THE FAMIL Y DOCTOR
53
little at a time, as thirst prompts, through
the night, will be more likely to relieve a
hot fever, with the coming of perspiration,
than a whole teaspoonful taken at once.
This is because the large doses ' ' stimulate
the circulation above the secreting point,"
to use an old but true medical phrase.
To increase the action of the kidneys, as a
diuretic, sweet spirit of nitre is very often
useful. For this purpose, in the absence of
high fever, larger doses will suit than when
that condition is present. From half a tea-
spoonful to a teaspoonful, Avell diluted with
water, will be a diuretic dose for an adult ;
to be repeated in a few hours, if needful.
Nitrite of Amyl is a powerful agent,
used by inhalation, from one to four or five
drops only at a time, as a remedy for the
attacks or parox3''sms of angina pectoris. It
commonly causes immediate flushing of the
face. If used, it should be as soon as the
attack (with distress and pain about the
heart, and along the left arm) begins.
Nux Vomica. — A poisonous seed or nut
whose active principle is the alkaloid strych-
nia. It is best used in extract or tincture.
Both are bitter tonics, with a powerful action
on the nervous system, especially the spinal
marrow. Leaving what we may have to
say about this last action until we come to
strychnia, it may be mentioned that physi-
cians often find extract of nux vomica a
good addition, in small dose (a quarter to
half a grain), to tonic pills for continued
debility. The tincture, in ten-drop doses,
in water, is an excellent medicine for great
weakness of stomach. With. fiat2ite7ice . Larger
doses (if even these) should not be ventured
upon without medical advice ; on account
of the very powerful nature of the active
principle of this drug. The tincture of nux
vomica should be marked " poison."
Olive Oil. — Probably the gentlest of all
laxatives ; in teaspoonful to tablespoonful
doses. For a delicate infant, needing to
have the bowels acted upon, a teaspoonful
is very good. The imitation of true olive
oil, sold under its name, or as " sweet oil,"
is less bland, but will answer if the genuine
European article cannot be obtained.
Sweet oil, saturated with camphor (cam-
phorated oil), makes an excellent applica-
tion for more or less inflammatory swelling ;
as for example, a mother's breast threaten-
ing to become inflamed while she is nurs-
ing ; or, more often, when her infant ceases
to draw milk, as from illness or the death
of the child.
Sweet oil, with an equal quantity of
aqua ammonia: (water of ammonia) or aro-
matic spirit of ammonia, makes volatile lini-
w.ent ; an excellent outward application for
sore throat.
Opium. — If all the medicines in the world
were to be destro3^ed, except three, ^nd we
could choose the three, they should be qui-
nine, opium and iron. The first cures the
greatest number of cases of illness ; the
second gives the happiest relief to severe
pain ; and the last does the most to build
up a debilitated body. Of the preparations
of opium, laudanum and morphia have been
mentioned. The dose of opium in substance
is one grain ; equal to thirty drops of lauda-
num, or a full teaspoonful of solution of
morphia (not Magendie's solution).
Paregoric is the camphorated tincture of
opiuin. Its odor and taste are partly due
Page 187
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
little at a time, as thirst prompts, through the night, will be more likely to relieve a hot fever, with the coming of perspiration, than a whole teaspoonful taken at once. This is because the large doses ' ' stimulate the circulation above the secreting point," to use an old but true medical phrase.
To increase the action of the kidneys, as a diuretic, sweet spirit of nitre is very often useful. For this purpose, in the absence of high fever, larger doses will suit than when that condition is present. From half a teaspoonful to a teaspoonful, Avell diluted with water, will be a diuretic dose for an adult ; to be repeated in a few hours, if needful.
Nitrite of Amyl is a powerful agent, used by inhalation, from one to four or five drops only at a time, as a remedy for the attacks or paroxysms of angina pectoris. It commonly causes immediate flushing of the face. If used, it should be as soon as the attack (with distress and pain about the heart, and along the left arm) begins.
Nux Vomica. — A poisonous seed or nut whose active principle is the alkaloid strychnia. It is best used in extract or tincture. Both are bitter tonics, with a powerful action on the nervous system, especially the spinal marrow. Leaving what we may have to say about this last action until we come to strychnia, it may be mentioned that physicians often find extract of nux vomica a good addition, in small dose (a quarter to half a grain), to tonic pills for continued debility. The tincture, in ten-drop doses, in water, is an excellent medicine for great weakness of stomach. With. flatulence . Larger doses (if even these) should not be ventured upon without medical advice ; on account of the very powerful nature of the active principle of this drug. The tincture of nux vomica should be marked " poison."
Olive Oil. — Probably the gentlest of all laxatives ; in teaspoonful to tablespoonful doses. For a delicate infant, needing to have the bowels acted upon, a teaspoonful is very good. The imitation of true olive oil, sold under its name, or as " sweet oil," is less bland, but will answer if the genuine European article cannot be obtained.
Sweet oil, saturated with camphor (camphorated oil), makes an excellent application for more or less inflammatory swelling ;
as for example, a mother's breast threatening to become inflamed while she is nursing ; or, more often, when her infant ceases to draw milk, as from illness or the death of the child.
Sweet oil, with an equal quantity of aqua ammonia: (water of ammonia) or aromatic spirit of ammonia, makes volatile liniment ; an excellent outward application for sore throat.
Opium. — If all the medicines in the world were to be destroyed, except three, ^nd we could choose the three, they should be quinine, opium and iron. The first cures the greatest number of cases of illness ; the second gives the happiest relief to severe pain ; and the last does the most to build up a debilitated body. Of the preparations of opium, laudanum and morphia have been mentioned. The dose of opium in substance is one grain ; equal to thirty drops of laudanum, or a full teaspoonful of solution of morphia (not Magendie's solution).
Paregoric is the camphorated tincture of opiuin. Its odor and taste are partly due