MIND THAT YOUR SEEDS ARE NOT OF WEEDS. if it purges, give opium; and if it constipates, give rhubarb. 680. ETHER (SULPHURIC) is given internally as an anti-spasmodic in difficult breathing and spasmodic asthma; also in hysteria, cramp of the stomach, hiccough, locked jaw, and cholera. It is useful in checking sea-sickness. Dose, from twenty minims to one drachm. Caution.-An overdose produces apoplectic symptoms. 681. CAMPHOR is given internally as an anti-spasmodic in hysteria, cramp in the stomach, flatulent colic, and St. Vitus' dance. Dose, from two to twenty grains. 682. OPIUM is employed internally in spasmodic affections, such as cholera, spasmodic asthma, hooping cough, flatulent colic, and St. Vitus' dance. Dose, from one-sixth of a grain to two grains of the solid opium, according to the disease. 683. Oxide of ZINC is an anti-spasmodic, astringent, and tonic. Used externally, as an ointment, it forms an excellent astringent in affections of the eyelids, arising from relaxation; or as a powder, it is an excellent detergent for unhealthy ulcers. Used internally, it has proved efficacious in St. Vitus' dance, and some other spasmodic affections. Dose, from one to six grains, twice a day. 684. CALOMEL is an anti-spasmodic, alterative deobstruent, purgative, and errhine. Used internally, combined with opium, it acts as an anti-spasmodic in locked jaw, cholera, and many other spasmodic affections. As an alterative and deobstruent, it has been found useful in leprosy and itch, when combined with antimonials and guaiacum, and in enlargement of the liver and glandular affections. It acts beneficially in dropsies, by producing watery motions. In typhus it is of great benefit when combined with antimonials; and it may be given as a purgative in almost any disease, provided there is not any inflammation of the bowels, irritability of the system, or great debility. Dose, as a deobstruent and alterative, from one to 117 five grains, daily; as a cathartic, from five to fifteen grains; to produce ptyalism, or salivation, from one to two grains, in a pill, with a quarter of a grain of opium, night and morning. Caution.When taking calomel, exposure to cold or dampness should be guarded against, as such an imprudence would bring out an eruption of the skin, attended with fever. When this does occur, leave off the calomel, and give bark, wine, and purgatives; take a warm bath twice a day, and powder the surface of the body with powdered starch. 685. Tonics are given to improve the tone of the system, and restore the natural energies and general strength of the body. They consist of bark, quassia, gentian, camomile, wood, and angostura bark. worm 686. QUASSIA is a simple tonic, and can be used with safety by any one, as it does not increase the animal heat, or quicken the circulation. Used internally, in the form of infusion, it has been found of great benefit in indigestion and nervous irritability, and is useful after bilious fevers and diarrhoea. Dose of the infusion, from one and a half to two ounces, three times a day. 687. GENTIAN is an excellent tonic and stomachic; but when given in large doses, it acts as an aperient. It is used internally in all cases of general debility, and when combined with bark, is used in intermittent fevers. It has also been employed in indigestion, and it is sometimes used, combined with volatile salt, in that disease; but at other times alone, in the form of infusion. After diarrhoea, it proves a useful tonic. Used externally, its infusion is sometimes applied to foul ulcers. Dose, of the infusion, one and a half to two ounces; of the tincture, one to four drachms; of the extract, from ten to thirty grains. 688. CAMOMILE.-The flowers of the camomile are tonic, slightly anodyne, anti-spasmodic, and emetie. They are used externally as fomentations, in colic, faceache, and tumours, and to unhealthy ulcers. They are 110 VIOLENT PASSIONS LEAD TO GREAT DEPRESSIONS. three grains, white sugar a scruple, 635. MEDICINES ARE MADE up by grey powder five grains; mix. Dose, troy weight, although drugs are bought for an infant from twelve to eighteen by avoirdupois weight, and of course months of age, from one-third to one-half you know that there are only twelve of the whole.-viii. A useful laxative ounces to the pound troy, which is for children is composed of calomel marked b.; then each ounce, which five grains, and sugar a scruple, made contains eight drachms, is marked 3i.; into five powders; half of one of these each drachm, containing three scruples, for a child from birth to one year, and is marked 3i.; and each scruple of a whole one from that age to three twenty grains is marked i. The grain weights are marked by little circles, 5 Grains each circle signifying a grain. years. 631. FLOUR OF BRIMSTONE is a mild aperient in doses of about a quarter Each of the grain weights, in of an ounce; it is best taken in milk. addition to the circles denoting Flour of brimstone, which is also called their several weights, bears also the stamp sublimed sulphur, is generally put up of a crown. Care must be taken not to in ounce packets at 1d.; its wholesale mistake this for one of the numerals. price is 4d. per pound. Besides these weights you will find others number of them is shown by Roman figures, thus :—i. ii. iii. iv. v., &c., and prescriptions are written in this style. 632. Medicines.-PREPARATIONS | markedss, which means half a scruple; OF THEM. The following directions 3ss, meaning half a drachm; and 3ss, are of the utmost value in connection meaning half an ounce. When there with the DOMESTIC PHARMACOPOEIA, are ounces, drachms, or scruples, the DISEASES, PRESCRIPTIONS, and POISONS. They will be found most important to emigrants, attendants upon the sick, and persons who reside out of the reach of medical aid, sailors, &c., &c. They contain instructions not only for the compounding of medicines, but most useful hints and cautions upon the application of leeches, blisters, poultices, &c. 636. MEASURES.-Liquid medicines are measured by the following table :- 60 minims are con tained 1 fluid drachm. 1 fluid ounce. 1 pint. 1 gallon. 8 fluid drachms. 16 fluid ounces... 8 pints ...... 633. ARTICLES REQUIRED FOR MIXING MEDICINES.-Three glass measures, And the signs which distinguish each one to measure ounces, another to are as follows:-c. means a gallon; o, measure drachms, and a measure for a pint; A3, a fluid ounce; A3, a fluid minims, drops, or small doses. A pestle drachm; and m, a minim, or drop. Forand mortar, both of glass and Wedgwood-merly drops used to be ordered, but as ware, a glass funnel, and glass stirring rods. A spatula, or flexible knife, for spreading ointments, making pills, &c. A set of scales and weights. A small slab of marble, slate, or porcelain, for making pills upon, mixing ointments, the size of a drop must necessarily vary, minims are always directed to be employed now for any particular medicine, although for such medicines as oil of cloves, essence of ginger, &c., drops are frequently ordered. 637. IN ORDER THAT WE MAY MEAMEDICINES ACCURATELY, there are graduated glass vessels for measuring ounces, drachms, and minims. 634. MEDICINE WEIGHTS AND MEASURE Weights. When you open your box containing the scales and weights, you will observe that there are several square pieces of brass, of different sizes and thicknesses, and stamped with a variety of characters. These are the weights, which we will now explain. 638. WHEN PROPER MEASURES ARE NOT AT HAND, it is necessary to adopt some other method of determining the quantities required, and therefore we have drawn up the following table for that purpose:— A tumbler... HEALTH IS THE REWARD OF CLEANLINESS. 10 ounces. These quantities refer to ordinary sized spoons and vessels. Some cups hold half as much more, and some tablespoons contain six drachms. Many persons keep a medicine-glass, which is graduated so as to show the number of spoonfuls it contains. - 639. Process of Making Medicines.-TO POWDER SUBSTANCES.Place the substance in the mortar, and strike it gently with direct perpendicular blows of the pestle, until it separates into several pieces, then remove all but a small portion, which bruise gently at first, and rub the pestle round and round the mortar, observing that the circles described by the pestle should gradually decrease in diameter, and then increase again, because by this means every part of the powder is subjected to the process of pulverization. In powdering substances, making, emulsions, and whenever using a mortar, the pestle should always travel from the right to the left. 640. SOME SUBSTANCES require to be prepared in a particular manner before they can be powdered, or to be assisted by adding some other body. For example, camphor powders more easily when a few drops of spirits of wine are added to it; mace, nutmegs, and such oily aromatic substances are better for the addition of a little white sugar; resins and gum-resins should be powdered in a cold place, and if they are intended to be dissolved, a little fine well-washed white sand mixed with them assists the process of powdering. Tough roots, like gentian and calumba, should be cut into thin slices; and fibrous roots, like ginger, cut slanting, otherwise the powder will be full of small fibres. Vegetable matters require to be dried before they are powdered, such as peppermint, loosestrife, senna, &c. 111 641. BE CAREFUL NOT TO POUND TOO HARD in a glass, porcelain, or Wedgewood-ware mortar; they are intended only for substances that pulverize easily, and for the purpose of mixing or incorporating medicines. Never use acids in a marble mortar, and be sure that you do not powder galls or any other astringent substances in any but a brass mortar. 642. SIFTING is frequently required for powdered substances, and this is usually done by employing a fine sieve, or tying the powder up in a piece of muslin, and striking it against the left hand over a piece of paper. 643. FILTERING is frequently required for the purpose of obtaining clear fluids, such as infusions, eyewashes, and other medicines; and it is, therefore, highly important to know how to perform this simple operation. We must first of all make the filterpaper; this is done by taking a square sheet of white blotting paper, and doubling it over, so as to form an angular cup. We next procure a piece of wire, and twist it into a form to place the funnel in, to prevent it passing too far into the neck of the bottle. Open out the filter-paper very carefully, and having placed it in the funnel, moisten it with a little water. Then place the wire in the space between the funnel and the bottle, and pour the liquid gently down the side of the paper, otherwise the fluid is apt to burst the paper. 644. MACERATION is another process that is frequently required to be performed in making up medicines, and consists simply in immersing the medicines in cold water or spirits for a certain time. 645. DIGESTION resembles maceration, except that the process is assisted by a gentle heat. The ingredients are placed in a flask, such as salad oil is sold in, which should be fitted with a plug of tow or wood, and have a piece of wire twisted round the neck. The flask is held by means of the wire over the flame of a spirit lamp, or else placed in some sand warmed in an old iron 118 WANT OF VARIETY LEADS TO SATIETY. used internally in the form of infusion, with carbonate of soda, ginger, and other stomachic remedies, in dyspepsia, flatulent colic, debility following dysentery and gout. Warm infusion of the flowers acts as an emetic; and the powdered flowers are sometimes combined with opium or kino, and given in intermittent fevers. Dose, of the powdered flowers, from ten grains to one drachm, twice or thrice a day; of the infusion, from one to two ounces, as a tonic, three times a day and from six ounces to one pint, as an emetic; of the extract, from five to twenty grains. 689. WORMWOOD is a tonic and anthelmintic. It is used externally as a discutient and antiseptic. It is used internally in long-standing cases of dyspepsia, in the form of infusion, with or without aromatics. It has also been used in intermittents. Dose, of the infusion, from one to two ounces, three times a day; of the powder, from one to two scruples. 690. ANGOSTURA BARK, or Cusparia, is a tonic and stimulant. It expels flatulence, increases the appetite, and produces a grateful warmth in the stomach. It is used internally in intermittent fevers, dyspepsia, hysteria, and all cases of debility, where a stimulating tonic is desirable, particularly after bilious diarrhoea. Dose, of the powder, from ten to fifteen grains, combined with cinnamon powder, magnesia, or rhubarb ; of the extract, from three to ten grains; of the infusion, from one to two ounces. Caution.-It should never be given in inflammatory diseases or hectic fever. 691. Astringents are medicines given for the purpose of diminishing excessive discharges, and to act indirectly as tonics. This class includes catechu, kino, oak bark, logwood, rose leaves, chalk, and white vitriol. small, spotty ulcerations of the mouth and throat, and bleeding gums, and for these two affections it is used in the form of infusion to wash the parts. It is given internally in diarrhoea, dysentery. and hemorrhage from the bowels. Dose, of the infusion, from one to three ounces; of the tincture, from one to four drachms; of the powder, from ten to thirty grains. Caution.- It must not be given with soda or any alkali; nor metallic salts, albumen, or gelatine, as its property is destroyed by this combination." 693. KINO is a powerful astringent. It is used externally to ulcers, to give tone to them when flabby, and discharging foul and thin matter. It is used internally in the same diseases as catechu. Dose, of the powder, from ten to fifteen grains; of the tincture, from one to two drachms; of the compound powder, from ten to twenty grains; of the infusion, from a half to one and a half ounce. Caution.--Kino is used in combination with calomel, when salivation is intended, to prevent, by its astringency, the action of the calomel on the bowels, and thereby insure its affecting the constitution.(See CATECHU.) 694. OAK BARK is an astringent and tonic. It is used externally, in the form of decoction, to restrain bleeding from lacerated surfaces. As a local astringent, it is used in the form of decoction, as a gargle in sore throat and relaxed uvula. It is used internally in the same diseases as catechu, and when combined with aromatics and bitters, in intermittent fevers. Dose of the powder, from fifteen to thirty grains; of the decoction, from two to eight drachms. 695. LOGWOOD is not a very satisfactory astringent. It is used internally in diarrhoea, the last stage of dysentery, and a lax state of the intestines. Dose, of the extract, from ten grains to one drachm; of the decoction, from one to three ounces, three or four times a day. 692. CATECHU is a most valuable astringent. It is used externally, when powdered, to promote the contraction of flabby ulcers. As a local astringent 696. ROSE LEAVES are astringent it is useful in relaxed uvula, a small and tonic. They are used internally piece being dissolved in the mouth; in spitting of blood, hemorrhage from THE HEALTHIEST FEAST COSTS THE LEAST. 119 the stomach, intestines, &c., as a gargle | Caution.-Do not give more than the for sore throat, and for the night sweats doses named above, because, although a of consumption. The infusion is fre- safe emetic, yet it is an acrid narcotic quently used as a tonic with diluted poison. sulphuric acid (oil of vitriol), after low fevers, or in combination with Epsom salts and sulphuric acid in certain states of the bowels. Dose of infusion, from two to four ounces. 697. CHALK, when prepared by washing, becomes an astringent as well as antacid. It is used internally in diarrhoea, in the form of mixture, and externally as an application to burns, scalds, and excoriations. Dose of the mixture, from one to two ounces. 698. WHITE VITRIOL, Or Sulphate of Zinc, is an astringent, tonic, and emetic. It is used externally as a collyrium for ophthalmia (See DOMESTIC PHARMACOPOEIA), and as a detergent for scrofulous ulcers, in the proportion of three grains of the salt to one ounce of water. It is used internally in indigestion, and many other diseases; but it should not be given unless ordered by a medical man, as it is a poison. 699. Local Stimulants.-Local stimulants comprise emetics, cathartics, diuretics, diaphoretics, expectorants, sialogogues, errhines, and epispastics. 700. Emetics are medicines given for the purpose of causing vomiting, as in cases of poisoning. They consist of ipecacuanha, camomile, antimony, copper, zinc, and several others. 701. IPECACUANHA is an emetic, diaphoretic, and expectorant. It is used internally to excite vomiting, in doses of from ten to twenty grains of the powder, or one to one and a half ounce of the infusion, every half hour until vomiting takes place. To make it act well and easily, the patient should drink half pints of warm water after each dose of the infusion. As a diaphoretic, it should be given in doses of three grains, mixed with some soft substance, such as crumbs of bread, and repeated every four hours. Dose of the wine, from twenty minims to one drachm as a diaphoretic, and from one drachm to one and a half ounce as an emetic. 702. MUSTARD is too well known to require describing. It is an emetic, diuretic, stimulant, and rubefacient. It is used externally as a poultice (which is made of the powder, bread crumbs, and water; or of one part of mustard to two of flour: vinegar is not necessary), in all cases where a stimulant is required, such as sore throats, rheumatic pains in the joints, cholera, cramps in the extremities, diarrhoea, and many other diseases. When applied it should not be left on too long, as it is apt to cause ulceration of the part. From ten to thirty minutes is quite long enough. When used internally as an emetic, a large teaspoonful mixed with a tumbler of warm water generally operates quickly and safely, frequently when other emetics have failed. In dropsy it is sometimes given in the form of whey, which is made by boiling half an ounce of the bruised seeds in a pint of milk, and straining off the curd. From three to four ounces of this is to be taken for a dose three times a day. 703. Cathartics are divided into laxatives and purgatives. The former comprise manna, tamarinds, castor oil, sulphur, and magnesia; the latter, senna, rhubarb, jalap, colocynth, buckthorn, aloes, cream of tartar, scammony, calomel, Epsom salts, Glauber's salts, sulphate of potash, and Venice turpentine. 704. MANNA is a very gentle laxative, and therefore used for children and delicate persons. Dose for children, from one to two drachms; and for adults, from one to two ounces, combined with rhubarb and cinnamon water. 705. TAMARINDS are generally laxative and refrigerant. As it is agreeable, this medicine will generally be eaten by children when they will not take other medicines. Dose, from half to one ounce. As a refrigerant beverage in fevers it is extremely grateful. 706. CASTOR OIL is a most valuable medicine, as it generally operates quickly |