AND PIIARMACOPCEIA. 505 



Stir them well together for some time, and immediately before 

 the mixture is used. 



LINSEED, or FLAX SEED. — Xmi Semi7ia. These 

 seeds abound with oil and mucilage, and are well adapted to the 

 composition of those emollient drinks that are so useful in in- 

 flammations of the bladder and bowels, or complaints of the 

 urinary passages. A strong mucilaginous drink may be made 

 without bruising the seeds, either by decoction or infusion. 

 See Emollients and Pectorals. 



Linseed Cake. That part of the linseed which remains 

 after the oil has been pressed out. It is sometimes employed to 

 fatten cattle, and may be given occasionally to horses. When 

 ground it is sold as linseed meal and linseed powder, and often 

 used in the composition of poultices.* It is an ingredient also 

 in most of the horse and cattle powders, and serves to adul- 

 terate, on account of its cheapness, many of the medicines sold 

 in powder, as drenches for horses and cattle. It is chiefly used 

 for making poultices. 



Linseed Oil. — Oleum Lini. This oil is sometimes em- 

 ployed as a laxative, f It is used also in making pectoral emul- 

 sions, and in the composition of liniments. 



LIQUOH POTASSiE. Solution of Potass. See Ley, 

 Caustic. 



LIQUORICE; the Root and Extract. — Glycyrrliiza Glabra; 

 Radix et Extractum. The extract made from liquorice-root is 

 supposed to be of use in relieving cough. In the horse it is not 

 applicable to this purpose, as its good effect depends upon its 

 gradual solution in the mouth, so as to be constantly lubricating 

 the throat. Many writers, however, recommend liquorice in 

 their pectoral and cordial drenches, probably with a view to 

 render them more palatable. 



LITHARGE, or SEMI-VITRIFIED OXIDE OF 

 LEAD. — Lithargyrus, vel Oxydum Plumhi Semi-vitreum. This 

 oxide is obtained by the simple action of heat and air upon 

 lead. It is employed in making Goulard's extract and dia- 

 chylon plaster. 



LITMUS. This is a species of lichen. Litmus-paper is 

 used in medicine as a very delicate test of the presence of acid, 

 by which its blue or violet colour is changed to red. It is gene- 

 rally by means of litmus-paper that the urine is tested, when, 

 if a great quantity of acid is found to prevail, alkalies must be 

 administered, and vice versa. 



* The best linseed meal for poultices is that ground before the oil is ex- 

 tracted. — Ed. 



t Linseed oil is a very useful aperient in inflammatory diseases where aloes 

 is inadmissible. It occasions no irritation, although it is apt to produce 

 nausea. — Ed. 



