Diuretics are medicines which promote an increased secretion of urine.

They consist of nitre, acetate of pota.s.sa, squills, juniper, oil of turpentine, and others, vegetable and mineral.

751. Nitre

Nitre is a diuretic and refrigerant.

It is _used externally_ as a detergent when dissolved in water, and as a lotion to inflamed and painful rheumatic joints.

It is given _internally_ in doses of from ten grains to half a drachm, or even one drachm; in spitting blood it is given in one drachm doses with great benefit. It is beneficial in sore throat, a few grains being allowed to dissolve in the mouth.

752. Acetate of Pota.s.sa

Acetate of Pota.s.sa is diuretic and cathartic.

It is given _internally_ as a diuretic, in combination with infusion of qua.s.sia; in dropsy, in doses of from one scruple to one drachm, every three or four hours.

_Dose_, as a _cathartic_, from two to three drachms.

753. Squills

Squills is diuretic and expectorant when given in small doses; and emetic and purgative when given in large doses.

It is _used internally_ in dropsy, in combination with calomel and opium; in asthma, with ammoniac.u.m; in catarrh, in the form of oxymel.

_Dose_, of the _dried bulb powdered_, from one to two grains every six hours; of the _compound pill_, from ten to fifteen grains; of the _tincture_, from ten minims to half a drachm; of the _oxymel_, from a half to two drachms; of the _vinegar_, from twenty minims to two drachms.

[TO-MORROW, LEAVES HIS t.i.tLE FOR A GRAVE.]

754. Juniper

Juniper is diuretic and stomachic.

It is given _internally_ in dropsy.

_Dose_, of the _infusion_, from two to three ounces every four hours, of the _oil_, from one to five minims.

755. Oil of Turpentine

Oil of Turpentine is a diuretic, anthelmintic, and rubefacient.

It is _used externally_ in flatulent colic, sprinkled over flannels dipped in hot water and wrung out dry.

It is _used internally_ in the same diseases as Venice turpentine.

_Dose_, from five minims to two drachms.

756. Diaph.o.r.etics.

Diaph.o.r.etics are medicines given to increase the secretion from the skin by sweating. They comprise acetate of ammonia, calomel, antimony, opium, camphor, sarsaparilla.

757. Solution of Acetate of Ammonia

Solution of Acetate of Ammonia is a most useful diaph.o.r.etic.

It is _used externally_ as a discutient, as a lotion to inflamed milk-b.r.e.a.s.t.s, as an eye-wash, and a lotion in scald head.

It is given _internally_ to promote perspiration in febrile diseases, which it does most effectually, especially when combined with camphor mixture. This is the article so frequently met with in prescriptions, and called spirits of mindercrus.

_Dose_, from a half to one and a half ounces every three or four hours.

758. Antimony.--_Tartar emetic_

_Tartar emetic_ is diaph.o.r.etic, emetic, expectorant, alterative, and rubefacient.

It is _used externally_ as an irritant in white swellings and deep-seated inflammations, in the form of an ointment.

It is given _internally_ in pleurisy, bilious fevers, and many other diseases, but its exhibition requires the skill of a medical man, to watch its effects.

_Dose_, from one-sixth of a grain to four grains.

_Caution_.--It is a _poison_, and therefore requires great care in its administration.

759. Antimonial Powder

Antimonial Powder is a diaph.o.r.etic, emetic, and alterative.

It is given _internally_, in febrile diseases, to produce determination to the skin, and is useful in rheumatism, when combined with opium or calomel.

_Dose_, from three to ten grains every four hours, taking plenty of warm fluids between each dose.

760. Sarsiparilla

Sarsiparilla is diaph.o.r.etic, alterative, diuretic, and tonic.

It is given _internally_ in cutaneous diseases, old-standing rheumatism, scrofula, and debility.

_Dose_, of the _decoction_, from four to eight ounces; of the _compound decoction_, from four to eight ounces; of the _extract_, from five grains to one drachm.