that after a ship has been at sea ten days 1 oz. of lime or lemon juice, mixed with 1 oz. of sugar and 1⁄2 pint of water, shall be served out to each of the crew between the hours of 12 and 1 in the day.
Adult. Lemon juice is frequently adulterated, the adulterants being water, sugar, or gum, and sulphuric or acetic acid. The modus operandi is, to dilute the genuine juice with water, and then bring up the density with the sugar or gum, and the percentage of acid with one or other of the above acids. The examination of lemon and lime juice supplied to the navy is now conducted in the Inland Revenue Laboratory, Somerset House, and it speaks well for that department when we say that cases of scurvy on board ships are now of very rare occurrence. No juice is passed unless it comes up to a certain standard in specific gravity, and percentage of citric acid, and any sample containing any other acid is at once rejected.
Prop. Lemon juice is refrigerant and antiscorbutic, and has long been extensively employed in the preparation of cooling drinks and effervescing draughts, which are justly esteemed as wholesome summer beverages, as well as palliatives in fevers, nausea, &c. In scurvy, there is no remedy equal to freshly expressed lemon juice; and in acute rheumatism and gout, according to the united testimony of Dr Owen Rees, Dr Babington, and numerous Continental practitioners, it has been exhibited with considerable success. In agues, dysentery, English cholera, nausea, and vomiting, heartburn, putrid sore-throat, hospital gangrene, syphilis, and numerous skin diseases, it has proved most serviceable. See Citric Acid, Gout, &c.
Lemon Juice, Facti′′tious. Syn. Solutio acidi citrici, Succus limonum factitius, L. Prep. 1. Citric acid, 11⁄4 oz.; carbonate of potassa, 45 gr.; white sugar, 21⁄2 oz.; cold water, 1 pint; dissolve, add the yellow peel of a lemon, and in 24 hours strain through a hair sieve or a piece of muslin.
2. As the last, but using 15 or 16 drops of oil of lemon, to flavour instead of the lemon peel.
Obs. The above is an excellent substitute for lemon juice, and keeps well in a cool place. Tartaric acid, and even vinegar, are sometimes used instead of citric acid; but it is evident that it then loses all claim to being considered as an imitation of lemon juice, and to employ it in lieu of which would be absurd.
LEM′ON PEEL. Syn. Cortex limonum (B. P., Ph. L.), L. “The fresh outer part of the rind.” (B. P.) “The fresh and the dried exterior rind of the fruit;” the latter dried “in the month of April or May.” (Ph. L.) Candied lemon peel (CORTEX LIMONUM CONDITUS) is employed as a dessert, and as a flavouring ingredient by cooks and confectioners. It is reputed stomachic. See Candying.
LEMON PIC′KLE. See Sauce.
LEMONADE′. Syn. Lemon sherbet, King’s cup; Limonadum, L.; Limonade, Fr. Prep. 1. Lemons (sliced), 2 in no.; sugar, 21⁄2 oz.; boiling water, 11⁄2 pint; mix, cover up the vessel, and let it stand, with occasional stirring until cold, then pour off the clear through a piece of muslin or a clean hair sieve.
2. Juice of 3 lemons; yellow peel of 1 lemon; sugar, 1⁄4 lb.; cold water, 1 quart; digest for 5 or 6 hours, or all night, and decant or strain as before.