Asthma Fumigating Powders.—I.—Powdered stramonium leaves, 4; powdered aniseed, 2; potassium nitrate, 2 parts.
II.—Powdered stramonium, 30; potassium nitrate, 5; powdered tea, 15; powdered eucalyptus leaves, 15; powdered Indian hemp, 15; powdered lobelia, 15; powdered aniseed, 2; distilled water, 45 parts. (All the herbal ingredients in coarse powder; moisten with the water in which the potassium nitrate has been previously dissolved, and dry.)
Schiffmann’s Asthma Powder.—Potassium nitrate, 25; stramonium, 70; belladonna leaves, 5 parts.
Neumeyer’s Asthma Powder.—Potassium nitrate, 6 parts; sugar, 4; stramonium, 6; powdered lobelia, 1.
Fischer’s Asthma Powder.—Stramonium, 5 parts; potassium nitrate, 1; powdered Achillea millefolium leaves, 1.
Vorlaender’s Asthma Powder.—Stramonium, 150; lobelia, 80; arnica flowers, 80; potassium nitrate, 30; potassium iodide, 3; naphthol, 1,100 parts.
Asthma Cigarettes.
—I.—Belladonna leaves, 5 parts; stramonium leaves, 5 parts; digitalis leaves, 5 parts; sage leaves, 5 parts; potassium nitrate, 75 parts; tincture of benzoin, 40 parts; boiling water, 1,000 parts. Extract the leaves with the boiling water, filter, and in the filtrate dissolve the salts. Immerse in the fluid sheets of bibulous paper (Swedish filter paper will answer) and let remain for 24 hours. At the end of this time remove, dry, cut into pieces about 2 3/4 by 4 inches, and roll into cigarettes.
II.—Sodium arseniate, 3 grains; extract of belladonna, 8 grains; extract of stramonium, 8 grains. Dissolve the arseniate of sodium in a small quantity of water, and rub it with the two extracts. Then soak up the whole mixture with fine blotting paper, which is dried and cut into 24 equal parts. Each part is rolled up in a piece of cigarette paper. Four or five inhalations are generally sufficient as a dose.
ASTHMA IN CANARIES: See Veterinary Formulas.
ASTRINGENT FOR HORSES: See Veterinary Formulas.
ATOMIC WEIGHTS: See Weights and Measures. {102}
ATROPINE, ANTIDOTE TO.
The usual physiological antidotes to the mydriatic alkaloids from belladonna, stramonium, and hyoscyamus are morphine or eserine. Strong tea, coffee, or brandy are usually administered as stimulants. Chief reliance has usually been placed upon a stomach siphon and plenty of water to wash out the contents of the stomach. The best antidote ever reported was that of muscarine extracted by alcohol from the mushroom, Amanita muscaria, but the difficulty of securing the same has caused it to be overlooked and almost forgotten. Experiments with this antidote showed it to be an almost perfect opposite of atropine in its effects upon the animal body and that it neutralized poisonous doses.
AQUA AROMATICA.—
| Cort. cinnam. chinens | 3 parts |
| Flor. lavandulæ | 5 parts |
| Fol. Menth. pip. | 5 parts |
| Fol. rosmarini | 5 parts |
| Fol. salviæ | 10 parts |
| Fruct. fœniculi | 3 parts |
| Spiritus | 70 parts |
| Aqua | 300 parts |
Macerate the drugs in the mixed alcohol and water for 24 hours and distill 200 parts.
AQUA REGIA.
—Aqua regia consists in principle of 2 parts of hydrochloric acid and 1 part of nitric acid. But this quantity varies according to the shop where it is used for gilding or jewelry, and sometimes the proportion is brought to 4 parts of hydrochloric acid to 1 of nitric acid.
AUTOMOBILES, ANTIFREEZING SOLUTION FOR: See Freezing Preventives.
AXLE GREASE: See Lubricants.
BABBITT METAL: See Alloys.
BAKING POWDERS
I.—Tartaric acid, 3 parts; sodium bicarbonate, 1 part; starch, 0.75 part. Of this baking powder the required amount for 500 parts of flour is about 20 parts for rich cake, and 15 parts for lean cake.
The substances employed must be dry, each having been previously sifted by itself, so that no coarse pieces are present; the starch is mixed with the sodium bicarbonate before the acid is added. When large quantities are prepared the mixing is done by machine; smaller quantities are best mixed together in a spacious mortar, and then passed repeatedly through a sieve. Instead of starch, flour may be used, but starch is preferable, because it interferes with the action of the acid on the alkali.
II.—A formula proposed by Crampton, of the United States Department of Agriculture, as the result of an investigation of the leading baking powders of the market, is:
| Potassium bitartrate | 2 parts |
| Sodium bicarbonate | 1 part |
| Cornstarch | 1 part |
The addition of the starch serves the double purpose of a “filler” to increase the weight of the powder and as a preservative. A mixture of the chemicals alone does not keep well.
The stability of the preparation is increased by drying each ingredient separately by exposure to a gentle heat, mixing at once, and immediately placing in bottles or cans and excluding access of air and consequently of moisture.
This is not a cheap powder; but it is the best that can be made, as to healthfulness.
| III.— | Sodium acid phosphate | 20 parts |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium acid phosphate | 20 parts | |
| Sodium bicarbonate | 25 parts | |
| Starch | 35 parts |
Caution as to drying the ingredients and keeping them dry must be observed. Even the mixing should be done in a room free from excessive humidity.
IV.—Alum Baking Powder.—
| Ammonium alum, anhydrous | 15 parts |
| Sodium bicarbonate | 18 parts |
| Cornstarch, q. s. to make | 100 parts. |
Mix. The available carbon dioxide yielded is 7 1/2 per cent or 8 per cent.
BALANCE