EXTERNAL USE.—Externally applied, cajuput-oil is of value in the treatment of a number of skin maladies. It is also useful, oftentimes, in sprains and con tusions, etc.
Lime-water, 1 to 4 ounces. Lime-water, chlorinated, 30 to 60 minims.
Physiological Action.—Lime neutral izes any excess of acid in the stomach and intestines. It is but slowly absorbed and passes into the blood only in small quantities, although sufficient is taken up to promote nutritional changes. It also exerts a digitalic action on the heart: when the proportion of lime present is deficient, the contractions are weak; but when the quantity is increased they be come powerful. It is eliminated by the intestines, and to some extent by the kidneys, inasmuch as the urine becomes alkaline under its administration.
Pure precipitated carbonate of cal cium appears to be medicinally of less value than the impure form, which ob tains the names of "precipitated" and "prepared chalk"; both are neutral salts and antacids, but the latter is more astringent.
Calcium chloride is stimulant, astrin gent, alterative, resolvent, and antisep tic. Calcium sulphide acts very much like the chloride, but is more powerful. The effects of both depend upon their power to readily and quickly part with their gaseous constituents, viz.: chlorine and sulphuretted hydrogen, respectively. The former is more powerfully irritant and cathartic.
Lime-water is chiefly antacid, but at times appears to act as a sedative to the gastric viscus. It, as well as certain of the lime salts, not infrequently gives rise to disturbance of digestion and loss of appetite; vomiting has been observed to follow its employment. There may be an increase in the amount of urinary secretion, but the stools are usually re tarded, though sometimes diarrhoea is a result.
Calcium peroxide forms a yellow alka line powder slightly soluble in water. It possesses a decidedly good action in acid dyspepsia and summer diarrhoea occurring in children. It acts as a
powerful antiseptic because of the nas cent oxygen liberated in the intestines. Daily dose ranges from 3 to 10 grains, according to the age of the child; best given in milk. It is advisable to dis pense the preparation in parchment papers preserved in well-closed glass stoppered bottles, to prevent decomposi tion. I. Reszkowski (Alerck's Bericht, 1900).
Therapeutics. — DIARRIICEAS. — Pre cipitated chalk is chiefly employed for its neutralizing effect upon the acid secretions of the prima vice; hence finds place among the remedies recom mended for the diarrhceas of infancy and childhood; it is also astringent, and usually prescribed in conjunction with opium. It is not, however, the valuable remedy claimed by earlier writers, and its place, to considerable degree, has been most advantageously usurped by bismuth subcarbonate and cerium oxa late; further, the more modern treat ment of intestinal fluxes is directed toward removal of the cause, rather than, as formerly, combating a mere symptom.
Calcium chloride—not call chlorata has on several occasions been relegated to the list of obsolete remedies, but as often has been again brought forward. There is very little difference in ther apeutic applicability from that of calcic sulphide, except in degree of activity and size of dose; therefore the remarks re garding one may be safely considered as equally true of the other.
As ALTERATIVES AND RESOLVENTS.— Both are applicable to a number of mala dies, chiefly those of a strumous, septic, or pseudoseptic character; they have likewise been employed to some extent in the different forms of tuberculosis. It is freely soluble in water.