EMERY

(Fmah Cape Emeri in the island of Naxos.). of corundum; amorphous, compact, and generally opaque. It is characterized by exce ive hardne ; and its powder is used for cutting and polishing gla , gems, and all hard substances: it scratches and wears down nearly all minerals except the diamond. EMETICS, (Gr. t^itcj, / vomit) Medicines which i vomiting. The only vegetable emetic in general use is ipecacuanha, from ten to twenty grains of which is tie chief mineral emetics are the tartrate of antimony and potash, or emetic tartar, sulphate of zinc, and sulphate if copper. When it is merely wished to evacuate the contents of the stomach in cases where it is disordered by Improper food, twenty grains of ipecacuanha in an ounce ife and good emetic; it generally operates in ten or twenty minutes, and its action maybe a isted by Chamomile tea or warm water. At the beginning of fevers or Inflammatory disorders, an emetic is often advantageously administered, and then ten or fifteen grains ■i.mh.i with half a grain or a grain of emetic tartar in an oonoe and a hall of water is to be preferred: the perspiration which the vomit induces should be kept up by remain in i in bed, and by warm drinks or other proper remedies. Where poisons have been swallowed, the stomach is often insensible to these means, especially where large doses of opium are concerned; and then half a drachm of sulphate of zinc or of sulphate of copper may be di olved in three ounces of warm water, and a third part of the solution taken i-very ten minutes till it operates. In such cases, however, the stomach-pump is principally to be relied upon. When emetics are given in small doses, they produce nausea, and to this extent they have proved useful in tnorrhage of the lungs and stomach. Emetics should be avoided in all plethoric habits, and where there «re any symptoms announcing fulne of the ve els of in hernia, in the advanced stage of pregnancy, and in active, inflammations. They should also be given with the utmost caution to young children; and when given, •■■■i an ha should be resorted to. Old chronic pains and obstinate rheumatism are sometimes relieved by an emetic.;I: [s. 411]