4 jfohn iytanfjid* %
^7
THE
AMERICAN
DISPENSATORY,
CONTAINING
THE OPERATIONS OF PHARMACY; TOGETHER WITH THE NATURAL,
CHEMICAL, PHARMACEUTICAL AND MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE
DIFFERENT SUBSTANCES EMPLOYED IN MEDICINE ;
Illustrated and Explained^ according to the Principles of
MODERN CHEMISTRY:
COMPREHENDING
The Improvements in Dr. Duncan's Second Edition of the
Edinburgh New Dispensatory.
THE ARRANGEMENT SIMPLIFIED,
AND THE WHOLE ADAPTED TO THE
PKACTltE OF ME DIC LYE AND PHARMACY
IN THE
UNITED STATES.
With several QdpperplaTes, exhibiting the new system of Chemical
diameters, and rejireseiiting the most useful Apparatus.
By JOHN REDMAN COXE, M. D.
ONE OF THE PHYSICIANS OF THE PENNSYLVANIA HOSPITAL; MEMBER
OF THE AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY, AND OF THE
BAT A V IAN SOCIETY OF SCIENCES AT HARLEM.
pfttfatielpfna :
PRINTED BT A. BARTRAM,
FOR THOMAS DOBSON, AT THE STONE HOUSE, Ko. 4t,
SOUTH SECOND-STREET.
\
1806. v >
District of Pennsylvania, to wit :
BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the twenty-s econd day of May, in the thirtieth
Year of the Independence of the United States of America, A. D. 1806. Thomas
Dobson of the said district, hath deposited in this Office, the Title of a book, the Right
whereof he claims as Proprietor, in the words following, to wit:
" The American Dispensatory, containing the operations of Pharmacy, together
" with the natural, chemical, pharmaceutical and medical history of the different sub-
" stances employed in medicine ; illustrated and explained, according to the princi-
" pies of Modern Chemistry : comprehending all the improvements in Dr. Duncan's
" second edition of the Edinburgh New Dispensatory. The arrangement simplified,
" and the whole adapted to the practice of medicine and pharmacy in the United
" States. With several copperplates, exhibiting the new system of chemical cha-
" racters, and representing the most useful apparatus. By John Redman Coxe, M. D.
" one of the Physicians of the Pennsylvania Hospital; Member of the American
" Philosophical Society, and of the Batavian Society of Sciences at Harlem."
In Conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United States, intituled, "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."
I). CALDWELL, Clerk of the District
ef Pennsylvania.
TO THE
PHYSICIANS OF AMERICA;
THIS ATTEMPT,
TO FORM A
STANDARD DISPENSATORY
FOR THE
UNITED STATES,
IS DEDICATED,
WltH ALL DUE DEFERENCE AND RESPECT,
BY
THE EDITOR.
PREFACE
TO THE
AMERICAN DISPENSATORY.
THE prefent edition of an American Difpenfatory is the
firft attempt which has been made towards the introduction of
a Standard for the United States. That it is exempt from er-
rors, is not fuppofed ; and the only merit the Editor claims, if
any there be in it, arifes from the totally different arrangement
he has purfued, from that of any other work of the fame kind,
which has fallen within his observation.
The numerous fubdivifions of the Difpenfatory have always
appeared to the Editor to be unnecefTary, and certainly trouble-
fome, as it requires fo many diftinct references to what may,
with more propriety, be introduced in the confideration of the
fubftance to which the preparation more immediately refers,
By the alteration which is here attempted of giving after each
vi PREFACE.
Cmplc fubftance its refpective preparations ; the whole is cort-
denfed into one view, and greater fimplicity is thereby at-
tained.
Although the materials are chiefly the fame, it is not im-
probable, that fome of the articles might have been more
judicioufly placed under other heads than thofe chofen for them.
Some additions have been made to the catalogue of our medi-
cines, taken chiefly from the valuable " Collections for a Ma-
teria Medica of the United States/' by Profeflbr Barton. They
form, it is true, but a fmall proportion, and are very imperfect,
yet it is hoped they may prove a bafis for a more complete
attempt at a future period.
Many alterations undoubtedly might have been made in the
medical ufes of the articles introduced, efpecially as regards
the practice of Phyfic in the United States ; but the Ihort period
allowed to prepare this Edition for the prefs, precluded the pof-
fibility of effecting it at prefent. It is therefore committed to
the public, with little deviation from the Edinburgh copy,
with the hope that every allowance will be made by the candid
Practitioner, who can alone appreciate the difficulties of the
undertaking.
In felecting the formulae of the various preparations, the
Editor has chiefly confined himfelf to thofe of the Edin-
burgh college, as he believes they have been molt generally
adopted in the United States. It has, however, certainly become
neceflary to eftablifh a ftandard of compofition for this country,
as the late addition of theDublinPharmacopceiato the Edinburgh
Difpenfatory, has only added to the difficulty of felection ; and
as the choice is entirely optional with the apothecary j a great,
PREFACE. vii
and in fomc inftances, an injurious variety is introduced into the
(hops. It is of little import which formula is employed, provid-
ed that is univerfal ; but as the colleges have themfelves differed
fo greatly in the preparation of fome very active medicines, (as in
the antimonial wine), it is obvious that it mould not be left
difcretionary, as many are totally incompetent to the talk of
felecting, and will, no doubt, be glad to have a ftandard
eftablifhed to their hands. Miftakes may likewife be prevented,
which occafionally muft refult, from Phyficians employing the
fame dofes, of medicines fo different in point of ftrength.
The preface to the Edinburgh Difpenfatory, which is here
given, explains fo fully the reafons for adopting the new nomen-
clature, that it is confidered unneceffary to repeat them. They
have, however, determined the Editor to retain it generally, at
the fame time the fynonimes of the other colleges are given,
by which the whole is exhibited in one concife view.
The enumeration of the articles employed in fome foreign
Pharmacopoeias, and fome tables, Sec. occupying nearly forty
pages of the Edinburgh copy, are here omitted as fuperfluous.
The valuable pofological table, exhibiting the refpective dofes
of the medicines which may be given, is however retained, and
muft prov e of confiderable benefit to the young beginner.
The Editor conceives that many articles might have been ju-
ilicioufly omitted ; as this, however, depended folely on his own
judgment, which might differ confiderably from that of many
learned friends, he confidered it prudent, at leaft at prefent, to
retain the whole 5 hoping that the opinion of practitioners might
enable him, at a fubfequent period, to render the work more
perfect and more worthy their acceptance.
viii PREFACE.
Although the chemical part, is deemed in a great degree un-
necefiary in a work of this kind, yet for the reafon above
afligned, the Editor has incorporated from the Edinburgh Dif-
penfatory as much as pofiible, in thofe parts to which it ap-
peared more particularly to refer.
Philadelphia, June \Jl, 1806.
)
PREFACE
TO
Dr. Duncan s Edition of the Edinburgh
Neiv Dispensatory.
DR. LEWIS publimed the fir ft edition of his New Difpenfa*
tory in 1753. The principal part of the work was a commen-
tary upon the London and Edinburgh Pharmacopoeias, of both
of which it contained a complete and accurate tranflation. A
concife fyilem of the theory and practice of pharmacy was pre-
fixed, as an introduction ; and directions for extemporaneous
prefcription, with many elegant examples, and a collection of
efficacious but cheap remedies, for the uie of the poor, were
added as an appendix.
The manner in which the whole was executed, placed Dr.
Lewis at the head of the reformers of chemical pharmacy -,
for he contributed more than any of his predecerlbrs to improve
that fcienoe, both by the judicious criticifm with which he com-
bated the erroneous opinions, prevalent in his time, and by the
actual and important additions he made to that branch of our
knowledge. He was juftly rewarded by the decided approba-
tion of the public. During the author's life-time many edi-
tions were publimed, each fucceeding one receiving the im-
provements which the advancement of the fciences connected
with Pharmacy fuggefted.
After the death of Dr. Lewis ; Dr. Webster, Dr. Duncan,
and Dr. Rotheram, fucceffively contributed to maintain the *
reputation of the work, by taking advantage of the difcoveries
b
X
PREFACE,
made in Natural Hiftory and Chemiftry, and by making thofe
alterations which new editions of the Pharmacopoeias, on which
it was founded, rendered neceflary. From the place of their
publication, and to diftinguifh them from the original work of
Dr. Lewis, which was ftill reprinted without alteration in Lon-
don, thefe improved editions were entitled, The Edinburgh
Neiv Difpenfatory,
When the Edinburgh college fome time ago determined to
publifh a new edition of their Pharmacopoeia, the bookfellers
who purchafed the copy -right of that work being defirous that
it fhould be accompanied by a correfponding edition of the
Edinburgh New Difpenfatory, applied to the prefent Editor to
make the neceflary alterations. This he readily undertook, and
the number of the alterations made will fhew, that if he has not
fulfilled what was expected from him, it has been owing to want
of ability, and not to want of exertion.
The general plan of the work remains the fame. It is divided
into three parts. The firft contains Elements of Pharmacy ;
the fecond, the Materia Medica ; and the laft, the Preparations
and Compofitions.
The firjl of thefe is entirely new, nothing being retained but
the title. It is divided into two feclions. The firft contains a
very concife account of fome of the general doctrines of Chemif-
trys and of the properties of all limple bodies, and the generic
characters of compound bodies. In the fecond part, the Ope-
rations of Pharmacy, and the neceflary apparatus, are defcribed ;
and an appendix is added, containing many ufeful Tables, and
the Explanation of the Plates.
We now poiTefs fo many excellent elementary works on Che-
miftry, both tranflations, and original works, fuch as thofe of
Dr. Thomson, Mr. Murray, and Mr. Nicholson, that it is
perhaps neceflary to explain why an Epitome of Chemiftry has
been introduced into this work. Not only is its introduction
authorised by the example of former editions, but in attempting
to explain in a Scientific manner the operations of Pharmacy,
PREFACE.
xi
we found ourfelves fo frequently obliged to mention the general
principles and facts of Chemiftry, that to avoid tedious repeti-
tions, it became necefTary either to refer to fome elementary book
already publifhed, or to prefix to this work a fhort abftract of
Chemical Science. The latter alternative was preferred, as it
would form a bond of connection between the detached fubjects
treated of in the other parts of the work, and as it appeared, that,
by means of a due attention to arrangement, and by rejecting hy-
pothetical reasoning, a very few pages would be fufhcient to
contain a valuable collection of the facts ascertained with regard
to the fimple bodies, and the generic characters of compound,
which would enable us to explain the properties of the fpeciea
employed in medicine with more facility to ourfelves, and with
greater advantage to our readers. Long after this part was rea-
dy for the prefs, Mr. Davy's Syllabus was publifhed, and we
were agreeably flattered to find, that befides the fame general
arrangement, we had often taken the fame view of the fame
fubjects. This fimilarity enabled us on feveral occafions to pro-,
fit by Mr. Davy's Syllabus during the printing of the fheets.
The principal addition to the fecond and third parts of .this
work, is the introduction of a complete transition of the excel-
lent Pharmacopoeia of the Dublin college, which has never, we
believe, appeared before in the Englifli language. AVe therefore
truft, that it will be found an important and valuable addition.
In Ireland, in particular, it muft give the Edinburgh New Difpen-
fatory an intereft which it did not formerly poflefs.
I
The fecond part contains the Materia Aledica, arranged in al-
phabetical order. The alterations in this part are alfo very con-
fiderable. We have adopted the Nomenclature of the Edinburgh
College, or rather of Natural Hiftory, in preference to the offici-
nal names hitherto employed. To the fyftematic name of each
article, are fubjoined its fynonymes in the different Pharmaco-
poeias, and the defignations of the parts ufed in medicine ; then
the clafs and order of natural bodies to which it belongs, and if
a vegetable, the exact number of its genus and fpecies, accord-
ing to the excellent edition of Linn^eus's Species Plantanan, now
publifhing at Berlin by Profeflbr Willdenow.
Ml
PREFACE.
The ancient practice of naming medicines from their inven-
tors, or fuppofed virtues, has been for fome time exploded from
our Pharmacopoeias •, but it has been long cuftomary to defcrite
both fimple fubitances and their preparations or compofitions by
what are generally termed Officinal Names in contradiftinclion
to the prefent fyftematic names of the fame fubftances. But their
officinal names are in fa£t the old fyftematic names, wliich were
unaccountably retained for the denomination of medicinal fub-
ftances, after the improvements in Natural Hiftory and Chemif-
try rendered the introduction of a new nomenclature into thefe
fciences ncceflary.
Attempts have been made, both in this country and in Ger-
many, to introduce the language of Chemiftry into Pharmacy ;
but thefe attempts, however ufeful, were but feeble and incom-
plete. The honour of being the firft to compofe a Pharmacopoeia
in the pure and unmixed language of Science, belongs indifput-
ably to the Royal College of Phyficians of Edinburgh, in the be-
ginning of the nineteenth century. It is extremely probable
that to this innovation many objections may be made ; but it is
probable that they will rather apply to the necefTary imperfec-
ta is of a firft attempt, than to the principle itfelf, the propriety
of which can fcarcely be doubted, when we confider, that Ma-
teria Medica and Pharmacy are but an application of Natural
Hiftory and Chemiftry to a particular purpofe. If the general
principle be admitted, it naturally follows, that the names of
all fubftances employed in Medicine, fhould be the fame with
the names of the fame fubftances, according to the moft ap-
proved fyftems of Natural Hiftory and Chemiftry, and that the
titles of Compound Bodies (hould exprefs as accurately as pof-
fible the nature of their competition.
Considerable difficulties, however, occur, in attempting to
form a nomenclature in ftricl conformity with thefe principles.
The moft apparent of theft is, that the titles of the more com-
pounded medicines woul i become too vcrbofe and inconveni-
ent, if they we re to exprefs every ingredient, although of little
importance. The College, fully aware of this difficulty, have
therefore contented themfelves with indicating in the titles the
PREFACE.
Xlil
principal ingredients only, cn which their powers and ufes
feem to depend. For the fame reafon, they have prcfcribed
fome well-known fimples in very frequent ufe, by their com-
mon names, fuch as Opium, Mofchus, CaJ}oreum> Crocus Angli-
cus> thinking it fuificient to have pointed out in the catalogue of
the Materia Medica the animals and vegetables from which
they are obtained.
In mod cafes it is proper to mention both the Generic and
Specific names of fimples ; but where it is neceflary to point out
even the variety employed, it will be in general more conveni-
ent to emit the fpecific name, anj to retain thofe of the genus
and variety, as Aides Socotor'ma for Aides perforata Socotoriua,
Crocus Anglicus for Crocus fativus Angiicus. Alio when any fub-
ftance is obtained indiscriminately from feveral fpeeies of the
fame genus, the fpecific name may be omitted with pro-
priety. Thus, it is fuificient to fay, Refuia pini% Olewn volatile
pini> &c.
Another difficulty arifes from the Reformers of Chemical
Nomenclature not having pointed out the manner of expreiling
certain, and thefe very common, forms of combination, with-
out employing a periphrafis totally incompatible with the bre-
vity of a name. Pharmaccmiils have therefore been obliged to
fupply this deficiency from their own flore.
The Edinburgh College have accordingly retained fome titles,
fuch as Tinclurt and Spirity which, although not ftrictly che-
mical, have been long received in Pharmacy, and are fo well
underftood and defined that they can lead to no error or am-
biguity.
The principles, therefore, upon which the Edinburgh college
have eftablifhed the new nomenclature which they have intro-
duced into Materia Medica and Pharmacy, appear to be fo ra-
tional and fcientific, that it can fcarcely fail to be generally
adopted. As fcience advances, its imperfections will be remedied,
and its deficiencies fupplied ; for, befides other advantages, it
facilitates remarkably the application of dtfeoveries and improve-
xiv
PREFACE.
ments in Natural Hiftory and Chemiftry, to the purpofes of
medicine.
In other particulars, confiderable additions have been made to
the Natural Hiftory of the different articles, to the means of dif-
tinguifhing them from other fubftances with which they are apt
to be confounded, and of detecting frauds and adulterations.
Almoft every thing which regards their chemiftry is entirely
new. As from the principal lift every article has been ex-
cluded which is not contained in the Materia Medica of at leaft
one of the Britifh colleges, we have given in an Appendix a
very concife account of fuch other articles as poftefs a place in
fome refpe£table foreign Pharmacopceias. We have alfo added
lifts of the Medicinal Simples, arranged according to the beft
fyftems of natural Hiftory.
The third part contains the Preparations and Compofitions :
In our general arrangement of thefe, we have not followed
any of the Colleges exactly, although we have not deviated
much from that of the Dublin Pharmacopoeia. It is not of very
great importance in what order the claftes or chapters be ar-
ranged ; but thefe claftes fhould be natural, and, if poffible, ef-
tablifhed on one general principle. Unfortunately, however,
in moft Pharmacopceias, fome of the clafles are founded on
Chemical Analogy, and others on the fimilarity of form, or
mode of preparation ; and what is ftill worfe, fome are entirely
anomalous and unnatural. The laft error we have carefully
endeavoured to avoid, but we have not attempted, and, indeed,
it feems fcarcely poflible, to form an ufeful arrangement, on
a fingle principle. The analogous preparations in the different
Pharmacopceias, are always placed immediately next each
other, which renders it eafy to compare them, and to difcover
at once the circumftances in which they refemble or differ from
each other.
The Commentaries upon this part, are more or lefs full, as the
fubjeel: feemed to be more or lefs important. There was little
opportunity for improvements in the obfervations upon their
PREEACE,
xv
medical powers, becaufe thefe were generally the refult of much
practical experience, becaufe our plan confined us to the fimple
ftatement of facts, and becaufe this Difpenfatory is to be confi-
dered rather as a pharmaceutical than a practical expofition of
the Britifh Pharmacopoeias. It mull not, however, be fuppo-
fed thefe have been neglected. Every part of them has been
carefully examined ; what had become obfolete, or unintereft-
ing, has been rejected ; whatever later experience has proved
to be erroneous, has been corrected \ and the difcoveries made
fince the edition of 1789 have been added. At one time it was
alfo intended to have inferted examples of extemporaneous pre-
fcription, with obfervations ; but it would have extended the
work too much beyond its ufual limits ; and fortunately the de-
ficiency is well fupplied by the Thefaurus Medicaminum.
During the progrefs of this publication, all the beft journals
and fyftems of Chemiftry particularly Fourcroy's S^fleme des
Commijfances Cbimiques, have been occafionally confulted, for
chemical information. But we lie under more immediate ob-
ligations to fome of the German writers on Pharmacy, fuch
as Hagen, Hermbstaedt, Gottling, Gren, and Wr^T-
RUMB.
\
A feu months only elapfed after the publication of fhe form-
er edition of this Work, until a very large impreffion was ex-
haufted, and it became again neceiTary to put it to the prefs.
The fhort interval has not allowed the Editor to make all thofe
alterations and improvements which he had projected ; but
every part of the work has been revifed with care, and, although
he is perfectly fenfible that many errors have yet efcaped him,
which ought to have been avoided, yet he trufts that they are
very few when compared to the mafs of facts crowded into one
volume. The principal alterations and additions which have
been made, confift in the characters which falts derive from
their bafes in the Epitome of Chemiftry ; the account of the
PREFACE.
general properties of common and mineral waters, charcoal, and
a few other articles, in the Materia Medica, with a (hort no-
tice of every article contained in the Pharmacopceia-Boruffica,
Formulario Pharmaceutico of the hofpital of Genoa; Marra-
belli's Apparatus medicaminum, Van Mon's Pharmacopoeia,
and that of La Grange, which had not been previoufly men-
tioned ; a lift of the Genera of Medical Plants, according to
the natural fyftem of Juflieu, as improved by Ventenat, while
the natural orders of Murray are retained, in the Materia Me-
dica ; and a Polological and Profodial Table, which cannot
fail to be acceptable ; befides the introduction of every Phar-
maceutical improvement which has come to the Author's know-
ledge during the interval which has elapfed between the pub-
lication of the two editions.
Edinburgh, \Jl Oclober, 1804%
The above Preface to the Edinburgh Difpenfatory is
chiefly given, to enable the reader at once to afcertain the alter-
ations, which have been made in the prefent Edition of an Ame-
rican Difpenfatory. American Editor.
DIRECTIONS FOR THE PLATES.
Plate I. to face page - 70
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
71
73
74
76
77
THE AMERICAN
DISPENSATORY.
MATERIA MEDICA.
rriHE MATERIA MEDICA comprehends every fubftance,
| whether natural or artificial, which is employed in medicine.
But in molt Pharmacopoeias the materia medica is confined to
fimples, and to thofe preparations which are not fuppofed to be
prepared by the apothecary himfelf, but to be purchafed by him
as articles of commerce from druggifts and others.
Much pains have been bellowed by the writers on the materia
medica in attempting to form ufeful arrangements of thefe arti-
cles. Some have arranged them according to their natural af-
finities ; others according to their active conftituent parts ; and
others according to their real or fuppofed virtues. Each of thefe
arrangements have their particular advantages. The firft will
probably be preferred by the natural hiftorian, the fecond by the
chemift, and the laft by the phyfiologifh But no arrangement
has yet been propofed which is not liable to numerous objections.
Accordingly, in the Pharmacopoeias publifhed by the Colleges of
Phyficians of London, Dublin, and Edinburgh, the articles of
the materia medica are arranged in alphabetical order ; and the
fame plan is now alfo adopted in almoft every Pharmacopoeia of
much eflimation lately publifhed on the Continent of Europe :
it will therefore be followed in the prefent work.
As there appears to be no good reafon why the different prepa-
rations and compositions of the various articles of the materia
medica, fhould not immediately follow the confederation of each
article refpectively, inftead of dividing them under a great variety o€
B
2
Materia Medica.
diftincl: heads ; it has been deemed proper in the prcfent Ameri-
can Pharmacopoeia, to purfue that plan, as far as it appeared ad-
vantageous. Some preparations, as powders, pills, tinctures, &c.
undoubtedly arrange better under one general head : thefe are
therefore Hill retained diftincl, though they are brought into the
general alphabetical order, inftead of being placed in feparate
chapters at the end of the materia medica. By the prefent plan
a connected view is given of every preparation arifing out of the
article under confideration ; inftead of having to recur to fo many
different places.
The fame reafons have induced me to give the chemical hif-
tory of each article, in immediate connection with its natural, medi-
cal, and pharmaceutical hiftory, from the " Epitome of Chemif-
try" of Dr. Duncan's Edinburgh Difpenfatory ; a portion of the
work, in my opinion unneceffary for the complete chemift, and
to the young beginner unintelligible, without a reference to other
fources. To refrefh the memory, it will be of more utility unit-
ed with the confideration of each article ; for with any other view,
it will fcarcely ever be confulted, either by the chemift or the
tyro in that fcience.
The nomenclature of the Edinburgh college is here adopted.
The fynonymes of the London and Dublin colleges are added for
the fake of perfpicuity ; and the names of many of the articles
are given in the molt current languages, from the " Dictionary
of Merchandise."*
Dutch defignated by
D.
Danifh
DA.
French
F.
German
G.
Italian
I.
Portuguefe
P.
Polim
POL.
Ruffian
R.
Spanifh
S.
Swedifli
SW.
The operations of Pharmacy, are neceffarily included in a
diftincl: chapter, and precede the confideration of the other part
of the work.
Firlt American Edition.
ELEMENTS
OF
PHARMACY.
THE object of Pharmacy is to provide thofe fubftances
which may be employed for the prevention or cure of
difeafes.
To obtain this object completely, an acquaintance with the
phyfical and chemical properties of bodies is neceflary. This may
be termed the Science of Pharmacy.
As few fubftances are found in nature in a ftate fit for their
exhibition in medicine, they previoufly undergo various prepara-
tions. Thefe conftitute the Art of Pharmacy.
i
PHARMACEUTICAL OPERATIONS.
Collection and Preservation of Simples.
1. TT* ACH of the kingdoms of nature furnifhes articles which
J2j are employed in medicine, either in their natural date,
or after they have been prepared by the art of pharmacy.
2. In collecting thefe, attention muft be paid to felect fuch as
are moft found and perfect, to feparate from them whatever is in-
jured or decayed, and to free them from all foreign matters adher-
ing to them.
3. Thofe precautions muft be taken which are beft fitted for
preferving them. They muft in general be defended from the ef-
fects of moifture, too great heat, or cold, and confined air.
4. When their activity depends on volatile principles, they
muft be preferved from the contact of the air as much as pofliblc.
5. As the vegetable kingdom prefents us with the greateft
number of fimples, and the fubftances belonging to it are the leaft
conftant in their properties, and moft fubject to decay, it becomes
ncceflary to give a few general rules for their collection and prefer-
vation.
6. Vegetable matters ftiould be collected in the countries where
they are indigenous •, and thofe which grow wild, in dry foils,
and high fituations, fully expofed to the air and fun, are in gene-
ral to be preferred to thofe which are cultivated, or which grow
in moift, low, (hady, or confined places.
7. Roots which are annual, (hould be collected before they
(hoot out their ftalks or flowers •, biennial roots in the harveft of
the firft, or fpring of the fecond year •, perennial roots either in
fpring before the fap has begun to mount, or in harveft, after it
has returned.
8. Thofe which are worm-eaten, (except fome refinous roots,)
or which arc decayed, arc to be rejected. The others are imme-
Pharmaceutical Operations.
5
diately to be cleaned with a brufh and cold water, letting them lie
in it as fhort time as poffible ; and the fibres and little roots, when
not efiential, are to be cut away.
9. Roots which confift principally of fibres, and have but a
fmall tap, may be immediately dried. If they be juicy, and not
aromatic, this may be done by heat, not exceeding 100° of Fahren-
heit ; but if aromatic, by fimply expofing them, and frequently
turning them in a current of cold dry air ; if very thick and
ftrong, they are to be fplit or cut into flices, and llrung upon
threads ; if covered with a tough bark, they may be peeled frefh,
and then dried. Such as lofe their virtues by drying, or are di-
rected to be preferved in a frefh ftate, are to be kept buried in dry
fand.
10. No very general rule can be given for the collection of
herbs and leaves, fome of them acquiring activity from their age,
and others, as the mucilaginous leaves, from the fame caufe, lofing
the property for which they are officinal. Aromaties are to be col-
lected after the flower-buds are formed ; annuals, not aromatic,
when they are about to flower, or when in flower ; biennials, be-
fore they fhoot *, and perennials, before they flower, efpecially if
their fibres become woody.
11. They are to be gathered in dry weather, after the dew [g
ofF them, or in the evening before it falls, and are to be freed from
decayed, withered, or foreign leaves. They are ufually tied in
bundles, and hung up in a fhady, warm, and airy place ; or fpread
upon the floor, and frequently turned. If very juicy, they are laid
upon a fieve, ?nd dried by a gentle degree of artificial warmth.
12. Sprouts are collected before the buds open ; and (talks are
gathered in autumn.
13. Barks and woods are collected when the mod active part
of the vegetables are concentrated in them, which happens in
fpring and in autumn. Spring is preferred for refinous barks, and
autumn for the others which are not refinous, but rather gummy.
Barks fliould be taken from young trees, and freed from decayed
parts, and all impurities..
14. The fame rules direct the collection of woods ; but they
muft not be taken from very young trees. Among the refinous
woods, the heavieft, which fink in v/ater, are felected. The albur-
num is to be rejected.
15. Flowers are collected in clear dry weather, before noon,
but after the dew is off : either when they are jufl about to open,
or immediately after they have opened. Of fome the petals only
are preferved, and the colourlefs claws are even cut away ; of
others whofe calyx is odorous, the whole flower is kept. Flowers
which are too fmall to be pulled fingly, are dried with part of the
ftalk : Thefe are called heads or tops.
6
Materia Medica.
16. Flowers and herbs are to be dried by the gentle heat of a
ftove or common fire, in fuch quantities at a time, that the pro-
cefs may be finifhed as quickly as poflible ; for by this means
their powers are belt preferved ; the tefl of which is the perfect
prefervation of their natural colour. When they lofe their colour
and fmell they are unfit for ufe.
17. Seeds and fruits, unlefs when otherwife directed, are to be
gathered when ripe, but before they fall fpontaneoufly. Some
pulpy fruits are freed from their core and feeds, ftrung upon
thread, and dried artificially. They are in general beft preferved
in their natural coverings, although fome, as the colocynth, are
peeled, and others, as the tamarind, preferved frefh. Many of
thefe are apt to fpoil, or become rancid ; and as they are then no
longer fit for medical ufe, no very large quantity of them Ihould be
collected at a time.
18. The proper drying of vegetable fubftances is of the great-
eft importance. It is often directed to be done in the {hade, and
fiowly, that the volatile and active particles may not be diflipated
by too great heat ; but this is an error, for they always lofe in-
finitely more by flow than by quick drying. When, on account of
the colour, they cannot be expofed to the fun, and the warmth of
the atmofphere is infufficient, they fhould be dried by an artificial
warmth, lefs than 100° Fahrenheit, and well expofed to a current
of air. When perfectly dry and friable, they have little fmell ; but
after being kept fome time, they attract moifture from the air, and
regain their proper odour.
19. The boxes and drawers in which vegetable matters are
kept, fhould not impart to them any fmell or talte ; and more cer-
tainly to avoid this, they Ihould be lined with paper. Such as are
volatile, of a delicate texture, or fubject to fufter from infects,
mult be kept in well covered glafles. Fruits and oily feeds, which
are apt to become rancid, mult be kept in a cool, and dry, but by
no means in a warm, or moid place.
20. Oily feeds, odorous plants, and thofe containing volatile
principles, mult be collected frefh every year. Others, whofe
properties are more permanent, and not fubject to decay, will keep
for feveral years.
21. Vegetables collected in a moift and rainy feafon, are in
general more watery and apt to fpoil. In a dry feafon, on the con-
trary, they contain more oily and refinous particles, and keep much
better.
Pharmaceutical Operations, 7
Mechanical Operations of Pharmacy.
a. The determination of the weight and bulk of bodies.
b. The divifion of bodies into more minute particles.
c. The feparation of their integrant parts by mechanical
means.
d. Their mixture, when not attended by any chemical action.
22. The quantities of fubftances employed in pharmaceutical
operations are moll accurately determined by the procefs called
weighing. For this purpofe, there fhould be fets of beams and
fcales of different fizes ; and it would be advifable to have a dou-
ble fet, one for ordinary ufe, and another for occafions when
greater accuracy is neceflary. A good beam fhould remain in
equilibrium without the fcales, and when the fcales arc changed \
and it mould turn fenfibly with a very fmall proportion of the
weight with which it is loaded. Balances fhould be defended a9
much as poffible from acid and other corrofive vapours, and fhould
not be left fufpended longer than is neceflary, as it impairs their
delicacy very much. For the fame reafon, balances fhould never
be overloaded.
23. The want of uniformity of weights and meafures is attend-
ed with many inconveniencies. In this country, (Great Britain,)
druggifts and grocers fell by avoirdupois weight ; and the apothe-
caries are directed to fell by troy weight, although, in fact, they
feldom ufe the. troy weight for more than two drachms. Hence
arife numerous and culpable errors, the troy pound being lefs than
the avoirdupois, and the ounce and drachm being greater. Com-
parative tables of the value of the troy, avoirdupois, and new French
decimal weights, are given in the appendix.
24. The errors arifing from the promifcuous ufe of weights
and meafures, have induced the Edinburgh and Dublin colleges to
reject the ufe of meafures entirely, and to direct: that the quantities
of every thing fluid, as well as folid, fhall be determined by troy
weight : But as the London college have given their fanction to
the ufe of meafures, and as, from the much greater facility of their
employment, apothecaries will always ufe them, tables of meafures.
are alfo inferted in the appendix.
25. For meafuring fluids, the graduated glafs meafures are al-
ways to be preferred: they fhould be of different fizes, according
to the quantities they are intended to meafure. Elaftic fluids are
alfo meafured in glafs tubes, graduated by inches and their de-
cimals.
26. Specific gravity is the weight of a determinate bulk of anv
body. As a ftandard of comparison, diftilled water has been af-
8
Materia Medica.
fumed as unity. The fpecific gravity of folids is afcertained, by
comparing the weight of the body in the air with its weight when
fufpended 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 fpecific gravity. The fpecific gravity of fluids may be
afcertained by comparing the lofs of weight of a folid body, fuch as
a piece of cryftal, when immerfed in diftilled water, with its lofs
when immerfed in the fluid we wifh to examine ; by dividing its
lofs of weight in the fluid by its lofs of weight in the water, the
quotient is the fpecific gravity of the fluid : Or a fmall phial, con-
taining a known weight of diftilled 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 fpecific gravity is afcer-
tained.
Although thefe are the only general principles by which fpecific
gravities are afcertained, yet as the refult is always influenced by
the ftate of the thermometer and barometer at the time of the ex-
periments, and as the manipulation is a work of great nicety, va-
rious ingenious inftruments have been contrived to reader the
procefs and calculation eafy. Of all thefe, the gravimeter of Mor-
veau feems to deferve the preference.
It would be of material confequence to fcience and the arts, if
fpecific gravities were always indicated by the numerical term ex-
prefling their relation to the fpecific gravity of diftilled water.
This however is unfortunately not the cafe. The excife in this
country collect the duties paid by fpiritous liquors, by eftimating
the proportion which they contain of a ftandard fpirit, about 0.933
in fpecific gravity, which they call hydrometer proof, and they ex-
press the relation which fprrits of a different ftrength have to the
ftandard fpirit by faying that they are above or under hydrometer
proof. Thus one to fix, or one in feven below hydrometer proof
means, that it is equal in ftrength to a mixture of fix parts of proof
fpirit with one of water.
The only other mode of exprefling fpecific gravities which it is
neceffary to notice, is that of Baume's areometer ; as it is often ufed
in the writings of the French chemifts, and is little underftood in
this country. For fubftances heavier than water he affumes the
fpecific gravity of diftilled water as zero, and graduates the ftem
of his inftrument downwards, each degree being fuppofed by him
to exprefs the number of parts of muriate of foda contained in a
given folution, which however is not at all the cafe. For fubftances
lighter than water the tube is graduated upwards, and this zero is
afforded by a folution of 10 of fait in 90 water. In the appendix
tables are given of the fpecific gravities, correfponding with all the
degrees of both of thefe areometers, from Nicholfon's journal.
Pharmaceutical Operations. 9
Mechanical Division.
27. By mechanical divifion, fubftances arc reduced to a form
better adapted for medical purpofes ; and by the increafe of their
furface, their action is promoted, both as medical and chemical
agents.
28. It is performed by cutting, bruifing, grinding, grating,
rafping, filing, pulverization, trituration, and granulation, by means
of machinery or of proper inftruments.
29. Pulverization is the firft of thefe operations that is com-
monly employed in the apothecary's mop. It is performed by means
of peitles and mortars. The bottom of the mortars mould be con-
cave ; and their fides mould neither be fo inclined as not to allow
the fubftances operated on to fall to the bottom between each ftroke
of the peftle, nor fo perpendicular as to collect it too much together,
and to retard the operation. The materials of which the peftles
and mortars are formed, mould refill both the mechanical and che-
mical action of the fubftances for which they are ufed. Wood,
iron, marble, filiceous ftones, porcelain, and glafs, are all employed ;
but copper, and metals containing copper, are to be avoided.
30. They fhould be provided with covers, lo prevent the fineft
and lighted parts from efcaping, and to defend the operator from
the effects of difagreeable or noxious fubftances. But thefe ends
are more completely attained by tying a piece of pliable leather
round the peftle and round the mouth of the mortar. It muft be
clofely applied, and at the fame time fo large, as to permit the free
motion of the peftle.
31. In fome inftances, it will be even neceflary for the opera-
tor to cover his mouth and noftrils with a wet cloth, and to ftand
with his back to a current of air, that the very acrid particles which
arife may be ^arried from him.
32. The addition of a little water or fpirit of wine, or of a few
almonds, to very light and dry fubftances, will prevent their flying
off. But almonds are apt to induce rancidity, and powders are
always injured, by the drying which is neceffary when they have
been moiftened. Water muft never be added to fubftances which
abforb it, or are rendered cohefive by it.
33. Too great a quantity of any fubftance muft never be put
into the mortar at a time, as it very much retards the opera-
tion.
34. All vegetable fubftances muft be previoully dried. Re-
fins and gummy refins, which become foft in fummer, muft
be powdered in very cold weather, and muft be beaten gently,
or they will be converted into a pafte inftead of being powder-
ed. Wood, roots, barks, horn, bone, ivory, &c. muft be pre-
10
Materia Medica.
vioufly cut, fplit, chipped or rafped. Fibrous woods and roots
fhould be finely fhaved after their bark is removed, for other wife,
their powders will be full of hair-like filaments, which can
lcarcely be feparated. Some fubftances will even require to be
moiftened with mucilage of tragacanth, or of ftarch, and then dried
before they can be powdered. Camphor may be conveniently
powdered by the addition of a little fpirit of wine, or almond oil.
The emullive feeds cannot be reduced to powder, unlefs fome dry
powder be added to them. To aromatic oily fubftances, fugar is
the bed addition.
35. All impurities and inert parts having been previoufly fe-
parated, the operation muft be continued and repeated upon ve-
getable fubftances, till no refiduum is left. The powders obtain-
ed at different times muft then be intimately mixed together, fo as
to bringthe whole to a Itate of perfect uniformity.
36. Very hard ftony fubftances muft be repeatedly heated to
a red heat, and then fuddenly quenched in cold water, until they
become fufficiently friable. Some metals may be powdered hot in
a heated iron mortar, or may be rendered brittle by alloying them
with a little mercury.
37. Trituration is intended for the ftill more minute divifion
of bodies. It is performed in flat mortars of glafs, agate, or other
hard materials, by giving a rotatory motion to the peftle ;% or on a
levigating ftone, which is generally of porphyry, by means of a
muller of the fame fubftance. On large quantities it is performed
by rollers of hard ftone, turning horizontally upon each other, or
by one vertical roller turning on a flat ftone.
38. The fubftances fubje£ted to this operation are generally
previoufly powdered or ground.
39. Levigation differs from trituration only in the addition of
water or fpirit of wine to the powder operated upon, fo as to form
the whole mafs into a kind of parte, which is rubbed until it be of
fufficient fmoothnefs or finenefs. Earths, and fome metallic fub-
ftances, are levigated.
40. Granulation is employed for the mechanical divifion of
fome metals. It is performed, either by ftirring the melted metal
with an iron-rod until it cools, or by pouring it into water, and
ftirring it continually as before, or by pouring it into a covered box,
previoufly well rubbed with chalk, and fhaking it until the metal
cools, when the rolling motion will be converted into a rattling
one. The adhering chalk is then to be wafhed away.
Mechanical Separation.
41. Sifting. From dry fubftances, which are reduced to the
due degree of minutenefs, the coarfer particles are to be feparated
Pharmaceutical Operations.
II
by fieves of iron-wire, hair-cloth or gauze, or by being dufted
through bags of fine linen. For very light and valuable powders,
or acrid fub fiances, compound fieves, having a clofe lid and re-
ceiver mud be ufed. The particles which are not of fuificient
finenefs to pafs through the interfaces of the fieve, may be again
powdered.
42. Flut nation is confined to mineral fubftances, on which
water has no action. It is performed for feparnting them from fo-
reign particles and impurities, of a different fpecific gravity, in
which cafe they are faid to be warned ; or for feparating the im-
palpable powders, obtained by trituration and levigation from the
coarfer particles. This procefs depends upon the property that
very fine or light powders have of remaining for fome time fuf-
pended in water j and is performed by diffufing the powder or
pafte formed by levigation through plenty of water, letting it
itand a fufficient time, until the coarfer particles fettle at the
bottom j and then pouring off the liquid in which the finer or
lighteT*-pa*tisJci are fufpended. Frefh water may be poured on the
refiduum, and the operation repeated ; or the coarfer particles,
which fall to the bottom, may be previoufly levigated a fecond
time. f
43. Decantation. The fine powder which is wafhed over with
the water, is feparated from it, by allowing it to fubfide complete-
ly, and by either decanting off the water very carefully, or by
drawing it off by a fyringe or fyphon. Thefe proceffes are very
frequently made ufe of for feparating fluids from folids which are
fpecifically heavier, efpecially when the quantity is very large,
or the folid fo fubtile as to pafs through the pores of molt fub-
Itnpces employed for filtration, or the liquid fo acrid as to corrode
them.
44. Filtration. For the fame purpofe of feparating fluids from
folids, (training and filtration are often ufed. Thefe differ only in
degree, and are employed when the powder either does not fubfide
at all, or too flowly and imperfectly for decantation.
45. The inftruments for this purpofe are of various materials,
and muft in no inftance be a£ted upon by the fubftances for which
they are employed. Fats, refins, wax and oils, are (trained through
hemp or flax fpread evenly over a piece of wire-cloth or net Itretch-
ed in a frame. For faccharine and mucilaginous liquors, fine
flannel may be ufed ; for fome faline folutions, linen. Where
thefe are not fine enough, unfized paper is employed, but it is ex-
tremely apt to burft by hot watery liquors ; and very acrid liquors,
fuch as acids, are filtered by means of a glafs-funnel, filled with
powdered quartz, a few of the larger pieces being put in the
neck, fmaller pieces over thefe, and the finer powder placed over
12
Materia Medic a.
all. The porofity of this laft filter retains much of the liquor ;
but it may be obtained by gently pouring on it as much diftilled
water ; the liquor will then pafs through, and the water be retain-
ed in its place.
4-6. Water may be filtered in large quantities through bafins
of porous ftone, or artificial bafins of nearly equal parts of fine clay
and coarfe fand.
47. The fize of the filters depends on the quantity of matter
to be {trained. When large, the flannel or linen is formed into a
conical bag, and fufpended from a hoop or frame ; the paper is
either fpread on the infide of thefe bags, or folded into a conical
form, and fufpended by a funnel. It is of advantage to introduce
glafs rods or quill-barrels between the paper and funnel, to prevent
them from adhering too clofely.
48. Whit panes firft is feldom fine enough, and mud be pour-
ed back again, until by the fwelling of the fibres of the filter, or
filling up of its pores, the fluid acquires the requifite degree of
limpidity. The filter is fometimes covered with charcoal pow-
der, which is a ufeful addition to muddy and deep-coloured li-
quors. The filtration of fome vifcid fubftances is much aflifted by
heat.
49. Exprcffwn is a fpecies of filtration, aflifted by mechanical
force. It is principally employed to obtain the juices of frefh ve-
getables, and the unctuous vegetable oils. It is performed by
means of a fcrew prefs with plates of wood, iron or tin. The fub-
jecfc of the operation is previoufly beaten, ground or bruifed. It is
then inclofed in a bag, which mufl not be too much filled, and in-
troduced between the plates of the prefs. The bags fhould be of
hair-cloth, or canvafs inclofed in hair-cloth. Hempen and woollen
bags are apt to give vegetable juices a difagreeable tafte. The
preflure fhould be gentle at firft, and increafed gradually.
50. Vegetables intended for this operation fhould be perfectly
frefh and freed from all impurities. In general they fhould be ex-
prefled as foon a* they are bruifed, for it difpofes them to ferment ;
but fubacid fruits give a larger quantity of juice and of finer qua-
lity, when they are allowed to ftand fome days in a wooden or
earthen vefTel after they are bruifed. To fome vegetables which
are not juicy enough of themfelves, the addition of a little water is
neceflary. Lemons and oranges mult be peeled, as their fkins con-
tain a great deal of eflential oil, which would mix with the juice.
The oil itfelf may be obtained feparately, by expreflion with the
fingers againft a plate of glafs.
51. For unctuous feeds iron-plates are ufed *, and it is cuftom-
ary not only to heat the plates, but to warm the bruifed feeds in a
kettle over the fire, after they have been fprinkled with fome wa-
ter, as by thefe means the product is increafed, and the oil obtain-
Pharmaceutical Operations.
13
ed is more limpid. But as their difpofition to rancidity is increas-
ed by it, if poflible this practice mould be laid afide, or confined to
expofing the bruiied feeds, inclofed in a bag, to the fteam of hot
water.
52. DefpumaticTi is generally praclifed on thick and clammy
liquors, which contain much (limy and other impurities, not eafily
feparable by filtration. The fcum arifes either by fimply heating
the liquor, or by clarifying it, which is done by mixing with the
liquor, when cold, whites ox eggs well beaten with a little wa-
ter, which on being heated coagulates, and entangling the impur-
ities of the liquor, rifes with them to the furface, and may be
eafily removed by a perforated ladle. Or the liquor may now be
filtered with eafe. Spiritous liquors are clarified by means of
ifinglafs diflblved in water, or any albuminous fluid, fuch as milk,
which coagulates by the action of alcohol without the afliftance of
heat. Some expreffed juices, fuch as thofe of the antifcorbutic
plants, are inftantly clarified by the addition of vegetable acid, fuch
as the juice of bitter oranges.
53. Fluids can only be feparated from each other, when they
have no tendency to combine, and when they differ in fpecific gra-
vity. The Separation may be effected by Ikimming off the lighter
fluid with a filver or glafs fpoon ; or by drawing it off by a fyringe
or fyphon ; or by means of a glafs feparatory, which is an inftru-
ment having a projecting tube, terminating in a very flender point,
through which the heavier fluid alone is permitted to run ; or by
means of the capillary attraction of a fpongy woollen thread ; for
no fluid will enter a fubftance whofe pores are filled by another,
for which it has no attraction ; and, laftly, upon the fame prin-
ciple, by means of a filter of unfized paper, previoufly foaked in
one of the fluids, which in this way readily pailes through it, while
the other remains behind.
54. Mechanical mixture is performed by agitation, trituration,
or kneading ; but thefe will be bell; confidered in treating of the
forms in which medicines are exhibited.
Apparatus.
55. Before entering on the chemical operations, it will be ne-
ceflary to make a few remarks on the inftruments employed in per-
forming them. They may be divided into
a. The veffels in which the effects are performed.
b. The means of producing heat •, or fuel ; and
c The means of applying and regulating the heat ; or lamps
and furnaces.
14
Materia Medica.
Vessels.
56. The veflels, according to the purpofes for which they are
intended, vary
a. In form, and
b. In materials.
57. The different forms will be beft defcribed when treating of
the particular operations.
58. No fubftance poflerTes properties which would render it
proper to be employed as a material in every inftance. We are
therefore obliged to felect thofe fubftances which pofTefs the pro-
perties more efpecially required in the particular operations for
which they are intended.
59. The properties mod generally required, are
a. The power of refilling chemical agents.
b. Transparency.
c. Compactnefs.
d. Strength.
e. Fixity and infufibility.
f. And the power of bearing fudden variations of temperature
without breaking.
60. The metals in general poffefs the four laft properties in
confiderable perfection, but they are all opaque. Iron and copper-
are apt to be corroded by chemical agents, and the life of the latter
is often attended by dangerous confequences. Thefe defects are
in fome meafure, but not entirely, remedied by tinning them. Tin
and lead are too fufiole. Platinum, gold, and filver, refift moft of
the chemical agents, but their expenfe is an infurmountable objec-
tion to their general ufe.
6 1 . Good earthen-ware refills the greateft intenfity of heat, but
is deficient in all the other properties. The bafis of all kinds of
earthen-ware is clay, which potteries the valuable quality of be-
ing very plallic when wrought with water, and of becoming ex-
tremely hard when burnt with an intenfe heat. But it contracts
ib much by heat, that it is extremely apt to crack and fplit on being
expofed to fudden changes of temperature ; it is therefore necef-
iary to add fome fubftance which may counteract this property.
Siliceous fand, clay reduced to powder, and then burnt with a very
intenfe heat, and plumbago, are occafionally ufed. Thefe addi-
tions, however, are attended with other inconveniencies ; plumba-
go efpecially is liable to combuftion, and fand diminilhes the
Pharmaceutical Operations.
15
compactnefs ; fo that when not glazed, they are porous, and when
glazed, they are acted upon by chemical agents. The chemical
vefiels, manufactured by Meffrs Wedgewood, are the beft of this
defcription, except porcelain, which is too expenfive.
62. Glafs poflefles the three firfl qualities in an eminent de-
gree, and may be heated red-hot without melting. Its greateft in-
convenience is its difpofition to crack or break in pieces when fud-
denly heated or cooled. As this is occafioned by its unequal ex-
panfion or contraction, it is beft remedied by forming the vefiels
very thin, and giving them in general a rounded form. Glafs-
veflels mould alfo be well annealed, that is, cooled very flowly,
after being blown, by placing them immediately in an oven while
they are yet in a foft ftate. While ill annealed, or cooled fudden-
ly, glafs is apt to fly in pieces on the flighted change of tempera-
ture, or touch of a iharp point. We may fometimes take advan-
tage of this imperfection ; for by means of a red-hot wire, glafs-
veflels may be cut into any fhape. When there is not a crack al-
ready in the glafs, the point of the wire is applied near the edge,
a crack is formed, which is afterwards eafily led in any direction
we wifh.
63. Reaumur's porcelain, on the contrary, is glafs, which by
furrounding it with hot fand, is made to cool fo flowly, that it af-
fumes a cryftalline texture, which deftroys its tranfparency, but
imparts to it every other quality wifhed for in chemical vefTels.
The coarfer kinds of glafs are commonly ufed in making it; but
as there is no manufacture of this valuable fubftance, its employ-
ment is ftill very limited.
Lutes.
64. Lutes alfo form a neceffary part of chemical apparatus.
They are compofitions of various fubflances, intended
a. To clofe the joining of velTels.
h. To coat glafs vefTels.
c. To line furnaces.
65. Lutes of the firfl defcription are commonly employed to
confine elaftic vapours. They mould therefore pofTefs the follow-
ing properties,
a. Vifcidity, plafticity, and compactnefs.
b. The power of refilling acrid vapours.
r, The power of refilling certain degrees of heat.
16 Materia Medica.
66. The vifcidity of lutes depends on the prefence either of
a. Un&uous or refmous fubftances.
b. Mucilaginous fubftances, or
c. Clay.
67. Lutes of the firfl kind (66 a.) poffefs the two firft clafs
of properties in an eminent degree ; but they are in general fo fu-
fible that they cannot be employed when they are expofed even to
very low degrees of heat, and they will not adhere to any fubftance
that is at ail moid. Examples.
a. Eight parts of yellow wax melted with one of oil of turpen-
tine, with or without the addition of refinous fubftances,
according to the degree of pliability and confiftence requir-
ed. Lavoifier's lute.
b. Four parts of wax melted with two of varnifh and one of
olive oil. SaufTure's lute.
c. Three parts of powdered clay worked up into a pafte, with
one of drying oil, or, what is better, amber varnifli. The
drying oil is prepared by boiling 22.5 parts of litharge in 16
of linfeed oil until it be diffolved. Fat lute.
d. Chalk and oil, or glazier's-putty, is well fitted for luting
tubes permanently into glafs vcflels, for it becomes fo hard
that it cannot be eafiiy removed.
e. Equal parts of litharge, quicklime, and powdered clay,
worked into a pafte with oil varnifli, is fometimes ufed to
daub over the cracks in glafs veftels, fo as to render them-
again fit for fome purpofes.
f. Melted pitch and brick duft.
68. Mucilaginous fubftances, (66 b.) fuch as flour, ftarch, gum,
and glue mixed with water, with or without fome powder, are fuf-
ficiently adhefive, are dried by moderate degrees of heat, and are
eafiiy removed after the operation, by moiftening them with wa-
ter. But a high temperature deftroys them, and they do not re-
fift corrofive vapours. Examples.
a. Slips of bladder macerated in water, and applied with the
infide next the veflels. They are apt, however, from their
great contraction on drying, to break weak vefTels.
b. One part of gum arabic with fix or eight of chalk, formed
into a pafte with water.
c. Flour worked into a pafte with powdered clay or chalk.
d. Almond or linfeed meal formed into a pafte with mucilage
or water.
Pharmaceutical Operations.
t. Quicklime in fine powder, haftily mixed with white of egg,
and inftantly applied, fets very quickly, but becomes fo
hard that it can fcarcely be removed.
f. Slaked lime in fine powder, with glue, does not fet fo
quickly as the former.
g. The cracks of glafs veffels are fometimes mended by daub-
ing them and a fuitable piece of linen over with white of
egg, ftrewing both over with finely powdered quicklime,
and inftantly applying the linen clofely and evenly.
69. Earthy lutes (66 c.) refiit very high temperatures, but they
become fo hard that they can fcarcely be removed, and often har-
den fo quickly after they are mixed up, that they mutt be applied
immediately. Examples.
a. Quicklime well incorporated with a fixth part of muriate
of foda.
b. Burnt gypfum, made up with water.
c. One ounce of borax diffolved in' a pound of boiling water,
mixed with a fufficient quantity of powdered clay. Mr.
Watt's fire lute.
d. One part of clay with four of fand formed into a parte
with water. This is alfo ufed for coating glafs veffels, in
order to render them itronger and capable of refilling vio-
lent degrees of heat. It is then made into a very thin mafs,
and applied in fucceflive layers, taking care that each coat
be perfectly dry before another be laid on.
70. The lutes for lining furnaces will be defcribed when treat-
ing of furnaces.
71. The junctures of veffels which are to be luted to each
other, muft previoufly be accurately and firmly fitted, by intro-
ducing between them, when necelfary, fnort bits of wood or cork,
or, if the difproportion be very great, by means of a cork fitted to
the one vefiel, having a circular hole bored through it, through
which the neck of the other velfel or tube pafies.
' 72. After being thus fitted, the lute is either applied very thin,
by fpreading it on Hips of linen or paper, and fecuring it with
thread, or If it is a pane luie, it is formed into fmall cylinders,
which are fucceffively applied to the junctures, taking care that
each piece be made to adhere firmly and perfectly clofe in every
part before another is put on. Lailly, the whole is fecured by
flips of linen or bladder.
73. In many cafes, to permit the efcape of elaftic vapours, a
fmall hole is made through the lute with a pin, or the lute is per-
forated bv a fmall quill, fitted with a Ropper.
D
•
IS
Materia Medica.
Heat and Fuel.
74. As caloric is an agent of the moll extenfive utility in the
chemical operations of pharmacy, it is neceffary that we mould be
acquainted with the means of employing it in the molt economical
and efficient manner.
75. The rays of the fun are ufed in the drying of many vege-
table fubftances, and the only attentions neceffary are to expofe as
large a furface as poflible, and to turn them frequently, that every
part may be dried alike. They are alfo fometimes ufed for pro-
moting fpontaneous evaporation.
76. The combuftion of different fubftances is a much more
powerful and certain foarce of heat. The fubftances employed for
this purpofe are either fluid or folid. Alcohol, oil, tallow, wood>
turf, coal, charcoal, and coke, are all occafionally employed.
77. Alcohol, oil, and melted tallow, fluid" inflammables, muft be
burnt on porous wicks. Thefe act merely mechanically, by draw-
ing up a portion of the fluid to be volatilized and inflamed- They
are therefore burnt in lamps of various conftruclions. But al-
though commonly ufed to produce light, they afford a very uni-
form, though not very high, temperature. It may however be in-
creased by increafmg the number of the wicks and their fize. Al-
cohol produces a fteady heat, no foot, and, if flrong, leaves no refi-
duum. Oil gives a higher temperature, but on a common wick
produces much fmoke and foot. Thefe are diminifhed, and the
light and heat increafed, by making the furface of the flame bear
a large proportion to the centre, which is beft done by a cylindrical,
wick, fo contrived that the air has free accefs both to the outfide
and to the in fide of the cylinder, as in Argand's lamp, invented by
Mr. Boulton of Birmingham. In this way oil may be made to
produce a confiderable temperature of great uniformity, and with-
out the inconvenience of fmoke.
78. Wicks have the inconvenience of being charred by the
high temperature to whicli they are fubjecled, and becoming fo
clogged as to prevent the fluid from riling in them. They muft:
then be trimmed, but this is feldomer neceffary with alcohol and
fine oils than with the coarfer oils. Lamps are alfo improved by
adding a chimney to them. It muft admit the free accefs of air
to the flame, and then it increafes the current, confines the heat,
and fteadies the flame. The intenfity of the temperature of flame
may be increafed aftonifhingly by forcing a fmall current of hot
air through it as by the blow pipe.
79. Wood, turf, coal, charcoal, and coke, folid combuftibles,
arc burnt in grates and furnaces. Wood has the advantage of
Pharmaceutical Operations.
kindling readily, but affords a very unfleady temperature, is incon-
venient from its flame, fmoke, and foot, and requires much atten-
tion. The heavy and denfe woods give the greateft heat, burn
longeft, and leave a denfe charcoal,
80. Dry turf gives a fteady heat, and does not require fo much
attention as wood ; but it confumes fart, its fmoke is copious and
penetrating, and the empyreumatic fmell which it imparts to every
thing it comes in contact with, adheres to them with great obvti-
nacy. The heavy turf of marines is preferable to the light fuper-
ficial turf.
81. Coal is the fuel moft commonly ufed in this country ,'Scot-
land). Its heat is confiderable and fulTiciently permanent, but it
produces much flame and fmoke.
82. Charcoal, efpecially of the denfe woods, is a very conveni-
ent and excellent fuel. It burns without flame or fmoke, and gives
a ftrong, uniform, and permanent heat, which may be eafily regu-
lated, efpecially when it is not in too large pieces, and is a little
damp. But it is coftly, and burns quickly.
83. Coke, or charred coal, poflefles fimilar properties to char-
coal, it is lefs eafily kindled, but is capable of producing a higher
temperature, and burns more flowly.
84. When an open grate is ufed for chemical purpofes, it
fhould be provided with cranes to fupport the vefleis operated in,
that they may not be overturned by the burning away of the fuel.
Furnaces.
85. In all furnaces, the principal objects are, to produce a fuf-
ficient degree of heat, with little confumption of fuel, and to be
able to regulate the degree of heat.
86. An unnecerTary expenditure of fuel is prevented by form-
ing the fides of the furnace of very imperfect conductors of calo-
ric, and by conftrucling it fo that the fubjecl: operated on may be
expofed to the full adion of the fire.
87. The degree of heat is regulated by the quantity of air
which comes in contact, with the burning fuel. The quantity of
air is in the compound ratio of the fize of the aperture through
which it enters and its velocity. The velocity is increafed by me-
chanical means, as by bellows, or by increafing the height and
width of the chimney.
88. The fize and form of furnaces, and the materials of which
they are conjlrucled, are various, according to the purpofes for
which they are intended.
89. The eflential parts of a furnace are, "
20
Materia Medica.
a. A body for the fuel to burn in.
b. A grate for it to burn upon.
c. An alh-pit to admit air and receive the ames.
d. A chimney for carrying off the fmoke and vapours.
90. The afh-pit mould be perfectly clofe, and furnifhed with
a door and regifter-plate, to regulate the quantity cf air admitted.
91. The bars of the grate mould be triangular, and placed
with an angle pointed downwards, and not above half an inch dis-
tant. The graie mould be fixed on the outfide of the body.
92. The body may be cylindrical or elliptical, and it mutt have
apertures for introducing the fuel and the fubjecls of the opera-
tion, and for conveying away the fmoke and vapours.
93. When the com bullion is Supported by the current of air
naturally excited by the burning of the fuel, it is called a wind-
furnace ; when it is accelerated by increasing the velocity of the
current by bellows, it forms a blaft-furnace ; and when the body
of the furnace is covered with a dome, which terminates in the
chimney, it confeitutes a reverberatory furnace.
94. Furnaces are either fixed, and built of iire-brick, or port-
able, and fabricated of plate-iron. When of iron, they muft be lin-
ed with fome badly conducting and refractory fubftance, both to
prevent the difhpation of heat, and to defend the iron againft the
action of the fire. A mixture of fcales of iron and powdered tiles
worked up with blood, hair, and clay, is much recommended ; and
Profefibr Hagen fays, that it is lefs apt to fplit and crack when ex-
pofed at once to a violent heat, than when dried gradually, accord-
ing to the common directions. Dr. Black employed two different
coatings. Next to the iron he applied a composition of three parts
by weight of charcoal, and one of fine clay. Thefe are firft mixed
in the ltate of fine powder, and then worked up with as much wa-
ter as will permit the mafs to be formed into balls, which are ap-
plied to the fides of the furnace, and beat very firm and compact
with the face of a broad hammer, to the thicknefs of about one
inch and a half in general, but fo as to give an elliptical form to
the cavity. Over this, another lute, compofed of fix or feven parts
of fand, and one of clay, is to be applied in the fame manner, to
the thicknefs of about half an inch. Thefe lutes muft be allowed
to become perfectly dry before the furnace is heated, which mould
at firft be done gradually. They may alfo be lined with fire
bricks of a proper form, accurately fitted and well cemented toge-
ther before the top plate is fcrcwed on.
95. The general fault of furnaces is that they admit too much
air, which prevents us from regulating the temperature. It either
becomes too violent and unmanageable, or when more cold air is
admitted than what is ueccfTary for fupporting the combuftion, it
Pharmaceutical Operations.
21
carries off heat, and prevents us from railing the temperature as
high as we othcrwife would. The fuperior merit of Dr. Black's,
furnace conflfts in the facility with which the admillion of air is re-
gulated ; and every attempt hitherto made to improve it by increas-
ing the number of its apertures have in reality injured it.
96. Heat may be applied to veflels employed in chemical oper-
ations,
a. Direftly, as in the open fire and revcrberatory furnace.
b. Or through the medium of fand ; the fand bath.
c. Of water ; the water-bath.
d. Of fteam ; the vapour-bath.
e9 Of air, as in the muffle.
Chemical Operations.
97. In all chemical operations, combination takes place, and
there are very few of them in which decompofition decs not alfo
occur. For the fake of method, we ihall confider them as princi-
pally intended to produce
a. A change in the form of aggregation.
b. Combination.
c. Decompofition.
9S. The form of aggregation may be altered by
a. Fufion.
b. Vaporization.
c. Condenfation.
d. Congelation.
e. Coagulation.
99. Fufion is the converfion of a folid into a liquid by the fole
agency of caloric. Subftances differ very much in the degrees of
their fufibility •, fome, as water and mercury, exifting as fluids in
the ordinary temperatures of the atmolphere ; while others, as the
pure earths, cannot be melted by any heat we can produce.
100. Liquefaction is commonly employed to cxprefs the melting
of fubflances, as tallow, wax, refm, &c. which pafs through inter-
mediate ftates of foftnefs before they become fluid. Fufion is the
melting of fubftances which pais immediately from the folid to the
fluid ftate, as the falts and metals, except iron and platinum.
101. When, in confequence of fufion, the fubitances operated
on acquire a greater or lefs degree of tranfparency, a denfe uni-
22
Materia Medica.
form texture, and great brittlenefs, and exhibit a conchoidal frac-
ture, with a fpecular furface, and the edges of the fragments very
fharp, it is termed vitrification.
102. In general, fimple fubftanccs are lefs fufible than com-
pounds ; for example, the fimple earths cannot be melted fingly,
but when mixed, are eafily fufed. The additions which are fome-
times made to refractory fubftances to promote tiieir fufion, are
termed fluxes.
103. Thefe fluxes are generally faline bodies.
a.. The alkalies potafs and foda, promote powerfully the fu-
fion of filiceous ftones ; but they are only ufed for accurate
experiments. The white flux is a mixture of a little potafs
with carbonate of potafs, and is prepared by deflagrating
together equal parts of nitrate of potafs and fuper-tartrate
of potafs. When an oxide is at the fame time to be redu-
ced, the black flux is preferred, which is produced by the
deflagration of two parts of fuper-tartrate of potafs, and
one of nitrate of potafs. It differs from the former only in
containing a little charcoal. Soap promotes fufion by be-
ing converted by the fire into carbonate of foda and char-
coal.
h. Aluminous ftones have their fufion greatly promoted by
the addition of fub -borate of foda.
c. Muriate of foda, the mixed phofphate cf foda and am-
monia, and other falts, are alfo occafionally employed.
104. An open fire is fufficient to melt fome fubftances, others
require the heat of a furnace.
10.5. The veiTels in which fufion is performed, rnuft refill the
-heat necef/ary for the operation. In fome inftances, an iron or
copper ladle or pot may be ufed, but mod commonly crucibles
are employed. Crucibles are of various fizes. The large cruci-
bles are generally conical, with a fmall fpout for the convenience
of pouring out ; the fmall ones are truncated triangular pyramids,
and are commonly fold in nefts.
106. The Heflian crucibles are compofed of clay and fand, and
when good, will fupport an intenfe heat for many hours, without
foftening or melting ; but thev are difpofed to crack when fud-
denly heated or cooled. This inconvenience may be on many oc-
cafions avoided, by uling a double crucible, and filling up the in-
terftice with fand, or by covering the crucible with a lute of clay
and fand, by which means the heat is tranfmitted more gradually
and equally. Thofc which ring clearly when (truck, and are of
an uniform thicknefs, and have a reddifh brown colour, without
black fpots, are reckoned the beft.
Pharmaceutical Operations. 23
107. Wedgewood's crucibles are made of clay mixed with bak-
ed clay finely pounded, and are in every refpecl fuperior to the
Hefliaji, but they are very expenfive.
108. The black-lead crucibles, formed of clay and plumbago,
are very durable, refill fudden changes of temperature, and may
be repeatedly ufed, but they are deftroyed when faline fubftances
are melted in them, and fuller combullion when expofed red-hot
to a current of air.
109. When placed in a furnace, crucibles fhoUld never be fet
upon the bars of the grate, but always upon a fupport. Dr. Ken-
nedy found the hottell part of a furnace to be about an inch above
the grate. They may be covered, to prevent the fuel or afhes
from falling into them, with a lid of the fame materials, or with
another crucible inverted over them.
1 10. When the fufion is completed, the fubftance may be either
permitted to cool in the crucible, or may be poured into a heated
mould anointed with tallow, never with oil, or what is ftill better,
covered with a thin coating of chalk, which is applied by laying
it over with a mixture of chalk diffufed in water, and then evapor-
ating the water completely by heat. To prevent the crucible from
being broken by cooling too rapidly, it is to be either replaced in
the furnace, to cool gradually with it, or covered with fome veffel
to prevent its being expofed immediately to the air.
111. Fufion is performed with the intentions,
a. Of weakening the attraction of aggregation.
1. To facilitate mechanical divifion.
2. To promote chemical action.
b. Of feparating from each other, fubftances of different de-
grees of fu Ability.
112. Vaporization is the converfion of a folid or fluid into va-
pour by the agency of caloric. Although vaporability be merely
a relative term, fub fiances are faid to be permanently elaftic, vo-
latile, or fixed. The permanently elaftic fluids or gafes are thofe
which cannot be condciifed into a fluid or folid form by any ab-
ftraclion of caloric we are capable of producing. Fixed iuftances,
on the contrary, are thofe which cannot be converted into vapour
by great increafe of temperature. The preflure of the atmofphere
has very confiderable eirect in varying the degree at which fub-
ftances are converted into vapour. Some folids, unlefs fubjedled
to very great preflure, are at once converted into vapour, although
mod of them pafs through the intermediate ftate of fluidity.
24
Materia Medica.
113. Vaporization is employed
a* To feparate fubftances differing in volatility.
b. To promote chemical action, by difaggregating them.
114. When employed with either of thefe views,
ft. No regard is paid to the fubftances volatilized,
1. From lblids, as in uftulation and charring.
2. From fluids, as in evaporation.
h. Or the fubftances vaporized are condenfed in proper veffels,
1. In a liquid form, as in diftillation.
2. In a folid form, as in fublimation.
e. Or the fubftances vaporized are permanently elaftic, and are
collected in their gafeous form, in a pneumatic apparatus.
115. Uftulation is almoft entirely a metallurgic operation, and is
employed to expel the fulphur and arfenic contained in fome me-
tallic ores. It is performed on fmall quantities in tefts placed
within a muffle. Tefts are mallow veffels made of bone afhes or
baked clay. Muffles are veffels of baked clay, of a femi-cylindri-
cal form, the flat fide forming the floor, and the arched portion the
roof and fides. The end and fides are perforated with holes for
the free tranfmiflion of air, and the open extremity is placed at the
door of the furnace, for the infpe&ion and manipulation of the
procefs. The reverberatory furnace is commonly employed for
roafting, and the heat is at firft very gentle, and flowly raifed to
rednefs. It is accelerated by expofmg as large a furface of the fub-
ftance to be roaited as poilible, and by (lining it frequently, fo as
to prevent any agglutination, and to bring every part in fucceiTion
to the furface.
1 1 6. Charring may be performed on any of the compound
oxides, by fubjecling them to a degree of heat fufficient to expel
ail their hydrogen, nitrogen, and fuperabundant oxygen, while the
carbon, being a fixed principle, remains behind in the ftate of char-
coal. The temperature neceffary for the operation may be pro-
duced either by the combuftion of other fubftances, or by the par-
tial combuftion of the fubftance to be charred. In the former cafe,
the operation may be performed in any veffel which excludes the
accefs of air, while it permits the efcape of the vapours formed. In
the latter, the accefs of air muft be regulated in fuch a manner,
that it may be fupprefled whenever the combuftion has reached the
requifite degree; for if continued to be admitted, the charcoal it-
felf would be diffipated in the form of carbonic acid gas, and no-
thing would remain but the alkaline and earthy matter, which
thefe fubftances always contain. When combuftion is carried this
Pharmaceutical Operations,
25
length, the procefs is termed incineration. The vapours which
arife in the operation of charring, are fometimes condenfed, as in
the manufacture of tar.
117. Evaporation is the converfion of a fluid into vapour, by its
combination with caloric. In this procefs, the atmofphere is not
a neceflary agent, but rather a hinderance, by its prefTure. This
forms a criterion between evaporation and fpontaneous evapora-
tion, which is merely the folution of a fluid in air.
118. It is performed in open, fhallow, or hemifpherical vefTels
of filver, tinned copper or iron, earthen-ware or glafs. The ne-
ceflary caloric may be furnifhed by means of an open fire, a lamp,
or a furnace, either immediately, or with the intervention of fand,
water, or vapour. The degree of heat mult be regulated by the
nature of the fubftance operated on. In general, it fhould not be
greater than what is abfolutely neceflary.
119. Evaporation may be,
a. Partial.
1. From faline fluids ; concentration.
2. From viicid fluids ; infpiflation.
b. Total : exficcation.
120. Concentration is employed,
a. To leflen the quantity of diluting fluids ; dephlegmation.
b. As a preliminary ftep to cryftallization.
121. Iafpijfation is almoft confined to animal and vegetable fub-
flances ; and as thefe are apt to be partially decomposed by heat,
or to become empyreumatic, it fhould always be performed, efpe-
cially towards the end of the procefs, in a water or vapour bath.
122. Exficcation is here taken in a very limited fenfe \ for the
term is alfo with propriety ufed to exprefs the drying of vegetables
by a gentle heat, the efflorefcence of falts, and the abftraclion of
moifture from mixtures of infoluble powders with water, by means
of chalk-ftones or powdered chalk preflfed into a fmooth mafs. At
prefent, we limit its meaning to the total expulfion of moifture
from any body by means of caloric.
123. The exficcation of compound oxides mould always be per-
formed in the water bath.
124-. Salts are deprived of their water of cryftallization by ex-
pofing them to the action of heat in a glafs vefTel or iron ladle.
Sometimes they firft diflblve in their water of cryftallization, or
undergo what is called the watery fufton> and are afterwards con-
verted into a dry mafs by its total expulfion \ as in the calcination
of borax or burning of alum.
E
26
Materia Medic a.
125. When exficcation is attended with a crackling noife, and'
fplitting of the fait, as in muriate of foda, it is termed decrepita-
lion, and is performed by throwing into a heated iron veffel, fmali
quantities of the fait at a time, covering it up, and waiting until
the decrepitation be over, before a frefh quantity is thrown in.
126. Exficcation is performed on faline bodies, to render them
more acrid or pulverulent, or to prepare them for chemical opera-
tions. Animal and vegetable fubftances are exficcated to give them
a folid form, and to prevent their fermentation.
127. Condenfation is the reverfe of expanfion, and is produced
either,
a. By mechanical preflure forcing out the caloric in a fenfible
form, as water is fqueezed out of a fponge, or,
b. By the chemical abftraction of caloric, which is followed
by an approximation of the particles of the fubftance.
128. The latter fpecies of condenfation only is the object of our
inveftigation at prefent. In this way we may be fuppofed to con-
denfe,
a. Subftances exifting naturally as gafes or vapours.
b. Subftances, naturally folid or fluid, converted into vapours
by adventitious circumftances.
129. The former inftance is almoft fuppofititious : for we are
not able, by any diminution of temperature, to reduce the per-
manently elaftic fluids, to a fluid or folid ftate.
130. The latter inftance is always preceded by vaporization, and
comprehends thofe operations in which the fubftances vaporized
are condenfed in proper veffels. When the product is a fluid, it is
termed diftillation ; when folid, fublimation.
131. Diftillation is faid to be performed,
a. Via humidd> when fluids are the fubjects of the opera-
tion.
b. Via ftccdy when folids are fubje£ted to the operation, and
the fluid product, arifes from decomposition, and a new ar-
rangement of the conftituent principles.
132. The objects of diftillation are,
a. To feparate more volatile fluids from lefs volatile fluids or
folids.
b. To promote the union of different fubftances.
c. To generate new products by the action of fire.
Pharmaceutical Operations*
27
133. In all diftillations, the heat applied fhould not be greater
than what is neceffary for the formation of the vapour, and even to
this degree it mould be gradually raifed. The vefTels alfo in which
the diftillation is performed, fhould never be filled above one-half,
and fometimes not above one-fourth, left the fubftance contained
in them mould boil over.
134. As diftillation is a combination of evaporation and con-
denfation, the apparatus confifts of two principal parts :
a. The vefTels in which the vapours are formed.
b. The vefTels in which they are condenfcd.
135. The vefTels employed for both purpofes are very various
in their fhapes, according to the manner in which the operation is
conducted. The firft difference depends on the direction of the
vapour after its formation. It either,
a. Defcends ; diftillation per defcetifutju
b. Afcends : diftillation per afcenfum.
c. Or palTes off by the fide ; diftillation per latus.
136. In the diftillation per defcetifum, a perforated plate of tin-
ned iron, or other materials, is fixed within any convenient veffel,
fo as to leave a fpace beneath it. On this the fubject of the ope-
ration is laid, and over it is placed another plate, accurately clofing
the mouth of the veffel, and fufficiently ftrong to fupport the fuel.
Thus the heat is applied from above, and the vapour is forced to
defcend into the inferior cavity, where it is condenfed. In this
way the oil of cloves is prepared, and on the fame principles tar is
manufactured, and mercury and zinc are feparated from their
ores.
137. In the diftillation per afcenfumy the vapour is allowed to
arife to fome height, and then is conveyed away to be condenfed.
The veffel rnoft commonly employed for this purpofe is the com-
mon copper ftill, which confifts of a body for containing the ma-
terials, and a head into which the vapour afcends. From the
middle of the head a tube rifes for a fhort way, and is then re-
flected downwards, through which the fteam paffes to be condenf-
ed. Another kind of head, rifing to a great height before it is
reflected, is fometimes ufed for feparating fluids, which differ little
in volatility, as it was fuppofed that the lets volatile vapours would
be conJenfed and fall back into the ftill, while only the more vo-
latile vapours would arife to the top, fo as to pafs to the refrigera-
tory. The fame object may be more conveniently attained by
managing the fire with caution and addrefs. The greater the
furface expofed, and the lefs the height the vapours have to af-
28
Materia Medica.
cend, the more rapidly does the diftillation proceed ; and fo well
are thefe principles understood by the Scotch diftillers, that they
do not take more than three minutes to difcharge a {till containing
50 gallons of fluid.
138. The condenfing apparatus ufed with the common ft ill is
very fimple. The. tube in which the head terminates, is inferted
into the upper end of a pipe, v/hich is kept cool by palling through
a vefTel filled with water, called the Refrigeratory. This pipe is
commonly made of a ferpentine form ; but as this renders it diffi-
cult to be cleaned, Br. Black recommends a figmoid pipe. The re-
frigeratory may be furnifhed with a (lop-cock, that when the water
it contains becomes too hot, and does not condenfe all the vapour
produced, it may be changed for cold water. From the lower end
of the pipe, the product of the diftillation drops into the vefTel def-
tined to receive it ; and we may obferve, tljat when any vapour
• iflues along with it, we fhould either diminifti the power of the
fire, or change the water in the refrigeratory.
139. Circulation was a procefs formerly in ufe. It confifted in
arranging the apparatus, fo that the vapours were no fooner con-
denfed into a fluid form, than this fluid returned back into the dif-
tilling veflels, to be again vaporized ; and was effected by diftilling
in a glafs veilel, with fo long a neck that the vapours were con-
denfed before they efcaped at the upper extremity, or by inverting
one matrafs within another.
140. When corrofive fubftances are diftilled in this way, the
cucurbit and alembic are ufed \ but thefe fubftances are more con-
veniently diftilled per latus.
141. The diftillation per latus is performed in a retort, or pear-
fhaped vefTel having the neck bent to one fide. The body of a
good retort is well rounded, uniform in its appearance, and of an
equal thicknefs, and the neck is fufficiently bent to allow the va-
pours, when condenfed, to run freely away, but not fo much as to
render the application of the receiver inconvenient, or to bring it
too near the furnace. The paflage from the body into the neck
muft be perfectly free and fufficiently wide, otherwife the vapours
produced in the retort only circulate in its body, without palling
over into the receiver. For introducing liquors into the retort
without foiling its neck, which would injure the product, a bent
funnel is neceflary. It mult be fufficiently long to introduce the
liquor directly into the body of the retort \ and in withdrawing it,
ve muft carefully keep it applied to the upper part of the retort,
that the drop hanging from it may not touch the infide of the neck.
In fome cafes, where a mixture of different fubftances is to be dif-
tilled, it is convenient and neceffary to have the whole apparatus
properly adjufted before the mixture is made, and we muft there-
Pharmaceutical Operations.
29
fore employ a tubulated retort, or a retort furnifhed with an aper-
ture, accurately clofed with a ground ftopper.
14-2. The tubulature fhould be placed on the upper convex
part of the retort before it bends to form the neck, ib that a fluid
poured through it may fall directly into the body without foiling
the neck.
143. Retorts are made of various materials. Flint-glafs is com-
monly ufed when the heat is not fo great as to melt it. For dift il-
lations which require excefiive degrees of heat, retorts of earthen-
ware, or coated (69. d.) glafs retorts * are employed. Quick-
filver is diftilled in iron retorts.
144. The fimpleft condenfing apparatus ufed with the retort, is
the common glafs-receiver ; which is a veiTel of a conical or glo-
bular form, having a neck fufficiently wide to admit of the neck of
the retort being introduced within it. To prevent the lofs and
difhpation of the vapours to be condenfed, the retort and receiver
may be accurately ground to each other, or fecured by fome proper
lute. To prevent the receiver from being heated by the caloric
evolved during the condenfation of vapours in it, we mult employ
fome means to keep it cool. It is either immerfed in cold water,
or covered with fnow, or pounded ice, or a conftant evaporation is
fupported from its furface, by covering it with a cloth, which is
kept moift by means of the defcent of water, from a velfel placed
above it, through minute fyphons or fpongy worited threads. But
as, during the procefs of distillation, permanently elaftic fluids are
often produced, which would endanger the breaking of the veflels,
thefe are permitted to efcape cither through a tubulature, or hole
in the fide of the receiver, or rather through a hole made in the
luting (73.) Receivers having a fpout ifluing from their fide,
are ufed when we wifli to keep feparate the produces obtained at
different periods of any diitillation. For condenfing very volatile
vapours, a feries of receivers, communicating with each other,
termed Adopters, were formerly ufed j but thefe are now entirely
fuperfeded by Woulfe's apparatus.
145. This apparatus confifts of a tubulated retort, adapted to a
tubulated 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 immerfed, one or more inches, in fome fluid
contained in the bottle. A feries of two or three fimilar bottles
are connected with this fir It bottle in the fame way. In the
middle tubulature of each bottle, a glafs tube is fixed, having its
lower extremity immerfed about a quarter of an inch in the fluid.
The height of the tube above the furface of the fluid mult be
greater than the fum of the columns of fluid ftanding over the
further extremities of the connecting tubes, in all the bottles or
veflels n.ore remote from the retort. Tubes lb adjufted are term-
30
Materia Meclica.
ed Tubes of Safety, for they prevent that reflux of fluid from the
more remote into the nearer bottles, and into the receiver itfelf,
which would otherwife inevitably happen, on any condenfation of
vapour taking place in the retort, receiver, or nearer bottles.
Different contrivances for the fame purpofe have been defcribed
by Mefirs. Welter and Burkit ; and a very ingenious mode of con-
necting the veflels without lute, has been invented by Citizen Gi-
rard, but they would not be eafily underftood without plates. The
further tubulature of the laft bottle is commonly connected with a
pneumatic apparatus, by means of a bent tube. When the whole
is properly adjufted, air blown into the retort fhould pafs through
the receiver, rife in bubbles through the fluids contained in each
of the bottles, and at laft efcape by the bent tube. In the re-
ceiver, thofe products of diftillation are collected, which are con-
denfable by cold alone. The firft bottle is commonly filled with
water, and the others with alkaline folutions, or other active
fluids ; and as the- permanently elaftic fluids produced, are fuccef-
fively fubjected to the action of all of thefe, only thofe gafes will
efcape by the bent tube which are not abforbable by any of
them.
Pneumatic Apparatus.
146. The great importance of the elaftic fluids in modern che-
miftry, has rendered an acquaintance with the means of collecting
and preferving them indifpenfable.
14-7. When a gas is produced by any means, it may be received
either,
a. Into veflels abfolutely empty ; or,
b. Into veflels, filled with fome fluid, on which it exerts no
action.
148. The firft mode (147. a.) of collecting gafes, maybe prac-
tifcd by means of a bladder, moiftened fufliciently to make it per-
fectly pliable, and then comprefled fo as to prefs out every particle
of air from its cavity. In this ftate it may be eafily filled with any
gas. An oiled filk bag will anfwer the fame purpofe, and is more
convenient in fome refpects, as it may be made of any fize or
form.
149. Glafs or metallic veflels, fuch as balloons, may alfo be
emptied for the purpofe of receiving gafes, by fitting them with a
flop-cock, and exhaufting the air from them by means of an air-
pump.
Pharmaceutical Operations. 31
150. But the fecond mode (147. b.) of collecting gafes is the
molt convenient and common.
151. The veflels may be filled either,
a. With a fluid lighter or,
b. Heavier than the gas to be received into it.
152. The former method is feldom employed ; but if we con-
duct, a ftream of any gas heavier than atmofpheric air, fuch as car-
bonic acid gas, muriatic acid gas, &c. to the bottom of any veflel, it
will gradually difplace the air, and fill the veflel.
153. On the contrary, a gas lighter than atmofpheric air, fuch
as hydrogen, may be collected in an inverted veflel by conducting .
a ftream of it to the top.
154-. But gafes are moft commonly collected by conducting the
ftream of gas into an inverted glafs-jar, or any other veflel filled
with water or mercury. The gas afcends to the upper part of the
veflel, and difplaces the fluid. In this way gas may be kept a very
long time, provided a fmall quantity of the fluid be left in the vef-
fels, which prevents both the efcape of the gas, and the admiilion
of atmofpheric air.
155. The veflels may be of various fhapes ; but the moft com-
monly employed are cylindrical. They may be either open only
at one extremity, or furnifhed at the other with a ltop-cock.
156. The manner of filling thefe veflels with fluid, is to im-
merfe them completely in it, with the open extremity directed a
little upwards, fo that the whole air may efcape from them, and
then inverting them with their mouths downwards.
157. For filling them with convenience, a trough or ciftern is
commonly ufed. This either mould be hollowed out of a folid
block of wood or marble ; or, if it be conftructed of wood fimply,
it muft be well painted or lined with lead or tinned copper. Its
fize may vary very much ; but it muft contain a fuflicient depth
of fluid to cover the largeft tranfverfe diameter of the veflels to be
filled in it. At one end or fide, there mould be a fhelf for hold-
ing the veflels after they are filled. This fhelf fhould be placed
about an inch and a half below the furface of the fluid, and mould
be perforated with feveral holes, forming the apices of correfpond-
ing conical excavations on the lower fide, through which, as
through inverted funnels, gafeous fluids may be more eafily intro-
duced into the veflels placed over them.
158. In general the veflels ufed with a mercurial apparatus
fhould be flronger and fmaller than thofe for a water-ciftern, and
we muft have a variety of glafs and elaftic tubes for conveying the
gafes from the vefTels in which they are formed, to the funnels
under the fhelf
32
Materia Medica.
159. Rectification is the repeated diftillation of any fluid. When
diftillation renders the fluid ftronger, or abftracts water from it,
it is termed Dephlegmation. When a fluid is diftilled off from any
fubftance, it is called Abjhaclion s and if the product be re-diftilled
from the fame fubftance, or a frefti quantity of the fame fubftance,
it is denominated Cohobation.
160. Sublimation differs from diftillation only in the form of the
product. "When it is compact, it is termed a Sublimate ; when
loofe and fpongy, it formerly had the improper appellation of
Flowers. Sublimation is fometimes performed in a crucible, and
the vapours are condenfed in a paper cone, or in another crucible
inverted over it \ fometimes in the lower part of a glafs flafk, cu-
curbit or phial, and the condenfation is effected in the upper part
or capital, and fometimes in a retort with a very fhort and wide
neck, to which a conical receiver is fitted. The heat is mod com-
monly applied through the medium of a fand-bath \ and the degree
of heat, and the depth to which the veflel is inferted in it, are re-
gulated by the nature of the fublimation.
161. Congelation is the reduction of a fluid to a folid form, in
confequence of the abftraction of caloric. The means employed •
for abftracting the caloric, are the evaporation of volatile fluids,
the folution of folids, and the contact of cold bodies.
162. Coagulation is the converfion of a fluid into a folid of great-
er or lefs confiftence, merely in confequence of a new arrangement
of its particles, as during the procefs there is no feparation of ca-
loric or any other fubftance. The means of producing coagula-
tion, are increafe of temperature, and the addition of certain fub-
ftances, as acids and runnets.
Combination.
163. Chemical combination is the intimate union of the par-
ticles of at leaft two heterogeneous bodies. It is the effect refulting
from the exertion of the attraction of aflinity, and is therefore fub-
jected to all the laws of affinity.
164. To produce the chemical union of any bodies, it is necef-
fary,
1 . That they pofTefs affinity for each other.
2. That their particles come into actual contact.
3. That the ftrength of the affinity be greater than any coun-
teracting caufes which may be prefent.
165. The principal counteracting caufes are,
1. The attraction of aggregation.
2. Affinities for other fubftances.
Pharmaceutical Operations. 33
166. The means to be employed for overcoming the action of
other affinities will be treated of under Decompofition.
167. The attraction of aggregation is overcome by means of
1. Mechanical divifion.
2. The action of caloric.
168. Combination is facilitated by increafing the points of ac-
tual contact,
1. By mechanical agitation.
2. By condenfation ; compreflion.
169. The procefies employed for producing combination, may
be confidered,
1. With regard to the nature of the fubftances combined ;
and,
2. To the nature of the compound produced.
Gafes,
1. Combine with gafes *,
2. And diflblve fluids or folids *,
3. Or are abforbed by them.
Fluids,
1. Are diflblved in gafes;
2. Or abforb them.
3. Combine with fluids,
4. And diflblve folids *,
5. Or are rendered folid by them.
Solids,
1. Are diflblved in fluids and in gafes •, or,
2. Abforb gafes,
3. And folidify fluids.
170. The combination of gafes with each other, in fome in-
fiances, takes place when fimply mixed together : thus nitrous
and oxygen gafes combine as foon as they come into contact, ; in
other infiances, it is neceflary to elevate their temperature to a de-
gree fufficient for their inflammation, either by means of the elec-
34
Materia Medica.
trie fpark, or the contact of an ignited body, as in the combina-
tion of oxygen gas with hydrogen or nitrogen gas.
171. When gafes combine with each other, there is always a
considerable diminution of bulk, and not unfrequently they are
condenfed into a liquid or folid form. Hydrogen and oxygen
gafes form water ; muriatic acid and ammonia gafes form folid
muriate of ammonia. But when the combination is effected by
ignition, a violent expanfion, which endangers the burfting of the
veflels, previoufly takes place, in confequence of the increafe of
temperature.
172. Solution is the diminution of aggregation in any folid or
fluid fubftance, in confequence of its entering into chemical com-
bination. The fubfiance, whether folid or fluid, whofe aggrega-
tion is leiTened, is termed the Solvend \ and the fubfiance, by whofe
agency the folution is effected, is often called the Menftruum or
Solvent.
173. Solution is faid to be performed via humidd, when the na-
tural form of the folvent is fluid ; but when the agency of heat is
neceffary to give the folvent its fluid form, the folution is faid to
be performed via ftccd.
174. The diflblving power of each menftruum is limited, and
is determinate with regard to each folvend. The folubility of
bodies is alio limited and determinate with regard to each men-
ftruum.
175. When any menftruum has diflblved the greateft poffible
quantity of any folvend, it is faid to be faturated with it. But, in
fome cafes, although faturated with one fubftance, it is hull capable
of diflblving others. Thus a faturated folution of muriate of foda
will diflblve a certain quantity of nitrate of potafs, and after that a
portion of muriate of ammonia.
176. The diflblving power of folvents, and confequently the
folubility of folvends, are generally increafed by increafe of tem-
perature : and converfely, this power is diminifhed by diminution
of temperature \ fo that, from a faturated folution, a feparation of
a portion of the folvend generally takes place on any reduction of
temperature. This property becomes extremely ufeful in many
chemical operations, efpecially in cryftallization.
177. Particular terms have been applied to particular cafes of
fokition.
178. The folution of a fluid in the atmofphere is termed fpon-
taneous evaporation. It is promoted by expoling a large furface,
by frequently renewing the air in contact with the furface, and by
increafe of temperature.
179. Some folids have fo ftrong an aflinity for water, that they
attract it from the atmofphere in fufficient quantity to diflblve
them. Thefe are faid to deliquefce. Others, on the contrary, re-
i
Pharmaceutical Operations.
35
fain their water of cryftallization with fo weak a force, that the
atmofphere attracts it from them, fo that they crumble into pow-
der. Thefe are fain* to cfflorefcc. Both operations are promoted by
expofing large furfaces, and by a current of air ; but the latter is
facilitated by a warm dry air, and the former by a cold humid at-
mofphere.
180. Solution is alfo employed to feparate fubflances, (for ex-
ample, faline bodies), which are foluble in the menftruum, from
others which are not. When our objeft is to obtain the foluble
fubftance in a ftate of purity, the operation is termed tixiviatiofr,
and as fmall a quantity of the menftruum as is poflible is ufed.
When, however, it is employed to free an infoluble fubftance from
foluble impurities, it is termed edulcoration, which is beft performed
by ufing a very large quantity of the menftruum.
181. Organic products being generally compofed of heteroge-
neous fubflances, are only partially foluble in the different men-
ftrua. To the folution of any of thefe fubflances, while the others
remain undiflblved, the term extraction is applied ; and when, by
evaporation, the fubftance extracted is reduced to a folid form, it is
termed an Extract, which is hard or foft, watery or fpiritous, ac-
cording to the degree of confiftency it acquires, and the nature of
the menftruum employed.
182. Jnfufwn is employed to extract the virtues of aromatic and
volatile fubflances, which would be diffipated by decoction, and
deftroyed by maceration, and to feparate fubflances of eafy folu-
tion from others which are lefs foluble. The procefs confifts in
pouring upon the fubftance to be infufed, placed in a proper
vefTel, the menftruum, either hot or cold, according to the direc-
tion, covering it up, agitating it frequently, and after a due time
draining or decanting oft' the liquor, which is now termed the In-
fufion.
183. Maceration differs from infufion, in being continued for a
longer time, and can only be employed for fubftances which do
not eafily ferment or fpoil.
1 84*. Dige/tiofi, on the other hand, differs from maceration only
in the activity of the menftruum being promoted by a gentle de-
gree of heat. It is commonly performed in a glafs matrafs, which
lhould only be filled one third, and covered with a piece of wet
bladder, pierced with one or more fmall holes, fo that the evapo-
ration of the menftruum may be prevented as much as poftible,
without rifk of burfting the vefTel. The veflel may be heated,
either by means of the fun's rays, of a common fire, or of the fand-
bath ; and when the laft is employed, the veflel ftiould not be funk
deeper in the fand than the portion that is filled. Sometimes
when the menftruum employed is valuable, a diftilling apparatus is
ufed to prevent any wafte of it. At other times, a blind capital is
36
Materia Medica.
luted on the matrafs, or a fmaller matrafs is inverted within a
larger one ; and as the vapour which arifes is condenfed in it, and
runs back into the larger, the procefs in this form has got the name
of Circulation.
185. DecoElion is performed by fubjecting the fubftances operat-
ed on to a degree of heat which is fufficient to convert the men-
ftruum into vapour, and can only be employed with advantage for
extracting principles which are not volatile, and from fubftances
whole texture is fo denfe and compact as to refift the lefs active
methods of folution. When the menftruum is valuable, that por-
tion of it which is converted into vapour, is generally faved by
condenfing it in a diftilling apparatus (134.)
186. Solutions in alcohol are termed Tinctures, and in vinegar
or wine, Medicated vinegar or wines. The folution of metals in
mercury is termed Amalgamation. The combinations of other
metals with each other form Alloys.
187. Abforptlon is the condenfation of a gas into a fluid or folid
form, in confecuence of its combination with a fluid or folid.
It is facilitated by increafe of furface and agitation ; and the power
of abforption in fluids is much increafed by compreffion and dimi-
nution of temperature, although in every inftance it be limited and
determinate. Dr. Nooth invented an ingenious apparatus for com-
bining gafes with fluids, r.nd Meffrs. Schweppe, Paul and Cuthbert-
fon have very advantageoufly employed compreffion.
188. Fluids often become folid by entering into combination
with folids, and this change is always accompanied by confiderable
increafe of temperature, as in the flaking of lime.
Decomposition.
189. Decompofition is the feparation of bodies which were che-
mically combined.
190. It can only be effected by the agency of fubftances poffeff-
ing a ftronger affinity for one or more of the conftituents of the
compound, than thefe poiTefs for each other.
191. Decompofition has acquired various appellations, according
to the phenomena which accompany it.
192. Diffblution differs from folution in being accompanied by
the decompofition, or a change in the nature of the fubftance dif-
folved. Thus, we correctly fay, a folution of lime in muriatic
acid, and a diffolution of chalk in muriatic acid.
193. Sometimes a gas is feparatcd during the action of bodies
on each other. When this efcapes with confiderable violence and
agitation of the fluid, it is termed cffervefccnce. The gas is very
frequently allowed to cfcape into the atmofphere, but at other times
Pharmaceutical Operations.
37
is either collected in a pneumatic apparatus, or made to enter into
fome new combination. The veflels in which an effervefcing
mixture is made, mould be high and fufficiently large, to prevent
any lofs of the materials from their running over, and in fome
cafes the mixture mud be made flowly and gradually.
194«. Precipitation is the reverfe of folution. It comprehends
all thofe procefies in which a folid is obtained by the decompofi-
tion of a folution. The fubftance feparated is termed a Precipi-
tate, if it fink to the bottom of the fluid •, or a Cream, if it fwim
above it. Precipitation, like folution, is performed either via hu-
midd, or via ftccd (173.)
J 95. Precipitation is effected,
1. By leflening the quantity of the folvent by evaporation.
'2. By diminifhing its powers, as by reduction of temperature,
or dilution.
3. Or by the addition of fome chemical agent, which from
its more powerful affinities,
a. Either combines with the folvent, and precipitates the
folvend •,
b. Or forms itfelf an infoluble compound with fome confti-
tuent of the folution.
196. The objects of precipitation are,
h The feparation of fubftances from folutions in which they
are contained.
2. The purification of folutions from prccipitable impurities.
# 3. The formation of new combinations.
107. The two firft means of precipitation have been already
noticed.
198. In performing it in the laft manner, we may obferve the
following rules :
1. The folution and precipitant muft pofTefs the requifite de-
gree of purity.
2. The folution fnould be perfectly faturated, to avoid unne-
cessary expenditure of the folvent or precipitant.
3. The one is to be added flowly and gradually to the other.
4. After each addition, they are to be thoroughly mixed by
agitation.
5. We muft allow the mixture to fettle, after we think that
enough of the precipitant has been added, and try a little of
the clear folution, by adding to it fome of the precipitant ;
if any precipitation takes place, we have not added enough
38
Materia Medica.
of the precipitant. This is necefTary, not only to avoid
lofs, but in many inftances, the precipitant, if aded din
excefs, re-diflblves or combines with the precipitate.
199. After the precipitation is completed, the precipitate is to
be feparated from the fupernatant fluid by fome of the means al-
ready noticed.
200. When the precipitate is the chief object of our procefs, and
when it is not foluble in water, it is often advifable to dilute, to a
confiderable degree, both the folution and precipitant, before per-
forming the operation. When it is only difficultly foluble, we mull
content ourfelves with warning the precipitate, after it is feparated
by filtration. In fome cafes the feparation of the precipitate is
much afiifted by a gentle heat.
201. Cryjlallization is a fpecies of precipitation, in which the
particles of the folvend, on feparating from the folution, aflume
certain determinate forms.
202. The conditions neceffary for cryftallization are,
1. That the integrant particles have a tendency to arrange
themfelves in a determinate manner, when acted on by the
attraction of aggregation.
2. That they be difaggregated,. at leall lb far as to poffefs
fufficient mobility to aflume their peculiar arrangement.
3. That the caufes difaggregating them be flowly and gra-
dually removed.
203. Notwithstanding the immenfe variety in the forms of cry-
ftals, M. Hauy has rendered it probable, that there are only three
forms of the integrant particles :
1. The parallelopiped.
2. The triangular prifm.
3. The tetrahedron.
204. But as thefe particles may unite in different ways, either
by their faces or edges, they will compofe cryftals of various
forms.
205. The primitive forms have been reduced to fix :
1. The parallelopiped.
2. The regular tetrahedron.
3* The octahedron with triangular faces.
4. The fix-fided prifm.
5. The dodecahedron terminated by rhombs.
fy. The dodecahedron with ifofceles triangular faces.
Pharmaceutical Operations. 39
206'. Almoft all fubftances, on cryftallizing, retain a portion of
water combined with them, which is effential to their exiftence as
cryftals, and is therefore denominated Water of cryftallization. Its
quantity varies very much in different cryftallized fubftances.
207. The means by which the particles of bodies are difaggre-
gated, fo as to admit of cryftallization, are folution, fufion, va-
porization, or mechanical divifion and fufpenfion in a fluid me-
dium.
208. The means by which the difaggregating caufes are remo-
ved, are, evaporation, reduction of temperature, and reft.
209. When bodies are merely fufpended in a ftate of extreme
mechanical divifion, nothing but reft is neceflary for their cryftal-
lization.
210. When they are difaggregated by fufion or vaporization, the
regularity of their cryftals depends on the llownefs with which
their temperature is reduced ; for if cooled too quickly, their par-
ticles have not time to arrange themfelves, and are converted at
once into a confufed or unvaried folid mafs. Thus glafs, which
when cooled quickly, is fo perfectly uniform in its appearance,
when cooled flowly has a cryftalline texture. But in order to ob-
tain cryftals by means of fufion, it is often neceflary, after the fub-
ftance has begun to cryftallize, to remove the part which re-
mains fluid, for otherwife it would fill up the interftices among the
cryftals firft formed, and give the whole the appearance of one
folid mafs. Thus, after a cruft has formed on the top of melted
fulphur, by pouring off the ftill fluid part, we obtain regular cry-
ftals.
211. The means by which bodies, which have been difaggre-
gated by folution, are made to cryftallize molt regularly, vary ac-
cording to the habitudes of the bodies with their folvents and ca-
loric.
212. Some faline fubftances are much more foluble in hot than
in cold water. Therefore a boiling faturated folution of any of
thefe will depofite, on cooling, the excefs of fait, which it is unable
to diflblve when cold. Thefe falts commonly contain much water
of cryftallization.
213. Other falts are fcarcely, if at all, more foluble in hot than
in cold water ; and, therefore, their folutions muft be evaporated
either by heat or fpontaneoufly. Thefe falts commonly contain
little water of cryftallization.
214. The beauty and fize of the cryftals depend upon the pu-
rity of the folution, its quantity, and the mode of conducting the
evaporation, and cooling.
215. When the fait is not more foluble in hot than in cold wa-
ter, by means of gentle evaporation a fucceffion of pellicles are
40 Materia Medica.
formed on the top of the folution, which either are removed or
permitted to fink to the bottom by their own weight ; and the
evaporation is continued until the cryftallization be completed.
216. But when the fait is capable of cryftallizing on cooling,
the evaporation is only continued until a drop of the folution,
placed upon fome cold body, Ihews a difpofition to cryftallize, or
at fartheft only until the firft appearance of a pellicle. The folu-
tion is then covered up, and fet afide to cool, and the more flowly
it cools, the more regular are the cryftals. The mother-water or
folution, which remains after the cryftals are formed, may be re-
peatedly treated in the fame way as long as it is capable of furnifh-
ing any more fait.
217. When very large and beautiful cryftals are wanted, they
may be obtained by laying well-formed cryftals in a faturated folu-
tion of the fame fait, and turning them every day. In this way
their fize may be confiderably increafed, though not without limi-
tation, for after a certain time they grow fmaller inftead of larger.
218. Cryftallization is employed,
1. To obtain cryftallizable fubftances in a ftate of purity.
2. To feparate them from each other, by taking advantage of
their different folubility at different temperatures.
OxYGENIZEMENT.
219. The combination of oxygen is the object of many chemi-
cal and pharmaceutical proceffes.
220. With regard to the manner of combination, the oxygenize-
ment may take place either
a. Without the production of heat and light, to exprefs
which there is no other than the generic term oxygenizement ;
or
k. With the production of heat and light ; combuflion.
1 . In fubftances which remain fixed at the temperature ne-
ceflary for their combuftion, there is no other more fpe-
cific term.
2. In fubftances which exift as gafes, or are pre viou fly re-
duced to the ftate of vapour by the temperature necef-
fary, it is termed inflammation ; and if it proceed with
very great violence and rapidity, deflagration.
"I'll. Deflagration from its violence muft always be performed
with caution. The common mode of conducting this procefs, is
Pharmaceutical Operations,
41
to introduce the fubftances to be deflagrated together into any con-
venient veflel, commonly an iron pot, or crucible, heated to rednefs.
But to obviate any inconvenience, and to enfure the iuccefs of the
procefs, they are previoufly made perfectly dry, reduced to pow-
der, and thoroughly mixed together, and they are deflagrated
gradually, for example, by fpoonfuls •, but we muft take care al-
ways to examine the fpoon, left a fpark mould adhere to it, which
might fet fire to the whole mafs. During the procefs, the portion
introduced mould be frequently ftirred.
222. The oxygen neceffary for the procefTes, 'may be derived
from the decompofition
a. Of oxygen gas or atmofpheric air.
b. Of oxides.
c. Of acids and their combinations, efpecially the oxygenized
muriatic and nitric acids.
223. The different modes of oxygenjzement are intended, ei-
ther
a. To produce heat and light.
b. To obtain an oxygenized product :
1. An oxide, when the procefs may be termed Oxidize-
ment.
2. An acid, Acidification.
€. To remove an oxygenizable fubftance.
224. Hydrogen, carbon, and nitrogen, are never, unlefs for
experiment, oxygenized as fimple fubftances.
225. Sulphur is converted into fulphuric acid by burning it in
leaden chambers, or by deflagrating it with nitrate of potafs ; and
phofphorus is acidified by inflammation in the atmofphere.
226. Of all the fimple oxygenizable fubftances, the metals are
mod frequently combined with oxygen ; and as, in confequence
of this combination, they lofe their metallic appearance, they
were formerly faid to be calcined or corroded. .
227. Metals differ very much in the facility with which they
are oxygenized by the contact of oxygen gas. For fome, as iron
and manganefe, the ordinary temperature of the atmofphere is
fufficient •, others, as gold and platinum, fcarceiy undergo any
change in the moil violent heat. The operation is performed by
heating them to the requifite temperature, and expofing them to
the action of the air ; and on the fufible metals it is promoted by
ftirring them when melted.
G
42
Materia Medica.
228. Metals alfo differ in the mode of their action upon water.
They are either capable of decompofing water,
a. At ordinary temperatures, as iron, zinc, manganefe, &c.
b. At elevated temperatures, as antimony and tin ; or,
c When acted upon at the fame time by an acid or an al-
kali, as copper, lead, bifmuth ; or, laftly,
d. They are incapable of decompofing it, as gold, filver, mer-
cury, platinum.
229. The oxygenizement of metals by water is promoted by
the action of air. Iron, for example, is more quickly rufted
by being merely moiftened with water, than when totally immer-
fed in water.
230. But the acids are the mod powerful agents in oxygenizing
metals. They do it in two ways, either
1. By enabling them to decompofe water.
2. By being decompofed themfelves.
231. Sulphuric acid is decompofed by very few metals, unlefs
aflifted by confiderable increafe of temperature ; but it powerful-
ly promotes the decompofition of water.
232. Nitric acid is decompofed by many of them with very
great violence, proceeding in fome inftances even to inflammation.
It alfo oxygenizes them to the higheft degree of which they are
fufceptible. It feldom produces the decompofition of water.
233. Muriatic acid is never decompofed, and only acts on thofe
metals capable of decompofing water.
234. Oxygenized muriatic acid refembles the nitric, both in the
violence of its action, and in the extent to which it carries the
oxygenizement of the metals.
235. The metals ai»e fufceptible of different degrees of oxyge-
nizement, fome of them even of acidification, and in general,
they are more oxygenized according to the rapidity of the procefs.
When proceeding too flowly, it may be accelerated by heat ;
when too violent, it muft be checked by diminution of tempera-
ture, as by plunging the vefiel in which the operation is perform-
ing into cold water.
236. When the degree of oxygenizement is not very great, the
oxide formed, generally enters into combination with the acid
employed, and forms a metallic fait ; but when carried to its high-
eft degree, the oxide is often infoluble.
Pharmaceutical Operations,
43
DlSOXYGENIZEMENT OF METALLIC OXIDES AND AciDS.
237. This procefs was formerly termed reduction, from its re-
ftoring them to their metallic fplendour ; and is performed by cauf-
ing fome body to aft upon them, which has a greater affinity for
oxygen than they have. The different metals themfelves vary very
much in the degree of this affinity, fo that they are reduced with
very different degrees of facility. Gold, filver, platinum, and
mercury, are reduced by merely expofing them to a fuffkient de-
gree of heat in clofe veffels. The oxygen at this temperature has a
greater affinity for caloric than for the metals, and is therefore
driven off in the form of very pure oxygen gas.
238. The other metallic oxides which refill the fimple action of
heat, may be reduced by melting them in contact with charcoal,
or fubftances which may be charred, fuch as oil, fat, rofin, pitch,
&c. Befides the charcoal, different faline fluxes are alfo added
to facilitate the fufion of the oxide.
239. The oxide to be reduced is mixed with a fufficient quan-
tity of any of thefe fubftances, and placed in the bottom of a cru-
cible, which is afterwards rilled up with charcoal powder to pre-
vent entirely the accefs of the air, and expofed for a length of
time to a fufficiently high temperature, when a button of the me-
tal will commonly be found in the bottom of the crucible. Upon
the volatile metals, fuch as arfenic and zinc, this operation muft
be performed in a diltilling or fubliming apparatus. Some metal-
lic oxides, fuch as thofe of platinum, columbium, &C. cannot be
reduced, from our being unable to produce a degree of heat fuffi-
cient to melt them.
240. Metals may be alfo obtained from the metallic falts, by in-
ferring in a folution of thefe a plate of another metal, poflefling a
ftronger affinity for oxygen and for the acid. Thus copper is pre-
cipitated by iron, and arfenic by zinc. We muft only take care
that the two metals have no remarkable affinity for each other, as
in that cafe an alloy is commonly produced. For example, when
mercury is placed in a folution of filver, a cryftallized amalgam of
filver is obtained, formerly called the Arbor Dianse.
24-1. The compound oxides may be further oxygenized, by
treating them with nitric acid. In this way various 3cids are
formed, according to the nature of the oxide operated on, the
quantity of the acid, and the mode of conducting the procefs.
242. They alfo undergo changes by gradually combining with
the oxygen of the atmofphere. In fome cafes, this combination is
attended with remarkable phenomena, which have been claffed
under the term fermentation.
44
Materia Medica.
243. There are feveral fpecies of fermentation, which have
been named from the produces they afford.
1. The faccharine, which produces fugar.
2. The vinous, which produces wine, beer, and fimilar fluids.
3. The panary, which produces bread.
4. The acetous, which produces vinegar.
5. The putrefactive, which produces ammonia.
244. The fame fubftances are fometimes capable of undergoing
the firft, fecond, fourth, and fifth; or third, fourth, and fifth, fuc-
ceffively, but never in a retrograde order.
245. The conditions neceflary for all of them, are,
1. The prefence of a fufiicient quantity of fermentable mat-
ter.
2. The prefence of a certain proportion of water.
3. The contact of atmofpheric air ; and,
4. A certain temperature.
246. The faccharine fermentation. — The feeds of barley, when
moiftened with a certain quantity of water, and expofed to the
contact of the atmofpheric air, at a temperature of not lefs than
50°, fwell, and {hew marks of incipient vegetation, by puffiing
forth the radicle. If at this period the fermentation be checked,
by expefing them to a confiderable degree of heat, and drying
them thoroughly, the infipid amylaceous matter, of which the
feeds principally confided, will be found to be changed in part
into a fweet faccharine fubftance. The oxygen of the air, in con-
tact: with the feeds, is at the fame time converted into carbonic
acid gas, by combining with part of the carbon of the feeds; and
there is a confiderable increafe of temperature in the fermenting
mafs, even to fuch a degree as fometimes to fet it on fire. Simi-
lar phenomena occur in the maturation of fruits, in the cookery
of fome roots and fruits, and during the heating of hay, when
put up too wet.
247. The vinous fermentation. — The conditions necefTary for the
vinous fermentation, are the prefence of proper proportions of
fugar, acid, extract, and water, and a temperature of about 70°,
When thefe circumftances exift, an intefiine motion commences in
the fluid ; it becomes thick and muddy; its temperature increafes,
and carbonic acid gas is evolved. After a time the fermentation
ceafes ; the feces rife to the top, or fubfide to the bottom ; the
liquor becomes clear; it has loft its faccharine tafte, and afiumed
n new one, and its fpecific gravity is diminilhed. If the fermen-
tation has been complete, the fugar is entirely decompofed, and
Pharmaceutical Operations.
45
the fermented liquor confifts of a large proportion of water* of
alcohol, of malic acid, of extract, of elTential oil, and colouring
matter. The fubftances moft commonly fubjecled to this fermen-
tation, are, Muft, which is the exprefled juice of the grape, and
which produces the bed wines ; the juice of the currant and goofe-
berry, which, with the addition of fugar, form our home-made
wines; the juices of the apple and pear, which give cyder and
perry ; and an infufion of malt, which, when fermented with yeaft,
forms beer. The brifknefs and fparkling of fome of thefe liquors,
depends on their being put into clofe veiTels before the fermenta-
tion is completed, by which means a portion of carbonic acid gas
is retained.
248. The acetous fermentation. — All vinous liquors are fufceptible
of the acetous fermentation, provided they be expofed to the action
of the atmofphere, in a temperature not lefs than 70c\ An intef-
tine motion and hilling noife fenfibly take phce in the fluid; it be-
comes turbid, with filaments floating in it, and its temperature in-
creafes ; it exhales a pungent acid fmell, without any difengage-
ment of carbonic acid gas. Gradually thefe phenomena ceale •, the
temperature decreafes •, the motion fubfides, and the liquor be-
comes clear, having depofited a fediment and red glairy matter,
which adheres to the fides of the veffel. During this procefs, the
alcohol and malic acid dilappear entirely, oxygen is abiorbed, and
acetous acid formed.
249. The panary and colouring fermentation — is lefs underftood
than thofe already defcribed. A pafte of wheat flour and water
expofed at a temperature of 65°, fwells, emits a fmali quantity of
gas, and acquires new properties. The gluten difippears, and it
acquires a four difagrceable tafte. If a juft proportion of this fer-
mented pafte or leaven, or, what is ftill better, if fome barm be
formed into a pafte with wheat-flour and water, the fame fermen-
tation is excited, without the difagreeable tafte being produced ;
the gas evolved is prevented from efcaping by the vifcidity of
the pafte, which therefore fwells, and, if baked, forms light, fpongy
bread.
250. The putrefaclive fermentation. — Although vegetable fub-
ftances, when they are deltroyed by fpontaneous decompofition,
are faid to putrefy, we fnall confider this fermentation as belonging
exclullvely to animal fubftances, or thofe which contain nitrogen
as an elementary principle. The eflential conditions of putrefac-
tion are humidity, and a temperature between 4?5° and 1 10c. The
prefence of air, the diminution of preffure, and the addition of fer-
ments, are not elTential, but accelerate its progrefs. The fmell is
at firft infipid and difagreeable, but afterwards infupportably fetid,
although the fetor for a time is fomewhat diminifhed by the mix-
ture of an ammoniacal odour. Liquids become turbid and floccu-
46
Materia Medic a.
lent. Soft fubftances melt down into a gelatinous mafs, in which
there is a kind of gentle motion and fwelling up, from the flow
and fcanty formation of elaftic fluids. Solids, befides the general
foftening, exude a ferofity of various colours, and by degrees the
whole mafs dhTolves, the fwelling ceafes, the matter fettles, and its
colour deepens ; at laffc its odour becomes fomewhat aromatic, its
elements are finally diffipated, and there remains only a kind of
fat, vifciel, and {till fetid mould. The products of putrefaction
are carburetted, fulphuretted, and phofphuretted hydrogen gafes,
water, ammonia, azote, and carbonic acid. Thefe are all diffipat-
ed in the form of gas or vapour. When in contact with air, oxy-
gen is abforbed. Acetic acid, a fatty matter, a foap compofed of
this fat and ammonia, and often the nitric acid, fixed by a falifiable
bafe, are alfo produced ; and the ultimate remains, befides falts,
compofed of acid and earths, contain for a long time a portion of
fat charry matter.
APPENDIX.
TABLES OF SIMPLE AFFINITY.
Arfenic,
OXYGEN.
OXYGEN, a.
NITROGEN.
Molybdenum.
Carbon,
Charcoal,
Titanium,
Oxygen,
*
Manganefe,
Manganefe,
Sulphur r
POTASS, SODA, AND
Zinc,
Zinc,
Phofphorus,
AMMONIA.
Iron,
Iron,
Hydrogen.
Tin,
Tin,
Acids, Sulphuric,
Antimony,
Uranium,
•
Nitric,
Hydrogen,
Molybdenum,
HYDROGEN.
Muriatic,
Phofphorus,
Tungsten,
— — Phofphoric,
Sulphur,
Cobalt,
Oxygen,
J o *
Fluoric,
Arfenic,
Antimony,
Sulphur,
Oxalic,
Nitrogen,
Nickel,
Carbon,
Tartaric,
Nickel,
Arfenic,
Phofphorus,
Arfenic,
Cobalt,
Chromum,
Nitrogen.
Succinic,
Copper,
Bifmuth,
Citric,
Bifmuth,
Lead,
LacHc,
Caloric ?
Copper,
SULPHUR.
Benzoic,
Mercury,
Tellurium,
PHOSPHORUS ?
« Sulphurous,
Silver,
Platinum,
Acetic,
Arfenious acid,
Mercury,
Potafs,
Mucic,
Nitric oxide,
Silver,
Soda,
Boracic,
Gold,
Gold.
Iron,
Nitrous,
Platinum,
Copper,
Carbonic,
Carbonic oxide,
Tin,
Pruffic,
Muriatic acid,
CARBON.
Lead,
Oil,
White oxide of
Silver,
Water,
Manganefe,
Oxygen,
Bifmuth,
Sulphur.
White oxide of
Iron,
Antimony,
Lead.
Hydrogen.
Mercury,
a. Vauquclin's Table of the affinity of the metals for oxygen, according to the difficulty
with which their oxides are deccmpofed by heat.
48
Materia Medica,
TABLES OF SIMPLE AFFINITY CONTINUED.
BARYTA.
Acids, Sulphuric,
— Oxalic,
— Succinic,
— Fluoric,
— Phofphoric,
— Mucic,
— Nitric,
— Muriatic,
— Suberic,
— Citric,
— Tartaric,
— Arfenic,
— Lactic,
— Benzoic,
— Acetic,
— Boracic,
— Sulphurous,
— Nitrous,
— Carbonic,
— ■Pruffic,
Sulphur,
Phofphorus,
Water,
Fixed oil.
Acids. Succinic,
Acetic,
Arfenic,
Boracic,
Carbonic,
W ater.
LIME.
Acids. Oxalic,
— Sulphuric,
— Tartaric,
— Succinic,
~ — Phofphoric,
— Mucic,
— Nitric,
— Muriatic,
— Suberic,
— Fluoric,
— Arfenic,
— Lactic,
— Citric,
— Malic,
— Benzoic,
Acetic,
STRONTIA.
Acids. Sulphuric,
— Phofphoric,
— Oxalic,
— Tartaric,
Fluoric,
— Nitric,
— Muriatic,
Boracic,
Sulphurous,
Nitrous,
Carbonic,
Pruffic,
Sulphur,
Phofphorus,
Water,
Fixed oil.
MAGNESIA.
Acids. Oxalic,
- Phofphoric,
- Sulphuric,
- Fluoric,
- Arfenic,
- Mucic,
- Succinic,
- Nitric,
- Muriatic,
- Tartaric,
- Citric,
- Malic ?
~ Lactic,
- Benzoic,
Acetic,
Boracic,
Sulphurous,
Nitrous,
Carbonic,
Prufliq,
Sulphur.
ALUMINA.
Acids. Sulphuric,
Nitric,
Muriatic,
Oxalic,
Arfenic,
Fluoric,
Tartaric,
Succinic,
Mucic,
Citric,
Acids. Phofphoric,
Lactic,
Benzoic,
Acetic,
Boracic,
Sulphurous,
Nitrous,
Carbonic,
Pruffic,
SILICA.
Fluoric acid,
Potafs.
OX. OF PLATINUM.
GOLD. a.
Gallic acid,
Muriatic,
Nitric,
Sulphuric,
Arfenic,
Fluoric,
Tartaric,
Phofphoric,
Oxalic,
Citric,
Acetic,
Succinic,
Pruffic,
Carbonic,
Ammonia.
a. Omitting the oxalic, citric, fuccinic, and carbonic, and adding fulphuretted hydrogen
after ammonia.
App. Affinities. 49
TABLES OF SIMPLE AFFINITY CONTINUED.
Boracic,
Phofphoric,
Muriatic,
Oxide of Silver.
Pruffic,
Succinic,
Nitric,
Gallic acid,
Carbonic.
Fluoric,
Citric,
Phofphoric,
Arfenic,
Muriatic,
Laclic,
Fluoric,
Oxalic,
Oxide of Lead.
Acetic,
Succinic,
Sulphuric,
Mucic,
Phofphoric,
Sulphurous,
Gallic,
Sulphuric,
Mucic,
Boracic,
Pruffic,
Citric,
Laftic,
Carbonic,
Fixed alkalies,
Acetic,
Boracic,
Nitric,
Oxalic,
Ammonia,
Pruffic,
Arfenic,
Arfenic,
Fixed oils.
Carbonic.
Fluoric,
Tartaric,
Phofphoric,
Muriatic,
Tartaric,
Citric,
Oxide ofArse-
Oxide ofTin<t.
La<ftic,
Succinic,
Acetic,
Pruffic,
Sulphurous,
Suberic,
Nitric,
Fluoric,
mc.
Gallic,
Muriatic,
Oxalic,
Sulphuric,
Nitric,
Tartaric,
Phofphoric,
Fluoric,
Gallic,
Muriatic,
Sulphuric,
Carbonic,
Ammonia.
Citric,
Malic,
Succinic,
Oxalic,
Tartaric,
Arfenic,
Phofphoric,
Nitric,
Succinic,
Oxide of Mer-
cury.
Laclic,
Acetic,
Benzoic,
Gallic acid,
Muriatic,
Oxalic,
Succinic,
Arfenic,
Boracic,
Pruffic,
Carbonic,
Fixed oils,
Ammonia.
Succinic,
Citric,
Acetic,
Pruffic,
Fixed alkalies,
Ammonia,
Fixed oils,
Water.
Fluoric,
ft IT
Mucic,
Citric,
La£Hc,
Acetic,
Boracic,
Phofphoric,
Sulphuric,
Mucic,
Oxide ofCopper.
Pruffic,
Ammonia.
Tartaric,
Citric,
Gallic,
Oxalic,
(i v inc r\ t? T t> r\ v
W-YlDfci Ur IKUiN.
Oxide ofZinc
Malic,
Sulphurous,
Tartaric,
Gallic,
Oxalic,
Muriatic,
Gallic,
Nitric,
Sulphuric,
Tartaric,
Oxalic,
Sulphuric,
Fluoric,
Mucic,
Camphoric,
Acetic,
Nitric,
Sulphuric,
Muriatic,
Benzoic,
Arfenic,
Mucic,
Mucic,
«. Bergman p aces the tartaric before the muriatic.
H
Materia Medica.
TABLES OF SIMPLE AFFINITY CONTINUED.
Nitric,
Tartaric,
Phofphoric,
Citric,
Succinic,
Fluoric,
Arfenic,
Lactic,
Acetic,
Boracic,
Pruflic,
Carbonic,
Fixed alkalies,
Ammonia.
Ox. of Anti
MO NY.
Gallic,
Muriatic,
Benzoic,
Oxalic,
Sulphuric,
Nitric,
Tartaric,
Mucic,
Phofphoric,
Citric,
Succinic,
Fluoric,
Arfenic,
Lactic,
Acetic,
Boracic,
Pruflic,
Fixed alkalies,
Ammonia.
Sulphuric Acid,
Prussic a.
Baryta,
Strontia,
Potafs,
Soda,
Lime,
Magnefla,
Ammonia,
Glucina,
Gadolina,
Alumina,
Zirconia,
Metallic oxides.
Phosphoric Aci
Carbonic c.
Baryta,
Strontia,
Lime,
Potafs,
Soda,
Ammonia,
Magnefia,
Glucina,
Alumina,
Zirconia,
Metallic oxides,
Silica.
|Soda,
d. Strontia,
jLime,
Magnefia,
Ammonia,
Glucina,
Alumina,
Zirconia,
Metallic oxides.
SuLPHUROUsAciD,
Succinic, b.
Baryta,
Lime,
Potafs,
Soda,
Strontia,
Magnefia,
Ammonia,
Glucina,
Alumina,
Zirconia,
Metallic Oxides.
Phosphorous
Acid.
Lime,
Baryta,
Strontia,
Potafs,
Soda,
Ammonia,
Glucina,
Alumina,
Zirconia,
Metallic oxides.
Nitric Acid.
Muriatic d.
Baryta,
Potafs,
Fluoric Acid.
Boracic <
Arsenic f.
Tungstic
Lime,
Baryta,
Strontia,
Magnefia,
Potafs,
Soda,
Ammonia,
Glucina,
Alumina,
Zirconia^
Silica.
Acetic Acid.
Lactic •
Suberic g
Baryta,
Potafs,
Soda,
Strontia.
a. With the omiffion of all after ammonia.
6. Ammonia fhould come before magnefia, and ftrontia, glucina and zircoaia fhonld be
c. Magnefia mould ftand above ammonia, and alumina and filica fhould be omitted.
d. Ammonia fhould ftand above magnefia.
t. Silica fhould be omitted, and inftead of it water and alcohol be inferted.
/. Except filica.
g. With the omiflien of ftrontia, metallic oxides, glucina and zirconia.
App.
Affinities.
51
TABLES OF SIMPLE AFFINITY CONTINUED.
Lime,
Ammonia,
Magnefia,
Metallic oxides,
Benzoic Acid.
Fixed Oil.
Sulphuretted
White oxide of
Lime,
Hydrogen.
Glucina,
Alumina,
Arfenic,
Potafs,
i3aryta,
Potafs,
Baryta,
Potafs,
Zirconia.
Soda,
Soda,
Soda,
Ammonia,
Magnefia,
Oxide of Mercu-
ry >
Other metallic ox-
ides,
Alumina.
Lime,
Oxalic Acid.
Tartaric
Citric a.
Baryta,
Lime,
Magnefia,
Alumina.
Ammonia,
Magnefia,
Zirconia.
Lime,
Camphoric Acid.
.Lime,
Potafs,
Baryta,
Strontia,
Magnefia,
Potafs,
Alcohol.
Water,
Soda,
Soda,
Ether,
Ammonia,
Alumina,
Metallic oxides,
Baryta,
Ammonia,
Alumina,
Volatile oil,
Alkaline Sulphu-.
rets.
Water,
Alcohol.
Magnefia.
a. Zirconia after alumina.
Cases of Mutual Decomposition.
1. From fimple Affinity.*
Sulphate of Potafs,
Soda,
Ammonia,
Magnefia,
Super-fulphate of Alumina,
Nitrate of Potafs,
Ammonia,
with Muriate of Baryta
— Nitrate of Potafs.
— Muriate of Soda.
— Carbonate of Potafs.
— Muriate of Lime.
— Baryta.
— Phofphate of Soda.
* Simple Affinity is, when two bodies unite, in confequence of their mutual at-
traction alone, whether thefe bodies be themfelvcs fimple or compound, and ev?H
although in the latter cafe, it be attended with decompofition.
52
Materia Medica.
Muriate of Baryta, with
Soda, —
Lime, —
Ammonia, —
Phofphate of Soda, —
Sub-borate of Soda, —
Nitrate of Silver, —
Acetate of Lead, —
Sulphate of Mercury, —
Soap of Pctafs, —
Soap of Soda, —
All the Sulphates and Nitrates.
Carbonate of Potafs.
Sub-borate of Soda.
Carbonate of Potafs.
Muriate of Ammonia.
Carbonate of Potafs.
Muriate of Soda.
Citrate of Potafs.
Muriate of Soda.
Muriate of Soda.
Sulphate of Lime.
2. From compound Affinity.*
Sulphate of Baryta,
Sulphate of Baryta,
Potafs,
Soda,
Muriate of Baryta,
Muriate of Lime,
Phofphate of Soda,
Acetate of Lead,
Acetate of Lead,
ith Carbonate of Potafs.
Soda.
— Muriate of Lime.
— Muriate of Lime.
— Phofphate of Soda.
— Sub-borate of Soda.
— Carbonate of Potafs.
— Soda.
— Ammonia.
— Carbonate of Ammonia.
— Lime.
— Sulphate of Zinc.
— Nitrate of Mercury.
Cases of Disposing Affinity.-)-
The formation of water by the action of the fulphuric acid on
the compound oxides.
The oxidation of metals by water, in confequence of the pre-
fence of an acid.
* Compound Affinity is, when there is more than one new combinaf ion, and when
the new arrangement would not have taken place, in confequence of the attractions
tending to produce either combination fingly.
f Difpofing Affinity is, when bodies, which apparently have no tendency to unite,
combine, in confequence of the addition of another body, which has a fLrong affinity
for the compound.
When the fcience of chemiftry comes to be better underftood, all the cafes at
prefent referred to this lnft fpecics of affinity, will probably be found to belong to
one of the preceding fpecics; for, it is abfurd to fuppofe, that a body can poffef*
affinities before it is formed.
App.
Thermometers.
Thermometers.
Fahrenheit's thermometer is generally ufed in this country.
In it the range between the freezing and boiling points of water is
divided into 180 degrees-, and as the greateft pofiible degree of
cold was fuppofed to be that produced by mixing fnow and mu-
riate of foda, it was made the zero, and the freezing point became
32c, and the boiling point 212°.*
The Centigrade thermometer of France, places the zero at the
freezing point, and divides the range between it and the boiling
point into 100c'. This has long been ufed in Sweden under
the title of Celfius's thermometer.
Reaumur's thermometer, which was formerly ufed in France,
divides the fpace between the freezing and boiling of water into
80°, and places the zero at the freezing point.
Wedgewood's pyrometer is only intended to meafure very high
temperatures. Its zero correfponds with 1077° of Fahrenheit's,
and each degree of Wedgewood is equal to 130 of Fahrenheit.
Dc Lifle's themometer is ufed in Ruflia. The graduation be-
gins at the boiling point, and increafes towards the freezing point.
The boiling point is marked 0, and the freezing point 150.
Therefore 180° F.= 100° C.=80° R.= 150 D.z:i5-W.
Or to reduce centigrade degrees to thofe of Fahrenheit, mul-
tiply by 9 and divide by 5, and to the quotient add 32, that is>
To reduce Reaumur's to Fahrenheit's, we have the following;
formula, ?3-f 32 =F.
4
To reduce De Lifle's degrees under the boiling point, we have
F-212 Ui-to reduce thofe above the boiling point F=212-j-5_P
5 5
To red uce Wedgewood's degrees to thofe of Fahrenheit, we
have 130 W+ 1077 = F, or inverfely,
5 r—i6o_c 4F— T28_R F_ iot2_w>
9 9 ' *SO
1060 — 5 F— jj 5 F — io6o_
* The freezing point would appear to bethemoft natural commencement of the
fcale or Zero : and here we find both Reaumur's and the Centigrade Ther-
mometer coincide. The prefent range of i8o° between the freezing and boiling
points, is a very convenient one for the regular divifion of the fcale : and it will
alfo facilitate the reduction of the various fcalesto each other. 1 have feverai times
adapted this fcale to thermometer tubes, and cannot but wifh it was in general
ufe. I fhall take the liberty to call it the American Thermometer.
54
Materia Medica.
Table of the Degrees of different Thermometers, omitting FraBionSy
at which fame remarkable Chemical Phenomena occur.
RE A.
CENT.
FAHR.
AMER.
~~n
68
90
722
Cold produced by Mr. Walker.
44
55
66
98
Nitric acid freezes, Fourcroy.
Cold obferved at Hudfon's Bay, Mr
M'Nab.
36
44
50
82
35
43
46
78
Ether freezes.
34
42
45
77
Ammonia exifts in a liquid form.
32
39
39
7 1
JVlercury freezes.
30
37
36
68
Sulphuric acid freezes, (Thomfon).
28
35
31
63
Sulphurous acid liquid, (Monge).
24
30
23
55
Cold obferved at Glafgow on the fur-
face of fnow, 1780.
23
30
22
54
Acetous acid freezes.
20
25
14
46
Cold obferved at Glafgow, 1780.
19
24
11
43
Two parts of alcohol and one of water
freeze.
17
14
7
39
Brandy freezes.
14
18
0
32
Cold, produced by mixing equal parts
of fnow and muriate of foda.
7
9
16
16
Oil of turpentine freezes. Margueron
did not freeze at— 18 Morelli.
5
6
20
12
Strong wines freeze.
4
5
23
9
Fluoric acid freezes, (Prieftly). Oil
of bergamot and cinnamon freezes,
(Marg.)
3
4
25
7
Human biood freezes.
2
2.5
28
4
Vinegar freezes.
1
1.25
30
2
Milk freezes.
0
0
32
0
Oxymumtic acid melts, (lhomion).
vv mcr licczcb.
2
2.5
36
4
Olive oil freezes.
4
5
40
8
Oxymuriatic acid boils, (Thomfon). —
Equal parts of phofphorus and ful-
phur melt, (Pelletier).
.5
6
48
11
Phofphorus burns flowly.
6
45
13
Sulphuric acid, Sp. gr. 1.78, freezes,
(Keir).
10
12
55
23
to 66 putrid fermentation, (Fourcroy).
12
is
59
27
Vinous fermentation begins, (Fourc).
App.
Thermometers.
Re.
Cent. |
Fah.
A M E .
il-
17|
64
32
Oil of anife freezes,
to 133, F. Animal putrefaction, 70 to
panary fermentation.
ls
18
66
34
16
20
68
36
Camphor evaporates, (Fourcroy).
Summer heat at Edinburgh.
19
24
?5
43
20
26
77
45
Vinous fermentation rapid, (Fourcroy).
Acetous ditto begins.
21
26
80
48
Phofphorus burns in oxvcfen cas. 104
r Jo o
Goettling.
22
28
82
50
The adipocere of mufcle melts.
25
31
88
56
Acetous fermentation ceafes, (Foutc.)
Phofphorus is ductile. F.
28
37
96
G4
to 100, animal heat.
97
65
Axunge melts, (Nicholfon).
29
36
98
66
Ether boils.
30
37
99
67
Phofphorus melts, (Pelletier).
32
40
104
72
Refin of bile melts.
33
41
107
/ 5
Feverifh heat.
34
42
109
77
Myrtle wax melts (Cadet).
36
45
112
80
Spermaceti melts (Boftock).
40
50
122
90
Phofphorus burns vividly, (Fourcroy).
148, (Thomfon).
42
53
127
95
Tallow melts, (Nicholfon).
44
54
130
98
Ammonia is feparated from water.
48
60
140
108
Ammonia boils, (Dalton).
49
61
142
110
Bees wax melts, (Irvine).
50
63
145
113
Camphor fublimes, (Venturi). Amber-
gris melts, (La Grange).
55
79
155
123
Bleached wax melts, (Nicholfon).
59
74
165
133
Albumen coagulates. 156 (Black).
61
77
170
138
Sulphur evaporates, (Kirwan).
64
80
176
144
Alcohol boils. 174 (Black).
SO
100
212
180
Water and volatile oils boil.
Bifmuth 5 parts, tin 3, and lead 2, melt.
83
104
219
187
Phofphorus begins to dift.il, (Pelletier).
SS
110
230
198
Muriate of lime boils, (Dalton).
89
'"
232
200
Sulphur melts, Hope. (212°. Four-
croy). (185°. Kirwan.)
90
112
234
202
Adipocere of biliary calculi melts.
(Fourcroy).
93
116
241
209
Nitrous acid boils.
96j 120
248
&c.
Nitric acid boils.
56
Materia Medica.
.EAU.
Cent.
Fahr.
Wed.
140
283
1 90
A D\J
OVJO
168
334
182
227
442
190
238
460
1 Q7
226
282
540
232
290
554
235
294
560
248
310
590
252
315
600
258
325
612
269
335
635
ODKJ
660
297
371
700
315
384
750
341
427
800
3-42
, 428
802
345
432
809
380
475
884
1050
462
577
1077
1
564
705
1300
1-7 +
737
986
1807
6
1451
1814
2897
14
1678
2100
3807
21
2024
2530
4587
27
2082
2602
4717
28
2130
2700
4847
29
2313
2780
5237
32
White oxide of arfenic fublimcs.
Alloy of equal parts of tin and
bifmuth melts.
Sulphur burns flowly, and cam-
phor melts, (Venturi).
Alloys, tin 3, and lead 2, and
tin 2, bifmuth 1, melt.
Tin melts, Crichton. (413, Ir-
vine).
Tin 1, and lead 4, melt.
Bifmuth melts, (Irvine).
Arfenic fublimes.
Phofphorus boils, (Pelletier).
Oil of turpentine boils.
Sulphuric acid boils, (Dalton).
546, Black. 540, Bergm.
Linfeed oil boils. Sulphur fub-
limes, (Davy.) 570, Thom-
fon.
Lead melts, Chrichton. (594,
Irvine). 585, Secundat. (540,
Newton).
Loweft ignition of iron in the
dark.
Mercury boils, (Dalton). 644,
Secundat. 600, Black.
Zinc melts.
Iron bright red in the dark.
Hydrogen gas burns. 1000,
Thorn fon.
Charcoal burns, (Thomfon).
Antimony melts.
Iron red in the twilight.
Iron red hot in a common fire.
Red heat in day light.
Azotic gas burns.
Enamel colours burnt.
Diamond burns. 1, Sir G.
M'Kenzie. 5000, Morveau.
Brafs melts.
Copper melts.
Silver melts.
Settling heat of plate glafs.
Gold melts.
App.
Thermometers.
57
Reau.
Cent.
r AH R.
W ED.
2880
3580
6507
~I6~
3750
4680
8480
57
4450
5610
10177
70
5370
6770
12257
86
5800
7330
13297
94
6270
7850
14337
102
6520
8150
14/2/
6925
8650
15637
112
7025
8770
15897
114
7100
8880
16007
121
123
7460
9320
16807
124
7650
9600
17327
125
7975
9850
17977
130
8250
10320
18627
135
9131
11414
20S77
150
9325
11680
21097
154
9602
12001
21637
158
9708
12136
21877
160
10286
12857
23177
170 +
11100
13900
25127
185
Delft ware fired.
Working heat of plate glafs.
Flint glafs furnace.
Cream coloured (tone ware fired.
Worcefter china vitrified.
Stoneware fired.
Chelfea china vitrified.
Derby.
Flint glafs furnace greater! heat.
Bow china vitrified.
Equal parts of chalk and clay
melt.
Plate glafs furnace ftrongeft heat.
Smith's forge.
Cobalt melts. Caft iron melts.
Briftol china, no vitrification at,
Nickel melts. Hefiian crucible
melted.
Soft iron nails melted with the
crucible.
Iron melts.
Manganefe melts. Air furnace.
Platinum, tungften, molybde-
num, uranium and titanium,
melt.
Greateft heat obferved.
N. B. As many of thefe higher numbers were calculated from
Wedgewood's, by the Hiding rule, the two or three firft figures
only can be depended upon as correct. They will be found
however iufficiently accurate for mod purpofes.
1
58
Materia Medica.
Table of Freezing Mixtures.
During the folution of many faline bodies, a very confiderable
reduction of temperature takes place. We {hall extract; from Mr-
Walker's paper a few of the moft convenient mixtures employed
for this purpofe.
A r~, {reduces the tem-
A mixture ofl u
J J • perature.
Muriate of ammonia,
Nitrate of potafs,
Water,
5 parts
5
16
?
> from 50" to 10 .
Sulphate of foda,
Muriatic acid,
8
5
i from 50° to 0°.
Snow,
Muriate of foda.
1
1
^ from 32° to 0°.
Snow,
Muriate of foda,
2
1
^ from 0° to — 5°.
Snow, 1
Muriate of foda, 5
Muriate of ammonia, and 7 ^
Nitrate of potafs, 5
1
ffrom— 5<? to— 18c
j
»
Snow,
Muriate of foda,
Nitrate of ammonia,
12
5
5
^ from— 18° to— 25
Snow,
Diluted Sulphuric acid,
1
1
^ from 20* to— 60°
Snow,
Muriate of lime,
' 2
3
^ from 32° to— 50°
Snow,
Muriate of lime,
1
3
^ from— <t0<* to— 73°.
Snow,
Diluted fulphuric acid,
8
10
^ from— 68* to— 91
The falts ought to be recently cryftallized, and reduced to a
very fine powder, and the mixture mould be made as quickly as
poflible. To produce a very great degree of cold, the materials
muft be previoufly cooled down by means of other mixtures.
App.
Galvanic Circles.
59
Table of fome Galvanic Circles, compofed of two Perfect
Conductors, and one Imperfect Conductor, (Davy).
Zinc,
with gold, charcoal,
filver, copper,
Solutions of nitric
nces.
V
tin, iron, mer-
acid in water, or
U
c
cury.
muriatic acid, ful-
Iron,
— —gold, charcoal,
^huric acid, &c.
e fub
ible fub
lilvfr rnnnpr
iUVtl j V.IMJUCI,
tin.
VV afpr nnlninn" in
ii aici, nu.iv.in 1 in
folution oxygen, at-
izabl
Tin,
gold, filver,
mofpheric air.
charcoal.
' N
:ygen
Lead,
gold, filver.
'c ,
>>
bJO
>>
Solution of nitrates
o
K
O
X
o
of filver, and mer-
u
u
o
Copper,
u
gold, filver.
cury.
s
Silver,
gold.
Nitric acid, acetous
acid.
Nitric acid.
Table of fome Galvanic Circles, compofed of two Imperfect
Conductors, and one Perfect Conductor.
Charcoal,
Copper,
Silver,
Lead,
Tin,
Iron,
Zinc,
Solutions of hydro-
guretted alkaline ful-
phurets, capable of
acting on the firft
three metals, but not
on the laft three.
Solutions of nitrous
acid, oxygenized mu-
riatic acid, &c. capa-
ple of acting on all
the metals.
«
60
Materia Medica.
Weights and Measures.
" To employ, as the fundamental unity of all meafures, a type
" taken from nature itfelf, a type as unchangeable as the globe
w on which we dwell, — to propofe a metrical fyftem, of which all
<£ the parts are intimately connected together, and of which the
" multiples and fubdivifions follow a natural progreffion, which
" is fimple, eafy to comprehend : — this is moil afiuredly a beauti-
" ful, great, and fublime idea, worthy of the enlightened age in
" which we live."
Such were the ideas which influenced the French National In-
flitute, when they chofe as the bafe of the whole metrical fyftem,
the fourth part of the terreftrial meridian between the equator and
the north pole. They adopted the ten millionth part of this arc
for the unity of meafure, which they denominated metre, and ap-
plied it equally to fuperficial and folid meafures, taking for the
unity of the former the fquare of the decuple, and for that of the
latter the cube of the tenth part of the metre. They chofe for the
unity of weight, the quantity of diftilled water which the fame
cube contains when reduced to a conftant ftate prefented by nature
itfelf; and, laftly they decided, that the multiples and fub-multi-
ples of each kind of meafure, whether of weight, capacity, fur-
face, or length, mould be always taken in the decimal progreffion
as being the mod fimple, the molt natural, and the moft eafy for
calculation, according to the fyftem of numeration which all Eu-
rope has employed for centuries.
By a careful meafurement of the arc between Dunkirk and
Mountjoy, they found the length of the metre to be equal to
443.296 lines of the toife of Peru. The cubic decimetre of dif-
tilled water, taken at its maximum of denfity and weight in vacuo,
that is the unity of weight, was found to be 18827-15 grains of
the pile of Charlemagne. By attual comparifon, the metre was
found to be equal to 39.371 Englifh inches at 62°, the tempera-
ture univerfally employed in the comparifon of Englifh ftandards:
and upon thefe data the following tables have been conftrutted.
App. IFeights and Measures.
61
Tables of Weights and Measures.
Troy Weight.
Pound. Ounces. Drachms. Scruples. Grains. Grammes.
I = 12 = 96 =
288 -
5760 =
372.96
1 = 8 =
24 =
480 =
31.08
3 =
60 =
3.885
20 =
1.295
I = 0.06475
Avoirdupois Weight.
Pound. Ounces. Drachms. . Grains. Grammes.,
I — 16 = 256 = 7000 = 453.25
I = 16 = 437.5 = 28.32
I = 27.975 = I.8I
Measures.
Gallon. Pints. Ounces. Drachms. Cub. Inch. Litre*.
I = 8 = 128 = 1024 = 231 = 3-785i5
1 = 16 = 128 = 28.875 = 0.47398
1 = 8 — 1.8047 = °-02957
1 = 0.2256 = 0.00396
62
Materia Medica.
Meafures of Length ; the Metre being at 3 2°, and the foot at 62 °.
Millimetre
Centimetre
Decimetre
Metre
Decametre
Hecatometre
Chiliometre
Myriometre
Englifli inches.
•°3937
•39371
3-931*°
39.37100
393.71000
3937.10000
39371.00000
3937 IO.OOCOO
Mil. For. Yds. Feet. Inch.
= O O 10 2 9.7
= o 0 109 I I
= 04 213 I I0.2
= 61 156 o 6
Meafures of Capacity.
Millilitre
Centilitre
Decilitre
Litre
Decalitre
Hecatolitre
Chiliolitre
Myriolitre
Cubic inches.
.06103
.61028
6. 10280
61.02800
610.28000
6102.80OOO
61028.OOOOO
610280.QOOOO
Englifi.
Tons. Hogf. Wine Gall. Pints.
00 o. 2.1133
002. 5'1352
0 o 26.419
1 o 12.19
10 I 58.9
Meafures of Weight.
Milligramme
Centigramme
Decigramme
Gramme
Decagramme
Hecatogramme
Chiliogramme
Myriogramme
Englifh grains.
.OI54
•1544
I.5444
15.4440
154.4402
1544.4023
I5444.0234
154440.2344
Avoirdupois.
Poun. Oun. Dram.
O o 5.65
o 3 8.5
2 3 5
22 I 2
Table of Specif c Gravities correfponding to the degrees of BaumP
hydrometers for fpirits and falts at 55 0 Fahrenheit.
SPIRITS. sp
40 = 817
35 f= 842
GR.
30 = 867
25 « 897
App.
Measures, &c.
63
SPIRITS.
SP. GR.
1 200
24
20 =
928
1261
=
3°
I C =
y j
1333
=
36
1373
=
39
FOR SALTS.
M55
=
45
10 =
rooo
= O
1547
=
51
1 04.0
= 6
54
1072
= 10
1717
60
1089
= 12
1848
66
1114
= 15
1920
69
1 1 70
= 21
2000
72
Comparative Weights of Gafeous Fluids.
IOO CUBIC INCHES. SPECIFIC GRAVITY.
French, in French grains.
Englifh, in Troy
Standard.
graini.
Water.
Air.
w ater ^ y 4 1 9««j
. OOO.
jl/iiiu
1 f O A O O
2524^. L
1 OOO.
ft 1 A O Q
014*3 O.
Atmofphenc air 46.
I.2293
T T
UlLCO
31*
I.2279
I. O.JV*
■ lvirrr^n f T
Uxygen 51.
*-365
I . I I .Li.
DlttO
34-
f-35
1*09 K«
.L/lllO
35-°9
1. 1 3 JJ.
Nitrogen 44*44
1 . 1 0
0.06C Li.
Ditto
0 j j j
1. 21
0.985 K.
Ditto
3°-45
I.20
0.98 D.
Ammonia
18.16
0.715
0.585 K.
Ditto
18.
0-7*3
0.58 D.
Hydrogen 3.5
0.0935
0.076 F.
Ditto
2.613
0. 103 1
0.084 K-
Hydrocarbonous oxides ~]
14.5 "
©•573
0.467 C.
16.
0.632
c.516 C.
j
20.
c.78
0.645 c-
21.
0.83
0.677 c.
Carbonic oxide
3°-
1 . 1 85
0.965 c.
Carbonic acid
46.5
1.84
uS K.
45-5
1.802
1.47 D.
Nitrous oxide
50.1
1.985
1.615 D-
Nitric oxide
%7-
1.465
,.193 K.
Ditto
34-3
1.36
1. 105 D.
Nitric acid
76.
3-
2.425 D.
Sulphuretted hydrogen
34.286
1.36
1.205 K.
Sulphurous acid
70.215
2.75
2.24 K.
Muriatic acid 66.
1.765
1.43 B.
L. Lavoifier. S. Shuckburgh. K. Kirwan. D. Davie. C-
Cruikihank. B. Brinon.
64
Materia Meclica.
Solids.
Diamond - 3.5212
Native fulphur - 2.0332
Melted do. - 1.9907
Phofphorus - 1.7 140
Platinum rolled* 22.0690
Gold hammered, 19.3617
Tungften, - 17.6
Mercury, - 13.5681
Sulphuret of do. 10.
Lead melted, - 1 1.3523
Silver hammered, 10.5107
Bifmuth melted, 9.8227
Nickel do. - 9.
Copper wire, - 8.8785
Cobalt, - - 8.5384
Arfenic, - - 8.31
Arfenious acid, - 3-706
Bar iron, - 7*788
Caft iron, - 7.207
Steel hardened, - 7.8404
Molybdenum, - 7.5
Tin hardened, - 7*3065
Zinc, - - 7.1908
Manganefe, - 7.
Antimony, - 6.89
Sulphuret of do. - 4*0643
Glafs of do. - 4*9464
Uranium, - 6.44
Tellurium, - 6. 1 1 5
Collumbium, - 5*OI8
*Soda, - - 1.336
*Strontia, - 1.647
*Sulphate of foda, 1*4457
* magnefia, 1.6603
*Muriate of lime, 1*7603
* baryta, 2.8257
* mercury, 5.1398
*Sub-muriate of mercury, 7. 1758
^Tartrate of potafs, 1.5567
* , foda, 1.7437 ■
* Acetate of foda, 2. 1 09
* lead, r, 2.345
* . iron, 1-398
Thofphate of foda, 1.333
* Carbonate of foda, I*737 7
* magnefia, 0.294
Ambergris, - 0.9263
Tallow, - - 0.9419
Hogs lard, - 0.9478
Yellow wax, - 0.9648
White do. - 0.9686
Spermaceti, - 0.9433
Rofin, - - 1.0727
Sandarac, - 1.0920
Maftich, - 1.0742
Copal, - - 1.0452
Amber, - - 1.0780
Elemi, - - 1.0682
Labdanum, - 1.1862
Refin of Guaiac, 1.2289
Refm of jalap, - 1*2185
Dragon's blood, 1*2045
Tacamahaca, - 1*0463
Benzoin, - 1.0924
Storax, - - 1. 1098
Gum ammoniac, 1.207 1
Gamboge, - 1.22 16
Olibanum, * - I*I732
Myrrh, - - 1.3600
Scammony, - 1.2354
Galbanum, - 1.2 120'
Sagapenum, - 1.2008
Opoponax, - 1.6226
AlTafcetida, - i*3275
Hepatic aloes, - 1.3586
Socotorine aloes, 1 -3 795
Opium, - - 1.3366
Gum arabic, - 1.4523
tragacanth, 1.3 161
Extract of liquorice, 1.7228
■ catechu, 1 .4573
Sarcocoll, - 1.26^4
Camphor, - c.9887
Caoutchouc, - °*v335
Indigo, - - 0.7690
Arnotto, - 0.5956
Cork, - - 0.2400
App.
Specific Gravities.
65
Fluids.
Water,
I.OOOC
Sulphuric acid,
2.1250
Nitric acid,
1.5800
Muriatic acid,
1. 1940
Acetic acid,
I.0135
Strong acetic acid,
1.0626
Carbonic acid,
1.0015
Water faturated with
ammonia,
0.8970
Alcohol,
0.8293
Sulphuric ether,
Nitrous ether,
Oil of turpentine,
Volatile oil of lavender,
cloves,
cinnamon,
Oil of olives,
almonds,
Linfeed oil,
Whale oil,
9-7394
0.9088
0.8697
0.8938
! .0363
I.O439
0.91 70
0.9403
0.9233
Salts.
H.
K.
M.
N.
Potafs,
1.7085
4.6215
Lime,
Magnefia,
I-5233.
2.3908
2.3700
c.3460
2.3298
Alumina,
0.8200
2-O000
Baryta,
2.3740
4.OOOO
Sulphate of potafs,
2-4073
2.636
2.398
alumina,
1. 7109
1.7260
1.714
ziuc,
1. 9120
1.9
1.7 1 2
iron,
1.8399
1.88
copper,
2.1943
2.23
Nitrate of potafs
1.9369
]-933
1. 90 1
1.900
Muriate of foda,
2.2001
2.0835
2.143
Acetate of lead,
a-345Q
2-3953
Super-tartrate of potafs,
1*9*53
1.8745
Sub-borateof foda,
1.7230
1. 7170
1. 714
Carbonate of potafs,
2.0I 2D
2-749
foda,
1. 421
— — — — ammonia,
0.9660
1.8245
1.5026
H. HafTenfratz, K. Kirvvan, M. Mufchenbroek, N. Newton.
The very great diiiimilarity of thefe eftimations, fhew how diffi-
cult it is to afcertain the fpecific gravity of foluble fubflances.
HafTenfratz is the laft who has paid particular attention to this fub-
ject; and as lie is followed in the bed fy items of chemiltry, we have
inferted in the general table the falts marked with an aiteriftc exa-
mined by him only, although it muft be confelTed, that no confi-
dence can be placed in his refults, as they are frequently contra-
dicted bv obvious facts. For example, according to him magnefia
is not half the weight of fulphuric ether, and yet it is certain, that
it finks in water.
K
66
Materia Medica.
very foluble, proportion
not determined.
150
1.25
J33
5°
0.84
C. I,04
0.69
1.04
0.203
Baryta,
Strontia,
Lime,
-cryflallized,
-cryftallizedj
Salts.
Sulphate of potafs,
Super-fulphate of potafs.
Sulphate of foda,
ammonia,
5°
5
57
0.6
1.9
0.2
6.25
37-4
5°
unlimited,
do.
do.
do.
Table of the Solubility of Saline and other Sub/lances, in 100 parts
of Water9 at the temperature of 60 0 and 2I2Q
Acids.
Sulphuric, - - unlimited
Nitric, - - do.
Acetic, - do.
Pruffic, - - do.
Phofphoric, "*
Acetic,
Tartaric,
Malic,
Lactic,
Laccic,
Arfenic,
Arfenious,
Citric,
Oxalic,
Gallic,
Boracic,
Mucic,
Succinic,
Suberic,
Camphoric,
Benzoic,
Molybdic,
Chromic, unknown.
Tungftic, infoluble
Salifiable Bafes.
Potafs,
Soda very foluble, proportion not known.
6.6
200
100
66
2
1.25
5°
5°
8-3
4.17
0.1
5°
any quantity.
5°
20
100-f-
125
100
App.
Specific Gravities,
67
Temperatures,
Sulphate of magnefia,
alumina, very foluble, pro-
portion unknown.
Super-fulphate of alumina and potafs, ")
ammonia, 3
Nitrate of baryta,
potafs, -
foci a, - - - -
ftrontia, - -
lime, -
ammonia,
• magnefia,
Muriate of baryta, - -
potafs, - -
foci a, -
ftrontia, -
—lime, -
ammonia, - - -
« magnefia, -
Oxy-muriate of potafs,
Phofphate of potafs very foluble.
foda, - -
ammonia,
magnefia,
Sub-borate of foda,
Carbonate of potafs,
foda, - -
magnefia,
ammonia,
Acetate of potafs, - -
foda, -
ammonia very foluble.
magnefia, do.
ftrontia,
Super-tartrate of potafs,
Tartrate of potafs, - -
— potafs and foda,
Super-oxalate of potafs,
Citrate of potafs very foluble.
Prumate of potafs and iron.
Nitrate of filver very foluble.
Muriate of mercury (corrofive fublimate
Sulphate of copper, - -
Acetate of copper very foluble.
Sulphate of iron, -
Muriate of iron very foluble.
6o°
212°
100
133
alum, 5
T33
8
25
14.25
100
5 j
100 -f
100
200
400
any quantity.
5°
200
100
100 4-
20
33
36.16
35-42
150
•.lily CJllclIlLlLy
200
33
100
100
6
40
K
5°
25
25 +
6.6
8.4
16.8
- 25
83-3
5°
100 -f
2
50 +
100
100
35
4c. 8
I.67
3 3
25
25
10
5<*
25
5°
5°
133
63
Materia Medica.
1.25
6.6
Temperatures, 6o°
Tartrate of iron and potafs.
Acetates of lead, and of mercury,
Sulphate of zinc, - - - 44
Acetate of zinc very foluble.
Tartrate of antimony and potafs,
« — ■ by Dr. Duncan's experiments,
Alkaline foaps very foluble.
Sugar, - - 100
Gum very foluble.
Starch, - o
Jelly, ^ - fparingly,
Gelatin, - - - foluble,
Urea very foluble.
Cinchonin.
212"
44 +
2-5
33
any quantity.
very foluble.
abundantly,
more fo.
Salts not foluble in 100 times their weight of water.
Sulphates of baryta, ftrontia, and lime, and fub-fulphate of mer-
cury.
Phofphates of baryta, ftrontia, lime, magnefia, and mercury.
Fluate of lime.
Carbonates of baryta, ftrontia, and lime.
Muriates of lead, and lilver, and fub-muriate of mercury, (Calo-
mel.)
Sub-acetate of copper.
100 parts of Alcohol y
1760 .
Solubility of Saline and other Sub/lance,
at the Temperature of -
All the Acids, except the fulphuric, nitric,
and oxy-muriatic, which decompofe it,
and the phofphoric and metallic acids.
Potafs, foda, and ammonia, very foluble.
Red fulphate of iron,
Muriate of iron, - - - - 1 00
— , lime, - - 1 00
Nitrate of ammonia, - - - - 89.2
Muriate of mercury, - - - - 88.3
Camphor, - - - - 75
Nitrate of filver, - - - - - 41.7
Refined Sugar, - - - 24.6
Muriate of ammonia, - - - - 7.1
Arfeniate of potafs, - - - - 3.75
Nitrate of potafs, - - - - 2.9
Arfeniate of foda, - - - - - 1.7
Muriate of foda (Mr. Chcnevix). Alkaline foaps. Magnefian
do. Extractive. Tannin. Volatile oils. Adipocere. Re-
fins. Urea. Cinchonin.
App.
Specific Gravities.
69
Sub/lances infoluble in Alcohol.
Earths.
Phofphoric and Metallic acids.
Almoft all the fulphates and carbonates.
The nitrates of lead and mercury.
The muriates of lead, filver, and foda.
The fub-borate of foda.
The tartrate of foda and potafs, and the fuper-tartrate of potafs.
Fixed oils, wax, and ftarch.
Gum, caoutchouc, fuber, lignin, gelatin, albumen, and fibrin.
Table of the Weight of the different Gases abforbed by 100 parts
of Water at 6o° F.
Carbonic acid, - - - - - 108.
Muriatic acid, - - - . - ioc.
-Sulphuretted hydrogen, - 86.
Nitrous oxide, ----- 54.
Ammonia, - - - _ 34.
Sulphurous acid, Fourc. 33.3, Thorn. 9.75, Dr. Prieftley. 3.96
Nitric oxide, - - - ' ' _ _ *
Oxygen, 3.7
Phofphuretted hydrogen, - - - _ - 2.14
Carbonic oxide, ----- 2.01
Hydrogen, - - - - - 1.61
Carburetted hydrogen, - 1.40
Nitrogen, - - - - - - - 1.53
Oxy-muriatic acid, - - - - 0.43
70
Materia Medica.
EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.
Plate L
Fig. i. Reprefents an improved mill for grinding colours,
&c. (from the Tranfactions of the Society of Arts, &c. for
1804.)
a. A mortar of marble or hard ftone.
b. A muller or grinder, nearly in the form of a pear, in the
upper part of which an iron axis is firmly fixed, which
axis, at the parts c c turns in grooves or flits, cut in
two pieces of oak projecting horizontally from a wall, and
when the axis is at work, are fecured in the grooves by^
iron pins, d d.
e. The handle, which forms a part of the axis, and by which
the grinder is worked.
f. The wall in which the oak pieces c c are fixed.
g. A weight, to be occafionally added to the upper part of
the handle if more power is wanted.
e g h. The muller or grinder, with its axis feparate from the
other machinery : its bottom fhould be made to fit the
mortar.
h. A groove cub through the (tone.*
Fig. 2. 3. 4. Mortars and peftle of metal, marlfle, and earthen
ware.
Fig. 5. A levigating ftone and muller.
a. The table of poiifhed porphyry or other filiceous ftone.
b. The muller of the fame fubftance.
Fig. 6. A compound fieve.
a. The lid.
c. The body containing the fieve.
b. The receiver.
* On grinding any fubftance in a dry ftate in this mill, the muller being placed
in the mortar and fecured in the oak pieces by the pins, the fubftance to be ground
is thrown above the muller into the mortar; on turning the handle of the axis, the
fubftance falls into the groove cut through the muller, and is from thence drawn
under the action of the muller, and propelled to its outer edge within the mortar,
from whence the coarfer particles again fall into the groove of the muller, and arc
again ground under it ; and this operation is continued till the whole is ground to an
impalpable powder. A wood cover in two halves, with a hole for the axis, is ufu •
ally placed upon the mortar, during the operation, to prevent lofs to the fubftance,
or bad cffccl to the operator.
Explanation of the Plates.
71
Fig. 7. A funnel.
Fig. 8. A hooked glafs rod. Several of which may he hung
round the edge of the funnel, to prevent the filtering fubftances
from adhering too clofely to its fides.
Fig. 9. A board perforated with holes for fupporting funnels.
Fig. 10. A compound fyphon.
a, by c. The fyphon.
f, g. The mouth piece.
dy e. A board for fupporting it.
When we infert the upper orifice a into any liquid, and clofe
the lower orifice c with the finger, by fucking through f the
fluid will rife from a to b and proceed to g towards f. As
foon as it has pafTed g, the finger is to be removed, and the fluid
will immediately flow through r, and continue flowing as long as
any remains above the orifice a. It is abfolutely neceflary that
the point g where the mouth-piece joins the fyphon, be lower
than a.
Fig. 11. A feparatory. The fluids to be feparated are introdu-
ced through the orifice ay which is then clofed with a ftopper.
The one neck is then to be fliut with the finger, and the phial is
to be inclined to the other fide. As foon as the fluids have fepa-
rated by means of their fpecific gravity, the finger is to be remov-
ed, and the whole of the heavier fluid will run through the lower
neck, before any of the lighter efcapes.
Fig. 12. and 13. Glafs graduated meafurcs. 12. A cylindrical
one for large, 13. A conical one for fmall quantities.
Plate II.
Fig. 1*. External view of Dr. Black's furnace.
a. The body.
b. The afh-pit.
c. The chimney.
</. The circular hole for receiving the fand-pot.
e. A door about the centre of the body, to be opened when
the furnace is ufed as a reverberatory. In Dr. Black's
furnace, there is properly no aperture in the fide, and in-
deed as its peculiar excellence confifts in the power which
it gives the operator of regulating the quantity of air ad-
mitted to the fuel, and by that means of regulating the in-
tenfity of the fire ; every aperture is rather to be confidered
as an injury than as an improvement; and at all times
when they are not employed, they mult be accurately
clofed and iuted up.
f. The door of the afh-pit.
g. The damping plate for regulating the admiffion of air, hav-
ing fix holes, fitted with Hoppers, increafing in fize in a
geometrical ratio.
72
Materia Medica.
Fig. IB, A vertical feclion of the body of the fame furnace to
fhew the manner of luting, and the form and pofition of the grate.
a g. As in the former figure, except the damping plate,
which is here clofed by a Aiding door with a graduated
fcale.
h. The form which is given to the lute of clay and charcoal
which is applied next to the iron.
u The form given to the lute of fand and clay, with which
the former is lined.
e. Is a femicircular aperture left unluted, to ferve as a door
when necefTary. On other occafions it is filled up with a
femi-cylindrical piece of fire-brick, Fig. 17. accurately
luted in.
k. The grate fattened on the outflde of the body.
Fig. 16. The fand-pot which is fufpended in the aperture d of
the furnace, by means of the projecting ring a b.
Fig. 17. A femi-cylindrical piece of fire-brick, for doling the
door e of the furnace.
Fig. 18. A muffle, a a, apertures in its fides for the admiffion
of the heated air.
Fig. ]9. A large black-lead crucible.
Fig. 20. A fmnil Heffian crucible.
Fig. 21. 22. Tefts.
Fig. 23. A fmall fupport of clay, to raife the crucible above the
grate.
Fig. 24. A pair of crucible tongs.
Fig. 25. A fupport for raifing the muffle as high as the door e
of the furnace.
Fig. 26. A ring for fufpending a retort within the furnace, when
we wifh to expofe it to the immediate action of the fire. The
ring itfelf a b is fufpended within the aperture d of the furnace,
by means of the three hooked branches c c c.
Fig. 27. Semicircular rings of plate-iron, for applying round the
neck of a retort when fufpended within the furnace, in order to
clofe as much as poflible the aperture d, Fig. 14. The largeft pair
a are fir ft made to reft upon the edge of the aperture d, the next
pair b upon them, and fo until they come in contact with the
neck of the retort. The whole are then to be covered with allies
or fand, to prevent the lofs of heat, and the efcape of vapours,
from the burning fuel.
Fig. 28. Circular rings a b to be applied in the fame manner
when we wiih to evaporate with the naked fire, We mull always
take care that the fluid rifes higher than the portion of the evapo-
rating vefiel introduced within the aperture of the ring : c a cir-
cular piece of iron, which when appljed with the rings a b com-
pletely clofes the aperture d of the furnace.
Explanation of the Plates. $7
Plate III.
Fig. 29. 30. Si. 32. Evaporating veffels of different fhapes.
Fig. 33. A long-necked matrafs.
Fig. 34. A jar.
Fig. 35. A phial or receiver.
Fig. 36. A cucurbit.
Fig. 37. A cucurbit with its capital.
Fig. 38. The arrangement of the apparatus for diftilling per de*
fcenfum. The fubftance to be diftilled is laid on the metallic plate
a, which is perforated with holes The burning fuel is laid upon
the upper plate b> alfo of metal, but not perforated. On the ap-
plication of heat the vapour defcends into the cavity a c, where
it is condenfed.
Fig. 39. A retort and receiver ; a, the retort, b, the receiver.
Fig, 40. A retort funnel.
Fig. 41. A metallic ftill.
cde f. The body.
a b e f. The lower portion of the body, which hangs within
the aperture d. of the furnace, by the projecting part a b.
d g c. The head of the ftill.
d c. A gutter which goes round the bottom of the head, for
conveying any vapours which may be condenfed there, in-
to the fpout hy which conveys away the vapour and the
fluid condenfed in the head into the refrigeratory.
Fig. 42. A refrigeratory.
a b c d. A cylindrical veffel filled with cold water.
e f. A fptral metallic pipe which pafTes through it. The
fpout h of the (till is inferted within the upper orifice e\
therefore the vapours which efcape from the head of the
ftill enter it, and are condenfed in their paflage towards j\
the lower termination of the pipe from which the diftilled
fluid runs, and is received into proper veflels. As the wa-
ter in the veffel abed continually abftracls caloric from
the vapours, it is apt to become too warm to condenfe
them. As foon, therefore, as any fleam efcapes by the
fpout ff the water muft be drawn off by the cock g,
and its place fupplied by cold water.
Fig. 43. A veffel for boiling inflammable fluids.*
a b c d. The body of the kettle.
d e f. A long fpout proceeding from it, for preventing any rilk
of boiling over.
g. A fhort fpout for pouring out. The veffel mould not be
filled above fy and the long fpout d e f fhould be
* This contrivance belongs to our late ingenious countryman T. P. Smith,
whofe account of it was given to the American Philofophical Society, fee Vol. 4.
cf their Tranfaclions,p. 431. The Edinburgh editor lias not mentioned from whence
it is taken.
L
74
Materia Medica.
placed fo as to be as little heated as poflible. When the
begins to fwell and boil up, both from the great in-
eafe of furface, and from part of it running up the cool-
er fpout d e /; the ebullition will be checked, and all dan-
ger of running over be prevented.
Fig, 44. A body with a bent tube.
u u. The body.
b c. A figmoid tube accurately ground to it. When any
permanently elaitic fluid is generated within the body a
b, it efcapes by the extremity of the tube, and may be
collected by introducing it under a jar fdled with water or
mercury in the pneumatic ciilern. This fimple apparatus
can only be ufed conveniently when the production of the
gas is net rapid, or requires the application of heat.
Plate IV.
Fig. 45. A W oulfe's apparatus.
ab c. c d e. A tubulated retort and receiver.
/ f'f" Three three-necked bottles. The firft / is com-
monly filled with water, and the two others with alkaline
folutions.
dg> £ g% d* 'g"i (?" g"\ Bent tubes connecting the different
pans of the apparatus, fo that when any vapour efcapes
from the receiver c d e, it pafTes along the tube d g and
rifes through ike fluid contained in the bottle f, where it
remains in contact with the furface, and under confider-
able prefiure, until the expanfion of the vapour, not
conderffrble inj^ overcomes the column of fluid h g in the
bottle f and efcapes into the upper part of f* In the fame
manner the uncondenfed vapours proceed to f*' and at laft
to the pneumatic apparatus.
But, as in pvocefles of this kind, diminution of temperature and
other caufes, frequently produce fudden condenfations of the gafes,
contained in the diiierent parts of the apparatus, efpeciaily in the
retort and receiver, any fuch occurrence would caufe the fluids to
• move through the connecting tubes in a retrograde direction.
This acciJent is prevented, by inferring through the third neck of
each bottle a fmall tube k I having its lower extremity / im-
merfed in the fluid contained in the bottle. By this contrivance
no fluid can poflibly pafs from one bottle into another, becaufe the
columns g m% &c. which refill the abforption, are much higher
than the columns h I which oppofe the admifiion of external air :
while, on the contrary, no gas can efcape through thefc tubes, be-
caufe the columns h k which oppofe their efcape, are higher than
the columns g h which refill its progrefs to the next bottle.
From their ufe thefc tubes have got the name of Tubes of Safety.
App. Explanation of the Plates.
75
Another contrivance for the fame purpofe, the invention of C.
Welter, leems now to be much ufed in France. It is fixed to the
connecting tubes as at //.
Fig. 46. To explain it more fully, we have given a feparate
view, taken in an oblique direction. When the apparatus is ad-
j ufted, a fmall quantity of water is poured through the funnel p
until it rifes to about the centre of the ball e. Now, on any ab-
sorption taking place, the fluid rifes in the ball e9 until the column
g n be annihilated, when a quantity of air will immediately ruih
in through p g n e, &c. and the water will regain its former
equilibrium. On the other hand, no gas can efcape by this tube,
becaufe the whole fluid contained in the ball and tube muft prc-
vioufly enter the portion of the tube n p where it would form a
column of fuch a height that its preflure could not be overcome.
Fig. 47. A vertical fe£tion of a pneumatic cittern.
abed. The whole cavity of the ciftern.
ef. A fhelf for holding the jars.
e b c f. The well for filling the jars.
gk. The furface of the fluid contained in the ciftern, which
muft always be higher than the furface of the fhelf.
Fig. 48. 49. 50. 51. Pneumatic jars of different fhapes.
Fig. 48. A jar in the fituation in winch it is filled with gas.
Fig. 49. A jar fitted with a flop cock.
Fig. 50. A jar placed upon a tray for removing it from the
pneumatic ciftern.
Fig. 51. A graduated jar, commonly called an Eudiometer.
Fig. 52. A hydroftatic funnel, for pouring fluids gradually into
air-tight vefiels, efpecially when attended with the formation of
gas. It is evident, that any portion of fluid, poured into the fun-
nel x> more than fuflicient to fill the two firft parts of the bent
tube up to the level z> will efcape by the lower extremity b. At
the fame time, no gas can return through this funnel, unlefs its
preflure be able to overcome the refiftance of a column of fluid of
the height of x y.
Fig. 53. Another contrivance for the fame purpofe. It confifts
of a common funnel ; in the throat of which is inferted a rod with
a conical point, which regulates the pafiage of the fluid through
the funnel, according to tlie firmnefs with which it is fcrewed in.
Fig. 54. Nooth's apparatus for promoting the abforption of ga-
feous fluids by liquids. It confifts of three principal pieces-, a
lower piece a b, a middle piece a c, and an upper piece d e ; all
of which are accurately ground to each other. The fubftances
from which the gas is to be extricated are put into tlie lower piece.
The middle piece is filled with the fluid with which the gas is to
be combined, and the upper piece is left empty. As foon as a
fuflicient quantity of gas is formed- to overcome the preiTure, it
pafles through the valve f g> and rifes through the fluid to the up-
76
Materia Medica.
per part of the middle piece. At the fame time it forces a quan-
tity of fluid into the upper piece through its lower aperture d. As
foon as fo much of the fluid has been forced from the middle
piece, as to bring its furface down to the level of the lower aper-
ture of the upper piece, a portion of gas efcapes into the upper
piece, and the fluid rifes a little in the middle piece. The upper
piece is clofed with a conical ftopper e, which yields, and permits
the efcape of a portion of gas, as foon as its preffure in the upper
piece becomes confiderable. h is a glafs cock for drawing off the
fluid.
Fig. 55. The valve of Nooth's apparatus. It confifts of an in-
ternal tube g of fmall caliber, but pretty flout in fubftance, and
ground into an external tube f clofed at the upper end, but per-
forated with fmall holes, to allow the gas to pafs. After the in-
ternal tube is fitted to the external, a portion of it is cut out as at
h, fufficient to receive a fmall hemifphere of glafs, and to allow
the hemifphere to rife a little in its chamber, but not to turn over
in it. The upper piece of the internal tube is then thruft home
into the place where it is to remain, and the glafs hemifphere in-
troduced with its plane recumbent on the upper end of the low-
er piece of the tube, which is ground perfectly flat, as is alfo the
plane of the hemifphere. From this conftru£tion it is evident,
that by the upward preiTure of any gas, the glafs hemifphere may
be raifed fo as to allow it to pafs, while nothing can pafs down-
wards j for the ftronger the preiTure from above, the clofer does
the valve become. We have been more particular in our descrip-
tion of this valve, becaufe it has been very ingenioufly applied to
difhilling apparatufes by Mr. Pepys junior and Mr. Burkit.
Plate V.
jPefcription of Dr. Hamilton' 's Apparatus for the Dif illation of Acids
and other Subftances, on a Scale of about an Inch to a Foot.
A. The retort > the neck of which is ground into, and pafled
through the thick ftopper
B. Which is reprefented below Separately at b, with its ground
ftopper a. The external part of the ftopper B is accurately
ground into the wide neck of the receiver
C. Whofe narrow neck is ground into the wide neck of the
receiver
D. The narrow neck of which is ground into that of the re-
ceiver E.
The receiver D has another aperture in its fuperior part, into
which the tube of fafety
H. Open at both ends, is fitted by grinding, fo that its lower
extremity may reach to the lowermoft part of the receiver,
and be iramerfed in any fluid that may be contained in it.
^HlKMJirAJ. SIGNS.
•^o Generic Signs
□
""ct
CJ
CO
0
i
0
o
N?
Solid
Fluid
Gas
1
2
3
4
<
C
9
A
u
o
12
□
22
L
r~
6
3
lo
o
1
7
23
r"
/
n
s
>
CO
to
(
)xidcs ACKis^
24
u
P
1- 2- 3- 1- 2- 3_
2/>
A
14
/
7
y
z
16
c
c
c
26
EL
^?
R
o
1G
27
_)
0
X
Q
C3
n
u
28
P
y
18
®
-©
29
—
U-
■
s
o
19©
30
©
©
20
©
51
B
21
ED
w
s-
EL;
5C -
' g
c
1
NS
Secondary Compounds
33
4r>
/\ r
53
60
34
EC
44
/K J.
54
IBM
61
35
45
&
62
36
56
63
37
$7
64
38
48
A/
58
59
j| j
39
49
PET
40
@@
do
ATm)
. ...
41
51
42
1
62
Explanation of the Plates.
77
Into the fmall neck of the receiver D, is ground, a crooked tube
I. Forming a little more than one-fourth of a circle, open at
both ends, and extending nearly to the lower part of the re-
ceiver E, whofe fmall neck receives a fimilar crooked tube
K ; and is received into the wider neck of F, which receives
the tube L in like manner, and is received into G, whofe
narrow neck alfo receives a crooked tube M N, open at both
ends, and bent as reprefented in the plate, to convey any
gafeous fluid into the fmall inverted cup, through the hole of
which it partes into one of the four inverted bottles placed
above it, by means of the frame P, having four notches to
retain the bottles in an upright inverted pofition. This frame
is moveable on its centre fupport, and is kept fteady by a
heavy leaden foot, in the middle of a flat pan of water, which
covers the mouths of the bottles. The water illuing from
the bottles on the introduction of the air, is directed by a
notch in its lip, and the pipe O, into the bucket R placed
under the frame, which is raifed upon four legs, and fup-
ports the whole apparatus.
The different parts are fuccefTively applied to each other, begin-
ning with the receiver C, and are kept fixed by flips of wood
hollowed out, fo as to fit the curvature of the receivers, as
reprefented below, detached at S s.
Heat is applied to the retort by means of an Argand's lamp.
1. The chimney, mod conveniently made of thin metal, as
brafs, copper, or common tinned iron plates, becaufe they
are not liable to break, and the heat alone is wanted.
2. The wire which elevates or deprefles the wick.
3. Refervoir of Oil.
4. The fupport of this, with a fmall cup to receive the oil
which may drop.
5> A pin with a fcrew to fix the lamp at any diftance.
Plate VI.
Chemical Signs.
It is unnecefTary here to point out the advantages which might
refult from a well-contrived fyltem of chemical figns. About the
fame time that the French chemifts introduced their methodical
nomenclature, they alfo propofed a correfponding fyftem of che-
mical figns, which they intended fhould fpeak a language to be
underftood by the learned of all nations. In the explanation of
their fyftem, we {hall nearly follow what Mr. Chenevix has faid in
his judicious remarks upon chemical nomenclature.
There are fix Cmple radical figns, which may be confidered as
fo many genera.
78
Materia Medica.
The firft genus is the zig-zag line, and is ufed to denote light
See Plate, No. 1.
The fecond genus is the ftraight line. It comprehends three
fpecies, characterized by its direction.
Sp. 1. A perpendicular line denotes caloric, 3.
Sp. 2. A horizontal line denotes oxygen, 2.
Sp. 3. An oblique line from right to left, nitrogen 4.
The third genus is a crefcent, which is the generic fign of fimple
combuftibles.
Sp. 1. With the horns inclined to the right, carbon, 5.
Sp. 2. The reverfe of the former, hydrogen, 6.
Sp. 3. With the points upwards, fulphur, 7.
Sp. 4. The reverfe of the latter, phofphorus, 8.
The fourth genus is a triangle. It comprehends the fimple fa-
lifiable bafes.
Sp. 1 . With the point upwards, and the bafe horizontal, 9. the
alkalies.
Sp. 2. With the point downwards, 10. the earths.
Each of the fpecies of this genus comprehends feveral individu-
als, which are dutinguifhed by inferting within the triangle the
firft letter of its name in the Latin language, or, if two fpecies
begin with the fame letter, the firft letter of the fecond fyllable is
added ; thus, for potafs P. foda S. baryta B. ftrontia St. lime C.
magnefia M. glucina Gc. gadolina Gd. or Y. for yttria, alumina
Al. zirconia Z. filica S3.
The fifth genus is a circle, 11. It comprehends the metals ; and
the fpecies are diftinguifhed in the fame manner as the former,
by inferting within it the primary letters of the firft and fecond
fyllables ; thus, for gold Ar. platinum Pt. filver Ag. Mercury H.
copper Cp. iron Fr. lead Pb. tin Sn. zinc Z. antimony Sb. or At.
bifmuth B. cobalt Cb. nickel Nk. manganefe Mg. uranium U. tita-
nium Tt. tellurium Tl. chromium Cm. arfenic Af. molybdenum
Ml. tungften Ts. columbium CI.
The fixth genus is a fquare : it comprehends all the unknown
bafes of the acids, and the bafes of the compound oxides and acids.
•Sp. 1. A fquare with perpendicular fides, 12. It contains the
unknown and compound acidifiable bafes.
Sp. 2. A fquare with inclined fides, 13. It contains the com-
pound oxides. The individuals of both fpecies are diftinguifhed
as before.
All compound bodies are exprefTed by combinations of thefe
fimple characters. But as fimple bodies are capable of uniting in
various proportions, it becomes neceffary that thefe proportions
fhould be exprefTed ; and relative pofition has appeared the molt
natural method of doing fo. In general, when the proportion of
any body in a compound is fmall, its fign is placed above, when
large, below, as in 35. 36. 42. &c.
App.
Chemical Signs.
79
Caloric exifts in all bodies : But according to its relative quan-
tity, they exift as folids, fluids, or gafes. To exprefs the firft
Hate, it has not been thought neceffary to introduce the fign of ca-
loric *, to exprefs the fecond, it is placed above and to exprefs
the third, below, as in the examples in the plate (22 — 32.)
Oxygen alfo combines with many bodies, and in feveral pro-
portions. The produces refulting from thefe combinations are
either oxides or acids. The oxides maybe characterized by affix-
ing the fign of oxygen to the left fide of the iign of the bale, and
the acids by affixing it to the right and the greater or lefs degree
of each may be marked by placing it above or below, as in the ex-
amples in the plate. In this then is a deviation from all the tables of
chemical figns which have been feen,and,it is trufted, with propriety;
for M. Chenevix has remarked of the fyftem, that " one of its chief
<c defects is the impoftibility of marking, by any principles it points
" out, the difference of the metallic oxides. A circle, with the
" mark of oxygen at the top, is the only method of marking a me-
" tallic oxide ; for if we put the mark of oxygen lower, it will
" then have the force of an acid, and we mult not confound the
" fituation of the figns to mark differences of ftates, or the whole
" fyftem will become confuted. a But the alteration propofed
enables us to mark no lefs than fix ftates of oxygenizement. When
the fign of oxygen is placed on the left, it implies that the com-
pound is an oxide ; if it be placed at top, it exprefles the fmalleft
degree of oxidizement ; at bottom, the higheft, and we have room
for an intermediate one. The degrees of acidification are expreff-
ed in the fame manner, except that the character of oxygen is
placed to the right of the bafe. See 14 — 21. The fame propofal
has been made by Dr. Vandier in the Journ. de Phyfique, Vol. 56.
and this coincidence is a proof that it is not arbitrary, but ariles
naturally from an attentive confideration of the fubjec-1:.
The other primary combinations are exprefTed in the fame way.
When they unite only in one proportion, or when the proportions
are indifferent, the figns are placed indifferently, though it would
be better to place them in one determinate way ; but when either
of them is in excefs, its fign is always placed below. Thus heavy
hydro-carbonous oxide is expreffed by placing the fign of hydrogen
above that of carbon, 36 ; light hydro-carbonous oxide by reverting
their pofition, 35. Glafs is exprelfed by placing the figns of foda
and filica fide by fide, 4<1 ; the liquor filicum, by placing the fign
of the alkali under that of the earth, and adding the fign of fluidity
above, 42.
The fecondary compounds are exprefled in a. fimilar manner.
The bafis has been generally placed before the acid, to admit of
the fign of the degree of acidification being added to the acid ; and
the fame pofition fortunately admits of the fign of the degree of
oxidizement being added to the oxide, when a metallic oxide forms
80
Materia Medica.
the balls of the fait. The excefs of acid or bafe is marked as be-
fore, by placing the acid or bafe below. With regard to the me-
tallic falts, Mr. Chenevix has given fome reafons for not introduc-'
ing the fign of oxygen ; but he himfelf has given the moft power-
ful reafon for introducing it, by proving, that the real difference
between calomel and corrofive fublimate is in the ltate of oxidize-
ment of the metal. The manner of marking the oxides, propofed
above, enables us to exprefs this difference diftinclly, when the de-
gree of oxidizement is ascertained.
Explanation of the Table of Chemical Signs.
Generic Signs,
No.
i. Light.
5. Carbon.
9. Alkalies.
1 1 . Metals.
12. Acidifiable
bafes, un-
known or
compound.
13. Compound
oxides.
2. Oxygen.
6. Hydrogen.
10. Earths.
3. Caloric.
7. Sulphur.
4. Nitrogen.
3. Phofphorus.
Combinations of Oxygen.
No. Oxides. Acids.
14.
Nitrogen.
t — ' 1
1
Atmofpheric
air.
2
Nitrous
oxide.
3
Nitric
oxide.
1
Nitrous.
2
3
Nitric.
'5-
Carbon.
incombufti-
ble coal.
Char-
coal.
Carbonic
oxide.
Carbonic.
16.
Hydrogen.*
Water.
17-
Sulphur.
Oxide of
lulphur.
Sulphu-
rous.
Sulphuric.
iS.
Mercury.
Black oxide.
Yellow.
Red.
19.
Iron.
Green oxide.
Red.
20.
Arfenic.
White.
Arfenic.
21.
Muriatic ra-
dical.*
Muri-
atic.
Oxyge-
nized
nm riatic.
Hyper-ox-
ygenized
muriatic.
* From the difcoveryof the muriatic radical being hydrogen, an alteration mull:
nece.Tarily take place in thefe two numbers, water being, from the difcovery advert-
ed to, the higheft degree of oxygenized hydrogen.
App.
Chemical Signs.
81
Combinations of Caloric.
22. Oxygen, 23. Nitrogen. 24. Sulphur. 25. Potafs. 2G. Ace-
tic acid. 27. Ice. 28. Ammonia. 29. Sulphuric acid. 30. Mer-
cury. 31. White oxide of arfenic. 32. Acetate of ammonia.
The three columns reprefent the mode of characterizing the three
ftates of aggregation of each of thefe fubftances.
Primary Compounds.
33. Ammonia. 34. Carburet of iron. 35. Light hydro-carbo-
nous oxide. 36. Heavy hydro-carbonous oxide. 37. Sulphuretted
phofphorus. 38. Phoiphuretted fulphur. 39. Amalgam of gold.
40. Alloy of filver and copper. 41. Glafs. 42. Liquor filicum.*
Secondary Compounds.
43. Sulphite of potafs. 44. Sulphate of potafs. 45. Super-ful-
phate of potafs. 46. Sulphate of alumina. 47. Supcr-fulphate of
alumina and potafs, alum. 48. Nitrate of potafs. 49. Muriate of
ammonia. 50. Hyper-oxygenized muriate of potafs. 51. Tar-
trate of foda and potafs. 52. Sub-borate of foda. 53. Sub-muri-
ate of mercury lefs oxidized, calomel. 54. Muriate of mercury
more oxidized, corrofive fublimate. 55. Green fulphate of iron.
56. Brown fulphate of iron. 57. Tartrate of antimony and potafs.
58. Sub-acetate of copper. 59. Acetate of copper. 60. Soap of
foda. 61. Soap of ammonia. 62. Hydroguretted fulphuret of
potafs. 63. Litharge plafter. 64. Ammoniuret of gold, Fulmi-
nating golji.
M
MATERIA MEDICA.
A.
ACIDA^— ACIDS.
HPHE opinions entertained of the principle of acidity have been
A many and various : the experiments of that illuftrious che-
mift Lavoifier at length developed the myftery, and proved that
the acidifying principle is Oxygen; and that acids are nothing
but combuftible fubftances combined with oxygen, which differ
from one another according to the nature of the combuftible bafe.
As oxygen potteries fo important a place in the formation of
acids, and as ic has within thefe few years been introduced into
pneumatic medicine, as a powerful agent in the cure of difeafes,
it will not be improper to enter more minutely into its con fide-
ration.
Oxygen is the principle on which mod of the chemical quali-
ties of atmoipheric air depend. Its tendency to combination is
fo very ftrong, that it has never been procured in a feparate ftate.
Oxygen gas, or the combination of oxygen with caloric, is its mod
fimple form. This is permanently elaftic, compreffible, tranfpa-
rent, inodorous, and infipid. Its fpecific gravity is 0.00135. It fup-
ports inflammation ; is neceflary for refpiration and vegetation, and
is decoiwpofed in all thefe proceffes ; it conftitutes 0.22 of atmof-
pheric air. Oxygen is alfo a principal conftituent in water, in all
acids and metallic oxides, and in almoft all animal and vegetable
fubftances. It is feparated from many of its combinations by the
fun's rays.
As an important chara£teriftic diftin&ion between fimple fub-
ftances confifts, in fome poflefling no affinity whatever for oxygen,
84
Materia Me die a.
whilfl others have a more or lefs ftrong attraction for it, it will .
be proper to explain in this place, the general phenomena which
attend the combination of oxygen with oxygenizable bafes. The
term combullion has been by the French chemifts incorrectly
extended to all thefe combinations ; for in common language*
that word is applied to cafes in which oxygen is not an agent, !
and always fuppofes the production of heat and light, although in
numberlefs inihmces of oxygenizement thefe phenomena do not
appear.
Oxygenizement is an example of chemical union, and is fub-
jecled to all the laws of affinity** It requires the prefence and
contact of oxygen, and of another fubftance poiieffing affinity
for it.
Oxygenizable bafes attract oxygen with very different degrees
of force. This attraction is much influenced by temperature.
Thus charcoal, which at ordinary temperatures feems to pofTefs
no attraction for oxygen, unites with it rapidly, and almoft infe-
parably, when heated to ignition.
Oxygen combines with mofc oxygenizable fubflances in certain
definite proportions, perhaps only in one ; and the apparent vari-
ety of proportions may be owing to a fecond or third fimilar com-
bination of the firft compound with another quantity of oxygen,
or of the bafe ; and of the fecond compound with»a third quan-
tity.
The attraction between oxygen and the oxygenizable bafes,
is in the inverfe ratio of faturation ; or, in other words, the affinity
by which they form their primary combinations, is llronger than
that by which they form any fecondary combination, and fo on
progreffively.
In many inuances, oxygenizement is fo ftrongly oppofed by
cohefion, that it docs not take place unlefs affifhed by a degree of
heat fumcieht to melt or vaporize the oxygenizable bafe.
It is alfc often accompanied by the extrication of caloric and
light in a very conspicuous degree. To thefe the term combuftion
fhould be confined; and only fuch oxygenizable bafes as are ca-
pable of exhibiting thefe phenomena are combuflible. Thefe phe-
• Affinity is regulated by the following laws:
a. It does not acx at fenfible ditlances.
b. It is exerted only between particles of different fpecies.
' c. Tt is exerted by different bodies, with different degrees of force.
d. Moffc bodies combine only in certain proportions.
e. It is the inverfe rc.i]o of faturation.
f. It incrcafes with the mafs.
g. Its action is influenced by cohefion and elafticily.
b. It is often accompanied by a change of temperature.
i. Subftanccs, chemically combined, acquire new properties ;
t. And cannot be feparatcd by mechanical means.
A. Acida, he.
85
nomena depend upon the new compound having a weaker affi-
nity or lefs capacity than its conftituents for light and caloric,
which are therefore extricated.
If the combuftible body be vaporized, flame is produced, and
the procefs is then denominated Inflammation.
Bv its union with oxygenizable fubftances, oxygen undergoes
very' various changes of its properties. In many inftances, the
compounds of oxygen are fluid or lolid, opaque, coloured, in-
capable of fupporting inflammation, and deleterious to animal or
vegetable life. The changes which the oxygenizable bafes under-
go, are no lefs confpicuous. Their form, colour^ tafte, odour,
denfity, permeability to light and electricity, fpecific caloric, and,
finally, their affinities, are often totally altered.
When, in confequencc of oxygenizement, any fubftance ac-
quires a four tafte, and the properties of converting vegetable
blues to red, and of faturating or deftroying the characterise pro-
perties of alkalies and earths, it is faid to be acidified, and fuch
compounds are termed Acids.
When it does not acquire thefe properties, the compounds arc
termed Oxides.
Many oxides are capable of being converted into acids, by com-
bination with an additional quantity of oxygen.
Oxygen is capable of combining at the fame time with two
or more fubftances j and the oxides or acids which refult from
fuch combinations, are termed oxides or acids with a double or
triple bafe.
In general, the bafes which are leafb Ample, unite with oxvgen
in the grcateft variety of proportions.
.
Primary Compounds of Oxygen.
A. Binary,
a. With nitrogen :
1. Atmofpheric air.
2. Nitrous oxide.
8. Nitric oxide. *
4. Nitric acid.
b. With hydrogen : water.*
Cm With carbon :
1. Iucombuftible coal, plumbago.
2. Charcoal, (carbonous oxide).
3. Gafeous oxide of carbon, (carbonic oxide).
4. Carbonic acid.
* Alfo muriatic acid, as fhewn by the Galvanic experiments of Profeflbr Pac-
chioni and Mr. Peel.
86
Materia Medica.
d. Withfulphur:
1. Protoxide of fulphur.
2. Peroxide of fulphur.
3. Sulphureous acid.
4. Sulphuric acid.
e. "With phofphorus :
1. Oxide of phofphorus.
2*. Phofphorous acid.
3. Phofphoric acid.
f. With metals :
1. Metallic oxides.
2. Metallic acids.
B. Ternary,
a. With carbon and hydrogen :
1. Oxides. Hydro-carbonous oxides, alcohol, ether, oil,
vegetable fubftances.
2. Acids. Vegetable acids.
b* With hydrogen and fulphur :
Sulphuretted hydrogen, hydroguretted fulphur.
C. Quaternary, with hydrogen, carbon and nitrogen.
1. Oxides. Animal fubftances.
2. Acids* Animal acids.
Acids are divided into thofe with fimple bafes, and thofe with
compound bafes.
Of Acids with Simple Bases.
They are,
Carbonic acid gas.
Nitrous acid, - -
Nitric acid, -
Sulphurous acid gas,
Sulphuric acid,
Phofphorous acid,
Phofphoric acid,
Metallic acids, viz.
Arfenious acid,
Arfenic acid,
Tungftic acid.
Molybdic acid.
Chromic acid.
Columbic acid.
vide
Carbo Ligni.
Nitras Potajfk.
Sulphur.
Phofphorus.
Arfenicum.
A. Acida, Sec.
87
Other metallic oxides feem capable of acidification ; but our
information refpecring them is not yet fufficient to enable us to
enumerate their properties.
Befides fome of the metals, hydrogen is the only fimple fub-
ftance which does not feem to be capable of acidification ; and,
on the other hand, there are three acids, with whofe compofition
we are (till unacquainted, viz.
Muriatic acid.* vide Mimas fedx.
Boracic acid. - Sub-boras foda.
Fluoric acid.
Of Acids with Compound Bases.
The compound acids poflefs the properties of acids in general ;
but they are diftinguiftied from the acids with fimple bafes, by
their great alterability.
The ternary acids coincide nearly with the vegetable acids, and
are characterized by their being converted entirely into water and
carbonic acid when completely decompofed by oxygen. They
confift of various proportions of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
The quaternary acids coincide nearly with the animal acids ;
and are characterized by their furnilhing ammonia as well as
water and carbonic acid when decompofed.
The ternary acids, are
Acetic acid. vide Acidum Aeetofum.
Oxalic. - Ox a/is Ac et of ell a.
Tartaric. - Super-Tartris Potajja.
Citric. - Citrus Medica.
Malic.
Lactic
Gallic. - Outre us Cerris.
Mucous.
Benzoic. - - Siyrax Benzoin.
Succinic. - Suceinutn.
Camphoric. - Laurus Camphora.
Suberic.
Laccic.
Sebacic. - Adeps.
* Galvanifm has apparently unfolded to us the compofition of the muriatic acid-
The late experiments of Profeflor Pacchioni have led him to conclude that hydrogen
is its bafe, in union with a fmaller proportion of oxygen than enters into the com-
pofition of water.
88
Materia Medica*
The quaternary acids are
Pruflic acid. vide Amygdalus Communis,
Amnic.
Uric.
Of the above mentioned acids fuch only are noticed, as are con-
necled with articles of the materia medica.
ACIDUM ACETOSUM IMPURUM. Ed,
- Impure Acetous Acid.
Syn. Acetum, L. } y.
ACETUM VlNI, D. 3 6
D. Azyn. P. Vinagrc.
DA. Aeddike. POL. Occt.
F. Vinaigre. II. Ukzus.
G. Essig. S. Vinagre.
I. Ace to. SW. Attika.
This acid is employed in three different ftates, which have
been diftinguifhed from each other by peculiar names. When
firft prepared, it is called vinegar ; when purified by diftillation,
it afiumes the name of dijiilled vinegar, ufually called acetous
acid by chemifts ; when concentrated as much as poflible by pe-
culiar prccefTes, it is called radical vinegar, or acetic acid.
Vinegar, as obtained by the fermentation of vinous liquors, be-
sides the pure acetic acid diluted with much water, contains tar-
taric acid, tartrate and fuper-tartrate of potafs, mucilaginous and
extractive matters, and fometimes citric, malic and phofphoric
acids, alcohol and a peculiar agreeable aroma. Thefe fubftan-
ces render it apt to fpoi!, and unfit for pharmaceutic and chemical
purpofes. By diiiillation, however, the acetic acid is eafily fepa-
rated from fuch of thefe fubitances as are not volatile. The lead
impure is that prepared from white wine. It fhould be of a pale
yellow colour, perfectly tranfpafent, of a pleafant, fomewhat
pungent, acid tafte, but without any acrimony. From the mu-
cilaginous impurities which all vinegars contain, they are apt, on
expofure to the air, to become turbid and ropy, and at laft vapid.
This inconvenience is bed obviated by keeping them in bottles
completely filled and well corked. They are faid to keep better if
they are boiled a few minutes before they be corked.
Vinegar is fometimes adulterated with fulphuric acid, Its pre-
fence is detected, if on the addition of a folution of nitrate of ba-
ryta to the fufpeclcd vinegar, a white precipitate is formed, which
A. Acidum Acetosum, &c. 89
is infoluble in nitric acid, after having been burnt in the fire.
With the fame intention of making the vinegar appear ftronger,
different acrid vegetables are occafionally infufed in it. This fraud
is difficult of detection ; but when tailed with attention, the pun-
gency of fuch vinegar will be found to depend rather on acrimony
than acidity.
Vinegar pofTefTes ftrong antifeptic powers on dead animal and
vegetable matters. Hence its employment in pickling. The fine
green colour fo much admired in fome vegetable pickles is often
improperly given them by means of copper. This poilbnous ad-
dition is eafily detected, on dropping fome carbonate of ammonia
into the fufpected vinegar, by the fine blue colour produced.
Medical ufe. Its action on the living body is gently ftimulant
and aitringent. It promotes tranfpiration and the difcharge by
urine ; and ufed moderately as a condiment, it facilitates di-
geftion.
Vinegar is employed as an ufeful addition to drink, in inflam-
matory fevers, in the proportion of about an ounce to a quart. As
a medicine,, it is ufed in fcurvy, and to counteract the effects of
narcotic poilons and mephitic vapours. In the form of glyfler,
it is ufed in the fame difeafes, and in obftinate conflipation.
Externally, it is applied in fomentations and baths, as a ftimulant
and dilcutient and its vapour is inhaled in putrid fore throat,
and ditfufed through the chambers of the fick to correct the pu-
trefcency of the atmofphere.
Officinal Preparations.
Acidum acetosum destillatum, E. L. D.
forte, E. L.
camphoratum, E. vide, Aceia Medicata.
Acetum aromaticum, E. - - Idem.
colchici, D. - Idem.
srillae, L. D. - - Idem.
Cataplasma sinapeos, L. D. - Catafdasmata.
Ceratum saponis, L. D. - - Unguent a.
Mel acetatum, L. D. - - - Mella Medicata
Oxymel aeruginis, L. - Idem.
colchici, L. - Idem.
scillae, L. - - Idem.
Syrupus acidi acetosi, E. Syru/ii.
colchici, E - - Idem.
N
90
Materia Medica.
ACIDUM ACETOSUM DESTILLATUM. Ed.
Diftilled Acetous Acid.
Syn. Acetum Destillatum, L. D. Diftilled Vinegar.
Let eight pounds of acetous acid be diftilled in glafs-vefiels,
with a gentle heat. The two firft pounds which come over, being
too watery, are to be fet afide ; the next four pounds will be the
diftilled acetous acid. The remainder furnifhes a Hill ftronger
acid, but too much burnt by the fire. (E.)
The fpecific gravity of this acid is to the weight of diftilled
water, as 1004 to 1000. (Dub. Col.)
By diftillation vinegar lofes its agreeable flavour, and becomes
confiderably weaker ; for the water being rather more volatile than
acetic acid, comes over firft, while the laft and ftrongeft portion
of the acid cannot be obtained free from empyreuma.
This procefs may be performed either in a common ftill or ra-
ther in a retort. The better kinds of wine vinegar fhould be ufed.
Indeed, with the beft kind of vinegar, if the diftillation be carried
on to any great length, it is extremely difficult to avoid empyreu-
ma. The beft method of preventing this inconvenience is, if a re-
tort be ufed, to place the fand but a little way up its fides, and
when fomewhat more than half the liquor is come over, to pour
on the remainder a quantity of frefh vinegar equal to the liquor
drawn off. This may be repeated three or four times ; the vine-
gar iupplied at each time being previoufly heated. The addition
of cold liquor would not only prolong the operation, but alfo en-
danger the breaking of the retort.
Lowitz recommends the addition of half an ounce of recently-
burnt and powdered charcoal to each pound of vinegar in the ftill,
as the beft means of avoiding empyreuma.
If the common ftill be employed, it fhould likewife be occasion-
ally fupplied with frefh vinegar, in proportion as the acid runs off,
and this continued until the procefs can be conveniently carried no
farther. The diftilled acid muft be rectified by a fecond diftilla-
tion in a retort or glafs alembic ; for although the head and re-
ceiver be of glafs or ftone ware, the acid will contract a metallic
taint from the pewter worm.
The reliduum of this procefs is commonly thrown away as ufe-
lefs, although, if ikilfully managed, it may be made to turn to good
account, the ftrongeft acid ftill remaining in it. Mixed with about
three times its weight of fine dry fand, and committed to difl il-
lation in a retort, with a well-regulated fire, it yields an exceed-
ingly ftrong empyreumatic acid. It is, neverthelefs, without any
A. Acidum Acetosum Forte, fkc, 91
rectification, better for fome purpofes, as being ftronger, than the
pure acid ; particularly for making acetate of potafs or foda : for
then the empyreumatic oil is burnt out.
Diftilled vinegar mould be colourlefs and tranfparent ; have a
pungent fmell, and purely acid tafte, totally free from acrimony
2nd cmpyreuma, and mould be entirely volatile. It fhould not
form a black precipitate on the addition of a folution of baryta, or
of water faturated with fulphuretted hydrogen; or change its co-
lour when fuper-faturated with ammonia. Thefe circumftances
ihew, that it is adulterated with fulphuri;. acid, or contains lead,
copper, or tin.
Diftilled acetous acid, in its effects on the animal economy, does
not differ from vinegar, and as it lefs pieafant to the tafte, it is
only ufed for pharmaceutical preparations.
Officinal Preparations.
Acetum potassa:, F. L. D. - vide, Fotasfa.
Aqua aceiitis ammoniae, E. L. D- Ammonia.
Acetis plumbi, E. L. D. ? I}1 ■ * %
. . 1 . . • t r - - Plumbum.
Aqua lythargyn acetati, L. D. 3
Acctis hydrargyri, E. L. D. - Hydrargyrum.
ACIDUM ACETOSUM FORTE. Ed.
Strong Acetous Acid*
Syn. Acidum Acetosum, L. Acetous Acid.
Take of
Sulphate of iron dried, one pound ;
Acetite of lead, ten ounces.
Having rubbed them together, put them into a retort, and diftil
in a land ba*h with a moderate heat, as long as any acid comes
over. (E.)
Specific gravity, 1050. (L.)
Acetic acid is a tranfparent and colourlefs fluid, of an extremely
pungent fmell and a caultic acid tafte, capable of reddening and
bliftering the Ikin. It is very volatile, and its vapour is highly in-
flammable ; it combines with water in every proportion ; it com-
bines with fugar, mucilage, volatile oils, alcohol ; it dilTolves bo-
racic acid, and abforbs carbonic acid gas ; it is formed by the aci-
dification of fugar, and by the deconipofition of fome other ter-
nary and quaternary compounds by heat or acids. It is decom-
pofed by the fulphuric and nitric acids, and by heat. The pro-
portions of its conftituents are not afcertained. In its ordinary
92
Materia Afedica.
{late, it has only at! acid tafte, a pleafant odour"; congeals and
cryftallizes at — 22°, and is vaporized at 212.**
Acetates are very foluble in water ; are decompofed by heat, by
expofure of their folutions to the air, and by the ftronger acids.
By the above procefs the acetic acid, is prepared. It is now
generally believed to differ from diftilled vinegar only in ftrength,
and in being perfectly free from all mucilaginous matter •, there-
fore, according to the principles of nomenclature, which gives
fimple names to fimple fubftances, the llrong acid mould be acetic
acid, and our prefent acetous acid mould be weak or dilute acetic
acid.
Many different proceffes have been propofed for preparing ace-
tic acid, but they may be arranged in three clafles. It may be pre-
pared,
1. By decornpofing metalline acetates by heat,
2. acetates by fulphuric acid.
3. acetates by fulphates.
The procefs of the London college which ufes the verdegris is
an example of the fir ft kind. But the heat neceffary is fo great,
that it decompofes part of the acetic acid itfelf, and gives the
product: an empyreumatic and unpleafant fmell.
By the fuperior affinity of fulphuric acid, the acid may be eafily
expelled from every acetate, whether alkaline or metallic ; but
part of the fulphuric acid feems to be deprived of its oxygen, and
to be converted into fulphurous acid, which renders the product
impure.
The proceffes of the laft: kind are preferable to the others in
many refpects. They are both more economical, and they furniih
a purer acid. Mr. Lowitz directs one part of carefully-dried ace-
tate of fcda to be triturated with three parts of fuper-fulphate of
potafs, and the diftillation to be conducted in a glafs retort with a
gentle heat. The Berlin college mix together twelve ounces of
iulphate of potafs with fix of fulphuric acid diluted with eighteen
of water, and evaporate to drynefs. With the fuper-fulphate of
potafs thus prepared they decompofe nine ounces of acetate of fo-
da dried with a gentle heat. The procefs of the Edinburgh col-
lege aifo belongs to this clafs, and was firft propofed by C. Badol-
lier, apothecary at Chartres.
Medical ufe. — It is almoft folely ufed as an analeptic remedy in
fyncope, afphyxia, hyfteric affections, and headachs. Applied to
the (kin, it acts as a ftimulant and rubefacient, but it is mod fre-
quently fnuffed up the noftrils in the ftate of vapour.
Officinal Preparation.
Acidum acetosum camphoratum, E. vide, Accta Medicaid.
A. Aceta Medicata, &c. 93
ACETA MEDICATA.
MEDICATED VINEGARS.
Infusions of vegetable fubftances in acetic acid are commonly
called medicated vinegars. The action of the acid in this cafe
may be confidered as twofold.
1. It acts fimply as water, in confequence of the great quantity
of water which enters into its compofition, and generally extracts
every thing which water is capable of extracting.
2. It exerts its own peculiar action as an acid. In confequence
of this, it fometimes increafes the lblvent power of its watery por-
tion, or difiblves fubftances which water alone is incapable of dif-
folving, and in a few inftances it impedes the folution of fub-
ftances which water alone would difibive.
As acetic acid, in itlelf fufriciently perifhable, has its tendency
to decompofition commonly increafed by the folution of any vege-
table matter in it, it Ihould never be ufed as a menltruum, unlefs
where it promotes the folution of the folvend, as in extracting the
acrid principle of fquills, colchicum, &c. and in dhTolving the vo-
latile, and efpecially the empyreumatic, oils, or where it coincides
with the virtues of the folvend.
ACETUM AROMATIC UM. Ed.
Slromatic Vinegar.
Take of
Tops of rofemary, dried,
Leaves of rage, dried, each four ounces ;
Flowers of lavender, dried, two ounces ;
Cloves, two drachms \
Diftillei acetous acid, eight pounds.
Macerate for feven days, cxprefs the liquor, and (train it. (E.)
This is given as an improved preparation of the Vinaigre des
quatre voleurs, which was fuppofed to be a certain prophylactic
againft the contagion of plague, and fimilar difeafes. It is in fact'
a pleafant folution of eftential oils in vinegar, which will have
more effect in correcting bad fmells than in preventing fever.
94
Materia Medica.
ACETUM COLCHICI. Dub.
Vinegar of Meadow Saffron.
Take of
The recent root of colchicum, cut in flices, one ounce ;
Vinegar, one pound ;
Diluted fpirit of wine, one ounce and a half.
Macerate the root in the vinegar four days, in a glafs veffel, fre-
quently agitating them ; then exprefs the acid, to which decant-
ed from the feces, after they have fubfided, add the fpirit. (D.)
The acrid principle in which the virtue of the colchicum refides,
is more foluble in vinegar than in water : this is therefore a pre-
paration of confiderable activity. The diluted alcohol is added
merely to prevent it from fpoiling.
ACETUM SCILL^E MARITIME. Ed.
Vinegar of Squills.
Syn. Acetum SciLL/E, L. Vinegar of Squills.
Acetum Scilliticum, D. Squill Vinegar.
lake of
Squills, recently dried, one pound ;
Vinegar, fix pints *,
Proof fpirit, half a pint.
Macerate the fquills with the vinegar in a glafs velTel, with a gentle
heat for twenty-four hours ; then exprefs the liquor, and fet it
afide until the feces fubfide. To the decanted liquor add the
fpirit. (L.)
Vinegar of fquills is a medicine of great antiquity. It is a
very powerful ftimulant •, and hence it is frequently ufed, with
great fuccefs, as a diuretic and^expeCtorant. The dole of this me-
dicine is from a drachm to half an ounce : where crudities abound
in the firft pafiages, it may be given at firft in a larger dofe, to eva-
cuate them by vomiting. It is moft conveniently exhibited along
with cinnamon, or other agreeable aromatic waters, which pre-
vent the naufea it would otherwife, even in fmall dofes, be apt to
occafion.
Officinal Preparation.
Syrupus scillse, E. vide, Syru/ii.
A. Accipenser, &x.
95
ACIDUM ACETOSUM CAMPHOR ATUM. Ed.
Camphorated Acetous Acid.
Take of
The ftronger acetous acid, fix ounces ;
Camphor, half an ounce ;
Alcohol, a fufficient quantity.
Reduce the camphor to powder, by triturating it with the alcohol ;
then add it to the acid, and diflblve.
The alcohol in this preparation is ufed merely to facilitate the
reduction of the camphor to powder ; for the ftrong acetous, or,
as we would rather call it, the acetic acid, is capable of diflblving
even a larger proportion of camphor than is directed in the above
formula.
This folution is a powerful analeptic remedy. Its vapour fnuft-
ed up the noftrils, which is the only method of ufing it, is one of
the moft pungent flimuli we pofiefs. It is fo extremely volatile,
that it cannot be preieived without excluding it from the contact
of the air ; and it is fo powerful a menftruum, that it corrodes
cork, and almoft all common metals except gold. It mould there-
fore be kept in glafs phials, with ground glafs Hoppers, or in fmall
gold boxes, fuch as are ufed for Henry's aromatic fpirit of vinegar,
for which it is in fa£t a fimple fubftitute.
ACCIPENSER HUSO et RUTHENUS, Ichthyxolla, ( L. D.J
The Beluga or Ifinglas fifh. The Sterlet. Ifinglas.
Pifces Branckiojlegiy Cuvier.
D. Hidsenblaas. P.
DA. Bauzbtawi, Oarlock. POL.
F. Olle de Poisson. R.
G . Feus en bla.\ e. S .
I. Colla di pesce . S W.
Cola de fieixe.
Klei rybv, Karluk.
Klri riibui, Karluk.
Col-'icz.
Husblu*.
Befidesthofe mentioned by the London College, ifinglafs is pre-
pared from other fpecies of accipenfer, especially A. Jturic, the
Sturgeon, and A.frellatus the Serruga.
The preparation of ifinglas is almoft peculiar to Ruffia. It is
made in all places where the large fpecies of ilurgeon are caught,
as on the Dnieper, the Don, and elpecially on the Cafpian fea, alfo
on the Volga, the Ural, the Oby, and the Irtyfh. That prepared
from the fturgeon is reckoned the belt, and next to it that from
the beluga. It alfo varies according to the mode of preparation.
On the Volga and Ural, the founds are watered while frefli, and
dried to a certain degree. The outer {kin is next taken off, and
96
Materia Medica.
the inner gloffy white membrane is twitted into proper fhapes, and
then completely dried. The belt is ufually rolled into the form of
a fnake or heart ; the fecond folded in leaves, like a book ; and the
worft is dried without any care. In other places, as at Gurief,
fifh glue is -extracted from the founds by boiling. This is cut into
flabs or plates, is perfectly tranfparent, and has the colour of am-
ber. On the Okka, where the flerlet only is to be had, the founds
are beat jufi: as they are extracted from the fifh, and dried into glue.
GoOd ifmglafs is white, in fome degree tranfparent, dry, com-
pofed of membranes not too thick, and without any fmell.
The properties of ifinglas depend entirely on the gelatin,* of
which it principally confifts. One hundred grains of good ifinglas
was found by Mr. Hatchett to contain rather more than 98 of mat-
ter foluble in water. A nutritious jelly may be prepared from it.
A watery folution of it is ufed as a ten; of the prefence of tannin,
and for the clarification of fpirituous liquors. Mr. Davy's folution
for the former purpofe confifts of 120 grains of ifinglafs diflblved
in twenty ounces of water, and if properly made, at temperatures
below 50. F. it has a tendency to gelatinize.
It is alfo faid to be employed for the preparation of Engliih court-
ACONITUM NEOMONTANUM.
Large blue Wolfsbane, Monk's-hood, Aconite. The root.
Aconitum Napellus. Folia, Ed.
Aconitum. Herba, L.
Aconitum. Folia, D.
Lin fiat Species Platitarum, edit, Willdenow, genus 1062. fpecies 9.
Polyandria Trigynia. — Nat. ord. Multifiliqua.
This we are allured by Willdenow is the fpecies of aconite
which has always been ufed in medicine, although it is almofb
* Gelatin, when exficcated, is a hard, elaftic, femi-tranfparent fubftance, refem-
bling horn, having a vitreous fracture : inalterable in the air, foluble in boil-
ing water, and forming with it a gelatinous mafs on cooling ; it is alfo foluble,
but lefs readily, in cold water. It is completely infoluble in alcohol, and is even
precipitated by it from its folution in water ; it is foluble in acids, even when much
diluted, and alfo in tbe alkalies; but its moft chara&eriftic property is its affinity
for tannin, with which it forms a thick yellow precipitate, which foon concretes
into an adhefive, elaftic mafs, readily drying in the air, and forming a brittle sub-
ftance, of a refinous appearance, exactly refembling overtanned leather. It is alfo
precipitated copioufly by carbonate of potafs. The folution of gelatin in water
firft becomes acid, and afterwards putrid. When decompofed by nitric acid or
heat, it6 produces fhew that it contains only a fmall proportion of nitrogen. It is
principally contained in the cellular, membranous, and tendinous parts of animals,
and forms an important article of nourifhment. Glue and ifinglafs, which are much
employed in the arts, are aknoft pure gelatin.
A.— Aconitum.
97
univerfally known by the name of Aconitum Napellus in confe-
quence of a botanical error of Stoerk, who introduced it into
practice.
It is a perennial plant, found in the Alpine forefts of Carinthia,
Carniolia, and other mountainous countries in Germany, and cul-
tivated in our gardens.
The frefh plant and root are very violent poifons, producing
remarkable debility, paralyfis of the limbs, convulfive motions of
the face, bilious vomiting, and cathaerefis, vertigo, delirium, af-
phyxia, death. The frefh leaves have very little fmell, but when
chewed have an acrid tafte, and excite lancinating pains, and fwell-
ing of the tongue. By drying, its acrimony is almoH entirely de-
ftroyed. For medical ufe the plant muft be gathered before the
Item moots.
Ufes and dofe. When properly adminiftered, it acts as a pene-
trating Pimulus, and generally excites fweat, and fometimes an in-
Creafed difcharge of urine.
On many occafions, it has been found a very effectual remedy
in glandular fwellings, venereal nodes, anchylofis, fpina ventofa,
itch, amaurofis, gouty and rheumatic pains, intermittent fevers,
and convulfive dilbrders.
We may begin by giving one or two grains of the dried leaves
in powder, but it is commonly ufed in the form of an infpiffated
juice. As foon as the plant is gathered, the juice is expreffed, and
evaporated without any previous clarification, to the confiftence of
an extract. It is an unfortunate circumftance, that the powers of
this medicine vary very much, according to its age and the heat
employed 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 univerfal rule,
in the employment of this and of many other fimilar active medi-
cines, to begin with very fmall dofes, and to increafe them gra-
dually to the 1 eceffary degree; and whenever we have occafion
to begin a new parcel of the medicine, we mould commence with
an inferior dofe, and proceed with the fame caution as at firft.
We may begin by giving half a grain of this extract, either
formed into a powder with ten grains of white fugar, or made up
with any convenient addition into a pill, twice or thrice a day, and
gradually increafe the dofe : Or a tincture of aconite may be pre-
pared by digefting one part of the dried leaves in fix parts of fpirit
of wine the dofe of which will be at firft five or ten drops, and
may be gradually increafed to forty and upwards.
Officinal Preparation.
Succus spissatus aconiti napelli, E. vide, Succi sfdssati.
O
98
Materia Medica.
ACORUS CALAMUS. Ed.
Sweet Flag. The Root.
Syn. Calamus Aromaticus, L. D.
Willd. g. 663. fp. 1. — Hexandria Monogynla. — Nat. ord. Piper-
it*.
This plant is perennial, and grows plentifully in rivulets and
marihy places about Norwich and other parts of England, in the
canals of Holland, in Switzerland, and in other countries of Eu-
rope. It is alfo abundant in America. The ihops have been
ufually fupplied from the Levant with dried roots, which are not
fuperior to thofe of our own growth.
The root of acorus is full of joints, crooked, fomewhat flatted
on the fides, internally of a white colour, and loofe fpongy tex-
ture ; its fmell is ftrong ; the tafte warm, acrid, bitterifh, and aro-
matic ; both the fmell and tafte are improved by exficcation. This
root is generally looked upon as a carminative and ftomachic me-
dicine, and as fuch is fometimes made ufe of in practice. It is
faid by fome to be fuperior in aromatic flavour to any other vege-
table that is produced in the northern climes of Europe ; which
is by no means ftri&ly true : it is neverthelels, a fufriciently elegant
aromatic. The frefh root, candied, is faid to be employed at Con-
ftantinople as a prefervative againft epidemic difeafes. The leaves
of this plant have a fweet fragrant fmelJ, more agreeable, though
weaker, than that of the roots.
Neumann obtained by diftillation about two fcruples of fragrant
volatile oil from fixteen ounces of the dried root. It alfo rofe in
diftillation with water, but not with alcohol. The fpirituous
extract from two ounces weighed 370 grains, and water extract-
ed from the refiduum 190 grains. The watery extract from
two ounces weighed 455 grains, and the refiduum gave out to
alcohol 4-3.
ADEPS.
F A T. T A L L 0 W.
D. Talg, Talg.
DA. Talg, Talg.
F. Saif.
G. Talg.
I. Sevo, Sego.
P. Sebo.
POL. Lay.
R. Salo toplenoe.
S. Sebo.
SW. Talg.
A. Adeps, 6*c.
99
Fat and tallow fcarcely differ from the fixed oils, except in being
more concrete and more difpofed to rancidity. Fat melts between
92^ and 127°. Tallow is (till lefs fufible. They'cannot be con-
verted into vapour without fuftering decompofition, and, when
melted, leave, like oil, a greafy ftain on paper.
Fat enters into the compofition of the various ointments, plan-
ters, cerates, &c. hereafter to be noticed. It is chiefly obtained
from the following fources, although many others might be ad-
vantageoufly employed.
BOS TAURUS. Adeps.
The Ox. Tallow.
CI. Mammalia. Ord. Ruminantia. \
The properties of this animal are well underftood. Its fat is
equally ufeful with that of mutton for all thofe medicinal prepara-
tions into which the latter enter? .
OVIS ARIES. Adeps. (Ed.) Ovis Sevum. (Loud.) Sevum
tvillum. ( Dub. J
The fheep. Mutton-fuet.
CI. Mammalia. Ord. Ruminantia.
Mutton is a highly nutritious and wholefome food. Ewe-
milk is thick and heavy, and contains much cream and little
whey. The cheefe made from it has a bitter biting rafte, efpe-
cially when old, and is fuppofed to be ftomachic. Mutton-fuet is
officinal, for the purpofe of giving confiftency to ointments and
plafters.
SUS SCROFA. Adeps. (Ed.) Sus. Adtfs. (Lond.) Adeps
fuillus. (Dub.)
The hog. The fat. Hogs lard.
CI. Mammalia. — Ord. Pachyderms'. •
Ix hogs-lard we have a very pure animal fat, almoft entirely free
from any peculiar impregnation, and of a foft confidence. Hence
it is a very ufeful emollient for relaxing thofe parts to which it is
applied ; and it is alfo a very convenient article for giving the
proper confidence to ointments, plafters, and liniments. Indeed
this and the fevum ovillum, or mutton-fuet, are the only fats now
retained by the London and Edinburgh colleges, although formerly
100
Materia Medica.
more than twenty different fats entered fome lifts of materia me-
dica. Each particular fat was then fuppofed to poflefs peculiar
properties ; but for this there is probably no foundation : even
thofe retained are now lefs employed than before, as it has been
imagined that a proper confidence of any kind may be more cer-
tainly obtained by determined proportions of wax and oil; but as
thefe articles are more expenfive, hogs-lard and mutton-fuet are
often fubfiituted for them by the apothecaries.
Officinal Preparations.
Adipis bovis, suillae, sevique ovilli, praeparatio. vide, Ungucnta*
Unguenta, &c. varia. - - - Idem.
Sebacic acid, or acid of fat has no place in the Materia Medica.
Its prefence however muft doubtlefs influence the properties of
many of the preparations into which fat or tallow enter ; it may
therefore be proper to introduce its chemical properties.
Sebacic acid has no fmell, and a flight! y acid tafte. It is cry-
ftailizable, melts like fat, and is not volatile. It is fo foluble in
hot water as to become folid on refrigeration. It is alfo very folu-
ble in alcohol. It precipitates the nitrates of lead, filver, and mer-
cury, ana the acetates of lead and mercury. It does not precipitate
the waters of lime, baryta, or ftrontia.
Sebates are ibiuble falts.
iERUGO. — vide, Sub-Acetis Cupri.
.iESCULUS HIPPOCASTANUM. (Ed.) Semen, Cortex.
Horfe chefnut, the fruit and bark.
Willd. g.yrll. fp;. h Heptandria Monogfiia. — Nat. ord. Trih$*
lata.
This is a very common and well-known tree. The fruit, which
contains much amylaceous matter,* has been ufed as food for do-
meftic animals, and even for men, in times of fcarcity. But its
* Profeffor Woodhoufe obtained from a finglc nut of the iEfculus Pavia, weigh-
ing half an ounce and twenty-five grains, forty-four grains of fine ftarch. Haifa
pound of this ftarch, preferved its colour unimpaired two years. The Doctor thinks
it fuperior to the fineft Polifh ftarch. The water of the firft wafhing, ufed to re-
ceive the grated nuts, was found to hold a poifonous matter in folution. See Med-.
Repos. vol. 3. p. 21 1,
A. Alcohol, fkc. 101
introduction into the Edinburgh Pharmacopeia, was probably
owing to its haying been ufed and recommended as a fternutatory
in fome cafes of ophthalmia and headach. With this view it was
drawn up the noftrils in the form of an infufion or decoction.
The bark has been propofed as a fubftitute for the very expenfive
and often adulterated Peruvian bark. Many fuccefsful experi-
ments of its effects, when given internally in intermittent and
typhus fever, and alfo when applied externally in gangrene, fufli-
ciently warrant future trials. Although chemical analyfis is not
yet fufFiciently advanced to enable us to determine from it the
medical ufes of any fubftance, it appears that the active conftituent
of this bark is tannin, which is incompatible with the prefence
of Cinchonin, the predominant, and probably the active confti-
tuent, of Peruvian bark. In powder it may be given to the ex-
tent of a fcruple and a half, or a drachm for a dofe. Buchholz
prefers a folution of a drachm of the extract: in an ounce of cinna-
mon water, of which fixty drops are to be given every three
hours.
ALCOHOL. Ed.
ALCOHOL.
Syn. Spiritus Vinosus Rectificatus^ L.
Spiritus Vini Rectificatus, D.
Rectified Spirit of Wine.
This is the fpirit diftilled from wine or other fermented liquors,
perfectly free from any unpleafant fmell, and of which the fpecific
gravity is to that of water as 835 to 1000, fuch as may be eafily
procured. (Ed. J The London College order a fpirit of the fame
fpecific gravity, and add, that it contains 95 parts of pure alcohol,
and 5 of water. The Dublin college order it of the fpecific gra-
vity 840.
Alcohol forms the true characteriflic of vinous liquors, and
arifes from the decompofition of fugar, being always in propor-
tion to its quantity. It is found in greateft quantity in the wines
of warm countries, and in wines prepared from thoroughly-ripen-
ed fruit. In the fouth of France, fome wines yield a third of
brandy. It is the proportion of alcohol which renders wines
more or lefs generous, and prevents them from becoming four.
The richer a wine is in alcohol, the lefs malic acid it contains,
102
Materia Medica.
and, therefore, the beffc wines give the beft brandy, becaufe they
are free from the dilagreeable tafte which the malic acid imparts
to them. Old wines give better brandy than new wines, but lefs
of it.
Alcohol is procured from wine by diftillation ; in conducting
which, the following rules are to be obferved :
1. To heat the whole mafs of fluid at once, and equally.
2. To remove all obftacles to the afcent of the vapour.
3. To condenfe the vapour as quickly as poiTible.
The diftillation is continued until the liquor which comes over
is not inflammable.
Baume mentions a very remarkable fact, concerning the prepa-
ration, of alcohol. He diftilled two pounds of alcohol, fp. gr. 832,
in the water bath, and filled the refrigeratory with ice, and he ob-
tained two pounds four ounces of an alcohol having only fp. gr.
862. This he afcribes to water condenfed from the air in the
worm by the coldnefs of the ice, and he affures us from experi-
ence, that to get an alcohol of 827, it is abfolutely neceflary that
the refrigeratory be filled with water of 145° F.
Diftillers judge of the ftrength of their fpirits by the fize and
durability of the bubbles it forms, when poured from one vefTel in-
to another, or in agitating it in a velTel partly filled. Another
proof is, by the combuftion of gunpowder : fome of which is put
in a fpoon j it is then covered with the fpirit to be tried, which is
fet on fire ; if it kindle the gunpowder, it is fuppofed to be ftrong,
and vice verfa. But a (mall quantity of fpirits will always kindle
gunpowder, and a large quantity never. Another proof is, by
the carbonate of potafs, which attracts the water, and diffolves-in
it, while the alcohol fwims above. But all thefe are uncertain ;
and dependence can only be put in the proof by hydrometers, or
foine fuch contrivance, for ascertaining the weight of a given
quantity at a given temperature.
In this country, alcohol is procured from an infufion of malt,
and before its rectification is termed Whifky. In the Eaft-Indies,
arrack is diftilled from rice ; in the Weft-Indies, rum from the
fugar-cane ; and in France and Spain, brandy from wine. Of all
thefe, the French brandy is the fineft fpirit ; for the others are
more or lefs impregnated with efTential oils, of which it is almoft
impofiible to free them entirely. When any ardent fpirit is redif-
tilled to procure alcohol, the water-bath is commonly ufed, which
gives a more equal and temperate heat, and improves the product.
Gren fays, that the addition of four pounds of well-burnt char-
coal, and three or four ounces of fulphuric acid, previous to this
rectification, deftroys entirely the peculiar tafte of malt fpirit •, and
A. Alcohol, &c.
103
that a fecond rectification with one pound of charcoal, and two
ounces of iulphuric acid, affords an alcohol of very great purity.
But the affinity of alcohol for water is lb very ftrong, that it can-
not be obtained entirely free from it by fimple distillation. We
mult, therefore, abftract the water by means of ibme fubftance
which has a ftronger affinity for it than alcohol has. Carbonate of
potafs was formerly employed ; but muriate of lime is preferable,
becaufe its affinity for water is not only very great, but by being
foluble in alcohol, it comes in contact with every particle of the
fluid. For this purpofe, one part of muriate of lime, rendered
perfectly dry by having been expofed to a red heat, and powdered
after it becomes cold, is put into the Itill. Over this three parts
of highly rectified fpirits are to be poured, and the mixture well
agitated. By diftillation with a very gentie heat, about two-thirds
of the lpirit will be obtained in the Itate of perfectly pure alcohol.
The chemical properties of alcohol are as follow.
Alcohol is a tranfparent colourlefs liquid, of an agreeable pene-
trating fmell, and pungent burning tafte : fpecific gravity O.S.
It remains fluid in the greatelt natural or artificial cold. It boils
at 176°, and in vacuum at 56°. Alcohol unites with water in
every proportion. During the combination, caloric is evolved, and
the fpecific gravity of the compound is greater than the mean of
thofe of the components. Alcohol duTolves about 60 of fulphur,
when they are prcfented to each other in the ftate of vapour. It
alfo diflblvesa little phofphorus. Thefe folutions are decompofed
by water. It diflblves the boracic and carbonic acids, ammonia,
fpda, and potafs, and is the means employed to obtain the two laft
in a ftate of purity. Its action on the falts is various. It diflblves
the volatile oils, refins, foaps, balfams, camphor, fugar, tannin, ex-
tractive, and in part the gummy refins. Alcohol is very inflam-
mable, and when kindled it burns entirely away with a blue flame
without fmoke. The products of its combultion are carbonic acid
and water. It is alfo decompofed by being tranfmitted in the ftate
of vapour through a red-hot porcelain tube ; by being heated with
the fixed alkalies ; and by the action of the fulphuric, nitric, oxy-
muriatic and acetic acids. From Lavoifier's experiment on the
combuftion of alcohol, it was found by calculation to confift of
51.72 oxygen, 29.88 charcoal, and 18.40 hydrogen ; but by cor-
recting the calculation according to Morveau's experiments,
proving the compofition of charcoal, from the fame experiment al-
cohol would fecm to conlilt of 65.0 J oxygen, 18.22 carbon, and
16.73 hydrogen.
Medical Ufes. — On the living body alcohol acts as a moil violent
ftimulus. It coagulates all the albuminous and gelatinous fluids,
and corrugates all the folids. Applied externally, it Ibrengthens
104
Materia Medica.
the veffels, and thus may reftrain paffive haemorrhagies. It inftant-
ly contracts the extremities of the nerves it touches, and deprives
them of fenfe and motion ; by this means eafing them of pain, but
at the fame time deftroying their ufe. Hence employing fpirit-
ous liquors in fomentations, notwithftanding the fpecious titles of
vivifying, heating, reftoring mobility, refolving, diflipating, and the
like, ufually attributed to them, may fometimes be attended with
unhappy confequences. Thefe liquors received undiluted into the
ftomach, produce the fame effects, contracting all the folid parts
which they touch, and deftroying, at leaft for a time, their ufe and
office : if the quantity be considerable, a palfy or apoplexy follows,
which ends in death. Taken in fmall quantity, and duly diluted.,
they act as a cordial and tonic : if farther continued, the fenfes are
difordered, voluntary motion deftroyed, and at length the fame in-
conveniences brought on as before. Vinous fpirits, therefore, in
fmall dofes, and properly diluted, may be applied to ufeful pur-
pofes in the cure of difeafes ; whilft in larger ones they produce
the moft deleterious effects.
Officinal Preparations.
Alcohol, L. D.
JEther sulphuricus, E. L. D.
iEther sulphuricus cum alcohole, E. L. D.
Oleum vini, L.
Spiritus aetheris nitrosi, E. L. D.
It also enters into the preparations of all tinctures and distilled spi-
rits. It is used undiluted in
Tinctura Assafoetidae, E. L. D.
Balsami Peruviani, L.
Benzoes composita, L. E.
Camphorae, E. L. D.
Guaiaci, E. * vide, Tinctur
Moschi, D.
Myrrhae, D.
Saponis, E.
Toluiferae balsami, E. L. D._,
Spiritus Lavandulae, E. L. D. ? . . , ... .
1 ly . . . T > vide* Sturitus destillati*
Ronsmanni, E. L. S ' 1
A. Alcohol.— iEther. 105
ALCOHOL. L. D.
Alcohol.
Take of
Rectified fpirit of wine, five pounds ;
Pearl-afhes, dried over the fire, and Hill warm, one pound ;
Cauftic vegetable alkali, in powder, one ounce.
Mix the fpirit and the cauftic alkali ; add the pearl-afhes, previ-
oufly reduced to powder, and digefl the mixture for three
days, frequently agitating it ; then pour off the fpirit, and diftil
over three pounds with a moderate heat. (D.)
Specific gravity 820. Dub.
Specific gravity 815. Lond.
The theory of thefe procefies has been already explained, and
alfo the fuperiority of. muriate of lime over carbonate of potafs for
feparating the laft portions of water from alcohol. The potafs is
ufed by the London and Dublin colleges in fuch fmall quantity
that it can have little effect ; when added in confidcrable quantity,
it acts upon the alcohol itfelf, and decompofes it, converting it
into an ethereal liquor. The Edinburgh college gives no directions
for the preparation of a perfectly pure alcohol, as it is never ufed
in pharmacy ; but it is perhaps to be regretted, that they have
given the title of alcohol to a liquid which is not the alcohol of
chemifts.
AETHER SULPHURICUS. Ed.
Sulphuric Ether.
Tyn. ^Ether Vitriolicus, L. D.
Vitriolic Ether.
Take of
Sulphuric acid,
Alcohol, each thirty-two ounces.
Pour the alcohol into a glafs retort fit for fuftaining a fudden heat,
and add to it the acid in an uninterrupted ftream. Mix them
by degrees, (baking them moderately and frequently ; this done,
inftantly diftil from fand previoufly heated for the purpofe, into
a receiver kept cool with water or fnow. But the heat is to be
fo managed, that the liquor mall boil as foon as poflible, and
continue to boil till fixteen ounces are drawn or?-, then let the
retort be removed from the fand.
P
106
Materia Medic a.
To the diftilled liquor add two drachms of potafs ; then diftil from
a very high retort, with a very gentle heat, into a cool receiver,
until ten ounces have been drawn off.
If fixteen ounces of alcohol be poured upon the acid remaining in
the retort after the firft diftillation, and the diftillation be re-
peated, more ether will be obtained ; and this may be repeated
feveral times. (E.)
Ether is a tranfparent colourlefs fluid, of a very fragrant
odour, and hot pungent tafte : fpeciftc gravity 0.758. It freezes
and cryftaliizes at — 46 °. It boils at 98°, and in vacuum at — 20w.
It is very foluble in air, and during its evaporation it produces an
intsnfe degree of cold. It is foluble in ten parts of water, and in
alcohol in every proportion. It diffolves a fmall portion of phof-
phorus, and the Solution is decompofed by alcohol. It abforbs ni-
trous gas, combines with ammonia, and dinblves the volatile oils,
refins, and caoutchouc. Ether is extremely inflammable, and
burns with a white flame. Its vapour explodes when kindled in
contact with oxygen gas. It is decompofed by fulphuric acid,
oxy-muriatic acid gas, and by being tranfmitted through a red-hot
porcelain tube. Its conftituents are oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen,
the proportions not afcertained.
iETHER SULPHURICUS cum ALCOHOLE. Ed
Sulphuric Ether with Alcohol.
Syn. Spiritus -ZEtheris Vitriolici. L.
Spirit of Vitriolic Ether. Dulcified Spirit of Vitriol,
Liouor -ZEthereus Vitriolicus. D.
Vitriolic Ethereal Liquor.
Take of
Sulphuric ether, one part ;
Alcohol, two parts.
Mix them. (E.)
Officinal Prepara tions.
Tinctura aloes aetherea. E. iwfc, Tincturse x there z.
./Ether sulphuricus cum alcohole aromaticus. E. Idem.
A.—
— Alcohol. — Oleum Vini, he. 107
OLEUM VINI. L.
Oil of Wine.
Take of
Alcohol,
Vitriolic acid, of each one pint.
Mix them by degrees, and diltil ; taking care that no black froth
pafs into the receiver. Separate the oily part of the diftilled
liquor from the volatile vitriolic acid. To the oily part add as
much water of pure kali as is fumcient to correct the fulphu-
reous fmell \ then diftil off the little ether with a gentle heat.
The oil of wine will remain in the retort, fwimming on the
watery liquor; from which it is to be feparated. (L.)
SPIRITUS AETHER IS VITRIOLICI COMPOSITUS. L.
Compound Spirit of Vitriolic Ether. '
Syn. Liquor ^Ethereus Oleosus ; olim, Liquor Hoffmanni
Anodynus. D.
Oily Ethereal Liquor, formerly Anodyne Liquor of Hoffman.
Take of
Spirit of vitriolic ether, two pounds
Oil of wine, three drachms.
Mix them. (L.)
The products arifing from the decompofition of alcohol by the
action of the acids are extremely curious and interefting. The
theory of their formation was not underftood until lately, when it
was very ingenioufly attempted by Fourcroy and Vauquelin, who
endeavour to mew that the acid remains unchanged, and that the
alcohol is converted into ether, water, and charcoal.
The mod convenient way of mixing the ingredients is to put the
alcohol into a tubulated retort, and, with a long-tubed funnel
reaching 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 diftillation, if we have a
fand bath previoufly heated to the fame degree, to fet the retort
into immediately after the mixture is completed ; nor is there
any occafion for a tubulated receiver, if we immerfe the ordinary
receiver, which ought to be large, in water, or bury it in broken
ice.
The diftillation mould be performed with an equal and very
gentle heat. The juncture of the retort and recipient is to be luted
108
Materia Medica.
with a pafte made of linfeed meal, and further fee lived by a piece
of wet bladdev.
Immediately on mixing the acid with the alcohol, there is a con-
fiderable increafe of temperature, and a flight difengagement of
alcohol, fomewhat altered, and having an aromatic odour. On
placing the retort in the fand bath, a portion of pure alcohol firft
comes over ; and when the mixture "in the retort boils, the ether
rifes, and is condenied in thin, broad, ftraight, ftreaks, having the
appearance of oil. Until the liquor which paiTes over into the re-
ceiver amounts to about half, or fomewhat more than half, of the
alcohol operated on, it confifts almoft entirely of alcohol and ether,
and there has been no production of any permanently elaftic fluid ;
but now the product: of ether ceafes ; the fulphuric acid is decom-
pofed ; and fulphureous vapours begin to arife, which condenfe in
irregular ftreaks, or in drops : we muft therefore either put a ftop
to the procefs, or change the receiver. In the latter cafe the pro-
duels are, fulphureous acid, acetic acid, water, and oil of wine,
as it was called, accompanied towards the end by a peculiar fpecies
of carburetted hydrogen gas, called by the Dutch chemifts Olefiant
gas j becaufe, when mixed with oxygenized muriatic acid, it forms
oil. At laft the matter in the retort, which has now become thick
and black, fwells up, and prevents us from carrying the procefs
further.
If we ftop the procefs before the fulphureous vapours arife, the
whole acid, diluted with a proportion of water, and mixed with
charcoal, remains in the retort ; but if we allow the procefs to go
on, there is a continual decomposition of the acid, which is there-
fore diminifhed in quantity. In either cafe, according to Prouft,
the fulphuric acid may be obtained from the black refiduum in the
retort, by diluting it with twice its weight of water, filtering it
through linen, and evaporating it till it acquire the fpecific gravity
1.84, then adding about one five-hundredth part of nitrate of pot-
afs, and continuing the evaporation until the acid become per-
fectly colourlefs, and acquire the fpecific gravity of 1.86. The
refiduum, however, may be more advantageoully preferved, as the
Edinburgh college direct:, for preparing more ether, by repeating
the procefs with frefli quantities of alcohol. Prouft indeed denies
that this refiduum is capable of converting more alcohol into ether ;
but that excellent chemift has fomehow fallen into error, for it is a
fact, that was known in the time of that no lefs excellent chemift
Dr. Lewis, and inferted in his firft edition of the Edinburgh dif-
penfatory, publifhed in 1753, and not a recent difcovery of Citizen
Cadet, as Fourcroy would lead us to believe. If farther confir-
mation be wanted, we fhall inftance Gottling, who fays, that from
three or four pounds of this refiduum, he has prepared 60 or 70
pounds of the fpirit of vitriolic ether, and more than twelve
A. Alcohol, ckc.
109
pounds of vitriolic ether, without rectifying the refidtium, or al-
lowing the fulphureous vapour to evaporate. The ether may be
feparated from the alcohol and fulphureous acid, with which it is
always mixed, by re-diftilling it with a very gentle heat, after mix-
ing it with potafs, ortrather lime, which combine with the aeid ;
or with black oxide of manganefe, which converts the fulphureous
into fulphuric acid, and thus deprives it of its volatility.
Medical ufe, — As a medicine taken internally, ether is an excel-
lent antifpafmodic, cordial, and ftimulant. In catarrhal and afth-
matic complaints, its vapour is inhaled with advantage, by holding
in the mouth a piece of fugar on which ether has been dropt. It is
given as a cordial in naufea, and in febrile difeafes of the typhoid
type ; as an antifpafmodic, in hyfteria, and in other fpafmodic and
painful difeafes ; and as a ftimulus in foporofe and apoplectic af-
fections. Regular practitioners feldom give fo much as half an
ounce, much more frequently only a few drops, for a dofe ; but
empirics have fometimes ventured upon much larger quantities,
and with incredible benefit. When applied externally, it is capa-
ble of producing two very oppofite effects according to its manage-
ment; for, if it be prevented from evaporating, by covering the
place to which it is applied clofely with the hand, it proves a
powerful ftimulant and rubefacient, and excites a fenfation of
burning heat. In this way it is frequently ufed for removing
pains in the head or teeth. On the contrary, if it be dropt on any
part of the body, expofed freely to the contact of the air, its ra-
pid evaporation produces an intenfe 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 ftrangulated hernia.
The mixture of ether with alcohol, whether prepared directly
by mixing them as the Edinburgh college direct, or in the im-
pure ftate in which it comes over in the firft part of the procefs
for diitilling e'her, the fpirit of vitriolic ether of the London, and
the vitriolic ethereal liquor of the Dublin, colleges, poflefles limilar
virtues with ether, but in an inferior degree.
110
Materia Meclica.
SPIRITUS iETHERIS NITROSI. Ed. L.
Spirit of Nitrous Ether.
Syn. Liquor jEthereus Nitrosus. D.
Nitrous Ethereal Liquor. Dulcified Spirit of Nitre.
Take of
Alcohol, three pounds ;
Nitrous acid, one pound.
Pour the alcohol into a capacious phial, placed in a vefTel full of
cold water, and add the acid by degrees, conftantly agitating
them. Let the phial be flightly covered, and placed for feven
days in a cool place •, then diftil the liquor with the heat of
boiling water into a receiver kept cool with water or fnow, till
no more fpirit comes over. (E. D.)
The aclion of alcohol and nitrous acid upon each other is
much influenced by their proportions. If we ufe a fmall propor-
tion of alcohol, or pour alcohol into nitrous acid, there immediate-
ly takes place a great increafe of temperature, and a violent efFer-
vefcence and difengagement of red fumes. On the contrary, by
placing the phials containing the alcohol and acid, in cold, or ra-
ther, iced water, they may be mixed, without danger, in the pro-
portions directed by the colleges, and if the acid be added in
fmall quantities at a time, and each portion thoroughly mixed with
the alcohol by agitation, no action takes place until heat be ap-
plied. It is therefore unneceiTary to keep the mixture for feven
days, but we may immediately proceed to the diftillation, which
muft be performed with a very ilow and well regulated fire ; for
the vapour is very apt to expand with fo much violence as to
burft the veflels ; and the heat muft at no time exceed 212°, other-
wife a portion of undecompofed acid will pafs over and fpoil the
produ£h By performing this operation carefully in a Woulfe's ap-
paratus, Dr. Duncan obtained from three ounces of alcohol, fpecific
gravity 841, and one ounce of nitrous acid, two ounces four
drachms of fpirit of nitrous ether, fpecific gravity 887. Eight
ounces of alcohol, contained in the fir ft phial, gained one drachm
and a half, and fpecific gravity 873, and eight ounces of water in
the fecond, 1 8 grains : the refiduum weighed feven drachms and a
half. There was therefore a lofs of two drachms forty-two grains
of permanently claftic fluids. The firft portion that was examin-
ed feemed to be the air of the apparatus : in die next the candle
burnt with an enlarged and brightened flame ; was it nitrous
oxide ? and all that palfed afterwards was a mixture of carbonic acid
and the etherized nitrous gas firft defcribeel by the Dutch chemifts.
A. Alcohol. — Spiritus iEtheris Nitrosi. Ill
When recently prepared this gas is inflammable, and does not
form red fumes, when atmofpheric air is admitted to it : but when
attempted to be kept over water, the water becomes acidulous,
the gas is diminifned in bulk about two-thirds, has loft its in-
flammability, and is now converted into red vapour on the ad-
miflion of atmofpheric air. It therefore appears to confifl; of ni-
tric oxide gas, holding ether in chemical folution. Dr. D. has form-
ed a fimilar gas, by admitting a few drops of ether to nitric oxide
gas over mercury. The Edinburgh and Dublin colleges direct
the diftillation to be continued till no more fpirit comes over.
But how is this to be afcertained ? After having drawn off about
two-thirds, according to the directions of the London college, Dr.
D. again applied heat to the retort, and on examining the air, which
began to come over into the pneumatic apparatus, by carelcfsly ap-
proaching a lighted candle to the extremity of the tube, it kindled
and burft the whole with a violent explofion.
The fpirit of nitrous ether thus obtained is a colourlefs fluid, of
a fragrant odour, lighter than water, extremely volatile and in-
flammable, poflefling properties in general analogous to the fpirit
of fulphuric ether, but of confiderably greater fpecific gravity, ftrik-
ing a deep olive with a folution of green fulphate of iron, and
often, if not always, acid. By age and expofure to the air, it is
gradually decompofed, and gives rife to the re-production of more
nitrous acid. When this change has taken place, it may be rec-
tified by faturating the acid with lime-water, and re-diltilling the
ethereal fluid. In all probability it is a mixture of nitrous ether
and alcohol ; for by diminifhing the quantity of alcohol employ-
ed, we obtain a fluid having a fimilar relation to the fpirit of nitrous
ether, that fulphuric ether has to the fpirit of fulphuric ether ; and
by mixing nitrous ether with alcohol, we obtain a fluid exactly
refembling fpirit of nitrous ether.
When alcohol and nitrous acid are mixed in the proportion ne-
ceflary for the formation of nitrous ether, the utmoft precautions
muft be taken to diminifh their action on each other. Dr. Black
contrived a very ingenious method of doing this, by rendering their
mixture extremely flow. On two ounces of the ftrong acid put
into a phial, pour flowly and gradually about an equal quantity of
water, which, by being made to trickle down the fides of the
phial, will float on the furface of the acid without mixing with it ;
then add, in the fame cautious manner,, three ounces of alcohol,
which, in its turn, will float on the furface of the water. By thefe
means the three fluids are kept feparate on account of their differ-
ent fpecific gravities, and a ftratum of water is interpofed between
the acid and fpirit. The phial containing the fpirit muft be [top-
ped with a conical Hopper, and this (topper confined to its place
by a weak fpring. The phial is now to be fet in a cool place, and
112
Materia Medica.
the acid will gradually afcend, and the fpirit defcend, through the
water, this lafl acting as a boundary to reftrain their action on
each other. When this commences, bubbles of gas rife through
the fluids, and the acid gets a blue colour, which it again lofes in
the courfe of a few days, at which time a yellow nitrous ether
begins to fwim on the furface. As foon as the formation of air-
bubbles ceafes, it is time to remove the ether formed ; for if al-
lowed to remain, its quantity decreafes. By this method a quan-
tity of nitrous ether is formed, without the danger of producing
elaftic vapours or expiofion. The refiduum of this procefs is flill
capabie of forming a fpirit of nitrous ether, with an additional
quantity of alcohol.
By adding the acid to the alcohol in very fmall quantities, and at
conliderable intervals, Mr. Dehne procured from two pounds of
alcohol, and one pound ten ounces and three drachms of nitrous
acid, one pound, nine ounces and three drachms of ether : the
refiduum weighed one pound twelve ounces. There was therefore
a lofs of five ounces. Mr. Dehne put the alcohol into a tubulated
retort, to which a receiver was luted, and poured the acid through
the tubulature, and the ether pafled over into the receiver, with-
out the application of any heat. The action of the acid on the
alcohol did not begin until fix ounces and a half were added, and
was exhaufted, when, on adding more acid, it fell to the bottom
in the form of green drops. By ufing Mr. Dehne's precaution, of
adding the acid gradually, Dr. D. prepared nitrous ether in a
Woulfe's apparatus^ with perfect eafe and fafety, although Four-
croy reprefents it as a moffc dangerous operation. The acid was
introduced gradually through a funnel luted into the tubulature
of the retort. The tube of the funnel was very long, and its
extremity was immerfed in the alcohol in the retort. This fimple
contrivance not only enabled Dr. D. to add the acid as he pleaf-
cd, but alfo acted as a tube of fafety.
There is itill another method of forming nitrous ether, which
is indeed faid to be preferable to thofe mentioned. It was firft
practifed by M. Voigt. Four pounds of dried nitrate of potafs are
to be introduced into a tubulated retort, connected with a Woulfe's
apparatus *, and a mixture of four pounds of fulphuric acid, and
three pounds four ounces of alcohol, is to be poured upon it.
Without the application of any external heat, nitrous ether palfes
over into the receiver, and the refiduum furnilhes, on more alco-
hol being added to it, fpirit of nitrous ether.
When alcohol is converted into ether by the action of nitrous
acid, the change produced on it is nearly the fame with that pro-
duced by fulphuric acid. In the latter cafe, it is effected by the
affinities which form water, and charcoal is precipitated. In the
former, it is effected by the affinities which form carbonic acid, and
no water is formed.
A. Alcohol dilutum.
113
Nitrous ether feems to differ from fulphuric ether only in being
combined with nitric oxide; at lea ft it is highly inflammab:e,
pungent, volatile, and is not foluble in water, while it gives a deep
olive colour to green falts of iron, and has a confiderable fpecific
gravity. When flmply wafhed with water, it was found to be 0.9 1 2,
when the acid which it evidently contained was removed by Ma-
turating it with potafs it became 0.896, and when rectified, by
re-diftilling it, it became 0.866, but recovered decidedly acid pro-
perties, probably from the nitric oxide being acidified by the air
of the apparatus.
Medical ufe. — Spirit of nitrous ether has been long defervedly
held in great efteem. It quenches thirft, promotes the natural
fecretions, expels flatulencies, and moderately ftrengthens the
ftomach. It may be given in dofes of from twenty drops to a
drachm, in any convenient vehicle. Mixed with a fmall quantity
of fpiritus ammonite aromaticus, it proves a mild, yet efficacious,
diaphoretic, and often remarkably diuretic ; efpecially in fome
febrile cafes, where fuch a falutary evacuation is wanted. A
fmall proportion of this fpirit added to malt fpirits, gives them a
flavour approaching to that of French brandy.
ALCOHOL DILUTUM. Ed.
Diluted Alcohol.
Syn. Spiritus Vixosus Texcior, L.
Spiritus Vixi Texuior, D.
Spirit of Wine. Proof Spirit.
D. Brandeivyn. P. jiguardcnte.
DA. Brctndnkn. POL. Gorzalka, IVcdka.
F. Kau de vie, Bra?idrvin. R. Wino.
G. Brannteivein. S. Jgiuirdiente.
I. Aequo, fita-, Acquarzente. SW. Br'dmwin.
Alcohol mixed with an equal quantity of water, being fome-
what weaker than proof fpirit ; its fpecific gravity is to that of
diftilled water, as 935 to 1000. (Ed!) The London and Dub-
lin Colleges order it of the fpecific gravity of 930, which accord-
ing to the former contains 55 parts of pure alcohol, and 45 of
water.
Although it be defirable that diluted alcohol fhould always be
prepared, by mixing rectified fpirit with water, inffead of employ-
ing an impure fpirit of the requifite ftrength, it is hardly to be ex-
pected that apothecaries will either be at t»h« trouble or exraenfe.
Q
ilk
Materia Medica.
The diluted alcohol of the Edinburgh college is fomewhat weaker
than that of the other two colleges *, but befides that it is more
convenient for their mode of preparing it, this will be attended
with no difadvantage, as it is itill fufficiently ftrong for any pur-
pofe to which it may be applied.
Officinal Preparations.
Alcohol ammoniatum, E. L. D. vide, Ammonia.
And all the tinctures and distilled spirits, except those made with
alcohol. It is also used somewhat extravagantly in the preparation of
various extracts.
Table of the Specific Gravities according to Gilpin, and degrees
according to Baume's hydrometer of various mixtures of alco-
hol and Water.
Water*
Alcohol.
Specific
Gravities.
Degree*
60*
55°
55«
0
100
.825
.82736
38
10
100
.84568
.84802
34 +
20
100
.86208
.86441
30—
30
100
.87569
.87796
29 +
40
100
.88720
.88945
27 +
50
100
.89707
.89933
25 +
60
100
.90549
.90768
23—
70
100
.91287
.91502
22
80
100
.91933
.92145
21—
90
100
.92499
.92707
20—
100
100
.93002
.93208
19—
100
90
.93493
.93696
19 +
100
80
.94018
.94213
18
100
70
.94579
.94767
17—
100
60
.95181
.95357
16—
100
SO
.95804
.95966
16 +
100
40
.96437
.96575
15 +
100
30
.97074
.97181
14 +
100
20
.97771
.97847
13 +
100
10
.98654
.98702
12 +
JOG
0
A
10
A.— Alkali. — Allium.
115
ALKALI.
The word Alkali is of Arabian origin, and was introduced
into chcmiftry after it had been applied to a plant which ftill retain.,
the name of kali.
Alkalies are a clafs of bodies which are commonly defined
to be incombuftible, foluble in water, cauftic, and capable of neu-
tralizing the acids, of combining with alcohol, oils, earths, fulphur,
and phofphorus, and of changing vegetable blues and reds to green :
But as many of thefe properties are pofiefled in a greater or lefs
degree by fubftances ufually clarTed with the earths, and as there
is a continual gradation from the infipidity, infolubi.ity, and infufi-
biiity of filica, to the caufticity, folubidty, fufibiiity, and compara-
tive volatility of potafs, they are fometimes clafled together undej
the general name of Salifiable Bafes.
The alkalies at prefent known are three in number, viz.
1. Potafs. - vide, Potajpi.
2. Soda. - Soda.
3. Ammonia. - Ammonia.
The two firft mentioned alkalies are called fixed, becaufe they
require a red heat to volatilize them ; the lail is called volatile
alkali, beeaufe it readily aflumes a gafeous form, and confequentlv
is diffipated by a very moderate degree of heat.
ALLIUM.
Willd. g, 626. — Hexandria Moticgynia. — Nat. ord. Liliacea,
ALLIUM SATIVUM. Sp. u. Radix. Ed
Garlic. The Rcoi.
Syn. Allium, L. D.
The garlic is a perennial bulbous-rooted plant, which grows
wild in Sicily, and is cultivated in our gardens. The root confifts
of five or fix fmall bulbs, called cloves, inclofed in one common
membranous coat, but eafily feparable from each other. All the
parts of this plant, but more especially the roots, have a ftrong,
offenfive, very penetrating and dirfufible, fmell, and an acrimo-
nious, almoft cauftic, tafte. The root is full of a limpid juice, of
which it furnifhes almoft a fourth part of its weight by expreflion.
The root lofes about half its weight by drying, but fcarcely any of
116
Materia Medica.
its fmell or tafte. By decoction its virtues are entirely deftroyed ;
and by diitillation it furnifhes a imali quantity of a yellowifh effen-
tial oil, heavier than water, which poflefies the fen Able qualities of
the garlic in an eminent degree. Its peculiar virtues are alfo in
fome degree extracted by alcohol and acetous acid.
By Neumann's analyfis, it loft two-thirds of its weight by exfic-
cation. By decoction from 960 parts, water extracted 380, and
the refiduum yielded 27 to alcohol, and was reduced to 40. Al-
cohol applied hrft, extracted 123, the refiduum yielded 162 to wa-
ter, and was reduced to 40. In both cafes the alcoholic extract
was unctuous and tenacious, and precipitated metallic folutions.
But the active ingredient was a thick ropy eiTential oil, according
to Hagen heavier than water, not amounting to more than 1.3 of
the whole, in which alone refided the fmell, the tafte, and all that
diftinguifhes the garlic.
Medical Ufe. — Applied externally, it acts fucceffively as a ftimu-
lant, rubefacient, and blifter. Internally, from its very powerful
and dirTufible ltimulus, it is often ufeful in difeafes of languid cir-
culation and interrupted fecretion. Hence, in cold leucophlegma-
tic habits, it proves a powerful expectorant, diuretic, and, if the
patient be kept warm, fudorific : it has alfo been by fome fuppofed
to be emmenagogue. For the fame reafon, in cafes in which a
phlogiftic diathefis, or other irritability prevails, large dofes of it
may be very hurtful.
It is fometimes ufed by the lower clafTes as a condiment, and al-
fo enters as an ingredient into many of the epicure's moft favour-
ite fauces. Taken in oderation, it promotes digeftion ; but in
excefs, it is apt to produce headach, flatulence, thirft, febrile heat,
and inflammatory difeafes, and fometimes occafions a difcharge of
blood from the hemorrhoidal vefleis.
In fevers of the typhoid type, and even in the plague itfelf, its
virtues have been much celebrated.
Garlic is with fome alio a favourite remedy in the cure of in-
termittents ; and it has been faid to have fometimes fucceeded in
ooftinate quartans, after the Peruvian bark had failed. In catarrhal
diforders of the bread ; afthma, both pituitous and fpafmodic ;
flatulent coiics ; hyfterical and other difeafes, proceeding from
laxity of the folids, it has generally good effects : it has likewife
been found ferviceable in fome hydropic cafes. Sydenham relates,
that he has known the dropfy cured by the ufe of garlic alone \
he recommends it chiefly as a warm ftrengthening medicine in the
beginning of the difeafe.
It is much recommended by fome as an anthelmintic, and has
been frequently applied with fuccefs externally as a ftimulant to
indolent tumours, in cafes of dcafnefs proceeding from atony or
A. Allium.
117
rheumatifm, and in retention of urine, arifing from debility of th^
bladder.
Garlic may be either exhibited in fubftance, and in this way fe-
veral cloves may be taken at a time without inconvenience, or the
cloves cut into flices may be fwaltowed without chewing. This
is the common mode of exhibiting it for the cure of intermittents.
The exprefled juice, when given internally, mutt be rendered as
palatable as poflible by the addition of fugar and lemon juice. In
deafnefs, cotton moiitened with the juice is introduced within the
ear, and the application renewed five or fix times in one day.
Infufions in fpirit, wine, vinegar, and water, although contafn-
ing the whole of its virtues, are fo acrimonious, as to be unfit for
general ufe ; and yet an infufion of an ounce of bruifed garlic in
a pound of milk, was the mode in which Rofcnftein exhibited it to
children afTMe^ with worms.
But by far the molt commodious form for adminiftering garlic,
is that of a pill or bolus conjoined with fome powder, correspond-
ing with the intention of giving the garlic. In dropfy, calomel
forms a moft u(eful addition. It may alfo fometimes be exhibited
with advantage in the form of a clyiter.
Garlic made into an ointment with oils, &c. and applied ex-
ternally, is faid to refolve and difcufs indolent tumours, and has
been by fome greatly efteemed in cutaneous difeafes. It has like-
wife fometimes been employed as a repellent. When applied un-
der the form of a poultice to the pubes, it has fometimes proved
effe&ual in producing a difcharge of urine, when retention has
arifen from a want of due aclion in the bladder. Sydenham af-
fures us, that among all the fubftances which occafion a deriva-
tion or revulfion from the head, none operates more powerfully
than garlic applied to the foles of the feet : he was led to make
ufe of it in the confluent fmall pox : about the eighth day, after the
face began to fwell, the root cut in pieces, and tied in a linen
cloth, was applied to the foles, and renewed once a-day till all
danger was over.
Officinal Preparation.
Syrupus allii, D. vide, Syruf.i
118
Materia Me die a.
ALLIUM CEP A. Sp. 43. Cepa. Radix. D,
Onion. The Root.
D.
DA.
F.
G.
I.
Uyen, Ajui/i.
liodlog.
Ogninns.
Ziviebel.
Cipolla.
P. Cebola.
POL. Ccbula.
R. Luk.
S. Cebolla.
SW. J?o<flSfc.
This is alfo a perennial bulbous-rooted plant. The root is a
fimple bulb, formed of concentric circles. It poiTefles in general
the fame 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 firft 395,
and then by alcohol, 30 : the firft refiduum weighed 56, and the
fecond 64. By diltillation the whole flavour of the onions pafled
over, but no oil could be obtained.
Medical Ufes. — Onions are confidered rather as articles of
food than of medicine : they are fuppofed to yield little or no
nourifhment, and when eaten liberally produce flatulencies, occa-
fion third, headachs, and turbulent dreams ; in cold phlegmatic
habits, where vifcid mucus abounds, they doubtlefs have their ufe ;
as by their ftimulating quality they tend to excite appetite, and
promote the fecretions : by fome they are ftrongly recommended
in fuppreflions of urine and in dropfies. The chief medicinal ufe
of onions in the prefent practice is in external applications, as a
€ataplafm for fuppurating tumours, &c.
ALOE PERFOLIATA. Gummi-Refina. Ed.
a. Aloe Barbadensis, L. D. A. hepatica, E.
b. Aloe Socotorina, E. L. D.
Barbadoes, or hepatic, and focotorinc aloes. A gum-refin*
Willd. g. 659. fp. 3. — Hexandria Monogy?iia. — Nat. ord. Liliacea.
D. Aloe. P. Aloes. Azevre.
DA. Aloe. POL. Aloes, Aha.
F. Aloe. R. Sabir,
G. Aloe. S. Aloe, Acibar.
I. Aloe. SW. Aloe.
* Gum-refins, arc fecondary compounds, and probably vary much in their na-
ture. They feem to be compounds of refin with extractive and eflential oil, and
jwhaps Qther immediate principle*, not y«t afecrtained.
A. Aloe.
119
Aloes is a perennial plant, of which many varieties grow
in the fouth of Europe, Afia, Africa, and America. ButThun-
berg fays, that the fined aloes are prepared from the Aloe fptcata,
the fecond fpecies of Willdenow, which grows at the Cape of
Good Hope.
During four years that the Cape of Good Hope was in poffef-
lion of the Britifh, more than 300,000 pounds, the produce of that
fettlement, were imported into England ; and as this quantity was
infinitely greater than could be required for the purpofes of medi-
cine, it is not improbable, that, as Mr. Barrow ftates, its principal
confumption was by the London porter brewers.
1. Socotorine Aloes.
This article is brought, wrapt in fkins, from the ifland of Soco-
: tora in the Indian ocean. This fort is the pureft of the three in
•ufe : it is of a gloffy furface, clear, and in fome degree pellucid :
in the lump, of a yellowifh red colour, with a purple call ; when
reduced to powder, of a bright golden colour. It is hard and
friable in the winter, fomewhat pliable in fummer, and grows foft
between the fingers. Its tafte is bitter, accompanied with an aro-
matic flavour, but infuflicient to prevent its being difagreeable ; the
fmell is not very unpleafant, and fomewhat refembles that of
myrrh.
It is prepared by pulling off the leaves in July, from which the
juice is expreffed, and afterwards boiled and fkimmed. It is then
preferved in fkins, and dried in Augufl in the fun. According to
others, the leaves are cut off clofe to the ftem and hung up. The
juice which drops from them without any expreffion, is afterward*;
dried in the fun.
2. Barbadoes, or Hepatic Aloes.
Hepatic aloes is not fo clear and bright as the foregoing fort ;
it is alfo of a darker colour, more compaft texture, and for the
mod part drier. Its fmell is much ftronger and more difagree-
able ; the tafte intenfely bitter and naufeous, with litt.e or nothing
of the fine aromatic flavour of the focotorine. The beft hepatic
aloes comes from Barbadoes in large gourd fhells, and an inferior
fort of it, which is generally foft and clammy, is brought over in
cafks. In Barbadoes the plant is pulled up by the roots, and care-
fully cleaned from the earth and other impurities. It is then
fliced and cut in pieces into fmall hand-bafkets and nets. Thefe
nets or bafkets are put into large iron boilers or cauldrons with
120
Materia Medica.
water, and boiled for ten minutes, when they are taken out, and
frefh parcels fupplied till the liquor is ftrong and black.
At- th,is period the liquor is thrown through a {trainer into a deep
vat, narrow at bottom, where it is left to cool and to depofite its
feculent parts. Next day the clear liquor is drawn off by a cock,
and again committed to a large iron vefiel. At firft it is boiled
brifkly, but towards the end the evaporation is flow, and requires
conftant ftirring to prevent burning. When it becomes of the
confidence of honey, it is poured into gourds or calabalhes for
fale, and hardens by age.
3. Fetid, Caballine, or Horse, Aloes.
This fort is eafily diftinguifhed from both the foregoing, by its
ftrong rank fmell ; although, in other refpects, it agrees pretty
much with the hepatic, and is not unfrequently fold in its
Head. Sometimes the caballine aloes is prepared fo pure and
bright, as not to be diftinguifhable by the eye even from the foco-
torine ; but its ofFenhve fmell, of which it cannot be diverted,
readily betrays it. It has not now a place in the lift of almoft any
modern pharmacopoeia, and is employed chiefly by farriers.
From fixteen ounces of aloes Neumann extracted near fifteen
by means of alcohol. From the refiduum water took up one
drachm, about an ounce of impurities being left ; on inverting the
procefs and applying water firft, he obtained but thirteen ounces
and a half of watery extract, and from the refiduum, alcohol dif-
folved an ounce and a half. According to this analyfis 1000 parts
of aloes contains about 78 foluble in water only, or analagous to
gum, 980 foluble in alcohol only, or refinous, and 895 foluble both
in alcohol and in water, or extractive.* The conitituent princi-
ples of aloes therefore appear to be refm and extractive. Dr.
Lewis alfo remarks that decoctions of aloes let fall a precipitate, as
they cool, probably from extractive being more foluble in boiling
than in cold water. He alfo proved the hepatic aloes to contain
more refm and lefs extractive than the focotorine, and this lefs than
the caballine. The refins of all the forts, purified by alcohol,
.have little fmell ; that obtained from the focotorine has icarce any
perceptible tafte that of the hepatic, a flight bitterifh relifti j and
* Extractive is foluble in water, efpecially when hot, and in alcohol ; it is alfo
foluble in the weak acids, but is infoluble in eth-r.. It attracts moifture from the
atmofphere; and when diflolved in water, it abforbs oxygen, and becomes infolubU
in water ; it is alfo altered and precipitated by oxy-muriatic acid ; it has a ftrong
affinity for alumina, and decompofes feveral metallic falts. It is found in almoft all
plants, but «in fcarccly be procured feparate, fo that its characters are not weH
• afcertained.
A. Aloe.
121
the refin of the caballine, a little more of the aloetic flavour. The
extractive obtained feparately from any of the kinds, is lefs difa.
greeable than the crude aloes : the extractive of focotorine aloes
has very little fmell, and is in tafte not unpleafant ; that of the
hepatic has a fomewhat Wronger fmell, but is rather more agree-
able in tafte than the extract of the focotorine : the extractive of
the caballine retains a confiderable (hare of the peculiar rank fmell
of this fort of aloes, but its tafte is not much more unpleafant than
that of the ex tractive obtained from the two other forts.
Medical ufe. Aloes is a bitter ftimulating purgative. Its purga-
tive effect feems chiefly to depend on its proving a ftimulus to the
reclum. In dofes of from 5 to 15 grains it empties the large in-
terlines, without making the ftools thin; and likewife warms the
habit, quickens the circulation, and promotes the uterine and
haemorrhoidal fluxes. If given in fo large a dofe as to purge ef-
fectually, it often occafions an irritation about the anus, and fome-
times a difcharge of blood.
Aloes is much lefs frequently ufed to operate as a purgative
than merely to obviate coftivenefs ; and indeed its purgative effect
is not increafed in proportion to the quantity that is taken.
It is frequently employed in cafes of fuppreflion of the menfes,
or of the hemorrhoidal difcharge ; but it is particularly ferviceable
in habitual coftivenefs, to perfons of a phlegmatic temperament
and fedentary life, and where the ftomach is opprefled and weak-
ened. Perhaps the chief objection to alpes, in cafes of habitual
coftivenefs, is the tendency which it has to induce and augment
haemorrhoidai affections *, and with thofe, liable to fuch complaints,
it can feldom be employed. In dry bilious habits aloes proves in-
jurious, immoderately heating the body, and inflaming the bowels.
Some are of opinion, that the purgative virtue of aloes refides
entirely in its refin ; but experience has (hewn, that the pure refin
has little or no purgative quality, and that the extractive part fe-
parated from ^-he rdinous, acts more powerfully than the crude
aloes. If the aloes indeed be made to undergo long coction in the pre-
paration of the gummy extract, its cathartic power will be confider-
ably leflened, not from the feparation of the refin, but from an
alteration made in the extractive itfclf by the action of the heat
and air. The ftrongeft vegetable cathartics become mild by
a like treatment.
Socotorine aloes, as already obferved, contains more extractive
than the hepatic ; and hence it is likewife found to purge more, and
with greater irritation. The fir ft fort, therefore, is moft proper
where a ftimulus is required, as for promoting or exciting the
menftrual flux ; whilft the latter is better calculated to act as a
common pur^e.
0
122
Materia Medica.
Aloes are adminiftered either,
a. Simply, or
b. In compofition :
1. With purgatives. Soap, fcammony, colocynth, rhubarb..
2. With aromatics. Canella.
3. With bitters. Gentian.
4. With emmenagogues. Iron, myrrh.
They are exhibited in the form of
a. Powder ; too naufeous for general ufe.
b. Pill; the mod convenient form.
c. Solution in wine or diluted alcohol.
Officinal Preparations.
Extractum aloes, D.
colocynthidis compositum, L.
Pilulae aloeticae, E. L. D.
aloes composite, L.
cum assa fcetida, E.
colocynthide, E.
myrrha, E. L.
rhei composite, E.
Pulvis aloes cum canella, L.
aloeticus cum guaiaco, L.
ferro, L.
scammonii compositus cum aloe, L
Tinclura aloes aetherea, E.
socotorinae, E. L. D. -
cum myrrha. E. L.
benzoes composita, L. E.
rhei cum aloe, E.
Vinum aloes socotorinse, E. L. D.
ALTHAEA OFFICINALIS. Ed. Radix, Folia.
Marjij-malloiv. The Root and Leaves.
Syn. Althjea, L.
Wild. g. 1289. Jp. \.—Monadelphia Po/yandria.—Nzt. ord. Cq-
lumnacea.
The marfh-mallow is a perennial plant, which is found com-
monly on the banks of rivers, and in fait marmes.
The whole plant, but efpecially the root, abounds with muci-
lage. The roots are about the thicknefs of a finger, long and
fibrous. They are peeled and dried, and then are perfectly white.
vide. Extract a.
Idem.
PiluU.
Idem.
Idem.
Idem.
Idem.
Idem.
Pidver.es,.
Idem.
Idem.
Idem.
Tincturx athcrece.
Tincture?.
Idem.
Idem.
Idem.
Vina medicata.
A. Althaea. — Ammonia.
12$
From 960 parts of the dry root, Neumann extracted by water
650, and afterwards with alcohol 4-1 ; by alcohol applied firft 360,
and afterwards by water 348. Lewis extracted by alcohol only
120, and he obferved that the alcoholic extract was fweeter than
the watery, and had the fmell peculiar to the root. The fubftance
foluble in this inftance, both in alcohol and water, is probably
faccharine. From 960 parts of the dry leaves, Neumann extracted
by water 340, and then by alcohol 213 ; by alcohol firft 280, and
then by water 218. The refiduum of the root was only one-fourth ;
of the leaves one-half, of the whole. The root is therefore the
moft mucilaginous. The decoction of the root reddens turnfol,
and gelatinizes filicized potafs.
Medical ufe. — It is ufed as an emollient and demulcent, in dif-
eafes attended with irritation and pain, as in various pulmonary
complaints, and in affections of the alimentary canal and urinary
organs ; and it is applied externally in emollient fomentations,
gargles, and clyfters.
Officinal Preparations.
Decoctum althaeae officinalis. E. vide, Decocta.
Syrupus althses officinalis. E. L. Syru/ii.
AMMONIA.
AMMONIA.
Syn. Alkali Volatile.
Volatile Alkali.
Ammonia is commonly clafTed with the alkalies, from the ana-
logy of its tafte, cauflicity, combinations with the acids, and ef-
fects upon vegetable blues ; but it differs in many particulars,
being extremely volatile, and a compound fubftance, which is
readily decomposed, and formed in many chemical operations.
It is now known to be compofed of nitrogen and hydrogen, and
confequently is no longer to be regarded as a fimple fubftance ,
which is alfo probably the cafe with the other alkalies.
Ammonia (hydroguret of nitrogen) confifts of 8o parts of nitro-
gen, with 20 of hydrogen. It exifts in its pureft form combined
with caloric as a gas, which is perfectly tranfparent and colourlefs,
elaftic and compreflible ; fpecific gravity 0.000732 ; it has an urinous
and acrid odour, irritating the noftrils and eyes, and an acrid and
124
Materia Medica.
cauftic tafte ; it does not diflblve animal fubftances ; is irrefpirable ;
extinguishes flame : colours vegetable blues green ; and is de-
compofed by being tranfmitted through a red-hot tube, and by
the electric fpark, into its conftituent gafes ; and by oxygen and
atmofpheric air at a red heat, and by oxy-muriatic acid, it is con-
verted into water and nitrogen gas. It is abforbed without change
by porous bodies ; it diflblves fulphur and phofphorus ; and com-
bines readily with water in all its ftates. Water is faturated by
one-third of its weight of gafeous ammonia, and is thereby in-
creafed in bulk, and acquires the fpecific gravity of 0.905. Am-
monia combines with all the acids, forming neutral falts. It is
formed during the putrefactive fermentation.
Officinal Preparations.
Carbowas Ammonia.
Murias Ammonise.
MURIAS AMMONITE. Ed.
Muriate of Ammonia. Sal Ammoniac,
Syn. Sal Ammoniacus, L. D.
D . Sal Ammoniak .
DA. Salmiak.
F. Sel Ammoniac.
G. Salmiak.
I. Sale Ammoniaco.
P. Sal Ammoniaco.
POL. Salmiak) Sulmoiiiak*
R. Naschatur.
S. Sal Ammoniaca.
SW. Salmiak.
Muriate of ammonia is found native, efpecially in the neigh-
bourhood of volcanoes. It was firlt prepared in Egypt from the
foot of camel-dung by fublimation. But the greateft part of that
now ufed is manufactured in Europe, either by combining direct-
ly ammonia with muriatic acid, or by decompofing the fulphate of
ammonia by means of muriate of foda, or the muriates of lime and
magnefia by means of ammonia.
In commerce, muriate of ammonia occurs either fublimed in
firm, round, elaftic, concavo-convex cakes, or cryftallized in co-
nical mafTes. The latter commonly contain other falts, efpecially
muriate of lime, which renders them deliquefcent ; and therefore
the fublimed muriate of ammonia is to be preferred for the pur-
pofes of medicine.
Muriate of ammonia has an acrid, pungent, urinous, tafte. It
is foluble in about three times its weight of water at 60°, and in
an equal weight at 212°. During its folution, it produces 32 de-
A. Ammonia. — Murias Ammonise. 125
grees of cold. It is alfo foluble in about 4.5 parts of alcohol. It
is permanent in the ordinary ftate of the atmofphere. By a gentle
heat, it may he deprived of its water of cryltallization, and reduc-
ed to the form of a white powder. At a higher temperature it
fublimes unchanged. Its cryftals are either lixlided pyramids,
aggregated in a plumofe form, or ftill more commonly four-fided
pyramids. It confilh of 42.75 muriatic acid, 25.00 ammonia, and
32.25 water. It is decompofed by the fulphuric and nitric acids,
by baryta, potafs, foda, ftrontia, and lime ; by leveral fecondary
falts, containing thefe acids or bales ; and by thole metalline falts
whofe bafes form with muriatic acid an infoluble compound.
Medical ufe. — Muriate of ammonia is now feldom ufed internal-
ly. It was formerly fuppofed to be a powerful aperient and atte-
nuant of vifcid humours.
Externally applied, it is a valuable remedy. It may acl: in two
ways,
1. By the cold produced during its folution.
It is from this caufe that fomentations of muriate of ammonia
probably prove beneficial in mania, apoplexy from plethora, and
in violent headachs. When ufed with this intention, the folu-
tion fhould be applied as focn as it is made.
2. By the ftimulus of the fait.
On this principle we may explain its action as a difcutient in
indolent tumours of all kinds, contufions, gangrene, plbra, oph-
thalmia, cynanche, and in ftimulating clyfters. In fome cafes, as
in chilblains and other indolent inflammations, both modes of ac-
tion may be ferviceable. "When firfi: applied, the coldnefs of the
folution will diminifh the fenfe of heat and uneafinefs of the part,
and the fubfequent ltimulus will excite a more healthy aclion in
the veflels.
Officinal Preparations.
Aqua ammoniae, E. L. D.
Alcohol ammoniatum, E. L. D.
Carbonas ammoniae, E. L. D.
Aqua carbonatis ammoniae, E. L. D.
Liquor cupri ammoniati, L. D. vide, Cuprum.
Murias ammoniae et ferri, E. L. - Ferrum.
Calx hydrargyri alba, L. - Hydrargyrum.
Spiiitus ammoniae fcetidus, L. - Sfiirinut detii/lafi
126
Materia Medica.
AQUA AMMONITE •, olim, Aqua Ammonia Caustics. B&
•„ - • •'..•.-'•/•.•• -i? " .vS|j
Water of Ammonia, formerly Water of Cauflic Ammonia,
Syn. Liquor Alkali Volatilis Caustici, D.
Liquor of CauJIic Volatile Alkali.
Aqua Ammonia Pur;e, L.
Water of Pure Ammonia.
Take of
Muriate of ammonia, fixteen ounces ;
Quicklime, frefh burnt, two pounds ;
Water, fix pounds.
Having put one pound of the water into an iron or ftoneware vef-
fel, add the quicklime, previoufly beat, and cover the veflel for
twenty-four hours, until the lime fall into a fine powder, which
is to be put into a retort. Add to it the muriate of ammonia,
diflblved in five pounds of water; and, (hutting the mouth of
the retort, mix them together by agitation. Laftly, diltil into a
refrigerated receiver with a very gentle heat, (fo that the opera-
tor's hand can eafily bear the heat of the retort), till twenty
ounces of liquor are drawn off. In this diftillation the veflels
are to be fo luted as to confine effectually the vapours, which
are very penetrating. (E.)
Specific gravity 936. (D.)
In this procefs the muriate of ammonia is decompofed by the
lime, in confequence of its having a ftronger affinity for muriatic
acid than ammonia has. It is absolutely necefiary that the lime
employed be very recently burnt, as the prefence of carbonic acid
would render the ammonia partially carbonated. This accident is
alfo prevented by the great excefs of lime ufed, which having a
greater affinity for carbonic acid than ammonia has, retains any
fmall quantity of it which may be accidentally prefent. The lime
is alfo to be flaked before it be added to the muriate of ammonia,
becaufe the heat produced during its flaking would caufe a violent
difengagement of ammonia gas, and be attended with great lofs.
The addition of the water is effential to the existence of the am-
monia in a liquid form, for in itfeif it is a permanently elaftic fluid.
A much greater quantity of water, however, is ufed than what is
fufficient to abforb all the ammonia : the reft is intended to render
the decompofition flower and more manageable, and to keep the
muriate of lime which remains in the retort in folution ; for other-
wife it would concrete into a folid mafs, adhering ftrongly to the
bottom of the retort, very difficult to be wafiied out, and often
A. Ammonia. — Aqua Ammonias. 127
endangering its breaking. As foon as the flaked lime and muriate
of ammonia, are mixed, they mould be put into the retort, the
v/ater poured upon them, and the diftillation begun : for, by the
London procefs, of adding the water boiling hot to the mixture,
and letting it ftand to cool before it is introduced into the retort,
there is a very great lofs of ammonia, and for no reafon whatever.
A very fmall degree of heat is fufficient for the diftillation, and
the whole ammonia rifes with the firft portion of water, or even
before it. It is therefore neceiTary that the verTels be very clofely
luted to each other, to prevent it from efcaping. But this renders
the utmoft care neceflary in the diftillation ; for too fudden, or too
great a heat, from the rapid difengagement of gas, or even the ex-
panfion of the air contained in the vefTels, would endanger their
burfting.
Many variations of greater or lefs importance have been made
in conducing this procefs, but the molt confiderable is that of
Gottling. The peculiarity of his method confifts in difengaging
the ammonia in the form of gas, and combining it afterwards with
water by the afliftance of preflure. He ufes an earthen-ware
cucurbit, with a tubulated capital. To the fpout of the capital,
one end of a bent glafs tube is accurately luted, while the other
end is introduced to the bottom of a tall narrow-mouthed glafs
phial, containing one part of water. Into the cucurbit he puts
two parts of finely powdered lime, and one of muriate of ammo-
nia, and then applies the heat. He does not fhut the tubulature
until the fmell of ammonia becomes manifeft> and opens it again
as foon as the procefs is finifhed, and before the veflels begin to
cool, as otherwife the folution of ammonia would flow back into
the cucurbit, and fpoil the whole operation. But this management
of the tubulature requires very great attention, and, therefore, we
I think that this apparatus would be very much improved, by fub-
ftituting for the tubulature one of Welter's tubes of fafety, by
which even the ^oflibility of fuch an accident is precluded.
We have already mentioned the properties of ammonia in its
gafeous form, and its relation to the alkalies. When combined
with water, it imparts to it many of thefe properties, and lefTens its
fpecific gravity. Liquid ammonia, or water faturated with am-
monia, contains 74.63 water, and 25.37 ammonia ; and its fpecific
gravity is 0.9054. When it has the fpecific gravity mentioned by
the Dublin college 0.936, it contains about 83 of water, and 17
of ammonia. It aflumes its elalric form, and feparates from the
water, when heated to about 130°, and quickly attracts carbonic
acid from the atmofphere. It decompofes many of the earthy and
all the metalline falts, and is capable of difTolving or combining
with many of the metalline oxides, and even of oxidizing fome of
128
Materia Medica.
the metals. When pure, water of ammonia does not effervefcc
with any of the acids, or form a precipitate with alcohol.
Medical ufe. — Water of ammonia is very rarely given internally,
although it may be ufed in dofes of ten to twenty drops, largely
diluted, as a powerful ftimulant in afphyxia, and fimilar difeafes.
Externally it is applied to the fkin as a rubefacient, and in the
form of gas to the noftrils, and to the eyes as a ftimulant ; in cafes
of torpor, paralyfis, rheumatifm, fyncope, hyfteria, and chronic
ophthalmia.
Officinal Preparations.
Hydro-sulphuretum ammoniac, E.
Oleum ammoniatum, E. L. - - vide9 Oka firafiarata.
Linimentum camphorae compositum, L. D. Tinct. ammoniat*.
Spiritus ammonise succinatus, L. - Idem.
ALCOHOL AMMONIATUM, sive Spiritus Ammonia. Ed.
Ammoniated Alcohol^ or Spirit of Ammonia.
Syn. Spiritus Ammonls, L.
Spirit of Ammonia.
Spiritus Alkali Volatilis, D.
Spirit of Volatile Alkali.
Take of
Proof fpirit, three pints ;
Sal ammoniac, four ounces ;
Potafhes, fix ounces.
Mix, and diftil with a How fire, one pint and an half. (L. D.)
When muriate of ammonia is decompofed by carbonate of pot-
afs, the product is a mixture of carbonate of ammonia with a
variable quantity of ammonia ; for the carbonate of potafs is never
faturated with carbonic acid. Again, as diluted alcohol is em-
ployed in this procefs, and one half only is drawn off, it is evident
that there is either a want of economy, or the whole alcohol comes
over before any of the water. But if the latter fuppofition be
true, there is alfo a want of economy, for the alcohol will diffolve
only the ammonia, and leave the whole carbonate undiflblved.
The fact is, that when we perform the procefs as directed by the
colleges, a very large proportion of carbonate of ammonia fublimes,
which remains undiflblved in the diftilled liquor \ but as this
I
A.— -Ammonia. — Alcohol Ammoniatum. 129
liquor /"after the particles of carbonate of ammonia, which were
ditfufed through it, have feparated in the form of very regular
cryftals, adhering to the fides of the veflel) efrervefces with acids,
the diftilled liquor cannot be pure alcohol, but muft contain a pro-
portion of water capable of diflblving fome carbonate of ammonia.
From both confiderations, it appears that the procefs directed, if
not un-chemicaL, is at leafl un-economical.
It is remarkable that the Edinburgh college, for what reafon we
know not, mould have adopted, in the two laft editions of their
Pharmacopoeia, this procefs from the London college, and relin-
quished one which appears unexceptionable, as it is not attend-
ed with the fmalleft lofs, either of alcohol or ammonia, and
gives both a more active and a more uniform preparation. A
ftrong proof of its fuperiority is, that the apothecaries ftill continue
to follow it, although it has been rejected by the college. It is
therefore inferted here without any alteration, except of the no-
menclature.
Take of
Quicklime, fixteen ounces ;
Muriate of ammonia, eight ounces }
Alcohol, thirty-two ounces.
Having bruifed and mixed the quicklime and muriate of ammo*
nia, put them into a glafs retort ; then add the alcohol, and dif-
til to drynefs, in the manner directed for the water of am-
monia.
The Berlin college direct this preparation to be made by (imply
mixing two parts of alcohol with one of water of ammonia.
Officinal Preparations.
Alcohol ammoniatum foetidum, E. D. - vide^ Sfiiritiia dest&ati.
aromaticum, E. L. D. Tinct. ammomatt.
Tinctura castorei composita, E. - Idem.
guaiaci ammoniata, E. - Idem.
opii ammoniata, E. Idem.
S
130
Materia Medica.
(5ARBONAS AMMONITE ; olim, Ammonia Pr^parata. Ed.
Carbonate of Ammonia r, formerly Prepared Ammonia.
Syn. Ammonia Prjeparata, L.
Prepared Ammonia.
Alkali Volatile Mite, D.
Mild Volatile Alkali.
Take of
Muriate of ammonia, one pound ;
Pure carbonate of lime '^halk), dried, two pounds.
Having triturated them feparately, mix them thoroughly, and fub-
lime from a retort into a refrigerated receiver. (E.)
In this procefs the two fubftances employed undergo a mutual
decompofition, the muriatic acid combining with the lime, and the
carbonic acid with the ammonia. The proportion of carbonate of
lime directed, is perhaps more than fufficient to decompofe the
muriate of ammonia *, but it is the fafe fide to err on ; for it is
only fornetimes inconvenient, from obliging us to make ufe of
larger vefleis, whereas, if any portion of the muriate of ammonia
were to remain undecompofed, it would fublime along with the
carbonate, and render the product impure. Gottling ufes three
parts of chalk to two of muriate of ammonia, but he dries his
chalk before he weighs it. The chalk is always to be very careful-
ly dried before it is ufed in this preparation, as the prefence of
moifture injures the product:. The ingredients are to be thorough-
ly mixed by trituration, before they are introduced into the retort,
that no part of the muriate of ammonia may efcape decompofition •,
and we are even fornetimes directed to cover the furface of the
mixture, after they are in the retort, with powdered chalk. This,
however, is unnecefiary. Carbonate of lime does not a£t on mu-
riate of ammonia till a confiderab!e heat be applied. Gottling fays,
that the fublimation mult be conducted in the open fire, and there-
fore ufes an earthen-ware cucurbit, with a tubulated capital.
When a glafs retort is employed, it mould have a very wide neck ;
and the befl form for the receiver is cylindrical, as it enables us to
get out the carbonate of ammonia condenfed in it without break-
ing it. The refiduum which remains in the retort, furniihes mu-
riate of lime by lixiviation and evaporation.
Sometimes carbonate of potafs is employed for the preparation
of carbonate of ammonia. The theory of the procefs is the fame,
aid the decompofition is effected at a lower temperature. But as
A. Ammonia. — Aqua Ammonite. 131
potafs is very rarely faturated with carbonic acid, part of the am-
monia is evolved in the form of gas, which, if not permitted to
efcape, will burit the vefTels. To prevent this lofs, therefore, Mr.
Gottling ufes a cucurbit and capital, fumifhed with a bent tube,
which is to be immerfed in a phial of water : by which contriv-
ance, while the carbonate of ammonia is condenfed in the capital,
the gafeous ammonia is abforbed by the water. When potafs is
ufed, the refiduum contains muriate of potafs.
Carbonate of ammonia is obtained in the form of a white cry-
ftallized mafs, of a fibrous texture, having the fmell and tafte of
ammonia, but weaker. It is foluble in twice its weight of cold
water, and is more foluble as the temperature of the water in-
creafes ; but when it approaches to a boiling heat, the carbonate
is volatilized. It is infoluble in alcohol. It is permanent in the
air, and is not decompofed, but is eafily vaporized by heat. It is
faid to vary very much in its compofition, and to contain more
ammonia, and lefs acid and water, in proportion to the high tem-
perature employed in preparing it, the quantity of alkali varying
from 50 to 20 per cent. It is decompofed by moft of the acids,
and all the alkaline, and fome of the earthy, bafes ; by the earthy
iulphates, except thofe of baryta and ftrontia *, by the earthy
muriates, and fluates \ by the nitrates of baryta, and fuper-phof-
phate of lime.
Medical ufe. — Carbonate of ammonia exaclly refembles ammo-
nia in its action on the living body ; but is weaker, and is princi-
pally ufed as fmelling falts in fyncope and hyfteria.
Officinal Preparations.
Aqua acetitis amnionic, E. L. D.
Ammoniaretum cupri, E. L. D. vide, Cujirum.
AOUA CARBON ATIS AMMONITE; olim, Aqua Ammonia.
Ed.
Water of Carbonate of Ammonia ^ formerly Water of Ammonia.
Syn. Liouor Alkali Volatilis, D.
Liquor of V olatile Alkali.
Aqua Ammonite, L.
W ater of Ammonia.
Take of
Muriate of ammonia ;
Carbonate of potafs, each fixteen ounces ;
Water, two pounds.
132
Materia Medica.
Having mixed the falts, and put them in a glafs retort, pour the
water upon them, and diftil to drynefs in a fand bath, gradually
increafmg the heat. (E. D.)
Specific gravity 1 1 10. (D.)
The product of this procefs is a folution of carbonate of ammo-
nia, while the refiduum in the retort is muriate of potafs. In this
inftance, the decompofition of the muriate of ammonia cannot be
effected by carbonate of lime, becaufe the addition of the water
prevents the application of the neceflary heat, whereas carbonate of
potafs acts at a moderate temperature. The directions of the
London college differ from thofe of the other colleges in two par-
ticulars j in the quantity of water added, and in the proportion of
carbonate of potafs employed. The addition of more water than
what is to be drawn off" by diftillation, mult increafe the fize of
the apparatus employed, an inconvenience always to be avoided,
if poflible. With regard to the quantity of carbonate of potafs
employed, from calculation and the authority of the belt writers,
for we do not fpeak from experience, we are difpofed to think the
London college in the right* : for the 42.75 parts of muriatic
acid in 100 parts of muriate of ammonia, require 84.12 of po-
tafs to faturate them; but in 100 parts of carbonate of potafs
there are not above 50 parts of potafs, fo that carbonate of potafs
is not capable of decompofmg an equal weight of muriate of
ammonia. But it is more economical, as well as more fcientific,
to prepare this folution by diflblving a certain proportion of car-
bonate of ammonia in water.
Officinal Preparations,
Oxiclum hydrargyri cinereum, E. D. ~oidt\ Hydrargyrum.
Linimentum camphoratum, D. - Tincture ammoniata.
Pilule ammoniareti cupri, E. - Pilule.
* With the fame proportion of muriate of ammonia, the London college employ
;ne pound and an half of potafhes and four pints of water.
A. -Ammonia. — Liquor, &o C. Cervi. 135
LIQUOR VOLATILIS, SAL, et OLEUM CORNU CERVI.
* Land.
The Volatile Liquor, Salty arid Oil, of Harts-horn.
Syn. Liquor Volatilis Cornu Cervini, D.
Volatile Liquor of Harts-horn.
Take of
Harts-horn ten pounds.
Diftil with a fire gradually increafed. A volatile liquor, fait, and
oil, will afcend.
The oil and fait being feparated, diftil the liquor three times.
To the fait add an equal weight of prepared chalk, and fublimc
thrice, or till it become white.
The fame volatile liquor, fait, and oil, may be obtained from any
animal fubftance except fat. (L.)
Specific gravity of the liquor 1110. (D.)
The wholefale dealers have very large pots for this diiiillation,
with earthen heads, almoft like thofe of the common ftill ; for re-
ceivers, they ufe a couple of oil jars, the mouths of which are lut-
ed together ; the pipe that comes from the head,' is connected by
means of an adopter with the lower jar, which is alfo furnifhed
with a cock for drawing off the fluids condenfed in it. The up-
per jar is entire, and in it is condenfed the folid carbonate of am-
monia. When a large quantity of the fubject, is to be diftilled, it
is cuftomary to continue the operation for feveral days iuccefiive-
ly ; only unluting the head occafionally, to put in frefh materials.
When the upper jar becomes entirely filled with carbonate of am-
monia, it cracks. It is then to be removed, the fait to be taken
out of it, and a frefh one fubftituted in its place.
When only a fmall quantity of fpirit or fait is wanted, a com-
mon iron pot, fuch as is ufually fixed in fand furnaces, may be
employed ; an iron head being fitted to it. The receiver ought,
to be large, and a glafs, or rather tin, adopter inferted between il
and the pipe of the head.
The diftilling vefle] being charged with pieces of horn, a mode-
rate fire is applied, which is flowly increafed, and raifed at length
dmoft to the utmoft degree. At firft water arifes, which gradu-
ally acquires colour and fmell, from the admixture of empyreuma-
ic oil and ammoniacal falts ; carbonate of ammonia next arifes,
vhich at firft diflblves, as it comes over, in the water, and thu^
orms what is called the fpirit. When the water is faturated, the
ernainder of the fait concretes in a folid form to the fides of the
ecipient. If it be required to have the whole of the fait folid, an(^
154
Materia Medica.
undiflblved, the water (hould be removed as foon as the fait begins
to arife, which may be known by the appearance of white fumes ;
and that this may be done the more commodioufly, the receivei
mould be left unluted, till this firft part of the procefs be finiihed.
The white vapours which now arife, fometimes co re over with
fuch vehemence as to throw ofF or burft the receiver : to prevent
this accident, it is convenient to have a fmall hole in the luting,
which may be occafionally Hopped with a wooden peg, or opened,
as the operator mall find proper. Laftly, the oil arifes, which
acquires greater colour and confiftency as the operation advances.
Carbonate of ammonia ftiil comes over, but it is partly diflblved
in the hot oily vapour. At the fame time, there is a confiderable
difengagement of gas, confifting of a mixture of carburetted hy-
drogen, often containing fulphur and phofphorus, and of carbonic
acid.
All die liquid matters being poured out of the receiver, the fait
which remains adhering to its fides, is to be warned out with a
little water, and added to the reft. It is convenient to let the
whole {land for a few hours, that the oil may the better difengage
itfelf from the liquor, fo as to be firft feparated by a funnel, and
afterwards more perfectly by filtration through wet paper.
None of thefe produces, except perhaps a fmall quantity of the
water, exift ready formed in the matter fubje&ed to the diftilla- I
tion, but are produced by a new arrangement of its conftituents J
For the production of ammonia, it is abfolutely necefTary that i'
contain nitrogen, or be what is called a quaternary oxide, (p. 86.'
Although fome vegetable, and moft animal fubftances, are of this
kind, yet only the moft folid parts of animals, fuch as bone anc
horn, are employed for the production of ammonia •, becaufe the]
furnifli it lefs mixed with other fubftances, are eafily obtained, am
at little expenfe, and are very manageable in the diftillation. Oi
the application of heat, as foon as all the water which they con ,
rained is expelled, their elements begin to a£r. on each other, anc I
to form binary, or at moft ternary compounds. Water is forme( I
of part of the oxygen and hydrogen, ammonia of nitrogen and hy
drogen, carbonic acid of carbon and oxygen, then oil, of hydrogei
and charcoal, while the fuperfluous carbon remains in the retor
in the ftate of charcoal. As the formation of thefe fubftances i r
fimultaneous, or in immediate fuccefiion, they are not obtained fe
parately, but are mixed with each other. The water is faturatc;
with carbonate of ammonia, and impregnated with empyreumati
oil, while the carbonate of ammonia is difcoloured with oil; an<
the oil contains carbonate of ammonia diflblved in it. They may
however, be feparated from each other in a great meafure, in th
^manner already defcribed. But a fmall portion of oil obftinatel I
adheres both to the falts and its folution, which conftitutes th J
A. Ammonia. — Aq. Acet. Ammonia. 135
nly difference between fait and fpirit of harts-horn, as they arc
ailed, and the purer carbonate of ammonia, as obtained by the de-
ompofition of muriate of ammonia.
lQUA ACETITIS AMMONIA ; vulgo, Spiritus Mxndereri.
Ed.
Vater of Acctite of Ammonia^ commonly called Spirit of Minder er us.
Syn. Ac^ua Ammonia Acetatve, L.
W ater of Acet cited Ammonia.
Liouor Alkali Volatilis Acetati, D.
Liquor of Acetciicd Volatile Alkali.
'ake of
Carbonate of ammonia in powder, any quantity,
'our upon it as much diftillcd acetous acid as may be fufficient to
faturate the ammonia exactly. (E.)
By this procefs we obtain acetate of ammonia, ditTolvcd in the
rater of the acetic acid ; but as this is apt to vary in quantity, the
)lution alfo varies in ftrength, and the cryftallization of the fait is
ttended with too much difficulty to be prattifed for pharmaceu-
cal purpofes. Its cryftals are long, (lender, and flatted, of a
early white colour, and of a cool fweetifh tafte, are very deliquef-
ent, melt at 170U, and fublime at 250°. It is decomposed by-
te acids, alkalies, and feveral of the earths, and metalline falts ;
nd when in folution, its acid is decompofed fpontancoufly, and
y heat.
Different propofals have been made to get a folution of greater
rength and uniformity, than that ft ill retained by the Britilh col-
ges. Mr. Lowe iaturates four ounces of carbonate of potafs with
ftilled vinegar, and evaporates the folution to 36 ounces. He
en mixes it with two ounces of muriate of ammonia, and diftils
e mixture in a glafs retort. Acetate of ammonia comes over,
he laft edition of the Pruffian Pharmacopceia prepares it by fa-
rating three ounces of carbonate of ammonia with a ftrong ace-
: acid, (obtained by diftillation from acetate of foda, diffolved in
'o parts of water, and decompofed by fulphuric acid), and dilut-
■ % the folution with water, fo that it {hall weigh twenty-four
I nces. One ounce, therefore, contains the alkali of a drachm of
l :bonate of ammonia.
Medical ufe. — Acetate of ammonia, when affifted by a warm re-
inen, proves an excellent and powerful fudorific ; and»as it ope-
136
Materia Me die a.
iatcs without quickening the circulation or increafmg the heat of
die body, it is admiflible in febrile and inflammatory difeafes,
rn which the ufe of flimulating fudorifics are attended with danger.
Its action may likewife be determined to the kidneys, by walking
about in a cool air. The common dofe is half an ounce, either by
Erfelf, or along with other medicines adapted to the fame inten-
sion.
HYDRO-SULPHURETUM AMMONITE. Ed
Hydro-Sulphuret cf Ammonia*
Take of
Water of ammonia, four ounces ;
Subject, it in a chemical apparatus to a ftream of the gas, which
arifes from
Sulphuret of iron, four ounces,
Muriatic acid, eight ounces, previoufly diluted with two pounds
send a half of water.
Sulphuret of Iron is conveniently prepared for this purpofe,
from
Purified filings of iron, three parts ;
Sublimed fulphur, one part.
Mixed and expofed to a moderate degree of heat in a covered cru-
cible, until they unite into a mafs.
Sulphuretted hydrogen is capable of combining with differ-
ent bafes in the manner of an acid. In the prefent preparation, it
is combined with ammonia. It is obtained by decompofing ful-
phuret of iron with muriatic acid. As foon as the acid, by its fu-
perior affinity, feparates the iron from the fulphur, the latter im-
mediately re-acts on the water, the oxygen of which forms with
one portion of it fulphuric acid, while the hydrogen diffolves an-
other portion, and forms fulphuretted hydrogen gas. The combin-
ation of this with ammonia is facilitated by reduction of tempera-
ture, and by making it pafs through a column of the water of am-
monia by means of an apparatus, fuch as Woulfe's, or Nooth's.
TrommfdorfF has propofed, that the fulphuretted hydrogen gas
Ihould be obtained by the decompofition of fulphuret of potafs;
but in this way its formation is too rapid to be eafily managed.
Gbttling fays, that the acid mould be added gradually, and that
die whole muft be conftantly agitated. But thefe precautions are
rendered more unnccefTary, by diluting the acid in the degree di* \
A. Ammonia. — Hyd. Sulph. Amm. 137
reded by the pharmacopoeia. Mr. Cruickfhank, who fir ft fuggeft-
ed the ufe of hydro-fulphuret of ammonia in medicine, directs the
fulphuret of iron to be prepared by heating a bar of iron to a white
heat in a fmith's forge, and rubbing againft the end of it a roll of
fulphur. The iron at this temperature immediately combines with
the fuiphur, and form6 globules of fulphurexted iron, which mould
be received in a veflel filled with water. It is, however, more
conveniently obtained in the manner directed by the college.
Prouft has proved that iron is capable of combining with two pro-
portions of fulphur. At a high temperature 100 parts of iron
combine with GO of fulphur, and form a compound of a dull
blackilh colour. In this ltate it is fit for the production of ful-
phuretted hydrogen gas. At a lower temperature the fame quan-
tity of iron takes up 90 of fulphur, acquires a greeniih yellow co-
lour, and in every refpect refembles native pyrites. This cannot
be decornpofed by acids, and is therefore unfit for the production
ef gas ; but it may be reduced to the ftate of iron fulphuretted to
the minimum, by expofing it to a fulficiently-high temperature, or
by melting it with half its weight of iron filings. It was proba-
bly from not attending to the different flates of fulphuretted iron,
that fome of the German chemifts failed in their attempts to pro-
cure from it fulphuretted hydrogen gas, and had recourfe to ful-
phuret of potafs. As the proportions have been mif-ftated in an
elementary work of great authority, it may be proper to recapitu-
late them.
Sulphuretted Iron. Super-sulphuretted Iron*
Iron,
100
62.5
100
52.63
Sulphur,
60 °r
37.5
90
°r 47.37
1G0
100
190
100.
Medical ufe, — Hydro-fulphuret of ammonia, or more correctly,
Sulphuretted hydroguret of ammonia, acts powerfully on the liv-
ing fyftem. It induces vertigo, drowfinefs, naufea, and vomiting,
™d lefiens the action of the heart and arteries. According to the
doctrine of the chemical phyfiologifts, it is a powerful difoxyge-
lizing remedy. It has only been ufed in diabetes by Dr. Rollo
md others, under the name of Hepatized ammonia, in dofes of
ive or ten drops twice or thrice a-day.
T
lie:.'.
138
Materia Medica.
AMMONIACUM. G/zw;;// i^//*. E. L. D.
Ammoniac. A Gum-rejtn.
Ammoniac um is a concrete, gummy-refmous juice, brought
from the Eafl Indies, ufually in large maffes, compofed of little
lumps or tears, of a milky colour, but foon changing, upon being
expofed to the air, to a yellowilh hue. We have no certain ac-
count of the plant which affords this juice •, the feeds ufually found
among the tears refemble thofe of the umbelliferous clafs. It has
been alfo alleged, and not without fome degree of probability, that
it is an exudation from a fpecies of the ferula, another fpecies of
which produces the afTa fcetida. The plant producing it is faid to
grow in Nubia, Abyffmia, and the interior parts of Egypt. Such
tears as are large, dry, free from little ftones, feeds, or other im-
purities, lliould be picked out and preferred for internal ufe •, the
coarfer kind is purified by folution, colature, and careful infpifla-
tion •, but unlefs this be artfully managed, the gum will lofe a con-
fiderable deal of its more volatile parts. There is often vended in
the fhops, under the name of (trained gum ammoniacum, a com-
pofition of ingredients much inferior in virtue.
Ammoniacum has a naufeous fweet tafte, followed by a bitter
one ; and a peculiar fmell, fomewhat like that of galbanum, but
more grateful : it foftens in the mouth, and grows of a white
colour upon being chewed. It foftens by heat, but is not fufible;
when thrown upon live coals, it burns away in flame ; it is in fome
degree foluble in water and in vinegar, with which it affumes the
appearance of milk ; but the refinous part, amounting to about one
half, fubfides on ftanding.
Neumann extracted from 480 parts, 360 by alcohol, and' then
by water 105 ; by water applied firft 4? 10, and then by alcohol 60.
Alcohol diftilled from it arofe unchanged, but water acquired a
fweetifh tafte, and the fmell of the ammoniac. The folution in
alcohol is tranfparent •, but on the addition of water becomes
milky. It therefore feems to confifl principally of a fubftance fo-
luble both in water and in alcohol, combined with fome volatile
matter.
Medical ufe. — The general action of gum-ammoniac is ftimulant.
On many occafions, in dofes of from ten to thirty grains, it proves
a valuable antifpafmodic, deobftruent, or expectorant. In large
dofes it purges gently, excites perforation, and increafes the flow
of urine. It is ufed with advantage to promote expectoration in
fome pulmonary difrafes ; in dropfical affections, to augment the
flow of urine, and to fupport the falivation in fmall-pox. It is alfo
an ufeful deobftruent ; and is frequently prefcribed for removing
•bftructions of the abdominal vifcera, and in hyfterical diforders
A. Ammoniacum, fkc. 139
ocxafioned by a deficiency of the menftrual evacuations. In long
and obftinate colics, proceeding from vifcid matter lodged in the
inteftines, this gummy-refin has produced happy effects, after pur-
ges and the common carminatives had been ufed in vain. Exter-
nally, it is fuppofed to foften and ripen hard tumours. A folution
of it in vinegar has been recommended by fome for refolving even
fcirrhous fwellings.
It is exhibited internally,
a. In folution, combined with vinegar, vinegar of fquills, afla
fcetida, &c.
b. In pills, with bitter extracts, myrrh, affi fcetida.
c. And externally combined with vinegar, turpentine, com-
mon plafter, &c.
Officinal Preparations.
Ammoniacum purificatum, L.
Eac ammoniaci, L. D, - - vide, Mixture.
Pilulae scilliticae, E. L. D. - Pilule.
■ Empiastrum gummosum, E. - - Unguent a.
ammoniaci cum hydrargyro, L. Jdt w.
AMMONIACUM PURIFICATUM. L.
Purified Gum Ammoniacum.
If gum ammoniac do not feem to be pure, boil it in water till it
become feft \ then fqueeze it through a canvafs bag, by means
of a prefs. Let it remain at reft till the refinous part fubfide ;
then evaporate the water ; and towards the end of the evapora-
tion, mix the refinous part with the gummy.
In the fame maaner are purified affa fcetida and fimilar gum refms.
You may alfo purify any gum which melts eafy, fuch as Gal-
banian, by putting it in an ox bladder, and holding it in boiling
water till it become fo foft that it can be feparated from its im-
purities by prefling it through a coarfe linen cloth.
As one, and perhaps the mod aclive conftituent of gummy re-
fins, as they are- called, is of a volatile nature, it is evident that it
muft be in a great meafure difTipated in the procefs juft defcribed,
and that we cannot expect the fame virtues in thefe fubftances
after they are purified, which they poflefs in their crude ilate.
This procefs is therefore contrary to the principles of good phar-
macy ; and fuch fpecimens of thefe gummy refins as Hand in need
of it to give them an apparent degree of purity, mould not be ad-
140 Materia Medica.
9
mitted into the {hop of the apothecary. Befides, many of the im-
purities which they ufually contain, are eafily iepaviited in com-
pounding the preparations or extemporaneous prefcriptioas into
which they enter.
AMOMUM.
Willd. g. 4. — Monandria Monogynia. — Nat. ord. Scitaminet,
AMOMUM ZINGIBER. Sp. 1. E.
Radix ficcata, et radix condita ex India allata.
Ginger. The root, and the candied root brought from India,.
Zingiber, L. D.
D. Gember.
DA. Ing-saer.
F. Gingenibre.
G. Ingpvr, higher.
I. Zenzero, Zenzoverc^ Zinzibo,
Gengiovo.
P. Gei'gi&re.
POL. Imbier.
R. Jukr.
S. Jenjlbre, Jgengibre,
SW. tngesara.
Ginger is a perennial plant, indigenous in the Eaft Indies, but
now cultivated in the Well-India illands. It is cultivated there
very much in the fame manner as potatoes are here, and is fit for
digging once a year, unlefs for prelerving in lyrup, when it mould
be dug at the end of three or four months, at which time it is ten-
der and full of fap.
Ginger is diilinguifhed into two forts, the blacj§ and the white.
The former is rendered fit for preservation by means of boiling
water, the latter by infolation ; and as it is neqeflkry to felect the
faireft and rounder!: forts for expofure to the fun, white ginger is
commonly one third dearer than black.
Black ginger confifts of thick and knotty roots, internally of an
orange or brownifh colour, externally of a yellow grey. White
ginger is lefs thick and knotty, internally of a reddifh yellow, and
externally of a whitim-grey or yellow. It is firm and refinous,
and more pungent than the black. Pieces which are worm-eaten,
light, friable, or foft, and very fibrous, are to be rejected.
Candied ginger Ihould be prepared in India from the ycung and
fucculent roots. When genuine, it is almoft tranfparent. That
manufactured in Europe is opaque and fibrous.
Ginger has a fragrant fmell, and a hot, biting, aromatic, tafte.
Neumann obtained by diftillation with water from 7680 parts of
white ginger, about GO of an efTential oil, having the fmell and
diftinguifhing flavour of the ginger, but none of its pungency.
% A. Amomum. Zingiber. — Zedoaria. 141
The watery extract was confiderably pungent, and amounted to
2720, after which, alcohol extra^ed 192 of a very pungent refin.
Alcohol applied rirft extracted (560 of pungent refin, and water
afterwards 2160 of a mucilaginous extract with little tafte' and
difficultly exficcated. The black ginger contained lefs foluble mat-
ter than the white.
Medical ufe. — Ginger is a very ufeful fpice in cold flatulent colics,
and in laxity and debility of the interlines : it does not heat fo
much as thofe of the pepper kind, but its effects are more durable.
It may alfo be applied externally as a rubefacient.
Officinal Preparations.
Syrupus amomi zingiberis, E. - vide, Syrufii.
Tinctui a zmgiberis, L. - Tincture.
It is also an ingredient in many of the powders, pills, electuaries,
kc. Sec.
AMOMUM ZEDOARIA. Sp. 3. Radix. D.
Long Zedoary. The Root.
The Zedoary is perennial, and grows in Ceylon and Malabar.
The roots come to us in pieces, fome inches in length, and about
a finger thick. Externaliy they are wrinkled, and of an afh-grey
colour, but internally are brownifli red. The beft kind comes
from Ceylon, and fhould be firm, heavy, of a dark colour within,
and neither worm-eaten nor very fibrous. It has an agreeably
fragrant fmell, and a warm,-bitterifh, aromatic tafte.
In diftillatioR with water, it yields an eflential oil, heavier than
water, pofleffing the fmell and flavour of the zedoary in an eminent
degree ; the remaining deco&ion is almoft fimply bitter. Spirit
likev/ife brings over fome fmall {hare of its flavour : neverthelefs
the fpiritous extract is confiderably more grateful than the zedoary
itfelf. From 7680 parts Neumann got 2720 of watery extract,
and afterwards 140 of almoft infipid refin; by applying alcohol
firft, 720, and water afterwards, 2400 much bitterer than the origi-
nal watery extract.
Officinal Preparation.
Cpnfectio aromatica, L. - vide, Elect naria%
142
Materia Medica.
AMOMUM CARDAMOMUM. Sp. 7. D.
REPENS. Sp. 10. Ed. L.
Cardamomum minus. Semina. L. D.
LeJJer Cardamom Seeds.
D. Kardamomen. P. Cardamomos .
DA. Card&tnoiner. POL. Kardamom.
F. Cardamomes. R. Kardamon.
G. Kardannantn. S. Cardamomos.
I. Cardamomi. SW. Kardemummor.
The London and Edinburgh Colleges, on the authority of Son-
nerat, have fuppofed thefe feeds to be the product, of the latter
fpecies, v/hile the Dublin College, with Murray, Willdenow, and
all the foreign pharmaceutical writers, afcribe them to the former.
Both fpecies are natives of India.
Cardamom feeds are a very warm, grateful, pungent aromatic,
and frequently employed as fuch in practice : they are laid to have
this advantage, that notwithstanding their pungency, they do not,
like thofe of the pepper kind, immoderately heat or inflame the
bowels. Both water and rectified fpirit extradr. their virtues by
infufion, and elevate them in distillation ; with this difference, that
the tincture and distilled fpirit are confiderably more grateful than
the infufion and diftilled water : the watery infufion appears tur-
bid and mucilaginous the tincture limpid and transparent. From
480 parts Neumann got about 20 of volatile oil, 15 of refinous
extract, and 45 of watery. The hulks of the feeds, which have
very little fmell or tafte, may be commodioufly feparated, by com-
mitting the whole to the mortar, when the feeds will readily pul-
verize, fo as to be freed from the (hell by the fieve : this Should not
be done till juft before ufing them ; for if kept without the hu{ks,
they foon lofe confiderably of their flavour.
Officinal Preparations.
Tinctura amomi repentis, E. L. D. vide, Tinctura.
cardamomi composita, L. D. Idem.
senna?, L. D. - - - Idem.
gentianse composita, L. - Idepi,
cinnamomi composita, E. L. D. Idem.
rhei, E. L. - - - Idem.
cum aloe, E. - - Idem.
Vinum aloes socotorinse, E. - - Vina medirata.
rhabarbari, L. - - - Idem.
Extractum colocynthidis conipositum, L. Extracta.
Pul vis aromaticus, E. L. D. - - Pulveres.
Confectio aromatica, L. - Electuaria.
Pilulae scilliticce, E. - - PiluU.
A. Amygdalus Communis. 143
AMYGDALUS COMMUNIS. Nucleus. Ed.
a. Amygdalus dulcis, E. Amygdala dulces, L. L>.
b. Amygdala amarjE, L.
The Almond Tree. The kernel of the fruit.
Willd. g. 981. fp. 2. Jcofandria Monogynia. — Nat. ord. Pomace*.
D. Jmandclen. P. J?ne?idoas.
DA. Mandkr. POL. Migticl.
F. Amandea. R. Mi.idal.
G. Mandeln. S. Almendrat.
I. Mandate, Mandorle. SW. MandSar.
The fruit which affords thefe kernels, is the produce of a tree
nearly refembling the peach. It originally came from Syria and
Barbarv •, but is now much cultivated in die fouth of Europe.
The eye diftinguifhes no difference betwixt the trees which pro-
duce the fweet and bitter, or betwixt the kernels themfelves *, it is
faid that the fame tree has, by a difference in culture, afforded
both.
The almond is a flattifli kernel, of a white colour, and of a foft
fweet tafte, or a difagrecable bitter one. The (kins of both forts
are thin, brownifh, unpleafant, and covered with an acrid powdery
fubftancc. They are very apt to become rancid on keeping, and
to be preyed on by a kind of infect, which eats out the internal
part, leaving the almond to appearance entire. To thefe circum-
ftances regard ought to be had in the choice of them.
Sweet almonds are of greater ufe in food than as medicine, but
they are reckoned to afford little nourifliment ; and when eaten in
fubftance, are not eafy of digeftion, unlefs thoroughly comminut-
ed. They are fuppofed, on account of their un&uous quality, to
obtund acrimonious juices in the primae vi?e : peeled fweet al-
monds, eaten fix or eight at a time, fometimes give prefent relief
in the heartburn.
Bitter almonds have been found poifonous to dogs and fome
other animals; and a water diftilled from them, when made of a
certain degree of ftrength, has had the fame effects. Neverthe-
lefs, when eaten, they appear innocent to mod men, and are every
day ufed in cookery on account of their agreeable flavour, but
there are fome habits in which the fmalleft quantity produces
urticaria, and other unpleafant fymptoms. The fimilarity of the
fmell of bitter almonds to prufTic acid led Mr. Schrader to fup-
pofe, that it was owing to the prefence of this acid, and it is faid
that he has found his luppofition correct, and that pruffic acid is
equally poifonous \v;th the bitter diftilled waters.
144
Materia Medica.
Both forts of almonds yield, on exprefiion, a large quantity of
oil, which feparates likewife upon boiling the almonds in water,
and is gradually collected on the furface.
The oils obtained by expreffion from both forts of almonds
are in their fenfible qualities the fame. They fhould be perfectly
free from fmeli and tafte, and porTefs the other properties of fixed
oils.
Medical nfe. — The general virtues of thefe oils are, to blunt acri-
monious humours, and to foften and relax the foiids : hence their
ufe internally, in tickling coughs, heat of urine, pains and inflam-
mations *, and externally, in tenfion and rigidity of particular parts.
On triturating almonds with water, the oil and water unite to-
gether, by the mediation of the other matter of the kernel, and
form an undluous milky liquor.
The milky folutions of almonds in watery liquors, commonly
called emulfions, contain the oil of the fubject, and participate in
fome degree of its emollient virtue ; but have this advantage above
the pure oil, that they may be given in acute or inflammatory dif-
orders, without danger of the ill effects which the oil might fome-
times produce ; fmce emulfions 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 tafte when treated in this way,
the fweet almonds are employed in making emulfions.
Several unctuous and refinous fubftances, of themfelves not
mifcible with water, may, by trituration with almonds, be eafily
mixed with it into the form of an emulfion; and are thus excel-
lently fitted for medicinal ufe. In this form, camphor, and the re-
finous purgatives may be commodioully taken.
Officinal Preparations.
Oleum fixum, E. L. D. - - vide^ Okupi.
Emuleio amygdalae communis, E. L. D. Mixtura.
arabica, E. D. - - - Idem.
camphorata, E. L. - - Idem.
Although the Prufiic acid forms no part of the Materia Medica ;
yet as it appears to be a conftituent of the almond, its chemical
properties arc here introduced.
Prujfic acid is a colourlefs fluid, of a flrong fmell, like that of
peach flowers or bitter almonds, and a fweetifii pungent tafte.
It does not redden vegetable blues, and unites difficultly with the
alkalies and earths. It is eafily decompofed by light, heat, or oxy-
genized muriatic acid. It does not act upon the metals, but forms
coloured and generally infallible combinations with their oxides.
It has a great tendency to form triple falta with alkaline and me-
A. Amyium.
145
tallic bafes. It is obtained from animal fubftances by the action oi
heat, nitric acid, fixed alkalies, and putrefaction.
Prujfiates of alkalies are eaiily decompofed even by carbonic
acid. They form varioufly coloured precipitates in the folutions
of the metallic falts, except thofe of platinum.
AMYLUM
Ex tritico praparatum.
Wheat Starch.
D. Amy don, Ameldonk.
DA. Amdam.
F. Amid'm.
G. Amidam.
I. Amido, Ami to.
P. Amido.
POL. Krrchmal.
R. Kruchmal.
S. Amidcn, Almidon
SW. Stdrkelse.
The Edinburgh college have inferted ftarch as a feparate fub-
fiance in their catalogue of the Materia Medica, probably confi-
dering it to be a general principle common to many vegetables
although they point out the particular fpecies which they wifli to
be employed.
Starch is a fine white powder, generally concreted in friable
hexagonal columns, fmooth to the feel, and emitting a particular
found when comprefied. It has neither tafte nor fmell. It is
decompofed by heat. It is not foluble in cold water or in alcohol.
Warm water converts it into a kind of pafte, which on cooling af-
fumes a gelatinous form. This jelly when dried by heat becomes
tranfparent and brittle like gum, but is not foluble in cold water.
Starch, after being thus diflblved in hot water, cannot be reduced
to its original ftate. It is precipitated by infufion of galls, (Dr.
Thomfon.)
Medical ufes. — As a conftituent of many vegetable fubftances,
it forms a moft important alimentary material. In a medical
point of view, it is to be confidered as a demulcent ; and accord-
ingly it forms the principal ingredient of an officinal lozenge ; and
a mucilage prepared from it often produces excellent effects, both
taken by the mouth, and in the form of a clyfter in dyfentery and
diarrhoea from irritation of the inteftines.
Starch is found in many vegetables, combined with different
fubftances. Fourcroy accordingly makes various fpecies of it as
combined,
1 . With gluten or fibrine, as in wheat, rye, and other fimi-
lar feeds.
U
146
Materia Medica.
2. With extractive, as in beans, peafe, lupins, &c.
3. With mucilaginous matters, as in the potato and many
other roots, in unripe corn.
4. With faccharine matter, in moft roots, and in corn after
it has begun to germinate.
5. With oil, in the emulfive feeds, almonds, &c.
6. With an acrid principle, as in the root of the burdock, ja-
tropha manihot, arum, afarum, and other tuberous roots.
Officinal Preparations.
Mucilago amyli, E L. - vide, Mucilagines.
Trochisci gummosi, E. L. - Trochisci.
Puhis tragacanthae compositus, L. Pulvevcs.
Pilulse hydrargyri, E. - - PiluU.
AMYRIS.
Willd. g. 755. OEla?idria Monogynia. — Nat. ord. Dumofa.
AMYRIS ELE1VPFERA. Sp. 2. Elemi. Re/ma. L. D.
Elemi. A Rcfin.
The tree which furnifnes elemi grows in Carolina and Spanifh
America. In dry weather, and efpecially at full moon, incifions
are made in the bark, from which a refinous juice flows, and is left
to harden in the fun. It is brought to us in long roundifh cakes,
generally wrapped up in flag leaves. The belt fort is fofrilh,
fomewhat tranfparent, of a pale whitifh yellow colour, inclining
a little to green, of a ftrong not unpleafant lmell, refembling fome-
what that of fennel. Dr. Wright fays, that on wounding the bur-
fera gu mfera, a thick milky liquor flows, which foon concretes
into a refin no way different from the elemi of the (hops. Of 100
parts 94 difTolve in alcohol, and part of its fragrance rifes along
with this menftruum in diftillation : diftilled with water it yields
6.4- of pale-coloured, thin, fragrant, eflential, oil. Its only confti-
tuents, therefore, are refin and eflential oil. It gives name to one
of the officinal unguents, and is at prefent fcarce any otherwife
made ufe of ; though it is certainly preferable for internal purpofes
fo fome others which are held in greater efteem.
Officinal Preparation.
Unguentum elemi, L. D. vide, Unguenta.
A. — Amyris.—A. Zeylanica. Gileadensis. 147
AMYRIS ZEYLANICA. Sp. 18.
The elemi which comes from the Eaft Indies is faid to be the
produce of this fpecies.
AMYRIS GILEADENSIS. Sp. 6. Balfamum Gileadenfe. Ed,
Refin cu
Balfum of Gilead. A Refin.
Tins article, which has alfo had the name of Bafamum Judai-
cum, Syriacum, dc Mecca, Opo-balfamum, &c. is a refinous juice,
obtained from an evergreen tree, growing fpontaneouily, particu-
larly near to Mecca, on the Afiatic fide of the Red fea. The belt
fort of it is a fpontaneous exudation from the tree ; and is held in
fo high efteem by the Turks, who are in poflelhon of the country
where it is produced, that it is rarely, if ever, to be met with ge-
nuine among us. From the high price fet upon it, many adulte-
rations are practifed. The true opo-balfamum, according to Alpi-
nus, is at firft turbid and white, of a very ftrong pungent fmell,
like that of turpentine, but much fweeter ; and of a bitter, acrid,
altringent tafte : upon being kept for fome time, it becomes thin,
limpid, of a greenifli hue, then of a gold yellow, and at length
of the colour of honey.
This balfam is in high efteem among the ealtern nations, both as
a medicine, and as an odoriferous unguent and cofmetic. It has
been recommended in a variety of complaints. But in Europe it
is never obtained genuine ; and as all tjie figns of its goodnefs are
fallacious, it has been very rarely employed. Nor need we regret
it ; for any of the other refinous fluids, fuch as the balfam of Cana-
da or Capaiba will anfwer every purpofe full as well.
The dried berries of this tree were formerly kept under the title
of Carpo-balfamum, and the dried twigs under that of Xylo-balfa-
mum. Although Willdenow has inferred the amyris opo-balfa-
mum as a diftincl; fpecies, he thinks they are the fame.
148
Materia Medica.
ANCHUSA T1NCTORIA. Radix. Ed
Alkanet. The Root.
Anchusa, D,
Willi, g. 277. fp. 7. Pentandria Monogynia. — Nat. ord. Afperifolia.
D. Osseiovg, Crkanette. P. Alcanna bastardy Orcaneta.
DA. Oxetjtnge, Orkanette. POL. Czerwienicc.
F. VOrcanette. R. Wolowoi jasiik.
G. Rothe Ochsenzunge, Qrkanet. S. Arcaneia^PalomilladeTinte.
I. Ancusa. SW. it 6V/ Oxtungerot.
This plant is a native of Europe : it is fometimes cultivated in .
gardens ; but the greater!: quantities are raifed in Germany or
France, particularly about Montpelier, from whence the dried roots
are ufually imported to us. The alkanet root produced in England
is much inferior in colour to that brought from abroad ; the
Englifh being only lightly reddifh, the others of a deep purplifh
red \ and it has been fufpectedj but without fufficient foundation,
that the foreign roots owe part of their colour to art. The corti-
cal part of the root is of a duiky red, and imparts an elegant deep
red to alcohol, oils, wax, and all unctuous fubftances, but not to
watery liquors.
Alkanet root has little or no fmell ; when recent, it has a bit-
terifh aftringent tafte ; but when dried, fcarcely any. As to its
virtues, the prefent practice expects not any from it. Its chief ufe
is for colouring oils, ointments, and plafters. As the colour is
confined to the cortical part, the fmall roots are beft, having, pro*,
portionally more bark than the large.
ANDROMEDA MARIANA.
Broad-leaved Moor- Wort.
The different fpecies of the andromeda are very nearly akin in-
botanical character to the rhododendron and kalmia, and are fuf-
pefted by profeflbr Barton to be poifonous. A decoction of the
plant under confideration, has been fuccefsfully employed as a
wafh, in a difagreeable ulceration of the feet, which is not un-
common among the flaves, &c. in the fouthern ftates, and which
is known by the name of toe-itch and ground-itch.
A. ■ Anethum Fceniculum. 149
The brown powder attached to the foor-ftalks of the leaves of
ihe andromeda, is confiderably errhine. The powder about the
feeds, in the feed-veffels, porTerTes a fimilar quality.*
ANETHUM.
Willd. g. 560. Pentandria Digynia. — Nat. ord. Umbellaut
ANETHUM GRAVEOLENS. Sp. 1. Semen. L.
Dill. The Seed.
Dill is an annual umbelliferous plant, cultivated in gardens, as
well for culinary as medical ufe. The feeds are of a pale yellow-
ifh colour, in fhape nearly ova], convex on one fide, and flat on the
other. Their tafte is moderately warm and pungent ; their fmell
aromatic, but not of the moft agreeable kind. Thefe feeds are re-
commended as a carminative in flatulent colics. The moft effica-
cious preparations of them, are, the diftilled oil, and a tincture
or extract made with rectified fpirit.
Officinal Preparation.
Aqua anethi, L. - vide, Aqtut desfillata.
ANETHUM FOENICULUM. Sp. 3. Radix, Seme;:. Ed.
FOENICULUM DULCE. L. D.
Sweet Fennel. 7ke Root and Seeds.
D. VenkeL P. Funcho.
DA. Fennikel. POL. Kof.r ivloivsky.
F. FenouiL R. JVoIoskoi Ukrofi.
G. Fenchrl. S. Ntnojo.
I. Finccchio. SW. F'dnkol.
This is a biennial plant, of which there are four varieties. One
»f thefe, the common fennel, is indigenous to England. The fweet:
fennel, the variety which is officinal, grows wild in Italy, but is
alfo cultivated in gardens in England. It is fmaller in all its parts
than the common, except the feeds, which are confiderably larger.
The feeds of the two forts differ likewife in fliape and colour : thofe
of the common are roundifh, oblong, flattifh on one fide, and prn-
* Barton's Collections towards a Materia Medica, part ift-
150
Materia Medica*
tuberant on the other, of a dark almoft biackifh colour; thofe of die
fweet are longer, narrower, not fo flat, generally crooked, and of
a whitilh or pale yellow ifh colour.
The feeds of both the fennels have an aromatic fmell, and a
moclerateiy warm, pungent tafte : thofe of the fosniculum dulce are
in flavour moil agreeable, and have alfo a coniiderable degree of
fweetnefs.
From 960 parts, Neumann obtained 20 of volatile oil, 260
watery extract, and afterwards fome alcohoiic extract, which
could not be exficcated on account of its oilinefs. By alcohol hrlt,
he got 84? refinous extract, 120 fixed oil, and then by water 120
of a bitter extract.
Officinal Preparations.
Aqua faeniculi dulcis, L. D. - vide, Aqua destillatx..
Oleum volatile tior. r . dul. D. > ^, , *L
semmura r. dul. D.}
Decoctum chamjemeii, D. Uccocta.
ANGELICA ARCHANGELICA. Radix, Folia, Semen. Ed.
Angelica. L. D.
Radix, Can lis, Folia, Semen, L. Caules, Folia, Semina, D.
Angelica. The root, Jlalk, leaves, and feeds.
IVilld. g. 543. fp. 1. Pcntandria Digynia.—Nzt. ord. Umbellate. .
D. Angelica. I. Angelica.
F. Racine d1 Angelique. P. Angelica.
G. Angelkavjurzd, Engelwurz. S. Anjelica. U
Angelica Is a large biennial umbelliferous plant. It grows,
ipontaneoufly on the banks of rivers in Alpine countries ; but for
the ufe of the (hops, it is cultivated in gardens in different parts,
of Europe.
All the parts of Angelica, efpecially the roots, have a fragrant
aromatic fmell *, and a pleafant bitterifh warm tafte, glowing upon
the lips and palate for a long time after they have been chewed.
The flavour of the feeds and leaves is very perifhable ; particularly
that of the latter, which, on being barely dried, lofe the greater!
part of their tafte and fmell : the roots are more tenacious of their
flavour, though they lofe part of it with keeping. The frefh root,
wounded early in the fpring, yields an odorous yellow juice;
which, flowly exficcated, proves an elegant gummy refin, very rich
A. Angustura.
151
m the virtues of the angelica. On drying the root, this juice con-
cr s into diftinc~l molecule, which, on cutting it longitudinally
appear diftributed in little veins ; in this flare, they are extradled
by alcohol, but not by watery liquors. Angelica roots are apt
to grow mouldy, and to be preyed on by infects, unlefs thoroughly
dried, kept in a dry place, and frequently aired. We apprehend,
that the roots which are fubjeel: to this inconvenience, might be
preferved, by dipping them in boiling fpirit, or expofing them to
its fleam, after they are dried, Baume fays that it is only the roots
gathered in the fpring that are fubjeel: to this inconvenience, and
that when gathered in the autumn, they keep good feveral years.
Roots only worm-eaten are as fit as ever for making a tinclure, or
affording volatile oil.
Angelica is one of the mod elegant aromatics of European
growth, though little regarded in the prefent practice. The root,
which is the moll eincacious part is ufed in the aromatic tincture.
The italks make an agreeable fweetmeat.
Officinal Preparation.
Spiritus anisi compositus, L. vide9 S/.iritus destillati .
ANGUSTURA. Cortex. Ed. D.*
Angujlura Bark*
The natural hiflory of this bark is hitherto unknown. Willdenow
fufpec~ls that it is the bark of the magnolia plumieri*. The firft par-
cel of it that was imported to England, came from Dominica in
July 1788, with an account, " that it had been found fuperior to
the Peruvian bark in the cure of fevers." Subiequent importations
from the Spanifr. Weft Indies, either immediately or through the
medium of Spain, give reafon to fuppofe, that it is the produce of
South America. Now that the ifland of Trinidad, from which it
is commonly imported into Europe, belongs to the Engliih, we
may expect to get further information refpecling its natural hif-
tory.
Its appearance is various, owing to its having been taken from
larger or fmaller branches. The outer furface of it is more or lefs
wrinkled, and covered with a greyiih coat, below which it is of a
yellowifh brown : the inner furface is of a dull brown. It breaks
* Profeflbr Barton inclines to the opinion that this article of the materia rnedica
i* the bark of fome fpecies of magnolia.
Bartons CclkSHcns, Part iji, page 1 4.
152 Materia Medica.
fhort and refinous. The talte is intenfely bitter, and flightly aro-
matic, leaving a ftrong fenfe 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 384C
parts of anguftura, there were extracted by alcohol, 144- of refin.
and 300 of an acrid unctuous fubftance, the refiduum yielded tc
water 1500 of dry gummy extract:.. Treated firft with water, ii
gave 2110 grains of a clear brown extract, bitter, but not acrid,
and afterwards 161 of a refin of a light brown colour, and ex-
tremely acrid. By diftillation it gave 26 of eflential oil. The
tincture is of a deep yellow colour, reddens infufion of turnfole,
and becomes turbid and white on admixture with water. By re-
peated filtration a brownifh refin is feparated, and the tranfpa-
rent fluid has a pale yellow colour. It is not precipitated by folu-
tion of gelatin, but by infufion of galls. It therefore does not
contain tannin but cinchonin, and it has the peculiar property ol
acquiring a deep red colour with red fulphate of iron, and depofit-
ing a purplifh Hate-coloured precipitate.
As an aromatic bitter, it has been found to be a tonic and ftimu-
lant of the organs of digeftion. It increafes the appetite for food3
removes flatulence and acidity arifing from dyfpepfia, and is a very
effectual remedy in diarrhoea from weaknefs of the bowels, and in
dyfentery ; and it poflefles the fingular advantage of not opprefling
the ftomach, as Peruvian bark is apt to do. It does not cure m
termittents.
It is exhibited,
1. In powder, in dofes of from 5 to 20 grains, either alone or
with rhubarb, magnefia, or carbonate of lime.
2. In infufion. The infufion of one drachm in four ounces of
water may be ufed daily.
3. In tincture.
4. In watery extract.
ANNONA TRILOBA.
Papaw. Cujlard Apple.
The dried fruit is purgative, according to profefTor Barton.
A. x\nthemis.
153
ANTHEMIS.
Sytigerie/ia Polygamic fuperflua. — Nat. orcl. Compoftta radiate.
ANTHEMIS NOB I LIS. Herba et pres. Ed.
Cham/emelum. L. D.
Chamomile. The Herb and Flowers.
Chamomile is a perennial plant, indigenous to the fouth of
England, but cultivated in moft gardens for the purpofes of medi-
cine. The flowers have a ftrong, not ungrateful, aromatic fmell,
and a very bitter naufeous tafte.
Their active conftituents are bitter extractive, and efTential oil,
To the latter is to be afcribed their antifpafmodic, carminative,
cordial, and diaphoretic effects ; to the former their influence in
promoting digeftion.
Neumann obtained from 4-SO parts, 180 of alcoholic extract,
and afterwards 120 of watery; and reverfmg the procedure, 240
watery, and 60 alcoholic. »
Medical nfe. — Chamomile flowers are a very common and ex-
cellent remedy, which is often ufed with advantage in fpafmodic
difeafes, in hyfteria, in fpafmodic and flatulent colics, in fuppref-
fion of the menltrual difcharge, in the vomiting of puerperal wo-
men, in the after pains, in gout, in podagra, in intermittents, and
in typhus.
As chamomile excites the periftaltic motion, it is ufeful in dy-
fentery, but is not admifhble in all cafes of diarrhoea. From its
Simulating and fomewhat unplealant efTential oil, chamomile is al-
fo capable of exciting vomiting, efpecially when given in warm in-
fufion ; and in this way it is often ufed to a (lift the action of other
emetics.
Externally, chamomile flowers are applied as a difcutient and
emollient, in the form of clyfter or embrocation, in colic, dyfen-
tery, and ftrangulated hernia, &c.
Chamomile flowers are exhibited,
1. In fubftance, in the form of powder, or rather of electuary,
in doles of from half a drachm to two drachms, either alone, or
combined with Peruvian bark, as for the cure of intermittent
fevers.
2. In infufion, in the form of tea. This may either be drunk
warm, for promoting the action of emetics, or cold, as a fto-
machic.
3. In decoction or extract. Thefe forms contain only the ex-
tractive, and therefore may be confidered as fmrple bitters.
X
154
Materia Medico*
4. The effential oil may be obtained by diftillation. This pof-
fefles the antifpafmodic powers in a higher degree than the fimple
flowers, but on the contrary, does not poflefs the virtues depending
on the prefence of the bitter extractive.
Officinal Preparations.
Dccoctum anthemidis nobilis. E. L. D. vide, JDecocta.
Extractum anthemidis nobilis. E. L. D. Extracta.
ANTHEMIS PYRETHRUM. Radix, Ed.
Pyrethrum. L. D.
Pellitory of Spain. The root.
This plant, though a native of warm climates, as Barbary,
bears the ordinary winters of England, and often flowers fuc-
ceffively from Chriftmas to May : the roots alfo grow larger there
than thofe with which the mops are ufually fupplied from
abroad. They are feldom fo big as the little finger, and the beft
are dry, compact, of a brown colour, and not eafily cut with a
knife.
Pellitory root has no fenfible fmell ; its tafte is very hot and
acrid, but lefs fo than that of arum ; the juice exprefied from it
has fcarce any acrimony, nor is the root itfelf fo pungent when
frefh as 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 reverfe procedure, 600 of watery, andi'O
of alcoholic extract. Both the alcoholic extracts were exceffively
pungent. Its acrimony, therefore, is derived from a refin.
Medical ufe The principal ufe of pyrethrum in the prefent
practice is as a mafticatory, for promoting the falival flux, and eva-
cuating the vifcid humours from the head and neighbouring parts;
by this means it often relieves the toothach, fome kinds of pains of
the head, and lethargic complaints. A vinous infufion is alfo ufe-
ful in debility of the tongue.
A. Antimonium.
155
ANTIMONIUM.
Stibium,
Antimony.
D. Sfiie&glaa. P. Antimonic.
DA. Spidseglas. POL. SfAszglas.
Pi Anthnoine. R. An.imonia.
G. Antimonium, S/iiessglaxs. S. Antimonio.
I. Antimonio. SW. &/iitf>glas.
Antimony is white, very brilliant, lamellated ; fpecific gravity
6.702 ; moderately hard ; pulverizable •, fufible at 809° *, volatile
when highly ignited •, fenfible tafte and fmell ; unalterable in cold
air ; oxidizable by air and heat ; oxide fufible into a yellow brown
glafs ; decompofes water when ignited ; oxidized by the fulphu-
ric, nitric, and muriatic acids ; combines with phofphorus and
fulphur. Oxides are black, brown, orange, yellow, white; and they
colour glafs yellow or hyacinthine.
Antimony is found,
I. In its metallic ftate, at Sahlberg in Sweden, and Allcmont
in France.
II. Mineralized with fulphur.
1. Grey antimony.
a. Compact.
b. Foliated.
c. Striated (74 antimony, 29 fulphur, Bergmann).
d. Plumofe (fulphuret of antimony with arfenic and
iron, Berg.)
2. Red antimony (hydroguretted fulphuret of antimony).
III. Oxidized. Mongez.
IV. Acidified.
1. Muriated.
2. Phofphated. Yellow ore of antimony, Razumoufky.
The grey ore of antimony is the ftate in which it is olEcinal,
and alfo that in which it is moft commonly found.
SULPHURETUM ANTIMONII. E.
Sulphuret of Antimony.
Antimonium. L. Stibium. D.
Whatever opinion may be formed of the nomenclature adopt-
ed by the Edinburgh college in general, the propriety of the change
which they have introduced in this and fimilar inftances cannot be
156
Materia Medica.
difputed : for while chemifts, according to rational principles, de-
fignated fimple fubftances by fimple names, the fame names conti-
nued to be given by pharmaceutical writers to compound flates of
thefe bodies. To have eftabliihed, therefore, an uniformity of
nomenclature in fciences fo intimately allied, cannot fail to be con-
fidered as an improvement of the greate.O- importance.
Although fulphuretted antimony be a natural production, yet it
is commonly fold in the form of loaves, which have been feparat-
ed from the ftony, and other imparities of the ore by fuiion, and
a fpecies of filtration. For the ore is melted in conica' well-baked
earthen pots, having one or more fmall holes in their apices. The
fire is applied around and above thefe pots ; and as foon as the
fulphuretted antimony melts, it drops through the holes into vef-
fels placed beneath to receive it, while the ftony and other impu-
rities remain behind. As antimony is very volatile, the mouths
and joinings of the pots muft be clofed and luted. The upper
part of the loaves thus obtained is more fpongy, lighter, and im-
pure than the lower, which is therefore always to be preferred.
Thefe loaves have a dark grey colour externally, but on being
broken, they appear to be compofed of radiated ftriae, of a metal-
lic luftre, having the colour of lead. The goodnefs of the loaves
is eftimated from their compacanefs and weight, from the largenefs
and diftinclnefs of the stri<e, and from their being entirely vapor-
izable by heat. Lead has been fold for antimony ; but its texture
is rather foliated than ftriated, and it is not vaporizable. The
prefence of arfenic, which renders the antimony ulelefs for medi-
cal purpofes, is known by its emitting the fmell of garlic when
thrown upon live coals, and by other tefts mentioned under arfe-
nic. The prefence of manganefe or iron is known by their not
being volatilized by a red heat.
Antimony is obtained from its ores by gradually detonating in
a large crucible four parts of fulphuretted antimony, three of crude
tartar, and one and a half of dry nitrate of potafs ; reduced to a
fine powder, and intimately mixed. The detonated mafs is then
to be fufed and poured into a heated mould, greafed with a little
fat, in which it is allowed to confolidate. It is then turned out,
and the fcorise are feparated from the antimony, which will weigh
about one-fc:rth part of the fulphuret employed. The fcoria? are
a mixture of fulphuret of potafs and of antimony, and may bepre-
ferved for other purpofes.
Another method of obtaining antimony, is by melting three
parts of fulphuretted antimony, with one of iron. The fulphur
quits the antimony, and combines with the iron.
Formerly antimony was given internally ; but as its action de-
pended entirely on the acid it met with in the ftomach, its effects
were very uncertain, and oftenviolcnt. Cups were alfo made of
A. Sulphuretum Antimonii, &c. 157
antimony, which imparted to wine that flood in them for fome
time an emetic quality. But both thefe improper exhibitions of
this metal are now laid afide.
Medical ufe. — Sulphuretted antimony was employed by the an-
cients in collyria againft inflammations of the eyes •, and for flam-
ing the eyebrows black. Its internal ufe does not feem to have
been eftablifhed till towards the end of the fifteenth century •, and
even at that time it was by many looked upon as poifonous. But
experience has now fully evinced, that it has no noxious quality,
being often ufcd, particularly in chronic eruptions ; that fome
of its preparations are medicines of great efficacy ; and that
though many of them are mofi violently emetic and cathartic, yet
even thefe, by a flight alteration or addition, lofe their virulence,
and become mild in their operation.
Officinal Preparations.
Antimony is at prefect the ban's of many officinal preparations,
to be afterwards mentioned. But befides thofe flill retained, many
others have been formerly in ufe, and are fliil employed by different
practitioners. The following table, drawn up by Dr. Black, exhi-*
bits a diftinct view of the whole.
Dr. Black's Table of the Preparations of Antimony.
Medicines are prepared either from crude antimony, or from the
pure metallic part of it, called regulus.
From Crude Antimony.
I. By trituration.
Antimonium prseparaturn. Lond.
II. By the action of heat and air.
Flores antimonii fine addito.
Vitrum antimonii. Ed.
Antimonium vitrijicatum. Lond.
Vitrum antimonii ceratum. Ed.
III. By the aclion of alkalies.
Hepar antimonii mitiffimum.
Regulus antimonii mcdicinalis.
Hepar ad kermes minerale. Geoff roi.
Hepar ad tinct. antimonii.
Kermes minerale.
Sulphur antimonii prsecipitatum. Ed. et Lond.
158
Materia Medica.
IV. By the action of nitre.
Crocus antim. mitifiimus, vulgo, Regulus antim. medicinalis.
Crocus antimonii. Ed. et Lond.
Antimonii emeticum mitius. Boerh.
Antim. uftum cum nitro, vulgo, Calx antimonii nitrata. Ed.
Antimonium calcinatum. Lond. vulgo, Antimonium diaphoret.
Antim. calcareo-phofphoratum, five pulvis antimonialis. Ed.
Pulvis antimonialis. Lond.
V. By the action of acids.
Antim. vitriolat. Klaunig.
Antim. cathartic. Wilfon.
Antimonium muriatum, vu/go, Butyrum antim. Ed.
Antimonium muriatum. Lond.
Pulvis algarothi, five Mercurius Vita.
Bezoardicum minerale.
Antimonium tartarifatum, vulgo, Tartarus emeticus. Ed.
Antimonium tartarifatum. Lond.
Vinum antimonii tartarifati. Ed. et Lond.
Vinum antimonii. Lond.
From the Regulus.
This metal, feparated from the fulphur by different proceffes, is
called Regulus antimonii fimplex, Regulus martialisy Regulus jovi-
alis, &c. From it were prepared,
I. By the action of heat and air.
Flores argentei, five nix antim.
II. By the action of nitre,
Ceruffa antimonii.
Stomachicum Poterii.
Antihecticum Poterii,
Cardiacum Poterii.
Preparations which have their name from Antimony, but
fcarcely contain any of it.
Cinnabaris antimonii.
" Tin&ura antimonii.
To this table of Dr. Black's, which is left unaltered, Dr. Dun-
can has added another, not taken from the mode of preparation,
but from the nature of the product.
A. Antimonium.
159
Antimony has been exhibited,
h In its metallic ftate.
a. Antimonium. Regulus antimonii.
b. Alloyed,
1. With iron. Regulus antimonii martialis.
2. With tin. Regulus antimonii jovialis.
3. With tin and copper. Regulus metallorum.
<\ Combined with fulphur.
1. Sulphuretum antimonii. (Ed.) Antimonium. (Lond.)
Stibium. (Dub,) Sulph. ant. ppt. E. L. D.
2. Regulus antimonii medicinalis. (Maet.) Febrifu-
gum Craanii.
II. Oxidized,
a. Protoxide.
1. Calx antimonii per je. Cinis antimonii.
2. Flores antimonii argentini.
3. Calx ftibii praecip. D. Pulvis algarothi.
4. Combined with fulphuret of antimony. Oxidum an-
timonii cum fulphure vitrificatum, E.
Antim. vitrif. L. Vitrum antimonii. Melted with wax.
Oxidum antimonii vitrif. cum cera, E.
Oxidum antimonii cum fulph. per nitrat. potaflx, E. Sti-
bium nitro ealcinat. D. Crocus antimonii. Crocus
metallorum. Hepar antim.
5. Combined with fulphuretted hydrogen. Sulphuret.
ant. prrecip. E. Sulph. ant. prcecip. L. Sulph. ftibi-
at. rufum, D. Sulphur auratum antimonii.
6. With hydroguretted fulphur. Sulphur ftibiat. fufcum,
D. Kermes minerale.
7. With muriatic acid. Murias antim. E. Ant. mur.
L. Stib. muriat. cauft. D. Butyrum antimonii.
S. With tartaric acid and potafs. Tartris antimonii, E.
Ant. Tart. L. Tart, ftibiat. D. Tartarus emeticus.
DiJJblved in wine. Vinum tart. ant. E. Vin. tart. ftib.
D. Vin. ant. tart. L. Vin. ant. L. Vinum antimo-
niale.
9. With phofphate of lime. Oxidum antimonii cum
phofphate calcis, E. Pulv. ant. L. Pulv. ftib. D.
James's powders.
b. Peroxide.
Antimonium calcinatum. Lond.
Thefe are the principal preparations of antimony. In eftimat-
ng their comparative value, we may attend to the following ob-
160
Materia Medica.
fervations. All the metallic preparations are uncertain, as it en-
tirely depends on the ftate of the ftomach, whether they have no
action at all, or operate with dangerous violence. The fuiphuret
is expofed, though in a lefs degree, to the fame objections.
The preparations in which antimony is in the ftate of peroxide,
are perfectly infoluble in any vegetable or animal acid, and are alfo
found to be perfectly inert when taken into the ftomach.
The remaining preparations of antimony, or thofe in which it
is in the ftate protoxide, are readily foluble in the juices of the
ftomach, and act in very minute dofes. Ox its faline preparations,
only thofe can be uied internally which contain a vegetable acid ;
for its foluble combinations with the fimple acids are very acrid
and corvofive. In general, the fureft and beft preparations of an-
timony are thofe which contain a known quantity of the metal in
its ftate of protoxide.
The general effects of antimonials are, in fmall dofes, diaphore-
fis, naufea : in large dofes, full voirjiting and purging. Some al-
lege that antimonials are of moft ufe in fevers when they do not
produce any fenfible evacuation, as is faid to be the cafe fome-
times with James's powder. They therefore prefer it in typhus,
and emetic tartar in fynochus, in which there is the appearance at
firft of more activity in the fyftem, and more apparent caufe for
evacuation.
SULPHURETUM ANTIMONII PRiEPARATUM. Ed.
Olim, Antimonium Prjeparatcm.
Prepared Sulphuret of Antimony, formerly Prepared Antimony,
Antimonium Pr^paratum. L.
Stibium Pr^paratum. D.
Prepared Antimony,
Sulphuret of antimony is prepared in the fame way as carbonate of
lime. Vide) Carbonas Calcis.
By reducing the fuiphuret of antimony to the ftate of an im-
palpable powder, it is both rendered much more active than it
would otherwife be, and it is prevented from irritating the fto-
mach mechanically, of which there would be fome danger from
the fharpnefs of its fpicuke. Even in this ftate, however, it is not
a very certain remedy. In general, it operates as a very mild fu-
Horific or cathartic ; but fometimes, if it meet with much acid in
A. Antimonium. Crocus Antimonii. 161
the ftomach, it becomes more aclive, producing vomiting or hy-
percatharfis. Therefore, it feems prudent to evacuate the primx
vke before it be exhibited, and to combine it with an abforbent
earth.
It is principally given in fcrofula, glandular obftructions, cuta-
neous difeafes and rheumatifm. Its dofe is from 10 to 30 grains
and upwards, and it is beft exhibited in the form of a powder or
bolus.
OXIDUM ANTIMONII CUM SULPHUR E, PER NITRA-
TEM POTASSiE. Ed.
Olim, Crocus Antimonii.
Oxide of Antimony, with Sulphur, by Nitrate of Potafs, formerly Oe-
cus of Antimony.
Stibium Nitro-Calcinatum, D.
Antimony Calcined by Nitre.
Crocus Antimonii, L.
Crocus of Antimony.
Take of
Sulphuret of antimony,
Nitrate of potafs, equal weights.
After they are feparately powdered and well mixed, let them be
injevfted into a red hot crucible ; when the deflagration is over,
the reddifh matter is to be feparated from the whitim cruft, and
reduced to powder, which is to be edulcorated by repeated warn-
ings with hot water, till the water come off infipid. (E.)
In this procefs, the nitric acid of the nitre, and part of the fui-
phuret, are mutually decompofed : the fulphur is acidified, and
combines with the potafs of the nitre, while the antimony is con-
verted into protoxide, which combines with the undecompofed
portion of the fulphuret, and forms a dark brown, opao^e, vitrified
mafs ; fo that after the fcorire and other (aline matters have been
removed by warning, the fubftance which remains, according to
Prouft, confifts of three parts of oxide of antimony, and one of
fulphuret of antimony.
With regard to the mode of preparation, Bergmann obferves,
that by the common procefs of throwing the mixture into an igni-
ted uncovered crucible, there is fometimes a lofs of nearly one
half, and therefore advifes the -mixture to be put into a cold cru-
162
Materia Medica.
cible, which is to be covered and heated till the matter melts, by
which means there is very little lofs.
What is kept in the shops, is almoft univerfally prepared with
lefs nitre than is here ordered. The confequence is, that too much
fulphur remains not acidified, the antimony is fcarcely oxidized,
and the preparation is unfit for the ufes to which it ought to be
applied. When nitre has been thus culpably economized, the
crocus has a fteel grey, inftead of a liver brown colour. The ad-
dition of common fait, directed by the London and Dublin col-
leges, is improper, as it is decompofed, and a portion of muriate of
antimony is formed.
The fulphuretted oxide of antimony is a very uncertain prepa-
ration, often operating with very great violence. Its internal ufe
is therefore almoft profcribed, or at leaft confined to maniacal cafes,
and veterinary practice. It is, however, ufeful in pharmacy, as the
bafis of other preparations.
OXIDUM ANTIMONII, CUM SULPHURE, VITRIFICA-
TUM. Ed.
Ohm, VitruM Antimonii.
Vitrified Oxide of Antimony with Sulphur , formerly Glafs of
Antimony.
Antimonium Vitrificatum, L.
Vitrified Antimony.
Strew fulphuret of antimony beat into a coarfe powder like fand,
upon a mallow unglazed earthen veflel, and apply a gentle heat
underneath, that the antimony may be heated flowly : keeping
it at the fame time continually ftirring, to prevent it from run-
ning into lumps. White vapours of a fulphureous fmell will
arife from it. When they ceafe with the degree of heat firft ap-
plied, increafe the fire a little, fo that vapours may again arife;
go on in this manner, till the powder, when brought to a red
heat, exhales no more vapours. Melt this powder in a crucible
with an intenfe heat, till it aflumes jhe appearance of melted
glafs j then pour it out on a heated brafs plate. (E.)
Glass of antimony, according to Prouft, confiftsof one part of
fulphuret of antimony, combined with eight of oxide of antimony ;
now, by this procefs, the greatest part of the antimony is deprived
of its fulphur, and is at the fame time converted into the protoxide,
which combines with the fmall portion of fulphuret which remains
undecompofed. But as this preparation is not eafily made in the
A. — Antimonium. — Vitrum Ant. Ceratum. 163
manner here directed, unlefs in a furnace conftrucled on purpofe,
apothecaries may advantagcoufly adopt the fynthetical method of
Bergmann, which confifts in melting in a crucible, with one
twelfth or eighth of its weight of fulphur, protoxide of antimony
prepared by deflagrating it with more than twice its weight of ni-
tre. At the temperature neceiTary for melting it, the peroxide of
antimony lofes great part of its oxygen, and is converted into
fulphuret and protoxide, in the proportions which form the glafs
of antimony From our prefent knowledge of the compofition
of this fubftance it might be named oxidum antimonii cum ful-
ph ure to.
In whichever way prepared, the glafs of antimony is tranfpa-
rent, and has a fine hyacinthine colour. On diflblving it in mu-
riatic acid, it gives out fulphuretted hydrogen gas. Its medical
operation is fo uncertain, that it is only ufed in making other pre-
parations.
OXIDUM ANTIMONII VITRIFICATUM, CUM CERA. Ed.
Olim, Vitrum Antimonii Ceratum.
Vitrified Oxide of Antimony luith Wax ; formerly Cerated Glafs of
Antimony.
Take of
Yellow wax, one part *,
Vitrified oxide of antimony, with fulphur, eight parts.
Melt the wax in an iron velTel, and throw into it the powdered
oxide : roaft the mixture over a gentle fire for a quarter of an
hour, continually ftirring it *, then pour it out, and when cold
grind it into powder. (E.)
The glafs 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 Scottifh fnufF;
which is a mark of its being fufficiently prepared ; the mixture
lofes about one-ninth of its weight in the procefs.
This medicine was for fome time much elteemed in dyfen-
teries. The dofe is from two or three grains to twenty, accord-
ing to the age and ftrength of the patient. In its operation, it
makes fome perfons fick, and vomit •, it purges almoft every one ;
though it has fometimes effected a cure without occafioning any
evacuation or ficknefs. It is now, however, much lefs ufed than
formerly.
164
Materia Medica.
SULPHUR STIBI ATUM FUSCUM. D.
Olim, Kermes Mineralis.
Brown Antimoniated Sulphur ; formerly Kermes Mineral.
Take of
Prepared antimony,
Mild vegetable alkali, each one ounce.
Melt them together in a crucible, and when cold reduce the fub-
Itance to powder. Put this into a matrafs with five pounds of
pure water, and boil for an hour. Then remove the veflel from
the fire ; let it ftand at reft for a little, and as foon as the li-
quor becomes clear, pour it cautioufly from the fediment.
When the liquor grows cool, the brown antimoniated fulphur
will feparate, which is to be dried on paper. (D.)
According to Thenard, the brown precipitate confifts of
72.760 brown oxide of antimony.
20.298 fulphuretted hydrogen.
4.156 fulphur.
2.786 water and lofs.
100.
He confiders kermes mineral, therefore, as a fulphuretted hy-
droguret of antimony, efpecially as it differs from that which is
prepared by the direct combination of its conftituents, only in
containing a fmall quantity of fuperabundant fulphur.
When the fulphuret of antimony and carbonate of potafs are
melted together, the carbonic acid is expelled with efFervefcence,
and a fulphuret of antimony and potafs is formed. On boiling
this in water, water is decompofed, the antimony is oxidized,
and the hydrogen combines with the fulphur. The fulphuretted
hydrogen thus formed, combines partly with the potafs, and partly
with the oxide of antimony. Now, the fulphuretted hydroguret of
antimony, (kermes mineral,) is foluble in a foiution of fulphuretted
hydroguret of potafs, at 212°, but not at ordinary temperatures.
Therefore, on cooling, it feparates and falls to the bottom.
Such is the prefent theory of the formation of kermes mineral.
With regard to the practice, the directions of the Dublin college
differ confiderably, efpecially in the proportions of the fubftances
employed, from the beft pharrnaceutiai writers on the Continent.
Lemery melted fixteen parts of fuiphuret of antimony, and one
of fulphur, with eight parts of carbonate of potafs. The laft
edition of the PrufTian pharmacopoeia directs two parts of ful-
A.- Antimonium. — Sulphuret. A. Proecip. 165
phuret of antimony, and one of exficcated carbonate of foda, to
be melted, and afterwards boiled fifteen minutes in fix or eight
parts of water, which on coo ing depofites a confiderabie quanti-
ty of kermes. The fluid from which the kermes has been dt-
pofitcd may be again boiled in the reliiuum of the flrlt decoclion,
and it will difiblve a frem portion of kermes; and this procefs
may be repeated as long as there remains any to diflblve. After
this, the refiduum, when melted, confifts almoft folely of anti-
mony. It therefore appears, that the alkali renders almoft all the
fulphur foiubie, an.: only difpofes the oxidizement of as much an-
timony as is capable of combining with the fu phuretted hydro-
gen. There appears to be no reafon why the whole cf the anti-
mony fhould not be converted into kermes by employing a proper
addition of fulphur and alkali.
Kermes is alfo made in the humid way. Fourcroy boils, in
twenty parts of water, fix parts of pure potafs of commerce, and
into the boiling folution throws about the twentieth part of the
weight of the alkali, or 0.3 of a part of powdered fulphuret of
antimony, and continues the boiling for feven or eight minutes,
then filters, and allows the kermes to precipitate by cooling.
Hermbftadt ufes very different proportions ; for he boils twelve
parts of fuiphuret of antimony, and three of fait of tartar, in
ninety-fix parts of water, down to fixty-four, and then filters,
&c. Gren employs four parts of fulphuret of antimony, fix teen
of carbonate of potafs, and fixty-four of water, and boils for
feveral hours. Gottling boils eight parts of fulphuret of antimonv,
and two of fulphur in a fulficient quantity of folution of potafs
down to one half.
Medical ufe. — This preparation of antimony is lefs ufed in Bri-
tain than on the Continent. It is an active fubftance, and apt to
excite vomiting. To adults, the dofe is a grain, or a grain and a
half.
mm
SULPHURETUM ANTIMONII PRjECIPITATUM. Kd.
Precipitated Sulphuret of Antimony.
Sulphur Antimonii Pr^cipitatum L.
Precipitated Sulphur of Antimony,
Sulphur Stibiatum Rufum, D.
Orange Antimoniated Sulphur.
Take of
Water of potafs, four pounds ;
Water, three pounds ;
Prepared fulphuret of antimony, two pounds.
166
Materia Medica.
Boil them in a covered iron pot, over a flow fire for three ho urs,
adding more water, if neceflary, and frequently fHrring the mix-
ture with an iron fpatula : ftrain the liquor while warm through
a double cloth, and add to it when filtered as much ■iluted ful-
phuric acid as is neceffary to precipitate the fulphuret, which
mull be well warned with warm water.
This is alfo, according to the analyfis of Thenard, a fulphuret-
ted hydroguretof antimony, which con fids of
08. 3 orange oxide of antimony.
17.877 fulphuretted hydrogen.
12. fulphur.
98.177
Thenard confidcrs the fulphur as only mechanically and acci-
dentally mixed ; and that the effential difference between this pre-
paration and kermes mineral confifts in the degree of oxidizement
of the antimony.
But notwithstanding the great celebrity of Thenard as a che-
mift, and his having paid particular attention to the combinations
of antimony, we may be allowed to doubt the accuracy of his opi-
nion, for it muft appear to every one an affected refinement of
analyfis, to difcover in fuch fubftances a difference of only 2 per
cent* of oxidizement ; and as Prouft has fince ftiewn that both
preparations contain the protoxide, the only difference between
thefe bodies appears to be the proportion of fulphur they contain.
For it is agreeable to analogy to fuppofe, that the fulphuretted hy-
droguret of antimony is more foluble in a folution of hydr.ogu-
retted fulphuret of potafs at 212°, than at 60°. Therefore, as a
boiling folution cools, that portion of the fulphuretted hydroguret
of antimony, which it is unable to retain in folution at a reduced
temperature, feparates and forms the red precipitate, known by
the name of Kermes Mineral ; but the portion which remains in
folution, can only be obtained by decompofing the hydroguretted
fulphuret of potafs itfelf, by means of an acid ; and therefore the
precipitate forming the fulphur auratum antimonii, is a mixture
or compound of hydroguretted fulphuret of antimony, (kermes
mineral) with the fulphur of the decompofed fulphuret of potafs,
which gives it a brighter and paler colour.
The precipitated fulphuret of antimony, like the kermes, may
be prepared either in the dry or in the moift way. The latter is
the mode adopted by the Britifh colleges, and alfo feems to be the
moft univerfally employed on the Continent. Gottling boils two
parts of fulphuret of antimony, and three of fulphur, in a fufR-
cient quantity of a recent folution of potafs, filters the folution,
A> — Antimonium. — Sulphuret. A. Prsecip. 167
and precipitates with fulphuric acid, diluted with twelve times its
weight of water. Wiegleb treats in the fame manner two parts
of fulphuret of antimony with one of fulphur. But to his pro-
portions it has been objected, that the product, refembles kermes
more than fulphur auratum. If this objection be juft, it muft
apply in a ftill ftronger degree to the formula of the Britifh col-
leges, in which no fulphur is added.
In the dry '♦vay, two parts of fulphuret of antimony and three
of fulphur may be melted with five or fix of pure carbonate of
potafs in a covered crucible, as quickly as pofTible, poured into an
iron mortar, reduced to powder, and difiblved by boiling the
powder in water. The folution is to be filtered warm, diluted
with a fufficient quantity of water, and precipitated with dilute
fulphuric acid. By fome, the folution is allowed to remain at
reft for twenty-four hours before it be filtered, and fome preci-
pitate with nitrous acid.
The procefles for making the golden fulphuret of antimony,
depend on the property which the hydroguretted fulphuret of po-
tafs poflefics, of diflblving, and retaining diflblvcd, even at or-
dinary temperatures, a portion of orange oxide of antimony ;
and as the attraction by which potafs exifts in this compound is
weaker than its affinity for acids, on the addition of any acid, the
potafs unites with the acid ; a portion of fulphuretted hydrogen
gasefcapes; and the oxide of antimony, combined with the reft:
of the fulphur and hydrogen, are precipitated in the form of a
light orange powder. When the acid is added gradually, the
proportion of oxide of antimony always decreafes, while that of
the fulphur increafes in each fucceflive portion of precipitate.
Hence in the old manner of preparing this fubftance from the
fcorise, formed in reducing antimony from its fulphuret, and
which contained but little fulphur, the two firft portions of preci-
pitate, being dark coloured, were rejected, and only the product
of the third pie ipitation retained for ufe. The want of econo-
my in this procefs is fufficient] y obvious, as well as the very great
improvement in modern times, of adding a fufficient quantity of
fulphur, and precipitating the whole at once.
Medical Ufe. — In its action on the body, the orange fulphuret
of antimony coincides with the kermes mineral ; but on account
of the larger proportion of fulphur, it muft be given in fomewhat
larger dofes.
Officinal Preparation.
Pulvis Stibii compositus, D.
168
Materia Medica.
MURIAS ANTIMONII. Ed.
Muriate of Antimony.
Stibium Muriatum Causticum, D.
Caujiic Muriate d Antimony.
Antimonium Muriatum, L.
Muriated Antimony.
Take of
Oxide of antimony with fulphur, by nitrate of potafd,
Sulphuric acid, each one pound ;
Dried muriate of foda two pounds.
Pour the fulphuric acid into a retort, gradually adding the mu-
riate of foda and oxide of antimony previoufly mixed. Then
perform the diftillation in a fand bath. Expofe the diftiiled
matter for feveral days to the air, that it may deliquefce, and
then pour the liquid part from the feces. (E. L. D.)
Muriate of antimony was originally prepared by diftilling
fulphuret of antimony with muriate of quick filver. Muriate of
antimony, or butter of antimony, as it was called from its ap-
pearance when recently prepared, pafles over into the receiver,
and black fulphuret of quickfilver remains in the retort, or, byin-
creafmg the heat, red fulphuret of mercury, which, when obtain-
ed by this procefs, was formerly termed Cinnabar of antimony, is
lublimed. But this mode of preparation is both expenhve, and
dangerous to the health of the operator. To avoid thefe incon-
veniences, Scheele prepared a fulphuretted oxide of antimony,
by deflagrating two parts of fulphuret of antimony with three of
nitrate of potafs in an iron mortar. The mafs thus obtained is to
be powdered, and one pound of it put into a glafs vefTel, on
which is to be poured, firft a mixture of three pounds of water
and fifteen ounces of fulphuric acid, and afterwards fifteen ounces
of powdered common fait. The whole is to be digefted for
twelve hours, and ftirred ail the while, and the folution, when
cool, {trained through linen. On the refiduum one-third of the
above menftruum is to be poured, and the mixture digefted and
llrained. When diluted with boiling water, a copious precipi-
tate of iubmuriate of antimony takes place from the decompofi-
tion of the muriate, while the other falts contained in the folu-
tion are not afrected by it. Mr. Stott fays, that the digeftion need
not be continued longer than two or three hours, and that the
heat muft be kept moderate, as the muriate of antimony begins
to evaporate before it boils. This procefs furnifnes an eafy, if
not the beft, mode of preparing the iubmuriate of antimony,
but it does not give us the folution of the muriate in a i i ate oi
A. Antimonium. — Murias Antimonii. 169
purity. But in confequence of its volatility, we may eafily fepa-
rate it from the other falts by diltillation. This was firft propoi-
edby Gmelin, and improved by Wiegleb, who dilHIIed a mixture
of one part of fulphuret of antimony, four of muriate of foda,
and three of fulphuric acid diluted with two of water ; but in
this procefs, the product is rendered impure by the admixture of
fulphur, and there is great danger of the vefTels burning from
the immenfe quantity of fulphuretted hydrogen gas difengaged.
In 1781, the procefs adopted by the Britifh colleges was firft in-
troduced in the London Pharmacopoeia. But we have already
obferved, that the oxide of antimony made ufe of in this prepa-
ration, is feldom fufficiently oxidized or deprived of its fulphur,
which occafions the production of much fulphuretted hydrogen
gas, and from the concentrated ftate in which the materials are
employed, the muriatic acid gas is fometimes difengaged, efpe-
cially if the heat be improperly applied, fo rapidly, that it has
not time to acl upon the oxide of antimony. At laft, in 1797,
Gottling, by fubltituting the glafs of antimony for the crocus,
diluting the fulphuric acid, and ufing the muriate of foda cryftal-
lized, removed thefe inconveniences. He introduces into a re-
tort a mixture of four ounces of glafs of antimony in powder,
with fixteen of muriate of foda, and then pours into it twelve
ounces of fulphuric acid, diluted with eight of water. He lutes
on a tubulated receiver with gypfum, and diftils to drynefs in a
fand-bath, with a heat gradually incrcafed. By this procefs, he
fays, about twenty ounces of very ftrong fuming folution of mu-
riate of antimony are obtained. The refiduum in the retort is
fulphate of foda, but unfit for internal ufe, on account of its be-
ing mixed with fome antimony.
Butter of antimony is cryftallizable. It is remarkably deli-
quefcent, and forms a permanent folution ; but if more than a
certain proportion of water be added, it is decompofed ; a large
quantity of fujmuriate of antimony being precipitated, in the
form of white filky cryftals, while a fuper-muriate remains in fo-
lution. Butter of antimony has been faid by Dr. Thompfon to
contain the peroxide, but befides the well known folubility of the
oxide and fub-muriate prepared from it, in tartaric acid, an ad-
ditional proof that it contains the protoxide, occurred to Dr.
Duncan in the rapid effervescence of hydrogen gas which takes
place when zinc is immer^i irj it.
MM ^/
170
Materia Medica:
CALX STIBII PRiECIPITATA, IX
Precipitated Calx of Antimony.
Take of
Mild vegetable alkali,
Cauftic muriated antimony, each eight ounces *,
Water, forty pounds.
Diflblve the vegetable alkali in the water, and to the filtered li-
quor add the cauftic muriated antimony. Dry the calx which
fub fides, after warning away the faline matters. (D.)
This procefs is intended to feparate the protoxide contained in
the muriate of antimony, by means of the fuperior affinity which
potafs poiTefTes for muriatic acid. It is abfolutely neceflary that
the muriate of antimony be poured into the alkaline folution, and
not the folution into the muriate ; for the muriate is partially de-
compofed by water alone, which combines with part of the acid ;
and the fait, brought to the fiate of an infoluble fubmuriate, is
precipitated. Therefore, if we pour the alkaline folution into the
muriate of antimony, the muriate acts firft upon the alkali, and-
immediately afterwards upon the water of each portion of the fo-
lution j and therefore we obtain a mixed precipitate of oxide of
antimony and fubmuriate of antimony. But if we pour the mu-
riate into the alkaline folution, the whole acid of each portion of
the muriate immediately finds a fufficient quantity of alkali to fa-
turate it, and the whole, or at lead a much larger proportion of
the antimony, is precipitated in the ftate of oxide.
OXIDUM ANTIMONII cum PHOSPHATE CALCIS. EcL
Oxide of Antimony with Phofphate of Lime.
Pulvis Antimonialis, L.
Pulvis Stibiatus, D.
Antimonial Powder.
Take of
Sulphuret of antimony, in coarfe powder,
Shavings of hartfhorn, equal weights*
Mix, and put them into a wide red-hot iron pot, and ftir the mix-
ture conftantly, until it be burnt into a matter of a grey colour,
which is then to be 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 witli a fmall
A; Antimonium. — Pulv. Antim. 171
hole, and apply the fire, which is to be raifed gradually, to a
white heat, and kept in that increafed ftate for two hours.
Laftly, grind the matter, when cold, into a very fine powder.
(E. L. D.)
This is fuppofed to be nearly the fame with the celebrated nof-
trum of Dr. James, the compolition of which was afcertained by
I>r. Pearfon of London, to whom we are alfo indebted for the
above formula.
By burning fulphuret of antimony and (havings of hartfhorn in
a white heat, the fulphur is entirely expelled, and the antimony
is oxidized, while the gelatine of the hartfhorn is deftroyed, and
nothing is left but phofphate of lime, combined with a little lime.
Therefore, the mafs which refults is a mixture of oxide of anti-
mony and phofphate of lime, which correfponds, at lead as to
the nature of the ingredients, with James's powder, which, by
Dr. Pearfon's analyfis, was found to confift of 43 phofphate of
lime, and 57 oxide of antimony. Another excellent chemift, Mr.
Chenevix, has lately propofed a method of forming the fame com-
bination in the humid way, with the view of obtaining a prepa-
ration always fimilar in its compofition and properties. He was
led to this propofal by confidering the uncertainty of the applica-
tion, and the precarious nature of the agency of fire, by which
means a variable portion of the oxide of antimony may be volati-
lized, and that which remains may be oxidized in various degrees.
Mr. Chenevix therefore propofes to prepare a fubftitute for
James's powder, by diiTolving together equal weights of fubmu-
riate of antimony and of phofphate of lime in the fmalleft pofli-
ble quantity of muriatic acid, and then pouring this folution gra-
dually into water fufliciently alkalized with ammonia. For the
reafon mentioned in the preceding article, it is abfokitely neccfTa-
ry that the muriatic folution be poured into the alkaline liquor.
By an oppofite mode of procedure, the precipitate would contain
more antimony at firft, and towards the end the phofphate of
lime would be predominant, and the antimony would be partly in
the ftate of a fubmuriate. The phofphate of lime is moil conve-
niently obtained pure by diflblving calcined bone in muriatic acid,
and by precipitating it by ammonia. If the ammonia be quite
free from carbonic acid, no muriate of lime is decompofed. Mr.
Chenevix alfo found, that his precipitate is entirely foluble in
every acid which can diflblve either phofphate of lime or oxide of
antimony feparately, and that about 0.28 of James's powder, and
at an average 0.44 of the pulvis antimonialis of the London Phar-
macopoeia refill the action of every acid.
Medical v.fe. — The oxide of antimony with phofphate of lime,
Vowfoever prepared, is one of the befl antimonials we pofTefs. It
172
Materia Me die a.
is given as a diaphoretic in febrile difeafes, in dofes 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
infcluble in water, it mult be given either in the form of a pow-
der, or made into a pill or bolus.
TARTRIS ANTIMONII ; olim, Tartarus Emeticus, Ed.
Tart rite of Antimony, formerly Tartar Emetic.
Antimonium Tartarisatum, L.
Tartar ized Antimony.
Tartarum Stibiatum, D.
Antimoniated Tartar.
Take Of
Oxide of antimony with fulphur, by nitrate of potafs, three parts ;
Super-tartrite of potafs, four parts;
Diitilled water, thirty-two parts.
Boil in a giafs vefTel for a quarter of an hour, (train through pa-
per, and fet afide the (trained liquor to cryftallize. (E. L.)
The tartaric acid is capable of combining, in many examples,
with two bafes at the fame time, forming with them triple cryf-
tallizable falts. In the prefent initance, it is combined with
oxide of antimony and potafs ; and as the potafs is efTential to its
conititution, and the real tartrate of antimony is a different fait,
its name mould certainly have been Tartrate of Antimony and
Pciafs.
In the preparation of this fait, the different combinations of
protoxide of antimony have been employed. Any of them will
afford a very pure fait. The crocus, precipitated oxide, fubmu-
riate, and glafs, are all occafionally employed. The London and
Edinburgh colleges ufe the crocus. To this the principal objec-
tion is, that it is never found in the (hops in a ttate fjt for this
purpofe. The Dublin college ufe the precipitated oxide, which
anfwers extremely well, but is too expenfive to be generally
adopted. The fub muriate, which is more eafily prepared, is juft
as good ; for the muriatic acid is completely feparatcd by part of
the potafs, and remains in the mother water. Mr. Stott thinks
muriatic acid efTential to the conititution of good tartar-emetic,
and fays, that he never could obtain it in tranfparent cryftals. when
he employed the glafs or crocus, or any other oxide of antimony,
than the pulvis algerothi. He therefore concludes, that tartar-
emetic is a quadruple fait, confuting of oxide of antimony, with
A. Antimonium. — Tartris Antimonii. 173
muriatic acid, rendered foluble by acid of tartar, combined with
an undue proportion of potafs, and takes the opportunity of re-
marking, that he has not found a name in the new nomenclature
expreffive of its conftituent parts. Such an afTertion is eafily
made; but Dr. Duncan fays that he lias repeatedly prepared tartar
emetic perfectly colourlefs, and in very large and beautiful cryf-
tals, both with the crocus and glafs, and that therefore muriatic
acid, if ever prefent, mult always be confidered as an impurity.
The glafs is perhaps the leaft objectionable of any, and is re-
commended by Gottling. It always, however, contains about
0.1 of filica. The quantity of water employed mu!l be fufficient
to diffolve the tartar-emetic formed. The time during which the
ebullition is to be continued, is ftated differently by different
pharmaceutics. No harm can arife from continuing it longer
than is abfolutely neceffary ; but it is certainly a wafte of time
and fuel to protract it for hours- But the circumftance which
renders the tartar-emetic molt variable in its effects, is the mode
of cryftallization. Some evaporate it to drynefs ; others to a
pellicie, and let it afide to cryftallize ; and others again cryftal-
lize by flow evaporation. On account of the filica which is com-
bined with the oxide of antimony, and which, being held in fo-
lution by the potafs, impedes the cryftallization, and varies the
nature of the product, Vauquelin recommends the folution to be
firft evaporated to drynefs, and that the faline mals obtained lhould
be redillblved in boiling water, and then cryftallized : for, to-
wards the end of the firft evaporation, the filica feparates, and be-
comes totally infoluble. In this way, he fays, that we obtain
both a purer fait, and in larger quantity. If we employ an excefsv
of fuper-tartrate of potafs, part of it will remain undecompofed,
and will cryftallize before or along with the tartar-emetic. This
fource of impurity is eafily avoided by ufing an excefs of the an-
timonial oxide, which remaining undiflblved, occafions no error,
and prevents the neceftity of throwing away, as the Dublin college
direct, the cryftals which form on the filtering paper, if the folu-
tion be faturated.
The primitive form of the cryftals of tartrate of antimony and
potafs feems to be the regular tetrahedron, but it affiimes a variety
of fecondary forms. It has a ltyptic metallic tafte. It is foluble
in three times its weight of water at 212°, and in fifteen at 60°.
As this ftatement of its folubility is very different from that of
moft writers, from Bergmann to Fourcroy, who fay that it requires
80 parts of water at 60Q, and fometimes lefs than 40 of boiling
water, it is neceffary to mention, that it was afcertained by care-
ful experiment, with very fine cryftals of tartar-emetic, more
than half an inch in length, and perfectly free from the admix-
ture of any foreign fait. The cryftals, by expofure to the air,
174
Materia Medica.
become white and opaque, but do not readily fall to powder. The
property of deliquefcing afcribed to them by Gbttling, mud have
arifen from the prefence of other falts, as he does not prepare his
tartar-emetic by crystallization, but by evaporating the folution to
drynefs. The folution of tartar-emetic Slightly reddens tincture
of turnfol. It is decompofed by acids, alkalies, alkaline carbo-
nates, fulphuretted hydrogen and its compounds, vegetable juices,
decoctions and infufions, and many of the metals. According to
Thenard, it confifts of tartrate of antimony 54, tartrate of pot-
afs 34, water 8, and lofs 4 ; or, oxide of antimony 38, tartaric
acid 34, potafs 16, water and lofs 12; and by estimation from
the analyfis of tartrate of potafs, and fuper-tartrate of potafs, by
the fame cheniift, it appears, that to faturate 38 parts of protoxide
of antimony, 70.4 of fuper-tartrate of potafs are neceflary : the
whole of the fuperfluous acid, being 16, combines with the oxide,
while 34 of the tartrate of potafs combine with the tartrate of an-
timony thus formed, and 20.4 of tartrate of potafs remain in folu-
tion in the mother water.
We have been thus particular in out account of the prepara-
tion and chemical properties of tartar-emetic, becaufe it is not
only of all the preparations of antimony the mod certain in its
operation, but is almofl indifpenfable for the fuccefsful practice of
medicine.
Medical ufe. — In dofes of from one to three grains it operates
as an emetic, and fometimes as a cathartic. In fmaller dofes,
it excites naufea, and proves a powerful diaphoretic and expecto-
rant. As an emetic it is chiefly given in the beginning of fevers
and febrile difeafes, in chincough, and, in general, whenever we
wiSh to evacuate the flomach quickly. When great debility is
prefent, and in the advanced Stages of typhoid fever, its ufe is im-
proper, and even fometimes fatal. As a diaphoretic it is given in
fmall dofes, of from an eighth to a quarter of a grain ; and as an
expectorant in dofes dill fmaller.
The only proper form for exhibiting it is in folution ; and as
the intenfity of its action on the body is liable to variation, from
differences in its own Strength, and in the constitution of the pa-
tient, it fnould almoft always be given in divided dofes, at Short in-
tervals, if we wiSh to excite vomiting ; and at longer intervals, if
we only wiSh it to act on the (kin or lungs.
Officinal Preparation.
Vinum Tartritis Antimonii, E. L. D. ridt\ Vina Medicaid.
A. Antimonium. — Ant. Calc. — Apium. 17 5
ANTIMONIUM CALCINATUM. L.
Calcified Antimony
Take of
Antimony, powdered, ei^ht ounces •,
Nitre, powdered, two pounds-
Mix them, and project the mixture by degrees into a red hot cru-
cible. Burn the white matter about half an hour \ and, when
cold, powder it •, after which wafh it with diftilled water.
On touching the ignited crucible, this mixture deflagrates with
a lively white flame ; the antimony is oxidized to the maximum,
the fulphur is acidified, and the nitre is decompofed and reduced
to its bafe. The product of this deflagration is a lemon-coloured,
fcorified mafs, which, after being warned with water, leaves the
greater part of the oxide of antimony united to about a fifth of its
weight of potafs ; while the remainder of the oxide, combined with
a much larger proportion of potafs, is diflblved in the water, along
with the fulphate of potafs formed, and a fmall quantity of nitre
which has efcaped decompofition. The peroxide of antimony ob-
i tained by this procefs contains about 0.30 oxygen, is fcarcely
acted upon by acids, and is capable of forming, with the alkalies,
cryftallizable compounds, enjoying a determinate degree of folubi-
lity. It may therefore be considered as nearly approaching to the
ftate of an acid ; and the infoluble refiduum of this procefs
might be named fuper-antimonite of potafs, and the diflblved
portion, from its different proportions, antimomte of potafs.
This is a preparation of no very great activity. It formerly bore
the name of Diaphoretic antimony, from its fuppofed effect. ; but
even that was doubted : and fince the introduction of James'3
powder into general ufe, it has not been much employed. It may
he given in dofes of from five grains to half a drachm.
APIUM PETROSELINUM. Radix, Ed.
Petroselinum. Radix, Semen. L.
Parjley. The root and feed.
Willi, g. 563. fp. 1. Pentaniria Digytjia.—Nat. ord. Umbellate.
Parsley is a biennial plant, and a native of the South of Eu-
rope. It is very generally cultivated in this country for culinary
mrpofes. The feeds have an aromatic flavour, and are occafi-
Materia Medica.
*
oriafly made ufe of as carminatives. The tafte of the root is
fomewhst fweetifl), with a light degree of warmth and aromatic
flavour, and it poflefles gentle diuretic properties.
AQUA.
WATER.
Water does not enter the lift of materia medica of any of
the colleges, but it is fo important an agent both in the cure of
difeafe, and in the practice of pharmacy, that a brief account of
its varieties and properties can fcarcely be confidered as fuperflu-
ous.
Hydrogen, combined with oxygen in the proportion of 14.42,
to 8.5.58, forms water. Water is tranfparent, coiourlefs, inodo-
rous, and infipid. As water is alTumed as the ftandard, or unity,
in all tables of fpeciftc gravity, it is neceffary to know that a cubic
inch of it weighs, at 30 inches of the barometer, and 60° ther-
mometer, 252.422 grains. At 32° it exifts in a folid form, and
is cryftallized. At 212° it expands to 2000 times its bulk, and
is converted into a very elaftic vapour. It abforbs fmall quanti-
ties of the fimple gafes, efpecially oxygen. It diflblves feveral of
the falifiable bales, and in fome degree all faline bodies, and is
eflential to their cryftallization. It is compofed and decompofed
in many inftances, and its chemical agency is almoft univerfal.
It is the only binary combination of hydrogen with oxygen.*.
* Having already given an account of oxygen, it may be proper here to intro-
duce the chemical properties of hydrogen, the other ingredient of water.
Hydrogen gas is often found collected in mines and caverns. It is permanently
elaftic and compreffible. Its fpecific gravity is 0.000094, being the h'ghteft body
with which we are acquainced. It is highly inflammable, and burns in contact with
oxygen gas or atmofpheric air, and detonates on the application of a burning body
when mixed with them. It extinguifhes flame, and is deleterious to animal life.
It diffolves fulphur, phofphorus and carbon, forming with them peculiar fetid
gafes.
Primary Compounds of Hydrogen'.
A. Binary,
a. With oxygen ; water.
/. With nitrogen ; ammonia.
1. With fulphur ; fulphuretted hydrogen.
d. With phofphorus ; phofphuretted hydrogen.
B. Ternary,
a. With carbon and oxygen ;
I. Oxides; hydro-carboncus oxides, vegetable fubftances.
A. Aqua.
177
The pureft natural water is fnow, or rain, water, collected
in the open fields ; that which falls in towns, or is collected from
the roofs of houfes, is contaminated with foot, animal effluvia,
and other impurities, although after it has rained for fome time,
the quantity of thefe diminifhes fo much, that Morveau fays
it may be rendered almoit perfectly pure by means of a little ba-
rytic water, and expofure to the atmofphere. Rain water, after
it falls, either remains on the furface of the earth, or penetrates
through it until it meets with fome impenetrable obftruc"tions to
its progrefs, when it burfts out at fome lower part, forming a
fpring or well. The water on the furface of the earth either de-
fcends along its declivities in ftreams, which gradually wearing
channels for themfelves, combine to form rivers, which at lalt
reach the fea ; or remain ftagnant in cavities of confiderable
depth, forming lakes or ponds ; or on nearly level ground, form-
ing marlhes.
The varieties of fpring water are exceedingly numerous ; but
they may be divided into the fifty which are fufliciently pure to
diflblve foap, and to anfwer the purpofes of pure water in gene-
ral j the hard, which contain earthy falts and decompofe foap,
and are unfit for many other purpofes both in domeftic economy
and in manufactures ; and the fal'ine, which are ftrongly im-
pregnated with foluble falts. When fpring waters poflefs any
peculiar character, they are called mineral waters. River water
is in general fcft, as it is formed of fpring water, which by ex-
pofure becomes more pure, and running furface water, which
although turbid from particles of clay fufpended in it, is other-
1 wife very pure. Lake water is fimilar to river water. The wa-
ter of marines on the contrary is exceedingly impure, and often
highly fetid, from the great proportion of animal and vegetable
matters which is conftantly decaying in them.
2. Acids; vegetable acids.
1 I. With fulphui and oxygen ; fulphuretted hydrogen.
C. Quaternary,
With carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen :
X. Animal oxides.
2. acids.
The idea of water being the only binary combination of hydrogen with oxygen
is in a great meafure refuted, by the interefting Galvanic experiments of profeffor
Pacchioni, who has from them attempted to eftablifh the following facts.
T I- Muriatic acid is an oxide of Hydrogen, and confequcntly compofed of Hydro-
gen and Oxygen.
" 2. In the oxygenated muriatic acid, and therefore, a fortiori, in muriatic acid, tiers
is a much lefs proportion of oxygen than in ivater.
" 3* Hydrogen is fufceptible of <uery many and different degrees of oxidation, contrary to
what is univerfally beiieved by pneumatic cheniifts, who affert that hydrogen is fuf-
ceptible only of one invariable degree of oxidation, that in which it forms water."
For a more particular account, the reader is referred to the Philadelphia
Medical Mufeum, Vol. II.
Aa
178
Materia Medica.
Mineral waters derive their peculiarity of character in general^
either from containing carbonic acid, or foda, not neutralized,
fulphuretted hydrogen, purging falts, earthy falts, or iron, or
from their temperature exceeding in a greater or lefs degree
that of other furrounding bodies. The following are the moft
celebrated •,
a. Warm fprings. — Bath, Briftol, Buxton, Matlock, in
England. Barege, Vichy, &c. in France. Aix-la-Chapelle,,
Borfet, Baden, Carlfbad, and Toeplitz, in Germany ;
and Pifa, Lucca, Baia, and many others in Italy.
b. Carbonated fprings. — Pyrmont, Seltzer, .Spa, Chelten-
ham, Scarborough.
£. Alkaline. — Carlfbad, Aix-la-Chapelle, Barege, Toeplitz.
d. Sulphureous. — Engheim, Lu, Aix-la-Chapelle, Kilburn,
Harrowgate, Moffat, and many in Italy.
f. Purging. — Sea water, Lemington Priors,, Harrowgate,
Lu, Carlfbad, Moffat, Toeplitz, Epfom, Sedlitz, Kil-
burn, and all brackifh waters.
f. Calcareous. — Matlock, Buxton, and all hard waters.
g. Chalybeate. — Pkrtfell, Denmark, Cheltenham, Pyrmont,
Spa, Tunbridge, Bath, Scarborough, Vichy, Carlfbad,
Lemington Priors.*
Medical ufe. — Water is an effential conflituent in the organiza-
tion of all living bodies ; and as it is continually expended dur-
ing the procefs of life, that wafte muff be alfo continually fup-
piied, and this fupply is of fuch importance that it is not left to
reafon or to chance, but forms the objecl: of an imperious ap-
petite. When taken into the ftomach, water a£ts by its tempe-
rature, its bulk, and the quantity abforbed by the lacleals. Wa-
ter at about 60° gives no fenfation of heat or cold, between 60°
and 45° it gives a fenfation of cold followed by a glow and in-
creafe of appetite and vigour ; below 45 the fenfation of cold is
permanent and unpleafant, and it a£ts as an aftringent and feda-
rive ; above 60 it excites naufea and vomiting ; probably by par-
tially relaxing the fibres of the ftomach, for when mixed with
ftimuiating fubftances it has not thefe effects. In the ftomach
and the inteftines it acts alfo by its bulk, producing the effects
arifing from the diftention of thefe organs, and as the inteftinal
gafes confift of hydrogen gas, either pure or carbonated, or ful-
phuretted, or phofphuretted, it is probably in part decompofed
in them. It likewife dilutes the contents of the ftomach and in-
* The Editor regrets that the imperfect information yet obtained of the mineral
water* of the United States precludes their being mentioned in the prefent edition-
A. Aqua.
173
teftines, thus often diminifhing their acrimony. It is abforbed
by the lacleals, dilutes the chyle and the blood, increafes their
fluidity, leflens their acrimony, and produces plethora ad molem.
Its eftec~ts in producing plethora and fluidity are however very
tranfitory, as it at the fame time increafes the fecretion by the
fkin and' kidneys. Indeed the efTeas of fudorifics and diuretics
depend in a great meafure on the quantity of water taken along
with them.
Mineral waters have alfo a fpecifk a&ian depending on the
foreign fubftances which they contain. It is however neceflary to
remark that their effects are in general much greater than might
be expected from the ftrength of their impregnations, owing
probably to the very circumftance of their great dilution, by which
every particle is prefented in a ftate of activity, while the la£teals
admit them more readily than they would in a lefs diluted ftate.
Carbonic acid gas gives to the waters which are ftrongly impreg-
nated with it a fparkling appearance, and an agreeable degree of
pungency. In its effects on the body it is decidedly ftimulant,
and even capable of producing a certain degree of tranfient intox-
ication. It is of great fervice in bilious complaints, atony of the
ftomach, naufea, and vomiting, and in all fevers of the typhoid
type.
Alkaline waters produce alfo a tonic effect on the ftomach, but
they are lefs grateful. They are particularly ferviceable in mor-
bid acidity of the ftomach, and in difeafes of the urinary organs.
Sulphureous waters are chiefly ufed in cutaneous and glandu-
lar difeafes. Their effects are ftimulant and heating, and they
operate by the fkin or bowels.
Purging waters derive their effects from the neutral falts they
contain, efpecially the muriates of foda, lime and magnefia, and
the fulphates of foda and magnefia. They are much more fre-
quently ufed for a length of time to keep the bowels open by ex-
citing the natural action, than to produce full purging. Ufed in
this way, inftead of debilitating the patientj they increafe his
appetite, health, and ftrength.
Chalybeate waters are ufed as tonics. They ftimulate confider-
ably, and increafe the circulation, but as they alfo generally con-
tain neutral falts, they act as gentle laxatives. They are ufed in
all cafes of debility, cachexia, chlorofis, fluor albus, amenorrhcea,
and in general in what are called nervous difeafes.
The external ufe of water depends almoft entirely on its tem-
perature, which may be
1. Greater than that of the body, or above 97° F. The hot
bath.
180
Materia Medica.
2. Below the temperature of the body.
a. From 97 to 85, the warm bath.
b. From 85 to 65, the tepid bath.
c. From 65 to 32, the cold bath.
The hot bath is decidedly ffimulant in its action. It renders
the pulfe frequent, the veins turgid, the fkin red, the face flufhed,
the refpiration quick, increafes animal heat, and produces iweat.
If the temperature be very high, the face becomes bathed in fweat,
the arteries at the neck and temples beat with violence, anxiety
and a fenfe of fufFocation are induced, and if perfifted in, verti-
go, throbbing in the head, and apoplexy, are the confequences.
It is very rarely employed in medicine, except where there are
hot fprings, as at Baden in Switzerland. The Ruffians and fome
other nations ufe the hot bath as an a. tide of luxury.
The effects of the affufion of hot water have not been decided,
and it is probable that when the heat is not fo great as to deflroy the
organization of the fkin, the very tranfient application of the
water would be more than counteracted by the fubfequent evapo-
ration.
With regard to the action arifing from their temperature, all
baths below 97° differ only in degree, as they all ultimately ab-
flract caloric from the furface, but with a force inverfely as their
temperature.
The warm bath excites the fenfation of warmth, partly becaufe
our fenfations are merely relative, and partly becaufe its tempera-
ture, though lefs than that of the internal parts of the body, is
actually greater than that of the extremities which are the chief
organs of touch. But as water is a much better conductor of ca-
loric than air, and efpecially than confined air, as much caloric
is abftracted from the body by water, which is only a few de-
grees lower than the internal temperature of the body, as by air
of a much lower temperature. The warm bath diminifhes the
frequency of the pulfe, efpecially when it has been previoufly
greater than natural, and this effect is always in proportion to the
time of immerfion It alfo renders the refpiration flower, and
leflens the temperature of the body, relaxes the mufcular fibre,
increafes the bulk of the fluids by abforption, removes impurities
from the furface, promotes the desquamation and renewal of the
cuticle, and foftens the nails and indurations of the fkin.
The ftimulant power of the warm bath is therefore very incon-
fiderable, and its employment in difeafe will be chiefly indicated
by preternatural heat of the furface and frequency of the pulfe,
rigidity of the mufcular fibre, and morbid affections of the flcin.
It has accordingly been found ferviceable in many cafes of pyrexia,
both febrile and exanthematous, in many fpafmodic difeafes, and
A. Aqua.
1.81
in moft of the impetigincs. It is contra-indicated by difficulty of
breathing, and internal organic affections, and mould not be ufed
when the ftomach is full.
The afFulion of warm water very generally produces a confider-
able diminution of heat, a diminilhed frequency of pulfe and re-
fpiration, and a tendency to repofe and fieep •, but its effects are
not very permanent, and its ftirnulus is weak. It is recommend-
ed in febrile difeafes depending on the ftirnulus of preternatural
heat, and in thofe attended with laborious refpiration, and in the
paroxyfms of heftic fever.
As the tepid bath and aifufion produce effects intermediate
between thofe of warm and cold water, it is unnccclTary to enu-
merate them.
The cold bath produces the fenfation of cold, which gradually
ceafes, and is fucceeded by numbnefs. It excites tremors in the
tin, and fhivering. The fkin becomes pale, contracted, and ac-
quires the appearance termed cutis anferina. The fluids are di-
minifhed in volume ; the folids are contracted, the caliber of the
veflels is lefTened, and therefore numbnefs and palenefs are induc-
ed, and the vifible cutaneous veins become fmaller. There is a
fenfe of drowfinefs and inactivity, the joints become rigid and in-
flexible, and the limbs are affected with pains and fpafmodic con-
tractions. The refpiration is rendered quick and irregular *, the
pulfe flow, firm, regular, and fmall ; the internal heat is at firft
diminilhed, but gradually and irregularly returns nearly to its na-
tural ftandard, the extremities, however, continue cold and numb,
or fwollen and livid ; the perfpiration is fupprcfled, and the dis-
charge of urine is rendered more frequent and copious. If the
cold be exceflive on its application, long continued violent fhiver-
ings are induced, the pulfe ceafes at the wrift, the motion of the
heart becomes feeble and languid, there is a fenfation of coldnefs
and faintnefs at the ftomach, and a rapid diminution of animal
heat ; and at laH: delirium, torpor, and death, are the confequen-
ces. If the application of the cold bath be not carried to an ex-
ceflive length, on emerging from the water, the whole body is
pervaded by an agreeable fenfation of warmth, and the patient
feels refrefhed and invigorated.
The primary action of the cold bath is ftimulant, and the de-
gree of this action is in proportion to the lownefs of its tempera-
ture. This opinion is indeed directly oppofite to a theory of cold
which has been advanced with the confidence of demonftration.
" Heat is a ftirnulus ; cold is the abftraction of heat ; therefore
" cold is the abftraction of frimulus, or is a fedative." To this
we might oppofe another theory, equally fylloglftic, and nearer
the truth ; Free caloric is a llimulus, cold is the fenfation excited
by the pafTage of free caloric out of the body, therefore, cold is
182
Materia Medica.
a flimulus. But in fact the action of cold is by no means fo Am-
ple, but is complicated, and varies according to its intenfity, du-
ration, and the ftate of the fyftem to which it is applied. It acts,
at fir ft, as a ftimulant in exciting fenfation, then as a tonic in
condenfing the living fibre, and laftly, however paradoxical it
may appear, as a fedative, by preventing that diftribution of blood
in the minute and ultimate veflels, which is neceffary for the ex-
iftence of fenfibility and irritability.
The cold bath may be therefore fo managed as to procure any
of thefe effects, by regulating the length of time for which it is
applied. It maybe employed in fevers, and febrile paroxyfms,
when the heat is fteadily above the natural ftandard, and in many
difeafes arifing from relaxation and debility. It is contra-indicated
when the heat of the body is below 97°, when there is any nota-
ble perfpiration from the furface, when there is general plethora,
and when any internal organ is difeafed. Irritable habits (hould
be defended from the violence of its action, by covering the body
with flannel.
Coid affufion, or the pouring of cold water over the body, is a
very convenient way of applying the cold bath in many cafes. In
this way cold is very fuddenly applied to the furface, its operation
is inftantaneous and momentary, but may be continued by repeat-
ed afFufions for any length of time, and fo as to produce its ex-
treme effects. Where the effects of cold affufion may be thought
too fevere, fpunging the body with cold water, or water and vine-
gar may be fubftituted.*
P HARM ACE UTICAL PREPARA TIONS.
Aquse Destillatse, E. L. D. vide, Aqua Destillatt.
It alfo enters into the compofition of the greateft number of
preparations.
AQUiE DESTILLATiE.
DISTILLED WATERS.
Substances which differ in volatility, may be feparated from
each other by applying a degree of heat capable of converting the
raoft volatile into vapour, and by again condenfing this vapour in
a proper apparatus. Water is converted into vapour at 212°, and
may be feparated by diftillation from the earthy and faline matters
which it always contains in a natural ftate. But, it is evident,
* For a particular account of the medical ufe of the cold bath, &c. fee the va-
luable work of Dr. Currie of Liverpool, on that fubjedt.
A. Aqua. Aqusc Destillatse. 185
that if any fubftances which are as volatile as water, be expofed
to the fame degree of heat, either by immerfing them in boiling
water, or expofing them to the aclion of its fteam, they will rife
with it in diltillation. In this way the camphor and volatile oils
of vegetable fubftances are feparated from the more fixed princi-
ples ; and as water is capable of diflblving a certain quantity of
thefe volatile fubftances, it may be impregnated with a great va-
riety of flavours by dilHUing it from different aromatic fubftances.
If the fubject of our diltillation contain more volatile oil than the
water employed is capable of diflblving, it will render the water
milky, and afterwards feparate from it* It is in this way that ef-
fential oils are obtained.
Eflential oils are obtained only from odoriferous fubftances ;
but not equally from all of this clafs, nor in quantity proportional
to their degree of odour. Some, which, if we were t»o reafon
from analogy, fhould feem very well fitted for this procefs, yield
extremely little oil, and others none at all. Rofes and chamo-
mile flowers, whofe ftrong and lafting fmell promifes abundance,
are found to contain but a fmall quantity of oil : the violet and
jeflamine flower, which perfume the air with their odour, lofe
their fmell upon the gentleft coclion, and do not afford any oil,
on being diftilled, unlefs immenfe quantities are fubmitted to the
operation at once ; while favin, whofe difagreeable (cent extends
to no great diftance, gives out the largeft proportion of oil of al-
rnoft any vegetable known.
Nor are the fame plants equally fit for this operation, when
produced in different foils or feafons, or at different times of their
growth. Some yield more oil it gathered when the flowers be-
gin to fall off than at any other time. Of this we have examples
in lavender and rue •, others, as fagc, afford the largeft quantity
when young, before they have fent forth any flowers ; and others,
as thyme, when the flowers have juft appeared. All fragrant
herbs yield a brger proportion of oil, when produced in dry foils
and in warm fummers, than in oppofite circumftances. On the
other hand, fome of the difagreeable ftrong-fcented ones, as worm-
wood, are faid to contain molt oil in rainy -feafons, and when
growing in moift rich grounds.
Several chemifts have been of opinion, that herbs and flowers,
moderately dried, yield a greater quantity of eflential oil, than if
they were diftilled when frefh. It is, however, highly improba-
ble, that the quantity of eflential oil will be increafed by drying ;
on the contrary, part of it mult be dilfipated and loft. But drying
may fometimes be ufeful in other ways ; either by diminifhing the
bulk of the fubjeft to be diftilled, or by caufmg it to part with
its oil more eafilv.
184 Materia Medica.
The choice of proper inftruments is of great confequence for
the performance of this procefs to advantage. There are fome
oils which pais freely over the fwan-neck of the head of the com- .
mon dill : others, kfs volatile, cannot eafily be made to rife fo
high. For obtaining thefelad, we would recommend a large low
head, having a rim or hollow canal round it : in this canal, the
oil is detained in its firfl: afcent, and thence conveyed at once into
the receiver, the advantages of which are fufticiently obvious.
With regard to the proportion of water to be employed ; if
whole plants, moderately dried, are ufed, or the {havings of wood,
as much of either may be put into the veflel as, light'y prefled,
will occupy half its cavity ; and as much water may be added as
will fill two-thirds of it. When frefh and juicy herbs are to be
ditHlled, thrice their weight of water will be fully fufficient ; but
dry ones require a much larger quantity. In general, there mould
be fo much water, that after all intended to be diftiil.ed has come
over, there may be liquor enough left to prevent the matter from
burning to the itill. The water and ingredients, altogether, mould
never take up more than three-fourths of the Itill ; there mould
be liquor enough to prevent any danger of an empyreuma, but not
fo much as to be apt to boil over into the receiver.
The fubjecr of distillation ihouid be macerated in the water un-
til it be perfectly penetrated by it. To promote this effect, woods
mould be thinly fhaved acrofs the grain, or fawn, roots cut tranf-
verfely into thin fiices, barks reduced into coarfe powder, and
feeds flightly bruifed. Very compact and tenacious fubftances re-
quire the maceration to be continued a week or two, or longer ;
for thofe of a fofter and loofer texture, two or three days are fuf-
ficient ; while fome tender herbs and flowers not only ftand in no
need of maceration, but are even injured by it. The fermenta-
tion which v/as formerly prefcribed in fome inftances, is always
hurtful.
With regard to the fire, the operator ought to be expeditious
in raiflng it at fir!!-, and to keen it up during the whole procefs,
to fuch a degree only, that the oil may freely diftil ; otherwife the
oil will be expofed to an unneceffary heat ; a circumftance which
ought as much as pofTible to be avoided. Fire communicates to
all thefe oils a difagreeable impregnation, as is evident from their
being much lefs grateful when newly diltilled, than after they
have flood for fome time in a cool place : and the longer the heat
is continued, the greater alteration it produces in them.
The greater number of oils require for their diftillation the heat
of water ftrongly boiling : but there are many alfo which rife
with a heat confiderably lefs ; fuch as thofe of lemon and citron
peel ; of the flowers of lavender and rofemary, and of almolt all
the more odoriferous kinds of flowers. We have already obferv-
A. Aqua. Aquse Destillatrc. 185
•ed, that thefe flowers have their fragrance much injured, or even
deftroyed, by beating or bruifing them ; it is impaired alfo by the
immerfion in water in the prefent procefs, and the more fo in pro-
portion to the continuance of the immerfion and the heat j hence
oils, diftilled in the common manner, prove much lefs agreeable
in fmell than the fubje&s themfelves. For the diftillation of fub-
ftances of this clafs, another method has been contrived ; inflead
of being immerfed in water, they are expofed only to its vapour.
A proper quantity of water being put into the bottom of the Hill,
the odoriferous herbs or flowers are laid lightly in abalket, of fuch
a fize that it may enter into the (till, and red againft its fides, juft
above the water. The head being then fitted on, and the water
made to boil, the fleam, percolating through the fubje£t, imbibes
the oil, without impairing its fragrance, and carries it over into
the receiver. Oils thus obtained, pofiefs the odour of the fubje£t
in an exquifite degree, and have nothing of the difagreeable fcent
perceivable in thofe diftilled by boiling them in water in the com-
mon manner.
Plants differ fo much, according to the foil and feafon of which
they are the produce, and likewife according to their own ages,
that it is impoflible to fix the quantity of water to be drawn from
a certain weight of them to any invariable ftandard. The diftil-
lation may always be continued as long as the liquor runs well
flavoured off the fubjecl, but no longer.
In the diftillation of eflential oils, die water, as was obferved in
a foregoing feclion, imbibes always a part of the oil. The diftilled
liquors here treated of, are no other than water thus impregnated
with the eflential oil of the fubjecl:; whatever fmell, taite, or vir-
tue, is communicated to the water, or obtained in the form of
watery liquor, being found in a concentrated ftate in the oil.
All thofe vegetables, therefore, which contain an eflential oil,
will give over fome virtue to water by diftillation : but the de-
gree of the impregnation of the water, or the quantity of water
which a plant is capable of faturating with its virtue, are by no
means in proportion to the quantity of its oil. The oil faturates
only the water that comes over at the fame time with it : if there
be more oil than is fufHcient for this faturation, the furplus fepa-
rates, and concretes in its proper form, not mifcible with the water
that arifes afterwards. Some odoriferous flowers, whofe oil is in
fo fmall quantity that fcarcely any vifible mark of it appears, unlefs
fifty or an hundred pounds or more are diftilled at once, give ne-
verthelefs as ftrong an impregnation to water as thofe plants which
abound molt with oil.
Many have been of opinion, that diftilled waters may be more
and more impregnated with the virtues of the fubjecl, and their
ftrength increafed to any afligned degree, by cohobatiofi, that is, bv
Bb
186
Materia Meclica.
re-diftiiling them repeatedly from frelh parcels of the plant. Ex-
perience, however, {hews the contrary. A water fkilfully drawn
in the firft diftillation, proves on every repeated one not ftronger
but more difagreeable. Aqueous liquors are not capable of im-
bibing above a certain quantity of the volatile oil or vegetables ;
and this they may be made to take up by one, as weil as by any
number of diftillations : the oftener the procefs is repeated, the
ungrateful impreflion which they generally receive from the fire,
even at the firft time, becomes greater and greater.
Thofe plants, which do not yield at firft waters fufEciently
ftrong, are not proper fubjects for this procefs.
The mixture of water and oil which comes over, may either be
feparated immediately by means of a feparatory, or after it has
been put into large narrow-necked bottles, and placed in a cool
place, that the portion of oil which is not dilTolved in the water
may rife to the top, or fink to the bottom, according to its fpecific
gravity. It is then to be feparated, either by a feparatory ; by
means of a fmall glafs fyringe ; a filter of paper ; or, laftly, by
means of a woollen thread, one end of which is immerfed in the
oil, and the other lower end in a phial: the oil will thus pafs over
into the phial by capillary attraction, and the thread is to be
fqueezed dry.
Moll: diftilled waters, when firft prepared, have a fomewhat un-
pleafant fmell, which, however, they gradually lofe : it is therefore
advifable to keep them for fome days after their preparation in
veiTels but llightly covered ; and not to cork them up until they
lofe that fmell.
That the waters may keep the better, about one-twentieth part
their weight of proof-fpirit may be added to each after they are
diftilled. A refpeetable apothecary informed Dr. Duncan, that
if the fimple diftilled waters be rectified by diftilling them a fecond
time, they will keep for feveral years without the addition of any
fpirit, which always gives an unpleafant flavour, and is often ob-
jectionable for other reafons.
Diftilled waters are employed chiefly as grateful diluents, as
fuitable vehicles for medicines of greater efficacy, or for render-
ing difguftful ones more acceptable to the palate and ftomach :
few are depended on, with any intention of confequence, by them-
felves.
To the chapter on Simple Diftilled Waters, the London college
has annexed the following remarks.
We have ordered moft of the waters to be diftilled from the dried
herbs, becaufe frefli are not ready at all times of the year.
Whenever the frefh are ufed, the weights are to be increafed.
A. Aqua. Aquae Destillatae. 187
But, whether the frefh or dried herbs be employed, the operator
may vary the weight according to the feafon in which they have
been produced and collected.
Herbs and feeds kept beyond the fpace of a year, become lefs
proper for the diitillation of waters.
To every gallon of thefe waters add five ounces, by meafure, of
proof fpirit.
The Edinburgh college order half an ounce of proof fpirit to every
pound of the water, which is nearly the fame.
But the Dublin college order five ounces of proof fpirit to be add-
ed to each pound, which is probably a typographical error.
AQUA DESTILLATA. E. L. D.
Distilled Water.
Let water be di (tilled in very clean vefTels, until about two-thirds
have come over. (E.)
Water is never found pure in a ftate of nature ; and as it is
abfolutely neceflary, particularly for many chemical operations,
that it mould be perfectly fo, wo mull feparate it from all hetero-
geneous matters by diitillation. The firft portion that comes over
fhould be thrown away, not fo much from the poflibility of its be-
ing impregnated with volatile matters contained in the water, as
from the probability that it will be contaminated with impurities
it may have contracted in its paflage through the worm in the re-
frigeratory. The diftillation is not to be pufhed too far, left the
water mould acquire an empyreumatic flavour.
Although diftilled water be neceflary for many purpofes, we
apprehend trnt the London college, from a defire of extreme ele-
gance, have fallen into a very confiderable error in ordering it to
be employed for many purpofes, fuch as infufions and decoctions,
for which good fpring water would anfwer juft as well, and for
which, we will venture to fay, that it never is employed by the
apothecary. The confequence is, that the apothecary has no rule
to direct him, when it is abfolutely neceflary, and when it may be
difpenfed with, and he will therefore probably difpenfe with it
oftener than is proper.
188
Materia Medica.
AQUA CITRI AURANTII. Ed.
Orange-Peel Water.
Take of
Frefli orange-peel, two pounds.
Pour upon it as much water as (hall be fufficient to prevent any
empyreuma, after ten pounds have been drawn off by diftilla-
tion. After due maceration, jdiftil ten pounds.
AQUA FOENICULI DULCIS. L. D.
Fennel Water.
Take of
The bruifed feeds of fweet fennel, one pound ;
Water, as much as may be fufficient to prevent empyreuma.
Diftil one gallon (ten pounds, D.)
The fame quantity of water is to be diftilled in the fame man-
ner from
Six pounds of the recent petals of the Damask
Rose, Aqua Rofa Centifolia. E.
Aqua Roja. L. D.
Three pounds, Ed. ; one pound and a half, L. D.
of Peppermint, Aqua Mentha Piperita. E.
Aqua Mentha Piper it idis. L. D.
Three pounds, Ed. ; one pound and a half, L. D.
of Pennyroyal, in flower,
Aqua Mentha Pulegiu E.
Aqua Pulegii. L. D.
Two pounds of frefh Lemon Peel,
Aqua Citri Medica. E.
One pound and a half of Spearmint,
Aqua Mentha Sativa. D. L.
One pound of Cinnamon, (macerated for a day, L. D.)
Aqua Lauri Cinnamomi. E.
* Aqua Cinnamomi. L. D.
A. Aralia.
189
One pound of Cassia, Aqua Lauri Cajfne. E.
One pound of bruifed Dill Seeds,
Aqua Anethi. L.
Half a pound of Pimento, (macerated for a day, L.)
Aqua Myrti Pimenta. E.
Aqua Pimento. L.
The virtues of all thefe waters are nearly alike ; and the
peculiarities of each will be eafily underftood by confulting the
account given of the fubftance from which they are prepared.
Mr. Nicholfon mentions, that as rofe water is exceedingly apt
to fpoil, the apothecaries generally prepare it in fmall quanti-
ties at a time from the leaves, preferved by packing them clofely
in cans with common fait. This we underftand is not the
practice in Edinburgh, and indeed cannot fucceed with the petals
of the damafk rofe, for they lofe their fmell by drying. The Lon-
don apothecaries, therefore, probably ufe the red rofe. The fpoil-
ing of fome waters is owing to fome mucilage carried over in the
diftillation ; for, if rectified by a fecond diftillation, they keep
perfeclly.
ARALIA SPINOSA.
Angelica tree, Prickly AJb9 Tooth-ach tree.
In the fecond volume of the Philadelphia Medical Mufeum, p.
161, Dr. Meafe recommends a watery infufion of the inner bark
and root to remove the pains of chronic rheumatifm. It is con-
fiderably acrimonious, and affects the falivary glands. A weak
infufion proves l'udorific, and does not naufeate, which a ftrong
one generally does.
A tincture of the berries has been fuccefsfully applied to obviate
the aching of decayed teeth.
ARALIA NUDICAULIS.
Dr. Mease, in the fecond volume of the Philadelphia Medical
Mufeum, recommends the roots as a fubftitute for farfaparilla.
A watery infufion, he tells us, is employed in fome parts of this
country for the {hingles.
It is ufeful alfo as a tonic, in a relaxed ftate of the ftomach with
'ofs of appetite.
190
Materia Medica.
ARBUTUS UVA URSI. Folia. Ed.
Uva Ursi. Folia. L. D.
Whortleberry. The leaves.
Willd. g. 871. fp. 7. — Decandria Monogynia. — Nat. ord. Bicornes.
This is a very fmall evergreen fhrub. The leaves are oval, not
toothed, and their under furface is fmooth and pale green. It
grows wild in the woods, and on fand hills in Scotland, and in al-
moft every country in Europe. It is aifo abundant in America.
The tafte of the leaves is aftringent, followed by bitternefs. Di-
gefted in alcohol they give out a green tincture, which is rendered
turbid by water, and when filtered, pafTes tranfparent and yellow,
while a green refin remains on the fiiter. They are powerfully
aftringent, approaching in the deepnefs of the colour which they
give to red fulphate of iron, more nearly to nutgalls than any fub-
ftance Dr. Duncan tried. Indeed in fome parts of Ruflia they arc
ufed for tanning.
Medical ufe. — The medical effects of this medicine depend en-
tirely on its aftringent and tonic powers. It is therefore ufeful in
various fluxes arifing from debility, menorrhagia, fluor albus, cyf-
tirrhcea, diabetes, enurefis, diarrhoea, dyfentery, &c. It has been
ftrongly recommended in difeafes of the urinary organs by De
Haen, particularly in ulcerations of the kidnies and bladder. It
certainly alleviates the dyfpeptic fymptoms accompanying nephri-
tic complaints. It is commonly given in the form of powder, in
dofes of from 20 to 60 grains, three or four times a day.
Dr. Barton thinks it is peculiarly adapted to cafes of nephritis
depending upon gout, and he fays he has known it to be ufeful even
when it was afcertained that a calculus was prefent. Its ufe he
thinks facilitates the expulfion of calculous granules through the
urethra. In fome cafes of nephritis, however, he adds, uva urfi
seems to increafe the irritation which it fo generally relieves.*
* For further obfervations, fee Dr. John S. Mitchell's inaugural diffcrtation on
*he arbutus uva urfi, &c. publifhed at Philadelphia in 1803.
A. Argentum.
191
ARCTIUM LAPPA. Radix. Ed.
Bardana. Radix. L. D.
Burdock. The root.
Syngenefia Pol\gamia uEqua/is. Nat. ord. Compofita Capitata.
This is a perennial piant, which grows wild in uncultivated
places. The feeds have a bitterifh fubacrid tafte : they are recom-
mended as very efficacious diuretics, given either in the form of
emulfion, or in powder, to the quantity of a drachm. The roots
tafle fweetifh, with a flight aullerity and bitterifhnefs: they are
efteemed aperient, diuretic, and fudorific ; and are faid to act with-
out irritation, fo as to be fafely ventured upon in acute diforders.
Decoctions of them have of late been ufed in rheumatic, gouty,
venereal, and other diforders : and are preferred by fome to thofe
of farfaparilla.
ARGENTUM.
ARGENTUM. E. L. Silver.
Argentum in Laminas Extensum. D.
Silver Leaf.
D. Zilver. P. Praia.
DA. Zblv. POL- Srebro.
F. Argent. K. Serebro.
G. Wilder. S. Plata.
t Argento. SW. Silfver.
Silver is very brilliant, white, infipid, inodorous ; fpeciflc gra-
vity 10.474- to 1 1.091 ; hardnefs between iron and gold ; elasticity
between gold and copper; has a ftrong acute found; of confiderable
ductility and tenacity ; hardening much under the hammer ; a
good conduflor of electricity, caloric, and galvanifm ; fufible at
28° Wedgewood ; cryftallizable by cooling ; unalterable in the air;
changed into a greenifti oxide by long and violent heat, burning
with a greenifh flame, and inftantly by the electric mock. Its
phofphuret is granulated, brittle and fufible ; its fulphuret grey,
black, lamellated or ftriated and fufible ; it unites but flightly
with the acidifiable metals and iron ; is hardened by gold, bif-
192
Materia Medica.
muth, antimony, tin, lead, and copper, and amalgamate^ with
mercury. It is oxidized, and diflblved by the fulphuric^ fulphur-
ous, nitric, and oxy-muriatic acids. Its oxide is greenifh ; redu-
cible by light and heat, hydrogen, and the other metals ; it colours
fome glafles of an olive green, and is very foluble in ammonia.
" Silver is found,
I. In its metallic ftate :
1. Pure.
2. Alloyed with gold. Auriferous filver ore.
3. — antimony.
4. iron and arfenic.
5. bifmuth.
II. Combined with fulphur :
1. Sulphuretted filver. Vitreous filver ore.
2. with antimony, iron, arfenic, and
copper. Black or brittle filver ore.
3. with copper and antimony. Black
filver ore.
4. Sulphuretted filver with lead and antimony. White
filver ore.
III. Oxidized :
1. Combined with carbonic acid and antimony.
2. muriatic acid.
a. Corneous filver ore,
b. Earthy filver ore,
c. Sooty filver ore.
3. Combined with fulphur and oxide of antimony. Red
filver ore.
4. . molybdic acid.
Officinal Preparation.
Nitras Argenti, E. L. D.
A. Argentum. — Nitras Argenti. 193
NITRAS ARGENTI ; olim, Causticum Lunare. Ed.
Nitrate of Silver, formerly Lutinr Caujlic.
Argentum Nitratum. L. D.
Nitrated Silver.
Take of
Pureft filver, flatted into plates, and cut in pieces, four ounces ;
Diluted nitrous acid, eight ounces ;
Dhlilled water, four ounces.
Diflblve the filver in a phial with a gentle heat, and evaporate the
folution to drynefs. Then put the mafs into a large crucible
and place it on the fire, which mould at firft be gentle, and af-
terward increafed by degrees till the mafs flows like oil ; then
pour it into iron-pipes, previoufly heated and anointed with tal-
low. Laftly, keep it in a glafs-veflel well (hut. (E. D.)
The Edinburgh and Dublin colleges ufe equal weights of
filver and acid. The London college ufes double the quantity
of acid. The fa& is, that nitrous acid i3 capable of diflblving
more than half its weight of filver. Therefore, in the one cafe,
a portion of filver will be left undiflblved ; and, in the other,
there will be an excefs of acid, which, however, will be expelled
by the heat neceflary to bring the fait to a ftate of drynefs. During
the folution the metal is oxidized by the decompoiition of part of
the acid, while the nitrous gas difengaged at hrft diflblves in the
acid, and gives it a green colour, which, however, difappears when
the heat is increafed fo as to expel the gas. The acid employed
mult be very pure. If it contain, as the acid of commerce always
does, fulphuric or muriatic acid, thefe re-act upon the nitrate as
foon as it is formed, and a white precipitate, confifting of fulphate
and muriate oi filver, falls to the bottom.
The method which the refiners employ for examining the purity
of their aquafortis (the name they give to dilute nitrous acid),
and purifying it if neceflary, is to let fall into it a few drops of a
folution of nitrate of filver already made : if the liquor remain
clear, and grow not in the lealt turbid or whitifh, it is fit for ufe ;
otherwife, they add a fmall quantity more of the folution, which
immediately turns the whole to a milky white colour ; the mixture
being then fullered to reft for fome time, depofites a white fedi-
ment •, from which it is cautioufly decanted, examined again,
and, if neceflary, farther purified by a frelh addition of this folu-
tion.
It is neceflary to employ very pure water in this procefs, for
the muriates and earthv falts which common wrater generally
C c
194
Materia Medica*
contain, precipitate part of the filver in the flate of a muriate
or oxide. If diftilled water be not ufed, the water mould be
added to the acid before it be tried and purified by the nitrate of
filver.
The folution will go on the more fpeedily, if the filver, flatted
into thin plates, be rolled loofely up, fo that the feveral furfaces
do not touch each other. By this management, a greater extent
of the furface is expofed to the action of the menftruum, than
when the plates are cut in pieces and laid above each other. If
the filver be alloyed with copper, the folution will have a per-
manent greenifli blue colour, and acquire a bright blue on the
addition of ammonia. If it contain gold, the gold is not diflblved,
but is found at the bottom of the folution, in the form of a black
or deep purple powder.
The crucible ought to be of filver or porcelain ; as, with the com-
mon crucibles, the lofs arifing from the nitrate of filver finking
into their fubftance is too great. It ought alfo to be large enough
to hold five or fix times the quantity of the dry matter ; for it
bubbles and fwells up greatly, fo as otherwife to be apt to run over.
During this time, alio, little drops are now and then fpirted up,
whofe caufticity is increafed by their heat, againft which the ope-
rator ought therefore to be on his guard. The fire muft be kept
moderate tiil this ebullition ceafes, and till the matter becomes con-
fiflent in the heat that made it boil before : then quickly increafe
the fire till the matter flows thin at the bottom like oil, on which
it is to be immediately poured into the mould ; for if the heat be
continued after this, the nitrate of filver begins to be decompofed,
and the filver is reduced.
In want of a proper iron mould, one may be formed of temper-
ed tobacco pipe clay, not too moift, my making, in a lump of it,
with a fmooth flick firft greafed, as many holes as there is occa-
fion for : pour the liquid matter into thefe cavities, and when con-
gealed take it out by breaking the mould. Each piece is to be
wiped clean from the greafe, and wrapt up in foft dry paper, not
only to keep the air from acting upon them, but likewife to pre-
vent their corroding or difcolouring the fingers in handling.
Nitrate of filver is cryftallizable. Its cryftals are brilliant plates,
having a variable number of fides. Their tafte is auftere, and in-
tenfeiy bitter. They are very foluble in water, but permanent in
the air, and not deliqucfcent. They are decompofed by heat,
light, phofphorus, charcoal, many metals, all the alkalies and
earths, fulphuric, muriatic, phofphoric and fluoric acids, and by
the falts they form. When deprived of water, and melted accord-
ing to the directions of the colleges, it forms a black or dark grey
coloured mafs, which, when broken, appears to confift of radii,
diverging from the centre. It is not deliquefcent when free from
A. Argentum. — Nitras Argcnti. 195 .
copper, which is feldora the cafe. It may, however, be prepared
perfectly pure, even from a folution containing copper, by evapo-
rating and cryftallizing it as long as it furnifhes firm tabular cryf-
tals. Thefe are then to be warned with a little diltilled water, and
melted with a gentle heat. The nitrate of copper remains in the
mother water, and the filver, which it contains, may be precipitated
with muriatic acid.
Medical use. — A ftrong folution of nitrate of filver corrodes and
decompofes animal fubftances ; in a more diluted ftate it Itains
them of an indelible black \ and for this purpofe it is now much
ufed as an indelible marking ink.* The fuled nitrate of filver is
the ftrongeft and molt manageable caufHc we poflefs, and is em-
ployed to remove fungous excrefcences, callous edges, warts, flric-
tures in the urethra, and the like. It is alfo ufed to deflroy the ve-
nereal poifon in chancres, before it has acted on the fyftem. A
weak folution of it may be applied as a ftimulus to indolent ulcers,
or injected into riftulous fores.
Notwithflanding its caulticity, it has been given internally.
Boerhaave, BoyJe, and others, commend it highly in hydropic
cafes. The former allures us, that made into pills with crumb of
bread and a little fugar, and taken on an empty ftomach (fome
warm water fweetened with honey being drank immediately after),
it purges gently without griping, and brings away a large quantity
of water, almoft without the patient's perceiving it : that it kills
worms, and cures many inveterate ulcerous diforders. He never-
theless cautions againft ufing it too freely, or in too large a dole ;
and obferves, that it always proves corrolive and weakening to the
ftomach.
It has been more recently employed, and with fuccefs, in epi-
lepfy and angina pectoris. On account of its very great activity,
each pill mould not contain above one-eighth or one-fourth of a
grain.
• See a preparation of one, by profefibr Woodhoufe. Philadelphia Medical Mu-
lecm, Vol. I.
196
Materia Medica.
ARISTOLOCHIA SERPENTARIA. Radix. Ed
Serpentaria Virginiana. L. D.
Virginian Snake-root. The root.
Gynandria, Hexandria. — Nat. ord. Sarmentofa.
This is a fmall, light, bufhy root, confiding of a number of
firings or fibres matted together, iffuing from one common head ;
of abrownifh colour on the outfide, an i paler or yellowifh within.
It has an aromatic fmeil, like that of valerian, but more agreeable :
and a warm, bitterifh, pungent tafte, very much refembling
that of camphor. Treated with alcohol it affords a bright green
tincture, which is rendered turinid by water •, by filtration a fmall
portion of a green matter is Separated, but its tranfparency is not
reftored. It neither precipitates tannin or gelatin, nor affects the
falts of iron or tincture of turnfole. When the diluted tincture is
difhilled, the fpirit and tincture pafs over milky, ftrongly impreg-
nated with its peculiar flavour.
Medical ufe. — Its virtues are principally owing to the effential
oil with which it abounds. Its general action is heating and fti-
mulant ; its particular effects, to promote the difcharge by the fkin
and urine. In its effects it therefore coincides with camphor, but
feems to be a more permanent ftimulus.
It is recommended,
1. In intermittent fevers, efpecially when the paroxyfms do
not terminate by fweating ; and to aflift the action of Peru-
vian bark in obftinate cafes.
2. In typhus, and in putrid difeafes, to fupport the vis vit<e>
and to excite gentle diaphorefis.
3. In exanthematous difeafes, when the fever is of the ty-
phoid type, to fupport the action of the Ikin, and keep out
the eruption.
4 . In gangrene. Externally it is ufed as a gargle in the pu-
trid fore throat.
It is exhibited,
1. In powder, which is the beft form, in dofes of twenty or
thirty grains.
A.— —Arnica Montana. 197
2. In infufion with wine or water. By decoction its powers
are entirely ddtroyed.
It is often combined with Peruvian bark, or with camphor. *
Officinal Preparations.
Tinctura Aristolochiae Scrpentariae, E. L. D. vide, Tincture*
■ Cinchonas composite, L. D. Idem.
Electuarium Opiatum. E. - - Electuaries
Cataplasma Cumini, L. - - Catafitaspui^a.
ARNICA MONTANA. Flores, Radix, Herba. Ed. L. D.
German Leopards-bane. The Jlower, herb, and root.
Syngenefia Polygamia fuperjiua. — Nat. ord. CompofiLe radl4t<z.
Leofards Bane is a very common perennial plant in the al-
pine parts of Germany, Sweden, Lapland, and Switzerland. The
flowers, which are of a yellow colour and compound, confiding
entirely of tubular florets, are diftinguilhed from fimilar flowers,
with which they are often mixed, from ignorance or fraud, by the
common calyx, which is fhorter than the florets, and confifts en-
tirely of lancet-fhaped fcales, lying parallel and clofe to each other,
of a green colour, with purple points. The calyx of the different
fpecies of Inula are compofed of briftle-fhaped fcales, reflected at
the points, and befet with hairs. The florets of the genus Hypo-
chasris are ftrap-fhaped.
Thefe flowers have a weak bitterifh ta(te, evidently combined
with a degree of acrimony, and when rubbed with the fingers,
have a fomewhat aromatic fmell. Their active conftituents are
not fufficiently afcertained. They evidently contain a great deal
of refin, and fome elTential oil.
Medical ufe. — In their effects they are Simulating, and fuppof-
ed to be difcutient. In fmall dofes, and properly administered,
they poffefs very beneficial effects, in raifing the pulfe, in excit-
ing the action of the whole fanguiferous fyfteni, in checking
diarrhoeas, in promoting expectoration, and, rnoft particularly,
in removing paralytic affections of the voluntary mufcles but
their ufe is frequently attended with no fenfible operation, except
^ * Profefibr Barton fays the root of the ariilolochia fipho of L'Heritier, which grows
in various parts of the United States, is, for certain purpofes, perhaps preferable to
the common fnake root.
198
Materia Medica.
that in fome cafes of paralyfis, the cure is faid to be preceded by
a peculiar prickling, and by mooting pains in the affected parts.
When given improperly, or in too large dofes, they excite an in-
fupportable degree of anxiety, mooting and burning pains, and
even dangerous hsemorrhagies, vomiting, vertigo, and coma
For thefe dangerous fymptoms, vinegar is faid to be the beft re-
medy.
They have been recommended,
t. In paralytic diforders, in chronic rheumatifm, in reten-
tion of the urine from paralyfis of the bladder, in amau-
rofis.
2. In intermittent fevers, combined with Peruvian bark.
3. In dyfentery and diarrhoea, but in fome cafes they have
had bad effects.
4. In putrid difeafes.
5. In typhoid inflammations.
6. To promote the uterine difcharge.
7. And in internal pains, and congeftions from bruifes. In
the countries where they are indigenous, the flowers of the
leopards-bane have long been a popular remedy in thefe
accidents.
They are contra-indicated by an inflammatory diathefis, a pre-
difpofition to hxmorrhagies, and internal congeftions.
They are beft exhibited in the form of infufion. One or two
fcruples may be infufed with half a pound of water, and drunk at
proper intervals. The flowers fliould be wrapt up in a piece of
linen, as otherwife their down is apt to be diffufed in the liquid,
and to caufe violent irritation of the throat.
The dried root of this plant is about the thicknefs of a fmall
quill, and fends out fibres along one fide. Externally it is rough,
and of a red-brown colour, internally of a dirty white. Its tafte
is acrid, and flightly bitter. Neumann extracted from 960 parts,
840 watery extract, and 5 alcoholic, and inverfely 270 alcoholic,
and 540 watery.
Medical ufe. — It is exhibited in the fame manner and circum-
ftances as the flowers, but it is more apt to excite vomiting. In
powder its dofe is from five to ten grains.
A. Arsenicum.
199
ARSENICUM.
ARSENIC.
D. Arsenik, Rottekrwd . P. Arsenico.
DA. Arsenik, Rottekrud. POL. Arscnik.
F. Arsenic, Poudre aux rata. R. Mikchjak.
G. Arsenik. S. Arsniico.
L Arsenica. SW. Arsenik, Rotfndvtr.
Arsenic confifts of grey plates of a lively brightnefs ; friable ;
fpecific gravity between 8.310 and 5.703 j vaporizable at 540° ;
emitting a fmell like garlic ; cryftallizable ; oxidizible in the cold
air ; inflammable at a red heat, and fublimed in the form of the
white oxide or acid ; farther oxidizible by the nitric and nitrous
acids ; combines with phofphorus, fulphur, and many of the me-
tals ; foluble in hydrogen gas.
Arfenic is found,
L In its metallic ftate :
1. Alloyed with iron. Native arfenic.
2. iron and gold.
3. cobalt.
4. Combined with iron and fulphur. Arfenical pyrites.
5. Combined with iron, fulphur and filver. White arfeni-
cal pyrites.
II. Oxidized :
1. Uncombined. White oxide of arfenic. Arfenious acid.
2. Combined with fulphur :
a. Oxide of arfenic 90, fulphur 10, Orpiment. Yellow
fulphuretted arfenic.
b. Oxide of arfenic 84, fulphur 16, Realgar. Red ful-
phuretted arfenic.
III. Acidified and combined ;
1. With lime.
2. With copper.
3. With iron.
4. With lead.
5. With nickel.
6. With cobalt.
200
Materia Medica.
OXIDUM ARSENICI, Ed.
Oxide of Ar feme, ( Arfenious acid, Fourcroy.J
This fubftance, which was formerly named, improperly, arfenic,
is mod generally obtained in the procefs of roafting the ores of i
cobalt in Saxony. The roafting is performed in a kind of rever-
beratory furnace, with which a very long chimney is connected,
lying in a horizontal direction. The arfenious acid is condenfed
in it in the form of a loofe grey powder, which, by a fecond fub-
limation with a little potafs, and in a great degree of heat, coales-
ces into a firm vitreous fublimate, which gradually becomes
opaque by expofure to the air. In this ftate it is the white arfenic
of commerce, or, as it mould be termed, the arfenious acid.
For internal ufe, the lumps of a mining appearance and daz-
zling whitenefs fhould be chofen ; but it is generally offered for
fale in the form of powder, which is very often mixed with chalk
or gypfum. The fraud is eaMy detected by expofing it to heat.
The arfenious acid is entirely fublimed, and the additions remain
behind.
As this fubftance is one of the mod: virulent poifons we fhall
give a full account of its properties. It is white, compact, brit-
tle, and of a glaffy appearance. Its tafte is fweetifti, but acrid,
and flow in manifefting itfelf. Its fpecific gravity 3.706. It fub-
limes entirely when expofed to 283 Q Fahrenheit. When the ope-
ration is performed in clofe veflels, the arfenious acid aflumes a
glafTy appearance, which it foon lofes on expofure to the air. Its
ipecific gravity now becomes 5.000. It confifts of 75 of arfenic, and
25 of oxygen. In open veflels it fublimes in denfe white fumes,
fmelling ftrongly of garlic. If a plate of copper be expofed to
the fumes, it is whitened, Arfenious acid is foluble in 80 parts
of water at 60°, and in 15 at 2 12°. This folution has an acrid
tafte, and reddens vegetable blues. It is alfo foluble in 80 parts
of boiling alcohol. From either folution it may be obtained regu-
larly cryftallized in tetrahedrons. From its folutions a grafs-green
precipitate is feparated by a folution of fulphate of iron, a white
precipitate by lime-water, and a yellow precipitate by any of the
combinations of an alkali with fulphur, or with fulphur and hy-
drogen. All thefe precipitates, when expofed to a fuffkient tem-
perature, fublime entirely, and emit the fmell of garlic.
The arfenites are fcarcely known •, but their acid is driven off by
heat, and is precipitated by all the acids.
When treated with nitric acid, the arfenious acid is converted
into arfenic acid.
Arsenic acid confifts of arfenious acid and oxygen. It is
not crvftallizable ; has an acid cauftic tafte, and is not volatile, but
A.— —Arsenicum.
201
very fixed and vitrifiable. Its fpccific gravity is 3.391. It attracts
moifture from the atmofphere, and is foluble in two-thirds of its
weight of water. By a red heat it lofes part of its oxygen, and
becomes arfenious acid. It confifts of 8 parts of arfenious acid,
and 1 of oxygen, or of 65 arfenic, and 35 oxygen.
The arjeniates are decompofed by charcoal at a high tempera-
ture.
By far the fureft teft of the prefence of arfenic, is its reduc-
tion by carbonaceous fubftances.
With this view, a fmall quantity of any fufpected fubltance
maybe mixed with fome fatty or oily matter, and introduced with-
in a tube clofed at the bottom, and expofed to a red heat j if arfe-
nic be prefent in any ftate, it will be fublimed in the form of bril-
liant metallic fcales.
Arfenious acid is ufed by the dyers ; as a flux in glafs-making,
in docimaftic works, and in fome glazes. Arfenious fulphurets are
much ufed by painters, but thefe advantages are not able to com-
penfate for its bad effects. In mines, it caufes the deftruction of
numbers who explore them ; being very volatile, it forms a dull:,
which affects and deftroys the lungs, and the unhappy miners,
after a languifhing life of a few years, all perifh fooner or later.
The property which it poflefles of being foluble in water, increafes
and facilitates its deftructive power ; and it ought to be profcribed
in commerce, by the itri.t law which prohibits the fale of poifons
to unknown perfons. Arfenious acid is every day the inltrument
by which victims are facrificed, either by the hand of wickednefs
or imprudence. It is often millaken for fugar ; and thefe miftakes
are attended with the molt dreadful confequences. The fymp-
toms which characterize this poifon are, a great conftriction of the
zhroat, the teeth fet on edge, and the mouth ftrongly heated, an
nvoluntary fpitting, with extreme pains in the ftomach, vomit-
rig of glareous and bloody matter, with cold fweats and convul-
sions.
On direction, the ftomach and bowels are found to be inflam-
ed, gangrenous and corroded, and the blood is fluid. Soon after
leath, livid fpots appear on the furface of the body, the nails be-
:ome blue, and often fall ofF along with the hair, the epidermis
eparates, and the whole body becomes very fpeedily putrid. When
he quantity is fo very fmall as not to prove fatal, tremors, palfies,
nd lingering hectics fucceed.
Mucilaginous drinks have been long ago given to perfons poi-
oned by arfenic. Milk, fat, oils* and butter, have been fuccef-
vely employed. Mr. Navier has propofed a more direct coun-
erpoifon. He prefcribes one drachm of fulphuret of potafs to
e diflblved in a pint of water, which the patient is directed to
rink at feveral draughts : the fulphur unites to the arfenic, and
D d
202 Materia Medica.
deftroys its caufticity and effects. When the firft fymptoms are
alleviated, he advifes the ufe of fulphureous mineral waters. He
likewife approves the ufe of milk, but condemns oils. Vinegar
which diffolves arfenic, has been recommended by M. Sage, but
upon what grounds we know not.
According to Hahneman a folution of foap is the bell: remedy.
One pound of foap may be dilTolved in four pounds of water, and
a cupful of this folution may be drank lukewarm every three 01
four minutes.
Medical ufe. — Notwithstanding, however, the very violent ef-
fects of arfenious acid, it has been employed in the cure of difea-
fes, both as applied externally, and as taken internally. Exter-
nally it has been chiefly employed in cafes of cancer.
Juftamond ufed an ointment compofed of four grains of white
oxide of arfenic, ten grains of opium, and a drachm of cerate,
and fpread very thin upon linen. But its action is tedious. He
alfo fumigated cancerous fores with fulphuret of arfenic, with a
view to deftroy their intolerable fetor, with great fuccefs. Le
Febure wafhed cancerous fores frequently, in the courfe of the
day, with a folution of four grains of arfenious acid in two pounds
of water. Arneman recommends an ointment of one drachm of
arfenious acid, the fame quantity of fulphur, an ounce of diftilled
vinegar, and an ounce of ointment of white oxide of lead, in can-
cerous, and obftinate, ill-conditioned fores, and in fuppurated
fcrofulous glands. The arfenious acid has even been applied in
fubftance, fprinkled upon the ulcer. But this mode of ufing it is
exceffively painful, and extremely dangerous. There have been
even fatal effects produced from its abforption.
The principal thing to be attended to in arfenical applications,
is to diminiih their activity to a certain degree. They then
caufe little irritation or pain, but rather excite a gentle degree of
inflammation, which caufes the difeafed parts to Hough off ; and
it has the peculiar advantage of not extending its operation late-
rally.
No other efcharotic poiTeffes equal powers in cancerous affec-
tions ; but unfortunately its good effects often do not go beyond
a certain length, and if in fome cafes it effects a cure, in others
it muft be allowed it does harm. While it has occasioned very
confiderable pain, it has given the parts no difpofition to heal,
ihe progrefs of the ulceration becoming even more rapid than
before.
Arfenical preparations have been alfo ufed internally.
A. Arsenicum.
203
Arfenic may be exhibited in the form,
1. Of arfenious acid diflblved in diftiiled water, in the pro-
portion of four grains to a pint. A table fpoonful of thi-:
folution, mixed with an equal quantity of milk, and a lit-
tle fyrup of poppies is directed to be taken every morning
falling, and the frequency of the dofe gradually increafed
until fix table fpoonfuls be taken daily. M. Le Febure's
method of curing cancer.
2. Of arfeniteof potafs. Sixty-four grains of arfenious acid,
with an equal quantity of carbonate of potafs, are to be
boiled together until the arfenious acid be diilolved, when
as much water is to be added as will increafe the folution to
one pound. Of this, from two to twelve drops may be
given once, twice, or oftener, in the courfe of a day. Dr.
Fowler's method of curing intermittent fever.
3. Of arfeniate of potafs. Mix well together equal quanti-
ties of nitrate of potafs, and of pure arfenious acid •, pul
them into a retort, and diftil at firft with a gentle heat, but
afterwards with fo ftrong a heat as to redden the bottom of
the retort. In this procefs the nitric acid is partly decom-
pofed, and pafTes over into the receiver in the date of ni-
trous acid. The arfenious acid is at the fame time con-
verted into arfenic acid, and combines with the potafs.
The product, which is arfeniate of potafs, is found in the
bottom of the retort, which may be obtained in the form
of cryftals of a prifmatic figure, by diflblving it in diftiiled
water, filtering the folution through paper, evaporating
and cryftallizing. Mr. Macquer.
4. Arfeniors acid, in fubftance, to the extent of an eighth
of a grain for a dofe, combined with a little of the flowers
of fulphur, has been faid to be employed internally in
fome very obftinate cafes of cutaneous difeafes, and with
the beft effect.
204
Materia Medica.
ARTEMISIA.
Synge?iefia Polygamia fuperflua. — Nat. ord. Compofitx difcoldea.
ARTEMISIA ABROTANUM."
Abrotanum. Folium. L.
Southernwood. The leaves.
This is a perennial fhrub, which grows readily in our gardens,
though a native of the fouth of Europe.
Southernwood has a ftrong fmell, which, to moft people, is not
difagreeable ; it has a pungent, bitter, and fomewhat naufeous,
tafte. Thefe qualities are very completely extracted by alcohol,
and the tincture is of a beautiful green colour. They are lefs
perfectly extracted by watery liquors, the infufion being of a light
brown colour.
Medical ufe. Southernwood, as well as other fpecies of the fame
genus, particularly the abfinthium and fantonica, has been recom-
mended as an anthelmintic ; and it has alfo been fometimes ufed as
a ftimulant, detergent, and fudorific. Externally, it has been em-
ployed in difcutient and antifeptic fomentations ; and under the
form of lotion and ointment for cutaneous eruptions, and for pre-
venting the hair from falling off. But it is at prefent very rarely
ufed in any way.
Officinal Preparation.
Decoctum pro fomento, L. - vide, Decocia.
ARTEMISIA MARITIMA.
Absinthium Maritimum. Cacumhia. L. D.
Sea Wormwood. The tops.
This fpecies of arternifia is perennial and herbaceous. It grows
wild in fait marfhes, and in feveral parts about the fea-coafts. In
tafte and fmell it is weaker and lefs unpleafant than the common
wormwood. The tops of fea wormwood formerly entered fome
of the compound diftilled waters ; but they are now rejected from
thefe, and are very little employed in practice.
Officinal Preparations.
Decoctum pro fomento, L. - vide, Decocta.
Conserva Absinthii MaritimijL. - Conserve.
A. Artemisia.
205
ARTEMISIA S ANIONIC A. Cacumen. Ed.
SANTONICUM. Cacumen. L. Seniina. D.
Wormfeed. The tops. The feeds.
All the Britifh colleges have given this fpecies as the plant
which produces thefe feeds, but it is by no means afcertaineJ..
They have been afcribed by different writers to other fpecies of the
fame genus, the Judaica, the Contra, and the Auftriaca, and arc
even faid by Saunders to be the produce of a fpecies of Chenopo-
dium.
The feeds themfelves are fmall, oblong, fmooth, and of a green-
ifh or greyifh yellow colour. As the whole head is gathered after
the feeds are ripe, they are mixed with the fcales of the calices and
bits of {talks. Their tafte is bitter, and fomewhat acrid ; their fmell
ftrong and difagreeable. Thofe which come from Aleppo are ef-
teemed the belt, and thofe from Barbary the worft. When they
have no fmell, and a lefs intenfely bitter tafte, and are difcoloured,
and mixed with a longer kind of feed, they are to be rejected.
They are alfo adulterated with the feeds of tanfy and wormwood.
The latter are eafily known, by having a light yellow colour, and
refembling powdered hay more than feeds. Neumann obtained
from 4-80 parts, 213 of alcoholic extract, and 110 watery, and in-
verfely 260 watery, and 28 alcoholic. It gave a flight flavour to
water diftilled from it, but no oil.
Medical ufe. — Wormfeed is one of the oldeft and molt common
anthelmintics, efpecially in the lumbrici of children. On account
of their effential oil, they are heating and ftimulating.
They are given to children
1. In fubftance, to the extent of ten grains, or half a drachm,
finely powdered, and ftrewed on bread and butter ; or
made into an electuary with honey or treacle ; or candied
with fugar ; or difFufed through milk, and taken in the
morning when the ftomach is empty.
2. In infufion or decoction, but to thefe forms their bitternefs
is a ftrong objection.
After they have been ufed for fome days, it is cuftomary to give
a cathartic, or they are combine,! from the beginning with rhubarb,
jalap, calomel, fulphate of iron; or muriate of ammonia.
206
Materia Medica.
ARTEMISIA ABSINTHIUM. Folia et fummitates fiorentes. Ed.
Absinthium Vulcare, Herba. L. Fo/ia, cacumina. D.
Common wormwood. The herb, leaves, and flowering heads.
This perennial herb grows by the road-fides and on rubbifh in
many parts ot" Britain ; and about London it is cultivated for me-
dical ufe. Its fmell is ftrong and difagreeable ; its tafte intenfely
bitter. Its active constituents are bitter extractive and effential
oil. It is ufed in ftomach complaints, and is of great fervice to
hypochondrias. It is alfo employed in intermittent fevers, in cach-
ectic and hydropic affections, in jaundice, and againft worms.
Many perfons cannot fuffer the difagreeable fmell of wormwood,
which is apt to occafion headach, but it may be freed from it in a
great meafure by decoction. The extract is a pure and fimple
bitter. The effential oil is of a dark green colour, and contains the
whole flavour of the plant. It is Stimulating, and is fuppofed to
be a powerful antifpafmodic and anthelmintic. It was formerly
much ufed for the preparation of medicated wines and ales.
ARUM MACULATUM.
Arum. Radix recens. L. D.
Wale-robin. The recent root.
Gynandria Polyandria. — Nat. ord. Piperita.
This is a perennial folid bulbous -rooted plant, which grows
wild in fhady fituations, and by the fides of banks, in many parts
of Britain. The root is knotty, roundifh and white. When col-
lected in fpring before the leaves Ihoot, or in autumn after flow-
ering, it contains a milky juice of very great acrimony. Applied
to the tongue, it caufes a burning heat, which lafts for many
hours, and excites considerable third. Thefe difagreeable fymp-
toms may be relieved by butter-milk or oily fluids. Rubbed be-
tween the fingers, it blifters and excoriates them j it is therefore
a corrofive vegetable poifon. By drying, it lofes the greateft part
of its acrimony, and becomes fimply amylaceous. It is alfo ren-
dered perfectly mild by frequent warning with water. Its acrimo-
ny is therefore eafily destructible ; and as it does not arife from
the prefence of an effential oil, it depends upon a vegetable prin-
A. Arum.
207
ciple, different from all others, and not well underftood.* It does
not rife in diftillation either with alcohol or with water, and is not
contained in its extracl:, although the root is thereby deprived of
it. Neumann obtained from 480 of the dry root 20 of alcoholic
extract, and about 1 80 watery. The former had fome flight pun-
gency, the latter none.
Medical afe. — In the recent root, the degree of acrimony is fo
very uncertain, and often fo exceflive, that its effects, as an inter-
nal remedy, cannot be depended on. The dried root is perfectly
inert ; but the roots may be kept frefh for a year, by burying them
in a cellar in fand.
Officinal Preparation.
Conserva Ari, L. - ride , Comei-jx.
ARUM TRIPHYLLUM.
Indian-Turnip.
The acrimony of the recent root of this plant is well known.
By drying, much of this is loll. It has been very beneficial in
afthma, efpecially in old people — in the croup and hooping cough.
The recent root boiled in lard to the confiftence of an ointment has
been found ufeful in tinea capitis. The frefh root boiled in milk,
has been advantageoufly employed in confumption. Dr. Meafe
recommends the following as the beft form for exhibiting it.
" Grate one dried root, and boii it in half a pint of milk." Some
acrimony mould be perceptible to the tongue and throat in its exhi-
bition. He fays, it never affects the general circulation, but a£ts
folely on the parts juft named *, to the glands of which it is a pow-
erful ftimulus, caufing a copious fecretion of mucus.
A fine fago has been prepared from the root in the proportion of
one part, to four of the root, freed from its exterior coat.f
• Acrid principle, foluble in alcohol, water, acids and alkalies, rifes in diftillation
and is with water and alcohol, volatile, not neutralifed by alkalies or acids.
f See Barton's colle&ions, Part I. p. Sfcl, 49. Part II. p. 29. Philadelphia Me-
dical and Phyfical Journal, Vol. IT. p. 84. Philadelphia Medical Mufetim, Vol. II.
p. 16a.
208
Materia Medica.
AS ARUM EUROPIUM.
As arum. Folici) L. D.
Afarahacca. The leaves.
Willd. g. 925. fp. 1. — Doclecandria Monogynia. — Nat. ord.
mentacea.
This is a perennial plant, which is a native of fome places of
England, although the dried roots are generally brought from the
Levant. It grows in moid and fhady fituations. It produces on-
ly two leaves, which are uniform and very obtufe. The root is
fibrous, of a grey-brown colour externally, but white within.
Both the roots and leaves have a naufeous, bitter, acrimonious,
hot tafte their fmell is ftrong, and not very difagreeable.
In its analyfis, it is faid by Neumann to agree with ipecacuanha,
but it feems to contain, befides its odorous principle, which is pro-
bably camphor, a portion of the fame acrid principle which has
been noticed when fpeaking of arum. Upon this its virtues
depend ; and as this principle is volatile, we find accordingly that
afarabacca lofes much of its activity by decoclion and long keep-
ing.
Given in fubftance from half a drachm to a drachm, it evacuates
powerfully both upwards and downwards. It is faid, that tinc-
tures made in fpiritous menftrua, poffefs both the emetic and
cathartic virtues of the plant : that the extract obtained by infpif-
fating thefe tinctures acts only by vomiting, and with great mild-
nefs : that an infufion in water proves cathartic, rarely emetic :
that aqueous decoctions made by long boiling, and the watery ex-
tract, have no purgative or emetic quality, but prove good diapho-
retics, diuretics, and emmenagogues.
The principal ufe of this plant among us is a fternutatory. The
root of afarum is perhaps the ftrongeft of all the vegetable errhines,
white hellebore itfelf not excepted. Snuffed up the nofe, in the
quantity of a grain or two, it occafions a large evacuation of mu-
cus, and raifes a plentiful fpitting. The leaves are confiderably
milder, and may be ufed to the quantity of three, four, or five
grains. Geoffroy relates, that after fnufling up a dofe of this er-
rhine at night, he has frequently obferved the difcharge from the
nofe to continue for three days together ; and that he has known
a paralyfis of the mouth and tongue cured by one dofe. He re-
commends this medicine in ftubborn diforders of the head, pro-
ceeding from vifcid tenacious matter, in palfics, and in foporiflc
diftempers.
Officinal Preparation.
Pulvis Asari Compooitus, E. L. D. - vide, Putvetr*.
A. Asarum. Asclepias, &c. 209
AS ARUM CANADENSE.
Wild-Ginger. Coltsfoot*
Doctor Barton fays both the root and leaves may be ufed.
The exprefled juice of the frefli leaves is a powerful emetic. The
leaves are errhine.*
ASCLEPIAS DECUMBENS.
Pleurify-root. Flux-root. Butterjly-iveed, Zsfc.
The root of this plant is cathartic, and has been much celebrated
in dyfentery, in doles of from 20 to t50 grains in powder, feveral
times a day. The powder has been found ufeful as an efcha-
rotic in retraining fungous flefh in ulcers. This plant is believed
by profeflbr Barton to be employed by the fouthern Indians in
cafes of venereal chancre.
The root is alfo faid to poflefs a remarkable power of affecting
the (kin, inducing general and plentiful perfpiration without much
increafing the heat of the body. It is much employed in Virginia,
in pleurify, &c. It is ufed both in powder and decoction, and
fometimes in combination with antimonials.f
Dr. Meafe mentions it as poflefling diuretic properties. :{:
ASSA FGETIDA. vide, Ferula.
ASTRAGALUS TRAGACANTHA. Gumrm. Ed.
Tragacantha Gummi. L. D.
Gum-Tragacanth.
Diadelphia Decandria. — Nat. ord. Papilionacea.
Tragacanth is opaque and white, not fweetifh, very fpar-
ingly foluble in water, but abforbing and forming a pafte with
a large quantity. Its folution is adhefive, but cannot be drawn
♦ Barton's Colleetions, Part I. page 26.
f Barton's Colle&ions.
\ Philadelphia Medical Mufeum, Vol. II. p. 161
Ee
210
Materia Medica.
out into threads. It moulds readily and acquires a fetid fmell.
It is precipitated by nitrate of mercury. It is infoluble in al-
cohol, and feems to contain more nitrogen and lime than gum
does.
Gum-Tragacanth is the produce of a very thorny fhrub,
which grows on the ifland of Candia, and other places in the Le-
vant.
About the end of June a fluid exudes from the (tern and larger
branches, which dries in the fun, and is collected by the (hepherds
on Mount Ida, from whence it is fent to Europe, under the title of
Tragacanth.
It confifts of whitifh femi-tranfparent vermiform pieces, fcarcely
a line in thicknefs, without tafte or fmell.
There is alfo a dirty yellow, or brownifli kind, which is not fit
for medical purpofes.
Tragacanth is difficultly pulverizable, unlefs when thoroughly
dried, and the mortar heated, or in froft. According to Neumann,
it gives nothing over in diftillation, either to water or alcohol :
alcohol diflblves only about 10 parts of 480, and water the whole.
Lewis, however, more accurately obferves, that it cannot be pro-
perly faid to be diflblved, for, put into water, it abforbs a large
proportion of that fluid, increafing immenfely in volume, and
forming with it a foft, but not fluid, mucilage ; and although it is
eafily diftufed through a larger proportion of water, after (landing
a day or two, the mucilage fubfides again, the fupernatant fluid
retaining little of the gum.
Befides thefe remarkable differences from gum-arabic in re-
gard to brittlenefs, infolubility, and the quantity of water which
it thickens; tragacanth is not precipitated by filicized potafs,-and
is precipitated by fulphate of copper and acetate of lead.
In pharmacy it is employed for forming powders into troches,
and rendering tough cohefive fubftances, fuch as colocynth, pul-
verizable by beating them with mucilage of tragacanth, and then
drying the mafs. For electuaries it is improper, as it renders
them flimy on keeping.
Officinal Preparations.
Pulvis Tragacanthse compositus, L. vide, Putvcres,
Cerussae compositus, L. - Idem.
Mucilago Astragali Trugacanthae, E. L. D. Mucilagincx.
Trochisci Glycyrrhizse, L. D. - Trochisci.
Nitri, L. - - - - Idem.
A. — • — Atropa Belladonna. 211
AT R OP A BELLADONNA. Folia. Ed.
Belladonna. Fclia. D.
Deadly tiightJJjade. The leaves.
Willd. g. 381. fp. 2.—Pcntandria Moncgyma.—Ki\t. ord. Scla-
nacea.
The deadly Nightfhade is a perennial plant, with an herbaceous
ftem, which is indigenous both in mountainous and woody fitua-
tions in Great Britain, and is often cultivated in gardens. The whole
plant is poifonous, and the berries, from their beautiful appear-
ance, have fometimes proved fatal to children. The fymptoms
excited, are, a drynefs of the mouth ; a trembling of the tongue ;
a very diftrefiing third ; a difficulty of fwallowing ; fruitlefs ef-
forts to vomit ; and great anxiety about the praecordia. Delirium
then comes on, with gnafhing of the teeth, and convulfions.
The pupil remains dilated, and is not fenfible even to the ftimulus
of light. The face becomes tumid, and of a dark red colour.
The jaws are frequently locked. Inflammation attacks the cefopha-
gus, Itomach, and interlines, fometimes extending to the mefen-
tery, lungs, and liver, accompanied with violent pains in the ab-
domen. The ftomach is very infenfible to ftimulus, and the pe-
riftaltic motion of the inteftines is deftroyed. General relaxation,
palfy, efpecially of the lower extremities, convulfions, vertigo,
blindnefs, coma, and death, fucceed. The body foon putrihes,
f wells, and becomes marked with livid fpots ; blood Hows from
the nofe, mouth, and ears, and the flench is infufferable. On
.direction, the blood is found to be fluid, the inteftines are inflat-
ed and inflamed, or eroded and gangrenous. The belt method of
■cure is to excite vomiting as foon as poflible, by emetics and tick-
ling the fauces ; to evacuate the bowels by purgatives and glyfters;
and to give, largely, vinegar, honey, milk, and oil. In fome
children who recovered by this treatment, the delirium was fuc-
ceeded by profound fopor, accompanied with fubfultus tendinum ;
the face and hands became pale and cold, and the pulfe fmall, hard
and quick. Their recovery was flow, and the blindnefs continued
a confiderable time, but at laft went off.
By diftillation in the vapour bath, Geoffroy procured from the
recent leaves a flightly acrid liquor, and the refiduum by deftruc-
tive diftillation yielded a fuitable quantity of carbonate of ammo-
nia.
Medical ufe. — Yet this virulent poifon, under proper manage-
ment, may become an excellent remedy. Befides a very remark-
able narcotic power, it pofTefles confiderable influence in promot-
212
Materia Medica.
ing all the excretions, particularly by fweat, urine, and it is alfo
laid by faliva ; but its exhibition requires the greateft caution ; for
it is apt, when continued for any length of time, even in finall
dofes, to caufe drynefs and tenfion of the throat and neighbouring
parts, vertigo, dimnefs of fight, and even temporary blindnefs.
When any of thefe fymptoms occur, its ufe muft be fufpended for
fome time, and afterwards refumed in fmaller dofes.
Deadly nightmade has been exhibited,
1 . In feveral febrile difeafes ; in obftinate intermittents ; and
in the plague.
2. In inflammations ; the gout.
3. In comatofe difeafes ; in palfy and lofs of fpeech from apo-
plexy.
4. In fpafmodic difeafes ; in chorea ; epilepfy ; chincough ;
hydrophobia ; melancholy, and mania.
5. In cachectic affections ; in dropfies and obftinate jaun-
dice.
6. In local difeafes ; in amaurofis ; in fchirrus, and cancer.
Deadly nightfhade is beft exhibited'in fubftance, beginning with
a very fmall dofe of the powdered leaves or root, fuch as the
fourth or eighth part of a grain for children, and one grain for
adults, to be repeated daily, and gradually increafed. In hydro-
phobia, Munch gave the powdered root every fecond morning, to
the extent of from one to five grains to children, and fourteen or
fifteen grains to adults.
The watery infufion is alfo a powerful remedy. One fcruple
of the dried leaves are infufed in ten ounces of warm water, and
ftrained after cooling. At firft, two ounces of this may be given
daily to adults, and gradually increafed, until the tenfion of the
throat fhews that it would be imprudent to go farther.
The watery extract: is not a judicious preparation.
Externally, the powdered leaves are applied as a narcotic to di-
minifh pain,' and to cancerous and ill-conditioned fores. From
its effect in permanently dilating the pupil, Profeffor Reimarus
propofed, and tried with fuccefs, the dropping a little of the infu-
fion into the eye, a few hours before performing the operation for
the cataract, with the view of facilitating the operation.
Officinal Preparation.
Succus spissatus Atropae Belladonna:, E. vide, Succus sfiis&ati.
A. Avena Sativa.
213
AVENA SATIVA. Semen. Ed.
Avena. Semen. L.
Oats. The feed.
Willd. g. 112. fp. 13. — Triandria Digynia. — Nat. ord. Gramma.
D. Haver. P. Area.
DA. Havre. R. Owe*.
F. Avoine. S. Avena.
G. Haber, lhif<r. SW. Bqfre.
I. VeTUiy Avena.
This is a well-known annual plant, which is very generally cul-
tivated in northern countries, and in many places furnifhes the
principal fubfiftence. When fimply freed from the hufks, this
grain gets the name of groats, but it is more frequently ground
into meal. Groats are made into broths. Oat-meal is baked with
fait and water into cakes, or with the fame additions, is boiled to
form porridge. An infufion of the hufks in water, allowed to re-
main till it become acidulous, is boiled down to a jelly, which is
called fowins. In all thefe forms it is nutritious, and eafy of di-
geftion.
Medical ufe. — Gruels or deco&ions, either of groats or oat-meal,
either plain or acidified, orfweetened, form an excellent drink in
febrile difeafes, diarrhoea, dyfentery, &c. and from their demul-
cent properties, prove ufeful in inflammatory diforders, coughs,
hoarfenefs, roughnefs, and exulcerations of the fauces. Porridge
is alfo frequently applied to phlegmonous fwellings, to promote
their fuppuration.
214
Materia Medica.
B.
BALSAMUM.-— -BALSAM.
D.
DA.
F.
G.
I.
Bahem.
Balsam .
Baume.
Balsam.
Balsamo.
BALSAMUM CANADENSE, vide,
BALSAMUM COPAIBA,
BALSAMUM PERUVIANUM,
BALSAMUM TOLUTANUM,
P. Bahamo.
POL. Balsam.
R. Balsam.
S. Balsamo.
S\V. Balsam.
Pinus Balfamea.
Copaifera officinalis.
Myroxylon peruiferum,
Toluifera balfamum.
BARYTA. BARYTA.
Baryta is obtained in fmall, grey, porous mafies, of tolerable
folidity ; its tafte is acrid, urinous, and pungent ; applied tc
the fkin, it proves cauftic, and it is deleterious when fwallowed
its fpecific gravity is 4. ; it is foluble in twenty times its weight
of cold water, and in twice its weight of boiling water ; depofit-
ing, on cooling, tranfparent, white, prifmatic cryftals wher
flaked, it boils up with violence, becomes very hot, increafes ir
bulk, and is changed into a fpongy white mafs. It changes ve-
getable blues to green : it is fufible ; it combines with all the acids;
fulphur, fulphuretted hydrogen, and phofphorus. It is the bafif
of fome of the heavy fpars.
CARBONAS BARYTAS. Ed.
Carbonate of Baryta.
Carbonated Baryta is rarely found in nature, and as it was
firft difcovered by Dr. Withering, Mr. Werner gave it the name
B. Baryta.
215
f Witheritc. Its colour is greyilh-white, fometimes inclining to
lilk-white, and fometimes with a flight tinge of yellow, from a
nixture of iron, feldom greenilh, often inverted with a red ochry
ruft. It is found in folid mafles, fometimes filling an entire vein,
ometimes interfperfed with fulphated baryta, frequently rounded
ir affecting that form, feldom cryftallized. Texture, fibrous ;
ra£ture, conchoidal ; fragments, long fplinters ; fpecific gravity,
'.3 to 4.338. Although it has no fenfible tafte, it is poifonous.
n medicine it is only ufed for preparing the muriate of baryta,
t is found at Anglefark in Lancafhire, at Alftoon-moor in Cum-
>erland, in Scotland, and in Sweden, but is not common.
According to different analyfes, its conftituents are,
Acid. Baryta. Water.
Withering, 20 -f 80
Pelletier, 22 + 62 -f 16
Kirwan, 22 -f 78
Fourcroy, 10 -f- 90
SULPHAS BARYTA.
Sulphate of Baryta. Ponderous Spar.
This fait has been omitted in the lift of the materia medica of
the Edinburgh college ; for they afterwards employ it for the pre-
paration of the muriate of baryta.
It is found in great abundance in many countries, either in a
loofe earthy form, or compact, or foliated, or ftriated, or acicular.
Die foliated is in general the pureft. Its fpecific gravity is from
iA to 4.865. It is infoluble in water. It is foluble in boiling
concentrated fulphuric acid. It decrepitates when fuddenly heat-
ed. By being formed into a thin cake with flour and water, and
seing afterwards heated to rednefs, it becomes phofphorefcent.
Heated to rednefs with charcoal, it is converted into a fulphuret,
and it may be decompofed either by boiling, or in a crucible, with
the carbonates of potafs and of foda. It contains about 84 of
baryta, and 16 fulphuric acid and water.
Officinal Preparation.
Murias Barytx, E.
216
Materia Meclica.
MURIAS BARYTiE. Ed.
Muriate of Baryta,
Take of
Sulphate of baryta, two pounds ;
Charcoal of wood, in powder, four ounces.
Roaft the fulphate with fire, that it maybe more eaiily reduced to
a very fine powder, with which the charcoal is to be intimately
mixed. Put the mixture into a crucible, and having fitted it
with a cover, heat it with a ftrong fire for fix hours. Then tri-
turate the matter well, and throw it into fix pounds of water in
an earthen or glafs vefTel, and mix them by agitation, prevent-
ing as much as polfible the a£tion of the air.
Let the vefTel ftand in a vapour bath until the part not diffolved
fhall fubfide, then pour off the liquor. On the undiffolved part
pour four pounds more of boiling water, which, after agitation
and depofition, are to be added to the former liquor. Into the
liquor, when Itill warm, or if it ihall have cooled, again heated,
drop muriatic acid as long as it excites any effervefcence. Then
ftrain it and evaporate it fo as to cryftallize. (E.)
Itf the materia medica of the Edinburgh college, the carbonate
of baryta is introduced, for the purpofe of forming the muriate ;
but as that mineral is not very common, and fometimes not to be
procured, it became neceffary to defcribe the manner of preparing
the muriate from the fulphate. This is, however, attended with
confiderable difficulties, on account of the very ftrong attrac-
tion which fubfifts between the fulphuric acid and baryta.
The fulphate of baryta may be decompofed,
1. By compound affinity; by means of carbonate of potafs
or muriate of lime.
Carbonate of potafs is capable of effecting this decompofition,
cither in the dry or humid way. Klaproth boils fixteen ounces of
iinely-powdered fulphate of baryta with 32 ounces of purified car-
bonate of potafs, and five pounds of water, for an hour in a tin
kettle, conftantly agitating the mixture, and renewing the water
as it evaporates. He then allows it to fettle, pours off the fluid,
which is a folution of fulphate of potafs, and edulcorates the pre-
cipitate with plenty of water. He next diffolves the carbonate of
baryta, which it contains, in muriatic acid. The portion of ful-
phate which is not decompofed, may be treated again in the fame
manner.
B. Baryta. Murias Barytas. 217
On the other hand, Van Mons mixes equal parts of fulphate of
baryta and carbonate of potafs with one-fourth of their weight of
charcoal all in powder, and heats the mixture to rcdnefa in a cru-
cible. When it cools he wafhes out the fuiphate and fulphuret of
potafs with water, then boils the refiduum with a little potafs, and
walhes it again. The carbonate of baryta thus obtained, he dif-
folves in muriatic acid.
But by thefe methods of decompofing the fulphate of baryta,
we do not get rid of the metallic iubttances which it often con-
tains, and which often render the muriate thus prepared unfit for
medical ufe. But the metalline muriates may be expelled, ac-
cording to Weftrumb, by heating the fait to rednefs as long as any
fumes arife. The pure muriate of baryta is then to be difiblved
in water and cry'rallized. Gottling, with the fame intention of
getting rid of metalline fubftances, choofes fu phate of baryta,
perfectly colourlefs, and treats it with muriatic or nitro-muriatic
acid before he proceeds to decompofe it.
La Grange has propofed a new method of decompofing the ful-
phate of baryta, by means of muriate of lime, which he prepares
from the refiduum of the decompofition of muriate of ammonia
by lime, by diflblving it in a fmall quantity of hot water, and eva-
porating it to drynefs. He mixes equal parts of this muriate with
fulphate of baryta in powder, and projects it by fpoonfuls into a
crucible previoully heated to rednefs. When it is all in complete
fuuon, he pours it out upon a polifhed llone previoully heated.
The matter, which cracks as it cools, has a whitifh-grey colour,
is very hard, fonorous, and deliquefcent ; is now to be boiled in
about fix times its weight of diftilled water, its folution filter-
ed, and the refiduum boiled in a fmaller quantity of water. The
mixed folutions are then evaporated to a pellicle, and on cooling
furnifh beautiful cryftals of muriate of baryta, which are to be
warned with cold water, and purified by a fecond folution and cry-
ftallization. The mother water of the firft cryftallization {till con-
tains muriate of baryta, which may be feparated from the muriate
of lime, with which it is mixed, by repeated folutions and cry-
stallizations. La Grange thinks that this procefs not only faves
time, fuel, and muriatic acid, but that it furnifhes a purer muri-
ate of baryta than the following procefs.
2. By decompofing its acid j by means of charcoal.
The acid of the fulphate of baryta is decompofed at a very high
:emperature by charcoal. At fuch a temperature charcoal has a
greater affinity for oxygen than fulphur has it therefore decom-
xnes fulphuric acid, by depriving it of its oxygen, and flies off in
he ftate of carbonic oxide or acid gas, w hile the fulphur combines
F f
218 Materia Meclica.
with the baryta. On adding water to the fulphuret thus formed,
new combinations take place. A portion of fulphate of baryta is
regenerated, while hydroguretted fulphuret, and fulphuretted hy-
droguret of baryta remain in folution. This folution is exceed-
ingly prone to decompofition, and muft therefore be preferved
from the action of the air as much as poflible. It alfo cryftalli-
zes by cooling, and therefore mould be kept at a boiling heat.
On the addition of muriatic acid, there is a violent efFervefcence
and difengagement of fulphuretted hydrogen gas, which muft be
avoided as much as poflible, by performing the operation under a
chimney, while very pure muriate of baryta remains in folution.
When prepared in this way, it cannot be contaminated with any
of the noxious metals, as their compounds with fulphur and hy-
drogen are not foluble. On this account, therefore, it is the pro-
cefs adopted by the Edinburgh college.
Muriate of baryta commonly cryftallizes in tables. It has a
difagreeable bitter tafte ; is foluble in five parts of water at 60°,
and in lefs boiling water. It is fcarcely foluble in alcohol ; and its
folution burns with a yellow flame. It cryftallizes by evapora-
tion : its cryftals are permanent ; and by the action of heat de-
crepitate, dry, and melt. When cryftallized, it contains 20 acid,
64- baryta, and 16 water ; when dried, 23.8 acid, and 76.2 baryta.
It is decompofed by the fulphates, nitrates, and fulphites ; and
by the alkaKne phofphates, borates, and carbonates. When pure
it has no colour ; does not deliquefce ; does not burn with a red
or purple flame when diflblved in alcohol ; and is not precipitat-
ed by gallic acid, prufliate of potafs and iron, or hydro-fulphuret
of ammonia. By warning with alcohol muriate of baryta, ren-
dered impure by the prefence of muriate of iron, the latter alone
is diffolved. — It is commonly given in folution.
SOLUTIO MURIATIS BARYTA. Ed.
Solution of Muriate of Baryta.
Take of ,
Muriate of baryta, one part ;
Diftilled water, three parts. Diflblve. (E.)
The proportion of water directed here for the folution of mu
riatc of baryta, is confiderably lefs than what is ftated to be ne-
cetfary by the writers on chemiftry. It is however fuflicient
even at the loweft ordinary temperatures ; a circumftance whicl
fhould be attended to in making faturated folutions of falin<
bodies.
B. Baryta. Berberis. 219
Medical ufe. — Muriate of baryta is generally faid by writers on
the materia medica to be a Jtimulant deobftrutnt j and yet Hufe-
land, one of its greatell fupporters, fays, that it fucceeds better
in cafes attended with inflammation and increafed irritability than
with atony and torpor. When given in large dofes, it certainly
produces naufea, vomiting, diarrhoea, vertigo, and death.
Its effects on a morbid ltate of the body are alfo difputed. Some
aflert that it is of advantage in no difeaie ; while others bellow
upon it the molt unqualified prailes. By the latter, it is princi-
pally celebrated,
1. In all cafes of fcrofula.
2. In obftructions and tumors.
3. In cafes of worms.
4. In cutaneous difeafes.
The dofe of the folution at firft, is live or ten drops twice or
thrice a-day, to be gradually and cautioufly increafed to as much
as the patient can bear.
The folution is alfo ufed externally as a ftimulating and gently-
cfcharotic application in cutaneous difeafes, fungous ulcers, and
fpecks upon the cornea.
BENZOE. Vide, Styrax Benzoin.
BERBERIS VULGARIS. Berberis. FruBus. D.
Barberry. The fruit*
Willd. g. 677. fp. 1. — Hexandria Motwgytiia. — Nat. ord. Trihilate*
The barberry is a fmall tree, or rather a large bufh, covered
with an am -coloured bark, under which is contained another of a
deep yellow : the berries are of an elegant red colour, and con-
tain each two hard brown feeds. It grows wild on chalky hills in
feveral parts of England ; and is frequently planted in hedges and
in gardens.
The outward bark of the branches and the leaves have an aftrin-
gent acid tafte : the inner yellow bark a bitter one. This lalt is
faid to be ferviceable in the jaundice ; and by fome to be an ufeful
purgative.
The berries contain a very acid red juice, which confifts chiefly
of malic acid. This juice forms an ufeful and pleafant addition to
antiphlogiftic drinks, in fluxes and in malignant fevers, for abating
heat, quenching thirft, raifing the llrength, and preventing pu-
trefadion. They alfo form a very elegant fyrup or preferve,
which may be employed with advantage in the fame difeafes.
220
Materia Meclica.
BETULA ALBA. Succus. D.
The birch tree. The juke.
Monoecia Teirandria. — Nat. ore!. Amer.tacez.
This tree grows wild in moft woods : its bark is allringent.
Upon deepiy wounding or boring the trunk of the tree in the
beginning of ipring, a fweetilh juice iffues forth, fometimes, it is
faid, in fo large a quantity, as to equal in weight, the whole tree
and root : one branch will bleed a gallon or more in a day This
juice is chiefly recommended in fcorbutic and fimilar diforders :
its molt fenfible effect, is to promote the urinary difcharge.
BITUMEN PETROLEUM, Ed.
Petroleum Barbadense. Refma. D.
Petroleum. L.
Rock oil. Barbadoes tar.
D. Steenbii. t Pctrdeo.
DA. Steen Ije. POL. Skaiiiey oley.
F. Pet role. R. Kami rmoe matslo.
G. Stditid!. SW. Stenclja.
Bitumen is now employed as the generic name for feveral in-
flammable bodies of different degrees of confiftency, from perfect
fluidity to that of a brittle but very fufible lolid, and of little fpe-
ciric gravity. They are infoluble in alcohol or in water, combine
with eilential oils and fulphur, decompofe only a fmall proportion
of nitrate of potafs by deflagration, and on inflammation leave
little cr no refuluum.
Sp. 1. Naphtha. It is nearly as colourlefs, tranfparent, and
fluid as water. Specific gravity 0.729 to 0.84*7, of a highly pe-
netrating, yet not difagreeable fmeil, fomewhat like that of rec-
tified oil of amber, very volatile, and remaining fluid at 0° Fah-
renheit.
Sp. 2. Petroleum. Not fo fluid, tranfparent, or colourlefs,
as the former ; fmeil lefs plealant. Specific gravity 0.878.
Sp. 8. Mineral Tar. Vifcid ; of a dark colour : fmell fome-
times ftronxa but often faint Specific gravity 1.1.
Sp. 4. Mineral Pitch ; maltha. Brittle in cold weather;
of a dark colour ; opaque. Specific gravity probably 1.07.
B. Bitumen.
221
Sp. 5. Asphaltum. Very brittle ; fracture conchoidal; glaffy
luftre ; no fmell, unlefs when melted or heated. Specific gravity
1.07 to 1.65. Fufible and inflammable.
According to Mr. Kirwan and Mr. Hatchett, the firft fpecies,
by expofure to the air, and gradual decompofition, paffes fuccef-
fively through the intermediate itates, till at laft it is converted in-
to aiphaltum. When partially decomposed, the remaining naph-
tha may be Separated by diilillation from the fuperabur.dant char-
coal.
From the different pharmacopoeias having been pubiifhed before
the Specific characters were properly ascertained, there is fome
confufion with regard to the fpecies which is ofBcinr.l. The Lon-
don college name the fecond, and the Dublin co! cge the third ;
but the latter err greatly in calling it a refin ; while the Edinburgh
college incorrecl'y give petroleum Barbadenfe, which belongs to
the third fpecies, as a fynonime of bitumen petroleum, which is
the fecond. The firit fpecies is found abundantly in Perfia but
what we receive comes from the dutchy of Modena in Italy. It
is very rarely met with in the fhops ; the fecond, mixed with a
little of the third, and fome fubtile oil, is ufually Sent us inftead
of it.
Medical life. — Petroleum is at prefent very rarely employed as a
medicine, though if the finer kinds could be procured genuine,
they feem to deferve fome notice : they are more agreeable than
the oil of amber, and milder than that of turpentine ; of the vir-
tues of both of which they participate. They are principallv re-
commended by authors for external purpofes, againft pains and
aches, in paralytic complaints, and for preventing • hilblains. For
thefc intentions, fome of the more common mineral oils have been
made ufe of with good fuccefs ; an oil extracted from a kind of
ftone-coal has been extolled among the common people, under the
name of Britifh oil, for rheumatic pains, &c. ; even this is often
counterfeited b) a fmall portion of oil of amber added to the com-
mon expreffed oils.
The Barbadoes tar is found in feveral cf the Weft India iflands,
where it is eiteemed by the inhabitants of great fervice as a fudo-
rific, and in difordersof the breaft and lungs *, though in cafes of
this kind, attended with inflammation, it is certainly improper ;
they likewife apply it externally as a difcutient, and for prevent-
ing paralytic diforders.
Officixal Preparations.
Oleum Petrolei, L. x ids, Olea volat. emfi\ reumatica.
Petroleum Sulphuratum, - OUa firaparaia.
222
Materia Medica.
BOLETUS IGNIARIUS. Ed.
Agaricus Chirurgorum. Off.
Female agaric, or agaric of the oak, called, from its being very eafly in-
flammable, Touchwoody or Spunk.
Cryptogamia Fungi. — Nat. ord. Fungi.
Y. Agaric. G. Larchenschwamm.
This fungus is frequently met with, on different kinds of trees,
in Britain, efpecially the cherry and the plumb ; and is faid to have
been fometimes brought into the (hops mixed with the true agaric
of the larch : from this it is eafily diftinguifhable by its greater
weight, duflcy colour, and mucilaginous tafte void of bitternefs.
The medullary part of this fungus, beaten foft, and applied exter-
nally, has been much celebrated as a ftyptic ; and faid to reftrain
not only venal but arterial hemorrhagies, without the ufe of liga-
tures- It does not appear, however, to have any real ftyptic
power, or to acl any otherwife than dry lint, fponge, or other foft
fungous applications. It is beft when gathered in Auguft or Sep-
tember.
BOLUS GALLICUS. L.
French bole.
Boles are earthy aggregates, confifting chiefly of filiceous and
argillaceous earths. They are lefs coherent and more friable than
pure clay, more eafily diffufed through water, and more freely fub-
fiding from it. They feel greafy to the touch, adhere flightly to
the tongue, and break down in the mouth, imprefling a flight fenfe
of aftringency. A great variety of thefe fubftances were formerly
ufed in medicine, but the French bole alone is now retained in the
London pharmacopoeia. It is of a pale red colour, variegated with
irregular fpecks or veins of white and yellow.
Thefe earths have been recommended as aftringent, fudorific,
and alexipharmic; and they have been ufed in diarrhoeas, dyfen-
teries, hemorrhagies, and in malignant and peftilential diftempers.
In inteftinal fluxes and complaints in the firft pafTages, from thin
acrimonious humours, they may doubtlefs be of fome ufe : but
the virtues afcribed to them in the other cafes appear to have no
foundation.
B. Bryonia, he.
223
BORAX, vide, Sub-boras Soda,
BRYONIA ALBA. Bryonia. Radix. D.
(B. dioica, Jacquitiy Withering. J
Bryony wild vine. The root.
Jlionoecia Syngencfia. — Nat. ord. Cucurbit ace*.
This is an indigenous perennial plant, growing on dry banks,
under hedges, and climbing upon the bufhes. The roots are large,
fometimes as thick as a man's thigh ; their fmell, when frefh, is
ftrong and difagreeable ; the tafle naufeoufly bitter, acrid, and
biting ; the juice is fo (harp as in a little time to excoriate the (kin :
in drying they lofe great part of their acrimony, and almoft the
whole of their fmell.
Neumann obtained by expreflion from a pound of the frefh root
nearly fix ounces of juice, retaining a great deal of the naufeous
fmell and tafte of the root, and depofiting, on Handing, a white
powdery amylaceous matter, (Fecula bryonise) recommended as a
milder purgative than the root. 960 parts of the dry root yield-
ed to water 606, and afterwards to alcohol 23. Alcohol, when
applied firfl, extracted 170, and water afterwards 250.
Medical ufe. — Bryony root is a ftrong irritating cathartic ; and
as fuch has fometimes been fuccefsfully exhibited in maniacal cafes,
in fome kinds of dropfies, and in feveral chronic diforders. An
extraft prepared by water acls more mildly, and with greater fafe-
ty, than the root in fubftance ; given from half a drachm to a
drachm, it is faid to prove a gentle purgative, and likewife to ope-
rate powerfully by urine. The frefh root, applied externally, is
faid to be a powerful difcutient in cedematous fvvellings.
BUBON GALBANUM, Gummi-refina. Ed.
Galbanum. Gummi-refina. L. D.
Galbanum. A gum-refin.
Willd. g. 546. fp. 2.—Pentandria Digynia. — Nat. ord. Umbel lata.
This plant is perennial, and grows in Africa. It abounds with
a milky juice, which fometimes exudes from the joints of the old
plants, but is more frequently obtained by cutting them acrofs fome
224
Materia Medica.
inches above the root. The juice which flows from the wound
foon hardens, and is the galbanum which is brought to us from
Syria and the Levant.
The beft fort of galbanum confifts of pale-coloured pieces, about
the fize of a hazel nut, which, on being broken, appear to be
compofed of clear white tears, of a bitterifh acrid tafte, and a
ftrong peculiar fmell. But it mod commonly occurs in aggluti-
nated maffes, compofed of yellowidi or reddifh and clear white
tears, which may be eafily torn afunder, mixed with feeds and
leaves, of the confidence of firm wax, foftening by heat, and be-
coming brittle by cold. What is mixed with fand, earth, and
other impurities, and is of a brown or hlackifh colour, interfperf-
ed with no white grains, of a weak fmell, and of a confidence
always foft, is bad.
Galbanum is almoft entirely foluble in water, but the folution
is milky ; neither do wine nor vinegar diffblve it perfectly. Alco-
hol, according to Hagen, has very iitt'e action upon it. It is not
fufible ; but furniihes a confiderable proportion of effential oil
when diftilled with water. Neumann obtained by diftillation with
water fix. drachms of oil, befides what was diflblved in the water.
The watery extract amounted to about three ounces. It had fome-
what of a naufeous reiifh, but could not have been recognized as
a preparation of galbanum. From the fame quantity alcohol ex-
tracted upwards of nine ounces and a half of a hard brittle infipid
inodorous fubftance (refin?)
Medical ufe. — Galbanum agrees in virtue with gum ammonia-
cum ; but is generally accounted lefs proper in afthmas, and more
fo in hyfterical complaints. It is exhibited in the form of pills or
emulfion, to the extent of about a drachm. Applied externally,
it is fuppofed to refolve and difcufs tumours, and to promote fup-
puration.
Officinal Preparations.
Galbanum purincatum, - vide, Ammonuicuin fiurijicatim*
Pilulse galbani composite, I,. - Pilule.
assse fcetidse composite E. - idem.
Tinctura galbani, L. - Tincturtt.
Emplastrum picis bm'iiunciiceC, D. - Uuguenta.
assse fcetidx, E* - Idem.
gummosuoij E. - Idem.
lithargyri compositum, L. Idem.
C. Calomelas. Calx. 225
C.
CALOMELAS. Vide, Hydrargyrum
CALX. LIME.
CALX. L.
Calx Viva. Ed. Calx recens usta. D.
Quicklime recently burnt.
a. Ex lapide calcareo.
b. Ex teftis conchyliorum.
Lime is a fimple fubftance, and is obtained in the form of a grey
ftone, or in fragments more or lefs pulverulent and white •, warm,
acrid, and urinous to the tafte ; reddening the fkin when applied
to it for any time ; fpecific gravity 2.33. It is foluble in 450 times
its weight of water, and has a ftrong attraction for it. If about
half its weight of water be thrown upon frefh burnt lime, it is ab-
forbed rapidly, with the extrication of confiderable heat and Ileum,
and fome phoiphorefcent light ; at the fame time the lime crumbles
down into a very fine, white, dry powder, augmented much in
bulk, but lefs ca lftic than before. It is alfo fomewhat increaied
in weight by the prefence of pare of the water, which has become
folidified •, and to the caloric of fluidity, which is expelled during
the converfion of the water into a folid, the great increafe of tem-
perature is owing. Lime in this ftate is faid to be flaked, but it
does not renew thefe phenomena on a further addition of water ;
but if the water amount to 700 times the weight of the lime, the
lime is completely diflblved, and this folution is termed Lime-
water. Lime is apyrous ; it changes vegetable blues to green ;
it combines with all the acids, fulphur, iulphuretted hydrogen,
and phofphorus *, it is very abundant in the mineral kingdom, and
forms the bafes of animal bones and fhelis. The calcareous fpars,
marble, limeltone, chalk, and marl, confift chieflv of lime.
Gg
226
Materia Medica.
Lime is fcarcely found in nature uncombined, but is eafily pre-
pared from any of its carbonates, either mineral or animal, by
the a^Hoti of fire, which firft expels the water, and then deitroys
any animal matters which may be prefent, and, lalliy, expels the
carbonic acid. This procefs is improperly termed the burning of
lime. The prod ucr. is lime, or, as it is commonly called, quick-
lime.
As lime quickly attracts moifkire and carbonic acid from the
atmofphere, it ihou d be always recently prepared ; and when
kept, it thould be preferved in very dole bottles. Lime mould not
effervefce with acids, and mould be entirely ioluble in water.
Medical ufe. — On the living body lime acl:s as an efcharotic, and
as fuch it was formerly applied to ii '-conditioned and ob inate
fores. DiiTolved in water, it is fometimes given internally as a
tonic or a'lringent in fcrofula and various fluxes, and formerly
it enjoyed confiderable reputation as a lithontriptic.
Officinal Preparations.
vide,
Potassa.
Ammonia.
AOUA CALCIS. Ed. L. D.
Lime-W attr.
Take of
Frefh-burnt lime, half a pound ;
Put it into an earthen vefle;, and gradually fprinkle on it four
ounces of water, keeping the veflei fhut, while the lime grows
hot, and fabs into powder. Then pour on it twelve pounds of
water, and mix the lime thoroughly with the water by agitation.
After the lime has fubfided, repeat the agitation •, and let this
be done about ten times, always keeping the vellel fhut, that
the free accefs of the air may be prevented. Laftly, let the wa-
ter be filtered through paper, placed in a funnel, with glafs
ro ■ s interpofed between them, that the water may pafs as quick-
ly as polfib e. It mull be kept in very cloie bottles. (E.)
We have already had occafion to fpeak of the properties of lime,
and fhall therefore now confine our remarks to the folution of it
Aqua calcis, E. L. D.
Aqua potassae, E L. D.
ammonias, E. L. D.
C. Calx. Aqua Calcis.
227
in water, commonly called Lime-water. In making this, we
(tumid hrft add only, lb much water as is fufficient to flake the
lime, which reduces it to a fine powder, eafily ditfufed through
water; for if we add riore water at firli, it forms a pafte with the
external part of the lime, and defends the internal from the action
of the water. During the whole procefs, the air muft be exclud-
ed as much as poflible ; as lime has a very ftrong athnity for car-
bonic acid, and attracts it from the atmofphere. The proportion
of water ufed is fcarcely able to dillo ve one-tenth of the lime ; but
lime is of little value ; and our object is to form a faturated folu-
tion quickly and eafily. Lime is not more folubie in hot water
than in cold ; therefore it is unnecefiary to ufe boiling water. The
London college decant their folution from the undiilblved lime ;
but in this way we are not fo fure of a perfeclly-tranfparent folu-
tion as by filtration ; and if we ufe the precautions directed by the
other colleges, it may be performed without the lime abforbing a
perceptible quantity of carbonic acid. The bottles in which lime-
water is kept, ihouid be perfectly full, and well corked.
Lime-water is tranfparent and co.ourlefb. It has an auftere
acrid talte, and affects vegetable colours as the alkalies do. It
enters very readily into combination with all the acids, fulphur,
and phofphorus ; and decompofes the alkaline carbonates, phof-
phates, filiates, borates, oxalates, tartrates, an 1 citrates.
Medical ufe. — When applied to the living fibre, lime-water cor-
rugates and fhortens it ; it therefore poflefies altringent powers.
It isalfo a powerful antacid, or at leaft it combines with, and neu-
tralizes acids when it comes in conta t with them, It alfo diflblves
mucus, and ki Is inteftinal worms. From pofTelTing thefe proper-
ties, it is ufed in medicine, in difeafes fuppofed to arife from lax-
ity and debility of the folids, as diarrhoea, diabetes, leucorrhcea,
fcrofula, and fcurvy \ in affections of the ftomach accompanied
with acidity and flatulence ; when the inteltines are loade 1 with
mucus ; and in worms. Lime-water is fcarcely capable of diffolv-
ing, even out of the body, any of the fublrances of which urinary
calculi con (i It ; it has therefore no pretentions to the character of
a lithontriptic. It has been alio recommended in crufta laftea, in
cancer, and in chronic cutaneous difeafes. Externally, it is ap-
plied to ill-conditioned ulcers, gangrenous fores ; as a wafh in
tinea capitis and pfora ; and as an injection in gonorrhoea, filtulas,
and ulcers of the bladder.
When taken internally, its tafte is faid to be belt covered by
lukewarm milk. Its dole is commonly from two to four ounces,
228
Materia Medic a.
frequently repeated •, but when long continued it weakens the or-
gans of digeftion.
Officinal Preparations.
Liquor cupri ammoniati, L. D. - ride, Cu/irum.
Oleum lini cum cake, E. - Olca prajiarata.
CARBONAS CALCIS. Ed.
Creta. L. D.
Carbonated lime. Chalk.
This is the mod common of all minerals, is found under a
great variety of forms, and has various names, as chalk, lime-
ftone, marble, fpar. In form it is either amorphous, flala&ical, or
cryftallized. "When amorphous, its texture is either foliated, ftri-
ated, granular, or earthy. The primitive form of its cryftals is a
rhomboidal parallelopiped. Hardnefs, luftre, and tranfparency,
various ; when tranfparent, it caufes double refraction ; fpecific
gravity from 2.315 to 2.78; colour, when pure, white; effer-
vefces violently with muriatic acid, and diflblves entirely or near-
ly fo in it, forming a colourlefs folution.
Its different varieties may be arranged under,
1. Soft carbonate of lime. Chalk.
2. Indurated carbonate of lime. Marble.
They contain about 45 parts of carbonic acid, and 55 of lime.
In medicine it is given to correct acidity in the prima? viae,
efpecially when accompanied with loofenefs. Powdered chalk has
been externally applied with fuccefs to fcalds and burns.
In pharmacy it is employed for the preparation of carbonic acid
gas, and of the muriate of lime.
Officinal Preparations.
Aqua aeris fixi, D. - vide,
super-carbonatis potassae, E. D. - Potassa.
Carbonas ammoniae, E. L. D. - - Ammonia.
Aqua super-carbonatis ammoniae, E. L. D. Idem.
Carbonas calcis praeparatus, E. L. D.
Solutio muriatis calcis, E.
Potio carbonatis calcis, E. L. D. - Mixture.
Trochisci carbonatis calcis, E. L. * Troc/iisci.
C. Calx. Aqua Aeris fixi. 229
AQUA AERIS FIXI. D.
Water impregnated with Fixed Air.
Take of
White marble in powder, three ounces ;
Diluted fulphuric acid and water, of each, a pound and a half.
Mix them gradually in a Nooth's apparatus, and let the air evolv-
ed pafs through fix pounds of pure fpring water, placed in the
upper part of the apparatus •, and let agitation be occafionally
employed until the water (hall have acquired a fub-acid tafte. (D.)
Carbonic acid may be feparated from carbonate of lime
a. By the action of heat alone.
b, By an acid having a fuperior affinity for the lime.
In the former way the carbonic acid is perfectly pure, in the latter
it carries over a little of the itronger acid, which gives a flight de-
gree of pungency.
In this procefs the carbonic acid is feparated from the carbonate
of lime by the fuperior affinity of fulphuric acid. As it is difen-
gaged, it aflumes a gafcous form, and would be diffipated in the
atmofphere, if it were not made to pafs through water, which, at
a medium temperature, is capable of abforbing about an equal
bulk of this gas, and, by the affiftance of prefiure, a much greater
proportion.
Various contrivances have been made for this purpofe. Of thefe
the mod eafily managed, and mod convenient for general ufe, is
the apparatus of .Nooth and, for larger quantities, that of Woulfe,
or fome modification of it. By. the proper application of pref-
fure, M. Paul of Geneva, now of London, is able to impregnate
water with no lefs than fix times its bulk of carbonic acid gas.
Medical ufe. — Water impregnated with carbonic acid, fparkles
in the glafs, has a pleafant acidulous tafte, and forms an excellent
beverage. It diminiffies thirft, lelTens the morbid heat of the body,
and ads as a powerful diuretic. It is alfo an excellent remedy in
increafed irritability of the ftomach, as in advanced pregnancy ;
and it is one of the beft anti-emetics which we pofTefs.
230
Materia Medica.
CARBONAS CALCIS PR^EPARATUS. Ed.
Olim; Creta Pp^parata, et Cancrorum Lapilli ; vulgo,
Oculi Cancrorum Pr^parati.
Prepared Carbonate of Lime ; formerly Prepared Chalky and Grnbs
Stones, commonly called Crabs Eyes.
Carbonate of lime, whether the fofter variety commonly called
Chalk, or the harder variety called Crabs Eyes and Crabs Stones,
after having been triturated to powder in an iron mortar, and
levigated on a porphyry ftone with a little water, is to be put
into a large veflel, and water to be poured upon it, which after
agitating the veflel. repeatedly is to be again poured off, while
loaded with minute powder. On allowing the water to fettle,
a fubtile powder will fubfide, which is to be dried.
The coarfe powder which the water could not fufpend, may be le-
vigated again and treated in the fame manner. (E.)
In this manner are to be prepared,
Chalk — Coral — Crabs claws, fir ft broken into fmall pieces,
and warned with boiling water.
Oyfter-fhells and egg-fhells, firft cleaned from impurities,
And alfo amber, antimony, calamine, tutty, and verdegris.
The preparation of thefe fubftances merely confifts in reducing
them to an impalpable powder. The folution of potafs is ufed by
the Dublin college to diffolve the animal matter contained in the
different fhells \ which is apt to keep the carbonate of lime too long
fufpended, and to give it a bad fme j if not quickly dried. But
thefe inconveniences are totally avoided by ufing chalk, which, as
a medicine, is not inferior to the coftly coral.
Medical ufe. — Carbonate of lime is commonly called an abforb-
ent earth. It certainly is an antacid ; that is, it combines with
and neutralizes molt acids, while its carbonic acid is expelled in
the form of gas. It is therefore exhibited in affections of the llo-
mach accompanied with acidity, efpeciaily whe i at the fame rime
there is a tendency to diarrhoea. The fear of its forming concre
tions in the bowels, is probably imaginary \ for it is not warrant-
ed either by theory or experience.
Applied externally, carbonate of lime maybe confidered as ar
abforbent in another point of view j for its beneficial aclion or
burns and ulcers, probably arifes entirely from its imbibing tht
C. Calx. Solutio Muriatis Calcis. 231
noifture or ichorous matter, as a fpunge would do, and thus prc-
/enting it from acting on the abraded furfaces, and excoriating the
reighbouring parts.
Officinal Preparations.
Hydrargyrum cum crcta, L. - - vide, Hydrargyrum.
Pub is carbonatis calcis compositus, E. L. Pulvcra.
opiatus, E. Idem.
Trochisci carbonatis calcis, E. L. - TrochUci,
SOLUTIO MURIATIS CALCIS. Ed.
Solution ef Muriate of Lime.
Take of
Pure carbonate of lime, that is, white marble, broken into pieces,
nine ounces ;
Muriatic aci ', fixteen ounces j
Water, eight ounces.
Mix the acid with the water, and gradually add the pieces of car-
bonate of lime. When the effervefcence has ceafed, digelt them
for an hour, pour off" the liquor, and evaporate it to drynefs.
DifTolve the refi iuum in its weight and a half of water, and
laltly, filter the folution. (E.)
From the difficulty of cryftallizing this fait, it is directed to be
evaporated to the total expulfion of its water of cryftallization, as
Deing the furelt way of obtaining a folution of it of uniform
ftrength.
Its cryftals are prifms of fix fmooth and equal fides, but they are
}ften fo aggregated, that they can only be termed acicular Its
.afte is pungent, bitter, and difagreeable. When heated, it melts,
.wells, and lofes its water of cryftallization, and at a very high
:emperature a fir all part of its acid. It is one of the molt deli-
quescent falts that we kr.ow, and is fo foluMe in water, that that
Juid feems capable of difiblving twice its weight, or at lealt forms
A'ith it a vifcid liquid ; but as it is Qfll capable of attracting moif-
:ure from the air, and of emitting caloric when farther diluted, it
:an fcarcely be confidered as a true folution. It is foluble in alco-
iol, and its folution burns with a crimfon flame. It is decompofed
)y the fulphuric, nitric, phofphoric, fluoric and boracic acids ; by
>aryta, potafs, foda, and ftrontia •, by mod of the fulphates, ful-
>hites, nitrates, phofphates, fluates, borates, and the alkaline car-
232
Materia Medica.
bonates. Cryftallized, it contains 31 acid, 44 lime, and 25 water ;
dried at a red heat, 42 acid, 50 lime, and 8 water.
Medical ufe. — It was firft propofed as a medicine by Fourcroy,
in fcrofulous and glandular difeafes, and has been lately extolled
(very undefervedly) by Dr. Beddoes in the fame affections. A
drachm diluted with an ounce of water he considers as a medium
dofe. In an overdofe it has produced qualms and ficknefs \ and
three drachms and a half killed a dog, the ftomach of which, upon
diffe&ion, had its villous coat bloodlhot, and in many parts almoft
black and converted into a gelatinous flime. The property of this
fait, of producing intenfe cold during its folution, might alfo be ap-
plied to medical ufe. For this purpofe, it might be economically
prepared, by faturating with muriatic acid the refiduum of the dis-
tillation of ammonia or of carbonate of ammonia.
CAMPHORA. Vide, Lauras Camphora.
CANCER.
The Crab. A genus of crujlaceous infctls.
Chela. L. Calculi oculi dicli ; Chela. D.
CANCER ASTACUS. Lapilli. Ed.
The craw-fijlj. Crabs fonesy vulgarly called Crabs eyes.
Crabs {tones are generally about the fizeof peas, or larger-, of
a fpherical Ihape, but a little flatted on one fide ; of a white co-
lour ; but fometimes with a reddifh or bluifh caft, and internally
of a laminated ftrufture.
Thefe concretions are found in the ftomach, one on each fide,
at the time when the crab changes its {hell, and alfo renews the
inner membrane of the ftomach, which commonly happens in the
month of Auguft. They afterwards gradually difappear, and no
Itones are found after the new {hell has acquired its full degree of
firmnefs. They therefore feem to furnifh the materials for the in-
duration of the new {hell. They are brought in great numbers
from Poland and Rullia, efpecially from the province of Aftracan,
where the craw-fifh are either bruifed with wooden mallets, or
laid up in heaps to putrefy, when the flelli is warned away with
water, and the Hones picked out.
They confift of carbonate of lime, combined with a little phof-
phate of lime and gelatine. The quantity of the two lafl is too
C. Cancer.
233
fVnall, and their a&ion on the living body too inconfiderable to
make any confulerable difference in medical properties, between
thefe concretions and foft carbonate of lime, as it occurs in the mi-
neral kingdom.
Crabs ftones are faid by mod writers on the materia medica to
be frequently counterfeited with tobacco-pipe clay, or compofi-
tionsof chalk with mucilaginous fubftances. This piece of fraud,
if really praclifed, may be very eafdy discovered ; the counter-
feits wanting the leafy texture which is obferved upon breaking
the genuine; more readily imbibing water; adhering to the tongue;
and difTolving in vinegar, or the ftronger acids, diluted with water,
either entirely, or not at all, or by piecemeal ; whilfl: the true crabs
ftones, digefted in thefe liquors, become foft and tranfparent, their
original form remaining the fame, as the organization of the gela-
tine is not altered by the acid."
Officinal Preparation.
Cancrorum lapilli praeparati, E. vide, Carbonas ca/cis fircejmralus.
CANCER PAGURUS. CheU. Ed.
The black-claived crab. The c/aws.
This fpecies of crab inhabits the fea, and is found efpecially in
the North fea. Its claws are yellow, tipt with black, and in every
refpecl: they refemble the former article.
Officinal Preparations.
Cancrorum chelae praeparatse, L. D. vide, Carbonas calcis firaparatus.
Trochisci crctac, L. - - Trochisci.
Pulvis chelaruin cancri compositus, L. Pulveres.
Hh
Materia Medic a.
CANELLA ALBA. Cortex. Ed. L.
WlNTERANIA CANELLA. D.
Canella alba. The bark.
Willd. g. 942. fp. 1. — Dodeca?idria Monogyma. — Nat. ord. Ole-
racea.
The Canella alba, or, as the Dublin college name it, the Win-
terania canella, is a tall tree, which is very common in Jamaica,
and other Weft-India illands.
The canella is the interior bark, freed from an outward thin
rough one, and dried in the made. The (hops diftinguifh two
forts of canella, differing from each other in the length and thick-
nefs of the quills : they are both the bark of the fame tree, the
thicker being taken from the trunk, and the thinner from the
branches.
It is brought to us rolled up in long quills, thicker than cinna-
mon, and both outwardly and inwardly of a whitifh colour, light-
ly inclining to yellow. It is a warm pungent aromatic, not of
the moft agreeable kind ; nor are any of the preparations of it
very grateful. Infufions of it in water are of a yellowifh colour,
and fmell of the canella ; but they are rather bitter than aromatic.
Tinctures in rectified fpirit have the warmth of the bark, but little
of its fmell. Proof fpirit diflblves the aromatic as well as the
bitter matter of the canella, and is therefore the beft menftruum.
It mud not be confounded with the bark of the wintera aroma-
tica.
Medical ufe. — Canella alba is often employed where a warm
ilimulant to the ftomach is neceflary, and as a corrigent of other
articles. It is ufeful as covering the tafte of fome other articles.
Officinal Preparation.
Tinctura gentianae composita, E. -vide, Tinctures.
CANTHARIDES. Vide, Mehe.
C. Capsicum.
23 5
CAPSICUM ANNUUM. FruBus. Ed.
Piper Indicum. Capful*. L. D.
Cockfpur pepper. The pod.
Willd. g. 384. fp. 1. — Pentandria Monogynia. — Nat. ord. Solo-
nacea.
This is an annual plant, a native of South America, but culti-
vated in large quantities in the Weft-India iflands ; and it will
even ripen its fruit in Great Britain.
The pods of this fpecies are long, pointed, and pendulous, at
firft of a green colour, and afterwards of a bright orange red.
They are filled with a dry loofe pulp, and contain many fmall, flat,
kidney-fhaped feeds. The tafte of capficum is extremely pungent
and acrimonious, fetting the mouth as it were on fire.
The pungency of Cayenne pepper, is foluble in water and
in alcohol, is not volatile, reddens infufions of turnfole, and is pre-
cipitated by infufion of galls, nitrate of mercury, muriate of mer-
cury, nitrate of filver, fulphate of copper, fulphate of zinc, red ful-
phate of iron, (but not blue or green) ammonia, carbonate of pot-
afs, alum, but not by fulphuric, nitric, or muriatic, acid, or fili-
cized potafs.
Cayenne pepper is an indifcriminate mixture of the powder of
the dried pods of. many fpecies of capficum, but efpeciallyof the
capficum frutefcens or bird pepper, which is the hotteft of all.
Cayenne pepper, as it comes to us from the Welt Indies, changes
infufion of turnfole to a beautiful green, probably owing to the
muriate of foda, which is always added to it, and red oxide of
lead, with which it is faid to be mixed.
Medical ufe. — Thefe peppers have been chiefly ufed as a condi-
ment. They prevent flatulence from vegetable food, and have a
warm and kindly effect in the Itomach, poffeiling all the virtues
of the oriental fpices, without, according to Dr. Wright, produc-
ing thofe complaints of the head which the latter are apt to occa-
fion. An abufe of them, however, gives rife tovifceral obftruc-
tions, efpecially of the liver. But of late they have been employed
alfo in the practice of medicine. There can be little doubt that
they furnifh us with one of the pureft and ftrongeft flimulants
which can be introduced into the ftomach j while at the fame time
they have nothing of the narcotic effects of alcohol or opium. Dr.
Adair Makitrick, who firft introduced them into the practice of
medicine, found them ufeful, particularly in that morbid difpofi-
tion which he calls Cachexia Africana^ and which he confiders as a
moft frequent and fatal predifpotition to difeafe among the flaves.
Dr. Wright fays, that in dropfical and other complaints, where cha-
Materia Medic a.
lybeates are indicated, a minute portion of powdered capficum
forms an excellent addition, and recommends its ufe in lethargic
affections. This pepper has been alfo fuccefsfully employed in a
fpecies of cynanche maligna, which proved very fatal in the Weft
Indies, refifting the ufe of Peruvian bark, wine, and the other re-
medies commonly employed. In tropical fevers, coma and deli-
rium are common attendants ; and in fuch cafes, cataplafms of
capficum have a fpeedy and happy effect. They redden the parts,
but feldom blifter, unlefs when kept on too long. In ophthalmia
from relaxation, the diluted juice of capficum is a fovereign reme-
dy. Dr. Adair gave fix or eight grains for a dofe, made into pills,
or prepared a tincture, by digefting half an ounce of the pepper
in a pound of alcohol, the dofe of which was one or two drachms
diluted with water.
CARBO LIGNI.
Charcoal of wood.
A place has been given to this fubftance, becaufe it is employed
by the Edinburgh college in the preparation of the muriate of ba-
ryta, although it does not enter their lift of materia medica.
Charcoal, as it is commonly prepared, is not a pure oxide of
carbon, but contains alfo a notable proportion of hydrogen, from
which it may be purified by expofing it for fome time to a ftrong
heat. Munch directs, that for medical ufe it be reduced to fine
powder, and heated in a covered crucible as long as any flame ap-
pears on removing the cover, and until it be fully red. It is to be
allowed to cool in the furnace, the upper layer of the powder to be
removed, and the remainder to be fealed accurately up in ounce
vials.
Medical uje. — When the pneumatic pathology was in fafhion,
and phthifis and fimilar difeafes were afcribed to hyper-oxygena-
tion of the fyftem, charcoal was ftrongly recommended as a power-
ful difoxygenizing remedy, and cafes of its fuccefsful employment
are even recorded. From its acknowledged effects in correcting
the putridity of animal fuhftances, it is probable that the virtues
afcribed to it of preventing the putrid eructations which take place
in fome kinds of dyfpepfia are better founded. Ten grains may be
given for a dofe. As an external application, powdered charcoal
has been recommended in the cure of inflammation from external
caufes, gangrene, and all defcriptions of 'fetid ulcers. The good
effects of charcoal, or burnt bread, ufed as a tooth powder, in cor-
recting the bad fmell which the breath fometimes acquires from
carious teeth are undoubted.
In this place it will not be fuperfluous to notice the power af-
C. — — Carbo ligni. 23 7
:ribed to charcoal of purifying various fetid or difcoloured fluids.
Lowitz found that it deftroyed the adventitious colour and fmell
)f vinegar, carbonate of ammonia, tartaric acid, alcohol, fuper-
artrate of potafs, and other falts, and that it prevented water from
Decoming putrid at fea, efpecially when aflifted by a little fulphu-
ric acid. Meat which has acquired a mawkifh, or even putrid
fmell, is alfo faid to be rendered perfectly fweet by rubbing it with
powdered charcoal.*
Pharmaceutical Preparation.
Mums baryta, E. - - vide, Baryta.
•Carbon, in a flate of perfect purity, is well known by the name of diamond. It
poffefles the higheft degree of luftrc, tranfparency, and hardnefs. It is cryftallized
and generally colourlefs. Its fpecific gravity is from 3.44 to 3-5J. It is foluble in
water, and can neither be melted nor vaporized by caloric. It is not a&ed upon by
any chemical agent except oxygen at very high temperatures. When expofed ill
oxygen gas to the rays of the fun, concentrated by a very powerful lens, its furface
becomes fenfibly blackened ; it is ignited, and at laft confumed. The rcfult of this
combufticn is carbonic acid gas ; 10c parts of which confift of 17.88 of carbon, and
82.12 of oxygen. It combines with iron, forming fteel. It is a conftituent of al-
moft all animal and vegetable fubftances ; and an oxide of carbon is obtained from
them by expofing them to heat in clofed veflels.
Primary Compounds of Carbon.
A. Binary,
a. With Oxygen :
1. Incombuftible coal; plumbago;
%. Charcoal (carbonous oxide.) J- oxides.
3. Gafeous oxide of carbon ^carbonic oxide gas.)
4. Carbonic acid.
b. With metals : carburet?.
B. Ternary with oxygen and hydrogen
I. Oxides.
a. Hydro-carbonous.
b. Alcohol.
c. Ether.
d. Fixed oil and fats.
e. Wax.
f. Adipocere.
g. Volatile oils.
b\ Refins.
/'. Camphor,
i. Starch.
/. Sugar.
m. Jelly.
n. Tannin.
2. Acids.
a. Acetic.
b. Oxalic.
c. Tartaric.
d. Citric.
e. Malic.
/. La&ic.
g. Gallic.
h. Mucic.
i. Benzoic.
i. Succinic.
/. Camphoric*-
m. Suberic.
n. JLaccic.
0. Sebacic.
238
Materia Medica.
CARBONAS — CARBONATE.
Carbonate is a generic name for the combinations of the car-
bonic acid with earths, alkalies, and metallic oxides.
The nature of thefe fubftances was totally unknown, until the
year 1756, when the genius of Dr. Black at once removed the veil,
and difplayed to his cotemporaries a new and immenfe field, in
which the molt important difcoveries might be made ; and to their
ardour in cultivating it, we are indebted for the prefent ftate of
chemical knowledge.
Before the brilliant epoch we have mentioned, the carbonates
were fuppofed to be fimple bodies ; and the facl: of their acquiring
new and cauftic properties by the action of fire, was attempted to
be explained, by fuppofing that the particles of the fire, combined
with them. Dr. Black, however, demonftrated by proofs which
carried univerfal conviclion along with them, that thefe bodies in
their cauftic ftate are fimple, and that their mildnefs is owing to
C. Quaternary with nitrogen, hydrogen, and carbon.
1. Oxides.
a. Gum. r. Indigo.
b. Tragacanth. k. Lignin.
c. Extrjctive. /. Suber.
d. Gum-refin. m. Caoutchouc.
e. Bitter principle. n. Gelatin.
f. Narcotic principle. o. Albumen.
g. Acrid principle. f>. Fibrin.
b. Cinchouin. q. Urea.
2. Acids.
a. Pruffic. c. Amnic.
b. Uric.
Plumbago and incombujllble coal contain carbon in the lirft degree of oxygc
nizement. The mo ft remarkable known property of this oxide, is the very higl
temperature neceffary for its combuftion.
Common charcoal of wood (carbonous oxide) is carbon in the fecond degree oi
oxygenizement, conffting of 63.86 of carbon, and 36.14 of oxygen. It has nei
ther fmell nor tafte. It is brittle and never cryltallizcd. It abforbs light ftrongly
is perfectly refractory in the fire, infoluble in water, and a bad conductor of calo
ric, but an excellent one of electricity. At a red heat, it burns rapidly in oxyger
gas; 28 of charcoal and 62 of oxygen, forming 100 of carbonic acid gas. It ali<
burns in atmofpheric air, but lefs vividly.
Gafeous oxide of carbon (carbonic oxide gas) is carbon in its third degree of oxygen
izement. It is invifibleand elaltic ; fpecifk gravity o.ooil''>7. It does not fuppor;
combuftion or refpiration. With oxygen gas it bums with a lambent blue flame, ant
is converted entirely into carbonic acid without producing any moifture. It has n<
affinity for lime. It confifts of 25.99 carbon, and 74.II oxygen ; or 40.41 char-
coal, and 59. 59 oxygen.
C. Carbonas.
239
their being combined with an acid, to which the name of carbonic
is now given.
The carbonates always preferve their alkaline properties in fome
light degree. They are decompofed by all the acids, forming a
Driik effervefcence, (which is colourlefs,) when any of the ftronger
u:ids are poured upon them. This phenomenon is owing to
:hefe acids difplacing, by their greater affinity, the carbonic acid,
vvhich flies off in the form of a gas.
The carbonates may be alfo deprived of their carbonic acid,
either by the aclion of heat alone, or by heating them when mixed
vith charcoal, which decomposes the carbonic acid by combining
vith part of its oxygen, fo that both the acid and the charcoal arc
inverted into carbonic oxide gas.
The carbonates may be divided into three great families, the al-
kaline, the earthy, and the metallic.
Family 1. The alkaline carbonates have an urinous tafte, tinge
'egetable blues green, and are foluble in water, and infoluble in
ilcohol.
Family 2. The earthy carbonates are infipid, and infoluble in
vater, but foluble in water faturated with carbonic acid.
Family 3. The metallic carbonates fcarcely differ in appearance
rom the metallic oxides.
Carbonic acid gas is tranfparent, colourlefs, without fmell,
rrefpirable, and incapable of fupporting inflammation ; its fpecilic
gravity is 0.0018. Water abforbs an equal bulk of it at 41°, ac-
juiring a fpecific gravity of 1.0015, and an agreeable acidity and
parkling appearance, especially if heated to 8 6°. It is feparated
rom water by freezing or boiling. It is alfo abforbed by alcohol,
>il of turpentine, and olive oil. It contains 17.88 carbon, and
;2. 12 oxygen, or 28 charcoal and 72 oxygen. Its compounds arc
lenominated Carbonates.
Officinal.
Carbonas barytse, - - vide, Baryta.
calcis, - - Calx.
magnesiae, - - Magneda.
potassae, - - Potassa.
sodae, - - Soda.
ammoniae, - - Ammonia.
zinci, - - Zinc urn.
ferri, - - Fe.rmim.
240
Materia Medica.
CARD AMINE PRATENSIS. Petala, folia. Ed.
Cardamine. Flos. L.
Ladies fmock. The petals a fid leaves.
Willd. g. 1257. fp. 19 Tetradynamia Siliquofa. — Nat. ord. Si*
liquofe.
The Cardamine is a perennial plant, which grows in meadow-
grounds, fends forth purplifh flowers in the fpring ; and in its fen-
fible qualities refembles the fifymbrium naflurtium
Medical ufe. — Long ago it was employed as a diuretic ; and of
late it has been introduced in nervous difeafes, as epilepfy, hyfte-
ria, chorea, afthma, &c. A drachm or two of the powder is
given twice or thrice a day. It has little fenfible operation, except
that it fometimes a&s as a diaphoretic.
CARUM CARUI. Semen. Ed.
Carui. Semina. D. Caruon. Semen. L.
Caraway. The feeds.
Willd. g. 561. fp. 1. — Pentandria Digynia. — Nat. ord. Umbellata.
D. Karnvey, Veldkomyn. P. Alcaravia, Alchiriviay
DA. Kummen, Dansk Kum- Chirivia.
men, Karve. POL. Karuy, Kmin polny.
F. Carvi, Cumin des pres. R. DikiiTimon.
G. Kuemmel. S. Alcaravea.
I. Carvi. SW. Kummin, Brodkumin, Karf.
Caraway is a biennial umbelliferous plant, cultivated in gar-
dens, both for culinary and medicinal ufe. The feeds have an aro-
matic fmell, and warm pungent tafte.
Medical ufe. — They are employed as a ftomachic and carmina-
tive in flatulent colics and the like.
Officinal Preparations.
Oleum volatile carui, L. D. - vide, Olea volatilia.
Spiritus cari carvi, E. L. D. - Spiritus destillati.
Decoctum anthemidis nobilis, E. - Decocta.
Tinctura cardamomi composita, L. D. Tincture,
sennae, L. D. - Idem.
Confectio opiata, L. - Eiectuaria.
Kmplastrum cumini, L - Unguenta.
C. Cassena. Cassia fistula. 241
CASSENA.
Ilex Vomitoria of Aito?i.
South-fea-tea ; Evergreen Caffine ; Cujfeena — Taupon, or Topon.
This is a native of Carolina, Weft Florida, &c. and is thought
to be one of the moft powerful diuretics hitherto difcovered. It
alfo vomits feverely. It is much efteemed by the fouthern In-
dians.*
CASSIA.
Willd.g. 813. Decandria Monogynia. — Nat. ord. Lomentacea.
CASSIA FISTULA. Ed. Sp. 18.
Cassia Fistularis. Fruclus. Pu/pa. L. D.
Cajfia tree. The fruit.
D. Kassie, Py/ikassie, Riet-
kassie, Pnrgeerendc
Kassic.
DA. Cassia, Koercassia.
F. Casse solative, Casse en
batons ou en canons,
Canefice, Cassejistule.
G. Kassia, Rochrenkassia,
Purgier Kassia.
I. Cassia Jistola.
P. Cassia fiurgante, Cana
Jistuta.
POL. Fistula.
R. Kami a.
S. Canajistola, Casta ftur-
gante, Casia Jistola.
SW. Cassia, Rcercassia.
This tree is indigenous in India and Egypt, and is cultivated
in Jamaica. It rifes to about thirty feet high, and has long flower
fpikes, with yellow papilionaceous bloflbms.
Its fruit is a cylindrical pod, a foot or more in length, and Scarce-
ly an inch in diameter : the outfide is a hard brown bark ; the in-
fide is divided by thin tranfverfe woody plates, covered with a foft
black pulp, of a fweetifh tafte, with fome degree of acrimony.
There are two forts of this drug in the mops •, one brought from
the Eaft-Indies, the other from the Weft, (Caflia Javanica ?) the
canes or pods of the latter are generally large, rough, thick-rind-
ed, and the pulp naufeous ; thofe of the former are lefs, fmoother,
the pulp blacker, and of a fweeter tafte ; this fort is preferred to
the other. Such pods fhould be chofen as are weighty, new, and
do not make a rattling noife (from the feeds being loofe within
* Barton's Collections, part I. p. 36.
I i
242
Materia Medica.
them) when fhaken. The pulp fhould be of a bright, fhining,
black colour, and have a fweet tafte, neither harfh, which happens
from the fruit being gathered before it has grown fully ripe, nor
fourifh, which it is apt to become upon keeping, not at all moul-
dy, which, from its being kept in damp cellars, or moiflened, in
order to in.:reafe its weight, it is very fubjecT: to be. Greater!: part
of the pulp difToives both in water and in alcohol ; and may be
extracted from the pod by either. The mops employ water, boil-
ing the bruited pod therein, and afterwards evaporating the folu-
tion to a due confiftence.
Medical ufe. — The pulp of Caflia, from its faccharine and ex-
tractive conit-ituents, is a gentle laxative medicine, and is frequent-
ly given, in a dofe of fome drachms, in coftive habits. Some di-
rect a dofe of two ounces or more as a cathartic, in inflammatory
cafes, where the more acrid purgatives are improper ; but in thefe
large quantities it generally excites naufea, produces flatulencies,
and fome times gripings of the bowels, efpecially if the caflia be
not of a very giood kind : thefe effects may be prevented by the
addition of aromatics, and by exhibiting it in a liquid form.
Officinal Pufparations.
Pulpa expressa, E. L. - - videy Sue. insfiissati.
Electuarium cassise fistu.Iae, E. L. D. Electuaria.
sennae, E. L. - Idem.
CASSIA SENNA. Sp. 24. Ed.
Senna. Folia. L. D.
Senna. The leaves.
D. Senebladen.
DA. Semsblader.
F. Sene, Sme enfeuilles.
G. Senna,) Senevblaiter,
I. Sena.
P. Sene, Senna.
POL. S&ne, Senna.
R. Senetniie listii.
S. Sen, Sena.
SW. Sennetsbladcr.
This fpeciesof caflia is annual, although in its mode of growth
it refcmbles a fhrub, and fends out hollow wood^ items, to the
height of four feet. It grows principally in Upper Egypt, from
whence the leaves are brought, dried, and picked from the ltaiks,
to Alexandria in Egypt, and thence imported into Europe. They
are of an o long figure, {harp-pointed at the ends, about a quarter
of an inch broad, and not a full inch in length, of a lively, yellow-
ifh green colour, a faint, not very difagreeable fmell, and a fub-
C. Cassia Senna.
243
acrid, bitterifh, naufeous tafte. Some inferior forts are brought
from other places : thefe may eafily be diftinguiihcd by their being
either narrower, longer, and fharper pointed, from Mocha ; or
larger, broader, and round pointed, with fmall prominent veins,
from Italy ; or large and obtufe, of a frefh green colour, without
any yellow caft, from Tripoli
It has been cuflomary to reject the pedicles of the leaves of fen-
na, as caufmg gripes and pains in the bowels ; but this is a mere
prejudice, for both leaves and pedicles act. in the very fame way.
Neumann from 480 parts of fenna got 14-3 alcoholic extract, and
afterwards 11-0 watery ; and inverfely, 245 watery, and only 28
alcoholic, fo that it feems to confift chiefly of mucilage and ex-
tractive.
Medical ufc— Senna is a very ufeful cathartic, operating mildly,
and yet effectually ; and, if judicioufly dofed and managed, rarely
occasioning the ill confequences which too frequently follow the
exhibition of the ftronger purges. The only inconveniences com-
plained of in this drug are, its being apt to gripe, and its naufeous
flavour.
Thefe are bed obviated by adding to the fenna fome aromatic
fubftance, as ginger, cinnamon, Sec. and by facilitating its opera-
tion by drinking plentifully of any mild diluent.
Senna may be given in fubftance to the extent of about a drachm,
but it is rather too bulky, and it is therefore better to divide it into
two dofes, and to take the one half at night, and the other in the
morning. It is more conveniently given in the form oi infufion,
which is generally made by pouring about fix ounces of boiling
water upon from two to fix drachms of fenna leaves in a tea-pot,
and letting it (land about an hour. Senna ought never to be or-
dered in decoction, Gren fays, becaufe it becomes perfectly inert
from the total difiipation of the naufeous and volatile principle on
which its purgative effects depend. The tincture, on account of
the menitruum, cannot be given in dofes large enough to purge.
Officinal Preparations.
Infusum sennae, L. D.
sennae tartarisatum, L.
tamarindi cum senna, E.
Syrupus maflnae, D.
Tinctura sennee composita, E. L. D.
Electuarium sennae, E. L. D.
Extractum cassiae sennae, E. L. D.
Pulvis sennae compositus, L.
vide } lnfusa.
Idem.
Idem.
Syrufii.
Tincture.
Electuaria
Extracta.
Pulveres.
244
Materia Medica.
CASSIA MARILANDICA,
This plant which is abundant in America, is of the fame genus
with the fenna of the {hops, and it pofiefies nearly the fame vir-
tues as the eaftern fpecies* It is ufed as a purgative in different
parts of the United States, and from the high price of foreign
fenna, certainly deferves to be more attended to.
CASTOR FIBER. Ed.
Materia in folliculis prope anum col/ecra.
Castoreum Rossicum. L. D.
Materia in folliculo prope anum ftto collecla. L.
The Beaver. Cajlor. 'The fubftance colletled in the follicles near the anuk
Mammalia rodentia, Cuvier.
D. JBeevergeil. P. Castoreo.
DA. Bavergel. POL. Stroybobonvry.
F. Castoreum. R. Bobrowaja struju.
G. Bibergeil. S. Cast or eo.
I. Castorio. SW. Bafvergall.
The beaver is flrongly characterized by its flat, horizontal,
fcaly tail. It is an amphibious animal, and is found in the north-
ern parts of Europe, Afia, and America, on the banks of lakes
and rivers. In inhabited countries it is a folitary flothful animal,
but in defert regions it lives in fociety ; the remarkable manners
of which, and the immenfe works effected by the united labours
of all the individuals of their republic, have rendered the natural
hiftory of this animal familiar to everyone. In bothfexes, between
the anus and pudendum, there are four follicles of an oblong
fhape, fmaller above and larger below, formed of a tough mem-
brane, almoft refembling leather. The two largeft and undermofl:
of thefe, which are alfo connected, and lie parallel and clofe to
each other, contain an oily fluid fecretion, which is the fubftance
Known by the name of caftor. It is preferved by cutting out the
entire bags, and drying them in the fmoke.
The belt caftor comes from Ruflia, PrufTia, and Poland. The
cods fhould be dry, gibbous, roundifh, heavy, folid, and filled with
* Barton's colle&ions, part I. p. 30.
C. Castoreum.
245
a (olid fubftancc, contained in membranous cells, fomewhat tough,
but brittle, of a dark brown colour, of a peculiar, difagreeable,
narcotic fmell, and a naufeous, bitter, acrid talte. The Canadian
caftor is of an inferior quality ; the cods are fmaller, thin, oblong,
and much corrugated, and the caftor itfelf has much lefs fmell and
tafte : what is very old, quite black, and almoft deftitute of fmell
and tafte, is unfit for ufe, as well as the counterfeited caftor, which
is a mixture of various gummy refms and other fubftances, with a
little real caftor, artificially interfperfed with membranes, and
{luffed into the fcrotum of a goat. This impofition is eafily de-
tected by the weaker degree of its fmell and tafte, by chemical ana-
lyfis, and even by mere external examination ; for to the real bags,
the two fmaller and upper follicles, filled with a fatty matter, are
always attached.
Neumann got from 480 parts of caftor 140 alcoholic extract,
and afterwards 80 watery ; inverfely, 140 watery, and 20 alco-
holic. The firft alcoholic extract retained the whole flavour of
the caftor, as none of it rofe in diftillation with the alcohol. The
diftilled water, on the contrary, contained the whole flavour, and
the watery extract was merely bitter. Cartheufer obtained from
it a volatile oil by diftillation.
Medical ufe. — Caftor is an excellent antifpafmodic. It is very
little heating, and acts particularly upon the uterine fyftem.
It is given with advantage,
1. In typhoid fevers.
2. In ipafmodic difeafes, efpecially in hyfteria and epilepfy,
and in cafes of difficult parturition, from a fpafmodic con-
traction of the mouth of the uterus after the membranes
have burft.
3. In amenorrhcea.
It is exhibited moft advantageoufly in the form of powder, iu
dofes of from 10 to 20 grains, and in clyfters to a drachm. Di-
luted alcohol extracts its virtues ; therefore it maybe alfo given in
the form of tincture. But its exhibition in the form of extract or
decoction is improper.
Officinal Preparation,
Tinctura castorei, E. L. D.
vide, Tinctura.
24 6
Materia Medica.
CATAPLASMATA.
CATAPLASMS.
By cataplafms are in general underftood thofe external applica-
tions which are brought to a due confiftence or form for being
properly applied, not by means of oily or fatty matters, but by
water or watery fluids. Of thefe many are had recourfe to in ac-
tual practice ; but they are feldom prepared in the {hops of the
apothecaries ; and in fome of the beO: modern pharmacopoeias no
formula of this kind is introduced. The London and Dublin col-
leges, however, alrhough they have abridged the number of ca-
taplafms, ftill retain a few ; and it is not without fome advantage
that there are fixed forms for the preparation of them.
CATAPLASMA CUMINI. L.
Cataplafm of Cummin.
Take of
Cummin feed, one pound ;
Bay berries,
Dry leaves of water germander, or fcordium
Virginian fnake root, of each three ounces ;
Cloves, one ounce.
Rub them all together to powder ; and, with the addition of three
times the weight of honey, make a cataplafm. (L.)
This was intended as a reformation of the Theriaca Londinenfts,
which for fome time paft has been fcarcely otherwife ufed than
as a warm cataplafm. In place of the numerous articles which
formerly entered that compolition, only fuch of its ingredients are
retained as contribute molt to this intention : but even the article
from which it now derives its name, as well as feveral others which
ftill enter, probably contribute very little to any medical properties
it may poffefs.
C. Cataplasmata.
247
CATAPLASMA ALUMINIS. L.
Cataplafm of Alum,
COAGULUM ALUMINOSUM. D.
Alum Curd.
Take of
The white of two eggs.
Shake them with a piece of alum till they be coagulated. (L.)
This preparation is taken from Riverius. It is an ufeful af-
tringent epithem for fore moid eyes. Where the complaint is
violent, this preparation, after the inflammation has yielded a little
to bleeding, is one of the belt external remedies. It is to be fpread
on lint, and applied at bed-time.
CATAPLASMA SINAPEOS. L.
Cataplasma Sinapinum. D.
Mujiard Cataplafm.
Take of
Muftard feed, powdered,
Crumb of bread, of each half a pound ;
Vinegar, as much as is fufficient.
Mix and make a cataplafm.
Cataplasms of this kind are commonly known by the name of
Sinapifms. They were formerly frequently prepared in a more
complicated (late, containing garlic, black foap, and other fimilar
articles; but the above fimple form will anfwer every purpofe
which they are capable of accomplishing. They are employed
only as ftimulants : they often inflame the part and raife blifters,
but not fo perfectly as cantharides. They are frequently applied
to the foles of the feet in the low ftate of acute difeafes, for railing
the pulfe and relieving the head. The chief advantage they have
depends on the fuddennefs of their action.*
* On this quicknefs of action a very important end in practice may be attained,
and which I have repeatedly purfued with the beft effed, viz. to apply a muftard
cataplafm (in pleurify, &c) for an hour, or lefs, when the difpofition to vefication is
fo ftrongly excited, that an epifpaftic will rife in half its ufual time, which in many
cafes is of the utmoft confequence. American Editor.
248
Materia Meclica.
CENTAUREA BENEDICT A. J£J.
Carduus Benedictus. Herba. L. Folia. D.
Bleffed Thijlle. The leaves or plant.
Syngenefia Polygamia frujlranea. — Nat. ord. Compoftta capitate.
This is an annual plant, indigenous in the Grecian iflands, and
cultivated in gardens : it flowers in June and July, and perfects
its feeds in the autumn. The herb fhould be gathered when in
flower, quickly dried, and kept in a very dry airy place, to pre-
vent its rotting or growing mouldy, which it is very apt to do.
The leaves have a penetrating bitter tafle, not very ftrong or very
durable, accompanied with an ungrateful flavour, from which they
are in a great meafure freed by keeping. Water extracts, in a
little time, even without heat, the lighter and more grateful parts
of this plant ; if the digelHon be continued for fome hours, the
difagreeable parts are taken up. A ftrong decoction is very nau-
feous and offenfive to the flomach. Rectified fpirit gains a very
pleafant bitter tafte, which remains uninjured in the extract.
Neumann got from 1920 parts 270 alcoholic, and afterwards
390 watery extract, and inverfely 600 watery and ,60 alcoholic.
The virtues of this plant feem to be little known in the prefent
practice. The naufeous decoction is fometimes ufed to provoke
vomiting ; and a itrong infufion to promote the operation of other
emetics. But this elegant bitter, when freed from the offenfive
parts of the herb, may be advantageoufly applied to other purpofes.
Excellent effects have been frequently experienced from a flight
infufion of carduus in lofs of appetite, where the ftomach was in-
jured by irregularities. A ffronger infufion made in cold or warm
water, if drunk freely, and the patient kept warm, occafions a
plentiful fweat, and promotes the fecretions in general.
The extract prepared, by evaporating the exprefled juice, with
the addition of a little alcohol to prevent it from becoming moul-
dy, has been ftrongly recommended in the catarrh of children.
The feeds of this plant are alfo confiderably bitter, and have
been fometimes ufed with the fame intention as the leaves.
4
C. Cephaelis Ipecacuanha. 249
CEPHAELIS IPECACUANHA.
Ipecacuanha. Radix. Ed. L. D.
Ipecacuan. The root.
WUld. g. 357. /pedes nova. — Pentandria Alonogynia. — Nat. ord.
Aggregate.
D. Braakwortel Roodenloop- I. I/iecocacanna.
lurjrtel. P. Ci/16 de camaras, Ipeca-
DA. Brakrod. cuanah.
F. Ipecacuanha. S. J/iecacuana.
G. Amerikanische Brechivur- SW. Krdkrot.
zely KvJirivurzel.
This plant is perennial, and grows in Brazil in moift woody
iituations. Notwithftanding the root has been fo long in general
life, the plant to which it belonged was not fatisfaftorily afcertain-
ed until very lately, when a complete monography of it, and an
excellent plate were publifhed in the fixth volume of the Traniac-
tions of the Linnrean Society, by ProfefTbr Brotero, who calls it
the Callicocca Ipecacuanha > but the genus Callicocca has been
united by Willdenow with that of Cephaelis, to which we have
therefore referred it.
The plate of Brotero correfponds with that publifhed in Wood-
ville's Medical Botany, vol. 3, from a plant fent in fpirits from
Brazil by Govenor Philips to Sir Jofeph Banks, but which unfor-
tunately was not in flower, and alfo with the rude draught of Pifo,
who firlt examined it. It likewife agrees in many effential cha-
racters, though not in all, with the description given of the Pfy-
chotria Emetica of Dr. Mutis. Indeed, the genera of Pfychotria
and Cephaelis are not fufficiently diftinguifhed.*
The root is brought from Spanifh America. It is divided into
two forts, Peruvian and Brazilian : but the eye diftinguifhes three,
afh-coloured or grey, brown, and white. The afh-coloured, or
Peruvian ipecacuan of the {hops, is a fmall wrinkled root, bent and
contorted into a great variety of figures, brought over in fhort
pieces full of wrinkles, and deep circular fiffures, quite down to a
fmall white woody fibre that runs in the middle of each piece : the
cortical part is compact, brittle, looks fmooth and refinous upon
breaking : it has very little fmell ; the tafte is bitterifh and fuba-
crid, covering the tongue as it were with a kind of mucilage. The
• Profeflbr Barton accedes to the opinion that the Ipecacuanha is of the genu?
Callicocca. See Philadelphia Medical and Phyfical Journal, Vol. I. p. 171.
K k
2 50
Materia Medica.
brown ipecacuan is fmall, and fomewhat more wrinkled than the
foregoing ; its bark is of a brown or blackilh colour without, and
white within •, this is brought from Brazil, and is the root of the
cephaelis. The white fort is woody, has no wrinkles, and no per-
ceptible bitternefs in tafte. It is probably the root of a viola.
The firft fort, the afh-coloured or grey ipecacuan, is that ufually
preferred for medicinal ufe, The brown has been fometimes ob-
served, even in a fmall dofe, to produce violent effects. The white,
though taken in a large one, has fcarce any effect at all.
Ipecacuan was firft brought into Europe about the middle of
laft century, and an account of it publifhed at the fame time by
Pifo ; but it did not come into general ufe till about the year
1686, when Helvetius, under the patronage of Lewis XIV, in-
troduced it into practice. This root is one of the mildeft and fafeft
emetics with which we are acquainted ; and has this peculiar ad-
vantage, that when it does not operate by vomiting, it pafles off
by other emunclories.
Neumann got from 7680 parts 144-0 alcoholic, and afterwards
1880 watery extract:, and inverfely 2400 watery, and 600 al-
coholic. The tincture of Ipecacuan does not redden infu-
fion of litmus, it is precipitated by water, after which it does
not precipitate a folution of gelatine, but is precipitated by red
fulphate of iron, and readily acquires a green colour from excefs
of the chalybeate, and precipitates infufion of gall nuts. Dr.
Irvine afcertained that the watery folution is much more power-
fully emetic than the alcoholic ; that the cortical is more active
than the ligneous part ; and that the whole root pofTeffes confider-
able influence, both as an antifeptic and aftringent ; that the dis-
tilled water has very little influence ; but that the decoction which
remained in the {till, operated violently as an emetic, produced
rigours, cold fweats, and other alarming fymptoms ; that by long-
continued boiling, the activity of the root is almoft totally de-
ftroyed ; and that the emetic property of ipecacuan was moll ef-
fectually counteracted by means of the acetous acid, infomuch
that thirty grains of the powder taken in two ounces of vinegar,
produced only fome loofe ftools.
From thefe experiments it evidently appears, that ipecacuan
contains cinchonin and a refin, and that its emetic property does
not depend upon the latter, although we can fcarcely attribute it
to the former, as in other fubftances it does not manifeft any eme-
tic property. It is therefore probably owing to fome other prin-
ciple foluble in water and alcohol. Others have found, that the
refinous part is more apt to act upon the inteftinal canal, and to
operate by ftool.
Medical ufe. — The primary effect of ipecacuan is that of ftimu-
lating the ftomach. If the dofe be fufficiently large, it excites vo-
C. Cephaelis Ipecacuanha. 251
miting, by inverting the periftaltic motion of the ftomaeh and duo-
denum ; in a fmaller dofe, it only produces naufea, and operates
by (tool ; and in ft ill fmaller dofes, it gently Simulates the flo-
maeh, increafes the appetite, and facilitates digeftion. Its fecon-
dary effects depend on the fympathy of other parts with the flo-
maeh ; and in this way only can we explain its action as an anti-
fpafmodic, diaphoretic, expectorant, and in checking hemorrha-
gies. Its beneficial effects in fome cafes alfo feem to be owing to
the general concuflion given to the whole fyftem during the action
of vomiting.
Ipecacuan, properly adminiftered, often proves ferviceable,
I. In intermittent fevers. It has frequently fucceeded in
flopping thefe, when given about an hour before an accef-
fion was expected, and alfo when given fo as to produce
vomiting at the time of an acceffion, or at the end of the
cold flage.
2. In continued fevers. Its beneficial effects are very decided
in the commencement of typhus fever. An emetic, fuc-
ceeded by a diaphoretic regimen, when adminiftered fuf-
ficiently early in this difeafe, very frequently cuts it fhort
at once, and when it fails in this defirable object, it always
has a beneficial influence on the progrefs of the fever.
3. In inflammatory difeafes, rheumatifm, bubo, fwelled tef-
ticle.
4. In exanthematous difeafes, when the eruption is difpofed
to recede.
5. In hemorrhagies, when given in naufeating dofes.
6. In profluvia, efpecially in dyfentery, fo much fo, that it
was formerly efteemed a fpecific againft that difeafe. But
Cullen attributes its good effects in this inftance to its pro-
ducing z fteady determination of the periftaltic motion of
the interlines downwards, when given in repeated fmall
dofes.
7. In many fpafmodic difeafes ; in epilepfy ; afthma ; dyf-
pncea \ pertuffis ; chronic diarrhoea ; hyfteria ; melancho-
lia ; mania.
8. In cachectic difeafes, as in fome kinds of dropfy.
9. In impetiginous difeafes \ in jaundice.
10. In local difeafes ; in amaurofis, and feveral of the dyfo-
rexiae.
II. Laftly, in every inftance when we wifh to evacuate the
ftomach, as when it is overloaded with food, or when poi-
fon, efpecially opium, has been fwallowed.
252
Materia Medica.
The ufe of ipecacuan, as an emetic, is contra-indicated,
1. Where there is a difpofition to hemorrhagy.
2. Where there is an increafed flow of blood towards the
head.
3. In very irritable fubje&s.
4. In pregnant women, and perfons afflicted with hernia.
Ipecacuan is exhibited
1. In fubftance ; in powder. Full vomiting will generally
be produced in an adult by a fcruple or half a drachm, and
though lefs might anfwer the purpofe, fortunately an over-
dofe is fcarcely attended with any inconvenience, as the
whole of it is vomited with the contents of the ftomach as
foon as it operates. The vomiting is promoted and facili-
tated by drinking copioully of warm watery fluids. On
the contrary, when vomiting is not intended, liquids muft
be rather drunk fparingly, and the dofe muft be diminifhed
to a grain or lefs. In iuch fmall dofes it is conveniently
. combined with any proper adjunct, in the form of powder,
pill, or bolus.
2. In infufion. One drachm may be infufed in four ounces
of water, and taken in repeated dofes till it operate.
3. Infufed in wine.
Ipecacuan not only checks the narcotic effects of opium, and is
therefore one of the belt antidotes for its poifon, but reciprocally
the emetic powers of ipecacuan are checked by the addition of
opium, and the combination operates by increafing the cuticular
difcharge.
Officinal Preparations.
Vinum ipecacuanha?, E. L. D. - - vide, Vina medicate
Pulvis ipecacuanhas et opii, E. L. D. - Pulveres,
C. Cera.
253
CERA.
WAX.
D. Wasch. P. Cera.
DA. Vox: I>()L. HW-.
F. Ore. K.
G. f/'arto. S. Ota.
£ oitt. ' sw. rfl.r.
CERA FLAVA. L. D.
Yelloiv wax.
Wax is a folic!, of confiderable confidence, granulated and
cryftalline in its fracture, of a white colour, and without any re-
markable odour or tafte. It foftens and becomes plaftic when
very flightly heated ; at 142° it melts ; at a higher temperature
it is in part vaporized and decompofed, and its vapour is inflam-
mable. It refills in a remarkable degree the aft ion of the acids ;
but in moft of its other properties it refembles the fixed oils. From
its combuftion it appears to confilt 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.
For this ufeful fubftance we are indebted to the common honey
bee, ( apis melUJica Jy an infect belonging to the clafs of Hymenop-
tera mellita of Cuvier. It is, however, a vegetable production, and
is collected by the bees from the furface of leaves, and the antherae
of flowers. They employ it to form the combs ill which the honey
and larvae are depofited.
It is found in the fhops in round cakes, which are formed by
melting the combs, after all the honey has been exprefled from
them, in hot water. The wax fwims above, and the impurities
cither fink to the bottom, or are diflblved in the water. When
recent, it is tenacious, but brittle, of a yellow colour, and fweet
honey-like fmell ; dry, not greafy, to the feel ; infoluble in water,
alcohol and ether ; foluble in the fat oils and alkalies ; fufible and
inflammable. In felecting it, we mould obferve that the cakes be
brittle, have a pleafant yellow colour, an agreeable fmell, no tafte,
do not adhere to the teeth when chewed, and burn entirely away.
When adulterated with refin, the fraud is detected by its tafte, and
the action of alcohol, which diflblves the refin. When mixed with
peafe meal or earthy fubftances, it is more brittle, of a paler co-
lour, and may be feparated from them by liquefaction and {train-
ing. When combined with tallow, it becomes lefs brittle, but at
the fame time fofter, and has an unpleafant fmell.
254
Materia Medic a.
CERA ALBA. Ed. L. D.
White wax.
The yellow colour of bees wax, and its peculiar fmell, may
be deftroyed by the combined action of water, air, and the fun's
rays. In the procefs for bleaching wax, we, therefore, extend its
furface as much as poffible, by melting it and forming it into thin
plates, which are fully expofed to the fun's rays, upon linen ftretch-
ed in frames, and repeatedly moiftened, until they acquire the
whitenefs deiired. It is then ufually melted into thin difcs. White
wax is more brittle, lefs fufible, and heavier than yellow wax. It
is fometimes mixed with white oxide of lead, or with tallow. For
medical ufe, it has no advantage over yellow wax.
Medical ufe. — When taken internally, wax agrees in its effects
with the fat oils, and though lefs frequently prefcribed in this way,
it is preferable, it being lefs apt to become rancid. Poerner re-
commends it as an excellent remedy in difeafes of the inteftines,
attended with pain, excoriation, and obftinate diarrhoea. He gave
a fcruple, or half a drachm of wax, three or fours times a-day, in
the form of an emulfion, by melting it firft with fome fixed oil,
and then mixing it with a deco£lion of groats by trituration with
the yolk of an egg. But by far its principal ufe is for the forma-
tion of cerates, ointments, plafters, &c.
Officinal Preparations.
Oxidum antimonii yitrificatum cum cera, E. vide, Antimonium.
Wax enters likewise into the composition of most of
the various cerates, plasters, and ointments,
of the colleges. - Unguenta.
CER.KIA..-^CERATES. Vide, Unguenta.
CERUSSA. Vide, Plumbum.
C. Cervus Elaphus. 255
CERVUS ELAPHUS. Cornu. Ed.
Cornu Cervinum. D.
Cervus. Cornu. L.
The flag or hart. The horns.
This animal belongs to the clafs mammalia^ order ruminantia.
The male has two round folid horns on his forehead, with feveral
conical branches, the number of which afcertain the age of the
animal to whii h they belong. Thefe horns fall off and are renewed
every year. When firft reproduced, they are foft, full of blood-
vefTels, and covered with a velvety fkin, but they foon lofe their
covering, and become hard, compact, and bony.
In their nature they do not feem to differ from bone except in
containing a larger proportion of cartilage. They afford a very
considerable quantity of gelatine by decoclion with water, and
hartfhorn (havings are Mill employed in domeftic economy for
furnifhing a nutritious and demulcent jelly. By the aclion of fire,
their products are the fame with thofe of animal fubftances in ge-
neral \ and they were formerly fo much ufed for the preparation
of ammonia, that it was commonly called Hartfhorn. By burn-
ing they are totally converted into phofphate of lime.
Officinal Preparations.
Cornu cervi ustum, L. D.
Liquor volatilis, sal, et oleum cornu cervi, L. D. vide, Ammonia.
Oxidum antimonii cum phosphate calcis, E. L D. AntimorAwr
PHOSPHAS CALCIS.
Phofphate of Lime.
Cornu Cervi Ustio. L.
Cornu Cervinum Ustum. D.
Burnt Hartfhorn.
iurn pieces of hartfhorn till they become perfectly white *, then'
reduce them to a very fine powder. (L. D.)
The pieces of horn generally emploved in this operation, are
hofe left after diftilUtion.
256
Materia Medica.
In the burning of hartmorn, a fufficient fire and the free admi
fion of air are neceflary. The potter's furnace was formerly di
rented for the fake of convenience ; but any common furnace o
ftove will do. Indeed too violent a heat makes their furface un
dergo a kind of fufion and vitrification, which both prevents th
internal parts from being completely burnt, and renders the whol
lefs folubie. If the pieces of horn be laid on fome lighted char
coal, fpread on the bottom of the grate, they will be burnt to
whitenefs, {till retaining their original form.
According to the analyfis of Merat Guillot, hartfhorn was
found to confift of 27. gelatine, 57.5 phofphate of lime, 1. carbo-
nate of lime, and there was a lofs of 14?. 5, probably water. Now,
as the gelatine is deftroyed by burning, and the water expelled, the
fubftance which remains is phofphate of lime, mixed with lefs than
two per cent, of carbonate of lime. The bones of animals have
lately been difcovered to contain phofphate of magnefia.
Medical ufe. — From its white earthy appearance, it was former-
ly confidered as an abforbent earth. But fince it has been accu-
rately analyzed, that idea has been laid afide, and its ufe has been
fuggefted as a remedy in rickets, a difeafe in which the deficiency
of the natural depofition of phofphate of lime in the bones feems
to be the elTential or at leait mod ftriking fymptom. M. Bon-
homme, therefore, gave it to the extent of half a fcruple, mixed
with phofphate of foda, in feveral cafes with apparent fuccefs.
Whatever objections may be made to his theory, the practice cer-
tainly deferves a trial.
Pharmaceutical Preparations.
Decoctum cornu cervi, L. - - vide, JDecocta.
Pulvis opiatus, L. - Pulveres.
Phosphas soda:, L. ... Soda.
CHAMiEMELUM.
Videy Anthemis.
C. Chenopodium. Chironia. 257
CHENO PODIUM ANTHELMINTICUM.
Worm feed. Jerufakm oak.
This plant grows plentifully in the United States, and is much
ufed for worms. The whole plant has a powerful fmell, of which
it is very retentive. Its tafte is bitter, with much aromatic acri-
monv. The whole plant may be employed. The exprefled juice
is ufed, in dofcs of a table-fpoonful for a child of 2 or 3 years old.
The feeds are more employed, reduced to a fine powder, and
made into an electuary with fyrup. Of this, a child of 2 or 3
years old may take a table-fpoonful early in the morning ; abftain-
ing from nourishment for fome hours : a like dofe is given at night.
It is often neceflary to continue this courfe for feveral days. Great
numbers of lumbrici are frequently difcharged after the ufe of a
few dofes of the medicine.*
CHIRONIA CENTAUREUM.
Gentiana Centaureum. Ed.
Centaureum Minus. Summitries Florentes. D. Cacumen L.
Smaller Centaury. The flowering heads.
Willd. g, 394. fp. 9. Pciitandria Monogynia. — Nat. ord. Rotacex.
This plant is annual, and grows wild in many parts of England
on barren paltures. It flowers between June and Auguft. The
corolla is faid to have no tafte ; and therefore the herb, which is
intenfely bitter, fhould be preferred to the flowering tops, which
derive their virtues only from the ftalks connected with them. It
agrees in every refpecl: with other pure bitters.
Neumann got from 480 parts 210 alcoholic, and 140 watery ex-
tract, and inverfely 320 watery, and 40 alcoholic.
This plant is found native within the limits of the United
States.f
* Barton's Collections, Part T. p. 38, 60. Dr. Meafe mentions the eflential oil
of the feeds as being equally or more powerful. Medical Mufeum, Vol. II.
f Barton's Collections, Part II. p. 15.
LI
258
Materia Medica.
CHIRONIA ANGULARIS. Lin.
This is a beautiful annual plant which grows abundantly in
many parts of the United States. Every part of the plant is in-
tensely bitter, in which refpecl: it differs from the gentiana centau-
reum, the bloffbms of which are nearly infipid. In other refpccls
it is clofely allied to the lefler centaury ; and it is in no refpecl as
a bitter, inferior to it. It is much more common than the other,
and may without injury fuperfede it in practice. It is called by
Dr. Sehoepf wild-fuccory.*
CICUTA. Fide, Conium.
CINCHONA.
Willd. g. 346. Petitandria Monogynia. — Nat. ord. Contorta.
'D. Kina, Qninqmna.
DA. Kina, China, Chinabark.
F. Qvjnqttina.
G. Chinarinde .
I. China, Chinaccfvna.
P. Qiwia, Qvmqiuna.
POL. Krjinkunnna,
R. China, Chinchina.
S . Quina,Qaina-Q uina, C ar-
te zu de Loja.
SW. Ftberbark, China.
CINCHONA OFFICINALIS. Sp. I. Cortex. Ed.
Cinchona. Cortex. L. Cortex Peruvianus. D.
Officinal Cinchona. Peruvian Bark.
Of this bark, the Edinburgh college enumerates three varie-
ties,
a The common,
b The yellow,
c The red.
It is, however, by no means afcertained, that the two lad are the
bark of the cinchona officinalis, but have been merely clafled under
it until we are better acquainted with their botanical hiftory.
The cinchona officinalis grows in the neighbourhood of Loxa, a
city in the province of Quito, in the kingdom of Peru. It is a
mountainous tree, and is never found in the plains. It grows to a
* Barton's Colle&ions.
C. Cinchona.
259
great height, and formerly its trunk was often thicker than a man's
body. But fi nee its bark has come into fuch general ufe, few trees
are to be feen thicker than a man's arm. Indeed, there is reafon
to fear, that it will become (till more fcarce, as no attention is paid
to its cultivation, and the trees always die after being ltripped of
their bark. This operation is performed in the dry feafon, from
September to November. The bark is then carefully dried in the
fun, and packed in (kins, which contain from 100 to 150 pounds,
and are called by the Spaniards zeronne. In thefe, coarfe and fine
pieces of the fame kind of bark are promifcuoully mixed, but they
are afterwards forted.
Common Pale Bark.
In commerce we find feveral varieties of the common pale bark,
the molt remarkable of which come from Loxa, the quilled bark,
and from Guanaco, the flat bark.
The bark which comes from Loxa confifts of thin, fingly or
doubly rolled pieces, a finger's length or more, and fcarcely a "line
in thicknefs externally rough, of a greyifli brown colour, and ge-
nerally covered with a kind of lichen : internally of a cinnamon
colour. Its fracture mould not be fibrous or powdery, but even
and mining. It has a peculiar aromatic fmell, and a pleafant, bit-
ter, altringent tafte.
The bark which comes from Guanaco confiOs of much thicker,
coarfer, and flatter, pieces ; externally of a dark brown or almoft
black colour, but internally it has the fame cinnamon colour, and
in its refmous fracture, fmell, and talte, it exactly refembles the
former. When genuine, both varieties are excellent remedies, al-
though the former be generally preferred on the continent, and the
latter in Britain.
The great price of Peruvian bark has fometimes tempted dif-
honeft men to adulterate it with other fimilar and lefs powerful
barks, and, what is (till more blameable, with genuine bark, from
which the active confiituents have been entirely extracted by de-
coction with water.
In felecting Peruvian bark, we muft therefore fee, that, befides
the characleriuics already noticed, it be denfe, heavy, and dry, not
mufly or fpoiled by moiiture, and that a decoction made of it have
a reddifli colour when warm, but when cold become paler, and de-
pofite a brownilh red fediment. Thofe pieces whofe talte is
limply intenfely bitter or very aftringent, or naufeous, or merely
mucilaginous, whofe furface is fmooth or polifhed, of a dark colour,
or pale yellow, or red, which are tough or fpongy, whofe fracture
is fibrous, woody, or powdery, and their internal colour white ot
grey, are to be rejected.
260
Materia Medica.
There are few vegetable fubftances which have been fo much
fubjected to analyfis as the Peruvian bark, and yet our knowledge
of it is extremely imperfect. Neumann got from 7680 parts 64-0
alcoholic, and afterwards 300 watery extract, and inverfely 33G
watery, and 600 alcoholic. Lewis obferved that the decoction
became turbid on cooling, but afcribed this to the feparation of
refin, which he fuppofed had been melted out by the heat. He alfo
ascertained that the bitternefs remained diflblved while the aftrin-
gency refided chiefly in this precipitate, and that the precipitate was
foluble in alcohol. In his experiments chalybeate folutions (truck
a deep green with the decoction of bark. Dr. Irving, however,
remarked that recent preparations of bark (truck a black colour,
while thofe which had been kept fome time became green. Se-
guin's difcovery at laft enabled chemifts to afcertain the aftringency
of different fubftances with more precifion •, and Dr. Maton and
Mr. Davy found that Peruvian bark contained very little tannin.
Seguin next difcovered that folutions of bark were precipitated by
tannin, and therefore concluded that it contained gelatine. This
opinion, however, Dr. Duncan proved to be erroneous, by finding
that the principle which formed the precipitate with tannin, was
foluble in alcohol and as in its properties it did not coincide with
any other which had hitherto been defcribed, Dr. Duncan gave it
the name of Cinchonin.* Tincture of cinchona is precipitated by
water, the precipitate is eafily feparated by filtration, the filtered
folution is copioufly precipitated by infufion of gall nuts, and
(lightly by folution of gelatine. With a very fmall proportion of
red fulphate of iron, it acquires a purplifh colour *, with a fome-
what larger proportion, a black, which, on the flighted further
addition of the chalybeate, becomes a full green. The different
colours produced by different proportions of the chalybeate account
for the different refults obtained by Dr. Lewis and Dr. Irving, and
prove, from the green colour which the latter obferved in experi-
ments with old preparations, while the recent ones (truck a black,
that the principle on which the change of colour depends is exceed-
ingly deftructible. In the filtered decoction, infufion of galls pro-
duced a pulverulent, and folution of gelatine a copious filamentous
precipitate.
The principles therefore proved to exift in Peruvian bark, feem
to be cinchonin, tannin, an acid, (the gallic ?) and a matter preci-
pitable from the tincture by water, (a refin ?) Its aroma has
alfo been proved to depend on a very minute proportion of vola-
tile oil.
* Cinchonin, not acrid, foluble in alcohol and in water, precipitated by infufion of
galls. Dr. f homfon difcovered a principle, pofleffing fimilar chemical properties in
black pepper. Dr. Duncan has fince found it in capficum, and it probably exifts
In other peppers.
C Cinchona.
261
Medical ufe. — On dead animal matter it acts as an antifeptic,
and on the living body it acts moreover as a ftimulant, tonic, and
antifpafmodic. The difcovery of its medical virtues was, in all
probability, the refnit of accident ; and in fact, according to fome,
the Peruvians learned the uie of the bark by obferving certain ani-
mals affected with intermittents inftinctively led to it ; while
others fay, that a Peruvian having an ague, was cured by happen-
ing to drink of a pool which, from fome trees having fallen into it,
tailed of cinchona ; and its ufe in gangrene is faid to have origin-
ated from its curing one in an aguilh patient. About the year
1610, the lady of the Spanifh viceroy, the Comitiffa del Cinchon,
was cured by the bark, which was therefore called Cortex or Pul-
vis Comitiffae Cinchona, &c. ; and from the intereft which Car-
dinal de Lugo and the Jefuit fathers took in its diflribution, Cortex
or Pulvis Cardinalis de Lugo, Jefuiticus, Patrum, &c. •, from the
place of its growth Peruvian bark, or limply, from its pre-eminence,
Bark.
On its firlt introduction into Europe, it was reprobated by many
eminent phyficians ; and at different periods long after, it was con-
fidered a dangerous remedy ; but its character, in procefs of time,
became very uni\erfally edabliflied.
It was firll introduced for the cure of intermittent fevers ; and
in thefe, when properly exhibited, it rarely fails of fuccefs. Prac-
titioners, however, have differed with regard to the bell mode of
exhibition ; fome prefer giving it juft before the lit, fome during
the fit, others immediately after it. Some, again, order it between
the fits •, the dofe being the more frequent and larger according to
their frequency ; and this mode of exhibition, although it may
perhaps fometimes lead to the employment of more bark than is
neceflary, upon the whole appears preferable, from being heft fuit-
ed to moll llomachs. The requifite quantity is very different in
different cafes ; and in many vernal intermittents it feems eveij
hardly neceffary.
It is now given, from the very commencement of the difeafe,
without previous evacuations, which, with the delay of the bark,
or under dofes of it, by retarding the cure, often feem to induce
abdominal inflammations, fcirrhus, jaundice, hectic, dropfy, &c.
fymptoms formerly imputed to the premature or intemperate ufe of
the bark, but which are belt, obviated by its early and liberal ufe.
It is to be continued not only till the paroxyfms ceafe, but till the
natural appetite, ftrength, and complexion return. Its ufe is then
to be gradually left off, and repeated at proper intervals to fecure
againft a relapfe ; to which, however unaccountable, there often
feems to be a peculiar difpofition •, and efpecially when the wind
blows from the eafl. Alhough, however, evacuation rather coun-
teracts the effects of the Peruvian bark in intermittents, vet it is rv.
262
Materia Medica.
advantage, previous to its ufe, to empty the alimentary canal, par-
ticularly the fiomach ; and on this account good effects are often
obtained from premifing an emetic.
It is a medicine which feems not only fuited to both formed
and latent intermittents, but to that (late of finre on which all ri-
gidly periodical difeafes feem to depend •, as periodical pain, inflam-
mation, hemorrhagy, fpafm, cough, lols of external fenfe, &c.
Bark is now ufed by fome in all continued fevers ; at the fame
time attention is paid to keep the bowels clean, and to promote
when neceitary, the evacuation of redundant bile, always, however,
fo as to weaken the patient as little as pofiible.
In confluent fmall-pox, it promotes languid eruption and fuppu-
ration, diminifhes the fever through the whole courfe of it, and
prevents or corrects putrefcence and gangrene.
In gangrenous fore throats it is much ufed, as it is externally
and internally in every fpecies of gangrene.
In contagious dyfentery, after due evacuation, it has been ufed,
taken internally and by injection, with and without opium.
In all thofe hemorrhagies called paflive, and which it is allowed
•all hemorrhagies are very apt to become, and iikewife in other in-
creafed difcharges, it is much ufed ; and in certain undefined cafes
of hremoptyfis, fome allege that it is remarkably effectual when
joined with an abforbent.
It is ufed for obviating the difpofition to nervous and convulfive
difeafes ; and fome have great confidence in it, joined with ful-
phuric acid, in cafes of phthifis, fcrofula, ill-conditioned ulcers,
rickets, fcurvy, and in ftates of convalefcence. In thefe cafes, it-is
proper to conjoin it with a milk diet.
In dropfy, not depending on any particular local affection, it is
often alternated or conjoined with diuretics or other evacuants, and
by its early exhibition after the water is once drawn off, or even
begins to be freely difcharged, a frefh accumulation is prevented,
and a radical cure obtained.
Mr. Pearfon of the Lock Hofpital praifes very highly the powers
of this remedv in different forms of the venereal difeafe ; in redu-
cing incipient bubo, in cleanfmg and healing ulcers of the tonfils,
and in curing gangrenous ulcers from a venereai caufe. But in all
thefe cafes mercury muff alfo be given to eradicate the venereal
virus from the fyftern.
Peruvian bark may be exhibited,
1. In fubftance.
The be ft form of exhibiting this valuable remedy is in the ftate
of a verv fine powder, in dofes of from ten grains to two drachmb
C. Cinchona.
2Q3
and upwards. As it cannot be fwallowed in the form of a dry
powder, it mult either be diffufed in fome liquid, as water, wine,
or milk, or mixed with fome vifcid fubftance, as currant jelly. Its
tafte, which is difagreeable to many people, is belt avoided by
taking it immediately after it is mixed up ; for by ftanding any
time, it is communicated to the vehicle. In this refpect, there-
fore, it is better for the patients to mix it up themfelves, than to
receive it from the apothecary already made up into a draught with
fome fimpie diltilled water, or into an electuary with a fyrup. A
much more important objection to this form of giving Peruvian
bark, is, that fome ftomachs will not bear it, from the opprelhon,
and even vomiting, which in thefe cafes it excites. We muft en-
deavour to obviate this inconvenience by the addition of fome aro-
matic, and by giving it in fmall dofes more frequently repeated.
If we are unable to fuccee 1 by thefe means, we muft extract the
moft active conftituents of the bark by means of fome menftruum.
It has therefore long been a pharmaceutical problem to difcover
which menftruum extracts the virtues of Peruvian bark moft com-
pletely. But the active conftituents of this remedy, according to
thebeftand latelt analyfis, are cinchonin, tannin, and gallic acid,
combined with fome mucilage and refin. Of thefe the two laft
are not foluble in any one menftruum ; but they moft probably
contribute very little to the powers of the medicine. The three
other conftituents, on the contrary, on which all its activity de-
pends, taken fingly, are all of them very foluble, both in water and
in alcohol, and in every mixture of thefe. But it would be con-
trary to analogy to fuppofe, that thefe fubftances (hould exift fo*
intimately mixed as they muft be in an organic product, without
exerting upon each other fome degree of chemical aflinity, and
forming combinations poflefled of new properties. Accordingly
we find, whether it arife from this caufe, or merely from the ftate
of aggregation, that neither water nor alcohol extract thefe confti-
tuents from Peruvian bark in the fame quantity in which thev are
able to diflblve them feparately, and that we muft have recourfe to
direct experiment to determine the degree of action pofiefled by
each menftruum upon it. With this view many experiments have
been made, and by very able chemifts. But moft of them were
performed when the fcience of chemiftry was but in its infancy ;
and even at this time that branch of it which relates to thefe fub-
ftances is fo little underftood, that the refults of the lateft experi-
ments are far from conclufive. »
| * * : ■ • '
2. In infufion.
To thofe whofe ftomachs will not bear the powder, this is the
beft form of exhibiting Peruvian bark. Water, at a given tern-
264
Materia Mpdica.
perature, feems capable of diflblving only a certain quantity, and
therefore we are not able to increafe the ftrength of an infufion,
either by employing a larger quantity of the bark, or allowing them
to remain longer in contact. One part of bark is fufFicient to
faturate fixteen of water in the courfe of an hour or two. To ac-
celerate the action of the water, it is ufual to pour it boiling hot
upon the bark, to cover it up, and allow it to cool {lowly. After
ftanding a fufhcient length of time, the infufion is decanted off for
ufe. The infufion in water is however liable to one very great ob-
jection, that it cannot be kept even a very fhort time without being
decompofed and fpoiled. Therefore, in ibme inftances, we prepare
the infufion with wine ; and it fortunately happens that very often
the ufe of the menftruum is as much indicated as that of the fol-
vend.
3. In tincture.
The great activity of the menftruum in this preparation, pre-
vents the bark from being given in fulhciently large dofes to exert
its peculiar virtues. It is, however, a powerful ftimulant.
4. In decoction.
Water of the temperature of 212° is capable of diflblving a
much larger proportion of the foluble parts of Peruvian bark than
water at 60°. But the folvent powers even of boiling water have
.their limits, and by protracting the decoction we do not increafe its
ftrength, but rather, by diminifhing the quantity of the menftruum,
we lefTen the quantity of matter diflblved. Befides, at a boiling
temperature, fome of the a tive constituents abforbs oxygen rapid-
ly from the atmofphere, and is converted into what feems to he an
infoluble and inert refinous fubftance.
5. In extract.
In this preparation we expect to pofTefs the virtues of Peruvian
bark in a very concentrated ftate. The principal objections to its
ufe are its great expenfe, and the decompofition and deftruction of
the active condiments of the bark during the preparation, when
not properly conducted. It is convenient for the formation of pills
and bolufes, but we would always prefer a frefh infufion or decoc-
tion to any mixture in which the extract is redifTolved.
Externally, Peruvian bark is ufed in fubftance, as an application
to ill-conditioned, carious, or gangrenous ulcers.
In the form of clyfter, it may be given in fubftance, decoction,
or extract. The powder is ufed as a tooth-powder for fpongy and
C, Cinchona.
26 5
bleeding gums, and the decoction is an excellent afiringent gargle
or walh.
To increafe the power of Peruvian bark, or to direct its effica-
cy to a particular purpofe, or to correct fome inconveniences occa-
fionally produced by it, it is frequently combined with other re-
i medies. When it produces vomiting, carbonic acid forms an ufeful
addition ; when it purges, opium j when it opprefles the ftomach,
aromatics j and when it induces coftivenefs, rhubarb. But we
' are afraid that many additions are made, chiefly faline fubftances,
of which the effects are not at all understood. Sulphuric acid, fu-
per-fulphate of alumina and potafs (alum), muriate of ammonia,
carbonate of potafs, tartrate of potafs, tartrate of antimony and
potafs (tartar emetic), iron, lime-water, aftringents, &c. have been
frequently prefcribed with it ; but we know that in many of thefe
mixtures decompofition occurs, which renders the whole either in-
active, or completely deceives us with regard to the expected ef-
fects.
Yellow Peruvian Bark.
This kind of bark has only been introduced fince 1T90, and we
are (till uncertain, both with regard to the tree which produces
it, and the place of its growth. It confifls of pieces about fix
inches in length, thicker, and lefs rolled up than the common
bark Its internal furface is of a deeper red. It fometimes wants
the epidermis, which is often as thick as the bark itfelf. It is
lighter and more friable than the former variety ; its fracture is
fibrous ; and when reduced to powder, its colour is paler. Its
tafte is much more bitter, afiringent, and ftronger, but its fmell is
weaker. Its decoction when hot is redder, but when cold, paler.
Its folutions Itrike a deeper colour with fulphate of iron. It con-
tains more of the active conftituents than either of the others, but
lefs gum than the common, and lefs refin than the red. It alfo
produces the fame effe ts in much fmaller dofes. The epidermis
fhould always be removed before it is powdered.
Red Peruvian Bark.
This occurs generally in much larger, thicker, flatter pieces,
but fometimes alfo in the form of quills. It is heavy, firm,
found, and dry ; friable between the teeth •, does not feparate
into fibres ; and breaks, not fhivery, but fhort, clofe, and fmooth.
It has three layers : the outer is thin, rugged, of a reddifh
Drown colour, but frequently covered with moffy matter ; the
niddle is thicker, more compact, darker coloured, very refinous,
brittle, and yields firft to the peftle : the inmoft is more woody,
M m
266
Materia Medica.
fibrous, and of a brighter red. Its powder is reddifh, like that of
Armenian bole.
Its aftringency and bitternefs are more intenfe, and it contains
more refm than the pale bark. It alfo produces its effe£t.s in fmaller
dofes. It is laid to be more frequently adulterated.
Officinal Preparations.
Infusum c'mchonse officinalis, E. D.
Decoctum cinchona: officinalis, E. L. D.
Tinctura ciuchotiae officinalis, E. L. D.
composita, L. D.
am m on lata, L.
Extractum cinchonas officinalis, E. L. D.
cum resina, E. L. D.
Vinum gentianae compositum, E.
vide, Infusa.
Decoctd,
Tinctura.
Idem.
Tinctura ammoniat*
Hxtracta.
Idem.
Vina medic at a.
CINCHONA CARIBJSA. Sp. 4. Cortex. Ed.
Cinchona of the Caribbean ijlands. The bark.
This tree is found in the Caribbean iflands. It grows to a very
large fize. Dr. Wright, to whom we are indebted for all our
knowledge of it, found fome in the parifh of St. James's, Jamaica,
fifty feet high, and proportionally thick. The wood is hard,
clouded, and takes a fine polifh. 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 fpan in length, rolled together, and a line
or half a line in thicknefs, of a brown colour on the furface, which
is moft commonly covered with white lichens : internally it is of a
dark brown colour, and very fibrous in its fraclure. It has at firft
a fweetifh tafte, but after being chewed fome time it becomes ex-
tremely naufeous and bitter. Dr. Wright fays he made ufe of
this bark in all cafes where Peruvian bark was indicated, and
with the greatefl: fuccefs. It has often been confounded with
the cinchona iloribunda (Willdenow's 7th fpecies), fo excellently
analyfed byFourcroy under the title of the Cinchona of St. Do-
mingo, and which taken internally, is apt to excite vomiting and
purging.
C. Cissampelos Pareira. 267
CINNAMOMUM. Vide, Laurus.
CISSAMPELOS PAREIRA.
Pareira Brava. Radix. L. D.
Pareira brava. The root.
Dioecia Monadelphia. — Nat. ord. Sarmentace*.
This is a perennial climbing plant, which grows in the Weft-
India iflands, and in South America. The root, which is officinal,
is brought to us from Brazil, in pieces of different fizes, fome no
bigger than one's finger, others as large as a child's arm •, it is
crooked, and varioufly wrinkled on the furface ; outwardly of a
dark colour, internally of a dull yellowifh, and interwoven with
woody fibres ; fo that, upon a tranfverfe left ion, a number of con-
centric circles appear, crofTed with fibres, which run from the
centre to the circumference : It has no fmell ; the tafle is a little
bitterifh, blended with a fweetnefs like that of liquorice. Neu-
mann got from 480 parts VllS alcoholic, and 60 watery extract",
and inverfely 140 watery, and 66 alcoholic. Nothing rofe in dif-
tillation.
Medical life. — This root is highly extolled by the Americans and
Portugueie, in a great variety of difeafes, particularly againlt lup-
preffions of urine, nephritic pains, and calculus. GeorYroy alfo
found it ufeful in nephritic disorders, in ulcers of the kidneys and
bladder, in humoral althmas, and in fome fpecies of jaundice.
The common people of Jamaica ufe a decoction of the roots for
pains and weaknefs of the ftomach, proceeding from relaxation.
The dofe of the root in fubltance is from twelve grains to half a
drachm-, in decoction to two or three drachms.
268
Materia Meclica.
CISTUS CRETICUS.
Ladanum. Refina. L.
Cretan C'iftus. Ladanum. A refm.
Willd. g. 1048.^. 13.— Nat. ord. Afiyroidea.
This is a perennial fhrub which grows in Syria, and more efpe-
cially in the Grecian iflands.
This refin is faid to have been formerly collected from the
beards of goats who browfed the leaves of the ciftus : at prefent, a
kind of rake, with feveral {traps or thongs of fkins fixed to it, is
drawn lightly over the fhrub, fo as to take up the un£hious juice,
which is afterwards fcraped off" with knives. It is rarely met with
pure, even in the places where it is produced ; the duft blown
upon the plant by the wind, mingling with the vifcid juice, and
the inhabitants alfo being faid to mix it with a certain black fand.
In the fhops two forts are met with : the beft (which is very rare)
is in dark-coloured almoft black mafTes, of the confiftence of a foft
plafter, which grows ftill fofter upon being handled ; of a very
agreeable fmell, and of a light, pungent, bitterifh tafte : the other
fort is harder, not fo dark-coloured, in long rolls coiled up : this is
of a much weaker fmell than the firft, and has a large admixture
of a fine fand, which in the ladanum examined by the French
academy, made up three-fourths of the mafs ; and that found in
the fhops feems even more fandy. What Neumann examined, how-
ever, gave him 5400 alcoholic, and 480 watery, and inverfely 960
watery, and 4960 alcoholic extract, from 7680 parts. In diftilla-
tion water carries over a volatile oil, and alcohol diftilled from it
becomes milky on the addition of water.
Officinal Preparations.
Emplastrum ladani compositum, L. - - vidc^ Uvgucuta.
picis burgundicse, L. - - Idem.
C. Citrus. C. Aurantium. 269
CITRUS.
Polydelphia Icofandria. — Nat. ord. Pomace*.
CITRUS AURANTIUM. Ed.
Folia , fores, aqua fillatitia et oleum volatile forum, fruclus fuccus,
fruclus immaturus, et cortex exterior.
Aurantium Hispalense. L. D.
Folium, fos, fruclus fuccus, et cortex exterior. L.
Fruclus fuccus et cortex exterior, fruclus immaturus, forum aqua
fillatitia. D.
Seville orange. The leaves, foivers, difilled tuater, and effent'ial oil
of the foivers, the juice and outer rind of the fruit, and the unripe
fruit.
D. Oranjen. P. Paranjas.
D. A. Pomtrantfter. POL. Pr,merur<czu.
F. Oranges. R. Pomn-ar.cza.
G. Pomeranztn. S. .Yaranjas.
I. Melarance. SW. Ponwrunscr.
The orange tree is a beautiful evergreen, a native of Afia, but
now abundantly cultivated in the fouthern parts of Europe and in
the Weft-India iflands. There are feveral varieties of this fpecies,
but they may be all referred to the bitter or Seville orange, and
the fweet or China orange.
The leaves are neither fo aromatic nor fo bitter as the rind of
the fruit.
The flowers 'flores naphae) are highly odoriferous, and have
been for fome time paft in great efteem as a perfume \ their tafte
is fomewhat warm, accompanied with a degree of bitternefs. They
yield their flavour by infufion to rectified fpirit, and in dilt illation
both to fpirit and water, (aqua florum naphx) : the bitter matter
is diflblved by water, and, on evaporating the decoclion, remains
entire in the extract.
A very fragrant red-coloured oil, diflilled from thefe flowers,
is brought from Italy under the name of oleum or ejfentia neroli ;
but oil of behen, in which orange flowers have been digefted, is
frequently fubftituted for it. The fraud, however, is eafily de-
tected, as the real oil is entirely volatile, and the adulterated i*
not.
270
Materia Me die a.
The juice of oranges is a grateful acid liquor, confining princi-
pally of citric acid, fyrup, extractive, and mucilage.
The outer yellow rin i of the fruit is a grateful aromatic bitter.
The unripe fruit dried are called Curacoa oranges. They vary
in fize from that of a pea to that of a cherry. They are bitterer
than the rind of ripe oranges, but not fo aromatic, and are ufed as
a ftomachic.
Medical ufe. — The leaves have been celebrated by eminent phy-
ficians as a powerful antifpafmodic in convulfive disorders, and es-
pecially in epilepfy, with others they have entirely failed. Orange
flowers were at one time faid to be an ufeful remedy in convulfive
and epileptic cafes ; but experience has not confirmed the virtues
attributed to them. As by drying they lofe their virtues, they may
be preferved for this purpofe by packing them clofely in earthen
vefiels, with half their weight of muriate of foda. The juice is of
confiderable ufe in febrile or inflammatory diftempers, for allaying
heat, quenching thirft, and promoting the falutary excretions : it is
likewifeof ufe in genuine fcorbutus, or fea-fcurvy. Although the
Seville, or bitter orange as it is called, has alone a place in our
pharmacopoeias, yet the juice of the China, or fweet orange, is
much more employed. It is more mild, and lefs acid \ and it is
ufed in its moft limple ftate with great advantage, both as a cool-
ing medicine, and as an ufeful antifeptic in fevers of the worft
kinds, as well as in many other acute difeafes, being highly bene-
ficial as alleviating thirit. Dr. Wright applied the roafted pulp of
oranges as a poultice to fetid fores in the Welt-Indies, with very
great fuccefs.
The rind proves an excellent ftomachic and carminative, promot-
ing appetite, warming the habit, and strengthening the tone of
the vifcera. Orange-peel appears to be confiderably warmer than
that of lemons, and to abound more with eflential oil ; to this cir-
cumttance, therefore, due regard ought to be had in the ufe of
thefe medicines. The flavour of the firlt is likewife fuppofed to be
lefs periihable than that of the other.
Officinal Preparations,
Of the rind.
Syrupus cort. aurantii, L. D.
Aqua cort. aur. destillata, E. -
Spiritus raphani compositus, L. D.
Tinctura cprticis aurantii, L. D.
cinchona? componta, L. D.
gentians compotita, E.
Conserva cort. aurantii, E. L. I).
Of the fruit.
Succus cochliaris offic. compositus, E. L.
z-ide*
Syruftu
J(jua destillata.
Sfi. destillati.
Tinctter*.
Idem.
Idem.
Conscrvx.
Sued e.rfirctm
C. Citrus
C. Medica. 27 1
CITRUS MEDICA. Ed.
Fruclus, cortex fruclus, et ejus oleum volatile.
Limon. L. D.
Succus, cortex exterior, et oleum ejfentia diclum. L.
Succus, cortex exterior, ejufdemque oleum ejjentiale. D.
Lemon tree. The juice and outer rind, and its ejfential oil of the
fruit.
D. Limoenen, Citroenen. POL. Umonfi.
DA. Limoner, CXtroner. R. Linonii.
F. Citrons, Limon*. S. Limonts, JAmoee.
G. Limonen, Citronen. S\V. JJmzner, Citroncr.
I. I Am mi.
The juice of lemons is fimilar in quality to that of oranges.,
from which it differs little otherwife than in containing more citric-
acid and lefs fyrup. The quantity of the former is indeed fo great,
that the acid has been named from this fruit, Acid of Lemons,
and is commonly prepared from it. The fimple exprefled juice
will not keep, on account of the fyrup, extractive, and mucilage,
and quantity of water which it contains, which caufes it to fer-
ment.
It was therefore extremely defirable that an eafy method mould
be difcovered of reducing it to fuch a ilate that it would not fpoil
by keeping, and would be lefs bulky.
Various means have been propofed and praclifed with this view.
The juice has been evaporated to the confidence of rob ; but this
always gives an empyreumatic tafte, and does not feparate the ex-
tractive or mucilage, fo that it is Hill apt to ferment when agitat-
ed on fhipboard in tropical climates. It has been expofed to
froft, and part of the water been removed under the form of ice ;
but this is liable to all the former objections, and befides, where
the lemons are produced in fufficient quantity, there is not a fufli-
cient degree of cold. The addition of a quantity of alcohol to the
infpiflated juice feparates the mucilage, but not the extractive or
fugar. By means, however, of Scheele's procefs, as reduced to de-
terminate quantities by Prouft, we can obtain the acid perfectly
pure and cryftallized.
To 94 parts of lemon juice, 4 parts of carbonate of lime are to
be added : the carbonic acid is feparated by effervefcence, and a
quantity of infoluble citrate of lime is precipitated. By evaporat-
272
Materia Medica.
ing the fupernatant liquor, another portion of citrate of lime is ob
tained. Thefe added together amount to about 1\ parts, and re-
quire 20 parts of fulphuric acid, of the fpecific gravity of 1.15, tc
decompose them. The fulphate of lime, being nearly infoluble, it
precipitated, while the citric acid remains in folution, and is to be
feparated by warning, and crydallized by evaporation. If toe
much fulphuric acid be added, when the liquor is much concen-
trated, it reacts upon the citric acid, and chars a portion of it.
When this is the cafe, a little chalk mud be added.
By this, or fome fimilar procefs, it is now manufactured in this
country, in large quantities, and fold under the name Coxwell's
concrete Salt of Lemons.
The yellow peel is an elegant aromatic, and is frequently em-
ployed in ftomachic tinctures and infufions : it is confiderably lefs
hot than orange-peel, and yields in didillation with water a lefs
quantity of eflential oil : its flavour is neverthelefs more perifhable,
yet does not arife fo readily with fpirit of wine ; for a fpiritous
extract made from lemon-peel pofTefTes the aromatic tade and
fmell of the fubjecl in much greater perfection than an extract
prepared in the fame manner from the peels of oranges.
Citric acid is a powerful and agreeable antifeptic. Its powers
are much increafed, according to Dr. Wright, by faturating it with
muriate of foda. The mixture he recommends as poffefling very
great efficacy in dyfentery, remittent fever, the belly-ach, putrid
fore throat, and as being perfectly fpecific in diabetes and lienteria.
Citric acid is often ufed with great fuccefs for allaying vomiting :
with this intention it is mixed with carbonate of potafs, from which
it expels the carbonic acid with effervefcence. This mixture Ihould
be drunk as foon as it is made : or the carbonic acid gas, on which
actually the anti-emetic powers of this mixture depends, may be
extricated in the ftomach itfelf, by fird fwallowing the carbonate
of potafs diflblved in water, and drinking immediately afterwards
the citric acid properly fweetened. The dofes are about a fcruple
of the carbonate diflblved in eight or ten drachms of water, and an
ounce of lemon juice, or an equivalent quantity of citric acid.
Lemon juice is alfo an ingredient in many pleafant refrigerant
drinks, which are of very great ufe in allaying febrile heat and
third. Of thefe, the mod generally ufeful is lemonade, or diluted
lemon-juice, properly fweetened. Lemonade, with the addition of
a certain quantity of any good ardent fpirit, forms the well-known
beverage punch, which is fometimes given as a cordial to the fick.
The German writers order it to be made with arrack, as rum and
brandy, they fay, are apt to occafion headach. But the fa£t is di-
rectly the reverfe, for, of all fpirits, arrack is mod apt to produce
headach. The lighted and fafed fpirits are thofe which contain
C. Clematis.
273
lead eflential oil, or other foreign matters, and which have been
kept the longeft time after their diftillation.
Officinal Preparations.
Of the Rind.
Aqua citii medicae destilluta, E. - vide, Ajua destillatce.
Spiritus ammonias coinpositus, E. L. D. Tincture ammoniatce.
Of the Juice.
Syrupus citri medicae, E. L. D. Syruf i.
Succus spissatus limonis, L. ... Sued s/Ussali.
Of the Oil
Unguentum sulphuris, E. ... Unguenta.
hcllebori albi, L. D. - - Id, m.
As the citric acid has been noticed as abounding in the two
aft articles enumerated •, it may be proper to itate fomething of
ts properties.
Citric acid cryftallizes in rhomboidal prifms, which fuffcr no
:hange from expofure to the air, and have an exceedingly acid
afte. When fufficiently heated, they melt, fwell, and emit fumes,
md are partly fublimed unchanged, and partly decompofed. Wa-
er, at ordinary temperatures, diflblves \ of its weight of thefe
:ryftals, and at 212° twice its weight. The folution undergoes
pontaneous decompofition very flowly. Sulphuric acid chars it,
nd forms vinegar. Nitric acid converts it into oxalic and acetous
cids.
Citrates are decompofed by the ftronger mineral acids, and alfo
y the oxalic and tartarous, which form an infoluble precipitate in
heir folutions. The alkaline citrates are decompofed by a folu-
ion of barytes.
CLEMATIS CRISPA. CLEMATIS VIORNA.
The leaves of thefe fpecies of Clematis are extremely acrid, and
lay be found ufeful in chronic rheumatifm, palfy, old ulcers, and
i fine, in all the difeafes in which Stork found the Clematis
^cla ufeful. It is neceflary to ufe them in fmalldofes.#
* Barton's Colle&ions, Part II. p. 30.
Nn
274
Materia Medica.
CLEOME DODECANDRA.
This plant is a native of Pennsylvania, New- York, &c. an
grows abundantly in the neighbourhood of Albany. The who
plant has anextremely fetid fmell. In fome parts of the Unit<
States, the root is employed as an Anthelmintic.*
COCCUS CACTI. Ed.
COCCI NELL A. L.
Cochineal.
D. Conchetalje.
DA. Cochenilie.
F. Coch'Tiille.
G. Koschenil.
I. Coccimglia.
P. CochtniUia.
POL. Cochniilha.
R. Konssenel.
S. Cochinilla, Gram.
S\V. Cochenilie.
Cochineal is the dried body of the female of an hemipteroi
infect. It is found only in Mexico, and is nourifhed entirely c
the leaves of the opuntia or nopal, (cactus coccinelliferus). Tl
wild cochineal, which is covered with a filky envelope, is lefs vali
able than the cultivated cochineal, which is without that coverin
but grows to a larger fize, and furnifhes a finer and more perm
nent colour. The Spaniards endeavour to confine both the infe
and the plant on which it feeds to Mexico. But this attempt
monopoly will, we hope, be fruftrated by the exertions of fon
gentlemen in the Eaft-Indies. The male only is furnifhed wi
wings, the female has none, and remains conftantly attached to tl
leaf of the cactus. During winter, the Mexicans preferve the
infe&s, with the fucculent leaves to which they are attached,
their houfes. In fpring, after the rainy feafon is over, they a
transferred to the living plants, and in a few days they lay inn
merable eggs, and die. They are collected three times in the yea
firft the dead mothers are gathered as foon as they have laid tht
eggs ; in three or four months, the young which have grown to
fufhcient fize are collected ; and in three or four months moi
all the young nre collected, large and fmall indifcriminately, e
cept thofe which they preferve for breeding next year. They a
• Barton's Colle&ions, Part I. p. 64-
C. Coccus Cacti. Cochlearia. 275
killed by enclofing them in a bag and clipping them in hot water,
and by expofing them on iron plates to the heat of the fire.
800,000 pounds are brought annually to Europe ; and each pound
contains at leaft 70,000 infects. From their appearance, when
brought to us, they were long fuppofed to be the feed of fome
plant. They are fmall, irregular, roundifh bodies, of a blackifh-red
colour on the outfide, and a bright purple red within. Their taite
is acrid, bitterifh, and aftringent. They are ufed only for the fake
of the fine colour which they produce, and they are principally
confumed by the fcarlet dyers. In pharmacy they are employed to
give a beautiful red to fome tinctures. Their colour is eafily ex-
traded, both by alcohol, water, and water of ammonia and in
the dried infecSt it is not impaired by keeping for any length of
time.
Neumann got from 1920 grains 144-0 watery extract, and in
another experiment from the fame quantity 1430 alcoholic. The
former was extremely gelatinous.
Officinal Preparations.
Tinctura cardamomi composita, L. D.
aristolochiae serpentariae, E.
gentianae composita, E.
cinchonas composita, L.
hellebori, E. L. D.
cantharidum, L.
vide, Tinclurx.
Idem.
Idem.
Id-m.
Idem.
Idem.
COCHLEARIA.
Willd g. 1228. Tetradynamia Silicu/ofa.—Nat. ord. Siliquofar,
COCHLEARIA OFFICINALIS. Herba. Ed.
Cochlearia Hortensis. L.
Cochlearia. D.
Garden fcurvy-grafs. The plant.
This is an annual plant, which grows on the fea-fhore of the
northern countries of Europe, and is fometimes cultivated in gar-
ens. As long as it is frefh it has a peculiar fmell, efpecially
'hen bruifed, and a kind of faline acrid tafte, which it lofes com-
letely by drying, but which it imparts by diftillation to water or
276
Materia Medica.
alcohol. It alfo furnifhes an eflential oil, the fmell of which is fo
ftrong as to make the eyes water.
Medical ufe. — The frefh plant is a gentle fHmu'ant and diuretic
and is chiefly ufed for the cure of fea-fcurvy. It is employed ex-
ternally as a gargle in fore throat, and fcorbutic affections of the
gums and mouth. It may be eaten in fubftance in any quantity,
or the juice may be expreffed from it, or it may be infufed in wine
or water, or its virtues may be extracted by diftillation.
Officinal Preparations.
Succus cochleariae compositus, L. E. videy Succi expressi.
Spiritus raphani compositus, L. D. Spiritus destillati.
COCHLEARIA ARMORACIA. Radix. Ed.
Raphanus rusticanus. L. D.
Horfe-radifh. The root.
This perennial plant is fometimes found wild about river-fides,
and other moift places : for medicinal and culinary ufes, it is cul-
tivated in gardens ; it flowers in June, but rarely perfects its feeds
in this country. Horfe-radifh root has a quick pungent fmell, and
a penetrating acrid ta'le ; it neverthelefs contains in certain vef-
fels a fweet juice, which fometimes exudes upon the furface. By
drying, it lofes all its acrimony, becoming firft fweetilh, and after-
wards almoft infipid : if kept in a cool place, covered with fand, it
retains its qualities for a confiderable time*
Medical ufe. — This root is an extremely penetrating ftimulus.
It excites the folids, and promotes the fluid fecretions ; itfeems to
extend its action through the whole habit, and affects theminuteft
glands. It has frequently done fervice in fome kinds of fcurvies
and other chronic diforders, proceeding from a vifedity of the
juices, or obftructions of the excretory ducts. Sydenham recom-
mends it likewife in dropfies, particularly thofe which fometimes
follow intermittent fevers. Both water and rectified fpirit extract
the virtues of this root by infufion, and elevate them in diftillation:
along with the aqueous fluid, an efTentia) oil arifes, poflefling the
whole tafte and pungency of the horfe-radifh.
3840 parts, according to Neumann, were reduced by drying to
1000, and gave of watery extract 4-80, and 15 of alcoholic, and
inverfely 420 alcoholic, and 480 watery 5 all thefe extracts were
C. Cocos butyracea.
277
iweetifh, without pungency. About 15 of volatile oil, extremely
pungent, and heavier than water, arofe in diftLlation with water.
Officinal Preparation.
Spiritus raphani compositus, L. D. vide, Sfiiritus destillatus .
COCOS BUTYRACEA. Oleum nucis fixum. Ed.
The mackaiu tree. The fixed oil of the nut, commonly called Palm
Oil.
Pal ma. — Nat. ord. Palm*.
D. Palm olie. I. Olio di pal ma.
DA. Palmeolir. P. 01 o de pair, a.
F. Huile de Jialme, lhdlc de S. Aceite de /.a/ma.
Senegal. SW. Palm o'ja.
G. Palrnbl.
This tree is a native of South America. The fruit is triangu-
lar, yellow, and as big as a plumb. The nut or kernel yields the
oleum palmae of the (hops It is firft ilightly roafted and cleaned,
and then ground to a palte, firft in a mill, then on a levigating ftone.
This pafte is gently heated, and mixed with T37 its weight of boil-
ing water put into a bag, and the oil exprefled between two heat-
ed plates of iron. It yields T7^ or 4* of oil. If coloured, this oil
may be purified by filtration when melted. This oil has the con-
fidence of butter, a golden yellow colour, the fmell of violets, and
a fvveetim tane. When well preferved, it keeps feveral years with-
out becoming rancid. When fpoiled, it lofes its yellow colour
and pleafant fmell. It is faid to be often imitated with axunge,
coloured with turmeric, and fcented with Florentine iris root. It
is rarely ufed in medicine, and only externally as an emollient
ointment.
278
Materia Medico.
COLCHICUM AUTUMN ALE. Radix. Ed. S
Colchicum. L. D.
Meadow faffron. The root.
Willd. g. 707. fp. 1. Hexatidria Trigyma. — Nat. ord. LiHacea.
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 decay, and a new bulb to be formed. In the following
May the new bulb is perfected, and the old one wafted and corru-
gated. They are dug for medical ufe in the beginning of fummer.
The fenfible qualities of the frefh root are very various, according
to the place of growth, and feafon of the year. In autumn it is
inert ; in the beginning of fummer highly acrid : fome have found
it to be a corrofive poifon, others have eaten it in confiderable
quantity without experiencing any effe&. When it is pofTefTed of
acrimony, this is of the fame nature with that of garlic, and is
entirely deftroyed by drying.
Medical ufe. — Stork, Collin, and Plenk, have celebrated its vir-
tues as a diuretic in hydrothorax and other dropfies. But it is at
belt a very uncertain remedy. The exprefled juice is ufed in Al-
face to deftroy vermin in the hair.
Officinal Preparations.
9y rupus colchici autumnal is, E - vidfy Syrufti*
Oxymel coichici, L. - - - Mella medicaid.
COLOMBA. Ed. L.
COLUMBO. D.
Colombo. The root.
D. Coiumbo ivor tel.
DA. Columborod.
F. Racine dc Colombo.
G. Coiumbo WUTZeZ.
I. Radice di Coiumbo.
P. Raiz de Columha.
S. Raiz de Coiumbo.
S\V. Columborot.
This is the root of an unknown plant, which, however, is con-
jectured by Willdenow to be a fpecies of bryonia. It was fuppof-
C. Colomba.
279
ed to have its name from a city in Ceylon, from which it is fent over
all India. But more recent accounts fay, that is produced in
Africa, in the country of the Caffres, and that it forms an im-
portant article of commerce with the Portuguefe at Mozambique,
in the province of Tranquebar. It is generally brought in tranf-
verfe fe&ions, from half an inch to three inches in diameter, rare-
ly divided horizontally. This is evidently done to facilitate its
drying, for the large pieces are all perforated with holes. The
bark is wrinkled and thick, of a dark brown colour on the outfide,
and bright yellow within. The pith in the centre is fpongy, yel-
lowifh, and flightly Itriped. Its finell is flightly aromatic, and
readily loft when not preferved in clofe vefTels its tafte is unplea-
fant, bitter, and fomewhat acrid ; the bark has the (trongeft tafte ;
the pith isalmoft mucilaginous. Its eirential conitituents are cin-
chonin, and a great deal of mucilage. It is accordingly more fo-
luble in water than in alcohol. The tincture is not precipitated
by water, and does not affect the colour of infulion of turnfol, or
folution of red fulphate of iron.
Medical ufe. — In India it is much ufed in difeafes attended with
bilious fymptoms, particularly in cholera \ and it is faid to be
fometimes very effectual in other cafes of vomiting. It often pro-
duces excellent effects in dyfpepfia. Half a drachm of the powder
is given repeatedly in the day Its introduction into practice in
England has been chiefly owing to the late Dr. Percival of Man-
chefter, and it has in general been found to anfwer expectation :
but it is to be regretted, that it is often exhibited in a very de-
cayed ftate, from the want of a regular fupply.
Officinal Preparation.
Tinctura colombae, E. L. D. - vide, Tine tin- <r.
CONFECTIONES, Vide, EleBuaria.
280
Materia Medica.
CONIUM MACULATUM. Folia, Semen. Ed.
Cicuta. Herba, Flos, Semen. L. D.
Hemlock. The leaf, flower, and feed.
IVilld. g. 555.fp. 1. Pentandria Dlgynia.— Nat. ord. Umbellata.
This is a large bienni.,1 umbelliferous plant, which grows very
commonly about the fides of fields, under hedges, and in moiit
fhady places. As it may eafily be confounded with other plants
of the fame natural order, which are either more virulent, or lefs
active, we (hall give a full defcription of its botanical characters.
The root is white, long, of the thicknefs of a finger, contains when
it is young a milky juice, and refembles both in fize and form the
. carrot. In fpring it is very poifonous, in harveft lefs fo. The
ftalk is often three, four, and even fix feet high, hollow, fmodth,
not befet with hairs, and marked with red or brown fpots. The
leaves are large, and have long and thick foot-ftalks, which, at the
lower end, affume the form of a groove, and furround the (tern.
From each fide of the foot-ftalk other foot-ftalks arife, and from
thefe a ftill fmaller order, on which there are fertile, dark green,
Ihining, lancet-fhaped, notched leafits. The umbels are terminal
and compound. The flowers confilt of five white heart-fhaped
leaves. The feeds are flat on the one fide, and hemifpherical on
the other, with five ferrated ribs. This laft cir . umftance, with
the fpots on the ftalks, and the peculiar very naufeous fmell of the
plant, fomewhat refembling the urine of a cat, ferve to diftinguifh
it from all ether plants. We muft not be milled by its officinal
name Cicuta, to confound it with the Cicuta virofa of Linnaeus,
which is one of the moft virulent plants produced in Great Britain,
and readily diftinguifhable from the conium, by having its roots
always immerfed in water, which thofe of the conium never are.
The poffibility of this miftake (hews the propriety of denominating
all vegetables by their fyftematic names, as the Edinburgh college
now do. The other plants which have been miftaken for the co-
nium maculatum are, the aethufa cynapium, caucalis anthrifcus,
and feveral fpecies of chtfrophyllum, efpecially the bulbofum.
Hemlock fhould not be gathered unlefs its peculiar fmell be
(hong. The leaves Ihould be collected in the month of June,
when the plant is in flower. The leafits are to be picked off, and
the foot-ltalks thrown away. The leafits are then to be dried
quickly in a hot fun, or rather on tin-plates before a fire, and pre-
ferred in bags of ltrong brown paper, or powdered and kept in
C. Conium maculatum. Conserve. 281
clofe vefTels, excluded from the light ; for the light foon diflipates
their green colour, and with it the virtues of the medicine.
Medical ufe. — Frefh hemlock contains not only the narcotic, but
alfo the acrid principle ; of the latter much, and of the former lit-
tle, is loft by drying. The whole plant is a virulent poifon, but
varying very much in ftrength according to circumftances. When
taken in an over-dofe, it produces vertigo, dimnefs of fight, diffi-
culty of fpeech, naufea, putrid eructations, anxiety, tremors and
paralyfis of the limbs. But Dr. Stork found, that in fmall dofes
it may be taken with great fafety ; and that, without at all difor-
dering the conltitution, or even producing any fenfible operation, it
fometimes proves a powerful refolvent in many obftinate diforders.
In fcirrhus, the internal and external ufe of hemlock has been found
ufeful, but then mercury has been generally ufed at the fame time.
In open cancer, it often abates the pains, and is free from the con-
ftipating effects of opium. It is likewife ufed in fcrofulous tumours
and ulcers, and in other ulcers that are only defined by the term
ill-conditioned. It is alfo recommended by fome in chinccugh,
and various other difeafes. Its moft common, and beft form, is
that of the powdered leaves, in the dofe at firft of two or three
grains a-day, which in fome cafes has been gradually increafed to
upwards of two ounces a-day, without producing giddinefs. An
extract from the feeds is faid to produce giddinefs fooner than that
from the leaves.
Officinal Preparation.
Succus spissatus conii maculati, E. L. D. vide, Succi sjiissati.
CONSERViE. CONSERVES.
Conserves are compofitions of recent vegetable matters and
fugar, beaten together into an uniform mafs. *
This management is introduced for preferving certain fimples,
undried, in an agreeable form, with as little alteration as polfible
in their native virtues ; and in fome cafes it is very advantageous.
Vegetables, whofe virtues are loft or deftroyed in drying, may in
this form be kept uninjured for a confiderable time : for, by care-
fully fecuring the mouth of the containing vefTel, the alteration, as
well as dimpation, of their active principles, is generally prevented;
O A
282
Materia Medic a.
and the fugar preferves them from the corruption which juicy ve-
getables would otherwife undergo.
The fugar mould be pounded by itfelf, and pafled through a
fieve, before it be mixed with the vegetable mafs, for without this
it cannot be properly incorporated. Rofe buds, and fome other
vegetables, are prepared for mixing with fugar by a fmall woode
mill contrived for that purpofe.
There are, however, vegetables whofe virtues are impaired by
this treatment. Mucilaginous fubftances, by long lying with fu-
gar, become lefs glutinous ; and aftringents fenfibly become foft
upon the palate. Many of the fragrant flowers are of fo tende
and delicate a texture, as almoft entirely to lofe their peculia
qualities on being beaten or bruifed.
In general, it is obvious, that in this form, on account of the
large admixture of fugar, only fubftances of confiderable activity
can be taken with advantage as medicines. And, indeed, con-
ferves are at prefent confidered chiefly as auxiliaries to medicines
of greater efficacy, or as intermediums for joining them together.
They are very convenient for reducing into bolufes or pills the
more ponderous powders, as fub-muriate of mercury, the oxides of
iron, and other mineral preparations ; which, with liquid or lefs
confident matters, as fyrups, will not cohere.
The (hops were formerly encumbered with many conferves al-
together infignificant ; the few now retained have in general either
an agreeable flavour to recommend them, or are capable of an-
fwering fome ufeful purpofes as medicines. Their common dofe
is the bulk of a nutmeg, or as much as can be taken up at once or
twice upon the point of a knife. There is, in general, no great
danger of exceeding in this particular.
CONSERVA
ClTRI AURANTII. Ed.
AURANTII HlSPALENSIS. L.
CORTICIS AURANTII. D.
Ros^ Caninte. id.
Cynosbati. L.
Rosje Rubr^. Ed. L.
RosiE. D.
Absinthii Maritimi. L.
Lujul/f:. L.
ACKTOSELLJE. D.
Conferve of Orange Pee/.
- Hips.
- Red rofe buds.
Sea wormwood.
Wood forrel.
C. Conserve.
283
Pluck the leaves from the (talks, the unblown petals from the cups,
taking off the heels. Take off the outer rind of the oranges by
a grater.
When prepared in this way, beat them with a wooden peftle in a
marble mortar, firft by themfelves, afterwards with three times
their weight of double refined fugar, until they be mixed.
The only exceptions to thefe general directions, which are thofe
of the London college, are, that the London college adds only
twenty ounces of fugar to one pound of the pulp of hips, and that
the Dublin adds only twice their weight of fugar to the forrel leaves.
La Grange fays, that by infufing the red rofe leaves in four times
their weight of water, which is afterwards to be expreffed from
them, they lofe their bitternefs, and are more eafily reduced to a
pulp, which he then mixes with a thick fyrup, prepared by dif-
iblving the fugar in the expreffed liquor, and boiling it down to the
confidence of an electuary.
It is fcarcely neceffary to make any particular remarks on thefe
conferves. Their tafte and virtues are compounded of thofe of
fugar, and the fubftance combined with it. The wood forrel and
hips are acidulous and refrigerant •, the orange-rind and worm-
wood bitter and ftomachic, and the red-rofe buds aftringent.
CONSERVA ARI. L.
Conferve of Arum.
Take of
Frefh root of arum, bruifed, half a pound ;
Double refined fugar, a pound and a half.
Beat them together in a mortar.
This is one of the beft forms for exhibiting this fimple, as its
virtues are deftroyed by drying, and are not extracted by any
menftruum. It may be given to adults in dofes of a drachm.
284
Materia Medica.
CONSERVA PRUNI SYLVESTRIS. L.
Conferve of Sloes.
Put the floes in water upon the fire that they may foften, taking
care that they be not broken ; then take them out of the water
prefs out the pulp, and mix it with three times its weight of
double refined fugar into a conferve.
This preparation is a gentle aftringent, and may be given as
fuch in the dofe of two or three drachms.
CONSERVA SCILL^. L.
Conferve of Squills.
Take of
Frefh fquills, one ounce ;
Double refined fugar, five ounces.
Beat them together in a mortar into a conferve.
This conferve is directed to be prepared in a fmall quantity, to
guard againft its varying in ftrength. It may be given, to adults,
in dofes of from half a drachm to two fcruples, efpecially when
frefh.
The conferve of fquills is a more uncertain and lefs agreeable
mode of exhibiting this article than the powder of the dried root
made into piils, or a bolus, with any other conferve.
The London college conclude their chapter on conferves with
defiring all the conferves, efpecially thofe of arum and fquills, to
be kept in clofe vcflels.
CONTRAYERVA. Vide, Dorfenia.
C.— Convolvulus Scammonia. 28 5
CONVOLVULUS.
Willd. g. 323. — Pentandria Monogynia. — Nat. ord. Campanacea.
CONVOLVULUS SCAMMONIA. Sp. 4. Gummi-refina. Ed.
SCAMMONIUM. L. D.
Scamntony. The gum-reftn.
D. Skammotuum. T, Scamonea.
DA. Skumfnonium. P. Juseamonea.
F. Scammonre. S. J'.scamonea.
G. Ukammonie. SW. Hcammonium.
The fcammony convolvulus is a climbing perennial plant, which
grows in Syria, Myfia, and Cappadocia. The roots, which are
very long and thick, when frefh contain a milky juice. To ob-
tain this, the earth is removed from the upper part of the roots,
and the tops of thefe are cut obliquely off. The milky juice which
flows out, is collected in a fmall veffel, funk in the earth at the
lower end of the cut. Each root furniflies only a few drachms,
but it is collected from feveral veffeis, and dried in the fun. This
is the true and unadulterated fcammony. It is light, of a dark grey
colour, but becomes of a whitifli yellow when touched with the
wet finger, is mining in its fracture, has a peculiar naufeous fmell,
and bitter acrid talte, and forms with water a greenifli milky fluid,
without any remarkable fediment. In this ilate of purity k feldom
reaches us, but is commonly mixed with the exprefled juice of the
root, and even of the (talks and leaves, and often with flour, fand,
or earth. The belt to be met with in the mops comes from Alep-
po, in light fpongy maffes, having a heavy difagreeable fmell, fri-
able, and eafily powdered, of a mining am colour verging to black
when powdered, of a light grey or whitifli colour. An inferior
fort is brought from Smyrna in more compact ponderous pieces,
with lefs fmell, not fo friable, and lefseafi.y powdered, of a darker
colour, not fo refinous, and full of fand and other impurities.
Refin is the principal conftituent of fcammony. Sixteen ounces
of good Aleppo fcammony, give eleven ounces of reim, and three
and a half of watery extract.
Medical ufe. — Scammony is an efficacious and ftrong purgative.
Some have condemned it as unfafe, and laid various ill qualities to
its charge ; the principal of which is, that its operation is uncertain,
a full dofe proving fometimes ineffectual, whilft at others a much
mailer one occaiions dangerous hypercatharfis. This difference,
however, is owing entirely to the different circumftances of the
patient, and not to any ill quality, or irregularity of operation, of
286
Materia Medic a.
the medicine : where the inteftines are lined with an exceflive loa.
of mucus, the fcammony pafles through, without exerting itfi
upon them where the natural mucus is deficient, a fmall do
of this or any other refinous cathartic, irritates and inflames. Man
have endeavoured to diminifh the activity of this drug, and to cor
reel: its imaginary virulence, by expofing it to the fumes of ful
phur, diflblving it in acids, and the like : but thefe only deftroy ;
part of the medicine, without making any alteration in the reft
Scammony in fubftance, judicioufly managed, (lands not in nee(
of any corrector : if triturated with fugar, or with almonds, it be
comes fufUciently fafe and mild in its operation. It may likewift
be conveniently diflblved, by trituration, in a ftrong decoction o:
liquorice, and then poured off from the feces. The common dofc
of fcammony is from three to twelve grains.
Officinal Preparations.
Electuarium scammonii, L. D. - vide, Electuaria.
Pulvis sennse compositus, L. - Pulveres,
scammonii compositus, E. L. D. - Idem.
cum aloe, L. - Idem.
calomelane, L. Idem.
Extractum colocynthidis ccmpositum, L. - lixtracta.
Pilulse aloes cum eolocynthide, E. - - PUute.
CONVOLVULUS JALAP A. 5/. 61. Radix. Ed.
Jalapium. L. Jalapa. D.
Jalap. The root.
D. Jalap jie. V. Jalappa.
DA. Jalaprod. POL. Jalapa.
F. Jalap R. Jalap.
G. Jalapivurzel. S. Jala/ia.
I. Stciarafifia. SW. Jalaprot, Purggerrot.
Jalap is another climbing perennial fpecies of convolvulus. It
is an inhabitant of Mexico and Vera Cruz. It is brought to us in
thin tranfverfe flices, which are covered with a blackiih wrinkled
bark, and are of a dark grey colour internally, marked with darker
or blackifh {tripes. It has a naufeous fmell and tafle ; and when
fwallowed it affects the throat with a fenfe of heat, and occafions a
plentiful difcharge of faliva. When powdered it has a yellowifh
grey colour.
C. Convolvulus Jalapa. 287
Such pieces fhould be chofen as are mod compact, hard, weigh-
•y, dark-coloured, and abound moft with black circular ftriae and
hining points : the light, whitifh, friable, worm-eaten pieces muff:
)e rejected.
Slices of bryony root are faid to be fometimes mixed with thofe
}f jalap: but they may be eafily diftinguifhed, by their whiter co-
our, and lefs compact texture.
Neumann got from 7680 parts, 2480 alcoholic, and then by
water 1200, and inverfely 2160 watery, befides 360, which preci-
pitated, during the evaporation, and 1440 alcoholic : the tincture
extracted from 7680 parts, when precipitated by water, gave 1920.
Medical ufe. — Jalap in fubftance, taken in a dofe of about half a
drachm (lefs or more, according to the circumftances of the pa-
tient) in plethoric, or .cold phlegmatic habits, proves an effectual,
and in general a fafe purgative, performing its office mildly, feldom
occafioning naufea or gripes, which too frequently accompany the
other ftrong cathartics. In hypochondriacal diforders, 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 almoft univerfally, but weakly ; and at the fame time
has a confiderable effect by urine : what remains after this procefs
gripes violently. The pure refin, prepared by fpirit of wine, oc-
cafions moft violent gripings, and other diftreffing fymptoms, but
fcarcely proves at all cathartic : triturated with fugar, or with al-
monds, into the form of an emulfion, or diffblved in fpirit, and
mixed with fyrups, it purges plentifully in a fmall dofe, without
occafioning much diforder : the part of the jalap remaining after
the feparation of the refin, yields to water an extract, which has
no effect as a cathartic, but operates powerfully by urine.
Officinal Pfepafations.
Tinctura jalap'ae, E. L. D.
Extractum jalapae, E. L. D.
Pubis jalapae compositus, E .
Tinctura sennae composita, E.
vide y Tincture.
Extracta.
Pulvere.t.
Tjnctur*.
CONVOLVULUS PANDURATUS.
Wild potatoe.
This is fuppofed byprofeflbr Barton to be the Mechameck
or wild-rhubarb of fome of our Indians. In the ftate of De-
laware it is called, wild-potatoe-vine ; and the root Kuflauder,
or Kaffader (a corruption of the word Caflada). From one
of our fpecies of Convolvulus, an extract has been procured, but
288
Materia Medic a.
little, if any thing, inferior to the fcammony of the Shops. I
Virginia, and fome other parts of the United States, the root c
this plant has been much recommended in cafes of gravel. It
ufed either in powder or in decoclion. Dr. Harris, of New-Jei
fey, has found an infufion or deco&ion of the root, very ufeful i
his own cafe. He is perfuade 1, that it has enabled him to pai
the calculous granules, with much facility.*
COPAIFERA OFFICINALIS. Refma. Ed.
Balsamum Copaiva. L. Balsamum Copaiba. D.
Copaiva tree. The refin, Balfam of Copaiva. ,
Willd. g. 880. fp. I. Decandria Motiogynia. — Nat. ord. Dumofa.
The tree which produces this refin is a native of the Spanifli
Weft-India iflands, and of fome parts of the continent of South
America. It grows to a large fize, and the refmous juice flows in
confiderable quantities from incifions made in the trunk.
The juice is clear and tranfparent, of a whitiih or pale yellowifti
colour, an agreeable fmell, and a bitterifh pungent tafte. It is
ufually about the confiftence of oil or a little thicker ; when long
kept, it becomes nearly as thick as honey, retaining its clearnefs;
but has not been obferved to grow dry or folid, as mod of the
other refinous juices do. The bed refin of copaiva comes from
Brazil •, but we fometimes meet with a thick fort which is not at
all tranfparent, or much lefs fo than the foregoing, and generally
has a portion of turbid watery liquor at the bottom. This is pro-
bably either adulterated by the mixture of other fubftances, or has
been extracted by decociion from the bark and branches of the
tree : its fmell and tafte are much lefs pleafant than thofe of the
genuine refin.
Pure refin of copaiva diflblves entirely in alcohol : the folution
has a very fragrant fmell. Diftilled with water it yields a large
quantity of a limpid eflential oil, but no benzoic acid : it is there-
fore not a balfam, but a combination of refin and eflential oil.
Neumann fays that it effervefces with liquid ammonia.
Medical ufe. — The refin of copaiva is an ufeful corroborating de-
tergent medicine, but in fome degree irritating. It ftrengthens the
* Barton's Collc&io&s, Part I. p. 29.54- Part II. 49-
C. Coriandrum Sativum. 289
lervous fyftem, tends to loofen the belly ; in large dofes proves
mrgative, promotes urine, and cleans and heals exulcerations in
he urinary parlages, which it is fuppofed to perform more efrec-
ually than any of the other refinous fluids. Fuller obferves, that
: gives the urine an intenfely bitter tafte, but not a violet fujell as
he turpentines do.
This refin has been principally celebrated in gleets and the fluor
lbus, and externally as a vulnerary.
The dofe of this medicine rarely exceeds twenty or thirty drops,
hough fome authors direct fixty or upwards. It may be conve-
liently taken in the form of an oleo-faccharum, or in that of an
mulfion, into which it may be reduced, by triturating it with al-
nonds, with a thick mucilage of gum-arabic, or with the yolk of
ggs, till they are well incorporated, and then gradually adding a
roper quantity of water.
CORIANDRUM SATIVUM. Semen. Ed.
Coriandrum. L. D.
Coriander. The fteds.
Villd. g. 552. fp. 1. Pentandria Digynia. — Nat. ord. Umbellate.
D. Koriander.
DA. Koriander.
F. Coriandre.
G. Koriander.
I. Coriandroy Curiandolo.
P. Coentro, CoHandro.
POL. Kor yonder.
I'. Koriander.
S. CilantrOy Culantro.
S\V. Konander.
Coriander is an annual, umbelliferous plant, a native of the
)uth of Europe, differing from all the others of that clafs in pro-
ucing fpherical feeds. Thefe, when frefh, have a ftrong difagree-
^>le fmell, which improves by drying, and becomes fufBciently
rateful : they are recommended as carminative and ftomachic.
Officinal Preparations.
Infusum sennx tartarisatum, L. vide, Infusa.
tamarindi cum senna, E. i Idem.
Tinctura sennae composila, E. - - - Tinctura.
Electuarium sennae, E. L. - - - - Electucaria.
p p
290
Materia Medica.
CORNUS FLORIDA.
Common Dogwood.
This beautiful fhrub is found in every part of the United States
In the New England ftates, it is known by the name of Boxwood
The bark is confiderabiy aftringent, and has long been employed
in intermittent fevers. A decoction of it has likewife been foun<
ufeful in the yellow water of horfes, fo fatal within the few laf
years. An agreeable bitter is made by infufing the ripe fruit o
berries, in fpirits or brandy. The Indians employ an infufion o
the flowers in intermittents ; and the fame has been recommende(
in flatulent cholic.
The bark of the root, Item, and fmaller branches is employed
That of the root is deemed mod efficacious. It is fometimes com-
bined with the bark of the Liriodendron, either in decoction or ii
fubftance.*
CORNUS SERICEA.
Red-Willow. Rofe-Willow.
The bark of this fhrub has been found but little inferiorto the
common pale Peruvian bark in intermittents.
The bark forms a beautiful tincture with proof fpirits, and is
as alfo the powdered bark of both fpecies, deferving of a place ir
the ftiops.f
For a particular account of thefe vegetables, the reader is refer
red to Dr. John M. Walker's " Experimental inquiry into the fimi
larity in virtue between the Cornus Florida and Sericea, and tht
Cinchona Officinalis of Linnaeus, &c. &c Philadelphia, 1803."
* Barton's Colledions, Part I. p. i%. 45.
f Barton's Collections, Parti, p. 12.
C.- Crocus Sativus.
291
CORTEX PERUVIANUS. Vide, Cinchona.
CRETA. Vide, Carbonas Colas.
CROCUS SATIVUS. FlorU Jtigmata. Ed.
Crocus. L. Filamenta. D.
Common faffron. The fummits of the piftih.
Willd. g. 92. fp. 1. Triandria Mcnogynia.— Nat. ord. Lil'iacex.
D. Saffraan. P. Jgafrao.
DA. Saffran. POL. Szafran.
F. Safran. R. Schafran.
G. Saffran. S. Azof ran.
I. ZafferanO) Gruogo. SW. Saffian.
Crocus is a bulbous-rooted perennial plant, probably a native
of the Eaft, although it is now found wild in England, and other
temperate countries of Europe. It is very generally cultivated as
an ornament to our gardens, and in fome places for the faffron,
which is formed of the dried fummits of the piftil, and not of the
filaments, as ftalcd by the Dublin college. Each flower has one
piftil, the fummit of which is deeply divided into three flips,
which are of a dark orange-red colour, verging to white at the
bafe, and are fmooth and fhining. Their fmell is pleafant and aro-
matic, but narcotic ; their tafte a fine aromatic bitter, and they
immediately give a deep yellow colour to the faliva when chewed.
The flowers are gathered early in the morning, juft before they
open •, the fummits of the piftils are picked out, very carefully
dried by the heat of a ftove, and comprefled into firm cakes. In
Great Britain the faffron is fuperior to what is imported from
other countries, and may be diftinguifhed by its blades being
broader.
292
Materia Medica.
On the continent they reckon the Auftrian and the French from
Gatinois the beft. The Spanifh is rendered ufelefs, by being dipt
in oil, with the intention of preferving it. Saffron mould be
chofen frefh, not above a year old, in clofe cakes, neither dry, nor
yet very moift ; tough and firm in tearing ; difficultly pulveriza-
ble ; of a fiery, orange red colour ; of the fame colour within as
without ; of a iirong, acrid, dilTufive fmell ; and capable of colour-
ing a very large proportion of water or alcohol. Saffron which
does not colour the fingers when rubbed between them, or ftains
them with oil, has little fmell or tafte, or a mufty or foreign fla-
vour, is too tender, and has a whitifh, yellow, or blackifh colour,
is bad. It is faid that it is fometimes adulterated with the fibres
of fmoked beef, and with the flowers of the carthamus tinclorius,
calendula officinalis, &c. The impofition may be detefted by the
abfence of the white ends, which may be obferved in the real faf-
fron, by the inferior colouring power, and by the want of fmell,
or bad fmell when thrown on live coals.
By diftillation with water, faffron furnifnes a fmall proportion of
cffential oil, of a golden yellow colour, heavier than water, and
poffeffing the characferiftic fmell in an eminent degree. Accord-
ing to Hermbftaedt, the foluble matter of faffron is extractive near-
ly pure. Neumann obtained from 480 dried faffron 360 grains of
watery extract which was foluble in alcohol, except 24 of a co-
lourlefs matter like fand, and afterwards 20 of alcoholic ; and in-
versely, 320 of alcoholic extracl entirely foluble in water, and then
90 of watery.
On account of the great volatility of the aromatic part of the
faffron, it mould be wrapt up in a bladder, and preferved in a box
or tin cafe.
Saffron is a very elegant aromatic : betides the virtues which it
has in common with all the bodies of that clafs, it has been alleg-
ed that it remarkably exhilarates, raifes the fpirits, and is deserved-
ly accounted one of the highefr cordials : taken in large dofes, it is
faid to occafion immoderate mirth, involuntary laughter, and the
ill effects which follow from the abufe of fpiritous liquors. The
medicine is alfo faid to be particularly ferviceable in hyfteric de-
preftions, or obftrutlion of the uterine fecretions, where other
aromatics, even thofe of the more generous kind, have little effect.
But fome experiments made by Dr. Alexander ferve to fhew that
it is much lefs powerful than was once imagined : and it was given
in the Edinburgh infirmary by Dr. Henry Cullen, even to the ex-
tent of half an ounce a day, in feveral hyfterical cafes, without any
C. Croton Eleutheria. 293
fenfible effect whatever ; fo that of late the eftimation in which it
was held as a medicine has been on the decline.
Officinal Preparations.
Syrupus croci, L. -
Tinctura croci, E.
aloes cum myrrha, E. L.
cinchona composita, L. D.
rhabarbari, L.
composita, L.
aloes sctherea, E.
Yinum rhabarbari, L.
Pilulae aloes cum myrrha, L. E.
Electuarium aromaticum, D.
Confectio aromatica, L.
vide.
Syrufd.
Tincture.
Idem.
Idem.
Idem.
Idem.
Tincturx sthercee.
Vina medicata.
Pilida.
Elec'uaria.
Idem.
CROTON ELEUTHERIA. (Siuartz. Prod.) Cortex. Ed.
Cascarili.a. Cortex. L. D.
Eleutheria or Cafcarilla. The bark.
Monoecia Adelphia. — Nat. ord. Tricoccx.
This bark is imported into Europe from the Bahama iflands,
and particularly from one of them of the name of Eleutheria ;
from which circumftance it was long known by the title of Eleu-
theria. But Dr. Wright alfo found the tree on the fea-fhore in
Jamaica, where it is common, and rifes to about twenty feet. It
is the Clutia eluteria of Linnreus : the bark of whofe Croton caf-
carilla has none of the fenfible qualities of the cafcarilla of the
mops.
The cafcarilla is in general brought to us either in curled pieces
or rolled up into fhort quills, about an inch in width, fomewhat
refembling in appearance the Peruvian bark. It is covered with a
rough whitifh epidermis ; and in the infide it is of a brownifh can1.
When broken, it exhibits a ftnooth, clofe, dark-brown furface.
This bark, when freed from the epidermis, which is infipid and
inodorous, has a light agreeable fmell, and a moderately bitter tafte,
accompanied with a confiderable aromatic warmth. It is eafily in-
flammable, and yields, when burning, a very fragrant fmell, refem-
bling that of muflc ; a property which diftinguifhes the cafcarilla
from all other barks.
Its active conftituents are aromatic efiential oil and bitter ex-
tractive. Its virtues are partially extracted by water, and totally
t
294
Materia Medica.
by rectified fpirit ; but it is moft effectual when given in fub-
ftance.
Medical ufe. — It produces a fenfe of heat, and excites the ac-
tion of the ftomach ; and it is therefore a good and pleafant fto-
machic, and may be employed with advantage in flatulent colics,
internal hemorrhagies, dyfenteries, diarrhoeas, and fimilar dis-
orders.
As the eflential oil is diffipated in making the extract:, this pre-
paration acts as a fimple bitter. It was much employed by the
Stahlians in intermittent fever, from their fear of ufing Cinchona
bark, to which, however, it is much inferior in efficacy.
Officinal Preparations.
Tinctura cascarillae, L. D. - vide, Tinctur*.
Extractum cascavillae, L. - - Extracla.
CUCUMIS COLOCYNTHIS. FruBus, cortice femimhufqm
cbjeElis. Ed.
Colocynthis. Fruclus medulla. L. D.
Cokquintida, or bitter apple. The medullary part of the fruit.
Monoecia Syngenefia. — Nat. ord. Cucurbitacea.
D. Bitterafifielen) Quintap- P. Coloquintidas^Cabacvi-
pelcn. has.
DA. Coldqumter. POL. Kofofavintyda.
F* Coloquintcs. R. Kolozintii.
G. Koloquinftn. S. Colonuiniidas, Tueras,
I. Cohquin'ida. CalabaciUas.
SW. Coloquinter.
This is an annual plant of the gourd kind, a native of Turkey.
The fruit is about the fize of an orange ; its medullary part, freed
from the rind and feeds, is alone made ufe of in medicine *, this is
very light, white, fpongy, compofed of membranous leaves, of an
extremely bitter,* naufeous, acrimonious tafte. It is gathered in
autumn when it begins to turn yellow, and is then peeled and
dried quickly, either in a ftove or in the fun. In the latter cafe it
mould be covered with paper.
Neumann got from 7f>80 parts 1680 alcoholic extract, and then
21 GO watery; and inverfely, 3600 watery and 224 alcoholic.
• Bitter principle, (Thomfon\ intenfely bitter, of a yellowifh colour, duc-
tile while foft, brittle when dry, not fufible, foluble in alcohol and in water, not
irryftallizable, precipitated, by nitrate of filvcr, acetate of lead.
C. Cuminum Cyminum. 295
Medical ufe. — Colocynth is one of the mod powerful and moft
violent cathartics. Many eminent phyficians condemn it as dan-
gerous, and even deleterious : others recommend it not only as an
efficacious purgative, but likewife as an alterative in obftinate chro-
nical diforders. This much is certain, that colocynth, in the dofe
of a few grains, acts with great vehemence, diforders the body,
and fometimes occafions a difcharge of blood. Many attempts
have been made to correct its virulence, by the addition of acids,
aftringents, and the like : thefe may ieiTen the force of the colo-
cynth, but no otherwife than might be equally done by a reduc-
tion of the dofe. The belt method of abating its virulence, with-
out diminifhing its purgative virtue, feems to be by triturating it
with gummy farinaceous fubftances, or the oily feeds.
Officinal Preparation.
Extractum colocynthidis compositum, L. vide, Kxtracta.
Pilulae aloes cum colocynthide, L. - PiluU.
CUMINUM CYMINUM. Cuminum. Semen. L.
Cummin. The feeds.
Willd. g. 547. fp. 1. — Pentandria Monogynia. — Nat. ord. Um~
bellatct.
D. Komyn.
DA. Kummen.
F. Cumin .
G. Kumin, Longer Kummel.
I. Cominoj Cumino.
P. Cuminho, Cominhos.
POL. Kmin, Kmin kranvvj.
R. Kmin, Timon.
S. Comino.
SW. Kummin, Cumin, Spu\-
kumin.
The cummin is an annual umbelliferous plant, in appearance
refembling fennel, but much fmaller. It is a native of Egypt ;
but the feeds ufed in Britain are brought chiefly from Sicily and
Malta. Cummin feeds have a bitterilli warm tafte, accompanied
with an aromatic flavour, not of the moft agreeable kind, refiding
in a volatile oil.
Officinal Preparations.
Cataplasma cumini, L. ... vide, Catafilasmatc.
Emplastrum cumuri, L. - - Unguenta,
296
Materia Medica.
CUPRUM. COPPER. Ed. L. D.
D. Cofier.
DA- Kobber.
F. Cuivre.
G. Ku/fer.
I. Rame.
P. Cobre.
POL. AGttfe
R. A fjed) Krasnoi mjed.
S. Cobre.
SW. Kojijiar.
Copper. Bright red ; difagreeable tafte and fmell when rubbed
or heated ; fp. gr. 7.79 ; ductile ; of great tenacity : fonorous ;
fufible at 27° Wedgewood ; granulated texture, and fubject to
blifters ; a good conductor of caloric, electricity, and galvanifm ;
becomes brown, and at laft green in the air ; when heated, turns
blue, yellow, violet, deep brown ; when ignited and plunged into
water, forms brown, brittle fcales of oxide. Its phofphuret is
brilliant, brittle, hard, and fufible its fulphuret brown, fufible,
and very phofphoric j its alloy with arfenic is white, with bifmuth
reddifh, with antimony violet, mercury deep red, with zinc forms
brafs, and with tin is orange ; it is oxidized and difTolved by the
fulphuric, nitric, and muriatic acids •, its oxide is brown, brittle,
and foluble in ammonia, producing a beautiful blue.
Copper is found in many countries,
a. In its metallic ftate :
1. Cryftallized.
2. Alloyed with arfenic and iron.
3. Sulphuretted.
b. Oxidized :
\. Uncombined.
.5. Combined with carbonic acid.
6. fulphuric acid.
7. arfenic acid.
Copper has a more perceptible fmell and tafte than almoft any
other metal. Its effects when taken into the ftomach are highly
deleterious, and often fatal. It particularly affects the primae via?,
exciting exceflive naufea, vo niting, colic pains, and purging, fome-
times of blood, or, though more rarely, obftinate conftipation. It
C. Cuprum.
297
alio produces agitation of the mind, headach, vertigo, delirium ;
renders the pulfe fmall and weak, the countenance pale, and caufes
fainting, convulfions, paralyfis, and apoplexy. When any of thefe
fymptoms occur, we muft endeavour to obviate the action of the
poifon by large and copious draughts of oily and mucilaginous li-
quors, ortodeftroy its virulence by folutions of potafs, or fulphu-
ret of potafs.
Poifoning from copper is moft commonly the effect of igno-
rance, accident, or careleflhefs ; and too many examples are met
with of fatal confequences enfuing upon eating food which had
been drefled in copper veflels not well cleaned from the ruft which
they had contracted by lying in the air ; or pickles, to which a
beautiful green colour had been given, according to the murder-
ous directions of the moft popular cookery books, by boiling them
with halfpence, or allowing them to Hand in a brafs pan until a
fufficient quantity of verdegris was formed.
Great care ought to be taken that acid liquors, or even water,
defigned for internal ufe, be not fuffcred to ftand long in veflels
made of copper, otherwife they will diflblve fo much of the metal
as will give them dangerous properties. But the fure preventa-
tive of thefe accidents is to banifh copper utenfils from the kitchen
and laboratory. The prefence of copper in any fufpected liquor
is eafily detected by inferring into it a piece of polifhed fteel,
which will foon be coated with copper, or by dropping into it
fome carbonate of ammonia, which will produce a beautiful blue
colour if any copper'be prefent.
But although copper be thus dangerous, fome preparations of it
are in certain cafes ufed with great advantage both externally and
internally.
The chief of thefe are,
1. The fub-acetite of copper.
2. The fulphate of copper.
3. The fub-fulphate of copper and ammonia.
4. The muriate of copper and ammonia.
5. A folution of the fulphate of copper, and fuper-fulphate of
alumina in fulphuric acid.
The two fir ft of thefe are never prepared by the apothecary,
but are bought by him from the manufacturer.
Qq
298
Materia Medica.
SUB-ACETLS CUPRI. Ed.
Sub ace tit e of Copper.
u^iRUGO. L. D.
Verdegris.
D. Shaansch groen. POL. Gryszpan.
DA. Spansk grb'nt. *± R. Jar.
F. Verd'de-grisyjfrrfct. S. Cardmillo, Verdetey Ver-
G. Griins'.an. i f , de-gris.
L * Verderame. SW. Spansk grona.
P. Verdete, Verdegris^j^ar-
dinilho. y. ,
The preparation of this fubftance-was almost confined to Mont-
pelier in France, owing chiefly to an exce^nt regulation which
exited, that no verdegris could be fold untiflfit had been examin-
ed and found of fufficiently good quality. r "Tor fince that regula-
tion has beSn abolifhed, Chaptal informs us, that fo many abufes
have crept into the manufacture, that the Montpelier verdegris has
loft its uecided fuperiority of character. It is prepared by ftratify-
ing copper pla:es with the hulks and ftalks of the grape, which
have been made to ferment after the wine has been exprefTed from
them. In from ten to twenty days, when the hulks become white,
the plates of copper are taken out, and their furfaces are found to-
be covered with detached and filky cryftals. They are now placed
on edge, with their furfaces in contact, in the corner of a cellar,
and alternately dipt in water, and replaced to dry every feven or
eight days, for fix or eight times. By this management, the plates
fwell, and are every where covered with a coat of verdegris, which
is eafily feparated with a knife. In this Hate it is only a pafte, and
is fold by the manufacturers to commiilioners, 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 expofing it to the
air and fun, until the loaf of verdegris cannot be pierced with the
point of a knife.
Sub-acetite of copper mould be of a bluilh-green colour, dry
and difficult to break, and mould neither deliquefce, have a fait
taftc, contain any black or white fpots, nor be adulterated with
earth or- gypfum. Its purity may be tried by diluted fulphuric
acid, in which the fub-acetite diflblves entirely, and the impurities
remain behind.
C. Cuprum. iErugo praeparata. 299
Verdegris, as it comes to us, is generally mingled with ftalks of
the grape ; they may be feparated, in pulverization, by difcon-
tinuing the operation as foon as what remains feems to be almofl
entirely compofed of them.
Medical ufe. — Verdegris is never, or rarely ufed internally. Some
writers highly extol it as an emetic, and fay, that a grain or two acl:
as foon as received into the ftomach ; but its ufe has been too often
followed by dangerous confequences to allow of its employment.
Verdegris applied externally, proves a gentle detergent and efcha-
rotic, and is employed to deftroy callous edges, or fungous flefh
in wounds. It is alfo advantageoufly applied to fcorbutic ulcers of
the mouth, tongue, or fauces, and deferves to be carefully tried in
cancerous fores. With thefe intentions it is an ingredient in dif-
ferent officinal compofitions.
Officinal Preparations.
jErugo prseparata, L.
Oxymel aeruginis, L. - vide, Mclla medicata.
Acidum acetosum, L. - - Acidum acetosum.
Unguen turn sub- acetitis cupri,E. - Unguenta.
Emplastrum melocs vesicatorii compositum, E. Idem.
iERUGO PR^EPARATA. D. L.
Prepared Verdegris.
Let the verdegris be ground to powder, and the minute particles
be feparated in the manner direfted for the preparation of crabs
claws. Vide> Carbouas calcis prxparatus.
The intention of this procefs is merely to obtain the fub-acetate
»f copper in the ftate of the moft minute mechanical divifion.
Officinal Preparation.
Liquor cupri ammoniati, L. D.
300
Materia Medica.
LIQUOR CUPRI AMMONIATI ; olim Aqua Sappharina. D
Liquor of Ammonlated Copper formerly Sapphire Water.
Aqua Cupri Ammoniati. L.
Water of Ammoniated Copper.
Take of
Lime water, frefh made, eight ounces ;
Sal ammoniac, two fcruples ;
Verdegris prepared, four grains.
Mix and digelt them for twenty-four hours, then pour off the pure
liquor. (D.)
In this preparation the lime water decompofes the muriate of
ammonia and forms muriate of lime ; while the ammonia difen-
gaged immediately re-acls upon the oxide of copper contained in
the verdegris, and renders it foluble. But as the quantity of lime
employed is not fufficient to decompofe all the muriate of ammo-
nia, the folution contains muriate of ammonia, muriate of lime,
and ammoniaret of copper, forming probably a triple fait, with the
acetic acid. The mode of preparing this folution, adopted by
the London college, is the remains of a fortuitous pharmacy, now
juftly exploded by the other colleges.
Medical ufe. — This compound folution is applied externally for
cleaning foul ulcers, and difpofing them to heal. It has been re-
commended alfo for taking off fpecks and films from the eyes; but
when ufed with this intention, it ought to be diluted with fome
pure water, as in the degree of ftrength in which it is here ordered,
it irritates and inflames the eyes confiderably.
C. Cuprum. Sulphas Cupri. 301
SULPHAS CUPRI. Ed.
Sulphate of Copper.
Cuprum Vitriolatum. D. Vitriolum Coeruleum. L.
Blue vitriol.
D. Blaauvj Vitriool, Koper-
xitriool, Roomsch Vi-
triool.
DA. Blaa, Vitriol, K bber
Vitriol, Blaat Kobber-
vand.
F. Vitriol bleu, Couperose
bleue, Vitriol Romain,
Vitriol de Chypre.
G. Blaner Vitriol, Kupfcr
Vitriol, Romhchcr Vi-
triol.
I. Vitriuolo turchino, di rame,
ci/irio.
P. Vitriolo de cobre.
R. Sin, i Ku/ieros.
S. Vitriolo azul, de cobre, Ro-
mano, de Chi fire.
S\V. Bla Vitriol, Koppar Vi-
triol.
POL. Ko/iernvas cypryyski mo-
dry.
This metallic fait is rarely formed by combining directly its
eomponent parts ; but it is obtained, either by evaporating mineral
waters which contain it, or by acidifying native fulphuretteJ cop-
per, by expofing it to the adfcion of air and moifture, or by burning
its fulphur.
When pure it has a deep blue colour, and is cryftallized gene-
rally in long rhomboids. It efflorefces flightly in the air, is foluble
in four parts of water at 60°, and in two at 212°, and is infoluble
in alcohol. By heat it lofes, firft its water of cryftallization, and
afterwards all its acid. It is decompofed by the alkalies and earths,
and fome of the metals, the alkaline carbonates, borates, and phof-
phates, and fome metallic falts.
It is compofed of,
Copper, 24
Oxygen, 8 [- 42 hydro-oxide of copper.
Water, 10
| 42
38 fulphuric acid.
25 water of cryftallization.
100
302
Maferia Medica.
The fulphate of copper has a ftrong, ftyptic, metallic tafte, an
is chiefly ufed externally as an efcharoric for deftroying 'warts, ca!
lous edges, and fungous excrefcences, as a ftimulant applkatio
to ill-conditioned ulcers, and as a ftyptic to bleeding furfaces. Ts
ken internally, it operates, in very fmall dofes, as a very powerfi
emetic. It has, however, been exhibited in incipient phthifis pul
monalis, intermittent fever, and epilepfy ; but its ufe is not fre
from danger.
Officinal Preparations.
Solutio sulphatis cupri composita, E.
Ammoniaretum cupri, E. L. D.
SOLUTIO SULPHATIS CUPRI COMPOSITA. Ed.
Olim, Aqua Styptica.
Compound Solution of Sulphate of Copper , formerly Styptic Water.
Take of
Sulphate of copper,
Sulphate of alumina, each three ounces ;
Water, two pounds*,
Diluted fulphuric acid, an ounce and a half.
Boil the fulphates in the water to difTolve them, and then add the
acid to the liquor filtered through paper. (E.)
In this preparation, the fubfrances diflblved in the water exert
no chemical action on each other, and the compofition was pro-
bably contrived from the falfe idea, that the fum of the powers of
fubftances having fimilar virtues, was increafed by mixing them
with each other.
Medical ufe, — It is chiefly ufed as a ftyptic for flopping bleedings
at the nofe ; and for this purpofe, cloths or doflils, fteeped in the
liquor, are to be applied to the part.
C, Cuprum. Ammoftiaretum Cupri. 303
AMMONIARETUM CUPRI; olim, Cuprum Ammo.
NIACUM. Ed.
Ammoniaret of Copper ', formerly Ammomacal Copper.
Cuprum Ammoniatum. D.
Ammoniated Copper.
Take of
Pureft fulphate of copper, two parts ;
Carbonate of ammonia, three parts.
Rub them carefully together in a glafs mortar, until after the ef-
fervefcence has entirely ceaied, they unite into a violet-coloured
m3fs which mult be wrapped up in blotting paper, and fir ft
dried on a chalk ftone, and afterwards by a gentle heat. The
produft mult be kept in a glafs phial well clofed. (E.)
The difference between the proportions of the ingredients of
this preparation, directed by the two colleges, is very finking. We
know of no experiments to afcertain which of them is molt cor-
rect. It may feem Itrange that directions are given fo particularly
concerning the manner of drying a mixture which is prepared by
rubbing two dry fubltances together. But fuch a phenomenon is
by no means uncommon, and arifes from the quantity of water of
cryftallization contained in the ingredients being greater than what
is required by the new compound formed : as foon, therefore, as
the ingredients begin to act upon each other, a quantity of water
is fet at liberty, which renders the mafs moi:t.
The nature of this compound, and confequently the name which
(hould be given it, are not yet fufficiently afcertained. Prepared
according to the directions of the colleges, it evidently contains
oxide of copper, ammonia, and fulphuric acid. If thefe fubtances
be chemically combined, it fhould be denominated the Sulphate or
Sub-fulphate of copper and ammonia. By the expofure to the air
during its exficcation, and by keeping, it is apt to lofe its blue
colour entirely, and become green, and is probably converted into
carbonate of copper.
There is another way of preparing this fubftance, lefs economi-
cal indeed, but more inftructive to the ftudent of chemiftry, and
lefs liable to variety in the product. Into a faturated fo;ution of
fulphate of copper, drop a folution of carbonate of ammonia, or,
304
MateYia Medica.
what is better, water of ammonia, until the bluifri green precipi-
tate, which is formed at firfr, be rediflblved, and the liquor regain
its tranfparency, and become of a beautiful deep blue colour.
Concentrate this folution by evaporation, and mix it with about an
equal quantity of alcohol, upon which the fait immediately preci-
pitates in filky blue cryftals, which are to be collected by filtra-
tion, dried, and kept in a phial with a ground-glafs Hopper.
Ammonia, having a ftronger affinity for fulphuric acid than
oxide of copper has, feparates the oxide, which, being infoluble, is
precipitated in the form of a bluifh green powder. But as this
oxide itfelf is foluble in ammonia, it is rediflblved when more am-
monia is added than is fufhcient to faturate the acid. Inftead of
obtaining the eompound thus formed in a dry irate by evaporation,
which would partly decompofe it, advantage is taken of its infolubi-
lity in alcohol, which, from its more powerful affinity, feparates
the water of the folution, and precipitates the cupreous fait in filky
blue cryftals. When a fufficient quantity of alcohol has been em-
ployed, it merely abftracts the water of the folution, and precipi-
tates the whole of the faline matter contained in it, which we are
therefore difpofed to confider as a ternary compound of fulphuric
acid, oxide of copper, and ammonia. By drying, this precipitate
undergoes fome alteration, for it is no longer totally foluble in
water. As, however, the folution is eafily effected by the addition
of ammonia, it would appear that the alteration confifts in the de-
compofition of part of the ammonia.
Medical ufe. — This preparation has fometimes been ferviceable in
epilepfies ; but, from its frequent want of fuccefs, and the difa-
greeable confequences with which its ufe is fometimes attended, it
has not lately been much prefcribed. It is employed by beginning
with dofes of half a grain, twice a -day ; and increafing them gra-
dually to as much as the ftomach will bear. Dr. Cullen fometimes
increafed the dofe to five grains.
C. Curcuma longa, &c. 305
CURCUMA LONGA. Curcuma. Radix. L.
Turmeric. The root.
Willd. g. 11. Jp> 2. Monandria Monogynia. — Nat. ord. Scitaminea.
D.
Kurkuma.
POL.
Szaframcaj Ostrzjz
UA.
Gurgumeye.
ir-duyxkt.
P.
Curcuma, Terre merit e.
R.
Kurkuma.
G.
Kurkuma.
S.
Curcuma.
I.
Curcuma.
sw.
Gurkmaju.
P.
Curcuma, Acafrao da India.
■ %
Turmeric is a perennial plant, a native of the Eaft Indies. The
roots are tuberous, knotty, and long, wrinkled, externally of a pale
yellow colour, and internally of a fhining faffron brown. They
have a weak aromatic fmell, and a (lightly bitter aromatic tafte.
They contain a very little effential oil ; and Neumann got from
960 parts, 320 watery, and afterwards 50 alcoholic extract, and
inverfely 150 alcoholic, and 210 watery.
Medical ufe. — Turmeric, when taken internally, tinges the urine
of a deep yellow colour, and adls as a gentle ftimulant. It has been
celebrated in difeafes of the liver, jaundice, cachexy, dropfy, inter-
mittent fevers, &c. But its internal ufe in Great Britain, is al-
moft confined to its being a principal ingredient in the compofi-
tion of curry powder, in which form it is ufed in immenfe
quantities in the Eaft Indies. It is alfo a valuable dye-fluff, and
an excellent chemical teft of the prefence of uncombined alkalies ;
for the yellow colour of turmeric is changed by them to a reddifh
brown.
CYNARA SCOLYMUS. Folia. Ed.
ClNARA HORTENSIS. ClNARA. L. D.
Artichoke. The leaves,
Sytigetiefia Polygamia eequalis. — Nat. ord. Compofitd capitate.
The artichoke is a perennial plant, indigenous in the fouth of
Europe, but very frequently cultivated in our gardens for culinary
purpofes.
The leaves are bitter, and afford by exprefTion a confiderablc
quantity of juice, which is faid to be diuretic, and to have been
fuccefsfully ufed in dropfy.
R r
306
Materia Medica*
D.
DAPHNE MEZEREUM.
0
Mezereum. L. D. Radicis Cortex.
Mezereon, or /purge laurel. The bark of the root.
Willd. g> 773. /p. 1. Oclandria Monogynia. Nat. ord. VeprecuU.
Mezereon is a fhrub which grows in woody fituations in the
northern parts of Europe, and is admitted into our gardens from
its flowering in winter. The bark, which is taken from the trunk,
larger branches, and root, is thin, ftripcd reddifh, commonly co-
vered with a brown cuticle, has no fmell, and when chewed, ex-
cites an infupportable fenfation of burning in the mouth and throat.
When applied to the (kin in its recent ftate, or infufed in vinegar,
it raifes Miners.
Medical u/e. — The root was long ufed in the Lifbon diet-drink,
for venereal complaints, particularly nodes and other fymptoms
refilling the ufe of mercury. The bark of the root contains molt
acrimony, though fome prefer the woody part. Mezereon has alfo
been ufed with good effe£ts in tumours and cutaneous eruptions
not venereal.
Dr. Cullen fays that it acts upon the urine, fometimes giving it
a filamentous appearance, and upon the perfpiration, without di-
minifhing the ftrength remarkably ; and that in irritable habits
it quickens the pulfe, and increafes the heat of the whole body.
But Mr. Pearfon of the Lock Hofpital fays, that excepting a cafe
or two of lepra, in which a decoction of this plant conferred tem-
porary benefit, he very feldom found it poflefled of medicinal vir-
tues, either in fyphilis, or in the fequelae of that difeafe. In fcro-
fula, or in cutaneous affections, it is employed chiefly under the
form of decoction ; and it enters the decoctum farfaparillae com-
pofitum of the London college ; but it has alfo been ufed in pow-
der, combined with fome inactive one, as that of liquorice root.
It is apt to occafion vomiting and purging ; fo mull be begun in
grain-dofes, and gradually increafed. It is often combined with
mercury.
D. Datura Stramonium.
307
The berries are (till more acrid than the bark, and they have
even been known to produce fatal effects on children, who have
been tempted by their beauty to eat them. It is faid that they
are fometimes infufed in vinegar, to make it more pungent, and
appear Wronger.
Officinal Preparations.
Decoctum daphnes mezerei, E. - vide, Dfcocta.
sursaparillae compositum, L. 1). Idem.
DATURA STRAMONIUM. Herba. Ed,
Stramonium Officinale.
Thorn-apple. James-town weed. The plant.
Willd.g. 377. fp. 2. Pentandria Monogynia. — Nat. ord. Solanace*.
The Thorn-apple is an annual plant, a native of America, but
now growing wild on dry hills and uncultivated places in England
and other parts of Europe. The leaves are dark green, feflile,
large, egg-fhaped, pointed, angular, and deeply indented, of a dif-
agreeable fmell and naufeous tafte. Every part of the plant is a
ftrong narcotic poifon, producing vertigo, torpor, death. The befl
antidote to its effects is faid to be vinegar.
Medical ufe. — Dr. Stork firft tried it as a remedy in mania and
melancholy with confiderable fuccefs. Several cafes of the fame
difeafes were alfo cured or relieved by it, under the direction of dif-
ferent Swedifh phyficians ; and although in other experiments it
frequently failed, it deferves the attention of practitioners, and
well merits a trial, in affections often incurable by other means.
Befides maniacal cafes, the ftramonium has been alfo employed,
and fometimes with advantage, in convulfive and epileptic affec-
tions. It is not only taken internally, but has alfo been ufed ex-
ternally. An ointment prepared from the leaves of the ftramo-
nium has been faid to give eafe in external inflammations and he-
morrhoids.
The infpifTated juice of the leaves has been commonly ufed, but
its exhibition requires the greateft caution. At firft, one -fourth of
a grain is a fuffieient dofe.
The powder of the leaves or feeds promifes to furnifh a more
certain or convenient formula than the infpifTated juice.
According to ProfefTor Barton, the Stramonium is a fouth-
em plant, which is gradually diffufing itfelf, where, a few years
fmce it was entirely unknown. In 1797, the Doftor adds, he
was fhewn a folitary plant, at Wilkefbarre, in the Wyoming fet-
tlement, where it was deemed a great curiofity, and a new-comer.
Taken in large quantities, this vegetable fometimes induces re-
308
Materia Medica.
tanus. Dr. Barton mentions the cafes of three Britifh foldiers,
who eat the Stramonium by miftake for Lambs-quarters (Che
nopodium album). One became furious and ran about like a mad-
man. A fecond was feized with genuine tetanus, of which he
died. The fate of the third perfon is not remembered.
Dr. Barton confiders the Stramonium as a medicine of great and
invaluable powers. He begins its ufe, in dofes of a few grains,
increafing it in a few days to 15 or 20 grains. In one cafe of
mania he gave it to the extent of 60 grains, at a dofe. In a
cafe, in which it was exhibited to 30 grains, it dilated the pupil of
one eye, and produced palfy of the palpebra of the fame, which
was removed by a blifter.*
DAUCUS CAROTA. Semen. Ed.
Daucus Sylvestris. L. D.
Wild Carrot. The feed.
Willd. g. 530. fp. 1. Pentandria Digynia. — Nat. ord. Umbellata.
This is a biennial plant, which grows wild in Britain, and is
cultivated in great quantities as an article of food. The feeds,
efpecially of the wild variety, have a moderately warm pungent
tafte, and an agreeable aromatic fmell. They are carminative, and
are faid to be diuretic. The roots, efpecially of the cultivated
variety, contain much mucilaginous and faccharine matter, and are
therefore highly nutritious and emollient. When beaten to a pulp,
they form an excellent application to carcinomatous and ill-con-
ditioned ulcers, allaying the pain, checking the fuppuration and
fetid fmell, and foftening the callous edges.
DECOCTA. DECOCTIONS.
Decoctions differ from infufions only in the action of the
menitruum being aflifted by a boiling heat. At the fame time,
however, that the increafe of temperature, facilitates and expedites
the folution of fome fixed principles, it gives others a tendency to
decompofition, and dillipates all volatile matters. DecodHon,
therefore, can only be ufed with advantage for the extraction of
principles which are neither volatilized nor altered by a boiling
heat.
* Barton's Medical and Phyfical Journal, Vol. I. p. 146. — Collections, Part I.
p. 46. Sec alfo Dr. Cooper's " Inaugural differtation on the properties and effects
of the Datura Stramonium, &c. Philadelphia, 1797."
D. Decocta.
309
i To promote the action of the menftruum, infufion is fometimes
i premifed to decoction.
In compound decoctions it is fometimes convenient not to put
in all the ingredients from the firft, but in fucceffion, according to
their hardnefs, and the difficulty with which their virtues are ex-
tracted ; and if any aromatic, or other fubftances containing vola-
tile principles, enter into the compofition, the boiling decoction is
to be fimply poured upon them, and covered up until it cool.
Decoctions mould be made in veffels fufficiently large to prevent
any rifk of boiling over, and mould be continued without interrup-
tion, and gently.
DECOCTUM ALTHiEiE OFFICINALIS. Ed.
Decoction of MarfJjmallotus.
Take of
Dried marfhmallow roots, four ounces *,
Raifins of the fun, {toned, two ounces ;
Water, feven pounds.
Boil to five pounds •, place apart the {trained liquor till the fece^
have fubfided, then pour off the clear liquor. (E.)
Marshmallow roots contain nothing foluble in water except
mucilage, which is very abundant in them. This decoction is
therefore to be confidered merely as an emollient, rendered more
pleafant by the acidulous fweetnefs of the raifins.
DECOCTUM ANTHEMIDIS NOBILIS ; vulgo, Decoctum
Cham^emeli five Commune. Ed.
Common Decotlion^ or Decotlion of Chamomile.
Decoctum Cham^emeli •, five, Decoctum pro Enemate. D.
Decotlion of Chamomile> or Decotlion for G/yfers.
Decoctum pro Enemate. L.
• Decotlion for Clyflers.
Take of
Chamomile flowers, dried, one ounce ;
Caraway feeds, half an ounce ;
Water, five pounds.
Boil a quarter of an hour, and drain. (E.)
310
Materia Medica.
DECOCTUM PRO FOMENTO. L.
Decoction for Fomentations,
Take of
The leaves of fouthernwood, dried,
The tops of fea wormwood, dried,
Chamomile flowers, dried, each one ounce ;
Bay leaves, dried, half an ounce ;
Dii tilled water, fix pints.
Boil them a little, and drain. (L.)
These decoctions are merely folutions of bitter extractive, Com-
bined with effential oils. In making them, the aromatic fubftan-
ces mould not be added until the decoction is nearly completed \
for otherwife their flavour would be entirely diflipated.
It mud, however, be acknowledged, that thefe impregnations are
for the moft part unneceiTary for the purpofe of glyfters ; and in :
ordinary cafes, the bulk and warmth produce a discharge befoi
thefe medicines can have any effect..
As fomentations, their virtues are alfo in a great meafure to be
afcribed to the influence of the warm water : and when the herbs
themfelves are applied, they act only as retaining heat and moif-
ture for a longer time.
DECOCTUM CINCHONA OFFICINALIS ; vulgo, Decoc-
tum Corticis Peruviani. Ed.
Decoction of Cinchona Bark.
Decoctum Corticis Peruviani. L. D.
DecoBion of Peruvian Bark.
Take of
Cinchona bark, in powder, one ounce 5
Water, a pound and a half.
Boil for ten minutes in a covered veffel, and {train the liquor while
hot. (E.)
Cinchona bark readily yields its active principles to the action
of boiling water, and in greater quantity than cold water is capable
of retaining diflblved ; therefore, when a faturated decoction cools,
it becomes turbid, and there is always a depofition of a yeJlowifh
D. Decocta. 311
r reddifh powder, while the fupernatant liquor is reduced to the
ftrength of a faturated cold infufion. Deco£tion therefore prefents
us with an eafy means of obtaining immediately an active prepara-
tion of cinchona bark, and with one of greater ftrength than a cold
~>r even a warm infufion, provided it be drunk while tepid, and
before it forms any depofition, or if the precipitate be diffufed by
agitation, after it is formed. As the precipitate contains no woody
fibre, or other inert matter, it is extremely probable that in very
fmall dofes it would prove, if dried, a very powerful preparation of
cinchona bark.
Formerly it was fuppofed that the ftrength of a decoction of
cinchona bark, and fimilar fubHances, was increafed by continuing
the boiling for a great length of time ; but this is now known to
be a miftake ; and indeed, after a certain time, the decoction be-
comes weaker inftead of ftronger, becaufe water at different tem-
peratures is capable of diffolving only a determinate proportion of
its active principles *, and therefore, as foon as it is faturated,
any farther decoction is unneceffary. But moreover, thefe prin-
ciples, when diffolved in water, are liable to be decompofed and
become inert, by the abforption of atmofpheric oxygen, and this
decompofition is increafed by increafe of temperature ; and as boil-
ing conftantly prefents new furfaces to the action of the air, it is
evidently hurtful when protracled longer than what is jufl necef-
fary to faturate the water. Ten minutes is fuppofed by the col-
leges to be fufficient for that purpofe.
DECOCTUM CORNU CERVI. L.
Decoction of Hartfiorn.
lake of
Burnt and prepared hartfhorn, two ounces ;
Gum arabic, fix drachms \
Diftilled water, three pints.
Boil, conftantly ftirring, to two pints; and {train. (L.)
Prepared hartfhorn is phofphate of lime in a minute Hate or
nechanical divifion. By boiling in a mucilaginous liquid, it will
)e diffufed and imperfectly fufpended, but not a particle of it will
)e diffolved. This is therefore an extremely injudicious prepara-
ion ; for phofphate of lime would be much more eafily and effec-
ually fufpended by triturating it with a larger proportion of gum
rabic, and adding the water gradually. But we believe that this
reparation has no other action than that of a weak mucilage.
312
Materia Me die a.
DECOCTUM DAPHNES MEZEREI. Ed.
DecoBion of Mezereon.
Take of
The bark of Mezereon root, two drachms *,
Liquorice root, bruifed, half an ounce ;
Water three pounds.
Boil it, with a gentle heat, down to two pounds, and ftrain it. (E.)
From four to eight ounces of this decoftion may be given four
times a day, in fome obftinate venereal and rheumatic affections.
It operates chiefly by perfpiration.
DECOCTUM GEOFFR^EiE INERMIS. Ed.
DecoBion of Cabbage-tree Bark.
Take of
Bark of the cabbage-tree, powdered, one ounce ;
Water, two pounds.
Boil it with a gentle fire down to one pound, and ftrain. (E.)
This is a powerful anthelmintic. It may be given in dofes of
one table-fpoonful to children, and four to adults. If difagreeable
fymptoms mould arife from an over-dofe, or from drinking cold
water during its aftion, we muft immediately purge with caltor-oil,
and dilute with acidulated drinks.
DECOCTUM GUAIACI OFFICINALIS COMPOSITUM;
vulgo, Decoctum Lignorum. Ed.
Compound DecoBion of Guaiacum, commonly called DecoBion of the
Woods.
Take of
Guaiacum rafpings, three ounces ;
Raifins, floned, two ounces ;
Saffafras root,
Liquorice, each one ounce ;
Water, ten pounds.
Boil the guaiacum and raifins with the water, over a gentle fire, to
the confumption of one half ; adding, towards the end, the fafla-
fras and liquorice. Strain the liquorice, without exprefiion. (E.)
D. Decocta.
This decoction is of ufe in fome rheumatic and cutaneous af-
ections. It may be taken by itfelf, to the quantity of a quarter of
pint twice or thrice a-day, or ufed as an affiftant in a cour.fe of
~curial or antimonial alteratives; the patient in either cafe,
eeping warm, in order to promote the operation of the medicine.
DECOCTUM HELLEBORI ALBI. L.
Decoction of White Hellebore.
Take of
The root of white hellebore, powdered, one ounce;
Diltilled water, two pints;
Rectified fpirit of wine, two ounces.
Boil the water with the root to one pint, and, the liquor being cold
and {trained, add to it the fpirit. (L.)
This decoction is only ufed externally as a wafh, in tinea capi-
tis, lepra, pfora, &c. When the fkin is very tender and irritable, it
fhould be diluted with an equal quantity of water.
DECOCTUM HORDEI DISTICHI. Ed.
Decoctum Hordei. L.
DecoElion of Barley Barley Water.
Take of
Pearl barley, two ounces ;
Water, five pounds.
Firft wafh the barley, from the mealy matter that adheres to it,
with fome cold water ; then boil it a little with about half a
pound of water, to extract the colouring matter. Throw this
away ; and put the barley thus purified into five pounds of
boiling water, which is to be boiled down to one half, and
ftrained. (E. L.)
S s
314
Materia Medica.
DECOCTUM HORDEI COMPOSITUM. L.
Compound DecoElion of Barley.
Take of
The decoction of barley, two pints j
Figs, fliced, two ounces ;
Liquorice root, fliced and bruifed, half an ounce ;
Raifins, (toned, two ounces ;
Diftilled water, one pint.
Boil to two pints, and ftrain. (L.)
These liquors are to be ufed freely, as diluting drinks, in fevers
and other acute diforders : hence it is of confequence that they
fhould be prepared fo as to be as elegant and agreeable as poflible :
for this reafon they are inferted in the pharmacopoeia, and the fe-
veral circumftances which contribute to their elegance fet down :
if any one of them be omitted, the beverage will be lefs grateful.
However trivial medicines of this clafs may appear to be, they are
of greater importance in the cure of acute difeafes than many more
elaborate preparations.
Barley water, however, is much more frequently prepared by
nurfes than apothecaries, particularly in its fimple ftate.
DECOCTUM POLYGALiE SENEGA. Ed.
DecoElion of Seneka.
Take of
Seneka root, one ounce ;
Water, two pounds.
Boil to fixteen ounces, and ftrain. (E.)
The virtues of this decoction will be eahly underftood from
thofe of the root from which it is prepared. The dofe in hydro-
pic cafes, and rheumatic or arthritic complaints, is two ounces,
three or four times a-day, according to its effect:.
D. Decocta.
315
DECOCTUM SMILACIS SARSAPARILL^E. Ed.
Decoctum Sarsaparillje. L. D.
DecoBion of Sarfaparilla.
Take of
The root of farfaparilla, fliced, fix ounces ;
Diftilled water, eight pints.
Macerate for two hours, with a heat of about 195p ; then take out
the root, and bruife it ; return the bruifed root to the liquor,
and again macerate it for two hours. Then, the liquor being
boiled to the meafure of four pints, prefs it out, and itrain. (E.)
The above formula is that of the London college; that of the
Edinburgh college differs from it only in omitting the fecond ma-
ceration and that of the Dublin in not exprefling the temperature
in which it is to be performed. It is indeed a very doubtful remedy,
and its diaphoretic effects are probably owing to its being drunk
warm. It is totally incapable of curing fyphilis ; but by fome it
is thought ufeful in the fequelae of that difeafe.
DECOCTUM SARSAPARILLiE COMPOSITUM. L. D.
Compound DecoEfion of Sarfaparilla,
Take of
The root of farfaparilla, fliced and bruifed, fix ounces ;
Bark of the root of fafTafras,
Shavings of guaiacum wood,
Liquorice root, bruifed, of each one ounce ;
Mezereon, three drachms ;
Diftilled water, ten pints.
Macerate, with a gentle heat, for fix hours *, then boil it down to
five pints, adding, towards the end of the boiling, the meze-
reon, and Itrain the liquor. (L.)
t The directions of the Dublin college only differ in adding the
liquorice root along with the mezereon, and in reducing the quan-
tity of the ingredients ufed to one-fourth part.
316
Materia Medic a.
This compound decoction is an elegant mode of preparing an
article once highly celebrated under the title of the Lifbon diet
drink, which, for a long time after its firft introduction into Bri-
tain, was kept a fecret ; but an account of the method of prepar-
ing it was at length publifhed in the phyfical and literary Eflays of
Edinburgh, by Dr. Donald Monro.
It operates as a diaphoretic, and may be given with advantage in
rheumatic cafes, and in fome of the fequelac of fyphilis. Three
or four ounces may be taken four times a-day.
DECOCTUM ULMI. L.
Decoction of Elm.
Take of
The frefh inner bark of elm, bruifed, four ounces ;
Diftiiled water, four pints.
Boil to two pints, and {train. (L.)
It has been chiefly, if not entirely, under this form of decoclion,
that the elm bark has been employed for combating thofe cuta-
neous eruptions, againft which it has of late been fo highly cele-
brated. Experience however, in actual practice, by no means
confirms the very favourable account which fome have given of its
DELPHINIUM ST APHIS AGRIA.
Staphisagria. Semen. L. D.
Stave/acre. The feed.
Willd. g. 1061. fp. 13. Polyandria Trigynia.— -Nat. ord. Mul-
tifiliqu<£.
Stavesacre is a biennial plant, a native of the fouth of Europe.
The feeds are ufually brought from Italy. They are large and
rough, of an irregular triangular figure, of a blackifh colour on the
outfide, and yellowifh or whitifli within ; they have a difagree*
able fmell, and a very naufeous, bitterifh, burning tafte.
D.- —
Dianthus Caryophyllus.
317
Neumann got from 480 parts, 45 alcoholic extract, befides 90
f fixed oil, which feparated during the procefs, and afterwards 44
rpid watery, and inverfely 95 watery, and then by alcohol only
ne, befides 7 I of oil.
Medical ufe. — Stavefacre was employed by the ancients as a ca-
thartic ; but it operates with fo much violence, both upwards and
downwards, that its internal ufe has been, among the generality of
practitioners, for fome time laid afide. It is chiefly employed in
external applications for fome kinds of cutaneous eruptions, and
for deftroying iice and other infects : infomuch, that from this
virtue it has received its name, in different languages.
DIANTHUS CARYOPHYLLUS. Florcs. Ed.
Caryophyllum Rubrum. L. D.
Clove Gilly-Jjower. The flowers.
Willd. g. 893. fp. 9. Decandria Digynia. — Nat. ord. Caryophyllea.
This fpecies of dianthus is a native of Italy, and is perennial.
By cultivation, its varieties have increafed to a very great number,
and they form one of the greateft ornaments of our gardens. Moft
of thefe are termed Carnations, but the variety which is officinal
furpafTes all the others in the richnefs of its fmell, and is alfo dif-
tinguifhedby its colour, being of an uniform deep crimfon. Their
only ufe in pharmacy is to give a pleafant flavour and beautiful co-
lour to an officinal fyrup.
Officinal Preparation.
Syrupus dianthi caryophilli, E. L
vide, Surufii.
318
Materia Medica.
DIGITALIS PURPUREA. Folia: El
Digitalis. L. D.
Foxglove. The leaves.
Willi g. 1155. fp. 1. Didyna?nia Angiofpermia. — Nat. ord. So-
lanacex.
This is a biennial plant, very common on hedge-banks, and fides
of hills, in dry, gravelly, or fandy foils, and the beauty of its ap-
pearance has gained it a place in our gardens and Shrubberies.
The leaves are large, oblong, egg-fhaped, foft, covered with hairs,
and ferrated. They have a bitter, very naufeous tafte, with fome
acrimony.
Medical ufe. — Its effects when fwallowed are,
1. To diminifh the frequency of the pulfe.
2. To diminifh the irritability of the fyltem.
3. To increafe the action of the abforbents.
4. To increafe the difcharge by urine.
In exceffive dofes, it produces vomiting, purging, dimnefs of
fight, vertigo, delirium, hiccough, convulflons, collapfe, death.
For thefe fymptoms the belt remedies are cordials and ltimulants.
Internally, digitalis has been recommended,
1. In inflammatory difeafes, from its very remarkable power of
diminifhing the velocity of the circulation.
2. In active hemorrhagies, in phthifis.
3. In fome fpafmodic affections, as in fpafmodic aflhma, palpi-
tation, &c.
4. In mania from effufion on the brain.
5. In anafarcous and dropfical effufions.
6. In fcrofulous tumours.
7. In aneurifm of the aorta, it has alleviated the mofl diftreff-
ing fymptoms.
Externally, it has been applied to fcrofulous tumours.
It may be exhibited,
D.- Digitalis purpurea. 319
1. In fubltance, either by itfelf, or conjoined with fome aroma-
tic, or made into pills with foap or gum ammoniac. Withering
directs the leaves to be gathered after the flowering Item has lhot
up, and about the time when the bloflbms are coming forth. He
rejects the leaf-ftalk, and middle rib of the leaves, and dries the
remaining part either in the funfhine or before the fire. In this
ftate they are eafily reduced to a beautiful green powder, of which
we may give at firft one grain twice a-day, and gradually increafe
the dofe until it act. upon the kidneys, Itomach, pulfe, and bowels,
when its ufe mult be laid afide or Suspended.
2. In infufion. The fame author directs a drachm of the dried
leaves to be infufed for four hours in eight ounces of boiling wa-
ter, and that there be added to the {trained liquor an ounce of any
fpiritous water, for its preservation. Half an ounce or an ounce
of this infufion may be given twice a-day.
3. In decoction. Darwin directs that four ounces of the frefh
leaves be boiled from two pounds of water to one, and half an
ounce of the (trained decoction be taken every two hours, for four
or more dofes.
4. In tincture. Put one ounce of the dried leaves coarfely pow-
dered into four ounces of diluted alcohol ; let the mixture Stand
by the fire-fide twenty-four hours, frequently making the bottle ;
and the Saturated tincture, as Darwin calls it, mull then be Sepa-
rated from the refiduum by (training or decantation. Twenty
drops of this tincture may be taken twice or thrice a-day. The
Edinburgh college ufe eight ounces of diluted alcohol to one of the
powder, but let it digeft feven days.
5. The exprefled juice and extract are not proper forms of ex-
hibiting this very active remedy.
When the digitalis is difpofed to excite loofenefs, opium may be
advantageoully conjoined with it ; and when the bowels are tardy,
jalap may be given at the fame time, without interfering with its
diuretic effects. During its operation in this way, the patient
mould drink very freely.
In a letter from Dr. Gregg to Dr. Walmfley, publifhed in the
Philadelphia Medical and Phyfical Journal, two cafes of phthifis
are mentioned, in which this remedy induced a copious ptyalifm,
which lafted fome time, but without producing any beneficial ef-
fect. In the fecond cafe, the ptyalifm was a Second time induc-
ed by its ufe.
Officinal Preparations.
Infusum digitalis purpurea?, E. - - v.aV, Infusa.
Tinctura digitalis purpurea?, E. - Tincture.
320
Materia Medica.
DIOSPYROS VIRGINIANA.
Perfimmon.
This has been found ufeful in intermittents. Dr. Barton has
ufed it in ulcerous fore throat. The ripe fruit is faid to be ufeful
in the worm cafes of negro and other children.*
DIRCA PALUSTRIS. Lin.
Moofe-wood. Leather-wood.
The bark of this plant is faid to produce a blifter. It is allied
to the genus daphne, all the fpecies of which are blifters.f
DOLICHOS PRURIENS. Pubes leguminis rigida. Ed.
Dolichos. Seta leguminum. D.
Cow-Itch. The ftiff hairs which cover the pods.
Diadelphia Decandria. — Nat. ord. Papilionacea.
The dolichos is a climbing plant growing in great abundance
in warm climates, particularly in the Welt Indies. The pods are
about four inches long, round, and as thick as a man's finger. The
outfide of the pods is thickly befet with ftiff brown hairs, which,
when applied to the ikin, occafion a moft intolerable itching. The
ripe pods are dipped in fyrup, which is again fcraped off with the
knife. When the fyrup is rendered by the hairs as thick as honey,
it is fit for ufe. It acls mechanically as an anthelmintic, occafions
no uneafmefs in the prirme vice, which are defended by mucus, and
may be fafely taken, from a tea-fpoonful to a table-fpoonful in
the morning, falling. The worms are faid to appear with the fe-
cond or third dofe ; and by means of a purge in fome cafes, the
itools have confifted entirely of worms.
* Barton's Collections, Part I. p. II. Part II. p. jz. Sec alfo Profeflbr Wood-
houfe's Inaugural DifTertation on this fubje<St.
r Barton's Collections.
D. Dorstenia. Dracontium. 321
DORSTENIA CONTRAJERVA. Radix. Ed.
CONTRATERVA. L. D.
Contrayerva. The root.
Willd. g. 2±k.fp. 5. Tetrandria Monogynia. — Nat. ord. Scabrida.
This plant is perennial, and grows in South America, and fome
of the Caribbean iflands.
The root is knotty, an inch or two long, and about half an inch
thick, of a reddifh brown colour externally, and pale within : long,
rough, llender fibres (hoot out from all fides of it ; and are gene-
rally loaded with fmall round knots. It has a peculiar kind of
aromatic fmell, and a fomewhat aftringent, warm, bitterifh tafte,
with a flight and fweetim kind of acrimony, when long chewed ;
the fibres have little tafte or fmell \ the tuberous part, therefore,
fhould be alone chofen.
This root contains fo much mucilage, that a decoction of it will
not pafs through the filter. Neumann got from 480 parts, 190
watery extract, and afterwards with alcohol 7, and inverfely 102
alcoholic, and 60 watery. The tincture reddens infufion of lith-
mus, is precipitated by water, and has no effect on the falts of
iron.
Medical ufe. — Contrayerva is a gentle ftimulant and diaphoretic,
and is fometimes given in exanthematous difeafes, typhus, and dy-
fentery. Its dofe is about half a drachm.
Officinal Preparation.
t
Pulvis contrayervae compositus, L. vide, P-ulvercs.
DRACONTIUM PERTUSUM.
The leaves of this plant (which is a good deal allied to the
Arum triphyllum), are employed by the Indians of Demarara, in a
very lingular manner, in the treatment of general dropfy. The
whole body of the patient is covered with the leaves. An univer-
fal fweat, or rather vefication, is induced, and the patient often
recovers.*
* Barton's Collections, Part I. p. tJ.
T t
322 Materia Medica.
ELECTUARIA & CONEECTIONES.
ELECTUARIES and CONFECTIONS.
Electuaries are compofed chiefly of powders mixed up with
fyrups, &c. into fiuh a confidence, that the powders may not fe-
parate in keeping, that a dofe may be eafily taken up on the point
of a knife, and not prove too ftiffto fwallow.
Electuaries receive chiefly the milder alterative medicines, and
fucli as aie not ungrateful to the palate. The more powerful
drugs, as cathartics, emetics, opiates, and the like, (except in offi-
cinal electuaries to be difpenfed by weight), are feldom truded in
this form, on account of the uncertainty of the dofe : difguftful
ones, acrids, bitters fetids, cannot be conveniently taken in it;
nor is the form of an electuary well fitted for the more ponderous
fubftam es, as mercurials, thefe being apt to fubfide on keeping,
unlefs the compofition be made very it iff.
The lighter powders require thrice their weight of honey, or
fyrup boiled to the thicknefs of honey, to make them into the con-
fidence of an electuary : of fyrups of the common confidence,
twice the weight of the powder is fufficient.
Where the common fyrups are employed, it is necefTary to add
likewife a little conferve, to prevent the compound from candying
and drying too foon. Electuaries of Peruvian bark, for inftance,
made up with fyrup alone, will often in a day or two grow too
dry for taking.
This is owing to the crydallization of the fugar. Deyeux,
theii'tore, rdvifes electuaries, confections, and conferves, to be
made up with fyrups from which all the cryftallizable parts have
beeq feparatfed. For this purpofe, after being fufEciently evapo-
rated, they are to be expofed to the heat of a dove as long as they
form any cry dais. The fyrup which remains, probably from the
pr fence of fome vegetable acid, has no tendency to crydallize,
and is to be decanted and evaporated to a proper confidence. In
E. Electuaria. 323
ofpital practice, the fame object may be obtained much more
afily by ufmg molafles inltead of fyrups.
The quantity of an electuary, directed at a time, in extempora-
eous prcfcription, varies much according to its conftituent parts,
ut is rarely lefs than the fize of a nutmeg, or more than two or
three ounces.
ELECTUARIUM AROMATICUM. Ed. D.
CONFECTIO AROMATICA. L.
Aromatic EleEluary. Aromatic Confection.
Take of
Aromatic powder, one part ;
Syrup of orange-peel, two parts.
Mix and beat them well together, fo as to form an electuary. (E.)
This fimp'e compound ferves all the purpofes of a cordial, or as
a vehicle for more active fubftances, as well as the complicated
formula? of the London and Dublin c olleges. It is given in
form of a bolus, in dofes of from 5 grains to 20 and upwards.
ELECTUARIUM CASSIA FISTULA. Ed.
Electuarium CassijE. L. D.
EleEluary of Cajfia.
Take of
Pulp of caflia fiftularis, fix ounces \
Pulp of tamarinds,
Manna, each an ounce and a half ;
Syrup of pale rofes, fix ounces.
Having beat the manna in a mortar, difTolve it with a gentle heat,
in the fyrup ; then add the pulps, and evaporate them with a
regularly continued heat to the confidence of an electuary. (E.)
This compofition is a very convenient officinal, to ferve as a
bafis for purgative electuaries and other fimilar purpofes. The
tamarinds give it a pleafant tafte, and do not fubjeot it, as might
be expected, to turn four. After (landing for four months,
the compofition has been found no fourer than when firft made.
This electuary, likewife, is ufefully taken by itfelf, to the quantity
of two or three drachms occafionally, for gently loofening the belly
in coftive habits.
324
Materia Medica.
ELECTUARIUM CASSL/E SENN^ ; olim, Electuarium
Lenitivum. Ed.
Electuarium Senna. L. D.
Elecluary of Senna, commonly called Lenitive Elecluary.
Take of
Senna leaves, in very fine powder, four ounces ;
Pulp of French prunes, one pound ;
tamarinds, two ounces ;
MolafTes, a pound and a half ;
Eflential oil of caraway, two drachms.
Boil the pulps in the fyrup to the thicknefs of honey •, then add
the powders, and, when the mixture is cooled, add the oil ; then
beat them all well together, fo as to form an electuary. (D.)
This elecluary is a very convenient laxative, and has long been
in common ufe among practitioners. Taken to the fize of a nut-
meg or more, as occafion may require, it is an excellent laxative
for loofening the belly in coftive habits.
ELECTUARIUM CATECHU; olim, Confectio Japonica. E.
Elecluary of Catechu, formerly Japonic Confection.
Electuarium Catechu Compositum ; olim, Confectio Ja-
ponica. D.
Compound Elecluary of Catechu, formerly Japonic Confection..
Take of 1
Extract of mimofa catechu, four ounces ;
Kino, three ounces ;
Cinnamon,
Nutmeg, each one ounce ;
Opium, diffufed in a fufhcient quantity of Spanifh white wine,
one drachm and a half ;
Syrup of red rofes, boiled to the confiftence of honey, two pounds
and a quarter.
Reduce the folids to powder ; and having mixed them with the
opium and fyrup, make them into an elecluary. (L.)
This elecluary, is an extremely ufeful aftringent medicine,
.and is often given in dofes of a tea-fpoonful, frequently repeated,
in cafes of diarrhoea, &c. Ten fcruples contain one grain of
opium.
E. Electuaria. 325
ELECTUARIUM SCAMMONII. L. D.
Eletluary of Scammony.
Take of
Scammony, in powder, one ounce and a half ;
Cloves,
Ginger, of each fix drachms ;
EiTential oil of caraway, half a drachm ;
Syrup of rofes, as much as is fufficient.
Mix the fpices, powdered together, with the fyrup ; then add the
fcammony, and laftly, the oil of caraway. (L.)
This electuary is a warm brifk purgative. A drachm and a
half contain fifteen grains of fcammony.
ELECTUARIUM OPIATUM; olim, Electuarium The-
BAICUM. Ed.
Opiate Eletluary > commonly called Thebaic Elecluary.
CONFECTIO OPIATA. L.
Confection of Opium.
Take of
Aromatic powder, fix ounces ;
Virginian fnake root, in fine powder, three ounces ;
Opium diffufcd in a fufficient quantity of Spanim white wine,
half an ounce ;
Syrup of ginger, one pound.
Mix them, and form an elecluary. (E.)
The action which this elecluary will produce on the living
fyftem, is abundantly apparent from the nature of the ingredients.
They are combinations of aromatics with opium ; one grain of
opium being contained in forty-three of the Edinburgh elecluary.
EMPLASTRA,
Vide, Unguentd.
326
Materia Medica.
EMULSIONES. - - Fide, Mixture.
ERIGERON PH < L ADELPHICUM.
Philadelphia Flea-banc,
This is one of the moft common plants in many parts of the
United States. It has been ufed in decoction or infufion in Phi-
ladelphia, for gouty and gravelly comp.aints, and in fome inftan-
ces with much benefit. It operates powerfully as a diuretic and
fudorific. It is known by the name of Skevifh in Pennfylvania,
which Dr. Barton fufpecls to be a corruption of the word Sca-
bious. This plant is employed by the Cochin-Chinefe, accord-
ing to Father Lureiro ; who fpeaks of it as an active emmena-
gogue.*
ERYNGIUM AQUATICUM.
Water-Eryngo.
This plant is nearly allied to the contrayerva of the (hops,
and a£ts more efpecially as a fudorific. It is ufed in decoction by
the fouthern Indians.f
ERYNGIUM MARITIMUM. ErynGIum. Radix. L. D.
Eryngo. The ro$t.
Willd. g. 518. fp. 6. — Pentandria Monogynia. — Nat. ord. Urn-
bellata.
This plant grows plentifully on fome of the fandy and gravelly
mores of Great Britain : the roots are flender, and very long ; of
a pleafant fweetifh tafte, which, on chewing them for fome time,
is followed by a flight degree of aromatic warmth and acrimony.
They are accounted aperient and diuretic, and have alfo been
celebrated as aphrodifiac : their virtues, however, are too weak
to admit them under the head of medieines.
* Barton's Collection?, Part II. p. 46. f Barton's Colle&ions, Part I. p. ao<
E. Eugenia caryophyllata. 327
EUGENIA CARYOPHYLLATA. Caryophyllus Aroma-
Ticus. Floris germen, et oleum ejus volatile. Ed.
Caryophylla Aromatica, et oleum eorundum ejfentiale. D.
Caryophyllus Aromatica. Pericarpium immaturum^ et oleum
ejus ejfentiale. L.
The clove tree. The jloiuer-bud and its ejftntial oil.
Willd. g. 972. fp. 24- Icofandria Monogynia. — Nat. ord. He/-
peridect.
D. Kriddnagelen, Grroffl's. P. Cravoa da India, CravQs
DA. Xellikrr, Krydcntlliktr. girfcs.
F. Cloux de Girdle. R. Givosdika.
G. Gewiirznelkm. S. Clavo* de Espeeiay Cla-
I. Chiovi di Garojuno, Ga- ri'los.
rqfani, Garoffoli. SW. Kryddcneglikor.
POL. Gozdiiki kramne .
This is a beautiful tall tree, a native of the Molucca iflands.
The Dutch, from the defire of monopolizing the valuable fpice
produced by it, deftroyed all the trees except in Amboyna, where
it is carefully cultivated. But their fcheme has been fruftrated,
and the clove is now thriving in the Ifle of France and other places.
Every part of this tree is highly aromatic, but cfpecially the leaf-
ftalk. Cloves are the flower-buds, which are gathered in October
and November, before they open, and when they are ftill green,
and which are expofed to fmoke for fome days, and then dried in
the fun.
Cloves have fomewhat the form of a nail, confiding of a globu-
lar head, formed of the four petals of the corolla, and four leaves
of the calyx not yet expanded ; but this part is often wanting,
being eafily broken off ; and a germen fituated below, nearly-
round, but fomewhat narrower towards the bottom ; fcarcely an
inch in length, and covered with another thicker caiyx, divided
above into four parts. Their colour mould be of a deep brown,
their fmell ftrong, peculiar, and grateful ; their tafte acrid, aro-
matic, and permanent. The belt cloves are alfo large, heavy,
brittle, and when prefTed with the nail, exude a little oil. When-
light, foft, wrinkled, dirty, pale, and without fmell or tafte, thev
are to be rejected.
328
Materia Medica.
The Dutch from whom we have this fpice, frequently mix
with cloves from which the oil has been dilKHed. Thefe, thou^
in time they regain from the others a confiderable fhare both i
tafte and fmell, are eafily diftinguifhable by their weaker flavoi
and lighter colour.
Cloves yield by diftillation with water about one-feventh of the
weight of volatile oil ; 960 parts alfo gave to Neumann 380 of
naufeous, fomewhat aftringent, watery extracl. The fame quar.
tity gave only 300 of exceflively fiery alcoholic extract. Whe
the alcoholic extracl: is freed from the volatile oil by diftillatio.
with water, the oil that arifes proves mild, and the refin that re
mains infipid. Its pungency therefore feems to depend on th«
combination of thefe principles. The Dutch oil of cloves is ex
tremely hot and fiery, and of a reddifh brown colour, but it i
greatly adulterated, both with fixed oils and refin of cloves ; foi
the genuine oil when recently diftided, is comparatively quite mild,
and colourlefs, although it gradually acquires a yellow colour. It
is heavier than water, and rifes in diftillation with fome difficulty,
fo that it is proper to ufe a very low-headed ftill, and to return the
diitilled water feveral times upon the refiduum.
Medical ufe. — Cloves, confidered as medicines, are very hot Si-
mulating aromatics, and pofiefs in an eminent degree the general
virtues of fubitances of this clafs.
Officinal Preparations.
Spiritus lavendulae compositus, E. L, D. vide,
ammonias compositus, L.
Confectio aromatica, L. -
Electuarium scamonii, L. D.
Piiulae aloes cum colocynthide, E.
Tine fur a.
Tincture amnionic! .
Electiiaiia.
Idem.
Pilule.
EUPATORIUM PERFOLIATUM.
This plant is known by the name of Thorough-ftem, Crofs-
wort, Bone-fet, and Indian fage. It is one of the remedies of the
Indians ; and acls powerfully as a fudorific and emetic, and has
been fuccefsfully employed in intermittents and other fevers,
either in decoclion or the leaves in powder. The aya pana, fo ce-
lebrated of late, is a fpecies of the fame family. Every part of
the eupatorium may be advantageoufly employed, though the
flowers appear moft active. A watery infufion of the leaves is a
powerful and not difagreeable bitter, and the flowers are deemed
fuperior in this refpect. to thofe of the anthemis nobilis, by Dr.
Barton.*
* Barton's Collections, Part I. p. J2. Part II. p. 22-
E. Euphorbia. Extracta. 329
EUPHORBIA IPECACUANHA.
Spurge.
This fpeciesof euphorbia grows fpontaneoufly in various parts
if the United States. It is pretty common in the dry and fandy
oil of New Jerfey, within a few miles of Philadelphia. This is
10 extremely active plant, the root of which is employed as an
emetic by fome of the country people. The dofe is not known,
hough Dr. Barton fuppofes it is fmall, as it belongs to the head of
irallic emetics.*
EXTRACTA — ^EXJ'RACTS.
Extract in pharmacy has long been ufed, in the common and
true acceptation of the term, to exprefs a thing extracted, and
therefore it was applied to fubftances of all kinds which were
extracted from heterogeneous bodies, by the aftion of any men-
ftruum, and again reduced to a confident form, by the evaporation
of that menftruum. Lately, however, extract has been ufed in a
different and much more limited fenfe, as the name for a peculiar
principle, which is often indeed contained in extracts, and which
before had no proper appellation. It is in the former fenfe that
we employ it here, and in which we wifh it to be only ufed, while
a new word mould be invented as the name of the new fubftance.
Till a better be propofed, we mall call it extractive. (See Aloes.)
Extracts are of various kinds, according to the nature of the
fubftances from which they are obtained, and the menftruum em-
ployed ; but they commonly confift of gum, fugar, extractive,
tannin, gallic acid, or refin, or feveral of them mixed in various
proportions. The menflrua moft commonly employed are water
and alcohol. The former is capable of extracting all the fubftan-
ces enumerated, except the refin, and the latter all except the
gum. Wine is alfo fometimes employed, but very improperly ;
for as a folvent it can only acr. as a mixture of alcohol and water,
and the principles which it leaves behind on evaporation are ra-
ther injurious than of advantage to the extract.
Water is the menftruum moft economically employed in mak-
ing extra&s, as it is capable of dillblving all the active principles
except refin, and can have its folvent powers alfifted by a confider-
able degree of heat.
Barton's Colle<5Hons, Part I. p. 25,
Uu
330
Materia Medica.
Watery extracts are prepared by boiling the fubject in watei
and evaporating the {trained decoction to a thick confidence.
It is indifferent, with regard to the medicine, whether the fub
ject be ufed frelh or dry ; fince nothing that can be preferve<
in this procefs will be loll by drying. With regard to the faci
lity of extraction, there is a very confiderable difference ; vege
tables in general giving out their virtues more readily when mo
derately dried than when frefh.
Very compact, dry fubftances fhould be reduced into exceed
ingly fmall parts, previous to the affufion of the menftruum.
The quantity of water ought to be no greater than is neceflar
for extracting the virtues of the fubjecT. This point, however
is not very eafily afcertained ; for although fome of the commo
principles of extracts be foluble in a very fmall proportion
water, there are others, fuch as the tannin, of which water ca
diflblve only a certain proportion, and cannot be made to take u
more by any length of boiling ; and we have no very good me
thod of knowing when we have ufed a fufficient quantity of wa-
ter ; for vegetable fubftances will continue to colour deeply fuc-
ceffive portions of water boiled with them, long after they are
yielding nothing to it but colouring matter. Perhaps one of the
beft methods is to boil the fubject in fucceffive quantities of
water, as long as the decoctions form a confiderable precipitate
with the teft which is proper for detecting the fubftance we are
extracting, fuch as a folution of gelatin for tannin, of alum for
extractive, &c.
« The decoctions are to be depurated by colature ; and after-
« wards fuffered to ftand for a day or two, when a confiderable
" quantity of fediment is ufually found at the bottom. If the
" liquor poured off clear be boiled down a little, and afterwards
" fuffered to cool again, it will depofite a frefh fediment, from
" which it may be decanted before you proceed to finifti the eva-
" poration. The decoctions of very refmous fubftances do not re-
" quire this treatment, and are rather injured by it; the refin fub-
f< fiding along with the inactive dregs."
Such were the directions given in the former editions of the Edin-
burgh Difpenfatory for the depuration of the decoctions, and we
have inferted them at full length, becaufe, although we doubt very
much of their propriety, our reafons for fo doing are fcarcely more
than hypothetical. We would advife the decoctions to be evaporat-
ed after they have been filtered boiling hot, without any further de-
puration ; becaufe fome of the moft active principles of vegetable
fubftances, fuch as tannin, are much more foluble in boiling than
in cold water, and becaufe almoft all of them are very quickly
affected by expofure to the atmofphere. Therefore, if a boiling
decoction, faturated with tannin, be allowed to cool, the greateft
E. Extracta. 331
irt of the very principle on which the activity of the fubftance
spends will feparate to the bottom, and according to the above
ireftions, will be thrown away as fediment. The fame objection
jplies more ftrongly to allowing the decoction to cool, and de-
ofite a frem fediment, after it has been partially evaporated. Be-
des, by allowing the decoctions to ftand feveral days before we
roceed to their evaporation, we are in fact allowing the active
rinciples contained in the decoction to be altered by the action of
he air, and to be converted into fubftances, perhaps inactive, which
ifo are thrown away as fediment.
The evaporation is molt conveniently performed in broad fhal-
ow veffels •, the larger the furface of the liquor, the fooner will
he aqueous parts exhale. This effect may likewife be promoted
>y agitation.
When the matter begins to grow thick, great care is neceflary to
prevent its burning. This accident, almoft unavoidable if the quan-
tity be large, and the fire applied as ufual under the evaporating
pan, may be effectually prevented, by carrying on the infpifla-
tion, after the common manner, no farther than to the confidence
of a fyrup, when the matter is to be poured into {hallow tin or
earthen pans, and placed in an oven, with its door open, mode-
rately heated •, which acting uniformly on every part of the liquid,
will loon reduce it to any degree of confidence required. This
may likewife be done, and more fecurely, by fetting the evaporat-
ing vefTel in boiling water •, but the evaporation is in this way very
tedious.
Alcohol is much too expenfive to be employed as a menftruum
for obtaining extracts, except in thofe cafes where water is totally
inadequate to the purpofe. Thefe cafes are,
1/?, When the nature of the extract is very periftiable when
diflblved in water, fo that it is liable to be decompofed before the
evaporation can be completed, efpecially if we cannot proceed im-
mediately to the evaporation.
c2d/y, When water is totally incapable of diffolving the fubftance
to be extracted ; and,
$dly> When the fubftance extracted can bear the heat of boiling
alcohol without being evaporated, but would be diflipated by that
of boiling water ; that is, when it requires a heat greater than 176p,
and lefs than 212°, for its vaporization.
In the laft cafe, the alcohol muft be perfectly free from water,
becaufe the heat neceflary to evaporate it at the end of the procefs
would fruftrate the whole operation. Hence, alfo, the fubject it-
felf ought always to be dry : thofe fubftances which lofe their
virtue by drying, lofe it equally on being fubmitted to this treat*
ment with the pureft alcohol.
332
Materia Medica.
In this way the alcoholic extract of fome aromatic fubftances, a;
cinnamon, lavender, rofemary, retain a confiderable degree of theii
fine flavour.
In the fecond cafe, the alcohol need not be fo very ftrong, be-
caufe it is ftill capable of diflblving refinous fubftances, although
diluted with a confiderable proportion of water.
In the flrft cafe, the alcohol may be (till much weaker ; or ra
ther, the addition of a fmall proportion of alcohol to water will be
fufficient to retard or prevent the decomposition of the decoction.
The alcohol employed in all thefe cafes Ihould be perfectly free
from any unpleafant flavour, led it be communicated to the ex-
tract.
The infpiflation fhould be performed from the beginning, in the
gentle heat of a water-bath. We need not fufFer the alcohol to
evaporate in the air : the greateft part of it may be recovered by
collecting the vapour in common diftilling veflels. If the diftilled
fpirit be found to have brought over any flavour from the fubject,
it may be advantageoufly referved for the fame purpofes again.
When diluted alcohol is employed, the diftillation fhould only
be continued as long as alcohol comes over ; and the evaporation
fhould be finifhed in wide open veflels.
We have here alfo included the procefles intended for purifying
infpiflated juices and refinous fubftances.
Pure refins are prepared, by adding to fpiritous tinctures of
refinous vegetables, a large quantity of water. The refin, in-
capable of remaining diflblved in the watery liquor, feparates and
falls to the bottom ; leaving in the menftruum fuch other princi-
ples of the plant as the fpirit might have extracted at firft along
with it. But this is only practifed for the purpofe of analyfis.
Extracts made with Water only.
EXTRACTUM GENTIANS LUTE^E. Ed.
Extractum Gentians. L. D.
ExtraB of Gentian.
Take of
Gentian root, any quantity.
Having cut and bruifed it, pour upon it eight times its quantity of
water. Boil to the confumption of one half of the liquor, and
E.«
■Extracta.
333
flrain it by ftrong exprefiion. Evaporate the decoction imme-
diately to the confidence of thick honey, in a bath of water
faturated with muriate of foda. (E.)
Officinal Preparations.
ilulae aloeticx, D. L.
stibii composirac, D.
ul vis aloeticus cum ferro, L.
vide, Pilules.
Mem.
Pulveres.
In the fame manner are prepared
Ixtraftum Glycyrrhixx glabra y Ed.l Extr
Glycyrrhizat L. D. 5
act of the roots of Li-
quorice.
Hellebori nigri, Ed. L. D.
Rut a graveolenthy Ed.
Rut*, L. D.
of the roots of black
Hellebore.
of the leaves of Rue.
Anthemidis nobil'iSy Ed.
Chamameliy L. D.
of the flowers of
Chamomile.
Papaveris albi, Ed. L.
Hamatoxyli Campechetifis , Ed.
Hamatoxyliy L. D.
of the heads of
white Poppy.
of Logwood.
CaJJia Senna, Ed. L. D.
Cacumitris Genijtay L.
Aloes, D.
Jalap&y D.
QuercuSy D.
Sabinay L. D.
of the leaves of
Senna,
of Broom tops,
of Aloes,
of Jalap,
of Oak bark,
of Savin.
Officinal Preparation.
Tinctura sabinse composita, L. - - vkfcy Theturt.
334
Materia Medica.
EXTR ACTUM CINCHONA, sive CORTICIS PERUV
ANI. L.
ExtraB of Cinchona^ or Peruvian Bark.
ExTRACTUM CORTICIS PERUVIANI DuRUM, & MoLLE. D.
Hard and Soft Extract of Peruvian Bark.
Take of
Peruvian bark, in coarfe powder, one pound ;
Diftilled water, twelve pints.
Boil for an hour or two, and pour off the liquor, which, while hot
will be red and pellucid, but, as it grows cold, will becom
yellow and turbid. The fame quantity of water being agai
poured on, boil the bark as before, and repeat the boiling unf!
the liquor, on becoming cold, remains clear. Then reduce
thefe liquors, mixed together and {trained, to a proper thick-
nefs, by evaporation.
This extract muft be prepared under two forms ; one foft, and fit
for making pills the other hard and pulverizable. (E.)
EXTRACTUM OPII. D.
ExtraB of Opium.
Take of
Purified opium, two ounces;
Boiling water, one pound.
Melt the opium in the water, and to the liquor {trained, while it is
warm add one pound of cold diftilled water. Expofe this liquor
for two days to the air, filter it again, and, laftly, evaporate it to
the confidence of an extract over a very gentle fire. (D.)
■Extracta. 33.5
Extracts made with Alcohol and Water,
EXTRACTUM CINCHONA OFFICINALIS. Ed.
Extract of Cinchona,
EXTRACTUM CORTICIS PeRUVIANI CL'M RESINA. L.
Extratl of Peruvian Bark with the Refin.
EXTRACTUM CORTICIS PeRUVIANI RuCRI ReSINOSUM. I).
Reft nous Extract of Red Peruvian Bark,
lake of
Cinchona bark, in powder, one pound ;
Alcohol, four pounds.
Digelt for four days, and pour off the tincture.
Boil the refiduum in five pounds of diftilled water for fifteen mi-
nutes, and filter the deco<ftion boiling hot through linen. Re-
peat this deception and filtration with an equal quantity of dif-
tilled water, and reduce the liquor by evaporation to the con-
fidence of thin honey. Draw ofF the alcohol from the tincture
by diftillation, until it alfo become thick ; then mix the liquors,
thus infpifTated, and evaporate them in a bath of boiling water,
faturated with muriate of foda, to a proper confiftency. (E.)
In the fame way are prepared
EXTRACTUM CASCARILLiE. L.
Extract of Cafcarilla.
ExTRACTUM CASCARILL^ RESINOSUM. D.
Refinous Extract of Cafcarilla.
EXTRACTUM RADICIS CONVOLVULI JALAPiE. Ed.
EXTRACTUM JALAPII. L.
Extract of Jalap.
EXTRACTUM VALERIANAE SYLVESTRIS RESINO-
SUM. D.
Refinous Extract of Wild Valerian.
336
Materia Medica.
EXTR ACTUM COLOCYNTHIDIS COMPOSITUM. L
Compound Extract of Cohquintida.
Take of
Pith of coloquintida, cut fmall, fix drachms •,
Socotorine aloes, powdered, an ounce an j a half j
Scammony, powdered, half an ounce ;
Smaller cardamom feeds, hulked and powdered, one drachm ;
Proof fpirit, one pint.
Digeft the coloquintida in the fpirit, with a gentle heat, durin
four days. To the expreffed tincture add the aloes and fcam
mony ; when thefe are diffolved, draw off the fpirit by diftill
tion, and evaporate the water, adding the feeds towards the en
of the procefs, fo as to form an extract fit for making into pil
(L.)
OPIUM PURIFICATUM. L. D.
Purified Opium.
Take of
Opium, cut into fmall pieces, one pound j
Proof fpirit of wine, twelve pints.
Digelt the opium with a gentle heat, ftirring now and then till it
be diffolved, and filter through paper. Diftil the tincture, fo
prepared, to a proper thicknefs.
Purified opium mult be kept in two forms : one fofty proper for
forming into pills j the other hardy which may be reduced into
powder. (L.)
The chapter on extracts and refms in the London Pharmaco-
poeia is concluded with the two following general directions :
1. All the extracts, during the time of infpillation, muft be
gently agitated.
2. On all the fofter watery extracts, a fmall quantity of fpirit
of wine muft be fprinkled.
All thefe extracts are fuppofed to contain the virtues of the fub-
ftances from which they are prepared, in a very pure and concen-
trated form : but this fuppofition is, probably in feveral inftances,
erroneous •, and the directions for preparing them are frequently
injudicious and uneconomical.
As the changes which opium and aloes undergo by folution, and
fubfequent evaporation, have never been afcertained by careful
E. Extracta.
nd fatisfactory experiments, well-felected pieces of thefe fubftan-
es are to be preferred to the preparations in which they are fup-
jofed to be purified.
Cinchona bark is a medicine of very great importance ; but un-
ortunately the proportion of woody fibres, or inert matter, which
•nter into its compofition is fo great, that weak ftomachs cannot
>ear it, when given in quantity fulficient to produce any very
)Owerful effects. On this account, the preparation of an extract,
vhich may contain its active principles in a concentrated form,
)ecomes alfo an object of importance. On this fubject there is
till much room for experiment. The London and Dublin col-
leges, in their directions, certainly err in two important particu-
lars; in the firft place, in defiring the decoction to be continued
intil the greateft part of the menftruum is evaporated ; and, in
:he fecond place, in feparating by filtration the powder which fe-
rrates from the decoction after it has cooled. The firlt error
probably originated in the idea, that by continuing the boiling for
a great length of time, more of the bark would be diflblved ; but it
is now known, that water is incapable of diflblving more than a
certain quantity of the active principles of bark : and that after the
water has become faturated, by continuing the deco.tion we di-
minith the quantity of the menftruum, and therefore alfo diminifh
the quantity of bark diflblved. It is not eafy to account for the fe-
cond error ; for, according to the old idea, that the powder which
feparated on cooling from a faturated decoction of cinchona, was
a refinous fubftance, it furely ought not to have been rejected from
what were fuppofed to be refinous extracts. This precipitate is
now known to be caufed by the much greater folubility of its
active principles in boiling, than in cold, water *, fo that the pre-
cipitate is not different from what remains in folution. According*
ly Dr. Duncan has found by experiment, that cinchona gave at
leaft one half more extract when the decoction was conducted
according to the directions of the Edinburgh college.
The real advantage of fo expenfive an agent as alcohol, in pre-
paring any of thefe extracts, has not been demonftrated ; and, if
Dr. Duncan be not mifinformed, it is feldom employed by the apo-
thecaries in preparing even what are called the Refinous Extracts.
338
Materia Medica.
F.
FERRUM,
IRON.
D.
DA.
F.
G.
L
Yzer.
Jem.
Fer.
Risen.
Ftrro.
P.
POL.
R.
S.
SW.
Ferro.
Zelazo.
Sheleso.
Hifvro.
Iern.
Iron is of a bluifh-grey colour •, texture either fine-grained
fibrous or denfe plates; fapid and odorous-, fpecific gravity 7.600 ;
the hardelt and molt elaftic and moft tenacious metal ; very due-
tile; fufing at 1 58° Wedgewood, fufion at firft clammy, after-
wards very fluid ; igniting by ftrong percuffion, and inflaming by
the collifion of flint ; magnetic. It is oxidized {lowly in the air,
efpecially when moi<> ; when heated in contact with air, it is
changed to a black oxide, containing 20 to 27 of oxygen \ fufi-
ble, hard, brittle, lamellated, {fill attracted by the magnet ; after-
wards into a brown, red, fine, pulverulent oxide, not attracted by
the magnet, containing 0.4-0 to .49 of oxygen. It burns with
fplendour and deflagration in oxygen gas, and is converted into a
fufed, black oxide ; it ecompoles water flowly, and when ignit-
ed, very rapidly In fome inltances it is diflblved in hydrogen gas.
Carbon united to iron, converts it into fteel.
Steel is of a grey colour, brilliant and granular in its frac-
ture ; fpecific gravity 7.795 ; harder than any of the metals, and
more elaftic, duclile, malleable, and fufible at a lower tempera-
ture than pure iron. Its characteristic property is, that after being
heated, if fuddenly plunged into cold water, it becomes harder,
more elaftic, lefs pliable and brittle ; but by being again heated
and coole i flowly, it acquires its former foftnefs, pliability and
duality. Steel contains only fome hundredth parts of carbon,
and is known chemically, by letting a drop of acid fall upon it,
which produces a grey or black fpot.
Plumbago confilts of about 0.1 of iron, combined with carbon
in its firft degree of oxidizement. The phofphuret of iron is white,
F. Ferrum.
339
ranulated, brittle, permanent in the air. Its fulphuret is yellow,
,ard, brittle, and very fufible, oxidizing flowly in a humid at-
nofphere. Iron forms alloys with arfenic, cobalt, manganefe,
.ifmuth, antimony, zinc, and tin. Iron is oxidized and diflblved
>y almolt all the acids ; oxides, black, brown, red. It gives glafies
. brown, fmoky, deep green, or black colour.
Iron is the molt common of all metals. It feems even to be a
:onftituent of organic fubftances, and is the only metai w hich,
vhen taken into the body, exerts no deleterious action upon it.
The numerous ores of it which are found in every part of the globe,
nay be reduced to the following genera.
1. Native iron. Immenfe ifolated mafles of this have been
found in Siberia and in South America. Their origin is {till per-
fectly problematical.
2. Carburetted iron. Plumbago.
3. Sulphuretted iron. Pyrites.
4. Oxidized iron.
a. Protoxide. Magnetic iron ore ; colour black or grey.
b. Peroxide. Not magnetic; colour red or brown.
c. Carbonated.
d. Arfeniated.
e. Tungftated.
As its mechanical divifion is extremely difficult, it is directed to
be kept in the fhops in the ftate of filings or wire, and the fcales
of black oxide, which are found around the fmith's anvil. Soft
malleable iron is the only kind fit for internal ufe, as fteel and caft-
iron always contain impurities, and often arfenic.
Medical ufe. — The general virtues of this metal, and the feveral
preparations of it, are, to conftringe the fibres, to quicken the cir-
culation, to promote the deficient fecretions in the remoter parts,
and at the fame time to reprefs inordinate difcharges into the in-
ternal tube. After the ufe of them, if they take effect:, the pulfe
is very fenfibly raifed ; the colour of the face, though before pale,
changes to a florid red the alvine, urinary, and cuticular excre-
tions, are increafed. Fetid eructations, and the faeces voided of a
black colour, are marks of their taking due erTecl:.
When given improperly or to excefs, iron produces headach,
anxiety, heats the body, and often caufes hemorrhagies, or even
vomiting, pains in the ftomach, and fpafms and pains of the
bowels.
340
Materia Medica.
Iron is given in mod cafes of debility and relaxation,
1. In paffive hemorrhagies.
2. In dyfpepfia, hyfteria, and chlorofis.
3. In moft of the cachexia:.
4. In general debility produced by difeafe, or exceflive he-
morrhage.
Where either a preternatural difcharge, or fuppreffion of natu-
ral fecretions, proceed from a languor and fluggimnefs of the fluids,
and weaknefs of the folids ; this metal, by increafing the motion of
the former, and the ftrength of the latter, will fupprefs the flux, or
remove the fuppreflion ; but where the circulation is already too
quick, the folids too tenfe and rigid, where there is any ftriclure
or fpafmodic contraction of the veffels, iron, and all the prepara-
tions of it, will aggravate both diitempers.
Iron is prefcribed,
L In its metallic ftate. Limatura ferri.
II. Oxidized.
a. Protoxide. Squama ferri. Ferri oxidum nigrum.
1. Super-carbonated, as in the chalybeate mineral wa-
ters.
2. Sulphated. Sulphas ferri.
3. Combined with tartrate of potafs. Tartris ferri et
potajpE.
b. Peroxide. Ferri oxidum rubrum.
1. Carbonated. Carbonas ferri.
2. Muriated. Murias ferri ferrugineus.
3. Combined with muriate of ammonia* Murias ammo-
nite et ferri.
FERRI LIMATURA. Ed.
FERRUM. L. FERRUM IN FILA DEDUCTUty. D,
Iron-flings. Iron. Iron wire.
Iron probably has no action on the body when taken into the
{tomach, unlefs it be oxidized. But during its oxidizement, hy-
drogen gas is evolved ; and accordingly we find that fetid eructa-
tions are confidered as a proof of the medicine having taken effecl.
F. Ferrum. k'f&i Ozidum nigrum. 341
It can only be exhibited internally in the ftate of filings, which
may be given in dofes of from five to twenty grains, either in the
form of powder, with fome aromatic, or made into an electuary or
bolus or pills with any bitter extract. Iron-wire is to be pre-
ferred for pharmaceutical preparations, both becaufe it is the moft
convenient form, and becaufe it is always made of the pureft
iron.
Officinal Preparations.
Ferri limatura puriflcata, E.
Carbonas ferri, E. L. 1).
Aqua ferri aeraU, D.
Sulphas ferri, E. L. D.
Tinctura ferri muriati, D. - vide, Tinctura.
Ferrum ammoniacale, L.
Ferrum tartarisatum, L.
Vinum ferri, L. D. - - Vina mcdkata.
Hydrargyrum purificatum, E. L. - Hydrargyrum.
FERRI OXIDUM NIGRUM. Ferri Squama. Ed.
The fcales of Iron.
When iron is heated to rednefs in the fmith's forge, to render
it more malleable, its furface becomes oxidized by the action of
the atmofpheric air ; and as the oxide formed does not adhere to
the iron, it is eafily feparated by percuflion on the anvil, and flies
off in the ftate of fparks, which, on cooling, conftitute the fcales
of iron. In th^fe the iron is oxidized to that degree in which it
is foluble in acids, without the production of hydrogen gas ; there-
fore, when taken into the ftomach, they do not produce the diften-
tion and flatulence occafioned by the ufe of the filings.
Officinal Preparations.
Ferri oxidum nigrum purificatum, E.
Tinctura muriatis fern, E. - - vide, Tincture.
342
Materia Medica.
■
SULPHAS FERRI. Ed.
Ferrum Vitriolatum ; olim, Sal Martis. L. D.
Sulphate of iron. Green vitriol. Copperas. Vitriol at ed Iron, for-
merly Salt of Steel.
D. Groene vitriool, Yzervi- P. Caf-arrozaverdc.
triool. POL. Kofxerwas z zeluza.
DA. Grout kobberivand. R. Seleniii kufiaros.
F. Conperose verie. S. VitHolo dc Marte,
G. Kupjertvasser, Eisenvi- SW. Grb'n Victriol, Jernvi*
triol. trioL.
I. Co/parosa verde.
The fulphate of iron of commerce is commonly obtained by
the fpontaneous oxidizement of fulphuretted iron, and fubfequent
lixiviation and cryftallization. It is never pure, and often con-
tains zinc or copper. The copper may be fcparated by adding
fome metallic iron to the folution, but we have no means of fepa-
rating the zinc.
Although the native fulphate of iron may be purified by folu-
tion, filtration and cryltallization, fufficiently, for many purpofes,
yet it cannot be procured perfectly pure except by the direct union
of fulphuric acid and iron ; and as it is of confequence that it
fhould be pure when adminiftered internally, directions for its
preparation have been given by all the colleges. The differences
which may be obferved in the proportions of the materials employ-
ed, is of little confequence, as fulphuric acid and iron unite only
in one proportion. The following is the formula of the Edinburgh
college.
Take of
Purified filings of iron, fix ounces;
Sulphuric acid, eight ounces ;
Water, two pounds and a half.
Mix them, and after the effervefcence ceafes, digeft the mixture
for fome time upon warm fand ; then ftrain the liquor through
paper, and after due evaporation fet it at reft to cryftaliize. (E.)
Iron fcarcely acts upon fulphuric acid, unlefs afliifted by heat,
[t then becomes oxidized, by abftra^ring oxygen from a portion of
the acid, and converting it into fulphureous acid ^as or fulphur,
and combines with the remainder of the acid. But it acts with
great rapidity on diluted fulphuric acid ; in which cafe it is not
oxidized at the expenfe of the acid itfelf, but by decompofing the
water, and therefore the hydrogen of the water is feparated in the
\
•Ferrum. Sulphas ferri. 343
orm of gas. The artion of the acid and iron upon each other of-
en ceafes before the acid is nearly faturated, and may be renew-
d by the addition of a little water. The reafon is, that all the
water which was not decompofed is employed to diflblve the ful-
phate of iron formed.
The cryfhls of fulphate of iron are tranfparent rhoraboidal
prifms, of a fine green colour. They are foluble in two parts of
cold, and in lefs than their own weight of boiling water. They
are infoluble in alcohol.
They are compofed of
Black oxide of iron, 28~) nr ^ , , r.
TTT r r . 0 > 36 Green hydro-oxide of iron.
Water of compolition, 8 y }
26 Sulphuric acid.
38 Water of cryftailization.
100
Green fulphate of iron is decompofed by all the earths and al-
kalies, and by thofe falts whofe bafe forms an infoluble com-
pound with fulphuric acid. It is alfo decompofed by expofure to
the air, efpecially when in folution, and by all fubftances which
part readily with their oxygen. The oxide of iron abiorbs oxy-
gen, and pafles to the ftate of red oxide, which forms a red ful-
phate, poilefling properties very different from thofe of the green
fulphate.
Taken into the ftomach, the green fulphate is apt to excite pain
in the ftomach, and fpafms in the bowels ; and in large dofes it
caufes vomiting. In fmall dofes, however, of from one to three
grains, it is fometimes given as a tonic, aftringent, or anthelmin-
tic.
Officinal Preparations.
Acidum acetosum forte, E. - videt Addum aceto&uh>.
Cavbonas ferri praecipitatus, E.
Tinctura ferri acetati, D. - - Tincturce.
Pulvis aloeticus cum ferro, L - Pulveres.
344
Materia Medica.
SULPHAS FERRI EXSICCATUS. Ed.
Dried Sulphate of Iron.
Take of
Sulphate of iron, any quantity.
Expofe it to the action of a moderate heat in an unglazed earthen
veflel, until it become white and perfectly dry. (E.)
The heat applied here muft not be fo great as to decompofe the
fulphate of iron, but only to deprive it of its water of cryftalliza-
tion.
FERRI LIMATURiE PURIFICAT^E. Ed.
Purified Filings of Iron.
Place a fieve over the filings, and apply a magnet, fo that the
filings may be attracted upwards through the fieve. (E.)
This procefs does not fulfil the purpofe for which it is intend-
ed. For the adhefion of a very fmall particle of iron renders brafs
and other metals attractable by the magnet. The filings of iron
got from the (hops of different artificers, which are always mixed
with folder, and other metals, cannot be purified in this way, fo as
to render them fit for internal ufe ; and indeed the only way they
can be obtained fufriciently pure, is by filing a piece of pure iron
with a clean file.
Officinal Preparation.
Hydro-sulphuretum ammonia:, E. - - vide, Jmmonia.
FERRI OXIDUM NIGRUM PURIFICATUM;
Olim, Ferri SouAMiE Purificat\e. Ed.
Purified Black Oxide of Iron, formerly Purified Scales of Iron.
Let the fcales of the oxide of iron, which are to be found at the
foot of the blackfmith's anvil, be purified by the application of a
magnet. For the magnet will attract only the fmaller and purer
fcales, and will leave thofe which are larger and lefs pure. (E.)
F. Ferrum. Carbonas ferri. 345
Here the application of the magnet is ufeful, becaufe thefe
fcales contain no foreign metal, but are mixed with earthy and
)ther impurities, which could be feparated in no other way.
CARBONAS FERRI. Ed
Carbonate of Iron.
Ferri Rubigo. L. D.
R14J} of Iron.
[oiften purified filings of iron frequently with water, that they
may be converted into ruft, which is to be ground into an im-
palpable powder. (E.)
Iron is one of the moft eafily oxidized of the meta's. It is
capable of attracting oxygen from the air, and of decompofing
water even in the cold. By expofure at the fame time to air
and moifture, it is very quickly oxidized, while it alfo abforbs
carbonic acid, and is converted into a reddilh brown pulver-
ulent fubftance, well known by the name of ruft of iron. For
medical ufe it is prepared as the other fubftances infoluble in wa-
ter. Apothecaries feldom make it themfelves, but obtain it from
perfons who manufacture it in large quantities.
Officinal Preparation.
Tinctura ferri muriati, L. - I'zV/r, Tincturx.
CARBONAS FERRI PR^ECIPITATUS. Ed.
Precipitated Carbonate of Iron.
Fake of
Sulphate of iron four ounces,
Carbonate of foda, five ounces,
Water, ten pounds.
L)iflblve the fulphate in the water, and add the carbonate of foda,
previoufly diilblved, in a fuificient quantity of water, and mix
them thoroughly.
ft am the carbonate of iron, which is precipitated, with warm
water, and afterwards dry it. (E.)
On mixing the folutions of thefe falts together, there is an im-
mediate mutual decompofition. Sulphate of foda is formed, which
346
Materia Medica.
remains in folution, and carbonate of iron, which is precipitated o:
a green colour The precipitate when firll formed, is the car-
bonate of :-lack oxide of iron, or contains the iron in the ftate oj
black oxide, the (late in which it exifts in the green fulphate ol
iron ; but in the procefs of drying, it abforbs more oxygen, be^
comes of a red colour, and is converted into the carbonate of rec
oxide of iron As the precipitate is extremely light and bulky, ii
is not eafily feparated ! y allowing it to fur-fide, and pouring off the
clear liquor ; filtration mould therefore be employed. The car-
bonate of foda is ufed in preference to the carbonate of potafs, or
account of the greater folubility of fulphate of foda than of fulphate
of potafs, which renders the fubfequent ablution of the fait more
eafy.
The carbonate of iron is an excellent and fafe chalybeate. It
may be given in dofes from five grains to fixty ; but all chaly-
beates anfwer better in finall dofes, frequently repeated, than in
large dofes.
AQUA FERRI AERATI. D.
Water of Aerated Iron.
It is prepared in the fame manner as the water of fixed air, by fuf-
pending in the water half an ounce of iron wire. (D.)
This is a very elegant chalybeate. The iron is in the ftate of
black oxide, and is diflolved by means of carbonic acid. It was
firft prepared by Bergmann, in imitation of the natural chalybeate
waters, and it forms an excellent fubftitute for them.
OXIDUM FERRI RUB RUM. Ed.
Red Oxide of Iron.
Expofe dried fulphate of iron to an intenfe heat, until it is convert-
ed into a very red matter. (E.)
By the violent heat applied in this preparation, the fulphate of
iron is compleiely decompofed, and copious white fumes are ex-
pelled. The iron is converted into the red oxide; part of the ful-
phuric acid is therefore reduced to the Hate of fulphureous acid,
and the rell of the acid is expelled in a very concentrated ftate.
This procefs was formerly employed in Great Britain, and 1 till is
employed in Germany, for the preparation of fulphuric acid;
which, however, from the prefence of the fulphureous acid, was
F. Ferrum. — Mur. ammonia? & ferri. 347
poflefled of fome peculiar properites, fuch as emitting fumes and
cryftallizing. The reiki uum is compofed of red oxide of iron,
combined with a little red fulphate of iron, which renders it deli-
quefcent. To obtain the oxide perfectly pure, the refiduum muft
therefore be wafhed with water, and dried quickly, to prevent the
abforption of carbonic acid.
Officinal Preparation.
Marias ammonias Sc ferri, E.
MURIAS AMMONLE ET FERRI ; olim, Flores Mar,
TIALES. Ed.
Muriate of Ammonia and Iron; formerly Martial Flowers.
Ferrum Ammoniacale. L.
Ammoniac al Iron.
Take of
Red oxide of iron, wafhed and again dried ;
Muriate of ammonia, equal weights ;
Mix them thoroughly and fublime. (E.)
Although at a low temperature ammonia decompofes the
muriate of iron, at a high temperature iron and its oxides de-
compofe muriate of ammonia. But as muriate of ammonia is
itfelf a volatile fait, great part of it efcapes undecompofed ; fo
that the product is a mixture of muriate of ammonia with red
muriate of iron. According to the formula of the Edinburgh
college, the decompofition is effected by fimple affinity. As
foon as the oxide of iron acls on the muriate of ammonia, the
ammonia which is feparated comes over : then as the heat in-
creafes, undecompofed muriate of ammonia is fublimed ; which,
as the procefs advances, is mixed with an increafing proportion
of muriate of iron. In the procefs of the London college, the
decompofition is more complex ; and a considerable quantity of
hydrogen gas is produced. Both colleges employ a much larger
quantity of iron than is neceflary. According to the German,
pharmaceutics, if the iron be equal to one fixteenth of the mu-
riate of ammonia, it is fufficient. The new Pruflian Difpen-
fatory directs one ounce of iron to be diflblved in two ounces of
muriatic acid, and one of nitrous acid ; this iolution of red
muriate of iron to be mixed with a watery folution of twelve
348
Materia Medica.
ounces of muriate of ammonia, and the whole evapprated tc
drynefs ; and the dry mafs to be fublimed in a wide-necked retortj
with a heat increafed to rednefs.
Whatever procefs be employed, the heat muft be applied as
quickly as poflible •, and the fublimed product thoroughly mix-
ed by trituration, and kept in well-ftopt glafs veflels. It mould
have a detp orange colour, and a fmell refembling faffron, and
mould deliquefce in the air.
This preparation is fuppofed to be highly aperient and attenuat-
ing • though no otherwife fo than the reft of the chalybeates, or at
moft only by virtue of the faline matter joined to the iron. It has
been found of fervice in hyfterical and hypochondriacal cafes, and
in diftempers proceeding from a laxity, and weaknefs of the folids,
as the rickets. From two or three grains to ten may be conve-
niently taken in the form of a bolus.
FERRUM TARTARISATUM. L.
Tartarized Iron.
Take of
Filings of iron, one pound •,
Cryftals of tartar, in powder, two pounds.
Mix them with diftilled water into a thick mafs, which is to be ex-
pofed to the action of the air for eight days in a wide glafs vef-
fel • then grind the matter, after being dried in a fand bath to a
very minute powder. (L.)
This is in fact a triple tartrate of iron and potafs, the excefs of
acid in the fuper-tartrate of potafs being faturated by oxide of iron.
The iron is oxidized during the firft part of the procefs, in which
it is moiftened and expofed to the action of the air.
Tartrate of potafs and iron may alfo be formed, by boiling a
folution of fuper-tartrate of potafs with iron, or, what is ftill
better, with fome of the oxides of iron, until the excefs of
acid be faturated. The compound, according to. Thenard, is
very foluble, varies in colour according to the ftate of the oxide ;
cryftallizes in fmall needles, and has a chalybeate tafte. It is
not precipitated by alkalies or alkaline carbonates. It is decom-
pofed by fulphuretted hydrogen and its compounds, and by gal-
lic acid. The editors of Gren's Pharmacy fay, that a foiution of
iron in fuper-tartrate of potafs,* furnimes by evaporation greenifh
fpathofe permanent cryftals, difficultly foluble ; which is furely a
miftake ■ at leaft it neither correfponds with Thenard's account,
nor with the old name of this preparation, Mars Solubilis.
F. Ferula Assa foetida.
349
The tartrate of iron and potafs may be given in the form of
wder or bolus, in dofes of from ten to thirty grains.
FERULA ASSA FOETIDA. Gummi-refma. Ed.
Asa Foetida. L. D.
AJfa foetida. A gum-refm.
Willd. g. 539. fp. 11. Pentandria Digytiia.— Nat. ord. Umbeilatx.
D. Did celnd reck.
DA. Dyvclsdraek.
F. Asa:f'etida,As8e> Merde
de diable.
G. Teufelsdreck.
I. Assa-fdida, Zaffielka.
P. As&a feiida.
POL. SmrodzienieC) Czarzic
laino.
S. Ana fctida.
SW. Dufi>els track.
The plant which furnifhes affa foetida is perennial, and a native
of Perfia. It has, however, born fertile feeds in the open air in the
Botanical garden of Edinburgh. The gum-refin is procured from
the roots of plants which are at lead four years old. When the
leaves begin to decay, the ftalk is twilled off, and the earth remov-
ed from about their large tapering roots. The top of the root is
fometime afterwards cut off tranfverfely ; and forty-eight hours
afterwards, the juice, which has exuded, is ft raped off, and a fe-
cond tranfverfe fection is made. This operation is repeated until
the root be entirely exhaulted of juice. After being icraped off,
the juice is expoied to the fun to harden.
It is brought to us in large irregular maffes, compofed of various
little mining lumps or grains, which are partly of a whitifh colour,
partly reddiih, and partly of a violet hue. Thofe maffes are ac-
counted the belt which are clear, of a pale reddiih colour, and
variegated with a great number of elegant white tears.
This drug has a ffrong fetid fmell, ibmewhat like that of garlic,
and a bitter, acrid, biting tafte. It lofes fome of its fmell and
ftrength by keeping : a circumflance to be particularly regarded
in its exhibition.
Neumann got from 1920 parts, 13.50 alcoholic extract, and
afterwards 190 watery, and inverfely 550 watery. The fmell re-
fides entirely in an effential oil which rifes in diftillation, both
with alcohol and water. Neumann got more than 60 from 1920
grains.
Medical ufe, — It is the mod powerful of all the fetid gums, and
is a molt valuable remedy. It acts as a (Hmulant, antifpafmodic,
expectorant, emmenagogue and anthelmintic. Its action is quick
and penetrating.
350
Materia Medica.
It is often ferviceable,
1. In croup.
2. In dyfpepfia, amenorrhea and chlorofis.
3. In althma, dyfpricea an I hylteria.
4. In tympanites and worms.
It is exhibited,
1. In fubftance, in the form of pills ; in dofes of from five to
twenty grains, either alone, or combined with bitter ex-
tracts or purgatives
2. Diffolved in fome fimple diftilled water.
3. Diffolved in alcohol.
4. In the form of clyfter, to the extent of about two drachms.
Officinal Preparations.
Assa fcetida purificata, L.
Lac assae foetidse, L.
Tinctura assae foetidae, E. L. D.
castorei composita, E.
Spiritus ammonite fcetidus, E. L. D.
i ilulae aloes cum assa fcelida, E.
assae fcetidse compositae, E.
galbani compositae, L.
F.mplastrum assae fcelidse, L.
vide, Ammoniacum Jiurijicatum.
Mixture.
Tinctura.
Idem.
S/uritus dc&tillati.
PiiuU.
Idem.
Idem.
Unguenta.
FICUS CARICA. FruElus. Ed.
Carica. L. D,
The fig tree. The fruit.
Polygatnia Trioecia. — Nat. ord. Scabrida.
D. Vi'gen. P. Figoa.
DA. Figen. POL. Tiki.
F. Figues. R. Winnua jagodi.
G. Fcigen. S. Higos.
I. Fichi. SW. Fik&n.
This tree is probably a native of Afia, but grows plentifully in
the fouth of Europe. As the fruit is very pulpy, it dried when
it is to be preferved. To this country they are chiefly brought
from the Levant. They confill almolt entirely of fugar and muci-
lage, and are therefore demulcent. They are alfo efteemed by
F. Fraxinus ornus.
351
ime as fuppuratives ; and they are fometimes applied by them-
Ives, heated as warm as they can eafily be borne, to promote the
lppuration of a phlegmon, particularly when fo fuuated that other
ataplafms cannot eafily be kept applied. *
Officinal Preparations.
loctum hordci conipositum, L. - vide, Decocta.
lectuarium senna:, E. L. - - Electuaria.
FRASERA CAROLINIENSIS. Walter.
Frazera Walteri. Michaux.
This plant is nearly allied in botanical habits, to the genus
jentiana. It is a native of the Hates of New York, Carolina, &c.
ind is furnifhed with a large tuberous root, of a yellow colour,
vhich promifes to be little inferior, as a bitter, to the gentian of
he mops.*
FRAXINUS ORNUS. Succui concrctus. Ed.
Manna. L. D.
Mcuina-aJIj. The concrete juice. Manna.
Polygamia Dioecia. — Nat. ord. Afcyoidex
D. Manna.
DA. Manna.
F. JSIannc.
G. Manna.
1. Manna.
P. Manna.
POL. Manna.
R. Manna.
S. Mana, Mangia, Almangn-.
SYT. Manna.
Manna is obtained from other fpecies of fraxinus befides the
ornus, and efpecially from the rotundifoiia. It is principally col-
lected in Calabria, Apulia and Sicily. In the warmelt fealbn of
the year, from the middle 01 June to the end of July, a clear juice
exudes from the Item and branches of thefe trees, which, when
naturally concreted on the plants and fcraped off, is called Manna
in the tear \ h<ut if allowed to exude on Itraws, or chips of wood
fattened to the tree, it is called Canulated or flaky manna. The
* Barton's Collc&ions, Part IT. p. 16.
3 52
Materia Medica.
common, or fat manna, is got by incifions made after thefponta
neous exudation is over, and is in larger maffes and of a redder co
lour. The beft Calabrian manna is in oblong, light, friable piece
or flakes, of a whitifh or pale yellow colour, and fomewhat tranf
parent. The inferior kinds are moill, un&uous, and dark colour
ed. Manna is faid to be fometimes counterfeited by a compofitior
of fugar and honey, mixed with a little fcammony : there is alfo ;
factitious manna, which is white and dry, faid to be compofed oi
fugar, manna, and fome purgative ingredient, boiled to a propei
confidence : this may be diftinguifhed by its weight, folidity, un-
tranfparent whitenefs, and by its tafte, which is different from that
of manna.
According to Neumann, manna diffolves in alcohol. On fetting
the folution in a digefting heat it gradually depofites \ of the
manna, of a fine white colour, light, fpongy, and in fome degree
cryftalline, melting inftantly upon the tongue, and impreffing an
agreeable fweet tafte, without any of the naufeoufnefs of the
manna : by further evaporation | more is obtained fimilar to
manna ; and on continuing the evaporation, a thick extract is
formed, of the confidence of a balfam, which can fcarcely be fully
exficcated, but continues moid, and refembles civet grown brown
by age. In this extract:, which is about one eighth, refides all
the naufeous matter of the manna. It has indeed a degree of
fweetifh tafte, but blended with a difguftful. The experiments
which Dr. Duncan has made verify thefe obfervations. The quan-
tity of matter which a hot alcoholic folution of manna depofites on
cooling is various, a faturated folution concretes into a perfectly
dry, white, fpongy, cryftallized mafs. When much lefs concen-
trated, it depofites a congeries of moft beautiful fnow-white acicu-
lar cryftals. A faturated folution in boiling water alfo forms a
folid cryftallized mafs on cooling. It is therefore evident that
manna cannot be a fpecies of farcocoll, the only chemical differ-
ence between which and fugar, ftated by Dr. Thomfon, is its
want of cryftallizability.
Medical ufe. — Manna is a mild, agreeable laxative, and may be
given with fafety to children and pregnant women : neverthelefs
in fome particular conftitutions, it acts very unkindly, producing
flatulency and diftention of the vifcera : thefe inconveniences may
be prevented by the addition of any grateful warm aromatic.
Manna operates fo weakly as not to produce the full effect of a
cathartic, unlefs taken in large dofes \ and hence it is rarely given
with this intention by itfelf. It may be commodioufly diffolved in
the purging mineral waters, or joined to the cathartic falts, fenna,
rhubarb, or the like.
F. Fuligo ligni. — Fumaria. 3 5 3
Officinal Preparations.
Syrupus mannae, D. - ride, Syru/i.
Llectuariumcassiae, E. L. D. - Kleciuana
FULIGO LIGNI COMBUSTI. D.
W ood-foot.
This fubflance is inflammable, of a mining black colour,
difagreeable fmell, and an empyreumatic, bitter, naufeous
fte.
It varies fomewhat according to the nature of the fubflance, and
ie ftrength of the fire employed in its production. But it con-
(ls principally of charcoal, empyreumatic oil, and acetous acid.
fometimes contains ammonia, and the other alkalies and earths,
s medical properties are to be afcribed folely to the empyreumatic
.1 it contains.
FUMARIA OFFICINALIS. Fumaria. Herbu. D.
Common fumitory. The plant.
Diadelphia Hexandria. — Nat. ord. Lomentaceu.
This is a common annual weed in fhady cultivated grounds. It
very juicy, of a I itter tafte, without any remarkable fmell. The
leged medical effects of this herb are, to ftrengthen the tone of
ie bowels, gently loofen the belly, and promote the urinary and
ther natural fecretions. It is principally recommended in melan-
lolic, fcorbutic, and cutaneous diforders.
Z z
3 54 Materia Medica.
G.
GALBANUM. - Fide, Bubon.
GALEGA VIRGINIANA.
Virginia-Goats-rue.
This is one of the mod beautiful of the knov/n North Americar
plants of the clafs Diadelphia. It is common in many parts o
Pennfvlvania, New Jerfey, &c. It is called cat-gut in Jerfey, frorr
the refembiance of its roots to that article. A decoction of th<
roots is a powerful anthelmintic*
GALLiE. - Vide, Quercus Cerris.
GAMBOGIA. - Vide, Stalagmitis.
GAULTHERIA PROCUMBENS.
Mountain-Tea.
It is alfo called berried-tea, gronfe-berry, and deer-berries ; and
is one of the principal article* of the materia medica of fome Indian
tribes. It is extend vely fprrad over the more barren, mountainous
parts of the United States. In infufion it polTetfes a ftimulant and
anodyne quality, and is faid to be ufefu) in cafes of afthma.f
* Barton's Collc&ions, Part I. p. 64, t Barton's Colleftions, Part L p. 19
G. Gentiana lutea.
355
GENTIANA LUTEA. Radix. Ed.
Gentiana. L. D.
Gentian. The root.
Willd. g. 512. fp. 1. Pentandna Digynia. — Nat. ord. Rotacea.
D.
DA.
F.
G.
L
Gentiaan.
Entian, Sodrod.
Gcntiane.
Enzian, Gentian,
Genziana.
P.
POL.
R.
S.
sw.
Genciana.
Goryczka.
Enzian.
Jenciana.
Bagsdta.
Gentian is a perennial plant, which grows upon the Alps,
Pyrenees, Appenines, and other mountainous fituations in the tern-
Derate parts of Europe.
The roots are long, thick, externally of a brown colour, and
wrinkled ; internally fpongy, and of a yellow colour, without any
remarkable fmell, but furpafling in bitternefs all other European
vegetables. Alcohol diflblves only the bitter extractive, water both
the extractive and mucilage.
Neumann got from 960 grains 390 alcoholic, and afterwards
2 10 infipid watery extract, and inverfely 54?0 watery, and only 20
alcoholic.
Gentian polTefTes the general virtues of bitters in an eminent de-
gree, and it is totally devoid of aftringency. On dead animal mat-
ter it acts as an antifeptic. Taken into the ft mach, it proves a
powerful tonic, and in large dofes it evacuates the inteftines. It is
ufeful in debility of the ftomach, in general debility, and in gout.
Combined with astringents it cures intermittents. Externally, it is
applied to putrid ulcers.
Officinal Preparations.
Infusum gentiana: compositum,E.L. D.
Tinctura gentianae composita, E. L.
rhti cum gentiana, E.
Vinum gentianae compositum, E.
Extractum gentianae, E. L. D.
vide, Infusa.
Tinctura.
Idem.
Vina medicata,
Extract a.
356
Materia Medica.
GEOFFRiEA INERMIS. Cortex. Ed.
GeOFFRjEA. D.
Cabbage bark-tree. The bark.
Diadelphia Decandria. — Nat. ord. Papilionacea.
The bark of this tree, which grows in the lowfavannahs of Ja«
maica, is of a grey colour externally, but black and furrowed on
the inhde. The powder looks like jo lap, but is not fo heavy. It
has a mucilaginous and tweetifh tafte, and a difagreeable fmell
But its medical effeOts are much greater than its fenfible qualities
would lead us to expect.
It is given in cafes of worms, in form of powder, decoction, fy-
rup, and extract. The decoction is preferred ; and is made by
flowly boiling an ounce of the frefh dried bark in a quart of water
till it .illume the colour of Madeira wine. This iweetened, is the
fyrup-, evaporated, it forms an extract. It commonly produces
fome ficknefs and purging ; fometimes violent effects, as vomiting
delirium, and fever. Thefe laft are faid to be owing to an over-
dofe, or to drinking cold water ; and are relieved by the ufe of
warm water, caftor oil, or a vegetable acid. It mould always be
begun in fmall doles ; and when properly and cautioufly adminis-
tered, it operates as a very powerful anthelmintic, particularly for
the expulfion of the lumbrici, which are a very common caufe of
difeale in the Weft-India iflands 5 and there it is very frequently
employed.
Officinal Preparation.
Decoctum geoffraeae inermis, E. - videy Decoa'a.
GERANIUM MACULATUM.
Spotted Geranium.
This is improperly called crow-foot in fome parts of the Uni-
ted States. It grows plentifully about Philadelphia. The root
boi ed in milk is an excellent medicine in the cholera of children.
In Kentucky it has been collected for the tormentil of the mops. It
is called in fome of the north-weftern parts of the United States,
Racine a Becquet, after a perlbn of this name. The welrern Indians
fay it is the mod effectual of all their remedies for the cure of
the venereal dileafe.
G.— -Glycyrrhiza glabra. 357
An aqueous infufion of the roots forms an excellent injection in
onorrhe i, and in old gleets.*
Dr. Mcafe mentions its efficacy in flopping bleedings, by apply-
ng the root to the bleeding orifice. f
GLYCYRRHIZA GLABRA. Radix. Extraclum. Ed.
Glycyrrhiza. L. D.
Liquorice. The root and the cxtraci.
Diadelphia Decandria. — Nat. ord. Papilionacex.
D. Zoethout. P. Regoliz,Rogoliz,Mcacuz.
DA. Lakrizrod. POL. Laknfcia, Shdki korzen.
F. Reglisse. R. Koren soledkoivoi.
SUss/iolzsa/i. S. Regaliz, Orozuz.
I. Pasta liquirizia. SW. Lqkritsrot.
Liquorice is a perennial plant, and a native of the fouth ot
Europe, but it isi cultivated in confiderable quantities in England
for medical purpofes j and the roots which are railed there,
are preferred to thofe imported from abroad, which are very
frequently mouldy and fpoiled, which this root is extremely apt to
be when not well prelerved 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 frefti, juicy.
Their tafte is very fweet, combined with a flight degree of bitter,
when long kept in the mouth. They are prepared for ufe by rul-
ing them, cutting away all the fibres and fpoiled or mouldy parts.
The powder of liquorice ufually ibid is often mingled with
flower, and perhaps alfo with fuhltances not quite fo wholefome :
the beft fort is of a brownilh yellow colour, the fine pale yellow
being generally fophifticated, and it is of a very rich fweet taffe,
much more agreeable 'han that of the frefh root.
Neumann got from 960 parts of dried liquorice, 300 alcoholic
extract, and afterwards 210 watery, and inverfely 54-0 watery, and
only 30 alcoholic. The original alcoholic extracl is the fweeteff.
Medical ufe. — Its predominant condiments being faccharine and
mucilaginous matter, its only action is that of a mild demulcent, and
asfuch it is frequently ufed in catarrh, and in fome ftomach-com-
plaints, which feem to arife from a deficiency of the natural mucus,
* Barton's Colle&ion;!, Part I. p. 8, 43. Part II. p. I.
t Philadelphia Medical Mufeum, Vol. II. p. 16*.
358
Materia Medica.
which mould defend the ftomach againft the acrimony of the food,
and the fluids fecreted into it.
On account of its bulk it is rarely exhibited in fubftance, but
more frequently in infufion or decoction.
Officinal Preparations.
Extractum glycyrrhizee, E L. D. - vide, Extracta,
Decoctum daphnes mezerei, E. - Decocta.
guaiaci compositum, E. - Idem,
hordei compositum, L. - Idem.
sarsaparillse compositum, L. D. Idem.
Electuarium senna?, E. L. - - Electuaria.
Trochisci amyii, L. - - Trochisci.
Tinctura rhabarbari composita, L. - Tinctura*
Pilulae bydrargyri, L. D. - - PiluU.
EXTRACTUM GLYCYRRHiZ^ GLABRA. Ed.
As this extract is never prepared by the apothecary, but com-
monly imported from other countries, the Edinburgh college have
inferted it in their lift of materia medica. It is imported in cylin-
drical rolls, covered with bay-leaves. It mould be perfectly black,
brittle when cold, and break with a fmooth and glofty fracture,
have a fweet tafte, with empyreuma, and be entirely foluble in
water. It is prepared from the frefh roots by expreflion, decoc-
tion and itifpiiTation.
The befl foreign extract of liquorice is prepared in Catalonia,
but it is not fo pure or fo agreeable as the refined liquorice fold in
the (hops in fmall cylindrical pieces, not thicker than a goofe-
quill.
Neumann got from 480 parts of Spanifh extract 460 watery ex-
tract, and the refiduum was not affected by alcohol, and inverfely
he got 2S0 alcoholic, and 180 watery extract. In this laft cafe
the alcoholic extract contained all the fweetnefs, the watery having
Icarcely any tafle. From the fimilarity of their tafte, Dr. Thom-
fon has made it a Ipccies of his new genus larcocoll, but Neu-
mann's more accurate analyfis (hews that it is a compound. I
The extract pohciies the fame properties with the root, and is
ufcd for the formation of feveral kinds of troches.
Officinal Preparations.
1 inctura alolis, E. L. D. - - vide, Tinctura. •
Trochisci glycyrrlrizae, E. L. D. - Trochisci.
cum opio, E. D. Idem.
G. Gratiola. — Guajacum.
359
GRATIOLA OFFICINALIS. HerBa. Ed
Gratiola. L.
Hedge-hyjjop. The plant.
Will J. g. 49. fp. 1. — Diatuiria Motiogyma. — Nat. ord. Plrfottata,
This is a perennial plant, a native of marfhy fituations in the
fouth of Europe. It is gathered for ufe when in flower. It has
no fmell, but a very bitter fomewhat naufeous tafte. It is a draf-
tic purgative and emetic, and a very powerful anthelmintic, but
its ufe requires caution. In fubftance it may be given to the ex-
tent of half a drachm, and in infufion to three drachms.
GUAJACUM OFFICINALE. Lignum, Gummi-reftna. Ed.
Guaiacum. Lignum. Gummi refina. L. D. Cortex. D.
Guaiac. The wood, bark, and gum-refm.
Willd.g. &\9.fp. 2. — Decandria Monogyna. — Nat. ord. Gr nineties.
D. Pockhout.
DA. Pokkcntrae, Framostrac.
¥. Game, Bois saint.
G. Pockholz.
I. Guajaco, Legno santo.
P. Guaiaco, Poa sancto.
POL. Gtoauik.
R. Bakaul.
S. Ghayaco, Pu'o santo.
SW. Pockeflkolts, Fraiiaoscn-
lr.it a.
This tree is a native of the Weft-Indies, where it grows to a
middling fize. The wood is heavier than water, very hard, refi-
nous, and of a greenilh-black colour. Its tafte is bitterifh, and
when kindled it gives out a pleafant fmell. It is brought either
in pieces, which are fometimes covered with a pale yellow albur-
num, or already rafped, when by divifion its colour appears green-
ifli, brown, or yellow. The bark is thin, of an afn-grey or blackifh
colour, and apparently compofed of feveral lamina?. It is lefs refi-
nous than the wood. Neumann got from 7680 parts of the wood
1680 alcoholic, and 280 watery extract, and inverfely 740 watery,
and 960 alcoholic ; from 3840 of the bark he got 560 alcoholic,
and 320 watery, and inverfely 620 watery, and 240 alcoholic. The
refin exudes fpontaneoufly in tears, but is principally obtained by
fawing the wood into billets about three feet long, which are then
360
Materia Medica.
bored with an augre longitudinally. One end of thefe is laid upon
a fire, fo that a calabafh may receive the melted refin, which runs
through the hole as the wood burns. It may be alfo obtained by
boiling the chips or fawings of the wood, in water and muriate of
foda. The refin fwims at the top, and may be flammed off. This
refin has a browniih yellow colour externally ; when held againrt:
the light is tranfparent, breaks with a uniform fmooth mining frac-
ture, of a bluifh green colour, pulverizable, powder of a white co-
lour, gradually becoming bluiih-green, fufible in a moderate heat,
but not foftened by the heat of the fingers, foluble in alcohol, in-
foluble in water, (Neumann got from 480 parts 400 alcoholic, and
only 10 watery extract:, and inverfely 80 watery, and 280 alcoho-
lic), without proper fmell or tafte, but when thrown on hot coals
difFufing an agreeable odour, and when fwallowed in a (rate of
minute divifion, caufing an infufferable burning and prickling in
the throat. It therefore is not a gummy-refin, but a pure refin.
It is fometimes adulterated with colophony or common refin, but
the fraud is eafily detected by the fmell of turpentine which they
emit when thrown on live coals.
Medical ufe. — Taken internally, guaiac commonly excites a fenfe
of warmth in the ftomach, a drynefs of the mouth, with third. It
increafes the heat of the body, and quickens the circulation. If
the patient be kept warm, it produces diaphorefis ; if expofed freely
to the air, an increafed flow of urine. In large dofes it is purga-
tive.
Guaiac is a ufeful remedy,
1. In rheumatifm and gout.
2. In certain venereal fymptoms, as in foul indolent ulcers,
and a thickened ftate of the ligaments or penofteum, re-
maining after the body is reduced by a mercurial courfe.
Guaiac will alfo fufpend the progrefs of fome of the fecond-
ary fymptoms, but it is totally incapable of eradicating the
difeafe.
3. In cutaneous difeafes.
4. In oza:na and fcrofulous affections of the membranes and
ligaments.
The wood is always exhibited in decoftion. From the refinous
nature of the aftive conftituent of this fubftance, this cannot be a
very a£Hve preparation, as the menftruum is totally incapable of
difiblving, though it may fufpend a little of the refin. The de-
coction of an ounce may be drunk in cupfuls in the courfe of a
day.
G,
■Guaiacum officinale.
361
The refin may be exhibited,
1. In fubftance, either made into pills, or fufpended in water
in the form of an emulfion. In this way from 10 to 30
grains of the refin may be taken in the day.
2. In folution ; in alcohol. About half an ounce of the tinc-
ture, with three ounces of water, is a fudorific dofe for an
adult, if he attend to keeping himfelf warm.
3. Combined with an alkali.
Officinal Preparations.
'inctura guaiaci officinalis, E.
ammoniata, E. L. D.
ulvis aloeticus cum guaiaco, L.
tecoctum guaiaci officinalis compositum, E
sarsaparillae compositum, L. D.
vide, Tinctura.
Tinctura ammoniata.
Pulveres.
IJecocta .
Idem.
GUMMI ARABICUM. - Vide, Mimofa.
GUMMI TRAGACANTHA. Vide, J/ragofus,
3 A
362
Materia Medica.
H.
HiEMATOXY LON CAMPECHIANUM. Ed.
H^matoxylum. Lignum. L. D.
Logivood-tree. The wood*
Willd.g. 830jJ>. 1. — Decandria Monogynia. — Nat. ord. Lomentacea.
D. Kairtjhchehout.
DA. Blqaholt) Camfieschetrz.
F. Bois de Camjieche.
G. Blauholz.
I. CdmfieggiOy legno tauro.
P. Pao de Camfieche.
POL. Kamfiesza.
R. Kamfiet&chkce derewo.
S. Paolo de Camfieche.
SW. Ca;n/:eschetra.
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 taite is fweet, with a flight degree of af-
tringency. It forms a precipitate with folution of gelatine, very
readily foluble in excels of gelatine, and Dr. Duncan fays, that
with fulphate of iron it ftrik.es a brighter blue than any other af-
tringent he tried. It is ufed principally as a dye-wood, but alfo
with confiderable advantage in medicine.
Its extract is aifo fweet and (lightly aftringent •, and is, therefore,
ufeful in obftinate diarrhoeas, and in chronic dyfentery.
HELLEBORUS.
Willd. g. 1089. — Polyandria Polygynia. — Nat. ord. Multi/iliqua.
HELLEBORUS NIGER. Sp. 2. Radix. Ed. L. D.
Melampodium.
Black Hellebore. The root.
D. JVieswortel.
DA. Nijserod.
F. Hellebore.
G. Ni Bivtirz.
I. Eleboro.
P. Helleboro.
POL. Ciemierzyca.
R. Tschemeriza.
S. Vedc gambre.
SW. Prustrot.
This plant is perennial, and grows wild in the mountainous
parts of Auftria, and on the Pyrenees and Appenines : the earlinefs
H. Helleborus. 363
of its flowers, which fomctimes appear in December, has gained
it a place in gardens
The roots confift of a black furrowed roundifh head, about the
fize of a nutmeg, from which fhort articulated branches arife, fend-
ing out numerous corrugated fibres, about the thicknefs of a ftraw,
from a fpan to a foot in length, deep brown on the out fide, white,
or yellowifh-white within, and of an acrid, naufeous and bitterifh
tafte, exciting a fenfe of heat and numbnefs in the tongue, and of
a naufeous acrid fmell. Thefe fibres only are ufed 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
Europxus, Aftaea fpicata, Aftrantia major, Helleborus viridis fce-
tidus, Veratrum album, and Aconitum neomontanum, are often
fubftituted. The laft is a molt virulent poifon, and may be dif-
tinguifhed by its roots being fufiform, or nearly globular, fending
out numerous very brittle fibres, of a greyifh black or brown co-
lour, as thick as a man's finger, and repeatedly divided. But the
fureft way to avoid miftakes, is by the apothecary cultivating the
plant itfelf in his own garden.
Neumann got from 2880 grains 380 alcoholic, and 181 watery
extract:, and inverfely 362 watery and 181 alcoholic.
In large dofes, hellebore is a draftic purgative ; in fmaller dofes
it is diuretic and emmenagogue. Its active conlHtuent feems to be
of a volatile nature ; for it lofes its virtues by keeping, and water
diftilled from it has an acrid tafte.
It is principally ufed as a purgative in cafes of mania, melan-
choly, coma, dropfy, worms and pfora, and as an emmenagogue.
But its ufe requires very great caution, for its effects are very un-
certain, and affected by many circumO.ances.
It is commonly exhibited in the form of extras, although its ac-
tivity be much diffipated by the preparation. An infufion or
tincture certainly promife to be medicines of more uniform powers.
Willdenow fays, that the black hellebore of the ancients is his fifth
fpecies, the Helleborus orientalis.
Officinal Preparation.
Tinctura hellebori nigri, E. L. D. - vide, Tinctures.
HELLEBORUS FOETIDUS. Sp. 6. Helleboraster.
Folium. L.
Bears-foot. The leaves.
This fpecies is native of England. It is perennial, and grows
in fhady places, and under hedges. The leaves have an acrid,
bitter, naufeous tafte, and unpleafant fmell, efpecially when they
ire frefh. When dried, they are frequently given as a domeftic
364
Materia Medica.
medicine to deftroy worms ; but they muft be ufed fparingly, be
ing fo violent in their operation that inftances of their fatal effe£fc
are recorded.
HEUCHERA AMERICANA.
American fanicle. Alum root.
The root is an intenfe aftringent ; and is the bafis of a powdei
which has lately acquired fome 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.*
HORDEUM DISTICHON. Semen omni cortice nudatum. Ed.
Hordeum Distichum. Semina. D. Hordeum. L.
Barley. The feed. Pearl barley.
Willd. g. 151. fp. 3. — Triandria Digynia. — Nat. ord. Gramlna.
Barley is an annual plant, cultivated in almoft every country of
Europe. Linnseus fays that it is a native of Tartary, but without
adducing fufficient proof.
Pearl barley is prepared by grinding off the hulk of rough bar-
ley, and forming the grain into little round granules, which appear
of a kind of pearly whitenefs. In this (late barley confifts almoft
folely of amylaceous matter, and when boiled forms an excellent
article of nourifhment ; while a decoction of it, properly acidulat-
ed, is one of the beft beverages in acute difeafes.
Officinal P reparation.
Dccoctum hordei distichi, E. L. - vide, Decocta.
HUMULUS LUPULUS.
The common Hop.
This is an agreeably bitter, anodyne, diuretic remedy, it is
however but little ufed in medicine, except in the form of a fatu-
rated tincture; of which from 30 to 100 drops and more may be
given to procure ileep, when opium is improper. It does not pro-
duce coftivenefs as opium does. For a particular account of its
properties, fee Dr. Bryarley's Inaugural DifTertation.
• Barton's Colle&ions, Part I. and IT.
H. Hydrargyrum.
365
D.
DA.
F.
G.
t
HYDRARGYRUM, D.
Hydrargyrus. L. Ed.
Mercury. Quickftlver.
Kwikzilver.
Quektolv.
V/fargenty
Quecktiilbtr .
Argento vivo.
P. Jfiotigtie.
POL. Zhwe srcbrc.
R. jRtut.
S. Stzogue.
S\V. ^uickailfver.
Mercury, is very bright white ; fpecific gravity 13.568 ; freez-
ing at — 39 ; boiling at 660°, partly ductile and malleable ; oxi-
dizible by trituration in the air, and in a farther degree by the ac-
tion of the air and heat ; does not decompofe water ; forms amal-
gams with many metals ; and is oxidized and rfiflblved by the ful-
phuric, nitric, and oxy-muriatic acids. Oxides, black, yellow,
red.
It is found,
I. In its metallic ftate :
a. Uncombined.
b. Alloyed with filver.
c. Alloyed with copper.
d. Combined with fulphur, (Cinnabar).
e. Combined with hydroguretted fulphur, (iEthiops mi-
nerale).
II. Oxidized :
a. Combined with muriatic acid.
b. fulphuric acid.
There are confiderable mines of mercury in Hungary and in
Spain ; and what is employed in England is principally imported
from the former country.
Mercury taken into the ftomach in its metallic ftate has no ac-
tion on the body, except what arifes from its weight or bulk. It
is not poifonous as was vulgarly fuppofed, but perfectly inert.
But in its various ftates of combination, it produces certain fen-
fible effects. It quickens the circulation, and increafes all the fe-
cretions and excretions. According to circumftances, the habit
of the body of the patient, the temperature in which he is kept,
366
Materia Medica.
the nature of the preparation, and the quantity in which it is e
hibited, its effects are indeed various ; it fometi.nes increafes 01
fecretion more particularly, fometimes another, but its moft ch
racteriftic effect is the increafed flow of faliva, which it general
excites, if given in furhVient quantity, Its particular effects, ar
means of producing each of them, will be noticed hereafter.
From many motives, both laudable and culpable, mercury h:
been tortured into a greater variety of forms than any other artici
of the materia medica. Of thefe, Swediaur has given a complet
table in the late edition of his works on the venereal difeafe. It
too long for infertion in this place : we fhall therefore give a fyi
tematic view of thofe mercurial preparations only which enter a
leaft one of the Britifh pharmacopoeias.
Mercury is exhibited,
I. Purified by diftillation.
Hydrargyrum purificatum. Ed. L. D.
II. Oxidized :
A. Protoxide.
1. By precipitation from its folution in nitrous acid, by
ammonia.
Oxidum hydrargyri cinereum. Ed.
Pulvis hydrargyri cinereus. D.
2. By trituration :
a. With unctuous fubftances.
Unguentum hydrargyri. Ed.
fortius. L. D.
mitius. L. D.
Emplaftrum ammoniaci cum hydrargyro. L.
lithargyri cum hydrargyro. L.
hydrargyri. 1 d.
b. With faccharine fubftances.
Pilulae hydrargyri. Ed. L. D.
c. With carbonate of lime.
Hydrargyrus cum creta. L.
III. Oxidized ;
B. Peroxide.
1. By the action of heat and air.
Hydrargyrum calcinatum. L. D.
2. By the action of nitrous acid.
Oxidum hydrarg. rubrum per acidum nitricum. Ed*
H. Hydrargyrum.
367
Hydrargyrum fub-nitratum. D.
Hydrargyrus nitratus ruber. L.
Unguentum oxidi hydrargyri rubri. Ed.
IV. Oxidized and combined with acids :
A. Protoxide.
1. With nitrous acid :
Unguentum hydrargyri nitrati. Ed. L. D.
2. With fulphuric acid :
Sub-fulphas hydrargyri flavus. Ed.
Hydrargyrum fub-vitriolatum. D.?
Hydrargyrus vitrio.atus. L.
3. With muriatic acid :
a. By fublimation.
Sub-murias hydrargyri. Ed.
Hydrargyrum muriatum mite fublimatum. D
Calomelas. L.
b. By precipitation.
Sub-murias hydrargyri prxcipitatus. Ed.
Hydrarg. muriat. mite praec. D.
Hydrargyrus muriatis mitis. L.
4. With acetous acid :
Acetis hydrargyri. Ed.
Hydrargyrum acetatum. L. D.
B. Peroxide.
1. Muriate.
Murias hydrargyri. Ed.
Hydrargyrus muriatus. L.
Hydrargyrum muriatum corrofivum. D.
2- Sub-muriate wilh ammonia.
Calx hydrargyri alba. L.
V. Combined with fulphur :
1. By trituration.
Sulphuretum hydrargyri nigrum. Ed. Hydr. cum
fulph. L.
Hydrargyrum fulphuratum nigrum. D.
2. By fublimation.
Hydrargyrum fulphuratum rubrum. L. D.
Mercury, or fome of its preparations, is exhibited,
1. As an errhine. The fub-fulphate of mercury.
2. As a fialogogue. Mercury in almoft any form.
3. As a cathartic. The fub-muriate of mercury, (calomel).
4. As a diuretic. The oxides, the muriate, and the fub-mu-
riate, combined with other diuretics.
368
Materia Medica.
5. As a fudorific. Calomel conjoined with a fudorific re
gimen.
6. As an emmenagogue.
7. As an aftringent. Muriate of mercury.
8. As a ftimulant. Muriate of mercury.
9. As an antifpafmodic.
10. As an anthelmintic.
With fome of thefe views, mercury is frequently exhibited,
1. In febrile difeafes ; in obftinate agues.
' 2. In inflammatory difeafes ; in indolent and chronic in-
flammations, efpecially of the glandular vifcera, as the
liver, fpleen, &c.
3. In exanthematous difeafes ; variola.
4. In profluvia ; in dyfentery.
5. In fpafmodic difeafes; tetanus, trifmus, hydrophobia, &c.
6. In cachectic difeafes ; anafarca, afcites, hydrothorax,
hydrocephalus, Sec.
7. In impetigines ; fcrofula, fyphilis, lepra, icterus, &c.
8. In local difeafes ; in caligo cornese, amaurofis, gonor-
rhoea, obflipatio, amenorrhcea fupprefhonis, tumours of
various kinds, herpes, tinea, pfora, &c.
Mercury occafionally attacks the bowels, and caufes violent
purging, even of blood. This effect is remedied by intermitting
the ufe of the medicine, and by exhibiting opium.
At other times it is fuddenly determined to the mouth, and pro-
duces inflammation, ulceration, and an exceffive flow of faliva. In
this cafe, too, the ufe of the mercury muft be difcontinued for a
time ; while, according to Mr. Pearfon's advice, the patient mould
be freely expofed to a dry cold air, with the occafional ufe of ca-
thartics, Peruvian bark, and mineral acids, and the afQduous appli-
cation of aftringent gargles. On the other hand, the fudden fup-
preflion of ptyalifm is not without danger. It is moft frequently
caufed by cold liquids being taken into the ftomach, or expofure to
cold and moifture, while under the influence of mercury. The
danger is to be obviated by the quick introduction of mercury, fo
as- to affect the gums, with the occafional ufe of the warm-bath.
Sometimes alfo a morbid condition of the fyftem occurs during
a mercurial courfe, and which tends to a fatal ifl'ue. Mr. Pearfon
has termed it Erethifmus. It is characterized by great depreflions
of ftrength ; a fenfe of anxiety about the prsecordia frequent figh-
ing ; trembling, partial or univerfal ; a fmall, quick pulfe ; fome-
times vomiting ; a pale contracted countenance ; a fenfe of cold-
nefs, while the tongue is feldom furred, or the vital or natural
functions much difordered. In this flate a fudden or violent ex-
H. -Hydrargyrum purificatum. 369
rtion of mufcular power will fometimes prove fatal. To pre-
ent dangerous confequences, the mercury muft be difcontinued,
/hatever may be the ftage, extent, or violence of the difeafe for
,-hich it has been exhibited, and the patient muft expofe himfelf
reely to a dry and cool air, in fuch a manner as fhall be attended
nth the leaft fatigue ; and in the courfe of ten or fourteen days,
le will fometimes be fo far recovered that he may fafely refume the
ife of mercury.
HYDRARGYRUM PURIFICATUM. D.
Hydrargyria Purificatus. L. Ed.
Purified Qwckfilver.
Take of
Quickfilver, four parts ;
Filings of iron, one part.
Rub them together, and diftil from an iron-veflel. (E.)
The quickfilver of commerce is often adulterated with lead,
tin, or other metals, which renders it unfit for internal ufe, and
for many preparations. It therefore becomes neceflary to purify
'it, and fortunately its comparatively great volatility fupplies us
with an eafy procefs. The Dublin college diftil it fimply without
any addition •, but, left towards the end of the procefs the mer-
cury fhould elevate any impurities along with it, they draw off
but two thirds. The principal objection to this procefs is the
want of economy •, for although the remaining third may be ufed
for fome purpofes, its value is very much depreciated. As iron
has a much ltronger affinity for almoft all the fubftances with
which quickfilver may be adulterated than quickfilver has, by
adding iron-filings we may draw off the whole quickfilver by
diftillation, without any fear of the impurities rifing along with it.
The London college add an equal weight of iron-filings, but fo
large a quantity caufes the fize of the diftilling apparatus to be un-
neceflarily increafed. The Edinburgh college ufe one fourth,
which is certainly enough.
Glafs-retorts are inadmiffible in this diftillation ; becaufe, when
the mercury begins to boil, the concuftion is fo great, that they
would certainly be broken. Iron-retorts are the beft, although
ftrong earthen ones may be alfo ufed. The receiver may be of
the fame materials, or of glafs, if we wi(h to infpeel: the progrefs
of the operation ; but in this cafe we muft interpofe an adopter
between the retort and receiver, and fill the receiver nearly full of
3 B
Materia Me die a.
water, that the mercury may not crack it by falling hot into it.
The retort employed fhould be fo large, that the quickfilver fhoufii
not fill above one third of it.
ACETIS HYDRARGYRI. Ed.
Acetite of Quickfilver.
Hydrargyria Acetatus. L.
Hydrargyrum Acetatum. D.
Acetated Quickf/ver. \
Take of
Puriried quickfilver, three ounces ;
Diluted nitrous acid, four ounces and a half, or a little more
than may be required for diiTolving the mercury ^
Acetite of potafs, three ounces ;
Boiling water, eight pounds.
Mix the quickfilver with the diluted nitrous acid \ and after the
effervefcence has ceafed, digeit if neceffary with a gentle heat,
until the quickfilver be entirely diflolved. Then diffolve the
acetite of potafs in the boiling water, and immediately to this
folution, (till hot, add the former, and mix them by agitation.
Then fet the mixture afide to cryitallize. Place the cryftalsm
a funnel, and wafh them with cold diftilled water \ and, laftly,
dry them with as gentle a heat as poilibie. (E.)
This procefs of the Edinburgh college was afcertained by very
careful experiment, and if its directions be accurately followed,
the preparation fucceeds admirably. Nitrate of mercury is de-
compofed by acetate of potafs ; and the produces are acetate of
mercury and nitrate of potafs. The nitrate of potafs being mudi
more foluble than the acetate of mercury, remains in folution after
the latter is feparated by cry^aliization. Mercury is capable of
forming different combinations with nitrous acid, which poflefs
each their characleriftic properties. When we employ a fufficient
quantity of acid to diffolve the mercury without the afliitance of
heat, and to retain it in folution, there is always an excefs of acid ;
and therefore it is a folution of fuper-nitrate of mercury. If we
evaporate this folution very gently, or if we employ a larger pro-
portion of mercury at firft, and affift the action of the acid by 'a
gentle heat, we obtain nitrate of mercury cryflallized in various
forms. In thefe the mercury is in the ftate of protoxide. But if
we 3fhft the action of the acid by boiling, the mercury is convert-
H. Hydrargyrum. — Acetis Hydrargyri. 371
ed into peroxide, and a larger quantity is diflblved. This folu-
tion is very apt to cryftallize, both on cooling and by the diminu-
tion of the quantity of acid during the prccefs j and if we attempt
to dilute the folution with water, a copious precipitate of fub-
nitrate of mercury immediately takes place, and the folution con-
tains fuper-nitrate of mercury. If the dilution be made with cold
water, the fub-nitrate has a white colour, which, by a very flight
application of heat, pafles to a beautiful yellow, the colour which
it has at firft when feparated by boiling water. An oppofite, but
we believe lefs correct, opinion is entertained by Mr. Chenevix,
who aflerts that it is lefs oxidized, becaufe fuper nitrate of mer-
cury, prepared without heat, is capable, when heated to ebullition,
of diflblving an additional quantity of mercury without the form-
ation of any nitrous gas.
For making the acetate of mercury, the nitrate is prepared with
a very gentle heat, and with excefs of acid, that it may be retained
in perfect folution, and that there may be no poflibility of any ad-
mixture of fub-nitrate with the acetate formed. A larger propor-
tion of acid is ufed by the Edinburgh college than by the other
colleges, but by careful experiment it was afcertained to be necef-
fary for the fuccefs of the procefs. In mixing the folutions, we
mull be careful to pour the mercurial folution into that of the
acetate of potafs, becnufe, by adopting the contrary procedure,
the fub-nitrate of mercury will be precipitated undecompofed, if
any peroxide be contained in the mercurial folution. For diflblv-
ing the acetate of potafs, the London and Dublin colleges only ufe
as much water as is capable of retaining the nitrate of potafs in fo-
lution ; the acetate of mercury is therefore precipitated, and is
purified by again diflblving it in boiling water and cryltallizing it.
This part of the procefs is Amplified by the Edinburgh college,
who ufe as much water for diflblving the acetate of potafs as is
capable of retaining, as long as it is hot, the acetate of mercury
in folution, and of allowing it to cryftallize as it cools. In this
way, therefore, it is procured at once fufKciently pure. The ex-
ficcation of the acetate of mercury is an operation of great delica-
cy ; for it is fo fpongy, that it retains the moifture with great ob-
ftinacy ; and it is decompofed fo eafily, that heat can fcarcely be
employed. It is belt dried by comprefling it between feveral folds
of bibulous paper.
Acetate of mercury is fcarcely foluble in cold water, but dif-
folves readily in boiling water. It generally cryftallizes in mica-
ceous plates, and is extremely eafy of decomposition.
It is fuppofed to be a mild preparation of mercury, and was the
a£Hve ingredient of the celebrated Keyfer's pills. In folution it
has alfo been recommended externally, to remove freckles and cu-
taneous eruptions.
372
Materia Medica.
MURIAS HYDRARGYRT; olim, Mercurius Sublimatus
Corrosivus. Ed,
Muriate of Quickfilver ■, formerly Corroftve Sublimate.
Hydrargyrus Muriatus. L.
Hydrargyrum Muriatum Corrosivum. D.
Muriate d Quick/river. Corroftve Muriate d Quichftlver.
Take of
Purified quickfilver, two pounds;
Sulphuric acid, two pounds and a half ; ■
Dried muriate of foda, four pounds.
Boil the quickfilver with the fulphuric acid in a glafs vefTel placed
in a fand bath, until the matter be dried. Mix the matter when
cold in a glafs vefTel, with the muriate of foda ; then fublime in
a glafs cucurbit, with a8 heat gradually increafed. Laftly, fe-
parate the fublimed matter from the fcorias. (E. L. D.)
By boiling the quickfilver to drynefs with fulphuric acid, the
metal is oxidized by the decomposition of part of the acid, and
combines with the reft to form fub-fulphate of quickfilver. In
the fecond part of the procefs, this fub-fulphate is decompofed by
dried muriate of foda, muriate of quickfilver fublimes, and ful-
phate of foda remains behind. In Holland it is manufactured by
fubjecling to fublimation a mixture of dried fulphate of iron, ni-
trate of potafs, muriate of foda, and quickfilver. In the former
editions of the Edinburgh Pharmacopoeia, the mercury was oxi-
dized by boiling it to drynefs in nitrous acid, and then fublimed
with muriate of foda and fulphate of iron. Bergmann recom-
mends the fublimation of fub-nitrate of mercury and muriate of
foda, and Mr. Murray feems inclined to prefer it to the new pro-
cefs.
Muriate of quickfilver cryftallizes by fublimation in prifmatic
needles, forming a white femi-tranfparent mafs. It is ponderous.
Its tafte is acrid, ftyptic, and durable. It is foluble in 20 parts of
cold water, and in 2 at 212°. It is alfo foluble in 3.8 parts of
alcohol at 70°, and in almoft an equal weight of boiling alcohol.
It gives a green colour to fyrup of violets. It is not altered by
expofure to the air, and is fublimed unchanged by heat. It is not
decompofed by any of the acids ; but is foluble, without alteration,
in the fulphuric, nitric, and muriatic acids. It is precipitated by
all the alkalies and earths, of an orange-yellow colour, which gra-
dually changes to a brick red ; and by their carbonates, of a per-
manent yellow colour. Ammonia forms with it an infoluble,
H. Hydrargyrum. — Murias Hydrargyri. 373
white, triple fait. It is alfo decompofed by feveral of the metals.
It confifts, according to Mr. Chenevix, of
Oxide of mercury 82
Muriatic acid 18
And the oxide therefore confifts of
Quickfilver
Oxygen
Medical ufe. — Muriate of mercury is one of the mofl violent
poifons with which we are acquainted. Externally it acts as an
efcharotic or a cauftic \ and in folution it is ufed for deftroying
fungous flefh, and for removing herpetic eruptions ; but even ex-
ternally it muft be ufe 3 with very great caution. It has, however,
been recommended to be given internally, by the refpectable au-
thorities of Boerhaave and Van Swieten ; and it is the active in-
gredient of all the empyrical antivenereal fyrups. Were it really
capable of curing the venereal difeafe, or equal in efficacy to the
common modes of adminiltering mercury, it would poflefs many
advantages over them in other refpecls : but that it cannot be de-
pended upon, is almoft: demonftrated by its ufe as an antivenereal
being very much confined to the quacks, and by the teftimony of
the mod experienced practitioners. Mr. Pearfon fays, that it will
fometimes cure the primary fymptoms of fyphilis, efpecially if it
produce confi lerable forenefs of the gums, and the common effects
of mercury ; but that it will often fail in removing a chancre •, and
where it has removed it, that the mod fteady perfeverance will not
fecure the patient from a conftitutional affection. It is on fome
occafions, however, an ufeful auxiliary to a mercurial courfe, in
quickly bringing the fyftem under the influence of mercury, and in
fupporting its action after the ufe of frictions, and is peculiarly ef-
ficacious in relieving venereal pains, in healing ulcers of the throat,
and in promoting the defquamation of eruptions.
Officinal Preparations.
Sub-murias hydrargyri, E. L. D.
Calx hydrargyri alba, L.
Quickfilver 69.7 ")
Oxygen 12.3 3
100
85
15
100
374
Materia Medica.
SUB-MURIAS HYDR ARGYRI ; olim, Calomelas. Ed.
Sub-muriate of Quirk/tlver, formerly Calomel.
Hydrargyrum Muriatum Mite Sublimatum. D.
Mild Sublimated Muriated Quickfilver.
Calomelas. L.
Calomel.
Take of
Muriate of quickfilver, ground to powder in a glafs-mortar, four
ounces ;
Purified quickfilver, three ounces.
Rub them together in a glafs-mortar, with a little water, to prevent
the acrid powder fro n rifing, until the mercury be extinguifh-
ed ; and having put the powder, after being dried, into an ob-
long phial, of which it fills only one third, fublime from
warm fand. After the fublimation is finifhed, having broken
the phial, throw away both the red matter found near the bot-
tom of the phial, and the white matter near its neck, and fu-
blime the reft of the mafs. Grind this into a very minute pow-
der, which is laftjy to be warned with boiling diltilled water. (E.)
When quickfilver is triturated with muriate of quickfilver-, it
abftra&s from the oxidized quickfilver of the muriate a part of it$
oxygen, and the whole mafs alTumes a blackifh grey colour.
When this is expofed to a degree of heat fufficient to convert it
into vapour, the action of the different portions of quickfilver up-
on each other, and upon the muriatic acid, is much more com-
plete : and the whole is converted into a folid white mafs, confid-
ing of mercury in a ftate of lefs oxidizement, and combined with
lefs acid than in the muriate.
The trituration of the muriate of mercury is a very noxious
operation, as it is almoft impoflible to prevent the finer panicles
from rifing and afTetling the operator's eyes and noftrils. To lef-
len this evil, the Edinburgh college direct the addition of a little
water. In the fecond part of the procefs, when the heat is ap-
plied, a fmall portion of quickfilver and undecompofed muriate
firlt arife, and condenfe themfelves in the higheft part or neck of
the phial •, then the fub-muriate rifes, and, being lefs volatile, con-
denses in the upper half of the body, while a fmall quantity of
quickfilver, in a Hate of confiderable oxidizement, remains fixed,
or near the bottom. The Edinburgh college feparate the fub-
muriate from the other matters, and fublime it again. The other
H. Hydrarg. — Sub-murias Hydrargyri. 375
colleges triturate the whole together again, and re-fublime it, the
Dublin college once, the London four times. As in the fird fub-
limation, a portion of the quickfilver and of the muriate of quick-
filver always arife undecompofcd, a fecond fublimation is neceflary,
efpecially if we triturate the whole produces of the firft fublima-
tion together; but any further repetition of the procefs is perfect-
ly ufelefs. Left any portion of muriate mould have efcaped de-
compofition, the fub-muriate mud be edulcorated with boiling
diftilled water, until the water which comes o(F forms no preci-
pitate with alkalies.
Sub-muriate of mercury is generally obtained in the form of a
white folid mafs ; but is capable of cryltallizing in tetrahedral
prifms terminated by pyramids. It has no talte, and is fcarcely
foluble in water or in alcohol. It is lefs vohnile than muriate
of mercury. It is blackened by light, and becomes brown when
triturated with lime water or the alkalies. It is converted by oxy-
muriatic acid into muriate of quickfilver. According to Mr. Che-
nevix, it con fills of
Quickfilver, 79 7 f ickfi] 38 5
Oxygen, 9.5 3
Muriatic acid, 1 1.5
And its oxide contains, Quickfilver,
Oxygen,
100
By comparing this analyfis with that of the muriate of mercury,
54 parts of quickfilver teem in fact fuflicient to convert 100 of
the muriate into fub-muriate *, but with Mr. Chenevix we think the
excefs employed by the colleges a ufeful precaution.
Medical ufe. — The fub-muriate of quickfilver is one of the bed
mercurials we poffefs. By proper management it may be made to
increafe, in a remarkable manner, almoft any of the fecretions or
excretions. One grain mixed with fugar, and (huffed up the
noftrils, is recommended as a powerful errhine in amaurofis. The
fame mixture is blown into the eye, to remove fpccks from the
cornea. Given in dofes of one grain morning and evening, or in
larger dofes combined with opium, to prevent it from acting as a
purgative, it excites ptyalifm. In larger dofes of five grains and
upwards, it is an excellent purgative. Combined with diuretics,
it proves diuretic, and with fudoriiics, fudorific.
It is one of the preparations of mercury which is capable of cur-
ing fyphiiis in every form. It alfo produces very powerful and
100
89.3
10.7
376
Materia Medica.
falutary effe&s in obftru&ions and chronic inflammations of the
vifcera, efpecially of the liver and, in general, it is applicable to
every cafe in which mercurials are indicated.
Officinal Preparations.
Pulvis scammonii cum calomelane, L. vide, Pulveres.
stibii compositus, D. - - Idem.
SUB-MURIAS HYDRARGYRI PR^ECIPITATUS. Ed
Precipitated Sub-muriate of Quickfilver.
Hydrargyria Muriatus Mitis. L.
Mild Muriated Quick/ilver.
Hydrargyrum Muriatum Mite Pr^cipitatum. D.
Precipitated Mild Muriated Quickfilver.
Take of
Diluted nitrous acid,
Purified quickfilver, each eight ounces \
Muriate of foda, four ounces and a half ;
Boiling water, eight pounds.
Mix the quickfilver with the diluted nitrous acid, and towards'the
end of the effervefcence digell with a gentle heat, frequently
faking the veflel in the meantime. But it is neceffary to add
more quickfilver to the acid than it is capable of diflblving, that
a perfectly faturated folution may be obtained.
Diflblve at the fame time the muriate of foda in the boiling water,
and into this folution pour the other while ftill hot, and mix
them quickly by agitation, pour off the faline liquor after the
precipitate hasfubfided, and warn the fub-muriate of quickfilver
by repeated afFufions of boiling water, which is to be poured
off each time after the depofition of the fub-muriate, until the
water come off taftelels. (E.)
In the firft part of this procefs, a folution of nitrate of quick-
filver, with excefs of oxide, is formed. In the fecond, there is a
mutual decompofition of this nitrate, and of the muriate of foda ;
nitrate of foda is formed, and muriate of quickfilver, with excefs
of oxide. In this preparation, our object is to obtain the infoluble
compound which refults from the combination of the protoxide of
mercury with muriatic acid. In this view, the application of heat
H. Hydrargyrum. — Sub-mur. IL prase. 377
in diffolving the mercury in the nitrous acid, is improper ; for a
portion at leaft of the mercury is converted into its peroxide, which
occafions, in the fird place, the formation of a litde fub-nitrate of
mercury, when poured into the faline foluticn ; and fecondly, the
formation of a quantity of muriate of mercury (corrofive fubli-
mate) which muft be warned away. Accordingly, Mr. Murray
has found much more mild and lefs corrofive muriate of mercury
is formed when the folution is made flowly and in the cold, than
when the directions of the colleges are complied with.
When properly prepared, the fub-muriate obtained by precipi-
tation fcarcely differs from that obtained by fublimation. Got-
tlir.g found no other difference than that the precipitated fub-mu-
riate became grey, when triturated with lime-water, whereas the
fublimed fub-muriate becomes black. But he expofed to heat
half an ounce of the precipitated fub-muriate in a iubliming ap-
paratus ; fcarcely a grain of a reddilh matter remained fixed ; and
the fublimed matter now became black when triturated with lime-
water, and differed in no refpecl from fub-muriate prepared in the
ordinary way by fublimation. It therefore would leem to be an
improvement in the procefs, to fublime the fub-muriate after it is
precipitated ; efpecially as by that operation it would be moft
effectually feparated from any fub-nitrate which might be mixed
with it.
There is ftill another way of preparing the fub-muriate of mer-
cury, without ufing corrofive fublimate, which mult be noticed.
It was contrived by Hermbftaedt, and is recommended by Moench
with the confidence derived from experience, as the very befl pro-
cefs for preparing the fub-muriate of quickfilver.
Take
Pure quickfilver, feven ounces and a half ;
Sulphuric acid, four ounces •,
Dried muriate of foda, five ounces and a half.
Diftil in a glafs-retort the fulphuric acid, with four ounces of the
quickfilver, until they be converted into a dry white mafs.
Triturate the fulphate of mercury thus formed, with the remain-
ing three ounces and a half of quickfilver, until the globules
difappear ; then add the muriate of foda ; mix them and fub-
lime. As the produCr. of the firft fublimation ftill contains un-
oxidized quickfilver, it is to be again triturated and fublimed.
The fublimate being warned, is now pure fub-muriate of quick-
filver, and weighs about fix ounces.
The theory of this procefs is the fame with that of the forma-
tion of the muriate of quickfilver. The difference between the
two products arifes from the proportion of quickfilver being greater,
3 C
378
Materia Medica.
and that of the muriate of foda employed being lefs. We are not
prepared to ftate the comparative economy of the procefles de«i
fcribed, for preparing fub-muriate of quickfilver ; but of the
laft procefs, we may obferve, that according to Mr. Chenevix's
analyfis, feven ounces and a half of quickfilver mould furnifh nine
ounces and a half of fub-muriate of quickfilver ; fo that there is
evidently a confiderable lofs, which muft be owing either to the
formation of muriate of quickfilver, or of oxide of quickfilver. To
diminifh this lofs, we might diffolve the refiduum of the firft fub-
limation, which is principally fulphate of foda, in the water with
which the fublimate was wafhed, and precipitate the folution with
carbonate of foda. We mould thus regain the remaining portion
of the quickfilver in the ftate of brown carbonate, which might be
applied to many purpofes. The fame thing might be prattifed
with advantage on the warnings and refiduums of feveral of the
other preparations.
CALX HYDRARGYRI ALBA. L.
White Calx of Quickfilver.
Take of
Muriated quickfilver,
Sal ammoniac,
Water of prepared kali, each half a pound.
Difiblve firft the fal ammoniac, afterwards the muriated quick-
.flrVer in diftilled water, and add to thefe the water of prepared
kali. Wafh the powder until it become infipid. (L.)
When to a folution of muriate of ammonia, there is added
muriate of quickfilver, about thirty times more of the latter is dif-
folved than the fame quantity of pure water is capable of diflblv-
ing ; and there takes place a confiderable increafe of tempera-
ture. Now, as thefe fafls fuffieiently prove a reciprocal aclion of
the two falts, and as there is no decompofition, it is evident that
they muft have combined to form a triple fait ; efpecially as they
cannot be again feparated either by fublimation or cryftallization.
This compound jiiay therefore, with propriety, be termed Mu-
riate of Mercury and Ammonia. It is the Sal Alembroth of the
alchemifts. It is very foluble in water, and is fublimed by heat
without decompofition. When to a folution of this fait we add
a folution of an alkaline carbonate, there occurs a partial decom-
pofition. The alkali combines with a portion of the muriatic acid ;
and reduces the muriate of mercury and ammonia to the ftate of
H. Hydrargyrum. — Ox. Hyd. cinereum. 379
a fub-muriate, which, being infoluble, falls to the bottom of the
folution.
The fub-muriate of mercury and ammonia thus precipitated,
has at firit an earthy and afterwards a metallic tafle. It is not fo-
luble in water. It is decompofed by heat ; furnifhing water, am-
monia, and nitrogen gas, while O.So' of fub-muriate of mercury
remains behind. Sulphuric and nitric acids partially decompofe
it, and convert it into muriate of mercury, and triple falts of mer-
cury and ammonia. Muriatic acid diflblves it, and converts it
into muriate of quickfilver and ammonia. According to Fourcroy's
analyfis, it confiits of 81 oxide of mercury.
16 muriatic acid,
S ammonia.
100
Therefore, if the analyfis of the different muriates be correct,
there is an unnecefTary want of economy in ufing equal parts of
muriate of ammonia and muriate of mercury ; for by calculation,
at lealt, we mould employ only one part of the former to eight of
the latter.
It is only ufed for ointments ; and its principal recommendation
is its fine white colour.
Officinal Preparation.
Ungucntum calcis hydrargyri albi, L. vide, Unguenta.
• * 1
OXIDUM HYDRARGYRI CINEREUM. Ed.
AJJi-coIoured Oxide of Quickfilver.
Pulvis Hydrargyri Cinereus. D.
Aflj-coloured Ponder of Quickfilver.
Take of
Purified quickfilver, four parts ;
Diluted nitrous acid, five parts ;
Diltilled water, fifteen parts ;
Water of carbonate of ammonia, a fufficient quantity.
Diflblve the mercury in the nitrous acid ; then gradually add the
diftilled water, and pour into the mixture as much water of the
carbonate of ammonia as fhall be fufficient to precipitate the
whole of the oxide of mercury, which is then to be warned with
pure water and dried. (E.)
380
Materia Medica.
This procefs is intended to furnifh a fubftitute for the black
oxide of quickfiiver, on which the efficacy of the mercurials mod
frequently employed, and molt certainly ufeful, depends. In
thefe. the mercury is oxidized by trituration, in contact with the
atmofphere ; but this operation is both fo tedious and trouble-
fome, that it is often imperfectly performed or amfted by impro-
per means.
In the procefs we are now explaining, it was fuppofed that as
ammonia has a ftronger affinity for nitric acid than oxide of mer-
cury has, it would feparate oxide of mercury from its folution in
nitric acid \ and, therefore, that the precipitate obtained was oxide
of mercury fimilar to that formed by trituration. But fmce the
nature of the triple metalline falts has been better underftood,
this has been difcovered to be an error, although the exact mode
of their action is not yet explained. The grey precipitate which
is formed, may, fpeaking generally, be called a fub-nitrate of mer-
cury and ammonia ; for it confifts of oxide of mercury and am-
monia, not faturated with nitric acid ; but even to ocular infpec-
tion it does not feem to be homogeneous and when it is digested
in acetic acid, it is partially diflblved, and the refiduum acquires
a very pale, or almoft white colour. The portion difTblved feems
to be black oxide, and the white refiduum to be pure fub-nitrate
of mercury and ammonia, which, according to Fourcroy, cryftal-
lizes in brilliant polyhedral cry Hals, without fmell, of an extreme-
ly ftyptic tafte, fcarcely foluble in water, is decompofed by heat,
by the fulphuric and muriatic acids, and by lime, potafs, and foda,
and confifts of 68.20 oxide of mercury, 16 of ammonia, and 15.80
of nitric acid. According to thefe obfervations, this preparation
ought not to be called the grey oxide of mercury, and is not iden-
tical with the black oxide of mercury, prepared by trituration. If,
however, it anfwered the fame purpofes, the identity would be of
little confequence ; but from its never having been introduced
into general ufe, although fo much more eafily prepared, we may
prefume that it is not equal in point of efficacy.
Black oxide of mercury may however be obtained, according to
the direction of Saunders, by triturating with lime water, and
fubfequent edulcoration, the fublimed fub-muriate of mercury, or
rather the precipitated fub-muriate, as propofed by Gottling ; and
that the decompofition may be more eafy and complete, we mall
venture to fugged, that for this preparation the latter fub-muriate
fhould not be dried, but mould be triturated with the lime water
as foon as it is edulcorated. This fimple black oxide certainly
merits a fair trial.
Officinal Preparation.
Unguentum oxidi hydrargyri ciner. E.
vide, Unguent a.
H. Hydrargyrum. — Hyd. cum Creta, &c. 33 1
HYDRARGYRIA CUM CRETA. L.
Quickftlver ivitb Chalk.
Take of
Purified quickfilver, three ounces ;
Prepared chalk, five ounces.
Triturate them together until the globules difappear. (L.)
Quicksilver has a ftrong affinity for oxygen, and abforbs it
(lowly from the atmofphere. But the combination may be con-
fiderably accelerated by agitation, and ftill more by triturating
quickfilver with any fubftance which promotes its mechanical dit
vifion, and thus increafes its furface. With this view, quickfil-
ver is triturated with vifcid fubftances, as fats, honey, fyrup,
&c. or with pulverulent fubftances, as the chalk in the prefent
example.
In this ftate of oxidizement, quickfilver contains about 0.04 of
oxygen according to Fourcroy, is foluble in acids without the ex-
trication of nitrous gas, and is eafily reduced by heat, and even by
light.
The black oxide is the mildeft, but at the fame time the mod
efficacious of the preparations of mercury. Combined with chalk
it is not in general ufe ; but in the form of the common mercurial
pill and ointment, it is more employed than any other preparations
of the fame metal except calomel.
HYDRARGYRUM CALCINATUM. L. D.
Calcified Quickfilver.
Take of
Purified quickfilver, any quantity.
Put it into an open glafs veflel, with a narrow mouth and wide
bottom. Expofe this to about the fix-hundredth degree of heat,
until the metal be converted into red fcales. (L. D.)
This is an extre ,nely tedious, and therefore expenfive, opera-
tion, becaufe mercury is incapable of abforbing from the atmof-
phere the quantity of oxygen neceflary to convert it into the red
oxide, except when in the ftate of vapour. But as the form of a
veflel, which will prevent the diflipation and lofs of the mercurial
vapour, will at the fame time hinder the free accefs and Frequent
renewal of the air, the operation can only proceed {lowly. The
veflel mod advantageoufly employed, is a wide, flat-bottomed ma-
trafs, with a very narrow, and almoft capillary neck. Only fo
382
Materia Medic a.
much mercury is introduced into it as will cover the bottom of the
matrafs ; and the vefTel is not inferted in the fand deeper than the
mercury (lands within it. A degree of heat is then applied fuf-
licient to caufe a gentle ebullition in the mercury, which is thus
alternately converted into vapour, and condenfed again in the up-
per part of the vefTel. While in the ftate of vapour, it abforbs the
oxygen of the air contained in the vefTel : by which means it is
gradually changed into a black, and then into a red, powder ; but
a complete converGon into the latter ftate is not effected in lefs
than feveral months.
Red oxide of quickfilver thus prepared, confifts of fmall crys-
talline grains, of a deep red colour, and very brilliant fparkling
appearance. By heat it may be fublimed in the form of a beauti-
ful ruby- coloured vitrified fubftance. At a red heat it is decom-
pofed, giving out oxygen gas, while the metal is revived, and is
immediately volatilized. It is foluble in feveral of the acids j and
during its folution it does not decompofe them or water. It is
eafily difoxidized. It contains about 0.1 oxygen.
It is not only an acrid fubftance, violently purgative and emetic,
but even cauftic and poifonous. Its internal ufe is profcribed
but it is applied externally as an efcharotic, being previoufly tritu-
rated to a very fine powder ; or it is formed into a ftimulating
ointment with unctuous fubftances.
OXIDUM HYDRARGYRI RUBRUM per ACIDUM NI-
TRICUM ; ohm, Mercurius Precipitatus Ruber. Ed.
Red Oxide of Quickfilver by Nitric Acid, formerly Red Precipitated
Mercury.
Hydrargyria Nitratus Ruber. L.
Red Nitrated Quickffoer.
Hydrargyrum Sub-Nitratum. D.
Sub-nitrated Quick/ilver.
Take of
Purified quickfilver, one pound ;
Diluted nitrous acid, fixteen ounces.
Diffolve the quickfilver, and evaporate the folution, with a gentle
heat, to a dry white mafs •, which, after being ground into pow-
der, is to be put into a glafs cucurbit, and to have a thick glafs
plate laid upon its furface. Then, having adapted a capital, and
placed the vefTel in a fand bath, apply a gradually increafed heat,
until the matter be converted into very red fcales. (E.)
H. Hydrargyrum. — Sub-Sulph. H. flav. 383
In the firft part of this procefs a fully faturated nitrate of mer-
cury is formed. In the fecond part, the metal is oxidized to the
maximum by the decompofition of the acid. When a fufficient
heat is applied, the nitrate of mercury firft melts, then exhales
nitric oxide gas, and changes its colour fucceflively to yellow,
orange, and brilliant purple red. If well prepared, it mould have
a cryftailine fcaly appearance ; and it is entirely volatile at a red
heat, and foluble without any refiduum in nitrous acid. Accord-
ing to Fourcroy, it contains no nitrous acid, unlefs a fuificient
heat has not been applied ; but according to moft other chemifts
it contains fome nitrous acid ; and differs from the red oxide pre-
pared by the action of heat alone, in always being more acrid.
Officinal Preparation.
Unguentum oxydi hydrargyri rubri, E. vide. Unguent a.
SUB-SULPHAS HYDRARGYRI FLAVUS j
Olim, TURPETHUM MlNERALE. Ed.
Yellow Sub-Sulphate of Quickfilver, formerly T urpeth Mineral.
Hydrargtrus Vitriolatus. L.
Hydrargyrum Sub-Vitriolatum. D.
Vitriolated Quichjilver. Sub-VHriolated Quickfilver.
Take of
Purified quickfilver, four ounces j
Sulphuric acid, fix ounces.
Put them into a glafs cucurbit, and boil them in a land bath to
drynefs. Throw into boiling water the white matter, which is
left in the bottom, after having reduced it to powder. A yel-
low powder will immediately be produced, which muft be fre-
quently warned with warm water. (E.)
The action of fulphuric acid on mercury has been examined
with confiderable attention by Fourcroy. In the cold they have no
384
Materia Medica.
action on each other, but on the application of heat, the fulphuric
acid begins to be decompofed, fulphureous acid gas is extricated,
and the metal is oxidized, and combines with the undecompofed
acid, forming with it a white faiine mafs, covered with a colour-
lefs fluid. In this ftate it reddens vegetable blues, is acrid and
corrofive, does not become yellow by the contact of the air, and is
not decompofed by water either warm or cold. It is therefore
fuper-fulphate of quickfilver, and the proportion of the acid in ex-
cefs is variable.
By warning the faiine mafs repeatedly with fmall quantities of
water, it is at laft rendered perfectly neutral. It no longer red-
dens vegetable blues. It is white j it cryftallizes in plates, or fine
prifmatic needles it is not very acrid ; it is not decompofed ei-
ther by cold or boiling water: but is foluble in 500 parts of the
former, and in about 250 of the latter. It is much more foluble
in water acidulated with fulphuric acid. The fulphate of quick-
filver confifts of 75 quickfilver, 8 oxygen, 12 fulphuric acid, and
5 water.
But if, inftead of removing the excefs of acid from the fuper-
fulphate of quickfilver, by warning it with water, we continue the
action of the heat according to the directions of the colleges, there
is a copious evolution of fulphureous acid gas, and the faiine refi-
duum is converted into a white mafs, which therefore evidently
contains both a larger proportion of mercury, and in a ftate of
greater oxidizement, than the fait from which it was formed. But
this white faiine mafs is farther analyfed by the affufion of hot
water ; for one portion of it is diflolved, while the remainder af-
fumes the form of a beautiful yellow powder. The portion dif-
folved is fai i to contain excefs of acid. The yellow powder is, on
the contrary, a fub-fulphate.
The fub-fulphate of quickfilver has a bright yellow colour, a
confiderably acrid tafte, is foluble in 2000 parts of cold water, is
alfo foluble in fulphuric acid, flightly diluted, and is decompofed by
the nitric acid, and forms muriate of quickfilver with the muriatic
acid, while the neutral fulphate forms fub-/muriate. It oxidizes
quickfilver, 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 confifts of 76 mercury, 11 oxygen, 10 fulphuric acid,
and 3 water.
It is a ftrong emetic, and with this intention operates the molt
powerfully of all the mercurials that can be fafely given internally.
Its action, however, is not confined to the primse viae ; it will
fometimes excite a falivation, if a purgative be not taken foon after
it. This medicine is ufed chiefly in virulent gonorrhoeas, and
other venereal cafes, where there is a great flux of humours to the
parts. Its chief ufe at prefent is in fwellings of the tefticle from a
H.—r— Hydrargyrum. — Sulphuret. H. nig, 385
venereal affection ; and it feems not only to act as a mercurial, bur
alfo, by the fevere vomiting it occafions, to perform the office of a
difcutient, by accelerating the motion of the blood in the parts af-
fected. It is faid likewife to have been employed with fuccefs, in
robufl: conftitutions, againfl leprous diforders, and obflinate glan-
dular obftructions : the dofe is from two grains to fix or eight. It
may be given in dofes of a grain or two as an alterative and dia-
phoretic. Dr. Hope, fenior, has found, that in dofes of one grain,
with a little powder of liquorice root, it forms a very convenient
errhine.
This medicine was lately recommended as the moft effectual
prefervative againfl the hydrophobia.
On the whole, however, we confider it as a fuperfluous prepara-
tion, whofe place may be more fafely fuppi:ed by other mercurials
or emetics.
SULPHURETUM HYDRARGYRI NIGRUM
Olim, ^Ethiops Mineralis. Ed.
Hydrargyria cum Sulphure. L.
Hydrargyrum Sulphuratum Nigrum. D.
Black Sulphuret of Quickfilver, formerly JEthiops Mineral.
Take of
Purified quickfilver,
Sublimed fulphur, of each, equal weights.
Grind them together in a glafs mortar with a glafs peftle, till the
mercurial globules totally difappear. (E. L. D.)
It is alfo prepared with twice the quantity of quickfilver. Ed.
This procefs, fimple as it appears, is not, even in the prefent
advanced ftate of chemiftry, perfectly underftood. It was for-
merly imagined, that the quickfilver was merely mechanically di-
vided, and intimately mixed with the fulphur. But that they are
really chemically united, is indifputably proved by the infolubility
of the compound in nitrous acid. Fourcroy is of opinion, that
during the trituration, the mercury abforbs oxygen, and is con-
verted into the black oxide, and that in this ftate it is ilightly com-
bined with the fulphur. The editors of Gren alfo fuppofe it to
be in the ftate of black oxide, but that it is combined with hydro-
guretted fulphur ; and they direct a little water to be added dur-
ing the trituration, that by its decompofition it may facilitate the
procefs.
3 D
386 Materia Medica.
The black fulphuret of quickfilver, thus prepared by trituration,
has a pulverulent form, is infoluble in nitric acid, is totally foluble
in a foiution of potafs, and is precipitated unchanged from this fo-
lution, by acids. It is not altered by expofure to the air ; and when
heated in an open veflel, it emits fulphureous acid gas, acquires af
dark violet colour, and, laftly, fublimes in a brilliant red mafs, com-
pofed of cryftalline needles.
The combination of quickfilver with fulphur may be much more
fpeedily effected by the aiTidance of heat, by pouring the mercu-
ry, previoufly heated, upon the fulphur in a ftate of fufion, and
ftirring them until they cool, and form a confident mafs, which
may be afterwards powdered. The fulphuret prepared by fufion,
differs, however, from that prepared by trituration ; for it is not
foluble in a foiution of 5potafs, but is converted by long ebullition
in it into the red fulphuret, and it alfo reddens fpontaneoufly in
courfe of time from the action of the air.
Black fulphuret of mercury may be alfo prepared in the humid
way, as it is called, by precipitation, or even by direct: foiution.
According to Berthollet, mercury agitated with fulphuretted hy-
droguret of ammonia, forms a black fulphuret exactly refembling
that prepared by trituration ; but if hydroguretted fulphuret of
ammonia be ufed, the black precipitate formed gradually afiumes
a red colour, and the foiution contains fulphuretted hydroguret of
ammonia. The fame phenomena take place with all the mercurial
falts.
As a medicine, black fulphuret of quickfilver pofTefTes no ve.ry
confpicuous effects. It is principally ufed as an alterative in
glandular affections, and in cutaneous difeafes. It has been com-
monly given in dofes of from 5 to 10 grains ; but even in dofes of
feveral drachms, and continued for a confiderable length of time,
it has fcarcely produced any fenfible effe£t.
HYDRARGYRUM SULPHUR ATUM RUBRUM ;
Olim, Cinnabaris Factitia. L. D.
Red Sulphuretted Quickfilver, formerly Factitious Cinnabar,
Take of
Quickfilver purified, forty ounces j
Sulphur, eight ounces.
Mix the quickfilver with the melted fulphur •, and if the mixture
takes hre, extinguifh it by covering the vefTel ; afterwards re-
duce the mafs to powder and fublime it. (L. D.)
H. Hydrargyrum. — Hyd. sulph. rubr. 387
As foon as the mercury and fulphur begin to unite, a consider-
able explofion frequently happens, and the mixture is very apt to
take fire, efpecially if the procefs be fomewhat hailily conduced.
This accident the operator will have previous notice of, from the
matter f welling up, and growing fuddenly co.ififtent *, as foon as
this happens, the veflel mult be immediately clofe covered.
During the fublimation, care muft be had that the matter do
not rife into the neck of the veflel, fo as to block up and burft the
glafs. To prevent this, a wide-necked bolt head, or rather an oval
earthen jar, coated, fhould be chofen for the fubliming veflel. Jf
the former be eri,r.o; cd, it will be convenient tointroduce at times
an iron wire, fomewhat heated, in order to be the better allured
that the paflage is not blocking up; the danger of which may be
prevented by cautioufly railing the veflel higher from the fire.
If the ingredients be pure, there is no rellduum. In fupb cafes,
the fublimation may be known to be over, by introducing a wire
as before, and fetling with it the bottom of the veflel, which will
then be perfectly fmooth : if any roughnefs or inequalities be per-
ceived, either the mixture was impure, or the fublimation is not
completed ; \C the latter be the cale, the wire will foon be covered
over with the rifing cinnabar.
The preparers of cinnabar in large quantities, employ earthen ,
jars, which in fhape pretty much referable an egg. Thefe are of
different fizes, according to the quantity intended to be made at
one fublimation, which fbmetimes amounts to two hundred weight.
The jar is ufuaily coated from the fmall end aim alt to the middle,
to prevent its breaking from the vehemence or irregularity of the
fire. The greater part, which is placed uppermoft, not being re-
ceived within the furnace, has no occafion for this defence. The
whole fecret, with regard to this procefs, is the management of
the fire, which mould be fo ftrong as to keep the matter conti-
nually fubliming to the upper part of the jar, without coming out
at its mouth, which is covered with an iron plate. Care ihould
alfo be taken to put into the fubliming veflel only fmall quantities
of the mixture at a time.
When taken out of the fubliming veflels, the red fulphuret of
quickfilver is a brilliant cryitalline mafs, and firft acquires its. very
rich colour when reduced to the form of a fine powder by tritu-
ration. It has neither fmell nor talte, and is infoluble in water
and in alcohol. In clofe velfels it fublimes entirely unchanged,
but requires for this purpofe a pretty great degree of heat. It is
not foluble in any acid, and is only decompofed by the nitro-mu-
riatic, which diffolves the quickfilver, and feparates the fulphur.
It is not decompofed by boiiing it with folutions of the alkalies,
but is decompofed by melting it with potafs, foda, lime, iron, lead,
/
388
Materia Medic a.
copper, antimony, and feveral other metals. Prouft has proved it
to confift of 85 quickfilver, and 14 or 14^ fulphur, and that the
quickfilver is not oxidized to a maximum, as had been falfely fup-
pofed, but to its metallic ftate. His analyfis is confirmed by the
other methods by which cinnabar may be prepared. Thus, the
black fulphurct of quickfilver by fufion is converted into the red
fulphuret, by boiling it in a folution of potafs, which can only act
by difTolving the fulphuretted hydrogen and fuperfluous fulphur.
Sub-muriate, or fub-fulphate of mercury, fublimed with fulphur,
furnifh red fulphuret of mercury, and muriate, or fulphate, of
mercury.
Medical nfe. — Red fulphuret of quickfilver is fometimes ufed in
fumigations againlt venereal ulcers in the nofe, mouth and throat.
Half a drachm of it burnt, the fume being imbibed with the breath,
has occafioned a violent falivation. This effect is by no means
owing to the medicine as a fulphuret ; for when fet on fire, it is no
longer fuch, but mercury refolved into vapour, and blended with
the fulphureous acid gas ; in which circumftances this mineral has
very powerful effects.
Mr. Pearfon, from his experiments on mercurial fumigation,
concludes, that where checking the progrefs of the difeafe fudden-
ly 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 excrefcences, the vapour of mercury is an ap-
plication of great efficacy and utility ; but that it is apt to induce a
ptyalifm rapidly, and great confequent debility, and that for the
purpofe of fecuring the conftitution againft a relapfe, as great a
quantity of mercury muft be introduced into the fyllem, by in-
unction, as if no fumigation had been employed.
PHOSPHAS HYDRARGYRI.
Mercurius Phosphoratus.
Phofphate of Mercury.
Take of
Sulphuric acid, eight ounces
Water, four pounds.
Mix them carefully in a capacious glafs veiTel, and add
White calcined bones powdered, 14 ounces.
Place the veffel in a temperature of 60° for three days to digefr,
ftirring the mixture frequently with a glafs rod, then filter the
H. Hydrargyrum. — Phosphas Hyd. 389
whole through fine linen, warning the refiduum with (Milled
water till completely edulcorated. Evaporate to drynefs, and
dilfolve in the fmalleft poffible quantity of luke-warm water,
by which a confideiable portion of gypfum will remain undii-
folved. After (training off all the liquor, again dilute with
diftilled water and a folution of the pureft potafs, till it be com-
pletely faturated. The fmall portion of gypfum itill held in
lolution will thus be decompofed, and fome calcareous earth
precipitated, which mud be leparated by filtration. Evaporate
to a proper confidence, and expofe in a cool place to cryftal-
lize. A fmall portion of vitriolated tartar fir It appears from the
decompofition of the gypfum ; but if the liquor be again eva-
porated, the phofphoratcd potafs will be produced in rhom-
boidal prifmatic crynals. DifTolve thefe in diftiiled water,
and decompofe by a fuper-faturated lolution of mercury in the
nitric acid. The precipitate after complete eduicoration with
warm diftilled water fhould be flowly dried, and is the pureft
phofphate of mercury.
The above is Bergmann's method of procuring the phofphate of
mercury. It may be alio obtained, by adding phofphoric acid in a
liquid form to a folution of mercury in nitric acid.*
Phofphate of mercury is a very acYive preparation, and re-
quires to be ufed with great caution, as it is otherwife apt to pro-
duce naulea, violent vomiting, ptyalifm, &c. even in dofes not ex-
ceeding half a grain. The following formula is employed to pre-
vent thefe effects.
Take of
Phofphate of mercury, four grains •,
Powdered cinnamon, fourteen grains ;
White fugar, half a drachm.
Mix and make into eight powders, of which one is to be taken
every morning and evening, unlefs ptyalifm is induced, when
it muff befuipended. Some bear from one to two grains with-
out inconvenience.
This remedy heals inveterate venereal ulcers in a fhort time,
efpecially fuch as are feated about the pudenda. In venereal in-
flammations of the eyes, chancres, rheumatifms and chronic crup-
* An eafier method appears to be the union of a folution of phofphate of foda,
and nitrate of mercury. The fuperior affinity of the nitric acid to foda, caufes it to
leave the mercury, whilft the phofphoric acid unites with the mercury in the form
of a fine white precipitate, which is the phofphate of mercury, and which muft Ik
thoroughly edulcorated with boiling diftilled water. Amtrhan Editor.
390
Materia Medica.
tions, it has proved of eminent fervice. It is on the whole, a valtir
able medicine in the hands of a judicious practitioner.
It is particularly preferable over other mercurial preparations in
an inveterate ftage of fyphilis, efpecially in perfons of torpid in-
fenfible fibres: in cafes of exoftofis, as well as of obftruclions in
the lymphatic fyftem ; and in chronic complaints of the (kin, &c*
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 ftrong
and virofe fmell. A fpiritous infufion of the root is employed as
a tonic bitter in the weftern parts of Pennfylvania. A cold infufion
of the root in water is alfo ufed as a wafh in inflammation of the
eyes. The Cherokee Indians employ a plant in the cure of can-
cer, which is thought to be the Hydraftis. The root fupplies u$
with a moft brilliant yellow colour, which will probably be found
a moft valuable dye.f
HYOSCYAMUS NIGER. Herba. Semen. Ed.
Hyoscyamus. D.
Black Henbane. The herb and feeds.
IVilld. g. 378. fp. 1. — Pentandria Monogynia. — Nat. ord. Solafiacex.
Henbane is a biennial plant, which grows in great abundance
in moft parts of Britain.
The fmell of the hyofcyamus is ftrong and peculiar : and the
leaves when bruifed emit fomewhat of the odour of tobacco. This
fmell is ftill ftronger when the leaves are burnt ; and on burning
they fparkle with a deflagration fomewhat refcmbling that of nitre :
but to the tafte they fhew no evident faline impregnation. When
chewed, they are infipid, mild, and mucilaginous : yet when taken
to any great extent, they produce the moft alarming erTeels. They
give the appearances of intoxication, attended with wild delirium,
remarkable dilatation of the pupils of the eyes, and convulfions.
[t often produces fweat, and fometimes an eruption of puftules
over the furface, and generally found fleep, fucceeded by ferenity
* London Medical and Phyfical Journal.
t Barton's Colle&iom, Part I. p. 9. Part II. p. 13.
H. Hyoscyamus niger. 391
of mind, and recruited vigour of the body : but like the other nar-
cotics, inftead of thefe, it fometimes gives rife to vertigo, headach,
and general uneafmefs. With particular individuals it occafions
vomiting, colic pains, a copious flow of urine, and fometimes purg-
ing. Upon the whole, like opium, it is a powerful anodyne ; and
like cieuta, it is free from any conftipating effect, having rather
a tendency to move the belly.
Medical ufe. — From thefe effects, it is not furprifing that hyof-
cyamus flioukl have been introduced into the practice of medi-
cine ; and accordingly, it appears to have been uied both external-
ly and internally for a variety of purpofes. Several different
fpecies of the hyofcyamus were formerly employed, as appears
from the writings of Diofcorides and others. Celfus, in particu-
lar, was very fond of this medicine ; he ufed it externally as a col-
lyrium in cafes of ophthalmia : he employed it topically for allaying
the pain of toothach ; and he gave it internally, both with the view
of mitigating other pains, and of producing quiet fleep.
For a confiderable length of time, however, hyofcyamus fell al-
moft into difufe *, but the employment of it has of late been reviv-
ed by Dr. Stork of Vienna ; and it has been ufed both by him, and
by many other practitioners in thofe cafes where an anodyne is re-
quifite, and where there are objections to the ufe of opium. It is
employed for refolving fwelling, and allaying pain in cafes of fcir-
rhus, under the form of cataplafm of the leaves, or of a plalter
made from the oil of the feeds and powder of the herb, with wax,
turpentine, and other articles \ or of ointment made of the powder
of the leaves with hogs lard. In open ulcers, the powder of the
leaves, fprinkled on the part, has often a good effect.
An extract from the leaves, or from the feeds, is the form in
which it is given internally ; but contrary to what happens with
cicuta, the former appears to be the moil powerful. This extract
has been given with advantage in a variety of nervous affections,
as mania, melancholia, epilepfy, hyfteria, &c. ; in glandular fwell-
ings, in obftinate ulcerations ; and in every cafe where it is necef-
fary either to allay inordinate action, or mitigate pain. In accom-
plishing thefe ends, it is often no lefs ufeful than opium; and it
frequently fucceeds where opium produces very difagreeable ef-
fects. The dofe of this extract mult be accommodated to the
circumftances of the cafe and of the patient •, and it has been in-
creafed from half a grain to half a drachm in the day •, for like
opium, its influence is very much diminimed by habit.
Officinal Preparations.
Succus spissatus hyoscyami nigri, E. - vide, Sued xfiissati.
Tinctura hyoscyami nigri, E. - - Tincture.
392
Materia Medica.
HYPERICUM PERFORATUM. Hypericum. Flos. L.
Common St. Johnfs-ivort. The Jloiver.
Polyadelphia Polyandrm.—Nat. ord. Afcyroidea.
This plant is perennial, and grows wild in woods and unculti-
vated places in Britain. Its tafte is rough and bitterifti, and its
fmeil difagreeable. It abounds with veficles, containing a trans-
parent matter, fo that when viewed, by holding the plant between
the eye and the light, they refemble perforations. From the frefti
flower buds, a red juice may be exprefled, which imparts its co-
Jour to alcohol, water and fixed oils. The red colour of the infu-
fion is brightened by acids, and is changed to black by fulphate of
iron. Neumann got from 480 grains, 300 of watery, and 40 of
alcoholic, extract, and inverfely 240 alcoholic, and 120 watery.
Nothing confiderable arofe in diftillation with either water or
alcohol.
HYSSOPUS OFFICINALIS. Herba. Ed.
Hyssopus. Folia. D.
Hyffbp. The herb.
Willd. g. 1096. fp. 1. — Didynamta Gymnofpermia. — Nat. ord. Ver~
ticillata.
Hyssop is a perennial herb, which grows wild in Germany.
The leaves of hyflbp have an aromatic fmell, and a warm pun-
gent tafte. Their virtues depend entirely on an eflential oil which
rifes in diftillation both with water and alcohol. Befides the
general virtues of aromatics, they were formerly recommended in
humoral afthmas, coughs, and other diforders of the bread and
lungs, and were faid to promote expectoration.
I. Infusa.
395
ICHTHYOCOLLA. - Fide, Accipcnser.
INFUSA. INF USIONS.
We have already explained the fenfe in which we employ the
term infufion. We confine it to the action of a menftruum, not
aflifted by ebullition, on any fubftance confiftmg of heterogeneous
principles, fome of which are foluble, and others infallible, in
that menftruum. The term is generally ufed in a more exten-
five, but we are inclined to think, a lels correct, fenfe : thus, lime-
water and the mucilages, which are commonly claffed with the in-
fufions, are inltances of fimple folution, and the chalk mixture is
the mechanical fnfpenfion of an infoluble fubft.mce. When the
menftruum ufed is w.iter, the folution is termed Amply an inf ufion ;
but when the menftruum is alcohol, it is called a tincture ; when
wine or vinegar, a medicated wine or vinegar. Infulions in water
are extremely apt to fpoil, and are generally extemporaneous pre-
parations.
INFUSUM CINCHONAS OFFICINALIS. Ed-
Infufion of Cinchona Bark.
Infusum Corticis Peruviani. D.
Infufion of Peruvian Bark.
Take of
Peruvian bark in powder, one ounce ;
Water, one pound.
Macerate for twenty-four hours, and filter. (E.)
This is a very elegant form of exhibiting the active principles of
cinchona bark, and that in which it will fit lighteft on weak and de-
3 E
394
Materia Medica.
licate ftomachs. The refiduum of the cold infufion may be after-
wards employed in making other preparations, efpecially the ex-
tract, for its virtues are by no means exhaufted. But it muft never
be dried and fold, or exhibited in lubflance, for that would be a
culpable fraud.
INFUSUM DIGITALIS PURPUREA. Ed.
Infufion of Foxglove,
Take of
Dried leaves of foxglove, one drachm ;
Boiling water, eight ounces ;
Spirit of cinnamon, one ounce.
Macerate for four hours, and filter. (E.)
This is the infufion fo highly recommended by Withering.
Half an ounce, or an ounce of it, may be taken twice a-day in drop-
fical complaints. The fpirk of cinnamon is added to improve it6
flavour, and to counteract its ledative effects.
INFUSUM GENTIANjSE LUTE^E COMPOSITUM;
vulgo, (nfusum Amarojm. Ed.
Compound Infufion of Gentian, or Bitter Infufion.
Infusum Gentians Compositum. L. D.
Compound Infufion of Gentian,
Take of
Bruifed gentian root, half an ounce;
Dried peel of Seville oranges, one drachm;
Coriander feeds, half a drachm ;
Diluted alcohol, four ounces ;
Water, one pound.
Firfl: pour on the alcohol, and three hours thereafter add thv. water;
then macerate without heat for twelve hours, and ftrain.
This infufion is an extremely good bitter, and is of great fervicc
in all cafes where bitters in general are necefTary. It ftrengthens
the ftomach, and increafes the appetite ; befides acting as a tonic
on the other parts of the body, and on the vafcular fyftem.
I. Infusa.
395
INFUSUM MIMOSA CATECHU; vulgo, Infusum Japo-
nicum. Ed.
Infufton of Catechu, commonly called Japonic Infufion.
Take of
Extract of catechu, two drachms and a half-,
Cinnamon, half a drachm ;
Boiling water, feven ounces ;
Simple fyrup, one ounce.
Macerate the extract and cinnamon in the hot water, in a covered
vefTel, for two hours, then (train it, and add the fyrup. (E.)
Extract of catechu is almofl: pure tannin. This infufion is
therefore a powerfully aftring^nt folution. The cinnamon and
fyrup render it a very agree ible medicine, which will be found
ferviceable in fluxes proceeding from a laxity of the inteftines.
Its dofe is a fpoonful or two every other hour. As this prepa-
ration will not keep above a day or two, it mult always be made
extemporaneoufly. The two hours maceration, therefore, be-
comes very often extremely inconvenient •, but it may be prepared
in a few minutes by boiling, without in the leaft impairing the vir-
tues of the medicine.
INFUSUM RHEI PALMATL Ed.
Infufion of Rhubarb.
Take of
Rhubarb, half an ounce ;
Boiling water, eight ounces ;
Spirit of cinnamon, one ounce.
Macerate the rhubarb in a clofe vefTel with the water, for twelve
hours ; then having added the fpirit, ftrain the liquor. (E.)
This appears to be one of the beft preparations of rhubarb,
when defigned as a purgative ; water extracting its virtue more
effectually than either vinous or fpiritous menftrua.
396
Materia Medica.
INFUSUM ROS^E GALLICS. Ed.
Infusum Ros^. L.
Infufton of Rofes.
Infusum Rosarum ; olim, Tinctura Rosarum. D,
Infufton of Rofes, formerly TinSfure of Rofes.
Take of
The petals of red rofes, dried, one ounce;
Boihng water, five pounds j
Sulphuric acid, one drachm ;
White fugar, two ounces.
Macerate the petals with the boiling water in an earthen velTel,
which is not glazed with lead, for four hours ; then having
poured on the acid, ftrain the liquor, and add the fugar.
In this infufion the rofe leaves have very little effect, except in
giving the mixture an elegant red colour. Its fub-acid and aftrin-
gent virtues depend entirely on the fulphuric acid. Altogether,
however, it is an elegant medicine, and forms a very grateful ad-
dition to juleps in hemorrhagies, and in all cafes which require mild
coolers and fub-aftringents : it is fometimes taken with bolufes or
electuaries of the bark, and likewife makes a good gargle.
INFUSUM SENN^E SIMPLEX. L.
Simple Infufion of Senna.
Infusum Senn^e. D.
Infufton of Senna.
Take of
Senna, fix drachms ;
Ginger, powdered, half a drachm ;
Boiling water, ten ounces.
Macerate them for an hour, in a covered veiTel, then filter. (D.)
This is a very elegant infufion of fenna, the ginger acting as an
ufeful corrigent. But if the fenna were employed to the quantity
of a drachm and a half, or two drachms only, in place of the quan-
tity here ordered, it would be more convenient, as it is of advan-
I. Infusa. 397
tage that it (hould be ufed frefti as here prepared. Of the prefent
infufion, an ounce or two is a fufficient dofe.
INFUSUM SENNiE TARTARISATUM. L.
Tartarifed Infufion of Senna.
Take of
Senna, one ounce and a half;
Coriander feeds, bruifed, half an ounce;
Cryftals of tartar, two drachms ;
Diftilled water, one pint.
DhTolve the cryftals of tartar by boiling in the water ; then pour
the liquor, as yet boiling, on the fennaand feeds. Macerate for
an hour in a covered vefTel, and ftrain when cold. (L.)
The addition of the fuper-tartrate of potafs renders the tafte of
the fenna lefs unpleafant, and alfo promotes its action.
INFUSUM TAMARINDI INDICI CUM CASSIA
SENNA. Ed.
Infufion of Tamarinds and Senna.
Take of
Preferved tamarinds, one ounce ;
Senna, one cirachm ;
Coriander feeds, half a drachm;
Brown fugar, half an ounce ;
Boiling water, eight ounces.
Macerate them for four hours, occafionally agitating them, in a
clofe earthen veflel, not glazed with lead, and ftrain the liquor.
It may alfo be made with double, triple, &c. the quantity of
fenna. (E.)
This forms a mild and ufeful purge, excellently fuited for de-
licate ftomachs, and inflammatory difeafes. The tafte of the fenna
is well covered by the aromatic fugar and by the acidity of the ta-
marinds.
398
Materia Meclica.
INULA HELENIUM. Enula Campana. Radix. L. D.
Elecampane. The root.
Syngenefia Superflua. — Nat. ord. Compofita radiate.
This is a very large downy perennial plant, fometimes found
wild in moifb rich foils. The root, efpecially when dry, has an
agreeable aromatic fmell : its tafte, on firft chewing, is glutinous
and as it were fomewhat rancid •, in a little time it difcovers an aro-
matic bitternefs, which by degrees becomes confiderably acrid and
pungent.
Newmann got from 480 grains of the dry root 390 watery, and
5 alcoholic extracl:, and inverfely 150 alcoholic, and 300 watery. In
diftillation alcohol elevated nothing; but the diftilled water was firft
obferved by Geoffroy to be milky, and mixed with flocculi of a
cineritious concrete volatile oil, partly fwimming, and partly fink-
ing in the water. He alfo afcertained that it was fufible, and
compares it to camphor or benzoic acid. Neumann likewife ex-
amined it, and confiders it as a peculiar fubftance, having fome re-
femblance to camphor. He found that it melts with a gentle
heat, and when cold, appears fofter and more unctuous ; that it
never afiumes a cryftalline form, but when dry proves opaque and
crumbly ; that laid on burning coals it totally exhales, that it is fo-
luble in alcohol, but infoluble in water ; and that by keeping it
gradually lofes the fmell of elecampane.
Medical ufe — It is a gently ftimulating medicine, nearly fimilar
in its action to angelica. The extracl: is merely a flight bitter, as
the efiential oil is totally diffipated in the preparation.
IPECACUANHA. - - Vide, Cephaelis,
IRIS.
IVilld. g. 97. Triandria Monogynia. — Nat. ord. Enfata
IRIS FLORENTINA. Sp. 7. Radix. Ed.
Iris. L.
Florentine Orris. The root.
This is a perennial plant, a native of the fouthof Europe. The
• Iried roots are imported from Italy. They are white, fiattifh.
I. Iris. — Isis nobiiis.
399
aiotty, and have a very flightly bitter tafte, and an agreeable
mell, refembling that of violets.
Neumann got from 480 parts, 77 alcoholic, and afterwards 100
eatery, and inverfely 180 watery, and 8 alcoholic. The diftilled
water fmells a little of the root, but exhibits no appearance of oil.
They are chiefly ufed as a perfume.
Officinal Preparation.
Trochisci amyli, L. - - videy Trochisci.
IRIS PSEUDACORUS. 5/. 24. Iris. Radix. D.
Water-flag. The root.
This plant is perennial, and grows in great abundance by the
brinks of rivers, and in other watery places : the root has an acrid
tafte ; and when frefh, is ftrongly cathartic.
Medical ufe. — The exprefTed juice, given to the quantity of fixty
or eighty drops every hour or two, and occafionally increafed, has
been productive of very copious evacuations, after jalap, gam-
boge, and other ftrong purgatives had proved ineffectual ; and it
is in this form only that it is ufed ; for by drying, it entirely lofes
its purgative effects.
We have here another proof of the necefiity of denominating
the officinal vegetables by their fyftematic names ; for in England,
Radix Iridis is a pleafant perfume, in Ireland a draftic purgative ;
and as confultations are not unfrequently fent from the one coun-
try to the other, ignorance of this circumftance might give rife to
unpleafant confequences.
Some of our native fpecies of Iris, are powerful cathartics *, as
the Iris Verficolor and Verna ; they are ufed by the foutherr.
Indians.*
ISIS NOBILIS. Corallium Rubrum. L.
Red Coral.
D. Koraalen. P. Coral.
DA. Koraller. POL. Koralki, Kerala.
F. Cor ail. R. Korallii.
G. Korallen. S. Coral.
I. Corale. SW. Koraller.
This is the axis of a zoophyte of the order of ceratophyta. It
is found only in the Mediterranean fea, and the fentient flefh is
* Barton's Colle&ions, Part I. p. 31.
400
Materia Medica.
rubbed off by means of pumice-ftone. The coral thus prepared is
of a fcarlet or pale red colour, and fufceptible of a high polifh. As
an article in medicine, it is to be regarded merely as an indurated
carbonate of lime.
Officinal Preparations.
Corallium prseparatum, L. - vide, Carbonas calcis firejiaratu
Pulv. chelar. cancror. comp. L. - Pulveres.
JALAP A. - Vide> Convolvulus.
JUGLANS REGIA. Juglans. Frutlus Immaturus. L.
The W alnut-tree. The wiripe Fruit.
Monoec'ia Folyandria. — Nat. ord. Amentacex.
This beautiful tree, although a native of Perfia, grows to a very
large fize, and produces ripe fruit in moft parts of England. The'
fruit confifts of a thick, flefhy, green, fmooth rind, which inclofes
the proper nut. When unripe, they have a peculiar fmell, and a
bitterifh aftringent tafte.
Medical ufe. — They have been fuppofed to pofTefs tonic and an-
thelmintic virtues. The green rind has been celebrated as a
powerful anti-venereal remedy j but it poflefles no real anti-fyphi-
litic virtues, although it forms a very ufeful addition to the com-
pound deco&ion of farfaparilla, where pains of the limbs and in-
durations of the membranes remain after the venereal difeafe has
been cured by mercury, and in many of thofe cutaneous difeafes
which are attended with aridity of the fkin. A decoction of the
green rind has alfo been recommended as a ufeful application to
old ulcers.
JUGLANS CINEREA.
White- Walnut. Butternut-Walnut.
The bark of this tree, efpecially of the root, will excite a blif-
ter. An extract of the inner bark is purgative, and is a valuable
remedy, in dofes of from 10 to 30 grains. It is ufed in dyfente-
ry ; and a deco&ion of the inner bark is advantageoufly employed
J. Juniperus communis.
401
as a cathartic in the yellow water of horfes. As this extract is of-
ten very carelefsly prepared by the country people, it ought to be
prepared by the apothecaries themfelves.*
JUNIPERUS.
Dioecia Monadelphia. — Nat. ord. Conifers.
JUNIPERUS COMMUNIS. Bacc*. Ed.
Juniperus. Bacca. Cacumen. L. Bacca. D.
Juniper. The berries and tops.
D- Dambesien, Geneverbesnen. P. Fagas de zimbro.
DA. Kneber. POL. Jalonitc iagody.
F. Baies de Ge?ievre. R. Moshshuchii.
G. Wachholdrr beeren. S. La. as de eiu bro.
I. Coccic di ginefiro. SW. Unbar.
This is an ever-green fhrub, growing on heaths and hilly
grounds in all parts of Europe : the berries are brought from Hol-
land and from Italy. f The Italian berries are in general reckoned
the belt. Juniper berries have a ftrong not difagreeable fmell, and
a warm pungent fweet tafte, which if they are long chewed, or pre-
vioufly well bruifed, is followed by a bitterifh one. Their pre-
dominant conllituents are eflential oil, and a fweet mucilaginous
matter.
Medical ufe. — To the oil they are indebted for their ftimulating
carminative, diaphoretic, and diuretic properties. They are mod
commonly ufed in the form of infufion, as a diuretic drink in
dropfy. The eflential oil may be feparated by diftillation. It pof-
fefles the fame properties in a higher degree, and imparts them to
ardent fpirits. The peculiar flavour, and well-known diuretic ef-
fects of Hollands, are owing to the oil of Juniper. The decoction
and extract are very inert preparations.
Every part of the plant contains the fame eflential oil ; there-
fore an infufion of the tops is likewife diuretic. The wood, alfo,
was formerly officinal. In warm countries a refin exudes from
the juniper tree. It is called fandarac, and is often mixed with
* Barton's Colle&ions, Part I. p. it, 31. and Part II. p. 43.
t The berries of the Juniper might be collected with little trouble, in fufficient
quantities to prevent their importation into the United States.
3 F
i02
Materia Medica.
maftich. It is not a pure refin, for, according to Mr. Giefe, about
one filth of it is not foluble in water or in alcohol, but in ether ;
refembling in thefe refpecls copal.
Officinal Preparations.
Ol. vol. juniperi communis, E. L. D. vide, Olea volatilia.
Spiritus juniperi com. comp. E. L. D. Spirit us destiUati.
JUNIPERUS LYCIA. Gummi-refina. Ed.
Olibanum. Gummi-refina. L. D.
Olibanum. A gum-refin.
D. Wierook.
DA. Virog, Virak.
F. Kncens, Ericens fin ou
malr, Oliban.
G. Weihrauch.
I. Licenso, Olibano.
POL. Kadzidlo.
P. Incensoy Incenso macho,
Olibano.
R. Ladon firosloi .
S. Incienso, Incienso macho,
Olibano.
SW. Vtiranch, Virack.
Olibanum is principally collected in Arabia, and brought from
Mecca to Cairo, from whence it is imported into Europe. It con-
fines of tranfparent brittie grains of different fizes, not larger than
a chefnut, of a red or yellow colour, having little tafte, and a pe-
culiar aromatic fmell. Neumann got from 480 grains, 346 alco-
holic, and 125 watery extract", and inverfely 200 watery, and 273
alcoholic. The diftiiled fpirit and oil both fmelt of olibanum, but
no oil feparated. It forms a tranfparent folution with alcohol, and
a milky fluid when triturated with water, it is not fufible, but in-
flammable, and burns with an agreeable fmell. It is the frankin-
cenfe of the ancients ; and the diffufion of its vapour around the
altar (till forms part of the ceremonies of the Greek and Roman
Catholic churches.
J. Juniperus Sabina.
403
JUNIPERUS SABINA. Folia. Ed.
^ Sabina. L. D.
Savine. The leaf.
This is an ever-green fhrub, a native of Siberia and Tartary,
but not unfrequent in our gardens. The leaves have a bitter, acrid,
biting talle, and a ftrong difagreeable fmell : diitilled with water,
they yield an efTential oil, in coniiderable qbantity.
Medical ufe — Savine is a warm ftimulating medicine, capable
of producing diaphorens, and increafmg all the fecretions, but apt
to excite hemorrhagy, elpecially from the uterus. It is alfo re-
commended as an anthelmintic, and faid to be very efficient in the.
cure of gout.
Internally, a conferve of the frefh leaves is exhibited in dofes of
from half a drachm to a drachm.
Externally, the leaves are applied in the form of powder or in-
fufion, to warts, carious bones, and old ulcers ; and in cafes of
gangrene, pfora, and tinea. The efTential oil is a very atlive re-
medy.
Officinal Preparations.
Oleum volatile juniperi sabinae, E. D. - vide, Clea volatilia.
404
Materia Medica.
K.
KiEMPFERIA ROTUNDA.
Zedoaria. Radix. L.
Round Zedory. The root.
Willd. g. 12. fp. 2. Monandria Monogynia. — Nat. ord. Scitamine^t.
This is a perennial plant, a native of India. The roots are
about an inch long, fomewhat rough on the furface, and often ter-
minate in a point. They correfpond in fenfible qualities with the
roots of the amomum zedoaria, but are not fo ftrong. By fome,
indeed, they are fuppofed to be produced from the fame plant, and
that the round zedoary is the upper, and the long zedoary the
under part of the root.
KALMIA LATIFOLIA.
Broad-leaved Laurel. Calico tree.
This plant kills Iheep and other animals. The Indians ufe a
decoction to deitroy themfelves. The powdered leaves are em-
ployed with fuccefs in tinea capitis, and in certain ftages of fever.
A decoction of it is ufed for the itch, but it mould be cautioufly
applied. The brown powder attached to the footftalks of the leaves,
and about the feeds is errhine. The powdered leaves with
lard form an ointment in herpes. In fyphilis this plant has
feemed ufeful. A faturated tincture of the leaves in proof fpirit
is an active remedy.*
* See Thomas's Inaugural Diflertation, 1802. Barton's Colle&ions, Part I.
p. i8, 24, 48. Part II. p. 26.
K. Kino. 405
KINO. Gummi-reftna. Ed. Refina. L. D.
Gummi rubrum ajlr'ingens Gambietife. Fothergili.
Kino. A Gum refiti.
Dr. Duncan fays he found in commerce three kinds of kino,
afily didinguiflied by their external characters.
The fird is in very fm nil jet-black fragments, perfectly opaque,
vithout fmell, crackling under the teeth when chewed, not colour-
ng the faliva, after fome time imparting only a flight aftringent
afte, not fufible, and difficultly reduced to powder. Powder dark
:hocolate brown Although this has been the longed known in
:ommerce in Great Britain, it does not feem to be that defcrib-
:d by Fothergili as the produce of the Pau de Sangue, and Dr.
Duncan has not been aMe to trace the place of its origin.
The fecond is in large fragments, on fome of which the impref-
ion of the veiTel into which it had been received while fluid, and
n which it had hardened was evident ; colour very dark brown,
ratture refinous, appearance homogeneous, with fmall air bells,
n very thin fplinters tranfparent, and of a ruby red colour, crack-
ing under the teeth when chewed, tade at fird fomewhat acid,
3Ut afterwards becoming confiderably bitter and adringent, fuc-
;eeded by a peculiar fweetnefs, infufible, and friable ; powder of a
-eddifh brown. This is faid to be the e\*tra£t. of the Coccoloba
avifera, and indeed exactly refembles fpecimens certainly known
.0 be fuch.
The third is in dark brown maiTes of various Hzes, either fmooth
Dr rounded on the furface, or in fragments often covered with a
reddim brown powder, fra&ure refinous and very unequal, appear-
ince fometimes homogeneous, but more commonly heterogeneous,
mixed with bits of twigs, leaves, &c. fplinters tranfparent, ruby-
red, no fmell, fcarcely crackling under the teeth, but fometimes
gritty from the accidental mixture of fand, tade fimplv adringent,
fucceeded by fweetnefs, and, when long chewed, a portion adheres
to the teeth \ infufible and friable ; powder reddifh brown. This
is certainly obtained from the Eucalyptus refinifera, or brown gum
:ree of New-South Wales, by allowing the juice, which either flows
from it fpontaneoufly, or is procured by wounding the tree, to
aarden in the fun. Some fpecimens of it in its fluid date have
2ven reached Great Britain.
The analyfis of kino, publifhed in Dr. Duncan's fird edition of
:he Edinburgh difpenfatory, has fince been confirmed by Vauque-
in, as well as the conclufion drawn from them, that it confids
principally of tannin, and cannot with propriety be clafled among
he gum-refins. But the undoubted origin of the third kind, ami
406
Materia Meclica.
the examination of a red aftringent matter picked from a cavity
in the CafTurina, or beefwood, prove that Dr. Duncan was wrong
in believing that kino was always obtained from aftringent barks
by decoction and evaporation. Kino is much more foluble in
boiling, than in cold, water. The decoction therefore on cooling,
becomes turbid with a very copious red fediment. The refi-
duum feems to be foftened by the heat of boiling water, at leaft
it agglutinates into mafTes refembling melted red fealing wax
dropt into water. By repeated decoctions with very large quan-
tities of water, the Doctor was never able to exhauft it of its
foluble parts : the laft decoctions had ftill a deep red colour,
and blackened folutions of iron. It is not more foluble in alcohol,
and is not fufible, but when thrown on live coals burns away
without flame. Vauquelin obferved that when the whole quan-
tity of water necefTary to diflblve the foluble parts of kino is
not employed at once, the refiduum becomes more infoluble. Al-
cohol diflblves the whole of the Botany-bay kino except its impu-
rities. With a certain proportion of water it lets fall a copious
red precipitate, which may be feparated by filtration, but with a
jarger proportion of water its tranfparency is only flightly difturb-
ed. The folutions of kino precipitate gelatine ; and, according to
Vauquelin, filver, lead, and antimony, white; and iron, green.
Dr. Duncan found that it refembles other aftringents, in forming
a black precipitate with red fulphate of iron, which, however, is
converted into green by the flighteft excefs of the fulphate, and by
a larger excefs is diflblved into a bright green liquid.
Medical life. — It is a powerful remedy in obftinate chronic-diar-
rhoeas and dyfenteries ; in all paffive hemorrhagies, efpecially
from the uterus in fluor albus ; and in difeafes arifing from laxity
of the folids.
It is exhibited internally, in dofes of from ten to thirty grains,
in fubftance, ordifToived in diluted alcohol.
Externally, it is applied as a ftyptic, to check hemorrhagies
from wounds or ulcers, and to diminifh the difcharge of famous or
ichorous matter from ill-conditioned ulcers.
Officinal Preparation.
Tinctura kino, E. D. - - vide, Thiclura.
Elcctuarium catechu, E. D. - Electuaria.
I
L. Lactuca.
407
L.
LACTUCA.
LACTUCA VIROSA. Folia. Ed.
Strong-fee nted or ivi/d lettuce. The leaves.
Syngenefia aqi talis. — Nat. ord. Compofita femiflofulofa.
This plant is biennial, and grows wild on rubbifh and rough
>anks, in many places in Great Britain.
It fmells llrongly of opium, and refembles it in fome of its ef-
ecls •, and its narcotic power, like that of the poppy heads, refides
n its milky juice.
Medical ufe. — An extract, prepared from the exprefled juice of
he leaves of the plant, gathered when in flower, is recommended
n fmall doles in dropfy. In dropfies of long Handing, proceed-
ng from vifceral obitru^tions, it has been given to the extent of
lalf an ounce a-day. It is faid to agree with the ftomach, to
[uench third:, to be gently laxative, powerfully diuretic, and fome-
vhat diaphoretic. Plentiful dilution is allowed during its opera-
ion. Dr. Collin of Vienna aflerts, that out of twenty-four drop-
ical patients, all jut one were cured by this medicine.
Officinal Preparation.
Succus spissatus lactucae virosce, E. - vide, Sued sfdsxau.
LACTUCA SAT1VA.
Common Garden Lettuce.
This plant, fo valuable as an article of diet, abounds with a
ailky juice, which porTefles all the characleriftic properties of the
pium of the fhops, and may be procured from it in fufficient quan-
ity to repay any labour beftowed on it for this purpofe. A feries
408
Materia Medica.
of comparative experiments inftituted for the purpofe, and detail-
ed in the fourth volume of the American Philosophical Tranfac-
tions, have allured me of the identity of the opium procured from
the poppy and from this fpecies of the lettuce. Thefe experiments
were made on frogs, as well as on the human fubjecl:. The lau-
danum made from the opium of the lettuce, increafes the pulfe in
force and frequency, and produces generally the fame effects as
refult from fimilar dofes of co nmon laudanum. It has been ufed
with advantage in allaying the pain of chronic rheumatifm and
cholic ; in checking the frequent (tools accompanying diarrhoea j
in allaying cough, &c. &c and doubtlefs the plant might be ad-
vantageoufly cultivated for medical purpofes, efpecially as the opi-
um is procured after the period in which the plant is ufeful for the
fable.
LAPIS CALAMINARIS. - Vide, Zincum.
LAURUS.
Willd. g. 798. — Enneandria Monogynia. — Nat. ord. Oleracea.
LAURUS CINNAMOMUM. Sp. 1. Cortex. Ed.
ClNNAMOMUM. Cortex et ejus oleum ejpntiale. L. D.
The Cinnamon tree. The bark and its ejfential oil.
D. Caned. P. Cav.ella.
DA. Caneel. POL. Cynamom.
V. Candle de Ceulan. R. Koriza.
G. Zimmet Kanehl. S. Canela.
. I. Candla. SW. Cand.
This valuable tree is a native of Ceylon, where it was guarded
with unremitting jealoufy by the Dutch, that they might monopo-
lize the commerce of its productions. They failed, however, in
the attempt ; and cinnamon trees are found, not only in other parts
of the Eaft-Indies, but alfo in Jamaica, and other illands of the
Weft-Indies. Ceylon now belongs to the Britiih, and Captain
Percival has publimed a very interefting account of the cinnamon
tree. It is found in greateft perfection in the immediate neigh-
bourhood of Columbo, and grows from four to ten feet high, very
bufhy. The leaves reiemble thofe of the laurel, and have the hot
tafte and fmell of cloves when chewed. The blolTom is white and
very abundant, but diffufes no odour. The fruit refembles an
acorn, and a fpecies of fixed oil is obtained from it. There are
L. Laurus. L. Cinnamomum. 409
feveral different fpecies of cinnamon trees, or trees refembling
them, in Ceylon, but four only are barked by Government; the
honey cinnamon, the fnake cinnamon, the camphor cinnamon,
which is inferior to thefe, and yields camphor from its roots, and
mixed with gum from incifions made into it, and the cabntte cinna-
mon which is harflier and more aftringent than the others. The
bark is collected at two feafons, the grand harveft lads from April
to Auguft, the little harveft is in December. Such branches as
are three years old are lopped off, the epidermis is then fcraped off,
the bark Hit up, loofened and removed entire fo as to form a tube
open at one fide. The fmaller of thefe are inferted within the
larger, and they are fpread out to dry. They are then packed up
in bundles. The tafting of thefe bundles to afcertain their quality-
is a very difagreeable duty impofcd on the furgeons, as it excoriates
the tongue and mouth, and caufes fuch intolerable pain as renders
it impolfible for them to continue the preparations two or three
days fucceffively. In their turns, however, they are obliged to re-
fume it, and they attempt to mitigate the pain by occafionally eat-
ing a piece of bread and butter. It is then made up into large
bundles about four feet long, and eighty pounds in weight. In Row-
ing the bales on (hip-board, the intcrltices are filled up with black
pepper, which is fuppofed to improve both fpices.
The bell cinnamon is rather pliable, and ought not much to ex-
ceed ftout writing paper in thicknefs. It is of a light yellowilli
colour ; it poflefies a fweet tafte, not fo hot as to occafion pain,
and not fucceeded by any after-tafte. The inferior kind is dif-
tinguilhed by being thicker, of a darker and brownifh colour, hot,
and pungent when chewed, and fucceeded by a difagreeable bitter
after-tafte. The Dutch were accufed of deteriorating their cinna-
mon by mixing it with a proportion of real cinnamon, but which
had been deprived of its eflential oil by diftillation. This fraud
could only be detected by the weaker fmell and tafte. It is alfo
often mixed with caflia bark. This laft is eafily diftinguifhable by
its breaking over fmooth, and by its (limy mucilaginous tafte, with-
out any thing of the roughnefs of the true cinnamon.
By diftillation with water, it furnifhes a fmall quantity of very-
pungent and fragrant oil, the water itfelf remains long milky, and
has a ftrong flavour of cinnamon. The watery extract in Neu-
mann's experiment amounted to 720 from 7680 parts. With al-
cohol the oil does not arife in diftillation, but remains in the ex-
tract, which amounts to 960.
The eflential oil of cinnamon has a whitith yellow colour, a pun-
gent burning tafte, and the peculiar fine flavour of cinnamon in a
very great degree. It Ihould fink in water, and be entirely foluble
in alcohol. It is principally prepared in Ceylon.
3 G
410
Materia Medica.
Medical ufe, — Cinnamon is a very elegant and ufeful aromatic^
more grateful both to the palate and ftomach than mod other fub-
ftances of this clafs. Like other aromatics, the effects of cinna-
mon are Simulating, heating, ftomachic, carminative, and tonic ;
but it is rather ufed as an adjunct toother remedies, than as a re-
medy itfelf.
The oil is one of the mod powerful ftimulants we pofTefs, and
is fometimes ufed as a cordial in cramps of the ftomach and in fyn-
cope \ or as a ftimulant in paralyfis of the tongue, or to deaden
the nerve in toothach. But it is principally ufed as an aromatic,
to cover the lefs agreeable tafte of other drugs.
Officinal Preparations.
Aqua lauri cinnamomi, E. L. D.
Spiritus lauri cinnamomi, E. L. D.
Tinctura lauri cinnamomi, E. L. D.
cardamomi composita, L D.
lavendulae composita, L. D.
catechu, E. L. D.
Acidum sulphuiicum aromaticum, E.
Emplastrum ladani compositum, L.
vide, Aqua destillatce.
Sfiiritus destillali.
Tinctures.
Idem.
Idem.
Idem.
Tinctura atherex.
Unguenta.
LAURUS CASSIA. Sp. 2. Cortex. Flores mndum expliciti: Ed.
Cassia Lignea. Cortex. D.
The cajfla tree. The bark and flower-buds gathered before they open.
D. Houtkassie, Moederkaneel. G. Cassia ligma, Kassien-
DA. Moderkaneel. rinde.
F. Cassia lignea, Casse en P. Cassia lanhosa.
bois, Lunelle de la Chine. S. Cassia lenosa, Casalignea.
I . Cassilignca . SW. Moderkauel.
This tree is very fimilar to the former. The bark, which is im-
ported from different parts of the Eaft-Indies and from China, has
a very exaft refemblance to the cinnamon. It is diftinguilhable
from the ( innamon, by being of a thicker and coarfer appearance,
and by its breaking fhort and fmooth, while the cinnamon breaks
fibrous and fhivery.
It refembles cinnamon (till more exaftly in its aromatic flavour
and pungency than in its external appearance, and feems only to
L. Laurus. L. Camphora. 411
differ from it in being confiderably weaker, and in abounding more
with a mucilaginous matter.
Calfia buds are the flower-buds which are gathered and dried
before they expand. They have the appearance of a nail, confin-
ing of a round head, about the fize of a pepper-corn, furrounded
with the imperfect hexangular corolla, which gradually terminates
in a point. They have a brown colour, and the fmell and tafte of
cinnamon.
Medical ufe. — Both the bark and buds of caffia poffefs theiame
properties with cinnamon, though in an inferior degree.
The bark is very frequently, and fometimes unintentionally,
fubttituted for the more expenfive cinnamon ; and the products
obtained from caffia bark and buds by diftillation, are in no refpeft
inferior to thofe prepared from cinnamon.
Officinal Preparations.
Aqua lauri cassiae, E.
Pulvis aromaticus, E L. D.
carbonatis calcis compositus, E. L.
Electua. him aromaticum, D.
Confectio aromatica, L.
Flectuarium catechu, L. D.
Trocbisci cretse, L.
vide, Aqua deatillats.
Pulverc§»
Idem.
Klectuaria.
Idem.
Idem.
Trockisci.
LAURUS CAMPHORA. Sp. 3. Camphora. Ed.
Camphora. L. Reftna. D.
Camphor -tree. Camphor.
D. Kamfer.
DA. Kamfiher.
F. Camp/ire.
G. Kamfiher.
1. Canfora.
P. Alcanfor.
POL. Kamfora.
R. Kamfora, Kavfura.
S. jitcanfbr, Canfor.
SW. Kamfer.
Camphor is a concrete friable fubftance, of a white colour,
with a confiderable degree of tranfparency, and a cryitalline ap-
pearance, fpecific gravity 0.9887. Its talte is bitter and acrid,
and its fmell penetrating and peculiar. It is evaporated unchang-
412
Materia Medica.
ed by a heat of 145°, but maybe melted by fuddenly expoflng it
to 302°. The vapour when condenfed cryftallizes in hexagonal
plates. Its vapour is exceedingly inflammable, and when kindled
it burns with a very white flame and a great deal of fmoke, and
leaves no refiduum. The produces of its combuftion are carbonic
acid gas, charcoal, and water. Camphor is foluble in alcohol and
in the acids. From thefe folutions it is. precipitated by water. It
is alfo foluble in hot oils, both volatile and fixed, but on cooling
feparates from them in plumofe cryftals. It is infoluble in water,
and is not acted on by the alkalies, metals or metallic oxHes. By
repeated diftillation with nitric acid, it is converted into a peculiar
acid. It exifts in many vegetables, but is chiefly procured from
the laurus camphora.
The camphor laurel grows in great abundance, and to a very
confiderable fize, in the forefts of Japan. It is not uncommon in
green-houfes in England. Every part of the tree fmells ftrongly
of camphor, which is obtained from the trunk, branches, and root,
by diftillation. They are cut down into fmall pieces, and put into
a itill with a quantity of water. After the water has been kept
boiling forty-eight hours, the camphor is found adhering to the
ftraw with which the head of the itill is lined. In this ftate it is
imported by the Dutch, and is called crude camphor. It is very
impure, confuting of fmall brownifh or dirty-grey grains, mixed
with ftraw, wood, hair, and other impurities. From thefe it is
purified in Holland, by a fecond fublimation in glafs veflfels *, being
previoufly mixed with quicklime, to combine with and prevent any
empyreumatic oil with which it may be contaminated from fub-
liming, while the camphor concretes in the upper part of the vef-
fel into cakes, convex on the one fide, and concave on the other,
about two or three inches thick, thinner at the edges, and general-
ly perforated iv the middle.*
Pure camphor is lighter than water, very white, pellucid, fome-
what unctuous to the touch, brittle, yet tough and elaftic, fo as to
be fcarcely pulverizable ; fhining in its fracture, and cryftalline
in its texture ; of a bitterifh, aromatic, pungent, tafte, yet accom-
panied with a fenfe of coolnefs ; of a ftrong and very penetrating
fmell ; very volatile, inflammable, burning entirely away without
leaving any coal or alhes ; capable of combining with the fixed and
volatile oils, refins, and balfams ; foluble in alcohol, ether, and the
concentrated fulphuric, nitric, and acetic acids ; feparable from
thefe alcoholic and acid folutions by water infoluble in water, al-
kalies, and the weaker acids ; decompofable by heat when mixed
with alumina, being converted into an eflential oil and charcoal,
• For the method of purifying Camphor, fee an account hy Profcffor Wood-
houfe, in the Philadelphia Medical iViufeum, Vol. I. p.
L. Laurus
L. Camphora. 413
and by treating it with nitric acid, which acidifies it, producing
camphoric acid.*
But the production of camphor is not confined to the laurus
camphora, although it furnithes almoft all the camphor of com-
merce ; it is found ill very great purity in iitterllices among the
woody fibres of an unknown tree in Borneo ; it is alfo contained
in the roots of the laurus cinnamomum and caflia, Alpinia galanga,
amomum zedoaria, &c. •, in the feeds of the amomum cardamo-
mum, piper cubeba, &c. ; and in many indigenous plants, as in
the thymus ferpyllum and vulgaris, juniperus communis, rofmari-
nus olficinalis, falvia officinalis, mentha piperita, &c. and may be
feparated from the effential oils of rofemary, lavender, marjoram,
and fage. It is therefore now univerfally confidered as a peculiar
principle of vegetables, and not as a refin, as dated by the Dublin
college.
Medical nfc. — Camphor is a very active fubftance when taken
into the ftomach. It incveafes the heat of the body confiderably,
and gives a tendency to diaphorefis, but without quickening the
pulie. At firit it raifes the fpirits, but produces a fubfequent de-
prelhon ; and it facilitates voluntary motion. In exceflive doles it
caufes fyncope, anxiety, retchings, convulfions, and delirium.
Thefe violent effects of camphor are moft effectually counteracted
by opium.
In a morbid (late of the body, camphor allays inordinate action.
When the pulfe is hard and contracted, it renders it fuller and
fofter. It removes fpafms, and flitting pains arifing from fpafms ;
and in delirium, when opium fails of procuring lleep, camphor
will often fuccecd. It is alfo faid to correct the bad effects of
opium, mezereon, cantharides, and the draflic purgatives and diu-
retics.
The mod general indication for the ufe of camphor, is the lan-
guor or oppreffion of the vis vita. It may therefore be given with
advantage,
1. In all febrile difeafes of the typhoid type, efpecially when at-
tended with delirium.
2. In inflammations with typhoid fever, as in fome cafes of pe-
ripneumonia and rheumatifm.
3. In eruptive difeafes, to favour the eruption, or to bring it back
to the Ikin, if from any caufe it has fuddenly receded, as in
fmall-pox, meafles, &c.
* Camphoric acid cryftallizes in white parallelopipeds of a {lightly acid bitter
tafte, and fmell of faffron, efflorefcing in the air ; fparingly foluble in cold water ;
more foluble in hot water ; foluble in alcohol, the mineral acids, volatile and unctu-
ous oils; melting and fubliming by heat.
Camphorates have commonly a bitter tafte, burn with a blue flame before the
blowpipe, and are decompofed by heat, the acid fubliming^
414
Materia Medica.
4. In many fpafmodic difeafes, efpecially mania, melancholy,
epilepfy, hyfleria, chorea1, hiccough, &c.
5. In indolent local inflammations, not depending upon an in-
ternal caufe, to excite action in the part.
As from its great lightnefs it is apt to fwim upon the contents
of the ftomach, and to occafion pain at its upper orifice, it is ne-
ceffary that it be always exhibited in a Mate of minute divifion. In
order to reduce it to powder, it muft be previoufly moiftened with
a little alcohol. It may then be given,
1. In powder, with fugar, magnefia, and nitrate of potafs.
2. In pills, with the fetid gums and mucilage.
3. In folution, in alcohol, oil, or acetic acid.
4. Sufpended in the form of an emulfion, by means of muci-
lage, fugar, yolk of egg, almonds, vinegar, &c.
Internally, it may be given in fmall dofes, of from one to five
grains, repeated at fhort intervals, as its effects are very tranfient,
©r in large dofes, not under twenty grains.
Officinal Prfparations.
Oleum camphoratum, E.
Emulsio camphorata, D. L. -
Tinctura lauri camphoi se, E. L. D.
Acidum acetosum camphoratum, E.
Tinctura opii camphorata, L. D.
saponis, E. -
cum opio, L. D.
Linimentum saponis, L. D.
camphorae compositum, L. D.
Ceratum lithargyri acetati compositum, L. D.
vide, Olca pra/iarata.
T.mulsiones.
Tinctura.
Aceia me die at a.
Tinctura:.
Idem.
Idem.
Idem.
Idem.
Unguertfa,
LAURUS NOBILIS. 5/. 10. Folia. Bacc*. Baccarum oleum
fixum. Ed.
Laurus. L.
Bay-tree. The h aves, berries, and exprejfed oil of the berrie s
This tree is a native of the fouth of Europe, but bears the win-
ters of Gre3t Britain perfectly well. Both leaves and berries con-
tain a confiderable Jfcantity of eflential oil, which renders therh
aromatic ftimulatintf fubltances.
L. Laurus. L. Sassafras. 415
The berries are generally brought from the Mediterranean, and
are more pungent than the leaves. In Spain and Italy a confider-
able quantity of oil is obtained by exprellion from the frelh berries.
It has a green colour, and ftrong aromatic tafte and fmell. As
it therefore is not a fixed oil, but a mixture of fixed and efTential
oil, and as its peculiar properties depend entirely on the prefence
of the latter, it is incorrectly ftated to be a fixed oil by the Edin-
burgh college. It fhould rather have been denominated, from the
mode of its preparation, anexprefled oil.
Medical iifc. — It is only ufed externally as a ftimulant.
Officinal Preparations.
Decoctum pro fomento, L. vide, Decocta.
Cataplasma cumini, L. - Ca(a/.!an,atu .
Emplastrum cumini, L. - - VnguerUa,
LAURUS SASSAFRAS. Sp. 34. Lignum, radix, ejufque
cortex. Ed.
Sassafras. L. D.
Sajpifras. The wood, root, and bark.
D. Sassqf ass. P. Sassaf azy Salaqfra:..
DA. Sassafras. POL. Sasafras.
F. Sassafras. R. Sasafras.
G. Sassafrass. S. Sasafras.
I. Sasscfrasso. S\V. Sassafras.
This tree is a native of North America, and is cultivated in
Jamaica. It is the root which is commonly employed. It is
brought to us in long branched pieces. It is loft, light, and of a
fpongy texture ; of a rulty white colour ; of a ftrong pleafant
fmell, refembling that of fennel j and a fweetifh, aromatic, fub-
acrid tafte. The bark is rough, of a brown am colour on the out-
fide, and ferruginous colour within ; fpongy and divifible into
layers, and of a ftronger tafte and fmell than the wood.
Neumann got from 480 grains 80 of alcoholic, and afterwards
60 of watery extract, and inverfely 120 watery and 7.5 alcoholic.
In diftillation the alcohol elevates nothing, but water a ponderous
efTential oil, in the proportion of about 10 from 480.
Medical ufe. — SafTafras, from the quantity of volatile oil it con*
tains, is a gently ftimulating, heating, fudorific, and diuretic re-
medy.
416
Materia Medica.
It is beft given in infufion. The decoction and extract are mere
bitters, as the oil is diiiipated by the preparation.
The eflential oil may be obtained feparate by diftillation. It is
of a whitiir), yellow colour, and finks in water. It is highly fti-
mulating and heating, and muft be given only in very (mail dofes.
The bark is ufeful in intermittents ; and the oil is faid to be
efficacious applied externally to Wens.*
Officinal Preparations.
Oleum volatile lauri sassafras, E. L. - vide, Oleavolatilia.
Decoctum guaiaci compositum, E. JDccocta.
sarsaparillae compositum, L. D. Idem.
LAVANDULA SPICA. Spic* fiorentes. Ed.
Lavendula. Flos. L. D.
Lavender. The jloivering fpihes.
Willd. g. 1099. fp. 1. Didynamia Gymnofpermla. — Nat. ord.
Vertkillat<z.
Lavender is a well known fmall, fhrubby, perennial plant, a
native of the fouth of Europe, but frequently cultivated in -our
gardens for the fake of its perfume. There are two varieties.
The flowers of both have a fragrant, agreeable fmell, and a warm,
pungent, bittcrifh tafte ; the broad-leaved fort is the ft rongeft in
both refpecls, and yields in diftillation thrice as much eftential oil
as the other ; its oil is alfo hotter and fpecifkally heavier ; hence in
the fouthern parts of France, where both kinds grow wild, this
only is ufed for the diftillation of what is called Oil of Spike. The
narrow-leaved is the fort commonly met with in our gardens.
Medical ufe. — Lavender is a warm ftimulating aromatic. It is
principally ufed as a perfume.
Officinal Preparations.
Oleum volatile lavandulae spica:, E. L. vide, Oka volaiiiia.
Spirhus lavandulae, E. L. D. ... &J iritws destillati .
Pulvis asati compositus, E. L. D. - - Pulveres.
* Barton's Colletfions, Part L p. 19. 49.
L. Leontodon Taraxacum, &c. 417
LEONTODON TARAXACUM. Herba. Radix, Ed.
Taraxacum. L. Folia. D.
Dandelion. The root and leaves.
Syngetufia aqualis. — Nat. ord. Compofita femiflcfculcfe.
This perennial plant is very common in grafs fields and uncul-
tivated places. The whole plant contains a bitter milky juice,
which, however, is molt abundant in the roots before the flower-
Hem moots. The bitternefs is deftroyed by drying, and, there-
fore the recent roots only lhould be ufed.
Medical ufe. — Its vulgar name Pifs-a-bed, (hews a popular belief
of its pofle fling diuretic properties ; and it was lately a very fafhion-
able remedy in Germany, and given in the form of an exprefied
juice or deco£tion, or extraft prepared from either of them j but it
fee nib to be merely a .mucilaginous bitter.
LILIUM CANDIDUM. Lilium album. Radix. D.
The white lily. The root.
W'dld. g. 127. fp. 3. — Hexandria Afjnogynia. — Nat. ord. Liliaceee.
The white lily is a perennial bulbous-rooted plant, a native
of the fouth of Europe, and cultivated in our gardens for the
beauty of its flowers. The mucilaginous root is fometimes ufed as
a poultice *, but it polTetfes no advantage over the poultices formed
of any vegetable farina.
LINIMENT A. - - Vide, Unguent a.
3 H
418
Materia Medica.
LINUM.
Willd. g. 590. — Pentandria Pentagynia. — Nat. ord. Gruinales.
LINUM USITATISSIMUM. Sp. 1. Semen, ejufque oleum
fixum. Ed.
Linum. L. D.
Common flax. The feed, and oil expreffed from the feed. Linfeed,
and litifeed oil,
D. Lynzaad. P. Linhaca.
DA. Hb'rrjroe. POL. Siemie, Iniane.
F. Lin, Graine de Lin. R. Semja lenjanoe.
G. Leinsaat. S. Linaza.
I. Linseme. SW. Linfro.
This valuable annual plant, is faid to have come originally
from thofe parts of Egypt which are expofed to the inundations of
the Nile. It now grows wild among the fields, in the louth of
England, and many other parts of Europe, and is cultivated in
large quantities, both there and in the United States.
Li i feed contains about one fifth of mucilage, and one fixth of
fixed oil. The mucilage refides entirely in the Ikin, and is fepa-
rated by infufion or decoclion. The oil is feparated by exprefiion.
It is one of the cheapefl fixed oils ; but is generally rancid and
naufeous, and unfit for internal ufe. The cake which remains
after the expreffion of the oil, contains the farinaceous and mucila-
ginous part of the feed, and is ufed in fattening cattle, under the
name of Oil-cake.
Linfeed is confidered as emollient, and demulcent. The entire
feeds are only ufed in cataplafms. The infufion is ufed as a pec-
toral drink, and in ardor urinie, nephritic pains, and during the
exhibition of corrofive fublimate.
Officinal Preparations.
Oleum lini usitatissimi, E. L. D. vide, Olea Jixa.
cum calce, E. - Olea fireparata.
LINUM CATHARTICUM. Herba. D.
Purging fax.
This is an annual plant, found wild on dry meadows and paf-
tures in Britain. Its virtue is exprefled in its title : an infufion
L. Liquidambar Asplenifolium, he. 419
in water or whey of a handful of the frefh herb, or a drachm of
them in fubftance when dried, is faid to purge without inconve-
nience.
LIQUIDAMBAR ASPLENIFOLIUM. Lin.
COMPTONIA As PLENI FOLIA. Alton.
Sweet Fern.
This is ufeful in diarrhoea. The Indians are faid to chew the
root to ftop hemorrhages of recent wounds.*
LIQUIDAMBAR STYRACIFLUA.
Siveet-gum. Maple-leaved Liquidambar.
This is ufed in diarrhoea with advantage. The dried leaves
are mixed with tobacco by the Indians for fmoking.f
LIRIODENDRON TULIPIFERA.
Tulip-tree. Poplar. White-wood, £sV.
This is clofely allied to the magnolias. The bark has been ufed
in intermittents, and many think it little inferior to Peruvian
bark4
The bark is ufed in fome parts in gout and rheumatifm.§
LITHARGYRUS. - Vide, Plumbum.
* Barton's Colle&ions, Part I. p. 10. 44.
I Barton's Collections, Part I. p. 16.
\ Tranfa&ions of the College of Fhyficians of Philadelphia.
5 Barton's Collections, Part I. p. 14, 45.
420
Materia Medica.
LOBELIA SYPHILITICA. Radix. Ed.
Lobelia. The root.
Syngenefia Monogamia.^-Nzt. ord. Campanacea.
This plant grows in moift places in Virginia, and bears the
winters of Great Britain. It is perennial, has an erect (talk three
or four feet high, blue flowers, a milky juice, and a rank fmell.
The root confifts of white fibres about two inches long, refembles
tobacco in tafte, which remains on the tongue, and is apt to excite
vomiting.
Dr. Barton fays, that it is confiderably diuretic, and Mr. Pear-
fon found, that it generally difagreed with the ftomach, and feldom
failed of affecting the bowels as a ftrong cathartic. It certainly
poflefles no power of curing fyphilis ; even the Indians, when they
have the difeafe, are glad of an opportunity of applying to the
whites. It is faid to have cured gonorrhoea.
The Cherokees ufe a decoction of the root of the Lobelia Car-
dinalis as an anthelmintic* And the Lobelia Inflata has been
ufed in leucorrhcea.
• Barton's Colleflions, Part !. p. 38.
M. Magnesia.
421
MAGNESIA. ^ MAGNESIA.
MAGNESIA ; olim, Magnesia Usta. Ed.
Magnefia, formerly Calcined Magnefta.
Magnlsia Usta. L. D.
Calcined Magnefta.
Let carbonate of magnefia, put into a crucible, be kept in a red heat
for two hours, then put it up in clofe-ftopt glafs veffels. (E.)
By this procefs the carbonate of magnefia is freed of its acid
and water ; and, according to, the late Dr. Black's experiment,
lofes about T7T of its weight. A kind of opaque foggy vapour is
obferved to efcape during the calcination, which is nothing elfe
than a quantity of fine particles of magnefia, buoyed off along with
a firsam of the difengaged gas. About the end of the operation,
the magnefia exhibits a kind of luminous or phofphorefcent pro-
perty, which may be confidered as a pretty exact criterion of its
being deprived of its acid.
It is to be kept in clofe vefTels, becaufe it attracts, though fiowly,
the carbonic acid of the atmofphere.
Magnefia is obtained in light white friable mafies, or very fine
powder ; to the touch it is very fine ; its tafte is not very fenfible,
but peculiar and pleafant •, its fpecific gravity is 2.33. It is info-
luble in water, but forms with it a pafte without ductility. It is
apyrous ; (lightly alters vegetable blues to green ; forms foluble
compounds with moft acids, and unites with fulphur. The foffils,
in which it predominates, are generally foft, and have an unctuous
feel ; the principal are talc, fteatites, afbeftos, &c.
Medical ufe. — It is ufed for the iame general purpofes as the car-
bonate. In certain affections of the ftomach, accompanied with
much flatulence, magnefia is preferable, both becaufe it contains
422
Materia Medica.
more magnefia in a given bulk, and, being deprived of its acid, it
neutralizes the acid of the ftomach, without any extrication of gas,
which is often a troub efome conlequence when carbonate of mag-
nefia is employed in thefe complaints.
Officinal Preparation,
Trochisci magnesia:, L. vide9 Trochisci.
SULPHAS MAGNESIA. Ed.
Magnesia Vitriolata. L. D.
Sulphate of Magnefia. Epfom fait.
This fait is contained in feveral mineral fprings, and alfo in fea
water, from which it is obtained by evaporation. It cryltallizes in
tetrahedral prifms. It has a very bitter tafte. It is foluble in its
own weight of water at 60e, and three fourths of its weight of
boiling water. Sulphate of magnefia when perfectly pure efflo-
refces, but that of commerce generally contains foreign falts, fuch
as the muriate of magnefia, which renders it fo deliquefcent that
it muft be kept in a clofe veflel or bladder. By the aclion of heat
it undergoes the watery fufion, and lofes its water of cryftalliza-
tion, but does not part with its acid. It is decompofed by baryta,
ftrontia, the alkalies, and all the falts formed by thefe falifiable
bafes, excepting the alkaline muriates •, and by the nitrate, muri-
ate, and carbonate of lime.
Medical ufe. — It is a mild and gentle purgative, operating with
fufficient efficacy, and in general with eafe and fafety, rarely oc-
cafioning any gripes, ficknefs, or the other inconveniences which
purgatives of the refinous kind are too often accompanied with.
Six or eight drachms may be diflblved for a dofe in a proper quan-
tity of common water •, or four, five, or more, in a pint, or quart
of the purging mineral waters. Thefe liquors may likewife be fo
managed as to promote evacuation by the other emunclories : if
the patient be kept warm, they increafe perfpiration ; and by mo-
derate exercife in the cool air, the urinary discharge. Some allege
this fait has a peculiar efFecl: in allaying pain, as in colic, even in-
dependently of evacuation.
It is principally ufed for the preparation of the carbonate of
magnefia.
Officinal Preparation.
Carbonas magnesia?, E.
M. Magnesia. Carbonas Magnesise. 428
CARBONAS MAGNESIA ; ulim, Magnesia Alba. Ed.
Carbonate of Magnefia , formerly Magnefta Alba.
Magnesia Ai.ba. L. D.
White Magnefta.
Take of
Sulphate of magnefia,
Carbonate of potafs, equal weights.
Dilfolve them feparately in double their quantity of warm water,
and let the liquors be ftrained or otherwife freed from their feces:
then mix them, and inftantly add eight times their quantity of
warm water. Let the liquor boil for a little on the fire, ftirring
it at the fame time; then let it reft till the heat be fomewhat
diminimed; after which drain it through linen: the carbonate
of magnefia will remain upon the cloth, and it is to be warned
with pure water till it become altogether void of faline taffe. (E.)
In this procefs there is a mutual decompofition of the two falts
employed. The potafs unites itfelf to the fulphuric acid, while
the carbonic ac'd combines with the magnefia. The large quan-
tity of water ufed is neceffary for the folution of the fulphate of
potafs formed ; and the boiling is indifpenfably requifite for the
expulfion of a portion of the carbonic acid, which retains a part of
the magnefia in folution. Sulphate of potafs may be obtained
from the liquor which pafTes through the filter, by evaporation.
This is not pure, however, but mixed with undecompofed carbo-
nate of potafs ; for 100 parts of cryftallized carbonate of potafs are
fufficient for the decompofition of 125 parts of fulphate of mag-
nefia ; and as the carbonate of potafs of commerce contains a larg-
• er proportion of alkali than the cryltallized carbonate, a itill lefs
proportion mould be ufed. From thefe quantities about 45 parts
of carbonate of magnefia are obtained.
The ablutions mould be made with very pure water ; for nicer
purpofes diftilled water may be ufed, and foft water is in every
cafe neceiTary. Hard water for this procefs is peculiarly inadmif-
fible, as the principle in waters, giving the property called hard-
nefs, is generally a fait of lime, which decotnpofes the carbonate
of magnefia, by compound affinity, giving rife to carbonate of
lime, while the magnefia unites itfelf to the acid of the calcareous
424
Materia Medica.
fait, by which the quantity of the carbonate is not only leffened,
but is rendered impure by the admixture of carbonate of lime.
Another fource of impurity is the filica which the fub-carbonate
of potafs generally contains. It is moft ealily got rid of by expos-
ing the alkaline folution to the air for feveral days before it is ufed.
In proportion as it becomes faturated with carbonic acid, the filica
is precipitated, and may be feparated by filtration.
The carbonate of magnefia thus prepared is a very light, white,
opaque fubftance, without fmell or tafte, efFervefcing with acids.
It is not, however, faturated with carbonic acid. By decompofing
fulphate of magnefia by an alkaline carbonate, without the appli-
cation of heat, carbonate of magnefia is gradually depofited in tranf-
parent, brilliant, hexagonal cryftals, terminated by an oblique
hexagonal plane, and foluble in about 480 times its weight of wa-
ter. The cryftallized carbonate* of magnefia confifts of 50 acid,
25 magnefia, and 25 water -} the fub-carbonate confifts of 48 acid,
40 magnefia, and 12 water ; and the carbonate of commerce of 34
acid, 45 magnefia, and 21 water. It is decompofed by all the
acids, potafs, foda, baryta, lime, and ftrontia, the fulphate, phof-
phate, nitrate, and muriate of alumina, and the fuper-phofphate of
lime.
Medical ufe. — Carbonate of magnefia is principally given to cor-
rect acidity of the ftomach, and in thefe cafes to act as a purgative j
for folutions of magnefia in all acids are bitter and purgative ; while
thofe of the other earths are more or lefs auftere and affringent. A
large dofeof magnefia, if the ftomach contain no acid to diffolve it,
neither purges nor produces any fenfible effect : a moderate one, if
an acid be lodged there, or if acid liquors be taken after it, pro-
cures feveral ftools ; whereas the common abforbents, in the fame
circumftances, inftead of loolening, bind the belly. When the
carbonate of magnefia meets with an acid iir the ftomach, there is
extricated a confiderable quantity of carbonic acid gas, which
fometimes caufes uneafy detention of the ftomach, and the fymp-
toms of flatulence. In fuch cafes, therefore, magnefia is prefer-
able to its carbonate \ but on other occafions good effects arife from
:he action of the gas evolved, as in naufea and vomiting.
Officinal Preparation.
Magnesia, E. L. D.
M. Malva. — Maranta. 425
MALVA SYLVESTRIS. Herba. Flores. Ed.
Malva. L.
Common mallow. The leaves and flowers.
Willd. g. 1290. fp. 43. Monadelphia Polyandria. — Nat. ord. Co-
lumnifera.
This is an annual plant, common in Britain, under hedges, near
footpaths, and among rubbifti.
The whole plant abounds with mucilage. The leaves were for-
merly of fome efteem, in food, for loofening the belly ; at prefent,
decocYions of them are fometimes employed in dyfenteries, heat,
and marpnefs of urine, and in general for obtunding acrimonious
humours; their principal ufe is in emollient glyfters, cataplafms,
and fomentations.
Officinal Preparation.
Decoctum pro enemate, L. - vide, Decocta.
MARANTA ARUNDINACEA.
hidian Arrow-root.
This plant is a native of Jamaica and other Weft India iflands,
and of the continent of South America.- By a letter from Mr. E.
L. M'Call, to Dr. Barton, (Philadelphia Medical and Phyfical
Journal, Vol. II.) it appears that the foil of the fouthern fea-
coaft is well adapted to it ; and he adds, that Campbell Wylly,
Efq. of Sapelo-ifland in Georgia, affcrted " that a fpot of land, on
his plantation, not remarkable for its fertility, yielded arrow-root
fagoin the proportion of 1840 lbs. to the acre. The extenfive ufe
of this article in the United States, in the difeafes of the bowels,
Sec. &c. renders this information of great importance..
3 I
426
Materia Medica*
MARRUMUM VULGARE. Herba. Ed. L.
Folia. D.
White horehonnd. The leaves,
Willd. g. 1 11 1. Jp. 8. Didynamia Gymnofpermia. — Nat. ord. Ver-
ticillata.
This is a perennial plant, which grows wild on road fides, and
among rubbifh. The leaves have a very ltrong, not difagreeable
fmell, and a roughifh, very bitter tafte. Neumann got from 480
grains, 270 watery, and 30 alcoholic extract, and inverfely 150 al-
coholic, and 140 watery. They promote the fluid fecretions in
general, and, liberally taken, loofen the belly*
MEDEOLA VIRGINIANA.
Cucumber-root. Indian Cucumber.
The root is diuretic, and is laid to have cured dropfies.:
MEL. Ed. L. D.
HONET.
D. Honig, Honing,
DA. Honning.
F. Miel.
G. H ,nig.
I. Mele.
P. Mel.
POL. MM.
R. Med.
S. Miel.
S\V. Honing.
This is a well known fubftance, and although it is mofl proba-r
bly of vegetable origin, we do not procure it in any quantity ex-
cept as an animal excretion, from the bee, (apis mellifica). This
induftrious infecl, in the fummer time flies from flower to flower
to collecl: the fweet juice fecreted in them. When fufficiently
loaded, it returns to its hive, where it depofites it, as a winter's
fupply, in the cells of the comb it had prepared of wax to receive
it. What change it undergoes in the body of the infect is un-
* Barton"s Collections, Part I. p. 36.
M. -Mel.
427
known ; but it is certain, that honey varies very much, according
to the nature of the plants from which it is collected. In fome
fituations, where poifonous plants abound, it is even deleterious.
The beft honey is that whkh is freeft from colour, and contains
the largeft grains when it concretes- For medical ufe, it mould
alfo be as free of flavour as poflible. That obtained from young
bees, and which flows fpontaneoufly from the combs, is the purcft
and fineft, and is known by the name of Virgin honey When
feparated from the wax by expreflion, it is lefs pure ; and there is
another fort {till inferior, obtained by heating the combs before
they are put into the prefs.
Honey confifts principally of fugar, but it alfo probably contains
mucilage and an acid, and is often impregnated with the efTential
oil of the flowers from which the bees have gathered it, as in the
perfumed honey of the Crimea. In fome parts of Afia and
America, poifonous honey is met with, from the bees feeding on
poifonous flowers. Neumann exficcated honey in the water bath :
the vapour which arofe, he fays, took fire on the approach of a
candle, and diffufed its fmell widely, and the liquor which was
condenfed was manifeftly impregnated, both with the fmell and
talte of honey, and amounted to three ounces upon eight of
honey.
Medical ufe. — From the earliefl; ages it has been employed as a
medicine. Befides the general properties of faccharine bodies, it
poflefles others peculiar to itfelf, probably depending on the pre-
fence of an acid. For internal ufe, fugar is always to be preferred,
as honey in fome conftitutions produces gripes and colic pains.
From its ftimulus, however, in forms an excellent gargle, and fa-
cilitates the expectoration of vifcid phlegm, and is fometimes em-
ployed as an emollient application to abfeeffes, and as a detergent
to ulcers.
Officinal Preparations.
Mel despumatum, E. L. D
acetatum, L. D.
rosse, L. D.
scillae, L. D.
Oxymel colchici, L.
scillae, L.
aeruginis, L.
to vide, Mella medicata.
J
428
Materia Medica.
MELLA MEDICAT A.
MEDICATED HONETS.
MEL DESPUMATUM. Ed. D.
Mellis Despumatio. L.
Clarified Honey. The Clarification of Honey.
Melt the honey in a water bath, and remove the fcum as it rifes.
In this fimple procefs, the honey is rendered fo liquid by the
heat of the boiling water, that the wax and other lighter impurities
which it commonly contains, rife to the furface in the form of a
fcum, which is eafily removed. At the fame time, fand or any
heavier mixture of that kind finks to the bottom.
Honey was fuppofed to be peculiarly balfamic, and was there-
fore at one time much ufed in pharmacy. But as its faccharine
matter is abfolutely of the fame nature with that of fugar, and as
the extraneous matters which it always contains, make it difagree
with the ftomachs of many individuals, the number of medicated
honeys has been much diminifhed, and their place in fome in-
fiances fupplied by fyrups. Medicated honeys are known to be
of a proper confidence, by allowing a fmall quantity to cool on a
plate ; if when divided by the edge of a fpoon, the portions do not
immediately unite, or if the fpecific gravity, when hot, be 1.26, or
1.31, when cold.
MEL ACETATUM. L.
Oxymel Simplex. D.
Acetated Honey. Simple Oxymel.
Take of
Clarified honey, two pounds ;
Diltilled vinegar, one pound by weight.
Boil them in a glafs veflel with a gentle fire to the confiftency of
a fyrup. (L.)
This was once in great repute as a cooling and attenuating me-
dicine ; it is fcarcely ufed in modern practice, except in colds at-
tended with coughs, and in fore throats, for which, when diluted
with fome aromatic or aftringent infufion, as fage tea, rofe flower
tea, &c. it makes ufeful gargles.
M. Mella medicata.
429
OXYMEL COLCHICI. L.
Oxymel of Meadow Saffron.
Take of
The frefh root of meadow faffron, cut into thin flices, one ounce;
. Diftilled vinegar, one pint ;
Clarified honey, two pounds.
Macerate the root of meadow faffron, with the vinegar, in a glafs
veffel, with a gentle heat, for forty-eight hours. Strain the
liquor, prefTed out ftrongly from the root, and add the honey.
Laltly, boil the mixture, frequently ftirring it with a wooden
fpoon,to the thicknefs of a fyrup. (L.)
This is an active preparation, but its ufe may be entirely fuper-
feded by the fyrup of the fame root.
MEL ROS^E. L. D.
Honey of Rofts.
Take of
Dried red-rofe buds, four ounces ;
Boiling dillilled water, three pints ;
Clarified honey, five pounds.
Macerate the rofe leaves in the water for fix hours ; then mix the
honey with the {trained liquor, and boil the mixture to the
thicknefs of a fyrup. (L.)
This preparation is not unfrequently ufed as a mild cooling de-
tergent, particularly in gargarifms for ulcerations and inflamma-
tion of the mouth and tonfils. The rofe buds here ufed fhould
be haftily dried, that they may the better preferve their aftrin-
gency.
The Dublin college, in making this and other fimilar prepara-
tions, ufe unclarified honey, with the idea, probably, that it may
be equally well clarified in the courfe of the preparation itfelf.
This is no doubt true, but as we do not know what effect the cla-
rification may have on the active fubftances added to the honey,
we think that the ufe of clarified honey, as directed by the Lon-
don college, is preferable.
430
Materia Medico,.
MEL SCILL.E. L.
Mel Scilliticum. D.
Honey of Squills.
Take of
Clarified honey, three pounds ;
Tincture of fquills, two pints.
Boil them in a glafs veffel to the thicknefs of a fyrup. (L.)
The honey will here be impregnated with all the active parts of
the fquills which the tincture before contained, and may be em-
ployed as an ufeful expectorant or diuretic.
OXYMEL SCILLiE. L.
Oxymel of Squills.
Take of
Clarified honey, three pounds ;
Vinegar of fquills, two pints.
Boil them in a glafs veffel, with a flow fire, to the thicknefs of a
fyrup. (L.)
Oxymel of fquills is an ufeful aperient, detergent, and expecto-
rant, and of great fervice in humoral afthmas, coughs, and other
diforders where thick phlegm abounds. It is given in dofes of
two or three drachms, along with fome aromatic water, as that of
cinnamon, to prevent the great naufea which it would otherwife
be apt to excite. In large dofes, it proves emetic.
OXYMEL ^ERUGINIS. L.
Oxymel of Verdegris.
Take of
Prepared verdegris, one ounce ;
Vinegar, feven ounces ;
Clarified honey, fourteen ounces.
Diffolve the verdegris in the vinegar, and drain it through linen j
then add the honey, and boil the whole to a proper thicknefs. (L.)
This is ufed only externally for cleanfing foul ulcers,and keeping
down fungous fielh. It is alfo often ferviceable in venereal ul-
cerations of the mouth and tonfils : but there is fome danger from
its application to places from the fituation of which it is apt
M. Melaleuca. Melia. 43 1
to be fwallowed ; for even a fmall quantity of verdegris palling
into the ftomach may be productive of diftreflmg, if not deleterious,
effects.
MELALEUCA LEUCADENDRON. Oleum volatile. Ed.
Cajeputa officinarum.
The Cnjeput tree. The ejfential oil.
Polyadelpkia Polyandria. — Nat. ord. Hefperide*.
The tree which furnifhes the cajeput oil is frequent on the
mountains of Amboyna, and other Molucca iflands. It is obtained
by diftillation from the dried leaves of the fmaller of two varieties.
It rs prepared in great quantities, efpecially in the ifland of Banda,
and lent to Holland in copper flalks. As it comes to us it is of a
green colour, very limpid, lighter than water, of a ltrong fmell,
refembling camphor, and a ftrong, pungent talle, like that of car-
damoms. It burns entirely away, without leaving any refiduum.
It is often adulterated with other eflential oils, coloured with the
refin of milfoil. In the genuine oil, the green colour depends on
the prefence of copper ; for when rectified it is colourlefs.
Medical ufe. — Like other aromatic oils it is highly ftimulating,
and is principally recommended^ in hyfteria, epilepfy, flatulent
colic, and paralylis of the tongue. The dofe is from one to four
drops on a lump of fugar.
It is applied externally where a warm and peculiar ftimulus is
requifite •, and is employed for reftoring vigour after luxations and
fprains, and for eafing violent pain in gouty and rheumatic cafess
in toothach, and fimilar affections.
MELIA AZEDARACH.
Pride of China. Poifon-berry tree. China-tree.
This is not a native of America, but is highly valuable as r.r:
anthelmintic. The bark of the root both in fubltance and faturated
decoction, is employed. It is moll ufeful for the lumbricus intefti-
nalis. It is ufed alio in Carolina for the txnia. The pulp of the fruif
formed into an ointment with tallow, is uieful in tinea capitis.
The dried berries of late have been employed in Carolina with
the fame views.*
* Barton's Colle&ions, Part I. p. 39. 61. Part 11. p. 53. See alfo Dr. Dewall'-
Inaugural Differtation on it, 1802.
432
Materia Medica.
MELISSA OFFICINALIS. Folia. Ed.
Melissa. D.
Balm. The leaves.
Willi, g. 1118. Jp. 1. Didynamia Gymtiofpermia. — Nat. ord. Ver-
ticillatde.
Balm is a perennial plant, which grows wild on the Alps and
Pyrennees, and is frequently cultivated in our gardens. It has a
pleafant fmell, fomewhat of the lemon kind ; and a weak, roughifh
aromatic tafte. The young moots have the ftrongeft flavour ; the
flowers, and the herb itfelf when old, or produced in very moid
rich foils or rainy feafons, are much weaker both in fmell and
tafte.
It is principally ufed in the form of a watery infufion, which is
drunk in the manner of tea.
MELOE VESICATORIUS. Ed.
Cantharis. L. Cantharides. D.
Lytta Vesicatoria, Fabricii.
SpaniJJj Jly. Blijlering jly.
InfeElci) Coleoptera, Veficatitia.
D . Spaaiisch e vliegen .
DA. Spamke jluer.
F. Cantharides^ Mouches a?
Kifiagne.
G. S/ianische Fliegeyi.
1. Cant ar elk.
P. Ca?itaridas.
POL. Kantarjdi') HiszJ.anskie
muchy.
R . Hv chpanskic muchi.
S. Cantaridas.
S\V. Spanska Jlugor.
These infects have a longifh, green, and gold-mining body
with flexible green-ftriped elytra, which cover the whole back of
the body, and under which are their brown membranous wings.
On their head they have two black articulated feelers. They are.
found on the fraxinus, fambucus, falix, liguftrum, &c. in Spain,
Ttaly, France, and Germany. The largeft come from Italy, but
the Spanifh cantharides are preferred. They are gathered by
fhaking the trees on which they are found, and catching them on a
rloth fpread beneath it. They are then killed by the fumes of
rinegar, and dried carefully in a Hove. The melolontha vitis is
M. Meloe vesicatorius.
433
fometimes found mixed in confiderable numbers with the cantha-
rides. They are eafily diftinguilhed by their almoft fquare body,
and as probably they do not ilimulate the (kin, they mould be pick-
ed out before the cantharides are powdered.
The analyfis of cantharides, notwithstanding the experiments of
Thouvenel and Beaupoil, is (till extremely imperfect. Lewis af-
certaincd that their active conftituent is entirely foluble both in
water and in alcohol, for extracts made with each of thefe folvents
bliftered as far as could be judged equally, and as effectually as
cantharides in fubftance. Both the refidua were inactive. Neu-
mann got from 1920 grains, 920 watery, and afterwards 28 alco-
holic extract, and inverfely 400 alcoholic, and 192 watery.
Medical ufe. — Cantharides have a peculiar naufeous fmell, and
an extremely acrid, burning tafte. Taken internally, they often
occafion a difcharge of blood by urine, with exquifite pain : if the
dofe be confiderable, they feem to inflame and exulcerate the whole
inteftinal canal; the ftools become mucous and purulent; the
breath fetid and cadaverous ; intenfe pains are felt in the lower
belly : the patient faints, grows giddy, delirious, and dies. Ap-
plied to the (kin, they firlt inflame, and afterwards excoriate the
part, raifing a more perfect blilter than any of the vegetable acrids,
and occafioning a more plentiful difcharge of ferum. But even
the external application of cantharides is often followed by a ftran-
gury, accompanied with third and feveriih heat.
The inconveniences arifing from the ufe of cantharides, whether
taken internally, or applied externally, are beft obviated by drink-
ing plentifully of bland emollient liquids, fuch as milk, emulfions,
&c. The fpecilic property of counteracting cantharides afcribed
to camphor, has no foundation.
The internal uieof cantharides is at all times doubtful, andrequires
the mod prudent management. They have, however, been fome-
times employed with (ucccis in dropfy, and in difeafes of the urinary
organs, arifing from debility. They are given in fubftance in very
fmall dofts, or in tincture.*
Applied externally, they are one of our beft and moft powerful
remedies. By proper management, they may be regulated fo as to
act as a gentle ftirnulus, as a rubefacient, or as a bliftcr.
* The tincture has been of late much recommended in tetanus, &c. and doubt-
lefs it has proved ufeful in fome inftances. That it will not do to depend on this
alone, is evident from a cafe which fell under my care, (See Philadelphia Medical
Mufeum, Vol. 1. 1 in which in two weeks the patient took about 2000 drops of the
tin&ure. One thoufand of thefe were exhibited in the fpace of ten hours, in
dofes of 100 drops au hour, without any effect.
* Amcr, Editor,
434
Materia Medica.
Blifters are applied,
1. To increafe the activity of the fyftem in general, by means
of their irritation.
2. To increafe the activity of a particular organ.
3. To diminifti morbid action in particular organs, by means
of the irritation they excite in the parts to which they are
applied.
They may be employed with advantage in almoft all difeafes ac-
companied with typhus fever, efpecially if any important vifcus as
the brain, lungs, or liver, be at the fame time particularly affected.
In thefe cafes the blifters are not applied to the difeafed organs
themfelves, but as near them as may be convenient. When we
wifh to excite action in any organ, the blifters are, if poilible, ap-
plied directly to the difeafed organ.
Cantharides are employed externally, either in fubftance, mixed
up with wax and refin, fo as to form a plafter or ointment, or in
the form of tincture.
Officinal Preparations.
Tinctura meloes vesicatorii, E. L. D. - vide, Tinctura.
Unguentum cantharidis, E. L. D. - - - Unguenta*
pulv. meloes vesicatorii, E. - Idem,
Ceratum cantharidis, L. D. - - Idem.
Emplastmm meloes vesicatorii, E. L. D< - - Idem..
compositum, E. - Idem.
Lytta Vittata. Fabricius. Cantharis ViTTATAr Olivier.
Potatoe fly. Blifler fly.
This and feveral other fpecies of the genus lytta, found in
the United States, are highly deferving the attention of the
Phyficians of America, for their epifpaftic properties.*
* See Medical Repofitory, Vol. ill. for a paper on this fubje&by Dr. Wood-
houfc.
M. Mentha.
435
MENTHA.
Willd. g. 1102 — Didynamia Gymnofpermia. — Nat. ord. Verti-
cil/ata.
MENTHA VIRIDIS. Sp. 7. Mentha sativa. Herba. L. JD.
Spearmint. The plant.
Spearmint is perennial, and a native of Britain. The leaves
have a warm, roughifh, fomewhat bitterifh tafte ; and a flrong,
not unplealant, aromatic fmell. Their virtues are ftomachic and
carminative.
Officinal Preparations.
Aqua menthae sativae, - - vwfc, Aqua destillata.
Ol. vol. menthae sativae, L. D. - - Olea volatilia.
Spiritus menthae sativae, L. Spirit us destillat:.
MENTHA PIPERITA. Herba. Ed.
Mentha Piperitis. L. D.
Peppermint. The plant.
This fpecies of mint is alfo perennial, and a native of Britain,
where it is cultivated in very great quantities for the fake of its ef-
fential oil. The leaves have a ftrong, rather agreeable fmell, and
an intenfely pungent, aromatic tufte, refembliqg that of pepper,
and accompanied with a peculiar fenfation of coldnefs.
Its predominant conftituents are elTential oil and camphor, both
of which rife in diftillation, and are combined in what is called
Oil of Peppermint.
Medical ufe. — Peppermint is principally ufed as a carminative and
antifpafmodic. The diftilled water is a domeftic remedy for flatu-
lent colic, and the efTential oil is often given with advantage in
dofes of a few drops in cramps of the ilomach.
Officinal Preparations.
Aqua menthae piperita, E. L. D. - vide, Aqua destillata.
Ol. vol. menthae piperita:, E. L. D. - - Olea volatilia.
Spiritus menthae piperita, E. L. - - Spiritus destillat?.
436
Materia Medka.
MENTHA PULEGIUM. Herba. Ed.
Pulegium. D. Flos. L.
Penny-royal. The herb and flower.
This is alfo perennial, and a native of Britain. In its fenfible
qualities, it is warm, pungent, and aromatic, fomewhat fimilar to
fpearmint, but lefs agreeable. It is feidom ufed.
Officinal Preparations.
Aqua mcnthse pulegii, E. L. D. - vide, Aqua destillata.
Ol. vol. menthae pulegii, L. D. - - Olea volatilia.
Spiritus menthae pulegii, L> - Spiritus distillati.
MENYANTHES TRIFOLIATA. Folia. Ed.
Trifolium Paludosum. Herba. L. Folia. D.
Marjh-trefoil. The leaves.
Willd. g. 299. Sp. 4. Pentandria Momgynia. — Nat. ord. Rotacea.
This perennial plant is very common in marmy fituations, and
is one of the mod beautiful of the native flowers of Great Britain.
The leaves grow by threes on footfralks. They are exceflively
bitter, and their bitternefs is extracted by infufion. They arefaid
to be fometimes ufed in brewing ale, and that one ounce will go as
far as half a pound of hops.
Medical ufe. — A drachm of them in powder purges and vomits.
In infufion or extract they have been recommended in intermit-
tents, in feveral cachectic and cutaneous difeafes. The dofeof the
extract is from ten to twenty grains.
>—i—(
METALLA.— - METALS.
Metals are cryfhdlizable ; their form depends on the regular
tetrahedron or cube; their furface is fpecolarj they are perfectly
opaque, even when melted •, their colour is various ; their luftre
peculiar and mining, or fplendent ; their hardnefs various, but at
lealt confiderable ; many of them are brittle, others poflefs mallea-
bility and ductility in a furprifing degree, and fome are fcilTile, flex-
ile, or elaftic ; their fracture in general is hackly ; their texture
compact, fibrous or foliated ; many of them are remarkably fono-
rous ; their fpecific gravity greater than five ; they poffefs no fmell
or tafle, unlefs when heated or rubbed ; they arc the belt con-
M. Metalla.
437
ductors of caloric and electricity ; are powerful agents in produc-
ing the galvanic phenomena, and a few of them are the only fub-
ftances which exhibit the phenomena of magnctifm. By the action
of caloric they melted, but with different degrees of facility, and
fome of them may be vaporized. Except iron and platinum, they
melt fuddenly, without undergoing any intermediate (rate of foft>
nefs •, and when melted, their furface is convex and globular.
They are infoiuble in water, but fome of them decompole it, and
are oxidized by it.
Primary Compounds of the Metals.
a* With oxygen :
1. Metallic oxides.
2. Acids of arienic, tungften, molybdenum, chrome, and
columbium.
b. With hydrogen. Hydrognrets.
c. With carbon. Carburets.
d. With phofphorus. Phofphurets.
e. With fulphur. Sulphurets.
f. With each other. Alloys and amalgams.
They are oxidized with different degrees of facility, fome by
mere expofure to air, and others feem almoft to refifl: the action
of heat and air. Their oxidizability is always increafed by increafe
of temperature. Their oxides are in the form of powder, lamina1,
or friable fragments ; fometimes cryftalline; of various colours,
determinate with regard to each metal ; poffds greater abfolute
weight ; are refractory, or fufible into glnfs *, infipid, or acrid, and
ftyptic ; in general inibluble in water ; and combine either with
acids and alkalies, or only with acids. Some of thofe are difoxy-
genized by light alone, others by caloric, and others require hy-
drogen, carbon, &c.
Moft of them are capable of combining with different propor-
tions of oxygen. Dr. Thomfon propofes to call the oxides with
a minimum of oxygen Protoxides, and with additional dofes Deut-
oxides, Tritoxides, &c. in fucceffion, and the oxides with a max-
imum of oxygen Peroxides.
Hydrogen gas is capable of holding arfenic, zinc, and iron, in
folution.
Carbon unites only with iron.
The metallic phofphurets are fufible, brilliant, brittle, granulated,
lamellated, fcarcely combuftible, and permanent.
The fulphurets are brittle ; cryftallizable in large brilliant and
metallic laminae, more eafily fufible than the refractory metals, but
438
Materia Medica.
lefs eafily than the very fufible metals $ decompofable by heat, hu-
midity, and the acids.
The mixtures of the metals with each other are termed alloys :
thofe in which mercury is contained are amalgams. They ac-
quire by mixture new properties, and are in general more fufible
than their components. The reguline metals are not foluble in the
acids *, but when acted upon by them, are firft oxidized, and then
duTolved. The metallic oxides, by fufion# colour glafles and en-
amels.
The metals at prefent amount to 23, and are arrauged by Dr
Thompibn under three heads, viz.
I. Malleable.
1 Gold, 4 Mercury, 7 Tin, 9 Nickel,
2 Platinum, 5 Copper, 8 Lead, 10 Zinc.
3 Silver, 6 Iron,
II. Brittle and eafily fufed.
1 Bifmuth, 3 Tellurium,
2 Antimony, 4 Arfenic.
III. Brittle and difficultly fufed.
1 Cobalt, 4 Molybdenum, 7 Chromium,
2 Manganefe, 5 Uranium, 8 Columbium,
3 Tungften, 6 Titanium, 9 Tantalium.
Thofe employed in medicine, are noticed in their refpeclive
places.
MILLIPEDES. - - Vide,Onifcus.
MIMOSA.
Polygamia Monoecia — Nat. ord. Lament act\z.
MIMOSA CATECHU. ExtraBum ligni. Ed.
Catechu. Succus fpijpitus. L. D.
Catechu. The extracl of the ivqod.
This tree is a native of Hindoftan. The extracl: of catechu,
which was formerly termed, with peculiar impropriety, Japan
M. Mimosa.
439
earth, is principally prepared from the internal coloured part of
the wood by decoction, evaporation, and exficcation in the fun.
But catechu is alfo prepared in India from feveral other fpecies
of mimofa, and even from the woods, barks, and fruits of other
genera.
There are two kinds of this extract ; one is fent from Bombay,
the other from Bengal. The extract from Bombay is of a uniform
texture, and of a red brown tint, its fpecific gravity being general-
ly about 1.39. The extract from Bengal is more friable and lefs
confiftent. Its colour is like that of chocolate externally; but when
broken, its fracture prefents ftreaks of chocolate and of red brown.
Its fpecific gravity is about 1.28. Their taftes are precifely fimi-
lar, being aftringent, but leaving in the mouth a fenfation of
fweetnefs. They do not deliquefce or apparently change by expo-
fure to the air, and are not fufible.
By Mr. Davy's analyfis, 200 grains gave
BOMBAY. BENGAL.
Tannin, 109 97
Peculiar extractive matter, 68 73
Mucilage, - - - - 13 16
Refidual matter, chiefly fand and calca-
reous earth, - - - 10 14
This more exact analyfis confirms the obfervations made by Dr.
Duncan in the former edition of the Edinburgh difpenfatory.
Medical ufe. — It may be ufefully employed for mod purpofes
where an aftringent is indicated ; and it is particularly ufeful in
alvine fluxes. Befides this, it is employed alfo in uterine profluvia,
in laxity and debility of the vifcera in general, in catarrhal affec-
tions, and various other difeafes where aftringents are indicated.
It is often fuffered to diflblve leifurely in the mouth, as a topical
aftringent for laxities and exulcerations of the gums, for aphthous
ulcers in the mouth, and fimilar affections : and it is in fome other
cafes applied externally, both under the form of folution and of
ointment.
Officinal Preparations.
Infusum mimosae catechu, F. vide, Infusa.
Electuarium mimosae catechu, E. D. • Electuariu,
Tinctura mimcsx catechu, E. L. • - Tine tune,
440
Materia Medica.
MIMOSA NILOTICA. Gummu Ed.
Gummi Arabicum. L. D.
Gum- Arabic.
This fpecies of mimofa grows in Arabia Petraea and Egypt
The greateft quantity of pure gum, commonly called Gum-Ara-
bic, is furniihed by this tree, from which it exudes either fponta-
neoufly, or from incifions made into the bark, and afterwards
hardens in the air. But a fimilar gum may be obtained from all
the fpecies of mimofa, and from many other trees, fuch as the
Swietenia fcbrifuga, Melia azadirachta, and the different fpecies
of Terminalia. It is remarkable that the barks of all the trees
which furnifh this bland mucilaginous fubftance, are highly aftrin-
gent j that of the mimofa nilotica itfelf is ufed in India for tanning;
and in our own country, the cherry and plum trees, which fome-
times yield a little gum, have very aftringent barks.
There are two kinds of gum found in the fhops, and fold under
the fame name, Gum- Arabic which comes from the Levant, and
Eaft-India gum. Gum- Arabic confifts of roundifh tranfparent
tears, of a yellowifh colour, mining fracture, without fmell or tafte,
and perfectly foluble in water. The pieces which are moft tranf-
parent and have leaft colour are reckoned the beft. They are fe-
lected from the Gum-Arabic in forts, and fold for about double
the price, under the title of picked gum. The Eaft India gum is
darker coloured than Gum-Arabic, and is not fo readily foluble in
water. Dr. Duncan poflefles a mafs of gum gathered from a mi-
mofa in New South Wales by Mr. Jamiefon, who is engaged in
preparing for the prefs a moft fplendid and fcientific defcription of
that country. It is darker coloured even than Eaft-India gum, and
is alfo lefs foluble than if : for when fufpended in water, it gives off
white films which float through the mucilage. But its mcfc re-
markable property is, that it does not precipitate filicized potafs, in
which refpect it agrees, as far as the Doctor's experiments go, with
gum collected in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh from the common
cherry and plum trees. It is alfo remarkable that the coarfeft gum
forms thethickeft mucilage-, at leaft Botany-bay gum forms a thick-
er mucilage than Eaft-India gum, and this than Gum-Arabic.
Medical afe. — It poflefles the powers of a mucilaginous demul-
cent in a high degree ; and is frequently exhibited in diarrhoea, dy-
sentery, chincough, hoarfenefs, ftrangury, &c. •, and is an ex-
tremely ufeful article for giving form to fome remedies, and for
correcting the acrimony of others.
M. Mixture.
441
Officinal Preparations.
iMUCiidgo iinmossc niioiiC3Ej Hi* \-». i-J-
vide^ Afojctlogmcs.
- JMixtuvce .
Eniulsio arabica, D. - -
IMixtura moschata, L#
Idem .
cretaceaj L. D.
Idem.
Decoctum cornu ccrvi, L.
Decocta.
Trochisci cai bonatis calcis, L.
Trochisci.
glycyrrnizae, E.
Idem.
cum opio, E.
Idem.
gummosi, E. D.
Idem.
Pulvis cretae coinpositus, L.
Pulvcrcs.
tragacanthae compositus, L.
Idem.
MIXTURE & EMULSIONES.
MIXTURES AND EMULSIONS.
Under thefe heads are comprehended thofe mixtures in which
oils and other fubltances infoluble in water are mixed with, and
fufpended in, watery fluids, by means ot vifcid fubltances, fuch as
mucilage and fyrups.
EMULSIO AMYGDALAE COMMUNIS. Ed.
Almond Emulfwn.
Lac Amygdala. L. Lac Amygdalarum. D.
Almond Milk.
Take of
Sweet almonds, an ounce and a half -9
Double refined fugar, half an ounce ;
Diftilled water, two pints.
Beat the almonds with the fugar •, then, rubbing them together,
add by degrees the water, and ftrain the liquor. (L. D.)
3 L ,
442
Materia Medica.
EMULSIO GUMMI MIMOSA NILOTlCiE ; vulgo Emul-
sio Araeica. Ed,
Emulsio Arabica. D.
Arabic Emulfion.
This is made in the fame manner as the almond emulfion ; only
adding, while beating the almonds,
Mucilage of gum arabic, two ounces. (E.)
These poffefs nearly the fame qualities, and are merely me-
chanical fufpenfions of oil of almonds in watery fluids, by means
either of the mucilage with which it is naturally combined in
the almonds by itfelf, or aflifted by the addition of gum arabic
and fugar. Therefore, on ftanding for fome days, the oily matter
feparates and rifes to the top, not in a pure form, but like thick
cream. By heat the fame decompofition is immediately effected.
Great care mould be taken that the almonds have not become
rancid by keeping, which not only renders the emulfion extreme-
ly unpleafant, a circumftance of great confequence in a medicine
that requires to be taken in large quantities, but likewife gives it
injurious qualities.
The almonds are blanched by infufing them in boiling water,
and peeling them. The fuccefs of the preparation depends upon
beating the almonds to a fmooth pulp, and triturating them with
each portion of the watery fluid, fo as to form an uniform mix-
ture before another portion be added.
Thefe liquors are principally ufed for diluting and correcting
acrimonious humours ; particularly in heat of urine and ftran-
guries, arifing either from a natural acrimony of the juices, or from
the operation of cantharides, and other irritating medicines : in
thefe cafes, they are to be drunk frequently, to the quantity of
half a pint or more at a time.
EMULSIO CAMPHORATA. Ed.
Camphorated Emulfion,
MlSTURA Camphorata. L.
Camphorated Mixture,
Take of
Camphor, one fcruple ;
Sweet almonds, blanched, two drachms ;
Double refined fugar, one drachm ;
Water, fix ounces.
This is to be made in the fame manner as the common emulfion. (E.)
M. Mixturae.
443
This mixture is not very permanent, as the camphor feparatcs
and fwims upon the furface in the courfe of a few days. As an
extemporaneous prefcriptiou, however, it is a very convenient
mode of exhibiting that active drug, and maybe given to the ex-
tent of a table fpoonful every three or four hours in typhoid fevers.
LAC AMMONIACI. L. D.
Emulfwn of Gum Ammoniac.
Take of
Gum ammoniac, two drachms ;
Diftilled water, half a pint.
Rub the gum refin with the water, gradually poured on, until it
becomes an emulfion. (L.)
In the fame manner may be made an emulfion of aflTa fcetida, and
of the reft of the gum refins.
The lac ammoniaci is employed for attenuating tough phlegm,
and promoting expectoration, in humoral afthmas, co«ghs, and
obftrucYions of the vifcera. It may be given in the quantity of two
fpoonfuls twice a-day.
The lac afTae foetidae is employed in fpafmodical, hyfterical, and
other nervous affections. And it is alio not unfrequently ufed
under the form of injection. It anfwers the fame purpofes as afla
fcetida in fubftance.
MISTURA^MOSCHATA. l
Mush Mixture.
Take of
Mufk, two fcruples ;
Gum arabic, powdered,
Double refined fugar, of each one drachm ;
Rofe water, fix ounces, by meafure.
Rub the mufk firft with the fugar, then with the gum, and add
the rofe water by degrees. (L.)
Unless the mufk be very thoroughly triturated with the fugar
and gum before the addition of the water it foon feparates. An
ounce, or an ounce and a half, may be taken for a dofc.
LJ
444 Materia Medica. ■
POTIO CARBONATIS CALCIS; olim,PoTio Chetacea. Ed*
* Chalk Potion.
Mistura Cretacea. L. D.
Chalk Mixture.
Take of
Prepared carbonate of lime, one ounce ;
Double refined fugar, half an ounce ; ,
Mucilage of gum arabic, two ounces.
Triturate together, and then gradually add of
Water, two pounds and a half ;
Spirit of cinnamon, two ounces.
Mix them. (E.)
This is a very elegant form of exhibiting chalk, and is an ule-
ful remedy in difeafes arifing from, or accompanied with, acidity
in the primae viae. It is frequently employed in diarrhoea pro-
ceeding from that caufe. The mucilage not only ferves to keep
the chalk uniformly diffufed, but alfo improves its virtues. The*
dofe of this medicine requires no nicety. It may be taken to the
extent of a pound or two in the courfe of a day.
MOMORDICA ELATERIUM. FruBus recem fubmaturus. El
Cucumis Agrestis. L. D.
Wild cucumber. The frejfj fruit, when almojl ripe.
Monoecia Syngenefia. — Nat. ord. Cucurbitacex.
This plant is a native of the fouth of Europe, and is perennial.
When cultivated in Great Britain, it does not furvive the winter.
The fruit is oblong, abv ut an inch and a half long, and an inch in
diameter. It is of a green colour, and befet with ftiff hairs.
When nearly ripe, it burfts on a flight touch, feparates from its
ftalk, and {beds its feeds with great violence. From this cir-
cumftancc, it was named by the Greeks Elaterium, which name
was alfo applied to the faecula of the juice of the fruit, the only
preparation ufed in medicine.
M. Moms Moschus. 445
Medical ufe. — In a few grains it operates as a draftic purgative,
and is fometimes ufed in dropfies.
i V '9'
Officinal Preparation.
Succus spissatus momordicae elaterii, E. L. D. vide, Succi sfiissati.
MORUS NIGRA. Morus. Fruclus. L.
Mulberry tree. The fruit.
Monoecia Tetrandria. — Nat. ord. Scabrida.
This tree, which is fuppofed to have come originally from Per-
fia, bears the cold of the winters, and ripens its fruits in England.
The fruit has the fame properties with other fub-acid fruits. Its
juice contains tartaric acid.
Officinal Preparation.
Syrupus succi fructus mori. L. vide, Syru/u.
MOSCHUS MOSQHIFERUS. Materia infolliculo prope umbili-
* cum collecla. Ed.
Moschus. L. D.
The muOe deer. Musk. 'The fubjlance contained in a follicle fit tinted
near the navel.
Mammalia.
D. Muskus.
DA. Desmer.
F. Muse.
G. Bisam.
I. Muschio.
P. jilmiscar.
POL. Pizmo.
R. Mu8cus.
S. Almizele.
SW. Desman.
The muflc animal is an inhabitant of the moft elevated region
of Afia, particularly of the Altayan Alps, and the mountains which
divide Thibet from China. It is a gentle and timid animal, and
446 Materia Medica.
its chace is difficult and dangerous. Its general form refembles
the deer tribe, and it is about three feet in length. In the male,
behind the navel and before the prepuce, there is fituated an oval
bag, flat on one fide and convex on the other, about three inches
long and two broad, projecting about an inch, and having a fmall
open orifice, befet with fhort hairs, which is empty in the young
animal, but in the adult is filled with a fecreted matter, known by
the name of mufk. When the bag becomes too full, the animal
exprefies part of its contents by rubbing itfelf againft ftones or
trees. The mufk exprefied in this manner is faid to be the pureft,
but none of it probably reaches this country. The bell mufk is
brought from Tonquin, an inferior fort from Agria and Bengal,
and a ft 111 worfe from Ruffia.
Fine mufk comes to us in round thin bladders ; which are gene-
rally about the fize of a pigeon's egg, covered with fhort brown
hairs, lined with a thin brown membrane, well filled, and without
any appearance of having been opened. The mufk itfelf is dry,
with a kind of-unctuofity, of a dark reddifh brown, or rufty black-
ifh colour, in fmall round grains, with very few hard black clots,
and perfectly free from fandy or other vifible foreign matter. If
chewed and rubbed with a knife on paper, it looks fmooth, bright,
yellowifh, and is free from grittinefs. Laid on a red-hot iron,* it
catches flame, and burns almoft entirely away, leaving only an ex-
ceeding fmall quantity of light greyifh afhes. The largefl and full-
eft bag fcarcely contains more than two drachms of mufk.
Its tafte is fomewhat bitterifh, and its fmell extremely powerful
and peculiar. Neumann got from 30 grains of mufk 12 of watery;
and 4 of alcoholic extract. ; and inverfely, 10 of alcoholic and 6
of watery. Its fmell and tafte were elevated in diftillation with
water, but not with alcohol. Neither the fixed nqr volatile oils
diiTolved it.
The very great price of mufk has given rife to many modes of
adulterating it. To increafe its weight, fand, and even particles
of lead are introduced through very fmall openings into the bags.
The real mufk is frequently abftradted from the bag, and its place
fupplied with dry and coarfely powdered blood, or fome mixture
with afphaltum. Thefe adulterations are to be detected by difco-
vering that the bag has been opened. The prefence of blood is
alfo known by the fetid fmell it emits when heated fufficiently,
and by the formation of ammonia when rubbed with potafs. Af-
phaltum is known by its fhining fracture and melting on hot iron,
while mufk is converted into charcoal. But there are even arti-
ficial bags filled with a compofition containing fome real mufk,
Thefe are in general thicker, and covered with longer hair, and want
the internal brown membrane which lines the real mufk-bag.
M. Mucilagine s . 447
Medical ufe. — Mufk is a medicine of very great efficacy, and for
which in fome cafes, there is hardly any fubftitute. When pro-
perly adminiltered, it fometimes fucceeds in the moft defperate
circumftances. It raifes the pulfe, without heating much ; it allays
fpafms, and operates remarkably on the brain, increafing the powers
of thought, fenfation, and voluntary motion.
It may be employed in every inftance of typhus fever, efpecially
when attended with delirium, or fpafmodic affection of any parti-
cular organ, or of the whole fyftem, or fubfultus tendinum, &c.
It is alfo ufed with the greateft benefit in exanthematous and phleg-
monic difeafes, accompanied with typhoid fever; and in many fpaf-
modic affections, as chincough, epilepfy, trifmus, &c.
It is moft conveniently given in fubftance in powder, in dofes of
three grains or upwards, repeated every one or two hours. Its beft
preparation is the tincture.
Officinal Preparations.
Tinctura moschi, D. - ride, Tincturr.
Mistura moschata, L. - - Mixture.
MUCILAGINES. MUCILAGES.
MUCILAGO AMYLI. Ed. L.
Mucilage of Starch.
'■ i, ' >
Take of
Starch, half an ounce ;
Water, one pound.
Triturate the ftarch, gradually adding the water ; then boil them
a little. (E. L.)
The London college ufe only three drachms of ftarch to one
pound of water. The mucilage thus formed is very ufeful in thofe
cafes where a glutinous fubftance is required ; it is often fuccefs-
fnlly employed as a glyfter, in diarrhoeas depending on acrimony
in the inteftines.
448
Materia Medica.
MUCILAGO ASTRAGALT TR AG A C ANTHiE. Ed.
Mucilage of Gum Tragacahth.
Mucilago Tragacantm. L.
MUCILAGO GtJMMI Tragacanth^. D.
Mucilage of Tragacanth.
Take of
Tragacanth, half an ounce ;
Diftilled water, ten ounces, by meafure.
Macerate them, with a gentle heat, till the tragacanth be diflblv
ed. (L.)
Gum Tragacanth is difficultly foluble in water. When ma
cerated in it, it fwells, but does not diflblve. To effect the folu
tion it muft be beaten into a pafte with fome of the water ; and
the reft of the water muft be added gradually, and incorporate
with the pafte by beating them together. Gum tragacanth is
very tenacious fubftance, and requires a very large proportion o
water to form a fluid mucilage. That of the Edinburgh college
which is made with eight parts of water, is a pafte rather than
mucilage. The London mucilage is made with twenty parts <
water, and the Dublin with fixty-four.
MUCILAGO MIMOSA NILOTICiE. Ed.
Mucilago Arabici Gummi. L. D.
Mucilage of Gum Arabic.
Take of
Gum Arabic, in powder, one part ;
Boiling water, two parts.
Digeft, with frequent agitation, until the gum be diflblved ; the
prefs the mucilage through linen. (E.)
It is very neceffary to pafs the mucilage through linen, in orde
to free it from pieces of wood and other impurities, which alway
adhere to the gum : the linen may be placed in a funnel.
Mucilage of gum arabic is very ufeful in many operations in
pharmacy ; it is alfo much ufed for properties peculiar to thofi
fubftances of its own clafs, and of all the gums it feems to be th
pureft.
M. Murias.
447
Officinal Preparations,
Infusum corticis peruviani, D. vide, Tnfusa.
Emulsio arabica, E. - Miztut*.
Potio carbonatis Calcis, E. - - Idem.
MUCILAGO SEMINUM CYDONII MALI. L.
Mucilage of Quince-feed.
Take of
Qumce-feeds, one drachm •,
Diltilled water, eight ounces, by meafure.
Boil with a flow fire for ten minutes; then pafs it through
linen. (L.)
This mucilage, though fuffijiently agreeable, is perfectly fuper-
fluous, efpecially as it is apt to fpoi!, from bein^ mixed with the
other principles of the feeds foluble in water. It is befides never
fo tranfparent as mucilage carefully prepared from gum arabic, is
not cheaper, and is unfit for many purpofes, bein^ coagulated by
acids.
MURIAS. MURIATE.
Muriate is the generic term for thofe fecondary compounds
which contain muriatic acid.
The muriates may be divided into three families :
1. Alkaline muriates, foluble in water, fufible, and vaporizabie
without decompofition, forming no precipitate with alkaline car-
bonates.
2. Earthy muriates, foluble in water in general, decompofable
by heat, forming a white precipitate with alkaline carbonates.
3. Metalline muriates. The muriatic acid is capable of combin-
ing with many metals, in two fhtes of oxidize ment. The muriates
which contain the metal in the flate of protoxide, are in general
very acrid, and foluble both in water and alcohol. The muriates
which contain the metal in the ftate of peroxide are often infoluble,
have a white colour, and contain an excefs of bale, or are iub-
3 M
448
Materia Medica.
muriates. The muriates are alfo the mod volatile metalline falts,
and cften rife undecompofed in fublimation or diftillation.
The muriates ha\e a more or lefs pure fait tafte. They are not
acted upon by any combuftible body. They are all foluble in
water, and are the moft volatile and moft difficultly decompofed
by heat of the neutral falts. They emit white fumes with the ful-
phuric acid, and oxy-muriatic acid gas with the nitric.
Officinal Preparations.
Murias ammoniae, - - vide, Ammonia.
antimonii, - Antimonium.
barytae - - baryta.
calcis, - - - - Calx.
hydrargyri, - Hydrargyrum*
sodae, -
MURIAS SOD^E. Ed.
Sal -Muriaticus. L. Sal Communis. D.
Muriate of foda. Common fea-falt.
D. Zom. P. Sal.
DA. Salt. POL. SoL
F. Sel. R. Sol.
G. Satz. S. Sal.
I. Sale. SW. Salt.
This is the moft common of all the neutral falts. It is not only
found in immenfe mafles, on and under, the earth's furface, and
contained in great quantities in many fait fprings, but it is the
caufe of the faltnefs of the fea.
Native muriate of foda prefents two varieties, the lamellar and
fibrous. It is found in Poland, Hungary, Spain, England, &c.
When not perfectly pure, it is purified by folution and cryftalli-
zation.
Salt fprings occur in many parts of the world. The quantity
of muriate of foda contained in thefe varies, from an inconfidera-
ble quantity, even up to one third.
Sea- water alfo varies much in ftrength. It is faid to contain
moft fait in warm climates, and at great depths.
Muriate of foda, as obtained from thefe natural folutions of it
by evaporation and cryftallization, is feldom pure, but commonly
mixed with earthv muriates, which being deliquefcent falts, dif-
pofe it to attract moifture from the atmofphere. It may, however,
be purified by precipitating the earths by means of carbonate of
M. Murias Sodae. 449
foda, or by warning the cryftallized fait with a faturated folution
of muriate of foda, heated to ebullir;on. In this ftate it is not ca-
pable of dilTolving any more muriate of foda, but will difiblve a
confiderable quantity of the earthy muriates.
Muriate of foda has a pure fait tafte, is foluble in 2.S times its
weight of water at 60°, and in 2.76 at 212°. It is not foluble in
alcohol. By the action of heat it firfl: decrepitates, then melts,
and laftly, fublimes without decompofition. The primitive form
of its cryltals is cubic, and they are permanent in the atmofphere.
According to Kirwan, they confift of 3o.88 muriatic acid, 53. foda,
and 8.12 water. It is decompofed by the fulphuric and nitric
acids, by potafs and baryta, by fecondary falts containing thefe,
and by metalline faits, whofe bafe forms an infoluble compound
with muriatic acid. It is alfo gradually decompofed by lime, iron,
and litharge.
Medical ufe. — Muriate of foda is one of the mod important ar-
ticles in the art •, and in domeltic economy. As a medicine, it is
ufeful in fome cafes of dyfpepfia ; and in large dofes it is faid to
check vomiting of blood. It i> a common ingredient in ftimulat-
ing clyfter-, and is fometimes applied externally as a fomentation
to bruifes, or in the form of bath, as a gentle ftimulus to the whole
furface of the body.
Officinal Preparations.
Murias sodae exsiccatus, E. D.
Acidum muriuticum, E. L. D.
Murias antimonii, E. L. D. - - vide, Antimonium.
Sub-murias hydrargyri praecipitatus, E. L. D. Hydrargyrum .
MURIAS SOD^E EXSICCATUS. Ed.
Sal-Communis Exsiccatus. D.
Dried Muriate of Soda: Dried Common Salt.
Take of
Common fait, any quantity.
Roaft it over the fire in a wide iron vefTel, until it ceafe to decre-
pitate, agitating it from time to time. (E. D.)
By this procefs the muriate of foda is reduced into the ftate in
which it is employed for the diftillation of muriatic acid. It not
©nly deprives it entirely of its water of cryftallization, which,
from being variabie in quantity, would otherwife render the acid
450
Materia Medica.
obtained unequal in ftrength, but alfo deftroys fome colouring mat-
ter it contain ; for if we prepare muriatic acid from cryftallized
muriate of foda, we obtain a coloured muriatic acid, while the dried
muriate furnifhes a perfectly colourlefs one.
Officinal Preparations,
Aciclum muriaticum, E. L. D.
Murias hydrargyria E. L. D. - - vide. Hydrargyrum.
ACIDUM MURIATICUM. Ed. L. D.
Muriatic Acid.
rake of
Muriate of foda. two pounds ;
Sulphuric acid, fixteen ounces ;
Water, one pound.
Heat the muriate of foda for fome time red-hot in a pot, and after
it has cooled, put it into a retort. Then pour upon the muri-
ate of foda the acid mixed with the water and allowed to cool.
Laftly, diftil in a fand bath, with a moderate fire, as long as any
acid is produced.
The fpecific gravity of this acid is to that of diftilled water as
1170 to 1000. VE.)
In this procefs the muriate of foda is decompofed, and the mu-
riatic acid difengaged by the fuperior affinity of the fulphuric
acid. But as muriatic acid is a permanently-elaftic fluid, the ad-
dition of the water is abfolutely necefTary for its exiftence in a fluid
form. Some operators put a portion of water into the receiver
for the purpofe of abforbing the muriatic acid gas, which is firft
difengaged ; the colleges, however, order the whole of the water
to be previoufly mixed with the fulphuric acid. This mixture muft
not be made in the retort itfelf ; for the heat produced is fo great,
that it would not only endanger the breaking of the velTel, but oc-
cafion confiderable lofs and inconvenience by the fudden difengage-
ment of muriatic gas.
The muriate of foda is directed to be heated to rednefs before it
be introduced into the retort, that the whole of the water of cryf-
taUization may be expelled, which being variable in quantity,
would otherwife afFedt. the ftrength of the acid produced ; and be-
fides, without this precaution, the acid obtained is too high co-
loured.
M. Acidum Muriaticum, &.c. 451
Mr. Accum has faid, that the quantity of fulphuric acid prefcrib-
ed by the London college for obtaining this acid is much too large,
and that the proportion of fulphuric acid prefcribed for preparing
the nitric acid is much too fmall ; but in neither criticifm is he
correct.
If a common retort and receiver be employed for this diftiila-
tion, they mult not be luted perfectly clofe •, for if any portion
j of the gas mould not be abforbed by the water employed, it muft
! be allowed to efcape; but the procels will be performed with
greater economy, and perfect iafety, in a Woulfe's, or fome fimi-
lar apparatus.
The refiduum in the retort confiils principally of fulphate of fo-
da, which may be purified by folution and cryltallization.
If properly prepared, the muriatic acid is perfectly colourlefs,
and poflliTes the other properties already enumerated ; but in the
mops it is very feldom found pure. It alrauft always contains
iron, and very frequently fulphuric acid or copper. The copper is
detected by the blue colour produced by fuper-faturating the acid
with ammonia, the iron by the black or blue precipitate formed
with tincture of galls or prufliate of potafs. The fulphuric acid
may be eafily got rid of by rc-di(Viliing the acid from a fmall quan-
tity of dried muriate of lbda. But Mr.- Hume d lcovered that mu-
riate of baryta is precipitated when poured into muriatic acid, al-
though it contain no fulphuric acid.
Medical ufe — In its erftcts on the animal economy, and the mode
of its employment, it coincides with the fulphuric and nitric acids,
which almoft proves that they do not act by oxygenizing the fyf-
tem, as the muriatic acid cannot be difoxygenized by any fubftante
or procefs with which we are acquainted.
Officinal Preparations.
Sulphas sodae, E. L. D.
Hydro-sulphuretum ammonite, E.
Murias baryta, E.
Solutio muriatis calcis, E.
vide, Soda.
Anunoniu.
Barvta.
Calx.
Oxygenized Muriatic Acid.
The vapours of this powerfully-oxygenizing acid have been re-
commended by Morveau as the beft means of deftroying conta-
gion. As, however, they are deleterious to animal life, they can-
not be employed in every fituation. Where applicable, they are
eafily difengaged by mixing together ten parts of muriate of foda,
4 52 Materia Medica.
and two parts of black oxide of manganefe in powder, and pour
ing upon the mixture firft four parts of water, and then fix part
of fulphuric acid. Fumes of oxygenized muriatic acid are immc
diately difengaged,
Morveau has fince contrived what he calls Dif-infecYing or Pre
fervative phials. If intended to be portable, 46 grains of blacl
oxide of manganefe in coarfe powder are to be put into a ftronj
glafs phial of abour 2^ cubic inches capacity, with an accurately
ground (topper, to which muft be added about of a cubic incl
of nitric acid of 1.4 fpecific gravity, and an equal bulk of muriati
acid of 1.134, the ftopper is then to be replaced, and the who!
fecured by inclofing the phial in a ftrong wooden cafe, with a caj
which fcrews down fo as to keep the ftopper in its place. The1
are to be uled by fimply opening the phial without approaching i
to the nofe, and (hutting it as foon as the fmell of the muriatic g
is perceived. A phial of this kind, if properly prepared, will n
lofe its power after many years ufe. For fmall wards, ftrong bot-
tles, with ground ftoppers an inch in diameter, of about 25 or 2*
cubic inches of capacity, may be ufed, with 372 grains cf the ox-
ide, and 3.5 inches of each of the acids, and the ftopper kept in
place by leaden weights-, or for larger wards, very ftrong glaf
jars, about 43 cubic inches in capacity, containing a drachm of th<
oxide, and 6 inches of each of the acids. Thefe jars are to be co-
vered with a plate of glafs, adjufted to them by grinding with emery
and kept in its place by a fcrew. In no cafe is the mixture to oc
cupy more than one third of the veftel.
Muriatic acid gas is tranfparent and colourlefs. It deftroys lifi
and extinguifhes flame. Its fpecific gravity is 0.0023 15. Wate
is capable of diftblving about an equal weight of it. Its fpeci
gravity is then 1.500; it is generally of a pale yellow colour:
very volatile, and emits white fumes of a peculiar unpleafant odou
The gas decompofes alcohol and oil, and deftroys putrid exhala
tions. It is farther oxygenized by the nitric acid.
Oxygenized muriatic acid (or by contraction, oxy-muriatic aci
gas is compofed of muriatic acid 84 and oxygen 16. It is of a yel
low colour, and very pungent fmell, and acrid tafte. It fuppor
ilame, but is deleterious when refpired. It deftroys the vegetabl
colours. It oxygenizes all oxygenizable fubftances, and repafli
to the ftate of muriatic acid. It is decompofed by light. It do
not unite readily with water. Water when faturated with
1 weighs 1.003.
The oxy-muriates have lately had their exiftence rendered doubt
iul by Mr. Chenevix.
Hyper -oxygenized muriatic acid confifts of muriatic acid 35, an
oxygen 65. It has not been obtained in a feparate ftate.
M. Myristica Moschata. 45 3
Hyper-oxy-muriates give out very pure oxygen gas by the a£tion
f caloric, and become muriates. Their acid is expelled from
hem with noife, by the ftronger acids ; and they inflame combuf-
"ible bodies, even fpontaneoufly, and with detonation.
Under the head of Water ( Aqua J, it has been already obferved,
hat Galvanifm appears to have unfolded the compofition of the
nuriatic acid. To this head the reader is referred.
MYRISTICA MOSCHATA. Fruclus nucleus, Nux Mofchau
dicius. Macis. Hujus oleum fixum, Oleum Macis diclum.
Oleum volatile. Ed.
'Myristica. Fruclus nucleus, Nux Mofchata dicius. Oleum ejfen-
■ tiale. Oleum exprejfum, Oleum Macis vulgo diclum Macis. L.
:tfux Moschata. Oleum ejfentiale. Oleum exprejfum. Involucrum,
Macis diclum. D.
The nutmeg tree. The kernel of the fruit, commonly called Nutmeg. Its
ejfential oil. Its expreffed oil, called Oil of Mace. The involucrum
of the nut ( mace J.
Monoecia Monandria. — Nat. ord. Oleraccx.
D. Muskaatnooten, Xootemua-
kaat.
DA. Muskadrwdder.
F. JVoix de Muscade,
0. Muscat? iisse.
1. A'oci muscade.
D. Foelie, Foely, Muscaat-
bloom.
DA- Muskatblomer.
P. Macis, Fleur de Muscade.
G. Muskatbliithe .
I. Mace.
P. JVor moscada.
POL. il fits ZOtO xva ga!ka .
R. M:;skatniie orcschh.
S. Aurz muscada.
S\V. Mu&kot.
P. Macis, Flhr dc mz mos-
cada.
POL. Muska totvy kwiat .
R. Muska fnci zvjet.
S. Mucio.
S W . Muskottblomma .
The tree which furnifhes this elegant fpice is a native of the
Molucca iflands. It is not, however, cultivated in any of them
except Banda, from which all Europe has been hitherto fupplied
with mace and nutmeg. The entire fruit is about the fize of a
peach, and is marked with a longitudinal furrow. The external
covering is fmooth, fleftiy, and bitter. As the fruit ripens, this
454
Materia Medica.
burfts and difctofes the mace, which is an oily membranous pulp,
of a dark-red colour and aromatic flavour, divided into narrow
branched flips. Within the mace is inclofed the nut, which con-
fifts of a brown, thin, hard {hell, and a fat perenchymatous kernel,
of an oval (hape. The fruit is gathered three times a-year. The
external covering is feparated on the fpot, and the mace and nut
carried home, where they are carefully dried in the fun. After
they are dried, the nutmegs are dipt in lime water, and the mace
is fprinkled with fait water, probably to preferve them from the
attacks of infects.
Mace by drying acquires a reddifh-yellow colour. When good,
it is flexible, thin, oily, of a deep colour, ftrong agreeable fmell,
and an aromatic, bitterifh, acrid tafte. When brittle, divided into
fewer flips of a whitifh or pate yellow colour, and of little fmell or
tafte, it is to be rejected.
Neumann got from 7680 parts of mace, 2160 alcoholic, and
1200 watery extract •, and inverfely, 1920 watery, and 144-0 alco-
holic extract, with 300 of volatile oil heavier than water, which
arofe during the infpiflation of the watery extract. The exprefled
oil of mace is lefb confident than that of nutmegs.
Nutmegs are oval, flattened at both ends, of a grey-brown co-
lour, and reticularly furrowed on the outfide, of a yellow colour
within, variegated with brown undulating lines, folid, hard, unc-
tuous to the feel, and eafily cut with a knife ; and have a balfamic
fmell, and agreeable aromatic tafte. The fmall round nutmegs
are better than the large oval ones ; and they fhould have a ftrong
fmell and tafte, and fhould neither he worm-eaten, mufty,- nor
variegated with black lines. Their activity is, however, confined
to the dark coloured veins which are not apt to be worm-eaten.
Neumann got from 1920 parts of nutmeg, 4S0 of an oily alco-
holic extract, and 280 watery, with 320 fixed oil : thefe two laft
were both infipid : and inverfely 600 watery extract, with 50 of
fixed oil, which rofe to the furface during the infpiflation, and 10
of volatile oil which diftilled over; and afterwards, 120 uncluous
alcoholic extracl:, and 300 more of fixed oil. By expreftion 1920
gave 540 of oil, and afterwards 480 of watery extracl:, a pretty
ftrongly tafted diftilled water, and 80 uncluous alcoholic extracl,
with 60 of infipid fixed oil.
Officinal Preparations,
Spiritus micis moschatae, E. L. D. ride, S/iiritus de&tiilati.
Lavandulae compositus, E. L. D. Tinctura.
Pulvis carbonatis calcis compositus, E. - Jyulvcres.
Confectio aromatica, D. E. - - Electuaria.
Electuarium catechu, E. D. - Idem.
Troohisci carbonatis calcis, E. - Trochisci.
M. Myristica Moschata. 457
Volatile oil of Nutmeg.
I
By didillation nutmegs yield a confiderable quantity of eflentiaJ
oil, of a whitilh yellow colour, lighter than water, and poileiling
the aromatic tafte and fmell in an eminent degree. In doles of a
few drops it is a powerful carminative and ltomachic.
Officinal Preparation.
Spiritus alkali vol. aromaticus, D. vide, Tincturte volatile*.
ExpreJJed oil of Mace.
Nutmegs alfo yield by expreflion a confiderable quantity oi
limpid yellow oil, which on cooling concretes into a febaceous
confidence. They are previoufly beaten to a foft pade in a warm
mortar, then inclofed in a linen bag, expofed to the vapour of hot
water, and fqueezed in a prefs, of which the plates have been
heated.
It is a mixture of the volatile oil, on which their flavour depends,
and of a fixed oil, of a white colour, without tade or fmell ; and
as the properties which characterife it depend on the prefence of
the volatile oil, the denomination of Fixed Oil, applied to it by the
Edinburgh college, is lefs correct than that of Expretfed Oil, given
to it by the other colleges, from the manner of its preparation.
In the (hops we meet with three forts of uncluous fubdances
called Oil of Mace, though really exprefled from the nutmeg.
The bed is brought from the Eaft Indies in done jars ; this is of
a thick confidence, of the colour of mace, and an agreeable fra-
grant fmell : the fecond fort, which is paler coloured, and much in-
ferior in quality, comes from Holland in folid mafTes, generally
flat and of afquare figure : the third, whichis the word of all, and
ufually called Common Oil of Mace, is an artificial compofition of
fuet, palm oil, and the like, flavoured with a little genuine oil of
nutmeg. 7680 of the fecond fort yielded to Neumann 330 volatile
oil heavier than water, 2880 of fluid expreflible oil, and 4560 of
folid but fufible febaceous matter, perfectly infipid, inodorous, and
of a chalky whitenefs.
Medical ufe. — Both mace and nutmegs are rather to be consider-
ed as aromatic fpices than as articles of medicine. From the ef-
fential oil they contain they are heating and dimulating, and they
3 N
458 Materia Medica.
are added to other medicines for the fake of their agreeable
flavour.
Officinal Pffparation.
Emplastrum ladani composkum, L. - vide, Unguenta.
MYROXYLON PERUIFERUM. Balfamum. Ed.
Balsamum Peruvianum. L. D.
Siveet-fmel/ing baljam tree, Peruvian balfam.
Willd. g. 829. fp. 1. Decandria Monogynia. — Nat. ord. Lomentacedt.
This tree grows in the warmeft provinces of South America,
and is remarkable for its elegant appearance. Every part of it
abounds with refmous juice, even the leaves are full of tranfparent
refmous points like thofe of the orange tree.
The balfam as brought to us, is commonly of the confidence of
thin honey, of a reddifh brown colour, inclining to black, an agree-
able aromatic fmell, and a very hot biting tafte.
It is very often adulterated, .and fometimes what is fold for
Peruvian balfam, is a fpurious mixture of refin and elTential oil,
flavoured with benzoin. Thefe frauds are not eafily detected, and
fortunately they are of little importance.
It is faid to be obtained by boiling the cuttings of the twigs in
water, and Ikimming off" with a fpoon the balfam which fwims on
the top.
By incifion this tree yields a much more fragrant white or co-
lourlefs balfam, which, when infpiflared by the heat of the fun,
forms the red or dry balfam of Peru •, but they are very rarely in
ufe in Britain, and almoft never to be met with in our fhops.
Peruvian balfam confills of a volatile oil, refin, and benzoic acid.
It is accordingly entirely foluble in alcohol, and in eflential oils.
Water diflblves part of the benzoic acid, and fixed oil combines
with the refin. It may be fufpended in water by trituration with
mucilage and yolk of eggs.
Medical ufe. — Balfam of Peru is a very warm aromatic medicine,
confiderably hotter and more acrid than Copaiva. Its principal
eflecls are, to warm the habit, and to llrengthen the nervous fyf-
tem. Hence its ufe in feme kinds of afthmas, gonorrhoeas, dyfen-
teries, fuppreflions of the uterine difcharges, and other diforders
proceeding from a debility of the folids. It is alfo employed ex*
M. Myrrha. 459
ternally, for cleanfing and healing wounds and ulcers, and fome
times againft palfies and rheumatic pains.
Officinal Pbeparations.
Tinctura balsami Peruviani, L. - twfej Tinctuvx.
Trochisciglycyrrhizae compositi, D. - Trochisci.
MYRRHA. Gummi-refnm. Ed. L. D.
Myrrh. A gum-reftn.
D. A&rrhe. P. Mirra.
DA. Myrre. POL. Mirra.
F. Myrrhe. S. Mirra.
G. Myrrhcn. SW. Myrha.
I. Mirra.
The tree which produces this gum-refin is not yet afcertained.
Mr. Bruce has given fome reafons for fuppofing that it is a mi-»
mofa \ but we may obferve, that all the mimofas with which we
are fufficiently acquainted furnifti a pure gum, and not a gum-refin.
The bed myrrh is brought from Troglodytitia, a province of Abyf-
finia, on the borders of the Red fea ; but what we receive comes
from the Eaft Indies, and is produced on the eaftern coaft of Ara-
bia Felix.
The beft myrrh is in the form of tears. It mould be of a yel-
low, or reddifh-yellow colour, becoming redder when breathed on,
light, brittle, of an unftuous feel, pellucid, mining ; prefenting
white femic'rcular ftrise in its fra&ure ; of a very bitter aromatic
tafte, and a ftrong, peculiar, not unpleafant odour. It is not good
if whitifli, dark-coloured, black, refinous, ill-fmelled, or mixed
with impurities, which is too commonly the cafe.
Neumann afcertained that water and alcohol are both of them
capable of taking up the whole of the tafte and fmellof the myrrh,
the extracl: made by either after the other being infipid. The alco-
hol diftilled from the tincture elevated none of the flavour of the
myrrh; but during the infpiflation of the decoftion a volatile oil
arofe, containing the whole of the flavour of the myrrh, and hea-
vier than water, while the extracl: was merely bitter. From 7680
parts of myrrh he got 6000 watery extracl, 180 volatile oil, and 720
alcoholic ; and inverfely, 24?00 alcoholic, and 4200 watery. Dr.
Duncan obferved that the tincture is tranfparent, and when pour-
ed into water, forms a yellow opaque fluid, but lets fall no precipi-
tate, while the water v folution is always yellow and opaque : and that
460
Materia Medica.
myrrh is not fufible and is difficultly inflammable. Mr. Hatchetl
found it foluble in alkalies.
Medical ufe. — Myrrh is a heating ftimulating medicine. It fre-
quently occafions a mild diaphorefis, and promotes the fluid fecre-
tions in general. Hence it proves ferviceable in cachectic difeafes,
arifing from ina'&ivity of the fyftem, and is fuppofed to act efpe-
cially upon the uterine fyftem, and to refill putrefaction.
It is exhibited,
1. In fub (Vance ; in the form of powder, or made up into pills,
in dofes of ten to fixty grains.
2. DiiTolved in water, as in Griffiths' famous but unchemical
myrrh mixture.
3. DiiTolved in alcohol.
Officinal Preparations.
Tinctura myrrhae, E. L. D. - - vide, Tinctura,
aloes cum myrrha, E. L. - Idem.
aloes aetherea, E. - Tinctura atlierea.
Pulvis myrrhae compositus, L. - Pulveres.
aloes cum ferro, L - - Idem.
Pilulae galbani compositae, L. - - PilulXi
rhaei compositae, E. Idem.
aloes cum myirha, E. L. - Idem.
assae fceddae compositae, E. - - Idem.
MYRTUS PIMENTO. Fruclus. Ed.
Pimento, Bacca. Semina. L. D.
Pimento tree. The fruit, commonly called Jamaica pepper.
Willd. g. 973. fp. 28. — Icofandria Monogynia.—Nat. ord. He/-
peridex.
D. Piemen t, Jamaica peper. P. Amomo, Pimenta da Ja-
DA. Piment, Allehaande. maica.
F. Timtnt. R. AngUmkoi fierez.
G. Pimento, Jamaica pfeffer. S. Pimienta de Jamaica.
I. Pefie garofandto. SW. Kryddpeppar.
POL. Pieprz z Jamaiki.
This is a native of Jamaica, and grows in all the woodlands on
the north fide. Soon after the trees have bloflbmed, the berries
become fit for gathering 5 the fruit not being fufFered to ripen, as
M. Myrtus Pimento.
461
in that ftate it is moid and glutinous, and therefore difficult to
cure, and when dried becomes black and taftelefs. The berries
are dried by fpreading them on a terrace, expofed to the fun, for
about feven days, during which time they gradually lofe their green
colour, and become of a reddifli brown.
The fmell of this fpice refembles a mixture of cinnamon, cloves,
and nutmegs : its tafte approaches to that of cloves, or a mixture
of the three foregoing ; whence it has received the name of all-
fpice.
Neumann afcertained that its flavour refides entirely in a vola-
tile oil heavier than water, and its pungency in a refin or a fub-
ftance foluble in alcohol and infoluble in water. From 1-80 parts
he got 120 watery extract, 30 volatile oil, and 20 alcoholic extract
and inverfely, 66 alcoholic and 100 watery.
Medical ufe. — Pimento is a warm aromatic ftimulant, and is
much ufed as a condiment in drefling food. As a medicine, it is
advantageoufly fubftituted for the more coftly fpices, efpecially in
hofpital practice.
Officinal Preparations.
Aqua myrti pimentae, E. L. - vide, Aqu& deatillatx.
Oleum volatile myrti pimentae, E. Qlea volatilia.
Spiritus myrti pimentae, E. L. D. - Spirit us destWati.
Syrupus spinae cervinae, L. Syrupi.
Pilulae opii, E. - Pilul*.
462 Materia Medka.
N,
NICOTIANA TABACUM. Ed.
Nicotiana. Folium. L. D.
Tobacco. The leaves.
Willd. g. 379. fp. 1. — Pentandria Monogyria. — Nat. ord. Sola-
D. Tabak. P. Tabacco.
DA. Tobak. POL. Tateka.
F. Tabac. R. 7V^.
G. Tabak. S. Tabaco.
I. Tobacco. SW. Tobak.
This is an annual plant, a native of America, from whence
was firft carried to Europe, about the year 1560; where it is noi
fometimes cultivated for medicinal ufe in gardens ; but in ge
neral it is exported from America in large quantities. The leaves
are about two feet long, of a pale green colour whilft frefli, ai
when carefully dried of a lively yellowim caft. They have a ftrong,
difagreeable, narcotic fmell, and a very acrid burning tafte.
The active conftituent of tobacco is an efTential oil ; for, by Ion
boiling, the decoction and extract of tobacco become almoft iner
and by diftillation an oil is obtained from it, fo active, that frm
animals are almoft inftantly killed, when wounded by a needl
dipped in it.
Medical ufe. — On the living body, whether taken into the ft<
mach in fubftance or folunon, or into the lungs in the form (
fmoke, or applied to abraded furfaces, tobacco is capable of pro-
ducing deleterious effects. It often proves virulently cathartic oi
emetic, and occafions intolerable cardialgia, anxiety, and vertigo
The fyftem becomes eafily habituated to the action of tobacco
and many people ufe very large quantities of it in various WX]
N. Nitras.
463
as a luxury, without experiencing any other bad effect than what
arifes from their being unable to relinquifh it after the habit is
confirmed.
As a medicine it is exhibited in various forms :
1. In fubftance. "When chewed, it caufes an increafed flow
of faliva, and fometimes relieves the toothach j and reduc-
ed to powder, it proves an excellent errhine and fternuta-
tory, when fnufTed up the noftrils.
2. In infufion in water or wine. Taken in fuch fmall dofes
as to have little effect on the ftomach, it proves powerful-
ly diuretic, and was employed by Dr. Fowler with very
great fuccefs in cafes of dropfy and dyfuria. It is alfo ap-
plied externally for the cure of pfora, tinea, and other cu-
taneous difeafes.
5. In the form of fmoke, it is injected into the anus by means
of bellows of a peculiar conftruction. By acting as a fti-
mulus to the rectum, it fometimes fucceeds in reviving the
vital powers in fome kinds of afphyxia, and in evacuating
the inteftines in cafes of obltinate conftipation.*
It has likewife been employed with advantage as a bougie in
removing ftrictures of the urethra.-J-
Officinal Preparation.
Vinum nicotianae tabaci, E. - vide, Vina medicuta.
NITR AS NITRA TE.
Nitrate is the generic term for fecondary compounds, which
confift of nitric acid, combined with any bafe. There are three
families of nitrates.
1. Alkaline nitrates ; — foluble in water •, folubility increafed by
increafe of temperature •, cryftallizable ; forming no precipitate
with alkaline carbonates.
2. Earthy nitrates ; — foluble in water ; forming a white precipi-
tate with alkaline carbonates.
• See Dr. Bradford's Inaugural Differtatiou on Tobacco.
+ See an account, by Dr. Shaw, in the Philadelphia Medical Mufeum, Vol. II.
464
Materia Medica.
3. Metallic nitrates generally foluble, both in water and ir
alcohol ; decompofable by heat, furnifhing nitric oxide gas, and
leaving the metal oxidized to a maximum.
NITRAS POTASSES. El
NlTRUM. L. D.
Nitrate of potafs. Nitre.
D. Salfieter. P. Salitre.
F. Salfietre, Mtre9 Mtre. POL. Saletra, Sajmira,
G. Salfieter. R. Senitra.
I. 1 Mtro, Salnitro. S. A /fro, Salitre.
Nitrate of potafs is annually produced on the furface of the
earth in many countries. For this production, the prefence of a
calcareous bafe, heat, and an open, but not too free, communica-
tion with dry atmofpheric air, are requifite. The putrefaction of
organic, efpecially animal fubftances, is not neceflary to, but acce-
lerates the formation of, this fait, by affording the azote in a ftate
in which it combines readily with the oxygen of the atmofphere,
and forms the nitric acid. Accordingly, in Germany and France, t.
nitrate of potafs is prepared, by expofing mixtures of putrefying t
animal and vegetable fubftances, and calcareous earths, to the ac-
tion of the atmofphere. The fait is afterwards extracted by lixi- ,
viation and cryftallization. The nitre ufed in Great Britain is
chiefly imported from the Eaft Indies. It is found abundantly
in feveral parts of the United States. As it occurs in commerce,
it often contains a little muriate of pctafs and muriate of foda,
from which it is eafily purified by diflblving.it in boiling water,
and filtering it ; on cooling, the nitrate of potafs cryftallizes, and
the other falts remain diflblved.-
Nitrate of potafs has a (harp, bitterifh, cooling tafle. It fhoots
in pretty large cryftals, which are generally fix-fided prifms, ter-
minated by fix-fided pyramids ; very brittle, and permanent in the
atmofphere ; foluble in feven times their weight of water at 60° ,
and in an equal weight at 212° ; melting when expofed to a ftrong
heat, giving out at firft oxygen, and afterwards nitrogen gas, until
the whole acid be decompofed, and the potafs alone remain behind.
It deflagrates more or lefs violently with all oxygenizable fubftan-
ces, oxidizing or acidifying them. When dried in a temperature
of 70°, it confifts, according to Kirwan, of 44 nitric acid, 51.8
potafs, and 4.2 water. It is decompofed by the fulphuric acid and
»
N. Nitrum Purificatum.
465
baryta, by the muriate and acetite of baryta, and the fulphates of
foda, ammonia, magnefia, and alumina.
Medical ufe. — Taken to the extent of from a drachm to half an
ounce in the courfe of a day, in repeated dofes, it diminifhes the
heat of the body, and the frequency of the pulfe, and operates by
(tool, and acts upon the fecretion of urine, but is apt to produce
pains in the ftomach. In large dofes, fuch as an ounce, taken at
one time, it produces the molt dreadful fymptoms, conftant vo-
miting, purging, mixed with blood, convulfions and death. Acci-
dents of this kind have happened from its being fold by miftake
for fulphate of foda.
It is belt given in fmall dofes, as 5 to 20 grains frequently re-
peated, and is only admillible in inflammatory difeafes. Exter-
nally it is ufed in gargles, for inflammatory fore throats.
Officinal Preparations.
| Nitrum purificatum, L.
Acid nitrosum, E. L. D.
Sulphas potasses cum sulphure, E. - vide, Potassa.
Antimonium calcinatum, L. - jlntimonium.
. Oxidum ant. cum sulph. per nit. pot. E. L. D. Idem.
Trochisci nitri, E. L. - ... Trochuci.
NITRUM PURIFICATUM. L.
Purified Nitre.
Take of
Nitre, two pounds ;
Diftilled water, four pints.
Boil the nitre in the water, till it be difTolved ; ftrain the folution,
and fet it afide to cryftallize. (L.)
Common nitre contains ufually a confiderable portion of muriate
of foda, which in this procefs is feparated, for it remains difTolved
after the greateft part of the nitrate of potafs has cryftallized. The
cryftals which fhoot after the firft evaporation, are large, regular,
and pure: but when the remaining liquor is further evaporated, and
this repeated a fecond or third time, the cryftals prove at length
fmall, imperfect and tipt with little cubical cryftals of muriate of
foda. When pure, the folution is not affected by nitrate of filver,
or nitrate of barvta.
so
466
Materia Medica,
ACIDUM NITROSUM. Ed. L. D.
Nitrous Acid.
Take of
V ery pure nitrate of potafs, two pounds ;
Sulphuric acid5 fixteen ounces.
Having put the nitrate of potafs into a glafs retort, pour upon it
the fulphuric acid, and diftil in a fand bath, with a heat gradu-
ally increafed, until the iron pot begins to be red-hot.
The ipecinc gravity of this acid is to that of diftilled water as 1550
to 1000. (E.)
Nitrous acid is of a brown or red colour, exceedingly volatile
and emitting an intolerable and fuffocating odour. By the addi-
tion of water, its colour is fucceflively changed to blue, green, and
yellow. In the ftate of vapour, it is abforbed by water, oil, and
fulphuric acid. It confifts of about 70 parts of oxygen, and 30 of
nitrogen, or rather of nitric acid and nitric oxide. It forms Ni-
trites.
The nitrites are characterized by their emitting the nitrous acid
in orange fumes, on the addition of fulphuric acid.
In this procefs, the fulphuric acid, by its fuperior affinity, com-
bines with the pctafs of the nitre to form fulphate of potafs, while
the nitric acid is feparated, and is not only converted into vapour
by the application of the heat to the retort, but is alfo partially de-
fcbmpofed. A portion of oxygen efcapes in a gafeous form, and
the nitric oxide gas combines with the nitric acid \ fo that the
liquor condenfed in the receiver is nitrous and not nitric acid.
in performing this procefs, we muft take care, in pouring in the
fulphuric acid, not to foil the neck of the retort. In Head of a
common receiver, it is of advantage to ufe fome modification of
Woulfe's apparatus, and as the vapours are extremely corrofive,
the fat lute mull be ufed to connect the retort with it. The dif-
ference of the proportions of the ingredients directed by the dif-
ferent colleges, has no effect: on the quality of the acid obtained,
but only affects the refiduum. The London and Dublin colleges
ufe no more fulphuric acid than what is neceflary to expel all the
nitric acid, and the refiduum is a neutral fulphate of potafs, fo
infolubie, that it cannot be got out without breaking the retort.
The Edinburgh college order as much fulphuric acid as renders
the refiduum, an acidulous fulphate of potafs, eafily foluble in
wateT.
Nitrous acid is frequently impure. Sulphuric acid is eafily got
rid of by re-dilUiling the nitrous acid from a imall quantity of ni-
N. Acidum Nitrosum Dilutum. 467
irate of potafs. But its prefence is not indicated when nitrous
acid forms a precipitate with nitrate of baryta, as affirmed by
almoft all chemical authors ; for nitrate of baryta was difcovered
by Mr. Hume to be infoluble in nitrous acid.
Muriatic acid is detected by the precipitate formed with nitrate
offilver, and maybe feparated by dropping into the nitrous acid
a folution of nitrate of filver, as long as it forms any precipitate,
and drawing off the nitrous acid by diftillation.
Mr. Davy has fhewn that nitrous acid is a compound of nitric
acid and nitric oxide, and that by additional dofes of the laft con-
ftituent, its colour is fucceflively changed, from yellow to orange,
olive green, and blue green, and its fpecific gravity is diminifhed.
The fpeciric gravity is probably (tated too high by the colleges > for
although Rouelle makes that of the ftrongeft nitric acid 1.583,
yet Kirwan could produce it no ftronger at 60° than 1.5543, and
Mr. Davy makes it only 1.504, and when faturated with nitric
oxide only 1.475.
Officinal Preparation.
Spiritus actheris nitrosi, E. L. D. - - vide, Alcohol.
ACIDUM NITROSUM DILUTUM. Ed. L. D.
Diluted Nitrous Acid.
Take of
Nitrous acid,
Water, equal weights.
Mix them, taking care to avoid the noxious vapours. (E. L. D.)
Nitrous acid has a great affinity for water, and attracts it from
the atmofphere. During their combination there is an increafe of
temperature, part of the nitric oxide is diflipated in the form of
noxious vapours, and the colour changes fucceflively from orange
to green, and to blue, according as the proportion of water is in-
creafed. A mixture of equal parts of Kirwan's ftandard acid of
1.5543 and water, has the fpecific gravity 1.1911.
468
Materia Medica.
Officinal Preparations.
Sulphur praecipitatum. D. - - -vide, S dhhiv.
Nitras argenti. E. L. D. - - - Argentum.
Acetis hydrargyri, E. L. D. - - Hydrargyrum.
Sub-muiias hydrargyri prsecipitatus. E. L. D. Idem.
Oxidum hydrargyri cinereum, E. D. - Idem.
rub. per a. nit. E. L. D. Idem.
ACIDUM NITRICUM. Ed.
Nitric Acid.
Take of
Nitrous acid, any quantity.
Pour it into a retort, and having adapted a receiver, apply a very
gentle heat, until the redded portion fhall have pafled over, and
the acid which remains in the retort mail have become nitric
acid. (E.)
Nitric acid confifts of nitrogen combined with oxygen. It
is liquid, colourlefs, and tranfparent. It is very corrofive, and
tinges the fkin of a yellow colour. It has a ftrong affinity for wa-
ter, and abforbs it from the atmofphere. When mod concentrat-
ed, its fpecific gravity is 1.504. It produces heat when mixed
with water. It is decompofed by many fubftances. Light con-
verts it in part into nitrous acid. When entirely deprived of water,
it fets fire to oils, to fulphuretted hydrogen gas, to iron filings,
when perfectly dry, and to zinc, bifmuth, and tin, when poured
on them in a Itate of fufion. It oxygenizes all the metals, except
gold, platinum, and titanium. It confifts of 70.50 by weight, of
oxygen, and 29.50 of nitrogen.
The nitrates, by the atftion of fire, furnifh impure oxygen gas,
mixed with nitrogen, and'are reduced to their bafis. By the ac-
tion of concentrated fulphuric acid, they emit a white vapour,
and they are capable of fupportittg combultion.
We have already Hated, that nitrous acid is nitric acid combin-
ed with a variable proportion of nitric oxide. Now, by the appli-
cation of a gentle heat, the whole of the nitric oxide is vaporized,
and pure colourlefs nitric acid remains in the retort. The nitric
oxide, however, carries over with it a portion of the acid, and con-
denfes with it in the receiver, in the form of a very high-coloured
nitrous acid.
N. Acidum Nitricum.
469
Ritcher has given the following manner of preparing nitric
acid.
Take of
Purified nitrate of potafs, feven pounds;
Black oxide of manganefe, one pound two ounces;
Sulphuric acid, four pounds, four ounces, and fix drachms.
Into a retort capable of containing twenty-four pounds, introduce
the nitre and manganefe, powdered and mixed, and pour upon
them gradually, through a retort-funnel, the fulphuric acid.
Lute on the receiver with flour and water, and conduct the dis-
tillation with a gradually-increaled heat.
From thefe proportions, Ritcher got three pounds nine ounces
of very flightly-coloured nitric acid. The operation will be con-
duced with leis hazard in a Woulfe's apparatus, or by interpofing
between the retort and a receiver a tubulated adopter, furnilhed
with a bent tube, of which the further extremity is immerfed in a
veffel containing a fmall quantity of water.
These acids, the nitrous and nitric, have been long employed
as powerful pharmaceutic agents.
Medical ufe. — Lately, however, their ufe in medicine has been
eonfidcrably extended. In the Hate of vapour they have been
ufed to deffroy contagion in jails, hofpitals, {hips, and other places
where the accumulation of animal effluvia is not eafily avoided.
The fumigating futh places with the vapour of nitrous acid has
certainly been attended with SucceSs ; but by many, that fuccefs
is afcrihed entirely to the ventilation employed at the fame time.
It is, however, applicable in Situations which do not admit of
fufficient ventilation ; and where it is, the previous difTufion of
acid vapours is an excellent check upon the indolence and inat-
tention of Servants and nurfes, as by the fmcll we are enabled
to judge whether they have been Sufficiently attentive to the Suc-
ceeding ventilation. Nitric acid vapour, is not deleterious to
life, and may be diffufed in the apartments of the fick, without
occafioning to them any material inconvenience. The means of
difFufing it are eaSy. Half an ounce of powdered nitre is put into
a faucer, which is placed in a pipkin of heated Sand. On the
nitre two drachms of Sulphuric acid are then poured. The Sumes
of nitric acid immediately begin to rife. This quantity will fill with
vapour a cube of ten feet ; and by employing a Sufficient number
of pipkins, the fumes maybe eafily made to fill a ward of any ex-
tent. After the fumigation, ventilation is to be carefully employ-
ed. For introducing this practice Dr. Carmichael Smyth has re-
ceived from the Britith parliament a reward of five thoufand
pounds.
470
Materia Medica.
The internal ufe of thefe acids has alfo been lately much extend-
ed. In febrile difeafes, water acidulated with them forms one of
the belt antiphlogiftic and antifeptic drinks we are acquainted with.
Hoffmann and Eberhard long ago employed it with very great fuc-
cefs in malignant and petechial fevers ; and in the low typhus,
which frequently rages among the poor in the fuburbs of Edinburgh,
Dr. Duncan has repeatedly given it with unequivocal advantage.
In the liver complaint of the Eaft-Indjes, and in fyphilis, nitric
acid has alfo been extolled as a valuable remedy by Dr. Scott, and
the evident benefits refulting from its ufe in thefe complaints, has
given rife to a th«ory, that mercury only acts by oxygenizing the
fyftern. It is certain that both the primary and fecondary fymp-
(oms of fyphilis have been removed by the ufe of thefe acids, and
that the former fymptoms have not returned, or been followed by
any fecondary fymptoms. But in many initances they have fail-
ed, and it is doubtful if ever they effected a permanent cure, after
the fecondary fymptoms appeared. Upon the whole, the opinions
of Mr. Pearfon on this fubjecl, lately agitated with fo much keen-
nefs, appear fo candid and judicious, that we fhall infert them
here. He does not think it eligible to rely on the nitrous acid in
the treatment of anyone form of the lues venerea; at the fame
time, he by no means withes to fee it exploded as a medicine al-
together ufelefs in that difeafe. When an impaired ftate of the
conflitution renders the introduction of mercury into the fyftem
inconvenient, or evidently improper, the nitrous acid will be
found, he thinks, capable of retraining the progrefs of the difeafe, .
while at the fame time, it will improve the health and ftrength of
the patient. On fome occafions, this acid may be given in con-
junction with a mercurial courfe, and it will be found to fupport
the tone of the Itomach, to determine powerfully to the kidneys,
and to counteract: in no inconfiderable degree the effects of mer-
cury on the mouth and fauces.
NITROGEN AZOTIC GAS.
Although this gas is not directly an article of the Materia
Medica, yet its chemical combinations render it of fuch importance
by the value of many of them that fome information may not be
improper refpecYing it.
Niiroge?it or azotic 077/, conftitutes 0.78 of the atmofphere. But
as it has few attractions at ordinary temperatures, its principal ef-
N. Nitrogen.
471
reft on the chemical properties of the atmofphere Teems to be the
dilution of the oxygen gas, which in its pure ftate would be more
active than is confident with the economy of nature. It alio is
permanently elaftic, compreffible, inodorous, and infipid ; it greens
very delicate vegetable blues •, its fpecific gravity is 0.0012 ; it is
unable tofupport refpiration, vegetation, or combufUon, it is acidi-
fiable, and is a conrtituent of the nitric and nitrous acids, nitrous
and nitric oxide?, of ammonia, and perhaps of the other alkalies,
and of molf animal iubftances ; it dilTblves phofphorus and carbon
in fmall quantities, and is not abforbed by water.
Primary Compounds of Nitrogen.
A. Binary,
a. with oxyen :
1. Atmofpheric air.
2. Nitrous oxide.
3. Nitric oxide. (Nitrous gas.)
4. Nitric acid.
b. With hydrogen. Ammonia. (Nitroguret of Hydro*
gen.)
€. With fulphur. Sulphuretted nitrogen gas.
d. With phofphorus. Phofphuretted nitrogen gas.
B. Quaternary, with hydrogen, carbon and oxygen.
a. Oxides. Animal fubltances.
b. Acids. Animal acids.
Atmofpheric air, con lifts of 22 parts of oxygen gas, and of 78 or
azotic gas by bulk, or 2k33, and 7.5.67 by weight ; it is tranfpa-
rent, compretiible, and permanently elaftic; its fpecific gravity is
0.00123 ; it is inodorous and infipid, relpirable, and capable of
fupporting inflammation. The atmofphere, befides the air now de-
fcibed, alio contains other gafes, vapour, &c.
Nitrous oxide gas is compofed of 37 of oxygen, and 63 of nitre-
gen. It does not change vegetable colours; its fpecific gravity is
0.00197; it fuffers no diminution when mixed with oxygen gas.
Water abfoibs about half its weight of it, at a mean tempera ure.
It does not combine directly with alkalies ; it fupports combuftion ;
and its refpiration, when perfectly pure, or mixed with atmofphe-
ric air, produces the higheft excitement the animal frame feems ca-
pable of undergoing.
Nitric oxide gas (nitrous gas) confifts, according to Davy, of 44
nitrogen and 56 oxygen. It does not change vegetable colours.
Its fpecific gravity is 0.001343. When mixed with about twef-
472
Materia Medic a.
fifths of oxygen gas, they condenfe into red fumes, (nitrous acid),
which are entirely abforbed by water. The quantity of oxygen
gas that any air contains is fometimes eftimated by the diminution
of volume fuitained after a fufficient quantity of nitrous gas has
been mixed with it. Water abforbs 0. 1 1 8 of its bulk of this gas.
It is not inflammable ; and only in very few inftances fupports
combuition. It is noxious to vegetation, and its refpiration is
fatal to animals.
Nitrogen admits of higher degrees of oxygenizement, forming
nitrous ami nitric acids.
NITRUM. - - Vide, Nitras Potaffa.
NUX MOSCHATA.
Vide Myriftica.
O. Olea Europxa. 473
o.
OLEA EUROP^A.
Fruclus oleum fixum. Ed.
Oliva et ejus Oleum. L. Oleum Olivarum. D.
The olive tree. The fruit and oil exprejfed from the fruit.
Willd. g. S6. Sp. 1. Diandria Monogyfiia. — Nat. ord. Sepinri^
This tree is a native of the fouth of Europe and north of Afri-
ca. It is cultivated in France, Spain, and Italy, for the fake of
its fruit and the oil expreiTed from ir. Olives, when frefh, have
an acrid, bitter, extremely difagreeable, tafte ; but they are only
eaten when pickled. They are fir A fteeped for feveral days in a
ley of wood-a(hes, and then pickled in a ftrong folution of muriate
of foda.
They are principally valued for the oil they afford by exprel-
fion. For th s purpole they are gathered when fully ripe, and im-
mediately bruiled and fubjecled to the prefs. The fineft oil flows
firft, and a very bad oil is obtained by boiling the magma, which
remains after expreflion, in water. According to Beaume, they
are gathered when iufficiently ripe. They are then dried, to de-
prive the mucilage, of which they contain a large quantity, of its
water, and are expreiTed after being bruifed, and moiftened with a
little water to render the oil more fluid. By reft, the mucilage and
water which may have paffed with it, feparate. It is fometimcs
mixed with oil of poppy feeds ; but, by expofing the mixture to
the freezing temperature, the olive oil freezes, while that of the
poppies remains fluid; and as oils which freeze with moft diffi-
culty are moft apt to become rancid, olive is deteriorated by the
admixture of poppy oil.
Good olive oil fhould have a pale yellow colour, fomewhat in-
clining to green, a bland tafte, without any rancidity, and nofmell,
and fhould congeal at 38° Fahrenheit.
3 P
474
Materia Medica.
Medical ufe — Taken internally, it operates as a gentle laxative,
and is given in cafes of worms. It is alfo given in large quanti-
ties to mitigate the action of acrid Jubilances taken into the fto-
mach. It is ufed externally in fn&ions, in gargles, and in clys-
ters ; but its principal employment is for the compofition of oint-
ments and platters.
Officinal Pheparations.
Oleum ammoniatum, E. L. - - vide, Oka /irafiarat*.
camphoratum, E. - Idem.
sulpiiuratum, E. L. - - Idem.
It also enters into many of the unguents, cerates, > TJ
plasters, &c. of the different pharmacopoeias- $ nguen a.
OLEUM. OIL.
P. OH, Oiie, Oly. P. Ole*.
DA. Olje. POL. Oley.
F. BuHe. R. Mash,
G. Oehl. S. Jceite.
h Olio. SW. Olja.
Oils are either fixed or volatile.
OLEA FIXA.
FIXED OILS.
Fixed Oils are tranfparent, more or lefs coloured, fomewhat
vifcid, inodorous fluids, having a mild tafte and uncluous feel. In
the different fpecies the fpecific gravity varies from 0.9403 to
0.9 153. The point of congelation alfo differs confiderably, but in
general it is within the range of the ordinary temperatures of the
atmofphere. Their boiling point exceeds 600°, and by being con-
verted into vapour, they become empyreumatic. Fixed oils do
not fecm capable of combining with charcoal, but are freed from
impurities, by being filtered through hot charcoal. When aflifl>
ed by heat, they diffolve fulphur and phofphorus. They may be
blended with fugar and gum by trituration as in emulfions, and
they diffolve the volatile oils, and refins, and gummy refins.
With the alkalies and earths they form foaps, and with metallic
o ides plafters. They are not foluble in water or in alcohol. They
unite readily with oxygen, which renders them concrefcible.
Thofe oils winch dry without lofing their tranfparency, as lin-
feed oil, arc termed drying oils, in contra-diftin&ion to the fat oils
^vhich from expofure become white, opaque and thick, and re-
O. ■ Olea Fixa.
475
main greafy, fuch as oil of olives or of almonds. When they be-
come rancid, they undergo a further degree of decompofition, and
are found to contain febacic acid. Oil in the ftate of vapour is
inflammable, and burns with a white flame. When the combuf-
tion is complete, the produces are carbonic acid gas and water, but
in general foot is depofited. The fulphuric acid renders the fixed
oils brown and thick, and converts them into water and charcoal.
The nitric acid oxygenizes them. The oxygenized muriatic acid
blanches them, and renders them concrete like tallow or wax.
The oils oxidize feveral of the metals, and are oxidized by feveral *
of their oxides. From Lavoifier's experiment on the combuflion
of olive oil, its conftituent principles were eftimated at 79 char-
coal and 21 hydrogen ; but by correction they appear to be 50.39
carbon, 20.23 hydrogen, and 29 38 oxygen.
Thefe oils are commonly denominated exprejfed oils, an appel-
lation which is manifeftly improper, as in fome inftar.ces they are
obtained without expreflion, and in other inftances expreflion is
employed to obtain volatile oils. The Edinburgh college have
therefore diftinguimed thefe different clafles of oils by the terms
fixed and volatile, which accurately characterize them.
Fixed oil is formed in no other part of vegetables than in their
feeds. Sometimes, although very rarely, it is contained in the
parenchyma of the fruit. Of this the belt known example is the
olive. But it is mod common iy found in the feeds of dicotyledo-
nous vegetables, fometimes alio in the fruit of monocotyledonous
plants, as the cocos butyracea. It has various degrees of confift-
ency, from the tallow of the croton febiferum of China, and the
butter of the butter-tree of Africa, to the fluidity of olive oil.
Fixed oils are either
1. Fat, eafily congealed, and not inflammable by nitric acid ;
oil of olives, almonds, rapeleed, and ben.
2. Drying, not congealable, inflammable by nitric acid ; oil of
linfeed, nut, and poppy.
3. Concrete oils, palm oil, &c.
Fixed oil is feparated from fruits and feeds which contain it,
either by expreflion or decocYion. Heat, by rendering the oil more
limpid, increafes very much the quantity obtained by expreflion ;
but as it renders it lefs bland, and more apt to become rancid, heat
is not ufed in the preparation of oils which are to- be employed in
medicine. When obtained by expreflion, oils often contain a mix-
ture of mucilage, ftarch, and colouring matter ; but part of thefe
feparate in courfe of time, and fall to the bottom. When oils be-
come rancid, they are no longer fit for internal ufe, but arc then
476
Materia Medica.
faid to effect: the killing of quickfilver, as it is called, more quickly.
Decoction is principally ufed for the extraction of the viicid and
confident oils, which are melted out by the heat of the boiling
water, and rife to its furface.
Thofe who prepare large quantities of the oil of almonds, blanch
them, by fteeping them in very hot water, which caufes their epi-
dermis to fwell, and feparate eafily. After they peel them, they
dry them in a (love, then grind them in a mill like a coffee mill, and
laftly, exprefs the oil f om the pafte inclofed in a hempen bag. By
blanching the almonds, the pafte which remains within the bag
is fold with greater advantage to the perfumers, and the oil obtain-
ed is perfectly colourlefs. But the heat employed difpofes the oil
to become rancid, and the colour the oil acquires from the epider-
mis does not injure its qualities. For pharmaceutical ufe, there-
fore, the oil fhould not be exprelTed from blanched almonds, but
merely rubbed in a piece of coarfe linen, to feparate the brown
powder adhering to the epidermis, as much as poffible. Sixteen
ounces of fweet almonds commonly give five ounces and a half of
oil. Bitter almonds afford the fame proportions, but the oil has
a plealant bitter tafte.
OLEUM AMYGDALAE COMMUNIS. Ed.
Oleum Amygdala. L.
Almond Oil.
Oleum Amygdalarum. U.
Oil of Almonds.
Take of
Frefh almonds, any quantity.
After having bruifed them in a ftone mortar, put them into a
hempen bag, and exprefs the oil without heat.
In the fame manner are to be expreffed,
Linfeed Oil.
u. 3 -
Ricinif L.
Oleum lini ufttatifflmi, E.
Lint, L. D.
Call: or oil, from the feeds pre-
vioufly decorticated.
Oil of muftard.
Sinapeos, L. 7
Sinnpis* D. y
An account of the medical virtues of each will be found under
their rcfpccUve heads.
O. Olea Volatilia.
477
OLEA VOLATILIA.
VOLATILE OILS.
Volatile Oils differ from the fixed oils mod remarkably in be-
ing vaporized unchanged by a heat under 212° j by evaporating
completely without leaving a ftain on paper ; by being fapid, often
pungent, and odorous ; and by being foluble in alcohol, and to a
certain degree in water. They are more inflammable than the
fixed oils, and burn with a large white flame, emit a great deal of
fmoke, and require more oxygen for their combultion. By
expofure tc air they become coloured and thick, and are at laft
converted into an almolt inodorous refin. They are alfp oxidized
and converted into refins by muriate of mercury, and muriate of
antimony ; the acids aft on them with great violence, and are even
capable of inflaming them. On the other hand, they refill confider-
ably the action of the alkalies. In their other general properties
they agree with the fixed oils, from which they fcem to differ in
compofition, only in containing a larger proportion of hydrogen.
In other refpe&s, thefe oils are infinitely varied, efpecially in their
talte and odour. Some are as limpid as water, others are viicid,
others congeal on a flight diminution of temperature, and are even
naturally concrete, and others are capable of forming cryitalliza-
tions. Their predominant colours are the different fhades of yel-
low and red, but there are alfo blue, green, and glaucous eflential
oils. Their fpecific gravity varies from 0.8697 to 1.0439.
Volatile oils are prepared nearly in the fame manner as the diftil-
led waters, except that lefs water is to be added. Seeds and
woody fubftances are to be previoufly bruifed or rafped. The
oil comes over with the water, and is afterwards to be feparat-
ed from it, according as it may be lighter than the water, and
fwim upon its furface, or heavier, and fink to the bottom.
Befides, in preparing thefe diddled waters and oils, it is to be ob-
ferved, that the goodnefs of the fubjecl, its texture, the feafon
of the year, and fimilar caufes, mult give rife to fomanv differ-
ences, that no certain or general rule can be given to fuit accu-
rately each example. Therefore, many things are omitted, to
'be varied by the operator according to his judgment, and only
the mod general precepts are given. (E.)
The water which comes over with the oil in diftillntior* ;^ to be
kept for ufe. (L.)
478
Materia Medico.
The herbs from which oils are to be extracted by diftillation,
to be dried as foon as they are colle&ed. (D.)
According to thefe directions, are prepared
Olea Volatilia, Ed.
Destillata, D.
EsSENTIALIA, L.
Volatile
Diftilled
Eflential
le 1
ed i
ial )
Oils.
From the feeds.
Oil of Anife.
Oleum Pimpinella anifi} E
Anifi, L. D.
Carui, L. D.
Seminum foeniculi dulcis, D.
From the berries,
Juniper i communis, E
Baccarum juniperi:
Juniperi face*, L.
Caraway.
Fennel feeds.
Juniper berriee.
From the Fruit,
My rti pimenta, E. Pi men to.
From the Flower •, or Herb in flower.
Fennel flowers,
Florum foeniculi dulcis, D.
Rcrifmarini officinalis, E. }
Rorifmarini, L. D. y
Lavandula fpica, E
Lavendula, L.
Mentha piperita, E. ")
piper it idis, L. D. 3
Mentha fativa, L. D.
Pulegii, L. D.
Origani, L. D.
Ruta, D.
Juniperi fabina, E.
Sabina, D.
From the Root.
Lauri faffafras, E.
Saffifras, L.
Rofemary.
Lavender.
Peppermint.
Spearmint.
Pennyroyal.
Origanum.
Rue.
Savine.
Saflafras.
O. Olea Volatilia.
479
OLEUM TEREBINTHIN^E. L. D.
Oil of Turpentine.
Take of
Common turpentine, five pounds.
Water, four pints.
Diftil the turpentine with the water in a copper alembic. After
the diitiliation of the oil, what remains, is yellow refin. (L.)
OLEUM TER EBINTHINiE VOLATILE PURISSIMUM.
Ed.
Oleum Terebinthin^ Rectificatum. L. D.
Re El if ied Oil of Turpentine.
Take of
Oil of turpentine, one pound,
Water, four pints,
Diftil, as long as any oil comes over. (E.)
The procefs here propofed for rectifying this oil, is not only
tedious, but accompanied with danger. For unlefs the luting be
very clofe, fome of the vapour will be apt to get through; and if
this catch fire, it will infallibly burft the veflels. This rectified
oil, which in many pharmacopoeias is ftyled Ethereal, does not con-
fiderably differ in fpecific gravity, fmell, tafte, or medical quali-
ties, from the former.
The Spirit of Turpentine, as this efTential oil has been ftyled, is
frequently taken internally as a diuretic and fudorific ; and it has
fometimes a confiderable effect when taken to the extent of a few
drops only. It has, however, been given in much larger dofes,
efpecially when mixed with honey. Recourfe has principally been
had to fuch dofes in cafes of chronic rheumatifm, particularly in
thofe modifications of it which are termed fciatica and lumbago ;
but fometimes they induce bloody urine.
The water employed in the diftillation of volatile oils always im-
bibes fome portion of the oil ; as is evident from the fmell, tafte,
and colour, which it acquires. It cannot, however, retain above
a, certain quantity •, and therefore, fuch as has been already ufed
480
Materia Medica.
and almoft faturated itfelf, may be advantageoufly employed, in-
ftead of common water, in a fecond, third, or any future, diftilla-
tion of the fame fubjecl.
After the diftillation of one oil, particular care mould be had to
clean the worm perfectly before it be employed in the diftillation of
a different fubftance. Some oils, thofe of wormwood and anifeeds
for inftance, adhere to it fo tenacioufly, as not to be melted out
by heat, or warned off by water : the belt way of removing thefe,
is to run a little fpirit of wine through it.
Volatile oils, after they are diftilled, mould be fuffered to ftand
for fome days, in veflels loofely covered with paper, till they have
loft their difagreeable fiery odour, and become limpid : then put
them up in fmall bottles, which are to be kept quite full, clofely
flopped, in a cool place. With thefe cautions, they will retain
their virtues in perfection for many years.
Moft of the oils mentioned above, are prepared by the chemifts
in Britain, and are eafily procurable in a tolerable degree of per-
fection : but the oils from the more expenfive fpiceries, though
{till introduced among the preparations in the foreign pharma-
copoeias, are, when employed among us, ufually imported from
abroad.
Thefe are frequently fo much adulterated, that it is not eafy ttf
meet with fuch as are at all fit for ufe. Nor are thefe adulterations
eafiiy difcoverable. The grofler abufes, indeed, may be readily
detected. Thus, if the oil be mixed with fpirit of wine, it will
turn milky on the addition of water ; if with expreffed oils, recti-
fied fpirit will diiTolve the volatile, and leave the other behind : if
with oil of turpentine, on dipping a piece of paper in the mixture,
and drying it with a gentle heat, the turpentine will be betrayed
by its fmeil. But the more fubtiie artifts have contrived other
methods of fophiftication, which elude all trials of this kind.
Some have looked upon the fpecific gravity of oils as a certain
criterion of their genuinenefs. This, however, is not to be ab-
folutely depended on ; for the genuine oils, obtained from the
fame fubjects, often differ in gravity as much as thofe drawn from
different ones. Cinnamon and cloves, whofe oils ufually fink in
water, vield, if flowly and warily diftilled, oils of great fragancy,
which are neverthelefs fpccifically lighter than the aqueous fluid
employed in their diftillation ; whilft, on the other hand, thelaft
runnings of fome of the lighter oils prove fometimes fo ponderous
as to fink in water.
As all volatile oils agree in the general properties of folubilityin
fpirit of wine, indiflbiubility in water, mifcibility with water by
the intervention of certain intermedia, volatility in the heat of
boiling water, S:c. it is plain that they may be varioufly mixed
O. Olea Volatilia. 481
with each other, or the dearer fophifticated with the cheaper,
without any poflibility of difcovering the abufe by any trials of this
kind. And, indeed, it would not be of much advantage to the
purchafer, if he had infallible criteria of the genuinenefs of every
individual oil. It is of as much importance that they be good, as
that they be genuine; for genuine oils, from inattentive diftillation,
and long and carelefs keeping, are often weaker both in fmell and
tafte than the common fophifticated ones.
The fmell and tafte feem to be the only certain tefts of which
the nature of the thing will admit. If a bark mould have in every
refpecl: the appearance of good cinnamon, and lhould be proved
indifputably to be the genuine bark of the cinnamon tree ; yet if it
want the cinnamon flavour, or has it but in a low degree, we re-
ject it ; and the cafe is the fame with the oil. It is only from ufe.
and habit, or comparifons with fpecimens of known quality} that
we can judge of the goodnefs, either of the drugs themfelves, or
of their oils.
Molt of the volatile oils indeed, are too hot and pungent to be
tafted with fafety ; and the fmell of the fubject is fo much con-
centrated in them, that a fmall variation in this refpeel is not eafi-
ly diftinguifhed : but we can readily dilute them to any aihgnable
degree. A drop of the oil may be diffolved in fpirit of wine, or
received on a bit of fugar, and diflblved by that intermedium in
water. The quantity of liquor which it thus impregnates with its
flavour, or the degree of flavour which it communicates to a cer-
tain determinate quantity, will be the meafure of the degree of
goodnefs of the oil.
Medical ufe. — Volatile oils, medicinally confidered, agree in the
general qualities of pungency and heat ; in particular virtues, they
differ as much as the fubje&s from which they are obtained, the
oil being the direct principle in which the virtues, or at leaft a
confiderable part of the virtues, of the feveral fubjects refide.
Thus the carminative virtue of the warm feeds, the diuretic of
juniper berries, the emmenagogue of favin, the nervine of rofe-
mary, the ftomachic of mint, the antifcorbutic of fcurvy-grafs, the
:ordial of aromatics, &c. are fuppofed to be concentrated in their
oils.
There is another remarkable difference in volatile oils, the foun-
lation of which is lefs obvious, that of the degree of their pungency
ind heat. Thefe are by no means in proportion, as might be ex-
pected, to thofe of the fubje£r. they were drawn from. The oil
91 cinnamon, for inftance, is exceflively pungent and fiery ; in its
indiluted ftate it is almoft cauftic ; whereas cloves, a fpice which
a fubitance is far more pungent than the other, yields an oil
'hich is far lefs fo. This difference feems to depend partly upon
3Q
482
Materia Medica.
the quantity of oil afforded, cinnamon yielding much lefs than
cloves, and confequently having its active matter concentrated
into a fmaller volume ; partly, upon a difference in the nature of
the active parts themfelves : for though volatile oils contain always
the fpecific odour and flavour of their fubjects, whether grateful
or ungrateful, they do not always contain the whole pungency
this refides frequently in a more fixed matter, and does not rife
with the oil. After the diftillation of cloves, pepper, and fome
other fpices, a part of their pungency is found to remain behind
a firnple tincture of them in rectified fpirit of wine is even more
pungent than their pure effential oils.
The more grateful oils are frequently made ufe of for reconcil
ing to the flomach medicines of themfelves difguftful. It haj
been cuflomary to employ them as correctors for the relinous pur-
gatives ; an ufe which they do not feem to be well adapted to.
All the fervice they can here be of, is, to make the refin fit more
eafiiy at firfr. on the flomach : far from abating the irritating qua-
lity upon which the violence of its operation depends, thefe pun
gent oils fuperadd a frefh ftimulus.
Volatile oils are never given alone, on account of their extreme
heat and pungency ; which in fome is fo great, that a fingle drop
let fall upon the tongue, produces a gangrenous efchar. They are
readily imbibed by pure dry fugar, and in this form may be con-
veniently exhibited. Ground with eight or ten times their weighl
of fugar, they become foluble in aqueous liquors, and thus may be
diluted to any affigned degree. Mucilages alfo render them mi
cible with water into an uniform milky liquor. They diffolve
likewife in fpirit of wine ; the more fragrant in an equal weight,
and almoft all o: them in lefs than four times their own quantity
Thefe folutions may be either taken on fugar, or mixed with fy-
rups or the like. On mixing them with water, the liquor grows
milky, and the oil feparates.
The more pungent oils are employed externally againft paralyti
complaints, numbnefs, pains, and aches, cold tumours, and i
other cafes where particular parts require to be heated orftimulat
ed. The toothach is fome times relieved by a drop of thefe almo
cauflic oils, received on cotton, and cautioufly introduced into th
hollow tooth.
O. Olea Volatilia Empyreumatica. 48S
OLEA VOLATILIA EMPYREUMATICA.
EMPTREUMA TIC VOLATILE OILS.
Empyrecjmatic Oils agree in many particulars with the vola-
tile oils already treated of, but they alfo differ from them in feve-
ral important circumftances. The latter exift ready formed in
the aromatic fubltances, from which they are obtained, and are
only feparated from the fixed principles by the action of a heat
not exceeding that of boiling water. The former, on the con-
trary, are always formed by the action of a degree of heat confi-
derably higher than that of boiling water, and are the product of
decompofition, and a new arrangement of the elementary princi-
ples of fubltances, containing at lead oxygen, hydrogen, and car-
oon. Their production is therefore always attended with the for-
mation of other new products. In their chemical properties they
do not differ very remarkably from the volatile oils, and are prin-
cipally diftinguifhed from them by their unpleafant pungent em-
pyreumatic fmell and rough bitterifh tafte. They are alfo more
apt to fpoil by the contact of the air, and the oftcner they are re-
diftilled they become more limpid, lefs coloured, and more foluble
in alcohol ; whereas the effential oils, by repeated diftillations, be-
come thicker and lefs foluble in alcohol.
Their action on the body is exceedingly ftimulant and heating.
OLEUM PETROLEI. L,
Oil of Petroleum.
Diftil petroleum in a fand bath.
The oil obtained from this bitumen will be more or lefs thin
according to the continuance of the diftillation ; and by its conti-
nuance the tar will at lad be reduced to a black coal ; and then
the oil will be pretty deep in colour, but perfectly fluid, though
very acrid and ftimulating.
It is lefs difagreeable than fome of the other empyreumatic oils
which had formerly a place in the pharmacopoeias, fetch as the
oleum lateritium.
484
Materia Medica.
OLEUM SUCCINI PURISSIMUM. El
Purified Oil of Amber.
Oleum Succini Rectificatum. L. D.
ReElified Oil of Amber.
Diftil oil of amber in a glafs retort with fix times its quantity of
water till two thirds of the water have pafled into the receiver ;
then feparate this very pure volatile oil from the water, and keep
it for ufe in clofe (hut veflels. (E.)
The rectified oil has a ftrong bituminous fmell, and a pungent
acrid tafte. Given in a dofe of ten or twelve drops, it heats, Si-
mulates, and promotes the fluid fecretions : it is chiefly celebrated
in hyfterical diforders, and in deficiencies of the uterine purgations.
Sometimes it is ufed externally, in liniments for weak or paralytie
limbs, and rheumatic pains.
Moschus Artificialis.
Artificial Musk.
By treating one part of oil of amber with four of nitrous acid,
added in fmall portions at a time, and llirring them together with
a glafs rod, the oil is at laft converted into a yellow refin, haying
the fmell of mufk, and known in Germany by the name of Arti-
ficial Mufk, where it is often ufed as a fubftitute for that expenfive
drug.
OLEUM CORNU CERVINI RECTIFICATUM. D.
ReElified Oil of Hartporn,
Oleum Animale. L.
Animal Oil.
Take of
The oil which afcends in the diftillation of the volatile liquor of
hartfhorn, three pounds.
Water, fix pounds.
Dillil a pound and a half. (D.)
Animal Oil, thus rectified, is thin and limpid, of a fubtle, pe-
netrating, not difagreeable, fmell and, tafte.
O. Olea praeparata. 485
Medical ufe. — It is ftrongly recommended as an anodyne and
antifpafmodic in dofes of from 15 to 30 drops. Hoffmann re-
ports, that it procures a calm and fweet fleep, which continues
often for 20 hours, without being followed by any languor or de-
bility, but rather leaving the patient more alert and cheerful than
before : that it procures likewife a gentle fweat, without increafmg
the heat of the blood : that given to 20 drops or more, on an
empty flomach fix hours before the acceflion of an intermittent
fever, it frequently removes the diforder ; and that it is likewife a
very general remedy in inveterate and chronical epilepfies, and in
convulfive motions, efpecially if given before the umal time of the
attack, and preceded by proper evacuations. How far empyreu-
matic oils poifcfs the virtues that have been afcribed to them, has
not yet been fufliciently determined by experience ; the tedioufnefs
and trouble of the rectification having prevented their coming into
general ufe, or being often made. They are liable alfo to more
material inconvenience in regard to their, medicinal ufe, namely,
precarioufnefs in their quality ; for how perfectly foever they may
be rectified, they gradually lofe, in keeping, the qualities they had
received from that procefs, and return more and more towards
their original fetid ftate.
OLEA PR^PARATA.
OILT PREPARATIONS.
OLEUM AMMONIATUM; vulgo, Linimentum Vola-
tile. Ed.
Ammon'iated Oil, commonly called Volatile Liniment.
Linimentum Ammonia. L.
Liniment of Ammonia.
Take of
Olive oil, two ounces ;
Water of ammonia, two drachms.
Mix them together. (E.)
The London college order a flronger liniment of ammonia of
one ounce of water of pure ammonia, and two ounces of olive
oil.
The moft commonly adopted generic name for the combination
of oil with alkalies is foap, and the fpecies are diftinguhhed by the
addition of that of the alkali they contain. On thefe principles,
volatile liniment mould be called foap of Ammonia> as hard foap
is foap of foda, and foft foap, loap of potafs.
486
Materia Medica.
Medical ufe. — They are frequently ufed externally as ftimulants
and rubefacients, in inflammatory fore throats, a piece of flannel
moiftened with thefe foaps, applied to the throat, and renewed
every four or five hours, is one of the moff tffiocious remedies.
By means of this warm ftimulating application, the neck, and Some-
times the whole body, is put into a iweat, which, after bleeding,
either carries off, or iefTtns the inflammation. When too ftrong,
Or too liberally applied, they fomctimes occafion inflammations,
and even blifters. Where the (kin cannot bear their acrimony, a
larger proportion of oil may be ufed.
This preparation is fometimes ufed internally, made into a
mixture with fyrup and fome aromatic water. A drachm or two
taken in this manner three or four tines a-day, is a powerful re-
medy in fbme kinds of catarrh and fore throat.
OLEUM L1NI CUM CALCE. Ed.
Linfeed Oil with Lime.
Take of
Linfeed oil,
Lime water, of each equal parts.
Mix them.
This liniment is extremely ufeful in cafes of fcalds or burns,
being Angularly efficacious in preventing, if applied in time, the
inflammation fubfequent to burns or fcalds ; or even in removing
it, after it has come on.
It is alfo a fpecies of foap, and might be called foap of lime,
although it probably contains a great excefs of oil.
OLEUM CAMPHOR ATUM. Ed.
Camphorated Oil.
Take of
Olive oil, two ounces ;
Camphor, half an ounce.
Mix them fb that the camphor may be diflblved.
This is a fimple folution of camphor in fixed oil, and is an ex-
cell; nt application to local pains from whatever caufe, and to glan-
dular fwellings.
O. Olea praeparata. — Oniscus. 487
OLEUM SULPHUR ATUM. Ed. L.
Sulphuretted Oil.
Take of
Olive oil, eight ounces ;
Sublimed fulphur, one ounce.
Boii them together in a l.irge iron pot, ftirring them continually,
till they unite. (E.)
Gottling directs the oil to be heated in an iron pot, and the
fulphur to be gradually added, while the folution is promoted by
confhint ftirring with an iron fpatula. The pot mud be fufficient-
ly large, as the mixture fwells and boils up very much; and as it
is apt to catch fire, a lid mould be at hand to extinguish it by co-
vering up the pot.
Medical ufe. — Sulphuretted oil was formerly ftrongly recom-
mended in coughs, confumptions, and other diforders or the breaft
and lungs : but the reputation which it had in thefe cafes, does not
appear to have been derived from any fair trial or experience. It
is manifeOly hot, acrimonious, and irritating; and mould there-
fore be ufed with the utmoft caution. It has frequently been
found to injure the appe ite, offend the ftomach and vifcera, parch
the body, and occafioa thirlt and febrile heats. The dofe of it is
from ren to forty drops. It is employed externally for cleanfing and
he aling foul running ulcers ; and Boerhaave conjectures, that its
ufe in thefe cafts gave occafion to the virtues afcribed to it when
taken internally.
Officinal Preparations.
Emplas. ammoniac, cum hydrarg. L. - vide, Unguenta.
litharg. cum hydrarg. L. Idem.
PETROLEUM SULPHURATUM. L.
Sulphuretted Petroleum.
This is prepared in the fame way as fulphuretted oil.
ONISCUS ASELLUS. Millepeda. L.
Millepede) fpiritus vim vapore enecata.
Slaters killed by the vapour of alcohol.
Infecla aptera.
These infects are found in cellars, under {tones, and in cold
moift places ; in warm countries they are rarely met with. They
488
Materia Me die a.
have a faint ciifagreeable fmell, and a fomewhat pungent, fweetilh,
naufeous tafte.
Neumann got from 480 parts 95 watery, and 10 alcoholic ex-
tract j and inverfely, 52 alcoholic, and 45 watery. Nothing rofe
in diltillation with either.
Their medical virtues have been very much over-rated.
The miilipeds are prepared by enclofing them in a thin canvafs
cloth, and fufpending over hot proof fpint in a clofe velTel, tiH
they be killed by the lleam, and rendered friable.
This barbarous practice is now nearly exploded.
OPIUM. - - - Videy Papaver.
ORIGANUM.
Willi, g. 1116. — Didynamia Gymnofpermia. — Nat. ord. Verti-
cillata.
ORIGANUM VULGARE. Sp. 10. Origanum. Herba. L. D.
Wild marjoram. The herb.
This is a perennial plant, and is met with upon dry chalky
hills, and in gravelly foils, in feveral parts of Britain. It has an
agreeable fmell, and a pungent tafte, warmer than that of the gar-
den marjoram, and much refembling thyme, with which it feems
to agree in virtue. An eiTential oil diftilled from it is kept in the
(hops, and is very acrid.
ORIGANUM MAJOR ANA. Sp. 15. Herba. Ed.
Majorana. L. D.
Sweet marjoram. The plant.
Sweet marjoram is an annual plant, which grows wild in Por-
tugal, but is cultivated in our gardens, principally for culinary pur-
pofes. It is a moderately warm aromatic, yielding its virtues both
to aqueous and fpiritous liquors by infufion, and to water in dif-
tillation.
Officinal Prlpara tion.
Pulvis asari corn, Coitus, E. L. D. - • vide, Putverce.
O.— — Orobanche. — Ostrca. — Oxalis. 489
OROBANCHE VIRGINIAN A.
Virginian broom -rape. Beech-drops. Cancer-root.
This plant is common in many parts. It is aftringent, and a
peculiar and extremely naufeous bitter. It is molt powerful when
recent. It has been ufed in dyfentery, and externally to obltinate
ulcers ; and is fuppofed to have formed a part of the late Dr. Mar-
tin's cancer powder.*
OSTREA EDULIS. Ostrea. Tejla. L. D.
Oyflcr. The Jhell.
CI. Vermes. Ord. Tejlacea.
The oyfter is a very nutritious article of diet, and in fome dif-
eafes not only admiffible, but even advantageous. Their fhells,
which are officinal, are compofed, like all the mother-of-pearl
fhells, of alternate layers of carbonate of lime, and a thin membra-
naceous fubftance, which exactly refembles coagulated albumen in
all its properties. By burning, the membrane is deftroyed, and they
are converted into lime, which, although very pure, poflefies no
advantage over that of the mineral kingdom.
OXALIS ACETOSELLA. Lujula. Folium. L,
ACETOSELLA. D.
Wood-forrel. The leaves.
Willd. g. 918. fp 25. — Decandria Pentagynia. — Nat. ord. Gruiny
ales.
This is a fmall perennial plant, which grows wild in woods,
and fhady hedges. The leaves contain a confiderable quantity of
fuper-oxalate of potafs, and have an extremely pleafant acid tafte.
They poffefs the fame powers with the vegetable acids in general,
and may be given in infufion, or beaten with fugar into a conferve,
or boiled with milk to form an acid whey. The fuper-oxalate of
potafs is extracted in large quantities from them, and fold under
the name of EJfential fait of Lemons.
Twenty pounds of the frelh leaves yielded to Neumann fix
pounds of juice, from which he got two ounces two drachms and
i
• Barton's Collections, Part II. p. 6.
3 R
i
490
Materia Medica.
a fcruple of fait, befides two ounces and fix drachms of an impure
faline mafs.
Oxalic acid is obtained in quadrangular cryftals, tranfparent
and colourlefs, of a very acid tafte. They are foluble in their own
weight of water at 212p, and in about two waters at 65°. Boil-
ing alcohol diflblves fomewhat more than half its weight, and at
an ordinary temperature a little more than one- third. It is foluble
in the muriatic and acetous acids. It is decompofed by heat, ful-
phuric acid, and nitric acid. According to Fourcroy, it confifts of
77 oxygen, 13 carbon, and 10 hydrogen.
Oxalates are decompofed by heat *, form a white precipitate
with lime water, which is foluble in acetous acid after being ex-
pofed to a red heat. The earthy oxalates are very fparingly folu-
ble in water ; the alkaline oxalates are capable of combining with
^xcefs of acid, and become lefs foluble.
oxidum. — OXIDE.
By the term oxide, is meant a fubfrance compofed of oxygen and
fome other body, and deltitute of the properties which belong w
acids.
The oxides like the acids, are fimple or compound, and like
them are either binary, termry or quaternary.
The fimple oxides confifr of oxygen in union with nitrogen, hy-
drogen, carbon, fulphur, phofphorus and the metals.
The compound oxides are characterized by their great altera-
bility, and by their affording, when burnt with afuffkient quantity
of oxygen, both water and carbonic acid. They may be divided into
a. Ternary oxides, (p. 273.) containing various proportions of
carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
b. Quaternary oxides, (p. 273.) confuting of nitrogen, carbon,
hydrogen, and oxygen.
The ternary oxides coincide nearly with the elate of vegetable
fubftances, and are characterized,
a. By their being converted entirely into water and carbonic
acid gas, when completely decompofed by oxygen.
b. By their undergoing the acid fermentation, from the action
of air and water.
r. And by their furnifhing nitrous gas and carbonic acidf
when treated with nitric acid.
O. Oxidum.
491
The quaternary oxides coincide nearly with animal fubftances,
and are characterized,
a. By their furnifhing, when decompofed by oxygen, ammo-
nia as well as water and carbonic acid gas.
b. By their becoming putrid from the action of air and water,
r. And by their furnifhing nitrogen gas when treated with
nitric acid.
The ternary oxides may be fubdivided into gafeous, fluid, or
eafily fufible, and folid infufible. In general the g.ifeous and vola-
tile compound oxides, contain the largeft proportion of hydrogen,
and the infufible denfe oxides the largeit: proportion of carbon.
For the names and references of the various ternary and qua-
ternary oxides, fee Carbo llgni.
As mod of the metals are capable of combining with different
portions of oxygen, Dr. Thompfon has propofed to call the oxides
with a minimum of oxygen, Protoxides ; and with additional
dpfes Deutoxides, Tritoxides, &c. cYc. in fucceflion, and the oxides
with a maximum of oxygen, Peroxides.*
OXIDUM ARSENICI. - Vide, Arfenkum.
OXIDUM PLUMBJ ALBUM. ^
OXIDUM PLUMBI RUBRUM. I Plumbum.
OXIDUM PLUMBI SEMIVITRIUM. J
OXIDUM ZINCI IMPURUM. Zincum.
• " As it is abfolutely neceffary to be able to diftinguifh the different oxide9 oi
the fame metal from each other with perfect precifion, and as the prefent chemical
nomenclature is defective in this refped, I (hall, (fays Dr. Thompfon till fome bet-
ter method be propofed, diftinguifh them from each other, by prefixing to the word
oxide the firft fyllable of the Greek ordinal numerals. Thus the protoxide of a me-
tal will denote the metal combined with a minimum of oxygen, or the Jirjl oxide
which the metal is capable of forming ; deutoxide will denote the fecond oxide of a
metal, or the metal combined with two dofes of oxygen. When a metal has com-
bined with as much oxygen as poffible, I fhall denote the compound formed by the
term peroxide ; indicating by it, that the metal is thoroughly oxidized.
Thus we have the term oxide to denote the combination of metals with oxygen
in general ; the terms protoxide and peroxide to denote the minimum and maximum of
oxidizement ; and the terms deutoxide, tritoxide, &c. &o to denote all the intermedi-
-ate ftates which are capable of being formed."
Thompfon s Chtmijlry, Vol. I. p. I03, id edition*
492
Materia Medica,
P.
P^NEA SARCOCOLLA.
Sarcocolla. Gummi-refwa. L.
Sarcocoll. A gum-rejin.
Willd. g* 218. fp. h — Tetrandria Monogynia. — Nat. ord. Cotw
glomerata.
The plant is a native of Ethiopia, and yields the farcocoll by
fpontaneous exudation. The tears of farcocoll are feldom fo large
as peas, and have either a pale red, or yellowifh white colour.
They are extremely brittle, or rather friable, mining in their frac-
ture, refembling a good deal gum-arabic in coarfe powder,- but
rather more opaque. They have no fmell, but a bitter tafte, com-
bined with a fweetnefs like that of liquorice. Neumann obtained
from 480 parts, 360 of alcoholic, and afterwards 40 of watery ex-
tract, and inverfely 450 watery, and 26 alcoholic. In diftillation
nothing arofe. It is not fufible, and kindles with difficulty. Dr.
Thomfon confiders farcocoll as a peculiar vegetable principle,
which he defines to be folublein water and in alcohol, tafte bitter
fweet, and uncryftallizable. Manna, one of his fpecies is, how-
ever, very cryftallizable. Sarcocoll was fuppofed to poflefs pecu-
liar virtues in agglutinating wounds.
Officinal Preparation.
Pulvis cerussse compositus, L. - - . vide, Pulvercjs.
P. Panax. — Papaver. 493
PANAX OUINQUEFOLIUM. Ginseng. Radix, L.
Ginfeng. The root.
Polygamui Dicecia. — Nat. ord. Hederacea*
D. Ginseng, Ginsem. I. Ginseng.
DA. Ginseng. P. Ginsao.
F. ' Ginseng. S. Jin seng.
G. Kraftivurzel, Ginseng. SW. Ginseng.
This is a perennial plant, which grows in Tartary and North
America. The root is about the thicknefs of the little finger ; an
inch or two in length, often dividing into two branches ; of a whit-
ifh-yellow colour ; wrinkled on the furface ; of a compact, almoft
horny texture ; when broken, exhibiting a refinous circle in the
middle, of a reddifh colour. It has no fmell, but a very fweet
tafte, combined with a flight degree of aromatic bitternefs.
The Chinefe, probably on account of its fcarcity, have a very
extraordinary opinion of the virtues of this root, fo that it fells for
many times its weight of filver. The Americans, on the contrary,
difregard it, becaufe it is found plentifully in their woods. In
facl:, it is a gentle and agreeable ftimulant.
PAPAVER.
Willd. g. 1015. — Polyandria Monogynia. — Nat. ord. Rhoeades.
PAPAVER RHOEAS. Sp. 5. Papaver Erraticum. Flos. L;
Corn-rofe3 or red poppy. The flower.
This fpecies of poppy is annual, and very common in the corn
fields of Britain. The petals give out a fine red colour when in-
fufed, and are fuppofed to poffefs flightly anodyne properties.
Officinal Preparation.
Syrupus papaveris erratici, L. - - - vide-, Syru/ri.
494
Materia Medica.
PAP AVER SOMNIFERUM. Sp. 7. Capfula, etfuccusfpifatus.Ed. \
Papaver Album. Capfula. L. D. Opium. L. D.
White Poppy. The capfules and their infpiffated juice > commonly called t
Opium.
The white poppy is alfo an annual, and is fometimes found wildJ
in Great Britain, but it is probably originally a native of j^ie warm- j
er parts of Afia.
It is frequently cultivated for the beauty of the varieties of ifll
flowers, and for its feeds. Some attempts have been made to*
obtain opium from its capfules ; and Mr. Ball received a pre- 1
mium from the Society for encouraging the Arts, for fpecimens
of Britifh opium, in no refpect inferior to the beft eaftern opium. I
But we apprehend that the climate of Great Britain is an infuper-
able obftacle to its becoming a profitable branch of agriculture.*
The leaves, ftalks, and capfules, of the poppy, abound with a
milky juice, which may be collected in confiderable quantity, by
ilightly wounding them when almofl ripe : this juice, expofed for
a few days to the air, thickens into a ft iff tenacious mafs, which in
fact is opium. It is then worked up into maffes, and covered
with poppy or tobacco leaves. By decoction and expreffion this
juice is partially extracted, together with a confiderable quantity
of mucilage. The liquor ftrongly preffed out, fuffered to fettle,
clarified with whites of eggs, and evaporated to a due confiftence,
yields about one fifth, or one fixth the weight of the heads, of
extract. This pofiefles the virtues of opium in a very inferior de-
gree ; but it does not come to Great Britain unlefs when ufed to
adulterate the genuine opium. A ftrong decoction of the dried
heads, mixed with as much fugar as is fufficient to reduce it into
the confiftence of a fyrup, becomes fit for keeping in a liquid form ;
and is the only officinal preparation of the poppy. It is, how-
ever, a very unequal preparation, as the real quantity of opium it
confciins is very uncertain, and by no means equal to fyrup, to
which a certain quantity of folution of opium is added.
The feeds of the poppy are fimply emulfive, and contain none
of the narcotic principle. They yield a confiderable quantity of
fixed oil by expreffion.
Two kinds pf opium are found in commerce, diftinguifhed by
the names of Turkifh and Eaft India opium.
Turkey opium is a folid compact fubftance, poffeffing a confider-
able degree of tenacity \ when broken, having a mining fracture
and uniform appearance ; of a dark brown colour ; when moif-
# It has been procured in the United States, where this objection will not pro
▼ail. See Philadelphia Medical Mufeum, Vol. II. p. 428.
P.— Papaver.
495
icned, marking on paper a light brown interrupted ftrcak, and be-
coming yellow when reduced to powder; fcarcely colouring the
faliva when chewed, exciting at firit a naufeous bitter tafte, which
foon becomes acrid, with fome degree of warmth ; and having a
peculiar heavy difagreeable fmell. The beft is in flat pieces, and
befides the large leaves in which it is enveloped, is covered with
the redd ifh capfules of a fpecies of rumex, probably ufed in pack-
ing it. The round mafTes which have none of thefe capfules ad-
hering to them, are evidently inferior in quality. It is bad if it be
{oft, friable, mixed with any impurities, have an intenfely dark or
blackifh colour, a weak or empyreumatic fmell, a fweetifh tafte, or
tdraw upon paper a brown continuous Itreak.
Eaji India opium has much lefs confidence, being fometimes not
much thicker than tar, and always ductile. Its colour is much
darker ; its tafte more naufeous, and lefs bitter ; and, its fmell
rather empyreumatic. It is confiderably cheaper than Turkiih
opium, and fuppofed of only half the ftrength. One eighth of the
weight of the cakes is allowed for the enormous quantity of leaves
with which they are enveloped. In the Eaft Indies, when opium
is not good enough to bring a certain price, it is deftroyed under
the infpe&ion of officers.
Opium is not fufible, but is foftened even by the heat of the
fingers. It is highly inflammable. It is partially foluble, both in
alcohol and in water. Neumann got from 1920 parts of opium,
1520 alcoholic, and afterwards 80 watery extract, 320 remaining
undhTolved, and inverfely 1280 watery, and 200 alcoholic extract,
the refiduum being 440.
The folutions are transparent, and have a brown or vinous colour.
The watery folution is not decompofed by alcohol. A fmall quantity
of matter, which, as far as Dr. Duncan's experiments go, is neither
fufible nor remarkably inflammable, is feparated from the alcoholic
folution by water. He has alfo obferved that the watery folution
of opium or the alcoholic, after it has been precipitated by water,
does not redden vegetable blues, is not precipitated by acids oral-
kalies, but is precipitated copioufly by carbonate of potafs, muriate
and fuper-nitrate of mercury, oxymuriate of tin, fulphate of cop-
per, fulphate of zinc, acetate of lead, nitrate of filver, and red ful-
phate of iron. The precipitate in the laft cafe was dirty brown,
not refembling thofe by alkaline or aftringent fubftances. The
folutions of opium, efpecially the watery, are alfo copioufly preci-
pitated by infufion of galls. This precipitate feems to refembl?
that produced by cinchonin, and to be different from that produc-
ed by gelatin.
Alcohol, or water diflilled from opium, are impregnated with its
narcotic virtues, which are alfo diminiihed, or entirely diffipated,
by long boiling, roafting, or great age. The part of opium which
490
Materia Medica,
is infoluble either in water or in alcohol, is albumen, according to
Gren caoutchouc, according to Buchholtz ; a virulent glutinous
fubdance, according to Jofle ; and Prouft fays it contains wax.
From experiments made fome years ago, Dr. Duncan concluded
that it was perfectly fimilar to the gluten of wheat flour, or
fibrine. Long ago it was propofed by M , to feparate the re-
finous parts of opium by the fame procefsthat the fibrine of wheat
flour is obtained. The fact is, that if Turkey opium be kneaded
in a large quantity of water, the foluble parts are removed, and
there remains in the hand an adhefive pladic mafs, of a paler co-
lour, not fufible, but becoming ductile when immerfed in hot
water, inflammable, imparting fome colour to alcohol, but not fo-
luble in it. Eaft India opium, treated in the fame way, is entire-
ly diflblved or difFufed in the water, and leaves no pladic mafs in
the hand.
Upon the whole, it appears that the active conftituent of opium,
though not perfectly underdood, is of a volatile nature, but fome-
what fixed by its combination with the other conftituents ; that it
is foluble both in water and in alcohol ; that it is difllpated in the
procefles recommended for purifying opium by folution and eva-
poration ; and that the attempts, made by fome pharmaceutids, to
obtain a preparation of opium, which mould pofl'efs only its feda-
tive, without its narcotic effects, only fucceeded in fo far as they
diminifhed its activity.
By evaporating a watery folution of opium to the confidence of
a fyrup, Derome obtained a precipitate, which was increafed by
diluting it with water. He diflblved this in hot alcohol, from
which it again feparated on cooling. When purified by repeated fo-
Iutions it crydalliztd in rectangular prifms, with rhomboidal bafes,
had no tade or fmell, was infoluble in cold water, and foluble in
400 parts of boiling water, did not aftect vegetable blues, was fo-
luble in 24 parts boiling, and 110 cold, alcohol; foluble in hot
ether and volatile oils, and feparated from them as they cooled ;
very foluble in all acids, and highly narcotic. Thefe observations
are curious, and deferve to be confirmed.
Medical ufe. — The action of opium on the living fydem, has
been the fubject of the keened controverfy. Some have aflerted
that it is a direct fedative, and that it produces no dimulant ef-
fects whatever, while others have aflerted as drongly, that it is a
powerful, and highly difFufible, dimulus, and that the fedative ef-
fects, which it certainly produces, are merely the confequence of
the previous excitement. The truth appears to be that opium is
certainly capable of producing a certain degree of excitement, while
the fedative effects which always fucceed, are incomparably greater
than could be produced by the preceding excitement. The di-
mulant effects are mod apparent from fmall dofes. Thefe in-
P. Papaver.
497
creafe the energy of the mind, the frequency of the pulfe, and the
heat of the body, excite thirft, render the mouth dry and parched,
and diminifh all the fecretions and excretions, except the cuticular
difcharge, which they increafe. Thefe effects are fucceeded by
languor and laffitude. In larger dofes, the flimulant effects are not
fo apparent, but the power of all ftimulating caufes of making im-
prelfions on either the body or mind, is remarkably diminifhed,
pain and fear both ceafing to make any impreffion, and confufion
of head, vertigo, and fleep, are produced. In exceffive dofes it
proves a violent narcotic poifon, producing headach, vertigo, de-
lirium, and convulfions, accompanied with a very flow pulle, iter-
torous breathing, and a remarkable degree of infenfibility or Itupor,
terminated by apoplectic death. In one cafe where Dr. Duncan
infpected the body after death, the inner membrane of the fto-
mach was remarkably corrugated, and with fome inflammation,
but as large dofes of fulphate of zinc, and of flour of milliard had
been alfo taken, no inference can be drawn from thefe appear-
ances. The bad effects of an over-dofe of opium are often pre-
vented by vomiting when it is excited, and they are beft counter-
acted by making the patient drink freely of acids and coffee, and
not permitting him to yield to his defire of fleeping. By habit,
the effects of opium on the body are remarkably diminifhed.
There have been inftances of four grains proving fatal to adults,
while others have been known to confume as many drachms daily.
The habitual ufe of opium produces the fame effects with habitual
dram drinking, tremors, paralyfis, and Itupidity, and like it can
fcarcely ever be relinquished.
From thefe effects of opium in a ftate of health, it is not won-
derful that recourfe mould have been had to it in difeafe, as miti-
gating pain, inducing fleep, allaying inordinate action, and dimi-
nishing morbid fenfibility. That thefe effects refult from it, is
confirmed by the daily experience of every obferver ; and as an-
fwering one or other of thefe intentions, moft, if not ail, of the
good confequences derived from it in actual practice are to be ex-
plained. If, therefore, by a fedative medicine, we mean an article
capable of allaying, affuaging, mitigating, and compofing, no fub-
ftance can have a better title to the appellation of fedative than
opium.
Some practitioners are averfe to its ufe in active inflammation;
but others have recourfe to it in fuch cafes, even at ao early peri-
od, efpecially after blood-letting; and where fuch affections are at-
tended not only with pain and fpafm, but with watchfulnefs and
cough, it is often productive of the greateit benefit. Opium com-
bined with calomel has of late been extenfively employed in every
form of active inflammation, and with the greateft fuccefs. It is
3 S
y.
498
Materia Medica.
found alfo to be of very great fervice in allaying the pain and pre-
venting the fymptomaric fever liable to be induced by wounds,
fractures, burns, or fimilar accidents.
In intermittents, it is faid to have been ufed with good effect
before the fit, in the cold ftage, in the hot ftage, and during the
interval. Given even in the hot ftage, it has been obferved to
allay the heat, thirft, headach, and delirium, to induce fweat and
fleep, to cure the difeale with lefs bark, and without leaving abdo-
minal obft ructions or dropfy.
It is often of very great fervice in fevers of the typhoid type,
when patients are oiftrefTed wirh watchfulnefs or diarrhoea. But
where thefe or fimilar circumftances do not indicate its ufe, it is
often diftrefling to pa.tients by augmenting thirft and conftipation.'
In fmall-pox, when the convulfions before eruption are frequent
and confiderabie, or when the accompanying fever is of the ty-
phoid type, opium is liberally ufed. It is likewife given from the fifth
day onwards ; and is found to allay the pain of fuppuration, to
promote the ptyalifm, and to be other wife ufeful.
In dyfentery, after the ufe of gentle laxatives, or along with
them, opium, independently of any effect it may have on the fever,:
is of confequence in allaying the tormina and tenefmus, and in ob-
viating that laxity of bowels which fo frequently remains after that
difeale.
In diarrhoea, the difeafe itfelf generally carries off any acrimony
that may be a caufe, and then opium is ufed with great effect.
Even in the worft fymptomatic cafes, it feldom fails to alleviate.
In cholera and pyrofis, it is almoft the only thing trufted to.
In colic, it is employed with laxatives ; and often prevents ileus
and inflammation, by relieving the fpalm. Even in ileus it is fome-
times uied to allay the vomiting, the fpafms, and the pain.
It is given to allay the pain and favour the defcent of calculi,
and to give relief in jaundice and dyfuria proceeding from fpafm.
It is of acknowledged ufe in the different fpecies of tetanus;
affords relief to the various fpafmodic fymptoms of dyfpepfia, hy-
fteria, hypochondriafis, afthma, rabies canina, &c. and has been
found ufeful in fome kinds of epilepfy.
In fyphilis it is only ufeful in combating fymptom?, and in coun-
teracting the effects refulting from the improper ufe of mercury,
for it poffefTes no power of overcoming the venereal virus.
It is found ufeful in certain cafes of threatened abortion and
lingering delivery, in convulflons during parturition, and in the
after-pains and excefiive flooding.
The adminiftration of opium to the unaccuftomed, is fometimes
very difficult. The reqnilite quantity of opium is wonderfully dif-
ferent in different perfbns, and in different ftates of the fame per-
fon. A quarter of a grain will in one adult produce effects which
P. Papaver.
499
ten times the quantity will not do in another; and a dofe that
might prove fatal in cholera or colic, would not be perceptible in
many cafes of tetanus or mania. When given in too fmall a dofe,
it is apt to produce difturbed fleep, and other difagreeable confe-
quences ; and with fome conftitutions it feems not to agree in any
i dofe or form. Often, on the other hand, from a fmall dofe, found
| fleep, and alleviation of pain will be produced, while a larger one
gives rife to vertig > and delirium. Its ftimulant effects are moll
certainly produced by the repetition of imall dofes, its anodyne by
the giving of a full dofe at once. In fome it feems not to have its
proper effect: till after a confiderable time. The operation of a
i moderate dofe is fuppofed tolaft in general about eight hours from
the time of taking it.
Externally, opium is ufed to diminifh pain, and to remove fpaf-
I modic affections. It is found particularly ferviceable in chronic
. ophthalmia, when accompanied with morbidly increafed fenfibility.
Opium may be exhibited,
l.In fubftance, made up in the form of a pill, troche, or
electuary. Its mod efficient form.
2. Diflolved in diluted alcohol, or white wine.
3. DiflUved in water or watery fluids. Very perifhable.
4. Dried and reduced to powder.
It is often given in combination with aromatics, aftringents,
emetics, bitters, camphor, foap, diltilled waters, mucilage, fyrups,
acids, carbonate of ammonia, ether, acetate of lead, tartrate of an-
| timony and potafs, and unctuous fubibnees. Some of thefe are
certainly unchemical mixtures, tor experiment (hews that the fo-
lutions of opium are copioufly precipitated by aftringents, the
alkaline carbonates, and all the metallic falts.
Officinal Preparations,
Opium purificatuirij L. D. - - vide, Extracta.
Extractum opii, - - - Idem.
Pilulae opii. E. L. - - PiluU.
Trochisu ^lycyrr. cum opio, - - Trochisci.
Electuarium sive confectio opiata, E. L. - Eltctuaria.
catechu, E. D. - - - Idem.
Tinctura opii, E. L. D - - - - Tincture.
camphorata, L. D. - - Idem.
ammoniata, E. - - Idem.
Syrupus opii, D. - - Syrufri.
papaveris somniferi, E. L. - - Idem.
Pulvis opiatus, E. - Pidvere.s.
ipecacuanhas et opu\,E. - - - Idem.
500
Materia Medica.
PASTINACA OPOPONAX. Opoponax. Gummi-refma. L.
Opoponax, A gum-reftn.
Willd. g. 558. fp. 3. — Pentandria Digynia. — Nat. ord. Um-
bellate.
This plant is perennial, and grows wild in the fouth of Europe ;
but the gum-refm which is faid to be obtained by wounding the
ftaik or root, is brought from the Levant and Eaft-Indies, fome-
times in round drops or tears, but more commonly in irregular
lumps, of a reddifh yellow colour on the outfide with fpecks of
white, inwardly of a paler colour, and frequently variegated with
large white pieces. It has a peculiar ftrong fmell, and a bitter,
acrid, fomewhat naufeous, tafte.
Neumann got from 480 parts, 1 66 alcoholic, and afterwards
180 watery extract, and inverfely 226 watery, and 60 alcoholic.
Both the water and alcohol diftilled from it were impregnated with
its flavour. It forms a milky folution with water, and yields a
little eflential oil on diftillation. It is fuppofed to be emmenagogue,
but is rarely uied.
Officinal Preparation.
Pilulae galbani composite, L. - - vide, Pilula.
PHASIANUS GALLUS. Ovum. Putamen. L. D.
The dunghtll-foivL The egg> and egg-fiell,
CI. Aves. Ord. Gallina.
From what country this ufeful bird originally came, is not af-
certained. It is now domefticated almolt everywhere, and fur-
nilhes one of the moft wholefome and delicate articles of food.
The egg only is oiHcinal. The Ihell confifts principally of car-
bonate of lime, with a fmall quantity of phofphate of lime and
animai matter. When burnt, the animal matter and carbonic
acid are deftroyed, and we obtain a lime, mixed with a little phof-
phate of lime.
The contents of the egg con lift of two fubftances, the white,
and the yolk. The white is all umen,* combined with a jittle foda
«
* Albumen is a brittle, tranfparent fubftance, of a pale yellow colour, and glu-
tinous tafte, without fmell, readily foluble in cold water, inl'oluble in boiling wa-
ter, hut fofiened and rendered opacjue and white when thrown into it ; infolubie.
P. Phosphorus.
501
and fulphur. The yolk is alfo albuminous, but contains alio a
bland oil, and fome colouring matter. The latter is fometimes
ufed in pharmacy for fufpending oily and refinous fubftances in
water. The former is ufed for clarification.
Officinal Preparations.
Ovorum testse praeparatae, D. ride, Carbi-nas calcis jirafiaratus.
Cataplasma aluminis, L. D. - Catufilanmata.
PHOSPHORUS PHOSPHORUS.
Phosphor bs is a femi-tranfparent folid, flightly brilliant, and of
a waxy confidence •, fpecific gravity 1.770; tafte in iome degree
acrid and difagreeable ; fmell alliaceous. It is brittle under 32°;
its fracture is vitreous, brilliant, and fometimes lamellated ; above
32° it loftens a little, becomes duclile about 90° melts at 99°, be-
coming tranfparent like a white oil ; at 180° begins to be vapori-
zed, and at 554° boils. It is cryftallizable into prifmatic needles
or long ocfohedrons. It exifts in many minerals, and is obtained
from bones and other animal fubftances.
Primary Compounds of Phosphorus.
a. With oxygen :
1. Oxide of phofphorus.
2. Phofphorous acid.
3. Phofphoric acid.
b. With nitrogen. Phofphuretted nitrogen gas.
c. With hydrogen. Phofphuretted hydrogen gas.
d. With fulphur. Phofphuret of fulphur.
e. With metals. Metallic phofphurets.
/. With fMifiable bales. Alkaline and earthy phofphurets.
and retaining its tranfparency in alcohol ; fwtlling ; becoming brown, and decre-
pitating when fuddenly expofed to heat. It generally exifts in the form of a vifcid,
tranfparent fluid, having little tafte or fmell, and readily foluble in cold water.
When expofed to a temperature of l6j°, it coagulates into a white opaque mafs, of
confiderable confiftency ; it is alfo coagulated by alcohol and acids. Albumen forms
with tannin a yellow precipitates infoluble in wattr. Coag ulattd albumen is not folu-
luble either in cold or in boiling water. It is foluble, but with decompofition, in the
alkalies and alkaline earths. It is alfo foluble in the acids, greatly diluted, but may
be precipitated from them by tannin. When flowly dried, it becomes brittle, trans-
parent and of a yellow colour, refembling amber. When decompofed by nitric acid
or heat, it is found to contain more nitrogen than gelatin does. White of egg con-
fiftsof albumen, combined with a very little foda, fulphur, and phofphate of lime.
Albumen alfo forms a large proportion of the ferum of the blood, and is found in
the fap of vegetables. It is highly nutritious.
502
Materia Meclica.
In its folid flate, phofphorus is not acted upon by pure oxygen
gas, but when melted, burns in it at 80° with a dazzling fpien-
dour, abforbing about half i s weight of oxygen, and forming
pholphoric acid. In atmofpheric air, it undergoes a flow combuf-
tion at 43°, emitting light in the dark, but without the production
of fenfible heat ; abforbing a portion of oxygen, and forming phof-
phorous acid ; at 148° it burns rapidly, but lefs brilliantly than
in oxygen gas, forming pholphoric acid. It is therefore always
kept immerled in boiled water ; but even there its furface is oxi
dized, becoming white and opaque.
Hydroguretted phofphorus poflefles a peculiar odour, and the pro-
perty of becoming luminous when mixed with oxygen gas. It may
be combined with a much larger proportion of phofphorus, ac
quiring then a fetid alliaceous odour, a corifiderable increafe of fpe
cific gravity, and the property of burning by the fimple contact: of
oxygen, or of the atmofphere, with a very brilliant white flame.
Sulphuretted phofphorus , and phofphuretted fulphur, are of a yel
lowi/h colour, more fufible than either of the components, and
exceedingly inflammable.
Nitrogen gas diflblves phofphorus, forming a fetid gas, which
inflames at alow temperature.
Phofphuret of lime is infoluble in water *, but- when thrown into
it, decompofes it, and produces phofphuretted hydrogen gas,whofe
bubbles catch fire when they burfl on the furface of the water
Phofphuret of baryta is a brown mafs ; of a metallic appearance
very fufibie luminous in the dark ; decompofed by expofure to
air ; emitting an alliaceous fmell when moiltened ; and decompo
fed by water, furnifliing phofphuretted hydrogen gas. The phof-
phuret of flrontia is very fimilar.
Phosphorous ac:d is a white fluid of an oily appearance. I
has si fetid odour, and difagreeable tafle ; and gives out a thick
white fmoke and vivid flame when flrongly heated. It is decom
poled by ignited charcoal. The proportions of phofphorus and
oxygen have not been afcertained.
The phofphites are fufible, and when heated in clofe veffels fur-
nifh a little phofphorus, and become phofphates. When heate
in the open air, they emit a phofphorefcent light, and often flafhes
of d ime, accompanied by a flrong fmell of garlic, and a thick white
vapour, and are converted into phoiphares.
Phofphoric acid is compofed of phofphorous acid and oxygen
It is cryltallizable, fufible, and vitrefcent. Its fpecific gravity is
2.687. It readily attracts moifture from the atmofphere, and the
its fpecific gravity becomes 1.417. Its mixture with water pro-
duces little increafe of temperature. It is decompoled at a high
temperature bv hydrogen and carbon, and by feveral of the metals
It confifls of 10 phofphorus and 60 oxygen.
P. Physeter.
503
The phofphates are cryftallizable, fixed, fufible, verifiable, and
phofphoreicent. They are not decompofed by charcoal. They
are foluble in nitric acid without efFerveicence, and precipitable
frorh that folution by lime water.
Officinal Preparations.
Phosphas sodie, - - Soda.
calcis, - - Cervus elafiJius.
hydrargyria - - Hydrargyrum:
PHYSETER MACROCEPHALUS. W Ed.
Spermaceti. L. D.
Spermaceti-whale. The fuet. Spermaceti.
CI. Mammalia. Ord. Cctacea.
D. JValsehot. P. K Spermaceti.
DA. Hxalrav, Ihalsperme. POL. Spermaceti^ Oibrcd.
F. Blanc de bale:ne> bperme de \\. SpermaJXi.
l . baleine. S. Jv?/iernia df ballena,
G. Wallrath. Hbfiermaceti.
I. Spermaceti. SW. Vaun:', Yah of.
A
The fpermaceti whale is characterized by his enormous head,
great part of which is occupied by a triangular cavity of bone,
covered only by the common integuments. In the living animal
this cavity is filled with a white, fluid, oily fubftance, amounting
fometimes to many tons in weight. On the death of the whale,
it congeals into a white unctuous mafs, from which a confider-
able quantity of very pure whale oil is obtained by expreflion,
The refiduum, afterwards freed from impurities, by walhingwith
water, melting, (training, exprelTion through linen bags, and, laft-
ly, wa filing in a weak ley of potafs, is the peculiar fubftance well
known by the name of Spermaceti. It is alio contained in folu-
tion in the common whale and other fifh-oils ; for it is often found
depofited, by a fpecies of cryftallization, in the refervoirs contain-
ing them.
Spermaceti may be obtained cryftallized in white argentine
plates, of an unctuous feel and tafte, and a vapid fmell. It melts
between 90° and 95°, and at a higher temperature may be fub-
limed almoft unchanged. Its vapour is inflammable, and its flame
is bright, clear, and without fmell. By expofure to air it becomes
rancid. It is foluble, efpecialiy by the afliftance of heat, in alco-
hol and in ether. In its other properties it agrees with the fixed
oils, with which it unites very readily by fufion. Mufcular flefh
504
Materia Medica.
by long maceration in water is converted into a fubftance very
analogous to fpermaceti, but more fufible, melting at 82° ; and
biliary calculi often confift of another, which is much lefs fufible,
requiring a heat of 192° for its fufion. For all thefe varieties,
Fourcroy has propofed the generic name Adipocere.
As a medicine, for internal ufe, it agrees with the fixed vegetable
oils ; and in the compofition of ointments, &c. its place may be
very well fupplied by a mixture of oil and wax.
■ i
PHYTOLACCA DECANDRA.
Poke. Garget. American night-Jhade^ C5V.
This is one of the moft common North American plants. The
young moots are eaten with impunity, and are by many preferred
toafparagus. It is a plant of great activity. Tincture of the ripe
berries in brandy or wine is a popular remedy for rheumatifm in
many parts. It is a valuable remedy in chronic rheumatifm and
other fimilar affections ; and it may be given fafely in all cafes
where guaiacum is proper. In rheumatic affections fucceeding
fyphilis, it feems more valuable than the guaiacum, efpecially
when combined with mercury. The extract: of the juice of the
ripe berries has been employed in fome cafes of fcrophula, and it is
faid to have been advantageoufly ufed externally in cafes of cancer-
ous ulcers ; the juice of the leaves is faid to be more effectual. For
further particulars, fee Shultz's Inaugural DhTertation on this
plant.*
PILULE. PILLS.
To this form are peculiarly adapted thofe drugs which operate
in a fmall dofe, and whofe naufeous and offenfive tafte or fmell re-
quire them to be concealed from the palate.
Pills mould have the confidence of a firm parte, a round form,
and a weight not exceeding five grains. i£flential oils may enter
them in fmall quantity : deliquefcent falts are improper. Efflo-
refcent falts, fuch as carbonate of foda, fhould be previoufly expof-
ed, fo as to fall to powder : Heliquefcent extracts fhould have
fome powder combined with them. The mafs mould be beaten un-
til it become perfectly uniform and pJaftic. Powders may be
made into pills with extracts, balfams, foap, mucilages, bread
crumb, &c.
* Barton's Colle&ions, Part II. p. 27«
P. Pilulae,
505
Gummy refins, and infpiflated juices, are fometimes foft enough
to be made into pills, without addition : where any moifture is re-
quisite, fpirit of wine is more proper than fyrups or confcrves, as
it unites more readily with them, and does not fenfibly increale
their bulk. Light dry powders require fyrup or mucilages : and
the more ponderous, as the mercurial and other metallic prepara-
tions, thick honey, conferve or extracts.
Light powders require about half their weight of fyrup *, or of
honey, about three fourths their weight ; to reduce them into a
due confidence for forming pills. Half a drachm of the mafs will
make five or fix pills of a moderate fize.
Gums and infpiflated juices, are to be firft foftened with the li-
quid prescribed : the powders are then to be added, and the whole
beat thoroughly together, till they be perfectly mixed.
The maiTes for pills are beft kept in bladders, which fhould be
moiftened now and then with fome of the fame kind of liquid that
the mafs was made up with, or with fome proper aromatic oil.
When the mafs 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-
nefs throughout, and i- then divided into a _given number of equal
pieces, by means of a fimple machine. Thefe pieces are then
rounded between the fingers; and, to prevent them from adher-
ing, they are covered either with ftarch, or powder of liquorice,
or orris root. In Germany the powder of lycopodium is much
ufed. Magnefia is perhaps preferable to any other powder for
covering pills.
PILULE ALOETIC^E. Ed. D.
Aloetic Pills.
Take of
Aloes, in powder,
Soap, equal parts.
Beat them with fimple fyrup into a mafs fit for making pills.
PILULE ALOES COMPOSITE. L.
Compound Pills of Aloes.
Take of
Socotorine aloes, powdered, one ounce ;
Extract of gentian, half an ounce ;
Oil of caraway feeds, two fcruples ;
Syrup of ginger, as much as is fufficient
Beat them together. (L.)
3 T
500
Materia Me die a.
Although foap can fcarcely be thought to facilitate the folu-
tion of the aloes in the ftomach, as was fuppofed by Boerhaav<
and others, it is probably the moft convenient fubftance that car
be added to give it the proper confiftence for making pills. Whet
extract of gentian is triturated with aloes, they re-act upon ead
other, and become too foft to form pills, fo that the addition of am
fyrup to the mafs is perfectly unneceflary, unlefs at the fame tim<
fome powder be added to give it confiftency, as is done by th<
Dublin college. Thefe pills have been much ufed as warm and fto
machic laxatives : they are very well fuited for the coftivenefs f(
often attendant on people of fedentary lives. Like other prepara-
tions of aloes, they are alfo ufed in jaundice, and in certain cafes
of obftru&ed menfes. They are feldom ufed for producing ful
purging ; but if this be required, a fcruple or half a drachm of tht
mafs may be made into pills of a moderate fize for one dofe.
PILULE ALOES cum ASSA FCETIDA. Ed.
Pills of Aloes, with AJJa Fcetida.
Take of
Socotorine aloes,
AfTa fcetida,
Soap, equal parts.
Form them into a mafs with mucilage of gum arabic. (E.)
These pills, in dofes of about ten grains twice a-day, produce
the mod falutary effects in cafes of dyfpepfia, attended with flatu-
lence and coftivenefs.
PILULiE ALOES cum COLOCYNTHIDE. Ed
Pills of Aloes' with Colocynth.
Take of
Socotorine aloes,
Scammony, of each eight parts :
Colocynth, four parts ;
Oil of cloves,
Sulphate of potafs with fulphur, of each one part.
Reduce the aloes and fcammony into a powder with the fait ; the
let the colocynth, beat into a very fine powder, and the oil, b
added ; la ft ly, make it into a proper mafs with mucilage oi gu
arabic. (E.)
P. Pilulae.
507
In thefe pills we have a very ufeful and a£Uve purgative ; and
where the fimple aloetic pill is not fuflicient for obviating coftive-
nefs, this will often effectually anfwer the purpofe. Little of their
a&ivity can depend upon the fait which enters the compofition.
iThefe pills often produce a copious difcharge in cafes of obftinate
coftivenefs, when taken to the extent only of five or ten grains •,
but they may be employed in much larger dofes. They are, how-
ever, feldom ufed with the view of producing proper catharGs.
|Half a drachm of the mafs contains about five grains of the colo-
cynth, ten of the aloes, and ten of the fcammony.
PILULE ALOES cum MYRRHA. Ed. L.
Pills of Aloes with Myrrh.
Take of
Socotorine aloes, two ounces ;
Myrrh, one ounce ;
Saffron, half an ounce.
Beat them into a mafs with a proper quantity of fyrup. (E.)
These pills have long continued in practice, without any other
alteration than in the fyrup with which the mafs is made up, and
in the proportion of faffron, which might indeed be altogether
omitted, without any difadvantage. The virtues of this medicine
may be eafily underftood from its ingredients. Given to the
quantity of half a drachm or two fcruples, they prove confiderably
cathartic, but they anfwer much better purpofes in fmalier dofes as
laxatives or alteratives.
PILULiE ARSENICI cum OPIO.
Pills of Arfenic tuitk Opium.
Take of
White oxide of arfenic (arfenious acid) one grain,
Opium, four grains.
Make them into a mafs with conferve of rofes, or honey or foap.
To be divided into fixteen pills.
An adult may take two or three of thefe pills at different pe-
riods of the day and night. Arfenic is fometimes ufed in larger
dofes, but the above quantity is fuflicient in the fpace of twenty-
four hours, for mod cafes of intermittents.*
* Barton's Collections for an Effay towards a Materia Medica of the United
States, Part II. p. 19.
508
Materia Medica.
PILULE ASS^E FCETID^E COMPOSITE. Ed<
Compound Pills of AJfa Foetida.
Take of
Afla foetida,
Galbanum,
Myrrh, each eight parts ;
Rectified oil of amber, one part.
Beat them into a mafs with fimple fyrup. (E.)-
PJLUL^E GALBANI COMPOSITE. L.
Compound Pills of Galbanum,
Take of
Galbanum,
Opoponax,
'Myrrh,
Sagapenum, of each one ounce ;
AfTa foetida, half an ounce ;
Syrup of faffron, as much as is fufficient.
Beat them together. (L.)
These pills are defigned for antUhyfterics and emmenagogues,
and are very well calculated for anfwering thofe intentions; half
a fcruple, a fcruple, or more, may be taken every night or oftener.
The rectified oil of amber is a very injudicious addition, as it
prevents the pills from acquiring a proper degree of hardnefs.
The tincture of affa foetida is preferable, and this is certainly the
cafe with all thofe pills, formed of fubftances of which a tincture
is likewife prepared.
PILULE AMMONIARETI CUPRI. Ed.
PHls of Ammoniaret of Copper*
Take of
Ammoniaret of copper, fixteen grains ;
Bread crumb, four fcruples ;
Water of carbonate of ammonia, as much as maybe fufficient.
Beat them into a mafs, to be divided into thirty-two equal pills.
(E)
Each of thefe pills weighs about three grains, and contains
Somewhat more than half a grain of the ammoniaret of copper.
They feem to be the belt form of exhibiting this medicine.
P. Pilulae.
509
PILULE HYDRARGYRI. Ed. L. D.
Mercurial Pills.
Take of
Purified quickfilver, two drachms ;
Conferve of rofes, three drachms ;
Liquorice, finely powdered, one drachm.
Rub the quickfilver with the conferve until the globules difappear ;
then, adding the liquorice powder, mix them together. (L.)
The common mercurial pill is one of the beft preparations of
mercury, and may, in general, fuperfede moft other forms of this
medicine. In its preparation the mercury is minutely divided, and
probably converted into the black oxide. To effecl: its mechanical
divifion it muft be triturated with fome vifcid fubftance. Soap,
refin of guaiac, honey, extract of liquorice, manna, and conferve
of rofes, have all been at different times recommended. The foap
and guaiac have been rejected on account of their being decompos-
ed by the juices of the ftomach ; and the honey, becaufe it was
apt to gripe fome people. With regard to the others, the grounds
of felection are not well underftood, perhaps the acid contained in
the conferve of rofes may contribute to the extinction of the mer
cury. We learn when the mercury is completely extinguifhed,
moft eafily, by rubbing a very little of the mafs with the point of
the finger on a piece of paper, if no globules appear. As foon as
this is the cafe, it is necefTary to mix with the mafs a proportion of
fome dry powder, to give it a proper degree of confiftency. For
this purpoie, powder of liquorice root has been commonly ufed ;
but it is extremely apt to become mouldy, and to caufe the pills
to fpoil. The Edinburgh college have, therefore, with great pro-
priety, fubftituied for it ftarch, which is a very unalterable fub-
ftance, and eafily procured at all times in a ftate of purity. It is
neceflary to form the mafs into pills immediately, as it foon be-
comes hard. One grain of mercury is contained in four grains of
the Edinburgh mafs, in three of the London, and in two and a
half of the Dublin. The dofe of thefe pills muft be regulated by
circumftances ; from two to fix five-grain pills may be given
daily.
It is believed, that experiments fairly made, would fancHon
the manna in preference to any other fubftance for the fpeedy and
effectual extinction of the quickfilver : and whatever may be
thought of the conferve of rofes, it appears probable its ufe is only
dependent on the fugar in its compofition. The London formula
510 Materia Medica.
is here preferred only from its containing a medium proportion
of mercury to the other colleges.
PILUL^E OPIATE; dim, Pilule Thebaic^. Ed-
Opiate, or Thebaic Pills,
Pilule Opii. L.
Pills of Opium.
Take of
Hard purified opium, powdered, two drachms ;
Extract of liquorice, once ounce.
Beat them until they are perfectly united. (L.)
One grain of opium is contained in five of this mafs ; the Edin-
burgh formula contains only one in ten.
PILULE RHEI COMPOSITE. JSd.
Compound Pills of Rhubarb.
Take of
Rhubarb, one ounce ;
Socotorine aloes, fix drachms •,
Myrrh* half an ounce ;
EfTential oil of peppermint, half a drachm.
Make them into a mafs, with a fufficient quantity of fyrup of
orange peel. (E.)
This pill is intended for moderately warming and ftrengthening
the ftomach, and gently opening the belly. A fcruple of the mafs
may be taken twice a day.
PILULE SCILL^E. L.
Pilule Scillitic^. Ed. D.
Squill Pills.
Take of
Frefli dried fquills, powdered, one drachm ,
Ginger, powdered,
Soap, of each three drachms ,
Ammoniacum, two drachms ;
Syrup of ginger, as much as is fuflicient.
Beat them together. (L. D.)
P, Pilulae. Pimpinella. 511
This is an elegant and commodious form for the exhibition of
fquills, whether for promoting expectoration, or with the other in-
tentions to which that medicine is applied. As the virtue of the
compound is derived chiefly from the fquills, the other ingredients
are often varied in extemporaneous prefcription.
PILULE STIBK COMPOSITE 5 dim, Pilule Plummeri.
D.
Compound Antimonial Fills ; formerly Plummers Pills*
Take of
Precipitated fulphur of antimony,
Mild muriate of mercury, each three drachms ;
Extract oi gentian,
Hard Spaniih ioap, each one drachm.
Let the mercury be triturated with the fulphur ; then add the ex-
tract, and form a mafs with jelly of foap. ^D.)
These pills were recommended to the attention of the public
about forty years ago by Dr. Plummer, whofe name they long bore.
He repreiented them in a paper which he publifhed in the Edin-
burgh medical efiays as a very ufeful alterative ; and on his au-
thority they were at one time much employed j but they are now
Iefs cxtcniively ufed than formerly.
PIMPINELLA ANISUM. Semen. Ed,
Anisum. L. D.
Anife. The feed.
Willd. g. 562. fp. 8. Pentandria Digynia.—Nat. ord. Umbellat*.
D. Anys. P. Anis, Anise.
DA. Anis. POL. Anyz.
F. Anis. H. Anis.
G. Anis. S. Anis.
I. Anice, Anese. SW. Anis.
Anise is an annual umbelliferous plant, growing naturally in
Crete, Syria, and other places of the eaft. It is cultivated in fome
512
Materia Medica.
parts of France, Germany, and Spain, and may be raifed alfo in
England : the feeds brought from Spain, which are fmaller than
the others, are preferred.
Anifeeds have an aromatic fmell, and a pleafant warm tafte, ac-
companied with a degree of fweetnefs. Water extracts very little
of their flavour ; rectified fpirit the whole.
Officinal Preparations.
Ol. volat. anisi, E. L. D. - - vide, Olea volatilia.
Spiritus anisi, L. - Spiritus destillati.
PINUS.
Momecia Adelphia. — Nat. ord. Conifer a.
PINUS ABIES. Common Spruce -fir.
a. Refina. Ed. Fix Burgundica. D.
b. Refina alba. D.
Burgundy-pitch. Common frankincense.
PINUS BALSAMEA. Hemlock-fir.
Refina. Ed. Balfumum Canadenfe. L. D.
Balfam of Canada.
PINUS LARIX. The Larch.
a. Refina. Ed. Terebinthina Veneta. D.
b. Oleum volatile* E.
Venice turpentine. Oil of turpentine.
Jr\ rmus.
513
PINUS SYLVESTRIS. Scotch-fir.
a. Refina. Ed. Fix liquida. D.
b. Terebinthina vulgaris. D.
c. Refuia alba. D.
Scotch fir. Tar. Common turpentine. Common franhncenfe.
These different fpecies of fir are all natives of fandy fituations.
The laft only grows wild in Great Britain. They all abound in
every part wi:h a refinous juice, which pofll fTcs the lame general
qualities, but prefents lome varieties, according to the nature of
the Ipecies and mode of preparation.
We may arrange the products,
1. Into thofe which exude fpontaneoully.
2. Into thole produced by wounding the tree.
3. Into thole procured by decoction. And
4. Into thofe which are procured by the action of fire.
The pinus larix exudes a fpecies of manna, called Briancon
Manna, but which is not ufed ; as, befides the faccharine matters,
it evidently contains turpentine.
From the pinus abies, and perhaps from the pinus fylveftris, in
warm feafons and climates, a refinous juice exudes fpontaneoufiy,
which hardens into tears. It is the Thus of the London Pharma-
copoeia, the Refina alba of the Dublin ? or common frankincenfe.
To obtain the products of the fecond kind, a feries of wounds
are made through the b irk into the wood, beginning at the bot-
tom, and rifing gradually upwards, until a frripe of the bark, about
nine feet high, be removed, which is commonly effected in about
four years. The fame operation is then repeated on the oppofite
fide. The operation is then recommenced clofe to the edge of the
former wound, which by this time is nearly clofed. A tree work-
ed in this manner will furvive and furnifh turpentine for near a
century. The juice which flows from thefe wounds during fum-
mer, is collected in a fmall cavity, formed in the earth at the bot-
tom of the incifions, from which it is occafionally removed into
proper relervoirs previous to its purification. As the trees exude
very little juice during cold weather, no new incifions are made in
winter ; but the old ones get covered with a loft refinous cruit,
called barras when it is impure, and mixed with bits of bark, duff,
and find •, gallipot, when collected with more care; or white in-
ce?ifet when it is allowed to remain fo long expoled that it becomes
reunified, which is fcraped off, and alfo collected for fubfequent
purification.
3 U
514, Materia Me die a.
Both thefe products are purified by liquefaction and filtration;
They confilt almoft entirely of an effential oil and a refin, and dif-
fer only in the proportions, the turpentine containing moft oil, and
the gallipot moft refin.
Terebinthina.
Turpentines have different appellations, chiefly according to
the country from which they are procured.
Balfam of Canada, from the Pinus balfamea et Canadenfis.
Rejina. Ed. Balfamum Canadenfe. L. D.
Cyprian turpentine, from the PiJIacia terebinthus.
Terebinthina Chia. L.
Strafburgh turpentine, from the Pinus picea.
Venice turpentine, from the Pinus larix.
Refina Ed. Terebinthina Veneta. L.
Common turpentine, from the Pinus fylvejlris.
Terebinthina vulgaris. L. D.
Hungarian balfam, from the Pinus fylvejiris var. Mughos,
Carpatian balfam, from the Pinus cembra.
None of thefe are properly balfams ; which term is now ufed to
exprefs thofe oily refinous lubftances only which contain benzoic
acid. The Edinburgh college have denominated them refins, but
the proportion of effential oil which they contain is much too large
to admit of the name, which ought to be confined to the other
con flit uent, being applied to the compound with propriety. There-
fore, until more attention fhall be paid to this branch of nomen-
clature, we mall employ the common term of Turpentine.
All thefe Ipecies of turpentine pofTefs the fame general proper-
ties. They are more or lei's fluid, with different degrees of tranf-
parency ; of a whitifh or yellowith colour ; a penetrating fmell,
and a warm, pungent, bitterifh tafte. They are entirely foluble in
Sfl<*dhol ; combine with fixed oil •, and impart their flavour to
water, but are not foluble in it. They are decompofed by a mo-
derate heat, being feparated into an effential oil and a refin, and
are exceedingly inflammable, burning with a large white flame,
and much fmoke.
Each fpecies has fome peculiarities. The Canadian is reckon-
ed the belt, and next to it the Chian. They are more tranfparent,
and have a more agreeable flavour than the other forts. The com-
mon turpentine, as being the molt offenfive, is rarely given inter-
nally •, its principal ufe is in plaflers and ointments among farriers,
and for the diilillation of the.effential oil.
P. Pinus. — Resina.
515
Medical ufe. — Taken internally, they are aclive ftimulants, in-
creafe the fecretion of urine, to which they give the fmell of vio-
lets, even though applied only externally, and open the bowels.
They are principally recommended in gleets, the fluor albus,
and the like ; and by fome in calculous complaints. In all cafes
accompanied with inflammation, they ought to be abftained from,
as this fymptom is increafed, and not unfrequently occafioned, by
them. Their dofe is from a fcruple to a drachm and a halt : they
are moll commodioufly taken in the form of a bolus, or blended
with watery liquors by the mediation of the yolk of an egg or
mucilage.
But they are more frequently ufed externally as ftimulants and
difcutients, and enter feveral officinal plafters and ointments.
Resina.
When any of thefe turpentines lofe a confiderable portion of
their volatile oil, either by expofure to the air, or by diltillation,
they become more confiftent, and acquire the name of refins* or
rofin.
Thus. L. Resina alca. D.
Common frmikincenfe. White rofttu
This is the refinous juice which exudes from the different fpe-
cies of fir trees, and is allowed to harden by expofure to the air.
It is a folid brittle refin, brought to us in little globes or mattes of
a browmlh or yellowifh colour on the outfide ; internally whitifii,
or variegated with whitifh fpecks, of a bitterilh, acrid, not agree-
able tafte, witnout any confiderable fmell.
* Refins are concrete fubftances, pofieffinga certain degree of tranfparency, and
are generally of an amber or brownifh red colour. Their texture is homogeneous,
and their fracture vitreous. They are eafily reduced to powder, which readily ag-
glutinates. Their fpecific gravity varies from 1.0452101.2289. They have litt.e
tafte or fmell. They are electrics. Expofed to a certain degree of heat, they melt
without fuffering alteration, but they are decompofed when converted into vapour.
T heir vapour is inflammable, and burns with a large ftrong flame and a great deal
of foot. Refins unite by fufion with fulphur, difficultly with phofphorus. They
are foluble in alcohol, the fixed and the volatile oils, alkalies, and in nitric acid with
evolution of nitric oxide gas. They are infoluble in water, and are not acted upon
by metallic oxides. Officinal. Pine refins, dragons blood, guaiac, balfams of
Peru, l olu, Gilead, and Canada, turpentine, benzoin, ftorax, olibanum, tacamahac,
maftiche, fandarac, elemi.
Amber, Copal, and about one fifth of fandarac differ from the refins in not being
foluble in alcohol without particular management. .
516
Materia Medica.
■
Resina Pini Abietis. Ed. Pix Burgundica. D.
Burgundy Pitch.
Real Burgundy pitch is collected, according to Tingry, from
the pin us picea, or fpruce fir tree. The refinous juice which ex-
udes from this fpecies is lefs fluid, and lefs tranfparent than the
proper turpentines. It is collected by the peafants, (trained
through cloths, and put into barrels. If its confiftence be too
thick, it is mixed over the fire with a little turpentine, and oil of
turpentine. A fimple mixture of gallipot and barras made without
heat, is often fold under the name of Burgundy pitch, but the
mafs refuiting from this combination foon becomes friable. It has
neither the unctuofity, vifcidity, tenacity, nor fmell, which dif-
tinguifh the real kind.
Although gallipot contains effential oi':, the quantity is fo fmall
that it is never diftilied from it. It is purified by melting it with
a very gentle fire, and filtrating it. By this procefs it ftill contains
effential oil, and is often fold by the name of Burgundy pitch. If
boiling water be added to it after it is ftrained, hut while it is ftill
fluid, and they be agitated together till the mafs cools, we have a
yellow refin, which, from ftill containing fome effential oil, is pre-
ferred to that prepared by a fimilar procefs from the refiduum of
the diftillation of turpentine.
Resina alba. Resina pini. Ed. Resina Flava. L. D.
Yellow rofin. Baked turpentine.
The proper turpentines contain a large proportion of volatile
oil, which is often feparated from them by diftillation.
The refiduum of the diftillation gets different names according
to fome peculiarities jn its treatment. When the diftillation is
performed without addition, and continued until the whole effen-
tial oil be driven off, and there appear fome traces of empyreuma,
the refiduum is Fidler's Rofin, or Colophony: but if, while the
mafs is Itill fluid, a quantity of water be added, and thoroughly
blended with the refin by long and conftant agitation, it is then
called Yellow Rofin.
At Queensferry, in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh, there is
a confulerablc turpentine work. The under part of the cake of
the refiduum of the diftillation refembles fidler's rofin, the action
P. Pinus.— Ol. Terebinthinx. 517
of the fire having entirely expelled the water and volatile oil, and
rendered it llightly empyreumatic and tranfparent, while the up-
per part, from retaining fome water, is opaque and yellow.
Oleum Terebinthin^ Volatile. Ed.
Oleum Terebinthin;e. L. D.
Oil of Turpentine.
In the Edinburgh Pharmacopoeia this efl'ential oil is officinal :
by the other colleges directions are given for its preparation.
It is lighter than water, tranfparent, limpid, and volatile. It
has a hot pungent tafte, and a penetrating fmell ; is highly inflam-
mable, and poiTefles all the other properties of elTential oils.
It is remarkably difficult of folution in alcohol, although turpen-
tine itfelf difTolves eafily. One part of the volatile oil is indeed ap-
parently taken up by feven of alcohol} but on {landing, the greatefl
part of the oil falls to the bottom, a much larger quantity being
neceflary to retain it in folution.
Medical ufe. — As a medicine, it is highly flimulating and pene-
trating. Internally it a£ls as a diuretic or fudorific in very fmall
dofes. It has, however, been given in much larger dofes, efpeci-
ally when mixed with honey. Recourfehas principally been had
to fuch dofes in cafes of chronic rheumatifm, particularly in thofe
modifications of it which are ftyled fciatica and lumbago. But they
have not been often fuccefsful, and fometimes they have had the
effect, of inducing bloody urine.
Externally, it often produces excellent effecls as a difcutient in
indolent tumors ; as a ftimulus in paralyfis of the extremities, and
in bruifes ; as an antifpafmodic, and as a ftyptic, when applied as
hot as the patient can bear it, on comprefles direclly to the bleed-
ing mouths of the vefTels ; and it is particularly ufeful as a domef-
tic application in cafes of burns.
Officinal Preparation.
Ol. Terebinthinae purissimum, E. L. D. - vide, Oka volatUku
5 18 Materia Medica,
EXTRACTUM.
ExtraS.
A fluid extrael: prepared by decoclion from the twigs of the
pinus fylveftris, is the well-known eflence of fpruce, which, fer-
mented with molafTes, forms the fafhionable beverage of Spruce
beer.
Resina Empyreumatica. Resina pini sylvestris. Ed.
Pix LiquiDA. L. D.
The laft kind of products from the different fpecies of fir are
obtained by the action of fire. With this view, a conical cavity
is dug out in the earth, communicating at the bottom with a re-
fervoir. Billets or thin laths of wood are then placed, fo 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 admiffion of air
is fo regulated, that it burns from above downwards, with a flow
and fmothered combuflion. The fmoke and vapours formed are
obliged to defcend into the excavation in the ground, where they
are condenfed, and pafs along with the matters liquefied into the
receiver. This mixture is denominated Tar ; and the wood itfelf
is reduced to charcoal. By long boiling, tar is deprived of its vo-
latile parts, and converted into pitch.
Tar is a mixture of refin, empyreumatic oil, charcoal, and ace-
tous acid. Its colour is derived from the charcoal ; and the other
properties in which it differs from a common refin, depend on the
pretence of acetous acid and empyreumatic oil. The acid itfelf is
not only foluble in water, but it alfo renders the empyreumatic oil
foluble in larger quantities than it otherwife would be.
Medical life. — Tar water is a heating diuretic and fudorific re-
medy, but by no means fo powerful, or fo generally admiflibie as
it was reprefented by bifhop Berkley. Tar is applied externally
in tinea capitis, and fome other cutaneous difeafes.
But the moll remarkable production is that of a real gum, en-
tirely foluble in water, from a tree fo refinous as the Pinus larix.
It is prepared in the Ural larch forefts ; and exudes, according to
ProfefTor Pallas, from the interior parts of the wood when it is
burning.
Thele various products enter largely into the different ointments,
plafters, &c.
P. Piper. — P. Nigrum. 519
PIPER.
Willd. g. 74. Diandric* Trigynia. — Nat. ord. Piperita,
PIPER NIGRUM. Sp. I. Fruffus. Ed. L. D.
Black pepper. The berry.
D. Peper. P. Pimento.
DA. Peber. POL. Piep.rz.
F. Poivre. R. Perez.
G. Pfeffer. S. Pimienta.
I. Ki/te. SW. Prp/.ar.
The black pepper is the fruit of a flirubby creeping plant, which
grows wild in the Eaft 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 fun. They
become black and corrugated on the furface ; their tafte is hot and
fiery, and their fmell (lightly aromatic.
According to Dr. Thomfon, it contains cinchonin, and another
analogous principle. Neumann got from 7680 parts, 4800 watery,
and afterwards 180 alcoholic extract, and inversely 1080 alcoholic,
and 3640 watery. The principle on which its pungency depends,
was foluble both in water and in alcohol, and was not volatile, for
7680 grains furnifhed. about 150 of a very bland volatile oil.
White pepper is the fruit of the fame plant, gathered after it is
fully ripe, and freed of its external coat, by maceration in wa-
ter. It is fmooth on the furface, and lefs pungent than the black
pepper.
Officinal Preparation.
Emplastruna melaes vesicatorii compositum, E. vide, Unguenttt.
PIPER CUBEBA. Sp. 3. Cubeba. L.
Cubebs.
D.
DA.
F.
G.
I.
Koebeben.
Cubeber.
Cubebes.
Kubeben.
Cubebi.
P. Cobcbaa.
POL. Kubeby.
R. Kubebu.
S. Cubebas.
SW. Kobtber.
Oubebs are a fruit brought from Java. This fruit has a greai
refemblance to pepper. The principal difference diftinguimabk
520
Materia Medica.
by the eye, is, that each cubeb is furnifhed with a long flendei
ftalk, whence they are called by fome piper caudatum. In aromatic
warmth and pungency, cubebs are far inferior to pepper.
Neumann got from 960 grains,; 3 10 alcoholic, and 272 water)
extract, and inverfely 380 watery, and 61 alcoholic. It alfo fur-
nifhes fome volatile oil.
PIPER LONGUM. Sp. 12. FruBus. Ed. L. D.
Long pepper. The fruit.
The plant which bears the long pepper is alfo a farmentaceous
climber. The berries are fmall round grains, difpofed fpirally in
a long cylindrical head. They are gathered before they are ripe;
and dried, and are the hotteft of all the peppers.
The warmth and pungency of thefe fpices refide entirely in a
refin ; their aromatic odour in an eflential oil. In medicine they
are fometimes employed as acrid ftimulants \ but their chief ufc
is in cookery as condiments.
Officinal Preparations.
Tinctura cinnamomi composita, E. L. D. - vide, Tincture.
Confectio opiata, L. - - - Electuaria.
Pulvis aromaticus, L. D. - - - Pulveres.
cretse compositus, L. Ide?n._
PISTACIA.
Dioecia Pentandria. — Nat. ord. Amentacea.
PISTACIA TEREBINTHUS. Terebinthina Chia. L.
Chian turpentine.
The tree which yields this turpentine grows in India, the north
of Africa, and fouth of Europe, but the turpentine is principally
collected in the i Hands 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.
P. Pistacia. — Plumbum.
521
PISTACIA LENTISCUS. Refina. Ed.
Mastiche. Refina. L.
Majlich. A refin.
This fpecies is a native of the fame countries with the former.
It is obtained principally in the ifland of Chios, by making tranf-
verfe incifions in the tree, and allowing the juice to harden. It is
brought in fmall yellowifh, femi-tranfparent, brittle grains ; of a
fmooth and mining fra&ure, foftening when chewed, fufible, burn-
ing with a pleafant fmell, infoluble in water and partially foluble
in alcohol and fixed oils. Neumann found that during digeftion
with alcohol, a portion feparates infoluble in alcohol, though in ap-
pearance refinous, amounting to about one tenth of the maitich.
This is probably the fame with the fubltance found in Sandarach
by Mr. Giefe, and called Sandaracha by Dr. Thomfon.
Its flavour is communicated to water. It is therefore a refin,
combined with a little eflential oil. It is principally ufed by the
Turkifh women as a mafticatory, to preferve the teeth, and give a
pleafant fmell to the breath.
PLUMBUM. Ed. L.
LEAD.
D. Lood, Loot. P. Chuviho.
DA. Blif, Blye. POL. 6low.
F. jPlomb. P. S-vinrz.
G. Blei. S. Plomo,
I. Piombo. S\V. Bly.
Lead is of a grey, blue, livid colour, ftreak grey, difagreeable
tafte, and odour; fpecific gravity 11.352 ; foft •, very laminable;
hardens little under the hammer ; very flexible ; flightly tenacious;
fufible at 612° Fahrenheit; volatile at a red heat; tarnilhed in
the air ; flightly oxidized by air and water ; by heat and air it
forms a grey, then a yellow, and laflly, a red oxide, which is veri-
fiable. Its .phofphuret and fulphuret are brittle ; it forms alloys
with arfenic, bifmuth, antimony, mercury, zinc, and tin ; it is ox-
idized by, and combines with, the fulphuric, nitric, muriatic, phof-
phoric, and other acids. Its oxides impart to glafs a uniform den-
sity, and ftrong refracting power.
3 X
4
522 Materia Medica.
Lead is found,
I. Oxidized :
1. Lead ochre of different colours.
II. Oxidized, and combined with acids.
2. Carbonated lead. White lead fpar.
3. Murio-carbonated.
4-. Phofphated lead. Green lead ore.
5. Arfeniated lead.
6. Arfenio-phofphated lead. ■
7. Molybdated lead.
8. Sulphated lead.
III. Sulphuretted :
9. Sulphuretted lead. Galena*
10. Sulphuretted oxide of lead.
Lead is obtained by various procefles from thefe ores. In its
metallic form it is fcarcely an officinal article, as its different oxides
are purchafed from the manufacturers, and never prepared by the
apothecary.
Its effects on the body are emaciation, violent colics, paralyfis,
tremors, and contractions of the limbs and as they generally come
on gradually, the caufe is fometimes overlooked tiil it be too late.
Poifoning from lead is never intentional, but only accidental, either
from liquors becoming impregnated with lead, by being improper-
ly kept in veffels lined or glazed with lead, or to which lead has
been criminally added to correct its aciditv ; or among manufac-
turers who work much with lead, as painters and plumbers, and
who are not fufficiently attentive to avoid fwailowing any of it.
The prefence of lead in any fufpetted liquor is detected by the
hydro-fulphuret of potafs, which forms with it a brown precipi-
tate, not foluble in diluted muriatic acid ; and ftili more certainly
by evaporating a portion of it to drynefs, and expofing the extraft
to a heat fulhcient to reduce the lead.
OXIDUM PLUMBI ALBUM. Ed.
Cerussa. L. D.
White oxide of lead. Cerujfe.
This fubftance, which is now faid to be a carbonate of lead, is
manufactured in feveral countries. It is prepared by expofing
lead to the vapour of vinegar. To accelerate the oxidizement,
P. -Plumbum. — Oxid. plumb, rub. 523
the lead is cuft in thin plates, which are rolled up fpirally. A
number of thefe are placed perpendicularly on a fupport, over a
flat veffel containing vinegar, which is converted into vapour by
a gentle heat, fuch as that of dung. The plates become flowly
covered with a white cruft, which is in due time removed and
the remains of the plates again expofed to the vapour of vinegar,
until they be entirely corroded.
White oxide of lead has a fcaly or foliated texture, is brittle,
friable, heavy, of a fnowy whitenefs, and a fweet tafte. It is of-
ten adulterated with earthy iubltances, which may be discovered
by mixing it with oil, and reducing the lead in a crucible. Al-
though very friable, the coarfer particles cannot be feparated by
means of a fieve, becaufe its interitices loon get filled up. It can
enly be obcained in the (late of a fine powder, by rubbing a loaf
of cerufle on a fieve placed over a Iheet of paper.
In pharmacy the white oxide of lead is ufed in the compofition
of ointments and platters.
Officinal Preparations.
Acetis plumbi, E. L. D.
Uiiguentum oxidi plumbi albi, E. - - vide, Ungjentu.
Pulv. ccrussx conip. 1.. Pul, ei-es.
OXIDUM PLUMBI RUBRUM. Ed. Minium. L,
Red oxide of lead.
The preparation of red-lead is fo troublefome and tedious, as
fcarce ever to be attempted by the apothecary or chemift ; nor in-
deed is this commodity expected to be made by them, the prepa-
ration of it being a dUtiinSt. branch of bufmefs. The makers melt
large quantities of lead at once, upon the bottom of a reverbera-
tory furnace built for this purpofe, and fo contrived, that the flame
acls upon a large furface of the metal, which is continually chang-
ed by the means of iron-rakes drawn backwards and forwards, till
the fluidity of the lead is deftroyed ; after which, the oxide is only
now and then turned.
The red oxide of lead is obtained in the form of a very heavy
powder, confiding of minute mining fcales, of a bright fcarlet,
verging towards yellow, efpecially if triturated. It is lbmetimes
adulterated with red oxide of iron, red bole, or powdered brick.
Thefe frauds are dete&ed by the inferiority of colour, by mixing
it with oil, and Subjecting it to the teft of reduction ; and by its
forming a black precipitate with tincture of galls when diflblved in
nitrous acid.
524
Materia Me die a.
OXIDUM PLUMBI SEMIVITREUM. Ed.
LiTHARGYRUS. L. D.
S'emt-vitrijied oxide of lead. Litharge. t
If oxidized lead be urged with a hafty fire, it melts into the
appearance of oil, and on cooling concretes into litharge. Great-
eft part of the litharge met with in the fhops, is produced in the
purification of filver from lead, and the refining of gold and filver
by means of this metal. According to the degree of fire and other
circumftances, it proves of a pale or deep colour j the firft has
been commonly called Litharge of Silver, the other Litharge of
Gold.
The oxides of lead diflblve by heat, in exprefled oils ; thefe mix-
tures are the bafis of feveral officinal plafters and ointments.
Lead and its oxides when undiflblved, have no considerable ef-
fects as medicines. Diflblved in oils, they are fuppofed to be
(when externally applied) anti-inflammatory and deficcative.
Combined with vegetable acids, they are remarkably fo : and taken
internally, prove powerful though dangerous ftyptics.
Officinal Preparations,
Aqua lythargyri acetati, L. D.
Emplast. ox. plumbi semivit. E. L. D- - vide, Unguenta*
Ceratum saponis, L. D. - - - - Idem.
ACETIS PLUMBI; olim, Saccharum Saturni. Ed. -
Acetite of Lead; formerly Sugar of Lead.
Cerussa Acetata. L. D.
Acetated Cerufe.
Take of
White oxide of lead, any quantity ;
Put it into a cucurbit, and pour upon it of
Diftilied acetous acid ten times its weight.
the mixture ftand upon warm land till the acid become fweet ;
whenit is to be poured off, and frefh acid added until it ceafe
to become fweet. Then evaporate all the liquor, freed from
impurities, in a glafs vcfTel, to the confiftence of thin honey,
and let it alkie in a cold place, that cryftals may be formed,
which are to be dried in the made. The remaining liquor is
again to be evaporated, that new cr\ftals may be formed ; and
the evaporation is to be repeated until no more cryftals con-
crete. (E.)
P. Plumbum. — Acetis plumbi. 525
The acetate of lead is feldom prepared by the apothecary, as
he can procure it at an infinitely cheaper rate from thofe Avho
manufacture it in large quantities. The preparation of it, as di-
rected by the colleges, is a cafe of fimple i >lution. The procefs
frequently fails, from the oxide of lead employed being adulter-
ated with carbonate of lime, or fome other earthy fubftance. The
acetic acid employed, fhould be as ftrong as can be procured ;
for with a weak acid the product of pure fait is fmall, and the
quantity of mother-water is increafed. The addition of a fmall
quantity of alcohol to the folution, after it has been duly evaporat-
ed, is faid to improve the beauty of the cryftals. The mot.ier-
water may alfo be made to furnifh pure cryftals, by adding to it a
frefh portion of acetic acid > for without that precaution it fur-
nifhes only a very heavy, yellow, pulverulent, mafs, in which there
feems to be an excels of oxide of lead
The manufacture of acetate of lead is conducted more econo-
mically when the oxide is diffolved in the acid at the fame time
that it is prepared ; which is done by alternately expofing plates
of lead to the vapour of acetic acid, and immerfing the plates, thus
covered with oxide, into the acid itfeif.
Acetate of lead has a fweet ft\pric tafte. It has a white colour,
and cryftallizes in flat parallclopipeds, terminated by a wedge, or
more commonly in mining needles. It is lo'uble in water, and
in alcohol ; efflorefces flightly in the air, and is decompofed by
heat and light. It is alfo decompofed by the alkalies, and molt of
the earths and acids. The proportions of its conftituents have
not been a fcer tained.
Medical ufe. — The internal ufe of acetate of lead, has of late
been much greater than formerly, and it promifes to be a moft
valuable addition to our lift of active remedies. It has been fuc-
celsfully employed in feveral cafes of epilepfy.* It forms, a very
valuable external application in luperficial jnd phlegmonic inflam-
mations, bruilee, and difeafes of the (kin. It is always applied in fo-
lution, either /imply, as to the eyes, or by means of cloths loaked in
it, or mixed with bread-crumb. A drachm, with five ounces of any
diitilled water, forms a ftrong folution, and with ten ounce* of
water, a weak folution. If common water be ufed, the addition
of abont a drachm of acetous acid will be necefTary to keep the
lead in folution.
Officinal Preparations.
Acidum acetosum forte, E. - - vide, Acidum acetosm\
Solutio acetitis zinci, E. - Zi?icuw.
Unguentum acet. zinci, E. L. D. - ^ Unguenta.
* Philadelphia Medical Mufeum, Vol. I. & II.
526
Materia Medica.
AQUA LITHARGYRI ACETATI. L.
Liquor Lithargyri Acetati ; olim, Extractum Saturn?.
D.
Water of Acetated Litharge t formerly Extracl of Lead,
Take of
Litharge, two pounds and four ounces \
Diitilled vinegar, one gallon.
Mix, and boil to fix pints, conftantly {luring ; then fet it afide.
After the feces have fubfided, ftrain. (L. D.)
Officinal Preparation.
Ceratum lithargyri acetati, L. D. - - vide, Unguenttt.
LIQUOR LITHARGYRI ACETATI COMPOSITUS. P.
Aqua Lithargyri Acetati Composita. L.
Compound Liquor of Acetated Litharge.
Take of
Liquor of acetated litharge, a drachm
Diftilled water, fourteen ounces,
Weaker fpirit of wine, a drachm.
Mix the fpirit and liquor of acetated litharge, then add the diftilled
water. (D.)
These preparations do not differ from folutions of the fame
Strength of acetate of lead, and are lefs proper, as their ftrength is
apt to vary. The vitrified oxide of lead made ufe of in this in-
ftance, is lefs eafily foluble, on account of its great force of aggre-
gation, than the white oxide ; but, on the other hand, it is lefs
liable to be adulterated. The addition of the diluted alcohol to
the weak folution, is intended to prevent its decompofition, but it
alfo renders it (lightly flimulant.
PODOPHYLLUM PELTATUM.
• May-apple. Mandrake^ life.
This plant is very common throughout North America. The
fruit is efculent arid by many thought delicious. The leaves ave poi-
i
P. Polygala Senega. 527
fonous. The root is an excellent purgative in dofesof 20 grains. It
is moft advantageoufly ufed in combination with calomel, or cryf-
tals of tarrar. The root alfo often operates as an anthelmintic, and
as fuch it is ufed by the Cherakce, and other fouthern Indians. -
The bell time for gathering the May-apple, for medical
purpofes, is the autumn, when the leaves have turned yellow, and
are about failing off. The Indians dry it in the made and powder
it for ufe.*
POLYGALA SENEGA. Radix. La.
Seneka. L. D.
Seneka, or Rattiefnahe Root.
Diadelphia Otlandria. — Nat. ord. Lcmentactj:.
Seneka is a perennial plant, which grows wild in North Ame-
rica, particularly in Virginia and Pennfylvania. This root is ufually
about the thicknefs of the little finger, varioufly bent and contort-
ed, and appears as if competed of joints, whence it is fuppofed to
refemble the tail of the animal whofe name it bears ; a kind of
membraneous margin runs on each fide, the whole length of the
root.
The bark is the active part of the root. Its tafte is at firft acrid,
afterwards very hot and pungent. It has no fmell.
Its acrimony refides in a refin ; for it is entirely extracted by
alcohol; is precipitated by water; does not rife in diiliilation ;
and is not deftroyed by keeping.
Medical ufe, — It is an active ftimulus, and increafes the force
of the circulation, efpecially of the pulmonary veiTels. It has
therefore been fuund ufeful in typhoid inflammations of the lungs :
but it is apt to diforder the ftomach, and to induce diarrhoea. Dr.
Brandreth of Liverpool has derived great benefit in ibme cafes of
lethargy from an extract: of feneka combined with carbonate of
ammonia.
Some have likewife employed this root in hydropic cafes, and
not without fuccefs. There are examples of its occafioning a
plentiful evacuation by (tool, urine, and perfpiration ; and by this
means removing the difeafe, after the common diuretics and hv-
dragogues had failed.
It fometimes induces falivation, and it pofRiTes diuretic, emetic,
cathartic, expectorant and diaphoretic powers. It has become
*
^ * Barton's Colle&ions, Part I. p. 30. 38
528
Materia Medica.
greatly celebrated in the cure of cynanche trachealis, and is tiled
by the Indians in fyphilis and malignant fore throat. The Poly-
gala fanguinea, a new fpecies difcovered at Savannah, has been
ufed as a fubflitute for it.*
Officinal Preparation.
Decoct, polygalse senegse, ... vide, Decocta.
POLYGONUM BISTORTA. Radix. Ed.
BlSTORTA. L. D.
Great hiJlort> or fnakeweed. The root.
Willd. g. 785. fp. §.—Oclandria Trigynia Nat. ord. Qleraect.
This plant is perennial, and grows wild in moift meadows in fe-
veral parts of Britain. The root is about the thicknefs of the little
finger, of a blackifh-brown colour on the outfide, and reddim with-
in : it is writhed or bent vermicularly (whence the name of the
plant) with a joint at each bending, and full of bufhy fibres ; the
root of the fpecies here mentioned has, for the moft part, only one
or two bendings \ others have three or more. All the parts of
biftort have a rough auftere tafte, particularly the root, which is
one of the ftrongeft oi the vegetable aflringents.
Medical ufe. — It is employed in all kinds of immoderate hemor-
rhagies and other fluxes, both internally and externally, where af-
tringency is the only indication. It is certainly a very powerful
ftyptic, and is to be looked on fimply as fuch. To the fudorific,
antipeftilential, and other virtues attributed to it, it has no other
claim than in confequence of its aftringency, and of the antifeptic
power which it has in common with other vegetable ftyptics. The
largeft dofe of the root in powder is one drachm.
POLYPODIUM FILIX MAS. Radix. Ed.
Filix. L. Filix Mas. D.
Male fern. Male polypody. The root.
Cryptogamia. Filices. — Nat. ord. Filices.
This fern is perennial, and grows in great abundance in almofl:
every part of Britain where the ground is not cultivated. The
* Earton's Colle&ions, Medical Repofitory, &c.
P. Populus tremula. 529
greateft part of the root lies horizontally, and has a great number
of appendages placed clofe to each other in a vertical direction,
while a number of fmall fibres ftrike downwards. The large root,
together with its appendages, are to be referved for ufe. The two
ends, however, are to be cut off, the one being too old and fpongy,
the other too new and green.
When chewed, its tafte is fomewhat mucilaginous and fweet,
and afterwards (lightly aftringent and bitter. Its fmell is alfo
weak.
Medical ufe. — This root was ufed as an anthelmintic in the days
of Diofcorides. It gradually became neglected *, but its ufe was
again revived at different times by Madame NutFer, Herren-
fchwand, and others, who certainly frequently fucceeded in killing
and expelling the taenia, both lata and cucurbitina, by the exhibi-
tion of fecret remedies, of which the fern-powder was, or rather
was fuppofed to be, the principal ingredient \ for there is much
reafon to believe, that the active purgatives with which it was
always combined, were really the remedies which effected the
cure.
The fame, or nearly a fimilar, fecret, has been bought by differ-
ent potentates, and publifhed for the benefit of thofe fuffering un-
der this obftinate difeafe.
The internal folid part of the root only is to be powdered, and
the powder mould have a reddifh colour *, and as the dofe and ex-
hibition of the remedy muft be regulated according to the age, fex,
and conftitution, of the patient, it rauft be given always under the
direction of an experienced practitioner.
POPULUS TREMULA.
Jfpin.
The bark of this tree is a powerful tonic, and deferves the at-
tention of the American phyfician. It has been ufed in intermit-
tents ; and has been found ufeful as a ltomachic, in the diieafes of
our horfes.*
• Barton's Colle&ioni, Part I. p. 14.
3 Y
530
Materia Medica.
POTASSA.— POTASS.
Potass is a folid, white fubftance ; extremely acrid to the tafte ;
unctuous to the feel, but highly cauftic ; deftroying the fkin, and
diflbWing all foft animal fubftances. It is dcliquefcent and folu-
ble in half its weight of water at 50° Fahrenheit j it is fufible, and
may be vaporized, but is perfectly incombufrible ; it is capable of
cryftallizing into very long quadrangular, comprefTed prilrns, ter-
minated by (harp pyramids ; it changes vegetable blues to green,
and combines with all the acids, oils, fulphur, fulphuretted hydro-
gen, dnri the earths. It is obtained from the afhes of vegetables,
and exifts in fome minerals.
POTASSA ; olim, Causticum Commune Accerrimum. Ed.
Potcifs ; formerly, St; ongejl common Caujlic.
Kali Plrl m. L.
Pure Kali.
Alkali Vegetabile Causticum. D.
Caujlic V egetabie Alkali.
Take of
The folution of potafs, any quantity.
Evaporate it in a covered very clean iron veflel, till, on the ebulli-
tion ceafing, the faline matter flows gently like oil, which hap-
pens before the veflei becomes red. Then pour it out on a fmooth
iron plate ; let it be divided into fmall pieces before it hardens,
and immediately placed in a weli-ilopped phial. (L..)
The principal thing to be attended to in this operation is to
conduct the evaporation lo rapidly that the ley mail not ablorb
any carbonic acid from the atmofphere. As long as any water of
folution remains, the ebullition is evident, and the evaporation is
to be continued until it ceafe. The heat is then to be increafed
a little, which renders tne porafs perfectly fluid, and givet> it the
appearance of an oil, when it is re.iuy to be poured out, either on
a flab, as directed by the colleges, or into iron moulds, fuch as
are ufed for the melted nitrate of liiver.
The potafs prepared according to thefe directions is fufficiently
pure f(>F medical ufe, but is not fit for chemical experiments We
can however obtain it perfectly white and cryftallized, according
to Btrtholkr, by adding to the ley, when evaporated fo far that
it would alTume the confidence of honey if permitted to cool, a
P. Potassa.
531
quantity of alcohol equal to one third of the carbonate of potafs
op. rated on, mixing them together, and letting them boil a minute
or two. The mixture is then to be poured into aglafs veffel, and
corked up, when the impurities will gradually fubfide, partly in a
folid form, and partly diffolved in water. The fuper-natant alco-
holic folution is then to be evapora ed rapidly, till its furface be-
come covered with a black cruft, which is to be removed, and the
liquid below is to be poured into a porcelain veffe!, when it will
concrete into a white fubftance, which is to be broken in pieces,
and immediately excluded from the action of the air.
A lefs expenfive way of obraining potafs perfectly pure is that
of Lowitz. Evaporate a folution of potafs till a thick peliiclc
form on its furface; allow it to cool \ feparate all the cryfhds
formed, as they confift of foreign falts : renew the evaporation in
an iron or fi ver bafon ; and remove the pellicles whLh form on
the furface with an iron fkimmer, as long as any appear. When
the ebullition ceafes, remove the veiTel from the fire, and agitate
thefufed fait with an iron fpatula while it cools. DifTolve thefaiine
maf's in twice its weight of wattr, and evaporate in a filver bafon
till it begins to cnffallize. The cryft lis are pure potafs. The
fluid which fwims over them has a dark-brown colour, and muffc
be poured off ; but if kept in a clofe-ftopped phial, it will depoiite
its colouring matter, and by evaporation will fumilh more cryf-
tals of potafs.
Medical ufe. — Potafs is only ufed as a cauftic, or to form foluti-
ons of a known ftrength ; and even its ufe as a cauftic is inconveni-
ent, from its being fo quickly affected by the air, and from its rapid
deliquefcence, which renders it apt to fpread.
Officinal Preparations.
Alkali vegetabile sulphuratum, D.
Alcohol, Li D. - - - vide, Alcohol.
jEther sulphuricum, E. L. D. - - Idem.
CARBON AS POTASStE IMPURUS. Ed.
ClNERES CLAVELLATI. L. D.
Pearl ajhes. Potajhes. Impure carbonate of potafs.
D.
Pot as.
P. Potassa.
DA.
Pottaske.
POL. Potasz.
F.
Potasse.
R. Potasch.
G.
Pottasche.
S. Po'assa.
I.
Potassa.
SW. Potaska.
The potatoes of commerce are fent to Britain from the fhores of
the Baltic, and from America. They are prepared by lixiviating the
532 Materia Medica.
atoes of vegetables in barrels, fir A with cold and then with hot wa-
ter, filtering the ley, and evaporating it to ^rynefs in an iron pot.
In this ftate they (till contain fome vegetable matter, not perfectly
incinerated, which gives them a brown or black colour. Fo de-
ftroy this, and render their colour purer, they are again burnt in a
reverberatory furnace. They now g«:t the name of pearl atoes ;
but even yet they are very impure, and often contain the iulphates
of potafs and of lime, and the muriate of potafs. They are alfo
frequently adulterated with vegetable atoes, fand, and fulphate of
potafs. The atoes are detected by their difficult and imperfect fo-
lution ; the fand, by the precipitation of fiiica in a gelatinous form
bv the addition of an acid, and the fulphate of potafs by its cryftal-
lization. All vegetables which grew at a diftance from the fea af-
ford potatoes by incineration $ herbs give the large ft proportion,
then the leaves of trees, then fhrubs, and woods the leaft. It for-
merly had the name of Fixed Vegetable alkali, but it is alfo found,
though much more fpanngly, both in the animal and mineral king-
doms.
Vauquelin has given a table of the quantity of pure potafs, and
of hererogeneous matters, contained in 1152 parts of the different
potatoes of commerce.
Potafs.
Sulphate
Muriate
Infoluble
Carb. acid
Ruffian potatoes,
of potafs.
65
of potafs.
refiduum.
and water.
772
5
56
254
American do.
857
154?
20
2
119
Pearl allies,
754?
80
4
6
308
Potatoes of Treves,
720
165
44
24
199
Dantzick atoes,
Potatoes of Vofges,
603
152
14
79
304
444
148
510
34
304
The potafs was eftimated by the quantity of diluted nitrous acid
faturated by it ; the fulphate of potafs by the precipitate formed
with nitrate of baryta ; and the muriate of potafs by that formed
with nitrate of (ilver.
All thele different potatoes, except the lafl, may be purified fuf-
ficiently for pharmaceutical purpofes, by lixiviating them with a
fmall proportion of cold water, and evaporating the ley to drynefs
in an iron pot.
Medical ufe. — Carbonate of potafs is ufed in form of lotion, in
rachitic and lome cutaneous difeales, and as a ftimulant to the in-
active ftare of the vefTels in certain ulcers. It is ufed internally as
a diaphoretic or diuretic, and of late in calculous complaints and
difeafes of the alimentary canal ; but its continued ufefeidom fails
to injure the conftitution, or the intcftinal canal.
P. Potassa. — Carbonas potassae. 533
Officinal Preparations.
Carbonas potassse, E L. D.
Alcohol ammoniatum, E. L. D. - vide, Alcohol.
Spiritus ammoniae iceiidus, - - Sj.iritus destillari.
CARBONAS POTASS.E. Ed.
Carbonate of Potafs.
Kali Pr.eparatum. L.
Prepared Kali.
Alkali Vegltabile Mite. D.
Mild Vegetable Alkali.
Let impure carbonate of potafs, called in Englifh pearl njbes, be
put inro a crucible, and brought to a low red heat, that the oily
impurities, if there be any, may be burnt out : then triturate it
with an equal weight of water, and mix them thoroughly by
agitation. After the feces have fubfided, pour the liquor into a
very clean iron pot, and boil to dryriefs, iLirring the fait towards
the end of the proccis, to prevent its lticking.
CARBONAS POTASS^ PURISSIMUS ; olim, Sal Tar-
TARI. Ed.
Pure Carbonate of Potafs ; formerly Salt of Tartar.
Take of
Impure fuper-tartrate of potafs, any quantity.
"Wrap it up in moid bibulous paper, or pur it into a crucible, and
burn it to a black mafs, by placing it among live coals. Hav-
ing reduced this mafs to powder, expofe it in an open crucible
to the action of a moderate fire, till it become white, or at leaft
of an afh-grey colour, taking care that it do not melt. Then dif-
folve it in warm water •, Itrain the liquor through a linen cloth
and evaporate it in a clean iron veflel, diligently ftirring it to-
wards the end o; the procefs with an iron fpatula, to prevent it
from (licking to the bottom of the veflel. A very white fait
will remain, which is to be left a little longer on the fire, till
the bottom of the veflel becomes almoft red. L^ftly, when the
fait is grown cold, keep it in glafs veflels well (topped. (E.)
534 Materia Medica.
The potafh of commerce we have already {hewn to contain a .if
confiderable proportion of foreign falts. By the procefs directed
by the colleges, it is purified from thofe which are cryftallizable ;
and although it ftill contains muriate of potafs and filica, it is fuf-
ficiently pure for the purpofes of medicine.
The pureft carbonate of potafs in common ufe is that obtained;!
by incinerating the impure fuper-tartrate of potafs, as all the fub-
ftances it contains, except the potaf-, are decompofed by the heat.!
The tartaric acid and colouring matter are deftroyed, and part of ;
the carbonic acid, which is formed, unites with the potafs.
But this fait, in whatever way obtained, is not ftri&ly intitledii
to the appellation of carbonate ; for it is not faturated with the
acid, or rather it is a mixture of carbonate of potats and potafs, in
variable proportions. It is owing to the uncombined potafs that
it is ftill deliquefcent, and in fome degree cauftic. It may be ea-
fily faturated, however, with carbonic acid, by expofing it in fo-
lution to the contact of the air for a confiderable time, or by mak-l
ing a ftream of carbonic acid gas pafs through a folution of it, or
by diftilling it with carbonate of ammonia. M. Curadau has pro-
p fed a cheaper mode of faturating potafs with carbonic acid. He
diflblves the potafs in a fufficient quantity of boiling water, mixes
it with as much dried tanner's bark as to make it pretty dry, andi
then expofes the mixture in a covered crucible to the heat of a re-
verberatory furnace for half an hour. By lixiviation and cryftalli- !
zation, the mixture affords beautiful cryftals of carbonate of potafs. 1
In this flate it is cryftallizable, and its cryftals are permanent. It
confifts of about 43 acid, 40 potafs, and 17 water. The fatura-
tion with carbonic acid is one of the beft means of purifying it;
for it always feparates filica from the uncombined alkali.
Medical ufe. — Carbonate of potafs is frequently employed in me- 1
dicine, in conjunction with other articles, particularly for the !
formation of faline neutral draughts and mixtures ; but it is ufed
alfo by itfelf in dofes from three or four grains to fifteen or twen-
ty ; and it frequently operates as a powerful diuretic, particularly
when aided by proper dilution.
Officinal Preparations.
Aqua potassae, E. I.. D.
Aqua super-carbonatis potassae, E. D-
Acetis potassae, E L. D.
Sulphas potassae, E.
Suiphuretum potassae, E. L.
Tartris potassae, E. L. D.
Sulphur stibiatum fuscum, D.
Calx stibii praecipitatum, D.
Alcohol, L. D.
vide, Antimonium.
Idem.
Alcohol.
P. Potassa. — Aqua potassse.
535
AQUA POTASSjE; vulgo, Lixivium Causticum. Ed.
Water of Potafs, commonly called Cauflic Ley.
Aojja Kali Puri. L. Lixivium Causticum. D.
Water of Pure Kail. Cauflic Ley,
Take of
Newly-prepared lime, eight ounces ;
Carbonate of potafs, fix ounces.
ut the lime into an iron or earthen vefTel, with twenty. eight
ounces of warm water. After the ebullition is fin: (hed, ioftant-
ly add the fait ; and. having thoroughly mixed them, cover the
vefTel till they cool. When the mixture has cooled, agitate it
well, and pour it into a glafs funnel, whole throat muff be ob-
ftr lifted with a piece of clean linen. Cover the upper orifice
of the funnel, and infert its tube into another glafs vefTel, lb
that the water of potafs may gradually drop through the rag
into the lower vefTel. As foon as it ceafes to drop, p )ur into
the funnel fome ounces of water ; but cautioufly, fo that it may
fwim above the matter. The water of potafs will again begin
to drop, £nd the affufion of water is to be repeated in the fame
manner, until three pounds have dropped, which will happen
in the fpice of two or three days ; then mix the fuperior and
interior parts of the liquor together by agitation, and keep it in a
well-flopped phial. (E.)
This procefs is founded upon the affinity of lime being
,:ronger than that of potafs for carbonic acid. Of courfe,
,/heu lime comes in contact with carbonate of potafs, the
arbonic acid quits the potafs to unite with the lime, and
le refuhs of the mixture are potafs and carbonate of lime.
Tow as the carbonate of lime is infoluble in water, and the
otafs is very foluble, they may be feparated by filtration. In doing
lis, however, we muft take care to employ inftruments on which
ie folution of potafs does not act, and to prevent the free accefs
P air, from which it would attract carbonic acid, and thus fruf-
ate the whole operation. The latter object is attained by cover-
g the upper or broad end of the f unnel with a plate of glafs, and
ferting the lower end in the neck of the phial, which it fits pret-
* clofely. The former object is attended with greater difficulties,
id indeed fcarcely to be efFectejl, fo powerful and general is the
>ency of potafs All animal fubftances are immediately attacked
id deftroyed by it; therefore, our filters cannot be made of filk,
oollen, or paper which contains glue 5 aud although neither ve-
536 Materia Medic a.
getable matters nor filica entirely efcape its action, linen and fand j
are, on the whole, the leaft obje^ionable. A filter of fand was
ufed by Dr. Black. Hefirft dropped a rugged pebble into the tube
of the funnel, in fome parr of which it formed itfelf a firm bed,
while the nequalities on its fur face afforded interfaces of fufficient
iize for the paffage of the filtering liquor. On the upper furface
of this ftone he put a thin layer of lint or clean tow } immediately
above this, but not in conta.ct with it, he dropped a ffone fimilar
to the former, and of a fize proportioned to the fwell in the up- ;
per part of the tube of the funnel. The interfaces between this
fecond ftone and the funnel were filled up with ftones of a lefs i
dimenfion, and the gradation uniformly continued till pretty fmall
land was employed. Finally, this was covered with a layer of
coarferfand, and fmall Hones, to fuftain the weight of the matter.
A filter of fand being thus conftructed in the funnel, it was warn-
ed perfectly clean by making clean water pafs through it, till it
dropped from the lower extremity of the funnel perfectly clear
and tranfparent ; and before tiling it, it fhould be allowed to {land i
for fome days, that no water may remain among the interflices i
of the fand.
From the fpongy nature of the reliduum which remains upon
the filter, and efpecially if we ufe that of fand, a confiderable
quantity of the folution of potafs will be retained. It is, however,
eafily obtained, by pouring gently over it, fo as to difturb it as
little as poflible, a quantity of water ; the ley immediately begins
again to drop from the funnel, and as, from the difference of their
fpecific gravity, the water does not mix with it, but fwims above
it, the whole ley pafTes through before any of the water. By means
of the taile, we eafdy learn when the whole ley has paffed.
As it is natural to fuppofe that the ftrongeft folution will pafs
firft, and the weakeft lalt, we aTe directed to agitate the whole
together, to render their flrength uniform.
If the folution of potafs be pure, it will be colourlefs, and it will
neither efTervefce with acids, nor form a precipitate with carbon-
ate of potafs. If it effervefces, carbonic acid is prefent, and
touft be feparated by again boiling the folution with a little lime,
or by dropping into it lime-water, as long as it produces any pre- ;
cipitate. If, on the contrary, it contain lime, from too much of
it having been employed in the preparation, it may be feparated
by dropping into the ley a folution of the carbonate of potafs.
When we have thus purified our folution of potafs, it mult be
again filtered.
Medical ufe The folution of cauffic potafs, under various i
names, has at different times been celebrated as a lithontriptic,
and as often fallen again into difufe. The very contradictory
accounts of its effects as a folvent are now in fome degree expli-
P. Potassa. — Aqua potassae. 537
cable, flnce it has been difcovered that urinary calculi are very
different in their natures, fo that fome of them are only foluble in
acids, and others only in alkalies. Of the iaft defcription are the
calcuii of uric acid,* which are very frequent, and thole of urate
of ammonia. On thefe, therefore, alkalies may be iuppofed to
make fome imprelfion \ and that alkalies, or aikaiine caroon.aes,
taken by the mouth, have occafionally relieved calculous com-
plaints, is certain. Ic is, however, faid that their continued ufe
debilitates the ltomach ; and M. Fourcroy has propoled applying
the remedy immediately to the difeafe, by injecting into the blad-
der a tepid folution of potafs or foda, fo dilute that it can be held
in the mouth. Before the alkaline lolution be injected, the blad-
der is to" be completely evacuated of urine, and wathed out with
an injection of the tepid water. After the alkaline injection has
rem 4.ncd in the bladdei half an hour or more it is to be evacuated,
and allowed to fettle. If on the addition of a little muriatic acid, a
precipitate be formed, we (hall have reafon to conclude that the
calcuius contains uric acid, and that the alkali has acted on it.
* Urea is obtained in the form of brilliant micaeeous cryftals, in groups, forming
amafs of a yellowifh white colour, adhering to the veffel containing it ; difficult to
4 cut or break ; hard and granulated in its centre, gradually becoming foft, and of the
i[ confidence of honey on its furface ; of a ftrong difguiting, alliaceous odour ; of an
■t acrid, pungent, difagreeable talte. It is deliquefcent ; its lolution caufes a fenfible
ft i diminution of temperature; it is alfo foluble in alcohol, efpecially when affiAed by
mi heat. On cooling, the alcoholic folution depofues cryftals of pure urea. By the
if application of heat it melts, fwclls rapidly, and at the fame time begins to be de-
I compofed ; emitting an infupportably fetid odour, and is converted into carbonate
I of ammonia, and carburetted hydrogen gas. Urea is charred by concentrated ful-
jr phuric acid ; diluted lulphuric acid aided by heat, is capable of converting it eu-
f tirely into acetous acid and ammonia ; concentrated nitrous acid decompofes it with
k, rapidity ; diluted nitric acid aided by heat, changes it almofl entirely into carbonic
w? acid gas and nitrogen gas ; muriatic acid diffolves and preferves it ; oxy-muriatic
i acid converts it into ammonia and carbonic acid; potafs aided by heat, converts it
into the carbonate and acetate of ammonia. It influences the form of the cryftal-
m . lization of the mui'.ates of ammonia and foda. The folution of urea in water va-
I ries in colour from a deep brown to pale yellow, according to its quantity. With
M | eight parts of water it is perfectly fluid ; it fcarcely undergoes fpontaneous decom-
II pofition when pure, but the addition of fome albumen occafions it to putrefy ra-
4. , pidly. By repeated diftillation it is completely converted into carbonate of ammo-
nia. With nitric acid it forms a pearly cr . ftalline precipitate ; it alfo forms preci-
t pitates with the nitrates of lead, mercury, and filver. It is not precipitated by
tannin or gallic acid. Urea is only obtained from urine by evaporating the folution
of a thick extract of urine in alcohol.
Uric acid is obtained in the form of acicular brilliant cryftals, cf a pale yellow
| colour, almoft inloluble in cold, and very fparingly foluble in boiling water, but
becoming very foluble when combined with an excefs of potafs or foda. It is de-
compofed at a high temperature, and furnifhes carbonate of ammonia, and carbo-
nic acid, with very little oil or water, and leaves a charcoal which contains neither
lime nor alkali, it is alfo decompofed by the nitric and oxygenized muriatic acids.
The urates are almoft infoluble in water. The fub-urates of foda and potafs are
very foluble, and the uric acid is precipitated from their folutions even by the car-
bonic acid.
3 Z
538
Materia Me die a.
Very dilute alkaline folutions may alfo be taken into the fto-
mach as antacids, but we poflefs others which are preferable.
Externally, alkaline foludons have been more frequently ufed,
either very dilute, fimply as aftimulus, in rickets, gouty iwellings,
gonorrhoea, and ipafmodic difeafes, or concentrated as a cauttic to
deftroy the poifon of the viper, and of rabid animals.
POTASSA CUM CALCE; olim, Causticum Commune Mi-
tius. Ed.
Potafs with Lime, formerly Milder common Caujlic.
Calx cum Kali Puro. L. Causticum Mitius. D.
Lime with pure Kali* Milder Caujlic.
Take of
Solution of potafs, any quantity.
Evaporate in a covered iron velTel till one third remains ; then mix
with it as much new-flaked lime as will bring it to the confid-
ence of pretty folid pap, which is to be kept in a veiTel clofely
flopped. (E.)
The addition of the lime in this preparation renders it lefs apt
to deliquefce, more eafily managed, and milder in its operation.
AQUA KALI PRiEPARATI. L.
Water of Prepared Kali.
Take of
Prepared kali, one pound.
Set it in amoift place till it deliquefce, and then ftrain it. (L.)
LIXIVIUM MITE. D.
Mild Ley.
Take of
Mild vegetable alkali, one pound.
DiiTolve it in one pound of water. (D.)
The lad: of thefe preparations is a folution of the mixed or fub-
carbonate of potafs, in a fixed proportion of water *, and the former
is a folution of carbonate of potafs, in a variable quantity of water.
The Dublin folution contains the filica, and all the other impuri-
ties of the carbonate employed, while, according to the London
procefs, the uncombined portion of the potafs, at the fame time
that it deliquefces, becomes faturated with carbonic acid, and de-
pafites the filica. It would, therefore, be a very confiderable im-
p. Potassa. — Aq. super-carb. potassse. 539
provement of this preparation, to difTolve cryftallized carbonate of
potafs in a determinate proportion of water.
Officinal Preparation.
Calx hydrargyri alba, L. - - - videy Hydrargyrum.
AQUA SUPER-CARBONATIS POTASS^. Ed.
Solution of Super-carbonate of Potafs.
Liquor Alkali Vegf.tabilis Mitissimi. D.
Solution of Mildejl Vegetable Alkali.
Take of
Water, ten pounds ;
Pure carbonate of potafs, one ounce.
DiflTolve and expole the folution to a ftream of carbonic acid, ari-
fing from
Carbonate of lime in powder,
Sulphuric acid, each three ounces ;
Water, three pounds, gradually and cautioufly mixed. (E.)
The chemical apparatus invented by Dr. Nooth is well adapted
for thi;> preparation. But if a larger quantity of the liquor be re-
quired, the apparatus of Dr. Woulfe is preferable.
As foon as the preparation is finifhed, the liquor fhould be
drawn offinto pint bottles, which are to be well corked, and kept
in a cool fituation, with the head down, or laid on one fide. It
mould be perfectly tranfparent, and have an acidulous, nor at all
alkaline tafte ; and when poured out of the bottles, it fhould have
a fparkling appearance.
Medical ufe. — In this folution, carbonate of potafs is combined
with excels of carbonic acid, by which means it is better adapted
for internal ufe, as it is rendered not only more pleafant to the
tafte, but is lefs apt to offend the ftomach. Indeed, it is the only
form in which we can exhibit potafs in fufficient doles, and for a
fufBcient length of time, to derive much benefit from its ufe in cal-
culous complaints. It has certainly been frequently of advantage
in thefe affections, but probably only in thole inftances in which
the ftone confifts of uric acid, or urate of ammonia : for although
fuperfaturated with carbonic acid, yet the affinity of that acid for
potafs is fo 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 fometimes produces ine-
briation. This laft effect is afcribed to the carbonic acid.
540
Materia Medica.
ACETIS POTASS *L Ed.
Acetite of Potafs.
Alkali Vegetabile Acetatum ; oiim, Sal Diureticus. D.
Ace tat ed Vegetable Alkali , formerly Diuretic Salt.
Kali Acetatum. L.
Acetated Kali.
Take of
Pure carbonate of potafs, one pound.
Boil it with a very gentle heat, in four or five times its weight of
diftilled acetous acid, and add more acid at different times, till,
on the watery part of the preceding quantity being nearly dif-
fipated by evaporation, the new addition of acid ceafes to raife
any effervefcence, which will happen, when about twenty
pounds of acid have been confumed. It is then to be (lowly
dried. The impure fait remaining, is to be melted with a gentle
heat, for a (horr time; and afterwards difiblved in water, and
filtered through paper. If the liquefaction has been properly
performed, the filtered liquor will be limpid •, but if otherwife,
of a brown colour. Afterwards evaporate this liquor with a
very gemle heat in a very {hallow glafs-veflfel, occasionally flir-
ring the fait as it becomes dry, that its moifture may be fooner
d'ilipated. Lnftly, the acetite of potafs ought to be kept in a
veffei very clofely flopped, to prevent it from deliquefcing. (E.)
This is both atroublefome and expenfive preparation, for when
attempted to be made by furiply evaporating to drynefs, the fait has
always a dark, unpiealant colour, wh ch can neither be removed by
reper.ted iolution andcryllallization,norevenby folution in alcohol.
It is doubtful to what the colour is owing. It has been afcribed
by fome to part of the acetic acid being decompofed by heat
during the exliccation of the fait : they accordingly recommend
the evaporation to be conduced very gently, and the pellicles to
be fkimmed from the furface of the liquor as faff as they are
formed ; and in this way, they lay, they have procured at once a
very white fait. Others afcribe it to fome foreign matter which
rifes in dilHllation with the laflj portions of the acetous acid, and
therefore (Jirtct, that only the firfl portions which come over
mould be ufcd, or that the acetous acid mould be diftilled with
charcoal : while others again afcribe it to accidental impurities con-
tracted during the operation, and recommend the utmoft attention
P. Potassa. — Acetis potassse. 541
to cleanlinefs, and the ufe of earthen veffels. To whatever caufe
it may be owing, and the fecond appears to us the mod: probable,
the colour is molt effectually deftroyed by fufing the fait. The
heat neceflary to do this, decompofes the colouring matter ; and
on diffolving the fufed mafs in water, and filtering the folution,
we find a fine light charcoal on the filter. But this fufion is attend-
ed with confiderable lofs, for part of the acetic acid itfelf is
decompofed.
The operator mud be particularly careful, in melting it, not to
ufe a greater heat, nor to keep it longer liquefied, than what is ab-
folutely neceffary : a little mould be occafionally taken out, and
pu. into water; and as foon as it begins to part freely with its
black colour, ;he whole is to be removed from the fire.
The exficcation of the folution of the fait, after it has been fufed,
mui\ be conducted very carefully, as it is exceedingly apt to be
decompofed, which would render a new folution and exficcation
CeceflTary. The teft of its purity, by diffolving it in alcohol, as
directed by the London college, is to difcover if any of the ace-
tous acid itfelf has been decompofed in the operation; for the
carbonate of potafs, which is in that cafe formed, is infoluble in
alcohol.
To fpare trouble and expenfe, attempts have been made to pre-
pare acetate of potals with undiftilled vinegar, and even with the
rcfiduum of the diflillation of acetic acid : and they have been to
a certain degree fuccefsful ; but as repeated fufion and cryftalliza-
tion are neceflary to bring the fait to a fufflcient degree of purity,
it does not appear that they were more economical. Bur if to
acetate of potafs prepared with impure vinegar, we add afufficient
quantity of fulphuric acid, by diftillation we obtain an acetic acid
of great ftrength, which forms a beautiful acetate of potafs with-
out fufion. Laftly, this fait may be prepared by the decomposi-
tion of acetates ; for example, of the acetate of lime by tartrate
of potafs.
Acetate of potafs has a (harp, fomewhat pungent tafte. It is
foluble at 60°, in about its own weight of water. It is alfo foluble
in alcohol. It is deliquefcent. It is decompofed by the ftronger
acids; by a decoction of tamarinds ; by the fulphateof foda and
magnefia ; by muriate of ammonia ; by the tartrate of foda and
potafs ; and by fome metalline falts. Its acid is deftroyed by a
high temperature.
Medical ufe. — Acetate of potafs, which way foever prepared,
provided it be properly made, is a medicine of great efficacy, and
may be fo dofed and managed as to prove either mildly cathartic
or powerfully diuretic ; few of the faline deobftruents equal
it in virtue. The dofe is from half a fcruple to a drachm or two.
A fimple folution, however, of alkaline fait in vinegar, without ex-
542
Materia Medica.
ficcation, is perhaps not inferior as a medicine to the more expen-
five fait. Two drachms of the alkali, faturated with vinegar,
have been known to occafion, in hydropic cafes, ten or twelve
{tools, and a plentiful difcharge of urine, without any incon-
venience.
Officinal Preparations.
Tinctura ferri acetati, D. - - vide. Tine fur a.
Acetis hydrargyri) E. L. D. - - - Hydrargyrum.
SULPHAS POTASS^ olim, Tartarum Vitriolatum. Ed.
Sulphate of Poiafsy formerly Vitriolated Tartar.
Kali Vitriolatum. L.
Vitriolated Kali.
Alkali Vegetabile Vitriolatum. D.
Vitriolated Vegetable Alkali.
Take of
Sulphuric acid, diluted with fix times its weight of water, any
quantity.
Put it into a capacious glafs-veiTel, and gradually drop into it of
purecarbonate or potafs, dilTolved infix times its weight of water,
as much as is fufficient thoroughly to neutralize the acid. The
effervefcence being finilhed, ftrain the liquor through paper;
and after evaporation, fet it afide to cryftallize.
Sulphate of potafs may be alfo conveniently prepared from the
refiduum of the diftill ition of nitrous acid, by diiTolving it in
warm water, and faturatingit with carbonate of potafs. (E.)
This fait is very feldom prepared on purpofe, as it may be ob-
tained from the refiduum of many other preparations, by fimple
Solution and cryftallization. For lb ftrong is the affinity between
fulphuric acid and potafs, that they fcarcely ever meet without
combining to form this fait. All the fulphates, except that of ba-
ryta are decompofed by potafs and moll: of its combinations ; and
reciprocally, all the compounds of potafs are decompofed by ful-
phuric acid and mod of its combinations ; and in all thefe decom-
pofitions, fulphate of potafs is one of the products.
The grcateft part of the fulphate of potafs of commerce is ob-
tained from the refiduum of the diftillation of fulphate of iron with
nitrate of potafs, by lixiviating it, fuperfaturating the folution with
carbonate of potafs, filtering it boiling hot, and allowing it to cryf-
tallize. The liquor remaining after the precipitation of magnefia,
P. Potassa. — Sulphas potassae, he. 543
is alfoa folution of fulphate of potafs. It is alfo got in confider-
able quantities from the refiduum remaining in the retort, after the
diftillation of nitrous acid •, and all the colleges have given direc-
tions for obtaining it in this way. This refiduum generally contains
an excels of acid, which converts part of the fulphate into fuper-
fulphate of potafs. The Dublin college allow this part to be loft.
The London drive off the excels of acid by intenfe heat, and thus
get the whole of the fulphate; but at the fame time convert it
into a very difficultly foluble mafs. While the Edinburgh college,
more fcientifically economical than either, derive advantage from
the excels of acid, by (imply faturaung it with carbonate of potafs.
As the refiduum of the diftillation of nitrous acid may not al-
ways be at hand, the Edinburgh college alfo give a receipt for mak-
ing this fait, by directly combining its conftituents. It would
have been more economical to have ufed a folution of fulphate of
iron, in place of fulphuric acid, by which means not only an equal-
ly pure fulphate of potafs would have been procured at lefs ex-
penfe, but alio a very pure carbonate of iron.
Sulphate of potals forms fmall tranfparent very hard cryftals,
generally aggregated in crufts and permanent in the air. It has
a bitter tafte, is llowly foluble in water, requiring 16 parts at 60^,
and 4 at 212°. It is not foluble in alcohol. It decrepitates when
thrown on live coals, and melts in a red heat. It confifts of 45.2
: acid, and 54?. 8 potafs. It is decompofed by the barytic falts ; by
the nitrates and muriates of lime and of ftrontia ; by the tartrites
partially; and by the falts of mercury, fiiver and lead.
Aledical ufe. — Sulphate of potafs, in fmall dofes, as a fcruple or
half a drachm, is an ufeful aperient *, in larger ones, as four or five
drachms, a mild cathartic, which does not pafs oft* fo haftily as the
fulphate of loda, and feems to extend its acTion further.
Officinal Preparations.
Pulvis ipecacuanhas et opii, E. L. D. - vide, Pulveres.
scammonii compositus, L. - Idem.
SULPHAS POTASS ,E CUM SULPHURE ; olim, Sal Po-
lyc hrestus. Ed.
Sulphate of Potafs uith Sulphur, formerly Sal Polychrefl.
Take
Nitrate of potafs in powder,
Sublimed fulphur, of each equal parts.
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 fait cool, after which it is to be put up in a glafs
veflel well Hopped. (E.)
544
Materia Medica,
In this procefs the nitric acid of the nitrate of potafs is decom-
pofed by the fulphur, which is in part acidified. But the quantity
of oxygen contained in the nitric acid, is not always fufhcient to
acidify the whole fulphur employed ; therefore part of it remains
in the ftate of fulphureous acid, which is probably chemically com-
bined with part of the potafs in the ftate of fulphite, for the whole
faline mafs formed, is more foluble in water than fulphate of pot-
afs. It is cryftallizable, and by expofure to the air, gradually at-
tracts oxygen, and is converted into fulphate of potafs. In iome
experiments which Dr. Duncan made to determine the ftate in
which the fulphur exifted in this fait carefully prepared, it feemed
to be fulphuric acid ; for it neither gave out a fulphureous fmell
on the addition of fulphuric acid, nor was a folution of it precipi-
tated by acids. In its medical effects and exhibition, it agrees with
fulphate of potafs.
Officinal Preparation.
Piluh aloes cum colocynthide, E. - vide, Pilule.
SULPHURETUM POTASS^ ; olim, Hepar Sulphuris.
Ed.
Sulphuret of Potafs, formerly Liver of Sulphur.
Kali Sulphuratum. L.
Sulphuretted Kali.
Alkali Vegetabile Sulphuratum. D.
Sulphuretted Vegetable Alkali.
Take of
Caultic vegetable alkali in powder.
Sublimed fulphur, each two ounces.
To the fulphur, melted by a gentle heat, add the alkali ; covering
the veflel, if the mixture fhall take fire. (D.)
Keep the fulphuret in wel'.-clofed vials.
There exifts a very ftrong amnity between fulphur and potafs,
but they muft be united in a ftate of perfect drynefs ; becaufe, if
any moifture be prefent, it is decompofed, and alters the nature of
the product. If potafs be employed as directed by the Dublin
college, it will unite with the fulphur by fimple trituration, and
will render one third of its weight cf fulphur foluble in water. If
carbonate of potafs be ufed as directed by the other colleges, it is
P. Potassa. — Sulphuretum Potassse. 545
neceffary to bring the fulphur into a ftate of fufion ; it then acts
upon the carbonate, and expels the carbonic acid. It is evident,
that to comuine with the fame quantity of fulphur, a larger pro-
portion of carbonate of potafs than or potafs is necefiary ; but the
quantity ordered by the London college is certainly much too large.
Gottling directs only one part of carbonate of potafs to two of ful-
phur ; and to favc the crucible, he directs the mixture, as foon as it
melts, to be poured into a heated mould, anointed with oil. The col-
leges alio dirFer in the mode of conducting the procefs. The Lon-
don and Dublin colleges direct the alkaline fait to be projected
upon the melted fulphur. The fault of this procefs is, that there
is a confiderable lofs of fulphur by fublimation, which is avoided,
if the fubftances be previoufly intimately mixed, and brought into
fufion by a very gradual and cautious application of heat, accord-
ing to the procefs of the Edinburgh college ; but, if the fufion be
not very cautioufly performed, the fudden extrication of fo large
a quantity of carbonic acid gas, is apt to throw the melted matter
out of the crucible, and may be attended with unpleafant confe-
quences. La Grange projects one part of fulphur, on one and a
half of potafs in fufion, and keeps the compound melted half an
hour before he pours it out. If the heat be too great, and the
crucible uncovered, the fulphureous vapour is apt to inflame, but
it is eafily extinguifhed by covering it up. For the preparation of
precipitated fulphur, Hermbftaedt propofes to obtain the fulphuret
of potafs, by heating together in a crucible four parts of fulphate
of potafs with one of charcoal powder. The charcoal is converted
into carbonic acid gas, and the fulphate into fulphuret.
Sulphuret of potafs, properly prepared, is of a liver-brown co-
lour, hard, brittle, and has a vitreous fracture. It has an acrid
bitter tafte, and the fmell of fulphur. It is exceedingly prone to
decompofition. It is deliquefcent in the air, and is decompofed.
It is very fufibl", but a Urong heat feparates the fulphur by fubli-
mation. The moment it comes in contact with water, there is a
mutual decompofition. Part of the fulphur becomes acidified,
deriving oxygen from the water, and forms fulphate of potafs.
Part of the hydrogen of the water decompofed, combines with
another portion of the fulphur, and efcapes in the form of fulphu-
retted hydrogen gas : another portion of the hydrogen combines
with a third portion of the fulphur, and remains in folution, unit-
ed with the alkali, in the ftate of hydroguretted fulphuret of pot-
afs. By acids, fulphuret of potafs is immediately decompofed j
the acid forms a neutral fait with the potafs, and the fulphur is fe~
parated.
Officinal Preparation.
Sulphur prcecipitaturn, L. D. - - - vide, Sulphur,
4 A
546
Materia Medica.
TARTRIS POTASSES ; oHm, Tartarum Solubile. Ed.
Tartrite of Potafs, formerly Soluble Tartar.
Alkali Vegetabile Tartarisatum. D.
Tartarifed Vegetable Alkali.
Kali Tartarisatum. L.
Tartarifed Kali.
Take of
Carbonate of potafs, one pound ;
Super-tartrite of potafs, three pounds, or as much as may be
fufRcient ;
Boiling water, fifteen pounds.
To the carbonate of potafs diffolved in the water, gradually add the
fuper-tartrite of potafs in fine powder, as long as it raifes any
efFervefcence, which generally ceafes before three times the
weight of the carbonate of potafs has been added ; then {train -
the cooled liquor through paper, and after due evaporation fet
it afide to cryitallize. (E.)
The tartaric acid is capable of uniting with potafs in two pro-
portions, forming in the one inftance a neutral, and in the other
an acidulous fait. The latter is an abundant production of nature,
but it is eafily converted into the former, by faturating it with
potafs, or by depriving it of its excefs of acid. It is by the for-
mer method that the colleges direct tartrate of potafs to be prepar-
ed, and the procefs is fo fimple, that it requires little comment.
For the fake of economy, we fhould come as near the point of fa-
turation as poffible ; but any flight deviation from it will not be
attended with much inconvenience. Indeed, it is perhaps advi-
fable to leave a flight excefs of acid, which, forming a fmall quan-
tity of very infoluble fait, leaves the remainder perfectly neutral.
The evaporation muft be conducted in an earthen veflel, for iron
difcolours the fait. It is eafily cryftaliized, and the cryftals become
moift in the air. It has an unpleafant bitter tafte. It is foluble
in four parts of cold water, and {till more foluble in boiling water,
and it is alfo foluble in alcohol. It is totally or partially decom-
pofed 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 thofe phyficians who are fond of mix-
ing different cathartics together, and know little of chemiftry. It
is alfo totally decompofed by lime, baryta, Itrontia, and magnefia,
and partially by the fulphates of potafs, foda, and magnefia, and
by the muriate of ammonia.
P. Potentilla. — Prinos.
547
Medical ufe. — In dofes of a fcruple, half a drachm, or a drachm,
this fait is a mild cooling aperient : two or three drachms common-
ly loofen the belly \ and an ounce proves pretty ftrongly purga-
tive. It has been particularly recommended as a purgative for
maniacal and melancholic patients. It is an ufeful addition to the
purgatives of the refinous kind, as it promotes their operation, and
at the fame time tends to correct their griping quality.
POTENTILLA REPTANS. Pentaphyllum. Radix. L.
Common Cinquefoil.
Willd. g. 1000. fp. 34 — Icofandria Polygamia. — Nat. ord. Senticof*.
This plant is perennial, and grows plentifully in hedges, and by
road fides. The root is moderately aftringent, and as fuch is fome-
times given internally in diarrhoeas and other fluxes, and employed
in gargarifms for ftrengthening the gums, &c The cortical part
of the root may be taken, in fubftance, to the quantity of a drachm:
the internal part is confiderably weaker, and requires to be given
in double the dofe to produce the fame effect ; but as we pofTcfs
many more powerful aftringents, the cinquefoil is but little ufed.
PRINOS VERTICILLATUS. Lin.
Black-aldtr. Virginian winter-berry.
This is a very common fhrub in many parts of the United
States, and grows in the greateft perfection in fwamps or marmy
places. The bark is manifestly aflringent. It is likewife con-
fiderably bitter and pungent.. The berries greatly partake of the
bitter quality, and if infufed in wine or brandy, might be advan-
tageoufly employed in cafes where bitter tin£tures are exhibited.
The bark has been ufed as a fubftitute for Peruvian bark in inter-
mittents and other difeafes, both in fubftance and decoction. It
is fuppofed to be chiefly ufeful in cafes of great debility unaccom-
panied by fever *, as a corroborant in anafarcous and other drop-
fies, and as a tonic in cafes of incipient fphacelus or gangrene.
It is both given internally, and employed externally as a wafh.
On many occafions, it appears to be more ufeful than the Peruvian
bark ; and ProfefTor Barton fays it ought to have a place in the
(hops, and in the pharmacopoeia of this country, when fuch a defi-
deratum fhall be fupplied.*
* Barton's Collcdions, Part II. p. 5.
548
Materia Medica.
Dr. Meafe fays, (Philadelphia Medical Mufeum, Vol. II.) it is
ufeful in mortification, united with the root of faiiafras, in decoc-
tion, &c.
PRUNUS.
Willi, g. 982. Icofandria Aionogynia. — Nat. ord. Pomacex.
PRUNUo DOMESTICA. Sp. 29. FruBus. Ed.
Prunus Gallica. FruBuiy Prunum Gallicum diclus. L. D.
Plum tree, The fruit. French prunes.
This tree is found wild in hedges in England, but has probably
originated from the ftones 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 beft.
Medical ufe. — They contain much mucilaginous and faccharine
matter, and their medical effects are, to abate heat, and gently
loofen the belly, which they perform by lubricating the paflages,
and foftening the excrement. They are of confiderable fervice
in coftivenefs, accompanied with heat or irritation, which the more
ftimulating cathartics would tend to aggravate : where prunes are
not of themfelves futhcient, their action may be promoted by join-
ing with them a little rhubarb or the like ; to which may be add-
ed fome carminative ingredient to prevent their occaiioning flatu-
lency.
Officinal Preparation.
Electuarium sennae, E. L. D. - vide, Electuaria.
PRUNUS SPINOSA. Sp. 32. Prunus Sylvestris. L.
Fruclus. L.
The Sloe tree. The fruit.
The floe alfo grows wild in Britain. The fruit has a very af-
tringent fourifh tafte. It contains malic acid.* The infpifTated
juice of the unripe fruit is very aftringent, and is called Acacia
* Malic acid is a vifcid fluid, incapable of cryftallization, of a reddifh brown
colour, and very acid tafte. It exifts in the juice of apples, and combined with
lime in that of the common houfe leek. It forms precipitates in the folution of the
nitratt-s of mercury, lead, and filver. Officinal. Barberry, plum, floe, elder, &c.
M:ilates having alkalies for their bafe, are deliquefcent. The acidulous malate
-)F lime is foluble in cold water.
P. Prunus. — Ptcrocarpus. 549
Germanica. An infufion of a handful of the flowers is a fafe and
eafy purge. The powdered bark will fometimes cure agues.
Officinal Preparation.
Conserva pruni sylvestris, L. - vide, Conserve.
PRUNUS VIRGINIANA.
Wild Cherry Tree.
This tree is very common. The bark has been found ufeful
in intermittents. The leaves are poifonous to certain animals,
and even the berries intoxicate different kinds of birds. The
Indians ufe the bark in the cure of fyphilis. It is confiderably
bitter and aftringent, and poffeffes fome aromatic warmth, and
likewife an evident narcotic quality. It is manifeftly ltimulant.
The bark of the root feems molt powerful.
It has been found ufeful in dyfpepfia, confumption of the lungs
and lumbar abfcefs, (See Medical Repofitory, Vol. V. No. III.)
The diftilled water of the leaves is a powerful poifon to different
animals, which feems dependent on the prefence of the fame prin-
ciples which exift in peach kernels, &c. lately (hewn to be pruflic
acid. A ftrong decoction of the bark is anthelmintic*
PTEROCARPUS.
Diadelpkia Decandria. — Nat. ord. Papiliotiacea.
PTEROCARPUS SANTAL1NUS. Lignum. Ed.
Santai.um Rubrum. L. D.
Red faunders. The Wood.
D.
Sandelhout.
P.
Sa?idalo.
DA.
Sandelholt.
POL.
Cindal.
F.
Santal, Sandal.
R.
Sandal.
G.
Sandeiholz.
S.
Sandalo.
I.
Sandalo.
sw.
SandeL
This tree grows in the Eaft Indies, and acquires a very large
fize. The wood is brought in large billets, of a compact texture,
a dull red, almoft blackifh colour on the outfide, and a deep
• Barton's Collections, Part I. and II.
550
Materia Medica.
brighter red within. It has no manifeft fmell, and little or no
tafte. It communicates a de«p red to rectified fpirit, but gives
no tinge, to aqueous liquors : a fmall quantity of the refin, ex-
tracted by means of fpirit, tinges a large one of frefh fpirit, of
an elegant blood red. Neumann got from 960 grains 210 alco-
holic, and afterward 20 of watery extract; and inverfely, 126
tough watery extract, and 120 alcoholic. According to the fame
chemift, it gives out its colouring matter to volatile oil of laven-
der, but not to volatile oil of turpentine. Is this difference to be
afcribed to the camphor contained in the former ?
Officinal Preparation.
Tincturalavandulx composite, E. L. D. vide, Tinctur*.
PTEROCARPUS DRACO. Re/ma. Ed.
Sanguis Draconis. L.
Dragons blood. A refin.
D. Draakenlloed, P. Sangue de drago.
DA. Drageblod. POL. Smocza krew.
F. Sang dragon. R. Drakonoiva krow.
G. DrachenbLut. S. Sangro de drago.
I. Sangue di drago. SW. Drakblod.
This is alfo a very large tree. It is a native of South Ameri-
ca, and the refin which exudes from incifions made in its bark
ufed to be frequently fent from Carthagena to Spain. It is how-
ever doubtful, if the dragons blood of the (hops be produced from
this tree, as many others furnifh a fimilar refin, as the dracaena
draco, dalbergia monetaria, and efpecially the calamus draco,
which probably furnifh.es all that is brought from the Eaft In-
dies.
The belt dragons blood is not in cakes, but is brought in fmall
mafles, of the fize of a nutmeg, wrapt up in the dried leaves of
fome kind of reed, breaks fmooth, free from any vifible impurities,
of a dark-red colour, which changes, upon being powdered, into
an elegant bright crimlon. This drug, in fublfance, has no fen-
fible fmell or tafte : when diffolved, it difcovers fome degree of
warmth and pungency. It is fufible and inflammable, and totally
foluble in alcohol, tinging a large quantity of the menftruum of
a deep red colour. It is likewife foluble in exprefTed oils, and
gives them a red hue, lefs beautiful than that communicated by
anchufa. It is not acted upon by water, but precipitated by it
P. Pulveres.
551
from its alcoholic folution. Dr. Duncan found that it is foluble in
nitrous acid and alkalies, and that it neither precipitates gelatin,
nor affects the colour of the falts of iron. It therefore appears to
be a pure refin without any aftringency. He has been more par-
ticular in proving that this refin is not aftringent becaufe both Mr.
Murray and Dr. Thomlbn have adopted Mr. Prouft's account
of it. But the fubftance examined by Mr. Prouft could not be
the refin known in this country by the name of Dragons blood,
as it was as foluble in water as in alcohol. Dr. Fothergill, who
firff. described kino, received it as the fineft dragons blood.
Something fimilar muff have happened to Mr. Prouft, as the cha-
racters of his fang dracon correfpond with thofe of kino.
Officinal Preparation.
Emplastrum thuris compositum, L. - vide, Unguenta.
PULVERES. POWDERS.
This form is proper for fuch materials only as are capable of
being fufflciently dried to become pulveriiable, without the lofs of
their virtue. There are feveral fubftances, however, of this kind,
which cannot be conveniently taken in powder ; bitter, acrid,
fetid, drugs are too difagreeable ; emollient and mucilaginous herbs
and roots are too bulky \ pure gums cohere, and become tenacious
in the mouth : fixed alkaline falts deliquefce when expofed to the
air ; and volatile alkalies exhale. Many of the aromatics, too,
fuffer a great lofs of their odorous principles when kept in powder
as in that form they expole a much larger furface to the air.
The dofe of powders, in extemporaneous prefcription, is gene-
rally about half a drachm : it rarely exceeds a whole drachm *, and
is not often lefs than a fcruple. Subftances which produce power-
ful effects in fmaller doles are not trufted to this form, unlefs
their bulk be increafed by additions of lefs efficacy ; thole which
require to be given in larger ones are betrer fitted for other forms.
The ufual vehicle for taking the lighter powders, is any agree-
able thin liquid. The ponderous powders, particularly thofe pre-
pared from metallic fubftances, require a more confident vehicle,
as fyrups ; for from thin ones they^oon fubfide : Re fi nous fub-
ftances like wife are moft commodioufly taken in thick liquors ;
for in thin ones, they are apt to run into lumps, which are not eafilv
again foluble.
552
Materia Medica.
PULVIS ALOES cum CANELLA. L.
Powder of Aloes with Canella.
Take of
Socotorine aloes, one pound ;
White canella, three ounces.
Powder them feparately, and then mix them. (L.)
This compofition has long been known in the (hops under the
title of Hiera picra. It furnifhes us with an ufeful aloetic pur-
gative, the canella operating as a good corrigent for the aloes.
But it is more frequently employed as the bafis of electuaries, or
pills.
PULVIS ALOETICUS cum GUAIACO. L.
Aloetic Powder with Guaiacum*
Take of
Socotorine aloes, one ounce and a half ;
Gum guaiacum, one ounce ;
Aromatic powder, half an ounce.
Rub the aloes and gum guaiacum feparately to powder ; then mix
them with the aromatic powder. (L.)
This alfo furnifhes us with a ufeful purgative : but when taken
only in fmall dofes, its chief effecl: is that of promoting perfpira-
tion.
PULVIS ALOETICUS cum FERRO. L.
Aloetic Powder with Iron.
Take of
Socotorine aloe?, an ounce and a half ;
Myrrh, two ounces ;
Dry extract of gentian,
Vitriolated iron, of each one ounce.
Reduce them feparately to powder, and mix them. (L.)
In this powder we have an aloetic and chalybeate conjoined. It
is an ufeful medicine, and is particularly employed with advantage
"n cafes of obftructed meiiltruation.
P. Pulveres.
555
PULVIS AROMATICUS. Ed. L. D.
Aromatic Powder.
Take of
Cinnamon, two ounces ;
Smaller cardamom feeds, hulked,
Ginger,
Long pepper, of each one ounce.
Rub them together to a powder which is to be kept in a clofc
flopped bottle. (L. D.)
This composition is an agreeable, hot, fpicy, medicine ; and
as fuch may be ufefully taken in cold phlegmatic habits and decay-
ed conftitutions, for warming the ftomach, promoting digeftion,
and ftrengthening the tone of the vifcera. The dofe is from ten
grains to a fcruple and upwards.
Officinal Preparations.
Pulvi^al-ieticus cum guaiaco. L.
Electuaiium aromaticum. E.
opiatum, E.
PULVIS ASARI EUROPE COMPOSITUS. Ed.
Pulvis Asari Compositus. L. D.
Compound Powder of Afarabucca.
Take of
The leaves of afarabacca, three parts.
The leaves marjoram,
Flowers of lavender, of each one part.
Rub them together to powder. E.
This is an agreeable and efficacious errhine, and fuperior
to mod of thofe ufually fold under the name of herb fnuff. It
is often employed with great advantage in cafes of obif inate head-
ach, and of ophthalmias refilling other modes of cure. Taken
under the form of fnuff to the extent of five or fix grains at bed-
time, it will operate the fucceeding day as a powerful errhine,
inducing frequent fneezing, and likewife a copious difcharge from
the nofe. It is, however, necefiary, during its operation, to
avoid expofure to cold.
4 B
554
Materia Medica.
PULVIS CARBON ATIS CALCIS COMPOSITUS olim,
Pulvis Cretaceus. Ed.
Compound Powder of Carbonate of Lime, formerly Chalk Powder.
Pulvis Cret-e Compositus. L.
Compound Powder of Chalk.
Take of
Prepared carbonate of lime, four ounces j
Nutmeg, half a drachm ;
Cinnamon, one drachm and a half.
Reduce them together to powder. (E.)
The addition of the aromatics in the above formula, coincides
with the general intention of the remedy, which is indicated in
weaknefs and acidity in the ftomach, and in loofenefs from acidity.
PULVIS CRETiE COMPOSITUS cum OPIO. L.
Compound Powder of Chalk with Opium.
Take of
Compound powder of chalk, eight ounces ;
Hard opium, powdered, one drachm and a half.
Mix them. (L.)
From the addition of the opium this remedy becomes ftill more
powerful than the preceding in reftraining diarrhoea.
PULVIS CERUSS^l COMPOSITUS. L.
Compound Powder of Cerufe.
Take of
Ceruse, five ounces ;
Sarcocoll, an ounce and a half ;
Tragacanth, half an ounce.
Powder them together. (L.)
P. Pulveres.
555
This is employed for external purpofes, as in collyria, lotions,
and inje&ions for repelling acrimonious humours, and in inflam-
mations but for all thefe purpofes it is very inferior to folutions
of acetate of lead.
PULVIS CONTRAYERVA COMPOSITUS. L.
Compound Powder of Contrayerva,
Take of
Contrayerva, powdered, five ounces ;
Compound powder of chalk, one pound and a half.
Mix them. (L.)
This medicine has a very good claim to the title of an alexiphar-
mic and fudorific. The contrayerva by itfelf proves very fervice-
able in low fevers, where the vis vitae is weak, and a diaphorefis to
be promoted.
PULVIS IPECACUANHA ET OPII. Ed.
Pulvis Ipecacuan hje Compositus; olim, Pulvis Doveri. L. D.
Powder of Ipecacuan and Opium; or Compound Powder oj Ipecacuan,
formerly Dover's Powder.
Take of
Ipecacuan in powder,
Opium, of each one part ;
Sulphate of potafs, eight parts.
Triturate them together into a fine powder. (E. L. D.)
The fulphate of potafs, from the grittinefs of its cryftals, is
perhaps better fitted for tearing and dividing the tenacious opium
than any other fait : this feems to be its only ufe in the prepara-
tion. The operator ought to be careful that the opium and ipeca-
cuanha be equally diffufed through the whole mafs of powder,
otherwife different portions of the powder muff have differences in
degree of ftrength.
This powder is one of the moft certain fudorifics, and, as fuch
was recommended by Dr. Dover as an effectual remedy in rheu-
matifm. Modern practice confirms its reputation, not only in
rheumatifm, but alio in dropfy and feveral other difeafes, where
it is often difficult by other means to produce a copious^ fweat.
556
Materia Medica.
The dofe is from five to twenty grains, according as the patient's
ftomach and ftrength can bear it. It is proper to avoid much
drinking immediately after taking it, otherwife it is very apt to be
rejected by vomiting before any other effects are produced.
PULVIS JALAPS COMPOSITUS. Ed.
Compound Powder of Jalap.
Take of
Jalap root, one part ;
Super-tartrite of potafs, two parts.
Grind them together to a very fine powder. (E.)
The ufe of the cryftals in this preparation, is to break down
and divide the jaJap ; and therefore they are directed to be tritur-
ated together, and not feparately.
PULVIS MYRRH/E COMPOSITUS. L.
Compound Powder of Myrrh.
Take of
Myrrh,
Dried favin,
Dried rue,
Ruffian caftor, of each one ounce.
Rub them together into a powder. (L.)
This is a reformation of the Trochifci e Myrrha, acompoiitioa
contrived by Rhazes againft uterine obstructions. From a fcruple
to a drachm or more, two or three times a-day, may be taken in
any convenient vehicle, or made into bolufes.
PULVIS OPIATUS. Ed. L.
Opiate Powder.
Take of
Opium, one part
Prepared carbonate of lime, nine parts.
Rub them together to a fine powder. (E.)
In this powder the opium is the active ingredient ; and it is
immaterial whether the phofphatc (as the London college directs)
or carbonate of lime be uied to promote its mechanical divifion.
Pi Pulveres. 557
PULVIS SCAMMONII COMPOSITUS. Ed. L. D.
Compound Powder of Scammony.
Take of
Scammony,
Vitriolated vegetable alkali, each two ounces ;
Ginger, half an ounce.
Powder them feparately and then mix them. (D.)
In this compofition, the ginger is an ufefui addition, and will
render it lefs apt to gripe.
PULVIS SCAMMONII COMPOSITUS cum ALOE. L.
Compound Powder of Scammony with Aloes.
Take of
Scammony, fix drachms ;
Hard extract of jalap,
Socotorine aloes, of each an ounce and a half ;
Ginger, half an ounce.
Powder them feparately, and mix them. (L.)
In this formula, the combination of fcammony, jalap, and aloes,
furnilhes a very a£Hve purgative, which, with fome intentions at
leaft, may be preferable to the preceding. From five to ten
grains of it operate as a purgative, even in cafes of obftinate
coftivenefs.
PULVIS SCAMMONII cum CALOMELANE. L.
Powder of Scammony with Calomel,
Take of
Scammony, half an ounce ;
Calomel,
Double refined fugar, of each two drachms.
Powder them feparately, and then mix them. (L.)
558
Materia Medicu.
In this formula, we have the fcammony in a more fimple ftate,
united with fuch a proportion of calomel, as muft very confider-
ably aid its purgative power ; and accordingly it may be employed
with advantage, both in cafes of obftinate coitivenefs, and in drop-
fical affections, where a confiderable difcharge is required from
the fyftem.
PULVIS SENNiE COMPOSITUS. L.
Compound Powder of Senna.
Take of
Senna,
Cryftals of tartar, of each two ounces ; ,
Scammony, half an ounce j
Ginger, two drachms.
Triturate the fcammony by itfelf, reduce the reft together into a
powder, and then mix them all. (L.)
This powder is given as a cathartic, in the dofe of two fcruples,
or a drachm. The fpice is added, not only to divide, but to warm
the medicine, and make it fit eafier on the ftomach. The fcam-
mony is ufed as a ftimulus to the fenna ; the quantity of the latter
neceffary for a dofe, when not affifted by fome more powerful
material, being too bulky to be conveniently taken in this form.
PULVIS SULPHATIS ALUMINA COMPOSITUS ; olim,
Pulvis Stypticus. Ed.
Compound Powder of Sulphate of Alumina> formerly Styptic Powder.
Take of
Sulphate of alumina, four parts \
Kino, one part.
Rub them together to a fine powder. (E.)
This powder is compofed of two very powerful aftringents, but
which we believe are not combined with propriety. At kail, it
is certain that a folution of alum is decomposed by a folution of
kino.
P. Pulveres. — Punica Granatum. 559
PULVIS TRAGACANTHJE COMPOSITUS. L.
Compound Powder of Tragacanth.
Take of
Tragacanth, powdered,
Gum arabic,
Starch, of each an ounce and a half ;
Double refined fugar, three ounces.
Rub them together into a powder. (L.)
This compofition is a mild emollient ; and hence becomes ler-
viceable in hectic cafes, tickling coughs, ftrangury, fome kinds of
alvine fluxes, and other diforders proceeding from a thin acrimo-
nious (late of the humours, or an abrafion of the mucus of the
inteftines : they foften, and give a greater degree of confiftency
to the former, and defenJ. the latter from being irritated or exco-
riated by them. All the ingredients coincide in thefe general in-
tentions. The dofe is from half a drachm to two or three drachms,
which may be frequently repeated.
PUNICA GRANATUM. Cortex fruclus. Flores plem,
Balauftia dicli. Ed.
Granatum. L. D.
Pomegranate. The outer rind of the fruit. The double flowers,
called Balaufline.
Willd. g. 980. fp. 1. Icofandria Monogynia. — Nat. ord. Pomaces.
The pomegranate is a low tree, or rather ftirub, growing wild
in Italy and other countries in the fouth of Europe ; it is fome-
times met with in our gardens ; but the fruit, for which it is chief-
ly valued, rarely comes to perfection. This fruit has the general
qualities of the other fweet fummer fruits, allaying heat, quench-
ing third, and gently loofening the belly. The rind is a ftrong
aftringent, finking a permanent blue with fulphate of iron, and as
fuch is occafionally made ufe of. The flowers are of an elegant
red colour, in appearance refembling a dried red rofe. Their tafte
is bitterifh and aftringent. They are recommended in diarrhoeas,
dyfenteries, and other cafes where aftringent medicines are pro-
per.
560
Materia Medica.
PYROLA UMBELLATA.
Ground-holly. Pippfifeva.
This is a very common North American plant, belonging to the
fame clafs and order as the uva urfi. The two plants are nearly
allied to each other in botanical affinity, as well as in their medi-
cal properties.
It is confiderably aftringent, and is confidered by Dr. Barton as
highly worthy the notice of phyficians. It has been ufed with ad-
vantage in the fame cafes in which uva urfi has been found be-
neficial. It has alfo been ufed with good efFecl: in fome cafes of
intermittents. In one cafe its diuretic operation was evident. The
bruifed leaves externally applied fometimes induce rednefs, vefi-
cation and defquamation of the {kin.*
PYRUS CYDONIA.
CydoniA Malus. Frutlus, ejufqne femen. L.
The quince. The fruit and feeds.
Willd. g, 992. fp. 17. Icofandria Pentagynia. — Nat. ord. Pcmacea.
The quince is originally a native of Crete, but ripens its fruit
perfectly in our climate.
Quinces have a very auftere acid tafte : taken in fmall quantity,
they are fuppofed to reitrain vomiting and alvine fluxes ; and more
liberally, to loofen the belly. The feeds abound with a mucilagi-
nous fubftance of no particular tafte, which they readily impart to
watery liquors • an ounce will render three pints of water thick
and ropy like the white of an egg. They will not however fupply
the place of gum arabic, becaufe their mucilage fpoils very quickly,
and is precipitated by acids.
Officinal Preparation.
Mucilago pyri cydoniae, L. - vide, Mucilagines.
* Barton's Collections, Part II. p. 2. Mitchel's Inaugural Effay, on Uva urfi,
■tud Pyrola umbellata.
■Quassia excelsa. l
561
QUASSIA.
Willd. g. 84-9. Decandria Monogynia. — Nat. ord. Gruinales.
QUASSIA EXCELSA. Sp. 3. Lignum. Ed.
Quassia. Lignum, Cortex, Radix. L.
QuaJJia, the wood, hark, and root.
D. Kwassiehout. I. Legno di Quastia.
DA. Quassebark. P. Pad dr Quassia.
F. Bois dr Quassie. S. Leno de Quassia.
G. Quassienhoiz. SW. Quassidcii ad.
This tree grows in Jamaica, and in the Caribazan iflands. The
quafTia of the (hops is the wood of its root, and not of the Cjuahja
amara, which is a very rare tree, but furpaflos all others in Littcr-
nefs.
This root is about the thicknefs of a man's arm : its wood is
whitifh, becoming yellowiih by expofure to the air. It has a thin,
grey, fiflured, brittle bark, which is deemed in Surinam more
powerful than the wood. Qualha has no fenfible odour, but is
one of the molt intenfe, durable, pure bitters known. Its infu-
fion, decocfion, and tincture, are almoft equally bitter and yellow-
ifh, and are not blackened by chalybeates. The properties of the
extract of quafTia have been detailed by Dr. Thomfon, under the
title of the bitter principle.
Medical ufe. — It is a very pure and fimple bitter, and may be
given in all cafes where bitters are proper. It has been exhibited
in intermittent and bilious fevers, in Itomachic complaints, in li-
enteria, in cachexy, dropfies, leucorrhcea, and gout. It is much
ufed in Great Britain to give the bitternefs to malt liquors, though
it fubje&s thofe brewers who employ it to a very heavy penalty.
It can fcarcely be reduced to a fulHciently fine pov/der to be
given in fubftance, and is therefore generally given in the form of
infufion, decoction, or extract.
4C
562
Materia Medica.
QUASSIA SIMARUBA. Sp. 2. Cortex. Ed.
Simarouba. Cortex. L. Cortex, Lignum. D.
Simarouba. Mountain or bitter dam/on. The bark.
D. Roodenloofi nvortel.
DA. SinMruba.
F. Simarouba.
G. Ruhrwurzel.
I. Simaruba.
P. Simaroba
S. Simaruba.
SW. Simaruba.
This tree grows in Guiana and in Jamaica. The fimarouba of
the (hops is the bark of the root of this tree, and not of the quaflia
amara, as dated by the Dublin college. It -is brought to us in
pieces fome feet long, and fome inches broad, folded lengthwife.
It is light, fibrous, very tough ; of a pale yellow on the infide ;
darker coloured, rough, fcaly, and warted on the outfide ; has lit-
tle fmell, and a bitter, not difagreeable tade. It gives out its bit-
ternefs both to alcohol and water.
Medical ufe — It has been much celebrated in obdinate diarrhoea,
dyfentery, anorexia, indigedion, lienteria, and intermittent fevers ;
but it is doubtful that it is better than other bitters.
It is given in powder, in dofes of half a drachm, or a whole
drachm ; but it is too bulky, and very difficultly pulverizable. It
is bed exhibited in decoction. Two drachms of the bark may be
boiled in two pounds of water to one, and the deco&ion drunk in
cupfuls in the eourfe of the day.
QTJERCUS.
Monoecia Polyandria. — Nat. ord. Amentacea.
QUERCUS ROBUR. Cortex. Ed.
Quercus. L. D.
Oak. The bark.
D. Eik. P. Bobley Carvalho.
DA. Eeg. POL. Dab.
F. Chenr. R. Dab.
G. Eic/w. S. Foblc, Carballo.
J. Quercia. SW. Ek.
The oak grows wild in Britain. The fuperior excellence of its
-;.vood for (hip-building has rendered its cultivation an obje£t of
Q. Quercus Cerris.
563
national concern. Its faw-duft is an ufeful dye ftuff, and its bark
is the principal article ufed in tanning.
Medical ufe. — The bark is a ftrong artringent, and is recommend-
ed in hemorrhagies, alvine fluxes, and other preternatural or im-
moderate fecretions. In thefe it is fometimes attended with good
effects. But it is by no means capable of being employed as a fub-
ftitute, in every inftance, for Peruvian bark, as ibme have averted $
and indeed it is fo difficultly reduced to a fufficiently fine powder,
that it can fcarcely be given internally in fubftance.
Dr. RoufTeau in a communication publifhed in the Philadelphia
Medical Mufeum, Vol. II. has mentioned the efficacy of the black
oak bark in intermittents, and it would appear to be well worthy
the attention of phyficians. The powder, as prepared by Mr.
Benger, is of the molt extreme degree of flnenefs.
The Spanifh oak, (Quercus rubra montana) Dr. Barton has
ufed in gangrene, and he thinks it equalled in power the beft
Peruvian bark.
Officinal Preparation.
Extractum querci, D. - vide, Extracta. .
QUERCUS CERRIS. Cyniphis nidus. Ed.
Galla. L. Gall^e. Cynipidum nidi. D.
Oriental oak. The nejl of the cynips quercifolii.
D. Galnooten.
DA. Galdxbler.
F. Gallesy Aroix de Galles.
G. Galldtifel.
I. Guile, Galluzze.
P. Galkas, Bugalhoa.
POL. Galas.
R. Tschernilnue oreschfei.
S. Jgallas.
SW. Galld/i/den.
This fpecies of oak is a native of the Levant, and of the
warmer countries of Europe.
The cynips quercifolii, an hymenopterous infect, depofites its
eggs in the leaves and other tender parts of the tree. Around each
puncture an excrefence is prefently formed, within which the egg
is hatched, and the infect paffes through all the ftages of its me-
tamorphofis, until it becomes perfect:, when it eats its way out
of its prifon. Thefe excrefcences are called galls, or gall-nuts.
They are of different fizes, fmooth or knotty on the furface, of a
whitifh, reddifh, or blackifh colour, and generally penetrated with
a fmall hole. Internally they confift of a fpongy, but hard, more
or lefs brown fubftance, and they have a very rough aftringent
tafte. Good galls are of a blackifh-grey or yellow colour, heavy.
564
Materia Medica.
and tuberculated on the furface. They are the moft powerful
aftringents we poiTefs ; and, iince the difcovery of the tanning prin-
ciple by Mr. Seguin, have very much engaged the attention of
chemifts. But the molt accurate analyfis is that of Mr. Davy,
who found that 500 grains of good Aleppo galls gave, by lixiviat-
ing them until their foluble matters were taken up, and evaporat-
ing the folution ilowly, 185 grains of folid matter, which, when
examined by analyfis, appeared to confifh of,
Tannin,* 130
Mucilage, and matter rendered infoluble by
evaporation, 12
Gallic acid,-f and a little extractive matter, 31
Remainder, calcareous earth and faline matter, 12
From his experiments, Dr. Duncan is difpofed to think that Mr.
Davy has under-rated the tannin of nut-galls ; for by fimple re-
peated infufions in hot water, the refiduum of 500 grains in one
experiment amounted only to 158, and in another only to 136.
The quantity of tannin eftimated in Mr. Davy's way amounted,
in the firft to 221 grains, and in the fecond to 256. The great
difference in thefe refults from Mr. Davy's muft be entirely afcrib-
ed to fome differences in the galls themfelves, or in the mode of
operation. A faturated decoction of galls, in cooling, depofites a
copious pale yellow precipitate, which feems to be purer tannin
than can be got by any other procefs. Neumann got from 960
grains of coarfely powdered galls 840 watery extract, and after-
wards only 4 alcoholic ; and inverfely, 760 alcoholic and 80
watery.
Medical ufe. — An infufion or decoction of galls may be ufed
with advantage as an aftringent gargle ; and an ointment of one
part of finely powdered galls to eight of any fimple ointment is
applied with fuccefs in hemorrhoidal affections.
* Tannin, when completely dried, is a brittle fubftance, of a black colour, and
vitreous fraclure ; it is foluble in alcohol ; it is much more foluble in hot than in cold
water. I he folution has a dark brown colour, aftringent tafte, and peculiar fine 11;
it is precipitated by acids, in the form of a vifcid fluid, like pitch ; it is alfo pred-
icted by carbonate of potafs in yellow flakes; it forms an infoluble elaftic preci-
pitate with gelatin, and dark blue or black precipitates with iron.
f Gallic acid cryftallizes in brilliant cnlourlefs plates, of an acid and fomewhat
auftere tafte, and of a peculiar odour when heated. It may be fublimed without
alteration, although a ftrong heat decompofes it in part. It is not altered by expo-
fure to the air, is foluble in I A of water at 21 2°, and in 12 waters at 6o°, and in
four times its weight of alcohol. It has a ftrong affinity for metallic oxides, efpeci-
ally iron. It precipitates gold, copper, and filver brown, mercury orange, iron
black, bifmuth yellow, and lead white.
Oallala have net been examined.
R. Ranunculus. — Rhamnus. 565
R.
RANUNCULUS SCELERATUS.
Celery-leaved Crowfoot.
This is a very acrid plant ; when bruifed and laid upon any
part of the body, it will in a few hours time raife a blilter. The
Ranunculus bulbofus, (bulbous crowfoot or butter-cups) pof-
feffes the fame properties. The former is a native of both Eu-
rope and America, the latter, which grows here very plentifullv,
Dr. Barton thinks is not a native.*
RHAMNUS CATHARTICUS. Baccarum fuccus. Ed.
Spina Cervina. Bacca. L.
Purging buckthorn. The berry. The juice of the berries.
Willd. g. 405. fp. 1. Pentandria Monogynia. — Nat. ord. Dumofa.
This tree, or bufh, 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 fome other trees, as the black berry-bear-
ing alder, and the dogberry tree, have of late been frequently
mixed with, or fubftituted for, thofe of buckthorn. This abufe
may be difcovered by opening the berries : thofe of buckthorn
have almoft always four feeds, the berries of the alder two, and
thofe of the dogberry only one. Buckthorn berries, bruifed on
white paper, ftain it of a green colour, which the others do not.
Thofe who fell the juice to the apothecaries, are faid to mix it
with a large proportion of water.
* Barton'* Colle&ions, Part I. p. a ;
566
Materia Medica.
Medical ufe. — Buckthorn berries have a faint difagreeable fmell,
and a naufeous bitter tafte. They have long been in confiderable
efteem as cathartics : and celebrated in dropfies, rheumatifms, and
even in the gout : though in thefe cafes they have no advantage
above other purgatives, but are more offenfive, and operate more
feverely, than many which the fhops are furnimed with. They
generally occafion gripes, ficknefs, dry the mouth and throat, and
leave a thirft of long duration. The dofe is about twenty of the
frefh berries in fubftance, and twice or thrice this number in de-
coction •, an ounce of the exprefled juice, or a drachm of the dried
berries.
Officinal Preparation.
Syrupus rhamni cathartici, E. L. - vide, Syrujri.
RHEUM PALMATUM. Radix. Ed.
Rhabarbarum. L. D.
Palmated rhubarb. The root.
iVilld. g. 808. fp. 5. Enneandria Monogynia. — Nat. ord. O/eracea.
D.
Rhabarber.
POL. Fcubarbarum,
DA.
Rabarber.
rtckic.
F.
Rhubarb e.
R. Rewen.
G.
Fhabarber,
S. Ridbarbo.
I.
Rabarbaro, Reobarbaro.
SW. Rabarber.
P.
Ruibarbo.
This plant grows fpontaneoufly in China, and endures the colds
of our climate.
But it is not afcertained that the Chinefe or Ruffian rhubarb is the
dried root of this plant. Pallas thinks that it is obtained indifcri-
rninately from the rheum undulatum, palmatum, and compa£lum,
more especially from the firft ; while Mr. Sievers, an apothecary
who was fent by Catharine II. on purpofe to obtain the true rhu-
barb plant, and travelled for feveral years in the countries conti-
guous to that whence the rhubarb is brought, is of opinion, that
the botanical characters of the plant which furnifhesit are ftill un-
known, excepting that it is laid not to grow to a great fize, and to
have round leaves, which are toothed on the edges with almoft
fpinous points.
R.— Rheum palmatum. 567
All the rhubarb of commerce is brought from the Chinefe town
Sini, or Selim, by the Buchanans. It grows on the neighbouring
chain of lofty mountains which ftretches to the lake Koko-Nor,
between 35° and 40° north latitude. It is dug up by the poor
peafants, cleaned from the earth, cut in pieces, ftrung with the
bark on firings, and expofed to dry under cover in the made for
a whole year, before it is again cleaned and prepared for export-
ation.
There is a diftincYion made in commerce between the Ruffian
and Chinefe rhubarb, although they both come from the fame
country.
The Ruffian is dearer, and always good, as very great attention
is paid both in purchafing and tranfporting it, by order of the go-
vernment. In Kiachta, on the Ruffian frontier, it is received from
the Buchanans by a Ruffian apothecary, who examines it. The
bad is immediately burnt, and the good is freed from its bark,
woody parts, and every impurity, in the molt careful manner. It
is then ient to Mofcow and to Peterfburgh, where it is again ex-
amined.
It is commonly in round pieces, of a reddHh or v/hitilh yellow
colour, feels gritty between the teeth, and is often perforated with
fo large a hole, that many pieces have the appearance of a bark.
The Chinefe or Eaft-Indian rhubarb is brought by fea from Can-
ton. It is heavier, harder, and more compact, than the other ; fel-
dom perforated with holes, and either in long pieces, or with two
flat fides, as if they had been compreffed. Dr. Lewis thinks thac
this is lefs aromatic, but Wronger, than the Turkey ; and that it
has required lefs care in drying from having been lifted when the
root was lefs watery.
The general characters of good rhubarb are, its having a whitifh
or clear yellow colour, being dry, folid, and compact, moderately-
heavy ; brittle when recently broken appearing marked with yel-
low or reddiih veins, mixed with white ; being eafily pulverizable;
forming a powder of a fine bright yellow, having the peculiar, nau-
feous, aromatic fmell of rhubarb, and a fub-acrid, bitterifh, fome-
what aftringent tafte, and when chewed feeling gritty under the
teeth, fpeedily colouring the faliva, and not appearing very muci-
laginous. The fize and form of the pieces are of little confequence ;
only we muft break the large ones, to fee that they are not decay-
ed or rotten within ; and we muft alfo obferve that they are not
mufty or worm-eaten. This is the more necefTary, as damaged
pieces are frequently fo artfully dreiTed up, and coloured with pow-
dered rhubarb, as to impofe on the buyer.
The principal conftituent of rhubarb is extractive matter, foluble
both in alcohol and in water. By gentle decoction, it lofes above
one half its weight. Rhubarb alfo contains feme volatile odor-
568
Materia Medka,
ous matter, on which its peculiar naufeous fmell, and its activity
as a purge, depend ; for when diffipated, either by age or any pre-
paration to which the rhubarb has been fubjected, the powers of
the medicine are almoft deftroyed. It aifo contains fome tannin,
and about one fixth of its weight of oxalate of lime. Neumann
got from 4-80 grains 180 of alcoholic, and afterwards 170 watery
extract and inverfely, 350 watery and only 5 of alcoholic ex-
tract.
Medical ufe. — Rhubarb is a mild cathartic, which operates with-
out violence or irritation, and may be given with fafety even to preg-
*nant women, and to children. In fome people, however, it occa-
jfions fevere griping. Befides its purgative quality, it is celebrated
as an aftringent, by which it Arengthens the tone of the ftotnach
and inteflines, and proves ufeful in diarrhoea and diforders. pro-
ceeding from laxity.
Rhubarb is exhibited,
t. In fubftance, in the form of powder. It operates more
powerfully as a purgative in this form than in any other. The
dofe for an adult is about a fcruple or upwards. On account of its
great bulk, it is {bmetimes unpleafant to take, and its laxative ef-
fect's are often increafed by the addition of neutral falts, or other
more active purgatives. In fmaller dofes it often proves an excel-
lent ftomachic.
2. In infufion. Rhubarb yields more of its purgative property
to water than to alcohol. The infufion is, however, confiderably
Weaker than the powder, and requires double the dofe to produce
the fame effect. It is well adapted for children, but mud: be al-
ways frefh prepared.
3. In tincture. On account of the Simulating nature of the
tuenftruum, this preparation frequently cannot be exhibited in dofes
large enough to operate as a purgative. Its principal uie is as a
tonic and ftomachic.
The virtues of rhubarb are deftroyed by roafiing, boiling, and
in forming the extract.
Officinal Preparations.
Infusum rhei, E.
Vinum rhei, E. L.
Tinctura rhei, E. L.
composita, L.
cum aloe, E.
cum gentiana, E.
Pilulae rhei composita:, E.
vide, Infuta.
Vina medicata.
Tincturx.
Idem.
Idem.
Idem.
Pilulx.
R. Rhodendron. — Rhus. 569
RHODODENDRON CHRYSANTHUM. Folia. Ed.
Yellow -flowered Rhododendron. The leaves.
Willd. g. SQl.fp.l. Decandria Monogynia. — Nat. ord. Bicornes.
This fmall fhrub grows in the coldefl fituations, and higheft
parts of the fnow-covered mountains in Eaft Siberia, and efpecially
in Dauria. The leaves are oblong, rigid, reflected at the edges,
rough on the upper furface, fmooth, and paler on the lower.
When dried, they have no fmell, but a rough, aflringent, and
bitterifh tafte. They alfo contain a ftimulant narcotic principle ;
for they increafe the heat of the body, excite thirft, and produce
diaphorefis, or an increafed difcharge of the other fecretions or
excretions ; and in a larger dofe, inebriation and delirium.
Medical ufe. — The Siberians ufe a decoction of it in rheumatifm
and gout. They put about two drachms of the dried fhrub in an
earthen pot, with about ten ounces of boiling water, keeping it
near a boiling heat for a night, and this they take in the morning.
Befides its other effects, it is faid to produce a fenfation of prick-
ling or creeping in the pained parts ; but in a few hours the pain
and difagreeable fymptoms are relieved, and two or three dofes
generally complete the cure. The ufe of liquids is not allowed
during its operation, as this is apt to induce vomiting.
RHODODENDRON MAXIMUM.
Pennfylvania mountain laurel.
This plant, which is poifonous, is a fpecies of the fame genus
as the Rhododendron, which has lately acquired much reputation
in the cure of chronic rheumatifm. The powder around the foot-
ftalks is errhine.*
>
RHUS TOXICODENDRON. Folia. Ed.
Poifon oak. The leaves.
Willd. g. 566. fp. 17. Pentandria Trigynia. — Nat. ord. Dumofa.
This is a deciduous fhrub of moderate growth, a native of
North America. The leaves are alternate, and ftand upon very
* Barton's Colle&ions, Part I. p. 18.
4 D
570
Materia Medica.
long leaf-ftalks. Each leaf confifts of three leafits. It is faid that
its juice is fo extremely acrid as to caufe inflammation, and fome-
times even fphacelation, in the parts touched with it.
Medical ufe — It was firft. tried as a medicine by Dr. Alderfon of
Hull, in imitation of the experiments of M. Frefnoi with the rhus
radicans. He gave it in four cafes of paralyfis, in dofes of half a
grain, or a grain, three times a-day, and all his patients recovered,
to a certain degree, the ufe of their limbs. -The firft fymptom of
amendment was always an unpleafant feeling of prickling or twitch-
ing in the paralytic limbs It has been given in larger dofes,
without experiencing the fame fuccefs. It was not, however, in-
active. In one cafe the patient difcontinued its ufe on account of
the difagreeable prickling it occafioned ; and in general it operated
as a gentle laxative, notwithftanding the torpid Hate of the bowels
of fuch patients.
This family of plants deferves more attention than has yet been
paid them. The excellent Inaugural DifTertation of Dr. Horfe-
field. on the Rhus Vernix, Rhus Radicans, and Rhus Glabrum,
publifhed in 1 798, will amply repay the trouble of perufing it.
See alfo Dr. Barton's Collections, Part I. and II.
RIBES.
Willd. g. 415. Pentandria Monogynia, — Nat. ord. Pomacez,
D. K,renten, Krenten.
F. Faisins de Cori'rithe.
G. Korinthen.
I. I've J asst di Corinto.
P. Passas de Corinto.
POL. Ko .inli v,ale, drobne.
R. Ko^inka, Oftcek.
S. T'asas de Corinto.
RIBES RUBRUM. Sp. 1. FruBus. L. D.
Red currant. The fruit.
This fhrub grows wild in England, and is very generally culti-
vated for the fake of its plealant fub-acid fruit. 1 he juice of the
fruit contains faccharine matter, malic, and citric acids, and a fub-
ftance fcarcely folubie in cold water, very foluble in hot water, and
coagulating into the form of a jelly as it cools. By boiiing cur-
rant juice with a iuilicient quantity of fugar to abforb the acid
watery parts, the whole forms, on cooling, an uniform jelly,
which is often ufed as an acid demulcent in fore throats, and dif-
folved in water, forms a plealant cooling drink in feverifh com-
plaints.
R. Ribes. — Ricinus.
571
RIBES NIGRUM. Sp. 8. Fruclus. L. D.
Black currant. The fruit.
This is alfo a native fhrub of England, which is likewife fre-
quently cultivated for the fame purpofes with the former variety,
and indeed is preferred to it for medical ufe.
Offjcinal Preparations.
Syrupus succi fractals rihis nigri, L. - vide, Sijru/i.
Succus spissatus ribis nigri, L. - Succi tyUtati.
RICINUS COMMUNIS. Semen, et oleum fixum. Ed. L. D.
Monoecia Monadelphia. — Nat. ord. Triccoca.
Palma Chrijli. The feeds, and the fixed oil obtained from them.
F. Huile de Ricin. P. Oleo de Ricino.
G. Unxchies Palmoel^ Ricinus S. Aceite de Ricino^d Palma
oel. Chris ti.
I. Olio di Ricino.
This plant grows in both Indies, Africa, and the fouth of Eu-
rope. It alio grows luxuriantly in the fouthern ftatesof America,
where it is now becoming an article of export. It is of fpeedy
growth, and in one year arrives at its full height, which feldom
exceeds twenty feet. The capfules are prickly and triangular,
and contain, under a thin, dry, grey, and black-marbled hulk, a
white oily kernel. The Ikin is extremely acrid ; and one or two
of the feeds fwallowed entire operate as a draftic purgative or
emetic.
The kernels yield almofl a fourth part of their weight of a bland
fixed oil, commonly called Caltor oil. It is obtained from them
either by exprellion or by decoction with water. The former
method is practifed in Europe, the latter in Jamaica. To increafe
the product, it is common to parch the feeds over the fire, before
the oil is extracted from them •, but the oil thus obtained is infe-
rior to that prepared by cold exprellion or fimple decoction, and is
apt to become rancid.
Genuine caltor oil is thick and vifcid, of a whitilh colour, infi-
pid or fweetilh to the talte, and without fmell.
Medical ufe. — As a medicine, it is a gentle and ufeful purga-
tive ; it in general produces its effects without griping, and may be
given with {afety where acrid purgatives are improper, as in colic.,
572
Materia Medica.
calculus, gonorrhoea, &c. : fome likewife ufe it as a purgative in
worm cafes. Half an ounce or an ounce commonly anfwers with
an adult, and a drachm or two with an infant.
With many the averfion to oil is fo great, that this purgative
cannot be taken without great reluctance ; and accordingly differ-
ent modes of taking it have been propofed. Some prefer taking
it fwimming on a glafs of water, of milk-or peppermint water,
or in the form of emulfion, with mucilage, or with the addition
of a little rum.
ROSA.
Willd. g. 997. Icofandria Polygyria. — Nat. ord. Senticofe.
ROSA GALLIC A. Sp. 16. Petala. Ed.
Rosa Rubra. L. D.
Red rofe. The petals.
This has not the fragrance of the fucceeding fpecies ; but the
beautiful colour of its petals, and their pleafant aftringency, have
rendered them officinal. It muft, however, be remarked that
their odour is increafed by drying, while that of the damaflc and
mofs rofes is almoft deftroyed.
Officinal Preparations.
Syrupus rosae g-allicae, E. - vide, Syrupi.
IVlel rosae, L. D. - - Mrtla medicata.
Infusum rosae Gallicse, E. L. D. - - Infusa.
Conserva rosae rubrae, E. L. D. - - Conserve.
ROSA DAMASCENA. Sp. 17. Petala. L. D.
Rosa Centifolia. Ed.
Damask rofe. The Petals. ,
The native country of this fhrub is unknown, but the delight-
ful fragrance of its flowers has rendered it the favourite ornament
of every garden. In the former editions of Linnaeus, the damafk
rofe was confidered as a variety only of the rofa centifolia ; but
R. Rosa. — Rosmarinus. 573
Aiton, Du Roy, and Willdenow have arranged it as a diftin£t fpe-
cies. It is however highly probable, that the petals of all the va-
rieties of the rofa centifolia, or Dutch hundred-leaved rofe, Will-
denow's 15th fpecies, are employed indifcriminately with thofe of
the real damafk rofe in^the diftillation of rofe water.
Officinal Preparations.
Syrupus rosae centifoliae, E. L. - - vidcy Syrufii.
Aqua rosae centifolia:, E. L. D. - - Aqua destillatx.
ROSA CANINA. Sp. 31. FruBus recens. Ed.
Cynosbatus. L.
Dog rofe. The fruit called Hips.
This fhrub is found in hedges throughout Britain. The pulp
of the fruit, befides faccharine matter, contains citric acid, which
gives it an acid tafte. The feeds, and ftiff hair with which they
are furrounded, muft be carefully removed from the pulp before
it can be ufed.
Officinal Preparation.
Conserva rosae caninae, E. L. - - vide, Conserve.
ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS. Summitries fiorentes. Ed.
Ros Marinus. Cacumetiyflos. L. Rosmarinus. Herba. D.
Rojemary. The herb and flowers.
Willd. g. 62. fp. 1. Diandria Monogynia. — Nat. ord. Verticillatx.
Rosemary is a fhrubby perennial, which grows wild in the
fouth of Lurope, and is cultivated in our gardens. It has a fra-
grant fmell, and a warm pungent bitterifli tafte, approaching to
thofe of lavender : the leaves and tender tops are ftrongeft ; next
to thefe the cup of the flower ; the flowers themfelves are confi-
derably the weakeft, but moft pleafant.
Medical ufe. — Its virtues depend entirely on its eflential oil,
which feems to be combined with camphor, not only from its pe-
574
Materia Medica.
culiar tafte, but from its pofleffing chemical properties, which de-
pend on the prefence of camphor ; and from its depofiting cryftals
of camphor when long kept.
Officinal Preparations.
Oleum volatile rosmarini, E. L. D. - * vide, Olea volatilia.
Spiritus rosmarini, E. L. - - - Spiritus destillati,
RUBIA TINCTORUM. Radix. Ed.
Rubia. L. D.
Madder. The root.
D. Mee, Meekrap, Krap. P. Gravca, Ruiva.
DA. Krap.. POL. Marzana.
F. Garanee. R. Mariana, Kraft.
G. Krafip, Farherrb'the. S. Gtauza, Rubia.
t Robbi. SW. Krafifi.
Willd. g. ISl.fp. 1. Tetrandria Monogyma.—Nzt. ord. SteUata.
Madder is perennial, and grows wild in fome parts of Britain,
buc the dyers are principally fupplied with it from Zealand, where
it is cultivated in large quantities.
The roots confift of articulated fibres, about the thicknefs of a
quill, which are red throughout, have a weak fmell, and a bitter-
ifh aftringent tafte. For the ufe of the dyers, they are firft peeled
and dried, then bruifed and packed in barrels. Madder potteries
the remarkable property of tinging the urine, milk, and bones, of
animals which are fed with it, of a red colour.
Medical ufe. — It is faid to be ufeful in the atrophy of children,
and fome believe in its reputed powers as an emmenagogue.
It is given in fubftance in dofes of half a drachm, feveral times
a day, or in decoction.
RUBUS ID^EUS. FruElus. L. D.
Rafpberry. The fruit.
Willd. g. 998. fp. 4. Icofandria Polygyria. — Nat. ord. Senticofe.
This ihrub is found wild in Britain, and is much cultivated for
the fake of its pleafant fub-acid fruit, which contains both citric
and malic acids.
Officinal Preparation.
Syrupus succi fructus rubi icLci, L. - - vide, Syruftu
R. Rumex. — Ruta. 575
RUMEX ACETOSA. Folia. Ed.
Acetosa Pratensis. L. Acetosa. D.
Sorrel. The leaves.
Willi, g. 699. fp. 31. Hexandria Trigynia. — Nat. ord. Oleracea.
Sorrel is a perennial plant, which grows wild in fields and
meadows throughout Britain. The leaves have an aftringent acid
tafte, without any fmell or particular flavour : their medical effects
are, to cool, quench thirft, and promote the urinary difcharge : a
decoction of them in whey affords an ufeful and agreeable drink
in febrile or inflammatory diforders.
All thefe effects are to be afcribed entirely to the super-oxalate
of potafs which they contain.
RUTA GRAVEOLENS. Uerba. Ed. Ruta. L. D.
Rue. The herb.
Willd. g. 927. fp. 1. Becandria Monogynia. — Nat. ord. Mul-
tifiUqux.
This is a fmall fhrubby plant, a native of the fouth of Europe,
and cultivated in our gardens.
Rue has a ftrong ungrateful fmell, and a bitterifh penetrating
tafte : the leaves, when in full vigour, are extremely acrid, info-
much as to inflame and blifter the Ikin, if much handled. Neu-
mann got from 960 grains of the dried leaves 330 alcoholic ex-
tract, and afterwards 290 watery ; and inverfely, 540 watery and
40 alcoholic. Both primary extracts are bitter and acrid. Rue
alfo contains a volatile oil, which congeals readily, and is obtain-
ed in greateft quantity by diftilling the plant with the feeds half
ripe.
Medical nfe. — With regard to their medical virtues, like other
remedies, of which the active conftituent is an eflential oil, they
are heating and ftimulating, and hence fometimes are ferviceable
in fpafmodic affections, and cafes of obltructed fecretions.
Officinal Preparations.
Oleum volatile rutae, D. - - vide, Qlea volatilia.
Extractum rutae graveolentis, E. L. D.' - Kxtracta.
Pulvis myrrh, compositus, L. - - Pidveres.
576
Materia Medica.
s.
SACCHARUM OFFICINARUM.
•a. Saccharum non purificatum. Ed. L. Saccharum rubrum. D.
b. Saccharum purificatum. L. D. Saccharum purijfimum. Ed.
C. Sacchari rubri fyrupus. D.
Sugar-cane. Raw or brown fugar. Double refined fugar, Melajfes.
Wtlld. g. 122. fp. 4. Triandria Digynia. — Nat. ord. Gr amino.
D. Suiker. P. Assucar.
DA. Suker. POL. C^7>r.
F. Sucre. R. Sachar.
G. Zucker. S. Azucar.
I. Zuccaro. SW. Socker.
The fugar cane grows wild in both Indies, and forms the prin-
cipal object of cultivation in the Weft Indies.
Sugar is a hard, but brittle fubftance, of a white colour, dif-
pofed to form femi-tranfparent cryftailizations, of a fweet tafte,
and without fmell. When heated fufficiently it melts, is decom-
pofed, emits a peculiar fmell (caromel), and becomes inflamed.
Sugar at 40° is foluble in its own weight of water, and in ftill
lefs at 212°. It is alfo foluble in about four parts of boiling alco-
hol. It combines with volatile oils, and renders them mifcible
with water. It alfo unites with potafs and lime. It is decompos-
ed by the concentrated fulphuric and nitric acids. According to
Lavoifier's experiments, it confifts of 71.76 oxygen, 17.89 car-
bon, and 10.35 hydrogen ; or, according to the original calcula-
tion, of 64 oxygen, 28 charcoal, and 8 hydrogen.
S. Saccharum.
577
Sugar, is principally obtained from the plant, by boiling down its
expreffed juice, with the addition of a certain proportion of lime or
potafs, until the greater part is difpofed to concrete into brownifh
or yellowifh cryftalline grains. The lime or potafs is added to fatu-
rate fome malic acid, whofe prefence impedes the cryftallization.
The melajpsy or that portion of the infpiftated juice which does not
cryftallize, is feparated from the raw fugar, which is fent to Eu-
rope to be refined. This is performed by dilTolving it in water,
boiling the folution with lime-water, clarifying it with blood or
white of eggs, and (training it through woollen bags. The folu-
tion, after due evaporation, is permitted to cool to a certain de-
gree, and then poured into conical forms of unglazed earthen
ware, where it concretes into a mafs of irregular cryftals. The
fyrup which has not cryftallized is then permitted to run off
through a hole in the apex of the cone. The upper or broad end
of the cone is then covered with moift clay, the water of which
gradually penetrates into the fugar, and difplaces a quantity of
fyrup, which would otherwife be retained in it, and difcolour it.
It is then carefully dried, and gets the name of loaf or lump fugar.
When the folution and other fteps of the procefs are repeated, the
fugar is faid to be double refined. Sugar is fometimes made to af-
fume a more regular form of cryftallization, by carrying the evapo-
ration only a certain length, and then permitting the fyrup to cool
(lowly. In this form it is called Brown or White fugar candy, ac-
cording to the degree of its purity.
Raw fugar varies very much in quality. It fhould be dry, crys-
tallized in large fparkling grains, of a whitifh or clear yellow co-
lour, without fmell, and of a fweet tafte, without any peculiar fla-
vour.
Refined fugar mould have a brilliant white colour, and a clofe
compact texture. It fhould be very hard, but brittle, and break
with fliarp, femi-tranfparent, fplintery fragments.
Medical ufe. — Sugar, from being a luxury, has now become one
of the neceflaries of life. In Europe fugar is almoft folely ufed as
a condiment. But it is alfo a very wholefome and powerful article
of nourifhment *, for during crop time, the negroes in the Weft-
Indies, notwithltanding their increafed labours, always grow fat.
It is in this way alfo that its internal employment is ufefui in fome
difeafes, as in fea fcurvy ; for fugar produces no particular effect:
as a medicine, except that the coarfer and impure kinds are flightly
purgative. Applied externally it acts as an efcharotic in fpongy
and unhealthy granulations ; and to abraded or inflamed furfaces
it proves gently ftimulant. In pharmacy it is principally employ-
ed to cover bad taftes, to give form, and to preferve more active
fubftances. In ufing it for the lafl purpofe, we muft always re-
4E
578
Materia Medica.
member, that if the proportion of fugar employed be too fmall, it
will promote inftead of retarding the fermentation of the articles it
is intended to preferve.
Officinal Preparations.
Syrupi omnes, Sec. E. • - vide, Syrufii.
Mistura moschata, L. - , - • - Mixtura.
Potio carbonatis calcis, E. L. D. - - Idem.
Melajfes or treacle is a very impure fyrup. It is thick, vifcid,
of a dark brown, almoft black colour, and has a peculiar fmell, and
a fweet, fomewhat empyreumatic tafte. Treacle is applied to
many domeftic and economical purpofes ; and in hofpital practice
may fuperfede the ufe of fugar in many inftances.
Officinal Preparation.
Electuarium sennse, D. - - - vide, Electuaria.
SAGAPENUM. GummUefina. Ed. L. D.
Sagapenum. A gum-refin.
The plant which furnifhes this fubftance is not afcertained, but
is conjectured by Willdenow to be the Ferula Perfica.
Sagapenum is a concrete juice brought from Alexandria, either
in diftin£t. tears, or agglutinated in large mafTes. It is outwardly
of a yellowifh colour \ internally, fomewhat paler, and clear like
horn it grows foft upon being handled, and (ticks to the fingers ;
its tafte is hot, naufeous, and bitterifh, and its fmell difagreeable
and alliaceous.
Neumann got from 480 grains, 306 alcoholic, and 108 watery,
extract, and inverfely 170 watery, and 241 alcoholic, extract. The
alcohol diftilled from it was fenfibly impregnated with its flavour,
and along with the water a confiderable portion of volatile oil arofe.
It is not fufible.
Medical afe. — In medical virtues it holds a kind of middle place
between afla fcetida and galbanum, and may be employed in the
fame manner, and under fimilar circumftances.
Officinal Preparation.
Pilulae galbani composite, L. - » : rrcte, Pilule.
3. Salix. — Salvia.
579
SAL AMMONIACUM. - Vide, Ammonia.
SAL COMMUNIS. - Vide, Muriasfod*.
SALIX FRAGILIS. Salix. Cortex. D.
Crack-ivilloiu. The bark.
Dioecia Diandria. — Nat. ord. Amentacea.
This willow grows wild in England. The bark poffefTes a con-
fiderable degree of bitternefs and altnngency. Different fpecies of
willow have at different times been recommended as fubltuutes for
the Peruvian bark : they are certainly powerful altringents, but in
point of efficacy in the cure o: difeafe, they are in no degree to be
compared with [he Peruvian bark, from which they differ in con-
taining no cinchonin.
SALVIA OFFICINALIS. Folia. Ed.
Salvia. L. D.
Sage. The leaves.
Willd. g. 63. fp. 7. Diandria Monogynia. — Nat. ord. VtrticitlaU,
Sage is a perennial plant, a native of the fouth of Europe, and
cultivated in our gardens. There are feveral varieties of it, differ-
ing in fize, or in the colour of its flower, but their properties are
the fame. They have a peculiar aromatic fmell, and a warm aro-
matic talte, with fome degree of bitternefs and aftringency.
Medical ufe. — In its effects fage agrees with other aromatics. It
is ftimulant, carminative, and tonic. In cold phlegmatic habits, it
excites appetite, and proves fervicsable in debilities, of the ner-
vous fyftem. The bell preparation for thefe purpofes isaninfu-
fion of the dry leaves, drunk as tea; or a tincture, or extract,
made with rectified fpirit, taken in proper dofes ; thefe contain
the whole virtues of the fage ; the diftilled water and effential
oil, only its warmth and aromatic quality, without any of its
roughnefs or bitternefs. Aqueous infufions of the leaves, with
the addition of a little lemon-juice, prove an ufeful diluting drink
in febrile diforders, being fulEcientiy agreeable to the palate.
580
Materia Meclica.
SAMBUCUS NIGRA. Flares, Baccx, Cortex, Ed.
Sambucus. L. D.
Common elder. The inner bark, flowers, and berries.
Willd. g. 569. fp. 3. Pentandria Trigynia.-*—Nat. ord. Dumofa.
This tree is frequent in hedges ; it flowers in May, and ripens
its fruit in September. The berries contain malic acid, and have
a fweetilh, not unpleafant, tafte ; nevertheless, eaten in fubftance,
they offend the ftomach. For the market they are gathered indis-
criminately from the Sambucus nigra and ebulus, a very venial
fraud, as their effe£ls are exactly the fame. They are, however,
eafiiy diftinguifhed, by the latter, when bruifed, ftaining the
fingers of a red colour, and the former of the colour of a wither-
ed leaf.
Medical ufe. — The exprefTed juice, infpifTated to the confidence
of a rob, proves an ufeful aperient medicine ; it opens obflru£Hons
of the vifcera, promotes the natural evacuations, and, if continued
for a length of time, does considerable Service in various chronical
diforders. The inner green bark of its trunk is gently cathartic.
An infufion of it in wine, or the exprefTed juice, in the dofe of
half an ounce or an ounce, is faid to purge moderately, and in
fmall dofes to prove an efficacious deobftruent, capable of promot-
ing all the fluid fecretions. The young leaf buds are Strongly
purgative, and acl: with fo much violence as to be defervedly ac-
counted unfafe. The flowers are very different in quality : thefe
have an agreeable aromatic flavour, which they yield in diftillation
with water, and impart by infufion to vinous and fpiritous liquors.
Officinal Pkeparations.
Succus spissatus sambuci nig. E. L. - vide, Succi sfnssati.
L nguentum sambuci, L. D. - - Unguenta.
SANTALUM RUBRUM.
SANGUIS DRACONIS.
Vide, Pterocarpus,
Vide, Pterocarpus.
S. Sanguinaria. — Sapo.
581
SANGUINARIA CANADENSIS.
Indian paint. Puccoon. Turmeric.
This is a common plant in the United States. It is emetic and
purgative, and the feeds poffefs nearly the fame quality as thofe
of ftramonium, viz. they induce fever, delirium, dilated pupil,
&c. A deleterious property refides alfo in the leaves.
It has been ufed in gonorrhoea for the bites of ferpents, and in
bilious difeafes, and the juice is employed for warts. In fome parts
of New England, a fpiritous tincture of the roots is ufed as a tonic
bitter. A decoction of the roots is ufed externally for old ulcers.
It is deemed but little inferior to ipecacuanha, either in certain-
ty or quicknefs of operation. The root in powder, or pills, may
be given to an adult in dofes of 15 or 20 grains. It is expecto-
rant, and is apparently allied in properties to the feneca make-
root.*
SAPO. Sapo ex oleo olivarum et foda confeclus. Ed.
Sapo. L. Sapo durus hispanicus. D.
Soap.
D. Zeefi.
DA. Sabe.
F. Savon.
G. Seife.
I. Sa/io?ie.
P. Sabao.
POL. Mudlo.
R. Mulo
S. Jabon.
S\V. 7W, Griine Sapa.
Soaps are combinations of the fluid or concrete fixed oils with
alkalies, earths, or metallic oxides. The alkaline foaps have an
unpleafant tafte and peculiar fmell, form a milky folution with
water, and a tranfparent one with alcohol, and are powerfully de-
tergent. White foap is made of foda and olive oil or tallow.
Brown foap contains alfo refin. Soft foap confifts of potafs and
whale oil : the white fpots in it are from the addition of a little
tallow. The volatile liniment of the pharmacopoeias is a foap of
ammonia and olive oil. The alkaline foaps are decompofed by all
the earthy falts. The alkali of the foap combines with the acid of
the falts, and an earthy foap is formed from the union of the earth
• Barton's Collections, Part I. p. 27. 53. Part II. p. 39. 52. See alfo Dr.
Downey's thelis on this fubjecl, 1803.
532
Materia Medica.
and oil. The earthy foaps are infoluble in water. The alkaline
foaps are decompofed in the fame way by the metallic falts. The
metallic foaps are alfo infoluble in water : many of them are folu-
ble in oil, and fome of them in alcohol.
The only fpecies which is officinal in our pharmacopoeias, is
that compofed of olive oil and foda. It is only prepared in the
countries which produce the oil. For medioinal ufe we prefer the
Spanifh.
It fhould be white and hard, difTolve entirely in water and in
alcohol, forming with the former a milky, and with the latter a
tranfparent folution : the foiutions fhould froth freely on agitation.
It fhould not be variegated in its colour, feel greafy or moift, or be
covered with a faline efflorefcence ; and the foiutions fhould not
have a rancid fmell or tafte. Some of the foreign difpenfatories
are fo very particular about the nature of the foap ufed in medi-
cine, as to direct, it to be prepared by the apothecary, by fimply
triturating, without the afliftance of heat, Provence oil, with half
its weight of a folution of foda, of the fpecific gravity of 1.375,
Until they unite.
Soap is decompofed by all the acids, earths, and earthy and me-
talline falts. The acids combine with the alkali, and feparate the
oil. The earths form an infoluble earthy foap with the oil, and
feparate the alkali •, while with the falts there is a mutual decom-
pofition, their acid combines with the alkali, and earthy or metal-
line foaps are formed.
Medical ufe. — The detergent property of foap, or the power it
pofTefTes of rendering oily and refmous fubftances mifcible with
water, has given rife to very erroneous notions of its medical vir-
tues. It was fuppofed to render fuch fubftances more readily fo-
luble in the juices of the ftomach, and in the fluids of the body,
and to be well fitted for diflblving fuch oily or unctuous matters as
it may meet with in the body, attenuating vifcid juices, opening
obllrucl:ions of the vifcera, and deterging all the velTels it paffes
through. It has likewife been fuppofed a powerful menltruum
for the urinary calculus ; and a folution of foap in lime-water, has
been confidered as one of the ftrongeft difTblvents that can be taken
with fafety into the ftomach for the virtue of this compofition
has been thought conilderably greater than the aggregate of the
dillolving powers of the foap and lime-water when unmixed.
How erroneous thefe ideas are, appears evidently, when we re-
collect the very eafy decompofition of foap, which renders it per-
fectly impolhbie that it mould enter the circulating fyftem, or
indeed come into contact with the fluids even of the mouth, with-
out being decompofed. As to the folution of foap in lime-water,
we may obferve, that it is only a clumfy way of exhibiting a fo-
lution of foda j for the foap is decompofed, an infoluble foap of
S. Scilla maritima.
585
iime is formed, and the foda remains in folution. The internal
ufe of foap fhould therefore be confined, in our opinion, to the
giving form to other fubftances which are not decompofed by it,
and to decompofe metallic poifons when they have been taken
into the Itomach. For this lafl: purpofe, a tea cupful of a folution
of foap, in four times its weight ot water, may be drunk every
three or four minutes, until a fufficient quantity be taken.
Applied externally, it.is a very powerful detergent, and combines
the Uimulating properties of the alkali with the lubricating nature
of the oil. In this way it often proves a powerful difcutient, and
a ufeful application to fprains and bruifes.
Officinal Preparations.
Tinctura saponis, K. - vide, Tincture.
saponis cum opio, E. Idem.
Linimentum saponis, L. D. - Idem.
Spiritus ammoniac sue. L. D. - Tincturs volatile*.
Pilulae aloeticae, E. - PiluU.
aloes cum assa fcetida, E. - Idem.
scillit. L. D. Idem.
stibii composite, D. Idem.
Ceratum saponis, L. I) - - Unguents.
Emplastrum saponis, E. L. D. - - Idem.
SARSAPARILLA. - - Vide, Smilax.
SASSAFRAS. - - - Vide, Laurus fajfafras*
SCAMMONIUM. - - Vide, Convolvulus,
SCILLA MARITIMA. Radix. Ed.
Scilla. L. D.
Squill. The root.
Willd. g. 640. fp. 1. Hexandria Monogyma. — Nat. ord. Liliacea.
D. Zeeajuin, Sqialle. P. Cebola alvarraa.
DA. Skille, Strand/ogrod. POL. Q\bula zamorska.
F. Scille,\Oigjvm murin. R. <Ltik morskii.
G. Meerzwiebel. S. Cebolla alburrana.
I. Scilla, Ci/iolla marina. SW. Skilla, Na^lb'k.
The fquill is a perennial bulbous-rooted plant, which groves
wild on the fandy mores of Spain, Portugal, north of Africa, and
the Levant.
584
Materia Medica.
The root is about the fize of the fift, pear-fhaped, with the apex
upwards, and confifts of flefhy fcales, attenuated at both edges,
furrounded by other fcales, which are arid, fhining, and fo thin
that the root at firft fight feems to be tunicated. The recent roots
are full of a white vifcid juice, have fcarcely any fmell, but a very
bitter, naufeous, and extremely acrid, tafte. Rubbed on the fkin,
k inflames and blifters.
It is more commonly met with in the {hops, in the form of the
dried fcales, which mould be brittle, femi-pellucid, fmooth, but
marked with lines, and when chewed, fhouid feel tenacious, and
tafte very bitter, without manifeft acrimony.
The active conftituent of the fquill is the acrid principle ; and,
therefore, it becomes almoft inert by too much drying, or by being
kept too long in the form of powder. It alfo contains bitter ex-
tractive, much mucilage, albumen, and ftarch.
Medical ufe. — Given internally in large dofes, it produces purg-
ing and vomiting, fometimes even ftrangury, bloody urine, inflam-
mation and erofion of the ftomach- In Irnaller doles it proves an
ufeful expectorant and diuretic, and it is faid to lelTen the fre-
quency of the pulfe.
Squill is fometimes given as a general ftimulant in typhus, es-
pecially to cattle. But it is much more frequently exhibited as an
expectorant where the lungs are loaded with vifcid matter, and as
a diuretic in dropfical cafes, for which purpofe it is commonly
conjoined with calomel.
The dofe of fquill is one or two grains three or four times
a-day ; and the mod commodious form for the taking of fquills,
unlefs when defigned as an emetic, is that of a bolus, or pill : 1'iq.uid
forms are to moft people too offenfive, though thele may be ren-
dered lefs difagreeable both to the palate and ftomach by the ad-
dition of aromatic diftilled waters.
Officinal Preparations.
Acetum scillae, L. D
Conserva scillae, L.
Mel scillae, L. 1).
Oxymel scillae, L.
Pilulae scillae, E. L. D.
Scilla maritima exsiccata, E. L. D.
Syrupus scillae maritimse, E.
Tinctura scillae, L. D.
vide, Aceta medieata.
Consent)*.
Me lla medieata.
Idem.
Pilul*.
Stjrufii,
Tinctura.
S. Scilla exsiccata.
585
SCILLA MAR1TIMA EXSICCATA. Ed.
Dried Sea Squill.
SCILUE EXSICCATIO. L. SciLLiE Pr^PAR ATJ2. D.
The Drying vf Squill. Prepared Squills.
Cut the root of the fe »-fquill, after having removed its external
coat, tranfverfely inro thin flices, and dry it by a gentle heat.
The fign of its being properly dried is, that although rendered
friable, it retains its bitternefs and acrimony. (E.)
By this method the fquill dries much fooner than when its fe-
veral coats are only feparated ; the internal part being here laid
bare, which, in each of the entire coats, is covered with a thin
fkin, which impedes the exhalation of the moilrure. The root
lofes in this procefs four fifths of its original weight; the parts
whi.'h exhale with a moderate heat appear to be merely watery :
hence fix grains of the dry root are equivalent to half a drachm
of it when frefh ; a circumftance to be particularly regarded in
the exhibition of this medicine. But if too great heat has been
employed to dry it, it becomes almoft inert, and it alio lofes by
long keeping in the ftate of powdeT.
Dried fquills furnifh us with a medicine, fometimes advantage-
oufly employed as an emetic, often as an expectorant, but ft ill
more frequently as a powerful diuretic.
SILENE VIRGINICA.
Ground Pink.
This fpecies of fdene or catch-fly, is abundant in many parts
of the United States. Some of the Indians fay it is a poifonous
plant. In decoction, the root has been found a very eiRcacious
anthelmintic*
* Barton's CollcAions, Part I. p. 39,
4 F
586
Materia Medica.
SINAPIS.
Willd. g. 1246. Tetradynatnia Si/iquofa. — Nat. ord. Siliquofr.
D. Mbsterd. P. Mostarda.
DA. Senefi. POL. Gorroz^ka.
Y. Graine de Moutarde. R. ' Gort.vchiza.
G. Senfsaat. S. Mosiaza.
I. Mostarda, Senafia. SW. S'.nafi.
S1NAP.S ALBA. ty. 4. W«. ^
SiNAPIS. D.
Muflard. The feeds.
SINAPIS NIGRA. Sp. 5. Sinapis. Semen. L.
Common mujlard. The feeds.
These plants are both annual, both grow wild in England, and
pofTefs fimilar virtues.
They produce (mail round comprefled feeds, which have an
acrid bitterifh tafte, and a pungent fmell when reduced to powder.
The common muftard has blackiih feeds, and is more pungent than
the white.
They impart their tafte and fmell in perfection to aqueous li-
quors, whilft rectified fpirit extracts extremely little of either : the
whole of the pungency arifes with wa;er in diftillation. Commit-
ted to the prefs, they yield a confiderable quantity of a foft infipid
oil, perfectly void of acrimony : the cake left after the expreflion,
is more pungent than the muftard itfelf.
Medical ufe. — Muftard-feed is fwallowed entire, to the quantity
of a table fpoonrul or more, to flimulate the ftomach in feme cafes
of dyfpepfia, and to excite the periftaltic motion of the inteftines,
efpecially when they are torpid, as in paralyfis. The powder made
into a parte with water, is commonly ufed as a condiment with
animal food; infufed in water, it proves emetic when taken in
confiderable dofes, and in fmaller ones, acts as a diuretic and ape-
rient j but it is more frequently applied externally as a topical
ftimulus, made into a pafte or finupifm with vinegar and bread-
crumb.
Officinal Preparations.
Oleum sinapis, L. D. - vide, Ohajixa.
Cataplasma sinapis, L. D. .... Cata/hfas?pata.
Empiastrum meloes vesic. compositum, E. - Unguenta.
S.— — Sisymbrium. — Smilax. 587
SISYMBRIUM NASTURTIUM. Herb* Ed.
Nasturtium Aquaticum. Herba recens. L. D.
Common ivater-creffes. The recent herb.
Willd. g. 1238.^>. I. Tetradynamia Siliquofa. — Nat. ord. Siliquofa.
This plant is perennial, and grows wild in clear fprings and
rivulets throughout Britain. Its leaves remain green all the year,
but are in greateft perfection in the fpring. They have a quick
pungent fmell (when rubbed betwixt the finger), and an acrid
tafte, fimilar to that of fcurvy-grafs, but weaker. By drying or
boiling, it lofes its ienfible qualities entirely.
Medical ufe. — It acts as a gentle ftimuhmt and diuretic : for thefe
purpoles, the exprefTed juice, which contains the peculiar tafte and
pungency of the herb, may be taken in dofes of an ounce or two,
and continued for a confulerable time.
SIUM NODIFLORUM. Sium. Herba. L.
Creepingjkerrit. The herb.
Willd. g. 5±4t.fp. 4. Pentandria Digynia. — Nat. ord. Utnbellata.
This plant is perennial, and grows wild in rivers and ditches in
England. It was formerly alleged to be not only a diuretic, but
alfo an emmenagogue and lithontriptic. With thefe intentions,
however, it is not now employed. Dr. Withering mentions, that
a young lady of fix years old was cured of an obft:nate cutaneous
difeafe by taking three large fpoonfuls of the juice twice a-day ;
and he adds, that he has given repeatedly to adults three or four
ounces every morning, in fimilar complaints. In fuch dofes it
neither affc&s the head, ftomach, nor bowels. Children take it
feadily when mixed with milk
SMILAX SARSAPAR1LLA. Radix. Ed.
Sarsaparilla. L. D.
Sarfaparilla. The root.
Dioecia Hexandria. — Nat. ord. Sarmentacea.
This root is brought from the Spanifh Weft-Indies. It confifts
of a great number of long firings hanging from one head : the
588
Materia Medica.
long roots, the only part made ufe of, are of a blackifh colour on
the outfide, and white within, about thethicknefs of a gooie-quill,
or thicker, flexible, compofed of a very fmall woody heart, fur-
rounded with fibres running their whole length, which renders
them extremely apt to fplit. They have a glutinous, bitterifh, not
ungrateful tafte, and nofmell. Inferior kinds of this root are alfo
fold. They are in general thicker, of a paler .colour on the outfide,
and lefs white within, with a much thicker woody heart. Neu-
mann got from 960 grains, 360 watery, and 10 alcoholic, extract,
and invcrfely 240 alcoholic, and 120 watery.
Medical ufe. — It was firft: brought into Europe by the Spaniards,
about the year 1563, with the character of being a fpecific for the
cure of the lues venerea, a difeafe which made its appearance a
little before that time, and like wife of feveral obftinate chronic dif-
orders. It is, however, a very inert mucilaginous fubftance ; and
the diaphorefis, which it is fometimes fuppofed to produce, is en-
tirely owing to the warm and diluent regimen employed at the
fame time.
Officinal Preparation.
Decoctum sarsaparillae, E. L. D- - vide, Decocta.
SODA. SODA.
D. Souda.
DA. Soda.
F. Sonde, Baville.
G. Soda, Barilla.
I. Soda, Barrigiia.
P. Solda, Barrilha.
R. Soliajika.
S. Sosa, Soda, Barrilla.
SW. Souda, Soda.
Soda is got in the form of folid plates, of a greyifh-white co-
lour, urinous tafle, and burning cauflicity ; acting with confider-
able violence on animal matter. When a certain quantity of water
is thrown upon it, it abforbs and folidifies it, with the difengage-
ment of caloric, and a lixivial fmell ; a larger quantity diflblves it ;
it abforbs from the atmofphere moifture and carbonic acid, becom-
ing lefs caultic. In the fire it melts like an oily fubftance ; boils,
and is converted into vapour; but is incombuftible : it is cryflal-
lizable into tranfparent prifmatic cryftals. It changes vegetable
S. Soda. — Carbonas S. impurus. 589
blues to green ; unites with all the acids, oils, fulphur, fulphuret-
ted hydrogen, phofphorus, many metallic oxides, and the earths.
It forms the bafis of rock-falt and fea-falt ; is obtained from the
afhes of marine plants, and exifts in fome minerals.
CARBONAS SODJE IMPURUS. Ed.
Barilla. L. D.
Impure carbonate of foda. Barilla. Fixed mineral Alkali.
Soda is a very common mineral production. It is the bafis of
fea fait ; and combined with carbonic acid, it is found on the fur-
face of the earth in Egypt, Syria, Barbary, Hungary, &c. and is
obtained by the incineration of marine vegetables, efpecially the
failola foda and kali, the falicornia herbacea, &c. The Spaniards
even cultivate thefe in fait marfhes for the fake of the foda. After
being cut down, they are dried like hay. A deep pit is then pre-
pared, and a bundle or two of the dvied vegetables fet 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
foda is found in the bottom, caked into a folid mafs, which is work-
ed like a ftony fubftance. When good, it is firm, hard, heavy,
dry, fonorous, fpongy, and internally of a blue colour mixed with
white fpots, does not deliquefce, emits no unpleafant fmell on folu-
tion, and does not leave a large proportion of infoluble matter.
Incinerated foda is mixed with potafh, muriate of foda, and other
faline matters ; mineral foda with clay and other earthy fubftances.
The Egyptian foda was reckoned the beft ; then the Spanifh
(Barilla); afterwards the Carthaginian ; and that prepared from
different fpecies of fuci (kelp), is the word.
But all thefe carbonated fodas are inferior in purity to thofe
now manufactured in Britain, by decompofing the fulphate of
foda.
That commonly ufed, is obtained by the bleachers as a refiduum
in their method of preparing oxygenized muriatic acid, by decom-
pofing muriate of foda with iulphuric acid and the black oxide of
manganefe.
The fulphate of foda is decompofed,
1. By carbonate of potafs. Mr. Accum has defcribed the
manipulations of this mode. A boiling concentrated fo-
.590
Materia Medica.
lution of about 560 pounds of American potatoes is ladled
into a boiling folution of 500 pounds of fulphate of foda,
agitated together, and the whole quickly heated to ebulli-
tion. It is then drawn off into leaden cifterns, lined with
thick fheet-lead, and allowed to cool in a temperature
which fhould not exceed 55°.
The fluid is then drawn off, and the mafs of fait warned
with cold water, to free it from impurities, and again put
into the boiler with clean water. This fecond folution is
alfo evaporated at a low heat, as long as any pellicles of
fulphate of potafs form on its furface, and fall to the bot-
tom of the fluid. The fire is then withdrawn, and the
fluid ladled out into the ciftern to cryftallize. Unlefs the
fluid be allowed to cool pretty low before it is removed
to cryftallize, the fait obtained will contain fulphate of
potafs.
2. By acetate of lime. The acetous acid for this purpofe is
obtained by diftillation from wood, during its converfion
into charcoal.
3. By litharge or fub-acetate of lead. Very pure carbonate of
foda is prepared by this procefs in the vicinity of Edin-
burgh.
4. By decompofing the fulphuric acid by charcoal. About
500 cwt. of fulphate of foda, and 100 cwt. of charcoal
are ground together, and the mixture expofed in a rever-
beratory furnace until it becomes pafty. It is then trans-
ferred into large cafks, and lixiviated. The ley is after-
wards evaporated and cryftallized. By this or a fimiliar
procefs, very pure carbonate of foda is manufactured in the
weft of Scotland.
On the continent, muriate of foda is fometimes decompofed by
potafs, and fometimes by lime.
Carbonate of foda is an article of the greateft importance in
many manufactures.
Medical ufe. — In medicine, it pofTefles fimilar virtues with the
carbonate of potafs ; and from its cryftallizability and efflorefcence
when expofed to the air, it is preferable to it, becaufe its dofe may
be more accurately afcertained, and it may be given either in the
form of powder, or made up into pills.
Officinal Preparation.
Carbonas sodse, E. L. D.
S. Soda. — Carbonas Sodse. 591
CARBONAS SOD/Ej olim, Sal Alkalinus Fixus Fosilis
PURIFICATUS. Ed.
Carbonate of Soda, formerly Purified Fixed Fofftl Alkaline Salt.
Natron Pr^paratum. L. Alkali Fossile Mite. D*
Prepared Natron. Mild Fofftl Alkali.
Take of
Impure carbonate of foda, any quantity.
Bruiie it ; then boil in water till all the fait be diflblved. Strain
the folution through paper, and evaporate it in an iron veffel, fo
that after it has cooled, the fait may cryftallize. (E.)
These directions are principally intended for the purification of
the Spanifh barilla, which is a fufed mafs, confiding indeed prin-
cipally of carbonate of foda, but alfo containing charcoal, earths,
and other falts. From the two firft caufes of impurity it is eafily
feparated by folution and filtration, and the falts may be feparated
by taking advantage of their different folubility in cold and in hot
water. Frequently the foda does not cryftallize freely, from not
being faturated with carbonic acid, which is the reafon why the
London college order the folution to be expofed to the atmofphere
for eight days, that it may abforb carbonic acid, before they at-
tempt the cryftallization of the falts. But the preparation of car-
bonate of foda, by the decompofition of fulphate of foda, has now
become a manufacture, and is carried to fuch perfection, that its
further purification is almoft unnecefiary for the purpofes of the
apothecary.
Officinal Preparations.
Aqua super-carbonatis sodae, E.
Phosphas sodae, E.
Tartris potassae et sodae, E. L. D.
Carbonas ferri praecip. E •
vide, Ferrum.
AQUA SUPER-CARBONATIS SOD^E. Ed.
Water of Super-Carbonate of Soda.
This is prepared from ten pounds of water, and two ounces of car-
bonate of foda, in the fame manner as the water of fuper-carbo-
nate of potafs. (E.)
By fuper-faturating foda with carbonic acid, it is rendered more
agreeable to the palate, and may be taken in larger quantities,
without affecting the ftomach.
592
Materia Medica*
PHOSPHAS SOD^E. Ed.
Phofphate of Soda.
Take of
Bones burnt to whitenefs, and powdered, ten pounds ;
Sulphuric acid, fix pounds ;
"Water, nine pounds.
Mix the powder with the fulphuric acid in an earthen veiTel ; then
add the water, and mix again. Then place the veflel in a va-
pour'bath, and digeft for three days ; after which dilute the mafs
with nine pounds more of boiling water, and ftrain the liquor
through a ftrong linen cloth, pouring over it boiling water, in
fmall quantities at a time, until the whole acid be warned out.
Set by the ftrained liquor, that the impurities may fubfide, de-
cant the clear folution, and evaporate it to nine pounds. To this
liquor, poured from the impurities, add carbonate of foda, dif-
folved in warm water, until the effervefcence ceafe. Filter the
neutralized liquor, and let it afide to cryftallize. To the liquor
that remains after the cryftals are taken our, add a little carbon-
ate of foda, if necefTary, Co as to laturate exactly the phofpho-
ric acid, and difpofe the liquor, by evaporation to form cryf-
tals. Laftly, the cryftals are to be kept in a well-clofed vef-
fel. (E.)
The firft part of this procefs confifts in deflroying the gelatine
of the bones by the action of heat. When burnt to perfect whke-
nefs, they retain their form, but become friable, and con fill of
phofphate of lime, mixed with a very little carbonate of lime and
carbonate of foda. In performing this part of the procefs, we muft
take care not to heat the bones to a bright red, as by it they un-
dergo a kind of femi-fufion, and give out a phofphoric light. The
complete combuftion of the charcoal is facilitated by the free con-
tact: of the air ; we mull therefore bring every part in fucceflion to
the furface, and break the larger pieces.
In the fecond part of the procefs, the phofphate of lime is de-
compofed by the fulphuric acid. This decomposition is however
only partial. The fulphuric acid combines with part of the lime,
and forms infoluble fulphate of lime. The phofphoric acid fepa-
rated from that portion of lime, immediately combines with the reft
of the phofphate of lime, and forms fuper-phofphate of lime,
which is not further decompofable by fulphuric acid.
The fuper-phofphate of lime, thus formed, is foluble in water:
but as the fulphate of lime, with which it is mixed, concretes into
S. Soda. — Phosphas sodae. 5 93
a very folid mafs, it is in fome meafure defended from the action
of water. On this account the whole mafs is directed to be di-
gefted for three days in vapour, by which means it is thoroughly
penetrated and prepared for folution in the boiling water, which is
afterwards poured on it. It is probably to render the fubfequent
folution ealier, that Thenard directs the bone-afhes to be made
into a thin pafte (huillle) with water, before the fulphuric acid is
added to them.
Having thus got a folution of fuper-phofphate of lime, it is
next decompofed by carbonate of foda, diiTolved in water. This
decompofnion, likewife, is only partial, as it deprives the fuper-
phofphate of lime of its excels of acid only, and reduces it to
the fhite of phofphate. The phofphate of lime, being inlbluble,
is eallly feparated by filtration, and the phofphate of foda re-
mains in folution. According to Thenard, the niceft point in the
whole proccfs, is the determination of the proper quantity of car-
bonate of foda to be added. As the phoiphate of foda does not
cryftallize freely unlels there be a flight excefs of bale, he directs
that a little more carbonate of foda be added than what is mere^
ly fufficient to faturate the excels of acid in the fuper-phofphate
of lime, but not to continue the addition until it ceale to produce
any precipitate. We muft alfo t ike care not to carry the evapora-
tion of a folution of phoiphate of foda fo far as to form a pelli-
cle, for it then concretes into an irregular mafs, and does not form
beautiful cryftals. After each cryftallization, we mull examine the
liquor which remains, and if it be acid, or merely neutral, add to it
a little of the folution of carbonate of foda. In this way Thenard
got from 2100 parts of bone-afhes, 700 of fulphuric acid, and 667
of carbonate of foda, 885 of phofphate of foda. According to
Fourcroy, phofphate of lime con lifts of 0.41 acid and 0.59 lime, and
fuper-phofphate of lime, of 0.54- acid and 0.46 lime ; phofphate of
lime, treated with fulphuric acid, is only deprived of 0.24 lime, and
changed into 0.76 of fuper- phoiphate, confifting of 0.59 phos-
phate of lime, and 0.17 phofphoric acid, and it is only with this
portion of acid that we are able to combine foda. Fourcroy is alfo
of opinion that phofphate of lime requires only 0.4 of its weight of
fulphuric acid to decompofe it, whereas 0.6 are employed by the
Edinburgh college, and others ufe even 0.7. This is not only,
therefore, a wafte of acid, but renders the product impure, by being
mixed with iulphate of foda, which is fometimes actually the cale
in the phofphate of foda of commerce. Befides, as bone-afhes
are of very little value, it is better that a portion of them fhould
efcape undecompofed, than that an excefs of acid mould be added
to them.
Mr. Funcke, of Linz, has difcovered a ftill more economical and
expeditious method. It confilts in iaturating the excefs of lime in
4 G
594
Materia Medica.
calcined bones with diluted fulphnric acid, and then diffolving the
remaining phofphate of lime in nitric acid. To this folution he
adds an equal quantity of fulphate of foda, and then recovers the
nitric acid by diflillation. The phofphate of foda is then feparated
from the iulphate of lime, by the affufion of water and cryftalliza-
tion.
Phofphate of foda cryftallizes in rhomboidal prifms, terminated
by three-fided pyramids. Its talte refembles that of common fait.
At 60p it is foluble in four parts of water, and at 212° in two.
It efflorefces in the air. By heat it undergoes the watery fufion,
and at la ft melts into a white mafs. It confifts according to The-
nard, of 35 phofphoric acid, 19 foda, and 66 water of cryftalliza-
tion. It is decompofed by moll of the fa Its having an earthy bafe.
Medical ufe. — Phofphate of foda was introduced into the prac-
tice of phyfic by the ingenious Dr. Pearfon of Leicefter fquare, Lon-
don. It poffeffes the fame medical qualities as fulphate of foda,
and the tartrate of potafs and foda, being an excellent purge in the
quantity of an ounce or ten drachms ; and has the peculiar ad-
vantage over thefe two falts of being much lefs naufeous than they
are. Its tafte is extremely fimilar to that of common fait; and when
given in a balon of water-gruel, or veal-broth made without fait, it is
fcarcely perceptible by the palate, and confequently is well adapted
for patients whofe ftomachs are delicate, and who have an anti-
pathy againft the other falts. The only objection to its general
ufe is the very great difference between its price and that of ful-
phate of foda, a difference which might certainly be diminifhed.
SULPHAS SOD^E; olim, Sal Glauberi. Ed
Sulphate of Soda ; formerly Glauber's Salt.
Natron Vitriolatum. L. Alkali Fossile Vitriolatum. D.
Vitriolated Natron. Vitriolated Foffil Alkali.
DilTolve the acidulous fait which remains after the diftillation of
muriatic acid, in water; and have mixed chalk with it to re-
move the fuperfluous acid, fet it afide until the fediment fubfides,
then evaporate the liquor decanted from them, and flrain through
paper, fo that it may cryltallize. (E.)
The obfervations made refpe&ing the different methods fol-
lowed by the colleges, for extracting fulphate of potafs from the
rcfiduum of the diitillation of nitrous acid, apply in the prefent in-
S. Soda. — Tartris potassae et sodae. 595
(lance, except that the Edinburgh college do not preferve the
fuperabundant acid when prefent, by faturating it with carbonate
of foda, but get rid of it by faturating it with carbonate of lime,
with which it forms an infoluble fulphate of lime. In fact, the
price of fulphate of foda is fo very fmall, that it would be no
economy to ufe carbonate of foda to faturate the fuperabundant
acid.
By far the greateft part of the fulphate of foda is obtained from
manufacturers, as a relult of procefTes performed for the fake of
other fubftances, as in the preparation of muriate of ammonia,
oxygenized muriatic acid, &c. It may be economically obtained
by making into a pafte with a fuflicient quantity of water, eight
parts of burnt gypfum, five of clay, and five of muriate of foda.
This mixture is burnt in a kiln or oven, then ground to powder,
ditfufed in a fufficient quantity of water, and after being Itrained,
is evaporated and cryftallized.
Sulphate of foda cryftallizes in fix-fided prifms, terminated by
dihedral fummits. The cryftals are often irregular, and their
fides are ufually channelled. Their tafte is at firft fait, and after-
wards difagreeably bitter. They are foluble in 2.67 parts of wai-
ter at 60°, and in 0.8 at 212°. In the air they efflorefce. They
undergo the watery fufion, and in a red heat melt. They conlift
of 23.52 fulphuric acid, 18.48 foda, and .38 water ; when dried at
700°, of 56 acid and 44- foda. It is decompofed by baryta and
potafs, and falts containing thefe bafes, and by the falts of filver,
mercury, and lead.
Medical ufe. — Taken from half an ounce to an ounce, or more,
it proves a mild and ufeful purgative *, and in fmaller dofes, large-
ly diluted, a ferviceable aperient and diuretic. It is -commonly
given in folution, but it may alfo be given in powder, after it has
efflorefced. In this form the dofe muft be reduced to one half.
TARTRIS POTASS^E et SOD^E. Ed.
Tart rite of Potafs and Soda, formerly Rochelle Salt.
Natron Tartarisatum. L. Sal Rupellensis. D.
Tartarifed Natron. Rochelle Salt.
Take of
Natron, twenty ounces ;
Cryftals of tartaT, powdered, two pounds ;
Diftilled water, boiling, ten pints.
DifTblve the natron in the water, and gradually add the cryftals of
tartar : filter the liquor through paper ; evaporate, and let it
afide to cryftallize. (L. D.)
596
Materia Medica.
The tartaric acid in feveral inftahces is capable of entering into
combination at the fame time with two bafes. In the prefent ex-
ample, the fuperabundant acid of the fuper-tartrate of potafs is
neutralized with foda, and in place of a mixture of tartrate of pot-
afs and tartrate of foda, each pofie fling their own properties, there
refults a triple fait, having peculiar properties.
The tartrate of potafs and foda forms large and very regular
cryftals, in the form of prifms with eight fides nearly equal, which
are often divided longitudinally, almoft through their axis. It has
a bitter tafte. It is foluble in about five parts of water, and efno-
refces in the air. It is decompofed by the Itrong acids, which com-
bine wirh the foda, and feparate fuper-tartrate of potals, and by
baryta and lime. By heat its acid is deftroyed. It confifts of 5i
tartrate of potafs, and 46 tartrate of foda.
Medical ufe. — It was introduced into medical practice by M.
Seignette, an apothecary at Rochelle, whofe name it long bore.
It is {till frequently employed •, and though lefs agreeable than
the phofphate of foda, it is much more fo than the fulphate of
foda. It is lefs purgative than thefe, and muft be given in larger
dofes.
SOLANUM DULCAMARA. Dulcamara. Stipites. D.
Bitter-fweet. The twigs.
Willd. g. 383. fp. 15. Pentandria Motwgynia. — Nat. ord. Sola?iace<z.
This plant grows wild in moid hedges, has woody brittle ftalks,
and climbs on the bufhes. The tafte of the twigs and roots, as
the name of the plant exprefles, is both bitter and fvveet ; the bit-
ternefs being firft perceived, and the fweetnefs afterwards.
Medical ufe. — The dulcamara was formerly much efteemed as
a powerful medicine It is in general faid to occafion fome con-
fiderable evacuation by fweat, urine, or ftool, particularly the latter.
It has been recommended as a difcutient and refolvent medicine;
and it has been faid to be attended with good effects in obit inate
cutaneous difeafes of the herpetic kind. It has alfo been ufed, and
fometimes with advantage, in cafes of rheumatifm, jaundice, and
obftructed menftruation. It has principally been employed under
the form of watery infufion, fometimes under that of extract.
S. Solidago. — Spigelia. 597
SOLIDAGO VIRGA AUREA. Virga Aurea.
Flores. Folia. D.
Golden rod. The Jloivers and leaves.
Syngenefia Superfua. — Nat. ord. Compofita radiata.
This plant is perennial, and is found wild on heaths and in
woods, producing fpikes of yellow flowers in Auguft. The leaves
have a moderately aftringent bitter tafte ; and hence prove fer-
viceable in debility and laxity of the vifcera, and diforders pro
ceeding from that caufe.
SPARTIUM SCOPARIUM. Summitries. Ed.
Genista. Semina. D. Cacumen. Semen. L.
Common broom. The tops and feeds.
Diadelphia Decandria. — Nat. ord. Papilionace&.
This is a very common fhrub on dry paftures.
The leaves have a very bitter tafte, and when given in decoc-
tions prove confiderably diuretic. The feeds have fimilar proper-
ties.
Officinal Preparation.
Extractum genistas. L. vide, Extracta.
SPERMACETI. - - Vide, Phyfeter.
SPIGELIA MARILANDICA. Radix. Ed.
Spigelia. L. D.
Carolina Pink. The root.
Willd. g. 308. Jp. 2. Pentandria Monogynia., — Nat. ord. Stellatce.
This plant is perennial, and grows wild in the fouthern parts of
North America. The roots are celebrated as an anthelmintic,
598
Materia Medica.
particularly for the expulfion of lumbrici from the alimentary
canal. Some order it in dofes of ten or fifteen grains ; and allege
it is apt to occafion nervous affections if given in large dofes ;
while others order it in drachm dofes, alleging that the bad effects
mentioned more readily happen from fmall dofes, as the large ones
often purge or puke ; fome prefer the form of infufion. An emetic
is generally premifed ; and its purgative effect affifted by fome
fuitable addition. Infufed in wine, it has been found ufeful in
intermitting fevers. This plant in fome parts of Carolina is
known by the name of Snake-root. It is the Unfteetla of the Che-
rakee Indians. Every part is poffeffed of the anthelmintic pro-
perty, though the roots are moft active. It often affords relief and
effects a cure, in cafes where no worms are difcharged ; and it is
fuppofed by Dr. Barton, that it will be found highly ufeful in
fome febrile difeafes of children unaccompanied by worms, efpe-
cially in the infidious remittent which fo frequently lays the foun-
dation of dropfy of the brain.*
SPIRiEA TRIFOLI ATA.
Indian Physkh. Ipecacuanha, £sV.
This lhrub grows plentifully in the United States, and is one
of the few active plants of the clafs icofandria. The root, the
part employed, confifts, like that of the officinal ipecacuanha, of a
bark, and woody part. The active power feems to refide exclu-
fively in the bark. It is a fafe and efficacious emetic in dofes of
about 30 grains. It alfo feems to poffefs a tonic power, and has
accordingly been thought peculiarly beneficial in intermittent fe-
ver. It is fometimes very injudicioufly employed by the country
people, infomuch that they are obliged to apply for medical aid to
remove the debility induced by the large dofes of the root which
they employ. Another fpecies, it is faid, grows in Kentucky,
which is ftill more valuable, as an emetic, than the one under no-
tice.f
* Barton's Colle&ions, Part I. p. 37. 59*
f Barton's Collections, Part I. p. 26. Part. II. p. 39-
S. Spiritus destillati. 599
SPIRITUS DESTILLATI.
DISTILLED SPIRITS.
The flavour and virtues of diftilled waters are owing, as has
been obferved, to their being impregnated with a portion of the
effential oil of the fubject from which they are drawn. Alcohol,
confidered as a vehicle for thefe oils, has this advantage above
water, that it keeps all the oil that rifes with it perfectly diffolved
into an uniform limpid liquor.
Neverthelefs, many fubltances, which, on being diftilled with
water, impart to it their virtues in great perfection ; if treated in
the fame manner with alcohol, fcarcely give over to it any fmell or
talte. The caufe of this difference is, that alcohol is not fuicepti-
ble of fo great a degree of heat as water. It is obvious therefore,
that fubftances may be volatile enough to rife with the heat of
boiling water, but not with that of boiling alcohol.
Thus, if cinnamon, for inftance, be committed to diftillation
with a mixture of alcohol and water, or with a pure proof fpirit,
which is no other than a mixture of about equal parts of the two ;
the alcohol will rife firfr. clear, colourlefs, and tranfparent, and
almoft without any talte of the fpice ; but as foon as the more
ponderous watery fluid begins to arife, the oil comes freely over
with it, fo as to render the liquor highly odorous, fapid, and of a
milky hue.
The proof fpirits ufually met with in the (hops are accompanied
with a degree of ill flavour \ which, though concealed by means of
certain additions, plainly difcovers itfelf in diftillation. This nau-
leous flavour Goes not begin to arife till after the purer fpiritous
part has come over ; which is the very time that the virtues of the
ingredients begin alfo to arife molt plentifully ; and hence the
liquor receives an ungrateful taint. To this caufe principally is
owing the general complaint, that the cordials of the apothecarv
are lefs agreeable than thofe of the fame kind, prepared by the dif-
tiller the latter being extremely curious in rectifying or purify-
ing the fpirits (when defigned for what he calls fine goods) from
all unpleafant flavour.
600
Materia Medica.
SPIRITUS CAR I CARVI. Ed..
Spiritus Carvi. L. D.
Spirit of Caraway.
Take of
Caraway feeds, half a pound ;
Diluted alcohol, nine pounds.
Macerate two days in a clofe veffel ; then pour on as much water
as will prevent empyreuma, and draw off by diftillation nine
pounds. (E.)
In the fame manner is prepared the fame quantity of fpirit from
Spiritus
n'„nn~^n „ j C Lauri Cinnamomi. E.
Cinnamon, one pound. 1 ~. . T ^
1 £ Linnamomi. L. D.
Peppermint,oncpoundandahalf. \ Mmth* Piperita *.
VY 9 r £ Pipentidis. L.
Spearmint, one pound a half. Mentha: fativx. L.
Pennyroyal, dried, a pound and a
half. - - - - Pulegii. L.
Nutmeg, well bruifed, two oun- C Myr'iftica. mofchata. E.
ces. \ Nucis mofchata. L. D.
, ir i C Myrti Pimenta. E.
Pimento, half a pound. £ L. D.
SPIRITUS LAVANDULAE SPICE. Ed.
Spirit of Lavender.
Spiritus Lavendulje. L. D.
Spirit of Lavender.
Take of
Flowering fpikes of lavender, frefh gathered, two pounds ;
Alcohol, eight pounds.
Draw off by the heat of boiling water, feven pounds. (E.)
Officinal Preparations.
Spiritus lavendulx comp. E. L. D. - vide, Tinctur*.
Lininicntum camph. comp. L. D. Tincturavolaliles-
S. Spiritus destillati. 601
By thefe directions, and in the fame quantities, are prepared,
SPIRITUS RORISMARINI OFFICINALIS. Ed.
Spiritus Rorismarini. L.
Spirit of Rofemary.
From two pounds of the flowering tops.
Officinal Preparation.
Linimentum saponis comp. L. - vide, Tinctur*.
We think it unnecefiary to make particular obfervations on each
of thefe fimple fpirits, as their virtues are the fame with thofe of
the fubftances from which they are extracted, united to the fti-
mulus of the alcohol. The alcohol in the fpirits of lavender and
rofemary, is almoft pure ; in the others it is diluted with about an
equal weight of water.
... h
SPIRITUS ANISI COMPOSITUS. L.
Compound Spirit of Anifeed.
Take of
Anifeed,
Angelica feed, of each, bruifed, half a pound ;
Proof fpirit, one gallon ;
Water, fufficient to prevent empyreuma.
Draw off one gallon by diltillation. (L.)
This compound fpirit, like the fimple ones, is an agreeable cor-
dial j indeed too agreeable, for by fome they are fo often reforted
to, on the flighted fenfation of flatulence in the ftomach, that their
ufe is attended with all the pernicious confequences of dram-drink-
ing.
SPIRITUS JUNIPERI COMMUNIS COMPOSITUS. Ed.
Spiritus Juniperi Compositus. L. D.
Compound Spirit of Juniper.
Take of
Juniper berries, well bruifed, one pound •,
Caraway feeds,
Sweet fennel feeds, each one ounce and a half j
Diluted alcohol, nine pounds,
Water, fufficient to prevent empyreuma.
Macerate two days, and draw off nine pounds. (E. D.$
4H
602
Materia Medica.
The good and bad effects of this fpirit exactly coincide with
thofe of gin.
SPIRITUS RAPHANI COMPOSITUS. L. D,-
Compound Spirit of Horfe-Radifh.
Take of
Frefh horfe-radifh root,
Dried outer rind of Seville oranges, each two pounds^
Frefh herb of garden fcurvy-grafs, four pounds ;
Bruifed nutmegs, one ounce \
Proof fpirit, two gallons ;
Water fufficient to prevent empyreuma.
Draw off two gallons. (L.)
Although this procefs may furnifh an agreeable compound
fpirit, yet it is much to be doubted whether it pofiefies thofe anti-
fcorbutic powers for which it was once celebrated.
ALCOHOL AMMONIATUM FCETIDUM. Ed.
Spiritus Ammonia Foetidus. L.
Fetid Spirit of Ammonia.
Spiritus Alcali Volatilis Foetidus. D.
Fetid Spirit of Volatile Alkali.
Take of
Spirit of ammonia, eight ounces,
Afia foetida, half an ounce.
Digeft in a clofe vefTel twelve hours ; then diftil off, with the heat
of boiling water, eight ounces.
This fpirit, which is eafily prepared, is defigned as an anti-hy-
fteric, and is undoubtedly a very elegant one. Volatile fpirits,
impregnated for thefe purpofes with different fetids, have been
ufually kept in the (hops •, the ingredient here chofen, is the
beft calculated of any for general ufe, and equivalent in virtue
to them all. The fpirit is pale when newly diflilled, but acquires
a -confiderable tinge by keeping.
S. Spongia,
603
SPONGIA OFFICINALIS. Ed.
Spongia. L. D.
Sponge.
CL Zoophyta. Ord. Spongia.
Sponge is principally found in the Mediterranean and Red
feas. It was long fuppofed to be a vegetable production, but it is
now univerfally allowed to belong to that remarkable clafs of
animals called Zoophytes, which are negatively characterized by
Cuvier, as having no vertebra, no fanguiferous vefiels, no fpinal
marrow, and no articulated limbs. The fponges belong to that
divifion of the zoophytes, which are attached to a folid trunk, and
are particularized by their bafe being fpongy, friable, or fibrous.
Sponge is a foft, light, very porous and compreflible fubftance.
Medical ufe. — It adheres ftrongly to the mouths of wounded
vefiels ; and when retained by proper compreflion, it is preferable
to agaric or puff-ball, for flopping hemorrhagies.
From its property of imbibing and diflending by moifture it is
fometimes made ufe of as a tent for dilating wounds and ulcers.
To fit it for thefe intentions, the fponge is immerfed in melted
wax, and fubjected to preflure till cool. In this (late it may be
eafily formed into proper tents, fo as to be introduced where ne-
ceflary. And from the gradual melting of the wax in confequenge
of the heat of the part, a dilatation of courfe takes place.
Burnt fponge is nothing elfe than charcoal mixed with a little
muriate of foda and phofphate of lime. Its ufe has been again
lately much celebrated in the cure of Bronchocele.
SPONGIA USTA. D. Spongia Ustio. L.
Burnt Sponge. The Burning of Sponge.
Cut the fponge in pieces, and bruife it, fo as to free it from fmall
ftones ; burn it in a clofe iron veffel, until it becomes black and
friable ; afterwards reduce it to a very fine powder. (L. D.)
This medicine has been in ufe for a confiderable time, and em-
, ployed againft fcrofulous diforders and cutaneous foulnefies, in
dofes of a fcruple and upwards. Its virtues probably depend on
the prefence of a little alkali. It alfo contains charcoal ; and its
ufe may be entirely fuperfeded by thefa fubflances, which may
be obtained in other manners, at a much cheaper rate.
604
Materia Medica.
STALAGMITIS CAMBOGIOIDES. Murray.
GamboGia. Gummi-refina. Ed. L. D.
The gum-rejin called Gamboge,
Polygctntia Monoecia.< — Nat. ord. Tricocc*.
1). Gutte Gom, Gutta gamba, I. Gommagutta.
Gitte gom, P. Goma ro?n> Go?na guta-
F. Gomme gutte. Gutta gamba.
G. Gummigutt . R. Gummigut.
POL. Gummi gotta. S. Gommaguta, Guta gamba.
The tree which furnifties the gamboge is of middling fize, and
grows wild in the kingdom of Siam and in Ceylon. In Siam the
gum-refin is obtained in drops by breaking the leaves and young
fhoots ; hence probably its name Gummi-guttse ; but in Ceylon it
is extracted from the wood of the tree in the form of a juice,
which foon becomes folid. Gamboge, or at leaft a very fimilar
fubftance, is alfo got in the fame way from different fpecies of
Garcinia, efpecially the Gambogia, (the Gambogia Gutta of Lin.)
Willd. g. 938. fp. 3. Dodecandria Monogyma, and from different
fpecies of Hypericum, efpecially the bacciferum. It is brought
from the Eaft Indies in large cakes or rolls. The belt fort is of a,
deep yellow or orange colour, breaks mining, and free from impu-
rities. It has no fmelJ, and very little tafte, unlefs kept in the mouth
for fome time, when it impreffes a flight fenfe of acrimony.
Neumann got from fixteen ounces, fourteen of alcoholic extract,
and one of watery, and inverfely thirteen of watery, and two of
alcoholic. He alfo found it almoft entirely foluble in water, im-
pregnated with a moderate proportion of fixed alkaline fait. Ac-
cording to Dr. Duncan's experiments, which confirm thefe obfer-
vations, the watery folution is opaque and yellow. With alcohol
it forms a tranfparent folution of a bright golden colour ; and the
refiduum is totally foluble in water. The alcoholic folution is de-
compofed by water, becoming yellow and opaque ; but the preci-
pitate remains long fufpended, and cannot be feparated by common
filtering paper. Gamboge is readily foluble in folution of potafs,
acquiring a bright red colour the moment it is thrown into it, and
forming a dark coloured folution, which is not decompofed by
water, but by the addition of any acid immediately produces a
copious yellow precipitate, very foluble in excefs of acid. The
refiduum is foluble in water: Ammoniated alcohol diffolvesgam-
S.— — St annum.
605
Soge with fimilar phenomena. It is alfo very foluble, but with
dscompofition, in acids. The acid folution is decompofed by
water.
Medical ufi. — Gamboge evacuates powerfully both upwards and
downwards ; fome condemn it as acling with too great violence,
and occafioning dangerous hypercatharlis ; while others are of a
contrary opinion. Geoffroy feems particularly fond of this medi-
cine, and informs us, that he has frequently given from two to four
grains, without its proving at all emetic ; that from four to eight
grains both vomit and purge without violence ; that its operation
is foon over ; and that if given in a liquid form, and fufficiently
diluted, it does not need any corrector ; that in the form of a bo-
lus or pill, it is mod apt to prove emetic, but very rarely has this
effect if joined along with Calomel. He neverthelefs cautions
again ft its ufe where the patients cannot eafily bear vomiting.
It has been ufed in dropfy with cream of tartar or jalap, or
both, to quicken their operation. It is alfo recommended by fome
to the extent of fifteen grains, with an equal quantity of vegetable
alkal i, in cafes of the tape-worm. This dofe 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 fafety and efficacy. It
is afferted, that it has been given to this extent even in delicate
habits.
It is an ingredient, and probably the active one, in mod of the
noftrums for expelling tamia2.
STANNUM. TIN.
STANNUM. L.
Limatura et pitlvis. Ed. D.
D. Tin.
DA. Tin.
F. Etain.
G. Zhm.
J. Stag no
P. Estanho.
POL. Cyna.
R. OIovjo.
S. Estagno, Pelt re.
SW. Te7in.
• Tin is pure, brilliant, white, fapid, and odorous ; fpecific gra-
vity 7.291 to 7.500, foft, flexible, and emitting a crackling noifc
when bent ; fufing at 442° Fahrenheit oxidizes flowly in the air ;
is converted, when fufed, into a grey oxide ; when red hot it burns
vividly. Its fulphuret and phofphuret are larneHated and brittle j
606
Materia Medica.
it forms alloys with arfenic, bifmuth, antimony, mercury, and zinc*
it is oxidized by many acids, and combines with the muriatic,
fluoric, boracic, and carbonic acids. Its oxide is grey or white,
unites readily with fulphur, and renders glafles opaque.
It is found,
1 . Sulphuretted, and combined with copper. Tin-pyrites.
2. Oxidized.
a. Combined with oxide of iron and filica. Common tin-
ftone.
Combined with oxide of iron and a little arfenic. Fi-
brous tinftone.
The beft tin is found in Cornwall, or is brought from the Eaft
Indies. Its purity is eftimated by its fmall fpecific gravity, and
by the crackling noife it makes when bent.
It is now only ufed as an anthelmintic, efpecially in cafes of
taenia, and probably acts mechanically.
STANNI PULVIS. L. D.
Powder of Tin,
Take of
Tin, four ounces,
Melt it, and take off the fcorix. Then pour it into a clean iron
veflel. Reduce it to powder, either by agitation or trituration;
andpafs the fine part of the powder through a hair fieve. (L.)
The College of Edinburgh do not give this preparation, infert-
ing Limatura et Pulvis Stanni in their lift of the materia medica.
Medical ufe. — It is often employed as a remedy againft worms,
particularly the flat kinds, which too often elude the force of
other medicines. The general dofe is from a fcruple to a drachm ;
fome confine it to a few grains. But Dr. Alfton affaires us, in the
Edinburgh Eflays, that its fuccefs chiefly depends on its being
given in much larger quantities. He directs an ounce of the
powder on an empty ftomach, mixed with four ounces of melafles ;
next day, half an ounce ; and the day following, half an ounce
more ; after which, a cathartic is adminiftered. He fays the
worms are ufually voided during the operation of the purge, but
that pains of the ftomach occasioned by them are removed almoft
immediately upon taking the firft dofe of the tin. This practice
S. Styrax. — S. Officinale. 607
is fometimcs fuccefsful in the expulfion of teenbe, but by no means
fo frequently as Dr. Alfton's obfervations would lead us to hope.
Blaine's powder, which certainly fucceeds fometimes in cur-
ing the diftemper in dogs, feems to be a fulphuretted oxide of tin.
STIBIUM. - - Vide, Antimcnium,
STRAMONIUM. - * Vide, Dattma.
STYRAX.
Willd. g. 874. Decandria Monogynia. — Nat. ord. Bicornes.
STYRAX OFFICINALE. Sp. 1. Balfamum. Ed.
Styrax. Reftna. L.
Storax.
D. Styrax, Storax.
DA. Storax.
F. Styrax, Storax.
G. Storax.
I. Storace.
Styrax Calamita. D.
A hfilfam.
P. JSstorajue, Storaqae.
POL. Styrax.
R. Stirax.
S. Estoraque.
S\V. Storax.
This tree grows in the Levant, and in Italy and France. The
ftorax flows from wounds made in the bark, in countries where
the heat is fufEcient, for neither in Frauce nor in Italy does it fur-
nifh any.
It is either in fmall diftinct tears, of a whitifh or reddifli colour,
or in large maflfes compofed of fuch, or in mattes of an uniform
texture and yellowifh red or brownifh colour ; though fometimes
likewife interfperfed with a few whitifh grains.
The common Jlorax of the mops is in large mafTes, confiderably
lighter and lefs compact than the foregoing ; it appears on exami-
nation to be compofed of a fine refinous juice, mixed with a quan-
tity of faw-duft.
Storax has an agreeable fmell, and an aromatic tafte. Neumann
got from 480 grains, 360 alcoholic, and 30 of watery, extract,
608
Materia Medica.
and mverfely 120 watery, and 24?0 alcoholic. In diftillation it
yielded benzoic acid. It is, therefore, a balfam, or natural com-
bination of" refin with benzoic acid.
Styrax purificata, L. D.
Tinctura benzoes comp. E. L. - vide, Tincture.
STYRAX PURIFICATA. L. D.
Purified Storax.
Diffblvc the ftorax in rectified fpirit of wine, and ftrain the folu-
tion ; afterwards reduce it to a proper thicknefs with a gentle
heat. (L. D.)
Storax is a balfam or combination of refin and benzoic acid,
both of which are foluble in alcohol, and neither of them volatile
in the heat neceflary for evaporating alcohol. The procefs for
purifying it is therefore not liable to any chemical objections.
STYRAX BENZOIN. Sp. 3. Balfamum. Ed.
Benzoe. Reftna. L. Benzoinum. Refina* D.
Benzoin, a Balfam.
This fpecies grows in Sumatra, and, like the former, alfofur-
nifhes a balfam on being wounded.
It is brought from the Eaft-Indies only ; in large mafles com-
pofed of white and light brown pieces, or yellowifti fpecks, break-
ing very eafily betwixt the hands ; fuch as is whitifti, and free
from impurities, is mofl: efteemed.
In its properties it differs from ftorax, only in containing a larger
proportion of benzoic acid Neumann found that it was totally ib-
luble in alcohol, forming a blood-red tincture, and that water ex-
tracted no gummy matter, but a notable proportion of benzoic acid.
By fubiimation he got two ounces of impure acid from fixteen of
benzoin. Lime and the alkaline carbonates djflblve the acid with-
out attacking the refin, and are accordingly employed in the
proceflcs of Scheele, Gcettling, and Gren, for obtaining the ben-
zoic acid. Dr. Duncan found that the folution of potafs difiolves
S. ■ Styrax Benzoin. — Acid. Benzoicum. 609
benzoin very rapidly, forming a dark coloured folution, mixed
with fine cryftals of benzoat of potafs. This alkaline folution is
not decompofed by water, but forms with acids a role -coloured
coagulum, eafily foluble in excefs of acid. Boiling nitrous acid
alfo attacks benzoin with great violence, the folution becomes tur-
bid and lets fall a copious precipitate on cooling. It is alfo de-
compofed by water, and by alkaline folutions.
Officinal Preparations.
Acidum benzoicum, E. L. D.
Tinctura benzoes composita, E- L. - vide, Tincture.
ACIDUM BENZOICUM. Ed.
Benzoic Acid.
Flores Benzoes. L. Sal Benzoini. D.
Flowers of Benzoin. Salt of Benzoin.
Take any quantity of the balfam of the ftyrax benzoin reduced to
powder.
Put it into an earthen veflel, to which, after having covered it with
a paper cone, apply a gentle heat that the acid may fublime. If
this be difcoloured with oil, let it be purified by folution
in warm water and cryftallization. (E.)
Benzoic acid cryftallizes in compreffed prifms of a pungent
tafte and aromatic fmell. It is fufible, and evaporates by heat,
for the mof1- part, without change. When brought in contact
with flame, it catches fire, and leaves no refiduum. It is per-
manent in the air. It is very fparingly foluble in cold water ;
but at 212° it diflblves in about 24- waters. It is alfo foluble,
in hot acetous acid. It is foluble, without change, in alcohol, in
concentrated fulphuric and nitric acids, and is feparated from them
by water.
Benzoates, are little known, but generally form feather-fhaped
cryflals, and are foluble in water.
The diftinguifhed character of balfams is their containing ben-
zoic acid. It may be feparated from the refin, which is their other
principal conflituent, either by fublimation, or by combining it
with a falifiable bafe. The manner of effecting it in the firft way,
h that prefcribed bv the pharmacopoeias. But even with the
41
610 Materia Medica..
greateft care it is almoft impoffible to manage theheat fo as not to
decompofe part of the refin, and thus give rife to Ine formation of
an empyreumatic oil, which deftroys the product. Nor can it be
freed completely from the empyreumatic oil by the folution and
cryftallization prefcribed by the Edinburgh and Dublin colleges,
and ftill lefs by the fecond fublimation with clay, directed by that
of London.
The other method of feparating benzoic acid from refin, by
combining it with a falifiable bafe, both gives a larger product, and
of greater purity. It was firft praclifed by Scheele, who employ-
ed lime water Gottling afterwards ufed carbonate of potafs; and,
laftly, Gren ufed carbonate of foda, which has been adopted by
the Berlin college.
Take of
Benzoin, in powder, one pound ;
Carbonate of foda, four ounces 5
"Water, four pounds.
DifTolve the carbonate in the water, and digeft the benzoin in
the folution for twenty-four hours with a gentle heat ; then boil it
for a quarter of an hour, and filter the folution while hot. After
it cools drop into it fulphuric acid as long as any precipitate is
produced. Separate the precipitate by filtration, and wafli it with
cold water. The acid may be cryftallized by boiling the precipi-
tate gently in twenty-four times its weight of water, filtering it as
hot and quickly as poflible, and fetting it afide to cryftailize. But
as the cryftallized acid, on account of its lightnefs and elasticity, is
not eafily reduced to powder, for moft purpofes it will be more
Convenient to keep it in the ftate of a precipitate.
It may alfo be extracted from ftorax, and all the other balfams,
particularly thefe of Tolu or Peru ; and from the urine of children,
and of herbivorous animals.
The benzoic acid has an agreeable tafte, and a fragrant fmell,
efpecially when heated. It is foluble in alcohol and in boiling wa-
ter, but very fparingly in cold water although it may be fufpend-
•ed in it, by means of fugar, fo as to form an elegant balfamic fy-
rup.
Officinal Preparations.
Tinctura opii camphor. L. D. - vide, Tincturz.
ammoniata, E. - - Tinctura volatil 'r
S. Sub-Boras Sodas. 611
SUB-BORAS SODiE. Boras Sod*?. Ed.
Borax. L. D.
Sub-borate of foda. Boras.
D. Boras. P. Borax.
DA. Borax. POL. Buraks.
F. Borax. R. Bura, Borakss.
G. Borax. S. Borrax.
I. Borracr. SW. Borax.
Borax is found only in Thibet and Perfia. It exifts in the water
of fome wells and lakes, and is extracted from them by evapo-
ration. In its impure ftate it is called tincal, and is brought
from the Eaft-Indies in great maffes, compofed of a few large cryf-
tals, but chiefly of fmaller ones, partly white and partly green,
joined together as it were by a greafy yeliow fubftance, inter-
mixed with land, fmall ftones, and other impurities. By repeated
folutions, filtrations, and cryftallizations, it fhoots into hexangu-
lar prifms of which two fides are broader than the others, ter-
minated by triangular pyramids, of a. white colour, a ftyptic and
■alkaline tafte, colouring vegetable blues green, foluble in eighteen
parts of water at 60°, and in fix at 212°, flightly eiflorefcing in
the air, and when heated, (welling, and, with the lois of nearly
half its weight, forming a porous friable mals, which, in a greater
heat, melts into a tranlparent gkifs foluble in water. Befides the
acids and alkalies which have a greater affinity for its acid or bafe
than thefe have for each other, it is decompofed by fnlphates, mu-
riates, nitrates, phofphates, and fluates, of all the earths and of
ammonia. It con fills of 39 boracic acid, 17 foda, and 44 water.
Boracic acid exifts in the form of fmall, Ihining, laminated
cryltals. Specific gravity is 1.479. It is fixed and verifiable in the
fire. It is foluble in fifty parts of boiling water. It is alfu foluble
in alcohol, to which it imparts the property of burning with a yel-
low flame. It oxidizes only iron and zinc.
Borates are verifiable; and their concentrated folutions afford
when heated with the ftrong fulphuric acid, brilliant, lamellated
cryftals.
Medical ufe. — The medical virtues of borax have not been fuf-
ficiently afcertained by experience : it is fuppofed to be, in doles
of half a drachm or two fcruples, diuretic, emmenagogue, and a
promoter of delivery. Mr. Billet, in an efTay on the medical con-
ftitution of Great Britain, recommends a fDlution of this fait in
water, as the m.)ft powerful diiTolvent yet known, of aphthous
crufts in the mouth and fauces of children. And for the fame
purpofe alio, a fmall quantity of it is often applied in the form of
powder mixed up with fugar. There are ftrong reafons to believe,
that the virtues of borax are much greater than they are in general
fuppofed to be •, and that it may be more exteniively ufed with
advantage.
612
Materia Medica.
SUCCINUM. Ed. L. D.
Amber.
D. Barnsieen.
DA. B ems teen, Bav.
F. Ambre jaune, Succin.
G. Bernstein.
P. Ambar, Ambre, Alambre.
POL. Bursztyn.
R. Jantar.
S. Ambar.
I. Ambra gialla, o ghiacciata.- SW. Bernsten, Baf.
This is a folid, brittle, bituminous, fubftance, dug out of the
earth, or found upon the fea-fhores ; the largeft: quantities are met
with along the coafts of Polilh Pruflia and Pomerania. It is of
a white yellow, or brown colour, fometimes opaque, and fome-
times very clear and transparent.
It emits an agreeable fmell when heated or rubbed. By friction
it becomes electric \ and when heated it foftens, fwells, and then
melts and burns with a greenifti or bluifh flame, leaving a coaly
refiduum. By diftillation it affords a little acetous acid, an elTen-
tial oil, and a peculiar acid, named from it the Succinic. It is
not afted upon by water, or diluted acids. It is imperfectly dif-
folved in alcohol and ether. Hoffmann difTolved it in oil of almonds
in Papin's digefter, and in a boiling folntion of potafs. Dr.
Thomfon lately difcovered that it was foluble in the cold, even
in a very weak folution of the fub-carbonate of potafs. Heyer
afcertained that it was foluble with decompofition in nitrous acid.
In attempting to form fuccinic acid by the action of nitrous acid on
amber, Dr. Duncan made the fame observation. The acid when heat-
ed to ebullition acts violently, copious red fumes are emitted, and
the amber is firft as if melted, and then difTolved. On cooling,
part of the amber feparates. The acid folution is decompofed by
water, and by alkaline folutions. Amber is rendered foluble in
the fixed and volatile oils by melting or roafting it.
It is only kept for the empyreumatic oil and acid obtained
from it.
Officinal Preparations.
Acidum et oleum succini, E. L. D.
Succinum prseparatum, L. vide, Carbonas cakis prafiaratu^.
S. Succinum. — Ol. et Acid. Succini. 613
OLEUM SUCCINI et ACIDUM SUCCINI. Ed.
Oil of Amber and Succinic Acid.
Sal Succini. D. Sal et Oleum Succini. L*
Salt of Amber. Salt and Oil of Amber.
Sal Succini Purificatus. L.
Purified Salt of Amber.
Take of
Amber reduced to powder, and of pure fand, equal parts.
Mix them, and put them into a glafs retort, of which the mixture
may fill one half : then adapt a large receiver, and diftil in a
fand bath, with a fire gradually increafed. At firft, a watery
liquor will come over, with fome yellow oil ; then a yellow oil,
with an acid fait ; and laftly, a reddifh and black-coloured oil.
Pour the liquor out of the receiver, and feparate the oil from the
water. Prefs the fait collected from the neck of the reiort and
fides of the receiver between folds of blotting paper, to free it
from the oil adhering to it ; then purify it by folution in warm-
water and cryitallization. (E.)
"We are not acquainted with any experiments which determine
whether the fuccinic acid exifts as fuch in the amber, or whether
it be a product of the decompofition of the amber by the action of
heat, for in the procefs employed for obtaining fuccinic acid the
amber is completely decompofed.
The land is added to prevent the amber from running together
into mafles, and impeding the diftillation ; but as it renders the
refiduum unfit for the ufe of the varnifher, it is not advifable.
According to Gbttling, this diftillation ftiould be performed in a
tubulated iron or earthen-ware retort, expofed to the immediate
action of the fire ; for he fays, that, in a fand bath we cannot
regulate the heat fufBciently, and that a glafs retort is incapable
of fupporting the necefTary temperature.
Befides the fuccinic acid collected from the neck of the retort,
and fides of the receiver, the oil wafhes down a portion of it into
.the receiver, and the watery liquor which comes over is faturated
with it. But the whole of it may be obtained by agitating the oil
with fome boiling water, which will difiblve the acid. This folu-
tion is then to be added to the acid liquor, and the acid they con-
tain is eafily obtained by evaporation and crystallization. The acid
may afterwards be purified by folution in boiling water and cryftal-
lization, according to the directions of the colleges.
614
Materia Medica.
But even after repeated Solutions and cryftallizations, a portion
of empyreumatic oil ftill adheres to the acid, and renders it im-
pure. Other methods of purifying it have been therefore attempt-
ed. Demachy faturated it with lime, feparated the lime by ful-
phuric acid, and fublimed the fuccinic acid : Richter faturated fuc-
cinic acid with potafs, decompofed the fait formed with acetate of
lead, and difengaged the fuccinic acid from the lead by means of
diluted fulphuric acid : laftly, Morveau aflerts that he obtained it
in a date of perfect: purity, by treating it with nitrous acid. It is
often adulterated with muriate of ammonia, fulphuric acid, ful-
phate of potafs, fugar, &c« When pure it is entirely volatile, gives
out no ammoniacal fumes when triturated with potafs, is not pre-
cipitated by folutions of baryta, and is foluble in alcohol.
Succinic acid, although retained in our pharmacopoeias, is never
ufed in medicine.
Succinic acid cryftallizes in tranfparent white triangular prifms ;
may be melted and fublimed, but fuffers partial decompofition ;
more foluble in hot than in cold water j foluble in hot alcohol*
Succinates little known.
SUCCI.+JUICES.
SUCCI EXPRESSI.
Exprejfed Juices,
The juices of fucculent plants are obtained by expreffion. They
are of a very compound nature, confining of the fap, the fecreted
fluids, and fecula, mixed together. When firft procured, they are
very high coloured, turbid, and loaded with parenchymatous mat-
ter. They may be feparated by reft, filtration, heat, and clarifica-
tion. Reft may be employed when the juice is very fluid, does
not contain volatile matter, and is not fufceptible of alteration.
It is, however, employed with advantage with fub acid juices, as
that of lemons. By reft they undergo a kind of flight fermenta-
tion, and all their mucilaginous, and other vifcid parts, feparate.
Filtration is perhaps the moft perfect, but it is tedious, and appli-
cable only to very fluid juices. In many inftances it may be facili-
tated by the addition of water. The action of heat is more expe-
ditious, and is employed for juices which are very alterable, or
which contain volatile matters. It is performed by introducing the
juice into a matrafs, and immerfing it in boiling water for fome
S. ' Succi exprcssi.
615
minutes. The fecutae are coagulated, and eafily feparated by fil-
tration. Clarification by white of egg can only be ufed for very
vifcid mucilaginous juices, which contain nothing volatile. The
white of two eggs may be allowed to each pint of juice. They are
beat to a fine froth, the juice gradually mixed with them, and the
whole brought to ebullition. The albumen coagulating envelops
all the parenchymatous and feculent matters, and the juice now
partes the filter readily. By this procefs juices are rendered fuf-
ficiently fine ; but the heat employed deepens their colour, and
manifeftly alters them, fo that it is not merely a defecating, but a
decompofing, procefs. When depurated, juices are yellow or red,
but never green.
The fluids thus extracted from fucculent fruits, whether acid or
fweet, from mod of the acrid herbs, as fcurvy-grafs and water-
crelTes, from the acid herbs, as lVrel and wood-forrel, from the
aperient lacletcent plants, as dandelion and hawkweed, and from
fundry other vegetables, contain great part of the peculiar tafteand
virtues of the refpective'fubjects. The juices, on the other hand,
extracted from moft of the aromatic herbs, have fcarcely any thing
of the flavour of the plants, and feem to differ little from decoc-
tions of them made in water boiled till the volatile odorous parts
have been diflipated. Many of the odoriferous flowers, as the lily,
violet, hyacinth, not only impart nothing of their fragrance to their
juice, but have it totally deftroyed by the previous bruifing. From
want of fufficient attention to thefe particulars, practitioners have
been frequently deceived in the effects of preparations of this clafs :
juice of mint has been often prefcribed as a ftomachic, though it
wants thole qualities by which mint itfelf and its other prepara-
tions operate.
There are equal differences in regard to their preferving thofe
virtues, and this independently of the volatility of the active mat-
ter, or its difpofition to exhale. Even the volatile virtue of fcurvy-
grafs may, by the above method, be preferved almoft entire in
its juice for a confiderable lime ; while the active parts of the juice
of the wild cucumber quickly fcparate and fettle to the bottom,
leaving the fluid part inert. Juices of arum root, iris root, bryony
foot and other vegetables, in like manner allow their medicinal
parts to fettle at the bottom.
If juices are intended to be kept for any length of time, about
one fortieth part of their weight of good fpirit of wine may be
added, and the whole fuffered to (land as before ; a frefh fediment
will now be depofited, from which the liquor is to be poured off,
ftrained again, and put into fmall bottles which have been warned
with fpirit and dried. A little oil is to be poured on the furface,
fo as very nearly to fill the bottles, and the mouths clofed with
leather, paper, or flopped with ftraw, as the flafks are in which
616
Materia Medica.
Florence oil is brought to us : this ferves to keep out duft, and
fuffers the air to efcape, which in procefs of time arifes from all
vegetable liquors, and which would otherwife endanger the burft-
ing of the giaffes ; or, being imbibed afrefh, render their con-
tents vapid and foul. The bottles are to be kept on the bottom of a
good cellar or vault, placed up to the necks in fand. By this me-
thod fome juices may be preferved for a year or two; and others
for a much longer time, though, whatever care be taken, they are
found to anfwer better when frem ; and from the difficulty of pre-
fervinc them, they have of late been very much laid afide, efpeci-
ally fince we have been provided with more convenient and ufeful
remedies. The following is the only compofition of the kind re-
tained in the Britifh pharmacopoeias.
SUCCUS COCHLEARS OFFICINALIS COMPOSITUS.
vulgo, Succi ad Scorbuticos. Ed.
Succus Cochlears Compositus. L.
Compound Juice of Scurvy-Grafs.
Take of
Juice of fcurvy-grafs, i
Water-crefTes, exprefled from frefh gathered herbs,
Seville oranges, of each two pouuds ;
Spirit of nutmegs, half a pound.
Mix them, and let them ftand till the feces have fubfided, then
pour off the clear liquor. (E.)
This compofition is of confiderable ufe for the purpofes expref-
fed in the title: the orange juice is an excellent affiftant to the
fcurvy-grafs and other acrid antifcorbutics ; which, when thus
mixed, have been found from experience to produce much better
effects than when employed by themfelves. They may be taken in
dofes from an ounce or two to a quarter of a pint, two or three
times a-day : they generally increafe the urinary fecretion, and
fometimes induce a laxative habit.
S. Succi spissati.
617
SUCCI SPISSATI.
InfpiJJated Juices.
This is a very convenient form for the exhibition of thofe fub-
ftances which are fufficiently fucculent to afford a juice by ex-
preflion, and whofe virtues do not refide in any very volatile mat-
ter. By infpifTation, the bulk, of the requifite dofe is very much
diminimed j they are reduced to a form convenient for making up
into pills and they are much lefs apt to fpoil than the fimple ex-
prefTed juices. The mode of their preparation is not yet, however,
reduced to fixed principles. Some direct the juices to be infpif-
fated as foon as they are exprefTed ; others allow them previouOy to
undergo a flight degree of fermentation ; fome defecate them be-
fore they proceed to infpiflate them, and laftly, Baume prepares his
elaterium by infpiflating the defecated juice of the wild cucumber,
while our colleges give the fame name to the matter which fubfides
from it. The nature of the foil, of the feafon, and many other cir-
cumftances, muft materially alter the quantity or nature of the pro-
duct. In moift years Baume got from thirty pounds of elder ber-
ries, four or five pounds of infpiflated juice, and in dry years only
two, or two and a half. From hemlock he got in October, 1769,
tVt of infpifTated juice, and in May of the fame year, only Ti , *,
on the contrary, in Auguft 1768, TV.T, and in May 1770 a, but
in general the product in the autumn months was greateft. Hy-
ofciamus gave him about T4T> and belladonna TV-
SUCCUS SPISSATUS ACONITI NAPELLI. Ed.
InfpiJJated Juice of Wolfsbane.
Bruife the frefh leaves of wolfsbane; and including them in a
hempen bag, comprefs them ftrongly till they yield their juice,
which is to be evaporated in flat vefTels heated with boiling
water, faturated with muriate of foda, and immediately reduced
to the confidence of thick honey.
After the mafs has become cold, let it be put up in glazed earthea
veflels, and moiftened with alcohol. (E.)
4 K
618
Materia Medicd.
In the fame manner are prepared from their leaves,
Sue ci Spissati
ATROP^ BuLLADONNLffi,
CcNII MACULATI,
Hyosciami nigri,
Lactuce viros^,
The Infpijfated Juices of
Deadly Night/hade,
Hemlock.
Henbane.
Poijonous Lettuce.
SUCCUS SPISSATUS SAMBUC1 NIGRI; vulgo,
Rob Sambuci. Ed.
hijpijfated Juice of Elder-berries , commonly called Elder rob.
Succus Bacc^ Sambuci Spissatus. L.
Succus Spissatus Sambuci. D.
Infpijfated Juice of Elder berry.
Take of
Juice of ripe elder-berries, five pounds ;
Double refined fugar, one pound.
Evaporate with a gentle heat to the confiftence of pretty thick
honey. (E.)
In the fame manner infpifTate the juice of Black Currant^ Lemon,
Hemlock , when about to flower.
These infpifTated juices contain the virtues of the refpec~tive
vegetables, in a very concentrated flate. Thofeof the elder, black-
currant, and lemon, are acidulous, cooling, and laxative, and may
be uled in confiderable quantities, while thofe of the wolfsbane,
hemlock, deadly nightfhade, henbane, and poifonous lettuce, are
highly narcotic and deleterious, and mull be given only in very
fmall doles.
FECULA.
SUCCUS SPISSATUS MOMORDIC^E ELATERII. Ed.
Elaterium. L.
Infpijfated Juice of the Wild Cucumber. Elaterium.
Cut into flices ripe wild cucumbers, and pafs the juice, very light-
ly exprelTed, through a very fine hair fieve, into a glafs velTel,
then boil it a little and fet it by for fome hours until the
thicker part has fubfided. Pour off the thinner part fwimming
at the top, and ftparate the reft by filtering. Cover the thicker
S. 1 Succi spissati.
619
part, which remains after filtration, with a linen cloth, and dry
it with a gentle heat. (E. L.)
This is not properly an infpiflated juice, but a depofition from
the exprefled juice. Such depofitions have long been called Fe-
cula, and the denomination has been confirmed in modern times.
Its application, however, appears to us to be too extended ; for
fecula is applied both to mild and nutritious fubftances, fuch as
flarch, and to draftic fubftances, fuch as that of which we are now
treating. Befides, if it pofTefled exactly the fame chemical pro-
perties as ftarch, it would be converted into a gelatinous mafs by
the boiling directed by the Edinburgh college, and would not fe-
parate ; whereas, the boiling is intended to promote the fepara-
tion.
The filtration above directed, for draining off fuch part of the
watery fluid as cannot be feparated by decantation, is not the com-
mon filtration through paper, for this does not fucceed here : the
grofTer parts of the juice, falling to the bottom, form a vifcid cake
upon the paper, which the liquid cannot pafs through. The fepa-
ration is to be attempted in another manner, by draining the fluid
from the top. This is effected by placing one end of f'ome mois-
tened {trips of woollen cloth, fkeins of cotton, or the like, in the
juice, and laying the other end over the edge of the vefTel, fo as to
hang down lower than the furface of the liquor : by this manage-
ment the feparation fucceeds in perfection.
Medical ufe. — Elaterinm is a very violent hydragogue cathartic.
In general, previous to its operation, it excites confiderable ficknefs
at Itomach, and not unfrequently it produces fevere vomiting.
Hence it is feldom employed till other remedies have been tried in
vain. But in fome inftances of afcites it will produce a complete
evacuation of water, where other cathartics have had no effect.
Two or three grains are in general a fufficient dole. And per-
haps the belt mode of exhibiting it is by giving it only to the ex-
tent of half a grain at a time, and repeating that dofe every hour
till it begins to operate.
PULPARUM EXTR ACTIO. Ed. D.
The Extraclion of Pulps.
PlJLPARUM PR^PARATIO. L.
The Preparations of Pulps.
Boil unripe pulpy fruits, and ripe ones if they be dry, in a fmall
quantity of water until they become foft ; then prefs out the
620
Materia Medica*
pulp through a hair fieve, and afterwards boil it down to the
confidence of honey in an earthen vefTel, over a gentle fire ;
taking care to keep ftirring the matter continually. (E. D )
(The pulp of caflia fiftularis is in like manner to be boiled out from
the bruifed pod, and reduced afterwards to a proper confidence
by evaporating the wacer.
The pulps of fruits that are both ripe and frefh, are to be pref-
fed out through the fieve, without any previous boiling.) (E.)
When thefe fruits are not fufficiently juicy to afford a pulp by
fimple exprefiion, the decocYion ordered by the Edinburgh and
Dublin colleges is much more certain, and in every refpecl: prefer-
able to expofing them to a moift air, which is not only often ineffi-
cacious, but is apt to render them fpoilt and mouldy. On the
other hand, the precaution ufed by the London college, of finifh-
ing the evaporation in a water bath, is highly proper, as otherwife
they are extremely apt to become empyreumatic.
The pulps expreiTed from recent fubftances without coclion, are
lefs mucilaginous, are more apt to allow their fluid parts to fepa-
rate when left at reft, than when they have been previoufly boiled:
and very fucculent vegetables, fuch as apples, pears, and lily roots,
may be roafted in hot afhes inftead of being boiled.
SULPHAS. SULPHATE.
Sulphate is a generic term for the combination of fulphuric
acid with the alkalies, earths and metallic oxides. Their generic
characters have been already noticed. Like the other genera, they
may be divided into three families.
Family 1. Alkaline fulphates. — Thefe form no precipitate with
alkaline carbonates.
Family 2. Earthy fulphates. — Thefe are either infoluble in wa-
ter, or, if foluble, form a white precipitate with alkaline carbo-
nates.
Family 3 Metalline fulphates. — Thefe form precipitates, which
are often coloured, with alkaline carbonates in general, with pruf-
fiate of potals and iron, and with gallic acid.
Officinal Preparations.
Sulphas Aluminse,
Barytae. - - vide, Baryta.
Cupri. - Cujrum.
Ferri. ... Ferrum.
Magnesise. - Magnesia,,
Potassae. ... Poiassa.
Sod<E. - - - - Soda.
Zinci. - - Zincwn,
S. Sulphas. — S. Aluminse. 621
SUPER-SULPHAS ALUMINJE ET POT ASS jE.
Sulphas Alumina. Ed.
Alumen. L. D.
Super-fulphate of alumina and potafs. Alum.
D. Aluin. P. Pedra hume.
DA. A/un, Aluun> Allun. POL. Halun.
F. Alun, Alum. R. Kivaaszu.
G Alaun. S. Alumbre.
I Allume. SW. Alan.
Alum is obtained principally from fchiftofe clays, which con-
tain iron pyrites, by roafting, expofure, lixiviation, the addition
of a proportion of potaf$ ley, evaporation, and cryftailization.
The roafting deftroys ihe bituminous matters theft clays com-
monly contain, the expofure to the air acidifies the fulphur of the
pyrites, and the addition of alkali is abfolutely neceflary for the
conltitution of alum, which is a triple fair, with excefs of acid,
confifting of fulphuric acid, alumina, and potafs, or ammonia, or
a mixture of both. The properties of alum do not fcem to be
affected by the nature of the alkali. To fave the trouble of eva-
poration, Mr. Curadau has given another method of manufactur-
ing this fubftance. He takes 100 parts of clay, and 5 parts of
muriate of foda, dilTolved in as much water as is neceflary to
form the whole into a pafte, which is made into cakes, and baked
for two hours in a reverberatory furnace. The mafs is then re-
duced to powder, and put into a good cafk ; a quarter of its
weight of fulphuric acid is then added to it at feveral times, ftirring
it well each time. After the vapours of the muriatic acid are
difengaged, an equal quantity of water with the acid is added.
The mixture then becomes hot, fwells, and emits very abundant
vapours. When the heat is fomewhat moderated, more water
mult be added until there is about eight or ten times as much as
of the acid. The liquor is then drawn offinto leaden velTels, and an
equal quantity of water poured upon the refiduum, which is alfo
drawn off and added to the former. To thefe is laftly added
a folution containing as much potafs as is equal to a fourth part, or
fulphate of potafs equal to one half the weight of the acid. As
the liquor cools, it affords cryftallized alum, equal in weight to
three times the acid, and which may be further purified by redif-
folving it in the fmalleft poflible quantity of boiling water, and
allowing it to cryftallize.
Alum cryftallizes in regular oclohedrons, whofe fides are equi-
lateral triangles. It has a fweetifh but very afiringent tafie. Ic is
foluble in 15 times its weight of water at 60°, and three fourths
of its weight at 212v. It reddens vegetable blues. It efRorefces
622
Materia Medica.
flightly in the air. By the action of heat it firfr undergoes the
watery fufion, then lofes its waver of cryftallization, and laftly
great part of its acid. It is decompofed by baryta, potafs, foda,
ftrontia, and all fairs of which thefe are the bafes ; by the nitrate,
muriate, phofphate, carbonate, borate, and fluate of ammonia ;
by the nitrate, muriate, phofphate, and carbonate of magnefia ;
and by the nitrate, muriate, and carbonate of lime. It is alfo
decompofed by the gallic acid, by colouring matters, and by
many animal and vegetable lubftances, in a manner not yetfuffici-
ently underftood.
It commonly confifts, according to Vauquelin, of 49 fulphatc
of alumina, 7 fulphate of potafs, and 44 of water.
Medical ufe. — Alum is a powerful aftringent : it is reckoned
particularly ferviceable for reftraining hemorrhagies, and immo-
derate fecretions from the blood ; but lefs proper in inteftinal
fluxes. In violent hemorrhagies, it may be given in dofes of
fifteen or twenty grains, and repeated every hour or half hour till
the bleeding abates: in other cafes, fmaller dofes are more advi£.
able ; large ones being apt to naufeate the ftomach, and occafion
violent conftipations of the bowels. It is ufed alfo externally,
in aftringent and repellent lotions and collyria. Burnt alum taken
internally has been highly extolled in cafes of colic. In fuch in-
stances, when taken to the extent of a fcrupic for a dofe, it has
been faid gently to move the belly, and give very great relief from
the fevere pain. •
Officinal Preparations.
Alumen purificatum, L.
Sulphas aluminis exsiccatus, E. L. D.
Solut. sulphat. cupri composita, E. - vide, Cufirum.
Aqua aluminis composita, L. Zincum.
Pulvis sulph. aluminis compositus, E. - Pulveres.
Cataplasma aluminis, L. D. - - - - Cataplasmata.
ALUMINIS PURIFICATIO. L.
Purification of Alum.
Take of
Alum, one pound ;
Chalk, one drachm ;
Diftilled water, one pint.
Boil them a little, (train, and fet the liquor alide to cryftallize. (L.)
S. Sulphas. — S. Alum, exsic. — Sulphur. 625
This procefs is fcarcely neceffary ; for the alum of commerce
is fufficiently pure for every purpofe •, and we apprehend that the
addition of the chalk is unchemical, as its only effect will be to
decompofe part of the alum, without contributing to the purity of
the reft.
SULPHAS ALUMINA EXSICCATUS. Ed.
Dried Sulphate of Alumina.
Alump.n Ustum. L. D.
Burnt Alum.
Melt alum in an earthen or iron veffel, and keep it over the fire
until it ceafe to boil. (E.)
Mr. Chaptal found that by exficcation in red heat, alum of his
own manufacture loit 0.67 ; Roman alum 0.50 ; Englifh alum
0.47, and Levant alum only 0.40. Thefe differences arife princi-
pally from different proportions of water of cryftallization, but alfo
from an excefs of alumina, which the laft contains.
According to Kirwan, cryftallized alum confifts of 17.66 acid,
12. alumina, and 70.24 water, and alum dcficcated at 700° of 36.25
acid, and 63.75 bafis, Jpy which it would appear that at that heat
it lofes not only all its water, but alfo more than half its acid.
Dried alum is only applied externally as a gentle efcharotic to
fungous ulcers.
SULPHUR. BRIMSTONE.
D. Zwavel, Zolfer. P. Enxofre.
DA. Svovel. POL. Siarka.
F. Sou/re. R. %era.
G. SctwefeL S. Jzufrc.
I. Zo/fo, Solfo. SW. Svafvd.
Sulphur is a cryftallizable folid ; of a yellow colour ; little
fenfible tafte ; particular fmell ; fpecific gravity 1.9907 •, brittle;
electric ; fufible at 234° ; burning with a pale blue flame at 302° ;
and with a bright white flame at 570° ; and capable of combining
with different proportions of oxygen. It is found pure in the
neighbourhood of volcanoes, and exifts in many minerals, and in
animal fubftances.
624
Materia Medica,
Primary Compounds of Sulphur.
a. With oxygen :
1. Protoxide of fulphur.
2. Peroxide of fulphur.
3. Sulphureous acid.
4-. Sulphuric acid.
b. With nitrogen. Sulphuretted nitrogen gas.
c. With hydrogen. Sulphuretted hydrogen.
d. With phofphorus. Sulphuretted phofphorus.
e. With falifiable bafes. Earthy and alkaline fulphurets,
f. With metals. Metallic fulphurets.
Oxide of Sulphur is of a dark violet colour, and an auftere tafte,
fracture fibrous, fp. gr. 2.325 ; confidence tough. It contains
2.4 per cent of oxygen. It is formed on the furface of melted
fulphur.
Peroxide of Sulphur contains 6.2 per cent of oxygen, and was
procured by Dr. Thomfon by paffing a current of oxy-muriatic
acid gas through flowers of fulphur. It is in this ftate that he
fuppofes fulphur to exift in fulphuretted hydrogen gas, and the
hydro-fulphurets.
Sulphuretted Nitrogen Gas is only known to have a fetid odour.
Sulphuretted Hydrogen Gas confifts of 71 fulphur, and 29 hydro-
gen ; fpecific gravity 0.000135. It has the odour of rotten eggs ;
is not refpirable ; burns with oxygen gas without exploding, and
fulphur is depofited •, is readily abforbed by water, and is the mode
in which fulphur exifts in mineral waters •, reddens vegetable
blues *, and in its affinities, and the cryftallizability of its com-
pounds, it refembles the acids.
Hydroguretted Sulphur is fulphuretted hydrogen combined with
an additional dofe of fulphur. It has the appearance of a yellow
oil.
Sulphurets are folid opaque bodies, of confiderable fpecific gra-
vity, decompofible by heat, water, and the acids.
a. The alkaline and earthy fulphurets have a red or brownifh-
red colour, and by folution in water are immediately con-
verted into hydroguretted fulphurets. Sulphuret of potafs
is officinal.
b. The metallic fulphurets have neither tafte nor fmell, are
often poflefled of metallic brilliancy, and are conductors of
electricity.
S. Sulphur.— S. Sublimatum. 625
SULPHUR SUBLIMATUM. Ed. L. D.
Sublimed fulphur.
In the neighbourhood of volcanoes it is fometimes found per-
fectly pure and cryftallized ; but all the fulphur of commerce is
extracted from pyrites by fublimation. It is ufually brought to us
in large irregular mafTes, which are afterwards melted and call into
cylindrical rolls, with the addition of fome coarfe refin, flour, or
the like ; whence the paler colour of the rolls.
Sulphur mould be chofen of a bright yellow colour, fhould be
very inflammable, and mould burn with a bright pure blue flame.
Sublimed fulphur is never prepared by the apothecary. It has the
form of a very fine powder, having a beautiful yellow colour. It
often is contaminated with a little fulphuric acid, formed during
the procefs, from which it is eafily freed by warning.
Medical ufe. — Pure fulphur loofens the belly, 3nd promotes in-
fenfible perfpiration : it feems to pafs through the whole habit,
and manifeftly tranfpires through the pores of the (kin, as appears
from the fulphureous fmell of perfons who have taken it, and from
lilver being ftained in their pockets of a blackifh colour, which is
the known effect, of fulphureous fumes. It is a celebrated remedy
againft cutaneous difeafes, both given internally, and externally ap-
plied. It has likewife been recommended in coughs, afthmas, and
other diforders of the bread and lungs ; and particularly in catarrhs
of the chronic kind. But it is probable, that the benefit derived
from it in thefe cafes, is principally, if not entirely, to be attribut-
ed to its operation as a gentle laxative. And with this intention
it is frequently ufed with great advantage in hemorrhoidal affec-
tions, and many other difeafes in which it is proper to keep the
belly gently open.
Officinal Preparations.
Sulphur sublim. lotum, E. L. D.
Sulphas potassae cum sulph. E. - vide, Potassa.
Sulphuretum potassae, E. L. D. - Idem.
Hydro-sulph. ammoniae. - - Ammonia.
Sulphas hydrargyri nigri, E. L. D. Hydrargyrum: .
Hydrargyrum sulphuratum rubrum, L. D. Idem.
Oleum sulphuratum- E. L. ~) - ~. .
Petroleum sulphuratum, L. \ - Olea firtfiara :c.
Unguentum sulphuris, E. L. D. - Uwgucntm.
4. L
626 Materia Medica.
SULPHUR SUBLIMATUM LOTUM. Ed. D.
Wajhed Sublimed Sulphur,
Flores Sulphuris Loti. L.
Wajhed Flowers of Sulphur.
Take
Sublimed fulphur, one pound ;
Water, :our pounds.
Boil the fulphur for a little in the water, then pour off this water,
and wafh away all the acid by affufions of cold water \ and
laftly, dry the fulphur. (E. L.)
As it is impoflibie to fublime fulphur in veffels perfectly void
of air, a fmall portion of it is always acidified and converted into
fulphurous or fulphuric acid. The prefence of acid in fulphur, is
always to be confidered as an impurity, and muft be removed by
careful ablution. When thoroughly warned, fublimed fulphur is
not a£ted upon by the atmofphere ; there is therefore no particular
reafon for preferving it from the action of the air for if, on keep-
ing, it become moift, it is becaufe the fulphuric acid has not been
entirely warned away.
Officinal Preparation,
Trochisci sulphuris, L. - - - vide, Trochisci.
SULPHUR PR^ECIPITATUM. L. D.
Precipitated Sulphur,
Take of
Sulphuretted kali, fix ounces ;
Diftilled water, one pound and an half ;
Diluted vitriolic acid, as much as is fufficient.
Boil the fulphuretted kali in the diftilled water until it be diffolved.
Filter the liquor though paper, to which add the diluted vitrio-
lic acid. Wafh the precipitated powder by repeated affufions
of water till it become infipid. (L.)
Instead of diffolving fulphuret of potafs in water, we may gra-
dually add fublimed fulphur to a boiling folution of potafs, until it
be faturated. When the fulphuretted potafs is thrown into water,
S. Sulphur. — Acidum Sulphuricum. 627
it is entirely diffolved, but not without decompofition, for it is con-
verted into fulphate of potafs, hydroguretted fulphuret of potafs,
and fulphuretted hydroguret of potafs. The two laft compounds
are again decompofed on the addition of any acid. The acid com-
bines with the potafs, fulphuretted hydrogen flies off in the form of
gas, while fulphur is precipitated. It is of little confequence what
acid is employed to precipitate the fulphur. The London college
order the fulph uric ; while the Dublin college ufe nitrous acid,
probably becaufe the nitrate of potafs formed, is more eafily warn-
ed away than fulphate of potafs.
Precipitated fulphur does not differ from well-wafhed fublimed
fulphur, except in being much dearer. Its paler colour is owing
to its more minute divifion, or according to Dr. Thomfon, to
the prefence of a little water ; but from either circumftance it de-
rives no fuperiority to compenfate for the difagreeablenefs of its
preparation.
ACIDUM SULPHURICUM. El.
Acidum Vitriolicum. Oleum Vitrioli. L. D.
Sulphuric acid, Vitriolic acid. Oil of vitriol.
The London and Edinburgh colleges direct, that in the fhops,
its fpecific gravity mould be to that of water as 1850 to 1000 ;
the Dublin college as 184?5 to 1000. This want of uniformity is
to be regretted.
Sulphuric acid is compofed of fulphur and oxygen. It may
be obtained in a cryftallized or glacial form, but generally exifts
as adenfe liquid ; fpecific gravity 1.85 ; flightly vifcid ; tranfparent
and colourlefs-, without fmell ; of a ftrong acid tafte. At 36° it
freezes ; it boils at 590°. It has a ftrong attraction for water,
abforbing it rapidly from the atmofphere, and producing confider-
ablefheat when mixed with it. It is decompofed by moft inflam-
mable fubftances. It does not oxidize gold, platinum, tungften,
or titanium. It decompofes the alkaline and earthy fulphurets,
and reduces all organic fubftances to charcoal. In medicine it is
a powerful refrigerant and antifeptic. It contains 56 fulphur, and
44- oxygen.
The fulphates form fulphurets, when heated to rednefs witli
charcoal, and furnifh copious precipitates with folutions of baryta.
Sulphurous acid gas is colourlefs, incapable of maintaining com
buftion, and deleterious when refpired. It has si ftrong fuffocat
628
Materia Medica.
ing odour j its fpecific gravity is 0.00246, or 0.00251. Water at
54° rapidly abforbs one-fourth of its weight of this gas, and when
faturated, acquires the fpecific gravity of 1.040. It is again ex-
pelled from it by heat, but not by freezing. It is alfo abforbed
by fulphuric acid, to which it imparts the property of cryftalliz-
ing, forming what is called glacial fulphuric acid ; oils and ether.
When water is prefent, it is converted by oxygen gas into fulphu-
ric acid. It is decompofed by hydrogen, carbon, and fulphuret-
ted hydrogen gas, when affifted by heat. It oxidizes iron, zinc,
and manganefe. It confifts of 85 fulphur, and 15 oxygen.
The fulpbitesy by the action of heat, furnilh fulphur, and be-
come fulphates. They are alfo converted into fulphates, with
efrervefcence, and exhalation of fulphurous vapours, by the ful-
phuric, nitric, muriatic, and other acids, and gradually, by ex-
pofure to the atmofphere when dry, and very quickly when dif-
folved.
As fulphuric acid is prepared by the trading chemift, it is
inferted among the materia medica. It is obtained in two ways ;
by diftilling off the acid from fulphate of iron, previoufly de-
prived of its water of cryftallization by heat, or by burning ful-
phur in large leaden chambers, with an eighth part of nitrate of
potafs to fupply the neceflary oxygen. In the firft way the
ftrongeft acid is obtained, bu' it is apt to contain iron or copper.
By the fecond procefs it generally contains lead, which is eafily
detected by mixing a portion of the acid with three parts of diftilled
water, and if the acid be impure, a depofition will be formed. It
may be rendered perfectly pure by diftillation, filling a retort half
full of the common acid, and diftilling in a fand-bath, gradually
heated as long as any acid comes over. The receiver fhould not
be luted on.
Sulphuric acid powerfully decompofes dead animal matter. It
becomes diluted with water formed by the union of the hydrogen
and oxygen ; another portion of the hydrogen combines with the
azote to form ammonia, and the carbon is feparated in the ftate of
charcoal. The aiRnities which regulate this action are fo power--
. ful, that it produces the fame effects on the living folid, and there-
fore it acts upon them as a corrofive. But to its employment
with this view, its fluidity is an objection, as it cannot be eafily
managed.
Medical ufe. — When fufficiently diluted, it is an excellent tonic,
checking fermentation, exciting appetite, promoting digeftion, and
quenching tbirft, and it is therefore ufed with fuccefs in morbid
acidity, weaknefs, and relaxation of the llomach. As an aftrin-
gcnt, it is ufed in hemorrhagies ; and from its refrigerant and
antifeptic properties, it is a valuable medicine in many febrile dif-
S. Sulphur. — A. Sulph. Dilutum. 629
eafes, efpecially thofe called putrid. If taken in any confiderable
quantity, or for fome time, it feems to pafs off undecompofed by
the kidneys or (kin ; and it is perhaps by its ftimulant action on
the latter, that it is advantageoufly employed internally, in pfora,
and other cutaneous affections. The belt mode of prescribing it,
is to order the quantity of acid to be ufed, and to direct it to be
mixed with as much water as will render it palatable, to which
fome fyrup or mucilage may be added. To prevent it from at-
tacking the teeth, it may be conveniently fucked through a quill,
and the mouth fhould be caref ully warned after each dole.
Externally it is ufed as a gargle, particularly in putrid fore
throats, and in aphthous mouths, and as a warn in cutaneous erup-
tions, and ill-conditioned ulcers. Made into an ointment with
fixteen times its weight of axunge it has been ufed to cure pfora.
Officinal Preparations.
Acidum sulphuricum dilutum, E. L. D.
aromaticum, E. - vide, Tinctures JEthere*.
It is alfo ufed in the preparation of
Acidum nitrosum, E. L. D.
rnuriaticum, E. L. D.
Aqua super-carbonatis potassae, E.
Sulphas potassae, E.
Phosphas sodse, E.
Mimas antimonii, E. L D.
Sulphas ferri, E. L. D.
Murias hydrar yri E. L. D.
Sub-sulphas hycirargyri flavus, E. L. D.
jEther sulphuricus, E. L. D.
vide, Xiti as f'otassa.
Munas sodae.
Potassa.
Idem.
Soda.
Andmonium.
Femur, .
Hydrargyrum.
Idem.
Alcohol.
ACIDUM SULPHURICUM DILUTUM. Ed.
Diluted Sulphuric Acid.
Acidum Vitriolicum Dilutum. L. D.
Diluted or weak Vitriolic Acid.
Take of
Sulphuric acid, one part •,
Water, feven parts.
Mix them. (E.)
The molt fimple form in which fulphuric acid can be ad-
vantageoufly employed internally, is that in which it is merely di-
630
Materia Medica.
luted with water : and it is highly proper that there mould be fome
fixed ftandard in which the acid in this ftate fhould be kept. It
is, however, much to be regretted, that the colleges have not
adopted the fame ftandard with refpe£r. to ftrength : for in the
Edinburgh and Dublin colleges, the ftrong acid conftitutes an
eighth ; and in the London, only a ninth of the mixture. The
former proportion feems preferable, as it gives exactly a drachm
of acid to the ounce ; but the dilution by means of diftilled water
is preferable to fpring water ; which, even in its pureft ftate, is
not free from impregnations affecting the acid. Even when dif-
tilled water is ufed, there is often a fmall quantity of a white pre-
cipitate, arifing from lead diflblved in the acid.
Sulphuric acid has a very ftrong attraction for water ; and their
bulk when combined is lefs than that of the water and acid fepa-
rately. At the fame time, there is a very confiderable increafe of
temperature produced, which is apt to crack glafs veffels, unlefs
the combination be very cautioufly made ; and for the fame rea-
fon, the acid muft be poured into the water, not the water into the
acid.
SUPER-TAR TRIS POTASS^E. Ed.
Tartari Crystai.li. L
Tartari Crystai.li et Cremor Dictum. D.
Stipe r-t art rate of Potafs, Cryflals of Tartar , and Cream of Tartar.
It has already been ftated (fee Tartris Potaflae) that the tartaric
acid combines with potafs in two proportions j the one forming
a neutral, the other an acidulous fait. The laft is here noticed ;
and as the tartaric acid lb greatly predominates in it, it will be
proper to introduce its general properties.
Tartaric acid varies in the forms of its cryftals ; its fpecific
gravity is 1.5962 ; it is permanent in the air it is decompofed by
heat ; it dilTblves readily in water, and the lolution is not decom-
pofed by expoiure, unlefs very dilute ; it may be changed by ni ric
acid into oxalic acid. According to Fourcroy it confifts of 70.5
oxvgen, 19.0 carbon, and 10.5 hydrogen.
Tartrates, by a red heat, are converted into carbonates. The
earthy tartrates are fcarcely foluble in water : the alkaline tar-
trates are foluble; but when combined with excefs of acid, they
become much lefs foluble. The tartaric acid is capable of combin-
ing at the fame time with two bafes. When tartrates are di-
gefted in fulphuric acid, the tartaric acid is feparattd, and is
recogoized by forming a gritty precipitate with a folution of
potafs.
♦
S. Super-tartris Potassse Impurus. 631
SUPER-TARTRIS POTASS^E IMPURUS. Ed.
Tartarum. L. D.
Impure Super-tart rate of Potafs. Tartar.
D. IVitnsteen. P. Tartaro.
DA. Fimteen. POL. Wa.stin.
F. Tartre. R. Wimiii kamrn.
G. Weinstein. S. Tartaro.
I. Tartaro. SW. Vinsten.
Tartar exifts in verjuice and in mutt, and is depofited on the
fides of the cafks by repofe, from which it is fcraped fome time
before the next vintage, to prepare the cafks to receive the new
wine. The deepeft coloured and coarfeft wines generally give
molt tartar ; and it gets the name of white or red tartar ac-
cording to its colour.
It i- purified by diffolving it in boiling water, and feparating the
earthy part by filtrating the boiling folution. On cooling the folu-
tion, it depofits irregular cryflals, containing the oily and colour-
ing matters, which are leparated by boiling the mafs with a white
clay. At Venice it is purified by difTolving it in water, and clari-
fying it with whites of eggs and afhes. The tartar thus purified,
when cryftallized, or in powder, is called Cream of Tartar.
It^ cryftals are fmall and irregular, and do not melt in the
m >uth but feel gritty under the teeth. It has an acid harfh tafte.
It is foluble in fixty times its weight of water at 60°, and in thirty
at 2 1 2°. It is decompofed, and its acid is deftroyed, by heat. It
contains 23 parts of potafs, according to Bergman, and 33, accord-
ing to Thenard.
Medical ufe. — The virtues of tartar are thofe of a mild, cooling,
aperient, laxative medicine. It is much ufed in dropfy ; and fome
allege that it has good effects as a deobftruent, in dropfy from fcir-
rhus. Taken from half an ounce to an ounce, it proves a gentle,
though effectual purgative. Given in fmaller doles, and in folu-
tion, it often acts as a powerful diuretic.
Officinal Preparations.
Tartris potassae, E. L. D. - - - vide, Potassa.
et sodae, E. L. D. - - Soda.
antimonii, E. L. D. - - - Antimonium.
Ferrum tartarisatum, L. - - - Frrrum.
Infusum sennae tartarisatum, L. Infu&a.
Pulvis jalap, compositus, E, - - Pulveres.
scammonii compositus, E. Idem.
sennae compositus, E. - - - Ide?7u
632 Materia Medica.
SWIETENIA.
Willi, g. 843. Decandria Monogynia. — Nat. ord. Trihilata.
SWIETENIA MAHACONI. Sp. 1. Cortex. Ed.
Mahogany tree. The bark.
D. Mahognyhout. G. Mahagonienholz.
DA. Ma/iagoni. I. Legno mogano.
F. Boti d' Acajou^ Bois de S. Cetoba, Caobana.
Mahagony. SW. Mahagony.
This majeftic tree grows principally in Jamaica and in Soanifh
America. Its ufeful wood is univerfally known. Its bark is
brown, rough and fcaly ; on the branches grey and fmoother Its
tafte is very aftringent, and bitterer than thar of Peruvian bark.
Its fmell weak and aromatic. In its properties and acYion on the
living body, it coincides with Peruvian bark, and may be fubftitut-
ed for it in many fituations.
- SWIETENIA FEBRIFUGA. Sp. 2. Cortex. Ed.
Febrifuge Sivietenia. The bark.
This fpecies, which in many refpe&s refembles the former, is a
native of the Eaft Indies. Its bark is red, brittle, and compact,
and covered with a rough grey cuticle. In its properties it agrees
with the mahogany bark, and forms a very valuable lubftitute for
Peruvian bark in the Eaft Indies, where this laft is fo dear and
fcarce, and the difeafes in which it is indicated fo common. It is,
however, merely an aftringent bitter, and contains no cinchonin.
Dr. Roxburgh fent from India a quantity of the extract of this
bark, which could not be diftinguiftied from the kino of the
fhops.
S. Syrupi.
633
SYRUPI STRUPS. L. D.
Jn making fyrups, where we have not directed eirher the
weight of the fugar, or the manner in which it Ihould be dif-
folved, this is to be rule :
Take of
Double refined fugar, twenty-nine ounces ;
Any kind of liquor, one pint and a half.
Dilfolve the fugar in the liquor, in a water bath ; mix and boil
down to one pound, then let it afide for twenty-four hours ;
take off the fcum, and pour off the fyrup from the feces if
there be any. (L. D.)
Syrups are folutions of fugar in any watery fluid, whether
fimple or medicated. Simple fyrup is nutritious and demulcent.
When made of fine fugar, it is tranlparent and colourlels. If
neceffary, it is eafily. clarified, by beating to a froth the white of
an egg with three or four ounces of water, mixing it with the
fyrup, and boiling the mixture for a few feconds, until the albu-
men coagulates, and enveloping all heterogeneous matters, it
forms a leum, which may be eafily taken off, or feparated by fil-
tration. When inltead of fimple water, any other fluid is uled
for dilTolving the fugar, the fyrup is then medicated. Medicated
fyrups arc prepared, either with expreffed juices, infufions, de-
coctions, or faline fluids. The object of forming thele into fyrups,
is either to render them agreeable to the pala?e, or to prei^rve
them from fermentation. In the la.ter cale, the quantity of iugar
added becomes a matter of great importance; for, if too much be
employed, the fugar will feparate by cryftalliz nion, and if too
little, inltead of preventing fermentation, it will accelerate it.
About two parts of fugar to one of fluid are the proportions di-
rected by the Britifh colleges with this view. But, as in fome
inflances, a larger quantity of fluid is added, and afterwards re-
duced to the proper quantity by decoction, it will not be iuperflu-
ous to point our lome circumftances, which fhew the evaporation
to have been carried far enough. I heie are the tendency to
form a pellicle on its lurface, when a drop of it is allowed to coo!,
the receding of the lafl portion of each droo, when poured out
drop by drop, after it is cold, and, what is molt to be relied on, its
fpecific gravity when boiling hot, being about 1.385, or 1.3, when
cold. 1 he fyrup which remains, after all the cryttallizable fugar
has been feparated from it, has been much, and probably juiily,
recommended by fome for the preparation of medicated fyrups and
electuaries, although its pharmaceutical luperionty is actually
owing to its impurity.
4 M
634
Materia Medica.
SYRUPUS SIMPLEX, sive COMMUNIS. Ed.
Simple or Common Syrup*
Take of
Double refined fugar, fifteen parts ;
Water, eight parts.
Let the fugar be diffolved by a gentle heat, and boiled a little, fo
as to form a fyrup. (E.)
This preparation is a plain liquid fweet, void of flavour or co-
lour and is more convenient in extemporaneous prefcription than
fugar undiflblved.
SYRUPUS ACIDI ACETOSI. Ed.
Spirit of Acetous Acid.
Take of
Acetous acid, two pounds and a half ;
Double refined fugar, three pounds and a half.
Boil them fo as to form fyrup. (E.)
This is to be confidered as fimple fyrup merely acidulated, and
is by no means unpleafant. It is often employed in mucilaginous
mixtures, and the like : and, on account of its cheapnefs, it is
often preferred to fyrup of lemons.
SYRUPUS ALLII. D.
Syrup of Garlic.
Take of
Garlic, fliced, one pound ;
Double refined fugar, four pounds ;
Boiling water, two pounds.
Macerate the garlic in the water in a clofe vefTel for twelve hours,
and add the fugar to the {trained liquor. (D.)
Thi^ is a very difagreeable fyrup ■, but when we wifh to extract
the virtues of garlic by a watery menftruum, it is the befl means
we can employ.
S. Syrupi.
635
SYRUPUS ALTHiE^E OFFICINALIS. Ed.
Syrupus Alth;eje. L.
Syrup of MarfJimalhw.
Take of
Frefti marfhmallow roots, one pound ;
Water, ten pounds ;
Double refined fugar, four pounds.
Boil the water with the roots to the confumption of one half, and
(train the liquor, (trongly exprefling it. Suffer the (trained li-
quor to reft till the feces have fubfided ; and to the depurated
liquor add the fugar ; then boil fo as to make a fyrup. (E.)
This is merely a mucilaginous fyrup, and is chiefly ufed in
nephritic cafes, for fweetening emollient decoctions, and the like.
SYRUPUS AMOMI ZINGIBERIS. Ed.
Syrupus Zingiberis. L.
Syrup of Ginger.
Take of
Beat ginger, three ounces ;
Boiling water, four pounds ;
Double refined fugar, feven pounds and a half.
Macerate the ginger in the water in a clofe veffel, for twenty-four
hours ; then to the liquor (trained add the beat fugar, fo as to
make a fyrup. (E.)
This is an agreeable and moderately aromatic fyrup, impreg-
nated with the flavour and virtues of the ginger.
Officinal Preparations.
Electuarium catechu, D. - vide, Ekctuaria.
opiatum, E. - - - - Idem.
Pilulae aloes. L. - ... Pilate.
scillae, L. D. - Idem
636
Materia Medica.
SYRUPUS CITRI AURANTII. Ed.
Syrupus Corticis Aurantii. L. D.
Syrup of Orange-Peel.
Take of
The frefh outer rind of Seville oranges, fix ounces 5
Boiling water, three pounds ;
Double refined fugar, four pounds.
Macerate the rind in the water for twelve hours ; then add to the
filtered liquor the fugar, in powder, and apply a gentle heat, fo
as to form a fyrup. (E )
In making this fyrup, it is particularly necefiary that the fugar
be orevioudy powdered, and diflblved in the infufion with as gentle
a neat as poffible, to prevent the exhalation of the volatile parts of
the peel. With thefe cautions, the fyrup proves a very elegant
and agreeable one, pofielfing a great fhare of the fine flavour of
the orange peel.
Officinal Preparations.
Electuarium aromaticnm, E> D. - vide, Elc-tuaria.
batechu c<Vrrtf>. 1). Mem.
scammonii, D. - - - Idem.
SYRUPUS CITRI MEDICI i olim, Syrupus Limonum. Ed.
Syrupus Limonis Succt. L. D.
Syrup of Lemons.
Take of
Juice of lemons, fufTered to ftand till the feces have fubfided,
and afterwards ftrained, three parts ;
Double reined fugar, five parts ;
Diflblve the fugar in the juice, fo as to make a fyrup. (E.)
In the fame way are prepared,
Syrupus Syrup of
Succi Fructus Mori. Mulberry-juice.
Rubi IDJEI. L. Rafpberry-juice.
Ribis Nigri. L. Black Currant-juice.
All thefe are very pleafant cooling fyrups ; and with this inten-
tion they are oceafionally ufed in draughts and juleps, for quench-
ing thirft, abating heat, &c. in bilious or inflammatory diftempers.
They are fometimcs likewife employed in gargarifms for inflam-
mations of the mouth and tonfils.
S. Syrupi.
6.37
SYRUPUS COLCHICI AUTUMN A LIS. Ed.
Syrup of Colchicum.
Take of
Colchicum root, frefh and fucculent, cut into fmall pieces, one
ounce j
Vinegar, fixteen ounces ;
Double refined fugar, twenty-fix ounces.
Macerate the root in the vinegar two days, now and then making
the veflel ; then ftrain it with a gentle prelfure. To the {train-
ed liquor add the fugar, and boil a little, fo as to form a fyrup.
(E.)
This fyrup feems to be the beft preparation of the colchicum.
We mult take care to gather this root in the proper feafon : and
from errors in this particular we are to afenbe the uncertainty in
the erfects of this medicine as found in the (hops.
The fyrup of colchicum is often fuccefsfully employed as a diu-
retic, and may be taken from a drachm or two to the extent of
an ounce or more.
SYRUPUS DIANTHI CARYOPHILLI. Ed.
Syrupus Caryophylli Rubri. L.
Syrup of Clove July-jtjvuer.
Take of
Clove July- flowers, frefh gathered and freed from the heels, one
pound ;
Double refined fugar, feven pounds,
Boiling water, four pounds,
Macerate the petals in the water for twelve hours ; then to the
(trained liquor add the fugar previoufly beat, and diflblve it by
a gentle heat, fo as to form a fyrup. (E.)
As the beauty of the colour is a principal quality in this fyrup,
no force in the way of expreflion mould be ufed in feparating the
liquor from the flowers.
Some have fubftituted to it one eafily prepared at feafons when
the flowers are not to be procured : an ounce of clove fpice is in-
fufed for fome days in twelve ounces of white wine, the liquor
638
Materia Medica*
drained, and, with the addition of twenty ounces of fugar, boiled
to a proper confidence : a little cochineal renders the colour of
this fyrup exactly fimilar to that prepared from the Clove July-
flower ; and its flavour is of the fame kind, though not fo plea-
fant. The counterfeit may be readily detected by adding to a
little of the fyrup fome alkaline fait or ley ; which will change the
genuine fyrup to a green colour ; but in 'the counterfeit it will
make no fuch alteration, only varying the fhade of the red.
SYRUPUS CROCI. L.
Syrup of Saffron,
Take of
Saffron, one ounce ;
Boiling diftilled water, one pint. '
Macerate the farTron, in the water, for twelve hours, in a clofe
veffel ; and difTolve double refined fugar in the drained liquor,
that it may be made a fyrup. (L.)
Saffron is very well fitted for making a fyrup, as in this form
a fufficient dofe of it is contained in a reafonable compafs. This
fyrup is a pleafant cordial, and gives a fine colour to juleps.
Officinal Preparations.
Pilulae aloes cum myrrha, L. vide, Pilule.
galbani composite, L. Idem.
SYRUPUS MANNjE. D.
Syrup of Manna.
Take of
Manna,
Double refined fugar, each one pound j
Senna, half an ounce ;
Boiling water, a pound.
Macerate the fenna in the water, in a covered vefTel, for twelve
hours ; then, with the drained liquor mix the manna and the
fugar, fo that they may be difTolved. (D.)
This lyrup is a mild purgative, and well adapted to children
and perfons of a delicate conditution.
S. Syrupi.
639
SYRUPUS PAPAVERIS SOMNIFERI. Ed.
Syrupus Papaveris Albi. L.
Syrup of White Poppies*
Take of
White poppy-heads, dried, and freed from the feeds, two
pounds ;
Boiling water, thirty pounds •,
Double refined fugar, four pounds.
Macerate the fliced heads in the water for twelve hours : next
boil till only one -third part of the liquor remain ; then ftrain it,
by exprelhng it ftrongly. Boil the Itrained liquor to the con-
fumption of one-half, and ftrain again ; laftly, add the fugar,
and boil a little fo as to form a fyrup. (E.)
This fyrup, impregnated with the opiate matter of the poppy
heads, is given to children in dofes of two or three drachms ; to
adults, from half an ounce to an ounce and upwards, for eafing
pain, procuring reft, and anfwering the other intentions of mild
opiates. Particular care is requifite in its preparation, that it may
be always made, as nearly as poftible, of the fame ltrength ; and
accordingly the colleges have been very minute in their defcription
of the procefs.
Officinal Preparation.
Confectio opiata, L. - - vide, Electuaria
SYRUPUS OPII. D.
Syrup of Opium.
Take of
Extract of opium, forty-eight grains ;
Boiling water, three pounds.
Macerate until the opium be diiTolved, then add double refined
fugar, fo as to make a lyrup according to the general formula.
(D.)
This fyrup is an elegant fubftitute for the former. It is made
with infinitely leis trouble, and is aiways of iin uniform ltrength,
It contains about two grains and a halt of opium in the ounce.
640
Materia Medica.
SYRUPUS PAPAVERIS ERRATICI. L.
Syrup of Red Poppy.
Take of
The frefh flowers of the red poppy, four pounds;
Boiling diftiiled water, four pints and a half.
Put the flowers, by degrees, into the boiling water, in a water
bath, conftantiy Itirring them. After this, the veffel being taken
out of the bath, macerare tor twelve hours ; then prefs out the
liquor, and fet it apart, that the feces may fubfide. Laftly, make
it into a fyrup, with double refined fugar. (L.)
The defign of putting the flowers into boiling water in a water
bath is, that they may be a little fcalded, fo as to mrink enough to
be all immerged in the water •, without this precaution they can
fcarce be all got in : but they are to be continued no longer over
the fire than till this effect is produced, left the liquor become too
thick, and the fyrup be rendered ropy.
As a medicine it is perfectly infignificant.
SYRUPUS RHAMNI CATHARTICI. Ed.
Syrupus Spikje Cervine. L.
Syrup of Buckthorn.
Take of
The juice of ripe buckthorn berries, depurated, two parts ;
Double refined fugar, one part.
Boil them fo as to form a fyrup. (E )
This preparation, in dofes of three or four fpoonfuls, operates
as a brifk cathartic. The principal inconveniencies attending
it are, its being very unpleafant, and cccafioning a thirft and
drynefs of the mouth and fauces, and fometimes violent gripes!
thefe effects may be prevented by drinking liberally of water-
gruel, or other warm liquids, during the operation.
S.- Syrupi.
641
SYRUPUS ROS^E GALLICS. Ed.
Syrup of Red Rofes.
Take of
The dried petals of red rofes, feven ounces ;
Double refined fugar, fix pounds;
Boiling water, five pounds.
Macerate the rofes in the water for twelve hours, then boil them a
little and {train the liquor, add to it the fugar, and boil them
again fo as to form a fyrup. (E.)
This fyrup is fuppofed to be mildly aftringent ; but is princi-
pally valued on account of its red colour.
Officinal Preparation.
Electuarium catechu, E. - - ride, Electuaria.
SYRUPUS ROS^E CENTIFOLI^E. Ed.
Syrup of Damask Rofes.
Syrupus Ros^. L.
Syrup of Rofes.
Take of
The frefh petals of the damalk rofe, one pound ;
Boiling water, four pounds ;
Double refined fugar, three pounds.
Macerate the rofes in the water for a night ; then to the liquor
(trained, and freed from the dregs, add the fugar : boil them
into a fyrup. (E.)
This fyrup is an agreeable and mild purgative for children in
the dofe of half a fpoonful, or a fpoonful. It likewife proves gently
laxative to adults ; and with this intention may be of fervice in
coftive habits.
Officinal Preparations.
Electuarium cassiae, E. L. D. - - vide, Electuaria;
Electuarium scammonii, L. Idem.
4 N
642
Materia Medica.
SYRUPUS SCILL^E MARITIME. Ed.
Syrup of Squills.
Take of
Vinegar of fquills, two pounds ;
Double refined fugar in powder, three pounds and a half.
Diflblve the fugar with a gentle heat, fo as to form a fyrup. (E.)
This fyrup was formerly prepared with fome fpices, intended
to diminim the offenfivenefs of the fquills ; but while they had not
this effect, they often counteracted the intention in view, and are
therefore omitted. It is ufed chiefly in dofes of a fpoonful or two,
for promoting expectoration, which it does very powerfully.
SYRUPUS TOLUIFERiE BALSAMI;
Vulgo, Syrupus Balsamicus. Ed*
Syrup of Balfam of Tolu, formerly Balfamic Syrup.
Syrupus Tolutanus. L.
Syrup of Tolu.
Take of
Common fyrup, two pounds *,
Tincture of balfam of Tolu, one ounce.
With the fyrup recently prepared, and when it has almoft grown
cold, after it has been removed from the fire, gradually mix the
tincture with conftant agitation. (E.)
In the formula of the London college, the benzoic acid of the
balfam alone is contained. That of the Edinburgh college con-
tains the whole fubftance of the balfam in larger quantity. They'
are both moderately impregnated with the agreeable flavour of the
balfam.
S. Syrupi.
643
SYRUPUS VIOL^E ODORATiE. Ed.
Syeupus Viol#. L. D.
Syrup of Violets.
Take of
Frefh violets, one pound ;
Boiling water, four pounds ;
Double refined fugar, feven pounds and a half.
Macerate the violets in the water for twenty-four hours in a glafs
or a glazed earthen veflel, clofe covered ; then ftrain without
expreflion, and to the (trained liquor add the fugar, powdered,
and make into a fyrup. (E.)
This fyrup has a very agreeable flavour ; and in the quantity
of a fpoonful or two proves to children gently laxative. It is apt
to lofe, in keeping, the elegant blue colour, for which it is chiefly
valued ; and hence fome have been induced to counterfeit it with
materials whofe colour is more permanent, and which are more
eafily obtained. This abufe may be readily difcovered, by add-
ing to a little of the fufpecled fyrup any acid or alkaline liquor.
If the fyrup be genuine, the acid will change it red, and the alkali
green •, but if counterfeit, thefe changes will not happen. From
this mutability of the colour of the violet, it forms an excellent
teft of the prefence of acids and alkalies ; and it is alfo obvious,
that a prefcriber would be deceived if he mould expecl: to give any
blue tinge to acidulated or alkalized juleps or mixtures, by the ad-
dition of the blue fyrup.
644
Materia Medica,
T.
TAMARINDUS INDICA. Ed.
Tamarindus. Fruclus conditus. L. D.
Tamarind tree. The preferved fruit.
Willd. g. 1250. fp. 1. Monadelphia Tria;idria.^-N<it. ord. Lo*
mentacea.
D. Tamarinden. I. Tamarindo.
DA. Tamarin. P. Tamarinho.
F. Tamarins. S. Tamarindo.
G. Tamarinden. SW. Tamarind.
This tree grows both in the Eaft and Weft Indies. The fruit
is a broad afh-coloured pod. The external covering is thin and
brittle, and contains feveral hard feeds, enveloped in a foft brown
pulp. Tamarinds are cured in two ways. The common way is
to throw hot fugar from the boilers on the ripe pulp ; but a better
method is to put alternate layers of tamarinds and powdered fugar
in a ftone jar. By this means the tamarinds preferve their colour,
and talte more agreeably.
Eaft India tamarinds are longer than the Weft India fort ; the
former containing fix or feven feeds each, the latter rarely above
three or four.
Preferved tamarinds fhould be frefh and juicy, and fhould have
an agreeable acid tafte. They fhould not have a mufty fmell ; the
feeds fhould not be foft and fwollen, and the blade of a knife
mould not get a coating of copper by being immerfed amongft
them.
Tamarinds contain fugar, mucilage, citric acid, fuper-tartrite of
potafs, tartarous acid, and malic acid.
Medical ufe. — The pulp of thefe fruits, taken in the quantity of
from two or three drachms to an ounce or more, proves gently
laxative and purgative *, and at the fame time, by its acidity,
T. Tanacetum.
645
quenclies thirft, and allays immoderate heat. It increafes the ac-
tion of the purgative fweets, caflia and manna, and weakens that
of the refinous cathartics.
Salts, whofebafe is potafs, form an improper addition to tama-
rind, for they are decompofed, and the tartarous acid of the fruit
is precipitated in the form of fuper-tartrate of potafs.
Officinal Preparations.
Infusum tamarind cum senna, E. - vide, Infusa.
Electuarium cassise, E. L. D. - - Electuaria.
sennae, E. L. - Idem.
TANACETUM VULGARE. Folia, Floret Ed.
Tanacetum. L. D.
Tanjy. The flower and leaves.
Syngenejia fuperflua. — Nat. ord. Compofitx dif colder
Tansy is perennial, and grows wild by road-fides and the bor-
ders of fields, and is frequently alfo cultivated in gardens, both for
culinary and medicinal ufes : it flowers in June and July.
Medical ufe. — Confideredas a medicine, it is a moderately warm
bitter, accompanied with a ftrong, not very difagreeable flavour.
Some phyficians have had a great opinion of it in hyfteric disor-
ders, particularly thofe proceeding from a deficiency or fuppref-
fion of the uterine purgations. The leaves and feeds have been
of confiderable efteem as anthelmintics ; the feeds are lefs bitter,
and more acrid and aromatic than thofe of rue, to which they are
reckoned fimilar ; or of fantonicum, for which they have been fre-
quently fubftituted. An infufion of tanfy, drunk in a manner
fimilar to tea, has been flrongly recommended as a preventive
of the return of gout.
646
Materia Mediea.
TEUCRIUM.
Willd. g. 1093. Didynamia Gymnofpermia. — Nat. ord. Verticillatd\
TEUCRIUM MARUM. Sp. 15. Marum Striacum. Herba,
L. D.
Syrian herb majlich.
This is a fmall fhrubby plant, growing fpontaneoufiy in Syria,
Candy, and other warm climates, and cultivated with us in gar-
dens. The leaves have an aromatic bitterifh tafte ; and, when
rubbed betwixt the ringers, a quick pungent fmell, like volatile al-
kali, which foon affects the head, and occafions fneezing . diftilled
with water, they yield a very acrid, penetrating eflential oil, re-
fembling that of fcurvy-grafs. Thefe qualities fufficiently point
out the ufes to which this plant might be applied ; at prefent it is
little otherwife employed than in cephalic fnuffs.
Officinal Preparation,
Pulvis asari comp. E. L. D. - - vide, Pulveres.
TEUCRIUM SCORDIUM. Sp. 34. Scordium. Herba. L.
Water germander. The herb.
This is a fmall, fomewhat hairy, perennial plant, growing wild
in fome parts of England, though not very common : the {hops
are generally fupplied from gardens. It has a bitter tafte, and a
ftrong difagreeable fmell.
Officinal Preparation.
Cataplasma cumini, L. vide, Catafilasmata.
T. Tincturae.
647
TINCTURE. TINCTURES.
The term Tincture has often been employed in a very vague
fenfe. It is now commonly applied to folutions, made by digef.
tion, in alcohol, or diluted alcohol. But it is alfo, though perhaps
incorrectly, extended to folutions in ether, ethereal ipirits, and
fpirit of ammonia.
Alcohol is capable of diflblving refins, gum refins, extractive,
tannin, fugar, volatile oils, foaps, camphor, adipocere, colouring
matters, acids, alkalies, and fome compound falts. Many of thefe,
as the gum refins, foaps, extractive, tannin, fugar, and faline fub-
ftances, are alfo ioluble in water, while water is capable of diflblv-
ing fubftances, fuch as gum, gelatin, and moft of the compound
falts, which are infoluble in alcohol. But the infolubility of thefe
fubftances in the different menftrua is not abfolute, but merely-
relative , for a certain proportion of alcohol may be added to a fo-
lution of gum in water without decpmpofing it j and a lolution of
refin in alcohol will bear a certain admixture of water without
becoming turbid. Therefore, diluted alcohol, which is a mixture
of thefe two menftrua, fometimes extracts the virtues of heteroge-
neous compounds more completely than either of them feparately.
Alcohol is ufed as a menftruum,
1. When the folvcnd is not foluble, or fparingly foluble, in
water.
2. When a watery folution of the folvend is extremely perirti-
able.
3. When the ufe of alcohol is indicated as well as that of the
folvend.
In making alcoholic tinctures, we muft obferve, that the virtues
of recent vegetable matters are very imperfectly extracted by
fpiritous menftrua. They muft therefore be previouQy carefully
dried, and as we cannot affift the folution by means of heat, we
muft facilitate it by reducing the folvend to a ftate of as minute
mechanical divifion as poflible. To prevent lofs, the folution is
commonly made in a clofe veffel, and the heatappJied muft be very
gentle, left it be broken by the expanfion of vapour.
The action of tinctures on the living lyftem is always compound-
ed of the action of the menftruum, and of the matters diffolved in
it. Now, thefe actions may either coincide with, or oppofe, each
other ; and as alcohol is at all times a powerful agent, it is evident
that no fubftance (hould be exhibited in the form of a tincture,
648
Materia Medica.
whofe action is different from that of alcohol, unlefs it be capable
of operating in fo fmall a dofe, that the quantity of alcohol taken
along with it is inconfiderable.
Tinctures are not liable to fpoil, as it is called, but they muft
neverthelefs be kept in well doled phials, efpecially when they
contain active ingredients, to prevent the evaporation of the men-
ftruum.
They generally operate in dofes fo fmall, that they are rarely ex-
hibited by themfelves, but commonly combined with fome vehicle.
In choofing the latter, we muft felect fome fubftance which does
not decompofe the tincture, or at leaft feparates nothing from it ia
a palpable form.
The London college direct all tinctures, except that of muriate of
iron, to be prepared in clofed phials.
The Dublin college explain, that, when they order fubftances to be
dige/ted, they mean it to be done with a low degree of heat ; and
when they are to be macerated, it is to be done with a degree of
heat between 60S and 90°.
TINCTURA ALOES SOCOTORlNiE. Ed.
Tinffure of Socotorine Aloes.
Tinctura Aloes. L. D.
TinBure of Aloes.
Take of
Socotorine aloes, in powder, half an ounce;
Extract of liquorice, an ounce and a half ;
Alcohol, four ounces >
Water, one pound.
Digeft for feven days in a clofed veffel, with a gentle heat, and
frequent agitation. Thefe directions are to be obferved in pre-
paring all tinctures. (E. D.)
The Dublin college ufe the fame proportion with the Edinburgh
college, but in double quantity ; and they direct the extract of li-
quorice to be foftened in the water made boiling hot, which facili-
tates its folution. The London college order the fluids by mea-
fure ; and fixteen by meafure are only equal to fourteen ounces
and a half by weight.
In this fimple tincture, all the active parts of the aloes are fuf-
pended in the menftruum. The extract of liquorice ferves both to
T. Tincture.
649
aflift the fufpenfion, and to cover the tafte, of the aloes ; and in
thofe cafes where we wifh for the operation of the aloes alone,
this is perhaps one of the beft formulae for its exhibition in a fluid
ftate. About an ounce may be taken for a dofe.
TINCTUR A ALOES CUM MYRRH A. Ed.
Tincture of Aloes with Myrrh.
Tinctura Aloes Composita. L.
Compound Tintlure of Aloes.
Take of
Myrrh, in powder, two ounces j
Alcohol, one pound and a half ;
Water, half a pound.
Mix the alcohol with the water, then add the myrrh ; digeft for
four days ; and, laftly, add
Socotorine aloes, one ounce and a half;
Saffron, an ounce.
Digeft again for three days, and pour off the tincture from the fe-
diment. (E.)
This is fuppofed to be an improvement on the elixir proprieta-
tis of Paracelius. This tincture differs confiderably in ftrength
from that of the London formula ; the latter contains one part of
aloes to eight of the menftruum ; the former one to fixteen,
while the fimple tincture already mentioned contains but one to
thirty-two. In prefcription thefe proportions muft be attended to.
The myrrh and faffron may add to its ftimulating properties.
TINCTURA AMOMI REPENTIS. Ed.
Tinctura Cardamomi. L. D.
Tintlure of Cardamom.
Take of
LefTer cardamom feeds, four ounces ;
Diluted alcohol, two pounds and a half.
Macerate forfeven days, and ftrain through paper. (E.)
4 O
650
Materia Medica.
Tincture of cardamoms has been in ufe for a confiderable
time. It is a pleafant warm cordial ; and may be taken, along
with any proper vehicle, in dofes of from a drachm to a fpoonfui
or two.
TINCTURA CARDAMOMI COMPOSITA. L. D.
Compound TinSfure of Cardamom,
Take of
LerTer cardamom feeds, hufked,
Cochineal,
Caraway feeds, each, powdered, two drachms j
Cinnamon, bruifed, half an ounce ;
Raifins, (toned, four ounces ;
Proof fpirit, two pints.
Digeft for fourteen days, and ftrain. (L.)
This tincture contains fofmall a proportion of cardamoms as to
be hardly entitled to derive its name from that article- Altogether,
although it may be fufficiently pleafant, the compofition is injudi-
cious ; for the large proportion of raifins ufed forms only a very
uneconomical and inelegant method of fweetening an aromatic
tincture.
TINCTURA ARISTOLOCHI^E SERPENTARL/E. Ed.
Tinctura Serpent ari^e. L. D.
Tinfture of Snake-root.
Take of
Virginian fnake-root, three ounces •,
Proof fpirit, two pints.
Digeft for eight days, and ftrain. (L. D.)
This tincture, which contains the whole virtues of the root,
may be taken to the quantity of a fpoonfui or more every five or
fix hours *, and to this extent it often operates as an ufeful diapho-
retic.
T. Tincturae.
651
TINCTURA ASSiE FOETID^. Ed. L. D.
Tincture of AJfa Foetida.
Take of
Afla foetida, four ounces ;
Alcohol, two pounds and a half ;
Digeft for ieven days, and (train through paper. (E.)
This tincture pofleflTes the virtues of the afla foetida itfelf ; and
may be given in dofes of from ten drops to fifty or fixty.
TINCTURA AURANTII CORTICIS. L. D.
Tinclure of Orange-Peel.
Take of
Frefh orange peel, three ounces ;
Proof fpirit, two pints.
Digeft for three days, and ftrain. (L. D.)
This tincture is an agreeable bitter, flavoured at the fame time
with the eflential oil of the orange-peel.
TINCTURA BALSAMI PERUVIANI. L.
Tinclure of Balfam of Peru.
Take of
Balfam of Peru, four ounces ;
Rectified fpirit of wine, one pint.
Digeft until the balfam be diflblved. (L.)
The whole of the Peruvian balfam is diflblved by fpirit of wine :
this therefore may be confidered as a good method of freeing it
from its impurities ; while at the fame time it is thus reduced to a
ftate under which it may be readily exhibited : but at prefent it is
very little employed, unlefs in compofition, either under this or any
other form.
652
Materia Medica.
TTNCTURA BENZOES COMPOSITA;
Vulgo, Balsamum Fraumaticum. Ed. L,
Compound Tin Bur e of Benzoin.
Take of
Benzoin, three ounces ;
Storax, itrained, two ounces ;
Balfam of Tolu, one ounce ;
Socoturine aloes, half an ounce ;
Reclined fpiritof wine, two pints.
Digeft with a gentle heat for three days, and ftrain. (E. L.)
The Edinburgh college omit the ftorax, and ufe hepatic aloes in
place of the focotorine. Thefe differences are not very material ;
and both preparations may be confidered as elegant fimplincations
of fome very complicated compofitions, which were celebrated
under different names ; fuch as Baume de Commandeur, Wade's
balfam, Friars balfam, Jefuits drops, &c. Thefe, in general, con-
(ifted of a confuted farrago of difcordant fubftances. They, how-
ever, derived conliderable activity from the benzoin and aloes j and
every thing to be expected from them may readily be obtained
from the prefent formulas.
TINCTURA CAMPHORS ; vulgo, Spiritus Vinosus Cam-
PHORATUS. Ed. SpiRiTUS CAMPHORATUS. L. D.
TtnEiure of Camphor. Camphorated Spirit,
Take of
Camphor, one ounce,
Alcohol, one pound.
Mix them together, that the camphor may be diflblved.
(It may alfo be made with a double, triple, &c. proportion of cam-
' phor.) (E.)
This folution of camphor is only employed for external ufes,
againft rheumatic pains, paralytic numbneffes, inflammations,
for difcuflin£ tumours, preventing gangrenes, or reftraining their
progrefs. They are too pungent to be exhibited internally* and
cannot be diluted with water, without being totally decompofed.
Officinal Preparation.
Aqua zinci vitriol, cum camph, L.
vide, Zincum.
T. Tincturse.
653
TINCTURA CASCARTLLuE. L. D.
Tinclure of Cafcarilla.
Take of
The bark of cafcarilla, powdered, four ounces ;
Proof fpirit, two pints.
.Digeft with a gentle heat for eight days, and drain. (L.)
Proof spirit readily extrafts the a&ive powers of the cafca-
rilla ; and the tincture may be employed to anfwer mod of thofe
purpofes for which the bark itfelf is recommended : but in the
cure of intermittents, it in general requires to be exhibited in fub-
ftance.
TINCTURA CASSIA SENN^E COMPOSITA j
Vulgo, Elixir Salutis. Ed.
Compound TinElure of Senna, commonly called Elixir of Health.
TlNCTURA SENNJE. L. D.
TinElure of Senna.
Take of
Senna leaves, two ounces ;
Jalap root, one ounce ;
Coriander fe^ds, half an ounce ;
Diluted alcohol, three pounds and a half.
Digeft for feven days, and to the (trained liquor add four ounces
of double refined fugar. (E.)
This tincture is an ufeful carminative and cathartic, efpecially
to thofe who have accuftomed themfelves to the ufe of fpiritous
liquors ; it often relieves flatulent complaints and colics, where the
common cordials have little effect : the dofe is from one to two,
ounces.
654
Materia Medica.
TINCTURA CASTOREI. Ed. L. D.
TinSlure of Gajlor.
Take of
Ruffian caftor, powdered, two ounces j ,
Proof fpirit, two pints.
Digeft for ten days, and ftrain. (L.)
It has been difputed whether a weak or rectified fpirit, and
whether cold or warm digeftion, are preferable for making this
tincture.
From feveral experiments made to determine this queftion, it
appears that caftor, macerated without heat, gives out its finer and
moft grateful parts to either fpirit, but moft perfectly to the recli-
ned ; that heat enables both menftrua to extract the greateft part
of its grofler and more naufeous matter : and that proof fpirit ex-
tracts this laft more readily than rectified.
The tincture of caftor is recommended in moft kinds of nervous
complaints and hyfteric diforders : in the latter, it fometimes does
fervice, though many have complained of its proving ineffectual.
The dofe is from twenty drops to forty, fifty, or more.
Officinal Preparation.
Tinctura sabinae composita. L.
TINCTURA CINCHONA OFFICINALIS. Ed.
Tinctura Corticis Peruviani. L. D.
Tincture of Cinchona, or Peruvian Bark.
Take of
Cinchona bark, four ounces,
Diluted alcohol, two pounds and a half.
Digeft for feven days, and ftrain through paper. (E.)
This tincture is certainly impregnated with the virtues of cin-
chona, but not to fuch a degree that it can be given in fufficient
dofes 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 fome only an apology for dram-drinking, and that the moft
apparent effects they produce are thofe of a flight degree of in-
toxication.
T. Tincturas.
TINCTURA CINCHONA, sive CORTICIS PERUVIANS
COMPOSITA. L. D.
Compound Tincture of Peruvian Bark.
Take of
Peruvian bark, powdered, two ounces ;
Exterior peel of Seville oranges, dried, half an ounce ;
Virginian fnake-root, bruited, three drachms ;
Saffron, one drachm ;
Proof fpirit, two pounds.
Digeft for fourteen days, and {train. (D.)
This has been for a confiderable time celebrated under the title
of Huxhams Tincture of Bark.
As a corroborant and ftomachic, it is given in dofes of two or
three drachms : but when employed for the cure of intermittents,
it mull be taken to a greater extent.
TINCTURA COLOMBO. Ed. L. D.
Tinclure of Colomba.
Take of
Colomba root, powdered, two ounces,
Proof fpirit of wine, two pints.
Digeft for feven days and {train. (E. D.)
The colomba readily yields its active qualities to the menftruum
here employed ; and accordingly, under this form, it may be ad-
vantageoufly employed againft bilious vomitings, and thofe differ-
ent ftomach complaints, in which the colomba has been found ufe-*
ful ; but where there does not occur fome objection to its ufe in
fubftance, that form is in general preferable to the tinclure.
656
Materia Medica*
TINCTURA CONVOLVULI JALAP^S. Ed.
Tinctura Jalaps. L. D.
Tinclure of Jalap.
Take of
Jalap, in coarfe powder, three ounces ;
Diluted alcohol, fifteen ounces.
Digeft them for feven days, and drain the tin&ure though paper.
(E.)
Alcohol was formerly ordered for the preparation of this tinc-
ture ; but diluted alcohol is a preferable menftruum, as it diflblves
the active conftituents of the jalap as well as pure alcohol, and is
lefs ftimulating.
TINCTURA CROCI. Ed.
TinElure of Saffron.
Take of
Englifh fafFron, one ounce ;
Diluted alcohol, fifteen ounces.
After digefting them for feven days, let the tinclure be ftrained
through paper. (E.)
The proof fpirit is a very proper menftruum for extracting the
medical virtues of the faffiron, and affords a convenient mode of
exhibiting that drug, the qualities of which Jiave been already
mentioned.
TINCTURA DIGITALIS PURPUREA. Ed.
TmElure of Foxglove.
Take of
The dried leaves of foxglove, one ounce ;
Diluted alcohol, eight ounces.
Digeft for feven days, and ftrain through paper. (E.)
Thts tincture is a very powerful medicine, and contains the
virtues of the foxglove in a very manageable form. It has been
chiefly ufed to diminifh the force of the circulation of the blood
T. Tincturae.
657
in haemoptyfis, and often with remarkable fuccefs. It has been
alfo faid to cure phthifis pulmonalis, but fubfequent experience
has not confirmed the firft trials. Like every other form in which
foxglove is given, it mould be given in very fmall dofes at firft,
fuch as from ten to twenty drops, and cautioufly increafed.
TINCTURA FERRI MURIATI. L. D.
Tinflure of Muriated Iron.
TlNCTURA MURIATIS FERRI. Ed.
^TinElure of Muriate of Iron.
Take of
The ruft of iron, half a pound*
Muriatic acid, three pounds ;
Rectified fpirit of wine, three pints.
Pour the muriatic acid on the ruft of iron in a glafs vefTel ; and
fhake rhe mixture now and then during three days. Set it by,
that the feces may fubfide ; then pour off the liquor ; evaporate
this to one pint, and, when cold, add to it the vinous fpint. (L.)
In making this preparation, each of the colleges ufes iron in
a different ftate-, the Dublin college, metallic iron; the Edin-
burgh, the black oxide ; and the London college, the carbonate
of the red oxide. There is no difference between the folutions
of iron and of its black oxide ; becaufe the iron is converted into
the ftate of black oxide, by the decompofition of the water, be-
fore it is difTolved ; and accordingly, when iron is difTolved in
muriatic acid there is a difengagement of hydrogen gas ; where-
as the black oxide is difTolved without any efFervefcence. But
muriatic acid is capable of combining either with the black or
red oxides of iron, and forms with each, falts, having diftinclive
properties.
The red muriate of iron is not cryftallizable ; has a dark
orange colour ; is deliquefcent ; forms a brown red folution,
having a very aftringent tafte ; and is foluble in alcohol. The
green muriate is cryftallizable •, has little colour ; is very foluble
in water, forming a pale green folution; and is infoluble in alco-
hol. But the aqueous folution of green muriate attracts oxy-
gen fo rapidly from the atmofphere, that unlefs the accefs of the
air be totally excluded, it is always partially converted into red
muriate. The folurions of iron and of its black oxide, are ac-
cordingly found always to contain a greater or lefs proportion
of red muriate, and are therefore not uniform or conftant in their
4 E
658
Materia Meclica.
properties. Befides, as it is only the red muriate which is folu-
ble in alcohol, it appears to us that it is better, according to the
directions of the London college, to ufe the red carbonate of
iron, by which means we obtain an unmixed and permanent fo-
lution of the red muriate Muriate of iron is alfo formed, when
we diflbve the fulphuret of iron in muriatic acid for the purpofe
of procuring fulphuretted hydrogen gas. 'It is alfo the refiduum
which remains in the retort after the fublimation of muriate of am-
monia and iron.
When well prepared, the alcoholic folution of muriate of iron
lias a yellowifh colour, and very afrringent tafte. It is an excel-
lent chalybeate, and may be given in doles, of ten or twenty drops
twice or thrice a-day, in any proper vehicle.
TINCTURA FERRI AMMONIACALIS. L.
Tinclure of Ammoniacal Iron.
Take of
Ammoniacal iron, four ounces ;
Proof fpirit, one pint.
Digeft and drain. (L.)
This is merely a fpiritous folution of the Ammoniacal Iron, and
is a much lefs elegant medicine than the fimple tincture of muriate
of Iron.
TINCTURA FERRI ACETATI. D.
TinElure of Acetated Iron.
Take of
Acetated vegetable alkali,
Vitriolated iron, each one ounce ;
Alcohol, two pounds.
Rub the acetated alkali and vitriolated iron together in a glafs-
mortar, until the mafs deliquefces ; then add, during the tritu-
ration, the alcohol, and llrain the folution. (D.)
' The acetate of potafs and fulphate of iron decompofe each other,
and form acetate of iron, and fulphate of potafs. But as the ful-
phate of potafs is not foluble in alcohol, the folution, after filtration,
is an alcoholic folution of acetate of iron. The acetic acid is alfo
capable of combining with both oxides of iron \ and as the iron .
T. Tincturse.
659
in the fulphate is in the flate of black oxide, which has a ftrong
attraction for oxygen, it is probable that the acetate prepared in
the way directed is a mixed acetate.
It has an extremely ftyptic tafte, and is given in dofes of thirty
or forty drops.
TINCTURA GALBANI. L.
Tincture of Galbanum.
Take of
Galbanum, cut into fmall pieces, two ounces ;
Proof fpirit of wine, two pints.
Digeft with a gentle heat for eight days, and ftrain. (L.)
Galbanum is one of the ftrongeft of the fetid gums ; and al-
though lefs active, it is much lefs difagreeable than afla fcetida ;
and under the form of tincture it may be fuccefsfully employed in
cafes of flatulence and hyfteria, where its effects are immediately
required, particularly with thofe who cannot bear afla fcetida.
TINCTURA GENTIANS COMPOSITA ; vulgo, Elixir
Stomachicum. Ed. L.
Compound Tincture of Gentian , commonly called Stomachic Elixir.
Take of
Gentian root, two ounces ;
Seville orange-peel, dried, one ounce j
Canella alba, half an ounce ;
Cochineal, half a drachm ;
Diluted alcohol, two pounds and a half.
Macerate for feven days, and ftrain through paper. (E.)
This is a very elegant fpiritous bitter. As the preparation is
defigned for keeping, lemon peel, an excellent ingredient in the
watery bitter infufions, has, on account of the periftiablenefs of its
flavour, no place in this. The aromatics are here very commo-
dious ingredients, as in this fpiritous menftruum they are free
; from the inconvenience with which they are attended in other li7
t\ quors, of diminishing their tranfparency.
660
Materia Medica.
TINCTURA GUAIACI. Ed.
Tinclure of Guaiac.
Take of
Gum guaiac, one pound ;
Alcohol, two pounds and a half.
Digeft for ten days, and ftrain. (E.)
What is called gum guaiac is in fa£t. a refin, and perfectly fo-
Iuble in alcohol. This folution is a powerful ftimulating fudori-
fic, and may be given in dofes of about half an ounce in rheuma-
tic and arthritic cafes. It was once fuppofed to be a fpecific
againft the gout.
TINCTURA HELLEBORI NIGRI. Ed. L. D,
Tinclure of Black Hellebore.
Take
Black hellebore root, four ounces ;
Cochineal, half a drachm ;
Diluted alcohol, two pounds and a half.
Digeft them together feven days, and afterwards filter the tincture
through paper. (E.)
This is perhaps the beft preparation of hellebore, when defign-
ed for an alterative, the menftruum here employed extracting the
whole of its virtues. It has been found, from experience, parti-
cularly ferviceable in uterine obftruclions. In fanguine conftitu-
tions, where chalybeates are hurtful, it has been laid that it fel-
dom fails of exciting the menftruai evacuations, and removing the
ill confequences of their fupprelhon. A tea fpoonful of the tinc-
ture may be taken twice a-day in warm water or any other con-
venient vehicle.
TINCTURA HYOSCIAMI NIGRI. Ed.
Tinclure of Henbane.
Take of
The leaves of henbane, dried, one ounce ;
Diluted alcohol, eight ounces.
Digeft for feven days, and ftrain through paper. (E.)
This tincture, although not yet come into general ufe, is a va-
luable anodyne, and in many cafes may be fubftituted with ad-
vantage for the tinclure of opium, efpecially where the latter
produces obftinate conftipation, or, inftead of its ufual foporific
and fedative efte&s, it caufes unealinefs, relileflhefs, and univerfal
irritation.
T. Tincturse.
661
TINCTURA KINO. Ed. D.
Tincture of Kino.
Take of
Kino, in powder, two ounces ;
Diluted alcohol, a pound and a half.
Digeft feven days, and /train through paper. (E.)
"We have already flared our reafons for believing kino to be a
fpecies of tannin. This is certainly a very aftringent tin&ure, and
will be found an excellent medicine in obftinate diarrhoeas and in
lienteria.
TINCTURA LAURI CINNAMOMI. Ed:
TlNCTURA ClNNAMOMI. L. D.
Tinclure of Cinnamon.
Take of
Cinnamon, three ounces ;
Diluted alcohol, two pounds and a half.
Macerate for feven days, and drain through paper. (E.)
The tinclure of cinnamon pofleffes the aftringent virtues of the
cinnamon, as well as its aromatic cordial ones ; and in this refpect
it differs from the diftilled waters of that fpice.
TINCTURA LAURI CINNAMOMI COMPOSITA ; olim,
Tinctura Aroma i ica. Ed.
Compound Tinclure of Cinnamon^ formerly Aromatic Tinclure*
Tinctura Cinnamomi Composita. L.
Tinctura Aromatica. D.
Aromatic Tinclure.
Take of
Cinnamon, bruifed, fix drachms ;
LeiTer cardamom feeds, without the capfules, one drachm \
Long pepper, in powder,
Ginger, in powder, two drachms ;
Proof fpirit, two pounds.
Mix and digeft for feven days, then ftrain. (D.)
662
Materia Medica.
In their formula, the London and Dublin colleges diminifh the
quantity of cardamom feeds, and fubftitute for it a proportion of
ginger. This makes no alteration on the virtues of the prepara-
tion, which is a very warm aromatic, too hot to be given without
dilution. A tea fpoonful or two may be taken in wine, or any
other convenient vehicle, in languors, weaknefs of the ftomach,
flatulencies, and other fimilar complaints ; and -in thefe cafes it is
often employed with advantage.
Officinal Preparation.
.Ether sulphuricus cum alcohole aromaticus, E. - vide, Tincture.
TINCTURA LAVENDUL^E COMPOSITA. D.
Spiritus Lavandula Spics Compositus. Ed.
Compound Tincture^ or Spirit of Lavender.
Spiritus Lavenduljb Compositus.
Compound Spirit of Lavender.
Take of
Spirit of lavender, three pounds ;
Spirit of rofemary, one pound ;
Cinnamon, one ounce \
Cloves, two drachms ;
Nutmeg, half an ounce ;
Red faunders wood, three drachms.
Macerate for feven days, and filter. (E.)
This preparation is a grateful cordial, of which from ten to a
hundred drops may be conveniently taken dropped upon fugar. It
does not appear very clearly whether it mould be confidered as a
fpirit or tincture •, for although the fpirit of lavender be the pre-
dominant ingredient, yet the mode of preparation is that of a tinc-
ture, and the fpirit as amenftruum diflfolves aftringent colouring,
and other fubftances, which would not rife with it in diftillation.
T. Tincturas.
665
TINCTURA MELOES VESICATORII. Ed.
Tinctura Cantharidum. D. Tinctura Cantharidis. L.
Tinclttre of Cantkarides* Tinclure cf Span? fly Flies*
Take of
Caatharides, bruifed, one drachm ;
Proof fpirit, one pound.
Mix and digeft for ieven days ; then (train through paper. (E.)
This tincture contains the active principle of the cantharides,
whatever it may be. It is applied externally as a ftimuiant and
rubefacient, and is fometimes given internally, in dofes of from ten
to twenty drops, as a diuretic.
TINCTURA MIMOSA CATECHU;
olim, Tinctura Japonica. Ed.
Tinctura Catechu. L.
TinElure cf Catechu*
Take of
Extract of catechu, three ounces *,
Cinnamon, two ounces ;
Diluted alcohol, two pounds and a half.
Digeft for eight days, and ftrain through paper. (E.)
The cinnamon is a very ufeful addition to the catechu, not only
as it warms the Itomach, &c. but likewife as it improves the rough-
nefs and altringency of the other.
This tincture is of fervice in all kinds of effluxions, catarrhs,
loofenelTes, uterine fluxes, and other diforders, where altringent
medicines are indicated. Two or three tea fpoonfuls may be taken
every now and then in red wine, or any other proper vehicle.
TINCTURA MOSCHI. D.
TtnBure cf Mtt/k.
Take of
Mufk, two drachms ;
Rectified fpirit of wine, one pound.
Mix and macerate for (even days, and ftrain. (D.)
$64 Materia Medica.
Rectified fpirit is the moft complete menftruum for muflc;.
but in this form it is often impoflible to give fuch a quantity of
the mulk as is neceffary for our purpofe and hence this article rs
more frequently employed under the form of julep or bolus..
TINCTURA MYRRHiE. Ed. L. D.
TinBure of Myrrh.
Take of
Myrrh, in powder, three ounces ;
Alcohol, twenty ounces ;
Water, ten ounces.
Digcft for feven days, and (train through paper. (E.)
Tincture of myrrh is recommended internally as a cardiac,
for removing obffruc>ions, particularly thofe of the uterine vefTels,
and refitting putrefaction. The dofe is from fifteen drops to forty
or more. The medicine may perhaps be given in thefe cafes to
advantage ; though with us, it is more commonly ufed externally,
for cleanfing foul ulcers, and promoting the exfoliation of carious
bones.
Officinal Preparations.
Tinctura sabinae composita, L.
Trochisci glycyrrhizae cum opio, D. - - vide, Trochisci.
TINCTURA OPII, sive THEBAICA ;
Vulgo, Laudanum Liqjjidum. Ed. L. D.
Tinclure of Opium, or Thebaic Tinclure, commonly called Liquid
Laudanum.
Take of
Opium, two ounces ;
Diluted alcohol, two pounds.
Digeft feven days, and filter through paper. (E. L. D.)
This is a very elegant liquid opiate ; a drachm of it containing,
as is found by evaporating the tincture, three gains and a half of
pure opium.
It is to be regretted that this tincture is not fo well adapted fox
keeping as could be wifhed : when long kept, a part of the opium
T. Tincturse.
665
■is gradually depofited, and confequently the tincture becomes
weaker : the part which thus feparates, amounts fometimes, as it is
faid, to near one fourth of the quantity of opium at firfl difTolved.
TINCTURA OPII CAMPHORATA. L.
Olim, Elixir Paregoricum. D.
Camphorated Tinclure of Opium, Paregoric Elixir.
Take of
Hard purified opium,
Flowers of benzoin, of each one drachm \
Camphor, two fcruples 5
EfTential oil of anifeed, one drachm ;
Proof fpirit of wine, two pints.
Digeft for ten days, and (train. (L.)
In this formula the virtues of the opium and camphor are com-
bined. It gets an agreeable flavour from the acid of benzoin and
efTential oil. The latter will alfo render it more ihmub.ttng ; but
whether it derives any ialutary virtues from the former, we do not
know. It was originally prefcribed under the title of Elixir
Afthmaticum, which it does not ill deferve. It contributes to allay
the tickling which provokes frequent coughing j and at the fame
time it is fuppofed to open the breaft, and give greater liberty of
breathing. It is given to children againft the chincough, &c. from
five drops to twenty : to adults, from twenty to an hundred. Half
an ounce, by meafure, contains about a grain of opium. It is to
be regretted that the Paregoric Elixir of the Edinburgh Difpenfa-
tory, (fee Tinctura Opii Ammoniata) is fo greatly fuperior in
ftrength to the above j half an ounce containing four grains of
opium.
TINCTURA RHEI PALMATE Ed.
Tinctura Rhabarbari. L. D.
Tincture of Rhubarb.
Take of
Rhubarb, three ounces ;
LefTer cardamom feeds, half an ounce ;
Diluted alcohol, two pounds and a half ;
Digeft for feven days, and flrain through paper. (E.
Materia Medica.
TINCTURA RHABARBARI COMPOSITA. L.
Compound Tinclure of Rhubarb.
Take of
Rhubarb, fliced, two ounces ;
Liquorice root, bruifed, half an ounce;
Ginger, powdered,
Saffron, each two drachms ;
Diftilled water, one pint ;
Proof fpirit of wine, twelve ounces, by meafure.
Digeft for fourteen days, and {train. (L.)
TINCTURA RHEICUM ALOE; olim, Elixir Sacrum. Ed.
Tinclure of Rhubarb with Aloes , commonly called Sacred Elixir.
Take of
Rhubarb, ten drachms ;
Socotorine aloes, fix drachms ;
LeiTer cardamom f.eds, half an ounce ;
Diluted alcohol, two pounds and a half.
Digeft for feven days, and (train through paper. (E.)
TINCTURA RHEI CUM GENTIAN A;
Olim, Tinctura Rhei Amara. Ed.
Tinclure of Rhubarb with Gentian^ formerly, Bitter Tinclure of
Rhubarb.
Take of
Rhubarb, two ounces ;
Gentian root, half an ounce ;
Diluted alcohol, two pounds and a half.
Digeft for feven days, anjd then Itrain the tinclure through paper.
(E.)
All the foregoing tinctures of rhubarb are defigned as ftoma-
cliics and corroborants, as well as purgatives: fpiritous liquors
excellently extract thole parts of the rhubarb in which the two firft
qualities re fide, and the additional ingredients confiderably pro-
mote their efficacy. In weaknefs of the ftomach, indigeftion,
laxity of the inteftines, diarrhoeas, colic, and other fimilar com-
plaints, thefe medicines are frequently of great fervice.
T. Tincterse.
667
TINCTURA SABINiE COMFOSITA. L.
Compound Tinclure of Savin.
Take of
Ext raft of favin, one ounce ;
Ti;.anre of caftor, one pint ;
myrrh, half a pint.
Digeft till the extract of favin be difTolved, and then (train. (L.)
This preparation is improved from one defcribed in fome for-
mer difpenfatories under the name of Elixir Uterinum. It is faid
to be a medicine of great importance in uterine obftruc"tions, and
in hypochondriacal cafes; though, poflibly, means might be con-
trived of fuperadding more effectually the virtues of/avin to a tinc-
ture of myrrh and caltor. It may be given from five drops to
twenty or thirty, or more, in any fuitabie vehicle.
TINCTURA SAPONIS. Ed.
Tinclure of Soap.
LlNIMENTUM SAPONIS CoMPOSITUM. L.
Compound Soap Liniment.
LlNIMENTUM SAPONACEUM. D.
Saponaceous Liniment.
Take of
Caftile foap, two ounces ;
Camphor, one ounce j /
Alcohol,
Water, each eight ounces
Eflential oil of rofemary, two fcruples.
Diflbive t-He foap in the water over a gentle fire ; ftrain the liquor
through linen •, and when it is almoft cold, add the camphor and
oil, difTolved in the alcohol. (D.)
Officinal Preparation.
Linimentum volatile, D.
ride, Tinctura volatiles.
668
Materia Medica.
TINCTURA SAPONIS cum OPIO ; olim, I^inimentum Ano-
DYNUM. Ed.
^TinElure of Soap with Opium> formerly Anodyne Liniment.
This is prepared in the fame way, and from- the fame fubftances,
as the fjmple tincture of foap, but with the addition from the
beginning of one ounce (half an ounce to conform to the Dublin
formula) of opium. (E.)
These tinctures are only ufed externally, and poffefs great effi-
cacy in removing local pains when rubbed on the affected part-
TINCTURA SCILL^E. L. D.
*TinBure of Squill.
Take of
Squills, frefh dried, four ounces ;
Proof fpirit of wine, two pints.
Digeft for eight days, and pour off the liquor. (L.)
The active principle of fquills is foluble in alcohol, and there
are cafes in which a tincture may be ufeful.
TINCTURA TOLUIFERiE BALSAMI-, olim, Tinctura
TOLUTANA. Ed.
Tinctura Balsamica Tolutani. L.
Tinclure of the Balfam of Tolu.
Take of
Balfam of Tolu, one ounce ;
Alcohol, one pound.
Digell until^the balfam be diflblved ; and then ftrain the tyncture
througlfjjaper. (E. D.)
This folution of balfam of Tolu pofTeffes all the virtues of the
balfam itfelf. It may be taken internally, with the feveral inten-
tions for which that valuable balfam is proper, to the quantity of
a tea fpoonful or two, in any convenient vehicle. Mixed with
the plain fyrup of fugar, it forms an elegant batfamic fyrup.
X. Tuicturae.
669
TINCTURA VALERIANAE. L.
Tincture of Valerian,
Take of
The root of wild valerian, in coarfe powder, four ounces ;
Proof fpirit of wine, two pints.
Digeft with a gentle heat for eight days, and ftrain. (L.)
The valerian root ought to be reduced to a pretty fine powder,
otherwife the fpirit will not fufficiently extrncl its virtues. The
tinclure proves of a deep colour, and confiderably ftrong of the
valerian ; though it has not been found to anfwer fo well in the
cure of epileptic diforders as the root in fubftance, exhibited in
the form of powder or bolus. The dofe of the tinclure is, from
half a fpoonful to a fpoonful, or more, two or three times a-day.
TINCTURA VERATRI ALBI. Ed.
Tinclure of White Hellebore.
Take of
White hellebore root, eight ounces ;
Diluted alcohol, two pounds and a half.
Digefl them together for feven days, and filter the tinclure through
paper. (E.)
This tinclure is fometimes ufed for afTifting cathartics, Sec. and
as an emetic in apopleclic and maniacal diforders. It may like-
wife be fo managed, as to prove a powerful alterative and deob^
ftruent, in cafes where milder remedies have little erTecl. But a
great deal of caution is requifite in its ufe : the dofe, at firft, ought
to be only a few drops ; if conliderable, it proves violently emetic
or cathartic.
TINCTURA ZINGIBERIS. L.
Tinclure of Ginger.
Take of
Ginger, powdered, two ounces ;
Proof fpirit, two pounds.
Digeft in a gentle heat for eight days, and ftrain. (L.)-
This fimple tinclure of ginger is a warm cordial, and is rather
intended as an ufeful addition, in the quantity of^a drachm or two,
to purging mixtures, than for being ufed alone^
670
Materia Medica.
TINCTURE ^LTHERE^.
ETHEREAL TINCTURES.
We have claiTed thefe tinctures by themfelves, becaufe they are
more ftrongly characterifed by the nature of the menftruum than
of the fubftances diflblved in it. Indeed, the ethereal fpirits are
ufed in thefe inftances, not to difTolve bodies which would refift
the action of alcohol and water, but for the fake of their own di-
rect action on the body.
TINCTURA ALOES iETHEREA. Ed.
Ethereal Tinclure of Aloes.
Take of
Myrrh,
Socotorine aloes, of each an ounce and a half ;
Englifh faffron, one ounce ;
Sulphuric ether with alcohol, one pound.
Digeft the myrrh with the liquor for four days, in a clofe vefTel y
then add the farTron and aloes.
Digeft again for four days, and, when the feces have fubfided,
pour off the tincture. (E.)
This tincture agrees generally in its effects with the other tinc-
tures of aloes, the only difference arifing from the more penetrat-
ing and ftimulating nature of the menftruum itfelf.
iETHER SULPHURICUS cum ALCOHOLE AROMATI-
CUS. Ed.
Aromatic Sulphuric Ether ivith Alcohol.
This is made of the fame aromatics, and in the fame manner, as
the compound tincture of cinnamon (p. 661)j except that, in
place of the alcohol, fulphuric ether with alcohol is employed.
(E.) I
This is deflgned for perfons whofe ftomachs are too weak to -
bear the following acid tincture : to the tafte, it is gratefully aro-
matic, without smy perceptible acidity.
T. -Tincturce iEthereae. 671
ACIDUM SULPHURICUM AROMATICUM. Ed.
Aromatic Sulphuric Acid.
Take of
Alcohol, two pounds ;
Sulphuric acid, fix ounces.
Drop the acid gradually into the alcohol.
Digeft the mixture with a very gentle heat in a clofe vefiel for
three days, and then add of
Cinnamon, an ounce and a half;
Ginger, one ounce.
Digeft again in a clofe veffel for fix days, and then filter the tinc-
ture through paper placed in a glafs funnel. (E.)
Although the name given to this preparation by the college
does not fanttion its arrangement with the ethereal tinctures, yet
we have ventured to place it here, from the belief that the alcohol
is completely or partially changed, by the digeftion with the acid,
into an ethereal fpirit, and that the principal difference between
this and the preceding tincture confifts in the pretence of the acid,
which is not to be confidered as the menftruum by which the
tincture is formed, but as an acid mixed with the ethereal tinc-
ture. This is commonly known as the Acid Elixir of Vitriol.
This is a valuable medicine in weaknefs and relaxations of the
ftomach, and decays of conftitution, particularly in thofe which
proceed from irregularities, which are accompanied with How
febrile fymptoms, or which follow the fuppreflion of intermittents.
It frequently fucceeds, after bitters and aromatics by themfelves
had availed nothing ; and, indeed, great part of its virtues depend
on the fulphuric acid ; which, barely diluted with water, has, in
thofe cafes where the ftomach could bear the acidity, produced
happy effects.
It is very ufefully conjoined with cinchona, and other tonic
barks, both as covering their difagreeable talte, and as coinciding
with them in virtue. It may be given in dofes of ten to thirty
drops, or more, feveral times a-day
672
Materia Medica.
TINCTURE AMMONIATiE
SEU
VOLATILES.
A MMONIA TED or VOLATILE' TINCTURES.
Ammonia, like ether, is fo powerful an agent on the living fyf-
tem, that we think it gives a peculiar character to the compofitions
into which it enters. They are all highly ftimulating and pungent,
and apt to excite diaphorefis. As ammonia exerts confiderable
and peculiar powers as a folvent, thefe tinctures mull never be
combined in prefcription with any thing acid, which would not
only neutralize the ammonia, and deftroy its peculiar action on the
living fyftem, but would precipitate whatever was diffolved by its
agency.
LINIMENTUM CAMPHOR JE COMPOSITUM. L.
Compound Camphor Liniment,
LlNIMENTUM CAMPHORATUM. D.
Camphorated Liniment.
Take of
Camphor, two ounces ;
"Water of pure ammonia, fix ounces ;
Spirit of lavender, fixteen ounces.
Mix the water of ammonia with the fpirit \ and diftil from a glafs
retort, with a flow fire, fixteen ounces. Then diflblve the cam-
phor in the diftilled liquor. (L.)
This compofition is more pungent and penetrating than the fo-
iutions of camphor in alcohol. In the quarto impreffion of their
pharmacopoeia, the London college employed the folution of car-
bonated ammonia, but changed it in the octavo edition for the wa-
ter of pure ammonia, which is certainly an improvement.
LINIMENTUM VOLATILE. D.
Volatile Liniment,
Take of
The aromatic fpirit of volatile alkali, one ounce ;
Liniment of foap, two ounces.
Mix them. (D.)
T. Tincturse Ammoniatas.
673
This is an entirely different compofition from the volatile lini-
ment of the Edinburgh and London pharmacopoeias. The latter
is a foap formed of ammonia and fixed oil, whereas the prefentis
an ammoniated tinclure of camphor, foap of foda, and volatile oils.
In its effects it differs from the foap-liniment of the Dublin college
only in being more ftimulating.
ALCOHOL AMMONIATUM AROMATICUM, sive
SPIRITUS AMMONITE AROMATICUS. Ed.
Aromatic Ammoniated AlcohJ, or Aromatic Spirit of Ammonia.
Spiritus Ammonia Compositus. L.
Compound Spirit of Ammonia.
Spiritus Alkali Volatilis Aromaticus. D.
Aromatic Spirit of Volatile Alkali.
Take of
Ammoniated alcohol, eight ounces ;
Volatile oil of rofemary, one drachm and a half ;
Volatile oil of lemon-peel, one drachm.
Mix them that the oils may be diffolved. (E.)
Volatile oils are diffolved readily and completely by fpirit of
ammonia: and medicines of this kind might be prepared extempo-
raneoufly, by dropping any proper effential oil into fpirit of ammo-
nia, which will immediately diffolve the oil without the affiftance
of diftillation. But it is perhaps preferable that they fhould be
kept in the (hops ready mixed.
The foregoing compofition is an excellent one, provided the
oils are good. The dole is from five or fix drops to fixty or more.
Ammonia, thus united with aromatics, is not only more agree-
ble in flavour, but likewife more acceptable to the ftomach, and
lefs acrimonious than uncombined.
Officinal Preparations.
Linimentum volatile, D.
Tinctura cinchonse ammoniata, L.
guaiaci volat. L. D.
volatilis ammoniae, L. D.
4 R
Materia Medica.
SPIRITUS AMMONIA SUCCINATUS. L.
Succinated Spirit of Ammonia,
Take of
Alcohol, one ounce, by weight ;
Water of pure ammonia, four ounces, by meafure ;
Rectified oil of amber, one fcruple, by weight ;
Soap, ten grains.
Digeft the foap and oil of amber in the alcohol till they be difiblv-
ed : then add the water of pure ammonia, and mix them by
making. (L.)
This preparation is intended as a fubftitute for Eau de Luce,
which was formerly imported entirely from Paris. It is now, we
believe, prepared alfo by the chemifts and druggifts in London ;
but without fome peculiar manipulation, which is kept fecret, the
above formula does not fucceed in giving the liquor that perma-
nent milky opacity, which is deemed effential to good Eau de
Luce, for it becomes more or lefs tranfparent by keeping. This
fancied perfection is, however, in a medical point of view, imma-
terial ; and whether it be opaque or tranfparent, it is an excellent
analeptic remedy, and may be ufed in the fame circumftances, and
in the fame dofes, as the fpirit of ammonia itfelf.
TINCTURA CASTOREI COMPOSITA. Ed.
Compound Tinfturc of Caftor.
fake of
Ruflia caftor, one ounce ;
Alfa fcetida, half an ounce ;
Ammoniated alcohol, one pound.
Digeft for feven days in a clofe flopped phial, and filter through
paper. (E.)
This compofition is a medicine of real efficacy, particularly in
hyfterical diforders, and the feveral fymptoms which accompany
them. The fpirit here ufed is an excellent menftruum, both for
the caftor and the alfa foetida, and greatly adds to their virtues.
T. Tincture Ammoniatse. 675
TINCTURA CINCHONA AMMONIATA. L.
Ammoniated JinElure of Cinchona,
Take of
Cinchona, powdered, four ounces •,
Compound fpirit of ammonia, two pints.
Digeft in a clofe vefiel for ten days, and ftrain. (L.)
We are not acquainted with this tin&ure ; but from our know-
ledge of the active principles of cinchona bark, we are not difpof-
ed to think it a very judicious preparation ; for the nature of the
menftruum is fo ftimulating, that little effect can be expected from
any portion of the bark it is capable of diflblving.
TINCTURA GUAIACI AMMONIATA. Ed.
Ammoniated Tinclure of Guaiac.
TlNCTURA GUAIACI. L. TlNCTURA GUAIACI VoLATILIS. D.
Tinclure of Guaiac* Volatile Tinclure of Guaiac,
Take of
Gum guaiac, four ounces ;
Ammoniated alcohol, one pound and a half.
Digeft for feven days, and filter through paper. (E.)
This is a very elegant and efficacious tinclure ; the ammoniat-
ed fpirit readily diflblving the refin, and at the fame time promot*
ing its medicinal virtue. In rheumatic cafes, a tea, or even table,
fpoonful, taken every morning and evening in any convenient ve-
hicle, particularly in milk, has proved of lingular fervice.
TINCTURA OPII AMMONIATA * olim, Elixir Parego-
ricum. Ed.
Ammoniated Tinclure of Opium, formerly Paregoric Elixir.
take of
Benzoic acid,
Englifh faffron, of each three drachms ;
Opium, two drachms •,
Eflential oil of anifeed, half a drachm ;
Ammoniated alcohol, fixteen ounces.
Digeft for feven days, in a clofe veflel, and ftrain. (E.)
676 Materia Medica.
\
This is a preparation of confiderable efficacy in many fpafmodic
difeafes, as chincough, &c. the ammonia removing the fpafm im-
mediately, while the opium tenas to prevent its return. Each
drachm contains about a grain of opium.
TINCTURA VALERIANAE AMMONIATA. L. D.
Ammoniated Tincture of Valerian.
Take of
Wild valerian, in coarfe powder, four ounces ;
Compound fpirit of ammonia, two pints.
Digeft for feven days in a veflel clofely covered, and ftrain. (D.)
The compound fpirit of ammonia is here an excellent men-
ftruum, and at the fame time confiderably promotes the virtues of
the valerian, which in fome cafes wants afliftance of this kind.
The d'ofe may be a tea fpoonful or two.
TOLUIFERA BALSAMUM. Balfamum. Ed.
Balsamum Tolutanum. L. D.
Balfam of Tolu.
Willd. g. 828. fp. 1. Decandria Monogynia. — Nat. ord. Lomen-
tacea.
This tree grows in Spanifh America, and the balfam flows
from incifions made in its bark, during the hot feafon, and is
brought to us in gourd fhells. It is of a yellowim-brown co-
lour, inclining to red : in confidence thick and tenacious : by
age it grows hard and brittle, without fufFering any great lofs of
Its more valuable parts. The fmell of this balfam is extremely
fragrant, fomewhat refembling that of lemons ; its tafte warm and
fwcetifh. Lewis fays that he has fometimes procured benzoic
acid from it ; it yields very little volatile oil, although it impreg-
nates the di Allied water ftrongly with its flavour. By diflblving a
proper quantity of fugar in this water, a fyrup is obtained, greatly
fuperior to that prepared in the common way, with a decoclion of
the balfam.
TV- Tormentilla,
677
In its medical virtues it agrees with the other balfams.
Officinal Preparations.
Syr*upus toluiferae balsami, L. vide, Syrufii.
Tinctura toluiferae balsami, E. L. D. - - Tincture.
benzoes composita, £. L. - - Idem.
TORMENTILLA ERECTA. Radix. Ed.
Tormentilla. L. D.
Septfoil. The root.
Willd. g. 1001. fp. 1. Icojandria Polygyria. — Nat. ord. Senticofa.
Tormentii. is perennial, and found wild in woods and on com-
mons : it has long (lender ftalks, with ufaally feven long narrow
leaves at a joint •, the root is for the molt part crooked and knotty,
of a blackifh colour on the outfide, and a reddifh within. This
root has an auftere ftyptic tafte, accompanied with a flight kind of
aromatic fl.ivour ; it is one of the moft agreeable and efficacious of
the vegetable aftringents, and is employed with good effect in all
cafes where medicines of this clafs are proper. Neumann got from
960 grains, 365 alcoholic, and 170 watery extract, and inverlely
570 watery, and 8 alcoholic.
Officinal Preparation.
Pulvis cret. compo situs, L. vide, Pulveres.
TRAGACANTHA.
Vide, Aftragalus.
678
Materia Medica.
TRIGONELLA. FOENUM GR^ECUM.
Foenum Grmcvm Semen. L.
Fenugreek. The feeds.
Diadelphia Decandria. — Nat. ord. Pqpilionacea.
D. Bokshoornzaad. I. Fimogreco.
DA. Fonugrak. P. Jlforvas, Fenogrego.
F. Fenu-grec. S. JlforvaJtholva.
G. BocHhornsamen^ Fotnum SW.Fenugrek.
graecum.
This plant is annual, and a native of the fouth of France. In
Poland it is cultivated in large quantities. The feeds have a yei-
Jowifh colour, a rhomboidal figure, a difagreeable ftrong fmell, and
a mucilaginous tafte. Their principal ufe was in cataplafms, fo-
mentations, and the like, and in emollient glyfters. Neumann got
from 7680 parts, 620 bitter watery, and 30 unctuous alcoholic,
extract, and inverfely 270 very ungrateful alcoholic, and 390 wa-
tery. The diftilled water had a flight fmell of fenugreek, which
it foon loft.
TR1TICUM.
Willd. g. 152. Triandria Monogynia. — Nat. ord. Gramina.
TRITICUM jES HVUM. 5/. 1. Seminum Farina. Amylum. D..
TRITICUM HYBERNUM. Sp. 2. Farina. Amylum. h.
Wheat. Flour.
Starch.
D.
Tariv.
P. THgo.
DA.
Huede.
POL. Pszenka.
F.
Froment.
R. P&cheniza.
G.
Weizen.
S. Trigo.
I.
GranO) f r omenta.
SW. Hvede.
By fome thefe are confidered only as varieties, not as diftin6t
{pedes. The latter, however, is the moft productive, and is moft
commonly cultivated on that account ; for there is no material dif-
ference between the grains they produce, which are indifcriminate-
ly employed for every purpofe.
Wheat-flour confifls principally of gluten, ftarch, albumen, and
a fweet mucilage. Thefe may be feparated by forming the flour
into a pafte with a little water, and wafhing this pafle with frefh
quantities of water, until it runs from it colourlefs. What re-
T. Triticum. — Triosteum. 679
mains is the gluten : which, if not the fame, is very analogous to
the fibrine or' animal fubftances.* From the water with which the
pafte was warned, a white powder feparates on (landing. This is
the ilarch which we have already mentioned under the title Amy-
lum. The albumen and fweet mucilage remain diffulved in the
water. By evaporating it, the albumen fir IL leparates in white
flakes, and the fweer mucilage may be got by otal evaporation.
It is the prefence of gluten which charafterizes wheat flour ; and
on the uue admixture of it with the other conltituents depends
the luperiority of wheat- flour for baking bread.
Bread is made by working the flour into a pafte with water, a
quantity of fome ferment, fuch as yeaft, and a little muriate of fo-
da to render it fapid, allowing the pafte to Hand until a certain de-
gree of fermentation take place, and then baking it in an oven heat-
ed to about 488°. During the fermentation a quantity of gas is
formed, and as it is prevented from efcaping by the toughnefs of
the pafte, and dilated by the heat of the oven, the bread is render-
ed light and fpongy. In this procefs the nature of the conftitu-
ents of the flour is altered, for we are not able to obtain either glu-
ten or ftarch from bread.
Medical ufe. — Bread is not only one of the moft important arti-
cles of nourifhment, but is alfo employed in pharmacy for making
cataplafms, and giving form to more aclive articles. An infufion
of toafted bread has a deep colour and pleafant tafte, and is an ex-
cellent drink in febrile difeafes, and debility of the ftomach.
TRIOSTEUM PERFOLIATUM.
Bajiard Ipecacuanha.
In very large dofes it fometimes proves emetic. The bark oi
the root is a good cathartic in dofes of 20 or 30 grains. It fome-
times operates as a diuretic. f
• Fibrin is of a white colour, without tafte or fmell, tough, and elaftic, but when
dried, hard and almoft brittle. It is not foluble in water or in alcohol. The con-
centrated cauftic alkalies form with it a kind of fluid vifcid foap. It is diflolved
even by the weak and diluted acids ; but it undergoes fome change, by which it ac-
quires the properties of jellying, and being foluble in hot water. By maceration in
water, it becomes putrid, and is converted into adipocere. By long boiling in
water, it is rendered tough and corneous. When decompofed by heat or nitric
acid, it is found to contain a large proportion of nitrogen. It forms the bafis of the
mufcular fibre, and is contained in fmall quantity in the blood. The gluten of
wheat does not feem to differ from it in any important property. It is eminently
nutritious.
f Barton's Collections, Part L p. 28.
680
Materia Medica.
TROCHISCI. TROCHES.
Troches and lozenges are compofed of powders made up with
glutinous fubftances into little cakes, and afterwards dried. This
form is principally made ufe of for the more commodious exhibi-
tion of certain medicines, by fitting them to diflblve flowly in the
mouth, fo as to pafs by degrees into the ftomach ; and hence thefe
preparations have generally a confiderable proportion of fugar or
other materials grateful to the palate. Some powders have like-
wife been reduced into troches, with a view to their prefervation ;
though poflibly for no very good reafons ; for the moiftening, and
afterwards drying them in the air, muft in this light be of greater
injury than any advantage accruing from this form can counter-
balance.
TROCHISCI CARBON ATIS CALCIS. Ed.
Troches of Carbonate of Lime.
Trochisci Cret^e. L.
Troches of Chalk.
Take of
Carbonate of lime, prepared, four ounces ;
Gum arabic, one ounce ;
Nutmeg, one drachm ;
Double refined fugar, fix ounces.
Powder them together, and form them with water into a mafs for
making troches. (E.)
This is ufed againft acidity of the ftomach, efpecially when
accompanied with diarrhoea.
TROCHISCI GLYCYRRHIZ^E. Ed. L. D.
Troches of Liquorice.
Take
Extract of liquorice,
Double refined fugar, of each fix ounces ;
Tragacanth, powdered, two ounces.
Powder them thoroughly, and make them into troches with rofe
water. (D.)
T.— *-Trochisci.
681
This is an agreeable pectoral, and may be ufed at pleafure in
tickling coughs. Refined extract of liquorice fhould be ufed ;
and it is eafily powdered in the cold, after it has been laid for fome
days in a dry and rather warm place. The folution and fubfe-
quent evaporation directed by the Ed.nburgh college is exceed-
ingly troublefome, and apt to give them an empyreumatic flavour.
TROCHISCI GLYCYRRHIZiE cum OPIO. Ed.
Liquorice Troches with Opium.
Trochisci Glycyrrhiz-e Compositi. D.
Compound Troches of Liquorice.
Take of
Opium, two drachms •,
Tincture of Tolu, half an ounce j
Common fyrup, eight ounces ;
Extract of liquorice, foftened in warm water,
Gum arabic, in powder, of each five ounces.
Triturate the opium well with the tincture, then add by degrees
the fyrup and extract afterwards gradually fprinkle upon the
mixture the powdered gum arabic. Laitly, dry them fo as to
form a mafs to be made into troches, each weighing ten grains.
(E.)
These trc:hes are medicines of approved efficacy in tickling
coughs depending on an irritation of the fauces. Befides the me-
chanical effect of the invifcating matters in involving acrid humours,
or lining and defending the tender membranes, the opium mull
no doubt have a considerable {hare, by more immediately diminifh-
ing the irritability of the parts themfelves. Six of the Dublin
troches, and feven and a half of the Edinburgh, contain about
one grain of opium.
4S
682
Materia Medica.
TROCHISCI GUMMOSI. Ed.
Gum Troches,
Trochisci Amyli. L,
Troches of Starch.
Take of
Gum arabic, four parts j
Starch, one part ;
Double refined fugar, twelve parts.
Powder them, and make them into a proper mafs with rofe water,
fo as to form troches. (E.)
This compofition is a very agreeable pectoral, and may be ufed
at pleafure. It is calculated for allaying the tickling in the throat
which provokes coughing.
TROCHISCI MAGNESIA. L.
Troches of Magnefia.
Take of
Burnt magnefia, four ounces ;
Double refined fugar, two ounces ;
Ginger, powdered, one fcruple.
Triturate them together, and, with the addition of the mucilage of
gum arabic, make troches. (L.)
These are excellent antacids, and at the fame time tend to keep
the bowels open.
TROCHISCI SULPHURIS. L.
Troches of Sulphur.
Take of
Warned flowers of fulphur, two ounces
Double refined fugar, four ounces.
Rub them together, with a fufricient quantity of the mucilage of
quince feeds, and make troches. (L.)
This compofition is to be confidered only as an agreeable form
for the exhibition of fulphur, no alteration or addition being here
made to its virtues.
T. — Trochisci. — Tussilago. 685
TROCHISCI NITRATIS POTASSES. Ed.
Troches of Nitrate of Pctafs.
Trochisci Nitri. L.
Troches of Nitre.
Take of
Nitrate of potafs, one part *,
Double refined fugar, three parts.
Rub together to powder and form them with mucilage of gum
tragacanth into a mafs, to be divided into troches. (E.)
This is a very agreeable form for the exhibition of nitre ;
though when the fait is thus taken without any liquid, (if the
quantity be confiderablc), it is apt to occafion uneafinefs about the
itom <ch, which can only be prevented by large dilution with
aqueous liquors.
TUSSILAGO FARFARA. Folia. Flores. EcL
Tussilago. L. D.
Colts foot. The herb and flowers.
Syngenefta fuperflua. — Nat. ord. Compofita radiatce.
This grows wild in moid fituations, producing yellow flowers
in February and March : thefe foon fall off, and are fucceeded by
large roundiih leaves, hairy underneath : their tafte is herbaceous,
fomewhat glutinous and fubacrid. Tuflilago is recommended in
coughs, phthifis, and other diforders of the breaft and lungs, and
fome ufe it in fcrofula. It is chiefly directed to be taken with
milk ; and upon this probably, more than on the tuflilago itfelf,
any benefit derived from it in practice is to be explained.
684
Materia Medica.
u.
ULMUS CAMPESTRIS. Ed.
Ulmus. Cortex interior. L. D.
Elm tree. The inner bark.
Willd. g. 505. fp. 1. Pentandria Digynia. — Nat. ord. Scabrida.
This tree grows wild in Britain. The inner bark has a yellow-
ifh colour, and a mucilaginous, bitter, aflringent tafte, without
fmell.
A decofrion formed from it, by boiling an ounce with a pound
of water, to the confumption of one half, has been highly recom-
mended in the lepra ichthyofis, and has been faid to cure dropfies.
ULMUS AMERICANA.
Rough-leaved Elm tree. Red Elm.
The inner bark is efculent. It is ufeful in plurifies, &c. and
forms an excellent poultice for tumors, and liniment for chaps,
&c. It aids the fuppuration of gun-mot wounds, and is thought
fuperior to the bread and milk and flaxfeed poultice. It is highly
beneficial in old ulcers and frelh burns, and forms an e£6€llent
diet drink in diarrhoea and dyfentery.*
* Philadelphia Medical Mufeum, Vol. II.
U. Unguent a.
685
UNGUENTA. OINTMENTS.
Under this general head may becomprifed
LiN.MENTA, - Liniments.
Cerata, - - Cerates.
Emplastra, - Plafters.
Unguenta, - Ointments, properly fo called.
These are all combinations of fixed oil, or animal fat, with
other fubftances, and differ from each other only in confidence.
Deyeux has, indeed, lately defined philters to be combinations of
oil with metallic oxides; but as this would comprehend many of
our prefent ointments, and exclude many of our plafters, we fhall
adhere to the old meaning of the terms.
Liniments are the thinneft of thefe compofitions, being only
a little thicker than oil.
Ointments have generally a degree of confidence like that of
butter.
Cerates are firmer, and contain a larger proportion of wax.
Plajlers are the molt folid, and when cold fhould be firm, and i
mould not adhere to the fingers; but when gently heated mould
become fuffkiently loft to fpread eafiiy, and mould then adhere to
the fkin. Plafters derive their firmnefs, either from a large pro-
portion of wax, rofin, &c. or from the pretence of ibme metal-
lic oxide, fuch as that of lead.
Plafters fhould have fuch a confidence, that when cold they
do not adhere to the fingers, but become loft and plaftic when
gently heated. The heat of the body fhould render it tenacious
enough to adhere to the fkin, and to the fubftance on which it is
fpread. When prepared, it is ufually forme \ into rolls, and in-
clofcd in paper. Plafters of afmall fize are often fpread on leather,
fometimes on ftrong paper by means of a fpatula gentiy heated, or
the thumb. The leather is cut of the fhape wanted, but fome-
what larger; and the margin all round, about 4 inch in breadth is
Jeft uncovered, for its more eafy removal when neceuary. Linen
is alfo often ufed, efpecially for the lefs active plafters, which are
ufed as dreflings, and often renewed. It is generally cut into long
flips of various breadths, from one to fiK inches. Thefe may
either be dipt into the melted plafter, and patted through two pieces
of ftraight and fmooth wood, held firmly together, fo as to remove
any excels of plafter; or, what is more elegant, they are fpread on
one fide only, by ftretching the linen, and applying the plafter,
which has been melted and allowed to become almoil cold, evenly
by means of a fpatula, gently heated, or, more accurately, by
686
Materia Mcdica.
pafling the linen on which the plafter has been laid, through a ma-
chine formed of a fpatula fixed, by fcrews, at a proper diftance
from a plate of poliftied fteel.
To prevent repetition, the Edinburgh college gives the follow-
ing canon for the preparation of thefe fubftances.
In making thefe compofitions, the fatty and refinous fubftances are
to be melted with a gentle heat, and then conftantly ftirred, add-
ing, at the fame time, the dry ingredients, if there be any,
until the mixture, on cooling, becomes ftifF. Ed.
ADIPIS BOVIS, SUILLiE, SEVIque OVILLI, PRiEPARA-
TIO. L.
The Preparation of Hog's Lard, and Beef and Mutton Suet.
Cut them into pieces, and melt them over a flow fire; then fe-
parate them from the membranes by ftraining. (L.)
Before proceeding to melt thefe fats, it is better to feparate as
much of the membranes as poffible, and to warn them in repeated
quantities of water until they no longer give out any colour.
Over the fire they become perfectly tranfparent, and if they do
not crackle on throwing a few drops into the fire, it is a fign
that all the water is evaporated, and that the fats are ready for
ftraining, which fliould be done through a linen cloth without
exprefTion. The refiduum may be repeatedly melted with a little
water, until it become difcoloured with the fire. The fluid fat
fhould be poured into the velTels, or bladders, in which it is to
be preferved.
Thefe articles had formerly a place alfo- among the preparations
of the Edinburgh college. But now they introduce them only
into their lift of the materia medica *, as the apothecary will in ge-
neral find it more for his interefl: to purchafe them thus prepared,
than to prepare them for himfelf ; for the procefs requires to be
very cautioufly conducted, to prevent the fat from burning or
turning black.
LINIMENTUM SIMPLEX. Ed.
Simple Liniment.
Take of
Olive oil, four parts ;
White wax, one part. (E.)
U. Unguenta. 687
This confifts of the fame articles which form the Unguentum
fimplex of the Edinburgh pharmacopoeia, but merely in a different
proportion, fo as to render the compofition thinner •, and where a
thin confidence is requifite, this may be con£idered as a very ele-
gant and ufeful application.
CERATA. CERATES.
CERATUM CANTHARIDIS. L. D.
Cerate of Cantharides.
Take of
Cerate of fpermaceti, foftened with heat, fix drachms ;
Spanifh flies, finely powdered, one drachm.
Mix them. (L.)
Under this form cantharides maybe made to act to any extent
that is requifite. It may fupply the place either of the bliftering
plafter or ointment ; and there are cafes in which it is preferable
to either. It is particularly more convenient than the emplaftrum
cantharidum, where the (kin to which the blifter is to be applied
is previoufly much affected, as in cafes of fmall pox ; and in fup-
porting a drain under the form of iflue, it is lefs apt to fpread than
the fofter ointment.
CER ATUM CARBON ATIS ZINCI IMPURI. Ed.
Cerate of Impure Carbonate of Zinc.
Ceratum Lapidis Calaminaris ; olim, Ceratum Epulo-
ticum. L. D.
Calamine Cerate^ formerly Epulotic Cerate.
Take of
Calamine, prepared,
Yellow wax, of each half a pound
Olive oil, one pint.
Melt the wax with the oil *, and as foon as the mixture, expofed
to the air, begins to thicken, mix with it the calamine, and ftit
the cerate until it be cold. (L.)
688
Materia Medica.
This compofition refembles the cerate which Turner ftrongly
recommends in cutaneous ulcerations and excoriations, and which
has been ufually diftinguimed by his name. It appears from ex-
perience to be an excellent epulotic, and as fuch is frequently made
ufe of in practice.
CERATUM LITHARGYRI ACETATI COMPOSITUM. L.
Ceratum Lithargyri Acetati. D.
Compound Cerate of Acetated Litharge.
Take of
Water of acetated litharge, two ounces and a half \
Yellow wax, four ounces ;
Olive oil, nine ounces ;
Camphor, half a drachm.
Rub the camphor with a little of the oil. Melt the wax with the
remaining oil, and as foon as the mixture begins to thicken, pour
in by degrees the water of acetated litharge, and ftir conflantly
until, it be cold •, then mix in the camphor previoufly rubbed
with oil. (L. D.)
This application has been rendered famous by the recommen-
dations of Mr. Goulard. It is unqueftionably in many cafes very
ufeful. It cannot, however, be confidered as varying eflentially
from the faturnine ointments to be mentioned. It is employed
with nearly the fame intentions, and differs from them chiefly in
confidence.
CERATUM RESINiE FLAViE. L. D.
Cerate of Fellow Reft,
Take of
Ointment of yellow refin, half a pound ;
Yellow wax, one ounce.
Melt them together, and make a cerate. (L. D.)
This had formerly the name of Unguentum citrlnum. It is no
otherwife different from the Yellow bafilicum, or Unguentum
refine fiavae, than being of a flifFer confidence, which renders it
for fome pnrpofes more commodious.
U. Unguenta. 689
CERATUM SAPONIS. L. D.
Soap Cerate.
Take of
Hard Spanifh foap, eight ounces ;
Yellow wax, ten ounces ;
Litharge, powdered, one pound ;
Olive oil, fourteen ounces ;
Vinegar, eight pounds.
Boil the vinegar with the litharge, over a flow fire, conftantly
ftirring, until the mixture unites and thickens \ then mix in the
other articles, and make a cerate. (D.)
Notwithstanding the name, this cerate may rather be con-
fidered as a faturnine application ; its aclion depending very little
on the foap.
CERATUM SIMPLEX. Ed.
Simple Cerate.
Ceratum Sfermatis Ceti. L. D.
Cerate of Spermaceti.
Take of
Olive oil, fix parts ;
White wax, *hrce parts;
Spermaceti, one part. (E.)
This differs from the fimple ointment, in containing a greater
proportion of wax to the oil, and in the addition of the fperma-
ceti. But by thele means it obtains only a more firm confidence,
without any effential change of properties.
It fcarcely differs from the Ceratum Spermatis Ceti of the Lon-
don and Dublin colleges, the latter containing one-thirteenth part
of fpermaceti, and the former one-tenth part ; we have therefore
introduced one formula only.
The ceratum fpermatis ceti had formerly the name of Ceratum
alburn^ and it differs in nothing from the Unguentum fpermatis ceti,
or Linimentum album, as it was formerly called, excepting in con-
fidence, both the wax and the fpermaceti bearing a greater pro-
portion to the oil-
4 T
690
Materia Medica*
EMPL AS TR A. — PLASTER S.
EMPL ASTRUM AMMONIACI cum HYDRARGYRO. L.
Plajler of Gum Ammoniac with Quickfilver.
Take of
Gum ammoniac, ftrained, one pound j
Purified quickfilver, three ounces ;
Sulphuretted oil, a drachm, or as much as may be neceffary.
Triturate the quickfilver with the fulphuretted oil, until its globules
difappear •, then gradually add the gum ammoniac melted, and
mix them. (L.)
This mercurial plafter is confidered as a powerful refolvent
and difcutient, acting with much greater certainty for thefe inten-
tions than any compofition of vegetable fubftances alone ; the
mercury exerting itfelf in a confiderable degree, and being fome-
times introduced into'the habit in fuch quantity as to afreet the
mouth. Pains in the joints and limbs from a venereal caufe,
nodes, tophi," and beginning indurations, are faid to yield to them
fometimes.
EMPLASTRUM ASS^E FOETIDiE ;
Vulgo, Emplastrum Anti-hystertcum. Ed*
Plajler of AJJa Fcetida, commonly called Anti-hyjleric Plajler.
Take of
Plafter of femi-vitrified oxide of lead,
AlTa fcetida, each two parts;
Galbanum,
Yellow wax, each one part. (E.)
This plafter is applied to the umbilical region, or over the
whole abdomen, in hyfteric cafes; and fometimes with good ef-
fect •, but probably more from its effect as giving an additional
degree of heat to the part, than from any influence derived from
the fetid gums.
U. Unguenta.
691
EMPLASTRUM CERiE. D.
Emplastrum Cer^ Compositum. L.
Compound Wax Plafter.
Take of
Yellow wax,
Prepared mutton fuet, of each three pounds*,
Yellow refin, one pound.
Melt them together, and drain the mixture while it is fluid. (L. D.)
EMPLASTRUM CUMINI. L.
Cummin Pliifter.
Take of
Cummin feeds,
Caraway feeds,
Bay berries, of each three ounces ;
Burgundy pitch, three pounds ;
Yellow wax, three ounces.
Melt the pitch and wax together, and mix with them the reft of
the ingredients, powdered, and make a plaiter. (L.)
This plafter has been recommended as a moderately warm dif-
cutient ; and is directed by fome to be applied to the hypogaftric
region, for ftrengthening the vifcera, 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 cara-
way feeds or bay-berries which enter its compofition.
EMPLASTRUM CUMMOSUM. Ed.
Gum Plafter.
Take of
Plafter of femi-vitrified oxide of lead, eight parts j
Gum ammoniacum,
Galbanum,
Yellow wax, each one part.
Melt together. (E.)
This plafter is ufed as a digeftive and fuppurative ; particularly
in abfcefles, after a part of the matter has been maturated and dif-
692
Materia Medica.
charged, for fuppurating or difcuffing the remaining hard part ;
but is very doubtful whether it derives any advantage from the
gums entering its competition.
EMPLASTRUM HYDRARGYRI. Ed.
Plafter of Quickfiher.
Take of
Oiive oil,
White refin, each one part ;
Ouickfilver, three parts ;
Plafler of femi-vitrified oxide of lead, fix parts.
Melt the oil and refin together, and when this mixture is cold, let
the quickfilver be rubbed with it till the globules difappear ;
then add by degrees the litharge plafter, melted, and let the
whole be accurately mixed. (E.)
See the obfervations orf^n>plaftrum Ammoniaci cum Hydrar-
gyro- _
EMPLASTRUM LADANI COMPOSITUM. L.
Compound Ladanum Plafter.
Take of
Ladanum, three ounces ;
Frankincenfe, one ounce ;
Cinnamon, powdered,
ExprefTed oil of mace, of each half an ounce ;
Eflential oil of mint, one drachm.
To the melted frankincenfe, add flrft the ladanum, foftened by
heat ; then the oil of mace. Mix thefe afterwards with the cin-
namon and oil of mint, and beat them together, in a warm mor-
tar, into a plafter. Let it be kept in a clofe vefleL (L.)
This has been confidered as a very elegant ftomach plafter. It
is contrived fo as to be eafily made occafionally, (for thefe kinds of
compofitions, on account of their volatile ingredients, are not fit
for keeping), and to be but moderately adhefive, fo as not to offend
the (kin, and that it may, without difficulty, be frequently renew-
ed ; which thefe forts of applications, in order to their producing
any confiderable erFecl:, require to be.
U. Unguenta.
693
EMPLASTRUM LITHARGYRI COMPOSITUM. L.
Compound Plajler of Litharge,
Take of
Litharge plafter, three pounds ;
Strained galbanum, eight ounces ;
Turpentine, ten drachms ;
Frankincenfe, three ounces.
The galbanum and turpentine being melted, mix with them the
powdered frankincenfe, and afterwards the litharge plafter,
melted alfo with a very flow fire, and make a plafter. (L.)
See the obfervations on Emplaftrum Gummofum.
EMPLASTRUM LITHARGYRI cum HYDRARGYRO. L.
Litharge Plajler with Qmckjilver.
Take of
Litharge plafter, one pound ;
Purified quickfilver, three ounces ;
Sulphuretted oil, one drachm, or what is fufficient.
Make the plafter in the fame manner as the ammoniacum plafter
with quickfilver. (L.)— The obfervations on which, fee.
EMPLASTRUM MELOES VESICATORII;
olim, Emplastrum Vesicatorium. Ed.
Plajler of Spanijh Flies, formerly Blijleritig Plajler.
Emplastrum Cantharidis. L. D.
Plajler of Spamjh Flies.
Take of
Mutton fuet,
Yellow wax,
White rofin,
Cantharides, each equal weights.
Mix the cantharides, reduced to a fine powder, with the other in-
gredients, previoully melted, and removed from the fire. (E.)
This formula is very well fuited to anfwer the intention in
view, that of exciting blifters ; for it is of a proper confidence
694
Materia Medica.
and fufficient degree of tenacity, which are here the only re-
quifites. Cantharides of good quality, duly applied to the ikin,
feldom fail of producing blifters. When, therefore, the defired ef-
fect does not take place, it is to be afcribed to the flies either being
faulty at firft, or having their activity afterwards deftroyed by fome
accidental circumftance ; fuch as too great heat in forming, or in
fpreading, the plafter, or the like. It is therefore not unufual to
fprinkle powder of cantharides on the blifter after it is fpread.
EMPLASTRUM MELOES VESICATORII COMPOSITUM.
Ed.
Compound Plajler of Spanijh Flies..
Take of
Burgundy pitch,
Venice turpentine,
Cantharides, each twelve parts ;
Yellow wax, four parts ;
. Sub-acetite of copper, two parts ;
Muftard feed,
Black pepper, each one part.
Having firft melted the pitch and wax, add the turpentine, and to
thefe, in fufion, and {till hot, add the other ingredients, reduced
to a fine powder, and mixed, and ftir the whole carefully toge-
ther, fo as to form a plafter. (E.)
This is fuppofed to be the moft infallible bliftering plafter. It
certainly contains a fufficient variety of ftimulating ingredients.
EMPLASTRUM OXIDI FERRI RUBRI ;
Olim, Emplastrum Roborans. Ed.
Plafter of Red Oxide of Iron, commonly called Strengthening
Plafter.
Take of
Plafter of femi-vitrified oxide of lead, twenty-four parts ;
"White refin, fix parts ;
Yellow wax,
Olive oil, each three parts ;
Red oxide of iron, eight parts.
Grind the red oxide of iron with the oil, and then add it to tjje
other ingredients previoufly melted. (E.)
U. Unguenta. 695
This plafter is ufed in weaknefles of the large mufcles, as of
the loins : and its effects feem to proceed from the artificial me-
chanical fupport given to the part, which may alfo be done by
any other plafter that adheres with equal firmnefs.
EMPLASTRUM OXIDI PLUMBI SEMIVITREI ;
Olim, Emplastrum Commune, Ed.
Plafler of the Semi-vitrified Oxide of Lead, formerly Common Plafter*
Emplastrum Lithargyri. L. D.
Litharge Plajier.
Take of
Semi- vitrified oxide of lead, one part ;
Olive oil, two parrs.
Boil them, adding water, and conftantly ftirring the mixture till
the oil and litharge be formed into a plafter. (E.)
Oxides of lead, boiled with oils, unite with them into a plafter
of an excellent confidence, and which makes a proper bafis for
feveral other platters.
In the boiling of thefe compofitions, a quantity of water muft
be added, to prevent the plafter from burning and growing black.
Such water as it may be neceflary to add during the boiling, muft
be previoufly made hot ; for cold liquor would not only prolong
the procefs, but likewife occafion the matter to explode, and be
thrown about with violence, to the great danger of the operator :
this accident will equally happen upon the addition of hot water,
if the plafter be extremely hot. It is therefore better to remove it
from the fire a little before each addition of water.
Thefe plafters, which have been long known under the name of
Diachylon, are common applications in excoriations of the Ikin,
flight flefh wounds, and the like. They keep the part foft and
fomewhat warm, and defend it from the air, which is all that can
be expected in thefe cafes from any plafter.
696
Materia Medica.
EMPLASTRUM PICIS BURGUNDIC^E. D.
I
Emplastrum Picis Compositum. L.
Compound Burgundy Pitch Plqfter.
Take of
Burgundy pitch, two pounds ;
Galbanum, one pound ;
Yellow refin,
Yellow wax, of each four ounces ;
ExprefTed oil of mace, one ounce.
To the pitch, refin, and wax, melted together, add firft the gal-
banum, and then the oil of mace. (D.)
EMPLASTRUM RESINOSUM ;
Vulgo, Emplastrum Adjlesivum. Ed.
Refinous Plafter, commonly called Adhefive Plajler-
Emplastrum Lithargyri cum Resina. L,
Litharge Plajler with Refitu
Take of
Plafter of femi-vitrified oxide of lead, five parts •,
White refin, one part.
Melt them together, and make a plafter. (E.)
This plafter is chiefly ufed as an adhefive for keeping on other
dreflings, for retaining the edges of recent wounds together, when
we are endeavouring to cure them by the firft intention, and for
giving mechanical iupport to new flefh, and contracting the fize
of ulcers, in the manner recommended by Mr. Baynton, for the
cure of ulcers of the legs.
U. Unguenta. 697
EMPLASTRUM SAPONACEUM. Ed. D,
Saponaceous Piafter. *
Empjlastrum Saponis. L,
Soap Piafter.
Take of
Soap, one part ;
Litharge piafter, fix parts.
Mix the foap with the melted litharge piafter, and boil them to
the thicknefs of a piafter. (L. D.)
This piafter has been fuppofed to derive a refolvent power
from the foap ; but it is a matter of great doubt, whether it de-
rives any material advantage from the addition.
EMPLASTRUM SIMPLEX, sive EMPLASTRUM
CEREUM. Ed.
Simple or Wax Piafter.
Take of
Yellow wax, three parts ;
Mutton fuet,
White refin, each two parts. (E.)
This piafter had formerly the title of Emplaftrum attrahens^wd
was chiefly employed as a drefling after blifters, to fupport fome
difcharge, and it is a very well contrived piafter for that purpofe.
Sometimes, however, it irritates too much on account of the refin ;
and hence, when defigned only for drefling blifters, the refin
ought to be entirely omitted, unlefs where a continuance of the
pain and irritation, excited by the veficatory, is required. Indeed,
plafters of any kind are not very proper for dreffing blifters ;
their confidence makes them fit uneafy, and their adhefivenefs ren-
ders the taking them off painful. Cerates, which are fofter and
lefs adhefive appear much more eligible : the Ceratum fpermatis
ceti will ferve for general ufe ; and for fome particular purpofes,
the Ceratum refinse flavs may be applied.
698
Materia Medica.
EMPLASTRUM THURIS COMPOSITUM. L.
Compound Frankincenfe Plafter.
Take of
Frankincenfe, half a pound ;
Dragons blood, three ounces 5
Litharge plafter, two pounds.
To the melted litharge plafter add the reft, powdered. (L.)
It has been fuppofed that plafters compofed of ftyptic medi-
cines conftringe and ftrengthen the part to which they are ap-
plied, but on no very juft foundation ; for plafters in general re-
lax rather than aftringe \ the unctuous ingredients neceflary in
their compofition counteracting and deftroying the efFecl. or the
others.
If conftantly worn with a proper bandage, it will, in children,
frequently do fervice, though, perhaps, not fo much from any
ftrengthening quality of the ingredients, as from its being a foft,
clofe, and adhefive, covering.
UNGUENTA OINTMENTS.
UNGUENTUM ACETITIS PLUMBI;
olim, Unguentum Saturninum. Ed.
Ointment cf Acetite of Lead, formerly Saturnine Ointment.
Unguentum Cerussje Acetate. L. D.
Ointment of Acetated Cerufe.
Take of
Acetated cerufe, two drachms ; *
"White wax, two ounces ;
O'ive oil, half a pint.
Rub the acetated cerufe, previoufiy powdered, with fome part of
the olive o'l ; then add it to the wax, melted with the remain-
ing oil. Stir the mixture until it be cold. (L.)
This is an excellent cooling ointment, of the greateft ufe in
many cafes.
U. ■ Unguenta.
699
UNGUENTUM ACIDI NITROSI. Ed.
Ointment of Nitrcus Acid.
1 ake of
Hog's lard, one pound ;
Nitrous acid, fix drachms.
Mix the acid gradually with the melted axunge, and diligently beat
the mixture as it cools. (E.)
The axunge in this ointment feems to be oxidized ; for during
the action of the acid upon it, there is a great deal of nitric oxide
gas difengaged. It acquires a yellowifh colour, and a firm con-
fiftency ; and forms an excellent and cheap fubftitute, in flight
herpetic and other cutaneous affe&ions, for the ointment of nitrate
of mercury.
UNGUENTUM ADIPIS SUILLiE. L.
Ointment of Hog's Lard.
Take of
Prepared hog's lard, two pounds ;
Rofe water, three ounces.
Beat the lard with the rofe water until they be mixed ; then
melt the mixture with a flow fire, and let it apart that the
water may fubfide ; after which, pour off the lard from the
water, conftantly ftirring it until it be cold. (L.)
In the la ft edition of the London Pharmacopoeias, this was
ftyled Unguentum Simplex ; the name given by the Edinburgh col-
lege to the following preparation.
UNGUENTUM SIMPLEX. Ed.
Simple Ointment.
Take of
Olive oil, five parts ; *
White wax, two parts. (E.)
Both thefe ointments may be ufed for foftening the fkin and
healing chaps. The laft is, however, preferable, as being more
Readily of one uniform confidence. For the fame reafon it is alfo
to be preferred as the bafis of other more compounded oint-
ments.
700
Materia Medica.
UNGUENTUM CER^l. L, D.
Wax Ointment.
Take of
White wax, four ounces ;
Spermaceti, three ounces ;
Olive oil, one pint.
Stir ihem, after being melted with a flow fire, conftantly and
brifkly, until cold. (L.)
This ointment had formerly the title of Unguentum album in the
London pharmacopoeia. It differs very little from the Unguentum
fimplex of the Edinburgh phaimacopceia and in nothing from the
Unguentum fpermatis ceti of the other pharmacopoeias, excepting
that in this ointment the proportion of wax is four times greater,
It is an ufeful cooling ointment for excoriations and other frettings
of the fkin.
UNGUENTUM SPERMATIS CETI. L. D.
* Ointment of Spermaceti*
Take of
Spermaceti, fix drachms ;
White wax, two drachms ;
Olive oil, three ounces.
Melt them together over a flow fire, ffirring them conftantly and
brifkly until they be cold. (L. D.)
This had formerly the name of Linimentum album> and it is
perhaps only in confidence that it can be confidered as differing
from the unguentum fimplex, or the ceratum fimplex, already
mentioned*
UNGUENTUM CANTHARIDIS. L.
Unguentum Cantharidum. D.
Ointment of Spanifh Flies.
Take of
Spanifh flies, powdered, two ounces ;
Diftilled water, eight ounces ;
Ointment of yellow refin, eight ounces.
Boil the water with the Spanifh flies to one half, and ftrain. To
the ftrained liquor add the ointment of yellow refin. Evapo-
rate this mixture to the thicknefs of an ointment in a water-hath,
faturated with fea-falt. (L.)
U. Unguenta. 701
UNGUENTUM INFUSI MELOES VESICATORII ;
vulgo, Unguentum Epispasticum Mitius. Ed.
Ointment of Infufion of Cantharides, commonly called Mild Epifi
paflic Ointment.
Take of
Cantharides,
White refin,
Yellow wax, each one part \
Hog's lard,
Venice turpentine, each two parts ;
Boiling water, four parts.
Infufe the cantharides' in the water for a night ; then ftrongly
prefs out and ftrain the liquor, and boil it with the lard till the
water be confumed ; then add the refin and wax ; and when
thefe are melted, take the ointment off the fire and add the tur-
pentine. (E.)
Thfse ointments, containing the foluble parts of the canthari-
des, uniformly blended with the other ingredients, are more com-
modious, and in general occafion lefs pain, though little lefs effec-
tual in their action, than the compofitions with the fly in fubltance.
This, however, does not uniformly hold, and accordingly the Edin-
burgh.college, with propriety, introduce the following.
UNGUENTUM PULVERIS MELOES VESICATORII ;
olim, Unguentum Epispasticum Fortius. Ed.
Ointment of the Powder of Spani/h Flies, formerly Stronger Epifpajlic
Ointment.
Take of
Refinous ointment, feven parts ;
Powdered cantharides, one part. (E.)
This ointment is employed in the dreflings for blifters, intended
to be made perpetual, as they are called, or to be kept running for
a confiderable time, which in many chronic, and fome acute cafes,
702
Materia Medica.
is of great fervice. Particular care (hould be taken, that the can-
tharides employed in thefe compofitions be reduced into very fub-
tile powder, and that the mixtures be made as equal and uniform as
poflible. But with thefe precautions, there are fome particular
habits in which this ointment operates with even lefs pain than the
former, while at the fame time it is generally more effectual.
UNGUENTUM ELEMI. D.
Unguentum Elemi Compositum. L.
Compound Ointment of Elemi.
Take of
Elemi, one pound,
Turpentine, ten ounces ;
Mutton fuet, prepared, two pounds ;
Oiive oil, two ounces.
Melt the elemi with the fuet ; and having removed it from the fire,
mix it immediately with the turpentine and oil j after which
ftrain the mixture. (L. D.)
This ointment, formerly known by the name of Linimentum
Arcaiy has long been ufed for digefling, cleanfing, and incarnat-
ing i and for thefe purpofes is preferred by fome furgeons to all
the other compofitions of this kind, probably becaufe it is more'
expenfive.
UNGUENTUM HELLEBORI ALBI. L. D.
Ointment of White Hellebore.
Take of
"White hellebore, one ounce ;
Hog's lard, four ounces ;
Efience of lemon, half a fcruple.
Mix, and make them into an ointment. (D.)
White hellebore externally applied has long been celebrated in
the cure of cutaneous difeafes.
U. Unguenta. 7Q$
UNGUENTUM HYDRARGYRI;
Vulgo, Unguentum Coeruleum. Ed.
Ointment of Quickflver, commonly called Blue Ointment.
Unguentum Hydrargyri Fortius. L. D.
Stronger Mercurial Ointment.
Take of
Quickfilver.
Mutton fuet, each one part.
Hog's lard, three parts. (E.)
Firft triturate the quickfilver with the fuet and a little of the hog's
lard, until the globules be extinguished ; then add the reft of
the lard, and form it into an ointment. (L. D.)
UNGUENTUM HYDRARGYRI MITIUS. L. P.
Milder Mercurial Ointment.
Take of
The ftronger ointment of quickfilver, one part j
Hog's lard, prepared, two parts.
Mix them. (L. D.)
UNGUENTUM OXIDI HYDRARGYRI CINEREI. Ed.
Ointment of Grey Oxide of Quickfilver.
Take of
Grey oxide of quickfilver, one part :
Hog's lard, three parts. (E.)
These ointments are principally employed, not with a view to
their topical action, but with the intention of introducing mercury
in an active ftate into the circulating fyftem ; which may be ef-
fected by gentle friction on the found (kin of any part, particularly
on the infide of the thighs or legs. For this purpofe, thefe fimple
ointments are much better fuited than the more compounded ones
with turpentine and the like, formerly employed. For, by any
acrid fubftance, topical inflammation is apt to be excited, prevent-
ing further friction, and giving much uneafmeis. To avoid this.
704
Materia Medica.
it is necefTary, even with the mildefr. and weakeft ointment, to
change occafionally the place at which the friction is performed.
It is requifite that the ointments, in which the mercury is ex-
tinguimed by trituration, mould be prepared with very great care :
for upon the degree of triture which has been employed, the activi-
ty of the mercury very much depends. The addition of the mut-
ton fuet, now adopted by both colleges, is an advantage to the
ointment, as it prevents it from running into the ftate of oil, which
the hog's lard alone, in warm weather, or in a warm chamber, is
fometimes apt to do, and which is followed by a feparation of
parts. We are even inclined to think, that the proportion of fuet
directed by the London college is too fmall for this purpofe, and
indeed feems to be principally intended for the more effectual tri-
ture of the mercury : but it is much more to be regretted, that
in a medicine of fuch activity, the colleges mould not have directed
the fame proportion of mercury to the fatty matter.
If the efficacy of the ointment prepared with the grey oxide
were fufficiently eftablifhed, the facility and certainty of its pre-
paration would be attended with great advantages.
UNGUENTUM CALCIS HYDRARGYRI ALBI. I*
Ointment of the White Calx of Quickfilver.
Take of
The white calx of quickfilver, one drachm ;
Ointment of hog's lard, one ounce and a half ;
Mix, and make an ointment. (L.)
This is a very elegant mercurial ointment, and frequently made
ufe of in the cure of obftinate cutaneous affections.
UNGUENTUM OXIDI HYDRARGYRI RUBRI. Ed.
Ointtnent of Red Oxide of Qjin kfilver.
Take of
Red oxide of quickfilver by nitrous acid, one part ;
Hog's lard, eight parts. (E.)
This is an excellent ftimulating ointment, often of very great
fervice in indolent ill-conditioned fores, when we wifh to excite
them to greater action. If it prove too ftimulating, it may be di-
luted with axunge ; and in this ftate it is often applied to the eye-
rids in chronic ophthalmia.
1
U. Unguenta. 705
UNGUENTUM NITRATIS HYDR ARGYRI •,
vulgo, Unguentum Citrinum. Ed.
Ointment of Nitrate of Quickfilver ^ commonly called Tellow Ointment
Unguentum Hydrargyri Nitratl L. D.
Ointment of Nitrated Quickfilver.
Take of
Quickfilver, one part ;
Nitrous acid, two parts ;
Hog's lard, twelve parts.
DifTolve the quickfilver in the nitrous acid, by digeftion in a fand
heat ; and, while the folution is very hot, mix with it the lard,
previoufly melted by itfelf, and juft beginning to grow ftifF.
Stir them brifkly together in a marble mortar, fo as to form the
whole into an ointment. (E. L. D.)
UNGUENTUM NITRATIS HYDRARGYRI MITIUS. Ed.
Milder Ointment of Nitrate of Quick-fiver.
This is prepared in the fame way with three times the quantity
of hog's lard. (E )
This is an excellent application in herpes, tinea capitis, and
many other fimilar cutaneous affections, but it foon becomes very
hard, and ever pulverulent, fo that it mufr. be melted with fome
frefli axunge before it can be ufed. This is owing to the excefs
of acid ufed for difToiving the quick-filver. To remedy this incon-
venience, Dr. Duncan prepared fome with a nitrate of mercury,
containing as little excefs of acid as pofTible ; but, on mixing it with
the lard, the fait could not be prevented from cryftallizing, and it
became as hard as that prepared in the ufual way. But the pro-
perty which nitrate of mercury, prepared by ebullition, has of
being decompofed by water, furnifhed him with an eafy way of
getting rid of all excefs of acid, and of procuring the fub-nttrate
of mercury in the ftate of the moil minute divifion poflible. An
ointment prepared with this fub-nitrate had a moft beautiful golden
colour ; after fix months was perfectly foft, and fucceeded per-
fectly in curing a very bad cafe of herpes.
4 X
706
Materia Medica.
UNGUENTUM OXIDI PLUMBI ALBI;
vulgo, Unguentum Album. Ed.
Ointment of White Oxide of Lead, formerly White Ointment*
Take of
Simple ointment, five parts ;
White oxide of lead, one part. (E.)
This is a cooling deficcative ointment, of great ufe when applied
to excoriated furfaces.
tTNGUENTUM OXIDI ZINCI IMPURI-, dim, Unguen-
tum Tutije. Ed.
Ointment of Impure Oxide of Zinc, formerly Ointment of Tutty,
Unguentum Tutije. L. D.
Ointment of Tutty.
Take of
Simple liniment, five parts ;
Prepared impure oxide of zinc, one part. (E.)
UNGUENTUM OXIDI ZINCI. Ed.
• Ointment of Oxide of Zitic.
Take of
Simple liniment, fix parts *,
Oxide of zinc, one part. (E.)
These ointments are chiefly ufed in affections of the eye, par-
ticularly in thofe cafes where rednefs arifes rather from relaxation
than from acYive inflammation.
UNGUENTUM PICIS. Ed. L. D.
Tar Ointment.
Take of
Tar, *
Mutton fuet, prepared, of each half a pound.
Melt them together, and ftrain. (L. D.)
U. Unguenta. 707
This compofition, from the empyreumatic oil and faline mat-
ters the tar contains, is undoubtedly of fome activity. According-
ly, it has been fuccefsfully employed againft fome cutaneous af-
fections, particularly tinea capitis.
. . «
UNGUENTUM RESINOSUM. Ed.
Reftnous Ointment,
Unguentum Resins Flav.2. L. D.
Ointment cf Tel low Re/in.
Take of
HogVlard, eight parts ;
White refin, five parts
Yellow wax, two parts. (E.)
This is commonly employed in drefiings, for digefting,
cleanfing, and incarnating, wounds and ulcers. The addition of
fpirits of turpentine to this ointment fo as to give it the confidence
of a liniment, forms the application employed by Mr. Keatilh, to
burns, &c
UNGUENTUM SAMBUCI. L,
Unguentum Sambucinum. D.
Elder Ointment.
Take of
Elder flowers, four pounds ;
Mutton fuet, prepared, three pounds j
Olive oil, one pint.
Boil the flowers in the fuet and oil, till they be almoft crifp ; then
{train with expreflion. (L. D.) *
Compositions of this kind were formerly very frequent ; but
vegetables, by boiling in oils, impart to them nothing but a little
mucilage, which changes the greafy oils to drying oils, and any
refin they may contain ; but that alfo is never in fuch quantity as
to affecl: the nature of he oil. We, therefore, do not ippofe that
this ointment poflefles any properties different from a flmple oint-
ment of the fame confiflency.
708
Materia Medica.
UNGUENTUM SUB-ACET1TIS CUPRI. Ed:
Ointment cf Sub-Acetite of Copper*
Take of
Refinous ointment, fifteen parts ;
Sub-acetite of copper, one part. (E.)
This ointment is ufed for cleanfing fores, and keeping down
fungous flefh. Where ulcers continue to run from a weaknefs in
the vcflcls of the parts, the tonic powers of copper promife con-
fiderable advantage.
It is alfo frequently ufed with advantage in cafes of ophthalmia,
depending on fcrofula, where the palpebral are principally affect-
ed ; but when it is to be thus applied, it is in general requifite
that it fhould be fomewhat weakened by the addition of a propor-
tion of fimple ointment or hog's iard.
UNGUENTUM SULPHURIS. Ed. L, B.
Sulphur Ointment.
Take of
Hog's lard, four parts ;
Sublimed fulphur, one part.
To each pound of this ointment may be added,
Volatile oil of lemons, or
of lavender, half a drachm. (E.)
Sulphur is a certain remedy for the itch, more fafe than mer-
cury. A pound of ointment ferves for four un&ions. The pa-
tient is to be rubbed every night, a fourth part of the body at each
time. Though the difeafe may be thus cured by a fingle applica-
tion, it is in general advifable to touch the parts molt affected for
a few nights longer, and to conjoin with the frictions the internal
ufe of fulphur.
URTICA DIOICA. Urtica. Herba. L..
Common nettle. The plant.
Monoecia Tetrandria. — Nat. ord. Scabrida.
This is a well known perennial weed. The leaves of the frefh
plant flimulate, inflame, and raife blifters on thofe parts of the Ikin
which they touch. Hence, when a powerful rubefacient is requir-
ed, flinging with nettles has been recommended. It has been al-
leged to have fometimes fucceeded in reftoring fenfe and motion
to paralytic limbs.
V. Valeriana.
709
V.
VALERIANA OFFICINALIS. Ed.
Valeriana Sylvestris. Radix. L. D.
Wild valerian. The root*
Willd. g. 75.Jp. 6. Triandria Monogynia Nat. ord. Aggregate .
This plant is perennial, and grows wild in Britain. It varies
in its appearance and lenfible qualities, according to the lltuation
in which it grows. In marfhes and fhadowy places its leaves are
broader, than on dry heaths and high paftures. The roots pro-
duced in low watery grounds, have a remarkably faint fmell in
companion of the others, and iometimes fcarcely any. The roots
in autumn or winter, have much Wronger fenfible qualities than
thofe collected in lpring and fummer. The root confifts of a
number of firings or fibres matted together, ifluing from one com-
mon head, of a whitifh or pale brownifti colour: its fmell is ftrong,
like a mixture of aromatics with fetids ; the tafte unpleafantly
warm, bitterifh, and fub-acrid. Neumann got from 480 grains of
the dry root 186 alcoholic, and 74 watery ex.ract; and inverfe-
Jy, 261 watery and 5 alcoholic. The diftilled alcohol was flightly,
the water ftrongly impregnated with the imell or the valerian, but
no feparable oil was obtained.
Medical ufe — Wild valerian is a medicine of great ufe in nerv-
ous diibrders, and is particularly ferviceable in epilepfies proceed-
ing from a debility of the nervous fyftem.
Some recommend it as ufeful in procuring deep, particularly in
fever, even when opium fails : but it is principally ukful in af-
fections of the hyfterical kind.
^The common dofe is from a fcruple to a drachm in powder : and
in infullon, from one to two drachms. Its unpleafant flavour is
moft effectually concealed by a fuitable addition of mace.
As its virtues refide entirely in an elTential oil, the decoction and
watery extract are improper forms for exhibiting it.
Officinal Preparations.
Tinctura valerians, L. vide, Tinctura.
ammoniata, L. D. - Tinctura Ammoniat£.
Extractum valerians. D. - - - Extracta.
710
Materia Medica.
VERATRUM ALBUM. Radix. Ed.
Helleborus Albus. L. D.
White hellebore. The root.
Polygamia Monoecia. — Nat. ord. Liliacea.
This plant grows fpontaneoufly in Switzerland and the moun-
tainous parts of Germany. The root has a naufeous, bitterifh,
acrid tafte, burning the mouth and fauces : if wounded when frefh,
it emits an extremely acrimonious juice, which, when inferted in-
to a wound, is faid to prove very dangerous. Neumann got from
960 grains 560 watery and 10 alcoholic extract ; and inverfely,
420 alcoholic and 180 watery. Nothing role in diftillation.
Medical ufe. — The powder of the dried root, applied to an iflue,
occafions violent purging ; fnuffed up the nofe, it proves a ftrong,
and not always a fafe, flernutatory. Taken internally, it acts with
extreme violence as an emetic ; and has been obferved, even in a
fmall dofe, to occafion convulfions, and even death. The ancients
fometimes employed it in very obflinate cafes, and always made this
their laft refource. Modern practice feems to have almoft en-
tirely rejected its internal ufe, though fome have ventured upon fo
large a dofe as a fcruple, in maniacal cafes, and are faid to have
experienced good effects from it.
Officinal Preparations.
Decoctum hellebori albi, L.
Tinctura veratri albi, E.
Unguentum hellebori albi, L. D.
vide, Decocta.
Tinctura:.
Unguenta.
VERONICA BECCABUNGA. Beccabunga. Herba. L. D.
Brooklime. The herb.
Willd. g. kk.fp. 30. Diandria Monogynia. — Nat. ord. Perfcnatx*
This is a low perennial plant, common in little rivulets and
ditches of (landing water. The leaves remain all the winter, but
are in greatefl: perfection in the fpring. Their prevailing tafte is
an herbaceous one, accompanied with a very light bitternefs.
If any good effects be expected from brooklime, it mould be
ufed as food.
Officinal Preparation.
Succus cochleariae compositus, L. - - vide, Succi er/ire$*i.
V. Vina medicata.
711
VERATRUM LUTEUM.
Devil's bit- Blazing Jlar.
The root is a pungent bitter, and is employed as atonic infome
parts of the union, in a fpirituous inf ufion. A watery infufion of
the fame is deemed an excellent anthelmintic, which in part feems
owing to a narcotic quality belonging to it.*
VINA MEDICATA.
MEDICATED WINES.
Parmentier has occupied thirty-two pages of the Annales de
Chimie, to prove that wine is an extremely bad menftruum for
extracting the virtues of medicinal fubftances. His argument,
(for there is but one), is, that by the infufion of vegetable fubftan-
ces in wine, its natural tendency to decompofition is fo much ac-
celerated, that at the end of the procefs, inftead of wine, we have
only a liquor containing the elements of bad vinegar. As a fol-
vent, diluted alcohol perfectly fuperfedes the ufe of wine ; and if
we wifh to ufe wine to cover the tafte, or to aflift the operation of
any medicine, M. Parmentier propofes, that a tincture of the fub-
ftance mould be extemporaneoufly mixed with wine as a vehicle.
Notwithstanding this argument appears to us to have great
weight, we (hall give to the medicated wines, retained in the phar-
macopoeias, the characters they ftill generally polfefs.
VINUM ALOES SOCOTORINE; vulgo, Tinctura Sacra.
Ed.
Wine of Socotorine Aloes, commonly called Sacred Tinfture-*
Vinum Aloeticum. D. Vinum Aloes. L.
Aloetic Wine.
Take of
Socotorine aloes, four ounces ;
Canella alba, two ounces ;
Spanilh white wine, four pounds.
Powder the aloes and canella alba feparately, then mix and pour
on the wine, afterwards digeft for fourteen days, frequenth*
fhaking the velfel; and, lalily, filter the liquor. (D.)
« Barton's Cclle&ions, Part IJ. p. <s,
712 Materia Medica.
This medicine has long been in great efteem, not only as a ca-
thartic, but likewife as a ftimulus.
It appears from long experience to be a medicine of excellent
fervice. The dofe, as a purgative, is from one to two ounces.
It may be introduced into the habit, fo as to be productive of ex-
cellent effects, as an alterant, by giving it in fmall dofes, at proper
intervals : thus managed, it does not for a confiderable time ope-
rate remarkably by (tool ; but at length proves purgative, and occa™
fions a lax habit of much longer continuance than that produced
by the other common cathartics.
VINUM FERRI. L.
Wine of Iron.
Vinum Ferratum j olim, Vinum Chalybeatum. D.
Ironated Wine^ formerly Chalybeate Wine.
Take of
Iron filings, four ounces ;
Spanifh white wine, four pints.
Digeft for a month, often making the vefTel, and then ftrain0
(L.)
This is merely afolution of the ferrum tartarifatum in wine ; for
the iron is only dillblved in the wine by means of the fuper-tar-
trate of potafs it contains. The Rhenifh wine directed by the
Dublin college, will, therefore diffolve a larger quantity of iron
than the Spanifh white wine of the London college. But a folu-
tion of a known proportion of the ferrum tartarifatum in wine,
will give a medicine of more equal powers, and may be made ex-
temporaneoufly.
The dofe is from a drachm to half an ounce, repeated twice or
thrice a-day in chlorotic cafes.
V.— —Vina medicata.
713
VINUM GENTIANJS COMPOSITUM
Vulgo, Vinum Amarum. Ed.
Compound Wine of Gentian, commonly called Bitter Wine.
Take of
Gentian root, half an ounce ;
Peruvian bark, one ounce ;
Seville orange peel, dried, two drachms ;
Canella alba, one drachm ;
Diluted alcohol, four ounces ;
Spanifh white wine, two pounds and a half.
Firft pour the fpirit on the root and bark cut and bruifed, and after
twenty four hours add the wine ; then macerate for feven days,
and ftrain. (E.)
This wine is intended to fupply the place of the TinBura ad
JlomachicoSy as it was formerly called. Wine is a menftruum fully
capable of extracting the aftive powers of the different ingredients;
and it fupplies us with a very ufeful and elegant ftomachic medi-
cine, anfwering the purpofes 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. Ed. L. D.
Wine of Ipecacuanha.
Take of
The root of ipecacuan, bruifed, two ounces ;
Spanifh white wine, two pints.
Digeft for ten days, and ftrain. (L.)
This wine is a very mild and fafe emetic, and equally fervice-
able in dyfenteries alfo, with the ipecacuanha in fubftance ; this
root yielding nearly all its virtues to the Spanifh white wine. The
common dofe is an ounce, more or lefs, according to the age and
ftrength of the patient.
714
Materia Medica.
VINUM NICOTIANS T ABACI. Ed.
Tobacco Wine.
Take of
The dried leaves of tobacco, one ounce ;
Spanim white wine, one pound.
Macerate for feven days, and then ftrain the liquor. (E.)
Wine feems to extract more fully the active principles of tht
tobacco than either water or fpirit taken feparately.
VINUM RHEI PALMATI. Ed.
Vinum Rhabarbari. L.
Rhubarb Wine.
fake of
Rhubarb, fliced, two ounces ;
Canella alba, one drachm ;
Diluted alcohol, two ounces \
Spanifti white wine, fifteen ounces.
Macerate for feven days, and ftrain through paper. (E.)
By affifting the folvent power of the wine the diluted alcohol
in the above formula, is a very ufeful addition.
This is a warm, cordial, laxative medicine. It is ufed chiefly
in weaknefs of the ftomach and bowels, and fome kinds of loofe-
nefles, for evacuating the offending matter, and ftrengthenlng the
tone of the vifcera. It may be given in dofes of from half a
fpoonful to three or four fpoonfuls or more, according to the cir-
cumftances of thediforder, and the ftrength of the patient.
VINUM TARTRITIS ANTIMONII ; olim, Vinum Anti-
MONIALE. Ed.
Wine of Tartrate of Antimony 9 formerly Antimonial Wine.
Vinum Tartari StiBiati. D. Vinum Ant. Tartar. L.
Wine of Antimoniated Tartar. Wine of Tartarized Antimony.
Take of
Antimoniated tartar, two fcruples ;
Diftilled water, boiling hot, two ounces ;
Spanifli white wine, eight ounces.
Diflblve the antimoniated tartar in the water, and then add the
wine. (L.)
V.— Viola odorata.
715
This is a folution of tartrate of antimony and potafs in wine :
ra preparing it with the glafs of antimony, a portion of the glafs
is diflblved by the fuper-tartrate of potafs contained in the wine 5
and as the quantity of this is variable, fo alfo the quantity of oxide
of antimony diflblved, varies: and therefore the preparation ought
to be entirely rejected, fince its flrength can never be known. It
is to be regretted, that the ftrength of the folutions of tartar-
emetic in wine, as prefcribed by the different colleges, is not uni-
form. According to the Edinburgh college, one ounce of the fo-
lution contains two grains of tartar-emetic, while the fame quanti-
ty, according to the other colleges, contains four grains.
In its employment and effects, the vinous folution of tartar*
emetic does not differ from one made with water.
VIOLA ODORATA. Ed.
Viola. Flos recetis. L. D.
March violet. The recent Jlower.
IVilld. g. 446. fp. 12. Pentandria Monogynia. — Nat. ord. Cam-
panacea.
This plant is perennial, and is found wild under hedges and in
fhady places ; but the (hops are generally fupplied from gardens.
Its flowers are fo remarkable for their delightful odour, and their
peculiar richnefs of colour, that they have given a name to both.
In our markets we meet with the flowers of other fpecies : thefe
may be diflin^uifhed from the foregoing by their being larger, of
a pale colour, and of no fmell.
Medical ufe. — They impart their colour and flavour to aqueous
liquors : a fyrup made from this infufion has long maintained a
place in the mops, and is faid to be an agreeable and ufeful laxa-
tive for children •, but is chiefly valued as a delicate teft of the
prefence of uncombined acids or alkalies, the former changing its
blue to a red, and the latter to a green colour.
Officinal Preparation.
Syrupus violae odoratae, E. L. D.
vide, Syrupi.
716
Materia Medica.
VITIS VINIFERA. FruBus ficcatus> ejufque fuccus fermentatus.
Ed,
Vitis. FruBus. Uva pajfa, Vinum. Tartarum, Tartari cryjlalli.
Acetum, L.
Uv;£ Pass^E. Vinum album Hifpanicum9 Vinum album Rhenanum,
Vinum rubrum Lufitanicum, D.
The vine. Grapes, Raifins. Wine. Tartar. Cryftals of tartar.
Vinegar,
Willd. g. 453. fp. 1. Pentandria Monogynia. — Nat. ord. Hederacea,
The vine grows in temperate fituations in many parts of the
world, and is cultivated very generally for the fake of its agree-
able fubacid fruit. Before they are ripe, grapes are extremely
harm and acid, and by expreflion furnifh a liquor which is called
Verjuice. It contains malic acid, fuper-tartrate of potafs, and ex-
tractive, and may be made to furnifh wine by the addition of fu-
gar. As the grape advances to maturity, the quantity of fugar in-
creafes, while that of malic acid diminishes : it however never dif-
appears entirely. When thoroughly ripe, the grape is one of the
moft agreeable fruits. It is cooling, antifeptic, and nutritious -5
and, when eaten in confiderable quantity, diuretic, and gently
laxative. In inflammatory difeafes, and all others where acids are
indicated, they form an excellent article of diet.
Raisins, (uva pa/fas) are grapes which have been carefully
dried. By this means not only the water they contained is diffipat-
ed, but the quantity of acid feems to be diminifhed. They become
more faccharine, mucilaginous, and laxative, than the recent grape,
but are lefs cooling.
Officinal Preparations,
Decoctum althaea officinalis, E. xide> Decocta,
guaiaci compositum, E. - - - Idem.
hordei compositum, L. - Idem.
Tinctura cardamomi composita, L. D. - - Tincture.
sennae, L. D. - - - Idem.
V. Vitis vinifera. — Vinum. 717
D. IVyn.
DA. Vin.
F. Vin.
G. Wein.
I. Vino.
P. Vin ho.
POL. Wino.
R. WrnO) ll'inogradnoe ivino.
S. Fzrco.
S\V. Fm.
Wine is the juice of the grape altered by fermentation. The
numerous varieties of wine depend principally on the proportion
of fugar contained in the muft, and the manner of its fermenta-
tion. When the proportion of fugar is fufficient, and the ferment-
ation complete, the wine is perfect and generous : if the quantity
of fugar be too large, part of it remains undecompofed, as the fer-
mentation is languid, and the wine is fweet and lufcious •, if, on
the contrary, it be too fmall, the wine is thin and weak ; and if it
be bottled before the fermentation be completed, it will proceed
flowly in the bottle, and, on drawing the cork, the wine will froth
and fparkle in the glafs, as for example Champaigne. When the
muft is feparated from the hufk of the grape before it is ferment-
ed, the wine has little or no colour : thefe are called White wines.
If, on the contrary, the hulks are allowed to remain in the muft
while the fermentation is going on, the alcohol diiTolves the colour-
ing matter of the hufks, and the wine is coloured : fuch are calied
Red wines. Befides in thefe principal circumftances, wines vary
very much in flavour. The red wines moft commonly drunk in
Great Britain are Port, which is ftrong and auftere, containing
much tannin, and Claret, which is thinner and higher flavoured.
The white wines are all ftrong, Madeira, Sherry, Lifbon, Malaga,
and Hock. Of thefe, the lalt is the moft acidulous, and Malaga
the fweeteft.
Medical ufe. — Wine, taken in moderate quantities, acts as a be-
neficial ftimulus to the whole fyftem It promotes digeltion, in-
creafes the action of the heart and arteries, raifes the heat of the
body, and exhilarates the fpirits. Taken to excefs, it produces
inebriety, which is often fucceeded by headach, ftupor, naufea, and
diarrhoea, which laft for feveral days. Habitual excefs in wine
debilitates the ftomach, produces inflammation of the liver,
weakens the nervous fyftem, and gives rife to dropfy, gout, apo-
plexy, tremors, and cutaneous affections.
To convalefcents, and in all difeafes of general debility, and de-
ficiency of the vital powers, wine is the remedy on which we muft
place our chief dependance ; and when properly adminiftered, its
* effects are often fcarcely credible.
718
Materia Medica.
W.
WINTERA AROMATICA. Cortex. Ed.
Winteranus Cortex officinarum.
Winters Bark.
Wtlld. g. 1063. Polyandria Tetragynia. — Nat. ord. Okracea^
D. Wintersbark. I. Scorza Magelanica.
DA. Vintersbark. P. Canella de Winter.
F. Ecorce de Winter ; Ecorce S. Corteza Winter ana, o Mage-
sans fiareil ou sine pari* lanica.
G. Winter srinde, dmerika- SW. Vintersbark.
nische geiviirzrinde.
This is the produce of a tree growing about the fouthern pro-
montory of America. It was firft difcovered on the coaft of Ma-
gellan by Captain Winter, in the year 1567 : the failors then em-
ployed the bark as a fpice, and afterwards found it ferviceable in
the fcurvy for which purpofe it is at prefent alfo fometimes made
ufe of in diet drinks. The true Winters bark is not often met
with in the mops, Canella alba being generally fubftituted for it,
and by fome they are reckoned to be the fame : there is, however,
a considerable difference betwixt them in appearance, and a greater
in quality. The Winters bark is in large pieces, of a more cinna-
mon colour than the canella, and taftes much warmer and more
pungent. Its fmell refembles that of cafcarilla. Its virtues refide
in a very hot, ftimulant, efiential oil.
Z.— Zanthorhiza. — Zanthoxylum. 719
z.
ZANTHORHIZA APIIFOLIA.
ZANTHORHIZA TINCTORIA. Woodhoufe.
Parjley-leaved Yellow-root.
This is a native of North and South Carolina, and Georgia,
The bark and wood of the root is an intenfe bitter, the former
moft fo. The bark of the ftem is perhaps little inferior. This
plant appears to be one of the moft pure and unmixed bitters, and
it would feem to be nearly equal as a medicine to columbo.*
ZANTHOXYLUM CLAVA RCULIS.
Tooth-ach tree.
The bark is a very powerful ftimulant, and exerts its effects on
ihe falivary glands when applied to the mouth and external fauces,
and even when taken into the ftomach. The feed-veffels poifefs
the fame property. It has been given internally in rheumatifm.
Another fpecies, the zanthoxylum fraxinifolium, or prickly afh,
is a vegetable endued with very active powers. A fpiritous in-
fufion of the berries is much efteemed in Virginia in violent cholic.
They are both more active than mezereon, and are well worthy
of the attention of our phyficians.f
* Barton's Collections, Part II. p. II. Medical Repofitory, Vol. V.
^Barron's Collections, Part I. p. 25. 52. Pan. II. p. 58.
720
Materia Medica.
ZINCUM. Ed. L. D.
ZINC.
D. Zink, Spiauter.
DA. Zink.
F. Zinc.
G. Zink, Spiauter.
I. Zinco.
P. Zinco.
POL. CtyTzafr.
R. Schpiauter.
S. Zinco.
SW. ZzVz*.
Zinc is bluifh-white, lamellated, fapid, and odorous; fpecific
gravity 7.190; laminable, loft, clogging the file; fufible at 700°;
vaporizable; a powerful agent in the phenomena of galvanifm ;
oxidized by fufion ; at a red heat it catches fire, and emits white
films of oxHe, which contain about 0.33 'oxygen; it is foluble in
hydrogen ; it combines with phofphorus, fulphur, arfenic, anti-
mony, and mercury; it eafily decompofes water; it is oxidized
and dilTolved by almoft all the acids. Oxide, white films.
It is always found oxidized,
1. Combined with a greater or lefs proportion of carbonic
acid. Calamine.
2. Combined with fulphur. Blende.
3. Combined with fulphuric acid, generally in folution.
The ores of zinc are rarely worked by themfelves, or with the
fole intention of extracting zinc, but are generally melted with the
lead ores, particularly galena, which they commonly accompany.
By this procefs the zinc is obtained in two forms ; part of it is fub-
limed in the ftate of an oxide, and attaches itfelf to the chimney of
the furnace in the form of a grey, granular, earthy-like, incrulta-
tion, which is known by the name of tutty or cadmia ; part of it is
fublimed in its metallic form, and is condenfed in the throat of the
chimney in fmall grains, which are afterwards melted in a crucible,
and caft in ingots.
Officinal Preparations.
Oxidum zinci, E. L. D.
Sulphas zinci, E. L. D.
2. — ±— Zincum. — Oxidum Zinci. 721
OXIDUM ZINCI IMPURUM. Ed. Tutia. L. D.
Impurt oxide of zinc. Ttitty.
It is moderately hard and ponderous ; of a brownifli colour,
and full of fmall protuberances on the out fide, fmooth and yellow-
ifh within ; fome pieces have a bluifh caft, from minute globules of
zinc in its metallic form. Tutty is celebrated as an ophthalmic,
and frequently employed as luch in unguents and collyria.
Officinal Preparations.
Oxidum zinci impurum prccparatum, E. L.
Unguentum oxidi zinci impuri, E. L. D. - vide, Unguentax
OXIDUM ZINCI. Ed.
Oxide of Zinc.
Zincum Calcinatum. L.
Calcined Zinc.
Calx Zinci; olim, Flores Zinci. D.
Calx of Zincy formerly Flowers of Zinc.
Let a large crucible be placed in a furnace filled with live coals,
fo as to be fomewhat inclined towards its mouth ; and when
the bottom of the crucible is moderately red, throw into it a
fmall piece of zinc, about the weight of a drachm. The zinc
foon inflames, and is at the fame time converted into white
flakes, which are to be from time to time removed from the
furface of the metal with an iron fpatula, that the combuftion
may be more complete •, and at lalt, when the zinc ceafes to
flame, the oxide of zinc is to be taken out of the crucible. Hav-
ing put in another piece of zinc, the operation is to be repeat-
ed, and may be repeated as often as is neceflary. Laftly, the
oxide of zinc is to be prepared in the fame way as the carbonate
of lime. (E.)
This is an inftance of fimple oxidizement. At a red heat,
zinc attracts the oxygen of the atmofphere fo ftrongly, that it is
quickly covered with a cruft of white oxide, which prevents the
air from acting on the metal below ; and therefore we are defired
4 Z
722
Materia Medica,
to operate only on fmall pieces at a time, and to place the crucible
fo that we may eafily take out the oxide formed, and introduce
frefh pieces of zinc. As foon as the cruft of oxide is broken or
removed the zinc inflames, and burns with a brilliant white or
greenifh, blue flame, being at the fame time converted into very
light white flocculi. To fave thefe as much as poflible, we are
directed to ufe a very deep and large crucible, and to cover it with
an inverted crucible. But as we muft not cover it fo as to prevent
the accefs of the air, it is doubtful whether the latter precaution be
of much fervice. The greater part of the zinc is, however, oxi-
dized in the crucible, without being previoufly converted into va-
pour 5 and as this portion of the oxide is always mixed with par-
ti Jes of zinc, it is neceflary to feparate them by trituration and
elutriation.
The oxide thus obtained is of a pure white colour without
fmell or tafte, infufible and fixed in the fire, infoluble in water or
alcohol, and entirely foluble in acids. The prefence of lead in it
is detected by fulphuric acid, which forms in that cafe an infoluble
fulphate of lead. The white oxide of zinc contains 82.15 zinc,
and 17.85 oxygen.
Medical ufe. — White oxide of zinc is applied externally as a de-
tergent and exficcant remedy. With twice its weight of axunge,
it forms an excellent application to deep chops, or excoriated nip-
ples. But befides being applied externally, it has alfo of late been
ufed internally. In dofes from one to feven or eight grains, it has
been much celebrated in the cure of epilepfy and feveral fpafmodic
affections : and there are fufficienr teftimonies of their good, ef-
fects, where tonic remedies in thofe affections are proper.
Officinal Preparation.
Unguentum oxidi zinci, E. vide, Unguenta.
OXIDUM ZINCI IMPURUM PRiEPARATUM. Ed.
Prepared Impure Oxide of Zinc,
Tutia Prjeparata. L.
Prepared Tutty.
It is prepared as carbonate of lime.
This oxide is prepared for external ufe only.
Z.— Zincum.— Carbonas ZincL 723
CARBONAS ZINCI IMPURUS. Ed.
Lapis Calaminaris. L. D.
Impure carbonate of zinc. Calamine.
D. Kalmei) Kalamintsteen. P. Calanwia, Pedra calamina-
DA. Galmey. ria.
F. Calamine, Pierre calaminaire. POL. Galnaia, Galman.
G. Galmey R. Kamen kalaminar, Galmeja.
I. Giatla mina, Zellamina, Pie- S. Calamina, Piedra calaminar.
tra calaminaris. S\V. Gallmeja.
This mineral is found plentifully in England, Germany, 2nd
other countries, either in diftincl mines, or intermingled with the
ores of different metals. It is ufually of a greyifh, brownifh, yel-
lowifh, or pale reddifh colour; without luftre, or tranfparency ;
frafture commonly uneven or earthy ; confiderably hard, though
not fufficiently fo as to ftrike fire with fteel. Before the blow-
pipe it decrepitates, but does not melt, and becomes yellower, and
is fublimed. It is partly foluble in acids, and often effervefces
with ihem.
Mr. Smithfon has analyfed feveral varieties of Calamine.
Sp. Grav. Ox.ofZinc. Carb.Acid. Water. Quartz.
Derbyfhire 4.333 65.2 34.8
Somerfetfhire 4.336 64.8 35.2
Carinthia 3.598 71.4 13.5 15.1
Hungary 3.434 68.3 4.4 25.
Fribourg 38. 12. 50.
Calamine is generally roafted before it comes into the fhops, to
render it more cafily reducible into a fine powder. In this ftate it
is employed in collyria, againft defiuxions of thin acrid humours
upon the eyes, for drying up moift running ulcers, and healing
excoriations.
CARBONAS ZINCI IMPURUS PR^IPARATUS. Ed.
Prepared Impure Carbonate of Zinc.
Lapis Calaminaris Pr^paratus. L. D.
Prepared Calamine.
The impure carbonate of zinc, after being roafted by thofe who
make brafs, is prepared in the fame way as carbonate of lime.
(E.)
724
Materia Medica*
As this oxide of zinc is intended for external application, and
often to parts very eafily irritated, too much pains cannot be be-
ftowed in reducing it to a fine powder.
SULPHAS ZINCI. Vitriolum album. L. D.
Sulphate of zinc. White vitriol.
This is chiefly found native in the mines of Goflar, fometimes in.
tranfparent pieces, but more commonly in the form of white ef-
florences, which are diflblved in water, and afterwards reduced
by evaporation and cryftallization into large mafles. But as na-
tive fulphate of zinc is feldom pure, it is ordered to be prepared.
Medical ufe. — White vitriol is fometimes given, from five or fix
grains to half a drachm, as an emetic ; it operates very quickly,
and, if pure, without violence. Externally it is employed as an
ophthalmic, and often made the bafis of collyria, both in extempo-*
raneous prefcription and in difpenlatories.
SULPHAS ZINCI. Ed.
Sulphate of Zinc.
Zincum Vitriol atum. L. D.
Vitriolated Zinc.
Take of
Zinc, cut into fmall pieces, three ounces.
Sulphuric acid, five ounces.
Water, twenty ounces.
Mix them, and when the effervefcence is finifhed, digeft the mix-
ture for a little on hot fand then drain the decanted liquor
through paper, and after proper evaporation fet it apart, that it
may cryftallize. (E.)
The fulphate of zinc of commerce is never pure, but always
contains iron, copper, and a little lead. From the mode of its
preparation, there is alfo a deficiency of acid and water of cryftal-
lization. The means directed for purifying it by the London and
Dublin colleges will fupply thefe, but do not feparate the foreign
metals, except perhaps the lead. If, therefore, a pure fulphate of
zinc be wanted, we may, according to the directions of the Edin-
burgh college, dhTolve pure zinc in pure fulphuric acid \ but we
Z. Zincum. — Sol. Sulph. Zinci. 725
believe this procefs is very rarely pratlifed, efpecially as the com-
mon fulphate of zinc may be fufficiently purified by expofing it in
folution to the air, by which means red oxide of iron is precipi-
tated, and by digefting it upon pure zinc, which precipitates the
other metals.
Sulphate of zinc cryftallizes in tetrahedral prifms terminated by
pyramids. It has a metallic ftyptic taflie ; efflorefces flowly when
expofed to the air. It is foluble in 2.5 parts of water at 60°, and
in much lefs boiling water. It is not foluble in alcohol. It is
decompofed by the alkalies and earths, hydroguretted fulphurets,
and fulphuretted hydrogurets. It confifts of 20 oxide of zinc, 40
acid, and 40 water of cryftallization.
Medical ufe. — Sulphate of zinc, in dofes from ten grains to half ■
a drachm, operates almoft inftantly as an emetic, and is at the fame
time perfectly fafe. It .is therefore given, when immediate vomit-
ing is required, as in cafes where poifon has been fwallowed. By
employing it internally, in fmaller dofes, it acts as a tonic ; and
fome think it in every cafe preferable to the oxide of zinc.
Externally, it is ufed as a llyptic application to (top hemorrha-
gies ; diminifh increafed difcharges, as gonorrhoea •, and to cure ex-
ternal inflammations arifing from debility and relaxation of the
blood-veflels, as in fome cafes of ophthalmia.
SOLUTIO SULPHATIS ZINCI. Ed.
Solution of Sulphate of Zinc,
Take of
Sulphate of zinc, fixteen grains ;
Water, eight ounces ;
Diluted fulphuric acid, fixteen drops.
Diflblve the fulphate of zinc in the water ; then, having added the
acid, filter through paper. (E.)
The acid is here added to diflblve the excefs of oxide of zinc,
which the common fulphate often contains. This folution is of a
ftrength proper for injecting into the urethra in gonorrhoea, or ap-
plying to the eyes in chronic ophthalmia.
726
Materia Medica.
AQUA ZINCI VITRIOLATI cum CAMPHORA. L.
W ater of Vitriolated Zinc ivith Camphor.
Take of
Vitriolated zinc, half an ounce ;
Camphorated fpirit, half an ounce, by meafure -r
Boiling water, two pints.
Mix and filter through paper. (L.)
It is ufed externally as a lotion for fome ulcers, particularly
thofe in which it is neceflary to reftrain a great difcharge. It is
alfo not unfrequently employed as a collyrium in fome cafes of
ophthalmia, where a large difcharge of watery fluid takes place
from the eyes with but little inflammation \ but when it is co be
applied to this tender organ, it ought firft, at leait, to be diluted by
the addition of more water.
AQUA ALTJMINIS COMPOSITA. L.
Compound Alum Water.
Take of
Alum,
Vitriolated zinc, of each half an ounce ;
Boiling diftilled water, two pints.
Pour the water on the falts in a glafs veflfel, and ftrain. (L.)
This water was long known in the mops, under the title of
Aqua aluminofa Bateana.
It is ufed for cleanfing 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 fometimes likewife employed as a
collyrium; and as an injection in gonorrhoea and fluor albus, when
not accompanied with virulence.
z.
•Zincum. — Solutio Acetitis Zinci. 727
SOLUTIO ACETITIS ZINCI. Ed.
Solution of Acetite of Zinc.
Take of
Sulphate of zinc, a drachm ;
Diftilled water, ten ounces.
Diflblve.
Take of
Acetite of lead, four fcruples j
Diftilled water, ten ounces.
Diflblve.
Mix the folutions; let them (land at reft a little, and then filter
the liquor. (E.)
This is a cafe of double elective attraction, the lead combining
and forming an infoluble compound with the fulphuric acid, while
the zinc unites with the acetic acid, and remains in folution.
The acetate of zinc may be obtained by evaporation in talcy
cryftals. It is foluble in water, and is decompofed by heat. It is
not poifonous.
When cryftallized acetate of lead and fulphate of zinc are tritu-
rated together, the mixture prefently becomes moilt, which is ow-
ing to the new compounds combining with lefs water of cryftal-
lization than the original falts, by which means a portion of the
water is difengaged in its fluid form.
Medical ufe —The folutinn of acetate of zinc is with many
practitioners defervedly much efteemed as an aftringent collyrium,
and injection.
Tables, &c.
729
TABLES,
Shewing the Proportion of Antimony, Opium, and
(Quicksilver, contained in some Compound Medicines.
Tartrite of Antimony.
Wine of Tartrite of Antimony contains two grains of tartrite of anti-
mony, or tartar-emetic, in the ounce. Ed.
Opium.
Opiate Confection contains one grain of opium in thirty -six grains. L;
Opiate, or Thebaic Electuary, contains in each drachm about a grain
and a half of opium. Ed.
Electuary of Catechu, or Japonic Confection, contains in each ounce
about two grains and a half of opium ; for one grain of opium is con-
tained in one hundred and ninety three grains. Ed.
Compound Powder of Chalk with Opium contains one grain of opium
in about forty -three grains. L.
Compound Powder of Jpecacuan contains one grain of opium in ten
grains. L.
Powder of Ipecacuan and Opium contains six grains of opium in
each drachm, or one grain in ten. Ed.
Opiate Powder contains one grain of opium in ten. L.
Pills of Opium contain one grain of opium in five. L.
Opiate or Thebaic Pills contain six grains of opium in each drachm,
or five grains contain half a grain of opium. Ed.
Tincture of Opium or Liquid Laudanum is made with two scruples
of opium in each ounce of the liquid, or with five grains in each
drachm. But a drachm of the tincture appears, by evaporation, to
contain about three grains and a half of opium. Ed.
Ammoniated Tincture of Opium, or Paregoric Elixir, is made with
about eight grains in each ounce of the liquid, or with about one grain
in the drachm. Ed.
Tincture of Soap with Opium, formerly called Opiate Liniment, Ano-
dyne Balsam, is made with one scruple of opium in each ounce of the
liquid. Ed.
Troches of Liquorice with Opium, contain about one grain of opium
in each drachm. Ed.
Quicksilver.
Quicksilver Pills contain five grains of quicksilver in each drachm.
Each pill contains one grain of quicksilver. Ed.
Quicksilver Pills contain four grains of quicksilver in twelve grains.
730
Materia Medicct.
Quicksilver Ointment contains twelve grains of quicksilver in each
drachm ; made with double quicksilver, each drachm contains twenty -
four grains. Ed.
Stronger Quicksilver Ointment contains one drachm of quicksilver
in two drachms. L.
Weaker Quicksilver Ointment contains one drachm of quicksilver
in six drachms.
Quicksilver Plaster contains about sixteen grains of quicksilver in
each drachm. Ed.
Plaster of Litharge ivith Quicksilver contains about one ounce of
quicksilver in five ounces. L.
Plaster of Ammoniac with Quicksilver contains about one ounce of
quicksilver in five ounces. L.
Powder of Scammony wi:h Calomel contains one grain of calomel in
four grains. L.
Ointment of Nitrated Quicksilver contains twelve grains of nitrated
quicksilver in one drachm. L.
Stronger Ointment of Nitrate of Quicksilver contains in each drachm
four grains of quicksilver and eight of nitrous acid. Ed.
Milder Ointment of Nitrate of Quicksilver contains in each scruple
half a grain of quicksilver, and one grain of nitrous acid. Ed.
' -intment of White Calx of Quicksilver contains in each drachm about
four grains and a half of the calx. L.
OR,
One grain of Tar trite of Antimony is contained in
Wine of tartrite of antimony. Ed. - grs. 240
Wine of antimoniated tartar.. D. - - - 120
Wine of tartarised antimony. L. - - 120
Wine of antimony. L. uncertain.
One grain of precipitated Sulphur et of Antimony is contained in
Compound pills of antimony. D. - - grs. 2.7
One grain of Opium is contained in
Opiate confection. L. - - grs. 36
Opiate electuary. Ed. - 43
Electuary of catechu. Ed. - - 193
Compound electuary of catechu. D. 1S9
Troches of liquorice with opium. Ed. ... 75
Compound troches of liquorice. D. 60
Pills of opium. L. - - - - 5
Opiate piils. Ed. - - - - - 10
Opiate powder. L. - r - - 10
Compound powder of chalk with opium. L* 43
Compound powder of ipecacuan. L. D. 10
Powder of ipecacuan and opium. Ed. - - - - 1°
Tincture of opium. Ed. L- D. - 'v - - 12
Tables, &c.
731
Camphorated tincture of opium. L. - . grs. 244
Ditto ditto D. - - _
Ammoniated tincture of opium. Ed. - - - 68
Tincture of soap with opium. Ed. - - . 3! 5
One grain of Quicksilver is contained in
Quicksilver pills. L. ^rs 3
Ditto. D. - . . - 25
Ditto Ed. - 4*
Stronger quicksilver ointment. L. D. - 2
Weaker quicksilver ointment. L. D. - 6
Quicksilver ointment. Ed. 5
Quicksilver plaster. Ed. - - - . 5 5
Litharge plaster with quicksilver. L. - 5.
Ammoniac plaster with quicksilver. L. - - - - 5.
One grain of Calomel is contained in
Powder of scammony with calomel. L. grs. 4
Compound antimonial pills. D. - 2.7
One grain of the grey oxide of Quicksilver is contained in
Ointment of the grey oxide of quicksilver. Ed. - grs. 4
One grain of the red oxide of Quicksilver is contained in
Ointment of red oxide of quicksilver. Ed. - - grs. 9
One grain of white calx of Quicksilver is contained in
Ointment of white calx of quicksilver. L. grs. 13
One grain of nitrate of Mercury is contained in
Stronger ointment of nitrate of mercury. Ed. - - grs. 5
Ointment of nitrated quicksilver. L. D. - 5
Milder ointment of nitrate of quicksilver. Ed. - - 13
In many instances these proportions are only to be considered
as approximations to the truth, as they are calculated from the
quantities of the ingredients taken to form the preparation, not from
the quantities which exist in it after it is formed. The nitrate of mer-
cury, for example, in the different ointments into which it enters, is
estimated as equal to the whole quantity of mercury and nitrous acid
employed to form it, although, from the very nature of the preparati-
on, it cannot be so much. In the solutions of opium, the opium is
estimated as equal to the whole quantity employed, although not
above two thirds of it be dissolved. Lastly, no allowance is made for
the loss by evaporation ; and hence, notwithstanding the difference by
calculation, the Edinburgh troches of liquorice with opium contain pro-
bably as much opium as those of Dublin ; for the former, being made
with syrup, will lose more in drying than the latter, which are made
with extract of liquorice.
732
Materia Medica.
POSOLOGICAL and PROSODIAL TABLE.
ACETIS potassae, 9 i to 3 i.
Acetitis amraoniae aqua, 3 ij to 3 vi.
Acidum acecosum impurum, 3 i to |ss ; § i to § ij, inglysters^
destillatum, do.
aromaticum analeptic.
forte, 9 i to 3 i.
camphoratum analeptic.
Acidi acetosi syrupus, 3 i to 3 ij,
carbonici aqua, tb ij daily.
Acidum benzoicum, gr x to 3 ss.
muriaticum, gc x to gc xl.
nitrosum, gc v to g1 xx.
dilutum, g£ x to xl.
succinicurm gr v to 9 i.
sulphuricum dilutum, gc xv to gc xxx.
aromaticum, gc xv to xxx.
Aconiti napelli herba, gr i to gr v.
succus spissatus, gr i to gr iij.
Acori calami radix, 9 i to 3 i.
Aesculi hippocastani cortex 3 ss to 3 i.
Aether sulphuricus, gc xx to 3 i.
cum alcohole, 3 ss to 3 ij*
cum alcohole aromaticus, 3 ss to 3 ij-
•Alcohol, 3 ss to 3 i.
ammoniatum, 3 ss to 3 i*
aromaticum, 3 ss to 3 i-
foetidum, 3 ss to 3 i.
succinatum, gc x to xl.
Allii sativi radix, 3 i to 3 ij.
Aloes perfoliate socotorinae succus spissatus, gr v to xv.
pulviscum canella, gr x to 9 i.
pulvis cum ferro, gr v to 9 i-
pulvis cum guaiaco, gr x to 9 i*
pilulae, gr xv to 3 ss.
pilulae compositae, gr x to xxv.
pilulae cum assa foetida, gr x to 9 *•
cum colocynthide, gr v to gr x.
cum myrrha, gr x to 9 i»
tinctura, 3 ss to 3 ij-
tinctura cum myrrha, 3 ss to 3 ij-
Penological and Prosodial Table. 735
Aloes perfoliate tinctura aetherea, 3 ss t0 3 *j-
vinum, J ss to 3 iss.
extractum, gr v to xv.
Althaeae officinalis decoctum, ad libitum.
syrupus, 3 i to 3 iij -
Aluminae sulphas, 9 ss to 9 i.
sulphatis pulvis compositus, gr x to 3 ss*
Ammoniae aqua, gc x to xv.
acetitis aqua, J ss.
hydro-sulphuretum, gWtoxij.
carbonas, gr v to gr xv.
carbonatis aqua, g* xx to 3 i-
Ammoniacum gummi resina, gr x to 3 ss.
Ammoniaci lac, 3 iij to I
Amomi zingiberis radix, gr v to 9 i.
syrupus, 3 i to 3 iij.
tinctura, 3 i to 3 iij.
repentis semina, gr v to 9 i.
tinctura, 3 i to 3 iij.
tinctura composita, 3 i to 3 iij «
zedoariae radix, 3 i to 3 i.
Amygdali communis oleum fixum, 3 iij to § i,
emulsio, lb ij daily.
Amyli mucilago, J IV t0 3 vj in gtyster.
trochisci, 3 i to 3 ij.
Amyridis elemiferae resina, gr x to 3 ss.
gileadensis resina, '9 i to 3 i*
Anethi graveolentis semina, 9 i to 3 i*
aqua destillata, J ito § iij.
foeniculi semina, 9 i to 3 i.
aqua destillata, J i to J iij.
oleum volatile gc ij to g1 v.
Angelicae archangelicae radix, herba, semen, 3 ss to 3 iss.
Angusturae cortex, gr x to 9 1
Anthemidis nobilis flores, 9 i to 3 i-
nobilis decoctum, in glyster.
extractum, gr x to 3 i-
pyrethri radix, gr iij to 3 i-
Antimonii sulphuretum praeparatum, gr xv to 3 ij-
oxidum cum sulphure per nitratum potassae, gr i to iv.
cum sulphure vitrificatum, gr £ to iss.
vitrificatum cum cera, gr iij X.6 9 i-
sulphuretum fuscum ( kermes mineralis ) gr i to iss.
precipitatum, gr i to iv.
oxidum cum phosphate calcis, gr iij to viij.
et potassae tartris, gr i to iii.
tartritis vinum, 3 ijtovi.
vinum, 3 iij to J ss.
oxidum album, ( Antimonium calcinatum) gr x to 3 ss.
pilulse compositae, gr iij to v.
Apii petroselini semina, 9 i to ij .
1
734
Materia Medica.
Arbuti uvae ursi folia, gr x to 9 ij.
Arctii lappae radix, a decoction of $ ij in lb ij of water, daily.
Argenti nitras, gr | to \.
Ari maculati radix, gr vi to 9 i.
conserva, 3 ss to 3 iss.
Aristolochiae serpentariae radix, 9 i to 3 i.
tinctura, 3 i to 3 iii.
Arnicae montanae herba, gr v to x.
Arsenici exidum album, gr ^.
Artemisiae abrotani folia, 9 i to 3 i«
maritimae cacumina, 9 i to 3 i«
conserva, 3 ij to 3 ss«
santonicae cacumina, 3 ss to 3 *•
absinthii herba, 9 * to 3 *j«
Asari europaeae folia, gr ij to iv.
pulvis compositus, gr v to 9 *•
Astragali tragacanthae pulvis compositus, 3 ssto 3 iss.
Atropae belladonnae folia, gr ss to gr v.
succus spissatus, gr £ to gr iij.
Barytae muriatis solutio, gf v to x.
Bitumen petroleum sulphuratum, gr v to xxx.
Bituminis petrolei oleum, gr x to xxx.
Bolus gallicus, 9 1 to 3 *■
Bubonis galbani gummi resina, grx to 9 i«
pilulae compositae, gr x to 3 ss.
tinctura, 3 > to iij.
Calcis aqua, J iv to lb i daily.
muriatis solutio. g* xl to 3 i-
carbonas praeparatus, 9 i to 3 i-
carbonatis mistura, 3 i to ij.
pulvis compositus, 9 i to ij -
pulvis compositus cum opio, gr xv to 9 ij
trochisci, 3 i to ij.
Cancri astaci lapilli praeparati, 3 ss to i.
paguri chelae praeparatae, 3 ss to i.
chelarum pulvis compositus, 9 i to ij.
Canellae albae cortex, gr xv to 9 ij-
Capsici annui fructus, gr v to x.
Cardamines pratensis llores, 3 ss to 3 i-
Cari carui semina, gr x to 3 i.
oleum volatile, gc i to v.
spiritus, 3 ij to 5 i.
Caryophylli aromatici floris germen, gr v to 9 i-
oleum volatile, gr iij to v.
Cassiae fistulac pulpa, 3 ss to i.
electuarium, 3 ij to J i.
sennae folia, 9 i to 3 i-
pulvis compositus, 9 i to 3 i-
mfusum, 5 i to iij.
infusum tartarisatum, J iss to iij.
tinctura, ^ ss to J i.
Posological and Prosodial Table.
Cassiae sennae electuarium, 3 i to J ss.
extractum, g1 x to 5 ss.
Castoreum rossicum, gr x to 9 i.
Castorei tinctura, 3 1 to ij .
composite, 3 ss to i*
Centaureae benedictae herba, gr xv to 3 i«
Cephaelidis ipecacuanhae radix, 9 i to 3 ss.
vinum, 3 ss to 5
pulvis compositus, 9 ss to 9 i.
Cera, 9 i to 3 h *n emulsion.
Cervi elaphi cornu decoctum, J ij to iv.
ustum, 3 ss to i ss.
Chironiae centaurei summitates, 9 i to 3 i-
Cinarae scolymi folia, | ss to i, of ihe expressed juice.
Cinchonae officinalis cortex, 9 i to 3 ij.
decoctum, § i to iv.
infusum. 3 i to iv.
tinctura, 3 i to 3 ij.
tinctura ammoniata, 3 ss to ij.
tinctura composita, 3 1 to iij-
extractum, gr x to 9 l-
extractum cum resina, gr v to 9 i-
Cissampeli pareirae radix, gr xv to 9 ij-
Cisti cretici resina (Ladanum), gr x to 3 ss.
Citri aurantii folia, flores, gr x to 3 i-
fructus cortex exterior, 3 ss to 9 i j-
aqua destillata, J i to iij.
syrupus corticis, 3 i to ij.
tinctura corticis, 3 i to ij.
conserva corticis, 3 ij to v.
medicae, succus expressus, 3 i to 3 ss.
succus spissatus, 3 i to 3 ij.
syrupus succi, 3 i to iij.
fructus cortex exterior, 3 ssto ij,z>? tqfimon
aqua destillata, 3 i to iij.
oleum volatile, gc ii to gc v.
ochleariae officinalis herba, 3 i to iv, of the juice.
succus compositus, 3 i to iv.
armoraciae radix, 9 i to 3 i-
spiritus compositus, 3 iij to 3 i.
Colchici autumnalis radix, gr ss to iij.
syrupus, 3 i to J i.
oxymel) 3 i to ^ ss.
Colombae radix, gr x to 9 i-
tinctura, 3 i to iij.
Confectio aromatica, gr xv to 3 i-
opiata, gr x to 3 ss.
lonii maculati folia, gr iij.
succus spissatus, gr \ to griij.
Convolvuli scammoniae gummi resina, gr v to gr xv.
pulvis compositus, gr x to gr xv.
736.
Materia Medica.
Convolvuli scammoniae pulvis cum aloe, gr x to xv.
pulvis cum calomelane, gr x to
electuarium, 3 ss to i.
jalapae radix, gr x to 3 ss.
pulvis compositus, 3 ss to 3 i.
tinctura, 3 i to iij.
extractum, 3 ss to 3 i.
Copaiferae officinalis resina, g* xv to 3 ss.
Coriandri sativi semina, 9 i to 3 i.
Croci sativi floris sti?;mata, gr v to 3 ss.
syrupus, 3 i to ij.
tinctura, 3 ss to ij.
Crotoms eleutheriae cortex, 3 i to 3 ss.
extractum, gr x to 3 ss.
tinctura, 3 i to 3 ss.
Cucumis colocynthidis fructus medulla, gr iij to viij.
extractum compositum, gr v to
Cumini cymini semina, 3 i to 3 i-
Cupri sub-acetis, gr \ to \.
ammoniaretum, gr \ to v.
ammoniareti pilulae, No. i.
aqua ammoniareti, gr v to gc xxx.
sulphas, gc ij to x.
Curcumas longae radix, 9 i to 3 i.
Daphnes mezerei radicis cortex, gl i to x.
decoctum, ^ iv to lb ss.
Daturas stramonii herba, gr i to v.
Dauci carotae semina, 3 i to 3 i«
Delphinii staphisagriae semina, gr iij to x.
Dianthi caryophylli flores, 9 i to
syrupus, 3 i to ij.
Digitalis purpureas folia, gr ss to iij.
infusum, 3 iij to ^ i.
tinctura, grxtoxl.
Dolichi prurientis pubes leguminis rigida, gr v to x.
Dorsteniae contrayervae radix, 3 i to 3 ss.
pulvis compositus, 3 i to ij.
Electuarium opiatum, 3 i to ij.
Eryngii maritimi radix, 3 ij to iij.
Ferri limatura, gr iij to gr x.
oxidum nigrum purificaturm do.
carbonas, do.
carbonas praecipitatus, do.
super-carbonati aqua, lb i, daily.
sulphas, gr i to v.
etpotassae tartris, gr xto 3 ss.
et ammonias murias, griij to xv.
muriatis tinctura, gr x to xx.
et ammoniae tinctura, g* xv to 3 i.
vinum, 3 ij to vj.
acetati tinctura, g* x to xxx.
Posological and Prosodial Table.
737
Ferulae assae fcetidae gummi resina, gr x to 3 ss.
lac, ^ ss to 3 i ss.
tinctura, 3 ss to 3 i.
pilulae compositae, gr x to xx.
Fici caricae fructus, Xo. vi, in decoction.
Fraxini orni succus concretus ( manna j, y ss to i ss.
succi concreti syrupus 3 i ^3 ii.
Fumariac officinalis herba, J ito 5 ii, of the ex/iressed juice.
Gentianse luteae radix, gr x to 9 ij.
infusum compositum, ^ ss to ij,
tinctura composita, 3 i to iij -
vinum compositum, 3 ss to ^ i.
extractuim gr x to 9 ij.
Geoffraeae inermis cortex, 9 i to ij.
decoctum, 3 i«
Glycyrrhizae glabrae radix, 3 ss to i.
extractum, 3 i to uj-
trochisci, 3 1 to ij
trochisci cum opio, 3 i during the day.
Gratiolas officinalis herba, gr x to 9 i.
Guaiaci officinalis resina, gr x to3_ss.
tinctura, 3 ii to 3 ss.
tinctura ammoniata, 3 i to ij.
decoctum compositum, ^ iv to vj.
Hsematoxyli Campechiani extractum, 9 i to ij.
Helleborinigri radix, %T x to 9 i-
extractum, gr v to gr x.
tinctura, 3 ssto i ss.
fcetidi fclia, 9 1 to l\-
Hordei distichi decoctum, ^ ij to vj.
compositum, g iij to vj.
Hydrargyrum purificatum, ^ ij to iv.
cum creta, i>r x to 3 ss.
Hydrargyri oxidum cinereum, gr i to gr v.
pilulse, gr v to xv.
oxidum rubrum, gr ss.
sub-sulphas, gr i to gr v.
sub-murias, gr i to gr xx.
prsecipitatus, g1" i to v.
acetis, gr i to vj.
murias, gr^ toi-
phosphas gr to 1 .
sulpauretum nigrum, 9 i to 3 i.
rubrum, gr x to 3 ss.
Hyosciami nigri herba, semen, gr iij to gr x.
succus spissatus, gr i to v.
tinctura, 9 i to 3 i-
Hyperici perforati flores, 9 i to 3 i*
Hyssopi officinalis herba, 9 1 to 3^
Inulae helenii radix, 9 i to 3 i-
Iridis florentinae radix, 9 i to 3 i.
5B
738 Materia Medica.
Iridis pseudacori radicis succus expressus, gc lx to lxxx.
Isis nobilis (corallium), gr x to 5 h
Juglandis regise fructus immatur us, externally in decoction.
Juniperi communis baccae, 5 ss to i.
oleum volatile, g" ij to x.
spiritus compositus, 3 ij to vi.
Juniperi lyciae gummi resina (Olibanum) 9 ito ij.
Juniperi sabinae folia, gr xv to 9 ij.
extractum, gr x to 3 ss.
tinctura composita^1 xxx to 3 i«
Kino, gr x to 9 i.
tinctura, 3 i to iij.
Lactuca; virosas succus spissatus, gr iij to xv.
Lauri cinnamomi cortex, gr v to 3 i.
aqua destillata, 5 i to iij.
spiritus, 3 ij to 3 i.
tinctura, 3 i to | iij.
tinctura composita, 3 ss to ij.
oleum volatile, g" i to iij.
Laurus cassia, considerably weaker than the preceding species, in other
res/iects similar.
Lauri camphorae camphora, gr iij to 9 i.
emulsio, ^ ss to ij.
acidum acetosum ; odour analeptic.
nobilis folia, baccae, gr x to 3 ss.
sassafras lignum, radix, eorumque cortex, 9 i to 3 i-
oleum volatile, gc ij to gc x.
Lavandulae spicae florentes, 9 i to 3 i-
spiritus, an analeptic perfume.
spiritus compositus, 3 ss to ij.
oleum volatile, gr i to v.
Leontodi taraxaci radix, herba, ^ i to ij of the juice.
Lilii candidi radix, externally as a poultice.
Lini usitatissimi semina, in infusion 3 i 1,0 water ib i.
oleum fixum, 3 ss to i ; or, in clysters, g iij to vj.
cathartici herba, 3 h or a): infusion of a handful of the fresh plant.
Lobeliae syphilitica radix, 3 ss, boiled in ib xij of water to lb viij ; half ,
a pint twice a-day.
Magnesia, gr x to 9 i.
Magnesise carbonas, 9 i to 3 i-
trochisci, 3 i to ij.
sulphas, ^ ss to 3 i.
Malvse sylvestris folia ; flores, 3 ss to i.
Marrubii vulgaris herba, 3 ss to i.
Mel despumatum, 3 ij to ^ i, in clysters ^ iij.
acetatum, 3 i to ij.
Melaleucas leucadendri oleum volatile, g* i to yt.
Melissae officinalis herba, gr x to 9 ij*
Meloes vesicatorii pulvis, gr ss to i.
tinctura, gc x to xxx.
Mentha viridis herba, gr x to 3 i.
Posological and Prosodial Table. 739
Menthx viridis aqua, j i to ij.
spiritus, 3 ij to ^ i.
oleum volatile, gl ii to v.
piperitae herba, gr x to 9 ij.
aqua, 3 i to ij.
spiritus, 3 ij to 5 i.
oleum volatile* gr i to gl iij.
pulegii herba, gr x to 9 ij.
aqua, 5 i to ij.
spiritus, 3 ij to § i.
oleum volatile, gl ij to v.
Menyanthis trifoliatse herba, 3 ss to 5 i.
Mimosae catechu extractum, gr xv to 3 ss.
electuarium, 9 i to 3 i.
infusum, J i to ij.
tinctura, 3 i to iij.
niloticae gummi, 3 i to ij.
emulsio, lb ij daily.
mucilago, ^ ss.
Momordicae elaterii succus spissatus, gr ss to gr vj.
Mori nigrae syrupus, 3 i to | ss.
Moschus, g* v to 9 i.
Moschi tinctura, 3 i to J ss.
mistura, J ss to iss.
Murias ammonix, gr x to 3 ss«
Murias sodae, 3 iij to J ss in clysters.
Myristicae moschatx fructus nucleus, gr v ad 9 i.
oleum volatile, g1 ij ad gc v.
spiritus, 3 ij ad ^ i.
nucis involucrum, macis dictum,
involucri oleum expressum, externally.
Myroxyli peruiferi balsamum, gr v to 3 ss.
tinctura, 3 ss to 3 i.
Myrrha, gr x to 3 ss.
Myrrhx tinctura, 3 ss to iss.
pulvis compositus, gr xv to 9 ij.
Myrti pimentx fructus, gr v to 9 i.
aqua destillata, 3 i to iij.
spiritus 3 ij to ^ i.
oleum volatile, gc iij to y.
Nicotian x tabaci folia, gr ss to v.
vinum, gc xxx to gc lxxx.
Olex Europex oleum fixum, 3 iij to j i.
Oleum animale, g* x to xl.
vini, g£ i to iv.
Onisci aselli (Millepedx) prxparati, 3 i to ij.
Opium, gr ss togr ij.
Opii pilulx, gr v to 9 i»
tinctura, gc xx to xl.
ammoniata, 3 ss to ij.
camphorata, 3 ss to ij.
740
Materia Medica.
Origani vulgaris herba, gr x to 9 i.
oleum volatile, g£ i to ij.
maioranae herba, 9 i to 3 i-
Ostreae edulis testae pi separate ^ss to i.
Ovis arietis sevum prseparatum ext err ally.
Oxalis acetosellae folia, 3 ss to iss of the juice.
conserva, 3 ij to § ss.
Pasneae sarcocollae gummi resina ( sarcocolla), gr x to 3 ss.
Panacis quinquefoiii radix, 9 i to 3 i.
Papaveris rhoese flores 3 i w decoction.
syrupus, 3 i to iij
somniferi syrupus, 3 ss to i to adults ; 3 i to ij *o children :
one ounce 75 si ftfiosed to contain one grain of ofiiurm
extractum, gr i to v.
succus spissatus (Opium) gr ss to gr ij.
Parietariae officinalis herba, <.x x to 3 i or % i to iij of the juice.
Pastinacae opoponucis gunrmi resina. gr x tc 3 ss.
Phasiani galli ovorum testae praeparatae- 3 ss to i
Physeteris macrocephali sevum (spermaceti), 3 ss to i ss.
Fimpinellae anisi semina, gr xv to 3 ss.
spiritus compositus, 3 ij to ^ i.
oleum volatile, gc v to gt x.
Pini balsameae terebinthina(Balsamum Canadense), gr v to 3 ss.
laricis terebinthina (Terebinthina veneta), 9 i to ij ; and in
clusters, ^ ss to i.
sylvestris terebinthina (Terebinthina vulgaris,) g* xv to 9 ij ; and
in clysters, 3 ss to i.
resina empyreumatica (Pix liquida), 9 i to 3 i.
oleum volatile (Oleum terebinthinae) rectificatum, gc x to 3
Piperis nigri baccse, gr v to 9 i*
cubebae baccae, gr v to 9 i-
longi fructus, gr v to 9 i-
Pistaciae lentisci resina (Mastiche), gr v to 3 ss.
terebinthi (Terebinthina Chia), 9 i to 3 t-
Plumbi acetis, gr ss to v.
Polygalae senegae radix, 9 1 to 3 ss.
decoctum, 3 i to ij.
Polygoni bistortae radix gr xv to 3 i«
Polypodii filicis maris radix, 3 i to 3 ij-
Potassae aqua, gr x to xxx.
acetis, 9 i to 9 ij.
super-carbonatis aqua, 5 vj to tb ss.
sulphuretum, gr v to xv.
tartris,9 i to J ss.
super-tartris, 5 i to 5 i-
sulphas, 9 i to J ss.
carbonas, gr v to 9 i.
carbonatis aqua, 3 ss to 3 i-
nitras, gr v to 3 ss.
nitratis trochisci, 3 i to ij.
sulphas cum sulphure, gr xv to 3 ss.
Posological and Prosodial Table. 741
Potentillae reptantis radix, 3 ss to i.
Pruni domesticae fructus, J ij to iij, stewed.
spinosae fruetus.
conserva, 3 ij to J ss.
Pterocarpi draconis resina, gr x to 9 ij.
Pulvis aromaticus, gr v to gr x.
opiatus, gr v to gr x.
Punicae granati fructus cortex, 9 i to 3 i.
floris petala, 3 ss to iss.
Quassiae simarubae cortex, 3 ss to i ; or, 3 ij *n decoction.
excelsae lignum, gr v to 3 i ; or, J i to ij of an infusion of 3 ij
in lb i water.
Quercus roboris cortex, gT xv to 3 ss ; or, ^ i to ij of an infusion of
3 ij in lb i water.
cerris gallae, gr x to 3 ss.
Rhamni cathartici succus expressus, ^ ss to i.
syrupus, § ss to iss.
Rhei palmati radix. gr x to 9 ij.
infusum, J ss to iss.
pilulae compositae, gr x to 3 ss.
tinctura, ^ ss to i ss ; or as a stomachic, 3 ij to ^ ss.
composita, ^ ss to i ss.
cum aloe, 3 ss to i.
cum gentiana, 3 ss to iss ; or, 3 ij to ^ ss, as a
stomachic.
vinum, § ss to i ss.
Rhododendri chrysanthi folia, gr v to x ; or an infusion of$ ij in ^ x of
water.
Rhi toxicodendri folia, gr ss toi.
Ribis nigri succus spissatus, J ss to i.
syrupus, 5 i to 3 ss.
Ricini communis oleum expressum, ^ ss to 3 i.
Rosae gallicae petala, 9 i to 3 »•
conserva, ^ ij to J ss.
infusum, § ij to vj.
syrupus, 3 i to ij.
mel, 3 i to ij.
Damascenae petala, 9 i to 3 i-
aqua destillata, § i to iij.
syrupus, 3 ij to 3 ss.
caninae (Cynosbatus) conserva, 3 ij tovj.
Roris marini officinalis summitates, gr x to 9 ij ; in infusion 3 i to i ss.
oleum volatile, grt ij to gr v.
spiritus.
Rubiae tinctorum radix, 9 Lto 3 ss-
Rubi idaei syrupus, 3 i to 3 ss.
Rumicis acetosae folia, J i to 3 ij of the juice.
Rutae graveolentis herba, gr xv to 9 ij*
extractum, gr x to 9
Sagapenum gummi resina, gr x to 3 ss.
Salicis fragilis cortex, 9 i to 3 i-
742
Materia Medica.
Sal vise officinalis folia, gr xv to 9 ij.
Sambuci nigri cortex interior, gr v to 9 i.
succus spissatus, ^ sstoi ss.
Sapo, gr x to 3 ss.
Scillae maritimae radix recens, gr v to gr xv.
siccata, gr i to gr iij.
syrupus, 3 ito ij.
me], 3 ss to ij.
oxymel, 3 ss to ij.
acetum, 3 ss to 3 iss.
conserva, 3 ss to i.
tinctura, g" x to xl.
pilulae^gr x to 9 i.
Sinapeos albae semina, ^ ss to ^ i.
oleum fixum, ^ ss to i.
Sii nodiflori herba, 3 ij or iij of the juice,
Sisymbrii nasturtii herba, ^ i or ij of the juice.
Smilacis sarsaparillae radix, 9 i to 3 ss.
decoctum, g iv to lb ss.
compositum, ^ iv to lb ss.
Sod se carbonas, gr x to 3 ss.
super-carbonatis aqua, g iv to f£> ss.
et potassae tartris, 3 vj to ^ i ss.
sulphas, J ss to iss.
phosphas, J ss to iss.
murias, 3 nj to § ss, in glysters.
sub-boras, gr. x to 3 ss.
Solani dulcamaras stipites, 3 ssto 3 i in infusion.
Spartii scoparii summitates, 9 i to 3 i.
extractum, 3 ss to i.
Spigelian marilandicae radix, 3 ssto 9 ij-
Spiritus astheris sulphurici compositus, 3 ss to iss.
nitrosi, 3 ss to 3 i-
Spongia usta, 3 ss to i.
Stalagmitidis cambogiodis succus spissatus, (Gambogia) gr v to x.
Stanni pulvis et limatura, 3 i to ij.
Styracis officinalis balsamum, gr x to 3 ss.
benzoini balsamum, gr x to 3 ss.
tinctura composita, 3 ss to i.
Succinum praeparatum, 9 i to 3 i-
Succini oleum rectificatum, g1 x to xx.
Sulphas aluminae, 9 ss to 9 i-
Sulphur praecipitatum, 3 i to iij.
sublimatum lotum, 9 i to 3 i-
Sulphuris trochisci, 3 i to iij.
Swieteniae febrifugae cortex, 9 i to ij.
mahagoni cortex, 9 i to ij.
Tamarind] indicae fmctus, ^ ss to iss.
infusum cum cassia senna, 5 ij to iv.
Tanaceti vulgaris herba, 3 ss to i.
Posological and Prosodial Table.
743
Teucrii mari herba, gr x to 3 ss.
scordii herba, 9 i to 3 i.
Toluiferae balsami balsamum, gc xv to 9 ij.
syrupus, 3 i to iij.
tinctura, 3 ss to ij.
Tormentillae erectae radix, 9 i to ij.
Tussilaginis farfarae herba, 3 ij to iv of the expressed juice.
Ulmi campesti is cortex interior, 9 i to 3 i.
decoctum, 3 iv to fb ss.
Urticae dioicae herba, 3 ito ij of the expressed juice.
Valerianae officinalis radix, 9 i to 3 i.
tinctura, 3 ij to ^ ss.
ammoniata, 3 i to ij.
extractum.
Veratri albi radix, gr v to 9 i.
tinctura, gc v to x
Veronicae beccabungae herba, 3 ij to iv of the juice daily.
Violae odoratae syrupus, 3 i to ij.
Winterae aromaticae cortex, gr x to 9 i-
Zinci oxidum, gr iij to x.
sulphas, gr vj to 3 ss.
JY. B. These are in general the doses for adults from twenty to sixty,
but they may be diminished for children and people past the prime
of life, nearly in the following proportions,
Agci.
Proportionate
Months 2
-rV
7
U
1
28
f
Years 3
5
i
7
1
"T
14
2
T
63
r
11
TT
77
100
4
It may also be observed, that sixty drops of water, one hundred of
diluted alcohol, or an hundred and twenty of alcohol, are equal to a
drachm by measure.
744
Materia Medica.
TABLE of Names changed in the last Edition of
the London Pharmacopoeia.
A'ames changed,
A
ACETUM scilliticum.
iLthiops mineralis.
Aqua aluminosa bateana.
calcis simplex,
cinnamomi simplex.
spirituosa.
fortis
horde ata.
juniperi composita.
menthae piperitidis simplex.
spirituosa.
vulgaris simplex,
spirituosa.
nucis moschatae.
piperis Jamaicensis.
pulegii simplex.
spirituosa.
raphani composita.
rosarum damascenarum.
sapphirina.
seminum anethi.
anisi composita.
carui.
vitriolica camphorata.
Argenti vivi purificatio.
Axungiae porcinse curatio.
Netu JYames.
Acetum scillae.
Hydrargyrus cum sulphure.
Aqua aluminis composita.
calcis.
cinnamomi.
Spiritus cinnamomi.
Acidum nitrosum diluturru
Decoctum hordei.
Spiritus juniperi compositusi
Aqua menthae piperitidis.
Spiritus menthae piperitidis.
Aqua menthse sativa;.
Spiritus menthae sativae.
nuclei fructus myristicae.
sive nucis moschatae.
Aqua pimento.
pulegii.
Spiritus pulegii.
raphani compositus.
Aqua rosse.
cupri ammoniati.
anethi.
Spiritus anisi compositus.
carui.
Aqua zinci vitriolati cum cam«
phora.
Hydrargyri purificatio.
Adipis suillae praeparatio.
Table of Names changed. 745
Names changed.
B.
Balsamum sulphuris barbadense.
simplex,
traumaticum.
c.
Calx antimonii.
Cataplasma e cymino.
Causticum antimoniale.
commune fortius.
lunare.
Ceratum album.
citrinum.
epuloticura.
Chalybis rubigo praeparata.
Cinnabaris factitia.
Coagulum aluminosum.
Confectio cardiaca.
Cornu cervi calcinatio.
D.
Decoctum album.
commune proclystere.
corticis peruviani.
pectorale.
E.
Electuarium lenitivum.
Elixir aloes.
myrrhae compositum.
paregoricum.
Emplastrum ex ammoniaco cum
mercurio.
Emplastrum attrahens.
cephalicum.
commune.
adhaesivum.
commune cum gum-
mi.
commune cum mer-
curio.
e cymino.
roborans.
e sapone.
stomachicum.
vesicatorium.
Emulsio communis.
5
JYeiv Aames.
Petroleum sulphuratum.
Oleum sulphuratum.
Tinctura benzoes composita.
Antimonium calcinatum.
Cataplasma cumini.
Antimonium muriatum.
Calx cum kali puro.
Argentum nitratum.
Ceratum spermatis ceti.
resinae flavae.
lapidis calaminaris.
Ferri rubigo
Hydrar^yrus sulphuratus ruber.
Cataplasma aluminis.
Confectio aromatica.
Cornu cervi ustio.
Decoctum cornu cervi.
pro enemate.
cinchonae sive corticis
peruviani.
hordei compositum.
Electuarium sennae.
Tinctura aloes composita.
sabinae composita.
opii camphorata.
Emplastrum ammoniaci cum hy-
drargyro.
Emplastrum cerae compositum.
picis burgundicae*
compositum. 1
lithargyri.
cum resina.
lithargyri composi-
tum.
lithargyri cum hy-
drargyro.
cumini.
thuris compositum.
saponis.
ladani compositum.
cantharidis.
Lac amygdalae.
C
746 Materia
Na?nes changed.
Extractum catharticum.
ligni campechensis.
corticis peruviani.
thebaicum sive opium
colatum.
F.
Flores benzoini.
martiales.
Fotus communis,
H.
Hiera picr&.
I.
Infusum amarum simplex.
sennae communis.
Julepum e camphora.
e creta.
e moscho.
L.
Linimentum album.
saponaceum.
volatile.
Lixivium saponarium.
tartari.
M.
Mel aegyptiacum.
rosaceum.
Mercurius calcinatus.
corrosivus sublimatus.
ruber,
dulcis sublimatus.
emeticus flavus.
praecipitatus albus.
N.
>fitrum vitriolatum.
o.
Oleum petroleibarbadensis.
terebinthinae asthereum.
Opium colatum.
Oxymel scilliticum.
simplex.
Medica.
New jYamea.
Extractum colocynthidis composi-
turn.
haematoxyli sive ligni
campechiani.
cinchonae sive corticis
peruviani.
Opium purificatum.
Flores benzoes.
Ferrum ammoniacale.
Decoctum pro fomento.
Pulvis aloes cum canella.
Infusum gentianae compositum
sennae tartarisatum.
Mistura camphorata.
cretacea.
moschata.
Unguentum spermatis ceti.
Linimentum saponis.
ammoniae.
Aqua kali puri.
kali praeparati.
Oxymel aeruginis.
Mel rosae.
Hydrargyrus calcinatus.
muriatus.
nitratus ruber.
Calomelas.
Hydrargyrus vitriolatus.
Calx hydrargyri alba.
Kali vitriolatum.
Oleum petrolei.
terebin thins rectificatum.
Opium purificatum.
Oxymel scillae.
Mel acetatunu
Table of Names changed. 747
Names changed.
P.
Philonium Londinense.
Pilulae aromaticae.
ecphracticae.
gummosae.
rufi.
Pulvis e bolo compositus.
cum opio.
e cerussa compositus.
e chelis cancrorum compo-
situs.
stern utatorius.
R.
Rob baccarum sambuci.
s.
Saccharum saturni.
Sal absinthii.
Gatharticus amarus.
glauberi.
diureticus.
martis.
tartari.
vitrioli.
volatilis salis ammoniaci
Species aromaticae.
Spiritus cornu cervi.
lavendul^ simplex,
nitri dulcis.
glauberi.
salis ammoniaci.
salis ammoniaci dulcis.
salis marini glauberi.
vinosus camphoratus.
vitrioli dulcis.
volatilis aromaticus.
foetidus.
Succi scorbutici.
Syrupus ex althaea.
e corticibus aurantiorum.
balsam icus,
e meconio.
rosarum solutivus.
T.
Tabellae cardialgicae.
Tartarum emeticum.
solubile.
New Name*.
Confectio opiata.
Pulvis aloeticus cum guaiaeo.
aloes cum ferro.
Pilulae Galbani compositse.-
aloes cum myrrha.
Pulvis cretae compositus.
cum opio.
cerussae.
cancri chelarum composi-
tus.
asari compositus.
Succus baccae sambuci spissatus;
Cerussa acetata.
Kali praeparatum.
Magnesia vitriolata.
Natron vitriolatum.
Kali acetatum.
Ferrum vitriolatum.
Kali praeparatum.
Zincum vitriolatum.
Ammonia praeparata.
Pulvis aromaticus.
Liquor volatilis cornu cervi.
Spiritus lavendulae.
aetheris nitrosi.
Acidum nitrosum.
Aqua ammoniae.
Spiritus ammoniae.
Acidum muriaticum.
Spiritus camphoratus.
aetheris vitriolici.
ammoniae compositus.
foetidus.
Succus cochleariae compositus.
Syrupus althaeae.
corticis aurantii.
tolutanus.
papaveris albi.
rosae.
Trochisci cretae.
Antimonium tartarisatum.
Kali tartarisatum.
748
Materia Medica.
Names changed.
Tartarum vitriolatum.
Tinctura amara.
aromatica.
corticis peruviani sim-
plex.
corticis peruviani volati-
lis.
fcetida.
florum martialium.
guaiacma volatilis.
japonica.
martis in spiritu salis.
melampodii.
rhabarbari spirituosa.
vinosa.
rosarum.
sacra.
stomachica.
thebaica.
Valerianae volatilis.
Trochisci bechici albi.
nigri.
V.
Vinum antimoniale.
chalybeatum.
Unguentum album.
basilicum flavum.
caeruleum fortius.
mitius.
c gummi elemi.
e mercurio praecipi-
tato.
saturninum.
simplex,
ad vesicatoria.
New Names,
Kali vitriolatum.
Tinctura gentian ae composita.
cinnamomi composita.
cinchonae sive corticis
peruviani.
cinchonae, sive corticis
peruviani, ammoniata.
assae foetidae.
ferri ammoniacalis.
guaiaci.
catechu.
ferri muriati.
hellebori nigri.
rhabarbaii.
Vinum rhabarbari.
Infusum rosae.
Vinum aloes.
Tinctura cardamomi composita.
opii.
Valerianae ammoniata.
Trochisci amyli.
glycyrrhizae.
Vinum antimonii,
ferri.
Unguentum cerae.
resinae flavae.
hydrargyri fortius. -
mitius.
elemi compositum.
calcis hydrargyri al-
bas.
cerussae acetatae*
adipis suillae.
cantharidis.
»
Table of Names changed. 749
TABLE of Names changed, and of some Synoni-
mes, in the last Edition of the Edinburgh Phar-
macopoeia.
Names changed,.
A.
ABSINTHIUM.
Acetosa.
Acetum vini.
Acidum vitriolicum.
vitrioli aromaticum.
JErugo.
.dEther vitriolicus.
jEthiops mineralis.
Agaricus.
Alkali causticum.
fixum fossile.
vegetabile.
volatile.
Alumen.
ustum.
Ammonia muriata.
prxparata.
Amygdala dulcis.
Angelica sativa.
Anisum.
Antimonium.
calcareo-phosphpra-
tum.
muriatum.
tartarisatum.
Aqua ammoniae.
acetatae.
caustic ae.
cupri vitriolati composita,
vel aqua styptica.
lixiviae causticae.
zinci vitriolati.
Arabicum gummi.
Argentum nitratum
Arsenicum.
New Names>.
Artemisia absinthium.
Rumex acetosa.
Acidum acetosum.
sulphuricum.
aromaticum,
Sub-Acetis cupri.
^ther sulphuricus.
Sulphuretum hydrargyri nigrum.
Boletus igniarius.
Potassa.
Carbonas sodae.
potassae impurus.
ammoniae.
Sulphas aluminae.
exsiccatus.
Murias ammoniae.
Carbonas ammoniae.
Amygdalus communis.
Angelica Archangelica.
Pimpinella anisum .
Sulphuretum antimonii.
Oxidum antimonii cum phosphate
calcis
Murias antimonii,
Tartris antimonii.
Aqua carbonatis ammoniae.
acetitis ammoniae.
ammoniae.
Solutio sulphatis cupri composita
Aqua potassae.
Solutio sulphatis zinci.
Gummi mimosae niloticae
Nitras argenti.
Oxidum arsenici.
750
Materia Medic a,
Mimes changed.
Assa foetida.
Aurantium Hispalense.
B.
Balsamum Canadense.
Copaibae.
Gileadense.
Peruvianum.
Tolutanum.
traumaticum.
Bardana.
Barilla.
Barytes.
Belladonna.
Benzoinum.
Bistorta.
Borax.
Butyrum antimonii.
C.
Cajeputa.
Calamus aromaticus.
Calomelas.
Calx viva.
Cancrorum lapilli.
Cantharis.
Cardamomum minus.
Carduus benedictus.
Carica.
Carvi.
Caryophylla aromatica.
rubra.
Cascarilla.
Cassia fistularis.
lignea.
Catechu.
Causticum commune acerrimum.
mitius.
lunare.
Centaurium minus.
Cerussa.
acetata.
Chamaemelum.
Cicuta.
Cinnabaris factitia.
Cinara hortensis.
Cineres clavellati.
Cinnamomum.
Coccinella.
Colocynthis.
JVetu Names.
Gummi-resina ferulae assae foetida.
Citrus aurantium.
Resinapini balsameac.
copaiferae officinalis.
amyridis Gileadensis.
Balsamum myroxyli peruiferi.
toluiferae balsami.
Tinctura benzoes composita.
Arctium lappa.
Carbonas sodae impurus.
barytx.
Atropa belladonna.
Balsamum styracis benzoes.
Polygonum bistorta.
Boras sodae.
Murias antimonii.
Melaleuca leucadendron.
Acorus calamus.
Sub- Murias hydrargyri.
Calx.
Carbonas calcis praeparatus*
Meloe vesicatorius.
Amomum repens.
Centaurea benedicta.
Fructus ftcus caricse.
Carum carvi.
Caryophyllus aromaticus.
Dianthus caryophyllus.
Croton eleutheria.
Cassia fistula.
Laurus cassia.
Extractum mimosx catechu.
Potassa.
cum cake.
Nitras agenti.
Gentiana centaurium.
Oxidum plumbi album.
Acetis plumbi.
Anthemis nobilis.
Conium maculatum.
Sulphuretum hydrargyri rubruni.
Cinara scolymus.
Carbonas potassae impurus.
Laurus cinnamomum.
Coccus cacti .
Cucumis colocynthis.
Table of Names changed.
751
Name* changed.
Confectio japonica.
Contrayerva.
Cortex peruvianus.
Creta alba.
Crocus antimonii. >
metallorum. 3
Crystalli tartari.
Cucumis agrestis.
Cuprum ammoniacum.
vitriolatum.
Cynosbatos.
D.
Daucus silvestris.
Decoctum chamaemeli vel com-
mune,
lignorum.
Dens leonis.
E.
Elate rium.
Electuarium lenitivum.
Elixir paregoric um.
sacrum.
salutis.
stomachicum.
Emplastrum adhaesivum.
cereum.
lithargyri vel com-
mune.
Lthargyri composi-
tum vel roborans.
vesicatorium.
Emulsio communis.
F.
Ferri rubigo.
squamae purificatae.
praeparatae.
Ferrum ammoniatum.
vitriolatum.
ustum.
Filix mas.
Flores martiales.
sulphuris.
zinci.
Fceniculum dulce
New Names.
Electuarium catechu.
Dorstenia contrayerva.
Cortex cinchonae officinalis.
Carbonas calcis.
Oxidum antimonii cum sulphure
per nitratem potassae.
Super-Tartris potassse.
Fructus recens momordicse elate-
rii.
Ammoniaretum cupri.
Sulphas cupri.
Fructus recens rosae caninae.
Daucus carota.
Decoctum anlhemidis nobilis.
guaiaci officinalis com-
positum.
Leontodon taraxacum.
Succus spissatus mormordicie ela-
terii.
Electuarium cassias sennae .
Tinctura opii ammoniata.
rhei cum aloe.
cassiae sennae composita.
gentianae composita.
Emplastrum resinosum.
simplex.
oxidi plumbi semivi-
trei.
oxidi ferri rubri.
meloes vesicatorii.
Emulsio amygdalae communis.
Carbonas ferri.
Ferri oxidum nigrum purificat.
praeparat.
Murias ammoniae et ferri.
Sulphas ferri.
Oxidum ferri rubrum.
Polypodium filix mas.
Murias ammonia; et ferri.
Sulphur sublimatum.
Oxidum zinci.
Anethum fceniculum.
752 Materia
Mimes changed.
G.
Galbanum.
Genista.
Granata malus.
H.
Helleborus albus.
Hepar sulphuris.
Hippocastanum.
Hydrargyria acetatus.
muriatus corrosivus.
mitis.
praecipita-
tus.
nitratus ruber.
praecipitat. cinereus.
sulphuratus niger.
vitriolatus flavus.
I.
Infusum amarum.
rosarum,
J.
Jalapa.
L.
Lapis calaminaris.
Lavendula.
Laudanum liquidum.
Lignum Campechense.
Limon.
Linimentum anodynum vel opia-
tum.
aquae calcis.
saponaceum.
volatile.
Lithargyrus.
Lixivia acetata.
e tartaro.
purificata.
tartarisata.
vitriolata.
sulphurea.
Lixivium causticum.
Medica.
New names-.
Gummi-resina bubonis galbani*
Spartium scoparium,
Punica granatum.
Veratrum album.
Sulphuretum potassae.
iEsculus hippocastanum. -
Acetis hydrargyri.
Murias hydrargyri.
Sub-Murias hydrargyri.
praecipitatus;
Oxidum hydrargyri rubrum per
acidum nitricum.
Oxidum hydrargyri cinereum.
Sulphuretum h> drargyri nigrum-.
Sub-Sulphas hydrargyri flavus.
Infusum gentianae luteae compost-
turn,
rosae Gallicae*
Convolvulus jalapa.
Carbonas zinci impurus.
Lavandula spica.
Tinctura opii.
Lignum Haematoxyli Campechk-
ani.
Fructus citri medicae.
Tinctura saponis cum opio.
Oleum lini cum calce.
Tinctura saponis.
Oleum ammoniatum.
Oxidum plumbi semivitreum.
Acetis potassas.
Carbonas potassae purissimus.
Carbonas potassae.
Tartris potassae.
Sulphas potassae.
cum sulphurc.
Aqua potassae.
Table of Names changed.
753
Names changed.
M.
Magnesia alba.
usta.
vitriolata.
Majorana.
Manna. .
Mastiche.
Melampodium.
MtTcurius.
praecipitatus ruber.
sublimatus corrosivus.
Mezereum.
Minium.
Muria.
N.
Nasturtium acmaticum.
Nitrum.
Nux moschata.
o.
Olea stillatitia.
Oleum succinirectificatum.
terebinth inae rectificatum.
Olibanum.
Oliva.
P.
Palma.
Petroleum Barbadense.
Petroselinum.
Pilulae cupri.
thebaic ae.
Pimento vel piper Jamaicensis.
Piper Indicum.
Pix Burgundica.
Plumbum ustum.
Potio cretacea.
Primus Gallica.
Pulegium.
Pulvis antimonialis.
cretaceu*.
Doveri.
Pyrethrum.
New Aaines.
Carbonas magnesiae.
Magnesia.
Sulphas magnesise.
Origanum majorana.
Succus concretus fraxini orni.
Resina pistachiae lentisci.
Helleborus niger.
Hydrargyrus.
Oxidum hydrargyri rubrum.
Murias hydrargyri.
Daphne mezereum.
Oxidum plumbi rubrum.
Murias sodae.
Sisymbrium nasturtium.
Nitraspotassae.
Nucleus fructus myristicae moa-
chatae.
Olea volatilia.
Oleum suceini purissimum.
terebinthinae volatile pu-
rissimum
Gummi resina juniperi lycia?.
Olea Europaea.
Cocos butyracea.
Bitumen petroleum.
Apium petroselinum.
Pilulae ammoniareti cupri.
opiatae.
Myrtus pimenta.
Capsicum annuum.
Resina pini abietis.
Oxidum plumbi semivitreum,
Potio carbonatis calcis.
Prunus domestica.
Mentha pulegium.
Oxidum antimonii cum phosphate
calcis.
Pulvis carbonatis calcis composi
tus.
ipecacuanhae et opii.
Anthemis pyrethrum.
754
Materia Medica.
Names changed.
R.
Raphanus rusticanus.
Resina a:ba.
Rhabarbarum.
Rosa pallida.
rubra.
Rubigo ferri prseparata.
S.
Sabina.
Saccharum saturni.
Sal alkalinus fixus fossilis.
vegetabilis.
ammoniacus.
catharticus amarus.
cornu cervi.
Glauberi.
marinus Hispanus.
polychrestus.
Rupellensis.
auccini.
tartari.
Sanguis draconis.
Santalum rubrum.
Sa.itonicum.
Sarsaparilla.
Sassafras.
Scammonium.
Seneka.
Senna.
Serpentaria Virginiana.
Simarouba.
Sinapi album.
Soda.
muriata.
phosphorata.
tartarisata.
vitriolata.
Spiritus aetheris vitriolici.
ammoniae.
aromaticus.
foetidus.
co> nu cervi.
Mindereri.
vinosus rectificatus.
tenuior.
camphoratus.
New Names.
Cochlearia armoracia.
Resina pini.
Rheum palmatum.
Rosa centiiolia.
Gallica.
Carbonas ferri praeparatus*
Juniperus sabina.
Acetisplumbi.
Carbonas sodae.
potassae.
Murias ammoniae.
Sulphas magnesias.
Carbonas ammoniae.
Sulphas sodae.
Murias sodae.
Sulphas potassae cum sulphure.
Tartris potassae et sodae.
Acidum succinicum.
Carbonas potassae purissimus.
Resina pterocarpi draconis.
Pterocarpus santalinus.
Artemisia santonicum.
Smilax sarsaparilla.
Laurus sassafras.
Gummi-resina convolvuli scam-
moniae.
Polygala senega.
Cassia senna.
Aristolochia serpentaria.
Quassia simaruba.
Sinapis alba.
Carbonas sodae.
Murias sodae.
Phosphas sodae.
Tartris potassae et sodae.
Sulphas sodae.
-£ther sulphuricus cum alcohole.
Alcohol ammoniatum.
aromaticum.
foetidurn.
Aqua carbonatis ammoniae.
acetitis ammoniae.
Alcohol.
dilutum.
Tinctura camphorae.
Table of Names changed. 755
Xames changed.
Staphisagria.
Stramonium.
Sulphur antimonii prxcipitat. >
auratum antimonii. 5
Syrupusbalsamicusi-/ Tolutanus.
papaveris albi.
T.
Taraxacum.
Tartarus crudus.
Tartar i crystalli.
Tartarum solubile.
vitriolatum.
Tartarus emeticus.
Terebinthina Veneta.
Terra Japonica.
Tinctura,aloes vitriolata,
aromatica.
ferri.
cantharidum.
Japonica.
rhei amara.
Tolutana.
sacra.
Toxicodendron.
Tragacantha.
Trifolium.
Trochisci Arabici.
Turpethum minerale.
Tutia.
U.
Unguentum album vd cerussae.
aeruginis.
cceruleum.
citrinum.
epipasticum fortius.
mitius.
saturninum.
tutiae.
Uva passa.
ursi.
V.
Valeriana sylvestris.
Vinum amarum.
J\'evj jVa?nes.
Delphinium staphisagria.
Datura stramonium.
Sulphuretum antimonii prsecipita-
turn.
Syrupus toluifers balsami.
papaveris somniferi.
Leontodon taraxacum.
Super-Tartris potassas impurus.
potassae.
Tartris potassse.
Sulphas potassae.
Tartris antimonii.
Resina pini laricis.
Extractum mimosx catechu.
Tinctura aloes aetherea.
lauri cinnamomi com-
posita.
murhus ferri.
meloes vesicatorii.
mimosae catechu.
rhei cum gentiana.
toluiferae balsami.
Vinum aloes socotorinae.
Rhus toxicodendron.
Gummi astragali tragacanthae.
Menyanthes trifoliata.
Trochisci gummosi.
Sub-Sulphas hydrargyri flavus.
Oxidum zinci impurum.
Unguentum oxidi plumbi albi.
sub-Acetitis cupri.
hydrargyri.
nitratis hydrargyri.
pulveris meloes vesi-
catorii.
infusi meloes vesica-
catorii.
acetitis plumbi.
oxidi zinci impuri.
Fructus siccatus vitis vmiferi.
Arbutus uva ursi.
Valeriana officinalis.
Vinum gentiana compositum.
756
Materia Medica.
Names changed.
New Names.
Vinum antimoniale.
Vitriol um album.
coeruleum.
viride.
Vitrum antimonii.
ceratum.
Vinum tartritis antimonii >
Sulphas zinci.
cupri.
ferri.
Oxidum antimonii cum sulphure
vitrification,
antimonii vitrificatum
cum cera.
W.
Winteranus cortex.
Cortex Winterae aromaticae.
Z in cum ustum.
vitriolatum.
Zingiber.
Oxidum zinci.
Sulphas zinci.
Amomum zingiber.
Note. — ( Edin.J In these Indexes of changed names, fearing lest
they might become too long, and satisfied if every possible error might
be avoided, we have only introduced those simples of which we
have changed the principal and common names, called in natural his-
tory Generic Names ; such as Anethum fceniculum for Foeniculum,
Anthemis nobilis for Chamaemelum, Gentiana Centaureum for Cen-
taurium minus ; but we have omitted all those simples whose former
generic names remain, and to which we have only added their speci-
fic or trivial names, such as Digitalis purpurea, Rheum palmatum,
Papaver somniferum.
For the same reason, we have thought it sufficient to introduce into
these Indexes the changed name of every simple, having generally
omitted the titles of the preparations and compositions which are
formed of them. Thus, we have mentioned that Laurus Cinnamo-
mum is to be used in place of Cinnamomum ; but we have omitted
the Aqua, Spiritus, and Tinctura Lauri Cinnamomi, trusting that,
their new names cannot be a source of doubt or error to any person
757
ENGLISH INDEX,
A
Page
ABSORPTION
36
Abstraction
32
Acetated ceruse
524
kali
540
vegetable alkali
540
quicksilver
370
Acetitc of lead
524
of potass
540
of quicksilver
370
Acetous acid, distilled
90
impure
S8
strong
91
Acetous fermentation
45
Acidification
41
Acids
83
solubility of
66
with simple bases
86
with compound bases
87
ternary
#'
quaternary
Aconite
96
Acrid principle
207
Adipocere
504
Adopters
29
jEthiops mineral
385
Affinity
51
tables of
47
Agaric, female
222
Albumen
500
Alcohol 101
, 105
diluted
113
Alder, black
547
Alkali
115
fixed mineral
589
fossil, purified
591
mild
591
Page
Alkali, vegetable caustic
530
mild
533
volatile
123
mild
130
Alkalies
115
Alkanet
148
Alloys
36
Almond
143
emulsion, or milk
441
oil
476
Aloes
118
Barbadoes
119
hepatic
id.
socotorine
id,
caballine
120
Alum
621
burnt
623
curd
246
purified
622
root
364
Amalgams
36
Amber
612
prepared
230
Ammonia
115, 123
prepared
130
Ammoniacal copper
303
iron
347
Ammoniac, gum
138
purified
139
Ammoniaret of copper
303
Ammoniated alcohol
128
alcohol aromatic
673
Ammoniated copper
303
* oil
485
Angelica
150
tree
189
758
English Index.
Page
151
484
511
107
170
164
Angustura
Animal oil
Anise
Anodyne liquor of Hoffman
Antimonial powder
Antimoniated tartar
sulphur, brown 1 7-2
orange 1 65
Antimony 155
calcined by nitre 1 6 1
prepared 1 60
Apparatus 1 3
Areometer 8
Aromatic ammoniatedalcohol673
confection ^
powder , 553
sulphuric ether with al-
cohol
sulphuric acid
Arrow root, Indian
Arsenic
acid
Arsenious acid
Arseniate of potass
Arseniates
Arsenite of potass
Arsenites
Artichoke
Asarabacca
Asphaltum
Aspin
Assa foetida
purified
Atmospheric air
Avoirdupois weight
Azotic gas
670
671
425
199
200
ib.
203
201
203
200
' 305
208
221
529
349
350
471
7, 61
470
B
Balaustine
Balm
Balsam
of Canada
of Copaiva
of Gilead
of Peru
of Tolu
Barberry
Barbadoes tar
Barilla
559
432
214
514
288
147
458
676
219
119
589
Barks
Barley
B arras
Baryta
Bay-tree
Beams
Bears-foot
Beaver
Beech-drops
Beluga
Benzoates
Benzoic acid
Benzoin
Birch
Bistort
Bitter apple
infusion
principle
sweet
Bitumen
Blazing-star
Blistering-fly
Bole, French
Boracic acid
Borates
Borax
Broad-leaved moorwort
Brooklime
Broom
rape, Virginia
Bryony
Buckthorn, purging
Burdock
Butterfly weed
Burgundy pitch
Butternut-walnut
Page
5
364
514
2U
4U
7
363
244
489
95
609
ib.
608
220
528
294
394
294
596
220
711
432
222
611
ib.
ib.
148
710
597
489'
223
565
191
209
516
401
Cabbage -tree bark
Cajeput
Calamine
prepared
Calcined antimony
magnesia
quicksilver
Calcined zinc
Calico-tree
Calomel
Calx of antimony, precipitated 170
of quicksilver, white 378
356
431
723
ib.
175
421
381
721
404
374
English Index.
759
Page
Calx of zinc 721
Camphor 4 1 1
liniment, compound 672
Camphorated acetous acid 95
emulsion or mixture 442
liniment 672
oil 486
spirit 652
Camphorates 413
Camphoric acid ib.
Canella 234
Cancer -root 489
Caraway 240
Carbon 237
Carbonate 238
of ammonia 130
of baryta 214
of iron 345
precipitated ib.
of lime 228
prepared 230
of magnesia 423
of potass 533
pure ib.
impure 5 3 1
of soda 59 1
impure 589
of zinc, impure 723
prepared ib.
Carbonates 239
Carbonic acid ib.
acid gas ib.
oxide gas ib.
Carbonous oxide 238
Cardamom, lesser 142
Carrot, wild 308
Cascarilla 293
Cassia bark 4 10
pods 241
Castor 244
oil 571
Cataplasm of cumin 246
of alum ib,
of mustard 247
Catechu 438
Caustic, common, strongest 530
common, milder 538
lunar 193
Cayenne pepper 235
Page
Centaury, smaller 257
Cerated glass of antimony 163
Cerate of acetat.litharge,comp.688
calamine 687
of cantharides ib.
epulotic ib.
. of impure carbonate of
zinc ib.
of soap 689
of spermaceti ib.
of yellow resin 688
simple 689
Cerusse 522
Chamomile 153
Chalk 228
potion or mixture 444
powder 554
prepared 230
Charcoal 236
Charring 24
Chemical operations 2 1
signs 77
explanation of table of 80
Cherry-tree, wild 549
Chesnut, horse 100
Chian turpentine 5 20
China, pride of 431
Cinchona bark 258
Caribaean 266
Cinchonin 260
Cinnabar, factitious 386
Cinnamon 408
Cinquefoil, common 547
Circulation 28, 36
Cistus, Cretan 268
Citrates 273
Citric acid ib.
Clarification 1 3
Clove gillyflower 3 1 7
Clove-tree 327
Coagulation 32
Coal incombustible 237
Cochineal 274
Cockspur pepper 235
Cohobation 32
Collection of simples 4
Colomba 278
Colophony 5 1 6
Coloquintida 294
760
English Indez.
Colouring fermentation
45
Pnlt'c font
209, 683
( Combination
32
( "* otyi hi 7 st t o n
40
Concentration
25
Condpnsation
26
Pnn fertiofiS
322
Congelation
32
Pond** rvp <i
28 1
Poimprvp of a mm
283
of oranp*p dp el
282
of hips
ib.
of red rose-buds
ib>
of sea wormwood
ib.
of sloes
284
of squills
ib.
of wood-sorrel
282
C * Pin travp r va
V/ui ill 7
32 1
Copaiva tree
288
Cnnner
296
342
Coral. vp(]
399
nrpnared
230
Coriander
289
Com rose
493
CoiTosive sublimate
372
Cow itch
320
Crab
232
Prill's flaws
ib.
prepared
230
eyes
232
prepared
230
stones
232
prepared
230
Pruw-fish
U" "XI Oil
232
r rp3m of tartar
630
Cresses, water
Proms of antimony
587
161
Crowfoot, celery -leaved
565
22
Pi*vctil brat ion
38
Prvstals of tartar
630, 716
519
V-/UCUaI1uCI JUUl
426
wild
444
Cumin
295
Currant, black
571
red
570
Custard apple
152
Cusseena
241
Page
D.
Damson, hitler
561
Dandelion
417
Decanratinn
Decoction 36,
308
of harlpv
wi ucll icy
O i o
rnmnm lnrl
314
of cabbage tree bark
312
of rharnonnilp
309
of cinchona
310
of elm
316
of guaiacum, compound
312
or hnrtsliorn
311
of hpllphorp vvhitp
313
of marshmallows
309
of mezereon
312
of Peruvian bark
310
of sarsaparilla
315
compound
ib.
of seneka
314
for fomentation
310
for glysters
309
Decomposition
36
Decrepitation
26
Deflagration
J.7 V /lltl Cl 1 UL1L/U
40
Delini lpsrpnrp
34
Dephlegmation
32
Dpsriiimation
JyL>) /'UiiUUU1'
1 3
Devil'*; hit
71 1
Tj i a iti rm rl
XJ lCilLXJllKX
237
Digestion
35
Division, mechanical
9
Dill
149
Disoxygenizement
43
Dissolution
36
Distillation
26
Diuretic salt
540
Tloo*wor>rl
290
Hovpv'c Tir»ivr!r»r
X/U i Cl O LJUVVviOl
lira anil's hlood
555
550
Drying of herbs and flowers
5
E
Edulcoration
55
Effervescence
36
Efflorescence
35
Egg
500
shells, prepared
230
English Index.
761
Elaterium
Elder, common
rob
Elecampane
Electuaries
Electuary, aromatic
of cassia
of catechu
compound
lenitive
of opium
of scammony
of senna
Page.
444, 618
580
618
398
322
323
ib.
324
ib.
ib.
325
ib.
324
of Peruvian bark
Page.
ib.
hard ib.
soft ib,
with the resin 335
resinous, of red P. bark ib.
of rue 333
of savin jb.
of senna n,,
of white poppy
of wild valerian, resinous 335
Extraction
Extractive
35
120
thebaic
325
Elemi
146, 147
Eleutheria
293
F
Elixir of health
653
Elm
684
Elutriation
11
Fat
98
Empyreumatic oHs
483
Fennel, sweet
Fenugreek
149
Emulsions
441
678
Emulsion, almond
ib.
Fermentation
43
Arabic
442
Fern, male
528
camphorated
ib.
sweet
419
of assa faetida
443
Fibrin
679
of gum ammoniac
ib.
350
Epsom salt
422
filings of iron, purified
344
Eryngo
326
Filtration
1 1
water
ib.
Fir
512
Ether
105
Fixed oils
47-4
Evergreen Cassirie
241
Flax, common
418
Evaporation
25
purging
ib.
Expression
12
r lour
. 678
Exsiccation
25
Flowers
5
tf simples
6
of benzoin
609
Extracts
329
of sulphur, washed
626
Extract of aloes
333
of zinc
721
of black hellebore
ib.
Fluids, specific gravity of
65
of broom tops
ib.
Flux-root
209
of cascarilla, resinous 335
Fluxes
22
of catechu
438
Fly, Spanish
432
of chamomile
333
Fowl, dunghill
500
of cinchona
334
Fox-glove
313
of coloquintida,compound336
Frankincense, common 513
5 15
of gentian
332
Freezing mixtures
58
of jalap
333, 335
Fruits
6
of lead
526
Fuel
18
of liquorice
333, 358
Fumitory, common
353
of logwood
333
Furnaces
19
of oak bark
ib.
Fusion
21
Extract of opium
334
watery
2$
5E
762
English Index.
page.
G
Galbanum 223
purified 224
Galipot 5 1 3
Gallates 564
Gallic acid ib.
Galls 563
Galvanic circles 59
Gamboge 604
Garget 504
Garlic 1 1 5
Gaseous oxide of carbon 238
Gases, specific gravities of 63
Gelatin 96
Gentian 355
Geranium, spotted 356
Germander, water 646
Ginger 140
wild 209
Ginseng 493
Glass of antimony 162
Glauber's salt 594
Golden rod 597
Goats-rue, Virginia 354
Granulation 10
Grapes 7 1 6
Groats 2 1 3
Guaiac ( 359
Gum, sweet 419
Arabic 440
tragacanth 209
troches 682
resins 1 1 8
H
Hamilton's apparatus 76
Hartshorn 255
burnt ib.
Heat 1 8
Hellebore, black 362
white 710
Hemlock 280
Hepatized ammonia 137
Henbane, black 390
I Icrbs 5
Hips 573
tfog 99
Pagc-
Hog's lard 99
prepared 686
Honey 426
acetated 428
clarified ib.
of squills 430
of roses 429
Hop 364
Holly, ground 560
Horehound, white 426
Horse chesnut 100
radish 276
Hydrogen 176
Hydroguretof nitrogen 123
Hydroguretted phosphorus 502
sulphur 624
Hydrometer, Baume's 62
Hydrosulphuret of ammonia 136
Hyper-oxygenized muriates 453
muriatic acid 452
Hyssop 392
hedge 359
I
Incineration 25
Incombustible coal 237
Indian turnip 207
Inflammation 40
Infusion 35,393
of catechu 395
of cinchona 393
of foxglove 394
of gentian, compound ib.
of Peruvian bark 393
of rhubarb 395
of roses 396
* of senna,' simple ib.
tartarized 397
of tamarinds with senna ib.
Inspissation 25
Ipecacuan 249.598
bastard 679
Iron 338
filings 340
purified 344
scales of 341
purified * 344
wire 340
Isinglass 95
English Index.
763
J
page.
James-town weed 307
Jalap 286
Japonic confection 384
infusion 395
Jelly 96
Juices, expressed 614
of scurvy grass com. 6 1 6
inspissated 6 1 7
Juice of black currant 6 1 8
of deadly nightshade ib.
of elder ib-
of hemlock ib-
of henbane ib.
of lemon ib.
of poisonous lettuce ib.
of wild cucumber ib.
of wolfsbane 617
Juniper 401
K
Kali, pure 530
prepared 533
Kermes mineral 164
Kino 405
L
Ladanum 268
Ladies^smock 240
Larch 512
Lard 99
prepared 686
Laudanum, liquid 664
Laurel, broad leaved 404
Lavender 4 1 6
Lead 521
Leather-wood 320
Leaves 5
Lemon 271
Lenitive electuary 324
Leopard's bane, German 197
Lettuce, wild 470
garden ib,
Levigation 10
Ley, caustic 535
mild 538
Lily, white 417
Lime, 225
water '« 226
with pure kali 538
Liniment, anodyne 668
of ammonia 485
stronger ib,
simple 686
Linseed 418
oil 476
with lime 486
Liquefaction 2 1
Liquidambar, maple-leaved 4 1 9
Liquor of acetated vol. alkali 135
of acetat. litharge, comp. 426
of ammoniated copper 300
of caustic volatile alkali 1 2 6
of mildest veget alkali 593
of volatile alkali 1 3 1
-volatile, of hartshorn 133
Liquorice 357
Litharge 524
Liver of sulphur 544
Lixiviation 35
Logwood 362
Lobelia 420
Lunar caustic 193
Lutes 1 5
M
Mace 453
Maceration 35
Mackaw tree 277
Madder 574
Magnesia 42 1
alba 423
calcined 42J
Mahogany 632
Mallow ' 425
Maltha 220
Mandrake 526
Manna 351
Marble 228
Majoram, sweet 488
wild ib.
Marshmallow 122
Marsh -trefoil 436
Martial flowers 347
Mastich 52 1
Syrian herb 64
764
English Index.
page.
Natron, prepared
page.
Materia medica
1
591
May apple
526
Nettle
708
Measures
7, 60
Nightshade, American
504
Mechanical operations of
deadly
211
pharmacy
7
Nitrates
468
Mercury
365
Nitrate
463
Metals
436
of potass
464
Mezereon
306
of silver
193
Millipeds, prepared
487
Nitrated quicksilver, red
382
Mineral waters
178
silver
193
Mixture, mechanical
13
Nitre
464
Mixtures, freezing
58
purified
465
Melasses
578
Nitric acid
468
Monk's hood
96
oxide gas
471
Moose wood
320
Nitrous acid
466
Mucilage of gum Arabic
448
diluted
467
tragacanth ib.
ethereal liquor
110
of quince seeds
447
oxide gas
471
of starch
ib.
Nitrous gas
ib.
Mountain tea
354
Nitrites
466
Mulberry
445
Nitrogen
472
Muriate
447
Nooth's apparatus
75
Muriates
448
Nutgalls
563
Muriate
447
Nutmeg
453
of ammonia
124
of do. and iron
347
of antimony
168
O
of baryta
£16
of quicksilver
372
Oak
56-2
of soda
448
Jerusalem
257
dried
449
oriental
563
Muriated antimony
168
Oats
213
quicksilver corrosive 372
Oil of almonds
476
mild
374
of amber
613
precipitated 376
rectified
484
sublimated
372
of anise
478
Muriatic acid
450
of cajeput
431
gas
452
of caraway
478
Musk
445
of castor
476
artificial
484
of cloves
327
mixture
443
of fennel-seeds
478
Mustard
586
flowers
ib.
Mutton suet
99
of hartshorn
133
prepared
686
rectified
484
Myrrh
459
ol juniper berries
478
of lavender
ib.
N
of lemon-peel
271
of linseed
476
NaplitfA
220
of mace
457
English Index.
765
page. page.
Oil of mustard 476 Ointment, saturnine 698
of nutmeg 457 of Spanish flies 700
of olives 473 of spermaceti ib.
of orange-peel 269 of sub-acetite of copper 708
of origanum '478 of sulphur ib.
of pennyroyal ib. of tar 706
of peppermint ib. of tutty ib.
of petroleum 483 of wax 700
of pimento 478 of white calx ofquick-
of rosemary ib. silver 704
of rue ib. of white hellebore 702
of sassafras ib. of white oxide of lead 706
of savin ib. of yellow resin 707
of spearmint ib. simple 699
of turpentine 479 . white 706
* rectified ib. yellow 705
of vitriol 627 Olibanum 402
of wine 107 Olive 473
animal 484 Onion 118
fixed 474 Operations, chemical 21
rock 220 mechanical 7
volatile 477 Opiate powder 556
empyreumatic 483 Opium 494
Oily ethereal liquor 107 purified 336
preparations 485 Opoponax 500
Ointments 685 Orange 269
Ointment of acetated ceruse 698 Orris, Florentine 398
of acetite of lead 698 Ox 99
blue \ 703 Oxalic acid 490
•felemi, compound m 702 Oxalates ib,
elder 707 Oxide ib.
cpispastic stronger 701 Oxide of antimony, with phos-
milder ib. phate of lime 170
of grey oxide of quick- of antimony, with sulph.
silver 703 by nitrate of potass 1 6 1
of hog's lard 699 of do. with do. vitrified 162
of infusion of cantharides 701 of do. vitrified with wax 163
mercurial, milder 703 of arsenic 200
stronger ib. of hydrogen 177
of nitrate of quicksilver 705 of iron, black, purified 344
milder ib. red 346
of nitrous acid 669 of lead, white 522
of oxide of zinc 706 red 523
impure ib. semivitrified 524
of powder of Spanish of quicksilver, ash-co-
flies 701 loured 379
of quicksilver 703 red, by nitric acid 380
of red oxide of quick- of sulphur 624
silver 704 of zinc 721
resinous 707 impure ib.
766
English Index.
page.
Oxide of zinc, impure, prep. 722
Oxidizement 4 1
Oxygen 83
Oxygenized muriates 452
muriatic acid 45 1
gas 452
Oxygenizement 40, 84
Oxymel, simple 428
of meadow saffron 429
squills 430
verdigris ib.
Oyster 489
shells prepared 236
P
Paint, Indian 581
Palm oil 277
Palma christi 571
* Panary fermentation 45
^Papaw 152
Paregoric elixir 665, 675
Pareirabrava 267
Parsley 175
Pearl ashes 53 i
barley 364
Pellitory of Spain 154
Peppermint , 435
Pennyroyal 436
Pennsylvania mountain laurel 569
Pepper, black 5 i 9
Cayenne 235
cockspur 235
Jamaica 460
long 520
Peroxide of sulphur 624
Persimmon 320
Peruvian bark 23
pale 259
yellow 265
red 265
Petroleum 220
Pharmaceutical operations 4
Pharmacy, elements of 3
Philadelphia flea-bane 326
Physic, Indian 598
Phosphates 503
Phosphate of lime 255
Phosphate of mercury 388
page.
Phosphate of soda 592
Phosphites . 502
Phosphoric acid 502
Phosphorous acid 502
Phosphorus 501
Phospnurets 502
Phosphuretted nitrogen gas 501
Pills 504
of aloes 505
compound ib,
with assa foetida 506
with colocynth ib,
with myrrh 507
of arsenic with opium ib.
of ammoniaret of copper 508
of assa foetida, compound ib.
of galbanum, compound ib,
antimonial compound 5 1 1
of mercury 509
opium 510
Plummers 511
squill 5 1 0
Thebaic ib.
of rhubarb, compound 510
rimento 460
Pink, Carolina 597
Pippsiseva 560
Pitch, burgundy 516
mineral 220
Plasters 690
adhesive 696
blistering 693
common 695
cummin 69 1
gum ib.
of ladanum, compound 692
litharge, compound 693
do. with resin 696
do. Quicksilver 693
resinous 696
saponaceous 697
soap ib.
of wax, ib.
compound 69 1
of assa foetida 690
of Burg, pitch, comp. 696
of frankincense, comp. 698
of gum amnion, with
quicksilver 690
*
English Index. 767
Page- page.
Plaster oflitharge, compound 693 Powder of tin 606
of quicksilver 692 of tragacanth, compound 559
of red oxide of iron 694 Precipitation 37
of semivitrif. oxide of Preservation of simples 4
lead 695 Prickly ash 189
simple 697 Proof-spirit 113
of Spanish flies 693 Prunes 548
compound 694 Prussiates I45
Plates, explanation of 70, , Prussic acid 144
^eurisy root 209 Puccuon 581
plum 548 Pulps, extraction of 619
Plumbago 238, 338 Pulverization 9
Pneumatic apparatus 30 Putrefactive fermentation 45
Poke 504
Poison berry tree 431 Q
oak 569
\ Polypody 528 Quassia 562
"Pomegranate 559 Quicklime 225
-Poplar 419 Quicksilver 365
Poppy, red 493 purified 369
white 494 with chalk 381
Potass 1 15, 530 with sulphur 385 ■
with lime 538 Quince 560
Potatoe-fly 434
wild 287 R
Potashes 531
Powders 551 Raisins 716
Powder, of aloes, with canella 552 Raspberry 5 74
guaiac ib. Rattlesnake root 527
iron ib. Receiver 29
of asarabacca, comp. 553 Rectification 32
of carbonate of lime, Reduction 43
comp. 554 Red precipitate 382
of chalk, compound ib. Resins 515
with opium, comp. ib. Retorts 29
of ceruse, compound ib. Rhododendron 569
of contrayerva, comp. 555 Rhubarb 566
of ipecacuan and opium ib. Rochelle salt 595
compound ib. Rock oil 220
of jalap, compound 556 Roots 4
of myrrh, compound 556 Rose, damask 572
of quicksilver, ash-co- dog 573
loured 379 red 572
of scammony, comp. 557 Rosemary 573
with aloes ib. Rosin, white 515
with calomel ib. yellow 516
of senna, compound 558 Rue 575
of sulphate of alumina, ib. Rust of iron 34 5
i
765
English Index.
.rage.
s
Pasre.
o
Skerrit, creeping
587
>
Slaters
487
Saccharine fermentation
44
Sloe
548
Sacred tincture
711
Snake-root, Virginian
196
elixir
666
Snake -weed
528
Saffron, common or English
291
Soaps
581
meadow
278
Soda 115, 588
Sasrapenum
578
carbonate of
591
Sasre
o
579
impure
589
Indian
328
Solids, specific gravity of
64
St. John's wort, common
392
Solubility, table of
66
Sal ammoniac
124
Soluble tartar
546
polychrest
543
Solution
34
Salifiable bases, solubility of
66
of acetite of zinc
727
Salt of amber
613
of mildest vegetable alkali 539
purified
ib.
of muriate of baryta
218
of benzoin
609
of muriate of lime
231
of hartshorn
133
of sulphate of zinc
725
of steel
342
of sulphate of copper,
of tartar
533
compound
302
Salts, solubility of
66
of super-carbonate of
specific gravity of
65
potass
539
Sanicle, American
364
Sorrel
575
Sapphire water
300
wood
489
Sarcocol
492
Soot of wood
353
Sarsapariila
587
South-sea tea
241
■ Sassafras
415
Southern wood
204
Saunders wood, red
549
Spanish fly
432
Savin
403
Spar, ponderous
215
Scales
7
Spearmint
435
of iron purified
344
Spectfic gravity
7, 62
Scammony
285
Spermaceti
503
Scurvy-grass, garden
275
Spirit of ammonia
128
Sea salt
448
aromatic
673
dried
449
fetid
602
Sebacic acid
100
succinated
674
Sebates .
ib.
of aniseed, compound
601
Seeds
6
of carraway
600
Seneka
527
of cinnamon
ib.
Senna
242
of horse-radish, comp.
602
Separation, mechanical
10
of juniper, compound
601
Septfoil
i
677
of lavender
600
Sheep
99
compound
662
Sifting
10
of mindererus
135
Signs, chemical
77
of nitrous ether
1 10
Silver
191
of nutmeg
600
leaf
ib.
of pennyroyal
ib.
'Simples, collection of
4
of peppermint
ib.
Simarouba
562
of pimento
ib.
Sinapism
247
of rosemary
601
English Index.
769
Page
Spirit of spearmint 600
of vitriolic ether 106
compound 107
of volatile alkali 128
aromatic 673
fetid 602
of wine 1 1 3
rectified 101
Spirits, distilled 599
bponge 603
burnt ib.
Spontaneous evaporation 34
Sprouts 5
Spurge 329
Spurge-laurel 306
Squill 583
dried 585
prepared ib.
Starch 145
of wheat 678
Stavesacre 316
Steel 338
Sterlet 95
Still 27
Stomachic elixir 659
Storax 607
purified 608
Sturgeon 95
Styptic powder 558
Sub-acetite of copper 298
Sub-borate of soda 6 1 1
Sub-muriate of quicksilver 374
precipitated 376
of do. and ammonia 379
Sub-nitrated quicksilver 382
Sub-sulphate of do. yellow 383
Sub-vitriolated quicksilver ib.
Sublimation 32
Succinates 6 ) 4
Succinic acid ib.
Suet 99
prepared 686
Sugar 576
cane ib.
double refined ib.
raw ib.
of lead 524
Sulphate 620
of alumina, dried. 623
Page
Sulphate of baryta 2 1 5
of copper 301
of iron 342
dried 344
of magnesia 422
of potass 542
with sulphur 543
of soda 594
of zinc 724
Sulphites 628
Sulphur 623
brown antimoniated 164
of antimony, precipitated 165
precipitated 626
sublimed 625
' sublimed, washed 626
Sulphuretted kali 544
oil 487
petroleum ib.
vegetable alkali 544
quicksilver, black 385
red 386
nitrogen gas 624
hydrogen gas ib.
phosphorus 502
Sulphur ets 624
Sulphuret of antimony 1 5 5
precipitated 165
prepared 1 60
of iron 135
of potass 544
of quicksilver, black 384
Sulphuric acid 627
diluted 629
aromatic 671
ether 105
with alcohol 106
do. aromatic 670
Sulphurous acid gas 627
Super-sulphate of alumina and
potass 62 1
Super-tart rate of potass 630
impure 631
Sweet flag 98
Sweet spirit of nitre 1 1 0
vitriol 106
Swietenia, febrifuge 632
Syrup of acetous aogk 634
of balsam of Tolu 04-
770
English Index.
Page
Syrup of black currants 636
of buckthorn 640
of clove July flowers 637
of colchicum ib.
of garlic 634
of ginger 635
of lemon juice 636
of manna 638
of marshmallows 635
of mulberries 636
of opium 639
of orange-peel 636
of poppies, red 640
white 639
of raspberries 636
of roses, pale 64 1
red ib,
of saffron 638
of squills 642
of Tolu ib.
of vinegar 634
of violets 643
simple 634
Tables of simple affinities 47
of therm, deg. of ch. phen. 54
of freezing mixtures 58
of galvanic circles 59
of weights and measures 6 1
of specific gravities 62
of solubilities 66
of absorption of gases 69
of proportions of mercu-")
ry, antimony and opi-
um,in their respective
preparations
of the specific gravity ofl
mixtures of alcohoif 114
and water *
posological and prosodial 732
Tallow 98
prepared 686
Tamarind 644
Tannin 564
Tansyj^^^ 645
Tar 1 518
29
Page
Tar Barbadoes 220
mineral ib.
Tartar 631,716
emetic 172
Tartarized antimony ib.
iron 348
kali 546
natfbn 595
vegetable alkali 546
Tartaric acid 630
Tartrates ib.
Tartrite of antimony 172
of potass 546
of potass and soda 595
Thebaic electuary 325
tincture 664
Thermometers 53
Thistle, blessed 248
Thorn-apple 307
Tin 605
Tincture 647
of acetated iron 658
of aloes 648
ethereal 670
compound 649
with myrrh ib,
of ammoniacal iron 658
of assa foetida 651
of balsam of Peru ib.
of balsam of Tolu 668"
of ben zoin , compoun d 652
of camphor ib.
of cantharides 663
of cardamom 649
compound 650
of cascarilla 653
of castor 654
compound 674
of catechu 663
of cinchona 654
compound 655
ammoniated 675
of cinnamon 661
. compound ib.
of colomba 655
of foxglove 656
of galbanum 659
of ginger 669
of gentian, compound 659
English Index,
771
Page Page.
Tincture of guaiac 660 Turpentines 514
ammoniat. or vol. 675 Turpentine chian 514, 520
of hellebore, black 660 oil of 517
white 669 baked 516
of henbane 660 Turpeth mineral 283
of jalap 656 Tutty 721
of kino 661 prepared 722
of lavender, compound 662 Tulip tree 4f9
of muriate of iron 657
of musk 66S U
of myrrh 664
of opium ib. Urates 53?
camphorated 665 Urea ib.
ammoniated 675 Uric acid ib.
of orange-peel 651 Ustulatipn 2,4
of Peruvian bark 654
compound 655 V.
of rhubarb 665
bitter 666 Valerian, wild 709
compound ib. Vaporization 23
with aloes ib. Verdegris 298
with gentian ib. prepared 299
pf roses 396 Vessels 14
of saffron 656 Verjuice 716
of savin, compound 667 Vine ib.
of senna 653 wild 223
of snake-root 650 Vinegar 88
of soap 667 distilled 90
with opium 668 medicated 93
of socotorine aloes 648 aromatic ib.
of Spanish flies 663 of meadow saffron 94
of squills 668 of squills
of valerian 669 Vinous fermentation 44
ammoniated 676 Violet, March 715
Tobacco 462 Virginia winterberry 547
Tooth-ach tree 189 Vitrification 22
Tragacanth 209 Vitrified antimony 162
Trituration 1° Vitrif. oxide of ant. with sulph. ib.
Troches 680 with wax 163
of carbonate of lime ib. Vitriol, blue 30 1
of chalk ib. green 342
of liquorice ib. white 724
compound 681 Vitriol ated fossil alkali 594
with opium ib. iron 342
of starch ' 682 Vitriolated kali 542
of magnesia * natron 594
of nitrate of potass 683 quicksilver 38,>
of sulphur 682 tartar 542
Troy weight 7, 6 1 vegetable alkali 5 42
Turmeric 305, 581 zinc # 724
I
English Index.
Page
Vitriolic acid 627
diluted 629
ether 105
ethereal liquor 106
Volatile alkali 123
liniment 485
oils 477 *
empyreumatic 483
W
Wake-robin 206
Walnut 400
white 401
Water of alum compound 726
distilled 182, 187
of acetated ammonia 1 3 5
litharge 526
of acetite of ammonia 135
of aerated iron 346
of ammonia, caustic 126
of ammoniated copper 300
of carbon, of ammon. 1 3 1
of cassia 189
of cinnamon 188
of dill seed 189
of fennel 188
of fixed air 229
of lemon-peel , 188
of orange-peel ib.
of pennyroyal ib.
of peppermint ib.
of potass 555
of prepared kali 538
of pimento 189
of pure ammonia 126
of pure kali 535
of roses 188
styptic 302
of spearmint 188
of super-carbon, of potass539
of soda 591
of vit. zinc with camph . 726
Water flag 399
Watery fusion 25
Page
Wax
253
yellow
ik
white
254
Weights
7, 60
Wheat
678
AVortleberry
190
Wild succory
258
Willow, crack
579
red
290
Wine
717
of aloes
711
of antimoniated tartar
714
bitter
713
chalybeate
712
of gentian, compound
713
of ipecacuan
ib.
of iron
712
ironated
ib.
of rhubarb
714
of socotorine aloes
711
of tartarized antimony
714
of tartrite of antimony
ib.
of tobacco
ib.
Wines, medicated
71 1
Winter's bark
718
Wolfsbane
96
Wood, white
419
Woods
5
Wood-sorrel
489
WTorm-seed 205, 257
Wormwood, common
206
sea
204
Woulfe's apparatus
29, 74
Y
Yaupon — Yopon
241
Yellow-root
390
parsley-leaved
719
Z
Zedoary, long-
141
round
404
Zinc
720
773
LATIN INDEX.
t
A
A-BROTANUM
Page
204
Page
Acorus calamus 98
Absinthium maritimum
ib.
Adeps
ib.
vulgare
206
bovis tauri
99
Aceta medicata
93
ovis arietis
ib.
Acetosa pratensis
575
suis scrofse
ib.
Acetosella
489
suillus
ib.
Acetis hydrargyri
370
praeparatus
686
plumbi
524
JEmgo
298
potassae
540
praeparata
299
Acetum
88
JEsculus hippocastanum
100
aromaticum
93
pavia
ib.
colchici
94
iEther sulphuricus
105
destillatum
90
cum alcohole
106
scillae maritime
ib.
aromat.
670
scilliticum
ib.
vitriolicus
105
vini
88
jEthiops mineralis
385
Acidum acetosum
91
Agaricus chirurgorum
Alcohol ' 101
222
eamphoratum95
105
destillatum
90
ammoniatum
128
forte
91
aromaticum 673
impurum
88
foetidum
602
benzoicum
609
dilutum
113
muriaticum
450
Alkali fossile mite
591
nitricum
468
vitriolatum
594
nitrosum
466
vegetabile acetatum
540
dilutum
467
causticum
530
succini
613
mite
533
sulphuricum
627
sulphuratum544
aromaticum
671
tartarisatum 546
dilutum
629
vitriolatum
542
vitriolicum
627
volatile
123
dilutum
629
mite
130
Accipenser
95
Allium cepa
118
Aconitum napellus
96
sativum
115
neomontanum
ib.
Aloe perfpliata
118
774
Latin Index.
Page.
Althaea officinalis 122
Alumen 62 1
purificatum 622
ustum 623
Ammonia J 23
prseparata 1 30
Ammoniaretum cupri 303
Amomum cardamomum 1 42
repens ib.
zedoaria 141
zingiber 140
Ammoniacum 1 3.8
purificatum 139
Amygdalae k 143
Amygdalus communis ib.
Amylum 145
Amyns elemifera 146
Zeylanica 147
Gileadensis ib.
An chusa tinctoria 1 4 8
Andromeda mariana ib.
Anethum graveolens 149
foeniculum ib.
Angelica archangelica 150
Angustura 1 5 1
Anisum 5 1 1
Annona triloba 152
Anthemis nobilis 1 5 3
pyrethrum 154
Antimonium 155
calcinatum 1 7 5
muriatum 168
pncparatum 1 60
tartarisatum 1 72
vitrificatum 1 62
Apis mellifica 426
Apium petroselinum 1 75
Aqua 176
aeris fixi 229
acetitis ammonia:. 1 35
aluminis composita 726
ammonise 126, 131
acetatae 135
causticae 126
pur a; ib.
anethi 189
calcis 226
carbonatis ammonias 1 3 1
cinnamomi 188
citri aurantii 188
Page.
Aqua citri medicae 188
cupri ammoniati 300
destillata 187
ferri aerati 346
foeniculi dulcis 188
kali praeparati 538
puri 535
lauri cassia 189
cinnamomi 188
lithargyri acetati 526
composita ib.
menthae piperitae 188
pulegii ib.
sativae ib.
myrti pimentse 189
pimento ib.
potassae 535
pulegii 188
rosae centifoliae ib.
sappharina 300
styptica 302
super-carbonatis potassae 539
sodae 591
zinci vitr. cum camph. 726
Aquae destillatae 1 82
Aralia spinosa 189
nudicaulis ib.
Arbutus uva ursi 1 90
Arctium lappa 191
Argentum ib^
nitratum 193
Aristolochia serpentaria 196
sipho 197
Arnica montana ib.
Arsenicum 199
Artemisia abrotanum 204
absinthium 206
maritima 204
santonica 205
Arum maculatum 206
tryphyllum 207
Assa foetida 349
Asarum Europasum 208
canadense 209
Asclepias decumbens ib.
Asphaltum 221
Astragalus tragacantha 209
Atropa belladonna 2 1 1
Aurantium Hispalense 269
Avena sativa 213
Latin Index. 775
Page.
Page.
B
-
Cantharis vittata
Capsicum annuum
434
235
Balaustia
559
Carbo hgni
236
Balsamum
214
Carbonas
Canadense
5 12
ammoniae
1 oO
Copaiva
288
barytae
214
Gileadense
147
calcis
228
Peruvianum
458
praeparatus
o on
myroxyli Peruiferi
ib.
ferri
345
styracis benzoini
608
precipitates
ib.
officinalis
607
magnesias,
423
1 oluiterae balsami
676
potassa3;
533
T» 1
1 olutanum
10.
impurus
531
traumaticum
652
purissimus
533
Bardana
191
sodae
591
Barilla
589
impurus
589
Baryta
214
zinci impurus
723
Beccabunga
710
prseparatus ib.
Belladonna
911
Cardamine pratensis
240
Benzoinum
608
Cardamom ura minus
142
Berberis vulgaris
219
Carduus benedictus
248
Betula alba
220
Carica
350
Bistorta
528
Carpobalsamum
147
Bitumen petroleum
220
Carum carui
240
Boletus igniarius
222
Carui
ib.
Bolus Gallicus
ib.
Caryophylla aromatica
327
Boras sodae
61 I
Caryophyllum rubrum
317
Borax
ib.
Cascarilla
293
Bos taurus
99
Cassena
241
Bryonia alba
223
Cassia lignea
410
Bubon galbanum
ib.
fistula
241
marilandica
senna
244
242
r
Castor fiber
, 244
Castoreum
ib.
' 246
Cajeputa
431
Cataplasmata
^Calamus aromaticus
98
Cataplasma aluminis
247
Calculi cancrorum
232
cumini
246
Calomelas
374
sinapeos
247
Calx
225
Catechu
438
cum kali puro.
538
Caustic um com. acerrimum 53Q
hydrargyri alba
378
mitius
538
stibii pfaecipitata
170
lunare
193
viva
225
mitius
538
zinci
721
Centaurea benedicta
248
Camphora
411
Centaureum minus
257
Cancer astacus
232
Cepa
113
pagurus
233
Cephaelis ipecacuanha
249
Canella alba
234
Cera flava
253
C ant h arid
432
alba
254
776
Latin Index.
Page.
Cerata 687
Ceratum cantharidis ib.
carbonatis zinci impuri ib.
epuloticum ib.
lapidis calaminaris ib.
lithargyri acetati comp. 688
resinx flavas ib.
saponis 689
simplex ib.
spermatis ceti ib.
Cerussa 522
acetata 524
Cervus elaphus 1 255
Chamsemekim , 153
Chelae cancrorum 232
praeparatse 230
Chenopodium anthelminti-
cum 257
Chironia angularis 258
centaurium 257
Cicuta 280
Cinara hortensis 305
scolymus ib.
Cinchona Caribaea 266
officinalis 258
Cineres clavellati 531
Cinnabaris factitia 386
Cinnamomum » 408
Cissampelos pareira 267
Cistus Creticus 268
Citrus aurantium 269
medica 271
Clematis crispa 275
fjxr viorna ib.
Cleoj^ dodecandra 274
Coagulum aluminosum 247
Coccinella 274
Coccus cacti ib.
Cochkaria armoracia 276
officinalis 275
Cocos butyracea 277
Colchicum autumnale 278
Colocynthis 294
Colcmba 278
Confcctio aromatica 323
Japonica 524
opiata 525
Conium maculatum 2 HQ
Conserva absinthii maritiroi 282
acetosellae ii.
Conserva ari
Page,
283
citri aurantii
282
aurantii Hispalensis
ib.
cynosbati
ib.
lujulse
ib.
pruni sylvestris
284
rosx
282
caninse
ib.
rubrae
ib.
scillae
284
Contrayerva
321
Convolvulus panduratus
287
jalapa
286
scammonia
285
Copaifera officinalis
288
Corallium rubrum
399
Coriandrum sativum
289
Cornu cervi
255
cervinum ustum
ib.
Cortex angusturae
151
Peru vi anus
258
Cremor tartari
630, 631
Crocus antimonii
161
sativus
291
Crotoii eleutheria
293
Creta
228
praeparata
230
Crystalli tartari
630
Cubeba
519
Cornus fiorida
290'
sericea
ib.
Cucumis agrestis . T
«444
colocynthis
294
Cuminum cyminum
295
Cuprum
296
ammoniacum
303
ammoniatum
ib.
vitriolatuin
501
Curcuma
oU5
longa
ib.
Cydonia mains
560
Cyniphis nidus
565
Cynosbatus
573
D
Daphne mezereum
506
Datura stramonium
507
Daucus carota
508
sylvestris
ib.
Latin Index.
777
Decocta
Decoctum althaeae officinalis
anthemidis nobilis
chamaemeli
cinchonae officinalis
commune
cornu cervi
corticis Peruviani
daphnes mezerei
Geoffraeae inermis
guaiaci officinalis comp.
hellebori albi
hordei distichi
compositum
lignorum
polygalae senegae
pro enemate
pro fomento
sarsaparillae
compositum
smilacis sarsaparillae
ul mi
Delphinium staphisagria
Dianthus caryophyllus
Digitalis purpurea
Diospyros Virginiana
Dirca palustris
Dolichos pruriens
Dorstenia contrajerva
Dulcamara
Dracontium pertusum
Page.
308
309
ib.
ib.
310
309
311
310
312
ib.
ib.
313
ib.
314
312
314
309
310
315
ib.
ib.
316
ib.
317
318
320
ib.
ib.
321
596
321
Elaterium
Electuaria
Electuarium aromaticum
cassiae fistulae
sennae
catechu
compositum
lenitivum
opiatum
sennae
scammonii
Thebaicum
Elemi
Elixir paregoricum
sacrum
salutis
stomachicum
444
322
323
ib.
324
ib.
ib.
ib.
325
324
325
ib.
146
665, 675
666
653
659
5
Emplastra P*f£
Emplastmm adhaesivum 696
ammoniaci cum hydrarg.690
antihystericum #
assae fcetidae
cantharidis 593
cerae 691
compositum ib.
cereum 397
commune $95
cumini 6g j
gummosum ##
hydrargyri 69g
ladani compositum ib
lithargyri 695*
compositum 693
cum hydrargyro ib.
cum resina 696
meloes vesicatorii 693
compositum 694
oxidi ferri rubri
plumbi semivitrei 695
picis Burgundicae 696
compositum ib.
resinosum ibm
roborans 594
saponis 697
simplex fa
thuris compositum 698
vesicatorium 693
Emulsio amygdalae communis44 1
Arabica 442
camphorata id,
Enula campana 398
Erigeron Philadelphicum 326
Eryngium maritimum ib.
aquaticum ib
Eugenia caryophyllata 327
Eupatorium perfoliatum 328
Euphorbia ipecacuanha 329
Extracta ib.
Extractum aloes 333
anthemidis nobilis ib^
cascarillae 335
cassiae sennae 333
chamaemeli ib.
cinchonae 334
officinalis 335
colocynthidis comp,. 336
convolvuli jalapae 335
corticis Peruviani 334
G
778
Latin Index.
Page
Extract, cort. Peruv. durum 334
molle ib.
cum resina 335
rubri resinos. ib.
genistae 333
gentianae luteae 332
glycyrrhizae glabrae 333, 358
haematoxyli Campech. 333
hellebori nigri ib.
jalapae ib.
jalapii 335
mimosae catechu 438
opii
334
papaveris albi
333
pini
518
quercus
333
rutae graveolentis
ib.
sabinae
ib.
satumi
526
sennae
333
Valerianae sylvestris resin.335
F
Fecula
618
Ferrum
338
ammoniacale
347
tartarisatum .
348
vitriolatum
342
Ferula assa foetida
349
Ficus carica
350
Filix mas
528
Flores benzoes
609
martiales
347
sul^huris loti
626
zinei
721
Foeniculum dulce
149
Fcenum Graecum
678
Frasera Caroliniensis
351
Fraxinus ornus
ib.
Fuligo ligni combusti
353
Fumaria officinalis
ib.
G
Gaultheria procumbens
354
Galbanum
223
Gallae
563
Gambogia
604
gutta
ib.
Page.
Garcinia gambogia 604
Genista 597
Gentian a lutea 355
centaureum 257
Geoffraea inermis 356
Geranium maculatum ib.
Ginseng 493
Glycyrrhiza glabra 357
Granatum 559
Gratiola officinalis 359
Guaiacum officinale ib.
Gummi Arabicum 440
astragali tragacanthae 209
mimosae niloticse 440
tragacantha 209
resina aloes perfoliate 1 1 8
ammoniaci 138
bubonis galbani 223
convolv. scammon. 285
ferulae assae foetidae 349
gambogiae 604
guaiaci officinalis 359
juniperi lyciae 402
kino 405
myrrh as 459
sagapeni 578
H
Haematoxylon Campechen. 362
Helleboraster ^ '"■ 363
Helleborus foetidus ib.
niger 362
Hepar sulphuris 544
Heuchera Americana 364
Hippocastanum 1 00
Hordeum distichon 364
Humulus lupulus ib.
Hydrargyrum 365
acetatum 370
calcinatum 381
cum creta ib.
cum sulphure ^ 385
muriatiim 372
corrosivum ib.
mite 374
praec'pitatum 376
mite sublimat. 374
Latin Index.
i
779
jfydrargyrum nitratum rub.
Page.
Page.
382
Kali acatatum
540
phosphoratura
388
praeparatum
533
punficatum
369
purum
530
sub-nitratum
382
sulphuratum
544
sub-vitriolatum
383
tartarisatum
546
sulphuratum nigrum
385
vitriolatum
542
rubrum
386
Kermes mineralis
164
vitriolatum
383
Kino
40.5
Hydrastis canadensis
390
Hydro-sulphuretum ammonia 1 36
L
Hyosciamus ni^er
Hypericum perforatum
390
392
Lac ammcniaci
443
bacciferum
604
amygdalae
441
Hyssopus officinalis
392
assae foetid ae
Lactuca virosa
443
407
I
sativa
Ladanum
ib.
268
Ichthyocolla
Infusum amarumf
cinchonas officinalis
corticis Peruviani
digitalis purpurea
gentianae comp.
Japonicum
mimosae catechu
rhei palmati
rosas Gallicae
sennae simplex
tartarisatum
tamarindi Indici cum
sia senna
Inula helenium
Ipecacuanha
Iris Florentina
pseudai orus
Isis nobiiis
Jalapa
Juglansregia
cinerea
Juniperus communis
lycia
sabina
Kalmia latifolia
Kaempferia rotunda
cas-
95
S94
393
ib.
394
ib.
395
ib.
ib.
396
ib.
397
ib.
398
249
398
399
ib.
286
400
ib.
401
402
403
404
ib.
Lapilli cancrorum 230
Lapis calaminaris 723
prseparatus ib.
Laudanum liquidum 664
Laurus camphora 4 1 1
cassia 410
cinnamomum 408
nobiiis 414
sassafras 4 1.5
Lavandula spica 416
Leontodon Araxacum 417
Lilium candidum ib.
Limaturx ferri 340
purificatae "44
Limon 271
Linimentum ammoniae 485
fortius ib.
anodynum 668
camphorae compositum 672
camphoratum ib.
saponaceum 667
saponis compositum ib.
simplex 686
volatile 485
Linum catharticum 4 1 8
usitatissimum ib.
Liriodendron tulipifera 4 1 9
Liquidambar asplenifolium ib.
styraciflua ib.
Liquor aethereus nitrosus 1 10
oleosus 107
vitriolicus 10$
alkali vegetabiiis miUss. 539
780
Latin Index.
Page.
Page*
Liquor alkali volatilis
131
Mezereon
306
acetati
135
TV /I ! 11 — ,~ ,1
Millepedae
A Of
487
caustici
126
praeparatae
455
cupri ammoniati
300
Mimosa catechu
438
Hoffmanni anodynus
107
Nilotica
A A(\
lithargyri acetati
526
Minium
compositus
to.
Mistura camphorata
A AO
44*
volatilis cornu cervi
1 33
cretacea
A.A A.
444
Lithargyrus
524
moschata
A A 1
Lixivium causticum
535
Momordica elaterium
AA A.
444
mite
538
Morus nigra
445
Lobelia syphilitica
420
Moschus
lOm
Lujula
/ QQ
4oy
artificialis
ARA
not
Lupulus
364
moschiferus
A A C
445
Lytta vesicatoria
A O O
Mucilago amyli
Arabici gummi
A AT
A A Q
44o
M
gummi tragacanthx
•L
10.
Macis
453
mimosae Niloticx
10.
Magnesia
42 1
seminum cydonii mali
A AT
44 I
alba
423
Murias
A AT
usta
42 1
ammoniae
1 .64
vitriolata
422
et ferri
OAT
347
Mahagoni
632
antimonii
1 c 0
108
Majorana
488
barytae
Malva sylvestris
425
hydrargyri
Of A
Manna
351
sodac
A A Q
44o
Maranta arundinacea
425
exsiccatus
AAQ
44:7
Marrubium vulgare
. 426 .
Myristica moschata
A £ 1
45o
Marum Syriacum
646 ; Myroxylon Peruiferum
ACQ
45o
Mastiche
52 V
$lyrrha
459
Medeola Virginiana
426
TVIyrtus pimento
4.60"
Mel
ib.
acetatum
428
. N
despumatum
ib.
2ZU
rosae
429
Naphtha
scillae
430
Nasturtium aquaticum
58/
Melaleuca leucadendron
431
Natron praeparatum
5y 1
Melampodium
362
tartarisatum
0
Melia azedarach
431
vitriolatum
Melissa officinalis
432
Nicotiana tabacum
A CO
46-i
Meloe vesicatorius
432
Nitras
4oo
Mentha piperita
435
argenti
TOO
iy 6
pulegium
436
potassae
A C A
464
sativa
435
Nitrum
ib.
viridis
ib.
purificatum
465
Menyanthes trifoliata
436
Nux moschata
453
Metalla
ib.
O
Mercurius praecipitatus ruber 382
232
sublimatus corrosivus
372
Oculi cancrorum
phosphoratus
388
praepairati
230
Latin Index.
783
^ „ Page. Page,
Olea Europxa 473 Oleum volatile origani ib.
destillata, essent. sive pini laricis 512
volatilia 478 pulegii 478
fixa 474 rorismarini officinalis ib.
volatilia 477 rutse ih„
empyreumatica 483 sabinse ib.
Oleum animale 484 sassafras ib,
ammoniatum 485 sem. foeniculi dulcis ib.
amygdalae communis 476 terebinth. purissimum 479
cajeputae 431 Olibanum 402
camphoratum 486 Oliva 473
coci butyraceae 277 Oniscus asellus 437
cornucervi 133 Opium 494
rectificatum 484 purificatum 336
laurinobilis 414 Opobalsamum 147
linicumcalce 486 Opoponax 500
usitatissimi 476 Origanum majorana 488
macis 457 vulgare ib.
olex Europaeae 473 Orobanche Virginiana 489
olivarum ib. Ostrea edulis ib.
palmse 277 Ostrearum testae praeparatae 230
petrolei 483 Ovis aries 99
ricini 571 Ovorum testae praeparatae 230
sinapeos 476 Ovum gallinum 500
succini 613 Oxalis acetosella 489
purissim. seu rec- Oxidum 490
tificatum 484 Oxid.antim.cum phosph. calc.170
sulphuratum 487 cum sul. per nit. pot. 161
vini 107 sulph. vitrif. 162
vitrioli 627 . vitrificat. cum cera 163
terebinthinae 517 arsenici 200
rectificatum 479 ferri nigrum 341
volatile anisi 478 purificatum 344
baccarum juniperi ib. rubrum 346
can i ib. hydrargyri cinereum 379
ca^yophyllae aromat.327 rub. per acid, nitric. 382
citri aurantii 269 plumbi album 522
medicae 271 rubrum 523
flor. foeniculi dulc. 478 semivitreum 524
juniperi communis ib. zinci 721
sabinse ib. impurum ib.
lauri sassafras ib, prseparat. 722
lavandulae spicae ib. Oxymel aeruginis 430
melaleucae leuca- colchici 429
dendron 431 scillae 430
menthae piperitas 478 simplex 428
sativse ib. p
myristicse moschatac 453
myrti pimentse 47 g Pasnea sarcocolla 492
782
Latin Index.
Panax quinquefolium
Page.
493
Papaver album
494
erraticum
493
rhoeas
493
somniferum
494
Pareira brava
267
Pastinaca opoponax
500
Pentaphyllum
547
Petroleum Barbadense
220
sulphuratum
487
Petroselinum
175
Phasianus gallus
500
Phosphorus
501
Phosphas calcis
255
hydrargyri
388
sodae
592
Physeler macrocephalus
503
Phytolacca decandra
504
Pilulce aloes compositae
505
cum assa loetida
506
colocynthide
ib.
myrrha
507
aloeticae
505
' ammoniareti cupri
508
arsenici cum opio
507
assae foetidae composite
508
galbani composite
508
hydrargyri
' 509
opii
510
opiate
ib.
Plummeri
511
rhei compositae
510
scillae
ib.
scilliticae
ib.
stibii compositae
511
Thebaicae
510
Pimento
460
Pimpinella anisum
511
Pinus abics
512
balsamea
ib.
larix
ib
sylvestris
513
Fiper cnbeba
519
Indicum
235
longum
520
nigrum
519
Pistacia lentiscus
521
terebinthus
520
Pix Burgundica
.516
Page.
Pix liquida
5.3
Plumbum
521
Podophyllum peltatum
526
Polygala senega
527
Polygonum bistorta
52,8
Polypodium fiiix mas
ib.
Populus tremula
529
Potassa
530
cum calce
538
Potentilla reptans
547
Potio carbonatis calcis
444
cretacea
ib.
Pr^paratio quorundum, aqua
non solubilium
230
Prinos verticillatus
547
Prunus domestica
548
Gailica
ib.
spinosa
ib.
sylvestris
ib.
Virgin iana
549
Pterocarpus santalinus
549
draco
550
Pulegxum
436
Pulparum extractio vel praep. 6 1 9
Puivis aloes cum canella
552
aloeticus cum guaiaco
ib.
ferro
ib.
antimonialis
170
W aromaticus
553
asari liuropaei comp.
m.
carbonatis calcis comp.
554
cretaceus
ib.
cretae compositus
ib.
cum opio
ib.
cerussae compositus
ib.
contrayervae compositus 55 5
Doveri
ib.
hydrargyri cinereus
379
ipecacuanhas et opii
555
compositus
ib.
jalapx compositus
556
myrrfoe compositus
556
opiatus
ib.
scammonii compositus
557
cum aloe
ib.
cum calomelane
ib.
sennx compositus
558
stanni
606
stibiatus
170
Latin Index. 733
Pulvis styptic us
Page.
i age.
558
Ruta {?r?1vpnl<»nc
<; 7 r.
01 O
sulphatis alummae comp. ib.
tragacanthae compositus 559
s
Punira oranatum
ib.
P^rethrum
154
Sabina
403
Pvrnla umhfllata
560
Saccharum non purificatum 576
Pyrus cydonia
id.
officinarum
ic.
o
purihcatum
ib.
purissimum
ib.
rubrum
ib.
f^iiacicic* pvrf lea
561
saturni
524
bllllui uua
562
6 r ^
C70
Onprriie tyiKiit*
562
odl alkalimi'; fiv^fn«c tmiv-
if
1 U 0 i»
cerris
563
ammoniacus
124
uenzoini
ooy
R
communis
448
exsiccatus
a a n
tc fx til i nn 1 1 n c i f*T*o t m c
AalllUH U.U3 3V/C1CI alUS
J DO
t/Uiiiu cervi
loo
ridpnanus rusucanub
07/:
diureticus
540
XYCbllld dlOd j 1 j
t I r
y DID
Glauberi
5y4
<x 1 11 > I iu 1 s> vjucaudioio
1 A7
mart is
n in
o42
copdiiei <e omLiiiaiis
000
Zoo
muriaticus
A A O
448
flava
o J O
T"\f\I \t r* hi*oof n o
pui} cm esrus
O*o
guaiaci
o5y
Rupellensis
oyo-
pini abictis
O 1 O
succini
O I o
uana i ii c x
5 1 9
Dl«
purificatus
•i
10.
lal ILlo
ih
tartari
byl Vcbll lb
1 Q
010
Salix frai^ilis
579
JJlblaClct IcIlllbCl
to 1
D Z l
Salvia officinalis
ib.
DlCI OCdl [Jl ui dcunis
oou
Sambucus nigra
580
jtviiciudrucii um
0 0 0
otuigiunaiid CcinaQciibis
oo 1
rxnamnub CcJUidi iicus
c ^ «
Sanguis draconis
550
Rheum palmatum
0O0
Santalum rubrum
549
i\ iiououciiui un tin y sdiiiiiuiri
DO?
Santonicum
^Oo
maximum
10.
Sapo
tot
oo J
Rhus toxicodendron
10.
Sarcocolla
492
Ribes nigrum
57 1
uol bciiJal Hid
to7
0 0/
rubrum
0 / U
Sassafras
415
Ricinus communis
57 1
Scammonium
285
rvou bdiiiuiici
1 ft
Scilla maritima
583
Rosa canina
0 / 0
exsiccata
585
centifolia
572
Scillae proeparata2
ib.
Damascena
&
Scordium
646
Gallica
ib.
Seneka
527
rubra
ib.
Senna
242
Rosmarinus officinalis
573
Serpentaria Virginiana
196
Rubia tinctorum
574
Sevum bovinum
99
Rubigo ferri
345
ovillum
ib.
Rubus idseus
574
prreparatum
686
Rumex acetosa
•
575
physeteris macrocephali 503
784
Latin Index.
Page.
^ilene Virgimca 585
Simaruba 562
Sinapisalba 586
ni^ra ib.
Sisy mbrium nasturtium 587
Sium nodiflorum ib.
Smilax sarsaparilla ib.
Soda 588
Solanum dulcamara 596
Solidago virga aurea 597
Solutio acetitis zinci 727
muriatis bary tae 2 1 8
calcis 231
sulphatis cupri composita 302
zinci 725
Spartium scoparium 597
Spermaceti 503
Spigelia Marilandica 597
Spina cervina 565
Spiraea trifoliata 598
Spiritus aetheris nitrosi 1 1 o
vitriolici 106
compositus 107
/• jilkali volatilis 128
* \ aromaticus 673
foetidus 602
ammoniae
^ • « aromaticus
compositus
foetidus 602
succinatus 674
anisi compositus 60 1
camphoratus 652
cari carvi 600
cinnamomi ib.
juniperi comm. comp. 601
lauri cinnamomi 600
lavandulae spicae ib.
compositus 662
menthx piperitae 600
sativae ib.
Mindereri 135
myristicse moschatas 600
myrti pimentae ib.
nucis moschatae ib<
pimento ib.
pulegii ib.
raphani compositus 602
rorismarini officinalis 60 1
vinosus camphoratus 652
Page,
Spiritus vinosus rectificatus 101
tenuior ' 113
Spongia officinalis 60S
usta ib.
Squamae ferri 341
purificatas 344
Stalagmitis cambogioides 604
Stannum 605
Staphisagria 316
Stibium 155
nitro-calcinatum J 6 1
muriatum causticum 168
prasparatum 1 60
Stramonium officinale 307
Styrax benzoin 608
calamita 607
officinale ib.
purificata 608
Sub-acetis cupri 298
boras sodae 6 1 1
murias hydrargyri 374
prrecipitatus 376
sulphas hydrarg. flavus 383
Succinum 612
Succi ad scorbuticos 6 1 6
expressi 614
spissati 617
Succus cochlearire offic. comp. 6 16
concretus fraxini orni 35 1
rhamni cathartici 565
spissatus aconiti napelli 6 1 7
atropae belladonnce 6 1 8
cicutas ib.
conii maculatii ib.
hyosciami nigri ib.
lactucae virosae ib.
limonis ib.
momordicae elaterii ib.
papaveris somniferi 494
ribis nigri 6 1 8
sambuci nigri ib.
Sulphas 620
aluminae 62 1
exsiccatus 623
bary tae 215
cupri 30 1
ferri 342
exsiccatus 344
magnesiae 422
potassae 542
Latin Inde>.
785
Page.
Sulphas potassae cum sulphure 543
sodas 594
zinci 724
Sulphur 623
Sulphur antimonii prsscipitat. 165
praecipitatum 626
stibiatum fuscum 164
rufum 165
sublimatum 625
lotum 626
Sulphuretum antimonii 1 5 5
praeparatum 160
praecipitatum 165
hydrargyri nigrum 385
potassae 544
Super-sulphas alum, et pot. 622
tartris potassae 630
impurus 631
Sus scrofa 99
Swietenia febrifuga 632
mahagoni ib.
Syrupi 633
Syrupus acidi acetosi 634
allii ib.
althacae officinalis 635
amomi zingiberis ib.
balsamicus 642
caryophilli rubri 637
citri aurantii 636
medicae ib.
colchici autumnalis 637
communis 634
corticis aurantii 636
croci 638
diantni caryophylli 637
limonum 636
mannae 638
Syrupus opii 639
papaveris somniferi ib.
albi ib.
erratici 640
rhamni carthartici ib.
rosae 64 1
Gallicse ib.
centifoliae ib.
sacchari rubri 576
scillae maritimae 642
simplex 634
spins cervina? 640
succi fructus mori 636
5 H
Page.
Syrup succi fruct. ribisnigri ib.
rubi idsi ib.
limonis ib.
"oluiferae balsami 642
olutanus ib.
olae odoratae 643
a.giberis 635
T
Tamarindulndica
Taraxacum
Tanacetum ulgare
Tartari ciy^lli
Tartarus emicus
Tartarum
soluile
stibitum
vitricatum
Tartris antimoiii
potassa
ct sodas
Terebinthina
Chia 514,
Veneta
vulgaris 513,
Teucriam marum
scordium
Thus
Tincturas
Tinctura aconiti
aloes aetherea
socotorinae
cum myrrha
composita
amomi repentis
aristolochias serpentaria?
aromatica
assae foetidae
aurantii corticis
balsami Peruviani
Tolutani
benzoes composita
camphorae
camharidum
cardamomi
composita
cascarillae
cassiae sennas composita
castorei
644
417
645
630
172
631
546
172
542
172
59!
514
520
514
514
646
ib.
515
647
97
670
648
649
ib.
ib.
650
661
651
ib.
ib.
668
652
ib:
663
649
650
653
ib.
654
786 i,Ji Index.
Age. Page.
Tinctura castorei composj 674 Tinctura sennae 653
catechu / 663 serpentariae 650
cinchonae ammoniaw 675 thebaica 664
composita / 655 Toluiferae balsami 668
officinalis / 654 Tolutana ib-
cinnamomi / 661 Valerianae 669
compos^ ammoniata 676
colombae 655 veratrialbi 669
convolvuli jalapae 656 zingiberis ib.
corticis Peruvians? 654 Toluifera balsamum 676
co£osita 655 Tormentilla erecta 677
croci 656 Tra^acantha gummi 209
digitalis purpura *b. Trifolium paludosum 436
ferriacetati 658 Trigonella foenum-graecum 678
ammoniacAS ib. Triticum aestivum ib.
muriati / • 657 hybernum ib.
galbani 659 Triosteum perlbliatum 679
gentianae compsita ib. Trochisci carbonatis calcis 680
guaiaci 660 cretae ib.
ammoiiata 675 glycyrrhizae ib.
volatile ib. cum opio 68 1
hellebori nigi 660 compositi ib.
hyosciami nigri ib. gummosi 682
jalapae 656 amyli ib.
Japonica I ' 663 magnesise ib.
kino \ 661 nitratis potassae 683
lauri cinnaitiomi \ ib. nitri ib.
composita ib. sulpburis 682
lavandulae composita 662 Turpethum minerale 383
meloes vesicatorii 663 Tussilago farfara 683'
mimosae catechu ib. Tutia 72 1
moschi ib. pr separata 722
myrrhae 664
muriatis ferri 657 "
opii 664 *J %
camphorata. 665
ammoniata 675 Ulmus Americana 684
rhabarbari 665 campestris ib.
composita 666 Unguenta 685
rhei amara ib. Unguentum acetitis plumbi 698
cum aloe ib. acidi nitrosi 699
gentiana ib. adipis suillae ib.
palmati 665 album 706
rosarum 396 calcis hydrargyri albi 704
sabinae composita 667 cantharidis 700
sacra 7 1 1 cerae ib.
saponis 667 cerussae acetatae 698
cum opio 668 citrinum 705
scillae ib. coeruleum 703
Latin Index.
787
Pa.^e
Unguentum elemi 702
compositum ib.
epispasticuin fortius 701
midus ib.
hellebori albi 702
hydrar^yri 703
fortius ib.
mitius ib.
nitrati 705
infusi meloes vesicatorii 70 1
nitratis hydrargi 705
midus ib.
oxidi hydrarg. cinerei 703
rubri 704
plumbi albi 706
zinci ib.
impuri ib.
pi cis ib.
pulveris meloes vesicat. 70 1
resinae flavae 737
resinosum ib.
sambuci ib.
aaturninum 698
simplex 699
spermads ccti 700
sub-acetitis cupri 708
sulphuris ib.
tutias 706
Urtica dioica 708
Urva ursi 1 90
Uvse pass*e 7 1 6
V
Vinum amarum
Page
713
antimoniale
714
antimonii tartarisati
ib.
chalybeatum
712
ferratum
ib.
ferri
ib.
gen dan se compositum
713
ipecacuanhae
ib.
nicotians f..baci
714
rhei palmati
ib.
rharbarbari
ib.
tartari sdbiati
ib.
tartritis andmonii
ib.
Viola odorata
715
Virga aurea
597
\ritib vinifera
716
\ itriolum album
724
coeruleum
301
viride
342
Vitrum antimonii
162
ceratum
163
w
Wintera aromatica
Winterania canella
Winteranus cortex
Xylobalsamum
71
234
718
147
Valeriana officinalis
709
sylvestris
ib.
Zanthoxylum clava Herculis 719
Veratrum album
710
Zanthoriza apiifolia
719
luteum
711
tinctoria
ib.
Veronica beccabunga
710
Zedoaria
141.404
Vina medicata
711
Zincum
720
Vinum
717
calcinatum
721
aloes socotorinse
711
vitriolatum
724
aloeticum
ib.
Zingiber
140
FINIS.
A
•
i
/
m:: '"\ '. J
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