CROC

99

Creta. L. D. Carbonas Calcis. E. Clialk contains 45 parts carbonicacid, and 53 of lime. It is seldom employed in tbe crude state.

Creta Ph^ecipitata. Precipitated Chalk. Calcis Carbonas Prascipi-lalum. D. A very pure preparation procured by precipitating thecarbonate of lime from a solution of muriate of lime, by means ofthe carbonate of soda.

Enters into Elect. Aromaticum. D. Hydrarg. cum Creta. D. Mist.Creta;. D.Creta Pr^eparata. L. E. D. Prepared Chalk, procured by adding alittle water to Ibj of chalk, reducing it to fine powder, putting thisinto a large vessel filled with water, and shaking it. Leave it tosubside a little, pour off the turbid water into another vessel, and setthis aside for the powder to deposit, which is to be afterwards dried,the water being previously poured off.

Incompatible with sulphates, acetates, and other acidulous salts.

Medicinally it is antacid and absorbent, in doses of gr. x to ^ij or more,in diarrhcea, flatulence, and cardialgia. Externally it is applied toburns and sores, with ichorous discharge.

Enters into Hydrarg. cum Creta. L. Mist. Crete. L. E. TrochisciCarbon. Calcis. E. Pulv. Crete Comp. L. E. Pulv. Opiatus. E.CROCr Stigmata. L. E. D. P. Saffron, Crocus salivus, the pistils of theflowers sold in form of cakes pressed together.

Adulterated very frequently with saffron, from which part of the colourhas been extracted, which makes it pale, and of a dirty hue. It isalso often mixed with the petals of marigold and safflower; but, bysteeping in water, these will unfold and detect the fraud. Shreds ofsmoked beef are also said to he sometimes mixed with it; which maybe detected by the smell it produces when burnt. Genuine saffronought to be of a bright, deep, rich, orange-yellow colour, not toomoist, and adhering to the clothes. The English, French, and Ita-lian are the best. The Spanish is greasy and bad.

Medicinally it is aromatic, warm, bitterish, of a sweet diffusive odour,feebly stimulant, cordial, antispasmodic, emmenagogue, and diapho-retic, in doses of gr. v to $ss of the powder, in atonic amenorrhea,hysteric affections, and vomiting. Externally it is applied in ophthal-mia; but is seldom used in practice now, except as a colouring matterfor other drugs. It is much used also in cookery and confectionary.

Enters into Confect. Aromatica. L. D. Pil. Aloes cum Myrrha. L.Syr. Croci. L. Tinct. Croci. E. Tinct. Rhei. L. Tinct. RheiComp. L. Tinct. Aloes Comp. L. E. D.Croconate op Potass. This is procured when potassium is preparedfrom calcined tartar by Brunner's method. It is without smell, andhas a weak taste like nitre.

H 2