264. In Fever, when the skin is hot and dry, the tongue parched, the thirst great, and the urine scanty and high-coloured, an excellent refrigerant drink may be made by dissolving two drachms of Nitre in a quart bottle of thin conjee, and sweetening to the taste with honey or sugar candy. This quantity may be taken daily, in divided doses as an ordinary drink. Tamarind or Lime Juice may be added to improve the flavour if desired. It will be found to moderate the fever, cause some perspiration, and increase the quantity of urine. Should the patient reject the first one or two doses, it should still be persevered in, unless it should manifestly disagree. In Smallpox, Measles, Influenza, and Catarrhal attacks, the above drink has also been found useful. For children the strength should be reduced one-half or more.

265. For the relief of Headache and Delirium, occurring in the course of Fever, a very cold and agreeable lotion for the head may be made by dissolving two ounces of Nitre, and an equal quantity of Sal Ammoniac, in a quart bottle full of Water; this should be applied by constant relays of freshly wetted cloths.

266. In Inflammatory Sore Throat, a popular remedy, sometimes successful in the early stages, is a small piece of Nitre allowed to dissolve slowly in the mouth.

267. In Bleeding from the Lungs, Stomach, Uterus, or other internal organs, attended by Fever, Nitre proves serviceable though it is not to be relied upon as the sole means of cure. It may be given in doses of ten to fifteen grains, in three ounces of conjee or simple water four of five times a day; the patient at the same time being kept perfectly quiet and cool.

268. In Asthma, great relief in many instances results from the inhalation of burning Nitre. For this purpose, dissolve four ounces of the salt in half a pint of boiling water in an open vessel; immerse moderately thick blotting-paper in it for a few minutes, then dry it by exposure in the air or to the fire; when quite dry, cut it in pieces about four inches square, and keep ready for use. Immediately when an attack threatens, burn one, or, if required, two pieces of this paper, so that the fumes may be freely inhaled; but it should not be held too near the face, or the fumes may prove too irritating, and increase rather than diminish the symptoms. The same measure proves very useful in Spasmodic Coughs, whether connected with Chronic Bronchitis or not. Persons thus afflicted will do well to burn one or two pieces of this Nitre Paper in the bedroom before retiring to rest at bedtime, care being taken to prevent the too ready escape of the fumes.

269. In Gonorrhœa, a solution of a drachm of Nitre in a pint of rice conjee or decoction of Abelmoschus (2) taken freely as a drink, serves to allay the heat on passing urine. Obstinate cases of Leucorrhœa sometimes yield to a combination of Nitre (10 grains) and Alum (5 grains) taken thrice daily. It may be advantageously given in conjunction with infusion of Moringa (237). Nitre has been found to act beneficially as a diuretic in the early stages of Dropsy.

270. In Acute Rheumatism, Nitre may be given with advantage, commencing with doses of 40 grains, twice daily: this may be gradually increased to 60, 90, up to 120 grains, the vehicle in each case being half a pint of warm rice conjee. The quantity of Nitre may be diminished as the severity of the symptoms subsides. A strong solution of Nitre (three ounces to a pint of water) forms a most soothing application to the swollen and painful joints; cloths saturated with it should be kept constantly applied; the ease which it affords is often very great.

271.

Nutmegs and Mace.

The products of Myristica officinalis (Linn.).