LINIMENTA[308] are understood to differ from embrocations in consistence, the former being of an oily, or mucilaginous density, which increases their efficacy by imparting a certain emollient power, in addition to their other virtues. In popular language, however, liniment and embrocation are generally considered synonymous terms. They constitute a valuable class of remedies, and the observations which Dr. Percival has offered on their utility well merit the attention of the medical practitioner. “Volatile and antispasmodic liniments are highly useful remedies, and it is to be lamented that external applications of this kind are not more frequently employed, for there is just reason to apprehend that powerful effects might be expected from them in various diseases.” In chronic affections of the viscera, such applications appear highly serviceable, not only from the friction to which they give origin, but from the influence of that species of sympathy which appears to depend upon the mere proximity and continuity of parts, and which, as Sir Gilbert Blane has observed, is particularly displayed “in the containing on the contained parts, as that of the integuments on the subjacent viscera.” COLLYRIA[309].—Liquid applications to the eyes. The Pharmacopœia Chirurgica contains several different formulæ for lotions of this kind, some of which are simply astringent, while others combine also the virtues of a stimulant. CATAPLASMATA.[310] _Poultices_, or _Pultices_. External applications of a pulpy, and somewhat coherent or tenacious consistence. They are generally extemporaneous preparations, and are calculated to answer several different indications, viz. 1. As STIMULANTS, e. g. _Cataplasma Sinapis_, L. D. which generally inflames the surface to which it is applied so much as to raise blisters; common salt also, _muriate of soda_, constitutes the active ingredient of a poultice which has lately been brought into considerable repute for the reduction of indolent strumous swellings and enlargements of the glands.[311] 2. ANTISEPTICS—_Cataplasma Fermenti_, L. (see p. 159.) A powerfully antiseptic cataplasm may be also made by stirring finely powdered charcoal into a common linseed meal poultice. A cataplasm of the boiled carrot, beat into a pulp, has been likewise found very effectual in sweetening foul ulcers. 3. SEDATIVES. The most efficient of these are composed of _Conium_, _Digitalis_, or _Hyoscyamus_, and are eminently serviceable in cancerous and scrophulous sores of a highly irritable and painful nature, to diminish their sensibility and correct the acrid discharges. See _Form. 18_.