Comp. Arsenic, 76. Oxygen, 24=100. Another proportion of Oxygen forms Arsenic Acid.

Metallic Arsenic, and the Oxides are not often found native. They are seen in Hartz and Bohemia; but are mostly obtained from other ores, with which the metal is often extensively combined.

B. Acid Arsenious. gr.j.; Water, 3 j. ; M.-Dose, twenty drops, cautiously increased to sixty, two or three times a day.

Arsenic has no tonic virtue. Its use should be occasionally intermitted, or it may prove slowly deleterious, though the imputed effects are oftener due to disease than to the arsenic. (See Institutes, p. 607–612, § 8924.)

Antidotes. Emetic doses of the Sulphate of Zinc; warm water; the stomach pump; farinaceous fluids; milk in small quantities and often. Early, also, frequent and large doses of the Hydrated Sesquioxide of Iron. If inflammation ensue, recourse must be had to copious venesection.

26. LIQUOR POTASSE ARSENITIS. Fowler's Mineral Solution. Solution of Arsenite of Potash.

Comp. In this preparation, Arsenious Acid and Carbonate of Potash are boiled together, and the carbonic acid disengaged by the formation of Arsenite of Potash. Tincture of Lavender is added to impart a color to the fluid. Four grains of arsenious acid exist in each ounce of the solution, and, therefore, sixty minims, or one drachm, contain half a grain of the acid.

Dose. Five drops, cautiously increased to sixteen, two or three times a day.

27. SODE ARSENIATIS LIQUOR. Solution of the Arseniate of Soda. Pearson's Arsenical Solution. Similar in its action to the Arsenite of Potash, and in the same dose.

28. AMMONIE ARSENIAS. Arseniate of Ammonia. B. Ammon. Arseniat., gr. j.; Water, 3 j.; M.—Dose, twenty drops, cautiously increased to sixty, two or three times a day.

Effects the same as the preceding solutions.

The Arsenites and Arseniates are not less poisonous than the Arsenious Acid, and are probably less successful as a febrifuge; having sometimes failed where the acid has readily succeeded. The distinction between them, however, is in all respects but small.

Much has been said of the pernicious effects of arsenic when continued for a long time in its medicinal doses, and from its external application. The consequences of the disease itself appear to have been often overlooked in the attention which is given to the supposed absorption of arsenic into the circulation. This substance, and tartarized antimony, and mercury, continue to receive from the humoral pathologists the interpretation of their modus operandi which has so long rendered physiology an inconsistent science, and which has divested pathology and therapeutics of their relations to the natural laws of the system. It is true that the most exaggerated statements have been made of their supposed presence in all parts of the body. But, how far these statements have been made with a view to the interests of science, will appear from the investigations by MM. Danger and Flandin of the general facts relative to arsenic and antimony, and of the commissioners appointed by the French Academy to report upon the more limited question relative to the imputed existence of arsenic in the bones.

Simple Arsenic, and its compounds with Iodine and Mercury, are extensively applicable to chronic cutaneous affections, &c. (See Index.)

29. SALICIN. Derived from many species of Salix and Populus.

Comp. Carbon, 55.13. Hydrogen, 6.19. Oxygen, 38.68=100. Possesses valuable febrifuge and tonic virtues analogous to those of quinia.

Dose, grs. v. to x. in powder or aqueous solution.

30. SALIX ALBA,

Willow. Also, S. RUSSELLIANA,

S. CAPREA, S. FRAGILIS, S. PENTANDRIA, S. PURPUREA, S. NIGRA. The bark.

Diœcia, Diandria.

Hab. Europe; United States.-Shrubs and trees. Dose, 3 ss. to 3 j. Also, in decoction.

31. MAGNOLIA GLAUCA. Magnolia. Beaver Tree. White Bay. MAGNOLIA ACUMINATA. Cucumber Tree. MAGNOLIA TRIPETALA. Umbrella Tree. The bark of stem and root.

Polyandria, Polygynia.

Hab. United States.-Trees.

Dose, of powder, 3 ss. to 3 ij. Also, an infusion. Repeated four or five times a day.

The

Their virtues febrifuge, tonic, and aromatic. four or five other species belonging to the United States possess the same virtues. A crystalizable substance, similar to Liriodendrin, has been obtained from the M. grandiflora.

Ferro-Ses

32. FERRI FERRO-SESQUICYANIDUM. quicyanide of Iron. Cyanuret of Iron. Prussian Blue. Comp. Iron, 45.5. Cyanogen, 54.5=100.

Dose. Grs. v. to j.

Though probably a useful febrifuge and mild tonic, it is mostly employed in the manufacture of bicyanide of mercury. It is stated in the books to be admissible during the paroxysms as well as in the intermissions of fever; but this can be scarcely true of any agent pos sessing tonic virtues. (See Institutes, p. 430-432, § 675; p. 597,892, c.)

33. CORNUS FLORIDA. Dogwood. 34. CORNUS CIRCINATA. Round-leaved Dogwood.. -35. CORNUS SERICEA. Blue-berried Dogwood. The bark.

Pentandria, Monogynia.

Hab. United States.-Shrubs or small trees.

Dose, of either in powder, j. to 3 j. An infusion or decoction is preferable to the powder.

Possess tonic as well as febrifuge virtues.

36. TELA ARANEARUM. Cobweb.

Dose. Grs. v. to x. in pills, and, like most of the remedies of this group, to be repeated once in three or four hours, during the intermission of fever.

Extolled by Robert Jackson, in his work on Fever as excelling cinchona and arsenic. Has not been extensively tried. Appears to be a simple febrifuge. Its apparent astringency in arresting superficial hemorrhage is a mechanical phenomenon; and for leech bites it is one of the best applications.

37. PIPER NIGRUM. Black Pepper. The resinous substance, Piperin

Triandria. Trigynia.

Hab. East Indies.--Herbaceous.

Dose. Grs. ij. to vj., in pills, once in two to four hours.

Piperin is highly commended by some in the treatment of intermittents, but it is actively stimulant.

The Alcoholic Extract of Black Pepper will probably be found more useful than Piperin, since it embraces that substance, the resin, and the two oils, each of which is more or less a febrifuge.

Black Pepper is also employed in doses of five to twenty grains; and the Piper Longum, Long Pepper, possesses analogous virtues.

38. AGATHOTES CHIRAYTA. The herb and root. Pentandria, Digynia.

Hab. Mountains of Nepal.-Herbaceous.

Dose, of Powder, j. to 3 ss. Also Infusion and Ex

tract.

Closely allied in virtues to Gentiana lutea.

39. GALIPEA OFFICINALIS. G. CUSPARIA.

Form

erly Bonplandia Trifoliata. Angustura Bark. The bark.

Diandria, Monogynia.

Hab. South America.-Trees.

Dose.

Of Powder, grs. x. to 3 ss. Also, an Infu

sion and Tincture.

The bark of these trees has been often adulterated with that of the poisonous Strychnos Nux Vomica, and which, in consequence, has acquired the name of False Angustura Bark.