PART III.

Preparations of Vinegar.

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liable to undergo decomposition. The dose is from f^ss. tofjj. or more.

VINUM VEEATRI, Lond. Wine of White Hellebore.

" Take of white Hellebore root bruised, eight ounces ; Wine,ixw pints and a half. Macerate for fourteen days, and filter."

This preparation was supposed to form one of the ingredi-ents of the Eau Medicinale; and this opinion, although it isunfounded as far as white hellebore is an ingredient of theFrench nostrum, yet, is correct in some degree; in as muchas the active principle of colchicum, the plant used in prepa-ring Eau Medicinale, is veratrinc, which is also the active prin-ciple of white hellebore. I have no doubt that a vinous pre-paration of while hellebore, exhibited with due caution, wouldanswer every purpose of the Wine of Colchicum.' Wine ofwhite hellebore is seldom employed.

ACETICA.

Preparations oe Vinegar.

Vinegar is capable of dissolving all those proximate prin-ciples of plants which are soluble in water; and it is furtherfound to extract more completely than any other solvent, thematter on which the efficacy of squill and colchicum depends.As a solvent, however, of vegetable matter, the use of vinegarcannot be extended, as it destroys the medicinal propertiesof "some vegetable principles, and does not accord with othersin virtue. Medicated vinegars are very apt to spoil, notwith-standing the addition of spirit which is ordered; and, therefore,they should be made in small quantities only at a time, andpreserved in well-stopped glass bottles.

ACIDUM ACETICUM AROMATICUM, Edin. Aro-matic Vinegar.

" Take of Rosemary tops, dried, Sage leaves, dried, of eachone ounce; Lavender flowers dried, half an ounce; Cloves,bruised, half a drachm; distilled Vinegar, two pounds. Mace-rate for seven days, and filter the expressed liquor throughpaper."

S;/n. Vinaigre antieeptiijue (F.), Gewfirzessig (<?.), Aceto antisettico (7.).

This preparation has a pleasant, pungent, aromatic odour.It is a solution of the volatile oils of the substances employedin vinegar, and is a grateful perfume in sick-rooms; but hasno right to be regarded as a prophylactic from fever, or othercontagions. It is nearly the same as the old preparation,known under the name of Thieves' Vinegar.

1 For the method of preparing the wine of Colchicum, see Appendix.

"" 3 g 2