Solution of Veratria. Syn. Solutio veratriæ. Prep. Veratrine, 1 gr.; distilled water, 21⁄2 oz. Dr Turnbull’s solution, for external use, is—veratria, 1 scruple; rectified spirit, 2 oz.
Solution, Swan’s. Syn. Solutio sodæ hypophosphitis. Prep. Mr. Squire says this contains 3 gr. of the salt in a drachm.
SOL′VENT. Syn. Menstruum, L. The liquid in which any substance is dissolved. The substance dissolved is, occasionally, called the ‘solvend.’ (Kirwan.)
Solvent, Glazier’s. Syn. Glazier’s pickle. From soft soap dissolved in thrice its weight of strong soapers’ lye; or, from freshly slaked lime made into a thin paste or cream with twice its weight of pearlash dissolved in a little water. Very caustic. Used to soften old putty, and to remove old paint.
SOMNAMBULISM. Children are most subjected to sleep-walking. When adults are affected with it the cause may generally be traced to mental exhaustion, over-excitement, or emotional feeling. The most preferable method of awakening a somnambulist, if this be desirable, is by dashing cold water on the face. It is well to occasionally administer an
aperient, and also to rectify any errors of diet, if necessary, and to remove by the exercise of judicious and kindly advice, and change of scene undue excitement or morbid feeling.
The other precautions, such as securing the feet, &c., during sleep, guarding the exits of the bed-chamber, are so obvious as to need no further allusion to.
SOOT. Syn. Fuligo. Wood soot was formerly officinal, and reputed vermifuge and antiseptic. The soot from pit-coal contains, besides empyreumatic matter, sulphate of ammonia; hence it is valuable as a manure, when not too freely applied. It is also employed by gardeners to kill insects.
SOPORIF′ICS. Hypnotics (which see).
SORBITE. A crystalline saccharine substance resembling mannite, obtained by Boussingault from the berries of the mountain ash. It was obtained from the liquid containing the undecomposed saccharine matter remaining after the juice of the berries had been subjected to fermentation.