ALUM.-Its astringent action is the most important of its effects. Externally it is useful for arresting haemorrage. Powder of burnt Alum, or a pointed dossil of linen, steeped in a strong hot solution, will often arrest the flow of blood from leech bites. In the form of burnt Alum it is an old and approved application for keeping down proud flesh; and in the familiar shape of gargle it is a valuable local remedy for ulcerated throat. Alum whey is prepared by boiling one ounce of powdered Alum in one pint of milk for a few minutes. It is employed as a collyrium, in the proportion of four or six grains to every ounce of rose water; and as a gargle, in the proportion of half a scruple to four ounces of barley water or gruel, with half an ounce of tincture of myrrh.

ALOES.-The employment of Aloes as a purgative is very general, and there are few vegetable cathartics more beneficially used. It enters into the composition of almost every purgative pill in use, such as Anderson's, Hooper's, Dixon's, Speedman's, and the popular pills commonly known as Lady Webster's or Lady Crespigny's Dinner Pills, which are composed of

Socotrine Aloes

Gum Mastic, powdered

Red Rose Leaves, powdered

6 drams

.2 drams

.2 drams

Syrup of Wormwood..sufficient to make a mass

Which is to be divided into three grain pills. The operation of this pill is to procure a copious evacuation, and in this respect experience has fully established its value. In torpor

of the intestines, especially when accompanied with deficient secretion of bile, it is a most useful remedy. The specific action of Aloes on the large intestines evidently indicates that it is not adapted in hemorrhoidal affections, in irritation of the urethra, in pregnancy, and in excessive uterine evacuations. Due attention being paid to these circumstances, which contra-indicate its employment, Aloes is administered with much benefit in habitual costiveness, so common in females. The Beaume de Vie, or Compound Decoction of Alocs, is very useful as a mild cathartic with tonic properties. "Ample experience," says Dr. Paris, "has taught me that the Pharmacopoeia does not contain a more valuable compound."

AMMONIA. Ammonia is employed in medicine as a powerful stimulant and antacid. It may be given in doses of from five to ten grains of the carbonate, in two table spoonsful of camphor mixture. This is an effective nervous stimulant in certain

paralytic affections, and in those cases of indistinct vision, and noise in the ears, to which nervous persons are subject, and which sometimes appear connected with debilitated digestive powers, Faintness and giddiness are also immediately relieved by a dose of Ammonia, from fifteen to thirty drops of Liquor of Ammonia in various degrees of dilution. In heartburn and acidity in the stomach and primæ viæ, Carbonate of Ammonia is useful, not merely as a stimulant, but as neutralising the irritating acid matter; in such cases it may more conveniently be given in infusion of calumba. As a nasal stimulant, strong Liquid Ammonia has long been used for the relief of headache, faintness, and vertigo. As an external stimulant, combinations of Ammonia with oily substances are usually to be preferred. (See Hartshorn.) Ammonia is sometimes spoken of as an antidote for certain poisons, and more especially where persons have been bitten by venomous snakes. Eau de Luce (the compound Tincture Ammonia), which is strong Liquid Ammonia, flavoured with the oils of amber and lavender, and rendered milky by mastic, is among the remedies most esteemed in many parts of India. In very mild cases so powerful a stimulant is no doubt of real efficacy. Even the sting of the scorpion, and the bite of the viper are said to be thus successfully treated; but here, the symptoms are so various in different individuals, and so seldom fatal, that no specific virtue can be assigned to Ammonia upon such evidence.

ANTIMONIAL POWDER.-Antimonial Powder has a place in the Pharmacopoeia from its supposed identity with James's Powder. Mr. Brande, however, has shown that there is great discrepancy in different samples of Antimonial Powder, and this uncertainty of composition renders it so indefinite in its effects, that it is now properly falling into disuse. In all cases Antimonials should be used with extreme caution: in infants, especially, they sometimes produce very distressing and even fatal vomiting. (See James's Powder and Tartar Emetic.)

ANTIMONIAL WINE.-In doses of from fifteen to twenty or thirty drops in a table spoonful of water or camphor mixture, repeated every two or three hours. Antimonial Wine is useful, after bathing the feet in hot water, to excite perspiration and allay fever in slight colds. The perspiration should be maintained by tepid, but not acidulated mild fluids. A tea spoonful given every five minutes until vomiting occurs, is a safe means of emptying the stomach, in an overloaded or der anged condition

of that organ in infants. If it does not cause vomiting after the administration of the third or fourth tea spoonful, its employment should be discontinued,

AROMATIC CONFECTION.-An excellent cordial stimulant, used in cases of purging, with pain and flatulence. Dose-one dram, mixed with four ounces of peppermint water; two table spoonsful of the mixture to be taken every two or three hours.

ARROW ROOT.-The powder of Arrow Root is a pure starch, which, although insoluble in cold water, yet forms a mucilage with boiling water, Arrow Root is made by rubbing the powder with a little cold water in a basin, by means of the back of a spoon, until it is completely mixed, then pouring boiling water over it, continuing to stir assiduously until a soft tenacious mucilage is formed, and lastly boiling it for five minutes. A table spoonful of the Arrow Root Powder is sufficient to make a pint. It may be moderately sweetened and rendered more palatable by the addition of a little lemon juice; but cinnamon, or any astringent substance, precipitates the starch and destroys the smoothness of the mucilage; hence, if wine be ordered, Port should not be used.

ARROW ROOT PUDDING.-Take a table spoonful of Arrow Root Powder, rub it with a little cold water in the same manner as in making Arrow Root, and add to it, whilst stirring, a pint of boiling milk. With this mucilage mix the contents of one egg and three tea spoonsful of powdered refined sugar, which have been previously beaten up together. The pudding thus formed may be baked, or it may be boiled in a basin. This, Dr. A. Thompson considers an excellent pudding in the early stages of convalescence: for a more advanced period, he says a table spoonful of Scotch orange marmalade is a good and agree. able addition.

ARROW ROOT BLANCHE-MANGE.-Make the Arrow Root in the usual manner, using three times the quantity of the powder, then add milk in a moderate proportion; and, having boiled the mixture to a sufficient degree of thickness, pour it into a shape to cool and set; after which it may be turned out. In convalescence this Blanche-Mange may be eaten with currant jelly, or with wine, or with lemonade and sugar. It is an excellent diet for delicate children.

ASSAFETIDA-Is chiefly employed as a stimulant and antispasmodic in hysteria and hypocondriasis, and various nervous diseases. Dose, from three to five grains, given in the form of a pill.

BARK (PERUVIAN)-Has justly fallen into general disuse since the discovery of Sulphate of Quinine-which see.

BASILIC POWDER.-(See Scammony.)

BATTLEY'S SOLUTION OF OPIUM-Is a preparation of great celebrity, having all the effects of laudanum, without producing nervous symptoms or constipation. Dose, twenty drops, in a little water or camphor julep.

BLUE PILL-Exerts a decided influence over the liver, by increasing the flow of bile. It is deservedly esteemed, and may be usefully combined with rhubarb, colocynth, and other laxatives, in cases where the bowels are torpid. It is mild, and may occasionally be given to children when intended as a purgative. In affections of the liver, such as torpidity or want of proper action in that organ, three or five grains of Blue Pill, with the same proportion of Cathartic Extract, may be taken with much advantage once or twice a week at bed-time, followed by a Seidlitz Draught in the morning.

BLISTERS-Are employed in the practice of medicine principally with the intention of relieving the diseased condition of some internal organ, by producing a new irritation, or determination to the surface of the body, or, as it is usually termed, by counter irritation. Independently of this effect, Blisters act also as general stimulants to the system, and as such are frequently employed with much benefit in spasmodic affections arising from debility. This stimulant effect of Blisters should be borne in mind, and consequently their application should be avoided in the very acute stages of inflammatory diseases, until the general excitement is subdued by antiphlogistic means. The method of applying the Blister Plaster, and dressing the Blister which it forms, is extremely simple; but, nevertheless, many persons are entirely ignorant respecting it. A Blister should never be applied to any part of the skin which is excoriated or otherwise broken. The part to be blistered should be well cleaned with a little soap and water, and rubbed with a rough towel; and the Blister should have a margin of adhesive plaster to retain it in its place. In ordinary cases, the Blister Plaster is usually left on until the blister rises; but if the per son be of an irritable habit, it may be taken off five or six hours after its application; it is also desirable to guard against strangury, and the irritant effects of absorption, by interposing a piece of gauze, or silver paper moistened with oil, between the skin and the Blistering Plaster: this is preferable to drinking

largely of mucilaginous and other fluids, which often defeats the beneficial effects anticipated from a Blister. In general the excitement caused by the first action of a Blister Plaster disposes to sleep, and, unless an immediate effect be desired, or unless directions are given to apply a Blister at some particular time, they are usually applied at bed-time. Many persons have a dread of large Blisters, but when the full effect of Blistering is required, a large Blister is to be preferred to a small one, for the irritation from the former is not greater than from the latter, and the benefit is more decided. Large Blisters, however, depress more than small ones, consequently, where simple counter irritation is required in weak habits, small Blisters are to be preferred. When a Blister has been raised, the vesicle should be snipped with a pair of sharp scissors, at the most depending part, and the fluid evacuated. If the intention be to heal the blistered surface, the cuticle should not be removed, but be made smooth, and a piece of soft lint, spread with spermaceti ointment, applied over it. "Where (says Dr. Paris,) the local inflammation runs higher than we desire, no application will prove more soothing than a common bread and water poultice; and in those cases in which the blistered surface refuses to heal kindly, spermaceti ointment, mixed with finely levigated chalk, will often astonish by the rapidity of its healing influence." If the object be to form a perpetual Blister, the cuticle should be removed, either by cutting it round the edge with a pair of scissors, or by applying a hot poultice, which carries the cuticle away with it when it is taken off. In dressing the denuded part, in order to make the perpetual Blister, the lint upon which the irritating ointment (Savine) is spread, should be cut smaller than the blistered surface, and always afterwards kept of the same size. For the manner of dressing a perpetual Blister see Savine Ointment.

BLUE STONE (SULPHATE OF COPPER)-Is usually employed in destroying proud flesh, for which purpose it may be either wetted and rubbed on the part, or a little may be scraped down and applied, covering the sore with lint. Sometimes it is given internally, when a very active emetic is required, in cases of vegetable narcotic poisons, the dose should then be from two to ten grains.

BORAX-IS much used as a gargle, in cases of tender mouth, ulcerated gums, and sore throat; it is a good detergent, applicable in the thrush of children, and for this purpose it should