ED.

Footnote 549:

It was known to be a remedy for this disorder at least two hundred

years ago; for, in a work entitled, “The Surgeon’s Mate, or Military

and Domestic Medicine,” by John Woodall, master in Surgery, London,

1636, the author concludes his eulogium of lemon juice, by saying, “I

dare not write how good a sauce it is at meat, lest the chief in the

ship should waste it in the great cabin to save vinegar.”

Footnote 550:

ESSENTIAL SALT OF LEMONS. See Potassæ Super-tartras.

Footnote 551:

WARD’S ESSENCE FOR THE HEAD-ACHE.—Nothing more than Liniment. Camph.

Comp.

Footnote 552:

STEER’S OPODELDOC.—Castille Soap ℥j, Rectified Spirit, f℥viij, Camphor

ʒiiiss, Oil of Rosemary fʒss, Oil of Origanum fʒj. Solution of Ammonia

fʒvj.

BATES’S ANODYNE BALSAM.—It consists of one part of Tincture of Opium,

and two of Opodeldoc, i. e. Liniment. Sapon. comp.

FREEMAN’S BATHING SPIRITS.—Liniment. Saponis comp. coloured with

Daffy’s Elixir. JACKSON’S BATHING SPIRITS differs from the former in

the addition of some essential oils.

LYNCH’S EMBROCATION.—Olive oil impregnated with Bergamot and some

other essences, and coloured with Alkanet root.

Footnote 553:

Since the last edition of this work, Mr. Dalton has discovered the

very curious fact, that lime is more soluble in cold than in hot

water, and has given a table of quantities from which he concludes

that the quantity held in solution by water at 32° Fah: is nearly

double that retained by water at 212°. Mr. Phillips has lately taken

up the subject, and confirmed the statement of Mr. Dalton.

thus 10.000 gr. of water, at 212°, dissolve 7.8 of lime

10.000 gr. of water, at 32°, ———— 15.2 ————

Mr. Phillips attempts to account for this apparent anomaly “from the

effect which heat sometimes produces of increasing instead of

diminishing the attraction of cohesion. In the present case, he

continues, the affinities which are brought into play are, the

attractions of aggregation of the particles of the lime upon each

other, the attraction of the lime to form a hydrate with a small

portion of the water, and the mutual affinity existing between that

hydrate and the water of solution.” And at the high temperature he

thinks that the former affinities may be so heightened as to overpower

the latter.

Footnote 554:

Upon this fact Dr. Alton founded his ingenious process for preserving

water from putrefaction; in the first place he impregnated the water

with lime, which from its antiseptic property answered the purpose of

keeping it most completely, and then, in order to get rid of the lime,

he merely added the carbonate of magnesia, which by transferring its

carbonic acid, rendered the lime insoluble, and consequently the water

tasteless and fit for economical purposes. Mr. Henry, however,

proposed the introduction of a current of carbonic acid into the cask,

and this expedient has been found equally effective, and far more

economical.

Footnote 555:

MRS. STEPHEN’S REMEDY FOR THE STONE consisted of lime, which was

produced by calcining the shells of eggs and snails, and made into

pills with Soap. A decoction was also administered, consisting of

Chamomile, Fennel, Parsley and Burdock, together with a portion of

Alicant Soap. This is a very rational practice, and is very much what

the practitioners of the present day depend upon: the observations of

Mrs. Stephens respecting their administration, are equally judicious.

“If,” says she, “these medicines produce pain, it will be necessary to

give an opiate with them, and it must be at all times a principal care

to prevent a looseness, for if this should happen it would carry off

the medicines; under such circumstances the quantity of the Decoction,

since it is laxative, must be diminished, and other suitable means

must be taken by the advice of a Physician.” The credit of introducing

alkaline medicines for the cure of calculous disorders, does not

however rest with MRS. STEPHENS. It has been before stated in this

work, that Basil Valentine employed a fixed alkaline salt in such

cases; and I may here add, that SENNERTUS, in his Praxis Medica,

mentions a lithonthryptic that was in great esteem and general use in

his time, which consisted of one ounce of Salt of Tartar dissolved in

a pint of parsley water, and afterwards tinged yellow with orange

peel.

Footnote 556:

VIRGIN’S MILK. A preparation is sold under this name, which is a

Sulphate of Lead, and is prepared as follows. To a saturated solution

of Alum, add of Goulard’s extract one third part. Shake them

together;—see Benzoinum for a very different cosmetic bearing the same

name.

Footnote 557:

HANKAY’S LOTION, OR PREVENTIVE WASH. This famous nostrum for the

prevention of venereal infection, was nothing more than a solution of

caustic potass.

Footnote 558:

DR. CHITTICK’S REMEDY FOR THE STONE. This celebrated nostrum consisted

of a fixed alkali in veal broth; the broth was usually made by his

patients, and sent to him fresh every day, in order to be medicated.

A. D. 1766.

Footnote 559:

Magnesia was originally a general term, expressive of any substance

which had the power of attracting some principle from the air, from

Magnes, the Loadstone. The peculiar body which we now denominate

Magnesia, was first sold as a panacea, by a canon at Rome, in the

beginning of the seventeenth century, under the title of Magnesia

alba, or Count Palma’s Powder.

Footnote 560:

DALBY’S CARMINATIVE. This consists of carbonate of magnesia ℈ij, oils

of Peppermint, ♏︎j, of Nutmeg, ♏︎ij, of Aniseed ♏︎iij, of the

tinctures of Castor ♏︎xxx, of Assafœtida ♏︎xv, Tincture of Opium, ♏︎v,

Spirit of Pennyroyal ♏︎xv, of the Compound Tincture of Cardamoms

♏︎xxx, Peppermint water f℥ij. There are cheaper compositions sold

under the same name. In examining the pretensions of this combination,

it must be allowed that it is constructed upon philosophical

principles; this however is no reason why the physician should

recommend it; the mischievous tendency of a quack medicine does not

depend upon its composition, but upon its application; we ought to

remember, says an eminent physician, that in recommending this nostrum

we foster the dangerous prejudices of mothers and nurses, who are

unable to ascertain the circumstances under which it should be given,

or even the proper doses; if its composition is judicious, why do not

physicians order the same in a regular prescription, rather than in a

form in which the most valuable remedy will be abused?

Footnote 561:

“Manna, vox chaldaica est, admirantis interjectio, deducta ab Hebraico

Manhu, sive quid est hoc?” Chrystom. Magneni Exercitat. de Manno.

Footnote 562:

HONEY WATER.—The article usually sold under this name is a mixture of

Essences coloured with Saffron; some add a small quantity of Honey,

the effect of which is to communicate a clamminess which retains the

scent longer.

Footnote 563:

ESSENCE OF PEPPERMINT.—A spirituous solution of the Essential Oil,

coloured green by Spinach leaves.

Footnote 564:

If the Gum arabic be adulterated with that of the Cherry-tree, the

solution will be ropy, in consequence of the presence of CERASIN. See

Mucilago Tragacanthæ. (Note.)

Footnote 565:

The mucilage is at the same time converted by this salt into a

beautiful peach blossom colour.

Footnote 566:

This variety of gum, which is characterised by its gelatinizing, but

not dissolving, in water, occurs in several vegetable substances; and

as it predominates in the Cherry-tree, Dr. John has distinguished it

by the name of CERASIN; but as Tragacanth consists almost entirely of

this substance, the term TRAGACANTHIN would have been much more

appropriate. Although Cerasin will not dissolve in pure water, it

undergoes solution in that menstruum, at the temperature of

ebullition, provided a portion of a mineral acid be added.

Footnote 567:

Sir Hans Sloane published a Paper in the Philosophical Transactions,

No. 249, Vol. xxi. p. 44, entitled “An account of the Nux Pepita, or

St. Ignatius’s Bean (Ignatia Amara, Lin.) A Simple in common use in

the Philippine Islands, as a Tonic medicine.”

Footnote 568:

That the active principle of the Nux Vomica expends its virulence upon

the spinal marrow has been already noticed. Page 133.

Footnote 569:

M. Henry has given us the most simple formula for the preparation of

this substance. It consists in boiling Nux Vomica in water, and

evaporating the decoction until it acquires the consistence of Syrup;

lime is then added, which unites with the acid, and liberates the

Strychnia; which may then be separated by means of alcohol, from which

it may be obtained by crystallization.

Footnote 570:

Ann: de Chimie et de Phys. x. 153.

Footnote 571:

M. Majendie has killed a dog with one eighth of a grain, and the

editor of the Edinburgh Med: & Surg: journ: has seen one die in two

minutes after the injection of one sixth of a grain into the cavity of

the pleura. The celebrated Java poison owes its activity to Strychnia.

Footnote 572:

Strychnia was obtained from the beans of St. Ignatius by the following

process: a portion of the beans being grated was heated in a close

vessel, under pressure, with sulphuric æther, by which an oily matter

was dissolved; the residuum then yielded by the action of alcohol, a

yellowish brown, very bitter substance, which being boiled in pure

magnesia and filtered, the colouring matter was washed out, and the

Strychnia and magnesia, in a state of mixture, remained on the filtre.

The Strychnia was then separated by alcohol, and thus obtained in a

state of great purity.

Footnote 573:

See note under the article Opium.

Footnote 574:

With regard to the use of Strychnia in paralysis, experiments

sufficiently numerous have now been made to enable us to judge of its

true value and efficacy. Like all other remedies it is by no means

infallible. In some cases it does no good, while in others it causes

effects which no other remedy is capable of producing. Every thing

depends upon the nature of the case. Whenever paralysis is the result

of some organic derangement of the brain, such as tumors pressing upon

the substance of that organ, diseased alterations in its structure, or

extravasations of fluid which cannot be absorbed, then this remedy

will be of no avail. On the other hand, where the paralysis depends

upon _simple diminished nervous excitement_, it may and has been

completely cured by the use of this article. In paraplegia it has

generally been found more successful than in hemiplegia. The first

effects of the remedy in all cases are convulsive twitchings of the

paralyzed parts, and no benefit is derived from its use until this

effect is produced and continued for some time. If plethora should be

present, this is to be corrected by venesection, purgatives, and other

appropriate treatment. It is a great advantage attending the use of

this powerful agent that it does not at all impair the tone of the

stomach; on the contrary, it has a tendency to increase the appetite

and promote digestion. In having recourse to the Strychnia, the best

way is to commence with small doses, increasing them gradually

according to the effect produced—one-eighth of a grain twice a day is

sufficient to begin with. This may be cautiously increased to 1/6,

1/4, or even ½ a grain twice a day. Should any unpleasant symptoms

occur, of course its use should be discontinued; and when the symptoms

subside, it may again be resumed. By observing these general

precautions there is no danger in using this otherwise potent agent.

The best form of giving it is in that of pill, made up with conserve

of roses.

From experiments made with _Brucia_, it is found to exert an influence

analogous to that of the _Strychnia_, only less energetic—one-fourth

of a grain of the latter equals in effect about six grains of the

former. It occasions violent tetanic attacks, and acts upon the nerves

without affecting the brain or the intellectual functions. From the

inferior energy of the Brucia, it may be used in cases where the

Strychnia would not be proper. The dose to begin with is gr. j. twice

a day, increased to three or four times a day. Unless it does some

good in five or six weeks its use should be discontinued.—ED.

Footnote 575:

HUILES ANTIQUES. The basis of the best of these oils, is the oil of

Ben, from the nuts of the Guilangia Moringa, or oil of hazel, which is

a very good substitute, since it is inodorous, colourless, and may be

kept for a considerable period without becoming rancid: it is

therefore well adapted to receive and retain the odour of those

vegetables that yield but a small proportion of essential oil.

Footnote 576:

OIL OF BRICKS. So called because this empyreumatic oil was sometimes

obtained by steeping hot brick in oil, and submitting it to

distillation.

Footnote 577:

ROCHE’S EMBROCATION FOR THE HOOPING COUGH. Olive oil mixed with about

half its quantity of the oils of cloves and amber.

STRUVE’S LOTION FOR THE HOOPING COUGH. This once famous nostrum

consisted of ʒj of Tartarized Antimony, dissolved in f℥ij of water, to

which was added f℥j of Tincture of Cantharides.

Footnote 578:

The editors have also unaccountably retained the Oleum de Lumbricis!

Footnote 579:

If the plates of the press be heated, the fixed oil from the bitter

almond will be odorous.

Footnote 580:

ESSENCE OR BITTER ALMONDS. The preparation sold under this name, for

the purposes of perfumery, &c. consists of one part of this essential

oil, and seven parts of Rectified spirit.

Footnote 581:

For such reasons there are but few wholesale houses who profess to

distil it. I have, however, through the civility and attention of Mr.

Johnson, chemist in Oxford-street, who frequently conducts the process

on a large scale, had several opportunities of witnessing the

interesting phenomena to which it gives rise. So powerful is the odour

developed upon these occasions that it fills the premises with an

almost insupportable atmosphere, occasioning head-ache, sickness and

cough; so that we may safely observe, that, whatever miracles the

prussic acid may perform, when applied to the coats of the stomach,

its application in the form of vapour to the lungs proves highly

irritating to those organs.

The concentrated vapour of this essential oil is almost instantly

destructive to animal life. I have seen flies drop lifeless to the

floor as they have passed over the still; thus, as it were, realizing

in miniature the fabled powers of Avernus.

“Quam super haud ullæ poterant impune volantes

Tendere iter pennis: talis sese halitus atris

Faucibus effundens supera ad convexa ferebat.”

Æn. VI. v. 239.

Footnote 582:

Some authors have considered the olibanum as the Λιβανος quasia Oleum

Libani, (_Thus_) of the ancients, but Dr. Maton has observed that he

cannot find any passage in the ancient authors sufficiently precise to

corroborate this conjecture. See Abietis Resina.

Footnote 583:

The Greeks and Romans attached a very different meaning to the terms

OPIUM and MECONIUM. The former signified the pure juice (οπος succus)

that flowed from the scarified poppies; the latter, the juice obtained

by bruising and pressing the poppy heads.

Footnote 584:

Annales de Chimie, vol. 45. Derosne first obtained a crystalline

substance from Opium in the year 1803, which dissolved in acids; but

he did not determine its nature or properties.

Footnote 585:

In 1804 Seguin (Ann. de Chim. vol. 92) discovered another crystalline

body in opium, and although he described most of its properties he

never hinted at its alkaline nature.

Footnote 586:

Sertuerner at Eimbeck, in Hanover, had at the same time as Derosne and

Seguin, obtained these crystalline bodies, (Ann. de Chim. et de Phy.

T. v.) but it was not until the year 1817, that he first unequivocally

proclaimed the existence of a vegetable alkali, and assigned to it the

narcotic powers which distinguish the operation of opium; to this body

he gave the name of Morphia, and it appears to be the same as the

essential salt noticed by Seguin. The salt of Derosne, now more

usually denominated Narcotine, is quite a different principle,

although it was constantly mistaken for one of the salts of Morphia,

till M. Robiquet (Ann. de Chim. & de Phy. T. v.) pointed out its

distinctive properties. It is an azotized substance, crystallizing in

beautiful pearly prisms or tables; soluble in fixed oil, and still

more so in æther and the acids; insoluble in water, and little soluble

in alcohol; destitute of action on the vegetable colours, and

incapable of neutralizing acids. There still exists, however, very

considerable confusion with respect to this salt, and farther

experiments are required to ascertain its chemical nature, as well as

its physiological action.

Footnote 587:

The discovery of an alkaline body in opium induced the French and

German chemists to examine the composition of other active

vegetables, with a view to detect the existence of an analogous

principle; and their labours have been rewarded with unexampled

success. They have accordingly obtained STRYCHNIA from the nut of

the Strychnos nux vomica;—BRUCIA from the bark of the Brucea

Anti-dysenterica (False Angustura Bark) VERATRIA from the Veratrum

album, V. Sabadilla and Colchicum Autumnale;—CINCHONIA from the bark

of the Cinchona Oblongifolia (Red Bark);—QUINA (or Kina) from that

of the Cinchona Cordifolia (Yellow Bark);—EMETA from the Callicocca

Ipecacuanha;—DELPHIA, from the Delphinium Staphisagria;—PICROTOXA

from the Menispermum Cocculus;—SOLANA from the Solanum Nigrum, and

S. Dulcamara; GENTIA, from Gentiana lutea;—ATROPIA from the Atropa

Belladonna;—HYOSCYAMA, from Hyoscyamus Niger. Besides which,

Capsicum, Piper nigrum, and SENNA, have been said to yield analogous

principles of a salifiable character. With respect to most of these

alkaline bodies farther experiments are required to establish our

confidence; it is more than probable that several of them will turn

out to be disguised modifications of each other; it has already been

questioned whether QUINA and CINCHONIA be not varieties of one

alkali; indeed it is possible that all these bodies may have the

same alkaline base, and that they differ from each other in

consequence of their combination with other principles, derived from

the vegetable in question, and impressing upon the salt its

characteristic virtues; and this idea receives material support from

the fact, that they are neutralized by a very small proportion of

acid. (See a paper on this subject in the 70th number of the

Edinburgh Med. and Surg. Journ.)

They have all many properties in common, such as a degree of

bitterness varying in intensity in different species; they are

inodorous; are not altered by air or light, but are decomposed by a

moderate heat; most of them enter into fusion, but at different

temperatures, some for instance at below 212° Fahr. others not until

they are about to be decomposed; HYOSCYAMA will even resist a low red

heat. They are very sparingly soluble in water, but they are in

general rendered more so by the presence of resinous matter. They are

nearly all highly soluble in alcohol. Æther readily dissolves DELPHIA,

VERATRIA, EMETA, QUINA, and GENTIA; but MORPHIA, CINCHONIA, and

PICROTOXA, are very sparingly soluble: and STRYCHNIA and BRUCIA are

nearly insoluble in it; they combine with the acids; and, in general,

form neutral salts; but it appears that VERATRIA and EMETA always

unite with an excess of acid. All the combinations with the mineral

acids, excepting the salts of PICROTOXA, are exceedingly soluble in

water; and, with the exception of NITRATE OF CINCHONIA, and all the

salts of VERATRIA, they are crystallizable. The acetates too, with a

few exceptions, are also soluble, and they are disposed to form

super-salts. All the oxalates, except that of PICRATOXA, which is the

most soluble of its salts, and all tartrates, are rather insoluble,

and have likewise a tendency to unite with an excess of acid. The

action of concentrated nitric acid on these alkaline bodies is very

peculiar, converting the greater number of them into artificial

tannin; but it appears to peroxidate MORPHIA, STRYCHNIA, and BRUCIA,

rendering them less powerful as salifiable bases, and diminishing or

destroying their action on the animal body. See Edinburgh Med. & Surg.

Journ. supra citat.

By analysis, with the deutoxide of copper, these alkalies yield

carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen; but no azote, unless they have been

obtained by precipitation with ammonia, as in the process of

Sertuerner.

It would appear that these bodies exist in their native plants, in

combination with peculiar acids; some of them are found in the state

of Malates.

With respect to their physiological action it may be stated, that they

would appear to concentrate in themselves the characteristic

properties of the vegetables to which they belong, and yet, although

their effects are much greater than those of the undecomposed

vegetables, the same quantity of alkali is not so powerful in its pure

form, as in its natural state of combination. Thus one grain of

morphia produces no more effect than two grains of Turkey opium, which

do not contain more than a sixteenth part of the alkali. To explain

this loss of efficacy which usually attends our attempts at

concentration, the reader is referred to the observations which have

been already offered upon this subject in the first part of this work,

page 153.

Footnote 588:

The manufacture, however, of Indian Opium has been of late years

greatly improved by Dr. Fleming, under whose superintendance that

important department was placed by the Marquis Wellesley.

Footnote 589:

Forty thousand pounds weight of Opium are annually imported into the

Port of London.

Footnote 590:

It has been stated in the Historical Introduction to this work, (page

8) that the nepenthe, which Helen mixed with wine, and gave to the

guests of Menelaus, was probably opium; such was the opinion of

Sprengel, expressed in his History of Botany. Other authors have

entertained a different belief. Delile, in his “Flora Egyptiaca,”

considers it to have been a preparation of hyoscyamus albus. Dr.

Christen, in his late elaborate Dissertation on Opium, agrees with

Forbes, who states, in his Oriental Memoirs, that in Hindostan

Bendsch, i. e. nepenthe is prepared from the cannabis sativa of

Linnæus. Linder informs us that bangue is prepared from the dried

leaves of the wild cannabis, the smoke of which is said to be more

narcotic than even that of opium. There seems, however, to be good

reason for supposing that Indian bangue is a compound of several

ingredients. Ray says that he learned from Sir Hans Sloane, that the

principal ingredient was not hemp, but a plant somewhat like it.

Footnote 591:

The operation of Opium is not unfrequently attended with an itching,

or sense of pricking of the skin, which is sometimes terminated by a

species of miliary eruption.

Footnote 592:

Opium is the Quack’s sheet anchor. The various nostrums advertised as

“Cough Drops, for the cure of colds, asthmas, catarrhs, &c.” are

preparations of Opium very similar to paregoric elixir. PECTORAL

BALSAM OF LIQUORICE, and ESSENCE OF COLTSFOOT, are combinations of

this kind. GRINDLE’S COUGH DROPS, are a preparation of the same

description, only made with Rectified, instead of Proof Spirit, and

consequently more highly charged with stimulant materials. “The

mischief,” says Dr. Fothergill, “that has proceeded from the healing

anodynes of quacks can be scarcely imagined; for in coughs, arising

from suppressed perspiration or an inflammatory diathesis, Opiates

generally do harm.”

SQUIRE’S ELIXIR. Opium, camphor, serpentaria, sub-carbonate of potass,

anise and fennel seeds, made into a tincture, and coloured with

cochineal.

FORD’S BALSAM OF HOREHOUND. This nostrum may very properly be classed

under the present head. It consists of an aqueous infusion of

horehound and liquorice root, with double the proportion of proof

spirit or brandy; to which is then added, opium, camphor, benzoin,

squills, oil of aniseed, and honey.

Footnote 593:

LIQUOR MORPHII CITRATIS. ℞.Opii Crudi Optimi ℥iv; Acidi Citrici

(Cryst:) ℥ij; semel in mortario lapideo contunde, dein aquæ distillatæ

bullientis oj affunde; et intime misceantur; macera per horas viginti

quatuor; per chartam bibulosam cola.

Footnote 594:

THE BLACK DROP, or The Lancaster, or Quaker’s Black Drop. This

preparation, which has been long known and esteemed, as being more

powerful in its operation and less distressing in its effects than any

tincture of opium, has until lately been involved in much obscurity;

the papers however of the late Edward Walton, of Sunderland, one of

the near relations of the original proprietor, having fallen into the

hands of Dr. Armstrong, that gentleman has obliged the profession by

publishing the manner in which it is prepared, and is as

follows:—“Take half a pound of opium sliced; three pints of good

verjuice (juice of the wild crab,) and one and a half ounce of

nutmegs, and half an ounce of saffron. Boil them to a proper

thickness, then add a quarter of a pound of sugar, and two spoonsful

of yeast. Set the whole in a warm place near the fire, for six or

eight weeks, then place it in the open air until it becomes a syrup;

lastly, decant, filter, and bottle it up, adding a little sugar to

each bottle.” One drop of this preparation is considered equal to

about three of the Tincture of Opium. P. L. It would appear that an

Acetate of Morphia is formed, which is more active, and less

distressing in its effects, than any other narcotic combination.

The French Codex contains directions for preparing a compound very

similar to the Black Drop; viz.

VINUM OPIATUM FERMENTATIONE PARATUM, or Guttæ seu Laudanum Abbatis

Rousseau. Take of white honey twelve ounces; warm water, three pounds;

dissolve the honey in the water, pour it into a matrass, and set it

aside in a warm place: as soon as fermentation has commenced, add four

ounces of good opium, having previously dissolved, or rather diffused

it in twelve ounces of water; allow them to ferment together for a

month, then evaporate until ten ounces only remain, filter, and add

four ounces and a half of alcohol.

LIQUOR OPII SEDATIVUS. Under this name, Mr. Battley, a manufacturing

druggist, of Fore-street, London, has offered for sale a narcotic

preparation, which it is generally supposed owes its efficacy to the

acetate of morphia; on being kept, however, I found that it underwent

some important change, during which so much air was disengaged as to

blow out the cork from the bottle with violence. This is an objection

to its admission into practice, unless we can ensure recently prepared

portions as often as they may be required.

In publishing the above statement, I have unfortunately been the cause

of much unnecessary INK-SHED. A letter, by Mr. Battley, has been

industriously circulated through the different ranks of the

profession, purporting to be an apology for his preparation, but after

a careful perusal of it, instead of being able to discover any

argument in its favour, we receive a full acknowledgment of the

validity of the objection above stated. “I explained to Dr. Paris,

that the liability of the solution to undergo change, WAS A DEFECT in

the preparation, but that the addition of a little spirit would

prevent decomposition,” and yet in the next sentence he tells us that

in those cases in which it is most beneficial, “the addition of spirit

would be highly improper.” See Medical Repository, vol. xiii, p. 273.

But the circumstance which has excited the greatest indignation in the

mind of Mr. Battley, is my having applied the term NOSTRUM to his

preparation. Every medicine that is prepared by a secret process, and

sold for the private advantage of an individual, is properly

designated a NOSTRUM. And I am at a loss to discover any feature in

the present case that can entitle it to be considered as an exception

to this general rule; but perhaps Mr. Battley is inclined to be

hypercritical, and as the preparation is not indebted to him, but to

Wedelius or Le Mort, for its origin, is prepared to exclaim with the

Roman Poet:

“Quæ non fecimus ipsi vix ea NOSTRA VOCO.”

Mr. Battley also complains bitterly of my having inserted his

preparation under so odious a motto as “Arcana Revelata fætent,” for

my own part I cannot conceive any thing more appropriate to the case,

viz. Arcana, _these secret preparations_, revelata, _exposed to the

air_, fætent, _grow fœtid_. But, notwithstanding the objections which

I have thus felt it my duty to offer, I am disposed to speak

favourably of its mild and uniform effects, and in justice to Mr.

Battley, I will further state the same opinion has been formed by a

great number of respectable practitioners. The late Mr. Haden, who

during his protracted illness took a large quantity of this

preparation, states, in his Translation of the Formulary of Dr.

Majendie, that it is devoid of exciting, and almost of constipating,

properties. He made a very good substitute, “by macerating the dregs,

remaining after making tincture of opium, in a solution of Tartaric

acid.” The preparation formed a tolerably deep tincture, and 40 drops

acted, he thought, in all respects, like 20 of the liquor opii

sedativus. It neither stimulated, nor produced costiveness.

Footnote 595:

GODBOLD’S VEGETABLE BALSAM. In the specification of the Patent for

this nostrum forty-two different vegetables are directed to be

distilled “for the purpose of extracting their essences, which are to

be preserved separately and apart from each other, in syrups, and are

to be mixed with the following gums and drugs, viz. Gum Dragon, Gum

Guaiacum, Gum Arabic, and Gum Canada, these being dissolved in double

distilled vinegar, with a quantity of Storax dissolved in Spirits of

Wine and Oil of Cinnamon. It is to be bottled off, and kept three

years before it is fit to be administered for the CURE of Consumption,

or any Asthmatic Complaint.” It is hardly necessary to observe, that

no such directions ever are, or indeed ever could be followed; in

short the “BALSAM” is little else than simple oxymel. It is, however,

not a little curious that amongst the forty-two plants enumerated,

there should be several that would on distillation yield Prussic acid,

such as the Bays. We wonder that this accidental circumstance has not

been noticed, and turned to account, by some of those worthy disciples

of Esculapius who live by the credulity of mankind, and, as Falstaff

expresses it, “Turn diseases to a commodity.”

Footnote 596:

“It is in this manner, I apprehend, that stimulating syrups will

frequently remove hoarseness.”

Footnote 597:

Although it has been long known that the seeds of the poppy, and the

oil obtained from them by expression, do not possess any of the

narcotic properties of the plant, and that they were even baked into

cakes and used as an article of food by the ancients, yet has there

been in later times very considerable contention respecting the

propriety and safety of using such oil. The cultivation of the Poppy

for the sake of the oil of its seeds, as an article of food, has been

long carried on in France, Brabant, and Germany; and more recently in

Holland. At about the beginning of the 17th century, the opposition to

this use of the Poppy manifested itself in France, and became so

violent, that the Lieutenant General of the Police of Paris ordered

the medical faculty of that city to make the strictest examination

concerning this point, and they accordingly reported that, as there is

nothing narcotic or prejudicial to health in the oil, the use of it

might be permitted. But this decision was unsatisfactory; and popular

clamour determined the Court to pass a decree in 1718, prohibiting the

sale of Poppy Oil, whether mixed or unmixed! The sale of the article,

however, notwithstanding this most singular decree, was clandestinely

encouraged, and it gradually increased until the year 1735, when the

Court issued a severe decree, enjoining the superintendent to mix a

certain quantity of the extract of Turpentine, with every cask

containing 1100 lbs. of this oil, of which no less than 2000 casks

were consumed in Paris alone. But the secret demand for it increased

until 1773, when a Society of Agriculture undertook to examine the

question, and the result of their labours had the effect of reversing

the prohibition, and of convincing the multitude that their fears were

entirely unfounded, and that there was really no narcotic power, nor

any secret mischief in the article.

Footnote 598:

As these pills are liable to become hard and insoluble by being kept,

it is better to keep the ingredients in powder, and to form them

extemporaneously with a little syrup.

Footnote 599:

The Pix Arida of the late Pharmacopœia.

Footnote 600:

Tar water was also at one period celebrated as an antisiphylitic

remedy. M. Acharius, in his work “On the Use and advantages of Tar

Water in Venereal Complaints,” enumerates the cases of a number of

patients cured by this remedy alone in the Hospital of Stockholm,

without any Mercury.

Footnote 601:

Dr. Mudge in the year 1782 had recommended the fumigation of balsams,

in a pamphlet on the subject of his Inhaler; little or no notice

however was taken of this recommendation, a circumstance which cannot

excite our surprise when we consider the extravagant terms in which

the pretensions of the remedy were supported. “I believe,” says he,

“that much of the benefit which consumptive persons experience from

sea voyages, is derived from the tar vapour constantly present on

board a ship!”

A Radical and Expeditious Cure for a recent Catarrhous Cough. By J.

Mudge, Plymouth, 1783.

Footnote 602:

Litharge. The word is derived from λὶθος, _Lapis_, a stone, and

ἄργυρος, _Argentum_, Silver; from the fact of the lead being thrown

off in this state during its application for the refinement of Silver.

Footnote 603:

That the oak cask imparts astringent matter to the contained spirit,

is shewn by the facts enumerated under the history of Brandy, see

Spiritus Tenuior.

Footnote 604:

Sir George Baker considered the dry-belly-ache, which is common to

drinkers of new Rum, in the West Indies, entirely referable to its

contamination with Lead.

Footnote 605:

See next Note.

Footnote 606:

I uniformly adopt this plan; the acetic acid is the best guard that

can be selected to protect the salt from decomposition; even the

Tartrate of Lead, which is so insoluble in water, forms with vinegar a

soluble triple salt.

Footnote 607:

ROYAL PREVENTIVE.—This pretended prophylactic against venereal virus

is a solution of Acetate of Lead.

Footnote 608:

Peroxide of Potassium is produced by heating the metal in a

considerable excess of oxygen. It is an orange-coloured body, which,

upon being put into water effervesces, and gives off oxygen, and is

thus reduced to the state of protoxide.

Footnote 609:

Potass forms the basis of many of those preparations, sold as

Depilatories; in some instances combined with Lime. COLLEY’S

Depilatory appears to consist of Quick-lime, and a portion of

Sulphuret of Potass.

Footnote 610:

Sal Prunelle. Nitre, when coloured purple like a plum, has been long

esteemed in Germany as a powerful medicine, under this name.

M. Chevreul supposes the urinous taste attributed to fixed alkaline

bases not to belong to these substances, but to the ammonia, which is

set at liberty by their action on the ammoniacal salts contained in

the saliva; the proofs of which, he says, may be derived from the

facts that the sensation disappears upon pressing the nostrils; and

that the same odour is perceived when we smell to a mixture of recent

saliva and fixed alkali, made in a small glass or porcelain capsule.

(See my work on Medical Chemistry, § 8.)

Footnote 611:

See my “Elements of Medical Chemistry,” p. 157.

Footnote 612:

Ibid. p. 605.

Footnote 613:

I may take this opportunity to state that Sulphuretted Hydrogen, in a

state of simple solution, or in combination with other bodies,

possesses considerable powers as a remedy in many cutaneous disorders

of a chronic character. The “Gas-Water,” or that which remains after

the gas, used for illumination, has passed through the purifier, and

which consists of Hydro-Sulphuret and Hydro-bi-Sulphuret of Lime, has

been used with great success in such cases.

Footnote 614:

It may be termed a Boro-tartrate.

Footnote 615:

ESSENTIAL SALT OF LEMONS. The preparation sold under this name, for

the purpose of removing iron moulds from linen, consists of cream of

tartar, and super-oxalate of potass, or salt of sorrel, in equal

proportions.

Footnote 616:

See page 183.

Footnote 617:

His specification, lodged in Chancery, is as follows. “Take Antimony,

calcine it with a continued protracted heat, in a flat unglazed

vessel, adding to it from time to time, a sufficient quantity of any

animal oil and salt, dephlegmated; then boil it in melted nitre for a

considerable time, and separate the powder from the nitre by

dissolving it in water.”

JAMES’S ANALEPTIC PILLS. These consist of James’s powder, gum

ammoniacum, and the pill of aloes with myrrh, (Pil. Rufi) equal parts,

with a sufficient quantity of the tincture of castor to make a mass.

Footnote 618:

In consequence of the antimonial powder having proved inert in the

hands of Dr. Elliotson, although exhibited to the amount of a hundred

grains for a dose, Mr. Phillips was induced to examine more

particularly into the nature of the oxide which enters into its

composition. “After the well established fact,” says he, “that

peroxide of antimony is nearly or totally inert, it appears to me,

that if proof could be obtained, that the oxide of antimony is in this

state, the deficiency of power in the Pulvis Antimonialis would be

accounted for.” He then proceeds to detail his experiments, from which

he deduces the composition of this preparation to be as follows:

Peroxide of Antimony 35

Phosphate of Lime 65

———

100

which exist together in a simple state of mixture. Until the subject

be elucidated by farther experiments, it will be difficult for the

chemist to persuade the physician, that he can never have derived any

benefit from the exhibition of Antimonial Powder, although I am by no

means inclined to concede to it that extraordinary degree of virtue,

which many practitioners are so eager to maintain.

Footnote 619:

This plant is esteemed by the American Indians as a universal remedy,

and is always carried about with them. The members of the profession

have doubtless heard of an irregular practitioner, who has persuaded a

certain number of persons in this metropolis, that he possesses

remedies, obtained from the American Indians, by which he is enabled

to _cure_ Scrofula in its worst forms; it is to this Empiric that I

alluded in the note at page 33; and it may be worthy of notice that

the plant upon which he relies for success, is the Pyrola Umbellata.

Footnote 620:

Philosophical Transactions, 1799.

Footnote 621:

WARNER’S CORDIAL. Rhubarb bruised ℥j; Sennæ ℥ss; Saffron ʒj; Powdered

Liquorice ʒiv; Raisins pounded ℔j; Brandy oiij; digest for a week and

strain.

MOSELEY’S PILLS. The stomachic Pills which are sold under this name,

consist merely of Rhubarb and Ginger.

Footnote 622:

Dr. Rehman asserts that it is the root of the same species as that

which produces the Turkey variety, but that it is prepared with less

care.

Footnote 623:

The seeds of this plant, from which the oil is expressed, are

variegated with black and white streaks, resembling in shape as well

as colour, the insect RICINIS or Tick, whence the name. These seeds,

from the acrid juice in their skins, are very drastic and emetic; they

were however used by HIPPOCRATES. MATHIOLUS attempted to correct their

emetic quality by torrefaction, but without success. GULIELMUS PISO

proposed a tincture of them, but the preparation is not only

uncertain, but unsafe in its operation. See Tiglii Semina.

Footnote 624:

For the derivation of the name _Castor_ oil, see p. 39.

Footnote 625:

The sugar cane is called in Arabic _Lukseb_. The produce of it,

_Assakur_, hence _Sugar_. Some authors have attempted to derive the

word from _Succus_ a juice; this is obviously an error.

Footnote 626:

For this purpose it may be added to certain ointments to prevent their

becoming rancid. For the reasons, however, above stated, it must not

be boiled with the ingredients, but added after they are cold.

Footnote 627:

In those districts where Soap is generally made from wood ashes, or

from Russian or American potass, unless Salt were added in large

quantities, it would not have any consistence. As Kelp and common

Barilla contain a sufficient quantity of it, no further addition is

required.

Footnote 628:

TRANSPARENT SOAP is made by carefully evaporating the alcoholic

solution. The solution itself is sold under the name of SHAVING

LIQUID, or “ESSENCE ROYALE POUR FAIRE LA BARBE.”

Footnote 629:

When a solution of soap and sub-acetate of lead are added together,

the potass of the former combines with the acetic acid of the latter,

and the fat and oxyd of lead are disengaged; the one rising to the

surface, while the other is precipitated; and yet notwithstanding this

complete decomposition, some surgeons are in the habit of using an

application which consists of a drachm of the Liquor Plumbi

Sub-Acetatis, and two ounces of the Linimentum Saponis! We cannot have

any hesitation in deciding upon the inefficacy of such a mixture.

Footnote 630:

GODFREY’S CORDIAL. The following receipt for this nostrum was obtained

from a wholesale druggist, who makes and sells many hundred dozen

bottles in the course of a year. There are however several other

formulæ for its preparation, but they are not essentially different.

Infuse ℥ix of Sassafras, and of the seeds of Carraway, Coriander, and

Anise, of each ℥j, in six pints of water, simmer the mixture until it

is reduced to four pints; then add ℔vj of Treacle, and boil the whole

for a few minutes; when it is cold, add f℥iij of the tincture of

Opium. The extensive and indiscriminate use of this nostrum in the

nursery, is a subject of national opprobrium, and is so considered by

foreign writers. See Fodéré, Medicine Legale, vol. iv. p. 22.

Footnote 631:

M. Virey says, “On observe que des acides châtrent, pour ainsi parler,

tout l’energie de la Scammonée.”

Footnote 632:

COUNT WARWICK’S POWDER. The purgative long known and esteemed under

this name, consisted of Scammony, Oxide of Antimony, and Cream of

Tartar. It is much extolled by Baglivi, and by Van-Swieten, as an

efficacious purgative in intermittent fevers.

Footnote 633:

The English physicians do not do justice to this valuable article. In

this country it enjoys a high and deserved reputation. As a remedy in

Croup it has long been esteemed as one of our most efficient

resources, and more recently it has been very warmly recommended as a

powerful emmenagogue. In Croup, it should not be given until after the

use of venesection and other evacuants. It may then be administered in

the form of decoction, prepared from half an ounce of the bruised root

boiled in eight ounces of water down to four. Of this a tea spoonful

is to be taken every hour or half hour as circumstances may require.

When used as an emmenagogue, the decoction is to be prepared by

simmering in a close vessel ℥j of the bruised root in a pint of

boiling water, until it is reduced about one third—of this four ounces

are to be taken daily, and to be increased as far as the stomach will

bear, at the menstrual period. _Ed._

Footnote 634:

It enters into the composition of Stoughton’s Elixir, for which see

Gentianæ Radix.

Footnote 635:

It is for this reason that the cake left after expression is so much

more pungent than the seeds, for the fixed oil can be easily separated

by pressure.

Footnote 636:

WHITEHEAD’S ESSENCE OF MUSTARD.—This consists of oil of turpentine,

camphor, and a portion of spirit of rosemary; to which is added a

small quantity of flour of mustard.

WHITEHEAD’S ESSENCE OF MUSTARD PILLS.—Balsam of Tolu, with resin!

READY MADE MUSTARD.—This is made up with currant wine, and sugar;

formerly Must, or grape juice, was employed for this purpose, whence

the name _Mustard_.

Footnote 637:

This term is also applied to the Sub-carbonate of Ammonia. The

objection to its use depends upon the solecism which it involves; the

division of an atom, which, according to chemical principles, is

indivisible; but this objection may be answered by stating, that the

term is one merely of convenience, and serves to express the

proportions of the acid and its base. The chemical difficulty is at

once solved by multiplying each by two, which will make the

proportions as 3 to 2. instead of 1½ to 1.

Footnote 638:

SODAIC POWDERS.—Contained in two distinct papers, one of which is

blue, the other white; that in the former consists of ʒss of the

carbonate of soda, that in the latter of grs. xxv of tartaric acid.

These powders require half a pint of water. It is very evident that a

solution of these powders is by no means similar to “Soda Water,”

which it is intended to emulate; for in this latter preparation, the

soda is in combination only with carbonic acid; whereas the solution

of the “Sodaic Powders” is that of a neutral salt, with a portion of

fixed air diffused through it.

PATENT SEIDLITZ POWDERS.—These consist of two different powders; the

one, contained in a white paper, consists of ʒij of Tartarized Soda,

and ℈ij of Carbonate of Soda; that in the blue paper, of grs. xxxv of

tartaric acid. The contents of the white paper are to be dissolved in

half a pint of spring water, to which those of the blue paper are to

be added; the draught is to be taken in a state of effervescence. The

acid being in excess renders it more grateful, and no less efficacious

as a purgative. This preparation cannot be said to bear any other

resemblance to the mineral water of Seidlitz, than in being purgative.

The water of this spring, which was discovered by Hoffman about a

century ago, contains Sulphate of Magnesia as its active ingredient,

together with Muriate of Magnesia, and Sulphate, and Carbonate of

Lime. In the Codex Medicamentarius of Paris there are two formulæ for

the preparation of a water which may resemble that of Seidlitz, the

one differing from the other merely in the proportion of its Sulphate

of Magnesia.

Footnote 639:

Our English Salt is generally thus contaminated; for which reason it

is unfit for the curing of several kinds of fish; this will not appear

strange, says Mr. Parkes, when it is considered that merely its own

weight of water is all that is necessary for the complete solution of

muriate of magnesia; a circumstance which renders it impossible to

preserve such salt for any length of time in a dry state. This muriate

however might be separated from common salt, on a large scale, for one

shilling per cwt. By exposing the salt to a gentle heat in

reverberatory furnaces, the muriatic acid of the magnesian muriate

will fly off, and the magnesia (on a subsequent solution of the salt)

will be precipitated. It is well known that muriate of magnesia begins

to part with its acid at a temperature a little higher than that of

boiling water.

Footnote 640:

The annual quantity of salt raised from the Salt Mines and Springs in

Europe, is estimated at from 25 to 30 millions of cwt.

Footnote 641:

The respect paid to Salt amongst Eastern nations is very remarkable,

and may be traced to the highest antiquity. Homer gives to it the

epithet of θεὶον, Il. ix. p. 214.

Footnote 642:

In addition to the numerous instances cited by these authors, I may

here introduce one which has been just communicated to me by my friend

Mr. John Taylor, the agent of the London Company for working the Real

del Monte Silver Mines in Mexico. He states that the ore, which

consists of the Sulphuret of Silver, is, together with Mercury,

amassed in heaps with iron pyrites and common salt; and that such is

the greediness of the Mules employed in the works for the Salt, that

they are constantly licking the materials; the consequence is that a

portion of the Silver Amalgam is introduced into their stomachs; the

animals, however, suffer no inconvenience; but, after death, on

opening their stomachs, it is not unusual to find considerable masses

of Silver, the mercury having escaped, or been dissolved by the

gastric juice.

Footnote 643:

The celebrated Indian Tonic for Dyspepsia and Gout, called Bit laban,

is prepared by fusing together muriate of soda and some other

ingredients. See Dr. Fleming’s Catalogue of Indian Medicinal plants

and drugs, p. 54, 55.

Footnote 644:

I have myself witnessed the bad effects of a diet of unsalted fish;

and in my examination before a Committee of the House of Commons in

1818, appointed “for the purpose of inquiring into the laws respecting

the Salt Duties,” I stated the great injury which the poorer classes

in many districts sustained in their health, from an inability to

procure this essential article. Lord Somerville (in his address to the

Board of Agriculture) gave an interesting account of the effects of a

punishment which formerly existed in Holland. “The ancient laws of the

country ordained men to be kept on bread alone, UNMIXED WITH SALT, as

the SEVEREST punishment that could be inflicted upon them in their

moist climate; the effect was horrible: these wretched criminals are

said to have been DEVOURED BY WORMS, engendered in their own

stomachs.”

SALT was an object of taxation at a very early period in this country;

Ancus Martius, 640 years before our era ‘_Salinarum Vectigal_

instituit.’ This tribute was continued on the Britons when our Isle

was possessed by the Romans, who worked the Droitwich Mines, and who

made salt part of their soldiers _Salarium_, or salary. Hence the

custom at the Eton Montem of asking for salt.

The great advantages which must ultimately accrue to this nation in

its fisheries, agriculture, manufactures, and commerce, from a late

remission of the odious and impolitic tax upon salt, are incalculable.

The government of France appears to have been as impolitic with regard

to this tax as the English. Buonaparte abolished the collection of

turnpike dues; and imposed a tax on salt, payable at the Salt-pans, in

its stead. It is not perhaps generally known, that by the aid of this

tax he was enabled to complete the grand entrance into Italy, over the

Simplon; so that it may be fairly observed, that if HANNIBAL was

enabled to cross the Alps by the aid of VINEGAR—BUONAPARTE, by the

assistance of SALT, succeeded in constructing a public road over the

same mountains.

Footnote 645:

CHELTENHAM SALTS.—A factitious compound has been long vended, as a

popular purgative, under this name; it is formed by triturating

together the following salts. Sulphate of Soda, grs. 120. Sulphate of

Magnesia, grs. 66. Muriate of Soda, 10. Sulphate of Iron, gr. ½. As a

purgative it is very efficacious, and superior probably to that which

is actually obtained by the evaporation of the Cheltenham water

itself; for notwithstanding the high pretensions with which this

latter salt has been publicly announced, it will be found to be little

else than common Glauber’s Salt. This fact has been confirmed by the

experiments of Mr. Richard Phillips, (Annals of Philosophy, No. lxi,)

who observes, that the “REAL CHELTENHAM SALTS contain no chalybeate

property, but are merely sulphate of soda, mixed with a minute

quantity of soda, and a very small portion of common salt.” It could

not be imagined that the salt should contain oxide of iron even in a

state of mixture, much less in combination, for carbonate of iron is

readily decomposed by ebullition, and the oxide of iron is

precipitated before the salt can be crystallized. A preparation, under

the name of Thomson’s Cheltenham Salts, is accordingly manufactured in

London, by evaporating a solution consisting of sulphate of soda and

sub-carbonate of soda.

“EFFLORESCENCE OF REAL CHELTENHAM SALTS.” The preceding salt deprived

of its water of crystallization.

“EFFLORESCENCE OF REAL MAGNESIAN CHELTENHAM SALTS,” MADE FROM THE

WATERS OF THE CHALYBEATE MAGNESIAN SPA. This is asserted to be a

sub-sulphate from nature, which combines both a pure and a

sub-sulphated magnesia in its composition; “but,” says Mr. Phillips,

“neither nature nor art has ever produced such a combination; in

truth, it consists of Epsom Salt, with small portions of magnesia, and

muriate of magnesia or muriate of soda.”

MURIO-SULPHATE OF MAGNESIA AND IRON. The preparation thus named by Mr.

Thomson, was found by Mr. Phillips to consist of Epsom Salt, deprived

of part of its water of crystallization, and discoloured by a little

rust of iron, and containing a small portion of muriate of magnesia.

Thus it appears, that not one of these preparations is similar to the

water which is drank at the Spa; in order to remedy this difficulty,

Mr. Thomson prepared the “ORIGINAL COMBINED CHELTENHAM SALTS,” by

evaporating the waters to dryness: but a very small share of chemical

penetration is required to satisfy us that no process of this

description can remedy the defect described, for as Mr. Phillips has

observed, the chalybeate properties of the water must be essentially

altered by such an operation.

Footnote 646:

HUNGARY WATER. Aqua Reginæ Hungariæ. This article, when genuine, is a

pure spirit distilled from the Rosemary, and is strongly scented with

the rich perfume of that aromatic plant.

Footnote 647:

I apprehend that the peculiar flavour of Cogniac depends upon the

presence of an æthereal spirit, formed by the action of Tartaric or

perhaps Acetic acid upon Alcohol; it is on this account that Nitric

Æther, when added to Malt spirits, gives them the flavour of French

Brandy. The same flavour is also successfully obtained by distilling

British spirits over wine lees, or by distilling a spirit obtained

from Raisin Wine, which has become acescent.

In new brandy there also appears to be an uncombined acid, giving to

it a peculiar taste and quality, which are lost by age. This explains

the reason why the addition of five or six drops of “liquor ammoniæ,”

to each bottle of new brandy, will impart to it the qualities of that

of the oldest date.

Footnote 648:

TAYLOR’S RED BOTTLE, commonly called the Whitworth Doctor. British

Brandy coloured with Cochineal, and flavoured with oil of Origanum.

Footnote 649:

Mr. Parkes, in his Chemical Essays, has the following remark: “an

ingenious friend assures me that if new rum be exposed for a night to

a severe frost, and then removed to a heated room, and thus

alternately treated for a week or two, it will in that short time have

acquired a flavour equal to fine _old_ spirits.” The mischievous

effects of new rum, as drank in the West Indies, would seem to depend

upon the presence of Lead; see Plumbi Acetas.

Footnote 650:

_Mock Arrack._ The author of ‘Apicius Redivivus,’ directs, for the

purpose of making a mock Arrack, that two scruples of Benzoic acid be

added to every quart of Rum. By a receipt of this kind the celebrated

Punch of Vauxhall is prepared.

Footnote 651:

The famous Helvetian Styptic, described in page 83, depended wholly on

this accidental contamination for its colour, and it was no small

mortification to our chemists, when this nostrum was first introduced

amongst us, that they could not prepare it with our own spirits, but

were obliged to be at the expense of true French Brandy. Our own

Spirits, although equally coloured, would never produce a violet

tincture; at length, however, the mystery was discovered, and the gall

nut imparted to the tincture that characteristic colour which was so

long considered essential to its efficacy; but the discovery threw

discredit upon the nostrum, and it fell into disuse.

Footnote 652:

If any additional argument were necessary, we might repeat, that

Arsenic in its metallic state is not poisonous. As it is almost

impossible to reduce metallic arsenic to a state of powder, without

its becoming oxidized, M. Renault had recourse to its alloys for

deciding the question; and he found that Mispickel (an alloy of iron

and arsenic,) when given to the extent of two drachms, had no apparent

effect; this result agrees with the conclusion of Bayen in his work on

Tin, and proves that the arsenic which may be contained in that metal

cannot produce any medicinal effect, as it exists in its metallic

state. Recherches Chimiques sur l’Etain, par Bayen et Charlard, 1781.

Footnote 653:

GUY’S POWDER OR ETHIOPIA. This once celebrated remedy consisted of

pure rasped Tin, Mercury, and Sublimed Sulphur, triturated together.

BLAINE’S POWDER FOR THE DISTEMPER IN DOGS. The basis of this nostrum

is the Aurum Musivum, or Sulphuret of Tin, and which has been said to

be more efficacious in cases of Tænia than the simple metal.

MATHIEU’S VERMIFUGE was indebted to Tin for its efficacy, see Filicis

Radix.

Footnote 654:

SULPHUR LOZENGES. Sublimed Sulphur one part, sugar eight parts,

Tragacanth mucilage q. s. used in Asthma, and in Hæmorrhoids.

Footnote 655:

Sugar, perfectly free from the extractive matter with which it exists

in combination in nature, and which constitutes that compound to which

the name of Sweet Principle has been given, will not, however diluted,

undergo any kind of fermentation; for it is the presence of this

peculiar extractive matter, the natural leaven of fruits, that enables

it to undergo that process; since, however, all clayed sugars, or

modifications of sugar which are short of perfect purity, still

contain a small proportion of this extractive, they are capable of

fermenting, when sufficiently dilute; Dr. Maccullough, in his essay on

the art of making wine, observes, that by the addition of a very small

quantity of the Sulphite of Potass, the fermentation of syrups and

preserves may be effectually prevented; he states also, that the same

object may generally be attained by the use of Oxy-muriate of Potass,

a salt absolutely tasteless, and easily procured.

Footnote 656:

The Damask Rose, Rosa Centifolia, of which this Syrup is composed, was

imported into this country by Linacre, on his return from Italy.

Footnote 657:

MAJOR COCHRANE’S COUGH MEDICINE. White poppy heads without seeds, are

made into a decoction, which is strained, and boiled again with

vinegar and brown sugar, until it assumes the consistence of syrup,

which is then acidified by elixir of vitriol.

Footnote 658:

It would appear that there are two principles of activity in Tobacco,

an essential oil, and nicotin, either of which are, individually,

capable of producing death, but by a very different physiological

action, the former by its effects on the brain, the latter by its

influence on the heart! See page 132.

Footnote 659:

It seems very probable that the “juice of cursed hebenon,” by which,

according to Shakespeare, the king of Denmark was poisoned, was no

other than the essential oil of Tobacco:—

——“Sleeping within mine orchard,

My custom always of the afternoon,

Upon my secure hour thy uncle stole,

With juice of cursed hebenon in a vial,

And in the porches of mine ears, did pour

The leperous distilment.”

In the first place, the learned commentator Dr. Grey, observes that

the word here used (hebenon), was more probably designated by a

metathesis, either of the poet or transcriber, for henebon, i. e.

henbane. Now it appears from Gerarde, that “tabaco” was commonly

called henbane of Peru, (hyoscyamus Peruvianus,) and when we consider

how high the public prejudice ran against this herb in the reign of

James, it seems very likely that Shakespeare should have selected it,

as an agent of extraordinary malignity. No preparation of the

hyoscyamus, with which we are acquainted, would produce death by

application to the ear, whereas the essential oil of Tobacco would,

without doubt, occasion a fatal issue. The term distilment has also

called forth a remark from Steevens, which is calculated to support

this conjecture; surely, says he, this expression signifies, that the

preparation was the result of a distillation.

Footnote 660:

See “An Essay on the means of lessening Pain, and facilitating certain

Cases of difficult parturition, by W. P. Dewes, M.D. 1806. also Med.

Journ. vol. xviii.”

Footnote 661:

CEPHALIC SNUFF. The basis of this errhine is powdered Asarum, diluted

with some vegetable powder.

Footnote 662:

Tamarind, from _Timmer_ a Date, and _Hend_ India, Timmerhend, i. e.

Date of India.

Footnote 663:

Various substances have been proposed at different times as

substitutes for Coffee. In the “Fourth Century of Observations” in the

“Miscellanea Curiosa,” we find a critical dissertation on the (Cahve)

Coffee of the Arabians; and on European Coffee, or such as may be

prepared from grain or pulse. Dillenius gives the result of his own

preparations made with Pease, Beans, and Kidney Beans, but says that

that made from Rye comes the nearest to true Coffee, and was with

difficulty distinguished from it. This fact is curious, in as much as

a spurious Coffee has been lately vended, which is nothing more than

roasted Rye. The article is well known by the name of “HUNT’S

ŒCONOMICAL BREAKFAST POWDER.”

Footnote 664:

See “Some account of the Medicinal and other Uses of various

Substances prepared from Trees of the genus Pinus, by W. G. MATON,

M.D. &c. being a Supplement to Mr. Lambert’s splendid work on that

genus.”

Footnote 665:

The Τερμὶνθος of Theophrastus (lib. 3. c. 3.) and Dioscorides; (lib.

1, c. 76) from which the word Terebinthus seems to have been derived.

Footnote 666:

The term Balsam is very improperly applied to this substance, since it

contains no Benzoic Acid.

Footnote 667:

The product of the Amyris Gileadensis, and probably the Balsamum

Judaicum, Syriacum e Mecca, Opobalsamum, &c. of the older writers.

Footnote 668:

A fluid extract, prepared by decoction from the twigs of this species

of Fir, is the well known Essence of Spruce, which, when fermented

with melasses, forms the popular beverage, called “Spruce Beer,”

(Cerevisia Pini Laricis.)

TRUE RIGA BALSAM, Beaume de Carpathes, from the shoots of the Pinas

Cembra, previously bruised, and macerated for a month in water.

This same fir also affords BRIANÇON TURPENTINE.

HUNGARIAN BALSAM.—A spontaneous exudation from the P. Pumilio, or

Mugho Pine.

Footnote 669:

Lib. 16, c. 10.

Footnote 670:

Prax. Med. Lib. 14. c. 1.

Footnote 671:

STARKEY’S SOAP. This compound is effected by a long and tedious

trituration of alkali and oil of turpentine.

Footnote 672:

This case was occasioned by a violent whirling of the body in a

frolic! the circumstances attending it are so interesting, that I

shall take an opportunity of submitting the details to the profession.

See Dr. Yeat’s work on Hydrocephalus.

Footnote 673:

See “A Memoir on the employment of Terebinthinous Remedies in Disease,

by James Copland, M.D.” in the Medical and Physical Journal for 1821,

p. 185.

Footnote 674:

Kaauw de Persp. N. 430.

Footnote 675:

THE GUESTONIAN EMBROCATION FOR RHEUMATISM. ℞. Ol. Terebinth: f℥iss—Ol:

Oliv: f℥iss—Acid: Sulph. dilut: fʒiij.

Footnote 676:

SCOURING DROPS. The peculiar odour which distinguishes oil of

turpentine, may be destroyed by the addition of a few drops of some

fragrant volatile oil, as that of lemons: a combination of this kind

is commonly sold under the name of Scouring Drops, for the purpose of

removing paint, oil, or grease from cloth.

Footnote 677:

DUTCH, or HAERLEM DROPS. The basis of this nostrum consists of the

residue of this redistillation, which is a thick, red, resinous

matter, to which the name of Balsam of Turpentine has been given; a

preparation, however, is frequently vended as “Dutch Drops,” which is

a mixture of oil of turpentine, tincture of guaiacum, spirit of nitric

ether, with small portions of the oils of amber and cloves. Serapion,

the younger, one of the earlier Arabian writers on the Materia Medica,

describes them as bearing some analogy to “Pine nuts.”

Footnote 678:

The reader will find an account of the Botanical Literature of this

plant, by J. Frost, Director of the Medico-Botanical Society, in the

17th volume of the Medical Repository, p. 461.

Footnote 679:

Rumphius, (Herb: Amboinense) in speaking of the Grana Molucca,

observes that women who are desirous of getting rid of their husbands,

give them four grains at one dose.

Footnote 680:

See Ainslie’s Materia Medica of Hindostan.

Footnote 681:

I state this fact on the authority of a communication made by order of

the Court of Directors of the East India Company, to the College of

Physicians, enclosing the extract of a letter from Mr. Conwell.

Footnote 682:

Journal of Science and Arts. No. xxvi.

Footnote 683:

I understand that to the Veterinary Surgeon this oil has proved an

article of great utility, as it uniformly purges the horse, and may be

employed, for that purpose, in those cases in which Aloes would be

inadmissible.

Footnote 684:

In making such a tincture we should employ a fluid-drachm of Rectified

Spirit, to two drops of the oil. They should be digested for some time

and then filtered. With all the care that can be used, a certain

portion of the spirit will be evaporated, and half a fluid-drachm of

the tincture may be thus considered as nearly equivalent to a drop and

a half of the oil.

Footnote 685:

The object of this preliminary step is to saturate the alcohol with a

fixed oil, that it may not dissolve any portion of that in the

Tiglium, and thus confuse the results. The quantity of fixed oil which

alcohol is capable of dissolving is extremely small, and will not in

the least degree injure the alcoholic solution for subsequent

medicinal use.

Footnote 686:

The change of colour which Guaiacum undergoes by admixture with other

bodies, not only affords a test by which we may appreciate its purity,

but at the same time it becomes a reagent by which we may assay the

virtues of other vegetable substances. According to the experiments of

M. Taddey and Rudolphi, it appears that GUAIACUM in powder, is an

excellent test for vegetable gluten, forming with it a fine blue

colour, whence it affords the means of determining the quality of

wheat flour. From the experiments of M. Planche, it moreover appears

that there is a series of vegetable roots which, when fresh, are

capable of producing a blue colour, if introduced into an alcoholic

solution of Guaiacum: so that we may hereafter be furnished with a

chemical test that will at once appreciate their freshness, which is

undoubtedly one of the greatest desiderata of pharmaceutical science.

A communication has appeared from Mr. A. T. Thomson, in which he

proposes Guaiacum as a test for the freshness of Colchicum. I have,

however, never been able to succeed with it, to my satisfaction.

Footnote 687:

HUDSON’S PRESERVATIVE FOR THE TEETH AND GUMS. Equal parts of Tincture

of Myrrh, Tincture of Bark, and Cinnamon water, to which are added

Arquebusade and Gum Arabic.

GREENOUGH’S TINCTURE FOR THE TEETH. The following receipt is given on

the authority of Mr. Gray. Of Bitter Almonds, 2 oz. Brazil Wood and

Cassia Buds, equal parts, half an ounce; root of the Florentine Iris,

2 dr.: of Cochineal, Salt of Sorrel, and Alum, equal parts, one

drachm; Rectified Spirit, 2 pints; Spirit of Horse Radish, half an

ounce.

RUSPINI’S TINCTURE FOR THE TEETH. This consists of the root of the

Florentine Iris, eight ounces; Cloves, one ounce; Rectified Spirit,

two pints; Ambergris, one scruple.

Footnote 688:

From παρηγορέω lenio, to assuage pain.

Footnote 689:

MATTHEW’S INJECTION. This once celebrated remedy for Fistula in Ano,

was nothing more than a diluted Tincture of Cantharides.

Footnote 690:

SOLOMON’S BALM OF GILEAD. An aromatic tincture, of which Cardamoms

form a leading ingredient, made with brandy. Some practitioners have

asserted that Cantharides enter its composition.

Footnote 691:

DAFFY’S ELIXIR. This is the Tinctura Sennæ Composita, with the

substitution of treacle for sugar candy, and the addition of aniseeds

and elecampane root. Different kinds of this nostrum are sold under

the names of DICKY’S DAFFY, and SWINTON’S DAFFY; but they differ

merely in some subordinate minutiæ, or unimportant additions.

Footnote 692:

The following remarks, with which I have lately been favoured by Dr.

Davy, appear interesting. “In the few cases which I have tried this

remedy for the retention of urine, I have seen no good effects

produced, until it excited nausea. For this purpose I have found it

advantageous to give it in a little tepid water: upon chemical

examination I could not discover that it ever passed off by the urine;

the fæces, however, are uniformly coloured black by it, whence I

conclude it must be evacuated through the bowels. In order to prevent

its tendency to constipate the bowels, I have found it necessary to

give some aperient, as castor oil, speedily after its exhibition.” May

not this latter circumstance explain the reason of his not having

detected it in the urine? (See p. 95.)

Footnote 693:

DE LA MOTTE’S GOLDEN DROPS. An Æthereal solution of Iron.

Footnote 694:

It has, for this reason, been substituted for oak bark in the tanning

of leather.

Footnote 695:

BRITISH HERB TOBACCO. The basis of which is Coltsfoot; this appears to

have had a very ancient origin, for the same plant was smoaked through

a reed in the days of Dioscorides, for the purpose of promoting

expectoration, and was called by him βηγὶον, from βηξ, tussis, whence

Tussilago.

ESSENCE OF COLTSFOOT. For an account of this nostrum, see page 314.

Footnote 696:

In the first edition of this work, I stated the probability of the

Veratrum being the active ingredient of the EAU MEDICINALE, and, upon

the authority of Mr. James Moore, I inserted a formula for its

preparation; subsequent enquiry, however, has shewn the fallacy of

this opinion; but the fact of the medicinal efficacy of the Veratrum,

when combined with opium, in the cure of gout, remains

incontrovertible. One of the two Sweating Powders of WARD was a

combination of the Veratrum and Opium, it is certainly a very singular

coincidence, that recent experiments should have shewn that the active

principle of colchicum is identical with that which gives efficacy to

the hellebore, viz. Gallate of Veratria. The fact itself offers a

striking instance of medical experience having anticipated the

discoveries of chemistry, while it affords a powerful case in support

of the arguments which I have urged in the first part of this work, p.

55.

Footnote 697:

EDINBURGH OINTMENT. The principal ingredients of which are the White

Hellebore and Muriate of Ammonia.

Footnote 698:

For an account of which the reader is referred to a most ingenious and

interesting Essay by Dr. Macculloch, entitled “Remarks on the Art of

making Wine, with suggestions for the application of its principles to

the improvement of Domestic Wines.”

Footnote 699:

This may also explain why bitters, under certain circumstances, have

been found to counteract the effects of wine, as in the instance of

the “Poculum Absinthiatum,” of which the ancients entertained so high

an opinion. See page 68.

Footnote 700:

“Resinata bibis vina, Falerna fugis.—Martial.”

Pliny (lib: 14. c. 14.) mentions a Wine under the name of Myrrhina,

which was so called on account of its being impregnated with Myrrh.

This custom explains the origin and meaning of the Thyrsus of Bacchus,

which appears to have been a spear entwined with leaves or a fillet,

and surmounted with a _Fir_ cone; thus,

[Illustration]

Footnote 701:

See Dioscorides, lib. 5, c. 35, 36, 37, 38, 39.

Footnote 702:

An interesting and highly embellished work upon the subject of Wines,

has lately been published by Dr. Henderson.

Footnote 703:

“O Nata mecum consule Manlio.”—Od: xxi. Lib: 3.

The Odes of Horace abound with manifestations of the same taste, thus,

“I pete——

Et Cadum Marsi memorem duelli.”—Od: xiv. Lib: 3.

Here Horace sends his Slave for a cask of the wine on which the Marian

war was recorded, and which must therefore have been sixty-eight years

old.