54 CITRUS LIMONUM 



and should not, therefore, be long kept for use, unless some pre- 

 cautions have been taken for preserving it. 



A so-called lemon juice has been manufactured in this country 

 by dissolving tartaric acid in water., then adding a little sul- 

 phuric acid, and flavouring with oil of lemon. Such a solution 

 when used as an antiscorbutic, for which purpose it has been 

 supplied, is valueless. 



Medical Properties and Uses. Lemon juice is refrigerant and 

 antiscorbutic, and is exceedingly useful in forming agreeable and 

 refreshing beverages, for allaying thirst, and in febrile and 

 inflammatory complaints. These drinks may be given in the 

 ferm of lemonade, or lemon juice may be added to barley-water. 

 When lemon juice cannot be readily obtained, the best substitute 

 for it is a solution made by dissolving about eight drachms of 

 crystallised citric acid in sixteen ounces of water, and flavouring 

 with a few drops of oil of lemon. Lemon juice may also be used 

 in preparing effervescing diaphoretic and diuretic draughts, 

 which are very valuable vehicles for the exhibition of other 

 remedies and in other ways. The relative proportions required of 

 lemon juice and citric acid, with the alkaline carbonates, for the 

 formation of effervescing draughts, are as follows : 



Lemon Juice or Citric Acid to 20 grains of 



Fl. drs. iijss . . grs. xiv . Bicarbonate of Potash. 



Fl. drs. vi . . . grs. xxiv . Carbonate of Ammonia. 



Fl. drs. iv . . . grs. xvii . Bicarbonate of Soda. 



Lemon juice is one of the best remedies we possess in scurvy, 

 acting both as a prophylactic and curative agent. On this 

 account, therefore, all ships destined for long voyages should be 

 provided with concentrated lemon juice. But from the difficulty 

 of preserving lemon juice, citric acid is usually substituted for 

 it, although in Dr. Garrod's opinion it is useless, as, according 

 to this author, the antiscorbutic power of lemon juice is due to 

 the potash salts contained in it. Lemon juice is also given as a 

 means of counteracting the effects of narcotic poisons, especially 

 opium. Lemon juice has likewise been strongly recommended 



