[627]. In those districts where Soap is generally made from wood ashes, or from Russian or American potass, unless Salt were added in large quantities, it would not have any consistence. As Kelp and common Barilla contain a sufficient quantity of it, no further addition is required.
[628]. Transparent Soap is made by carefully evaporating the alcoholic solution. The solution itself is sold under the name of Shaving Liquid, or “Essence Royale pour faire la Barbe.”
[629]. When a solution of soap and sub-acetate of lead are added together, the potass of the former combines with the acetic acid of the latter, and the fat and oxyd of lead are disengaged; the one rising to the surface, while the other is precipitated; and yet notwithstanding this complete decomposition, some surgeons are in the habit of using an application which consists of a drachm of the Liquor Plumbi Sub-Acetatis, and two ounces of the Linimentum Saponis! We cannot have any hesitation in deciding upon the inefficacy of such a mixture.
[630]. Godfrey’s Cordial. The following receipt for this nostrum was obtained from a wholesale druggist, who makes and sells many hundred dozen bottles in the course of a year. There are however several other formulæ for its preparation, but they are not essentially different. Infuse ℥ix of Sassafras, and of the seeds of Carraway, Coriander, and Anise, of each ℥j, in six pints of water, simmer the mixture until it is reduced to four pints; then add ℔vj of Treacle, and boil the whole for a few minutes; when it is cold, add f℥iij of the tincture of Opium. The extensive and indiscriminate use of this nostrum in the nursery, is a subject of national opprobrium, and is so considered by foreign writers. See Fodéré, Medicine Legale, vol. iv. p. 22.
[631]. M. Virey says, “On observe que des acides châtrent, pour ainsi parler, tout l’energie de la Scammonée.”
[632]. Count Warwick’s Powder. The purgative long known and esteemed under this name, consisted of Scammony, Oxide of Antimony, and Cream of Tartar. It is much extolled by Baglivi, and by Van-Swieten, as an efficacious purgative in intermittent fevers.
[633]. The English physicians do not do justice to this valuable article. In this country it enjoys a high and deserved reputation. As a remedy in Croup it has long been esteemed as one of our most efficient resources, and more recently it has been very warmly recommended as a powerful emmenagogue. In Croup, it should not be given until after the use of venesection and other evacuants. It may then be administered in the form of decoction, prepared from half an ounce of the bruised root boiled in eight ounces of water down to four. Of this a tea spoonful is to be taken every hour or half hour as circumstances may require. When used as an emmenagogue, the decoction is to be prepared by simmering in a close vessel ℥j of the bruised root in a pint of boiling water, until it is reduced about one third—of this four ounces are to be taken daily, and to be increased as far as the stomach will bear, at the menstrual period. Ed.
[634]. It enters into the composition of Stoughton’s Elixir, for which see Gentianæ Radix.
[635]. It is for this reason that the cake left after expression is so much more pungent than the seeds, for the fixed oil can be easily separated by pressure.
[636]. Whitehead’s Essence of Mustard.—This consists of oil of turpentine, camphor, and a portion of spirit of rosemary; to which is added a small quantity of flour of mustard.