Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 1, 1802).djvu/100

76&#93; 7-6] ANT and 7. Mezereum, or Spurg Olive. Against the violent operation of these medicinal drugs, Professor Hufeland, of Jena, at present physician to the King of Prussia, has from experience found, that the first is most effectually coun- teracted by taking internally pro- portionate doses of opium ; the se- cond, by the copious use of vine- gar ; the third, by moderate por- tions of camphor ; the fourth, by swallowing alkaline solutions in water ; the fifth, by either vinegar, or the acid of lemons ; the sixth, by strong decoctions of coffee ; and the seventh, by camphor. There are, however, many other vegetable, animal, and mineral sub- stances, sometimes taken by mis- take, or administered from malig- nant motives, and the fatal effects of which may be obviated by a timely use of their respeftive anti- dotes. — In order to conclude this article, within its due limits, Ave are obliged to refer the reader to the following heads, where he will tind each subject discussed as it occurs in the order of the alphabet, viz. Balsamine Seeds, Cassava, Co- t'oau 1 ntida,Wat b r-Ck o wfoot, Wild Cucumber, BeardedDar- nel,Euphorbium,SpanishFlies, Foxglove. Glass. Gypsum, HEL- lebore, himlock, henbane, Lead, Leadwort. Lime, Lob- sters, Putrid Meat, Metallic, Pointed Substances, Muscles, Deadly Nightshaee, A.r vom i- ."/'. Oysters, Meadow Saffron, Saltpetre, Scammony, Sow- bread, Stavesacre, Wolf's- bane, and Poisons in general. ANTIMONY is a heavy, brittle semi -metal, composed of long bright streaks, resembling needles, of a dark lead colour, and without taste or smell. It is fpund in Gcr- ANT many, France, and also in Eng"i land ; but that produced in this country is the least proper for me- dicinal uses, being frequently mixed with a portion of lead. The im- purities which are found in the Lgll sorts, ar; j of the infusible stony kind, and are extracted by melting the antimony in vessels, the bottoms of which are perforated with small holes, so that the lighter and drossy matter rises to the sur- face, while the more pure and ponderous sinks, and is received into conical moulds. This mineral, when analyzed, is found to consist of a metal united with common sulphur. It is the basis of many preparations to which we shall re- ter our readers, and simply men- tion a few of the purposes to which it is subservient, while in a crude state. The ancients employed it in eve- water, for inflammations of the eyes, and for staining the eye-brows black. Previous to its establish- ment as an internal remedy, which was not till towards the conclusion of the fifteenth century, it was ge- nerally supposed to be poisonous ; but experience has at length fully evinced, that it possesses no noxi- ous qualities, being often success- fully used, especially in chronic eruptions ; and though many of its preparations operate as violent tics, and cathartics, yet by a slight - or alteration, they may be easily deprived of their vi- rulence, and rendered afe and mild in their operation. Its virtues are completely extracted by wine; from ten to fifty or sixty drops of which, are usually prescribed as an alter- ative and diaphoretic. In larger doses, it acts as a diuretic and ca- thartic ; and three or four drams prove., in general, violently emetic. For