any yellow cast, from Tri- poli. It has been customary to reject the pedicles of the leaves of senna, as causing gripes and pains in the bowels; but this is a mere preju- dice, for both leaves and pedicles act in the very same way. Neu- mann from 480 parts of Senna got 143 alcoholic extract, and after- wards 140 watery; and inversely, 245 watery, and only 28 alcoholic, so that it seems to consist chiefly of mucilage and extractive. A pe- culiar principle called cathartin, seems to be the source of the activity of senna. Medical use.—Senna is a very useful cathartic, operating mildly and yet effectually; and judiciously dosed and managed, rarely oc- casions the ill consequences which too frequently follow the exhibi- tion of the stronger purges. The only inconveniences complained of in this drug are, its being apt to gripe, and its nauseous flavour. These are best obviated by adding to the senna some aromatic sub- stance, as ginger, cinnamon, &c. and by facilitating its operation by drinking plentifully of any mild diluent. I have found the griping effects of this medicine prevented by giving it in combination with a strong solution of extract of liquo- rice. Senna may be given in substance to the extent of about a drachm, but it is rather too bulky, and it is therefore better to divide it into two doses, and to take the one half at night and the other in the morning. It is more conveniently given in the form of infusion, which is generally made by pouring about six ounces of boiling water upon from two to six drachms of senna leaves in a tea-pot, and letting it stand about an hour. Senna ought never to be ordered in decoction, Gren says, because it becomes perfectly inert from the total dissipa- tion of the nauseous and volatile principle on which its purgative effects depend; (questionable.) The tincture, on account of the men- struum, cannot be given in doses large enough to purge. Professor Bigelow has made an observation of some importance in relation to this article, viz. that there is no doubt that the true Alexandrian senna is the product of the cassia senna of Linnaeus and Willdenow; and that Lamarck has occasioned unnecessary con- fusion on this subject, and misled botanists by changing the Linnasan name Cassia Senna to Cassia Lanceolata, whilst he has appropriated the name Cassia Senna to the variety /3 of Linnaeus, which is the Italian senna, and since named Cassia Italica. The greater part of senna employed in the United States, comes from the East Indies. It is certainly desirable that this valuable purgative should be do- mesticated amongst us; there can be very little doubt that it would C—Cassia. 171 succeed in the south. The seeds might readily be obtained through the medium of our merchant vessels. The East India senna seems to be less adulterated than that of Alexandria or Tripoli. The merchants of Cairo mix the leaves of the senna imported from Alexandria, with those of cynanchum oleafolium and colulea arbo- rescens. The former are distinguished by their greater length, as well as by their structure, which differs from the leaves of senna, in having a strait side, and being regular at their base, and in not dis- playing any lateral nerves on the under disk; the latter are so dif- ferent from senna leaves, that there is no difficulty in at once recog- nising them. The Tripoli senna contains a much larger proportion of cynanchum, &c. As a general rule, those leaves which appear bright, fresh, free from stalks and spots, that are well and strongly scented, smooth and soft to the touch, thoroughly dry, sharp-pointed, bitterish, and somewhat nauseous, are to be preferred. Under the head of Senna, in Gray's Supplement to the Pharmaco- poeia, we have the following information:— "Alexandria Senna, Choice Senna. " Made up by the merchants of Cairo, of five hundred weight of the leaves of cassia lanceolata, three hundred weight of those of cassia senna, and two hundred weight of those of cynanchum arguel. "Tripoli Senna, Common Senna. " Contains a larger proportion of cynanchum arguel, as also va- rious proportions of periploca graeca, and different species of apo- cynum." For particular information on the subject of Senna, the reader is referred to the observations of M. Nectoux. Voyage dans la haute Egypte, au dessus des Cataractes; avec des observations sur les diverses especes de Sene, qui sont repandues dans le Commerce. Paris, 1800. 3. CASSIA. MARILANDICA. American Senna. The Leaves. C. riparia, Rafinesque. This tall and beautiful plant, though distinguished by the name of Marilandica, is by no means limited to that state; it is found from New England to Carolina, and westward to the banks of the Mis- souri. It is an herbaceous perennial plant, four or five feet in height, flowering in July and August. This plant is related to the preceding, (the Cassia Senna,) both in botanical habit and medical powers. It seems, however, to be generally admitted, that the Cassia Marilandica is considerably in- ferior in strength to the other, which is sufficient to prevent its en- tirely superseding it. It is admitted into the Pharm. of the U. S. 172 C—Castoreum. CARTHAMUS. Dyer's Saffron. The Flowers. All the British Colleges have united in discarding this from their catalogues. Its virtues may be learned from old Dispensatories. It is introduced into the secondary list of the Pharm. of the U. S. as is likewise, the CASTANEA. Chinquapin. The Bark. Of its virtues, except as regards the edible nature of its nut, we know little. CASTOREUM. E. L. D. A. Castor. The substance collected in the follicles near the anus of the Castor Fiber, or Beaver. Syn. Castoreum, (F.) Kastoreunt, (G.) Castoro, (I.) Castoreo, (S.) Ash butchegan, (Ar.) Goona beyduster, (Persian.) Although sanctioned by the authority of the European Colleges, we candidly confess our scepticism as to the alleged virtues of this medicine; and should have rejoiced to have seen it omitted in our national list. If articles of medicine are to be chosen from their powerful odour, certainly we possess one superior to musk, to cas- tor, and to the whole catalogue of antispasmodics. I mean the pole- cat or skunk. Why its virtues have never been commemorated amongst our indigenous productions, I much wonder! We may say with respect to all these productions of the animal kingdom, that they are not more established in character, than hun- dreds in former time, which have now sunk into oblivion. It is scarcely a century, since the pharmacopoeias embraced from twenty to thirty different varieties of faeces! from that of man, to the mouse and weazel; not to mention the Album Gr cecum, which still holds a place in some foreign countries. Why should not these and many more maintain their standing, if the castor, and musk, &c. secreted fluids hardened by age, &c. deserve the high encomiums bestowed upon them? Consider the contents of the alimentary canal, and we shall have an idea of the probable powers of the faecal matters. A mixture of saliva, of gastric, pancreatic, and hepatic secretions, &c. of exhalations from the arteries, &c. and the offal remnants of the animal and vegetable food taken in. To this, from changes ensuing in the affinities of some of the principles united thus together, we have an odour, which, if less agreeable, is fully as powerful as that of either musk or castor; and, in medicinal efficacy, I am persuaded would be vastly superior. That of man, or some preparation of it, was formerly supposed " to cure the ague, inflamed wounds, and the quinsie; sore eyes, baldness, corroding ulcers, and fistulas; the stone and gravel, bitings of mad dogs, and other venomous beasts; it helped dropsies, and was very effectual in the cure of epilepsy. An oil distilled from it, cured scald heads, gout, cancer, mortifica- tions, erysipelas, jaundice, &c.;" and the occidental civet, which bore C—Castoreum. 173 a character equal or superior to that of musk, we are told was made thereof, " being nothing but the true essence of man's dung." But enough of this; de gustibus non disputandum. All that is meant by these observations is not to recommend the re-introduction of those nauseous remedies, but to endeavour to persuade the good sense of practitioners to reject the few which are still left. Whatever is said of castor, musk, &c. has been equally affirmed of hundreds of other articles, now extinct from the list of medicines, and nothing but the extravagant prices of those mentioned, keeps them still in use. Unconnected with the stimulants, &c. cotemporaneously em- ployed, I suspect few practitioners would be content to depend upon them; and what benefit they may occasionally produce, are in cases, in which probably assafetida, &c. would be equally availing. If, nevertheless, we must continue in the routine of our predecessors, let us add to the list of animal secretions, that of the pole-cat; which, at least in the country, maybe obtained purer, at less expense, and more readily, than the costly articles of foreign origin. With respect to the particular article to be considered here, the castor, we proceed to observe: That the beaver is strongly charac- terized by its flat, horizontal, scaly tail. It is an amphibious animal, and is found in the northern parts of Europe, Asia, and America, on the banks of lakes and rivers. In inhabited countries it is a solitary slothful animal, but in desert regions it lives in society; the remark- able manners of which, and the immense works effected by the united labours of all the individuals of their republic, have rendered the natural history of this animal familiar to every one. In both sexes, between the anus and pudendum, there are four follicles of an oblong shape, smaller above and larger below, formed of a tough membrane, almost resembling leather. The two largest and undermost of these, which are also connected, and lie parallel and close to each other, contain an oily fluid secretion, which is the substance known by the name of castor. It is preserved by cutting out. the entire bags, and drying them in the smoke. The best castor comes from Russia, Prussia, and Poland. The cods should be dry, gibbous, roundish, heavy, solid, and filled with a solid substance, contained in membranous cells, somewhat tough, but brittle, of a dark brown colour, of a peculiar disagreeable, nar- cotic smell, and a nauseous, bitter, acrid taste. The Canadian cas- tor is of an inferior quality; the cods are smaller, thin, oblong and much corrugated, and the castor itself has much less smell and taste: what is very old, quite black, and almost destitute of smell and taste, is unfit for use, as well as the counterfeited castor, which is a mix- ture of various gummy resins and other substances, with a little real castor, artificially interspersed with membranes, and stuffed into the scrotum of a goat. This imposition is easily detected by the weaker degree of its smell and taste, by chemical analysis, and even by mere external examination; for to the real bags, the two smaller and upper follicles, filled with a fatty matter, are always attached. Neumann got from 480 parts of castor, 140 alcoholic extract, and afterwards 80 watery; inversely, 140 watery, and 20 alcoholic. The first alcoholic extract retained the whole flavour of the castor as 174 C.—Cataplasmata. none of it rose in distillation with the alcohol. The distilled water, on the contrary, contained the whole flavour, and the watery ex- tract was merely bitter. Cartheuser obtained from it a volatile oil by distillation. Bouillon Lagrange says it is composed of a resin, adipocere, volatile oil, and extractive, and Langier has discovered benzoic acid in it. Borm, of Amsterdam, analyzed fresh castor, and found it to con- sist of one-third volatile oil, one-half adipocere, and a little resin; one-sixth of membrane, and one-fourth of carbonat of lime. It lost by drying, forty per cent. The essential oil seems, therefore to be either dissipated by drying, or converted into resin by absorbing oxygen. Medical use.—Castor is said to be an excellent antispasmodic. It is very little heating, and acts peculiarly upon the uterine system. It is given, 1. In typhoid fevers. 2. In spasmodic diseases, especially in hysteria and epilepsy, and in cases of difficult parturition, from a spasmodic con- traction of the mouth of the uterus after the membranes have burst. i 3. In amenorrhosa. \ It is exhibited most advantageously in the form of powder, in doses of from 10 to 20 grains, and in clysters to a drachm. Diluted alco- hol extracts its virtues; therefore it may be also given in the form of tincture. But its exhibition in the form of extract or decoction is improper. C ATAPL ASMATA.—CA TA PLASMS. By cataplasms are in general understood those external applica- tions which are brought to a due consistence or form, for being pro- perly applied, not by means of oily or fatty matters, but by water or watery fluids. Of these many are had recourse to in actual prac- tice; but they are seldom prepared in the shops of the apothecaries; and in some of the best modern pharmacopoeias no formula of this kind is introduced. The London and Dublin Colleges, however, although they have abridged the number of cataplasms, still retain a few; and it is not without some advantage that there are fixed forms for the preparation of them. Cataplasma Fermenti. L. Yeast Cataplasm. Take of Flour, one pound; Yeast of Beer, half a pint. Mix and expose to a gentle heat, till the mass begins to swell. The yeast excites fermentation in the flour, and converts the whole into a thin dough. This cataplasm is considered as a very efficacious application to putrid or putrescent ulcers or tumours. Sometimes some charcoal powder is added to this preparation, in order to ob- viate the foetor. C.—Centaurea. 175 Cataplasma Sinapeos. D. (Sinapis. L.) Mustard Cataplasm. Take of Mustard seed, powdered, crumb of bread, of each, half a pound; Vinegar, as much as is sufficient. Mix and make a cata- plasm. Cataplasms of this kind are commonly known by the name of Sinapisms. They were formerly frequently prepared in a more com- plicated state containing garlic, black soap, and other similar arti- cles; but the above simple form will answer every purpose that they are capable of accomplishing. They are employed only as sti- mulants: they often inflame the part and raise blisters, but not so perfectly as cantharides. They are frequently applied to the soles of the feet in the low state of acute diseases, for raising the pulse and relieving the head. The chief advantage they have depends on the suddenness of their action.* Sinapisms may be made stronger, by adding two ounces of scraped horse-raddish. CENTAUREA BENEDICTA. E. Carduus Benedictus. D. Blessed Thistle. Leaves or Plant. Syngenesia~)„, _ , C Composite Capitatse, Linn. Frustranea. 3 ' t Cinarocephalae, Juss. Syn. Chardon benit, (F.) Kardo benediktenkraet, (G.) Curdo santo, (I.) Curdo bendito, (S.) Axopva, Theophrasti. This is an annual plant, indigenous in the Grecian islands, and cultivated in gardens: it flowers in June and July, and perfects its seeds in the autumn. The herb should be gathered when in flower, quickly dried, and kept in a very dry airy place, to prevent its rot- ting or growing mouldy, which it is very apt to do. The leaves have a penetrating bitter taste, not very strong or very durable, accom- panied with an ungrateful flavour, from which they are in a great measure freed by keeping. Water extracts, in a little time, even without heat, the lighter and more grateful parts of this plant; if the digestion be continued for some hours, the disagreeable parts are taken up. A strong decoction is very nauseous and offensive to the stomach. Rectified spirit gains a very pleasant bitter taste, which remains uninjured in the extract. Neumann got from 1920 parts 270 alcoholic, and afterwards 390 watery extract, and inversely 600 watery and 60 alcoholic. Medical use.—The virtues of this plant seem to be little known in the present practice. The nauseous decoction is sometimes used to provoke vomiting; and a strong infusion to promote the operation of other emetics. But this elegant bitter, when freed from the offen- sive parts of the herb, may be advantageously applied to other pur- poses. Excellent effects have been frequently experienced from a * On this quickness of action a very important end in practice may be attain- ed, and which I have pursued with the best effect, viz. to apply a mustard ca- taplasm, (in pleurisy, &c.) for some time, when the disposition to vesication is so strongly excited, that an epispastic will rise in half its usual time, which in many cases is of the utmost consequence. 176 C—Cephaelis. slight infusion of carduus in loss of appetite, where the stomach was injured by irregularities. A stronger infusion made in cold or warm water, if drunk freely, and the patient kept warm, occasions a plen- tiful sweat, and promotes the secretions in general. The extract, prepared by evaporating the expressed juice, with the addition of a little alcohol to prevent it from becoming mouldy, has been strongly recommended in the catarrh of children. The seeds of this plant are also considerably bitter, and have been sometimes used with the same intention as the leaves. CEPHAELIS. Spec. Plant. Willd. i. 977 CI. 5. Ord. 1. Pentandria Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Aggregataj, Linn. G. 357. Flowers in an involucred head. Corolla tubular. Stigma two-parted. Berry two-seeded. Receptacle chaffy. Species nova. Cephaelis vel Callicocca Ipecacuanha.* Ipecacuan, Linn. Soc. Trans, vi. p. 137. t. 2. Officinal. Ipecacuanha radix, Lond. Edin. Dub. A. The root of Ipecacuan. Syn. Ipecacuanne, (F.) Brechwerzel, (G.) Ipecacuana, (I.) Ipecacuanha, (S.) This plant is a perennial, found growing in shadowy moist situa- tions in the forests of the provinces of Pernambuqua, Bahia, Rio Janeiro, Paulensia, Mariannia, and other provinces of the Brazils; flowering in December, January, February, and March; and ripen- ing its berries in May. The root is simple, or somewhat branched, and furnished here and there with short radicles; it is roundish, three or four inches in length, and two or three lines in thickness; bent in different directions, externally brown, and annulated with prominent, unequal roughish rings. The stem is procumbent at the base, rising from five to nine inches in height, round, the thickness of a hen's quill; smooth, brown, leafless, and knotted in the lower part, but leafy towards the apex: after the first year it throws out runners, from which, about six inches apart, new erect stems arise. The in- ferior leaves are caducous, so that not more than eight generally re- main at the summit of each stem when it flowers: they are almost sessile, opposite, spreading, ovate, pointed at both ends, three or four inches long, and less than two broad; of a deep green colour on the upper surface, and of a whitish green, downy, and veined on the under. At the base of each pair of leaves are sessile, fimbriated, short, withering stipules embracing the stem. The flowers are ag- gregated in a solitary head, on a round, downy, footstalk, terminating the stem, and encompassed by a four-leaved involucre. The florets are sessile, from 15 to 24 in number, interspersed with little bractes: the calyx, is very small, five-toothed, superior, and persistent; the corolla monopetalous, the expansion shorter than the tube, and divided into five ovate, acute, recurved segments: the filaments are short, capillary, inserted into the upper part of the tubes, and bear- * As Willdenow, following S warts, has united the genus Callicocca with that of Cephaelis, we have referred the Ipecacuanha to this genus. 0.—Cephaelis. 177 ing long erect anthers, the germen inferior, supporting a filiform style, with two obtuse stigmas the length of the anthers; becoming a soft one-celled berry, of a reddish-purple colour changing to black, and containing two oval seeds. According to Decandolle, the term ipecacuanha in South America implies generally vomiting root; and therefore it is applied to the roots of very different species of plants. The plant, however, which we have described from Professor Brotero's description published in the sixth volume of the Linnean Transactions, and the Psycotria emetica, which Mutis says* yields the Peruvian gray ipecacuan are the plants that yield the varieties of the root taken to Great Britain.* Thomson says he found very little of the white ipecacuan in any of the specimens of the ipecacuan of the shops which he had examined. Both the gray and the brown varieties of the root are brought to Great Britain packed in bales from Rio Janeiro. Both are in short, wrinkled, variously-bent and contorted pieces, which break with a resinous fracture. The gray is about the thickness of a small quill full of knots and deep circular fissures, that nearly reach down to a white woody vascular cord that runs through the heart of each piece; the external part is compact, brittle, and looks smooth; the brown is smaller, more wrinkled, of a blackish brown colour on the outside, and white within: the white is woody, and has no wrinkles. In choosing ipecacuanha, the larger roots which are compact, and break with a resinous fracture, having a whitish gray somewhat semi- transparent appearance in the inside of the cortical part, with a pale straw-coloured medullary fibre, are to be preferred. It is impossible to ascertain at what period the effects of this root were first known in America, where the Indians used it as an emetic before their connexion with Europeans: but although Piso described its uses fully in his Natural History of Brazil so early as 1618, and brought the root to Europe, yet it was scarcely used by Europeans before the year 1700. It was carried to France by a French physi- cian of the name of Le Gras in 1672; but it did not attract general notice until it was a third time introduced by a French merchant of the name of Grenier, who brought 150 lbs. of it from Spain in 1686, with which trials were made at the Hotel Dieu. Helvetius first made known its use in dysentery, and was rewarded by Louis XIV. with 1000/. sterling for the discovery. Qualities.'—The entire root is inodorous, but the powder has a faint disagreeable odour. The taste is bitter, subacrid, and extremely nauseous. Water at 212° takes up rather more than eight parts in twenty of ipecacuan, but decoction destroys the emetic power of the root: alcohol takes up four parts, and proof spirit six and a half: and the alcoholic is more emetic than the aqueous solution. Various analyses of ipecacuanha have been made in order to detect its emetic * The title of ipecacuan is generally given to the roots of the following plants, besides those mentioned above, in South America: Violaparviflora, V. Ipecacuanha, V. Calceolaria, Cynanchum Ipecacuanha, C. tomentosum, and Asclepias currassavica,- and sometimes to Euphorbia Ipecacuanha. Dorstenia Brasitiensis, and D. arifolia. In St. Domingo several species of Ruellia, which provoke vomiting, are named false Ipecacuan. Nbuveau Dictionnaire d'His- toire Naturelle, art. Ipecacuanha. 23 178 C.—Cephaelis. principle, but the most satisfactory is that of MM. Magendie and Pelletier.* After digesting the powdered root in ether, in order to separate any fatty matter, the remainder was treated with highly rectified alcohol, until it ceased to become coloured even when aided by heat. These tinctures, after being allowed to cool, and to depo- sit some flakes of wax which were separated by filtration, were then evaporated to dryness, and the residue redissolved in water: acetate of lead being added to the watery infusion, a precipitate formed, which when edulcorated and diffused through water, was exposed to a current of sulphureted hydrogen gas, to separate the lead; after which the liquid being filtered and evaporated to dryness afforded a substance of a peculiar nature, which they termed Emetin, and on which it was experimentally demonstrated that the emetic properties of the root depend. Emetin,] when pure, is of a reddish-brown co- lour, solid, and pulverulent, nearly inodorous, and has a slightly bitter, acrid, but not nauseous taste. When exposed to a heat stronger than that of boiling water, it is decomposed, furnishing water, car- bonic acid, some oil, and acetic acid, charcoal being left. It is little soluble in water, and does not deliquesce in a moist atmosphere. It is soluble in alcohol, but not in ether. To detail the action of other chemical agents on this body is here unnecessary; the results are sufficient to characterize it as a substance sui generis. Besides emetin, ipecacuanha has been found, by the experiments of the above chemists, to contain oil, wax, gum, starch, and lignin. The medicinal value of ipecacuanha depends, undoubtedly, on the quantity of emetin it contains; and this varies in the three varieties of the root found in the shops. MM. Magendie and Pelletier ob- tained 16 parts of it in 100 of the cortical part of brown ipecacuanha, the root of the Psycotria emelica of Mutis,J 14 in 100 of the gray ipecacuanha, the root of the Callicocca ipecacuanha,^ and 5 only in 100 of the white ipecacuanha, the root of the Viola emetica. \\ The woody pith even of the brown variety contains very little emetin, and hence it should be separated in reducing the root to the form of powder. Experiments made with emetin on animals, prove that it is emetic and purgative, in doses of half a grain, and exerts a specific action on the lungs and mucous membrane of the intestinal canal, and has also marked narcotic properties: that it may be employed instead of ipecacuanha in every case in which this medicine is useful, the dose being more easily regulated, and the effects more certain. When taken in an over-dose, its action can be instantly paralyzed by de- coction of galls. These experiments are at variance with those of * Vide Ann. de Chim. et de Phys. iv. 172, and Lon. Med. Repository, viii. p. ■j- The name is derived from iju.ta>, vomo. * The components procured from 100 parts of brown ipecacuanha were as follows; of fatty and oily matter 2; emetic matter, (emetin,) 16; wax 6; gum 10; starch 42; and ligneous matter 20; the remaining 4 parts being regarded as loss. § 100 parts of the gray variety yielded, of fatty matter 2; emetin 14; gum 16; starch 18; woody matter 48; with merely a trace of wax, and 2 of loss. || From 100 parts of the white ipecacuanha, were obtained of emetin 5; gum 35; vegeto-animal matter 1; and woody matter 57; besides 3 of loss. C.—Cephaelis. 179 Dr. Irvine, which led him to conclude that the watery solution of ipecacuan is more emetic than the alcoholic, the reverse being found to be the case. The powder of ipecacuanha is apt to become inert by keeping, and therefore it should be preserved in small phials, well corked, and not exposed to the light. Long-continued boiling also renders it inert. Medical properties and wses.—Ipecacuanha, when administered in large doses is emetic; in smaller ones diaphoretic and expectorant; andf in still smaller doses it acts as a stomachic, stimulating and giv- ing energy to the digestive organs. As an emetic, it is mild, safe, and certain in its operation; but it is a mistake, that when given in larger doses than are necessary, it does not operate more violently, but only in a shorter space of time. It does not act so quickly as many other emetic substances; but it evacuates completely the contents of the stomach, and does not so much weaken it as antimonial emetics. It is given at the commencement of continued fevers, the progress of which it sometimes cut short by its operation; and it is also fre- quently found to stop the paroxysm of an intermittent, when given immediately before the accession of the cold stage. At the com- mencement of inflammation of the pharynx, larynx, and trachea, when the inflammation does not run very high; in cynanche tonsil- laris; and every case in which it is necessary to evacuate the sto- mach, ipecacuan has been found useful. As an emetic, however, it is contraindicated when there is any reason for suspecting inflam- mation of the encephalon, passive hasmorrhagy, or hernia; and in the advanced stage of typhus fevers, when the pulse is feeble, and the strength much diminished, but in these instances all emetics are hurtful. In doses sufficient to excite nausea without producing vomiting, ipecacuan is given with excellent effects in dysentery,* and obstinate diarrhoea: in which cases its efficacy seems to arise in a great degree from the nausea, which is kept up by.the repetition of the small doses, diminishing the arterial excitement, and determining to the surface; and partly also, as Cullen supposed, from its pro- ducing a steady determination of the peristaltic motion of the intes- tines downwards.t Perhaps also to these first-mentioned effects of the nausea, may be attributed much of the benefit which results from the use of ipecacuan in spasmodic asthma, dyspnoea, pertussis, and epilepsy. In the first of these diseases its emetic power is taken ad- vantage of to relieve the paroxysm, after which it is given in repeat- ed small doses to prevent its return.J In nauseating doses also, owing to the nausea lessening the force of the circulation, it has been employed with the best success in uterine and pulmonary haemor- rhages. As a sudorific, it is used in acute rheumatism, arthritic af- fections, dropsy, and other diseases in which sweating is necessary. It is generally given, in these cases, in combination with opium and neutral salts, according to the mode introduced by Dover; (see Pul- vis Ipecacuanhse compositus.) But some affirm it is found in combi- nation with opium alone in a larger proportion, more efficacious, par- * Piso, Helvetius, Cleghorn, Pringle. j Materia Med- ii- 477. \ Akenside. 180 C.—Cephaelis. ticularly in rheumatism. Its expectorant powers have been found exceedingly useful in catarrhal affections, pneumonia after bleeding, and in the early stage of phthisis, in which its diaphoretic effect is also beneficial. The use of ipecacuan, as an emetic, is contraindicated, 1. Where there is a disposition to haemorrhagy. 2. Where there is an increased flow of blood towards the head. 3. In very irritable subjects. 4. In pregnant women, and persons afflicted with hernia. Ipecacuan is exhibited, 1. In substance; in powder. Full vomiting will generally be produced in an adult by ten grains up to a scruple or half a drachm, and though less will answer the purpose, fortunate- ly an overdose is scarcely attended with any inconvenience, as the whole of it is vomited with the contents of the sto- mach, as soon as it operates. The vomiting is promoted and facilitated by drinking copiously of warm watery fluids. On the contrary, when vomiting is not intended, liquids must be rather drunk sparingly, and the dose must be diminished to a grain or less. In such small doses it is conveniently com- bined with any proper adjunct, in the form of powder, pill, or bolus. 2. In infusion. One drachm may be infused in four ounces of water, and taken in repeated doses till it operate. 3. Infused in wine. Ipecacuan not only checks the narcotic effects of opium, and is therefore one of the best antidotes for its poison, but reciprocally the emetic powers of ipecacuan are checked by the addition of opium, and the combination operates by increasing the cuticular dis- charge. It has recently been announced by Thomas Clark, M. D. an English physician, that a decoction of the root of ipecacuanha has been administered as injections in dysentery and internal piles with surprising success. The practice has been adopted by several phy- sicians, all of whom testify their confidence in the superior efficacy of the remedy. Dr. Clark directs for an adult affected with dysen- tery three drachms of the bruised root to be boiled in a quart of wa- ter down to a pint, strained, and given all at once as a lavement, and repeated if necessary. In cases of internal piles, half that quan- tity will be sufficient. This mode of administering ipecacuan is not however a new one. * • Solomon says there is nothing new under the sun. The fact seems exem- plified on many occasions in relation to medicines. Helvetius, whom we have quoted as almost the first to bring the celebrated Ipecacuan into notice, in his " Traite des Maladies, &c." p. 170, and seq. (1707,) thus expresses himself— "On a fait dans la suite de nouvelles reflexions, & on a reconnu que les lavemens servoient k d'autres usages. On a £prouv£ qu'en y ajoutant de Pavot on assoupissoit le malade; qu'on pouvoit le nourrir par des Lavemens de Bouillon, & qu'une decoction de Tabac faisoit plus d'effet que le plus violent Emetique. Pour moy, je me suis avise de faire des Lavemens avec la racine d'Hypecacuana, ce qui a parfaitement bien reussi en plusieurs occasions ou la Dysenterie avoit reduit le malade a la derniere extremity & l'avoit mis hors d'etat depouvoir prendre ce remede par la bouche," &c. C.—Cephaelis. 181 Sprengel, in his Hist, de la Med. 5. 468, says, that Piso mentions it first. (De IndiaeUtriusq. Re naturali and Med. fol. Amst. 1648.) In 1672, Legras carried a quantity from Brazil to France; but it was not extended through Europe until 1686, by Dr. J. A. Helve- tius, to whom it was made known by a druggist named Gamier. Helvetius, after testing its merits, sold it without discovering its nature, until several of the court and the dauphin, son of Louis 14th, were attacked with dysentery, and being cured by this remedy, its virtues became known and established; the secret was bought of Helvetius for 1000 louis d'ors, and he himself eventually was raised to the first medical honours of France. Helvetius wrote a treatise, (Remede contre le cours de Ventre, 12mo. Par. 1688,) to describe the use of ipecacuanha in diarrhoea and dysentery, by which we learn, that at first it was given in large doses, even to two drachms, in decoction, or even in glyster. It met with opposition, but soon carried all before it. It was soon after given in powder, though in still large doses, 30 grs. to 5i. Of the three species, white, yellow, and brown, the latter is the best according to Piso, and this is confirmed by others. Valentini gave it in all species of ventral fluxes. Baglivi in 1696, Jean Mangetus, William Sherard, and others, considered it most certain in dysentery and haemorrhage. So scarce did it become, that a poisonous root was sold by its name, (Harris, Diss. Med. and Chirurg. 1725.) It was given in small doses, first, by J. D. Gohl, (Act. Med. Berol. 1720.) He denied it a specific in diarrhoea and dysentery, and ascribed its benefit to the vomiting it produced; he gave it in 1717, in grain doses in diarrhoea preceding small-pox. Geoffroy says, 6 to 10 grs. are sufficient to excite vomit- ing, (Tr. de la Mat. Med. 2. 161.) and S. Pye, in the Lond. Med. Ob. and Inq. 1. 240, gave it in still less doses; 4 to 6 grs. produced the desired effect. Gianella first employed it as nauseating in small doses in autumnal intermittents, to expel the saburral matters of the primaeviae;andthiswassupportedby-/)iaa;. Stoll. (Rat. Med. 1. 192.) Nich. Dalberg, in still smaller doses, Mem. of Swed. Acad. 1770, p. 316, &c. in haemorrhage and pectoral affections produced by ob- struction of the abdominal viscera—succeeds perfectly. Dover, in Econom. and Med. Obs. p. 130, first combined it with opium, and thus obtained an excellent antispasmodic powder, bear- ing his name, which likewise favours cutaneous transpiration. It is first metioned by Dr. Brocklesby in 1760, and still maintains its rank. Dr. Akenside on dysentery, ascribed to ipecacuanha a calming vir- tue, and recommended it principally in convulsions and asthma. This antispasmodic property was confirmed by Paulitzky, who found it useful in rheumatism and uterine haemorrhage. 182 C__Cera. CERA.—WAX. Syn. Cire, (F.) Wachs, (G.) Cera, (I. S.) Shuma, (Ar.) Mom, (H.) Med- huchhishta, (San.) Wax is a solid, of considerable consistence, granulated and crys- talline in its fracture, of a white colour, and without any remarkable odour or taste. It softens and becomes plastic when very slightly heated; at 140° it melts; at a higher temperature it is in part va- porized and decomposed, and its vapour is inflammable. It resists in a remarkable degree the action of the acids; but in most of its other properties it resembles the fixed oils. From its combustion it appears to consist of carbon 53.12, hydrogen 16.91, and oxygen 29.97; or, according to the former calculation, of 82.28 charcoal, and 17.72 hydrogen. It is chiefly procured, as is well known, from the bee; it is however produced, as a secretion by many^ plants, forming the silvery powder or bloom, which often covers their leaves and fruit. It is found in great abundance, combined with resin, covering the trunk of the wax-palm, (Ceroxylon Andicola,*) of South America, and encrusting the seeds of the Myrica cerifera, or wax tree of Louisiana, &c. The pe-la of the Chinese is an animal wax, and the White lac of India, appears to be a variety of wax. CERA FLAVA et ALBA. E. L. D. A. Yellow or Unbleached wax, and White or Bleached Wax. Syn. Yellowwax. Cire jaune, (F.) Wachs, (G.) Ceragialla, (I.) Ceraqualda, (S.) White wax. Cire blanche, (F.) Cera bianca, (I.) Cera blanca, (S.) For this useful substance we are indebted to the common honey bee, (apis mellifica,) an insect belonging to the class of Hymenoptera mellita of Cuvier. It is, however, a vegetable production, and is collected by the bees from the surface of leaves, and the antheraeof flowers. They employ it to form the combs in which the honey and larvae are deposited. It is found in the shops in round cakes, which are formed by melt- ing the combs in hot water, after all the honey has been expressed from them. The wax swims above, and the impurities either sink to the bottom, or are dissolved in the water. When recent, it is tena- cious, but brittle, of a yellow colour, and sweet honey-like smell; dry, not greasy to the feel; insoluble in water, alcohol and ether; soluble in the fat oils and alkalies; fusible and inflammable, In se- lecting it, we should observe that the cakes be brittle, have a plea- sant yellow colour, an agreeable smell, no taste, do not adhere to the teeth when chewed, and burn entirely away. When adulterated with resin, the fraud is detected by its taste, audthe action of alco- hol, which dissolves the resin. When mixed with pease meal, or earthy substances, it is more brittle, of a paler colour, and may be separated from them by liquefaction and straining. When combined with tallow, it becomes less brittle, but at the same time softer, and has an unpleasant smell. * This palm grows to the height of 180 feet, with leaves 20 feet long. The waxy concretion covers the trunk about two inches thick, and consist^ of two- thirds resin and one-third wax.—Humboldt's PI. Mquinoct. &c. C—Cervus Elaphus. 183 Cera Flava Purificata. D. Purified Yellow Wax. Take of Yellow wax, any quantity.—Melt it with a moderate heat, remove the scum, and after allowing it to settle, pour it cautiously off from the faeces. Yellow wax is so often adulterated, that this process is by no means unnecessary. Cera Alba. White Wax. The yellow colour of beeswax, and its peculiar smell, may be de- stroyed by the combined action of water, air, and the sun's rays. In the process for bleaching wax, we, therefore, extend its surface as much as possible, by melting it and forming it into thin plates, which are fully exposed to the sun's rays, upon linen stretched in frames, and repeatedly moistened, until it acquires the whiteness desired. It is then usually melted into thin disks. White wax is more brittle, less fusible, and heavier than yellow wax. It is some- times mixed with white oxyd of lead, or with tallow. For medical use, it has no advantage over yellow wax. Medical use.—When taken internally, wax agrees in its effects, with the fat oils, and though less frequently prescribed in this way, it is preferable, it being less apt to become rancid. Poerner recom- mends it as an excellent remedy in diseases of the intestines, at- tended with pain, excoriation, and obstinate diarrhoea, (as did Die- merbroeck more than a century ago. He gave a scruple, or half a drachm of wax, three or four times a day, in the form of an emul- sion, by melting it first with some fixed oil, and then mixing it with a decoction of groats by trituration with the yolk of an egg. But by far its principal use is for the formation of cerates, ointments, plas- ters, &c. CEREVISIJ3 FERMENTUM. L. E. A. Yeast. Barm. Syn. Leveure, (F.) Giischt, (G.) Barm or yeast has been much extolled as an antiseptic reipedy in putrid fevers. A table spoonful is recommended to be given as a dose, in porter, or wine and water. It is also applied externally, in the form of a poultice, to foul and putrid sores. It may be pre- served by drying it to the consistence of a slightly cohesive paste, in which state it is sold in Paris. CERVUS ELAPHUS. E. D. L. Stag or Hart. The Horns. Cornu Cervi. A. Syn. Come de cerf, (F.) Hirschorn, (G.) E\*<$>o?, Aristot. Hist. Anim. 2. c. 7.18. The male has two round solid horns on his forehead, with several conical branches, the number of which ascertain the age of the ani- mal to which they belong. These horns fall off and are renewed every year. When first reproduced, they are soft, full of blood-ves- 184 C.—Cornu Ustum. sels, and covered with a velvety skin, but they soon lose their cover- ing, and become hard, compact, and bony. In their nature they do not seem to differ from bone except in containing a larger proportion of cartilage. They afford a very con- siderable quantity of gelatin by decoction with water, and hartshorn shavings are still employed in domestic economy for furnishing a nutritious and demulcent jelly. By the action of fire, their products are the sameVith' those of animal substances in general; and they were formerly so much used for the preparation of ammonia, that it was commonly called salt or spirit of hartshorn. By burning they are totally converted into phosphat of lime. CORNU USTUM. L. Burnt Horn. Pulvis Cornu Cervini Usti. D. Burnt Hartshorn.* Bum pieces of hartshorn till they become perfectly white; then reduce them to a very fine powder. The pieces of horn generally employed in this operation, are those left after distillation. In the burning of hartshorn, a sufficient fire, and the free admis- sion of air is necessary. The potter's furnace was formerly direct- ed for the sake of convenience: but any common furnace or stove will do. Indeed too violent a heat makes their surface undergo a kind of fusion and vitrification, which both prevents the internal parts from being completely burnt, and renders the whole less solu- ble. If the pieces of horn be laid on some lighted charcoal, spread on the bottom of the grate, they will be burnt to whiteness, still re- taining their original form. According to the analysis of Merat Guillot, hartshorn was found to consist of 27. gelatin, 57.5 phosphat of lime, 1. carbonat of lime, and there was a loss of 14.5, probably water. Now, as the gelatin is destroyed by burning, and the water expelled, the substance which remains is phosphat of lime, mixed with less than two per cent, of carbonat of" lime. Fourcroy and Vauquelin have analyzed bones more accurately, and found that they contain phosphat of magnesia, iron, and manganese; and that human bones contain less of the first of these, and more of the two others than animal bones, which is probably owing to the constant excretion of phosphat of magnesia in human urine. In human bones there are also traces of alumine and silex. Medical use.—From its white, earthy appearance, it was formerly considered as an absorbent earth. But since it has been accurately analyzed, that idea has been laid aside, and its use has been sug- gested as a remedy in rickets, a disease in which the deficiency of the natural deposition of phosphat of lime in the bones seems to be the essential, or at least most striking symptom. M. Bonhomme, therefore gave it to the extent of half a scruple, mixed with phos- phat of soda, in several cases with apparent success. Whatever ob- jections may be made to his theory, the practice certainly deserves a trial. * Phosphas Calcis, Pharm. U. S. C.—Chironia. 185 CHENOPODIUM ANTHELMINTICl'M. Worm Seed. Jerusalem Oak.* This plant grows plentifully in the United States, and is much used for worms. The whole plant has a powerful smell, of which it is very retentive. Its taste is bitter, with much aromatic acrimony. The whole plant may be employed. The expressed juice is used, in doses of a table-spoonful for a child of two or three years old. A de- coction of the plant made by boiling a handful of the green leaves in a quart of milk, for about one quarter of an hour, to which orange peel may be added, may be given to a child of £our or five years old, in doses of about a wine-glassful two or three times a day. The seeds are more employed, reduced to a fine powder, and made into an electuary with syrup. Of this, a child of two or three years old may take a table-spoonful early in the morning; abstaining from nourishment for some hours: a like dose is given at night, or they may be strewed on bread and butter. It is often necessary to conti- nue this course for several days. Great numbers of lumbrici are fre- quently discharged after the use of a few doses of the medicine. Barton's Collections, Part I. p. 38, 60.—The essential oil of the seeds are equally or more powerful. Its dose is from four to eio-ht or ten drops rubbed up with sugar. Medical Museum, Vol. Ilf— For a more particular account, see Dr. Wilkin's statement, in a paper in the fifth volume of the Medical Museum. Chironia Cextaureum. E. Z. D. Centaureum'Minus. Smaller Centaury. The flowering Heads. Pentandria Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Rosaceae, Linn. Gentiame, Juss. Syn. Petite CentaureV, (F.) This plant is annual, and grows wild in most parts of Europe on barren pastures. It flowers between June and August. The corolla is said to have no taste; and therefore the herb, which is intensely bitter, should be preferred to the flowering tops, which derive their virtues only from the stalks connected with them. It agrees in every respect with our pure bitters. Neumann got from 480 parts, 210 alcoholic, and 140 watery ex- tract; and inversely, 320 watery, 40 alcoholic. Chironia Angularis.I American Centaury. The Plant. As this plant wants the most distinguishing characters of chironia, with which it has heretofore been associated, it has been referred with propriety to the genus Sabbatia of Adanson. It is a beautiful annual plant, abundant in many parts of the United States. Every part of it is a pure and strong bitter, which property is communicated alike to alcohol and to water. It is devoid of astringency. It is an useful tonic and promoter of digestion, and has been employed in yellow, intermittent and remittent fevers. * Chenopodium, Pharm. U. S. f Sabbatia Angularis, Pharm. TJ. S. 24 186 C.—Cinchona. CINCHONA.* Spec. Plant. Willd. i. 957. Cortex Peruvianus. CI. 5. Ord. 1. Pentandria Monogynia. Nat. ord. Contortae, Linn. Rubiacese, Juss. G. 346. Corolla funnel-shaped. Capsule inferior, two-celled, bi- partite with a parallel partition. Seed winged. * Corollas downy, with the stamens included. Species 1. C. Lancifolia, Mutis. Papel Periodici de Santa Fe, p. 465. Rhode. Monog. Cinchonse Generis Tentamen, p. 513. Zea, Annates de Historia Natural, torn. ii. p. 207.t Flora Peruv. torn. ii. p: 50. t. 191. Humboldt, Plantse JEquinoctiales, p. 33. t. 10. Lambert's Description of the Genus Cinchona, plate 1. ibid. Illustration of the Genus, fyc. p. 2. Species 2. C. Oblongifolia, Mutis. Per. de Santa Fi. Zea. 1. c. ii. 211. C. Magnifolia, C. lutescens. Flor. Peruv. ii. 53. t. 196. Quinologia, art. vi. 71. Species 3. C. Cordifolia, Mutis. Per. de Santa Fe. Zea. 1. c. ii. 214. C. purpurea. Flor. Peruv. 32. t. 193. C. ovata. Ruiz. Quino- logia. C. micranlha. Flor. Peruv. 52. t. 194. Lambert, p. 21. plate ii.J Illustration, fyc. p. 3. This important genus, of which twenty-four species have been described, is not yet altogether freed from the ambiguity which has so long involved it; and although much has been effected by the in- dustry of the Spanish botanists, whom their government sent out to make inquiries concerning it, yet many species remain undescribed,§ from which it is very probable the bark-gatherers collect some part of the large cargoes which are annually sent to Europe. The three kinds medicinally used have been distinguished and named as above by Mutis, a celebrated botanist, who resides in the neighbourhood of Santa Fe de Bogota, as director of the exportation of bark;|| and his observations have been fully detailed by his pupil Zea; whilst the travels of Humboldt and Bonpland have afforded them an oppor- * Supposed to be named after the Countess del Chinchon, wife of a viceroy of Peru, who introduced it into Europe, on her return to Spain in 1640. •J- Zea adds the following synonymes: Quinquina. Condam. A. A. Paris, 1738. C. officinalis. Linn. Syst. Veg. ed. 10. p. 929. Spec. Plant, p. 244. Gen. Plant, ed. 7. p. 91. C. officinalis. Vahl. Act. Soc. Nat. Haum. 1. fasc. p. 17. 1.1. C. nitido. Flora Peruv. etChil. ii. p. 30. t. 191.: and Ruiz. Quinologia, 56. C. lanceolata. Flora Peruv. 51. C. Glabra. Ruiz. Quinol. art. iv. 64. C. rosea. Flora Peruv. 54. C. fusca, Ruiz. Quinol. art. viii. 77. $ Besides these synonymes, Zea adds, C. officinalis, Linn. Suppl. p. 144. s. v. edit. Peersoon, p. 222. C. pubescens. Act. Haum. 1. fasc. p. 17. t. 2. § In a large collection of dried specimens of the genus Cinchona in his possession, which were collected in 1805, both near Loxa and Santa F£, Thomson found many species which are not mentioned in the works of any of the Spanish botanists; nor even by Mr. Lambert, to whom he gave specimens of many of the species. || Mutis is a Wive of Cadiz, and went to Santa T6 in 1760, as physician to the viceroy Don Pedro Misia de la Cerda. He discovered the Cinchona, in the forests between Guaduas and Santa Fe, in 1772: although the credit of this discovery was attempted to be wrested from him by Don Sebastian Jose Lopez Ruiz; who, however, from his own documents transmitted by his bro- ther to Baron Humboldt, to prove the priority of his discovery, appears to have known the Cinchona about Honda, only since 1774. C.—Cinchona, 187 tunity of ascertaining accurately, and describing the species first delineated by Condamine in 1738, in the Mem. de I'Academie,* and named by Linnaeus officinalis, under which term, however, no less than two very distinct species were confounded by that distinguished natu- ralist. Under this trivial name, officinalis, also, the British phar- macopoeias placed as varieties the three kinds of barks known in the shops; and this error is still retained by the Dublin college: but, in the last editions of their Pharmacopoeias, the London and the Edinburgh colleges have adopted the arrangement and the names of the three officinal species according to Mutis. Prior to the year 1772, all the Cinchona bark brought to Europe was shipped at the ports of the Pacific; but since Don Jose Cele- stino Mutis discovered the Cinchona about Santa Fe, much of it has come by the way of Carthagena de Indias to Cadiz.t Before de- scribing the officinal species, it is proper to state, that although they are named from the form of their leaves, yet, as Humboldt justly remarks, " no tree varies more in the shape of its leaves than the Cinchona;" and, in examining dried specimens, he who has not seen them in their native forests, " will be led to discover different species by leaves which are of one and the same branch;" a remark which Thomson says he is enabled to confirm, by the extensive col- lection of dried specimens of the genus in his possession. 1. Cinchona Lancifolia, Mutis.% Officinal. Cinchona Lancifolije cortex, Lond. Edin. Cortex Peruvianus, Dub. Lance-leaved Cinchona. The Pale Bark of the shops. Cinchona Pallida, A. Syn. Quinquina orange, (F.) Gelbe Chinarinde, (G.) China, (I.) Quina Naranjada, (S.) This tree is found chiefly in the neighbourhood of the village Aya- vaca, at heights from 6250 to 8300 feet, where the mean temperature varies between 59 and 62 degrees, on a bottom of micaceous schist in the woods of Caxanuma, Uritusinga, Villonaco, and Monge.§ It is a lofty, handsome tree, always in leaf; from thirty to forty feet in height, and standing generally single; whereas most of the other species are found in groups. It exudes, wherever it is wounded, a * Condamine made the first, and the only attempt that has been made to bring young Cinchona trees alive to Europe. He nursed them for eight months, during a passage of 1200 leagues, but they were washed out of the boat into the sea and lost, near Cape Orange, north of Para. Lambert's Illust. of the genus Cinchona, 4to. 1821, p. 24. f Humboldt informs us, that the quantity of Cinchona bark annually ex- ported from America is 12,000 or 14,000 quintals. The kingdom of Santa Fe furnishes 2000 of these, which are sent from Carthagena; 110 are furnished by Loxa; and the provinces of Huamanga, Cuenca, and Jean de Bracamoros, with the thick forests of Guacabamba and Ayavaca, furnish the rest, which is shipped from Lima, Guayaquil, Payta, and other ports on the South Sea. Plantae ASquinoc. p. 34. + Synonymes, C. nitida, Ruiz. C. Condamine, Humb. C. angustifolia, Ruiz. C. tunita, Lopez. § As the Condaminea of Humboldt, notwithstanding the reasonings of this author to prove the contrary, is evidently a variety, if not the same species meant by Mutis, we have availed ourselves of Mutis's accurate description. 188 C.—Cinchona. yellow astringent juice. The trunk is about eighteen feet in height and fifteen inches in diameter, erect, with a cracked, ash-coloured bark: the branches are round, in opposite pairs, erect, brachiated; with the younger ones obscurely quadrangular at the nodes. The leaves are of a lively green, shining, pvato-lanceolate, about four inches long, with a little pit in the axillas of the nerves on the under surface, which is filled with an astringent aqueous fluid, and having the orifice shut with hairs: they stand on foot-stalks one-sixth of their length, flat above, and convex below; but the form of the leaf varies according to the altitude at which it grows; particularly before the tree comes into flower. The stipules are two, acute, silky, conti- guous, and caducous. The flowers, which are odorous, of a whitish rose colour, and furnished with little bracteas, appear in terminal, brachiated, leafy, trichotomous panicles, supported on round pedun- cles, and pedicels, that are powdered and silky. The calyx is of a globular bell-shape, five-toothed, powdered and silky like the pedun- cles, with the teeth ovate, acute, very short, contiguous, and viola- ceous. The corolla is somewhat salver-shaped, longer than the calyx, with a tube obscurely pentagonous, silky, more frequently of a rose colour; the limb wheel-shaped, with linear lanceolate segments, much shorter than the tube, white and woolly above. The anthers are twice the length of the free portion of the filaments, and the free parts are two-thirds shorter than the adherent.* The germen is globular, changing to an ovate, woody, longitudinally striated cap- sule, crowned with the calycinal teeth, two-celled, many-seeded, oppositely twice-furrowed, and opening from the base to the apex with two valves. This tree affords the original cinchona of Peru, which is now very rare, 110 quintals only being cut, instead of 4000, which was the quantity in 1779, and reserved for the use of the Spanish govern- ment.! Zea says it is the lanlifolia of Mutis, under which we have placed it; and there is also a great affinity between it and the scro- biculata of Humboldt, according to that celebrated traveller. The bark of the lancifolia is the pale bark of the shops, the Quina Naran- jada and Cascarilla fina de Uritusinga of the Spaniards. It is known in commerce by the name of Calisaya;J and is preferred in South America to all the other cinchonas. Two other varieties of it, pro- bably produced by distinct species, are also known in commerce by the names of lagatijada, (lizardlike,) and negrilla, (blackish,) from the colour of their epidermis. It has always been known in this country by the vague name of Peruvian or officinal bark. The branches are decorticated in the dry season, from September to No- vember, which is the period when all trfe kinds are barked, and the * Humboldt. | Estan raro, que apenas corresponde a uno par mil de las otras especies juntas. Ann. de Hist. Nat. torn. ii. p. 210. t The name Calisaya \s that of a province producing this bark, in the most southern part of Peru, in the intendencia de la Paz; but the term is also used as a generic name by which the Peruvian Indians distinguish the superior barks. There are three varieties of Calisaya known in South American com- merce; 1. Calisaya arrollenda, rolled Calisaya; 2. Calisaya de plancha, flat Ca- lisaya; 3. Calisaya de Santa Fe", which is a thick bark. MSS. of Dr. Devoti. C.—Cinchona. 189 bark is carefully dried in the sun. The trees frequently die after the operation. The bark arrives in Europe packed in chests made of slips of wood roughly fastened together, and covered with skins; each of which contains about 200 lbs. weight, well packed, but generally contain- ing a quantity of dust and tother heterogeneous matter. It consists of pieces eight or ten inches in length, some of them scarcely one- tenth of an inch in thickness; singly and doubly quilled, or rolled inward, the quills generally being in size from a swan's quill to an inch and a half;* and others of a coarser texture, thicker and nearly flat. It has a chopped, grayish or cineritious epidermis, often cover- ed with* flat, sometimes stringy lichens;t and is internally of a pallid fawn or cinnamon hue. This colour is brightened when the bark is moistened, approximating to pale orange. Both the quilled and the flat varieties are evidently the bark of the same tree; the quilled sort being that of the smaller branches, and the flat that of the larger and of the trunk. But the chests probably contain similar barks obtained from different species. Qualities.—Good bark of this description has scarcely any odour when in substance; but during decoction the odour is sensible, and agreeably aromatic. The taste is bitter, but not unpleasant, slightly acidulous and austere, resembling in some degree that of a dried rose. It is light, and breaks with a close fracture, with the internal fibres somewhat drawn out. The powder of the quilled kind is paler than the bark, being of a uniform pale cinnamon hue; but the flat- kind yields a deeper coloured and browner powder. The best speci- men of this bark which could be procured by Thomson, and subject- ed to experiment, gave the following results: Water at 212° extract- ed all its active principles; affording an infusion, when filtered, of a pale yellow or straw colour, which had the odour and taste of the bark. The infusion reddened litmus paper; was instantly and co- piously precipitated by solution of galls; and in a smaller degree, and more slowly, in yellowish flocculent flakes, by solution of isinglass. A solution of tartar emetic was rendered turbid, and slowly precipi- tated by it; but this effect was quickly and copiously produced by super-acetate of lead. Sulphate of iron changed its colour to bright olive-green, but was scarcely precipitated. Decoction affords a more saturated tincture, with a colour resembling the cold infusion of the yellow bark; and a yellowish precipitate is deposited. The powder macerated in sulphuric ether afforded a golden yellow tincture, which reddened litmus paper, and left a pellicle of bitter resin when eva- porated on the surface of water, to which it gave the colour of the tincture. This coloured water had the flavour of the watery infusion, but differed from it, in not precipitating the solution of galls and of tartar emetic; and in throwing down a copious precipitate from the solution of sulphate of iron. With alcohol the powder afforded a tincture of a deep orange hue, which precipitated sulphate of iron, * The great desire of our bark merchants to procure quilled bark has in- duced the bark-gatherers often to produce this effect by heat, which always diminishes the virtue of the bark. MSS. of Don Felix Devoti of Lima, in the possession of Mr. Thomson. f On this account the inhabitants of Peru name it Quinacana, hairy Quina. 190 C.—Cinchona. tartarized antimony, and tannin; became turbid when added to wa- ter, and let fall a light reddish precipitate. From the effects of these reagents on the aqueous infusion of this bark, it appears to be the same as the 3d and 15th species examined by Vauquelin; which he names superior gray cinchona, and common cinchona of Peru. ■ Mutis and Zea regard this species of cinchona as directly febri- fuge; as chiefly applicable in intermittent fevers of long standing; and also assert that it never fails to cut short an ague when adminis- tered at its accession.! 2. Cinchona Oblongifolia. Mutis.X „ Officinal. Cinchona Oblongifolive cortex, Lond. Edin. Cortex peruvianus, Dub. Cinchona rubra, A. Oblong-leaved Cin- chona Bark. Red bark. Syn. Quinquina rouge, (F.) Rothe Chinarinde, (G.) China, (I.) Quina Roxa, (S.) The tree yielding this bark is found on the Andes, growing in the woods on the banks of the mountain streams in great abundance, at Riobamba, Cinchao, Cuchero, and Chacahnassi; flowering in June and July. It rises to a very considerable height on a single, erect, round stem, which is covered with smooth, brownish, ash-coloured bark. The older branches are round, smooth, and of a rusty colour; the younger are obtusely four-cornered, leafy, and of a diluted red- dish colour. The leaves are opposite, large, the full-sized ones being one or two feet in length, of an oblong oval shape, and supported on short semi-round purple petioles. They are entire, pale, and shin- ing on the upper surface; on the under veined with veins that turn to a purplish colour; and at the base of each are numerous bundles of white bristles: the stipules are supra-axillary, interfoliaceous, op- posite, contiguous, united at the base, and of an obovate figure. The flowers appear in large, erect, much compounded terminal panicles, somewhat branched, on long brachiated many-flowered peduncles, the calyx is small, five-toothed, and of a purple colour; the corolla white and odorous, with the limb spreading, and hairy within: and the filaments are very short, inserted into the tube of the corolla, sup- porting oblong anthers, bifid at the base, and are situated below the middle of the tube of the corolla. The capsules are large, oblong, obscurely striated, .slightly curved, and crowned with the calyx. § This tree is named in the vernacular Spanish Palo de requeson, and Cascarilla de flor de Azahar, from the flowers resembling in odour those of the orange. Its bark is the Quina roxa and coloruda of commerce. The bark is brought to England in chests, which con- tain from 100 to 150 lbs. each. It consists of various sized pieces, covered with a thin and rough entire reddish-brown epidermis. The greater number of the pieces are flat, but some are partially quilled, as if taken from half the circumference of the branches to which they * Annates de Chimie, lix. 116. \ Annates de Historia Natural, ii. 609. $ Synonymes, C Magnifolia, Flor. Peruv. Lambert denies its affinity with magnifolia. See Illustration, he. p. 12; but from the specimens in Thomson's possession he cannot admit this opinion. § Flora Peruv. ii. 53. t. 196. C.—Cinchona. 191 belonged. Under the epidermis there is an intermediate layer, which is dark-coloured, compact, brittle, and seemingly resinous; and with- in it the internal part is woody, fibrous, and of a rust-red colour. The fracture, examined by a lens, consists of close, longitudinal, parallel, needle-form fibrillae of a pale red colour, with a deep red agglomerated powder in the interstices. The powder is of a deeper colour than the internal part of the bark. Qualities.—Red cinchona bark has a weak peculiar odour; and its taste is much less bitter, but more austere and nauseous, than the barks of the other species. The aqueous infusion has a pale ruby colour, a slight degree of bitterness, and a decided astringency. It lets fall a sediment of a brighter hue than that of the dry powder. It reddens litmus paper,* is slowly precipitated by the solution of galls, the supernatant liquor being perfectly colourless; and a very light, flocculent, ruby-coloured precipitate is produced by the solu- tion of isinglass: it is not altered by tartarized antimony, nor by the superacetate of lead; and the sulphate of iron makes it assume a dirty yellow olive colour only, little being precipitated. The ethe- real tincture is of the same colour and exhibits the same appearances as that of the two former species, when treated in a similar manner. The alcoholic is of a very deep brownish-red colour; when diluted with water a red flocculent matter falls down; and it precipitates the solutions of sulphate of iron, and of tartarized antimony, the former of a black colour, and the latter red. It comes nearest to the se- cond species examined by Vauquelin, which he calls Santa Fe Cin- chona; and differs from his Cinchona magnifolia in reddening litmus paper, and precipitating tannin. This bark was introduced by Don Sebastian Josef Lopez Ruiz, in 1778; and is considered by Zea and Mutis as the least directly fe- brifuge of the three kinds we have described. It possesses powerful astringent and antiseptic properties: consequently its use is contra- indicated in inflammatory and bilious affections: but the Spanish physicians regard it as highly beneficial as an external application in suppurating and sphacelating ulcers. An extract prepared from it is much used in Spain in putrid fevers. 3. Cinchona Cordifolia. Mutis.] Officinal. Cinchona cordifolia cortex, Lond. Edin. Cortex Peruvianus, Dub. Heart-leaved Cinchona. The yellow bark of the shops. Cinchona Flava, A. Syn. Quinquina jaune, (F.) Chinarinde, Rieberrinde,(G.) China, (I.) Quina amarilla, (S.) The tree which affords this bark is found on the mountains of Loxa, in the kingdom of Quito, and those of Santa Fe, growing along their skirts, and on the plains, under the 4th degree of north latitude, on heights betwixt 900 and 1440 toises; flowering from * Fourcroy found in it a portion of citric acid, some muriat of ammonia, and muriate of lime. See Thomson's Chem. v. 216. f Synonymes. C. pubescens, Vahl. C. ovata. Flor. Peruv. C. hirsuta. Flor. Peruv. But Lambert affirms that it is totally different from the hirsuta of the Flora Peruviana. See Illustration of the genus Cinchona, 4to 1821. p. 4. 192 ('.—Cinchona. May to September. It is a spreading tree, rising on a single, erect, round stem of no great thickness; and covered with a smooth bark, externally of a brownish-gray colour. The younger branches are quadrangular, smooth, leafy, sulcated, and tomentose: the leaves, which are about nine inches in length, are opposite, petiolate, spreading, of an oblong oval, cordate or egg-shape, entire, shining on the upper surface, ribbed and pubescent on the under: with the petioles fiat on one side, and roundish on the other, about a thumb's breadth in length, and of a purple colour; but the leaves of this spe- cies vary even more than those of lancifolia. The flowers appear in large, terminal, leafy panicles, supported on long compressed te- tragonous peduncles. The calyx is five-toothed, downy, and of a dull purple colour; the corolla internally tomentose; the tube of a diluted red colour; the limb shaggy, white above and purplish be- low; and the segments spreading, with reflected tips. The filaments are short, supporting linear anthers, bifid at the base, which reach as far as the upper part of the tube of the corolla. The germen is to- mentose, and changes to an oblong, narrow capsule, about one inch and a half in length, marked with ten striae, of a reddish-brown co- lour, and crowned with the calyx. The bark yielded by this tree is named Quina amarilla,* Casca- rilla de I^oxa, and Cascarilla amarilla; and is the yellow bark of the shops. It is brought to England in chests containing about 90 to 100 pounds each; and consists of pieces about eight or ten inches in length, some quilled, but the greater part flat.t The quilled pieces are less rolled and thicker than the quilled pale bark; and the epidermis, which is of a tawny grayish-brown colour, and covered with flat and stringy lichens, is more rough and chopped, easily se- parating, and often as thick as the bark itself, which is about one- eighth of an inch; while the interior is of a yellow colour, passing to orange. The flat pieces are generally without any epidermis, and considerably thicker than the quilled: both are mixed in the same chest. Qualities.—Yellow bark has nearly the same odour in decoction as the pale; the taste is more bitter, but less austere, and it does not afford any astringent feeling to {lie tongue when chewed. The in- ternal colour is golden cinnamon, or subdued orange-yellow, becom- ing when moistened a lively orange. The fracture is woody and fibrous, presenting, when examined by a lens, the appearance of pa- rallel, longitudinal, needle-like fibres, with a dry. agglomerated pow- der in the interstices of a yellow colour. It is easily reduced to fine powder, and the powder preserves the colour of the bark, but is brighter. The sediment which the infusion lets fall in cooling is of a brighter colour than the dry powder. The filtered aqueous infu- sion has a pale golden hue, with a shade of red; is clearer, and seemingly less mucilaginous than the former: it has all the bitter- ness of the bark, reddens litmus paper, and precipitates solution of * Yellow bark,- but the adjective signifies both yellow and pale, or wan. The name appears to be used in contradistinction to naranjada, or orange co- lour, which is applied to the first officinal species. ■f- These are distinguished in commerce by the terms with coat and without coat. C,—Cinchona. 193 galls; but the precipitate does not fall so instantaneously as in the infusion of the former species. With solution of isinglass a pinkish yellow precipitate is produced: superacetate of lead throws down a precipitate, and that with tartarized antimony is more copious than the pale bark affords, and in yellowish white flakes. A solution of sulphate of iron changes its colour to a bluish-green, and after many hours gives a precipitate of the same hue. The ethereal tincture has a golden colour, affords resin when evaporated, and is affected by the same reagents as that of the pale cinchona; but the water on which it is evaporated is less highly coloured. The alcoholic tinc- ture appears to be in every respect the same as that afforded by the pale bark. It seems to agree in most of its properties with the first species examined by Vauquelin; which he states was brought to Spain in 1788, and, owing to its having been used for the royal fa- mily, got the name of royal cinchona. According to Mutis and Zea it is indirectly febrifuge only; but when genuine, all its varieties are excellent remedies. The goodness of all the species depends on the proper age of the branches that are barked. The bark collectors, (cascarilleros,) decide on the maturity of these in the following manner. They strip oft" from each branch a small piece of bark; and if it immediately reddens on the inner side, they consider it sufficiently mature; but should the colour be not manifested in three or four minutes, it is rejected as being not yet in season.* As Cinchona bark occasionally varies in its powers, and is often adulterated with other inferior barks, even by the bark-peelers, (cascarilleros,) who gather it; arising either from ignorance, or from a fraudulent desire of more quickly completing their contracts,! it is of importance to be able to distinguish good bark, and the best varieties from those of an inferior description. Mutis informs us that the old trees furnish the best bark; and that the bark taken from the trunk and thicker branches, is superior to that from the younger branches. The following directions for choosing bark are those generally attended to in South America.^ The essential cha- racteristics are colour, taste, and smell; the secondary or accidental ones are exterior coat, fracture, weight, thickness, and quill. The best bark of the first class is of an orange yellow colour; and the goodness decreases as the colour varies from this to a very pale yellow. When of a dark colour between red and yellow it is al- ways to be rejected; as this colour designates either that it is of a bad species, or that it has not been well preserved from the air and moisture. This dark colour, however, must not be confounded with a red colour in the inside, which constitutes a distinct species. The taste of bark should be bitter, but not nauseous, nor very astrin- * Memoir on Quinquina by M. Laubert, chief physician to the Spanish army.- translated in Lambert's Illustration, 4to. 1821. p. 64. f Humboldt says, " We saw at Peru the barks of* two new species of Wein- mania and Wintera mixed with those of Cinchona." Personal Nar. vol. v. p. 769. trans. $ Extracted from a MS. of Don Felix Devoti, a respectable physician at Lima, who has practised upwards of twenty-five years in South America. 25 194 C.—Cinchona. gent, with a slight agreeable acidity just perceptible to the palate; and when chewed it should not appear in threads, nor of much length. The odour of any of the barks is not very strong; but when they have been well cured and preserved, it is always perceptible; and the stronger it is, provided it be pleasant, the better may the bark be considered. The appearance of the coat or epidermis has led to many mistakes. It is in many instances merely accidental; depending on the variation in height of the ground, and the expo- sure of the branches to the sun and air. Seven distinct appear- ances of the epidermis are remarked: 1. Negrilla, dark silver coat;* 2. Crespilla, short curled; 3. Pardo-obscura, dark open leopard gray;t 4. Pardo-clara, light open gray;£ 5. Lagatijada, fine dark silver, lizard-coloured ;§ 6. Blanquissima, very pale;|| and 7. Ceni- cienta, ash-coloured. The three first are the best, and belong to bark produced on the highest mountains: the others rank in the or- der of their arrangement; the epidermis being always cracked and rough in proportion as the trees have been exposed to a scorching sun. With regard to fracture, some of the worst barks break even and clean as if cut with a knife, and some of the best have always a more or less splintery fracture. *H The fibres of the fracture being sharp and short, indicate the bark to have been gathered from mature branches; the long and thread-like from immature branches. The best barks are generally observed to be the heaviest. In point of thickness, very thin bark is inert, owing to the branches from which it was taken having been too young; and very thick bark, particu- larly if it breaks like common wood, argues that the tree must have been sickly; yet bark exceeding a line in thickness maybe good; for although it is disapproved of at Cadiz, under the name of quinon, yet, excellent effects have resulted from much thicker bark in Eng- land. The moderately thick and firm bark is always preferred at Lima. The quilling of bark arises from the manner in which it is separated from the branches. This is effected by making a longitu- dinal incision in the branch, and passing under the bark a very fine knife. As the slip dries, it rolls up, owing to the internal surface shrinking more than the external: a feeble rolling, therefore, denotes that the bark is rather too old, or has been too slowly dried: too much quilling, that it is either too young or has been too hastily dried. The moderate quill of bark certainly denotes it to be of the best kind, and that it has been taken from branches of a proper age, • This bark is occasionally found amongst the pale Cinchona sent to Eng- land. It is easily distinguished by its spotted surface. Ruiz says it must be ranked among those of a middling quality. f This is found mixed with the pale bark of the shops. It is regarded as of middling quality. * This is a very rare bark, and is that of the C. fusca of Ruiz. It is called Asmonich by the natives of Puzuzu and Muna, where it is found. § The bark with this coat has the greatest affinity with the yellow bark of the shops. It is a good kind of bark. D This bark is little valued in Spain, and is seldom met with in commerce. f The idea of a resinous fracture being the characteristic of good bark, originated when the virtue of bark was supposed to depend on the resin it contained. C.—Cinchona. 195 and well dried; but the bark collectors often produce this effect by fire, when there is a want of sun, as is frequently the case in some parts of the mountains. The fraud is known by the colour being much darker; and, when the bark is split, the inside exhibiting stripes of a whitish sickly hue. It should be preserved in cases, well secured from the air and humidity. The most complete examinations of cinchona, with the view of discovering on what principle its febrifuge properties depend, have been made by Vauquelin and Fabroni. The former divides all the different species into three sections, according to their chemical pro- perties.* The first comprises those which precipitate tannin, but not animal gelatin; the second, those which precipitate gelatin, but not tannin; and the third, those which precipitate at the same time tannin, gelatin, and tartar emetic. He conjectured, that on the prin- ciples producing these effects, particularly that which precipitates infusion of galls, the febrifuge properties of the barks depend, and that they are more or less febrifuge, in proportion to the quantity of these principles that are present. He asserts that the principle which precipitates tannin is of a brown colour and bitter taste; is less solu- ble in water than in alcohol; and it also precipitates tartarized anti- mony, but not glue.t It has some analogies with the resinous bodies, although it furnishes ammonia on distillation: whilst the principle which, in some cinchonas precipitates glue, has a bitter and astrin- gent taste; is more soluble in water than the principle which, in other kinds precipitates tan; and that it is also soluble in alcohol, and does not precipitate tartar emetic. J Fabroni conceives, that he is authorized in concluding from his experiments, that "the febrifuge virtue does not belong essentially and individually to the astringent, the bitter, or any other soluble principle, as the quantity of these increases by long boiling, while the virtues of the decoction decrease. Neither does the febrifuge virtue reside in that principle which de- stroys the emetic property of tartarized antimony, and precipitates iron, since the decoction contains more of it than the infusion, while its virtues are evidently lcss."§ Hence we may conclude from these doubts, and many others that have been raised, that much is yet to be done before the principle of cinclionas effective in the cure of fevers be ascertained. || We may, however, venture to state the fol- • He examined seventeen different kinds, but was not able to ascertain the names of the trees from which they were obtained. f The effect of this principle was first noticed by Dr. Maton; and soon after by Seguin, who immediately concluded that it was gelatine; but this opinion was proved to be erroneous by Dr. Duncan, jun. who found that it was a principle sui generis, and named it cinchonin. Vide Nicholson's Journal, vii. 226. t Annates de Chimie, 1. c. § Edinburgh Medical and Surgical Review, ii. 338. II In consequence of a chemical theory of the mode in which cinchona acts on the living body, Fabroni made some curious experiments to ascertain the relative affinity of different cinchonas to oxygen. In imitating his experiments with the three officinal species, Thomson found that when half a drachm of each of these barks in powder was separately mixed with half a fluid ounce of strong nitric acid, in similar vessels, the temperature of the atmosphere at 196 C.—Cinchona. lowing as the known active constituents of cinchonas; cinchonin, resin, extractive, gluten or ferment, volatile oil,* and tannin. Thom- son! separated the resin in a pure state by evaporating the ethereal tincture on the surface of cold water; and the gluten Fabroni found was separable by water, occasioning the spontaneous fermentation of the decoction and infusion in summer, and decomposable by fer- mentation. They also contain several salts having lime for their basis, one of which, peculiar to yellow bark, Descamps, an apothe- cary at Lyons, discovered, and erroneously ascribed to it the febri- fuge property of the bark. Vauquelin found it to consist of lime, and a peculiar hitherto unknown acid, which he denominated kink, and therefore termed the salt a kinate of lime.t MM. Alibert and Cabal demonstrated the presence of iron in cinchona, by incinerating the bark, dissolving the ashes in nitric acid and adding prussiate of potass, which precipitated prussiate of iron. The latest analysis of the cinchona barks, is that of MM. Pelle- tier and Caventou. The following are the components of the three officinal species: 1. In pale bark they found acidulous kinate of cin- chonin, a green fatty matter, a red nearly insoluble colouring matter which they term red cinchonic, tannin, a yellow colouring matter, kinate of lime, gum, starch, and woody fibre. 2. In yellow bark they found that the alkaline base differs from cinchonin, in being incrystallizable, very soluble in ether, and forming salts with the acids different from those formed by cinchonin. The components of yellow bark are, an acidulous kinate of this salt, which they have named quinine; a deep yellow fatty matter, red cinchonic, tannin, yellow colouring matter, kinate of lime, starch, and woody fibre. 3. Red bark contains, acidulous kinate of cinchonin, kinate of qui- nine, reddish fatty matter, red cinchonic, tannin, kinate of lime, yellow colouring matter, starch, and woody fibre. The two alkaline bodies, cinchonin and quinine, found in these barks, unite readily with the acids, and are specific in curing inter- mittents. Medical properties and uses.—Cinchona bark is a powerful and permanent tonic, possessing also antispasmodic and antiseptic powers; and is undoubtedly superior to all other remedies in coun- teracting febrile action, and restoring strength and vigour to mor- bidly weakened habits. The stories which are related regarding the discovery of its febri- fuge effects appear to be founded on fiction, and are unworthy of notice. The Peruvians, it has been supposed, were acquainted with the time being 70°, and that of the acid 71°, in the space of four minutes, the heat produced rose the mercury in the thermometer as follows:— Common pale bark, — to 120°. -------yellow bark, — to 123°. --------red bark, — to 119°. The mixture in each vessel was gradually swollen as the heat increased, and nitrous fumes were given out, showing the evident decomposition of the acid. * Dr. Irwin first obtained a small portion of this oil. ■J- Annates de Chimie, lix. 1. c. The name of the acid is derived from kina, an old appellation of the bark. Dr. Duncan proposes to call in cinchonic acid, as the present name would lead to the supposition that it is procured from kino. C.—Cinchona. 197 its powers before the conquest of their country by the Spaniards, and from them the knowledge of it might have been acquired by their con- querors: but Humboldt renders this idea improbable, and says that the use of the Cinchona bark " is entirely unknown to the Indians in Loxa, Guaneabamba, and far around.* They even regard it as poisonous; and in Malacatis only, where many bark-peelers live, they begin to put confidence in the Cinchona bark."t The most probable history of the discovery of the febrifuge virtues of cinchona, is the following tradition, mentioned by Humboldt, in his Dissertation on the Cinchona Forests. The Jesuits, at the fell- ing of the wood, had taken notice of the considerable bitterness of the cinchona, and, " there being always medical practitioners among the missionaries, it is said they-had tried an infusion of the cinchona in the tertian ague, a complaint which is very common in that part of the country;" and having found it succeed in curing the disease, began to employ it as a febrifuge.£ It was nevertheless little known by Europeans, until the countess of Cinchon, wife of Don Geronimo Fernandez de Cabrera Bobadella y Mendoza, count of Cinchon, viceroy of Peru, introduced it into Europe, on her return to Spain, in 1640. Its fame soon spread, and it was taken to Italy in 1649, and through the means of cardinal De Lugo and the Jesuits, was distributed over the continent^ It was in repute in England in 1658; but owing to its high price, || and some prejudices formed against it, it was very little used, till Talbot, an Englishman, again brought it into vogue by the many cures he per- formed with it in France, under the name of the English remedy. His secret of preparing and exhibiting it was purchased by Louis XIV. and made public. These circumstances throw light on the origin of some of the names by which it has been known: as, Cortex and Pulvis Comitissse; Cortex and Pulvis de Lugo; and Pulvis Jes- suiticus or Pulvis Patrum. It was called also, Palos de calentura, or fever wood, on account of its effects; and, from the place whence it was brought, Peruvian bark. It was introduced into practice for the cure of intermittent fever, and still retains the reputation it acquired as a remedy for that dis- ease; although, owing to peculiar idiosyncrasies and other acci- dental causes, it has occasionally failed in agues, which were * Humboldt on the Cinchona Forests; in Lambert's Illustration of the Genus Cinchona. Lond. 1821, 4to. p. 22. f Humboldt says that the present people of South America have the most inveterate prejudices against the employment of the different kinds of cincho- na; and in the very country where this valuable remedy grows, they try to cut off the fever by infusions of Scoparia dulcis, and hot lemonades prepared with sugar and the small wild lime, the rind of which is equally oily and aromatic. —Personal Narrative, vol. v. p. 164. Trans. * Consult Sprengel, Hist, de la Med. v. 5. p. 414, and seq. for much infor- mation relating to the bark. § Morton gives the above account on the authority of Bollus, a Genoese mer- chant, who had lived long in Peru, "autor fide dignus." De Febribus Inter- mit, c. vii. II It was sold at first by the Jesuits for its weight in silver; yet Condamine relates that, in 1690, several thousand pounds of it lay at Piura and Payta for want of a purchaser. Mdmoires Acad. Roy. 1738. 198 C.—Cinchona. afterwards removed by other remedies, particularly arsenic. Some of these failures may perhaps have arisen from the kind of the bark employed: for notwithstanding the generally received opinion, that all thekinds of bark may be indifferently used, one for another, yet there is some reason for the assertions of the Spanish and Ame- rican physicians, that they vary in other respects besides their de- gree of activity. By them the pale bark, calisaya, quina naranjada,* is considered as directly febrifuge, and the best adapted for the cure of ague; the yellow bark, quina amarilla, as only indirectly so, and better fitted for slow fevers and chronic debilities: while the red, colorada, quina roxa, is only fit to be used in cases of gangrene,! as its use is apt to be followed with disgustful nausea, severe vomiting, and insupportable colic. The differences of opinion with regard to the best time of giving it are now nearly settled. BoerhaaveJ and others recommended that the fever should be allowed to run on for some time beforeit was administered; but it is now generally agreed that the bark cannot be given too early after the stomach and bowels are cleared by an emetic and cathartic. Dr. Cullen recommended the exhibition of it in a large dose or doses immediately before the accessions;§ but Morton's method of giving it directly after the hot stage of the paroxysm ceases, and repeating it in increased doses during the intermission, until the cold stage again returns, is now generally adopted. It may be safely given, however, during the pa- roxysm, as practised by Dr. Clarke of Newcastle, but many sto- machs are apt to nauseate it at that time. In remittent fevers, cinchona is found equally efficacious; but the excitement, however, particularly in the remittents of warm cli- mates, requires to be previously subdued by blood-letting, and the bowels to be kept open. It renders the remissions distinct, and by degrees checks altogether the febrile action. In other affections, de- pending on a similar state of habit, as hemicrania, periodical pains, spasms, chorea, hysteria, epilepsy, passive haemorrhagy, and in ha- bitual, frequently returning coughs, it is also found useful: but it does not prevent the continuance of those paroxysms of ague which form one of the constitutional symptoms of stricture of the urethra and some other local affections; and which can be cured only by re- moving the strictures and other sources of irritation. In the low stage of continued fevers of the typhoid type, parti- cularly when these are attended with symptoms of putridity, as in jail fever, cynanche maligna, scarlatina maligna, confluent small- pox, and in putrid measles, the bark must be regarded as one of the most valuable remedies. The administration of it in pure typhus has been of late years judiciously delayed until the increased excitement * According to Condamine, this was the bark first introduced into Europe. He says it yields by incision a yellow odorous resinj and that the Jesuits of La Paz, (whence the best bark of this species is stdl obtained,)"used to gather it with care, and send it to Rome, where it was specific in agues. But the Loxa bark coming to Europe soon after, the three kinds were confounded to- gether. f Zea, Annates de Hist. Nat. 1. c. Rushworth discovered the efficacy of the red bark in gangrene. * Aphorismi, &c. 767. § Mat. Med. ii. 97. C.—Cinchona. 199 is presumed to be subdued, and symptoms of great debility make their appearance, or until the morbid heat be carried off, and the skin opened. Several eminent modern physicians,* however, recommend it to be given early in the disease, and persevered in; but we are in- clined to consider the former the safer practice, and believe that the best effects will be produced from the cinchona, when its use, in pure typhus, is not begun till the skin becomes moist, the tongue is in part cleaned, and the urine deposites a critical sediment. The best adjuncts in these cases are the diluted sulphuric, or the muriatic acids, and aromatics, particularly the tincture of capsicum. Cinchona was first conjectured to be useful in gout by Sydenham, and in some cases its efficacy is sufficiently evident. In rheumatism, also, Dr. Haygarth has lately strongly recommended it to be given, after the manner "of Morton, Hulse, and Fothergill, from the com- mencement of the disease; the stomach and bowels being previously emptied by means of antimonial preparations. In his own practice, Thomson found it useful only after the liberal exhibition of calomel, tartarized antimony, colchicum and opium, when the pain has abat- ed, or assumed an intermittent character, and the pulse has become softer. Its efficacy in this disease is much increased by the addition of spirit of turpentine. In phthisis, bark is found beneficial when the accompanying hectic puts on more of the intermittent form than usual; when the debility is considerable, and blood is mixed in the sputa: and in several cases of pneumonia, when, after repeated large bleedings and evacuations, the pulse continued hard and thrilling and the blood buffy; although the expectoration was free and the skin open, yet bark has been seen to produce the happiest effects. In various cutaneous diseases, as, lichen agrius, and lividus; in purpura;t in impetigo erysipelatodes and scabida; in some varieties of erysipelas, and in extensive ulcerations both from common inflam- mation and venereal affections:^ in the termination of all acute dis- eases after the urgent symptoms are subdued; and in dyspepsia, chronic debility, and nervous affections, cinchona is found to possess great efficacy. As a local remedy, bark is sometimes used in the form of gargle in malignant sore throat and aphthous affections: and as a wash to foetid gangrenous sores: but in these cases the red bark is to be pre- ferred. Powerful effects also are said to have been produced upon the system by frictions with the extract, softened by saliva or oil, upon the thighs and other parts of the body. It may be efficaciously administered per anum, when it cannot be taken into the stomach: but Denman says he found no advantage from its use as a clyster in the low state of puerperal fever in which it has been highly extolled. Cinchona bark is administered in a variety of forms. (See Ex- tracts, Tinctures, fyc. SfC.) In substance it is reduced to the state of an impalpable powder; and although it loses some of its activity during the process of pulverization, (qu?) yet, when it can be retained on the stomach, this is the best form of the remedy. § If it excite nau- • Clarke. Heberden. + Willan. * Pearson. § Fabroni says, " Cinchona loses its solubility, and consequently its activity, 200 C__Cinchona. sea or vomiting, or operate as a cathartic, or occasion costiveness, these inconveniences may in some degree be obviated by combining it with aromatics, opium, or a cathartic, as circumstances direct; or some of the lighter preparations, in which its active principles are supposed to be extracted, and free from the grosser parts, may be employed. The powder is given mixed in wine or in water; or, when the taste is an objection, in milk or syrup, or a solution of ex- tract of liquorice, all of which effectually cover the taste, provided the dose be taken directly after it be mixed.* The dose of the powder is from grs. v. to Jij. or more. In inter- mittents the full dose is sometimes given at first; but in other dis- eases grs. v. x. or xv. are sufficient to commence with, the dose be- ing repeated every two, three, or four hours, and gradually increas- ed, until one or two ounces, in some cases, be taken in twenty-four hours.t Singular effect of Peruvian Bark. A French merchant, at Guayra, named Delpech, in 1806, had oc- casion to receive several travellers, inhabitants of those countries. The apartments destined for visitors being filled, and the number of his guests increasing, he was under the necessity of putting several of them in rooms occupied by cinchona. Each of them contained from 8 to 10 thousand pounds of that bark. One of his guests was ill of a very malignant fever. After the first day he found himself much better, though he had taken no medicine; but he was surround- ed with an atmosphere of cinchona, which appeared very agreeable to him. In a few days he felt himself quite recovered without any medical treatment whatever. This unexpected success led M. Del- pech to make some other trials. Several persons ill of fever, were by long exposure to the air, and by pulverization long protracted with the view of rendering it as fine as possible. From one twelve-hundredth to one-sixteen- hundredth are obtained from bruised cinchona, which in fine powder yields only one six-hundredth or one seven-hundredth to water. OCT Practitioners ought never to purchase bark in the state of powder, for in this state it is always found more or less adulterated. Dr. Paris, fPharmaco- logia,J mentions that in a late officinal inspection of the shops of apotheca- ries and druggists, " the censors repeatedly met with powdered cinchona, having a harsh metallic taste." This may arise from the admixture of a species of bark, lately introduced into Europe from Martinique, resembling the Cin- chona floribunda,- and which by an analysis of M. Cadet, (~Journ. de Pharm. vol. ii. p. 54,) was found to contain iron. The Cinchona floribunda is both eme- tic and purgative; and if this new bark possess the same properties', it is unne- cessary to add, that it must prove injurious when combined with good cincho- na. A less injurious, but equally fraudulent admixture, is the powder of bark which has been employed in making the extract; and of very inferior bark, much of which, it is said, is imported into England for no other purpose. * Mutis conceiving that fermentation is the best method for extracting the active part of cinchona, has proposed to make a beer of it, by fermenting one part of the bark in powder with eight parts of honey or sugar, and 80 or 100 of water. And Alibert having persuaded a brewer to make some beer with cinchona, administered it to convalescents, weakened by protracted intermit- tents, with the best effects. f Many persons suppose, and we believe with justice, that these very large doses are injudicious, if not hurtful; as the active principle constitutes but afew grains, the residuary woody fibre can only remain as an inert or heavy burden to the stomach! C.—Cinchona. 201 placed successively in his magazine of cinchona, and they were all speedily cured, simply by the effluvia of the bark. In the same place with the cinchona, he kept a bale of coffee, and some bottles of common French brandy. In some time M. Delpech, when visiting his magazine, observed one of the large bottles uncork- ed. He suspected at first the fidelity of his servant, and determined to examine the quality of the brandy. What was his astonishment to find it infinitely superior to what it had been!—A slightly aroma- tic taste, added to its strength, and rendered it more tonic and more agreeable. Curious to know if the coffee had likewise changed its properties, he opened the bale, and roasted a portion of it. It was more bitter, and left in the mouth a taste similar to that of the efflu- via of bark.—The bark which produced these singular effects was fresh. Would the cinchona of commerce have the same efficacy?* Observations and Experiments on several species of Peruvian Bark, by George W. Carpenter, of Philadelphia. "The apothecaries of this country and England distinguish the de- nomination of different species of bark by the colour of the powder, and it is a subject of still greater surprise to see the orders and pre- scriptions of some of our most intelligent physicians, in which the species of bark they wish to employ is designated by no other than one of the terms signifying red, pale, or yellow; thus reducing the extensive genus cinchona of not less than twenty-five species into three varieties, and leaving it entirely to the discretion of the apo- thecary to give him any species of a colour correspondent to that or- dered. Independent of the great insufficiency of these terms to dis- tinguish the numerous species, the colour of the powder is one of the most remote and inaccurate methods of classing or assorting cincho- na, as under the same denomination the best species of bark, (Cali- saya arrollenda,) would be confounded with the most inferior, (Car- thagena,) as the colour of the powders are both yellow; hence a phy- sician writing for yellow bark, leaves it to the choice of the apothe- cary to send what species he may think proper of a correspondent colour, but varying in quality from Calisaya to Carthagena, or in medicinal activity as from 12 to 1. "The importance, therefore, of adopting terms more definite to distinguish the several species of Peruvian bark, must be obvious. The botanical nomenclature of these species, is imperfect and inade- quate for the purpose. The quality of Peruvian bark appears to be very much influenced by locality, produced by difference in soil, al- titude of situation, exposure, or some other circumstances peculiar to the location; hence, the different provinces of Peru afford bark differing very materially in their physical characters, and particularly in the activity of their medical qualities; it would appear from these circumstances that a nomenclature might be formed derived from the name of the provinces in which tlie bark grows. " The following is a description of some of the most important spe- * Essential Salt of Bark. The preparation sold under this empirical title, is an extract prepared by macerating the bruised substance of bark in cold water, and submitting the infusion to a very slow evaporation. 26 202 C__Cinchona. cies which now occur in our commerce, which I have submitted to experiment, and have given to each the comparative proportion of quinine and cinchonine they respectively contain. The names which are given to distinguish these several species are derived from the provinces in which they grow, which at present, in consequence of the confusion in the botanical history and arrangement of cinchona, is the most direct and certain mode of distinguishing those species of bark which now occur in our commerce, and are found in our shops. Calisaya, or Yellow Bark. " Of this very important species there are two varieties of com- merce. "1st. Calisaya Arrollenda, (Quill Calisaya*)—This variety is in quills from three-quarters of an inch to an inch and a half in diame- ter, and from, eight inches to a foot and a half in length. " The epidermis is thick, and may be readily removed from the bark; hence you find in the seroons or cases a great proportion de- prived of this inert part; it is generally imported in seroons weighing about 150 lbs. and very seldom comes in cases; it has many deep transversal fissures running parallel; the fracture is woody and shining; the interior layer is fibrous, and of a yellow colour; the taste is slightly astringent, and very bitter. " This species of bark will yield a much larger proportion of the active principle, (quinine,) than any other bark in commerce, and consequently may justly be considered the best. " 2d. Calisaya Plancha, (Flat Calisaya.)—This variety consists of flat, thick, woody pieces, of a reddish-brown colour, deprived of its epidermis, and the interior layer more fibrous than that in the quill. " This variety yields from twenty to twenty-five per cent. less qui- nine than the arrollenda, and is consequently a less desirable article. Superior Loxa, or Crown Bark, Pale or Gray Bark. " Loxa is the name of the province and port where this bark is ob- tained, and from whence it is exported. It is in this province cin- chona was originally discovered. This bark has been highly esteem- ed by the royal family, and is that which has been selected for their use; hence the name of crown bark. The following are the charac- ters which distinguish this bark. " The Loxa bark occurs in small quills, the longitudinal edges fold- ing in upon themselves, forming a tube about the circumference of a goose-quill, and from half a foot to a foot and a half in length. It is of a grayish colour* on the exterior, and covered with small trans- verse fissures or cracks; the interior surface is smooth, and in fresh or good bark of a bright orange-red; it is of a compact texture, and breaks with a short, clear fracture; it is the bark of the cinchona condaminea, and is known at Loxa by the name of Cascarilla Fina. Yet notwithstanding this bark appears to have had the decided pre- ference to all other species, analysis indicates to the contrary, and proves that it is not equal in medicinal strength by at least twenty- five per cent, to that denominated Calisaya. This bark is more as- tringent and less bitter than the Calisaya. " This species yields from twenty-five to thirty per cent, lesscin- C.—Cinchona. 203 chonine and quinine, than the calisaya arrollenda does of quinine; and the proportion of cinchonine is much greater than the quinine. Cinchona Oblongifolia, (Red Bark.) " The above term appears to be more applicable to the species in question than any other which can be selected, as under that deno- mination the best red bark has always been well known; and as there is but one other species affording a red powder, which is strikingly different in physical, as well as medicinal qualities, it is not likely to be confounded. The inferior red bark, of which there is no small quantity in our market, is no doubt, more frequently produced by co- louring tow-priced yellow bark, than the product of a distinct species. " There is but one species of bark in addition to the oblongifolia, producing a red powder, which has been called Rosea, and as that species is seldom or never in our commerce, there can be little or no powder produced by it; hence all the inferior kinds of red bark, of which there is no small quantity, (to the discredit of those who vend it,) must be either such of the oblongifolia which has been rendered almost inactive by age, weather, or some other exposure, or, as be- fore surmised, to.be inferior yellow bark coloured; and as the pro- duct of the former must be small, it in all probability proceeds from the latter source; hence the price of red bark is as various, and qualities correspondent to the prices, as the yellow bark, although the number of species of which we are in possession is not one-eighth the number of the latter. "The cinchona oblongifolia is the magnifolia of the Flora Peruvi- ana, and is known in Spain by the name of Colorado, and is what constitutes the red bark of commerce; it occurs generally in large, thick pieces, being the product of the largest tree of the genus cin- chona. " There are, however, two varieties of this species:— " 1st. Coloruda Canan, (Quill red bark,) occurs in quills of va- rious diameters, from one-fourth of an inch to two inches in thickness. The epidermis is white or grayish, with transversal fissures or warty concretions of a reddish colour; the interior is of a brick-red colour, and the short fracture is short and fibrous; the longitudinal fracture compact and shining, the taste not so bitter as the Calisaya. "2d. Colorado Plancha, or Flat Red Bark.—This variety is in very large, thick pieces, from one half to two inches and upwards in thickness, and from one to two, feet in length; the epidermis is brown, thick, and rugged, with cracks running in various directions; the fracture is very fibrous; the inside is of a deep brick colour; the taste is less bitter than the quill, and of course much less than the Calisaya. " These two varieties frequently come in the same seroon, and from the appearance are no doubt the product of the same species, or perhaps the same tree; the quill produced by the branches, and the flat, thick pieces from the trunk; or the former from young, and the latter from older trees. " This barkisgenerally more scarce in our market than the yellow or pale barks, and commands a higher price when genuine than any other bark. From experiments on the oblongifolia I procured twenty per 204 C—Cinchona. cent, less cinchonine and quinine in combination of quantity, than the quinine produced by the same quantity of Calisaya arrollenda bark, and the proportion of cinchonine was rather more than half of the product. "It will appear, therefore, from what has been said, that notwith- standing the prejudices which have so long existed in favour of the red bark, analysis satisfactorily proves that it is inferior to the Ca- lisaya, (yellow bark,) as the whole product, as before stated, of its active principles does not equal that of the Calisaya, and cinchonine constituting rather more than half the product, which, according to Dr. Paris, is five times less active than quinine.* " From the preceding descriptions, the several species of Peruvian bark, most commonly met with at the present day may be readily recognized and distinguished from each other, as the physical charac- ters are prominent in each variety; after, however, selecting the best species of Peruvian bark by the several distinguishing and specific characters, one very important adventitious condition yet remains to be investigated. It is a fact established beyond controversy, that age is a very powerful and influential agent in modifying the condi- tion, and deteriorating the active properties of bark, insomuch that the best species of Peruvian bark, when old, is little superior, and sometimes even inferior to the Carthagena bark, when fresh. In what manner, or by what process, age, or rather the circumstance connect- ed with it, acts upon bark, other than a combination with oxygen, or a volatilization of its active principle, I know not. Fabroni states with truth, that cinchona loses its solubility, and consequently its activity by long exposure to the air, but does not give his opinion as to the manner it is thus affected. I cannot, however, conceive under existing circumstances, how the solubility of Peruvian bark can be diminished, except through the agency of oxygen, and it is by this means the extract of bark, prepared according to the common formula of our dispensatories, is devoid of utility; for owing to the oxydise- ment of the extractive matter, the solubility of the extract is so di- minished duringits formation thatscarcely one-half is soluble in water. " From a number of experiments which I have made upon Peruvian bark of various species in different conditions, I have observed as an unequivocal result, that the same species of bark, which when fresh is very productive of quinine, when old, will produce little or none of that principle upon which alone its virtue as a medicine, resides. " It will appear, therefore, an important duty critically to examine the state of bark as to age, and it may perhaps be useful in this place to describe the character of bark in this condition. The prominent features which characterize old bark, and distinguish it from recent, are to be found in the colour, taste, smell, weight, &c. Old bark has lost nearly all that bitter and astringent taste and peculiar aro- matic odour which are such prominent characteristics of recent bark of good quality. " The specific gravity is also sensibly diminished, and the fracture * We do not consider Dr. Paris to be always confided in, in his assertions; certainly his works are not always correct—and we doubt much if fact will prove this extreme difference of power in quinine and cinchonine. Ed. C.—Cinchona. 205 instead of being shining and compact, is dull, fibrous, and of a loose texture, and the colour very frequently passes from a bright orange to pale yellow, and sometimes to a dull brown colour as the bark advances in age, particularly if much exposed. By attention to these few conspicuous characters, taste, smell, weight, fracture and colour, no mistake can arise in the selection of good bark, unless there is a gross deficiency of judgment." The following letter and observations from Mr. Carpenter, are of sufficient importance in connection with the subject of cinchona, to have a place in the Dispensatory, inasmuch as they contain some matters not elsewhere to be found:— " Dear Sir.—On examination of my pamphlet on Cinchona,I found it contain- ed nothing of importance in addition to what I had before given you for the Dispensatory. I however have written a description of a species of bark which has never yet been described, and as there is a very large quantity of it in our market, and the importation of it likely to be continued, I have thought it would be interesting for the Dispensatory, which, with the others already noticed, will embrace all the barks which are now met with amongst us. I have also, as connected with cinchona, given a few remarks on the salts Qui- nine and Cinchonine, which I think will be interesting to most readers on cin- chona. Hoping they may answer a useful purpose, they are submitted by, " Yours, very truly, G. W. CARPENTER." "Professor Coxe." Additional Remarks on Cinchona, fyc. by George W. Carpenter. Maracaibo Bark. "There has lately appeared in our market a species of cinchona, hitherto not observed, which may be classed, in a medicinal point of view, between that denominated Carthagena and the superior barks. It generally comes in bales of from seventy to one hundred pounds, from Maracaibo; hence the name above adopted, pursuing the ar- rangement of nomenclature from the locality, as observed in the pre- ceding species. This bark is much superior to the Carthagena or common bark, as it is generally met with. It produces double the amount of saline matter composed of cinchonine and quinine, also a larger quantity and much more extractive matter than the latter, it is therefore at least double the value. As it can be purchased at the same price, it would be an object and advantageous for the practi- tioner to be acquainted with the distinguishing characters of this bark, by which he could discriminate and recognise it among the different species and varieties of common bark. "It occurs in flat pieces, which are short and broken, as if it were separated from the tree with difficulty, being mostly in pieces from one to three inches in length, and half to one inch broad. There are occasionally found small quills, the longitudinal edges folding together, forming tubes from one-fourth to one-half inch in diameter It is of a deep yellow colour; the epidermis, which is extremely thin, smooth, and of a light gray colour, is generally removed from the bark. It may be distinguished from the Carthagena bark, by being more compact, and breaking with a short and cleaner fracture, also 206 C.—Cinchona. by its taste, which is much more bitter: it is quite as strong a bitter as the Loxa bark, but has not the astringcncy of the latter. The in- ternal layer is fibrous, but in a less degree than the Carthagena. This bark has only appeared in our market within a year or two, and as it will supply the place of a much inferior article, it is of high importanceto the profession. "The quality of bark depends, no doubt, on the product of quinine and cinchonine they respectively contain. The separation of these al- kalies, therefore, is a very valuable test to discover the qualities of dif- ferent species of bark. Different barks, however, produce various pro- portions of these two salts. Thus we find the Calisaya produces most quinine, the Loxa most cinchonine, and the red or oblongifolia both these salts in nearly equal proportions. What is the comparative value of these two salts is yet a subject of controversy; a considera- ble majority, however, are in favour of the quinine, perhaps because most of them have not had an opportunity of employing the cincho- nine. Dr. Paris goes so far as to state that cinchonine is five times less active than quinine; others contend the reverse. An interesting paper was read before the Academy of Medicine at Paris, which is published in the Bulletin des Sciences Medicales, for November, 1825, in which M. Bally states that he has experimented upon the sulphate of cinchonine, with a view to determine its febrifuge quali- ties. He administered this sulphate in twenty-seven cases of inter- mittent fevers of different types, in doses of two grain pills, giving three or four in the interval of paroxysms, by which treatment he cured the disease as effectually and as speedily as with the quinine; of which twenty-seven cases there were sixteen tertian, nine quoti- dian, and two quartan. He remarked further, that the cinchonine has properties less irritating than those of quinine, and that conse- quently its employment should be more general and preferred in all simple cases. I believe few of no-experiments have been made by the physicians of this country upon the medical properties of the cinchonine; it consequently must be very little known by them from their own experience, but it certainly is a medicine which deserves at least a trial. "The sulphate of quinine, as generally termed, is not a perfectly s neutral salt, being in the state of a sub-sulphate and is only partly soluble in water. Its exhibition in this fluid is rendered much more eligible by the addition of a drop of sulphuric acid to each grain of the salt, which makes a perfectly transparent solution, and which, I think, from its obvious advantages, must entirely supersede the com- mon formula of gum and sugar: a few grains of citric or tartaric acid will have the same effect in dissolving the quinine as the sulphuric acid, and has been preferred by some. Dr. Paris states he lately saw a prescription, in which the salt is directed to be rubbed with a few grains of cream of tartar, and then to be dissolved in mint water. This, he continues, is obviously injudicious, since tartaric acid de- composes the sulphate, and occasions an insoluble tartrate, which is precipitated. With deference to Dr. Paris, I would beg leave to differ on the following grounds. The cream of tartar is objectionable merely from the circumstance that the active part of the compound may be obtained in a more direct and speedy process by the tartaric acid. C.—Cinchona. 207 The combination of cream of tartar and sulphate of quinine, in the above prescription, does produce decomposition, as Dr. Paris has observed, but the virtue of the medicine is not the least affected by it, and the precipitate, instead of being an insoluble tartrate of quinine, as he observes, is sulphate of potass; tartrate of quinine is a very soluble salt, and is held in solution, while the water becomes slightly turbid by the precipitation of sulphate of potass, which, however, from its extremely minute division, is speedily taken up by the water, when you have a transparent solution of tartrate of quinine and sulphate of potass; and as the latter answers neither a good nor a bad purpose, it of course can very conveniently be dis- pensed with, and therefore, as before stated, the tartaric acid should be preferred, as having a more speedy and direct action." IC?" As it is of much importance to know if the sulphate of quinine we employ be genuine, the following properties will tend to deter- mine this, according to the observations of Dr. Barker, in the 4th vol. Trans, of the College of Physicians of Ireland, p. 271. " AVheu exposed to heat on a slip of platina foil, it melts like wax; it then blackens, partly rises, and burns with flame. It requires at least 300 times its weight of water for solution; much more of it is taken up by hot than by cold water, from which it crystallizes in prisms. It is much more soluble in alcohol than in water, dissolving in a quantity of rectified spirit, of specific gravity 840, amounting to about 40 times its weight. Its aqueous solution is decomposed by several reagents. Soluble barytic salts, as might be expected, ren- der it turbid; but I have not observed any reagent to produce so striking an effect as Iodine. I have found a very minute quantity of this substance in water; for example, a grain of iodine heated in a drachm or two of water, to produce, in the watery solution of the sulphate of quina, a copious precipitate of a cinnamon-brown colour. This precipitate dissolves on heating the liquor; it is also soluble in rectified spirit, and is again thrown down by water. The tincture of iodine may be also applied as a test of the sulphate of quina; this tincture is partly decomposed by water, but the colour of the preci- pitate is quite different from that produced by the sulphate of quina, which in colour very much resembles the Peruvian bark. "By the preceding characters, viz. its fusion by heat, little solu- bility in water, greater solubility in alcohol, and the brown coloured precipitate it affords with iodine, it may be distinguished from other substances. To these characters may be added, its sensible quali- ties, particularly its strong bitter taste, which, if found to co-exist with the abovementioned chemical properties, will prove the sub- stance to be genuine."11 gCT* The Pharm. U. S. employs the Cinchona under the names of Cinchona pallida, rubra, and flava. * For the amount of sulphate of quina from different barks, by Pelletier and Caventou, see N. A. Med. Jour. Vol. 5. p. 475. 208 C__Cinchona. CINCHONA CARIBiEA. E. Caribsean Cinchona. The Bark. This tree is found in the Caribaean islands. It grows to a very large size. Dr. Wright, to whom we are indebted for all our know- ledge of it, found some in the parish of St. James's, Jamaica, fifty feet high, and proportionally thick. The wood is hard, clouded, and takes a fine polish. The bark of the large trees is rough, the cuticle thick and inert, and the inner bark thinner than that of the young trees, but more fibrous. The bark is brought to us in pieces about a span in length, rolled together, and .a line or half a line in thickness, of a brown colour on the surface, which is most commonly covered with white lichens: internally it is of a dark brown colour, and very fibrons in its fracture. It has at first a sweetish taste, but after being chewed some time, it becomes extremely nauseous and bitter. Dr. Wright says he made use of this bark in all cases where Peruvian bark was indicated, and with the greatest success. It has often been confounded with the cinchona floribunda, (Willdenow's seventh spe- cies,) so excellently analyzed by Fourcroy, under the title of the Cinchona of St. Domingo, and which, taken internally, is apt to ex- cite vomiting and purging. fCT* Cinchonia. A vegetable alkaline substance, existing in the Loxa and red bark combined with kinic acid, and discovered by Go- mez, who gave it the name of Cinchonin. It is in very fine prisma- tic needles, or in white, transparent and crystalline scales, of a bit- ter taste, which is slowly perceived, and is composed of carbon, 76.97; nitrogen, 9.02; hydrogen, 6.22; and oxygen, 7.97—accord- ing to Pelletier and Dumas, is soluble in alcohol, especially when warm; almost insoluble in cold water, and requires 2.500 times its weight of this liquid to dissolve it; ether and volatile oils dissolve it with difficulty. Exposed to the air, it slowly absorbs a small quan- tity of carbonic acid; heated, it decomposes before melting. It pos- sesses the properties of the alkalies, it unites with some of the acids, and forms with most of them perfect neutral salts. To prepare it, the pulverized loxa bark is acted upon by warm di- luted hydrochloric acid; filter the liquor, and add to it an excess of lime; boil for a short time, filter again, and wash the residuum; then treat it with boiling alcohol, which dissolves the cinchonia only, and from which it is separated by evaporation. Should it contain any colouring matter, as is almost always the case, it must be com- bined with an acid, and the salt be discoloured by means of animal charcoal, and the vegetable base be separated again by the lime and alcohol. Sulphate of Cinchonia is a neutral salt, produced by the combi- nation of sulphuric acid with cinchonia. It is in four-sided prisma- tic crystals, very short, and terminated in an acute angle, united in bundles, white, shining, flexible, inodorous, and intensely bitter; and is composed of cinchonia 100, and sulphuric acid, 13.021. It is inso- luble in ether, soluble in 54 parts of cold water, and in almost any C—Cinchona. 209 proportion of alcohol. It melts like wax at about the boiling point of water. At a higher temperature it becomes red, and decomposes. By the addition of a small quantity of sulphuric acid, it is con- verted into a bi-sulphate, which dissolves in a little less than its weight of cold water. It is obtained in a direct way by combining the base with the sul- phuric acid, or else by evaporating and crystallizing the mother wa- ters from which the sulphate of quinia has been extracted. Dose one to ten or more grains. Quinia is a vegetable and alkaline salifiable base, discovered by Pelletier and Caventou, in the calisaya, red, and loxa barks, and is in porous masses, whitish, of a bitter and unpleasant taste, but may be however obtained in crystals, composed of very minute needles, forming silky tufts. According to Pelletier and Dumas, it is composed of carbon 75; nitrogen 8.45; hydrogen 6.66; oxygen 10.43. It is almost insoluble in cold water, and soluble in 5000 times its weight of boiliiig water; it is, on the contrary, very soluble in alcohol and ether. The fixed and volatile oils dissolve a small quantity of it. It is unalterable by exposure to the air. It melts when heated, and decomposes above the boiling point; it possesses alkaline properties, and combines with the acids, to form soluble neutral salts. It may be procured directly from the yellow bark by a process si- milar to that used in the preparation of cinchonia. But it is prefera- ble to procure it by the decomposition of the sulphate of quinia, by an excess of magnesia or lime. The precipitate is treated with boil- ing alcohol, which dissolves the quinia disengaged from its combina- tion; it is afterwards isolated by evaporating the alcohol. It is puri- fied by repeated solutions in this liquid. Sulphate of Quinia. A neutral saline substance resulting from the action of sulphuric acid upon quinia. It is in very minute needles, of a pearly-white, flexible, resembling fibrous and silky asbestus, united in radiated flakes, and of an excessive bitter taste, and by analysis is stated to be composed of quinia, 76.27; sulphuric acid, 8.47; water, 15.25: and when it is effloresced, it is composed of qui- nia, 86.12: sulphuric acid, 9.57; and water, 4.31. Itissolublein about seven hundred and forty parts of cold, and in thirty of boiling water. It becomes more soluble by the addition of a little sulphuric acid, which causes it to form a bi-sulphate. It dissolves easily in alcohol; in contact with the air, it effloresces rapidly; heated, it melts, and has the appearance of wax, and at 100° Centig. (212° Fahr.) it be- comes phosphorescent, principally when rubbed; it is then charged with vitreous electricity. At a higher temperature it is decomposed. It is obtained directly in the following manner: boil repeatedly the yellow bark in water acidulated with sulphuric acid. The colour- ing matter is separated by treating the liquor thus obtained with quick- lime; then by submitting the precipitate, previously washed in cold water, to the action of alcohol at 36°; this tincture is afterwards evaporated, and the residue boiled in diluted sulphuric acid. Crys- tals of pure sulphate of quinia are obtained on cooling. From 1 kilo- gramme, (2 pounds, 3 ounces, 5 drachms, avoirdupois,) of calisaya bark are produced about 12 grammes, (3 drachms, 7 grains,) of sul- phate of quinia. 27 210 C.—Citrus Aurantium. CITRUS. Polyadelphia Icosandria. Nat. Ord. Pomacese, Linn. Aurantiae, Juss. 1. Citrus Aurantium. E. L. D. Seville Orange. The leaves, flowers, distilled water and essential oil of the flowers, the juice and outer rind of the fruit, and the-unripe fruit. Syn. Oranges, (F.) Pomeranzin, (G.) Arancio, (I.) Naranja, (S.) Narenj, (H.) Nagaranga, (San.) The orange tree is a beautiful evergreen, a native of Asia, but now abundantly cultivated in the southern parts of Europe, and in the West India Islands. There are several varieties of this species, but they may all be referred to the bitter or Seville orange, and the sweet or China orange. The leaves are neither so aromatic nor so bitter as the rind of the fruit. The flowers, (flores naphse,) are highly odoriferous, and haye been for some time past in great esteem as a perfume; their taste is some- what warm, accompanied with a degree of bitterness. They yield their flavour by infusion to rectified spirit, and in distillation both to spirit and water, (aquaflorum naphse:) the bitter matter is dis- solved by water, and, on evaporating the decoction, remains entire in the extract. A very fragrant red-coloured oil, distilled from these flowers, is brought from Italy under the name of oleum or essentia neroli; but oil of behen, in which orange-flowers have been digested, is frequent- ly substituted: for it. The fraud, however, is easily detected, as the real oil is entirely volatile, and the adulterated is not. The juice of oranges is a grateful acid liquor, consisting princi- pally of citric acid, syrup, extractive, and mucilage. The outer yellow rind of the fruit is a grateful aromatic bitter. The unripe fruit dried are called Curacoa oranges. They vary in size from that of a pea to that of a cherry. They are bitterer than the rind of ripe oranges, but not so aromatic, and are used as a stomachic. Medical use.—The leaves have been celebrated by eminent physi- cians as a powerful antispasmodic in convulsive disorders, and es- pecially in epilepsy; with others they have entirely failed. Orange- flowers were at one time said to be an useful remedy in convulsive and epileptic cases; but experience has not confirmed the virtues attributed to them. As by drying they lose their virtues, they may be preserved for this purpose by packing them closely in earthen vessels, with half their weight of muriat of soda. The juice is of con- siderable use in febrile or inflammatory distempers, for allaying heat, quenching thirst, and promoting the salutary excretions: it is like- wise of use in genuine scorbutus, or sea-scurvy. Although the Se- ville, or bitter orange, as it is called, has alone a place in our phar- macopoeias, yet the juice of the China, or sweet orange, is much more employed. It is more mild, and less acid; and it is used in its most simple state with great advantage, both as a cooling medicine, and as an useful antiseptic in fevers of the worst kinds, as well as in many other acute diseases, being highly beneficial as alleviating thirst. Dr. Wright applied the roasted pulp of oranges as a poultice to fetid sores in the West Indies, with very great success. C.—Citrus Medica. 211 The rind proves an excellent stomachic and carminative, promot- ing appetite, warming the habit, and strengthening the tone of the viscera. Orange-peel appears to be considerably warmer than that of lemons, and to abound more with essential oil; to this circum- stance, therefore, due regard ought to be had in the use of these me- dicines. The flavour of the first is likewise supposed to be less pe- rishable than that of the latter. 2. Citrus Medica.* E. L. D. Lemon. The juice and outer rind of the fruit, and the volatile oil of the outer rind. Syn. Citronier, (F.) Citrone, (G.) Limone, (I.) Citri, (S,) L&non, (Ar.) L£mu, (H.) Jamb6ra,.(San.) Myihio. y.n$i>t>i, Theoph. and Dioscor. The juice of lemons is similar in quality to that of oranges, from which it differs little otherwise than in containing more citric acid and less syrup. The quantity of the former is indeed so great, that the acid has been named from this fruit, Acid of Lemons, and is commonly prepared from it. The simple expressed juice will not keep on account of the syrup, extractive, and mucilage, and quan- tity of water which it contains, which causes it to ferment. The yellow peel is an elegant aromatic, and is frequently employ- ed in stomachic tinctures and infusions: it is considerably less hot than orange-peel, and yields in distillation with water a less quan- tity of essential oil: its flavour is nevertheless more perishable, yet does not arise so readily with spirit of wine; for a spirituous extract made from lemon-peel possesses the aromatic taste and smell of the subject in much greater perfection than an extract prepared in the same manner from the peels of oranges. Medical use.—Lemon juice is a powerful and agreeable antiseptic. Its powers are much increased, according to Dr. Wright, by saturat- ing it with muriat of soda. This mixture he recommends as possess- ing very great efficacy in dysentery, remittent fever, the belly-ache, fmtrid sore throat, and as being perfectly specific in diabetes and ienteria. Citric acid is often used with great success for allaying vomiting: with this intention it is mixed with carbonat of potass, from which it expels the carbonic acid with effervescence. This mix- ture should be drunk as soon as it is made: or the carbonic acid gas, on which actually the anti-emetic power of this mixture de- pends, may be extricated in the stomach itself, by first swallowing the carbonat of potass dissolved in water, and drinking immediately afterwards the citric acid properly sweetened. The doses are about a scruple of the carbonat dissolved in eight or ten drachms of water, and an ounce of lemon juice, or an equivalent quantity of citric acid. Lemon juice is also an ingredient in many pleasant refrigerant drinks, which are of very great use in allaying febrile heat and thirst. Of these, the most generally useful is lemonade, or diluted lemon juice, properly sweetened. Lemonade, with the addition of a certain quantity of any good ardent spirit, forms the well-known be- verage punch, which is sometimes given as a cordial to the sick. The German writers order it to be made with arrack; as rum and * Limon, Pharm. U. S. 212 C.—Cleome Dodccandra. brandy, they say, are apt to occasion head-ache. But the fact is di- rectly the reverse, for, of all spirits, arrack is most apt to produce head-ache. The lightest and safest spirits are those which contain least essential oil, or other foreign matters, and which have been kept the longest time after their distillation. ACIDUM CITRICUM. Citric Acid. Acid of Lemons. Take of the juice of lemons, one pint; Carbonat of lime prepared, one ounce, or as much as may be sufficient to saturate the juice. Diluted sulphuric acid, nine fluid ounces. Add the carbonat of lime by small portions at a time to the juice, whilst boiling, and mix it by stirring; then pour off the liquor. Wash the citrat of lime which remains by repeated additions of fresh warm water, and then dry it. Add the diluted sulphuric acid to the dried pow- der, and boil it for ten minutes; then press it strongly through a linen cloth, and afterwards filter it through paper. Let the clear liquor ivhich has passed be evaporated in a gentle heat, so that crystals may form as it gets cold. To render these crystals pure, dissolve them a second and a third time in water, and after each solution filter the liquor, boil it down, and set it by to crystallize. Citric acid crystallizes in rhomboidal prisms, which suffer no change from exposure to the air, and have an exceedingly acid taste. When sufficiently heated, they melt, swell, and emit fumes, and are partly sublimed unchanged, and partly decomposed. Water, at ordi- nary temperatures, dissolves half of its weight of these crystals, and at 212° twice its weight. The solution undergoes spontaneous de- composition very slowly. Sulphuric acid chars it, and forms vinegar. Nitric acid converts it into oxalic and acetic acids. Citrats are decomposed by the stronger mineral acids, and also by the oxalic and tartaric, which form an insoluble precipitate in their solutions. The alkaline citrats are decomposed by a solution of barytes. For very particular details respecting the manufacture of citric acid, the reader is referred to Park's Chemistry applied to the Arts. This acid is introduced into the Pharm. of U. S. CLEMATIS CRISPA.—CLEMATIS VIORNA. The leaves of these species of clematis or virgin's bower, are ex- tremely acrid, and may be found useful in chronic rheumatism, palsy, old ulcers, and in fine, in all the diseases in which Stork found the clematis recta useful. It is necessary to*use them in small doses.* CLEOME DODECANDRA. This plant is a native of Pennsylvania, New York, &c. and grows abundantly in the neighbourhood of Albany. The whole plant has an extremely fetid smell. In some parts of the United States, the root is employed as an anthelmintic.t Common on the sandy snores * Barton's Collections, Part II. p. 30. -j- Barton's Collections, Part. I. p. 64. C—Coccinella. 213 of Lake Erie, near Buffaloe Creek—also along the margins of the Mississippi and the Missouri.—Nuttall's Gen. of North American Plants, ii. p. 73. COCCINELLA. D. Coccus (Cacti. E.) L. Cochineal. Syn. Cochenille, (F. G.) Coccinilia, (I.) Cochinilla, (S.) Cochineel poo- chie, (Tarn.) Tola, (Jews.) Kokkos Bsi<^x», Dioscor. Cochineal is the dried body of the female of an hemipterous insect. It is found only in Mexico, chiefly in the province of Oaxaia, on the leaves of a non-descript cactus, according to Humboldt. There are two kinds of the cochineal insect, which live on different species of cactus. The wild cochineal, grana sylvestra, which is covered with a silky or cottony envelope, and is found in many places, New Gra- nada, Quito, Peru, Mexico, is less valuable than the cultivated or powdery cochineal, which is without that covering, grows to a larger size, and furnishes a finer and more permanent colour. The Spaniards endeavour to confine both the insect and the plant on which'it feeds to Mexico. But this attempt at monopoly will, we hope, be frustrated, by the exertions of some gentlemen in the East Indies, whither the insect was carried from Rio Janeiro in 1795, by Captain Nelson. The male only is furnished with wings; the female has none, and re- mains constantly attached to the leaf of the cactus. During the rainy season, the Mexicans preserve these insects, with the succulent leaves to which they are attached, in their houses; and after the rainy season is over they are transferred to the living plants, and in a few days they lay innumerable eggs, and die: or the pregnant mothers are ra- pidly conveyed to the neighbouring mountains, where they are kept till October, when the rains cease in the plains and commence in the mountains. They are collected three times in the year, first, the dead mothers are gathered, as soon as they have laid their eggs, grana de pastle: in three or four months, the young, which have grown to suffi- cient size, are collected; and in three or four months more, all the young are collected, large and small indiscriminately, except those which they preserve for breeding next year. They are killed by throw- ing them into hot water, or by turning them over in heaps in the sun, or by placing them on mats in their furnaces; which last method, though least common, preserves upon the insect that whitish powder, which enhances their price at Vera Cruz and Cadiz. Good cochineal loses but two-thirds of its weight by being dried. From a very dis- tant period, laws have existed against the adulteration of cochineal, and it is ordered to be exposed for sale in separate grains, not in ag- glutinated masses. 800,000 pounds are brought ahnually to Europe; and each pound contains at least 70,000 insects; Humboldt says, 32,000 arobas of 32 pounds each. From their appearance, when brought to us, they were long supposed to be the seed of some plant. They are small, irregular, roundish bodies, of a blackish-red colour on the outside, and a bright purple red within. Their taste is acrid, bitterish, and astringent. They are used chiefly for the sake of the 214 C.—Cochlearia. fine colour which they produce, and they are principally consumed by the scarlet dyers/It is worthy of notice, that not only the fruit, but even the green joints of several species of cactus, dye cotton, purple or red. In pharmacy they are employed to give a beautiful red to some tinctures. Their colour is easily extracted, both by al- cohol, water, and water of ammonia; and in the dried insect it is not impaired by keeping for any length of time. " The true cochineal has been found in South Carolina, and Mr. Raphael Peale, of Philadelphia, asserts that he has discovered it upon the island of Little St. Simons, on the coast of Georgia. It is extremely desirable that the insect, and the cactus coccinellifer plant on which it breeds, should be cultivated in the Southern States. The planters might find it a valuable source of revenue, when from vicis- situdes in the season, their crops of rice or cotton should fail." Neumann got from 1920 grains, 1440 watery extract; and in an- other experiment, from the same quantity, 1430 alcoholic. The for- mer was extremely gelatinous. The peculiar colouring principle of cochineal has been called coche- nelin. When perfectly pure, it is a very brilliant purple-red powder, with a granular crystalline appearance- Carmina has been suggest- ed as a better title. Cochineal is said to be invariably adulterated with pieces of dough, formed in moulds, and coloured with cochi- neal, and that this fraud gives employment to a considerable num- ber of women and children in London. By throwing the suspected sample into water, the spurious ones are dissolved, and the extent of the adulteration is ascertained. Medical use.—They have been lately recommended as an anodyne and antispasmodic in hooping cough. In pharmacy they are used for colouring tinctures and lip-salve. 1. COCHLEARIA ARMORACIA.* E. L. D. Horse-radish. The root. Tetradynamia Siliculosa. Nat. Ord. Siliquosae, Linn. Cruciferae, Juss. Syn. Cran; Raifort, (F.) Murrettich, (G.) Rafano rusticano, (I.) Marvisco, (S.) pitqtfH; ctypiu, Dioscor. This perennial plant is sometimes found wild about river sides, and other moist places: for medicinal and culinary uses, it is culti- vated in gardens; flowers in June, but rarely perfects its seeds in Great Britain. Horse-radish root has a quick pungent smell, and a penetrating acrid taste; it nevertheless contains in certain vessels a sweet juice, which sometimes exudes upon the surface. By drying, it loses all its acrimony, becoming at first sweetish, and afterwards almost insipid: if kept in a cool place, covered with sand, it retains its qualities for a considerable time. According to Neumann, 3840 parts were reduced by drying to 1000, and gave of watery extract 480, and 15 of alcoholic, and in- versely 420 alcoholic, and 480 watery; all these extracts were sweet- * Armoracia, Pharm. U. S. C.—Coffea. 215 ish, without pungency. About fifteen of volatile oil, extremely pun- gent, and heavier than water, arose in distillation with water. Medical use.—This root is an extremely penetrating stimulus. It excites the solids and promotes the fluid secretions. It has frequent- ly done service in some kinds of scurvies and other chronic disorders, proceeding from a viscidity of the juices, or obstructions of the ex- cretory ducts. Sydenham recommends it likewise in dropsies, par- ticularly those which sometimes follow intermittent fevers. 2. COCHLEARIA OFFICINALIS. D. Common Scurvy-grass. The Plant. This is an annual plant, which grows on the sea-shore of the northern countries of Europe, and is sometimes cultivated in gardens. As long as it is fresh it has a peculiar smell, especially when bruised, and a kind of saline acrid taste, which it loses completely by drying, but which it imparts by distillation to water or alcohol. It also fur- nishes an essential oil, the smell of which is extremely pungent. Medical use.—The fresh plant is a gentle stimulant and diuretic, and is chiefly used for the cure of sea-scurvy. It is employed exter- nally as a gargle in sore-throat, and scorbutic affections of the gums and mouth. It may be eaten in substance in any quantity, or the juice may be expressed from it, or it may be infused in wine or wa- ter, or its virtues may be extracted by distillation. COFFEA. Tlie Coffee Tree. The Seed. A shrub from twelve to eighteen feet high, originally a native of Arabia, but is now cultivated in the East and West Indies, and in several parts of America. The Arabian, or Mocha coffee, imported from the Levant, is far the most aromatic and resinous, and, on ac- count of its superior flavour is the most esteemed. Very various have been the opinions entertained by different physicians relative to the medicinal qualities of the coffee-berry; some inveighing against its use as a pernicious indulgence, others, on the contrary, are as vehement in its praise. It has been suspected of producing palsies; and Dr. Percival assures us, from his own observations, that the suspicion is not altogether without foundation. According, however, to the experiments, and in the language of the same respectable au- thor, coffee is slightly astringent and antiseptic; it moderates alimen- tary fermentation, and is powerfully sedative. Its medicinal quali- ties seem to be derived from the grateful sensation it produces on the stomach, and from the sedative powers it exerts on the vis vitse. Hence it assists digestion, and relieves the head-ache; but in delicate habits it often occasions watchfulness, tremors, and many of those complaints denominated nervous. The celebrated Sir John Pringle bestows high encomiums on cof- fee, as a remedy in paroxysms of the periodic asthma. He directs, the best Mocha coffee, newly burnt, and made very strong imme- diately after grinding it, an ounce to one dish, without milk or su- 216 C.—Cocos Butyracea. gar, to be repeated after the interval of a quarter or half an hour, until relief be obtained. AVe are assured also, that Sir John Floyer, during the latter years of his life, kept free from, or lived easy under this afflictive complaint, by the use of strong coffee. With respect to the medicinal properties of coffee, says Dr. AV il- lich, it is in general excitant and stimulating, though we doubt whe- ther it relaxes the animal fibres, as has by some authors been sup- posed. Its more or less wholesome effect greatly depends on the climate, as well as the age, constitution, and other peculiarities of the individual. Hence it cannot be recommended to children, or persons of a hot, choleric, nervous, or phthisical habit; nor will it be so useful in warm, as in cold and temperate climates; but to the phlegmatic and sedentary, a cup of coffee, one or two hours after a meal, or, which is still better, one hour before it, may be of service to promote digestion, and prevent or remove a propensity to sleep. In cases of spasmodic asthma, hypochondriasis, scrofula, diarrhoea, agues, and particularly against narcotic poisons, such as opium, hemlock, &c. coffee often produces the best effects; nor is there a domestic.remedy, better adapted to relieve periodical head-aches which proceed from want of tone, or from debility of the stomach. The heaviness, head-ache, giddiness, sickness, and nervous affec- tions, which attack some persons in the morning, after taking an opiate at night, are abated by a cup or two of strong coffee. Dr. B. S. Barton recommends a strong infusion of coffee, with or without sugar and milk, in cases of retention or suppression of the menses, accompanied with very weak arterial action. He opposed its use in all cases of active haemorrhagies, and even in common fluor albus, when connected with febrile action. COCOS BUTYRACEA. E. The Mackaw Tree. The fixed oil of the nut, called Palm Oil. Monoecia Hexandria. Nat. Ord. Palmas. Syn. Huile de cocobicr du Bresil, (F.) This tree is t native of South America. The fruit is triangular, yellow, and as big as a plum. The nut or kernel yields the oleum palmse of the shops. It is first slightly roasted and cleaned, and then ground to a paste, first in a mill, then on a levigating stone. This paste is gently heated, and mixed with -^ its weight of boiling water, put into a bag, and the oil expressed between two heated plates of iron. It yields r\ or ^ of oil. If coloured, this oil may be purified by filtration when melted. This oil has the consistence of butter, a golden-yellow colour, the smell of violets, and a, sweetish taste. When well preserved, it keeps several years without becoming ran- cid. When spoiled, it loses its yellow colour and pleasant smell. It is said to be often imitated with axunge, coloured with turmeric, and scented with Florentine iris root. It is rarely used in medicine, and only externally as an emollient ointment. It has^f late been largely used in England in the manufacture of toilette soap. C—Colchicum. 217 COLCHICUM. L. A. Colchicum Autumnale. E. D. Meadow Saffron. The root. (Bulb.) Hexandria Trigynia. Nat. Ord. Spathacese, Linn. Junci, Juss. Syn. Colchique, (F.) Zeitlozen, Weissen saffron, (G.) Tydeloosin, (Dutch.) Hunded'ed, (Dan.) Tidldsa, (Swed.) Colchico autumnale, (I.) Zafran, (S.) Although the root is here ordered, it is more properly the bulb; for a number of stringy fibres proceed from the bottom of this bulb, which constitute the roots, but are of no use in medicine. Meadow saffron is a perennial bulbous-rooted plant, which grows in wet meadows in the temperate countries of Europe. It flowers in the beginning of autumn, at which time the old bulb begins to de- cay, and a new bulb to be formed. In the following May the new bulb is perfected, and the old one wasted and corrugated. They are dug for medical use in the beginning of summer. The sensible qua- lities of the fresh root are very various, according to the place of growth, and season of the year. In autumn it is inert; in the begin- ning of summer highly acrid: some have found it to be a corrosive poison, others have eaten it in considerable quantity, without expe- riencing any effect. When it is possessed of acrimony, this is of the same nature with that of garlic, and is entirely destroyed by drying. Medical use.—Stoerck, Collin and Plenck, have celebrated its virtues as a diuretic in hydrothorax and other dropsies. The ex- pressed juice is used in Alsace to destroy vermin in the hair. It has of late years been asserted, that colchicum forms the basis of Husson's Eau Medicinale. A saturated vinous tincture is now used as its substitute in gout, rheumatism, dropsy, &c. and appa- rently with equal effects. It acts irregularly, probably from the dif- ferent periods at which it has been collected for use, and also from other roots having been sold for it, to those who are ignorant of its appearance. It generally combines an anodyne effect with a drastic operation as an emetic, purgative, or diuretic. At certain seasons it seems absolutely inert Orfila gave two or three bruised bulbs to dogs, without any bad effect. We seem yet to want more specific details as to its culture, and best time of collecting for medical use. The seeds have lately been highly extolled. The plant does not appear to produce them in America; although in England they are abundant. In the fifteenth volume of the London Medical Repository, is a paper by Mr. Williams, on the efficacy of colchicum seeds in syphi- litic rheumatism; also a review of a work on the subject by Mr. Hay- den, respecting its use in inflammatory diseases. In the London Medical and Physical Journal, No. 254, we are informed that the month of July is the proper time to take it up; and some account is given of alcoholic tincture of guaiacum being a test of the goodness of colchicum. In the fourteenth volume of the London Medical Repository, Mr. Battley gives particular information as to its growth, &c, with ex- periments on the subject, and his ideas as to the best mode of drying it. All these are but little known amongst us, and as the subject is highly interesting, I shall introduce them here. By an analysis of the bulb of colchicum, Pelletier and Caventou 28 218 C__Colchicum. find it to consist of fatty matter, composed of elaine, stearine, vola- tile acid; acid gallate of veratrine; yellow colouring matter; gum; starch; inuline* in abundance; woody substance. The ashes are in too minute a quantity to merit attention. From this examination, it appears that the cedavilla, veratrum album, and colchicum, owe their properties, in great part, to a new alkali, called veratrine. Dr. Williams in a communication in the London Medical Repo- sitory, for June, 1821, entitled, "Further remarks upon the Seeds of the Colchicum Autumnale," &c. recommends that their collection should depend rather upon their dark brown colour, than upon the exact season of the year, in order to obtain them in perfection. He ascertained that in a pound of the seeds gathered the latter part of June or early in July, eleven ounces in weight were lost by drying; whilst the same quantity collected at the end of July or beginning of August, lost only two ounces and a half. He also protests against bruising the seeds in their preparation as a medicine. Their value he states as residing chiefly in the husk, or cortical part; and he prefers Sherry wine to any other in the pre- paration; or what is preferable, proof spirit, in consequence of the very variable quality of the wine. His formula for the tincture, is two ounces apothecaries' weight of the unbruised seeds, macerated for ten days or a fortnight, in a fluid pint of proof spirit. It appears that the demand for colchicum seed, has caused other seeds to be sold for them. In order to prevent mistake or imposi- tion, the following description of the seeds, is given by Mr. Gray, in the London Medical Repository for April, 1821. Semina Colchici Autumnalis. Seeds, ovate, globose, about one-eighth of an inch in diameter. Integuments, simple, soft, spongy, membranaceous, thin, dull, reddish-brown, closely adherent to the perisperm. Perisperm, or albumen, hard, rather cartilaginous, pellucid, pale, not in the least divided, of the same shape as the seed. Corculum, or embryo, very small, ovate, globose, not in the least divided, whitish, placed nearly opposite to the hylum, or that part where the seed is affixed to the parent plant, but out of the axis of the seed. Base pointing to the hylum, slender, apex very obtuse. The leaves of the colchicum autumnale are stated to be a most destructive poison to cattle, producing first, a most violent purging, reducing them to excessive weakness; after which constipation en- sued, not to be removed by the usual remedies; and the cattle died the following day, in great pain: the stomach was much inflamed, and the villous coat entirely destroyed. If this is the case, it is most probable that they would likewise prove very active articles of the Materia Medica. * The inuline appears to exist in the root of colchicum, in inseparable com- bination with starch. C.—Colchicum. 219 Extracts from Practical Observations on Colchicum Autumnale, by Chas. Th. Haden, Esq. London, 1820, p. 72. " His ordinary form of prescription is a powder, composed of one part of powdered colchicum, three of carbonat of potash, and five of sulphat of potash. Of this powder, one drachm is to be taken three or four times a day with half a pint of warm water, in the state of effervescence, with tartaric or citric acid. To this is sometimes add- ed a dose of calomel at night; and, when the bowels are not freely moved before the second or third day, and the disease is violent, salts and senna to quicken its operation; but in very violent cases, more colchicum is required, whilst no more purgative medicine can be borne; and then, pills of colchicum only, are given between the doses of the powder, or, in other cases of violence, pills of calomel, and from five to eight or ten grains of colchicum are given in the first instance, to be followed by the powders, as directed above. " In cases where bleeding is considered to be advisable, it is made to precede the exhibition of colchicum. It will usually happen that the medicine will produce some relief on the second day; but not its decidedly beneficial operation till the third day, when purging generally takes place. In some cases, indeed, no relief occurs, even on the third day, when full doses of opening medicine are required, or it is necessary to increase the dose of colchicum, &c. &c. "In children and weakly subjects, the dose of the powder, in all cases, varies from sixteen grains to two scruples; so as to give from two to five or six grains of the colchicum; the full drachm contain- ing about seven grains." He refers to the variation in strength of the article, according to the period of the bulbs being collected, and the care with which they are dried. " Mr. Thomson thinks he has proved, that the bulb is in its high- est state of excellence in the month of July, or, at latest, early in August; and also, that drying the bulbs at a higher temperature than that of the atmosphere, materially tends to dissipate the appa- rently evanescent principle on which their efficacy depends. Mr. Battley has, however, published an answer to Mr. Thomson's paper in the Medical Repository for November, in which he advocates the advantage of drying the bulbs, after being sliced immediately on being gathered, at a temperature of 170° of Fahr. " Both these accounts cannot be right; indeed, the subject is still entirely subjudice." He adds, that " neither his father nor himself has found the different specimens which they have used, to vary very materially from each other in practice, although they have been gathered both in spring and in autumn, or have been purchased from different druggists,"' &c. " The powder he is at present using is more powerful than he has before used, and it was gathered about the middle of September, when the plants were in flower, and was dried at least at 130° of temperature, on the day it was gathered, having been first cut into thin slices, and spread out on perforated trays; it was powdered on the day after." •k From eight pounds of fresh bulbs, Mr. Bainbridge obtained two pounds fifteen ounces of dried slices; and from them two pounds ten 220 C.—Colchicum. ounces and a quarter of fine powder, with four ounces of hard, brown, outside scales, which latter were very difficult to powder and were not used." Mr. Haden thinks the tincture by no means comparable in utility to the powder, yet he admits he had not used the former extensively. ICT" We think it proper here to mention that no writer has given the peculiar and distinctive character of the bulb of colchicum by which it may be recognised at once amongst 1000 different ones; this is a small projection, or nail-like process on one side at the bottom part, which makes it totally unlike every other bulbous root. The figure of this bulb in Woodville's Med. Botany, has not any of its real character. Much dispute appears to have existed respecting the Her- modactyl and Colchicum. It is probable a knowledge of this process might have prevented this, as well as the discordant opinions re- specting the colchicum itself, for which unquestionably other roots have been substituted. I have had the Heuchera Americana brought to me for the colchicum! Am. Ed. Preparations of Colchicum, from Gray's Supplement to the Phar- macopoeia. Vinum RADrcuM Colchici. Wine of Colchicum. R. Rad. colch. sice. . . . ^ij. Vin. albi Hisp. . . . ffeij. Infuse, filter, and add Sp. vin. rect.....§ij. Used in gout, twenty drops at night. Vinum Seminum Colchici. Wine of the Seeds of Colchicum. R. Sem. colch. sice. . . . ^?j. Vin. albi Hisp. . . . jfci. Infuse for ten days, and filter. One to three drachms, bis in die, in rheumatism. Eau d'Husson. Eau Medicinale. R. Rad. colch.....5ij. Vini albi Hisp. . . . 5viij. Acetum Colchici. Vinegar of Colchicum. R. Rad. colchici.....?i. Acet. distill.....j^i. Digest for a day, and express—add Proof spirit,.....5i. Diuretic, half a drachm to a drachm, bis in die. Oxymel Colchici. Oxymel of Colchicum. R. Fresh roots of colchicum, 5i. Distilled vinegar, . . . ffoi. Soak for two days and press—to the liquor add Honey,......ftij. And boil to a syrup. In asthma and dropsy, one drachm bis in die, gradually increased. C.—Colchicum. 221 Tinctura Colchici. Tincture of Colchicum. Want's Eau d'Husson. R. Rad. colchici, .... 5ij. Proof spirit,.....liv. Used in gout. (Cj3 The following observations may possibly serve to explain some of the differences which have been experienced in the Colchicum by different prac- titioners at all times. That other plants have been mistaken for it, I have no- ticed above. We cannot wonder then at such opposing testimonies. Colchicum.*—" The Ephemeron is also called Colchicum because it is abun- dant in Colchis. It is distinguished from the Crocus, which it otherwise re- sembles, by its size, its broad liliaceous leaves, and larger seminal vessels. It is not agreed by botanists, says Ray, whether Colchicum root be the officinal Hermodactyl, some affirming, others denying it. The most learned and skil- ful make them different, amongst whom, Bauhin proves the root of Colchicum not to be the Hermodactyl, because the dried Hermodactyl remains white, not rugous, moderately hard, and gives a white powder, in all which the dried Colchicum is deficient. J. Bauhin adds, the root of Colchicum is poisonous; the Hermodactyl on the contrary may be safely tasted. Besides the Arabians have informed us that Colchicum is useful to those afflicted with the gout; and Ray found it so, when externally applied. It, however, is to be remarked with Chabrxus, that there are different species of Colchicum,- hence some have said Colchicum was poisonous; others have denied this from mistaking the different species. Chabrseus has enumerated nineteen kinds of Colchicum. In speaking of them, therefore, he divides the Colchicum into poisonous, and of course noxious, which has long roots, and is the Ephemeron of Dioscorides, Paulus, Galen, and Aetius; and into non-poisonous, which Mesues says is bet- ter and more perfect, and is properly denominated Hermodactyl in the shops, and hence it appears that Tragus was deceived when he mistook this last for the Colchicum; for I can truly say that I have often used the powdered Her- modactyl, and always with the happiest result. Sennertus also experienced be- fore me, a like difference in the Ephemeron. This plant is, in all its parts, injurious to the human race: for being taken, immediately it corrodes and ulcerates the lips and stomach, for whether it abounds in acrid salino-volatile particles, of the highest penetration, so it is, that with its sharp and perforating points, it induces erosions and ulcerations, and excites such a strangulation, as if one had eaten a fungus; when it de- scends into the intestines, it in like manner corrodes and ulcerates them by means of the same particles, so that in a short time, blood and filaments of the intestines are discharged, not only by stool, but by vomiting of what resem- bles the washings of flesh; and these acrid particles being dispersed through the system, the patient suffers an intense itching throughout the body." Miscellaneous observations respecting Colchicum. Name: from Colchis in Asia, of assafcetida— 3i. of aloes—six drops of croton oil. Mix well—and make into twenty-four pills. A mild and useful laxative. Upon the whole, we may consider this article as a very important acquisition, or rather re-acquisition to the Materia Medica—and as it is dear, it is certainly desirable to ascertain whether it might not be possible, in some part of our extensive territory, to raise the plant and procure the oil amongst ourselves. It becomes solid in cold weather. The oil from the husk of the seeds of castor nut is probably of the same nature. CUBEBA. L. A. Piper Cubeba. The Fruit. Cubebs. i Diandria Trigynia. Nat. Ord. Piperitae, Linn. Urticae, Juss. Syn. Cubebes, (F.) Kubeben, (G.) Kobebar, (Swed.) Kcebeben, (Dutch.) Cubebi, (I.) Cubebas, (S.) Cobibas, (Port.) Cubab chinie, (Hind.) Komu- chus, (Batav.) Val. millaghoo, (Tarn.) Komronkoos, (Malay.) Koba- beh, (Ar.) What new virtues have been latterly found amongst us in this old remedy, to entitle it to a place amongst the standard and approved articles of the Materia Medica, I know not. It may be well to know, that formerly cubebs were considered to " strengthen a cold and C___Cucurbitulse. 247 moist stomach, expel wind, ease the spleen, cleanse the breast of tough humours, help colds, asthmas, coughs, shortness of breath, hoarseness; warm and comfort a cold womb, strengthen the head, heart and brain, &c." (Salmon.) In vain did they possessthose pa- naceal powers; they were suffered to sink into oblivion; but at length are resuscitated in a more congenial hemisphere! It may be proper to state, that lately this article has been ushered into practice for the cure of gonorrhoea, with all the extravagance of praise which usually attends the revival of an old, or the introduc- tion of a new remedy. It has been pronounced to be a specific in this complaint; but it is probable that experience will not warrant these assertions. It is a native of Java, Batavia, Guinea, and the Isle of France. On their various virtues, consult Lond. Med. Repos. 1820, and a treatise entitled "Practical Observations on the use of Cubebs in Gonorrhoea." Lond. 1821—also Med. Chir. Trans, vol. xii. CURCUMA LONG A.* Turmeric. The Root. The British Colleges have discarded it from use. Turmeric is a perennial plant, a native of the East Indies. The roots are tuberous, knotty, and long; wrinkled, externally of a pale yellow colour, and internally of a shining saffron brown. They have a weak aromatic smell, and a slightly bitter aromatic taste. They contain a very little essential oil; and Neumann got from 960 parts, 320 watery, and afterwards 50 alcoholic extract, and inversely 150 alcoholic, and 210 watery. Medical use.—Turmeric, when taken internally, tinges the urine of a deep yellow colour, and acts as a gentle stimulant. It has been celebrated in diseases of the liver, jaundice, cachexy, dropsy, inter- mittent fevers, &c. But its internal use in Great Britain is almost confined to its being a principal ingredient in the composition of curry powder, in which form it is used in immense quantities in the East Indies. It is a valuable dye-stuff; and also an excellent chemi- cal test of the presence of uncombined alkalies; for the yellow colour of turmeric is changed by them to a reddish-brown. CUCURBITULSE. Cups. Cupping-glasses. The use of these instruments, to effect local depletion from, or pro- duce a gentle stimulus upon various parts of the body, as well as their modus operandi, must be familiar to most of our readers; their application indeed, is very ancient, as we find them mentioned by Celsus, and others of his time, and even by Hippocrates himself. Within the last few years, however, the result of numerous experi- ments made by Dr. David Barry and others upon their effects on poi- soned wounds, has been laid before the public, by which we shall be led in future to regard them as agents of the highest importance in the treatment of such accidents. With prussic acid, strychnine, upas tiente. arsenic, and other poisons whose fatal activity has been well • Curcuma, in the secondary list of the Pharm. U. S. 248 C—-Cuprum. ascertained, he experimented upon living animals, as dogs and rab- bits; having generally two of them placed under similar circum- stances, except that the piston-cupping-glass was applied to one, whilst the other was left to its fate. The one abandoned, invariably perished within the period stated. The animal to which the vacuum was applied, never showed the slightest symptom of poisoning, al- though the deleterious matter remained in contact with the wounded surface, during the space of one, two, and sometimes five hours con- secutively. When the animals were bitten by vipers, nearly the same results followed. Those bitten by one, two, or three vipers, when the cupping-glass was applied for half an hour, suffered no symptom whatever of constitutional poisoning, whilst those that were left to nature, were invariably attacked with convulsions, stupor, and the dogs with vomiting. A minute drop of blood marked each puncture made by the fangs, followed upon the application of the glass, by a drop of transparent amber-coloured liquid, and a considerable quan- tity of reddish serum. It would appear from many passages in his works that Celsus placed the cucurbitulae decidedly at the head of all preventive and remedial measures in cases of recently poisoned wounds, and to him, therefore, perhaps belongs the merit of priority, in their application to these cases—certainly to no modern; and Dr. Barry does not claim it, but awards high praise to Celsus for his success in their treat- ment. The following are Dr. Barry's conclusions: 11 1. That neither sound, nor wounded parts of the surface of a living animal, can absorb when placed under a vacuum. " 2. That the application of the vacuum, by means of a piston- cupping-glass, placed over the points of contact of the absorbing sur- face, and the poison which is in the act of being absorbed, arrests or mitigates the symptoms caused by the poison. " 3. That the application of ft cupping-glass for half an hour, de- prives the vessels over whHi it had been applied, of a part of their absorbing faculty, during the hour or two immediately succeeding the removal of the glass. "4. That the pressure of the air forces into fhe vacuum, even through the skin, a portion of the matter introduced into the cellu- lar tissue by injection; that is, if the skin of the animal be not too dense, as in the dog." CUPRUM—COPPER. Syn. Cuivre, (F.) Kupfer, (G.) Rame, (I.) Cobre, (S.) Nehass,'(Ar.) Tamba, (H.) Tamra, (San.) This metal is of a bright red colour, disagreeable taste and smell when rubbed or heated; sp. gr. 7.79; ductile; of great tenacity: sono- rous: fusible at 27° Wedgwood; granulated texture, and subject to blisters; a good conductorof caloric, electricity, and galvanism; be- comes brown, and at last green in the air; when heated, turns blue, yellow, violet, deep brown; when ignited and plunged into water, forms brown brittle scales of oxyd. Its phosphuret is brilliant, brit- C.—Cuprum. 249 tie, hard and fusible; its sulphuret, brown, fusible, and very phos- phoric; its alloy with arsenic is white, with bismuth reddish, with antimony violet, mercury deep red, with zinc forms brass, and with tin is orange; it is oxydized, and dissolved by the sulphuric, nitric, and muriatic acids; its oxyd is brown, brittle, and soluble in ammo- nia, producing a beautiful blue. Copper is found in many countries: a. In its metallic state:—1. Crystallized; 2. Alloyed with arsenic and iron; 3. Sulphureted. b. Oxydized:—4. Uncombined; 5. Combined with carbonic acid; 6. With sulphuric acid; 7. With arsenic acid; 8. With muriatic acid; 9. With phosphoric acid. Copper has a more perceptible smell and taste than almost any other metal. Its effects when taken into the stomach are highly deleterious, and often fatal. It particularly affects the primae viae, exciting excessive nausea, vomiting, colic pains, and purging, some- times of blood, or, though more rarely, obstinate constipation. It also produces agitation of the mind, head-ache, vertigo, delirium; renders the pulse small and weak, the countenance pale, and causes fainting, convulsions,- paralysis, and apoplexy. When any of these symptoms occur, we must endeavour to obviate the action of the poison by large and copious draughts of oily and mucilaginous liquors, or to destroy its virulence by solutions of potass, or sulphu- ret of potass. Poisoning from copper is most commonly the effect of ignorance, accident, or carelessness; and too many examples are met with of fatal consequences ensuing, upon eating food which had been dress- ed in copper vessels not well cleansed from the rust which they had contracted by lying in the air; or pickles, to which a beautiful green colour had been given, according to the directions of the most popu- lar cookery books, by boiling them with halfpence, or allowing them to stand in a brass pan until a sufficient quantity of verdigris was formed. Great care ought to be taken that acid liquors, or even waters, designed for internal use, be not suffered to stand long in vessels made of copper, otherwise they will dissolve so much of the metal as will give them dangerous properties. But the sure preventive of these accidents is to banish copper utensils from the kitchen and laboratory. The presence of copper in any suspected liquor is easily detected by inserting into it a piece of polished steel, which will soon be coated with copper, or by dropping into it some carbonat,of ammonia, which will produce a beautiful blue colour if any copper be present. But although copper be thus dangerous, some preparations of it are, in certain cases, used with great advance both externally and internally. The chief of these are, 1. The sub-acetat of copper, or verdigris. 2. The sulphat of copper, or blue vitriol. 3. The sub-sulphat of copper and ammonia 4. The muriat of copper and ammonia, 32 250 C.—Cuprum. 5. A solution of the sulphat of copper, and supersulphat of alu- mina in sulphuric acid. The two first of these are never prepared by the apothecary, but are bought by him from the manufacturer. . Copper in its metallic state is inactive on the system. Sufficient evidence of this exists in cases of its accidental swallowing, and when taken with suicidal intentions. Dr. Paris mentions the case of a young woman who swallowed six copper pennies; she was attended in the Westminster Hospital for two years, for a disease considered visceral, but which was the effect of the mechanical obstruction of the coin. She voided them after a lapse of five years, and during that long period, not a symptom arose, which could be attributed to the poisonous influence of the copper. In another case of a child, a halfpenny swallowed remained in the intestines six months; and for- merly, the. metallic filings were taken in drachm doses with impu- nity as a remedy for rheumatism. Sub-Acetas Cupki. E. A. ^rugo. L. D. Sub-Acetat of Copper. Verdigris. Syn. Vert de gris, (F.) Grunspan, (G.) Verdegrise, (I.) Cardenillo, (S.) Zunjar, (Ar.) Fitrai, (H.) Pitalata, (San.) The preparation of this substance was.almost confined to Montpe- lierin France; owing chiefly to an excellent regulation which existed, that no verdigris could be sold until it had been examined and found of sufficiently good quality. For since that regulation has been abo- lished, Chaptal informs us, that so many abuses have crept into the manufacture, that the Montpelier verdigris has lost it* decided su- periority of character. It is prepared by stratifying copper plates with the husks and stalks of the grape, which have been made to ferment after the wine has been expressed from them. In from ten to twenty days, when the husks become white, the plates of copper are taken out and their surfaces are found to be covered with de- tached and silky crystals. They are now placed on edge, with their surfaces in contact, in the corner of a cellar, and alternately dipt in water, and replaced to dry every seven or eight days, for six or eight times. By this management, the plates swell, and are every vhere covered with a coat of verdigris, which is easily separated with a knife. In this state it is only a paste, and is sold by the manufat turers to commissioners, who beat it well with wooden mallets, and pack it up in bags of white leather, a foot high and ten inches wide, in which it is dried by exposing it to the air and sun, until the loaf of verdigris cannot be pierced with the point of a knife. Sub-acetat of copper should be of a bluish-green colour, dry and difficult to break, and should neither deliquesce, have a salt taste, contain any black or white spots, nor be adulterated with earth or gypsum. Its purity may be tried by diluted sulphuric acid, in which the sub-acetat dissolves entirely, and the impurities remain behind. Verdigris, as it comes to us, is generally mingled with stalks of the grape; they may be separated, in pulverization, by discontinuing the operation as soon as what remains seems to be almost entirely composed of them. Acetat of copper is readily prepared by adding C.—Cuprum. 251 acetat of lead to sulphat of copper, both in solution; an insoluble sulphat of lead precipitates; and by evaporating the supernatant fluid the-verdigris is procured in very beautiful crystals. Medical use.—Verdigris is never, or rarely used internally. Some writers highly extol it as an emetic, and say that a grain or two act as soon as received into the stomach; but its use has been too often followed by dangerous consequences to allow.of its employment. Ver- digris, applied externally, proves a gentle detergent and escharotic, and is employed to destroy callous edges, or fungous flesh in wounds. It is also advantageously applied to scorbutic ulcers of the mouth, tongue, or fauces, and deserves to be carefully tried in cancerous sores. With these intentions it is an ingredient in different officinal compositions. The best remedy for persons poisoned by verdigris or any cupreous salt, appears to be sugar, largely administered. (See Orfila's Toxicology, vol. I.) Admitting this to be absolutely the case, (which is denied by some,) it may be worth the trial, whether the cupreous salts may not prove of service in cases of diabetes; inde- pendently of its tonic powers in small tloses, it probably may tend to destroy the disposition existing in that disease, to produce the saccharine matter which is found in the urine. iERUGO PR.EPARATA. D. CuPRI SUB-ACETAS Pr^EPARATUM. A. Prepared Verdigris. Prepared Sub-acetat of Copper. Take of Verdigris, any quantity. Grind it to powder, and separate the minute particles as directed for the preparation of carbonat of lime. The intention of this process is merely to obtain the sub-acetat of topper in the state of the most minute mechanical division. AMMONIARETUM CUPRI. E. A. Cuprum Ammoniatum. L. D. Ammoniaret of Copper. Ammoniated Copper. 'Take of Sulphat of copper, two parts; Sub-carbonat of ammonia, three parts. Rub them together in a glass mortar, until the effer- vescence has ceased, and they unite into a violet coloured mass. This must be wrapped up in blotting paper, and first dried on a chalk stone, and afterwards by a gentle heat. The product must be kept in a well stopped glass phial. Ed. The term ammoniaret, employed by the Edinburgh College, &c, ought to be nmmomaret, in strict conformity with the nomenclatural exposition of Lavoisier. Lt may seem strange, that particular directions should be given concerning the manner of drying a mixture, which is prepared by rubbing two dry substances together. But such a phenomenon is by no means uncommon, and arises from the quantity of water of crys- tallization contained in the ingredients being greater than what is required in the new compound formed: As soon, therefore, as the ingredients begin to act upon each other, a quantity of water is set at liberty which renders the mass moist. The nature of this compound, and consequently the name which 252 C.—Cuprum. should be given it, is not yet sufficiently ascertained. Prepared ac- cording to the directions of the colleges, it evidently contains oxyd of copper, ammonia, and sulphuric acid. If these substances be chemically combined, it should be denominated the sulphat or sub- sulphat of copper and ammonia. By exposure to the air during its exsiccation, and by keeping, it is apt to lose its blue colour en- tirely and become green, and is probably converted into carbonat of copper. It should therefore be prepared in small quantities at a time. Medical use.—Ammoniuret of copper has been strongly recom- mended in epilepsy; but, from its good effects sometimes ceasing after it has been used for some time, a want of success in some cases, and the disagreeable consequences with which its use is some- times attended, it has not lately been much prescribed. In the prac- tice of some, its success, it is said, has been almost uniform and astonishing. It is employed by beginning with doses of half a grain twice a day, and increasing them gradually to as much as the sto- mach will bear. Dr. Cullen sometimes increased the dose to five grains. It is evident, that in prescribing this salt, as a combination of am- monia and copper, the sulphuric acid has been overlooked, as to any use it might have had in establishing the powers of the remedy. It would not be amiss to compare its merits directly with those of an ammoniuret of copper, formed by digesting the copper in aqua am- monia3, and evaporating to crystallization. AQUA, (LIQUOR. Z.) CUPRI AMMONIATI. D* Solution of Ammoniaret of Copper. Solution (Water) of Ammoniated Copper. Take of Lime water, eight ounces; Sal ammoniac, two scruples; Prepared verdigris, four grains. Mix and digest them for twenty- four hours, then pour off the clear liquor. D. In this preparation, the lime water decomposes the muriate of am- monia and forms muriat of lime; while the ammonia disengaged im- mediately reacts upon the oxyd of copper contained in the verdigris, and renders it soluble. But as the quantity of lime employed is not sufficient to decompose all the muriat of ammonia, the solution con- tains muriat of ammonia, muriat of lime, and ammoniuret of cop- per, forming probably a triple salt, with the acetic acid. Medical use.— This compound solution is applied externally for cleaning foul ulcers, and disposing them to heal. It has been recom- mended also for taking off specks and films from the eves; but when used with this intention, it ought to be diluted with some pure water, as in the degree of strength in which it is here ordered, it irritates and inflames the eyes considerably. It is the best test of arsenic, which changes its blue colour into green. If this preparation is considered simply as the preceding salt in solution, it would obviously be preferable to dissolve a definite quantity of that salt in a given amount of water; but from what is * Cupri Ammbniareti Liquor of the Pharm. U. S. C.—Cuprum. 253 said above, it is evidently a solution of a very compound nature. What the action of the other articles in it may be in a medical point of view, can only be learned by careful comparative experiments with the simple ammoniuret and this. CUPRI SULPHAS. E. L. D. A. Cuprum Vitriolatum. Vitriolum C« *>/»<*, Dioscor. Stavesacre is a biennial plant, a native of the south of Europe. The seeds are usually brought from Italy. They are large and rough, of an irregular triangular figure, of a blackish colour on the outside, and yellowish and whitish within; they have a disagreeable smell, and a very nauseous, bitterish, burning taste. Neumann got from 480 parts, 45 alcoholic extract, besides 90 of fixed oil, which separated during the process, and afterwards 44 in- sipid watery, and inversely 95 watery, and then by alcohol only one, besides 71 of oil. Medical use.—Stavesacre was employed by the ancients as a cathartic; but it operates with so much violence, both upwards and downwards, that its internal use has been, among the generality of practitioners, for some time laid aside. It is chiefly employed in ex- ternal applications for some kinds of cutaneous eruptions, and for destroying lice and other insects; insomuch, that from this virtue it has received its name, in different languages. An active principle was discovered in these seeds in 1819, by Messrs Feneulle and Lassaigne, to which they gave the name of Delphine. DIANTHUS CARYOPHYLLUS. E. D. Clove Gillyflower. Clove Pink or Carnation. The Flowers. Decandria Digynia. Nat. Ord. Caryophyllei, Linn. Syn. Girofle musque, (F.) This species of dianthus is a native of Italy, and is perennial. By cultivation, its varieties have increased to a very great number, and they form one of the greatest ornaments of our gardens. Most of these are termed carnations, but the variety, which is officinal, sur- passes all the others in the richness of its smell, and is also distin- guished by its colour, being of a uniform deep crimson. Their only use in pharmacy is to give a pleasant flavour and beautiful colour to an officinal syrup. DIGITALIS L. D. A. Digitalis Purpurea. E. Foxglove. The Leaves. Didynamia Angiospermia. Nat. Ord. Luridae, Linn. Scrofulariae, Juss. Syn. Grande Digitale, (F.) Purpurrother Fingerhut, (G.) Fingerbolle, (Dan.) Digitale porperina, (I.) This is an European biennial plant, very common on hedge-banks, and sides of hills, in dry, gravelly, or sandy soils, and the beauty of its appearance, has gained it a place in our gardens and shrubberies. The leaves are large, oblong, egg-shaped, soft, covered with hairs, and serrated. They have a bitter, very nauseous taste, with some acrimony. Destouches analysed foxglove. Four ounces of the dried leaves yielded successively 9 drachms of watery, and 78 grains ol D.—digitalis. 271 alcoholic extract. The first was brown, smooth, and of a consistence fit for making pills. The second had a very deep green colour, a virose and disagreeable smell, the consistence of tallow, but more tenacious; did not furnish ammonia by distillation, and was not acted upon by acids. The ashes contained salts of lime and potass. Mr. Dulong has obtained from digitalis a peculiar substance called by him digitalin, in which the virtues of the plant appear to reside. Medical use.—Its effects when swallowed are, 1. To diminish the frequency of the pulse. 2. To diminish the irritability of the system. 3. To increase the action of the absorbents. 4. To increase the discharge by urine. In excessive doses, it produces vomiting, purging, dimness of sight, vertigo, delirium, hiccough, convulsions, collapse, death. For these symptoms the best remedies are cordials and stimulants. Internally, digitalis has been recommended, 1. In inflammatory diseases, from its very remarkable power of diminishing the velocity of the circulation. 2. In active haemorrhagies, in phthisis. 3. In some spasmodic affections, as in spasmodic asthma, palpita- tion, &c. 4. In mania from effusions on the brain. 5. In anasarcous and dropsical effusions. 6. In scrofulous tumours. 7. In aneurisms of the aorta, it has alleviated the most distressing symptoms. Externally, it has been applied to scrofulous tumours. It may be exhibited, 1. In substance, either by itself, or conjoined with some aromatic, or made into pills with soap or gum ammoniac. Withering directs the leaves to be gathered after the flowering stem has shot up, and about the time when the blossoms are coming forth. He rejectsNthe leaf-stalk, and middle rib of the leaves, and dries the remaining part either in the sunshine or before the fire. In this state they are easily reduced to a beautiful green powder, of which we may give at first one grain twice a-day, and gradually increase the dose until it act upon the kidneys, stomach, pulse, and bowels, when its use must be laid aside or suspended. 2. In infusion. The same author directs a drachm of the dried leaves to be infused for four hours in eight ounces of boiling water, and that there be added to the strained liquor an ounce of any spiri- tuous water, for its preservation. Half an ounce, or an ounce of this infusion, may be given twice a-day. 3. In decoction. Darwin directs, that four ounces of the fresh leaves be boiled from two pounds of water to one, and half an ounce of the strained decoction be taken every two hours, for four or more doses. 4. In tincture. Put one ounce of the dried leaves coarsely pow- dered into four ounces of diluted alcohol; let the mixture stand by the fireside twenty-four- hours, frequently shaking the bottle; and the saturated tincture, as Darwin calls it, must then be separated from the residuum by straining or decantation. Twenty drops of 272 D___Diospyros Virginiana. this tincture may be taken twice or thrice a-day. The Edinburgh college use eight ounces of diluted alcohol to one of the powder, but let it digest seven days. A tincture of the flowers is said by Dr. Barton to be equally or more powerful. 5. The expressed juice and extract are not proper forms of exhi- biting this very active remedy. When the digitalis is disposed to excite looseness, opium may be advantageously conjoined with it; and when the bowels are tardy, jalap may be given at the same time, without interfering with its diuretic effects. During its operation in this way, the patient should drink very freely. An ointment of the flowers is said to have been useful in scrofulous ulcers. In a letter from Dr. Gregg to Dr. Walmsley, published in the Philadelphia Medical and Physical Journal, two cases of phthisis are mentioned, in which this remedy induced a copious ptyalism, which lasted some time, but without producing any beneficial effect. In the second case, the ptyalism was a second time induced by its use. There is a singular anomaly attending the operation of foxglove noticed by a writer in the third volume of the Edinburgh Medical Journal, and also by Dr. Hamilton in his treatise on digitalis, and some others, which appears to merit attention in its administration. That its action is considerably influenced by the different positions of the patient's-body, whether erect or recumbent. In one case of phthisis, after taking this medicine, the pulse was not lessened in frequency when the patient stood erect, being 120. When he sat down it fell to 70, and when lying on his back it fell to 40. The experiment was repeated many times, and always with the same effect. As this plant is a very beautiful addition to the garden, and by no means difficult to raise, it would be very desirable, to insure the advantages expected from it, that medical men should cultivate it themselves. * The leaves from the second year's growth, are supposed by some to be superior in efficacy. DIOSPYROS VIRGINlANA.t Persimmon. The Bark. Polygamia Diozcia, Linnaeus. According to Michaux, the forty-second degree of latitude is the northern boundary of this tree. It abounds in the middle states, and m the western forests; varying greatly in size, from soil and climate. In the most favourable situation it reaches sixty feet in height, and eighteen or twenty inches in diameter. The fruit, which is only edible after frost, is sometimes formed into cakes with bran, which * Disappointment more probably ensues, from other plants being mistaken for Digitalis. Cox, in his treatise on Insanity, speaks of the apothecaries drying mullein leaves for it. And a species of Cynoglossiim has likewise been used for it. f Diospyros, in the secondary list of the Pharm. U. S D.—Dracontium. 273 being dried in an oven, are kept to make beer. Bruised in water, fermentation follows, and by distillation, this liquor affords brandy. The inner bark is extremely bitter, and is said by Breckel, in his history of North Carolina, to have been used successfully in inter- mittents. The late Professor Barton used it in ulcerous sore throat; and the ripe fruit has been said to be useful in the worm cases of children.* DIRCA PALUSTRIS. Lin. Moose-wood. Leathet-wood. The bark of this plant is said to produce a blister. It is allied to the genus daphne, all the species of* which blister.t DOLICHOS. E. L. D. A. Dolichos Pruriens. Stizolobium. Cow-itch. Cowhage. The setae or bristles of the Pods. Diadelphia Decandria. Nat. Ord. Papilionaceae, Linn. Leguminosse, Juss. The dolichos is a climbing plant, resembling our common scarlet runner, growing in great abundance in warm climates, particularly in the West. Indies. The pods are about four inches long, round, and as thick as a man's finger. On the outside they are thickly be- set with stiff brown hairs, which, when applied to the skin, occasion a most intolerable itching. In the choice of cow-itch, we must re- ject all those pods which are shrivelled, brown, and diminutive in size, which have lain long in damp warehouses, and are musty, or of a bad colour. Medical use.—The ripe pods are dipped in syrup, which is again scraped off with a knife. When the syrup is rendered by the hairs as thick as honey, it is fit for use. It acts mechanically as an an- thelmintic, occasions no uneasiness in the primae viae, and maysbe safely taken, from a tea-spoonful to a table-spoonful in the morning, fasting. The worms are said to appear with the second or third dose; and by means of a purge, in some cases the stools have con- sisted entirely of worms. For further information, the publications of Mr. Chamberlayne may be consulted, or the Philadelphia Medical Museum. It is a perfectly safe and a very excellent vermifuge; and the plant might probably be usefully cultivated in the United States. DRACONTIUM. A. Dracontium Fcetidum. Willd. Ictodes F(etidus. Bigl. Symplocarpus Fcetidus. Bart. Pothos Fcetida. Swamp, or Skunk Cabbage. The Root. There seems much difference of sentiment as to the proper de- nomination of this plant, as may appear by reference to the syno- * Barton's Collections. See also Professor Woodhouse's Inaugural Disser- tation on this subject. f Barton's Collections. 35 274 D.—Dracontium. nymes above, and still more by the publications of Drs. Bigelow and Barton. Its very offensive smell, strongly allied to that of the skunk, has led to its employment as an antispasmodic; and it is probably equal in this respect to most of the class. Its activity seems dependent on a volatile principle, which is im- paired by long keeping, especially in powder. It is best, therefore, to keep it in slices, and not powder it until wanted. It is given in pills, or mixed with syrup, in doses of ten to twenty grains, two or three times a-day. Dr. Bigelow says "the structure of this singular vegetable has caused it successively to be assigned to the genera Arum, Dracon- tium, and Pothos, with none of which it fully agrees." Disagreeing likewise in the propriety of the appellation Symplocarpus, he had fixed on one, which is a translation, as nearly as possible, of its com- mon English name, Ictodes, from iV.ti?, viverra, and o£„cr, , , , r. Water of composition, 8 $ °6 Green hydro"oxyd of iron. 26 Sulphuric acid. 38 Water of crystallization. 100 Green sulphat of iron is decomposed by all the earths and alka- lies, and by those salts whose base forms an insoluble compound with sulphuric acid. It is also decomposed by exposure to the air, especially when in solution, and by all substances which part readily with their oxygen. The oxyd of iron absorbs oxygen, and passes to the state of red oxyd, which forms a red sulphat, possessing proper- ties very different from those of the green sulphat. Taken internally, the green sulphat is apt to excite pain in the stomach, and spasms in the bowels; and in large doses it causes vomiting. In small doses, however, of from one to three grains, it is sometimes given as a tonic, astringent, or anthelmintic. 302 F.—Ferruni. Sulphas Ferri Exsiccatus. E. D. Dried Sulphat of Iron. Take of sulphat of iron, any quantity.—Expose it to the action of a moderate heat in an unglazed earthen vessel, until it becomes white and perfectly dry. E. The heat applied here must not be so great as to decompose the sulphat of iron, but only to deprive it of its water of crystallization. Sub (Carbonas. A.) Ferri Praparatus. E. Rubigo Ferri. D. Rust of Iron. Carbonat (Subcarbonat) of Iron Prepared. Moisten purified filings of iron frequently with water, that they may be converted into rust, which is to be ground into an impal- pable powder. E. Iron is one of the most easily oxydized of the metals. It is ca- pable of attracting oxygen from the air, and of decomposing water even in the cold. By exposure at the same time to air and mois- ture, it is very quickly oxydized, while it also absorbs carbonic acid, and is converted into a reddish brown pulverulent substance, well known by the name of rust of iron. For medical use it is pre- pared as the other substances insoluble in water. CARBONAS FERRI PR^CIPITATUS. E. A. Ferri Subcarbonas. L. Precipitated Carbondt of Iron. Take of sulphat of iron, eight ounces; subcarbonat of soda, six ounces; boiling water, a gallon.—Dissolve the sulphat of iron, and subcarbonat of soda, separately, each in four pints of water; next mix the solutions together, and set the mixture by, that the powder may subside; then pour off the supernatant liquor, wash the carbonat of iron with hot ivater, and dry it upon bibulous paper in a gentle heat. L. On mixing the solution of these salts together, there is an imme- diate mutual decomposition. Sulphat of soda is formed, which re- mains in solution, and carbonat of iron, which is precipitated of a green colour. The precipitate when first formed, is the carbonat of black oxyd of iron, or contains the iron in the state of black oxyd, the state in which it exists in the green sulphat of iron; but in the process of drying, it absorbs more oxygen, becomes of a red colour, and is converted into the carbonat of red oxyd of iron. As the pre- cipitate is extremely light and bulky, it is not easily separated by allowing it to subside, and pouring off the clear liquor; filtration should therefore be employed. The carbonat of soda is used in pre- ference to the carbonat of potass, on account of the greater solubility of sulphat of soda than of sulphat of potass, which renders the sub- sequent ablution of the salt more easy. Mr. Phillips found'very great differences in the results, from very slight differences in conducting the process, as appears from the following table, to which is added the results when subcarbonat of potass was employed instead of subcarbonat of soda. F.—Ferrum. 303 'Hot w. M Cold L. Hot w. Cold w. Hotw. Cold w. Water kept near 212° for an hour. f steam. the air. steam. i<- the air, ri4.5 14.5 1.5 8.0 1.0 none 1.3 Subcarbonat of soda. Chocolate br Yellowish br. Orange br. Purplish br. Reddish br. Ochre yel. Blackish br. Subcarbonat of Potass. If Orange br. Brick red. Orange br. These differences indicate the precipitates to be mixtures of per- oxyd, protoxyd, and subcarbonat of protoxyd of iron, in various pro- portions. The peroxyd is deep red or yellow, as the oxygen is quickly or slowly absorbed; the protoxyd is black, and its carbonat brown. When cold water only is used in this process, carbonat of iron re- mains in the solution, from which the oxyd has been precipitated; when hot water is used, part of the carbonic acid is expelled, the subcarbonat is precipitated mixed with oxyd; but when, heat is long applied, the subcarbonat itself is decomposed, and the precipitate is chiefly oxyd. Mr. Phillips concludes, that it is more economical to use hot water in every part of the process, and to use potass instead of soda in the preparation Medical use.—The carbonat of iron is an excellent and safe chaly- beate. It may be given in doses of from five grains to sixty; but all chalybeates answer better in small doses, frequently repeated, than in large doses. Q. E. D. Aqua Ferri iERATi. D. Water of Aerated Iron. It is prepared in the same manner as the water of fixed air, by sus- pending in the water half an ounce of iron wire. D. This is a very elegant chalybeate. The iron is in the state of black oxyd, and is dissolved by means of carbonic acid. It was first pre- pared by Bergmann, in imitation of the natural chalybeate waters, and it forms an excellent substitute for them. LIQUOR FERRI ALKALINI. L. A. Solution of Alkaline Iron. Take of Iron, two drachms and a half; Nitric acid, two fluid ounces; Distilled water, six fluid ounces; Solution of Sub-carbonat of pot- ass, six fluid ounces.—Mix the water and acid, and pour them upon the iron. As soon as the effervescence has ceased, pour off the acid solution; add this gradually, and at intervals, to the solution of sub-carbonat of potass, shaking it occasionally, until it become of a dark red colour, and no more effervescence be excited. Lastly, let it stand for six hours, and pour off the solution. L. This preparation of iron is so entirely different from all others in its nature, that Dr. Duncan thinks the London College right in in- troducing it into their Pharmacopoeia. The chemical nature of the composition has not been accurately ascertained, and the preparation is attended with considerable difficulty and uncertainty. Dr. Powell 304 F___Ferruni. says, that the solution of the iron should be made slowly, and that it ought not to be nearly saturated, but -have an excess of acid; that it ought to be clear, and slightly srreenish, and if, by excess of iron, it have a reddish-yellow colour, a little acid is to be added, which will bring it to the proper state; that the acid solution should be added gradually to the alkaline, although it will succeed the other way; and that, although the proportions are pretty nearly given, they require to be checked by occasional examination, especially by the taste, which should be slightly alkalescent. He also adds, that after standing, nitrat of potass generally crystallizes, from which the clear deep red solution is to be poured off. Mr. Phillips, in his remarks upon this preparation, says, that there is no danger of iron being dis- solved in excess, as the acid is capable of dissolving more than twice the quantity of iron ordered; and the solution thus obtained, though so nearly saturated as to excite little effervescence when added to the solution of carbonat of potass, answers perfectly well for making this preparation; but even when the proportions of the College are adopted, the quantity of alkali is too small; and it is necessary to use about one-twelfth more than is directed, in order to dissolve the oxyd of iron, although more than requisite to saturate the acid, and to give a decided alkaline taste. Mr. Phillips considers it as a solution of peroxyd of iron in sub-carbonat of potass. Hagen says, that the preparation does not succeed with caustic potass; and that the more the alkali is carbonated, the better. Mr. Phillips remarks, that if five parts of water be added to one of this preparation, in a few minutes the oxyd of iron is almost en- tirely precipitated, frustrating the probable intentions of the prepa- ration, that of exhibiting iron in solution with an alkali; which, how- ever, may be effected by means of the solution of tartarized iron, which is not decomposed by sub-carbonat of potass. Dr. Powell, on the contrary, praises this preparation much. He considers it as af- fording a combination of iron distinct from any other, and often ap- plicable to practice; and adds, " If I was to speak individually of its powers, I should consider them as more considerable than those of any other preparation of the metal in many cases attended with de- bility of stomach, and it has been also prepared in some large shops, and not unfrequently employed." ACETAS FERRI. D. A. Acetat of Iron, Take of Carbonat of Iron,* half an ounce; Vinegar, three fluid ounces. —Digest for three days and strain. Dr. Perceval found, in experiments made to determine the com- parative solubility of iron, in its different states, in acetic acid, that two drachms of the acid acquired a light amber tinge from ten grains of scales of iron, and left a residuum of 9-*-; a reddish-amber colour from iron filings, residuum 6|; a light-red from the red oxyd, resi- duum 8|; and from the precipitated carbonat a deep claret colour, and the whole was dissolved. Hence the last was preferred un- making directly an acetat of iron. * The Pharm. U. S. uses the precipitated carbonat. F.—Ferrum. 305 Why does not the United States' Pharmacopoeia employ the jtwn- fied vinegar for this preparation? TINCTURA ACETATIS FERRI. D. A. Tincture of Acetat of Iron. Take of Acetat of potass, Sulphat of iron, each, one ounce; Alcohol two pints.—Rub the acetat of potass and sulphat of iron in an earthen mortar until they unite into a soft mass; dry this with a moderate heat, and triturate it, when dried, with the alcohol. Digest the mix- ture in a well-corked phial for twenty-four hours, shaking it occa- sionally. Lastly, after the faeces have subsided, pour off the limpid liquor. D. Alcohol is incapable of dissolving the green salts of iron, but dis- solves the red salts readily. This tincture contains a very pure acetat of iron, more perfectly neutralized than most metallic salts. Its ex- tract is of a beautiful crimson colour, which does not crystallize, but first assumes the consistence of wax, and then dries transparent, an ounce measure affording ten grains. A drachm measure gave grains §i> of prussiat of iron by precipitation. Dr. Perceval has comment- ed upon this preparation at considerable length. In the London Phar- macopoeia, 1746, a tinctura saturnina was extracted from a mixture of acetat of lead and sulphat ot iron. This was, in fact, a tincture of acetat of iron contaminated with a little lead. Dr. Perceval substi- tuted in his practice a preparation of Glauber's, by using equal weights of acetat of potass and sulphat of iron. This tincture, if made with rectified spirit, grows turbid by keeping, and deposites an oxyd of iron, which does not happen when alcohol, sp. gr. 0.815, is em- ployed. But Mr. Watts discovered, that by using two parts of acetat of potass to one of sulphat of iron, a permanent tincture may be ex- tracted by rectified spirit. Both modes of preparation are inserted in the Dublin Pharmacopoeia. That with rectified spirit contains acetat of potass as well as of iron, for its extract is whitish, from a predo- minance of the former. A drachm measure gave gr. ^ of prussiat of iron, by precipitation. Dr. R. Percival says, it is an elegant, agree- able, and useful chalybeate preparation, of which a tea-spoonful or two may be conveniently taken in asses' milk. MURIAS AMMONLE ET FERRI. D. E. A. Ferrum Ammoniatum. L. Muriat of Ammonia and Iron. Ammoniated Iron. Flores Martiales. Ens Martis, &c. Take of Red oxyd of iron, washed and again dried; Muriat of Am- monia, equal weights.-—Mix them thoroughly, and sublime by a quick fire.—Preserve in a well-stopped phial. E. Although at a low temperature ammonia decomposes the muriat of iron, at a high temperature iron and its oxyds decompose muriat of ammonia. But as muriat of ammonia is itself a volatile salt, great part of it escapes undecomposed; so that the product is a mixture of muriat of ammonia with red muriat of iron. According to the for- mula of the Edinburgh College, the decomposition is effected bv sim- 39 306 F.—Ferrum. pie affinity. According to the German pharmaceutists, if the iron be equal to one-sixteenth of the muriat of ammonia, it is sufficient. The new Prussian Dispensatory directs one ounce of iron to be dissolved in two ounces of muriatic acid, and one of nitrous acid; this solution of red muriat of iron to be mixed with a watery solution of twelve ounces of muriat of ammonia, and the whole evaporated to dryness; and the dry mass to be sublimed in a wide-necked retort, with a heat increased to redness. Whatever process be employed, the heat must be applied as quickly as possible; and the sublimed product thoroughly mixed by tritura- tion, and kept in well-stopt glass vessels. It should have a deep orange colour, and a smell resembling saffron, and should deliquesce in the air. Medical use.—This preparation is supposed to be highly aperient and attenuating; though no otherwise so than the rest of the chaly- beates, or at most only by virtue of the saline matter joined to the iron. It has been found of service in hysterical and hypochondriacal cases, and in distempers proceeding from a laxity and weakness of the solids, as the rickets. From two or three grains to ten may be conveniently taken in the form of a bolus. Tinctura Ferri Ammoniati. L. Tincture of Ammoniated Iron. Take of Ammoniacal iron, four ounces; Proof spirit, one pint.—Di- gest and strain. L. This is merely a spirituous solution of the ammoniacal iron, and is a much less elegant medicine than a simple tincture of muriat of iron. TINCTURA MURIATIS FERRI. E. L. D. A. Tincture of Muriat of Iron. Take of (Precipitated A.) carbonat of iron, half a pound; Muriatic acid, three pounds; Alcohol, three pints.—Pour the muriatic acid on the carbonat of iron in a glass vessel; and shake the mixture oc- casionally during three days. Then set it by, that the faeces, if any, may subside, and pour off the liquor; evaporate this slowly, to one pint, and when cold, add the alcohol. D. Tinctura Muriatis Ferri cum Oxydo Rubro. D. Tincture of Muriat of Iron with the Red Oxyd. Take of Red oxyd of iron, one ounce; Muriatic acid by measure, four ounces; Rectified spirit of wine, the requisite quantity.—Di- gest the oxyd with the acid for twenty-four hours, then boil for half an hour. Evaporate the filtered liquor to the thickness of syrup, and when cold, add rectified spirit of wine, with frequent agitation, until the tincture acquires the specific gravity of 1050. In making the first of these tinctures, each of the British Colleges use iron in a different state: the Edinburgh, the black oxyd j the Dublin, the red oxyd; and the London, the carbonat. Mr. Phillips observes, that, although the proportions of the London College an- F.—Ferrum. 307 swer with muriatic acid of specific gravity 1.17, and peroxyd of iron, prepared in his method, containing only three per cent, of carbonic acid; the solution will have acid in excess, when the muriatic acid has only the strength of 1.142, and the carbonat contains 14.5 per cent, of carbonic acid, the common state of these substances, as pre- pared by the directions of the College. Muriatic acid is capable of combining either with the black or red oxyds of iron, and forms with each, salts, having distinctive properties. The red muriat of iron is not crystallizable; has a dark orange colour; is deliquescent; forms a brown-red solution, having a very astringent taste; and is soluble in alcohol. The green muriat is crys- tallizable; has little colour; is very soluble in water, forming a pale green solution; and is insoluble in alcohol. But the aqueous solution of green muriat attracts oxygen so rapidly from the atmosphere, that unless the access of the air be totally excluded, it is always partially converted into red muriat. The solutions of iron and of its black oxyd, are accordingly found always to contain a greater or less pro- portion of red muriat, and are, therefore, not uniform or constant in their properties. "Having prepared this tincture in the proportions of the London Pharmacopoeia, with precipitated carbonat of iron, I found," says Dr. Perceval, "that in some instances, when rectified spirit was mixed with the evaporated muriat, crystals of green muriat of iron deposited, which the spirit did not dissolve. The strength of the tincture was consequently variable. This observation suggested the process of tinctura muriatis ferri cum oxydo rubro, which is now in- serted amongst the praep. extemp. of the Dublin Pharmacopoeia. The muriatic solution is of an orange-red, and does not crystallize when spirit is added. "Instead of evaporating it to a certain weight, which is a trouble- some operation, spirit is added so as to bring the liquor to a certain specific gravity, which is the standard of the strength of the medi- cine." It is an excellent chalybeate, and may be given in doses often or twenty drops twice or thrice a day, in any proper vehicle. FERRI PHOSPHAS. A. Phosphat of Iron. Take of Sulphat of iron, four ounces; Water, ten pints.—Dissolve, and allow the solution to remain at rest until the impurities have subsided; then decant the clear liquid. In a separate vessel dissolve four ounces of phosphat of soda, in three pints of water; and min- gle the two solutions. Collect the blue powder which is precipitated, place it on a filter, wash it with warm water, until the latter comes off tasteless, and dry the residue with a moderate heat. We cannot very readily perceive why this article has been intro- duced as a standard into our Pharmacopoeia. Its affirmed powers in cancer, &c. do not seem to have received the sanction of the British physicians generally. It has never, we believe, been introduced into either of the British Pharmacopoeias; hence we deduce that its benefit is at least problematical. Nor have we heard of that extensive em- ployment of it in this country, which should authorize its adoption 308 F.—Ferrum. at present. Without, however, disputing its powers, we may ask, as it respects its pharmaceutical preparation, what extraordinary advantage is to be derived by using such an immense quantity of water for the solution of the iron, or of the phosphat of soda. As we have frequently prepared it, we may experimentally affirm that a fourth part of the water will be more than sufficient, and the em- ployment of such large vessels as the above requires, will thereby be unnecessary. Dose, from two grains up to ten or more, three or four times a day. TARTRAS POTASS^E ET FERRI. E* Ferrum Tartarizatum. L. Tartarum Ferri. D. Tartrat of Iron. Tartar of (Tartarized) Iron. Take of Carbonat of iron, half an ounce; Crystals of tartar, in very fine powder, one ounce; Distilled water, a pint.—Boil them in a glass vessel over a slow fire for an hour, and filter the liquor through paper. When cool, and filtered a second time, evaporate it until a pellicle appears on the surface. In cooling, it will form a saline mass, which is to be powdered, and kept in close vessels. D. This is in fact a triple tartrat of iron, and potass, the excess of acid in the super-tartrat of potass being saturated by oxyd of iron. In this process the combination is direct; in that of the London Col- lege, the iron is oxydized during the first part of the process in which it is moistened and exposed to the action of the air. Mr. Phillips has examined this preparation attentively. He, says, that, as usually prepared, it has a light green colour, and is readily attracted by the magnet, unalterable by exposure to the air, and with difficulty soluble in water, and that one-fifth of the iron filings em- ployed remain unaltered; so that it must be considered as merely a mixture of metallic iron with super-tartrat of potass, coloured by oxyd of iron. Dr. Perceval, of Dublin, says, that when prepared according to the directions of the Irish College, (and the precipitated carbonat was found to answer best,) it forms amass of concreted spicular crystals of an olive colour, which attracts humidity from the air. In solution it destroys the colour of litmus, and its taste is rather sweetish than sour. To prepare a real tartarized iron, Mr. Phillips digests 32 parts of filings of soft iron in 64 parts of tartar, adding water occasionally to the mass during the "action of the tartar upon the iron, until it appear by the test of litmus paper that the acid is perfectly saturated. During this process 15 parts of the iron are dissolved, being con- verted into nearly 22 parts of peroxyd. To this he adds seven times its weight of water, (532 parts,) which easily dissolves the tartarized iron by trituration, forming a solution which readily passes through the filter, and contains one-eighth part of its weight of tartarized iron, or nearly 16 grains of oxyd in the fluid ounce. This solution is of a deep greenish-brown colour, and remains for a great length of time without undergoing any change, (except at first the deposi- * Ferri Tartras, Pharm. U. S. F.—Ficus. 309 tion of the tartrat of lime of the tartar.) It is precipitated by alco- hol, and decomposed by lime-water, by solutions of potass and soda and their subcarbonats, when heated, but not when cold; nor by am- monia or its subcarbonat, hot or cold. It is not crystallizable, but when dried, is of a dark greenish-brown colour, and attracts moisture from the atmosphere, but does not deliquesce; is exceedingly tena- cious, resembling gum, and can scarcely be made to form a perfect solution. It is evident, that when properly prepared, tartarized iron can- not be exhibited in powder as commonly directed, and the advan- tage of exhibiting this preparation in solution, is, that when the acid is perfectly saturated, the taste of the iron is scarcely perceptible; and hence it can be exhibited with success to persons to whom the common solutions of iron are nauseous. It deserves notice, that when there is acid in excess, the taste of the iron is much more easily detected. PRUSSIAS FERRI. A. Prussiat of Iron. By this we presume is meant the Prussian blue of commerce. It is always prepared in the large way, and it has already been spoken of in the consideration of Prussic acid, under the head of Cyanogen. It is intended by the Pharmacopoeia of the U. S. only as the inter- medium by which to obtain the acid. VINUM FERRI. L. D. A. Wine of Iron. Take of Iron wire cut in pieces, four ounces; White Rhenish wine, four pints.-—Sprinkle the wire with two pints of the wine, and expose it to the air until it be covered with rust; then add the rest of the wine,- macerate for ten days, with occasional agitation, and filter. D. In this preparation, which is taken from the Dublin College, there appears a very useless expenditure of the wine, in making it the me- dium of oxydizing the iron. The London formula is superior. It would probably be still better to employ the oxyd of iron at once in place of the metal itself. FICUS. E. D. L. A. Ficus Carica. Fig Tree. Figs. TJie Preserved Fruit. Polygamia Dioscia. Nat. Ord. Scabridae, Linn. Urticx, Juss. Syn. Figues, (F.) Feigen, (G.) Fico, (I.) Higo, (S.) El Kermos, (Ar.) Xvkh, Graecorum. This tree is probably a native of Asia, but grows plentifully in the south of Europe. As the fruit is very pulpy, it is dried when it is to be preserved. To this country they are chiefly brought from the Levant. They consist almost entirely of sugar and mucilage, and are therefore demulcent. They are also esteemed by some as sup- puratives; and they are sometimes applied by themselves, heated as warm as they can easily be borne, to promote the suppuration of a 310 F.—Frasera Waited. phlegmon, particularly when so situated that other cataplasms can- not easily be kept applied. Figs ripen very well by the middle of September in Philadelphia, when enjoying a free exposure to the sun. In the southern states they flourish luxuriantly, and might become an article of extensive exportation, and home consumption, if pains were taken to introduce the large Levant fig. As an agreeable article for eating, we all can appreciate the fig; but whether as a maturating cataplasm, it is any May superior to a common bread and milk poultice, we may be allowed to doubt. At any rate it would be better located amongst the secondary than the standard articles of the Materia Medica. FRASERA WALTERI. FRASERA CAROLINIENSIS/ American, or Marietta Columbo. The Root. This plant is nearly allied in botanical habits, to the genus Gen- tiana. It is a native of the states of New York, Carolina, &c. and is furnished with a large tuberous root, of a yellow colour, which pro- mises to be little inferior as a bitter, to the gentian of the shops, t This species of Columbo is produced in the vicinity of Marietta in Ohio, and we are indebted to Dr. S. P. Hildreth of that place for a partial description of the plant. According to him the Columba Americana is a regular and very elegantly proportioned plant, grow- ing to the height of seven feet. It is a production of high land, a rich and loamy soil that is co- vered with white oak, white thorn, and tufts of prairie grass. The stalk is covered with a smooth delicate membrane of a deep purple colour at the root, but becoming lighter as it ascends towards the top. Beneath this is a pulpy coat, fibrous and vascular, which covers another that is entirely ligneous, which is the chief support of the stalk. The remainder is medullary, and completely fills the woody circle. The columbo of Marietta is a triennial plant. The radical leaves, when it springs from the seed, are five in number, to these are added the second season five more. The third spring it sends up a stalk with five whorls of leaves, when each whorl consists of five leaves, and four, when each whorl consists of four, before it puts out any flowering branches. The leaves are in whorls smooth and spear- shaped. The branches are axillary, upright, and of the same number with the leaves, from the basis of which they immediately rise and send out opposite footstalks. From the whorls where the flowering branches commence to the top of the stalk, if it consists of five leaves, there are ten whorls growing gradually less to the apex, which ends with five peduncles. It flowers in July. The root as soon as it en- ters the earth, shoots out in a horizontal direction; is spindle-shaped, and when well grown is from eighteen to thirty inches in length, and two in diameter at the turn. Near the surface of the earth, the * Frasera, Pharm. U. S. f Barton's Collections, Part II. p. 16. F.—Fucus Vesiculosus. 311 root is wrinkled; its colour in the young plant is a light yellow; and is solid and brittle. After the stalk is grown the root becomes softer and less bitter.. The proper time for collecting it seems to be in the spring of the third year. Dr. Hildreth asserts that, from the expe- riments he has made with American columbo, he is induced to be- lieve it fully equal, if not superior to the imported. It is in common use there, and has, in one instance, in the heat of summer, put a stop to a wide-spreading gangrene, on one of the lower extremities, by internal use and external application, when bark and other remedies had failed. The columbo plant is undoubtedly to be estimated as a valuable acquisition to our Materia Medica. The root, however, is found on examination to be of a lighter colour, and to possess less of the bit- ter principle than the imported root; its comparative efficacy is there- fore doubtful, and yet to be ascertained. It is very liable to be worm-eaten, and is also much subject to mouldiness. FUCUS VESICULOSUS L. Quercus Marina. D. Yellow Bladder Wrack. Cryptogamia Algae. Nat. Ord. Algae. This is one of the most common sea-weeds found on the shores of Great Britain. Its value in the manufacture of kelp is well known. In medicine it is little used; but the charcoal obtained by burning.it in close vessels has in some places got the name of JEthiops vegeta- bilis. It is to be considered as a compound of charcoal and carbonat of soda. Dr. Russel recommended the mucus of the vesicles as a resolvent, when externally applied to bronchocele and scrofulous swellings. It is probable its efficacy may depend on the iodine it contains. FULIGO LIGNI COMBUSTI. D. Wood soot. This substance is inflammable, of a shining black colour, a disa- greeable smell, and an empyreumatic, bitter, nauseous taste. It varies somewhat according to the nature of the substance, and the strength of the fire employed in its, production. But it consists principally of charcoal, empyreumatic oil, and acetic acid. It some- times contains ammonia, and the other alkalies and earths. Its me- dical properties are to be ascribed solely to the empyreumatic oil it contains. 312 G___Galega Virginiana. G. BUBON GALBANUM. E. D. L.« Lovage-leaved Galbanum. The Gum Resin. Pentandria Digynia. Nat. Ord. Umbellatse. Syn. Galbanum, (F.) Mutterharz, (G.) Galbano, (I.) Galbane, (S.) Barzud, (Ar.) X*Kfi*v», Hippocr. This plant is perennial, and grows in Africa. It abounds with a milky juice, which sometimes exudes from the joints of the old plants, but is more frequently obtained by cutting them across some inches above the root. The juice which flows from the wound soon hardens, and is the galbanum which is brought to us from Syria, and the Levant. The best sort of galbanum consists of pale-coloured pieces, about the size of a hazel-nut, which on being broken, appear to be com- posed of clear white tears, of a bitterish acrid taste, and a strong pe- culiar smell. But it most commonly occurs in agglutinated masses, composed of yellowish of reddish and clear white tears, which may easily be torn asunder, mixed with seed and leaves, of the consist- ence of firm wax, softening by heat, and becoming brittle by cold. What is mixed with sand, earth, and other impurities, and is of a brown or blackish colour, interspersed with no white grains, of a weak swell, and of a consistence always soft, is bad. Galbanum is almost entirely soluble in water, but the solution is milky; neither does wine nor vinegar dissolve it perfectly. Alcohol, according to Hagen, has very little action upon rt. It is not fusible, but furnishes a considerable proportion of essential oil when distilled with water. Neumann obtained from a pound of galbanum by dis- tillation with water, six drachms of oil, besides what was dissolved in the water. The watery extract amounted to about three ounces. It had somewhat of a nauseous relish, but coyld not have been re- cognized as a preparation of galbanum. From the same quantity al- cohol extracted upwards of nine ounces and a half of a hard, brittle, insipid, inodorous substance, (resin?) Medical use.—Galbanum agrees in virtue with gum ammoniacum; but is generally accounted less proper in asthmas, and more so in hysterical complaints. It is exhibited in the form of pills or emul- sions, to the extent of about a drachm. Applied externally, it is sup- posed to resolve and discuss tumours, and to promote suppuration. GALEGA VIRGINIANA. Virginia Goals-rue. Ine Root. This is one of the most beautiful of the known North American plants of the class Diadelphia. It is common in many parts of Penn- sylvania, New Jersey, &c. It is called cat-gut in Jersey, from the resemblance of its roots to that article. A decoction of the roots is said to be a powerful anthelmintic.t * Galbanum, Pharm. U. S. \ Barton's Collections, Part. I. p. 64. G.—Gallre. 313 UAhhM. E. D. L. A. Nut-galls. The Nest of the Cynips Quercifolii. Moncccia Polyandria. Nat. Ord. Amentacex. Syn. Noix de Galles, (F.) Gallapfel, (G.) Galnoot, (Dutch.) Galla, (I.) Agalla, (S.) Maju P'hal, (H. San.) Olivier has, in his travels in the Ottoman empire, given us an accurate botanical description of the oak which produces the gall-nut, and which, he says, was till then unknown to botanists. He calls it Quercus infectoria, (Dyer's oak,) and characterizes it foliis ovato oblongis, sinuato dentatis, glaberrimis, deciduis;fructibus sessilibus, longissimis. It is scattered through all Asia Minor, from the Bos- phorus to Syria, and from the shore of the Archipelago to the fron- tiers of Persia. It has a crooked stem, and seldom reaches the height of six feet. It oftener has the appearance of a shrub than of a little tree. The gall-nuts come at the shoots of the young boughs, and are produced by the puncture of diplolepis gallae. tinctoriae to depo- site an egg. They acquire from four to twelve lines in diameter, and are generally round and covered with tuberosities. They are in perfection when they have acquired their full size and weight, but before the insect has pierced them; after which they get a brighter colour, and lose some of their weight. The harvest takes place about the middle of Messidor. The galls first picked are laid apart, and are known under the name of Forli, and in commerce are called black and green galls. Those gathered later are called white galls, and are very inferior in value. In commerce they occur of differ- ent sizes, smooth or knotty on the surface, of a whitish, reddish, or blackish colour, and generally penetrated with a small hole. Inter- nally they consist of a spongy, but hard, more or less brown sub- stance, and they have a very rough astringent taste. Good galls are of a blackish-gray or yellow colour, heavy, and tuberculated on the surface. They are the most powerful astringents we possess; and since the discovery of the tanning principle by Mr. Seguin, have very much engaged the attention of chemists. Neumann got from 960 grains of coarsely powdered galls, 840 watery extract, and af- terwards only 4 alcoholic; and inversely, 760 alcoholic, and 80 wa- tery. But the most minute analysis is that of Sir H. Davy, who found that 500 grains of good Aleppo galls gave, by lixiviating them until their soluble matters was taken up, and evaporating the solu- tion slowly, 185 grains of solid matter, which when examined by analysis, appeared to consist of, Tannin,*..............130 Mucilage, and matter rendered insoluble by evaporation, 12 Gallic acid,t and a little extractive matter, ... 31 Remainder, calcareous earth and saline matter, . . 12 * Tannin, when completely dried, is a brittle substance, of a black colour, and vitreous fracture? it is soluble in alcohol; it is much more soluble in hot than in cold water. The solution has a dark brown colour, astringent taste, and pecuhar smell; it is precipitated by acids, in the form of a viscid fluid like pitch; it is also precipitated by carbonat of potass in yellow flakes; it forms an insoluble elastic precipitate with gelatin, and dark blue or black precipi- tates with iron. ] Gallic acid crystallizes in brilliant colourless plates, of an acid and some 40 314 G.—Galke. From his experiments, Dr. Duncan is disposed to think that Sir H. Davy has underrated the tannin of nut-galls; for by simple re- peated infusions in hot water, the residuum of 500 grains m one ex- periment amounted only to 158, and in another only to 136 grains. The quantity of tannin, estimated in Sir H. Davy's way, amounted, in the first, to 220 grains, and in the second, to 256. The great dif- ference in these results from Sir H. Davy's, must be entirely ascrib- ed to some differences in the galls themselves, or in the mode of operation. A saturated decoction of galls, on cooling, deposites a copious pale yellow precipitate, which seems to be purer tannin than what can be got by any other process; but it still requires and de- serves a more minute examination: In Dr. Duncan's experiments, a very weak infusion of nut-galls was precipitated by sulphuric acid, lime-water, sub-carbonat of potass, acetat of lead, sulphat of copper, nitrat of silver, sulphat of iron, tartrat of antimony, nitrat of mer- cury, infusion of officinal cinchona, and solution of gelatin; it was not precipitated by nitrous acid, ammonia, sulphat of zinc, muriat of mercury, infusion of quassia, or infusion of saffron. To what principles these precipitates are owing, remains still to be ascer- tained. Vauquelin justly observes, that the infusions of nut-galls and of cinchona agree in precipitating both gelatin and tartrat of antimony, but that they precipitate each other. Another fact, equally curious, occurred in Dr. Duncan's experiments: a mutually saturated mixture of the infusions of nut-galls and cinchona, still precipitates gelatin; but these infusions, separately saturated by gelatin, do not act on each other. Hence it appears that the action of these infusions on each other, depends on principles contained in each, compatible with the presence of tannin, but reacting on each other, and that gelatin precipitates these principles along with the tannin. Sir H. Davy has concluded that tannin and gelatin unite in fixed proportions, viz. 46 of tannin with 54 gelatin: were this cor- rect, it would very much facilitate the analysis of astringents, but unfortunately Di^. Duncan's experiments do not confirm it. A twelve hours' infusion of 500 grains of nut-galls in twelve ounces of water, precipitated successively with equal quantities of solution of gelatin, containing each twenty-four grains, gave precipitates weighing 98, 64, 48, and 36 grains: hence, if we suppose the whole gelatin used to be contained in each precipitate, these consisted of 24 grains of gelatin, and 74, 40, 24, and 12 grains of tannin; so that, from the weight of the precipitate alone, we cannot estimate the tannin. Dr. Bostock has drawn the same conclusions from a set of experiments which he made without any knowledge of Dr. Dun- can's. It has been generally asserted, that the precipitate of tannin and gelatin is insoluble in water, either cold or hot; but Dr. Duncan found that in boiling water it not only becomes soft and viscid, but what austere taste, and of a peculiar odour when heated. It may be sublim- ed without alteration, although a strong heat decomposes it in part. It is not altered by exposure to the air, is soluble in 1 1-2 of water at 212°, and in 12 waters at 60°, and in four times its weight of alcohol. It has a strong affinity for metallic oxyds, especially iron. It precipitates gold, copper and silver * brown, mercury orange, iron black, bismuth yellow, and lead white. Gallats have not been examined. G.—Gambogia. 315 a certain portion is dissolved, which separates again when the solu- tion cools. He also remarks, that.if the precipitate be dried without any heat, it has a yellowish-white appearance, opaque, and without lustre; but if exposed to a very moderate increase of temperature before it be dry, it seems to undergo a kind of fusion, and acquires transparency, a dark brown-red colour, and a resinous lustre; with a higher temperature, even when almost dry, it will become so fluid as to pass through filtering paper. Mr. Davy discovered that it is soluble in excess of gelatin. It is also extremely soluble in ammonia, forming a red solution. Medical use.—An infusion or decoction of galls may be used with advantage as an astringent gargle; and an ointment of one part of finely powdered galls to eight of any simple ointment is applied with success in hsemorrhoidal affections. GAMBOGIA. E. D. L. A. Gamboge. The Gum Resin of Stalagmilis Gambogioides,* and some other trees. Syn. Gomme Gutte, (F.) Gummigutt, (G.) Gomma Gotta, (I.) Ossara rewund, (Ar.) The tree which furnishes the gamboge is of middling size, and grows wild in the kingdom of Siam and in Ceylon. In Siam the gum- resin is obtained in drops by breaking the leaves and young shoots; hence probably its name gummi-guttae; but in Ceylon it is extracted from the wood of the tree in the form of a juice, which soon becomes solid. Gamboge, or at least a very similar substance, is also got in the same way from different species of Garcinia, especially the Gambogia, (the Gambogia Gutta of Linn.) Willd. g. 938, sp. 3. Dodecandria Monogynia, and from different species of Hypericum, especially the Bacciferum. It is brought from the East Indies in large cakes or rolls. The best sort has a deep yellow or orange colour, shining fracture, and is free from impurities. It has no smell, and very little taste, unless kept in the mouth for some time, when it impresses a slight sense of acrimony. Neumann got from 16 ounces, 14 of alcoholic extract, and one of watery; and inversely, 13 of watery, and two of alcoholic. He also found it almost entirely so- luble in water, impregnated with a moderate proportion of fixed al- kaline salt. According to Dr. Duncan's experiments, which confirm these observations, the watery solution is opaque and yellow. With alcohol it forms a transparent solution of a bright golden colour; and the residuum is totally soluble in water. The alcoholic solution is decomposed by water, becoming yellow and opaque; but the pre- cipitate remains long suspended, and cannot be separated by com- mon filtering paper. Ammoniated alcohol dissolves gamboge with similar phenomena. Gamboge is readily soluble in solution of po- tass, acquiring a bright red colour the moment it is thrown into it, and forming a dark coloured solution which is not decomposed by water; but the addition of any acid immediately produces a copious * Stalagjutis, Polygamia Manoicia. Nat. Ord. Tricoccec. 316 G.—Gaultheria.—Gentiana. yellow precipitate, very soluble in excess of acid. Gamboge is also very soluble, but with decomposition, in acids. The acid solution is precipitated by water. Braconnot says it consists of one-filth ot gum, and four-fifths of an acidiferous resin, from which he extracted, by analysis, 22.5 dry muriatic acid, 35 charcoal, 42 gases. Ihis re- quires to be confirmed. Medical use.— Gamboge evacuates powerfully, both upwards and downwards; some condemn it as acting with too great violence, and occasioning dangerous hypercatharsis; while others are of a contrary opinion. Geoff'roy seems particularly fond of this medicine, and in- forms us, that he has frequently given from two to four grains, with- out its proving at all emetic; that from four to eight grains both vomit and purge without violence; that its operation is soon over; and that if given in a liquid form, and sufficiently diluted, it does not need any corrector; that in the form of a bolus or pill, it is most apt to prove emetic, but very rarely has this effect if joined along with calomel. He nevertheless cautions against its use where the patients cannot easily bear vomiting. It has been used in dropsy with cream of tartar or jalap, or both, to quicken their operation. It is also recommended by some to the extent of fifteen grains, with an equal quantity of vegetable alkali, in cases of the tape-worm. This dose is ordered in the morning; and if the worm is not expelled in two or three hours, it is repeated even to the third time with safety and efficacy. It is asserted, that it has been given to this extent even in delicate habits. It is an ingredient, and probably the active one, in most of the nostrums for expelling taeniae. GAULTHERIA.* Mountain-tea. Partridge-berry. The Leaves. It is also called berried-tea, grouse-berry, and deer-berries; and is one of the principal articles of the Materia Medica of some Indian tribes. It is extensively spread over the more barren, mountainous parts of the United States. In infusion it possesses a stimulant and anodyne quality, and is said to be useful in cases of asthma.t GENTIANA. L. D. Gentiana Lutea. E.% Gentian. The Root. Pentandria Digynia. Nat. Ord. Rosacese, Linn. Gentianse, Juss. Syn. Gentiane jaune, (F.) Enzian, (G.) Genziana, (I.) Genciana, (S.) Yivmtvn, Dioscor. Gentian is a perennial plant, which grows upon the Alps, Pyre- nees, Appenines, and other mountainous situations in the temperate parts of Europe. * In the secondary list of the Pharm. U. S. f Barton's Collections, Part I. p. 19. * Gentian, Ph. U. S. G.—Geohroya inermis. 317 The roots are long, thick, externally of a brown colour, and wrinkled: internally spongy, and of a yellow colour, without any remarkable smell, but surpassing in bitterness all other European vegetables. Alcohol dissolves only the bitter extractive, water both the extractive and mucilage. Neumann got from 960 grains 390 alcoholic, and afterwards 210 insipid watery extract, and inversely 540 watery, and only 20 alco- holic. Medical use.—Gentian possesses the general virtues of bitters in an eminent degree, and is totally devoid of astringency. On dead animal matter it acts as an antiseptic. Taken into the stomach, it proves a powerful tonic, and in large doses it evacuates the intes- tines. It is useful in debility of the stomach, in general debility, and in gout. Combined with astringents it cures intermittents. Externally, it is applied to putrid ulcers. Although so intense a bitter, it is much preyed upon by a small insect. GENTIANA CATESBJEI.* Blue Gentian. The Root. This plant is pre-eminent in the bitterness of its roots, which are branching and somewhat fleshy. When dried, it has at first a mu- cilaginous and sweetish taste, which is soon followed by an intense bitter, nearly approaching that of the officinal gentian. This quality, according to professor Bigelow, appears to reside in a bitter extrac- tive principle, soluble both in water and in alcohol. A little resin is also present. Both the alcoholic and watery solutions exhibit the bitterness more powerfully than the root in substance. It has no astringency. It is used in the Southern states in decoction, in pneumonia, as a tonic and sudorific. Its tincture is used in dyspepsia, from two drachms to half an ounce. It may be considered as useful in all cases where a pure and simple bitter is indicated. GEOFFROYA INERMIS. E. D. Cabbage-tree. The Bark. Diadelphia Decandria. Nat. Ord. Papilionacex, Linn. Leguminosse, Juss. Syn. Umari de la Jamaique, (F.) Geoffrunrinde, (G.) The bark of this tree, which grows in the low savannas of Jamaica, is of a gray colour externally, but black and furrowed on the inside. The powder looks like jalap, but is not so heavy. It has a mucila- ginous and sweetish taste, and a disagreeable smell. Medical use.—Its medical effects are much greater than its sensi- ble qualities would lead us to expect. It is given in cases of worms, especially for lumbrici, in form of powder, decoction, syrup, and ex- tract. The decoction is preferred, and is made by slowly boiling an * Pharm. U. S. 318 G.—Geum rivale. ounce of the fresh dried bark in a quart of water, till it assume the colour of Madeira wine. This, sweetened, is the syrup; evaporated, it forms an extract. It commonly produces some sickness and purg- ing; sometimes violent effects, as vomiting, delirium, and fever. These last are said to be owing to an over-dose, or to drinking cold water; and are relieved by the use of warm water, castor oil, or a vegetable acid. GERANIUM MACULATUM.* Cranes-bill. Spotted Geranium. The Root. This is improperly called crow-foot in some parts of the United States. It grows plentifully about Philadelphia. The root, boiled in milk, is an excellent medicine in the cholera of children. In Ken- tucky it has been collected for the tormentil of the shops. It is called in some of the north-western parts of the United States, Racine a Becquet, after a person of this name. The western Indians say it is the most effectual of all their remedies for the cure of the venereal disease. An aqueous infusion of the roots forms an excellent injection in gonorrhoea, and old gleets.t. Dr. Mease mentions its efficacy in stopping bleedings, by apply- ing the root to the bleeding orifice.J GEUM RIVALED Water Avens. The Root. Geum Urbanum. D. Common Avens. Herb Bennet. The Root. Icosandria Polygynia. Nat. Ord. Senticosse, Linn. Rosacex, Juss. Avens is a common perennial plant in shady uncultivated places, and flowers from May to August. The root is fibrous, externally of a dark red colour, internally white, and has the flavour of cloves, with a bitterish astringent taste. Its virtues are said to be increased by cultivation, and the large roots are preferred to the smaller fibres. It must be dug up in the spring, when the leaves begin to appear, for the smell is then strongest; indeed it is hardly to be perceived when it flowers. It must be dried in the air, but not with a strong heat, as its flavour would be dissipated, and its virtues diminished. It tinges both water and alcohol red. Half an ounce yielded 30 grains of resinous, and 20 of gummy extract; the former had the smell of the root, the latter was without smell, and merely astrin- gent. Water distilled from it has a pleasant flavour, and carries over a little thickish essential oil. It has been more recently ana- * Geranium, Ph. U. S. f Barton's Collections, Part I. p. 8, 43. Part II. p. 1. -i Philadelphia Medical Museum, vol. ii. p. 163. § Geum, Pharm. U. S. G.—Glycyrrhiza. 319 lyzed by Melandri and Moretti, who got from two ounces 118 grains of tannin, 181 extractive, 61 of saponaceous extract and saline mat- ter, 92 of mucous extract, 23 of resin, 496 of woody fibres, and 76 of volatile oil, water and loss. Medical use.—Avens is an old febrifuge mentioned by Ray, but again brought into notice by Buckhave. It is recommended as a substitute for cinchona, in intermittent fevers, dysentery, and chro- nic diarrhoeas, flatulent colic, affections of the primae viae, asthmatic symptoms and cases of debility. Half a drachm or a drachm of the powder may be given four times a day, simply, or made up into an electuary with honey or rhubarb. Two table-spoonfuls of the decoc- tion may be given every hour; or a table-spoonful of a tincture, made with an ounce of the root to a pint of alcohol, three or four times a day. GILLENIA (Spiraea) Trifoliata.* Common Gillenia. Indian Physic, fyc. 8pc. This shrub grows plentifully in the United States, and is one of the few active plants of the class Icosandria. The root, the part employed, consists, like that of the officinal ipecacuanha, of a bark, and woody part. The active power seems to reside exclusively in the bark. It is a safe and efficacious emetic in doses of about 30 grains. It also seems to possess a tonic power, and has accordingly been thought peculiarly beneficial in intermittent fever. It is some- times very injudiciously employed by the country people, insomuch that they are obliged to apply for medical aid to remove the debility induced by the large doses of the root which they employ. Another species, it is said, grows in Kentucky, which is still more valuable, as an emetic, than the one under notice.t Professor Bigelow in speaking of the gillenia, says, he can add his own testimony to its possessing properties analogous to those of ipecacuan. It requires, however, (he adds) a larger dose, and he has not been satisfied, that it is at all certain in its operation. In small doses, like ipecacuan, it appears to possess a tonic power; there does not seem any reason, from what is stated of this article, to conclude that it can supersede the foreign ipecacuan. Indeed, some experiments made in this University, deny it any extraordi- nary powers as an emetic, even in very large doses. GLYCYRRHIZA. E. L. D. A. Liquorice. The Root and Extract. Diadelphia Decandria. Nat. Ord. Papilionacese, Linn. Leguminosse, Juss. Syn. Reglisse, (F.) Sussholzwurzel, (G.) Legorizia, (I.) Regaliza, (S.) Ussu- lussoos, (Ar.) ja'himad'h, (H.) Yastimadhuca, (San.) Twkv^u, Dioscor. Liquorice is a perennial plant, and a native of the south of Eu- * Gillenia, Ph. U. S. f Barton's Collections, Parti, p. 26. Part II. p. 59. 320 G.—Glycyrrhiza. rope, but it is cultivated in considerable quantities in England lor medical purposes: and the roots which are raised there, are prefer- red to those imported from abroad, which are very frequently mouldy and spoiled, which this root is extremely apt to be when not well preserved in a perfectly dry place. The roots are very long, about an inch thick, flexible, fibrous, externally of a brown colour, internally yellow, and, when fresh, juicy. Their taste is very sweet, combined with a slight degree of bitter, when long kept in the mouth. They are prepared for use by peeling them, cutting away all the fibres and spoiled or mouldy parts. The powder of liquorice usually sold is often mingled with flour, and perhaps also with substances not quite so wholesome: the best sort is of a brownish yellow colour, the fine pale yellow being gene- rally sophisticated, and it is of a very rich sweet taste, much more agreeable than that of the fresh root. Neumann got from 960 parts of dried liquorice, 300 alcoholic ex- tract, and afterwards 210 watery, and inversely 540 watery, and only 30 alcoholic. The original alcoholic extract is the sweetest. Robiquet obtained from liquorice root, 1. Amylaceous feculum; 2. A saccharine substance having no resemblance to sugar; 3. A new crystalline substance; 4. A resinous oil, which is the cause of the acrimony in the decoctions; 5. Phosphat and malat of lime and magnesia; 6. Woody fibre. Medical use.—Its predominant constituents being saccharine and mucilaginous matter, its only action is that of a mild demulcent, and as such it is frequently used in catarrh, and in some stomach com- plaints, which seem to arise from a deficiency of the natural mucus, which should defend the stomach against the acrimony of the food, and the fluids secreted into it. On account of its bulk it is rarely exhibited in substance, but more frequently in infusion or decoction. Extractum Glycyrrhiz^e. Extract of Liquorice. As this extract is never prepared by the apothecary, but common- ly imported from other countries, the Edinburgh college have insert- ed it in their list of the Materia Medica. It is imported in cylin- drical rolls, covered with bay leaves. It should be perfectly black, brittle when cold, and break with a smooth and glossy fracture, have a sweet taste, without empyreuma, and be entirely soluble in water. It is prepared from the fresh roots by expression, decoction, and inspissation. Tile best foreign extract of liquorice is prepared in Catalonia, but it is not so pure or so agreeable as the refined liquorice sold in the shops in small cylindrical pieces, not thicker than a goose-quill. This article is much employed in cases of catarrh, &c. in combi- nation with other 'substances, as paregoric elixir, &c. to allay the cough. It is troublesome to dissolve it in water in the solid masses in which we receive it. An excellent mode of keeping it for use, is to pulverize it in very cold weather, and mix it with about one-fifth part of the powdered root, which prevents its agglutinating; and a mixture is readily made with it, even in cold water. G.—Granatum. 821 Neumann got from 480 parts of Spanish extract, 460 watery ex- tract, and the residuum was not affected by alcohol; and inversely he got 280 alcoholic, and 180 watery extract. In this last case the alcoholic extract contained all the sweetness, the watery having scarcely any taste. From the similarity of their taste, Dr. Thomson has made it a species of his new genus sarcocoll, but Neumann's more accurate analysis shows that it is a compound. The extract possesses the same properties with the root, and is used for the formation of several kinds of troches. The use of liquorice in preventing the tormina from senna, has been adverted to. GRANATUM.* L. D. Punica Granatum. E. Pomegranate. The Rind of the Fruit. The Double Flowers called Balaustine. D. Icosandria Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Pomacex, Linn. Myrtae, Juss. Syn. Le Grenadier, (F.) Granatass felschale, (G.) Granado, (S.) Porno Gra- nato, (I.) Rana, (Ar.) Anar, (H.) Darim, (San.) Han Xe lien, ^Chin.) 'Pen, Dioscor. The pomegranate is a low tree, or rather shrub, gro\ving wild in Italy and other countries in the south of Europe; it is sometimes met with in our gardens; but the fruit, for which it is chiefly valued, rarely comes to perfection. This fruit has the general qualities of the other sweet summer fruits, allaying heat, quenching thirst, and gently loosening tlje belly. The rind' is a strong astringent, striking a permanent blue with sulphat of iron, and as such is occasionally made use of. The bark of the root is stated by Dr. Buchanan to have been long used with success in the East Indies for the cure of taenia. Dr. Duncan also made some trials of it and of catechu in Great Britain, on the supposition that it was the asfcringent principle which acted chemically on the gelatinous body of the worm, but the introduction of the oil of turpentine prevented him from prosecuting the experiment. Mr. Breton, (Med. Chir. Tr. 2. p. 301.) gave it in powder in 9i doses, and in decoction of two ounces of the bark, to one gallon of water, reduced f^ix—a glassful, cold, every half hour till four doses are taken. The worm was generally voided alive, a few minutes after the last dose. Celsus, (lib. iv. cap. xvii,) speaks of the use of pomegranate stalks for the broad worm. The flowers are of an elegant red colour, in appearance resembling a dried red rose. Their taste is bitterish and astringent. They are recommended in diarrhoeas, dysenteries, and other cases where astringent medi- cines are proper. • Granatum, Pharm. U. S. 41 322 G__Guaiacum. GUAL^CUM. A. Lignum et Resina. Guaiacum Wood or Lignum Vitae, and Resin of Guaiacum. Guaiacum Officinale. E. L. D. Guaiac. The Wood and Gum Resin. Decandria Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Gruinales, Linn. Rutacese, Juss. Syn. Guyac, (F.) Guajakgummi, (G.) Guajaco, (I.) Guayaco, (S.) ibiraee, id est Lignum dulce, (Piso, Hist. Nat. et Med. p. U6, Kd. 1658.) This tree is a native of the West Indies, where it grows to a mid- dling size. The wood is heavier than water, very hard, resinous, and of a greenish black colour. Its taste is bitterish, and when kin- dled it gives out a pleasant smell. It is brought either in pieces, which are sometimes covered with a pale yellow alburnum, or al- ready rasped, when by division its colour appears greenish, brown, or yellow. The bark is thin, of an ash-gray or blackish colour, and apparently composed of several laminae. It is less resinous than the wood. Neumann got from 7680 parts of the wood, 1680 alcoholic, and 280 watery extract, and inversely 740 watery, and 960 alco- holic; from 3840 of the bark he got 560 alcoholic, and 320 watery, and inversely 620 watery, and 240 alcoholic. The resin exudes spontaneously in tears, but is principally obtained by sawing the wood into billets about three feet long, which are then bored with an augur longitudinally. One end of these is laid upon a fire, so that a calabash may receive the melted resin, which runs through the hole as the wood burns. It may be also obtained by boiling the chips or sawings of the wood, in water and muriat of soda. The resin swims at the top, and may be skimmed off. Guaiac resin has a brownish-yellow colour externally; when held against the light is transparent, breaks with an uniform smooth shin- ing fracture, of a bluish-green colour, is pulverizable, and the powder has a white colour, gradually becoming bluish-green; is fusible in a moderate heat, but not softened by the heat of the fingers; without proper smell and taste, but when thrown on hot coals diffusing an agreeable odour, and when swallowed in a state of minute division, causing an insufferable burning and prickling in the throat. Its spe- cific gravity is 1.23. Neumann got from 480 parts, 400 alcoholic, and only 10 watery extract; and inversely, 80 watery, and 280 alco- holic. Mr. Brande has more lately investigated this substance with much care. Digested with water, about one-tenth of it is dissolved, the water acquiring a sweetish taste and greenish-brown colour. The liquid, when evaporated, leaves a brown substance, soluble in hot water and alcohol, but scarcely in sulphuric ether, and precipi- tating the muriats of alumina and tin. Alcohol readily forms with guaiac a deep brown-coloured solution, rendered milky by water, and precipitated pale-green by the muriatic and sulphuric acids, brown by the nitric, and pale-blue by the oxy-muriatic, but not by the acetic acid or by alkalies. The solution in ether exhibits nearly the same properties. Guaiac is soluble in about 15 parts of solution of potass, and in 38 of ammonia; and the solutions are precipitated by the nitric, muriatic, and diluted sulphuric acids. Sulphuric acid dis- solves it, and nitric acid converts it into oxalic acid. On being burnt it leaves a large proportion of charcoal. Dr. Wollaston has disco- H.—Hamamelis. 323 vered a curious property ofguaiac. By exposure to air and light, it acquires a green colour. This effect is produced in the greatest de- gree by the most refrangible rays. In the least refrangible rays it is deoxydized, and the yellow colour is restored. The same effect is produced by hot metal. According to this analysis, it differs from the resins in the changes of colour produced on it by air and light, and the action of the acids; in not forming tannin, but oxalic acid when treated with nitric acid; and in the large proportion of char- coal it affords when burnt. It is sometimes adulterated with colo- phony or common resin; but the fraud is easily detected by the smell of turpentine emitted when thrown on live coals. Medical use.—Taken internally, guaiac commonly excites a sense of warmth in the stomach, a dryness of the mouth, with thirst. It in- creases the heat of the body and quickens the circulation. If the patient be kept warm, it produces diaphoresis; if exposed freely to the air, an increased flow of urine. In large doses it is purgative. Guaiac is a useful remedy, 1. In rheumatism and gout. 2. In certain venereal symptoms, as in foul indolent ulcers, and a thickened state of the ligaments or periosteum, remain- ing after the body is reduced by a mercurial course. Gua- iac will also suspend the progress of some of the secondary symptoms; but it is totally incapable of eradicating true syphilis. 3. In cutaneous diseases. 4. In ozena, and scrofulous affections of the membranes and ligaments. The wood is always exhibited in decoction. From the resinous nature of the active constituent of this substance, this cannot be a very active preparation, as the menstruum is totally incapable of dissolving, though it may suspend a little of the resin. The decoc- tion of an ounce may be drank in cupfuls in the course of a day. The resin may be exhibited, 1. In substance, either made into pills, or suspended in water in the form of an emulsion. In this way from 10 to 60 grains of the resin may be taken in the day. 2. In solution in alcohol. About half an ounce of the tincture, with three ounces of water, is a sudorific dose for an adult, if he attend to keeping himself warm. 3. Combined with an alkali. H. HAMAMELIS VIRGINIANA. Witch Hazel. The Bark. This tree is a native of the United States. The leaves are nearly inversely ovate. Blossoms yellow: stand three or four together on <>hort flower stalks. In loamy land. Blossoms, September and Oc- tober. This singular shrub does not commonly bloom until its leaves are destroyed by frost, when its numerous blossoms make a gay and 324 H.—Helleborus. agreeable appearance, and continue until the weather becomes very cold, often until snow falls. The germen endures the severity of Our winters uninjured; for the fruit does not ripen until the next Sep- tember, the time of its blossoming again, when ripe fruit and blossoms will be found on the same tree. The Indians consider this tree as a valuable article in their Materia Medica. They apply the bark, which is sedative and discutient, to painful tumours and external inflammations. A cataplasm of the inner rind of the bark, is found to be very efficacious in removing painful inflammations of the eyes. The bark chewed in the mouth is, at first, somewhat bitter, very sensibly astringent, and then leaves a pungent sweetish taste, which will remain for a considerable time. The specific qualities of this tree seem by no means to be accurately ascertained. H^MATOXYLON. E. D. L. Hamatoxylon Campechianum. A. Logwood. Tlie Wood. Decandria Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Lomentacex, Linn. Leguminosae, Juss. Syn. Bois de Campeche, (F.) Kampesch-holz, (G.) Campeggio, (I.) This tree was introduced from the Honduras into Jamaica, where it is now very common. The wood is firm, heavy, and of a dark red colour. Its taste is sweet, with a slight degree of astringency. It forms a precipitate with solution of gelatin, very readily soluble in excess of gelatin, and Dr. Duncan says, that with sulphat of iron it strikes a brighter blue than any other astringent he tried. It is used principally as a dye-wood, but also with considerable advantage in medicine. Its extract is also sweet and slightly astringent; and is, therefore, useful in obstinate diarrhoeas, and in chronic dysentery. HELLEBORUS. 1. HELLEBORUS F03TIDUS. L. A. Helleboraster. D. Bears-foot. Stinking Hellebore. Settiswort. The Leaves. Polyandria Polygynia. Nat. Ord. MultisiUquw, Linn. Ranunculacex, Juss. Syn. Hellebore fcetide, (F.) Stinkende Niesswurzell, (G.) This species is a native of England. It is perennial, and grows in shady places and under hedges. The leaves have an acrid, bitter, nauseous taste, and unpleasant smell, especially when they are fresh. When dried, they are frequently given as a domestic medi- cine to destroy worms; but they must be used*- sparingly, being, so violent in their operation that instances of their fatal effects are re- corded. Dose of the powder 6 to 20 grains. 2. HELLEBORUS NIGER. E. L. D. A. Melampodium. Black Hellebore. The Root. Syn. Hellebore, (F.) Schwartze Niesswurzel, (G.) This plant, formerly called Melampodium, is perennial, and grows wild in the mountainous parts of Austria, and on the Pyrenees and H.—Heracleum Lanatum. 325 Appenines: the earliness of its flowers, which sometimes appear in December, has gained it a place in our gardens. The roots consist of a black furrowed roundish head, about the size of a nutmeg, from which short articulated branches arise, send- ing out numerous corrugated fibres about the thickness of a straw, from a span to a foot in length, deep brown on the outside, white, or yellowish-white within, and of an acrid, nauseous and bitterish taste, exciting a sense of heat and numbness in the tongue, and of a nause- ous acrid smell. These fibres only are used in medicine, and the head and decayed parts are rejected. For the roots of the real black hellebore, the roots of the Adonis vernalis, Trollius Europaeus, Ac- taea spicata, Astrantia major, Helleborus viridis fcetidus, Veratrum alburn, and Aconitum neomontanum, are often substituted. The last is a most virulent poison, and may be distinguished by its roots being fusiform, or nearly globular, sending out numerous very brit- tle fibres, of a grayish-black or brown colour, as thick as a man's finger, and repeatedly divided. But the surest way to avoid mistakes, is by the apothecary cultivating the plant itself in his own garden. Neumann got from 2880 grains, 380 alcoholic, and 181 watery extract; and inversely 362 watery and 181 alcoholic. Medical use.—-In large doses, hellebore is a drastic purgative; in smaller doses it is diuretic and emmenagogue. It is principally used as a purgative in cases of mania, melancho- ly, coma, dropsy, worms and psora, and as an emmenagogue. But its use requires very great caution, for its effects are very uncertain, and affected by many circumstances. It is commonly exhibited in the form of extract, although its ac- tivity be much dissipated by the preparation. An infusion or tinc- ture certainly promise to be medicines of more uniform powers. Willdenow says, that the black hellebore of the ancients is his fifth species, the Helleborus orientalis, and not the eXXe/iopos pia«$, of Hippocrates as commonly supposed. It is chiefly used in tincture or extract. HERACLEUM LANATUM.* Masterwort. The Root. Heracleum Sphondylium. Common Cow Parsnip. Nuttall says the two species here mentioned are scarcely distinct. The present article was brought into notice by the late Dr. Joseph Orne, of Salem. In a communication to the Massachusetts Medical Society, October, 1803, he thus describes it: Common Cow Parsnip. (Sphondylium vulgarehirsutum. Park. C. B.) It grows in hedges; the stalk is large and tubular, invested with a down which also covers the leaves, that are large and jagged, five on each stalk, and of the colour of wormwood; it is umbelliferous, and flowers in June; the root is divided into several long and fibrous branches, resembling a large parsley root; and the height of the plant, in its maturity, may be from two to four feet: the root has a rank strong smell, and * Pharm. U. S. Secondary. 326 H.—Heuchera___Hirudo Medicinalis. a pungent and almost caustic taste; it should be carefully distin- guished from the common parsnip, that grows wild in gardens, and hedges; and, indeed, it has a very different appearance. The particular disease in which Dr. Orne commends the cow parsnip, is that of epilepsy. Three of the five cases which are ex- hibited in his communication, were cured by the use of this medi- cine. The author judiciously observes, that in the three successful cases the patients were remarkably liable to flatulence, with symp- toms of morbid sensibility of the stomach, and date their first relief from the sensation of a more firm and healthful tone of that organ, and the carminative effects of the medicine. He commonly pre- scribed two or three drachms of the pulverized root, to be taken every day for a great length of time, and a strong infusion of the leaves and tops to be drunk at bed-time. In the hands of other practitioners, this plant has manifested con- siderable efficacy, exerting its peculiar powers immediately on the stomach, as an excellent carminative; and, if it does not cure epi- lepsy, it generally mitigates the distressing symptoms attending that disease. In some cases of dyspepsia, accompanied with flatu- lencies and cardialgia, a strong decoction of this plant has been given by Dr. Mann with satisfactory success. HEUCHERA CORTUSA, vel AMERICANA.* Alum Root. American Sanicle. The root is an intense astringent; and is the basis of a powder which has lately acquired some reputation in the cure of cancer. It is one of the articles in the materia medica of our Indians. They apply the powdered root to wounds, and ulcers, and cancers.t This root has been collected and sold instead of the colchicum! HIRUDO MEDICINALIS. D. The Leech. Only one species of leech is used in medicine. It has a flat and slimy body, composed of rings, tapering towards the head, which is turbinated, commonly about two or three inches long, and of the thickness of a goose-quill, but capable of elongating or contracting itself very much. Its back is of a dull olive-green colour, divided into three nearly equal parts by four yellow longitudinal lines, the two lateral entire, the two central broken with black. Besides these, between the lateral and central lines on each side, there are two others, resembling a chain of black and yellow. The belly is turkey blue, irregularly marked with yellow spots. It attaches itself to solid substances by either end, being furnished with a cir- cular sucker at the anal extremity, and a horse-shoe one at the head, with a triangular mouth in the centre. They should be collected in summer, in waters having a clear sandy bottom, as the bite of those found in stagnant waters and marshes is said to cause pain and inflammation. For the same rea- * Heuchera, Pharm. U. S. f Barton's Collections, Part I. and II. H.—Hirudo Medicinalis. 327 son the horse leech, which is entirely brown, or only marked with a marginal yellow line, is commonly rejected, although they are used frequently in the north of Europe, and during the late scarcity of leeches have occasionally been employed, without any bad conse- quences, in England. The vulgar story of their drawing the whole blood out of the body, by evacuating it at one end as fast as they sucked it in at the other, if true, would give them a superiority over the others, as when a sufficient quantity of blood was drawn, there could be no difficulty in making them quit, even without passing a ligature round their necks. Leeches are best preserved for use in a bottle half filled with pure spring or river water, and covered with gauze or muslin, although they are said not to die even in an exhausted receiver, nor in a vessel filled with oil. It is adviseable frequently to change the water in which they are kept, although there are instances of their being many months and even years in the same water; and it is remarkable, that water in which they are, keeps much longer sweet, than by itself. It is scarcely necessary to observe, that whenever the water becomes turbid or foul, or gets an unpleasant smell, or any of the leeches die in it, it should be changed. They should always be kept in a moderate temperature, about 50° Fahr. Some recommend throwing a little bran into the water; but it is so well ascertained that they will live for years without any such ad- dition, that it is better not to attempt to feed them, until we are better acquainted with their natural food. Though apparently so hardy, leeches are sometimes subject to great mortality from un- known causes, as in 1798 and 1799. Infection in some cases, seems evident. To avoid danger from this source, they should be kept rather in several small vessels, than in one large reservoir; and when fresh leeches are procured, they should always be kept by themselves, and their health ascertained, before they are added to the general stock. When they have gorged themselves with blood, they frequently die of indigestion, and cause a great mor- tality even among those who have not been used. To avoid this danger, leeches which have recently sucked, should also be kept by themselves, until they have recovered their usual vigour. The treatment of the individuals which have performed their office, has been the subject of some controversy. One recommends using no means to make them disgorge the blood they have sucked, but only to immerse them for halt an hour in milkwarm water, and to change their water regularly every second day for some time; others advise stripping them as it is called; that is, taking hold of the tail be- tween the finger and thumb of the left hand, and drawing the ani- mal through those of the right, so as to evacuate the blood; while others, again apply salt to their heads until they vomit all the blood they have sucked. Leeches change their skin frequently. At that time they are subject to indisposition, and will not bite. The re- moval of the old cuticle may sometimes be assisted by wiping them with a bit of soft linen. Medical use.—Leeches are a very old and useful remedy in every case requiring local blood-letting. They cause less irritation than cupping, and can often be applied nearer to the part. 328 H.—Hirudo Medicinalis. They are used, 1. In inflammation of all kinds, ophthalmia, phrenitis, cynanche, rheumatismus, odontalgia, podagra. 2. In some cases of rubeola and scarlatina. 3. In suppressed natural or habitual haemorrhagies, especially piles. 4 In plethora of the head, chincough, in mania from suppressed discharges. 5. Dysuria phlogistica. 6. In the head-ache of the first or inflammatory stage of continual fever. The application of leeches is sometimes attended with difficulty. When changing their skin they will not bite, and are averse to it in cloudy rainy weather, and in the evening. When kept out of the water some minutes before they are applied, and allowed to crawl on dry linen, they are said to bite more eagerly. The part to which they are to be applied should be very well washed, first with soap and water, and afterwards with water, or milk and water, and if covered with strong hairs should be shaved. When they are not inclined to bite, the part may be moistened with milk, or a little blood drawn from it, by a scratch with a lancet. When they fix, they inflict without causing much pain, a wound of three minute flaps meeting at equal angles, from which they suck blood until they are gorged, and drop off spontaneously, or are forced to quit their hold by sprinkling on them a little salt. A large leech will draw about half an ounce of blood: but the quantity may be much increased by bathing the wounds with tepid water, or applying over them cupping-glasses. Sometimes it is more difficult to stop the bleeding; but it will always cease on applying a little lint, and con- tinuing pressure a sufficient length of time. It is said their activity is improved by putting them into porter! |C7* Sundry references on the subject of Leeches— Leeches—references for.—First used by Themison, Geoffroy. Mat. Med. xiv.84. Sprengel, Hist, de la Medicine, ii. 22. Horn, on their history, &c. Med. and Chir. Rev. v. 574. Leeches swallowed, Med. and Phys: Jour. ix. 242.----Epistaxis from, id. xi. 549.----Facts respecting, id. xiv. 78. 186.----Mortality of, id. xii. 219.----Management of, id. xii. 349.----Do. Med. Sped. i. 397.--- Account of, Geoffroy. Mat. Med. xiv. 75.----Nat. Hist, of, Month. Mag. xxiii. 320.----Do. Tilloch's Mag. v. 34. ---- Anatomy of, Lond. Phil. Trans. xix. 722.----Noticed by Ancients, Hoffm. Pract. iii. 577.----Observations on, Gent. Mag. lxxxvii. 290. Eel. Rep. viii. 70. ---- Hirudo ab hauriendo, Lanzoni, Op. Om. i. 126.----Inconveniences of its use, id- i- 127.----Ap- plied to the uterus in suppressed menses, id. iii. 480.----Fatal effects, from, Sennertus, &c. id. i. 126, &c. ---- Its use advocated and opposed, id. i. ----Three reasons against its use, id- i. ---- Death from swallowing, id. i. 127.----Salt water recommended if swallowed, id. i. ---- Gangrene and death from, externally, id. i. Treatise on the Medical Leech, &c. by James Rawlinson, 1816, (London.) Further Observations on the Medical Leech, by do. 1825. Article Sangsue, Diet, des Sc. Med. par M. Merat. Treatise on the Utility of Sanguisuction, by Rees Price, 1822, (London.) Also Pliny the naturalist, Aretxus, JEtius, iEgineta, Zacutus Lusitanus, Dr. Noble of Ver- sailles, &c. &c. H.—Humulus. 329 HORDEUM. L. A. Barley. Hordeum Distichon. E. D. The decorticated Seeds. Pearl Barley. Triandria Digynia. Nat. Ord. Gramineee. Syn. Orge, (F.) Gerstengraupen, (G.) Barley is an annual plant, cultivated in almost every country of Europe. Linnaeus says that it is a native of Tartary, but without adducing sufficient proof. Pearl barley is prepared by grinding oft' the husks of rough barley, and forming the gr^n into litttle round granules, which appear of a kind of pearly whiteness. In this state barley consist almost solely of amylaceous matter, and when boiled forms an excellent article of nouriobment; while a decoction of it properly acidulated, is one of the best beverages in acute diseases. Barley meal, according to Fourcroy and Vauquelin, contains a little unctuous coagulable oil, sugar, starch, an animal substance partly soluble in water, and partly in glutinous flocculi; phosphat of lime and magnesia, silica, iron, and a little acetic acid. Common barley will answer every purpose to which this more ex- pensive article is applied in medicine. HUMULUS. L. E. A. Humulus Lupulus. The Hop. The dried Strobiles. Diascia Pentandria. Nat. Ord. Scabridx, Linn. Urticx, Juss. Syn. Houblon grimpant, (F.) Hopfen, (G.) Suppulo, (I.) Hoblon, (S.) The hop is an indigenous perennial climbing plant, cultivated to a great extent in Kent, and some other countries in England, for its leafy tops, which are used in the brewing of ale and porter; and as a very considerable revenue arises from the duty imposed on them, the use of all other bitters, such as quassia, &c. is prohibited by act of parliament; as, indeed, hops themselves once were. In the north of Europe, the young shoots are eaten instead of asparagus. Hops are intensely bitter, aromatic and astringent. By simple in- fusions the aroma is extracted; by short boiling the bitter, and by long-continued boiling, the aroma is dissipated, and the astringency predominates. The aroma resides in a volatile oil, and the astrin- gency in a species of tannin, for sulphat of iron is blackened by it. It also contains a resin from which it has its bitterness, and a nau- seous mucilaginous extractive, which alcohol precipitates from the infusion. Crystals of nitrat and muriat of potash appear in a long kept extract. The old writers say, that hops are added to malt li- quors on account of the lithontriptic virtues which they were sup- posed to possess; thus Ray affirms, that since the Londoners added hops to their beer, they have been less subject to calculous com- filaints; and if we were to believe Lobb, a very hard urinary calcu- us was softened b}T a decoction of hops. Their evident effects are to impart an aromatic bitter, and to retard the acetous fermenta- tion; for malt liquors keep longer in proportion to the quantity of hops added, and the bitterness decreases as the liquor becomes ripe, and disappears as it verges to acidity. Bergius supposes that the sweetness of the malt would hurt the stomach, were it not cor- 330 H__Humulus. rected by the bitterness of the hop. It also probably communicates a narcotic quality. A pillow stuffed with hops is said to have long been a popular remedy, and recent experiments have confirmed the fact, and led to the employment of various preparations of hops in medicine. The dose of the powder is about three grains, although it may be remarked that it is very difficult to powder. It produced sleep, in the experiments of Dr. De Roches, in rheumatic, syphilitic, and pectoral complaints. The tincture seemed to possess the same anodyne virtues, but it was not so uniform in its action. Dr. Maton gave it in the form of tincture and extract, with the best effects, in articular rheumatisms. He did not observe that it had any influence in relaxing the bowels, but the contrary; and he is disposed to be- lieve that the pulse is reduced in frequency, and increased in firm- ness by this medicine, in a very direct manner. An ointment com- pounded with the hop, is said, by Mr. Freake, to have eased the vio- lent pain in the last stage of cancer, when all other applications were ineffectual. The hop is indigenous in America. It occurs wild in the Atlantic States, and was found by Mr. Nuttall on the banks of the Missouri. An excellent and most interesting series of experiments has been published on this plant, by Dr. Ives of New York, in which he has successfully shown, that the virtues of the hop resides in a seini- resinous substance, in the form of minute, yellow, transparent glo- bules, appearing on the outside of the scales of the calyx and co- rolla, near their base. According to Dr. Ives, it consists of tannin, extractive matter, a bitter principle, wax, resin, and a woody fibrous substance, besides the aromatic principle, which he could not separate in the form of volatile oil. Dr. Ives' first views on the subject may be learned from the fol- lowing extract of a letter to me, whilst prosecuting his researches. A much more ample detail is given in his communication in Profes- sor Silliman's Journal, and in Professor Bigelow's Medical Botany. "As you have been interested in the subject of Materia Medica, you may perhaps be gratified to know the result of my experiments on the hop. Lest I should be suspected of an intemperate enthusiasm, it is necessary to observe, that I nave not been particularly, or rather, exclusively, devoted to the examination of this article. I have for some months past been engaged in reviewing the proximate princi- ples and medicinal virtues of the indigenous plants, and the hop among others. "I think I have demonstrated, that the virtues of this article exist exclusively in the pollen. It is easy to procure an ounce of the pol- len from a pound of merchantable hops, and to obtain from it about half an ounce of alcoholic extract. This will be composed of resin, a bitter principle, wax, tannin, and an extractive matter. I think the narcotic property resides in the resin. It is but sparingly, if at all yielded to water. The alcoholic infusion is aromatic and intensely bitter. I think it a useful and elegant medicine. " I am not yet prepared to say, that the pollen can be all separated from the petals by threshing; but were I to conclude from the ease with which I have obtained it, and the inert extract obtained H.—Hydrargyrum. 331 from hops from which the pollen has been completely separated, I should presume there was as little propriety in carrying hops to market in the chaff, as corn, beans, or wheat. I shall say no more at present on the subject, as I hope you will ultimately see the re- sult of my labours in a more eligible form, and opinions are always to be distrusted which are formed during the ardour of novel inves- tigations." HYDRARGYRUM. L. D. E. A.—MERCURY. Argentum Vivum. Quicksilver. Syn. Mercure, (F.) Quicksilber, (G.) Mercurio, (I.) Azogue, (S.) Abue, (Ar.) Para, (H.) Parada, (San.) TSpupyvpoc, Graecorum. Mercury is very bright white; specific gravity 13.568; freezing at — 39; boiling at 660°, partly ductile and malleable; oxydizable by trituration in the air, and in a further degree by the action of the air and heat; does not decompose water; forms amalgams with many metals; and is oxydized and dissolved by the sulphuric, nitric, and oxy-muriatic acids. Oxyds, black, red. It is found, I. In its metallic state: a. Uncombined. Native Mercury. b. Alloyed with silver. Native Amalgam. c. Alloyed with copper. d. Combined with sulphur. Cinnabar. e. Combined with hydrogureted sulphur. M,thiops mineral. II. Oxydized: a. Combined with muriatic acid. o, -------------sulphuric acid. There are considerable mines of mercury in Hungary, Spain, and South America; and what is employed in England is principally imported from the former country. It is also found in Germany, Siberia, the Philippines, and China. Mercury taken into the stomach in its metallic state has no action on the body, except what arises from its weight or bulk. It is not poisonous as was vulgarly supposed, but perfectly inert.* But in its various states of combination, it produces decided sensible effects. It quickens the circulation, and increases all the secretions and ex- cretions. According to circumstances, the habit of the body of the patient, the temperature in which he is kept, the nature of the pre- paration, and the quantity in which it is exhibited, its effects are in- deed various; it sometimes increases one secretion more particularly, sometimes another, but its most characteristic effect is the increased flow of saliva, which it generally excites, if given in sufficient quan- tity. Its particular effects, and means of producing each of them, will be noticed hereafter. • This is somewhat doubtful, from the observations of Orfila. See his Toxi- cology, Vol. I. Rammazini, Diseases of Artisans. 332 H.—Hydrargyrum. Mercury, or some of its preparations, is exhibited, 1. As an errhine. The sub-sulphat of mercury. 2. As a sialagogue. Mercury, in almost any form. 3. As a cathartic. The sub-muriat of mercury, (calomel.) 4. As a diuretic. The oxyds, the muriat, and the sub-muriat, combined with other diuretics. 5. As a sudorific. Calomel, conjoined with a sudorific regimen. 6. As an emmenagogue. 7. As an astringent. Muriat of mercury. 8. As a stimulant. Muriat of mercury. 9. As an antispasmodic. 10. As an anthelmintic. With some of these views mercury is frequently exhibited, 1. In febrile diseases; in obstinate agues. 2. In inflammatory diseases; in indolent and chronic inflamma- tions, especially of the glandular viscera, as the liver, spleen, &c. 3. In exanthematous diseases; variola. 4. In profluvia; in dysentery. 5. In spasmodic diseases; tetanus, trismus, hydrophobia, &c. 6. In cachectic diseases; anasarca, ascites, hydrothorax, hydro- cephalus, &c. 7. In impetigines; scrofula, syphilis, lepra, icterus, &c. 8. In local diseases; in caligo corneae, amaurosis, gonorrhoea, obstipatio, amenorrhcea suppressionis, tumours of various kinds, herpes, tinea, psora, &c. Mercury occasionally attacks the bowels, and causes violent purging, even of blood. The effect is remedied by intermitting the use of the medicine, and by exhibiting opium. At other times it is suddenly determined to the mouth, and pro- duces inflammation, ulceration, and an excessive flow of saliva. In this case, too, the use of the mercury must be discontinued for a time; when, according to Mr. Pearson's advice, the patient should be freely exposed to a dry cold air, with the occasional use of cathar- tics, Peruvian bark, and mineral acids, and the assiduous applica- tion of astringent gargles. On the other hand, the sudden suppres- sion of ptyalism is not without danger. It is most frequently caused by cold liquids being taken into the stomach, or exposure to cold and moisture, while under the influence of mercury. The danger is to be obviated by the quick introduction of mercury, so as to affect the gums, with the occasional use of the warm bath. Sometimes also a morbid condition of the system occurs during a mercurial course, and tends to a fatal issue. Mr. Pearson has term- ed it Erethismus. It is characterized by great depression of strength; a sense of anxiety about the prsecordia; frequent sighing; trembling, partial or universal; a small quick pulse; sometimes vomiting; a pale contracted countenance, a sense of coldness, while the tongue is seldom furred, or the vital or natural functions much disordered. In this state, a sudden or violent exertion of muscular power will sometimes prove fatal. To prevent dangerous consequences, the H—Hydrargyrum. 333 mercury must be discontinued, whatever may be the stage, extent, or violence of the disease for which it has been exhibited, and the pa- tient must expose himself freely to a dry and cool air, in such a manner as shall be attended with the least fatigue; and in the course of ten or fourteen days, he will sometimes be so far recovered, that he may safely resume the use of mercury. In some particular habits it also produces an exanthematous dis- ease, which sometimes proves fatal, well known by the name of ery- thema or eczema mercuriale and hydrargyria. From many motives, both laudable and culpable, mercury has been tortured into a greater variety of forms than any other article of the Materia Medica. Of these Swediaur has given a complete table, in the last edition of his works on the venereal disease. Mercury, iii its metallic state, is never applied to any medical use, except in visceral obstruction, in hopes of forcing a passage by its gravity; but under various forms of preparation, it affords a se- ries of very active remedies. Adulterations. With the exception of Peruvian bark, there is perhaps no active article in the Materia Medica more shamefully adulterated; its impurity is at once indica- ted by its dull aspect; by its tarnishing, and becoming covered with a gray film: by its diminished mobility, in consequence of which its globules are unable to retain the spherical form, and therefore tail, as it is technically expressed. Lead is discovered by dissolving it in nitric acid, and adding to the solution, water impregnated with sul- phureted hydrogen, when, if lead be present, a dark brown precipi- tate will ensue. Bismuth, by pouring the nitric solution into distil- led water, when it will appear as a white precipitate. Zinc, by ex- posing the mercury to heat. Tin is detected by a dilute solution of nitro-muriat of gold, which throws down, a purple precipitate. The presence of lead in mercury is a most dangerous circumstance. The usual mode of purifying quicksilver, by pressing it through chamois leather, will not separate the lead, if it be, as is generally the case, in combination with bismuth; for the manner in which the adultera- tion is effected, is by melting with a gentle heat these two metals, and adding the alloy to the mercury, and although this alloy should exceed one-fourth of the whole bulk, it will pass, together with the mercury, through chamois leather. On standing, the bismuth will be thrown upon the surface, in the form of a dark powder, but the lead will remain in solution. On a superficial examination, it ought not, when shaken with water, to impart to it any colour; when agitated or digested with vinegar, it should not communicate a sweetish taste; and when exposed in an iron spoon to heat, it ought to evapo- rate entirely. The French are so well aware of the mischievous ex- tent to which this metal is falsified, that in their late Codex they direct the reduction of the red oxyd in order to obtain it; the pro- cess however is far too expensive for general adoption. The Italian Jews purify quicksilver for their barometers, by digesting it in dilute sulphuric acid, which is by no means an improper process. The mode directed for the purification of mercury by the London Col- lege, (Hydrargyrum Purificatum,) is unable to separate it completely from its more deleterious contaminations. It is a general opinion in Germany that mercury boiled in water will impart to it an anthel- 334 H__Hydrargyrum. mintic virtue; this, if it happens, can only depend upon the impui 1 ties of the mercury; but large draughts of cold water are in them- selves anthelmintic. HYDRARGYRUM PURIFICATUM. E. L. D. A. Purified Mercury. Take of Mercury, six parts; Iron filings, one pound.—Rub them to- gether and distil the mercury from an iron retort. E. The quicksilver of commerce is often adulterated with lead, tin, or other metals, which renders it unfit for internal use, and for many preparations. It therefore becomes necessary to purify it, and for- tunately its comparatively great volatility supplies us with an easy process. The Dublin College distil it simply without any addition; but, lest towards the end of the process the mercury should elevate any impurities along with it, they draw off but two-thirds. The prin- cipal objection to this process is the want of economy^ for although the remaining third may be used for some purposes, its value is very much depreciated. * As iron has a much stronger affinity for almost all the substances with which quicksilver may be adulterated than quicksilver has; by adding iron-filings we may draw off the whole quicksilver by distillation, without any fear of the impurities rising along with it. Glass retorts are inadmissible in this distillation; because when the mercury begins to boils, the concussion is so great, that they would certainly be broken. Iron retorts are the best, although strong earthen ones may be also used. The receiver may be of the same materials, or of glass, if we wish to inspect the progress of the operation; but in this case we must interpose an adopter between the retort and re- ceiver, and fill the receiver nearly full of water, that the mercury may not crack it by falling hot into it. The retort employed should be so large, that the quicksilver should not fill above one-third of it. A bended gun-barrel will answer for small quantities. Acetas Hydrargyri. D. E. Acetat of Mercury. Take of purified quicksilver, three ounces; Diluted nitrous acid, four ounces and a half, or a little more than may be required for dissolv- ing the mercury; Acetat of potass, three ounces; Boiling water, eight pints.—Mix the quicksilver with the diluted nitrous acid, and after the effervescence has ceased, digest if necessary with a gentle heat, until the quicksilver be entirely dissolved. Tlien dissolve the acetat of potass in the boiling water, and immediately to this solution, still hot, add the former, and mix them by agitation. Then set the mixture aside to crystallize. Place the crystals in a funnel, and wash them with cool distilled water; and, lastly, dry them with as gentle a heat as possible. Glass vessels must 'be used through- out. E. This process of the Edinburgh College was ascertained by very careful experiment^ and if its directions be accurately followed, the preparation succeeds admirably. Nitrat of mercury is decomposed by acetat of potass; and the products are acetat of mercury and nitrat of potass. The nitrat of potass being much more soluble than the H.—Hydrargyrum. 335 acetat of mercury, remains in solution after the latter is separated by crystallization. Mercury is capable of forming different combina- tions with nitric acid, which possess each their characteristic pro- perties. When we employ a sufficient quantity of acid to dissolve the mercury without the assistance of heat, and to retain it in solu- tion, there is always an excess of acid; and therefore it is a solution of super-nitrat of mercury. If we evaporate this solution very gently, or if we employ a larger proportion of mercury at first, and assist the action of the acid by a gentle heat, we obtain nitrat of mercury crystallized in various forms. In these the mercury is in the state of protoxyd. But if we assist the action of the acid by boiling, the mercury is converted into peroxyd, and a larger quantity is dissolved. This solution is very apt to crystallize, both on cooling and by the diminution of the quantity of acid during the process; and if we at- tempt to dilute the solution with water, a copious precipitate of sub- nitrat of mercury immediately takes place, and the solution contains super-nitrat of mercury. If the dilution be made with cold water, the sub-nitrat has a white colour, which, by a very slight application of heat, passes to a beautiful yellow, the colour which it has at first when separated by boiling water. For making the acetat of mercury, the nitrat is prepared with a very gentle heat, and with excess of acid, that it may be retained in perfect solution, and that there may be no possibility of any admix- ture of sub-nitrat with the acetat formed. A larger proportion of acid is used by the Edinburgh College than by the other Colleges, but by careful experiment it was ascertained to be necessary for the success of the process. In mixing the solutions, we must be careful to pour the mercurial solution into that of the acetat of potass, be- cause, by adopting the contrary procedure, the sub-nitrat of mer- cury will be precipitated undecomposed, if any peroxyd be contained in the mercurial solution. For dissolving the acetat of potass, the London College only use as much water as is capable of retaining the nitrat of potass in solution; the acetat of mercury is therefore precipitated, and is purified by again dissolving it in boiling water and crystallizing it. This part of the process is simplified by the Edinburgh and Dublin Colleges, who use as much water for dissolv- ing the acetat of potass, as is capable of retaining, as long as it is hot, the acetat of mercury in solution, and of allowing it to crystal- lize as it cools. In this way, therefore, it is procured at once suffi- ciently pure. The exsiccation of the acetat of mercury is an opera- tion of great delicacy; for it is so spongy, that it retains the moisture with great obstinacy; and it is decomposed so easily, that heat can scarcely be employed. It is best dried by compressing it between several folds of bibulous paper. The Prussian Dispensatory directs acetat of mercury to be pre- pared by dissolving two ounces of the red oxyd of mercury in about seven ounces of concentrated acetic acid, and evaporating the solu- tion to dryness; but this process affords a salt of a very different na- ture from that prepared according to the directions of the British Colleges, the latter containing protoxyd, and being crystallizable; and the former the peroxyd and not crystallizable. Acetat of mercury is scarcely soluble in cold water, but dissolves" 336 H.—Hydrargyrum. readily in boiling water. It generally crystallizes in micaceous plates, and is extremely easy of decomposition. It is supposed to be a mild preparation of mercury, and was the active ingredient of the celebrated Keyser's pills. Iii solution it has also been recommended externally, to remove freckles and cuta- neous eruptions. HYDRARGYRI OXYMURIAS. L. A. Murias Hydrargyri Corrosivum. D. Murias Hydrargyri Corrosivus. E. Corrosive Muriat of Mercury. Corrosive Sublimate. Oxymuriat of Mercury, or Quicksilver. Syn. Muriate de Mercure Corrosif, (F.) Murias Hydrargyri. Muriat of Mer- cury. Permurias Hydrargyri. Permuriat of Mercury. Mercurana. Deuto- chloruret of Mercury. Per-chloride of Mercury. Take of Purified mercury, two pounds; Sulphuric acid, thirty ounces; Dried muriat of soda, four pounds.—Boil the mercury with the sulphuric acid in a glass vessel, until the sulphat of mercury is left dry. Rub this, when it is cold, with the dried muriat of soda in an earthenware mortar; then sublime it in a glass cucurbit, in- creasing the heat gradually. L. By boiling the quicksilver to dryness with sulphuric acid, the me- tal is oxydized by the decomposition of part of the acid, and com- bines with the rest to form sub-sulphat of quicksilver. In the second part of the process, this sub-sulphat is decomposed by dried muriat of soda; corrosive sublimate sublimes, and sulphat of soda remains behind. In Holland it is manufactured by subjecting to sublimation a mixture of dried sulphat of iron, nitrat of potass, muriat of soda, and quicksilver. In the former editions of the Edinburgh Pharma- copoeia, the mercury was oxydized by boiling it to dryness in nitrous acid, and then subliming with muriat of soda and sulphat of iron. Bergmann recommends the sublimation of sub-nitrat of mercury and muriat of soda, and Mr. Murray seems inclined to prefer it to the new process. If a person should want this salt immediately, and be so situated as to be unable to procure it, it may be readily made by boiling mu- riatic acid over red precipitate, to dryness; dissolving the soluble part of the mass, and evaperating to crystallization.—It would pro- bably be the readiest mode of formation even in the large way; for it requires no sublimation. Medical use.—Muriat of mercury is one of the most violent poi- sons with which we are acquainted. Externally it acts as an escha- rotic or a caustic; and in solution it is used for destroying fungous flesh, and for removing herpetic eruptions; but even externally it ' must be used with very great caution. It has, however, been recom- mended to be given internally, by the respectable authorities of Boerhaave and Van Swieten; and it is the active ingredient of all the empirical antivenereal syrups. Were it really capable of curing the venereal disease, or equal in efficacy to the common modes of administering mercury, it would possess many advantages over H.—Hydrargyrum. 337 them in other respects: but that it cannot be depended upon, is al- most demonstrated by its use as an antivenereal, being very much confined to the quacks, and by the testimony of the most expe- rienced practitioners. Mr. Pearson says, that it will sometimes cure the primary symptoms of syphilis, especially if it produce con- siderable soreness of the gums, and the common effects of mercury; but that it will often fail of removing a chancre; and where it has removed it, that the most steady perseverance will not secure the patient from a constitutional affection. It is on some occasions, however, a useful auxiliary to a mercurial course, in quickly bring- ing the system under the influence of mercury, and in supporting its aetion after the use of frictions, and is peculiarly efficacious in relieving venereal pains, in healing ulcers of the throat, and in promoting the desquamation of eruptions. Corrosive sublimate in solution is often useful in croup, to excite screatus and vomiting, according to Dr. Barton. It is to be given for this purpose gut- tatim. As this is a most important article of the Materia Medica, the following extract from Dr. Paris' Pharmacologia, will not be mis- placed. "Qualities.—Form, a crystalline mass which is easily pulverized, and undergoes a slight alteration by exposure to air, becoming on its surface opaque and pulverulent. Odour, none. Taste very acrid, with a metallic astringency. " Chemical Composition.—According to the latest views, it is a Bi-chloride of mercury, consisting of one proportional of mercury, to two proportionals of chlorine. In the French Codex, it is termed ' Deuto- Chloruretum Hydrargyri.' "Solubility.—It is soluble in eleven parts of cold, and in three of boiling water, and in four parts of alcohol; it is also very soluble in ether; indeed, this latter liquor has the curious property of ab- stracting it from its solution in water, when agitated with it. Its solution in water is greatly expedited by the addition of a few drops of rectified spirit, or of muriatic acid. In a solution of muriat of ammonia it is thirty times more soluble than in water; no decompo- sition however arises; it is, therefore, probable, that a triple salt is formed; it is also soluble in the sulphuric, nitric, and muriatic acids, and may be obtained again unaltered, by simply evaporating the solutions. Its watery solution is said to change to green, vegetable blues, but this is an optical fallacy. "Incompatible Substances.—The carbonats of the fixed alkalies precipitate it of a yellow hue, but the precipitates are not pure oxyds; ammonia forms with it a white triple compound. Lime water decomposes it more perfectly than any alkaline body, occa- sioning a precipitate of a deep yellow colour,* which is a peroxyd of mercury containing a little muriatic acid; this result forms a useful lotion to ill-conditioned ulcers, and has been long known under the titleof aqua phagedenica; one fluid ounce of lime water should be employed for the decomposition of two grains of the salt. Tartarized * "If the quantity of lime-water be small, the precipitate will assume a red colour, and will be found to be a submuriat of the peroxyd." 43 338 H.—Hydrargyrum. antimony, nitrat of silver, acetat of lead, sulphur, sulphuret of potass, and soaps, decompose it. Iron, lead, copper, bismuth, and zinc, in their metallic state, also decompose it, producing precipi- tates which consist of an amalga*m of the metal employed, with calo- mel; hence mortars of glass or earthenware should be used for dis- pensing this article; when triturated with olive oil, the oil becomes white; and when boiled with it, calomel is precipitated; the same happens if sugar be substituted for the oil; the volatile oils reduce it. The following vegetable infusions produce precipitates, viz. the in- fusions and decoctions of chamomile, horse-radish root, columba root, catechu, cinchona, rhubarb, senna, simarouba, ocdt-bark, tea and al- mond emulsion. Swediaur observes, that 'many authors have re- commended sublimate combined with bark, but that a reciprocal decomposition is thus produced, by which' the energies of both re- medies are alike annulled;' to this ignorance, however, he thinks that many patients have been indebted for their lives; for, says he, i I see every day examples of weak and very delicate persons of both sexes, to whom ignorant practitioners prescribe, and some- times in very large doses, the corrosive sublimate, with a decoction of bark, certainly without curing the syphilis, but at the same time without occasioning those grave and dangerous symptoms, which that acrid medicine would certainly produce, if given alone, or with- out that decoction.' "It is one of the most acrid and active of all metallic prepara- tions; in well-directed doses, however, it is frequently of service in secondary syphilis, and in cases of anomalous disease, when it would be improper to administer the other forms of mercury;* its • "As this salt has been supposed to arrest the progress of syphilis more rapidly, and at the same time to excite the salivary glands less than any other preparation of mercury, it generally forms the basis of those dan- gerous nostrums, which are advertised for the cure of syphilis, without mer- cury. The contrivers hope also to elude detection by the density and colour of the preparation. " Gowland's Lotion.—It is a solution of sublimate in an emulsion formed of bitter almonds, in the proportion of about gr. jss. to one fluid ounce. A so- lution of this mercurial salt in spirit of rosemary, is also sold as an empirical cosmetic. "Norton's Drops.—A disguised solution of corrosive sublimate. ' " Ward's White Drops.—This once esteemed antiscorbutic was prepared, by dissolving mercury in nitric acid, and adding a solution of carbonat of am- monia, or frequently they consisted of a solution of sublimate with carbonat of ammonia. "Spilsbury's Antiscorbutic Drops.—Of corrosive sublimate two drachms; prepared sulphuret of antimony one drachm; gentian root and orange peel, equal parts, two drachms; shavings of red sanders, one drachm, made with a pint of proof spirit into a tincture, which is to be digested and strained. " The Antivenereal Drops, so famous at Amsterdam, were analyzed by Scheele, who found that they were composed of muriat of iron, with a small proportion of corrosive sublimate. "Marsden's Antiscorbutic Drops.—A solution of sublimate in an infusion of gentian. " Green's Drops.—The basis of these also is sublimate. "Solomon's Anti-Impetigines.—A solution of sublimate. "Rob Anti-syphilitique,par M. Laffecteur, Medicin Chemiste.—This popu- lar nostrum of the French contains, as a principal ingredient, corrosive subli- H.—Hydrargyrum. 339 exhibition should be accompanied with mucilaginous drinks; when an overdose has been taken, the white of egg, diluted with water, is the best antidote, for Orfila has found that albumen decomposes it, reducing it to the state of mild muriat, whilst the compound which it forms with it is inert. More recently, vegetable gluten, as exist- ing in wheat flour, is said to answer as well as albumen; for the ad- ministration of which all that is required is to give wheat flour and water. " Dose.—One-eighth to half a grain. " Caution.—The salt, as it is partially decomposed by light, should be kept in opaque bottles. " Adulterations.—It ought to be volatalized by heat; it is frequent- ly met with in commerce, contaminated with muriat of iron, some- times with arsenic; the presence of calomel is at once discovered from its insolubility. "• Tests of its presence.—If any powder be suspected to contain this salt, expose it to heat in a coated tube, as directed in the treat- ment of arsenic, but ivithout any carbonaceous admixture, when cor- rosive sublimate, if present, will rise and line the interior surface with a shining white crust. This crust is then to be dissolved in dis- tilled water, and assayed by the following tests; 1st, lime water will produce, if the suspected solution contains this salt, a precipitate of an orange yellow colour. 2d, a single drop of a dilute solution of sub-carbonat of potass will at first produce a white precipitate, but on a still further addition of the test, an orange coloured sediment will be formed. 3d, sulphureted water will throw down a dark co- loured precipitate, which when dried and strongly heated may be volatilized without any alliaceous odour. A very ingenious applica- tion of galvanic electricity has been also proposed by Mr. Silvester, for the detection of corrosive sublimate, which will exhibit the mer- mate. A strong decoction of the arundo phragmytis, (the bullrush,) is made, with the addition of sarsaparilla and aniseeds towards the end, which is eva- porated and made into a rob, or syrup, to which the sublimate is added. " Sirop de Cuisiniere.—This consists of decoctions of sarsaparilla, burrage flowers, white roses, senna and aniseed, to which sublimate is added, and the whole is then made into a syrup with sugar and honey. " Terre Feidlletee Mercurielle of Pressavin.—This is tartarized mercury, for it is made by boiling the oxyd of mercury, (obtained by precipitating it from a nitric solution, by potass,) with cream of tartar. " Velno's Vegetable Syrup.—There is great obscurity with respect to the genuine composition of this nostrum; it is supposed to consist of sublimate rubbed up with honey and mucilage. I have reason, however, to believe that it contains antimony, and the syrup of marsh mallows. Swediaur says, that volatile alkali enters into it as an ingredient; this alkali was proposed by Dr. Peyrile, as a substitute for mercury, and it constitutes the active ingredient of the following composition, which was proposed by Mr. Besnard, physician to the king of Bavaria. " Tinciura Antisyphilitica.—Sub-carb. potass, one pound, dissolved in aq. cinnam. one pint; opii puri, two ounces, dissolved in spir. cinnamon, four fluid ounces; mix these separate solutions, and put them on a water bath for three weeks, taking care to shake the vessel frequently; to this add gum arabic, two ounces; carb. ammonix, one ounce, dissolve in aq. cinnamomi; mix, filter, and keep for use. Dose, twenty-four drops three times a day, in a glass of the cold decoction of marsh mallow root. " The external use of these drops is also advised for local syphilitic com- plaints!'' 340 H.—Hydrargyrum. cury in a metallic state. A piece of zinc or iron wire about three inches in length, is to be twice bent at right angles, so as to resem- ble the Greek letter n, the two legs of this figure should be distant about the diameter of a common gold wedding ring from each other, and the two ends of the bent wire must afterwards be tied to a ring of this description. Let a plate of glass not less than three inches square, be laid as nearly horizontal as possible, and on one side drop some sulphuric acid, diluted with about six times its weight of wa- ter, till it spreads to the size of a half-penny. At a little distance from this, towards the other side, next drop some of the solution supposed to contain corrosive sublimate, till the edges of the two liquids join together; and let the wire and ring, prepared as above, be laid in such a way that the wire may touch the acid, while the gold ring is in contact with the suspected liquid. If the minutest quantity of corrosive sublimate be present, the ring in a few minutes will be covered with mercury on the part which touched the fluid. Brugnatelli* has proposed the following method of detecting corro- sive sublimate and arsenic:—Take a quantity of fresh wheat starch, mix with water, and add a sufficient quantity of iodine to give the liquid a blue colour; if corrosive sublimate or arsenic, be added to this liquor, the colour is alike destroyed, and it becomes reddish, but if the change has been effected by the latter substance, a few drops of sulphuric acid will restore the blue colour, but if by the former it is not recoverable by such means. LIQUOR HYDRARGYRI OXYMURIATIS. L. A. Solution of Oxymuriat of Mercury. Take of oxymuriat of quicksilver, eight grains; Distilled water, fif- teen fluid ounces; Rectified spirit, one fluid ounce.—Dissolve the oxymuriat of quicksilver in the water, and add to it the spirit. L. This solution contains in each fluid ounce, half a grain of the oxy- muriat of quicksilver. The spirit is added to preserve the solution from spoiling. The addition of the alcohol is absolutely useless, at least with the intention for which it is said to be added. Corrosive sublimate is, of all other articles, the best preventive against this result, and a simple aqueous solution would remain free of change until com- pletely evaporated. HYDRARGYRI SUBMURIAS. L. A. Sub-muriat of Mercury. Submurias Hydrargyri Mitis. E. Mild Sub-muriat of Mercury, or Calomel. Submurias Hydrargyri Sublimatum. Sive Colomelas. D. Sublimed Sub-muriat of Mercury, or Calomel. Calomelas. Calomel. Syn. Muriate de Mercure doux, (F.) Proto-Chloruret, (Chloride,) of Mercury. Muriat of Mercury. Muriat of Black Oxyd of Mercury. Mercurane. Draco Mitigatus. Aquila Alba. Aquila Mitigata. Manna Metallorum. Panchyma- gogum Minerale, vel Quercetanum. Sublimatum Dulce, &c. &c. Amidst all these varieties of names, there is not one, as Dr. Paris * Ann. de Chimie et Phys, iv, 334. H.—Hydrargyrum. 341 has properly observed, so objectionable as that selected by the Lon- don College, and adopted by our National Pharmacopoeia. It certainly would have been better to have selected a name which had no connexion with any of the doctrines of muriatic acid or chlo- rine; inasmuch as, if they are found incorrect, a corresponding change of name again becomes essential; but the present name is not ap- propriate on either theory; if a muriat at all, it is a perfect muriat of the black oxyd of mercury; corrosive sublimate being equally a perfect muriat of the red oxyd; the only difference between the two, therefore, being dependent on the degree of oxydizement of the mercury, which is at a minimum, (protoxyd,) in the calomel, and at a maximum, (peroxyd,) in sublimate; and on the relative quantities of muriatic acid, which these oxyds are respectively able to sa- turate. According to the new views of chlorine, calomel consists of one proportion of chlorine in union with one proportion of the metal, forming a chloride or proto-chloride of mercury; whilst corrosive sublimate consists of one proportion of the metal, and two propor- tions of chlorine; it is, therefore, likewise a chloride, or bi-chloride of mercury. Under these difficulties of selecting names founded on true chemical principles, and at the same time sufficiently distinct from each other, to prevent the possibility of mistaking calomel and corrosive sublimate for each other; it is submitted with confidence, that none superior to those just mentioned, (calomel and corrosive sublimate,) can be pointed out. They are concise, unconnected with any theory of past, present, or future times, and the dangerous one is additionally guarded by a corresponding epithet. The pride of science ought unquestionably to yield to utility on such an occasion; and it is to be hoped, that ere long, the medical men of every coun- try will be satisfied to reject all the numerous synonymes of the^two salts in question, and employ solely those above mentioned. To return from this digression, to the preparation itself. Take of Corrosive sublimate, one pound; Purified mercury, nine ounces.—Rub them together in a glass or Wedgwood mortar till the metallic globules disappear; then sublime; reduce the sublimed mass to powder, and sublime it in the same manner. Lastly, bring it into tlie state of a very fine powder, by the same process which has been directed for the preparation of carbonat of lime, until the solution no longer lets a precipitate fall, by the addition of carbonat of potash. D. When quicksilver is triturated with muriat of quicksilver, it ab- stracts from the oxydized quicksilver of the muriat a part of its oxygen, and the whole mass assumes a blackish-gray colour. When this is exposed to a degree of heat sufficient to convert it into va- pour, the action of the different portions of quicksilver upon each other, and upon the muriatic acid, is much more complete: and the whole is converted into a solid white mass, consisting of mercury, in a state of less oxydizement, and combined with less acid than in the muriat, or of about twice the quantity of mercury, with the same quantity of oxygen and acid. According to Sir H. Davy's theory, in the first part of the process, the additional mercury is merely me- 342 H.—Hydrargyrum. chanically divided, and by the sublimation twice the quantity of mercury is combined with the same quantity of chlorine. The trituration of the corrosive sublimate is a very noxious opera- tion, as it is almost impossible to prevent the finer particles from rising and affecting the operators's eyes and nostrils. To lessen this evil, the Edinburgh College directs the addition of a little water. In the second part of the process, when the heat is applied, a small por- tion of quicksilver and undecomposed corrosive sublimate first arise, and condense themselves in the highest part or neck of the phial; then the calomel rises, and being less volatile, condenses in the upper half of the body, while a small quantity of quicksilver, in a state of considerable oxydizement, remains fixed or near the bottom. The Edinburgh College separates the calomel from the other matters, and sublimes it again. The London and Dublin Colleges triturate the whole together again, and re-sublime it twice. As in the first sublimation, a portion of the quicksilver and of the corrosive subli- mate always rise undecomposed, a second sublimation is necessary, especially if we triturate the whole products of the first sublimation together: but any further repetition of the process is perfectly use- less. Lest any portion of corrosive sublimate should have escaped de- composition, the calomel mustbe edulcorated with boiling distilled wa- ter, until the water which comes off"forms no precipitate with alkalies. Calomel is generally obtained in the form of a white solid mass, but is capable of crystallizing in tetrahedral prisms termi- nated by pyramids. It has no taste, and is scarcely soluble in wa- ter or in alcohol. It is less volatile than corrosive sublimate. It is blackened by light; and becomes brown or black when triturated with lime-water or the alkalies. It is converted by oxymuriatic acid into corrosive sublimate. According to Mr. Chenevix, it consists of 79 quicksilver, with 9.5 oxygen, and 1.15 muriatic acid; and ac- cording to Mr. Zaboada, of 85 quicksilver, with 4.4 oxygen, and 10.6 muriatic acid. From Mr. Chenevix's analysis, we should conclude that 54 parts of quicksilver were sufficient to convert 100 of corrosive sublimate into calomel; but according to Zaboada's, 75 are necessary, which is exactly the proportion directed by the Colleges, and is also more con- formable to Sir H. Davy's view of their composition: for he considers the corrosive sublimate, mercurana, as consisting of one proportion of mercury 380, and two of chlorine 134, and the calomel, mercu- rane, of one of mercury 380, and one of chlorine 67; which gives us 73.9 as the quantity of mercury necessary to convert 100 of corro- sive sublimate into calomel. Medical use.—Calomel is one of the best mercurials we possess. By proper management it may be made to increase, in a remarkable manner, almost any of the secretions or excretions. One grain mixed with sugar and snuffed up the nostrils, is recommended as a powerful errhine in amaurosis. The same mixture is blown into the eye, to re- move specks from the cornea. Given in doses of one grain morning and evening, or in larger doses combined with opium, to prevent it from acting as a purgative, it excites ptyalism. In larger doses of five grains and upwards, it is an excellent purgative. Combined with diuretics, it proves diuretic, and, with sudorifics sudorific. H.—Hydrargyrum. 343 It is one of the preparations of mercury which is capable of curing syphilis in every form. It also produces very powerful and salutary effects in obstructions and chronic inflammations of the viscera, es- pecially of the liver; and, in general, it is applicable to every case in which mercurials are indicated. Corrosive sublimate may be detected if present, in calomel, by precipitation being produced by the carbonat of potash, in a solution made by boiling the suspended sample with a small portion of muriat of ammonia in distilled water. Calomel ought also, when rubbed with pure ammonia, to become intensely black, and not to exhibit any trace of an orange hue. Incompatible substances.—Alkalies and lime-water decompose it and turn it black, in consequence of abstracting the aeid, and leaving free the black oxyd. It is also decomposed by soaps, sulphurets of potash, and antimony; and by iron, lead, and copper; hence metallic mortars should be avoided in its preparations. If calomel be boiled for a few minutes in distilled water with alcoholized potash, it is completely decomposed, a muriat of potash, and biack oxyd of mer- cury being the results.* Submurias Hydrargyri Pr^ecipitatus. E. D. Precipitated Sub-muriat of Quicksilver. Precipitated Calomel. Take of Diluted nitrous acid, Purified quicksilver, each, eight ounces; Muriat of soda, four ounces and a half; Boiling water, eight pounds. —Mix the quicksilver with the diluted nitrous acid, and towards the end of the effervescence digest ivith a gentle heat, frequently shaking the vessel in the mean time. But it is necessary to add more quicksilver to the acid than it is capable of dissolving, that a perfectly saturated solution may be obtained. Dissolve at the same time the muriat of soda in the boiling water, and into this solution pour the other while still hot, and mix them quickly by agitation- pour off the saline liquor after the precipitate has subsided, and wash the sub-muriat of quicksilver by repeated affusions of boiling water, which is to be poured off each time after the deposition of the sub-muriat until the water come off tasteless. E. This prescription differs but little from that originally laid down by its inventor Scheele; and if due attention is paid to the directions given, I believe, from comparative trials, that no difference will be discovered between this and the common process. It is infinitely superior on account of its simplicity. In the first part of this process, a perfectly saturated solution of nitrat of quicksilver is formed. In the second, there is a mutual decomposition of this nitrat, and of the muriat of soda; nitrat of soda is formed, and muriat of quicksilver with excess of oxyd: or, according to Sir H. Davy, the chlorine of the sodane combines with •Calomel is thus made in India, under the name of Rascapur.— Take of Mercury, Bole armoniac, Alum, for blue vitriol, J Rock salt, of each, tune parts.— Rub them together in a mortar with water, and let the mass harden. Put it into a glazed earthen vessel, and invert another over it, luting them toge- ther,- keep them three days and three nights in a fire of coiv-dimg.— Asiatic Re- searches, 11.191. J J b 344 H.—Hydrargyrum. the mercury of the nitrat, forming mercurane, while the hydrogen of the muriatic acid and the oxygen of the mercurial oxyd combine to form water, nitric acid, and soda. In this preparation, our object is to obtain the insoluble compound which results from the combination of the protoxyd of mercury with muriatic acid. In this view, the application of heat, in dissolving the mercury in the nitrous acid, is improper; for a portion at least of the mercury is converted into its peroxyd, which occasions in the first place, the formation of a little sub-nitrat of mercury, when poured into the saline solution; and secondly, the formation of a. proportion of muriat of mercury, (corro- sive sublimate,) which must be washed away. Accordingly, Mr. Murray has found, that more of mild, and less corrosive muriat of mercury are formed, when the solution is made slowly and in the cold, than when the directions of the Colleges are complied with. In Sir H. Davy's view of the subject, according to which calomel and corrosive sublimate are compounds of metallic mercury, with different proportions of chlorine, the object of this preparation is to get the largest quantity of mercury dissolved in the nitrous acid, so that in decomposing muriat of soda, the smallest quantity of chlorine may be set at liberty; and as the peroxyd contains twice as much oxygen as the protoxyd, and acids seem to combine with a certain quantity of oxygen in oxyds, whatever be the quantity of metal united with them, the nitrat of the protoxyd of mercury will contain twice as much mercury as the nitrat of the peroxyd, and will of course give a double proportion of mercury to the chlorine set at liberty by the acid and oxygen. When properly prepared, the sub-muriat obtained by precipitation scarcely differs from that obtained by sublimation. Gottling found no other difference than that the precipitated sub-muriat became gray, when triturated with lime-water, whereas the sublimed sub- muriat becomes black. But he exposed to heat half an ounce of the precipitated sub-muriat in a subliming apparatus; scarcely a grain of a reddish matter remained fixed; and the sublimed matter how be- came black when triturated with lime-water, and differed in no res- pect from sub-muriat prepared in the ordinary way by sublimation. It therefore would seem to be an improvement in the process, to sub- lime the sub-muriat after it is precipitated; especially as by that operation it would be most effectually separated from any sub-nitrat which might be mixed with it. There is still another way of preparing the sub-muriat of mercury, without using corrosive sublimate, which must be noticed. It was contrived by Hermbstaedt, and is recommended by Moench with the confidence derived from experience, as the very best process for preparing the sub-muriat of quicksilver. Take of Pure quicksilver, seven ounces and a half; Sulphuric acid, four ounces; Dried muriat of soda, five ounces and a half.—Dis- til in a glass retort the sulphuric acid, with four ounces of the quicksilver, until they be converted into a dry white mass. Tritu- rate the sulphat of mercury thus formed, with the remaining three ounces and a half of quicksilver, until the globules disappear; then add the muriat of soda; mix them and sublime, As the product of the first sublimation still contains unoxydized quicksilver, it is H.—Hydrargyrum. 345 to be again triturated and sublimed. The sublimate being washed, is now pure sub-muriat of quicksilver, and weighs about six ounces. The theory of this process is the same with that of the formation of the muriat of quicksilver. The difference between the two pro- ducts arises from the proportion of quicksilver being greater, and that of the muriat of soda employed being less. We are not pre- pared to state the comparative economy of the processes described, for preparing sub-muriat of quicksilver; but of the last process, we may observe, that according to Mr. Chenevix's analysis, seven ounces and a half of quicksilver should furnish nine ounces and a half of sub-muriat of quicksilver; and according to M. Zaboada's nearly nine; so that there is evidently a considerable loss, which must be owing either to the formation of muriat of quicksilver, or of oxyd of quicksilver. Hydrargyrum Prjecipitatum Album. L.* Ammoniated Sub-muriat of Mercury. White precipitated Quiqjcsilver. Take of oxymuriat of quicksilver, half a pound; Muriat of ammonia, four ounces; Solution of sub-carbonat of potass, half a pint; Dis- [ tilled water, four pints.—Dis.solvefirst the muriat of ammonia, and afterwards the oxymuriat of quicksilver, in the distilled water, and add to these the solution of sub-carbonat of potass. Wash the pre- cipitate until it become insipid, and then dry it. L. The Dublin College employs the following formula; which is cer- tainly to be preferred, if the calomel is made by the process of pre- cipitation. Submurias Hydrargyri Ammoniatum. D. Ammoniated Sub-muriat of Quicksilver. Add to the liquor decanted from the precipitated sub-muriat of quick- silver, as much water of caustic ammonia as is sufficient to preci- pitate the whole metallic salt. Wash the precipitate yoith cold dis- tilled water, and dry it on blotting paper. Muriat of quicksilver is about thirty times more soluble in a so- lution of muriat of ammonia than in pure water; and, during the solution, there takes place a considerable increase of temperature. Now, as these facts sufficiently prove a reciprocal action of the two salts, and as there is no decomposition, it is evident that they must have combined to form a triple salt; especially as they cannot be again separated either by sublimation or crystallization. This com- pound may, therefore, with propriety be termed muriat of mercury and ammonia. It is the sal alembroth of the alchemists. It is very soluble in water, and is sublimed by heat without decomposition. When to a solution of this salt we add a solution of an alkaline carbonat, either of potass, as directed by the London College, or of soda, as by that of Berlin, there occurs a partial decomposition. The alkali combines with a portion of the muriatic acid, and reduces the * llvdrargvri Submurias Ammoniatus, Pharm. U. S 44 346 H.—Hydrargyrum. muriat of mercury and ammonia to the state of a sub-muriat, which being insoluble, falls to the bottom of the solution. The proportion of muriat of ammonia has been reduced in edition 1815 to one-half, probably in consequence of a remark of Mr. Phillips. The process of the Dublin College is new and well contrived, as it converts to use the washings of the precipitated sub-muriat, and thus partly obviates the objection of want of economy in the direc- tions given by the college for preparing it. By the simple addition of ammonia, the whole muriat of mercury contained in the wash- ings is precipitated, in the form of sub-muriat of mercury and am- monia. The sub-muriat of mercury and ammonia thus precipitated, has at first an earthy, and afterwards a metallic taste. It is not soluble in water. It is decomposed by heat, furnishing water, ammonia, and nitrogen gas, while 0.86 of sub-muriat of mercury remain behind. Sulphuric and nitric acids partially decompose it, and convert it into muriat of mercury, and triple salts of mercury and ammonia. Muriatic acid dissolves it, and converts it into muriat of quicksilver and anfinonia. According to Fourcroy's analysis, it consists of 81 oxyd of mercury, 16 muriatic acid, 3 ammonia. 100 It is only used for ointments; and its principal recommendation is its white colour. It may seem extraordinary that a combination of this salt and of corrosive sublimate, should prove more efficacious in some cutaneous diseases, than either separately. Mr. Ring, surgeon in London, I believe, first recommended this conjunction; and I have in very many instances derived benefit from it, when no advantage was ex- perienced from the separate ingredients. The following formula is that he recommends, and which I have made use of, occasionally varying the proportions. Take of White precipitate, one scruple; Corrosive sublimate, ten grains; Hog's lard, one ounce.—Mix them thoroughly. I think it might well take the place of the ointment of white pre- cipitate, as a standard. HYDRARGYRI OXYDUM CINEREUM. L. E. A. Pulvis Hydrargyri Cinereus. D. Ash-coloured Oxyd (Powder) of Quicksilver. Gray Oxyd of Mercury. Take of Sub-muriat of mercury, one ounce; Lime-water, one gallon.— Boil the sub-muriat of mercury in the lime-water, constantly stir- ring until a gray oxyd subsides. Wash this with distilled water, and then dry it. L. This process is intended to furnish a substitute for the black oxyd of quicksilver, on which the efficacy of the mercurials most fre- quently employed, and most certainly useful, depends. In these H.—Hydrargyrum. 347 the mercury is oxydized by trituration, in contact with the atmos- phere; but this operation is both so tedious and troublesome, that it is often imperfectly performed, or assisted by improper means. When properly prepared, it is the protoxyd of mercury, but as frequently found in the shops, it contains a mixture of the triple salt, consisting of oxyd, ammonia and nitric acid. In using calomel for its preparation, as above, the precipitated calomel in its edulco- rated state, but not dried, should be preferred. This oxyd is said, however, by M. Braamcamp and Sigueira-Oliva, to be prepared in the greatest purity by boiling the ash-coloured oxyd of the Edinburgh College, long and violently in water, until the triple salt be dissolved or decomposed. The proportion of oxy- gen, which protoxyd of mercury contains, has been very differently estimated by different chemists. Mr. Chevenix makes 100 parts of mercury unite with no less than twelve of oxygen; the Portuguese chemists with 8.1; M. Fourcroy with 4.16; M. Sefstrom and Sir H. Davy with 3.95; which last, besides the remarkable coincidence, is the most probable from other reasons. The Prussian College directs a black oxyd of mercury to be pre- pared, by mixing four ounces of mercury with six ounces of nitrous acid, diluted with two ounces of distilled water, and occasionally, agitating them without heat, until the acid be saturated. The solu- tion is then to be diluted with distilled water, and water of caustic ammonia to be dropt into it, as long as the precipitate formed is black. HYDRARGYRI NITRICO-OXYDUM. L. A. Nitric Oxyd of Mercury. Oxydum Hydrargyri Rubrum per Acidum Nitricum. E. Olim, Mercurius Prjecipitatus Ruber. Oxydum Hydrargyri Nitricum. D. Red Oxyd of Mercury by Nitric Acid. Nitric Oxyd of Mercury. Red Precipitate. 'Take of Purified mercury, three pounds; Nitric acid, by weight, one pound and a half; Distilled water, two pints.—Mix in a glass vessel. Boil the mixture until the mercury is dissolved, and eva- porate the solution with a gentle heat, to a dry white mass; which. after being ground into powder, is to be put into a shollow glass cucurbit. Then apply a gradually increased heat, until the matter be converted into very red scales. E. In the first part of this process a fully saturated nitrat of mercury is formed. In the second part, the metal is oxydized to the maxi- mum by the decomposition of the acid. When a sufficient heat is applied, the nitrat of mercury first melts, then exhales nitric oxyd gas, and changes its colour successively to yellow, orange, and bril- liant purple red. If well prepared, it should have a crystalline scaly appearance; and it is entirely volatile at a red heat, and soluble without any residuum in nitrous acid. According to Fourcroy, it contains no nitrous acid, unless a sufficient heat has not been ap- plied, but according to most other chemists it contains some nitrous 348 H.—Hydrargyrum. acid; and differs from the red oxyd prepared by the action ol heat alone, in always being more acrid. This is an extremely difficult operation, and skilful operators not unfrequently fail to obtain it of that brilliant crystalline appearance which is esteemed. M. Paysse, who paid great attention to this pre- paration in Holland, where it is manufactured in large quantities, gives the following directions:—Dissolve 100 pounds ot pure mer- cury in 140 of pure nitrous acid, of specific gravity 1.3 to 1.37, pro- moting their aption by a sand-bath; evaporate by distillation, and, when the formation of nitrous gas indicates the decomposition of the nitrat of mercury, remove the receiver, and apply a steady and moderate heat for about eight hours, until a match which has been just blown out, inflames, on being introduced into the matrass, which is a proof that the operation is finished. To its success it is neces- sary, 1. That the nitrous acid be not mixed with muriatic; 2. That it be sufficiently strong; 3. That the evaporation be conducted with a moderate heat; 4. That the vessel be sufficiently large and flat, so that a large surface be exposed, and the whole equally heated; 5. That the heat be gradually augmented; and, lastly, That it be steadily maintained the whole time. Turf is said to be the fittest fuel. Medical use.—It is only used as an escharotic, and care must be taken that it is finely levigated, otherwise it only irritates, without destroying the parts to which it is applied. It is a very common application in chancres. Hydrargyri Oxydum Rubrum. L. Oxydum Hydrargyri. D. (Red) Oxyd of Quicksilver. Pecipitate per se. Take of Purified quicksilver, any quantity.—Put it into an open glass vessel, with a narrow mouth anil wide bottom. Expose this to about the six-hundredth degree of heat, until the metal be con- verted into red scales. D. This is an extremely tedious and therefore expensive operation, because mercury is incapable of absorbing from the atmosphere the quantity of oxygen necessary to convert it into the red oxyd, except when in a state of vapour. But as the form of a vessel, which will prevent the dissipation and loss of the mercurial vapour, will at the same time kinder the free access and frequent renewal of the air, the operation can only proceed slowly. The vessel most advantage- ously employed, is a wide flat-bottomed matrass, with a very nar- row, almost capillary neck. Only so much mercury is introduced into it as will cover the bottom of the matrass; and the vessel is not inserted in the sand deeper than the mercury stands within it. A degree of heat is then applied sufficient to cause a gentle ebulli- tion in the mercury, which, is thus alternately converted into vapour, and condensed again in the upper part of the vessel. While in the state of vapour, it absorbs the oxygen of the air contained in the vessel: by which means it is gradually changed into a black, and then into a red, powder, but a complete conversion into the latter state is not effected in less than several months. Red oxyd of quicksilver, thus prepared, consists of small crystal- line grains of a deep red colour, and very brilliant, sparkling ap- H.—Hydrargyrum. 349 ' pearance. By heat, it may be sublimed in the form of a beautiful ruby-coloured vitrified substance. At a red heat it is decomposed, giving out oxygen gas, while the metal is revived, and is imme- diately volatilized. It is soluble in several of the acids; and during its solution it does not decompose them or water. It is easily dis- oxydized. It consists, according to Chevenix, of 100 of mercury and 16.65 oxygen; Zaboada, 11.11; Fourcroy, 8.69; and M. Sef- strom and Sir H. Davy, 7.9; which last is the most probable esti- mate. Medical use.—It is not only an acrid substance, violently purga- tive and emetic, but even caustic and poisonous. Its internal use is proscribed; but it is applied externally as an escharotic, being pre- viously triturated to a very fine powder; or it is formed into a sti- mulating ointment with unctuous substances. Hydrargyruscum Creta. L. D. Quicksilver with Chalk. Take of Purified quicksilver, three ounces; Prepared chalk, five ounces. Triturate them together until the globules disappear. A. Quicksilver has a strong affinity for oxygen, and absorbs it slowly from the atmosphere. But the combination may be considerably ac- celerated by agitation, and still more by triturating quicksilver with any substance which promotes its mechanical division, and thus in- creases its surface. With this view, quicksilver is triturated with, viscid substances, as fats, honey, syrup, &c, or with pulverulent substances, aVthe chalk in the present example. The black oxyd is the mildest, but at the same time the most effi- cacious of the preparations of mercury. Combined with chalk it is not in general use; but in the form of the common mercurial pill and ointment, it is more employed than any other preparations of the same metal except calomel. Hydrargyrum cum Magnesia. D. Quicksilver with Magnesia. Take of Quicksilver, Magnesia, each, one 'ounce; Manna, half an ounce.—Triturate the quicksilver with the manna, in an earthen- ware mortar, adding some drops of water, to give the mixture the consistence of a syrup, until the metallic globules become no longer visible. Then add, with constant trituration, a drachm of the mag- nesia. After they arc thoroughly mixed, rub into them a pint of warm water, and shake the mixture: then let the liquor rest, and decant from the sediment as soon as it subsides. Repeat this wash- ing twice, that the manna may be totally washed away, and, with the sediment still moist, mix the remainder of the magnesia. Last- ly, dry the powder on blotting paper. D. HYDRARGYRI SUBSULPHAS FLAVUS. E. A. Oxydum Hydrargyri Sul-phuricum. D. Turpethum Minerale. Turpeth Mineral. Yellow Sub-Sulphat of Quicksilver. Sulphuric Oxyd of Quicksilver. Take of Purified quicksilver, four ounces; Sulphuric acid, six ounces —Put them into a glass cucurbit, and boil them in a sand bath to dryness. Throw into boiling water the white matter, which is left 350 H__Hydrargyrum. in the bottom, after having reduced it to powder. A yellowpowder will immediately be produced, which must be frequently washed with warm water. E. The action of sulphuric acid on mercury has been examined with considerable attention by Fourcroy. In the cold they have no action on each other, but on the application of heat, the sulphuric acid be- gins to be decomposed, sulphurous acid gas is extricated, and the metal is oxydized, and combines with the undecomposed acid, form- ing with it a white saline mass covered with a colourless fluid. In this state it reddens vegetable blues, is acrid and corrosive, does not become yellow by the contact of the air, and is not decomposed by water either warm or cold. It is therefore a super-sulphat of quick- silver, and the proportion of the acid in excess is variable. By washing the saline mass repeatedly with small quantities of water, it is at last rendered perfectly neutral. It no longer reddens vegetable blues. It is white; it crystallizes in plates, or fine pris- matic needles; it is not very acrid; it is not decomposed either by cold or boiling water: but is soluble in 500 parts of the former, and in about 250 of the latter. It is much more soluble in water acidu- lated with sulphuric acid. The following estimates of its composi- tion have been made: Fourcroy. Braamcamp and Sigueira, Quicksilver, ... 75 .... 57.42 Oxygen,.....8 . . . . 6.38 Sulphuric acid, . . . 12 . . . . 31.8 Water,.....5 . . . . 4.4 100 100 But if, instead of removing the excess of acid from the super-sul- phat of quicksilver, by washing it with water, we continue the action of the heat according to the directions of the colleges, there is a co- pious evolution of sulphurous acid gas, and the saline residuum is converted into a white mass, which therefore evidently contains both a larger proportion of mercury, and in a state of greater oxydize- ment, than the salt from which it was formed. But this white saline mass is further analyzed by the infusion of hot water; for one por- tion ot it is dissolved, while the remainder assumes the form of a beautiful yellow powder. The portion dissolved is said to contain excess of acid. The yellow powder is, on the contrary, a sub- sulphat. The sub-sulphat of quicksilver has a bright yellow colour, a con- siderably acrid taste, is soluble in 2000 parts of cold water, is also soluble in sulphuric acid slightly diluted, and is decomposed by the nitric acid, and forms muriat of quicksilver with the muriatic acid, while the neutral sulphat forms sub-muriat. It oxydizes quicksilver, and is. converted by trituration with it into a black powder. At a red heat it gives out oxygen gas, and the metal is revived. It consists of 76 mercury, 11 oxygen, 10 sulphuric acid, and 3 water. Medical use.—It is a strong emetic, and with this intention ope- rates the most powerfully of all the mercurials that can be safely given internally. Its action, however, is not confined to the primse H.—Hydrargyrum. 351 viae; it will sometimes excite a salivation, if a purgative be not taken soon after it. This medicine is used chiefly in virulent gonor- rhoeas, and after venereal cases, where there is a great flux of hu- mours to the parts. Its chief use at present is in swellings of the testicle from a venereal affection; and it seems not only to act as a mercurial, but also, by the severe vomiting it occasions, to perform the office of a discutient, by accelerating the motion of the blood in the parts affected. It is said likewise to have been employed with success, in robust constitutions, against leprous disorders, and ob- stinate glandular obstructions: the dose is from two grains to six or eight. It may be given in doses of a grain or two as an alterative and diaphoretic. It is an excellent errhine, mixed with snuff, or the powder of Asa- rum; and has been usefully employed as such in affections of the eyes and ears. It is stated by Dr. Barton to have produced saliva- tion in two cases under his care, by such topical application. This medicine was lately recommended as the most effectual pre- servative against the hydrophobia!! HYDRARGYRUM SULPHURETUM NIGRUM. D. L. E. A. Black Sulphuret of Mercury. Mthiop's Mineral. Take^ of Purified Quicksilver, Sublimed Sulphur, of each, equal weights.—Grind them together in a glass or earthen mortar with a glass pestle, till the mercurial globules totally disappear. E. D. It is also prepared with twice the quantity of quicksilver. E. This process, simple as it appears, is not, even in the present ad- vanced state of chemistry, perfectly understood. It was formerly imagined, that the quicksilver was merely mechanically divided, and intimately mixed with the sulphur. But that they are really chemically united, is indisputably proved by the insolubility of the compound in nitrous acid. Fourcroy is of opinion, that during the trituration, the mercury absorbs oxygen, and is converted into the black oxyd, and that in this state it is slightly combined with the sulphur. The editors of Gren also suppose it to be in the state of black oxyd, but that it is combined with hydrogureted sulphur, and they direct a little water to be added during the trituration, that by its decomposition it may facilitate the process. The black sulphuret of quicksilver, thus prepared by trituration, has a pulverulent form, is insoluble in nitric acid, is totally soluble in a solution of potass, and is precipitated unchanged from this so- lution, by acids. It is not altered by exposure to the air; and when heated in an open vessel, it emits sulphurous acid gas, acquires a dark violet colour, and, lastly sublimes in a brilliant red mass, composed of crystalline needles. The combination of quicksilver with sulphur may be much more speedily effected by the assistance of heat, by pouring the mercury, previously heated, upon the sulphur in a state of fusion, and stirring them until they cool, and form a consistent mass, which may be afterwards powdered. The sulphuret prepared by fusion, differs, however, from that prepared by trituration; for it is not soluble in a solution of potass, but is converted by long ebullition in it into 352 H.—Hydrargyrum. the red sulphuret, and it also reddens spontaneously in course of time from the action of the air. Black sulphuret of mercury may be also prepared in the humid way, as it is called, by precipitation, or even by direct solution. According to Berthollet, mercury agitated with sulphureted hydro- guret of ammonia, forms a black sulphuret exactly resembling that prepared by trituration; but if hydrogureted sulphuret of ammonia be used, the black precipitate formed gradually assumes a red colour and the solution contains sulphureted hydroguret of ammonia. The same phenomena take place with all the mercurial salts. As a medicine, black sulphuret of quicksilver possesses no very conspicuous effects. It is principally used as an alterative in glan- dular affections, and in cutaneous diseases. It has been commonly given in doses of from five to ten grains; but even in doses of several drachms, and continued for a considerable length of time, it has scarcely produced any sensible effect. iEthiop's Mineral.—See Dr. Cheyneinhis "English Malady," p. 343, 344, for the immense extent in which he himself took it—viz. daily for four months, and to the amount of one hundred and twenty ounces. " My legs," says he, "broke out all over in scorbutic ulcers, the ichor of which corroded the very skin, when it lay any time, and the fore parts of both legs were one continued sore. I had the ad- vice and care of many of the most eminent surgeons in England: none of whom could heal them up, even in three years. Tired out at last, I took iEthiop's Mineral for four months, in the midst of winter: half an ounce at least, twice a day, and a purge with 12 grs. of calomel once a week. After this course, my legs healed perfectly, with common dressings, and have continued sound ever since: my health was likewise very good for four or five years after." HYDRARGYRI SULPHURETUM RUBRUM. D. L. A. Red Sulphuret of Mercury. Cinnabar. Take of Purified Mercury, forty ounces; Sublimed Sulphur, eight ounces.—Having melted the sulphur over the fire, mix in the mer- cury, and as soon as the mass begins to swell, remove the vessel from the fire, and cover it with considerable force, to pi-event com- bustion; then rub the mass into powder, and sublime. L. As soon as the mercury and sulphur begin to unite, a considera- ble explosion frequently happens, and the mixture is very apt to take fire, especially if the process be somewhat hastily conducted. This accident the operator will have previous notice of, from the matter swelling up and growing suddenly consistent; as soon as this happens, the vessel must be immediately close covered. During the sublimation, care must be had that the matter does not rise into the neck of the vessel, so as to block up and burst the glass. To prevent this, a wide-necked bolt head, or rather an oval earthen jar, coated, should be chosen for the subliming vessel. If the former be employed, it will be convenient to introduce at times an iron wire, somewhat heated, in order to be the better assured H—Hydrargyrum. 353 that the passage is not blocking up; the danger of which may be prevented by cautiously raising the vessel higher from the fire. If the ingredients be pure, there is no residuum. In such case*, the sublimation may be known to be over, by introducing a wire as before, and feeling with it the bottom of the vessel, which will then be perfectly smooth: if any roughness or inequalities be perceived, either the mixture was impure, or the sublimation is not completed; if the latter be the case, the wire will soon be covered over with the rising cinnabar. M. M. Tucckertand Paysse have described, from actual observa- tion, the process followed in the manufactory of M. Brand at Am- sterdam, where 48,000 pounds of cinnabar are annually prepared. 150 pounds of sulphur are mixed with 1080 pounds of mercury, and exposed to a moderate heat in a bright iron-kettle, one foot deep, and two and a half in diameter. The black sulphuret of mercury, thus produced, is reduced to powder, and put up in earthen pots •capable of containing about a quart of water. The subliming appa- ratus consists of three large coated crucibles, bound with iron, and surmounted with domes of iron, through the top of which the black sulphuret is introduced. These are built into a furnace, in such a manner that two-thirds of each apparatus is exposed to the action of the flame, which circulates freely around them. The fuel made use of is turf, which is found preferable to all others, probably from its affording a steady and moderate heat. The fire is kindled in the evening; and when the crucibles have become red, the pots con- taining the black sulphuret are emptied into them successively, at first one into each, and afterwards two, three, or more, at a time, according to the violence of the inflammation which succeeds. Sometimes the flame rises four, or even six feet above the domes; when its violence is a little abated, the aperture is covered closely up with a lid of iron. In this manner the whole quantity is intro- duced into the three crucibles in about thirty-four hours. The fire is steadily supported in a proper degree for thirty-six hours, and the sublimation assisted by stirring the matter every quarter of an hour with a triangle of iron, until the whole is sublimed, when the fire is allowed to expire. The colour of the flame changes during the pro- cess from a dazzling white to a yellow white, orange-yellow, blue and yellow, green, violet, and blue and green. When it acquires a fine sky-blue, or indigo colour, and rises only an inch or two above the aperture, the aperture is closed hermetically, and luted with clay and sand. After the apparatus has cooled, 400 pounds of sub- limed red sulphuret of mercury are found in each, so that there is a loss of 30 pounds on the 1230 of materials employed. The process by which cinnabar is converted into vermilion, is kept a secret by the Dutch; but M. Paysse discovered, that by keeping some leviga- ted cinnabar in the dark, covered with water, and stirred frequently for a month, it acquires the brilliant colour of Chinese vermilion. Triturating the vermilion with urine, appears to increase the beauty of its colour. When taken out of the subliming vessels, the red sulphuret of quicksilver is a brilliant crystalline mass, and first acquires its very rich colour when reduced to the form of a fine powder by tritura- 45 354 H.—Hydrargyrum. tion. It has neither smell nor taste, and is insoluble in water and in alcohol. In close vsssels it sublimes entirely unchanged, but re- quires for this purpose a pretty great degree of heat. It is not solu- ble in any acid, and is only decomposed by the nitro-muriatic, which dissolves the quicksilver, and separates the sulphur. It is not decomposed by boiling it with solutions of the alkalies, but is de- composed by melting it with potass, soda, lime, iron, lead, copper, antimony, and several others metals. Proust has proved it to consist of 85 quicksilver, and 14 or 14£ sulphur, and that the quicksilver is not oxydized to a maximum, as had been falsely supposed, but is in its metallic state. His analysis is confirmed by the other methods by which cinnabar may be prepared. Thus the black sulphuret of quicksilver, by fusion, is converted into the red sulphuret, by boiling it in a solution of potass which can only act by dissolving the sul- phureted hydrogen and superfluous sulphur. Sub-muriat, or sub-sul- phat of mercury, sublimed with sulphur, furnish red sulphuret of mercury, and muriat or sulphat of mercury. Medical use.—Red sulphuret of quicksilver is sometimes used in fumigations against venereal ulcers in the nose, mouth and throat. Half a drachm of it burnt, the fume being imbibed with the breath, has occasioned a violent salivation. This effect is by no means owing to the medicine as a sulphuret; for when set on fire, it is no longer such, but mercury resolved into vapour, and blended with the sul- phurous acid gas; in which circumstances this mineral has very pow- erful effects. Mr. Pearson, from his experiments on mercurial fumigation, con- cludes, that where checking the progress of the disease suddenly, is an object of great moment, and where the body is covered with ulcers or large and numerous eruptions, and, in general, to ulcers, fungi, and excrescences, the vapour of mercury, is an application of great efficacy and utility; but that it is apt to induce a ptyalism rapidly, and great consequent debility, and that for the purpose of securing the constitution against a relapse, as great a quantity of mercury must be introduced into the system, by inunction, as if no fumiga- tion had been employed. Factitious cinnabar is prepared in India under he name of Shen- gerfi by the following process:—Mercury and sulphur are triturated together to a black sulphuret; they are then sublimed in a glazed earthen pot, with another inverted over it, and both luted together. Asiatic Researches, 11. 190. Phosphas Hydrargyri. Phosphat of Mercury. Take of sulphuric acid, eight ounces; water, four pounds.—Mix them carefully in a capacious glass vessel, and add white calcined bones powdered, 14 ounces. Place the vessel in a temperature of 60° for three days to digest, stirring the mixture frequently with a glass rod, then filter the whole through fine linen, washing the residuum with distilled water till completely edulcorated. Evaporate to dryness, and dissolve in the smallest possible quantity of lukewarm water, by which a considera- ble portion of gypsum will remain undissolved. After straining off II.—Hydrargyrum. 355 all'the liquor, again dilute with distilled water and a solution of the purest potass, till it be completely saturated. The small portion of gypsum still held in solution will thus be decomposed, and some calcareous earth precipitated, which must be separated by filtration. Evaporate to a proper consistence, and expose in a cool place to crystallize. A small portion of vitriolated tartar first appears from the decomposition of the gypsum; but if the liquor be again evapo- rated, the phosphorated potass will be produced in rhomboidal pris- matic crystals. Dissolve these in distilled water, and decompose by a super-saturated solution of mercury in the nitric acid. The pre- cipitate after complete edulcoration with warm distilled water should be slowly dried, and is the purest phosphat of mercury. The above is Bergmann's method of procuring the phosphat of mercury. It may be also obtained, by adding phosphoric acid in a liquid form to a solution of mercury in nitric acid.* Phosphat of mercury is a very active preparation, and requires to be used with great caution, as it is otherwise apt to produce nausea, violent vomiting, ptyalism, &c. even in doses not exceeding half a grain. The following formula is employed to prevent these effects. Take of phosphat of mercury, jour grains; powdered cinnamon, four- teen grains; white sugar, half a drachm.—Mix and make into eight powders, of which one is to be taken every morning and even- ing, unless ptyalism is induced, when it must be suspended. Some bear from one to two grains, without inconvenience. This remedy heals inveterate venereal ulcers in a short time, es- pecially such as are seated about the pudenda. In venereal inflam- mations of the eyes, chancres, rheumatisms and chronic eruptions, it has proved of eminent service. It is a most valuable medicine in the hands of a judicious practitioner. It is particularly preferable over other mercurial preparations in an inveterate stage of syphilis, especially in persons of torpid insensible fibres; in cases of exostosis, as well as of obstructions in the lym- phatic system; and in chronic complaints of the skin, &ct 6C/e> If we look into the works of antiquity, as to the use of mer- cury in medicine, we are left in the dark. Aristotle, in his fourth book, ch. 8. on meteorology, mentions «^yyp«s ^i/to?—but nothing of its use. Also Tlieophrastus, (de lapidibus, Ed. Heins. p. 400.) Galen, {de simpl. medicam. facult. 1. ix. c. 3.) states that he had not experimented with it—and (in Hippoc. de Morb. Vulg. 1. 6. Com. 6. ad. No. 5.) affirms it to be deleterious, and which never was useful to the sick or well. (In lib. 4. c. 19. de simpl. med. facult.) he considers it to kill, by eroding. (Lib. 5. c. 19.) he contends that it is altogether contrary to us, and if taken in the smallest amount, is necessarily injurious. * An easier method appears to be the union of a solution of phosphat of soda, and nitrat of mercury. The superior affinity of the nitric acid to soda, causes it to leave the mercury, whilst the phosphoric acid unites with the mercury in the form of a fine white precipitate, which is the phosphat of mercury, and which must be thoroughly edulcorated with boiling distilled water.—Am. Editor. f London Medical and Physical Journal 356 H.—Hydrargyrum. Oribasius, (Medicinal. Collect. L. 13.) states more clearly than Theophrastus how it is extracted, &c. but makes no mention of its powers. Others have pronounced it a poison, &c. Dioscorides, (de Mat. Med. L. 5. cap. ex.) affirms it to gnaw the interior by its weight. Pliny, (Hist. Nat. L. 33. cap. 6.) considers it a true poison; and tin L. 20. c. 5.) states the opinion of Heraclides to be the same; and (in L. 22. c. 13.) the same of Nicander. JEtius, (Tetrabib. 1. serm. 1.) affirms the astringent and caustic powers of mercury. Paulus Mgineta, (de re Medica, L. 5. c. 64.) employs the words of iEtius—and in L. 7.—although he does not mention it as being much used in medicine, since it was poisonous, yet he adds, that mixed with other remedies it was occasionally swallowed in colic and volvulus. Actuarius, (Method. Medend. lib. 5. c. 13.) repeats the words of IEtius. Isidorus, (Origen. L. 16. C. 18.) mentions the opinion of Diosco- rides as to its powers. Mercury began to recommend itself to the physicians of the mid- dle age.' The Arabians were the first who ventured to apply it ex- ternally to diseases. Serapion, (de simpl. med. C. 375.) states from Aben-Mesue, Abugerig and Rhazes, its external use against lice and scabies; he even states from Abugerig, that the salivating effects of mercury were not unknown. > Mesue, (Grabadin. L. 1. p. 185.) employed it as an ointment in scabies. Avicenna, (Canon. Med. L. 2. tr. 1. p. 119,) praises mercury killed with oil for lice, nits, scabies and ulcers. The more timid European physicians blinded by the authority of Galen, with difficulty admitted the light elicited by the Arabians. Although in the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth centuries, some writers praised the ointment in cases of lice, or different species of scabies. See Astruc, 3. de Morb. Vener. L. 2. c. 7.—though the greater number of them were diffident of its employment. It was not until a new disease, (lues venerea,) sprang up, that it became at length more fully appreciated. The first year of this event is difficult to state. Sanchez, (Jour, de Medic, t. 11. p. 372,) proves from a poem of Pacificus Maximus, published at Florence in 1489, that the symptoms induced by this disease were then known. Its origin from America seems then less established, since Columbus left Eu- rope in 1492. The real cause of this disease remained long con- cealed from physicians, many of whom deduced the new disease from the influence of the stars—some from an occult quality of the air—some from a cold humour—some from an adust choler, mixed with melancholy—some from phlegm and < melancholy—and some from putridity and a salt phlegm—hence, from analogy only, with various cuticular eruptions, was the cure attempted, by a medicine which was known to cure the most obstinate cutaneous diseases. See Fallopius de Morb. Gallico. cap. 76. wherein he states Jac. Carpus as first using mercurial friction with this intent, by which he realized a large estate. It has been said that the use of mercury in the cure of H.—Hydrastis Canadensis. 357 lues, arose from a workman, who in his profession used this metal, and was cured of the complaint with which he was afflicted, the know- ledge of which reached the physicians. No one more employed mer- cury in the cure of disease than Paracelsus, who lived in the sixteenth century. By his example and precepts, and connecting chemistry with his practice, physicians became acquainted with the nature of mercury, and it was speedily tried in the cure of Various diseases, with the happiest results. Many years elapsed, however, before it was internally given. The circulation of the blood being yet unknown, it was not suspected that the medicine externally applied reached the blood, and thence was conveyed to every part; and that taken by the mouth, it would pass through the same channels as the food. Hence physicians did not dare to give it internally, but devised various plans for its ex- ternal application—unction—mercurial vapours—by cinnabar, &c. Previous to the early part of the sixteenth century, no mention is made of its internal employment. Matthiolus first used it, in form of red precipitate well edulcorated, from five to seven grains—and Bayrus in 1537 first administered mercury pills. The mercury was killed by saliva—or fat—or some metal—absorbent earths—and sulphur, &c. Many had a private prescription for their pills—hence those of Barbarosa, Bellost and others. Other preparations shortly came into notice—as its saline prepara- tions—such as Turpeth mineral—to which some united gold. Sen- nertus, Instit. L. 5. P. 3. S. 3. C. 8. Its preparations by means of ni- tric acid were numerous, and those with muriatic acid. Mention is made of corrosive sublimate in a letter to Avicenna, (see Theat: chym. vol. 4.) and in Ab. Ibn-Tsina, (Avicenna.) Canon. Med. L. 2. P. 2. p. 219. Rhazes knew it—see Serapion, (de Simpl. Med. c. 375.) It was prepared by the Venetians, see Tachenius, Hippoc. Chym. p. 215. Other modes are mentioned in Cscsalpinus de Metal. p. 195.—by Kunckel, Laborat. Chym. 242.—by Lemery, Act. Ac. Reg. Sc.&c. 1705.—by Le Mort, Fac. Chym. Purif. 146.— Mercu- rius dulcis, if frequently sublimed, was called Calomel, or Panacea Mercurialis, (Zwolffer, Mantis. Spargyr. 352.) Those preparations with vegetable acids were various, as well as those with alkalies, &c. Turner, (on syphilis, p. 99.) is the first who mentions the solution of corrosive sublimate in spirits to cure syphilis. HYDRASTIS CANADENSIS. Yellow Root. This is a common plant in various parts of the United States. The root is a very powerful bitter. When dried it has a strong and virose smell. A spirituous infusion of the root is employed as a tonic bitter in the western parts of Pennsylvania. A cold infu- sion of the root in water is also used as a wash in inflammation of the eyes. The Cherokee Indians employ a plant in the cure of cancer, which is thought to be the Hydrastis. The root supplies us with a most brilliant yellow colour, which will probably be found a most valuable dye.* * Barton's Collections, Part I. p. 2. Part. II. p. 13. 358 H.—Hyoscyamus. HYOSCYAMUS. L. D. A. Hyosciamus Niger. E. Henbane. Common Henbane. The Plant. The Herb and Seeds. Pentandria Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Luridx, Linn. Solanem, Juss. Syn. Jusquiame, (F.) Belsenkraut, (G.) Giusquiamo nero, (I.) Khoras- sanie ajooan, (H.) Sickran, (Ar.) Toe xmf*0(' HoS bean' Henbane is an annual plant which grows m great abundance in most parts of Britain, by the road sides, and among rubbish, and flowers in July. Its smell is strong and peculiar, and when bruised, something like tobacco, especially when the leaves are burnt; and on burning, they sparkle, as if they contained a nitrat: when chewed, however, they have no saline taste, but are insipid, mild, and muci- laginous. Henbane, in a moderate dose, often produces sweat, and sometimes an eruption of pustules, and generally sound sleep, suc- ceeded by serenity of mind, and recruited vigour of the body; but like the other narcotics, instead of these, it sometimes gives rise to ver- tigo, head-ache, and general uneasiness. With particular individuals, it occasions vomiting, colic pains, a copious flow of urine, and some- times purging. In excessive doses, its effects are fatal; general de- bility, delirium, remarkable dilatation of the pupils of the eyes, convulsions, death. Upon the whole, like opium, it is a powerful anodyne; and like cicuta, it is free from any constipating effect, having rather a tendency to move the belly. Medical use.—From the writings of Dioscorides and others, it ap- pears that different species of henbane have been long used in the practice of medicine. By Celsus it was applied externally as a col- lyrium in ophthalmia; for allaying the pain of the tooth-ache; and he gave it internally as an anodyne. Its use, however, was for a long period entirely relinquished, un- til revived by Dr. Stork of Vienna, in those cases where an anodyne is requisite, and where there are objections to the use of opium. It' is employed in wandering rheumatic pains, in indurations of the mammae from retained milk, painful swellings, whether scirrhous or not, scrofulous and cancerous ulcers, inflamed piles, and spasms of the bowels from increased irritability; under the form of a cataplasm of the bruised leaves, with bread and milk; of an ointment, made of the powder of the leaves, with wax and oil; of a simple powder, sprinkled on the sore, or of a decoction in milk as an injection. An infusion prepared by digesting the bruised leaves in olive oil, is also usefully applied in inflammation of the bowels, kidneys, testicles, urethra, painful retention of urine, and in blind piles. An extract from the leaves, or from the seeds, is the form in which it is given internally; and it has been used with advantage in a variety of nervous affections, as mania, melancholia, epilepsy, hysteria, tris- mus, and spasms from injured nerves, in rheumatism and arthritis, in glandular swellings, in obstinate ulcerations, and in every case where it is desirable either to allay inordinate action, or to mitigate pain, its dose may be gradually increased from half a grain. Collin pushed it to the length of 30 grains for a dose. The extract of henbane has been lately much used by oculists fo; dilating the pupils of the eyes, in order to facilitate the extraction or breaking down of the cataract, to diminish sensibility, to destroy I___Ichthyocolla. 359 adhesions, to reduce protrusions of the iris, and to dilate contraction of the pupil. The mode of application is by dropping a few drops of solution of the extract in the eye, or applying them with a camel's hair brush. The greatest effect is produced in about four hours, and it is generally over in twelve. Vision is not impaired during its action. HYSSOPUS OFFICINALIS. E. D. Common Hyssop. The Herb and Leaves. Didynamia Gymnospermia. Nat. Ord. Verticillatx, Linn. Labiatx, Juss. Syn. Hyssope, (F.) Isop, (G.) Isopo, (I.) Hysopo, (S.) Zufaiy yeabus, (Ar.) Hyssop is a perennial herb, which grows wild in Germany. Its leaves have an aromatic smell, and a warm pungent taste. Their virtues depend entirely on an essential oil which rises in distillation both with water and alcohol. Besides the general virtues of aroma- tics, they were formerly recommended in humoral asthmas, coughs, and other disorders of the breast and lungs, and were said to pro- mote expectoration. I.J. ICHTHYOCOLLA. D. A. Isinglass. Fish-glue. Isinglass is prepared from many species of Acipenser. The Dub- lin College specify the A. Huso or Beluga, and the A. Ruthenus or Sterlet; besides which, a great deal is obtained from the A. Sturio, the Sturgeon, and A. Stellatus, the Serruga. The preparation of isinglass is almost peculiar to Russia. It is made in all places where the large species of sturgeon are caught, as on the Dnieper, the Don, and especially on the Caspian sea, also on the Volga, the Ural, the Oby, and the Irtysh. That prepared from the sturgeon is reckoned the best, and next to it that from the beluga. It also varies according to the mode of preparation. On the Volga and Ural, the sounds are watered while fresh, and dried to a certain degree. The outer skin is next taken off, and the inner glossy white membrane is twisted into proper shapes, -and then completely dried. The best is usually rolled into the form of a snake or heart; the se- cond folded in leaves, like a book; and the worst is dried without any care. In other places, as at Gurief, fish-glue is extracted from the sounds by boiling. This is cut into slabs or plates, is perfectly transparent, and has the colour of amber. On the Okka, where the sterlet only is to be had, the sounds are beat just as they are extract- ed from the fish, and dried into glue. Mr. Waldron of Westchester county, New York, asserts that the vesicula natatoriaof a certain fish frequent on the coast of the United States affords it. Good isinglass is white, in some degree transparent, dry, com- posed of membranes not too thick, and without any smell. 360 1.—Infusa. The properties of isinglass depend entirely on the gelatin,* ol which it principally consists. One hundred grains of good isinglass were found by Mr. Hatchett to contain rather more than 98 of mat- ter soluble in water. A nutritious jelly may be prepared from it. A watery solution of it is used as a test of the presence of tannin, and for the clarification of spirituous liquors. Mr. Davy's solution for the former purpose consists of 120 grains of isinglass dissolved in twenty ounces of water, and if properly made, at temperatures be- low 50° Fahr. it has a tendency to gelatinize. It is also said to be employed for the preparation of English court- plaster. INFUSA—INFUSIONS. Infusions are solutions made from vegetables, either with hot or cold water, without boiling. If hot water is employed, the infusion must be carried on in covered vessels, and in a warm place. Infusions should be prepared only a short time before they are used, and seldom more than half a pint at once. The term infusion is confined to the action of a menstruum, not assisted by ebullition, or any substance consisting of heterogeneous principles, some of which are soluble, and others insoluble, in that menstruum. The term is generally used in a more extensive, but we are inclined to think, a less correct sense: thus, lime-water and the mucilages, which are commonly classed with the infusions, are in- stances of simple solution, and the chalk mixture is the mechanical suspension of an insoluble substance. When the menstruum used is water, the solution is termed simply an infusion; but when the men- struum is alcoholic, it is called a tincture; when wine or vinegar, a medicated wine or vinegar. Infusions in water are extremely apt to spoil, and are generally extemporaneous preparations. Infusum Anthemidis. E. L. A. Infusion of Chamomile. Take of Chamomile, two drachms; Boiling water, half a pint.— Macerate for ten minutes in a covered vessel, and strain. * Gelatin, when exsiccated, is a hard, elastic, semi-transparent substance, resembling horn, having a vitreous fracture: unalterable in the air, soluble in boiling water, and forming with it a gelatinous mass on cooling; it is also solu- ble, but less readily, in cold water. It is completely insoluble in alcohol, and is even precipitated by it from its solution in water; it is soluble in acids, even when much diluted, and also in the alkalies; but its most characteristic pro- perty is its affinity for tannin, with which it forms a thick yellow precipitate, which soon concretes into an adhesive, elastic mass, readily drying in the air, and forming a brittle substance, of a resinous appearance, exactly resembling overtanned leather, very soluble in ammonia, and soluble in boiling water. It is also precipitated copiously by carbonat of potass. The solution of gelatin in water first becomes acid, and afterwards putrid. When decomposed by nitric acid or heat, its products show that it contains only a small proportion of nitrogen. It is principally contained in the cellular, membranous, and tendinous parts of animals, and forms an important article of nourishment. Glue and isinglass, which are much employed in the arts, are almost pure gelatin. I.—Infusa. 361 Infusum CuspARiiE. Z.* Infusion of Angustura or Cusparia. Take of Angustura bark, bruised, two drachms; Boiling water, half a pint.—Macerate for two hours, in a loosely covered vessel, and strain. L. A stimulating febrifuge. Infusum Armoraci^e. Z. A. Infusion of Horse-radish. Take of Fresh Horse-radish, sliced, Mustard, bruised, of each, one ounce; Boiling water, one pint. —Infuse for two hours in a cover- ed vessel, and strain. L. Infusum Cascarill^e. Z. A. Infusion of Cascarilla. Take of Cascarilla bark, bruised, half an ounce; Boiling water, half a pint.—Macerate for two hours, in a loosely covered, vessel, and strain. L. An aromatic stimulant. Infusum Colombo. E. L. A. Infusion of Colombo. Take of Colombo root, sliced, one drachm; Boiling water, half a pint.—Macerate for two hours, in a loosely covered vessel, and strain. A stomachic bitter. Infusum Cinchona. Z. A. Infusum Cinchona Lancifoli^. E. Infusion of Peruvian Bark. Take of Peruvian bark, bruised, half an ounce; Boiling water, half a pint.—Infuse for two liours in a covered vessel, and strain. L. Infusum Cinchona sine Calore. D. Cold Infusion of Cinchona. Take of Peruvian bark, in coarse powder, one ounce; Cold water, twelve ounces by measure.—Triturate the bark with a little of the water, and add the remainder during the trituration. Macerate for twenty-four hours, and decant the pure liquor. This is a very elegant form of exhibiting the active principles of cinchona bark, and that in which it will sit lightest on weak and deli- cate stomachs. The trituration directed by the Dublin College will promote the solution. The residuum of the cold infusion may be afterwards employed in making other preparations, especially the extract, for its virtues are by no means exhausted. But it must never be dried, and sold, or exhibited in substance, for that would be a culpable fraud. Infusum Cinchona cum Aqua Calcis. Infusion of Peruvian Bark with Lime Water. Take of Peruvian bark, in powder, one ounce; JAme water, one pint.— Add the lime water gradually, and rub them to ell together for fifteen minutes. Let them stand for one hour, then filter. Pharm. U. S. * Infusum Angusturse, Pharm. U. S. 46 362 I.—Infusa. What peculiar benefit is anticipated from the lime, we are unable to discern. If the lime is not converted into a carbonat during the process, the amount at least, (about sixteen grains of lime,) seems too insignificant to expect much from its use. Skeete in his Essay on Peruvian bark, recommends such a preparation. Infusum Cinchonje cum Magnesia. Infusion of Peruvian Bark with Magnesia. Take of Peruvian bark, in powder, one ounce; Magnesia, one drachm; Cold water, one pint.—Add the water gradually, and rub them well together for fifteen minutes. Let the infusion stand for one hour, then filter! Pharm. U. S. We should be glad to know what becomes of the magnesia as a medicine, after the filtration! It is indeed by some supposed, that the magnesia improves the preparation of the bark, by its alkaline properties; this is, however, problematical. Skeete recommends such a preparation, but it is difficult to see on what principle. The fol- lowing remarks are perhaps applicable in this place. Critical inquiry into the principal Pharmaceutical preparations of bark, by Messrs. Pelletier^ and Caventou. Med. Intelligencer, 2. 449—-from Journal de Pharmacie, March, 1821. "An alkali has occasionally been prescribed in combination with the tincture of bark. In such cases the combination of the kinic acid and cinchonine is torn asunder, and the acid unites to the alkali employed. There can be no objection to the practice, however, as cinchonine is fully soluble in alcohol. Not so in regard to the aqueous decoction; for here, the presence of an alkali would infallibly precipitate the febrifuge principle, and if the liquid be ordered to be filtered afterwards, a most inert preparation would be obtained. In this respect therefore, the formulfe 96 and 97 of Dr. Paris' phar- macologia, must be considered as unchemical preparations of bark. The addition of an acid to the decoction of bark, is on the contrary, a proper one." Messrs. Pelletier and Caventou, speak of a magnesian syrup of bark, which is clear and transparent; but which they condemn as an unfit preparation of that substance, because the presence of magne- sia renders the cinchonine insoluble. Infusum Cinchonje cum Succo Limonum. Infusion of Peruvian Bark with Lemon Juice. Take of Peruvian bark, in powder, one ounce; Juice of lemons, two fluid ounces; Opiated tincture of camphor, three fluid drachms; Cold water, one pint.—Macerate for twelve hours in a covered vessel, and strain. Pharm. U. S. Infusum Digitalis. Z. E. A. Infusion of Foxglove. Take of Foxglove, dried, one drachm; Boiling water, half a pint; Spirit of cinnamon, one fluid ounce.—Infuse the foxglove for four hours in a covered vessel, strain, and add the tincture of cinna- mon. E. I.—Infusa. 363 This is the infusion so highly recommended by Withering. Half an ounce, or an ounce of it, may be taken twice a day in dropsical complaints. The spirit of cinnamon is added to improve its flavour, and to counteract its sedative effects. Infusum Eupatorii. Infusion of Thoroughwort. Take of Thoroughwort, one ounce; Boiling water, one pint.—Infuse for two hours in a covered vessel, and strain. Pharm. U. S. The virtues of this may be learned by reference to the article Eu- patorium. Infusum Gentians Compositum. E. L. D. A. Infusum Amarum. Compound Infusion of Gentian, or Bitter Infusion. Take of Bruised gentian root, half an ounce; Dried peel of Seville oranges, Coriander seeds, of each a drachm; Diluted alcohol, four ounces; Water, one pint.—First pour on the alcohol, and three hours tliereafter, add the water; then macerate without heat for twelve hours, and strain. E. This infusion is an extremely good bitter, and is of great service in all cases where bitters in general are necessary. It strengthens the stomach, and increases the appetite; besides acting as a tonic on the other parts of the body, and on the vascular system. Infusum Lini. E. L. A. Infusion of Linseed.—Flaxseed Tea. Take of Linseed, bruised, one ounce; Liquorice root, sliced, half an ounce; Boiling water, two pints.—Macerate for four hours near the fire, in a loosely covered vessel, and strain. L. This is a mucilaginous emollient liquor, much used in gonorrhoea, strangury, and in pectoral complaints. Infusum Quassia. E. L. A. Infusion of Quassia. Take of Quassia, rasped, half a drachm; Boiling water, half a pint. —Macerate for two hours, and strain. Dose, one to two ounces.—A cold infusion of one drachm to half a pint of water, is recommended in the Pharm. U. S. Infusum Quassia cum Sulphate Zinci. Infusion of Quassia with Sulphat of Zinc. Take of Quassia, rasped, one drachm; Sulphat of Zinc, eight grains; Cold water, half a pint.—Macerate for twelve hours, and strain. Pharm. U. S. Infusum Rosje Compositum. Z. D. A. Infusum Ros^e Gallics. E. Compound Infusion of Roses. Take of Roses, dried, half an ounce; Boiling water, two pints and 364 I.—Infusa. a half; Diluted sulphuric acid, three fluid drachms; While sugar, one ounce and a half.—Pour the water upon the roses in a glass vessel; then mix in the acid, and infuse for half an hour. Lastly, strain the infusion, and add the sugar to it. L. In this infusion the rose leaves have very little effect, except in giving the mixture an elegant red colour. Its sub-acid and astrin- gent virtues depend entirely on the sulphuric acid Altogether, how- ever, it is an elegant medicine, and forms a very grateful addition to juleps in hemorrhagies, and in all cases which require mild coolers and sub-astringents: it is sometimes taken with boluses or electuaries of the bark, and likewise makes a good gargle. Infusum Sennje. E. L. D. Infusion of Senna. Take of Senna, three drachms; Ginger, powdered, half a drachm; Boiling water, as much as will yield a filtered infusion of six ounces.—Macerate them for an hour in a covered vessel, then fil- ter. D. Infusum Senn.e. E. D. (Compositum. Z. A.) Compound Infusion of Senna. Take of Senna, one ounce and a half; Ginger, one drachm; Boiling water, one pint.—-Infuse for an hour in a covered vessel, and strain. L. The Pharm. U. S. add to this formula—Super-tartrat of potass, two drachms. The amount of senna is infinitely too large—half an ounce would be fully adequate. Infusum Senn^e et Tamarindi. E. D. A. Infusion of Senna and Tamarinds. Take of Senna, one drachm; Tamarind, one ounce; Coriander, bruised, half a drachm; Brown sugar, half an ounce; Boiling water, half a pint.—Infuse for four hours, with occasional agitation in a close earthen vessel, not glazed with lead, and strain. E. These are all excellent purgatives in doses of one or two ounces, and repeated if necessary. The extract of liquorice will tend greatly to prevent the griping of the senna, if added to the solution. Infusum Serpentari^e. Infusion of Virginia Snake-root. Take of Virginia Snake-root, half an ounce; Boiling water, half a pint; Infuse for two hours in a covered vessel, and strain. Pharm. U. S. Infusum Spigelia. Infusion of Carolina Pink. Take of Carolina pink-root, two drachms; boiling water, half a pint.— Infuse for four hours in a covered vessel, and strain. Pharm. U. S. Infusum Tabaci. Z. A. Infusion of Tobacco. Take of Tobacco, one drachm; Boiling water, one pint.—Infuse for one hour in a covered vessel, and strain. L. I.—Inf'usa. 365 Infusum Ulmi. Infusion of Slippery Elm. Take of Slippery elm bark, sliced, one ounce; Boiling water, one pint.—Infuse for twelve hours in a covered vessel, near the fire, with frequent agitation, and strain. Pharm. U. S. Infusum Valerian^. D. A. Infusion of Valerian. Take of Valerian, two drachms; Boiling water, seven ounces, (half a pint, Pharm. U. S.)—Infuse for an hour in a covered vessel, and strain. Infusum Aurantii Compositum. Z. Compound Infusion of Orange-peel. Take of Orange-peel, dried, two drachms; Lemon-peel, fresh, one draclim; Cloves, bruised, half a drachm; Boiling water, half a pint.—Macerate for ten minutes, in a loosely-covered vessel, and strain. A stomachic infusion. Infusum Caryophyllorum. Z. Infusion of Cloves. Take of Cloves, bruised, one drachm; Boiling ivater, half a pint.— Macerate for two hours in a vessel loosely covered, and strain. An aromatic stimulant. Infusum Mentha Compositum. D. Compound Infusion of Mint. Take of the leaves of spearmint, dried, two drachms; Boiling water, as much as will afford six ounces of the infusion, when filtered.— Digest for half an hour, in a covered vessel; strain the liquor when cold, and then add of Double refined sugar, two drachms; Oil of spearmint, three drops, dissolved in Compound tincture of carda- moms, half an ounce. Mix. This infusion is slightly stimulating and diaphoretic, and forms a very agreeable herb-tea, which may be used in any quantity in diet, or as a vehicle for more active remedies. Infusum Acaci.e Catechu; vulgo Infusum Japonicum. E. Infusion of Catechu, commonly called Japonic Infusion. Take of Extract of catechu, two drachms and a half- Cinnamon, half a drachm; boiling water, seven ounces; Simple syrup, one ounce.— Macerate the extract and cinnamon in the hot wafer, in a covered vessel, for two hours, then strain it, and add the syrup. Extract of catechu is almost pure tannin. This infusion is there- fore a powerfully astringent solution. The cinnamon and syrup render it a very agreeable medicine, which will be found serviceable in fluxes proceeding from a laxity of the intestines. Its dose is a spoonful or two every other hour." As this preparation will not keep above a day or two, it must always be made extemporaneously. The two hours' maceration, therefore, becomes very often extremely in- convenient; but it may be prepared in a few minutes by boiling, without in the least impairing the virtues of the medicine. Infusum Rhjei. E. L. Infusion of Rhubarb. Take of Rhubarb, bruised, half an ounce; Boiling water, eight 366 I.—Inula. ounces; Spirit of cinnamon, one ounce.—Macerate, the rhubarb in a close vessel with the water, for twelve hours; then having added the spirit, strain the liquor. E. This appears to be one of the best preparations of rhubarb, when designed as a purgative; water extracting its virtues more effectually than either vinous or spirituous menstrua. Infusum Simaroub^. Z. Infusion of Simarouba. Take of Simarouba bark, bruised, half a drachm; Boiling water, half apint.—Macerate for two hours in a loosely-covered vessel, and strain. A bitter aromatic. INULA.* Enula Campana.%D. Helenium. Z. Elecampane. The Root. Syngenesia SuperfJua. Nat. Ord. Composite discoidex, Linn. Corymbiferx, Juss. Syn. Inula Lalenerie, (F.) Alantwurzel, (G.) Usululrason, (Ar.) E\ivtov, Dioscor. This is a very large downy perennial plant, sometimes found wild in moist rich soils. It flowers in July and August. The root, espe- cially when dry, has an agreeable aromatic smell: its taste, on first chewing, is glutinous, and as it were somewhat rancid; in a little time it discovers an aromatic bitterness, which by degrees becomes considerably acrid and pungent. Neumann got from 480 grains of the dry root, 390 watery, and 5 alcoholic extract, and inversely 150 alcoholic, and 300 watery. In distillation alcohol elevated nothing, but the distilled water was first observed by Geoffroy to be milky, and mixed with flocculi of a cine- ritious concrete volatile oil, partly swimming, and partly sinking in the water. He also ascertained that it was fusible, and compares it to camphor or benzoic acid. Neumann likewise examined it, and con- siders it as a peculiar substance, having some resemblance to cam- phor. He found that it melts with a gentle heat, and when cold, appears softer and more unctuous: that it never assumes a crystalline form, but when dry proves opaque and crumbly; that laid on burn- ing coals it totally exhales; that it is soluble in alcohol, but insolu- ble in water; and that by keeping, it gradually loses the smell- of elecampane. It has also been discovered by Rose to contain a mat- ter having some analogy with starch, the properties of which have been described under the title of Inulin. According to Funk's analysis, elecampane root contains, 1. A crys- tallizable volatile oil; 2. A peculiar feculum; 3. An extractive mat- ter; 4. Free acetic acid; 5. A crystallizable resin; 6. Albumen; 7. Fibrous matter. The ashes contain carbonats of lime and magnesia, silica, and a trace of iron. Medical use.—It is a gently stimulating medi&ine, nearly similar in its action to angelica. The extract is merely a slight bitter, as the essential oil is totally dissipated. f Pharm. U. S. I.—Iodine. 367 IODINE Is of a black gray colour, resembling plumbago, and crystallized either in micaceous plates, or broad and brilliant rhomboidal plates, or long octohedrons. Its fracture is lamellated and greasy. It is very friable, and may be reduced to impalpable powder. It destroys vegetable colours, and stains the skin of a deep orange—not very permanent. Specific gravity 4.948. Not a conductor of electricity. Melts at 225° Fahrenheit, and boils between 335 and 355°. Its va- pour is of a beautiful violet colour, resembling chlorine in smell, but weaker. Its taste is acrid, hot and durable, and it acts as a poison, although from Orfila's experiments it can scarcely be considered a violent one. Administered to dogs, in doses of one and a half to nearly three drachms, death did not ensue for several days; and taken by himself up to six grains, no permanent ill effects resulted. Iodine has little affinity to water, which is said to dissolve only a seven-millionth part of its weight; when combined with water it is vaporized along with it, at 212°. It combines with combustible bodies, forming compounds called iodides, or iodurets. It combines with oxygen, forming the iodic acid, which is analogous to chloric acid. It is a white semi-transpa- rent solid, inodorous: of a strong astringent sour taste. Specific gravity considerable; boils at 600° without decomposition. It is de- liquescent, and very soluble in water, rising unchanged with it. It altersyegetable colours, detonates with inflammables, and corrodes metals. Iodine combines also with hydrogen, forming hydriodic acid, and with chlorine, constituting chloriodic acid. Dr. Coindet has recommended iodine as a remedy in bronchocele. The following is extracted from the Quarterly Journal of Science and the Arts, No. 22. "Iodine, on its application as a Medicine.—An abstract was given at page 191, vol. 10, of this Journal, from a paper, by Dr. Coindet, of Switzerland, on the application of iodine to the dissipation of the goitre. In consequence of the importance of any effectual remedy for this disease, in a country where it is so frequent, much attention has been drawn towards Dr. Coindet's dis- covery, and considerable opposition made to it. It happens, also, that from the number of cases in which it has been applied, much information, with regard to the general medicinal effects of this substance, has been obtained. These, with other reasons, have induced Dr. Coindet to publish a second paper on the subject, which, as it contains some very interesting matter necessary to be known before the publication of the remedy can be said to be completed, we are induced to abstract at this time, though from the rarity of the disease in this country, it has not that high interest here it possesses in that part of the world. " After having dwelt upon the necessity in every case of using prudence in the administration of a powerful medicine, especially when that medicine is new, and its action but little understood, Dr. Coindet mentions the circum- stance that at Geneva alone, one hundred and forty ounces of iodine have been sold since he first made known its use in this disease; consequently that above one thousand persons have used it; and, he remarks, that fewer accidents have happened in the application of this quantity, than happens in a similar application of almost any powerful medicine. " As the Iodine in different states will act differently as a medicine, Dr. Coindet states, that of all the preparations he prefers the iodureted hydrio- date of potassa. This is prepared by dissolving thirty-six grains of the hy- 368 I.—Iodine. driodate, and ten grains of iodine, in one ounce of distilled water; from six to ten drops in half a glass of water, sweetened, is given three times a day, dimi- nishing or increasing the dose according to the effects. " Dr. Coindet prepares the hydriodate of potassa by saturating potassa with hydriodic acid. The acid he prepares previously by passing sulphureted hy- drogen teas through water holding iodine in suspension, or through a solu- tion of iodine in alcohol. The sulphur is then filtered out, and the liquor heated to drive off the free sulphureted hydrogen. A much simpler mode of preparing the hydriodate would be, to saturate a strong solution of potassa with iodine, evaporate to dryness, and fuse the salt out of contact with air in a covered platinum crucible or glass flask, until the portion of lodate formed is decomposed and converted into iodide; the whole is then iodide of potas- sium, and only requires to be dissolved in water to form the hydriodate of po- " Whilst attentively observing the action of this substance on the animal economy, it soon appeared, that if given in excess, it seemed to saturate the body, and then produced particular symptoms, which Dr. Coindet calls iodic. This never happens before an effect has taken place on the goitre; and, as the further addition and action of iodine, beyond the dissipation of the mass, is injurious, a stop is immediately put to its administration when these effects appear. After eight or ten days its use is resumed, and continued until the symptoms are again observed, when it is discontinued, and again resumed after an interval of time, which is to be more or less, according to the state of the patient, and the effect of the medicine on him. "The iodic symptoms, when strong, are as follows: accelerated pulse, pal- pitation, frequent dry cough, want of sleep, rapid loss of flesh and strength; with some, there is produced only a swelling of the legs, or tremblings, or a painful hardness of the goitre, sometimes diminished breasts, continued in- crease of appetite, and in all that Dr. Coindet had seen, a very rapid diminu- tion and disappearance of the goitre. " At those times Dr. Coindet forbade iodine, and prescribed milk, especial- ly that of asses, warm baths, valerian, kino, carbonat of ammonia, preparations of opium, and other antispasmodics. In painful hardness of the goitre, leeches, and emollient fomentations. _ " The rapid disappearance of the goitre, which accompanies these symp- toms, shows them to be occasioned by an excess of iodine: from eight to ten weeks is considered the mean time of proper treatment. "The iodine should not be administered indiscriminately in all cases of goitre: some are inflammatory, and some are accompanied by a bilious dispo- sition of the body; in these cases, leeches should be applied on the goitre, and medicines administered as the case requires, before the iodine be given. It similar symptoms arise during the application of iodine, then those indications should be attended to, and proper medicines given with the iodine. " Iodine should never be employed in cases where the patient is of a gross disposition, or tending to menorrhagia, or in cases where diseases of the breast threaten to, or have commenced, or in slow fevers. It should also be refused to persons who are nervous, delicate, and of a feeble constitution. " Dr. Coindet then states his reasons for believing that iodine may be use- fully employed in cases of amenorrhea, in chronic diseases of the uterus, of indolent tumours of the lymphatic glands of the breast, cases of scrofula with- out fever, and where the enlarged glands of the neck are indolent; and con- cludes by expressing a strong wish that no person will resort to this remedy without the advice and observation of a physician."—Bib. Univ. xvi. p. 140. The following observations on iodine, are taken from the Appendix of Thomson's London Dispensatory, 1824. " This substance is procured by first lixiviating powdered kelp with cold water; then evaporating the ley till a pellicle forms, and setting it aside to crystallize. On separating the crystals, the mother water is to be evaporated to dryness, and to the mass, put into the flask of an alembic, is to be added half its weight of sulphuric acid, and the same weight of black oxyd of man- I___Iodine. 369 ganesc; and, after adapting a capital and receiver to the flask, the mixture is to be distilled with a gentle heat, as long as violet vapours arise, which condense chiefly in the capital, in the form of opaque crystals, with a metallic lustre. These are Iodink. Various other methods have been employed for procuring Iodine, the best is the following, proposed by Dr. Ure. Take eight fluid ounces of the brown liquid, which drains from the salt which the soap- makers, who employ kelp, boil up and evaporate to dryness, heat it to 230° Fahrenheit, and add one fluid ounce of sulphuric acid diluted with its own bulk of water. When the mixture cools, separate the crystals of the salts,* which will form in it, by filtration through a woollen cloth, and add to the fluid poured into a matrass, 830 grains of black oxyd of manganese in powder. A glass globe is then to be inverted over the mouth of the matrass, and the heat of a charcoal chaffer being applied, Iodine will sublime in great abun- dance. It must be washed out of the globe with alcohol, then drained and dried on plates of glass, and purified by a second sublimation from dry quick- lime.-f- lodine has been procured from sponge by M. Straub of Hofwyl;* and from various sea plants; for instance, Fucus saccharinus, digitatus, serratus, vesicu- losus, siliquosis, filum, rubens, cartilagineus, membranaceus, and filamentosus; Ulva pavonia, and U. linza. The discovery of Iodine is due to M. Courtais, a French chemist, who first obtained it in 1811; but its nature was not known to the philosophical world till 1813, when it was announced to the French institute by M. Clement. Its properties and chemical affinities were afterwards determined by the ex- periments of Gay Lussac,§ Sir H. Davy,|| Vauquelin,K Colin, Gaulthier de Claubry,** and M. Pelletier. f\ Qualities.—Iodine, when properly prepared, is a crystallized substance of a grayish-black colour, having a specific gravity of 4.948, and a metallic lustre: its smell is disagreeable, not unlike that of chlorine, and its taste acrid and hot. It is usually obtained in rhomboidal plates, which show a lamellated fracture; are scarcely soluble in water, but more so in alcohol, and still more so in sulphuric ether. It melts at 224° Fahrenheit, and is volatilized at a temperature between 347° and 356°. Its vapour is of a beautiful violet colour, (whence its name from tu^, violet.) Medicinal properties.—From the fact that burnt sponge forms the basis of all the remedies that have been productive of any benefit in the treatment of bronchocele, Dr. Coindet of Geneva, supposing that iodine was the active principle of the sponge, proposed to employ it in different combinations for the cure of that disease. He gave it in the form of tincture, made by dis- solving forty-eight grains of Iodine in a fluid ounce of alcohol; and, also in the form of hydriodate of potass. The hydriodate is made by dissolving Iodine in a solution of pure potass. Both an iodate and a hydriodate are formed; the first of which being much less soluble than the second, falls to the bottom of the solution in the form of small grains; the second, (the hy- driodate,) remains dissolved in the liquid, which assumes a bright yellow co- lour if the iodine be not in excess, but a deep, brownish-yellow, if it be in excess. Numerous cases of the beneficial results of the exhibition of both these preparations of Iodine in bronchocele and in scrofulous swellings, have been published by Dr. Coindet and others: but, in this country, (England,) the remedy has been too little used to determine its real value. The hydriodate of potass is the form of the medicine now generally preferred. * These are sulphat of soda, sulphat of potass, hydriodate of soda and sulphur. \ Phil. Magazine, 1. p. 161. \ Journ. of Science and the Arts, vol. x. p. 456. § Gay Lussac's experiments were published in November; 1813. Vide Ann. de Chim. t. 88. p. 319. ii Sir H. Davy's experiments were published in December, 1813. 1 Ann.de Chimie, t. 91. *" Journ. de Phys. Aout, 1814. f\ Bulletin de Pharmacie, t. vi. 47 370 I.—Iodine. Much caution is requisite in the administration of Iodine. In delicate nerv- ous habits, it is apt to bring on palpitations, dry cough, tremors, and other febrile symptoms. The dose of the tincture is from ten to fifteen drops for an adult, given in a glassful of sugared water or of syrup of capillaire and water, three times a day, and of that of the hydriodate, from six to ten drops, in the same vehicle. Besides the use of iodine as a curative agent, it has been employed as a test of the presence of oxyd of arsenic and of corrosive sublimate. Brugnatelli, who first proposed its employment for this purpose, directs as much Iodine to be added to recently boiled starch as will give it a blue colour, and then as much distilled water to be mixed with this coloured starch as will bring it to the state of an aqueous solution. A few drops of an aqueous solution of oxyd of arsenic added to this solution, changes its colour at first to a red- dish hue, which gradually disappears, leaving the mixture colourless, but the blue colour is restored by the addition of a few drops of sulphuric acid. The same effects, with the exception of the restoration of the blue colour by the acid are produced by Iodine on a solution of corrosive sublimate.* Iodine found in the waters of a lake—see Silliman's Journal, Jan. 1824.| Employment of Iodine for the relief of Cancer.—We have heard that Iodine, in the form of alcoholic solution, duly diluted with simple syrup, has been used with success in one of the Paris hospitals, in allaying the pain and in- crease of a cancerous tumour in the breast; but we have been unable to obtain from our correspondent any satisfactory particulars of the case; we, therefore, merely throw out the rumour for the consideration of our medico-chirurgical readers.—Journal of the Royal Institution, No. 27. Dr. Manson's medical researches on the efficacy of iodine in bronchocele, &c. &c. see Med. Chir. Rev. Jan. 1826, No. 7. New Series. Since March, 1821, he has prescribed upwards of 180 ounces of iodine, externally and internally. Bronchocele is in woman to man as seven to one nearly; he gave gi. of iodine to ^2^ rectified spirit, .916 sp. gr. or half the strength of Coindet's—10 to 30 drops, ter die—116 cases are detailed by him, viz.— Males - - 15 Cured .... 10 Relieved .... 1 Discharged ... 1 Improving ... 3 Females - 101 Cured .... 66 Relieved .... 9 Not relieved ... 2 Discharged 10 Improving 14 It is necessary to keep the bowels open, and he employed the following lini- ment, Lin. Sap. comp. gi. Tinct. Iodinae, gi. M.—This to be rubbed into the tumour once or even twice a day. He tells us also that he used it in paralysis satisfactorily. In chorea In scrofula In fist, lachrym. In deafness In dysphagia In white swelling do. - - 11 do. (£3* Caution however seems requisite in the use of iodine, as it seems to act on the female breast—and in one case, at least, nearly removed it. do. - 11 cases. do. - 9 do. do. - 11 do. do. - 9 do. do. - . * Jiorn. di Fisica. ix. p. 465. f It is stated to have been also found in some of the waters of Saratoga. J.—Jalapa. 371 IRIS FLORENTINA. E. Florentine Orris. The Root. Triandria Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Ensatx, Linn. Jridx, Juss. This is a perennial plant, a native of the south of Europe. The dried roots are imported from Italy. They are white, flatfish, knotty, and have a very slightly bitter taste, and an agreeable smell, re- sembling that of violets. Neumann got from 480 parts, 77 alcoholic, and afterwards 100 watery; and inversely 180 watery, and 8 alcoholic. The distilled water smells a little of the root, but exhibits no appearance of oil. They are chiefly used as a perfume. IRIS VERSICOLOR.! Blue Flag, or Flower de Luce. The Root. This is an active cathartic, and was used as such by the Indians. It occasions a distressing nausea, with prostration of strength; and is not likely to supersede other remedies of this nature. It is said to be an useful diuretic. JALAPA. 1POMCEA MACRORHIZA. Jalap. The Tubers. Convolvulus Jalapa, Lin. Ipomcea Jalapa, Mich. Syn. Jalap, (F.) Jalappenharz, (G.) Scialappa, (I.) Jalapa, (S.) Jalap is a climbing perennial species of convolvulus. It is an in- habitant of Mexico and Vera Cruz. It is brought to us chiefly in thin transverse slices, which are covered with a blackish wrinkled bark, are of a dark gray colour internally, marked with darker or blackish stripes. It has a nauseous smell and taste; and when swallowed it affects the throat with a sense of heat, and occasions a plentiful dis- charge of saliva. When powdered it has a yellowish gray colour. Such pieces should be chosen as are most compact, hard, weighty, dark-coloured, and abound most with black circular striae and shin- ing points: the light, whitish, friable, worm-eaten pieces, must be rejected. Slices of bryony root are said to be sometimes mixed with those of jalap: but they may be easily distinguished by their whiter colour, and less compact texture, and by not easily burning at the flame of a candle. Neumann got from 7680 parts, 2480 alcoholic, and then by water 1200, and inversely 2160 watery, besides 360, which precipitated during the evaporation, and 1440 alcoholic: the tincture extracted from 7680 parts, when precipitated by water, gave 1910. Mr. Henry, who analysed several varieties of jalap found in com- merce in France, obtained the following results. Extract. Resin. Residue. Jalap leger, 75 60 270 ----sain, 140 48 210 ----pique 125 72 200 * Pharm. U. S. secondary. t Pharm. U. S. secondary. 372 J.—Jalapa. Besides the gummy extract and the resin, jalap contains amyla- ceous fseculum, which is preyed on by the worms, according to Henry, so that it is wrong to suppose that it was only the extrac- tive which was destroyed by them. Jalap also contains several alkaline and earthy salts. Medical use.—Jalap in substance, taken in a dose of about half a drachm, (less or more, according to the circumstances of the patient,) in plethoric, or cold phlegmatic habits, proves an effectual, and in general a safe purgative, performing its office mildly, seldom occa- sioning nausea or gripes, which too frequently accompany the other strong cathartics. In hypochondriacal disorders, and hot bilious temperaments, it gripes violently, if the jalap be good; but rarely takes due effect as a purge. An extract originally made by water purges almost universally, but weakly; and at the same time has a considerable effect by urine: what remains after this process gripes violently. The pure resin, prepared by spirit of wine, occasions most violent gripings, and other distressing symptoms, but scarcely proves at all cathartic: triturated with sugar, or with almonds, into the form of an emulsion, or dissolved in spirit, or mixed with syrups, it purges plentifully in a small dose, without occasioning much disorder: the part of the jalap remaining after the separation of the resin, yields to water an extract, which has no effect as a ca- thartic, but operates powerfully by urine. The following letter from Dr. W. P. C. Barton, to the late Dr. Dorsey, and which I received from that gentleman a short time be- fore his death, would seem to show that the jalap is a native of Georgia and of West Florida. 15th Dec. 1816. Dear Doctor, In our conversation respecting the jalap, I mentioned that it is now ascertained to be a native of the United States. I will give you the result of the late inquiries which have been made on this subject. Bernard Romans had some time since asserted, that the true jalap grew wild near Pensacola, in West Florida. Desfontaines, a cele- brated French botanist, who has written an interesting history of the plant, accompanied by an engraving of it, asserted in his paper, that it was a native of the United States. Michaux the father, first discovered the jalap in our country. He describes it as growing near the sea shore in Georgia, "habitat in maritimis Georgiae et Floridse." It must not be concealed, however, that he describes the jalap under the name of ipomoea macrorhiza, or large rooted Ipomoea, (the root sometimes weighs 50 or 60 pounds.) As he does not intimate the most remote suspicion of this plant being the real jalap, we are warranted in saying he was unacquainted with that fact. Mr. Persoon, however, an eminent French botanist, now liv- ing, gave it as his opinion, that the Ipomcea macrorhiza of Michaux, was really the officinal jalap. The late Professor Barton has declared, that the jalap is not a native of the United States, and has given it as his opinion, that it is not even indigenous in West Florida. He grounded his disbe- J.—Jalapa. 373 lief of the facts adduced to the contrary, by Persoon, Desfontaines, and Romans, upon the trivial circumstance of the jalap being a spe- cies of convolvulus, and not of ipomoea. Now these two genera stand next to each other, and are so nearly allied, that the structure of the stigma alone, gives the only unequivocal mark of discrimination; —this part in convolvulus being filiform and bifurcated; and in ipo- moea capitated, or supporting a button-like head. It is worthy of remark, however, that at the very time the Professor was endeavour- ing to do away the opinion of jalap being a native plant of the Uni- ted States or West Florida, he observes " that the plant alluded to by Romans, is in all probability, the ipomoea macrorhiza of Mi- chaux!"—And so in reality it is, but the ipomoea macrorhiza of Michaux, is indubitably the officinal jalap, or the plant hitherto de- scribed by Linnaeus, Willdenow, Woodville, and others, under the name of convolvulus jalapa. This is satisfactorily made out from the late publication of Mr. Pursh, on the plants of North America. He describes the ipomcea macrorhiza, under the name of ipomoea jalapa; and says in his observations respecting it: "I have frequently re- ceived seeds and roots of the ipomoea macrorhiza from Georgia my- self, but little did I suspect it to be the true convolvulus jalapa, till two circumstances convinced me thereof. The first was seeing a paper on this subject in the Annates du Museum d'Histoire Natu- rellc, by Desfontaines;* and the other, on seeing the living plant re- cently raised out of a collection of seeds brought from Mexico, in possession of A. B. Lambert, Esq. which in every respect proved to he the convolvulus jalapa of Linnaeus, as well as ipomcea macro- rhiza of Michaux, with only the small difference of colour, which was a light purple, but this is of no consequence in this family of plants." This last circumstance respecting the inconstancy of colour in the convolvulus, is corroborated by the account given of jalap by Wood- ville, who says, " the colour will no doubt vary. The plant at Kew produced reddish flowers, but the plants obtained by Houston from the Spanish West Indies, had flowers externally of a reddish colour but of a dark purple within. It appears, then, that from the observation of Mr. Pursh, on the living plant, there is no doubt left of the identity of convolvulus jalapa and ipomoea macrorhiza; and it further appears that as Pro- fessor Barton was of opinion that the plant described by Bernard Romans as growing wild near Pensacola, in West Florida, was real- ly the ipomoea macrorhiza of Michaux, we have in addition to the facts adduced by Persoon, Desfontaines and others, the authority of the American Professor to assert that the genuine jalap of the Ma- teria Medica, is a plant indigenous to West Florida and Georgia. Truly yours, WILLIAM P. C. BARTON. For the following communication, I am indebted to Mr. Nuttall, whose botanical knowledge must render every thing interesting which he attempts to elucidate on the subject of Jalap. * A translation of this paper may be seen in the 21st volume of the Medical and Physical Journal, p. 392. Ed. 374 J.—Jalapa. " All the synonymes of this drug from Bryonia Mechoacana nioiucans of Caspar Bauhin's Pinax. p. 298, and Prodromus, p. 135, to that of Aiton, agree pretty nearly with each other, and do not very materially differ from the spe- cific character given by Linnxus in his Mantina, p. 43. Convolvulus folds dif- formibus, cordatis angulatis oblongis lanceolatisque, caule volubili, pedunculis uni- Jloris,- but are by no means referable to the Jpomasa macrorhiza of Michaux, considered by Desfontaines as identic with the Convolvulus jalapa,- but with which it disagrees not only in external characters, but what is much more im- portant, in its medicinal virtues. Hence, in the work which I published on the Genera of North American Plants, Vol. I. p. 123, I ventured to dissent from Persoon and Desfontaines, on the ground of its alleged inertness as a medicine, according to the experiments of the late Dr. Baldwyn. " The error into which Desfontaines has fallen, originated in his too confi- dent reliance on the description and authority of Thiery de Menonville, who in 1777, visited the country of Xalapa, where this drug originated. In his voyage to Guaxaca, he does not, however, describe the plant there collected for sale, but a supposed, (for so it must now be considered,) identical plant, grow- ing in the vicinity of Vera Cruz, and of whose medicinal virtues, the inhabit- ants were till then ignorant. This plant, as might not unreasonably be ex- pected, corresponded in every respect with that which had been transmitted to the Botanic Garden at Paris, from East Florida, by the late Andre Michaux, in whose book it is very properly described as an Ipomxa, under the specific appellation of macrorhiza, with a query, that might be added to almost every tuberous-rooted species of the genus; whether or not, it might be the Convol- vulus Jalapa of Linnaeus? Under the impression of this supposed identity, the celebrated Desfontaines, in the Second volume of the Annates du Museum, published a figure and description of the plant discovered by Michaux, per- fectly distinct from that collected by Houston, described by Aiton, and slightly figured in Woodville, which indeed, much more nearly resembles the Convol- vulus panduratus, (particularly an entire leaved variety of the western states,) than Michaux's large rooted Ipomoea. It is probable, that all the milky juiced species of Convulvulus and Ipomcea, may prove medicines more or less active in their operation. In some, this lactescent fluid is afforded by the stems, in others by the roots. At all events, no specific character can be drawn from their medicinal effects. " This species of Ipomoea described by Thiery de Menonville and Michaux, as you supposed, may much more probably be referred to the Convolvulus meclioacana, of Linnaeus, of which I have not been able to obtain any account; it being omitted in all the editions of the species plantarum, to which I have now access. In Rees' Cyclopaedia, all notice of Desfontaines's memoir is omitted, and the synonymes and remarks there published, evidently apply to a very different plant from that of Michaux. " The synonymes quoted by Ray, are Convolvulus Americanus Mechoacan dictus, JeticucuBraziliensibus seu radix Mechoacan,—Mihge. Bryonia mecho- acana alba,—Casp. Bauhin. Bryonia alba Peruana sive Mechoacan,—Park. Mechoacan,—J. B----. Margraaf describes it as producing a twining stem, giving out a milky sap on incision, and bearing alternate or solitary cordate leaves, from one to four inches long, upon longish petioles, of a deep green; beneath conspicuously nerved, and transversely veined. The flowers are white, a little tinged with red, and internally purple, of the usual magnitude and figure of the Convolvulus. The seeds about the size of a pea, are somewhat triangular, and of a brownish colour. The root is about a foot in length, and mostly of an equal breadth, often bifid, with one of the parts shoiter than the other, externally of a dull gray, or brownish colour, internally white, and when recent, exuding a resinous fluid.—Raii Historia Plantarum, t. I. pp. 723, 724. "As this root, then, improperly considered a Briony, was frequently inter- mixed by collectors, with the true Jalap, Bryonia Mechoacana nigricans, (distinguished by its root having a blackish bark, and a brownish, or yellowish colour internally,) it is not so very surprising that Thiery de Menonville should have confounded the two species together, and described the latter as the true jalap, which had even once been mistaken for a species of Mirubilis. J___Jalapa. 375 '-' Michaux's character of the Ipomoea macrorhiza, as given by Persoon, Foliis cordatis lobatisque plicath subtus tomentosis, pedunculis subunijloris. Ra j> . ■crasissima.—Corolla magna, alba,- Sem. lanuginosa,* accords pretty nearly with the plant described by Margraaf. They both agree in one remarkable particular, very unusual in this genus, that, of the somewhat plaited leaves, an effect which would of course, produce that conspicuous veining and nerv- ing on the under side, remarked by Margraaf, and which does not exist in the leaves of the true Jalap." OCjT Varia.— Piso, in his Nat Hist, of Brazil, &c. p. 252, (An. 1658.) Chap. 63, is taken up with the " letucu sive Mechoacan, and Xalappa." The former is illustrated by its figure and flower—he says, " Mihi, hie non licuit ultra duas vidisse species, facie sibi simillimas; sed ut efficacia differentes, ita & radice, quae in posteriori hac Mechoacannae specie non solum longior, circu- losior, & nigricantior, sed et purgandi qualitate superior existit. Ac, ut verbo absolvam eadem est quae nomen Xalappae in Nova Hispauia accepit. Quae, cum nuper ibidem adhuc latitaverit, quis mirabitur, si etiam nunc in vasta hac Bar- barie minus innotuerit, & sub communi Mechoacannae nomine in usu fuerit."— This is all he says respecting the Jalap, leaving us in the dark respecting it. Monard wrote in Spanish a History of Remedies brought from America, about 1570—which was subsequently translated into Latin and French—the 2d ed. (French, 1619,) of which I possess. At p. 118, he commences a chapter of about 12 pages, (together with 3 plates of the root, plant, and flower of the Mechoacan.) 1 believe Monard is the first writer who notices the article. In the latter part of his chapter, he says, "La racine de Mechoacan domestique et sauvage, me remettent encores en memoire une autre hou- vellement apportee en France, laquelle est de grand usage parmis nous, & si nous faisons des bons effects, particulierement pour evacuer les eaux & serosites: Nous 1'appellons racine de Jalap, elle ressemble fort au Mechoacan, encores qu'il semble que cette racine ne soit de si grosse forme qu'est le Me- choacan. Ains qu'elle est de la figure d'une poire de moyenne grosseur, mais toutes fois plus ronde, ce que ie dis se discerne par les fragmens de la racine, couppee en rond par roe'lle. Elle est beaucoup plus compacte & reserree en sa substance, and plus grise noirastre, ayant des cernes autour de la racine, comme aussi elle est plus petite: car le Mechoacan a sa racine, plus grosse, beau- coup plus blanche en sa superficie, plus rare, spongieuse & moins compacte. Le Jalap pris en substance, purge les eaux des poids d'une drachme, ce ,que ne fait le Mechoacan, que du poids de deux. Or pour asseurer naifue- ment que ce peut estre de ceste drogue, la chose est assez douteuse, d'autant que jusques icy on n'en a rien peu scavoir au vray." The commentator on Monardus, writes thus, " Apres avoir longuement pourpense & consider^ de pres les racines du Jalap, estime que se sera la ra- cine d'Apios, ou une espece d'iceluy," &c. and he then gives the description of Apios by Dioscorides and Mathiolus—and concludes that Jalap is the root of the Apios that grows in America, or of some plant of that species. Connected with this subject, I may here mention, that I received a letter from Dr. Thomas Townsend, of Wooster, Wayne county, Ohio, dated in May, 1821, in which he states, that "several species of Convolvulus grow in the country, indigenous, and I believe the Jalap and Scammony." A specimen sent me at the same time, which the Doctor took to be Scammony, was in such a state of mouldiness, &c. that nothing could be learned relative to it. He subsequently, in October, sent me two specimens in flower, of what he believed to be the Scammony plant; but which, as far as could be ascer- tained by Mr. Nuttall, would seem to be the Convolvulus Arvensis. A por- tion of extract from the plant, sent at the same time, I found to act as an ex- * This plant, which appears to be the Convolvulus mechoacana, of Linnaeus, Ipomxa macrorhiza, of Michaux, was cultivated by Mr. Dick, in the garden of the University of Pennsylvania; but unfortunately the plant was killed by the cold of the succeding winter, and before ii had ever flowered. 376 J.—Jalapa. cedent purgative, in doses of 8 to 10 grains, producing four or five evacua- tions of a watery consistence, and without much griping. The doctor has afforded me no information as to the medicinal powers of the article, in his hands; nor as to the reasons which led him to the opinion he entertains. It would, certainly, not be astonishing, if amongst the differ- ent species he mentions to exist amongst them, that both the Scammony and Jalap should be found. It will, however, beevident, from what has been said on the subject of Jalap, that all obscurity in relation to it, is not yet fully re- moved. ftj3 I have thus collected together all that has been stated respecting this very important article of the Materia Medica; apparently we are yet not certain as to its true botanical arrangement. In Thomson's Lond. Disp. (1826. p. 292,) Jalap is ranged with the Convolvuli, and in a note he says, "It was cul- tivated in England by Mr. Miller in 1668; and a few years ago, two specimens were in vigorous growth in Kew Gardens, slips of the original plant, intro- duced there by Mons. Thouin in 1778." (rj3 We strongly suspect it to be the Mechoacana. Sennertus, i. 475, fol. Ven. 1641, speaks of Gialappa, J}i. to^ij. Alibert's Therapeutique, &c. 4th. ed. 1817, v. 1. 284, makes it a convolvulus —refers to Desfontaines in An. du Mus. d'Hist. Nat. says it grows in the garden of plants, from seeds brought from the United States by M. Bosc. It is known also, (says he,) that Michaux successfully multiplied the plant, in the national garden of Charleston. It grows on the eastern ridge of the Cordilleras, at the height of 13 or 1400 metres, on all the chain of mountains extending from the volcano of Orzibaba to the gulf of Pesoti. Humboldt and Bonpland did not find it near the town of Xalapa; but the neighbouring Indians brought them fine roots, collected near to Bandarilla, to the east of St. Miguel and Soldado. [Further Remarks on the subject of Jalap, by John Redman Coxe, M. D. extracted from the American Journal of the Medical Sciences, Feb. 1830.] It is not my intention to take up much time in the consideration of the subject which this paper is intended to embrace, viz. the real character of the plant that affords us the officinal jalap. It will be seen, by referring to the American Dispensatory, that although it has been one of the most prominent and approved articles of the Ma- teria Medica, for upwards of two centuries, the absolute character of the plant producing it has been involved in obscurity. Desirous of bringing it fully to light, I attempted repeatedly to obtain the living plant from its domestic source, but unfortunately was unsuccessful in my endeavours; until in the year 1827, I obtained, by the kind at- tention of Mr. Fontanges, a number of the plants in a growing state, which he had the goodness to procure from Xalapa. The fol- lowing statement may be considered as a diary of the facts which have since come to my knowledge. During three years successively, the plants have grown with great luxuriance in my garden; and, with the exception of fully ripening their seeds, have abundantly repaid me for the anxious interest I felt respecting them. On the 8th of June, 1827, I received the plants from Mr. Heyl, to whose care they had been consigned. The shoots, eight or ten in number, I found to have suffered from the voyage. They resembled the Convolvulus, but of a sickly growth, about six to ten inches high, and with several small cordate leaves upon each stalk. Supposing an immediate transplantation mightbcnefit them, I put out two or three of the bulbs or tubers into the open J.—Jalapa. 377 ground on the same day, and planted some others in pots, in the same earth in which they had reached me. All of these last unfortu- nately died: this I presume must have arisen from the earth being impregnated with salt water, and which was probably the cause of the primary unhealthy state of the whole number. It was fortunate therefore that I had placed some in the garden, where I soon had the pleasure of seeing them give out fresh and vigorous shoots, which grew rapidly, so that by the beginning of July, they began to wind around a string I had prepared for them. They continued to grow with increased vigour, the leaves enlarging as the stalk advanced; and by the beginning of September they had attained a height of about twelve feet, several buds beginning to put forth very slowly, and not opening in flower until the beginning of November. Indeed, owing to the frost, only one of them came to perfection; and this one was secured from the same fate with the elegant buds that were on the point of expanding, by cutting off a section of the plant and putting it into water in a warm room: from this flower the first drawing I had made was taken, having a beautiful lilac or carnation waxy trans- parent colour. The leaf differs entirely from that given by Woodville in his Medical Botany; as does the whole appearance of the flower: but I have since found much diversity in the leaves, as may be seen in the engraving; yet although thus differing among themselves, they were always cordate. At each leaf two small buds appeared, and in a few instances three, on the uppermost branches or offsets, each on its own particular footstalk. The common Convolvulus or Ipomcea of our gardens, 1 found to have a diversity of buds, even up to five, arising from the same part of the plant as in the jalap, viz. from the angle formed by the leaf with the stem. Excepting the leaves, the plant appeared scarcely more than a reddish-brown thread, about the size of a crow-quill, to the height of twelve or fourteen feet; from thence, at the junction of nearly every leaf, an offset originated, growing luxuriantly to the length of several feet: the whole length of the plant must have been twenty to twenty-five feet, the numerous offsets springing forth nearly the whole extent, and each in turn affording axillary offsets. There were probably about twenty buds of different sizes, of the most beautiful appearance, that were destroyed by the frost; the longest, by admeasurement on October 23d, including the peduncle and calyx, fully two inches. The leaves were throughout solitary and alternate, cordated, and from one to three inches long, in- cluding the footstalk. The stem, besides twining round its sup- port from left to right, having a strong disposition to twist upon itself throughout. The frost destroyed the flowers before even evincing a disposition to seed, and as the cold increased, being fearful of trusting the roots during winter, to the open air, I took them up on the 21st of No- vember, and planted them in a pot in the house on the same day; keeping them in a warm room the whole winter, and slightly moist- ening the earth occasionally. On the 12th of April, 1828, I found three small shoots beginning 48 378 J.—Jalapa. to appear, which by the 29th of the month were between two and three inches high; on which day I planted one out in the open air. On the 7th of May small cordate leaves began to appear; the slen- der reddish stem had commenced twining around an adjoining twig; and, counting the convolutions, was now full five inches in height. By the 17th it had grown to fully twelve inches, the leaves augment- ing in size and number. June 1. Including the convolutions, it is now nearly four feet high, and by the 8th was nearly six inches higher, extremely vigorous, and beginning to display the appearance of small offsets from the upper leaves. In breaking off a leaf, I found a milky juice exude in small amount, and of little taste. 16th. It is now between six and seven feet high, and has about fifty vigorous leaves of a vivid green. July 1st. Now upwards of eight feet high, with five or six vigor- ous offsets from the axillae of the upper leaves, and fresh ones forming. This plant continued to thrive vigorously, and probably reached the height of twenty feet. Several minute buds made their ap- pearance; but not one came to perfection, either on this, or the others, which grew with equal luxuriance; so that I was com- pletely disappointed in my expectation of becoming acquainted with the seeding of the plant, from its having had a start of growth many weeks beyond that of the preceding year. The frost com- ing on, I took up the pot in which it was planted, and preserved it in the house during the winter, the stem gradually dying down. In this state it continued, being occasionally slightly watered, un- til early in the month of April, 1829, when I took it up, and found it considerably enlarged, and left it exposed to the air for some days, during which time it became wrinkled and seemed drying into the corrugated form in which the imported root appears: 1 therefore re- planted it, and placed it in the garden, and on the 18th of April I noticed it shooting from the earth. By the 25th, a small stem, about three inches long, was beginning to twine around an adjoining stick, and the same day a second shoot made its appearance. May 4th. A small cordate leaf appeared on the first stalk, now nearly a foot high. It continued rapidly to increase, and by the 27th of June it had numerous offsets from the junction of the upper leaves with the stem, being now about fifteen feet high; and on these offsets, fifteen or twenty buds seemed to be progressing, of different sizes, so that by comparing the statements of the preceding years, it will be found to have far advanced before them. The storms we experienced on and about the 4th of July of this year, extinguished my anxious expectations, by beating off every bud then upon the plant, although many very vigorous fresh offsets put forth from the main stem, as it progressed in height. By the 20th of August, it was full twenty feet in height, but without the ap- pearance of a new bud. Having given up all hopes of its efflorescence, I paid but little attention to it; but about the middle of September I was agreeably surprised at perceiving several small buds pushing forth, which, by the 20th of October, had greatly augmented, perhaps not less than one hundred, and some of the most forward being now nearly one inch and a half in length. J.—Jalapa. 379 October 23d.—I measured one, and found it, including its footstalk, to be three inches long; and on this day, one of the flowers expand- ed, continued open all that night and the next day, and falling off on the 25th, when the seed-vessel, to which the pistilluin continued attached, was of considerable size. Another flower opened on the 25th, and fell off'the next day, leaving a seed-vessel of sufficient size to induce me to hope that seed might be perfected. After this, probably fifteen or twenty buds flowered very beautifully; and from one footstalk, in some places two buds were seen, in others, three. All my expectations were however blasted, by the severe frost which came on about the middle of November, and completely de- stroyed every sign of life in the plant; which I was unable to remove into the house, from the complete intertwining of the offsets in every part, amongst themselves, and the adjoining plants. The pot of earth, moreover, in which were the tubers, was frozen throughout, and I of course expected they were killed; I took it however into the house, and allowed it to thaw gradually in a cool room—and in four or live days, with a heavy heart, I removed the earth, and found my tuber vigorous and healthy, increased greatly in size, nearly as large as an orange, and in every respect resembling in colour and appearance, a dark skinned potatoe. Numerous suckers proceed- ed from it, from which fine radicles arose, and three new tubers were formed of the size of nutmegs; several offsets were shooting towards the surface of the earth; all which, after procuring their delineation, I planted again in about a week, where they now re- main for further elucidation. The skin of the tuber is very thin, and the whole habitude of this interesting plant, below the surface, seems closely allied to the com- mon potatoe. Dark as is the appearance of the dried tuber as used in medicine, when fresh, its internal aspect is as white as a potatoe, but soon is clouded by atmospheric exposure. I have now given, as concisely as I could, all the particulars I have learned of this long disputed plant; which turns out to be an Ipomcea and not a Convolvulus. The difference indeed is trifling—but it is no small matter in a disputed point, to completely settle the ground of controversy. I had a drawing made of my first year's flower, and this year another; to this last, I was enabled to add the tubers and their offsets, so that nothing remains to be known respecting the plant, but the character and number of the seeds; this I hope to accomplish another season. The engraving accompanying this statement, is an intermixture of the two drawings above mentioned, in order to give a view of the diversity of the leaves, in the two cases. For the botanical description, I am indebted to my friend Mr. Nut- tall, so well known for his extensive attainments in the science of bo- tany. It might possibly have been more complete had he seen it in its state of perfection. I have been indebted to him for his remarks on the subject of the jalap, (vide Dispensatory,) before I had been so fortunate as to obtain the plant, as above detailed. The following is his description of it:— Ii >mce,\ Jalapa.— Root. A roundish, somewhat pear-shaped tu- 380 J___Jalapa. ber; externally blackish; internally white when recent—and warty;' sending out long fibres from its lower point;t and also from the up- per root stalks produced, which appear to be a portion of a persist- ing succulent stem. Stem. Round, (apparently,) herbaceous, of a bright brown colour,! and very much inclined to twist; and, as well as the whole plant, perfectly smooth. Leaves. Heart-shaped, entire, smooth, conspicuously acuminated, and deeply sinuated at the base: the lower ones sometimes nearly hastate, or with diverging angular points: the under surface promi- nently veined: the footstalks often nearly the length of the lamina of the leaf, from the point of its insertion. Peduncles. About the length of the petioles, bearing commonly two, more rarely three flowers. Calyx. Without bracts, five-leaved, obtuse; two of the divisions external. Corolla. Funnel-formed, wholly lilac purple, (and of a waxy se- mitransparency. C.) Stamina. Five; anthers oblong, white; somewhat exserted. Pistillum. Germ slender and attenuated into the style. (Observa- tion on an imperfect flower. C.) Stigma. Capitate, simple. Seed. As yet unknown. I have endeavoured to obtain information, hitherto unsuccessfully, hovy far the assertion is correct, of the true jalap having been found native in Georgia and Florida—and hope that this communication may lead the physicians of those states to investigate the subject fully; the leading particulars of which they will find in the Dispensatory, in a letter from Dr. Barton to the late Dr. Dorsey. The details I haveliere given, together with the delineation of the plant in all its parts, will enable them, I trust, to decide the question. If it be so, unquestionably a source of export is opened to those who may choose to pursue its cultivation, and render us at the same time no longer tributary to a foreign market. If, on the contrary, it should not be found to be a native, my own experience warrants the belief that it may readily be naturalized, even in latitudes far more northern. As far as my researches go, I am of opinion, that the plant is not a na- tive; but that the mechoacana has been mistaken for it—for the cha- racter of the plant, as given by Persoon, by no means answers to that which I have now, for three years, successfully cultivated; and which, coming directly from its native soil near Xalapa, cannot be considered in any way ambiguous. * This appears rather the result of desiccation—for when fresh taken from the earth, it is not more so than the potatoe. Mr. N. had the opportunity of seeing it only after it had been some time exposed to the air. C. ■J; This was the case in the tuber examined by Mr. N. but the engraving will show, that, as in the potatoe, there are many eyes from/vhich these fibres are transmitted, often as thick as a quill, and from which, in various places, pro- ceed the radicles that nourish the plant. C. * Rather reddish when fresh—Mr. N. having the opportunity of only exa- mining the dry gtalk. C. Plate I l'iu-1. IPOMOEA | JIAILAPA VEIL MACK&1RHJ12SA, Plate 2. Fi£. 2. ^ku0^° J.—Jalapa. 381 Explanation of the Plates. Plate I. Fig. 1. The plant winding round its support. a. A full expanded flower of the natural size.—Connected with it faa.J is seen the germen and pistillum of another flower, the corolla of which had fallen off. b. A bud nearly on the point of expanding, with another less advanced. c. Three buds of different sizes—all proceeding from one common footstalk connected with the stem—each, how- ever, having a separate one of its own. d. A leaf as it appeared on the plant of 1827—cordate—but varying much from the leaves in 1829—upper surface. e. Leaf of the plant in 1829—upper surface. /. Leaf of the plant in 1829—lower surface. g. Leaf separate—of largest size. Fig. 2. The flower divided longitudinally, and opened, to show its five stamina. Fig. 3. The pistillum and its capitated stigma, together with the calyx. Fig. 4. The pistillum, showing its junction with the germen, in an unexpanded flower, after removing the calyx. Fig. 5. The stem as it issues from the earth, showing its connexion with the stolones springing from the tuber. a. The stem. b. Stolones, or suckers. c. Tuber in outline. Plate II. Fig. 1. a. Tuber—third year's growth—natural size. b. Stolones arising from the tuber. c. Radicles sent off from the stolones for the nourishment of the plant. d. Small shoots from the stolones, about to emerge from the earth. e. Small tubers from the stolones, of this year's growth. /. Stem. Fig. 2. A tuber cut in half, in order to show its internal white ap- pearance, when fresh. Mr. Nuttall writes to me as follows in reply to my inquiries:— Philadelphia, Dec. V2th, 1829. Dear Sir—The root of the Ipomoea, supposed to be I. Jalapa, which you have introduced from Mexico, and which I received from Mr. Dick, was planted in a flower-pot and plunged in the open soil. On the approach of last winter, the pot was taken up to be protected in the green-house; part of the root, how- ever, had penetrated through the pot into the ground; this small portion with- stood the severity of the season, in Cambridge, (Mass.) and grew and spread with vigour during the present season, so that the plant may be considered perfectly hardy. I have not, however, tested its medicinal virtues, which I think ought to be done, before any accurate decision can be made concerning the officinal plant. This consideration I submit with deference, hoping it may turn out the plant in question. Yours, respectfully, THOMAS NUTTALL. Professor Coxe. In order to test the purgative power of the bulb, I sacrificed one of the smaller, which when dried yielded me thirty grains of pow- der—of this twenty grains were given to a healthy person, and purg- ed him twice, producing watery stools, with some griping. 382 J.—Jalapa. Ten grains, given to another healthy individual, produced no ef- fect. It may, therefore, so far as this experiment goes, be reganled as equal in power, to the imported root. Queries as to Jalap.—See Dr. Barton's letter. Does it grow wild near Pensacola, as Romans asserts? Is it a native of any part of the United States, as Desfontaines affirms? Did Michaux, Sr. discover the jalap among us—as near the sea shore in Georgia and Florida? Does the root ever weigh fifty to sixty lbs. as he says?" Is Persoon's opinion correct that the Ipomoea macrorhiza of Mi- chaux is the officinal jalap? Is not the plant he mentions rather the mechoacana? Did Pursh really receive seeds, &c. of Ipomoea macrorhiza from Georgia? The following, extracted from the Revue Medicale, of September, 1829, p. 522, will not be irrelevant to the present subject. The plant adverted to by M. Ledanois, I should rather suppose will prove to be the mechoacana. Male Jalap.—M. Chevallier read a letter to the Royal Society of Medicine, from M. Ledanois, a French apothecary travelling in Mexico, and dated from Orizava. M. L. announces a new kind of jalap, by the name of male jalap, which is found extensively in the country, and possesses strong purgative powers. He gives a short description of the plant which furnishes it; it is very hairy, and has pale leaves: that of the common jalap is smooth, ot a bright green, and has a climbing stem. The male jalap presents fibrous, spindle- shaped roots, some twenty inches long, whilst the common jalap has tuberculous ones. M. L. proposes to ascertain whether this is a Convolvulus, (for some botanists have made it an Ipomoea,) and if the male jalap differs from it, as a learned botanist thinks, only from the diversity of locality modifying its forms. M. L. gives the follow- ing analysis of the male jalap from experiments on 1000 parts. Resin.......80 Gummy extract......256 Starch.......32 Vegetable albumen •> 24 Woody fibre - . - 580 972 The incinerated root presented muriates and carbonates of lime, of potass, and of magnesia, with some traces of iron and some other residua trifling in quality: this medicine besides is active and sure. J.—Juniperus. 383 JUGLANS CINEREA. Butternut, or White Walnut. The inner bark of the root. This is an abundant tree in the United States. Its sap affords a sugar equal to the maple. An extract of the inner bark, especially of the root, is an efficacious and mild laxative in doses of from ten to twenty grains. During the American war, the extract made from the inner bark of this tree, attracted the attention of Dr. Rush, and other medical men in our military hospital; and being frequently administered to patients under the operation of inoculated small-pox, it was proved to be an excellent substitute for jalap or other cathartics. It is now esteemed as a valuable purgative, in doses from ten to thirty grains, not occasioning heat or irritation; and is greatly commended in cases of dysentery. Conjoined with calomel it is rendered more active and efficacious, especially in bilious habits. As this extract is often very carelessly prepared by the country people, it ought to be pre- pared by the apothecaries, or practitioners themselves; and as a domestic medicine of considerable importance, it should be adopted by every physician. The bark of the root of this tree will excite a blister; and the bark and shells of the nut dye a good brown colour. A decoction of the inner bark is advantageously employed as a ca- thartic in the disease of horses, called the yellow water. The ex- tract should be made from the bark in the month of May or June. It is now introduced into the Pharm. U. S. JUNIPERUS. 1. Juniperus Communis. E. L. D.* Juniper. Common Juniper. The Berries and Tops. The Oil. Diacia Monodclphia. Nat. Ord. Coniferx. Syn. Genevrier ordinaire, (F.) Wachholder beeren, (G.) Sevenbroom, (Dutch.) Ginepro, (I.) This is an ever-green shrub, growing on heaths and hilly grounds in all parts of Europe: the berries are brought from Holland and from Italy.t The Italian berries are in general reckoned the best. Juniper berries have a strong not disagreeable smell, and a warm pungent sweet taste, which if they are long chewed, or previously well bruised, is followed by a bitterish one. Their predominant con- stituents are essential oil, and a sweet mucilaginous matter. This shrub is also a native of the Northern States, seldom more than two or three feet high. The berries are said to be considerably inferior in strength and flavour to those of Europe. Medical use.—To the oil they are indebted for their stimulating, carminative, diaphoretic, and diuretic properties. They are most commonly used in the form of infusion, as a diuretic drink in dropsy. The essential oil may be separated by distillation. It possesses the * Juniperus, Pharm. U. S. f The berries of the Juniper might be collected with little trouble, in suf- ficient quantities to prevent their importation into the United States. 384 J.—Juniperus. same properties in a higher degree, and imparts them to ardent spirits. The peculiar flavour, and well known diuretic effects of Hollands, are owing to the oil of Juniper. The decoction and ex- tract are very inert preparations, of the class of bitters. Every part of the plant contains the same essential oil; therefore an infusion of the tops is likewise diuretic. The wood, also, was for- merly officinal. In warm countries a resin exudes from the juniper- tree. It is called sandarac, and is often mixed with mastich. It is not a pure resin, for, according to Mr. Giese, about one-fifth of it is not soluble in water or in alcohol, but in ether; resembling in these respects copal. 2. Juniperus Virginiana.* Red Cedar. The Leaves. This species rises into a tree of considerable size, which Mi- chaux found from Maine to the Cape of Florida; and its botanical distinction from the Juniperus Sabina, is by no means easy; in sen- sible and medicinal properties, they are said to be equally allied. It is frequently known throughout the country by the name of savin, and has long been used for the same purposes. The fresh leaves boiled for a short time in about twice their weight of lard, with a little wax, form an excellent cerate of peculiar efficacy as a perpe- tual epispastic; producing a change in the discharge from a serous to a puriform appearance. Internally, the effects of the leaves are very similar to those of savin, as an emmenagogue, and general stimulant and diaphoretic in rheumatism. They have also had some reputation as a diuretic in dropsy. Similar as it is in its effects, it would seem unnecessary to retain both it and the savin in our lists of medicines. 3. Juniperus LvciA.t E. L. D. Olibanum. Gum Resin. Olibanum is principally collected in Arabia, and brought from Mecca to Cairo, from whence it is imported into Europe. It consists of transparent brittle grains of different sizes, not larger than a chesnut, of a red or yellow colour, having little taste, and a peculiar aromatic smell. Neumann got from 480 grains, 346 alcoholic, and 125 watery extract, and inversely 200 watery, and 273 alcoholic. The distilled spirit and oil both smell of olibanum, but no oil sepa- rated. It forms a transparent solution with alcohol, and a milky fluid when triturated with water; it is not fusible, but inflammable, and burns with an agreeable smell. It is the frankincense of the an- * Pharm. U. S. ■j- Juniperus Lycia.—" Olibanum, says Thomson, (Lond. Disp. p. 198.) was supposed on the authority of Linnxus, to be the production of the Juniperus Ly- cia, (A/Cavoc, Dioscoridis,) but this opinion appears to be erroneous; for Mr. Cole- broke has observed, ' this species of Juniper is a native of the south of France,' and the French Botanists deny that it yields the resinous gum in question. (~Asiat. Research. 9. p. 377.) On this account, therefore, and influenced by other proofs brought forward by Mr. C. we have been induced to regard Oli- banum, at least that brought from India, as the production of the Boswellia serrata of Roxburgh, although it is still referred to the /. Lycia, in the British Pharmacopoeias."—We follow those authorities for the present. Ed. K.—Krameria. 385 cients; and the diffusion of its vapour around the altar still forms part of the ceremonies of the Greek and Roman Catholic churches. 4. Juniperus Sabina. E. Sabina. L. D. A. Savin. The Leaf and Oil. Syn. Sabine, (F.) Sadebaum, (G.) Sabina, (I. S.) BptiQvc, Dioscor. This is an evergreen shrub, a native of Siberia and Tartary, but not unfrequent in our gardens. The leaves have a bitter, acrid, biting taste, and a strong disagreeable smell: distilled with water, they yield an essential oil, in considerable quantity. Medical use.—Savin is a warm stimulating medicine, capable of producing diaphoresis, and increasing all the secretions, but apt to excite hemorrhagy, especially from the uterus. It is also recom- mended as an anthelmintic, and said to be very efficient in the cure of gout. Internally, a conserve of the fresh leaves is exhibited in doses of from half a drachm to a drachm. Externally, the leaves are applied in the form of powder or infu- sion, to warts, carious bones, and ulcers; and in cases of gangrene, psora, and tinea. The essential oil is a very active remedy. This plant is much employed by farriers. A tincture of it is also some- times used. K. KALMIA LATIFOLIA. Broad-leaved Laurel, fyc. This plant kills sheep and other animals. The Indians use a de- coction to destroy themselves. The powdered leaves are employed with success in tinea capitis, and in certain stages of fever. A de- coction of it is used for the itch, but it should be cautiously applied. The brown powder attached to the footstalks of the leaves, and about the seeds, is errhine. The powdered leaves with lard form an ointment in herpes. In syphilis this plant has seemed useful. A saturated tincture of the leaves in proof spirit, is an active remedy.* KRAMERIA. Spec. Plant. Willd. i. 693. CI. 4. Ord. 1. Tetandria Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Rosacea. G. 253. Calyx none. Corolla, four petals: the superior Nectary three-parted; and inferior two leaved.t Berry dry, echinated, and containing one seed. * See Thomas's Inaugural Dissertation, 1802. Barton's Collections, Part I. p. 18, 24, 48, Part II. p. 26. f This part of Willdenow's character applies solely to K. Ixina,- the pentape- tala of the Flora Peruviana, the only species which he describes. The name Rafanhia, signifies trailing plant. 49 386 K.—Krameria. Spec. 1. K. triandria. Triandrous Krameria. Flor. Peruv. torn. i. p. 61. Icon, xciii. Officinal. Krameria Radix, Lond. Krameria or Ratanhy Root. Syn. Ratanhie, (F.) Ruiz para los dientes, (S.) Ratanhai, (Huanaco,) Ma- pato, (Tarma.) This plant is a native of Peru, growing on the argillaceous, sandy, and acrid acclivities of the mountains in the provinces of Huanuco, Tarma, Canta, Xauxa, Caxtambo, and Huamalies, and very abun- dantly near the city of Huanuco. It was also found by Humboldt in the province of Guancabunba in Peru. It flowers throughout the year; but is in the height of blossom in October and November. It is a shrub, with very long, much branched, spreading roots, of a blackish-red colour exteriorly, red interiorly, and having an intensely bitter, styptic taste. The stem is procumbent, round, and divided into numerous branches, which when young are white and silky, but as they grow they become naked below, and acquire a black colour. The leaves are sparse, sessile, oblong-obovate, pointed, entire, and covered with a white, silky pubescence on both surfaces. The flowers are terminal, solitary, and pedunculated. The corolla, for there is no calyx, is sub-papilionaceous, consisting of four lake-coloured pe- tals, the inferior larger than the others, seriaceous externally, but internally smooth and shining: the nectary is tetraphyllous, the two upper leaflets being spathulate, the two lower roundish, concave, and scale-like. The stamens are three, each composed of a flesh-coloured filament, inserted between the germen and the superior leaflets of the nectary, and an urceolate anther, terminated with a pencil of very short hairs, and perforated with two holes at the apex. The style is red, awl-shaped, supporting a simple stigma, and seated on an ovate germen, which changes to a dry, hirsute drupe. Ratanhy root is collected for medicinal purposes after the rains. As imported, it consists of pieces of various sizes; but seldom ex- ceeding half an inch in thickness. The root breaks short, exhibiting in the fracture a woody centre, and an easily separable, fibrous, dark-red bark. Qualities.—The bark of Ratanhy root, when chewed, tastes bitter, astringent, and at first nauseous; but the impression left in the mouth is sweetish and astringent, not unlike that produced by catechu. The woody centre is nearly insipid, and perfectly inert as a remedy. Ratanhy root yields its properties to boiling water, affording a dark- brown infusion, which emits an odour not unlike that of araw potatoe, tastes astringent and very bitter, and leaves the same impression in the mouth as the bark of the root. All the mineral acids throw down copious precipitates when added to the infusion, but no precipitate is caused by acetic, citric, or, oxalic acid. The pure alkalies produce no precipitate, but deepen the colour of the infusion to a rich claret brown. Lime-water throws down a very copious pinkish precipitate, which is soluble in muriatic acid. Solution of sulphat of iron strikes a black colour, with infusion of ratanhy root; that of acetate of lead, throws down a pale-brown precipitate, leaving the infusion nearly colourless and limpid; and that of iodine a copious fawn-coloured precipitate. Alcohol produces no effect on the infusion. Solution of isinglass separates tannin. K.—Krameria. 387 Ratanhy root digested in alcohol yields a deep reddish-brown tinc- ture, which when evaporated, leaves a deep red brittle resin. When this tincture is poured into water, it throws down the resin of a pink colour. In ether the tincture is less deep coloured, and when the ethereal tincture is evaporated on water, it leaves a pellicle of dark red resin on the surface, and a small quantity of extractive is diffused through the water, colouring it a light-brown. From these experi- ments we may conclude, that the bark of ratanhy root contains a large proportion of tannin, some gallic acid, gum, fecula, and resin. From the effects of the mineral acids on the infusion, they may be regarded as incompatible in prescriptions with this root. Vogel states, that he found the constituents of 100 parts of the root, to be 40.00 of a peculiar principle, 1.50 of mucilage, 0.50 starch; 48.00 fibrine, and 10.00 of water and loss. Medical properties and uses.—Ratanhy root is powerfully astrin- gent It has been long esteemed in Peru as a remedy in dysentery, attended with bloody stools; as a detergent in ulceration of the gums, and a stomachic corroborant. It is also employed for fixing the teeth, when they become loosened by the receding of the gums;* and for giving a fine red colour to the gums and lips. It is powerfully styp- tic when applied to wounds, and on this account has been used in internal haemorrhages, particularly hematuria. Alibert states that it has been used with success in France, in cases of leucorrhoea. It is little known in Great Britain as a medicine, although it has been long known to those who manufacture port wine; and large quanti- ties of its extract is prepared solely for this purpose in South Ame- rica. It is certainly likely to prove a valuable addition to the Materia Medica, in intermittents, diarrhoeas, haemorrhages, and all cases in which astringents are indicated. It has also been found useful in chronic rheumatism; in gastrodynia, attended by dyspepsia, head- ache, and vertigo; and in all diseases of the digestive organs, in which the powers of the stomach are impaired; and when there is great debility of the nervous system, it operates as powerfully and more immediately than the Cinchona bark; whilst in cases of general asthenia, its invigorating effects are very evident. Ratanhy root may be exhibited in substance, or in the form of extract, or in infusion and decoction. The dose in substance is fromgr. x. to 3ss.: of the infusion made with 5ss. of the bruised root to f^vj. of boiling water, from f5x. to f^ij.: and. of the decoction, made with ^ij. of the bruised root, and Oj. of distilled water, from f?j. to f5ij. On the continent it is exhibited in the form of tincture, made 'by digesting for twelve days 5iij. of the powdered root with ^ij. of orange peel, Sss. of serpentana root, and jj. of saffron, in Oij. of rectified spirit of wine. The extract is also much used. * An excellent tooth powder may be composed by mixing one part of finely powdered Ratanhy root, with three parts of powdered charcoal. T. 388 L.—Lactuca. L. LACTUCA. SyngenesiaAHqualis. Nat. Ord. Compositx semiflosculosx, Linn. Ciclwracex, Juss. 1. Lactuca Virosa. E. Strong-scented Lettuce. Leaves. This plant is biennial, and grows wild on rubbish and rough banks in many places in Great Britain. It smells strongly of opium, and resembles it in some of its effects; and its narcotic power, like that of the poppy heads, resides in its milky juice. Medical use.—An extract prepared from the expressed juice of the leaves of the plant, gathered when in flower, is recommended in small doses in dropsy. In dropsies of long standing, proceeding from visceral obstructions, it has been given to the extent of half an ounce a-day. It is said to agree with the stomach, to quench thirst, to be gently laxative, powerfully diuretic, and somewhat diaphoretic. Plentiful dilution is allowed during its operation. Dr. Collin of Vi- enna asserts, that out of twenty-four dropsical patients, all but one were cured by this medicine. 2. Lactuca Elongata.* Wild Lettuce. The Plant. We presume its properties are analogous to the preceding. It seems an unnecessary addition to our lists. 3. Lactuca Sativa. E. L. Garden Lettuce. Tlie concrete milky juice. Lactucarium. E. A. Lettuce Opium. Syn. Laitue, (F.) Lattich, (G.) This plant, so valuable as an article of diet, abounds with a milky juice, which possesses all the characteristic properties of the opium of the shops, and may be procured from it in sufficient quantity to repay any labour bestowed on it for this purpose. A series of com- parative experiments instituted for the purpose, and detailed in the fourth volume of the American Philosophical Transactions, nearly 30 years ago, have assured me of the identity of the opium procured from the poppy and from this species of the lettuce. These experi- ments were made on frogs, as well as on the human subject. The laudanum from the opium of the lettuce, increases the pulse in force and frequency, and produces the same effects as result from similar doses of common laudanum. It has been used with advantage in allaying the pain of chronic rheumatism and colic; in checking the frequent stools accompanying diarrhoea; in allaying cough, &c; and doubtless the plant might be advantageously cultivated for medical purposes, especially as the opium is procured after the period in which the plant is useful for the table. Dr. Duncan has published some observations on its various preparations. The milky juice, if secured in closely stopped vials, and filled completely with it, does not change its colour, or but very little; I have two or three vials full, which are above 17 years old, and though * Pharm. U. S. Secondary. L.—Lactuca. 389 exposed to the light, have evinced little alteration. I presume there- fore the change of colour which exposure produces, is dependent on the absorption of oxygen. This juice has been analyzed by Mr. John, of Berlin, and found to consist of water, caoutchouc as its principal constituent, a trace of resin, a small quantity of bitter extractive, and phosphats, muriats and sulphats. This analysis may however be doubted of; since in every particular it is found identical with opium. Although it is so long since I first demonstrated this fact, and the facility with which the opium might be procured from the plant; little notice was taken of it, until the venerable Dr. Duncan, sen. took up the subject in 1810, in a paper read to the Caledonian Hor- ticultural Society, entitled "Observations on the preparation of so- porific medicines from common garden lettuce." This paper maybe seen in his observations on pulmonary consumption, in an appendix, and amply proves the value of the article in question. He has not, however, given me any credit for my anterior remarks in the Ame- rican Philosophical Society's Transactions, or in the first edition of this Dispensatory, published in 1806; and to which I may claim a title. He has, indeed, in another communication to the same so- ciety in 1811, spoken of my observations and experiments; but in a way that might readily lead to the supposition, that his observations preceded mine. I shall here introduce from his observations on consumption, the " Method of preparing the Inspissated Juice of Lettuce, or the Succus. Spissatus Lactucae recentis. "Take any quantity of the leaves and stalks of the lettuce, when the plant is nearly ready to flower. Bruise them well, and including them in a hempen bag, compress them strongly till they yield their juice. Let this juice be evaporated in flat vessels, heated with boil- ing water. Let the evaporation be continued till the expressed juice be reduced to the consistence of thick honey. " According to the trials which I have made, twelve pounds of lettuce will yield about eight ounces of inspissated juice. " Method of preparing the Tincture of lettuce Leaves; or the linctura foliorum siccatorum Lactucae Salivse. " To one ounce of the dried leaves and stalks of the lettuce cut down, add eight ounces of the diluted alcohol of the Edinburgh Pharmacopoeia. Let the vessels containing this mixture be kept for a week in a warm place, shaking it frequently. Let the liquor then be strained through paper, and kept for use. About fifty drops may be taken for a dose. The following additional preparations he afterwards added in an- other essay. 1. " Solutio sued spissati lactucae.—Prepared from the inspissat- ed juice spontaneously exuding from the plant when wounded. 2. '' Lactucarium. —An extract prepared by evaporating the above solution or tincture. 3. " Tinctura lactucarii—Prepared by dissolving lactucarium in proof-spirit of wine. 390 L___Lactuca. 4. " Succus spissatus lactucae.—Prepared by inspissating the ex- pressed juice of the recent plant. 5. " Tinctura foliorum lactucae.—Prepared by extracting the ac- tive powers of the lettuce, from the leaves of the dried plant, by warm infusion in proof-spirit." The following observations on the method of obtaining Lactuca- rium, or lettuce opium, from the lactuca sativa of Linnaeus, the com- mon garden lettuce, by Mr. John Young, Surgeon in Edinburgh, will not be irrelevant; as they come from a gentleman who has largely devoted himself to the subject. " In collecting lactucarium last year, according to the method re- commended by Dr. Duncan, sen. in the Memoirs of the Caledonian Horticultural Society, I found, that it not only occupied much time, but that I was often disappointed of the substance which I expected to obtain; from its being washed off by rain. It occurred to me, that the milky juice of the lettuce might be immediately collected from the plant in great abundance, by absorbing it on cotton soon after it exudes from the plant, and while it yet continues in a liquid state; and by afterwards inspissating it by a moderate heat, communicated from a water or vapour bath. " I accordingly adopted that method this year, (1816.) I had the ice lettuce planted in rows; and when the top of the stem was about a foot above the ground, I then cut off* about an inch from the top of each plant. The milky juice immediately began to rise above the wounded surface. I cut off the tops of all the plants before I began to collect. But after the portion which had exuded was removed by the cotton, I found that the milky juice ceased to exude, until I had made another wound. I began to collect, at the end of the border, where I made the first incision, and then cut off a thin cross slice from the stem of each plant, leaving fresh wounds as I went along. These I found covered with milky juice each time when I returned to where I set out. But after going round the plants about tive or six times, in the way mentioned, they ceased to give out any more milky juice at that time. But this process may be repeated two or three times in a day. " In the manner above described, I have collected more of the milky juice in one day, than I did last year in five days, when it was not removed till it had acquired a dry state and black colour. Having mentioned to a friend my mode of collecting the milky juice in its recent state by means of cotton, he suggested the use of a wet sponge for that purpose. This, I find, answers better than the cotton; the juice being both more completely removed from the plant, and more easily expressed, than from the cotton. The milky juice collected in this way into a tea-cup, or any similar vessel, soon acquires a dark-brown colour, like opium obtained from the papaver somniferum, and has all its other sensible qualities. Hence it may justly be distinguished by the title of lettuce-opium, although, per- haps, less confusion would arise, from employing the name which Dr. Duncan has adopted, that of lactucarium. "From what I have observed respecting this method of collecting the milky juice from the lactuca sativa, it is my opinion, that in the same manner, opium might be procured in this country from the pa- L__Laurus. 391 paver so'mniferum, equal, if not superior, to any foreign opium. Dr. James Howison, who was for some time employed by the Honoura- ble East India Company to superintend the preparation of opium in Bengal, has published an essay on that subject in the first volume of the Memoirs of the Caledonian Horticultural Society, page 368, which contains many important observations respecting the prepa- ration of opium in Britain. But the method of collecting the milky juice from the plant by means of cotton or a sponge, possesses many advantages which cannot be obtained by the flask which he proposes, or bj the knife and cup of the Hindoos: for by their method of col- lection, a considerable quantity of the milky juice, exuding from the head of the poppy, must be lost. But by preparing opium in Britain, a still greater advantage would accrue. It would be obtained in a perfectly pure state, which is by no means the case with the opium which is brought to us from abroad." LAURUS. Enneandria Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Oleracex, Linn. Lauri, Juss. 1. Laurus Nobilis. E. L. Bay Tree. Common Sweet Bay. Leaves, Berries, Oil. This tree is a native of the south of Europe, but bears the winters of Great Britain perfectly well. Both leaves and berries contain a considerable quantity of essential oil, which renders them aromatic stimulating substances. The berries are generally brought from the Mediterranean, and are more pungent than the leaves. In Spain and Italy a considera- ble quantity of oil is obtained by expression from the fresh berries. It has a green colour, and strong aromatic taste and smell. As it, therefore, is not a fixe-d oil, but a mixtnre of fixed and essential oil, and as its peculiar properties depend entirely on the presence of the latter, it is incorrectly stated to be a fixed oil by the Edinburgh Col- lege. It should rather have been denominated, from the mode of its preparation, an expressed oil. Medical use.—It is only used as a stimulant. 2. Laurus Sassafras. E. Sassafras. L. D. A. Sassafras. Bark of the Root. The Root and Wood. Essential Oil. This tree is a native of N. and S. America and Cochin China, and is cultivated in Jamaica. It is the root which is commonly employed. It is brought to us in long branched pieces. It is soft, light, and of a spongy texture; of a rusty white colour; of a strong pleasant smell, resembling that of fennel; and a sweetish aromatic, sub-acrid taste. The bark is rough, of a brown ash colour on the outside, and ferru- ginous colour within; spongy and divisible into layers, and of a stronger taste and smell than the wood. Neumann got from 480 grains, 80 of alcoholic, and afterwards 60 of watery extract, and inversely 120 watery and 7.5 alcoholic. In 392 L.—Laurus. distillation the alcohol elevates nothing, but water a ponderous es- sential oil, in the proportion of about 10 from 480. Medical use.—Sassafras, from the quantity of volatile oil it con- tains, is a gently stimulating, heating, sudorific, and diuretic re- medy. It is best given in infusion. The decoction and extract are mere bitters, as the oil is dissipated by the preparation. The essential oil may be obtained separate by distillation. It is of a whitish yellow colour, and sinks in water. It is highly stimulat- ing and heating, and must be given only in very small doses. The bark is useful in intermittents; and the oil is said to be effi- cacious applied externally to wens.*—It forms a very delightful ad- dition to the volatile tincture of guaiacum, and gives a pleasant fla- vour to pills. 3. Laurus Cinnamomum. E. Cinnamomum. L. D. A. The (inner) Bark, and its Essential Oil. This valuable tree is a native of Ceylon, where it was guarded with unremitting jealousy by the Dutch, that they might monopolize the commerce of its productions. They failed, however, in the at- tempt; and cinnamon trees are found, not only in other parts of the East Indies, but also in Jamaica, and other islands of the West In- dies. Ceylon now belongs to the British, and Captain Percival has published a very interesting account of the cinnamon tree. It is found in greatest perfection in the immediate neighbourhood of Co- lumbo, and grows from four to ten feet high, very bushy. The leaves resemble those of the lanrel, and have the hot taste and smell of cloves when chewed. The blossom is white and very abundant, but diffuses no odour. The fruit resembles an acorn, and a species of fixed oil is obtained from it. There are several different species of cinnamon trees, or trees resembling them, in Ceylon, but four only are barked by government; the honey cinnamon, the snake cinna- mon, the camphor cinnamon, which is inferior to these, and yields camphor from its roots, and mixed with gum from incisions made into it, and the cabatte cinnamon, which is harsher and more astrin- gent than the others. The bark is collected at two seasons; the grand harvest lasts from April to August, the little harvest is in December. Such branches as are three years old are lopped off, the epidermis is then scraped off, the bark slit up, loosened and removed entire, so as to form a tube open at one side. The smaller of these are inserted within the larger, and they are spread out to dry. They are then packed up in bundles. The tasting of these bundles to ascertain their quality is a very disagreeable duty imposed on the surgeons, as it excoriates the tongue and mouth, and causes such intolerable pain as renders it impossible for them to continue the preparations two or three days successively. In their turns, however, they are obliged to resume it, and they attempt to mitigate the pain by occasionally eating a piece of bread and butter. It is then made up into large * Barton's Collections, Part. I. p. 19. 49, L.~Laurus. 393 bundles about four feet long, and eighty pounds in weight. In stow- ing the bales on ship-board, the interstices are filled up with black pepper, which is supposed to improve both spices. The best cinnamon is rather pliable, and ought not much to ex- ceed stout writing paper in thickness. It is of a light yellowish co- lour; it possesses a sweet taste, not so hot as to occasion pain, and not succeeded by any after-taste. The inferior kind is distinguished by being thicker, of a darker and brownish colour, hot, pungent when chewed, and succeeded by a disagreeable bitter after-taste. The Dutch were accused of deteriorating their cinnamon by mixing it with a proportion of real cinnamon, but which had been deprived of its essential oil by distillation. This fraud could only be detected by the weaker smell and taste. It is also often mixed with cassia bark. This last is easily distinguishable by its breaking over smooth, and by its slimy mucilaginous taste, without any thing of the rough- ness of the true cinnamon. By distillation with water; it furnishes a small quantity of very pungent and fragrant oil; the water itself remains long milky, and has a strong flavour of cinnamon. The watery extract in Neumann's experiment amounted to 720 from £680 parts. With alcohol the oil does notrise in distillation, but remains in the extract, which amounts to 960. The essential oil of cinnamon has a whitish yellow colour, a pun- gent burning taste, and the peculiar fine flavour of cinnamon in a very great degree. It should sink in water, and be entirely soluble in alcohol. It is principally prepared in Ceylon. Medical use.—Cinnamon is a very elegant and useful aromatic, more grateful both to the palate and stomach than most other sub- stances of this class. Like other aromatics, the effects of cinnamon are stimulating, heating, stomachic, carminative and tonic; but it is rather used as an adjunct to other remedies, than as a remedy itself. The oil is one of the most powerful stimulants we possess, and is sometimes used as a cordial in cramps of the stomach, and in syn- cope; or as a stimulant in paralysis of the tongue, or to deaden the nerve in tooth-ache. But it is principally used as an aromatic, to cover the less agreeable taste of other drugs. 4. Laurus Cassia.* E. L. D. A. Cassia Tree. The Bark and Flower-buds gathered before they open. Syn. of the Bark. Casse, (F.) Casia, (G.) Cannellina, (I.) Seleckheh, (Ar.) Tej, (H.) Twacha, (San.) Syn. of the Buds. Fleur de la Cannelle, (F.) Cassia Bloemen, (D.) Tejpatka konpul, (H.) Sirnagapoo, (Tam.) This tree is very similar to that of the Laurus Cinnamomum. The bark, which is imported from different parts of the East Indies and from China, has a very exact resemblance to the cinnamon. It is distinguishable from the cinnamon, by being of a thicker and coarser ' Kaa-o-w, Dioscor. Darwul Kurundu, (Cingalese.) Cannella Matto, (Port.) Wilde Canute, (Dutch.) 50 394 L__Leontodon. appearance, and by its breaking short and smooth, while the cinna- mon breaks fibrous and shivery. It resembles cinnamon still more exactly in its aromatic flavour and pungency than in its external appearance, and seems only to differ from it in being considerably weaker, and in abounding more with a mucilaginous matter. Cassia buds are the flower-buds which are gathered and dried be- fore they expand. They have the appearance of a nail, consisting of around head, about the size of a pepper-corn, surrounded with the imperfect hexangular corolla, which gradually terminates in a point. They have a brown colour, and the smell and taste of cinnamon. Medical use.—Both the bark and buds of cassia possess the same properties with cinnamon, though in an inferior degree. The bark is very frequently, and sometimes unintentionally, sub- stituted for the more expensive cinnamon; and the products obtain- ed from cassia bark and buds by distillation, are in no respect infe- rior to those prepared from cinnamon. LAVANDULA. L. D. A. Lavandula Spica. E. Lavender. The Flowers. Didynamia Gymnospermia. Nat. Ord. Verticillatx. Syn. Lavande, (F.) Lavandelblumen, (G.) Lavanda, (I.) Alhuzema, (S.) Iqvoy, Theophr. Lavender is a well-known small, shrubby, perennial plant, a na- tive of the south of Europe, but frequently cultivated in our gardens for the sake of its perfume. There are two varieties. The flowers of both have a fragrant, agreeable smell, and a warm, pungent, bitter- ish taste, the broad-leaved sort is the strongest in both respects, and yields in distillation thrice as much essential oil as the other, its oil is also hotter and specifically heavier; hence, in the southern parts of France, where both kinds grow wild, this only is used for the distillation of what is called Oil of spike. The narrow-leaved is the sort commonly met with in our gardens. Medical use.—Lavender is a warm stimulating aromatic. It is principally used as a perfume. LEONTODON (TARAXACUM. L. D.) E. Dens Leonis. Common Dandelion. Root and Leaves. Syngenesia.Equalis. Nat. Ord. CompositxsemiJlosculosi,U\rm. Cichoracex, Juss. Syn: Dent de Lion; Pissenlit, (F.) Lowenzahn Wurzel, (G.) This perennial plant is very common in grass fields and unculti- vated places. The whole plant contains a bitter milky juice, which, however, is most abundant in the roots before the flower-stem shoots. The bitterness is destroyed by drying, and therefore the recent roots only should be used. Medical use.—Its vulgar name in all languages shows a popular belief of its possessing diuretic properties; and it was lately a very fashionable remedy in Germany, and given in the form of an ex- L.—Lichen. 395 pressed juice or decoction, or extract prepared from either of them; but it seems to be merely a mucilaginous bitter. LICHEN. Iceland Moss, or Eryngo-leaved Liverwort. The Plant. 1. Lichen Islandicus. L. E. D.* Cryptogamia Algx. Nat. Ord. Algx. This is a perennial lichen, very common in Iceland, but also found in the forests and dry sterile woods of Switzerland and Germany, growing upon stones and on the earth. It has dry coriaceous leaves, divided into lobes and laciniae, which are again notched and subdi- vided with elevated margins, beset with short, very minute, rigid, parallel hairs, and marked with white spots, reddish towards the points. Amongst the leaves are found peltated, somewhat excava- ted, shining, viscid bodies, internally of a brown colour: these are the pericarpiums. When fresh the colour of this lichen is greenish yellow, or grayish-brown, but, when dried, greenish-white or gray. In Sweden principally, and in Germany, a variety is found, with smaller, tenderer, crisper leaves, destitute of hairs on the margin, of a paler lead colour, orange beneath. It is gathered in rainy weather, because it is then more easily detached from the stones. In the countries where it abounds, it is used for the nourishment both of cattle and of man. Mr. Proust has analyzed it with much success. A pound of dry lichen, immersed in cold water, soon re- sumed its fresh colour, and weighed two pounds two ounces, gave out a pale fawn colour, but none of its bitterness. When previously powdered, it gives out a bitter, pale, yellow juice, losing about three per cent, in cold, and six in boiling water. This bitterness resides in an extractive, which is employed in Iceland to dye a brown colour. By boiling lichen a quarter of an hour, it becomes sufficiently ten- der for use as an esculent vegetable. Lichen cooked in this manner, has a kind of membranous elasticity, peculiar to some of the algae and fungi; and, after being dried, has only to be moistened with boiling water to resume this elasticity. Its appearance is not very prepossessing, having an unequal yellow colour, and a slight marine smell. A pound of dry lichen, by boiling weighs three pounds, and when dried again is reduced to two-thirds of a pound. The decoction has a clear yellow colour, and a slightly bitter taste, which, even when made with eight waters, on cooling becomes a tremulous jelly, without any viscidity. This jelly, on standing, contracts, expresses the water, cracks, and dries into transparent angular fragments of a deep red colour, insoluble in cold water, so- luble in boiling water, from which it is precipitated by infusion of galls. By nitric acid it is converted into oxalic acid. The insolu- ble part dissolves readily in nitric acid, forming oxalat of lime and oxalic acid, and is converted into a gelatinous pulp by potass. * Lichen, Pharm. U. S. 396 L.—Lichen. According to this analysis, one hundred parts of dried lichen give of— Bitter extractive. 3 Matter soluble in hot water, 33 Matter insoluble in hot water, 64 = 100 The last substance has much analogy with gluten, and the second with starch, particularly in the remarkable property of being preci- pitated by infusion of galls. It differs from it, however, in not being glutinous, and in the solid matter of the jelly contracting and sepa- rating from the fluid as curd does from whey. Medical use.—From the analysis of this lichen, it appears to con- sist principally of a nutritious substance combined with a bitter; and on the combination of these, its medical virtues probably de- pend. It is used, according to Arnemann, 1. In cough with expectoration, threatening to terminate in con- sumption; after neglected catarrhs, the consequence of peri- pneumony, when the expectoration becomes more copious and purulent. 2. In emaciation from measles, (Schoenheide;) from wounds and ulcers with great discharge, (Plenck;) after salivation; and from actual ulcers in the lungs, when there is no fever, (Scopoli;) especially after neglected colds, or from translat- ed morbid matter. In a high degree of the disease it does little good, but the night sweats are diminished by it, (Mil- lin.) In pituitous phthisis it is of great service. 3. In haemoptysis, (Frize.) 4. In chincough, (Tode.) 5. In diabetes, as a tonic and palliative remedy. It is commonly exhibited in decoction with water, broth, or milk, after the bitter has been extracted from it by steeping it in warm water; or, in substance, boiled in chocolate or cocoa, or made into a jelly with boiling water. Half an ounce, or an ounce, must be used daily, and continued for some time. Proust disbelieves its specific virtues, but recommends it strongly as an article of diet in times of scarcity, and as a very convenient anti-scorbutic vegetable in long sea voyages. 2. Lichen Rocella feJ Orcella. D. Litmus, Turnsole. Syn. Orchel, Orseille, (F.) This lichen is found in Guernsey and Portland island, but it is from the Canary islands that it is chiefly obtained. It is not sold in the state of the plant merely dried, but manufactured by the Dutch into a paste, called JJtmus, Orseille en pate. It is sold in square masses, about an inch in length, and half an inch in breadth and thickness, hard and brittle, having the appearance of a violet-co- loured earth, with white spots. It has a violet smell, probably from the addition of orris root powder; and, when tasted, speedily tinges the saliva, and gives a sense of heat in the mouth. This paste is prepared by making the lichen undergo a kind of fermentation in L.—Liriodendron. 397 vats with urine and lime-water, forming the whole into a pulp, and then dividing it into squares to dry. Litmus is chiefly used as a dye-stuff, and by chemists as a very valuable test of the presence of uncombined acids. I must con- fess my ignorance of the grounds upon which the Dublin College have introduced it into their materia medica. The translator of the Pharmacopoeia merely says, "It has been used medicinally with an intention of allaying the tickling attendant on phthisis, and in hys- terical coughs." 1. LINUM. D. A. LINUM USITATISSIMUM. E. L. Common Flax. The Seed and Oil. Pentandria Pentagynia. Nat. Ord. Gruinales, Linn. Caryophyllex, Juss. This valuable annual plant, is said to have come originally from those parts of Egypt which are exposed to the inundations of the Nile. It now grows wild among the fields, in the south of England, and many other parts of Europe, and is cultivated in large quanti- ties, both there and in the United States. Linseed contains about one-fifth of mucilage, and one-sixth of fixed oil. The mucilage resides entirely in the skin, and is separated by infusion or decoction. The oil is separated by expression. It is one of the cheapest fixed oils; but is generally rancid and nauseous, and unfit for internal use. The cake which remains after the expression of the oil, contains the farinaceous and mucilaginous part of the seed, and is used in fattening cattle, under the name of Oil-cake. Linseed is considered as emollient, and demulcent. The entire seeds are only used in cataplasms. The infusion is used as a pecto- ral drink, and in ardor urinae, nephritic pains, and during the exhi- bition of corrosive sublimate. 2. Linum Catharticum. D. L. Purging Flax. Mill-mountain. The Herb. This is an annual plant, found wild on dry meadows and pastures in Britain. Its virtue is expressed in its title: an infusion in water or whey of a handful of the fresh herb, or a drachm of it in substance when dried, is said to purge without inconvenience. LIRIODENDRON.* Tulip Tree. Tulip-bearing Poplar. The Bark. This is closely allied to the magnolias. It is a native and well known tree in the United States, called also American poplar, white wood, and in some parts of New England improperly called cypress tree. It attains to a very large size, rising as high as any forest tree, and makes a noble and beautiful appearance when in flower, about the middle of May. This tree is remarkablefor the shape of its leaves, having the middle lobe of the three truncate, or cut tranversely at the end. The flowers are large and bell-shaped; calyx of three leaves, * Pharm. U. S. 398 L—Liriodendron. six petals to the corolla, marked with green, yellow, and red spots; and many lance-shaped seeds, lying one over another, and forming a sort of cone. The bark of the root has long been employed by me- dical men in the United States, as a tonic, and when joined with various proportions of prinos verticillatus, and cornus florida, has afforded a remedy of equal efficacy with Peruvian bark. It is a strong bitter, and considerably aromatic and antiseptic, and has been found particularly beneficial in the last stage of dysentery. The powdered root combined with steel-dust is an excellent remedy in relaxation of the stomach. According to Dr. Barton, the bark is used in some parts in gout and rheumatism. A decoction of it is said to be a com- mon remedy in Virginia for botts in horses, " The Liriodendron tulipifera, tulip or poplar tree, grows through- out the United States of North America. The best time to procure the bark for medicinal purposes, is in the month of February; as the sap at this time being more confined to the root, increases its virtue. It possesses the qualities of an aromatic, a bitter, and an astringent; the bitter quality is greater, the astringent less than in the Peruvian bark. It likewise possesses an aromatic acrimony, hence, I infer, it is highly antiseptic and powerfully tonic. I have prescribed the poplar bark in a variety of cases of the intermittent fever; and can declare from experience, it is equally efficacious with the Peruvian bark, if properly administered. In the phthisis pulmonalis attended with hectic fever, night sweats and diarrhoea, when combined with laudanum, it has frequently abated these alarming and troublesome symptoms. I effectually cured a Mr. Kiser, fifty years of age, who was afflicted with a catarrh and dyspeptic symptoms for five years, which baffled the attempts of many physicians, and the most cele- brated remedies, by persevering in the use of the poplar bark for two weeks. " I can assert from experience there is not in all the Materia Me- dica, a more certain, speedy and effectual remedy in the hysteria, than the poplar bark combined with a small quantity of laudanum. I have used no remedy in the cholera infantum but the poplar, after cleansing the primae viae, for these two years. It appears to be an excellent vermifuge. I have never known it fail in a single case of worms which has come under my observation. I prescribed it to a child when convulsions had taken place. After taking a few doses, several hundreds of dead ascarides were discharged with the stools. The dose of the powder to an adult, is from a scruple to two drachms; it may likewise be used in tincture, infusion, or decoction; but its virtues are always greatest when given in substance." The foregoing is a part of a letter addressed to Governor Clayton of Delaware, in 1792, by Dr. J. T. Young of Philadelphia. (American Museum, Vol. 12.) In his reply, the governor observes, "During the late war the Peruvian bark was very scarce and dear. I was at the time engaged in considerable practice, and was under the neces- sity of seeking a substitute for the Peruvian bark. I conceived that the poplar had more aromatic and bitter than the Peruvian, and less astringency. To correct and amend those qualities I added to it nearly an equal quantity of the bark of the root of dogwood, (cornu:- Florida or boxwood,) and half the quantity of the inside bark of the L.—Lobelia. 399 white oak tree. This remedy I prescribed for several years, in every case in which I conceived the Peruvian bark necessary or proper, with at least equal if not superior success. I used it in every species of intermittent, gangrenes, mortifications, and in short in every case of debility. It remains to determine whether the addition of those barks to the popler increases its virtues or not; this can only be done by accurate experiments in practice." A further account of the analysis and virtues of this medicine is given by Professor Rush in the Transactions of the College of Phy- sicians of Philadelphia, and in a paper published in one of the vo- lumes of Tilloch's Magazine. LOBELIA INFLATA.* Indian Tobacco. The Herb. Monodelphia Pentandria. The Lobelia inflata is indigenous and annual, rising to one or two feet with branched stems. The leaves are oblong, alternate; slightly serrated and sessile. The blossoms are solitary, in a kind of spike, of a pale blue colour. It is found common in dry fields, among barley and rye stubble, and flowers in July and August; its capsules are inflated, and filled with numerous small seeds. The leaves chewed are at first insipid, says Dr. Cutler, but soon become pungent, occasioning a copious discharge of saliva. If they are held in the mouth for some time they produce giddiness and pain in the head, with a trembling agitation of the whole body; at length they bring on extreme nausea and vomiting. The taste resembles that of tartar emetic. A plant possessed of such active properties, notwithstanding the violent effects from chewing the leaves, may possibly become a valuable medicine. It was employed by the aborigines as an emetic, and also by those empirics who affect to deal in Indian remedies only. As anew arti- cle it has lately excited much speculation in the New England States, and its properties have very frequently been subjected to the test of practical experiment. It is found to operate as a speedy and active emetic, aad it often induces a most profuse perspiration immediately after being received into the stomach. It has proved serviceable in cases of colic, where emetics were indicated. In a variety of instances it has been administered as a remedy in asthmatic affections, and on competent authority we are assured, that it has in general manifest- ed considerable efficacy, and sometimes proved more beneficial in this distressing disease than any other medicine. From some of its effects, says an eminent physician, lobelia seems to be related to the narcotic plants; to the mouth and first passages it proves acrid and highly stimulant; its stimulus appears to be of the diffusive kind, as Dr. Cutler, on taking it experienced an irritation of the skin over the whole body. It is probably one of the most powerful vegetable substances with which we are acquainted, and no rational practi- tioner will have recourse to it, but with the greatest precaution. The melancholy consequences resulting from the use of lobelia inflata, as * Lobelia, Pharm. U. S. 400 L.—Lobelia. administered by the adventurous hands of empirics, have justly ex- cited considerable interest, and furnished alarming examples of its deleterious properties and fatal effects. The dose in which it is said to have been usually prescribed, and frequently with impu- nity, is a common tea-spoonful of the powdered seeds or leaves, and often repeated. If the medicine does not puke or evacuate power- fully, it frequently destroys the patient; and sometimes in five or six hours. Even horses and cattle have been supposed to be killed by eating it accidentally. The specific qualities of this highly active plant, promising to be of utility as a remedy, should be particularly inves- tigated by ingenious and intelligent men, that its rank in the Materia Medica may be clearly ascertained. The following highly interesting observations are from the Rev. Dr. M. Cutler. When I was preparing my botanical paper, says the Doctor, I had given it, (the lobelia,) only a cursory examination, and having some doubt about its specific characters, I suspected it to be anew species. Accidentally ascertaining its emetic property, I inserted it with the specific name, emetic weed. By chewing a small part of it, common- ly no more than one or two of the capsules, it proves a gentle eme- tic. If the quantity be a little increased, it operates as an emetic, and then as a cathartic, its effects being much the same as those of the common emetics and cathartics. It has been my misfortune, (the author observes,) to be an asthmatic for about ten years. I have made trial of a great variety of the usual remedies with very little benefit. In several paroxysms I had found immediate relief more frequently than from any thing else, from the skunk-cabbage, (Dracontium fce- tidum, Linn. Arum Americanum, Catesby. See that article in this volume.) The last summer I had the severest attack I ever experi- enced. It commenced early in August, and continued about eight weeks. Dr. Drury, of Marblehead, also an asthmatic, had made use of a tincture of the Indian tobacco, by the advice of a friend, in a severe paroxysm early in the spring. It gave him immediate relief, and he has been entirely free from the complaint from that time. I had a tincture made of the fresh plant, and took care to have the spirit fully saturated, which, I think, is important. In a paroxysm, which, perhaps, was as severe as I ever experienced, the difficulty oi breathing extreme, and after it had continued for a considerable time, I took a table-spoonful. In three or four minutes my breathing was as free as it ever was, but I felt no nausea at the stomach. In ten minutes I took another spoonful, which occasioned sickness. After ten minutes I took the third, which produced sensible effects upon the coats of the stomach, and a very little moderate puking, and a kind of prickly sensation through the whole system, even to the ex- tremities of the fingers and toes. The urinary passage was percep- tibly affected by producing a smarting sensation in passing urine, which was probably provoked by stimulus upon the bladder. But all these sensations very soon subsided, and a vigour seemed to be re- stored to the constitution, which 1 had not experienced for years. I have not since had a paroxysm, and only a few times some small symptoms of asthma. Besides the violent attacks, I had scarcely L—Lythrum Salicaria. 401 passed a night without more or less of it, and often so as not to be able to lie in bed. Since that time I have enjoyed as good health as, perhaps, before the first attack. 1 have given this minute detail of my own case, from an appre- hension that this plant, judiciously employed, may approach nearer to a specific in this most distressing complaint, than any other that has been yet discovered. But I am aware much further experiment is necessary to ascertain its real value. Several medical gentlemen have since made use of the tincture in asthmatic cases with much success, but the effects have not been uniformly the same. In all instances of which I have had information, it has produced imme- diate relief, but the effects have been different in different kinds of asthma. Some patients have been severely puked with only a tea- spoonful, but in all cases some nausea seems to be necessary. The asthma with which I have been afflicted, I conceive to be that kind which Dr. Bree, in his Practical Inquiries on Disordered Res- piration, &c. calls the first species—"a convulsive asthma from pulmonic irritation of effused serum." My constitution has been free, I believe, from any other disorder, than what has been occa- sioned by an affection of the lungs, anxiety of the prsecordia, and straitness of the breast, and other symptoms produced by that af- fection. The result of subsequent practical observation has amply con- firmed the utility of lobelia inflata in various diseases. In numer- ous instances of asthma it has procured the most essential relief, though in general its effects were only temporary and palliative. As a pectoral it has been found useful in consumptive and other coughs depending on mucus accumulated in the bronchial vessels, by excit- ing nausea and expectoration. From its very speedy operation as an emetic, and its stimulating effects on the mouth and fauces, benefi- cial results might be expected from its use in croup and hooping cough, and on some trials our expectations have been realized in this respect. It may perhaps be anticipated to supersede seneka as a remedy in the former, and antimonials in the latter affection. More extensive practical knowledge of the properties of this plant, and the various forms and circumstances of its administration, is still, however, a most desirable object. The leaves should be collected in August, while the plant is in blossom, and carefully dried and preserved for use. From ten to twenty grains of the powdered leaves will in general be found a suit- able dose as an emetic for an adult, or it may be repeated in smaller quantities. As a pectoral, it may be given in powder or pills alone, or combined with other remedies, repeated in small doses, till an evident good result is observable. Of the saturated tincture, twenty, forty, or even sixty drops may be safely given children of one or two years old, increasing as occasion may require. LYTHRUM SALICARIA. D. Purple-spiked Hillow-strife. Loose-strife. The Herb. Dodccandria Monogynia Nat. Ord. Calycanthemx, Linn. Salicarix, Juss. This perennial plant grows in marshes, &c. in Great Britain. The 51 402 M.—Magnesia. dried leaves have an herbaceous taste, somewhat astringent, and when moistened soon give out a ropy mucilage. Hence it is difficult to swallow the powder mixed with water. An ounce of the plant yielded to Sagar three drachms of watery, and twenty-four grains of spirituous extract, and the former was more disagreeably austere and exsiccative. The decoction of this plant has been long celebrated in Ireland in diarrhoeas. In the same disease, it is a popular remedy in Sweden; and De Haen and Stork, and others, have given it with success in laxity of the intestines from an accumulation of sordes. After pre- mising a purgative, a drachm or more of the powder may be given morning and evening, or three times a day. A decoction also of the plant or root may be given in diarrhoea or dysentery. Its properties are evidently mucilaginous and astringent. M. MAGNESIA.—MAGNESIA. Magnesium, the base of magnesia, is only obtained as a dark gray metallic film; less fusible than plate glass, burning with a red light when strongly heated, and decomposing water slowly. Magnesia is obtained in light, white, friable masses, or very fine powder; to the touch it is very fine; its taste is not very sensible, but peculiar and pleasant; its specific gravity is 2.33. It is inso- luble in water, but forms with it a paste without ductility. It is apyrous; slightly alters vegetable blues to green; forms soluble coin- pounds with most acids, and unites with sulphur. The fossils in which it predominates are generally soft, and have an unctuous feel. The principal are talc, steatites, asbestus, &c. Hydrat of magnesia is the state in which it is obtained by preci- pitation from its solution in an acid, by potass or soda. MAGNESIA (Usta D.) E. L. A. Magnesia. Calcined Magnesia. Take of carbonat of magnesia, any quantity.—Heat it to redness in a crucible, and keep it in this state for two hours. Then inclose it in close-stopped glass bottles. E. Its specific gravity is 2.33, and when sprinkled with water, heat is produced, and it absorbs 18 per cent. Magnesia decomposes alum, borax, tartrat and succinat of ammonia, tartrat of potash, tartrat of potash and soda, and all the officinal metallic salts. Medical use.—It is used for the same general purposes as the car- bonat. In certain affections of the stomach, accompanied with much flatulence, magnesia is preferable, both because it contains more magnesia in a given bulk, and, being deprived of its acid, it neutra- lizes the acid of the stomach, without any extrication of gas, which is often a troublesome consequence when carbonat of magnesia is employed in these complaints; but unless an acid is present, or is given in the form of drink, we apprehend the calcined magnesia is far inferior to the carbonat—if indeed it is not absolutely injurious. M.—Magnesia. 403 MAGNESIA (SUB. L.) CARBONAS. A. E. Magnesia. D. Magnesia. Carbonat of Magnesia. Take of Sulphat of Magnesia, four parts; Sub-carbonat of potass, three parts.—Dissolve them separately in double their quantity of warm water, and let the liquor be strained or otherwise freed from their feces: then mix them, and instantly add eight times their quantity of warm water. Let the liquors boil for a little on the fire, stirring it at the same time; then let it rest till the heat be some- what diminished; after which strain it through linen: the carbo- nat of magnesia will remain upon the cloth, and it is to be washed with pure water till it become altogether void of saline taste. E. In this process there is a mutual decomposition of the two salts employed. The potass unites itself to the sulphuric acid, while the carbonic acid combines with the magnesia. The large quantity of water used is necessary for the solution of the sulphat of potass formed; and the boiling is indispensably requisite for the expulsion of a portion of the carbonic acid, which retains a part of the magnesia in solution. One hundred parts of crystallized carbonat of potass are sufficient for the decomposition of 125 parts of sulphat of mag- nesia; and from these quantities about 45 parts of carbonat of mag- nesia are obtained. The ablutions should be made with very pure water; for nicer purposes distilled water may be used, and soft water is in every case necessary. Hard water for this process is peculiarly inadmis- sible, as the principle in waters giving the property called hardness, is generally a salt of lime, which decomposes the carbonat of mag- nesia, by compound affinity, giving rise to carbonat of lime, while the magnesia unites itself to the acid of the calcareous salt, by which the quantity of the carbonat is not only lessened, but is rendered impure by the admixture of carbonat of lime. Another source of impurity is the silica which the sub-carbonat of potass generally con- tains. It is most easily got rid of by exposing the alkaline solution to the air for several days before it is used. In proportion as it be- comes saturated with carbonic acid, the silica is precipitated, and may be separated by filtration. The carbonat of magnesia thus prepared, is a very light, white, opaque substance, without smell or taste, effervescing with acids. It is not, however, saturated with carbonic acid. By decomposing sul- phat of magnesia by an alkaline carbonat, without the application of heat, carbonat of magnesia is gradually deposited in transparent, brilliant, hexagonal crystals, terminated by an oblique hexagonal plane, and soluble in about 480 times its weight of water. The crys- tallized carbonat of magnesia consists of 50 acid, 25 magnesia, and 25 water; the sub-carbonat consists of 48 acid, 40 magnesia, and 12 water; and the carbonat of commerce of 34 acid, 45 magnesia, and 21 water. It is decomposed by all the acids, potass, soda, baryta, lime, and strontia, the sulphat, phosphat, nitrat, and muriat of alu^ mina, and the super-phosphat of lime. A solution of super-carbon at of magnesia, prepared in imitation of the super-carbonat of soda, has been lately introduced into commerce 404 M__Magnesia. by Mr. Murray, a surgeon of Belfast, which answers very well the purposes for which it is adapted. Medical use.— Carbonat of magnesia is principally given to correct acidity of the stomach, and in these cases to act as a purgative; for solutions of magnesia in all acids are bitter and purgative: while those of the other earths are more or less austere and astrin- gent. A large dose of magnesia, if the stomach contain no acid to dissolve it, neither purges nor produces any sensible effect: a mo- derate one, if an acid be lodged there, or if acid liquors be taken after it, procures several stools; whereas the common absorbents, in the same circumstances, instead of loosening, bind the belly. When the carbonat of magnesia meets with an acid in the stomach, there is extricated a considerable quantity of carbonic acid gas, which sometimes causes uneasy distention of the stomach, and the symptoms of flatulence. In such cases, therefore, magnesia is preferable to its carbonat; but on other occasions good effects arise from the action of the gas evolved, as in nausea and vomiting. It has of late been recommended highly, in small doses, in calculous cases. It affords great satisfaction to announce that the manufacture of this article on an extensive scale has been commenced by Mr. Wil- liam Dunn, apothecary and chemist of Boston. His apparatus is connected with an extensive salt-work. He calculates to make thirty thousand pounds a year, sufficient to supply the United States and any other demand which may be made. From each gallon of bittern about five or six ounces ot magnesia is obtained. When first formed it is very pure, but by exposure to the air it attracts carbonic acid; and has then all the appearance of the carbonat of magnesia of the shops. Some specimens of it have been examined, and pro- nounced equally as pure as that imported. Connected with the ap- paratus, kettles are prepared for burning the carbonat to form the pure magnesian earth. Dr. Thomson found six per cent, of gypsum in a specimen of this salt, and others have also detected this adulteration. Gypsum may be detected, by boiling a sample in distilled water, and assaying the solution by a barytic or oxalic test. Chalk, by adding dilute sulphu- ric acid to the suspected portion; if any be present, the solution will be loaded with a white and insoluble precipitate. The incompatible substances with carbonat of magnesia, are acids and acidulous salts, alkalies and neutral salts, alum, cream of tartar, nitrat of quicksilver, acetat of mercury, corrosive sublimate, super- acetat of lead, sulphats of zinc, iron and copper. MAGNESIA SULPHAS. E. L. D. A. Sulphat of Magnesia. Epsom Salt. Bitter Purging Salt. This salt is found abundantly in some caves of Tennessee. It is also contained in several mineral springs, and also in sea water, from which it is obtained by evaporation. It crystallizes in tetrahedral prisms. It has a very bitter taste. It is soluble in its own weight of water at 60°, and three-fourths of its weight of boiling water. Sul- phat of magnesia when perfectly pure, effloresces, but that of com- M.—Malva Sylvestris. 405 merce generally contains foreign salts, such as the muriate of magne- sia, which renders it so deliquescent that it must be kept in a close vessel or bladder. By the action of heat it undergoes the watery fusion, and loses its water of crystallization, but does not part with its acid. It is decomposed by baryta, strontia, the alkalies, and all the salts formed by these salifiable bases, excepting the alkaline mu- riats; and by the nitrat, muriat, and carbonat of lime. Medical use.—It is a mild and gentle purgative, operating with sufficient efficacy, and in general with ease and safety, rarely occa- sioning any gripes, sickness, or the other inconveniences which pur- gatives of the resinous kind are too often accompanied with. - Six or eight drachms may be dissolved for a dose in a proper quantity of common water; or four, five, or more, in a pint or quart of the purging mineral waters. These liquors may likewise be so managed as to promote evacuation by the other emunctories; if the patient be kept warm, they increase perspiration; and by moderate exercise in the cool air, the urinary discharge. Some allege this salt has a pe- culiar effect in allaying pain, as in colic, even independently of eva- cuation. It is principally used for the preparation of the carbonat of mag- nesia. MAGNOLIA GLAUCA.* Small Magnolia. The Bark; also the bark of the M. Acuminata and M. Tripetala. The M. glauca, in Massachusetts, is called simply magnolia; in the. middle states, swamp sassafras and beaver tree; in the southern states, sweet bay and white bay. The bark has a bitter taste, combined with an aromatic pungency approaching that of sassafras and calamus. This aroma resides in a volatile portion, which is lost when the bark is kept for some time. It affords a little resin and a bitter extractive substance. As a medicine, it is an aromatic tonic, approaching to cascarilla, canella, &c. It possesses the properties of a warm stimulant and diaphoretic, and has been useful in chronic rheumatism, in the form of tincture. It has also been used in the cure of intermittent and remittent fevers, as well as in the fevers of a typhoid type. Upon the whole, it will probably not be deemed necessary to re- move it from the class of secondary remedies. MALVA SYLVESTRIS. E. L. Common Mallow. Leaves and Flowers. Monadelphia Polyandria. Nat. Ord. Columniferx, Linn. Malvacex, Juss. The whole plant abounds with mucilage. The leaves were for- merly of some esteem, in food, for loosening the belly; at present, * Pharm. U. S. secondary. 406 M.—Manna. decoctions of them are sometimes employed in dysenteries, heat, and sharpness of urine, and in general for obtunding acrimonious humours; their principal use is in emollient clysters, cataplasms, and fomentations. MANGANESIUM.—MANGANESE. Small whitish gray globules; specific gravity 6.850; very hard and very brittle; very difficult of fusion; very oxydizable by exposure to air; decomposes water rapidly; is oxydized by the sulphuric and nitric acids; burns when strongly heated in oxygen or chlorine; com- bines with many metals. According to Berzelius, it forms five oxyds, containing 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 proportions of oxygen, to one of metal. These oxyds colour glass brown, violet, or red, and destroy the co- lour of glass coloured by iron. Manganese is found, I. Metallic. 1. Native manganese, (Perouse.) II. Oxydized. Gray ore, containing its black oxyd. 1. Foliated gray ore. 2. Radiated. 3. Compact. 4. Earthy. III. Sulphureted. The black ore. IV. Carbonated. The red ore. Manganesium. D. Black Oxyd of Manganese. This metallic oxyd is now, for the first time, introduced into the Materia Medica. It is to be regretted that the Dublin College has given as the officinal name of the oxyd, that which scientifically be- longs to the metal. The varieties of the gray ore are the most common. It is found in its greatest purity at Exeter, and at Howthnear Dublin. It is chiefly used for destroying the colour which iron imparts to glass, and has hence been called glass-maker's soap; and for preparing the oxymu- riatic acid, now so much used in bleaching. The recent application of the same acid to the destruction of contagion, and to other medi- cal purposes, has procured the black oxyd of manganese a place in the list of the Materia Medica. One ounce and a half of this oxyd added to the cask of water, is said to preserve it at sea.—Annals of Philos. Dec. 1819. MANNA. L. D. E. A. Manna. The concrete juice of the Fraxinus Ornus, or Manna Ash. Polygamia Diozcia. Nat. Ord. Sepiarix, Linn. Jasminex, Juss. Syn. Manne, (F.) Manna, (G. I.) Mana, (S.) Utxia, Dioscor. Manna is obtained from other species of fraxinus besides the or- M__Manna. 407 nus, and especially from the rotundifolia. It is principally collected in Calabria, Apulia and Sicily. In the warmest season of the year, from the middle of June to the end of July, a clear juice exudes from the stem and branches of these trees, which, when naturally concreted on the plants and scraped off*, is called manna in the tear; but if allowed to exude on straws, or chips of wood fastened to the tree, it is called canulated or flaky manna. The common, or fat manna, is got by incisions made after the spontaneous exudation is over, and is in larger masses and of a redder colour. The best Ca- labrian manna is in oblong, light, friable pieces or flakes, of a whitish or pale yellow colour, and somewhat transparent. The inferior kinds are moist, unctuous, and dark-coloured. Denon, in his travels in Sicily, has given an account of the manna produced there, which, though less known, is dearer than that of Ca- labria, and preferred to it. As soon, as the trees are seven or eight years old, and about eight feet high, horizontal incisions are begun to be made in the bark one over the other, from the surface of the earth to the top of the tree. The operation is repeated every two days, from the 15th July, until the rains or fogs of autumn suspend the circulation or deteriorate the quality of the saccharine juice which exudes. The liquor first appears like a white froth extremely light, pleasing to the palate, and of a very agreeable flavour. The heat of the sun coagulates this frothy juice, and gives it the form of stalactites. The glutinous and more high-coloured liquor that now distils from the wounds, is received on leaves of the Indian fig, placed for the purpose at the foot of the tree. This too becomes at length congealed by the sun, and being then taken up in lumps, forms what is called fat manna, which is heavier, more purgative, and of much less value. The wood of the manna-ash is hard, heavy, and bitter, and the decoction of it is said to be aperient, and of great efficacy in the dropsy. Olivier mentions different kinds of manna found in Persia, one called Cherker, more purgative than Calabrian manna, got from the North of Khorassan and Little Tartary; another very good to eat, which must be collected before sunrise, because it melts with the heat of the sun, and a third, called Therenjabri, the product of the Hedysarum alagi, in the warmest provinces of Persia and Arabia. It is gathered during a month at the end of summer. It is found in all parts of the plant, especially the young shoots, in little round grains, which have the taste and consistence of well-crystallized su- gar, and like it crackle under the teeth.;; It is very common, and found in all the druggists' shops of Persia, but commonly mixed with leaves and other impurities. It is not mote purgative than honey, but is much used as a pectoral. Manna appears often to be formed and deposited by insects. Manna is said to be sometimes counterfeited by a composition of sugar and honey, mixed with a little scammony: there is also a fac- titious manna, which is white and dry, said to be composed of sugar, manna, and some purgative ingredient, boiled to a proper consist- ence. This may be distinguished by its weight, solidity, and trans- 408 M.—Maranta. parent whiteness, and by its taste, which is different from that of manna. According to Neumann, manna dissolves in alcohol. On setting the solution in a digesting heat, it gradually deposites 5-8ths of the manna, of a fine white colour, light, spongy, and in some degree crystalline, melting instantly upon the tongue, and impressing an agreeable sweet taste, without any of the nauseousness of the manna. By further evaporation l-4th more is obtained, similar to manna; and on continuing the evaporation, a thick extract is formed, of the consistence of a balsam, which can scarcely be fully exsiccated, but continues moist, and resembles civet grown brown by age. This ex- tract, which is about l-8th, contains all the nauseous matter of the manna. The experiments which Dr. Duncan has made verify these observations. The quantity of matter which a hot alcoholic solution of manna deposites on cooling is various: a saturated solution con- cretes into a perfectly dry, white, spongy, crystallized mass. When much less concentrated, it deposites a congeries of most beautiful snow white acicular crystals. A saturated solution in boiling water also forms a solid crystallized mass on cooling. Fourcroy says, that when a solution of manna is clarified with white of eggs, and suffi- ciently concentrated, crystals of sugar may be obtained from it. But with Dr. Thomson the experiment did not succeed: its crystals were always acicular, and more difficultly formed. Medical use.—Manna is a mild agreeable laxative, and may be given with safety to children and pregnant women: nevertheless, in some particular constitutions, it acts very unpleasantly, pro- ducing flatulency, and distention of the viscera: these inconveni- ences may be prevented by the addition of any grateful warm aro- matic. Manna operates so weakly as not to produce the full effect of a cathartic, unless taken in large doses; and hence it is rarely given by itself with this intention. It may be commodiously dis solved in the purging mineral waters, or joined with the cathartic salts, senna, rhubarb, or the like. Dose, 5i. to 3iv. for children; ^i. to §ij. for adults. MARANTA ARUNDINACEA. * Arrow Root. Fecula of the Root. This plant is a native of Jamaica and other West India Islands, and of the continent of South America. By a letter from Mr. E. L. M'Call, to Dr. Barton, (Philadelphia Medical and Physical Journal, vol. II.) it appears that the soil of the southern sea-c^ast is well adapted to it; and, he adds, that Campbell Wylly, Esq. of Sapelo Island, in Georgia, asserted, " that a spot of land on his plantation, not remarkable for its fertility, yielded arrow-root sago in the proportion of 1480 lbs. to the acre." The extensive use of this article in the United States, in the diseases of the bowels, &c. renders this information of great importance. * Maranta, Pharm. U. S. M.— Maranta. 409 This plant was originally the production of the East Indies, and is now cultivated in Jamaica, and other West India islands, and in South America. Arrow root agrees with sago, salep, and tapioca in its general nutritious property, but is reckoned to excel them, so far as to afford a much larger proportion of mucilage than any ve- getable hitherto discovered. Hence it is of superior utility as an article of diet for the sick and invalids, and particularly in cases of acrimony, either in the general habit, as in hectic fever or consump- tion; or in particular secretions, as in affections of the urinary pas- sages, namely, inflammation, stone, or gravel; and also in affections of the bowels, as in looseness and dysentery. It furnishes also an excellent remedy for the bowel complaints, which so commonly pre- vail in the United States during the warm season, especially among children. The jelly is made by adding to a table-spoonful of the powdered root as much cold water as will make it into a soft paste, then pour on boiling water, stirring it at the same time briskly, until it become a clear jelly, which may be seasoned with sugar and nut- meg, or a little wine or lemon juice may be added. For children it may be prepared with milk, and if it ferment on the stomach, the addition of a little animal jelly will obviate that effect. Prepared in the form of pudding, the arrow root powder is far preferable to any of the farinaceous substances; and affords a delicate and very proper food for convalescent patients. According to Dr. Wright, of Jamaica, a decoction of the fresh root makes an excellent ptisan in acute diseases. In a pamphlet published in 1796, by Mr. T. Ri- der, we find the culture ot* this valuable article highly recommended to the West Indian planters, and the new African colonists, as an object of commerce, and the most eligible substitute for starch made of wheat. By the author's computation eight millions of pounds weight of starch are made annually in Great Britain alone from that valuable grain. It appears also by the same authority that arrow root starch is of the finest quality, and that one pound of it is equal to two pounds and a half of that prepared from wheat. Fortunately the arrow root has of late years been introduced into the States of South Carolina and Georgia, and by practical experiment it is ascer- tained that the soil of the southern sea-coast is well adapted to it. John Cooper, Esq. an opulent planter on St. Simon's, and Campbell Wylly, Esq. of Sapelo Island, have, it is understood, so far suc- ceeded in their attempts, as to afford the most flattering encourage- ment, that this important article may be added to the numerous sources of wealth enjoyed by our southern planters. No produc- tion, it is presumed, can promise a more ample remuneration, to stimulate the planter to attempt its cultivation; and when it is con- sidered, that, in proportion to the produce, the demand will be ex- tended, its claim as a rival staple with rice and cotton may, perhaps, be anticipated. 52 410 M.—Mel. MARRUBIUM. L. (Vulgare. E. D.*) (White) Horehound. The Herb, the Leaves. Didynamia Gymnospermia. Nat. Ord. Verticillatx, Linn. Labiatx, Juss. This is a perennial plant, which grows wild on road sides, and among rubbish. The leaves have a very strong, not disagreeable smell, and a roughish, very bitter taste. Neumann got from 480 grains, 270 watery, and 30 alcoholic extract, and inversely 150 al- coholic, and 140 watery- They promote the fluid secretions in ge- neral, and liberally taken, loosen the belly. MEL. E. L. D. A.—HONEY. Syn. Miel, (F. S.) Gemeiner Honig, (G.) Mele, (I.) Ussub, (Ar.) Medhu, (H. San.) This is a well known substance, and although it is most probably of vegetable origin, we do not procure it in any quantity except as an animal excretion, from the bee, (apis mellifica.) The industrious insect, in the summer time, flies from flower to flower to collect the sweet juice secreted in them. When sufficiently loaded, it returns to its hive, where it deposits it, as a winter's supply, in the cells of the comb it had prepared of wax to receive it. What change it un- dergoes in the body of the insect is unknown; but it is certain that honey varies very much, according to the nature of the plants from which it is collected. In some situations, where poisonous plants abound, it is even deleterious. The best honey is that which is freest from colour, and contains the largest grains when it concretes. For medical use, it should also be as free of flavour as possible. That obtained from young bees, and which flows spontaneously from the combs, is the purest and finest, and is known by the name of virgin honey. When separated from the wax by expression, it is less pure; and there is another sort still inferior, obtained by heating the combs before they are put into the press. Honey consists principally of sugar, but it also probably contains mucilage and an acid, and is often impregnated with the essential oil of the flowers from which the bees have gathered it, as in the perfumed honey of the Crimea. In some parts of Asia and America, poisonous honey is met with, from the bees feeding on poisonous flowers. Neumann exsiccated honey in the water bath; the vapour which arose, he says, took fire on the approach of a candle, and dif- fused its smell widely; and the liquor which was condensed was manifestly impregnated, both with the smell and taste of honey, and amounted to three ounces upon eight of honey. Dissolved in water, it undergoes the vinous fermentation, forming mead. Treated with alcohol, Proust says it may be separated into two kinds, one liquid, and the other crystalline. Cavellazzi obtained crystals of sugar from it, by saturating its acid with carbonat of lime; and it is converted into oxalic acid by the action of nitric acid. * Marrubium, Pharm. U. S. (Secondary.J M.—Mel. 411 Medical use.— From the earliest ages it has been employed as a medicine. Besides the general properties of saccharine bodies, it possesses others peculiar to itself, probably depending on the pre- sence of an acid. For internal use, sugar is always to be preferred, as honey in some constitutions, produces gripes and colic pains. From its stimulus however, it forms an excellent gargle, and facili- tates the expectoration of viscid phlegm, and is sometimes em- ployed as an emollient application to abscesses, and as a detergent to ulcers. MELUTA.—PREPARED HONEYS. MEDICATED HONEYS. Mel Despumatum. L. D. A. Clarified Honey. Melt the honey in a water bath, and remove the scum as it rises. L. In this simple process, the honey is rendered so liquid by the heat of the boiling water, that the wax, and other lighter impurities, which it commonly contains, rise to thesurface in the form of a scum, which is easily removed. At the same time, sand, or any heavier mixture of that kind, sinks to the bottom. Honey was supposed to be peculiarly balsamic, and was therefore at one time much used in pharmacy. But as its saccharine matter is absolutely of the same nature with that of sugar, and as the extra- neous matters which it always contains, make it disagree with the stomachs of many individuals, the number of medicated honeys has been much diminished, and their place in some instances supplied by- syrups. Medicated honeys are known to be of a proper consistence, by allowing a small quantity to cool on a plate, if when divided by the edge of a spoon, the portions do not immediately unite, or if the specific gravity when hot, be 1.26, or 1.31 when cold. Oxymel. D. E. Oxymel Simplex. L. Oxymel. Simple Oxymel. Take of Honey, two pounds; Distilled vinegar, one pound by weight. —Boil in a glass vessel with a gentle fire to the consistency of a syrup, skimming it. This was once in great repute as a cooling and attenuating medi- cine; it is scarcely used in modern practice, except in colds attend- ed with coughs, and in sore throats, for which, when diluted with some aromatic or astringent infusion, as sage tea, rose-flower tea, &c. it makes useful gargles. Mel Boracis. L. Mel Sub-boratis Sodje. E. Honey of Borax. Take of Sub-borat of soda, powdered, one drachm; Clarified honey, one ounce.—Mix them. L. This is an useful formula, much employed as a detergent in aphthae and ulcers of the mouth. 412 M__Mel. Oxymel Colchici. D. Oxymel of Meadow Saffron. Take of the fresh root of meadow saffron, cut into thin slices, one ounce; Distilled vinegar, one pint; Clarified honey, two pounds. —Macerate the root of meadow saffron, with the vinegar in a glass vessel, with a gentle heat, for forty-eight hours. Strain the liquor, pressed out strongly from the root, and add the honey. Lastly, boil the mixture, frequently stirring it with a wooden spoon to the thickness of a syrup. This is an active preparation, but its use may be entirely super- seded by the syrup of the same root. Mel Rosje. D. L. Honey of Roses. Take of dried Red-rose petals, four ounces; Boiling water, three pints; Clarified honey, five pounds.—Macerate the rose leaves in the water for six hours; then mix the honey with the strained li- quor, and boil the mixture to the thickness of a syrup. L. This preparation is not unfrequently used as a mild cooling de- tergent, particularly in gargarisms for ulcerations and inflammation of the mouth and tonsils. The rose-buds here used should be hastily dried, that they may the better preserve their astringency. The Dublin College, in making this and other similar prepara- tions, use unclarified honey, with the idea, probably, that it may be equally well clarified in the course of the preparation itself. This is no doubt true, but as we do not know what effect the clarification may have on the active substances added to the honey, we think that the use of clarified honey, as directed by the London College, is preferable. Oxymel Scill-e. L. D.* Acetated Honey of Squill. Oxymel of Squills. Take of Clarified honey, three pounds,- Vinegar of squill, two pints. —Boil them down in a glass vessel, to a proper consistence, over a gentle fire. L. The dose, one to three drachms; in larger amount it proves emetic. SYRUPUS SciLL-E CoMPOSlTUS.t Compound Syrup of Squill; vulgo, Hive Syrup. Take of Seneka snake root, bruised, Squills, dried and bruised, of each half a pound; Water, eight pounds.—Boil together over a slow fire, till the water is half consumed—strain off the liquor, and then add of strained honey, four pounds.—Boil the honey and the strained liquor to six pounds, or to the consistence of a syrup, and add to every pound of this syrup, sixteen grains of tartar emetic; that is, one grain to the ounce. The dose varies from ten drops to one or more tea-spoonfuls, every quarter, half, or one hour, according to the age of the patient, or the violence of the disease. • Mel Scilbe Acetatum, Pharm. U. S. f Mel Scillae Compositum. Compound Honey of Squiil. Pharm. U. S. M.—Melaleuca Leucadendron. 413 It operates by purging, vomiting, and sweat. This is an original prescription of my own, and adopted by our Pharmacopoeia, which takes only half the amount of ingredients; I am persuaded from very sufficient experience, that it is better made in proportion to the amount formed at once. This article, as sold in the shops, is not what it ought to be, not being boiled down suffi- ciently, nor adequately depurated from its faeces by standing. When properly made, it is not disgusting to children, but as com- monly sold, it is very much so. In consequence of the great inat- tention to its preparation, it will scarcely keep in summer: I have some, made nearly 10 years ago, which has undergone no change during that period. I here insert the original notice I gave respecting it in the Ame- rican Medical Museum. " From the misfortune of having all my children, seven in num- ber, from their birth, subject to attacks of trachitis or the hives, I found it very necessary to turn my particular attention to that dis- ease. All the common remedies, as syrup of squills, decoctions of seneka, &c. having been found of little advantage; at length I fell upon the plan of combining the virtues of the remedies most cele- brated, into the form of syrup, which I denominated hive syrup. As I have been frequently asked for it, by those who have in their families experienced its efficacy, I have here given the receipt, which will enable every one at a trifling expense to prepare it for them- selves as a domestic medicine, it is far superior to every other form of hive syrup I have ever tried, and is equally superior to them in common colds, hooping cough, and those other complaints for which syrup of squills, &c. are so constantly employed. I may add, that as it sometimes ferments in the hot months, all that is necessary is merely to boil it down a little, which prevents the continuance of the fermentative process, without diminishing the efficacy of the remedy." Oxymel (Linimentum. L.) ^Eruginis. D. Oxymel or Liniment of Verdigris. Take of Prepared verdigris, one ounce,- Vinegar, seven ounces; Cla- rified honey, fourteen ounces.—Dissolve the verdigris in the vine- gar, and strain it through linen; then add the honey, and boil the whole to a proper thickness. This is used externally only, for cleansing foul ulcers, and keeping down fungous flesh. It is also often serviceable in venereal ulcera- tions of the mouth and tonsils: but there is some danger from its ap- plication to places from the situation of which it is apt to be swal- lowed; for even a small quantity of verdigris passing into the sto- mach may be productive of distressing, if not deleterious effects. MELALEUCA LEUCADENDRON. E. D. Melaleuca Cajuputi. L. Broad-leaved Cajeput Tree. The essential Oil. Cajeput Oil. Polyadclphia Icosandria. Nat. Ord. Hesperidx, Linn. Myrti, Juss. The tree which furnishes the cajeput oil is frequent on the moun- 414 M.—Menispermum. tains of Amboyna, and the other Molucca islands. Drs. Maton and Smith have lately examined specimens of this tree, which correspond with Rumphius, tab. 17, vol. ii.; and, as an unclassified species, have named it Melaleuca cajuputi. But, as Thunberg says, it is got from the leucadendron, perhaps both species yield it. Indeed, Rum- phius himself would lead us to the same opinion. The oil is obtained by distillation from the dried leaves, and is prepared in great quan- tities, especially in the island of Banda, and sent to Holland in cop- f>er flasks. As it comes to us, it is of a green colour, very limpid, ighter than water, of a strong smell, resembling camphor, and a strong, pungent taste, like that of cardamoms. It burns entirely away, without leaving any residuum. It is often adulterated with other essential oils, coloured with the resin of milfoil. In the genu- ine oil, the green colour depends on the presence of copper; for, when rectified, it is colourless. Medical use.—Like other aromatic oils it is highly stimulating, and is principally recommended in hysteria, epilepsy, flatulent colic, and paralysis of the tongue. The dose is from one to four drops on a lump of sugar. It is applied externally where a warm and peculiar stimulus is re- quisite; and is employed for restoring vigour after luxations and sprains, and for easing violent pain in gouty and rheumatic cases, in tooth-ache, and similar affections. MELISSA OFFICINALIS. E. Balm. Tlie Herb. Didynamia Gymnospermia. Nat. Ord. Verticillatx, Linn. Labiatx, Juss. Syn. Melisse, (F. G.) Melissa, (I.) Balsamina, (S.) Mstjo-cto^kmaov, Dioscor. Balm is a perennial plant, which grows wild on the Alps and Py- renees, and is frequently cultivated in our gardens. It has a plea- sant smell, somewhat of the lemon kind; and a weak, roughish, aro- matic taste. The young shoots have the strongest flavour; the flow- ers, and the herb itself when old, or produced in very moist rich soils or rainy seasons, are much weaker both in smell and taste. It is principally used in the form of a watery infusion, which is drunk in the manner of tea. MENISPERMUM. 1. Menispermum Palmatum. Colombo Root. Spec. Plant. Willd. iv. 824. (Cocculus. De Candolle, Syst. Nat. i. 515.) CI. 22. Ord. 10. Dicecia Dodecandria. Nat. Ord. Menispermeae. G. 1826. Male. Calyx two-leafed. Petals four or six exterior, eight, interior. Stamens sixteen. ----Female. Corolla similar to that of the male. Stamens eight, sterile. Germens two or three. Berries one-seeded. Sp. 4. M. palmatum. Palmated Menispermum. Cocculus/>«Zma/ws. De Cand. torn. i. p. 522. Berry, Asiatic Res. 10. p. 385. /. 5. M.—Menispermum. 415 Officinal. Calumba, Lond. Colombo Radix, Edin. Colombo Radix, Dub. Calumba Root. Columbo, A. Syn. Colombe, (F.) Kolumbowurzel, (G.) Colomba, (I.) Kalumb, (Mozam- bique.) Columboo vayr. (Tam.) The London College has, now, properly referred this root to the Cocculus palmatus of De Candolle, the Menispermum palmatum of Willdenow, which, for the sake of uniformity, we have placed as the title of the article, referring our readers, however, to De Candolle's work. This species of Cocculus is a native of the eastern part of southern Africa, growing in great abundance in the forests of Mozambique, between Oibo and Mozambo. The roots are dug up by the natives in the month of March, and transported to Tranquebar, where it is a staple article of export with the Portuguese.* An entire root was taken to Madras by Mons. Fortin, in 1805, and a plant raised from it there by Dr. Anderson, from a drawing of which it was ascertained to belong to the natural order Menispermeae; but as it was a male plant only, the genus and species were undetermined until they were fixed by De Candolle. Dr. Berry drew up the following character of the male plant, which has been adopted by De Candolle: but the female plant is yet undescribed. The root is perennial, ramose and bears fusiform tubers. The stems are annual, withering at the end of seven months; voluble, simple, round, hairy, about the thickness of a pen, bearing alternate, five-lobed, five-nerved leaves; with entire acuminate lobes; and supported on round hairy petioles, shorter than the leaves. The male flowers are on axillary, solitary, compound racemes, hairy, and shorter than the leaves: bearing partial, alternate peduncles with sessile flowers; and lanceolate, ciliated, deciduous bracteas. The calyx is hexaphyllous, with three exterior leaflets, and three interior, equal, oblong, obtuse and glabrous. The corolla consists of six minute, oblong, wedge-shaped, concave, fleshy, obtuse petals. The stamens are six, a little longer than the corolla, the anthers four-lobed and four-celled: there is no pistillum. The roots are dug up in March; but the offsets only are taken; each offset be- ing a sessile tuber. The dried root is brought to this country packed in bags, and sometimes in cases. It is in transverse sections, generally about one-third of an inch in thickness, and one or two inches in diameter. The bark is thick, and easily detached, internally bright yellow, and covered with a wrinkled olive-brown cuticle. The interior part of the root, is of a pale brownish colour, and has a spongy texture, with dark converging rays, which are the remains of sap-vessels. The pieces are frequently much perforated evidently by worms, and not, as has been supposed, by stringing to facilitate its drying. Those pieces which have the brightest colour, and are solid and heavy, are the best. It is said that the root of white bryony, tinged yellow with the tincture of calumbae, has been fraudulently substituted for this root. • The root was formerly erroneously supposed to be named from the princi- pal town in the Island of Ceylon, which was regarded as its place of export. 416 M.—Menispermum. Qualities.—Calumba root has a very slight aromatic odour, and a bitter taste. It breaks with a starchy fracture, and is easily pulve- rized. Water at 212° takes up one-third of its weight; and the in- fusion has all the sensible qualities of the root. These are .also ex- tracted by alcohol; but proof spirit is its best menstruum. The in- fusion is not altered by solutions of sulphat of iron, nitrate of silver, muriate of mercury, and tartarized antimony; but a copious precipi- tate is produced by the infusion of galls, and yellow Cinchona bark, by acetate and super-acetate of lead, corrosive sublimate and lime- water. Hence Calumba root appears to contain cinchonin. M. Planche found it to contain a large proportion of a peculiar animal substance, a yellow bitter resinous matter, and one-third of its weight of starch. By repeated distillation he also obtained a volatile oil; and, from the residue, malate of lime and sulphat of lime. Medical properties and uses.—Calumba root is a useful antiseptic and tonic* It is frequently employed with much advantage in di- arrhoeas arising from a redundant secretion of bile, and in bilious re- mittent fever, and cholera, in which it generally checks the vomiting. It also allays the nausea and vomiting which accompany pregnancy; and, according to Percival, it is equally serviceable in stopping the severe diarrhoea and vomiting which sometimes attend dentition.t Denman found it more useful than the cinchona in the low stage of puerperal fever.J As a tonic, unaccompanied with astringency and possessing little stimulus, it has been recommended in phthisis and hectic fever to allay irritability, and strengthen the digestive organs, and in dyspepsia. It may be given combined with aromatics, orange peel, opiates, and alkaline, or neutral salts, as circumstances require. The powder, in combination with rhubarb and sulphat of potass, has been found exceedingly serviceable in mesenteric fever. The dose of the powdered root is from grs. xy. to %ss. repeated three or four times a day. 2. Menispermum Cocculus. E. Cocculus Indicus. The Berry. This tree is a native of Ceylon, Malabar, Java, and other parts of India. The nuts are about the size of large peas, of a gray colour and wrinkled surface. They contain a kidney-shaped seed, within a very thick shell. The seed is intensely bitter, and very acrid. Mr. Boullay analyzed them, and found them to contain about half their weight of a concrete waxy oil, albumen, a particular colouring mat- ter, a new, bitter, poisonous principle, which he has named picro- toxine, fibre, and various saline matters. The picrotoxine acts as a poison, resembles camphor in its action, but is much more powerful. The cocculus is used to intoxicate fish, in order that they may be caught; and it is said to be much used by the London porter brew- ers to give bitterness to their beer, and to render it more intoxicat- ing. An ointment made with it, has long been a domestic remedy * The Africans of Mozambique esteem it as a remedy for venereal affections, and the Chinese employ it as an aphrodisiac. f Medical and Experimental Essays, vol. ii. $ Introd. to Midwifery, ii. 524. M.—Menyanthes Trifoliata. 417 in some places to kill vermin on the head, and is successfully used in cases of tinea capitis. Boullay's process to obtain picrotoxine was, to boil in water the cocculus indicus divested of its pericarpium; into the filtered solu- tion, acetat of lead is poured, which causes a precipitate; the solu- tion is filtered and evaporated to the consistence of an extract; this is digested with alcohol at 40°, and the resulting liquor is again evaporated. These operations are repeated until a product is ob- tained, perfectly soluble in water and in alcohol, this product con- sists of picrotoxine and a yellow matter; stirred with a little water, this yellow matter is dissolved, and a great number of small crystals separate, which are to be washed. Thus obtained, the picrotoxine is in brilliant, semi-transparent, white, quadrangular prisms, soluble in alcohol and water, in solutions of the alkalies, in acetic and dilut- ed nitric acids, and in oil. MENTHA. 1. Mentha Piperita. E. D. L. A. Peppermint. The Herb. Didynamia Gymnospermia. Nat. Ord. Verticillatx, Linn. Labiatx, Juss. This species of mint is perennial, and a native of Britain, where it is cultivated in very great quantities for the sake of its essential oil. The leaves have a strong, rather agreeable smell, and an in- tensely pungent, aromatic taste, resembling that of pepper, and ac- companied with a peculiar sensation of coldness. Its predominant constituents are essential oil and camphor, both of which rise in distillation, and are combined with what is called oil of peppermint. Medical use.—Peppermint is principally used as a carminative and antispasmodic. The distilled water is a domestic remedy for flatulent colic, and the essential oil is often given with advantage in doses of a few drops in cramps of the stomach. 2. Mentha Viridis. L. D. A. Spearmint. The Herb. Spearmint is perennial, and a native of Britain. The leaves have a warm, roughish, somewhat bitterish taste; and a strong, not un- pleasant, aromatic smell. Their virtues are stomachic and carmina- tive. 3. Mentha Pulegium. E. L. D. Pennyroyal. The Herb. This is also perennial, and a native of Britain. In its sensible qualities it is warm, pungent and aromatic, somewhat similar to spearmint, but less agreeable. It is seldom used. MENYANTHES TRIFOLIATA.* E. L. D. Buck-bean. Marsh Trefoil. The Root. The Leaves. * Pentandria Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Precix, Linn. Lysymachix, Juss. This perennial plant is very common in marshy situations, and is * Pharm. U. S. secondary. 53 418 M.—-Metals. one of the most beautiful of the native flowers of Great Britain. It is likewise indigenous in the United States. The leaves grow by three's on footstalks. They are excessively bitter, and their bitterness is extracted by infusion. They are said to be sometimes used in brewing ale, and that one ounce will go as far as half a pound of hops. Medical use.—A drachm of them in powder purges and vomits. In infusion or extract they have been recommended in intermittents, in several cachectic and cutaneous diseases. The dose of the extract is from ten to twenty grains. METALS and their OXYDS, $c. Metals are crystallizable; their form depends on the regular te- trahedron or cube; their surface is specular; they are perfectly opaque, even when melted; their colour is various; their lustre pe- culiar and shining, or splendent; their hardness various, but at least considerable; many of them are brittle, others possess malleability and ductility in a surprising degree, and some are scissile, flexile, or elastic; their fracture in general is hackly; their texture compact, fibrous or foliated; many of them are remarkably sonorous; their specific gravity greater than five;* they possess no smell or taste, unless when heated or rubbed; they are the best conductors of calo- ric and electricity; are powerful agents in producing the galvanic phenomena, and a few of them are the only substances which exhibit the phenomena of magnetism. By the action of caloric they melt, but with different degrees of facility, and some of them may be va- porized. Except iron and platinum, they melt suddenly, without undergoing any intermediate state of softness, and when melted, their surface is convex and globular. They are insoluble in water, but some of them decompose it, and are oxydized by it. They are oxydized with different degrees of facility, some by mere exposure to air, and others seem almost to resist the action of heat and air. The oxydibility is always increased by increase of tempera- ture. Their oxyds are in the form of powder, laminae, or friable fragments; sometimes crystalline; of various colours, determinate with regard to each metal; possess greater absolute weight; are re- fractory, or fusible into glass; insipid, or acrid, and styptic; in gene- ral insoluble in water; and combine with either acids and alkalies, or only with acids. Some of these are disoxygenized by light alone, others by caloric, and others require hydrogen, carbon, &c. Most of them are capable of combining with different proportions of oxygen. Dr. Thomson proposes to call the oxyds with a minimum of oxygen protoxyds, and with additional doses deutoxyds, trit- oxyds, &c. in succession, and the oxyds with a maximum of oxygen peroxyds. Chlorine combines with many of the metals, constituting the sub- 'stances formerly called muriats, and metallic butters. With the metal it unites without decomposition, but when an oxyd is exposed * Excepting in the cases of the newly-discovered metals by Mr. Davy. M.—Monarda. 419 to the action of muriatic acid, the hydrogen of the acid, and oxygen of the oxyd combine as water, whilst the metal and chlorine unite together. Some metals combine with chlorine in more proportions than one. Sir H. Davy distinguishes them, by adding to the name of the metal, the termination ane, when it is combined with a smaller proportion of chlorine, and ana or anea when with a greater; as phos- phorane, phosphorana, stannane, stannanea, ferrane, ferranea, &c. but the terms of protochloride and perchloride, used by other che- mists, are preferable. Hydrogen gas is capable of holding arsenic, zinc, iron, tellurium, potassium and boron in solution; and all these gases contain their own bulk of hydrogen gas. Carbon unites only with iron. The metallic phosphurets are fusible, brilliant, brittle, granulated, lamellated, scarcely combustible, and permanent. The sulphurets are brittle; crystallizable in large, brilliant, and metallic laminee, more easily fusible than the refractory metals, but less easily than the very fusible metals; decomposable by heat, hu- midity, and the acids. The iodides of the easily oxydizable metals, as zinc, iron, tin, an- timony, decompose water; those of lead, silver, and mercury do not. The iodide of mercury has a fine red colour, or yellowish-green, ac- cording as the iodine or mercury predominates. The former melts, and is sublimed in rhomboidal plates of a golden yellow, which on cooling becomes of a brilliant scarlet. The mixtures of the metals with each other are termed alloys: those in which mercury is contained are amalgams. They acquire by mixture new properties, and are in general more fusible than their components. The reguline metals are not soluble in the acids; but when acted upon by them, are first oxydized, and then dissolved. The metallic oxyds, by fusion, colour glasses and enamels. The metals amount to about forty, and may be divided into alka- lizable metals, oxydizable metals, and acidifiable metals. The Alkalizable and earthy metals are, potassium, sodium, barium, strontium, calcium, magnesium, aluminum, glucinum, thorinum, zirconium, silicum, ittrium. The Oxydizable metals are, manganese, zinc, tin, iron, lead, an- timony, bismuth, tellurium, cobalt, copper, nickel, uranium, osmium, titanium, cerium, palladium, iridium, rhodium, mercury, silver, gold, platinum. The Acidifiable metals are, tungsten, columbium or tantalium, arsenic, molybdena, chrome. Such as are employed in medicine, are noticed in their respective places. ' MONARDA.* Monarda. Mountain Balm. The Herb. What peculiar virtues have given this a place in our Materia Me dica, I know not. * Pharm. U. S. secondary. 420 M.—Mistype et Emulsiones. MISTUR.E ET IMULSIONES__MIXTURES AND EMULSIONS. Under these heads are comprehended those mixtures in which oils and other substances insoluble in water are mixed with, and suspended in, watery fluids, by means of viscid substances, such as mucilage and syrups. They Ought always to be extemporaneous. MISTURA AMYGDALARUM.* L. Almond Mixture. Lac Amygdala. D. Almond Milk. Emulsio Amygdali Communis. E. Almond Emulsion. Take of Sweet almonds, blanched, one ounce and a half; Double re- fined sugar, half an ounce; Water, two pints and a half.—Beat the almonds with the sugar; then, rubbing them together, add by de- grees the water, and strain the liquor. D. Emulsio Acacia Arabics. £. Emulsio Ababica. D. •Arabic Emulsion. • Take of Gum Arabic in powder, two drachms; Sweet almonds, blanch- * ed, Refined sugar, of each, half an ounce; Decoction of barley, one pint.—Dissolve the gum in the warm decoction, and when almost cold, pour it upon the almonds, previously well beaten with the su- gar, and at the same time triturate them together so as to form an emulsion, and then filter. These emulsions possess nearly the same qualities, and are merely mechanical suspensions of oil of almonds in watet*y fluids, by means either of the mucilage with which it is naturally combined in the almonds by itself, or assisted by the addition of gum Arabic and su- gar. Therefore, on standing for some days, the oily matter separates and rises to the top, not in a pure form, but like thick cream. By heat the same decomposition is immediately effected. Great care should be taken that the "almonds have not become rancid by keeping, which not only renders the emulsion extremely unpleasant, a circumstance of great consequence in a medicine that requires to be taken in large quantities, but likewise gives it inju- rious qualities. The almonds are blanched by infusing them in boiling water, and peeling them. The success of the preparation depends upon beating the almonds to a smooth pulp, and triturating them with each por- tion of the watery fluid, so as to form an unifonwi mixture before another portion be added. ' * • These liquors are principally used for diluting and correcting acrimonious humours; particularly in heat of urine and stranguries, arising either from a natural acrimony of the juices, or from the ope- ration of cantharides, and other irritating medicines: in these cases, they are to be drunk frequently, to the quantity of half'a pint or more at a.tine. * Mistura amygdala, Pharm. U. S. M.—Misturee et Emulsiones. 421 . MISTURA CAMPHORS. L. A. Mistura Camphorata. D. Emulsio Camphors. E. Camphor Mixture x>r Emutsion. Take of Camphor, one scruple; Alcohol, ten minims; Sugar, half an ounce; Wmter, one pint.—First triturate the camphor with the al- cohol, then with the sugar; lastly, with the water gradually added, and strain the liquor. D. * This mixture is not very permanent, as the camphor separates and swims upon the surface in the course of a few days. As an extem- poraneous prescription, however, it is a very convenient mode of exhibiting that active drug, and may be given to the extent of a table spoonful every three er fourjiours in typhoid fevers. There seems to be veiy little use for this mixture, since the cam- pjior can be much mor*e conveniently given, suspended in milk. MISTURA AMMONIACI. L. A. Lac Ammomaci. D. Ammoniacum Mixture. Emulsion of Gum Ammoniac. Take of Ammoniac, two drachms,- Water, half a pint.—Rub the gum- resin with the water, gradually poured ent. until it becomes an emul- sion. L. It is then to be passed through linen. In the same manner may be made an emulsion of assafoetida, and of the rest of the gum- resins. The lac ammoniaci is employed for attenuating tough phlegm, and promoting expectoration, in humoral asthmas, coughs, and ob- structions of'the viscera. It may be given in the quantity of two spoonsful twice a day. The assafoetida emulsion is employed in spasmodical, hysterical, and other nervous affections. And it is also not unfrequently used under the form of injection. It answers the same purposes as assa- foetida in substance, but is very, disagreeable. Mistura Ammoniaci et Antimonii. Mixture of Ammonigaum and Antimony. White Mixture. Take of Ammoniacum mixture, four fluid ounces; Wine of antimony, four fluid drachms; Syrup of Tolu, One fluid ounce,- Opiated tinc- ture of camphor, four fluid drachms.—Mix. Pharm. U. S. Potio Carbonatis calcis. E. Mistura Cretje. L. D.* Mixture of Carbonat of Lime. Mixture of Chalk. Take of prepared carbonat of lime, one ounce; sugar, half an ounce; Gum Arabic mucilage, two ounces; spirit of cinnamon, two ounces; water, two and, a* huff pounds.—Rub down the gum, with four ounces of water. Then Vitb the oil with the sugar, and afterwards mix the whole together. E. This is an useful remedy in diseases arising from, or accompanied with, acidity in the primae viae. It is frequently employed in diar- • rhoea proceeding from that cause. The mucilage not only serves to keep the chafe uniformly diffused, but also improves its virtues. * Mistura Calcis Carbonatis, Pharm. U. S, 422 M,—Misturae et Emulsiones. The dose of this medicine requires no nicety. It may be taken to the extent of a pound or two in the course of a day. This article, as being liable to ferment in the summer, is much better adapted for an extemporaneous prescription. Mistura Ferri Composita. L. A. Compound Mixture of Iron. Myrrh Mixture. Take of myrrh, in powder, one drachm; sub-carbonat of potass, twenty-five grains; rose water, half a pint; sulphat of iron, in powder, one scruple; spirit of lavender, half a fluid ounce; sugar one drachm.'—Rub together the myrrh, the sub-carbonat of potass and sugar, and during the trituration, add gradually, first the rose water and spirit of lavender, and lastly the sulphat of iron. Pour the mixture immediately into a suitable glass bottle, and stop it close. L. This prescription is almost identical with that of the London Col- lege. It constitutes the celebrated tonic myrrh mixture of Griffith. As first invented, says Mr. Murray, it was undoubtedly an unche- mical mixture, the prescriber not being aware of the changes pro- duced in the active ingredients by their mutual action, but5 which, in practice, was found possessed of peculiar advantages. The sul- phat of iron, it is obvious, is decomposed by the, sub-carbonat of potass, the sulphuric acid combining with the'potass, while the car- bonic acid unites with the oxyd of iron. The carbonat of iron which is formed, is diffused in the mixture along with the myrrh, and both are probably kept more completely suspended by an excess of alkali. This chalybeate proves much less irritating than the sulphat of iron, producing no unpleasant effect on the stomach, and at the same time it is more active than the common carbonat or rust of iron is at the maximum of oxydation, while, in the present preparation, it is at the minimum, is in a different state of aggregation, and probably combined with a larger quantity of carbonic acid. To preserve it in this low state of oxydation, it is ordered to be kept in a bottle close- ly stopped; but as iron has a strong tendency to pass to a more high- ly oxydated state, and suffers this change very rapidly from the action of the air, it is preferable that the preparation should be al- ways extemporaneously made. Griffith's mixture was employed as a remedy in hectic fever, in chlorosis, and other diseases, in which iron is given as a tonic. The mixture of the London Pharmacopoeia, which is nearly of the same strength, may be given in the same cases, m a dose of an ounce, once or twice a day. It is employed with the greatest success m those cases of hectic fever which are unattended by any great degree of heat or thirst, and which do not show mani- fest signs of inflammation. It will in general be found to sit easy on the stomach; but should it disagree, or should hectic fever and flushings prevail to a high degree, the proportion of the ingredients may be changed or the sulphat of iron altogether omitted. Mistura Moschi. L. A. Musk Mixture. Take of Musk, gum Arabic, powdered, refined sugar, of each, one drachm; rose water, six fluid ounces—Rub the musk first with M.—Misturse et Emulsiones. 423 the sugar, then with the gum, and add the rose water by de- grees. L. Unless the musk be very thoroughly triturated with the sugar and gum before the addition of the water, it soon separates. An ounce, or an ounce and a half, may be taken for a dose. Mistura Guaiaci. L. Guaiac Mixture. Take of guaiac, one drachm and a half; refinedl sugar, two drachms; mucilage of gum Arabic, two fluid drachms; cinnamon water, eight fluid ounces.—Triturate the guaiac with the sugar, then with the mucilage, and during the trituration with these, gradually add the cinnamon water. This is one of the best forms of exhibiting guaiac, although it is not dissolved, but only mechanically suspended .in the mixture, by means of the sugar and mucilage. Mistura Magnesia. Magnesia Mixture. Take of Magnesia, one drachm; Water of carbonat of ammonia, one fluid drachm; Cinnamon ivater, three fluid drachms; Distilled wa- ter, five fluid ounces and a half.—Mix. Pharm. U. S. Mistura Cornu Usti. L. Decoctum Cornu Cervini. D. Mixture of Burnt Horn. Decoction of Hartshorn. Take of Burnt and prepared hartshorn, two ounces,- Gum Arabic, in powder, one ounce,- Water, three pints.—Boil, constantly stirring, down to two pints, and strain. Prepared hartshorn is phosphat of lime in a minute state of me- chanical division. By boiling in a mucilaginous liquid, it is diffused and imperfectly suspended, but not a particle of it is dissolved. This is therefore an extremely injudicious preparation; for phosphat of lime would be much more easily and effectually suspended by tritu- rating it with a larger proportion of gum Arabic, and adding the water gradually. / Mistura Zinci Sulphatis. Sulphat of Zinc Mixture. Take of Sulphat of zinc, two drachms,- Spirit of lavender, two fluid drachms; Water, six fluid ounces.—Mix. Pharm. U. S. This is a mere simple solution of sulphat of zinc in water, with a very small addition of an aromatic spirit. It is little more than a stronger preparation of the collyrium of sulphat of zinc! Enema Catharticum. D. Purging Clyster. Take of Manna, one ounce.—Dissolve in ten ounces, by measure, of Compound decoction of chamomile,- then add of Olive oil, one ounce,- Sulphat of Magnesia, half an ounce.—Mix them. Enema Fcetidum. D. 'Fetid Enema. Is made by adding to the former two drachms of the tincture of assa- foetida. These are very useful extemporaneous preparations. 424 M.—Moschus. MORUS NIGRA. L. Mulberry Tree. The Fruit. This tree, which is supposed to have come originally from Persia, bears the cold of the winters, and ripens its fruits in England. The fruit has the same properties with other sub-acid fruits. Its juice contains tartaric acid. MOSCHUS. E. L. D. A. Musk.*' The musk animal, moschus moschiferus, is an inhabitant of the most elevated region of Asia, particularly of the Altayan Alps, and the mountains which divide Thibet from China. It is a gentle and timid animal, and its chase is difficult and dangerous. Its general form resembles the deer tribe, and it is about three feet in length; In the male, behind the navel and before the prepuce, there is situated an oval bag, flat on one side and convex on the other, about three inches long and two broad, projecting about an inch, and having a small open orifice beset with short hairs, which is empty in the young animal, but in the adult is filled with a secreted matter, known by the name of musk. When the bag becomes too full, the animal ex- presses part of its contents by rubbing itself against stones or trees. The musk expressed in this manner is said to be the purest, but none of it probably reaches this country. The best musk is brought from Tonquin, an inferior sort from Agria and Bengal, and a still worse from Russia. - Fine musk comes to us in round thin Madders, which are generally about the size of a pigeon's egg, covered with short brown hairs, lined with a thin brown membrane, well filled, and without any appear- ance of having been opened. The musk itself is dry, with a kind of unctuosity, of a dark reddish-brown, or rusty blackish colour, in- small round grains, with very few hard black clots, and perfectly free from sandy or other visible foreign matter. If chewed and rubbed with a knife on paper, it looks smooth, bright, yellowish, and is free from grittiness. Laid on a red-hot iron, it catches flame, and burns almost entirely away, leaving only an exceeding small quantity of light grayish ashes. The largest and fullest bag scarcely contains more than two drachms of musk. Its taste is somewhat bitterish, and its smell extremely powerful and peculiar. Neumann got from 30 grains of musk, 12 of watery and 4 of alcoholic extract; and inversely, 10 of alcoholic and 6 of watery. Its smell and taste were elevated in distillation with water, but not with alcohol. Neither the fixed nor volatile oils dissolved it* The very great price of musk has given rise to many modes of adulterating it. To increase its weight, sand, and even particles of lead, are introduced through very small openings into the'bags. The real musk is frequently abstracted from the bag, and its place sup- plied with dry and coarsely powdered blood, or some mixture with asphaltum. These adulterations are to be detected by discovering that the bag has been opened. The presence of blood is also known * See some account of the animal producing musk, in Frazer's Tour through the Himalaya Mountains. M.—Moxa. 425 by the fetid smell it emits when heated sufficiently, and by the for- mation of ammonia when rubbed with potass. Asphaltum is known by its shining fracture and melting on hot iron, while musk is con- verted into charcoal. But there are even artificial bags filled with a composition containing some real musk. These are in general thicker, and covered with longer hair, and want the internal brown mem- brane which lines the real musk-bag. Medical use.—Musk is by many still believed to be a medicine of very great efficacy, and for which, in some cases, there is hardly any substitute. When properly administered, it sometimes succeeds in the most desperate circumstances. It raises the pulse, without heating much; it allays spasms, and operates remarkably on the brain, increasing the powers of thought, sensation, and voluntary motion. It is, however, generally prescribed in combination with the most powerful stimuli! It may be employed in every instance of typhus fever, especially when attended with delirium, or spasmodic affection of any particu- lar organ, or of the whole system, or subsultus tendinum, &c. It is also used with the greatest benefit in exanthematous and phlegmonic diseases, accompanied with typhoid fever; and in many spasmodic affections, as chincough, epilepsy, trismus, &c. It is most conveniently given in substance in powder, in doses of three grains or upwards, repeated every one or two hours. Its best preparation is the tincture. Chemical Composition.—Resin combined with volatile oil, and a mucilaginous extractive matter, with small portions of albumen, ge- latine, muriat of ammonia and phosphat of soda. The best form of exhibition is that of bolus, combined with am- monia, camphor, or some similar remedy. The musk mixture of the London College, in which it is followed by our Pharmacopoeia, has not a sufficient quantity of gum in its composition to retain the musk in suspension; it requires five times its weight of mucilage for that purpose. Dose, from ten to thirty grains. MOXA. The Egyptians by the application of fire, seem to have cured dis- eases which have latterly been deemed incurable. The Chinese still greatly employ fire in the treatment of disease—red hot iron and moxa are employed by them. This last is a woolly kind of substance or down, of a species of mugwort; of this small cones are formed, about an inch broad at the base. In using it, a cone is attached to the skin by means of a little gum arabic; fire is put to the top, the ignition gradually descends, and reaches the skin, which it burns like the actual cautery, but as some say, with less pain. If this first burning is insufficient, a second, third, or more, are repeated. Smaller cones are also made, scarcely larger than a pea, intended for weak and delicate people; the effect is proportionably feeble. The sore is commonly dressed with basilicon. By these means, which are universal throughout the East, the in- 54 426 M.—Moxa. habitants are enabled to cure the most obstinate rheumatic, gouty, or other pains; dispel apoplexy, epilepsy, and other diseases, which are curable by powerful and prompt revulsion.* The place of moxa may be readily supplied by cotton, flax, hemp, the pith of elder, sun- flower, &c. For a long time the employment of moxa seems to have been for- gotten in Europe. It was, however, formerly employed, and has, within a few years, been again taken up. In the Quarterly Journal for Foreign Medicine and Surgery, No. 8, October, 1820, several cases are related of its employment, as, of rickets attended by lateral curvature of the spine, chronic ophthalmia, chronic pulmonary ca- tarrh, rheumatic sciatica, and other rheumatic pains, facial neuralgia and maxillo-dental neuralgia, all of which were cured by its appli- cation. In the London Medical Repository, Nov. 1820, we have also se- veral-instances of its efficacy in chronic phlegmasia of the respira- tory organs. In the Journal Generale de Medicine, Jan. 1821, we have also a case, in which one of the abdominal extremities, had by violent spasmodic contractions been shortened more than an inch. Moxa applied on the ilium ot the diseased side, succeeded in remov- ing the complaint. And in the Journal Complementaire of the same date, is a case of general r>alsy cured by its application. Baron Larrey in the Recueil de Memoires de Chirurgie, 1821, has given a memoir on the use of moxa. After a description of it, and the mode of application, its properties are descanted on, and its superior advantages over the actual cautery. The effects of the latter are said to be confined to the spot to which it is applied, un- less that be of considerable extent and duration, which is sometimes dangerous, very painful, and apt to destroy the subcutaneous nerves, &c. of which instances are given, and the contrast drawn is highly favourable to the moxa. The moxa requires frequent repetitions at intervals of several days. He cites a great number of diseases in which he had seen its efficacy established, and others in which no benefit had accrued. Its most astonishing effects were obvious in scrofulous diseases, or such as are considered as the results of a scrofulous taint, phthisis, dis- eased spine, disease of the hip joint, &c. and he employed it with marked advantage in chronic and organic affections of the abdominal viscera. This work of Larrey's was translated into English by Mr. Dungli- son; it is reviewed in the London Medical Repository, September, 1822, where it is highly spoken of. He gives particular instructions how it is to be employed. Moxa is not to be applied in those parts where tendons or important organs are near the skin; the pain of its application is said to be instantly relieved by the application of liquor ammoniae; not more than one or two cylinders should be applied at the same time. Besides its use, the best general treatment for each ' disease is to be conjoined. We are informed that the moxas used by Baron Percy are made of the stalk of the great sunflower, steeped in a solution of nitre, and afterwards well dried: cotton, it is added, steeped in nitre answers the purpose very well. * Lieutaud, Mat. Med. 2, 148. M.—Mucilagines. 427 ' It would on the whole, appear, that as a counter-irritant, moxa is a valuable addition to our external applications, and it is to be de- sired that American practitioners should endeavour to "ascertain more fully its actual merits, by their own experimental pursuits on the subject. $CJ°' References for Moxa.—Hippoc. Aph. 409.—Intelligencer, I. 31, 310, 362—II. 190, 372.—III. 49, 433, 560. 578. Kaemp- fer, amcen. exot.—Prosp. Alpin. Med. Egypt.—Ten Rhyne. MUCILAGINES.—MUCILAGES. Mucilago Amyli. D. E. L. Mucilage of Starch. Take of Starch, half an ounce; Water, one pound.—Triturate the starch, gradually adding the water,- then boil them a little. The mucilage thus formed is very useful in those cases where a glutinous substance is required; it is often successfully employed as a clyster, in diarrhoeas depending on acrimony in the intestines. Mucilago Astragali Tragacanth.^. E. Mucilago Gummi Tragacanth.*. D. Mucilage of Gum Tragacanlh. Take of Tragacanth, half an punce; Distilled water, ten ounces by measure.—Macerate them with a gentle heat, till the tragacanth be dissolved. Gum tragacanth is difficultly soluble in water. When macerated in it, it swells, but does not dissolve. To effect the solution it must be beaten into a paste with some of the water; and-the rest of the water must be added gradually, and incorporated with the paste by beating them together. Gum tragacanth is a very tenacious sub- stance, and requires a very large proportion of water to form a fluid mucilage. Mucilago Acaci. — Menth. Virid. DL.A. — Monardje. A. — Origani. E. Z. D. A. — Pimento. E. L. D. A. — Pulegh. L. D. --R0RISMARINI.,Z.Z.j9../#. --RuTwE.,Z). — Sassafras. E. D. A. — Sabin^e. E. D. Oil of Anise. From the ----• Chamomile. ---- ----CaraWay. , ——> ----■ Wormseed. —— ----Fennel. ---- —— Partridge berry.----• ----Juniper. ---- —- Lavender. ---- ----Peppermint. ---- —r- Spearmint. ---- ----Mbnarda. ---- ----Marjoram.---- —— Pimento. ----■< —-Pennyroyal. ---- ----Rosemary. .<---- ----Rue. ---- ——— Sassafras. —— ----Savine. ---- seeds. flowers. seeds. seeds. seeds. leaves. • berries. flowers. herb. ' herb. herb. herb. berries. herb, &c. tops. herb. root, bark, &c. leaves. Medical use.—Volatile oils, medicinally considered, agree in the general qualities of pungency and heat; in particular virtues, they differ as much as the subjects from Which they are obtained, the oil being the direct principle in which the virtues, or at least, a consi- derable parf^ °f me. virtues of the several subjects reside. Thus, the carminative virtue of the warm seed^, the diuretic of juniper berries, the emmenagogue of savine, the nervine of rosemary, the stomachic of mint, the cordial of aromatics, &c. are supposed to'be concentrated in their oils. There is another remarkable difference in volatile oils, the foun- dation of which is less obvious, that of the degree of their'pungency and heat. These are by no means in proportion, as might be expected, to those of the subject they were drawn from. The oil of cinnamon, for instance, is excessively pungent a»d fiery, in its undiluted'state it is almost caustic; whereas cloves, a spice, which, in substance, is far more pungent than the other, yields an oil which is much less so. This difference seems to depend partly upon the quantity of oil afforded, cinnamon yielding much less than cloves, and consequently having its active matter concentrated into a smaller volume, partly upon a difference in the nature of the active parts themselves; for though volatile oils contain always the specific odour and flavour of their subjects, whether grateful or ungrateful, they do not always contain the whole pungency; this resides frequently in a more fixed matter, and does not rise with the oil. After the distillation of cloves, pepper, and some other spices, a part of their pungency is found to remain behind; a simple tincture of them in alcohol is even more pungent than their pure essential oils. ' 58 458 O.—Olea Volatilia. The more grateful oils are frequently made use of for reconciling to the stomach medicines of themselves disgustful. It has been cus- tomary to employ them as correctors for the resinous purgatives; an use to which they do not seem to be well adapted. All the service they can here be of is, to make the resin sit more easily at first on the stomach; far from abating the irritating quality upon which the violence of its operation depends, these pungent oils superadd a fresh stimulus. Volatile oils are never given alone, on account of .their extreme heat and pungency; which in some is so great, that a single drop let fall upon the tongue produces a gangrenous eschar. They are readily imbibed by apiece of dry sugar, and in this form may be conve- niently exhibited. Ground with eight or ten times their weight of sugar, they become soluble in aqueous liquors, and thus may be di- luted to any assigned degree. Mucilages also render them miscible with water into an uniform milky liquor. They dissolve likewise in alcohol; the more fragrant in an equal weight; and almost all of them in less than four times their own weight. These solutions may be either taken on sugar, or mixed with syrups, or the like. On mixing them with water, the liquor grows milky, and the oil separates. > The more pungent oils are employed externally against paralytic .complaints, numbness, pains, and aches, cold tumours, and in other cases where particular parts require to be heated or stirihilated. The tooth-ache is sometimes relieved by a drop of these almost caustic oils, received oil cotton, and cautiously introduced into the hollow tooth. Oleum Terebinthinae. D. A. Oil of Turpentine. Take of Common turpentine, five pounds; Water, four'pints.—Dis- til the turpentine with the water in'a copper alembict After the distillation of the oil? what remains is1 yellow resin. D. Oleum Terebinthin^; Rectificatum. L. D. E. Rectified Oil of Turpentine.- Take of Oil of turpentine, one part; TVater,four parts.—Distil as long-as any oil passes over. E. The rectified oil, which, in many Pharmacopoeias, is styled ethe- real, is said not to have its specific .gravity, smell, taste, or medical qualities, much improved by this process, which is both tedious and accompanied with danger. It must be conducted with very great care; for the vapour, which is apt to escape through the junctures of the vessel, is very inflammable. Medical use-—The spirit of turpentine, as this essential oil has been styled, is frequently-given internally as a diuretic and sudori- fic; and it has sometimes a considerable effect when taken to the extent of a few drops only. It is now, however, used much more freely, and the strangury and bloody urine formerly dreaded from it are rarely observed. Two, or even three ounces are swallowed with- out any substance combined with it, for the cure of tsenia, and emul- sions of oil of turpentine are freely used to act upon the bowels in epilepsy and mania, and in some obstinate rheumatic affections. O.—Oleum. 459 Oil of turpentine, melted with as much ointment of yellow resin as is sufficient to give it the consistence of a liniment, constitutes the application to recent burns, so strongly recommended by Mr. Kentish. He first bathes the part with heated oil of turpentine, alcohol, or tincture of camphor, and then covers it up with rags dipped in the liniment, which are to be renewed one at a time, once a day. As the inflammation subsides, less stimulating applications are to be used; and when the secretion of pus commences, the parts are then to be covered with powdered chalk, heated to the tempera- ture of the body. In this way he assures us, that he cured very many extensive burns in a few weeks, which, under the use of cool- ing applications, would, have required as many months, or would have been altogether incurable. OLEA EMPYREUMATICA.— EMPYREUMATIC OILSH Empyreumatic oils agree in many particulars with the volatile oils already treated of, but they also differ from them in several im- portant circumstances. The latter exist ready formed in the aroma- tic substances, from which they are obtained; and are only separated from the fixed principles by the action of a heat not exceeding that of boiling water. The former, on the contrary, are always formed by the action of a degree of heat considerably higher than that of boiling water, and are the product of decomposition, and a new arrangement of the elementary principles of substances, containing at least oxy- gen, hydrogen, and carbon. Their production is therefore always attended with the formation of other new products. In their chemical properties they do not differ very remarkably from the volatile oils, and are principally distinguished from them by their unpleasant pungent empyreumatic smell and rough bitterish taste. They are also more apt to spoil by the contact of the air, and the oftener they are re-distilled they become more limpid, less coloured, and more soluble in alcohol; whereas the essential oils, by repeated distilla- tions, become thicker and less soluble in alcohol. Their action on the body is exceedingly stimulant and heating. OLEUM SUCCINI. L. D. A. Oil of Amber. Take of Amber, any quantity, reduced to powder, with an equal weight of clean sand.—Mix together.—Put them into a glctss retort, and distil from them in a sand bath, with a.gradually increased fire, an and liquor, oil, and salt impregnated with oiL E. Oleum Succini Purissimum. E. Oleum Succini Rectificatum. Li D. Purified (Rectified) Oil of Amber. Distil oil of amber in a glass retort with six limes its quantity of wa- ter till two-thirds of the water have passed into the receiver; then separate.this very pure volatile oil from the water, and keep it for use in close shut vessels. E. H 460 O___Oleum. The rectified oil has a strong bituminous smell, and a pungent acrid taste. Given in a dose of ten or twelve drops, it heats, stimu- lates, and promotes the fluid secretions: it is chiefly celebrated in hysterical disorders, and in deficiencies of the uterine purgations. Sometimes it is used externally, in liniments for weak or paralytic limbs and rheumatic pains. Moschus Factitius. <. Artificial Musk.* Take of Oil of amber^one fluid, drachm; Nitric acid, three and a half fluid drachms.—Put the oil of amber into a glass vessel, and gradually drop the'acid into it, at the same time stirring the mix- ture with a glass rod. Let it stand for thirty-six^ hours, then se- parate the supernatant resinous matter from the acid fluid beneath, and wash it repeatedly, first with cold, and lastly with hot water, till the acid taste disappears. The preparation of this article is thus directed in Paris's Pharma- cologia. ' ■ v - Artificial musk, strongly resembling.the real, may be formed by digesting half a fluid ounce of nitric .arid for ten days upon one ounce of fetid animal oil obtained by distillation;, to this is to be next gradually added one pint of rectified spirit, and the whole is then to be left to digest for one month. ' Oleum Cornu Cervini Rectificatum. D. Oleum Animale. Rectified Oil of Hartshorn* Take of the oil which ascends in-the distillation of the volatile liquor of hartshorn, three pounds; Water, six pounds,—Distil a pound and a half. Animal oil thus rectified, is thin and limpid, of 'a subtle, pene- trating, not disagreeable smell and taste. Medical use.—It is strongly recommended as an anodyne and an- tispasmodic in doses of from 15 to 30 drops. Hoffman reports, that it procures a calm and sweet'sleep, which continues often for 20 hours, without being followed by any languor or debility, but rather leaving the patient more alert and cheerful than before: that it pro- cures likewise a gentle sweat,; without increasing the heat of the blood; that given to 20 drops or more, on an empty stomach, six hours before the accession of an intermittent fever, it frequently re- moves the disorder; ahd that it is likewise a very general remedy in inveterate and chronical epilepsies, and iiv convulsive motions, es- pecially if given before the usual time of the attack, and preceded bv proper evacuations. How far empyreumatic oils possess the vir- tues that have been ascribed to them, has not yet been sufficiently determined by experience; the tediousness and trouble of the recti- fication having prevented their coming into general use, or being often made. They are liable also to more material inconvenience in regard to their medicinal use, namely precariousness in their qua- lity; for how perfectly soever they may be rectified, they gradually lose, in keeping, the qualities they had received from that process, and return more and more towards their original fetid state. * Oleum Succini Oxydatum. Oxydated Oil of Amber, Pharm. U. S.!! «• O.—Oleaginosa. 461 OLEAGINOSA.—OILY PREPARATIONS. Oleum Ammoniatum. E. Linimentum AuuomM.A.D. (Fortius.L.) Linimentum Volatile. Ammoniated Oil. Liniment of Ammonia. Volatile Liniment. Take of olive oil, two ounces; Water of ammonia, two drachms.— Mix them together. D. The London College orders a stronger liniment of ammonia, of one ounce of water of pure ammonia, and two eunces of olive oil. The Pharmacopoeia of the U. S. orders it to be made of equal parts. Linimentum Ammonia Sub-Carbonatis. L. Liniment of Sub-Carbonat of Ammonia. Take of Solution of Sub-carbonat of ammonia, one fluid ounce; Olive oil, three fluid ounces.—Shake them together till they are mixed. The most commonly adopted generic name for the combination of oil with alkalies is soap, and the species are distinguished by the addition of that of the alkalies they contain. On, these principles, volatile liniment should be called soap of ammonia, as hard soap is soap of soda, and soft soap, soap of potass. Medical use.—They are frequently used externally as stimulants and rubefacients. In inflammatory sore throats, a piece of flannel moistened with these snaps, applied to the throat, and renewed every four or five hours, is one of the most efficacious remedies. "By means of this warm stimulating, application, the neck, and sometimes the whole body is put into a sweat, vvhich, after bleeding, either carries off, or lessens the inflammation. When too strong Or too liberally applied, they sometimes occasion inflammations and even blisters. Where the skin cannot bear their acrimony, a larger proportion of oil may be. used. , This preparation is sometimes used internally, made intoatnixture with syrup and some aromatic water. A drachm or two taken in this manner three or four times a day, is a powerful remedy in some kinds of catarrh and sore throat. Oleum Lini cum Calce. E. Linimentum (Aquje) Calcis. D. Liniment of Lime Water. Lime Liniments Take of Linseed oil, Lime water, of each, equal parts.—Mix them. This liniment is extremely useful in cases of scalds or burns, being singularly efficacious in preventing, if applied in time, the inflamma- tion subsequent to burns or scalds; or even in removing it, after it has come on. It is also a species of soap, and might be called soap of lime, al- though it probably contains a great excess of oil. Oleum Camphoratum. E. D. Camphorated Oil. Take of olive oil, two ounces, Camphor, half an ounce.—Mix them so that the camphor may be dissolved. 462 0.—Orchis. This is a simple solution of camphor in fixed oil, and is an excel- lent application to local pains from whatever cause, and to glandu- lar swellings. Oleum Sulphuratum. E. L. Sulphureted Oil. Balsam of Sulphur. • Take of Olive oil, eight ounces; Sublimed sulphur, one ounce.—Boil them together in a large iron pot, stirring them continually, till they unite. Gottling directs the oil to be treated in an iron pot, and the sul- phur to be gradually added, while the solution is promoted by con- stant stirring with an-iron spatula. The pot must be sufficiently large, as the mixture swells and boils up very much; and as it is apt to catch fire, a lid should be at hand to extinguish it by covering up the pot. Medical use.—Sulphureted oil was formerly strongly recommend- ed in coughs, consumptions, and other disorders of the breast and lungs: but the reputation which it had in these .cases, does not ap- pear to have been derived from any fair trial or experience. It is manifestly hot, acrimonious, arid irritating; and should therefore be used with the utmost caution. It has frequently been found to in- jure the appetite, offend the stomach and viscera, parch the body, and occasion thirst and febrile heats. The dose of it is from ten to forty drops." It is employed externally for cleansing and healing foul running ulcers; and Bberhaave conjectures, that its use in these cases gave occasion to the virtues ascribed to it when taken inter- nally. ONISCUS ASELLUS. Millep;ed;£. D. Millepes. Slaters. These insects are found in cellars, under stones, and in cold moist places; in warm countries they are rarely met with. They have a faint, disagreeable smell, and a somewhat pungent, sweetish, nau- seous taste. . Neumann got from 480 parts 95 watery, and 10 alcoholic extract, and inversely, 52 alcoholic, and 45 watery. Nothing rose in dis- tillation with ether. Their medical virtues have been very much overrated. The millipeds are prepared by enclosing them in a thin canvass cloth, and suspending it over hot proof spirit in a close vessel, till they be killed by the steam, and rendered friable. , This barbarous practice is now nearly exploded. ORCHIS MASCULA ET MORIO. Salep. A. Salep. The Fecula of the Root. The root of this plant, by maceration in water and beating, affords the fecula known by the name of salep. Its qualities and virtues are 0.—Ossa. 463 similar to those of sago. Both of these when boiled in milk or water, with the addition of sugar and wine, form a nutritious jelly, pre- scribed in diarrhoea and dysentery as a demulcent, and in conva- lescence, as a nutritious article of diet, easy of digestion. Dr. Cutler describes one species of orchis, the production of our own soil, thus: * Lady's Plume. Female-handed Orchis. Blossoms in large spikes; white or purplish, or flesh-coloured. In wet meadows. August. ORIGANUM VULGARE. L. D:* Common Marjoram. The Herb. Didynamia Gymnospcrmia. Nat. Ord. Verticillatx, Linn. Labiatx, Juss. The Origanum is a perennial plant, and is met with upon dry chalky hills, and in gravelly soils, in several parts of Britain. It has an agreeable smell, and a pungent taste, warmer than that of the garden marjoram, and much reseinblirig thyme, with which it seems to agree in virtue: An essential oil distilled from it, is kept in the shops, and is very acrid. Origanum Marjorana. E. D. Sweet Marjoram. The Plant. Sweet marjoram is an annual plant, which grows wild in Portu- gal, but is cultivated in our gardens, principally for culinary pur- poses. It is a moderately warm aromatic, yielding its virtues both to aqueous and spirituous liquors by infusion, and to water in dis- tillation. OSTREA EDULIS. L. Oyster. , The Shells. The oyster is a very nutritious article of diet, and in some diseases not only admissible, but even advantageous. Their shells, which are officinal, are composed, like all the mother-of-pearl shells, of alter- nate layers of carbonat of lime, and a thin membranaceous substance, which exactly resembles coagulated albumen in all its properties. By burning, the membrane is destroyed, and they are converted into lime, which, although very pure, possesses no advantage over that of the mineral kingdom. OSSA. E. Bones. Recent bones consist of about half their weight of phosphat of lime, one-third of their weight of cartilage or gelatin, and one-tentli of carbonat of lime. They also contain a little fluat of lime, phos- phat of magnesia, soda, and muriat of soda. M. Darcet has shown how much nourishment can be extracted from them, by removing the earthy salts, by means of muriatic acid. But in pharmacy, * Origanum, Pharm. U. S. secondary. 464 O.—Oxalis Acetosella. bones are only used for the preparation of phosphat of lime, by burn- ing them, and of phosphat of soda, and phosphat of antimony and lime, by decomposition. OROBANCHE VIRGINIANA. Virginia Broom-rape. Beech-drops. Cancer-root. This plant is common in many parts. It is astringent, and a pe- culiar and extremely nauseous bitter. It is most powerful when re- cent It has been used in dysentery, and externally to obstinate ul- cers; and is supposed to have formed a part of the late Dr. Martin's cancer powder.* OXALIS ACETOSELLA. L. Wood Sorrel. The Leaves. Decandria Pentagynia, Nat. Ord. Gruinales, Linn.'Gerania, Juss. This is a small perennial plant, which grows wild in woods, and shady hedges. The leaves contain a considerable quantity of super- oxalat of potass, and have an extremely pleasant acid taste. They possess the same powers with the vegetable acids in general, and may be given in infusion, or beaten with sugar into a conserve, or boiled with milk to form an acid whey. The super-oxalat of potass is extracted in large quantities from them, arid sold under the name of Essential salt of Lemons. Twenty pounds of the fresh leaves yielded to Neumann six pounds of juice, from which he got two ounces, two drachms, and a scruple of salt, besides two ounces and six drachms of an impure sa- line mass. Oxalic Acid is obtained in quadrangular crystals, transparent and colourless, of a very acid taste. They are soluble in their own weight of wjater at 212°, and iri about two waters at 65°. Boiling alcohol dissolves somewhat more than half its weight, and at an ordinary temperature, a little more than one-third. It is soluble in the mu- riatic and acetic acids. It is decomposed by heat, sulphuric acid, and nitric acid. According to Fourcroy, it consists of 77 oxygen, 13 carbon, and 10 hydrogen. Oxalats are decomposed by heat; > form a white precipitate with lime water, which is soluble in acetic acid after being exposed to a red heat The earthy oxalats are very sparingly sojuble in water; the alkaline oxalats are capable of combining with excess of acid, and become less soluble., Oxalic acid is highly poisonous, and has proved fatal in several instances, by being taken accidentally for salts, or eremor tartar. *~ Bjarton's Collections, Part II. p. 6. P.—Papaver. 465 P. PANAX QUINQUEFOLIUM. Ginseng. The Root. This is a perennial plant, which grows in Tartary, Japan, Corea, and North America. The root is about the thickness of #he little finger; an inch or two in length, often dividing into two branches; of a whitish-yellow colour; wrinkled on the surface; of a compact al- most horny texture; when broken, exhibiting a resinous circle in the middle, of a reddish colour. It has no smell, but a very sweet taste, combined with a slight degree of aromatic bitterness. The Chinese, probably on account of its scarcity, have a very ex- traordinary opinion of the virtues of this root, so that it sells for many times its weight in silver. The Americans, on the contrary, disregard it, because it is found plentifully in their woods. In fact, it is a gentle and agreeable stimulant. tfZT" The powdered root answers well as a substitute in making pills, for the liquorice root; and from a few trials I am disposed to think its extract might equally supply the place of the extract of liquorice. References.—Ray, Hist. Plant, p. 1338.—Plukenet, Phytograph. Tab. 101. fig. 7'.—Mentzelius, in Eph. Ac. N. Cur. Dec. 2. An. 5.— Breynius, Diss. Botanico-med. de radice Ginsem seu Nisi.—Piso, Mantissa aromat. 194.—Kircher, Chim. illust p. 178.—Dekker's Exercit Pract. 669. PAPAVER__POPPY. PAPAVER. Spec. Plant. Willd. ii. 1144. CI. 13. Ord. 1. Polyandria Monogynia. Nat. ord. Rhoedaeae, Linn. Papaveracse, Juss. G. 1015. Corolla four-petalled. Calyx two-leaved. Capsule one- celled, opening by pores under the persistent stigma. **■ with smooth capsules. Sp. 5. P. Rhoeas. Corn or Red Poppy. Med. Bot. 2d edit. 387. t. 139. Smith Flora Brit. 567. Eng. Bot. 645. Sp. 7. P. somniferum. White Poppy. Med. Bot. Zd edit. 376. t. 138. Smith Flora Brit. 568. 1. Papaver Rhoeas.* Officinal. Rhoeades petala, Lond. Papaver erraticum; pe- tala, Dub. Petals of the Red Poppy. Syn. Coquelicot, (F.) Die blumen der klapprose, (G.) Papavero salvatico, (I.) Adormidera silvestre; Amapola, (S.) This species of the poppy is an annual of G. Britain, growing in the greatest abundance in corn-fields, and waste places, and flowering in June and July. Its geographic situation extends from 60° N. lat. towards the tropics; but it is not found in America. The stem rises • 'Pnx(, Theophrasti et Dioscoridis. 59 466 P—Papaver. about a foot in height, is branched, and every where furnished with stiffish, horizontally spreading hairs. The leaves are sessile, pinna- tifid, sometimes doubly so, serrated or cut, and generally hairy. The flowers are solitary, on slender hairy peduncles; the calyx con- sists of Jwo ovate, rough, concave leaves, which fall before the pe- tals expand; these are four, large, roundish, unequal, and spread- ing, of a full bright scarlet colour, and sometimes marked with a black spot at the base. The germen is ovate, smooth, with a con- vex, sessile, shield-like stigma, scalloped on the edge, having many purple-coloured rays; and becomes an urn-shaped capsule.* The petals must be gathered when they begin to blow, as they, very soon drop after they are fully expanded. , Qualities.—They have a faint narcotic odour, and a mucilaginous, very slightly bitter taste. They yield their colouring matter to warm water; and on this account only are used, as they cannot be said to possess any anodyne properties. The capsules, however, of every species of poppy contain opium; and from the red it has actually been procured for medicinal purposes, both by Botilduct and Dr. Alston;^ but the quantity is too small to make it an object of im- portance. 2. Papaver Somniferum,§ L. E. D. A. Officinal. Papaveris Capsule. Opium, Lond. Papaveris Som- niferi Capsule. Opium, Edin. Papaver Album; Capsulje; Opium; Succus Concretus, Dub. Poppy capsules or heads; and Opium. Syn. Capsules des pavots blancs; Opium, (F.) Die KSpse des Weissen Mohns, Mohnsaft, (G.) Valmuesaft, (Danish.) Opion, (Swedish, Danish, and Russian,) Capi del Papavero; Oppio, (I.) Adormideras; Opio, (S.) Afeeoan, (Arab.) Afiun, (H.) The somniferous or white poppy is a native of Asia; and although it is found growing wild in the southern parts of Europe, and even in England, yet there is every reason for thinking, that its seed must have been carried to these parts. It was very early cultivated in Greece, perhaps,' at first solely for the sake of its seed, which was used as food. It is extensively cultivated in most of the states of EuropeJ in the present age, not only on account of the opium, * This form of capsule easily distinguishes it from Papaver dubium, which has a long narrow capsule, but in other respects closely resembles the corn poppy. . ■ f Mem. de Acad, de Paris, 1712. \ Alston's Mat. Med. § Mijxw w^s/jo?, Theophrasti et Dioscoridis. Homer notices the somniferous poppy under the name of pmuw, as a garden plant* and it is said to be nour- ishing by Hippocrates: the seeds are not narcotic. ' The following are the names by which the poppy is known in the greater part of Europe. Pavot, (F.) Papavero, (I.) Mohn, Magen, (G.) Dormidera, Cascak, (S.) M£k, (Boh. and Hung.) Maczek, (Polish.) Maan, (Flemish.) Yalmue, (Danish.) || In England and France, it has bee,n cultivated for the purpose of obtain- ing opium; and a Mr. Ball, in 1796, received a premium from the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, for a specimen of British opium little inferior to the Oriental.—Transactions of the Society of Arts, xiv. 260 to 270. But it has lately been more successfully cultivated by a Mr. Young, than by any other person who has attempted its culture in Great Britain. See Edin. Phihs. Journ. No. ii. p. 262. P__Papaver. 467 for which it is reared in Turkey, Persia, and India, but also on ac- count of the capsules, and of the bland oil obtained from the seeds. It is an annual plant, flowering in June and July, in Europe; and in February, in India. The stem is glaucous coloured, smooth, erect, and-round; rising to the height of five or six feet, when in a favour- able situation. The leaves are large, simple, obtuse, lobed, and cre- nated, and embracing the stem on which they are alternately placed. The flowers are large and terminal, the calyx is formed of two smooth, ovate, bifid, concave leaves, that drop on the expanding of the petals; which are four in number, large, roundish, entire, some- what undulated and white; occasionally of a silver-gray colour, and tinged with violet at the base. The filaments are very numerous, slender, shorter than the corolla, and support erect, compressed an- thers; and the germen, which is globular and smooth, is crowned with a many-rayed stigma. The capsule, which stands on a short pedicle, is globular when well grown, smooth, glaucous, from two to four inches in diameter, a little flattened at the top and bottom, and crowned with the persistent stigma, the segments of which stand erect, and have an elegant appearance. The seeds are small, white, or gray, reniform, and very numerous; and escape, when ripe, through small openings under the points of the stigma. All the parts of the poppy contain a white, opaque, narcotic juice; but it abounds more in the capsules: hence these are the only officinal parts of the plant, and for them chiefly is the plant cultivated in England. They are gathered %s they ripen; and as this happens at different times, there are annually three or four gatherings. They are brought to market in bags, each containing about 3000 capsules, and sold to the druggists.* The milky juice of the poppy in its more perfect state, which is the case in warm climates only, is extracted by incisions made in the capsules, and inspissated; and in this state forms the opium of commerce.! The mode of obtaining it, appears tQ have been nearly the same in the time of Dioscorides, as is at this day adopted. The plants during their growth, are carefully watered and manured, the watering being more profuse as the period of flowering approaches, and until the capsules are half-grown, when it is discontinued, and the collection of the opium commences. At sun set, longitudinal incisions are made upon each half-ripe capsule, passing from below upwards, and not penetrating to the internal cavity. The night dews favour the exudation of xhe juice, which is collected in the morning by old women and children, who scrape it from off the * The London market is chiefly supplied from Mitcham in Surrey. The average price of each bag containing 3000 capsules, is about 41.10s. (Sterling.) —Stevenson's Survey, 382. f In tracing the origin of the name opium, we find that the ancient^ inhabi- tants of India and of Egypt, and the Arabians, called thea inspissated juice of the poppy capsule, affion,- the Persians, afiuun,- the Moors, affiun,- and, by the modern Turks, it is termed affioni. The Greeks named it opiort, a word de- rived from opos, juice. "Omov'dsr* t*ou orfw, adding sometimes, p.txa>m, the juice of the poppy, or 0V« t&>v km8s*«v, the juice of the capside. Some suppose that the Nepenthes of Homer, (Odyssev, iv. 220. v.) was opium; but this opinion is completely disproved by Dr. Christen, in his excellent work entitled, Opium Historicc, chemice atque Pharmacologice Investigatum. Vindobome, 8vo. 1820. 468 P.—Papaver. wounds with a small iron scoop, and deposit the whole in an earthen pot, where it is worked by wooden spatulas in the sun-shine, until it attain a considerable degree of spissitude. It is then formed by the hand into cakes, which are lain in earthen basins to be further exsiccated, when it is covered over with poppy or tobacco leaves.* Such is the mode followed in India, and according to Koempfer's account nearly the same is practised in Persia:! and when the juice is drawn in a similar manner in this country, and inspissated, it has all the characters of pure opium. Opium is brought to this country in chests from Turkey and India. The Turkey opium is in flat pieces, covered with leaves, and the reddish capsules of some species of rumex, which is considered an indication of its goodness, as the inferior kinds of opium have none of these capsules adhering to them. Turkey opium generally con- tains about one-fourth part of impurities. East Indian opium is in round masses, covered with the petals of the poppy in successive layers, to the thickness nearly of one-fourth of an inch* Mr. Kerr relates, that at Bahar, it is frequently adulterated with cow-dung, the extract of the poppy procured by boiling, and various other sub- stances. In Malava, it is mixed with oil of sesamum, which is often one-half of the mass: ashes and the dried leaves of the plant are also used. It is also adulterated with the aqueous extract of the capsules, the extracts of Chelidonium glaucum, Lactuca virosa, and Glycyrr- hiza glabra; and sometimes with gum arabic, tragacanth, aloes, and many other articles. # Opium is regarded as bad when it is either very soft, greasy, light, friable, of an intensely black colour, or mixed with many impurities. A weak or empyreumatic odour, a slightly bitter or acrid, or a sweet- ish taste, or the power of marking a brown or black continuous streak, when drawn across paper, are also symptoms of inferior opium. Qualities.—1. The dried capsule of the poppy is inodorous, and nearly insipid, a slight degree of bitterness only being perceptible when it is long chewed. Water by coction extracts its virtue; and when the decoction is evaporated, an extract is obtained, with pro- perties similar to opium, but less powerful. 2. Turkey opium has a peculiar, strong, heavy, narcotic odour, and a bitter taste, which is accompanied with a sensation of acrid heat, or biting on the tongue and lips, if the opium be well chewed: and if long kept in the mouth of a person unaccustomed to chew it, blistering is produced. Its colour, when good, is a reddish brown, or fawn colour; it's texture compact and uniform. Its specific gra- vity is 1.336. When soft, it is tenacious; but when long exposed to the air, it becomes hard, breaks with an uniform shining fracture, is pulverulent, and affords a yellowish brown powder: which is again aggregated by a heat so low as that of the. hand. It is inflammable, and partially soluble in water, vinegar, lemon juice, wine, alcohol, and ether. By long boiling in water under exposure to the air, its • Med. Observ. and Inquiries, v. 317. f According to Koempfer, the produce of the first incisions is of a pale yel- low, and called gobaar in Persia; and is esteemed much superior in strength and goodness in every respect to the other collections. Amcenit. Exot. P.—Papaver. 496 narcotic powers are impaired; yet nothing rises with water, when it is distilled with that fluid.* When carefully triturated with hot water, about five parts in twelve of the opium are dissolved and re- tained in solution, nearly six parts are simply suspended, and rather more than one part remains perfectly insoluble, of a viscid, plastic nature, somewhat resembling the gluten of wheat, but of a dark colour. Bucholz regarded this as caoutchouc; according to Proust it contains wax; and Gren supposed it to be analogous to gluten. By digesting alcohol on this substance, Mr. Thomson found that it dissolved a small portion of it, acquired a reddish yellow colour, and became milky when added to water. Sulphuric ether digested on it, broke it down, and dissolved a portion of it, forming a yel- lowish tincture, which when evaporated on water left resin, a bitter extractive, and some acicular crystals of a salt which Derosne erro- neously supposed to be the narcotic principle. The insoluble part, after the action of the ether, was subjected to a set of comparative experiments with the gluten of wheat,, when it afforded similar re- sults with the majority of the tests employed. Hence this part of Turkey opium appears to be a modification of gluten combined with resin, extractive and peculiar salts. 3. East Indian opium has a strong empyreumatic smell, but not much of the peculiar, narcotic, heavy odour of the Turkey opium; the taste is more bitter, and equally nauseous, but it has less acri- mony: it agrees with the Turkey opium in its other sensible quali- ties, except that its colour is blacker, its texture less plastic al- though it is as tenacious. It is more friable, and when triturated with water no insoluble plastic residuum is left, but it is altogether taken up; eight parts in twelve being dissolved, and the remainder suspended in the fluid. The aqueous solutions of both kinds of opium are transparent when filtered, that of the East Indian having the deepest brown colour; both redden litmus paper; neither is decomposed by alcohol, but both are precipitated by the carbonates of potass and of soda, and by pure ammonia; precipitates are also formed by solutions of the muriate and nitrate of mercury, the acetate and super-acetate of lead, the nitrate of silver, and the sulphates of copper, of zinc, and of iron. They are also precipitated by infusion of galls; the pre- cipitate, as Dr. Duncan justly observes, resembling more that pro- duced by cinchonin, than that by gelatine.* The solution of acetate of barytes does not alter the solutions of Turkey opium, but pro- duces a copious precipitate with those of the East Indian; oxalic acid precipitates both, but the latter more copiously. No article of the Materia Medica has occupied the attention of chemists so much as opium. The more important results of their labours are detailed: but we may preface this account by stating that from the experiments to which it has been submitted, the components of opium appear to be gum, resin, bitter extractive, two peculiar crystallizable salts, an acid, alum, and sulphates of lime and of potass; the latter of which appears to be very abundant in the East Indian opium: the * Beaume, however, asserts that the odorous part of the opium is an oil. f Edinburgh New Dispensatory, 5th edit. 332. 470 P.—Papaver. Turkish contains besides, a species of gluten, and caoutchouc. Ac- cording to Bucholz the proportion of extractive, in 100 parts of opium, is 36; of gum 30; of resin 9; gluten 11; caoutchouc 5; sulphate of potass 2; and of sulphate of lime 1; the remainder con- sisting of an oily or balsamic matter and waste. But, as the sedative power of opium evidently could not depend on any of the above-named principles; some other was to be looked for; and has been at length discovered. When ether is used as a menstruum for opium, and the resin and extractive which it takes Up are separated by evapjorating the tincture on the surface of water, the pellicle of resin deposited is nearly insipid, while the extractive dissolved in the water has an intensely bitter taste; from this fact, and the circumstance already mentioned of opium becoming inert when boiled in water, we might venture to conclude that the seda- tive principle resides in the extractive. Derosne, in 1804, asserted that the activity of opium depends on a peculiar salt. He evaporat- ed a watery infusion of opium to the consistence of syrup, and di- gested the gritty precipitate formed by this evaporation in hot alco- hol: as the solution cooled, a salt formed, which by repeated solu- tions and crystallizations was obtained free from the resin, of a white colour, and in rectangular prisms with rhomboidal bases; these were inodorous, insipid, insoluble in cold water, but soluble in 400 parts of boiling water; soluble in 100 parts of cold, and 24 of boil- ing alcohol; soluble in hot ether and the volatile oils, but separating as these fluids cooled; and very soluble in all the acids. Given to dogs, it produced the effects of a strong dose of opium; but these were readily relieved by vinegar. In repeating the experiments of Derosne, Mr. Thomson obtained a much greater proportion of crys- tals of this peculiar salt from East India than from Turkey opium, which he conceived to militate against his idea of its being the seda- tive principle, inasmuch as larger doses of that variety of opium are required to produce its sedative effect on the system. Mr. Thomson has had no opportunities of ascertaining the power of this salt; but some experiments by M. Orfila* show that although it exerts a dele- terious effect on the animal economy, yet, that the symptoms differ from those produced by opium; and, even from Derosne's account, it is not much more powerful as a sedative than opium itself, t Scep- ticism on this subject was further confirmed by the discovery of M. Sertuerner. The first experiments of this chemist were made public about a year after those of Derosne: but they excited little attention until he published a second memoir in 1817. Accordingto Sertuerner the salt of Derosne is not the sedative principle of opium, but a com- bination of it with a peculiar acid which he discovered in opium, and named the meconic, the sedative principle being according to him an alkaline salt, which he had obtained in a separate state. This salt has been named morphia. Robiquet, however, has demonstrated the fal- lacy of Sertuerner's opinion as far as it concerns Derosne's salt; but * Nouveau Journ. de Med. torn. x. p. 154. t Annates de Chimie, Ixv. 270. Derosne concludes from the effects of nitric add and caloric on this salt, that it is composed of oxygen, hydrogen, azote, and carbon. It does,not redden vegetable blues. Ibid, p. 279. P..—Papaver. 471 has confirmed his statement regarding the existence of morphia.* To obtain morphia, he orders a concentrated solution of opium to be boiled for a quarter of an hour, with a small quantity, (184 grains to lib. i. of opium,) of magnesia. A grayish precipitate forms, which is to be separated by filtration, washed on the filter with cold water, dried, and then digested for some time with weak spirit in a mode- rate heat, in order to separate the colouring matter. The residue is now again to be separated by the filter, washed with a little cold al- cohol, and then boiled in a larger quantity of rectified alcohol: on filtering the solution whilst it is yet boiling, morphia, beautifully crystallized and almost free from colour, is deposited as it cools. By repeating the last part of the operation three or four times, with the residue of the previous boilings, the whole of the morphia is ob- tained. The salt thus procured is colourless, bitter, inodorous, and crystallized, in regular parallelopipeds. It burns like vegetable matter, leaving carbon as a residue; restores, like the alkalies, the colour of reddened turnsole, browns turmeric paper, and readily combines with acids forming neutral salts.t It is nearly insoluble in water, and not very soluble in cold alcohol, or ether; but it is readily soluble in the two latter fluids in the boiling state; the salt being again precipitated in crystals as the solutions cool. It is soluble also in oil, both fixed and volatile. As an alkali, it holds the next place to ammonia, having less affinity for the acids than either that salt or magnesia. Morphia being scarcely-soluble in water or in the fluids of the stomach in its uncombined state, does not display in a striking manner its properties when exhibited alone; but these are very striking whep it is combined with an acid, particularly the acetic, or the meconic; with the latter of which it exists naturally in opium in a state of combination, as a super-meconate. The sedative pro- perties, therefore, of opium, appear to depend on the morphia it con- tains, which acts very powerfully on the animal economy: but the meconic acid in its separated state exerts no peculiar effect on the animal system. Its principal chemical characteristics are the pro- ducing an intense red colour with solution of iron oxydized ad maxi- mum; and a deep blue with solutions of the salts of gold. M.M. Magendie and Robiquet have lately endeavoured to prove that the salt obtained by Derosne, and which they have named narcotine, is that principle whfch produces the excitement experienced by" those who take opium before its sedative effects are felt. Robiquet has- proposed a mode of preparing an extract free from narcotine, and yet containing morphia. (See Extractum Opii.) In repeating Sertuerner's and Robiquet's experiments, Mr. Thom- son obtained from good Turkey opium, nearly three times the quan- tity of morphia yielded by the same weight of East India opium; that from the latter was also more coloured, and in smaller crystals. * Annates de Chimie et de Phys. tome v. p. 276. f The nitric acid of commerce, when dropped on 'morphia, communicates to it a beautiful red colour. The following are the characters of the neutral compounds of morphia which may be medicinally employed. The acetate of morphia crystallizes in soft, silky prisms,\which are very soluble. The sulphate in arborescent or branching crystals, soluble in two parts of water at 60°. The carbonate in short prismatic crystals, soluble in four parts of water at 60°. 472 P__Papaver. Although the utmost nicety of manipulation was not attended to in these experiments, yet as both specimens were treated exactly in the same manner, the experiments are sufficient to show the com- parative richness of these varieties of the drug in this salt; and the result is certainly in favour of the opinion that the sedative property of opium depends on this alkaline salt; and accounts for the fact which has been stated above, that much larger doses of the East India opium are required to produce its sedative effect on the sys- tem. Practitioners and physiologists in this country have made but few decisive experiments with morphia, to determine its ef- fects on the animal economy; but this point has been investigated by M.M. Orfila and Majendie.* The experiments of the former being made upon dogs, they can be regarded as important only inasmuch as they confirm the opinion, that opium owes its soporific powers to this salt, and displays the comparative activitv of the different com- binations of the salt. Of the saline compounds he found the acetate the most powerful, but a solution of morphia in olive oil acts with still greater intensity, and with more than double the effect of the aqueous extract of opium. The experiments of M. Majendie being made on the human subject, are more interesting. He found that a quarter of a grain of acetate of morphia produces the most beneficial effects that can be expected from an anodyne, allaying pain and procuring sleep without, in any degree, affecting the cerebral func- tions; and Mr. Thomson has been able? from his owri experience, to verify this fact. The sulphate acts in a similar manner, but with less energy. Medical properties and uses.—Poppy heads or capsules possess anodyne properties: they are chiefly employed,, boiled in water, a,s fomentations to inflamed and ulcerated surfaces; and a syrup pre- pared with the inspissated decoction is used as an anodyne for chil- dren, and to allay the tickling cough in chronic catarrh and phthisis. Opium operates as a powerful and very diffusible stimulus, but its primary operation is followed by narcotic and sedative effects in a degree much greater than could be expected from the previous excitement it induces. It acts directly on the nervous system, and when taken into the stomach destroys irritability, and allays pain in the most distant parts of the body, independent of the circu- lation; and without inducing any change on the composition of the blood. As the principle, therefore, on which opium acts is the same over all the body, the topical application of it is capable of producing similar effects, only in a diminished degree, to those re- sulting from it when it is taken into the stomach. The larger the dose is, the more quickly its primary action is extended over the whole habit; and as every part is excited nearly at the same mo- ment of time, the general consequent exhaustion must necessarily more rapidly follow than When the dose is merely sufficient to induce a degree of excitement, scarcely exceeding the powers of the sys- tem on which it operates. Hence either the stimulant or the seda- tive effects of opium may be rendered obvious by the extent of the dose in which it is exhibited, andgj-he early knowledge of this truth * Nouveau Journ. de Medicine, torn. i. p. 1. 23. P.—Papaver. 473 might have saved much of the keen controversy which this subject at one period occasioned. In moderate doses opium increases the fulness, the force and the frequency of the pulse, augments the heat of the body,* quickens respiration, and invigorates both the corporeal and mental functions, exhilarating even to intoxication:! but by degrees these effects are succeeded by languor, lassitude, and sleep, and in many instances head-ache, sickness, thirst, tremors, and other symptoms of debility such as follow the excessive use of ardent spirits, supervene. In very large doses the primary excitement is scarcely apparent, but the pulse seems to be at once diminished, drowsiness and stupor immediately come on, and are followed by delirium, sighing, deep and stertorous breathing, cold sweats, convulsions, apoplexy and death. The appearances on dissection are those which indicate the previous existence of violent inflammation of the stomach and bow- els; but notwithstanding the symptoms of apoplexy which an over- dose when it proves fatal occasions, no particular appearance of an inflammatory state or fulness of the vessels of the brain are per- ceived. Opium is efficaciously given in some diseases of debility, as, for instance, fevers of the typhoid kind, and intermittents; and com- bined with calomel to check the progress of gangrene. In typhus, when given in small doses frequently repeated, it is an useful assistant to wine and tonics in supporting the vis vitae; and at the same time allaying irritation, and obtunding the susceptibility of those morbid impressions which occasion watchfulness, .delirium, tremors and subsultus tendinum. It is to this effect of it that Ali- bert and others ascribe its power, when moderately, used, of render- ing the human body less susceptible to different diseases.^ Some caution, however, is required in its exhibition; for if the heat of the body be much above the natural standard, and the skin dry, opium increases these symptoms, augments thirst, and occasions restless- ness. But if moisture be coming on, opium accelerates it, and tranquillity and sleep follow. Hence the propriety of Dr. Cur- rie's advice, not to give the evening dose of opium in these fevers till very late, or about one or two o'clock in the morning, when the heat is subsiding; or first to lower the temperature, and excite sen- sible perspiration by the effusion of cold water, or tepid sponging. § It is hurtful also where there is any disposition to local inflamma- * It is extraordinary that Dioscorides, Galen, Aurelianus, and many of the ancients, believed that it produced cold. f The Turks call opium afioni; and in the teriakihana, or opium shops of Constantinople they take it in graduated doses from ten grains to one hun- dred grains in a day. It is mixed with rich syrup and the inspissated juices of fruit to render it more palatable and less intoxicating; and is taken with a spoon, or made up into small lozenges stamped with the words, Mash Allah, literally, "The work of God." The Tartar couriers who travel great dis- tances, and with astonishing rapidity, take nothing else to support them during their journeys. ("Dalloway's Constantinople, 4to. 78.) There is, however, some reason for supposing that the Mash Allah, or Maslach of the Turks, contain other narcotics, as those of hemp and lolium, as well as opium. + Noweaux Elemens de The'rapeutique, &c. 4 edit, tome xi. p. 76. § Medical Reports on the Use of cold and warm Water, i. 290. 60 174 P.—Papaver. tion, particularly of the chest; and where there is much determina- tion to the head. Opium very materially assists the bark in curing intermittents, and prevents it from running off by the bowels. When given at the approach of the paroxysm, it sometimes checks its attack, or shortens and renders it milder, and abates the vio- lence of the hot stage by determining to the surface, and inducing sleep. In acute rheumatism opium is given united with ipecacuanha or antimonials,* and nitre, and always relieves when it determines to the surface. In the other phlegmasiae, however, it cannot with pro- priety be used in the early stages; but after the inflammatory action is subdued, it is useful in quieting cough, allaying pain, and pro- curing sleep. In eruptive diseases, particularly small-pox, the liberal use of opium is found to be highly beneficial, when convulsions precede the appearance of the eruption, or if the accompanying fever assume the typhoid type. In malignant scarlatina, pemphigus, and several others of the exanthemata, it is equally valuable; but its use is contra-indicated in this class of diseases when the fever is inflam- matory. In the haemorrhagiae it is useful when the discharge arises chiefly from an increased degree of irritability, and where the pulse, in- stead of being strong and full, is small, quick, and intermitting. Hence its efficacy in the floodings of weakened habits after abor- tions, and in phthisical haemoptysis. It has been recommended also after blood-letting, in the haemoptysis and haematemesis of the latter months of pregnancy. Although opiates are hurtful at first, and check expectoration in catarrh, yet when the cough remains obstinate, their good effects are undoubted; and in the contagious catarrh or influenza, an opiate at bed-time is requisite for quieting the cough in every stage of the dis- order. In dysentery, also, the benefit to be derived from opium de- pends very much on the bowels having been previously well cleared, in which case it allays the tormina and tenesmus; and the same re- mark applies to diarrhoea. But the spasmodic and convulsive diseases are those in which opium is most evidently useful. In tetanus, although it does not al- ways succeed, even when given in the largest doses, yet, many cases have occurred in which the continued exhibition of large doses has overcome the spasm, and cured the disease; particularly when it has been judiciously combined with cathartics: often, however, very large quantities of the remedy have been taken without any sensible effect on the state of the habit, and without relieving the disorder; and the same is the case in hydrophobia, in which 180 grains of solid opium have been taken in the space of twelve hours without produc- ing any apparent effect. It has been found beneficial in chorea; but, as in tetanus, it is necessary to precede its use by strong cathar- * Mr. Thomson says he knows of no remedy which so effectually relieves the excruciating pain of acute rheumatism, which generally makes its attack at night, as the following combination: R. Submuriatis Hydrargyri, gr. jss. An- timonii tartarizati gr. $. Opii gr. jss. fiat pihdahora decumbentis sumenda. p.—Papaver. 475 tics, or at least to give it in combination with these.* In epilepsy it proves useful when given in combination with musk; and it has been recommended by highly respectable authority! in eclampsia, but its efficacy in this complaint is rather doubtful. In spasmodic asthma it shortens the paroxysms, abates the violence of the cough in per- tussis, when given after the primary fever subsides; and is more es- pecially useful in pyrosis and cholera than any other medicine. Solid opium, either alone or united with camphor, is the most effectual re- medy for checking obstinate vomiting proceeding from a morbid ir- ritability of the stomach. In cholic and ileus it is given in combina- tion with laxatives, and allays the spasm and pain; nor is it less effi- cacious in flatulent colic with hernia. As a remedy in lues venerea opium is still relied on by some foreign practitioners, but the idea of its anti-venereal powers has been justly exploded in this country; and it is properly regarded only as an useful adjunct to mercury in thk disease: " by diminishing the sensibility of the stomach and bowels, it prevents many of those inconveniences which this mineral is apt to excite in the primae viae, and allows it to be more easily in- troduced into the system. "J In short, in all cases where the irrita- bility is morbidly increased, and where it ie> of importance to lessen pain, and procure sleep, opium is undoubtedly the most valuable ar- ticle of the Materia Medica. Opium is contra-indicated in all morbid states of the body where a strong inflammatory diathesis exists; in pulmonary affections, when the cough is dry and hard, and the expectoration difficult and scanty; and if not hurtful, its use is at least doubtful in mania, in which it generally occasions restlessness instead of procuring sleep.^ Externally used, opium is almost as efficacious as when it is taken into the stomach, and produces its narcotic effects without affecting the head or producing nausea. It is applied in the form of frictions, either combined with oil, or with the camphor liniment, or in the form of tincture: thus applied, it maybe used in all the diseases above enumerated. Its good effects in colic have been often seen; and its singular efficacy in symptomatic trismus, has also been witnessed when rubbed on the jaw and applied to the scrobiculus cordis by means of pledgets soaked .in the tincture. A piece of solid opium stuffed into a carious tooth reliev.es the pain of tooth-ache; and introduced into the rectum, either in the solid form or dissolved in water as an ene- ma, it affords relief in tenesmus, in painful affections of the prostate gland, and in spasmodic strictures. A weak watery solution of it, also is an useful adjunct to injections in gonorrhoea, and to collyria in ophthalmia; and the vinous tincture dropped into the eye removes the suffusion which often remains in that disease after the inflamma- tion has been subdued; and restores the tone of the diseased organ. The aqueous solution also lessens the pain of open cancer, when cloths soaked in it are laid over the sore. Opium is exhibited either in substance as a pill, or under the form of tincture. It is necessary to avoid combining it with substances * Observations on the Administration and Utility of Purgative Medicines, &c. 86. f Denman. Bland. * Pearson's Observations, &c. on Articles usedin the Cure of Lues Venerea, p. 60, 476 P.—Papaver. which decompose it; and therefore solutions of oxymuriate of mercu- ry, acetate of lead, sulphates of zinc, iron, and copper; of the car- bonates of alkalies, lime water, infusion of galls, and infusion of yel- low cinchona bark, are incompatible in prescriptions with opium. In combination, however, with vinegar, the vegetable acids, and oil, its narcotic power is much increased.* The dose of opium should be regulated by the nature of the dis- ease, and the peculiar intention for which it is ordered. The cir- cumstance of the patient having been previously accustomed to its use must also regulate the extent.of the dose; for in this case a dose, which to one unaccustomed to its use would prove fatal, may, per- haps to another in the habit of taking it be scarcely sufficient to pro- duce its sedative effects. A quarter of a grain, or even less, fre- quently repeated, is, in general, sufficient to keep up its stimulant effect; and from gr. j. to grs. ij. act as a sedative, and produce sleep, while in tetanus, hydrophobia, and some other diseases, f^vss. of laudanum have been given in twenty-six hours, without occasion- ing any bad effects or even producing sleep.t The use of opium for the purpose of exhilarating the spirits, has long been known in Turkey, Syria, and China;:): and of late years it has been unfortunately adopted by many, particularly females, in this country. Russell§ says that in Syria, when combined with spices and aromatics, he has known it taken to the amount of 3^j* *n twenty-four hours. Its habitual use cannot be too much reprobated. It impairs the digestive organs, consequently the vigour Of the whole body, and destroys also gradually the mental energies. The effects of opium on those addicted to its use, says Russell, are at first ob- stinate eostiveness, succeeded by diarrhoea and flatulence, with loss * The effects of vegetable acids in augmenting the efficacy of opium, is ex- plained by what has been said on the combinations of morphia. The greater power of that preparation of opium, which has been known, for upwards of a hundred years, under the name of " Black Drop," appears to depend on its containing an acetate of morphia. There is also some reason for thinking that another preparation of opium, the Liquor Opii Sedativus, of Mr. Batley, of Fore-Street, London, which has been justly esteemed one of the best prepa- rations of the drug hitherto discovered, owes its efficacy to the acetate of morphia. The mode of preparing it is as yet kept secret; but Mr. Thom- son says that the whole of the resinous part of the opium employed is separat- ed and rejected; and he is inclined to believe that acetic acid is employed to separate the gummy part. Dr. Paris, (Pharmacologia,J states as an objection to this preparation, that it undergoes some important change on being kept. But Mr. Thomson's experience does not allow him to concur in this remark. He used the remedy before it was sold to the Profession, and gave it the name it bears; and although he has since constantly prescribed it, and kept the pre- paration in rather a warm situation, yet he has not observed the change of which Dr. Paris has spoken. ^ , | Currie's Medical Reports, &c. i. 138. * The inhabitants of these countries regard it also as an aphrodisiac. " Ad venerem.enim ciere integra nationes norunt, et in hunc usum adhibent: sic Japonenses, Chinenses, magis India:, Persse, JEgyptii et Turcse aphrodisiacum opium, referentibus Pr. Alpino, Saar, (Itinerar, Ind. Orient, J Cleyer, (Eph. N. C. 11. x. 35.) Foeminas turcicas opio viros incitare refert Jahn, (Mat. Med. ii. 265.) Vide Opium Hist. Chem. atque Pharm. invest, par C. A, Chris- ten, 8vo. p. 53. § History of Aleppo, i. 128. P.—Papaver. 477 of appetite and a sottish appearance, The memories of those who take it soon fail, they become prematurely old, and then sink into the grave objects of scorn and pity.* When opium has been taken in an overdose, the first thing to be done for counteracting its bad effect, is the exhibition of a powerful emetic; and for this purpose 9j. of sulphate of zinc, or from grs. v. to grs. x. of sulphate of copper dissolved in water should be imme- diately swallowed, and the vomiting kept up for a considerable time, and urged by irritation of the fauces. Large draughts of vinegar and water, or other acidulated fluids, should afterwards be frequently taken; and the powers of the habit supported by brandy, coffee, and cordials. The sufferer should be kept awake, and, if possible in con- tinued gentle motion. Currie recommends the affusion of warm wa- ter at 106° or 108°,t for removing the drowsiness. " Adulterations. The Turkey opium, when good, is covered with leaves, and the reddish capsules of some species of rumex; the in- ferior kinds have none of these capsules adhering to them. It is fre- quently adulterated with the extract of liquorice; it should be re- garded as bad when it is very soft or friable, of an intensely black colour, or mixed with many impurities, or when it has a sweetish taste, or marks paper with a brown continuous streak, when drawn across it. It frequently happens, that in cutting a mass of opium, bullets and stones have been found imbedded in it, a fraud which is committed by the Turks, from which the retailer alone suffers." In the Journal de Physiologie Experimentale, for January, 1821, Mr. Robiquet has given a new mode of preparing the extract of opium. In relation to this, the following is extracted from the Me- dical Intelligencer for February, 1821. " The.nauseating principle of opium, says the author, has but a small share in the effects which that substance'produces on the ani- mal economy. It is now a well established fact, that those effects are the result of properties peculiar to the two principles recently discovered in opium, the 'narcotine' and the 'morphine.' " It results from Dr. Majendie's experiments, that the former acts on the animal system as a stimulant, or rather as an irritating sub- stance; while the latter is the real anodyne, and that which induces calm sleep. The presence of two such opposite principles in opium, * Mustapha Shatoor, an opiunv^iter in Smyrna, took daily three drachms of crude opium. The visible effects at the time were the sparkling of his eyes, and great exhilaration of spirits. He found the desire of increasing his dose growing upon him. He seemed twenty years older than he really was; his complexion was very sallow, his legs small, his gums eaten away, and the teeth laid bare to the sockets. He could not rise without first swallowing half a drachm of opium. (Phil. Trans, xix. 289.) Some years ago, Mr. Thomson was consulted by a lady, who took a wine pint and a half of lauda- num every week, and who, as she began to experience its bad effects on her constitution, was anxious to discontinue it, but was uncertain how to proceed., He recommended her to get a three-pint bottle of the drug, and to continue her usual dose; but after taking each portion out of the bottle, always to. re- place it with water; so that, in the progress of time, the bottle would contain water only, and her propensity would be cured. She continued the plan for one week only, and having left his neighbourhood, he had no opportunity of knowing the consequence of her return to the abuse of opium. f Reports on Water, i. 80.—Cold water on the head is much superior. 478 P__Papaver. is, by Dr. Majendie, considered as the cause of the variable effects which that drug is known often to produce. " The ' narcotine' is the salt which Derosne discovered some years ago, and which led to the subsequent and more recent detec- tion of ' morphium;' and if that principle be the obnoxious one, which it is desirable to separate from the common extract of opium, any method of accomplishing that object in an effectual manner will be received with gratitude. This method M. Robiquet has the merit of suggesting. " ' Make a solution of opium in cold water, in the same way as if the aqueous extract were to be prepared. Filter and evaporate to the consistence of a thick syrup, which is to be treated in appropriate vessels by rectified aether, taking care to shake the mixture repeat- edly before decanting the eethereal tincture. The latter is then dis- tilled, to separate the aether, and the operation repeated by adding fresh aether, and re-distilling as long as any crystals of ' narcotine' are obtained by the distillation. The solution of opium is then eva- porated to the consistence of extract, which is preserved for use.' " Otj» The following preparation of opium I extract from the writings of Bon- tius, " Hist. Nat. and Med. Indise Orientalis," &c. cap. 4. p. 20. They appear to be written from Batavia, in 1629—to Piso, or at least to have been arranged by him. Speaking, "de Fluxu alvi Hepatico," he says, " Sed semper, in an- gustiis, ceu ad sacram anchoram, confugiendum ad nobile istud extractum Croci, jam aliquoties commemoratutn. Cujus descriptionem hie subjicio." "R. Opii electissimi, (quod Misri vocant, & antiquorum est Thebaicum, nam Misri est Egyptus,) Sanguinis draconis, gummi Benjuini, Croci Orienta- lis, e# Persia, ana, partes sequas, ambra Japonicse, seu nigrse, partem tertiam; Conjice in vas vitreum oblongi, St angusti, colli; adde aceti fortissimi ex vino, ut materiam seu massam in fundo superemineat, tres, aut quatuor, digitos. Vitrum bene clausum exponatur radiis solaribus; qui nobis propter fervorem, sunt instar ignis chymici; Colata hsec omnia & expressa fortiter, eodem sole inspissentur in consistentiam Extracti. " Hujus dosis est a granis sex, ad novem; in formam catapotii coactum; vel, in cochleari, vino, vel convenient aliquo alio liquore dissolutum," &c. If the amber herein mentioned is meant to he taken in the amount of £ part of an equal part of the previous articles named, the amount of opium will be found to be immense in the doses given; but if it is = § part of the amount of all the previous ingredients, then it is less so, but still infinitely exceeding what we at present prescribe.—It is somjewhat allied to the Black drop in its general formation. £ A fraudulent composition, under the name of Persian opium, was lately vended in the United States. The circumstances connected with it were pub- hshed in the newspapers, and in the Eclectic Repertory of this city, by Messrs. Jackson, Lowber, and Wiltberger, which we here re-publish— From the American Daily Advertiser, July, 1820. Persian Opium.—An article, sold under the name of Persian Opium, having been introduced into this city from New York, and sold for opium, which was generally considered as spurious, a number of Druggists of this city met at Yohe's Hotel, to take the subject into consideration. A committee was ap- pointed to examine the article, and report to a subsequent meeting. The re- port having been read, it was ordered that the same should be printed. The committee appointed to examine the article introduced into some of the drug stores of this city, called Persian opium, report as follows:— P__Papaver. 479 Of all the articles of the Materia Medica, opium is die most important, and the most essential to the successful practice of a physician. It is prescribed in a greater range of diseases than any other medicine, and is an indispensable remedy in many of the most fatal and terrible disorders that afflict the human system. It is not alone to allay the distressing effects of nervous and constitu- tional irritation, and to alleviate the anguish and torture of pain, that opium,is administered; in the crisis of acute disease, life and death are in question, and the result is depending on the judicious administration of a grain of pure opium. It is not necessary here to enlarge on the high obligation imposed on all deal- ers in drugs to abstain from tampering with the articles they sell, to vend none of whose purity or efficacy they have a doubt; or to dwell on the guilt and cri- minality of those who will deliberately adulterate their medicine, or delude the unwary practitioner, by imposing on him a deleterious or inert remedy to the destruction of his patient. In the commerce of this countiy and of Europe, two species of opium only are known, the Turkey and the East India—Persian opium has not before been heard of. The Turkey opium is much more pure than the East India, and is that which is solely used in the practice of medicine in Europe and America. It is by the strength and qualities of Turkey opium, that practi- tioners regulate their prescriptions, and it is that, consequently, which should alone be sold when opium is to be employed as medicine. The committee, in order to perform the duty intrusted to them, proceeded to a comparative examination of Turkey opium, and the article called Persian opium, in their sensible, chemical, and medicinal properties, of which they present the ensuing statement. 1st. Sensible Properties.—Persian Opium.—Its colour is deep black; soft in consistency, as though lately made up; oily, greasing the paper in which it is enveloped; of a nauseous, not well defined smell; of a mawkish taste, with a feeble impression of sweetness. Turkey Opium.—Colour of a reddish-brown; when fresh imported soft, but most generally hard; never oily; of a peculiar virose, well defined smell which cannot be mistaken; of a bitter, strong taste, leaving a sense of pungency and heat on the tongue and fauces. The sensible properties of these two "articles are so entirely distinct, that the most inexperienced person could not hesitate in distinguishing between them. It is the sensible qualities of medicines that the dealers in them gene- rally consult to ascertain their goodness, and any one with the slightest know- ledge of Opium, must have suspected the sophistication,, or the inertness of Persian Opium at the first glance. 2d. Chemical Properties.—Half an ounce of Persian Opium, (so called,) was infused in four ounces of water. The whole of it was dissolved, or diffused through the water, leaving no residual matter. When filtered, the infusion was black, and there was collected on the filter 37 grains of a black matter, having a faint smell of tobacco. The same quantity of Turkey Opium was infused in the same quantity of water. The soluble parts were soon dissolved, leaving behind an elastic, plas- tic mass, having a strong resemblance to gluten, and which, when dried, weighed 71 grains. The solution .was of a light wine colour. To a portion of the watery solution of Persian Opium, was added a small quantity of Alcohol. A precipitation of a dirty white colour, diffused through the solution, immediately took place. The same quantity of the watery solu- tion of Turkey Opium, and the same quantity of Alcohol, as in the preceding experiment, were mixed together. The solution remained perfectly transparent. To ascertain the effects of different tests, the watery solution of the Spu- rious and Turkey Opiums was used, the result of which is contained in the fol- lowing experiments. Infusion of Galls, Persian Opium—A slight yellowish-white coloured precipi- tate, that did not subside. Turkey Opium—A copious white precipitation, that immediately subsided, with an appearance of being curdled. Acetate of Lead, Persian Opium—A slight precipitation of a brown colour, diffused through the solution. Turkey Opium—White precipitate soon sub- siding.' 480 P__Papaver. Sulphate of Copper, Persian Opium—No immediate change, dark-coloured precipitate on standing. Turkey Opium—instant precipitate of a white co- lour. Sulphate of Zinc, Pers. Opium—no precipitate, Turk. Opium—a copious white precipitate. Sub-carbonate of Potash, Pers. Opium—no precipitation—the solution be- coming slightly turbid, of a dark colour.—Turk. Opium.—A copious curdled precipitate, of a white colour. Sulphate of Iron, Pers. Opium—ho precipitate—the solution became of a deeper colour. Turk. Opium—a reddish-brown precipitate, which did not subside. Half an ounce of Persian Opium was infused in four ounces of Alcohol. There remained 67 grains insoluble residue. A portion was evaporated to dry- ness, and a soft sweetish extract was obtained without any resin. To the alco- holic solution, water was added, a diffused precipitation ensued, which subsid- ed on standing some hours. The addition of water to the alcoholic solution of Turkey Opium, occasioned an immediate copious precipitate subsiding at once. Having made the above general examination of the chemical qualities of the article submitted to our consideration, it was thought proper to ascertain what were the effects produced by it on the system. 3d. Medical Properties.—A grain was taken by one of the committee. The pulse beat 85 strokes in a minute. No perceptible alteration in it took place. About an hour afterwards, a slight nausea was felt. Another of the committee took 50 drops of the tincture without perceiving any effect. Mr. Brit, a student of Medicine, took 2 grains at a dose in the morning, two hours after breakfast; kis pulse beating 80 strokes. In 5 min. 78—10 min. 76—15 min. 76—25 min. 75—30 min. 76—40 min. 74. Two grains more were taken—5 min. pulse 72 —15 min. 72—25 min. 72—35 min. 72. The skin remained perfectly cool; there was no sensation of heat, flushing of the face or other effects produced by a large dose of opium. An hour and a half after taking the dose, a slight nausea was felt, and about half a gill of fluid thrown from the stomach. One of the stu- dents at the hospital took half an ounce of the tincture in one dose, without experiencing any stimulant or soporific effect from it. From the examination to which the committee have submitted the article called Persian Opium, they feel a perfect confidence in pronouncing it to be devoid of the properties of Opium; and give it as their opinion that it cannot be relied on to produce the effects of Opium: but that its administration for that purpose, in critical cases, must be attended with the greatest danger to, the life of the patient. SAMUEL JACKSON, EDWARD LOWBER, THOMAS WILTBERGER. Esglish Opium.—Messrs. Crowley & Staines, of Winslow, Bucks, in 1823, collected from twelve acres, one rod and thirteen poles of land, the following products, viz. Opium - - - - - 196 lbs. Seed - - - 50 cwt. 1 qr. 22 lbs. Extract - - - - . 381 lbs. Turnips, as many as produced £ 25 sterling. The opium was of the first quality. Opium Purificatum. D. Purified Opium. Take of Opium, cut into small pieces, one pound; Proof-spirit of w\ne, twelve pints.—Digest with a gentle heat, stirring now and then till the opium be dissolved; filter the liquor through paper, and distil in a retort until the spirit be separated: Pour out the P.—Papaver. 481 liquor which remains, and evaporate until the extract acquires a proper thickness. Purified opium must be kept in- two forms; one soft, proper for form- ing into pills; the other hard, capable of being reduced into powder. As the changes which opium and aloes undergo by solution, and subsequent evaporation, have never been ascertained by careful and satisfactory experiments, well-selected pieces of these substances are to be preferred to the preparations in which they are supposed to be purified. As a further proof of th'e superiority of good opium over all its preparations, it may be remarked that the latter, how- ever well prepared, soon become mouldy; the former never does. Mr. Phillips, however, prefers the preparing of an extract of opium, by first submitting it to the action of boiling water, as long as any portion of it continues to be dissolved, and then digesting the resi- duum in rectified spirit, and mixing the watery and alcoholic ex- tracts thus obtained. He found that 72 parts of opium, dried by steam till it became pulverizable, yielded to cold water 30 parts, then to boiling water 9, and lastly, to alcohol' 7. The first solution or cold infusion was of a deep brownish-red colour, remained trans- parent, and smelt strongly of opium; the second or decoction was of a pale-brown colour, deposited on cooling the greater part of what had been dissolved, and had no smell of opium; and the third or tincture very much resembled common tincture of opium, and furnished, on the addition of water, an abundant yellowish-white precipitate. Dr. Powell also says that proof spirit by heat dissolves 9-12ths of opium; and water, although heated, only 5-12ths. The editor is indebted to Dr. Staples of this city for the following- observations, derived, from very ample experience,^ on the manipula- tions requisite for obtaining morphium, which he trusts will prove of high value to every dne who shall undertake to separate this im- portant article from the raw material:— " Opium of the best quality is readily acted on by water as a sol- vent; that of a medium kind requires a solvent, slightly acidulated with a vegetable acid; and inferior opium, especially if adulterated with substances very soluble in aqueous or acidulous menstrua, should first be exhausted by alcohol slightly diluted, and the tincture thus obtained, reduced by distillation to nearly the state of an ex- tract, when it may be treated by pure water, or a menstruum weak- ly acidulous. The best opium, and that of jnedium quality, may,be treated in the following manner, in order to obtain the morphia they contain. Take one ounce and one drachm, (500 grains,) of opium in c<*trse powder, or small pieces, forty-five grains of tartaric acid,* five • * Citric acid, in quantity similar to the tartaric in the formula, or an equiva- lent of distilled vinegar, will answer very well. Sulphuric acid cannot be used as a first solvent in the preparation of morphia; it is a cheap and useful solvent of the morphia when separated from opium. Common impure vinegar strongly charged with acid, and without indication of the presence of sulphuric acid, does not answer as well as distilled vinegar, with decidedly less saturating power. 61 482 P.—Papaver. ounces of pure water; digest from four to six days, with occasional stirring, in a temperature about 70° Fahrenheit; submit the acidulous solution to filtration, and wash the dregs of opium remaining on the filter, with one ounce of pure water, acidulated with five grains of tartaric acid: unite the washing with the filtered solution; the whole will then measure about five ounces, (one ounce of the solvent hav- ing been lost in the moisture retained in the dregs;) add to the five ounces of acidulous solution of opium, an equal quantity of alcohol of 35° Beaume, (specific gravity about 840,) the temperature will be slightly elevated, and the solution will not have its transparency dis- turbed; immediately after having added the alcohol, throw in aqua ammoniaMJnjgquantity rather more than sufficient to saturate the acid presentfiPaqua ammonise should be combined with a small quan- tity of-alcohol, to prevent any disturbance of the transparency of the solution. About two drachms of aqua ammonise of specific gravity, 950, and six drachms of alcohol of 35° will be the proper quantities. In a short time the morphia will begin to precipitate in crystals; in twenty-four hours it may be separated, and washed in a small quan- tity of water slightly charged with alcohol. Five hundred grains of opium by the above process, will yield according to its quality, from fifty to seventy-five grains of crystals, of a colour nearly approaching to that of nankeen. The crystals* obtained by the above process, have among them a small quantity of narcotine, which may be separated by sulphuric aether, or by heated alcohol. The morphia may be rendered pure and , nearly white, by solution in boiling alcohol of 25° Beaume, (specific gravity 900,) from which it readily crystallizes as it becomes cool. The morphia is also readily obtained in a satisfactory state, by dis- solving the pulverized crystals in diluted sulphuric acid, using alco- hol again, to suspend the small quantity of colouring matter present in the crystals; two ounces of alcohol will be sufficient to purify one drachm of the crystals. The quantity of diluted acid used, should be barely sufficient to dissolve the crystals to be purified. The acid should be saturated by ammonia, cautiously added to the acid solution; the solution having been first heated to about 150° Fahrenheit; as the solution cools, the morphia crystallizes, deprived of colouring matter; seven drachms of the coloured crystals yield upwards of five drachms of crystals by reprecipitation.t The colouring matter contained in opium, is suspended in the above operations, while the morphia is precipitated in a very satis- factory form. Very little practice in the preparation of morphia, * The coloured crystals have been used by several physicians of this city with verjfcsatisfactory results; and I have repeatedly used them, without, in a sin- gle instance, experiencing unpleasant effects from the presence of a small por- tion of narcotine. f Sulphate and other salts of morphia may be prepared from the first precipi- tation; diluted sulphuric or other acids may be added to the pulverized crys- tals, in quantity not quite sufficient to dissolve all the powdered crystals. The solvent should be heated in order to favour solution; in a few hours the solvent may be carefully decanted from the undissolved portion, and placed in a situa- tion suitable for slow evaporation, by a second crystallization the sulphate of morphia may be made very white, and free of colouring matter. P__Papaver. 483 will enable the operator to realize, that a much greater quantity of colouring matter can be suspended by a given quantity of alcohol, than can be removed by the same quantity of alcohol from a pre- cipitate, made from any solution of opium. The following formula will answer for the examination of any specimen of opium; it, is however framed for the examination of the worst kinds. Opium .in coarse powder or small pieces, one part by weight; pure water two parts by measure; digest in a temperature about 70° Fahrenheit, for two days; add alcohol of 35° Beaume, (sp. gr. 840,) six parts by measure; digest four days more, filter, and wash the dregs on the filter with two parts of alcohol by measure; reduce the tincture of opium thus obtained to two parts by measure, by distil- lation in a water bath; then throw the concentrated tincture while still hot, into five parts by measure of pure water, of the tempera- ture ab(?ut 120° Fahrenheit; when cold, separate the aqueous solution from the dark brown colouring matter precipitated by the water; add to it six parts by measure, of alcohol of 35°, (sp. gr. 840,) throw in ammonia cautiously, guarded by alcohol, so that no apparent disturbance takes place. A satisfactory crystalline precipitate will be formed, and its quantity and quality will indicate the quality of the opium. N. B. Two drachms of aqua ammonias, sp. gr. 95°, will be suffi- cient to add to a solution made from one ounce and one drachm of opium. The above formula is designed for the examination of opium when several days can be conveniently employed; as it is sometimes desi- rable to conduct a.speedy investigation, the following outlines will be sufficient to enable a skilful manipulator to satisfy himself of the quality of a specimen of opium, within twelve hours. Opium in powder or small pieces, one part by weight; pure water by measure three parts; digest in a sand bath at a temperature about 200° Fahrenheit one hour, with constant trituration; add twelve parts by measure of alcohol of 35° Beaume; digest in a tem- perature about 120° another hour; filter, a»d wash the dregs with four parts by measure of alcohol; reduce the tincture by distillation in a water bath to three parts: when thus concentrated, throw it, while hot, into six parts by measure, of pure water, heated to the temperature about 120° Fahrenheit; when cold, separate the solution from the dark brown, (almost black,) precipitate; add six parts of alcohol of 35°, (sp. gr. 840,) throw in ammonia cautiously, in quan- tity as before directed. Morphia may be removed from opium without the employment of any reagent capable of disturbing the meconic acid; in other words, without combining that acid with an alkali. In order to effect that object the following complex process has been pursued. Opium of the best quality in coarse powder was submitted to water at 70° for several days; two parts by measure of the latter, to one part by weight of the former; six parts of alcohol, (of 35° Beaume.) were then added, and digestion protracted several days in the same tem- perature; the tincture was then filtered, and the dregs washed with two parts of alcohol of 35°; the tincture and alcoholic washing were 484 p—Papaver. united, and reduced by distillation, (the retort immersed in a water bath,) to about three parts; thus reduced, it was thrown into six parts of pure water: the clear liquor was separated from the brownish-co- loured substance precipitated by water,' and reduced by cautious evaporation to the consistence of syrup; two parts of alcohol of 35° were intimately mixed with the aqueous extract of opium thus ob- tained, and then the extract was decanted into a vessel containing twenty parts by measure of sulphuric aether of 60° Beaume. The contents of the vessel immediately became of a turbid drab colour, gradually becoming of a transparent lemon hue; in a few hours a thick dark-coloured substance completely separated from the trans- parent aethereal tincture. The sethereal tincture was carefully de- canted from the coloured extract undissolved "by it; two parts of al- cohol of 35° were intimately mixed with the coloured extract, and the whole again thrown into twenty parts of sulphuric aether of 60°. It became drab at first, and clear lemon colour afterwards at before; the clear aethereal tincture was again decanted, the extract mixed a third time with two parts of alcohol, and a third time poured into twenty ounces of aether of 60°. The aethereal tincture first decanted contained a large portion of narcotine; the second aethereal tincture contained a small portion of the same substance; the third aethereal tincture contained a small portion of yellowish resinous substance. The extract was carefully examined; and after the aethereal tincture was decanted the third time, the extract was found to contain a large portion of regularly-formed crystals, which were separated by filtra- tion, and cautiously washed with a small portion of alcohol. When examined with nitric acid they afforded decided indication of mor- phia without a trace of meconic acid: the latter substance existed abundantly in the uncrystallized portion of the extract. Analysis of One Thousand Grains of French Opium. Grains. Morphia, - - -.......104 Narcotine, '---'---_._. 24 Colouring matter and resinous substances, soluble in combina- tion with narcotine and morphia in pure water, - - 348 Colouring matter soluble in alcohol,.....58 Oil, caoutchouc, (or substance resembling it,) and fatty substance soluble in sulphuric sether, - - ... . 80 Earthy salts, - -- _.....■ 4 Substance soluble in water after the employment of a limited quantity of both that solvent and alcohol, ... 17 Insoluble in the several menstrua employed, - - - 301 Loss,..........31 Brown meconic acid, --..... 33 1000 No indication of the presence of amadin. Narcotine is usually separated from powdered opium, or from the aqueous extract, by the agency of sulphuric aether: it may also P.—Papaver. 485 be removed by the action of essential oils on dry and finely powder- ed opium; especially by oil of turpentine, which dissolves narcotine, a small portion of coloured resin, and the substance analogous to caoutchouc. Narcotine is precipitated by the reagents used in the preparation of morphia, in all the formulae which have been devised; in that which 1 have recommended, the quantity is smaller than in others, and the morphia is readily separated by the agency of diluted acid, in quantity barely sufficient to "dissolve the morphia. After the morphia has been dissolved and decanted, the undissolved por- tion will consist almost exclusively of narcotine; and this may be entirely dissolved in acids; a sufficient quantity of alcohol is em- ployed to suspend the colouring matter and resin present in small quantities; and ammonia thrown in to precipitate the narcotine. When ammonia is cautiously thrown into an acidulous alcoholic so- lution of narcotine, it becomes almost immediately sufficiently thick to be removed by a bolus knife; the narcotine gradually assumes the form of globules, and after some time separates from the liquor con- taining the colouring matter, and crystallizes. Narcotine is very soluble in acids, but has a weaker affinity for them than morphia: this explains the propriety of employing a limited acidulous solution in the preparation of the latter. The following is a convenient method of preparing meconic acid:— ■ Take the magnesian precipitate of M. Robiquet, exhausted com- pletely of colouring matter and morphia by the action of water, cold # diluted alcohol, and alcohol of greater strength at a boiling heat; treat this precipitate by sulphuric acid largely diluted, in quantity sufficient to saturate the magnesia; sustain the temperature at 212° Fahrenheit, and filter in an apparatus calculated to support the tem- perature during filtration. A clear liquor will be obtained of a light red colour, which, as it becomes cool, will deposit regular brown crystals of meconic acid united to colouring matter; these crystals when redissolved in water or alcohol, will again crystallize in com- bination with colouring matter, from which the meconic acid, in a state of purity, cannot readily be separated except by sublimation. The above process illustrates the peculiar character of meconic acid in relation to colouring matter; it has a much stronger affinity for that substance than for morphia. The brown meconic acid is almost insoluble in cold water; its solubility in opium seems to depend on its peculiar combination in that important substance; both the brown and the pure meconic acid are very feeble solvents of morphia. In preparing the aqueous solution as directed by M. Robiquet, a con- centrated solution is produced; it is not, however, necessary to ef- fect this by evaporation; the opium should be treated by a limited quantity of water for several days at a temperature about 70°. Five parts of water to one part of opium are sufficient to dissolve all the meconic acid, as well as all the morphia in good opium. The quan- tity of freshly calcined magnesia proper to be added to the boiling aqueous solution of opium, is about ten grains to the ounce of opium. The diluted sulphuric acid employed to saturate the magnesia, li- berates the colouring matter and meconic acid, the latter having so great an affinity for it, as to carry it into its combination with mag- nesia in the insoluble meconate." 486 P.—Phasianus Gallus. PASTINACA OPOPONAX. L. Opoponax. A Gum Resin. Pentandria Digynia. Nat. Ord. Umbellatx. This plant is perennial, and grows wild in the south of Europe; but the gum resin which is said to be obtained by wounding the stalk or root, is brought from the Levant and East Indies, sometimes in round drops or tears, but more commonly in irregular lumps, of a reddish- yellow colour on the outside, .with specks of white; inwardly of a paler colour, and frequently variegated with large white pieces. It has a peculiar strong smell, and a bitter, acrid, somewhat nauseous taste. Neumann got from 480 parts, 166 alcoholic, and afterwards 180 watery extract, and inversely 226 watery, and 60 alcoholic. Both the water and alcohol distilled from it were impregnated with its flavour. It forms a milky solution with water, and yields a little essential oil on distillation. It is supposed to be emmenagogue, but is rarely used. PHASIANUS GALLUS. L. The Dung-hill Fowl. The Egg and Shell. From what country this useful bird originally came, is not ascer- tained. It is now domesticated almost every where, and furnishes one of the most wholesome and delicate articles of food. The egg only is officinal. The shell consists principally of car- bonat of lime, with a small quantity of phosphat of lime and animal matter. ' When burnt, the animal matter and carbonic acid are des- troyed, and we obtain a lime, mixed with a little phosphat of lime. The contents of the egg consist of two substances, the white and the yelk. The white is albumen,* combined with a little soda and sulphur. The yelk is also albuminous, but contains a bland oil, and some colouring matter. The latter is sometimes used in phar- macy for suspending oily and resinous substances in water. The former is used for clarification. * Albumen is a brittle, transparent substance, of a pale yellow colour, and glutinous taste, without smell, readily soluble in cold water, insoluble in boil- ing water, but softened and rendered opaque and white when thrown into it; insoluble, and retaining its transparency in alcohol; swelling, becoming brown, and decrepitating when suddenly exposed to heat. It generally exists in the form of a viscid, transparent fluid; having little taste or smell, and readily so- luble in cold water. When exposed to a temperature of 165°, it coagulates into a white, opaque mass, of considerable consistency; it is also coagulated by alcohol and acids. Albumen forms with tannin a yellow precipitate, inso- luble in water. Coagulated albumen is not soluble either in cpld or in boiling water. It is soluble, but with decomposition, in the alkalies and alkaline earths. It is also soluble in the acids, greatly diluted, but may be precipitated from them by tannin. When slowly dried it becomes brittle, transparent, and of a yellow colour, resembling amber. When decomposed by nitric acid or heat, it is found to contain more nitrogen than gelatin does. White of egg con- sists of albumen, combined with a very little soda, sulphur, and phosphat of lime. Albumen also forms a large proportion of the serum of the blood, and is found in the sap of vegetables. It is highly nutritious. P.—Phosphorus. 487 PETROSELINUM.* Parsley. The Plant. The most that can be said of this, isythat it is useful in cookery, and that the roots, &c. boiled in water, are presumed to afford it diuretic properties. PHOSPHORUS.t Phosphorus. Phosphorus is a semi-transparent solid, slightly brilliant, and of a waxy consistence; specific gravity 1.770; taste in some degree acrid and disagreeable; smell alliaceous. It is brittle under 32°; its frac- ture is vitreous, brilliant, and sometimes lamellated; above 32° it softens a little, becomes ductile about 90°, melts at 99°, becoming transparent like a white oil; at 180° begins to be vaporized, and at 554° boils. It is crystallizable into prismatic needles or long octo- hedra. It exists in many minerals, and is obtained from bones and other animal substances. In its solid state, phosphorus is not acted upon by pure oxygen gas, but when melted, burns in it at 80° with a dazzling splendour, absorbing about half its weight of oxygen, and forming phosphoric acid. In atmospheric air, it undergoes a slow combustion at 43°, emitting light in the dark, but without the production of sensible heat; absorbing a portion of oxygen, and forming phosphorous acid; at 148° it burns rapidly, but less brilliantly than in oxygen gas, form- ing phosphoric acid. It is therefore always kept immersed in water; but even there its surface is oxydized, becoming white and opaque, and the water is found to contain phosphoric acid. Oxyd of phosphorus is a solid of a red colour, not volatile, and re- quiring a heat above 212° for its fusion. Sir H. Davy thinks it may consist of two parts of phosphorus and one of oxygen. Hydro-phosphorous acid is a white crystalline solid, but water is essential to its composition. It contains four of phosphorous acid and two of water. It is readily soluble in water. The solution has a fetid odour, and disagreeable taste; and gives out a thick white smoke and vivid flame when strongly heated. It is decomposed by ignited charcoal, and by heating in contact with ammonia. Phosphoric acid is also composed of phosphorus and oxygen. It is crystallizable, fusible, and vitrescerit. Its specific gravity is 2.687. It dissolves in water, producing great heat. It readily attracts mois- ture from the atmosphere, and then, its specific gravity becomes 1.417. It is decomposed at a high temperature by hydrogen and car- bon, and by several of the metals. It consists of 40 phosphorus and 60 oxygen. Phosphorus burns in chlorine with a pale flame, throwing off' sparks, and forms two compounds according to their proportions. Protochloride of phosphorus is a fluid as clear as water, to which its specific gravity is 1.45. It emits acid fumes when exposed to the air by decomposing the air. It does not redden dry litmus paper. Its vapour burns in the flame of a candle.* It dissolves phosphorus when heated. It is decomposed by water, forming phosphorous and * Pharm. U. S. secondary. f Pharm. U. S. 488 P.—Phosphorus. muriatic acids, and by ammonia, depositing a part of its phosphorus. It is converted by chlorine into the perchloride. It consists of one proportion of phosphorus, and two of chlorine. Perchloride of phosphorus is a snow-white substance, crystalliza- ^ ble, very volatile, but fusible under pressure. It produces flame when exposed to a lighted taper. Its vapour reddens litmus paper. It forms an insoluble compound with^immonia, having characters analogous to an earth. It is decomposeoTin a red-hot tube by oxygen, and it acts violently on water, forming phosphoric and muriatic acids. It con- sists of one of phosphorus, and four of chlorine. Phosphureted hydrogen gas varies in specific gravity from 4 to 7, hydrogen being 1. It has a disagreeable alliaceous smell. It explodes with a most intense white light in oxygen gas. It detonates with a brilliant green light in -chlorine. Water absorbs about -^ of its vo- lume; and it is decomposed by electricity, heated metals, &c. Hydrophosphoric gas, disagreeble smell, specific gravity 12. to hydrogen. Water absorbs | of its volume. It explodes with a white flame in chlorine, one volume absorbing four of the latter. It does not explode spontaneously with oxygen, but detonates violently when heated to 303° Fahrenheit, three volumes absorbing more than five. Sulphureted phosphorus contains various proportions of its ele- ments. It is exceedingly inflammable and more fusible than either of its constituents. 1 of phosphorus and 3 of sulphur congeal at 100° Fahrenheit. 2 of phosphorus and 1.5 of sulphur remain liquid at 40°, and 8 of phosphorus and 1 of sulphur at 68°. Nitrogen gas dissolves phosphorus, forming a fetid gas, which in- flames at a low temperature. Phosphuret of lime is insoluble in water, but they decompose each other, producing phosphureted hydrogen gas, which arises in bub- bles to the surface of the water, where they explode with a clear flame. Phosphuret of baryta is a brown mass; of a metallic appear- ance; very fusible; luminous in the dark; decomposed by exposure to air; emitting an alliaceous smell when moistened, and decomposed by water, furnishing phosphureted hydrogen gas. The phosphuret of strontia is very similar. Medical use.—With respect to this, its employment is as yet too limited, to enable satisfactorily to state its efficiency in medical practice. Its properties indicate, however, that its powers must be great, and that too much caution cannot be taken to avoid the dan- gers in which the patient may be involved, by carelessness and inat- tention. The following remarks from Dr. Chapman's Therapeutics, may serve to evince its effects, &c. Vol. 2, p. 173. " As soon almost as it was known, it came to be used in various ■diseases, especially in France. But owing to the violence of its ac- tion, which could not easily be restrained, and the fatal effects it oc- casionally produced, it seems to have been universally abandoned as, at least, an unruly and dangerous remedy. " After a considerable lapse of time, it was once more revived, and its use may be traced in England, in pretty nearly the same dis- eases, in which it had been previously tried on the continent. It there experienced a similar fate, and probably for the same reasons. P.—Phosphorus. 489 " As a medicine, we hear nothing more of it, till fifteen or twenty years ago, when the medical journals of almost every country of Eu- rope, by the number of communications they contained relative to it, showed that it commanded great attention. It was extensively employed in the French military hospitals in low fevers, and with a view of checking gangrene from wounds and other causes. Nearly at the same time, the physicians of different countries seem to have been busily engaged, in experimenting with it in the diseases already mentioned, and also in the whole of the nervous and spasmodic af- fections, to which may be added gout and rheumatism, dropsy, ame- norrhcea, impotency, uterine haemorrhages, and finally, in correct- ing the effects of the mineral poisons, as lead, arsenic, &c. "As is usual with regard to all new remedies, much was said of the value of phosphorus in the treatment of the copious catalogue of diseases which I have mentioned. But whatever may have been the degree of its utility, it appears fully balanced, by the hazardous na- ture of the medicine, and the positive mischief which is acknowledged to have resulted from it. Even in its moderate operation, phosphorus is described as stimulating the whole system, invigorating the circu- lation, augmenting animal temperature, promoting the secretions, particularly of the skin and kidneys, imparting force to the muscles, bracing the nerves, inflaming venereal desire, and arousing the mind to animation and hilarity." Its ethereal solution is unquestionably the best mode of exhibiting it. This may be made in the proportion of eight grains tojthejounce, of which four or five drops, containing about one-sixteenth of a grain, may be given two, three, or more times a day, in some spi- rituous tincture. Phosphorus, if rightly administered, is regarded among the best antispasmodic, analeptic, nervine, and tonic remedies. It is regard- ed as stomachic, carminative, and diaphoretic, diuretic, resolvent, and discutient. The diseases in which it has been found especially useful, are fe- ver, particularly continued, with malignant exanthemata, purpura, petechias, &c. if the retrocession of the exanthemata should induce distressing symptoms, and threaten a fatal issue. Chronic bilious fe- ver, inflammatory peripneumony, habitual ophthalmia, in a daily ex- cruciating rheumatic pain of the right thigh, in which other remedies had proved unavailing, in melancholia, mania, &c. in persons other- wise healthy: in tetanus, Boenneker says he gave it with advantage, and Trampel prescribed it in gout, from supposing that disease to originate in a defect of phosphoric acid in the system. In the Miscel. vere Utilia of Boyle Godfrey, M. D. 1737, 2d edit. he recommends as the best menstruum for calculous concretions, (p. 108,) the phosphorous acid, made as is now commonly done, by slow combustion; he gave it diluted with several times its quantity of barley water. Whether he had tried it internally, or only on cal- culi removed from the bladder, does not absolutely appear. If he did, it was by injection into the bladder, for he says, speaking of other attempts, that they were by injection into the bladder of dogs, &c. adding "that tp attempt it by the mouth, and to go the circula- tion, to me seems a mere chimaera." Yet even this form he does not 62 490 P.—Phytolacca. much advise. He seems to have given the phosphorus itself inter- nally, p. 60. References on Phosphorus, as a remedy— Sprengel, Histoire de la Medicine, 5. p. 510,—Barchewitz, Thesis, 1760, in Sandifort's Thesaur. Dissert. 1. p. 159.—Kramer, in Commercio litter. Norim- berg, 1733. Hebdom. 18. p. 137.—-Morgenstein, in idem, for 1753.— Fater, in Mentz, Dissert, de Phosphori, &c. 1751.—In Haller's Disputationes, v. 7.— Buchner, Diss. dePhos. Ur. Anal. &c. 1755.— Wolf, &c. see Hooper.—Hartman, in Barchewitz' Thesis, above.—Albinus, in 1683, rather chemical.—Marggraff, Chymische Untersuchung, &c. 17'57'.—Lebel, in Horn's'Archiv. 1810.—Le Roy, Mem. de la Soc. Med. d'Emulat. de Paris, vol. 1.—Alibert, Nouv. Elem. de Therap. and Mat. M. &c. v. l.—Hufeland, Jour, der Pract. &c. T. 7.—Roche- fort, Mat. Med. v. 2.—Lobstein, " Recherches & Obs. sur la Phosphore," 1815, lately translated into English, and containing the fullest detail we have on the subject. PHYTOLACCA.* Poke. The Root. American Nightshade. Garget. The Leaves, Berries, and Roots. This is one of the most common North American plants, well known in New England by the name of cunicum, shoke, or coakum. In the southern states is is called pokeweed. It has a thick, fleshy, perennial root as large as parsnips. From this rise many purplish herbaceous stalks, about an inch thick, and six or seven feet long; which break into many branches, irregularly set with large, oval, sharp-pointed leaves, supported on short foot-stalks. These are, at first, of a fresh green colour, but as they grow old they turn red- dish. At the joints and divisions of the branches, come forth long bunches of small bluish coloured flowers, consisting of five concave petals each, surrounding ten stamina and ten stiles. These are suc- ceeded by round depressed berries, having ten cells, each of which contains a single smooth seed. The young stems when boiled are as good as asparagus, but when old they are to be used with caution, being a plant of great activity, operating both as an emetic and ca- thartic. A tincture of the ripe berries in brandy or wine, is a po- pular remedy for rheumatism and similar affections; and it may be given with safety and advantage in all cases where guaiacum is pro- per. The extract of the juice of the ripe berries has been employed m some cases of scrofula; and cancerous ulcers have been greatly benefited by its application. The juice of the leaves, however, is said to be more effectual. Dr. Shultz in his ingenious inaugural dissertation on this subject observes, that "scabies and herpes have often been removed by it. In these cases, a solution of the extract in water is generally substi- tuted where the expressed juice cannot be had. In rheumatisms, the whole substance of this plant has at different times been of essential service; although the berries have generally been pre- ferred. In those rheumatic affections which sometimes occur to syphilitic patients, its virtue far exceeds that of opium; and it * Pharm. U. S. both in the primary and secondary list. P___Pilulge. 491 seems more valuable than guaiacum, especially when combined with mercury. " For medicinal purposes the leaves should be gathered about July, when the foot-stalks begin to assume a reddish colour, dried in the shade, and powdered for use. An extract may easily be ob- tained from the leaves when gathered at this period, by gently eva- porating their expressed juice to a proper consistence." A tincture may be made by dissolving either the extract or the leaves, in their green or dry state, in common brandy, or in the spi- rit distilled from the berries. An ointment is also made by powdering the dried leaves, and mixing them well with hog's lard, or simple cerate; or by boiling some hog's lard and bees-wax with fresh leaves and straining the mass. The proper time for gathering the berries in this climate is in October, when they become soft and ripe, and are of a blackish colour. The root is to be gathered about November or December, when the stalks of the plant are perfectly dead, and to facilitate drying, it should previously be divided into small pieces. An extract may be made from the root in the same manner as from the leaves or berries. It is affirmed by a physician of reputation and experience, that the leaves of phytolacca decandra have been found an admirable re- medy in haemorrhois. A strong infusion is given internally, and if it does not speedily relieve, the same infusion is to be injected into the rectum. This method will in general effect a perfect cure. According to the experience of Drs. Jones and Kollock, of Savan- nah, this plant may be relied on as an effectual remedy for syphilis in its various stages, even without the aid of mercury: and they employ it with much confidence, both internally and externally, in rheumatisms, and in cutaneous eruptions. One ounce of the dried root infused in a pint of wine, and given to the quantity of two spoonfuls, operates kindly as an emetic. The roots are sometimes applied to the hands and feet of patients in ardent fevers. Many country people use the extract with great confidence in its efficacy in discussing indolent tumours, and in healing various kinds of ul- cers. It is found to operate as a mild vegetable caustic, cleansing and healing foul ulcers better than most other remedies of that class. In three cases of apparent^s^w/a lachrymalis, it is reputed to have performed cures, by being applied to the tumours twice a day for two or three weeks. This root has also been employed in compounds as an article of dying. PILULE__PILLS. This form is peculiarly adapted to those drugs which operate in a small dose, and whose nauseous and offensive taste or smell require them to be concealed from the palate. Pills should have the consistence of a firm paste, a round form, and a weight not exceeding five grains. Essential oils may enter 492 P.—Pilulse. them in small quantity: deliquescent salts are improper. Efflores- cent salts, such as carbonat of soda, should be previously exposed, so as to fall to powder: deliquescent extracts should have some powder combined with them. The mass should be beaten until it be- comes perfectly uniform and plastic. Powders may be made into pills with extracts, balsams, soap, mucilages,'bread-crumb, &c. Gum-resins, and inspissated juices are sometimes soft enough to be made into pills, without addition: where any moisture is requisite, spirit of wine is more proper than syrups or conserves, as it unites more readily with* them, and does not sensibly increase their bulk. Light dry powders require syrup or mucilages: and the more pon- derous, as the mercurial and other metallic preparations, thick ho- ney, conserve or extracts. Light powders require about half their weight of syrup; or of ho- ney, about three-fourths their weight; to reduce them into a due consistence for forming pills. Half a drachm of the mass will make five or six pills of a moderate size. Gums and inspissated juices, are to be first softened with the liquid prescribed: the powders are then to be added, and the whole beat thoroughly together, till they be perfectly mixed. The masses for pills are best kept in bladders, which should be moistened now and then with some of the same kind of liquid that the mass was made .up with, or some proper aromatic oil. When the mass is to be divided into pills, a given weight of it is rolled out into a cylinder of a given length, and of an equal thick- ness throughout, and is then divided into a given number of equal pieces, by means of a simple machine. These pieces are then round- ed between the fingers; and, to prevent them from adhering, they are covered either with starch, or powder of liquorice, or orris root. In Germany, the powder of lycopodium is much used. Magnesia is perhaps preferable to any other powder for covering pills. Pilul.e Aloetice. E. A. Aloetic Pills. Take of Socotorine aloes in Powder, Castile, soap, of each an equal part.—With water or syrup form a mass fit for making pills. E. Pilulje Aloes cum Zingibere. D. Pills of Aloes and Ginger. r Take of Hepatic Aloes, one ounce,- Ginger root, in powder, one drachm; Soap, half an ounce,- Essence of peppermint, half a drachm. —Powder the aloes with the ginger, then add the soap and the oil, so as to form an intimate mixture. Pilule Alo ds Composite. L. Compound Pills of Aloes. Take of Socotorine aloes, powdered, one ounce,- Extract of gentian, half an ounce; Oil of caraway seeds, two scruples; Syrup of gin- ger, as much as is sufficient.—Beat them together into an homoge- neous mass. Although soap can scarcely be thought to facilitate the solution of the aloes in the stomach, as was supposed by Boerhaave and others, it is probably the most convenient substance that can be add- ed to give it the proper consistence for making pills. When extract P—Pilulse. 493 of gentian is triturated with aloes, they react upon each other, and . become too soft to form pills, so that the addition of any syrup to the mass is perfectly unnecessary, unless at the same time some powder be added to give it consistency. These pills have been much used as warm and stomachic laxa- tives: they are very well suited for the costiveness so often attend- ant on people of sedentary lives. Like other preparations of aloes, they are also used in jaundice, and in certain cases of obstructed menses. They are seldom used for producing full purging; but if this be required, a scruple or half a drachm of the mass may be made into pills of a moderate size for one dose. Pilule Colocynthidis Composite.* E. D. Pills of Aloes and Colocynth, formerly Pilulse Cochise. Take of Socotorine aloes, Scammony, each two ounces; Sulphat of po- tass, two drachms,- Colocynth, an ounce; Oil of cloves, two fluid drachms.—Reduce the aloes and scammony into a powder with the sulphat of potass, then add the coWcynth in fine powder, and the oil of cloves, and with mucilage or simple syrup form a mass. E. In these pills we have a very useful and active purgative; and where the simple aloetic pill is not sufficient for obviating costiveness, this will often effectually answer the purpose. Little of their activity can depend upon the salt which enters the composition. These pills often produce a copious discharge in cases of obstinate costiveness, when taken to the extent only of five or ten grains; but they maybe employed in mu.ch larger doses. They are, however, seldom used with the view of producing proper catharsis. Half a drachm of the mass contains about five grains of the colocynth, ten of the aloes, and ten of the scammony. Pilule Aloes et Myrrhs. E. D. L. A. Pills of Aloes and Myrrh, formerly Pilulse Rufi. Take of Socotorine aloes, two ounces; Myrrh, one ounce; Saffron, half an ounce.—Beat them into a mass with a proper quantity of syrup. E. These pills have long continued in practice, without any other alteration than in the syrup with which the mass is made up, and in the proportion of saffron, which might indeed be altogether omitted, "without any disadvantage. The virtues of this medicine may be easily understood from its ingredients. Given to the quantity of half • a drachm or two scruples, they prove considerably cathartic, but they answer much better purposes in smaller doses as laxatives or alteratives. PiLULiE Aloes cum Myrrha et Guaiaco. Pills of Aloes, Myrrh and Guaiacum. Take of Socotorine aloes, in powder, half an ounce; Saffron, in pow- der, Myrrh, in powder, each two drachms; Resin of guaiacum, in • Pilulse Aloes et Colocynthidis, Pharm. U. S. . 9 494 P___Pilulae. powder, half an ounce; Oxyd of antimony, half an ounce.—With copaiba form a mass. Pharm. U. S. It is rather strange that the name of these pills should be taken from the least important articles; whilst the most active one, oxyd of antimony, is altogether unnoticed! Pilulse Antimoxiales Composite. Compound Antimonial Pills. Take of Sub-muriat of mercury, tivo drachms; Opium, in powder, one drachm; Tartarized antimony, one scruple.—With syrup form a mass to be divided into sixty pills. Pharm. U. S. Here again the name is derived, if not from the least efficient, from the least in amourit of the conjoined articles! Pilule Assaf(etid.e. Assafcetida Pills. Take of Assafcetida, three parts; Castile soap, one part.—With wa- ter, (or better, tincture of assafcetida,) beat into a mass. Pharm. U. S. Pilul-e Aloes et Assafcetida. E.* Compound Assafcetida Pills. Pills of Aloes and Assafcetida. Take of Socotorine aloes, in powder, Assafcetida, Soap, equal parts.— Form them into a mass with mucilage of gum Arabic. E. These pills, in doses of about ten grains twice a day, produce the most salutary effects in cases of dyspepsia, attended with flatulence and costiveness. Pilulse Assafcetidje Composite. E. Compound Pills of Assafcetida. Pilulje Myrrhje Composite, D. Compound Pills of Myrrh. Pilulse Galbani Composite. L. Compound Pills of Galbanum. Take of Assafcetida, Galbanum, Myrrh, each, eight parts; Rectified oil of amber, one part.—Beat them into a mass with simple syrup. E. These pills are designed for anti-hysterics and emmenagogues, and are very well calculated for answering those intentions; half a scruple, a scruple, or more, may be taken every night or.oftener. The rectified oil of amber is a very injudicious addition, as it pre- vents the pills from acquiring a proper degree of hardness. The 9 tincture of assafoetida is preferable, and this is certainly the case with all those pills, formed of substances of which a tincture is likewise prepared. Pilulje Auri Muriatis. Pills of Muriat of Gold. Take of Muriat of Gold, ten grains; Liquorice, in powder, three drachms.—With simple syrup form a mass and divide into a hun- dred and fifty pills. Pharm. \J. S. * Pilulae Assafcetidae Compositae, Pharm. U. S. P.—.Pilulae. 495 We suspect this will be a difficult preparation, equally to appor- tion a fifteenth part of a grain of the muriat of gold to each pill. Pilula Gambogia Composite. E. Lj. Compound Pills of Gamboge. Take of Gamboge, in powder, Socotorine aloes, in powder, Com- pound powder of cinnamon, of each, one drachm; Soap, two drachms.—Mix the powders, then add the soap, and beat the whole into an homogeneous mass. This is a very useful purgative pill, being considerably more ac- tive than aloes alone. Pilula Gambogia et Scammonia. Pills of Gamboge and Scammony. Take of Gamboge, in powder, one ounce; Scammony, in powder, half an ounce; Nitrat of potass, one drachm; Castile soap, two drachms.—With water form a mass and divide into four hundred pills. Pharm. U. S. Why is nitrat of potash added? Is it of any service, or rather, will not some decomposition of it ensue by means of the soda of the Castile soap? Pilula Colocynthidis Extracti Compositi. Pills of Compound Extract of Colocynth. Take of Compound extract of colocynth, a drachm and a half; Oxyd of antimony, half a drachm.—Form a mass, and divide into thirty pills. Pharm. IT. S. This is pretty nearly the composition of Fothergill's pills. * Pilula Ferri Sulphatis. A. Pills of Sulphat of Iron. Take of Sulphat of iron one drachm.—With the extract of gentian form a mass, and divide into thirty pills. Unless deprived of its water of crystallization, it will be difficult to make up these pills! Pilulje Ferri Sulphatis Composite. A. Pilula Ferri Composite. L. Compound Pills of Sulphat of Iron. Compound Pills of Iron. Take of Rhubarb, in powder, one drachm and a half; Sulphat of Iron, two scruples; Castile soap, half a drachm.—With water form a mass, and divide into forty pills. Pharm. U. S. We think this formula inferior to either of ttiQse of the Edinburgh or London Colleges; the sulphat is probably decomposed in the pro- cess by the soap. Pilula Hydrargyri. E. L. D. A. Mercurial or Blue Pill. Take of Purified mercury, two drachms; Conserve of roses, three drachms; Liquorice, in powder, one drachm.—Rub the mercury 496 P.—Pilulae. with the confection in a glass mertar till the globules disappear; then add the liquorice and form a m*ass. L. D. The common mercurial pill is one of the best preparations of mer- cury, and may, in general, supersede most other forms of this medi- cine. In its preparation the mercury is minutely divided, and pro- bably converted into the black oxyd. To effect its mechanical divi- sion, it must be triturated with some viscid substance. Soap, resin of guaiac, honey, extract of liquorice, manna, and conserve of roses, have all been at different times recommended. The soap and guaiac have been rejected on account of their being decomposed by the juices of the stomach; and the honey, because it was apt to gripe some people. With regard to the others, the grounds of selection are not well understood; perhaps the acid contained in the conserve of roses may contribute to the extinction of the mercury. We learn when the mercury is completely extinguished, most easily, by rub- bing a very little of the mass with the point of the finger on a piece of paper, if no globules appear. As soon as this is the case, it is ne- cessary to mix with the mass a proportion of some dry powder, to give it a proper degree of consistency. For this purpose, powder of liquorice root has been commonly used; but it is extremely apt to be- come mouldy, and cause the pills to spoil. The Edinburgh College have, therefore, with great propriety, substituted for it starch, which is a very unalterable substance, and easily procured at all times in a state of purity. It is necessary t» form the mass into pills imme- diately, as it soon becomes hard. One grain of mercury is contained in four grains of the Edinburgh mass, three of the London and Dub- lin, and two and an half of the American. The dose of these pills must be regulated by circumstances; from two to six five-grain pills may be given daily. It is believed, that experiments, fairly made, would sanction the manna in preference to any other substance for the speedy and effec- tual extinction of the quicksilver: and whatever may be thought of the conserve of roses, it appears probable its use is only dependent on the sugar in its composition. Pilula Hydrargyri Oxymuriatis. Pills of Oxymuriat of Mercury' or Corrosive Sublimate. i Take of oxymuriat of mercury, ten grains; arrow root, one scruple.— With muriat ofammonia dissolvedin waterform amass. Ph. U. S. We have already objected to the name of oxymuriat of mercury; and in the present formula, it is even still less proper. The conse- quence of adding muriat of ammonia to corrosive sublimate is, that a different salt is produced, the old sal alembroth; and consequently to the full extent, the corrosive sublimate is not present in the pills made up. The formula is defective in not stating how many pills are to be formed from the mass prepared. Pilula Hydrargyri Submuriatis. Pills of Submwyiat of Mercury. Calomel Pills. Take of submuriat of mercury, half a drachm; Castile soap, onescru- P.—Pilulae. 497 pie.—With water form a mass and divide into thirty pills. Pharm. Here is probably a decomposition of the calomel by the soap. Pilula Hydrargyri Submuriatis Composite. L. Compound Pills of Submuriat of Mercury. Take of Submuriat of quicksilver, Precipitated sulpnuret of antimony, of each, one drachm; Guaiac, in powder, two drachms.—Triturate the submuriat with the precipitated sulphuret of antimony, and then with the guaiac, add as much mucilage of gum Arabic as will give the mass a proper consistence. These pills were recommended to the attention of the public about forty years ago, by Dr. Plummer, whose name they long bore. He represented them, in a paper which he published in the Edinburgh Medical Essays, as a very useful alterative; and on his authority they were at one time much employed; but they are now less exten- sively used than formerly. • Pilula Jalapa Composite. Compound Pills of Jalap. Take of Jalap, in powder, Rhubarb, in powder, Castile soap, each, one ounce; Submuriat of mercury, six drachms and two scruples; Tartarized antimony, twenty-eight grains.—With water form a mass, and divide into four hundred pills. Pharm. U. S. The tartar emetic enters into this composition in about one-sixty- fifth part. Whether it is of any great effect, we cannot say; it is presumable, the other ingredients would act sufficiently without it, and indeed we should doubt its being, without great care, accurately divided amongst so large a mass of materials. Pilula Myrrh a et Ferri. Pills of Myrrh and Iron. Take of Purified iron filings, one ounce; Myrrh, in powder, Castile soap, each, tivo drachms.—With syrup form a mass and divide into pills, each weighing six grains. Pharm. U. S. We believe this preparation would be improved by using the car- bonat of iron in place of the filings. Pilula Opii. A. Pills of Opium. Pilula Opiata. E. Pilula Thebaica. Opiate, or Thebaic Pills. Take of Opium, in powder, one drachm,- Castile soap, twelve grains. —With water form a mass, and divide into sixty pills. Pilula Picis. Tar Pills. Take of Tar, one drachm,- Elecampane, in powder, a sufficient quan- tity to form a mass, to be divided into sixty pills. Pharm. U. S. Starch is better than elecampane. Pilula Ammoniureti Cupri. E. Pills of Ammoniuret of Copper. Take of Ammoniuret of copper, sixteen grains; Bread crumb, four scruples; Water of carbonat of ammonia, as much as may be suffi- 63 498 P.—Pilulae. dent.—Beat them into a mass, to be divided into thirty-two equal pills. Each of these pills weighs about three grains, and contains some- what more than half a grain of the ammoniuret of copper. They seem to be the best form of exhibiting this medicine. Pilula Rhai Composita. E. A. Compound Pills of Rhubarb. Take of Rhubarb, one ounce; Socotorine aloes, six drachms,- Myrrh, half an ounce; Essential oil of peppermint, half a drachm.—Make them into a mass, with a sufficient quantity of syrup of orange peel. E. * This pill is intended for moderately warming and strengthening the stomach, and gently opening the belly. A scruple of the mass may be taken twice a day. Pilula Scilla. Pills of Squill. Take of Dried squills in powder, one drachm; Castile soap, twenty- four grains.—With water form a mass, and divide into forty puis. Pharm. U. S. We prefer the following:— Pilula Scillitica. E. Squill Pills. Pilula Scilla Composita. L. Compound Pills of Squill. Pilula Scilla cum Zingibere. D. Squill Pills with Ginger. Take of Powder of squills, one drachm; Ginger, in powder, two drachms; Essential oil of aniseed, ten drops.—Triturate together, and form into a mass with jelly of soap. D. This is an elegant and commodious form for the exhibition of squills, whether for promoting expectoration, or with the other in- tentions to which that medicine is applied. As the virtue of the com- pound is derived chiefly from the squills, the other ingredients are often varied in extemporaneous prescription. Pilula Soda Subcarbonatis. E. A. Pills of Subcarbonat of Soda. Take of Subcarbonat of soda, dried, two drachms; Castile soap, half a drachm.—Form a mass, and divide into forty pills. E. The directions are not sufficiently explicit. This is one of the most convenient forms of giving soda. It was introduced into use by Dr. Beddoes; but the pills were seldom well prepared. The salt must be perfectly effloresced, and must be beaten with the soap, with sinvple syrup, as stiff as possible. We think con- serve of roses is preferable for the purpose. P.—Pinckneya. 499 PIMPINELLA ANISUM.* E. L. D. Anise. The Seids and Essential Oil. Anise is an annual umbelliferous plant, growing naturally in Crete, Syria, and other places of the east. It is cultivated in some parts of France, Germany, and Spain, and may be raised also in Eng- land: the seeds brought from Spain, which are smaller than the others, are preferred. Aniseeds have an aromatic smell, and a pleasant warm taste, ac- companied with a degree of sweetness. Water extracts very little of their flavour; rectified spirit the whole. PINCKNEYA PUBESCENS. Mich. Georgia Bark. Pentandria Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Rubiacex, Juss. JCT" The following outlines are due to a young gentleman, Mr. John Stevens Law, of Sunbury, Georgia. They may be regarded as the abstract of his Thesis, for the Degree of Doctor of Medicine, pre- sented to the Faculty in the Spring of 1825, and are well de- serving the attention of physicians, especially in the south, as point- ing out an important addition to the indigenous Materia Medica of our country, in a tree which appears connected with the Cinclionas, and for which it would seem to be a valuable substitute; especially as it has the active principle of one species, (Cinchonine,) in consi- derable amount. The experiments on this point were unfortunately rendered imperfect by an accident; further ones are wanted to ren- der the account complete.—Editor. " A low tree from 15 to 25 feet in height. It grows in wet and boggy soils, from New River, S. C. along the sea coast to Florida; its southern and western limit is unknown. It was first described by the elder Michaux in 1791. He perceived there was a close affi- nity between it and Cinchona, but he thought there was a suffi- cient difference in its fruit to establish a new genus, and he called it Pinckneya, in honour of General Charles C. Pinckney. But Michaux was mistaken with regard to the difference in the fruit. When ma- ture it is evidently bipartile in the line of the dissepiment as in Cin- chona. The genus in every respect corresponds with that of Cin- chon*, and the plant should be placed under that genus. This is the opinion of Pursh, Nuttall, Dr. W. P. C. Barton, and many others. A small portion of it was put into the hands of Mr, Farr, who de- tected Cinchonine in it to a considerable amount, but an unfortunate accident prevented the completion of the experiment. I was induced to try it in intermittent fever, from the estimation in which it was held by some of the inhabitants in the neighbourhood where I reside. It was used in seven cases, six of which were very speedily cured by it. In no case did it distress much the stomach, though in two cases it was given in the quantity of ^j. at a close, af- ter the custom of the West Indian physicians. Dose of the powder 5j. Infusion or decoction 5j-" * Anisum, Pharm. U. S. soo P.—Pinus. PINUS. Monoecia Monadelphia. Nat. Ord. Conifers. Pini, Resina et Oleum. The Resin and Oil of the different species of Pines, and the impure Turpentine, procured by burning. Pinus Larix. E. L. D. Common White Larch. Venice Turpentine. Oil of Turpentine. A small and beautiful tree, native of Switzerland and Germany, but much cultivated in England. Pinus Picea. Silver Fir Tree. A moderate-sized tree, native of Switzerland and Germany, and also cultivated in England, and which is said by Dr. Thornton, on the authority of Murray, who follows, Drs. Hamel and Haller, to yield the terebinthina vulgaris; although Woodville and several other writers refer it to the pinus sylvestris. Pinus Abies. E. L. D. A. Norway Spruce Fir Tree. Common Frankincense, Burgundy Pitch. A small tree, a native of Scotland, and common in Norway, yielding by incision of its bark, a clear tenacious fluid, which con- cretes into a resinous substance known by the name of resina abie- tis. This being boiled in water, and strained through linen, is the Pix Burgundica, or Burgundy pitch of the Pharmacopoeias. But if the boiling of the native resin is continued till the water is wholly evaporated, and wine vinegar is at this time added, a substance named colophony is formed. Tirtgry says, the real Burgundy pitch is collected from the pinus picea. Pinus Sylvestris. E. L. D. Wild Pine or Scotch Fir. Common Turpentine. Oil of Turpentine. Rosin. Tar. Black Pitch. Inhabits more generally the northern parts of Europe. It is com- mon likewise in Scotland; Miller, however, describes the Scotch tree as a distinct species, under the name of pinus rubra. The pinus syl- vestris not only furnishes most abundantly the pix liquidator tar, but also from it may be obtained the common turpentine, and the white and yellow resins. Pinus Palustris. A. Tar. The impure Turpentine procured by burning. Pinus Balsamea. E. D. L. Balm of Gilead Fir. Hemlock Fir. Canada Balsam. Canadian Turpentine. The products of the different species of pine may be arranged, 1. Into those which exude spontaneously. 2. Into those produced by wounding the tree. 3. Into thos^procured by decoction. And 4. Into those which are procured by the action of fire. P___Pinus. 501 By Exudation. The pinus Iarix exudes a species of manna, called Briancon Manna, but it is not used; as, besides the saccharine matter, it evi- dently contains turpentine. From the pinus aWs, and also from the pinus sylvestris, in warm seasons and climates, a resinous juice exudes spontaneously, which hardens into tears by exposure to the air. It is the common frankin- cense, or Thus of the former editions of the London Pharmacopoeia, but no longer officinal. It is a solid brittle resin, brought to us in tears, or masses, of a brownish or yellowish eolour on the outside; internally whitish, or variegated with whitish specks, of a bitterish, acrid, not agreeable taste, with little smell. Real burgundy pitch is collected, according to Tingry, from the pinus picea, or spruce fir tree. The resinous juice which exudes from this species is less fluid and less transparent than the proper turpentines. It is collected by the peasants, strained through cloths, and pu,t into barrels. If its. consistence be too thick, it is mixed over the fire with a little turpentine and oil of turpentine. By Incision. To obtain the products of the second kind, a series of wounds is made through the bark into the wood, beginning at the bottom, and rising gradually upwards, until a stripe of the bark, about nine feet high, be removed, which is commonly effected in about four years. The same operation is then repeated on the opposite side. Th*e ope- ration is then recommenced close to the edge of the former wound, which by this time is nearly closed. A tree worked in this manner will survive, and furnish turpentine for near a century. The juice, or turpentine which flows from these wounds, during summer, is collected in a small cavity formed in the earth, at the bottom of the incisions, from which it is occasionally removed into proper reser- voirs, previous to its purification. As the trees exude very little juice during cold weather, no new incisions are made in winter; but the old ones get covered with a soft resinous crust, (called barras, when it is impure, and mixed with bits of bark, dust, and sand; gallipot, when collected with more care; or white incense, when it is allowed to remain so long exposed that it becomes resinified,) which is scraped off, and also collected for subsequent purification. All these products are purified by liquefaction and filtration. They consist almost entirely of essen- tial oil and a resin, and differ only in the proportions; the turpentine containing the largest proportion of oil, and the gallipot of resin. Although gallipot contains essential oil, the quantity is so small, that it is never subjected to distillation, but is purified by melting it with a very gentle fire, and filtrating it. By this process it still contains essential oil, and is often sold by the name of Burgundy pitch. If boiling water be added to it after it is strained, but while it is still fluid, and they be agitated together till the mass cools, we have a yellow resin, which, from still containing some essential oil, is pre- ferred to that prepared, by a similar process, from the residuum of the distillation of turpentine. A simple mixture of gallipot and 502 P.—Pinus. barras, made without heat, is often sold under the name of Burgundy pitch; but the mass resulting from this combination soon becomes friable. It has neither the unctuosity, viscidity, tenacity, nor smell, which distinguish the real kind. Turpentines. Turpentines, or fluid resinous juices obtained by incision have different appellations, chiefly according to the country from, which they are procured. Balsam of Canada, from the Pinus balsamea and Pinus Cana- densis. Resina liquida Pini Balsamese. E. Terebinthina Canadensis. L. Balsamum Canadense. D. Cyprian turpentine, from the Pistacia terebinthm. Terebinthina chia. L. Strasburgh turpentine, from the Pinus picea. Venice turpentine, from the Pinus larix. Resina liquida pini laricis. E. Terebinthina veneta. D. Common turpentine, from the Pinus sylvestris. Terebinthina vulgaris. L. D. Hungarian balsam, from the Pinus sylvestris, var. Mughos. Carpatian balsam, from the Pinus cembra. None of these are properly balsams; which term is now confined by chemists to those resinous substances which contain benzoic acid. The Edinburgh College have denominated them liquid resins, which is rather a description than a name. Perhaps the London College have done better in retaining turpentine as a proper generic name for these resinous juices. All these species of turpentine possess the same general proper- ties. They are more or less fluid, with different degrees of transpa- rency: of a whitish or yellowish colour; a penetrating smell, and a warm, pungent, bitterish taste. They are entirely soluble in alcohol, combine with fixed oil, and impart their flavour to water, but are not soluble in it. They are decomposed by a moderate heat, being separated into an essential oil and a resin, and are exceedingly in- flammable, burning with a large white flame, and much smoke. Each species has some peculiarities. The Canadian is reckoned the best, and next to it the Chian. They are more transparent, and have a more agreeable flavour than the other kinds. The common turpentine, as being the most offensive, is rarely given internally; its principal use is in plasters and ointments among farriers, and for the distillation of the essential oil. Medical use.—-Taken internally, they are active stimulants, open the bowels and increase the s&cretion of urine, to which they give the smell of violets,* even though applied only externally. In all cases accompanied with inflammation, they ought to be abstained * This fact is mentioned by Helvetius early in the last century, although as- cribed to later writers. It seems even to have been known to Theophrastus. P.—Piuus. 503 from, as this symptom is increased, and not unfrequently occasioned by them. They are principally recommended in gleets, fluor albus, and the like. Their dose is from a scruple to a drachm and a half. They are most commodiously taken in the form of a bolus, or blend- ed with watery liquors, by the mediation of the yolk of an egg, or mucilage. They also may be given in the form of electuary, mixed with twice their weight of honey, and in the dose of a drachm of the compound twice or thrice a day; or of clyster, half an ounce being well triturated with the yolk of an egg, and mixed with half a pound of gruel, or decoction of chamomile. By distillation turpentines are analysed into two products, a solid resin and a volatile oil. Oil of Turpentine is lighter than water, transparent, limpid, and volatile. It has a hot, pungent taste, and a penetrating smell; is highly inflammable, and possesses all the other properties of essen- tial oils. It is remarkably difficult of solution in alcohol, although turpen- tine itself dissolves easily. One part of the volatile oil is indeed ap- parently taken up by seven of alcohol; but on standing, the greatest part of the oil falls to the bottom, a much larger quantity of alcohol being necessary to retain it in solution. Medical use.—As a medicine, it is highly stimulating and pene- trating. Internally it "acts as a diuretic or sudorific in very small doses. It has also been given in large doses, mixed with honey prin- cipally in those modifications of chronic rheumatism which are styled sciatica and lumbago. But it has not been often successful, and sometimes has had the effect of inducing bloody urine. Lately, however, its use in very large doses has been renewed, and witn almost invariable success, in one.of the most obstinate complaints to which the human body is subject, the tape worm. For this invaluable discovery we are indebted to Dr. Fenwick, of Durham; although its use, both in worms and epilepsy, seems to have been previonsly known to Dr. Latham; and cases of its effica- cy have been published by Drs. Bateman and Laird. It has been given to the extent of four ounces in one dose, without any percep- tible bad effects, and scarcely more inconvenience than would fol- low from an equal quantity of gin. In large doses it is not apt to produce strangury, but only an approach to intoxication, and it ge- nerally acts as a speedy purgative, and discharges the worm in all cases, dead. Dr. Percival, of Dublin, has also lately given it in epilepsy, and with some success. Two drachms, four drachms, or one ounce, were mixed by means of syrup, with one pound of mint water; and of this emulsion, one or two table-spoonfuls were given every four hours. In this form, and given to the extent of several drachms in the course of the day, it produced no distressing symptoms of the urinary organs, stomach, or bowels. It generally procured immedi- ate and decided relief, but it was not always lasting. Dr. Latham suggests, that a large dose should at first be given, and then small doses, so as to keep up the affection of head peculiar to its use. Externally it often produces excellent effects as a discutient in indolent tumours; as a stimulus in paralysis of the extremities, and 504 P.—Pinus. in bruises; as an antispasmodic; and as a styptic, when applied on compresses to the bleeding mouths of the vessels, as hot as the pa- tient can bear it, and it is particularly useful as a domestic applica- tion in cases of burns. Resins. The residuum of the distillation gets different names, according to some peculiarities in its treatment. When the distillation is performed without addition, and continued until the whole essential oil be driven off, and there appear some traces of empyreuma, the residuum is fiddlers' rosin, or colophony; but if, while the mass is still fluid, a quantity of water be added, and thoroughly blended with the resin by long and constant agitation, it is then called yel- low rosin. The under part of the cake of the residuum of the distillation re- sembles fiddlers' rosin, the action of the fire having entirely expel- led the water and volatile oil, and rendered it slightly empyreuma- tic and transparent, while the upper part, from retaining some wa- ter, is opaque and yellow. Bu Decoction. A fluid extract, prepared by decoction from the twigs of the pinus sylvestris, is the well known essence* of spruce, which, fer- mented with molasses and water, forms the wholesome beverage of Spruce Beer.* By Fire. ' The last kind of products from the different species of fir, is ob- tained by the action of fire. With this view, a conical cavity is dug out in the earth, communicating at the bottom with a reservoir. Billets on thin laths of wood are then placed, so as not only to fill the cavity, but to form a conical pile over it, which is covered with turf, and kindled at the top. The admission o{ air is so regulated that it burns from above downwards, with a slow and smothered combus- tion. The wood itself is reduced to charcoal, and the smoke and vapours formed, are obliged to descend into the excavation in the ground, where they are condensed, and pass along with the matters liquified into the receiver. This mixture is denominated Tar, Pix liquida. E. L. D. By long boiling, tar is deprived of its volatile ingredients, and converted into Pitch, Resina nigra. L. Tar is a mixture of resin, empyreumatic oil, charcoal, and acetic acid. Its colour is derived from the charcoal; and the other proper- ties in which it differs from a common resin depend on the presence of acetic acid and empyreumatic oil. The acid itself is not only soluble in water, but also renders the empyreumatic oil more so- luble. • Since the spruce pine and other varieties afford with molasses, a species of beer, highly useful in scurvy, may it not be worth trial, whether oil of tur- pentine mixed with sugar so as to unite with water, might not be capable, by fermentation, of yielding a liquor that might be useful on ship-board, where the fresh leaves, &c or the extract of spruce could not be obtained? P.—Piper. 505 Medical use.—Tar-water is a heating diuretic and sudorific re- medy, but by no means so powerful, or so generally admissible, as it was represented by Bishop Berkeley. Tar is applied externally, in tinea capitis and some other cutaneous diseases. Dr. Bateman has seen good effects in ichthyosis from pitch given internally. It occasioned the rough cuticle to crack and fall off, without the aid of external means, and left a sound skin underneath. This medicine, made into pills with flour, or any farinaceous pow- der, may be taken to a great extent, three drachms or half an ounce daily, not only without injury, but with advantage to the general health; and affords one of the most effectual means of controlling the languid circulation, aud the inert and arid condition of the skin. Fumigations of tar have been recommended in phthisis by Dr. Crichton; they appear to have relieved in some cases, but have never effected a cure. It is, indeed, a renewal of an old plan of treatment. Aqua Picis Liquida. D. Tar-water. Take of tar, two pints; water, one gallon.—Mix, by stirring them with a wooden rod, for a quarter of an hour, and, after the tar has subsided, strain the liquor, and keep it in well-corked phials. Tar-water should have the colour of white wine, and a sharp em- pyreumatic taste. It is, in fact, a solution of empyreumatic oil, ef- fected by means of acetic acid. It was, at one time, much extolled as a panacea, but has of late been little employed. It acts as a stimulant, raising the pulse, and increasing the discharge by the skin and kidneys. It may be drunk to the extent of a pint or two in the course of a day. PIPER. 1. PIPER NIGRUM.* E. L. D. Black Pepper. The Berries. Diandria Trigynia. Nat. Ord. Piperitx, Linn. Urticx, Juss. Syn. Poivre, (F.) Schwarzin Pfeffer, (G.) Pepenero, (I.) Pimienta, (S.) Fulful-filfil, (Ar.) Mirch, (H.) Maricha, (San.) Vhnpt, Dioscor. The black pepper is the fruit of a shrubby creeping plant, which grows wild in the East Indies, and is cultivated in Java and Mala- bar, by which means the fruit is much improved. The berries are gathered before they are ripe, and are dried in the sun. They be- come black and corrugated on the surface; their taste is hot and fiery, and their smell slightly aromatic. Neumann got from 7680 parts 4800 watery, and afterwards 180 alcoholic extract; and inversely, 1080 alcoholic, and 3640 watery. The principle on which the pungency depends, was soluble both in water and in alcohol, and was not volatile, for 7680 grains furnish- ed about 150 of a very bland volatile oil. From this analysis Dr. Thomson's differs remarkably. By macerating pepper in alcohol, and distilling the tincture, he got a green volatile oil, having the whole flavour and pungency of the pepper. Besides this essential principle, he found it to contain an extractive and starch. •Piper, Pharm. U.S. 64 506 P.—Piper. It is singular, that the Sumatrans, who eat such vast quantities of Cayenne pepper, never mix black pepper with their food. They esteem the latter heating, and ascribe a contrary effect to the for- mer; and Mr. Marsden, from experience, agrees with them. „White pepper is the fruit of the same plant, gathered after it is fully ripe, and freed of its external coat, by maceration in water. It is smooth on the surface, and less pungent than the black pepper. Dr. Frank, physician to her majesty Maria Louisa, recommends the black pepper in different species of intermittent fever. This had previously been used in the East, with success, after every known means had been ineffectually tried. The dose is five to ten grains twice a day; and Dr. Ghigini re- ports ten patients cured by it. Dr. Frank mentioned seventy pa- tients who came under his notice between April and June, of whom fifty-two had tertian, ten quotidian, and eight the quartan fever; fifty-four were completely cured within a week or so, without any subsequent relapse. He dips the seed of black pepper in a mucilage of gum arabic, and subsequently in powdered Colombo, to disguise it, and gives from five to eight pills twice a day. None of his patients required more than from seventy to eighty pills for a complete cure. 2. Piper Longum. E. L. D. Long Pepper. The plant which bears the long pepper is also a sarmentaceous climber. The berries are small round grains, disposed spirally in a long cylindrical head. They are gathered before they are ripe, and dried; and are the hottest of all the peppers. The warmth and pungency of these spices reside entirely in a resin; their aromatic odour in an essential oil. In medicine they are sometimes employed as acrid stimulants; but their chief use is in cookery as condiments. Another species of pepper, the cubeb, has of late been asserted to possess a very striking power of checking and curing gonorrhoea, taken in powder, to the extent of three drachms, five or six times a day, and continued for a day or two after the discharge ceases. In a few cases it produced swelled testicles, and in one, urticaria. Its only sensible effects are purging, sometimes increase of urine, and imparting to it its peculiar smell. It is also of use in leucorrhoea. OfPiperine, the Oil and Extract of Black Pepper and their Prepa- ration, by George W. Carpenter. Piperine is a peculiar principle recently discovered in black pepper, and has been pronounced a vegetable alkali; experiments, however, which have since been carefully made with a view to determine the fact, have proved the crystalline matter of the pepper to be a pecu- liar principle differing in many distinguishing characteristics from the vegetable alkalies, and more resembling the resins. Piperine has proved by ample experience to be an active remedy in intermittent fevers; it has also been employed with much advan- tage m typhus fever and periodical head-ache; and from the testimo- P__Piper. 507 nials given in its support, we are warranted in the conclusion that it will become an important article of our materia medica. According to M. D. Meli, piperine has the same febrifuge properties as the al- kalies of the cinchonas. At the hospital at Ravenna he has cured a great number of cases of fever with it, and he goes so far as to af- firm its action is more certain and more prompt than that of the sul- phate of quinine. The dose is the same as the latter. It is found to be a valuable adjunct to quinine. Dr. Chapman has found it highly advantageous in obstinate cases of intermittents, by employ- ing equal parts of each, as in the following prescription:— R. Quinas sul. grs. x. Piperine grs. x. M. ft. pill. No. x. One to be taken every hour in the absence of fever. This compound will act with much more energy than the whole quantity of either of them alone. In the Bulletin des Sciences Medicales, for April, 1826, there is an account of three cases treated with piperine, by Dr. S. Gordoni, physician to the hospital at Leghorn. The first case was one of dou- ble tertian intermittent fever, which for a long time resisted the use of quinine, and although this remedy eventually arrested the parox- ysms, whenever it was discontinued the disease returned; the pipe- rine was then resorted to, and the fever ceased on the first day of its use and did not return; the second and third were also cases of intermittent fever, and were promptly and effectually cured by the piperine. From these and many other cases, Dr. Gordoni infers that the piperine will cure fevers that resist the sulphate of quinine, and that it will prevent a relapse better than this latter remedy. In the American Journal of the Medical Sciences, for November, 1827, are a number of cases successfully treated by Drs. Rose, Rousseau, and Black, of Philadelphia, who speak very highly of the efficacy of piperine in intermittent fevers. Of the Preparation of Piperine. The following seems to be the most simple and economical mode' of preparing the piperine, of all the formulae I have tried. Digest two pounds of powdered black pepper in half a gallon of alcohol at 36° at a gentle heat for six hours. This must afterwards be raised to ebullition, suffered to rest and cool, when it must be de- canted, and the operation repeated with fresh alcohol, and continued successively till no taste is communicated to the alcohol. These so- lutions must be mixed together, and two pounds of water, and three ounces of hydrochloric (muriatic) acid be added to them. The liquor then becomes turbid, and a precipitate of a deep gray colour is thrown down, which is in a great measure composed of fatty matter. The deposite being separated, very beautiful crystals may be collect- ed on the filter and sides of the vessel; these are piperine; on adding water until this liquid is no longer rendered turbid, a fresh quantity is obtained; the fatty matter washed with cold ether, which dissolves the oil and afterwards dissolved in alcohol, will furnish on slow eva- poration, crystals of piperine. The piperine thus obtained is com- bined with a portion of oil, which makes it of a greenish colour; by 508 P.—Piper. repeated solution and washing in alcohol and ether, the oil may be entirely separated and the piperine obtained perfectly pure, of a pale straw colour and nearly transparent. The crystalline matter of the pepper presents itself under the form of prisms with four faces, two of which parallel to each other are evidently broader; the prism is terminated by a single inclined surface; it is totally insoluble in cold water, boiling water dissolves a very small quantity which is preci- cipitated on cooling. A similar principle exists in the cubebs, and may be separated by the same process; it differs from the piperine by being much less heating to the taste; it also contains an oil much milder than that of the black pepper. Oil of Black Pepper, This is separated in small quantity in the preparation of piperine. The piperine, as generally made, contains always more or less of. this oil; it is much more active than piperine. The latter, when per- fectly pure, is almost tasteless, and in proportion to the quantity of this substance is its sensible properties increased, and it owes its vir- tues no doubt in a great measure to this oil, which appears to be the active part of the pepper; one drop of this oil is equal in strength to several grains of piperine. It is a very valuable adjunct to quinine; one drop added to four or five grains of the latter, will greatly in- crease the powers of that remedy. This oil is of a deep black colour, about the thickness of ordinary syrups, and nearly opaque; it will not rise by distillation, the distilled oil differs very materially from it, being of a yellow colour and much less acrid, and without any of the tonic and stimulating effects of the former. Extract of Black Pepper. Digest one pound of coarsely ground black pepper in four pints of diluted alcohol for four days, occasionally submitting it to a tempe- rature near ebullition in a water bath, filter and evaporate to the consistence of an extract. This is found also to be an active remedy in intermittents in doses of two or three grains. In a soft state it has proved very convenient to give consistency to piperine and quinine for the formation of pills, while at the same time it increases their activity. The extract of pepper in every formula I have seen, has been di- rected to be prepared with water. This forms a much less active preparation, and possesses several inconveniences, to which the for- mer is not subject. I have employed both the white and the black peppers in the above preparations; and although it is stated by most authors that the white is milder than the black, I have found it to yield more piperine, and an extract of much more acrimony and activity, and to contain much less colouring matter. The constituent principles of pepper are piperine, oil, resin, fe- cula, and colouring matter. P.—Platinum. 509 1. PISTACIA TEREBINTHUS. L. The Liquid Resin, called Chian Turpentine. Diceoia Pentandria. Nat. Ord. Amentacex, Linn. Terebintacex, Juss. The shrub which yields this turpentine grows in India, the north of Africa, and south of Europe, but the turpentine is principally col- lected in the islands of Chios and Cyprus, by wounding the tree. It does not differ in any thing material, except its price, from the other turpentines.—See Pinus. 2. Pistacia Lentiscus. E. Mastiche. Z. The Resin called Mastiche. This species is a native of the same countries with the former. It is obtained principally in the island of Chios, by making transverse incisions in the tree, and allowing the juice to harden. It is brought in small yellowish, semi-transparent, brittle grains; of a smooth and shining fracture, softening when chewed, fusible, burning with a pleasant smell, insoluble in water, and partially soluble in alcohol and fixed oils. Neumann found that during digestion with alcohol, a portion separates insoluble in alcohol, though in appearance resin- ous, amounting to about one-tenth of the mastich, and analogous to caoutchouc. La Grange and Vogel say it contains free acetic acid. Its flavour is communicated to water. It is therefore a resin, com- bined with a little essential oil. It is principally used by the Turkish women as a masticatory, to preserve the teeth, and give a pleasant 6mell to the breath. PLANT AGO. Plantain, the Leaves. Great plantain is perennial, common in fields and by the road-sides, flowering from June to August. The country people apply the bruised leaves of this vegetable to slight wounds, and inflamed sores and swellings, with a favourable effect. It has been recorded in a Vir- ginia Gazette, 1802, that a gentleman was bitten above the knee by a venomous spider. In a few minutes he observed a pain shooting upwards from the spot, which presently reached his heart. A quan- tity of plantain leaf was immediately procured, and the juice being bruised out was swallowed largely, by which the progress of the poi- son was arrested, and finally a cure was effected. Some oil was also swallowed, but the plantain leaf had the entire credit of his recovery, and but for this remedy, hte said he could not have survived an hour longer. PL ATINUM.—PLA TINA. This metal is found in South America, Spain, and St. Domingo, and as far as is known, only in those countries. It has been asserted to have been discovered in Siberia. In the former, at Choco, Santa Fee, and in a district of the Brazils, in form of small, roundish, 510 P.—Plumbum. flattened grains, &c. In Spain, in a vein principally consisting of silver. It is obtained from its ore, by solution in nitro-muriatic acid and precipitating by the muriat of ammonia. The yellow powder which falls down, is reduced to the metallic state by various pro- cesses detailed in chemical writings. The metal is of a white colour, between silver and lead; it is not so hard as maleable iron; and by hammering is capable of being brought to a specific gravity of 23. It is consequently the heaviest of all known bodies. It is ductile and malleable; capable of being drawn into wires of about -gwo °f an ^nc^ diameter, and of being hammered into thin plates. A wire of 0.078 of an inch diameter sup- ports a weight of 274.31 lbs. avoirdupois. It is infusible by the heat of a forge. Dr. Bollman, formerly of this city, having paid much attention to this singular metal, and rendered it malleable, it occurred to him to ascertain whether perhaps it might not be possessed of medicinal virtues? He made for that purpose a very convenient preparation— the nitro-muriatic solution of the purified metal, combined with soda; convinced himself that it might be given with safety, by taking it in small quantities himself, without experiencing from it any disagreea- ble effects^ and then supplied with this preparation several of the most eminent practitioners of Philadelphia. Professor Barton used it in several decided cases of syphilis, in all of which the medicine effected a prompt, and to all appearance, a perfect cure. Mercury, however, had been used previously in all of those cases, except one; but in this, though no medicine whatever had been taken before, and venereal ulcers in the throat attested, unequivocally, the presence of the disease, the beneficial operation of the platina was as prompt, and satisfactory, as in the former cases. There seems, therefore, to be sufficient ground for further trials, the result of which will, no doubt, be laid before the public, as soon as a sufficient number of facts have been collected to warrant positive conclusions with regard to the medical efficacy of this substance.* The only effect apparently produced, was a diminution of the ap- petite. Further experiments are necessary to establish its antisyphi- litic virtues. As it is, Professor Barton was disposed to think very favourably of it. The cases in which it has been administered con- tinued we'll during an interval of several months. PLUMBUM.—LEAD. Syn. Plomb, (F.) Blei, (G.) Anuk, (Ar.) Sisa, (H.) Sisaca, (San.) Lead is of a gray, blue, livid colour, streak gray; disagreeable taste and odour; specific gravity 11.352; soft; very laminable; hard- ens little under the hammer; very flexible; slightly tenacious; fusi- ble at 612° Fahrenheit; volatile at a red heat; tarnished in the air; slightly oxydized by air and water; by heat and air it forms a gray, * Since the last editions of this work, the use of Platina does not appear to have become common; and nothing further has come to my knowledge, be- yond what is stated above. P.—Plumbum. 511 then a yellow, and lastly, a red oxyd, which is verifiable. Its phos- phuret and sulphuret are brittle; it forms alloys with arsenic, bis- muth, antimony, mercury, zinc, and tin; it is oxydized by, and combines with the sulphuric, nitric, muriatic, phosphoric, and other acids. Its oxyds impart to glass a uniform density, and strong re- fracting power. *. Lead is found, I. Oxydized: 1. Lead ochre of different colours. II. Oxydized, and combined with acids. 2. Carbonated lead. White lead spar. 3. Murio-carbonated. 4. Phosphated lead. Green lead ore. 5. Arseniated lead. 6. Arsenio-phosphated lead. 7. Molybdated lead. 8. Sulphated lead. 9. Chromated lead. III. Sulphureted: 10. Sulphureted lead. Galena. 11. Sulphureted oxyd of lead. Lead is obtained by various processes from these ores. In its me- tallic form it is scarcely an officinal article, as its different oxyds are purchased from the manufacturers, and never prepared by the apothecary. States of Oxydation of Lead. Thomson. Davy. Lead. Oxygen. Lead. Oxypen. 1. Yellow,......91.5 .... 8.5....... 2. Yellow, Massicot, . 90.5 .... 9.5 . . . 398 .... 30 3. Red, Red lead, . . 88. ... 12. ... 398 .... 45 4. Brown,......80. ... 20. ... 398 . ... 60 Medical use.—-Its effects on the body are emaciation, violent co- lics, paralysis, tremors, and contractions of the limbs; and as they generally come on gradually, the cause is sometimes overlooked till it be too late. Poisoning from lead is never intentional, but only ac- cidental, either from liquors becoming impregnated with lead, by being improperly kept in vessels lined or glazed with lead, or to which lead has been criminally added to correct its acidity; or among manufacturers who work much with lead, as painters and plumbers, and who are not sufficiently attentive to avoid swallowing any of it. The presence of the lead in any suspected liquor is detected by the hydro-sulphuret of potass, which forms with it a brown precipi- tate, not soluble in diluted muriatic acid; and still more certainly by evaporating a portion of it to dryness, and exposing the extract to a heat sufficient to reduce the lead. Plumbi Oxydum Semivitreum. E. L. A. Lithargyrum. D. Semivitrified Oxyd of Lead. Litharge. If oxydized lead be urged with a hasty fire, it melts into the ap- 512 P.—Plumbum. pearance of oil, and on cooling concretes into litharge. Greatest part of the litharge met with in the shops, is produced in the purification of silver from lead, and the refining of gold and silver by means of this metal. According to the degree of fire and other circumstances, it proves of a pale or deep colour; the first has been commonly call- ed Litharge of Silver, the other Litharge of Gold. Litharge is a sub-carbonat of lead; it consist of ninty-six yellow oxyd, and four carbonic acid; it also frequently contains a little oxyd of antimony. The oxyds of lead dissolve by heat in expressed oils; these mix- tures are the basis of several officinal plasters and ointments. Lead and its .oxyds when undissolved, have no considerable effects as medicines. Dissolved in oils, they are supposed to be, (when ex- ternally applied,) anti-inflammatory and desiccative. Combined with vegetable acids, they are remarkably so: and taken internally, prove powerful, though dangerous styptics. Plumbi Subcarbonas. L. A. Carbonas Plumbi. E. Sub-Acetas Plumbi. D. Cerussa. , White Oxyd of Lead. Ceruse. White Lead. Sub-Acetat of Lead. Carbonat of Lead. Sub-Carbonat of Lead. This substance, which is now said to be a carbonat of lead, is ma- nufactured in several countries. It is prepared by exposing lead to the vapour of vinegar. To accelerate the oxydizement, the lead is cast in thin plates, which are rolled up spirally. A number of these are placed perpendicularly on a support, over, a flat vessel, contain- ing vinegar, which is converted into vapour by a gentle heat, such as that of dung. The plates become slowly covered with a white crust, which is in due time removed, and the remains of the plates again exposed to the vapour of vinegar, until they be entirely cor- roded. Van Mons says, that if lead ashes be dissolved in nitric acid, and precipitated by chalk in impalpable powder, the precipitate, when washed and dried, will be ceruse in its purest state. White oxyd of lead has a scaly or foliated texture, is brittle, fria- ble, heavy, of a snowy whiteness, and a sweet taste. It is often adul- terated with earthy substances, which may be discovered by mixing it with oil, and reducing the lead in a crucible. Althougbvery fria- ble, the coarser particles cannot be separated by means of a sieve, because its interstices soon get filled up. It can only be obtained in the state of a fine powder, by rubbing a loaf of ceruse on a sieve placed over a sheet of paper. It consists of 84 yellow oxyd of lead, and 14 carbonic acid. In pharmacy, the white oxyd of lead is used in the composition of ointments and plasters. Oxydum Plumbi Rubrum. E. Minium. Red Oxyd of Lead. The preparation of red lead is so troublesome and tedious, as scarce ever to be attempted by the apothecary or chemist; nor in- deed is this commodity expected to be made by them, the prepara- tion of it being a distinct branch of business. The makers melt large P__Plumbum. 513 quantities of lead at once, upon the bottom of a reverberatory fur- nace built for this purpose, and so contrived, that the flame acts upon a large surface of the metal, which is continually changed by the means of iron rakes drawn backwards and forwards, till the fluidity of the lead is destroyed; after which, the oxyd is only now and then turned. The red oxyd of lead is obtained in the form of a very heavy pow- der, consisting of very minute shining scales, of a bright scarlet, verging towards yellow, especially if triturated. It is sometimes adulterated with red oxyd of iron, red bole, or powdered brick. These frauds are detected by the inferiority of colour, by mixing it with oil, and subjecting it to the test of reduction; and by its form- ing a black precipitate with tincture of galls when dissolved in ni- trous acid. Plumbi Acetas. E. D. L. A. Super-Aoetas Plumbi. Saccharum Saturni. Acetat of Lead. Super-Acetat of Lead. Sugar of Lead. Take of Sub-carbonat of lead, or ceruse, any quantity; Purified vine- gar, ten times its weight.—Digest in a glass vessel until the vine- gar becomes sweet. Having poured this off, add more vinegar until it ceases to become sweet. Filter the liquor and crystallize by alternate slow evaporation and refrigeration. The crystals are to be dried in the shade. D. The acetat of lead is seldom prepared by the apothecary, as he can procure it at an infinitely cheaper rate from those who manufacture it in large quantities. The preparation of it, as directed by the col- leges is a case of simple solution. The process frequently fails, from the oxyd of lead employed, being adulterated with carbonat of lime, or some other earthy substance. The acetic acid employed, should be as strong as can be procured; for with a weak acid, the product of pure salt is small, and the quantity of mother-water is increased. The addition of a small quantity of alcohol to the solution after it has been duly evaporated, is said to improve the beauty of the crys- tals. The mother-water niay also be made to furnish pure crystals, by adding to it a fresh portion of acetiG acid; for without that pre- caution it furnishes only a very heavy, yellow, pulverulent mass, in which there seems to be an excess of oxyd of lead, and hence it is probably essentially the same with Goulard's extract of lead. The manufacture of acetat of lead, is conducted more economi- cally when the oxyd is dissolved in the acid at .the same time that it is prepared; which is done by alternately exposing plates of lead to the vapour of acetic acid, and immersing the plates, thus covered with oxyd, into the acid itself. ■ Acetat of lead has a sweet styptic taste. It has a white colour, and crystallizes in flat parallelopipeds, terminated by a wedge, or more commonly, in shining needles. It is soluble in water, and in alcohol; effloresces slightly in the air, and is decomposed by heat and light. It is also decomposed'by the alkalies, and most of the earths and acids. Medical use.—The internal use of acetat of lead, has of late been 65 514 P.—Plumbum. much greater than formerly; and it promises to be a most valuable addition to our list of active remedies, although Dr. Duncan and others have proscribed it from internal use. It has been successfully employed in several cases of epilepsy.* It is strongly recommended in cases of haemorrhage. It forms a very valuable external applica- tion in superficial and phlegmonic inflammations, bruises, and dis- eases of the skin. It is always applied in solution, either simply, as to the eyes, or by means of cloths soaked in it, or mixed with bread- crumb. A drachm, with five ounces of any distilled water, forms a strong solution, and with ten ounces of water, a weak solution. If common water be used, the addition of about a drachm of acetic acid will be necessary to keep the lead in solution. Liquor.Sub-Acetatis Lit^argyri. DA Liquor Plumbi Sub-Acetatis. L. Liquid Sub-Acetat of Lead. Solution of Sub-Acetat of Lead. Goulard'>s Extract. Take of Semivitrified oxyd of lead, two pounds; Purified, or distilled vinegar, one gallon.—Mix, and boil down to six pints, constantly stirring; then set it by, that the feculencies may subside, and strain. L. Mr. Phillips thinks, that too much litharge is employed by the London College in this preparation, as a gallon of distilled vinegar, specific gravity 1.007, will dissolve only ten of the twenty-four ounces ordered, and the residuum having its bulk much increased by the action of the acid, retains much of the solution. When pro- perly prepared, it is of a straw colour, with a slight admixture of green, and has a specific gravity of 1.22, and it is not, as said by Dr. Powell, "a dense solution of a deep brown colour," unless the acid which remains after the distillation of vinegar, be employed in- stead of the distilled vinegar. Notwithstanding Scheele showed that a solution of sugar of lead was converted into Goulard, by allowing it to act for a day on a plate of lead, yet, until the experiments of Dr. Bostock, it was generally believed, that these preparations did not differ,, except in the acci- dental variations of strength to which the latter was subject. By his analysis, however, it appears, that the constituents in the saturated solution of the sugar of lead, and of the water of acetated litharge, are respectively, Acetat. Goulard. Oxyd of lead, - -. - 16.8 23.1 Acetic acid, - 7.5 5. Water, - ... 75,T 7L9 100. 100. Thenard obtained the salt in crystallized plates, by boiling 150 parts of litharge in a solution of 100 parts of sugar of lead; and on analysing it, found it to consist of 17 acid, 78 oxyd, and 5 water. * Philadelphia Medical Museum, Vol. I. and II. f Plumbi Sub-acetas Liquidus, Pharm. U. S. P—Podophyllum. 515 These experiments, the coincidence of which confirm their accuracy, show, that in sugar of lead, 100 parts of acid are combined with 224 of oxyd of lead, and in Goulard's extract, with 450 or 460, or some- what more than twice the quantity of oxyd. Now, according to the doctrine of definite proportions, any acid always combines with the same proportion of oxygen in oxyds, whatever the proportion of metal may be: it is therefore evident, that the oxygen in the oxyd of lead, contained in Goulard's extract, is combined with twice as much lead as it is in the oxyd in the sugar of lead; or Goulard's extract is the acetat of the protoxyd of lead, and sugar of lead the acetat of the peroxyd of lead. Liquor Sub-Acetatis Lithargyri -Compositus. D. L. Compound Liquor of Acetated Litharge. Take of Liquor of acetated litharge, a drachm; Distilled water, a pint; Weaker spirit of wine, a drachm.—Mix the spirit and liquor of acetated litharge, then add the distilled water. L. The Dublin is the same, only with double the amount of ingre- dients. PODOPHYLLUM PELTATUM.* May-Apple. Mandrake, fyc. The Root. This plant is very common throughout North America. The fruit is esculent and by many thought delicious. The leaves are poison- ous. The root is an excellent purgative in doses of 20 grains. It is most advantageously used in combination with calomel, or crystals of tartar. An extract from the root is also sometimes employed, and has been found useful in colica pictonutn. This plant is thought by some, to be especially adapted as a purge, to cases of intermittents, remittents, and dropsy. The root also often operates as an anthel- mintic, and as such it is used by the Cherokee, and other southern Indians. The late Dr. Barton thought this plant possessed some narcotic quality. The best time for gathering the May-apple, for medical purposes, is the autumn, when the leaves have turned yellow, and are about falling off. The Indians dry it in the shade, and powder it for use.t The following experiments with the leaves of the podophyllum, are given from the thesis of Dr. F. H. Snow, a graduate of this School in 1819. • Two ounces of leaves to a quart of water, boiled and simmered to eight ounces. At nine o'clock, half was given to a full grown dog, and in thirty minutes the remainder. In ten minutes after the last, the pulsation of the heart was very weak, and from fifty to fifty-five per minute; a copious salivation was produced; increased at twelve, but no narcotic effect; at ten and twelve vomited; next morning he was found dead; the vomiting having been almost incessant from twelve until he died. . One drachm of the leaves in powder produced restlessness for a short time in a dog, when he appeared as well as usual. * Podophyllum, Pharm. U. S. +- Barton's Collections, Part I. p. 80. 38. 516 P.—Polygala. * Two ounces and a half of the leaves were made into an extract weighing six drachms, which wras formed into pills of two grains each. Two grains taken; pulse naturally 76. minutes, 5 10 15 35 60 strokes, 76 76 76 70 65 continued so about two hours. Four grains taken; pulse seventy-four, full and strong. minutes, 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 strokes, 75 74 75 72 67 73 65 65 67 64 64 61 61 62 In two hours after, sixty-one; weak and small. Three pills; pulse seventy-six, full and strong; at 10 A. M. minutes, 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 strokes, 77 77 70 70 70 72 66 64 64 62 64 64 In two hours, the same; small and feeble; accompanied with slight nausea. To Mr. E. affected with severe cough for some time, accompanied with remitting fever; pulse quick and tense; two grains of the leaves every three hours; second day the pulse still tense, four grains given; third day complete intermission of the pulse and permanent cure. Mrs. W. with pleurisy; a small bleeding had previously been made; Sulse full; six grains of the leaves every two hours; on the fourth ay, perfectly restored. Chemical Analysis, by Dr. Staples___The root of podophyllum peltatum contains resin, gum or mucilage soluble in cold water, amadin, colouring matter, extractive, ligneous fibre, and a minute quantity of insipid substance soluble in sulphuric aether, from which it crystallizes in minute acicular crystals. The peculiar substance above described was obtained by first se- parating the resin, and by then submitting the solution to the action of the reagents, subacetate of lead, and hydro-sulphuric acid gas. The solution thus treated was evaporated to less than one-fourth its original bulk, when aqua ammonise was thrown in to saturate the acetic acid present. A small quantity of orange coloured precipitate was obtained, which afforded the crystals above alluded to, when submitted to the action of sulphuric aether. The medical power of the plant is without doubt' connected with the acrid resin it contains. POLYGALA SENEGA. E. D. SENEGA. L. A. Seneka or Rattlesnake Root. The Root. Diadelphia Octandria. Nat. Ord. Lomentacex, Linn. Pedkulares, Juss. Seneka is a perennial plant, which grows wild in North America, particularly in Virginia and Pennsylvania. This root is usually about the thickness of the little finger, variously bent and contorted, and appears as if composed of joints, whence it is supposed to resemble the tail of the animal whose name it bears; a kind of membranous margin runs on each side the whole length of the root. The root was first introduced into use in 1739, by Dr. Tennent, P__Polygala. 517 of Virginia, who wrote a pamphlet on the subject, and highly extolled it as a remedy for many complaints, and particularly, as a specific for the cure of the bite of the rattlesnake. The bark is the active part of the root. Its taste is at first acrid, afterwards very hot and pungent.- It has no smell. Its acrimony resides in a resin; for it is entirely extracted by al- cohol; is precipitated by water; does not rise in distillation; and is not destroyed by keeping. Medical use.—It is an active stimulus, and increases the force of the circulation, especially of the pulmonary vessels.. It has therefore been found useful in typhoid inflammations of the lungs; but it is apt to disorder the stomach, and to induce diarrhoea. Dr. Brandreth, of Liverpool, has derived great benefit in some cases of lethargy frdm an extract of seneka combined with carbonat of ammonia. Some have likewise employed this root in hydropic cases, and' not without success. There are examples of its occasioning a plentiful evacuation by stool,urine, and perspiration; and by this means re- moving the disease, after the common diuretics and hydragogues had failed. It sometimes induces salivation, and it possesses diuretic, eme- tic, cathartic, expectorant and diaphoretic powers. It has become greatly celebrated in the xure of cynanche trachealis, and is used by the Indians in syphilis and malignant sore throat. The Poly- gala sanguina, a new species discovered at Savannah, has been used as a substitute for it. * Dr. Archer, of Maryland, discovered the7great utility of seneka snakeroot, as a remedy for that fatal disease, the croup, and speaks with confidence as to the general good effects produced by it. The decoction of the root is the manner, in which he generally gives it; the strength must be determined by the physician; it must be so strong, as to act sensibly on his own mouth and throat, in exciting coughing, &c. for in this disease, the larynx, (mouth of the wind- pipe,) in a manner loses its natural sensibility^ Half an ounce of the root of seneka, bruised, and simmered in a close vessel, in half a pint of water, until reduced to four ounces, will, probably, in most cases, be sufficiently strong. A tea-spoonful of this to be given every hour or half hour, as the urgency of the symptoms shall demand; and during these intervals, a few drops occasionally, to keep up a sensible action of the medicine, in the mouth and throat, until it acts as an emetic and cathartic; then repeat in small quan- tities, and so frequently as to keep up a constant stimulus in the same. By these means, in the course of two, four, six, or eight hours, a membrane is oftentimes discharged by the mouth, one, two, and often three inches in length; sometimes it is swallowed and voided by stool. Patients who use the medicine, should not be permitted to drink any thing whatever, for some minutes after each dose. The reason must be obvious to all. The powder has lately been used by Drs. Archer and, Son, in doses of four or five grains, mixed with'a little water, with effects equally as pleasing as the decoction, and more. * Barton's Collections, Medical Repository, &c. 518 p.—Polygonum. so, unless the latter have been carefully prepared. It should be remarked that this powerful stimulant cannot with safety be exhi- bited during the inflammatory stage of croup. It is in the last stage only, that it has been found extremely useful in exciting the vessels of the trachea and lungs to a powerful excretion. Seneka has been usefully employed in the decline of pleurisies and catarrhs to promote expectoration. In suppressed coughs of aged persons, and in asthma, it is doubtless useful; a gentle and constant stimulus on the throat should be kept up in these diseases. It has also been, exhibited as a powerful remedy in cases of female obstructions. Professor Chapman has found it of great utilitv in obstinate amenorrhcea, when given in decoction prepared by adding an ounce of the root to a pint of boiling water, which is slowly re- duced by simmering to the quantity of one-third Four ounces of the decoction is to be taken during the day, increasing it when the menstrual effort is expected, as far as the stomach will allow. If this excite nausea, he adds aromatics. To prevent disgust, it is omitted a week or two in the intervals of the menstrual periods, POLYGALA RUBELLA.* Bitter Polygala. The Plant. From the experiments of Professor Bigelow, this plant appears to be a strong and permanent bitter, imparting its sensible proper- ties both to spirit and water. In small doses, its infusion is a use- ful tonic and stimulant to the digestive organs; in large doses it is diaphoretic. It is an article which may probably be well dispensed with in our Materia Medica. POLYGONUM BISTORTA. E. L. D. Great Bistort, or Snakeweed. The Root. Octandria Trigynia. Nat. Ord. Holoracex, Linn. Polygonex, Juss. This plant is perennial, and grows wild in moist meadows in se- veral parts of Britain. The root is about the thickness of the little finger, of a blackish-brown colour on the outside, and reddish with- in: it is writhed or bent vernacularly, (whence the name of the plant,) with a joint at each bending, and full of bushy fibres; the root of the species here mentioned has, for the most part, only one or two bendings; others have three or more. All the parts of bis- tort have a rough austere taste, particularly the root, which is one of the strongest of the vegetable astringents. Medical use.—It is employed in all kinds of immoderate hsemor- rhagies and other fluxes, both internally and externally, where as- tringency is the only indication. It is certainly a very powerful styptic, and it is to be looked on simply as such. To the sudorific, antipestilential, and other virtues attributed to it, it has no other claim than in consequence of its astringency. The largest dose of the root in powder is one drachm. * Pharm. U. S. secondary. Potassa. 519 POLYPODIUM FILEX MAS.* D. Aspidium Filex Mas. L. E. Male Fern. Male Shield Fern. The Root. This fern is perennial, and grows in great abundance in almost every part of Britain where the ground is not cultivated. The greatest part of the root lies horizontally, and has a great number of appendages placed close to each other in a vertical direction, while a number of small fibres strike downwards. The large root, together with its appendages, are to be reserved for use. The two ends, however, are to be cut off; the one Deing too old and spongy, the other too new and green. . Z When chewed, its taste is somewhat mucilaginous and sweet, and afterwards slightly astringent and bitter. Its smell is also weak. Medical use.—This root was used as an anthelmintic in the days of Dioscorides. It gradually became neglected; but its use was again revived at different times by Madame Nuffer, Herrenschwand, and others, who certainly frequently succeeded in killing and expelling the taenia, both lata and cucurbitina, by the exhibition of secret re- medies, of which the fern-powder was, or rather was supposed to be the principal ingredient, for there is much reason to,believe, that the active purgatives with which it was always combined, were really the remedies which effected the cure. The same, or nearly a similar secret, has been bought by different potentates, and published for the benefit of those suffering under this obstinate disease. The internal solid part of the root only is to be powdered, and the powder should have a reddish colour; and as the dose and exhibition of the remedy must be regulated according to the age, sex, and con- stitution of the patient, it must be given always under the direction of an experienced practitioner. POTASSA— POTASS. Afkalizable metals.—The heavier earths, and even the alkalies, had long been supposed by different chemists to be metallic oxyds, and were even stated to have been reduced to their metallic form. But their supposition rested only on vague analogies, and their ex- periments were completely fallacious. The merit of discovering the metallic bases of the earths and alkalies belongs to Sir H. Davy, to whose ingenuity and skill, in applying the powerful agency of gal- vanism, we are indebted for the most unexpected conclusions ever obtained in experimental chemistry. Potassium, the base of potass, is a white metal, brittle and crys- tallized; in its section resembling polished silver; and at 150° per- fectly fluid, very much resembling quicksilver. At a red heat it is converted into vapour. Its specific gravity is between 8 and 9, wa- ter being 10. Exposed to the air, it attracts oxygen, and becomes covered with a crust of potass; when gently heated, it burns with an intense heat, and a red light. It explodes and inflames with water, * Polypodium, Pharm. U. S. secondary". 520 P.—Potassa. and even with ice. It acts upon all bodies containing water or much oxygen. It burns vividly in chlorine. It is soluble in hydrogen gas, forming a compound which inflames with atmospheric air. It com- bines with sulphur and phosphorus, and the metals, forming readily oxydizable compounds. Protoxyd of potassium scarcely known; of a grayish colour, effer- vesces with water without inflaming. Potassa, (Sir H. Davy,) a difficultly fusible substance, of a gray colour, vitreous in its fracture, dissolving in water, without effer- vescence, but with much heat, forming an alkaline solution. Potass, (hydrat of potassa,) is a solid white substance, containing 90 potassa and 17 water, which cannot be separated by heat; ex- tremely acrid to the taste; unctuous to the feel, but highly caustic; destroying the skin, and dissolving all soft-animal substances. It is deliquescent,, and soluble in half its weight of water at 58° Fahren- heit; it is fusible, and may be vaporized, but is perfectly incombus- tible; it is capable of crystallizing into very long quadrangular, com- pressed prisms, terminated by sharp pyramids; it changes vegetable blues to green, and combines with all the acids, oils, sulphur, sul- phureted hydrogen, and the earths. It is obtained from the ashes of vegetables, and exists in some minerals. Officinal. Orange oxyd of potassium, fusible, the result of the slow combus- tion of potassium in oxygen or air. It supports the combustion of inflammable bodies, supplying the oxygen. It is decomposed by water and carbonic acid, oxygen being evolved. Chloride of potassium, (muriat of potass.) When muriatic acid and solution of potass are mixed and heated to redness, the hydro- gen of the acid and the oxygen of the alkali are set free as water, while the metal and the chlorine combine to form the substance known by the name of muriat of potass. Chlorine also decomposes potassa and the Orange oxyd, expelling its oxygen, and potassium attracts chlorine from hydrogen and phosphorus. , ,'> Aqua Potassa. E. A. Liquor Potassa. L. Aqua Kali Caustici. D. * Solution of Potass. , Solution of Caustic*Kali. Lixivium Causticum. Caustic Ley. Take of Fresh burnt lime, eight ounces; Sub-carbonat of potass, six ounces.—Put the lime into an iron or earthen vessel, with twenty- eight fluid ounces of boiling water. After-the ebullition is finished, instantly add the salt; and having thoroughly mixed them, cover the vessel till they cool. When the mixture has cooled, agitate it well, and pour it into a glass funnel, the throat of which is stopped with a piece of clean linen. Cover the upper orifice of the, funnel, and insert its tube into another glass vessel, so that the solution of potass may gradually drop through the rag into the lower vessel. As soon as it ceases to drop, pour into the funnel-some ounces of wa- ter, but cautiously, so that it may swim above the matter in, the-fun- nel. The solution of potass will again begin to drop, and the affu- sion of water is to be repeated in the same manner, until three pints have dropped,, ivhich will happen in the space of two or three days; P.—Potassa. 521 then mix the superior and inferior parts of the liquor together by agitation, and keep it in a well-stopped phial. E. Specific gravity, to distilled water, as 1100 to 1000. The processes of the colleges do not differ materially. They are founded upon the affinity of lime being stronger than that of potass for carbonic acid. Of course, when lime comes in contact with car- bonat of potass, the carbonic acid quits the potass to unite with the lime, and the results of the mixture are potass and carbonat of lime. Now, as the carbonat of lime is insoluble in water, and the potass is very soluble, they may be separated by filtration. In doing this, however, we must take care to employ instruments on which the solution of potass ddes not act, and to prevent the free access of air, from which it would attract carbonic acid, and thus frustrate the whole operation. The latter object is attained by covering the upper or broad end of the funnel with a plate of glass", and inserting the lower end into the neck of a phial, which it fits pretty closely. The former object is attended with greater difficulties, and indeed scarcely to be effected, so powerful and general is the agency of potass. Ail animal substances are immediately attacked and de- stroyed by it; therefore, our filters cannot be made of silk, woollen, or paper which contains glue; and although neither vegetable njat- ters nor silica entirely escape its action, linen and sand are, on the whole, the least objectionable. A filter of sand was used by Dr. Black: he first dropt a rugged pebble into the tube of the funnel, in some part of which it formed itself a firm bed, while the inequalities on its surface afforded interstices of sufficient size for the passage of the filtering liquor. On the upper surface of this stone he put a thin layer of lint or clean tow; immediately above this, but not in contact with it, he dropped a stone similar to the former, and of a size proportionate to the swell in the upper part of the tube of the funnel. The interstices between* this second stone and the funnel were filled up with stones of a less dimension, and the gradation uniformly continued till pretty small sand was employed. Finally, this was covered with a layer of coarser sand, and small stones to sustain the weight of the fluid. A filter of sand being thus construct- ed in the funnel, it was washed perfectly clean, by making clean water pass through it, till it dropt from the lower extremity of the funnel perfectly clear and transparent; and before using it, it was allowed to stand for some days, that no water might remain among the interstices of the sand. From the spongy nature of the residuum which remains upon the filter, and especially if we use that of sand, a considerable quantity of the solution of potass will be retained. It is, however, easily ob- tained, by pouring gently over it, so as to disturb it as little as pos- sible, a quantity of water; the ley immediately begins again to drop from the funnel, and as, from the difference of their specific gravity, the water does not mix with it, but swims above it, the whole ley passes through before any of the water. By means of the taste we easily learn when the whole ley has passed. As it is natural to suppose that the strongest solution will pass first, and the weakest last, we are directed to agitate the whole to- gether, to render their strength uniform. 66 522 P.—Potassa. If the solution of potass be pure, it will be colourless, and it will neither effervesce with acids, nor form a precipitate with carbonat of potass. If it effervesces, carbonic acid is present, and must be se- parated by again boiling the solution with a little lime, or by drop- ping info it lime water, as long as it^produces any precipitate. But Mr. Phillips has remarked, that even when a small quantity of car- bonic acid is contained in it, no precipitate is produced unless a considerable quantity of lime water be added. If, on the contrary, it contain lime, from too much of it having been employed in the preparation, it may be separated by dropping into the ley a solution of the carbonat of potass. When we have thus purified our solution of potass, it must be again filtered. Mr. Phillips objected to this process as in the London Pharmacopoeia of 1809, that the quantity of lime employed was much too large, and that a half of the weight of the sub-carbonat is sufficient; as in fact 33 parts of lime will sa- turate the 26 of carbonic acid commonly contained in 100 parts of sub-carbonat of potass; and his suggestion has been adopted in the edition of 1815. But this objection is obviated by the mode of filtra- tion used by the Edinburgh College; and although from calculation the quantity of lime seems excessive, it is necessary, in order to ren- der the potass perfectly caustic. Medical use.—The solution of caustic potass, under various names, has at different times been celebrated as a lithontriptic, and as often fallen again into disuse. The very contradictory accounts of its ef- fects as a solvent, are now, in some degree, explicable, since it has been discovered that urinary calculi are very different in their na- tures, so that some of them are only soluble in acids, and others only in alkalies. Of the last description are the calculi of uric acid, which are very frequent, and those of urat of ammonia. On these, therefore, alkalies may be supposed to make some impression; and that alkalies, or alkaline carbonats, taken by the mouth, have occa- sionally relieved calculous complaints, is certain. It is, however? said, that their continued use debilitates the stomach, and M. Four- croy has proposed applying the remedy immediately to the disease, by injecting into the bladder a tepid solution of potass or soda, so dilute that it can be held in the mouth.* Before the alkaline solu- tion be injected, the bladder is to be completely evacuated of urine, and washed out with an injection of tepid water. After the alkaline injection has remained in the bladder half an hour or more, it is to be evacuated, and allowed to settle. If, on the addition of a little muriatic acid, a precipitate be formed, we shall have reason to con- clude that the calculus contains uric acid, and that the alkali has acted on it. Yery dilute alkaline solutions may also be taken into the stomach as antacids, but we possess others which are preferable. Mr. Brandish, who has strongly recommended the solution of caustic potash for the cure of scrofula, gives the following compli- cated formula for its preparation. Take of American pearl ashes, six pounds; fresh burnt lime, fresh ashes of ash wood, each two pounds; boiling water, six gallons. • This mode of injection appears to have been pursued long before Four- croy, by Boyle Godfrey—see article Phosphorus, p. 487. P.—Potassa. 523 He reverses the common method of slaking lime, by desiring it to be gradually added to the water kept boiling: he then adds the pearl ashes, then the wood ashes; stirs all together, and lastly draws off" the clear liquor slowly. He used to prepare it without the pearl ashes, but found they rendered it softer, which no doubt they would, as the quantity of lime is insufficient to abstract all the carbonic acid, and would leave the liquor in a state of sub-carbonat. He says that a wine pint of his solution should weight eighteen or nineteen ounces. He recommends the addition of a drop or two of genuine oil of juniper to the pint of liquor, and orders it to be -taken twice a day in the following doses: to a child from four to six, one drachm by measure; from six to eight, one drachm and a half; eight to fif- teen, two drachms; fifteen to eighteen, two and a half; to adults, three and sometimes four. It should, however, be begun in rather smaller doses. The vehicle may be fresh beer, malt tea, barley-wa- ter, or water gruel. Externally, alkaline solutions have been more frequently used, either very dilute, simply as a stimulus, in rickets, gouty swellings, gonorrhoea, and spasmodic diseases, or concentrated as a caustic, to destroy the poison of the viper, and of rabid animals. Potassa. E. A. Potassa Fusa. L. Kali Causticum. D. Potass. Fused Potass. Caustic Kali. Take of the solution of potass, any quantity.—Evaporate it in a co- vered very clean iron vessel, till, on the ebullition ceasing, the sa- line matter flow gently like oil, which happens before the vessel be- comes red. Then pour it out on a smooth iron plate,- let it be di- vided into small pieces before it hardens, and immediately deposit- ed in a well-stopped phial. E. The principal thing to be attended to in this operation, is to con- duct the evaporation so rapidly that the ley shall not absorb any car- bonic acid from the atmosphere. As long as any water of solution remains, the ebullition is evident, and the evaporation is to be con- tinued until it cease. The heat is then to be increased a little, which renders the potass perfectly fluid, and gives it the appearance of an oil, when it is ready to be poured out either on a slab, as directed by the colleges, or into iron moulds, such as are used for the melted nitrat of silver. The potass prepared according to these directions is sufficiently pure for medical use, but is not»fit*for chemical experiments. We can, however, obtain it perfectly white and crystallized, according to Berthollet, by adding to the ley, when evaporated so far that it would assume the consistence of honey, if permitted to cool, a quan- tity of alcohol equal to one-third of the carbonat of potass operated on, mixing them together, and letting them boil a minute or two. The mixture is then to be poured into a glass vessel, and corked up, when the impurities will gradually subside, partly in a solid form, and partly dissolved in water. The supernatant alcoholic solution is then to be evaporated rapidly, till its surface become covered with a black crust, which is to be removed, and the liquid below is to be poured into a porcelain vessel, when it wiU concrete into a 524 p.—Potassa. white substance, which is to be broken in pieces, and immediately excluded from the action of the air. A less expensive way of obtaining potass perfectly pure is that of Lowitz. Evaporate a solution of potass till a thick pellicle form on its surface; allow it to cool, separate all the crystals formed, as they consist of foreign salts: renew the evaporation in an iron or sil- ver basin; and remove the pellicles, which form on the surface, with an iron skimmer, as long as any appear. When the ebullition ceases, remove.the vessel from the fire, and agitate the fused salt with an iron spatula while it cools. Dissolve the saline mass in twice its weight of water, and evaporate in a silver basin till it begins to crys- tallize. The crystals are pure potass. The fluid which swims over them has a dark-brown colour, and must be poured off: but if kept in a close-stopt phial, it will deposite its colouring matter, and by evaporation will furnish more crystals of potass. Medical use.—Potass is only used as a caustic, or to form solutions of a known strength; and even its use as a caustic is inconvenient, from its being so quickly affected by the air, and from its rapid de- liquescence, which renders it apt to spread. Potassa oum Calce. E. L. A. Kali Causticum cum Calce. D. Potass with Lime. Caustic Kali with Lime. Take of solution of potass, any quantity.—Evaporate it in a covered iron vessel till one-third remains; then mix it with as much newly- slaked lime as will bring it to the consistence of pretty solid pap, which is to be kept in a vessel closely stopt. E. The addition of the lime in this preparation renders it less apt to deliquesce, more easily managed, and milder in its operation than fused potass. (Sub. E.) Carbonas Potassa Impura. L. A. ClNERES CLAVELLATI. D. Pearl Ashes. Potashes. Impure Carbonat of Potass. The potashes of commerce are sent to Britain from the shores of the Baltic, and from America. They are prepared by lixiviating the ashes of vegetables in barrels, first with cold and then with hot wa- ter, filtering the ley, and evaporating it to dryness in an iron pot. In this state they still contain some vegetable matter, not perfectly in- cinerated, which gives them a brown or black colour. To destroy this, and render^their colour puny;, .they are again burnt in a rever- beratory furnace. They now get the name of pearl ashes; but even yet they are very impure, and often contain the sulphats of potass and of lime, and the muriat of potass. They are also frequently adulterated with vegetable ashes, sand, and sulphat of potass. The ashes are detected by their diffkultand imperfect solution, the sand, by the precipitation of silica in a gelatinous form'by the addition of an acid, and the sulphat of potass by its crystallization. All vegeta- bles which grow at a distance from the sea afford potashes by inci- neration; herbs give the largest proportion, then the leaves of trees, then shrubs, and woods the least. It formerly had the name of Fixed Vegetable Alkali, but it is also found, though much more sparingly, both in the animal and mineral kingdoms. P___Potassa. 525 Vauquelin has given a table of the quantity of pure potass, and of heterogeneous matters contained in 1152 parts of the different pot- ashes of commerce. Sulphat Muriat Insoluble Carb. acid Potass. of Potass. of Potass, residuum, and water. Russian potashes, ••♦• 772 •••• 65...... 5......56......254 American do. ........857 •••• 154...... 20...... 2......119 Pearl ashes, ..........754 •••• 80...... 4...... 6.-...308 Potashes of Treves, •• 720 •••• 165...... 44......24......199 Dantzick ashes, ......603 •••• 152 ....... 14......79......304 Potashes of Vosges, ..444--. 148......510......34......304 The potass was estimated by the quantity of diluted nitrous acid saturated by it; the sulphat of potass by the precipitate formed with nitrat of baryta; and the muriat of potass by that formed with nitrat of silver. All these different potashes, except the last, may be purified suffi- ciently for pharmaceutical purposes, by lixiviating them with a small proportion of cold water, and evaporating the ley to dryness in an iron pot. Medical use.—Carbonat of potass is used in form of lotion, in ra- chitic and some cutaneous diseases, and as a stimulant to the inac- tive state of the vessels in certain ulcers. It is used internally as a diaphoretic or diuretic, and of late in calculous complaints and dis- eases of the alimentary canal: but its continued use seldom fails to injure the constitution or the intestinal canal. Potassa Sub-Carbonas. L. E. A. Sub-Carbonas Kali. D. Subcarbonat of Potass or Kali. Take of impure subcarbonat of potass, any quantity.—Heat it red hot in a crucible. Then triturate it with an equal weight of water, and. after the feces have subsided, pour the liquor into a clean iron pot;. lastly, boil to dryness, stirring constantly towards the end of the process, to prevent it from sticking to the vessel. E. In this state of sub-saturation with carbonic acid, potash generally occurs in the arts. The potash and pearl-ash of commerce are sub- carbonats of potash, of different degrees of purity. The quantity of carbonic acid, contained in these alkalies, may be learned by a very simple experiment. Put one or two hundred grains of the alkali into a Florence flask, and add a few ounce measures of water. Take also a phial filled with dilute sulphuric acid, and place this, as well as the flask, in one scale. Balance the two, by putting weights into the op- posite scale, and, when the equilibrium is attained, pour gradually the acid into the flask of alkali, till an effervescence no longer ensues. When tins has ceased, the scale containing the weights will be found to preponderate. This shows that the alkali, by conij^mtion with an acid, loses considerably of its weight; and the exact amount of the loss may be ascertained, by adding weights to the scale contain-^ ing the flask and phial, till the balance is restored. As it is sometimes of importance to know what proportion of real alkali a given weight of potash or pearl-ash contains, the following mode of determining the strength is founded on the following pro* perty of carbonat of potash. 526 P.—Potassa. Subcarbonat of potash dissolves very readily in water, which, at the. ordinary temperature, takes up more than its own weight.— Hence, when an alkali, which should consist almost entirely of sub- carbonat of potash, is adulterated, as very often happens, with sub- stances of little solubility, the fraud may be detected by trying how much of one ounce will dissolve in two or three ounce-measures of water. In this way an adulteration of one-third its weight of sulphat of potash has been detected. There are certain substances of ready solubility, however, which may be used in adulterating pearl-ashes, as common salt for example; and, when this is done, we must have recourse to the acid test for the means of discovery. One hundred grains of potash unite with 42.42 carbonic acid to form the subcarbonat, which, therefore, contains per cent, according to Berard, Potash, ................70.21 Acid, •................-29.79 100., The composition of this salt is differently stated by other writers, viz.: Acid. Base. By Dalton, 100 grains consist of-.....31.10.........68.9 Dulong, ..............................30.70..........69.30 Dr. Wollaston,......................31.71..........68.29 Sub-Carbonas Potassje Purissimus. E. Kali e Tartaro.* D. Carbonat of Potass. Pure Subcarbonat of Potass. Kali from Tartar. Sal Tartari. Salt of Tartar. Take of impure Super-tartrat of potass, any quantity.—Wrap it up in moist bibulous paper, or put it into a crucible, and burn it into a black mass, by placing it among live coals. Having reduced this mass to powder, expose it in an open crucible to the action of a mo- derate fire, till it becomes white, or at least of an ash-gray colour, taking care that it do not melt. Then dissolve it in warm water, strain the liquor through a linen cloth, and evaporate it in a clean iron vessel, diligently stirring it towards the end of the process, with an iron spatula, to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the vessel. A very white salt will remain, which is to be left a lit- tle longer on the fire, till the bottom of the vessel becomes almost red. Lastly, when the salt is grown cold, keep it in glass vessels well stopped. E. Carbonas Potass^. E. Potassa CarbonaS.! L. Carbonat of Potass. Super-Carbonat of Potass. Bi- Carbonat of Potass. Take of pur^fmcarbonat of pota»s, tivo parts; Water, three parts. —Dissolve the carbonat of potass in the water; put the solution into a proper apparatus, and pass through it a stream of carbonic acid gas, obtained from carbonat of lime and diluted sulphuric acid, evaporate it that crystals may form, then collect the crystals, and dry them on bibulous paper. E. • Potassx Carbonas, Pharm. U. S. f Potass* Super-Carbonas, Pharm. U. S. p—Potassa. 527 Carbonat of potash, in the state which has been already describ- ed, is far from being completely saturated with acid. This suffici- ently appears from its strongly alkaline taste. It may be much more highly charged with carbonic acid, by exposing a solution of one part of the subcarbonat in three of water, to streams of carbonic acid gas, in Nooth's machine, or other apparatus; when a solution of alkali, after this treatment, is very slowly evaporated, it forms regular crystals. According to Dr. Wbllaston,* the quantity of acid in the bi-carbonat is exactly double that in the subcarbonat. This he proves by disengaging the carbonic acid, from each, by a stronger acid, such as the sulphuric. One part of the bi-carbonat, thus treated, is found to give twice as much carbonic acid as the sub-salt Berthollett obtained 189 grains of carbonic acid from 500'of this salt; and as nearly as possible, the same quantity from 1000 grains of the salt, reduced by calcination to subcarbonat. Berard found, that 100 parts of potash are fully saturated by 85.86 carbonic acid. The following table exhibits the composition of the bi-carbonat, as stated by him, and by Dr. Wollaston. One hundred grains contain, Acid. Base. Water. According to Berard, . . . . 42.01 . 48.92 . 9.07 Dr. Wollaston, . . 43.9 .47.1 . 9.0 The atomic constitution, deducible from these proportions, is one atom of potash, two atoms of carbonic acid, and one atom of water. The potash of commerce we have already shown to contain a con- siderable proportion of foreign salts. By the process directed by the colleges, it is purified from those which are crystallizable; and, although it still contains muriat of potass and silica, it is sufficiently pure for the purposes of medicine. Mr. Phillips says, when pre- pared from pearl-ash, it consists of about 26 carbonic acid, 71 pot- ash and water, two muriat of potash, and one sulphat of potash, and a little silica. • * The purest subcfrbonat of potass, in common use, is that obtain- ed by incinerating the impure supertartrat of potass, as all the sub- stances it contains, except the potass, are decomposed by the heat. The tartaric acid and colouring matter are destroyed, and part of the carbonic acid, which is formed, unites with the potass. But this salt, in whatever way obtained, is not strictly entitled to the appellation Of carbonat, given it by the Edinburgh college; for it is not saturated with the acid, or rather it is a mixture of potass and carbonat of potass in variable proportions. It is owing to the uncombined potass that it is still deliquescent, and in some degree caustic. Subcarbonat of potass is easily saturated with carbonic acid, by exposing it, in solution, to. the contact of the air for a considerable time, or more quickly, by making a stream of carbonic acid gas evolved from carbonat of lime by sulphuric acid, pass through a so- lution of it, or by distilling it with carbonat of ammonia, as proposed by Berthollet, and directed by the London college. The last is more expensive than the second, but it does not require any parti- cular apparatus. Mr. Curadow has invented a cheaper mode of sa- • Philosophical Transactions, 1808. fM^m. d'Arcueil, ii. 470. 528 P___Potassa. titrating potass with carbonic acid. He dissolves the potass in a sufficient quantity of boiling water, mixes it with as much dried tanner's bark as to make it pretty dry, and then exposes the mix- ture, in a covered crucible, to the heat of a reverberatory furnace for half an hour. By lixiviation and crystallization, the mixture affords beautiful permanent crystals of carbonat of potass. In this state it consists of about 43 acid, 40 potass, and 17 water. The saturation with carbonic acid is one of the best means of purifying the subcar- bonat of potass; for it always separates silica from the uncombined alkali; and hence, perhaps, the employment of the subcarbonat from tartar is unnecessarily expensive. Medical use.—Subcarbonat of potass is frequently employed in medicine, in conjunction with other articles, particularly for the formation of saline neutral draughts and mixtures; but it is used also by itself, in doses from three or four grains to fifteen or twenty; and it frequently operates as a powerful diuretic, particularly when aided by proper dilution. In the above names, &c. we see a singular instance of confusion. What one Pharmacopoeia designates as a carbonat, another calls a sub, and another a super-carbonat. The subcarbonat of the Ameri- can Pharmacopoeia is improperly stated, as being " formerly salt of tartar," a designation which was appropriated to the carbonat pre- pared from super-tartrat of potass. A super-carbonat, in the real meaning of the term, seems incapable of existing in the form of crystals; and is only to be found in the state of solution in the super-carbonated waters. The whole of these salts require revision in their nomenclature; although, fortunately, no evil can arise from their being mistaken for each other. Liquor Potass^ Subcarbonatis. L. A. Aqua Subcarbonatis Kali. D. m Solution of Subcarbonat of Potass. Solution of Subcarbonat of Kali. Take of Subcarbonat of potass, one pound; Distilled water, twelve fluid ounces.—Dissolve the subcarbonat of potass in the water, and filter through paper. The preparation of the Dublin college is the old Oleum tartariper deliquium, and is a solution of carbonat of potass in a variable quan- tity of water; for, by exposure to the air, the subcarbonat attracts not only water, but carbonic acid. It is, therefore, improperly named. The name of the London college is correct, and the pre- paration nearly uniform in point of strength. Dr. Powell says, that the quantities ordered by the college, will commonly give a solution amounting to nearly 18 ounces in bulk. Aqua Super-Carbonatis Potassa. E. Solution of Super-Carbonat of Potass. Take of Water, ten pounds; Pure carbonat of potass, one ounce- Dissolve, and expose the solution to a stream of carbonic acid, aris- ing from Carbonat of lime in powder, Sulphuric acid, each, three ounces; Water, three pounds, gradually and cautiously mixed.— The chemical apparatus invented by Dr. Nooth, is well adapted for P.—Potassa. 529 this preparation. But if a larger quantity of the liquor be required, the apparatus of Dr. Woulfe is preferable. The colder the air, and the greater the pressure, the better will the solution be, which must be kept in well-corked vessels. As soon as the preparation is finished, the liquor should be drawn off into pint bottles, which are to be well-corked, and kept in a cool situation, with the head down, or laid on one side. It should be per- fectly transparent, and have an acidulous, not at all alkaline, taste; and when poured out of the bottles, it should have a sparkling ap- pearance. Medical use.—In this solution, carbonat of potass is combined with excess of carbonic acid, by which means it is better adapted for in- ternal use, as it is rendered not only more pleasant to the taste, but is less apt to offend the stomach. Indeed, it is the only form in which we can exhibit potass in sufficient doses, and for a sufficient length of time to derive much benefit from its use in calculous complaints. It has certainly, been frequently of advantage in these affections, but probably only in those instances in which the stone consists of uric acid, or urat of ammonia: for, although supersaturated with car- bonic acid, yet the affinity of that acid for potass is so weak, that it really operates as an alkali. Six or eight ounces may be taken two or three times a day. It in general proves powerfully diuretic, and sometimes produces inebria- tion. The last effect is ascribed to the carbonic acid. Potassje Acetas. L. E. A. Acetas Kali. D. Sal Diureticus. Acetat of Potass. Acetat of Kali. Diuretic Salt. Take of Pure carbonat of potass one pound.—Boil it with a very gen- tle heat, in five times its weight of distilled acetic acid, and add more acid at different times, till on the watery part of the preced- ing quantity being nearly dissipated by evaporation, the new addi- tion of acid ceases to raise any effervescence, which will happen when about twenty pounds of acid have been consumed. It is then to be slowly dried,. The impure salt remaining is to be melted with a gen- tle heat, for a short time, but no longer than necessary, and after- wards dissolved in water, and filtered through paper. If the lique- faction has been properly performed, the filtered liquor will be limpid; but if otherwise, of a brown colour. Afterwards evaporate this li- quor with a very gentle heat, in a very shallow glass vessel, occa- sionally stirring the salt as it becomes dry, that its moisture may be sooner dissipated. Lastly, the acetat of potass ought to be kept in a vessel very closely stopped, to prevent it from deliquescing. E. This is both a troublesome and expensive preparation; for, when attempted to be made by simply evaporating to dryness, the salt has always a dark unpleasant colour, which can neither be removed by repeated solution and crystallization, nor even by solution in alco- hol. It is doubtful to what the colour is owing. It has been ascribed by some to part of the acetic acid being decomposed by heat during the exsiccation of the salt: they accordingly recommend the evapo- ration to be conducted very gently, and the pellicles to be skimmed from the surface of the liquor as fast as they are formed; and in this 67 530 P.—Potassa. way, they say, they have procured, at once, a very white salt. Others again, ascribe it to accidental impurities, contracted during the ope- ration, and recommend the utmost attention to cleanliness, and the use of earthen vessels; while others ascribe it to some foreign matter, which rises in distillation with the last portions of the1 acetic acid, and therefore direct that only the first portions which come over should be used, or that the acetic acid should be distilled with char- coal. The last opinion appears to be the most probable, since, when acetic acid procured from the distillation of an acetat is employed, a colourless solution is obtained, and solutions which become colour- ed, do not at the same time become alkaline. But, to whatever cause it be owing, the colour is most effectually destroyed by fusing the salt. The heat necessary to do this, decomposes the colouring mat- ter; and on dissolving the fused mass in water, and filtering the so- lution, we find a fine light charcoal on the filter. But this fusion is attended with considerable loss; for part of the acetic acid itself is decomposed. To ascertain the exact saturation, litmus and turmeric paper should be alternately employed. Mr. Phillips says, that rather more than 21 pints of distilled vinegar, of 1.007, are required to saturate 18 ounces of sub-carbonat of potass. The operator must be particularly careful in melting it not to use a greater heat, nor keep it longer liquefied, than what is absolutely necessary: a little should be occasionally taken out and put into wa- ter; and as soon as it begins to part freely with its black colour, the whole is to be removed from'the fire. The exsiccation of the solution of the salt, after it has been fused, must be conducted very carefully, as it is exceedingly apt to be de- composed, which would render a new solution and exsiccation ne- cessary. The test of its purity, by dissolving it in alcohol, as direct- ed by the London college, is to discover if any of the acetic acid it- self has been decomposed in the operation; for the carbonat of pot- ass, which is in that case formed, is insoluble in alcohol. To spare trouble and expense, attempts have been made to pre- pare acetat of potass with undistilled vinegar, and even with the re- siduum of the distillation of acetic acid; and they have been, to a certain degree, successful: but, as repeated fusion and crystalliza- tion are necessary to bring the salt to a certain degree of purity, it does not appear that they were more economical. But if, to ^cetat of potass, prepared with impure vinegar, we add a sufficient quantity of sulphuric acid, we obtain by distillation an acetic acid of great strength, which forms a beautiful acetat of potass without fusion. Lastly, this salt may be prepared by the decomposition of acetats; for example, of the acetat of lime, by tartrat of potass. Acetat of potass has a sharp, somewhat pungent taste. It is deli- quescent, and is soluble in about its own weight of water, at 60°, but Mr. Phillips says, in half its weight, at 40°. It is also, according to Dr. Powell, soluble in alcohol in four times its weight. It is decom- posed by the^tronger acids; by a decoction of tamarinds; by the sul- phats of soda and of magnesia; by muriat of ammonia; by the tartrat of soda and potass; and by some metalline salts. Its acid is destroy- ed by a high temperature. P.—Potassa. 531 Medical use.—Acetat of potass, however prepared, provided it be properly made, is a medicine of great efficacy, and may be so dosed and managed, as to prove either mildly cathartic, or powerfully diu- retic; few of the saline deobstruents equal it in virtue. The dose is from half a scruple to a drachm or two. A simple solution, however, of carbonat of potass in vinegar, without exsiccation, is perhaps, not inferior, as a medicine, to the more expensive salt. Two drachms of the alkali, saturated with vinegar, have produced, in hydropic cases, ten or twelve stools, and a plentiful discharge of urine, with- out any inconvenience. PoTAsSiE Sulphas. L. E. A. Sulphas Kali.' D. Sulphat of Potass. Sulphat of Kali. Vitriolated Tartar. Sal de Duobus. Arcanum Ditplicatum, fyc. < Take of tfw salt which remains after the distillation of nitric acid, two pounds; Boiling water, two gallons.—Mix them together, that the salt may be dissolved; next, add as much subcarbonat of potass as may be requisite for the saturation of the acid. Then boil the solution until a pellicle appears upon the surface, and, \afler straining it, set it by, that crystals may form. Having poured away the ivater, dry the crystals upon bibulous paper. L. This salt is very seldom prepared on purpose, as it may be ob- tained from the residuum of many other preparations, by simple so- lution and crystallization. For so strong is the affinity between sul- phuric acid and potass, that they scarcely ever meet without com- bining to form this salt. All the sulphats, except that of baryta, are decomposed by potass and most of its combinations; and reciprocal- ly, all the compounds of potass are decomposed by sulphuric acid and most of its combinations; and in all these decompositions, sul- phat of potass is one of the products. The greatest part of the sulphat of potass of commerce is obtained from the residuum of the distillation of sulphat of iron with nitrat of potass, by lixiviating it* supersaturating the solution with carbonat of potass, filtering it boiling hot, and allowing it to crystallize. The liquor remaining after the precipitation of magnesia, is also a solu- tion of sulphat of potass. It is also got in considerable quantities from the residuum remaining in the retort, after the distillation of nitrous acid; and all the colleges have given directions for obtaining it in this way, by simply saturating the excess of acid with sub-car- bonat of potass. Mr. Phillips says it would be more economical to saturate any unavoidable excess of acid by lime, and reject the sul- phat of lime formed, as the sulphat of potass is not so costly as the carbonat of potass used to make it. As the residuum of the distillation of nitrous acid may not always be at hand, the Edinburgh College also give a receipt for making this salt, by directly combining its constituents. It would have been more economical to have used a solution of sulphat of iron, in place of sulphuric acid, by which means not only an equally pure sulphat of potass would have been procured at less expense, but also a very pure carbonat of iron. Sulphat of potass forms small, transparent, very hard crystals, ge- 532 p.—Potassa. nerally aggregated in crusts, and permanent in the air. Their primi- tive form is a pyramidal dodecahedron with isosceles triangular faces meeting at the summit, at an angle of about 66.15, and the base 113.45. It has a bitter taste, is slowly soluble in water, requiring 16 waters at 60°, and 4 at 212°. It is not soluble in alcohol. It decre- pitates when thrown on live coals, and melts in a red heat. It consists of 32.8 acid, and 67.2 potash and water, according to Mr. Phillips. It is decomposed by the barytic salts; by the nitrats and muriats of lime and of strontia; by the tartrats partially; and by the salts of mercury, silver, and lead. Medical use.—Sulphat of potass, in small doses, as a scruple or half a drachm, is an useful aperient; in larger ones, as four or five drachms, a mild cathartic, which does not pass off so hastily as the sulphat of soda, and seems to extend its action further. Potassa Super-Sulphas. L. Super-Sulphat of Potass. Bi-Sulphat of Potass. Sal Enixum. Take of the salt which remains after the distillation of nitric acid, two pounds; Boiling water, four pints..—Mix, dissolve the salt and filter. Then boil down to one-lialf, and set it aside to crystal- lize. Pour off the liquid, and dry the crystals on blotting paper. This salt is acid to the taste, reddens vegetable blues, and effer- vesces with alkaline carbonats. Mr. Phillips found that 100 grains required 25 of dried subcarbonat of soda for saturation It is di- rected by Lowitz to be prepared by mixing seven parts of sulphuric acid with the same quantity of water in a large mattrass, and adding to the hot mixture, as quickly as possible, four parts of potashes in fine powder. On cooling, the super-sulphat of potass shoots in fine large crystals, whose primitive form is an acute rhomboid of 74° and 106°. These are to be quickly washed in water and dried. This mode of directly preparing it, is, however, unnecessary, as it is pro- duced in sufficient quantity in the distillation of nitric acid. Its pre- paration, however, is attended with some difficulty, and Mr. Phillips at first thought that there was no super-sulphat, as he only obtained from the residuum of the distillation of nitrous acid, sulphat, with acid adhering to it. From subsequent experiments, he is of opinion that it may be made to yield super-sulphat, or sulphat, according as the solution is more or less concentrated. When the residual salt is dissolved in only about an equal weight of water, Mr. Phillips found it deposite on cooling, super-sulphat of potass, without any appearance of pellicle; but if the solution be evaporated to a pelli- cle, according to the former directions of the college, the whole concretes into a solid mass; and when the solution is not perfectly concentrated, the crystals obtained are sulphat of potass. It is also with extreme surprise, that we learn from Mr. Phillips, that on send- ing to Apothecaries' Hall, where at least the directions of the college ought to be minutely adhered to, what he received was a mixture of 58 sulphat of potass, with 42 nitrat of potass. With such an excessive quantity of acid as the college order in preparing ni- trous acid, it is perfectly impossible that so much, if any, nitre could have escaped decomposition. This salt was formerly called sal P.—Potassa. 533 mixum and tartarus vitriolatus acidus. It is soluble in two waters at 60° and less than one at 212°. It consists of 37 parts of sulphat of potass, and 33 sulphuric acid. It is used in its unrefined state by silversmiths, and is recom- mended by Lowitz for preparing acetic acid, by decomposing acetat of soda. It promises to be a valuable medicine, as enabling us to give sulphuric acid in combination with an aperient salt, and being less disagreeable and more soluble than the neutral sulphat. Sulphas Potassa cum Sulphure; olim, Sal Polychrestus. E. Sulphat of Potass with Sulphur, formerly Sal Poly direst. Take of Nitrat of potass, in powder, Sublimed sulphur, of each, equal weights.—Mingle them well together, and inject the mixture, by little and little at a time, into a red-hot crucible; the deflagration being over, let the salt cool, after which it is to be put up in a glass vessel well stopped. In this process the nitric acid of the nitrat of potass is decomposed by the sulphur, which is in part acidified. But the quantity of oxygen contained in the nitric acid, is not always sufficient to acidify the whole sulphur employed; therefore, part of it remains in the state of sulphurous acid, which is probably chemically combined with part of the potass in the state of sulphite; for the whole saline mass form- ed is more soluble in water than sulphat of potass. It is crystalliza- ble, and by exposure to the air gradually attracts oxygen, and is converted into sulphat, or perhaps super-sulphat of potass; for even when recently prepared, it is manifestly acid. But this preparation, like all those depending on the uncertain action of fire, is apt to vary. In some experiments which Dr. Duncan made to determine the state in which the sulphur existed in this salt, carefully prepared, it seem- ed to be sulphuric acid; for it neither gave out a sulphurous smell on the addition of sulphuric acid, nor was a solution of it precipitated by acids. In others the presence of sulphureted hydrogen was ob- vious; but in no instance could sulphur, in any notable quantity, be detected. Hence its Edinburgh name sulphas potassse cum sulphure, and the mode of preparation proposed by some, of simply triturating these substances together, are manifestly incorrect. In its medical effects and exhibition, it agrees with sulphurous mineral waters, which contain a proportion of neutral salt. Sulphuretum Potassa. E. L. A. Sulphuretum Kali. D. Sulphuret of Potash. Sulphuret of Kali. Hepar Sulphuris. Liver of Sulphur. Take of Sulphur, one ounce; Subcarbonat of potass, two ounces.— Rub them together, and heat the mixture in a covered crucible, over a gentle fire, until it is fused. Pour it from the crucible while hot, and after it has cooled, put it into a close-stopped bottle. L. There exists a very strong affinity between sulphur and potass, but they must be united in a state of perfect dryness; because, if any moisture be present, it is decomposed, and alters the nature of the product. If potass be employed as directed by the Dublin Col- lege, it will unite with the sulphur by simple trituration, and will 534 P.—Potassa. render one-third of its weight of sulphur soluble in water. If carbo- nat of potass be used as directed by the other colleges, it is necessary to bring the sulphur into a state of fusion; it then acts upon the car- bonat, and expels the carbonic acid. It is evident, that to combine with the same quantity of sulphur, a larger proportion of carbonat of potass than of potass is necessary; but the quantity ordered by the London College is certainly much too large. Gottling directs only one part of carbonat of potass to two of sulphur, and to save the crucible, he directs the mixture, as soon as it melts, to be poured into a heated mould, anointed with oil. The colleges also differ in the mode of conducting the process. The London and Dublin Col- leges direct the alkaline salt to be projected upon the melted sul- phur. The fault of this process is, that there is a considerable loss of sulphur by sublimation, which is avoided if the substances be pre- viously intimately mixed, and brought into fusion by a very gradual and cautious application of heat, according to the process of the Edin- burgh College; but, if the fusion be not very cautiously performed, the sudden extrication of so large a quantity of carbonic acid gas, is apt to throw the melted matter out of the crucible, and may be at- tended with unpleasant consequences. La Grange projects one part of sulphur, on one and a half of potass in fusion, and keeps the com- pound melted half an hour before he pours it out. If the heat be too great, and the crucible uncovered, the sulphurous vapour is apt to inflame, but it is easily extinguished by covering it up. For the pre- paration of precipitated sulphur, Hermbstaedt proposes to obtain the sulphuret of potass, by heating together in a crucible, four parts of sulphat of potass with one of charcoal powder. The charcoal is con- verted into carbonic acid gas, and the sulphat into sulphuret. Sulphuret of potass, properly prepared, is of a liver-brown colour, hard, brittle, and has a vitreous fracture. It has an acrid bitter taste, and the smell of sulphur. It is exceedingly prone to decomposition. It is deliquescent in the air, and is decomposed. It is very fusible, but a strong heat separates the sulphur by sublimation. The moment it comes in contact with water, there is a mutual decomposition. Part of the sulphur becomes acidified, deriving oxygen from the wa- ter, and forms sulphat of potass. Part of the hydrogen of the water decomposed, combines with another portion of the sulphur, and escapes in the form of sulphureted hydrogen gas: another portion of the hydrogen combines with a third portion of the sulphur, and re- mains in solution, united with the alkali, in the state of hydrogu- reted sulphuret of potass. By acids, sulphuret of potais is imme- diately decomposed, the acid forms a neutral salt with the potass, and the sulphur is separated. Aqua Sulphureti Kali. D. Water of Sulphuret of Kali. Take of Sublimed sulphur, half an ounce; Liquor of caustic kali, nine ounces, by measure.—Boil for ten minutes, and strain through paper. Keep the liquor in phials well corked. The specific gravity of this liqour is 1120. The Dublin College have substituted for the sulphuret of potass, a preparation which is exactly similar to a solution of it in water. When sulphur is boiled in a solution of caustic alkali, a portion of P.—Potassa. 535 the water is decomposed: the oxygen forms, with some of the sul- phur and potass, sulphat of potass, and the hydrogen with the remain- der, forms hydro-sulphuret of potass. The former being difficultly soluble, is precipitated and separated by filtration. The solution must be well preserved from the action of the air, which gradually decomposes it, forming sulphat of potass. Medical use.— Hydro-sulphuret of potass is an exceedingly nause- ous remedy; but it is used internally as an antidote to metallic poi- sons, to check excessive salivations from mercury, and in cutaneous affections. Externally it is used with success against tinea capitis, and in psora. It is one of the articles which is particularly recom- mended in croup, by one of the successful candidates for the prize proposed by Bonaparte for the best treatise on that disease. SupertTartras Potassje Impurus. L. E. Tartarum. D. Tartarus Crudus. Impure Super-Tartrat of Potass. Tartar. Wine Stone. Syn. Tartre, (F.) Roher Weinstein, (G.) Tartar exists in verjuice and in must, and is deposited on the sides of the casks by repose, from which it is scraped some time before the next vintage, to prepare the casks to receive the new wine. The deepest coloured and coarsest wines generally give most tartar; and it gets the name of white or red tartar according to its colour. . Potass.e Super-Tartras. L. E. A. Crystalli Tartari. D. Tartarus Purificatus. Cremor Tartari. Super-Tartras Potassa Purificata. Super-Tartrat of Potass. Crystals of Tartar, and Cream of Tartar. Tartaric acid combines with potass in two proportions;- the one forming a neutral, the other an acidulous salt The last is here no- ticed; and as the tartaric acid so greatly predominates in it, it will be correct to introduce its general properties. Cream of Tartar is purified by dissolving it in boiling water, and separating the earthy part by filtration. On cooling the solution, it deposites irregular crystals, containing the oily and colouring mat- ters, which are separated by boiling the mass with a white clay. At Venice it is purified by dissolving it in water, and clarifying it with white of eggs and ashes. The tartar thus purified, when crystallized, or in powder, is called Crystals, or Cream of Tartar. Its crystals are small and irregular, and do not melt in the mouth, but feel gritty under the teeth. It has an acrid harsh taste. It is soluble in sixty times its weight of water at 60°, and in thirty at 212°. It is decomposed, and its acid is destroyed, by heat. It con- tains 23 parts of potass, according to Bergmann, and 33, according to Thenard. Medical use.—The virtues of tartar are those of a mild, cooling, aperient, laxative medicine. It is much used in dropsy; and some allege that it has good effects as a deobstruent, in dropsy from scir- rhus. Taken from half an ounce to an ounce, it proves a gentle, 536 P.—Potassa. though effectual purgative. Given in smaller doses, and in solution, it often acts as a powerful diuretic. Tartaric acid varies in the form of its crystals; its specific gravity is 1.5962; it is permanent in the air; it is decomposed by heat; it dissolves readily in water, and the solution is not decomposed by ex- posure, unless very dilute; it may be changed by nitric acid into ox- alic acid. According to Fourcroy it consists of 70.5 oxygen, 19.0 carbon, and 10.5 hydrogen. Tartrats, by a red heat, are converted into carbonats. The earthy tartrats are scarcely soluble in water*: the alkaline tartrats are solu- ble; but when combined with excess of acid, they become much less soluble. The tartaric acid is capable of combining at the same time with two bases. When tartrats are digested in sulphuric acid, the tartaric acid is separated, and is recognised by forming a gritty pre- cipitate with a solution of potass. Potass.e Tartras. L. E. A. Tartras Kali. D. Tartrat of Potass. Tartrat of Kali. Tartarum Solubile. Soluble Tartar. Take of Sub-carbonat of potass, one pound; Super-tartrat of potass, three pounds, or as much as may be sufficient; boiling water, fifteen pounds.—To the carbonat of potass dissolved in water, gradually add the super-tartrat of potass in fine powder, as long as it raises any effervescence, which generally ceases before three .times the weight of the carbonat of potass has been added; then strain the cooled liquor through paper, and after due evaporation set it aside to crystallize. E. The tartaric acid is capable of uniting with potass in two propor- tions, forming in the one instance a neutral, and in the other an acidulous salt. The latter is an abundant production of nature, but it is easily converted into the former, by saturating it with potass, or by depriving it of its excess of acid. It is by the former method that the colleges direct tartrat of potass to be prepared, and the pro- cess is so simple, that it requires little comment. For the sake of economy, we should come as near the point of saturation as possible: but any slight deviation from it will not be attended with much in- convenience. Indeed, it is perhaps adviseable to leave a slight excess of acid, which, forming a small quantity of very insoluble salt, leaves the remainder perfectly neutral. The evaporation must be conducted in an earthen vessel, for iron discolours the salt. It is easily crys- tallized, and the crystals become moist in the air. It has an unplea- sant bitter taste. It is soluble in four parts of cold water, and still more soluble in boiling water; and it is also soluble in alcohol. It is totally or partially decomposed by all acids. On this account it is improper to join it with tamarinds, or other acid fruits; which is too often done in the extemporaneous practice of those physicians who are fond of mixing different cathartics together, and know little of chemistry. It is also totally decomposed by lime, baryta, strontia, and magnesia, and partially by ,the sulphats of potass, soda, and magnesia, and by the muriat of ammonia. Medical use.— In doses of a scruple, half a drachm, or a drachm, P.—Prinos. 587 this salt is a mild cooling aperient: two or three drachms commonly loosen the belly; and an ounce proves pretty strongly purgative. It has been particularly recommended as a purgative for maniacal and melancholic patients. It is an useful addition to the purgatives of the resinous kind, as it promotes their operation, and at the same time tends to correct their griping quality. • Tartras Potass^e et Sod.e. E. A. Soda Tartarizata. L. Tartras SoniE et Kali. D. Tartrat of Potass and Soda. Sal Rupellensis. Rochelle Salt. Take of Subcarbonat of soda, twenty ounces; Super-tartrat of potass, two pounds; Boiling water, ten pints.'—Dissolve the carbonat of soda in the water, and gradually add the super-tartrat of potass. Filter the solution9 through paper; evaporate until a pellicle be formed, and set it aside to crystallize. Pour off the liquor, and dry the crystals on blotting paper. L. The tartaric acid in several instances is capable of entering into combination at the same time with two bases. In the present ex- ample, the superabundant acid of the super-tartrat of potass is neu- tralized with soda, and in place of a mixture of tartrat of potass and tartrat of soda, each possessing their own properties, there re- sults a triple salt, having peculiar properties. The tartrat of potass and soda forms large and very regular crys- tals, in the form of prisms with eight sides nearly equal, which are often divided longitudinally, almost through their axis. It has a bitter taste. It is soluble in about five parts of water, and efflo- resces in the air. It is decomposed by the strong acids, which combine with the soda, and separate super-tartrat of potass, and by baryta and lime. By heat its acid is destroyed. It consists of 54 tartrat of potass, and 46 tartrat of soda. Eighteen parts of sub- carbonat of soda, will neutralize 24 of super-tartrat of potass. Medical use.—It was introduced into medical practice by M. Seignette, an apothecary at Rochelle, whose name it long bore. It is still frequently employed; and though less agreeable than the phosphat of soda, it is much more so than the sulphat of soda. It is less purgative than these, and must be given in larger doses. PRINOS VERTICILLATUS.* Black Alder. Virginian Winter-Berry. Tlie Bark. This is a very common shrub in many parts of the United States, and grows in jhe greatest perfection in swamps or marshy places. The bark is manifestly astringent. It is likewise considerably bitter and pungent. The berries greatly partake of the bitter quality, and if infused in wine or brandy, might be advantageously employed in cases where bitter tinctures are exhibited. The bark has been used as a substitute for Peruvian bark in intermittents and other diseases, both in substance and decoction. It is supposed to be chiefly useful • Prinos, Pharm. U. S. secondary. 68 538 P.—Primus. in cases of great debility unaccompanied by fever; as a corroborant in anasarcous and other dropsies, and as a ton^c in cases of incipient sphacelus or gangrene. It is both given internally, and employed externally as a wash. On many occasions, it appears to be more useful than the Peruvian bark; and the late Professor Barton says it ought to have a place in the shops, and in the Pharmacopoeia of this country, when such a desideratum shall be supplied.* Dr. Mease says, (Philadelphia Medical Museum, Vol. II.) it is useful in mortification, united with the root of sassafras, in decoc- tion, &c. . PRUNUS. 1. Prunus (Domestica. E.) Gallica. D. Pruna. L. A. Common Plum Tree. Prunes. French Prunes. The dried Fruit. Icosandria Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Pomacese, Lisp. Rosacex, Juss. This tree is found wild in hedges in England, but has probably originated from the stones of the cultivated kinds being dropped there by accident Great quantities of the dried fruit are imported from the continent, but the French prunes are reckoned the best. Medical use.—-They contain much mucilaginous and saccharine matter, and their medical effects are, to abate heat, and gently loosen the belly, which they perform by lubricating the passages, and soft- ening the excrement. They are of-considerable service in costive- ness, accompanied with heat or irritation, which the more stimulat- ing cathartics would tend to aggravate: where prunes are not of themselves sufficient, their action may be promoted by joining with them a little rhubarb or the lfke; to which may be added some car- minative ingredient to prevent their occasioning flatulency. 2. Prunus Lauro-Cerasus. Cherry Tree Laurel. The Leaves. An exotic narcotic plant, not cultivated among us, but preserved in some hot-houses and botanic gardens as a curiosity. The leaves have an odour slighly fragrant: their taste is extremely bitter. They possess a highly narcotic quality, which is extracted by infusion in alcohol or water, and is even brought over by distillation in the state of an essential oil, which the water partly dissolves. And the very singular fact has been established, that the volatile principle in which the narcotic quality of this plant resides is the prussic acid. It had often been observed, that the odour of this acid is similar to that of the cherry-laurel, peach blossom, and bitter almond. Bohn found that the distilled water of the bitter almond contained prus- sic acid. Schroeder discovered it in the distilled water of the peach blossom and cherry-laurel, prussiat of potass being obtained by distilling them from the alkali; and Bucholz succeeded in separat- ing the prussic acid from the essential oil of the cherry-laurel, by agitation with an alkaline solution. This acid in its purest state has been further found to be liighly narcotic; and the narcotic power of all these plants no doubt depends on it. Cherry-laurel has ever been considered as a poison of the most * Barton's Collections, Part II. p. 5. P.—Pterocarpus. 539 deleterious energy, but it is.now known, it may be administered in- ternally with perfect safety. In the few instances of its trial it has been found to give tone to the stomach, increase the appetite, and to exhilarate. Dr. Mayer of Naples, gives the distilled water of laurel for the cure of virulent gonorrhoea, and by his advice an Ame- rican captain affirms, that he cured thirty sailors by this medicine alone. It appears to retard the pulse and produce some sedative ef- fects. It has been found serviceable in phthisis pulmonalis on a few trials. Professor Wurzer, of Bonn, gave fifty drops of the laurel water three times in a day, which was very efficacious in hypochon- driac and nervous complaints. He finds the laurel water diminishes the too great irritability of the heart and muscular fibre, and aug- ments, at the same time the action of the absorbent vessels. It is recommended by some German authors in hydrophobia. It may be given in saturated tincture, a few drops cautiously increased until some effect be observable. This article is more fully considered under the head of Cyanogen. 3. Prunus Virginiana* 'Wild Cherry Tree. The Bark. This tree is very common. The bark has been found useful in intermittents. The leaves are poisonous to certain animals, and even the berries intoxicate different kinds of birds. The Indians use the bark in the cure of syphilis. It is considerably bitter and astringent, and possesses some aromatic warmth, and likewise an evident narcotic quality. It is manifestly stimulant. The bark of the root seems most powerful. It has been found useful in dyspepsia, consumption of the lungs and lumbar abscess, (see Medical Repository, vol. V. No. HI.) The distilled water of the leaves is a powerful poison to different animals, which seems dependant on the presence of the same prin- ciple which exists in peach kernels, &c. lately shown to be prussic acid. A strong decoction of the bark is anthelmintic.f PTER0CARPUS4 Spec. Plant. Willd. iii. 904. CI. 17. Ord. 4. Diadelphia Deeandria. Nat. Ord. Papilionaceae. G. 1318. Calyx five-toothed. Legume falcated, leafy, varicose, surrounded with a wing, not gaping. Seeds solitary. Sp. 6. P. santalinus. Red Saunders Tree. Med. Bot. Qd edit. 430. t. 156. Willdenow Spec. Plant, iii. 906. Sp. nova, P. erinacea. Encyl. Method. Lam. Illust. Gen. tab. 602. tig. 4. 1. PterocaRpus Santalinus. Officinal. Pterocarpi Lignum, Lond. Pterocarpi Santalini Lignum, Edin. Santalum Rubrum. Lignum, Dub. Santa- lum, A. (Secondary.) Red Saunders wood. * Pharm. U. S. secondary. f Barton's Collections, Part I. and II, *' From irtipw, a wing, and xa/wof, fruit. 540 p.—pterocarpus. Syn. Santale rouge, (F.) Rothes Sandalholz, (G.) Root Zffndelhom\i (Dutch.) Sandalo roso, (I.) Sandolo rubio, (S.) Ract Chandan, (H.) Racta Chandana, (San.) Hoam pe mo, (Chin.) This tree is'a native of the mountains of India, particularly the rocky parts in the Onore district,* and of Ceylon. It is a lofty tree, with alternate branches, and a bark resembling that of the common alder. The leaves are petiolate and ternate, each simple leaf being ovate, blunt, entire, refuse, veined, smooth on the upper surface, and hoary beneath; the flowers are in axillary spikes, without brac- tes: the calyx is brown: the corolla papilionaceous, consisting of an erect, obcordate vexillum, turned back at the edges, denticulate, curled, and waved, and of a yellow colour, with red veins: yellow, spreading, denticulate wings, waved at the edges; and an oblong keel a little inflated and curled at the tip: the filaments are yellow, and support globular white anthers; the germen is oblong, com- pressed, hirsute, with a curved style, and an obtuse stigma; the pod is pedicelled, compressed, smooth, keeled along the lower edge, and contains one round, compressed seed. This tree, which yields the true officinal red saunders, was first detected by Kcenig in India. It is brought home in billets, which are very heavy and sink in water. Qualities.—Red saunders wood has an aromatic odour, and is nearly insipid. It is extremely hard, of a fine grain, and a bright garnet red colour, which deepens on exposure to the air. It yields its colouring matter, which appears to be of a resinous nature, to ether and alcohol, but not to water.t Th% alcohol tincture is red, but becomes yellow when largely diluted witn water. Volatile oil of lavender also extracts its colouring matter; yet it is scarcely affected by oil of turpentine, which acquires a pale yellow tinge only, even when assisted by heat Neumann first noticed this fact;:}: and it has been suggested that the camphor contained in the oil of lavender may give it the above property; but camphoreted oil of turpentine has no more effect than the simple oil. Mr. Thomson found that by shak- ing oil of turpentine, which has been digested over red saunders with a little alcohol, the slight tinge of colour it received is instantly taken up by the spirit, and the oil settles as a colourless substratum. Its only employment is to give a reddish tinge to some of the tinctures. Why this should be deemed essential, would be difficult to show It adds nothing to the virtues of the preparation, and ought to be discarded entirely from the lists of the Materia Medica; if it must be retained, let an additional division be adopted of the Materia Tinctoria. We are averse to hanging out false colours in medicine. A remedy like wine, should have for its motto, "good wine needs no bush." • When transplanted to low situations and a richer soil the tree degenerates? and in all respects is less esteemed. Forbes' Oriental Mem. 4to. vol. i. p. 808. •J- Yet Willdenow, who received the description of the tree and its wood from Koenig, says " attritu humido pulchre rubrum tingens." The yielding no colouring matter to water affords an easy mode of distinguishing red saunders from Brazil wood, which was first pointed out by Dr. Lewis. Thomson't Chem. v. 208. $ Neumann's Chem. 337. P.—Pterocarpus. 541 2. Pterocarpus Erinacea. KINO. E. L. D. A. Extract of the Pterocarpus. Kino. The inspissated juice of the brown gum-tree of Botany Bay. The resin of the Butea frondosa. The gum-resin of a non-descript African tree. Although the Edinburgh college has inserted kino as the inspissa- ted juice of the Eucalyptus resinifera in the list of Materia Medica of its Pharmacopoeia, and the Dublin college has considered it as the product of the Butea frondosa; jet Mr. Thomson believes that the , plant which yields the best kino is an African tree: and from a spe- cimen sent home by Mungo Park in his last journey, which was in the possession of Sir Joseph Banks, it is a Pterocarpus, and that which is described under the specific name Erinacea, in the Encyclopedic Methodique. It is a native of Senegal; and is distinguished from the other species of the genus by long yellow spines on the fruit. The leaves are pinnated, composed of obtuse oval leaflets, larger at the base, petiolate, entire, thin, and smooth above; pubescent, and of a reddish hue below, where they are marked with fine parallel, alternate, oblique ribs or nerves, a little arched. The flowers are on peduncles. The calyx is bell-shaped, truncated, slightly toothed and pubescent. The fruit is a compressed, orbicular, pubescent pod, bulging on both sides in the middle, where it is covered with white hairs and long numerous yellow skins. It contains one seed only. It is nevertheless true that kino, such as was brought from Botany Bay about twenty years ago, is the production of the above species of Eucalyptus, thtf brown gum-tree of that country;* but it differs in several of its qualities from the kino described by Dr. Fothergill, who introduced this remedy into practice .t Mr. Thomson was in- formed none of it had been brought to England since the above pe- riod. Another sort is said to come from Jamaica, and is stated by Dr. Duncan, junior, to be the extract of the Cocoloba uvifera, or sea- side grape;J while Mr. Murray says, " he has been informed that it is the extract of the wood of mahogany. "§ The Dublin college indi- cated the Butea frondosa on the authority of Dr. Roxburgh; but the red juice which this plant yields has been examined by Dr. Duncan, and found to differ very considerably from kino, although it may be • This plant belongs to the first order of the twelfth class of the Linnxan system. It is a lofty tree, exceeding an English oak in size; and bearing yel- lowish flowers in umbellated clusters. The calyx is hemispherical, perfectly entire in the margin, and afterwards becomes t#e capsule; on its top just with- in the margin stands a pointed calyptra, of the same colour as the calyx, and as long. This calyptra, whieh is the essential mafk of the genus, is analogous to the corolla in other plants, but neither splits nor divides; on removing it a great number of red stamens appear, standing in a conical mass, very resin- ous, aromatic, and bearing small red anthers. In the centre is a simple style terminated by a blunt stigma, and rising from a transversely cut trilocular ger- men. The quantity of juice obtained from incisions made into the wood of the trunk amounts sometimes to sixty gallons from one tree. See White's Voyage, 231. f Medical Obs. and Inquiries by a Society of Physicians in London, i. 238. 243. i Edinburgh Neio Dispensatory. § System of Mat. Med. and Pharmacy, ii. 304. 542 P.—Pterocarpus. used as a substitute for it. The kino found in the shops, (of Eng- land,) comes from India, and is the extract of the Naucliod gambi. It is imported in chests containing from one to two cwt and on the inside of the lid of each chest is a paper, inscribed with the name of John Brown, the month and year of its exportation: and stating that it is the produce of Amboyna. Qualities.—1. Kino which was given to Mr. Thomson as a speci- men of true African Kino, is inodorous, and insipid when first taken into the stomach; but after some time it imparts a slight degree of roughness, with a scarcely perceptible sweetness, to the palate; feels gritty between the teeth when chewed, and does not colour the sa- liva. It is in very small, irregularly-shaped, shining, deep ruby- • brown-coloured fragments, and intermixed with small twigs and minute bits of wood, which are white in the inside. It is pulverulent, affording a dark chocolate or reddish-brown powder. Water at 60° dissolves the larger moiety of it, and gives a brick-red rather turbid infusion, which does not become clear after standing twenty-four hours. Alcohol dissolves nearly two-thirds of it, the tincture having a very deep brown colour: what remains undissolved is nearly co- lourless. Ether takes up about one-third; and the tincture, which is of a beautiful claret colour, when evaporated on the surface of wa- ter, leaves a pellicle of brittle brown resin; while a sweetish red- coloured extractive matter remains dissolved in the water. 2. Botany Bay Kino is inodorous; tastes bitterish and more aus- tere than the African; is in larger fragments, equally brittle, break- ing with a glassy fracture; of a chocolate hue, and affording a brown coloured powder, but it is not uniform in appearance, some of the fragments being of a lighter hue. Water at 60° dissolves nearly the same quantity as of the former variety, and the infusion is brown and transparent. Alcohol dissolves rather more than two-thirds of its weight, but the tincture is not so deep-coloured as that of the former variety. Ether takes up one-twentieth; a pale brownish straw- colour only is imparted to it; and when evaporated on water, the resinous pellicle is scarcely perceptible, and very little extractive is deposited. 3. The Kino said to have been brought from Jamaica, but of which none is now to be procured, is in bitterness and roughness nearly equal to the last variety, but.these qualities are accompanied with a slight degree of acidity. It is in brittle fragments of an almost black colour, having a shining, resinous fracture, in which appear small air-bubbles. The powder is of a red'dish-brown colour. With alco- hol and ether it affords resfllts very similar to those of the first va- riety. Water dissolves a greater portion of it than of the other two kinds, and forms an infusion intermediate in colour and transpa- rency; approaching in colour to the first, and in clearness to the se- cond variety. 4. East India or Amboyna Kino, is inodorous, very rough, and slightly bitter when first taken into the mouth; but it afterwards im- presses a degree of sweetness on the palate. It is in small, uniform, deep-brown, shining, brittle fragments, which appear like portions of a dried extract broken down; being perfectly uniform in their ap- pearance. It is easily pulverized, affording a powder of a lighter P.—Pterocarpus. 543 brown colour than the fragments. Water dissolves two-thirds of it, forming a deep brown clear solution; whilst the portion that remains undissolved is long suspended, if mixed with a fresh portion of wa- ter. Alcohol dissolves the greater part of this variety, forming a deep claret-coloured tincture, which is not rendered turbid on the addition of water. Ether takes up a portidn of it, and forms a yel- lowish-red tincture, which, when evaporated on water, leaves no re- sinous pellicle. All the varieties dissolve in solutions of pure potass and of ammo- nia, and no precipitation takes place on the addition of water. Some chemical change, however, is effected; and the astringent property of the kino is completely destroyed, a fact which ought to be kept in remembrance in prescribing this remedy. The following tables show the result of some experiments with se- veral chemical reagents on the watery infusions of these three varie- ties of kino.* They point out the distinctive features of the four va- rieties enumerated; but they have no pretensions towards advancing the knowledge of the chemical properties of kino. From these experiments there appears to be a considerable differ- ence between three of the four varieties of kino known in commerce, but the first and the fourth appear to be nearly the same. The most remarkable differences are, the small portion of resin which that from Botany Bay and Amboyna contain; the blue colour of the pre- cipitate of the Jamaica variety by the oxy-sulphate of iron; and the effect of the solution of potass in rendering that from Africa trans- parent, while it precipitates the second and the third varieties. The predominant principles in all the varieties are tannin and extractive matter; and the portion of resin, in the first and third varieties, ena- bles ether to take up their colouring matter and some extractive, whilst the second variety is scarcely affected by it. Dr. Duncant and VauquelinJ observed, that although heat increases the solvent power of water over kino, yet that a substance insoluble either in water or in alcohol always remains. Vauquelia also found that the solutions form a precipitate with tartarized antimony and the salts of iron. Th6 best menstruum is diluted alcohol. * The specimens subjected to these experiments, Mr. Thomson has reason to think, were perfectly genuint. The African kino was brought home twenty years ago. , ■ f Nicholson's Journal, vi. 234. i Annates de Chimie, xlvi. 321. Vauquelin states generally, that the salts of iron precipitate kino green; but Dr. Duncan justly observes, that by the red sulphate it is precipitated black: the sulphate only precipitates it green. Table I. Precipitates formed in the Aqueous Solution of Kino, by Gelatine and Solutions of some Metallic Salts. Variety of Kino. Solution of Isinglass. Solution of Oxy-sulphate of Iron. Solution of Nitrate of Silver. Solution of Oxy-muriate ofJuercury. Solution of Super-acetat of Lead. 1st. copious, slowly formed, of * a brick-red colour. copious, quickly formed, of a dirty olive-black. copious, slowly formed, of a deep reddish-brown. - not very copious, slowly formed, reddish. copious, flocculent, qujckly formed, brown. 2d. copious, almost instantly formed, of a pink colour. very slowly formed, of a deep brownish-black. copious, quickly ♦formed, of an olive-black. copious, quickly formed, yellowish-pink. copious, flocculent, quickly formed, lilac. 3d. scanty, slowly formed, of a pinkish colour. • copious, quickly formed, of a blue-black. copious, quickly formed, reddish-brown. scarcely altered. copious, flocculent, quickly formed, brownish-lilac. 4th. the same as No. 1. copious, and dirty olive-black. copious, and quickly form-ed, reddish-brown. quickly formed, reddish. the same as No. 1. Table II. Precipitates formed by Solution of Potass and Acids. Variety of Kino. Potass. Sulphuric Acids Nitric Acid. Muriatic Acid. 1st. none, but renders it clear, and of a deep brown colour. copious, pale brown. scanty, slowly formed, reddish-yellow. scanty, slowly formed, yellowish-brown. 2d. -flocculent, purplish. . copious, deeper brown. copious, quickly formed, yellowish-brown. scanty, more quickly formed, pale red-brown. 3d. flocculent, brownish-purple. very copious, very deep brown. copious, brown. scanty, quickly formed, a beautiful red. 4th. the same as No. 1. copious, pale brown. copious, quickly formed, brown. quickly formed, yellowish-brown. CD o P—Pterocarpus. 545 Medical properties and uses of Kino.—'K\x\o is a powerful astrin- gent Like catechu, it is employed in obstinate chronic diarrhoeas, lientery, uterine and intestinal haemorrhages, and fluor albus; but as it is less certain in its qualities than catechu, it is less used. Exter- nally, it has been applied as a styptic, and to give tone to, and di- minish the ichorous discharge of flabby ill-conditioned ulcers. The alkalies, as already stated, destroy its astringent qualities. It may be exhibited internally in substance, or in the form of wa- tery infusion, or of tincture. The dose in substance is from grs. x. to Jss.; that of the infusion f^jss.; and of the tincture f5j. In or- dering the infusion or the tincture, it is necessary to recollect that solutions of isinglass, sulphate of iron, nitrate of silver, muriate of mercury, acetate of lead, tartarized antimony, the alkalies,-and the strong acids, are incompatible in prescriptions with kino. 3. Pterocarpus Draco. E. Sanguis Draconis. Dragon's Blood. A Resin. This is also a very large tree. It is a native of South America? and the resin which exudes from incisions made in its bark, used to be frequently sent from Carthagena to Spain. It is, however, doubt- ful, if the dragon's blood of the shops be produced from this tree, as many others furnish a similar resin, as the dracsena draco, dalbergia monetaria, and especially the calamus draco, which probably fur- nishes all that is brought from the East Indies. The best dragon's blood is not in cakes, but is brought in small masses, of the size of a nutmeg, wrapt up in the dried leaves of some kind of reed, breaks smooth, free from any visible impurities, of a dark red colour, which changes upon being powdered, into an ele- gant bright crimson. This drug, in substance, has no sensible smell or taste: when dissolved it discovers some degree of warmth and pungency. It is fusible and inflammable, and totally soluble in alco- nol, tinging a large quantity of the menstruum of a deep red colour. It is likewise soluble in expressed oils, and gives them a red hue, less beautiful than that communicated by anchusa. It is not acted on by water, but is precipitated by it from its alcoholic solution. Dr. Duncan found that it is soluble in nitrous acid and alkalies, and that it neither precipitates gelatin, nor affects the colour of the salts of iron. It therefore appears to be a pure resin without any astrin- gency. He has been more particular in proving that this resin is not astringent, because both Mr. Murray and Dr. Thomson have adopt- ed Mr. Proust's account of it. But the substance examined by Mr. Proust could not be the resin known in England by the name of dragon's blood, as it was as soluble in water as in alcohol. Dr. Fo- thergill, who first described kino, received it as the finest dragon's blood. Something similar must have happened to Mr. Proust, as the characters of his sang dracori correspond with those of kino. 69 546 P.—Pulveres. PULVERES.—POWDERS. This form is proper for such materials only, as are capable of be- ing sufficiently dried to become pulverisable, without the loss of their virtue. There are several substances, however, of this kind, which cannot be conveniently taken in powder; bitter, acrid, fetid drugs, are too disagreeable; emollient and mucilaginous herbs and roots are too bulky; pure gums cohere, and become tenacious in the mouth; fixed alkaline salts deliquesce when exposed to the air; and volatile alkalies exhale- Many of the aromatics, too, suffer a great loss of their odorous principles when kept in powder; as in that form they expose a much larger surface to the air. The dose of powders in extemporaneous prescription, is generally about half a drachm; it rarely exceeds a whole drachm; and is not often less than a scruple. Substances which produce powerful effects in smaller doses are not trusted to this form, unless their bulk be increased by additions of less efficacy; those which require to be given in larger ones are better fitted for other forms. The usual vehicle for taking the lighter powders, is any agreeable thin liquid. The ponderous powders, particularly those prepared from metallic substances, require a more consistent vehicle, as syrups; for from thin ones they soon subside: resinous substances likewise are most commodiously taken in thick liquors; for in thin ones, they are apt to run into lumps, which are not easily again dif- fused. Directions for Powders. Substances.to be powdered, previously dried, are to be pulverized in an iron mortar. The powder is then to be separated, by shaking it through a hair-sieve, and is to be kept in close vessels. Pulvis Aloes cum Canella. D. A. Powder of Aloes with Canella. Hiera Pier a. Take of Hepatic (Socotorine, Pharm. U. S.) aloes, one pound; Ca- nella, three ounces.—Pulverize them separately; then mix them. D. This composition has long been known in the shops under the title of Hiera Picra. It furnishes us with an useful aloetic purgative, the canella operating as a good corrigent for the aloes. But it is more frequently employed as the basis of electuaries, or pills. Pulvis Aloes cum Guaiaco. D. Pulvis Aloes Compositus. L. Powder of Aloes with Guaiacum. Compound Powder of Aloes. Take of Hepatic aloes, one ounce and a half; Gum guaiacum, one ounce; Aromatic powder, half an ounce.—Rub the aloes and gum guaiacum separately to powder; then mix them with the aromatic powder. D. This also furnishes us with a useful purgative: but when taken only in small doses, its chief effect is that of promoting perspiration. P.—Pulveres. 547 Pulvis Aromaticus. E. D. A. Pulvjs Cinnamomi Compositus. L. Aromatic Powder. Compound Powder of Cinnamon. Take of Cinnamon, Cardamom, Ginger, each equal parts.—Rub them together to a fine powder, which is to be kept in a well-stop- ped glass bottle. E. This composition is an agreeable, hot, spicy medicine; and as such, may be usefully taken in cold phlegmatic habits and decayed constitutions, for warming the stomach, promoting digestion, and strengthening the tone of the viscera. The dose is from ten grains to a scruple and upwards. Pulvis Asari Compositus. E. D. Compound Powder of Asarabacca. Take of the leaves of asarabacca, three parts; Tlie leaves of marjo- ram, Flowers of lavender, of each, one part.—Rub them together to powder. E. This is an agreeable and efficacious errhine, and superior to most of those usually sold under the name of herb snuff. It is often em- ployed with great advantage in cases of obstinate head-ache, and of ophthalmias resisting other modes of cure. Taken under the form of snuff to the extent of five or six grains at bed time, it will operate the succeeding day as a powerful errhine, inducing frequent sneezing, and likewise.a copious discharge from the nose. It is, however, ne- cessary, during its operation, to avoid exposure to cold. f Pulvis Calcis Carbonatis Compositus. E. A. Pulvis Cret^e Compositus. L. Compound Powder of Carbonat of Lime. Compound Powder of Chalk. Take of Prepared Carbonat of lime, four ounces,- Nutmeg, half a drachm; Cinnamon, one drachm and a half.—Reduce them to- gether to powder. E. The addition of the aromatics in the above formula, coincides with the general intention of the remedy, which is indicated in weakness and acidity in the stomach, and in looseness from acidity. Purvis Cret^e Compositus cum Opio. L. Compound Powder of Chalk with Opium. Take of Compound powder of chalk, six ounces and a half; Hard opium, powdered, four scruples.—Mix them. From the addition of the opium, this remedy becomes still more powerful than the preceding in restraining diarrhoea. Pulvis ConTrayervjE Compositus. L, Compound Powder of Contrayerva. Take of Contrayerva, powdered, five ounces,- Compound powder of chalk, one pound and a half.—Mix them. This medicine has a very good claim to the title of an alexiphar 548 P.—Pulveres. mic and sudorific. The contrayerva by itself proves very service- able in low fevers, where the vis vitas is weak, and a diaphoresis is to be promoted. Pulvis Ipecacuanha et Cupri Sulphatis. Powder of Ipecacuanha and Sulphat of Copper. Take of Ipecacuanha, in powder, one scruple; Sulphat of copper, five grains.—Rub them together. Pharm. U. S. This is an old prescription, much recommended by Dr. Senter, in certain cases of phthisis, &c. See Transactions of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. Pulvis Ipecacuanha Et Opii. E. A. Pulvis Ipecacuanha Compositus. L. D. Powder of Ip eccuanha and Opium. Compound Powder of Ipecacuan. Dover7s Powders. Take of Ipecacuan, in powder, Opium, of each one part,- Sulphat of potass, eight parts.—Triturate them together into a fine pow- der. E. - .|, • The sulphat of potass, from the grittiness of its crystals, is per- haps, better fitted for tearing and diyiding the tenacious opium than . any other salt: this seems to be its only use in the preparation. The operator ought to be careful that the opium and ipecacuanha be equally diffused through the whole mass of powder, otherwise dif- ferent portions of the powder must have differences in degree of strength. ( This powder is one of the most certain sudorifics, and as^such, was recommended by Dr. Dover as an effectual remedy in rheuma- tism. Modern practice confirms its reputation, not only in rheuma- tism, but also in dropsy, and several other diseases, where it is often difficult by other means to produce a copious sweat. The dose is from five to twenty grains, according as the patient's stomach and strength can bear it. It is proper to avoid much drinking imme- diately after taking it, otherwise k is very apt to be rejected by vo- miting, before any other effects are produced. We subjoin some observations on the subject from the^sculapian Register, p. 23. Dover's Powders.-/The original prescription, by the author of this long known and highly valued remedy, seems very different from the one now pursued in the Pharmacopoeias; it is given in the 14th page (8th Ed.) of his treatise, entitled, » The ancient physi- cian's legacy to his country," and is as follows: "Take opium one ounce, salt petre and tartar vitriolated, each four ounces, tpecacuana one ounce, liquorice one ounce.—Put the salt petre and tartar into a red hot mortar, stirring them with a spoon till they have done flaming—Then powder them very fine; after that slice in your opium; grind these to a powder, and then mix the other powders with these. Dose from 40 to 60 or 70 grains in a glass of white wine posset, going to bed.—Covering up warm and drinking a quart or 3 pints of the posset-drink while sweat- P.—-Pulveres. 549 4 " By this process we should suppose the nitre would be decom- posed, as well as the vitriolated tartar. We beg leave to recommend to some of our friends to prepare the article according to the above prescription, and shall be happy to learn the result. We should like also to have a fair comparative experiment made between it, and that prepared by the present formula, in order to ascertain their respec- tive value as a remedy. " It would appear that the doses which Dover originally recom- mends were objected to—and he tells us himself, that " some Apo- thecarie§»have desired their patients to make their wilds, and settle their affairs, before they ventured upon so large a dose as I have re- commended, which is from 40 to 70 grains. As monstrous as they may represent this, I can produce undeniable proofs, where a patient of mine has taken no less a quantity than an hundred grains, and yet has appeared abroad the next day." "This notion of theirs proceeds entirely from their ignorance, and from the want of knowing the nature of those ingredients that are mixed up with it, for they naturally weaken the* power of the opium!" p. 15. Highly as we esteem Dr. Dover's Writings, yet we should have had some difficulty in accrediting this, when computation shows the opium to constitute the 11th part of the ingredients—so that from 4 to 9 grains of orjium, were thus exhibited as a dose, to persons appa- rently unused to it; and if we make the calculation on the supposi- tion that by the process above, a considerable loss is sustained of some articles, the opium will be given in much larger amount. We have, however, in vindication of Dr. Dover to observe, that we find other writers commending the powder as highly,- and in doses as large or even larger. Dr. Brocklesby, an army physician of great eminence in his- time, in his excellent " CEconomical and Medical Observations" has par- ticularly extolled the powder in various diseases; but without en- tering into details, it will suffice to state, that his practice is of the most energetic kind, and that even at this day, his work would well admitof a reprint amongst us. . * In speaking of dropsy, he mentions its use to 9ii___and in chronic rheumatism, when other measures failed, he produced the most salu- tary effects by Dover's powders, sometimes to the amount of 32, (120 grains,) in twenty-four hours; his usual dose was, however, 30 grains every twelve hours for a week together, the patient lying in bed with- out sheets. , His administration of Nitre, was no less extraordinary; in acute rheumatism in athletic persons, he used to bleed copiously, and give 600 grains of nitre daily, diluted in water gruel, in the propor- tion of about two drachms to a pint. Upon the whole then, there can be no reasonable doubt of the great extent to which Dover pushed his fawurite remedy, and if we do not find it as successful in our hands, it may deserve consideration if our practice is not unnecessarily timid in its use; at the same time, as we before hinted, it may be well to inquire what influence the mode of preparation recommended by Dover, may actually possess in re- straining the activity of the opium in it. 550 P.—Pulveres. Pulvis Jalapa Compositus. E. A. Compound Powder of Jalap. Take of Jalap root, one part; Super-tartrat of potass, two parts.— Grind them together to a very fine powder. E. The use of the tartrat in this preparation, is partly to break down and divide the jalap; and therefore they are directed to be triturated together, and not separately. Pulvis Kino Compositus. L. Compound Powder of Kino. Take of Kino, fifteen drachms,- Cinnamon, half an ounce,- Hand opium, one drachm.—Reduce them separately to a very fine powder, then mix them. This, though well known in extemporaneous prescription, is a new officinal preparation, and one which promises to be convenient. It is anodyne and astringent, containing one parj; of opium in twenty. Pulvis Opiatus. E. Opiate Powder. Take of Opium, one part; Prepared Carbonat of lime, nine parts.— Rub them together to a fine powder. E. In this powder the opium is the active ingredient; and it is imma- terial whether the phosphat, (as the London College directs,) or car- bonat of lime be used to' promote its mechanical division. Pulvis Salinus Compositus. E. Compound Saline Powder. Take of Muriat of soda, Sulphat of magnesia, of each, four parts; Sulphat of potass, three parts.—Dry the salts with a gentle heat, reduce them to fine powder separately, then rub them together, and keep the mixture in a well-corked phial. However we may explain it, there is little doubt that mixtures of substances of similar characters have often a better effect than either of the ingredients singly. We have, perhaps, carried our simplifi- cations too far, in rejecting all the old farragoes, as we chuse to call them. The mixture of salts acts'very pleasantly in costive habits, being taken to the extent of a tea-spoonful in half a pint of water before breakfast. Pulvis Scammonii Compositus. E. L. A. Compound Powder of Scammony. Take of Scammony, Super-tartrat of potass, each, equal parts.—Rub them together to a fine powder. E. Pulvis Senna Compositus. L. Compound Powder of Senna. Take of Senna, Crystals of tartar, of each, two ounces; Scammony, half an ounce; Ginger two drachms.—Triturate the scammony by itself, reduce the rest together into a powder, and then mix. This powder is given as a cathartic, in the dose of two scruples, or a drachm. The spice is added, not only to divide, but to warm the medicine and make it sit easier on the stomach. The scammony is used as a stimulus to the senna; the quantity of the latter ne- P__Pyrus. 551 cessary for a dose, when not assisted by some more powerful mate- rial, being too bulky to be conveniently taken in this form. Pulvis Tragacantha Compositus. L. Compound Powder of Tragacanth. Take of Tragacanth, powdered, Gum Arabic, Starch, of each, an ounce and a half; Refined sugar, three ounces.—Rub them together into a powder. This composition is a mild emollient; and hence becomes service- able in hectic cases, tickling coughs, strangury, some kinds of alvine fluxes, and other disorders proceeding from a thin acrimonious state of the humours, or an abrasion of the mucus of the intestines: they soften and give a greater degree of consistency to the former, and defend the latter from being irritated or excoriated by them. All the ingredients coincide in these general intentions. The dose is from half a drachm to two or three drachms, which may be fre- quently repeated. PYROLA UMBELLATA. Chimaphila Umbellata.* Ground-holly. Pippsiseva. Winter-green. This is a very common North American plant, belonging to the same class and order as the uva ursi. The two plants are nearly al- lied to each other in botanical affinity, as well as in their medical properties. It is considerably astringent, and was considered by Dr. Barton as highly worthy the notice of physicians. It has been used with advantage in the same cases in which uva ursi has been found bene- ficial. It has also been used with good effect in some cases of inter- mittents. In some cases its diuretic operation was evident. The bruis- ed leaves externally applied sometimes induce rednessj vesication, and desquamation of the skin.t PYRUS CYDONIA. L. Quince. The Seeds. Icosandria Pentagynia. Nat. Ord. Pomacex, Linn. Rosacex, Juss. The quince is originally a native of Crete, but ripens its fruit per- fectly in our climate. Quinces have a very austere acid taste: taken in small quantity, they are supposed to restrain vomiting and alvine fluxes; and more liberally, to loosen the belly. The seeds abound with a mucilaginous substance of no particular taste, which they readily impart to wa- tery liquors; an ounce will render three pints of water thick and ropy, like the white of an egg. They will not' however supply the place of gum Arabic, because their mucilage spoils very quickly, and is precipitated by acids. * Pyrola, Pharm. U. S. secondary. f Barton's Collections, Fart II. p. 2. Mitchell's Inaugural Essay, on uva ursi, and Pyrola umbellata. 552 Q.—Quassia. Q. QUASSIA.' Decandria Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Gruinales, Linn. Magholix, Juss. 1. Quassia. E. L. D. A. Quassia Excelsa. Quassia. The Wood, the Bark, and Root. This tree grows in Jamaica, and in the Caribaean islands. The quassia of the shops is the wood of its root, and not of the quassia amara, which is a very rare tree, but surpasses all others in bitter- ness. This root is about the thickness of a man's arm: its wood is whitish, becoming yellowish by exposure to the air. It has a thin, gray, fis- sured, brittle bark, which is deemed in Surinam more powerful than the wood. Quassia has no sensible odour, but is one of the most in- tense, durable, pure bitters known. Its infusion, decoction and tinc- ture, are almost equally bitter and yellowish, and are not blackened by chalybeates. The properties of the extract of quassia have been detailed by Dr. Thomson, under the title of the bitter principle. Medical use.—It is a very pure and simple bitter, and may be given in all cases where bitters are proper. It has been exhibited in intermittent and bilious fevers, in stomachic complaints, in lienteria, in cachexy, dropsies, leucorrhoea, and gout. It is much used in Great Britain to give the bitterness to malt liquors, though it subjects those brewers who employ it to a very heavy penalty. It can scarcely be reduced to a sufficiently fine powder to be given in substance, and is therefore generally given in the form of infusion, decoction, or extract. 2. Quassia Simarouba. E. Simarouba. L. D. A. Simarouba. Mountain, or Bitter Damson. The Bark and Wood. This tree grows in Guiana and in Jamaica. The simarouba of the shops is the bark of the root of this tree, and not the wood, as stated-by the Dublin College. It is brought to us in pieces some feet long, and some inches broad, folded lengthwise. It is light, fibrous, very tough; of a pale yellow on the inside; darker coloured, rough,, scaly, and warted on the outside; has little smell, and a bit- ter, not disagreeable taste. It gives out its bitterness both to alco- hol and water. Medical use.—It has been much celebrated in obstinate diarrhoea, dysentery, anorexia, indigestion, lienteria, and intermittent fevers; but it is doubtful that it is better than other bitters. It is given in powder, in doses of half a drachm, or a whole drachm: but it is too bulky, and very difficultly pulverizable. It is best exhibited in decoction. Two drachms of the bark may be boil- ed in two pounds of water to one, and the decoction drunk in cup- fuls in the course of the day. R.—Rhamnus. 553 QUERCUS. Moncecia Polyandria. Nat. Ord. Amentacex. Quercus Robur. E. D. Quercus Pedunculata. L. Common British Oak. The Bark. The oak grows wild in, Britain. The superior excellence of its wood for ship-building, has rendered its cultivation an object of na- tional concern. Its saw-dust is an useful dye-stuff, and its bark is the principal article used in tanning. M. Vauquelin has discovered a remarkable chemical difference between the bark and nut-galls, the latter precipitating tartrat of antimony and infusion of cinchona, which are not acted on by the former. Medical use.—The bark is a strong astringent, and is recommend- ed in hemorrhagies, alvine fluxes, and other preternatural or immo- derate secretions. In these it is sometimes attended with good effects. But it is by no means capable of being employed as a substitute, in every instance, for Peruvian bark, as some have asserted; and in- deed it is so difficultly reduced to a sufficiently fine powder, that it can scarcely be given internally in substance. Quercus Alba.* White Oak. The Bark. Quercus Tinctoria.1 Black Oak. The Bark. It is probable that all the species of oak are more or less allied in medicinal properties. The efficacy of the black oak bark in inter- mittents has been long admitted; the late Professor Barton used the bark of the Spanish oak, (quercus rubra montana,) in gangrene, and considered it equal in power to the best Peruvian bark. R. RANUNCULUS SCELERATUS. Celery-leaved Crowfoot. RANUNCULUS BULBOSUS. A. (Secondary.) Crowfoot. Butter Cups. The Plant. The former of these is a very acrid plant; when bruised, and laid upon any part of the body, it will, in a few hours' time, raise a blis- ter. It is a native both of Europe mid America. The latter species possesses the same properties; it grows here very plentifully, but was thought by the late Dr. Barton not to be a native.^ RHAMNUS. L. A. Rhamnus Catharticus. E. D. Buckthorn. Purging Buckthorn. The Berries and their Juice. Pentandria Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Dumosx, Linn. Rhamni, Juss. This tree, or bush, is common in hedges: it flowers in June, and ripens its fruit in September, or the beginning of October. In the markets, the fruit of some other trees, as the black berry-bearing alder, and the dogberry tree, have, in England, been frequently mixed with, or substituted for, those of buckthorn. This abuse may * Pharm. U. S. f Pharm. U. S. \ Collections, Part I. p. 23, 70 554 R.—Rheum. be discovered by opening the berries: those of buckthorn have almost always four seeds, the berries of the alder two, and those of the dog- berry, only one. Buckthorn berries, bruised on white paper, stain it of a green colour, which the others do not. Those who sell the juice to the apothecaries, are said to mix it with a large proportion of water. The pigment called sap green is said to be the inspissated juice of this berry. Medical use.—Buckthorn berries have a faint disagreeable smell, and a nauseous bitter taste. *They have long been in considerable esteem as cathartic: and celebrated in dropsies, rheumatisms, and even in the gout: though in these cases they have no advantage above other purgatives,, but are more offensive, and operate more severely, than many which the shops are furnished with. They generally occasion gripes, sickness, dry the mouth and throat, and leave a thirst of long duration. The dose is about twenty of the fresh berries in substance, and twice or thrice this number in decoc- tion; an ounce of the expressed juice, or a drachm of the dried berries. RHEUM.* Spec. Plant. Willd. ii. 488. CI. 9. Ord. 3. Enneandria Trigynia. Nat. Ord. Holoracese, Linn. Poligoniee, Juss. G. 803. Calix none. Corolla six-cleft, persistent. Seed one, three- sided. Sp. 2. R. undulatum. Wave-leaved Rhubarb. Amosn. Acad. iii. 212. t. 4. Sp. 3. R. palmatum. Palmated Rhubarb. Med. Bot. 2d ed. 662. t. 231. Phil. Trans, iv. 292, t. 1.2, 13. 1. Rheum undulatum. Rheum undulatum ; Radix, Dub. The Root of WaVed-leaved Rhubarb. Syn. Rhubarb, (F.) Rhabarber, (G., Dutch, Swed.) Rabarbaro, (I.) Of the genus scilla there are 27 species. None of these are from the West Indies, from whence, a few years ago, a considerable num- ber of bulbs were imported to Philadelphia, and sold as the scilla maritima. They proved, however, to be a species of Crinum, (Ame- ricanum.) The crinum belongs to the class Hexandria Monogynia, Nat. Ord. Amaryllideae; and in its bulb may easily be mistaken for the squill, except when in flower. Another bulb, that of the albuca altissima, may be also confounded with it; even in,the flower, but little difference exists. We give a few of the characters of each. G. Scilla. Corolla, 6-petala, patens, decidua.— Filam. filiform. petalorum basi adnexa. The leaf is broader and shorter than in the albuca. Sp. Maritima. Nudiflora, bracteis refractis. G. Albuca. A. Altissima, vel Subulata. ! Corolla 6-petala, in- terioribus conniventibus, exterioribus patulis, dorso ssepius viridi-co- loratis, &c. In the squill, the stamina are half the length of the corolla, and the middle of the petal is reddish. In the albuca the stamina are the length of the corolla, and the 580 S___Scrophularia. middle of the petal is green. The leaf is long, narrow, and termi- nates in a solid awl-shaped extremity. We have little doubt that the bulbs of other plants have often been sold for the squill, and that much disappointment has resulted from such mistakes. Medical1 use.—Given internally in large doses it produces purging and vomiting, sometimes even strangury, bloody urine, inflamma- tion and erosion of the stomach. In smaller doses it proves an use- ful expectorant and diuretic, and it is said to lessen the frequency of the pulse. Hippocrates seems to have employed it as a pessary, (Fcesius Ed. p. 587.) Squill is sometimes given as a general stimulant in typhus, espe- cially to cattle. But it is much more frequently exhibited as an ex- pectorant where the lungs are loaded with viscid matter, and as a diuretic in dropsical cases, for which purpose it is commonly con- joined with calomel. The dose of dried squill is one or two grains three or four times a day; and the most commodious form for the taking of squills, unless when designed as an emetic, is that of a bolus or pill: liquid forms are to most people too offensive, though these may be rendered less disagreeable both to the palate and stomach by the addition of aro- matic distilled waters. Pulvis Scillje. D. Powder of Squill. Cut the squills, after having removed their membranous integuments, into transverse slices; dry these on a sieve with a gentle heat, and reduce them to powder, which is to be kept in phials with ground glass stoppers. By this method the squill dries much sooner than when its seve- ral coats are only separated; the internal part beyig here laid bare, which, in each of the entire coats, is covered with a thin skin, which impedes the exhalation of the moisture. The root loses in this pro- cess four-fifths of its original weight; the parts which exhale with a moderate heat appear to be merely watery; hence six grains of the dry root are equivalent to half a drachm of it when fresh; a cir- cumstance to be particularly regarded in the exhibition of this me-. dicine. But if too great heat has been employed to dry it, it be- comes almost inert, and it also loses by long keeping in the state of powder. Dried squills furnish us with a medicine, sometimes advantageous- ly employed as an emetic, often as an expectorant, but still more frequently as a powerful diuretic. SCROPHULARIA NODOSA. D. Knotty-rooted Figwort. The Herb. This is a perennial plant, growing in woods, and under hedges. It flowers in July. The roots are gray and knotty, and have a nau- seous smell, and a sweet, but somewhat acrid taste, both of which they partly lose by drying. S.—Secale Cornutum. 581 SEC ALE CORNUTUM.* Spurred or Horned Rye. Ergot. The Spur. Although introduced by the American Pharmacopoeia into the se- condary list, if the observations of many practitioners are to be cre- dited, th^s article better deserved a more exalted standing, than many which are placed in the primary list. Rye is subject to a disease, particularly when a hot summer suc- ceeds a rainy spring; the spurious substance thus produced, is in France called ergot, from its resemblance to a cock's spur, but in England it is termed horned rye, spur, or hornseed. In Cullen's Ma- teria Medica it is termed secale cornutum. Bread made of this kind of rye has a nauseous acrid taste, and produces numerous fatal dis- eases, as spasm, extreme debility, and mortification of the extremi- ties. At various periods subsequent to the year 1596, the most alarming and destructive consequences were occasioned among the poor in France and England, by the use of bread made of such da- maged grain. Horned rye is said to have been equally fatal to brutes and fowls, when fed with it by way of experiment. Rye is affected with the disease in this country similar to that in Europe; particularly summer rye, in low, wet situations. The sin- gular production called ergot, is found projecting from among the leaves of the spike, or ear; it is a long crooked excrescence, resem- bling the spur of a cock, pointed at its extremities, of a dark brown colour externally and white within. Some spikes are occupied wholly by spurs, while others have two or three only, interspersed with genuine seeds of rye. The medicinal properties of this extraordinary substance were first announced to the public by Dr. John Stearns, of Saratoga county, in a letter to Dr. Ackerly, of New York, in which the article is extol- led for its powders, adpartum accelerandum. It is now satisfactorily ascertained, that ergot is capable of exerting a specific action on the pregnant uterus, and of augmenting the powers of this organ during the efforts of parturition. Hence, in lingering and laborious cases it is found to be an invaluable medicine, speedily inducing forcible pains, and greatly expediting delivery. For obvious reasons, however, it is proper to caution against employing this powerful parturient in cases of preternatural presentation. In the form of powder, it is given from five to ten or fifteen grains; but it has sometimes been found more active in the form of decoction, half a drachm of the powder being gently boiled in half a pint of water; one-third may be given every twenty minutes until proper pains shall have commenced. A large dose of decoction, or of pulvis ad partum accelerandum, will excite nausea and vomiting. No example of ergot having induced deleterious effects, has come to our knowledge; but there is much reason to suppose that it is capable of producing abortion at any stage of pregnancy. A writer in the New England Medical Journal, No. I. Vol. I. as- serts that it has not appeared to relax the rigidity of the muscular fibres, "but it has almost uniformly increased the efforts of the ute- * Pharm. U. S. secondary. 582 S.—Secale Cornutum. rus to expel the foetus." And also, that occasions have occurred, authorizing a caution of the highest importance in practice. The powerful and continued efforts of the uterus, from the effects of er- got, prevent the retreat of the child's head after being advanced, and the unceasing pressure has in some instances occasioned the death of the child. Let this circumstance, therefore, have its due effect, and induce the utmost precaution in the administration of this power- ful article. In one case of amenorrhcea, Dr. Beckman administer- ed one drachm of ergot in decoction; bearing down pains immediate- ly ensued, and the suppression was the next day removed. It has been successfully employed, on similar occasions, by other practi- tioners. However extraordinary it may appear, the assertion is from the most creditable source, that ergot has often proved one of the most efficacious remedies in menorrhagia in all its stages; and more- over, it restrains in a remarkable manner theprofluvio uterina follow- ing the separation of the placenta in parturition. In two instances ergot is stated to have been administered in con- siderable quantities during the early stage of pregnancy. In one case, about four drachms were taken within a few days; the conse- quence was regular pressing down pains, resembling the severest throes of parturition; and these recurred with every repetition of the medicine, yet on examination, the os uteri was not much dilated. In neither case was the natural term of gestation interrupted by the operation of the medicine. The fact has long been known among Our farmers, that rye itself possesses a quality of inducing abortion in females of the animal tribe, and they carefully withhold that grain from such, during their periods of gestation. M. Aug. Goupil, D. M. P. on the Medical use of Ergot, taken from No. 3, Journal des Progres des Sc. et Inst. Med.—Empiricism was every where in possession of this article long before they thought of" trying it at New York. The German name Mutterkorn literally signifies womb-grain or uterine rye. It seems natural thence to con- clude, first, that a peculiar action on the womb was recognised in it; and secondly, that it was used from the remotest times. In James's Dictionary, translated from the English by Diderot, at the word se- cale, we find that the ergot passes in Germany for a sovereign reme- dy in floodings. Dittmer, a physician of Marchiennes said, the mid- wives of his country knew from time immemorial, of the efficacy of ergot in facilitating delivery; they gather it with care, and never go out without it. In Italy its use is far from being new, says Balar- dinij* he says a certain Catharine Vielmi, an old midwife of that country, had long administered it ih difficult labours;, she got it from another midwife, who practised before her. In'France also, it was long known as good in accelerating partu- rition. In a letter from Parmentier,t is mentioned its frequent use by Mother Dupille, at Chaumont, in the French Vexin in assisting women in difficult labours. She was acquainted with its properties * Balardini—Annali Univers. di Medicina; Milano, Aprile, 1826. f Journal de Physique, Aout, 1774. S—Secale Cornutum. 583 from her infancy, and her mother used it in many cases, and always without inconvenience. The Abbe Rozier and his mother also used it about this time, and say, always with success. At Lyons too, from time immemorial, but solely from oral tradition, it was used in difficult labours. In 1777, M. Desgranges, a distinguished physician of that city, often met a nurse of lying-in women, who frequently gave this article under the name of chambucle, a term of the Lyonnese brogue. The effects he saw it produce induced him from that time to use it himself in many cases; he did not, however, publish his observations before the end of the year 1817. In his memoir he makes it probable that this was the remedy so vaunted in 1747, by the Dutch accoucheur Rathlaw, a remedy which, at the second dose, without the aid of any instru- ment, put an end to the most difficult labours.* Some old authors, in speaking of the ergot, have rather considered it as a useful re- medy in the essential or sympathetic affections of the uterus than as a stimulant capable of provoking its contractions. As such, Adam Lonicere, a German physician of the 17th century, expressly re- commends it in hysteria.! In a Latin work of the same time, the ergot, (clavus secalinus,) is said to have been useful in stopping the discharge in monorrhagia.:{: Gaspard Bauhin has extolled its effects in diminishing the excessive flow of the lochia. Rodolphe Jacques Camerarius, in speaking of this substance, says the midwives of his country employ it to expedite labour. § He is the first author who has distinctly spoken of this property of ergot. From that time, 1688, till 1814, when Dr. Stearns's letter appeared,!! we have not been able to find any thing relative to this medicine. In the same year, (1814,) likewise in America, Oliver Prescott details its effects. Tf These results are similar to those subsequently an- nounced by Henrischen in Germany, and M. Desgranges at Lyons, in 1818. In the latter year, M. Chaussier et Mme. Lachapelle tried the new medicine at la Maternite in Paris, without any good result. The publication of their trials prevented most physicians from em-" ploying a new remedy pronounced inactive by one of our most learn- ed professors. At the same period appeared "the papers of Chapman and Dewees on this subject, at Philadelphia.** These physicians ac- knowledged its efficacy, but their writings, tardily and superficially known in France, could not counterbalance the opinion of M. Chaus- sier. The ergot was ranked with those medicines furiously praised, whose marvellous effects disappear, when they are impartially studied. The memoir of Jean Bigeschi,tt roused the attention of the phy- * Levret, Observations sur les Causes et Accidens des Accouchemens Labo- rieux, 1751, p. 259. f Botanicum Herbarium, Francof, 1640. i Sylvia Hercinia, sive Catalogus Plantarum, etc. a Joanne Thalio conscrip. § Acta Naturae, centuria 6, observ. 82. || Lettre addressee au Docteur Akerly, inseree dans le Med. Eepos. de New York. 1 Disc, sur, &c. par le Docteur O. Prescott, hi a la Soc. Med. de Mass. publ. a Londres, et inseree dans le Jour, de Ph. et. de Med. de Fothergill, Aout, 1814. * ** Chapman's Therapeutics, &c. 1817—Dewees, &c 1818. ft Bulletin de la Societe Med. d'Emulation de Paris, Jan. 1823. 584 S__Secale Cornutum. sicians of Paris. His numerous and faithful observations could leave no doubt upon the subject, and since that time we see a vast num- ber of practitioners employing the ergot—witness numerous writ- ings, as Messrs. Dories, Waller et Davies* of London, Clark of Bristol, William Mackenzie of Glasgow, Paul Bongiovanni of Pa- via,t Balardini of Milan, Huchedi^: of Strasburg, Chevreul§ of An- gers, &c. we are indebted for curious researches upon this subject. To those who feel interested in the subject, the following refer- ences may prove acceptable. They form, it is probable, but a small proportion of what may be found in relation to it, having been cur- sorily noted down in general reading. Tissot, Philosophical Transactions, vol. 55. p. 106.—Critical Re- view, 1766, p. 133.—Foedere, Med. Legale, 4. 46.—Eclectic Reper- tory^. 249—7. 266,429—8. 129—9. Q60.—Perrault, Philosophical Transactions, 1676, 11. No. 130.'—Do. Abridged, (Pearson,) 2.357. 12. 208.-— Geoffroy, Matierre Medicale, 10. p. 7.—'Zimmerman, Ex- perience, &c. 2. 168.—Bondeli, Letters to Dr. Lang.—Lemery, Rit- ter, fyc. in L'Histoire de l'Acad. Roy. de Sciences, 1712.—Ray, Hist. Plant. 1. 1241, mentions it as then used to restrain the Lochia. —Hoffman's Pract. 2. 300, 303, notices its noxious effects as known to Galen.—Tessier, Traite des Mai. des Grains. Par. 1783.—Pere Cotte and M. Saillant, in Histoire de la Soc, Roy. de Med. 1776, p. 345.—Fontana, Journal de Physique, torn. 7. 42.—Read, Traite du Seigle Ergote.—Smieder, Hist. Morb. Epid. 1776, in Lusatia.— Model—Parmentier, Recreations Chemiques.—Langius, Act. Lips. 1718. p. 309.—Fagon, Hist, de l'Acad. des Sciences.—Geoffroy, do. 1711.—Aymen, Tom. 3, 4, de Savans Etrangeres.—Beguillet, Diss, sur l'Ergot, Dijon, 1761. The following observations on the agency of the ergot in producing dry gangrene, are extracted from the inaugural essay of Dr. Charles C. Byrd, of Virginia, 1821. ■ " The dry gangrene, though rarely met with in this country, was known many years ago in France; to the periodical writings of which country, we are indebted for much information respecting the disease. The first commu- nication on the subject, given to the world, was made by M. Dodard, in 1676, in a letter inserted in the Journal des Savans, by whom it was stated, even at that early period, to arise from eating rye bread, tainted with the ergot; sub- sequently M. Saviard, Surgeon to the Hotel Dieu of Orleans, where there were many patients with dry gangrene, remarks that persons are attacked with it, who live on rye bread; he farther states, that the extremities of those who have it, are as dry as touch-wood, and as emaciated as Egyptian mum- mies. This disease commences in the extremities or parts most remote from the source of the circulation; attended generally with but little fever, inflam- mation, or pain; the limb becomes dead, and is either separated by the ab- sorbents, or requires to be removed by the knife. It has always been found to prevail most, in those seasons favourable to the production of the ergot, and to be confined to those who live on rye: these circumstances, so strong of themselves, sufficed to convince all who witnessed them, that this species of * Lond. Med. and Phys. Journ. Aug. 1826. f Repertoire de Medicine, &c. of Turin. i Considerations sur le Seigle, &c. Diss. Inaug. Strasbourg, 1823. § Precis de l'Art des Accouchemens, 1826, et Memoire sur le Seigle Er- gote, &c. Presents a 1'Academic Royale de Med. de Paris, in 1826. S.—Silene. 585 gangrene had its origin in the use of rye containing the ergot, have since been corroborated by the experiments of M. Tiessier, which proved that fowls fed for any length of time with the article were attacked with a disease similar to the dry gangrene of human beings; still, however, the question is not settled, and doubts are held on the subject even at the present day. " From the results of my own experiments, I am led to the certain conclu- sion, that the ergot is capable of producing the dry gangrene; but, at the same time, I am convinced,' and indeed the fact is mentioned by M. Bossau, that the gangrene is not always of the dry kind, which certainly is proved by my last experiment, the result of which was witnessed by several students, and also by Dr. S. Jackson of this city." SESAMUM ORIENT ALE.* Benne OU.- The Fixed Oil of the Seeds. This, originally an African plant, has become well known by the name of benne in South Carolina and Georgia, or the Vangloe of the West Indies. It is an annual plant, rising with an herbaceous four- cornered stalk, two feet high, sending out a few short side branches; the leaves are oblong, oval, a little hairy, and stand opposite. The flowers terminate the stalk in loose spikes; they are small, of a dirty- white colour, shaped somewhat like those of foxglove. After the flowers are past, the germen turns to an oval, acute pointed capsula, with four cells filled with oval compressed seeds, which ripen in autumn. Of late years, the seeds have been introduced into the states of Georgia and South Carolina by the African negroes, where the plant succeeds extremely well; and they boil a handful of the seeds with their allowance of Indian corn, which forms a nourishing food. But the excellency of these seeds consists in their yielding a larger proportion of oil than any other vegetable with which we are acquainted. One hundred weight of seed will produce ninety pounds of oil, of an equal, and even preferable quality, to Florence oil. It will keep good many years without contracting any rancid smell or taste; and when the warm taste of the seed, discovered in the oil, when first drawn, is worn off, it becomes quite mild, and is found to be a pleasant and agreeable substitute for all the purposes of salad oil. The benne oil in some parts of the southern states, is esteemed as a gentle laxative, in those cases where the more nauseous castor oil is usually employed. It also burns well in lamps. The leaves of this plant by infusion or decoction, are found to afford an excellent mucilage, well adapted to all the intentions of that class of reme- dies, and in 1803, was used with the most marked good effect in an epidemic dysentery in South Carolina. Considering, therefore, the great utility and importance of the benne plant, its cultivation by our planters cannot be too strongly recommended. SILENE VIRGINICA. Ground Pink. This species of silene or catch-fly, is abundant in many parts of * Sesami Oleum, Pharm. U. S. secondary. 74 586 S.—Serpentaria. the United States. Some of the Indians say it is a poisonous plant. In decoction, the root has been found a very efficacious anthel- mintic* SERPENTARIA. A. Aristolochia Serpentaria. E. L. D. Virginia Snakeroot. The Root. Gynandria Hexandria. Nat. Ord. Sarmentacex, Linn. Aristolochix, Juss. This is a small, light, bushy root, consisting of a number of strings or fibres matted together, issuing from one common head; of a brown- ish colour on the outside, and paler or yellowish within. It has an aromatic smell, like that of valerian, but more agreeable: and a warm, bitterish, pungent taste, very much resembling that of cam- phor. Treated with alcohol, it affords a bright green tincture, which is rendered turbid by water; by filtration a small portion of a green matter is separated, but its transparency is not restored. It neither precipitates tannin nor gelatin, nor affects the salts of iron or tinc- ture of turnsole. When the diluted tincture is distilled, the spirit and tincture pass over milky, strongly impregnated with its peculiar flavour. Medical use.—Its virtues are principally owing to the essential oil with which it abounds. Its general action is heating and stimulant; its particular effects to promote the discharge by the skin and urine. In its effects it therefore coincides with camphor, but seems to be a more permanent stimulus. It is recommended, 1. In intermittent fevers, especially when the paroxysms do not terminate by sweating; and to assist the action of Peruvian bark in obstinate cases. 2. In typhus, and in putrid diseases, to support the vis vitse, and to excite gentle diaphoresis. 3. In exanthematous diseases, when the fever is of the typhoid type, to support the action of the skin, and keep out the erup- tion. 4. In gangrene. Externally it is used as a gargle in the putrid sore throat. It is exhibited, 1. In powder, which is the best form, in doses of twenty or thirty grains. 2. In infusion with wine or water. By decoction its powers are entirely destroyed. It is often combined with Peruvian bark, or with camphor.t * Barton's Collections, Part I. p. 39. •J- The late Dr. Barton says the root of the aristolochia sipho of L'Herritier, which grows in various parts of the United States, is, for certain purposes, perhaps preferable to the common snakeroot. S.—Slum Nodiflorum 587 SINAPIS. Tetradynamia Siliquosx. Nat. Ord. Siliquosx, Linn. Cruciferx, Juss. Sinapis Nigra. L. Sinapis Alba. E. D.* Common Mustard. White Mustard. The Seeds. These plants are both annual, both grow wild in England, and possess similar virtues. They produce small round compressed seeds, which have an acrid bitterish taste, and a pungent smell when reduced to powder. The common mustard has blackish seeds, and is more pungent than the white. They impart their taste and smell in perfection to aqueous liquors, whilst rectified spirit extracts extremely little of either: the whole of the pungency arises with water in distillation. Committed to the press, they yield a considerable quantity of a soft insipid oil, per- fectly void of acrimony; the cake left after the expression, is more pungent than the mustard itself. Medical use.—Mustard-seed is swallowed entire, to the quantity * of a table-spoonful or more, to stimulate the stomach in some cases • of dyspepsia, and to excite the peristaltic motion of the intestines, especially when they are torpid, as in paralysis. The powder made into a paste with water, is commonly used as a condiment with ani- mal food; infused in water, it proves emetic when taken in consi- derable doses, and in smaller ones, acts as a diuretic and aperient; but it is more frequently applied externally as a topical stimulus, made into a paste or sinapism with vinegar and bread-crumb. A weak infusion of mustard-seed has been employed with success to check vomiting. SISYMBRIUM NASTURTIUM. 'E. Common Water Cresses. The Recent Herb. This plant is perennial, and grows wild in clear springs and ri- vulets throughout Britain. Its leaves remain green all the year, but are in greatest perfection in the spring. They have a quick pungent smell, (when rubbed betwixt the fingers,) and an acrid taste, similar to that of scurvy-grass, but weaker. By drying or boiling, it loses its sensible qualities entirely.. Medical use.—\t acts as a gentle stimulant and diuretic; for these purposes, the expressed juice, which contains the peculiar taste and pungency of the herb, may be taken in doses of an ounce or two, and continued for a considerable time. SIUM NODIFLORUM. D. \ Procumbent Water Parsnip. The HerbP Pentandria Digynia. Nat. Ord. Umbellatx. Ihis plant is perennial, and grows wild in rivers and ditches in Sinapis, Pharm. U. S. 588 S.—Soda. England. It was formerly alleged to be not only a diuretic, but also an emmenagogue and lithontriptic. With these intentions, however, it is not now employed. Dr. Withering mentions, that a young lady of six years old, was cured of an obstinate cutaneous disease by taking three large spoonfuls of the juice twice a day^ and he adds, that he has given repeatedly to adults three or four ounces every mornin°-, in similar complaints. In such doses it neither af- fects the head, stomach, nor bowels. Children take it readily when mixed witli milk. SARSAPARILLA. L. D. A. SMILAX SARSAPARILLA. E. Sarsaparilla. The Root. Dicecia Hexandria. Nat. Ord. Sarmentacex, Linn. Asparagi, Juss. This root is brought from the Spanish West Indies. It consists of a great number of long strings hanging from one head,: the long roots, the only part made use of, are of a blackish colour on the out- side and white within, about the thickness of a goose-quill, or thick-, er, flexible, composed of a very small woody heart, surrounded with fibres running their whole length, which renders them ex- tremely apt to split. They have a glutinous, bitterish, not ungrate- ful taste, and no smell. Inferior kinds of this root are also sold. They are in general thicker, of a paler colour on the outside, and less white within, with a much thicker woody heart. Neumann got from 960 grains, 360 watery, and 10 alcoholic extract; and in- versely, 240 alcoholic, and 120 watery. Medical use.—It was first brought into Europe by the Spaniards, about the year 1563, with the character of being a specific for the cure of the lues yenerea, a disease which made its appearance a lit- tle before that time, and likewise of several obstinate chronic dis- orders. It is, however, a very inert, mucilaginous substance; and the diaphoresis, which it is sometimes supposed to produce, is en- tirely owing to the warm and diluent regimen employed at the same time. More recently, however, it has come into favour for the cure of many cutaneous affections, and especially of syphiloid diseases; and if upon just grounds, it will explain why it should have been so strongly recommended in syphilis, and why it should have failed. SODA.—SODA* Sodium, the base of soda, resembles in its appearance silver, has great lustre, and is a conductor of electricity. It fuses at 200° Fah- renheit. It ys not volatilized by the heat which melts plate glass. Its specific gravity is 0.9348, water being 1. It absorbs oxygen slowly from the atmosphere, and at a high temperature burns with bright sparks. It decomposes water with effervescence, and is in- flamed by nitrous acid. Protoxyd of sodium, scarcely known; of a dark gray colour. S__Soda. 589 Soda, of a gray colour, and vitreous fracture, a non-conductor of electricity. Hydrat of soda, formerly considered as pure soda, contains 22 per cent, of water, which cannot be separated by heat, of a grayish- white colour, urinous taste, and burning causticity, acting with con- siderable violence on animal matter. Water, in a certain propor- tion, when thrown upon it, is absorbed and solidified, with the dis- engagement of caloric, and a lixivial smell. A larger quantity dis- solves it. From the atmosphere it absorbs moisture artd carbonic acid, becoming less caustic. In the fire it melts like an oily sub- stance, boils, and is converted into vapour, but is incombustible. It is crystallizable into transparent prismatic crystals. It changes ve- getable blues to green; unites with all the acids, oils, sulphur, sul- phureted hydrogen, phosphorus, many metallic oxyds, and the earths. It forms the basis of rock-salt, and sea salt; is obtained from the ashes of marine plants,, and exists in some minerals. Sodium readily forms sulphurets and phosphurets, which are less > inflammable than those of potassium* Potassium and sodium combine readily in various proportions. A small quantity of potassium renders sodium brittle and very soft. A small quantity of sodium renders potassium fluid at a very common temperature, and reduces its specific gravity considerably. Soda Impura. L. Carbonas Soom Impurus. E. Barilla. D. Impure Carbonat of Soda. Barilla. Fixed Mineral Alkali. Soda is a very common mineral production. It is the basis of sea- salt; and combined with carbonic acid, it is found on the surface of the earth in Egypt, Syria, Barbary, Hungary, &c. and is obtained by the incineration of marine vegetables, especially the sgj^bla soda and kali, the salicornia herbacea, &c. The Spaniards even cultivate these in salt marshes for the sake of the soda. After being cut down, they are dried like hay. A deep pit is then prepared, and a bundle or two of the dried vegetables set on fire are thrown into it. When well kindled, other bundles are thrown in until the pit is filled. When the incineration is Completed, the soda is found in the bot- tom, caked into a solid mass, which is worked like a stony substance. When good, it is firm, hard, heavy, dry, sonorous, spongy, and in- ternally of a blue colour mixed with white spots, does not deli- quesce, emits no unpleasant smell on solution, and does not leave a large proportion of insoluble matter. Incinerated soda is mixed with potass, muriat of soda, and other saline matters; mineral soda with clay and other earthy substances. The Egyptian soda was reckoned the best: then the Spanish, (Barilla;) afterwards the Car- thagenian; and that prepared from different species of fuci, (kelp,) is the worst. But all these carbonated sodas are inferior in purity to those now manufactured in Britain, by decomposing the sulphat of soda. That commonly used, is obtained by the bleachers as a residuum in their method of preparing oxygenized muriatic acid, by decom- posing muriat of soda with sulphuric acid and the black oxyd of manganese. 590 S.—Soda. The sulphat of soda is decomposed, 1. By carbonat of potass. Mr. Accum has described the mani- pulations of this mode. A boiling concentrated solution of about 560 pounds of American potashes is ladled into a boil- ing solution of 500 pounds of sulphat of soda, agitated to- gether, apd the whole quickly heated to ebullition. It is then drawn off into leaden cisterns, lined with thick sheet-lead, and allowed to cool in a temperature which should not ex- ceed 55°. The fluid is then drawn off, and the mass of salt washed with cold water, to free it from impurities, and again put into the boiler with clean water. This second solution is also evapo- rated at a low heat, as long as any pellicles of sulphat of po- tass form on its surface, and fall to the bottom of the fluid. The fire is then withdrawn, and the fluid ladled out into the cistern to crystallize. Unless the fluid be allowed to cool pretty low before it is removed to crystallize, the salt obtain- ed will contain sulpha! «f potass. 2. By acetat of lime. The acetic acid for this purpose is ob- tained by distillation from wood, during its conversion into charcoal. 3. By litharge or sub-acetat of lead. Very pure carbonat of soda is prepared by {his process in the vicinity of Edin- burgh. 4. By decomposing the sulphuric acid by charcoal. About 500 weight of sulphat of soda, and 100 weight of charcoal, are ground together, and the mixture exposed in a reverberatory furnace until it becomes pasty. It is then transferred into la^e casks, and lixiviated The ley is afterwards evaporated JJ§ crystallized. By this, or a similar process, very pure carbonat of soda is manufactured in the west of Scotland. On the continent, muriat of soda is sometimes decomposed by potass, and sometimes by lime. Carbonat of soda is an article of the greatest importance in many manufactures. Medical use.—In medicine it possesses similar virtues with the carbonat of potass; and from its crystallizability and efflorescence when exposed to the air, it is preferable to it, because its dose may be more accurately ascertained, and it may be given either in the form of powder or made up into pills. Sod.e Subcarbonas. E. D. L. A. Sal Sod.*. Subcarbonat of Soda. Take of impure Carbonat of Soda, any quantity.—Bruise it; then boil in water till all the salt be dissolved. Filter the solution through paper, and evaporate it in an iron vessel, so that after it has cooled, the salt may crystallize. E. These directions are principally intended for the purification of the Spanish barilla, which is a fused mass, consisting indeed prin- cipally of carbonat of soda, but also containing charcoal, earths, and other salts. From the two first causes of impurity, it is easily sepa: S.—Soda. 591 rated by solution and filtration, and the salts may be separated by taking advantage of their different solubility in cold and in hot wa- ter. Frequently the soda does not crystallize freely, from not being saturated with carbonic acid, which is the reason why the London •College order the solution to be exposed to the atmosphere for eight days, that it may absorb carbonic acid, before they attempt the crys- tallization of the salts. But the preparation of carbonat of soda, by the decomposition of sulphat of soda, has now become a manufacture, and is carried to such perfection, that its further purification is al- most unnecessary for the purposes of the apothecary. The primitive form is an octohedron, with a rhombic base of 60° and 120°, the planes of which meet at the summit at 104, and at the base at 76°. There are two distinct compounds of carbonic acid and soda, the one containing precisely half as much carbonic acid as the other. The first, or subcarbonat, is obtained by carefully recrystallizing the soda of commerce. If 100 grains of the salt be slowly added to a quantity of diluted sulphuric acid, more than sufficient for saturation, and of known weight, the loss of weight will show the quantity of carbonic acid contained in 100 grains. From experiments of this kind, joined with others on its loss by fusion, Berard deduces its composition to be Acid,.....13.98 ..... 100..... 60 Base,.....23.33 . . . . . 166 .V. . . 100 Water, .... 62.69 . 100. Independently of the water of crystallization, its composition has been differently stated, viz. 100 grains contain Acid. Base. According to Berard...... . 37.50 ... 62.50 Dulong . Dalton . Klaproth Kirwan . 40.09 40.40 42. 40.10 59.91 59.60 58." 59.90 Its atomic constitution is supposed by Mr. Dalton to be one atom of soda with one atom of carbonic acid. When a solution of the subcarbonat of soda is saturated, by pass- ing through it a stream of carbonic acid gas, or when a solution of 100 parts of the salt are heated with one of fourteen parts of sub- carbonat of ammonia, we obtain by evaporation an indistinctly crys- tallized salt, which is the bi-carbonat of soda. The taste of this salt is much milder than that of the subcarbonat; and it requires a much larger quantity of water for solution. To bring soda to this state of saturation, 100 parts of the alkali require 125.33 of carbonic acid. The bi-carbonat is therefore composed, in 100 parts, Acid. Base. Water. According to Berard, of 49.95 ... 29.85 .. . 20.20 ------------Rose .... 49. ... 37. • • • 14. And as the acid in this salt is, as nearly as possible, double that of the subcarbonat, it must be constituted of two atoms of acid and 592 S.—Soda. one atom of soda. By exposure to a red heat, the whole of its water, and half its carbonic acid, are expelled, and it is converted into the dry subcarbonat. Sodje Carbonas. L. E. A. Carbonat of Soda. Take of Subcarbonat of soda, one pound; Subcarbonat of ammonia, three ounces; Distilled water, one pint.—Add the ammonia to the subcarbonat of soda dissolved in the water; then apply a heat of 180°, in a sand bath, for three hours, until all the ammonia be ex- pelledi Lastly, set it aside to crystallize. In the same manner eva- porate the residuary liquor, and set it aside again to crystallize. This salt bears the same relation to the subcarbonat of soda that the carbonat of potass does to its subcarbonat. Klaproth first de- scribed it, and says it consists of 39 carbonic acid, 38 soda, and 23 water. It is found native in hard striated masses in the province of Sukena, in Africa, and is called trona. Mr. Phillips objects on calculation to the quantity of carbonat of ammonia employed, as unnecessarily too large; for in subcarbonat of soda, the alkali is to the acid as three to two, and in the carbonat they are equal, and in 100 parts of crystals of subcarbonat are 35 of salt, consisting of 21 soda and 14 acid, requiring therefore 7 addi- tional acid to neutralize it. Now, as 100 carbonat of ammonia con- tains 50 acid, it follows, that 14 will furnish the necessary acid, and that 25, the quantity ordered by the college, is excessive. SodjE Subcarbonas Exsiccatus. L. A. Carbonas Sod. f h M{ drachm< Oil of Anise, } Add liquorice and honey in their due proportions if you please. Tinctura Opii Ammoniata; olim, Elixir Paregoricum. E. Ammoniated Tincture of Opium, formerly Paregoric Elixir. Take of Benzoic acid, English saffron, of each, three drachms; Opium, two drachms, Essential oil of aniseed, half a drachm; Ammoniated alcohol, sixteen ounces.—Digest for seven days, in a dose vessel, and strain. This is a preparation of considerable efficacy in many spasmodic diseases, as chincough, &c. the ammonia removing the spasms im- mediately, while the opium tends to prevent its return. Each drachm contains about a grain of opium. Tinctura Cantharidis. D.* Tinctura Cantharidis Vesicatoria. E. Tinctura Lytta. L. Tincture of Cantharides, or Spanish Flies. Take of Cantharides, bruised, three drachms; Diluted alcohol, two pints.—Digest for ten days, and strain. L. This tincture contains the active principle of the cantharides, whatever it may be. »It is applied externally as a stimulant and ru- befacient, and is sometimes given internally, in doses of from ten to twenty drops, as a diuretic. It has been usefully employed in cases of gleet in small doses. I have however heard of a practitioner who used this powerful remedy in a case of gleet, beginning with doses of sixty drops, until he had gradually increased the amount to even 1500 drops in twenty-four hours. He informed the patient that no benefit was to be expected from it, unless it produced a new action; which unfortunately for the patient, took place, in inflammation and suppuration in some parts of the genital organs! Such a practice can- not be too severely reprehended. Tinctura Capsici. L. A. Tincture of Cayenne Pepper. Take of Cayenne pepper, one ounce; Diluted alcohol, two pints.— Digest for ten days, and filter. L. Tinctura Capsici et Canthar'idum. A. Tincture of Cayenne Pepper and Cantharides. Take of Cantharides, bruised, ten drachms; Cayenne pepper, one • Tinctura Cantharidum, Pharm. U. S. 80 634 T.—Tincturse. drachm; Diluted alcohol, one pint.—Digest for ten days, and filter. These are very powerful acrid stimulants. The former has been recommended in gangrenous sore throats. Tinctura Cardamomi. L. D. A. Tinctura Amomi Repentis. E. Tincture of Cardamom. Take of Cardamom, bruised, four ounces; Diluted alcohol, two pints and a half.—Digest for ten days, and filter. E. Tincture of Cardomoms has been in use for a considerable time. It is a pleasant warm cordial; and may be taken along with any proper vehicle, in doses of from a drachm to a spoonful or two. Tinctura Cardamomi Composita. L. D. Compound Tincture of Cardamom. Take of Lesser cardamom seeds, husked, and bruised, Cochineal, Ca- raway seeds, each, powdered, two drachms; Cinnamon, bruised, half an ounce; Proof spirit, two pints.—Digest for fourteen days, and strain. This tincture contains so small a proportion of cardamoms as to be hardly entitled to derive its name from that article. Tinctura Castorei. L. D. E. A. Tincture of Castor. Take of Russian castor, powdered, two ounces; Alcohol, two pints.— Digest for ten days, and filter. L. It has been disputed whether a weak or rectified spirit, and whe- ther cold or warm digestion, are preferable for making this tincture. From several experiments made to determine this question, it ap- pears that castor, macerated without heat, gives out its finer and most grateful parts to either spirit, but most perfectly to the recti- fied; that heat enables both menstrua to extract the greatest part of its grosser and more nauseous matter; and that proof spirit extracts this last more readily than rectified. The tincture of castor is recommended in most kinds of nervous complaints and hysteric disorders: in the latter it sometimes does service, though many have complained of its proving ineffectual. The dose is from twenty drops to forty, fifty, or more. Tinctura Castorei Composita. E. Compound Tincture of Castor. Take of Russian castor, one ounce; Assafcetida, half an ounce; Am- moniated alcohol, one pound.—Digest for seven days, and filter through paper. This composition is a medicine of efficacy, particularly in hysteri- cal disorders, and the several symptoms which accompany them. The spirit here used is an excellent menstruum, both for the castor and the assafcetida, and greatly adds to their virtues. T—Tincturse. 635 Tinctura Catechu. L. D. A. Tinctura Acacia Catechu. E. Tinctura Japonica. Tincture of Catechu. Take of Catechu, three ounces; Cinnamon, bruised, two ounces; Di- luted alcohol, two pints.—Digest for ten days, and filter. L. The cinnamon is a very useful addition to the catechu, not only as it warms the stomach, &c. but likewise as it improves the rough- ness and astringency of the other. This tincture is of service in all kinds of defluxions, catarrhs, loosenesses, uterine fluxes, and other disorders, where astringent medicines are indicated. Two or three tea-spoonfuls may be taken every now and then in red wine, or'any other proper vehicle. Tinctura Cinchona. D. L. A. Tinctura Cinchona Lancifolia. E. Tincture of Cinchona. Tincture of Peruvian Bark. Take of LanceJeaved eunchona bark, in powder, seven ounces; Proof spirit, two pints.^Bfaeerate for fourteen days, and filter. L. This tincture is certairily impregnated with the virtues of cinchona, but not to such a degree that it can be given in sufficient doses to act as cinchona, without exhibiting more alcohol than is proper to be given as a medicine. Indeed, we are afraid that this and other bitter and tonic tinctures, as they are called, are with some only an apology for dram-drinking, and that the most apparent effects they produce are those of a slight degree of intoxication. Tinctura Cinchona Composita. L. D. E. A. Compound Tincture of Peruvian Bark. Take of Peruvian bark, powdered, two ounces; Orange-peel, dried one ounce and a half; Virginia snakeroot, bruised, three drachms; Saffron, one drachm; Cochineal, two scruples; Diluted alcohol, one pint and a half.—Digest for ten days, and filter. E. This has been for a considerable time celebrated under the title of Huxham's Tincture of Bark. As a corroborant and stomachic, it is given in doses of two or three drachms: but when employed for the cure of intermittents, it must be taken to a greater extent. Tinctura Cinchona Ammoniata. L. Ammoniated Tincture of Cinchona. Take of Cinchona, powdered, four ounces; Compound spirit of am- monia, two pints.—Digest in a close vessel for ten days, and strain. We are not acquainted with this tincture; but from our knowledge of the active principles of cinchona bark, we are not disposed to think it a very judicious preparation; for the nature of the menstruum is so stimulating, that little effect can be expected from any portion of the bark it is capable of dissolving. 636 T—Tincturse. Tinctura Cinnamomi. L. D. A. Tinctura Lauri Cinnamomi. E. Tincture of Cinnamon. Take of Cinnamon, three ounces; Diluted alcohol, two pints___Mace- rate for seven days, and strain through paper. L. ' The tincture of cinnamon possesses the astringent virtues of the cinnamon, as well as its aromatic cordial ones: and in this respect it differs from the distilled waters of that spice. Tinctura Cinnamomi Composita. E. L. D. Compound Tincture of Cinnamon. Take of Cinnamon, bruised, six drachms; Lesser cardamom seeds, without the capsules, one drac*hm; Long pepper, in powder, Ginger, in powder, of each, two drachms; Proof spirit, two pounds.—Mix and digest for seven days, then strain. In their formula, the London and Dublin Colleges diminish the quantity of cardamom seeds, and substitute for it a proportion of ginger. This makes no alteration in the virtues of the preparation, which is a very warm aromatic, too hot to be given without dilution. A tea-spoonful or two may be taken in wine, or any other convenient vehicle, in languors, weakness of the stomach, flatulencies, and other similar complaints; and in these cases, it is often employed with ad- vantage. Tinctura Columba. E. A. Tinctura Calumba. L. Tinctura Columbo. D. Tincture of Columbo. Take of Columbo, sliced, two ounces and a half; Diluted alcohol, two pints.—Digest for ten days, and filter. L. The columbo readily yields its active qualities to the menstruum here employed; and accordingly, under this form, it may be advan- tageously employed against bilious vomitings, and those different stomach complaints, in which the columbo has been found useful; but where there does not occur some objection to its use in sub- stance, that form is, in general, preferable to the tincture. Tinctura Digitalis. D. L. A. Tinctura Digitalis Purpurea. E. Tincture of Foxglove. Take of the dried leaves of foxglove, two ounces; Diluted alcohol, one pint.—Digest for seven days, and strain through paper. D. This tincture is a very powerful medicine, and contains the virtues of the foxglove, in a very manageable form. It has been chiefly used to diminish the force of the circulation of the blood in haemoptysis, and often with remarkable success. It has been also said to cure phthisis pulmonalis, but subsequent experience has not confirmed the first trials. Like every other form in which foxglove is used, it should be given in very small doses at first, such as from ten to twenty drops, and cautiously increased. T.— Tincturse. 637 Tinctura Gentiana Composita. E. L. D.* (Compound) Tincture of Gentian. Stomachic Elixir. , Take of Gentian, sliced, two ounces; Orange-peel, dried, one ounce; Cardamom, bruised, half an ounce; Diluted alcohol, two pints.- Digest for ten days, and filter. L. This is a very elegant spirituous bitter. As the preparation is de- signed for keeping, lemon-peel, an excellent ingredient in the watery bitter infusions, has, on account of the perishableness of its flavour, no place in this. Tinctura Guaiaci. D. L. A. Tinctura Guaiaci Officinalis. E. Tincture of Guaiac. Take of Guaiac, in powder, half a pound; Alcohol, two pints.—Ma- cerate fourteen days, and filter. L. The Edinburgh College formerly directed one pound of Guaiac to two pounds and a half of alcohol; the resin was in too large amount; and in the last edition of their Pharmacopoeia, the proportion is six ounces to the same amount of alcohol. The American Pharmacopoeia has chosen the largest proportion. We think the one of London, above, superior and better proportioned. What is called gum guaiac is in fact a resin, and perfectly solu- ble in alcohol. This solution is,a powerful stimulating sudorific, and may be given in doses of about half an ounce, in rheumatic and arthritic cases. It was once supposed to be a specific against the gout. Tinctura Guaiaci Ammoniata. E. L. D. A. Ammoniated Tincture of Guaiac. Take of Guaiac, in powder, four ounces; Aromatic Ammoniated al- cohol, onepound and a half.—Digest for ten days, and filter through paper. L. This is a very elegant and efficacious tincture; the ammoniated spirit readily dissolving the resin, and at the same time promoting its medicinal virtue. In rheumatic cases, a tea, or even a table spoon- ful, taken every morning and evening, in any convenient vehicle, particularly in milk, has proved of singular service. It is rendened much more agreeable by adding an ounce of the oil of sassafras to the ingredients. This is a solution of the guaiac in the aromatic spirit of ammonia, and is, consequently, more stimulating than the preceding one, and more efficacious as a sudorific: after arterial action is properly re- duced, it is certainly one of our best remedies in rheumatism. Dose, from one to two fluid drachms, at bed time, and its effects should be promoted by some warm beverage. It is worthy of remark, that nitrous acid, and the spirit of nitric ether, occasion an extraordinary decomposition in these tinctures, separating the guaiacum into coa- gulated masses, and imparting to the whole an intense bluish-green • Tinctura Gentians, Pharm. U. S. 638 T___Tincturae. colour. Chlorine has the same effect;* but the sulphuric and mu- riatic acids produce no disturbance. If equal parts of quick-lime and powdered guaiacum be rubbed together, and a quantity of water be poured over them, and the mixture be allowed to stand until it becomes fine, we shall obtain a solution of this substance, which will mix in any proportion with aqueous vehicles without de- composition, and to which the aromatic spirit of ammonia may be subsequently added, without effect. Tinctura Hellebori Nigri. D. E. L. A. Tincture of Black Hellebore. Take of Black hellebore, sliced, four ounces; Diluted alcohol, two pints.—Digest for ten days, and filter. L. This is, perhaps, the best preparation of hellebore, when designed for an alterative, the menstruum here employed, extracting the whole of its virtues. It has been found, from experience, particularly ser- viceable in uterine obstructions. In sanguine constitutions, where chalybeates are hurtful, it has been said, that it seldom fails of ex- citing the menstrual evacuations, and removing the ill consequences of their suppression. A tea-spoonful of the tincture may be taken twice a day in warm water, or any other convenient vehicle. Tinctura Humuli. L. A. Tinctura Humuli Lupuli. E. Tincture of Hops. Take of Hops, four ounces; Alcohol, one pint.—Beat out the yellow powder from the hops, and digest it ten days in the alcohol; then filter. Opium, in every form, disagrees so completely with some people, as to render its exhibition to them, improper. In these cases, we must have recourse to other narcotics, and of them, the hop is one of the safest and most agreeable. Its comparative strength is not yet well ascertained, nor even the best form of exhibiting it. It is difficultly pulverizable, and in its natural form, it is so extremely light and bulky, as to absorb and retain a great deal of the spirit employed to extract a tincture from it, even when subjected to much compres- sion. These difficulties are, in some measure, overcome, since the discovery of Dr.. Ives, adverted to in the history, &c. of Humulus, and of which,'advantage is taken in the American Pharmacopoeia. * The change of colour which Guaiacum undergoes by admixture with other bodies, not only affords a test by which we may appreciate its purity, but at the same time it becomes a reagent by which we may assay the virtues of other vegetable substances. According to the experiments of M. Taddey and Ru- dolphi, it appears that Guaiacum in powder, is an excellent test for vegetable gluten, forming with it a fine blue colour, whence it offers the means of de- termining the quality of wheat flour. From the experiment of M. Planche, it moreover appears, that there is a series of vegetable roots, which, when fresh, are capable of producing a blue colour, if introduced into an alcoholic solution of Guaiacum, so that we may hereafter be furnished with a chemical test, that will at once appreciate their freshness, which is undoubtedly one of the greatest desiderata of pharmaceutical science. Mr. A. T. Thomson has proposed Guaiacum as a test of the freshness of Colchicum. T.—Tincturee. 639 Tinctura Hyosciami. D. L. A. Tinctura Hyosciami Nigri. E. Tincture of Henbane. Take of Henbane, dried, and coarsely powdered, two ounces and a quarter; Diluted alcohol, one pint.—Digest for ten days, and fil- ter. D. This tincture, although not yet come into general use, is a valua- ble anodyne, and in many cases may be substituted with advantage for the tincture of opium, especially where the latter produces obsti- nate constipation, or, instead of its usual soporific and sedative ef- fects, it causes uneasiness, restlessness, and universal irritation. An anonymous correspondent observes, that it is useful in recent coughs, in doses for an adult of not less than thirty drops, with ten drops of laudanum; which is equal to thirty drops of the latter. Tincture of henbane alone, sometimes purges; when this is an in- convenience, it is corrected by the addition of a few drops of lau- danum. Tinctura Jalapa. L. D. A. Tinctura Convolvuli Jalapa. E. Tincture of Jalap. Take of Jalap, powdered, eight ounces; Diluted alcohol, two pints. —Digest for ten days and filter. L. Alcohol was formerly ordered for the preparation of this tincture; but diluted alcohol is a preferable menstruum, as it dissolves the active constituents of the jalap, as well as pure alcohol, and is less stimulating. Tinctura Kino. E. D. L. A. Tincture of Kino. Take of Kino, powdered, three ounces; Diluted alcohol, two pints. —Digest for ten days, and filter. L. An excellent astringent tincture. Spiritus Lavandula Compositus. E. L. D.* Tincture of Lavender. Compound Tincture or Spirit of Lavender. Take of Spirit of lavender, three pints; Spirit of rosemary, one pint; Cinnamon, bruised, half an ounce; Cloves, bruised, two drachms; Nutmeg, bruised, half an ounce; Red sanders, in shavings, three drachms.—Digest for ten days, and filter. L. This preparation is a grateful cordial, of which from ten to a hun- dred drops may be conveniently taken dropped upon sugar. It does not appear very clearly, whether it should be considered as a spirit or tincture; for although the spirit of lavender be the predominant ingredient, yet the mode of preparation is that of a tincture, and the spirit, as a menstruum dissolves astringent colouring, and other sub- stances, which would not rise with it in distillation. * Tinctura Lavendulx, Pharm. U. S. 640 T.—Tincturse. Tinctura Lobelia. A. Tincture of Indian Tobacco. Take of Indian tobacco, two ounces; Diluted alcohol, one pint.—Di- gest for ten days, and filter. Tinctura Mentha Piperita. A. Tincture of Peppermint. Take of Oil of peppermint, two fluid drachms; Alcohol, one pint.— Digest till the oil is thoroughly blended with the alcohol. Tjnctura Mentha Viridis. A. Tincture of Spearmint. Take of Oil of spearmint, two fluid drachms; Alcohol, one pint.—* Digest till the oil is thoroughly blended with the alcohol. It is very doubtful whether these should be denominated tinc- tures; the first is, however, the essence of peppermint of the shops; a well known patent nostrum, of which several formulae exist, viz. 1. One pint of alcohol to half an ounce of oleum menthge piperitae. 2. Two gallons of alcohol to one pound of oleum mentha? pipe- ritae, coloured with eight ounces of the dry plant. 3. Two pints of alcohol, three ounces of oleum menthae piperitae, coloured with spinage, sometimes, with saffron. All, however, far exceed in strength that which is here adopted by the American Pharmacopoeia; one ounce to a pint is a very good proportion, and may answer for every purpose. The second tinc- ture of mint might very well be omitted. Tinctura Moschi. D. A. Tincture of Musk. Take of Musk, two drachms; Alcohol, one pint.—Digest for ten days, and filter. D. Alcohol is ihe most complete menstruum for musk, but in this form it is often impossible to give such a quantity of the musk as is necessary for our purpose; and hence this article is more frequently employed under the form of julep or bolus. But in whatever way this article (musk) is administered, we are persuaded that more is due to the co-operating agencies of wine, ammonia, and other stimu- lants, than to any positive powers of the musk itsftlf: was it not so very dear a remedy, it would never be preferre*d to assafcetida. Tinctura Myrrh a. E. L. D. A. Tincture of Myrrh. Take of Myrrh, in powder, three ounces; Alcohol, twenty ounces; Water, ten ounces___Digest for seven days, and strain though pa- per. E. Tincture of Myrrh is recommended internally as a cardiac, for removing obstructions, particularly those of the uterine vessels, and resisting putrefaction. The dose is from fifteen drops to forty or more. The medicine may perhaps be given in these cases to advan- tage; though it is more commonly used externally, for cleaning foul ulcers, and promoting the exfoliation of carious bones. T—Tincturae. 641 Tinctura Opii. E. L. D. A. Tinctwra Thebaica. Tincture of Opium. Thebaic Tincture. Laudanum Liquidum. E. Liquid Laudanum. Take of Opium, powdered, two ounces; Diluted alcohol, two pints.— Digest for ten days, and filter. E. The tinctures of opium of the different Pharmacopoeias, on evapo- ration, furnish the same quantity of extract; they are believed to be of nearly equal strength; but it is to be regretted that they are not so well adapted for keeping as could be wished: after some time, a •part of the opium is gradually deposited from both, and consequently the tinctures become weaker: the part which thus separates, amounts sometimes, it is said, to near one-fourth of the quantity of opium at first dissolved. Mr. Phillips found, that when alcohol of specific gravity 0.930 was employed with select crude opium, the'tincture acquired specific gravity 0.925, and contained 36 grains of opium per fluid ounce; but when purified opium was used, the specific gra- vity of the tincture was 0.958, and the quantity of opium in the fluid ounce 36 grains; of the crude opium one grain in 3.5 remained un- dissolved, and of the purified only one in twenty-five; while in the tincture made with the former, one grain of opium was contained in 18.3 minims, and in that with the latter in 13.3, so that from calcu- lation the strength of the tincture made with purified opium to that made with crude opium is as three to two nearly. But we must here observe, that calculation cannot be altogether relied upon in this case, because, although purified opium contains more soluble matter than crude opium, its narcotic powers are diminished by the prepa- ration it has uifdergone. It is certain that some good experimental essay is still much want- ed on the subject of opium and its preparations. Laudanum prepared in the most careful manner, and filtered so as to be perfectly trans- parent, will, in a few months, deposite a very large precipitate; and if again filtered, will again, in some months, deposite a second quan- tity, and in this precipitate is to be found a notable quantity of mor- phium. This has more than once led to fatal consequences in its ad- ministration, and it is therefore very desirable to have a preparation which shall at aff tidies continue equally charged with the active principle. Perhaps an approximation to such a preparation may be obtained by making it at a determinate temperature, say 180° Fah. and when complete and filtered, let it be then subjected to the ac- tion of ice in any convenient way, say for twelve hours. This cold, as in all spirituous solutions, will cause a cloudiness, and gradual de- posite; which will leave the tincture of a strength less likely to vary afterwards. I find eight ounces of alcohol diluted to the strength of brandy or proof spirit, takes up during summer in a month, with frequent agitation, from half an ounce of good dry opium in powder, very-nearly two drachms, which remains in solution till the cold weather, when a deposite of some amount ensues; and if cleared from it, a second deposite sooner or later takes place. A similar experi- ment made with common, but strong vinegar, gave evidence of nearly an equal power of holding opium in solution; but a cloudiness began to ensue in the acetic solution; in less than two weeks, a sediment 81 642 T.—Tincturse. deposited; and by the end of a month, a complete scum, or mother, formed on the surface, with a still further deposite; the addition of half an ounce of alcohol was barely sufficient to check the disposition to further change. We recommend this as a fit subject for an inaugural dissertation, and one, which, if properly pursued, will be creditable to the author, as it will prove useful in pharmacy. Tinctura Quassia. E. D. A. Tincture of Quassia. Take of Shavings of Quassia, one ounce; Proof spirit, two pints.— Digest for seven days, and filter. D. As the Dublin College have introduced into their Pharmacopoeia the most powerful of all astringent tinctures, in the present instance they have also first directed a tincture to be prepared from the purest and most intense of all bitters; and in both instances they have been followed by the Edinburgh College, and now by the American Phar- macopoeia. Tinctura Rhei. E. L. D. A. Tincture of Rhubarb. Take of Rhubarb, three ounces; Lesser cardamom seeds, half an ounce; Diluted alcohol, two pounds and a half.—Digest for seven days, and strain through paper. E. Tinctura Rhei Composita. L. Compound Tincture of Rhubarb. Take of Rhubarb, sliced, two ounces; Liquorice root bruised, half an ounce; Ginger, powdered, Saffron, each, two drachms-, Distilled water, one pint; Proof spirit of wine, twelve ounces by measure.— Digest for fourteen days, and strain. Tinctura Rhei et Aloes. E. A. Tincture of Rhubarb and Aloes; formerly, Elixir Sacrum. Take of Rhubarb, ten drachms; Socotorine Aloes, six drachms; Lesser cardamom seeds, half an ounce; Diluted alcohol, two pounds and a half.—Digest for seven days, and strain through paper. E. Tinctura Rhei et Gentiana. E. A. Tincture of Rhubarb and Gentian. Take of Rhubarb, two ounces; Gentian root, half an ounce; Diluted alcohol, two pounds and a half.—Digest for seven days, and then strain the tincture through paper. E. Tinctura Rhei Dulcis. A. Sweet Tincture of Rhubarb. Take of Rhubarb, bruised, two ounces; Liquorice, bruised, Anise, bruised, each, one ounce; Sugar, two ounces,- Diluted alcohol, two . pints and a half.—Digest for ten days, and filter. This is an old prescription revived with slight alterations. It might as well have continued its slumber. AH the foregoing tinctures of rhubarb are designed as stomachics" and corroborants,-as well as purgatives: spirituous liquors excel- lently extract those parts of the rhubarb in which the two first qua- T__Tincturse. 643 lities reside, and the additional ingredients considerably promote their efficacy. In weakness of the stomach;, indigestion, laxity of the intestines, diarrhoeas, colic, and other similar complaints, these medicines are frequently of great service. Tinctura Sanguinaria. A. Tincture of Bloodroot. Take of Bloodroot, coarsely powdered, two ounces; Diluted alcohol, one pint.—Digest for ten days, and filter. For its virtues, see Sanguinaria. Tinctura Scilla. D. L. E. Tincture of Squills. Take of Squills, fresh dried, four ounces; Proof spirit of wine, two pints.—Digest for eight days, and pour off the liquor. The active principle of squills is soluble in alcohol, and there are * cases in which a tincture may be useful. f Tinctura Saponis et" Opii. E. A. Linimentum Anodynum. Tincture of Soap and Opium. Anodyne Liniment. Take of Soap, in shavings, four ounces; Camphor, two ounces; Opium, in powder, one ounce; Oil of rosemary, half an ounce; Alcohol, two •pints.—Digest the soap and opium in the alcohol three days, then filter af\d add the camphor and oil, anql dissolve. E. Tinctura Saponis Camphorata. E. Linimentum Saponis. D. Linimentum Saponis Compositum. L, Camphorated Tincture of Soap. Soap Liniment. Compound Soap Liniment. This is made as the preceding, omitting the opium. It differs but little from the so called opodeldoc. These tinctures are only used externally, and are efficacious in removing local pains. This last tincture, with a sixth part of the tincture of cantharides, forms a most excellent liniment for chil- blains. Linimentum Camphora Compositum. L. Compound Camphor Liniment. Take of Camphor, two ounces; Water of ammonia, six ounces; Spirit of lavender, sixteen ounces.—Mix the water of ammonia with the spirit; and distil from a glass retort, with a slow fire, sixteen" ounces. Then dissolve the camphor in the distilled liquor. This is more pungent and penetrating than the solution of cam- phor in alcohol. Is the distillation necessary to get an ammoniated alcohol without water? Probably. Mr. Phillips, dreading the ex- treme causticity of the aqua ammoniae of the present Pharmacopoeia, proposes the substitution of an equivalent quantity of subcarbonat of ammonia. • Linimentum Volatile. D. Volatile Liniment. Take of the Aromatic spirit of volatile alkali, one ounce; Liniment of soap, two ounces.—Mix them. 644 T.—Tincturse. This is an entirely different composition from the volatile liniment of the Edinburgh and London Pharmacopoeias. The latter is a soap formed of ammonia and fixed oil, whereas the present is an ammo- niated tincture of camphor, soap of soda, and volatile oils. In its effects it differs from the soap liniment of the Dublin College only in being more stimulating. Tinctura Senna Aromatica. A. Aromatic Tincture of Senna. Warner's Gout Cordial. The American Pharmacopoeia omitted the rhubarb, a very essen- tial ingredient in this celebrated preparation of Warner: we give the formula from the London edition of his treatise on Gout, for 1768, p. 205. Take of Raisins, sliced and stoned, halfapound; Senna, two drachms; Coriander seeds, Fennel seeds, each, one drachm; Cochineal, Saf- fron, Liquorice, each, half a drachm; Rhubarb, sliced thin, one ounce. Infuse these in a quart of French brandy for ten days, then strain it off, and add a pint more to the same ingredients. Let it stand until the virtue is extracted, then strain it off, and mix the first and last together. Take four or five spoonfuls of this cordial in as many of boiling water as will make it as hot as can be drank; and if the pain is not removed in half an hour, repeat it; and so continue repeating it until it is. If the stomach will not retain it, take ten drops of laudanum, and this in the interspaces. This omission of the rhubarb by the American Pharmacopoeia, was rectified in their list of Corrigenda. Tinctura Senna Composita. E. A. ,Tinctura Senna. D. L. Elixir Salutis. Compound Tincture of Senna. Elixir of Health. Take of Senna, three ounces; Jalap, bruised, one ounce; Coriander, Caraway, each, bruised, half an ounce; Cardamom, bruised, two drachms; Diluted alcohol, three pints and a half.—Digest for ten days, then filter, and add of sugar, four ounces. +u ThiS ?nc*ure is an useful carminative and cathartic, especially to those who have accustomed themselves to the use of spirituous liquors; it often relieves flatulent complaints and colics, where the common cordials have little effect: the dose is from one to two ounces. Tinctura Serpentaria. L. D. E. A. Tincture of Snakeroot. Take of Virginia snakeroot, sliced and bruised, three ounces; Proof spirit, two pints.—Digest for eight days, and strain. D. This tincture, which contains the whole virtues of the root, may be taken to the quantity of a spoonful or more every five or six hours; and to this extent it often operates as a useful diaphoretic. ihe American Pharmacopoeia uses only two ounces of the wot. T.—Tinctura. 645 Tinctura Aurantii. L. D. Tincture of Orange-peel. Take of Fresh orange-peel, three ounces; Proof spirit, two pints.— Digest for three dayq, and strain. This tincture is an agreeable bitter, flavoured at the same time with the essential oil of the orange-peel. Tinctura Benzoes Composita. D. Tinctura Benzoini Composita. E. L. Compound Tincture of Benzoin. Take of Benzoin, three ounces; Storax, strained, two ounces; Bal- sam of Tolu, one ounce,- Socotorine aloes, half an ounce; Recti- fied spirit of wine, two pints.—Digest with a gentle heat for seven days, and strain. This preparation may be considered as a simplification of some very complicated compositions, which were celebrated under differ- ent names; such as Baume de Commandeur, Wade's Balsam, Friars' Balsam, Jesuits' Drops, &c. These, in general, consisted of a confused farrago of discordant substances. Tinctura Cascarilla. L. D. Tinctura Crotonis Eleutheria. E. Tincture of Cascarilla. Take of the Bark of cascarilla, powdered, four ounces,- Proof spirit, two pints.—Digest with a gentle heat for eight days, and strain. Proof spirit readily extracts the active*power of the cascarilla and the tincture may be employed to answer most of those purposes for which the bark itself is recommended: but in the cure of inter- mittents, it in general requires to be exhibited in substance. This, like many other tinctures, may be considered merely as a dram, and it would be well, if the number could be greatly reduced. Tinctura Croci. E. D. Tincture of Saffron. Take of English saffron, one ounce; Diluted Alcohol, fifteen ounces. —After digesting them for seven days, let the tincture be strained through paper. The proof spirit is a very proper menstruum for extracting the medical virtues of the saffron, and affords a convenient mode of ex hibiting that drug, the qualities of which have been already men tioned. Tinctura Galbani. L. D. Tincture of Galbanum. Take of Galbanum, cut into small pieces, two ounces,- Proof Spirit of wine, two pints.—Digest with a gentle heat for eight days, and strain. Galbanum is one of the strongest of the fetid gums; and although less active, it is much less disagreeable than assafcetida; and under the form of tincture it may be successfully employed in cases of flatulence and hysteria, where its effects are immediately required, particularly with those who cannot bear assafcetida. 646 T.—Tincturse. Tinctura Gallarum. D. E. Tincture of Galls. Take of Galls, in powder, four ounces; Proof spirit, two pints.— Mix; digest for seven days, and filter. This tincture, for the first time introduced into practice by the Dublin College, is, no doubt, the most powerful of all the astringent tinctures. Tinctura Stramoni. A. Tincture of Thorn-apple. Take of Thorn-apple seeds, bruised, two ounces,- Diluted alcohol, one pint.—Digest for ten days and filter. Tinctura Toluiferi Balsami. E.* Tincture of Tolu. Tincture of Balsam of Tolu. Take of Tolu, one ounce and a half; Alcohol, one pint.—Digest till the tolu is dissolved, then filter. E. Tinctura Valeriana. L. D. A. Tincture of Valerian. Take of Valerian, four ounces,- Diluted alcohol, two pints.—Digest for ten days, and filter. L. The Valerian root ought to be reduced to a pretty fine powder, otherwise the spirit will not sufficiently extract its virtues. The tincture proves of a deep colour, and considerably strong of the va- lerian; though it has not been found to answer so well in the cure of epileptic disorders as the root in substance, exhibited in the form of powder or bolus. The dose of the tincture is, from half a spoon- ful, to a spoonful, or more, two or three times a day. Tinctura Valeriana Ammoniata. L. D. A. Ammoniated Tincture of Valerian. Take of Valerian root, in course powder, four ounces,- Aromatic am- moniated alcohol, two pints.—Digest for ten days in a vessel closely covered, and strain. L. The compound spirit of ammonia is here an excellent menstruum, and at the same time considerably promotes the virtues of the vale- rian, which in some cases wants assistance of this kind. The dose may be a tea-spoonful or two. Tinctura Veratri Viridis. A. Tincture of Green Hellebore. Take of Green hellebore, bruised, eight ounces; Diluted alcohol, two pints and a half .—Digest for ten days, and filter. This is also called American Hellebore by the American Pharma- copoeia. Tinctura. Veratri Albi. E. Tincture of White Hellebore. Take of White hellebore root,' four ounces; Diluted alcohol, sixteen ounces.—Digest them together for seven days, and filter the tinc- ture through paper. * Tinctura Tolutani, Pharm. U. S. T.—Tincturse. 647 This tincture is sometimes used for assisting cathartics, &c. and as an emetic in apoplectic and maniacal disorders. It may likewise be so managed, as to prove a powerful alterative and deobstruent, in cases where milder remedies have little effect. But a great deal of caution is requisite in its use: the dose, at first, ought to be only a few drops; if considerable, it proves violently emetic or cathartic. Tinctura Zingiberis. L. D. E. Tincture of Ginger. Take of Ginger, powdered, two ounces; Proof spirit, two pounds___ Digest in a gentle heat for eight days, and strain. This simple tincture, of ginger is a warm cordial, and is rather in- tended as an useful addition, in the quantity of a drachm or two, to purging mixtures, than for being used alone. JEther Sulphuricus cum Alcohole Aromaticus. E. Aromatic Sulphuric Ether with Alcohol. Take of Cinnamon, bruised, Cardamom seeds, bruised, of each, one ounce; Long pepper, in powder, two drachms; Sulphuric ether with alcohol, two pounds and a half.—Digest for seven days, and filter. This is designed for persons whose stomachs are too weak to bear the following acid tincture: to the taste, it is gratefully aromatic, without any perceptible acidity. Acidum Sulphuricum Aromaticum. E.* Aromatic Sulphuric Acid. Tincture of Sulphuric Acid. Acid Elixir of Vitriol. Take of Alcohol, two pounds; Sulphuric acid, six ounces; (three f5. Am.)—Drop the acid gradually into the alcohol. Digest the mixture with a very gentle heat in a close vessel for three days, and then add of Cinnamon, an ounce and a half; Ginger, one ounce. Digest again in a close vessel for six days, and then filter the tincture through paper placed in a glass funnel. E. It is doubtful how far the names given to this preparation are ap- propriate to it. It has so long been well known under the name of Elixir of Vitriol, that it would be better retained, as it is quite as correct; and no advantage is gained by the change. Is the medicine improved by the diminution of the amount of sulphuric acid in the American Pharmacopoeia? We think not. Medical use.-—This is a valuable medicine in weakness and relax- ations of the stomach, and decays of constitution, particularly in those which proceed from irregularities, which are accompanied with slow, febrile symptoms, or which follow the suppression of intermit- tents. It frequently succeeds, after bitters and aromatics by them- selves, had availed nothing; and, indeed, great part of its virtues depend on the sulphuric acid: which, barely diluted with water, has, in those cases where the stomach could bear the acidity, produced happy effects. * Tinctura Acidi Sulphurici, Pharm. U. S. 648 T.—Triticum. It is very usefully conjoined with cinchona, and other tonic barks, both as covering their disagreeable taste, and as coinciding with them in virtue. It may be given in doses of ten to thirty drops, or more, several times a day. It is best sucked from the glass by means of a quill, which prevents its coming in contact with the teeth. TORMENTILLA.* L. E. D. Tormentilla Erecta. Tormentilla Officinalis. Tormentil. Septfoil. The Root. Icosandria Polygynia. Nat. Ord. Senticosx, Linn. Rosacex, Juss. Tormentil is perennial, and found wild in woods and on commons: it has long, slender stalks, with usually seven long, narrow leaves at a joint; the root is, for the most part, crooked and knotty, of a blackish colour on the outside, and a reddish within. This root has an austere, styptic taste, accompanied with a slight kind of aromatic flavour; it is one of the most agreeable and efficacious of the vegeta- ble astringents, ahd is employed with good effect, in all cases where medicines of this class are proper. Neumann got frorh 960 grains, 365 alcoholic, and 170 watery extract; and inversely, 570 watery, and 8 alcoholic. TRITICUM HYBERNUM. E. L. D. Wheat. The Flour and Starch. Triandria Monogynia. Nat; Ord. Gramina. ■ By some spring and winter wheat are considered as varieties only, and not distinct species. The latter, however, is the most produc- tive, and is most commonly cultivated on that account; for there is no material difference between the grains they produce, which are indiscriminately employed for every purpose. Wheat flour consists principally of gluten, starch, albumen, and a sweet mucilage. These may be separated by forming the flour into a paste with a little water, and washing this paste with fresh quanti- ties of water, until it runs from it colourless. What remains, is the gluten: which, if not the same, is very analogous to the fibrin of ani- mal substances. From the water with which the paste was washed, a white powder separates on standing. This is the starch which we have mentioned, under the title Amylum. The albumen and sweet mucilage remain dissolved in the water. By evaporating it, the albu- men first separates in white flakes, and the sweet mucilage may be got by total evaporation. It is the presence of gluten, which characterizes wheat flour; and on the due admixture of it with the other constituents, depends the superiority of wheat flour for baking bread. Bread is made by working the flour into a paste with water, a quantity of some ferment, such at yeast, and a littic muriat of soda to render it sapid, allowing the paste to stand until a certain degree * Pharm. U. S. secondary. T.—Triticum. 649 of fermentation take place, and then baking it in an oven heated to about 488°. During the fermentation, a quantity of gas is formed, and as it is prevented from escaping by the toughness of the paste, and dilated by the heat of the oven, the bread is rendered light and spongy. In this process, the nature of the constituents of the flour is altered, for we are not able to obtain either gluten or starch from bread. Medical use.—Bread is not only one of the most important arti- cles of nourishment, but is also employed in pharmacy for making cataplasms, and giving form to more active articles. An infusion of toasted bread has a deep colour, and pleasant taste, and is an ex- cellent drink in febrile diseases, and debility of the stomach. Amylum. Starch. Form.—White columnar masses;—Odour and Taste, none. Chemical Composition.—Fecula is one of the proximate principles of vegetable matter; and starch is the fecula of wheat; sago, of the cycas circinalis; salop, of the orchis mascula; tapioca, of the root of the jatropha manihot; arrow-root, of the maranta arundinacea. The greater part of what is sold under this last title, is the fecula of potatoes, 100 pounds of which, yield about ten pounds of starch; and what may be worthy of notice, frozen potatoes yield it equally as well as those not spoiled by frost. Solubility.—-It is soluble in boiling water, forming a semi-transpa- rent, insipid, inodorous, gelatinous paste, very susceptible of mouldi- ness, but which is retarded by the addition of alum. It is insoluble, but falls to powder in cold water: nor is it soluble in alcohol or ether. Although potass dissolves starch, yet the solution of it is not disturbed by potass, carbonat of potass, nor ammonia, but an alco- holic solution of potass, produces a precipitate; acetat of lead, and infusion of galls, also occasion precipitates. Starch is susceptible of several interesting and important changes; thus, if it be exposed to heat until its colour becomes yellow, its properties are so far alter- ed, that it is no longer insoluble in cold water; and according to Saussure, if it be mixed with water, a spontaneous decomposition takes place, and a quantity of sugar is formed, amounting in weight to one half the starch employed, in addition to which, a peculiar gummy matter results, and a substance, intermediate between gum and starch, to which the name of amidine has been given. Starch, moreover, is convertible into saccharine matter, by the agency of sulphuric acid. Iodine is a delicate test of the presence of starch; if a drop or two of a solution of this substance in alcohol, be added to an aque- ous solution of starch, a blue compound is formed, which eventually precipitates. Starch is found in many vegetables, combined with different sub- stances. Fourcroy, accordingly, makes various species of it; as, combined, 1. With gluten, or fibrin; as in wheat, rye, and other similar seeds. 2. With extractive; as in beans, peas, lupins, &c. 650 T.—Tragacantha. 3. With mucilaginous matter; as in the potatoe, and many other roots; in unripe corn. 4. With saccharine matter in most roots, and in corn, after it has begun to germinate. 5. With oil in the emulsive seeds, almonds, &c. 6. With an acrid principle; as in the root of the burdock, jatro- pha manihot, arum, asarum, and other tuberous roots. Medical use.—As a constituent of many vegetable substances, it forms a most important alimentary substance. In a medical point of view, it is to be considered as a demulcent; and accordingly, it forms the principal ingredient of an officinal lozenge, and a muci- lage prepared from it, often produces excellent effects, both taken by the mouth, and in the form of a clyster, in dysentery, and diar- rhoea, from irritation of the intestines. Externally, flour or starch is the usual application in erysipelatous affections of the skin, but upon what principle is not very apparent, unless it be an empirical prac- tice, remaining from the pathology which dreaded the repulsion of all external inflammations. ASTRAGALUS TRAGACANTHA. E. Tra'gaoantha. L. A. Tragacanth. Gum Tragacanth. Diadelphia Decandria. Nat Ord. Papilionacex or Leguminosx, Linn. Tragacanth is opaque and white, not sweetish,'very sparingly so- luble in water, but absorbing, and forming a paste with a large quan- tity. Its solution is adhesive, but cannot be drawn out into threads. It moulds readily, and acquires a fetid smell. It is precipitated by nitrat of mercury. It is insoluble in alcohol, and seems to contain more nitrogen and lime than gum does. Gum Tragacanth is the produce of a very thorny shrub, which grows on the island of Candia, and. other places in the Levant. Ac- cording to Olivier, (Travels, 5th vol.) it is the produce of a species of astragalus, not before known; he describes it under the name of astragalus verus. It grows in the north of Persia. His words are, « This gummy substance is formed from the month of July to the end of September, on the trunks of several species of Astragalus, which grow in Natolia, Armenia, Curdistan, and all the north of Persia. Tournefort has described one of these, which also furnishes tragacanth, which he found on Mount Ida in Crete; and La Billar- dierre has described and figured another which he saw in Syria. The Astragalus, which appears to us the most common, and that from which almost all the Tragacanth of commerce is derived, has not been described by any botanist. It differs essentially from the tv/o species which we have mentioned in its habits and its flowers." In a note upon the description, which it is unnecessary to insert, he characterizes it as " Astragalus verus, fruticosus, foliolis villosis, setaceis, subulatis; floribus auxillaribus, aggregatis, luteis." After finishing the description, he continues, "Tragacanth exudes natu- rally, either from wounds made in the shrub by animals, or from fis- sures occasioned by the force of the succusproprius, during the great T.—Triosteum. 651 heats of summer. According as the juice is more or less abundant, tragacanth exudes in tortuous filaments, which sometimes assume the form of a small worm, or of a pretty thick worm, elongated, rounded, or compressed, rolled up upon itself, or twisted. The finest and purest tragacanth assumes this form. It is almost trans- parent, whitish, or of a yellowish-white. It also exudes in large tears, which preserve more or less of the vermicular form. This is more of a reddish colour, and more contaminated with impurities. It sometimes adheres so strongly to the bark, as to bring part of it with it in gathering it. The quantity of tragacanth furnished by Persia, is very considerable. Much is consumed in that country, in the manufacture of silk, and the preparation of comfits. It is export- ed to India, Bagdad, antl Bussorah. Russia also gets some by the way of Bakou." About the end of June, a fluid exudes from the stem and larger branches, which dries in the sun, and is collected by the shepherds, on Mount Ida, from whence it is sent to Europe, under the title of Tragacanth. It consists of whitish semi-transparent vermiform pieces, scarcely a line in thickness, without taste or smell. There is also a dirty yellow, or brownish kind, which is not fit for medical purposes. Tragacanth is difficultly pulverizable, unless when thoroughly dried, and the mortar heated, or in frost. According to Neumann, it gives nothing over in distillation, either to water, or alcohol: al- cohol dissolves only about 10 parts of 480, and water, the whole. Lewis, however, more accurately observes, that it cannot be pro- perly said to be dissolved, for, put into water, it absorbs a large proportion of that fluid, increasing immensely in volume, and form- ing with it a soft, but not fluid, mucilage; and although it is easily diffused through a larger proportion of water, after standing a day . or two, the mucilage subsides again, the supernatant fluid retaining little of the gum. Besides these remarkable differences from gum arabic, in regard to brittleness, insolubility, and the quantity of water which it thick- ens; tragacanth is not precipitated by silicized potass, and is preci- pitated by sulphat of copper, and acetat of lead. In pharmacy it is employed for forming powders into troches, and rendering tough, cohesive substances, such as colocynth, pulveriza- ble, by beating them with mucilage of tragacanth, and then drying the mass. For electuaries it is improper, as it renders them slimy on keeping. TRIOSTEUM PERFOLIATUM.* Bastard Ipecacuanha. Fever Root. In very large doses, it sometimes proves emetic. The bark of the root is a good cathartic, in doses of 20 or 30 grains. It sometimes operates as a diuretic! * Triosteum, Pharm. U. S. secondary, f Barton's Collections, Part. I. p. 28. 652 T___Trochisci. TUSSILAGO FARFARA. E. L. D. Colt's Foot. The Herb and Flowers. Syngenesia Superflua. Nat. Ord. Compositx Discoidex,/Linn. Corymbiferse, Juss. This grows wild in moist situations, producing yellow flowers in February and March: these soon fall off, and are succeeded by large roundish leaves, hairy underneath: their taste is herbaceous, some- what glutinous and subacrid. Tussilago is recommended in coughs, phthisis, and other disorders of the breast and lungs, and some use it in scrofula. It is chiefly directed to be taken with milk, and upon this probably, more than on the tussilago, itself, any benefit derived from it in practice is to be explained. TROCHISCI.—TROCHES. Troches and lozenges are composed of powders made up with glutinous substances into little cakes, and afterwards dried. This form is principally made use of for the more commodious exhibition of certain medicines, by fitting them to dissolve slowly in the mouth, so as to pass by degrees into the stomach; and hence these prepara- tions have generally a considerable proportion of sugar or other ma- terials grateful to the palate. Some powders have likewise been re- ' duced into troches, with a view to their preservation; though possi- bly for no very good reasons; for the moistening, and afterwards drying them in the air, must rather tend to injure than to preserve them. The lozenges of the confectioner are so superior in elegance to those of the apothecary, that they are almost universally prefer- red; and hence it probably is that the Dublin and London Colleges have entirely omitted them. They are introduced into the American * Pharmacopoeia. Trochisci Calcis Carbonatis. E. A. Troches of Carbonat of Lime. Take of Carbonat of lime, prepared, four ounces; Gum Arabic, one ounce; Nutmeg, one drachm; Refined sugar, six ounces.—Powder them together, and form them with water into a mass for making troches. E. These are used against acidity of the stomach, especially when accompanied with diarrhoea. • Trochisci Glycyrrhiza Glabra. E. Troches of Liquorice. Take of Extract of Liquorice, Gum Arabic, each, one part; Refined sugar, two parts.—Dissolve them in warm ivater, and strain; then evaporate the solution over a gentle fire, till it be of a proper con- sistence for being formed into troches. These are agreeable pectorals, and may be used at pleasure in tickling coughs. The solution, and subsequent evaporation, of the extract of liquorice, directed by the Edinburgh College, is exceed- ingly troublesome, and apt to give the troches an empyreumatic fla- T.—Trochisci. 653 vour. They are more easily made, by reducing the liquorice also to powder, and mixing up the whole with rose-water. Refined ex- tract of liquorice should be used; and it is easily powdered in the cold, after it has been laid for some days in a dry and rather warm place. Trochisci Glycyrrhiza cum Opio. E. A. Liquorice Troches with Opium. Take of Opium, two drachms; Tincture of Tolu, half an ounce; Common syrup, eight ounces; Extract of liquorice, softened in warm water, Gum arable, in powder, of each, five ounces.—Tri- turate the opium well with the tincture, then add by degrees the syrup and extract; afterwards gradually sprinkle upon the mixture the powdered gum arabic. Lastly, dry them so as to form a mass to be made into troches, each, weighing ten grains. E. These troches are medicines of approved efficacy in tickling coughs depending on an irritation of the fauces. Besides the me- chanical effect of the inviscating matters in involving acrid hu- mours, or lining and defending the tender membranes, the opium must no doubt have a considerable share, by more immediately di- minishing the irritability of the parts themselves.. Trochisci Gummosi. E. Gum Troches. Take of Gum arabic, four parts; Starch, one part; Double refined sugar twelve parts.—Powder them, and make them into a proper mass with rose-water, so as to form troches. This composition is a very agreeable pectoral, and may be used •at pleasure. It is calculated for allaying the tickling in the throat which provokes coughing. Trochisci (Carbonatis E.) Magnesia. A. Troches of Magnesia. Take of Magnesia, four ounces; Sugar, tivo ounces; Ginger in powder, one scruple.—Rub them together, and with simple syrup form them into a mass fit for making troches. The Edinburgh College employs the carbonat of magnesia, in quantity the same; and it uses nutmeg in place of ginger. Trochisci Nitratis Potassa. E. Troches of Nitrat of Potass. Take of Nitrat of Potass, one part; Double refined sugar, three parts.—Rub together to powder, and form them with mucilage of gum tragacanth into a mass, to be divided into troches. This is a very agreeable form for the exhibition of nitre; though when the salt is thus taken without any liquid, (if the quantity be considerable,) it is apt to occasion uneasiness about the stomach, which can only be prevented by large dilution with aqueous liquors. 654 U.—Ulmus. U. ULMUS CAMPESTRIS. E. L. D. Common Elm. The inner Bark. This tree grows wild in Britain. The inner bark has a yellowish colour, and a mucilaginous, bitter, astringent taste, without smell. A decoction formed from it, by boiling an ounce with a pound of water, to the consumption of one-half, has been highly recommend- ed in the lepra ichthyosis, and has been said to cure dropsies. ULMUS AMERICANA.* Rough-leaved Elm Tree. Red Elm. Slippery Elm. The inner Bark. Four species of elm are enumerated by Nuttall in his Genera of North American Plants. It is probable they all partake more or less of the properties which have been noticed in those here mentioned. The inner bark of the ulmus Americana is said to be esculent. It is useful in pleurisies, &c. and forms an excellent poultice fortu-; mours, and liniment for chaps, &c. It aids the suppuration of gun- shot wounds, and is thought superior to the bread and milk and flax- seed poultice. It is highly beneficial infold ulcers and fresh burns, and forms an excellent diet drink in diarrhoea and dysentery.t The red or slippery elm, or American rough-leaved elm of Mar- shall, (ulmus rubra of Muhlenburgh,) on account of its many valu- able properties, deserves particular mention. It rises to the height of thirty feet, with a pretty strong trunk, dividing into many branches, and covered with a light coloured rough bark. The leaves are oblong, oval, and sharp pointed, unequally sawed on their edges, unequal at the base, very rough on their upper surface, and hairy underneath. The flowers are produced thick upon the branches,. upon short, collected footstalks, and are succeeded by oval, com- pressed membranous seed vessel, with entire margins, containing one oval compressed seed. The inner bark, by infusion or gentle boiling in water, affords a great quantity of insipid mucous sub- stance, that is applicable to a variety of important uses. Dr. Mitchell says it has been beneficially administered in catarrhs, pleurisies and quinsies; it has been applied as a poultice to tumours, and as a liniment to chaps and festers. [Letter to Dr. North, Amer. Museum, vol. 7th.] The surgeons of our revolutionary army, and also those of general Wayne's army, who defeated the Indians in August, 1794, expe- rienced the most happy effects from the application of poultices of the elm bark to gun-shot wounds, which were soon brought to a good suppuration, and to a disposition to heal. It was applied as the first remedy. When tendency to mortification was evident, this bark bruised, and boiled in water, produced the most surprising good ef- fects. After repeated comparative experiments with other emollient applications, as milk and -bread, and linseed poultice, its superiority was firmly established. In old ill-conditioned ulcers, and in fresh burns, equal benefit was derived from it. The infusion of the bark * Ulmus Fulva, Pharm. U. S. -j- Philadelphia Medical Museum, Vol. II. U.—Uva Ursi. 655 was used with advantage as a diet drink in pleurisy and catarrh, and also in diarrhoea and dysentery. Many of the above facts rela- tive to the medicinal qualities of the red elm, were communicated, says the editor of the Domestic Encyclopaedia, by Dr. Joseph Strong, of Philadelphia, who served as a surgeon in the western army; and adds, as a proof of the nutriment which it affords, that a soldier who lost his way supported himself for ten days upon this mucilage and sassafras. The inner bark of the slippery-elm, or its mucilage, has been found by recent experience to be singularly beneficial when applied to chilblains, cutaneous eruptions, and various kinds of sores' and ulcers; and there is much reason to believe, that its internal use in dysentery, consumption, &c. may be attended with greater advan- tage than is generally imagined. This tree certainly may be recom- mended to the particular regard of medical practitioners as a do- mestic article of our Materia Medica, whose medicinal virtues will probably be found to merit a large share of confidence. UVA URSI. A. Arbutus Uva Ursi. E. Bearberry. Wortleberry. Red-berried trailing Arbutus. The Leaves. Decandria Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Bicornes, Linn. Ericx, Juss. Syn. Bousserole; Raisin d'ours, (F.) This is a very small evergreen shrub. The leaves are oval, not toothed, and their under surface is smooth and pale green. It grows wild in the woods, and on sand hills in Scotland, and in almost every country in Europe. It is also abundant in America. The taste of the leaves is astringent, followed by bitterness. Digested in alcohol they give out a green tincture, which is rendered turbid by water, and when filtered, passes transparent and yellow, while a green resin remains on the filter. They are powerfully astringent, approaching in the deepness of the colour which they give to red sulphat of iron, more nearly to nut-galls than any substance Dr. Duncan tried. In- deed, in some parts of Russia they are used for tannirig. Medical use.— The medical effects of this medicine depend en- tirely on its astringent and tonic powers. It is therefore useful in various fluxes arising from debility, menorrhagia, fluor albus, cystir- rhcea, diabetes, enuresis, diarrhoea, dysentery, &c. It has been strongly recommended irfdiseases of the urinary organs by De Haen, particularly in ulcerations of the kidneys and bladder. If certainly alleviates the dyspeptic symptoms accompanying nephritic com- plaints. It is commonly given in the form of powder, in doses of from 20 to 60 grains; three or four times a day. Dr. Barton thinks it is peculiarly adapted to cases of nephritis de- pending upon gout, and he says he has known it to be useful even when it was ascertained that a calculus was present. Its use, he thinks, facilitates the expulsion of calculous granules through the urethra. In some cases of nephritis, however, he adds, uva ursi seems to increase the irritation which it so generally relieves.* It has of late been recommended in phthisis. * For further observations, see Dr. John S. Mitchell's inaugural dissertation on the Arbutus Uva Ursi, &c. published at Philadelphia, in 1803. 656 U.—Unguenta. UNGUENTA.—OINTMENTS. Under this general head may be comprised, Linimenta, - - Liniments. Cerata, - ,- - Cerates. Emplastra, - - Plasters. Unguenta, - - - Ointments, properly so called. These are all combinations of fixed oil, or animal fat, with other substances, and differ from each other only in consistence. Deyeux has, indeed, lately defined plasters to be combinations of oil with metallic oxyds; but as this would comprehend ma,ny of our present ointments, and exclude many of our plasters, we shall adhere to the old meaning of the terms. Liniments are the thinnest of these compositions, being only a little thicker than oil. They are generally prepared from oily sub- stances. Ointments have generally a degree of consistence like that of but- ter. They are prepared from lard or oil rendered of the consistence of butter by the addition of suet, wax, or spermaceti, so as to sus- pend the dry powders and more ponderous articles, with which they are frequently incorporated. As they are to be applied to the skin, they should be soft or fluid at the temperature of the body. The following formulae are calculated for a temperature not exceeding 60° Fahrenheit. In a higher temperature, more suet or wax may be added. Cerates are firmer, and are composed of oil or lard united with wax or resin, to which various medicaments are frequently added. They should be of such consistence that they may be easily spread on lint or linen, yet not melt or run when applied to the body. Plasters are the most solid, and derive their firmness either from a large proportion of wax, rosin, &c. or from the presence of some metallic oxyd, such as that of lead. Plasters should have such a consistence, that when cold they do not adhere to the fingers, but become soft and plastic when gently heated. The heat of the body should render them tenacious enough to adhere to the skin, and to the substance on which they are spread. When prepared, they are usually formed into rolls, and inclosed in paper. Plasters of a small size are often spread on leather, sometimes on strong paper, by means of a spatula gently heated, or the thumb. The leather is cut of the shape wanted, but somewhat larger; and the mar- gin all round, about a quarter of an inch in breadth, is left uncover- ed, for its more easy removal when necessary. Linenfts'also often used, especially for the less active plasters, which are used as dress- ings, and often renewed; it is generally cut into long slips of various breadths, from one to six inches. These may either be dipt into the melted plaster, and passed through two pieces of straight and smooth wood, held firmly together, so as to remove any excess of plaster, or, what is more elegant, they are spread on one side only, by stretch- ing the linen, and applying the plaster, which has been melted and allowed to become almost cold, evenly by means of a spatula gently heated, or, more accurately, by passing the linen on which the plas- U.—Unguenta. 657 ter has been laid, through a machine formed of a spatula, fixed by screws, at a proper distance from a plate of polished steel. To prevent repetition, the Edinburgh College gives the following canon for the preparation of these substances. In making these compositions, the fatly and resinous substances are to be melted with a gentle heat, and then constantly stirred, add- ing, at the same time, the dry ingredients, if there be any, until the mixture, on cooling, becomes stiff. Sevum Praparatum. L. Adeps Praparata. L. D. Prepared Suet. Prepared Lard. Cut them into pieces, and melt them over a slow fire; then separate them from the membranes by straining. Before proceeding to melt these fats, it is better to separate as much of the membranes as possible, and to wash them in repeated quantities of water until they no longer give out any colour. Over the fire they become perfectly transparent, and if they do not crackle on throwing a few drops into the fire, it is a sign that all the water is evaporated, and that the fats are ready for straining, which should be done through a linen cloth without expression. The residuum may be repeatedly melted with a little water, until it become discoloured with the fire. The fluid fat should be poured into the vessels, or blad- ders, in which it is to be preserved. These articles had formerly a place also among the preparations of the Edinburgh College. But now they introduce them only into their list of the Materia Medica; as the apothecary will, in general, ;find it more for his interest to purchase them thus prepared, than to prepare them for himself; for the process requires to be very cau- tiously conducted, to prevent the fat from burning or turning black. Cera Flava Purificata. D. Purified Fellow Wax. Take of Fellow wax, any quantity.—Melt it with a moderate heat, remove the scum, and after allowing it to settle, pour it cautiously off from the fasces. Yellow wax is so often adulterated, that this process is by no means unnecessary. LINIMENTA.—LINIMENTS. Linimentum Ammonia. (D. A.) Fortius. L. Oleum Ammoniatum. E. Lifiiment of Ammonia. Take of Water of Ammonia, Olive oil, equal parts.—Mix. Pharm. U. S. Take of Solution of Ammonia, an ounce; Olive oil, two ounces.— Mix. L. Linimentum Ammonia et Antimonii Tartarizati. A. Liniment of Ammonia with Tartarized Antimony. Take of Liniment of ammonia, one fluid ounce; Tartarized antimo- ny, one drachm. Mix. 83 658 U.—Unguenta. It is probable that some decomposition of the tartar emetic ensues in the above preparation. Linimentum (Aqua E. A.) Calcis. D. Liniment of Lime Water. Take of Flaxseed oil, (Olive oil, D.,) Lime water, each equal parts. Mix. E. Linimentum Camphoratum. E. D. L. At Camphorated Liniment. Take of Camphor, reduced to a powder by means of alcohol, (half, A.) an ounce,- Olive oil, four fluid ounces. Mix. E. Linimentum Cantharidum. A. Liniment of Cantharides. Take of Cantharides, in powder, one ounce; Oil of turpentine, eight fluid ounces.—Simmer for three hours, then set by to cool, and fil- ter1. Linimentum Saponis Compositum. E. L. Linimentum Saponis Camphoratum. A. Camphorated Soap Liniment. Opodeldoc. Take of Castile soap, uncoloured, in shavings, four ounces, (twelve ounces; A.) Camphor, two oundes; Volatile oil of rosemary, half an ounce, (two fluid drachms; A.) Alcohol, two pounds, (one gal- lon,- A.)—Digest the soap in the alcohol for three days, then filter, and add the camphor and oil, mixing them intimately. E. Linimentum Saponis et Opii. E. A. Liniment of Soap and Opium. Anodyne Liniment. Is prepared in the same way, by adding an ounce of opium, and di- ' gesting it with the soap and alcohol. E. * Linimentum Tabaci. Tobacco Liniment. Take of Tobacco, cut fine, one ounce; Hog's lard, one pound.—Sim- mer the tobacco in the lard over a gentle fire, until it becomes crisp, and strain. Linimentum Terebinthina. L. (Compositum. A.) (Compound) Turpentine Liniment. Take of Cerate of resin, one pound; Oil of Turpentine, half a pint.—• Add the oil of turpentine to the cerate melted, and mix. L. Much used for rubbing parts affected with rheumatic pains, and on sprained joints, Linimentum Simplex. E. Simple Liniment. Take of Olive oil, four parts; White wax, one part. This consists of the same articles which form the unguentum simplex of the Edinburgh Pharmacopoeia, but merely in a different proportion, so as to render the composition thinner; and where a thin consistence is requisite, this may be considered as a very ele- gant and useful application. U—Unguenta. 659 Linimentum Hydrargyri. L. Liniment of Mercury. Take of Stronger mercurial ointment, Prepared lard, of each, four ounces; Camphor, one ounce; Rectified spirit, fifteen minims; Wa- ter of ammonia, four fluid ounces.—First rub the camphor with the spirit, then with the lard and mercurial ointment; lastly, having gradually added the water of ammonia, mix all the ingredients to- gether. CERATA.—CERA TES. Ceratum Arsenici. A. Cerate of Arsenic. Take of Simple cerate, one ounce; Arsenious acid, in powder, one scruple.—Soften- the Cerate, and mix in the acid. Cerates of arsenic, of different strength, are to be found in differ- ent authors—Paris' Pharmacol, p. 383, &c.—Lanzoni, 1. p. 66.— Poterii, oper. 716—Justamond, &c. Ceratum Cantharidum. L. A. Cerate of Cantharides. Take of Fellow wax, Pine resin, Olive oil, each, two parts; Cantha- rides, in poivder, three parts.—To the wax, resin, and oil, pre- viously melted together, add the cantharides, carefully stirring the whole until cool. Under this form cantharides may be made to act to any extent that is requisite. It may supply the place either of the blistering plaster or ointment; and there are cases in which it is preferable to either. It is particularly more convenient than the emplastrum cantharidum, where the skin to which the blister is to be applied^ is previously much affected, as in cases of small-pox; and in support- ing a drain .under the form of issue, it is less apt to spread than the softer ointment. Ceratum Juniperi Virginiani. A. Cerate of Red Cedar. Take of Resin cerate, six parts; Red cedar, in powder, one part.— To the cerate, previously softened, add the cedar, and mix. Ceratum Sabina. L. A. Unguentum Sabina. D. Savin Cerate or Ointment. Take of Resin cerate, six parts; Savin leaves, in powder, one part.— To the certite, previously softened, add the savin, and mix. One of the above cerates is at best unnecessary. • Ceratum Plumbi Compositum. Z.* Cerate with Subacetat of Lead. Goulard's Cerate. Take of Water of acetated litharge, two ounces and a half; Fellow wax, four ounces; Olive oil, nine 'ounces; camphor, half a drachm. —Rub the camphor with a little of the oil. Melt the wax with * Ceratum Plumbi Subacetatis Liquidi, Pharm. U. S. 660 U.—Unguenta. the remaining oil, and as soon as the mixture begins to thicken, pour in by degrees the water of acetated litharge, and stir con- stantly until it be cold; then mix in the camphor previously rubbed with oil. L. This application has been rendered famous by the recommenda- tions of Mr. Goulard. It is unquestionably in many cases very useful. It cannot, however, be considered as varying essentially from the saturnine ointments to be mentioned. It is employed with nearly the same intentions, and differs from them chiefly in con- sistence. Ceratum Plumbi Subcarbonatis Compositum. A. Cerate of Subcarbonat of Lead. Take of Compound plaster of subcarbonat of lead, five parts; Olive oil, one part.—To the plaster, previously melted, add the oil, stir- ing the whole constantly together until cool. Ceratum Resinosum. A. Unguentum Resinosum. E. . Ceratum Resina. L. Resin Cerate or Ointment. Take of Lard, eight parts; Pine resin, five parts; Fellow wax, two parts.—Melt, and stir them together until cool. E. Ceratum Resinosum Compositum. A. Compound Resin Co-ate. Take of Suet, Fellow wax, each, one pound; Pine resin, one pound; Turpentine, half a pound; Flaxseed oil, half a pint—Melt them together, and strain through linen. Ceratum Plumbi Superacetatis. L. Cerate of Superacetat of Lead. 7,ake of Superacetat of lead, in powder, two drachms; White wax, two ounces; Olive oil, half a pint.—Melt the wax in seven fluid ounces of the oil, and gradually add to these the superacetat of lead, separately triturated with the rest of the oil, and stir the mixture with a wooden spatula until they unite. These are also excellent cooling ointments, of the greatest use in many cases. Ceratum Saponis. L. D. A. Soap Cerate. Take of Castile soap, eight ounces; Fellow wax, ten ounces; Semi- vitreous oxyd of lead, in powder, one pound; Olive oil, a pint; Vinegar, a gallon—Boil the vinegar with the oxyd of lead, over a slow fire, constantly stirring until the union is complete; then add the soap and boil it again in a similar manner, until the liquid part is evaporated; then mix in the wax, previously melted with the Ceratum Simplex. E. A. Ceratum Cetacei. L. Simple Cerate. Take of Olive oil, six parts; White wax, three parts; Spermaceti, one part—Melt together. E. U—Unguenta. 661 This differs from the simple ointment, in containing a greater pro- portion of wax to the oil, and in the addition of the spermaceti. But by these means it obtains only a more firm consistence, without any essential change of properties. It scarcely differs from the ceratum spermatis ceti of the London and Dublin Colleges, the latter containing one-thirteenth part of spermaceti, and the former one-tenth part; we have therefore intro- * duced one formula only. The ceratum spermatis ceti had formerly the name of ceratum album, and it differs in nothing from the unguentum spermatis ceti, or linimentum album, as it was formerly called, excepting in con- sistence, both the wax and the spermaceti bearing a greater propor- tion to the oil. Ceratum Zinci Carbonatis Impuri. E. A. * Ceratum Calamina. L. Unguentum Calaminaris. D. Cerate of Impure Carbonat of Zinc. Cerate (Ointment) of Calamine. Ceratum Epuloticum. Turner's Cerate. Take of Calamine, prepared, Fellow wax, of each, half a pound; Olive oil, one pint.—Melt the vmix with the oil; and as soon as the mixture, exposed to the air, begins to thicken, mix it with the ca- lamine, and stir the cerate until it be cold. L. This composition resembles the cerate which Turner strongly re- commends in cutaneous ulcerations and excoriations, and which has been usually distinguished by his name. It appears from experience to be an excellent epulotic, and as such is frequently made use of in nractice. EMPLASTRA.--PLASTERS. Emplastrum Ammoniaci. L. E. A. Plaster of Ammoniacum. Take of Ammoniacum, five ounces; Vinegar, half a pint.—Dissolve the ammoniacum in the vinegar, and strain; then evaporate the liquor in an iron vessel, by means of a water bath, constantly stir- ring it until it acquires a proper consistence. L. E. Emplastrum Hydrargyri. L. E. A. Plaster of Quicksilver. Take of Olive oil, White resin, each, one part; Quicksilver, three parts; Plaster of semi-vitrified oxyd of lead, six parts.—Melt the oil and resin together, and when this mixture is cold, let the quick- silver be rubbed with it till the globules disappear; then add by de- grees the litharge plaster, melted, and let the whole be accurately mixed. E. 662 U.—Unguenta. Emplastrum Ammoniaci cum Hydrargyro. L. D. Plaster of Gum Ammoniac with Quicksilver. Take of Gum ammoniac, strained, one pound; Purified quicksilver three ounces; Sulphureted oil, a drachm, or as much as may be ne- cessary.—Triturate the quicksilver with the sulphureted oil until . its globules disappear; then gradually add the gum ammoniac melt- ed, and mix them.. This mercurial plaster is considered as a powerful resolvent, and discutient, acting with much greater certainty for these intentions than any composition of vegetable substances alone; the mercury exerting itself in a considerable degree, and being sometimes intro- duced into the habit in such quantity as to affect the mouth. Pains in the joints and limbs from a venereal cause, nodes, tophi, and be- ginning indurations, are said to yield to it sometimes. Emplastrum Aromaticum. D. Aromatic Plaster. Take of Frankincense, three ounces; Fellow wax, half an ounte; Cin- namon, in powder, six drachms; Essential oil of pimento, Essential oil of lemon, each, two drachms.—Melt the frankincense and wax together, and strain; when getting stiff, from being allowed to cool, mix in the cinnamon and oils, and make a plaster. Emplastrum Assafetida. E. A. Plaster of Assafcetida. Take of Plaster of semi-vitrified oxyd of lead, Assafcetida, each, two parts,- Galbanum, Fellow wax, each, one part. E. This plaster is applied to the umbilical region, or over the whole abdomen, in hysteric cases? and sometimes with good effect; butpro- bably more from its effects, as giving an additional degree of heat to the part, than for any influence deriyed from the fetid gums. Emplastrum Calefaciens. D. Calefacient Plaster. Take of Plaster of cantharides, one part; Burgundy pitch, seven parts. —Melt together, at a moderate heat, and make into a plaster. This is a very convenient plaster, being more active as a stimulant and rubefacient than the simple Burgundy pitch plaster, while it will scarcely ever raise a blister. Emplastrum Cera. L. Wax Plaster. Take of Fellow wax, Prepared mutton suet, each, three pounds; Fel- low resin, one pound.—Melt them together, and strain the mixture while it is fluid. Emplastrum Cumini. L. Cummin Plaster. Take of Cummin seeds, Caraway seeds, Bay-berries, each, three ounces; Bugundy pitch, three pounds; Fellow wax, three ounces. —Melt the pitch and wax together, and mix with them the rest of the ingredients, powdered, and make a,plaster. This plaster has been recommended as a moderately warm discu- tient; and is directed by some to beapplied to the hypogastric region, U.—Unguenta. 663 for strengthening the viscera, and expelling flatulencies: but it is a matter of great doubt, whether it derives any virtue, either from the article from which it is named, or from the caraway seeds or bay- berries which enter its composition. Emplastrum Galbani. D. Plaster of Galbanum. Take of Plaster of litharge, two pounds; Galbanum, half a pound; Fellow wax, sliced, four ounces.—Add the plaster and wax to the galbanum, melted, and then melt the whole together with a mode- rate heat. Emplastrum Galbani Compositum. L. Compound Plaster of Galbanum. Take of Strained galbanum, eight ounces; Plaster .of lead, three pounds; Turpentine, ten drachms; Frankincense, in powder, three ounces.—With the galbanum and turpentine melted together, mix first the frankincense, and afterwards the litharge plaster, melted also with a very slow fire, and make a plaster. Emplastrum Gummosum. E. Gum Plaster. Take of Plaster of semi-vitrified oxyd of lead; eight parts; Gum am- moniacum, Galbanum, Fellow wax, each, one part.—Melt together. These plasters are used as a digestive and suppurative; particu- larly in abscesses, after a part of the matter has been maturated and discharged, for suppurating or discussing the remaining hard part; but it is very doubtful whether it derives any advantage from the gums entering its composition. Emplastrum Ladani Compositum. L. Compound Ladanum Plaster. Take of Ladanum, three ounces; Frankincense, one ounce,- Cinna- mon, powdered, Expressed oil of mace, of each, half an ounce; Essential oil of mint, one drachm.—To the melted frankincense, add first the ladanum, softened by heat, then the oil of mace. Mix these afterwards with the cinnamon and oil of mint, and beat them together, in a warm mortar, into a plaster. Let it be kept in a close vessel. This has been considered as a very elegant stomach plaster. It is contrived so as to be easily made occasionally, (for these kinds of compositions, on account of their volatile ingredients, are not fit for keeping,) and to be but moderately adhesive, so as not to offend the skin, and that it may, without difficulty, be frequently renewed; which these sorts of applications, in order to their producing any considerable effect, require to be. Emplastrum Plumbi. L. A. Emplastrum Lithargyri. D. Emplastrum Oxydi Plumbi Semivitrei. E. Lead Plaster. Litharge Plaster. Plaster of the Semi-vitrified Oxyd of Lead. Take of Semi-vitrified oxyd of lead, one part; Olive oil, two parts.— Boil them, adding water, and constantly stirring the mixture, un- til the oil and litharge be formed into a plaster. E. 664 U__Unguenta. Oxyds of lead, boiled with oils, unite with them into a plaster of an excellent consistence, and which makes a proper basis for seve- ral other plasters. In the boiling of these compositions, a quantity of water must be added, to prevent the plaster from burning, and growing black. Such water, as it may be necessary to add during the boiling, must be previously made hot; for cold liquor would not only prolong the process, but likewise occasion the matter to explode, and be thrown about with violence, to the great danger of the operator: this acci- dent will equally happen upon the addition of hot water, if the plas- ter be extremely hot. It is, therefore, better to remove it from the fire a little, before each addition of water. These plasters, which have been long known under the name of Diachylon, are common applications in' excoriations of the skin, slight flesh wounds, and the like. They keep the part soft, and somewhat warm, and defend it from.the air,,which is all that can be expected in these cases, from any plaster. Emplastrum ad Mammas. Geddes' Breast Plaster. Take of Diachylon c. gum. six ounces; Diachylon simplex, three ounces; Spermaceti, Camphor, each, half an ounce. After the ingredients are liquified and beginning to cool, sprin- kle in the camphor finely powdered. Stir it well and pour it into cold water. The quantity may be lessened in equal proportions. Emplastrum Oxydi Ferri Rubri. E.* Plaster of (Red Oxyd of) Iron. Strengthening Plaster. Take of Plaster of semi-vitrified oxyd of lead, twenty-four parts; White resin, six parts; Fellow piax, Olive oil, each, three parts; Red oxyd of iron, eight parts.—Grind the red oxyd of iron with the oil, and then add it to the other ingredients, previously melt- ed. E. This plaster is used in weaknesses of the large muscles, as of the loins: and its effects seem to proceed from the artificial mechanical support given to the part, which may also be done by any other plaster that adheres with equal firmness. Emplastrum Plumbi Subcarbonatis Compositum. A. Compound Plaster of Subcarbonat of Lead. Take of Subcarbonat of lead, one pound; Olive oil, two pints; Fellow wax, four ounces; Lead plaster, one pound and a half; Orris, in powder, nine ounces.—Boil the oil and lead together in a water bath, continually stirring until they are thoroughly incorporated; then add the wax and plaster; and when these are melted, sprinkle in the powdered orris, carefully stirring the whole. * Emplastrum Ferri, Pharm. U. S. U.—Unguenta. 665 Emplastrum Lithargyri Compositum. L. Compound Plaster of Litharge. Take of Litharge plaster, three pounds; Strained galbanum, eight ounces; Turpentine, ten drachms; Frankincense, three ounces.— Tlie galbanum and turpentine being melted, mix with them the powdered frankincense, and afterwards the litharge plaster, melted also with a very slow fire, and make a plaster. Emplastrum Lithargyri cum Hydrargyro. L. Litharge Plaster with Quicksilver. Take of Litharge plaster, one pound; Purified quicksilver, three ounces; Sulphureted oil, one drachm, or what is sufficient.—Make the plaster in the same manner as the ammoniacum plaster, with quicksilver.—The observations on which, see. Emplastrum Resinosum. E. A. Emplastrum Lithargyri cum Resina. D. Emplastrum Resina. L. Resin Plaster. Litharge Plaster with Resin. Adhesive Plaster. Take of Plaster of semi-vitrified oxyd of lead, five parts; White resin, one part.—Melt them together, and make a plaster. E. This plaster is chiefly used as an adhesive for keeping on other dressings, for retaining the edges of recent wounds together, when we are endeavouring to cure them by the first intention, and for giving mechanical support to new flesh, and contracting the sides of ulcers, in the manner recommended by Mr. Baynton, for the cure of ulcers of the legs. Emplastrum Resinosum Cantharidum. A. Emplastrum Cantharidis. D. L. Emplastrum Cantharidis Vesicatoria. E. Resin Plaster with Cantharides^ Blistering Plaster. Take of Mutton suet, Fellow wax, White resin, Cantharides, each, equal weights.—Mix the cantharides, reduced to a fine powder, with the other ingredients, previously melted, and removed from the fire. E. This formula is very well suited to answer the intention in view, that of exciting blisters; for it is of a proper consistence and suf- ficient degree of tenacity; which are here the only requisites. Can- tharides of good quality, duly applied to the skin, seldom fail of producing blisters. When, therefore, the desired effect does not take place, it is to be ascribed to the flies either being faulty at first, or having their activity afterwards destroyed by some accidental cir- cumstance; such as too great heat in forming, or in spreading the plaster, or the like. It is, therefore, not unusual, to sprinkle powder of cantharides on the blister, after it is spread. Emplastrum Cantharidis Vesicatorii Compositum. E. Compound Plaster of Spanish Flies. Take of Venice turpentine, eighteen parts; Burgundy pitch, Cantha- rides, each, twelve parts; Fellow wax, four parts,- Subacetat of 84 666 U.—Unguenta. copper, two parts; Mustard seed, Black Pepper, each, one part.— Having first melted the pitch and wax, add the turpentine, and to these, infusion, and still hot, add the other ingredients, reduced to a fine powder and mixed, and stir the whole carefully together, so as to form a plaster. This is supposed to be the most infallible blistering plaster. It certainly contains a sufficient variety of stimulating ingredients. Emplastrum Picis Compositum. L. Compound Burgundy Pitch Plaster. Take of Burgundy pitch, two pounds; Galbanum, one pound; Fel- low resin, Fellow wax, of each, four ounces; Expressed oil of mace, one ounce.—To the pitch, resin, and wax, melted together, add first the galbanum, and then the oil of mace. Emplastrum Saponaceum. E. Soap Plaster. - Take of Soap, one part; Litharge plaster, six parts.—'Mix the soap with the melted litharge plaster, and boil them to the thickness of a plaster. This plaster has been supposed to derive a resolvent power from the soap; but it is a matter of great doubt, whether it derives any material advantage from the addition. Emplastrum Simplex. E. Simple Plaster. Take of Fellow wax, three parts; Mutton suet, While resin, each two parts. This plaster had formerly the title of Emplastrum Attrahens, and was chiefly employed as a dressing after blisters, to support some discharge, and it is a very well contrived plaster for that purpose. Sometimes, however, it irritates too much on account of the resin; and hence, when designed only for dressing blisters, the resin ought to be entirely omitted, unless where a continuance of the pain and irritation, excited by the vesicatory, is required. Indeed, plasters of any kind are not very proper for dressing blisters; their consistence makes them sit uneasy, and their adhesiveness renders the taking them off painful. Cerates, which are softer and less adhesive, ap- pear much more eligible: the Ceratum spermatis ceti will serve for general use; and for some particular purposes, the Ceratum resinse flavae may be applied. Emplastrum Thuris Compositum. L. Compound Frankincense Plaster. Take of Frankincense, half a pound,- Dragon's blood, three ounces; Litharge plaster, two pounds.—To the melted litharge plaster, add the rest, powdered. It has been supposed, that plasters composed of styptic medicines constringe, and strengthen the part to which they are applied, but on no very just foundation; for plasters in general relax rather than astnnge; the unctuous ingredients necessary in their composition, counteracting and destroying the effects of the others. U.—Unguenta. 667 If constantly worn with a proper bandage, it will, in children, frequently do service, though, perhaps, not so much from any strengthening quality of the ingredients, as from its being a soft, close and adhesive covering. UNGUENTA.—OINTMENTS. Unguentum Acidi Nitrosi. E. D. A. Ointment of Nitrous Acid. Take of Hog's lard, one pound; Nitrous acid, six drachms.—Mix the acid gradually with the melted lard, and diligently beat the mixture as it cools. E. The axunge in this ointment seems to be oxydized; for during the action of the acid upon it, there is a great deal of nitric oxyd gas disengaged. It acquires a yellowish colour, and a firm consist- ency; and forms an excellent and cheap substitute, in slight herpetic and other cutaneous affections, for the ointment of nitrat of mer- cury. Unguentum Adipis Suilla. L. Unguentum Aqua Rosa. A.!! Ointment of Hog's Lard. Ointment of Rose Water. Take of Prepared hog's lard, two pounds; Rose water, three ounces. —Beat the lard with the rose water until they be mixed; then melt the mixture with a slow fire, and set it apart that the water may subside; after which, pour off the lard from the water, constantly stirring it until it be cold. In the last edition of the London Pharmacopceia, this was styled Unguentum Simplex; the name given by the Edinburgh College to the following preparation. Unguentum Simplex. E. Simple Ointment. Take of Olive oil, five parts; White wax, two parts. Both these ointments may be used for softening the skin and heal- ing chaps. The last is, however, preferable, as being more steadily of one uniform consistence. For the same reason it is also to be pre- ferred as the basis of other more compounded ointments. Unguentum Cera Flava. D. Ointment of Fellow Wax. Take of Purified yellow wax, a pound; Prepared hog's lard, four pounds.—Make into an ointment. Unguentum Cera Alba. D. Ointment of White Wax, Is prepared in the same manner, with white wax, instead of yellow. Unguentum Spermatis Ceti. D. Ointment of Spermaceti. Take of Spermaceti, one pound; White wax, half a pound; Prepared hog's lard, three pounds.—Make into an ointment. 668 U__Unguenta. This had formerly the name of Linimentum album, and it is per- haps only in consistence that it can be considered as differing from the unguentum simplex, or the ceratum simplex, already mentioned. Unguentum Cantharidum. L. A. Ointment of Cantharides or Spanish Flies. Take of Spanish flies, powdered, two ounces; Distilled water, eight ounces; Ointment of yellow resin, eight ounces*—Boil the water with the Spanish flies to one-half, and strain. To the strained liquor add the ointment of yellow resin. Evaporate this mixture to the thickness of an ointment in a water bath, saturated with sea-salt. L. Unguentum Infusi Cantharidis Vesicatorii. E. Ointment of Infusion of Cantharides. Take of Cantharides, Pine resin, Fellow wax, each, one part; Hog's lard, Venice turpentine, each, two parts; Boiling water, four parts. Infuse the Cantharides in the water for a night; then strongly press out and strain the liquor, and boil it with the lard till the water be consumed; then add the resin and wax; and when these are melted, take the ointment off the fire, and add the turpentine. These ointments, containing the soluble parts of the cantharides, uniformly blended with the other ingredients, are more commodious, and in general occasion less pain, though little less effectual in their action, than the compositions with the fly in substance. This, how- ever, does not uniformly hold, and accordingly the Edinburgh Col- lege, with propriety, introduces the following. Unguentum Pulveris Cantharidis Vesicatorii. E. Ointment of the Powder of Spanish Flies. Take of Resinous ointment, seven parts; Powdered cantharides, one part. This ointment is employed in the dressings for blisters, intended to be made perpetual, as they are called, or to be kept running for a considerable' time, which in many chronic, and some acute cases, is of great service. Particular care should be taken that the can- tharides employed in these compositions be reduced into very sub- tile powder, and that the mixtures be made as equal and uniform as possible. * Unguentum Cupri Subacetati's. E. A. Unguentum ^Uruginis. D. Ointment of the Subacetat of Copper. Take of Simple ointment, fifteen parts; Prepared subacetat of copper, in powder, one part.—Melt the ointment, then add the copper, and mix them together. E. Unguentum Gallarum. A. Ointment of Galls. Take of Galls, in powder, one drachm; Lard, seven drachms.—Mix the powdered galls with the lard previously melted. U.—Unguenta. 669 Unguentum Elemi. D. Unguentum Elemi Compositum. L. Compound Ointment of Elemi. Take of Elemi, one pound; Turpentine, ten ounces; Mutton suet, prepared, two pounds; Olive oil, two ounces.—Melt the elemi with the suet; and having removed it from the fire, mix it immediately with the turpentine and oil; after which strain the mixture. This ointment, formerly known by the name of Linimentum Arcasi, has long been used for digesting, cleansing, and incarnating; and for these purposes is preferred by some surgeons to all the other compositions of this kind, probably because it is more expensive. Unguentum Hellebori Albi. L. D. Ointment of White Hellebore. Take of White Hellebore, one ounce; Hog's lard, four ounces; Es- sence of lemon, half a scruple.—Mix, and make them into an oint- ment. White hellebore externally applied has long been celebrated in the cure of cutaneous diseases. Unguentum Hydrargyri. E. D. A. Unguentum Hydrargyri Fortius. L. Mercurial Ointment. Stronger Mercurial Ointment. Take of Purified mercury, Lard, each, three parts by weight; Suet one part.—Rub the quicksilver carefully in a mortar with a small portion of the lard, until the globules disappear; then add the re- mainder of the lard and the suet, rubbing them well together.* Unguentum Hydrargyri Mitius. L. Milder Mercurial Ointment. Take of the Stronger ointment of quicksilver, one part; Hog's lard, prepared, two parts.—Mix them. Unguentum Hydrargyri Oxydi Cinerei. E. A. Ointment of Gray Oxyd of Mercury. Take of Gray oxyd of quicksilver, one part; Hog's lard, three parts. —Mix. E. These ointments are principally employed, not with a view to their topical action, but with the intention of introducing mercury in an active state into the circulating system: which may be effect- ed by gentle friction on the sound skin of any part, particularly on the inside of the thighs or legs. For this purpose, these simple ointments are much better suited than the more compounded ones with turpentine and the like, formerly employed. For, by any acrid substance, topical inflammation is apt to be excited, prevent- ing further friction, and giving much uneasiness. To avoid this, it is necessary, even with the mildest and weakest ointments, to change occasionally the place at which the friction is performed. * Employing a small portion of old ointment or rancid lard, greatly expe- dites the process. I am informed, that about gss. of Carbonat of Magnesia, with an ounce or two of lard, to one pound of mercury, makes an easier pre- paration than any other. 67 0 U__Unguenta. It is requisite that the ointments, in which the mercury is extin- guished by trituration, should be prepared with very great care: for upon the degree of triture which has been employed, the activity of the mercury very much depends. The addition of the mutton suet, adopted by the Colleges of London and Edinburgh, is an advan- tage to the ointment, as it prevents it from running into the state of oil, which the hog's lard alone, in warm weather, or in a warm chamber, is sometimes apt to do, and which is followed by a sepa- ration of parts. We are even inclined to think, that the proportion of suet directed by the London College is too small for this purpose, and indeed seems to be principally intended for the more effectual triture of the mercury: but it is much more to be regretted, that in a medicine of such activity, the colleges should not have directed the same proportion of mercury to the fatty matter. Unguentum Hydrargyri Submuriatis Ammoniati. D. A. Unguentum Hydrargyri Pracipitati Albi. L. Ointment of Ammoniated Submuriat of Mercury. Ointment of White Precipitated Quicksilver. Take of White precipitated quicksilver, one drachm; Prepared lard, one ounce and a half.—Add the precipitated quicksilver to the lard, melted with a slow fire, and mix. L. This is a very elegant mercurial ointment, and frequently made use of in the cure of obstinate cutaneous affections. Although this is a very useful preparation, yet it frequently fails; ■ an ointment recommended, we believe, f%t by Mr. Ring of London, consisting of thirty grains of white precipitate, and ten grains of corrosive sublimate, to the ounce of lard, we have often found effec- tual, when the other had altogether proved ineffectual. Unguentum Hydrargyri Nitrico-Oxydi. L. A. Ointment of Nitric-Oxyd of Quicksilver. Unguentum Oxydi Hydrargyri Rubri. E. Ointment of Red Oxyd of Quicksilver. . Unguentum Subnitratis Hydrargyri. D. Ointment of Subnitrat of Quicksilver. Take of Red oxyd of quicksilver by nitrous acid, one part; Hog's lard, eight parts. E. a JhA °X^d should be educed to a very fine powder before it be added to the axunge. This is an excellent stimulating ointment, often ot very great service in indolent ill-conditioned sores, when we wish to excite them to greater action. As an eye-ointment, its effects are most remarkable, in the cure of all inflammations of the tunica conjunctiva, and more particularly when there is a thicken- ing and swelling of the inner membrane of the palpebra. In such cases, it seems to act with much greater certainty, if applied im- mediately after the eyelids have been scarified. In inflammation, ac- companied with specks, it has a most powerful effect in removing both. It is also useful in all those ophthalmias which so frequently U—Unguenta. 671 • appear after small-pox, measles, and eruptive diseases of the hairy scalp. It is used in the same quantity, and in the same manner as the Unguentum nitratis hydrargyria and if it prove too stimulating it may be diluted with axunge. It is useful to know that if it be mixed with any ointment containing resin, the red oxyd is very quickly converted into the black, and the ointment gradually loses its red colour, and passes through olive-green to black. Unguentum Hydrargyri Nitratis Forties. E. A. Ointment of Nitrat of Mercury. Unguentum Supernitratis Hydrargyri. D. Ointment of Supernitrat of Quicksilver. Unguentum Hydrargyri Nitratis. L. Unguentum Citrinum. Ointment of Nitrat of Quicksilver. Fellow (Citrine) Ointment. Take of Purified mercury, by weight, one part; Nitric acid two parts; Olive oil, nine parts; Lard, three parts.—Dissolve the mer- cury in the acid, then mix the liquor with the oil and lard, previ- ously melted together, and just beginning to grow stiff. Stir them briskly together in a glass mortar, so as to form an ointment. E. Unguentum Hydrargyri Nitratis Miti'us. E. A. Milder Ointment of Nitrat of Mercury. This is prepared in the same way, with three times the quantity of oil and hog's lard. • This ointment, when prepared with lard alone, soon becomes so very hard, that it is necessary to mix it with fresh axunge before it can be used. The substitution of olive oil for part of the axunge ob- viates, in a great measure, this inconvenience. The hardening is en- tirely owing to the excess of the acid in the solution of mercury. Hence the London College have acted in 1809 very inconsiderately in increasing the quantity of nitrous acid, from two ounces by weight to two fluid ounces, which caused, as Mr. Phillips found, vio- lent action, and the evolution of much noxious vapour, when the so- lution of mercury is mixed with the axunge, and renders the oint- ment extremely corrosive. They have in 1815 corrected this error: but the property which nitrat of mercury, prepared by ebullition, has, of being decomposed by water, furnished an easy way of get- ting rid of all excess of acid, and of procuring the subnitrat of mer- cury in the state of the most minute division possible. An ointment, prepared with this subnitrat, had a most beautiful golden colour; after six months was perfectly soft; and had all the properties de- sired. When the citrine ointment is too hard, it should be softened by triturating it with lard or oil; for, if melted with them, it very soon hardens again. Medical use.—This ointment has the very best effects in herpes, tinea capitis, and similar obstinate cutaneous affections, and it js almost specific in psorophthalmia, in those slight excoriations of the tarsi, attended with extreme itching, and in all the inflammatiops of the eyes, attended by eruptive disorders of the hairy scalp or face. \ 672 U.—Unguenta. It is most conveniently and effectually used, by rubbing a piece of the size of half a garden pea, with the point of a hair pencil, over the tarsi, among the roots of the.ciliae, and allowing a small quantity to get on the inner membrane of the palpebral In obstinate cases, a weak solution of muriat of mercury, used as a collyrium along with this ointment, proves a most powerful remedy. Unguentum Picis Liquida. X. D. E. A. Tar Ointment. Take of Tar, five parts; Fellow wax, two parts.—Mix them together, and strain through linen. E. This composition, from the empyreumatic, oil and saline matters the tar contains, is undoubtedly of some activity. Accordingly, it has been successfully employed against some'cutaneous affections, particularly tinea*capitis. Unguentum Plumbi (Sub A.) Carbonatis. E. Unguentum Cerussa. D. Ointment of Subcarbonat of Lead. Take of Simple ointment, one pound; Subcarbonat of lead, two ounces. —To the ointment, previously softened, add the lead, and stir them until cool. D. Unguentum Stramonii. A. Ointment, of Thorn Apple. Take of Thorn apple leaves, fresh gathered and sliced, five pounds; Lard, fourteen pounds.—Let them simmer together over a gentle fire till the leaves become crisp and dry, then press out the lard through a linen cloth, and add to every pound of the compound, of Fellow wax, two ounces.—When the wax is melted, let the whole be allowed to cool gradually, that the impurities may subside, which must be separated from the ointment. Unguentum Sulphuris. E. L. D. A. Sulphur Ointment. Take of Hog's lard, four parts; Sublimed sulphur, one part. E. (To each pound of this ointment may be added Volatile oil of lemons, or Volatile oil of lavender, half a drachm. Pharm. U. S.) Sulphur is a certain remedy for the itch, more safe than mercury. A pound of ointment serves for four unctions. The patient is to be rubbed every night, a fourth part of the body at each time. Though the disease may be thus cured by a single application, it is in general adviseable to touch the parts most affected for a few nights longer, and to conjoin with the frictions the internal use of sulphur. Unguentum Sulphuris Compositum. L. A. Compound Sulphur Ointment. Take of Sulphur, one ounce,- Ammoniated submuriat of Mercury, Benzoic acid, each, one drachm,- Oil of lemons, one fluid drachm,- Sulphuric acid, sixty minims,- Nitrat of potass, two drachms,- Lard half a pound.—Melt the lard, then add the other articles, continually stirring, until the whole is cold. U.—Unguenta. 673 We cannot admire the present formula; some decomposition, we apprehend, must ensue by the action of the sulphuric acid on the nitrat of potash. It may, however, be useful by the conjunction of the nitric acid thereby liberated, if indeed the oils do not decom- pose it also. Unguentum Zinci Oxydi Impuri. E. A. Unguentum Tutia. D. Ointment of Impure Oxyd of Zinc. Ointment of Tutty. Take of Simple liniment, (Lard A.) five parts; Prepared Impure oxyd of zinc, one part.—To the melted lard add the zinc, and mix them together until cool. E. Unguentum Oxydi Zinci. E. D. Unguentum Zinci. L. Ointment of Oxyd of Zinc. Take of Lard, six parts; Oxyd of zinc, one part. These ointments are chiefly used in affections of the eye, particu- larly in those cases where redness arises'rather from relaxation than from active inflammation. Unguentum Veratri Viridis. A. Ointment of American Hellebore. Take of American hellebore, in powder,, two ounces; Lard, eight ounces; Oil of lemons, twenty minims.—To the lard, previously melted, add the oil and powder, continually stirring until cool. In the same manner the ointment may be prepared of the white hellebore. Unguentum Piperis Nigri. D. Ointment of Black Pepper. Take of Prepared lard, one pound; Black pepper, in powder, four ounces.—Make into an ointment. Unguentum Resinosum. E. Resinous Ointment. Take of Hog's lard, eight parts; White resin, five parts; Fellow wax, two parts. This is commonly employed in dressings for digesting, cleansing, and incarnating wounds and ulcers. The addition of spirit of tur- pentine to this ointment, so as to give it the consistence of a liniment, forms the application employed by Mr. Kentish, to burns, &c. Unguentum Sabina. D. Savine Ointment. Take of Fresh savine leaves, separated from the stalks, and bruised, half a pound; Prepared hog's lard, two pounds; Fellow wax, half a pound.—Boil the leaves in the lard until they become crisp; then filter with expression: lastly, add the wax, and melt them together. This is an excellent issue ointment, being, in many respects, pre-, ferable to those of cantharides. Unguentum Sambuci. L. Elder Ointment. Take of Elder flowers, four pounds; Mutton suet, prepared, three pounds; Olive oil, one pint.—Boil the flowers in the suet and oil, till they be almost crisp; then strain with expression. 674 V___Valeriana. Compositions of this kind were formerly very frequent; but vege- tables, by boiling in oils, impart to them nothing but a little muci- lage, which changes the greasy oils to drying oils, and any resin they may contain; but that also is never in such quantity as to affect the nature of the oil. We, therefore, do not suppose that this ointment possesses any properties different from a simple ointment of the same consistency. V. VALERIANA. L. D. A. Valeriana Officinalis. E. Wild Valerian. The Root. Triandria Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Aggregatx, Linn. Dipsacex, Juss. This plant is perennial, and grows wild in Britain. It varies in its appearance and sensible qualities, according to the situation in which it grows. In marshes and shadowy places its leaves are broader than on dry heaths and high pastures. The roots produced in low watery grounds, have a remarkably faint smell m comparison of the others, and sometimes scarcely any. The roots, in autumn or winter, have much stronger sensible qualities than those collected in spring and summer. The root consists of a number of strings or fibres matted together, issuing from one common head, of a whitish or pale brown- ish colour: its smell is strong, like a mixture of aromatics with fe- tids; the taste unpleasantly warm, bitterish, and sub-acrid. Neu- mann got from 480 grains of the dry root, 186 alcoholic, and 74 wa- tery extract; and inversely, 261 watery, and 5 alcoholic. The dis- tilled alcohol was slightly, the water strongly impregnated with the smell of the valerian, but no separable oil was obtained. Medical use.—Wildvalerian is a medicine of great use in nervous disorders, and is particularly serviceable in epilepsies proceeding from a debility of the nervous system. Some recommend it as useful in procuring sleep, particularly in fever, even when opium fails: but it is principally useful in affec- tions qf the hysterical kind. The common dose is from a scruple to a drachm in powder: and in infusion, from one to two drachms. Its unpleasant flavour is most effectually concealed by a suitable addition of mace. As its virtues reside entirely in an essential oil, the decoction and watery extract are improper forms for exhibiting it. A writer in the London Medical Museum asserts, that much of the powerful smell of valerian, arises from the careless manner in which it is dried—by which cats, who greatly enjoy the plant, are often enabled to urine over it!! V.—Veratrum Album. 675 VERATRUM ALBUM. E. L. D. A. Helleborus Albus. White Hellebore. Tlie Root. Polygamia Monoecia- Nat. Ord. Coronarix, Linn. Junci, Juss. Syn. Hellebore blanc, (F.) Wiesse Niesswurzeh (G.) 'Ehxtfiopo; mvx.o;, Dioscor. ■This plant grows spontaneously in Switzerland, and the mountain- ous parts of Germany. The root has a nauseous, bitterish acrid taste, burning the mouth and fauces: if wounded when fresh, it emits an extremely acrimonious juice, which, when inserted into a wound, is said to prove very dangerous. Neumann got from 960 grains, 560 watery, and 10 alcoholic extract; and inversely, 420 alcoholic, and 180 watery. Nothing rose in distillation. This perennial plant grows in wet meadows, and swampy places, often locally associated with skunk cabbage, which, early in the spring season, it considerably resembles in appearance; the latter plant, however, has no stalk, while the hellebore sends forth one which attains to the-height of two or three feet, terminating in June, in a spike of flowers and seeds. The leaves are large and handsome- ly plaited. The root is bulbous, and when fresh, has a nauseous, bitterish, acrid taste, burning the mouth and fauces. Snuffed up the nostrils in very small quantities, it excites violent sneezing, with a sense of heat, and a copious discharge of mucus. The fresh root, in form of ointment or decoction, cures the itch. Crows are destroyed by boiling Indian corn in a strong decoction of the foots, and strew- ing it on the ground where these birds resort. The root, when dried, has no particular smell, but a durable, nauseous, and bitter taste, and when powdered and applied to issues or ulcers, is said to pro- duce griping and purging. Taken internally, it acts with extreme violence as an emetic and cathartic, and even in a small dose, has occasioned spasms, convulsions, and fatal consequences. The an- cients sometimes employed this as a remedy, in obstinate maniacal cases, and it is said, with success; but it has scarcely been regard- ed in modern practice. The American species, very probably, pos- sesses all the properties of the foreign officinal root. It is undoubt- edly a plant of highly active powers, meriting a particular investi- gation, as an article of our Materia Medica. In fact, a new interest has lately been excited both in Europe and the United States, rela- tive to the proporties of white hellebore. It was even supposed to be the basis of the French specific remedy, called Eau Medicinale d'Husson, so highly famed for its almost infallible powers in the cure of gout, as to command the enormous price of from one to two crowns a dose. This remedy was discovered about forty-five years ago, by M. Husson, a French officer, who affirms it to be prepared from a Slant, whose virtues were before unknown in medicine; and it ha% long een celebrated in France, and other parts of the European continent. Dr. Edwin G. Jones, member of the Royal College of Physicians, London, after a thorough investigation of the subject, has, in a late publication, adduced the most unequivocarevidence, of the superior powers of the Eau Medicinale, in curing the most distressing parox- ysms of gout. His experience of its efficacy has been extensive, and among the numerous and remarkable instances to which he re- fers, are persons of distinguished rank and respectability, and whose 676 V.—Veratrum Album. cases were marked with symptoms of extreme severity. We have, therefore, the authority of Dr. Jones to assert, that tiiis singular remedy exerts an extraordinary influence over the gout; and that it will safely and almost immediately remove, often by a single dose, the severest paroxysms of that cruel disease, is sufficiently ascertain- ed by a multitude of facts, collected from various sources of unques- tionable authenticity. It is not, however, asserted, that it performs a radical cure of gout, eliminating the disease altogether from the system, but its operation is different from that of any remedy hither- to employed, it removes the paroxysms as often, and almost as soon as they occur. It, in fact, relieves the patient from agonizing pain, from all the miseries of long confinement, and restores him to his usual state of health, and the exercise of his limbs. It appears to be a powerful sedative, diminishing almost immediately, the irritability of the system. Hence it allays pain, procures rest and sleep, re- duces the pulse, and abates fever. This remedy has been extended to other diseases, and in several cases, it has removed very acute rheumatisms, in the same singular manner it does the gout.—The full dose of this medicine, according to Husson, and Dr. Jones, is about two drachms for an adult, mixed with an equal quantity of water, and taken on an empty stomach. Its operation may be promoted by some aromatic, or by peppermint, pennyroyal, or ginger teas. It in general occasions some nausea and vomiting, followed by bilious stools. A single dose will often carry off an attack, but it sometimes requires to be repeated in un- der doses.* Some instances are recorded of its violent effects, when exhibited in a dose disproportionate to the constitution, and particu- lar circumstances. On some occasions, much advantage has been de- rived from small doses taken every day for a considerable time. The discovery of the substance from which this remedy is prepar- ed would be an invaluable acquisition to our Materia Medica. The importance, and popularity of the subject, were incitements to va- rious attempts for that purpose, and to the ingenuity of Mr. J.' Moor, member of the Royal College of Surgeons, London, the public are * Extracts of Letters from a sufferer from Gout.—In proof of the efficacy of the Eau Medicinale. Mr- -----was perfectly right, when he told me, that I would give him any price for a bottle of his Eau Medicinale, when I had the gout.—I have been tormented with it all this week, and have it now in my two feet, so as to be unable to stand on them.—If Mr. ------will have the goodness to spare me one bottle, he will infinitely oblige a distracted and suffering brother, who is his very obedient servant. Dear, Sir.— 1: have this moment received your polite note of yesterday, and » »?°£ cordially for your kind intention of even taking from your stock of Eau Medicinale, one bottle for me.-As you expected, I got one at Mr. Mar- shall s on Saturday evening, and took one-half of it, by which I was pretty well at ease on Sunday morning; I took the remainder in the evening, and on Monday was almost free from pain, and could walk in my room, when I had the honour of a visrt from your friend Major------, who found me, I may say, very well; and was !t not for the rainy weather, I could, without any difficulty or inconvenience, being entirely free from swelling and pain, have carried this note myself to Mr-------, who I hope, will be so obliging as to forward it to you, &c. &c. ° V___Viola Odorata. 677 indebted for the composition, which, if not identically the same, bears a strong resemblance to the Eau Medicinale in smell, taste, and dose; and also in all its effects, so far as it has been tried, in the cure of gout. The composition of Mr. Moor consists of wine of opium, (Sydenham,) one part; wine of white hellebore, three parts, made by infusing, for ten days, eight ounces of the sliced root of that plant, in two and a half pints of white wine, and strained through paper. This compound, when exhibited in doses of from one to two drachms, has, in a variety of instances, effected a speedy cure of gouty paroxysms. There are, indeed, well attested examples, where the most painful gouty affection has yielded to a single dose of about one drachm, and the instances of its failure have hitherto, it is be- lieved, been more rare than can be said of any other remedy. The employment of the composition of Mr. Moor, has also, in the hands of respectable physicians, been extended to acute rheumatism, and to some comatose affections, with the most decided advantage, and a perseverance in similar trials is strongly recommended. It has been observed, that beneficial effects may more certainly be expect- ed, when it excites some degree of nausea and vomiting, which an overdose like Eau Medicinale seldom fails to induce. We have hitherto been furnished with the additional evidence of every day's experience, of the efficacy of Mr. Moor's composition, in the cure of both gout and rheumatism; and no circumstance, it is believed, has jet occurred, tending to impair our faith in the analo- gy of its principles with the original preparation of M. Husson. Further particulars respecting the character and properties of this interesting article, and the most eligible modes of preparation, are anxiously anticipated. It is now generally supposed that the Col- chicum is the base of this preparation. It has lately been discovered, that the root of white hellebore is employed as a valuable article in a new process for tanning leather. VERATRUM VIRIDE. A. American Hellebore. The Root. VERONICA BECCABUNGA. D. Brooklime. The Herb. This is a low perennial plant, common in little rivulets, and ditches of standing water. The leaves remain all the winter, but are in greatest perfection in the spring. Their prevailing taste is an her- baceous one, accompanied with a very light bitterness. If any good effects be expected from brooklime, it should be used as food. VERONICA.* Veronica. The Root. This is the root of the Veronica Virginica; of its virtues we know nothing. VIOLA ODORATA. E. D. Sweet Violet. The recent Flowers. This plant is perennial, and is found wild under hedges, and in shady places; but the shops are generally supplied from gardens. Its * Pharm. U. S. secondary. 678 V.—Vinum. flowers are so remarkable for their delightful odour, and their pecu- liar richness of colour, that they have given a name to both. In our markets we meet with the flowers of other species; these may be distinguished from the foregoing by their being larger, of a pale colour, and of no smell. Medical use.—They impart their colour and flavour to aqueous liquors: a syrup made from this infusion has long maintained a place in the shops, and it is said to be an agreeable and useful laxative for children, but is chiefly valued as a delicate test of the presence of uncombined acids or alkalies, the former changing its blue to a red, and the latter to a green colour. VIOLA. A. (Secondary.) Viola Pedata. Violet. The Plant. VITIS VINIFERA. E. L. D. The Vine. Pentandria Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Hederacex, Linn. Vitis, Juss. Grapes. Raisins. Wine.. Tartar. Crystals of Tartar. Vinegar. The vine grows in temperate situations in many parts of the world, and is cultivated very generally for the sake of its agreeable sub-acid fruit. Before they are ripe, grapes are extremely harsh and acid, and by expression furnish a liquor which is called ver- juice. It contains malic acid, super-tartrat of potass, and extrac- tive, and may be made to furnish wine by the addition of sugar. As the grape advances to maturity, the quantity of sugar increases, while that of malic acid diminishes: it however never disappears en- tirely. When thoroughly ripe, the grape is one of the most agree- able fruits. It is cooling, antiseptic, and nutritious; and when eaten in considerable quantity, diuretic, and gently laxative. In inflamma- tory diseases, and all others where acids are indicated, they form an excellent article of diet. UVM. E. L. D. A. Raisins. The dried Fruit of the Vine. Raisins are grapes which have been , carefully dried. By this means not only the water they contained is dissipated, but the quan- tity of acid seems to be diminished. They become more saccharine, mucilaginous and laxative, than the recent grape, but are less cooling. VINUM. E. L. D. A. Wine. Teneriffe. A. Sherry. E. L. Wine is the juice of the grape altered by fermentation. The nu- merous varieties of wine depend principally on the proportion of sugar contained in the must, and the manner of its fermentation. When the proportion of sugar is sufficient, and the fermentation complete, the wine is perfect and generous: if the quantity of sugar be too large, part of it remains undecomposed, as the fermentation is languid, and the wine is sweet and luscious; if, on the contrary, it be too small, the wine is thin and weak; and if it be bottled be- fore the fermentation be completed, it will proceed slowly in the bottle, and, on drawing the cork, the wine will froth and sparkle in the glass, as for example, champaigne. When the must is separated from the husk of the grape before it is fermented, the wine has little or no colour: these are called white wines. If, on the contrary, the V.—Vinum. 679 husks are allowed to remain in the must while the fermentation is going on, the alcohol dissolves the colouring matter of the husks, and the wine is coloured: such are called red wines. Besides, in these principal circumstances, wines vary very much in flavour. The red wines most commonly drunk in Great Britain are Port, which is strong and austere, containing much tannin; and Claret, which is thinner and higher flavoured. The white wines are all strong, Medeira, Sherry, Lisbon, Malaga, and Hock. Of these the last is the. most acidulous, and Malaga the sweetest. The following Tables exhibit a different Wines and spirituous Mr. Brande's paper, in Phil. from Neumann. Strongest. Medium. Weakest. 53.68 53.39 51.60 25.77 25.83 23.49 2140 24.42 22.27 19.34 25.87 21.56 17.26 20.55 Rum, Brandy, Hollands, Raisin wine, Port, Madeira, Marsala, Currant wine, Constantia, Sherry, Lisbon, Bucellas, Red Madeira, Cape muscat, ----madeira, Grape wine, Calcavalla, White hermit- age, Rousillon, Malaga, comparative view of the contents of Liquors. The first is taken from Trans* vol. 101. The second is Strongest. Medium. Weakest. 12.91 11.95 19.83 19.75 19.17 18.25 18.94 18.49 18.40 18.25 18.11 18.11 18.10 . 17.43 17.26 . 17.26 Malmsey mad, 16.40 Sheruaz, 15.52 Syracuse, 15.28 Nice, 14.63 Claret, 16.32 14.44 ] Tent, 13.30 Burgundy, 14.53 13.24 : White Cham- paigne, 12.80 Vin de Grave, 12.80 Frontignac, 12.79 Cote roti, 12.32 Red hermitage, 12.32 Gooseberry wine, 11.84 Hock, 14.37 11.62 Tokay, 9.88, Elder wine, 9.87 Cyder, 9.87 Perry, 9.87 Are, 8.88 Brown stout, 6.80 8.88 The first column in this table shows the quantity of rectified spirit,- the second that of thick, oily, unctuous, resinous matter,- the third of gummy and tartareous matter; and the fourth of water in 17280 parts. I. II. III. I IV. 1 I. II. III. IV. Malmsey, Alicant, Neufchatel, French, Frontignac, Muscadine, Salamanca, Sherry, Tinto, Hermitage, Monte Pul- ciano, Carcassone, Champaigne, Canary, 1920 1800 1560 1440 1440 1440 1440 1440 1440 1380 1320 1320 1280 1140 II. III. IV. 2100 1140 12120 2900 100 12840? 1920 900 12900 400 60 15380 1680 320 13830 1200 480 14160 1680 960 13200 2880 1080 11880 3120 840 11880 600 100 15200 180 160 15620 250 80 15630 400 60 15540 1200 2160 12780 1140 1080 1080 1080 1080 960 960 Madeira, Moselle, Rhenish, Tokay, Burgundy, Old rhenish, Pontac, White Bran- denburgh, Vih'de Grave, 960 Red Branden- burgh, 840 Aland, 840 Red Tyrol, 720 Spanish, 600 960 1560 260 200 2100 240 480 320 420 360 280 1560 600 1200 960 90 94 2400 100 140 120 180 120 13620 15850 15906 11700 15860 15700 15880 14880? 15840 120 16040 78014100 24015120 456010920 680 V__Vinum, Medical use—Wine, taken in moderate quantities, acts as a bene- ficial stimulus to the whole system. It promotes digestion, increases the action of the heart and arteries, raises the heat of the body, and exhilarates the spirits. Taken to excess, it produces inebriety, which is often succeeded by head-ache, stupor, nausea, and diarrhoea, which last for several days. Habitual excess in wine debilitates the sto- mach, produces inflammation of the liver, weakens the nervous sys- tem, and gives rise to dropsy, gout, apoplexy, tremors, and cutane- ous affections. To convalescents, and in all diseases of general debility, and de- ficiency of the vital powers, wine is the remedy on which we must place our chief dependance; and when properly administered, its ef- fects are often scarcely credible. VINA MEDICATA.—MEDICATED WINES. Wines are to be prepared in corked bottles, and frequently shaken dur- ing their preparation. Parmentier has occupied thirty-two pages of the Annales de Chi- mie, to prove that wine is an extremely bad menstruum for extract- ing the virtues of medicinal substances. His argument, (for there is but one,) is, that by the infusion of vegetable substances in wine, its natural tendency to decomposition is so much accelerated, that at the end of the process, instead of wine, we have only a liquor contain- ing the elements of bad vinegar. As a solvent, diluted alcohol per- fectly supersedes the use of wine; and if we wish to use wine to cover the taste, or to assist the operation of any medicine, M. Parmentier proposes that a tincture of the substance should be extemporaneously mixed with wine as a vehicle. Notwithstanding this argument appears to us to have great weight, we shall give to the medicated wines, retained in the Pharmacopoeias, the characters they still generally possess. Vinum Aloes. D. L. A. Vinum Aloes SocotorinjE. E. Wine of Aloes. Wine of Socotorine Aloes. Fake of Socotorine aloes, inpowder, one ounce; Cardamom, bruised, Ginger, each, one drachm; Wine, two pints.—Mucerate for ten days, stirring occasionally, and afterwards strain. E. This medicine has long been in great esteem, not only as a cathar- tic, but likewise as a stimulus. It appears from long experience to be a medicine of excellent ser- vice. The dose, as a purgative, is from one to two ounces. It may be introduced into the habit, so as to be productive of excellent ef- fects as an alterant, by giving it in small doses, at proper intervals: thus managed, it does not for a considerable time operate remarka- bly by stool; but at length proves purgative, and occasions a lax ha- bit of much longer continuance than that produced by the other com- mon cathartics. V.—Vinum. 681 Vinum Colchici. L. A.* Wine of Meadow Saffron. Take of Fresh meadow saffron, two ounces; Proof spirit, twelve ounces; Distilled water, twenty ounces.—Macerate for ten days, and strain. L. A considerable deposit takes place by standing some time, in the vinum Colchici even after filtration: Sir E. Home has ascertained, that it is this deposit which excites nausea and griping, but that its removal does not destroy the efficacy of the medicine. Mr. A. Gordon considers the Colchicum in greatest perfection, from early in June to the middle of August. It is necessary to use the bulb as soon as gathered, as it becomes inert. As a specific in the gout, its efficacy is ascertained; it allays pain, and cuts short the paroxysm. Dose from 30 to 60 drops. Vinum Gentians Compositum. E. A. Compound Wine of Gentian. Take of Gentian root, half an ounce; Peruvian bark, one ounce; Se- ville orange peel, dried, two drachms; Canella alba, one drachm; Diluted alcohol, four ounces; Spanish white wine, two pounds and a half.—First pour the spiAt on the root and bark, cut and bruised, and after twenty-four hours' add the wine; then macerate for seven days, and strain. E* •This wine is intended to supply the place of the Tinctura ad sto- machicos, as it was formerly called. Wine is a menstruum, fully capable of extracting the active powers of the different ingredients; and it supplies us with a very useful and elegant stomachic medi- cine, answering the purposes intended, much better than the cele- brated elixir of Van Helmont, and other unchemical and uncertain preparations, which had formerly a place in our Pharmacopoeias. Vinum Ipecacuanha. L. D. E. A. Wine of Ipecacuanha. Take of the Root of ipecacuanha, bruised, two ounces; Spanish white wine, two pints.—Digest for ten days, and strain. D. This wine is a very mild and safe emetic, and equally serviceable in dysenteries also, with the ipecacuanha in substance; this root yielding nearly all its virtues to the Spanish white wine. The com- mon dose is an ounce, more or less, according to the age and strength of the patient. Vinum Opii. E. L. D. A. Wine of Opium. Take of Extract of opium, one ounce; Cinnamon, bruised, Cloves, bruised, of each, one drachm; Wine, one pint.—Macerate for eight days, ana filter. This is the Tinctura Thebaica of the Dispensatory, 1745; the Laudanum Liquidum of Hoffman, which has continued to be popu- lar, notwithstanding its exclusion from the late Pharmacopoeias. * Take of fresh meadow saffron one part; Wine, two parts.—Macerate for ten days and strain. Pharm. U. S. 86 682 V.—Vinum. Mr. Ware, in particular, considers it as superior to every other so- lution of opium, as an application in chronic inflammation of the eyes: and, with the same intention, it is sometimes used when in- spissated by spontaneous evaporation. The American Pharmacopoeia uses two ounces of the opium to the pint of wine. Why is this? it is not the formula of the English Colleges; and it is an useless expenditure, for the wine cannot hold the amount in solution. It is called by the American Pharmacopoeia, Sydenham's laudanum; but his preparation is as follows, (Wallis's Ed. vol. I. 239.) "Take of Spanish white wine, one pint; opium, two ounces; saffron, one ounce; cinnamon, and cloves reduced to powder, of each one drachm; infuse them together in a bath heat for two or three days, till the tincture becomes of a due consistence, and after straining it off, set it by for use." Vinum Rhei. E. A. Rhubarb Wine. Take of Rhubarb, sliced, two ounces; Canella alba, one drachm, Di- luted alcohol, two ounces; Spanish white wine, fifteen ounces.— Macerate for seven days, and strain through paper. E. By assisting the solvent power of the wine, the diluted alcohol in the above formula is a very useful addition. This is a warm cordial laxative medicine. It is used chiefly in weakness of the stomach and bowels, and some kinds of loose- nesses, for evacuating the offending matter, and strengthening the tone of the viscera. It may be given in doses of from half a spoon- ful to three or four spoonfuls, or more, according to the circumstan- ces of the disorder, and strength of the patient. Vinum Tabaci. A. Vinum Niootianje Tabaci. E. Tobacco Wine. Take of the dried leaves of Tobacco, one ounce; Spanish white wine, one pound.—Macerate for seven days, and then strain the li- quor. E. Wine seems to extract more fully the active principles of the to- bacco, than either water or spirit taken separately. Vinum Veratri (Albi. A.) L. Wine of While Hellebore. Take of White hellebore, four ounces; Wine, one pint.—Macerate for ten days, and filter. Z—Zanthorhiza. 683 W. WINTER A AROMATIC A.* E. Winter's Bark. Polyandria Tetragynia. Nat. Ord. Magnolix, Juss. This is the produce of a tree, growing about the southern promon- tory of America. It was first discovered on the coast of Magellan, by captain Winter, in the year 1567: the sailors then employed the bark as a spice, and afterwards found it serviceable in the scurvy; for which purpose it is, at present, also sometimes made use of in diet drinks. The true Winter's bark is not often met with in the shops, Canella alba being generally substituted for it; and by some they are reckoned to be the same; there is, however, a considerable difference betwixt them in appearance, and a greater in quality. The Winter's bark is in large pieces, more of a cinnamon colour than the canella, and tastes much warmer, and more pungent. Its Bmell resembles that of cascarilla. Its virtues reside in a very hot, stimulant, essential oil. z. ZANTHORHIZA APIIFOLIA.— XANTHORHIZA. A. Zanthorhiza Tinctoria. Fellow Root. Parsely-leaved Fellow Root. The Root. This is a native plant of North Carolina, first brought by the late John Bartram from that state, and planted in his garden at Kingsess, in the county of Philadelphia, where it has continued to flourish in a most luxuriant manner. It is denominated Simplicissima bjs Mar- shall, Apiifoliaby L'Herretier, and Marboisia, by Mr. William Bar- tram, in honour of Mr. De Marbois. Zanthorhiza Tinctoria is a more expressive name, than any it has yet received. Dr. Woodhouse has given an excellent account of this valuable plant, in the fifth volume of the Medical Repository of New York, from which the present extract is taken. " The stems are three feet high, and somewhat thicker than a goose-quill. The root is from three to twelve inches long, and about the diameter of a man's little finger, sending off numerous scions. The leaves are placed alternately, having long petioles and pinnat- ed, terminating in an old one; the follicles sessile, and lacerated deeply on their edges. The peduncles are branchy, and placed im- mediately beneath the first leaves, from which cause the flowers appear before the leaves, very early in the spring." The stem and root are of a bright yellow colour, and possess a strong bitter taste. The zanthorhiza tinctoria contains a gum and resin, both of which are intensely bitter; the resin is more abundant than the gum. • Wintera, Pharm. U. S 684 Z.—Zanthoxylum. It imparts a drab colour to cloth, and a handsome yellow to silk; but the dye will not take on cotton or linen. The watery extract of the grated roots mixed with alum, .and added to Prussian blue, was first used by Mr. James Bartram, for colouring plants, and the plumage of birds, of a green colour. The green is far more lively and elegant than that made with gamboge, and Prussian blue, which is generally used for painting in water co- lours, and stands well in the shade, but soon contracts a dull colour when exposed to a bright light, and to a high temperature. Various subjects coloured by this green, and inclosed in a book, were as lively after one year, as when first painted. It is a strong and pleasant bitter, and preferable to all our native bitters. It sits easy on the stomach in the dose of two scruples. The colour of the leaves appears to reside in a resin, which is al- tered by the combined action of light and oxygen, by either of which separately, it cannot be affected. As the zanthorhiza is a strong and pleasant bitter, it promises to become a valuable addition to the American Materia Medica. Dr. Woodhouse often used the powdered stem and root of the zantho- rhiza with success, in the dose of two scruples to an adult, in many of those diseases in which bitters are recommended, but generally combined with other remedies. It is a medicine which sits easy on the stomach, and produces no disagreeable effects. ZANTHOXYLUM CLAVA HERCULIS. Prickly Ash. Tooth-ache Tree. The Bark. The bark is a very powerful stimulant, and exerts its effects %n the salivary glands, when applied to the mouth and external fauces, and even when taken into the stomach. The seed-vessels possess the same property. It has been given internally in rheumatism. Another species, the zanthoxylum fraxinifolium, (Xanthoxylum Fraxineum, Amer. Phar.) is a vegetable endued with very active powers. A spirituous infusion of the berries is much esteemed in Virginia, in violent colic. They are both more active than mezereon, and are well worthy of the attention of our physicians.* It is a native of Jamaica, and other tropical countries, where it grows to the height of sixteen feet, and is about twelve inches in diameter. This straight tree somewhat resembles the common ash: the bark of the trunk is covered with numerous prickles; and the wood is of a bright yellow cast. The wood of the zanthoxylum is chiefly employed for the heading of hogsheads, for bedsteads, and numerous other purposes; it also possesses remarkable medicinal virtues. The fresh juice expressed from the roots, affords certain relief in the painful disease, termed dry belly-ache. This important fact was discovered in the West In- dies, by watching a female slave, who collected the root in the woods, and gave two spoonfuls of its juice to a negro, suffering under that * Barton's Collections, Part I. p. 25. 52. Part II. p. 58. Z.—Zanthoxylum. 685 colic, at an interval of two liours. Such medicine occasioned a pro- found, but composed sleep for twelve hours; when all sense of pain, and other distressing symptoms, had vanished: the cure was com- pleted, by giving an infusion of the expressed root in water, by way of diet drink. Further, the juice of the prickly yellow wood, when preserved in rum, and administered in doses not exceeding a wine- glassful, has effectually removed the most obstinate epileptic fits; but Dr. Henry has not mentioned the manner in which this prepara- tion ought to be managed. To the above observations of Dr. Willich, the following by Dr. Mease, are added: (Dom. Ency.) Two species grow in the United States. 1. Zanthoxylum fraxinifolium, or ash-leaved zanthoxylum, grow- ing in Pennsylvania and Maryland: and zanthoxylum clavis hercu- lis, or prickly yellow wood, which grows in the more southern states. The bark and capsules are of a hot, acrid taste, and when a small quantity is chewed, powerfully promotes the flow of saliva. It is used in this way to relieve the tooth-ache. A tincture of the same parts of the tree, is a common country remedy for the chronic rheu- matism. In the West Indies, a decoction of the bark is used with great success, as an internal remedy, and also as a wash for foul ulcers, which it powerfully cleanses, and disposes to healthy granulations. The powdered bark is also mixed with the dressings. In the London Medical and Physical Journal, volume second, and following, there are several cases related, of the efficacy of this medicine in the above disease. Formula for the extraction of Xanthoxyline, from the Bark of Xan- thoxylum Fraxineum. By Edward Staples, M. D.—Digest one part of the bruised bark in two parts of pure water for three days at the common temperature of the air; to this, add eight parts of alcohol of 35° Beaume, and suffer a further digestion with occasional a°itation for three days. Separate the tincture from the dregs of the bark, and wash the dregs with two or three ounces of alcohol of 35°. Con- centrate the tincture by distillation in a water bath, to about one- fourth the quantity obtained by filtration, &c.; when thus reduced, and while yet warm, throw the concentrated tincture into about eight parts of pure water of the temperature 120° Fahr. Set the vessel containing the substance prepared as above aside to cool gra- dually, when cold, thin scaly crystals of a greenish colour will be found on the sides and bottom of the vessel; these crystals are form- ed of Xanthoxyline, and some impurities intimately connected with them, is a greenish fixed oil. When these crystals are treated with sulphuric aether, first, to remove the oil, and boiling alcohol, after- wards, the Xanthoxyline may be obtained in crystals, transparent, and nearly white—they form as the alcohol becomes cold. Xanthoxyline is a compound of hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon, in proportions not ascertained. It is somewhat analogous to piperine. The bark of Xanthoxylum Fraxineum, besides fibrous substance, 686 Z.—Zincum. and the peculiar vegetable principle above alluded to, which I have named Xanthoxyline in reference to the genera of the plant, from which the bark is obtained, contains also a volatile oil, fixed green- ish oil, resin, mucilage in small quantity, and colouring matter. ZINCUM. E. L. D. A.—ZINC. SPELTER. Zinc is bluish-white, lamellated, sapid, and odorous; specific gra- vity 7.190; laminable, soft, clogging the file; fusible at 700°; vapo- rizable; a powerful agent in the phenomena of galvanism; oxydized by fusion; at a red heat it catches fire, and emits white films of oxyd, which contain about 0.33 oxygen; it is soluble in hydrogen; it com- bines with phosphorus, sulphur, arsenic, antimony, and mercury; it easily decomposes water; it is oxydized and dissolved by almost all the acids. Oxyd, white films. It is always found oxydized, 1. Combined with a greater or less proportion of carbonic acid. Calamine. 2. Combined with sulphur. Blende. 3. Combined with sulphuric acid, generally in solution. The ores of zinc are rarely worked by themselves, or with the sole intention of extracting zinc, but are generally melted with the lead ores, particularly galena, which they commonly accompany. By this process the zinc is obtained in two forms; part of it is sub- limed in the state of an oxyd, and attaches itself to the chimney of the furnace in the form of a gray, granular, earthy-like incrusta- tion, which is known by the name of tutty or cadmia; part of it is sublimed in its metallic form, and is condensed in the throat of the chimney in small grains, which are afterwards melted in a crucible, and cast in ingots. Zinci Carbonas Impurus. E. A. Calaminaris. D. Calamina. L. Impure Carbonat of Zinc. Calamine. This mineral is found plentifully in England, Germany, and other countries, either in distinct mines, or intermingled with the ores of different metals. It is usually of a grayish, brownish, yellowish, or pale reddish colour; without lustre, or transparency; fracture com- monly uneven or earthy; considerably hard, though not sufficiently so as to strike fire with steel. Before the blow-pipe it decrepitates, but does not melt, and becomes yellower, and is sublimed. It is partly soluble in acids, and often effervesces with them. Mr. Smithson has analysed several varieties of Calamine. ~ , ,. SP- Grav. Ox. of Zinc. Carb. Acid. Water. Quartz. Derbyshire, • 4.333 . 65.2 • 34.8 Somersetshire, 4.336 • 64.8 • 35.2 Carinthia, • • 3.598 • 71.4 • IS. 5 . 15.1 Hungary, • • 3.434 . 68.3 . . . '. 4.4-25. Fnbourg,.....38. • • - ■ 12. ■ 50. Z.—Zincum. 687 Calamine is generally roasted before it comes into the shops, to render it more easily reducible into a fine powder. In this state it is employed in collyria, against defluxions of thin, acrid humours upon the eyes, for drying up moisy running ulcers, and healing ex- coriations. Carbonas Zinci Impurus Pr^eparatus. E. A. PreparedKImpure Carbonat of Zinc. The impure carbonat of zinc, after being roasted by those who make brass, is prepared in the same way as carbonat of lime. As this oxyd of zinc is intended for external application, and often to parts very easily irritated, too much pains cannot be bestowed in reducing it to a fine powder. Zinci Oxydum Impurum. E. A. Tutia. D. Impure Oxyd of Zinc. Tutty. It is moderately hard and ponderous; of a brownish colour, and full of stnall protuberances on the outside, smooth and yellowish within; some pieces have a bluish cast, from minute globules of zinc in its metallic form. Tutty is celebrated as an ophthalmic, and frequent- ly employed as such in unguents and collyria. Oxydum Zinci Impurum Pe^eparatum. E. Tutia Pr^iparata. L. Prepared Impure Oxyd of Zinc. Prepared Tutty. It is prepared as carbonat of lime. This oxyd is prepared for external use only. Oxydum Zinci. E. D. L. A. Flores Zinci. Oxyd of Zinc. Flowers of Zinc. Let a large crucible be placed in a furnace filled with live coals, so as to be somewhat inclined towards its mouth; and when the bottom of the crucible is moderately\ red, throw into it a small piece of zinc, about the weight of a drachm. The zinc soon inflames, and is at the same time converted into white flakes, which are to be from time to time removed from the surface of the metal with an iron spatula, that the combustion may be more complete; and at last, when the zinc ceases to flame, the oxyd of zinc is to be taken out of the crucible. Having put in another piece of zinc, the ope- ration is to be repeated, and may be repeated as often as is neces- sary. Lastly, the oxyd of zinc is to be prepared in the same way as the carbonat of lime. E. This is an instance of simple oxydizement. At a red heat, zinc attracts the oxygen of the atmosphere so strongly, that it is quickly covered with a crust of white oxyd, which prevents the air from act- ing on the metal below; and therefore we are desired to operate only on small pieces at a time, and to place the crucible so that we may easily take out the oxyd formed, and introduce fresh pieces of zinc. As soon as the crust of oxyd is broken or removed, the zinc inflames, and burns with a brilliant white or greenish blue flame, being at the same time converted into very light white flocculi. To save these 688 Z.—Zincum. as much as possible, we are directed to use a very deep and large crucible, and to cover it with an inverted crucible. But as we must not cover it so as to prevent the access of the air, it is doubtful whe- ther the latter precaution be of much service. The greater part of the zinc, is, however, oxydized in the crucible, without being pre- viously converted into vapour; and as this portion of the oxyd is always mixed with particles of zinc, it is necessary to separate them by trituration and elutriation. The oxyd thus obtained is of a pure white colour, without smell or taste, infusible and fixed in the fire, insoluble in water or alcohol, and entirely soluble in acids. The presence of lead in it is detected by sulphuric acid, which forms in that case an insoluble sulphat of lead. The white oxyd of zinc contains 82.15 zinc, and 17.85 oxy- gen. Mr. Phillips recommends, instead of this tedious process, an oxyd, or rather a subcarbonat prepared by decomposing sulphat of zinc by subcarbonat of potash. " If solutions, consisting of about eight parts of the former, and five of the latter, be boiled together for a short time, a very light white precipitate is obtained, contain- ing about twelve per cent, of carbonic acid. Should the sulphat of zinc be contaminated with oxyd of iron, it may be separated by pot- ash, previous to the precipitation of the oxyd of zinc by the subcar- bonat." Medical use.—'White oxyd of zinc is applied externally as a de- tergent and exsiccant remedy. With twice its weight of axunge, it forms an excellent application to deep chaps, or excoriated nipples. But besides being applied externally, it has also been used inter- nally. In doses from one to seven or eight grains, it has been much celebrated in the cure of epilepsy and several spasmodic affections: and there are sufficient testimonies of their good effects, where tonic remedies in those affections are proper. Sulphas Zinci. E. D. L. Vitriolum Album. Sulphat of Zinc. White Vitriol. Take of Zinc, cut into small pieces, three ounces; Sulphuric acid, five ounces; Water, twenty ounces.—Mix them, and when the effer- vescence is finished, digest the mixture for a little on hot sand; then strain the decanted liquor through paper, and after proper evaporation, set it apart that it may crystallize. This is chiefly found native in the mines of Goslar, sometimes in transparent pieces, but more commonly in the form of white efflo- rescences, which are dissolved in water, and afterwards reduced by evaporation and crystallization, into large masses. But as native sulphat of zinc is seldom pure, it is ordered to be prepared. The sulphat of zinc of commerce is never pure, but always con- tains iron, copper, and a little lead. From the mode of its prepara- tion, there i"s also a deficiency of acid and water of crystallization. The means directed for purifying it by the London and Dublin col- leges will supply these, but do not separate the foreign metals, ex- cept perhaps the lead. If, therefore, a pure sulphat of zinc be want- ed, we may, according to the directions of the Edinburgh college, Z.—Zincum. 689 dissolve pure zinc in pure sulphuric acid; but we believe this pro- cess is very rarely practised, especially as the common sulphat of zinc may be sufficiently purified by exposing it in solution to the air, by which means red oxyd of iron is precipitated; and by digesting it upon pure zinc, which precipitates the other metals. Sulphat of zinc crystallizes in tetrahedral prisms, terminated by pyramids. It has a metallic styptic taste; effloresces slowly when exposed to the air. It is soluble in 2.5 parts of water at 60°, and in much less boiling water. It is not soluble in alcohol. It is decom- posed by the alkalies and earths, hydrogureted sulphurets, and sul- phureted hydrogurets. It consists of 20 oxyd of zinc, 40 acid, and 40 water of crystallization. Medical use.— Sulphat of zinc, in doses from ten grains to half a drachm, operates almost instantly as an emetic, and is at the same time, perfectly safe. It is therefore given, when immediate vomit- ing is required, as in cases where poison has been swallowed. By employing it internally, in smaller doses, it acts as a tonic; and, some think it in every case, preferable to the oxyd of zinc. Externally, it is used as a styptic application to stop hemorrha- gies; diminish increased discharges, as gonorrhoea; and to cure ex- ternal inflammations arising from debility and relaxation of the blood-vessels, as in some cases of ophthalmia. We may observe, that although the American Pharmacopoeia em- ploys this salt as the basis of some of its preparations, it is not, it- self, introduced into the lists of the Materia Medica. Solutio Sulphatis Zinci. E. Solution of Sulphat of Zinc. Take of Sulphat of zinc, sixteen grains; Water, eight ounces; Di- luted sulphuric acid, sixteen drops.—Dissolve the sulphat of zinc in the water, then having added the acid, filter through paper. The acid is here added to dissolve the excess of oxyd of zinc, which the common sulphat often contains. This solution is of a strength proper for injecting into the urethra in gonorrhoea, or ap- plying to the eyes in chronic ophthalmia. Liquor Aluminis Compositus. L. Compound Solution of Alum. Take of Alum, Vitriolated zinc, of each, half an ounce; Boiling dis- tilled water, two pints.—Pour the water on the salts in a glass vessel, and strain. This water was long known in the shops, under the title of Aqua aluminosa Bateana. It is used for cleansing and healing ulcers and wounds; and for removing cutaneous eruptions, the part being bathed with it hot, three or four times a day* It is sometimes likewise employed as a collyrium; and as an injection in gonorrhoea and fluor albus, when not accompanied with virulence. Solutio Acetatis Zinci. E. Solution of Acetat of Zinc. Take of Sulphat of zinc, one drachm, Acetat of lead, four scruples; Distilled water, twenty ounces.—Dissolve each salt separately in ten ounces of water, mix the solutions, and filter the liquor. 690 V___Varia. If this is suffered to crystallize, it forms the acetat of zinc of the American Pharmacopoeia. This is a case of double elective attraction, the lead combining and forming an insoluble compound with the sulphuric acid, while the zinc unites with the acetic acid, and remains in solution. The acetat of'zinc may be obtained by evaporation in talcky crystals. It is soluble in water, and is decomposed by heat. It is not poisonous. When crystallized acetat of lead and sulphat of zinc are tritura- ted together, the mixture presently becomes moist, which is owing to the new compounds combining with less water of crystallization than the original salts, by which means a portion of the water is dis- engaged in its fluid form. • _ Medical use.—The solution of acetat of zinc, is, with many prac- titioners, deservedly much esteemed as an astringent collyrium, and injection. The solution in spirit of wine, of the Dublin college, is stronger and more stimulant than that in water of the Edinburgh. Tinctura Acetatis Zinci. D. Tincture of Acetat of Zinc. Take of Sulphat of zinc, Acetat of kali, each, one ounce—Tritu- rate them together, and add one pint of rectified spirit of wine___ Macerate for a week, with occasional agitation, and strain through paper. VARIA. RATTLESNAKE POISON. 10° Although the poison of the Viper has been experimented with, and even swallowed with impunity, it has not, we believe, ever been tried with a view to any medicinal powers it may possess. The following communication respecting the poison of the Rattle- snake, is of much interest, and may possibly, as the author sug- gests, lead sooner or later to its employment in medicine. " Fauquier, Virginia, 1824. "After a review of animal, vegetable, mineral, and serial poi- sons, relative and positive, in their immediate and remote effects on the three grand functions, animal, vital and natural; seeing that the horse and dog are said to improve on arsenic, that it fails to poison the falco-ossifragus; seeing that swine devour in safety rattlesnakes, re- gardless of their venomous bites; and that carbonic acid gas, delete- rious in the lungs, is innocent, nay, salutary, in the stomach; I made myself, et alia, subjects of experiments with the poison of the rattlesnake, (crotalus horridus.) My moral views of men, princi- ples, and things, forbade me pushing these experiments on others, whose safety is my professional study, (not the wild play of philoso- phic fancy,) so far as I extended them on myself. This animal sub- stance is the true Samson of the Materia Medica, and I anticipate the time when rattlesnakes will be reared for medicinal purposes, V.—Varia. 691 as the poppy and palm a christi are now. Old scholastic dogmas fly before modern science as chaff before the wind. I well remember when there was as much ceremony in giving a dose of calomel as christening a child in a country church. The effects of this poi- son are wonderful, as ethereal delights of long continuance, (say, for days,) whereas the effects of opium, hyosciamus and lactuca- rium, soon fade away; it reddens the blood and makes the faded cheek to glow with the rose of youthful health;it is a great corrector of morbid resin of bile; it drives away typhus, (T»4>os,)and replaces the mind on her native throne, to admire the beauties of creation, and inspire the soul with physico-theology. "N. B. I mixed by friction in a glass mortar and pestle, the bags, venom and all, taken from two teeth of a large and vigorous rattlesnake, with some cheese, and then divided the mass into one hundred pills, of which I occasionly took, sometimes one, at other times two, three, or four pills a day; a general dropsy succeeded the first state of heavenly sensations, which has not even at this day fully gone off, being even now, March, 1827, subject to swell- ings in the evening. " The diseases of the lymphatic and arterial systems are never be- nefited by the use of rattlesnake poison, but the nervous and mus- cular systems are speedily roused into action: palsy is much bene- fited: old rheumatisms are removed or relieved: the passions of the mind are wonderfully excited: delirium in typhus fever, attended with mutterings, (typhomania,) is almost immediately removed, and a serene mind, expressive of pleasure follows. Melancholy is quickly changed into gay anticipations: old sores are uniformly in- jured; on one occasion, the old cicatrix opened, and was difficult to heal afterwards. An ideot became improved in intellect. "JAMES WESTWOOD WALLACE. "To John R. Coxe, M. D. " Professor of Materia Medica in the University of Pennsylvania." GERANIUM MACULATUM. Having submitted the root of the geranium maculatum to chemi- cal analysis, 1 find that it contains:— Fibrous substance, Gallic acid in considerable quantity, Tannin, Mucilage, Amadin, . , . f., , Red colouring matter, principally in the covering of the root. A few acicular cryatals,.soluble in aether, were also obtained. The medical virtues of the root reside without doubt in those sub- stances imparting astringency to it, and are probably entirely inde- pendent of the few crystals alluded to. ^^ ^ ^ ^ 692 V.—Varia. CUCUMBER. Dr. Coxe, Sir.—Your remarks on the squirting cucumber have reminded me of an active property possessed by the common cucumber of our gardens, which I had not known of before last summer: thinking the fact might probably be new and interesting to yourself, I have ven- tured to communicate it. By some experiments which I made last summer, I found the juice of that part of the vine which joins the fruit to possess active rubefacient properties. This may perhaps serve as a clue to more useful discoveries by those better calculated to investigate the subject than, Your pupil and obedient servant, A. Jackson, of Virginia. PHARMACEUTICAL OPERATIONS. OF THE COLLECTION AND PRESERVATION OF SIMPLES. EACH of the kingdoms of nature furnishes articles which are em- ployed in medicine, either in their natural state, or after they have been prepared by the art of pharmacy. In collecting these, attention must be paid to select such as are most sound and perfect, to separate from them whatever is injured or decayed, and to' free them from all foreign matters adhering to them. Those precautions must be taken which are best fitted for preserv- ing them. They must in general be defended from the effects of moisture, too great heat, or cold, and confined air. When their activity depends on volatile principles, they must be preserved from the contact of the air as much as possible. As the vegetable kingdom presents us with the greatest number of simples, and the substances belonging to it are the least constant in their properties, and most subject to decay, it becomes necessary to give a few general rules for their collection and preservation. Vegetable matters should be collected in the countries where they are indigenous; and those which grow wild, in dry soils, and high situations, fully exposed to the air and sun, are in general to be pre- ferred to those which are cultivated, or which grow in moist, low, shady, or confined places. Roots which are annual, should be collected before they shoot out their stalks or flowers; biennial roots in the harvest of the first, or spring of the second year; perennial roots, either in spring, before the sap has begun to mount, or in harvest, after it has returned. * Those which are worm eaten, (except some resinous roots,) or which are decayed, are to be rejected. The others are immediately to be cleaned with a brush and cold water, letting them lie in it as short a time as possible; and the fibres and little roots, when not essen- tial, are to be cut away. Roots which consist principally of fibres, and have but a small tap, may be immediately dried. If they be juicy, and not aromatic, this may be done by heat, not exceeding 100° of Fahrenheit; but if aromatic, by simply exposing them, and frequently turning them in a current of cold dry air; if very thick and strong, they are to be split or cut Into slices, and strung upon threads; if covered with a tough bark, they may be peeled fresh, and then dried. Such as lose their virtues by drying, or are directed to be preserved in a fresh state, are to be kept buried in dry sand. No very general rule can be given for the collection of herbs and leaves, some of them acquiring activity from their age, and others, as the mucilaginous leaves, from the same cause, losing the property 694 Pharmaceutical Operations. for which they are officinal. Aromatics are to be collected after the flower-buds are formed; annuals, not aromatic, when they are about to flower, or when in flower; biennials before they shoot; and peren- nials, before they flower, especially if their fibres become woody. They are to be gathered in dry weather, after the dew is off them, or in the evening before it falls, and are to be freed from decayed, withered, or foreign leaves. They are usually tied in bundles, and hung up in a shady, warm, and airy place; or spread upon the floor, and frequently turned. If very juicy, they are laid upon a sieve, and dried by a gentle degree of artifical warmth. '^Sprouts are collected before the buds open; and stalks are gather- ed in autumn. Barks and woods are collected when the most active part of the vegetables are concentrated in them, which happens in spring and in autumn. Spring is preferred for resinous barks, and autumn for the others which are not resinous, but rather gummy. Barks should be taken from young trees, and freed from decayed parts, and all impurities. The same rules direct the collection of woods; but they myst not be taken from very young trees. Among the resinous woods, the heaviest which sink in water, are selected. The alburnum is to be rejected. Flowers are collected in clear, dry Weather, before noon, but after the dew is off: either when they are just about to open, or imme- diately after they have opened. Of some, the petals only are pre- served, and the colourless claws are even cut away; of others whose calyx is odorous, the whole flower is kept. Flowers which are too small to be^pulled singly, are dried with part of the stalk. These are called heads or tops. Flowers and herbs are to be dried by the gentle heat of a stove or common fire, in such quantities at a time, that the process may be finished as quickly as possible; for by this means their powers are best preserved; the test of which is the. perfect preservation of their natural colour. When they lose their colour and smell, they are unfit for use. Seeds and fruits, unless when otherwise directed, are to be gathered when ripe, but before they fall spontaneously. Some pulpy fruits are freed from their core and seeds, strung upon thread, and dried artificially. They are in general best preserved in their na- tural coverings, although some, as the colocynth, are peeled, and others, as the tamarind, preserved fresh. Many of these are apt to spoil, or become rancid; and as they are then no longer fit for me- dical use, no very large quantity of them should be collected at a time. The proper drying of vegetable substances is of the greatest im- portance. It is often directed to be done in the shade, and slowly, that the volatile and attive particles may not be dissipated by too great heat; but this is an error, for they always lose infinitely more by slow than by quick drying. When, on account of the colour, they cannot be exposed to the sun, and the warmth of the atmosphere is insufficient, they should be dried by an artificial warmth, less than 100° Fahrenheit, and well exposed to a current of air. When per- Pharmaceutical Operations* 695 fectly dry and friable, they have little smell; but after being kept some time, they attract moisture from the air, and regain their pro- per odour. The boxes and drawers in which vegetable matters are kept, should not impart to them any smell or taste; and more certainly to avoid this, they should be lined with paper. Such as are volatile, of a de- licate texture, or subject to suffer from insects, must be kept in well covered glasses. Fruits and oily seeds, which are apt to become rancid, must be kept in a cool and dry, but by no means in a warm or moist place. Oily seeds, odorous plants, and those containing volatile princi- ples, must be collected fresh every year. Others, whose properties are more permanent, and not subject to decay, will keep for several years. Vegetables collected in a moist and rainy season, are in general more watery and apt to spoil. In a dry season, on the contrary, they contain more oily and resinous particles, and keep much better. MECHANICAL OPERATIONS OF PHARMACY.. a. The determination of the weight and bulk of bodies. b. The division of bodies into more minute particles. c. The separation of their integrant parts by mechanical means, d. Their mixture, when not attended by any chemical action. The quantities of substances employed in pharmaceutical opera- tions are most accurately determined by the process called weighing. For this purpose there should be sets of beams and scales of different sizes; and it would be adviseable to have a double set, one for ordi- nary use, and another for occasions when greater accuracy is neces- sary. A good beam should remain in equilibrium without the scales, and. when the scales are changed; and it should turn sensibly with a very small proportion of the weight with which it is loaded. Balances should be defended as much as possible from acid and other corrosive vapours, and should not be left suspended longer than is necessary, as it impairs their delicacy very much. For the same reasons, ba- lances should never be overloaded. The want of uniformity of weights and measures is attended with many inconveniences. In this country and Great Britain, druggists and grocers sell by avoirdupois weight; and the apothecaries are directed to sell by troy weight, although, in fact, they seldom use the troy weight for more than two drachms. Hence arise numerous and culpable errors, the troy pound being less than the avoirdupois, and the ounce and drachm being greater. The errors arising from the promiscuous use of weights and mea- sures, have induced the Edinburgh and Dublin Colleges to reject the use of measures, entirely, and to direct that the quantities of every thing fluid, as well as solid, shall be determined by troy weight: but the London College have given their sanction to the use of mea- sures, and from the much greater facility of their employment, apo- thecaries will probably always use them. The American Pharmacopoeia has directed the use of weights and measures, in the following table. 696 Pharmaceutical Operations. Weights and Measures. " To express the quantity of solid bodies, we employ the kind of weight, which, in common language, is denominated Troy Weight, and divide the pound in the following manner. The pound, jfo "" [Twelve ounces 5 The ounce I ,• J Eight drachms 3 The drachm j I Three scruples 9 The scruple J . (^Twenty grains gr. " We have added the signs by which the several weights are de- noted. "To express the quantity of liquids, we employ the measures which are derived from the wine gallon, and for medical purposes we divide it in the following manner. The gallon, cong. ~\ pEight pints 0 The pint J . J Sixteen fluid ounces f5 The fluid ounce } j Eight fluid drachms f5 The fluid drachm Sixty minims ni, "We have added the signs by which we denote the several mea- sures." For measuring fluids^ the graduated glass measures are always to be preferred: they should be of different sizes, according to the quan- tities they are intended to measure. Elastic fluids are also measured in glass tubes, graduated by inches and their decimals. Specific gravity is the weight of a determinate bulk of any body. As a standard of comparison, distilled water has been assumed as unity. The specific gravity of solids is ascertained, by comparing the weight of the body in the air with its weight when suspended in water. The quotient obtained by dividing its weight in air by the difference between its weight in, air and its weight in water, is its specific gravity. The specific gravity of fluids may be ascertained by comparing the loss of weight of a solid body, such as a piece of crystal, when immersed in distilled water, with its loss when im- mersed in the fluid we wish to examine; by dividing its loss of weight in the fluid by its loss of weight in the water, the quotient is the specific gravity of the fluid: or a small phial, containing a known weight of distilled water, may be filled with the fluid to be examined and weighed, and by dividing the weight of the fluid by the weight of the water, the specific gravity is ascertained. The only other mode of expressing specific gravities, which it is necessary-to notice, is that of Baume's areometer; as it is often used in the writings of the French chemists, and is little understood in this country. For substances heavier than water, he assumes the specific gravity of distilled water as zero, and graduates the stem of his instrument downwards, each degree being supposed by him to express the number of parts of muriat of soda contained in a given solution, which however is not at all the case. For substances lighter than water, the tube is graduated upwards, and this zero is afforded by a solution of 10 of salt in 90 of water. Pharmaceutical Operations. 697 MECHANICAL DIVISION. By mechanical division, substances are reduced to a form better adapted for medical purposes; and by the increase of their surface, their action is promoted, both as medical and chemical agents. It is performed by cutting, bruising, grinding, grating, rasping, filing, pulverization, trituration, and granulation, by means of ma- chinery or of proper instruments. Pulverization is the first of these operations that is commonly em- ployed in the apothecary's shop. It is performed by means of pes- tles and mortars. The bottom of the mortars should be concave: and their sides should neither be so inclined as not to allow the substances operated on to fall to the bottom between each stroke of the pestle, nor so perpendicular as to collect it too much together, and to retard the operation. The materials of which pestles and mortars are form- ed, should resist both the mechanical and chemical action of the sub- stances for which they are used. Wood, iron, marble, siliceous stones, porcelain, and glass, are all employed; but copper,* and me- tals containing copper, are to be avoided. They should be provided with covers, to prevent the finest and lightest parts from escaping, and to defend the operator from the effects of disagreeable or noxious substances. But these ends are more completely attained by tying a piece of pliable leather round the pestle and round the mouth of the mortar. It must be closely applied, and at the same time so large as to permit the free motion of the pestle. In some instances, it will be even necessary for the operator to cover his mouth and nostrils with a wet cloth, and to stand with his back to a current of air, that the very,acrid particles which arise may be carried from him. The addition of a little water or spirit of wine, or of a few almonds, to very light and dry substances, will prevent their flying off. But almonds are apt to induce rancidity, and powders are always injur- ed by the drying which is necessary when they have been moistened. Water must never be added to substances which absorb it, or are rendered cohesive by it. , Too great a quantity of any substance must never be put into the mortar at a time, as it very much retards the operation. All vegetable substances must be previously dried. Resins and gummy resins, which become soft in summer, must be powdered in very cold weather, and must be beaten gently, or they will be con- verted into a paste instead of being powdered. Wood, roots, barks, horn, bone, ivory, &c must be previously cut, split, chipped, or rasped. Fibrous woods and roots should be finely shaved after their bark is removed, for otherwise their powders will be full of hair-like filaments, which can scarcely be separated. Some substances will even require to be moistened with mucilage of tragacanth, or of starch, and then dried before they can be powdered. Camphor may be conveniently powdered by the addition of a little spirit of wine, or almond oil. The emulsive seeds cannot be reduced to powder, unless some dry powder be added to them. To aromatic oily sub- stances, sugar is the best addition. All impurities and inert parts having been previously separated, 88' 698 Pharmaceutical Operations. the operation must be continued and repeated upon vegetable sub- stances, till no residuum is left. The powders obtained at different times must then be intimately mixed together, so as to bring the whole to a state of perfect uniformity. Very hard stony substances must be repeatedly heated to a red heat, and then suddenly quenched in cold water, until they become sufficiently friable. Some metals may be powdered hot in a heated iron mortar, or may be rendered brittle by alloying them with a lit- tle mercury. Trituration is intended for the still more minute division of bodies. It is performed in flat mortars of glass, agate, or other hard mate- rials, by giving a rotatory motion to the pestle, or on a levigating stone, which is generally of porphyry, by means of a muller of the same substance. On large quantities it is performed by rollers of hard stone, turning horizontally upon each other, or by one vertical roller turning on a flat stone. The substances subjected to this operation are generally previous- ly powdered or ground. Levigation differs from trituration only in the addition of water or spirit of wine to the powder operated upon, so as to form the whole mass into a kind of paste, which is rubbed until it be of sufficient smoothness or fineness. Earths, and some metallic substances, are levigated. Granulation is employed for the mechanical division of some me- tals. It is performed, either by stirring the melted metal with an iron rod until it cools, or by pouring it into water, and stirring it continually as before, or by pouring it into a covered box, previously well rubbed with chalk, and shaking it until the metal cools, when the rolling motion will be converted into a rattling one. The adher- ing chalk is then to be washed away. MECHANICAL SAPARATlON. Sifting. From dry substances, which are reduced to the due de- gree of minuteness, the coarser particles are to be separated by sieves of iron-wire, hair-cloth, or gauze, or by being dusted through bags of fine linen. For very light and valuable powders, or acrid substances, compound sieves, having a close lid and receiver, must be used. The particles which are not of sufficient fineness to pass through the interstices of the sieve, may be again powdered. Elutriaiion is confined to mineral substances, on which water has no action. It is performed for separating them from foreign particles and impurities, of a different specific gravity, in which case they are said to be washed: or for separating the impalpable powders obtained by trituration and levigation, from the coarser particles. This pro- cess depends upon the property that very fine or light powders have of remaining for some time suspended in water; and is performed by diffusing the powder or paste formed by levigation through plenty of water, letting it stand a sufficient time, until the coarser parti- cles settle at the bottom, and then pouring off the liquid in which the finer or lighter particles are suspended. Fresh water may be poured on the residuum, and the operation repeated; or the coarser particles which fall to the bottom may be previously levigated a se- Pharmaceutical Operations. 699 cond time. The fine powder which is washed over with the water, is separated from it, by allowing it to subside completely, and by decanting off the water very carefully. Decantation is very frequently made use o'f for separating the clear from the turbid part of a fluid, and for separating fluids from solids, which are specifically heavier, especially when the quantity is very large, or the solid so subtile as to pass through the pores of most substances employed for filtration, or the liquid so acrid as to corrode them. Filtration. For the purposes of separating fluids from solids, strain- ing and filtration are often used. These differ only in degree, iand are employed when the powder either does not subside at all, or too slowly and imperfectly for decantation. The instruments for this purpose are of various materials, and must in no instance be acted upon by the substances for which they are employed. Fats, resins, wax, and oils, are strained through hemp or flax, spread evenly over a piece of wire-cloth or net stretched in a frame. For saccharine and mucilaginous liquors, fine flannel may be used; for some saline solutions, linen. Where these are not fine enough, unsized paper is employed, but it is extremely apt to burst by hot watery liquors. Very acrid liquors, such as acids, are filtered by means of a glass funnel, filled with powdered quartz, a few of the larger pieces being put in the neck, smaller pieces over these, and the fine powder placed over all. The porosity of this last filter retains much of the liquor; but it may be obtained by gently pouring on it an equal quantity of distilled water; the liquor will then pass through, and the water will be retained in its place. Water may be filtrated in large quantities through basins of porous Stone, or artificial basins of nearly equal parts of fine clay and coarse sand. In large quantities it maybe easily purified per ascensum, the purified liquor and impurities thus taking opposite directions. The simplest apparatus of this kind is a barrel, divided perpendicularly, by a board perforated with a row of holes along the lower edge. Into each side, as much well washed sand is put as will cover these holes an inch or two, over which must be placed a layer of pebbles to keep it steady. The apparatus is now fit for use. Water poured into the one half will sink through the sand in that side, pass through the holes in the division to the other, and rise through the sand in the other half, from which it may be drawn by a stop-cock. The size of the filters depends on the quantity of matter to be strained. When large, the flannel or linen is formed into a conical bag, and suspended from a hoop or frame; the paper is either spread on the inside of these bags, or folded into a conical form, and sus- pended by a funnel. It is of advantage to introduce glass rods or quills between the paper and the funnel, to prevent them from ad- hering too closely. What passes first is seldom fine enough, and must be poured back again until'by the swelling of the fibres of the filter, or filling up of its pores, the fluid acquires the requisite degree of limpidity. The filter is sometimes covered with charcoal powder, which is a useful addition to muddy and deep-coloured liquors. The filtration of some viscid substances is much assisted by heat. 700 Pharmaceutical Operations. Expression is a species of filtration, assisted by mechanical force. It is principally employed to obtain the juices of fresh vegetables, and the unctuous vegetable oils. It is performed by means of a screw press, with plates of-wood, iron, or tin. The subject of the operation is previously beaten, ground, or bruised. It is then inclosed in a bag, which must not be too much filled, and introduced between the plates of the press. The bags should be of hair-cloth, or canvass inclosed in hair-cloth. Hempen and woollen bags are apt to give vegetable juices a disagreeable taste. The pressure should be gentle at first, and increased gradually. Vegetables intended for this operation should be perfectly fresh, and freed from all impurities. In general they should be expressed as soon as they are bruised, for it disposes them to ferment; but sub- acid fruits give a larger quantity of juice, and of finer quality, when they are allowed to stand some days in a wooden or earthen vessel after they are bruised. To some vegetables which are not juicy enough, the addition of a little water is necessary. Lemons and oranges must be peeled, as their skins contain a great deal of essen- tial oil, which would mix with the juice. The oil itself may be ob- tained separately, by expression with the fingers on a piece of glass. For unctuous seeds iron plates are used; and it is customary not only to heat the plates, but to warm the bruised seeds in a kettle over the fire, after they have been sprinkled with water, as by these means the product is increased, and the oil obtained is more limpid. But as the oils obtained in this way are more disposed to rancidity, this process should either be laid aside altogether, or changed to ex- posing the bruised seeds, inclosed in a bag, to the steam of hot water. Despumation is generally practiced on thick and clammy liquors, which contain much slimy and other impurities, not easily separable by filtration. The scum is made to arise, either by simply heating the liquor, or by clarifying it, which last is done by mixing with the liquor, when cold, white of egg well beaten with a little water, which on being heated coagulates and rises to the surface, carrying with it all the impurities. The liquor may now be filtered with ease, or may be skimmed with a perforated ladle. Spirituous liquors are clarified without the assistance of heat, by means of isinglass dissolved in water, or of any albuminous fluid, as milk, which coagulates with the action of alcohol. Some expressed juices, as thoseof all the an- tiscorbutic plants, are instantly clarified by the addition of any ve- getable acid, as the juice of bitter oranges. Fluids can only be separated from each other, when they have no tendency to combine, and when they differ in specific gravity. The separation may be effected by skimming off the lighter fluid with a silver or glass spoon; or by drawing it off by a syringe or syphon; or by means of a glass separatory, which is an instrument having a projecting tube, terminating in a very slender point, through which the heavier fluid alone is permitted to run; or by means of the ca- pillary attraction of a spongy woollen thread; for no fluid will enter a substance whose pores are filled by another, for which it has no attraction; and lastly, upon the same principle, by means of a filter of unsized paper, previously soaked in one of the fluids, which in this way readily passes through it, while the other remains behind. Pharmaceutical Operations. 701 Mechanical mixture is performed by agitation, trituration, or kneading. APPARATUS. The various apparatus for chemical operations are so largely de- scribed in most of the elementary treatises, especially that of Henrv, as to render it unnecessary to dwell upon them here. CHEMICAL OPERATIONS. In all chemical operations, combination takes place, and there are very few of them in which decomposition does not also occur. For the sake of method, we shall consider them as principally in- tended to produce, a. Change in the,form of aggregation; b. Combination; c. Decomposition. The form of aggregation may be altered by, a. Fusion; b. Vaporization; c. Condensation; d. Congelation; e. Coagulation. Liquefaction is commonly employed to express the melting of substances, as tallow, wax, resin, &c. which pass through interme- diate states of softness before they become fluid. Fusion is the melting of substances which pass immediately from the solid to the" fluid state, as the salts and the metals, except iron and platinum. Substances differ very much in the degrees of their fusibility; some, as water and mercury, existing as fluids in the or- dinary temperatures of the atmosphere; while others, as the pure earths, cannot be melted by any heat we can produce. When a substance acquires by fusion a degree of transparency, a dense uniform texture, and great brittleness, and exhibits a con- choidal fracture, with a specular surface, and the edges of the frag- ments very sharp, it is said to be vitrified. In general, simple substances are less fusible than compounds; thus the simple earths cannot be melted singly, but when mixed are easily fused. The additions which are sometimes made to refrac- tory substances to promote their fusion, are termed fluxes. These fluxes are generally saline bodies. a. The alkalies, potass, and soda, promote powerfully the fu- sion of siliceous stones; but they are only used for accurate experiments. The white flux is a mixture of a little potass with carbonat of potass, and is prepared by deflagrating to- gether equal parts of nitrat of potass and supertartrat of po- tass. When an oxyd is at the same time to be reduced, the black flux is to be preferred, which is produced by the defla- gration of two parts of supertartrat of potass, and one of nitrat of potass. It differs from the former only in containing a lit- 702 Pharmaceutical Operations. tie charcoal. Soap promotes fusion by being converted by the fire into carbonat of soda and charcoal. b. Aluminous stones have their fusion greatly promoted by the addition of sub-borat of soda. c. Muriat of soda, the mixed phosphat of soda and ammonia, and other salts, are also occasionally employed. An open fire is sufficient to melt some substances; others require the heat of a furnace. The vessels in which fusion is performed, must resist the heat ne- cessary for the operation. In some instances, an iron or copper ladle or pot may be used; but most commonly crucibles are employ- ed.—- Crucibles are of various sizes. The large crucibles are ge- nerally conical, with a small spout for the convenience of pouring out: the small ones are truncated triangular pyramids, and are com- monly sold in nests. Fusion is performed with the intentions, a. Of weakening the attraction of aggregation, 1. To facilitate mechanical division; 2. To promote chemical action. b. Of separating from each other, substances of different de- grees of fusibility. Vaporization is the conversion Of a solid or fluid into vapour by the agency of caloric. Although vaporability be merely a relative term, substances are said to be permanently elastic, volatile, or fixed. The permanently elastic fluids or gases are those which cannot be condensed into a fluid or solid form by any abstraction of caloric we are capable of producing. Fixed substances, on the contrary, are those which cannot be converted into vapour, by great increase of temperature. The pressure of the atmosphere has a very consider- able effect in varying the degree at which substances are converted into vapour. Some solids, unless subjected to very great pressure, are at once converted into vapour, although most of them pass through the intermediate state of fluidity. Vaporization is employed, a. .To separate substances differing in volatility. b. To promote chemical action, by disaggregating them. When employed with either of these views, either a. No regard is paid to the substances volatilized, 1. From solids, as in ustulation and charring; 2. From fluids, as in evaporation; 6. Or the substances vaporized are condensed in proper vessels, 1. In a liquid form, as in distillation; 2. In a solid form, as in sublimation; c. Or the substances disengaged are permanently elastic, and are collected in their gaseous form, in a pneumatic appa- ratus. Ustulation is almost entirely a metallurgic operation, and is em- ployed to expel the sulphur and arsenic contained in some metallic ores. It is performed on small quantities in tests placed within a muffle. Tests are shallow vessels made of bone ashes, or baked clay. Pharmaceutical Operations, 703 Muffles are vessels of baked clay, of a semi-cylindrical form, the flat side forming the floor, and the arched portion the roof and sides. The end and sides are perforated with holes for the free transmis- sion of the heated air, and the open extremity is placed at the door of the furnace, for the inspection and manipulation of the process. The reverberatory furnace is commoly employed for roasting, and the heat is at first very gently and slowly raised to redness. The process is accelerated by exposing as large a surface of the substance to be roasted as possible, and by stirring it frequently, so as to pre- vent any agglutination, and to bring every part in succession to the surface. Charring may be performed on any of the compound oxyds, by subjecting them to a degree of heat sufficient to expel all their hy- drogen, nitrogen, and oxygen, while the carbon, being a fixed prin- ciple, remains behind in the state of charcoal. The temperature ne- cessary for the operation may be produced either by the combustion of other substances, or by the partial combustion of the substance to be charred. In the former case, the operation may be performed^ any vessel which excludes the air while it permits the escape of the vapours formed. In the latter, the access of air must be regulated in such a manner, that it may be suppressed whenever the combustion has reached the requisite degree; for if continued to be admitted, the charcoal itself would be dissipated in the form of carbonic acid gas, and nothing would remain but the alkaline and earthy matter, which these substances always contain. When combustion is carried this length, the process is termed incineration. The vapours which arise in the operation of charring, are sometimes condensed, as in the manufacture of tar. Evaporation is the conversion of a fluid into vapour, by its com- bination with caloric. In this process the atmosphere is not a ne- cessary agent, but rather a hindrance, by its pressure. This forms a criterion between evaporation and spontaneous evaporation, which is merely the solution of a fluid in air. It is performed in open, shallow, or hemispherical vessels of silver, tinned copper, or iron, earthenware, or glass. The necessary calo- ric may be furnished by means of an open fire, a lamp, or a furnace, and applied either directly, or by the intervention of sand, water, or vapour. The degree of heat must be regulated by the nature of the substance operated on. In general, it should not be greater than what is absolutely necessary. Evaporation may be, a. Partial: 1. From saline fluids,—Concentration; 2. From viscid fluids,—-Inspissation. b. Total,—Exsiccation. Concentration is employed, a. To lessen the quantity of diluting fluids;—-Deflegmalion: b. As a preliminary step to Crystallization. Inspissation is almost confined to animal and vegetable substances; and as these are apt to be partially decomposed by heat, or to be- 704 Pharmaceutical Operations* come empyreumatic, the process should always be performed, espe cially towards the end, in a water or vapour bath. Exsiccation is here taken in a very limited sense; for the term is also with propriety used to express the drying of vegetables' by a gentle heat, the efflorescence of salts, and the abstraction of moisture from mixtures of insoluble powders with water, by means of chalk- stones, or powdered chalk pressed into a smooth mass. At present, we limit its meaning to the total expulsion of moisture from any body by means of caloric. The exsiccation of compound oxyds should always be performed in the water bath. Salts are deprived of their water of crystallization, by exposing them to the action of heat in a glass vessel or iron ladle. Some- times they first dissolve in their water of crystallization, (or undergo what is called the watery fusion,) and are afterwards converted into a dry mass by its total expulsion; as in the calcination of borax or burning of alum. When exsiccation is attended with a crackling noise, and split- ting of the salt, as in muriat of soda, it is termed decrepitation, and is performed by throwing into a heated iron vessel, small quantities of the salt at a time, covering it up, and waiting until the decrepita- tion be over, before a fresh quantity is thrown in. Exsiccation is performed on saline bodies, to render them more acrid and pulverulent, or to prepare them for chemical operations. Animal or vegetable substances are exsiccated to give them a solid form, and to prevent their fermentation. Condensation is the reverse of expansion, and is produced either, a. By mechanical pressure forcing out the caloric in a sensible form, as water is squeezed out of a sponge; or, b. By the chemical abstraction of caloric, which is followed by an approximation of the particles of the substance. The latter species of condensation only is the object of our inves- tigation at present. In this way, we may be supposed to condense, a. Substances existing naturally as gases or vapours; b. Substances naturally solid' or fluid, converted into vapours by adventitious circumstances. The former instance is almost supposititious; for we are not able, by any diminution of temperature, to reduce the permanently elastic fluids to a fluid or solid state. The latter instance is always preceded by vaporization, and com- prehends those operations in which the substances vaporised, are condensed in proper vessels. When the product is a fluid, it is termed distillation; when solid, sublimation. Distillation is said to be performed, a. Via humidd, when fluids are the subject of the operation. b. Via sicca, when solids are subjected to the operation, and the fluid product arises, from decomposition, and a new ar- rangement of the constituent principles. The objects of distillation are, Pharmaceutical Operations. 705 a. To separate more volatile fluids from less volatile fluids, or solids; b. To promote the union of different substances; c. To generate new products by the action of fire. In all distillations, the heat applied should not be greater than what is necessary for the formation of the vapour, and even to this degree it should be gradually raised. The vessels also in which the distillation is performed, should never be filled above one-half: and sometimes not above one-fourth, lest the substance contained in them should boil over. As distillation is a combination of evaporation and condensation, the apparatus consists of two principal parts; a. The vessels in which the vapours are formed; b. The vessels in which they are condensed. The vessels employed for both purposes are variously shaped, ac- cording to the manner in which the operation is conducted. The first difference depends on the direction of the vapour after its for- mation. It either a. Descends;—distillation per descensum: b. Ascends;—distillation per ascensum: c. Or passes off by the side,—distillation per latus. In the distillation per descensum, a perforated plate, generally of tinned iron, is fixed within any convenient vessel, so as to leave a space beneath it. The subject of the operation is laid on this plate, and is covered by another, accurately fitting the vessel, and suffici- ently strong to support the fuel which is burnt upon it. Thus the heat is applied from above, and the vapour is forced to descend into the inferior cavity, where it is condensed. In this way the oil of cloves is prepared, and on the same principles tar is manufactured, and mercury and zinc are separated from their ores. In the distillation per ascensum the vapour is allowed to arise to some height, and then is conveyed away to be condensed. The ves- sel most commonly employed for this purpose is the common copper still; which consists of a body for containing the materials, and a head into which the vapour ascends. From the middle of the head a tube arises a short way, and is then reflected downwards, through which the steam passes to be condensed. Another kind of head, rising to a great height before it is reflected, is sometimes used for separating fluids, which differ little in volatility, as it was supposed that the less volatile vapours would be condensed, and fall back into the still, while only the more volatile vapours would arise to the top, so as to pass to the refrigeratory. The same object may be more conveniently attained by managing the fire with caution and address. The greater the surface exposed, and the less the height the vapours have to ascend, the more rapidly does the distillation proceed; and so well are these principles understood by the Scotch distillers, that they do not take more than three minutes to discharge a still con- taining fifty gallons of fluid. The condensing apparatus used with the common still is very simple. The tube in which the head terminates, is inserted into the 89 706 Pharmaceutical Operations. upper end of a pipe, which is kept cool by passing through a vessel filled with water, called the Refrigeratory. This pipe is commonly made of a serpentine form; but as this renders it difficult to be cleaned, Dr. Black recommends a sigmoid pipe. The refrigeratory may be furnished with a stop-cock, that when the water it contains becomes too hot, and does not condense all the vapour produced, it may be changed for cold water. From the lower end of the pipe the product of the distillation drops into the vessel destined to receive it; and we may observe, that when any vapour issues along with it, we should either diminish the power of the fire, or change the water in the refrigeratory. Circulation was a process formerly in use. It consisted in arrang- ing the apparatus, so that the vapours were no sooner condensed into a fluid form, than this fluid returned ba«ck into the distilling vessels, to be again vaporized; and was effected by distilling in a glass vessel, with so long a neck that the vapours were condensed before they escaped at the upper extremity, or by inverting one ma- trass within another. When corrosive substances are distilled per ascensum, the cucur- bit and alembic are used; but these substances are more convenient- ly distilled per lotus. The distillation per latus is performed in a retort or pear-shaped vessel, having the neck bent to one side. The body of a good retort is well rounded, uniform in its appearance, and of an equal thick- ness, and the neck is sufficiently bent to allow the vapours, when condensed, to run freely away, but not so much as to render the ap- plication of the receiver inconvenient, or to bring it too near the fur- nace. The passage from the body into the neck must be perfectly free and sufficiently wide, otherwise the vapours produced in the retort only circulate in its body, without passing over into the re- ceiver. For introducing liquors into the retort without soiling its neck, which would injure the product, a bent funnel is necessary. It must be sufficiently long to introduce the liquor directly into the body of the retort; and in withdrawing it, we must keep it carefully applied to the upper part of the retort, that the drop hanging from it may not touch the inside of the neck. In some cases, where a mixture of different substances is to be distilled, it is convenient and necessary to have the whole apparatus properly adjusted before the mixture is made, and we must therefore employ a tubulated retort, or a retort furnished with an aperture, accurately closed with a ground stopper. The tubulature should be placed on the upper convex part of the retort before it bends to form the neck, so that a fluid poured through it may fall directly into the body without soiling the neck. Retorts are made of various materials. Flint glass is commonly used when the heat is not so great as to melt it. For distillations which require excessive degrees of heat, retorts of earthenware, or coated glass retorts, are employed. Quicksilver is distilled in iron retorts. The simplest condensing apparatus used with the retort, is the common glass receiver; which is a vessel of a conical or globular form, having a neck sufficiently wide to admit the neck of a retort. Pharmaceutical Operations. 707 To prevent the loss and dissipation of the vapours to be condensed, the retort and receiver may be accurately ground to each other, or secured by some proper lute. Means must also be used to prevent the receiver from being heated by the caloric evolved during the con- densation of the vapours. It may either be immersed in cold water, or covered with snow or pounded ice; or a constant evaporation may be supported from its surface, by covering it with a cloth, kept moist by means of the descent of water, from a vessel placed above it, through minute syphons or spongy worsted threads. But as, during the process of distillation, permanently elastic fluids are often pro- duced, which would endanger the breaking of the vessels, these are permitted to escape, either through a tubulature, or hole in the side of the receiver, or rather through a hole made in the luting. Receivers having a spout issuing from their side, are used when we wish to keep separate the products obtained at different periods of any distillation. For condensing very volatile vapours, a series of receivers, communicating with each other, termed Adopters, were formerly used; but these are now entirely superseded by Woulfe's apparatus. This apparatus consists of a tubulated retort, adapted to a tubu- lated receiver. With the tubulature of the receiver, a three-necked bottle is connected by means of a bent tube, the further extremity of which is immersed, one or more inches, in some fluid contained in the bottle. A series of two or three similar bottles are connected with this first bottle in the same way. In the middle tubulature of each bottle, a glass tube is fixed, having its lower extremity immers- ed about a quarter of an inch in the fluid. The height of the tube above the surface of the fluid must be greater than the sum of the columns of fluid standing over the further extremities of the connect- ing tubes, in all the bottles or vessels more remote from the retort. Tubes so adjusted are termed tubes of safety, for they prevent that reflux of fluid from the more remote into the nearer bottles, and into the receiver itself, which would otherwise inevitably happen, on any condensation of vapour taking place in the retort, receiver, or nearer bottles. Different contrivances for the same purpose have been de- scribed by Messrs. Welter and Burkitt; and a very ingenious mode of connecting the vessels without lute has been invented by Citizen Girard, but they Would not be easily understood without plates. The further tubulature of the last bottle is commonly connected with a pneumatic apparatus, by means of a bent tube. When the whole is properly adjusted, air blown into the retort should pass through the receiver, rise in bubbles through the fluids contained in each of the bottles, and at last escape by the bent tube. In the receiver, those products of distillation are collected, which are condensible by cold alone. The first bottle is commonly filled with water, and the others with alkaline solutions, or other active fluids; and as the perma- nently elastic fluids produced are successively subjected to_ the ac- tion of all these, only those gases will escape by the bent tube which are not absorbable by any of them. 708 Pharmaceutical Operations. PNEUMATIC APPARATUS. The great importance of the elastic fluids in modern chemistry, has rendered an acquaintance with the means of collecting and pre- serving them indispensable. When a gas is produced by any means, it may be received either, a. Into vessels absolutely empty; or b. Into vessels filled with some fluid, on which it exerts no action. The first mode of collecting gases, may be practised by means of a bladder, moistened sufficiently to make it perfectly pliable, and then compressed so as to empty it entirely. In this state it may be easily filled with any gas. An oiled silk bag will answer the same purpose, and is more convenient in some respects, as it may be made of any size or form. Glass or metallic vessels, such as balloons, may also be emptied for the purpose of receiving gases, by fitting them with a stop-cock, and exhausting the air from them by means of an air-pump. But the second mode of collecting gases is the most convenient and common. The vessels may be filled either, a. With a fluid lighter; or b. Heavier than the gas to be received into it. The former method is seldom employed; but if we conduct a stream of any gas heavier than atmospheric air, such as carbonic acid gas, muriatic acid gas, &c. to the bottom of any vessel, it will gradually displace the air, and fill the vessel. On the contrary, a gas lighter than the atmospheric air, such as hydrogen, may be collected in an inverted vessel by conducting a stream of it to the top. But gases are most commonly collected by conducting the stream of gas into an inverted glass jar, or any other vessel filled with wa- ter or mercury. The gas ascends to the upper part of the vessel, and displaces the fluid. In this way gas may be kept a very long time, provided a small quantity of the fluid be left in the vessels, which prevents both the escape of the gas, and the admission of atmosphe- ric air. The vessels may be of various shapes; but the most commonly em- ployed are cylindrical. They may be either open only at one ex- tremity, or furnished at the other with a stop-cock. The manner of filling these vessels with fluid, is to immerse them completely m it with the open extremity directed a little upwards, so that the whole air may escape from them, and then inverting them with their mouths downwards. For filling them with convenience, a trough or cistern is common- ly used. This either should be hollowed out of a solid block of wood or marble; or, if it be constructed of wood, it should be well painted, or lined with lead or tinned copper. Its size may vary very much; but it should contain a sufficient depth of fluid to cover the largest transverse diameter of the vessels to be filled in it. At one end or side, there should be a shelf for holding the vessels after they are Pharmaceutical Operations. 709 filled. This shelf should be placed about an inch and a half below the surface of the fluid, and should be perforated with several holes, forming the apices of corresponding conical excavations on the lower side, through which, as through inverted funnels, gaseous fluids may be more easily introduced into the vessels placed over them. In general, the vessels used with a mercurial apparatus should be stronger and smaller than those for a water-cistern. We should also have a variety of glass and elastic tubes for con- veying the gases from the vessels in which they are formed, to the funnels under the shelf. Rectification is the repeated distillation of any fluid. When dis- tillation renders the fluid stronger, or abstracts water from it, it is termed Dephlegmation. When a fluid is distillated off from any sub- stance, it is called Abstraction; and if 'the product be re-distilled from the same substance, or a fresh quantity of the substance, it is denominated Cohobalion. Sublimation differs from distillation only in the form of the pro- duct. When it is compact, it is termed a Sublimate; when loose and spongy, it formerly had the improper appellation of Flowers. Sublimation is sometimes performed in a crucible, and the vapours are condensed in a paper cone, or in another crucible invertedjiyer it; sometimes in the lower part of a glass flask, cucurbit, or phial, and the condensation is effected in the upper part or capital, and sometimes in a retort with a very short and wide neck, to which a conical receiver is fitted. The heat is most commonly applied through the medium of a sand-bath; and the degree of heat, and the depth to which the vessel is inserted in it, are regulated by the nature of the sublimation. Congelation is the reduction of a fluid into a solid form, in conse- quence of the abstraction of caloric. The means employed for ab- stracting caloric are the evaporation of volatile fluids, the solution of solids, and the contact of cold*bodies. Coagulation is the conversion of a fluid into a solid of greater or less consistence, merely in consequence of a new arrangement Qf its particles, as during the process there is no separation of caloric or any other substance. The means of producing coagulation are, in- crease of temperature, and the addition of certain substances, as acids and runnets. COMBINATION. Chemical combination is the intimate union of, the particles of at least two heterogeneous bodies. It is the effect resulting from the exertion of the attraction of affinity, and is therefore subjected to all the laws of affinity. To produce the chemical union of any bodies, it is necessary, 1. That they possess affinity for each other; 2. That their particles come into actual contact; 3. That the strength of the affinity be greater than any counter- acting causes which may be present. The principal counteracting causes are, L. The attraction of aggregation; 2. Affinities for other substances. 710 Pharmaceutical Operations* The means to be employed for overcoming the action of other affinities, will be treated of under decomposition. The attraction of aggregation is overcome by means of 1. Mechanical division. 2. The action of caloric. Combination is facilitated by increasing the points of actual con- tact, .1. By mechanical agitation; 2. By condensation; compression. The process employed for producing combination, may be con- sidered, 1. With regard to the nature of the substances combined; and 2. To the nature of the compound produced. Gases, 1. Combine with gases; 2. Dissolve fluids or solids; 3. Or are absorbed by them. Fluids, 1. Are dissolved in gases; 2. Or absorb them; 3. Combine with fluids; 4. And dissolve solids; 5. Or are rendered solid by them. Solids, 1. Are dissolved in fluids and in gases; or, 2. Absorb gases; 3. And solidify fluids. The combination of gases with each other, in some instances, takes place when simply mixed together: thus nitrous and oxygen gases combine as soon as they come into contact, in other instances, it is necessary to elevate their temperature to a degree sufficient for their inflammation, either by means of the electric spark, or the contact of an ignited body, as in the combination of oxygen gas with hydrogen or nitrogen gas. When gases combine with each other, there is always a consider- able diminution of bulk, and not unfrequently they are condensed into a liquid or solid form. Hydrogen and oxygen gases form wa- ter: muriatic acid and ammonia gases form solid muriat of ammonia. But when the combination is effected by ignition, a violent expan- sion, which endangers the bursting of the vessels, previously takes place, in consequence of the increase of temperature. Solution is the diminution of aggregation in any solid or fluid sub- stance, in consequence of its entering into chemical combination. The substance, whether solid or fluid, whose aggregation is lessened, is termed the Solvend; and the substance, by whose agency the so- lution is effected, is often called the Menstruum or Solvent. Solution is said to be performed via humida, when the natural form of the solvent is fluid; but when the agency of heat is necessary Pharmaceutical Operations. 711 to give the solvent its fluid form, the solution is said to be perform- ed via sicca. The dissolving power of each menstruum is limited, and is deter- minate with regard to each solvend. The solubility of bodies is also limited, and determinate with regard to each menstruum. When any menstruum has dissolved the greatest possible quantity of any solvend, it is said to be saturated with it. But, in some cases, although saturated with one substance, it is still capable of dissolv- ing others. Thus a saturated solution of muriat of soda will dissolve a certain quantity of nitrat of potass, and after that a portion of-mu- riat of ammonia. The dissolving power of solvents, and consequently the solubility of solvends, are generally increased by increase of temperature; and conversely, this power is diminished by diminution of temperature; so that, from a saturated solution, a separation of a portion of the solvend generally takes place on any reduction of temperature. This property becomes extremely useful in many chemical operations, es- pecially in crystallization. Particular terms have been applied to particular cases of solution. The solution of a fluid in the atmosphere is termed spontaneous evaporation. It is promoted by exposing a large surface, by frequent- ly renewing the air in contact with the surface, and by increase of temperature. Some solids have so strong an affinity for water, that they attract it from the atmosphere in sufficient quantity to dissolve them. These are said to deliquesce. Others, on the contrary, retain their water of crystallization with so weak a force, that the atmosphere attracts it from them, so that they crumble into powder. These are said to effloresce. Both operations are promoted by exposing large surfaces, and by a current of air; but the latter is facilitated by a warm dry air, and the former by a cold humid atmosphere. Solution is also employed to separate substances, (for example, saline bodies,) which are soluble in the menstruum, from others which are not. When our object is to obtain the soluble substance in a state of purity, the operation is termed lixiviation. In this as small a quantity of the menstruum as is possible is used. When, however, solution is employed to free an insoluble substance from soluble impurities, it is termed edulcoration, which is best perform- ed by using a very large quantity of the menstruum. Organic products being generally composed of heterogeneous sub- stances, are only partially soluble in the different menstrua. To the solution of any of these substances, while the others remain undis- solved, the term extraction is applied; and' when, by evaporation, the substance extracted is reduced to a solid form, it is termed an Extract, which is hard or soft, watery or spirituous, according to the degree of consistency it acquires, and the nature of the menstruum employed. Infusion is employed to extract the virtues of aromatic and vola- tile substances, which would be dissipated by decoction, and de- stroyed by maceration, and to separate substances of easy solution from others which are less soluble. The process consists in pour- ing upon the substance to be infused, placed in a proper vessel, the 712 Pharmaceutical Operations. menstruum either hot or cold, according to the direction, covering it up, agitating it frequently, and after a due time straining or de- canting off the liquor, which is then termed the Infusion. Maceration differs from infusion, it being continued for a longer time, and can only be employed for substances which do not easily ferment or spoil. Digestion, on the other hand, differs from maceration only in the activity of the menstruum being promoted by a gentle degree of heat. It is commonly performed in a glass matrass, which should only-be filled one-third, and covered with a piece of wet bladder, pierced with one or more small holes, so that the evaporation of the menstruum may be prevented as much as possible, without risk of bursting the vessel. The vessel may be heated, either by means of the sun's rays, of a common fire. Or of the sand bath; and when the last is employed, the vessel should not be sunk deeper in the sand than the portion that is filled. Sometimes* when the menstruum employed is valuable, a distilling apparatus is used to prevent any waste of it. At other times, a blind capital is luted on the matrass, or a small matrass is inverted within a larger one; and as the vapour which arises is condensed in it, and runs back into the larger, the process in this form has got the name of Circulation. Decoction is performed by subjecting the substances operated on to a degree of heat, which is sufficient to convert the menstruum into vapour, and can only be employed with advantage for extract- ing principles which are not volatile, and from substances whose texture is so dense and compact as to resist the less active methods of solution. When the menstruum is valuable, that portion of it which is converted into vapour is generally saved by condensing it in a distilling apparatus. Solutions in alcohol are termed Tinctures, and in Vinegar or wine, Medicated Vinegars or Wines. The solution of metals in mercury is termed Amalgamation. The combinations of other metals with each other form Alloys. Absorption is the condensation of a gas into a fluid or solid form, in consequence of its combination with a fluid or solid. It is facili- tated by increase of surface and agitation; and the power of absorp- tion in fluids is much increased by compression and diminution of temperature, although in every instance it be limited and determi- nate. Dr. Nooth invented an ingenious apparatus for combining gases with fluids; and Messrs. Schweppe, Henry, Paul, and Cuthbertson, have very advantageously employed compression. Consolidation. Fluids often become solid by entering into combi- nation with solids; and this change is always accompanied by consi- derable increase of temperature, as in the slaking of lime. DECOMPOSITION. Decomposition is the separation of bodies which were chemically combined. It can only be effected by the agency of substances possessing a stronger affinity for one or more of the constituents of the compound, than these possess for each other. Pharmaceutical Operations. 713 Decomposition has acquired various appellations, according to the phenomena which accompany it. Dissolution differs from solution in being accompanied by the* de- composition, or a change in the nature of the substance dissolved. Thus, we correctly say, a solution of lime in muriatic acid, and a dissolution of chalk in muriatic acid. Sometimes a gas is separated during the action of bodies on each other. When this escapes with considerable violence and agitation of the fluid, it is termed effervescence. The gas is very frequently allowed to escape into the atmosphere, but at other times is either collected in a pneumatic apparatus, or made to enter into some new combination. The vessels in which an effervescing mixture is made, should be high and sufficiently large, to prevent any loss of the ma- terials from their running over, and in some cases the mixture must be made slowly and gradually. Precipitation is the reverse of solution. It comprehends all those I>rocesses in which a solid is obtained by the decomposition of a so- ution. The substance separated is termed a Precipitate, if it sink to the bottom of the fluid; or a cream, if it swim above it. Precipi- tation, like solution, is performed either via humida or via sicca. The objects of precipitation are, 1. The separation of substances from solutions in which they are contained; 2. The purification of solutions from precipitable impurities; 3. The formation of new combinations. Precipitation is effected, 1. By lessening the quantity of the solvent by evaporation; 2. By diminishing its solvent power, as by reduction of tempe- rature, or dilution; 3. Or by the addition of some chemical agent, which from its more powerful affinities, a. Either combines with the solvent, and precipitates the sol- vend, b. Or forms itself an insoluble compound with some consti- tuent of the solution. The two first means of precipitation have been already noticed. Indeed they are rarely considered as instances of precipitation, as the effect is gradual, and the precipitated matter most commonly as- sumes determinate figures. In performing it in the last manner, we may observe the follow- ing rules: 1. The solution and precipitant must possess the requisite de- free of purity. e solution should be perfectly saturated, to avoid unneces- sary consumption of the solvent or precipitant. 3. The one is to be added slowly and .gradually to the other. 4. After each addition, they are to be thoroughly mixed by agi- tation. 5. We must allow the mixture to settle, after we think that enough of the precipitant has been added, and try a little 90 714 Pharmaceutical Operations. of the clear solution, by adding to it some of the precipi- tant: if any precipitation takes place, we have not added enough of precipitant. This precaution is necessary, not only to avoid loss, but in many instances, the precipitant, if added in excess, redissolves, or combines with, the pre- cipitate. After the precipitation is completed, the precipitate is to be se- parated from the supernatant fluid by some of the means already no- ticed. When the precipitate is the chief object of our process, and when it is not soluble in water, it is often adviseable to dilute, to a con- siderable degree, both the solution and precipitant, before perform- ing the operation. When it is only difficultly soluble, we must content ourselves with washing the precipitate, after it is separated by filtration. In some cases, the separation of the precipitate is much assisted by a gentle heat. Crystallization is a species of precipitation, in which the particles of the solvend, on separating from the solution, assume certain de- terminate forms. Almost all substances, on crystallizing, retain a portion of water combined with them, which is essential to their existence as crystals, and is therefore denominated water of crystallization. Its quantity varies very much in different crystallized substances. The means by which the particles of bodies are disaggregated, so as to admit of crystallization, are solution, fusion, vaporization, or mechanical division and suspension in a fluid medium. The means by which the disaggregating causes are removed, are, evaporation, reduction of temperature, and rest. When bodies are merely suspended in a state of extreme mechani- cal division, nothing but rest is necessary for their crystallization. When they are disaggregated by fusion or vaporization, the regu- larity of their crystals depends on the slowness with which their temperature is reduced; for if cooled too quickly, their particles have not time to arrange themselves, and are converted at once into a confused or unvaried solid mass. Thus glass, which when cooled quickly, is perfectly uniform in its appearance, when cooled slowly, has a crystalline texture. But in order to obtain crystals by means of fusion, it is often necessary, after the substance has begun to crystallize, to remove the part which remains fluid; for otherwise it would fill up the interstices among the crystals first formed, and give the whole the appearance of one solid mass. Thus, after a crust has formed on the top of melted sulphur, by pouring off the still fluid part, we obtain regular crystals. The means by which bodies, which have been disaggregated by solution, are made to crystallize most regularly, vary according to the habitudes of the bodies with their solvents and caloric. Some saline substances are much more soluble in hot than in cold water; therefore, a boiling saturated solution of any of these will deposite, on coolijng, the excess of salt, which it is unable to dissolve when cold. These salts commonly contain much water of crystalli- zation. Other salts are scarcely, if at all, more soluble in hot than in cold Pharmaceutical Operations. 715 water; and therefore, their solutions must be evaporated, either by heat, or spontaneously. These salts commonly contain little water of crystallization. The beauty and size of the crystals depend upon the purity of the solution, its quantity, and the mode of conducting the evaporation and cooling. When the salt is not more soluble in hot than in cold water, by means of gentle evaporation, a succession of pellicles is formed on the top of the solution, which either are removed, or permitted to sink to the bottom by their own weight; and the evaporation is con- tinued until the crystallization be completed. But when the salt is capable of crystallizing on cooling, the eva- poration is only continued until a drop of the solution, placed upon some cold body shows a disposition to crystallize, or at furthest only until the first appearance of a pellicle. The solution is then covered up, and set aside to cool; and the more slowly it cools, the more re- gular are the crystals. The mother-water, or solution which remains after the crystals are formed, may be repeatedly treated in the same way as long as it is capable of furnishing any more salt. When very large and beautiful crystals are wanted, they may be obtained by laying well-formed crystals in a saturated solution of the same salt, and turning them every day. In this way their size may be considerably increased, though not without limitation; for after a certain time, they grow smaller instead of larger. Crystallization is employed, 1. To obtain crystallizable substances in a state of purity; 2. To separate them from each other, by taking advantage of their different solubility at different temperatures. OXYGENIZEMENT. The combination of oxygen is the object of many chemical and pharmaceutical processes. With regard to the manner of combination, the oxygenizement may take place, either, a. Without the production of heat and light, to express which there is no other than the generic term oxygenizement; or, b. With the production of heat and light; combustion. 1. In substances which remain fixed at the temperature ne- cessary for their combustion, there is no other more speci- fic term; 2. In substances which exist as gases, or are previously re- duced to the state of vapour by the temperature necessary, it is termed inflammation; and if it proceed with very great violence and rapidity, deflagration. Combustion and inflammation have been already described. Deflagration, from its violence, must always be performed with caution. The common mode of conducting this process is, to intro- duce the substances to be deflagrated together into any convenient vessel, commonly an iron pot, or crucible, heated to redness. But to obviate any inconvenience, and to insure the success of the pro- cess, they are previously made perfectly dry, reduced to powder, 716 Pharmaceutical Operations. and thoroughly mixed together. The compound is then deflagrated gradually, generally by spoonfuls; but we must take care always to examine the spoon, lest a spark should adhere to it, which might set fire to the whole mass. During the process, the portion introduced should be frequently stirred. The oxygen necessary for the process of oxygenation may be de- rived from the decomposition, a. Of oxygen gas, or atmospheric air; b. Of oxyds, particularly water; c. Of acids and their combinations. The different modes of oxygenizement are intended, either, a. To produce heat and light; b. To obtain an oxygenized product; 1. An oxyd, when the process may be termed Oxydize- ment. 2. An acid, Acidification. c. To remove an oxygenizable substance. Hydrogen, carbon, and nitrogen, are never, unless for experiment, oxygenized, as simple substances. Sulphur is converted into sulphuric acid by burning it in leaden chambers, or by deflagrating it with nitrat of potass: and phosphorus is acidified by inflammation in the atmosphere. Of all the simple oxygenizable substances, the metals are most frequently combined with oxygen; and, as in consequence of this combination, they lose their metallic appearance, they were formerly said to be, calcined or corroded. Metals differ very much in the facility with which they are oxy- genized by the contact of oxygen gas. For some, as iron and man- ganese, the ordinary temperature of the atmosphere is necessary; but others, as potassium and sodium, are oxygenized even by the contact of ice; while others, as gold and platinum, scarcely undergo any change in the most violent heat. Upon these the operation is per- formed by heating them to the requisite temperature, and exposing them to the action of the air: and on the fusible metals it is pro- moted by stirring them when melted. Metals also differ in the mode of their action upon water. They are either capable of decomposing water, ' a. At every temperature, as potassium and sodium. 6. At ordinary temperatures, as iron, zinc, manganese, &c. c. At elevated temperatures, as antimony and tin; or d. When acted upon at the same time by an acid or an alkali, as copper, lead, bismuth; or lastly, e. They are incapable of decomposing it, as gold, silver, mer- cury, platinum. The oxygenizement of metals by water is promoted by the action of air. Iron, for example, is more quickly rusted by being merely moistened with water, than when totally immersed in water. But the acids are the most powerful agents in oxygenizing metals. They act, in two ways, either, Pharmaceutical Operations. 717 1. By enabling them to decompose water; 2. By being decomposed themselves. The metals are susceptible of different degrees of oxygenizement, some of them even of acidification, and, in general, they are more oxygenized according to the rapidity of the process. When proceed- ing too slowly, it may be accelerated by heat; when too violent, it must be checked by diminution of temperature, as by plunging the vessel in which the operation is performed into cold water. When the degree of oxygenizement is not very great, the oxyd formed generally enters into combination with the acid employed, and forms a metallic salt; but when carried to its highest degree, the oxyd is often insoluble. DISOXYGENIZEMENT OF METALLIC OXYDS AND ACIDS. This process was formerly termed reduction, from its restoring the metals to their metallic splendour, and is performed by causing some body to act upon them, which has a greater affinity for oxygen than they have. The different metals themselves vary very much in the degree of this affinity, so that they are reduced with very dif- ferent degrees of facility. Gold, silver, platinum, and mercury, are reduced by merely exposing them to a sufficient degree of heat in close vessels. The oxygen at this temperature has a greater af- finity for caloric than for the metals, and is therefore driven off in the form of very pure oxygen gas. Some other metallic oxyds which resist the simple action of heat, may be reduced by melting them in contact with charcoal, or sub- stances which may be charred, such as oil, fat, resin, pitch, &c. Besides the charcoal, different saline fluxes are also added to facili- tate the fusion of the oxyd. The oxyd to be reduced is mixed with a sufficient quantity of any of these substances, and placed in the bottom of a crucible, which is afterwards filled up with charcoal powder, to prevent entirely the access of the air, and exposed for a length of time to a sufficiently high temperature, when a button of the metal will commonly be found in the bottom of the crucible. Upon the volatile metals, such as arsenic and zinc, this operation must be performed in a distilling or subliming apparatus. Some metallic oxyds, such as those of pla- tinum, columbium, &c. cannot be reduced, from our being unable to produce a degree of heat sufficient to melt them. But galvanism is by far the most powerful disoxygenizing pro- cess. By means of it the metallic bases of the alkalies and earths. have been discovered. . Metals may be also obtained from the metallic salts, by inserting in a solution of these a plate of another metal, possessing a stronger affinity for oxygen than for the acid. Thus copper is precipitated by iron, and arsenic by zinc. We must only take care .that the two metals have no remarkable affinity for each other, as in that case an alloy is commonly produced. For example, when mercury is placed in a solution of silver, a crystallized amalgam ot silver is obtained, formerly called the Arbor Dianse. 718 Pharmaceutical Operations. The compound oxyds, (vegetable and animal substances,) may be further oxygenized, by treating them with nitric acid. In this way various oxyds and acids are formed, according to the nature of the oxyd operated on, the quantity of the acid, and the mode of con- ducting the process. These substances also undergo changes by gradually combining with the oxygen of the atmosphere. In some cases, this combina- tion is attended with remarkable phenomena, which have been classed under the term fermentation. There are several species of fermentation, which have been named from the products they afford. 1. The saccharine, which produces sugar. 2. The vinous, which produces wine, and similar fluids. 3. The panary, which produces bread. 4. The acetic, which produces vinegar. 5. The putrefactive, which produces ammonia. The same substances are sometimes capable of undergoing the first, second, fourth, and fifth; or third, fourth, and fifth successive- ly, but never in a retrograde order. The conditions necessary for all of them are, 1. The presence of a sufficient quantity of fermentable mattery 2. The presence of a certain proportion of water; 3. The contact of atmospheric air; and, 4. A certain temperature. The saccharine fermentation.—The seeds of barley, when moist- ened with a certain quantity of water, and exposed to the contact of the atmospheric air, at a temperature of not less than 50°, swell, and show marks of incipient vegetation, by pushing forth the radicle. If at this period the fermentation be checked, by exposing them to a considerable degree of heat, and drying them thoroughly, the in- sipid amylaceous matter, of which the seeds principally consisted, will be found to be changed in part into a sweet saccharine substance. The oxygen of the air, in contact with the seeds, is at the same time converted into carbonic acid gas, by combining with part of the car- bon of the seeds; and there is a considerable increase of temperature in the fermenting mass, even to such a degree as sometimes to set it on fire. Similar phenomena occur in the maturation of fruits; in the cookery of some roots and fruits, and during the heating of hay, when put up too wet. The vinous fermentation.—The conditions necessary for the vinous fermentation, are, the presence of proper proportions,of sugar, acid, extract, and water, and a temperature of about 70°. When these circumstances.exist, an intestine motion commences in the fluid; it becomes thick and muddy, its temperature increases, and carbonic acid gas is evolved. After a time the fermentation ceases, the feces rise to the top, or subside to the bottom, the liquor becomes clear, it has lost its saccharine taste, and assumed a new one, and its spe- cific gravity is diminished. If the fermentation has been complete, the sugar is entirely decomposed, and the fermented liquor consjsts Pharmaceutical Operations. 719 of a large proportion of water, of alcohol, of malic acid, of extract, of essential oil, and colouring matter. The substances most com- monly subjected to this fermentation are Must, which is the ex- pressed juice of the grape, and which produces the best wines; the juice of the currant and gooseberry, which, with the addition of sugar, form our home-made wines; the juices of the apple and pear, which give cyder and perry; and an infusion of malt, which, when fermented with yeast, forms beer. The briskness and sparkling of some of these liquors depend on their being put into close vessels before the fermentation is completed, by which means a portion of carbonic acid gas is retained. The acetic fermentation.—All vinous liquors are susceptible of the acetic fermentation, provided they be exposed to the action of the atmosphere, in a temperature not less than 70°. An intestine motion and hissing noise sensibly take place in the fluid; it be- comes turbid, with filaments floating in it, and its temperature in- creases; it exhales a pungent acid smell, without any disengagement of carbonic acid gas. Gradually these phenomena cease; the tem- perature decreases, the motion subsides, and the liquor becomes clear, having deposited a sediment and red glairy matter, which ad- heres to the sides of the vessel. During this process, the alcohol and malic acid disappear entirely, oxygen is absorbed, and acetic acid formed. The panary and colouring fermentation—is less understood than those already described. A paste of wheat flour and water, ex- posed to a temperature of 65°, swells, emits a small quantity of gas, and acquires new properties. The gluten disappears, and the paste acquires a sour disagreeable taste. If a just proportion of this fermented paste or leaven, or, what is still better, if some barm, be formed into a paste with wheat flour and water, the same fermentation is excited, without the disagreeable taste being pro- duced; the gas evolved is prevented from escaping by the viscidity of the paste, which therefore swells, and if baked, forms light spongy bread. The putrefactive fermentation.—Although vegetable substances, when they are destroyed by spontaneous decomposition are said to putrefy, we shall consider this fermentation as belonging exclusive- ly to animal substances, or those which contain nitrogen as an ele- mentary principle. The essential conditions of putrefaction are hu- midity, and a temperature between 45° and 110°. The presence of air, the diminution of pressure, and the addition of ferments, are not essential, but accelerate its progress. The smell is at first vapid and disagreeable, but afterwards insupportably fetid, although the fetor, for a time, is somewhat diminished by the mixture of an am- moniacal odour.—Liquids become turbid and flocculent. Soft sub- stances melt down into a gelatinous mass, in which there is a kind of gentle motion and swelling up, from the slow and scanty formation of elastic fluids.—Solids, beside the general softening, exude a sero- sity of various colours, and by degrees the whole mass dissolves, the swelling ceases, the matter settles, and its colour deepens; at'last its odour becomes somewhat aromatic, its elements are finally dis- sipated, and there remains only a kind of fat, viscid, and still fetid 720 Pharmaceutical Operations. mould. The products of putrefaction are carbureted, sulphureted, and phosphureted hydrogen gases, water, ammonia, nitrogen, and carbonic acid. These are all dissipated in the form of gas or vapour. When in contact with air, oxygen is absorbed. Acetic acid, a fatty matter, a soap composed of this fat and ammonia, and often the nitric acid, fixed by a salifiable base, are also produced; and the ul- timate remains, besides salts, composed of acid and earths, contain for a long time a portion of fat charry matter, APPENDIX. TABLES OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. ENGLISH. APOTHECARY OR TROY WEIGHT. Pound. Ounces. Drachms. Scruples. Grains. fcl = 12 = 96 = 288 == 5760 | 1 = 8 = 24 • 480 31 = 3 = 60 9 1 = 20 gr. 1 ' • SIGNS OF qUANTITY. A pound fei- A scruple 9i An ounce ^i. A grain gr. i A drachm 3i- M^MH Pound. 1 AVOIRDUPOIS WEIGHT. Ounces. Drachms. Troy Grains. 16 = 256 =s 7000 1 = 16 = 437.5 1 = 27.34375 MEASURE, LONDON PHARMACOPCEIA. Gallon. Pin 1 = 8 © 1 s. Fluid ( >un Fluid dr. Minims. Troy gr. Cubic inch. = 128 = 1024 = 61440 ;=; 58443 _ 231 = 16 = 128 = 7680 — 7305 — 28.875 f § 1 = 8 = 480 — 456.5 = 1.8047 f 3 i = 60 = 57 = 0.2256 "L 1 = 0.9 = 0.0374 91 722 Appendix* Tables of Specific Gravities indicated in the diffei 'ent Pharmacopoeias. 1 Dublin. London. Edinburgh. American, Sulphuric ether 765 Nitrous ether - 900 Spirit of nitrous ether 850 Alcohol - 815 815 Rectified spirit (alcohol) 840 835 835 835 Proof spirit 930 930 935 Acetic acid ... 1070 Distilled vinegar - . - 1006 Oxymuriatic acid 1003 Muriatic acid - 1170 1160 1170 1160 diluted - 1080 Nitric acid - 1500 1500 1520 1500 diluted - 1280 Sulphuric acid - 1845 1850 1845 1850 diluted - 1090 Solution of potass - - 1100 1050 ammonia - 936 960 carbonat of ammo- nia 1095 carbonat of soda, saturated 1220 oxymuriat of pot- ass 1087 sulphuret of potass 1120 Tincture of muriat of iron (red] 1 1050 • Cases of Mutual Decomposition. 1. FROM SIMPLE AFFINITY. Sulphat of potass soda - ammonia - magnesia - Supersulphat of alumina Nitrat of potass ammonia - - Muriat of baryta soda - lime ammonia Phosphat of soda Sub-borat of soda -,. Nitrat of silver - Acetate of lead - Sulphat of mercury - Soap of potass - soda with Muriat of Baryta — Nitrat of potass — Muriat of potass • — Carbonat of potass — Muriat of lime — baryta — Phosphat of soda — All sulphats and nitrats — Carbonat of potass — Sub-borat of soda — Carbonat of potass — Muriat of ammonia — Carbonat of potass — Muriat of soda — Citrat of potass — Muriat of soda — soda — Sulphat of lime. Appendix. 723 2. FROM COMPOUND AFFINITY. Sulphat of baryta baryta potass soda Muriat of baryta Ditto Ditto Ditto t Ditto Muriat of lime Phosphat of soda Acetat of lead Ditto with Carbonat of potass — soda — Muriat of Lime — Ditto — Phosphat of soda — Sub-borat of soda —. Carbonat of potass — soda — ammonia —- ammonia — lime — Sulphat of zinc — Nitrat of mercury. Table of Incompatible Salts.* SALTS. 1. Fixed alkaline sulphats 2. Sulphat of lime 3. Alum 4. Sulphat of magnesia 5. Sulphat of iron 6. Muriat of barytes 7. Muriat of lime 8. Muriat of magnesia 9. Nitrat of lime INCOMPATIBLE WITH C Nitrats of lime and magnesia I Muriats' of lime and magnesia f Alkalies ■J Carbonat of magnesia ^Muriat of barytes rAllcalies J Muriat of barytes j Nitrat, muriat, carbonat of lime [_Carbonat of magnesia {Alkalies Muriat of barytes Nitrat and muriat of lime {"Alkalies < Muriat of barytes (^ Earthy carbonats f Sulphats , ■j Alkaline carbonats (^ Earthy carbonats f Sulphats, except of lime ■< Alkaline carbonats ^ Carbonat of magnesia C Alkaline carbonats I Alkaline sulphats ("Alkaline carbonats J Carbonats of magnesia and alu- j min a (jSulphats, except of lime. * That is, salts which cannot exist together in solution, without mutual decomposition. 724 Appendix. Quantity of Real Acid taken up by mere Alkalies and Earths, (Kirwan.) 100 Parts. Sulphuric. Nitric. Muriatic. Carbonic Acid. Potash 82,48 84,96 56,3 105, almost. Soda 127,68 135,71 73,41 66,8. Ammonia 383,8 247,82 171, Variable. Barytes 50, 56, 31,8 282. . Strontia 72,41 85,56 46, 43,2. Lime 143, 179,5 84,488 81,81. Magnesia 172,64 210, 111,35 200, Fourcroy. Alumine 150,9 335, nearly, Bergmann. Quantity of Alkalies and Earths taken up by 100 parts of Real Sul- phuric, Nitric, Muriatic, and Cttrbonic Acids, saturated, (Kirwan.) 100 Parts. Potash. Soda. Ammonia. Baryt. Strontia. Lime. Magnetia. Sulphuric Nitric Muriatic Carbonic 121,48 117,7 177,6 95,1 78,32 7-3,. 136,2 149,6 26,05 40,35 58,48 200, 178,12 314,46 354,5 138, 116,86 216,21 231. + 55,7 118,3 122, 57,92 47,64 898, 50, Table of the respective quantities of Acid and Base required to neu- tralize each other, calculated by Fischer from Richter's Experi- ments. BASES ACIDS. Alumine , - 525 Fluoric . - - 427 Magnesia 615 Carbonic - - .577 Ammonia -, 672 Sebacic - 706 Lime - - : - 793 Muriatic - ■ - 712 Soda - 859 Oxalic - 755 Strontites - 1329 Phosphoric - -■ - 979 Potash - 1605 Formic - 988 Barytes -v 2222 Sulphuric •-' - 1000 Succinic .' - 1209 Nitric - - ■ - 1405 Acetic -. - - 1480 Citric - - - 1563 Tartaric - - 1694 Table showing the Maximum Quantity of Oxygen taken up by dif- ferent Substances, a SIMPLE COMBUSTIBLES. 100 Hydrogen unite with - - . - 597.7 Oxygen. 100 Carbon - - - ;'- - - .- 257. 100 Azote - - - - - - .- 236. . 100 Muriatic acid - - - - - 194. 100 Phosphorus - - ... - 154. 100 Sulphur - - - - - -"-.-■■ 71.3 Appendix. 725 METALS. 100 Chrome combine with - - - - goo. Oxygen. 100 Iron - - - - ... gg.3 100 Manganese - - - - - - 66. 100 Arsenic - - -" - - - - - - 53. 100 Tin - - - - - . '- 38.8 100 Antimony - - ' - - - - 30. 100 Zinc "J 100 Copper I nr 100 Lead f ' ----- 25. 100 TungstenJ 100 Mercury - - - -_ . . 17.6 100 Platina.....- ' , 15. 100 Silver •-'-.. - . - - 12.8 100 Bismuth - - - - - - . 12. 100 Gold - - *. - - - -'10. Water - ■ - Atmospheric air Hydrogen gas Carbonic acid gas Oxygen gas Azotic gas Nitrous oxyd Nitrous gas Olefiant gas Carbonic oxyd gas Steam Ammoniacal gas Carbureted hydrogen Nitric acid gas Sulphureted hydrogen Muriatic acid gas Ether vapour Alcohol vapour equal Weight with Water. j of some Bodies com Crawford. Dal ton's hypothesis. De La Roche and Berard. 1.000 1.000 1.000. 1.790 1.759 0.2669. 21.400 9.382 3.2936. 1.045 0.491 0.2210. 4.749 1.333 0.2361. 0.793 1.866 0.2754. . _ 0.549 0.2369. - 0.777 - 1.555 0.4207. - , .. - 0.777 0.2884. 1.166 0.8470. -.' 1.555 - . - 1.333 0.491 - 0.583 . 0.424 - 0.848 1 - ' 0.586 Kirwan's Table, showing the Composition of Salts. COMPONENT PARTS. to SALTS. BASIS. ACID. WATER. STATE. Carbonat of potash 41. 43. 16. _ Crystallized. Pearl ash 60. 30. 6. . Dry. Carbonat of soda 21.58 14.42 64. _ Fully crystallized. ditto - •;; 59.86 40.05 . . Desiccated. barytes 78. 22. - . Natural or ignited. strontian 69.5 30. _ _ Natural or ignited. lime 55. 45. - - Natural if pure, or artificial ignited. magnesia 25. a'' 50. 25. - " - . Crystallized. common do. 45. -'■ 34. 21. . Dried at 80°. Sulphat of potash - 54.8 45.2 - . Dl> „. , soda 18.48 23.52 58. . Fully crystallized. very soluble unlimited - do. - do. - do. 150 1.25 133 50 8.3 2.8 0.84 2 1.04 0.69 1.04 0.208 50 Suberic...... Camphoric..... Benzoic --..._ Molybdic...... Chromic, unknown Tungstic, insoluble SALIFIABLE BASES. Potass...... Soda, somewhat less than potass Baryta...... crystallized - - . - ' - Strontia...... crystallized - - Lime...... SALTS. Sulphat of potass .... Supersulphat of potass Sulphat of soda .... ammonia - magnesia - - alumina, very soluble, proportion unknown Supersulphat of alumina and potass ammonia Nitrat of baryta - 8. potass .... 14.25 soda - - - - - 33 strontia - - - - 100 lime - - - - - 400 ammonia - 50 magnesia - - - - 100 92 alum 5 unlimited do. do. do. 6. 200 100 66 8 1.25 50 50 8.3 4.17 0.1 more 5 50 57 unlimited 0.6 1.9 50 0.2 6.25 20 50 100+ 37.4 125 50 100 100 133 133 25 100-f 100 200 any quantity 200 100-f 730 Appendix. Temperature at 60° 20 - - 33 35.42 150 200 33 100 6 Muriat of baryta potass soda - - - - - strontia lime..... ammonia - magnesia - - - - Oxymuriat of potass - - - - Phosphat of potass, very soluble soda - ammonia ... magnesia ... Sub-borat of soda - - - - Carbonat of potass soda .... magnesia ... ammonia ... Acetat of potass .... soda - ammonia, very soluble magnesia, ditto strontia .... Supertartrat of potass - ,- . Tartrat of potass .... and soda - Oxalat of potass .... ammonia - Super-oxalat of potass - Citrat of potass, very soluble Prussiat of potass and iron Nitrat of silver, very soluble Muriat of mercury (corrosive sublimate) Sulphat of copper - Acetat of copper, very soluble Sulphat of iron..... Muriat of iron, very soluble Tartrat of iron and potass Acetat of mercury Sulphat of zinc..... Acetat of zinc, very soluble lead (Ed. Pharm.) Bostock - as it exists in Goulard's extract, more Tartrat of antimony and potass, Duncan Alkaline soaps, very soluble Sugar - ...... Gum, very soluble Starch ....... Jelly ---•-._ Gelatine - . . Urea, very soluble Cinchonin 25 25 6.6 8.4 25 50 2 50+ 100 35 1.67 25 25 33 4.5 sol 5 25 50 44 27 6.6 100 0 sparingly soluble 212° 36.16 any quantity 100 40 50 25+ 50. 83.3 100+ 100 40.8 3.3 10 50 50 133 44+ 83 any quantity very soluble abundantly more so Appendix. 731 Salts not soluble in 100 times their weight of water. Sulphats of baryta, strontia, and lime, and subsulphat of mercury. Phosphats of baryta, strontia, lime, magnesia, and mercury. Fluat of lime. Carbonats of baryta, strontia, and lime. Muriats of lead and silver, and submuriat of mercury (Calomel.) Subacetat of copper. Solubility of Saline and other substances in 100 parts of Alcohol, at the temperature of 176°. All the acids, except the sulphuric, nitric, and oxymuriatic, which decompose" it, and the phosphoric and metallic acids. Potass, soda, and ammonia, very soluble. Red sulphat of iron. Muriat of iron - - -.....100 lime - - -.....100 Nitrat of ammonia.......89.2 Muriat of mercury -......88.3 Camphor.........75. Nitrat of silver.....- - - 41.7 Refined sugar......- - 24.6 Muriat of ammonia.......7.1 Arseniat of potass - - - - - - - 3.75 Nitrat of potass - - - - - - - - 2.9 Arseniat of soda - - - ..-- - 1.7 Muriat of soda (Mr. Chenevix.) Alkaline soaps. Magnesian do. Ex- tractive. Tannin. Volatile oils. Adipocire. Resins. Urea. Cin- chonin. Substances insoluble in Alcohol. Earths. Phosphoric and metallic acids. Almost all the sulphats and carbonats. The nitrats of lead and mercury. The muriats of lead, silver and soda. The sub-borat of soda. The tartrat of soda and potass, and the supertartrat of potass. Fixed oils, wax, and starch. Gum, caoutchouc, suber, lignin, gelatin, albumen, and fibrin. Table of Absorption of Gases in 100 parts of Water at 60° Fah, Volume. Nitric acid - . •......361000. Muriatic acid.....51500. Thomson. Ammonia......47500. Davy. 732 Appendix. Ammonia Sulphurous acid Carbonic acid Sulphureted hydrogen Nitrous oxyd - Olefiant gas Nitric oxyd Oxygen . - - Phosphureted hydrogen Carbonic oxyd Hydrogen Nitrogen Carbureted hydrogen Volume. 78000. Thomson. 12109. Fourcroy. 3300. Thomson. 1440. 108. Priestley. Henry. 108. Henry. 86. 12.5 Henry. Dalton. 5. 3.7 Henry. Henry. 2.14 2.01 L61 Henry. Henry. Henry. 1.53 1.40 Henry. Henry. Table of Efflorescent Salts (Cadet de Vaux.) 288 grains of Sulphat of soda - - - - Phosphat of soda - - «» Carbonat of soda , - - 288 grains of Acetat of potass Muriat of lime ■ manganese Nitrat of manganese - ---------zinc ---------lime Muriat of magnesia Nitrat of copper Muriat of antimony - --------alumina Nitrat of alumina Muriat of zinc - Nitrat of soda - magnesia Acetat of alumina Supersulphat of alumina Muriat of bismuth Superphosphat of lime Muriat of copper in days lost grains 61 203 39 91 51 86 adet de Vaux.) in days absorbed 146 700 124 ' 684 105 629 89 527 124 495 147 448 139 441 128 397 124 388 149 342 147 300 76 294 137 257 73 207 104 202 121 202 114 174 93 165 119 148 Appendix. 733 Composition of some Benzoic acid Gallic acid Tannin from galls Succinic acid Acetic acid Sugar of milk Sugar # Potatoe starch Gum Arabic Citric acid Tartaric acid Saclactic acid Oxalic acid* * Oxalic acid Oxyg. lo + lo 2o 3o 3o 4 o 10 o 6o 12 o lo 5o 4 o 6o 3o + Organic Bodies, according to Berzelius. Capacity of Hydr. Carb. Oxyg. Hydr. Carb. saturation. 3 h + 5 c 20.02 5.27 2 h 2 c 38.02 5.02 3 k 3 c -.45.00 4.45 Ah 4c 47.923 4.218 6 A 4 c 46.934 6.195 ,46.871 8 h 5 c 48.348 6.385 45.267 21 h 12 c 49.083 6.802 13 h 7 c 49.583 7.090^ 24 A 13 6 51.456 6.792 1 h 1 c 55.096 3.634 5 h 4 c 59.200 3.912 5h 3 c 60.818 5.018 1 h Ac 66.534 0.244 Carb. 74.71 56.96 50.55 47.859 44.115 43.327 41.752 41.270 36.888 34.164 33.222 6„69 12.34 3.718 15.9743 15.63 9.98 13.585 11.976 7.66 22. . U + 2c 64.739 2.848 32.413 Dr. Thomson. Composition of some Organic Bodies, according to Gay Lussac and Thenard. Wax Olive oil - Copal Rosin Oak wood Beech wood Fecula Sugar Gum Arabic Sugar of milk Acetic acid Citric acid Tartaric acid Mucous acid Oxalic acid •Gelatin Albumen - Fibrin Cheese Carbon. 81.79 77.21 76.81 75.94 52.53 51.45 43.55 42.47 44.23 38.825 50.22 33.81 24.05 33.69 26.57 47.881 52.883 53.360 59.781 Oxygen. 5.54 9.43 10.61 13v34' 41.78 42.73 49.68 50.63 50.84 . 53.834 44.15 59.86 69.32 62.67 70.69 27.207 23.872 19.865 11.409 Hydrogen. 12.67 13.36 12.58 10.72 5.69 5.82 6.77 6.90 6.93 7.341 5.63 6.33 6.53 ,3.62 2.74 7.914 7.540 7.021 7.429 Nitrogen. 16.998 15.705 19.934 21.381 HEAT. Correspondence between different Thermometers. Fahrenheit's thermometer is universally used in Great Britain, and for the most part throughout the United States. In it the range between the freezing and boiling points of water is divided into 180 decrees; and as the greatest possible degree of cold was supposed to be that produced by mixing snow and muriat of soda, it was made the zero, hence the freezing point became 32°, and the boiling point 212°.t f The freezing point would appear to be the most natural commencement of the scale of zero: and here we find both Reaumur's and the Centigrade Thermometer coincide. In fact, this is a very incorrect mode of determining the zero, as a reference to tables of freezing mixtures will show. Equal 734 Appendix* The Centigrade thermometer places the zero at the freezing point, and divides the range between it and the boiling point into 100°. This has long been used in Sweden under the title of Celsius's ther- mometer. Reaumur's thermometer, which was formerly used in France, di- vides the space between the freezing and boiling of water into 80°, and places the -zero at the freezing point. Wedgewood's pyrometer is only intended to measure very high temperatures. Its zero corresponds with 1077° of Fahrenheit's, and each degree of Wedgewood is equal to 130 of Fahrenheit. De Lisle's thermometer is used in Russia. The graduation begins at the boiling point, and increases towards the freezing point. • The boiling point is marked 0, and the freezing point 150. Therefore 180° F = 100° C = 80° R = 150 D = ^ W, or = 62.5 ' Formulae. 1, To reduce Centigrade degrees to those of Fahrenheit, multi- ply by 9 and divide by 5, and to the quotient add 32, that is, ed perfectly in a warm room or stove; and finally boiled in water tr melt out the wax and allow the catgut to be withdrawn. 2. A wire bent to the proper curve is wrapped round spirally, the turns overlapping each other, with a thin ribband of elastic gum, whose surface has been softened by dipping in boiJ/ng water, or still better in ether, or in a solution of camphire in spirit of nitre to which some spirit of wine has been added; over this is w^und a silk ribband, and over that another worm of packthread to b*nd down the whole: when the gum is judged to be dry enough, -th^ packthread and rib- band are removed, the catheter dipped for a moment in boiling wa- ter to expand it, and allow the wire to be withdrawn, and one or two holes are then made at the close end. 3. A fine tissue of silk is'wove upon a wife properly bent; and the wire' thus clothed is dipped in the ethereal solution of elastic gum, and treated as in the first method; when properly covered and dried, the wire is withdrawn, and the aperture at the closed end made. Coal tar.—Distilled from fossil cosls; used as a coarse cheap var- nish, and, when rectified by a fresh distillation with water, sold for oil of amber. Charcoal. Carbo lignji.—Varies in its qualities according to the wood from which it is prepared: that of the soft woods, as the wil- low, alder, &c. weir burned, is best for crayons, for making gun- powder, and for clarifying liquids; that of the harder woods is used for fuel, or for a support for substances exposed to the flame of a blowpipe: the charcoal of the chesnut is employed by the smiths in the south of Europe, on account of its slow consumption when not 740 Miscellaneous. urged by the blast of the bellows, and of the fire deadening immc diately upon the blast being stopped. The charcoal of the holly, if the bark be left on, is believed to render iron brittle when worked by a fire made of it. Charcoal powder is used as a tooth-powder, and in poultices to correct fetid ulcers: that of the areca nut is the most fashionable dentifrice, but is no otherwise preferable to any other soft charcoal. English coffee.—Wheat, barley, holly berries, acorns, succory root, seeds of gooseberries and currants left in making wine, and washed, and even sliced turnips have been used as substitutes for foreign coffee, and roasted with the addition of a little butter or oil; but they want the agreeable aroma of the foreign: 'the best substitute is said to be the seeds of the yellow water flag, gladiolus luteus, or iris pseudacorus, which is frequently found by the sides of pieces of water. Carmine. Carminum, Purpura vegetabilis.—Boil one ounce of cochineal, finely powdered, in twelve or fourteen pounds of rain or distilled water, in a tinned copper vessel for three minutes, then add twenty-five grains of alum, and continue the boiling for two minutes longer, and let it cool, draw off' the clear liquor as soon as it is only blood warm, very carefully into shallow vessels, and put them by, laying a sheet of paper over them to keep out the dust, for a couple o? days, by which time the carmine will have settled. In case the carmine does not separate properly, a few drops of a solu- tion of tin, v e. dyers' spirit, or of a solution of green vitriol, will throw it dowi\ immediately: the water being then drawn off, the car- mine is dried \n a warm stove. The first coarse sediment serves to make Florence lake; the water drawn off is liquid rouge. 2. Boil one pound of cochineal powdered, and six drachms of alum, in forty ptunds of water, strain the decoction, add half an ounce of dyers' sprit, and after the carmine has settled, decant the liquid and dry the carmine: this process yields about one and a half ounces; used afc a paint for the ladies, and also by miniature painters. # Brown red. Colcoitqr vitrioli, Oxidum ferri rubrum.—By recal- cining green vitriol, (previously calcined to whiteness,) by an intense heat until it becomes very red, and washing the residuum. Prussian blue. Cceruletm Berolinense.—Red argol and saltpetre, of each two pounds; throw the powder by degrees into a red hot crucible: dry bullock's blood over the fire, and mix three pounds of this dry blood with the prepared salt, and calcine it in a crucible till it no longer emits a flame; then dissolve six pounds of common alum in twenty-six pounds of water, and strain the solution; .dis- solve also two ounces and a naif of dried green vitriol, in two pounds of water, and strain while hot; mix the two solutions to- gether while boiling hot; dissolve the alkaline salt, calcined with blood, in twenty-seven pounds of water, and filter through paper supported upon linen; mix this with the other solution, and strain through linen: put the sediment left upon the linen, while moist, into an earthen pan, and add one pound and a half of spirit of salt; stir the mass, and when the effervescence is over, dilute with plenty of water, and strain again: lastly, dry the sediment. Miscellaneous. 74* 2. Mix one pound of kali praeparatum with two pounds of dried blood, or any dry animal substance; put it into a high crucible, or long pot, and keep it in a red heat till it no longer flames or smokes; then take out a small portion, dissolve it in water, and observe its colour and effects upon a solution of silver in aqua fortis; for, when sufficiently calcined, it will neither look yellowish, nor precipitate silver of a brownish or blackish colour; it is then to be taken out of the fire, and when cool dissolved in a pint and a half of water. Take green vitriol one part, common alum one to three parts; mix, and dissolve them in a good quantity of water, by boiling, and filter while hot; precipitate this solution by adding a sufficient quan- tity of the solution of prepared alkali, and filter. The precipitate wjll be the darker the less alum is added, but at the same time it will be greener from the greater admixture of the oxyd of iron which is precipitated, and which must be got rid of by adding while moist, spirit of salt, diluting the mixture with water, and straining. 3. Precipitate a solution of green vitriol with the solution of pre- pared alkali, and purify the precipitate with spirit of salt; precipi- tate a solution of commdn alum with a solution of kali praeparatum: mix the two sediments together while diffused in warm water, strain and dry. Flake white Cerussa vera, Plumbi carbonas, plumbi sub-carbonas, plumbi oxidum album.—Made by suspending rolls of thin sheet lead over vinegar in close vessels, the evaporation from the vinegar being kept up by the vessels being placed in a heap of dung, or a steam bath. 2. By dissolving litharge in dilute nitrous acid, and adding pre- pared chalk to the solution; astringent, cooling; used externally; also employed as paint, mixed with nut oil. Patent yellow.—Common salt, one hundred weight, litharge four hundred weight, ground together with water, kept for some time in a gentle heat, water being added to supply the loss by evaporation, the natron then washed out with more water, and the white resi- duum heated till it acquires a fine yellow colour; used as a paint, instead of King's yellow, is not so bright, but does not injure the health of the painters so much as that poisonous colour. Naples yellow.—Lead one pound and a half, crude antimony one pound, alumand common salt of each one ounce, calcined together. Passeri. 2. Flake white twelve ounces, diaphoretic antimony two ounces, calcined alum half an ounce, sal ammoniac one ounce; calcine in a covered crucible, with a moderate heat, for three hours, so that at the end of that it may be barely red hot: with a larger proportion of diaphoretic antimony and sal ammoniac, it verges to a gold colour. Fougeroux. Scheele's green.—Precipitate a solution of two pounds of blue vitriol, in a sufficient quantity of water, by a solution of eleven ounces of white arsenic, and two pounds of kali ppm. in two gallons of boiling water, and wash the precipitate: used as a paint. Verditer blue. Azurum cinereum.—Made by the refiners from the solution of copper obtained in precipitating silver from nitric 742 Miscellaneous. acid by heating it in copper pans; this solution they heat, and pour upon whiting moistened with water; stirring the mixture every day till the liquor loses its colour, when it is poured off, and a fresh por- tion of the solution poured on, until the proper colour is obtained: an uncertain process, the colour sometimes turning out a dirty green, instead of a fine blue. Powder gold. Aurum sophisticum.—Nerdigrise eight ounces, tutty four ounces, borax, nitre, of each two ounces, corrosive subli- mate two drachms, made into a paste with oil, and melted together; used in japan work as a gold colour. True Gold Powder. Aurum Pulveratum.—Grain gold one ounce; quicksilver nearly boiling six ounces; rub together; then either dis- til off the quicksilver, or corrode it away with spirit of nitre, and heat the black powder that is left red hot. 2. Grain gold one ounce; dissolve in a mixture of spirit of nitre sixteen ounces, with common salt four ounces; add to the clear so- lution green vitriol four ounces, dissolved in water; wash the pre- cipitate and heat it red hot. 3. Dissolve gold in aqua regia, and draw off the acid by distilla- tion; used in painting, gilding, &c. Purple precipitate, Cassius' purple. Prxcipitatum Cassii.—-Solu- tion of gold in aqua regia one ounce, distilled water one pound and a half; hang slips of tin in the liquid. . 2. By precipitating the diluted solution of gold by dyers' spirit: used to communicate a purple colour to glass when melted in an open vessel; in a close vessel the glass receives no colour. Zaffre. Saffra.—Is a mixture of one part of roasted cobalt, ground with two or three parts of very pure quartzose sand; is either in a cake, or reduced to powder; used as a blue colour for painting glass. Smalt, Powder blue. Smalta, Azurum.—Is made from roasted cobalt, melted with twice or thrice its weight of sand, and an equal weight of potash: the glass is poured out into cold water, ground to powder, washed over and sorted by its fineness, and the richness of its colour: used in painting and in getting up linen. French Verdigris.—Blue vitriol twenty-four ounces, dissolved in a sufficient quantity of water; sugar of lead thirty ounces and a half, also dissolved in water; mix the solutions, filter, and crystallize by evaporation: yields about ten ounces of crystals; a superior paint to common verdigris, and certainly ought to be used in medicine, in- stead of the common. Whiting.—Prepared from the soft variety of chalk, by diffusion in water, letting the water settle for two hours, that the impurities and coarser particles may subside, then drawing off the still milky water, letting it deposite the finer sediment, decanting the water when clear, and drying the sediment; is much finer than the com- mon prepared chalk of the apothecaries, but is principally used as a cheap white paint. Parker's cement.—Is made from the indurated marie called clay balls, or the waxen vein found in the London clay strata, by calcin- ing and then grinding them, without any admixture whatever: used as a cement, and also for coating the outside of houses. Miscellaneous. 743 Ultramarine blue. Cmruleum ultramontanum.—Lapis lazuli one pound is heated to redness, quenched in water, and ground to a fine powder; to this is added yellow rosin six ounces; turpentine, bees' wax, linseed oil, of each two ounces; previously melted together, and the whole made into a mass; this is kneaded in successive por- tions of warm water, which it colours blue, and from whence it is deposited by standing, and sorted according to its qualities; a fine blue colour in oil. Marking ink.—Lunar caustic two drachms, distilled water six ounces; dissolve and add gum water two drachms: dissolve also natron ppm. half an ounce in water four ounces, and add gum water half an ounce: wet the linen where you intend to write with this last solution, dry it, and then write upon it with the first liquor, using a clean pen. Greek 'water.—Is prepared and used in the same manner, for turning the hair black* Green sympathetic ink.—Saturate spirit of salt or aqua regia with zaffre or cobalt ore, free from iron, and dilute with distilled water; what is drawn upon paper with this liquor will appear green when it is warm, and lose its colour again when cold, unless it has been heated too much. Blue sympathetic ink.—Dissolve cobalt or zaffre in spirit of nitre, precipitate by kali ppm. wash the precipitate, and dissolve it in dis- tilled vinegar, avoiding an excess of the acid: to be used in the same manner as the last. Dyers' Spirit. Composition for scarlet dye.—Is a solution of tin in spirit of salt or aqua regia: the proper manner of making it is not determined, every workman having his own way. Spirit of nitre ten ounces, sal ammoniac one ounce, tin one ounce three-eighths, is a good proportion for its preparation in a small way; used in dyeing scarlet, and in making many vegetable red colours. Liquid rouge.-—The liquid left in the preparation of carmine. Almond bloom.—Brazil dust one ounce, water three pints; boil, strain; add of isinglass six drachms, grana sylvestria two ounces, (or cochineal two drachms,) alum one ounce, borax three drachms; boil again and strain through a fine cloth: used as liquid cosmetics. Pink dye.—Tie safflower in a bag and wash it in water till it no longer colours the water, then dry it; of this take two drachms, salt of tartar eighteen grains, spirit of wine seven drachms, digest for two hours, add two ounces of distilled water, digest for two hours more, and add a sufficient quantity of distilled vinegar or lemon juice, to reduce it to a fine rose colour: used as a cosmetic, and to make French rouge. Saxon blue. Scot's liquid blue.—Indigo one pound, oil of vitriol four pounds; dissolve, by keeping the bottle in boiling water, then add twelve pounds of water, or q. p. Wash colours for maps or-writing. Laccafluida. Yellow.—Gam- boge, dissolved in water, a sufficient quantity. French berries steeped in water, the liquor strained, and gum Arabic added. 2. Red.—Brazil dust steeped in vinegar, and alum added. Litmus dissolved in water, and spirit of wine added. 744 Miscellaneous. Cochineal steeped in water, strained, and gum added. 3. Blue.—Saxon blue diluted with water, q. p. Litmus rendered blue by adding distilled vinegar to its solution. 4. Green.—Distilled verdigris dissolved in water, and gum added. Sap green dissolved in water, and alum added. Litmus rendered green by adding kali ppm. to its solution. Nankeen dye.—Arnotto, prepared kali, of each equal parts, boil- ed in water: the proportion of kali is altered as the colour is required to be deeper or lighter; used to restore the colour of faded nankeen clothing. Black ink. Atramentum.—Galls in sorts two pounds, logwood, green vitriol, of each one pound, water eight pounds, Gum Arabic q. p. very good. 2. Bruised galls one pound, green vitriol eight ounces, Gum Ara- bic four ounces, water two gallons, for common sale. Colours for show bottles. Yellow.—Dissolve iron in spirit of salt, and dilute. 2. Red.—Spirit of hartshorn q. p. dilute with water and tinge with cochineal. Dissolve sal ammoniac in water and tinge with cochineal. 3. Blue.—Blue vitriol, alum, ana two ounces, water two pounds, spirit of vitriol a sufficient quantity. Blue vitriol four ounces, water three pounds. 4. Green.—-Rough verdigris three ounces; dissolve in spirit of vitriol, and add four pounds of water. Add distilled verdigris and blue vitriol to a strong decoction of turmeric. 5. Purple.—Verdigris two drachms, spirit of hartshorn four ounces, water one pound and a half. Sugar of lead one ounce, cochineal one scruple, water q. p. Add a little spirit of hartshorn to an infusion of logwood. Boot-top liquid.—-^Sour milk three pounds, oil of vitriol two ounces, compound tincture of lavender, three ounces; gum arabic one ounce, lemon juice two ounces, white of two eggs. M. 2. Sour milk three pounds, spirit of salt, spirit of vitriol, ana two ounces, compound tincture of lavender one ounce. M. .3. Sour milk three pints, butter of antimony, cream of tartar ana two ounces, citric acid, burnt alum, common alum, ana one ounce. Blacking.—Lamp black six pounds, sugar six pounds, dissolved in two pounds of water, sperm oil one pound, gum Arabic three ounces, dissolved in two pounds of vinegar, vinegar three gallons, oil of vitriol one pound and a half. Mix s. a. 2. Ivory black, common treacle, ana twelve ounces, sperm oil, oil of vitriol, ana three ounces, vinegar four pints. Mix. 3. Ivory black, treacle, ana two pounds, neats-foot oil eight ounces, oil of vitriol one ounce, gum tragacanth two ounces, vinegar six pints. Mix. 4. Ivory black six pounds, vinegar, water, ana two gallons, trea- cle eight pounds, oil of vitriol one pound. 5. Ivory black one ounce, small beer or water one pound, brown sugar, gum arabic, ana half an ounce, or, if required to be very shining, the white of an egg. Miscellaneous* 745 6. Ivory black four ounces, treacle eight ounces, vinegar, one pound: used to black leather. Milk of roses.—Kali pp. six grains, ol. amygd. one ounce, ess. Bergm. two drachms, aquae rosae three ounces, aq. flor. aurant. two drachms. M. 2. Jordan almonds eight ounces, oil of almonds, Castile soap, white wax, ana half an ounce, spermaceti two drachms, ol. lavand. Angl. half a drachm, rose water three pounds, S. V. R. one pound. M. 3. Bitter almonds eight ounces, distilled water six ounces, elder- flower water four ounces, make an emulsion, and add ol. tart. p. deliq. three ounces, tinct. benz. two drachms. M. Used as a cos- metic wash. Gowland's lotion.— Bitter almonds one ounce, sugar two ounces, distilled water two pounds; grind together, strain, and add corros. sublim. two scruples, previously ground with S. V. R. two drachms: used as a wash in obstinate eruptions. Indian ink. Indicum, atramentum Indicum.—The best kind is made of real lamp black, procured by burning oil under shades, mixed up with glue made of an ass's skin, to which is added a little musk: astringent, one or two drachms dissolved in water or wine, in haemorrhage; also stomachic. 2. The common sort is common lamp black from the fir, made up with glue. 3. Horse beans burnt perfectly black, ground fine, and made up into sticks with gum water: is very inferior to the others. 4. Honey one pound, yolk of eggs no. 2, gum Arab, half an ounce, lamp black a sufficient quantity: beat into a mass. Lump archel. Lacmus tinctorius.—Prepared from Canary archel; ground archel, and some other lichens, by reducing them to powder, adding half as much pearl ashes, and moistening the whole with urine or common spirit of hartshorn; a small proportion of lime is then added, and the archel cut into cubes and dried. Litmus. Lacmus tinctorius albo-cceruleus.—Prepared like the former, adding a large proportion of whiting at the end, which ren- ders it of a light blue colour. Cudbear.—Another preparation of the lichens, made in a similar manner.. All are used in dyeing violet colours, which, however, do not stand well; also employed by the chemists as very delicate tests for acids, the infusion or tincture being reddened by them. Florence lake. Lacca Florentina.—Pearl ashes one ounce four drachms, water a sufficient quantity, dissolve; alum. Rom. two ounces four drachms, water a sufficient quantity, dissolve: filter both solutions, and add the first to the alum solution while warm, strain, mix the sediment upon the strainer with the first coarse residuum obtained in boiling cochineal with alum for making carmine, and dry it. Common lake. Lacca in globulis.—Make a magistery of alum, as in makino- Florence lake; boil one ounce four drachms Brazil dust in three pints of water; strain, add the magistery. or sediment of alum to the strained liquor, stir it well, let it settle, and dry the se- diment in small lumps. 94 746 Miscellaneous. Fine madder lake. Lacca columbina. —Dutch grappe madder, (that is, madder root ground between two mill-stones a small distance apart, as in grinding pearl or French barley, so that only the bark, which contains the most colour, is reduced to powder, and the cen- tral woody part of the root left,) two ounces; tie it up in a cloth, beat it in a pint of water in a stone mortar, repeat it with fresh wa- ter, in general five pints will take out all the colour, boil, add one ounce of alum, dissolved in a pint of water, then add one ounce and a half of oil of tartar, wash the sediment, and dry; produces half an ounce. Rose pink.—Whiting coloured with a decoction of Brazil wood and alum. Dutch pink.—Whiting coloured by a decoction of birch leaves, dyer's weed, or French berries, with alum. Stone blue. Indicum vulgare—Starch coloured with indigo. Crayons.—Spermaceti three ounces, boiling water, one pint, add bone ashes finely ground one pound, colouring matter as oker, &c. q. p. roll out the paste, and when half dry cut it in pipes. 2. Pipe clay, coloured with oker, &c. q. p. make it a paste with ale wort. Ink powder.—Green vitriol one pound, galls two pounds, gum Arab, eight ounces: two ounces make a pint of ink. Venetian ceruss. Cerussa Veneta, Plumbum album.—Flake white, cawk ana p. eeq. 2. Hamburgh white lead.—Flake white one hundred weight, cawk two hundred weight. 3. Best Dutch white lead.—Flake white one hundred weight, .cawk three hundred weight.„ 4. Common Dutch white lead.—Flake white one hundred weight, cawk seven hundred weight. 5. English white lead.—Flake white reduced in price by chalk, inferior to the preceding. Kemp's white for water colours.—Cockscomb spar. q. p. spirit of salt a sufficient quantity; dissolve, add carbonate of ammonia to precipitate the white, wash, and dry in cakes for use. Pearl powder.—Magistery of bismuth, French chalk scraped fine by Dutch rushes ana p. aeq.: cosmetic. ^ English verdigris.—Blue vitriol twenty-four pounds, white vitriol sixteen- pounds, sugar of lead twelve pounds, alum two pounds; all coSfsely powdered, put in a pot over the fire, and stirred till they are united into a mass. Rouge.—French chalk ppd. four ounces, ol. amygd. two drachms, carmine one drachm. 2. Safflower, previously washed in water until it no longer gives out any colour, and dried, four drachms, kali pp. one drachm, water one pint£ infuse, strain, add French chalk, scraped fine with Dutch rushes four ounoes, and precipitate the colour upon it with lemon juice a sufficient quantity. Cayenne pepper. Piper Cayenne.—Capsicum q. p. bury in flour, bake till they are dry enough to powder, then holding them by a pair of pincers, cut them in small pieces, to each ounce add flour one pound, water and yeast a sufficient quantity to make them into Miscellaneous. 747 small cakes, bake, slice the cakes, bake over again, powder the bis- cuit and sift it. Vanherman's fish-oil paints.—The oil for grinding white is made by putting litharge and white vitriol ana twelve pounds, into thirty- two gallons of vinegar, adding, after some time, a ton of whale, seal, or cod oil; the next day the clear part is poured off, and twelve gal- lons of linseed oil, andt two gallons of oil of turpentine, are added. 2. The sediment, left when the clear oil was poured off, mixed with half its quantity of lime water, is also used under the name of prepared residue oil for common colours. 3. Pale green.—Six gallons of lime water, whiting and road dust of each one hundred weight, thirty pounds of blue black, twenty-four pounds yellow oker, wet blue, (previously ground in prepared resi- due oil,) twenty pounds; thin with one quart of ppd. residue oil to each eight pounds, and the same quantity of linseed oil. 4. Bright green.—One hundred weight of yellow oker, one hundred and a half of road dust, one hundred weight of wet blue, ten pounds of blue black, six gallons of lime water, four gallons of ppd. fish oil, ppd. residue oil and linseed oil, seven and a half gallons of each. 5. Lead colour.—One hundred weight of whiting, five pounds of blue black, twenty-eight pounds of white lead ground in oil, fifty-six pounds of road dust, five gallons of lime water, two and a half gal- lons of ppd. residue oil.. 6. Brown red.—Eight gallons of lime water, one hundred weight of Spanish brown, two hundred weight of road dust, four gallons of ppd. fish oil, ppd. residue oil and linseed oil, of each, four gallons. 7. Yellow.—Put in yellow oker instead of Spanish brown, as in the last. 8. Black.—Put in lamp black or blue black. 9. Stone colour.—Four gallons of lime water, one hundred weight of whiting, twenty-eight pounds of white lead ground in oil, fifty-six pounds of road dust, two gallons ppd. fish oil, ppd. residue oil and linseed oil, three and a half gallons of each. The cheapness of these paints, and the hardness and durability given to them by the road dust, (or ground gravel,) has brought them into great use for common out-door painting. Blackman's Oil Colour Cakes.—Grind the colours first with oil of turpentine, and a varnish made of gum mastich in powder four ounces, dissolved without heat in a pint of oil of turpentine; let them dry, then heat a grinding stone, by putting a charcoal fire under it, grind the colours upon it, and add an ointment made by adding melted spermaceti three pounds, to a pint of poppy oil, take a piece of the proper size, make it into a ball, put this into a mould and press it. When these cakes are used, rub them down with poppy oil, oil of turpentine, or any other convenient vehicle. Blackman's Colours in bladders.—Are prepared with the sperma- ceti mixture like his oil colour cakes, but the proportion of oil is larger. Daffy's Elixir. Elixit Salutis.—Fol. senn. four ounces, ras. lign. Sanct., rad. enulae sice, sem. anisi, sem. carui, sem. coriand., rad. glycyrr. ana two ounces, raisins (stoned) eight ounces, proof spirit, six pounds. This is now sold by the name of Dicey's Daffy. 748 Miscellaneous. 2. Tinct. Sennse, T. Sennse, P. L.—Fol. sennae one pound, sem. carui one ounce and a half, sem. card. min. half an ounce, raisins sixteen ounces, proof spirit one gallon. 3. T. Sennse, P. D___The same, but omitting the raisins. 4. T. Sennse Composita.—Fol. senn. two ounces, rad jalap, one ounce, sem. coriand. half an ounce, proof spirit three pounds and a half by weight, when made, add white sugar four ounces. 5. Fol. senn., rad. rhei, sem. anisi ana two pounds, rad. jalap., sem. carui ana one pound, sant. rubr. eight ounces, proof spirit ten gallons, brown sugar four pounds. 6. Rhubarb. E. Ind. forty pounds, sennae fifteen pounds, sant. rubr. five pounds, sem. carui, sem. anisi, sem. coriandri ana five pounds, cineres Russici eight ounces, S. V. R. ten gallons; digest three days, then add proof spirit eighty gallons, treacle forty-six pounds. 7. Rad. rhei fourteen pounds, sem. anisi ten pounds, senna; parvae eight pounds, rad. jalap, four pounds, sant. rubr. three pounds and eight ounces, ciner. Russ. two pounds, S. V. R. thirty-eight gallons, water eighteen gallons. 8. Swinton's Daffy.—Rad. jalap, three pounds, fol. sennae twelve ounces, sem. coriand., sem. anisi, rad. glycyrrh., rad. enulae ana four ounces, S. V. R., water ana one gallon. 9. Rad. enulae, ras. guaici, sem. coriand., rad rhei, rad. glycyrr., sem. anisi ana three ounces, raisins one pound and eight ounces, proof spirit ten pints. 10. Rad. jalap, three pounds, fol. sennae one pound, sem. anisi six ounces, sem. coriand. four ounces, cort. aurant. sice, two ounces, proof spirit two gallons. 11. Fol. sennae seven pounds, rad. jalap, five pounds, sem. anisi fourteen pounds, sem. carui four pounds, sem. foenic. dulc. four pounds, brandy colouring two gallons, S. V. R. twenty-six gallons, water twenty-four gallons; let it stand three weeks, strain, washing out the last portions with water two gallons, then add treacle twenty- eight pounds. A common remedy in flatulent colic, and used as a purge by those accustomed to spirit drinking: dose one, two or three table-spoonfuls. Dolby's carmina'ive.—Tinct. opii four and an half drachms, tinct. ass. foet, two and a half drachms, ol. carui three scruples, ol. menth. pip. six scruples, tinct. castor, six and an half drachms, S. V. R.' six drachms; put two drachms into each bottle with magnesia one drachm, and fill up with simple syrup and a little S. V. R. Essence of spruce.—Is prepared by boiling the twigs of Scotch fir in water, and evaporating the decoction till it grows thick; used to flavour treacle beer instead of hops. Essence of malt.—Is prepared by infusing malt in water, (first boiled and then cooled till it reflects the image of a person's face in it,) pouring off the infusion, and evaporating it to the consistence of new honey; used in sea voyages, and places where malt cannot be procured to make beer. Cologne Earth, Umber. Terra Coloniensis.—Black, or blackish brown, mixed with brownish red, fine grained, earthy, smooth to the touch, becomes polished by scraping, very light, burns with a dis- agreeable smell: found near Cologne: used in painting, both in wa- Miscellaneous. 749 ter colours or in oil; used also in Holland, to render snuff fine and smooth: very different from the brown ochre, which is also called Umber, and is not combustible. Eau de Luce veritable.—Kali pp. three drachms, oleum succini foetidum a drachm and a half; rub together, and add by degrees S. V. R. four ounces, digest fifteen minutes, decant: a few drops of this liquor, poured into aq. ammon. purae, forms eau de luce of the true milky cloudy appearance, and not settling. 2. S. V. R. four ounces, ol. succ. feet, one drachm; dissolve, de- cant, and pour into aq. ammon. purae two pounds, or rather more. Antispasmodic; used in hysteric fits, and bites of venomous ser- pents, one drachm in water or wine. Eau de Cologne.—Essence de Bergam. three ounces, essence of ne- roli one drachm and a half, essence de cedrat two drachms, essence limonum three drachms, ol. rorismar. one drachm, S. V. R. twelve pounds, spir. rorism. three pounds and a half, aq. meliss. compos. two pounds and four ounces, mix: distil in B. M. and keep it in a cold cellar or ice-house for some time; used externally as a cosmetic, and made with sugar into a ratafia. Essence of peppermint.—S. V. R. one pint, put into it kali pp. one ounce, previously heated, decant, and add ol. menth. pip. half an ounce. M. 2. 01. menth. pip. one pound, S. V. R. two gallons, colour with herb, menth. pip. sice, eight ounces. M. 3. 01. menth. pip. three ounces, S. V. R. coloured with spinage two pints. M. Peppermint Cordial.—01. menth. pip. seventy-five drops, sugar one ounce; grind together, add S. V. R. one pint, dilute with S. V. R. ten pints, water, ten gallons, and fine with alum three drachms; stimulant. Eau de Husson.—Is probably a mixed tincture of wine of henbane and colchicum: a tincture of colchicum has been proposed for it by Want; a tincture of hedge hyssop is said to be sold for it by Reece; and a wine of white hellebore proposed by More, but neither of them is possessed of the same characters as the Parisian medicine. Squire's Elixir.—Opium four ounces, camphor one ounce, cocci- nel. one ounce, ol. fceniculi dulc. two drachms, tinct. serpent, one pint, spir. anisi two gallons, water two pints, and add aur. musiv. six ounces. 2. Rad. glycyrrh. one pound, kali pp. four ounces, coccinel. one ounce, water twelve pints; boil till reduced to one gallon, then add tinct. opii twelve ounces, camphor one ounce, S. V. R. four pints, aur. musiv. twelve ounces. 3. Opii one ounce and four drachms, camph. one ounce, coccin., kali pp. ana one drachm, burnt sugar two ounces, tinct. serpent, one pint, sp. anisi two gallons, aur. musiv. eight ounces. Stoughton's Elixir.— Rad. gent, two pounds and four ounces, rad. serpent. Virg. one pound, cort. aurant. sice, one pound and eight ounces, cal. aromat. four ounces, S. V. R., water ana six gal- lons. . 2. Rad. gent, four pounds, cort. aurant. two pounds, pis. aurant. 750 Miscellaneous. one pound, coccin. two drachnis, sem. cardam. min. one ounce, S- V. R. eight gallons. Essential salt of Lemons.—Crem. tart, four ounces, sal acetosellae eight ounces: used to take iron moulds out of linen. Emetin, preparation of, as recommended by Mr. Pelletier, in the Codex Medicamentarius of Paris. Take of the root of ipecacuan one ounce, sulphuric ether two ounces. Let the powder be macerated with a gentle heat, for some hours, in a distilling apparatus; let the portion which remains be triturated and boiled in four ounces of alcohol, (40° Baume,) having previously been macerated in it; let the liquor filter, and let the remainder be treated with fresh portions of alcohol, as long as it takes up any thing from the root. Mix all the solutions, and evapo- rate to dryness. Let this alcoholic extract be macerated in cold water, (distilled, in order that every thing soluble in that menstruum may be dissolved;) filter, and evaporate to dryness. This extract is emetin, and is equivalent to about one-sixth or one-seventh of the root. Morphia,—Of the preparation of, from the same; Robiquet's pro- cess. Three hundred parts of pure opium are macerated, during five days, in one thousand parts ofVater; it is then filtered, and there are added fifteen parts of perfectly pure magnesia, entirely free from acid; the mixture is boiled for ten minutes; and the sediment which forms is separated by the filter, after which it is washed with cold water, until the water passes off clear. It is then treated alter- nately with hot and cold alcohol, until it ceases to take up anymore of the colouring matter, after which it is to be treated with boiling alcohol, (32° Baume,) for a few minutes. The solution, on cooling, wi41 deposit crystals of morphia; a repetition of the treatment with boiling alcohol will procure a fresh portion of crystals, and the pro- cess is to be continued, until they cease to be furnished. The second method is that of Sertuerner. The chief difference between them is, that in the latter, ammonia is used instead of mag- nesia, and to the sediment, separated as before, there is added so much sulphuric acid, as is sufficient to convert the morphia into a sulphat, which is decomposed by a further addition of ammonia. The precipitate is dissolved in boiling alcohol, and crystallizes on cooling. See the process at length, in the " Annales de Chimie, 1817." Godfrey's Cordial.—Venice treacle, ginger ana two ounces, S. V. R. three pints, ol. sassafr. six dfachms, water three gallons, treacle fourteen pounds, tinct. Theb. four pints. 2. Sassafras one pound, ginger four ounces, water three gallons; boil gently to two gallons, add treacle sixteen pounds, S. V. R. seven pts. tinct. Theb. one pint. 3. Opium eight ounces, ol. carui, ol. sassafr. ana five ounces, trea- cle fifty-six pounds, S. V. R. one gallon, water eight gallons. 4. Opium four drachms, treacle four pounds, boiling water one gallon: dissolve, add S. V. R. two ounces, ol. sassafr. gtt. xl. 5. Opium one ounce and a half, treacle seven pounds, S. V. R. Miscellaneous. 751 two pints, ol. sassafr. two drachms, extr. jalapae four drachms, water two gallons; produces twenty-one pints. 6. Sem. carui, sem. coriandri, sem. anisi ana four pounds, water a sufficient quantity: distil sixteen gallons, to which add opium twelve ounces, ol. sassafr. four ounces, dissolved in S: V. R. two gallons, proof spirit five gallons, treacle eighty-four pounds. 7. S. V. R. one pint, tinct. opii two ounces, ol. sassafr. one ounce and & half, water ten pounds, treacle seven pounds. 8. Sassafras two pounds, boil in water one gallon to seven pints; strain, add brown sugar seven pounds, opium two ounces previously dissolved in a pint of water, and S. V. R. one pound. Anodyne, parcotic; chiefly used to prevent the crying of children. *Sepia, cuttle-fish ink.—When fresh taken from the cuttle-fish, it is a black glary liquid, of a viscid consistence, a peculiar fishy smell, and very little taste: it is preserved for use by being spread round saucers or gallipots, so as to dry before putrefaction commences; used for writing ink, and for a paint, much superior in ease of work- ing to Indian ink, which latter, dries so quick, that it is difficult to colour a large pale shadow with it, and when once dry, some part always adheres lo the paper, and cannot be removed, whereas sepia may be washed almost clear off. Liquor probatorius vini. Wine test.—Quicklime one ounce, or- pirnent half an ounce, distilled water half a pound: dissolve and filter. 2.. Oyster shells, sulphur, ana one ounce, keep red hot for a quarter of an hour, when cold, add cream of tartar p. aeq. water one pound, boil for an hour, decant into ounce phials and add to each spirit of salt twenty drops: a few drops of this liquor, added to any kind of wine, precipitate any metal that may be contained in it, except iron, which is prevented by the addition of the spirit of salt. Refined juice, refined liquorice.—Spanish liquorice four pounds, gum Arab, two pounds, water a sufficient quantity: dissolve, strain, evaporate gently to a soft extract, roll into cylinders, cut into lengths, and polish by rubbing them together in a box: expectorant in coughs, &c. Pate de reglisse noire.—Refined liquorice eight ounces, gum Ara- bic two pounds, sugar one. pound, water a sufficient quantity: dis- solve, and evaporate till it forms a very thick syrup, add rad. enulae camp., rad. irid. Flor. ana half an ounce, ess. de cedrat a few drops, put into tin moulds, and dry in a stove. Portable Lemonade.—Acid of tartar one ounce, sugar six ounces, ess. limon. one drachm; rub together, divide into twenty-four papers, for a tumbler of water each. 2. Concrete acid of lemons one ounce, white sugar four pounds, ess. limon. two drachms. Scotch marmelade.—Juice of Seville oranges two pints, yellow honey two pounds; boil to a proper consistence. Ready made Mustard.—Flour of black mustard seed, well sifted from the bran, three pounds, salt one pound; make it up with cur- rant wine, and add three or four spoonfuls of sugar to each pint. Matches for instantaneous light.—Oxymuriat of potash, flowers of 752 Miscellaneous. sulphur, ana half a scruple, vermilion two grains, a sufficient quan- tity of oil of turpentine to make a paste, with which coat the ends of slips of wood, previously dipped in oil of turpentine and dried; when these matches are plunged into oil of vitriol and immediately withdrawn, they take fire instantaneously. To prevent the oil of vitriol from spilling, if the bottle should accidentally fall on one side, pounded asbestus or sand is put into the bottle to soak up the acid. 2. Oxymuriat of potash nine grains, sugar three grains, flowers of sulphur two grains, vermilion one grain, flour two grains, a sufficient quantity of spirit of wine; the wood to be previously primed with camphire dissolved in spirit of wine. Medicine chests for ships that carry a surgeon.—Some ideaH)f what ought to be shipped for a voyage, may be formed from the fol- lowing lists which the physician of Greenwich Hospital, Dr. Blane, judged necessary for the service of one hundred men for twelve months, viz. 1. Pharmaceutic articles.—Cort. Peruv. ten pounds, if for a warm climate twenty pounds, Glauber's or Epsom's salt ten pounds, senna two pounds, ipecac, four ounces, tartar emetic one ounce and a half, calomel two ounces and a half, opium one ounce, aloes half an ounce, gum ammoniac two ounces, bals. copaibae three ounces, cantharides one ounce, capsicum three ounces, tinct. benz. comp. four ounces, camphire three ounces, castor one ounce and a half, chamomile fl. or hops two pounds, cinnamon one ounce, chalk ppd. or oyster shells six ounces, conserve of roses eight ounces, confectio cardiaca two ounces, extract.' cathart. half an ounce, extr. conii. three ounces, extr. haematoxyli one ounce, gentian root five ounces, ginger three ounces, gum Arabic four ounces, gum guaiacum three ounces, jalap one ounce and a half, laudanum (tinct.) four ounces, linseed one pound, mag- nesia (carbonat) six ounces, manna eight ounces, mustard seed whole eight ounces, myrrh four ounces, quicksilver two ounces, corrosive sublimate one ounce, sal nitri eight ounces, almond oil one pint, castor oil eight ounces, linseed oil three pints, oleum menthae one ounce, Jamaica pepper four ounces, quassia eight ounces, volatile salts two ounces, sal martis half an ounce, kali ppt. ten ounces, Venice soap eight ounces, sarsaparilla three pounds, Virginia snake- root four ounces, spermaceti four ounces, spirit of wine one pint, spirit of vitriol eight ounces, ammoniae acetas (or materials for pre- paring it) two pints, oil of turpentine four ounces, dried squills half an ounce, flowers of sulphur one ounce, golden sulphur of antimony half an ounce, cream of tartar one pound, vinegar six pints, white vitriol one ounce, wormwood one pound, flowers of zinc two drachms. 2. Surgical applications.—Simple cerate six pounds, spermaceti ointment six pounds, red precipitate one pound, blue vitriol eight ounces, blister plaster six pounds, extr. saturni four pounds, sugar of lead four pounds, cantharides in powder one pound; strapping, lint, tow, rags at discretion. 3. Dietetic articles.—Barley three hundred weight, eggs greased and packed in salt twenty dozen, extract of spruce twelve pounds, lemon juice clarified and rum added to make it keep five gallons; Miscellaneous. 753 raisins fifty pounds, rice two hundred weight, coarse sugar two hun- dred weight, sago twenty pounds, salep powder ten pounds, portable soup fifty pounds, tamarinds ten pounds, white wine three hundred gallons, red wine one hundred gallons. Medicine chests for plantation service.—Dancer, in his Medical Assistant, gives the following list of medicines as necessary, (along with indigenous remedies,) for one hundred negroes for a year: Aloes eight ounces, alum eight ounces, Peruvian bark four pounds, balsam copaibae eight ounces, cantharides eight ounces, calomel one ounce, camphire eight ounces, catechu one pound, chamomile flow- ers one pound, elixir of vitriol eight ounces, elixir paregoric eight ounces, extr. cathart. half an ounce, flowers of sulphur one pound, flowers of zinc one ounce, gamboge one ounce, gum ammoniac four ounces, gum Arabic eight ounces, ipecacuanha four ounces, iron fil- ings ppd. two pounds, jalap four ounces, linseed two pounds, liquo- rice eight ounces, magnesia alba four ounces, mezereon four ounces, myrrh four ounces, sal nitri four ounces, spirit of nitre four ounces, opium four ounces, oil of aniseed two ounces, olive oil four pints, >il of peppermint one ounce, oil of turpentine one pound, yellow hasilicon one pound, simple cerate one pound, mercurial ointment four ounces, gum plaster eight ounces, mercurial plaster four ounces, sumach two ounces, sal ammoniac four ounces, Glauber's salt ten pounds, kali ppd. eight ounces, sal martis two ounces, senna four ounces, snakeroot four ounces, spirit of sal ammoniac six ounces, ammoniae acetas two pints, double-distilled lavender water four ounces, Hoffman's anodyne liquor four ounces, sweet spirit of nitre four ounces, emetic tartar half an ounce, rhubarb four ounces, Stras- burgh turpentine four ounces, vinegar two.gallons, extractum satur- ni eight ounces, white vitriol two ounces, blue vitriol four ounces, verdigris eight ounces, red precipitate four ounces, corrosive subli- mate half an ounce. 2. Necessaries.—One large clyster syringe, one small do. six for injections, four lancets, one tooth instrument, three or four eye cups, one dozen bougies in sorts, three dozen phials with corks, one paper of pill boxes, one set of scales and weights, lint and tow. Furniture oil.—01. lini coloured with rad. anchusae. 01. Succini Reductum.—01. succin. one pound, petrol. Bbd. two pounds. British Oil.—OL tereb. eight ounces, petrol. Bbd. four ounces, ol. rorism, four drachms. 2. 01. tereb. five pounds, asphalt, twelve ounces, ol. lateritii eight ounces. 3. 01. tereb. five pounds, ol. laterit. ver. eight ounces. Huile antique a la violette.—Oil of ben, olives, or almonds, scent- ed with orrice, in the same manner as in making essence de jasmin, and then pressed out of the wool or cotton. # Huile antique au millefleurs.—Oil of ben or almonds, mixed with different essences to the fancy of the perfumer. Nut. Oil. Oleum nucum coryli.—From the kernel of the hazel- nut very fine; substituted for oil of ben: as it will keep better than that of almonds, it has been proposed to be substituted for that oil in the college lists, being nearly equal to it; is drank with tea m 754 Miscellaneous. China, probably in lieu of cream; used by painters as a superior ve- hicle for their colours. Hemp Oil. Oleum cannabis.—From hemp seed; good for frying in, used by the painters as a drying oil. Walnut Oil. Ol. nucum juglandis.—Makes good plasters, will not keep; used by painters, is very drying: they yield about half their weight of oil. Oil of yelks of eggs. Oleum e vitellis ovorum.—Obtained by boil- ing eggs, so that the yelks may be hard, separating the whites, roast- ing the yelks, first broken in two or three pieces each, in a frying- pan over the fire, till the oil begins to exude out of them, and then pressing them with great force; very emollient; fifty eggs yield about five ounces of oil. Old eggs yield the greatest quantity. Morelot advises to dilute the raw yelks with a large proportion of water, and to add spirit of wine in order to separate the albumen, after which the oil will rise up to the top by standing some time, and thus may be separated by a funnel. Dipple's oil, animal oil, rectified oil of hartshorn. Ol. Dipelii, ol. animate, ol. cornu cervi rectificatum.—From hartshorn distilled without addition, rectifying the oil either by a slow distillation, in a retort, &c. no bigger than is necessary, and saving only the first por- tion that comes over, or with water, in a common still: very fine and thin, and must be kept in an opaque vessel, or in a drawer or dark place, as it is quickly discoloured by light; antispasmodic, ano- dyne, diaphoretic, from ten to thirty drops in water; externally sti- mulant. Ox gall, prepared.—The fresh gall is left for a night to settle, the clear fluid poured off, and evaporated in a water-bath to a proper consistence; used by painters in water colours to destroy the greasi- ness of some of their colours, and thus enable them to form an even surface of colour; and also instead of soap to wash greasy cloth. Ox gall, refined. Fel bovis purificatum.—Fresh ox gall one pound; boil, skim, add one ounce of alum, and keep it on the fire for some time; to another pint add one ounce of common salt in the same manner; keep them bottled up for three months, then decant off the clear; mix them in an equal proportion; a thick yellow coagulum is immediately formed, leaving the refined gall clear and colourless: used by limners, enabling them to lay several successive coats of colours upon drawings, to fix chalk and pencil drawings so that they may be tinted, to remove the greasiness of ivory, and even allowing them to paint with water colours upon oiled paper or satin. Steer's Opodeldoc.—Sap. Cast, three pounds, S. V. R. three gal- lons, camph. fourteen ounces, ol. rorism. three ounces, ol. origani six ounces, aq. ammon. pur. two pounds. 2. Sap. alb. one pound, camph. two ounces, ol. rorism. four drachms, S. V. R. two pints. 3. Sap. alb. one pound, camph. four ounces, ol. origan., ol. ro- rism. ana four drachms, S. V. R. q. v. it will bear near six pints. 4. Sap. alb. three pounds, camph., ol. rorism. ana six ounces, spir. am. comp. fourteen ounces, S. V. R. four gallons and a half. 5. Sap. alb. four ounces, camph. one ounce, ol. rorism. two drachms, ol. origani thirty drops, S. V. R. one pint, water half a pint. Miscellaneous. 755 Shaving liquid. Shaving oil.—Sap. moll, four pounds, S. V. R. five pints. 2. Essence royale pour faire la barbe.—Sap. Cast, eight ounces, proof spirit one pint. James's analeptic pills.—Pil. Rufi. one pound, calc. antimonii lotae eight ounces, gum. guaiaci eight ounces: M. and make thirty- two pills from each drachm. 2. Pul. Rufi. pulv. antimonialis, gum. guaiaci, ana one scruple: make into twenty pills. Anderson's Scots Pills.—Aloes Bbds. one pound, rad. helleb. nigr., rad jalapii, kali ppt. ana one ounce, ol. anisi. four drachms, syr. simp, a sufficient quantity. 2. Aloes B. B. two pounds eight ounces, water eight ounces; soften, add jalap., sem. anisi. pulv., ebur. usti ana eight ounces, ol. anisi one ounce. 3. Aloes, (Bermudas,) one pound, rad. jalap., flor. sulph., ebur. usti., rad. glycyrrh. ana two ounces, ol. anisi one drachm, gam- boge two drachms, sap. Castil. four ounces, syr. sp. cervin. a suffi- cient quantity. Hooper's pills.—Vitriol, virid., aquae, ana eight ounces: dissolve, add aloes Barb, two pounds eight ounces, canellae albae six ounces, gum. myrrh, two ounces, opoponax four drachms. 2. Sal Martis two ounces, pulv. aloes c. canella one pound, mu- cilag. gum. tragacanthae, tinct. aloes, ana q. s.; cut each drachm into eighteen pills, put forty in a box. Matthew's pills. Starkey's pills.—Rad. helleb. nigri, rad. helleb. albi, rad. glycyrrh., opii, ana two ounces, sapon. Starkeii six ounces, ol. terebinth a sufficient quantity. 2. Rad. helleb. nigri, rad. glycyrrh., sapon. Castill., rad. curcu- mae, opii purif., syr. croci, ana four ounces, ol. terebinth, a suffi- cient quantity. Ward's Antimonial Pills.— Glass of antimony, finely levigated, four ounces, dragon's blood one ounce, mountain wine a sufficient quantity: make into pills of one and a half grains each. ' Barclay's Antibilious Pills.—Extr. colocynth. two drachms, resin. jalap, one drachm, sapon. amygdal. one drachm and a half, guaiaci three drachms, tart, emetic eight grains, ol. junip., ol. caruf., ol. ro- rismar. ana four gtt. syr. spin. cerv. a sufficient quantity: make into sixty-four pills. Worm Pills.— Calomel one ounce, sugar two ounces, starch one ounce, mucil. gum tragac. a sufficient quantity, to make two hun- dred and forty-eight pills: dose no. 1, night and morning, for children. Keyser's Pills.— Hydrarg. acetat. four ounces, mannae thirty ounces, starch two ounces, mucil. gum. tragac. a sufficient quan- tity, make into pills of six grains each: dose no. 2, nocte maneque, increasing the dose to no. 25, or more: a box of 1000 or 1200 pills is-usually sufficient. Lee's Windham Antibilious Pills.—P. gambog. three pounds, aloes soc. two pounds, sapon. dur. one pound, sal. nitri half a pound, extr. of cow parsnip one pound. Beat them into a mass with a suffi- cient quantity of sp. vin. rect. ' Lee's New London Antibilious Pills.—Pulv. aloes soc. twelve 756 Miscellaneous. ounces, pulv. scammon. Alep. six ounces, pulv. gambog. four ounces, pulv. jalap three ounces, calomel pp. five ounces, sapon. Castil. one ounce, syr. buckthorn, one ounce, muc. gum. Arab, seven ounces. M. ft. mass S. A. When incorporated, divide two drachms of the mass into twenty-four pills. Ginger Beer Powders.—-White sugar one drachm two scruples, ginger five grains, natr. pp. twenty-six grains, in each blue paper: acid of tartar one scruple and a half, in each white paper: these quantities are for half a pint of water. Spruce Beer Powders.—White sugar one drachm two scruples, natr. pp. twenty-six grains, essence of spruce ten grains, in each blue paper; acid of tartar half a drachm, in each white paper; for half a pint of water. Sodaic Powders.—Sodae carbonatis half a drachm in each blue paper; acid of tartar twenty-five grains in each white paper; for half a pint of water: pleasant, cooling beverages in summer. Powder for destroying mice.—Rad. helleb. nigri, sem staphisa- grias, ana one ounce, oatmeal two pounds, ol. carui thirty drops. Silver boiling powder.—White argol, common salt, alum, ana p. aeq.: a small quantity of this powder is put into water, and plate is boiled in it, to which it gives a brilliant whiteness. Pommade de la Jeunesse.—Pomatum mixed with pearl white, or magistery of bismuth: turns the hair black. Lip Salve.—Cerae alb. four ounces, ol. oliv. five ounces, sperm. ceti four drachms, ol. lavand. twenty drops, rad. anchusaetwo ounces. 2. 01. oliv. opt. two ounces, cerae alb. sperm, ceti, ana three ounces, rad. anchusae six drachms; melt, strain, add ol. lign. rhod. three drops. 3. 01. amygd. six ounces, sperm, ceti three ounces, cerse alb. two ounces, rad. anchusae one ounce, bals. Peruv. two drachms. 4. 01. amygd., sperm, ceti, cerae albae, sacch. candialbi, of each p. aeq.: this is white, the others are red. Pommade Divine.—One pound eight ounces of beef marrow, cin- namon one ounce and a half, stor. calam., benzoini, rad. irid. Flor. ana one ounce, caryoph., nuc. myrist. ana one drachm. 2. Sevi ovilli one pound eight ounces, stor. calam., benz., rad. irid. Flor., rad. cyperi, cinnam., caryoph. arom., nuc. mosch. ana nine drachms, keep melted in a gentle heat some time, then strain. 3. Sevi ovilli four pounds, cerae alb. one pound, ess. Bergam., ess. limon. of each one ounce and a half, ol. lavand., ol. origani, of each four drachms. Issue Peas. Pisa pro fonticulis.—Cerae fl. one pound, rad. cur- cumse eight ounces, rad. irid. Flor. four ounces, tereb. Ven. a suffi- cient quantity, make into peas. 2. Cerae fl. six ounces, rad. irid. Flor. two ounces, vermilion four ounces, tereb. Ven. a sufficient quantity; form into peas. 3. Cerse fl. six ounces, aerug. aeris, rad. helleb. albi, ana two ounces, cantharidum one ounce, rad. irid. Flor. one ounce and a half, tereb. Ven. a sufficient quantity: this last is caustic, and will open issues itself, the others are used to put into issues that begin « to close up, to keep them open longer. Issue Plasters.—Cerae fl. half a pound, minii, tereb. Chiee, ana Miscellaneous. 757 four ounces, cinnab., rad. irid. Flor. ana one ounce, mosch. four grains; melted, spread upon linen, polished with a moistened calen- dering glass rubber, and lastly cut in small squares. 2. Diachyl. simpl. one pound, rad. irid. Flor. one ounce; spread, and polished. 3. Diachyl. simpl, two pounds, pic. Burg., sarcocollae, ana four ounces, tereb. comm. one ounce; spread and polished. Corn Plasters.—Cerae fl. two pounds, pic. Burgund. twelve ounces, tereb. comm. six ounces, aerug. ppae. three ounces; spread on cloth, cut and polished. Phosphorus bottles.—Phosphorus two drachms, lime one drachm, mixed together, put into a loosely stopped phial, and heat it before the fire, or in a ladle of sand for about half an hour. 2. Phosphorus one drachm, cera alba fifteen grains, put it into a bottle under water, and melt them together, let the water cool, and as it begins to grow solid, turn the bottle round, that the sides may be coated, then pour out the water, and dry it in a cool place. Court plaster, sticking plaster.—Black silk is strained and brush- ed over with a solution of one ounce of isinglass, in twelve ounces of proof spirit, to which two ounces of tinct. benz. is added: when dry, this is repeated five times more, after which, two coats are given it of a solution of four ounces of tereb. Chia in six ounces of tinct. benz. which renders it less liable to crack; but some finish it with a simple tincture of black balsam of Peru. Potatoe starch, common arrow root.—May be made from frozen potatoes in as large a quantity, and as good, as from those which nave not been spoiled by the frost; very white, crimp to the fingers, and colours them; friable, heavy, sinking in water; when held to- wards the light, it has shining particles in it; dissolves in boiling water as easily as true arrow root: 100 pounds of potatoes yield ten pounds of starch. Oxymuriat of Potash. Potassse oxymurias.—Mix common salt three pounds, manganese two pounds, and add oil of vitriol two pounds, previously diluted with a sufficient quantity of water; distil into a receiver containing prepared kali six ounces, dissolved in water three pounds: when the distillation is finished, evaporate the liquid in the receiver slowly in the dark, the oxymuriat will crys- tallize first in flakes: stimulant, from one to two grains; explodes when struck, or dropped into acids. Salt of Sorrel. Sal acetosellse verus.—From the leaves of wood sorrel, bruised and expressed, the juice is then left to settle, poured off clear, and crystallized by slow evaporation: one hundred weight of wood sorrel yields five or six ounces. 2. By dropping aqua kali into a saturated solution of oxalic acid in water, when it precipitates, and may be separated by filtration: if too much alkali is added, it is taken up, and will require an ad- dition of the acid to throw it down again: cooling; used to make lemonade and whey, as also salt of lemons. Essence of anchovies.—Anchovies two to four pounds and a half, pulp through a fine hair seive; boil the bones with seven ounces of common salt in six pounds of water; strain, add seven ounces of flour, and the pulp of the fish; boil, pass the whole through the 758 Miscellaneous. sieve, colour with Venetian red to your fancy; it should produce one gallon. Quin's sauce.—Soy eight pounds, walnut katchup, mushroom katchup, ana two gallons, anchovies eight pounds, Cayenne pepper eight ounces, garlic one pound. , 2. Distilled vinegar one gallon, soy one pound, allspice eight ounces. Soy.—Seeds of dolichos soja, (peas or kidney beans may be used for them,) one gallon, boil till soft, add one gallon of bruised wheat, keep in a warm place for twenty-four hours, then add one gallon of common salt, two gallons of water; put the whole in a stone jar, bung it up for two or three months, shaking it very frequently, press out the liquor: the residuum may be treated afresh with wa- ter and salt, for soy of an inferior quality. 2. Seeds or beans thirty-five pounds, stew in a little water for two or three hours, till they can be bruised between the fingers; drain on a sieve, roll them while moist in flour of the same seeds, spread them upon strainers placed one upon another in a hamper, cover with a blanket for three or four days, or till the seeds are quite mouldy, then expose them to the sun or a fire until they are so hard that the mouldy crust may be rubbed off; now pour upon them one hundred pounds of water, and add twenty pounds of common salt; let the whole stand in a warm place for six weeks, pour off the now brown liquor, and evaporate gently to a proper consistence: some add spice. Tomatoe sauce.—Love apples, q. p. stew them in a little water and pulp them through a sieve, then add common salt an equal weight, and one-fourth of allspice whole; boil and bottle. Katchup.—Mushrooms, common salt, ana four pounds, sprinkle the salt over them; when the juice is drawn out add eight ounces of pimento, and one ounce of cloves; boil for a short time, and press out the liquor: what remains may be treated again with salt and wa- ter for an inferior kind. Walnut katchup.—Green shells of walnuts one bushel, common salt six pounds; let them remain for two or three days stirring them occasionally that the air may turn them black, press out the liquor, add spices to the palate of the country, and boil it. Are all used for sauces. Smith's British Lavender.—01. lavand. Angl. two ounces, essence * ambergr. one ounce, eau de luce one pint, S. V. R. two pints. Eaton's Styptic. Tinctura Styptica.—Green vitriol calcined one drachm, proof spirit, tinged yellow with a little oak bark two pounds. 2. Galls, crocus Martis, ana four ounces, proof spirit one gallon. Syrup of Maidenhair. Sirop de Capillaire. Syrupus capillorum Veneris, Capill. Veneris five ounces, rad. glycyrrh. two ounces, boiling water six pounds; eteep for six hours, strain, add white su- gar three pounds. 2. Syr. Pectoralis.—Fo\. trichomanis sice, five ounces, rad. gly- cyrrh. four ounces, boiling water five pounds, sugar a sufficient * quantity. 3. White sugar twenty-four pounds, water sixteen pints, boil Miscellaneous. 759 nearly to a syrup, clarify with white of three eggs, scum, and finish the boiling, adding, while warm, aq. naphae one pint. 4. Gum. tragacanth. three ounces, water two gallons; boil, strain, and make it up three gallons; add white sugar twenty-four pounds, clarify with the white of five eggs, and then add aq. flor. aurant. two pints and a half. 5. Capill. Veneris one ounce, water six pints; steep, strain, add white sugar eight pounds, boil to a syrup, adding, when cold, aq. flor. aurant. two ounces. 6. Lump sugar eight pounds, water one gallon; boil, scum, and clarify with the white of an egg, when nearly cold, add rose water one pint, put it up in very dry, warm bottles; ife may be coloured with brandy colouring if desired: nutritive, restorative, an elegant addition to pump water in summer time. Syrup of Lemon Juice. Syrupus e succo limonum, Syr. sued limonis, Syr. limonis.—Juice, rendered clear by settling and subse- quent filtering one pint, white sugar two pounds. 2. Syr. citri Medicse.—Juice, rendered clear as before, three pounds, sugar five pounds: cooling, expectorant, pleasanter than oxymel. Siropd'Orgeat. Syrupus amygdalinus, Syr. hordeatus.—Amygd. dulc. one pound, amygd. amar. two drachms; make an emulsion by adding decoct, hord. two pounds; strain, to the strained liquor ten ounces, add sacch. alb. one pound and a half, and when the sugar is dissolved, aq. nor. aurant. one drachm. 2. New almonds eight ounees, bitter almonds four ounces, rub with a little water into an emulsion, strain, rub what is left upon the strainer afresh, with the emulsion, to make it as rich as possible, add white sugar three pounds, orange flower water two ounces, spirit of lemon-peel six drachms; strain through flannel, and put up into bottles: cooling, demulcent. Syrup of Black Currants. Syrupus e ribis nigris.—As syrup of lemon juice: cooling. Ratifia des cerises.—Morello cherries with their kernels bruised, eight pounds, proof spirit eight pints; digest for a month, strain with expression, add sugar one pound eight ounces. Ratifia de Grenoble.—Small wild black cherries with their ker- nels bruised twelve pounds, proof spirit six gallons: digest for a month, strain, add sugar twelve pounds, a little citron-peel may be added at pleasure. Ratifia de Noyaux.—Vezch or apricock kernels with their shells, bruised, no. 120, proof spirit four pints, sugar ten ounces: some re- duce S. V. R. to proof, with the juice of apricocks vor peaches, to make this liqueur. Cephalic Snuff. Pulvis cephalicus.—Yol. asan, fol. majoran., fol. lil. convall. ana p. aeq. 2. P. Asari Comp. P. D.—Fol. sice, asari one.ounce, flor. lavand. two drachms. Silvering Powder.—Silver dust from fifteen to twenty grains, cream of tartar, common salt, ana two drachms, alum half a drachm. 2. Silver dust, half an ounce, common salt, sal ammoniac, ana twe'ounces, corros. sublimate one drachm; make into a paste with 760 Miscellaneous. water: used to silver copper, which is to be cleaned by boiling with argol and alum, then rub it with either of these powders, and polish with soft leather. Currie Powder.—Sem. coriandri thirteen ounces, pip. nigri two ounces, pip. Cayenne one ounce, rad. curcumae, sem. cumini, ana three ounces, sem. foenugr. fourdrachms. 2. Zz., pimentae, rad. curcumae, ana one pound, caryoph. arom. one ounce, pip. Cayenne, sem. coriandri ana eight ounces. 3. Sem. coriandri thirteen ounces, pip. nigri five ounces, pip. Cayenne one ounce, sem. foenugr., sem. cymini, ana three ounces, rad. curcumae six ounces. 4. Sem. coriandri one pound, rad. curcumas eight ounces, zz. six ounces, sera, cumini. pip. Indie, ana four ounces, pip. nigri three ounces, cinnam., sem. cardam. min. ana one ounce, tamarind, nigr. two pounds. 5. Rice thirty-six pounds, rad. curcumae 18lb. sem. coriand. six- teen pounds, sem. cymini nine pounds, farinae sinapis fourteen pounds, pip. nig. twenty-eight pounds, pip. Cayenne three pounds eight ounces. 6. Sem. coriand., rad curcumae, ana four pounds, zz., pimentae, pip. Cayenne, capsici bacc. ana one pound, sem. cardam. min. four ounces, macis. caryoph. arom., cinnam. ana one ounce. Used as a seasoning to meat. Cheltenham Salts.—-Glauber's salt, Epsom salt, common salt, ana twenty-eight pounds; dry in an oven and powder: purgative, from six drachms to one ounce and a half. Scouring Drops.—01. tereb. scented with ess. limon. White wash balls.'—One pound sap. alb. Hisp. three pints of aq. rosar. album, ovor. no. ij. one ounce aq. kali ppi.; boil till hard again, add one scruple ol. lign. rhod. ten drops ol. caryoph. one drachm ess. jasmin, half a drachm of ess. neroli, and form into squares. 2. Five pounds of white soap, four ounces of rad. irid. Flor. three ounces atnyli, one ounce styrac. calam. aq. rosar. q. s. 3. One pound of sap. alb. Hisp. almonds blanched, beat up into a paste with rose water and orange flower water three ounces, one ounce magister. marcasitae, two drachms of kali ppi. six grains of musk, three grains of civet, one scruple ol. lign. rhodii, one drachm of ess. jasmin. 4. Cream balls.—Seven pounds of white curd soap, one pound amyli, water, a sufficient quantity; beat it together, weigh into ounce balls, and roll in pulv. amyli. 5. White soap, starch, ana one pound, ess. limon. four drachms, aq. rosar. eight ounces; make into balls of three ounces and a half each. Red mottled wash balls.—Cut white soap into small square pieces, roll them in vermilion, and squeeze the pieces together into balls, without mixing them more than is necessary. Blue mottled wash balls.—In like manner, rolling the pieces in powder blue." Windsor (Soap.—-Hard curd soap, melted and scented with ol. carui and ess. B'ergamotte; an inferior sort is made with ol. carui only. Miscellaneous. 761 Starkey's Soap.— Made by rubbing warm kali ppd. with oil of tur- pentine, adding a little water. Macquer's Acid Soap. Sapo Vitriolicus.—Four ounces Sapon. Ven. ol. vitrioli, q. s. add the acid by degrees to the soap rendered soft by a little water, continually rubbing the mass in a mortar: de- tergent; used when alkalies would lie prejudicial. Sponge tents.—Turundse intumescentes.—Soft sponge is dipped in melted wax, and squeezed in a press while warm, when cold it is taken out, and cut into the required form; used to dilate fistulous ulcers by its expanding force when softened by warmth and moisture. Tutenag.—Bismuth one pound, tin two pounds; melt together: used for^uttons and vessels. Greenough's Tincture for the Teeth.—Amygd. amar. two ounces, lign. Bras., bacc. cass. ana four drachms, iris Florent. two drachms, coccin., sal. aeoiosel. ver., alumin. ana one drachm, S. V. R. two pints, spir. cochlear, four drachms. Ruspmi's Tincture for the Teeth.—Rad. irid. Flor. eight ounces, caryoph. arom. one ounce, S. V. R. two pints, ess. ambr. gris. one ounce. Tooth Powder. Pulvis dentifricus.—Rad. irid. Flor. four ounces, oss. sepiae, two ounces, crem. tart, one ounce, ol. caryoph. sixteen drops, lake sixteen drops. 2. Catechu one ounce, cort. Peruv. flav., crem. tart., cassiae, bol. Armen. ana four drachms, sang, dracon., myrrhae ana two drachms. 3. Rose pink twen.ty ounces, bol. armen., oss. sepiae, crem. tart. ana eight ounces, myrrh, four ounces, rad. irid. Flor. two ounces, ess. Bergam. half a drachm. 4. Oss. sepiae four ounces, crem. tart., rad. irid. Flor. ana two ounces, alum, usti, rose pink ana one ounce. 5. Magnesiae, rad. irid. Flor., rose pink, cretae ppae. ana two ounces, natr. ppi. six drachms, ol. rhodii two drops. Varnishes.—Common Varnish.—Sandarac, eight ounces, tereb. Venet. six ounces, S. V. R. two pints. Transparent Varnish.—Gum. juniper eight ounces, tereb. Venet. four ounces, mastich two ounces, S. V. R. two pints; used upon wood. White Varnish.—Gum. junip. one pound, Strasburgh turpentine six ounces, S. V. R. two .pints: used upon paper, wood, and linen. White hard Varnish.—-Mastich four ounces, gum. juniper,, ter. Venet. ana three ounces, pounded glass (to prevent the gums from forming an impenetrable mass) four ounces, S. V. R. two pints: used upon cards, sheaths. White Polishing Varnish.— Mastich in tears two ounces, gum. juniper, eight ounces, gum. elemi one ounce, tereb. Argent, four ounces, S. V. R. two pints: used upon metal, polished with pumiee Transparent Copal Varnish.—Spirit of wine, fully charged with camphor, four ounces, copal in fine powder one ounce: dissolve, filter, add the filtered liquor to S. V. R. one pint, in which gum. elemi one ounce has been previously dissolved. 2. S. V. R. one pint, camphire half ap ounce: dissolve, pour it upon copal in small pieces four ounces; heat it so that the bubbles 762 Miscellaneous. that rise up may be counted, when cold, pour it off, and add more spirit to the residuum: used for pictures. 3. Copal, melted and poured into water three ounces, gum. san- darac. six ounces, mastich three ounces, tereb. Argent, two ounces and an half, pounded glass four ounces, S. V. R. two pints: used for metals, chairs, &c. Soft brilliant Varnish.—Gum. sandarac. six ounces, gum. elemi four ounces, gum. anime one ounce, camphor four drachms, S. V. R. two pints: used upon wood works, pasteboard. Reddish Varnish.—Gum. sandarac. eight ounces, lacca in tabulis two ounces, resina nigr. four ounces, tereb. Venet. six ounces, S. V. R. two pints: used upon wood and metals. Lacquer.—Seed lac, dragon's blood, arnotto, gamboge "ana four ounces, saffron one ounce, S. V. R. ten pints. 2. Turmeric one pound, arnotto two ounces, shell lac, gum juni- per, ana twelve ounces, S. V. R. twelve ounces. 3. Seed lac three ounces, amber, gamboge ana two ounces, watery extract of red saunders half a drachm, dragon's blood one drachm, saffron half a drachm, S. V. R. two pints four ounces. 4. Turmeric six drachms, saffron fifteen grains, S. V. R. one pint four ounces: draw the tincture, add gamboge six drachms, gum san- darac, gum. elemi ana two ounces, dragon's blood, seed lac ana one ounce: used upon metals and wood to give a golden colour. Red Varnish.—Sandarac four ounces, seed lac two ounces; mas- tich, choice benjamin ana one ounce, turpentine two ounces, S. V. R. two pints: used for violins and cabinet work. Furniture varnish.—White wax eight ounces, ol. terebinth, one pint. Picture varnish.—Mastich twelve ounces, Ven. turp. two ounces four drachms, camphire thirty grains, pounded glass four ounces, oil of turpentine three pints and a half; pour oft* the clear: used to oil paintings. Gold varnish for leather.— Turmeric, gamboge ana one scruple and an half, oil of turpentine two pints, add seed lac, guin sandarac ana four ounces, dragon's blood four drachms, Ven. turp. two ounces, pounded glass four ounces, pour off the clear. Copal varnish.—Oil of turpentine, thickened by keeping, eight ounces, copal two ounces and a half. 2. Oil of turpentine six ounces, oil of lavender two ounces, copal one ounce. Transparent japan for tin ware.—Oil of turpentine eight ounces, oil ol lavender six ounces, copal two ounces, camphire one drachm. Drying oil.— Linseed oil two pints, litharge or ceruss one ounce; dissolve with heat: added to paints to make them dry the sooner. . Le Blond s varnish for prints.—Balsam copaibae four pounds, co- pal in powder one pound; add by single ounces every day to the balsam, keeping it in a warm place, or the sun, stirring it often: when all is dissolved, add Chio turpentine, q. p. Sheldrake's copal varnish.—Ol. terebinth, rectif. veri one pint, spir. sal. amm. two ounces; mix, add copal in small pieces two ounces: stop the vessel with a cork cut in grooves, bring it quickly to boil so that the bubbles may be counted as they rise, and keep it Miscellaneous. 763 at that heat: if the least stoppage or overheating takes place, it is in vain to proceed, then leave the vessel till quite cold before you open it, otherwise the varnish will be blown out with violence. Varnish for coloured drawings.—Canada balsam one ounce, oil of turpentine two ounces: size the drawing first with a jelly of isin- glass, and when dry, apply the varnish, which will make them resem- 'ble oil paintings. Common turpentine varnish.—-Resin, flav. three pounds eight ounces; ol. tereb. one gallon. Sheldrake's oil for painting.—Nut or poppy oil one pint; boil, add ceruss two ounces, when dissolved, add a pint of his copal varnish, previously warmed, and stir till the oil of turpentine is evaporated: gives more brightness than common drying oil, but less than varnish only; loses its drying quality in time, therefore only so much as is sufficient for a month or six weeks' consumption should be made at once. Black Japan for leather.—Boiled linseed oil one gallon, burnt umber eight ounces, asphaltum three ounces, boil and add ol. tere- binth, q. s. Varnish for grates. Brunswick black.—Asphalt, comm. four pounds; melt, add ol. lini two pounds, ol terebinth, one gallon. Norfolk fluid for preserving leather.—Linseed oil three pints, res. flav. four ounces, thuris two ounces, cer. flav. twelve ounces; melt, add neat's foot oil two pints, ol. terebinth, one pint: used to pre- serve and soften leather. Varnish for plaster casts.—Sapon. alb., cerae albse ana half an ounce, boiling water, two pints. Dressing for leather to render it waterproof.—01. lini one pound, cerae. fl., tereb. comm. ana two ounces, picis Burg, one ounce. 2. 01. lini one pound, sevi eight ounces, cerae fl. six ounces, re- sinae fl.* one ounce. Artificial Spa water.—Prepared natron seven grains, magnesia alba one scruple, iron filings three grains, common salt one grain, water three pounds, and impregnate it with the gas from marble powder and oil of vitriol ana ten scruples, sufficiently diluted with water. Artificial Pyrmont water.—Epsom salt fifteen grains, common salt five grains, magnesia alba ten grains, iron filings five grains, water three pounds, and impregnate it with the gas from marble powder and oil of vitriol ana seven drachms. Artificial Seltzer water.— Common salt one drachm, magnesia alba one scruple, natron ppm. fifteen grains, chalk seven grains, water three pounds, and impregnate with the gas from marble powder and oil of vitriol ana six drachms. Artificial Harrowgate water.— Common salt five drachms, water three pounds, and impregnate it with the gas from liver of sulphur and oil of vitriol ana four drachms. Artificial Cheltenham water.—Epsom salt twelve grains, iron filings one grain, Glauber's salt four drachms, water four gallons, and impregnate with the gas from marble powder and oil of vitriol ana two ounces. . • Ward's White drops.— Quicksilver twelve ounces, spir. nitre two pounds; dissolve, add ammonia ppa. fourteen ounces, evaporate so 764 Miscellaneous. * as to form a light salt, which drain and dissolve in rose water three pounds and a half. 2. Quicksilver four ounces, spir. nitre one pound; dissolve, add ammonia ppa. seven ounces, evaporate and crystallize, then dissolve each pound of salt in three pints and a half of rose water. Fly water.—White arsenic one drachm, water a pint; dissolve by boiling and sweeten with treacle; used to destroy flies. Raisin wine.—Raisins one hundred weight, water sixteen gallons; soak for a fortnight, stirring every day, press, put the liquor in a cask with the bung loose till it has done hissing, then add four pounds of brandy, and bung up close: some use little more than half, or two-thirds of this quantity of raisins. Gooseberry wine.—Ripe berries bruised ten gallons, water thirty gallons, soak twenty-four hours, strain; to each gallon add two pounds of sugar, and ferment. 2. Bruised berries eighty pounds, water ten gallons, soak for a day, strain; to each gallon add six pounds of loaf sugar, and fer- ment. 3. Juice ten gallons, water twenty gallons, sugar seventy pounds; ferment. 4. Berries one hundred pounds, brown sugar six pounds, water a sufficient quantity to fill a fifteen gallon cask; yields a good yellow- ish white, very transparent wine. 5. Green berries forty pounds, water four gallons, bruise together, the next day press out the juice; to every gallon add three pounds of sugar: ferment. Currant wine.—Red currants seventy pounds, bruised and press- ed, brown sugar ten pounds, water a sufficient quantity to fill up a fifteen gallon cask; yields a pleasant red wine, rather tart, but keeping well. 2. White currants one sieve, red currants one gallon, press; to each gallon of juice add three gallons of water; to ten gallons of liquor add thirty pounds of sugar, and ferment: when you bung it up, add two pounds of brandy to each ten gallons of wine. 3. Juice eleven quarts, i. e. the produce of a sieve; sugar twenty pounds, water a sufficient quantity to fill up a nine gallon cask; fer- ment, and when it has done working, add four pounds of brandy; for a half hogshead use three sieves of currants, sugar three-fourths of a hundred weight, brandy one gallon. Black currant wine.—•Berries twenty pounds, brandy two to four pounds, water twelve to fourteen gallons, yeast two spoonfuls, fer- mented for eight days, then bottled and well corked; yields a plea- sant, rather vinous cooling liquor of a purple colour; or they may be made into wine like the common currants: by the first process the wine is dark purple, rather thick, but good. Mixed fruit wine.—White currants three sieves, red gooseberries two sieves; these shouM yield forty pints of juice; to each gallon add two gallons of water, sugar three pounds and a half; ferment. 2. White, red, and black currants, cherries especially black-heart, raspberries, ana p. aeq. to each four pounds of the bruised fruit add one gallon of water, steep for three days, press, and to each gallon ot liquor add three pounds of yellow sugar; ferment, and when Miscellaneous. 765 finished add to each nine gallons two pints of brandy; if it does not fine soon enough, add half an ounce of isinglass, dissolved in a pint of water, to each nine gallons. Cherry wine.—Cherries thirty pounds, moist sugar five pounds, water a sufficient quantity to fill a seven-gallon cask; ferment. Parsnip wine.—May be made by cutting the root into thin slices, boiling them in water, pressing out the liquor, and fermenting it: this wine, when made strong,, is of a rich and excellent quality and flavour. Metheglin.—Honey one hundred weight, boiling water a sufficient quantity to fill a hailf hogshead, or thirty-two gallon cask, stir it well for a day or two, add yeast, and ferment: some boil the honey in the water for an hour or two, but this hinders its due fermentation. Mead.—Is made from the honey combs, from which honey has been drained out, by boiling in water, and then fermenting; gene- rally confounded with metheglin. English Champaigns—Raw sugar ten pounds, loaf sugar twelve pounds, water nine gallons, concrete acid of lemons, or crystallized acid of tartar six drachms; dissolve by a gentle boil, before it grows cold, add about one pound of yeast and ferment: when the working is nearly oVer, add perry one gallon, brandy three pounds, and bung it up for three months, then draw out two pounds of the wine, dis- solve one ounce of isinglass in it, pour it again into the cask, and in a fortnight bottle it: it may be coloured pink, by adding one ounce of cochineal when first bunged up. English Port.—-Cider, twenty-four gallons, juice of elder berries six gallons, port wine four gallons, brandy one gallon and a half, log- wood one pound, isinglass twelve ounces, dissolved in a gallon of the cider: bung it down; in two months it will be fit to bottle, but should not be drank till the next year: if a rough flavour is required, four to six ounces of alum may be added. Southampton Port.—Cider thirty-six gallons, elder wine eleven gallons, brandy five gallons, damson wine eleven gallons. M. English Madeira.—Pale malt ground four bushels, boiling water forty-four gallons, infuse, strain, of this wort, while warm, take twenty-four gallons, sugar candy fourteen pounds; when dissolved, add two pounds of yeast; ferment, keep scumming off the yeast; when the fermentation is nearly finished, add two gallons and a half of raisin wine, brandy, port wine, ana two gallons, bung it down for six or nine months. A second infusion of the wort may be brewed for beer. English Sherry.— Loaf sugar thirty-two pounds, sugar candy ten pounds, water, sixteen gallons, boil, add pale ale wort, (as for Eng- lish Madeira,) six gallons, yeast one pound: on the third day add ten pounds of stoned raisins, and in another two or three days, one "•allon of brandy; bung it down for four months, draw it off into another cask, add one gallon of brandy, and in three months bottle it. Imitations of foreign wines for those who wish to make a show above their circumstances, but far inferior to our own fruit wines. Elder Wine.—Juice of the berries eight gallons, water twelve gal- lons, brown sugar sixty pounds, dissolve.by boiling, add yeast, and ferment, then add four pounds of brandy, and bung it up for three 766 Miscellaneous. ■ months: disagreeable when cold, but is mulled with allspice, and drank warm in winter time as a stimulant. Ginger Wine.—Bruised ginger twelve pounds, water ten gallons, boil for half an hour, add twenty-eight pounds of sugar, boil till dis- solved, then cool, and put the liquor along with fourteen lemons sliced, and three pounds of brandy, add a little yeast, and ferment; bung it up for three months, and then bottle it. Orange Wine.—Sugar twenty-three pounds, water ten gallons; boil, clarify with the white of six eggs, pour the boiling liquor upon tiie parings of one hundred oranges, add the strained juice of these oranges, and six ounces of yeast, let it work for three or four days, then strain it into a barrel, bung it up loosely; in a month add four pounds of brandy, and in three months it will be fit to drink. Wines may also be made of blackberries and other English fruits upon the same principles. The above are the methods generally em- ployed, but most persons have peculiar ways of proceeding, which may indeed be varied to infinity, and so as to produce at pleasure a sweet or dry wine; the sweet not being so thoroughly fermented as the dry. The addition of brandy destroys the proper flavour of the wine, and it is better to omit it entirely, (except for elder or port wine, whose flavour is so strong that it cannot well be injured,) and to increase the strength by augmenting the quantity of the raisins or sugar. In general, the must for wines ought to be made of six pounds of raisins, or four pounds of sugar to the gallon, allowing for that contained in the fruit. London Porter.—-For five barrels: malt eight bushels, a sufficient quantity of water, mash at twice, add in the boiling, hops eight to twelve pounds, treacle six pounds, liquorice root eight pounds, moist sugar sixteen pounds, one-half of which is usually made into essen- tia binae, and the other half into colour, capsicum, four drachms, Spanish liquorice two ounces, linseed one ounce, cinnamon two drachms, heading two drachms; cool, add one to two gallons of yeast; when it has got a good head, cleanse it with three ounces of ginger, cocculus Indicus one ounce; then barrel and finish the work- ing; fine with isinglass. The public brewers use a mixture of pale amber, and brown malt, but amber alone is best for private families. Six pounds of sugar is esteemed equal in strength, and one pound of coriander seed in intoxicating power to a bushel of malt: the su- gar employed is burnt to colour the beer instead of brown malt, and it has been proposed to employ roasted coffee for this purpose, the other substances ar'e merely to flavour the liquor, and may be varied at pleasure. The desire of evading the duty on malt has occasioned the disco- very ot its being necessary to malt only one-third of the corn, as this portion will convert the other into its own nature during the process. Ginger Beer.— Three pounds of lump sugar, two ounces bruised ginger, one ounce cream of tartar, lemons sliced, no. 4, pour on them four gallons of boiling water, add eight ounces of yeast, work for tour days, then bottle in half pints, and tie the corks down. 2. Six pounds of moist sugar, five ounces of ginger, two ounces cream of tartar, lemons no. 4, eight ounces of yeast, seven gallons of water, work two or three days, strain, add one pound of brandy, Miscellaneous. 767 bung very close, and in fourteen days bottle it: a cooling efferves- cent drink in summer. White Spruce Beer.—To ten gallons of water, put six pounds of sugar, four ounces of essence of spruce, add yeast, work as in mak- ing ginger beer, and bottle immediately in half pints. Brown Spruce Beer.—As the white, using treacle in lieu of sugar. The purer kinds of the above liquors are mixtures of spirit of wine, water, and extractive matter; the spirit may be separated by care- ful distillation, or, if the extractive.matter be first got rid of by the addition of extractum Saturni and filtration, the spirit may be sepa- rated by adding very pure and dry kali ppm. when it will swim upon the liquor: the spirit constitutes from twelve to twenty-five per cent, of the proper wines, and from two to eight per cent, of the malt liquors. The fermentation of these liquors is usually hastened by the ad- dition of yeast, crude tartar or bruised vine leaves, but this is sel- dom necessary for wines if the liquor be kept in a proper warmth, but malt liquors are more sluggish. If the fermentation is in danger of proceeding too far, it may be stopped by drawing off the liquor clear into another vessel, in which some brimstone has been newly burned, or in the case of red wine, some nutmeg powder upon a hot shovel, or which has been washed with brandy; the sediment left in the old cask may be strained through flannel or paper till clear, and added to the other: instead of this a part only may be drawn out of the cask, and some rags dipped in melted brimstone and lighted may be held by a pair of tongs in the bung-hole, slightly covered so as to impregnate the li- quor with the fumes, about one ounce of brimstone to a hogshead, then returning what had been drawn out, and bunging up very close; or a small quantity of oil of vitriol may be poured in: lastly, the ad- dition of black manganese has been proposed on theoretical grounds. If the fermentation has already proceeded too far, and the liquor become sour, the further fermentation must be stopped as above, and some lumps of chalk, or burned oyster shells added to saturate the acid already generated. If the liquors do not become clear soon enough, for each thirty- six gallons, dissolve one ounce of isinglass in two pounds of water, strain and mix this with part of the liquor; beat it up to a froth and pour it into the rest of the liquor, stir the whole well and bung it up: instead of isinglass some use hartshorn shavings in rather larger quantity: red wines are fined with twelve eggs to the pipe, beaten up to a froth, mixed with the wine and well stirred in. If the liquor has acquired a bad flavour, the best way is to let the fermentation go on, and convert it at once into vinegar. Escubac. Usquebaug.—Saffron one ounce, juniper berries four drachms, dates without their kernels, raisins ana three ounces, ju- jebs six ounces, anise seed, mace, cloves, coriander seed ana one drachm, cinnam. two drachms, proof spirit twelve pints, simple syrup six pounds: pectoral, emmenagogue. Chreme des Barbades.—Orange peels, lemon peels ana no. 3, cin- namon four ounces, mace two drachms, cloves one drachm, rum eighteen pints: distil in B. M. and add sugar p. aeq. 768 Miscellaneous. Chreme des Barbades. English.—Lemons sliced no. 24, citrons sliced no. 6, S. V. R. two gallons four pints, fresh balm leaves eight ounces, water three gallons four pints: digest for a fortnight, strain. Cedrat.—Lemon peels no. 12, S. V. R. two gallons: distil in B. M. and add simple syrup p. aeq. Parfait amour.—The same, coloured with a little cochineal. Brandy shrub.—Brandy nine pints, lemon juice, orange juice ana one pint, orange peels no. 4, lemon peels no. 2, sug£r two pounds, water five pints. Rum shrub.—The same, using rum instead of brandy. 2. Concrete acid of lemons eight ounces, water five gallons, raisin wine four gallons, rum ten gallons, orange flower water four pints, honey six pounds. Chreme de Noyaux. English.—fitter almonds blanched four ounces, proof spirit two pints, sugar one pound. Chreme d'Orange. English.—Oranges sliced no. 36, S. V. R. two gallons, sugar eighteen pounds, water four gallons four pints, tincture of saffron one ounce four drachms, orange flower water four pints: digest for a fortnight, strain. All the above liqueurs are stimulant, and taken ad libitum for pleasure. Worm cakes.—Scamm. Alep. two ounces, calomel ppd. three ounces, res. jalapii two ounces, crem. tartari four ounces, white su- gar three pounds, mucil. g. trag. a sufficient quantity. 2. Storey's worm cakes.—Calomel, jalap, ana one drachm, ginger two scruples, sacch. one ounce, cinnabar antim. a sufficient quantity to colour them, syr. simp, a sufficient quantity to make into cakes. 3. Ching's yellow worm lozenges.—•Saffron four drachms, water one pint; boil, strain, add one pound of calomel, white sugar twen- ty-eight pounds, muc. g. trag. a sufficient quantity: each lozenge should contain one grain of calomel. 4. Ching's brown worm lozenges.—Calomel seven ounces, extr. jalapii resinos. three pounds eight ounces, white sugar nine pounds, muc. g. trag. a sufficient quantity: each lozenge should contain half a grain of calomel. 5. Calomel one ounce, res. jalap, two ounces, white sugar two pounds, muc. g. tragac. made with rose water, a sufficient quantity: make 2520 lozenges, weighing eight grains, and containing one- fourth of a grain of calomel, and half a grain of res. jalap, each. Earl of Warwick's powder. Pulvis comitis Warwicensis.—Scam- monii two ounces, antimonii diaph. one ounce, crem. tartari half an ounce. Red sealing wax.—Gum lac two pounds, vermilion four ounces, ol. tereb., ol. oliv. ana eight ounces, roll in cakes, and polish with a rag till quite cold. 2. Shell lac five pounds, resinae fl. three pounds, ol. tereb. one pound, vermilion twelve ounces, chalk ppd. four ounces. 3. Resinae fl. six pounds, shell lac two pounds, tereb. Venet. two pounds, vermilion eight ounces. 4. Shell lac, resinae fl. ana four pounds, tereb. Ven. one pound, add vermilion or bole Armen. ppd. q. p. Miscellaneous. 769 Black sealing wax.—As the red, using lampblack instead of vermilion. Seal Engraver's Cement.—Common rosin and brick dust; it grows harder every time it is melted, but always remains inferior to Bota- ny Bay cement. Botany Bay Cement.—Yellow gum and brick dust ana p. aeq.; used to cement China ware. Gilder's Wax.—Cerae fl. one pound and eight ounces, eerug. seris, vitrioli albi ana eight ounces, colcothar. two pounds and twelve ounces; the dry species must be powdered very fine; borac. four ounces may be added. 2. Cerae fl. fifteen pounds, colcothar, seven pounds, aerug. aeris, vitrioli albi ana three pounds and eight ounces, boracis eight ounces. 3. Cerae fl., colcothar. ana four pounds, aerug. aeris two pounds, borac. usti, alum, usti ana two ounces. 4. Colcothar. eighteen pounds, cerae fl. ten pounds and eight ounces, eerug. aeris, vitrioli albi ana three pounds and eight ounces. Young's purging drink.—Crystallized natron two and a half drachms, crystals of tartar three drachms, water eight ounces, corked up immediately in stone bottles and wired; a pleasant cool- ing laxative in summer. 97 T0X1C0L0GICAL TABLES, In which are exhibited at one view, the Symptoms, Treatment, and modes of Detecting the Various POISONS, MINERAL, VEGETABLE, AND ANIMAL; ACCORDING TO THE LATEST EXPERIMENTS AND OBSERVATIONS. BY A MEMBER OP THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS IN LONDON. MINERAL POISONS. POISONS. ARSENIC. SYMPTOMS. An austere taste,fetidbreath,ptyaUsinj constriction ofthepharynxana oesopha- gus, hiceup, nausea, and vomiting of brown or bloody matter; anxiety and fain tings, heat and violent pain at the pit of the stomach; stools black and offen- sive; pulse small,frequent, and irregular; palpitations; great thirst and burning heat; breathing difficult; urine scanty, ted, and bloody; delirium, convulsions of on epileptic character, and death. TREATMENT. Vomiting to be excited or encouraged by large draughts of sugared water, linseedtea, or other emollient fluids. Lime water or chalk and water, may be drank freely, if the arsenic has been taken in solution. Fat, oil, vinegar, charcoal powder, alkaline sulphurets, and ve- getable decoctions, which have been recom- mended, are worse than useless. Inflammatory symptoms are to be combated by bleeding from the arm, and by leeches; fomentations, fre- quent emollient glysters, and other remedies as symptoms may demand. No specific antidote yet known. TESTS. The ammoniacal sulphat of copper added to solutions of arsenic, produces for the most part a beautiful grass-green precipitate, but if dissolved in wine, the precipitate would be blackish blue. Sulphureted hydrogen precipitates arsenic Cram tea of a beaniiful yellow colour. From albumen, gelatin, and bile containing arsenic in solution; nitrat of silver produces a white precipitate. The ammoniaeo-nitrat of silver produces a yeltowprecipitate, so- luble in nitric acid and ammonia; but the presence of muriats, or phosphats, or their acids, renders this test fallacious. The most certain test is the reduction of the metal, by calcining the dried suspected matter in a glass tube, with equal parts of char- coal and potash, when, if arsenic be present in very minute quanr tity, it will be sublimed and adhere to the inside of the tube, in the form of a shining metallic coating. s « a* -J MINERAL POISONS. POISONS. SYMPTOMS. TREATMENT. TESTS. ANTIMONY. Similar to those occasioned by acids, with abundant and obstinate vomitings, copious stools, constriction of the throat, cramps, symptoms of intoxication, and prostration of strength. Vomitin g to be excited by tickling the throat with a feather or the finger, and by large draughts of mild fluids; or allayedby opium ac-cording to the previous effect of the poison. The best antidotes are, decoctions of astringent ve-getables, such as oak or willow bark, or gall nuts, strong tea, &c. Tartarized antimony is precipitated from its solution of an orange or deep brownish-red colour by sulphureted hydrogen and the hydro-sulphurets; white, by sulphuric acid, alkalies, lime, and barytes waters. Alkaline and earthy neutral salts do not affect it, but salts with excess of acid do. Infusion of galls occasions a copi-ous whitish-yellow precipitate. The muriat is a dark heavy fluid, to which, if water be added, a white precipitate is formed. The oxyd is soluble in muriatic acid, forming the muriat. All the preparations of antimony are readily reduced to the me» tallic state by calcination with charcoal and potash. Tartarized Antimony, or Emetic Tartar. Muriat of Antimony, or" Butter 'of Antimony. Vitrified Oxyd, or Glass of Antimony. BISMUTH. Similar to those of other corrosive poi-sons, with great heat in the chest and very difficult breathing. No specific antidote known. Milk and mild mucilaginous fluids to be drank plentifully to facilitate vomiting, and purgatives should: be given. The nitrat boiled with distilled water is decomposed; part being precipitated as a ju6-nitrat, and part remaining dissolved, bt ing a *u/»er-nitrat; this solution is colourless, reddens litmus paper, and the hydro-sulphurets produce a black insoluble sulphuret of bis-muth. The sub-nitra.t is soluble with a little heat in nitric acid, from which the alkalies precipitate the white oxyd, which is easily reduced by calcination. The Nitrat. The Oxyd, or Flake White,ox Face Powder. COPPER. Taste acrid and coppery; tongue dry and parched; constriction of the throat and coppery eructations; severe vomit-ings, or fruitless efforts to vomit; drag-ging at the stomach, dreadful colic; fre-quent black bloody stools, with tenes-mus; abdomen distended, pulse small, hard, and quick; syncope, great thirst and anxiety; cold sweats, scanty mine, cephalalgia, vertigo, cramps, convul-sions, death. Large draughts of milk and water to encou-rage vomiting. AVhites of eggs stirred up with water and taken freely. Inflammatory conse-quences to be subdued on general principles, and the nervous symptoms by anodynes and an-tispasmodics. Sugar is not a specific antidote. The salts of copper are mostly of a bright green or blue colour, and are easily reduced by charcoal at an elevated temperature. The sulphat is partly decomposed by alkalies and alkaline earths. Potash precipitates a jwi-sulphat of a green colour from it. Ammonia added to a solution of any cupreous salt, gives a blue or greenish precipitate, according to the quantity; but if added in excess, it re-aissofves the precipitate, and forms a deep blue traa»» parent solution. The Sulphat, or Blue Vitriol. The Sub-Acetat, or Verdigris. Food cooked in foul Copper vessels, and Pickles made green by Copper. MINERAL POISONS. POISONS. SYMPTOMS. TREATMENT. . | TESTS. GOLD. Probably like those of other corrosive poisons, but not known. No specific antidote known, but vomiting should be excited or encouraged by large draughts of warm mucilaginous fluids. Muriat of gold is decomposed by nitrat of silver. A muriat of sil-ver is precipitated of a reddish-brown colour, owing peiliaps to some oxyd of gold being carried down with it. Ammonia added to the precipitate dissolves all the muriat of silver, and leaves the oxyd of gold of a beautiful canary-yellow colour. Tin added to the solu-tion of gold forms the purple powder of Cassius. The Muriat. Fulminating Gold. SILVER. Similar to those occasioned by other corrosive poisons. A table-spoonful of common salt to be dissol-ved in a pint of water, and a wine-glassful to be taken every five minutes to decompose the poison; after which mucilaginous drinks may be given, or purgatives may De administered. Nitrat of silver is precipitated white by muriat of soda; yellow, by phosphat and chromat of soda; if placed on burning coals, it animates them, leaving a coating of silver; calcined with charcoal and potash, the silver is reduced to its metallic state. Nitrat, or, Lunar Caustic. TIN. Taste austere, metallic, constriction of the throat, vomitings with pain over the whole abdomen; copious stools, pulse small, hard, and frequent; convulsive movements of the extremities and face ; sometimes paralytic, and mostly death. Milk to be given; first in large quantities to distend the stomach and produce vomiting, and afterwards to decompose the remains of the poison. The Muriat precipitates gold from its solution of a purple colour; Muriat, Used by Dyers. Oxyd, or Putty Powder. alcoholic infusion of galls. Albumen and gelatin occasions a copious flocculent precipitate. The oxyd may be volatilized by heat, is soluble in nitric acid, combines with earths by fusion, and with fixed alkalies forms ena-mel; it is easily reduced by calcination. ZINC. An acerb taste, a sensation of choaking, nausea and vomiting,pain in the stomach, frequent stools,difficult breathing, quick-ened pulse, paleness of face, coldness of the extremities; but seldom death, owing to the emetic quality of the poison. Vomiting, which is the usual consequence of large doses of sulphat of zinc, to be rendered easy by draughts of warm water, and particular symptoms to De met by appropriate remedies. The pure sulphat is precipitated white by potash and ammonia; yellowish-white b%r the alkaline hydro-sulphurets, and of an orange Sulphat, or White Vitriol. Oxyd. colour by the chromat of lead. The oxyd is readily reduced by calcination with charcoal and nitre. PS o PS -I 09 MINERAL POISONS. POISONS. SYMPTOMS. TREATMENT. TESTS. LEAD. When taken in large quantity,a sugary astringent metallic taste; constriction of the throat, pain in the region of the sto-mach,obstinatc,painful, and often bloody vomituigs,liiccup,convulsions,and death. When taken m small long-continued doses, it produces eolica pictonum, and paralytic symptoms. The same as that recommended for the salts of barytes.—Fide Alkaline Earths. All the preparations of lead are easily reduced to the metallic state by calcination with charcoal, Super-Acetat, or Sugar of Lead. RedOxyd, or RedLead. Carbonat, or White Lead. Wines sweetened by Lead. The super-acetate dissolved in water is precipitated white by sul-phuric acid ; of a canary-yellow colour by chromat of potash and chromic acid; these precipitates being easily reduced by calcination. The alkabne siUphurets precipitate the super-acetat of lead of a blackish colour. MERCURY. Acrid metallic taste, thirst,fulness,and burning at the throat; anxiety, tearing pains of the stomach and bowels; nausea and vomiting of various coloured fluids, sometimes bloody; dirrrhoea and dysuria. Pulse quick, small and hard; faintings, great debility, difficult breathing, cramp, coldsweats,insensibility,convulsions,and death. Whites of eggs to be mixed with water, and one to be given every two or three minutes to promote vomiting, and to lessen the virulence of the poison. Milk in large quantities, gum wa-ter, or linseed tea, sugar and water, or water it-selfat about 80". Inflammatory consequences to be anticipated, and to be subdued by the usual remedies. Mercurial preparations heated to redness in a glass tube with pot-ash, are decomposed, the quicksilver being volatilized. The oxy-muriat is precipitated white by ammonia, yellow by potash, and of an orange colour by lime water; by nitrat of tin a copious dark brown precipitate is formed, and by albumen mixed with cold wa-ter, a white flocculent one. The red and nitric oxyds maybe dissolved in muriatic acid, and converted into sublimate. Vermilion is insoluble in water or jnuriatic acid; but is entirely volatilized by heat. Oxy-Muriat, or Sublimate. Nitric Oxyd, \ or Red Precipitate. Sulphuret, or Vermilion. 3 PS © PS 55 MINERAL POISONS. POISONS. SYMPTOMS. TREATMENT. ACIDS. Sulphuric, or OU of Vitriol. Nitric, or Aqua Fortis. Muriatic, or Spirit of Salt. Oxalic, or Acid of Sugar. Phosphoric. Fluoric. Tartaric. Prussic. Acrid burning taste, acute pain in the throat, stomach, and bowels, frequent vo- miting of bloody fluid, which effervesces with chalk or alkaline carbonats,and red- dens litmus paper; hiccup, copious stools, more or less Bloody; tenderness of the abdomen; difficult breathing, irregular pulse, excessive thirst, drink increasing the pain, and seldom staying down; fre- quent but vain efforts to make water; cold sweats, altered countenance, con- vulsions, and death. The most virulent of poisons,producing almost instant death, when applied even in small quantities to the surface of the body. Mix an ounce of calcined magnesia with a quaitof water, and give a glassful every two minutes. Soap or chalk and water may be used till magnesia can be procured. Carbonated al- kalies are objectionable, on account of the great extrication of gas in the stomach, and the salts formed with them are too irritating for the sto- mach. Vomiting is to be excited by tickling the throat. Diluents to be taken after the poison is got rid of, and the return to solid food must be very gradual. Inflammatory and other conse- quences to be treated by the usual remedies. If the vitriolic acid has been swallowed, water alone should not be given, nor should calcined magnesia with water be given; but the common carbonat of magnesia may be given freely when mixed with water. There is too much heat ge- nerated in the stomach if the above cautions be not attended to. If prussic acid has been taken, emetics are to be given with as little delay as possible, and after their operation oil of turpentine,ammonia, brandy, and other stimulants capable of rousing the system, should be persevenngly employed with warmth, friction, and blisters. Sulphuric acid is known by its great weight, by evolving heat when mixed with water; by emitting no fumes. If barytes be added to it a sulphat is formed, which is insoluble in water or nitric acid. Nitric acid emits orange-coloured fumes upon adding copper to it, and is changed blue by it; if potash be added a nitrat is formed which deflagrates when thrown on burning coals. It tinges the skin yellow. Muriatic acid emits pungent fumes; if nitrat of silver be added to it, a very white precipitate is formed of muriat of silver, soluble in ammonia, but not in nitric acid. _ Oxalic acid precipitates lime and all its salts from water, the pre- cipitate being soluble in nitric, but not in excess of oxalic acid. Ex- posed to heat it volatilizes, leaving but little residue; it is decom- posed by sulphuric acid becoming brown; it is dissolved bv heat and nitric acid, and rendered yellow; muriatic acid dissolves it with heat and decomposes it. Phosphoric acid precipitates barytes and lime waters, the precipi- tate being soluble in nitric acid; it is decomposed by charcoal at a high temperature, evolving carbonic acid and phosphorus being sublimed. Fluoric acid exhales white vapours, not unlike those of muriatic acid; beat is evolved with a hissing noise when water is added to it; it dissolves glass. Tartaric acid produces a precipitate from lime water, soluble in an excess of acid, and in nitric also; with potash it forms a neutral and a sw/w-salt; it does not precipitate solution of silver, but its salts do. Prussic acid has a strong odour of bitter almonds, and is contain- ed in that fruit, and in the leaves of the peach and the laurel; it it soluble in alcohol, but hardly in water, and is precipitated from it* solution by nitrat of sUver. PS IT*. PS a 3 8 MINERAL POISONS. 05 POISONS. SYMPTOMS. TREATMENT. TESTS. ALKALIES. Caustic or Carbonated. The taste acrid, urinous, and caustic; great heat in the throat; nausea and vo-miting of bloody matter, which changes syrup of violets to green, and effervesces with acids if the carbonated form of the alkali has been taken; copious stools, acute pain of the stomach, colic, convul-sions, derangement, and death. Vinegar and other vegetable acids to be given largely, to neutralize the poison, and the conse-quent symptoms to be treated on general prin-ciples. Alkalies have many properties in common; their solutions feel soapy to the touch; change to green, vegetable reds and blues, and yellows to brown; remain transparent whera-ieubonic acid is added to them, which distinguishes them from soluflSnu of the alka-line earths, barytes, strontian, and lime. Nitrat of silver is precipi-tated by them in form of a dark-coloured oxyd, soluble in nitric acid. Potash and soda may be distinguished from each other by evapo-rating their solutions to dryness; potash will become moist by ab-sorbing water from the air, while soda will remain dry. Ammonia is known by its pungent smell. Potash. Soda. Ammonia. ALKALINE EARTHS. Violent vomitings, convulsions.palsy of the limbs, distressing pains in the abdo-men, hiccup, alteration of the counte-nance, and very early death: If lime has been taken, vinegar and other ve-getable acids are the best antidotes. If barytes in any of its forms has been swal-lowed, a weak solution of Epsom or Glauber's salt should be drank plentifully, to produce vo-miting, and at the same time to decompose the poison, which it renders inert by forming an insoluble sulphat. Till the above salts can be had, large draughts of well water alone, or made sUghtly sour by sulphuric acid, may be drank pretty freely. Solution of lime changes vegetable blues to green, and is preci-pitated white by carbonic and oxalic acid, while no change is pro-duced on it by sulphuric acid; its salts are decomposed by the fixed alkalies which precipitate the lime, but not by ammonia. Lime. Pure Barytes. Carbonat. Muriat. Pure barytes undergoes changes similar to lime when water is added to it, and acts like it on vegetable colours; it does not effer-vesce with acids. Sulphuric acid, and all the sulphats added to a solution of it, produce a white precipitate, insoluble in water and nitric acid. Carbonat of barytes is insoluble in water, but dissolves in nitric or muriatic acid, with effervescence. Muriat of barytes dissolved in water, is not changed by pure am-monia, but its carbonat, as well as all other alkaline carbonats, throw down a white precipitate, which is carbonat of barytes. Nitre, or Suit Petre. Cardialgia, nausea, painful vomiting, purging, convulsions, syncope, pulse fee-ble, extremities cold,with tearing pains of the stomach and bowels; difficult respira-tion, a land of intoxication, and death. Similar to that of arsenic, except that lime is not to be used. If the nitre be thrown on burning coals, it crackles, and gives a beautiful white flame; if powdered, and sulphuric acid be poured upon it, it gives out white vapours; both these circumstances dis-tinguish it from Glauber's salt. It ia decomposed at a high tempera* ture, affording oxygen gas. i? PS © Cftj «s>. PS MINERAL POISONS. POISONS. SYMPTOMS. TREATMENT. TESTS. Muriat Of Ammonia, or Sal Ammoniac. Excessive vomitings, with convulsions and general stiffness of the muscles, great pain in the bowels, early alteration of the features and death. Vomiting to be rendered easy by large draughts of warm sugared water, and if not oc-casioned by the poison, should be excited by the finger. The consequent nervous symptoms to be calmed by anodynes and antispasmodics,and inflammatory ones counteracted by the usual means. Muriat of ammonia is soon volatilized if placed on hot coals; if rubbed with quicklime, it gives out the odour of hartshorn. A solu-tion of it in water is precipitated white upon the addition of nitrat of silver. Phosphorus. Occasions symptoms similar to those of concentrated acids. No specific antidote is known, but vomiting should oe excited by large draughts of water, and oil or fatty substances should be avoided. If phosphorus, or the rejected contents of the stomach, after it has been taken, be boiled in a retort, having its beak under water, with a solution of caustic potash, phosphureted hydrogen gas is formed, which explodes with a green flame as soon as it reaches the surface of the water. 03 Glass or Enamel. If taken in veiy coarse powder, it pro-duces irritation and inflammation of the bowels. Large quantities of crumb of bread should be eaten to envelope the particles. An emetic of sulphat of zinc should then be given, and vo-mitnlg promoted by demulcent drinks. ALCOHOL. Intoxication,and when taken very free-ly, complete insensibility, with apoplexy or paralysis of one side; the countenance is swollen, and of a dark red colour; the breathing is difficult,and often stertorous, with a peculiarjpuffing out of the lips; the breath smells ofliquors, which will distin-guish the symptoms from those of sponta-neous apoplexy. A powerful emetic of white vitriol, or tartar emetic, should be got into the stomach as soon as possible, and if the person has lost the power of swallowing, a flexible catheter or tube should be the means of conveying it there. The vomit-ing should be encouraged as much as possible with warm water, and large and active glysters of salt and water should be thrown up. The pa-tient should be placed erect, and. if the counte-nance and other appearances are'not improved after these means have been used, the jugular vein may be opened,and cold wet cloths applied to the head, jiarticularly if the body is hotter than natural. If the extremities become cold, warmth and friction should be perseveringly used. Brandy. Wines, and all Spirituous Liqutrh* ©" ?*». PS © PS a 3 ©- pt> Co VEGETABLE POISONS. All the Vegetables marked thus * are Natives of Great Britain. IRRITATING POISONS. SYMPTOMS. TREATMENT. 00 'Aconitum napellus ..... Monks-hood "AnemonePulsatilla.....Pasque Flower •Arum maculatum......Wake Robin Hryonia tlioica.......Bryony Callicocca ipecacuanha .... Ipecacuanha •Chelidonium majus.....Celandine "Clematis vitalba......Virgins Bower "Colchicum autumnale .... Meadow Saffron Convolvulus scammonia . . . Scammony Cucuniis colocynthis.....Bitter Apple •Daphne mezereum.....Mezereon "Daphne laureota......Spurge Laurel Delphinium staphisagia . . . Stavesacre Euphorbia ofiicinarum .... Euphorbium Fritillaria imperialis.....Crown Imperial Gratiola officinalis......Hedge Hyssop •Hydrocotile Vulgaris.....Marsh Pennywort "Helleborus niger......Black Hellebore "Helleborusyasridu*.....Bears Foot Juniperus sabina......Savine Lobelia syphilitica.....Cardinal Flower Momordica elaterium .... Elaterium *Narciss\is pseudo-narcissus . . Daffodil "(Enanthe crocata...... Hemlock Dropwort "Phellandrium aquaticum . . . Water Hemlock "Pedicularis palustris.....Louse-wort "Ranunculus acris......Butter Cups *-----------sceleratu ...... Water Crowfoot "-----------fiammula .... Lesser Spear Wort Rhododendron crysanthemum . Yellow Rhododendron Rhus toxicodendron.....Poison Oak Ricinus major.......Purging Nut •Sedum acre........Wall Pepper •Sempervivum tectorum .... Houseleek Scilla maritima.......Squill Stalagmitis cambogoides . . • Gamboge Veratrum album......White Hellebore •Viola tricolor ....... Hearts Ease The general effects of this class of vegetable poisons, are an acrid, pungent taste, with more or less of bittemess.excessive heat, great dryness of the mouth and throat, with sense of tightness in it; violent vomitings, and the efforts are con- tinued even after the stomach is emptied; purg- ing, with great pain in the stomach and bowels; pulse strong, frequent, and regular; breathing often quick and difficult; appearances of intoxi- cation; the pupil of the eye frequently dilated, insensibility resembling death, the pulse be- comes slow, and loses its force, and death closes the scene. If applied externally they, many of them, produce violent inflammations of the skin, with vesications or eruptions of pustules. If vomiting has been occasioned by the poison, and the efforts are still continued, they may be rendered easier by large draughts of warm water, or thin gruel; but if symptoms of insensibility have come on without vomiting, it ought to be immediately excited by the sulphat of zinc, or some other active emetic substance, and after its operation, a sharp purgative should be given. After as much as possible of the poison is got rid of, a very strong infusion of coffee, or vinegar diluted with water, may be given with advantage. Cam- phor mixture with aether may be taken frequently, and if insensi- bility be considerable, warmth, frictions, and blisters may be em- ployed. If inflammation or other dangerous consequences have been induced, they are to be treated upon general principles. The fruit of the Fewillea Cordifolia has been lately recommended as a powerful antidote against vegetable poisons; it is to be used in as recent a state as possible. 3 ps" © pa. PS a VEGETABLE POISONS. NARCOTIC POISONS. SYMPTOMS. TREATMENT. •Aristolochia clematitia - - - - Birth Wort •Atropa belladonna.....Deadly Night Shade •Digitalis purpurea.....Fox Glove Menispermum coculus - - - - Coculus Indicus •Papaver somniferum .... Opium •Solanum dulcamara.....Woody Night Shade Strychnos nux vomica - - - - Crow Fig The narcotic vegetable poisons, if taken into the stomach, or applied to a wound,occasion the following effects:—Stupor, numbness, heaviness in the head, desire to vomit, slight at first, but afterwards insupportable; a sort of intoxication, stupid air, pupil of the eye dilated, furious or lively delirium, sometimes pain, convulsions of different parts of the body, or palsy of the limbs. The pulse is variable, but at first generally-strong and full: the breathing is quick, and there is great anxiety and dejection,which if not speedily relieved, soon ends in death. The stomach to be effectually evacuated, by giving four or five grains of tartar emetic, or from ten to twenty of the sulphat' of zinc, and repeat it every quarter of an hour, till the full effect is produced. These means may be assisted by tickling the throat with a feather or the finger. Large and strong glysters of soap dissolved in water, or of salt and gruel, should be speedily administered, to clear the bowels, and assist in getting rid of the poison, and active purgatives may be given after the vomiting has ceased. When as much as possible of the poison has been expelled, the patient may drink? alternately, a tea-cupful of strong hot infusion of coffee, and vinegar diluted with water. If the drowsiness, which is some-times extreme, and the insensibility bordering on apoplexy, be not remedied by these means, blood may be taken from the jugular vein, blisters may be applied to the neck and legs, and the attention rous-ed by every means possible. If the heat declines, warmth and fric-tions must be perseveringly used. Vegetable acids are on no account to be given before the poison is expelled, and it is desirable that but little fluid of any kind should be given. POISONOUS MUSHROOMS. Nausea, heat, and pain in the stomach and bowels, with vomiting and purging; thirst, con-vulsions, and faintings; pulse small and fre-quent; delirium, dilated pupil and stupor, cold sweats, and death. Poisonous mushrooms maybe distinguished from the edible ones by their botanical charac-ters, and by the following criteria. Theformer grow in wet shady places, have a nauseous odour, are softer, more open, and porous; have a dirty-looking surface, sometimes a gaudy colour or many very distinct hues, particularly if they have been covered with an envelope; they have soft bulbous stalks, grow rapidly, and corrupt very quickly. The stomach and bowels to be first cleared by an emetic of tarta-rized antimony, followed by frequent doses of Glauber's or Epsom salt, and large stimulating glysters. After the poison is evacuated, aether may be administered with small quantities of brandy and wa-ter, but if inflammatory symptoms manifest themselves, such sti-muli should be omitted, and other appropriate means had recourse to. ©* PS © ©* . PS a 3 CO ANIMAL POISONS. -a o POISONOUS FISH. SYMPTOMS. TREATMENT. CoriLcmusfuscus major - - - - Gray Snapper Coryphcena splendens ... - Dolphin Ostracion globellum ------ Bottle Fish Tetrodon ocellatus......Blower In an hour or two, or often in a much shorter time, after stale fish have been eaten, a weight at the stomach comes on, with slight vertigo and head-ache, with a sense of heat about the head and eyes, considerable thirst, and often an erup-tion of the skin, (urticaria,) and in many cases death has happened. An emetic should be speedily administered, or in the absence of it, the vomiting may be excited, by tickling the throat with the finger, and taking large draughts of warm water. After full vomiting, an active purgative should be given to remove any of the noxious mat-ter that may have found its way into the intestines. Vinegar and water may be drank after the above remedies have operated, and the body may be sponged with the same. Water made very sweet with sugar, to which sether may be added, may be drank freely as a corrective, and a very weak solution of alkali has been recom-mended to obviate the effects of the poison. If spasm ensue, after evacuations, laudanum, in considerable-doses, is necessary. If in-flammation should occur, the usual means of removing it must be employed. POISONOUS SERPENTS. Coluber naja ") Crotalus horridus > ----- Rattlesnake Cobra de capello j Coluber carinatus Gedi Paragoodoo Ratuka Kekula Poda -Rodroo Pam A sharp pain in the wounded part, which soon extends over the limb or body; great swelling, at first hard and pale, then reddish, livid, and gan-grenous in appearance; faintings, vomitings, convulsions, and sometimes jaundice; pulse small, frequent, and irregular, breathing diffi-cult, cold sweats, the sight fails, and the intellec-tual faculties are deranged. Inflammation, and often extensive suppuration and gangrene, fol-lowed by death. A moderately tight ligature to be applied above the bites, and the wound left to bleed after being well washed with warm water; the actual cautery, lunar caustic, or butter of antimony, to be then-ap-plied freely to it, and afterwards covered with lint, dippedin equal parts of olive oil and spirit of hartshorn. The ligature to be remov-ed if the inflammation be considerable. Warm diluting drinks, and small doses of ammonia or hartshorn to cause perspiration; to be well covered in bed, and a little warm wine given occasionally. If gangrene be threatened, vine may be given more freely, and the bark should be had recourse to. Arsenic, the principal ingredient in the Tanjore Pill, has been strongly recommended. 9 P* PS O PS a a ©- ?«* C/5 ANIMAL POISONS. POISON. SYMPTOMS. TREATMENT: CANTHARIDES. Nauseous odour of the breath, acrid taste, burning heat in the throat, stomach, and belly, frequent vomitings, often bloody, with copious bloody stools; excruciating pain in the stomach; painful and obstinate priapism, with heat in the bladder, and strangury or retention of urine; frightful convulsions, delirium, and death. Vomiting to be excited by drinking sweet oil, sugar and water, milk, or linseed tea, very freely. Emollient glysters should be ad-ministered, and if symptoms of inflammation of the stomach, kid-ney, or bladder supervene, they must be subdued by appropriate Spanish, or Blistering Fly. treatment. Camphor dissolved in oil may be rubbed over the belly and on the tliighs. VENOMOUS INSECTS. Tarantula In general the sting of these insects occasions only a slight degree of pain and swelling; but occasionally the symptoms are more violent,and sickness and fever are produced by the intensity of the pain. Hartshorn and oil may be nibbed on the affected part, and a piece of rag moistened in the same, or in salt and water, may be kept upon it till the pain is removed. A few drops of hartshorn may be given frequently in a little water, and a glass or two of wine may be taken. The stmg may in general be removed by making strong pressure over it with the barrel of a small watch key. • SALIVA OF THE RABID DOG. At an uncertain interval after the bite, gene-rally however between the twentieth day and three or four months, pain or uneasiness occurs in the bitten part, though the wound may have been long healed. Anxiety, uneasiness, languor, spasms, horror, disturbed sleep, difficult respira-tion succeed, and are soon very much increased; violent convulsions affect the whole body, hi-deously distorting the muscles of the face; the eyes are red and protruded, the tongue swells, and often hangs out, and viscid saliva flows from the mouth; there is pain in the stomach, with bilious vomitings, a horror of fluids, and impossibility of drinking them. All these symp-toms are aggravated till the sufferer is relieved by death. Hydrophobia is more easily prevented than cured, indeed it is doubtful if it ever lias been cured. Mercury, arsenic, opium, musk, camphor, acids, wine, vegetable and mineral alkali, oil, various herbs, and many other remedies, whose effects are quite opposite, have been employed, but none can be relied on. Large blood-let-tings, the warm and cold batb, and almost every other remedial agent have been tried without success. The bitten part should be completely cut out, even after it has healed, if the symptoms have not yet come on; the part should then be immersed in warm water, or Mashed with it as long' as it will bleed, and after the most persevering ablution caustic should be ap-plied to every part of the surface, and then the wound covered with a poultice, and suffered to heal by granulations. No milder discipline can ensure safety. ©J PS © PS a a 00 INDEX. LATIN AND ENGLISH. ABSORPTION Page. 712 Acidum pyrolignosum Page. 9 Absinthium 119 succini 606 Abstraction 709 sulphuricum 611 Acaciac Arabics gummi 2 aromaticum 647 catechu extractum 4 dilutum 613 Acetat of ammonia, liquid 53 prussicum 62. 254 of iron 304 tartaricum 535 of lead 512 Aconitum napellus 17 of potass 529 neomontanum ib. of quicksilver 334 Aconite ib. Acetic acid 10. 12 Acorus calamus 18 aromatic 14 Actea spicata 19 camphorated 15 Adeps 20 concentrated 12 anseris ib. impure 7 bovis 21 purified 7 cetaceus ib. weak 10 hominis 20 Acetic fermentation 719 ovillus 21 Acetas ferri 304 preparatus 20. 657 hydrargyri 334 suillus 20 kali 529 ursi ib. plumbi 512 Adipocere 22 potassae 529 iErugo 250 Acetometer 12 preparata 251 Acetica 13 iEsculus hippocastanum 23 Acetum 7 iEther sulphuricus 29 colchici 14. 214 rectificatus 30 distillatum 10 cum alcohole 32 opii 15 aromaticus 647 purificatum 7 iEtherea 29 scillae 14 iEthiop's mineral 351 vini 7 Agaric 146 Acidification 716 Agrimonia eupatoria 23 Acida—acids 5 Agrimony ib. Acidum acetosum 7 Ague drops 737 aceticum 12 Albumen 486 aromaticum 14 Alcohol fortius 24. 27 camphoratum 15 ammoniatum 48 distillatum 10 aromaticum ib. forte 12 foetidum 49 impurum 7 dikitum 25 scilliticum 14 Alder, black 537 tenue 10 Aletris farinosa 37 arseniosum 106 Alkali ib. benzoicum 134 fixed vegetable 37. 519 citricum 212 mineral ib. 588 hydrocyanicum 254 volatile ib. 44 • muriaticum 429 Alkanet 64 dilutum 430 Allspice 438 nitricum 442 Allium cepa 39 nitrosum 441 porrum 40 dilutum 444 sativum 38 oxalicum 464 Almond 61 784 Index. Page. Pas^e. Almond, bitter 61 Anthemis pyrethrum 70 bloom 743 Anti-attrition 737 cake 736 Antimony 71 emulsion 420 crude 72 mixture ib. glass of 74 milk ib. cerated 75 paste 736 nit. mur. oxyd of 79 powder ib. Antimonial powder 75 sweet 61 wine 85 Aloe 40 Antimonii murias 79 Barbadensis ib. oxydum 74 caballina or horse 42 sulphuretum 72 hepatica 41 praepar. 73 perfoliata ib. praecip. 76 socotrina ib. Antimoniated tartar 81 spicata ib. sulphur, brown 76 vulgaris ib. orange 77 Althaea officinalis 44 Antimonium tartarisatum 81 Alumen—Alum 608 Antivenereal drop 338 ustum—burnt 609 Antwerp blue 736 Alum root 326 Apium petroselium • 487 Amber 605 Apocynum androsaemifolium 86 Ammonise, carbonas 50 Apparatus 701 murias 44 pneumatic 708 subcarbonas 50 Aqua 86 acetas liquidus ' 54 acetatis ammoniae 54 hydrosulphuretum . 55 acidi carbonici 99 Ammonia 37v44 aeris fixi ib. praeparata \50 alcalina oxymuriatica 432 Ammoniac, gum • V ammoniae 46 Ammoniaretum cupri 251. acetatis 54 Ammoniuret of copper 25B' ib. carbonatis 52 Ammoniated alcohol causticje 46 aromatic t diluta 48 aromatic tincture ib. aurantii corticis 98 tincture of assafoetida 49 calcis 148 Ammoniaco-nitrat of silver 112 cinnamons 98 sulphat of copper 113 cupri ammoniati 252 Amomum cardamomum 58 distillata 89 repens ib. ex lacu 88 zedoaria 59 ferri aerati 303 zingiber 60 fluvialis 87 Amygdalae dulces et amarae 61 fontana ib. Amylum 649 fortis 442 Amyris elemifera 63 kali caustici 520 Gileadensis 64 sulphureti 534 Analysis of mineral waters 93 lythargyri acetati 514 Anchusa tinctoria 64 composita ib. Andromeda mariana 65 magnesiae, supercarb. 100 Anethum graveolens ib. marina 93 foeniculum ib. menthae piperitae 98 Angelica 66 viridis ib. tree 100 muriatis calcis 152 Angustura 67 nivata 88 pseudo-ferruginea 68 oxymuriatica 432 Animals, stuffed 735 paludosa 88 Anise 499 picis liquids $05 Anodynum specificum Paracelsi 16 potassse 520 Anodyne liquor of Hoffman 33 supercarbonat 100. 528 Anthemis cotula 237 pluvialis 87 nobilis 69 putealis 88 Index. 785 Page. Aqua rosarum 98 sodae supercarb. 100. 593 sulphnreti ammonix 56 kali 534 loffana 737 Aquae acidulae 90 ' chalybeatae ib. distillatae 97 medicatae 99 salinae 91 sulphure ae 90 Arabic emulsion 420 Aralia spinosa 100 nudicaulis ib. Arbutus uva ursi 655 Arctium lappa 101 Arcanum duplicatum 531 Argentum 101 nitratum 102 vivum 331 Aristolochia serpentaria 586 Armoracia 214 Arnica montana 104 Aromatic powder 547 Arrow root 408 Arrack 25 Arsenias kali 114. 118 Arsenis potassac ib. Arsenic 106 white ib. pills of 109 preparations of 118 to detect 109 Arsenical solution 118 soap to preserve ani- mals 735 Arsenous acid 106 to detect 109 Arseniat of kali 118 Arsenicum 106 album 107 Arsenite of potass 118 Artemisia abrotanum 119 absinthium 120 santonica 119 Artificial Cheltenham water ' 763 Harrogate water ib. Pyrmont water ib. Seltzer water ib. Spa water ib. musk 460 Arum maculatum 121 triphyllum ib. Asarabacca 122 Asarum canadense 123 Europxum 122 Asclepias decumbens 123 124 incarnata flesh coloured ib. ib. 123 syriaca ,, tuberosa serv 1 Asphaltum Assafoetida Atmospheric air Atropium Aurum Avena sativa Avens, common Avoirdupoise weight Axungia Ayapana Azedarach Azotic gas B. Balls Balaustine Balm Balsam of Canada of Copaiva observations commanders' for cuts friars' of honey of sulphur of Gilead of Peru of Tolu traumatic") Vervain's3 Bane berries Barbadoes tar Barilla Barium Bark, Caribaean Calisaya Crown or Loxa heart-leaved lance-leaved Maracaibo oblong-leaved pale Peruvian red yellow Barley water Barm Barytes carbonat muriat solution of sulphat Bateman's pectoral drops Bath, hot cold tepid warm Bay-tree Bears-foot 99 Page. 146 125 446 143 126 129 318 721 20 282 129 446 739.760 321 414 130 500 130 n 234 738 737 462 64 132 •133 738 19 145 589 135 208 202 ib. 191 187 205 190. 203 187. 202 186 190. 203 191. 202 329 267 183 136 ib. ib. 139 137 738 95 ib. 96 95 391 324 786 Index. Page. Page. Bears grease 20 C. Bear-berry 655 Cabbage tree 317 Beaver 172 Cajeput 413 Beccabunga 677 Calamine 686 Beech-drops 464 Calamus aromaticus 13 Beer 25 Calomel 340 ginger 60. 766 precipitated 343 spruce 767 Calx 147. 148 Belladonna 140 Camphor 153 Benne oil 585 emulsion 421 Bennet, herb 318 liniment 658 Benzoic atid 134 Camphorats 154 Benzoin 133 Camphoric acid ib. Bismuthum—Bismuth 143 Canada snakeroot 123 Bistort 518 flea bane 2S1 Bistre 737 Cancer root 464 Bitter apple 229 Canella 156 sweet 275 Canthariden 157 cucumber 229 Cantharides ib. Bitumen 145 vittatae 159 Blackman's oil colour cakes 747 Capsicum annuum 160 colours in bladders ib. Caraway 166 Blacking 744 Carbon 162 balls 739 Carbonas 165 paste 738 ammoniae 50 Blackberry 569 barytae 136 Black drop 15. 16 calcis 150 Bleaching liquid 737 praeparatus 151 Blistering fly 157 ferri 302 Blood-root 576 praecipitatus ib. Blue flag 371 magnesiae 403 Blue vitriol—blue stone 253 potassae 526 Boletus igniarius 146 potassae impurus 524 Bone black 737 purissimus 526 Bones ' 463 plumbi 512 Bone-set 283 sodx 590 Bonplandia trifoliata 67 impurus 589 Borax—Boracic acid 596 zinci impurus 686 Bougies 739 Carbonat of ammonia 50 elastic ib. of barytes 136 Boyle's fuming liquor 56 of iron 302 Brimstone 609 precipitated ib. British lavender 758 of lime 150 i oil 753 prepared 151 Brooklime 677 of magnesia 403 Broom, common 599 of potass a* rape, Virginia 464 impure Bronzing liquor 737 of soda 590 Brown red 740 dried 592 Buck bean 417 impure 589 Buckthorn 553 of zinc, impure 686 Burdock 101 Carbonic acid gas 162 Burgundy pitch 500 Carbo ligni 163 Burnt horn—hartshorn 184 Cardamine pratensis 166 sponge 164 Cardamom, lesser 58 Butter cups 553 Carduus benedictus 175 ' Butternut 383 Carmine 740 Butterfly-weed 123 Carum carui 166 Butter of antimony 79 Cascarilla 239 Button snakeroot 282 Carrot 168 Index. 787 Page. Carthamus 172 Caryophyllus aromaticus 167 Cassena 166 Cassia tree 393 fistula 169 marilandica 171 senna 169 Castanea 172 Castor oil 567 Castor fiber 172 Castoreum ib. Cataplasma fermenti 174 sinapis 175 Cataplasm of mustard ib. of yeast 174 Cataplasmata ib. Catechu 4 Catheters, elastic 739 Caustic, common 523 lunar 102 Cayenne pepper 160 Cedrat 768 Cement, Botany bay 769 seal engravers' ib. Centaury, American 185 smaller ib. Centaurea benedicta 175 Centaureum minus 185 Cepa 38 Cephaelis ipecacuanha 176 Cephalic snuff 759 Cera alba 182 flava ib. purificata 183. 657 Cerated glass of antimony 75 Cerates 656.659 Cerate of impure carbon, of zinc Goulard's of red cedar of savine of soap of spermaceti Turner's Ceratum arsenici calaminae cantharidis carbonatis zinci impuri epuloticum juniperi plumbi subacet. liquid. subcarb. comp. super-acetatis resinosum compos. sabinae saponis simplex ^russe Ceruss, Venetian Cerevisiae fermentum Cervus elaphus 661 659 ib. ib. 660 ib. 661 659 661 659 661 ib. 659 ib. 660 ib. ib. ib. 659 660 ib. 512 746 183 ib. Page. Cetaceum 21 Chalk 150 precipitated 151 prepared ib. Chamaemelum 69 Chamomile, common ib. wild 237 Champaigne, English 465 Charcoal 163.739 Charring 703 Cheltenham salts 760 Chemical operations 701 Chenopodium anthelminticum 185 Chironia angularis ib. centaureum ib. Cherry-tree laurel 538 wild 539 Chinquapin 172 Chimaphila umbellata 551 Chloride of barium 137 Chreme des Barbades 767 de noyaux 768 d'o range ib. Christopher, herb 19 Cicuta ' 230 Cineres clavellati 524 Cinchona 186 Caribxa 208 cordifolia 191 flava 191.202 Iancifolia 187 oblongifolia 190 pallida 187 rubra 190 Cinchonine 208 sulphat of ib. Cinnabar 352 Cinnamon 392 wild 156 Circulation 706,712 Citric acid 212 Citrus aurantium 210 medica __ 211 Clematis 212 Cleome dodecandra ib. Clit-bur 101 Clove gillyflower 270 tree 167 pink 270 Cloves 1&7 Clyster, purging 423 Coagulation 709 Cochineal 213 Cockspur pepper 160 Coccinella 21o Coccus cacti **■ Cochlearia 214 Cocos butyracea 216 Cocculus indicus 416 Coffea—Coffee, 215 English 740 788 Index. Page. Page. Cohobation 709 Coriandrum sativum 236 Colchicum autumnale 217 Cornus circinata 237 observations on 219 florida 236 characteristic distinc- sericea 237 tion of the bulb 220 Cortex angusturae 67 Colchici acetum ib. Peruvianus 186 oxymel 14. ib. Corn plaster 757 rad. vinum ib. Coral, prepared 150 sem. vinum ib. Cornu ustum 184 semina 218 Corrosive sublimate 336 tinctura 221 Cotula 237 Colocynthis "229 Cowitch 273 Colombo 414 Cow-parsnip 325 Colombo of Marietta 310 Crab's claws, prepared 150 Colophony 500 •eyes, prepared ib. Coloquintida 229 Crayons 746 Colouring fermentation 719 Crane's bill 318 Colt's foot 652 Cream of tartar 535 Colours for bottles 744 Creta 150 maps 743 praecipitata 151 Colcothar 300 praeparata ib. Cologne earth 748 Crocus of antimony 85 Collection of simples 693 sativus 237 Collyria 228 Croton 238 Collyrium plumb, acetatis ib. eleutheria 239 et opii 229 oil 240 zinci acetatis ib. tiglium ib. sulphatis ib. Crowfoot 553 Combination 709 Crystalli tartari 535 Combustion 715 Crystallization 714 Concentration 703 Cupri sulphas 253 Condensation 704 sulphatis solutio ib. Confections 224 Cubebs 246 Confection of catechu 227 Cuckow flower 166 almonds 228 pint 121 opiate ib. Cucumber 692 Confectio amygdalarum ib. wild 275 aromatica 226 Cucumis colocynthis 229 aurantiorum ib. Cud-bear 745 cassiae ib. Cupri ammoniati liquor 252 Japonica 227 Cuprum 248 opii 228 ammoniatum 251 rosae 226 vitriolatum 253 scammoniae 227 Currie powder 760 sennae ib. Curcuma longa 247 Congelation 709 zedoaria 59 Conium maculatum 230 Cusparia febrifuga 67 Consolidation 712 Cyanogen 254 Contrayerva 232 Cucurbitulae, cups, 8tc. 247 Conserves 224 Conserve of orange peel 226 D. of roses ib. Daffy's elixir 747 Convolvulus panduratus 234 Swinton's ib. scammonia 233 Dalby's carminative 748 Copaifera officinalis 130 Damson, bitter 552 Copaiva, solidified 234 Dandelion 394 oil of 235 Daphne mezereum 260 resin or extract. ib. Datura stramonium ib. Coptis trifoliata 236 Daucus carota 168 Copper 248 Decantation 699 Copperas 301 Decocta 264 Index. 789 ] 'age. Page. Decoctum araliae nudicaulis 264 Disoxygenizement 717 althxae officinalis 268 Dissolution 713 chamaemeli 268 Distillation 704 cinchonae 264 Distilled spirits 600 colombae compos. 265 waters 97 cornu cervini 423 Division, mechanical 697 corticis Peruviani 264 Dock, 570 cydoniae 428 Dogwood 236 daphnes mezerei 267 round leaved 237 digitalis 269 swamp ib. dulcainarae 266 Dogsbane 86 Geoffraeae inermis 269 Dolichos pruriens 273 guaiaci compositum 266 Dorstenia contrayerva 232 hordei ib. Dover's powder 548 compositum 267 Dracontium foetidum 273 lichenis ib. Dragon's blood 545 sarsaparillae ib. Dragon root 121 compositum ib. Drops, antiscorbutic 338 scilla: 268 Wade's 5 Jesuits 5 735 senegae ib. ulmi 269 Dryobalanops camphora 155 veratri 268 Dulcamara 275 Decoctions 264 Dyer's saffron ' 172 Decoction 712 spirit 743 of barley 266 compound ib. E. of bitter-sweet ib. Eaton's styptic 758 of cabbage tree bark 269 Eau d'Husson medicinale 220. 749 of chamomile 268 de luce 49. ib. of cinchona 264 de Cologne ib. of polombo comp. 265 Edulcoration 711 of elm 269 Effervescence 713 of foxglove ib. Efflorescence 711 for fomentations 268 Egg 486 of guaiacum, comp. 266 shells prepared 150 of iceland moss 267 Elaterium—Elatin 275 of marshmallows 268 Elder 573 of mezereon 267 Elecampane 366 of Peruvian bark 264 Electricity 280 of quince seed 428 Electuaries 224 of sarsaparilla 267 Electuary, aromatic 226 compound ib. of cassia ib. false 264 of catechu compound 227 of seneka 268 lenitive ib. of squills ib. of senna ib. of the woods 267 thebaic 228 of white hellebore 268 Electuarium aromaticum 226 Decomposition 712 cassiae ib. Deflagration 715 catechu 227 Deliquescence 711 lenitivum ib. Delphinium staphisagria 270 opiatum 228 Dephlegmation 703.709 scammonii 227 Despumation 700 sennae ib. Dewberry 569 Elemi 63 Diamond 162 Elettaria cardamomum 58 Dianthus caryophyllus 270 Eleutheria 239 Digestion Digitalis purpurea 712 270 Elixir asthmatic paregoricura 632 632. 633 Dill 65 proprietatis ib. Dippel's animal oil Diospyros Virginiana Dirca palustris 754 sacrum 644 272 273 salutis stomachicum 644. 747 638 790 Index. Page. Page. Elixir, Daffy's 747 Essence royale pour la barbe 755 Squire's 748 Ess. salt of lemons ' 750 «■ Stoughton's ib. bark 201 P of vitriol |%Elm 647 Ether 29 654 rectified 30 f.'Elutriation 698 sulph. with alcohol 32 Emetin 178. 750 Ethereal oil ib. Emplastra 656. 661 Eugenia caryophylhita 167 Emplastrum adhssivum 665 Eupatorium aya-pana 282 ammoniaci 661 perfoliatum 283 cum hydrar 662 purpureum 285 aromaticum ib. teucrifolium ib. ad mammas 664 Euphorbia corollata 286 assafoetida: 662 ipecacuana ib. calefaciens ib. officinarum ib. cantharidis 665 Evaporation 703 canthar. vesicat. compos. ib. Evei'green cassine 166 cerae 662 Expression 700 cumini ib. Exsiccation 703 ferri 664 Extraction 711 galbani 663 Extracts, alcoholic 296 compositum ib. watery 293 gummosum * ib. hydrargyri 661 ladani compositum 663 lythargyri ib. compositum 665 cum hydrargyro ib. oxydi ferri rubri 664 plumbi semivitrei 663 picis compositum 666 plumbi 663 plumb, sub-carb. compos. 664 resinosum 665 resinosum cantharidum ib. saponaceum 666 simplex ib. thuris compositum ib. Emulsio amygdalae communis 420 arabica ib. camphorata 421 Emulsion, almond 420 Arabic ib. camphorated 421 of gum ammoniac ib. Enema catharticum 423 foetidum ib. Ens martis 305 Epsom salt 404 Ergot 581 Erigeron canadense 281 Philadelphicum ib. Eryngium aquaticum 282 maritimum ib. Erythronium Americanum ib. Escubac, Usquebaugh 767 Essence for the beard 755 of anchovies 757 malt 748 peppermint 749 spruce 748 Extracts and inspissated juices 287 Extract of aloes 293 of black hellebore 294 of butternut ib. of cascarilla 297 of catechu 4 of chamomile 294 of cinchona ib. of colocynth ib. comp. 296 of cornus florida 615 of dandelion 295 of elder 293 of gentian 294 of hemlock ' 292 ofhenbane 293 of hops 295 ofjalap 297 ofliquorise 295.320 of logwood 294 of May apple 297 of nightshade 292 of opium, watery 295 of Peruvian bark 294. 296 ofpepper 508 of poppy 295 of quassia 294 of rhubarb 297. 565 of sarsaparilla 295 of thorn-apple 293 -• of valerian 295 of wolfsbane 292 Extracta et spissata 287 Extractum aconiti 292 aloes 293 anthemidis 294 belladonnx 292 cascarillae 297 catechu 4 Index. 791 Extractum cicutae Page. 292 Flux-root Page. 123 cinch on ac 294. 296 Fluxes 701 colocynthidis ib. ib. Fluid to preserve leather 763 conii 292 to make leather water-proof ib^ ' elaterii 277 Fly water 764- gentianae 294 Ford's balsam of horehound 738; glycyrrhizae 295 Formula for investigating mi neral haematoxyli 294 waters 98 hellebori nigri ib. Fowl, dunghill 486 humuli 295 Fowler's solution 118 hyosciami 293 Fox-glove 270 jalapae 297 Frankford black 165. 737 juglandis 294 Frankincense 500 opii 295 Frasera Caroliniensis—Walteri 310 papaveris ib. Fraxinus ornus 406 podophylli 297 Friar's balsam 738 quassiae 294 Fucus vesiculosus 311 rhei 297 Fuligo ligni 165. ib. sambuci 293 Furniture oil 753 sarsaparillae 295 balls 739 saturni 514 varnish 762 stramonii 293 Fusion 701 taraxaci 295 watery 704 Valerianae ib. Eye waters 228 G. Galbanum 312 F. Galega Virginiana ib. Fat 20 Gallae—Galls 313 proportion of oils and suel : in 21 Gallic acid ib. solubility of 20 Gallipoea febrifuga 67 Fecula 648 Gamboge 315 Fennel, sweet 65 Garget 490 Fermentation 718 Garlic 37 Fern, male 518 Gaseous oxyd of carbon 162 Ferri limaturae purificatx 299 Gaultheria 316 oxydum nigrum ' 300 Gelatin 360 rubrum ib. Gentiana Catesbaei 317 oxydi squamae ib. lutea 316 Ferrum •298 Gentian . ib. ammoniatum 305 Geoffraea inermis 317 tartarisatum 308 Georgia bark 499 Ferula assa foetida 125 Geranium maculatum 318. 691 Fetid enema 423 Germander 628 spirit of ammonia 49 Geum urbanum—rivale 318 Ficus—Fig 309 Gilder's wax 769 Fig-wort 580 Gillenia 319 Filex mas 518 Ginseng 465 Filtration 699 Ginger 60 Finery cinder 300 beer 61: 766 Fir 500 wild 123 Fish glue 359 Glass of antimony 74 Flax 397 Glauber's salt 597 •purging ib. Glycyrrhiza 319 Flake white 741 Goat's rue, Virginia 312 Fleabane 281 Godfrey's cordial 750 Flores benzoes 134 Gold 126 martiales 305 muriat of ib. sulphuris loti 610 oxyd of 127 zinci 687 soda-muriat of ib. Flowers of benzoin 134 thread 236 of zinc 687 Golden rod 598 792 Index. Goulard's extract Gowland's lotion Granatum Granulation Gravel root Grease bear's goose Greek water . Green's drops Groats Ground holly Ground pink Guaiacum officinale Gum acacia ammoniac arabic tragacanth Senegal H. Hamamelis Virginiana Hardhack Haematoxylon Hartshorn burnt Heat Heavy spar Helleborus albus foetidus niger Hellebore, American black stinking white Hemlock Henbane Hepar sulphuris Hepatized ammonia Heracleum gummiferum lanatum Herb Christopher Heuchera Hiera picra Hill's balsam of honey Hirudo medicinalis Hive syrup Hoffman's anodyne liquor Hog's lard, prepared Honey of borax clarified of roses of squills compound Hop Hordeum Horehound wild Horse chesnut radish age. Page. 514 Huile antique 753 745 Hamulus 329 321 Hydrargyri nitrico-oxydum 347 698 oxydum cinereum 346 283 oxydum rubrum 348 20 oxymurias 336 ib. phosphas 354 ib. submurias 340 743 subm. ammoniatus 345 338 Hydrargyrum 331 129 cum creta 349 551 magnesia ib. 585 praecip. album 345 322 purificatum 334 2 sulphuretum nigrum 351 57 rubrum 352 2 Hydrastis canadensis 357 650 Hydro-chlorat of ammonia 44 2 chloric acid 429 cyanic acid 62', 254 sulphat of ammonia 55 323 sulphuretum ammoniae ib. 602 nitrous aci'l 447 324 Hydrogen gas, carbureted 163 49 super-carbureted ib. 181 Hyosciamus niger 358 733 Hyssopus officinalis—Hyssop 359 137 " 675 I. 324 Iceland moss 395 ib. Ichthyocolla 359 678 Ictodes foetidus 273 324 Ilex vomitoria 166 ib. Indian paint 576 675 physic 4 319 230 pink snakeroot 599 358 sage 283 533 tobacco 399 55 turnip 121 57 Indigo weed 598 325 Inflammation 715 19 Infusions 360 326 Infusion of angustura 361 546 of Carolina pink 364 737 of cascarilla 361 326 of chamomile 360 412 of cloves 365 33 of columbo 361 20 of foxglove 362 410 of gentian 363 411 of horse radish 361 ib. of linseed 363 412 of mint •365 ib. of orange peel ib. ib. ■-■ of Peruv. bark 361 329 & magnesia 362 ib. & lime water 361 410 & lemon juice 362 283 of rhubarb 365 23 of roses 363 214 of senna and tamarinds 364 Index. 793 Infusion of slippery elm of thorough wort of tobacco of Virg. snakeroot Infusion infusum amarum angusturae anthemidis armoraciae aurantii comp. caryophyllorum cascarillae catechu cinchon ae columbae cuspariae digitalis eupatorii gentianx comp. Japonicum lini menthae compositum quassiae quass. et sulph. zinci rhei rosx sennx compositum serpentarix simaroubse spigelix tabaci tamarindi et sennae ulmi Valerianae Ink, black cuttlefish Indian marking powder sympathetic Insects, to preserve Inspissation Inula Iodide of azote Iodine Ipecacuanha bastard spurge Ipomoea macrorhiza') jalapa 5 Iris Iron filings purified rust of scales of purified wire Isinglass Issue peas Page. 364 363 364 ib. 711 363 361 360 361 365 ib. 361 365 361 ib. ib. 362 363 ib. 365 363 365 363 ib. 365 363 364 ib. ib. 366 364 ib. ib. ib. ib. 744 751 745 743 746 743 735 703 366 448 367 176 651 286 371 ib. 298 299 ib. 302 300 ib. 299 359 756 Issue plasters Ivory black Jalapa—Jalap James-town weed James' powder pills Japan, black transparent Jatropha manihot Jerusalem oak Juglans cinerea Juniper Juniperus communis lycia sabina Virginian a K. Kali causticum cum calce Kalmia latifolia Katchup Kemps white Kermes mineral Kino Koumiss Krameria Page. 756 164. 737 371 260 75 755 763 762 624 185 383 ib. ib. 384 385 384 523 524 385 758 746 76 541 25 385 Lac ammoniaci amygdalae sulphuris Lacquer Lactucarium Lactuca elongata sativa, virosa Lake, common ? Florence 5 madder Lampblack Lapis calaminaris praeparatus Larch Lard Laurus camphora cassia cinnamomum nobilis sassafras Laudanum, liquid Helmontii junioris Laurel, broad-leaved mountain Lavandula—lavender Lead white, Dutch, &c. Leather wood 100 421 420 611 762 388 ib. ib. ib. 745 746 165. 737 687 ib. 500 20. 657 153 393 392 391 ib. 641 16 385 566 394 510 746 273 794 Index. 1 'age. Pare. Leather, to render water proof 763 Liquor of ammonia, subcarbonat of 52 Leech 326 ammonix 46 Leek 39 acetatis 54 Lemon 211 subcarbonatis 52 Lemonade, portable 751 antim. tartarizati 85 Leontodon taraxacum 394 arseniatis potassae 118 Leopard's bane 104 barytae muriatis 139 Lettuce, garden 388 calcis 148 opium ib. muriatis 152 strong-scented , ib. cupri ammoniati 252 wild ib. ferri alkalini 303 Levigation 698 Hoffmanni anodynus 33 Lichen Islandicus 395 hydrargyri oxymuriatis 340 rocella 396 lithargyri acetati 514 Lignum vitx 322 comp. 515 Lime 147 .148 potassx 520 muriated solution of 152 subcarbonatis 528 water 148 probatorius vini 751 Limaturx ferri 299 sulphureti ammonix 54 purificatx ib. of volatile alkali 52 Limon 211 volatile, of hartshorn ib. Linimenta 657 Liriodendron 397 Liniment anodyne 658 Lisbon diet drink 267 of lime water 461 . ib. Litmus 3 96. 745 of mercury 659 Litharge 511 of subcai*b. of am. 461 Liver of sulphur 533 of tobacco 658 tixiviation 711 of turpentine ib. Lixivium causticum 520 Linimentum xruginis 413 Lobelia inflata 399 ammonix 461 .657 Logwood 324 8c antimonii tartar . ib. Loose-strife 401 anodynum 643 Lump archal 745 aqux calcis 461, , 658 Lunar caustic 102 camphorx ib. Lupulus 329 cantharidum ib. Lytta 157 saponis camphor 643. ib. vittata 159 et opii ib. ib. gygas 160 composi- Lythrum salicaria 401 tum ib. . ib. simplex ib. M. tabaci ib. Mace 435 terebinth. ib. Maceration 712 hydrargyri 659 Mackaw tree 216 volatile 461 ,643 Macquer's arsenical salt 117 Linseed oil 452 Madder 569 with lime 461 Madeira, English 765 Linum catharticum 397 Magnesia 402 usitatissimum ib. carbonat of 403 Lip salve 756 calcined 402 Liquefaction 701 sulphat of 404 Liquid magnesia 100 usta 402 for boot tops 744 Magnoha 405 Liquorice 319 Mahagoni 616 extract 295. 320 Marjoram, common 463 refined 751 sweet ib. Liquor of acetated litharge 514 Malva sylvestris—Mallow 405 xthereus oleosus 32 Mandrake 497 sulphuricus ib. Manganesium—Manganese 406 aluminis compositus 689 Manna ib. of ammoniated copper 252 Maranta arundinacea 408 of ammonia 46 Marmalade 751 Index. 795 MaiTubium Mursden's drops Marble—marmor album Marshmallow Marsh rosemary trefoil Marum Master wort Mastiche Materia medica et praeparata Matches for instant light Matonia May apple weed Mead Meadow ladies smock *» saffron Measures Mechanical operations of phar macy division mixture separation Meconic acid Medicine chests for sea plantati Mel boracis despumatum rosx scillx acetatum compositum Melaleuca Melampodium 324 Melia azedarach 129 Melasses ,571 , Melissa officinalis 414 Meloe niger 160 vesicatorius 157 Mellita 411 Menispermum cocculus 416 palmatum 414 Menstruum 710 Mentha piperita 417 pulegium ib. viridis ib. Menyanthes trifoliata ib. Mercurius prxcipitat. ruber 347 sublimatus corrosivus 336 Mercury 331 ammon. submuriat of 345 deuto-chloruret 336 nitric oxyd of 347 notices on 355 perchloride of 336 permuriat of protochloride purified 334 red oxyd of 347 Metals and oxyds 418 Methiglin 465 Page. Page. 410 Mezereon 260 338 Milk of roses 745 150 Mill mountain 397 44 Millepedse 462 605 Mimosa gum 2 417 Mineral pitch 146 627 tar ib. 325 waters 89 509 Minium 512 1 Miscellaneous 735 751 Mistura ammoniaci 421 59 et antimonii ib. 515 amygdalarum 420 237 camphorae 421 465 cornu usti 423 166 cretae 421 217 feni composita 422 696 guaiaci 423 magnesix ib. 695 moschi 422 697 zinci sulphatis 423 701 Mixtures and emulsions 420 698 of ammoniac 421 457 burnt horn 423 752 chalk 421 753 compound of iron 422 410 guaiac 423 411 magnesia ib. ib. musk 422 412 sulp. of zinc ib. ib. white 421 ib. Monarda 419 413 Monk's hood 17 ib. 340 Mor*phia—Morphium 470. 481. 750 Morus nigra 424 Moorwort, broad-leaved 65 Moose wood 273 Moschus 424 factitius 460 Mountain balm 419 damson 552 tea 316 arnica 104 Moxa 425 Mucilage of gum Arabic 427 tragacanth ib. of starch ib. Mucilago amyli ib- arabici gummi ib. astragali tragacanthje ib. Mulberry 424 Murias 428 ammonix 44 et ferri 305 antimonii 79 auri 126 barytae 136 hydrargyri 336 sodx 595 exsiccatus 596 Muriat of ammonia 44 796 Index. Page. Page. Muriat of antimony 79 Oil of amber, rectified 459 of baryta 136 ammoniated 461 solution of ib. animal 460. 754 of lime 151 of aniseed 457 of mercury 336 antique 753 of soda 595 benne 585 Muriatic acid 429 British 753 diluted 430 camphorated 461 Music 433 of cajeput 413 Musk 424 of caraway 457 artificial 480 castor 552. 567 Mustard 587 of chamomile 457 cataplasm 175 croton 240 ready made 751 drying 762 Mutton suet 21 empyreumatic 559 Myrica—Myrtle wax 434 of fennel 457 Myristica moschata 435 of flaxseed 452 Myroxylon peruiferum 132 furniture 753 Myrrha—Myrrh 437 of hartshorn, rectified 460. 754 mixture 423 hemp ib. Myrtus pimento 438 of juniper 457 of lavender ib. N. of mace 436 Nankeen dye 744 of marjoram 457 Naphtha 145 of monarda ib. Naples yellow 741 nut 753 Narcotine 478.484 of nutmeg 435 Nicotiana tabacum 439 of olives 449 Nightshade, American 490 of origanum 457 deadly 140 of palm 216 woody 275 of partridge-berry 457 Nitras argenti 102 of pennyroyal ib. potassx 440 of peppermint ib. Nitrat ib. of pepper j 508 of potass—Nitre—Nitrum ib. of pimento 457 of silver 102 ■rock 145 Nitric acid 442 of rosemary 457 oxyd gas 447 of rue ib. Nitrogen 446 of sassafras ib. Nitrous acid 441 of savin ib. diluted 444 shaving 755 ethereal spirit 35 Sheldrakes 763 gas 447 of spearmint 457 oxyd gas ib. sulphureted 462 Nit. muriat. oxyd of antimony 79 of turpentine 458. 498 solution 433 rectified 458 Nutmeg—Nux moschata 435 of vitriol 611 Nux vomica 448 volatile 452 Noir d'Espagne 165. 737 walnut 754 Norton's drops 338 of wine ^ 31 Noyaux 62. 749 of wormseed 457 of yolk of eggs 754 0. Oily ethereal liquor 32 Oak, black 553 preparations 461 common ib. Ointments 656 white ib. Ointment of ammon. submur . of Oats—Oatmeal 129 quicksilver 670 Oculi cancrorum praepafati 150 of black pepper 673 Oil of almonds 452 elder ib. of amber 459. 606 epispastic 669 of amber, oxydated 460 of galls 668 Index. 797 Page. Ointment of gray oxyd of quicksil- ver 669 of hellebore ib. of hog's lard 656 of infusion of cantharides 657 mercurial, milder 660 stronger ib. of nitrat of quicksilver 663 milder ib. of nitric acid 656 of oxyd of zinc 669 of powder of Spanish flies 657 of red oxyd of quicksilver 659 resinous 660 of rose water 656 of savine 662 spermaceti 656 of stramonium 664 of sub-acetat of copper 657 of sulphur 664 of tar ib. of tutty 660 of wax 656 of white lead 664 precipitate 659 yellow or citrine 663 Olea 449 distillata 452 Europxa 449 fixa 450 volatilia 452 empyreumatica 459 Oleaginosa 461 Oleum aethereum 32 ammoniatum 461. 657 amygdalx 452 animale 460. 754 anisi 457 anthemidis ib- camphoratum 461 caieputx 41o • 457 carui *f» Chenopodii . ib. cornu cerv. rectificat. 460. 754 foeniculi dulcis 457 gaultherix ib- juniperi ib- lavandulx ib. lini 452 cum calce 461 macis 436 melaleucx leucadendron 413 menthx 457 monardx *". myristicx moschatx 435 olivarum 449 origani 457 petrolei pimentx pini laricis pulegii 457 458. 498 457 Page. Oleum ricini 452 rorismarini 457 rutae ib- sabinae ib- sassafras ib. succini 459. 606 oxydatum 460 reductum 753 rectificatum 459 sulphuratum 462 terebinthinx 458. 498 rectificatum 458 tiglii ' 240 vini 32 vitrioli 611 Olibanum 384 Olive tree 449 Onion 38 Oniscus asellus 462 Opiate powder 550 Opium 466 adulterations of 477 • East India 469 English 480 French, analysis of 484 Persian 478 purificatum 480 Turkey 468 Opodeldoc 658.754 Opoponax 486 Orange 210 Orchis 462 Origanum majorana 463 vulgare ib. Orris, Florentine 371 Orobanche Virginiana 464 Ossa 463 Ostrea edulis ib. Oxalic acid 464 Oxalis acetosella ib. Ox gall, prepared 754 refined ib. Oxyd. antiai. cum phosph- calc. 75 cum sul. per nit. pot. 85 nitro-muriaticum 79 vitrificatum 74 vitrificat. cum cera 75 arsenici * 106 ferri nigrum 300 purificatuapa ib. rubrum ib. hydrarg. 348 rub. per acid, nitric. 347 sulpjyiricum , 349 plumbi album 512 rubrum ib. semivitreum 511 zinci 687 impurum ib. preparafc ib. Oxyd of antimony 86 798 Index. Page. Oxyd of arsenic 106 of antimony, with phosphat of lime 75 of bismuth, white 144 of iron, black, purified 300 red ib. of lead, white 512 red ib. semivitrificd 511 of manganese 406 of mercury, red by nit. ac. 347 ash-coloured 346 gray * ib. sulphuric 349 Oxydizement 716 Oxygenizement 714 Oxymel xruginis 413 colchici * 14 . 412 of meadow saffron ib. scillx ib. simple—simplex 411 of squills 412 of verdigris 413 Oxymuriatic alkaline water 432 water ib. Oxymuriat of potash 757 of quicksilver 336 Oyster shells, prepared 150 P. Paints, offish oil 747 black ib. brown red ib. green ib. lead coloured ib. oil colour ib. stone colour ib. yellow ib. Palma christi 567 Panary fermentation 719 Panax quinquefolium -465 Parfait amour ■768 Parker's cement 742 Papaver album 466 rhoeas 465 somniferum ib. Paregoric elixir 632 Parsley % 48/ Partridge-berry 315 Pate de reglisse non-Patent yellow 751 741 Pearl ashes 524 barley 329 powder 746 Peas for issues 756 Pellitory of Spain 70 Pennsylvania mountain laurel 566 Pennyroyal 417 Pepper, black 505 Cayenne. 16C . 746 Jamaica 438 Page. Pepper, long 505 Pepperntint 417 Peppermint cordial 749 Pcrmurias hydrargyri 336 Persimmon 272 Peruvian bark 186 experiments and obser- vations on, by G. W Carpenter balsam Petroleum Barbadense Petroselinum Pharmaceutical operations Phasianus gallus Philadelphia flea-bane Phosphas calcis ferri hydrargyri sodx Phosphat of lime iron mercury Phosphoric acid Phosphorus bottles Phytolacca Pills of aloes and assafoetida with colocynth compound and ginger and myrrh of ammoniuret of copper Anderson's of arsenic of assafoetida Barclay's of calomel comp. antimonial of comp. ext. of colocynth of corrosive sublimate Fothergill's of gamboge, compound Hooper's of" iron, compound James' analeptic 755 Keyser's ib. Lee's ib. Matthews, or Starkey's ib. of mercury 495 sub-mur. comp. 497 of muriat of gold 494 of myrrh and iron 497 opiate ib. of rhubarb, compound 498 squill, compound ib. of subcarb. of soda id. of sulphat qf iron 495 of tar 497 Ward's , 755 201 132 145 487 695 486 281 184 307 354 593 184 307 354 487 ib. 757 490 491 492 ib. 493 492 ib. 493 497. 43. 755 108 494 755 496 494 495 496 49. 495 ib. 43. 755 495 # Index. 799 Till Page" Pills, worm 755 Pilulx aloes composite 492 et assa foetidx 494 cum zingibere 492 et colocynthidis 493 et myrrhx ib. aloeticx 492 ammoniureti cupri 497 antimon. compos. 494 arsenici 108 auri muriatis 494 cochix 493 colocynth. compos. 495 cum myrrh, et guaiaco 493 ferri compositx 495 sulphatis ib. galbani compositx 494 gambogix compositx 495 et scammonix ib. hydrargyri 495 oxymur. 496 submur. ib. jalapx compos. 497 myrrhx compositx 495 et ferri 497 opii ib. picis {(,. rhei compositx 498 Rufi 43. 492 scillx 498 sodx subcarb. ib. Thebaicx 497 Pimento 438 Piihpinella anisum 499 Pinckneya ib. Pink, Carolina 599 Dutch 746 dye 743 rose 746 Pinus abies 500 balsamea ib. larix ib. palustris ib. picea ib. sylvestris ib. Piper cubeba 246 longum 506 nigrum 505 Piperine 506 <( Pippsiseva 551 Pistacia lentiscus 509 terebinthus ib. Pitch, Burgundy 500 black ib. Pix liquida ib. Hllantain—Plantago . 509 ■Plasters 661 adhesive 665 blistering ib. of Burgundy pitch 666 for corns 757 I. Page. Plaster, court sticking 757 diachylon 663 of frankincense 666 of gum. ammon. - ♦ 661 and quicksilver 662 for issues f56 for breasts 664 of lead 663 litharge ib. do. and quicksilver 664 of wax 662 of quicksilver 66J of red oxyd of iron 664 of Spanish flies 665, strengthening 664 Platinum 509 Pleurisy root 123 Plumbago 162 Plumbi carbonas » 512 subcarbonas ib. Plumbum 510 Pneumatic apparatus 708 Podalyria tinctoria 598 Podophyllum peltatum 515 Poison berry tree 129 oak 567 Poisons, animal mineral vegetable )> ' 743, &c. symptoms and j treatment ofj Poke 490 Polygala, bitter 518 rubella ib. senega 516 Polypodium filix mas 519 Pommade de la jeunesse 756 divine •-- ib. Pomegranate 321 Ponderous earth 137 Poplar 397 Poppy, red 465 white ib. Port, English 765 Southampton ib. Porter, London * 766 Potassa 37. 519. 523 cum calce 524 Potassx acetas 529 carbonas 524 et sodx tartras 537 subcarbonas 526 sulphas 531 cum sulphure * 533 sulphuretum ib. super carbonas 524 tartras 535 sulphas 532 tartras 536 Potass water 520 with lime 524 800 Index. Page. Page. Potato-fly 159 Pulvis aloes compos. 546 starch 757 antimonialis 75 wild 234 aromaticus 547 Potio carbonatis calcis 421 asari comp. ib. Pothos foetida 273 carbonatis calcis comp. ib. Powders 546 cinnam. comp. ib. ginger beer 756 cretx comp. ib. mice ib. cum opio ib. silver boiling ib. contrayervx comp. ib. sodaic ~) spruce beer $ ib. Doveri 548 hydrargyri cinereus 346 Powder of amalgam of tin 604 ipecacuanhx et opii 548 aromatic 547 compositus ib. of asarabacca, comp. ib. ipecac, et cupri sulph. ib. blue 742 jalapx compositus 550 of carb. of lime, comp. 547 kino compositus ib. of chalk, comp. ib. opiatus ib. with opium, comp. ib. salinus comp. ib. of contrayerva, comp. ib. scammonii comp. ib. currie 760 sennx comp. ib. of the earl of Warwick 768 stanni 604 gold 742 tragacanthx comp. 551 of ipecacuan and opium 548 Pulverization 697 and sulph. of cop. ib. Punica granatum 321 of jalap, compound 550 Purging cassia 169 of kino, compound ib. Purple precipitate 742 of scammony, comp. ib. Putrefactive fermentation 719 of senna, comp. ib. Pyrolignous acid 9 silvering 756 Pyrethrum 70 of tin 604 Pyrola umbellata 551 of tragacanth, comp. 550 Pyrus cydonia ib. tooth 758 Precipitation 713 Q. Precipitate, red 347 Quassia excelsa 552 per se 348 simarouba ib. white 345 Quercus alba 553 Preparation of animals 735 cerris 313 insects 734 robur 553 Prepared ox gall 754 tinctoria ib. Preservation of simples 692 marina 311 Prickly ash 100 . 684 Quicklime 153 Pride of India or China 129 Quicksilver 331 Prinos verticillatus 537 with chalk 349 Proof spirit 24 with magnesia ib. Prunes 538 Quince 551 Prunus domestica ib. Quinine 209 lauro cerasus ib. sulphat of ib. Virginiana 539 its purity 207 Prussian blue 258 . 740 Quin's sauce 758 Prussiat of iron ib. . 308 Prussic acid 254 R. Pterocarpus draco 545 Radical vinegar 12 erinacea 541 Raisins 678 santalinus 539 Ranunculus sceleratus 553 Puccoon 576 Rascapur 343 Pulegium 417 Ratafia des cerises 759 Pulparum extractio 607 de Grenoble ib. Pulveres 546 de noyaux ib. Pulvis algarothi 79 Ratanhy root 385 aloes cum canella 546 Rattlesnake poison 690 guaiaco ib. root 516 Index. 801 Page. Page. Ratsbane 106 Saccharum saturni 513 Rectification 709 Saffron 234 Red cedar 384 dyer's 172 willow 237 meadow 217 Reduction 717 Sage 574 Resina alba 500 Indian 283 flava ib. Sagapenum 572 guaiaci ib. Sago 573 pini abietis ib. Sal ammoniac 44 balsamex ib. commune 595 laricis ib. de duobus 531 sylvestris ib. diureticus 529 Retort 706 martis 301 Rhamnus catharticus 553 polychrestus 533 Rheum Britanicum 554 rupellensis 537 Indicum ib. sodx 590 palmatum ib. tartari 526 Russicum ib. volatile 50 Sinense ib. Salix alba 573 Turcicum ib. caprea ib. undulatum ib. eryocephala ib. Rhododendron chrysanthum 566 fragilis ib. maximum ib. latifolia ib. Rhubarb 554 Salep 462 its cultivation, &c 561 Salt of sorrel 464. 757 Rhus glabrum 567 of lemons ib. 758 toxicodendron ib. of tartar 526 Ricinus communis ib. Salts, solubility of 729 Rob anti-syphilitique 338 Saltpetre 440 Rochelle salt 537 Salvia officinalis 574 Rose 568 Sambucus 575 willow 237 Sanguinaria canadensis 576 Rosemary 569 Sanguis draconis 545 Rosin 500 Santonicum 119 Rosa canina 568 Santalum 539 centifolia ib. Sanicle, American _ 326 Gallica ib. Sapo durus et mollis 577 Rosmarinus officinalis 569 Sarsaparilla 588 Rouge 743 false 100 Rubia tinctorum 569 Sassafras 391 Rubigo ferri 302 Saunders wood, red 539 Rub us trivialis 569 Savin 385 villosus ib. Saxon blue 743 Rum 25 Scabious 281 Rumex acetosa 570 Scammony—Scammonium 233 acutus ib. Scheele's green 741 aquaticus Britanica ib. Scilla maritima 579 ib. pulvis exsiccatx 580 crispus ib. Scouring drops 760 obtusifolius ib. Scrofularia nodosa 580 Rust of iron 302 Skunk cabbage 273 215 Ruta graveolens—Rue 570 Scurvy grass Rye, spurred 581 Sea eryngo ? holly 3 282 S. lavender 604 Sabbatia angularis Saccharine fermentation 185 718 salt Sealing wax, black red 595 769 768 581 516 169 Saccharum officinarum 571 £ purificatum purissimum ib. ib. Secale cornutum Seneka rubrum ib. Senna 802 Index. Senna, American Septfoil Serpentaria Sesamum orientale Sevum prxparatum Shaving liquid or oil Shengerf Sherry, English Shrub, brandy rum Sifting Silver nitrat of leaf Silene Virginica Silk weed Silvering powder Slaters Simarouba Sinapis Sinapism Sirop de cusinierre Sisymbrium nasturtium Sium nodiflorum Small spikenard Smalt Snakeroot, Virginian Snakeweed Soaps Soap, Macquer's acid Starkey's Windsor Soda impura water Sodx aqua sup. carb. carbonas impurus murias exsic. phosphas sub-boras sub-carbonas exsiccatus sulphas sulphuretum Solanum dulcamara Solidago virga aurea Solomon's anti-impetigines Solutio acetatis zinci muriatis barytx . calcis subcarb. ammonix sulphatis zinci Soluble tartar Solution of arsenic of acetat of ammonia of alkaline iron of lime Page. 171 648 586 585 20 657 755 364 765 768 ib. 698 101 102 101 585 124 759 462 552 , 587 175 393 587 ib. 100 742 586 518 577 751 ib. ib. 37. 588 589 100. 593 ib. 592 589 595 596 593 596 595 596 597 596 275 598 338 689 139 152 51 689 536 710 118 54 303 148 Page. Solution of muriat of baryta 139 of lime 152 of oxym. of quicksilver 340 of potass 520 sub-carbonat 528 of subcarb. of ammonia 51 of sulphat of copper 253 of super-carbonat of potass 100.528 of super-carbonat of soda 100. 593 of tart, of antimony 85 of sup. carb. of magnesia 99 Solvend—Solvent 710 Soot of wood 165.311 Sophora tinctoria ^598 Sorrell 464. 570 South-sea tea 166 Southern wood 119 Soy 758 Spanish fly 157 Spartium scoparium 599 Spelter 686 Spearmint 417 Specific gravity 696 Spermaceti 21 Spider web 624 Spigelia Marilandica 599 Spilsbury's drops 338 Spirxa 602 trifoliata 319 Spiritus xth. nitr. 35 sulphur. 32 comp. 33 ammonix 48 aromaticus ib. compositus ib. foetidus 49 succinatus ib. anisi 601 compositus 602. armoracix comp. ib. camphoratus 631 carui 601 cinnamomi ib. distillati 600 juniperi comp. 601 lavandulx 602 compositus 620 menthx piperita 601 viridis ib. Mindereri 54 myristicx 601 nitri dulcis 35 nucis moschatx 601 pimento ib. pulegii 601 raphani compositus 602 rorismarini -ib. vinosus rectificatus 24 tenuior 25 Index. 803 Page. Spiritus volat. aromaticus 48 Spirit of ammonia ib. - aromatic ib. foetid 49 succinated ib. of camphor 631 of hartshorn 51 of lavender 602 of malt 25 of nitrous ether 35 of nutmeg 601 of pennyroyal ib. of peppermint ib. of spearmint ib. of sulphuric ether 32 comp. 33 of wine 24.25 rectified ib. Sponge 602 burnt 603 tents 761 Spontaneous evaporation 711 Spunk 146 spurge 286 olive 260 Squill 579 powdered 580 Squire's elixir 749 Stalagmitis cambogioides 315 Stanni amalgamatis pulvis 604 pulvis ib. Stannum 603 Stag 183 Staples on the manipulations for morphium, &c. • 481 Staphisagria 270 Starch 648 potato 759 Star grass, star wort 37 Statice 605 •Stavesacre 270 Steel 298 Steer's opodeldoc 754 Stibium 71 Stizolobium 273 Stone blue 746 Storax 133 purified 135 S tough ton's elixir 749 Stramonium 260 Strychnine 449 Strychnos 448 Styptic 758 Ruspini's 761 Styrax benzoin 133 officinale 135 purificata ib. Sub-acetat of copper 250 of lead 512 acetas cupri 250 plumbi 512 Page. Sub-acetas plumbi liquidus 514 Sub-boras sodx 596 carbonas potassx 524. &c. carbonat of iron 302 • of lead 512 of soda 590 dried 592 of ammonia 50 murias hydrarg. 340 prxcipitatus 343 ammoniatum 345 muriat of quicksilver 340 precipitated 343 nitras bismuthi 144 nitrat of bismuth ib. sulphas hydrarg. flavus 349 sulphat of quicksilver ib. Sublimation 709 Succinum 605 Succi expressi 290 spissati 292 Succinic acid 606 Succus spissatus aconiti napelh 292 cicutx ib. sambuci nigri 293 Suet, prepared 657 Sugar, double refined 571 raw ib. • of lead 513 Sulphas 607 aluminx 608 barytx 137 cupri 253 ferri 301 exsiccatus 302 kali 531 magnesix 404 potassx 531 sodx 597 zinci 688 Sulphat 607 of antimony 81 of baryta 137 of cinchonine 208 of copper 253 of cornine 614 of iron 301 dried 302 of magnesia 404 of quinine, to determine its purity 207 Sulphur 609 antimoniatum fuscum 76 auratum antimonii 77 brown antimoniated 76 chloride of 610 oxyd of 609 praecipitatum 611 sublimatum lotum 610 sublimed ib. Sulphuretum antimonii 72 804 Index. Page. Sulphuretum antim. prxparatum 73 prxcipitat. 76 hydrarg. nigrum 351 rubrum 352 potassx 533 Sulphureted kali, water of 534 hydrogen 610 hydro-sulph. of antim. 75 Sulphuret of antimony 72 prepared 73 prxcipitat. 76 of iron 56 of potass 533 of quicksilver, black 351 red 352 Sulphuric acid 611 ether 29 with alcohol 32 ethereal liquor ib. Super-carbonas potassx 526 sulphas alum, et pot. 608 tartras potassx 535 tartrat of potass ib. Swietenia febrifuga 615 Sweet spirit of nitre 35 vitriol 32 Sylvius, anecdote of 119 Simplocarpus foetidus 273 Synonimes . l Syrupi 615 Syrupus aceti 616 allii 617 althxx 618 amomi zingiberis 622 aurantii 617 caryophylli rubri 618 colchici ib. croci 619 limonum 617 mannx ib, mori ib. opii 620 papaveris ib. pectoralis 758 rhamni 619 rhxi ib. aromaticus 565. ib. cum senna ib. rosx 621 sacchari rubri 619 sarsaparillx ib. et guaiaci 620 scillae ib. compositus 412 senegx 621 sennx 622 simplex 616 succi ribis nigri 617 rubi idaei ib. tolutanus 621 violx 622 565 Syrupus zingiberis Syrup of balsam of Tolu of black currants of buckthorn of capillaire of clove July flower d'orgeat of garlic of ginger hive of lemon juice of lemons of maidenhair of marshmallows of mulberry of meadow saffron of orange-peel of poppies of raspberries of rhubarb aromat. of roses of saffron of squills of vinegar Sumach Swamp dogwood Sweet flag spirit of nitre T. Table of absorption of gases comparative of contents in wines of composition of salts of contents qf Ballston, Saratoga, and Lebanon Springs of composition of some or- ganic bodies of contents in various Eu- ropean mineral waters of decomposition of deliquescent salts of different kinds of spirits of efflorescent salts of incompatible salts of poisons of precipitates, compara- tive from arsenic, cor. sub., tart. emet. and mu- riat baryt. of precipitates of real ammonia in solution showing the maximum quantity of oxygen ta- ken up by different sub- stances of solubilities of solubilities of fats of specific gravities Page. 622 621 617. 759 619 758 618 759 617 622 412 759 617 758 618 617 618 617 620 617 619 ib. 621 619 620 616 567 237 18 34 731 679 726 91 733 92 722 732 29 732 723 771 115 728 47 724 729 20 722 Index. 805 r^ l_l r Paffe- Page. Table of specific gravities of alco- Tinctura benzoes compos. 645 hol and water 26 Bonpland. trifol. 631 of specific heats 725 camphorx ib. of weights and measures 721 opiatx 632 Tallow 21 cantharidum—Lyttae 633 Tamarind 623 capsici ib. Tanacetum—Tansey ib. cardamomi 634 Tannin 313 cascarillx 645 Tapioca 624 cassix sennx compos. 644 Tar 500 castorei 634 Barbadoes 145 composita ib. coal 739 catechu 635 water 505 cinchonae ib. Tartar—Tartarus crudus 535 ammoniata ib. emetic 81 composita ib. comparison of by dif cinnamomi 636 ferent formulae 82 n. composita ib. Tartar emetic, ointment of 84 colchici 221 Tartarum antimoniatum 81 colombx 636 crudum 535 cort. Peruv. compos. 635 ferri 308 croci 645 solubile 536 digitalis 636 Tartari crystalli 535 ferri ammoniati 306 Tartaric acid ib. gallarum 646 Tartarized antimony 81 galbani 645 iron 308 gentianx 637 Tartras antimonii 81 guaiaci ib. antim. et potassx ib. ammoniata ib. kali 536 hellebori nigri 638 potassx ib. humuli ib. et ferri 308 hyosciami 639 et sodx 537 jalap x ib. Tartrat of antimony 81 Japonica 635 of potass 536 kino 639 of potass and soda 537 lactucx 389 Terre feuillete'e mercurielle 339 lavandulx 639 Teeth, Greenough's tinct. 761 lobelix 640 Ruspini's tincture ib. menthx piperitx ib. Telx aranearum 624 viridis ib. Terra ponderosa salita 139 moschi ib. Japonica 4 muriatis ferri 306 Teucrium marum 627 myrrhx 640 chamxdrys 628 opii 641 Thebaic tincture 641 ammoniata 633 Thermometers 733 camphorata 632 Thoroughwort 283 quassiae 642 Thorn apple 260 rhei ib. Tincturx 628 et aloes ib. Tinctura acetatis zinci 690 composita ib. ferri 305 et gentianx ib. acidi sulphurici 647 dulcis ib. aloes xtherea 631 Ruspinis 761 et myrrhx 630 sanguinarix 643 socotorinse ib. saponis camphor. ib. ammon. aromatica 48 et opii ib. foetida • ib. scillx ib. angusturx 631 sennx 644 antisyphilitica 339 aromatica ib. % assafoetidx 631 compos. ib. aurantii 645 serpentarix ib. balsam! Tolutani 646 stramonii 646 806 Index. : Page. Page. Tinctura tolutani 646 Trochisci carbonatis calcis 652 thebaica 641 glycyrrhizx » ib. Valerianae 646 cum opio 653 ammoniata ib. gummosi ib. veratri ib. magnesix ib. volatile 643 nitratis potassx ib. zingiberis 647 Troy weight 721 Tinctures 628 True gold powder 742 of acetat of iron 305 Tulip tree 397 of ammoniated iron 306 Turmeric 247 of benzoin, compound 645 Turner's cerate 661 of blood root 643 Turpentines 500 of cantharides 633 Turpentine, chian 509 of Cayenne pepper ib. oil of 500 of colchicum 221 Venice ib. of foxglove 636 Turnsole 396 of galls 646 Turpethum minerale 349 of gentian 637 Tussilago farfara Tutia 652 of ginger 647 687 Greenough's 761 prxparata ib. of hellebore, black 638 Tutenag 761 white ib. green ib. U. of henbane 639 Ulmus Americana 654 of hops 638 campestris ib. of Indian tobacco 640 Ultramarine 743 of muriat of iron 306 Umber 748 of musk 640 Unguenta 656.667 of orange-peel 645 Unguentum acidi nitrosi ib. of peppermint 640 adipis suillae ib. of Peruvian bark 635 aqux rosx ib. compound ib. xruginis 668 «-j of rhubarb m of saffron 642 calaminaris 661 645 cantharidum 668 of senna 644 cerx 667 of snakeroot ib. cerussx 672 of soap 643 citrinum 663 with opium ib. elemi 669 of spearmint 640 epispasticum ib. of squills 643 gallarum 668 of thorn-apple 646 helleb ori albi 669 of Tolu ib. hydrargyri ib. Tin 603 jnitius ib. Tobacco 439 nitrati 671 Indian 399 nitrico-oxydi 670 Tolu 133 oxydi cinerei 669 Tomatoe sauce 758 prxcip. albi 670 Tooth-ache tree 100 . 683 infusi canth. vesic. 669 Tooth powder 761 oxydi zinci 673 Tormentilla 648 impuri ib. Touchwood 146 picis 672 Toxicological tables 771 piperis nigri 673 Tragacantha 650 plumbi subcarb. 672 Treacle 571 pulv. canth. vesical :. 668 Triosteum 651 resinosum 660. 673 Triticum 648 sabinx 659. ib. Trituration 698 sambuci ib. Troches 652 simplex 667 of carbonat of lime ib. spermatis ceti ib. of liquorice ib. stramonii 672 with opium 653 sub-acetatis cupri 668 Index. 807 Unguentum sub-mur. hydr. Page. amm. 670 Vinum rhei Page. 682 nitratis hyd rarg. ib. tabaci ib. sulpnuris 672 veratri ib. comp. ib. Viola—Violet 677 tutix 673 Virginia winterberry 537 veratri ib. snakeroot 586 Usquebaugh 773 goat's-rue 312 Ustulation 702 Virgin's bower 212 Uva ursi 655 Vitis 678 Uvx 678 Vitrified oxyd of antimony - 74 with wax 75 V. Vitriol, blue 253 Valeriana Vaporization 674 702 green white 301 688 Varnish, for casts 763 Vitriolated tartar 531 common 761 Vitriolic acid 611 copal 761.762 ether 29 for drawings 763 Vitriolum album 688 furniture 762 coeruleum 253 gold ib. Vitrum antimonii 74 for grates 763 ceratum 75 Le Blond's 762 Volatile alkali 44 picture ib. liquor of hartshorn 51 reddish ib. Vomic nut 448 red ib. Sheldrake's ib. W. soft brilliant 769 Wade's drops 738 transparent 767 Wake-robin 121 turpentine 763 Walnut, white 383 white hard 767 Warner's cordial 644 white polishing ib. Ward's white drop 338. 763 Vegetable JEthiops 165 Washballs, blue mottled 760 Velno's veget. syrup 339 cream ib. Veratrum 675 red mottled ib. Veratrine 219 white ib. Verditer 741 Wash colours 744 Verdigris 250 Water 86 English 746 acidulous 90 French 742 of aerated iron 303 prepared 251 of ammoniated copper 252 Veronica 677 avens 318 Vina medicata 680 cresses 587 Vine 678 eryngo 282 Vinegar 7 parsnip 587 aromatic 14 of cinnamon 98 distilled 10 of orange-peel ib. of meadow saffron 14. 220 of peppermint ib. medicated 13 of roses ib. of opium 15 of spearmint ib. purified 7 of ammonia 46 radical 12 acetated 54 of squills 14 caustic 46 Vinous fermentation 718 diluted 48 Vinum 678 of carbon, of ammonia 52 aloes 680 of sulphuret of ammonia 56 antimoniale 85 chalybeate 90 colchici 681 distilled 89 ferri 309 of fixed air 99 gentianx compositum 681 lake 88 ipecacuanhx ib. marsh ib. opii ib. mineral 89 808 Index. Water, rain river saline sea snow spring sulphurous well carbonic acid magnesia medicated medicinal effects of, seltzer spa, &c. artificial Waterdock Wax yellow purified Weights and measures White walnut Wild horehound indigo Willow-strife Willow Wine aloetic cherry of colchicum currant elder gentian ginger gooseberry of hellebore ipecacuanha of iron medicated mixed fruit orange of opium parsnip raisin ofrhubarb -stone of tartarized antimony test &C. Page. Page. 87 Wine of tobacco 682 ib. Windsor soap 760 91 Wintera aromatica—Winter' sbark 683 93 Winter green 551 88 Witch-hazel 322 ib. Witherite 136 90 Wheat 648 88 Whiting 742 89 Whortleberry 655 100 Wolfsbane 17 99 Wood soot 165. 311 94 Worm cakes 768 99 Storey's ib. 767 ^ lozenges, Ching's ib. 570 Worm-seed 119. 185 182 ib. 3. 657 Wormwood 120 X. 696 383 Xanthoxiline 685 285 Y. 598 401 Yaupon—Yopon 166 573 Yeast 183 678 cataplasm 174 680 Yellow bladderwrack 311 765 Yellow root 357. 683 681 parsley-leaved ib. 764 Young's purging drink 769 765 V* 681 Z. 766 Zaffre 742 764 Zanthorhiza 683 682 Zanthoxylum 684 681 Zedoary, long—Zedoaria 59 309 Zinc—Zincum 686 680 calcinatum 688 ' 764 vitriolatum 689 766 Zinci acetatis solutio 690 , 681 tinctura ib. 765 carbonas 686 764 oxydum 687 682 impurum ib. 535 sulphas 688 85 sulphatis solutio 689 752 Zingiber 60 THE END. NLM032039239