The elements of therapeutics : a clinical guide to the action of medicines / by C. Binz ; tr. from the 5th German ed., and ed., with additions, in conformity with the British and American pharmacopoeias, by Edward I. Sparks.

Karl Binz

Date:: 1877

Credit: The elements of therapeutics : a clinical guide to the action of medicines / by C. Binz ; tr. from the 5th German ed., and ed., with additions, in conformity with the British and American pharmacopoeias, by Edward I. Sparks. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, Harvard Medical School.

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$we possess (von Bmns). It penetrates tolerably deeply into the subjacent tissues, but unfortunately destroys a larger superficial area tban that to wbicb it is primarily applied, [Dissolved in an equal weight of water and carefully painted on with a tiny sponge, it is valuable as a caustic in lupus (E. Wilson). Largely diluted in the form of Liquoi Potassce it is sometimes given internally as an antacid, and also in rheumatism and other affections for which the car- bonate is also used.] Preparation :— Ldquor Potassce, B.P. (Prepared by the action of slaked lime on a solution of carbonate of potash. It should have a sp. gr. of 1-058, B.P. ; 1-065, U.S.) Dose, T1\^xv.—Ix., B.P.; TTLij.—XX., U.S. The carbonate of potash has a similar action to that of caustic potash, but is much less energetic. It has been much used and recommended of late (W. Busch) to gradually mace- rate hard epidermic outgrowths. A 30 per cent, solution of caustic soda has also a similar action to that of caustic potash, but in a milder form. Calcis Hydras, Calx (CaH202), Slaked or Caustic Lime. When mixed with caustic potash in equal quantities it forms Vienna paste, a caustic which is not very painful, and which has a slow and limited action. It may be used for open- ing abscesses, buboes, &c., in persons who are afraid of the knife. The skin to be destroyed is surrounded with several layers of plaster, so as to protect the neighbouring parts from the caustic. It is then covered with the paste, and the whole is enclosed with another layer of plaster. K the abscess is not opened within twenty-four hours, the part must be washed thoroughly clean, and then re-covered with another layer of paste. The following salts are officinal caustics :—$