CAUSTIC SOLUTION. Dissolve one scruple of Nitrate of Silver in half an ounce of Distilled Water. This Solution forms a very efficacious application to that kind of ulcer, the cure of which is prevented by a succession of coats of coagulable lymph over its surface. The mode of applying it is by means of a bit of lint, fixed to the end of a probe.

This being dipped into the liquid, is streaked round the extreme edges of the ulcer. In some painful ulcers, also, which resist the operation of common remedies, and which rather appear to be aggravated by the use of emollients, it will frequently prove serviceable. The strength of the solution may be augmented or diminished, according to circumstances. In many of the cases first mentioned, indeed, the light application of the caustic itself is required.

STIMULATING SOLUTION. Take of Oil of Cloves, 1 drachm. Alcohol, 1 ounce. Mix.

This Solution of Oil of Cloves in Alcohol has been applied, upon lint, to carious bones, to quicken the process of exfoliation. Some surgeons dilute the oil with Castor Oil instead of Alcohol. SUPPOSITORIES. Remedies introduced into the rectum or vagina, with the view of allaying pain, or of constringing the parts. It is a common practice to make use of a suppository in cases of costiveness of infants, which chiefly act mechanically. For this purpose, a variety of soft articles are employed by nurses, which, by distending the lower part of the intestine, keep up a constant straining; and sometimes the efforts of the infant to expel it are so violent, and so long continued, as to occasion a very considerable afflux of blood into the vessels of the head, and

thereby disorder the brain, or occasion inflammation of the eyes. When there are no fæces in the rectum, the practice cannot prove of much, if any, service in moving the bowels; and, in infants of tender frames, the violent straining is capable of exciting serious mischief in the head. In cases of constipation, the injection of gruel, with a little manna, or common salt, or Epsom salt, dissolved in it, will act more beneficially, and cannot possibly do mischief. In cases of irritative ulceration, either in the rectum, prostate gland, or uterus, an anodyne and corrective suppository often proves very beneficial in allaying pain, and in suspending or curing the discase.

ANODYNE SUPPOSITORY. Take of Morphine, from 1 to 3 grains. Extract of Henbane, from

10 to 12 grains. --Mix. This, introduced into the rectum, is an excellent remedy for allaying pain and irritation, attendant on ulceration or stricture of the rectum, or for irritative or inflammatory affections of the prostate gland, bladder, urethra, or uterus. In the latter case it may be likewise in

troduced into the vagina. It is also very beneficial in cases of retention of urine from spasms, and incontinence of urine from morbid irritability of the bladder not allowing of distension, and in allaying irritation attendant on stone. In cases of thickening of the coats of the rectum, or enlargement of the prostate gland, five or six grains of the Cineritious Mercury may be added.

OFFICINAL PREPARATIONS.

Some writers on domestic medicine have given directions for making tinctures, wines, spirits, and other officinal articles; but as they cannot be properly prepared without a sand-bath, and proper vessels for maceration, &c., and as they may be procured, properly made, at a cheaper rate than they can be made in small quantities, I shall only add to this department directions for those infusions and decoctions, which, on account of undergoing decomposition in a few days, are not kept by chemists or apothecaries, and which require no particular skill to make.

DECOCTIONS.- Decoctions differ from infusions only in the action of the water being assisted by a boiling heat. Although this increased heat may hasten the extraction of the medicinal virtue of many articles, it decomposes and dissipates all the volatile parts, in which the properties of many articles chiefly reside. Boiling, therefore, is only necessary for the solution of principles that are not volatile or altered by heat. Decoctions should be made in vessels sufficiently large to prevent any risk of boiling over, and should be continued gently, and without interruption.

The virtues of the productions of the vegetable kingdom employed in medicine, being imparted to water, either by boiling or

by infusion, decoctions and infusions are much prescribed by practitioners in preference to tinctures. Of these preparations the following are most in use:

Take of White Hellebore Root, bruised, Take of Peruvian Bark, bruised, 1 ounce.

Take of dried Marsh Mallow Roots, It was also much prescribed by the late

is reduced to two pints, then strain off Take of the Root of Sarsaparilla, sliced

DECOCTION OF SOAPWORT.
Take of the herb Soapwort, (fresh,)
bruised, 6 ounces; or the dried
Leaves,
Water,

4 ounces.

2 quarts. To be boiled gently, till reduced to one quart.

This decoction, in the quantity of a

pint to three pints or two quarts, taken in the course of twenty-four hours, in scrofulous or impetiginous affections, it is said, has been productive of more benefit than the Decoction of Sarsaparilla. In France it is highly esteemed as a powerful alterative.

INFUSIONS. -- When the medicinal virtues of any substances chiefly reside in an essential oil, or in a volatile matter, extraction by infusion is preferred to decoction, as by the latter these active parts are evaporated. The process consists in pouring on the bruised substance, in a proper vessel, the liquor either hot or cold, and afterwards covering it over. The liquor should be slightly agitated, and, after standing the proper time, poured off or strained through fine linen. Maceration differs from infusion, in being continued a longer time, and can only be employed for substances which do not easily ferment or spoil. The following infusions are principally in use:

After being infused within the heat of the fire for ten or twelve hours, the liquor is to be strained off, and kept in a cool place.

This infusion, in the dose of a wineglassful three times a day, or an hour and a half before cach meal, Dr. Sully and Mr. Farr highly extol as a remedy for scirrhus.

INFUSION OF LINSEED. Take of Linseed, 1 ounce. 2 drachms. 2 quarts.

Liquorice Root,
Boiling Water,

To be macerated for six hours, stirring the mixture with a spoon about every hour, in order that the mucilage of the seeds may be suspended.

This is a very useful beverage in cases of inflammation of the lungs, recent coughs, the measles, gravel, inflammation of the bladder, and strangury.

INFUSION OF RHATANY ROOT.
Take of Rhatany Root,
1 ounce.
Boiling Water,
1 pint.
Macerate for twenty-four hours, and
strain through fine cloth.

This elegant form contains the active principles of the Rhatany root, and agrees much better with weak or delicate stomachs than either the powder or decoction of it. It is given in the quantity of a small wine-glassful, to which it is customary to add a tea-spoonful of the compound tincture of cardamom seeds.

Their Properties, Doses, &c., and Prices at which those of the best quality are retailed at the Medical Hall, 170. Piccadilly.

THE doses specified in the following List being such as are generally administered, should be increased or diminished, according to the strength of the patient, and the age, by the following Rule: - Two-thirds of the dose, from the age of 14 to 16. -One-half, from 7 to 10. One-third, from 4 to 6. Onefourth, to one of three years. - One-eighth, to one of a year.It is customary to repeat the dose of an aperient medicine about every three hours till it operates, or to have recourse to a lavement, which, in cases of obstinate costiveness, is often preferable. N.B.-Gr. stands for grain; dp. for drop; drm. for drachm; spf. for spoonful; w.-glass for wine-glass.