Prop., &c. Amorphous; uncrystallisable; non-volatile; bitter-tasted; inodorous; unalterable in the air; very slightly soluble in water; very soluble in alcohol; less so in ether; reaction alkaline; when quite pure, melts at 355° Fahr., and on cooling forms a vitreous or semi-vitreous mass (Winckler); at a higher temperature it suffers decomposition; ignited on platinum-foil, it burns without leaving any carbonaceous residue; neutralises acids forming uncrystallisable salts, most of which are soluble in water.—Prod. From the bark, 1·5 to 1·75%; dried seed, 2·5% (nearly).
Use, &c. Bebeeru-bark has been proposed and occasionally employed as a substitute for cinchona bark, and bebeerine for quinine, in the usual cases; but whether as a tonic, febrifuge, or antiperiodic, they appear less powerful and certain than these last.—Dose, 2 to 12 gr. or more. (See below.)
Sul′phates of Bebeerine. Of these there are two, both of which are obtained in a similar manner to the Ph. E. formula for sulphate of quinine, and merely differ in the amount of acid finally left in combination with the alkali:—
1. Sulphate. Syn. Neu′tral sulphate of bebeerine; Bibiri′næ sul′phas, &c., L. Easily soluble in water. Contains 86·4% of bebeerine, and 13·6% of sulphuric acid.
2. Subsul′phate. Syn. Bas′ic sulphate of bebeerine, Disul′phate of b.; Biberi′næ subsul′phas, &c., L. Soluble in alcohol; sparingly soluble in water unless acidulated. Contains 90·8% of bebeerine, and 9·2% of sulphuric acid. This is the sulphate of bebeerine of commerce, and the one usually employed in medicine. It is generally met with in thin brownish-yellow scales, which are formed in a similar manner to those of ammonio-citrate of iron.—Dose. As a tonic, 1 to 3 gr.; as a febrifuge or antiperiodic, 5 to 20 gr.; in similar cases to those in which disulphate of quinine is employed.
BECH′AMEL (bĕsh′-ă-mĕl‡[125]). Syn. Béchamel, Fr. In French cookery, a fine white sauce, essentially consisting of concentrated veal gravy or veal consommé and cream, with or without flavouring. See Sauces.
[125] Thus as English.
BE′CHIC* (-kĭk). Syn. Be′chous†; Be′chicus (bĕk′-‡), L.; Béchique, Fr.; Hustend, &c., Ger. In medicine, &c., of or for a cough; pectoral; also subst., applied to remedies (BE′CHICS; BE′CHICA, L.) used to relieve cough.
BED. [Eng., D., Sax.] Syn. Lit, Couche, Fr.; Bett, &c., Ger.; Cubi′le, Lec′tus, Lec′tulus, Graba′tus, &c., L. A couch; that in or on which we sleep; that on which anything is generated, deposited, or rests.
Bed curtains and valances are both unnecessary and objectionable as bed appendages, and as such should be discarded. Before making the bed in the morning the blankets and sheets should be stripped off and allowed to remain for an hour or two in a current of air, on the back of a chair or some other convenient support. If it does not rain, or is not too damp, they are best placed near the window. The night dress which has been slept in should be exposed in the same manner; and on going to bed it would be found a good plan, when removing the inner vest which has been worn