acts as an astringent and mild stimulant. It is said to have been given with excellent results in hæmoptysis, as well as in bronchitis attended with copious expectoration, and in diseases of the urinary passages. Externally has been found serviceable in psoriasis, chronic eczema, and some other skin diseases. It is best to combine its extract or tincture with glycerin when it is to be used outwardly. See Tincture of larch bark.
LARD. Syn. Hog’s lard, AXUNGE; Adeps (Ph. L.), Axungia (Ph. E.), A. suillus (Ph. D.), A. porci, A. præparatus (B. P.), L. The fat of the pig (Sus scrofa—Linn.) melted by a gentle heat, and strained through flannel or a hair sieve. The fat about the loins yields the whitest and hardest lard. “That which has been cured with chloride of sodium is not to be employed.” (Ph. L.) “It is not to be used without being first carefully washed with water.” (Ph. L. 1866.) Used chiefly to make ointments, and in cookery. See Adeps.
LARD′ING. By many this is regarded as belonging to the higher style of cookery only, and too troublesome and extravagant to be adapted to the kitchens of the middle classes and the poor. This, we are assured, is not the case. On the contrary, “it is an economical process, and will make lean meat go much farther than without it.” The process of larding is as follows:—“Get what is called a larding needle, that is, a piece of steel from 6 to 9 inches long, pointed at one end, and having four slits at the other to hold a small strip of bacon when put between them. It will, perhaps, cost tenpence. Cut the bacon into pieces 2 or 3 inches long, and 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 an inch square; put each one after the other in the pin, insert it in the meat, and leave only about half an inch out; using 8 pieces to each pound.” (Soyer.)
LARK. The Alauda arvensis (SKYLARK) and the Alauda cristata (FIELD-LARK), with several other species of the same genus, form a light and nutritious article of food, by many esteemed a delicacy. The last, according to Galen and Dioscorides, eaten either roasted or boiled, ‘helps the colic.’ The heart, applied to the thigh, was also regarded to possess the same virtue.
LARYNGITIS. Inflammation of the larynx, or upper part of the windpipe. The symptoms that indicate this most dangerous malady are sore throat, accompanied with considerable pain in front of the throat, difficulty in breathing and swallowing, considerable hoarseness, change or loss of voice, a sense of suffocation, fever, restlessness, flushing of the face, and an eager desire for fresh air. We have described the accompaniments of this dread disease, in order that any one seized with an attack may know its nature, and at once send for his medical attendant. Should circumstances prevent his doing so immediately, as many leeches as possible should be applied to the centre of the throat.
LAUD′ANUM. This name is now understood to denote, exclusively, the common tincture of opium of the Pharmacopœia; but formerly the term was applied to several preparations of opium differing greatly from each other, both in their strength and mode of preparation. (See below.)
Laudanum, Dutchman’s. From the flowers of bull’s hoof or Dutchman’s laudanum (Passiflora merucuja—Linn.) infused in rum. Narcotic. Used as a substitute for tincture of opium in the West Indies.
Laudanum, Ford’s. This is merely the common tincture of opium aromatised with a little cloves and cinnamon.
Laudanum, Houlton’s. Prep. From opium 21⁄2 oz.; distilled vinegar, 11⁄2 pint; digested together for a week, the filtered tincture gently evaporated nearly to dryness, and then redissolved in weak spirit (1 of rectified spirit to 7 of water), 1 quart.—Dose, 10 to 60 drops.
Laudanum, Neumann’s. A fermented infusion of opium evaporated to the consistence of honey.