A handbook of local therapeutics / edited by Harrison Allen.

Date:
1893
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A handbook of local therapeutics / edited by Harrison Allen. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    95/554 (page 83)
    acid, dropped freely into the conjunctival sac three or four times a day. From two to four grains of morphine solution is sometimes an agreeable addition. In Ophthalmia Neonatorum one or two grains of alum may be added to the boric acid wash, with which the eye is thoroughly cleansed every hour or two. In the Gonorrhceal Ophthalmia of adults it may be used in the same way in rather stronger solution, though in this disease most surgeons prefer bichloride of mercury. Alum (one-half grain to one ounce) may be conveniently combined with atropine when conjunctival inflammation complicates cases of Iritis or Keratitis. Some authorities (Tweedy, Brunton) have claimed that alum has a tendency to increase ulceration of the cornea by a solvent effect upon its cementum. This charge can hardly be considered proved, but such cases usually bear irritating applications badly, and demand anti- septic rather than astringent treatment. In Chronic Palpebral Con- junctivitis the solid crystal of alum is a useful application. It is dipped in water and passed over the everted eyelid, which should be washed before it is allowed to close. Crystals cut into pencils and fitted with handles are supplied by druggists. ''Alum curd'^ is used to prevent ecchymosis after contusion of the eye- lids. It is made by adding powdered alum to milk or white of egg until a curd is formed. It is a grateful application but should not be relied upon to the exclusion of scarifications and ice. AMYGDALA. Almond. Mixture of Almond. To prepare this the almond is first blanched by immersing it in hot water for a minute or two, which softens the adherent skin and it is then readily removed by the fingers. The almond is then put into a mortar, beaten with acacia and sugar, and triturated with water (added little by little) until a thorough mixture is formed. This is strained, and that which passes through the strainer forms the mixture of almond. If a pro- portion of bitter almond be used with the sweet almond, some oil of bitter almond is generated, which gives a pleasant odor to the preparation. Made in this way the preparation will not keep, and requires either the addition of salicylic acid or a pro- portion of alcohol to prevent it from spoiling. Mixture of almond is used as a vehicle for the application of more active medicinal cosmetics. Oleum Amygdala Expressum. A fixed oil expressed from bitter or sweet almond. U. S. P. The process is simply the pressing of the cleaned almond between warm iron plates. (By mixing crushed bitter almond and water, the volatile product called in the Pharmacopoeia Oil of Bitter Almond'^ is generated and can be separated by distillation. It must be carefully distin- guished from the expressed oil, as it is irritant and poisonous). The oil of sweet almond is a favorite menstruum for the dilution of menthol, creasote and naphthol.