Emollients (from Lat. mollis, 'soft'), substances used to soften the textures to which they are applied, as poultices, fomentations, &c., externally, and Demulcents (q.v.) internally.
Emollients
Chambers's Encyclopaedia, Volume 4: Dionysius to Friction, p. 329
Source scan(s): p. 0338