ANTIHECTICS

ANTIHECTICS, Antihæctica, Remedies against Hectical Disorders. See HECTIC. Antihæcticum Poterii, in Pharmacy, a celebrated Chemical Preparation, made of equal quantities of Tin, and chalybeated Regulus of Antimony, by melting them in a large Crucible, and putting to them, by little and little, three times the quantity of Nitre: the Detonation being over, the whole is washed with warm Water till no filthiness remains. It is a very penetrating Medicine, making way into the minutest Passages, and searching even the nervous Cells; whence its use in Hectic Disorders, from which it derives the Name. See HECTIC. It is applied to good purpose in Heaviness of the Head, Giddiness, and Dimness of Sight, whence proceed Apoplexies and Epilepsies; And in all Affections and Foulness of the Viscera of the lower Belly is reckoned inferior to nothing. Thus, it obtains in the Jaundice, Dropsies, and all kind of Cachexies. Dr. Quincy adds, that there is scarce a Preparation in the Chemical Pharmacy of greater efficacy in most obstinate chronic Distempers.

ANTIHECTICS