| bentonite | <chemical> Bentonite. A native, colloidal, hydrated aluminum silicate which, on the addition of water, swells to produce a slippery paste. Its chief pharmaceutical use is as a suspending agent and it has also been used as a bulk laxative. Chemical name: Bentonite (12 Dec 1998) |
|---|---|
| bentonite flocculation test | A flocculation test for rheumatoid arthritis in which sensitised bentonite particles are added to inactivated serum; the test is positive if half of the particles are clumped while the other half remain in suspension. (05 Mar 2000) |
| magma | 1. Any crude mixture of mineral or organic matters in the state of a thin paste. 2. <medicine> A thick residuum obtained from certain substances after the fluid parts are expressed from them; the grounds which remain after treating a substance with any menstruum, as water or alcohol. A salve or confection of thick consistency. 3. <geology> The molten matter within the earth, the source of the material of lava flows, dikes of eruptive rocks, etc. The glassy base of an eruptive rock. 4. <chemistry> The amorphous or homogenous matrix or ground mass, as distinguished from well-defined crystals; as, the magma of porphyry. Origin: L, fr. Gr, fr. To squeeze, knead. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| magnesia magma | Mixture of magnesium hydroxide; an aqueous solution of magnesium hydroxide, used as an antacid and laxative. Synonym: magnesia magma. (05 Mar 2000) |