714

Blasters.

TART ill.

Dublin.

" Take of pure gum ammoniac, a pound; purified mercury,three ounces; turpentine, two drachms. Rub the mercurywith the turpentine until the globules disappear; then addgradually the ammoniac previously melted, and melt the wholetogether."

In these plasters the mercury is in the state of oxide, with aminimum of oxygen. They are powerful discutients, and areapplied to indurated glands, hydarthus, nodes, tophi, and in-dolent tumours.

EMPLASTRUM AROMATICUM. Dub. AromaticPlaster.

" Take of frankincense, three ounces; yellow wax, half anounce; cinnamon bark in powder, six drachms; oil of pimenta,oil of lemons, of each two drachms. Melt the frankincense andthe wax together, and strain the mixture; when it thickens bycooling, mix with it the powder of cinnamon previously rubbedwith the oils, and form them into a plaster."

This plaster, which is an elegant stimulant, is applied on theregion of the stomach in dyspepsia, and increased irritabilityof that viscus, to allay pain and vomiting; and to expel flatus.As the oils are very volatile, it must be spread with the thumbwithout being melted. It requires to be frequently renewed,and is consequently not very adhesive.

EMPLASTRUM ASSAFCETIDM Edin. AssafcetidaPlaster.

" Take of plaster of semivitreous oxide of lead, assafoetida,of each two parts; galbanum, yellow wax, of each one part"

This plaster is sometimes applied over the umbilical region,in flatulence and hysteria.

EMPLASTRUM CALEFACIENS. Dub. WarmPlaster.

" Take of plaster of cantharides, one part; Burgundy pitch,seven parts. Melt them together with a moderate heat, and mixthem so as to form a plaster."

This plaster is stimulant and rubefacient, and is applied withadvantage in catarrh, hooping-cough, sciatica, and local pains.

EMPLASTRUM CER^E. Lond- Wax Plaster.

" Take of yellow wax, prepared suet, of each three pounds ;yellow resin, a pound. Melt them together, and strain."

Emplastrum simplex. Edin. Simple Plaster.

" Take of yellow wax, three parts; mutton suet, white resin,of each two parts"

These plasters were originally intended for dressing blisteredparts, with the view of promoting a discharge; but, owing tothe pain and irritation they induce, they are now seldom em-ployed. They may be spread with a hot iron.