Revision as of 11:39, 17 May 2016

British Pharmacopoeia 1867

Musk Moschus

“The inspissated and dried secretion from the preputial follicles of Moschus moschiferus…; native of the mountainous regions of Central Asia. Imported from China and Asia.” (215)

Characteristics

“In irregular reddish-black rather unctuous grains; having a strong peculiar very diffusible odour, and a bitter aromatic taste; contain in a round or slightly oval membranous sac, about two inches in diameter, covered on the outer side with stiff greyish hairs arranged in a concentric manner around its central orifice.” (216) Given in a dose of 5-10 grains.

A Compendium of Domestic Medicine, 1865

All page numbers are recorded as (PDF #/SOURCE #)

Classified as an Antispasmodic (Remedies Which Remove Spasms or Colic)(410/389) and as a Stimulant (Remedies Which Speedily Increase the Frequency of the Pulse and the Heat of the Body)(415/394)

“Is esteemed one of the strongest anti-spasmodic and stimulants we possess” and can be used to treat hysterical paroxysms, epilepsy, hooping-cough, and low fevers during their later stages. As an enema, it has often calmed convulsions had by children “produced by dentition” (124-125/103-104

“It is extensively used as a perfume” (125/104)

Remedies Containing or to be used with Musk

• Ammonia, Sesquecarbonate of (37/16): musk included in “Anti-Spasmodic Mixtures”
• Buchu Leaves (55/34): tincture of mush included in a mixture used to treat gravel and “general nervousness of the system”
• Musk (124-125/103-104): see def
• Tincture of Artificial Musk (175/134): to be given daily to children, Savory does not indicate why.

Diseases Treated with Musk

General Diseases

• Ear, Disease of the (250/229): in cases of discharge coming from the ear, a few grains of musk placed inside the ear and held in place with cotton wool can help diminished the amount of discharge