NUTRIENT, MUCILAGINOUS DEMULCENT 659 



able feeding stuffs for cattle and sheep, and, in restricted 

 amount, for horses. As fat producers they represent about 

 two and a half times the value of starch or sugar. They are 

 emulsified mainly by the pancreatic and biliary fluids ; they 

 "are absorbed chiefly by the lacteals, and their combustion 

 develops heat and force. In moderate amount they favour 

 assimilation alike of carbohydrates and proteids, with which 

 they are generally given. 



Well-boiled linseed gruel, or crushed linseed cake digested 

 in hot water, is a palatable, digestible nutrient for horses, 

 cattle, and sheep, not only in health, but notably in catarrhal 

 and other inflammatory attacks, in tuberculosis, rheu- 

 matism, chronic skin complaints, and during convalescence 

 from reducing disorders. In such cases it proves both food 

 and medicine. In febrile cases many horses will sip cold 

 linseed tea when they will scarcely eat or drink anything 

 else. Where the patient is exhausted, the linseed tea is given 

 with milk, eggs, or beef-tea, or with alcoholic or other 

 stimulants. Horses that are bad feeders, with unthrifty 

 coats, and horses affected with roaring or thick wind, are 

 usually much benefited, especially while living mostly on 

 oats and hay, by about a pound daily of broken linseed 

 cake. For healthy hunters and carriage horses the con- 

 tinued use of linseed cake proves, however, too fattening 

 and often causes itching. Young herbivora reared on skim 

 milk frequently have linseed gruel mixed with it to furnish 

 requisite fatty matters, and also to prevent the formation 

 of tough, indigestible curd. Linseed gruel, or a few ounces 

 of crushed cake given daily to calves or lambs, as soon as 

 they will eat it, not only economically favours growth and 

 early maturity, but is tolerably effectual in warding off 

 attacks of diarrhoaa, dysentery, and anaemia. 



A mucilaginous, demulcent decoction, made with about 

 one part of steeped seed to fifteen or twenty parts boiling 

 water, is useful in irritable conditions of the throat, respir- 

 atory passages, bowels, kidneys, and bladder ; in poisoning 

 with irritants and corrosives ; and as a convenient vehicle 

 for the administration of nauseous or acrid medicines. 



Crushed linseed makes good poultices, especially when 

 mixed with an equal quantity of bran or oatmeal ; but the 



