In purulent ophthalmia, a collyrium of Alum is a useful cleansing application. In the severe forms, a saturated solution of Alum, dropped into the eye, is occasionally of great service. In the purulent ophthalmia of Egypt, Clot Bey found great benefit from dropping into the eye a saturated solution of Alum and Sulphate of Zincum met.
Dr. Rognetta speaks highly of its vulva. In the ophthalmia of India commonly known as country sore eye, Waring speaks from experience of the efficacy of the following native preparation; Place some finely powered Alum on a heated plate of iron, and whilst the salt is in a state of fusion, add a small portion of lemon or lemon-juice, until it forms a soft black mass. This, while hot, is placed entirely round the orbit, taking care that none of it gets beneath the eye-lids, as it causes under causes circumstances intense agony. One or two applications, each being allowed to remain on twelve hours, are, sufficient in ordinary cases to effect a cure. In the ophthalmia of infants, after the subsidence of acute inflammation, a colyrium of Alum is one of the most serviceable applications which can be recourse to. Waring employed it with success in hundreds of cases. It has also the recommendation of Ramsbottom, Lawrence, Pereira. In ophthalmia-tarsi, a similar colyrium is advised by Howard. In the purulent ophthalmia of infants, it forms the most efficacious remedy we possess. In these cases it is usually applied in the form of the Alum cataplasm. In ecchymosis of the eye, an Alum poultice is an effectual application. It is made by agitating a small piece of Alum with the white of an egg, until it forms a coagulum. This is placed between two pieces of linen rag, and applied to the eye for some hours. In the latter stages of conjunctival inflammation it is often proper. As regards topical applications to the eye, a certain amount of judgment should be used. In he first stage of ophthalmia, it is sometimes consider expedient to out short the disease by the application of strong astringent solution. “It is not to be denied,” says Dr. Jacob, “that such applications may have the effect of arresting the disease at once; bug, if they have not that effect, they are liable to produce an increase or irritation.” But, as the details necessary for making the student acquainted with all the circumstances respecting the application of stimulating or astringent application, in the first stage of stimulating or astringent applications, in the first stage of ophthalmia, are too lengthened and numerous to a limit of their proper discussion in this work, I must refer for further particulars to the essay of Dr. Jacob’s (“Cyclopaedia of Pract. Medorrhinum,” art. Ophthalmia), as well as to the treatises of writers on ophthalmic surgery. I may, however, add, that whatever difference of opinion exists as to the propriety of these applications in the first stage of ophthalmia, all are agreed as to their value after the violence of vascular action has been subdued. In the treatment of the purulent ophthalmia of infants, no remedy is perhaps equal to an Alum wash. In purulent discharges from the ears, topical applications of a solution of Alum are often serviceable. We have frequently seen chronic otorrhoea disappear under the use of injections of Alum water. In affections of the mouth, involving a congested state of the mucous membranes, much benefit is often derived from the local application of Alumina- J.C.P.
In ulceration and sponginess of the gums, whether mercurial or scorbutic, the lotion as for ulceration of the throat is found highly serviceable. It should be used several times daily. To scorbutic ulcers, very finely powdered Alum, in substance, may be applied. If forms a useful astringent wash in certain states o mercurial sore mouth, and is used with the best effect to check profuse ptyalism, whether from the abuse of Mercury or other causes. It is an excellent topical application, in the form of power, in profuse haemorrhages after the extraction of teeth.
In catarrhal affections of the throat and fauces, Alum is highly recommended as a local application. In chronic cases, when the mucous membrane is such congested, and covered with mucus, which gives rise to a troublesome cough, Alum gargles afford great relief and benefit. In ulceration and relaxation of the throat, a solution of Alum in water, or decoction of Cinchona, proves a very useful gargle for ordinary cases. It has been employed successfully as a gargle in elongation and loss of contractile power of the uvula. As an internal remedy in chronic ulcerations of the mucous membrane of the throat and pharynx, it is a remedy of great value. We have cured cases of this kind with small doses of Alum, after having been baffled for months with other medicines, which at first appeared to be more homoeopathic. Dr. Marcy says, he is acquainted with a number of obstinate cases, which have been quite cured by the internal and topical use of the Rockville Alum spring water of Virginia.
When confined in the stomach, Alum causes inflammation of the entire mucous membrane, worse near the great cul-de-sac, where it is of a deep brown color. The walls of the stomach are much thickened at the pyloric extremity, and hardened as if tanned. The walls of the small intestines are slightly thickened, and lined with a light yellowish substance. Traces of Alum may be found in the stomach long after it has been taken.
In catarrhal affections of the stomach, Sir J. Murray speaks in the highest terms of Alumina In one aggravated case, attended with pyrosis, a complete cure was effected by Alum in electuary. He considers that it renders the mucous coats more firm, and restores their tone and strength. He considers it especially useful in the peculiar affection of the stomach, attended by the frequent vomiting of a large quantity of glairy fluid. In prescribing Alum, it should be remembered that the vegetable astringents decompose it, by which the astringent property of the mixture is probably diminished.
Alum was first given in colica-pictonum, by a Dutch physician named Grashuis, and was afterwards, in 1774, used in fifteen cases by Dr. Percival, with great success, and subsequently its efficacy was fully established. It allays vomiting, abates flatulence, mitigates pain, and opens the bowels, frequently when other powerful remedies have failed. The modus operandi of Alum in lead colic is not very clear, but the theory of its action is, that it converts the poisonous salt of lead in the system into an innocuous sulphate, and in support of this view must be mentioned the fact, that other sulphates (as those of Magnesia, Soda, Zinc, and Copper), as well as free Sulphuric- acid, have been successfully employed in the lead colic. But, on the other hand, the presence of lead in the primae-viae or evacuations had not been demonstrated, though experiments have shown that when the Acetate of Lead is swallowed, the greater portion of it forms an insoluble combinations with the gastro- intestinal mucus, and in this state may remain some time in the alimentary canal. Alum has also been found successful in other varieties of colic not caused by head, and unaccompanied by constipation. In large doses it acts as a purgative.
In abdominal typhus, which was epidemic in Vienna in 1838, chief reliance was placed on the internal exhibition of Alumina Under every phase of the disease-diarrhoea, delirium, and debility-it is stated to have been equally beneficial. It was found particularly serviceable in checking the exhausting diarrhoea.- F.G.S.
In infantile cholera, Alum has been found to be signally successful. Of sixty-seven cases treated with it by Dr. Durr only seven died. The ages of the children varied from the period of birth of fifteen months. In chronic diarrhoea, and diarrhoea- mucosa, depending upon a relaxed condition of the mucous intestinal membrane, Alum given internally is often attended with great amelioration. Drs. Adair and Harrison speak favorably of it in this class of cases. In chronic dysentery, Alum was formerly held in high repute. It has been advised, variously combined, by Birnstiel, Loos, Hunnius, Michaelis, Hargens,. Moseley and Jackson employed it, and Adair found it useful, combined with Opium and aromatics, in epidemic dysentery, occurring among negroes.
Injection of Alum water, or of Alum they, are very useful in the copious and frequent haemorrhages which sometimes accompany piles and abrasions of the mucous membrane of the rectum. Cases of this kind now and then reduce patients to a very low and dangerous condition, and appear to resist all internal remedies. The astringent and toughening effect of these injections have, in some instances, arrested the bleeding and permanently.
In prolapsus of the rectum the injection of a solution of Alum proves serviceable. It may also used in painful bleeding piles, when unattended by inflammation.
In haematuria, which resists the action of the Acetate of Lead and other ordinary remedies, the injection into the bladder of a solution of Alum is sometimes effectual in arresting the discharge; this, how ever, should not be had recourse to until it has been ascertained that the bladder, and not the kidneys, is the seat of the disease. Dr. Prout observes that he has never seen any unpleasant consequences follow the use of this expedient; and that he has seen it arrest the most formidable haemorrhage when all other remedies had failed, and when the bladder had repeatedly become again distended with blood, almost immediately after its removal. If, after the use of the injection, coagulae remain in the bladder, they should be broken up by repeated injections of cold water. Alum may be given internally at the same time; although, as an internal remedy, it is less efficacious than Gallic-acid. In catarrh of the bladder it is highly spoken of by Sir J. Eyre. In diabetes, under the idea that the discharge might be arrested by the use of powerful astringents, Alum, in combination with other remedies of the same class, was advised by Doctor, Brocklesby, and other; but Dr. Brisbane satisfactorily proved that it was incapable of arresting the disease. Kraus observes that the urine becomes very acid from the use of Alumina It has been used successfully against incontinence of urine. In one case of irritable bladder, in which the patient was obliged to pass urine every hour or two, both by day and night, grain doses of the first trituration of Alum every four hours effected a cure in six weeks.- F.G.S.
