Note 592 — PHARMACOLOGIA. (continued 5)

Opium is the Quack’s sheet anchor. The various nostrums advertised as “Cough Drops, for the cure of colds, asthmas, catarrhs, &c.” are preparations of Opium very similar to paregoric elixir. Pectoral Balsam of Liquorice, and Essence of Coltsfoot, are combinations of this kind. Grindle’s Cough Drops, are a preparation of the same description, only made with Rectified, instead of Proof Spirit, and consequently more highly charged with stimulant materials. “The mischief,” says Dr. Fothergill, “that has proceeded from the healing anodynes of quacks can be scarcely imagined; for in coughs, arising from suppressed perspiration or an inflammatory diathesis, Opiates generally do harm.”

Squire’s Elixir. Opium, camphor, serpentaria, sub-carbonate of potass, anise and fennel seeds, made into a tincture, and coloured with cochineal.

Ford’s Balsam of Horehound. This nostrum may very properly be classed under the present head. It consists of an aqueous infusion of horehound and liquorice root, with double the proportion of proof spirit or brandy; to which is then added, opium, camphor, benzoin, squills, oil of aniseed, and honey.