(_Sinapis Nigra._ L. _Alba._ E.D.)
_Mustard Seeds._
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION. Fecula, mucilage, an acrid volatile oil on which
their virtues depend, and which on standing deposits a quantity of
sulphur, a bland fixed oil, which considerably obtunds the acrimony of
the former constituent;[635] and an ammoniacal salt. SOLUBILITY.
Unbruised mustard seeds, when macerated in boiling water, yield only an
insipid mucilage, which like that of linseed, resides in the skin; but
when bruised, water takes up all the active matter, although it is
scarcely imparted to alcohol. MEDICINAL USES. It is a beneficial
stimulant in dyspepsia; chlorosis, and paralysis; for which purpose, a
tea spoonful of the bruised seeds may be administered; or a _whey_ may
be made, by boiling a table spoonful of the bruised seeds in oj of milk,
and straining; of which a fourth part may be taken three times a day,
(see _Form._ 46.) or it may be given in infusion. (_Form. 45._) The
farina made into a paste with crumbs of bread and vinegar, affords one
of the most powerful external stimulants which we can apply, and is
technically termed a _Sinapism_; it produces intense pain, and excites
an inflammation entering much more into the true skin than that which is
excited by the Lyttæ; it is therefore worthy attention in all internal
inflammations where bleeding is limited: if necessary it may be
quickened by the addition of oil of turpentine. If a table spoonful of
powdered mustard be added to oj of tepid water, it operates briskly as
an emetic. OFFICINAL PREPARATIONS. _Cataplasm: Sinap_. L.D. _Emplast:
Meloes com:_ E.[636] (_B_) _Infusum Armoraciæ comp:_ L. (=B=)
ADULTERATIONS. Fine powder, or flower of mustard, as it occurs in
commerce, contains only one-sixth part of genuine mustard, the remainder
consists of flour, coloured by turmeric, and made pungent by the
addition of powdered capsicum.
SODA TARTARIZATA. L. TARTRAS SODÆ ET POTASSÆ. E. TARTARUS SODÆ ET KALI.
D. olim. _Sal de Seignette._ _Sal Rupellensis_, or _Rochelle Salt_.
QUALITIES. _Form_, a right prism, with rhombic terminations, very
slightly efflorescent. _Taste_, rather bitter and saline. CHEMICAL
COMPOSITION. It is a triple salt, formed by neutralizing the excess of
acid in super-tartrate of potass, with soda, and consisting of 2 atoms
of acid + 1 of soda + 1 of potass. By a strong heat it is resolved into
a mixture of carbonate of potass and carbonate of soda. SOLUBILITY. It
is soluble in five parts of water at 50°. INCOMPATIBLE SUBSTANCES. Most
_acids_, and _acidulous salts_ (except the Super-tartrate of potass)
which convert the tartrate of potass into bi-tartrate, or
super-tartrate. The _acetate_ and _sub-acetate_ of lead; _barytic
salts_, and the _salts of lime_ are decomposed by it. MED. USES. Similar
to those of _Potassæ Tartras_. See _Form. 77_, and 86, the latter of
which presents a very grateful and efficacious purgative. DOSE, ʒij to
℥j as a purgative.