Raspail's Sedative Water

RASPAIL'S SEDATIVE WATER, Aqua sedativa Raspail (French pharmacopoeia of 1908 and other pharmacopoeias), an aqueous solution of sodium chloride and caustic ammonia with the addition of camphor alcohol, which gives a more or less fine suspension with the ammonium salt solution. Composition according to the French pharmacopoeia: sodium chloride-60 parts, solution of caustic ammonia-120 parts, camphor alcohol (according to the French pharmacopoeia on 90° alcohol)-10 parts, water-940 parts. The addition of camphor alcohol directly to the ready ammonium salt solution, as recommended by the French pharmacopoeia, is irrational, since the salts coagulate the otherwise unstable suspension of camphor; it is better to shake the camphor alcohol with a portion of water beforehand and then add the ammonium solution of sodium chloride. R. w. is a 'pain anesthetic,' acting on peripheral nerve elements with all its constituent parts: camphor, ammonia, and the strongly hypertonic solution of NaCl. R. w. first causes a slight pain and irritation, and then prolonged anesthesia. Ammonia, moreover, by macerating the skin, promotes the penetration of the constituent parts of R. w. into the depths. It is applied in the form of lotions, rubbings, and compresses for migraine, rheumatism, etc. One should beware that R. w. does not get into the eyes.