LIQUOR FERRI ALKALINI. L.
Solution of Alkaline Iron.
This preparation is nearly the same as Stahl’s Tinctura Martis Alkalina. Chemical Composition. It is by no means ascertained. Incompatible Substances. It is a most injudicious preparation, for it cannot be exhibited in any form without decomposition; water, especially if not distilled, and vegetable infusions and decoctions, produce dense precipitates; pure acids, alkalies, and spirit, also decompose it. I must confess my regret at the College having retained this preparation in their Pharmacopœia; the committee agreed to reject it, but their judgment was reversed by the votes of the Comitia Majora. Should any practitioner be unable to procure this preparation, I will give him an easy receipt for producing it, viz. Let him keep the Mistura Ferri composita in an open vessel, until it is entirely spoilt!
LIQUOR HYDRARGYRI OXY-MURIATIS. L.
This solution of corrosive sublimate is intended to facilitate the exhibition of minute doses of the salt; f℥j contains gr. ½; when long kept, or exposed to light, the oxy-muriate is decomposed, and calomel is precipitated; (see Hydrag: Oxymuriatis:) or, what is more dangerous, it is sometimes deposited in crystals, without decomposition; a small portion of muriatic acid, or muriate of ammonia in the solution, prevents this precipitation. Dose, fʒss to fʒij, in an infusion of linseed.
LIQUOR PLUMBI SUB-ACETATIS. L.
Liquor Sub-Acetatis Lithargyri. D.
Aqua Lithargyri Acetati, P. L. 1767.
Solution of Sub-acetate of Lead: olim, Extract of Saturn.
This preparation was introduced by M. Goulard of Montpellier, hence it has been commonly known by the name of Goulard’s Extract. Qualities. It is of a greenish straw colour, and has an austere, sweetish taste; when kept it deposits a quantity of oxide, and becomes lighter coloured. Chemical Composition. It is a saturated solution of the sub-acetate of lead, consisting, according to Berzelius, of one proportional of acid, and three proportionals of oxide of lead; hence its name is correct. It is the only instance with which we are acquainted of a real sub-salt being soluble in water. Incompatible Substances. Alkalies and their carbonates precipitate a white sub-salt; alkaline sulphates and sulphurets; mucilage. Spring Water, from the salts which it contains, produces with it a very milky and turbid appearance; and even when distilled, in consequence of the carbonic acid diffused through it, it occasions precipitation. The Surgeon will remember that the Linimentum Saponis cannot be mixed with it, without mutual decomposition. See Sapo. Med. Uses. It is only used externally, in superficial and phlegmonic inflammations of the skin, and in herpetic affections. It has been a question whether Lead, in any form, should ever be applied to an open wound, or to an abraded surface;[[556]] as a general rule, it should not certainly be applied to such as are recent, nor to those whose character indicates a diminished state of vitality in the parts, and exhibits a disposition to gangrene. The abuse of Saturnine lotions has been frequently descanted upon by foreign writers, and, among the evils which are supposed to be thus induced, impotence is mentioned as one of not unfrequent occurrence. See Institutioni di Medicina Forens: di Tortosa, vol. 1. p. 58. also Fritze Compend: sopra le Malat: Vener: p. 189. and Monteggia Annotat: sopra i Mali Venerei, p. 36. There is a paper in the third volume of the Medical Transactions, by Dr. Reynolds, in which the case of a gentleman is detailed, who brought on a temporary paralysis of the Sphincter Ani, by freely using Goulard’s lotion for the cure of the Piles. The value of Saturnine applications in common inflammation most probably arises from a partial paralysis of the nerves of the part, produced by the sedative agency of the lead.