MUSHROOM POISONING. See TOXIC FOODS.
MUSK.—Musk is a secretion of folli cles contained in a sac extending from the umbilicus to the prepuce of the musk-deer of Thibet and other regions of India. It is very doubtful whether much of the musk on our markets is pure, al though the Siberian musk is thought to represent the genuine substance. This should be unctuous, soft, and reddish brown. Its odor is most penetrating, causing nausea in many individuals, and even more active syinptoins—headache and spasm—in sensitive subjects. It is soluble in equal parts of water and in nine parts of alcohol.
Preparations and Dose.—There is a tincture of musk (IT. S. P.) of which the dose is 30 miniins to 1 drachm: but pure musk, the dose of which is 5 to 10 grains, given in pill or emulsion, is usually pre ferred.
l'Ilvtao Action.—Musls seems to . ittil,ar nttion in the relief • -t and gottral itill 1.101)1TSS1011.
••• '11 • L t 1, ITOdlleed is hardly I •1 II «law at hand concerning •.. proptrties, these being .,it t.t.ntradietory results in al . t rv partictilra. Jorg found it to txIilaration without depression.
1 ii found that it could cause de , -- n. irtigo. and drowsiness. II. C.
asiir, his opinion upon clinical r trite. thinks its action depends
n n t.qualization of the disturbed : (.f nervous power.
Therapeutics. — Musk is a valuable -• ilant and antispasmodic, especially trismus or other spasmodic con n, complicate acute febrile disor ..• r=. When the strength of the patient .= fa;ling. and this becomes manifest not ly by general evidences. but by special ,•mplcins.—convulsions, singultus ten (..nurn, muttering delirimn, etc.,—rectal .tir ns of musk, 10 grains to a pint of -,arch-water, has been highly recom n.endid. It allays the symptoms and --;mulates respiration, strengthens the c.Irdiac and the general circulation, and em, to benefit every untoward feature f the ca=e. In pneumonia it was often r.7mployed by Trousseau, and helps to the patient through the critical In all spasmodic disorders—laryngis I..,F -tridulus. in the annoying and per =pa=modic cough followinp- per '..-sir—it has shown considerable power.
Mu=k• has been recommended in many neral disorders, rheumatism, gout, etc., 1-rt the claims for it have not been sus ta'n,41 by clinical evidence.