Lotio Alkalini.—Alkaline Wash.
Preparation.—Take of carbonate of sodium (sal soda), 2 drachms; warm rain-water, 1 quart. Dissolve; or make a weak ley, by adding hardwood ashes to hot water.
Action and Medical Uses.—This wash was formerly extensively employed by physicians, as an application to the surface of the body and limbs in all febrile and inflammatory diseases, and in chronic affections. In the former cases it is applied several times a day, especially when the acute symptoms run high; in the latter affections it is commonly used once or twice a week. The surface should be well rubbed and dried immediately after each application. Frequently, when external stimulus is also required, the above proportion of water is lessened ¼ or ½ and the balance of the quantity made up by the addition of whiskey or other spirit.
