Diseases > Domestic medicine

DOMESTIC MEDICINE. 455
tilings are more hurtful to the sense of smelling than
taking great quantities of snuff.
When the nose abounds with moisture, after
gentle racuations, such things as tend to take off
irritation and coagulate the thin sharp serum, may
be applied; as the oil of anise mixed with fine
flour ; camphire dissolved in oil of almonds, &c.
The vapours of amber, frankincense, gum-mastic,
and benjamin, may likewise be received into the
nose and mouth.
For moistening the mucus when it is too dry,
some recommend snuff made of the leaves of
marjoram, mixed with the oil of amber, marjo¬
ram and aniseed ; or a sternutatory of calcined white
vitriol ; twelve grains of which may be mixed with
two ounces of marjoram-water, and filtrated. The
steam or vapour of vinegar upon hot iron, received
up the nostrils, is likewise of use for softening the
mucus, opening obstructions, &c.
If there be an ulcer in the nose, it ought to be
dressed with some emollient ointment, to which,
if the pain be very great, a little laudanum may
be added. If it be a venereal ulcer, it is not to be
cured without mercury. In that case, the solution
of the corrosive sublimate in brandy may be taken, as
directed in the gutta serena. The ulcer ought like¬
wise to be washed with it; and the fumes of cinabai
may be received up the nostrils.
If there be reason to suspect the nerves which
supply the organs of smelling are inert or want
stimulating, volatile salts, strong snuffs, and other
things which occasion sneezing, may be applied to
the nose. The forehead may likewise be anointed
with balsam of Peru, to which may be added a little
of the oil of amber.
The taste may be diminished by crusts, filth,