Chapter II: BLEACHING of =Linen=:--Linen may be bleached in a similar way to (19)

In America, we believe, the only means of destroying these insects as well as their eggs and larvæ consists in the application to the plant of the highly poisonous and dangerous pigment, Scheele's green, a hydrated arsenite of copper. M. Girard recommends in preference to the arsenical salt a liberal use of sulpho-carbonate of potash.

=COLOUR BLINDNESS.= _Syn._ DAL'TONISM. A curious defect of vision, from which the eye is incapable of distinguishing colours. It is of three kinds:--1. An inability to distinguish any colour properly so called, the person being only able to distinguish white and black, light and shade. 2. An inability to distinguish between the primary colours, red, blue, and yellow, or between these and the secondary or tertiary hues, such as green, purple, orange, and brown. 3. An inability to distinguish nicer shades and hues, as greys and neutral tints. The first form is rare; the second and third are common. Dr George Wilson found that of 1154 persons examined by him in Edinburgh, 65, or 1 in 177, were colour blind; of these, 21 confounded red with green, 19 brown with green, and 25 blue with green.

=COL'OURING.= _Syn._ BRANDY COLOURING, BREWER'S C., SPIRIT C. CAR'AMEL; ESSEN'TIA BI'NA, L. _Prep._ Brown sugar is melted in an iron vessel over the fire until it grows black and bitter, stirring it well all the time, after which water is added, and it is boiled to a syrup. In the making of brandy colouring white sugar is more frequently used.

_Obs._ Some persons use lime-water to dissolve the burnt sugar. Care must be taken not to overburn it, as a greater quantity is thereby rendered insoluble. The heat should not exceed 430°, nor be less than about 400° Fahr. The process, for nice experiments, is best conducted in a bath of melted tin, to which a little bismuth has been added to reduce its melting-point to about 435°; a little powdered resin or charcoal or a little oil being put upon the surface of the metal, to prevent the oxidisement of the alloy. See CARAMEL.

=COL'OURS.= White light from the sun is of a compound nature, and may be decomposed into rays of different colours. Newton distinguished seven PRIMITIVE COLOURS, namely, violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red. Sir D. Brewster is disposed to think that four of these colours are really compound, and that three, namely, blue, yellow, and red, alone deserve the name of primitive. The colours of natural objects are supposed to result from the power possessed by their surfaces of absorbing some of the coloured rays of light, while they reflect or transmit, as the case may be, the remainder of the rays. Thus, an object appears red because it absorbs or causes to disappear the yellow and blue rays composing the white light by which it is illuminated. Black and white are not colours, strictly speaking.

A body is said to be black when it absorbs or quenches a large proportion of all the rays of white light falling upon it. A body is said to be white when it receives the white light, and reflects all the rays with moderate strength. Grey may be regarded as a luminous black or dark white. The names given to colours are far from being satisfactory, for although many thousand shades may be distinguished by a practised eye, it is a question whether there are fifty names which would convey the same idea of shade to any ten colourists in the world. The names taken from natural coloured objects, as indigo, violet, orange, lilac, amber, emerald, &c., are the least objectionable. M. Chevreul has devised an ingenious system of naming and classifying colours. He employs only 6 fundamental names, which are those of the three elementary colours, red, yellow, and blue; and of the three secondary colours, orange, green, and violet. By the direct union of the elementary and secondary colours, 6 tertiary colours are formed. He arranges the twelve colours in a circle, like the spokes of a wheel, commencing with the red, and going to the right, thus:--Red, red-orange, orange, yellow-orange, yellow, yellow-green, green, blue-green, blue, blue-violet, violet, red-violet. The chromatic circle is completed by placing 5 shades between the red and red-orange, 5 between the red-orange and orange; and so on between each of the other couples. This chromatic circle of 72 colours is not imaginary, but actually exists, composed of dyed wools. The shades are distinguished by numbers; thus there are red, 1 red, 2 red, 3 red, 4 red, and 5 red, &c. Each of the 72 shades has, moreover, 20 different degrees of depth, from the lightest that can be discerned from pure white to the most intense depth, approaching to brown and black. These degrees of depth are called tones or tints. The addition of these tones to the chromatic circle brings up the number of tints to 1440. To indicate any one of these tints we have merely to write the number of the shade, and after it the number of the tone, as, for example, 3 blue-violet, 13 tone. By mixing each of the 1440 tints with grey or black, so as to darken it in different degrees, a total of 14,440 colours may be defined. This part of the system is generally regarded as unnecessary. Mr O'Neill, in his valuable 'Dictionary of Calico Printing and Dyeing' (to which work we refer the reader for a full account of Chevreul's classification), gives a long list of colours and coloured bodies, which are pretty well defined in common language with the names of the colours, according to this ingenious system. We select from this list the following examples:--

Amber in mass = 2 orange, 12 tone.
Amethyst = 5 blue-violet, from 3 to 16 tone.
Blood, ox = 1 red, 13 and 14 tones.
Butter = yellow-orange, 2 to 3 tone.
Carrot = orange, 7 tone.
Chocolate in cake = 5 orange, 18 tone.
Emerald = 2 green, 11 tone.
Green, apple = 4 yellow-green, 8 tone.
Isabelle = 1 yellow-orange.
Mauve = 3 violet, 8 tone.
Red-lead = yellow-orange, 20 tone.
Ruby = red, 11 tone.
Yellow, canary = 1 yellow, 6 tone.

For notices of DYES, PIGMENTS, &c., refer to the principal colours.

=Colours, Cake.= _Syn._ ARTISTS' COLOURS. These are made by grinding by means of a glass muller and a slab, the respective pigments previously reduced to powder, into a smooth paste with equal parts of isinglass size, and thin gum water. The paste is then compressed into squares as tightly as possible, and dried with a very gentle heat. Old crumbling cake colours should be powdered very finely in a biscuit-ware mortar, sifted through fine muslin, and ground up as above, the gum water being omitted. The powders rubbed up with honey to the consistence of cream constitute moist colours.

=Colours, Complement'ary.= _Syn._ ACCIDENT'AL COLOURS. Colours are said to be complementary to each other which, by blending together, produce the perception of whiteness. According to Mayer, all colours are produced by the admixture of red, yellow, and blue light, in certain proportions; and by intercepting either one or more of these coloured rays in a beam of light, those which meet the eye will consist of the remaining coloured rays of the spectrum. Thus, by intercepting the red rays in a beam of white light, the remaining yellow and blue rays will produce a green colour; by intercepting the blue rays, the remaining yellow and red will give an orange; and so on of other cases; so that red and green, blue and orange, are COMPLEMENTARY COLOURS. If we look for some time, with one eye, on a bright-coloured object, as a wafer, placed on a piece of paper, and subsequently turn the same eye to another part of the paper, a similarly shaped spot or mark will be seen, but the colour will vary, though it will be always the same under like circumstances. Thus, if the original spot or wafer be of a red colour, the imaginary one will be green; if black, it will be white; the imaginary colour being always complementary of that first gazed upon. The colour so perceived is often called an ACCIDENTAL COLOUR, to distinguish it from the real colour. It is a general maxim in design that "colours look brightest when near their complementary colours."

=Colours, Drug'gists' Show.= See SHOW BOTTLES.

=Colours, Flame.= See FIRES (Coloured).

=COLTS'FOOT.= This popular herb is the _Tussilago farfara_ of Linnæus. It is a demulcent bitter, and is slightly stomachic and tonic. It is much esteemed by the lower classes in coughs, shortness of breath, and other affections of the chest. The leaves form the basis of most of the British herb tobaccos, and have been recommended to be smoked in asthma and difficulty of breathing.--_Dose._ One or two wine-glassfuls of the tea or decoction (1 oz. to the pint) _ad libitum_.

=COLUM'BIC ACID.= See TANTALIC ACID.

=COLUM'BIUM.= See TANTALUM.

=COMA.= A deep, heavy sleep, from which the patient cannot be aroused. See APOPLEXY.

=COMACHROME FOR DYEING THE HAIR BLACK.= Nitrate of silver solution, with pyrogallic acid. (Reveil).

=COMBINA'TION.= In _chemistry_, the union of dissimilar substances. The great general laws which regulate all chemical combinations admit of being laid down in a manner at once simple and concise. The laws of COMBINATION BY WEIGHT are as follows:

"1. All chemical compounds are definite in their nature, the ratio of their elements being constant.

"2. When any body is capable of uniting with a second in several proportions, these proportions bear a simple relation to each other.

"3. If a body, A, unite with other bodies, B, C, D, the quantities of B, C, D, which unite with A, represent the relations in which they unite among themselves, in the event of union taking place.

"4. The combining quantity of a compound is the sum of the combining quantities of its components." (Fownes.)

There is a remarkable relation between the specific gravity of a body in the gaseous state and its chemical equivalent or combining proportion--a relation of such a kind that quantities by weight of the various gases, expressed by their equivalents, or, in other words, quantities by weight which combine occupy, under similar circumstances of pressure and temperature, either equal volumes or volumes bearing a simple proportion to each other. This relation accounts for the law of COMBINATION BY VOLUME discovered by Gay-Lussac, and thus expressed:--

When gases combine, chemical union invariably takes place, either between equal volumes or between volumes which bear a simple relation to each other.

Gerhardt assumes that equal volumes of the elementary gases and vapours, when compared under similar conditions of pressure and temperature, contain the same number of atoms. Consult the chemical works of Fownes, Roscoe, Watts, &c. See AFFINITY, ATOMIC THEORY, EQUIVALENTS, &c.

=COMPOUND CHINESE TABLET OF ALABASTER= (John Irvine). A cosmetic powder for the skin. It consists of chalk, free from injurious metals. (Chandler).

=Compound Chinese Tablet of Alabaster= (Shand). Identical in use and composition with the last-mentioned powder.

=COMPOUND SUGAR-COATED MAY-APPLE PILLS= (Dr Scott). Recommended as "antibilious, cathartic, chemical family pills." Sugar-coated pills, consisting of bitter extract, powdered podophyllum root, rhubarb, jalap, and pepper. (Hager).

=COMPRESSES DESINFECTANTES DE LE PERDRIEL.= Charcoal powder incorporated with paper.

=CONCENTRATED CASTOR OIL in Capsules of Gelatin= (Taylor). 24 gelatin capsules filled with castor oil, containing ·5 per cent. of croton oil. (Hager).

=CONCENTRA'TION.= The volatilisation of part of a liquid in order to increase the strength of the remainder. The operation can only be performed on solutions of substances of greater fixity than the menstrua in which they are dissolved. Many of the liquid acids, solutions of the alkalies, &c., are concentrated by distilling off their water.

In _pharmacy_, the term CONCENTRATED is commonly applied to any liquid preparation possessing more than the usual strength. Thus, we have concentrated infusions, decoctions, liquors, solutions, tinctures, and essences, most of which are made of 8 times the common strength. This is generally effected by using 8 times the usual quantity of the ingredients, with a given portion of the menstruum, and operating by digestion and percolation; the latter being generally adopted when the articles are bulky. When the menstruum is water, a little spirit is added, to make the product keep. See DECOCTION, INFUSION, &c.

=CON'CRETE.= A compact mass or cement, composed of pebbles, lime, and sand, employed in the foundations of buildings. The best proportions have been said to be--60 parts of coarse pebbles, 25 of rough sand, and 15 of lime; but Semple recommends 80 parts of pebbles, 40 parts of river sand, and only 10 parts of lime. The pebbles for concrete should not exceed about 1/2 lb. each in weight.

=CON'DIMENTS.= Substances taken with the food, to season or improve its flavour, or to render it more wholesome or digestible. The principal condiments are COMMON SALT, VINEGAR, LEMON-JUICE, SPICES, AROMATIC HERBS, OIL, BUTTER, SUGAR, HONEY, and SAUCES. Most of these, in moderation, promote the appetite and digestion, but their excessive use tends to vitiate the gastric juice, and injure the stomach.

=CONDY'S FLUID= (from England). A weak solution of permanganate of soda. (Wittstein.)

=CONFEC'TION.= _Syn._ CONFECTIO, L. Anything prepared with sugar; a sweetmeat, or candy. In _medicine_ the name is commonly applied to substances, usually pulverulent, mixed up to the consistence of a soft electuary, with powdered sugar, syrup, or honey. In the 'London Pharmacop[oe]ia' (1836 and 1851) both CONSERVES and ELECTUARIES are included under this head, though there appears to be some little distinction between them.

In the preparation of confections all the dry ingredients should be reduced to very fine powder, and passed through a sieve, not coarser than 80 holes to the inch; and the pulps and syrups used to mix them up should be perfectly homogeneous, and of a proper consistence. The mixture should be intimate and complete, in order that the characteristic constituents may be equally distributed throughout the mass. The consistence of the newly made confection should be sufficiently solid to prevent a separation of the ingredients, and yet soft enough to allow of it being easily swallowed without previous mastication.

Confections should be preserved in stone jars covered with writing paper, and placed in a cool and not too dry a situation. Without this precaution they are apt to mould on the top. If at any time the mass ferments and swells up, the fermentative process may be arrested by placing the jar in a bath of boiling water, for an hour or two, or until the whole becomes pretty hot; when it should be removed from the heat, and stirred occasionally until cold. Should the sugar crystallise out of the confection, or 'candy,' as it is called, the same method may be followed. Or, the mass may be well rubbed in a mortar until the hard lumps of sugar are broken down and a uniform consistence again produced. On the large scale it may be passed through the mill.

As remedial agents, the officinal confections possess little value, and are chiefly used as vehicles for the administration of more active medicines. See CONSERVES and ELECTUARIES.

=Confection of Acorns.= _Syn._ CONFEC'TIO SEM'INUM QUER'CUS, L. _Prep._ (Bories.) Powdered acorns, 3 oz.; red coral and catechu, of each 1-1/2 oz.; confection of dog-rose, 10 oz.; syrup of red roses, q. s. to make a confection.--_Dose_, 1 dr., every 4 hours; in chronic diarrh[oe]a, &c.

=Confection of Almonds.= _Syn._ ALMOND PASTE, CONSERVE OF ALMONDS; CONFEC'TIO AMYG'DALÆ (Ph. L.), CONSER'VA AMYGDALA'RUM (Ph. E.), CONFEC'TIO AMYGDALA''RUM (Ph. D. 1826), L. _Prep._ (Ph. L.) Sweet almonds, 8 oz.; white sugar, 4 oz.; powdered gum Arabic, 1 oz.; macerate the almonds in cold water, then remove the skins, and beat them with the other ingredients until reduced to a smooth confection. The Ph. E. form is similar. See POWDERS, COMPOUND POWDER OF ALMOND.

_Uses, &c._ To prepare EMULSION of MILK OF ALMONDS. A little of this paste or powder, triturated with a sufficient portion of water and strained through a piece of calico, forms emulsion of almonds. "This confection will keep longer sound if the almonds, first decorticated (blanched), dried, and rubbed into the finest powder, be mixed with the acacia and sugar, separately powdered, and the mixed ingredients be kept in a well-stoppered bottle." (Ph. L.) The same effect may be arrived at by simply well drying the blanched almonds before mixing them with the gum and sugar. The addition of even a small quantity of water or syrup causes the confection "to become soon mouldy, or rancid, or both." (Brande.)

=Confection of Al'um.= _Syn._ CONFECTIO ALU'MINIS, L. _Prep._ 1. (St. B. H.) Alum (in fine powder), 1 dr.; conserve of roses, 6 dr.

2. (Foy.) Alum, 1 dr.; conserve of roses, 1 oz.--_Dose_, 1 dr., 2 or 3 times a day; in lead colic, and as an astringent in diarrh[oe]a and other affections.

=Confection, Aromat'ic.= _Syn._ AROMATIC ELEC'TUARY; CONFEC'TIO AROMAT'ICA (Ph. L. & D.), ELECTUA''RIUM AROMAT'ICUM (Ph. E.), L. _Prep._ 1. (Ph. L.) Nutmegs, cinnamon, and hay saffron, of each 2 oz.; cloves, 1 oz.; cardamoms, 1/2 oz.; prepared chalk, 16 oz.; white sugar, 2 lbs.; reduce the whole to a very fine powder, and keep it in a closed vessel. When wanted for use, mix it with water to the consistence of a confection.

2. (Ph. E.) Aromatic powder (Ph. E.), 1 part; syrup of orange peel, 2 parts; mix.

3. (Ph. D.) Aromatic powder and simple syrup, of each 5 oz.; clarified honey, 2 oz.; powdered saffron, 1/2 oz.; mix, and add, oil of cloves, 30 drops.

4. (Commercial.)--_a._ Hay-saffron, cassia, and turmeric, of each 4 oz.; cardamoms, 1 oz.; starch, 8 oz.; precipitated chalk, 2 lbs.; white sugar, 4 lbs.; oil of nutmeg, 2 dr.; oil of cloves, 3 dr.; reduce the dry ingredients to fine powder, and pass it through a sieve (80 holes); then add the oils, and after well mixing them in, pass the whole through a coarse sieve (about 40 holes to the inch), to ensure perfect admixture.

_b._ Hay-saffron, 4 oz.; turmeric, 3 oz.; powdered starch, 8 oz.; precipitated chalk, 2 lbs.; white sugar, 4 lbs; oil of cloves and cassia, of each 3 dr.; oil of nutmeg, 2 dr.; essence of cardamoms, 1 oz.; boil the saffron and turmeric in 1 gallon of water, placed in a bright copper pan, for 10 minutes, then, without straining, add the chalk, starch, and sugar; mix well, and continue stirring until the mixture becomes quite stiff, then break it up, dry it thoroughly by the heat of a steam or water bath; next reduce it to fine powder, which must be passed through a fine sieve, as before; the oils and tincture are now to be added, and after being well mixed, and passed through a coarse sieve, it should be placed in a jar or bottle, and bunged up close. Very bright coloured.

_Obs._ In the wholesale trade this article is kept under two forms--one, in powder, as ordered by the College, and commonly called for distinction sake PULV'IS CONFECTIO'NIS AROMAT'ICÆ; the other, mixed up ready for use. In preparing the latter, it is a common plan to make a strong infusion or decoction of the saffron, and to use it to mix up the other ingredients, adding the aromatics last. (See 4, _b._) When the price of precipitated chalk is an objection to its use, prepared chalk may be used instead. There is much anxiety evinced by the wholesale druggists to prepare this confection of a rich colour, without an undue expenditure of saffron, which is generally economised on account of its costliness. This confection is cordial, stimulant, antacid, and carminative.--_Dose_, 10 to 60 gr., either as a bolus or stirred up with a glass of water; in diarrh[oe]a, acidity of stomach, heartburn, and any like affection, if accompanied by looseness of the bowels. In diarrh[oe]a, English cholera, and flatulent colic, 1/4 gr. of powdered opium may be added to each dose. See POWDERS, POWDER OF CHALK, COMPOUND.

=Confection of Bark.= _Syn._ CONFEC'TIO CINCHO'NÆ, L. _Prep._ 1. Yellow bark and white sugar, of each 1 oz.; capsicum, 1 dr.; simple syrup, 4 oz.

2. (St. B. Hosp.) Yellow bark, 6 dr.; ginger, 1/2 dr.; treacle, 3-1/2 oz.--_Dose_, 1 to 6 dr., where the use of bark is indicated.

=Confection of Cas'sia.= _Syn._ CONFEC'TIO CAS'SIÆ (Ph. L.), L. _Prep._ (Ph. L.) Prepared cassia, 1/2 lb.; manna, 2 oz.; prepared tamarinds, 1 oz.; syrup of roses, 8 fl. oz.; mix with heat, and evaporate to a proper consistence.--_Dose_, 2 dr. to 6 dr.; or more, as a laxative.

=Confection of Cat'echu.= _Syn._ CONFEC'TIO CAT'ECHU COMPOS'ITA (Ph. D.), L. _Prep._ (Ph. D.) Compound powder of catechu, 5 oz.; simple syrup, 5 fl. oz.--_Dose_, 10 gr. to 20 gr.; as an astringent, in diarrh[oe]a, &c.; either alone or combined with chalk.

=Confection of Copai'ba.= _Syn._ CONFEC'TIO COPAI'BÆ, L. _Prep._ 1. (Berton.) Copaiba and powdered cubebs, of each 2 oz.; alum, 1 oz.; opium, 5 gr.; mix well.

2. (Swediaur.) Turpentine, 1 oz.; copaiba, 1/2 oz.; mix; add mucilage of gum Arabic, 1 oz.; triturate to an emulsion, and further add, conserve of roses, 4 oz.

3. (Traill.) Copaiba, 2 oz.; oatmeal, q. s. to form an electuary; then add, conserve of roses, 1 oz.

4. (Voght.) Copaiba and powdered cubebs, of each 4-1/2 dr.; yolk of 1 egg; conserve of roses, 1/2 oz. All the above are excellent medicines in gonorrh[oe]a.--_Dose_, 1 to 3 dr., three or four times a day, made into boluses, and covered with the fresh emptied skin of a prune before being swallowed; in gonorrh[oe]a, gleet, &c.

=Confection of Cream of Tar'tar.= _Syn._ CONFECTION OF BITAR'TRATE OF POTAS'SA; CONFEC'TIO POTAS'SÆ BITARTRA'TIS, L. _Prep._ 1. Cream of tartar and powdered sugar, of each 1 oz.; simple syrup, 2 oz.; 1 nutmeg, grated.--_Dose_, 2 dr. to 6 dr.

2. (St. B. Hosp.) Bitartrate of potassa and simple syrup, of each 3 oz.; ginger, 1 dr.--_Dose_, 1-1/2 dr. to 5 dr. Both are laxatives well adapted for women and children.

=Confection of Hem'lock.= _Syn._ CONFEC'TIO CO'NII, L. _Prep._ (Marshall Hall.) Fresh hemlock leaves beaten up with an equal weight of sugar.--_Dose_, 10 to 20 gr. as a bolus, 2 or 3 times daily, where the use of hemlock is indicated. The confection of other narcotic plants may be made in the same way.

=Confection of Hips.= _Syn._ CON'SERVE OF HIPS, CONFECTION OF DOG-ROSE, CONSERVE OF D.-R.; CONFEC'TIO RO'SÆ; CANI'NÆ (Ph. L.), CONSER'VA ROS'Æ FRUC'TÛS (Ph. E.), L. _Prep._ 1. (B. P.) Hips, 1 part; refined sugar, 2 parts; beat the hips in a stone mortar, rub the pulp through a sieve, add the sugar, and mix thoroughly.--_Dose_, 60 grains or more.

2. (Ph. L.) Fruit of the dog-rose, without the seeds (carpels), 1 lb.; pound it to a pulp, add, gradually, powdered white sugar, 20 oz.; and beat them together until thoroughly incorporated.

3. (Ph. E.) Pulp of hips, 1 part; white sugar, 3 parts; as No. 1.

4. (Wholesale.) Pulped hips, 2 cwt.; fine white sugar, 3 cwt.; incorporate them without applying heat.

_Obs._ Both this and the confection of red roses have a brighter colour, if made without heat, or touching metallic vessels. On the small scale it is generally made by beating the ingredients together in a marble mortar, but in large quantities by grinding in a mill. Great care must be taken to remove the seeds (carpels) with the hair surrounding them, before pulping the fruit, as they are apt, like the hairs of cowhage, when swallowed, to produce vomiting, itching about the anus, &c. This conserve is slightly laxative, and is principally used for forming pills. It is very apt to candy by keeping.

=Confection of Ipecacuan'ha.= _Syn._ CONFEC'TIO IPECACUAN'HÆ, L. _Prep._ (Bories.) Ipecacuanha, 12 gr.; sulphur, 20 gr.; orris root, 1 dr.; syrup of mallows and manna, of each 2 oz.--_Dose._ A teaspoonful, 2 or 3 times daily; in hooping-cough, dyspepsia, &c.

=Confection of Iron, Subcarbonate.= (St. B. Hosp.) Subcarbonate (peroxide of iron), 1/2 oz.; treacle, a sufficient quantity.--_Dose_, 1/2 dr.

=Confection of Jal'ap.= _Syn._ CONFEC'TIO JAL'APÆ, C. J. COMPOS'ITA, L. _Prep._ (St. B. Hosp.) Jalap, 4 dr.; ginger, 1 dr.; bitartrate of potassa, 3 oz.; treacle, 5 oz.--_Dose_, 1 to 3 dr. as a purgative.

=Confection of Kermes.= (L. P. 1745.) Strained juice of kermes, 3 lbs.; rose water, 6 fl. oz.; white sugar, 1 lb.; oil cinnamon, 10 gr.

=Confection of Mer'cury.= _Syn._ CONFEC'TIO HYRAR'GYRI, C. MERCURIA'LIS, L. _Prep._ 1. Stronger mercurial ointment (Ph. L.), 1 part; conserve of roses, 3 parts.

2. (Dr D. Davis.) Mercury and manna, equal parts; treacle, q. s.; triturate until the globules of mercury disappear.

_Dose, &c._ The same as those of mercurial pill.

=Confection of Ni'tre.= _Syn._ CONFEC'TIO POTAS'SÆ NITRA'TIS, L. _Prep._ 1. Nitre, 1 part; confection of roses, 6 parts; oil of juniper, a few drops.

2. (St. B. Hosp.) As the last, without the juniper. Both are used in gonorrh[oe]a.

=Confection of O'pium.= _Syn._ CONFEC'TIO O'PII (B. P.), ELECTUA''RIUM O'PII (Ph. E.), L. _Prep._ 1. (B. P.) Compound powder of opium, 192 gr.; syrup, 1 oz.

2. (Ph. L.) Powdered opium, 6 dr.; long pepper, 1 oz.; ginger, 2 oz.; caraways, 3 oz.; tragacanth, 2 dr.; reduce to fine powder, and keep it in a closed vessel; for use, add to it by degrees hot syrup, 16 fl. oz. (_i.e._ 3-1/2 dr. of the powder to each fl. oz. of syrup). It contains 1 gr. of opium in every 36 gr.

3. (Ph. E.) Aromatic powder, 6 oz.; senega, 3 oz.; opium, diffused in a little sherry, 1/2 oz.; syrup of ginger, 1 lb. Contains 1 gr. of opium in every 43 gr.

_Uses, &c._ This confection is intended as a substitute for the once celebrated Mithridate, philonium, and theriaca of the old Pharmacop[oe]ias. It is stimulant, anodyne, and narcotic.--_Dose_, 5 to 30 gr.; in flatulent colic and diarrh[oe]a unaccompanied by fever.

=Confection of Or'ange Flowers.= _Syn._ CONFEC'TIO FLOR'UM AURAN'TII, L. _Prep._ 1. Orange flowers, 1 part; white sugar, 2 parts; beat together to a confection.

2. (Tadei.) Orange flowers, 1 part; simple syrup, 3 parts; evaporate to a proper consistence. Both are used as agreeable adjuncts or vehicles for other medicines. The first is the best article.

=Confection of Or'ange Peel.= _Syn._ CONFECTION OF ORANGE, CONSERVE OF ORANGE PEEL; CONFEC'TIO AURAN'TII (Ph. L.), CONSER'VA AURAN''TII (Ph. E.), CONSER'VA AURANTIO''RUM (Ph. L. 1824), L. _Prep._ (Ph. L. and E.) External rind of the fresh orange, separated by rasping, 1 lb.; beat it in a stone mortar with a wooden pestle to a pulp, then add white sugar, 3 lbs.; and beat them together until incorporated.

_Uses, &c._ This confection is an agreeable tonic and stomachic; it is much used as an adjunct to bitter and purgative powders, and as a vehicle for the sesquioxide of iron.

=Confection of Pep'per.= _Syn._ CONFECTION OF BLACK PEPPER, CONSERVE OF B. P.; WARD'S PASTE; CONFEC'TIO PIPERIS (B. P.), C. P. NI'GRI (Ph. D. & Ph. L. 1836), ELECTUA''RIUM PIP'ERIS (Ph. E.), L. _Prep._ 1. (B. P.) Black pepper, in fine powder, 2 parts; caraway, in fine powder, 3 parts; clarified honey, 15 parts; triturate.--_Dose_, 60 to 120 gr.

2. (Ph. L.) Black pepper and elecampane, of each 1 lb.; fennel, 3 lbs.; white sugar, 2 lbs.; reduce to a very fine powder, and keep it in a covered vessel; for use, add it, gradually, to honey, 2 lbs.; and beat the whole to a paste (_i. e._, 2 oz. of honey to each 7 oz. of powder).

3. (Ph. E.) As the last, but using liquorice powder instead of elecampane, and at once making a confection.

4. (Ph. D.) Black pepper and liquorice root, of each 1/2 oz.; refined sugar, 1 oz.; oil of fennel, 1/2 fl. oz.; honey, 2 oz.; mix.--_Dose_, of each of the above, 1 to 3 dr., two or three times daily, for 3 or 4 months; in piles, fistula, &c., unaccompanied with inflammatory symptoms. Or, it may be used as a suppository. It is intended as a substitute for the once celebrated nostrum, 'Ward's Paste for the Piles.'

=Confection of Pep'permint.= _Syn._ CONFECTIO MEN'THÆ PIPERI'TÆ, L. Green peppermint, 4 oz.; white sugar, 12 oz. Anti-emetic and anti-flatulent; in colic, diarrh[oe]a, &c.; in the form of a bolus, or made into a mixture.

=Confection of Res'in.= _Syn._ CONFECTIO RESIN'Æ, L. _Prep._ (Dr Watson.) Powdered resin, 1 oz.; balsam of copaiba, 1/2 oz.; honey, 5 oz.--_Dose_, 1 to 3 dr.; in piles and gleet. It is best combined with a little confection of orange peel, which effectually covers the taste of the copaiba.

=Confection of Ro'ses.= _Syn._ CONFECTION OF RED ROSES; CONFEC'TIO RO'SÆ (Ph. L. & D.), CONSER'VA RO'SÆ (Ph. E.), CONFECTIO RO'SÆ GAL'LICÆ (B. P.), CONSERVA R. G. (Ph. L. 1824), L. _Prep._ 1. (B. P.) Fresh red-rose petals, 1 lb.; white sugar, 3 lbs.; mix as confection of hips.

2. (Ph. E.) Fresh petals, 1 part; sugar, 2 parts.

3. (Ph. D.) _a._ Fresh petals, 3 oz.; sugar, 8 oz. Or--

_b._ Dried petals, 1 oz.; water, 2 fl. oz.; macerate for 2 hours; then add refined sugar, 8 oz.; and beat to a mass as before.

_Obs._ It is astringent and tonic, but is principally used as an elegant vehicle for more active medicines. It keeps well, and does not candy like confection of hips.--_Dose_, 1 to 2 drs., eaten off a spoon, either alone or combined with chalk; in slight cases of diarrh[oe]a, vomiting in pregnancy, &c. See CONSERVE.

=Confection of Rue.= _Syn._ CONPECTIO RU'TÆ (Ph. L.), L. _Prep._ (Ph. L.) Fresh rue (bruised), caraways, and laurel berries, of each 1-1/2 oz.; prepared sagapenum, 1/2 oz.; black pepper, 2 dr.; honey, 16 oz.; water, q. s.; rub the dry ingredients to a flue powder, then add, gradually, the sagapenum, previously dissolved in the water and honey over a slow fire, and mix well. In the Ph. L. 1836 dried rue was ordered. Carminative and antispasmodic. In flatulent colic, and in the convulsions of children, when there is no inflammation.--_Dose_, 15 to 60 gr.; either by the mouth, or made into an enema with gruel.

=Confection of Scam'mony.= _Syn._ CONFEC'TIO SCAMMO'NII (B. P.), ELECTUA''RUM SCAMMO''NII (Ph. D.). _Prep._ (B. P.) Scammony, in fine powder, 24 parts; ginger, in fine powder, 12 parts; oil of caraway, 1 part; oil of cloves, 1/2 part; syrup, 24 parts; clarified honey, 12 parts; rub the powders with the syrup and the honey into a uniform mass, then add the oils and mix.--_Dose_, 10 gr. to 30 gr.; as a warm cathartic, and in worms, &c.

=Confection of Scurvy Grass.= (P. Codex.) Fresh leaves of scurvy grass, 1 oz.; sugar, 3 oz. Beat to a pulp and pass through a hair sieve.

=Confection of Sen'na.= _Syn._ LEN'ITIVE ELEC'TUARY, ELEC'TUARY OF SENNA; CONFEC'TIO SEN'NÆ (Ph. L. & D.), ELECTUA''RIUM SEN'NÆ (Ph. E.), L. _Prep._ 1. Senna, 8 oz.; corianders, 4 oz.; rub them together, and by a sieve separate 10 oz. of the mixed powder; also boil figs, 1 lb., and fresh liquorice, bruised, 3 oz., in water, 3 pints, until reduced to one half; press, strain, and evaporate the strained liquor in a water bath to 24 fl. oz.; then add sugar, 2-1/2 lbs.; dissolve, and further add, prepared tamarinds, cassia, and prunes, of each 1/2 lb.; remove from the heat, and when the whole has considerably cooled, add the sifted powder, by degrees, and stir until the whole is thoroughly incorporated.

2. (Ph. E.) Senna, 8 oz.; corianders, 4 oz.; liquorice root, 3 oz.; figs and pulp of prunes, of each, 1 lb.; white sugar, 2-1/2 lbs.; water, 3-1/4 pints.

3. (Ph. D.) Senna leaves, in fine powder, 2 oz.; corianders (in fine powder), 1 oz.; oil of caraway, 1/2 dr.; mix, and add them to pulp of prunes, 5 oz.; pulp of tamarinds, 2 oz.; brown sugar, 8 oz.; water 2 fl. oz.; previously brought to a smooth paste by the heat of a water bath.

4. (Ph. B.) Boil figs, 12 oz., and prunes, 6 oz., gently in distilled water, 24 oz., in a covered vessel for hours, then, having added more distilled water to make up the quantity to 24 fluid ounces, add tamarinds, 9 oz., and cassia pulp, 9 oz.; macerate for two hours, and press the pulp through a hair sieve, rejecting the seeds, &c. Dissolve refined sugar, 30 oz., and extract of liquorice, 3/4 oz., in the mixture with a gentle heat; and while it is still warm, add to it gradually senna in fine powder, 7 oz., and coriander in fine powder, 3 oz., and stir diligently until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined. The resulting confection should weigh 75 oz.

_Uses, &c._ Confection of senna is a gentle and pleasant purgative, and well adapted for persons suffering from piles, and as a laxative during pregnancy. The dose is 1 dr. to 1/2 oz., taken at bedtime or early in the morning.

_Obs._ There is no one pharmacop[oe]ial preparation which it is more difficult to obtain of good quality than confection of senna. The absolute cost of an article prepared according to the directions of the Colleges is greater than the price at which many wholesale houses are vending the drug. Dr Paris very truly remarks, that "the directions of the Pharmacop[oe]ia are very rarely followed." Considerable quantities are manufactured, into which unsound and spoilt apples enter as a principal ingredient; whilst the substitution of jalap for the whole, or a portion of the senna, is a very common practice. We have seen the following forms employed in the trade.

5. Powdered senna' pulp of tamarinds, cassia, and prunes, of each 1-1/2 lb.; powdered corianders, 3/4 lb.; Spanish juice, 1/2 lb.; simple syrup, 12 lbs.

6. As the above, but omitting the cassia pulp, and adding 2 lbs. more tamarind pulp. Both these articles are labelled "P. L." and sent out as genuine, and that when no competition as to price exists. The cheaper article is made as follows:--

7. Common prunes and tamarinds, of each 16 lbs.; treacle, 3/4 cwt.; species (a compound of senna dust and small senna, mixed with 3 lbs. of coriander seeds, and strengthened with jalap; all ground to a fine powder), 18-1/4 lbs. To this is frequently added, of rotten or inferior apples, 1/4 cwt., which are pulped with the prunes and tamarinds. This article is commonly labelled "CONF. SENNÆ VER." by its manufacturer.

=Confection of Sponge.= _Syn._ ELEC'TUARY OF BURNT SPONGE; CONFEC'TIO SPONGII, C. S. US'TÆ, L. _Prep._ 1. Burnt sponge, 3 parts; confection of orange peel and hips, of each 1 part; simple syrup, q. s.

2. (St. B. Hosp.) Burnt sponge, made into a confection with syrup of orange peel. The first form produces the most agreeable confection.--_Dose_, of either, 1/2 dr. to 2 dr., twice or thrice daily; in scrofula, &c.

=Confection of Steel.= _Prep._ 1. CONFEC'TIO FER'RI SESQUIOX'IDI, L.--_a._ From confection of orange and sesquioxide of iron (Ph. L.), of each 2 oz.; white sugar, 3 oz.; syrup, 1-1/2 oz.; mix.--_Dose_, 1 dr. to 3 dr.

_b._ (St. B. Hosp.) Sesquioxide of iron, 1 oz.; treacle, q. s.--_Dose_, 1/2 dr. to 1 dr. Both are given in the usual cases wherein iron is indicated; especially in anæmia, chlorosis, and amenorrh[oe]a.

2. (CONFEC'TIO FER'RI TARTARIZA'TI.--St B. Hosp.) Cream of tartar, 1-1/2 oz.; tartrate of iron, 2 dr.; ginger, 1 dr.; treacle, 2-1/2 oz., or q. s.--_Dose_, 1 dr. to 2 dr., 2 or 3 times daily.

=Confection of Sul'phur.= _Syn._ BRIMSTONE AND TREACLE; CONFEC'TIO SULPHU'RIS, L. _Prep._ 1. Sublimed sulphur, 2 oz.; treacle, 4 oz.--_Dose._ A spoonful night and morning for a week or longer, as an alterative or purifier of the blood; in skin diseases, &c.

2. (St. B. Hosp.) Precipitated sulphur, 1 oz.; cream of tartar, 2 dr.; honey or treacle, 2 oz. As the last.

3. (B. P.) Sublimed sulphur, 4 oz.; cream of tartar, 1 oz.; syrup of orange peel, 4 fl. oz.--_Dose_, 1 to 2 dr.; as a laxative, in piles, gonorrh[oe]a, &c.

=Confection of Tin.= _Syn._ CONFEC'TIO STAN'NI, L. _Prep._ (Hosp. Form.) Powdered tin, 1 oz.; confection of roses, 2 oz.; mix.--_Dose_, 2 to 4 dr., every morning; in worms.

=Confection of Turpentine.= _Syn._ CONFEC'TIO TEREBINTH'INÆ, L. _Prep._ (B. P.) Oil of turpentine, 1 fl. oz.; liquorice powder, 1 oz.; triturate together, then add clarified honey, 2 oz.--_Dose_ and _use_, as the last.

=Confection of Worm-seed.= _Syn._ CONFEC'TIO CIN'Æ, C. S. CINÆ. L. _Prep._ 1. (Ph. Slesvico-Holsat. 1831, and Ph. Suec. 1845.) Worm-seed, 2 oz.; heat it in a pan over a gentle fire, add white sugar, boiled to a low candy height, 4 oz.; and stir together until they become dry; then pick out those seeds which are covered with sugar, and repeat the process with the others.

2. Powdered worm-seed and syrup of orange peel, equal parts.--_Dose_, 1 to 2 dr., night and morning, followed by a brisk purge; in worms.

=CONFEC'TIONERY.= See CANDIES, DROPS, LOZENGES, SUGAR, &c.

=CONGELA'TION.= The conversion of a substance from the fluid to the solid state by the abstraction of heat. See ICE and REFRIGERATION.

=CONGESTION.= "A common condition of disease in an undue flow of blood into any part, or accumulation within it. The vessels seem to lose the power of emptying themselves, which they possess in health. Congestion, although an effect of both visitation and inflammation, may exist irrespective of either. Two forms of it are distinguished, active and passive. The first is when some excitement causes the blood to pass more rapidly into a part than its vessels can transmit out of it; the second when from some inherent debility the vessels cannot get rid of the fluid ordinarily thrown into them. Congestion of organs disturb their functions, and through them the general health."

=CONGLU'TINUM (Bracy Clarke's).= Sulphate of zinc (white vitriol), 4 oz.; dissolved in water, 1 pint. Used as an astringent lotion in veterinary practice, and much diluted with water (a dessert-spoonful to 1/4 pint or more of water), as a collyrium in chronic inflammation of the eyes.

=CO'NIA.= C_{8}H_{15}O. _Syn._ CO'NINE, CON'ICINE. An alkaloid, discovered by Gieseke in hemlock. It exists in every part of the plant, but is present in the largest quantity in the seed.

_Prep._ (Gieger.) The seeds of hemlock, or their alcoholic extracts, is distilled with water and potassa. The conia passes over into the receiver, and floats on the top of the water, which also contains a little conine in solution. It is purified in the way directed for the volatile bases. (See ALKALOID.) When the alcoholic extract is employed, about half its weight of potassa should be used.

_Prop., &c._ Pure conia is an oily-looking liquid, smelling intensely of hemlock, or rather of a combination of the odours of tobacco and mice; volatile at common temperatures; reddens turmeric; boils at about 340° Fahr., but readily distils over with water at 212°; sp. gr. ·89; with the acids it forms salts, some of which are crystallisable. Six lbs. of fresh and 9 lbs. of dried seeds yielded 1 oz. of conia. (Gieger.) Forty lbs. of the ripe but green seeds yielded 2-1/2 oz. of hydrated conia. (Christison.)

Conia is remarkably poisonous. 1 drop, placed in the eye of a rabbit, killed it in 9 minutes; 5 drops, poured into the throat of a dog, killed it in less than a minute. It has been employed in some convulsive and spasmodic diseases, but is now seldom used medicinally. "The patient cries, the contortions, and the rigidity of the limbs, which have always preceded death (caused by conia), leave no doubt as to the cruel pains which this kind of poisoning brings on." (Boutron-Chalard and Henry.) The treatment may be that recommended under ACONITE and HEMLOCK.

=CONSERVATEUR FUR HAARBLEINDE.= A preventive of hair diseases (Edm. Bühligen, Leipzig). Consists of 10 grammes tinct. arnica, 5 grammes glycerine, 10 grammes spirit, and 60 grammes water. (Schädler.)

=CON'SERVE.= _Syn._ CONSER'VA, L. Recent vegetable matter, as flowers, herbs, roots, fruit, and seed, beaten with powdered sugar to the consistence of a stiff paste, so as to preserve them as nearly as possible in their natural freshness. Conserves are made both by the confectioner and the druggist; by the first as SWEETMEATS; by the other chiefly as vehicles for more active medicines. The London College of Physicians now includes both conserves and electuaries under the general head of CONFECTIONS. The term appears, however, in some cases, scarcely appropriate. The word confection has a more general application, and implies any sweetmeat or composition in which sugar is the principal ingredient. See CONFECTION and ELECTUARY.

=Conserve of Ac'etate of Potas'sa.= _Syn._ CONSER'VA POTAS'SÆ ACETA'TIS, L. _Prep._ (Bories.) Acetate of potassa, 1/2 oz.; sulphate of soda, 1 dr.; juices of scurvy grass, fumitory, and dandelion, of each 2 oz. (reduced to one half by gentle evaporation?; sugar, q. s. to make a conserve. A teaspoonful 2 or 3 times daily, as a diuretic aperient; in obstruction of the bowels, &c.

=Conserve of Al'monds.= See CONFECTIONS.

=Conserve of Angel'ica.= _Syn._ CONSER'VA ANGEL'ICÆ, L. _Prep._ (Giordano.) Fresh angelica root, 2 parts; water, 16 parts; macerate for a few hours, clarify the liquor, add sugar, 3 parts; cook the root in the syrup, and preserve it in this state (confection), or dry it (to a candy). Used as an agreeable tonic, stomachic, and carminative.

=Conserve, Antiscorbu'tic.= _Syn._ CONSER'VA ANTISCORBU'TICA, L. _Prep._ (Selle.) Horse-radish, water-cress, and water-trefoil, orange-juice, and radish-juice, equal parts; powdered white sugar, q. s. to make a conserve. In scurvy, &c.

=Conserve of A''rum.= _Syn._ CONSER'VA A''RI, C. A. MACULA'TI, L. _Prep._ From fresh arum tubers (cuckow-pint or wake-robin), 1/2 lb.; sugar, 2-1/2 lbs. As a diuretic and attenuant in dropsy, or as an expectorant in chronic coughs.--_Dose_, 1/2 teaspoonful, gradually increased.

=Conserve of Broom.= _Syn._ CONSER'VA SCOPA''RII, L. _Prep._ (Van Mons.) Broom flowers, 1 part; sugar, 2 parts.--_Dose_, 1/2 to 2 teaspoonfuls, 2 or 3 times a day; in dropsy, gout, rheumatism, &c.

=Conserve of Hips.= See CONFECTION.

=Conserve of Lavender.= _Syn._ CONSER'VA LAVENDU'LÆ, L. Lavender flowers, 1 part; powdered lump sugar, 3 parts; beaten together to a smooth paste. Used to sweeten the breath. In a similar way conserves are made from various other leaves and flowers; but mostly with only twice their weight of sugar, when they are not very odorous or active.

=Conserve of Lem'on Peel.= _Syn._ CONSERVA LIMO'NIS, C. L. CORT'ICIS, L. As CONFECTION OF ORANGE PEEL.

=Conserve of Mal'lows.= _Syn._ CONSER'VA MAL'VÆ, L. From the flowers, as CONSERVE OF LAVENDER.

=Conserve of Or'ange Peel.= See CONFECTION.

=Conserve of Pep'permint.= See CONFECTION.

=Conserve of Rose'mary.= _Syn._ CONSER'VA ROSMARI'NI, L. As CONSERVE OF LAVENDER.

=Conserve of Roses.= 1. See CONFECTION.

2. (ACIDULA'TED CONSERVE OF ROSES CONSER'VA RO'SÆ AC'IDA, L.) _Prep._ (Hosp. F.) Confection of roses and powdered gum, of each 1 oz.; sulphuric acid, 1 dr. to 1-1/2 dr.; (diluted with) water, 2 dr. An excellent substitute for tamarinds.

=Conserve of Sav'in.= _Syn._ CONSER'VA SABI'NÆ, L. _Prep._ (Ph. Han.) Fresh savin, 1 part; sugar, 2 parts. As an emmenagogue, in amenorrh[oe]a, &c. Three parts of sugar make a better conserve.

=Conserve of Scurvy Grass.= _Syn._ CONSER'VA COCHLEA''RIÆ, C. C. HORTEN'SIS, L. _Prep._ (Ph. Aust. 1836.) Fresh scurvy grass, 1 lb.; sugar, 3 lbs. Stimulant and antiscorbutic.

=Conserve of Sea Worm'wood.= _Syn._ CONSER'VA ABSINTH'II MARITI'MI, L. _Prep._ (Ph. L. 1788.) From sea wormwood, as the last. As a stomachic bitter and vermifuge; in dyspepsia, &c.

=Conserve of Sloes.= _Syn._ CONSER'VA PRU'NI SYLVES'TRI, L. _Prep._ (Ph. L. 1788.) From the pulp of the fruit, 1 part; sugar, 3 parts. Astringent. Useful in simple diarrh[oe]a, &c.; either alone or combined with chalk.

=Conserve of Squills.= _Syn._ CONSER'VA SCIL'LÆ, L. _Prep._ (Ph. L. 1788.) Fresh squills, 1 oz.; sugar, 5 oz. Diuretic, attenuant, and expectorant; in dropsy, chronic coughs, &c.--_Dose_, 10 to 20 gr.

=Conserve of Tam'arinds.= _Syn._ CONSER'VA TAMARIND'ORUM, L. _Prep._ (P. Cod.) Tamarind pulp, 2 oz.; white sugar, 3 oz.; evaporate by the heat of a water bath to the consistence of honey.

=Conserve of Vi'olets.= _Syn._ CONSER'VA VIO'LÆ, C. V. ODORA'TÆ, L. _Prep._ (Soubeiran.) Flowers, 1 part; sugar, 3 parts; beat to a paste. Demulcent and laxative; used as a purge for infants, and by ladies to perfume the breath.

=Conserve of Wa'ter-cress.= _Syn._ CONSER'VA NASTUR''TII, L. _Prep._ (Ph. Græca, 1837.) From fresh water-cresses, as the last. In scurvy; taken _ad libitum_.

=Conserve of Worm'wood.= See CONSERVE OF SEA WORMWOOD.

=CONSTIPA'TION.= _Syn._ CONSTIPA'TIO, OBSTIPA'TIO, L. Surgeons distinguish between costiveness and constipation. The first applies to that condition of the body in which the bowels act tardily, and in which the fæces are abnormally and inconveniently indurated; the last implies the absence of the proper alvine evacuations. The one rapidly undermines the health; the other destroys life in a period varying from a few days to three or four weeks. In popular language, however, the words are frequently used synonymously. The use of bread containing alum, and water containing much lime (very hard water), and especially the want of sufficient exercise, are common causes of constipation.

_Treatment._ When the affection is merely accidental or occasional, a dose of some aperient or cathartic is the only treatment necessary; but when it is habitual it calls for further attention. Great benefit may generally be secured by adopting a diet free from astringents, and consisting of a large portion of green vegetables and ripe fruit; particularly avoiding the use of over-cooked, salted, or dried animal food. Brown bread may be eaten, as it acts as a gentle laxative, from the bran it contains. The occasional use of aperient and emollient enemata may be had recourse to; but their habitual administration, as well as that of purgative medicines generally, by the mouth, is not to be recommended. The bowels, accustomed to the continual use of stimulants, act but languidly or scarcely at all without their application. In females, especially of the higher classes, the want of proper exercise is commonly the chief cause of this affection. With such persons a short walk, two or three times daily, will often do wonders, particularly if a little ripe fruit, a few raisins or tamarinds, or, still better, 2 or 3 drum figs, be occasionally eaten. In some cases of obstinate constipation a cold-water dressing, placed over the pit of the stomach or the abdomen, will cause the bowels to act in the course of an hour or two. When the inactivity of the bowels arises from a deficiency of bile (one of the most common causes), no remedy is more natural, or more effective, than inspissated ox-gall. In cases complicated with nervous, hypochondriacal, or hysterical affections, in chlorosis, dyspepsia, depraved appetite, and numerous other ailments, this remedy frequently succeeds, after the most active articles of the materia medica have been tried in vain.

In the treatment of the constipation of infants, castor-oil (1/2 teaspoonful occasionally), or manna 1/4 to 1/2 oz., sucked at will, may be given. The introduction (very gently) of a little slip of writing paper, parsley stalk, or suet, is a method sometimes adopted successfully by nurses. Friction on the stomach and bowels with the warm hand, or a piece of soft flannel, should also be employed. See GALL, PURGATIVE, &c.

_Treatment for Animals._ Mr Finlay Dun prescribes laxative clysters, aloes, or oils. Calomel for horses; croton and gamboge for cattle. Salts, calomel and jalap, castor oil, linseed oil, and emetics for carnivora. Oil of turpentine by mouth or rectum; clysters of tobacco, nux vomica, electricity.

_Treatment for Horses._ When the animal is constipated administer 4 dr. of aloes and 1 dr. of calomel, rubbed down with gruel; inject soap and water every hour, taking care to let the horse have walking exercise, and to apply friction to the belly. If, after twelve hours, no effect is produced, let the aloes and calomel be repeated, with the addition of three or four drops of croton oil and a wine-glassful of spirit of nitre, ether, gin, or whisky.

=CONSTITUTION BALLS=, Vegetable (A. H. Bôldt). Two parallelopiped hard brown balls, each of which weighs 58 grammes, and is made by melting together 2 parts of aloes and 1 part coarsely powdered gentian. (Hager).

=CONSUMP'TION.= See PHTHISIS.

=CONTA'GION.= By 'contagion' is usually meant the communication of disease by means either of actual contact or through a medium, such as the air. By some a contagious disease is regarded as one arising from direct contact only, in contradistinction to an infectious one, which is believed to act at a distance. See DISINFECTANT.

=CONTU'SION.= A hurt, or injury to the flesh, such as might be caused by a blunt instrument or by a fall, without breach or apparent wound. For treatment, see BRUISE.

=CONVALESCENCE.= Convalescence may be described as the period between the cessation of an attack of serious illness and the restoration, if not to a perfect, to an accustomed state of health. Convalescent patients should particularly guard against excess in eating or drinking, or unnecessary and imprudent exposure to cold or damp weather, during this interval, as well as against premature exertion of the limbs or voice; such and all of which are acts of imprudence that may give rise to a return of the disease. In order to avoid this latter risk, as well as to aid in complete recovery, repose both of body and mind are generally needed, more particularly in the earlier stages of convalescence.

It should be borne in mind that convalescents from many infectious diseases, such as measles, scarlet fever, smallpox, typhus, &c., are much more likely to propagate these diseases than when they are labouring under them in the acute form. During the period of their recovery the skin and other organs are throwing off the poison in large quantities, and thus exposing those in contact with, or in the near neighbourhood of the convalescent, to the great and imminent risk of contagion. Even if not contagious himself, the convalescent's clothes, if they be the same as those worn by him during his illness, may also convey the disease.

=CONVULSIONS.= Spasmodic contractions of the muscles producing motions of the limbs, generally accompanied with unconsciousness. Convulsions occur at all periods of life, but in adults they are only symptoms of other diseases. In children they are very common. They are of frequent occurrence in teething; and a swollen and inflamed state of the gums is said to excite them. Dr Gardner, in his very useful work, 'Household Medicine,' says they may be brought on by "improper food, _e.g._ the milk of a nurse suffering from some violent emotion. At the siege of Berlin nearly all the suckling children died of convulsions." They may also be induced by feverish attacks, hooping-cough, strong purgatives, or suppressed eruptions. In the case of a dangerous attack of convulsion no time should be lost in sending for a medical practitioner. Pending his arrival, the patient should be placed as promptly as possible in a hot-water bath. A better plan is to loosen all the dress, to place the child across the arms, and sway it up and down gently, and to allow cool air to play on the face and chest; give an enema of soap and water, and apply mustard plasters for a few seconds only to the pit of the stomach. If these fail to give relief, apply leeches (number according to the age) to the temples, and cold to the head. Lance the gums if inflamed. When the fit is over keep the head cool. If there have been white stools, give a grain or two of calomel, and repeat it every three or four hours for three or four times until the stools become green or dark. Keep the bowels open by castor oil, and let the patient be put on a milk diet. The latter part of the above treatment is inserted for the benefit of the emigrant or other individual having no means of obtaining proper medical aid.

=COPAHINE.= Copaiba balsam made into a mass with wax and powdered cubebs, divided into hard egg-shaped pills weighing 5 decigrammes each and sugar coated.

=COPAHINE MEGE DE JOZEAU.= A fixed quantity of copaiba balsam is mixed with concentrated nitric acid, and constantly stirred as long as effervescence continues. The oxidised balsam is then washed, first with warm then with cold water, till the washings cease to have an acid reaction. From one part of this balsamum copaivæ acido nitrico correctum with 1/10 part powdered cubebs, 1/10 part bicarbonate of soda, 1/16 part calcined magnesia, with some mucilage, a mass is prepared and divided into oval pills, which are afterwards coated with sugar, mixed with gum and carmine.

=COPAI'BA.= _Syn._ COPAI'VA, COPAIVA BALSAM, CAPIV'I, BALSAM OF CAPIV'I; COPAI'BA (Ph. L. E. & D.), L.; BAUME DE COPAHU, Fr.; COBAIVA BALSAM, Ger. "The oleo-resin, of a brown colour, obtained by incision from the trunk of Copaifera multijuga." (B. P.) Most of the balsam of commerce is obtained from Para and Maranhao. It is packed in casks containing from 1 to 1-1/2 cwt. each, or in large bottles, or in cylindrical tin boxes.