This section is from the book "Materia Medica And Therapeutics Inorganic Substances", by Charles D. F. Phillips. Also available from Amazon: Materia medica and therapeutics.
Besides its astringent and stimulating power, alum, in doses of about 1 dr., is a very useful emetic, because it is prompt in action, and does not depress the system: hence it has been recommended in croup both to dislodge the false membrane and hinder its re-formation; it may be repeated every quarter of an hour for several doses. Narcotic poisoning has also been treated by it.
 
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