Sarsiparilla is diaphoretic, alterative, diuretic, and tonic.

It is given

in cutaneous diseases, old-standing rheumatism, scrofula, and debility.

, of the

, from four to eight ounces; of the

, from four to eight ounces; of the

, from five grains to one drachm.

Expectorants are medicines given to promote the secretion from the windpipe, &c. They consist of antimony, ipecacuanha, squills, ammoniacum, and tolu.

Ammoniacum is an expectorant, antispasmodic, diuretic, and deobstruent.

It is

as a discutient, and is given

, with great benefit in asthma, hysteria, and chronic catarrh.

, from ten to twenty grains.

Tolu is an excellent expectorant, when there are no inflammatory symptoms.

It is given

in asthma and chronic catarrh.

, of the

, from five to thirty grains, combined with mucilage and suspended in water; of the

, from a half to one drachm; of the

, from a half to four drachms.

These are given to increase the flow of saliva or spittle. They consist of ginger and calomel, pellitory of Spain, tobacco, the acids, and some others.

Ginger ia a sialogogue, carminative, and stimulant.

It is

in flatulent colic, dyspepsia, and to prevent the griping of medicines. When chewed, it acts as a sialogogue, and is therefore useful in relaxed uvula.

, from ten to twenty grains of the

; of the

, from ten minims to one drachm.

These are remedies which are applied to blister and cause redness of the surface. They consist of cantharides, ammonia, Burgundy pitch, and mustard.

Cantharides, or Spanish flies, when used internally, are diuretic and stimulant; and epispastic and rubefacient when applied externally.

—A portion of the blistering plaster is spread with the thumb upon brown paper, linen, or leather, to the size required; its surface then

moistened with olive oil and sprinkled with camphor, and the plaster applied by a

bandage: or it is spread on adhesive plaster, and attached to the skin by the adhesive margin of the plaster.

—If a blister is to be applied to the head, shave it at least ten hours before it is put on; it is better to place a thin piece of gauze, wetted with vinegar, between the skin and the blister. If a distressing feeling be experienced about the bladder, give warm and copious draughts of linseed tea, milk, or decoction of quince seeds, and apply warm fomentations of milk and water to the blistered surface. The

for a

to remain on varies from eight to ten hours for adults, and from twenty minutes to two hours for children: as soon as it is removed, if the blister is not raised, apply a "spongio-piline" poultice, and it will then rise properly. When it is required to act as a rubefacient, the blister should remain on from one to three hours for adults, and from fifteen to forty minutes for children.

—Cut the bag of cuticle containing the scrum at the lowest part, by snipping it with the scissors, so as to form an opening like this—

; and then apply a piece of calico, spread with spermaceti or some other dressing. Such is the ordinary method; but a much better and more expeditious plan, and one that prevents all pain and inconvenience in the healing, is, after cutting the blister as directed above, to immediately cover it with a warm bread and water poultice for about an hour and a half, and on the removal of the poultice to dust the raw surface with violet powder; apply a handkerchief to retain the powder, and lastly dust the part every two hours. It will be healed in twelve hours.

—Never attempt to take cantharides internally, except under the advice of a medical man, as it is a poison, and requires extreme caution in its use.

Burgundy Pitch is warmed and spread upon linen or leather, and applied over the chest in cases of catarrh, difficult breathing, and hooping cough; over the loins in debility or lumbago; and over any part that it is desirable to excite a mild degree of inflammation in.

These comprise refrigerants, antacids, antalkalies, and escharotics.

These are medicines given for the purpose of suppressing an unnatural heat of the body. They are Seville oranges, lemons, tamarinds, nitre, and cream of tartar.

Seville Oranges and sweet oranges are formed into a refrigerant beverage, which is extremely grateful in febrile diseases.

The

is an agreeable mild tonic, carminative, and stomachic.

, of the

, from one to four drachms; of the

, from one to two ounces.

Lemons are used to form a refrigerant beverage, which is given to quench thirst in febrile and inflammatory diseases,

Lemon

given with carbonate of potash (half an ounce of the juice to twenty grains of the salt), and taken while effervescing, allays vomiting; a tablespoonful, taken occasionally, allays hysterical palpitations of the heart, it is useful in scurvy caused by eating too much salt food, but requires to be taken with sugar.

The

forms a nice mild tonic and stomachic in certain forms of dyspepsia.

of the

(made the same as orange peel), from one to two ounces.

These are given to correct acidity in the system. They are soda, ammonia, chalk, and magnesia.

Soda, Carbonate of, and Sesquicarbonate of Soda, are antacids and deobstruents.

They are

in acidity of the stomach and dyspepsia.

of both preparations, from 10 grains to half a drachm.

These are given to neutralize an alkaline state of the system. They are citric acid, lemon juice, and tartaric acid.

Citric Acid is used to check profuse sweating, and as a substitute for lemon juice when it cannot be procured.

, from ten to thirty grains.

Tartaric Acid, when largely diluted, forms an excellent refrigerant beverage and antalkali. It enters into the composition of extemporaneous soda and Seidlitz waters.

, from ten to thirty grains.

These are remedies used to destroy the vitality of a part. They comprise lunar caustic, bluestone, and solution of chloride of zinc.

Bluestone, or Sulphate of Copper, is used in a solution of from four to fifteen grains to the ounce of water, and applied to foul and indolent ulcers, by means of rag dipped in it. It is rubbed in substance on fungous growths, warts, &c., to destroy them.

.—It is a poison.

Lunar Caustic; or Nitrate of Silver, is an excellent remedy in erysipelas when applied in solution (one drachm of the salt to one ounce of water), which should be brushed all over the inflamed part, and for an inch beyond it. This blackens the skin, but it soon peels off. To destroy warts, proud flesh, and unhealthy edges of ulcers, &c., it is invaluable; and as an application to bed sores, pencilled over with a solution of the same strength, and in the same manner as for erysipelas.

.—It is a poison.

Solution of Chloride of Zinc, more commonly known as Sir William Burnett's "Disinfecting Fluid," is a valuable escharotic in destroying the parts of poisoned wounds, such as the bite of a mad dog. It is also very useful in restoring the hair after the scalp has been attacked with ringworm; but its use requires extreme caution, as it is a powerful escharotic. In itch, diluted (one part to thirty-two) with water, it appears to answer very well.

.—It is a most powerful poison.

These comprise anthelmintics, demulcents, diluents, and emollients.

These are medicines given for the purpose of expelling or destroying worms. They are cowhage, scammony, male fern root, calomel, gamboge, tin, and turpentine.

Cowhage is used to expel the round worm, which it does by wounding it with the fine prickles.

of the confection, for a child three or four years old, a teaspoonful early, for three mornings, followed by a dose of castor oil. (

Male Fern Root is a powerful anthelmintic, and an astringent. It is used to kill tapeworm.

, three drachms of the powdered root mixed in a teacupful of water, to be taken in the morning while in bed, and followed by a brisk purgative two hours afterwards; or from a tablespoonful to a wineglassful, according to age, to be taken early in the morning. (

).

Gamboge is a powerful drastic and anthelmintic.

It is

in dropsy, and for the expulsion of tapeworm; but its use requires caution, as it is an irritant poison.

, from two to six grains, in the form of pills, combined with colocynth, soap, rhubarb, or bread-crumbs.

These are used to diminish irritation, and soften parts by protecting them with a viscid matter. They are tragacanth, linseed, marsh-mallow, mallow, liquorice, arrowroot, isinglass, suet, wax, and almonds.

Tragacanth is used to allay tickling cough, and lubricate abraded parts. It is usually given in the form of mucilage.

, from ten grains to one drachm, or more.

Linseed is emollient and demulcent.

It is

, in the form of powder or "meal," as a poultice; and the oil, combined with lime water, is applied to burns and scalds.

It is used

as an infusion in diarrhœa, dysentery, and irritation of the intestines after certain poisons, and in catarrh. The best form of linseed meal is that which is obtained from seed from which the oil has not been extracted.

, of the

, as much as the patient pleases.

Marsh-Mallow is

in the same diseases as linseed.

The leaves are

as a fomentation, and the boiled roots are bruised and applied as an emollient poultice.

, the same as for linseed.

Mallow is

as a fomentation and poultice in inflammation, and the infusion is

in dysentery, diseases of the kidneys, and the same diseases as marsh-mallow and linseed. It is also used as an enema.

, same as for linseed and marsh-mallow.

Liquorice is an agreeable demulcent, and is given in the form of decoction in catarrh, and some forms of dyspepsia, and the extract is used in catarrh.

, of the

, from ten grains to one drachm; of the

, from two to four ounces.

Arrowroot, islinglass, almonds, suet, and wax, are too well known to require descriptions. (

These are chiefly watery compounds, such as weak tea, water, thin broth, gruel, weak infusions of balm, hore-hound, pennyroyal, ground ivy, mint, and sage.

These consist of unctuous remedies, such as cerates and ointments, and any materials that combine heat with moisture, —poultices of bread, bran, linseed meal, carrots, and turnips. (

This will comprise such hints and advice as will enable any one to act on an emergency, or in ordinary trivial accidents requiring simple treatment: and also to distinguish between serious and simple accidents, and the best means to adopt in all cases that are likely to fall under a person's notice.

These hints will be of the utmost value to heads of families, to emigrants, and to persons who are frequently called upon to attend the sick. We strongly recommend the Parent, Emigrant, and Nurse,