the preference. The fcales are much fitter for giving folution than the ruft. The ftrength of the a proper muriatic acid is fo variable, that the quantity is left to the judgment of the operator. If the acid be fu- perabundant, the folution is of a green colour; if it be fully faturated with the iron, it is more or lefs of a reddish or yellow colour; and this ferves as a pretty accurate criterion. As the muriatic acid combines lefs intimately with rectified fpirit than any of the foffil acids, fo the after procefs of dulcification fcarce- ly, if at all, impairs the folvent power of the acid; though, when the dulcification happens to be more than ufually complete, a fmall quantity of ferruginous matter is fometimes precipitated on adding the recti- fied spirit to the solution. But as the rectified spirit in- creafes the volatility of the acid, fo if it was added at first, we should lofe much more of the menftruum by the heat employed during the digeftion. When this tincture is well prepared, it is of a yellowish-red colour; if the acid be fuperabundant, it is more or lefs of a greenish hue; and if the rectified spirit has been impregnated with the aftringent matter of oak cafks, it affumes an inky colour.
All the tinctures of iron are no other than real folutions of the metal made in acids, and combined with vinous fpirits. The tinctures here directed differ from each other only in ftrength, the acid being the fame in both. In our former pharmacopoeias, there was a tincture from the matter which remains after the fublimation of the martial flowers; which, though it appears to be a good one, is now expunged as fu- perfluous. Some have recommended dulcified fpirit of nitre as a menftruum; but though this readily dif- folves the metal, it does not keep it fufpended The marine is the only acid that can be employed for this purpofe.
Thefe tin&tures are greatly preferable to the calces or croci of iron, as being not only more speedy, but likewife more certain in their operation. The latter, in fome cafes, pass off through the inteftinal tube with little effect; while the tinctures fcarce ever fail. From ten to twenty drops of either of the tinctures may be taken two or three times a-day, in any proper vehicle; though it is feldom advisable to extend the dofe of any tinctures of iron fo far as the laft of these quantities, especially with the tincture in fpirit of falt, which is exceedingly ftrong of the
Take of fhining wood-foot, one ounce; afafoetida, half an ounce; rectified spirit of wine, proof-fpi- rit, of each half a pound. Digeft for fix days, and frain.
The proof-fpirit is not liable to any objection here, as giving a turbid tincture; for when foot is added, whatever fpirit be employed, the tincture will not prove transparent. Fuller, in his Pharmacopoeia Do- meftica, has a medicine under the title of hysteric tinc- ture, fimilar to this, only with a little myrrh, which is no very material addition to afafœtida and foot. Thefe medicines are found ferviceable, not only in hysteric cafes, but likewife in other nervous diforders. They may be given from a tea-fpoonful to a table fpoonful twice a-day.
in obftructions of the menfes; but its activity may Prepara- be confidered as depending much more on the asafœ. tida than on the foot.
Take of galbanum, cut into fmall pieces, two ounces; proof-fpirit, two pints. Digeft with a gentle heat for eight days, and strain.
This tincture is now for the first time introduced by the London college, and may be usefully employ- ed for anfwering feveral purposes in medicine. Gal- banum is one of the ftrongest of the fetid gums; and although lefs active, yet much lefs difagreeable than afafoetida and under the form of tincture it may be fuccefsfully employed in cafes of flatulence and hy- fteria, where its effects are immediately required, par- ticularly with those who cannot bear afafœtida.
Compound tincture of gentian. L.
Take of gentian root, fliced and bruifed, two ounces; 446 exterior dried peel of Seville oranges, one ounce ; leffer cardamom feeds, husked and bruised, half an ounce; proof-fpirit, two pints. Digeft for eight days, and strain.
Bitter tincture, or ftomachic elixir. E. Take of gentian-root, two ounces; Seville orange- peel, dried, one ounce; white canella, half an ounce; cochineal, half a dram; proof-fpirit, two pounds and a half. Macerate for four days, and ftrain through paper.
preparations are defigned for keeping, lemon-peel, an These are very elegant fpirituous bitters. As the has, on account of the perishableness of its flavour, excellent ingredient in the watery bitter infufions, commodious ingredient, as in this fpirituous nienftruum no place in thefe. The aromatics are here a very they are free from the inconvenience with which they are attended in other liquors, of rendering them un- transparent.
Take of gum-guaiacum, one pound; balfam of Peru, 447 three drams; rectified fpirit of wine, two pounds and a half. Digest for ten days, and ftrain.
This tinture may be confidered as nearly agreeing in medical virtues with the two following. It is, however, lefs in ufe; but it may be employed with advantage in those cases where an objection occurs to the menftruum used in forming the others.
Tincture of gum-guaiacum. L.
Take of gum-guaiacum, four ounces; compound fpi- 448 rit of ammonia, a pint and a half. Digeft for three days, and ftrain.
Volatile elixir of guaiacum. E. Take of gum-guaiacum, four ounces; balfam of Pe- ru, two drams; diftilled oil of faffafras, half a dram; vinous spirit of fal ammoniac, a pound and an half. Macerate for fix days in a clofe veffel, and ftrain. In the last of these formule, the vinous fpirit of fal ammoniac ia lefs acrimonious than the menftruum directed by the London college; and the balfam of This medicine has by fome been thought serviceable Peru, and diftilled oil of falfafras, are useful additions, JUN 2 J
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