| phenobarbital elixir | A palatable, coloured hydroalcoholic (12-15% alcohol) mixture containing 20 mg of phenobarbital per 5 ml (teaspoonful); useful in administering the drug to persons who have difficulty swallowing tablets; used as an anticonvulsant and sedative. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| elixir | 1. <medicine> A tincture with more than one base; a compound tincture or medicine, composed of various substances, held in solution by alcohol in some form. 2. <chemistry> An imaginary liquor capable of transmuting metals into gold; also, one for producing life indefinitely; as, elixir vitae, or the elixir of life. 3. The refined spirit; the quintessence. "The . . . Elixir of worldly delights." (South) 4. Any cordial or substance which invigorates. "The grand elixir, to support the spirits of human nature." (Addison) Origin: F. Elixir, Sp. Elixir, Ar. Eliksir the philosopher's stone, prob. From Gr. Dry, (hence probably) a dry powder; cf. Skr. Ksha to burn. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| bacterial capsules | An envelope of loose gel surrounding a bacterial cell which is associated with the virulence of pathogenic bacteria. Some capsules have a well-defined border, whereas others form a slime layer that trails off into the medium. most capsules consist of relatively simple polysaccharides but there are some bacteria whose capsules are made of polypeptides. (12 Dec 1998) |
| brood capsules | Small hollow projections from the lining membrane of a hydatid cyst from which the scoleces arise. (05 Mar 2000) |
| capsules | Hard or soft, soluble containers of a suitable substance, for enclosing a dose of medicine, usually for oral administration. (12 Dec 1998) |