AMMONIACUM-AMMONIUM.

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The SULPHATE is antiseptic and astringent. It has been used internally in diarrhoeas, but is chiefly employed in a 5 per cent. solution locally to ulcers, or in stronger solution (3iij ad 3vi) in foul discharges from mucous surfaces. A saturated solution is a mild caustic, and may be used daily as a local application to enlarged tonsils, nasal polypi, ulceration of the os uteri, and various chronic enlargements. The Benzoinated Solution of Alumina is an unofficial preparation used for the same purposes.

AMMONIACUM, Ammoniac,—is a gum-resin, obtained from Dorema Ammoniacum, a Persian plant of the nat. ord. Umbelliferæ, occurring in yellowish-brown tears of peculiar odor, and bitter, acrid and nauseous taste. When triturated with water it readily yields a milk-white emulsion, and contains a Volatile Oil, which differs from that of Asafoetida in that it is neither sulphuretted nor phosphoretted. It also contains resin, gum, gluten, etc. Dose, gr. x-xxx.

Preparations.

MISTURA AMMONIACI,-is an emulsion with water of 4 per cent, strength, the resin being suspended by the contained gum. Dose, 3ss-j.

EMPLASTRUM AMMONIACI,—Ammoniac 100 parts, digested with 140 of Dilute Acetic Acid until emulsionized, then strained and evaporated.

EMPLASTRUM AMMONIACI CUM HYDRARGYRO,-Ammoniac 72, Mercury 18 per cent., and contains also Lead-plaster, Sulphur, Olive Oil, and Dilute Acetic Acid.

Physiological Action and Therapeutics.

Ammoniac is a stimulating expectorant and a laxative, and has a mildly irritant action on the skin. Its actions are similar to those of Asafoetida, but much less powerful. It is not much used, but may be employed with benefit in chronic bronchial affections, especially of the aged, the mixture with the Chloride or Carbonate of Ammonium facilitating expectoration and lessening wheezing. It is also recommended in asthma, and in glandular enlargements and indolent swellings the plasters are employed as stimulating alteratives and resolvents.

AMMONIUM, NH,,-is a hypothetical compound radical, which does not exist in the free state, but which in combination with acids forms salts which closely resemble those of the elements Potassium and Sodium. Many of its salts are official, as well as the aqueous solutions of the gas AMMONIA, NH,, which is produced during the putrefaction of all organisms and of many organic nitrogenous compounds existing in the air and in the

soil in the free state.

The chief commercial source of Ammonium salts is the ammoniacal liquor from gas-works and bones.

Preparations of Ammonia.

AQUA AMMONIE, Water of Ammonia,—is an aqueous solution of Ammonia, containing th by weight of the gas. It is a colorless liquid, of pungent odor, acrid taste and strongly alkaline reaction. Sp. gr. 0.959 at 59° F. Dose, m v-zss, well diluted.

AQUA AMMONIÆ FORTIOR, Stronger Water of Ammonia,—contains 28 per cent. by weight of the gas. Sp. gr. 0.900 at 59° F.

SPIRITUS AMMONIÆ,—is a 10 per cent. solution of the gas in alcohol. Sp. gr. about 0.810. Dose, m x-3j, diluted.

SPIRITUS AMMONIÆ AROMATICUS,-contains Ammonium Carbonate, Aqua Ammoniæ, Oils of Lemon, Lavender, and Pimenta, Alcohol and Water. Used in the Tinct. Guaiaci Ammoniata and the Tinct. Valerianæ Ammoniata. Dose, 3ss-ij.

LINIMENTUM AMMONIÆ, Ammonia Liniment,—has of Aqua Ammonia 30 parts, Cotton-seed Oil 70.

Ammonium Salts and their Preparations.

LIQUOR AMMONII ACETATIS, Solution of the Acetate of Ammonium, Spirit of Mindererus, is prepared by neutralizing Dilute Acetic Acid with Carbonate of Ammonium, and contains about 71⁄2 per cent, of the Acetate. It should be freshly made. Used in Mistura Ferri et Ammonii Acetatis. Dose, zj-3j. AMMONII BENZOAS, Benzoate of Ammonium, NH,C,H,O,,—in minute foursided laminar crystals, soluble in 5 of water and 28 of alcohol at 59° F. Dose, gr. v-xv.

AMMONII BROMIDUM, Bromide of Ammonium, NH,Br,-in prismatic crystals or as a granular salt, soluble in 11⁄2 of water and 150 of alcohol at 59° F. Dose gr. x-3ss, well diluted.

AMMONII CARBONAS, Carbonate of Ammonium, NH,HCO,.NH,NH,CO2, -occurs in white masses consisting of both the bicarbonate and carbonate, which on exposure to air becomes a white powder (acid carbonate). Soluble in 4 parts of water at 59° F. Dose, gr. v-x.

AMMONII CHLORIDUM, Chloride of Ammonium, Sal-ammoniac, HN,Cl,—a white, crystalline powder, of saline taste, and slightly acid reaction; soluble in 3 of water and very sparingly in alcohol. Dose, gr. j-xx.

TROCHISCI AMMONII CHLORIDI, Troches of Chloride of Ammonium,—each contains 2 grains of the chloride.

AMMONII IODIDUM, Iodide of Ammonium, NH,I,-a deliquescent, granular, white salt, soluble in 1 of water and 9 of alcohol at 59° F. Dose, gr. ij-x.

AMMONII NITRAS, Nitrate of Ammonium, NH,NO,,-in colorless crystals or fused masses, soluble in 0.5 of water and 20 of alcohol at 59° F. Only used to prepare Nitrous Oxide Gas by heating to 365° F., for anesthesia. AMMONII PHOSPHAS, Phosphate of Ammonium (NH),HPO,,-in colorless prisms, soluble in 4 of water, insoluble in alcohol. Dose, gr. v-xx.

AMMONI SULPHAS, Sulphate of Ammonium (NH),SO,,—is only used for the preparation of other ammonium salts.

AMMONII VALERIANAS, Valerianate of Ammonium, NH,CH,O,,—in white, quadrangular plates, deliquescent; very soluble in water and alcohol. Dose, gr. j-v.

RASPAIL'S EAU SEDATIF (Unofficial),-consists of Aqua Ammoniæ zij, Sodii Chloridum 3ij, Spiritus Vini Camphorat. 3iij, Aqua 3xxxij. For local

use.

Physiological Action.

The gas AMMONIA is intensely alkaline and irritant to mucous membranes; inhaled producing spasmodic cough and a sense of suffocation. Its prolonged inhalation will induce violent inflammation of the air-passages and oedema of the glottis. It stimulates the nasal branch of the fifth nerve, exciting the vaso motor centre by reflex action, and thus raising the arterial tension. Applied to the skin and allowed to evaporate, it has a slight rubefacient effect, but if evaporation be prevented it penetrates the epidermis and has a powerfully vesicant action. The Aqua, swallowed undiluted, may cause death quickly by suffocation from the action of its vapor upon the air-passages; if not, it may excite gastro-enteritis accompanied by coma, differing in the latter respect from potassium or sodium poisoning. After absorption it stimulates both the respiration and the circulation by direct action on their respective nerve-centres. Ammonia exists normally in the circulation, where it keeps the fibrin in solution and thus maintains the fluidity of the blood. It increases the glycogenic function of the liver, and is converted finally into urea. It is a powerful irritant to muscular tissue, causing tetanic contraction and subsequent rigor mortis when directly applied.

AMMONIUM SALTS all stimulate and finally paralyze the spinal cord, motor nerves and muscles, in animals, but the order and readiness of the action vary with the salt employed, some having a predominating influence on the cord, others on the motor nerves. In general they may be said to form a series, of which the members at one end stimulate the cord, and those at the other paralyze both the cord and the motor nerves. At the stimulant end are Ammonia and the Chloride; at the paralyzant end the Iodide; the Bromide, Phosphate and Sulphate lying between (Brunton). In medicinal doses they act on man as stimulating expectorants, in large quantity they injure the structure of the red blood-corpuscles, and if long-continued they produce rapid emaciation by impairing digestion and increasing tissue-waste.

The CHLORIDE has decided cholagogue powers, increases the excretion of urea, in 20 grain doses is purgative, and is considered to have a selective action upon the gastric mucous membrane. The CARBONATE is a powerful and very diffusible stimulant; when administered internally in moderate doses, it is probably decomposed by the HCl of the gastric juice, nascent ammonia being set free and absorbed. It stimulates the respiratory centre, acts as

a stimulating expectorant, and in very small doses stimulates the secretion of the gastric juice. It is also emetic, and has been supposed to prevent iodism when administered conjointly with Iodide of Potassium. The SOLUTION OF THE ACETATE is an active diaphoretic if the body be warm, or a diuretic if it be cool. In wineglassful-doses it will counteract many of the immediate effects of alcohol. The PHOSPHATE is diuretic, and is believed to decompose the insoluble Urate of Sodium in the blood, converting it into the soluble salts Urate of Ammonium and Phosphate of Sodium, and thus promoting its elimination. The BENZOATE is also diuretic, and like Benzoic Acid passes out of the system in the urine as Hippuric Acid. It acidifies the urine where there is phosphatic tendency of the same. The NITRATE and SULPHATE are only used for the preparation of other salts, while the IODIde, BROMIDE and VALERIANATE correspond in action to that of their titular bases, and are described under their respective titles, IODUM, BROMUM and VALERIANA.

Antagonists to Ammonia.

When inhaled, give HCl vapors by inhalation to form the chloride; if taken in solution, give VEGETABLE ACIDS, and demulcents to protect the mucous surfaces. Its physiological antagonists are the cardiac sedatives, Aconite, Digitalis, Veratrum, etc.

Therapeutics.

The strong solution of AMMONIA may be used as a rubefacient and vesicant, and its vapor, by cautious inhalation, in syncope and the results of shock. Locally, it is a good application to bites of the less venomous reptiles and to the stings of insects. The CARBONATE is used internally in the eruptive fevers, delirium tremens, continued fevers, pneumonia, etc., where much depression exists; as a stimulating expectorant in chronic bronchitis, in the broncho-pneumonia of children, and in cardiac asthma. It is highly recommended in scarlet fever in doses of 3 to 5 grains every one, two or three hours, all acid drinks or fruits being prohibited while it is being administered. With ten-minim doses of tincture of capsicum in an ounce of some bitter infusion it is exceedingly efficient, in 5-10-grain doses, for the sinking sensations and craving for stimulants experienced by subjects of alcoholism. It may be used as an emetic in bronchitis, when the tubes are choked with mucus and the circulation of the patient is weak. It may also be employed by inhalation, and administered internally, for similar purposes as Liquor Ammonia. The CHLORIDE has a high repute in catarrh of the stomach, with anorexia, bad taste in the mouth, flatulence, coated tongue, etc., in

short, the symptoms of so called "biliousness;" also, in chronic congestion of the liver, jaundice from catarrh of the bile-ducts, nervous and sick-headaches, myalgia, amenorrhoea, muscular rheumatism, and neuralgia. In the latter affection it should be given in 30-grain doses several times a day. It is also efficient in bronchial catarrh without fever, and in chronic bronchitis when the secretion is scanty and tough. Locally, in solution, it has been well employed in inflammatory swellings, as sprains, inflamed joints, orchitis, etc., as a lotion; also, to allay itching in prurigo, to remove ecchymoses and glandular enlargements. Eau Sedatif is often a good local application in headaches.

The SOLUTION OF THE ACETATE is especially beneficial in the exanthemata, influenza, coryza, anomalous febrile conditions of children, acidity and vomiting; also, in erysipelas when there is feeble circulation, cyanosis and delirium. It is frequently combined with Spirit of Nitrous Ether, as a diuretic and diaphoretic in febrile affections. The PHOSPHATE is particularly applicable to gout and lithæmia, and is a very efficient cholagogue. The BENZOATE is useful in cystitis with alkaline urine and phosphatic deposits, as it acidulates the urine, at the same time stimulating and disinfecting the mucous coat of the bladder.

AQUA AMMONIE has been administered by intra-venous injection, with efficacy and safety, in sudden or threatened thrombosis, cardiac paralysis from Chloroform, and in poisoning by Hydrocyanic Acid and other cardiac depressants. In the same manner, it has been employed, but unsuccessfully, in poisoning by the bite of venomous reptiles. Ten drops of the strong Liquor are diluted with three parts of water, and carefully injected into a vein, all air being rigorously excluded from entrance thereinto.

The therapeutics of the IODIDE, BROMIDE and VALERIANATE are enumerated under the titles IODUM, BROMUM and VALERIANA respectively.

AMYGDALA, Almond,-the seeds of two varieties of Amygdalus communis (nat. ord. Rosaceae), namely Amygdala amara and Amygdala dulcis, are official, together with several preparations, some prepared from one variety, some from another, while one is from either and one from both. An important point is the reaction between Amygdalin and Emulsin in the presence of water, producing Hydrocyanic Acid (see ante, page 29). Amyg dalin, CHNO, is a crystalline glucoside, existing in Amygdala amara but not in Amydala dulcis; while the ferment Emulsin is common to both varieties.