Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 2, 1802).djvu/272

242] EXT and glutinous humour. This ob- ject may be effected by taking de- codtions of the Greater Celandine, Scabious, Elecampane, and other pectoral herbs. — See also Cough, and Catarrh. Great caution, however, is ne- cessary in administering expector- ants of whatever kind. Hence we cannot but censure the injudicious practice of those mothers and nurses, who often load the tender Stomachs of infants with a variety of preparations, both of sweet and oily substances, with the view of relieving coughs ; but, as children have not sufficient strength to pro- mote the evacuation of matter from the vessels of the breast, such po- tions, far from being of any real service, must necessarily occasion no small injury. Indeed, this prac- tice is the more dangerous, as the cough, and consequent stricture of the chest, may arise from a variety of causes, too numerous to be here recited. EXTRACTS, are those medici- nal preparations obtained by boiling vegetable substances in water, and evaporating the strained decoction in broad, shallow vessels, to a thick consistence. Thus the most active parts of the plants are se- parated from the useless insoluble earthy matter. As extraction is a chemical pro- cess, generally performed by the apothecary, we shall only observe, that the following extracts are di- rected to be kept in the shops by the London College : viz. extract of broom- tops ; of cascarilla ; of chamomile ; of Peruvian bark with, and without, its resin ; of colo- cynth compounded with aloes, scammony, &c; of gentian ; of rice ) of black hellebore j of EXT jalap; oflog-wood ; of white pop* py ; of rue ; of savin ; of senna 5 of wild cucumbers, &c. EXT R AVASAT I O N arises from the bursting or breaking of one or more of the blood vessels, after contusions, fractures, and other injuries of the head, as well as other parts of the body : this accident is attended with such a copious discharge of blood, as- frequently occasions the most vio- lent pain, and death itself, unless the patient be timely relieved. As soon as the seat of the in- jury is discovered, the extravasated blood should first be discharged ; after which the wound is to be cleaned, and all splinters or foreign bodies extracted. The assistance of a surgeon is, on this occasion, immediately required, because a vein must be opened, and as much blood taken away as the patient's strength will permit ; by which the extravasation of more blood is prevented. A brisk laxative is next to be given, to lessen the quantity of the fluids ; the head is to be fo- mented with medicated bags ; and a plaster of melilot applied to it ; while volatile salts, or spirit of harts- horn, may be held to the patient's nostrils ; and deco&ions of betony, lavender-flowers, or other attenu- ating liquids are administered, in order to support his strength. These applications will not, probably, be effectual at first ; but they should be continued, especially if the more alarming symptoms appear to abate. And, it' the patient seem to have received benefit from the bleeding, it will be proper to repeat it a se- cond, or even a third time, particu- larly if he be of a robust and plc-< thoric constitution. Meanwhile, no animal food, nor any stimulat- ing