SCALDS. See Burns and Scalds.
SCALL. Syn. Scald. The popular name of several skin diseases distinguished by scabs or scurfiness, whether dry or humid. See Eruptions, Ringworm, &c.
SCAM′MONY. Syn. Scammonium (B. P., Ph. L., E., & D.), L. The “gum resin emitted from the cut root of Convolvulus Scammonia, Linn.” (Ph. L.), or Aleppo scammony plant.
There are three principal varieties or qualities of scammony known in the market; viz. VIRGIN (sp. gr. 1·21); SECONDS (sp. gr. 1·460 to 1·463); and THIRDS (sp. gr. 1·465 to 1·500). The best, and that only intended to be used in medicine, is imported from Aleppo.
Pur. Scammony is not only largely adulterated in the country of its production, but again after its arrival in England. Smyrna scammony, a very inferior variety, is also commonly dressed up, and sold as Aleppo scammony. In many cases substances are sold at the public sales in London, and elsewhere, as scammony, which contain only a mere trace of that article. This is all ground up to form the scammony powder of the shops. (Vide ‘Evid. Com. Ho. Com.,’ 1155.) Pure scammony has a peculiar cheesy smell, and a greenish-grey colour. It is “porous and brittle, and the freshly broken surface shines; hydrochloric acid being dropped on it, it emits no bubbles; nor does the powder digested in water, at heat of 170° Fahr., become blue by the simultaneous addition of iodide of potassium and dilute nitric acid. Out of 100 gr., 78 (80—Ph. E.) should be soluble in ether.” (Ph. L.) The tincture of pure scammony is not turned green by nitric acid. If the powder effervesce with dilute acids, it contains chalk.
Uses, &c. Pure scammony is a powerful drastic purgative and anthelmintic, inadmissible in inflammatory conditions of the alimentary canal, but well adapted for torpid and inactive conditions of the abdominal organs. Associated with calomel, rhubarb, or sulphate of potassa, it is useful in all cases in which an active cathartic or vermifuge may be required, especially for children.—Dose. (For an adult) 5 to 15 gr., in powder, or made into a bolus or emulsion.
SCARLATI′NA. See Scarlet fever.
SCAR′LET DYE. Proc. (Poërner.)—a. The ‘Bouillon.’ Take of cream of tartar, 13⁄4 oz.; water, q. s.; boil in a block-tin vessel, and when dissolved, add of solution of tin (made by dissolving 2 oz. of grain tin in a mixture of 1 lb. each of nitric acid and water, and 11⁄2 oz. of sal ammoniac), 13⁄4 oz.; boil for 3 minutes,
then introduce the cloth, boil for 2 hours, drain it, and let it cool.—b. The ‘Rougie.’ Next take of cream of tartar, 1⁄4 oz.; water, q. s.; boil, and add powdered cochineal, 1 oz.; again boil for 5 minutes, then gradually add of solution of tin, 1 oz., stirring well all the time; lastly, put in the goods and dye as quickly as possible. The quantities given are those for 1 to 11⁄4 lb. of woollen cloth. The result is a full scarlet. To make the colour turn on the ‘ponceau’ or poppy, a little turmeric is added to the bath.
Obs. Scarlet is red with a tinge of yellow; it is nearly always produced by cochineal. See Red dye.