3. (Ph. D.) Sarsaparilla (sliced), 2 oz., sassafras, guaiacum turnings,
and liquorice root (bruised), of each 2 dr.; mezereon root-bark, 1 dr.;
boiling water, 1-1/2 pint; digest for an hour, then boil for 10 minutes,
cool, and strain.
4. (Extemporaneous.) Compound extract of sarsaparilla, 7-1/2 dr.; boiling
water, 1 pint; dissolve.
5. (Ph. B.) Jamaica sarsaparilla, cut transversely, 2-1/2 oz.; sassafras,
guaiacum turnings, bruised liquorice root, of each 1/4 oz., mezereon root
bark 60 grains; digest them with 1-1/2 pint of boiling water in a covered
vessel for an hour, then boil for 10 minutes, cool, and strain. Make up to
1 pint.
_Obs._ This decoction is an imitation of the once justly celebrated
'Lisbon Diet Drink.' It is an alterative and diaphoretic.--_Dose._ A
teacupful, or more, 3 or 4 times a day, either along with, or after, a
mercurial course; and in syphilis, scurvy, scrofula, chronic rheumatism,
lepra, psoriasis, and several other skin diseases, and especially in
cachexia, or general bad habit of body. During its use the skin should be
kept warm. See SARSAPARILLA and _below_.
=Decoction of Sarsaparilla (Concentrated Compound).= _Syn._ DECOCTUM SARZÆ
COMPOSITUM CONCENTRATUM, D. SARSAPARILLÆ C. C., L. There is a very
considerable trade done in this article, in consequence of compound
decoction of sarsaparilla being taken in large doses, both alone and in
combination with other remedies, and the pharmacop[oe]ial preparation
spoiling if kept longer than about 12 hours, in warm weather. Like the
concentrated simple decoction, it is said to be of 8 times the usual
strength, so that when mixed with 7 times its weight of water, it forms a
similar preparation to the Decoctum Sarzæ Compositum,--Ph. L., for which
it is very generally substituted in dispensing.
_Prep._ 1. (Wholesale.) Sarsaparilla (red Jamaica), 96 lbs.; mezereon root
(not root-bark), 9 lbs.; liquorice root (bruised), 16 lbs. The mezereon
and liquorice are first laid (loosely) on the bottom of a clean copper
pan, and the bundles of sarsaparilla (untied and loosened) packed over
them, in horizontal layers, alternately at right angles with each other.
Three or four boards, with as many iron 1/2-cwt. weights, are next placed
on the top of the whole. Water is now run in, to about ten inches higher
than the ingredients, and heat is applied until ebullition commences. The
materials are now allowed to macerate, without boiling, for 3 or 4 hours,
after which the liquor is gently boiled for about an hour, care being
taken to add fresh water from time to time, so as to keep the whole well
covered. The decoction is next run off, and set evaporating as quickly as
possible. The ingredients are then washed with successive portions of
boiling water, by allowing it to descend from a species of shower-bath,
after the manner of 'sparging,' described under BREWING.[256] This is
repeated until the water runs off nearly colourless, the smallest quantity
being employed that will effect the object in view. The whole of the
liquid is now evaporated without delay, until reduced to 8-1/4 galls.,
when, after cooling, 2 dr. of essential oil of sassafras, dissolved in 2
galls. of rectified spirit of wine, are added, and afterwards 1 pint of
essence of guaiacum. The liquid is then placed in a suitably sized barrel,
set upon its head, and fitted with a small cock (not placed too near the
bottom), and allowed to repose for a week, by which time it becomes clear
and brilliant, and fit for sale. This is the form adopted by the large
metropolitan drug-houses most celebrated for this preparation. The product
that may be drawn off fit for sale is something over 10 galls. The
residuum, forming the 'bottoms,' consists chiefly of fecula. The latter is
well stirred up with 3 or 4 galls. of cold water, and allowed to settle.
The clear decanted 'washings' are used as water or liquor in making the
next batch of decoction.
[Footnote 256: See page 356.]
2. (Extemporaneous.) Compound extract of sarsaparilla, 7-1/2 oz.; boiling
water, 12 fl. oz.; dissolve, then add of rectified spirit of wine, 2-1/2
fl. oz.; mix well, and further add of water, q. s. to make the whole
measure a pint.
_Obs._ To conduct this process successfully, several large copper pans are
required; one of which (to boil the ingredients in) must be capable of
containing from 140 to 150 gallons at the least, and the others must be
sufficiently large to receive the liquors as they are drawn off. Those for
the evaporation should be very shallow, in order that it may proceed
rapidly; and the whole should be heated by steam. An excellent plan is to
employ large wooden vats, and to apply the heat by means of pipes laid
along the bottom, and supplied with high-pressure steam. This method is
less expensive than the use of double steam pans, as above. When essence
of guaiacum is not used, 24 lbs. of guaiacum shavings, from which the dust
has been sifted, are boiled with the other ingredients, instead. Those
desirous of using the proportions of the ingredients ordered by the
Colleges may do so by taking eight times the given quantities, and
proceeding as above. The following are special preparations:--
FELTZ'S DECOCTION OF SARSAPARILLA. _Syn._ AP'OZEM OF FELTZ; DECOCTUM SARZÆ
CUM ICHTHYOCOL'LA, L.; PTISANE DE FELTZ, Fr. _Prep._ From sarsaparilla
(sliced), 3 oz.; isinglass and crude antimony (in powder), of each 1/2
oz.; water 5 pints; boil to one half, and strain. Used in skin diseases.
JAUPERAND'S DECOCTION OF SARSAPARILLA. _Syn._ DECOCTUM SARZÆ CUM RADICE
CHINÂ, L.; PTISANE DE JAUPERAND, Fr. _Prep._ (Bories.) Sarsaparilla and
China root, of each 2 oz.; senna and sassafras chips, of each 1/2 oz.;
carbonate of potassa, 1 dr.; water, 2 galls.; simmer, gently, for several
hours, and strain 12 pints; when cold, decant the clear.--_Dose_, 2 fl.
oz., two or three times daily; in scrofula, &c.
VINACHE'S DECOCTION OF SARSAPARILLA. _Syn._ DECOCTUM SARZÆ CUM SENNÂ, L.;
PTISANE DE VINACHE, Fr. _Prep._ (Foy.) Sarsaparilla, China wood, and
guaiacum wood, of each 1-1/2 oz.; crude antimony (tied in a rag), 2 oz.;
water, 6 pints; macerate for 12 hours (7 in hot weather), boil to one
half, add sassafras chips and senna, of each 1/2 oz., infuse 1 hour
longer, and strain; when cold, decant the clear. Recommended in scrofula,
secondary syphilis, and various cutaneous affections.
ZITTMANN'S DECOCTION OF SARSAPARILLA. _Syn._ DECOCTUM ZITTMANNI, L.;
PTISANE DE ZITTMANN, Fr. _Prep._ 1. (STRONGER DECOCTION; D. Z. FORTE, Ph.
Bor. 1847.) Sarsaparilla, 12 oz.; water, 72 lbs. (say 5-3/4 galls.);
digest 24 hours, then add (suspended in a bag), white sugar and alum, of
each 6 dr.; calomel, 4 dr.; cinnabar, 1 dr.; boil to 24 lbs., adding
towards the end of the process, senna, 3 oz.; liquorice root, 1-1/2 oz.;
aniseed and fennel seed, of each 1/2 oz.; finally strain, with pressure
and after some time decant the clear portion. The formula in the 'Ph.
Suec.' 1845 is similar; that in the 'Hamburg Codex' directs only 24 lbs.
of water to be used, and the whole to be reduced to 16 lbs.
2. (WEAKER DECOCTION; D. Z. TENUE.--Ph. Bor. 1847.) Add to the residuum
(waste) of the last preparation sarsaparilla, 6 oz.; water, 72 lbs. (say,
5-3/4 galls.); boil to 24 lbs.; adding towards the end of the process,
lemon peel, cinnamon bark, liquorice root, and cardamoms (all bruised), of
each 3 dr.; press, strain, &c., as before. In the 'Ph. Suec.' 1845 double
the above weights of lemon peel and liquorice root are ordered, and in the
'Hamburg Codex' (1845) 24 lbs. of water only are ordered, and the whole
is to be boiled down to 16 lbs.
_Obs._ Both the above are used in Germany and on the Continent generally,
in the same cases as those in which compound decoction of sarsaparilla is
administered in England. They may be drunk almost _ad libitum_. A trace of
mercury may be detected in the stronger decoction, when properly prepared.
See SARSAPARILLA.
=Decoction of Sen'ega Root.= _Syn._ DECOCTION OF AMERICAN SNAKE ROOT, D.
OF RATTLESNAKE ROOT; DECOCTUM POLYGALÆ, D. SENEGÆ (Ph. L.), L. _Prep._
(Ph. L.) Senega or seneka root, 10 dr.; water, 1 quart; boil to a pint,
and strain.--_Dose_, 1/2 to 2 wine-glassfuls three or four times daily; in
humoral asthma, chronic cough, dropsy, &c. It is stimulant, expectorant,
and diuretic, and, in large doses, emetic and cathartic. It is frequently
conjoined with ammonia. It is the antidote employed by the Senega Indians
against the bite of the rattlesnake. (Dr Tennant.)
=Decoction of Simaru'ba Bark.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM SIMARU'BÆ, L. _Prep._ (Dr
Wright.) Simaruba bark, 2 dr.; water, 24 fl. oz.; boil to one half, and
strain. Tonic.--_Dose_, 1 to 2 fl. oz.; in chronic dysentery and
diarrh[oe]a.
=Decoction of Squills (Compound).= _Syn._ DECOCTUM SCILLÆ COMPOSITUM, L.
_Prep._ (Ph. U. S. 1841.) Squills, 3 dr.; juniper berries, 4 oz.; snake
root, 3 oz.; water, 4 lbs.; boil to one half, strain, and add of sweet
spirits of nitre, 4 fl. oz. In chronic coughs and other chest affections,
unaccompanied with active inflammatory symptoms.--_Dose_, 1 to 3 fl. oz.,
twice or thrice daily.
=Decoction of Starch.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM AM'YLI (Ph. L.), MUCILA'GO AM'YLI
(Ph. E. & D.), L. _Prep._ (Ph. L. & E.) Starch, 1/2 oz.; add, gradually,
water, 1 pint, and boil for a short time. The Dublin preparation is nearly
twice as strong. Used as an enema in dysentery, diarrh[oe]a, and
excoriations of the rectum.
=Decoction, Sudorif'ic.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM SUDORIF'ICUM, L. The old name of
the compound decoctions of sarsaparilla and guaiacum.
=Decoction of Su'et.= _Syn._ ARTIFICIAL GOAT'S MILK; DECOCTUM SE'VI, L.
_Prep._ Suet, 1 oz.; tie it loosely in a piece of muslin and simmer it in
cow's milk, 1-1/4 pint; adding towards the last, white sugar, 1/2 oz. In
scrofulous emaciation and phthisis; taken _ad libitum_.
=Decoction of Tam'arinds.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM TAMARIND'ORUM, L. _Prep._
Tamarinds, 1-1/2 oz.; water, 1 pint; boil for 5 minutes, and strain. A
pleasant drink in fevers, asthma, chronic coughs, &c.
=Decoction of Tamarinds and Sen'na.= _Syn._ DEC. TAMARINDORUM CUM SENNÂ
(Ph. E. 1744), L. _Prep._ Tamarinds, 6 dr.; cream of tartar, 2 dr.; water,
1-1/2; pint; boil in a glazed earthen vessel until reduced to 16 oz.; then
infuse therein for 12 hours, senna, 4 dr.; strain, and add of syrup of
violets, 1 oz. A gentle aperient.--_Dose._ A wine-glassful, or more.
=Decoction of Tar.= _Syn._ TAR WATER; DECOCTUM PI'CIS LIQ'UIDÆ, L. _Prep._
Tar, 1 oz.; water, 1-1/2; pint; boil to 1 pint.--_Dose._ A pint or more
daily; in chronic catarrh; and as a wash in chronic skin diseases,
especially those of the head, in children.
=Decoction, Ton'ic.= _Syn._ STRENGTHENING DECOCTION; DECOCTUM ROBORANS, L.
_Prep._ 1. Peruvian bark (bruised), 1/2 oz.; Virginian snake root, 2 dr.;
water, 1 pint; boil to one half, strain whilst hot, and add, spirit of
cinnamon, 1-1/2 fl. oz.; diluted sulphuric acid, 1-1/2 dr.--_Dose_, 2 oz.
two or three times a day.
2. Decoction of bark, 5 oz.; tincture of bark, 6 dr.; aromatic confection,
1/2 dr.; salvolatile, 1 dr.--_Dose_, 1 or 2 table-spoonfuls night and
morning; especially in diarrh[oe]a.
=Decoction of Tor'mentil.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM TORMENTIL'LÆ (Ph. L.), L.
_Prep._ (Ph. L.) Tormentil root (bruised), 2 oz.; water, 1-1/2 pint; boil
to a pint, and strain. Astringent.--_Dose_, 1 to 2 fl. oz., in chronic
diarrh[oe]a, &c.
=Decoction of Tur'meric.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM CURCU'MÆ, L. _Prep._ From
turmeric root (in powder), 1-1/2 oz.; water, 1 pint; boil for 5 minutes,
and strain. A mild aromatic stimulant and stomachic.--_Dose._ A
wine-glassful _ad libitum_. It is principally used as a test for alkalies,
which turn it brown. Unsized paper dipped into it and dried forms the
turmeric test-paper of the chemist.
=Decoction of Verbe'na.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM VERBE'NÆ, L. From verbena
(vervain), 2 oz.; water, 1-1/2 pint; boil to 1 pint, and strain.
_Obs._ The _Verbena officinalis_ was formerly highly recommended by
Etmuller, Hartman, De Haën, Morley, and others, in scrofula, cephalalgia,
&c., but afterwards fell into neglect. More recently, a decoction of the
plant has been highly extolled by Boshanov and others as an anti-febrile.
=Decoction, Vul'nerary.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM VULNERA''RIUM, L. _Prep._ From
ground ivy and broad-leaved plantain, of each 1/2 oz.; water, 3 pints;
boil to 1 quart, strain, and add sugar, 1 oz. A popular pectoral and
tonic, especially in old coughs; also to heal wounds.--_Dose_, 1/2 a
teacupful or more twice a day.
=Decoction of Wal'nut Bark.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM JUGLAND'IS, L. _Prep._ (Ph.
Gen.) Green bark of walnuts, 1 oz.; water, 1 pint; boil for 15 minutes,
and strain. As an anti-syphilitic. Before the general introduction of
sarsaparilla it was much esteemed in most cases in which that drug is now
taken.--_Dose, &c._ The same as those of comp. dec. of sarsaparilla.
Pearson says that "when the putamen (green rind) of the walnut has been
omitted, either intentionally or by accident (from _Decoctum
Lusitanicum_), the same good effects have not followed its use as when it
contained this ingredient.
=Decoction of Walnut Leaves.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM JUGLAND'IS FOLIO''RUM, L.
_Prep._ (Negrier.) Walnut leaves, 1 handful; water, 1 quart; boil 15
minutes, and strain. Detersive, diaphoretic, and alterative.--_Dose, &c._
As the last, especially in chronic rheumatism, secondary syphilis, &c.
=Decoction of Wa'terdock.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM RUMI'CIS, D. R. AQUAT'ICI, L.
_Prep._ (A. T. Thomson.) Root of common waterdock (_Rumex obtusifolius_),
1 oz.; water, 1 pint; boil for 10 minutes, and strain.
_Obs._ This decoction is astringent, and was once much celebrated as a
remedy for scurvy and some other cutaneous affections. "It is the only
remedy which proves efficacious in that disease when the ulcers are
healed, and the patient is attacked with asthma." (Linnaeus, on the Scurvy
of the Laplanders.)
=Decoction, White= (Sydenham's). _Syn._ HARTSHORN DRINK; MIS'TURA COR'NU
USTI. _Prep._ Prepared burnt hartshorn, 2 oz.; gum Arabic, 1 oz.; water, 3
pints; boil to 1 quart, and strain. Mucilaginous; demulcent. Taken _ad
libitum_.
=Decoction of Whor'tleberry.= _Syn._ DECOCTION OF BEAR-BERRY, D. OF
UVA-URSI; DECOCTUM UVÆ URSI (Ph. L. & D.), L. _Prep._ 1. (Ph. L.)
Whortleberry leaves, 1 oz.; water, 1-1/2 pint; boil to a pint, and strain.
2. (Ph. D.) Uva-ursi (the leaves), 1/2 oz.; water, 1/2 pint; boil 10
minutes, and strain.
_Dose, &c._ 1 to 3 fl. oz. two or three times daily; in phthisis and
purulent affections of the urinary organs, unaccompanied with active
inflammation; especially in chronic affections of the bladder.
=Decoction of Wil'low Bark.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM SALICIS, D. S. CORTICIS, L.
_Prep._ 1. (Wilkinson.) Willow bark (_Salix latifolia_), bruised, 1-1/2
oz.; macerate in water, 2 lbs., for 6 hours, then boil for 15 minutes, and
strain. Tonic, astringent, and febrifuge.--_Dose._ A wine-glassful.
2. (Nieman.) Willow bark (_Salix alba_), 1-1/2 oz.; water, 3/4 pint; boil
to one half.--_Dose_, 1 to 2 fl. oz. Both are used as substitutes for
decoction of cinchona bark.
=Decoction of Win'ter-green.= _Syn._ DECOCTION OF PYROLA, D. OF UMBELLATED
WINTER-GREEN, D. OF PIPSISSEWA; DECOCTUM CHIMAPHILÆ (Ph. L.), D. PYROLÆ
(Ph. D.), L. _Prep._ 1. (Ph. L.) Chimaphila (dried herb), 1 oz.; water,
1-1/2 pint; boil to a pint, and strain.
2. (Ph. D.) Winter-green (dried leaves), 1/2 oz.; water, 1/2 pint; boil 10
minutes in a covered vessel, and strain. Tonic, stomachic, alterative, and
diuretic.--_Dose_, 1 to 2 fl. oz.; in dropsies, scrofula, debility, loss
of appetite, &c.; and in those affections of the urinary organs in which
uva-ursi is commonly given.
=Decoction of Worm'seed.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM SANTONICI, L. _Prep._ 1.
Wormseed, bruised, 2 oz.; water, 1 pint; boil down to 16 fl. oz., and
strain.
2. (Dr R. E. Griffith.) Fresh leaves of wormseed(_Chenopodium
anthelminticum_),--Linn.), 1 oz.; water, 1 pint; orange peel, 2 dr.; boil
(10 minutes), and strain. The above are bitter, stomachic, and
vermifuge.--_Dose._ A wine-glassful twice a day; in worms. It is also used
as an injection against ascarides.
=Decoction of Yar'row.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM MILLEFOLII, L. _Prep._ From
milfoil or yarrow tops, 1-1/2 oz.; water, 1-1/4 pint; boil to a pint, and
strain. Astringent, tonic, and vulnerary.--_Dose._ A wine-glassful thrice
daily; in dropsies, &c. It is also used as a fomentation to bruises, &c.
=Decoction of Black Snake Root.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM CIMICIFUGE. Black snake
root, 1 oz.; water, 16 oz.; boil for 10 minutes.--_Dose_, 1 oz. to 2 oz.
in rheumatism and dropsy.
=Decoction of Stavesacre.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM STAPHISAGRIÆ. Stavesacre seed,
1 oz.; water, 2 pints; boil for a few minutes, and strain. For external
use.
=Decoction of Snails.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM LIMATUM (MARS MOUCHON). Flesh of
vine or garden snails (cleansed from shell and intestines), 5 oz.; water,
2 pints; simmer gently for 2 hours, adding towards the end, maiden hair 2
oz., and strain.
=Decoction of Soapwort.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM SAPONARIÆ (SWEDIAUR). Soapwort, 2
oz.; water, 4 lbs.; boil to 2 lbs., and strain.
=Decoction of Wood-Soot.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM FULIGINIS (Dr Neligan).
Wood-soot, 4 oz.; water, 1-1/2 pint.
=DECOLORA'TION.= The blanching or removal of the natural colour of any
substance. Syrups and many animal, vegetable, and saline solutions are
decoloured or whitened by agitation with animal charcoal, and subsequent
subsidence or filtration. Many fluids rapidly lose their natural colour by
exposure to light, especially to the direct rays of the sun. In this way
castor, nut, poppy, and several other oils are whitened. Fish oils are
partially deodorised and decoloured by filtration through animal charcoal.
Cottons and linens are still commonly bleached by the joint action of
light, air, and moisture. The peculiar way in which light produces this
effect has never been satisfactorily explained. The decoloration of
textile fabrics and solid bodies generally is called bleaching. See
BLANCHING, BLEACHING, OILS, TALLOW, SYRUPS, SUGAR, &c.
=DECOMPOSI''TION= (-z[)i]sh'un). In _chemistry_, the resolution of
compounds into their elements, or the alteration of their chemical
constitution in such a manner that new products are formed.
=DEFECA'TION.= The separation of a liquid from its lees, dregs, or
impurities by subsidence and decantation. It is commonly employed for the
purification of saline solutions and glutinous or unctuous liquids on the
large scale in preference to filtration; than which it is both more
expeditious and expensive. See CLARIFICATION, DECANTATION, FILTRATION, &c.
=DEFLAGRA'TION.= The sudden combustion of any substance for the purpose of
producing some change in its composition, by the joint action of heat and
oxygen. The process is commonly performed by projecting into a red-hot
crucible, in small portions at a time, a mixture of nitrate of potash, and
the body to be oxidised.
=DELIQUES'CENCE.= Spontaneous liquefaction by absorption of the moisture
of the atmosphere. Deliquescent salts are those which by exposure
gradually assume the liquid state. They should all be kept in well-closed
bottles or jars.
=DELIR'IUM TRE'MENS.= [L.] The madness of drunkards; a disease of the
brain resulting from the excessive and protracted use of intoxicating
liquors, particularly of ardent spirits. The early symptoms are extreme
irritability and fretfulness, with unusual mobility of the body.
Sleeplessness and unpleasant dreams soon follow. At length frightful
dreams and visions harass the patient. He sees remarkable sights, hears
extraordinary sounds, and labours under all the strange delusions of
insane persons, which, however vague and unfounded, operate on him with
all the force of realities till he becomes furiously mad. The fit almost
always comes on after hard drinking; and the hands are usually, but not
always, tremulous. A similar affection is occasionally produced by the
abuse of opium, excessive mental anxiety, night watching, or depletion.
According to Dr Armstrong, even respiring the fumes of ardent spirits
will, under some circumstances, produce this disease. Persons who have
undergone surgical operations under the influence of chloroform are more
liable to attacks of this kind than other persons.
The _treatment_ of delirium tremens consists mainly in the judicious use
of opium, laudanum, or morphia, in rather large doses, frequently
repeated. Thirty to sixty drops of laudanum may be given every hour or two
during the fit, its effects being carefully watched. The object is to
produce quiet sleep, from which the patient usually wakes free from the
worst symptoms of the disease. Diaphoretics and mild aperients may also be
given, and a light, nutritious diet adopted throughout. Depletion,
especially bleeding, should be particularly avoided. Alcoholic stimulants
and wine, in certain cases, have proved useful. Under this treatment, the
patient, unless of a very bad habit of body, or much debilitated by
previous excesses, usually recovers. He is, however, very liable to
relapses and subsequent attacks, which are best prevented by judicious
moral management.
The judicious administration of chloral hydrate, in doses of from thirty
to sixty grains as well as of bromide of potassium in twenty-grain doses,
either alone or combined with the chloral, has lately been had recourse to
with the happiest results, for the production of sleep in cases of
delirium tremens or in the insomnia of dipsomaniacs.
The repetition of the dose of chloral requires to be regulated with very
great caution; and it is only in the case of emigrants and others unable
to obtain medical aid that we would recommend it to be given, and then
only should opium have failed to produce the desired effect. Not _more_
than sixty grains of the chloral should be administered during the
twenty-four hours. The internal administration of tincture of capsicum in
moderately large doses, in the intervals of the opiates or chloral
hydrate, has lately been tried in the treatment of this disease, it is
said, with success.
=DELPHIN'IC ACID.= _Syn._ PHOCE'NIC ACID. A fatty acid, obtained by
saponifying the oil of the delphinus or porpoise. According to recent
experiments, it is identical with valeric acid.
=DELPHIN'INE.= _Syn._ DEL'PHINE, DEL'PHIA, DELPHIN'IA. An alkaloid
discovered by Lassaigne and Feneulle in _Delphinium staphysagria_ or
stavesacre.
_Prep._ 1. The husked seeds (in powder) are boiled in a little water, and
pressed in a cloth; a little pure magnesia is then added to the filtered
decoction, the whole is boiled for a few minutes, and refiltered; the
residuum, after being well washed, is digested in boiling alcohol, which
dissolves out the alkaloid, and gives it up again by gentle evaporation
and cooling.
2. The bruised, but unshelled, seeds are digested in dilute sulphuric
acid, the filtered liquor precipitated with carbonate of potassa, and the
precipitate digested in alcohol as before.
3. (Parrish.) An alcoholic extract of the seeds is treated with dilute
sulphuric acid, precipitated with an alkali, again dissolved in dilute
sulphuric acid; the colouring matter precipitated by a few drops of nitric
acid, the alkaloid by potassa. The alkaloid is then dissolved in absolute
alcohol, and the solution thus formed is evaporated; one pound yields
about one drachm.
_Prop., &c._ A light-yellowish or white, odourless powder; extremely acrid
and bitter; scarcely soluble in water; dissolves in ether, and readily in
alcohol; and has an alkaline reaction. Its alcoholic solution produces a
burning and tingling sensation when rubbed on the skin, and a similar
sensation is produced in various parts of the body when it is taken in
doses of a few grains. It has been exhibited in neuralgia and rheumatism
by Dr Turnbull.--_Dose_, 1/12 gr. every three hours, made into a pill with
1 gr. each of the extracts of henbane and liquorice. It is also used
externally under the form of ointment and lotion.
=DELPHINUM--A Boot Varnish.= Shell-lac, 7·5 grammes dissolved in alcohol,
15 grammes, mixed with 20 drops fish oil, and ·1 gramme lampblack.
(Geisse.)
=DEMUL'CENTS.= In _medicine_, substances which are calculated to soften
and lubricate the parts to which they are applied. Though having the same
signification as the word EMOLLIENTS, it is desirable to restrict the
latter term to such as are intended for external application, and to
include under the above head only such as are intended for internal
exhibition. The principal demulcents are gum Arabic, gum tragacanth,
liquorice, honey, arrow-root, pearl barley, isinglass, gelatin, milk,
almonds, spermaceti, almond and olive oils, and most other mucilaginous,
amylaceous, saccharine, and oily substances. For use, these are made into
MUCILAGES, DECOCTIONS, EMULSIONS, or MILKS, with water, and form suitable
beverages in dysentery, diarrh[oe]a, catarrh, diseases of the urinary
organs, and all other diseases where diluents are useful. See EMOLLIENTS.
=DENGUE.= This disease is most commonly met with in the East and West
Indies, and occasionally as an epidemic in America. In England it rarely
shows itself in an epidemic character. The symptoms of dengue appear to
combine those of rheumatism and scarlet fever. On the third or fourth day
an eruption shows itself, accompanied with pains in the limbs, glandular
swellings, and languor. The course of the disease is varied by frequent
remissions. It does not come within our design to indicate the treatment,
which appears to be the same as that pursued in scarlet fever.
=DENS'ITY.= Comparative masses of equal weights, or the quantity of matter
contained in a given space. It is commonly used synonymously with SPECIFIC
GRAVITY, which, however, refers to comparative weights of equal bulks.
Thus, quicksilver is said to have a density greater than that of copper,
and alcohol one less than that of oil of vitriol.
=DENTI'FRICES.= _Syn._ DENTIFRICIA, L. Substances applied to the teeth, to
cleanse and beautify them. The most useful form of dentifrices is that of
powder (TOOTH POWDER); but liquids (TOOTH WASHES), and electuaries (TOOTH
ELECTUARIES, TOOTH PASTES), are also employed. The solid ingredients used
in dentifrices should not be so hard or gritty as to injure the enamel of
the teeth; nor so soft or adhesive as to adhere to the gums, after rinsing
the mouth out with water. Pumice-stone (in fine powder) is one of those
substances that acts entirely by mechanical attrition, and is hence an
objectionable ingredient in tooth powder intended for daily use. It is,
however, very generally present in the various advertised dentifrices,
which are remarkable for their rapid action in whitening the teeth. Bath
brick is another substance of a similar nature to pumice, and, like that
article, should be only occasionally employed. Cuttle-fish bone, coral,
and prepared chalk, are also commonly used for the same purpose, but the
last is rather too soft and absorbent to form the sole ingredient of a
tooth powder. Charcoal, which is so very generally employed as a
dentifrice, acts partly mechanically and partly by its chemical property
of destroying foul smells and arresting putrefaction. For this purpose it
should be newly burnt, and kept in well-closed vessels, until used, as by
exposure to the air it rapidly loses its antiseptic powers. Powdered
rhatany, cinchona bark, and catechu, are used as astringents, and are very
useful in foulness or sponginess of the gums. Myrrh and mastic are
employed on account of their odour, and their presumed preservative action
and power of fixing loose teeth. Insoluble powders have been objected to
on account of their being apt to accumulate between the folds of the gums
and in the cracks of the teeth, and thus impart a disagreeable appearance
to the mouth. To remedy this defect, a reddish or flesh-coloured tinge is
commonly given to them with a little rose pink, red coral, or similar
colouring substance, when any small portion that remains unwashed off is
rendered less conspicuous. Some persons employ soluble substances as tooth
powders, which are free from the above objection. Thus, sulphate of potash
and cream of tartar are used for this purpose, because of the grittiness
of their powders and their slight solubility in water. Phosphate of soda
and common salt are also frequently employed as dentifrices, and possess
the advantage of being readily removed from the mouth by means of a little
water. Among those substances that chemically decolour and remove
unpleasant odours, the only ones employed as dentifrices are charcoal and
the chlorides of lime and soda. The first has been already noticed; the
others may be used by brushing the teeth with water to which a very little
of their solutions has been added. A very weak solution of chloride of
lime is commonly employed by smokers to remove the odour and colour
imparted by tobacco to the teeth. Electuaries, made of honey and
astringent substances, are frequently employed in diseases of the gums.
The juice of the common strawberry has been recommended as an elegant
natural dentifrice, as it readily dissolves the tartarous incrustations on
the teeth, and imparts an agreeable odour to the breath. See PASTE and
POWDER (Tooth), also WASHES (Mouth).
=DENT'INE.= The tissue of which the teeth are composed.
=DENTISTRY.= The art or practice of a dentist. Directions for the
extraction of teeth, as well as elaborate details for stopping them, and
for the manufacture of artificial ones, are branches of the dentist's art,
which, as they necessitate the exercise of considerable skill and long
practice, do not call for notice in a work like the present. We shall
confine ourselves, therefore, to that section of dentistry which concerns
itself with stoppings for the cavities of decayed teeth, and for the
preparation of which we give the following formulæ:--
1. (Soubeiran's.) Powdered mastic and sandarach, of each 4 dr.; dragon's
blood, 2 dr.; opium, 15 gr.; mix with sufficient rectified spirit to form
a stiff paste. A solution of mastic, or of mastic and sandarach, in half
the quantity of alcohol, is also used, applied with a little cotton or
lint.
2. Sandarach, 12 parts; mastic, 6 parts; amber, in powder, 1 part; ether,
6 parts. Applied with cotton. Or simply a paste of powdered mastic and
ether. Or a saturated ethereal solution of mastic, applied with cotton.
3. Taveare's cement is made with mastic and burnt alum. Bernoth directs 20
parts of powdered mastic to be digested with 40 of ether, and enough
powdered alum added to form a stiff paste.
4. Gutta percha, softened by heat, is recommended. Dr Rollfs advises
melting a piece of caoutchouc at the end of a wire, and introducing it
while warm.
5. (Gauger's Cement.) Put into a quart bottle 2 oz. of mastic and 3 oz. of
absolute alcohol; apply a gentle heat by a water-bath. When dissolved, add
9 oz. of dry balsam of tolu, and again heat gently. A piece of cotton
dipped in this viscid solution becomes hard when introduced into the
tooth, previously cleansed and dried as above.
6. (Mr Robinson's.) After washing out the mouth with warm water containing
a few grains of bicarbonate of soda, and cleaning the cavity as above
directed, he drops into it a drop of collodion, to which a little morphia
has been added, fills the cavity with asbestos and saturates with
collodion, placing over all a pledget of blotting paper.
7. (Ostermaier's Cement.) Mix 12 parts of dry phosphoric acid with 13 of
pure and pulverised quicklime. It becomes moist in mixing, in which state
it is introduced into the cavity of the tooth, where it quickly becomes
hard. [In some hands this has failed, from what cause we are not aware.]
The acid should be prepared as directed under ACID, PHOSPHORIC.
8. (Silica.) This name has been given to a mixture of Paris plaster,
levigated porcelain, iron filings, and dregs of tincture of mastic, ground
together.
9. (Wirih's Cement.) It is said to consist of a viscid alcoholic solution
of resins, with powdered asbestos.
10. (Metallic Cement.) Amalgams for the teeth are made with gold or
silver, and quicksilver, the excess of the latter being squeezed out, and
the stiff amalgam used warm. Inferior kinds are made with quicksilver and
tin, or zinc. A popular nostrum of this kind is said to consist of 40 gr.
of quicksilver and 20 of fine zinc filings, mixed at the time of using. Mr
Evans states that pure tin, with a small portion of cadmium, and
sufficient quicksilver, forms the most lasting and least objectionable
amalgam. The following is the formula:--Melt 2 parts of tin with 1 of
cadmium, run it into ingots, and reduce it to filings. Form these into a
fluid amalgam with mercury, and squeeze out the excess of mercury through
leather. Work up the solid residue in the hand, and press it into the
tooth. Or, melt some beeswax in a pipkin over the fire, throw in 5 parts
of cadmium, and, when melted, add 7 or 8 parts of tin in small pieces;
pour the melted metals into an iron or wooden box, and shake them till
cold, so as to obtain the alloy in a powder. This is mixed with 2-1/2 or 3
times its weight of quicksilver in the palm of the hand, and used as
above.
Another cement consists of about 73 parts of silver, 21 of tin, and 6 of
zinc, amalgamated with quicksilver. An amalgam of copper is said to be
sometimes used. But this class of stoppings is altogether disapproved of
by other authorities. Pure leaf-gold seems the least objectionable.