Colchicum. — A plant whose root and
seeds are both used medicinally. The wijie
of the 7^00 1 is the best preparation. In large
dose it acts on the bowels ; • sometimes irri-
tating the stomach also. It is a diuretic,
and influences the nervous system in a way
not very well defined. It was formerly the
favorite medicine in gout; and probably
does as much as any medicine towards cur-
ing or mitigating gouty attacks. Dose of
the wine of the root of colchicum, ten or
thirty drops, in water.
Cold Cream, — This is the iinguentum
aquw rosoe (ointment of rose-water) of the
apothecaries. It is a soft, easily melted,
and very soothing application for sore
places, chapped hands or lips, etc It be-
comes rancid when long kept exposed to
the air.
Collodion. — This is a solution of gun-
cocton in ether. When it is painted upon
506
any surface the ether evaporates, leaving a
thin cottony film. Flexible collodion, made
a little differently, is less apt to shrink to-
gether in drying. It is a convenient article
to cover a part whose skin is broken or
ulcerated, as sore nipples, cracked lips, etc.
Columbo. — {Caluviba, root of an African
plant) is one of the simple vegetable bitters.
Like the rest of its class, it is a tonic to the
stomach. It is given sometimes for dys-
pepsia.
Cream of Tartar (Bitartrate of Potas-
sium.— This is a cooling, mild purgative
salt, which also increases the flow of urine
(diuretic). It is very often given in dropsy.
Dose, one or two teaspoonfuls, stirred in
water. Very little of it will dissolve.
Creosote. — A product of tar. A hot-
tasting, sooty-smelling liquid ; poisonous if
swallowed in moderately large quantity ;
burning the mouth or skin which it touches.
DIGITALIS PUKPURKA.
Physicians advise it in one -drop doses for
sick stomach, ulcer of the stomach, etc.
In domestic practice it should be on hand
as the most effective remedy for toothache in
a hollow tooth The end of a bodkin or
knitting-needle should be wrapped around
with a little piece of cotton, and this be
dipped into creosote. Then, carefully, the
cotton should be pressed into the hollow of
the aching tooth. (It won't hurt, as it at
THE FAMILY DOCTOR
43
once kills the sensibility of the exposed
nerve-end in the tooth.) If any spills over
and burns the gums or lips, rinse at once
with cold water. Creosote, so used, does
no harm to the teeth.
Digitalis. — Foxglove is the common
name of the pretty plant whose leaves fur-
nish this medicine. The tincticre is most
used. Physicians give it often when the
action of the heart is too rapid, and perhaps
irregular. It has also been given in large
doses in deliriitm tremens. Its common dose
is ten drops, twice or thrice a day. Being
diuretic, it is sometimes prescribed in
dropsy . Its very powerful active principle
is digitalin. Of this, if taken as a medi-
cine, the dose is one-fiftieth of a grain.
Page 173
Presented as published in 1901. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
Colchicum. — A plant whose root and seeds are both used medicinally. The wine of the root is the best preparation. In large dose it acts on the bowels ; • sometimes irritating the stomach also. It is a diuretic, and influences the nervous system in a way not very well defined. It was formerly the favorite medicine in gout; and probably does as much as any medicine towards curing or mitigating gouty attacks. Dose of the wine of the root of colchicum, ten or thirty drops, in water.
Cold Cream, — This is the unguentum aquæ rosæ (ointment of rose-water) of the apothecaries. It is a soft, easily melted, and very soothing application for sore places, chapped hands or lips, etc It becomes rancid when long kept exposed to the air.
Collodion. — This is a solution of guncocton in ether. When it is painted upon
any surface the ether evaporates, leaving a thin cottony film. Flexible collodion, made a little differently, is less apt to shrink together in drying. It is a convenient article to cover a part whose skin is broken or ulcerated, as sore nipples, cracked lips, etc.
Columbo. — {Caluviba, root of an African plant) is one of the simple vegetable bitters. Like the rest of its class, it is a tonic to the stomach. It is given sometimes for dyspepsia.
Cream of Tartar (Bitartrate of Potassium.— This is a cooling, mild purgative salt, which also increases the flow of urine (diuretic). It is very often given in dropsy. Dose, one or two teaspoonfuls, stirred in water. Very little of it will dissolve.
Creosote. — A product of tar. A hottasting, sooty-smelling liquid ; poisonous if swallowed in moderately large quantity ; burning the mouth or skin which it touches.
DIGITALIS PURPUREA.
Physicians advise it in one -drop doses for sick stomach, ulcer of the stomach, etc.
In domestic practice it should be on hand as the most effective remedy for toothache in a hollow tooth The end of a bodkin or knitting-needle should be wrapped around with a little piece of cotton, and this be dipped into creosote. Then, carefully, the cotton should be pressed into the hollow of the aching tooth. (It won't hurt, as it at
once kills the sensibility of the exposed nerve-end in the tooth.) If any spills over and burns the gums or lips, rinse at once with cold water. Creosote, so used, does no harm to the teeth.
Digitalis. — Foxglove is the common name of the pretty plant whose leaves furnish this medicine. The tincture is most used. Physicians give it often when the action of the heart is too rapid, and perhaps irregular. It has also been given in large doses in delirium tremens. Its common dose is ten drops, twice or thrice a day. Being diuretic, it is sometimes prescribed in dropsy . Its very powerful active principle is digitalin. Of this, if taken as a medicine, the dose is one-fiftieth of a grain.