This is a solution of the Arsenite of Potass, coloured and flavoured by the Compound Spirit of Lavender, fʒj of which contains gr. ½ of arsenious acid. It was introduced into practice by Dr. Fowler of Stafford, as a substitute for the empirical remedy known by the name of “The Tasteless Ague Drop.” It is a powerful tonic, and has been very successfully administered in the cure of intermittent and remittent fevers, periodical headaches, and as an alterative in many anomalous diseases of the skin. It has been also given, with decided effect, in certain visceral obstructions; its use however is to a great degree empirical, although we may observe, generally, that wherever strong arterial action exists, arsenic will do harm. The addition of a few drops of Vinum Opii is said to render its operation safer and more efficacious. Incompatible Substances. Lime water; nitrate of silver; the salts of copper; hydro-sulphuret of potass, and the infusions and decoctions of bark. Dose, ♏︎iv, gradually increased to ♏︎xxx, twice a day. See Arsenicum Album.
LIQUOR CALCIS. L. Aqua Calcis. E. D.
Lime Water.
It is a saturated solution of lime in water; f℥j of which contains 3/4 of a grain.[[553]] Incompatible Substances. All alkaline and metallic salts; borates; tartrates; citrates; acids; sulphur; spirituous preparations, and the infusions of all astringent vegetables. It should be kept in close vessels, for if exposed to the air, the lime will attract carbonic acid, and become an insoluble carbonate; the addition of an alkaline carbonate produces the same effect instantaneously.[[554]] If animal charcoal be boiled with lime-water, it will precipitate the whole of the lime, an effect which is not produced by charcoal of vegetable origin. Med. Uses. It is an antacid, and is therefore useful in dyspepsia attended with acidity; Form. 149. Mixed with an equal quantity of milk, it furnishes an excellent remedy in infantile complaints connected with bowel affections; it is likewise astringent in leucorrhæa, in the last stages of dysentery, and in protracted diarrhœa. It dissolves also the slimy mucus with which disordered bowels are so generally infested; on account of this latter property, it has been exhibited in calculous affections,[[555]] with the view of dissolving the cementing ingredient of the concretion, and thereby of destroying its cohesion: see page 123. Not being very nauseous, it is easily given under any circumstances, and it is not liable to produce that irritability of stomach which frequently attends the long continued use of the fixed alkalies. It also frequently forms the basis of astringent gargles. Lime water moreover affords a successful remedy in certain cutaneous affections, particularly those affecting the face, as Gutta Rosea. Sir G. Blane has also seen some remarkable cures of herpetic complaints of the legs by large doses; he has also employed it with effect as a lotion. Forms of Exhibition. Milk disguises its flavour, without impairing its virtues. Dose, f℥j to f℥vj. Sugar has the curious property of rendering lime more soluble in water. See Saccharum.
LIQUOR CALCIS MURIATIS. L.D.
Solution of Muriate of Lime.
This solution is said to be tonic and deobstruent, and to have been advantageously given in scrofula. It has also been found useful in Urticaria, and several other forms of cutaneous disease. Incompatibles. Sulphuric acid, and the Sulphates; the fixed alkalies and their carbonates; ammonia produces no change in the solution, but its carbonate decomposes it, and precipitates carbonate of lime. Dose, ♏︎xx to fʒij.
LIQUOR CUPRI AMMONIATI. L.
Solution of Ammoniated Copper.
This is a simple solution of the salt in distilled water. The preparation, although perfectly transparent when first formed, soon becomes turbid and deposits oxide of copper; this arises from the escape of ammonia, and may be prevented by the occasional addition of a small quantity of the volatile alkali. See Cuprum Ammoniatum. The Medicinal Dynameter will show the proportion of salt in any given quantity of the solution.