7 72

Mixtures.

TAUT III.

EXTRACTUM TARAXACI, Lond. ExtractuuHerbje et Radicis Takaxaci, Dub. Extract of Dandelion.

" Take of fresh Dandelion root, bruised, a pound ; boilingwater, a gallon. Macerate for twenty-four hours,- then boilclown to four pints, strain the hot liquor, and evaporate it to aproper consistence."

Syn. Lowenzahn-extrakt (G.)> Estratto di Tarassaco {I.).

The medicinal powers of Dandelion have been already no-ticed. (See Part ii.) This extract is supposed to contain allthe active principles of the plant, and to prove equally effica-cious in hepatic obstructions. Dr. Pemberton affirms, thathe has seen great advantage result from its administrationin doses of :jss. in chronic inflammation and incipient scir-rhus of the liver, and in chronic derangement of the sto-mach. 1 The usual dose is from grs. x. to jj. united with Sul-phate of Potass.

EXTRACTUM VALERIANAE, Dub. Extract of Va-lerian.

" Take of Valerian root in coarse powder, six ounces; boilingwater, six pints. Mix and digest for twenty-four hours with amoderate heat in a covered vessel; then express the liquor, andreduce it by evaporation to a proper consistence."

Syn. Baldrian-extrakt ( G. ).

The odour of the plant is almost entirely dissipated in pre-paring this extract; and if the efficacy of the remedy be con-nected with that quality, which is extremely probable, itmust be much inferior to the infusion, or the tincture. Theusual dose is from grs. x. to 33. given in the form of pills,or dissolved in some distilled water.

MISTURM.

Mixtures.

The term Mixture in pharmaceutical language denotes amingled compound, in which different ingredients are held sus-pended in a fluid medium by means of mucilaginous or of sac-charine matter. The London college has placed under thistitle, also, those medicines which consist of the fixed oil ofseeds diffused through water by means of the mucilage, fecula,or saccharine matter contained in the seeds, and which havehitherto been denominated Emulsions. Both these kinds ofpreparations should always be extemporaneous; and in pre-

1 On diseases of the Abdwiiinal Viscera, p. 43.