LIDS. See PALPEER2E. LIME. See CALCIUM.
LINUM.—Linum (linseed or flaxseed) is the dried ripe seed of Linum usitatis sinzum, the common flax: a plant of almost universal cultivation. The seeds are oval and flattened, and have sharp edges and somewhat pointed extremities. Externally they are brown and shining; internally they are yellowish white. They have no odor, but a mucilaginous taste. They contain a fixed oil, wax, resin, extractive, tannin, gum, mucilage, , albumin, gluten, and salts. The fixed oil is found in the interior of the seed, and when expressed without the aid of heat is known as linseed-oil (oleum lini, U. S. P.). When ground, the seeds form a grayish meal, known as flaxseed-meal, ground linseed, or linseed-meal. When freely ground the meal is rich in oil and free from rancidity. The cake of linseed which remains after the oil is expressed is known. as oil-cake, and when ground is known as cake-meal, which is not only poor in oil, but liable to be rancid. Cake-naeal is unfit for use in medicine.
Preparations and Doses.—Linum (flax seed).
Oleum lini (linseed-oil), V, to 8 drachms.
Linimentum calcis (carron-oil).
Therapeutics.—On account of its de mulcent action upon mucous membranes, flaxseed is used in the treatment of bron chitis, gastritis, acute cystitis, and ne phritis. It is usually given in the form of flaxseed-tea:— Whole flaxseed, 3 drachms.
Extract of licorice, 30 grains.
Boiling water, 10 ounces.
Mix and stand in a warm place for three or four hours, and add a little lemon-juice, lemon-peel, and sugar to taste, and 1 to 2 drachms of gum arabic. If cough is present add some paregoric.
Ground flaxseed mixed with boiling water forms the well-known flaxseed poultice. It should be spread at least half an inch in thickness upon muslin or flannel, the surface covered with gauze or cheese-eloth, and applied as hot as can be borne. It should be covered with thin rubber cloth to retain the heat and moist ure and be renewed as soon as it begins to cool or dry. If counter-irritant effect
is desired, the surface may be sprinkled with dry mustard or a few drops of tur pentine. These applications are useful in pneumonia or pleurisy (as jacket poultice), peritonitis, abscess, boils, fel ons, inflamed glands, indolent ulcers, etc. Laudanum is a valuable addition to a poultice in painful affections.
Carron-oil (linimentum calcis) is an old and efficient application to exclude air from burns. The addition of 1 drachm of carbolic acid to the pint of carron-oil increased its efficiency and adds antiseptic action. Linseed-oil, given in doses of 1 to 2 ounces, is a laxa tive of especial value when hmmorrhoids are present; it has been used as a nutri ent by Sherwell, of Brooklyn, in varions cachectic conditions.
LITHIUM.—Lithimn is one of the alkali-metals, and is generally derived from lipidolite, a native silicate: It is also found in petalite, spodumene, tri phylline, and a few other minerals, and occurs in minute quantities in some mineral springs (Buffalo, Farmville [Va.], and Londonderry [N. H.] lithia waters). The metal is not used in medi cine. Like other alkali-metals, it unites with oxygen, forming an oxide, which with the acids forms salts, and also di rectly chlorine and bromine, etc. Lith ium carbonate occurs as a light, white powder with distinct alkaline reaction, and is soluble in 130 parts of water and in dilute acids. Lithium citrate occurs as a white, crystalline powder, with feeble alkaline taste and almost neutral reac tion. It is soluble in 51/2 parts of water and slightly soluble in alcohol. Lithium benzoate occurs as a light white powder or in shining sweet scales, and is soluble in 4 parts of water and 12 parts of alco hol. Lithium bromide occurs in white deliquescent, slightly-bitter granules; and is soluble in water and alcohol. Lithium salicylate occurs as a white deli quescent sweetish powder, is soluble in water and alcohol, and is decomposed by heat.