136 INORGANIC AGENTS 



feebly caustic taste. It absorbs carbon |dioxide from the air, so that a pellicle of 

 calcium carbonate forms on the surface of the liquid. Reaction strongly alkaline. 

 Dose.—H. & C, giv-vi, (120-180); Calves, gii, (60); D., 3i-viii, (4-30). 



Sykupus Calcis. Syrup of Lime. 

 (Non-Official.) 

 Lime, 65; sugar, 3.50; water to make 1000. 

 jDo«e.— Calves and dogs, 3ss-i, (2-4). Well diluted with water or milk. 



LiNiMENTUM Calcis. Lime Liniment. (U. S. & B. P.) 

 Synonym. — Carron oil. 



Solution of lime and linseed oil, of each 500 mils. 

 Dose. — Foals and calves, gii-iv, (60-120). 



Calcii Hydras. Slaked Lime. (B. P.) 

 Used as disinfectant in stables. 



Action of Lime and Solution of Lime. 



External. — Lime is caustic, but less so than potassium or sodium 

 hydrate. It is an irritant. The dust of quicklime will cause conjunc- 

 tivitis. If inhaled, it will cause inflammation of the air passages; if 

 swallowed, irritation of the digestive tract. The hydrate is a caustic also, 

 but is not so active as lime. Solution of lime is a sedative and astringent. 



Internal. — Neither lime nor slaked lime (calcium hydrate) are used 

 internally, except in the official preparations. The action of lime and 

 its solution is due, not to calcium, but to the hydroxyl ion — that is, to the 

 alkalinity. As compared with the alkalies the action is much slower and 

 less in degree, on account of the comparative insolubility of calcium com- 

 pounds. Solution of lime acts as a sedative, antacid and astringent in the 

 stomach. It dissolves mucous secretions. Lime water is also a mild 

 astringent in the bowels. 



Uses. — Lime is employed outside of the body to destroy putrefying 

 organic matter by combining with water and forming slaked lime, which 

 absorbs many of the products of decomposition. Whitewash, a mixture 

 of slaked lime and water, is not a disinfectant, although it covers sources 

 of infection. It may be made so by combination with sufficient phenol 

 to make a 2 per cent, solution. Linimentum calcis is one of the most 

 satisfactory applications for superficial burns and acute eczema. Old 

 clean cotton or linen cloths are soaked in it and spread over the burned 

 surface of the body. This' preparation has been facetiously called "car- 

 rion" instead of carron oil, because it is not germicidal. Antiseptic appli- 

 cations are of course desirable in burns, giving rise to a raw surface, and 

 the addition of two per cent, of carbolic acid will not only render the 

 preparation antiseptic, but more or less anesthetic as well. When the 

 bum is extensive, boric acid with vaseline (1 to 8) will be safer. Ortho- 

 form (see p. 196) is the most comfortable application which can be made 

 on burns, but is expensive. A mixture of slaked lime and charcoal, equal 

 parts, makes a useful stimulant, absorbent, dessicant, and antiseptic 

 dressing powder for wounds and ulcers in horses. Lime water is service- 

 able in relieving itching in skin diseases, and dries up moist surfaces 

 through its astringent properties. With carbolic acid (1 to 50) lime 

 water is most eflScient in allaying pruritus. Lime water is inimical to 

 aphthous ulcerations and may be employed to swab out the mouth in this 



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