SWEET′BREAD. The thymus gland of the calf. When boiled, it is light and digestible; but when highly dressed and seasoned it is improper both for dyspeptics and invalids. (Pereira.)
SWEET FLAG. Syn. Acorus calamus, L. A plant of the natural order Orontiaceæ. The rhizome (‘root’) is an aromatic stimulant, and is regarded by some as a valuable medicine in agues, and as a useful adjunct to other stimulants and bitter tonics. It is sometimes employed by the rectifiers of gin. The volatile oil obtained from it by distillation is employed for scenting snuff and in the preparation of aromatic vinegar.
SWEET′MEATS. Under this head are properly included confections, candies, and preserves, in sugar; but, as generally employed, the word embraces all the sweet compounds of the confectioner.
Sweetmeats, as well as cakes, blancmange, and jellies, are not unfrequently coloured with deleterious substances, the consequences of which are always pernicious, and in many instances have proved fatal. Gamboge, a drastic cathartic; chrome yellow, red lead, orpiment, emerald green, and various other pigments containing lead, arsenic, copper, or other poisons, have been thus employed. The whole of these may be readily detected by the tests and characteristics appended to their respective names.
The colours and stains which may be safely employed to increase the beauty of these articles are noticed under Stains and Liqueur.
SWEETS. Home-made wines: British wines.
SWINE-POX. See Pox.
SYDENHAM’S LEN′ITIVE. Prep. Take of rhubarb (recently grated or powdered), 3 dr.; tamarinds, 2 oz.; senna, 1⁄2 oz.; coriander seeds (bruised), 2 dr.; boiling water, 1 pint; macerate for 3 hours in a covered vessel, and strain. An excellent stomachic and laxative.—Dose, 1⁄2 to 1 wine-glassful.
SYL′VIC ACID. Syn. Silvic acid. The portion of common resin or colophony which is the least soluble in cold and somewhat dilute alcohol.
SYMBOLS. In chemistry are representations of one atom of each of the elementary bodies, by the capital initial letter with or without the addition of a small letter of their