Part 79 (1/2)
761. Expectorants.
Expectorants are medicines given to promote the secretion from the windpipe, &c. They consist of antimony, ipecacuanha, squills, ammoniac.u.m, and tolu.
762. Ammoniac.u.m
Ammoniac.u.m is an expectorant, antispasmodic, diuretic, and deobstruent.
It is _used externally_ as a discutient, and is given _internally_, with great benefit in asthma, hysteria, and chronic catarrh.
_Dose_, from ten to twenty grains.
763. Tolu
Tolu is an excellent expectorant, when there are no inflammatory symptoms.
It is given _internally_ in asthma and chronic catarrh.
_Dose_, of the _balsam_, from five to thirty grains, combined with mucilage and suspended in water; of the _tincture_, from a half to one drachm; of the _syrup_, from a half to four drachms.
764. Sialogogues.
These are given to increase the flow of saliva or spittle. They consist of ginger and calomel, pellitory of Spain, tobacco, the acids, and some others.
765. Ginger
Ginger ia a sialogogue, carminative, and stimulant.
It is _used internally_ in flatulent colic, dyspepsia, and to prevent the griping of medicines. When chewed, it acts as a sialogogue, and is therefore useful in relaxed uvula.
_Dose_, from ten to twenty grains of the _powder_; of the _tincture_, from ten minims to one drachm.
[TO-DAY, HIS BEAUTEOUS VISAGE WE EXTOL.]
766. Epispastics and Rubefacients.
These are remedies which are applied to blister and cause redness of the surface. They consist of cantharides, ammonia, Burgundy pitch, and mustard.
767. Cantharides, or Spanish flies
Cantharides, or Spanish flies, when used internally, are diuretic and stimulant; and epispastic and rubefacient when applied externally.
_Mode of application._--A portion of the blistering plaster is spread with the thumb upon brown paper, linen, or leather, to the size required; its surface then _slightly_ moistened with olive oil and sprinkled with camphor, and the plaster applied by a _light_ bandage: or it is spread on adhesive plaster, and attached to the skin by the adhesive margin of the plaster.