Mezereum

Action and Medical Uses. Rubbed on the skin for a few minutes, once or twice a day, this ointment produces an eruption. It is used as a counter-irritant in diseases of the throat, and in pulmonary affections is applied to the chest. When it is desired to make it more active, 1 ½ fluid drachms of croton oil may be added to the formula. If rubbed on the surface for 20 or 30 minutes at a time, repeated 3 or 4 times a day, and covered with flannel after each application, it will produce vesicles in 36 hours.

Description and Medical Uses. This is an acrid green liquid, used chiefly to maintain a discharge from blistered parts. It is used in the preparation of Linimentum Sinapis Compositum. The British Pharmacopoeia directs an ethereal extract of mezereum used in the compound liniment of mustard (see below). It is scarcely used at all in America.

Description, Medical Uses, and Dosage. This preparation depends for its virtues chiefly upon the mezereum, and the utility of the latter is even questionable. It is intended to replace the compound decoction of sarsaparilla. Inasmuch as the latter contains guaiacum, an active constituent, in our opinion this compound fluid extract is the less efficient of the two. This fluid extract is reputed alterative, and may be used in scrofula and secondary syphilis. The dose is a fluid drachm, which is equivalent to a drachm of the root, 3 or 4 times a day.

Related Preparation. UNGUENTUM MEZEREI (N. F.), Mezereum ointment. "Fluid extract of mezereum (F. 170), twenty-five cubic centimeters (25 Cc.) [406♏︎]; lard, eighty grammes (80 Gm.) [2 ozs. av., 360 grs.]; yellow wax, twelve grammes (12 Gm.) [185 grs.]. Melt together with lard and wax with a moderate heat, add the fluid extract, and stir the mixture constantly until the alcohol has evaporated. Then continue to stir until cool" ... (Nat. Form.). This is an irritant, and is applied to obstinate ulcers, wounds, etc., to excite suppuration; sometimes it is used to keep up the discharge from vesicated surfaces.