Volume 1

The elements of materia medica. Comprehending the natural history, preparation, properties, composition, effects and uses of medicines / [Jonathan Pereira].

  • Pereira, Jonathan, 1804-1853.
Date:
1839-1840
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The elements of materia medica. Comprehending the natural history, preparation, properties, composition, effects and uses of medicines / [Jonathan Pereira]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    122/590 (page 96)
    96 ELEMENTS OF MATERIA MEDICA. . thereby affect remote parts ; such are arsenious acid, and the bichloruret of mercury. Caustics are employed for various purposes, the principal of which are : the following:—to remove excrescences or morbid growths of various } kinds, such as warts, condylomata, some kinds of polypi, and: spongy - growths or granulations ; to decompose the virus of rabid animals and| the venom of the viper, and other poisonous serpents; to form artificial | ulcers, as issues; to open abscesses ; for the cure of hydrocele they have been applied to the scrotum, so as to penetrate through the tunicat vaginalis; to change the condition of ulcerated and other surfaces; lastly,, caustics are applied to strictures of the urethra. Ciass 9. RUBEFACIENTS, VESICANTS, AND SuppuRANTS.—These are? agents which, when applied to the skin, cause redness, and sometimes s vesication and suppuration. The milder ones, such as friction and| warm fomentations, stimulate the skin temporarily, without producing ; actual inflammation. The stronger ones, such as mustard and cantha-- rides, excite active inflammation. Those that cause the exhalation of at thin serous fluid beneath the cuticle are called vesicants or epispastics:: mustard, euphorbium, mezereon, acetic acid, ammonia, and cantharides, , are of this kind; while tartar emetic, and some other substances whichi produce a secretion of pus, are denominated suppurants. The mediciness of this class are employed as counter-irritants in various diseases. ‘Their general mode of operation has been before investigated (p. 45, eZ seq.) Crass 10. Acrps.—The mineral acids, in a concentrated state, ares powerful caustics; and, when swallowed, act as COITOSlvVe poOiSONs ;; somewhat diluted and applied to the skin, they produce rubefaction.. Administered internally, in moderate doses, they act as tonics, refri-- gerants, and diuretics; but by long-continued use they disorder diges-- tion, and produce emaciation. When, from any cause—such as dis-- ordered digestion, particular kinds of food, or improper medicines—whitee sand (either phosphate of lime or phosphate of ammonia and magnesia,)) appears in the urine, the imternal use of acids will, in most cases, dimi-- nish or remove it. They are improper, however, when there is muchi irritation in the urinary organs.—[For further observations on the moduss operandi of the acids, see page 9.] . Crass 11. ALKALIES.—Applied in a concentrated form, the alkalinee substances act as powerful caustics, and, when swallowed, become cor-, rosive poisons. Somewhat diluted and applied to the skin, they aree rubefacients. ‘Taken internally they neutralize any acid which may bee found in the stomach, and hence have been termed antacids (aniacida),) or absorbents (absorbentia), and usually operate, when exhibited in mo+ derate doses, as diuretics. By continued use they disorder digestions, render the urine alkaline, produce general debility, and give rise too symptoms similar to scorbutus. In such cases it is said that the blood drawn from a vein does not coagulate on cooling, but remaius in a liquide state ; and that if the use of the medicine be suspended, the blood again acquires its power of coagulation. By the continued administrationr of alkaline medicines the urine loses its acid properties, and occa+ sionally becomes decidedly alkaline ; and, in such cases, white sand (thee phos;hates) is usually deposited; hence, where a phosphatic diathesiss already exists, these substances are highly improper. On the contraryy when the urine contains a larger portion than usual of uric acid, the use of alkalies is highly beneficial. |