602

Infusion's.

part III.

the air attract oxygen, which occasions a yellowish precipitateof oxidized extractive, that is not purgative but gripes violent-ly. On this account they should be preserved in a well closedvessel, or made only when wanted. They arc also precipi-tated by the strong acids, the alkaline carbonates, lime-water,solutions of nitrate of silver, oxymuriate of mercury, superace-tate of lead, tartarized antimony, and infusion of yellow cin-chona bark, which are consequently incompatible in formulaewith these infusions.

Medical properties and uses. — Both these infusions containall the purgative principles of the plant, whilst the aromaticscorrect its griping properties : but there is perhaps a waste ofsenna in the London fonrfula. They are given alone, ormore generally combined with neutral salts and manna. Thedose of the simple infusions may be from f^iij. to f^iv.;but with the addition of 3j. of the tartrate of potash, or jiij.of the sulphate of magnesia, which are the usual adjuncts, f^ij,are sufficient.

INFUSUM SENNiE COMPOSITUM. Edin. Infusionof Tamarinds and Senna.

" Take of preserved tamarinds, one ounce; senna leaves,one drachm ; coriander seeds, bruised, half a drachm ; raw su-gar, half an ounce; boiling water, eight ounces. Macerate ina covered earthen vessel, which is not glazed with lead, shakingfrequently, and after four hours strain.

" It may be made also with double or triple the proportion ofsenna."

Infusum Senn;e cum Tamarindis. Dub. Infusion qfSen~na and Tamarinds.

Made in the same manner as the infusion of senna, exceptthat Jj. of tamarinds is added before straining the liquor.

These infusions are pleasanter than the simple jnfiisions,the nauseous taste being well covered by the sugar and the acidof the tamarinds: in other respects they agree both in theirproperties, and in the effects of the incompatible substances ;to which, however, must be added all salts having potash fortheir base.

INFUSUM SIM A ROUBLE. Lond. Infusion qfSimaruba.

" Take of simaruba bark, bruised, half a drachm ; boilingwater, half a pint. Macerate for two hours in a lightly co-vered vessel, and strain."

This infusion is inodorous; has a slightly bitter taste, isclear, and of a greenish straw colour. The alkaline carbo-nates and lime water render it milky, and the following sub-stances occasion precipitates: nitrate of silver, oxymuriate ofmercury, superacetate of lead; infusions of galls, catechu, andyellow cinchona bark.