[429]. The Pearl Powder of Perfumers is obtained from the nitric solution of Bismuth, by adding a proportion of muriatic acid, and then precipitating by a small quantity of water. In this way it is obtained in the form of minute scales of a pearly lustre.
[430]. The gas which arises from the combustion of mineral coal will produce the same effect. It is related of a lady of fashion, who had incautiously seated herself too near the fire, at a quadrille party, that her countenance changed on a sudden from a delicate white to a dark tawney, as though by magic. The surprise and confusion of the whole party had such an effect upon the disfigured fair one, that she was actually dying from apprehension, when the physician dispelled their fears by informing his patient that nothing more was necessary than for her to abstain from the use of mineral cosmetics, and to trust in future to those charms which Nature had bestowed upon her.
[431]. L. F. Jacobi de Bismutho. Erford, 1697.
[432]. Journal de Medicine, 1786, T. 68. p. 49.
[433]. Vol. iv. p. 156.
[434]. In this country Bismuth has enjoyed for some years a reputation exceedingly high. Dr. Samuel W. Moore, of New-York, was the first to call the attention of the American medical public to it, in a valuable dissertation which was published in the year 1810. In this Essay are recorded a number of cases illustrative of the salutary effects of this medicine in spasmodic pain and other troublesome affections of the stomach. In addition to its use in gastric disorders, Dr. Carmichael, of Virginia, has administered it with success in the treatment of Intermittents. Ed.
[435]. Very lately our attention has been particularly called to this plant by Dr. E. G. Ludlow of New-York, who speaks of it in terms of high commendation. He says “the diseases in which I have used it are exclusively those of the Chylopoietic viscera, as dyspepsia, diarrhœa and cholera. For the removal of pain and flatulence in the bowels, which may be enumerated among the most frequent and distressing symptoms of the first stage of indigestion, Calamus is superior to any other carminative; by virtue of its aroma it creates a strong sensation of warmth in the stomach, increasing its action without sensibly augmenting the force of the circulation, while its powerful bitter principle gives permanent tone to the relaxed state of the fibres.” New-York Med. & Phys. Journal, No. 11. p. 321. The Tincture is the preferable form of administering the Calamus. The dose is from ℥ss to ℥j. Ed.
[436]. The Specific of Herrenschwand, which formerly excited so much interest in Germany, consisted of 10 grains of Camboge with 20 of Sub-carbonate of Potass; although it is said, that on its being analyzed by order of Elizabeth of Russia, there were also found in it both Mercury and Arsenic.
Camboge is also the basis of the Specific of Clossius.
Golden Spirit of Scurvy Grass. This is merely a solution of Camboge in the Spir: Armoraciæ comp: