Phitkarí (Hind.), Phitkarí (Beng.), Fatkarí (Punj.), Fatkar, Phatkar (Kash.), Pati-káram (Tam., Tel.), Chinik-káram (Mal.), Pati-kárá (Can.), Patikár, Turatí (Mah.), Sina-karam (Cing.), Keo-khin (Burm.), Twas (Malay).
22. Alum of good quality is generally procurable in all bazaars. It should be in colourless, transparent, crystalline masses, or pieces of various sizes, with an acid, sweetish, astringent taste. When mixed with impurities, as it often is, it may be rendered fit for medicinal purposes by dissolving it in boiling water, straining the solution, and evaporating it so as to obtain crystals, which should be preserved for use. Alum, whether applied externally or given internally, is a valuable astringent. Dose, from 10 to 20 grains for adults.
23. In that form of Ophthalmia commonly known in India by the name of Country Sore Eyes, especially when it attacks children, a solution of Alum is often of great service. For children the strength of three grains to an ounce of water is sufficient; but for adults, a solution of double this strength may be used: the eyes should be freely washed with it four or five times a day, or a cloth wet with it may be kept constantly applied. If the eyelids are much swollen, especially in the morning, they should be well bathed with warm milk, the eyelids should then be carefully separated, and the Alum lotion dropped in. There is a native plan of treatment of these cases which proves in many instances effectual, but it has the disadvantage of being very painful for a short time. It is as follows: Place some finely powdered alum on a heated plate of iron, and whilst it is in a state of fusion add a small portion of lemon or lime-juice, until it forms a black, soft mass. This, whilst hot, is applied entirely round the orbit, care being taken that none of it gets beneath the eyelids, as it causes under such circumstances intense agony. One or two applications, each being allowed to remain on for twelve hours, suffice ordinarily to effect a cure.
24. After severe Blows on the Eye, when the pain and heat have subsided, and much discoloration and swelling remain, an Alum poultice is an effectual application. It is made by rubbing up 30 grains of powdered alum with the white of an egg till it forms a coagulum. This placed between two pieces of thin rag or muslin, should be kept applied to the eye for some hours.
25. In Hæmorrhage from the Lungs, Stomach, Kidneys, Uterus, and other Internal Organs, Alum, in doses of 10 to 12 grains, thrice daily, with or without opium, may often be given with advantage. It is, however, inadmissible if much fever is present, and should at once be discontinued if after the first few doses the symptoms are at all aggravated. The following, called Alum Whey, is a good form of administration: Boil for ten minutes two drachms of powdered Alum in a pint of milk, and strain; of this, the dose is one and a half to two ounces thrice daily. This may also be given with the view of checking Excessive Menstrual Discharges (Menorrhagia) and Bleeding from Piles. In this last case, clothes saturated with a solution of Alum in decoction of Galls (145) or Babúl bark (9), in the proportion of two drachms to eight ounces, should be kept constantly applied externally. This application also proves useful in Prolapsus (descent) of the Anus, especially in children. In Profuse Bleeding from the Nose injections of a solution of Alum (20 grains to one ounce of water) into the nostril is sometimes effectual; care, however, is required in its use. Powdered Alum, or a very strong saturated solution, applied locally on a compress, occasionally suffices to arrest Bleeding from Leech-bites, Cuts, &c.
26. In the Chronic Diarrhœa of Natives, the following mixture has been found useful: Take of Alum ten grains, infusion of Acorus root (12), one and a half ounce, Laudanum, five drops; repeat three or four times daily. In the Diarrhœa which precedes Cholera, and in the early stages of Cholera, the following powders are worthy of a trial. Take Alum, Catechu, and Cinnamon, of each, powdered, ten grains, mix with honey, and give at a dose. It may be repeated every one or two hours, according to circumstances. It proves useful also in controlling the Diarrhœa of Phthisis.
27. As a palliative in Diabetes, "Alum Whey," prepared as directed in paragraph 25, may be tried; under its use the quantity of urine voided is, in some instances, diminished. In Albuminuria, also, it has been useful in some instances in reducing the proportion of albumen in the urine.
28. In Hooping Cough, when the first or acute stage has passed, no remedy is more generally efficacious than Alum, in doses of three or four grains, every four or six hours for a child from two to three years old. It may be given in the form of powder or in solution (Alum 25 grains, Omum Water three ounces) in doses of a dessert-spoonful every four or six hours for a child from two to four years old.
29. For Relaxed or Ulcerated Sore Throat, for Ulceration and Sponginess of the Gums, in Salivation, and in Fissures of the Tongue in Consumption, a very useful gargle or mouth wash is made by dissolving two drachms of Alum in a pint of the decoction of Galls (145) or Babúl Bark (9), and sweetening with honey. For the small white Ulcers (Aphthæ, or Thrush) in the mouths of infants and young children, a better application is 20 grains of finely powdered Alum, incorporated with one ounce of honey. This may be applied twice daily, with the tip of the finger. In the severer Ulcerative forms of the disease (Ulcerative Stomatitis) Alum in fine powder, or in strong solution, proves a more effectual application.
30. There is a disease often confounded with Gonorrhœa, where the discharge does not come, as it does in true gonorrhœa, from the urethra, but from a sore or excoriated surface between the prepuce and the head of the penis. For this there is no better application than a solution of Alum, 20 grains in one ounce of water. It may be used twice or thrice daily. The strictest cleanliness should be enforced at the same time. In Gleet, a solution of Alum (three grains), in water (one ounce), used as an injection twice daily, is often productive of benefit. In Leucorrhœa and other Vaginal Discharges, injections of Alum in decoction of Galls or Babúl bark, as advised in the last paragraph, often prove very useful.