Liquor Ammonia Acetatis.

Dose.—The dose is half an ounce every two or three hours.

Therapeutic Action.—Solution of Acetate of Ammonia, or Spirit of Mindererus, is diaphoretic, stimulant, diuretic, and refrigerant. It is regarded by allopathic physicians as a certain and efficient diaphoretic in febrile and inflammatory diseases. It has been much used as a stimulant in certain stages of these diseases, when opium, alcohol, wine, etc., are inadmissible, owing to the cerebral excitement which they occasion. When employed as a diaphoretic it is liable to augment the urinary secretion, and this is especially the case when cold air is brought in contact with the surface, and when exercise is taken. In order to secure its full advantages as a diaphoretic, the patient should be kept still in bed and warmth applied to the surface.

Externally, it has been employed as a discutient and resolvent, in mumps and other local inflammatory diseases; it is applied by saturating several thicknesses of flannel, and keeping them constantly wet on the part.


The American Eclectic Materia Medica and Therapeutics, 1898, was written by John M. Scudder, M.D.