Cotton-wool is the term used for cotton when used in the open form, without being spun or woven. It is usually composed of short fibres which are no use for spinning, and is used in medicine for applying antiseptic material and for removing make-up and for wadding and stuffing. Research Cotton-wool
Embalming is the process of filling and surrounding with aromatic and antiseptic substances any bodies, particularly corpses, in order to preserve them from corruption. The ancient Egyptians employed the art on a great scale, and other peoples, for example the Assyrians and Persians, followed them, but by no means equalled them in it. The ancient Peruvians appear to have injected and washed the corpses with the fluid that flows from imperfectly burned wood, which would of course contain pyroligneous acid, creosote, and other antiseptics. Pliny alludes to the use of a similar fluid by the Egyptians for embalming. In later times bodies have been preserved, a long time by embalming, especially when they have remained at a low and uniformtemperature, and have been protected from the air. The body of Edward I was buried in WestminsterAbbey in 1307, and in 1770 was found entire. Canute died in 1036; his body was found very fresh in 1776 in WinchesterCathedral. The bodies of William the Conqueror and of Matilda his wife were found entire at Caen in the 16th century. Of the various later artificial means of preserving bodies, impregnation with corrosive sublimate appears to be one of the most effective, next to immersion in spirits. An injection of sulphate of zinc into the bloodvessels is said to be very effective. Research Embalming
Breckland or Wild Thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is a perennialherb of the family Labiatae, native to Britain where it is very rare, growing only in Breckland, East Anglia, but is more common in Europe where it grows on dry grassland, heaths and sandy soils. Breckland Thyme is woody at the base, with mat- forming rooting branches and ascending or erect, square, hairy flowering stems. The leaves are opposite, linear to elliptic, glandular and almost sessile. The flowers are a violet colour, two-lipped and are arranged in whorls forming dense terminal rounded spikes or heads. The fruit consists of four small nutlets. The flowering stems contain an essential oil which in turn contains the antiseptic substance Thymol. Research Breckland Thyme
Garden or Common Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is a perennialherb of the family Labiatae, native to the Mediterranean region, but widely cultivated for its medicinal properties and for use in cooking as a flavouring herb.
Garden Thyme has much-branched, square, ascending stems, which are woody below. The leaves are small, opposite, linear to elliptic, almost sessile, evergreen and have inrolled margins and are white-felted below. The flowers are small, white or pink in colour, two-lipped and are arranged in whorls in the upper leaf axils forming dense terminal spikes. Garden Thyme contains an essential oil which in turn contains the antiseptic substance Thymol.
Garden Thyme has a stronger flavour, and contains higher levels of Thymol than the related Breckland Thyme. Research Garden Thyme
Indian Cress (Tropaeolum majus, formerly Nasturtium indicum) is a perennial or annual herb of the family Tropaeolaceae native to South America but introduced to Spain in the 16th century and from there to the rest of Europe.
Indian cress has a climbing or twining stem, alternate, long-stalked leaves which are reniform to rounded and entire. The flowers are large, long- stalked, trumpet-shaped with a prominent spur, orange, white or yellow (rarely scarlet or a dark red) in colour and grow from the leaf axils. The fruit is a three-celled capsule. The seeds contain effective antiseptic and antibiotic substances which is effective against Salmonella, Streptococcus and StaphylococcusProteus. Research Indian Cress
Thyme (Thymus) is a genus of perennial herbs of the Labiatae family. All the species of Thyme contain essential oils and have very small leaves and flowers. The flowers are generally arranged in whorls and are purple, reddish or white in colour.
Common thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is found wild on British hills and the colder parts of the eastern hemisphere, where it grows flat on the ground. Lemon thyme is regarded as a variety of common thyme and is so named on account of its odour resembling lemon. Garden thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is a taller variety of thyme and is native to the Mediterranean region, being introduced to Britain some time prior to 1548, and easily cultivated in light soil in a sunny location..
From the flower heads of various varieties of thyme a stimulant is obtained which has been used in medicine. The antisepticthymol is distilled from the oil of thyme.
Garden thyme is widely used in cooking as a flavouring herb on account of its aromatic properties. Research Thyme
Chinoline is an oily liquid obtained by distilling quinine with potash and a little water, or by the dry distillation of coal. It was formerly used in medicine as an antiseptic, and was especially effective when applied to the membranes of diphtheria, being also a remedy in intermittent fevers, etc. Research Chinoline
Condy's fluid was a sanitary and antiseptic preparation which was formerly largely used as a deodorizer and disinfectant in fevers, etc. It was also employed as a gargle in diphtheria and other throat affections, and was considered especially valuable for cleansing ulcers and sores. Research Condy's Fluid
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Cotton-wool
