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tions and Compofitions.

444

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

iron.

Tindure of foot. E.

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.

Tindure of galbanum. L.

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.

tions and Compofitions.

445

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.

Elixir of guaiacum. E.

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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