Nousádar (Hind.), Nouságar (Duk.), Noshágar (Beng.), Charám, Navá-charám (Tam.), Navá-charám, Nava-ságaram (Tel.), Nava-sáram (Mal.), Navá-ságára (Can.), Nav-sága (Guz.), Navá-cháram (Cing.), Zavasa (Burm.), Namu-charum (Malay), Nãushádar (Punj.), Nausadan (Kash.).
324. Sal Ammoniac, procurable in most Indian bazaars, is generally very impure; occurring in thick translucent cakes or masses of a dirty white or brownish colour, inodorous, of a bitter, acrid taste. To fit it for medical use, it should be dissolved in boiling water, strained through calico, and the clear solution exposed in an open vessel to crystallise. The crystals and white residuum should be collected and kept in bottles for use. Thus prepared, it proves valuable in many affections. Its nauseous taste, which is a great objection to its use, is completely covered by the addition of a small quantity of liquorice.
325. Milk Abscesses occurring after confinements and in nursing mothers may often be arrested, if at an early stage, before matter forms, the breast be kept constantly wet by means of rags saturated with a lotion composed of one drachm of Sal Ammoniac, one ounce of Arrack, and a pint of Rose Water. It also proves useful in removing any hardness which may remain after the abscess has burst, and is sometimes successful in arresting Abscesses in other parts of the body, when applied at an early stage before matter has formed.
326. In Tic Douloureux and Rheumatic Faceache, Sal Ammoniac occasionally proves very useful. Two drachms in six ounces of water should be taken in divided doses (1½ ounce for a dose), every four hours, till relief is obtained: if the pain does not yield after the four doses, no benefit can be expected from persevering with it. Other forms of Neuralgia, as Sciatica and Lumbago, have also been found to yield to it, when administered early in the attack.
327. In Chronic Rheumatism, especially when the muscles are mainly affected, Sal Ammoniac, in doses of 15 to 24 grains, with infusion of Country Sarsaparilla (163), proves highly serviceable; but it is even more effectual in relieving those Muscular pains of the Chest and other parts of the trunk so often met with in the overworked and underfed portion of the working classes in large cities. In these cases it requires to be persevered in for some time.
328. Hysterical, Nervous, and Bilious Headaches are often greatly benefited, or disappear altogether, under the use of this salt in doses of 10 to 20 grains twice or thrice daily, dissolved in Camphor Julep. The earlier in the attack it is given, the greater are the chances of its proving effectual.
329. In Chronic Coughs, especially in those of old age, a mixture of a drachm of Sal Ammoniac, two ounces of syrup of country Liquorice (6), and four ounces of Water, in doses of one ounce five or six times a day, occasionally proves serviceable. In doses of from 1 to 5 grains, according to the age of the child, conjoined with a few grains of powdered Cinnamon, it has been found useful in Hooping Cough; it is inferior in efficacy to Alum, but may be commenced with safety and advantage at a much earlier period in the attack.
330. In Hæmorrhage from the Lungs, Stomach, and other Internal Organs, it is worthy of a trial if other more effectual agents are not at hand. In these cases, two drachms should be dissolved in a pint of conjee water, and a wineglassful given every second or third hour, according to the severity of the case. The patient should be kept quiet, cool, and in the recumbent posture.
331. In Jaundice, especially when it comes on suddenly, after a great mental shock, or after exposure, a few doses of Sal Ammoniac (20 grains every four hours) have often a marked effect. In Hepatitis and Abscess of the Liver, Dr. W. Stewart, after considerable experience in its use, regards this salt almost as a specific, and he pronounces it very serviceable in all cases of Liver Disease, whether depending on organic change or on functional derangement. The proper period for its exhibition is after the abatement of acute symptoms, and when diaphoresis (sweating) has been freely established, and it should then be administered in doses of 20 grains night and morning. The evidence he adduces in support of his views is very strong. He also speaks highly of its efficacy in Chronic Dysentery, and advises its continued use for some time after the disappearance of acute symptoms. (Madras Journal of Med. Science, 1870, and Feb., March, and Dec. 1872.) In Dropsy, especially in that connected with disease of the liver, or in that following fevers, it may be administered with advantage in the same doses, conjoined with Infusion of Moringa (237), or Decoction of Asteracantha (39).