Cooley's Cyclopaedia of Practical Receipts Volume I Part 174

_Obs._ 1 drachm of this decoction, mixed with 7 drachms of water, forms a similar preparation to the Decoctum Sarzae of the Ph. L., and is now very frequently subst.i.tuted for it in dispensing. See SARSAPARILLA, EXTRACTS, and _below_.

=Decoction of Sarsaparilla (Compound).= _Syn._ DECOCTUM SARZae COMPOSITUM (Ph. L. & E.), D. SARSAPARILLae C. (Ph. D.), L. _Prep._ 1. (Ph. L.) Decoction of sarsaparilla (boiling), 4 pints; sa.s.safras chips, guaiac.u.m wood (rasped), and fresh liquorice root (bruised), of each 10 dr.; mezereon (root-bark), 3 dr.; boil for 15 minutes, and strain.

2. (Ph. E.) As the last, but using 4 dr. of mezereon.

3. (Ph. D.) Sarsaparilla (sliced), 2 oz., sa.s.safras, guaiac.u.m turnings, and liquorice root (bruised), of each 2 dr.; mezereon root-bark, 1 dr.; boiling water, 1-1/2 pint; digest for an hour, then boil for 10 minutes, cool, and strain.

4. (Extemporaneous.) Compound extract of sarsaparilla, 7-1/2 dr.; boiling water, 1 pint; dissolve.

5. (Ph. B.) Jamaica sarsaparilla, cut transversely, 2-1/2 oz.; sa.s.safras, guaiac.u.m turnings, bruised liquorice root, of each 1/4 oz., mezereon root bark 60 grains; digest them with 1-1/2 pint of boiling water in a covered vessel for an hour, then boil for 10 minutes, cool, and strain. Make up to 1 pint.

_Obs._ This decoction is an imitation of the once justly celebrated 'Lisbon Diet Drink.' It is an alterative and diaph.o.r.etic.--_Dose._ A teacupful, or more, 3 or 4 times a day, either along with, or after, a mercurial course; and in syphilis, scurvy, scrofula, chronic rheumatism, lepra, psoriasis, and several other skin diseases, and especially in cachexia, or general bad habit of body. During its use the skin should be kept warm. See SARSAPARILLA and _below_.

=Decoction of Sarsaparilla (Concentrated Compound).= _Syn._ DECOCTUM SARZae COMPOSITUM CONCENTRATUM, D. SARSAPARILLae C. C., L. There is a very considerable trade done in this article, in consequence of compound decoction of sarsaparilla being taken in large doses, both alone and in combination with other remedies, and the pharmacopial preparation spoiling if kept longer than about 12 hours, in warm weather. Like the concentrated simple decoction, it is said to be of 8 times the usual strength, so that when mixed with 7 times its weight of water, it forms a similar preparation to the Decoctum Sarzae Compositum,--Ph. L., for which it is very generally subst.i.tuted in dispensing.

_Prep._ 1. (Wholesale.) Sarsaparilla (red Jamaica), 96 lbs.; mezereon root (not root-bark), 9 lbs.; liquorice root (bruised), 16 lbs. The mezereon and liquorice are first laid (loosely) on the bottom of a clean copper pan, and the bundles of sarsaparilla (untied and loosened) packed over them, in horizontal layers, alternately at right angles with each other.

Three or four boards, with as many iron 1/2-cwt. weights, are next placed on the top of the whole. Water is now run in, to about ten inches higher than the ingredients, and heat is applied until ebullition commences. The materials are now allowed to macerate, without boiling, for 3 or 4 hours, after which the liquor is gently boiled for about an hour, care being taken to add fresh water from time to time, so as to keep the whole well covered. The decoction is next run off, and set evaporating as quickly as possible. The ingredients are then washed with successive portions of boiling water, by allowing it to descend from a species of shower-bath, after the manner of 'sparging,' described under BREWING.[256] This is repeated until the water runs off nearly colourless, the smallest quant.i.ty being employed that will effect the object in view. The whole of the liquid is now evaporated without delay, until reduced to 8-1/4 galls., when, after cooling, 2 dr. of essential oil of sa.s.safras, dissolved in 2 galls. of rectified spirit of wine, are added, and afterwards 1 pint of essence of guaiac.u.m. The liquid is then placed in a suitably sized barrel, set upon its head, and fitted with a small c.o.c.k (not placed too near the bottom), and allowed to repose for a week, by which time it becomes clear and brilliant, and fit for sale. This is the form adopted by the large metropolitan drug-houses most celebrated for this preparation. The product that may be drawn off fit for sale is something over 10 galls. The residuum, forming the 'bottoms,' consists chiefly of fecula. The latter is well stirred up with 3 or 4 galls. of cold water, and allowed to settle.

The clear decanted 'washings' are used as water or liquor in making the next batch of decoction.

[Footnote 256: See page 356.]

2. (Extemporaneous.) Compound extract of sarsaparilla, 7-1/2 oz.; boiling water, 12 fl. oz.; dissolve, then add of rectified spirit of wine, 2-1/2 fl. oz.; mix well, and further add of water, q. s. to make the whole measure a pint.

_Obs._ To conduct this process successfully, several large copper pans are required; one of which (to boil the ingredients in) must be capable of containing from 140 to 150 gallons at the least, and the others must be sufficiently large to receive the liquors as they are drawn off. Those for the evaporation should be very shallow, in order that it may proceed rapidly; and the whole should be heated by steam. An excellent plan is to employ large wooden vats, and to apply the heat by means of pipes laid along the bottom, and supplied with high-pressure steam. This method is less expensive than the use of double steam pans, as above. When essence of guaiac.u.m is not used, 24 lbs. of guaiac.u.m shavings, from which the dust has been sifted, are boiled with the other ingredients, instead. Those desirous of using the proportions of the ingredients ordered by the Colleges may do so by taking eight times the given quant.i.ties, and proceeding as above. The following are special preparations:--

FELTZ'S DECOCTION OF SARSAPARILLA. _Syn._ AP'OZEM OF FELTZ; DECOCTUM SARZae c.u.m ICHTHYOCOL'LA, L.; PTISANE DE FELTZ, Fr. _Prep._ From sarsaparilla (sliced), 3 oz.; isingla.s.s and crude antimony (in powder), of each 1/2 oz.; water 5 pints; boil to one half, and strain. Used in skin diseases.

JAUPERAND'S DECOCTION OF SARSAPARILLA. _Syn._ DECOCTUM SARZae c.u.m RADICE CHINa, L.; PTISANE DE JAUPERAND, Fr. _Prep._ (Bories.) Sarsaparilla and China root, of each 2 oz.; senna and sa.s.safras chips, of each 1/2 oz.; carbonate of pota.s.sa, 1 dr.; water, 2 galls.; simmer, gently, for several hours, and strain 12 pints; when cold, decant the clear.--_Dose_, 2 fl.

oz., two or three times daily; in scrofula, &c.

VINACHE'S DECOCTION OF SARSAPARILLA. _Syn._ DECOCTUM SARZae c.u.m SENNa, L.; PTISANE DE VINACHE, Fr. _Prep._ (Foy.) Sarsaparilla, China wood, and guaiac.u.m wood, of each 1-1/2 oz.; crude antimony (tied in a rag), 2 oz.; water, 6 pints; macerate for 12 hours (7 in hot weather), boil to one half, add sa.s.safras chips and senna, of each 1/2 oz., infuse 1 hour longer, and strain; when cold, decant the clear. Recommended in scrofula, secondary syphilis, and various cutaneous affections.

ZITTMANN'S DECOCTION OF SARSAPARILLA. _Syn._ DECOCTUM ZITTMANNI, L.; PTISANE DE ZITTMANN, Fr. _Prep._ 1. (STRONGER DECOCTION; D. Z. FORTE, Ph.

Bor. 1847.) Sarsaparilla, 12 oz.; water, 72 lbs. (say 5-3/4 galls.); digest 24 hours, then add (suspended in a bag), white sugar and alum, of each 6 dr.; calomel, 4 dr.; cinnabar, 1 dr.; boil to 24 lbs., adding towards the end of the process, senna, 3 oz.; liquorice root, 1-1/2 oz.; aniseed and fennel seed, of each 1/2 oz.; finally strain, with pressure and after some time decant the clear portion. The formula in the 'Ph.

Suec.' 1845 is similar; that in the 'Hamburg Codex' directs only 24 lbs.

of water to be used, and the whole to be reduced to 16 lbs.

2. (WEAKER DECOCTION; D. Z. TENUE.--Ph. Bor. 1847.) Add to the residuum (waste) of the last preparation sarsaparilla, 6 oz.; water, 72 lbs. (say, 5-3/4 galls.); boil to 24 lbs.; adding towards the end of the process, lemon peel, cinnamon bark, liquorice root, and cardamoms (all bruised), of each 3 dr.; press, strain, &c., as before. In the 'Ph. Suec.' 1845 double the above weights of lemon peel and liquorice root are ordered, and in the 'Hamburg Codex' (1845) 24 lbs. of water only are ordered, and the whole is to be boiled down to 16 lbs.

_Obs._ Both the above are used in Germany and on the Continent generally, in the same cases as those in which compound decoction of sarsaparilla is administered in England. They may be drunk almost _ad libitum_. A trace of mercury may be detected in the stronger decoction, when properly prepared.

See SARSAPARILLA.

=Decoction of Sen'ega Root.= _Syn._ DECOCTION OF AMERICAN SNAKE ROOT, D.

OF RATTLESNAKE ROOT; DECOCTUM POLYGALae, D. SENEGae (Ph. L.), L. _Prep._ (Ph. L.) Senega or seneka root, 10 dr.; water, 1 quart; boil to a pint, and strain.--_Dose_, 1/2 to 2 wine-gla.s.sfuls three or four times daily; in humoral asthma, chronic cough, dropsy, &c. It is stimulant, expectorant, and diuretic, and, in large doses, emetic and cathartic. It is frequently conjoined with ammonia. It is the antidote employed by the Senega Indians against the bite of the rattlesnake. (Dr Tennant.)

=Decoction of Simaru'ba Bark.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM SIMARU'Bae, L. _Prep._ (Dr Wright.) Simaruba bark, 2 dr.; water, 24 fl. oz.; boil to one half, and strain. Tonic.--_Dose_, 1 to 2 fl. oz.; in chronic dysentery and diarrha.

=Decoction of Squills (Compound).= _Syn._ DECOCTUM SCILLae COMPOSITUM, L.

_Prep._ (Ph. U. S. 1841.) Squills, 3 dr.; juniper berries, 4 oz.; snake root, 3 oz.; water, 4 lbs.; boil to one half, strain, and add of sweet spirits of nitre, 4 fl. oz. In chronic coughs and other chest affections, unaccompanied with active inflammatory symptoms.--_Dose_, 1 to 3 fl. oz., twice or thrice daily.

=Decoction of Starch.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM AM'YLI (Ph. L.), MUCILA'GO AM'YLI (Ph. E. & D.), L. _Prep._ (Ph. L. & E.) Starch, 1/2 oz.; add, gradually, water, 1 pint, and boil for a short time. The Dublin preparation is nearly twice as strong. Used as an enema in dysentery, diarrha, and excoriations of the r.e.c.t.u.m.

=Decoction, Sudorif'ic.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM SUDORIF'Ic.u.m, L. The old name of the compound decoctions of sarsaparilla and guaiac.u.m.

=Decoction of Su'et.= _Syn._ ARTIFICIAL GOAT'S MILK; DECOCTUM SE'VI, L.

_Prep._ Suet, 1 oz.; tie it loosely in a piece of muslin and simmer it in cow's milk, 1-1/4 pint; adding towards the last, white sugar, 1/2 oz. In scrofulous emaciation and phthisis; taken _ad libitum_.

=Decoction of Tam'arinds.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM TAMARIND'ORUM, L. _Prep._ Tamarinds, 1-1/2 oz.; water, 1 pint; boil for 5 minutes, and strain. A pleasant drink in fevers, asthma, chronic coughs, &c.

=Decoction of Tamarinds and Sen'na.= _Syn._ DEC. TAMARINDORUM c.u.m SENNa (Ph. E. 1744), L. _Prep._ Tamarinds, 6 dr.; cream of tartar, 2 dr.; water, 1-1/2; pint; boil in a glazed earthen vessel until reduced to 16 oz.; then infuse therein for 12 hours, senna, 4 dr.; strain, and add of syrup of violets, 1 oz. A gentle aperient.--_Dose._ A wine-gla.s.sful, or more.

=Decoction of Tar.= _Syn._ TAR WATER; DECOCTUM PI'CIS LIQ'UIDae, L. _Prep._ Tar, 1 oz.; water, 1-1/2; pint; boil to 1 pint.--_Dose._ A pint or more daily; in chronic catarrh; and as a wash in chronic skin diseases, especially those of the head, in children.

=Decoction, Ton'ic.= _Syn._ STRENGTHENING DECOCTION; DECOCTUM ROBORANS, L.

_Prep._ 1. Peruvian bark (bruised), 1/2 oz.; Virginian snake root, 2 dr.; water, 1 pint; boil to one half, strain whilst hot, and add, spirit of cinnamon, 1-1/2 fl. oz.; diluted sulphuric acid, 1-1/2 dr.--_Dose_, 2 oz.

two or three times a day.

2. Decoction of bark, 5 oz.; tincture of bark, 6 dr.; aromatic confection, 1/2 dr.; salvolatile, 1 dr.--_Dose_, 1 or 2 table-spoonfuls night and morning; especially in diarrha.

=Decoction of Tor'mentil.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM TORMENTIL'Lae (Ph. L.), L.

_Prep._ (Ph. L.) Tormentil root (bruised), 2 oz.; water, 1-1/2 pint; boil to a pint, and strain. Astringent.--_Dose_, 1 to 2 fl. oz., in chronic diarrha, &c.

=Decoction of Tur'meric.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM CURCU'Mae, L. _Prep._ From turmeric root (in powder), 1-1/2 oz.; water, 1 pint; boil for 5 minutes, and strain. A mild aromatic stimulant and stomachic.--_Dose._ A wine-gla.s.sful _ad libitum_. It is princ.i.p.ally used as a test for alkalies, which turn it brown. Unsized paper dipped into it and dried forms the turmeric test-paper of the chemist.

=Decoction of Verbe'na.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM VERBE'Nae, L. From verbena (vervain), 2 oz.; water, 1-1/2 pint; boil to 1 pint, and strain.

_Obs._ The _Verbena officinalis_ was formerly highly recommended by Etmuller, Hartman, De Haen, Morley, and others, in scrofula, cephalalgia, &c., but afterwards fell into neglect. More recently, a decoction of the plant has been highly extolled by Boshanov and others as an anti-febrile.

=Decoction, Vul'nerary.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM VULNERA"RIUM, L. _Prep._ From ground ivy and broad-leaved plantain, of each 1/2 oz.; water, 3 pints; boil to 1 quart, strain, and add sugar, 1 oz. A popular pectoral and tonic, especially in old coughs; also to heal wounds.--_Dose_, 1/2 a teacupful or more twice a day.

=Decoction of Wal'nut Bark.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM JUGLAND'IS, L. _Prep._ (Ph.

Gen.) Green bark of walnuts, 1 oz.; water, 1 pint; boil for 15 minutes, and strain. As an anti-syphilitic. Before the general introduction of sarsaparilla it was much esteemed in most cases in which that drug is now taken.--_Dose, &c._ The same as those of comp. dec. of sarsaparilla.

Pearson says that "when the putamen (green rind) of the walnut has been omitted, either intentionally or by accident (from _Decoctum Lusitanic.u.m_), the same good effects have not followed its use as when it contained this ingredient.

=Decoction of Walnut Leaves.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM JUGLAND'IS FOLIO"RUM, L.

_Prep._ (Negrier.) Walnut leaves, 1 handful; water, 1 quart; boil 15 minutes, and strain. Detersive, diaph.o.r.etic, and alterative.--_Dose, &c._ As the last, especially in chronic rheumatism, secondary syphilis, &c.

=Decoction of Wa'terdock.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM RUMI'CIS, D. R. AQUAT'ICI, L.

_Prep._ (A. T. Thomson.) Root of common waterdock (_Rumex obtusifolius_), 1 oz.; water, 1 pint; boil for 10 minutes, and strain.

_Obs._ This decoction is astringent, and was once much celebrated as a remedy for scurvy and some other cutaneous affections. "It is the only remedy which proves efficacious in that disease when the ulcers are healed, and the patient is attacked with asthma." (Linnaeus, on the Scurvy of the Laplanders.)

=Decoction, White= (Sydenham's). _Syn._ HARTSHORN DRINK; MIS'TURA COR'NU USTI. _Prep._ Prepared burnt hartshorn, 2 oz.; gum Arabic, 1 oz.; water, 3 pints; boil to 1 quart, and strain. Mucilaginous; demulcent. Taken _ad libitum_.

=Decoction of Whor'tleberry.= _Syn._ DECOCTION OF BEAR-BERRY, D. OF UVA-URSI; DECOCTUM UVae URSI (Ph. L. & D.), L. _Prep._ 1. (Ph. L.) Whortleberry leaves, 1 oz.; water, 1-1/2 pint; boil to a pint, and strain.

2. (Ph. D.) Uva-ursi (the leaves), 1/2 oz.; water, 1/2 pint; boil 10 minutes, and strain.

_Dose, &c._ 1 to 3 fl. oz. two or three times daily; in phthisis and purulent affections of the urinary organs, unaccompanied with active inflammation; especially in chronic affections of the bladder.