Alexander Milne

Manual of Materia Medica and Therapeutics Alexander Milne

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1869 Excerpt: ...hue; becoming yellowish by rubbing in a mortar. A solution of potash or lime renders it black. Entirely volatilized by a sufficient heat. Actions and uses.--Irritant, alterative, antiphlogistic, or sedative, diuretic, cathartic, diaphoretic, cholagogue, sialogogue; and not more varied in its properties and applications than often useful in its results. When introduced into the system it is reduced to the metallic state. In very large doses it destroys not so much by its irritant power, as by the induction of intense salivation, and extreme nervous prostration. As a sedative or antiphlogistic it is given in doses of from gr. x. to xx., with benefit in the dysentery and cholera of warm climates; and in smaller doses, along with a little opium, it is of signal service in acute internal inflammations, such as peritonitis, pleuritis, pericarditis, hepatitis, metritis, &c. As a diuretic it acts best along with others, such as digitalis or squills, and seems to increase their activity. It is an excellent cathartic alone in small doses, and combined with other cathartics, such as jalap, or scammony, its action is all the more effectual and certain. It is thus an excellent vermifuge for children, killing and expelling the parasites from the intestines. As a diaphoretic it is most energetic, along with a little opium, and is thus given in febrile disorders. As an alterative it is given in small doses, frequently repeated (and with a little opium to prevent it draining away by the bowels), in syphilis, and other blood diseases manifested by cutaneous eruptions; and on the development of its physiological action, an improvement of the system oftentimes results. Children are not quite so susceptible to the action of this drug as adults. Of late doubts have been rais...