ALCOHOL.

205

soft linen soaked in brandy, or in spirit and water, has been applied tothe mouth of the uterus in uterine haemorrhage (Richter, Arzneimit-tellehre, 3" Bd. S. 256). Spirit is used to harden the cuticle over tenderand delicate parts. Thus brandy is sometimes applied to the nipplesseveral weeks before delivery, in order to prevent production of sorenipple from suckling, in individuals predisposed to it. The efficacy ofspirit, in hardening the cuticle, depends, in part, on its chemical influence.Spirit gargles have been found serviceable in checking the tendency toinflammation and swelling of the tonsils. As a stimulant application ,warm rectified spirit has been applied to burned or scalded parts, on theprinciples laid down for the treatment of these cases by Dr. Kentish.Properly diluted, spirit has been employed as a wash in various skindiseases, and in ulcers of bed-ridden persons, and as a collyrium inchronic ophthalmia. Frictions with rectified spirits have been used inthe abdominal region, to promote labour pains; on the chest, to excitethe action of the heart, in fainting or suspended animation; in thehypogastric region, to stimulate the bladder, when retention of urinedepends on inertia, or a paralytic condition of this viscus; in variousparts of the body, to relieve the pain arising from bruises, or to stimulateparalyzed parts.

The inhalation of the vapour of rectified spirit has been recommendedto relieve the irritation produced by the inspiration of chlorine; but 1have tried the practice on myself without benefit. The readiest mode ofeffecting it is to drop some spirit on a lump of sugar, and hold this inthe mouth during inspiration.

Diluted spirit has been used as an injection for the radical cure ofhydrocele. A mixture of wine and water, however, is commonly em-ployed in this country.

Spirit has been used to form cold lotions. — As the efficacy of itdepends on its evaporation, it should be applied by means of a singlelayer of linen, and not by a compress. Evaporating lotions are appliedto the head in cephalalgia, in phrenitis, in fever, in poisoning by opium,&c.; to fractures of the extremities; to parts affected with erysipelatousinflammation, &c.

2. Pharmaceutical. —The alcohol of the Pharmacopoeia (sp. gr.0'815) is not employed in the preparation of any officinal substances,but it is a valuable agent in chemical analysis, and is used in determiningthe purity of certain medicinal substances; as iodine, iodide of potassium,the vegetable alkalies, castor oil, &c. Rectified and proof spirits aremost extensively employed in officinal pharmacy: as in the formation oftinctures (the alcooles of the French pharmacologists), spirits ( alcoolatsor alcoolata of the Codex ), ethers, etherial oil, and resinous extracts,and in the manufacture of the vegetable alkalies. Spirit is added tovarious preparations to assist in preserving them.

Antidotes. — The first object in the treatment of poisoning byspirituous liquors is to evacuate the contents of the stomach, which is besteffected by the stomach-pump ; emetics being frequently unsuccessful.Stimulants are then to be employed : the most effectual are the injectionof cold water into the ears, cold affusion to the head and neck, warmthto the extremities, when these are cold, and the internal use either ofammonia, or of the solution of the acetate of ammonia, both of which