Decoctum Amyli. Lond. Decoction of Starch

"Take of starch, four drachms; water, a pint. Rub the starch with the water gradually added, then boil for a short time."

1 Mucilago Amyyli, 1788- 1824.

The colourless or white starch only should be used for this decoction. It is administered as an enema in dysentery and excoriations of the rectum.

Decoctum Glycyrrhizae. Dub. Decoction of Liquorice

"Take of bruised liquorice root, one ounce and a half; water, one pint. Boil for ten minutes, and strain."

Decoctum Granati. Lond. Decoction of Pomegranate

"Take of pomegranate (rind) two ounces; distilled water, a pint and a half. Boil down to a pint, and strain."

This is a useful and powerful astringent decoction. The root is a successful specific for taenia. (See Part ii. p. 601.)

Decoctum Haematoxyli. Dub. Decoction of Logwood

"Take of rasped logwood, one ounce and a half; cinnamon bark, bruised, a drachm; water, two pints. Boil the wood in the water, and evaporate the solution to a pint; towards the end of the boiling add the cinnamon bark, and strain."

This decoction is well suited to convey the tonic influence of the logwood. I have found it very serviceable in the diarrhoeas of children connected with teething. The dose is f 3 iv. to a child of a year old.

Decoctum Hordei Distichi, Edin. Decoction of Barley

"Take of pearl barley, two ounces and a half; water, four pints and a half (five pounds, Edin.). First wash away with cold water, any extraneous substances that may adhere to the barley; then, having poured on it half a pint of water, boil for a little while. This water being thrown away, let the remainder be added boiling; then boil down to two pints, and strain."

Decoctum Malvae Compositum. Lond. Compound Decoction of Mallows

Take of mallows, dried, an ounce; chamomile (flowers,) dried, half an ounce; water, a pint. Boil for a quarter of an hour, and strain."

This decoction is intended for fomentations and enemas, for which purposes it answers sufficiently well.

Decoctum Scoparii Compositum. Lond. Compound Decoction of Broom

"Take of broom, juniper berries (fruit), dandelion (root), of each an ounce; water, a pint and a half. Boil down to a pint, and strain."

This decoction possesses diuretic properties; and is a good vehicle for bitartrate of potassa in ascites. The dose is from f ij. to f vj. three times a day.

Decoctum Tormentillae. Lond. Decoction of Tormentil

" Take of tormentil, bruised, two ounces; distilled water, a pint and a half. Boil down to a pint, and strain."

This is a useful form for administering this powerful astringent. The dose is from f ss. to jss.