Chapter LI: Part 2 (12)

3. (Wholesale.) From powdered ipecacuanha and opium, of each 1 lb.; powdered sulphate of potassa, 8 lbs. _Uses, &c._ ‘Dover’s powder’ is a powerful and valuable sudorific.——_Dose_, 5 to 15 or 20 gr., followed by warm diluents; in inflammatory affections, rheumatisms, colds, &c.

=Powder, Itch.= _Syn._ PULVIS ANTIPSORICUS, L. _Prep._ 1. Sulphur and potato farina, of each 1/2 lb.; essence of bergamot, 1/4 oz.; mix.

2. (Poudre de Pihorel.) A mixture of finely pulverised sulphuret of calcium and farina, in nearly equal quantities. Used either as a dusting powder or mixed with a little oil or fat, and rubbed into the affected part.

3. (Fr. Hosp.) Flowers of sulphur, 1 oz.; acetate of lead, 1 oz. Mix.

4. Equal parts of sulphur and charcoal.

=Powder of Jal′ap (Compound).= _Syn._ PULVIS JÂLAPÆ COMPOSITUS (B. P., Ph. L., E., & D.), L. _Prep._ 1. (Ph. L.) Jalap, 3 oz.; bitartrate of potassa, 6 oz.; ginger, 2 dr.; rub them separately into fine powder, then mix them.

2. (Ph. E.) As the last, omitting the ginger.

3. (Ph. D.) Jalap, 2 oz.; bitartrate of potassa, 3-1/2 oz.; ginger, 1/2 oz. (all in fine powder); mix by careful trituration.——_Dose_, 20 to 60 gr.; as a purgative in habitual costiveness, dropsies, &c.; also in worms, the tumid bellies of children, &c.

4. (B. P.) Jalap, in powder, 5; acid tartrate of potash, 9; ginger, in powder, 1; mix.——_Dose_, 20 to 60 gr.

5. (PULVIS LENITIVUS; SUCRE ORANGE PURGATIV.) From refined sugar, 3/4 lb.; jalap and cream of tartar, of each 2 oz.; oil of orange peel, 1/4 oz. A popular purgative on the Continent.——_Dose_, 1 to 3 dr.

=Powder, James’s.= _Syn._ PULVIS JACOBI, P. FEBRIFUGUS JACOBI, L. The antimonial powder, or compound powder of antimony, of the Pharmacopœias (see _above_) is the preparation which usually passes under this name; but the true James’s powder is a nostrum the pretended secret of the preparation of which is claimed to be possessed by only two parties in the kingdom. The patent specification of the once celebrated Dr James runs as follows:——

“Take of antimony, calcine it with a continued protracted heat, in a flat, unglazed earthen vessel, adding to it, from time to time, a sufficient quantity of any animal oil and salt, well dephlegmated; then boil it in melted nitre for a considerable time, and separate the powder from the nitre by dissolving it in water.” On this it has been remarked that it yields a product totally different from that which Dr James and his successors have sold under the name, and he has hence been charged with concealing the real formula for his powder, and publishing a false one in its stead.

According to Dr Robinson, the original formula for this nostrum, and that still adopted by the vendors of the proprietary article at the present day, is——Tartarised antimony, 1 part; prepared burnt hartshorn and calx of antimony, of each 5 parts; carefully mixed together, and divided into 21-gr. powders. (‘Phil. Journ. Pharm.,’ vi, 282.)

From analyses recently made of three specimens of James’s powder (‘Newberry’s,’ ‘Butler’s,’ and a sample of 60 years old obtained by Mr Squire), it appears that antimonious acid was present in different proportions, from about 45% to 33%, the amount being greatest in the old specimen; teroxide of antimony was also present to the extent of from 9% to less than 1%, the greatest quantity being again in the old preparation; the remainder in each specimen consisted chiefly of phosphate of lime; no trace of tartaric acid was discoverable in any of the samples.

Perhaps no nostrum ever received such extensive patronage from the faculty as James’s powder. Dr James himself was remarkably successful in its use; but whether his success depended upon his powder or the mercurials and bark which he commonly employed at the same time is still undetermined.

=Powder of Kermes with Camphor.= (Germ. Hosp.) _Syn._ PULVIS KERMETIS CUM CAMPHORA. _Prep._ Kermes mineral, 3 gr.; camphor, 6 gr.; white sugar, 2 dr.; mix. For 12 doses.

=Powder of Kermes with Ipecacuanha.= (Fr. Hosp.) _Syn._ PULVIS KERMETIS CUM IPECACUANHA. _Prep._ Kermes, 2 gr.; ipecacuanha, 2 gr.; crabs’ eyes, 2 scruples; gum Arabic, 2 scruples; mix. For 12 doses. In hooping-cough.

=Powder of Ki′no (Compound).= _Syn._ PULVIS KINO COMPOSITUS (Ph. L.), L. _Prep._ (Ph. L.) Kino, 15 dr.; cinnamon, 4 dr.; dried opium, 1 dr.; reduce them separately to fine powder, and then mix them.——_Dose_, 5 to 20 gr.; in diarrhœa, pyrosis, &c.

(B. P.) _Prep._ Kino, 3-3/4 oz.; cinnamon, 1 oz.; opium, 1/4 oz.; mix.——_Dose_, 5 to 20 gr.

=Powder, Lausanne.= _Prep._ From nitre, 1-1/2 dr.; carbonate of magnesia, bitartrate of potassa, precipitated sulphur, and oleo-saccharum of peppermint, of each 4 dr.; sugar of milk, 1 oz. Lenitive and antidysenteric.

=Powder, Lax′ative.= See SPECIES, LAXATIVE.

=Powder of Liquorice (Compound).= _Syn._ PULVIS GLYCYRRHIZÆ COMPOSITUS, L. _Prep._ 1. (Ph. Bor.) Liquorice root and senna leaves, of each 6 oz.; fennel seed and milk of sulphur (pure), of each 3 oz.; white sugar, 18 oz. (all in fine powder); mix. Pectoral and laxative.

2. (B. Ph.) _Prep._ Senna and liquorice root, both in fine powder, of each 2 oz.; sugar, in fine powder, 6 oz. Mix thoroughly and pass through a fine sieve.——_Dose_, 1/2 dr. to 1 dr.

=Powder of Magne′sia and Rhu′barb.= See POWDER OF COMPOUND RHUBARB (_below_).

=Powder, Martin’s Cancer.= An American nostrum, composed of the powdered stems of the _Orobanche Virginiana_ (Linn.), combined with a very small quantity of arsenious acid. It is used as a sprinkle for open cancers and cancerous sores.

=Powder, Mercu′′rial.= _Syn._ GREY POWDER (HYDRARGYRUM CUM CRETÂ, B. P.), MERCURY WITH CHALK. _Prep._ 1. (B. P.) Mercury, 1; prepared chalk, 2; triturate till the globules disappear.——_Dose_, 3 to 8 gr.

2. Mercury, 3 oz.; powdered resin, 3/4 oz.; prepared chalk, 5 oz.; rectified spirit, q. s.; make a paste with the resin and a small quantity of the spirit; add the mercury, which may be extinguished in a short time; then the chalk and alcohol, gradually, so as to keep up the pasty consistence; lastly, add sufficient spirit to dissolve out the resin, wash the powder on a filter, and dry it. Rectified oil of turpentine may be substituted for the spirit.

=Powder, Morison’s Ape′′rient.= See PATENT MEDICINES.

=Powder of Mugwort, Saccharated.= (Bresler.) Powdered mugwort root, 3 oz.; sugar, 6 oz.; a teaspoonful four times a day in chorea and epilepsy.

=Powder of Mush′room.= _Syn._ PULVIS AGARICI, P. A. ESCULENTI, L. From edible mushrooms, dried by a gentle heat, and then powdered along with a little white pepper, cloves, and mace. Some cayenne is frequently added.

=Powder of Mus′sel.= From the _Mytilus edulis_ (Linn.), or common mussel, in the same way as POWDER OF OYSTER.

=Powder of Myrrh (Compound).= _Syn._ PULVIS È MYRRHÂ COMPOSITUS, L. _Prep._ (Ph. L. 1788.) Myrrh, dried savine, dried rue, and Russian castor, equal parts, rubbed to powder, and then well mixed. Emmenagogue and antispasmodic.——_Dose_, 12 to 30 gr.

=Powder, Nephritic.= (Fuller.) _Syn._ PULVIS NEPHRITICUS. _Prep._ Powdered roots of smallage and saxifrage, of each 2 dr.; crabs’ eyes, 1 dr.; sulphate of potash, 1 dr.; sal prunella, 2 scruples; oil of juniper, 4 drops. Mix.——_Dose_, 20 to 60 gr.

=Powder, Nur′sery.= See POWDER, VIOLET (_below_).

=Powder of Nux Vomica, Compound.= _Syn._ PULVIS NUCIS VOMICÆ COMPOSITUS; VOGT’S STOMACHIC POWDER. _Prep._ Nux vomica, 18 gr.; ipecacuanha, 24 gr.; rhubarb, 1 dr.; prepared oyster shell, 48 gr.; oleo-saccharum of mint, 1 dr. Mix, and divide into 12 powders.

=Powder, O′′piated.= Powder of chalk with opium.

=Powder, Opiated Guaiacum.= (Pareira.) _Syn._ PULVIS GUAIACI OPIATUS. _Prep._ Guaiacum, 1 dr.; orange leaves, 1/2 dr.; acetate of morphia, 3/4 gr. Mix, and divide into 6 powders. One every two hours in articular rheumatism.

=Powder of Oys′ter.= _Syn._ PULVIS OSTRÆ, L. _Prep._ From the common oyster (_Ostrea edulis_——Linn.), pulped through a sieve, made into a paste with wheaten flour and a little salt, and then rolled out into thin pieces, and dried; these are reduced to powder, sifted, and packed in well-corked bottles. Used to make sauce; about 1 oz., to water, 1 pint. Other shell-fish are treated in the same way.

=Powder of Oxide of Zinc with Starch.= (Cazenave.) _Syn._ PULVIS ZINCI OXYDI CUM AMYLO. _Prep._ Starch, 1 oz.; oxide of zinc, 1 dr.; camphor, in powder, 1 dr. For excoriations and bed-sores.

=Powder, Parturifacient.= (E. Ph. 1744). _Syn._ PULVIS AD PARTUM. _Prep._ Borax, 4 dr.; castor, 1-1/2 dr.; saffron, 1-1/2 dr.; oil of cinnamon, 8 drops; oil of amber, 6 drops. Mix.——_Dose_, 20 to 30 gr. (This name, and also that of PULVIS PARTURIFACIENS, has been given to powdered ergot.)

=Powder, Pea.= _Syn._ PEA FLOUR; FARINA PISORUM, L. _Prep._ From peas, in the usual manner. Used to make extemporaneous pea-soup.

=Powder, Pearl.= _Prep._ From pure pearl white and French chalk (scraped fine by Dutch rushes), equal parts; triturated together, Some makers add more French chalk. Used as a skin cosmetic. This mixture is preferable to pearl white alone, from being more adhesive.

=Powder, Pease.= _Prep._ From dried mint and sage, of each 4 oz,; celery seed and white pepper, of each 1/2 oz.; turmeric powder, 1/4 oz.; reduced to fine powder. Used as a condiment and kitchen-spice.

=Powder, Pec′toral.= See POWDER OF LIQUORICE, &c.

=Powder of Phosphate of Lime, Saccharated.= _Syn._ PULVIS CALCIS PHOSPHATIS, SACCHARATUS. _Prep._ Precipitated phosphate of lime, 15 gr., white sugar, 85 gr.; triturate and divide into 20 packets. Two or more powders daily, according to age of child. In rickets.

=Powder, Piles.= _Syn._ PULVIS ANTIHÆMORRHOIDALIS, P. HÆMORRHOIDALIS, L. _Prep._ 1. (Fr. Hosp.) Precipitated sulphur, 3 oz.; cream of tartar and black pepper, of each 1 oz.; oil of cubebs, 1/2 dr.——_Dose._ A teaspoonful, in milk or honey, thrice a day.

2. (External.)——_a._ From Aleppo galls, in very fine powder, 2 oz.; opium, in fine powder, 1 dr. A pinch to be applied occasionally.

_b._ From sesquioxide of iron, 1 oz.; powdered acetate of lead, 1/2 dr. As the last.

=Powder of Pitch, Compound.= _Syn._ PULVIS PICIS COMPOSITUS; DISINFECTING POWDER OF CORNE AND DEMAUX. 100 parts of plaster of Paris are triturated thoroughly with 1 to 5 parts of coal tar. Used as an absorbent and disinfectant to fetid ulcers and wounds.

=Powder, Plate.= _Syn._ PULVIS PRO ARGENTO, L. _Prep._ 1. Jeweller’s rouge, 1/4 lb.; prepared chalk or levigated burnt hartshorn, 3/4 lb.; mix.

2. Levigated putty powder, 1/4 lb.; burnt hartshorn, 1/2 lb.; prepared chalk, 1 lb.; rose pink, 1 oz.

3. (MERCURIAL.) From quicksilver with chalk, 1 oz.; prepared chalk, 11 oz.; mix. Used to clean and polish plate. See PLATE.

=Powder, Plate Boiling.= _Prep._ From cream of tartar, common salt, and alum, equal parts. A little of this powder, added to the water in which plate is boiled, gives to it a silvery whiteness.

=Powder, Plummer’s Al′terative.= See ANTIMONY, ETHIOPS OF.

=Powder, Poul′tice.= _Syn._ PULVIS PRO CATAPLASMATE (Ph. D. 1826), L. _Prep._ From linseed meal, 1 part; oatmeal, 2 parts; mixed together.

=Powder, Purgative and Anthelmintic.= (Boerhaave). _Syn._ PULVIS PURGANS ANTHELMINTICUS. _Prep._ Jalap, 12 gr. (or agaric, 8 gr.), Ethiops mineral, 12 gr.; for one dose.

=Powder of Quinine, Aerated.= (Dr Meireu). _Syn._ PULVIS QUINIÆ AERATUS. _Prep._ Tartaric acid, 15 gr.; disulphate of quinia, 1-1/2 gr. Mix, and add bicarbonate of soda, 18 gr.; refined sugar, 30 gr. Mix for one dose, between the fits of intermittent fever.

=Powder of Quinine and Tobacco.= (Hug.) _Syn._ PULVIS QUINIÆ SULPHATIS ET TABACI. _Prep._ Disulphate of quinine, 12 gr.; snuff, 1 oz. To be used as a snuff for nervous headaches.

=Powder, Rat.= See RATS.

=Powder of Rhu′barb (Compound).= _Syn._ GREGORY’S MIXTURE, GREGORY’S POWDER; PULVIS RHEI COMPOSITUS (B. P., Ph. E. and D.) L. _Prep._ 1. (Ph. E.) Calcined magnesia, 1 lb.; rhubarb, 4 oz.; ginger, 2 oz. (all in fine powder); mix, and preserve it from the air.

2. (B. P., Ph. D.) Calcined magnesia, 6 oz.; rhubarb, 2 oz.; ginger, 1 oz.

3. Calcined magnesia, 8 oz.; rhubarb, 3 oz.; chamomile, 2 oz.; ginger, 1 oz.

_Obs._ An excellent stomachic, antacid, and laxative.——_Dose_, 20 gr. to 1/2 dr. Some druggists substitute the heavy carbonate for the calcined magnesia ordered above, but this alters the nature of the preparation, and requires the dose to be increased. Heavy calcined magnesia may, however, be employed with advantage.

=Powder, Sach′et.= See SCENTED POWDERS.

=Powder, Saline′ (Compound).= _Syn._ PULVIS SALINUS COMPOSITUS (Ph. E.), L. _Prep._ (Ph. E.) Pure chloride of sodium and sulphate of magnesia, of each 4 oz.; sulphate of potash, 3 oz.; each separately dried by a gentle heat, and pulverised, then triturated together, and preserved in well-closed vessels. An excellent saline purgative.——_Dose_, 2 to 6 dr., in 1/2 pint of water or table-beer, in the morning, fasting.

=Powder of Scammony (Compound).= _Syn._ PULVIS SCAMMONII COMPOSITUS (B. P., Ph. L., E., & D.), L. _Prep._ 1. (Ph. L.) Scammony and hard extract of jalap, of each 2 oz.; ginger, 1/2 oz.; rub them separately to a very fine powder, and then mix them.——_Dose_, 5 to 15 gr.

2. (Ph. E.) Scammony and bitartrate of potassa, of each, in very fine powder, equal parts.——_Dose_, 7 to 20 gr.

3. (Ph. D.) Scammony, in fine powder, 1 oz.; compound powder of jalap, 3 oz.; mix,——_Dose_, 10 to 30 gr.

4. (B. P.) Scammony, 4; jalap, 3; ginger, 1; mix, and reduce to fine powder.——_Dose_, 10 to 20 gr.

_Obs._ The above are favourite cathartics in worms, especially for children. They are commonly sold for basilic powder. (See _above_.)

=Powder of Scammony with Cal′omel.= _Syn._ PULVIS SCAMMONII CUM CALOMELANE, L. _Prep._ From scammony, 1/2 oz.; calomel and white sugar, of each 2 dr. An excellent vermifuge for children.——_Dose._ For an adult, 5 to 20 gr.; for a child, 2 to 8 gr. Sold for basilic powder, to which it approaches nearer in composition than the preceding.

=Powder of Scammony with Soot.= _Syn._ PULVIS SCAMMONII CUM FULIGINE; POUDRE D’AILHAUT. _Prep._ Scammony, 1 dr.; wood soot, 1-1/2 dr.; resin, 2 dr.; mix. _Dose_, 1/2 dr. A once fashionable purgative.

=Powder, Schmidt’s Parturifa′′cient.= _Syn._ SCHMIDT’S POUDRE OCYTIQUE, Fr. _Prep._ From powdered ergot of rye, borax, and oleo-saccharum of camomile, of each 8 gr.; powdered sugar, q. s. For a dose; to be repeated every quarter of an hour until some effect is produced.

=Powder of Scordium (Compound).= _Syn._ PULVIS E SCORDIO COMPOSITUS. (L. Ph. 1746.) _Prep._ Bole, 4 oz.; scordium, 2 oz.; cinnamon, 1-1/2 oz.; styrax tormentil, bistort, gentian, dittany, galbanum, gum acacia, red rose petals, of each 1 oz.; long pepper, 1/2 oz.; ginger, 1/2 oz. Make a powder.

=Powder of Scordium with Opium.= _Syn._ PULVIS E SCORDIO CUM OPIO. _Prep._ Add to the preceding, 3 dr. of dry strained opium, and powder it with the other ingredients.

=Powder of Senna (Battley’s Green).= _Syn._ PULVIS SENNÆ VIRIDIS, L. _Prep._ From senna leaves, dried and heated until they turn yellow, then powdered along with a little (blue) charcoal, to give a green colour.

=Powder of Sen′na (Compound).= _Syn._ PULVIS SENNÆ COMPOSITUS, L. _Prep._ (Ph. L. 1824.) Senna and bitartrate of potassa, of each 2 oz.; scammony, 1/2 oz.; ginger, 2 dr.; all in fine powder; mix.——_Dose_, 20 to 30 gr., or more; as a purgative or anthelmintic.

=Powder, Sil′vering.= _Prep._ 1. Silver dust (fine), 20 gr.; alum, 30 gr.; common salt, 1 dr.; cream of tartar, 3 dr.; rub them together to a fine powder.

2. As the last, but substituting 35 gr. of nitrate of silver for the silver dust.

3. Chloride of silver is dissolved in a solution of hyposulphite of soda, and the solution made into a paste with levigated burnt hartshorn or bone dust; this is next dried, and powdered.

4. Silver dust, 1 oz.; common salt and sal ammoniac, of each 4 oz.; corrosive sublimate, 1/4 oz.

_Obs._ The above powders, made into a paste with a little water, are used to silver dial-plates, statuettes, and other articles in copper, previously well cleaned, by friction. The best silver powder for the purpose is that precipitated from its nitric solution by means of a copper plate. When the product of the last formula is used, the articles should be afterwards made red hot, and polished.

=Powder of Soap.= _Syn._ SAPO CONTRITUS, PULVIS SAPONIS, L. Castile soap, sliced or cut small, dried by exposure to a warm atmosphere, or by a very gentle heat, and then powdered. Used in dispensing; also as a hand, shaving, and tooth powder. As a cosmetic it may be scented at will.

=Powder, Spermaceti.= _Syn._ PULVIS CETACEI. Spermaceti is pulverised as camphor, by the aid of a few drops of spirit.

=Powder of Spermaceti, with Sugar.= _Syn._ PULVIS CETACEI CUM SACCHARO. One part of powdered spermaceti with two of sugar. Pectoral.

=Powder of Sponge.= _Syn._ PULVIS SPONGIÆ, P. SPONGIÆ USTÆ, L. _Prep._ Let sponge, cut into small pieces, be beaten so as to free it from sand or stones; then burn it in a covered iron vessel, until it becomes black and friable; finally, reduce it to powder. Deobstruent.——_Dose_, 1/2 to 3 dr.; in glandular indurations and enlargements, &c. It should be of a brownish-black colour; if over burnt its efficacy is destroyed.

=Powder of Squills.= _Syn._ PULVIS SCILLÆ, L. _Prep._ Remove the membranous integuments from the bulb of the squill, cut it into thin slices, and dry it at a heat between 90° and 100° Fahr.; next reduce it to powder, and keep it in well-stoppered bottles.

=Powder, Sternuta′tory.= See SNUFFS (Medicated).

=Powder, Stahl’s Resolvent.= _Syn._ PULVIS RESOLVENS STAHLII. _Prep._ Antimonial powder, nitre, prepared crabs’ eyes, in equal parts.

=Powder of Starch with Soda.= _Syn._ PULVIS AMYLI ET SODÆ; DEVERGIE’S ALKALINE POWDER. _Prep._ Mix 1 part of carbonate of soda in fine powder with 10 of white starch. For external use in some skin diseases.

=Powder, Styp′tic.= See POWDER, ASTRINGENT, FAYNARD’S P., &c.

=Powder, Tonquin.= _Syn._ PULVIS ANTITYSSUS TUNQUINENSIS; Sir G. COBB’S TONQUIN POWDER. _Prep._ Musk, 16 gr.; cinnabar, 48 gr.; to be mixed or washed down with arrack or other spirit. Three doses to be given on three alternate days, and three more on the three next changes of the moon.

=Powder of Trag′acanth (Compound).= _Syn._ PULVIS TRAGACANTHÆ COMPOSITUS (B. P., Ph. L. & E.), L. _Prep._ 1. (Ph. L.) Gum tragacanth, gum acacia, and starch, of each, in fine powder, 1-1/2 oz.; powdered white sugar, 3 oz. The Edinburgh formula is similar. Demulcent.——_Dose_, 1/2 dr. to 2 dr., in water or any simple liquid; in hoarseness and catarrhs, combined with squills and henbane, to allay irritation; in dysentery, combined with ipecacuahna; in gonorrhœa, strangury, &c., combined with acetate of potassa or nitre.

2. (B. P.) Tragacanth, in powder, 1; gum Arabic, in powder, 1; starch, in powder, 1; refined sugar, in powder, 3; rub well together.——_Dose_, 10 to 60 gr.

=Powder of Vanilla, with Sugar.= (P. Cod.) _Syn._ PULVIS VANILLÆ CUM SACCHARO; POUDRE DE VANILLE SUCRÉE. Vanilla is reduced to powder by cutting it in pieces, and triturating it with 9 times its weight of refined sugar.

=Powder of Verdigris with Calomel.= _Syn._ PULVIS ÆRUGINIS CUM CALOMELANE. _Prep._ Prepared verdigris, 1 dr.; calomel, 1 dr.; mix. For external use.

=Powder, Violet.= _Syn._ NURSERY POWDER, SKIN P. This is simply starch, reduced to a very fine powder, and scented with orris powder or essence of violets. The best kinds are also perfumed with a little musk or ambergris, and are now generally made with potato farina. The commoner sort is only scented with a little essence of bergamot or essence of lemon. ‘Plain violet powder’ is, of course, unscented.

_Prep._ 1. Powdered starch, 28 lbs.; powdered orris root, 1 lb.; essence of ambergris and essence of bergamot, of each 1/2 oz.; oil of rhodium, 1/2 dr.; mix, and pass the powder through a sieve.

2. Powdered starch, 14 lbs.; essence of bergamot, 1/2 oz.; oil of cloves, 1/2 oz.; as last. Used as a dusting powder in excoriations, &c. See POWDERS, COSMETIC (_below_).

=Powder, Ward’s Sweating.= Resembles DOVER’S POWDER.

=Powder, Wart.= _Syn._ CORN POWDER, COSMETIC CAUSTIC, &c. _Prep._ 1. Ivy leaves ground to powder. A pinch is applied with a rag, the part being first moistened with strong vinegar. Useful for soft corns and warts.

2. (Hunter’s.) From savine and verdigris, equal parts. See CORN SOLVENT.

=Powder, Warwick’s (Earl of).= _Syn._ PULVIS COMITIS WARWICENCIS, L. _Prep._ From scammony, prepared with the fumes of sulphur, 2 oz.; diaphoretic antimony, 1 oz.; cream of tartar, 1/2 oz.——_Dose_, 15 to 30 gr.

_Obs._ This is a modification of CORNACHINI’S POWDER. It is represented in the present Pharmacopœias by COMPOUND SCAMMONY POWDER. “Cornachini wrote a whole book about his powder, the proportions of the ingredients of which he varied according to circumstances.” (‘Med. Lex.’)

=Powder, Wash′ing.= The numerous compounds vended under this name have for their basis the soda-ash of commerce, blended with common Scotch soda in variable proportions. The best of them consist either wholly or chiefly of the first of these substances. The alkaline matter is reduced to coarse powder, and stirred up with liquid size, or with a decoction of linseed, Irish moss, or British gum, and is then dried, and again crushed or powdered, and at once put into the packages, in which it is rammed tight, and covered up immediately. The object aimed at by the manufacturer is to keep his commodity from the air as much as possible, because exposure renders it less caustic, and consequently less detergent.

=Powder of Yellow Bladder-wrack.= (Ph. D.) _Syn._ PULVIS QUERCUS MARINÆ. _Prep._ Yellow bladder-wrack, in flower, is dried, cleansed, and heated in a crucible with a perforated lid till vapours cease to be given off, and the carbonaceous residue reduced to powder.——_Dose_, 10 gr. to 2 dr.

=POWDERS.= The following preparations have been placed under this head instead of under ‘POWDER,’ because some are invariably spoken of in the plural number, and the others may be conveniently noticed in classes or groups.

=Powders, Aerated Sherbet (IN ONE BOTTLE).= Double refined sugar, 14-1/2 oz.; powdered orange peel, 12 gr.; bicarbonate of soda, 3-1/2 oz.; essence of cedrat, 12 drops; oil of orange peel, 60 drops; tartaric acid, 4 oz. The powders must be carefully dried, mixed quickly, and afterwards kept dry, in a bottle securely corked. A measure holding nearly 3 dr. of the powder should accompany each bottle.

=Powders, Efferves′cing.= _Prep._ 1. (PULVERES EFFERVESCENTES——Ph. E.) Take of tartaric acid, 1 oz.; bicarbonate of soda, 1 oz. 54 gr. (534 gr.), or bicarbonate of potassa, 1 oz. 2 dr. 40 gr. (640 gr.); reduce the acid and either bicarbonate separately to fine powder, divide each of these into 16 powders, and preserve the acid and alkaline powders in separate papers of different colours.

2. (PULVERES EFFERVESCENTES CITRATI——Ph. D.) Take of citric acid (crystallised), 9 dr.; bicarbonate of soda, 11 dr., or bicarbonate of potassa, 13 dr., proceed as last, dividing each into 18 parts.

3. (PULVERES EFFERVESCENTES TARTARIZATI——Ph. D.) Take of tartaric acid (in crystals), 10 dr.; bicarbonate of soda, 11 dr., or bicarbonate of potassa, 13 dr.; reduce them to powder, and divide them into 18 parts, as before. (See _below_.)

=Powders, Effervescing, with Iron.= (P. Cod.) _Syn._ PULVERES EFFERVESCENTES CUM FERRO. _Prep._ Tartaric acid, 2-3/4 oz.; bicarbonate of soda, 2 oz.; powdered sugar, 9 oz.; dried sulphate of iron, 46 gr. Mix the acid and the sulphate of iron (previously reduced to coarse powder), add the sugar, and lastly the soda, not in very fine powder. All the ingredients must be very dry. Half an ounce of this powder is to be quickly added to 2 pints of pure water (without air) contained in a bottle, which is to be immediately corked.

=Powders for Gazogene.= For 2 pints:——Powdered tartaric acid, 14 scruples; bicarbonate of soda, 17 scruples.

For 3 pints:——Powdered tartaric acid, 17 scruples; bicarbonate of soda, 21 scruples.

For 5 pints:——One each charge of 2 and 3 pints.

=Powders, Gin′ger Beer.= _Syn._ PULVERES EFFERVESCENTES CUM ZINGIBERE, L. _Prep._ 1. Powdered white sugar, 1 to 2 dr.; bicarbonate of soda, 26 gr.; finest powdered Jamaica ginger, 6 gr.; essence of lemon, 1 drop; mix, and wrap it in blue paper. In the white paper put of powdered tartaric acid, 35 gr., or of powdered citric acid, 30 gr.

2. Finest Jamaica ginger, 1 dr.; bicarbonate of soda, 5 dr.; white sugar, 16 dr.; essence of lemon, 6 or 8 drops; mix, and divide it between 12 papers (blue). For the white papers, divide tartaric acid, 6 dr., in the same way. By taking the drachms as ounces, the quantity will be sufficient for 8 dozen. For use dissolve one of each colour separately in somewhat less than half a glass of water, mix the two, and drink the mixture whilst effervescing.

3. (In one bottle.)——_a._ The sugar and the saline ingredients are separately dried by a very gentle heat, then mixed in a dry room with the ginger and essence of lemon, and at once put into bottles.

_b._ By adding to the ‘acidulated kali,’ noticed at page 929, about 1-16th of its weight of the finest powdered Jamaica ginger (_i. e._ 1/2 dr. to each oz.; 1 oz. to each lb.) at the time of mixing the ingredients together. A dessert-spoonful, thrown into a tumbler two thirds filled with cold water, produces an excellent glass of ginger beer.

=Powders, Ink.= The article usually sold under this name is noticed under INK. Another formula, which we have adopted with considerable success, is as follows:——Good black ink, 3 pints, lump sugar, 1-1/2 oz., and gum Arabic, 1/2 oz., are put into a clean iron pan, and evaporated by the heat of boiling water, with occasional stirring, to dryness; the dried mass is reduced to powder, and divided into 12 parts, which are enveloped in either tin-foil or glazed paper, and kept dry. One of these papers dissolved in 1/4 pint of hot water forms that quantity of excellent black ink, without sediment, and which answers well with the copying press.

=Powders, Lem′onade.= _Syn._ LEMON SHERBET; LIMONADUM SICCUM, PULVIS PRO LIMINADO, L. _Prep._ 1. Powdered citric or tartaric acid, 12 gr.; powdered white sugar, 1/2 oz.; essence of lemon, 1 drop (or a little of the yellow peel of a lemon rubbed off on a piece of sugar); mix. For one glass.

2. White sugar, 4 lbs.; citric or tartaric acid, 1-1/2 oz.; essence of lemon, 1/4 oz.; mix well, and preserve it in a bottle for use. 1 to 2 dessert-spoonfuls make a glass of lemonade. It is also put up in papers containing about 2-1/2 dr. each.

3. (EFFERVESCING.)——_a._ For the blue papers, take of powdered white sugar, 1 lb.; bicarbonate of soda, 1/4 lb.; essence of lemon, 1-1/2 dr.; mix, and divide it between 6 dozen papers. Next divide tartaric or citric acid, 5 oz., between 6 dozen white papers. Or the two may be kept in bulk, in separate bottles.

_b._ (In one bottle.) As ‘ACIDULATED KALI,’ Some makers slightly increase the quantities of acid and essence of lemon there ordered.

=Powders, Orangeade.= _Syn._ AERATED SHERBET. _Prep._ Powdered sugar, 14-1/2 oz.; powdered orange peel, 12 gr.; oil of orange peel, 60 drops; essence of cedrat, 12 drops; bicarbonate of soda, 3-1/2 oz.; mix, and put 145 gr. in each blue paper. In the white paper put 32 gr. of tartaric acid (or 30 gr. of citric acid). Or the alkaline and acid powders may be put into separate bottles, with a measure holding the proper proportions of each. The orange peel may be omitted, if necessary.

=Powders, Pol′ishing.= _Prep._ 1. (For brass and copper.)——_a._ From rotten stone, 3 oz.; powdered soap, 1 oz.

_b._ From rotten stone, 7 oz.; powdered oxalic acid, 1 oz. Both are used with a little water. See BRASS PASTE.

2. (For gold.) Jeweller’s rouge. See SESQUIOXIDE OF IRON.

3. (For ivory.) Pumice stone and putty powder.

4. (For plate.) See PLATE and POWDER, PLATE.

5. (For silver.) As the last.

=Powders, Scented.= _Prep._ 1. COSMETIC POWDERS.——_a._ (POUDRE DE CHIPRE.) Macerate oak moss in running water for 2 or 3 days, then dry and powder it. Used as a basis for other powders, on account of its being highly retentive of odours. Reindeer moss and ragged hoary evernia are also used for the same purpose. See CYPRUS POWDER (_above_).

_b._ (POUDRE DE CHIPRE DE MONTPELIER.) From poudre de chipre, 2 lbs.; musk, 30 gr.; civet, 20 gr. (the last two powdered by means of a little sugar); cloves, 1/4 oz.

_c._ (POUDRE DE FLEURS D’ORANGES.) From starch or cyprus powder, 25 lbs.; orange flowers, 1 lb.; mixed in a covered chest, and stirred twice or thrice daily; the process being repeated, with fresh flowers, a second and a third time. Or, the plain powder is scented by the addition of a little neroli or essence of petit grain.

_d._ (POUDRE DE FRANGIPANNI.) From poudre de fleurs d’oranges and poudre de chipre, of each 6 lbs.; essence of ambergris, 1 oz.; civet (powdered with sugar), 1/2 dr. Ash-grey colour.

_e._ (POUDRE DE JASMINE.) As POUDRE DE FLEURS D’ORANGES, but using jasmin flowers.

_f._ (POUDRE À LA MARÉCHALE.) From poudre de chipre, 2 lbs.; starch powder, 1 lb.; calamus aromaticus, cloves, and cyperus perennis or rotundis, of each 2 oz. Or, starch powder, 28 lbs.; powdered cloves, 3/4 lb.; powdered orris root, 1/2 lb.; essence of ambergris, 2 dr.

_g._ (POUDRE À LA MOUSSELINE.) From orris root, 1 lb.; coriander seed, 6 oz.; mace and violet ebony, of each 2 oz.; musk seed, cassia, cloves, and sandal wood, of each 1 oz.

_h._ (POUDRE DE JONQUILLE.) From jonquils, as POUDRE DE JASMINE.

_i._ (POUDRE À L’ŒILLET.) From plain powder, 2 lbs.; orris root and dried red rose leaves, of each 1 lb.; cloves and musk seed, of each 4 oz.; essence of bergamot and essence de petit grain, of each 1/2 dr.

_k._ (POUDRE DE ROSES COMMUNES.) From pale roses, as POUDRE DE FLEURS D’ORANGES.

_l._ (POUDRE DE ROSES MUSQUÉES.) From musk roses, as the last.

_m._ (POUDRE À LA VANILLA.) From poudre de chipre or cyprus, 3 lbs.; vanilla, powdered by means of sugar, 2 dr.; oil of cloves and essence of ambergris, of each 20 drops.

_n._ (POUDRE À LA VIOLETTE.) See POWDER, VIOLET (as _above_).

The above are used as cosmetic powders for the skin and hair; also, but less frequently, for sachets, drawers, &c.

2. SACHET POWDER.——_a._ From orris root, 2 oz.; cassia, 1-1/2 oz.; cloves, 1 oz.; yellow sandal wood, 1/4 oz.; oils of lavender and bergamot, of each 1 dr.; otto of roses, 20 drops; musk and ambergris, of each, rubbed with a little sugar, 6 gr.; reduce the dry ingredients to coarse powder, mix them, and add the oils.

_b._ From corianders, orris root, rose leaves, and calamus aromaticus, of each 4 oz.; lavender flowers, 8 oz.; rhodium wood, 1 dr.; musk, 20 gr.

_c._ From corianders, orris, calamus aromaticus, and red roses (dried), of each 1 oz.; lavender flowers, 2 oz.; mace and cloves, of each 1 dr.; essential oil of almonds, 10 drops.

_d._ As last, but substituting musk, 5 gr., for the oil of almonds.

_e._ From patchouli, 8 oz.; lavender flowers, (lightly dried), 3 oz.; orris root, 2 oz.; cloves, 1 oz.; essence of bergamot, 1 dr.; essences of ambergris and musk, of each 1/2 dr.

These are used, along with cotton wool, to fill scent bags, cassolettes, &c.; and as scent powder for boxes, drawers, and the like. The scent is added to the dry ingredients, separately reduced to powder, and the whole is then passed through a fine sieve, to ensure perfect admixture.

3. PARFUM POUR LES AUTRES POUDRES. From poudre d’ambrette, 12 lbs.; civette, 1-1/2 oz.; musk, 1 dr.; reduce the last two to powder by grinding them with some dry lump sugar, then mix the whole together, and pass it through a sieve. Used to perfume hair powder, sachets, &c.

=Powders, Seidlitz.= _Syn._ PULVERES EFFERVESCENTES APERIENTES, L. _Prep._ 1. Potassio-tartrate of soda (Rochelle salt), 2 dr.; bicarbonate of soda, 40 gr.; mix, and put it in a blue paper; tartaric acid, 35 gr.; to be put in a white paper. For about 1/2 pint of water. Laxative.

2. (In one bottle.) From potassio-tartrate of soda, 12 oz.; bicarbonate of do., 4 oz.; tartaric acid, 3-1/2 oz.; white sugar, 1 lb. (all in fine powder); dry each separately by a gentle heat, add of essence of lemon, 1/2 dr.; mix well, pass the mixture through a sieve, and put it at once into clean dry bottles.——_Dose._ A dessert-spoonful, or more, to a tumblerful of water.

_Obs._ The above mixtures, though now universally sold as Seidlitz powder, do not, when dissolved, exactly resemble the natural water, which contains carbonates, sulphates, and chlorides of calcium and magnesium. However, the factitious article is equally effective, and much more agreeable.

=Powders, Sher′bet.= These are made of the same materials as lemonade powders, the flavouring ingredient being varied to suit the particular case.

=Powders, So′da-water.= _Syn._ EFFERVESCING POWDERS, E. SALINE P., SODAIC P., AERATED SODA P.; PULVERES EFFERVESCENTES, L. _Prep._ 1. From bicarbonate of soda, 30 gr. in each blue paper; tartaric acid, 25 gr. (or citric acid, 24 gr.), in each white paper. One of each is dissolved separately in about half a glassful of water, and the two solutions mixed, and drank immediately. A cooling, wholesome summer beverage, but it should not be indulged in to excess.

2. (Chalybeated.) By adding 1 gr. of dried protosulphate of iron to each paper of acid. Tonic.

3. (Midgeley’s.) Made by adding 1/8 gr. of tartarised antimony to each paper of acid. Refrigerant and diaphoretic. For the Ph. formulæ see POWDERS, EFFERVESCING (_above_).

=Powders, Soup.= See POWDER, CURRY, POWDER, PEA, SPICE, &c.

=Powders, Spruce Beer.= _Syn._ PULVERES EFFERVESCENTES CUM ABIETE, L. _Prep._ As ginger-beer powders, but substituting essence of spruce, 3 to 6 drops, for the powdered ginger.

=Powders, Tooth.= _Syn._ PULVIS DENTIFRICII, L. The general principles which should be kept in view in the selection of the materials, and in the preparation of dentifrices, have been already fully noticed under DENTIFRICES, and need not, therefore, be repeated here. Care must be taken that all the dry ingredients be finely pulverised, and that the harder and gritty ones be reduced to the state of an impalpable powder, either by levigation or elutriation. The mixture of the ingredients must also be complete. This is the most readily effected by stirring them well together until they form an apparently homogeneous powder, and then passing this powder through a very fine sieve. Those which contain volatile substances should be preserved in closely corked wide-mouth bottles, and those which contain acidulous or gritty matter should not be frequently employed. The selection of the tooth brush likewise deserves attention. It should be sufficiently stiff to effect its purpose completely; but, at the same time, it should be so formed as not to cause irritation or injury to the gums during its use.

_Prep._ 1. Cuttle-fish bone and prepared chalk, of each 2 oz.; oil of cloves, 20 drops. This may be perfumed at will, and medicated by any of the substances referred to under DENTIFRICES.

2. To the last add of powdered Castile soap, 2 oz.

3. Prepared chalk, 12 oz.; cuttle-fish bone, 8 oz.; orris root, 4 oz.; dragon’s blood, 1-1/2 oz.; oils of cloves and cassia, of each 1/2 dr.

4. Prepared chalk, 1 lb.; pumice-stone, in impalpable powder, 1/4 lb.; orris root, 2 oz.; pure rouge, 1/4 oz.; neroli, 1/2 dr.

5. Yellow cinchona bark and myrrh, of each 1/2 oz.; recently burnt charcoal, 3 oz.; cloves, 1 dr.

6. Pumice-stone, red coral, and powdered rhatany root, of each, 2 oz.; orris root, 1/2 oz.; essence of vanilla, 1/2 dr.

7. (AROMATIC TOOTH POWDER.) From cuttle-fish bone, 4 oz.; calamus aromaticus, 2 oz.; powdered Castile soap, 1 oz.; oil of cloves, 1/2 dr.

8. (ASIATIC DENTIFRICE.) From prepared red coral, 8-1/4 lbs.; Venetian red, 3/4 lb.; prepared chalk and pumice-stone, of each 1-1/4 lb.; China musk, 30 gr.

9. (Cadet’s.) From lump sugar and charcoal, of each 1 oz.; Peruvian bark, 1/2 oz.; cream of tartar, 1/4 oz.; cinnamon, 1/2 dr.

10. (Camphorated.) See CAMPHORATED CHALK.

11. (CHARCOAL DENTIFRICE.) From charcoal, preferably that from the willow or the areka nut, either alone or combined with twice its weight of prepared chalk. Scent or medicinals injure it. (See 9, 19, and 26.)

12. (CORAL DENTIFRICE.) See 16, 23, and 25 (_below_).

13. (Deschamp’s ALKALINE DENTIFRICE.) From powdered talc, 4 oz.; bicarbonate of soda, 1 oz.; carmine, 6 gr.; oil of mint, 12 or 15 drops.

14. (FLORENTINE DENTIFRICE.) From prepared shells, 4 oz.; orris root, 1-1/2 oz.; bitartrate of potassa, 3/4 oz.; Florentine lake, q. s. to colour.

15. (GALVANIC DENTIFRICE.) From gold, 3 leaves; silver, 4 leaves; triturate them with alum and sulphate of potassa, of each 1-1/2 dr.; then add, of dry common salt, pellitory of Spain, and Peruvian bark, of each 1 dr.; prepared hartshorn, 1 oz.; mix, and either colour it blue with smalts or red with lake. A useless compound.

16. (Grosvenor’s.) From red coral, 3 lbs.; prepared oyster-shells, 2-1/2 lbs.; orris powder, 1/2 lb.; oil of rhodium, 25 drops. Rose-pink is now commonly substituted for the coral.

17. (Hemet’s.) From cuttle-fish bone, 6 oz.; cream of tartar, 1 oz.; orris root, 1/2 oz.

18. (‘Lancet.’) Red bark and Armenian hole, of each 1 oz.; powdered cinnamon and bicarbonate of soda, of each 1/2 oz.; oil of cinnamon, 2 or 3 drops.

19. (Lardner’s.) From charcoal, in very fine powder, 1 oz.; prepared chalk, 3 oz.; mix.

20. (Mialhe’s RATIONAL DENTIFRICE.) From sugar of milk, 3 oz.; pure tannin, 3 dr.; red lake, 1 dr.; oils of mint and aniseed, of each 7 or 8 drops; neroli, 4 or 5 drops.

21. (MYRRH DENTIFRICE.) From cuttle-fish bone, 6 oz.; myrrh and orris root, of each 2 oz.

22. (PEARL DENTIFRICE.) From heavy carbonate of magnesia or precipitated chalk, 1 lb.; finest smalts, 3 dr.; essence de petit grain, 1/2 dr.

23. (Pelletier’s QUININE DENTIFRICE.) From prepared red coral, 3 oz.; myrrh, 1 dr.; disulphate of quinine, 12 to 15 gr.

24. (Ph. Russ.) Cinchona bark, 4 oz.; orris root, 2 oz.; catechu and myrrh, of each 1-1/2 oz.; sal ammoniac, 1 oz.; oil of cloves, 20 drops.

25. (POUDRE DENTIFRICE——P. Cod.) Red coral, red bole, and cuttle-fish bone, of each 3 oz.; dragon’s blood, 1-1/2 oz.; cinnamon, 3/4 oz.; cochineal, 3 dr.; cloves, 1 dr.; bitartrate of potassa, 4-1/2 oz.; reduce them separately to very fine powder before mixing them. This is the ‘coral dentifrice’ of the French.

26. (Rignini’s.) From charcoal, 1 oz.; yellow bark, 1/4 oz.

27. (ROSE DENTIFRICE.) From precipitated chalk, 6 oz.; cuttle-fish bone, 3 oz.; bicarbonate of soda, 2 oz.; red lake, 1/4 oz.; otto of roses, 20 drops.

28. (Ruspini’s.) From cuttle-fish bone, 8 oz.; Roman alum and orris root, of each 1 oz.; cream of tartar, 2 oz.; oil of rhodium, 6 or 8 drops.

29. (VIOLET TOOTH POWDER.) From orris root, 3 oz.; cuttle-fish bone and rose pink, of each 5 oz.; precipitated chalk, 12 oz.; pure indigo, q. s. to give it a pale violet tinge.

30. (Zieter’s.) From finely powdered calcined hartshorn and cuttle-fish bone, of each 6 oz.; calamus aromaticus, cassia, and pellitory of Spain, of each 1 oz.; essence of vanilla, 1 dr.; essence of ambergris, 10 or 12 drops.

31. Chalk, carbonate of magnesia, and pale bark, of each 1 oz.; oil of peppermint, 5 drops.

32. Cream of tartar, sugar of milk, of each 2 oz.; carmine, 88 gr. (all in very subtle powder); oil of peppermint, 4 drops.

=Powders, Worm.= _Syn._ PULVERES ANTHELMINTICI, P. VERMIFUGI, L. _Prep._ 1. (Bouchardat.) Powdered Corsican moss and worm-seed, of each 5 dr.; calomel, 40 gr.; rub them together.

2. (Collier.) From powdered jalap and scammony, of each 1 dr.; cream of tartar, 2 dr.; Ethiops mineral, 3 dr.

3. (Guibourt.) Sulphate of iron, 1 dr.; tansy, 2 dr.; worm-seed, 3 dr.

4. (P. Cod.) Corsican moss and worm-seed, of each 2 oz.; rhubarb, 1 oz.; rubbed to a fine powder, and carefully mixed.

=POX.= A corruption of a Saxon word, originally applied to pustules or eruptions of any kind, but now restricted to varicella, variola, vaccinia, and, in its unqualified form, to syphilis. (See _below_.)

=Pox, Chick′en.= _Syn._ WATER-POX; VARICELLA, L. An eruptive disease, consisting of smooth, semi-transparent vesicles, of various sizes, which afterwards become white and straw-coloured, and about the fourth day break and scale off, without leaving any permanent mark behind them. In hot weather the discharge sometimes becomes purulent, and at others the eruption is attended with considerable fever. Sometimes the vesicles assume a pointed form, and the fluid remains clear throughout the disease; it is then frequently called the “swine-pox.” When the vesicles are large and globular, and their contents, at first whey-coloured, afterwards turn yellow, it is popularly known as ‘hives.’

The treatment of chicken-pox consists in the adoption of a light, vegetable diet, and in the administration of mild saline aperients and cooling drinks.

The chicken-pox, except in children of a very bad habit of body, is an extremely mild disease. Like the smallpox, it rarely attacks the same person more than once during life.

=Pox, Cow.= _Syn._ VACCINIA, VARIOLA VACCINA, L. This disease was proposed as a substitute and a preventive of smallpox by Dr Jenner in 1798, and its artificial production (vaccination) has rendered smallpox a comparatively rare disease in Britain. There appears no reason to doubt that the pretensions of the advocates of vaccination have been fully justified by the experience of more than half a century; or that this disease, when actively developed, evinced by the completeness and maturation of the pustules, acts as a prophylactic of smallpox.

The process of vaccination is similar to that of inoculation for smallpox. The point of a lance is wetted with the matter taken from one of the pustules, and is then gently inserted under the cuticle, and the scratch afterwards rubbed over with the same. Hæmorrhage should be avoided, as the blood is apt to wash away the virus, or to form a cake which shields the living tissue from its action.

=Pox, Small.= _Syn._ VARIOLA, L. This disease comes on with the usual symptoms of inflammatory fever. About the third day red spots, resembling flea-bites, make their appearance on the face and head, and gradually extend over the whole body. About the fifth day small circular vesicles, depressed in the centre, surrounded by an areola, and containing a colourless fluid, begin to form, when the feverish symptoms abate; about the sixth day the throat becomes sore; about the eighth day the face is swollen; and about the eleventh day the pustules acquire the size of a pea, and cease to enlarge, the matter which they contain becomes opaque and yellow, a dark central spot forms on each, the swelling of the face subsides, and secondary symptoms of fever come on; the pustules become rough, break, and scab over, and a dark spot remains for some days, often followed by permanent indentations, popularly known as ‘pock-marks.’ At the end of the sixteenth or eighteenth day the symptoms usually disappear. In the confluent smallpox, a severer form of the disease, the pustules coalesce, the eruption is irregular in its progress, and the inflammatory symptoms are more severe.

The treatment of ordinary cases of smallpox resembles, for the most part, that mentioned above for chicken-pox. As soon as the febrile symptoms become marked the patient should not be suffered to lie in a hot bed, but on a mattress, in a cool and well-ventilated apartment, and antiseptic cooling drinks should be freely administered. When convulsions occur, or great irritability exists, small doses of morphine, opium, or camphor may be administered, and obstinate vomiting arrested by effervescing saline draughts. When the skin is pale and cold, the pulse weak, and the eruption languidly developed, the warm or tepid bath is often serviceable. An infusion of the root of _Sarracenia pupurea_, an American plant, has been strongly recommended as a preventive and cure of smallpox, but many of our most eminent physicians regard it as valueless. The application on the third day of a mask formed of thin muslin, covered with mercurial ointment, and having holes cut in it for the nostrils, eyes, and mouth, will effectually prevent ‘pitting.’ (Dr. Stewardson.) With the same intention some persons recommend the puncture of the pustules as soon as they are mature. A solution of india rubber in chloroform is now often painted over the face when the eruption has become fully developed. The chloroform quickly evaporates, leaving an elastic film of india rubber, which almost entirely removes the itchiness of the pustules and prevents ‘pitting.’ To remove the pock-marks, whether recent or old, nothing appears to be better than warm sea-bathing, or the use of tepid ioduretted lotions.

The smallpox is eminently contagious, but only attacks the same person once during life. Formerly, a milder form of the disease was propagated by inoculation, a practice introduced into England from Turkey by Lady Mary Wortley Montague, about the year 1721. At the present day, in England, inoculation, as well as the exposure of a patient labouring under smallpox, is penal, the punishment being either by fine or imprisonment. See POX, COW (_above_).

“The absolute necessity for enforcing this measure after smallpox is conclusively shown by the following cases which occurred during the late severe outbreak of the disease at Ipswich. In the first instance a young man brought a bundle of infected linen with him from London and had it washed at Ipswich. Twelve days after, the servant who washed it showed symptoms of smallpox. In another case, a woman who had been at Highgate Hospital brought with her a shawl which she had worn during convalescence, but had not been disinfected; and in fourteen days her sister, who washed the shawl, was attacked with smallpox.”——_Sanitary Record._

=PRECIP′ITATE.= Any substance which has separated from its solution in a solid and, usually, a pulverulent or flocculent form. The substance by which such a change is produced is called the ‘precipitant,’ and the act or operation by which it is effected is called ‘precipitation.’ The old chemists gave this name to several compounds. Red precipitate, or precipitate _per se_, is the red oxide of mercury prepared by heat. White precipitate is the AMMONIATED MERCURY of the B. P.

=PRECIPITA′TION.= The formation or subsidence of a precipitate. (See _above_.) When the precipitate is the chief object of the process, it is necessary to wash it, after it is separated, by filtration. This operation requires little attention when the substance thrown down is insoluble in water; but when it is in some degree soluble in that liquid, great attention is required to prevent the loss which might result from the use of too much water. Precipitates soluble in water, but insoluble in alcohol, are frequently, on the small scale, washed with spirit more or less concentrated.

The best precipitating vessel is a very tall glass jar, furnished with a lip and spout, and narrower at the bottom than at the mouth, so that the precipitate may readily collect by subsidence, and the supernatant liquor be decanted off with more ease.

=PREG′NANCY.= For the preservation of the health, and the prevention of the numerous discomforts and dangers which so frequently attend this condition, nothing is so effective as exercise. It is this that is so favorable to the humble peasant, and it is its absence that inflicts such calamities on the wealthier classes. Exercise, moderate and unfatiguing, when assisted by regular habits, and a diet nutritious, but not too liberal, is, indeed, capable of not only affording pleasure and increasing the comforts of existence, but is also generally sufficient to greatly lessen the severity of the sufferings, and to ward off the not unfrequently fatal results which terminate this interesting condition.

The sickness of pregnancy may be greatly ameliorated, if not removed, by the occasional use of a saline aperient, and by effervescing draughts formed with the bicarbonate of potassa and citric acid. The oxalate of cerium is strongly recommended by Professor Simpson, of Edinburgh, as a remedy for obstinate vomiting in pregnancy.——_Dose_, 1 gr. to 2 gr. three times a day in pills.

=PRESCRI′′BING (Art of).= Besides a knowledge of diseases and their treatment, much of the success of the physician depends on circumstances connected with the form in which the remedies are exhibited. In writing a prescription it is necessary to consider the age, sex, temperament, habits and idiosyncracy of the patient, as well as the conditions of climate and season, before the selection of the leading medicament and the apportioning of the dose. The most convenient form of exhibiting it, whether it should be given alone or in some simple form, or combined with other ingredients, the compatibility of the latter, and how far these are likely to assist, impede, or modify its operation, must also receive the consideration of the practitioner. Without a careful attention to all these circumstances the most valuable remedies may be rendered worthless, and the highest medical skill and the best intentions frustrated.

A prescription generally contains several medicinal substances, which are distinguished by medical writers by names indicative of the office which each of them performs. These are——1. The BASIS, which is the principal or most active ingredient;——2. The ADJUVANT, or that which is intended to promote the action of the base;——3. The CORRECTIVE, intended to correct, modify, or control its action, or to cover its odour or taste, as when we add carminatives or diaphoretics to cathartics, or aromatics or liquorice to nauseous substances;——4. The EXCIPIENT, or that which gives the whole a commodious or agreeable form, and which, consequently, gives the prescription its peculiar character, as that of draught, mixture, pills, &c. To these, certain Continental writers add a 5th, the INTERMEDIUM, which is the substance employed to unite remedies which are not, by themselves, miscible with each other, or with the excipient. Of this character are the yolk of egg and mucilage, employed in the preparation of emulsions.

The medicinal substances, with the quantities to be taken, generally arranged as above, are said to form the ‘inscription,’——the directions as to their combination or dispensing, which usually comes next, the ‘subscription,’ and——the orders for the exhibition of the compound medicine, which follow these, the ‘instructions.’ These distinctions are, however, in many cases more technical than useful.

In choosing the form of a prescription it should be recollected that solutions and emulsions generally act with more certainty and rapidity than powders diffused through water; and these, again, than the semi-solid and solid forms of medicine, represented by electuaries, boluses, and pills. On these matters, however, the taste and wishes of the patient should not be disregarded. For this purpose the taste of nauseous medicines should be disguised as much as possible by the judicious selection of an appropriate corrective or excipient. Thus, the disagreeable flavour of Epsom salt may be in a great measure covered by dissolving it in peppermint water; that of aloes by liquorice; that of castor oil and copaiba by orange peel; and that of powdered bark by mixing it with milk immediately before taking it; whilst the bitterness of all bitter substances is concealed by strong coffee.

In order that a prescription may be well made it is not necessary to unite all the elements above referred to. The basis and the excipient are the only two which are absolutely necessary, since there are many medicines which have no need of an adjuvant. The agreeable flavour and odour of some, and the mild and harmless nature of others, often render the intervention of a corrigent unnecessary when they are employed. A single substance may also “be capable of answering two or more purposes. Thus, the adjuvant may also act as a corrigent, as when the addition of soap to aloes, or to extract of jalap, lessens their griping properties, and at the same time promotes their action. In the same way neutral salts correct the colic which follows the use of resinous purgatives, and accelerate their action.” According to Gaubius, the number of ingredients in a prescription should scarcely ever exceed three or four. See DOSE, MEDICINES, INCOMPATIBLES, PILLS, &c.

=PRESCRIP′TIONS.= Recipes or formulæ for the preparation and exhibition of medicines intended, generally, for immediate use. See PRESCRIBING (_above_).

=PRESERVES′.= A general term, under which are included the various fruits and vegetables which are seasoned and kept in sugar or syrup, more especially those which are so preserved whole or in slices. See CANDYING, JAM, MARMALADE, &c.

=PRESS (Correcting for the).= See PROOFS.

=PRESSURE, BAROMETRIC, on the Phenomena of Life.= M. Bert has contributed to the ‘Comptes Rendus’[122] (lxxiii, 213, 503; lxxiv, 617; lxxv, 29, 88) an account of the following experimental researches on the influence of changes in the Barometric Pressure on the Phenomena of Life:——

[Footnote 122: ‘Journal Chemical Society,’ vol. xxv.]

He finds that at pressures under 18 centimètres of mercury animals die from want of oxygen; at a pressure of one to two atmospheres, from want of oxygen and presence of carbonic acid; at 2-6 atmospheres, from the presence of carbonic acid alone; at 6-15 atmospheres, from the presence of carbonic acid and of excess of oxygen; and at 15-25 atmospheres, from the poisonous action of oxygen alone.

Animals die from want of oxygen when the amount contained in their arterial blood is not sufficient to balance a pressure of 3·5 per cent. of oxygen in the atmosphere. They die from poisoning by carbonic anhydride when the amount contained in their venous blood is sufficient to balance a pressure of 26 to 28 per cent. of carbonic anhydride in the atmosphere in the case of sparrows, of 28 to 30 for mammals, and of 15 or 16 for reptiles.