Menthol (Mint Camphor, Japanese Peppermint). Analgesic, antiseptic, anæsthetic, and vascular stimulant.
Uses.—In pruritus vulvæ, vomiting of pregnancy, and hæmorrhoids.
Dose.—By mouth 3–5 gr. In tampons, one part to five of oil. In ointments one part to sixteen. To the vulva for pruritus, use the spirits in 5% solution.
Mercury (Hydrargyrum). Cathartic, alterative, antisyphilitic, antiseptic and disinfectant. Readily absorbed by the unprotected mucous surface and relatively inert when the membrane is covered by a discharge. Solutions of the bichloride when used as a lotion unite with the albumin of a mucous discharge and form an albuminate of mercury, which is inactive. Bichloride solutions have small place in obstetrics. They are hard on the hands and destructive to instruments. Other agents like lysol, ziratol and chinosol have satisfactory germicidal properties and in addition are nonpoisonous, lubricative and cleansing.
Mercury should only be given to the infant in the form of calomel (the mild chloride). The dose is 1
12-⅛ gr., repeated if necessary.
Morphine. Alkaloid of opium.
Antispasmodic, hypnotic, analgesic and narcotic.
Uses.—To relieve pain, produce sleep, check diarrhœa, and to control the pain, as well as the contractions of abortion. To relax a rigid os.
Dose.—In “Twilight Sleep” and rigid os the first dose is Morph. sul. 1/6¼ gr. and scopolamine Hydrobromid 1/200–1/150. The scopolamine to be repeated if required, in one-half or three-quarters of an hour. The usual dose of morphine hypodermically is 1
12½ gr.
Nitroglycerine (Glonoin). Vasomotor dilator, arterial stimulant.