A dissertation on the influence of heat and humidity : with practical observations on the inhalation of iodine, and various vapours, in consumption, catarrh, croup, asthma, and other diseases / by James Murray.

  • Murray, James, Sir, 1788-1871.
Date:
1829
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A dissertation on the influence of heat and humidity : with practical observations on the inhalation of iodine, and various vapours, in consumption, catarrh, croup, asthma, and other diseases / by James Murray. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, Harvard Medical School.

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    Certain powders, such as lycopodium, will not mix, if thrown into a fluid; being, like feathers, endued with the power of repelling wet. You may dip your hand and arm in water, without, in the least, wetting them, provided the surface be sprinkled with the powder of lycopodium. Hence light dry vegetable powders are badly adminis- tered in this state; and worse if mixed with heavy ones. For, besides the chemical changes sometimes occurring, as when bark and iron are mixed (making ink) the light and heavy powders do not well amalgamate, in the usual modes of mixing them; they are unsuitable to each other, and we should all join in separating them, sine pondere, et habentia pondus, should be administered in better forms than in powders: but if these be still preferred, let each be given by itself. Another objection to powders arises from the effects produced on them by the action of air during the progress of pulverization. Hence, Dr. Paris, and others, recom- mend that they should not be ground down impalpably. In his Pharmacologia, Dr. Paris says, (page 327, vol. I.) The impalpable form seems to be extremely injurious to some bodies, as to cinchona, rhubarb, guiacum, and to certain aromatics; in consequence of an essential part of their substance being dissipated, or chemically changed during the operation. What I have said respecting powders, is meant to apply to all those substances that are administered as such; and if coarse powders are at any time admissible inter- nally, it is when it becomes advisable to deterge worms or viscid mucus from the primse vise. Powders may also be eligible, in some cases, as emetics. And we are aware, that coarse powders are easier retained in sepa- rated particles, and more extended in surface, when intended for decoctions, infusions, and tinctures.