752

Decoctiohs.

part in.

seeming benefit in chronic rheumatism. The dose is fromf^iv. to f ^vi. three or four times a clay.

' DECOCTUM DIGITALIS, Dub. Decoction of Foxglove.

" Take of Foxglove leaves dried, a drachm ; water, as much

as will afford of strained liquor eight Jluid ounces. Place the

vessel over a gentle fire, and as soon as the liquor boils, remove

it; then digest for a quarter of an hour, and strain."

This decoction is almost inodorous, and has a bitter nau-seous taste. It is affected by the same re-agents as the infusion,and used in dropsies with the same intention. (See Infusiondigital is.y

DECOCTUM DULCAMAR/E, Lond. Decoction of"woody Nightshade.

" Take of the stalks of woody Nightshade sliced, one ounce ;water, a pint and a half. Boil down to a pint, and strain."

This decoction appears to have been introduced into thepharmacopoeia merely to fix the proportions of the ingredients.It has a strong unpleasant odour, and a bitter, nauseous tastefollowed by a degree of sweetness.

Medical properties and uses. — It is possessed of diuretic andnarcotic properties; and has been found useful in humoralasthma, dropsy, lepra vulgaris and alphos, and ptyriasis. Thedose is from f5 iv. to f 3 j. combined with any aromatic tincture,given three times a day.

DECOCTUM GEOFFRCEJE INERMIS, Edin. Decoc-tion of Cabbage-tree Bark.

". Take of Cabbage-tree bark in powder, one ounce ; water,two pounds. Boil with a gentle heat down to one pound, andstrain."

This decoction has the colour of Madeira wine, a disagree-able odour, and a bitter mucilaginous taste. It is given tochildren in doses of fjij. and to adults to the amount of fjij.An overdose, or drinking cold water during its use, producesvomiting, fever, and delirium ; effects which are to be remediedby castor oil, warm water, and acids. It is seldom employedin this country.

DECOCTUM GUIAIACI COMPOSITUM, Edin.Compound Decoction of Guaiacum.

" Take of Guaiacum wood rasped, three omiccs ; Raisins, twoounces; Sassafras root sliced, Liquorice root bruised, of each,one ounce; water,, ten pounds. Boil the Guaiacum wood andthe Raisins in the water over a gentle fire down to fivepounds, adding the roots towards the end of the boiling; thenstrain."

1 For cases of the successful use of this decoction, in making which, however,the fresh leaves were employed instead of the dried, see Darwin's Zoanomia,vol. i. p. 326. 331.