Linteum. Lint.
Synonym.—Cotton Lint.
A soft absorbent cotton cloth loosely spun and woven. The fibres of the cotton have been raised on one side of the cloth by a mechanical process so as to impart a downy soft surface. The finer qualities of lint give a larger count of threads than the lower qualities, both on the warp and the weft, and usually give a larger superficial area per pound. Lint should be free from starch and other foreign matters used as fillings for cloth.
Uses.—Lint is used to protect wounded surfaces, to absorb discharges, or to apply medicaments to the skin. The downy surface is applied next to the skin; this surface is sorter and more readily absorbent. Lint is medicated with such antiseptics as boric acid, cyanide of zinc and mercury, and sal alembroth.
