A Medical Handbook; Comprehending Such Information on Medical and Sanitary Subjects as Is Desirable in Educated Persons, with Hints to Clergymen and Visitors of the Poor (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1861. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... 2. INDEX OF REMEDIES. IN this chapter will be found an alphabetical arrangement of the chief drugs which are used for the cure of disease, and referred to in the foregoing chapter. Forms for adapting them for use, and prescriptions to suit special cases, are added under each head. Those medicines only are recommended which are tolerably safe in the hands of prescribers who are acquainted with the rudiments of medical science. Poisons are mentioned only for the sake of warning, and are marked by an asterisk. The doses mentioned must be carefully attended to. They are intended for adults. With medicines given to children, the doses for children (which are, of course, much smaller) will be told. Acids. Sulphuric, nitric, and hydrochloric acids are produced by the mineral kingdom. Acetic, tartaric, and citric acids (the last contained in lemon-juice) are vegetable products. The vegetable acids are less powerful than the mineral acids. All acids are used, much diluted, to make cooling drinks in fevers and inflammations. The mineral acids, especially nitric, are used externally as caustics. Sulphuric acid is employed internally as an astringent and tonic. The vegetable acids are neither caustic nor astringent, but they possess a peculiar power of counteracting scurvy and similar disorders of the blood. The acids will be found severally mentioned below. Acid, Acetic. Vinegar. Vinegar contains about 5 parts in 100 of true acetic acid. This acid is an oxy-hydro-carbon, produced by the action of oxygen on liquids containing alcohol. Acetic acid, which is C4 H3 and some water, are formed by this. Vinegar is used externally in cooling lotions, and to form acid drinks in eruptive and other fevers. For a lotion, 1 oz. may be mixed with 4 of water. (1.) Vinegar, 2 dr.a* Honey, ..