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ALCOHOL (Spirit of Wine)

Categories: Medical Uses of Some Common Household Articles

Alcohol is a liquid composed of ninety-one per
cent by weight of ethylic alcohol and of nine per cent by weight of water.

Alcohol dissolves alkaloids, fatty and resinous substances, and is largely

used as a menstruum in obtaining the active principles of drugs in an

available form for administration. It is the basis for spirits, tinctures

and elixirs; spirits being solutions of volatile substances in alcohol;

tinctures, solut
ons of active principles of plants, generally obtained by

maceration and percolation. An elixir is a cordial flavored with orange

and syrup, used as a vehicle for other remedies and as a stomachic.



Its action is very extensive. It is used extensively in medical

preparations. It is a good application to prevent bed-sores. The addition

of one dram of alum to a pint makes it more effective. Hot applications

relieve pain in face neuralgia, cold in the face or toothache. It is often

used after bathing in full strength or diluted to rub on the body to

prevent taking cold. It stimulates the digestive organs, nervous system

and the circulation. It is much used in snake-bite. Its constant use is a

menace, as all know. It should never be taken for disease unless

prescribed by a reputable physician.



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