"Take of mucilage of gum arabic, two ounces; almonds, an ounce; refined sugar, half an ounce; water, two pounds and a half, Blanch the almonds, and then beat them in a stone mortar with the sugar and the mucilage, gradually adding the water; then strain through linen."

Emulsio Arabica, Dub. Arabic Emulsion,

"Take of gum arabic, in powder, two drachms; sweet almonds, blanched, purified sugar, of each half an ounce; decoction of barley, a pint. Dissolve the gum in the warm decoction; and when it is almost cold, pour it gradually upon the almonds previously beaten to a paste with the sugar, triturating at the same time so as to form a milky mixture; then strain."

Syn. Emulsion d' Amandes (F.), Mandelmilch (G.), Latte di Mandorle (I.).

In these preparations the oil of almonds is diffused through the water, and suspended in it by the mucilage and fecula which the almonds contain; the gum in the two latter preparations contributing nothing to this effect. The confection ordered by the London College affords an expeditious mode of making the mixture. The use of distilled water is an unnecessary refinement. Bitter almonds are sometimes employed instead of sweet; and as the hydrocyanic acid is evolved in the bitter almond, this is a direct sedative, and is certainly a better vehicle for squills and other expectorant remedies than that of the sweet almond. In some habits, however, owing to idiosyncracy, the bitter almonds cannot be administered without producing an eruption on the skin, and otherwise disordering the system.

Qualities. - These emulsions are inodorous, bland, milky fluids. The oil, after some time, rises like a thick cream to the surface; and in forty-eight hours the acetous fermentation commences, and the mixtures become sour. They are decomposed by acids, oxymel of squills, spirits, and tinctures (unless these be in small quantity), tartrate and bitartrate of potassa, bisulphate of potassa, nitrate of potassa, acetate and diacetate of lead, and spirit of nitric aether, which are therefore incompatible in prescriptions with almond emulsions. A small quantity of bichloride of mercury prevents the emulsion from spoiling.

Medical properties and uses. - These mixtures are in common use as diluents and demulcents in inflammatory fevers, strangury, dysury, and other affections of the urinary organs; but they are chiefly useful as pleasant vehicles for the exhibition of more active remedies. The dose is from f ij. to Oss,, frequently repeated.