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ELEMENTS OF MATERIA MEDICA.

the eye or injected by a syringe, or applied by means of a camel’s hairpencil. Of course other means (bleeding, purging, cold, and, in chroniccases, blisters) should be conjoined. I have found a weak solution of thechloride very successful in the purulent ophthalmia of infants. Gubian(. Journ . de Chim. Med. vi. 315) proposed to apply a solution of chlorideof lime to prevent the pitting from small-pox. The fully maturatedpustules are to be opened and washed with a weak solution of this salt:desiccation takes place very promptly, and no marks or pits are saidto be left behind.

Chloride of lime may be employed internally in the same cases thatchloride of soda is administered (p. 31C.) It has been used with greatsuccess by Dr. Reid {Trans, of the King and Queen’s College of Physi-cians in Ireland, v. 266) in the epidemic lever of Ireland . In some of thevery worst cases it acted most beneficially, causing warm perspiration,rendering the tongue cleaner and moister, checking diarrhoea, and induc-ing quiet sleep. I also can bear testimony to the good effects of thisremedy in bad cases of fever. In disease of the pulmonary organs result-ing from febrile excitement, Dr. Reid also found it advantageous. Tndysentery likewise it was most valuable. He used it by the mouth andalso in the form of glyster. It corrected the intolerable stench of theevacuations, and improved their appearance. Cima (Richter, ausfArzneimitt. iv. 305) used it both internally and externally in scrofula.

Administration.— Internally, chloride of lime may be given in dosesof from one grain to five or six grains, dissolved in one or two ounces ofwater, sweetened with syrup. As the dry chloride of the shops depositshydrate of lime when put into water, the solution (of the hypochlorite oflime and chloride of calcium) should be filtered, to get rid of this. Todestroy the unpleasant smell of the breath, lozenges of chloride of limehave been used. [Journ. de Chim. Med. iii. 496.)

For external use (lotions and gargles) it is also generally employed inthe form of solution, the strength of which must vary according to thequality of the chloride, and the nature and seat of the disease to whichwe intend to apply it. The average proportions are from one to fourdrachms of chloride to a pint of water. In the cure of itch, Derheimsemployed a wash composed of three ounces of chloride to a pint of water.The solution is to be filtered to separate the hydrate of lime. Cima em-ployed an ointment of chloride of lime (composed of from a scruple to adrachm of chloride, and an ounce of fresh butter) by way of friction, toreduce scrofulous enlargements of the lymphatic glands which hadresisted the use of mercurial ointment. When the evacuations from thebowels are very offensive, chloride of lime may be used in the form ofenema. For this purpose, ten or fifteen grains or more may be added tothe common enema.

Antidotes. —Administer albuminous liquids (as eggs beat up withwater) or milk, or flour and water, or oil, or mucilaginous drinks, andexcite vomiting ; combat the gastro-enteritis by the usual means. Care-fully avoid the use of acids, which would cause the evolution of chlorinegas in the stomach.