avored with orange
and syrup, used as a vehicle for other remedies and as a stomachic.

Its action is very extensive. It is used extensively in medical
preparations. It is a good application to prevent bed-sores. The addition
of one dram of alum to a pint makes it more effective. Hot applications
relieve pain in face neuralgia, cold in the face or toothache. It is often
used after bathing in full strength or diluted to rub on the body to
prevent taking cold. It stimulates the digestive organs, nervous system
and the circulation. It is much used in snake-bite. Its constant use is a
menace, as all know. It should never be taken for disease unless
prescribed by a reputable physician.

[MEDICAL USES OF COMMON ARTICLES 671]

ALUM (Alumen).--Dried alum is an astringent and mild "burner" for growths
such as "proud flesh." The glycerite of alum is useful in tonsilitis or
pharyngitis when it is not acute. In solution it condenses tissue by
coagulating their albumin and acts as an astringent.

Uses of the Strength.--One dram to a pint of whisky and water aids in
checking sweating in consumption when applied with a sponge. It is a good
injection for the whites. A cotton plug soaked in alum often stops
nosebleed by inserting it in the nostrils, or a solution may be thrown or
snuffed into the nostrils. It is also good as a gargle for tonsilitis and
sore throat.

Emetic for Croup.--Put a heaping teaspoonful in thirty-two teaspoonfuls of
water or syrup and give a teaspoonful every fifteen minutes until vomiting
is produced. It is often used stronger when quick action is desired. It is
a mild astringent and thus used to check mucous discharges from the
bowels, etc. Burnt powdered alum is often used to destroy "proud flesh."

BORAX (Sodium Borate).--This drug as it appears in commerce of America is
derived entirely from natural deposits found on the shores of lakes of
California and Nevada. This is purified.

Action.--It is antiseptic in its action. It renders the urine alkaline.

Gargle.--It is used as a gargle in sore mouth and throat in dose of a dram
to a pint of water. It is very good used as a wash for fetid sweating,
especially of the feet. It is often used in combination in catarrh of the
nose. It can be combined with soda for this purpose in dose of one dram of
each to two pints of pure water and used in an atomizer.

CAMPHOR.--This is distilled from the wood and bark of the camphor tree,
cinnamomum camphora, which