THE GALL OK DYERS’ OAK.

737

1 1 ^ a solution of gelatin. Infusion of galls forms precipitates ( metallic. n ates or tanno-gallates) in many metallic solutions (see the table'® n in Mr. Brande’s Manual of Chemistry, p. 930, 4th ed.).Physiological Effects. —As nutgalls contain a larger portion of(i lr ' lc acid than anv other known vegetable production, they possess in^y'ghcst degree the properties of an astringent (vide p. 79).

Uses. —Tile following are the principal uses of nutgalls:—f ' -ds a tonic in intermittents. —Notwithstanding Poupart’s favourable^P°rt of the use of galls in these cases, they scarcely deserve notice,have in arsenic, cinchona, and sulphate of quina, much more^tive and certain febrifuges.

jj. ' -4s an astringent in hemorrhages, especially passive alvine he-^age.

’ • In chronic mucous discharges, as old diarrhoeas,jv. ' a chemical antidote. —Nutgalls may be given in poisoning byPt ^ acua »ha, emetina, the organic alkalies generally, and those vegetablefictions w'hose activity depends on an organic alkali, as opium,hellebore, colchicum, nux vomica, &c. Their efficacy arises fromtannic acid, which combines with the vegetable alkali to formp e ^Hate possessing less activity than the other salts of these bases ;^ ° a Ps because of its slight solubility. Nutgalls are recommended asd 0 an tidote in cases of poisoning by emetic tartar, but I very muchj t their efficacy (see p. 420).

w'. 4s a topical astringent. —Nutgalls are applicable in any cases% f lri »g the topical use of a powerful vegetable astringent. Thus, ini >fln °f g ar gl e 5 i n relaxation of the uvula; as an injection, in gleetp^ucorrhcea; as a wash, in flabby ulcers, with profuse discharge;, a Psus ani seu vaginae ; in the form of ointment, in piles, &c.

jp.ji HIxi stiiat io n .—The dose of the powder is from ten to twenty°Uii The infusion is prepared with four drachms of nutgalls and sixby ,^ es of water: the dose is from fjss. to f Sii.; or, in cases of poisoningg e vegetable alkalies, fjiv.

b^. eai( les the following officinal formulae for the use of galls, others1^37j 6en P u l ) li s h ie( l by Mouchon ( Gaz. des Hop. Civ. et Milit. 13 Avril

^hctura Gallm, L.; Tinctura Gallarum, E. D.—(Galls , bruised,^ v ' -® - ] > Proof Spirit, Oij. [Oj. E., Oij. (Wine measure) D.]b(i era te for fourteen [seven, D.] days, and filter. “ This tincture mayc^f e Pared either by digestion or percolation, as directed for tincture ofb^m,” E. D.) A powerful astringent. Dose from f'sss. to f5ij.

el " water, it forms a very useful and convenient astringent^st 6 ail< ^ wash ; but the principal use of this tincture is as a chemicalg e S?ecially for the salts of iron.

Wcl .7 ? uen tvm Gallarum, D.—(Galls , in very fine powder, Si.;appli’ bij. Mix them). Astringent. Mixed with zinc ointment it is1)/ to piles after the inflammatory stage is passed. The above is4ti 0 - Hllen’s formula; but Mr. B. Bell {Syst. of Surgery) recommendsOi l ^bnent composed of equal parts of powdered galls, and hog’s lardg in external hemorrhoidal sw'ellings.

\ ^y^VENTUM Gallm compositum, L. ; Unguentum Gallce et Opii, E.a .. s ; in very fine powder, 3ij.; Opium, powdered, 3ss. [3i. E.] ;,3l j- [Si. E.] Mix.) An excellent astringent application to blind

3 B