Domestic Pharmacopoeia. #0246

--In compiling this part of our hints, we have endeavoured to supply that kind of information which is so often wanted in the time of need, and cannot be obtained when a medical man or druggist is not near. ~ The doses are all fixed for adults, unless otherwise specified.
--[Be Advised: - these Notes are over 85years old, and are intended as an advisory of past practice. The responsibility of use is the reader's.]
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--Collyria or Eye Washes.
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--Alum.
--Dissolve half a drachm of alum in 10 oz (half a pint) of water. Use as astringent wash. When twice as much alum and only half the quantity of water are used, it acts as a discutient, but not as an eye-water. ~ Note that this and the following washes are for outward application only.
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--Compound Alum.
--Dissolve alum and white vitriol, of each 1 drachm, in 1 pint of water, and filter through paper. ~ Use as astringent wash.
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--Ordinary.
--Add half an oz of diluted acetic acid to 3 oz of decoction of poppy-heads. ~ Use as anodyne wash.
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--Zinc and Lead.
--Dissolve white vitriol and acetate of lead, of each 7 grains, in 4 oz of elder-flower water; add 1 drachm of laudanum (tincture of opium), and the same quantity of spirit of camphor; then strain. ~ Use as detergent wash.
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--Acetate of Zinc.
--Dissolve half a drachm of white vitriol in 5 oz of water. Dissolve 2 scruples of acetate of lead in 5 oz of water. Mix these solutions, then set aside for a short time, and afterwards filter. ~ Use as astringent wash; this firms a most valuable collyrium.
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--Sulphate of Zinc.
--Dissolve 20 grains of white vitriol in a pint of water or rose-water. ~ Use for weak eyes.
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--Zinc and Camphor.
--Dissolve a scruple of white vitriol in 10 oz of water; add 1 drachm of spirit of camphor, and strain. ~ Use as a stimulant.
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--Compound Zinc.
--Dissolve 15 grains of white vitriol in 8 oz of camphor-water (Mistura camphoroe), and the same quantity of decoction of poppy-heads. ~ Use as anodyne and detergent wash; it is useful for weak eyes.
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--Apothecaries' Weight.
--Used in Medical Prescriptions.
--20 grains = 1 scruple (insignia very like a 3 made of two thirds circle on right with horizontal bar from centre to opening on left.)
--3 scruples = 1 drachm (insignia very like an 3 with top half consisting of two angle strokes rather than normal one.)
--8 drachm = 1 oz (insignia very like 3 with top half angled than curved.)
12 oz = 1 pound (lb)
*--A better method is to divide down from the troy weight, although drugs are bought by avoir-dupois weight. There might be found in a box containing the scales and weights, several square pieces of brass, of different sizes and thicknesses, and stamped with the insignia, as mentioned above. 1 lb is 12 oz and 1 oz is 8 drachma. 1 drachm is 3 scruples, and 1 scruple is 20 grains. One piece of square brass will be marked with five circles, as pips in a dice, each circle about the size of a grain, - larger than o, smaller than O. [Note : this is a description of 85 year old practices. Responsibility of use is the reader's.]
•<EWUE 118Ed. HJLtd Pub. 1933.>

''The Miser Fasts With Greedy Mind To Spare; The Glutton Fasts To Eat The Greater Share.''