The following table, based on that of the Pharmacopoeia Germanica, exhibits the maximum doses of the potent remedial agents mentioned, and beyond which physicians in Germany are not allowed to prescribe unless they add the caution mark (!), thereby indicating that such a large dose is intentionally ordered. It must not be forgotten that maximum doses are exceptional ones, not to be prescribed without due consideration, as they are generally beyond the doses to which the practitioner is accustomed. If left wholly to the discretion of the practitioner, without such a guide as to the amount proper to be prescribed, the dose will frequently be as large as can well be tolerated by the patient. The table is arranged in grammes, and their equivalent in grains, or, in the case of liquids, in minims, etc.: 1 Dr. Hermann Hager, Commentar zur Pharmacopoeia Germanica, Berlin, 1874, ii, 910. 2 Dorvault, L'Officine, cites a slightly different maximum dose for some of the agents named. It will be noticed that the German doses Having thus studied the doses of the various remedial articles in the practitioner's armamentarium, as usually administered through the channel of the stomach, we are now prepared to examine into the posological features characteristic of the same agents when administered through other surfaces or media, such as the skin, airpassages, rectum, vagina, uterus, and urethra, including a reference also to certain local applications, as gargles, eye-washes, etc. These topics will be discussed in continuation of the general subject of Doses. The doses of strychnia and its nitrate seem unusual and excessive (see table of doses, page 113). Doses of Medicines administered Hypodermically. The severity of the symptoms must be the main guide to the practitioner as to the quantity of the remedial agent he may desire to administer by subcutaneous in jection. It is expedient, however, that he should be familiar with the doses given by this channel. As a general rule, and when not otherwise mentioned, distilled water is the menstruum employed, and extreme care should be taken that the solution is perfect, free from foreign or irritating substances, neither acid nor alkaline, prepared by the practitioner himself, fresh when used, and filtered. Dr. Joseph G. Richardson' has proposed the employment of salicylic acid for the prevention of fungous growths in solutions for hypodermic medication, especially those containing morphia. The chief articles administered in this way are arsenic, atropia, caffein, conia, ergotine, hydrocyanic acid, mercurial preparations, morphia, nicotia, physostigma, quinia, and strychnia.2 ARSENIC.-The liquor sodii arseniatis is less irritating than Fowler's solution; five, ten, or fifteen minims may be injected every alternate day. Arsenious acid has been injected in solution in doses of one to two centigrammes (gr. 1-3) with good results. ATROPIA, SULPHATE OF.-The following strengths of solutions have been employed: gr. to f3j, of which m v = gr.; gr. ss to f3j, of which miissgr. a's; gr. j to f3j, of which m,j= gr. g'o 1 N. Y. Medical Record, Sept. 30, 1876. 2 Roberts Bartholow, Manual of Hypodermic Medication, 2d edit., Philada., 1873; from which work many of the doses and formulæ of the various articles are quoted, and to which the reader is referred for their numerous therapeutic applications. |