_Obs._ The above are applied to the tooth with a camel-hair pencil, or a
little wad of lint or cotton wool is moistened with them, and placed in or
against the tooth.
=Drops, Pectoral.= _Syn._ BATEMAN'S P. D.; GUTTÆ PECTORALES, L. _Prep._ 1.
Paregoric, 10 fl. oz.; tincture of castor, 4 fl. oz.; laudanum, 1 fl.
oz.; tincture of saffron or of cochineal, 1/2 fl. oz.; oil of aniseed, 15
drops.
2. Castor, 1 oz.; oil of aniseed, 1 dr.; camphor, 5 dr.; cochineal, 1-1/2
dr.; opium, 3/4 oz.; treacle, 1 lb.; proof spirit, 1 gal.; digest for a
week.
3. (Phil. Coll. of Pharm.) Camphor, catechu, powdered opium, and red
sanders wood, of each 2 oz.; oil of aniseed, 4 fl. dr.; proof spirit, 4
old wine-gallons; digest 10 days, and filter.--_Dose._ A teaspoonful, or
more, in coughs, colds, hoarseness, &c., assisted by an aperient.
=Drops, Rheumat'ic.= _Syn._ GUTTÆ RHEUMATICÆ, L. _Prep._ 1. Iodide of
potassium, 1 dr.; tincture of guaiacum, 2 fl. oz.; dissolve.--_Dose_, 20
to 30 drops. In both chronic and occasional rheumatism, assisted with the
copious use of lemon juice.
2. (Lampadius.) Bisulphuret of carbon and ether, of each 2 fl.
dr.--_Dose_, 6 to 12 drops, on sugar, or in milk.
3. (Wutzer.) Bisulphuret of carbon, 1 fl. dr.; alcohol, 2 fl. dr.--_Dose._
As No. 2. The last two are sudorific, alterative, resolvent, and
emmenagogue, and, besides rheumatism, have been used with advantage in
amenorrh[oe]a, in some cutaneous affections, in glandular swellings, &c.
=Drops, Rousseau's.= See WINE OF OPIUM (by Fermentation.)
=Drops, Sed'ative.= _Syn._ GUTTÆ SEDATIVÆ, L. The solutions of acetate and
hydrochlorate of morphia, black drop, Rousseau's drop, and Battley's
liquor opii sedativus, are frequently sold under this name by the
druggists. The anti-hysteric drops (_antè_) is also an excellent sedative.
=Drops, Spilbury's.= _Prep._ 1. (Dr Paris.) From bichloride of mercury,
gentian root, and dried orange peel, of each 2 dr.; precipitated sulphuret
of antimony and red sanders wood, of each, 1 dr.; proof spirit, 16 fl.
oz.; digest ten days and strain.
2. Levigated crocus metallorum ('crocus of antimony'), 6 dr.; corrosive
sublimate, 45 gr.; red sanders, 1/2 dr.; gentian root and dried orange
peel, of each 2 dr.; brandy (or equal parts of rect. sp. and water), 16
fl. oz.; digest as before.--_Dose_, 5 to 30 drops; as an antiscorbutic,
&c.
=Drops, Steel.= See TINCTURE OF SESQUICHLORIDE OF IRON.
=Drops, Ton'ic.= _Prep._ (Collier.) Elixir of vitriol, 2 fl. dr.; tincture
of calumba, 6 fl. dr. A teaspoonful three times daily, in a wine-glassful
of cold water.
=Drops, Torrington's.= See TINCTURE OF BENZOIN (Comp.).
=Drops, Van Swieten's.= An aromatised solution of corrosive sublimate.
=Drop, Ward's White.= _Prep._ From quicksilver, 4 oz.; nitric acid, 16 fl.
oz.; dissolve, add sesquicarbonate of ammonia, 7 oz.; evaporate and
crystallise; then dissolve the resulting salt by the heat of a sand bath,
in 4 times its weight of rose-water. Very poisonous.--_Dose_, 5 to 15
drops, as an antiscorbutic, antivenereal, &c.
=Drops, Worm.= _Syn._ GUTTÆ ANTHELMINTICÆ, G. VERMIFUGÆ, L. _Prep._ 1.
Creosote, 1 dr.; oil of turpentine, 7 fl. dr.--_Dose._ A teaspoonful, 3 or
4 times a day.
2. (Peschier.) Oil of male-fern, 3 fl. dr.; rectified oil of turpentine, 5
fl. dr. As the last; in tapeworm.
3. (Schwartz'.) Barbadoes tar, 1 fl. oz.; tincture of assaf[oe]tida, 1-1/2
fl. oz.--_Dose_, 30 to 40 drops, three times a day; in tapeworm.
=DROPS (Scouring).= _Prep._ 1. Oil of turpentine and oil of lemons, equal
parts. Both of the ingredients should have been recently distilled or
rectified.
2. Oil of lemon bottoms, 1-3/4 lb.; oil of turpentine, 1 quart; mix well,
and distil by the heat of a sand bath, until 3 pints have come over, or as
long as the distillate is clear, pale, and sweet. Used to remove paint,
grease, &c., from cloth.
=DROPSY.= _Syn._ HYDROPS, L. An unnatural collection of aqueous fluid in
any part of the body. Dropsy has received different names, according to
the part of the body affected by the disease. When it occurs in the
cellular membrane it is called ANASARCA; when in the cavity of the
abdomen, ASCITES; in the cavity of the cranium, HYDROCEPHALUS; in the
scrotum, HYDROCELE; in the uterus, HYDROMETRA; and in the chest,
HYDROTHORAX. Dropsy is mostly a symptom of extreme debility and a
broken-down constitution, and frequently follows lengthened attacks of
exhausting chronic diseases.
The treatment of dropsy, perhaps, more than any other disease, depends
upon the circumstances with which it is connected, and, more especially,
upon those which have caused it. The acute inflammatory forms of dropsy
generally require depletion. In most other cases, tonics may be
advantageously administered. To promote the absorption of the accumulated
fluids, diuretics are commonly resorted to. Confirmed dropsy (especially
HYDROCEPHALUS and HYDROTHORAX), occurring in patients either much
debilitated by previous disease or of a bad habit of body, is seldom
curable.
=DROWNING.= The cause of death from submersion in water is the entire
seclusion of air from the lungs, by which the aëration of the venous blood
is prevented. In consequence of this deprivation of air, venous blood
circulates through the arterial system, whilst the pulmonary vein ceases
to convey oxygenated blood to the heart. Under ordinary circumstances, in
the course of 4 or 5 minutes after the access of air has been cut off,
life becomes extinct. Many cases have, nevertheless, occurred of persons
being submerged for 15 or 20 minutes, and even longer, and where perfect
insensibility has existed, in which recovery has taken place.
_Prev._ The specific gravity of the human body is less than that of
water, so long as the lungs are partially filled with air; and this
difference is sufficient to keep the body floating with the mouth and
nostrils free for respiration, provided the face is turned upwards by
throwing the head back on the shoulders, by which the weight of the head
is sustained by the water. When a person throws himself into the water,
the body rises rapidly to the surface and assumes nearly the erect
position, the upper part of the head, down to a little below the eyes,
remaining above the surface of the water. This arises from the greater
density of the legs and thighs compared to that of the chest, which acts
as a species of float or buoy to the rest of the body. In this situation
the head may be thrown back, so that the face may form the exposed
portion, as before mentioned, when respiration may be carried on without
inconvenience in still water, and regularly, but sufficiently, so as to
sustain life for some time, even in a rough sea. The adoption of this
simple precaution would have saved thousands of valuable lives.
Another point which should be remembered by every person in danger of
drowning is, that there is always a considerable amount of residual air in
the lungs, in a nearly deoxidised state, and that if this air is expelled
by two or three forced inspirations, and a deep inspiration is then taken,
a larger quantity of vital air will be introduced into the lungs, and the
blood will continue aërated for a proportionally longer time; and
consequently, a longer period will elapse before another inspiration will
be required. If we prepare ourselves by taking two or three forced
inspirations, and then take a full inspiration, we may remain for 1-1/2 or
2 minutes before a second attempt at respiration need be made. This is the
plan adopted by the pearl fishers, and other divers who are remarkable for
remaining beneath the surface of the water for some time. A person in
danger of shipwreck, or expecting immediate submersion, in any other
situation, should have recourse to this expedient, which would prevent the
dreadful effects of attempting respiration whilst under water.
_Treat._ The first object is the restoration of the animal heat. For this
purpose, the wet clothes should be removed, and the body, after being well
dried, surrounded with warm air. In the absence of a warm-air bath, the
body may be laid between well-heated blankets, and bottles of hot water
applied to the feet and armpits. Gentle friction with warm flannel or the
hands should also be assiduously employed. Meanwhile attempts should be
made to excite respiration artificially; and when the apparatus is at
hand, slight shocks of electricity should be kept up at the same time. On
the appearance of returning life, such as sighing or convulsive twitching,
a vein may be opened. The throat may be tickled with the finger or a
feather, to excite vomiting, and a teaspoonful of warm water administered.
If the power of swallowing exists, a table-spoonful of warm wine or brandy
and water may be given. Even if no symptom of returning animation appear,
these means of recovery should be persisted in for three or four hours.
In the treatment of this species of asphyxia, nasal stimulants, as
ammonia, aromatic vinegar, &c., should be avoided, as well as the
injection of tobacco smoke, both of which have been found highly
prejudicial. The practice of holding the body with the head downwards,
which is sometimes adopted by the vulgar and ignorant, under the idea of
allowing the water to run out by the mouth, is still more dangerous and
absurd. The supposition that water is inhaled by drowning persons instead
of air is perfectly fallacious. The peculiar mechanism of the glottis, or
upper portion of the windpipe, is such as to prevent, by the spasmodic
closure of the epiglottis, the entrance of more than a very trifling and
accidental quantity of water, which is altogether too insignificant to
produce any very injurious effects. See ASPHYXIA.
=DRUGS.= Substances used in medicine, sold by druggists, and compounded by
apothecaries and physicians. Our continental neighbours, wiser than
ourselves, not merely require that persons engaged in selling and
dispensing drugs and pharmaceutical preparations shall be fully qualified
by previous education and training for the task, but also that the various
articles they sell and use shall be commercially pure and of the proper
quality. In the United States of America this subject has also engaged the
attention of the government and legislature. Under the Act of the 26th
June, 1848, inspectors were appointed to examine the quality of imported
articles of this class before allowing them to pass the Customs for home
use. An abridged copy of the order addressed to the "collectors and other
officers under this act" is appended, and will be useful to the reader, as
assisting to establish a standard by which the value of the substances
named therein may be estimated.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT, _June 4th, 1853_.
The following articles are to be entitled to entry when
ascertained by analysis to afford the per-centages as under,
viz.:--
ALOES, 80% of _pure aloetic extract_.
ASSAF[OE]TIDA, 50% of its _peculiar bitter resin_, and 3% of
_volatile oil_.
CINCHONA BARK,[264] 1% _of pure quinine_, or 2% of the several
alkaloids, as _quina_, _cinchona_, _quinidine_, _aricine_, &c.
BENZOIN, 80% of _benzoin resin_.
Do. 12% of _benzoic acid_.
COLOCYNTH, 12% of _colocynthine_.
ELATERIUM, 30% of _elaterine_.
GALBANUM, 60% of _resin_.
Do. 10% of _gum_, and 6% _volatile oil_.
GAMBOGE, 70% of _pure gamboge resin_, and 2% of _gum_.
GUAIACUM, 80% of _pure guaiacum resin_.
GUM AMMONIACUM, 70% of _resin_, and 18% of _gum_.
JALAP,[265] 11% of _pure jalap resin_.
MYRRH, 30% of _pure resin_, and 50% of _gum_.
OPIUM, 9% of _pure morphia_.
RHUBARB,[266] 40% of _soluble matter_.
SAGAPENUM, 50% of _resin_, 30% of _gum_, and 30% of _volatile
oil_.
SCAMMONY, 70% of _pure scammony resin_.
SENNA, 28% of _soluble matter_.
Medicinal leaves, flowers, barks, roots, extracts, &c., not
specified above, must be, when imported, in perfect condition,
and of as recent collection and preparation as practicable.
Pharmaceutical and chemical preparations, whether crystallised
or otherwise, used in medicine, to be pure and of a proper
consistence and strength, as well as of perfect manufacture,
conformably with the standard authorities named in the Act; and
must, in no instance, contain over 3% of excess of moisture or
water of crystallisation.
Essential or volatile oils, and expressed oils used in medicine
must be pure and of the standard sp. gr. noticed and declared in
the dispensatories named in the above Act.
"Patent" or "Secret Medicines" are by law subject to the same
examination as other medicinal preparations, and cannot be
permitted to pass the Custom-house for home consumption, but
must be rejected and condemned, unless the special examiner is
satisfied, after due investigation, that they are fit and safe
to be used for medical purposes.
An appeal from the examiner to the collector to be admitted
within 10 days.
JAMES GUTHRIE,
_Secretary to the Treasury_.
[Footnote 264: Of whatever denomination.]
[Footnote 265: Root in powder.]
[Footnote 266: Only Turkey, East Indian, and Russian, admissible.]
=DRUM'MOND LIGHT.= See LIGHT (Artificial).
=DRUNK'ENNESS.= See ABSTINENCE, INTEMPERANCE, &c.
=DRY'ERS (Painter's).= _Prep._ 1. Litharge (best) ground to a paste with
drying-oil. For dark colours.