spasmodic rigidity of the vessels, promotes not only the secretion of urine, but at the same time insensible perspiration, in febrile disorders; while it allays thirst, and abates heat; though in malignant cases, in which the pulse is low, and the patient's strength exhausted, it produces contrary effects.
When combined with the Peruvian bark, nitre affords an useful corrective to that drug in the cure of spreading gangrenes; as it prevents the additional heat which the bark frequently occasions: so that the efficacy of the latter is increased by the antiseptic quality of the former. But this cooling salt should never be administered in cases where the violence of the fever depends on bilious or putrid impurities in the abdomen; and where the patient is subject to hemorrhages or fluxes of blood, arising from a vitiated state of the fluids. On the contrary, salt-petre will be most beneficially used in acute rheumatisms, inflammatory fevers, and even in those hemorrhages arising from congestions of the blood in general, or from a plethoric state.
With respect to the antiseptic properties of nitre, in domestic economy, we refer to the articles Beef; Butter (vol. i. p. 405); Pickling; and Pork.
Nits (in Horses). See Stavesacre.
Nonsuch. See Trefoil Medick.
NOSE, in anatomy, the external organ of smelling, or that part which projects from the middle of the human face.
The nose is subject to various affections, such as ulcers, luxations, fractures, &c. the treatment of which is foreign to our purpose: and, as we have already discussed the subject of hemorrhages, under the article Bleeding, we refer the reader to p. 283 of our first volume.
If the nose of an infant be obstructed with any gross matter, so as to impede respiration, or to prevent him from sucking or swallowing, it will be advisable, every evening to anoint the part with a little sweet-oil, or fresh butter. By this simple application, the gross particles will in most instances be dissolved, and the faculty of breathing speedily restored.—Should, however, the obstructions continue after the repeated use of this remedy, it will be necessary first to administer one or two gentle laxatives; such as a tea-spoonful of castor-oil, or a grain of rhubarb; after which the nose is to be frequently bathed with a linen rag, dipped in a filtred solution of two or three grains of white vitriol, in one ounce of marjoram-water.
NOSTRILS, are two apertures or cavities of the nose, through which the air passes, and which serve to convey odours, and to carry off the pituitous matter separated in the sinus of the base of the cranium. These apertures are divided from each other by a cartilage: they are lined with a very sensible membrane, and answer the conjoint purposes of smelling, respiration, and speech.
The nostrils are, in some individuals, preternaturally closed, either in consequence of various kinds of sores; or from injudicious treatment during the small-pox; though this defect has sometimes been observed in new-born children.—From whatever cause it may originate, relief can be obtained only by a chirurgicai operation: and, on discovering the nostril, by enlarg-
