Thomson's Conspectus of the British pharmacopoeias.

  • Anthony Todd Thomson
Date:
1852
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Thomson's Conspectus of the British pharmacopoeias. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    70/248 page 42
    Prop. Taste bitter. Oper. Purgative, diuretic, tonic. Use. In dropsies and deficient and irregular action of the hepatic organs. Dose. fjj. to fSij. twice or thrice a day. DECOCTUM TORMENTILLJE. L. Decoction of Tormentil. (Tor- mentillcB cont. 3ij., Aquce dist. Ojss. Boil to Oj., and strain.) Comp. Tannic acid, extractive in solution. Use. In diarrhoea, and as an injection in leucorrhcea. Dose. f3j. to f^jss. three or four times a day. Incomp. Chalk mixture, alkalies, ipecacuanha, all metallic salts, opium. DECOCTUM ULMI. L. Decoctum Ulmi Campestris, E. Decoction of Elm Bark. ( Ulmi contuses 3ijss., Aquce distill. Oij. Boil to Oj., and strain.) Prop. Odour faint; taste slightly bitter; colour brown. Oper. Diuretic, alterative. Use. In lepra and herpetic eruptions. Willan thinks it has little efficacy. I have ascertained that it is equal to Decoction of Sar- saparilla. Dose. i'Sjv. to 3vj. twice or thrice a day. Incomp. Alcohol and tinctures in any considerable quantity. DECOCTUM UV^E URSI. L. D. Decoction of Whortleberry. (( Uvce Ursi 3j. (3ss. D.), Aquce dist. Ojss. (Oss. D.) Boil to a pint (ten minutes), and strain.) Comp. Chiefly tannic and gallic acid. Oper. Astringent, diuretic. Use. In dropsies, haemorrhages of the prostate gland and the intestinal canal, and catarrh of the urinary organs. Dose. f3j. to fjij. three times a day. Incomp. Ipecacuanha, opium, infusion of cinchona bark, alkalies. DIGITALIS. L. E. Digitalis Purpurea, D. Purple Foxglove Leaves. (D gitalis Purpurea, Didynam. Angiosperm. N. O. Scrophulariaceee. Indigenous. $.) Digitalis herba. Botanical Characters. Stem erect, three to four feet high, with purplish hue; leaves large, veiny, ovato-lanceolate, crenate, downy, purplish on their under surface. Flowers numerous, purple, spotted within, drooping in very long spikes. The leaves are gathered in June and July, just before the plant comes into flower, and the mid-rib and stalk removed. They are dried in a dark place. Prop. Inodorous ; taste acrimonious, bitter, nauseous; injured by light both in colour and virtues. Its action depends on the presence of Digitaline, a white powder; bitter, inodorous; but producing violent sneezing. It is scarcely soluble in cold water or ether, more so in boiling water, but very much so in either strong or weak spirit. Oper. Sedative, diminishing the velocity and force of the pulse, and lessening the irritability; diuretic. In overdoses it occasions vomiting, purging, dimness of sight, vertigo, delirium, hiccough, convulsions, and death. These symptoms of poisoning are obviated by cordials, opium, and blisters. Use. In disease of the heart and large vessels; in insanity and epilepsy. In inflammatory diseases : phthisis; active haemorrhages ; and dropsies, unattended by palsy and unsound viscera : particularly when combined with nitric acid, in dropsies which occur after long and harassing courses of mercury; most useful where there is a laxness of fibre, pale countenance, intermittent, weak pulse, cold skin, and when the swelling pits. This state may be produced by bleeding, saline purges, &c. When nausea occurs, its usm must be intermitted for a little time; but we are not of opinion that purging counteracts its desired effects; for, although the kidneys may not act so powerfully, yet the body is un- loaded of the morbid fluid by the intestines. Its use must be followed by a generous diet, and tonics ; and, during its employment, diluents are necessary.
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