Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 1, 1802).djvu/458

426] CAM bediscovered by their peculiar cam- phorated odour, and their cooling pungent taste. From these, the camphor may be disengaged by dis- tinction, eidier in a pure state, or in combination with essential oils. In order to separate it, dissolve the whole of the camphorated oil thus obtained in a proportionate quan- tity of alcohol ; then dilute this so- lution with twelve times the quan- tity of distilled water : if the oil contain no camphor, the water used for the mixture will remain clear and transparent ; the alcohol will gradually combine with it, and die oily particles separa-te. On the contrary, if the oil be mixed with camphor, the whole mixture will be converted into a milky liquor, from which the camphor wilj be gradually precipitated in the form of a white powder, while the oily parts ascend to the surface of the water. By melting this powder in a clo.^e glass vessel, over a mode- rate rire, it will assume the concrete form of camphor 5 though the re- maining liquid will retain a small portion of this substance, as well as of essential oil. Camphor is justly esteemed one of the most efficacious medicines for promoting perspiration, reliev- ing spasms, and resisting putrefac- tion : hence it has long been cele- brated in malignant fevers, and epidemical distempers. In deli- rium, it frequently procures a com- posed rest, after opiates have failed of success. In modern practice, however, it is chiefly employed ex- ternally, to diminish inflammation, to disperse tumors, to obviate mor- tification, to stimulate in cases of local palsy, and to allay rheumatic and paralytic pains. We state, on the authority of Dr. C. L. F mans-, of Mayence, the oldest; CAN physician now living in Germany> , that camphorated applications in the malignant, confluent small-pox* are often the only means of saving the patient's life; and that he once restored to healtii a voung lady in a hopeless situation, by using, in the course of twelve days, not less than eighty-four ounces of solid cajnphor, chiefly in the form of an ointment made with the yolk of eggs, spread on clean napkins, and applied, as often as they became dry, over the whole body. Internally, camphor is given in nervous affecTaons, in order to ex- cite the vital power, and alleviate spasmodie complaints. It is recom- mended as singularly efficacious in cases of ardor urince, or scalding of the urine, and nervous head-achs : the dose may be increased from three to twenty grains ; and, in cases of madness, from five to thir- ty grains ; two, or three times a day, after the necessary bleedings, pur- gatives, and the tepid bath. — To render camphor properly diffusible in water, it should first be dissolved in a litde spirit of wine, or express- ed oil, and then well triturated with mucilage ofjgum arabic. CANADA BALSAM, a trans- parent resinous juice, of an agree- able smell, and a warm pungent taste. It is i mported from Canada, in North America, and may be considered as a very pure turpen- tine, being obtained from a species of the fir-tree. The genuine kind is of a light amber colour, and a firm consistence. Although it has, not hitherto been much employed in medicine, yet it appears to be possessed of all the properties and virtues attributed to the balsam of Copaiva, to which we refer. Campion; See Catch-Fly. CANAL, an artificial cut in the