Ult. præscr., ultimo præscriptus, last prescribed.
U. S. Ph., United States’ Pharmacopœia.
V. O. S., vitello ovi solutus, dissolved in the yolk of an egg.
Vom. urg., vomitione urgente, the vomiting being troublesome.
V. S. B., venæsectio brachii, bleeding from the arm.
Zz., zingiber, ginger.
See Formula, Prescriptions, Symbols, &c.
ABDO′MEN. [Eng., Fr., L.] In anatomy, the belly, or lower belly; the great cavity of the body extending from the thorax, or chest, to the bottom of the pelvis. It contains the stomach, intestines, liver, spleen, kidneys, bladder, &c.; and in the female, the uterus, ovaria. &c.
AB′ERNE′THY MEDICINES. These originally consisted of a calomel pill, and subsequently of a mercurial or ‘blue’ pill, to be taken over-night, followed by an aromatised black draught in the morning. The quantity of either of the former, for an adult, was about 3 gr. to 31⁄2 gr., increased a little in bulk by the addition of some liquorice powder; that of the latter, from 1 to 11⁄2 fl. oz. As, however, when frequently taken, these pills sometimes occasioned salivation, which proved prejudicial to their sale, a little compound extract of colocynth (Ph. L., 1836) was introduced into their composition, by which this objection was obviated. Ultimately, their composition was settled at 3 gr. of mercurial pill, and 2 gr. of compound extract of colocynth; and these proportions are still followed as the best by those who prepare and sell them.
Persons who object to black draught, will find a dose of castor oil, or of any other mild purgative medicine that may be more agreeable to them, equally efficacious.