iritis Inflammation of the iris of the eye. jalap Eastern Mexican vine (Ipomoea purga) with tuberous roots that are dried, powdered, and used as a cathartic. jocose Given to joking; merry; humorous. kamala Asian tree (Mallotus philippinensis) that bears a hairy capsular fruit; vermifugal powder is obtained from the capsules of this tree. kino Reddish resin from several Old World trees of the genera Eucalyptus, Pterocarpus, and Butea and from tropical American trees of the genera Coccoloba and Dipteryx. kumiss (koumiss) Fermented milk of a mare or camel, used as a beverage in western and central Asia. La Grippe Influenza. lancinating Sensation of cutting, piercing, or stabbing. lard White solid or semisolid rendered fat of a hog. laudanum Tincture of opium, formerly used as a drug. leukemia (leucemia, leukaemia, leucaemia) Disease in humans and other warm-blooded animals involving the blood-forming organs; causes an abnormal increase in the number of white blood cells in the tissues with or without a corresponding increase in the circulating blood. lime (calcium oxide) White, caustic, lumpy powder, CaO, used as a refractory, as a flux, in manufacturing steel and paper, in glassmaking, in waste treatment, in insecticides, and as an industrial alkali. Slaked lime is calcium hydroxide, a soft white powder, Ca(OH)2, used in making mortar, cements, calcium salts, paints, hard rubber products, and petrochemicals. litmus Coloring material from lichens that turns red in acid solutions and blue in alkaline solutions. Liveforever (orpine, orpin, livelong, Sedum telephium) Perennial northern temperate plant with toothed leaves and heads of small purplish-white flowers. lobelia See Herb Department, page 428. lochia Normal uterine discharge of blood, tissue, and mucus from the vagina after childbirth. lupus Systemic lupus erythematosus. Chronic skin conditions characterized by ulcerative lesions that spread over the body. No longer in scientific use. lupulin Minute yellowish-brown hairs in the strobili of the hop plant, formerly used in medicine as a sedative. lycopodium Plant of the genus Lycopodium, including club mosses. The yellowish powdery spores of certain club mosses, especially Lycopodium clavatum, are used in fireworks and as a coating for pills. madras Cotton or silk cloth of fine texture, usually with a plaid, striped, or checked pattern. Large handkerchief of madras cloth. malines Thin, stiff net woven in a hexagonal pattern, used in dressmaking. mandrake (may-apple) Southern European plant (Mandragora officinarum) having greenish-yellow flowers and a branched root. This plant was once believed to have magical powers because its root resembles the human body. The root contains the poisonous alkaloid hyoscyamine. Also called mandragora. See podophyllin.