RANX r

cannot speak positively; but the temptation to fraud is considerable.Its insolubility in water, and great solubility in ether, will assist indetecting these.Chemically, quinine in the pure state is uncrystallizable, and separatesfrom the alcoholic solution in form of a viscid substance somewhatresembling birdlime. It may also be obtained in transparent plates.If it be dried in a gentle heat it becomes brown and brittle. Whenvery cautiously dried in an exhausted vessel, it is white, pulverulent,fusible, and decomposes at a dull red heat. It combines with acids,such as the sulphuric and the acetic. With the oxalic, gallic, andtartaric acids it forms insoluble salts.Insoluble in water, but soluble in alcohol, and very soluble in ether.Incompatible with the tartaric, gallic, and oxalic acids, and thereforewith astringent and acidulous vegetables, such as the compoundinfusion of roses.Medicinally, quinine is seldom employed in its alkaline state, thesulphate being usually preferred. When it is given pure the dose isfrom gr. v to gr. x, in the course of the day, in intermittent^,gangrene, debility, &c. See Sulphate of Quinine.Quinquina. See Cinchona.

It.

Radical Vinegar,. Pure, concentrated acetic acid ; procured by satu-rating dilute acetic acid with a metallic oxide, and decomposing thedry acetate thence formed by sulphuric acid, which takes up themetal, and leaves the acetic acid transparent, colourless, volatile, andacrid. Spec. grav. l-06'O.

Radix. Root. A term common in the Pharmacopoeias, such as Radixeryngi, Radix rhei, Radix bryoniw.

Raisins. See Uvjb Pass^e. L.

Rajient;e Ferri. See Ferrum.

Ranunculus Acris: Folia. P. Buttercup, or Crowfoot. A commonnative plant in fields and meadows, the leaves and root of which areacrid. It is used in form of cataplasm in gouty and rheumatic painsof the joints, and applied for eight or twelve hours to the wrists toprevent an accession of intermittent. Powdered, it is mixed witharsenic for cancerous ulcers, and is one of the ingredients inPlunkett's and Aldis's remedies for cancer.Poisonous internally, producing great heat, and a burning sensation inthe throat and stomach, vomiting, retching, &c. The best treatmentis to promote vomiting, and give demulcent drinks, such as hot milk,barley water, &c.

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