Part 126

=Decoction of Elm Bark.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM UL'MI (B. P.), L. _Prep._ Elm bark (cut in small pieces), 1 oz.; distilled water, 16 oz.; boil to 8 oz., and strain.--_Dose_, 2 to 4 oz., three or four times a day, as a cheap substitute for sarsaparilla in scaly skin diseases. (See _below_.)

=Decoction of Elm Bark (Compound).= _Syn._ DECOCTUM ULMI COMPOSITUM, L. _Prep._ (Jeffrey.) Simple decoction of elm bark, 8 pints; liquorice root, sassafras and guaiacum chips, of each 1 oz.; mezereon root, 3 dr.; boil for one hour, and strain. More active than the last.

=Decoction of Er'got.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM ERGOT'Æ, D. SECA'LIS CORNUTI, L. _Prep._ (Pereira.) Ergot of rye (bruised), 1 dr.; water, 6 fl. oz.; boil 10 minutes, and strain.--_Dose_. One third at intervals of half an hour, until the whole is taken; as a parturifacient.

=Decoction of Fern Root.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM FILICIS; D. RADICIS F., L. _Prep._ (Dr Wood.) Dried fern-root, 1 oz.; water, 1 pint; boil to 16 fl. oz., and strain. By wine-glassfuls, fasting, until it excites slight nausea; as a vermifuge, more particularly for tapeworm.

=Decoction of Figs.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM FICI, L. _Prep._ (Cadet.) Figs (chopped), 1 oz.; water, 1 pint; boil, and strain. Demulcent and pectoral; taken _ad libitum_. (See _below_.)

=Decoction of Figs (Compound).= _Syn._ DECOCTUM FICI COMPOSITUM, L. _Prep._ (Foy.) Figs and raisins (chopped), of each 2 oz.; liquorice root, 1/2 oz.; boiling water, 1 quart; boil 15 minutes, and strain. As the last.

=Decoction for Ene'mas.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM PRO ENEMA'TE, L. Barley-water, or thin gruel, is commonly used under this name. See DECOCTION OF MALLOWS, &c.

=Decoction for Fomenta'tions.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM PRO FOMENTO, L. _Prep._ (Ph. L. 1788.) Dried leaves of southern wood, tops of sea wormwood, and chamomile flowers, of each 1 oz.; laurel or bay leaves (dried), 1/2 oz.; water, 1 pint, boil a few minutes, and strain.

=Decoction of Galls.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM GAL'LÆ, (Ph. L.) _Prep._ From galls (bruised), 2-1/2 oz.; water, 1 quart; boiled to one half, and strained. As an astringent, fomentation, enema, or injection, in prolapsus ani, piles, and leucorrh[oe]a.

=Decoction of Guaiac'um.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM GUAIAC'I (Ph. E.), D. G. COMPOSITUM (Ph. D. 1826), L. _Prep._ 1. (Ph. E.) Guaiacum shavings, 3 oz.; raisins (chopped), 2 oz.; water, 8 pints; simmer down to 5 pints, adding towards the end, sassafras (rasped or sliced), and liquorice root (bruised), of each 1 oz.

2. (Ph. D.) Guaiacum wood, 3 oz.; sassafras, 10 dr.; liquorice root, 2-1/2 oz.; water, 10 pints, as the last; to strain 5 pints.

_Obs._ The above form the once celebrated 'Decoction of the Woods,'--_Dose._ A teacupful 3 or 4 times daily, or oftener, in chronic rheumatism, cutaneous diseases, after a course of mercury, &c. Although its virtues are of a very dubious kind, there is no doubt that it frequently does good, especially when persevered in with a sudorific regimen.

=Decoction of Hairy Horehound.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM BALLOTÆ LANATÆ, L. _Prep._ (Rehmann.) Siberian or woolly horehound (Ballota), 1-1/2 oz.; water, 1 quart; boil to one half.--_Dose._ A tumblerful, or more, twice a day; in rheumatic, gouty, and dropsical affections, especially the latter. See DECOCTION OF HOREHOUND.

=Decoction of Harts'horn.= See MIXTURES.

=Decoction of Hel'lebore.= 1. (DECOCTION OF BLACK HELLEBORE; DECOCTUM HELLEBORI NIGRI, L.) _Prep._ 1. (A. T. Thomson.) Black hellebore root, 2 dr.; water, 1 pint; boil 15 minutes.--_Dose_, 1 fl. oz., every 4 hours; in dropsy, worms, chronic skin diseases, &c., occurring in non-irritable habits.

2. (DECOCTION OF WHITE HELLEBORE; DECOCTUM VERATRI, Ph. L. & D.) _Prep._ (Ph. L. 1836.) White hellebore (bruised), 10 dr.; water, 1 quart; boil to a pint, and when cold, add of rectified spirit, 3 fl. oz. Used as a lotion, in itch, lepra, psoriasis, scald-head, &c.; and to destroy pediculi. In most cases it should be diluted with water, and should never be applied to the unsound skin.

=Decoction of Holly Leaves.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM ILICIS. (Foy.) Holly leaves, 1/2 oz.; water, 16 oz.; boil to 12 oz. For three doses.

=Decoction of Horehound.= _Syn._ COMPOUND DECOCTION OF HOREHOUND; DECOCTUM MARUBII COMPOSITUM, L. _Prep._ (Dr R. E. Griffith.) Dried horehound (_Marrubium vulgare_), 1 oz.; liquorice root and flax seed (bruised), of each 1/2 oz.; boiling water, 1-1/2 pint; macerate for 3 or 4 hours (boil a minute), and strain. An excellent demulcent and pectoral.--_Dose_, 1 to 2 fl. oz., as required, in coughs, &c.

=Decoction of Horse-chest'nut Bark.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM HIPPOCASTANEI, L. _Prep._ (Dr Wood.) Horse-chestnut bark (coarsely powdered), 10 dr.; water, 1 pint; boil 10 minutes, and strain. Used for decoction of cinchona bark. A little liquorice root is frequently added. (See _below_.)

=Decoction of Horse-chest'nut Bark (Compound).= _Syn._ DECOCTUM HIPPOCASTANEI COMPOSITUM, L. _Prep._ 1. (Ph[oe]bus.) Horse-chestnut bark, 1-1/2 oz.; water, 18 fl. oz.; boil to one half, strain, and when quite cold, add of sulphuric ether, 1 to 2 dr.; syrup of orange peel, 1 oz. To be used during the intermission of an ague in wine-glassfuls at a time.

2. (Spielman.) Horse-chestnut bark and willow bark, of each 1/2 oz.; calamus aromaticus and root of water avens, of each 2 dr.; water, 16 fl. oz.; boil to one half. As the last.

=Decoction of Iceland Moss.= _Syn._ DECOCTION OF LIVERWORT; DECOCTUM CETRARIÆ (Ph. L.); D. LICHENIS ISLANDICI (Ph. D.); D. LICHENIS (Ph. L. 1824.) _Prep._ 1. (Ph. L.) Liverwort (Iceland moss), 5 dr.; wecm 1-1/2; pint; boil to a pint, and strain.

2. (Ph. D.) Iceland moss, 1 oz.; water, 1-1/2 pint; boil for 10 minutes in a covered vessel, and strain. Nutritious, demulcent, pectoral, and tonic.--_Dose_, 1 to 4 fl. oz., every 3 or 4 hours; in chronic affections of the chest and stomach, especially pulmonary consumption, old coughs, dyspepsia, chronic diarrh[oe]a, and dysentery. It may be flavoured and sweetened; milk is frequently added to it. The bitter matter may be removed by steeping the moss for some time in pretty warm water, or in cold water, to which a very little carbonate of potash has been added. Without this is done, it is intensely bitter and nauseous.

=Decoction of Indian Ba'el.= _Syn._ DECOCTION OF ÆGLE MARMELOS; DECOCTUM BAEL, L. From the dried unripe fruit of _Ægle marmelos_ (Indian bael), 2 oz.; water, 1 pint; boil to one third, and strain.--_Dose_, 2 fl. oz. two or three times a day; in dysentery, diarrh[oe]a, and English cholera.

=Decoction of Indian Pink.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM SPIGELIÆ, L. _Prep._ Indian pink root, 5 dr; water, 1 pint; boil 5 minutes; add senna, 4 dr.; digest 15 minutes, strain and add of manna, 1 oz.--_Dose._ A small teacupful, 3 times a day, for an adult; 1/2 oz. to 1 oz., or less, for children; as an anthelmintic purge.

=Decoction of Indian Sarsaparil'la.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM HEMEDES'MI, L. _Prep._ (Pereira.) Root of Indian sarsaparilla (_Hemedesmus Indicus_), 2 oz.; water, 1-1/2 pint; boil to a pint. Diuretic, alterative, and tonic.--_Dose._ By wine-glassfuls, as decoction of sarsaparilla.

=Decoction of I''rish Moss.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM CHON'DRI. _Prep._ (Pereira.) Carrageen or Irish moss, 1 oz.; macerate in lukewarm water for 10 minutes, take it out and drain it, and then boil it in water (or milk), 3 pints, for 15 minutes, and strain through linen.

_Obs._ If twice the above weight of moss is employed, a mucilage (_mucilago chondri_) is produced, which may be flavoured with lemon juice, spices, &c., and forms a most nutritious article of spoon diet. It is taken in the same cases as decoction of Iceland moss; and is frequently employed in cookery, as a substitute for animal jelly, in the preparation of blancmanges, soups, &c.

=Decoction of I''singlass.= See LISBON DIET DRINK.

=Decoction of Jamaica Dogwood.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM CORNUS FLORIDÆ. (U. S. Ph.) Bark of Jamaica dogwood, 1 oz.; water, 16 oz. o.m.; boil 10 minutes and strain, and make up to 1 pint o.m. As a substitute for cinchona, but is more astringent.

=Decoction of Jujubes.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM JUJUBARUM. Boil 2 oz. of jujubes (stoned), for an hour, in a sufficient quantity of water to produce 2 pints of decoction.

=Decoction of Ju'niper Berries (Compound).= _Syn._ DECOCTUM JUNIPERI COMPOSITUM, L. _Prep._ (St. B. Hosp.) Juniper berries, 2 oz.; cream of tartar, 3 dr.; water, 4 pints; boil to a quart, strain, and add compound spirit of juniper, 2 fl. oz. Diuretic.--_Dose_, 2 or 3 wine-glassfuls, 3 times a day, warm.

=Decoction of Linseed (Compound).= _Syn._ DECOCTUM LI'NI COMPOSITUM (Ph. D.), L. _Prep._ (Ph. D.) Linseed, 1 oz.; liquorice root (bruised), 1/2 oz.; water, 1-1/2 pint; boil for 10 minutes in a covered vessel, and strain whilst hot. Emollient and demulcent.--_Dose._ A wine-glassful _ad libitum_; in gonorrh[oe]a, dysentery, pulmonary affections, &c. It may be flavoured with lemon peel, and sweetened. See INFUSIONS.

=Decoction of Liquorice.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM GLYCYRRHIZÆ, L. _Prep._ (Ph. D. 1826.) Liquorice root (sliced), 1-1/2 oz.; water, 16 fl. oz.; boil 10 minutes and strain. A mild demulcent; it is taken either alone, by wine-glassfuls, or is used as a vehicle for more active remedies.

=Decoction, Lisbon.= See LISBON DIET DRINK.

=Decoction of Liv'erwort.= See DECOCTION OF ICELAND MOSS.

=Decoction of Log'wood.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM HÆMATOXYLI (Ph. L. E. & D.), L. _Prep._ 1. (Ph. L.) Logwood chips, 10 dr.; water, 1-1/2 pint; boil to a pint, and strain.

2. (Ph. E.) Logwood, 1 oz.; water, 1 pint; boil to 10 fl. oz., adding towards the last, cinnamon (in powder), 1 dr.

3. (Ph. D.) Logwood, 1 oz.; water, 1/2 pint. Astringent and tonic.--_Dose_, 1 table-spoonful to a wine-glassful; in diarrh[oe]a, as required.

4. (Ph. B.) Logwood in chips, 1 oz.; cinnamon in coarse powder, 60 gr.; distilled water, 1 pint. Boil for 10 minutes, and strain to make up 1 pint.

=Decoction of Mad'der.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM RUBIÆ, D. R. TINCTORIÆ, L. _Prep._ 1. (Dewees.) Powdered madder, 1 oz.; boiling water, 1 pint; simmer for 15 minutes, and add of cloves (bruised), 1 dr.; when cold, strain.--_Dose._ A wine-glassful, 2 or 3 times daily; in amenorrh[oe]a, chlorosis, &c.; or every 3 hours, a short time previous to the expected menstrual discharge.

2. (W. Cooley.) To the last add ammonio-citrate of iron, 3 dr.

3. (St. Marie.) Powdered madder, 1/2 oz.; hops, 1 dr.; English walnut leaves, 3 dr.; water, 1 quart; boil to 1-1/2 pint, strain, and when cold, add of tincture of tartrate of iron, 1 dr.--_Dose_, 2 fl. oz., night and morning; in scrofula, &c.

=Decoction of Mal'lows.= _Syn._ COMMON DECOCTION; DECOCTUM COM'MUNE, D. PRO ENEMA'TE (Ph. L. 1787), D. MALVÆ COMPOSITUM (Ph. L. 1836), L. _Prep._ (Ph. L. 1836.) Common mallows (dried), 1 oz.; chamomile flowers (dried), 1/2 oz.; water, 1 pint; boil 15 minutes, and strain. Used chiefly for fomentations and enemas.

=Decoction of Malt.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM BI'NÆ, D. BYNES, D. MALTI, L. _Prep._ (Swediaur.) Ground malt, 3 oz.; water, 1 quart; boil to a pint, and strain. An oz. of syrup of lemons, or of saffron, may be added to the cold decoction; or, a little liquorice root, with the malt. Demulcent and laxative. A cupful _ad libitum_. Infusion of malt (sweet wort) is a more convenient and elegant preparation.

=Decoction of Marshmal'low.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM ALTHÆ'Æ (Ph. D. 1826 and Ph. E. 1813), L. _Prep._ (Ph. D. 1826.) Dried root and herb of marshmallow, 4 oz.; raisins (stoned), 2 oz.; water, 7 pints (wine measure); boil down to 5 pints, strain, allow it to deposit the sediment and decant the clear liquid. Demulcent.--_Dose._ A cupful _ad libitum_, in coughs, colds, calculous affections, and other diseases of the urinary organs. See MIXTURES.

=Decoction of Matico.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM MATICO'NIS, L. _Prep._ (Dr Jeffreys.) Matico leaves, 1 oz.; water, 1 pint; boil 12 minutes, and strain. Astringent.--_Dose_, 1 fl. oz., 2 or 3 times a day; in hæmorrhagic and other discharges.

=Decoction, Mercu''rial.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM HYDRARGYRI, D. MERCURIALE, L. _Prep._ 1. Quicksilver, 4 oz.; water, 1 pint; boil in a glass or earthen vessel for an hour, adding water to replace that lost by evaporation.--_Dose._ A teacupful.

2. Mercurial pill, 1 oz.; water, 1 quart; boil to a pint.--_Dose._ A wine-glassful. Both were formerly taken for worms and the itch.

3. Corrosive sublimate, 1 gr.; (dissolved in) spirit of wine, 30 drops; extract of sarsaparilla, 3 dr.; decoction of sarsaparilla, 8 fl. oz.; mix.--_Dose._ One large table-spoonful, 3 times a day; in syphilis and obstinate skin diseases.

=Decoction of Mezere'on.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM MEZEREI (Ph. E. and Ph. D. 1826), L. _Prep._ (Ph. E.) Root-bark of mezereon, 2 dr.; liquorice root, 4 dr.; water, 1 quart; simmer to 1-1/2 pint, and strain. Stimulant and sudorific.--_Dose._ A wine-glassful, or more, three or four times a day; in chronic rheumatism, scrofula, secondary syphilis, lepra, and some other cutaneous affections. Much boiling injures the virtues of mezereon. (See _below_.)

=Decoction of Mezere'on (Compound).= _Syn._ DECOCTUM MEZEREI COMPOSITUM, L. _Prep._ (Van Mons.) Mezereon, 2 dr.; bitter sweet, 4 dr.; burdock, 2 oz.; water, 2 quarts; boil to 3 pints, add of liquorice root, 2 dr., and strain. As the last, and in obstinate diseases of the skin.

=Decoction of Mugwort.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM ARTEMISIÆ VULGARIS. Mugwort root, 1 oz.; water, 24 oz. Boil for half an hour. In epilepsy.

=Decoction of Myrrh.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM MYRRHÆ. (Ph. D.) Myrrh, 2 dr.; water, 8-1/2 oz.; triturate the myrrh with the water gradually added; then boil for 10 minutes in a covered vessel, and strain.

=Decoction, Narcotic.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM ANODYNUM, D. NARCOTICUM, L. _Prep._ (Hosp. Form.) Common nightshade (dried), 1 oz.; poppy heads, 3 in no.; water, 1 pint; boil 10 minutes, and strain. As an anodyne fomentation, used warm.

=Decoction of Ni'tre.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM NITROSUM, D. NITRATUM, D. POTASSÆ NITRATIS, L. _Prep._ 1. Nitre, 1/2 oz.; white sugar, 2 oz.; cochineal, 20 gr.; water, 1-1/2 pint; boil a few minutes, and strain.

2. (Hosp. Form.) Barley-water, 1 pint; nitre, 5 dr.; dissolve. Diuretic, diaphoretic, and refrigerant. A wine-glassful, frequently; in gonorrh[oe]a, sore throat, acute rheumatism, scurvy, &c.

=Decoction of Oak Bark.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM QUERCÛS (Ph. L. E. & D.), L. _Prep._ 1. (Ph. L. & E.) Oak bark (bruised), 10 dr.; water, 1 quart; boil down to a pint, and strain.

2. (Ph. D.) Oak bark, 1-1/2 oz.; water, 1-1/2 pint; boil 10 minutes, and strain. Astringent. Used as a gargle in ulcerated sore throat, relaxation of the uvula, &c., and as a wash, and as an injection in piles, leucorrh[oe]a, hæmorrhages, prolapsus ani, &c.

3. (Ph. B.) Oak bark bruised, 1-1/2 oz.; distilled water, 1 pint; boil for 10 minutes, and strain.

=Decoction of Oats.= _Syn._ WATER GRUEL; DECOCTUM AVENÆ, L. _Prep._ 1. (Cullen.) Oatmeal, 1 oz.; water, 3 quarts; boil to a quart, strain, and when cold, decant the clear liquid from the sediment.

2. (A. T. Thomson.) Washed groats, 4 oz.; water, 4 pints; boil to a quart. Nutritious and demulcent. Taken _ad libitum_, to promote the action of purgatives, and as an enema, either alone, or as a vehicle for more active substances. It is too thin for food. See GRUEL.

=Decoction of Parei'ra.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM PAREIRÆ (Ph. L.), L. _Prep._ 1. (Ph. L.) _Pareira brava_ root (sliced), 10 dr.; water, 1-1/2 pint; boil to a pint, and strain.

2. (Sir B. Brodie.) Pareira, 4 dr.; water, 3 pints; boil to a pint, as last. The above are given in gonorrh[oe]a, leucorrh[oe]a, and chronic inflammation of the bladder.--_Dose._ Of the first, 1/2 to 1 wine-glassful, 3 or 4 times a day; of the second, about twice that quantity, or more. It is commonly combined with some tincture of hyoscyamus; and when the triple phosphates are present in the urine, dilute hydrochloric or nitric acid may be added. See PAREIRA.

=Decoction, Pec'toral.= See DECOCTION OF BARLEY.

=Decoction of Pel'litory.= DECOCTUM PYRE''THRI, L. _Prep._ (Guy's Hosp.) Pellitory root, 1 oz.; water, 1-1/2 pint; boil to a pint, and strain. Used as a gastric stimulant, and as a gargle in the relaxation of the uvula.

=Decoction of Pome'granate.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM GRANA'TI (Ph. L.), L. _Prep._ (Ph. L.) Pomegranate rind (fruit-bark), 2 oz.; distilled water, 1-1/2 pint; boil to a pint, and strain. Astringent. Used as a gargle and injection, in sore throat, leucorrh[oe]a, &c.; and internally, in diarrh[oe]a, dysentery, &c.--_Dose_, 1 fl. oz., or more.

=Decoction of Pomegranate Root.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM GRANATI RADICIS (Ph. L.), L. _Prep._ 1. (Ph. L.) Root-bark of pomegranate (sliced), 2 oz.; water, 1 quart; boil to a pint, and strain.

2. (Collier.) Bark of the root, 2 oz.; water, 1 pint; boil to one half. This is the common form used in India.

_Dose, &c._ A wine-glassful, half-hourly, until the whole is taken, a light diet and a dose of castor oil having been taken the day previously. In tapeworm, Dr Collier recommends the whole of the last preparation to be given at 2 doses, at the interval of 2 hours. It purges, and in 5 or 6 hours frequently expels the worm; if this does not take place, it should be persevered in. "Look for the head of the tænia (tapeworm); for if that is not expelled, you have done nothing." (Collier.) Oil of turpentine and kousso are now more frequently given in tænia in this country.

=Decoction of Poppies.= _Syn._ DECOCTION OF POPPY-HEADS, FOMENTATION OF P.-H.; DECOCTUM PAPAVERIS (Ph. L. E. & D.), L. _Prep._ 1. (Ph. L.) Poppy-heads (bruised), 4 oz.; water, 2 quarts; boil for 15 minutes, and strain.

2. (Ph. E. & D.) As the last, but using only 3 pints of water. Used as an emollient fomentation, in painful swellings, excoriations, &c. The addition of a 1/4 pint of vinegar is said to promote its efficacy.

3. (Ph. B.) Poppy-heads bruised, 2 oz.; distilled water, 1-1/2 pint. Boil for 10 minutes and strain. The product should measure a pint.

=Decoction of Quas'sia.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM QUASSIÆ, L. _Prep._ From quassia chips (small). 1 dr.; water, 1-1/4 pint; boil to a pint, and add syrup of orange peel, 2 oz.--_Dose._ A wine-glassful, occasionally, as a stomachic tonic. See INFUSIONS.

=Decoction of Quince.= _Syn._ DECOCTION OF QUINCE SEED, MUCILAGE OF Q. S.; DECOCTUM CYDONII (Ph. L.), L. _Prep._ From quince seeds, 2 dr.; water, 1 pint; boil for 10 minutes, and strain. Used as an emollient and sheathing application to abraded or wounded surfaces, as cracked lip, nipples, &c.; and to the skin in erysipelas, to painful hæmorrhoidal tumours, and the like. Prepared with a little less water, it is used by the hairdresser as 'bandoline' or 'fixateur.'

=Decoction of Red Gum.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM GUMMI RUBRI (Mr Squire.) Red gum, 1 oz.; water, 2 pints; boil 10 minutes, and strain.

=Decoction of Rice.= _Syn._ RICE WATER, RICE DRINK; DECOCTUM ORY'ZÆ, L. _Prep._ RICE, 2 oz.; water, 1 quart; boil to one half, and strain. Demulcent. A good drink in fevers, coughs, &c., either alone or sweetened and flavoured with a little lemon peel.

=Decoction of Sarsaparil'la.= _Syn._ DECOCTUM SAR'ZÆ (Ph. L. & E.), D. SARSAPARILLÆ (Ph. D.), L. _Prep._ 1. (Ph. L.) Sarsaparilla (sliced), 5 oz.; water, 2 quarts; boil to a quart, and strain.

2. (Ph. E.) Sarsaparilla, 5 oz.; boiling distilled water, 4 pints; macerate for 2 hours, in a vessel lightly covered, and placed in a warm situation; then take out the root, bruise it, return it again to the liquor, boil down to a quart, and strain.

3. (Ph. D.) Sarsaparilla, 2 oz.; boiling water, 1-1/2 pint; digest an hour, boil 10 minutes, cool, and strain.

4. (Ph. B.) Digest 2-1/2 _oz._ of Jamaica sarsaparilla cut transversely in 1-1/2 pint of boiling water for an hour, boil for 10 minutes, cool, and strain. Make up to one pint.

_Obs._ The medicinal virtues of sarsaparilla root reside wholly in the bark, or cortical portion; it is therefore quite unnecessary to bruise it, as directed in the Ph. E. By those houses which do largely in decoction of sarsaparilla, the root is seldom split or cut; the bundles in which it is made up being simply untied and spread open, to allow of the free exposure of every part to the solvent action of the water. By this plan the whole of the soluble portion of the bark is extracted, whilst the feculent matter that pervades the wood is only partially dissolved out. According to Soubeiran, a mere infusion is preferable. The dose is a teacupful to half a pint, 3 or 4 times a day.

An extemporaneous decoction of sarsaparilla is made by dissolving 3/4 oz. of the simplest extract in 1 pint of hot water. See SARSAPARILLA, and _below_.

=Decoction of Sarsaparilla (Concentrated).= _Syn._ DECOCTUM SARZÆ CONCENTRATUM, L. _Prep._ 1. (Wholesale.) Sarsaparilla (Jamaica) 10-1/2 lbs., is placed in a large and well-cleaned copper boiler, and enough boiling water added to cover it; it is then left to macerate, without boiling, for 3 or 4 hours, after which it is boiled for about an hour, and the clear liquor drawn off into another clean copper pan; the root (after it has well drained) is then washed or 'sparged'[255] with boiling water, until the latter runs off scarcely coloured; the washings are added to the decoction, and the whole evaporated as quickly as possible to 6-1/2 pints; it is then set to cool, and rectified spirit of wine, 1-1/2 pint, further added; after agitation, the whole is set aside in a well-corked bottle, in a cool place, for a week. In a few days it is usually found as clear and brilliant as brandy, with very little sediment, and will keep for any length of time uninjured. Some manufacturers, instead of washing the root, give it a second and third water, boiling it each time and evaporating the mixed liquors.

[Footnote 255: For an explanation of the operation of 'sparging' see page 356.]

2. (Extemporaneous.) Extract of sarsaparilla, 6-1/2 oz.; water, 12 fl. oz.; dissolve, add rectified spirit, 2-1/2 fl. oz., and water, q. s. to make the whole exactly measure a pint.

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

=Decoction of Sarsaparilla (Compound).= _Syn._ DECOCTUM SARZÆ COMPOSITUM (Ph. L. & E.), D. SARSAPARILLÆ C. (Ph. D.), L. _Prep._ 1. (Ph. L.) Decoction of sarsaparilla (boiling), 4 pints; sassafras chips, guaiacum 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., sassafras, guaiacum 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.; sassafras, guaiacum 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 diaphoretic.--_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_.