Alum

Imported from

• East Indies
• China

Used to Make

• Leather and Skins Industry

Description

Used during the tanning process for hides and skins.

Database name: Alum Roach

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alum

A Compendium of Domestic Medicine, 1865

Astringent used in the treatment of internal and external haemorrhages. It can be administered during fevers, hooping-cough, for lead colic, a styptic (stops bleeding), chilblains, collyriums (eye wash), and added to gargles to treat sore throat (35).

Remedies Containing or to be used with Alum Listed in CDM1865

• Alum Electuary (35): contains alum, used to treat haemorrhages, immoderate flow of urine, and fluor albus (infection/swelling of genitals)
• Alum Collyrium (35):
• Alum Gargle, for relaxed uvula and tonsils (35)
• Alum Pills for spitting blood (36): Four different versions, two specifically mention uses in treating hooping-cough
• Alum, Burnt (36): Astringent, can be applied by use of gargles and/or lotions. Can also be applied as an escharotic (corrosive slave) to "destroy fungus in ulcers"
• Oak Bark (51): combined with Alum
• Astringent Electuary (96): included under Gum Kino entry, treats diarrhoae
• Zinc, Acetate of (193): when combined with Alum "forms an excellent styptic for checking haemorrhage form the lungs, nose, &c."
• Zinc, Sulphate of (194): when combined with Alum, "forms a very styptic liquor, which may be used for stopping haemorrhage and checking increased discharges, externally applied."

Diseases Treated with Alum as listed in CDM1865

• Bleeding from the Nose (232): a strong solution of alum can be used, having lint dipped in it and inserted into the nose (a solution of sulphate or acetate of zinc can also be used.)
• Spitting of Blood (281): used to treat considerate amounts of bleeding.
• Whites, or Fluor Albus (284): "a combination of calumbo and alum has been employed by Mr. Pettigrew in many cases with the greatest advantage."

Medical Articles Containing Alum as listed in CDM1865

• Dr. Blake's Remedy for Toothache (323)
• To Promote the Growth of Hair (324): contains burnt alum

Prescriptions Containing Alum as listed in CDM1865

Astringents

• Astringent Gargle (339)
• Mr. Pettigrew's Astringent Powder for Leucorrhoea, Gonorrhoea, and other Muco-Purulent Discharges (341)