US65401A - Improved medical oompoukd - Google Patents

Description

.gnitrh gums jiatzat @ffirr.

' GEORGE H. LEITHEAD, OF EAST BIRMINGHAM, PENNSYLVANIA.

Letters Patent N0., 65,401, daterZ -Tunr: 4, 1867.

IMPROVED MEDICAL GOM POUEDL TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Be it known that I, GEORGE E. LEI'LIIEAD, of East Birmingham, iu-thc county of Allegheny, and $tatc of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Medical Compound; and I do hereby declare the following to he a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

My invention consists in a mixture or compound of certain ingredients, the particular object of which is to alleviate the pain which infants usually experience in the process of teething, so called, and lessen the causes of such pain, and a mixture also possessing medical propertieswhich render it valuable for many other purposes, as hereinafter to he expressed. The mortality among young children, caused by the pain of teething, or by fevers or other diseases connected therewith or resulting therefrom, is so considerable as to render such a coinpound exceedingly valuable.

The following ingredients I employ in preparing my compound, in about the proportions named, varying somewhat at pleasure, or according to the quality of the ingredients themselves: For two and ahalf quarts of soft water, eight pounds of Loverlngs hcst refined sugar, or other similar sugar well refined, and equally pure; from one to two ounces of alcohol, one ounce each of borox and gum arable, and a half ounce oi laudanum, or such quantity of morphia or other similar opiate as will impart an equivalent of strength. I mix the articles named in any way that will effect a complete solution and mixture of all the ingredients, but have found it most convenient to raise the water to a. lukewarm temperature, dissolve the sugar in it, stirring it occasionally for that purpose, if need he, after which I add the borax and gum arubic pulverized, boil briskly for a few minutes to efl'ect a complete solution of these ingredients, remove itfroin the fire, and aftcra few minutes cooling pour the luudanurn slowly, stirring it well at the same time. Then I cover it closely to prevent lossby evaporation, and when it is suflicienfily cooled, bottle or otherwise put it in shape for convenient use, the alcohol being added at any convenient point in the process. As above stated, morphia or other similar soluble opiate, to an amount of equivalent-strength, may be substituted for the laudanum. Its effect to alleviate painis well known. Borax biborate of soda) also, it is well lcnown, possesses astringent properties. The gum arahic aids in holding in solution the borax with the other ingredients named, and gives the compound a degree of consistency which makes it more convenient for external use. The sugar is valuable in rendering the mixture more palatable, as well as for the nutriment it contains when taken internally, and is itself an excellent remedy by which toalleviate the pain of burns or scalds when applied externally. The alcohol, besides acting as a. medical agent in securing the usual results, also preserves the mixture from undergoing decomposition or other chemical change.

The chief object for which this mixture is designed is to alleviate and lessen the pain resulting to children in teething. The laudanunl acts as an opiate to alleviate the pain, and the borax as an astringent to lessen the difficulty which the teeth encounter in penetrating the fleshy part of the gums. t may he used safely on an infant at an early age, and should be applied by rubbing it frequently on the gums of the child. I use it chiefly I in\this way as an external application, and not only secure all the useful results which epiatesinternally administered generally cil'cct, but also do so with an entire freedom from the danger which sometimes attends the internal administering of such remedies. But in some cases I also administer it internally; and as an opiate,

both hcneficidl and safe, I administer it in cases of cholic, diarrhoea, or other similar diseases of the bowels, in doses varying according to age, from one-third of a teaspoonful to four teaspoonfuls, as often as may he required. I apply it externally to burns, cuts, bruises, and other similar injuries with permanent benefit. It is likewise a useful remedy for toothache, relieving pain speedily.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

A medical compound, consisting of water, sugar, borax, gum arable, laudanum, or morphie, or other similar opiute,with or without alcohol, about in the proportions named, and for thopurposes above set forth.

'In testimony whereof I, the said GEORGE H. LEITIIEA-D, have hereunto set my hand in presence of GEO. H. LEITHEAD. Witnesses:

A. S. NronoLson, Gno. H. GnnIsrY.