Therapeutics.

Though Alcohol is decidedly injurious in health, in disease it is a most useful agent. It is invaluable in diphtheria, poisoning by cardiac depressants and snake-venom, adynamic fevers and cardiac failure from any cause. It is an excellent dressing to wounds and bed-sores, may prevent colds from exposure by relaxing the peripheral vessels and restoring the balance of the circulation, and in phthisis it does good if it promotes digestion and assimilation. In atonic indigestion of nervous and depressed subjects, cholera infantum, diarrhoea, etc., brandy is universally found to be beneficial. In the vomiting of yellow fever or of sea-sickness iced champagne is very efficient. In anæmia and chlorosis good red wines are almost indispensable, as also in convalescence from acute diseases, sudden and profuse hemorrhage, and in many other morbid conditions.

KOUMISS is an excellent food and stimulant in feeble digestion, phthisis, chronic bronchitis, and in all adynamic states in which the effects of alcohol and nutrients are indicated. The stomach is very tolerant of koumiss even when it will bear nothing else, and as it increases the body nutrition remarkably it is of great value in the treatment of all the cachexia. Each quart is estimated to contain 4 ounces of solid food, besides 1 to 3 per cent. of alcohol.

ALLIUM, Garlic,-is the bulb of Allium sativum, a plant of the nat. ord. Liliaceæ, indigenous to Asia, but cultivated in Europe and America. It is sub-globular and compound, consisting of eight bulblets, covered by dry, membranous scales. Its odor is pungent and disagreeable and its taste is warm and acrid. It contains a Volatile Oil, which consists mainly of the Sulphide of Allyl (C,H,),S, on which its qualities depend. Allied species are ALLIUM CEPA, the Onion, and ALLIUM PORRUM, the Leek.

Preparation.

SYRUPUS ALLII,-contains 15 per cent. of Garlic, Sugar 60, Dilute Acetic Acid 40 parts. Dose, 3j-iv, according to age.

Physiological Action and Therapeutics.

Garlic, Leeks and Onions are stimulant to the digestion and to the nervous system, and are supposed to have a special influence upon the bronchial secretion. Garlic is also thought to be emmenagogue and anthelmintic. It promotes diaphoresis and

diuresis, and acts as a tonic and carminative. Many persons use it as a condiment. Large doses will often produce gastric irritation, flatulence, hemorrhoids, headache and fever. In domestic practice it is frequently employed as an external application in the cutaneous eruptions of children, and as a poultice or liniment in infantile disorders of many kinds. Internally it is of real benefit in feeble digestion and flatulence, chronic catarrhal affections of children, in nervous and spasmodic coughs and in nervous vomiting.

ALNUS, Alder-Bark (Unofficial),-is the bark of Alnus serrulata, the common American Alder, a small tree of the nat. ord. Betulaceæ. It has similar properties to those of A. glutinosa, the European Alder, and A. urcana, the Tag Alder, and contains a tannic acid, an oil and a resin. The bark and leaves are astringent and bitter, and are chiefly used as gargles for the throat, as local applications to wounds and ulcers, and to restrain the secretion of milk. Dose of the powdered bark gr. x, in decoction or infusion, several times a day. The Tag Alder is highly recommended as a hemostatic.

ALOE, Aloes,-is the inspissated juice of the leaves of Aloe socotrina, a plant of the nat. ord. Liliaceæ, inhabiting the island of Socotra and the eastern coast of Africa near the southern shore of the Red Sea. It has orange-colored flowers and resembles in appearance the American aloe or century-plant (Agave americana). It occurs in soft masses, hard exteriorly, of a yellowishbrown color, fragrant odor and bitter taste, soluble in alcohol and in boiling water, and containing a peculiar volatile oil, a resin and Soaloin, CH,O,, a variety of the principle Aloin, which is common to all varieties of aloes,-also Aloetic and Chrysammic Acids. Dose, gr.j-v.

Other varieties are ALOE BARBADENSIS, Barbadoes Aloes, from Aloe vulgaris; and ALOE CAPENSIS, Cape Aloes, from Aloe ferox, the first of which is official in the Br. Phar.

Preparations.

ALOE PURIFICATA, Purified Aloes,-prepared by heating with alcohol, straining and evaporating. Is almost entirely soluble in alcohol. Dose, gr. j-v. EXTRACTUM ALOES AQUOSUM,-prepared by mixing I with 10 parts of Boiling Distilled Water, standing 12 hours, decanting, straining and evaporating. Dose, gr. ss-v.

TINCTURA ALOES,—has of Aloes 10, extract of Glycyrrhiza 10, Diluted Alcohol to 100 parts. Dose, 3ss-ij.

TINCTURA ALOES ET MYRRHÆ,-Aloes 10, Myrrh 10, Alcohol to 100 parts. Dose, 3ss-ij.

VINUM ALOES,-has of Aloes 6, Cardamom 1, Ginger 1, Stronger White Wine to 100 parts. Dose, 3j-iv.

PILULE ALOES,-each has of Aloes gr. ij with the same quantity of Soap. PILULÆ ALOES ET ÅSAFETIDÆ,-each contains gr. 1% of each ingredient.

PILULE ALOES ET FERRI,-each pill contains gr. j each of Aloes, Sulphate of Iron and Aromatic Powder, with Confection of Rose.

PILULÆ ALOES ET MASTICHES, Lady Webster's Pill,-each has of Aloes gr. ij, Mastic gr. ss, Red Rose gr. ss.

PILULE ALOES ET MYRRHÆ,-each contains of Aloes gr. ij, Myrrh gr. j,. Aromatic Powder gr. ss, mixed with Syrup.

PULVIS ALOES ET CANELLE (Unofficial),-contains the powdered bark of Canella alba. Dose, gr. v-xx.

ALOES is also a constituent of Pilula Rhei Compositæ and Tinctura Benzoini Composita—(which see.)

Physiological Action.

Aloes is a tonic-astringent and resin-bearing purgative, an emmenagogue and an anthelmintic against the thread-worm. As a cathartic it acts chiefly on the lower half of the large intestine, in doses of gr. j-iv producing in about 10 hours copious soft evacuations with some griping pain. This effect is produced whether the drug be taken internally or absorbed from an exposed surface, so that it probably diffuses into the blood and is eliminated by the mucous membrane of the colon. It is a stomachic tonic in small doses, a stimulant of the hepatic functions, and an excitant of the pelvic circulation. It may cause abortion in the female and priapism in the male, and is said to have frequently produced hemorrhoids, which if existing it will certainly aggravate. Given to nursing mothers it imparts a purgative quality to their milk.

Therapeutics.

Aloes is chiefly used in combination with Iron, Myrrh, Nuxvomica, etc., for amenorrhoea and chronic constipation with atonic dyspepsia and hypochondriasis. It is curative in certain forms of hemorrhoids, especially those occurring after delivery and where the condition is not one of active pelvic congestion. It is also used internally and as an injection in gonorrhoea, and for simple atonic jaundice. It must be avoided in irritable rectum, hemorrhoids of active form, menorrhagia and pregnancy, unless given in small doses and with care. The Pil. Aloes et Ferri is perhaps the most generally useful agent in anæmia, amenorrhoea and constipation of girls at the period of puberty.

ALTHEA, Marsh-mallow,-is the peeled root of Althea officinalis, a European plant of the nat. ord. Malvaceæ, occurring in dry cylindrical pieces, of white color, without pith, of faintly aromatic odor and sweetish mucilaginous taste. It contains about 35 per cent. each of vegetable mucus and starch, with 2 per cent. of Asparagin, also pectous matter, sugar, fixed oil, but no tannin. It is a constituent of Massa Hydrargyri and Pilula Phosphori, and is much used as an excipient in extemporaneous pharmacy. Dose, indefinite.

Preparation.

SYRUPUS ALTHEE,-has of Althea 4 per cent., and should be freshly made. Dose, indefinite.

Physiological Action and Therapeutics.

ALTHEA is one of the best mucilaginous drugs, but has no active medicinal properties. It is used in Europe to make pectoral teas and syrups, and is extensively employed as a mucilaginous demulcent. The powdered root makes a good emollient poultice. In the German Pharmacopoeia a Compound Althea Tea is official, which under the common name, "German Breast Tea," is a popular demulcent drink in bronchial affections, coughs, colds, etc.

ASPARAGIN is an organic principle, occurring in large rhombic crystals, and found in many other plants, as in the shoots of asparagus, vetches, potatoes, liquorice, the sweet almond, the root of the locust, etc. It is considered a derivative of Succinic Acid, and has diuretic properties, besides being sedative to the circulation. It may be used in ascites, especially in children, in the anasarca of Bright's disease, and in gout. Dose, gr. ij-iij, in

water.

ALUMEN, ALUM, Potassa-alum,—is the Sulphate of Potassium and Aluminium, K,A1,(SO,), 24H,O, which, when the 24 molecules of water are driven off, becomes Alumen Exsiccatum, Dried Alum, K,Al(SO,),. Alum occurs in large, octahedral crystals, or cubes, of sweetish astringent taste and acid reaction. It is soluble in 101⁄2 parts of water at 59° F., and in 0.3 part of boiling water, but is insoluble in alcohol. The Ammonia-alum (Aluminii et Ammonii Sulphas) was formerly official, and is still sold and dispensed as "Alum." Dose, gr. x-xx, as an emetic 3j for a child.

Preparation.

ALUMEN EXSICCATUM, Dried Alum,-is a white, granular powder, slowly soluble in 20 parts of water at 59° F., and quickly soluble in 0.7 of boiling water. Dose, gr. x-xx. (See above.)

Physiological Action.

Alum is an astringent, coagulating albumen and stimulating muscular contraction. At first it excites the flow of saliva and then markedly diminishes it. It coagulates pepsin and arrests digestion, stops peristalsis, and usually causes constipation, though sometimes inducing diarrhoea. Although coagulating albumen, even in weak solution, it enters the blood, constricts the capillaries, arrests secretions, especially those of mucous surfaces, and stops capillary hemorrhage.

In teaspoonful doses Alum is an efficient and non-depressant emetic. In large doses it is a gastro-intestinal irritant, 3j5% of dried Alum having caused the death of an adult in 8 hours.

Therapeutics.

Alum is used locally as an astringent in chronic catarrhs, leuchorrhoea, gonorrhoea, hemorrhoids, bed-sores, ulcers, relaxed throat, colliquative sweats, catarrhal ophthalmia and granular lids. The dried powder is escharotic, destroying granulations and warty growths, and is used by insufflation in chronic nasal catarrh.

Internally it is beneficial in gastric catarrh, gastralgia, enteralgia, passive hemorrhages, lead colic and constipation. As an emetic it is employed in croup, and it is a good antidote in lead-poisoning. Alum is best administered alone, as it forms precipitates with a large number of drugs.

ALUMINIUM,-This metal is not official, though of its salts two are, besides Alum. They are

ALUMINII HYDRAS, Hydrate of Aluminium, Hydrated Alumina, Al,HO...,— is a white, light, amorphous, tasteless powder, insoluble in water or alcohol, but soluble in strong alkaline or acid solutions. Dose, gr. iij-xx, in powder or mixture.

ALUMINII SULPHAS, Sulphate of Aluminium, Al,(SO,),.18H,O,—is a white crystalline powder, soluble in 1.2 of water at 59° F., almost insoluble in alcohol. Used locally.

Physiological Action and Therapeutics.

The HYDRATE is a feebly astringent and desiccant powder, occasionally used in inflammatory skin affections as a local application, and internally in diarrhoea.