Part 81 (1/2)

788. Tragacanth

Tragacanth is used to allay tickling cough, and lubricate abraded parts. It is usually given in the form of mucilage.

_Dose_, from ten grains to one drachm, or more.

789. Linseed

Linseed is emollient and demulcent.

It is _used externally_, in the form of powder or ”meal,” as a poultice; and the oil, combined with lime water, is applied to burns and scalds.

It is used _internally_ as an infusion in diarrhoea, dysentery, and irritation of the intestines after certain poisons, and in catarrh.

The best form of linseed meal is that which is obtained from seed from which the oil has not been extracted.

_Dose_, of the _infusion_, as much as the patient pleases.

790. Marsh-Mallow

Marsh-Mallow is _used internally_ in the same diseases as linseed.

The leaves are _used externally_ as a fomentation, and the boiled roots are bruised and applied as an emollient poultice.

_Dose_, the same as for linseed.

791. Mallow

Mallow is _used externally_ as a fomentation and poultice in inflammation, and the infusion is _used internally_ in dysentery, diseases of the kidneys, and the same diseases as marsh-mallow and linseed. It is also used as an enema.

_Dose_, same as for linseed and marsh-mallow.

792. Liquorice

Liquorice is an agreeable demulcent, and is given in the form of decoction in catarrh, and some forms of dyspepsia, and the extract is used in catarrh.

_Dose_, of the _extract_, from ten grains to one drachm; of the _decoction_, from two to four ounces.

793. Arrowroot etc.

Arrowroot, islingla.s.s, almonds, suet, and wax, are too well known to require descriptions. (_See par 487_, for ”Almond Confection” for preparations.)

794. Diluents.

These are chiefly watery compounds, such as weak tea, water, thin broth, gruel, weak infusions of balm, h.o.r.e-hound, pennyroyal, ground ivy, mint, and sage.