478 MATERIA MEDICA 



swellings ; and it is objectionable on account of its tendency to 

 produce extensive sloughing and consequently blemishes. — Ed.] 



EMOLLIENTS. Medicines or applications that soothe 

 and allay irritation, by relaxing or softening the parts to which 

 tliey are applied. They consist chiefly of oily and mucilaginous 

 fluids, which are used either internally in inflammations of the 

 gullet, windpipe, intestinal canal, or urinary bladder, or exter- 

 nally as fomentations or poultices (see Fomentation and 

 Poultice), at a temperature that is most agreeable to the feel- 

 ino-s of the patient, and best adapted to the purpose for which 

 they are employed, that is, to assuage pain, subdue inflammation, 

 and, in tumours tending to suppuration, to hasten or promote 

 that process. Emollient fomentations are generally made with 

 marsh-mallows, and other mucilaginous plants or herbs ; and 

 poultices are composed of bran with oatmeal, linseed powder, 

 lard, or oil, and some of the bulbous roots, such as the white 

 lily, or turnip, with linseed meal, or bread and milk. Internal 

 emollients consist also of oily and mucilaginous fluids, or decoc- 

 tions of marsh-mallow root, liquorice root, linseed, solution of 

 gum, emulsions, &c. Their action is the same as demulcents. 

 See Demulcents. 



EMULSIONS. A term given to preparations, in which oil 

 is blended with water, by means either of mucilage, the yolk of 

 an eiio", or a small quantity of some alkali (see -Alkali). Emul- 

 sions^ have a milky appearance, and are a convenient vehicle for 

 pectoral'medicines. Medicines in this form, and for this purpose, 

 are now rarely employed. 



These mixtures of oil and water, by the intervention of an 

 alkali or mucilage, are sometimes given alone in coughs. 



simple emulsion. 



Olive oil 2 ozs. 



Clarified honey 3 ozs. 



Soft water 1 pint. 



Sub-carbonate of potash 2 drs. — Mix. 



pectoral emulsion. 



Camphor 1 to 2 drs. 



To be rubbed into a powder by means of a few drops of spirit 

 of wine. 



Oil of anise-seed 12 or 15 drojis. 



To this add, gradually, from twelve ounces to a pint of the 

 simple emulsion. To this may be added occasionally nitrate of 

 potash, and tincture of opium. 



An elegant and pleasant emulsion is made by rubbing blanched 



