The People's Common Sense Medical Adviser in Plain English Part 29

DR. PIERCE'S COMPOUND EXTRACT OF SMART-WEED. This is unsurpa.s.sed as a diaph.o.r.etic agent, and is much more certain in its operation than any simple diaph.o.r.etic.

DILUENTS.

Any fluid which thins the blood or holds medicine in solution is called a diluent. Pure water is the princ.i.p.al agent of this cla.s.s. It const.i.tutes about four-fifths of the weight of the blood, and is the most abundant const.i.tuent of the bodily tissues. Water is necessary, not only for digestion, nutrition, and all functional processes of life, but it is indispensable as a menstruum for medicinal substances. It is a necessary agent in depuration, or the process of purifying the animal economy, for it dissolves and holds in solution deleterious matter, which in this state may be expelled from the body. In fevers, water is necessary to quench the thirst, promote absorption, and incite the skin and kidneys to action. Its temperature may be varied according to requirements. Diluents are the vehicles for introducing medicine into the system. We shall briefly mention some which prove to be very grateful to the sick.

VARIOUS VEGETABLE ACIDS AND JELLIES may be dissolved in water, as apple, currant, quince, grape, or cranberry.

THE JUICE OF LEMONS, ORANGES, PINE-APPLES, AND TAMARINDS, is also found to be refreshing to fever patients.

Sa.s.sAFRAS-PITH, SLIPPERY-ELM BARK, FLAX-SEED, AND GUM ARABIC make good mucilaginous drinks for soothing irritation of the bowels and other parts.

BREWERS' YEAST mixed with water in the proportion of from one-eighth to one-fourth is a stimulant and antiseptic.

THE WHITE ASHES OF HICKORY OR MAPLE WOOD dissolved in water make an excellent alkaline drink in fevers, or whenever the system seems surcharged with acidity.

DIURETICS.

_Diuretics_ are medicines which, by their action on the kidneys, increase the flow of urine.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 130.

Marsh-mallow. ]

MARSH-MALLOW (_Althea Officinalis_) is used in irritable conditions of the urinary organs. The infusion may be drunk freely.

GRAVEL-PLANT (_Epigea Repens_), is also known as Water-pink, Trailing-arbutus, or Gravel-root. _Dose_--Of decoction of the plant, one to three ounces; of fluid extract, one-fourth to one-half teaspoonful.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 131.

Stone-root. ]

STONE-ROOT (_Collinsonia Canadensis_), is also known as Knot-root, Horse-balm, Rich-weed, or Ox-balm. This is a mild diuretic, slow in action, yet effective in allaying irritation of the

FOXGLOVE (_Digitalis purpurea_) slows the action of the heart, lowers the temperature, and acts indirectly as a diuretic. It is especially valuable in the treatment of scarlet fever and in dropsy. _Dose_--Of infusion, one-half drachm to one-half ounce; of the fluid extract or strong tincture, from two to ten drops. It should be used with caution.

A poultice made of the leaves and placed over the kidneys is an effectual method of employing the drug.

QUEEN OF THE MEADOW (_Eupatorium Purpureum_), is also known as Gravel-weed, Gravel-root, or Trumpet-weed. This is a most valuable diuretic. _Dose_--Of the infusion, one to three ounces; of fluid extract, one-fourth to one-half teaspoonful; of the concentrated principle, Eupatorin (_Purpu_), one-half to two grains.

BUCHU (_Barosma Crenata_). The leaves are used. This agent has been extensively employed, generally in compounds. _Dose_--Of infusion, (steeped for two hours or more) one to two ounces; of fluid extract, the same; of the concentrated principle, Barosmin, one to three grains.

PIPSISSEWA (_Chimaphila Umbellata_), or Prince's Pine. This is a tonic to the kidneys, as well as a diuretic and alterative, and is a mild, but very efficient remedy. _Dose_--Of decoction, one ounce from four to six times a day; of fluid extract, one-fourth to one-half teaspoonful; of the concentrated principle, Chimaphilin, one to two grains.

WATER-MELON SEEDS (_Cucurbita Citrullus_). _Dose_--Of infusion, the patient may drink freely until the desired effect is secured.

PUMPKIN SEEDS (_Cucurbita Pepo_). They are mild, unirritating, yet effective diuretics. An infusion of these may be drunk freely.

SWEET SPIRIT OF NITRE (_Spiritus aetheris Nitros_), is diuretic and anodyne. _Dose_--One-fourth to one-half teaspoonful, diluted in water, every two or three hours.

SALTPETRE (_Pota.s.sae Nitras_). _Dose_--Powdered, five to ten grains.

ACETATE OF POTASH (_Pota.s.sae Acetas_). _Dose_--Ten to fifteen grains, largely diluted in water. It is more frequently used for this purpose than the nitrate. It is a most valuable diuretic.

EMETICS.

These are medicines which cause vomiting and evacuation of the stomach.

Some of the agents of this cla.s.s, termed irritant emetics, produce vomiting by a local action on the stomach, and do not affect this organ when introduced elsewhere. Others, which may be termed systemic emetics, produce their effects through the nervous system, and, therefore, must be absorbed into the circulation before they can produce vomiting. In cases of poisoning, it is desirable to empty the stomach as quickly as possible, hence irritant emetics should be employed, for they act more speedily. Draughts of warm water favor the action of emetics.

MUSTARD (_Sinapis_) acts promptly and efficiently as an emetic, and may be employed in poisoning. _Dose_--From one to two teaspoonfuls of powdered mustard, stirred up in a gla.s.s of tepid water. It should be quickly swallowed and diluents freely administered.

SULPHATE OF COPPER (_Cupri Sulphas_) is a prompt, irritant emetic. It should be given in doses of ten grains dissolved in half a gla.s.s of water, and its action a.s.sisted by the free use of diluents.

SULPHATE OF ZINC (_Zinci Sulphas_) is similar in its effects to sulphate of copper, but less powerful, and may be taken in the same manner, and the dose repeated if necessary in fifteen minutes.

YELLOW SUBSULPHATE OF MERCURY (_Hydrargyri Sulphas flava_), commonly known as _Turpeth Mineral,_ is an efficient and most desirable emetic in membranous croup. It is an active poison, but, as it is quickly thrown up with the contents of the stomach, there is no danger from its administration. _Dose_--It should be given to a child in doses of from three to five grains, in the form of powder, rubbed up with sugar of milk.

IPECAC (_Cephaelis Ipecacuanha)._In large doses Ipecac is a systemic emetic. In small doses, it exerts a specific influence upon the mucous membranes, relieves nausea and irritation, and subdues inflammation. In cholera infantum it is an invaluable remedy, if given in very small doses. By allaying irritation of the stomach and restoring tone and functional activity to it and the bowels, it gradually checks the discharges and brings about a healthy condition. It is also valuable in dysentery, and is borne in large doses. As an emetic the dose is, of powder, five to ten grains in warm water; of fluid extract, ten to twenty drops.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 132.

Lobelia. ]

LOBELIA (_Lobelia Inflata_), sometimes known as Indian Tobacco, or Emetic-weed. The herb and seeds are used. This is a powerful, systemic emetic, but very depressing. _Dose_--Of the powdered leaves, fifteen to twenty grains; of the infusion, one to three ounces; of the fluid extract, ten to fifteen drops.

BONESET (_Eupatorium Perfoliatum)._ _Dose_--Of the warm infusion or decoction, two to three ounces; of the fluid extract, one teaspoonful in hot water: of the concentrated principle, Eupatorin, two to five grains.

EMMENAGOGUES.

Emmenagogue is a term applied to a cla.s.s of medicines which have the power of favoring the discharge of the menses. We shall mention only a few of those which are best adapted to domestic use.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 133.

Pennyroyal. ]

PENNYROYAL (_Hedeoma Pulegioides)._ Pennyroyal, used freely in the form of a warm infusion, promotes perspiration and excites the menstrual discharge when recently checked. A large draught of the infusion should be taken at bed-time. The feet should be bathed in warm water previous to taking the infusion.

BLACK COHOSH (_Cimicifuga Racemosa)._ Black Cohosh, known also as Black Snake-root, is an effective remedy in uterine difficulties. _Dose_--Of the tincture, twenty drops; of the fluid extract, ten drops.

TANSY (_Tanacetum Vulgare)._ Tansy is beneficial in suppressed menstruation. _Dose_--Of the infusion, from one to four fluid ounces.

ERGOT (_Secede Cornutum_) in very small doses acts as an emmenagogue, and in large doses it checks hemorrhage. The dose as an emmenagogue, of the fluid extract, is from two to five drops, and to arrest hemorrhage, from half a drachm to two drachms, repeated in from one to three hours.

LIFE-ROOT (_Senecio Gracilis._) Life-root exerts a peculiar influence upon the female reproductive organs, and for this reason has received the name of Female Regulator It is very efficacious in promoting the menstrual flow, and is a valuable agent in the treatment of uterine diseases. _Dose_--Of the decoction, four fluid ounces three or four times a day; of the fluid extract, from one-fourth to one-half teaspoonful.

MOTHERWORT (_Leonurus Cardiaca_). Motherwort is usually given in warm infusion, in suppression of the menses from cold. _Dose_--Of the decoction, from two to three fluid ounces every one or two hours.