LINI USITATISSIMI SEMINA. L.E.D.
Linseed, or Common Flax Seed.
These seeds contain a large proportion of mucilage, and one-sixth of their weight of fixed oil; the former of which resides principally in the cuticle, the latter, in the parenchymatous portion of the seed; by infusion in boiling water, a clear, colourless, inodorous, and nearly insipid mucilage is obtained; ℥ss of the unbruised seed is sufficient for oj of water; cold water does not extract any mucilage from them when unbruised; the farina of the seeds is well adapted for cataplasms. Officinal Prep. Infus. Lini Comp: L. Oleum Lini. L. E. D.
LIQUOR ALUMINIS COMPOSITUS. L.
Aqua Aluminosa Bateana. P. L. 1745.
This is a compound solution of alum and sulphate of zinc; a fluid-ounce containing about seven grains of each ingredient, it is powerfully astringent, and is successfully used as a detergent lotion to old ulcers; as a collyrium, or as an injection in gleet and fluor albus; it will also often answer in removing chilblains, and in curing slight excoriations.
LIQUOR AMMONIÆ. L. Aqua Ammoniæ. E.
Aqua Ammoniæ Causticæ. D.
Solution of Ammonia.
Qualities. Form, a limpid, colourless fluid; specific gravity, ·960, or f℥j weighs about 438 grs. Odour, strong and pungent; Taste, extremely caustic. Chemical Composition. A solution of ammoniacal gas in water, which varies considerably in strength in the different pharmacopœias. When prepared according to the London and Edinburgh Colleges, it contains nearly 25 per cent. of ammonia, whereas the Dublin preparation does not contain more than 16. Solvent Powers. It is an active solvent of many vegetable principles, e. g. oils, resins, &c. With alcohol it unites in every proportion; it assists the oxidizement of copper and zinc, and dissolves many of the metallic oxides. Med. Uses. Stimulant, rubefacient, and antacid. Forms of Exhibition. In milk, or any liquid vehicle; if in decoctions, or infusions, they must be previously cooled; for at 130° the ammonia will escape in the form of gas. Dose, ♏︎x to xxx. Officinal Prep. Linimentum Ammoniæ. L.D. Oleum Ammon. E. Spir. Ammoniæ. L. Spir. Ammoniæ comp. L. Spir. Ammon. succinat. L. Liniment. Camphor. comp. L. Adulterations. The presence of other salts in the solution may be discovered by saturating a portion with pure nitric acid, and applying the test for sulphuric acid, (Barytes) and that for muriatic acid, (Nitrate of Silver.) Carbonic acid is detected by its effervescing with acids, or by its forming with lime water, a precipitate, soluble with effervescence in nitric acid; it ought to be free from all fetor; its strength can only be determined by taking its specific gravity. It should be preserved in well closed bottles, and their dimensions should be small, for when in large vessels it often becomes carbonated before it is half used.