Part II.

Materia Medica.

71

long as any flame appears on removing the cover, and until itbe fully red. It is then to be allowed to cool in the furnace,the upper layer of the powder to be removed, and the remain-der to be sealed accurately up in ounce vials.

Medical use ___When the pneumatic pathology was in fa-shion, and phthisis and similar diseases were ascribed to hy-per-oxygenation of the system, charcoal was strongly recom-mended as a powerful disoxygenizing remedy, and cases ofits successful employment are even recorded.

In this place it will not be superfluous to notice the powerascribed to charcoal of purifying various fetid or discolouredfluids. Lowitz found that it destroyed the adventitious co-lour and smell of vinegar, carbonate of ammonia, tartaric acid,alcohol, super-tartrate of potass, and other salts, and that itprevented water from becoming putrid at sea, especially whenassisted by a little sulphuric acid. Meat which has acquireda maukisii, or even putrid smell, is also said to be renderedperfectly sweet by rubbing it with powdered charcoal.

From its acknowledged effects in correcting the putridity ofanimal substances, it is probable that the virtues ascribed to itof preventing the putrid eructations which take place in somekinds of dyspepsia are not unfounded. Ten grains may begiven for a dose. A table spoonful taken two or three timesa-day, with syrup of roses, is said to remove habitual costive-ness. In the additions to the German translation of the thirdedition of this dispensatory, we are informed that Hahne-mann and Juch found that charcoal taken to the extent of twodrachms daily, completely took away the fetor of the stoolsof dysenteric patients. It is also said to be useful in the itch,worms, florid phthisis, scrofula, and other atrophy's. Thelatest extension of the use of charcoal as a remedy, is for thecure of intermittent fevers, by Dr Calcagno of Palermo, andhis success has been corroborated by Dr Calvert, and otherarmy practitioners on that station. A scruple of the powderwas given as a dose three times a-day, or every three hours,and the patients generally recovered before they had takentwo ounces. It was also used with advantage in dysentery.Dr Calvert says, its general effects seemed to be ". to take awaybitter and disagreeable tastes in the mouth, to allay sickness,wherever thereis a tendency to vomit, and sometimes to stop thevomiting when it has occurred, to promote appetite, and to as-sist digestion. It has some tendency, however, to constipatethe bowels, but it neither produces griping, nor any otherunpleasant symptom." As an external application, powderedcharcoal has been recommended in the cure of inflammation,from external causes, gangrene, and all descriptions of fetid