Enquire within upon everything by Robert Kemp Philp

Camphor is not a very steady stimulant, as its effect is transitory; but in large doses it acts as a narcotic, abating pain and inducing sleep. In moderate doses it operates as a diaphoretic, diuretic, antispasmodic, increasing the heat of the body, allaying irritation and spasm. It is _used externally_ as a liniment when dissolved in oil, alcohol, or acetic acid, being employed to allay rheumatic pains; and it is also useful as an embrocation in sprains, bruises, chilblains, and, when combined with opium, it has been advantageously employed in flatulent colic, and severe diarrhoea, being rubbed over the bowels. _When reduced to a fine powder_, by the addition of a little spirit of wine and friction, it is very useful as a local stimulant to indolent ulcers, especially when they discharge a foul kind of matter; a pinch is taken between the finger and thumb, and sprinkled into the ulcer, which is then dressed as usual. _When dissolved in oil of turpentine_, a few drops placed in a hollow tooth and covered with jeweller's wool, or scraped lint, give almost instant relief to toothache. _Used internally_, it is apt to excite nausea, and even vomiting, especially when given in the solid form. _As a stimulant_ it is of great service in all low fevers, malignant measles, malignant sore throat, and confluent small-pox; and when combined with opium and bark, it is extremely useful in checking the progress of malignant ulcers, and gangrene. _As a narcotic_ it is very useful, because it allays pain and irritation, without increasing the pulse very much. _When powdered and sprinkled_ upon the surface of a blister, it prevents the cantharides acting in a peculiar and painful manner upon the bladder. _Combined with senna_, it increases its purgative properties; and it is also used to correct the nausea produced by squills, and the irritating effects of drastic purgatives and mezereon. _Dose_, from four grains to half a scruple, repeated at short intervals when used in small doses, and long intervals when employed in large doses. _Doses of the various preparations_.--Camphor mixture, from half an ounce to three ounces; compound tincture of camphor (_paregoric elixir_), from fifteen minims to two drachms. _Caution_.--When given in an overdose it acts as a poison, producing vomiting, giddiness, delirium, convulsions, and sometimes death. Opium is the best antidote for camphor, whether in excess or taken as a poison. _Mode of exhibition_.--It may be rubbed up with almond emulsion, or mucilage, or the yolk of eggs, and by this means suspended in water, or combined with chloroform as a mixture, in which form it is a valuable stimulant in cholera and other diseases. (_See_ Mixtures, 556-564).