It is considered to be still more applicable to chronic inflammations than to the acute. in chronic rheumatism, in bronchitis with thickening of the mucous membrane or copious mucous secretion, in pyelitis and catarrh of the bladder, and in leucorrhoea from chronic inflammation or ulceration of the uterus or vagina, it is deemed peculiarly useful; as also in the inflammations attended with induration or enlargement, as chronic pneumonia, hepatitis, and splenitis. in chronic bronchitis it has been used by inhalation, as well as internally.

It has, moreover, been found useful in non-inflammatory enlargements of the liver and spleen, in uterine and ovarian tumours, and in abdominal tumefaction with disease of the mesenteric glands.

In short, muriate of ammonia would seem to rank, among the Germans, in its remedial powers, along with iodine and mercury. Over the latter of these medicines it is believed to have the great advantage, that it does not tend to impair the blood, and may consequently be employed in affections, such as scrofulous swellings of the lymphatic glands, in which the constitutional influence of mercury is thought to be injurious. Dr. Lindsay speaks very favourably of its efficacy in indolent buboes, used both internally and externally, and has found it advantageous in syphilitic periostitis where iodide of potassium had failed to effect a cure. (Loc. cit., note, p. 387.)

It has proved successful in neuralgia, hemicrania, and nervous headache, and, in consequence of a supposed excitant influence over the uterus, has been considerably used as an emmenagogue*

M. Quadri, of Italy, has found it useful in a commencing case of cataract; being administered internally, while water of ammonia was applied every day to the temples. During its use, the opacity was diminished to a considerable extent, so that the patient from being unable to do any work requiring vision, was capacitated for various avocations. (Ann. de Thérap., 1863, p. 98; from Giornale d'Oftalmologia Italiana, March, 1862.)

The dose is from five to thirty grains, repeated every two hours, and increased if necessary. When a refrigerant effect is required in the stomach, it may be given in powder, with sugar or syrup; otherwise, dissolved in sweetened and aromatized water.

For inhalation, a drachm or two of the pure and dry salt may be heated, in a small Hessian crucible, over a spirit-lamp, and the patient made to breathe cautiously the air impregnated with the vapours. The remedy may be used in this method twice or three times a day.

Perhaps a better mode of inhalation would be in the form of spray, by means of the atomizer; from 10 to 20 grains being dissolved for the purpose in a fluidounce of water. Dr. Da Costa states that the strength of solution best borne is about 10 grains to the fluidounce. (Pamphlet, p. 23.) The remedy is used in this way in acute and chronic catarrh, and in capillary bronchitis.

Externally, it is occasionally used for obtaining the effects of cold, which it produces when dissolving. For the method of preparing a frigorific mixture with this salt and nitre, see vol. i. p. 110. introduced into a bladder, the mixture may be substituted for ice, in cases of vascular determination to the brain, hernial tumours, etc.

In powder sal ammoniac is sometimes used as a sternutatory, and in solution as a gargle in chronic and ulcerative angina, and as a discutient lotion to the surface. The solution may be made of different strengths, according to the effect desired, varying from half an ounce to two ounces in a pint of water, or of a mixture of water with one-quarter of its bulk of alcohol. in this way, it is used in enlargements of the absorbent glands, scrofulous swelling of the knee and other joints, enlarged thyroid, hydrocele, sprains, bruises, etc.; being applied upon cloths saturated with it, or as a lotion. it is also much used in weaker solution, of from one to four drachms in the pint, as a gentle stimulant, in ulcers and cutaneous eruptions. The salt is said to produce a very favourable effect, applied, in fine powder, to certain fungous, ill-conditioned ulcers, of cachectic origin. The pain occasioned by it is of brief duration; and an improved aspect is soon presented by the ulcers, which quickly heal.

* in a paper contained in the Transactions of the Med. Soc. of the Slate of New York (ad. 1864, art. xx.), Dr. J. R. Learning gives an account of his experience with this remedy, which he has found useful in neuralgia of the face and elsewhere, hemicrania, in the low delirium of typhus, scarlatina, sunstroke, epidemic cholera, croup, diphtheria, pneumonia, subacute pleurisy, congestion of the brain, acute meningitis of children, and in tuberculous disease, especially of the lungs. in scarlatina, croup, diphtheria, and cholera, he combines it with chlorate of potassa. (Am. J. of Med. Sci., Jan. 1865, p. 193.) - Note to the third edition.

A rubefacient plaster may be made, by melting together half an ounce of lead plaster and two drachms of soap, and, when the solution is nearly cold, rubbing with it half a drachm of sal ammoniac. The ammoniacal salt is decomposed, with the gradual escape of ammonia, which is the real rubefacient agent.