grains, in the form of pills, combined with
colocynth, soap, rhubarb, or bread-crumbs.

787. Demulcents.

These are used to diminish irritation, and soften parts by protecting
them with a viscid matter. They are tragacanth, linseed, marsh-mallow,
mallow, liquorice, arrowroot, isinglass, suet, wax, and almonds.

788. Tragacanth

Tragacanth is used to allay tickling cough, and lubricate abraded
parts. It is usually given in the form of mucilage.

_Dose_, from ten grains to one drachm, or more.

789. Linseed

Linseed is emollient and demulcent.

It is _used externally_, in the form of powder or "meal," as a
poultice; and the oil, combined with lime water, is applied to burns
and scalds.

It is used _internally_ as an infusion in diarrhoea, dysentery, and
irritation of the intestines after certain poisons, and in catarrh.
The best form of linseed meal is that which is obtained from seed from
which the oil has not been extracted.

_Dose_, of the _infusion_, as much as the patient pleases.

790. Marsh-Mallow

Marsh-Mallow is _used internally_ in the same diseases as linseed.

The leaves are _used externally_ as a fomentation, and the boiled
roots are bruised and applied as an emollient poultice.

_Dose_, the same as for linseed.

791. Mallow

Mallow is _used externally_ as a fomentation and poultice in
inflammation, and the infusion is _used internally_ in dysentery,
diseases of the kidneys, and the same diseases as marsh-mallow and
linseed. It is also used as an enema.

_Dose_, same as for linseed and marsh-mallow.

792. Liquorice

Liquorice is an agreeable demulcent, and is given in the form of
decoction in catarrh, and some forms of dyspepsia, and the extract is
used in catarrh.

_Dose_, of the _extract_, from ten grains to one drachm; of the
_decoction_, from two to four ounces.

793. Arrowroot etc.

Arrowroot, islinglass, almonds, suet, and wax, are too well known to
require descriptions. (_See par 487_, for "Almond Confection" for
preparations.)

794. Diluents.

These are chiefly watery compounds, such as weak tea, water, thin
broth, gruel, weak infusions of balm, hore-hound, pennyroyal, ground
ivy, mint, and sage.

795. Emollients.

These consist of unctuous remedies, such as cerates and ointments, and
any materials that combine heat with moisture,--poultices of bread,
bran, linseed meal