366 MATER i A MEDIC A AND THERAPEUTICS. 



in the form of " dusting powder " for delicate or diseased 

 conditions of the skin. The glycerinum is an excellent basis 

 for ointments. Internally the mucilage is the vehicle of all the 

 officinal Enemata, except those of tobacco and assafoatida. It 

 is also an antidote in poisoning by iodine, but must be fol- 

 lowed by an emetic. 



Hordeum Decorticatum PEARL BARLEY. 

 The husked seeds of Hordeum distichon. Cultivated 

 in Britain. 



Characters, White, rounded, retaining a trace of the 

 longitudinal furrow. 



Composition. Barley consists of starch, gluten, sugar, gum, 

 etc. 



Preparation. 



Decoctum Hordei. " Barley Water." 1 to 15 of water. 



ACTION AND USES. 



Barley water is nutritive and demulcent, and is chiefly 

 used in inflammatory affections of the throat, and respiratory 

 and urinary organs. 



G Malt Extract MALTINE. (Not Officinal) A 

 syrupy yellowish-brown fluid, with a sweet taste ; 

 made by acting on malt, or a mixture of malt and 

 flour, by water, at a temperature not exceeding 124 Q 

 Fahr. 



Composition. Malt extract consists chiefly of dextrin and 

 maltose. Good specimens have active diastatic properties, i.e. 

 will convert several times their bulk of starch into sugar. 

 Dose. 1 to 4 dr. 



ACTION AND USES. 



Malt extract is, both directly and indirectly, nutritive, 

 containing, as it does, not only food elements, but also active 

 diastase, which converts the starch of bread and other farinas 

 into sugar. It is used in wasting diseases. As diastase is only 

 active in alkaline fluids, it must be given not less than two 

 hours after a meal, when the acid of the stomach is exhausted. 

 Or it may be mixed with warm food a short time before the 



