Plaster, Bryony. (Boerhaave.) Syn. Emplastrum bryoniæ. Prep. Strained galbanum, 4 oz.; wax plaster, 9 oz.; olive oil, 1 oz. Melt together and add powdered bryony root, 2 oz.; flowers of sulphur, 1 oz.; Ethiops mineral, 2 dr.; stir till cold.
Plaster of Bur′gundy Pitch. Syn. Cephalic plaster, Breath p.; Emplastrum picis (B. P., Ph. L. & E.), E. p. compositum, E. p. Burgundicæ, L. Prep. 1. (Ph. L.) Prepared (strained) Burgundy pitch, 2 lbs.; prepared frankincense (thus), 1 lb.; yellow resin and beeswax, of each 4 oz.; melt them together, then add, olive oil and water, of each 2 fl. oz.; expressed oil of nutmeg (mace), 1 oz.; and, constantly stirring, evaporate to a proper consistence.
2. (Ph. E.) Burgundy pitch, 1 lb.; resin and beeswax, of each 2 oz.; olive oil and water, of each 1 fl. oz.; oil of mace, 1⁄2 oz.; as the last.
3. (B. P.) Burgundy pitch, 26; common frankincense, 13; resin, 41⁄2; yellow wax, 41⁄2; expressed oil of nutmegs, 1; olive oil, 2; water, 2; add the oil and the water to the other ingredients, previously melted together; stir, and evaporate to a proper consistency.
Uses, &c. Burgundy-pitch plaster is stimulant, rubefacient, and counter-irritant. It is a common application to the chest in pulmonary affections, to the joints in rheumatism, and to the loins in lumbago. Spread on leather, it forms a good warm plaster to wear on the chest during the winter. “When it produces a serous exudation, it should be frequently renewed.”
The Burgundy-pitch plaster of the shops is commonly made as follows:—Factitious Burgundy pitch (bright coloured), 42 lbs.; palm oil (bright), 3⁄4 lb.; beeswax (bright), 5 lbs.; melt, and, when nearly cold, add, of oil of mace, 6 oz.; oil of nutmeg, 1 oz.
Plaster of Burgundy Pitch (Irritating). (Ph. G.) Syn. Emplastrum picis irritans. Prep. Burgundy pitch, 32 oz.; yellow wax, 12 oz.; turpentine, 12 oz.; euphorbium, 3 oz.
Plaster, Califa′cient. Syn. Warm plaster; Emplastrum calefaciens (Ph. D.), L. Prep. (Ph. D.) 1. Plaster of cantharides, 1⁄2 lb. (1 part); Burgundy pitch, 51⁄2 lbs. (11 parts); melt them together by a gentle heat, and stir the mixture as it cools until it stiffens. Stimulant, rubefacient, and counter-irritant; in a variety of affections. In some persons, when long applied, it blisters or produces a running sore.
2. (Ph. B.) Cantharides in coarse powder, 4 oz.; boiling water, 1 pint; expressed oil of nutmeg, 4 oz.; yellow wax, 4 oz.; resin, 4 oz.; soap plaster, 31⁄4 lbs.; resin plaster, 2 lbs. Infuse the cantharides in the boiling water for six hours; squeeze strongly through calico, and evaporate the expressed liquid by a water bath till reduced to one third. Then add the other ingredients and melt in a water bath, stirring well till the whole is thoroughly mixed.
Plaster, Camphor. Syn. Emplastrum camphoræ. Camphor is best applied by sprinkling the powder on the warm surface of a spread adhesive or other plaster. Blisters are treated in this way to prevent strangury.