Part 203

=Inflammation of the Bowels.= The common causes are incautious exposure to cold, the use of improper food, and the presence of acrid substances or hardened fæces in the bowels. The more constant symptoms are pain over the abdomen, thirst, heat, and extensive restlessness and anxiety; sickness, obstinate constipation, and a hard, small, quick pulse. In the later stages the pain and tenderness of the abdomen, especially around the navel, become excessive, and there is difficult micturition. In some cases the pain suddenly ceases, the belly becomes tumid, the pulse scarcely perceptible, the countenance ghastly, and the patient dies in a few hours. The treatment consists in blisters, leeches to the abdomen, hot bath and fomentations, aperient clysters, and mercurial purges; with effervescing draughts and opium to allay sickness, followed by diaphoretic salines and gentle aperients. See STOMACH AFFECTIONS, &c.

=INFLAMMATORY FE'VER.= See FEVER and INFLAMMATION.

=INFLUEN'ZA.= See CATARRH.

=INFU'SION.= _Syn._ INFUSUM, INFUSIO, L. A liquid medicine, prepared by macerating vegetable or animal substances in water, at any temperature below that of ebullition.

The mode of preparing infusions is, with most substances, precisely similar to that pursued for making the almost universal beverage--TEA. The ingredients are commonly placed in a stoneware pot or vessel (an 'infusion pot'), previously made hot; boiling water is then poured over them, and the cover being placed on, the whole is allowed to digest together, at first, for a short time, in a warm situation, as on the hob or the fender, and afterwards (the vessel being removed from the heat) until the whole becomes cold. The liquid is then poured from the ingredients, and the latter, being slightly pressed, if necessary, the infusion is strained through a piece of clean linen or a hair sieve for use. During the digestion the ingredients should be occasionally stirred, an important matter often neglected, and not even referred to by most pharmaceutical writers.

The substances employed for making infusions receive the same preliminary treatment as those intended for making DECOCTIONS. Shavings, leaves, and flowers require no previous preparation beyond being pulled asunder; but roots, woods, and other solid substances must be bruised or sliced, if in the green or recent state, or bruised or coarsely pulverised, if dry, for the purpose of exposing as large a surface as possible to the action of the menstruum.

The substances extracted by water from vegetables by infusion are chiefly gum, mucus extractive, tannin, certain vegetable acids, the bitter and narcotic principles, gum-resin, essential oil, and alkaloids. Some of these substances are only sparingly soluble in water at ordinary temperatures; but more readily so in hot water, and freely soluble in boiling water. The temperature of the water should be therefore proportioned to the nature of the vegetable matter operated on. For mere 'demulcent infusions,' in which starch and gum are the chief substances sought to be dissolved out, and when the active principle is scarcely soluble in water, unless at nearly the boiling temperature, boiling water alone should be employed; but when the medicinal virtues of vegetables are soluble in water at lower temperatures, it is better to employ hot water (165° to 175° Fahr.), and to allow a little longer period for the digestion. In many cases temperate water (from 60° to 70° Fahr.), or tepid water (from 80° to 90° Fahr.), may be used with advantage, especially in the preparation of 'aromatic bitter infusions,' and in most cases where it is wished that the product should contain as little inert matter as possible; but when water at low temperatures is employed, the period of the maceration must be proportionately increased. By adopting the method of maceration in vacuo, or in an atmosphere of carbonic acid, the menstruum may be allowed to lay in contact with the vegetable matter for an unlimited period, without decomposition taking place.

Infusions, like decoctions, are liable to undergo spontaneous decomposition by keeping, especially in warm weather, when a few hours are often sufficient for their passage into a state of active fermentation; they should, therefore, when possible, be prepared for use daily, as beyond twenty-four hours they cannot be depended on. The London College directs a pint only to be made at a time, thus very properly regarding them as extemporaneous preparations.

CONCENTRATED INFUSIONS, now so common in the shops, and, unfortunately, so generally used in dispensing, are either made by taking 8 times the quantity of the ingredients ordered in the pharmacop[oe]ia, and then proceeding in the usual manner, or by the method of displacement; or, by carefully and rapidly concentrating the simple infusions, by evaporation in a steam or salt-water bath, until reduced to about 1-7th of the original quantity. In either case the liquid is put into a strong bottle, without being filtered, and 10 to 12% of rectified spirit added to it, whilst still hot. The cork is then put in and secured down, and the whole agitated for some minutes, after which it is set aside for a week, when the clear portion is carefully decanted from the sediment for sale. Another method, which answers well with the aromatic bitter vegetables, is to take 8 times the usual quantity of the ingredients, and to exhaust them with a mixture of rectified spirits, 1 part, and distilled water, 3 parts; by digestion, or, better still, by percolation. Concentrated infusions made in this way keep well, and deposit scarcely any sediment. Many houses that are remarkable for the 'brilliancy' and beauty of these preparations, employ 1/3 spirit of wine and 2/3 water as the menstruum. It may, however, be taken, as a general rule, that for vegetable substances that abound in woody fibre, and contain little extractive matter soluble in water (as quassia, for instance), 1/6 to 1/5 part of spirit is sufficient for their preservation; whilst for those abounding in mucilage or fecula, or that readily soften and become pulpy and glutinous in weak spirit (as rhubarb), 1/5 to 1/3 is required.

By adopting the method originally suggested by Mr Alsop, infusions may be preserved, uninjured, for a year or longer, without the addition of spirit or any other substance. The only precaution necessary is to keep them in bottles, perfectly filled and hermetically sealed.[360] Our own plan is to put a few bruised cloves or seeds of black mustard into the bottles, which must be only 2-3rds filled, then completely fill them with a condensed atmosphere of carbonic acid gas; and, lastly, to stopper them and seal them over, so as to perfectly exclude the air. A pint of decoction of sarsaparilla and 1/2 pint of infusion of calumba, treated in this way, kept good for fully 9 years. By simply macerating in the infusion as much bruised mustard seed as can be added without flavouring the liquor, along with a little bruised cloves, we find that most vegetable infusions may be preserved in bottles which are occasionally uncorked, without either fermenting or becoming mouldy, by the use of very little spirit (1/9 or 1/10).

[Footnote 360: 'Pharm. Journ.,' i, 57.]

Before adding the spirit to infusions made with cold water, or with water which is only tepid, it is advisable to heat the liquid to about 185° Fahr., in a water bath, and after keeping it at that temperature for a few minutes, and allowing it again to become cold, to separate it from the precipitated matter, either by filtration or decantation.

It is often very difficult to render vegetable infusions and decoctions perfectly transparent, a quality always expected in the concentrated preparations. Defecation by repose is always better than filtration, owing to the more or less viscidity of the suspended matter. When this is not sufficient, they may be clarified with white of egg (2 or 3 to the gall.), previously beaten up with 5 or 6 fl. oz. of water. Most of the vegetable infusions and decoctions will readily pass the filter, after a very small quantity of acetic, nitric, or sulphuric acid has been added to them. The most obstinate may be rendered 'brilliant,' or 'candle bright,' as the 'cellarmen' call it, by shaking them up, first with about a drachm of dilute sulphuric acid, and afterwards with the whites of 3 or 4 eggs, previously mixed with a few ounces of water, for each gallon of the liquid. This plan is, however, objectionable for many medicinal preparations.

As many infusions which are occasionally employed in medicine must necessarily escape being separately noticed in this work, it may be as well to remark that the infusions of all vegetables that do not exert a very powerful action on the human frame as ordinary herbs and roots may be made by pouring 1 pint of boiling water on 1 oz. of the vegetable matter, and allowing it to macerate for 1/2 an hour to an hour. The decoctions of the same vegetables may be made by simply boiling the above ingredients, in the same proportions, for 10 or 15 minutes, instead of operating by mere infusion. With substances of somewhat greater activity, only half the above quantity should be taken; whilst, with the narcotic plants and those possessing great activity, 1 to 2 dr. to water, 1 pint, will be the proper quantity. The ordinary dose of such infusions and decoctions is 1/2 to 1 wine-glassful (1 to 2 fl. oz.), two, three, or four times a day, as the case may indicate.

Infusion is preferred for all bodies of a delicate texture, which readily yield their active principles to water; and especially when these are either volatile or liable to be injured by the heat of ebullition.

The simple infusions are now less frequently made by the druggist than formerly. In most cases he merely furnishes the ingredients, and the infusions are prepared by either the nurse or patient, by whom they are commonly called 'TEAS,'

[asterism] The following list embraces most of the infusions used in prescribing or noticed in books. Where the proportions of the ingredients are not given, 1 oz. of the medicinal substance and 1 pint of boiling water are to be taken, and the dose is that referred to above.

=Infusion of Agrim'ony.= _Syn._ AGRIMONY TEA; INFUSUM AGRIMONII, L. From the fresh tops before the flowers are formed. Vermifuge.--_Dose._ A teacupful 3 or 4 times a day; also used as an astringent gargle and lotion. For internal use, an equal weight of liquorice root (sliced) is commonly added.

=Infusion of Al'kaline.= _Syn._ INFUSUM ALKALINUM, L. _Prep._ (Beasley.) Hickory ash, 1 pint; wood soot, 1/4 pint; boiling water, 1 gall.; in 24 hours decant the clear. "A popular remedy in America for dyspepsia with acidity."

=Infusion of Alkaline.= _Syn._ INFUSUM ALKALINUM. _Prep._ Hickory ash, 1 lb.; wood soot, 1/4 lb.; boiling water, 1/2 gall. Let them stand 24 hours, and decant. A wine-glassful three or four times a day. This is simply another form of the previous preparation.

=Infusion of Al'oes.= _Syn._ INFUSUM ALOËS, D. _Prep._ 1. From hepatic or Socotrine aloes (in powder), 2 dr.; carbonate of potassa, 1-1/2 dr.; boiling water, 1 pint.

2. (Compound; INFUSUM ALOËS COMPOSITUM, L.)--_a._ As the COMPOUND DECOCTION OF A. (Ph. L.), but using only a pint of boiling water.

_b._ (Fothergill.) Calumba and rhubarb, of each, 1 oz.; aloes, 2 dr.; lime water, 16 fl. oz.; spirit of horseradish, 1 fl. oz.; macerate in the cold for 12 hours, and strain. The last three, like the decoction, are aperient, antacid, stomachic, tonic, and emmenagogue.--_Dose_, 1 tablespoonful to a small wine-glassful, in water. The last one is an admirable medicine in dyspepsia, loss of appetite, and troublesome constipation.

=Infusion of Amer'ican Calum'ba.= _Syn._ INFUSUM FRASERÆ, L. From the dried root of American calumba (_Frasera Carolinensis_). A pure, powerful, and excellent bitter, destitute of aroma, and fully equal to gentian. (Lindley.)

=Infusion of Amer'ican Cen'taury.= _Syn._ INFUSUM SABATII, L. From the herb (_Sabbatia angularis_). A pure bitter tonic, without astringency or aroma.

=Infusion of Amer'ican Sen'na.= _Syn._ INFUSUM CASSIÆ MARYLANDICÆ, L. _Prep._ (Martin.) Leaves of American or wild senna (_Cassia Marylandica_), 1-1/2 oz.; coriander seed, 1 dr.; boiling water, 1 pint. Purgative.

=Infusion of Angel'ica.= _Syn._ INFUSUM ANGELICÆ, L. From the root of garden angelica. A warm stomachic and diaphoretic; and, in large doses, aperient. It is a popular remedy in dyspepsia, flatulent colic, and heartburn.

=Infusion of Aniseed.= _Syn._ ANISEED TEA; INFUSUM ANISI, L. Carminative; an excellent adjunct to purgatives, to prevent griping; given to infants to relieve colic, &c. Dr Prout recommends the use of water at 120° or 125° Fahr.

=Infusion, Antiscorbu'tic.= _Syn._ INFUSUM ANTISCORBUTICUM, MISTURA ANTISCORBUTICA, L. _Prep._ Water trefoil (_Menyanthes trifoliata_), 1 oz.; orange peel, 2 dr.; boiling water, 1 quart; infuse for 8 or 10 hours, strain, and add of compound spirit of horseradish, 5 fl. oz. In scurvy.

=Infusion of Ar'nica.= _Syn._ INFUSUM ARNICÆ, L. 1. From the flowers of mountain arnica or German leopard's bane (_Arnica montana_). Cottereau orders 1 oz., Dr Pereira 1/2 oz., and Dr A. T. Thomson, 1/4 oz. of the flowers to the pint. The first is the usual quantity. The dose of the first is a tablespoonful; of the second, 1/2 to 1 fl. oz.; of third, 1/2 to 1 wine-glassful.

2. (Compound; INFUSUM ARNICÆ COMPOSITUM, L.--Ph. Copenh.) Flowers of arnica, 1 dr.; peppermint, 2 dr.; chamomiles, 1/2 oz.; boiling water, 1/2 pint.--_Dose_, 1 fl. oz. As the last.

=Infusion of Arnica-root.= _Syn._ INFUSUM ARNICSÆ RADICIS, L. _Prep._ (Ph. Castr. Ruth.) Arnica root, 40 gr.; water, 1 lb.--_Dose_, 1 fl. oz. As the above.

=Infusion, Astrin'gent.= _Syn._ INFUSUM ASTRINGENS, MISTURA A., L. _Prep._ 1. From oak-bark.

2. Infusion of cusparia, 17 fl. oz.; tincture of catechu or kino, 1 fl. oz.; powdered ipecacuanha, 1 dr.; powdered opium, 12 gr.; mix. In diarrh[oe]a, &c. It must be well shaken before pouring out the dose.

=Infusion of Balm.= _Syn._ INFUSUM MELISSÆ, L. _Prep._ (Plenck.) Fresh herb, 5 dr.; boiling water, 1 pint; infuse for fifteen minutes.

=Infusion of Aya-pana, Compound= (Dr Camera). _Syn._ INFUSUM AYÆ-PANÆ COMPOSITUM. _Prep._ Leaves of Brazilian aya-pana, 2 dr.; aniseed, 1 dr.; boiling water, 2 pints.

=Infusion of Bar'berry.= _Syn._ INFUSUM BARBERIS, L. _Prep._ (Dr Copland.) From the bark of the barberry shrub (_Berberis vulgaris_). In jaundice, biliary fluxes, and other cases where heat and acrimony prevail; either alone or combined with a little carbonate of soda or potassa, and tincture of calumba.

=Infusion of Bark.= See INFUSION OF CINCHONA.

=Infusion of Bay-leaves.= _Syn._ INFUSUM LAURI, I. LAURI NOBILIS, L. From the leaves or the berries of the sweet bay (_Laurus nobilis_). Aromatic, stimulant, and emmenagogue; in very large doses, emetic and poisonous. It is chiefly given in colic, flatulence, paralysis of the extremities, and obstructed menstruation.

=Infusion of Bearberry= (B. P.) _Syn._ INFUSUM UVÆ URSI. _Prep._ Infuse bearberry leaves, bruised, 1/2 oz.; in boiling distilled water, 10 oz.; in a covered vessel for 2 hours, and strain.

=Infusion of Beef.= See ESSENCE, TEA, &c.

=Infusion of Belladon'na.= _Syn._ INFUSUM BELLADONNÆ. L. _Prep._ 1. (Dr Paris.) Leaves of deadly nightshade (dried), 4 gr.; boiling water, 2 fl. oz.; for a dose.

2. (Compound;--Dr Saunders.) Leaves (dried), 1/2 dr.; boiling water, 12 fl. oz.; infuse, strain, and to every 7 fl. oz. of the infusion add of compound tincture of cardamoms, 1 fl. oz.

=Infusion of Bis'tort.= _Syn._ INFUSUM BISTORTÆ, L. _Prep._ (Radius.) Bistort or snake-weed root (_Poligonum Bistorta_), 1/2 oz.; boiling water, 1 pint; infuse 2 hours, and strain. In passive hæmorrhages.

=Infusion of Black Snake-root.= _Syn._ INFUSUM CIMICIFUGÆ RACEMOSÆ, L. In dropsy, rheumatism, and chest complaints.

=Infusion of Blessed Thistle.= _Syn._ INFUSUM CARDUI BENEDICTI, L. From the whole herb. In small doses it is diaphoretic; in larger ones, tonic, stomachic, and deobstruent; taken warm, it is occasionally given to promote the action of emetics. The properties of carduus benedictus "are such as to lead us to the belief that it has been superseded by other not more efficacious remedies." (Lindley.)

=Infusion of Blood-root.= _Syn._ INFUSION OF PUCCOON; INFUSUM SANGUINARIÆ, L. _Prep._ Blood-root (_Sanguinaria Canadensis_), 1/2 oz.; boiling water, 1 pint. Stimulant and emetic.

=Infusion of Blue Flag.= _Syn._ INFUSUM IRIDIS VERSICOLORIS, L. _Prep._ 1. From the flowers of blue flag (_Iris versicolor_).--2. From the root of rhizomes. The first is used chiefly for its rich colour, as a test, &c.; the second is diuretic and cathartic, and apt to produce distressing nausea and prostration.

=Infusion of Bone'set.= _Syn._ INFUSUM EUPATORII, L. _Prep._ 1. (Ph. U. S.) From the dried leaves and flowers of boneset or thorough-wort (_Eupatorium perfoliatum_). Diaphoretic, nauseant, and emetic when warm; tonic when cold.

2. (Compound; INFUSUM EUPATORII COMPOSITUM, L.--Ellis.) Boneset and sage, of each 1/2 oz.; cascarilla, 1 dr.; boiling water, 1-1/2 pint; infuse until cold, and strain. In hectic fever. A wine-glassful of either of the above, given hourly, in these diseases, until perspiration and nausea are induced, has been highly recommended in influenza.

=Infusion of Braz'il-wood.= _Syn._ INFUSUM LIGNI BRASILINSIS, L. From ground or rasped Brazil wood. When wanted to keep, rectified spirit, 3 fl. oz., is added to every pint. Used for colouring, and as a test.

=Infusion of Broom.= _Syn._ INFUSUM SCOPARII, L. See DECOCTION OF BROOM.

=Infusion of Bu'chu.= _Syn._ INFUSUM BUCHU (B. P.), I. BUCKU (Ph. E.), I. DIOSMÆ, L. _Prep._ 1. (B. P.) From bruised buchu leaves, 1 oz.; boiling distilled water, 1 pint; infuse for an hour and strain. Diuretic, sudorific, tonic; in dyspepsia, &c.; but chiefly in chronic affections of the bladder and urethra attended with copious secretion.--_Dose_, 1 to 2 oz.

2. (Compound; INFUSUM BUCHU COMPOSITUM, I. DIOSMÆ C., L.--(Radius.) Leaves of buchu and whortleberry, of each 1/2 oz.; boiling water, 8 oz. (say 1/2 pint); digest for half an hour, strain, and add of syrup of senega, 1/2 fl. oz.--_Dose_, 1 or 2 table-spoonfuls every hour; in atony of the bladder and mucous discharges.

=Infusion of Buck'bean.= _Syn._ INFUSUM MENYANTHIS, L. From the herb or root of buckbean or marsh trefoil (_Menyanthes trifoliata_). Bitter, stomachic, tonic, and diuretic; in large doses, purgative, vermifuge, and emetic. It has been recommended in agues, gout, dropsy, scurvy, worms, &c. The chief consumption of this plant is by the brewers; "2 oz. being equal to 1 lb. of hops." (Gray.)

=Infusion of Bur'dock.= _Syn._ INFUSUM BARDANÆ, L. From the root of common burdock. Aperient, diuretic, diaphoretic, and tonic; in gout, rheumatism, skin diseases, &c. See DECOCTION and EXTRACT.

=Infusion of Calum'ba.= _Syn._ INFUSUM CALUMBÆ (B. P.) L. _Prep._ 1. (B. P.) Calumba, in coarse powder, 1 oz.; cold distilled water, 2 oz.; macerate one hour, and strain. Infusion of calumba is a good tonic and stomachic bitter.--_Dose_, 1 to 3 fl. oz.; in dyspepsia, &c., and for restraining vomiting and diarrh[oe]a during pregnancy or dentition. It is preferably joined with small doses of the carbonates of soda, potassa, ammonia, or magnesia, when there is acidity; or with chalybeates, when there is paleness and a low pulse; with all of which substances it may be mixed without suffering any sensible alteration.

2. (Concentrated; INFUSUM CALUMBÆ CONCENTRATUM, L.)--_a._ Calumba, in coarse powder, 5-1/2 oz.; cold distilled water, 12 fl. oz.; digest with frequent agitation, for 3 or 4 hours, then express the liquor, and repeat the digestion with 5-1/2 fl. oz. more of tepid water; after another hour, express this portion also, using as much force as possible; next mix the liquors, heat them quickly to the boiling-point in a shallow vessel, and pour the infusion, whilst still hot, into a strong bottle, and when it has cooled a little add of rectified spirit, 4 fl. oz., secure down the stopper or cork, and agitate well for a few minutes; the bottle must now be set aside for a week, after which the clear portion is to be decanted from the dregs. Very superior.

_b._ (Wholesale.) From calumba (reduced to coarse powder), 5-1/4 lbs.; rectified spirit, 5 pints; (diluted with) water, 12 pints; digest for a week, or precede by displacement. Should there be any difficulty in obtaining it free from cloudiness, the whites of 4 or 5 eggs, previously mixed with about a 1/4 pint of cold water, may be added to the infusion, which, after being well agitated for about ten minutes, must be allowed to repose for 7 or 8 days, and then decanted from the dregs. Should it not be perfectly transparent, it may be filtered through blotting paper.--_Product_, 20 lbs.

_Obs._ The concentrated infusion produced by the above formulæ is of very superior quality, and has acquired an extensive sale in the wholesale trade. 1 part added to 5-1/4 parts of water makes a perfectly transparent liquid, possessing exactly similar virtues to the INFUSION OF CALUMBA--B. P.

=Infusion of Canthar'ides.= _Syn._ INFUSION OF SPANISH FLIES; INFUSUM CANTHARIDIS, I. LYTTÆ, L. _Prep._ (Soubeiran.) Spanish flies (powdered) 20 gr.; boiling water, q. s. (about 3-1/2 fl. oz.) to yield 3 fl. oz., after expression and filtration.

=Infusion of Cap'sicum.= _Syn._ INFUSUM CAPSICI, L. _Prep._ 1. (Pereira.) Capsicum (powdered), 1/2 oz.; boiling water, 1 pint.--_Dose_, 1/2 fl. oz.

2. (Stephen's 'PEPPER MEDICINE'--Pereira.) Red pepper (_Capsicum fructescens_), 2 table-spoonfuls (or 3 of cayenne pepper); common salt, 2 teaspoonfuls; boiling water, 1/2 pint; to the strained liquor, when cold, add of very sharp vinegar, 1/2 pint.--_Dose_, 1 table-spoonful, slowly swallowed, every half hour, in cholera, malignant sore throat, scarlatina, &c.

=Infusion of Car'away.= _Syn._ CARAWAY TEA; INFUSUM CARUI, L. _Prep._ From bruised caraway seed, 3 dr.; boiling water, 1 pint. In the flatulent colic of infants, and as an adjunct to aperient medicine.

=Infusion of Car'rot Seed.= _Syn._ INFUSUM DAUCI, I. CAROTÆ, L. Diuretic; in dropsy and nephritic complaints; 1/2 to 1 pint being taken daily.

=Infusion of Cascaril'la.= _Syn._ INFUSUM CASCARILLÆ (B. P.), L. _Prep._ 1. (B. P.) Cascarilla, in coarse powder, 1 oz.; boiling distilled water, 10 oz.; infuse for one hour in a closed vessel and strain.--_Dose._ 1 to 2 oz., usually combined with carbonate of soda and tincture of cascarilla. It is an excellent medicine in dyspepsia, debility, diarrh[oe]a, &c.

2. (Concentrated; INFUSUM CASCARILLÆ CONCENTRATUM, L.)--_a._ Cascarilla (good and fragrant, bruised), 6-1/2 lbs.; rectified spirit of wine, 3 pints; cold water, 6 pints; macerate in a close vessel for 14 days, express the liquor, and filter.

_b._ As the last, but proceeding by the process of percolation.

_Obs._ If the preceding processes are well managed, the product is 10 lbs., and resembles brandy in colour and transparency, and is delightfully fragrant. 1 part of this infusion mixed with 6-1/2 parts of water makes a preparation exactly resembling the INFUSION OF CALUMBA--B. P.

3. (Alkaline; INFUSUM CASCARILLÆ ALKALISATUM, L.--Ph. Palat.) Cascarilla, 3 oz.; carbonate of potassa, 2 dr.; boiling water, 16 fl. oz. Antacid and tonic.--_Dose_, l tablespoonful.

=Infusion of Cas'sia.= _Syn._ CASSIA TEA; INFUSUM CASSIA FISTULÆ, L.; EAU DE CASSE, Fr. _Prep._ (Soubeiran.) Cassia pods (bruised), 4 oz.; boiling water, 1-1/2 pint. Laxative.