Cooley's Cyclopaedia of Practical Receipts Volume I Part 79

ANTISYPHILITIQUE, &c., Fr. b.i.+.c.hloride of mercury, in fine powder, 1 to 3 _dr._, hot water, 1 _pint_; agitate together until solution is complete, before adding them to the bath, the 'water' of which (contained in an enamelled or wooden vessel) must be soft (rain) and pure. At the 'Cutan.

Hosp.' hydrochloric acid (= 1/3rd the weight of the chloride) is commonly added; and at the 'Fr. hospitals,' an equal, or rather more than an equal weight, of sal-ammoniac. These additions facilitate the solution of the chloride, and r.e.t.a.r.d its decomposition by any slight impurity in the water forming the bath.

_Uses, &c._ In syphilitic affections, either with or without skin disease; in chronic rheumatism, swelled joints, and chronic skin diseases generally, where the use of mercury is indicated, and the remedy is rejected by the stomach; especially in these affections in women and children (for the last, proportionately reduced in strength and quant.i.ty).

Also used in it, and to destroy pediculi on the body.

=Bath, Met'al.= See BATH (in _Chemistry_), FUSIBLE METAL, &c.

=Bath, Mud.= _Syn._ BAL'NEUM LU'TEUM, B. LU'TI, L. Mud-bathing (ILLUTA'TION) was common among the ancients. The slime of rivers, and the mud on the sea-sh.o.r.e, were especially prized for this purpose. The Tartars and Egyptians still employ baths of this description in hypochondriasis, scrofula, and scurvy. At Franzenbad, in Germany, an acidulous species of black bog-earth found there, is beaten up with warm water to a semi-liquid consistence, and used as a bath. This is said to render the skin satin-like and soft; and to be useful in debility, and in paralytic affections of a gouty origin. In France, hot dung (DUNG BATH) is occasionally used in rheumatism; and in Poland, in syphilis. The husk of grapes and the refuse of olives, after undergoing a partial fermentation, have been successfully employed in France against acute rheumatism.[115]

[Footnote 115: Merat and De Lens, 'Dict. Univ. de Mat. Med.']

=Bath, Muriat'ic.= See BATH, HYDROCHLORIC ACID.

=Bath, Mus'tard.= _Syn._ BAL'NEUM SINA'PIS, L.:--1. Flour of mustard, 2 _lbs._; warm water, 1 _gall._; make a thin soup; in fifteen minutes pour it into a coa.r.s.e linen bag or cloth, and press out the liquid, which is to be stirred up with the bath. In cholera, diarrha simulating cholera, &c.; also to cause reaction; the patient remaining in the bath until a somewhat painful sense of burning and irritation is experienced:--2. Flour of mustard, 3 to 8 _oz._; as before. Used as a gentle stimulant to excite the skin, and promote its healthy action, &c.

=Bath, Ni'tro-hydrochlo"ric.= _Syn._ AC'ID BATH (as'-), NITRO-MURIAT'IC B.*, N. A. B.*; BAL'NEUM NITRO-HYDROCHLO"RIc.u.m. B. AC'IDI (as'-), B. A.

NITRO-HYDROCHLO"RICI, B. A. NITRO-MURIAT'ICI*, &c., L.:--1. Water slightly acidulated with the acid, so that its sourness to the taste is about that of common vinegar. According to Ainslie, 1 _oz._ of acid is sufficient for 1 gall. of water.[116] Other formulae in use are--

[Footnote 116: 'Mat. Med. Indica,' ii, 340.]

2. (Cutan. Hosp.) Nitric acid, 1-1/2 lb.; hydrochloric acid, 1 _lb._; for a bath of 60 to 70 _galls._

3. (Soubeiran.) Nitro-hydrochloric acid, 4 to 16 fl. oz.; according to the case.

4. (Dr Scott.) Nitric acid, 2 fl. oz.; hydrochloric acid, 3 fl. oz.; water, 5 fl. oz.; mix. 1-1/2 to 2 _fl. oz._ to each _gall._ of water for a general bath; 3 _fl. oz._ to the _gall._ for a foot, knee, or sponge bath.

_Uses, &c._ In its weaker forms, in skin-diseases depending on disordered liver; in others, chiefly in liver complaints, and to relieve the pain on the pa.s.sing of gall-stones. It must be contained in an enamelled or wooden vessel, and may be used as a hip, knee, or foot-bath; a knee-bath being the one generally adopted in England. Dr Scott, of Bombay, who first brought this bath into notice, once plunged the Duke of Wellington up to his chin in one, in India, and thus cured him of a severe hepatic affection. In its stronger form it causes tingling and p.r.i.c.king of the skin, and a peculiar taste in the mouth, and affects the gums and salivary glands, often producing plentiful ptyalism, without which, indeed, its advocates regard its action as incomplete. Time of application, 15 to 20 minutes daily, for a fortnight or three weeks; and afterwards, every second or third day.

=Bath, Oak-Bark.= _Syn._ BAL'NEUM QUER'CS, B. QUER'CI, L. Oak-bark, 3 or 4 handfuls for a child; 10 to 15 for an adult; made into a decoction, and strained with pressure into the bath. In haemorrhoids, prolapsus, leucorrha, hernia, diarrha, ill-conditioned and bleeding ulcerations, &c. Drs Elaesser, Eberle, and Fletcher have successfully employed it in the intermittents of infancy and childhood, tabes mesenterica or scrofula, &c. It has also proved useful in phthisis.

=Bath, Oil.= _Syn._ BAL'NEUM OLEO'SUM, L. Olive or other oil (hot), strongly aromatised with the oils of ca.s.sia, cloves, nutmegs, cedron, and juniper; and digested for a week on ambergris and vanilla, of each (bruised), about 10 gr. to the gallon. Used, in the East, to anoint the body, as a preservative against the plague and other contagious diseases; also as a full bath or hip-bath, the immersion being for 15 to 30 minutes.

=Bath, Pneumat'ic.= See BATH, AIR.

=Bath, Saline'= (Gelatinous). _Syn._ BAL'NEUM SALI'NO-GELATINO'SUM, L.; BAIN DE PLOMBIeRES, Fr. _Prep._ Common salt and Flanders glue, of each 2 _lbs._; water, 1 _gall._; dissolve separately, and add the solutions to the bath. In scrofula, &c.

=Bath, Salt.= See BATH, SALINE, BATH, SEA, &c.

=Bath, Sand.= _Syn._ BAL'NEUM ARE'Nae, L.; BAIN DE SABLE, Fr. See BATH (in _Chemistry_), BATH, DRY, &c.

=Bath, Sea.= _Syn._ BAL'NEUM MARI'NUM, L.; BAIN MARIN, Fr. Immersion in the sea or in recent sea water (temperate, tepid, warm, or hot). Owing to the saline matter which it contains, it possesses stimulant, alterative, and resolvent properties, superadded to those of pure water at the corresponding temperature. When taken, in summer, on our coasts, the reaction and glow follow more speedily and certainly than after a common water bath; and it may be taken with greater safety, and for a longer period. It often proves very serviceable in diseases accompanied with debility, in phthisis, scrofula, glandular enlargement, &c. A warm or hot sea-water bath is one of the most restorative imaginable; often removing the effects of fatigue and exposure--exhaustion, stiff joints, cramps, rheumatism, &c.--like a charm. Unless under sanction of a medical man, boys and girls should never be allowed to bath in the sea after the end of September. See BATH (_above_), WATERS, &c.

=Bath, Sea.= (Fact.i.tious). _Syn._ BAL'NEUM MARI'NUM FACTI"TIUM, L.

Artificial sea-water, or rather a subst.i.tute for sea-water, for this purpose, is commonly prepared by adding about 3% of common salt to ordinary water.[117] The following are, however, more serviceable imitations:--

[Footnote 117:

Or (say) for small quant.i.ties-- 1-1/4 _oz._ to the quart; 5 _oz._ to the gallon.

And for large quant.i.ties, as a full bath-- 2 _lbs._ to every 7 gallons.]

1. As above, with the addition of 1 _dr._ of iodide of pota.s.sium to every 3 or 4 galls. of water.

2. (Cutan. Hosp.). Common salt, 8 _lbs._; sulphate of magnesia, 2 _lbs._; chloride of calcium, 1 lb.; water, 50 to 60 _galls._

3. Salt, a handful; water, a pailful; flour of mustard, 1 _oz._ For a foot-bath.

=Bath, Show'er.= _Syn._ IMPLU"VIUM, BAL'NEUM PEN'SILE, &c., L.; DOUCHE, Fr. Similar in its effects to the cold bath or plunge-bath; but without many of its advantages. It is less alarming to nervous persons, and less liable to produce cramp, than immersion in cold water; whilst the reaction or glow follows more speedily and certainly. It is considered the best and safest mode of cold bathing, and is often highly serviceable in nervous affections. A good plan is to allow the water to remain in the bedroom all night, by which any undue degree of coldness is removed. Tepid water may be commenced with; and at first, in extreme cases, the patient may stand in hot or warm water at the time of taking the bath. The reaction following its use is greatly promoted by friction of the surface with dry rough towels.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

=Bath, Soap.= _Syn._ BAL'NEUM SAPO'NIS, L. White soap, 2 to 3 _lbs._; water, 3 _quarts_; dissolve by heat, and add it to a warm bath. Detergent, lubricating, and discutient; in itch and other skin diseases, &c.

=Bath, Spon"ging= (spunje'-). This t.i.tle explains itself. In the sponging bath exercise and ablution are combined, and its employment by persons of sedentary habit is highly advantageous.

=Bath, Sulphur.= _Syn._ BAL'NEUM SUL'PHURIS, L. 1. Flowers of sulphur, 1/2 to 1 _lb._; water, a pailful; mix, agitate occasionally for 12 to 24 hours, and then add the whole to an ordinary bath. Useful in various mild, but obstinate, skin diseases. Its occasional employment, even in health, seldom fails to render the skin soft, smooth, and delicate. Soap may be used with it.

2. (Compound; B. S. COMPOS'ITUM, L.)--_a._ (Cutan. Hosp.) Precipitated sulphur, 2 _lbs._; hyposulphite of soda, 1/2 _lb._; water, 1 _gall._; dissolve, and add of sulphuric acid, 1 _dr._ One pint to every 30 _galls._ of water. In various skin diseases (see _below_).

_b._ See BATH, SULPHURETTED.

=Bath, Sul'phurous.= _Syn._ SUL'PHUROUS ACID BATH; BAL'NEUM SULPHURO'SUM, B. SUL'PHURIS, L. From sulphur, 1/2 _oz._, sprinkled on a hot plate placed under or near the patient; the proper precautions being taken as directed under CHLORINE BATH. In itch, lepra, psoriasis, &c. Cleanly, but seldom used, chiefly on account of the number of baths required to prove serviceable. See BATH, SULPHURETTED.

=Bath, Sul'phuretted.= _Syn._ BAL'NEUM SULPHURET'UM, B. SULPHURA'TUM, B.

SULPHU"REUM, &c., L.; BAIN SULFURe, &c., Fr. 1 Sulphurated potash, 1 _oz._; for every 10 or 12 _galls._ of water employed. Sometimes sulphurated soda, or (in the Ger. hosp.) suphurated lime, is the sulphur-salt employed. 1/2 _dr._ of sulphuric acid is also occasionally added to the bath; but this increases its ftor, without adding much, if anything, to its curative power; whilst, without care, the evolved gas may impede respiration.

2. (Gelatinous; GELAT'INO-SUL'PHUROUS B.; B. S. GELATINO'SUM, L.) Flanders glue, 1-1/2 to 2 _lbs._; dissolved and added to a 'sulphuretted bath.'

Recommended, by Dupuytren, as a subst.i.tute for the 'Bareges bath.'

_Obs._ The sulphur or sulphuretted bath, under any of its forms, is a powerful remedy in almost every description of skin disease. Leprosy, the most obstinate of all, has been completely cured by it; the common itch requires only one or two applications to eradicate it entirely; all the scurfy and moist skin affections, local irritation, pimples, inflammatory patches, &c., speedily yield to its influence; scrofula, and, indeed, _all_ those affections in which the warm or vapour bath is serviceable, also derive powerful a.s.sistance from the sulphur bath.

=Bath, Tem'perate.= _Syn._ BAL'NEUM TEMPERA'TUS*, L.

=Bath, Tep'id.= _Syn._ BAL'NEUM TEP'IDUM, B. EGEL'IDUM, TEPIDA"RIUM, L.; BAIN TIeDE &c., Fr. Approaches the warm bath in its hygienic and medical properties; and is, perhaps the one best adapted for the mere purposes of personal cleanliness. In the s.p.a.cious public tepid baths of London, swimming may be safely indulged in even in cold weather.

=Bath, Tum'ble.= An obsolete form of the shower bath.

=Bath, Turk'ish.= _Syn._ BAL'NEUM TUR'CIc.u.m, L. A hot vapour bath or sweating bath, with ma.s.sing or shampooing, ending with a warm bath or warm ablutions and friction. The EGYPTIAN, PERSIAN, and RUSSIAN BATHS are essentially similar. In the ANGLO-TURKISH BATH, recently introduced to this country, hot dry air wholly takes the place of vapour. See BATH, AIR (_ante_).

=Bath, Turpentine.= _Syn._ BAL'NEUM TEREBINTHINA'TUM, L. _Prep._ (Dr T.

Smith.) Camphine (rectified oil of turpentine), 1/4 to 1/2 pint; Scotch soda, 2 lbs.; oil of rosemary, 1/2 dr.; for an adult. It calms the pulse, softens the skin, and renders the perspiration freer.

=Bath, Va'pour.= _Syn._ DEW'-BATH*; BAL'NEUM VA'PORIS, B. RO"RIS, AS'SA SUDA'TIO, A. VAPORA'TIO, VAPORA"RIUM*, L.; BAIN DE VAPEURS, Fr. The vapour of hot water, either pure or medicated.

The simplest form of vapour bath is, perhaps, produced by placing some wet cloths, or sprinkling a little water on two or three heated bricks, laid under a chair on which the patient is seated; both the patient and whole apparatus being covered with a sheet or blanket, or, better still, a s.p.a.cious waterproof cloak, to keep in the heated vapour. A large lump of quick-lime, set in a pan or an old iron pot and sprinkled with a little water, or else wrapped up in a thick coa.r.s.e towel which has been previously soaked in water, may be subst.i.tuted for the hot bricks; and often advantageously so. The slaking of the lime and the consequent evolution of vapour may be kept up or renewed, when necessary, by sprinkling on a little more water. This forms the "POOR MAN'S VAPOUR BATH"

of the French. Dr Serres has suggested, as something apparently original, that a lump of quick-lime, wrapped in a wet cloth and covered with a dry one, be placed on each side of the patient;[118] and the whole being covered up allowed to remain until copious perspiration is established. It must, however, be recollected that by none of these minor contrivances can the temperature of the vapour, and its supply, be regulated, as in a perfect bath, even a portable one, such as is shown in the _engraving_.

[Footnote 118: "In bed" (!), says the Dr; but surely one who could only afford such a bath would find it difficult to obtain a fresh, dry bed; whilst it would be equally improper for him to lie in a wet or damp one.]

[Ill.u.s.tration]