4. Gentian, 6 lbs.; bay-berries, 1 lb. This is the formula generally used
by the farriers. Sometimes mustard, 1 lb., is added.
=DIAPHORET'ICS.= _Syn._ SUDORIF'ICS; DIAPHORETICA, SUDORIFICA, L.
Medicines which promote or increase the perspiration. Those that produce
this effect in a very marked degree are more particularly called
'sudorifics.' The principal diaphoretics are:--warm diluents, as
barley-water, gruel, tea, &c.; salts of the alkalies, as the citrates of
potassa and soda, acetate of potassa, acetate and carbonate of ammonia,
sal-ammoniac, nitre, &c.; preparations of antimony, as antimonial powder,
tartar emetic, &c; also alcohol, camphor, Dover's powder, ipecacuanha,
opium, wine, &c.
The use of diaphoretics is indicated in nearly all diseases accompanied by
fever and a dry skin, and particularly in febrile and pectoral affections.
=DI'APHRAGM= (fr[)a]m). A partition through or across; a dividing
substance. In _anatomy_, the term is applied to the midriff, a muscle
separating the chest or thorax from the abdomen or lower belly. In
_astronomy_ and _optics_ the term is applied to a circular ring placed in
a telescope or other instrument to cut off the marginal portions of a beam
of light. In _electricity_ the name is commonly used to denote the porous
partition, cell, or vessel, that separates the fluid containing the
positive plate from the fluid which surrounds the negative plate, in a
constant voltaic battery. Thin partitions of sycamore, or other porous
wood, are occasionally used, but cells made of thin biscuit ware are the
most convenient and durable diaphragms. Plaster of Paris, animal membrane,
coarse and tightly wove canvas, &c., are used also for the purpose.
Plaster cells are also formed by surrounding an oiled cylinder of wood
with a hoop of paper, and pouring plaster of Paris, mixed up with water,
into the space between the two. See ELECTROTYPE.
=DIARRH[OE]'A.= A purging or looseness of the bowels. The causes of
diarrh[oe]a are various, but among the most common are the presence of
irritating matter, worms, or acidity in the stomach or bowels; and
exposure to cold (especially cold to the feet) or sudden changes of
climate or temperature.
_Treatment._ In general, it will be proper to administer a mild aperient,
for which purpose rhubarb or castor oil is usually preferred. The dose of
the first may be from 20 to 30 grains in sugar, or made into a bolus; that
of the second, from 1/4 oz. to 1/2 oz., with a little mint or peppermint
water. After the due operation of this medicine, opium, astringents, and
absorbents, may be taken with advantage, but not in excessive doses, as is
commonly the practice. The first and second are indicated when great
irritability exists, and the third, in cases of diarrh[oe]a arising from
the presence of acidity. Chalk mixture, to which a few drops of laudanum
have been added, or the compound powder of chalk and opium, are excellent
medicines, and will generally quiet the bowels. A small piece of catechu
or hard extract of logwood, sucked in the same way as a lozenge, is a
pleasant method of taking either of these powerful astringents, and will
generally cure cases of simple diarrh[oe]a arising from excessive
peristaltic motion, or want of tonicity of the muscular coats of the
intestines.
In bilious diarrh[oe]a, characterised by the bright yellowish-brown colour
of the dejections, a dose of blue pill or calomel, assisted by mild
diluents and demulcents, and warmth, generally proves efficacious. Small
doses of opium are also useful in some cases.
In catarrhal diarrh[oe]a, chylous diarrh[oe]a, and the like varieties,
characterised by the dejections being nearly colourless, and consisting
chiefly of water and mucus; or white and milky, showing the entire absence
of bile; or, being entirely liquid, limpid, and serous (in some cases
resembling the washings of flesh), opinions are divided as to the
treatment. The majority of the best authorities regard purging as
injurious in these varieties, and rely chiefly on warm baths and warm
fomentations, with the internal administration of mild salines and
diaphoretics, followed by astringents, tonics, and occasional doses of
opiates. Choleraic diarrh[oe]a demands a nearly similar treatment.
The diet in every variety of diarrh[oe]a should be light and
non-irritating. Glutinous broths, beef tea, and arrow-root, are among the
best articles which can be taken. To these may be added a little dry
toast. Arrow-root (genuine), either with or without a spoonful of port
wine or brandy (preferably the former), will of itself cure all ordinary
cases of diarrh[oe]a, if accompanied with repose and a recumbent posture.
Among external remedies, warm and stimulating fomentations, liniments,
&c., to the epigastrium and abdomen, will be found useful adjuncts to
other treatment. A spoonful or two of laudanum, used as a friction, will
generally allay pain, and in many cases settle the bowels when all other
remedies have been tried in vain.
_Treatment for Animals._ If for the horse, give at the commencement of the
attack from 2 to 4 dr. of aloes, mixed with 1 oz. of bicarbonate of soda,
and the same quantity of ginger in powder; administer clysters
occasionally. Cattle may be treated by having administered to them 3/4 lb.
of Epsom or common salt, or a pint of linseed oil. Whichever of the two is
employed, it must be combined with 2 oz. each of bicarbonate of soda and
ginger, and 1/2 lb. of treacle; 1 oz. of laudanum should be added to the
above drenches whenever there is much pain and straining, whether in the
horse or cow. Should laxatives fail, aromatics and astringents are called
for, and 1 oz. each of tincture of catechu, ginger, and gentian, given in
a pint of warm ale, may be tried several times a day for a horse. For cows
a double dose is required. Sheep need only half the dose.
=DI'ASTASE.= A peculiar azotised substance contained in malt, which
effects the conversion of starch, first into dextrin, and then into grape
sugar.
_Prep._ A cold infusion of malt is heated to 158° Fahr. (to coagulate in
albumen); it is then allowed to cool, and alcohol is added to the filtered
liquor, when diastase is precipitated, under the form of a tasteless white
powder, which is freely soluble in water.
_Prop., &c._ Diastase seems to resemble vegetable albumen, but very little
is known respecting it, as it has never been got in a state of purity. One
part of diastase is capable of converting 2000 parts of starch into grape
sugar. Malted barley is said to contain 1/500th part of this substance;
yet this small portion is quite sufficient to convert the starch of the
malt into sugar during the operation of mashing, in the manufacture of
beer. See BREWING, DEXTRIN, &C.
=DICTA'MIA.= A nutritious, dietetic article. _Prep._ (Beasley.) Sugar, 7
oz.; potato arrow-root, 4 oz.; flour of brent barley (_Triticum
monococcum_), 3 oz.; Trinidad and Granada chocolate, of each 1 oz.;
vanilla, 15 gr.; triturate together.
=Dictamia.= A strengthening and restorative preparation. Arrowroot, 6
parts; meal of triticum monococcum, 6 parts; chocolate, 4 parts; vanilla,
1/4 part (Richter). Sugar, 217 parts; bran extract, 92 parts; starch, 125
parts; Caracas and Maragnan cocoa, 30 parts; vanilla, 1 part.
(Chevallier.)
=DIDYM'IUM.= Di. A rare metal, found associated with cerium and lanthanium
in the Swedish mineral cerite. See CERIUM.
=DI'ET.= Food or victuals. In _medicine_ food regulated by certain rules,
or prescribed for the cure or prevention of disease. The dietetic part of
medicine is no inconsiderable branch, and deserves a much greater share of
regard than it commonly meets with. A great variety of diseases might be
removed by the observance of a proper diet and regimen, without the
assistance of medicine, were it not for the impatience of the sufferers.
On all occasions it may come in as a proper assistant to the cure, which
sometimes cannot be performed without a due observance of the
non-naturals.
Writers on dietetics (DIETETICA, L.) have taken much trouble to divide and
classify the numerous articles of food suitable to the various conditions
of the body in health and disease; but little practical advantage has
resulted from their labours. Low diet, middle diet, full diet, milk diet,
farinaceous diet, fruit diet, and vegetable diet, are terms which, under
most circumstances, are sufficiently simple to be almost self-explanatory.
=DIGES'TION.= In _chemistry_ and _pharmacy_ the operation of exposing
bodies to a gentle and continuous heat. The best digesters are thin glass
flasks and beakers, and the most convenient source of heat is the sand
bath. Digestion is often performed to soften and otherwise modify bodies
that are to be distilled. In _physiology_ the term is applied to the
conversion of food into chyme, or the process of dissolving food in the
alimentary canal, and preparing it for circulation and nourishment. In
_surgery_ digestion signifies a method of treating ulcers, wounds, &c. See
DIGESTIVES (_below_).