430 VEGETABLE DRUGS 



Action and Uses. — Linseed is a food. Oil cake or linseed cake from 

 .which the oil has been expressed is exceedingly rich in protein (25-30 

 per cent.), and is also richer in fat (10 per cent.) than most foods. 

 Cottonseed meal, which contains considerably more protein and fat, is 

 more frequently employed in the United States. Gruel made from 

 crushed linseed meal cake, or linseed meal, is useful as a restorative in all 

 animals recovering from acute and debilitating diseases. The cake 

 (1 lb.), or a pint of cottonseed meal per diem, is a good addition to the 

 ordinary fodder for horses suffering from malnutrition, with rough staring 

 coats and dry skin, and for those affected with "broken wind." Gruel 

 of linseed meal or cake is also serviceable for calves or lambs when reared 

 on skimmed milk or other poor food. Linseed tea, made by steeping 1 

 part of whole linseed in 20 parts by weight, of boiling water, for 1-4 

 hours, followed by straining, is a valuable demulcent preparation in 

 pharyngitis, bronchitis, gastro-enteritis, and is possibly useful in acute 

 cystitis and nephritis. It may be given in any amount which an animal 

 will take voluntarily. The mucilage contained in linseed tea cannot be 

 carried through the blood and eliminated by the kidneys, so that it must 

 act by virtue of the water contained in it and perhaps by some intrinsic 

 diuretic property. 



The addition of a few drams of gum arabic to the quart of linseed 

 tea will improve the demulcent action. Linseed, linseed meal or farina 

 lini is the best substance to use in the preparation of poultices. It should 

 be mixed with .an equal quantity of bran, when the poultice is applied 

 directly to the part. If the poultice is enclosed in a bag, the outside 

 should be oiled to prevent its sticking to the skin. Linseed meal, mixed 

 with an equal amount of molasses, forms a common excipient for ball 

 masses. Linseed tea, made thicker than usual, is a good local applica- 

 tion in irritation of the rectum, or vagina. 



Acacia. Acacia. 



Synonym. — Acacise gummi, B. P.; gum arabic, E. ; gomme arabique, Fr. ; 

 arabisches gummi, G. 



A gummy exudation of Acacia Senegal Willdenow and of other African 

 species of Acacia (Fam. Lemuminosae). 



Habitat.— N., E., and "W. Africa. 



Properties. — In ovoid, more or less spheroidal tears, or in broken, angular 

 fragments from 2 to 30 mm. in diameter, varying from white or yellowish-white 

 to light amber-colored; translucent; very brittle; fractured surface glass-like, 

 sometimes iridescent; nearly inodorous; taste insipid, mucilaginous. 



Insoluble in alcohol; slowly and almost completely soluble in twice its weight 

 of water, forming a mucilaginous liquid, which has a slight, characteristic odor 

 and is acid to litmus. 



Constittients.—Arahm or arabic acid (CiiH^^Oj,), in combination with about 

 3 per cent, of magnesium, potassium and calcium. 



Incompatibles.—Alcohol, ferric salts, lead subacetate, borax, and sulphuric 

 acid. '^ 



Preparations.— Mucilsigo acacige, U. S. & B. P. (35 per cent., U. S. P'), and 

 syrupus acacias, U. S. P. (10 per cent.). ' 



Dose. — Ad lib. 



a use- 



Action and Uses.-— Gum arabic is but slightly nutritious. It is » „.^ 

 ful demulcent in covering and protecting inflamed mucous membranes of 



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