SC A blackish ash-colour. It possesses a faint, unpleasant smelly and a bitterisii, pungent taste. In its medicinal effects, Scam- mony is an efficacious, but violent purgative 5 but, if triturated with sugar, almonds, or gum-arabic, it becomes sufficiently mild, and safe in its operation. — It may also be dissolved in a strong decoetlou of liquorice, then decanted j in which form it is not disagreeable to the palate, and proves a gentle laxa- tive. — The common dose of Scam- mony is from three to twelve grains. — If accidentally too large a portion of this drastic medicine should have been swallowed, the most effetStual antidotes will be co- pious draughts of mucilaginous preparations, or an immediate eme- tic. — This drug pays, on importa- tion, 2s. Qd. per lb. Scarlet. See Dveing, vol. ii. pp. 203-4. SCARLET FEVER, is a con- tagious inflammatory disease, at- tended with a bright-red efflores- cence of the skin, which appears on the third or fourth day, w ith a slight swelling of the face : the redness gradually spreads, but va- nishes after three or four days, when the scarf-skin generally peels off in branny scales. Tiioiigh a sore throat in most cases occurs, it is by no means a necessary symp- tom. The proximate cause of this ma- lady, appears to be an unknown contagious matter propagated by the atmosphere ; though the body may be predisposed to receive the infedion, from sudden changes of cold and heat, rainy weather, and indigestion. Cure : — In this formidable disor- der, which often terminates fatally in tiiree orfour days, emetics should SCI [29 be early and repeatedly administer- ed ; as such evacuations, according to Dr. Withering, and our owa experience, are the remedy sug- gested by Nature ; after which diuretics, such as vinegar and ho- ney, with a few grains of nitre, will be of essential benefit. Great care, however, is necessary to avoid whatever may induce a looseness of the bowels, which is seldom sa- lutary in this complaint. A gargle consisting of equal parts of lime- water and vinegar, or barley-water and honey acidulated with vitriolic acid, will be very useful in reduc- ing the inflammation an I swelling in the throat. The diet must be light and diluting, while the patient ought to abstain from all animal food J but he may take frequent draughts of thin gruel, barley- water, and the like, with currant- jelly. Hi,s body should be kept moderately'warm in bed J and the room fumigated with vinegar and camphor, placed In a proper vessel over a burning larrip, in order to purify the air. When the fever and eruption cease, a dose or two of mild aperient medicines, may be given with s.ifety and advantage. Should the legs be remarkably swollen, after the other symjjtoms have subsided, a deco6lion of the Seneka root with vlne^'ar and ho- ney (at the same time bathing the lower Extremities, or tlie whole body, in warm water) will afford the greatest relief. But, if the in- flammation in the throat threaten- suffocation, or be attended with violent fever, medical advice should be instantly procured ; as the pro- gress of this epidemic is uncom- monly rapid, and often mortal. Sciatica. See Rheumatism. SCIRRHUS is a hard, unequal twmor, which occasionally appear* in
