Ammonia. — Volatile Alkali and Harts-
horn are other names for this su])stance.
When pure, it is a gas ; but it is used either
in the form of the Solid Carbonate of Am-
monium, or in solution in Water ^Aqua
Ammoni(r), or in Alcohol. Smelling salts
consist usually of the Carbonate. Druggists
keep a stronger and a weaker watery solu-
tion of Ammonia. The medicinal form
most used is the Aromatic Spirit of Am-
monia (a solution in Alcohol, with Spices).
This is a stimulant and antacid preparation.
Its dose is from ten to twenty-five or thirty
drops, in water. Aqua Ammonicc (Water
of Ammonia) is used to make Volatile Lini-
ment, by mixing it with an equal quantity
of Olive or I^ard Oil. This liniment is a
501
38
777^ FAMILY DOCTOR
very warming thing to rub into the skin of
the throat for a sore throat, as a counter-
irritant.
Arnica. — The tinchu^c of the flowers (or
of the whole plant) is a popular application
for bruises and sprains. It is a warming
application, and not suitable where the skin
is broken. Being poisonous when swal-
lowed in large doses, it should be kept so
labelled, and so used as to prevent mistakes
with it.
Arsenic. — A metal whose compounds
are poisonous. The medical form in which
arsenic is generally prescribed by physicians
is the solution of arsenite of potassium
(Fowler's solution). Dose, from three to
ten drops, twice daily : often given for
chronic diseases of the skin. It should
never be taken by an unprofessional person,
without medicar advice.
Assafoetida. — A gum-resin, of very disa-
greeable odor and taste ; a good, mild, and
safe composing medicine for disturbed
nerves and to induce sleep. Assafoetida
pills, of three grains each, may be given
now and then to hysterical people. The
drug is also good for fiahdence. Milk of
assafoetida is a very serviceable medicine for
babies' colic. Dose, a teaspoonful, sweetened.
Bark, Peruvian. See quinine.
Baths. — In treatment of disease, the
kinds of baths most used are the warm and
the hot bath . We may call it warm from 90°
to 96° Fahr., and hot from 96° to 100°. It
never need be hotter than this last figure.
Warm baths are very often useful, for
relaxing and tranquillizing the system. In
ci^oitp, convidsions, and lockjaiv, as examples,
such effects are often well obtained.
Hot Baths though less frequently called
for, are sometimes very serviceable ; espec-
ially in cold and low states of the system.
Chronic rheumatism is one of the affections
likely to be benefited by it.
Hot Dry Air D at lis (Russian bath) are
occasionally advised by physicians, in ob-
stinate prolonged skin affections, etc.
Vapor or Steam Baths are occasionally
used for the application of heat and moisture
to the body. They are not safe beyond the
temperature of 110°, or possibly, for a short
time, 120°. Moisture conveys heat to the
body much more rapidly than dry air at the
502
same temperature. A steam bath may be
given, by the patient being stripped of
clothing, and seated in a chair, wrapped,
chair and all, in a blanket ; his head only
projecting above the latter. Then vapor
may be generated by dropping very hot
bricks into a pail of water placed between his
feet. As above said, care must be taken
about the temperature ; and, on the whole,
it will be hardly best to resort to a vapor
bath without the advice of a physician.
Page 167
Presented as published in 1901. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
Ammonia. — Volatile Alkali and Hartshorn are other names for this substance. When pure, it is a gas ; but it is used either in the form of the Solid Carbonate of Ammonium, or in solution in Water ^Aqua Ammonia), or in Alcohol. Smelling salts consist usually of the Carbonate. Druggists keep a stronger and a weaker watery solution of Ammonia. The medicinal form most used is the Aromatic Spirit of Ammonia (a solution in Alcohol, with Spices). This is a stimulant and antacid preparation. Its dose is from ten to twenty-five or thirty drops, in water. Aqua Ammonicc (Water of Ammonia) is used to make Volatile Liniment, by mixing it with an equal quantity of Olive or Lard Oil. This liniment is a
very warming thing to rub into the skin of the throat for a sore throat, as a counterirritant.
Arnica. — The tincture of the flowers (or of the whole plant) is a popular application for bruises and sprains. It is a warming application, and not suitable where the skin is broken. Being poisonous when swallowed in large doses, it should be kept so labelled, and so used as to prevent mistakes with it.
Arsenic. — A metal whose compounds are poisonous. The medical form in which arsenic is generally prescribed by physicians is the solution of arsenite of potassium (Fowler's solution). Dose, from three to ten drops, twice daily : often given for chronic diseases of the skin. It should never be taken by an unprofessional person, without medicar advice.
Assafoetida. — A gum-resin, of very disagreeable odor and taste ; a good, mild, and safe composing medicine for disturbed nerves and to induce sleep. Assafoetida pills, of three grains each, may be given now and then to hysterical people. The drug is also good for flatulence. Milk of assafoetida is a very serviceable medicine for babies' colic. Dose, a teaspoonful, sweetened.
Bark, Peruvian. See quinine.
Baths. — In treatment of disease, the kinds of baths most used are the warm and the hot bath . We may call it warm from 90° to 96° Fahr., and hot from 96° to 100°. It never need be hotter than this last figure.
Warm baths are very often useful, for relaxing and tranquillizing the system. In croup, convulsions, and lockjaiv, as examples, such effects are often well obtained.
Hot Baths though less frequently called for, are sometimes very serviceable ; especially in cold and low states of the system. Chronic rheumatism is one of the affections likely to be benefited by it.
Hot Dry Air D at lis (Russian bath) are occasionally advised by physicians, in obstinate prolonged skin affections, etc.
Vapor or Steam Baths are occasionally used for the application of heat and moisture to the body. They are not safe beyond the temperature of 110°, or possibly, for a short time, 120°. Moisture conveys heat to the body much more rapidly than dry air at the
same temperature. A steam bath may be given, by the patient being stripped of clothing, and seated in a chair, wrapped, chair and all, in a blanket ; his head only projecting above the latter. Then vapor may be generated by dropping very hot bricks into a pail of water placed between his feet. As above said, care must be taken about the temperature ; and, on the whole, it will be hardly best to resort to a vapor bath without the advice of a physician.