Decoctum Ulmi

Lond. Dub. Decoctum Ulmi Campestris, Edin. Decoction of Elm Bark.

"Take of fresh elm bark, bruised, two ounces and a half; water, two pints (five pints, Edin.) Boil to a pint, and strain."

This decoction is thick, slightly mucilaginous, and of a brown colour; has a faint odour, and a bitterish taste. Alcohol added to it produces a precipitate of light brown flakes; tinctures, therefore, in any considerable quantity, are inadmissible in formulae with it. Its medicinal properties have been already noticed. (See Ulmus, Part ii.) The dose is from f iv. to f vj. taken twice or three times a day.

Decoctum Uaae Ursi. Lond. Decoction of Whortleberry

" Take of whortleberry (leaves), an ounce; distilled water, a pint and a half Boil down to a pint, and strain."

This decoction is a good form for administering whortleberry. It has been employed in phthisis and in purulent affections of the urinary organs. The dose is from f 3 iv.

to f 3 ij.

Decoctum Taraxaci. Dub. Decoction of Dandelion

"Take of the fresh herb and roots of dandelion, four ounces; water, two pounds. Boil to one pound, and strain the expressed fluid." By decoction, water takes up the whole of the active principles of the taraxacum. When the bowels are sluggish, or there are serous deposits, I have found the addition of the bitartrate of potassa greatly improve the efficacy of this decoction. Much depends on the time of digging up the roots. In the autumn they are full of milky juice, and are much more active than in spring. The dose is from f ij. to f iij. twice a day.

Decoctum Veratri. Lond. Dub. Decoction of White Hellebore

"Take of white hellebore bruised, ten drachms; distilled water, two pints; rectified spirit, three fluid ounces. Boil the hellebore root in the water down to a pint, and when the decoction is cold, add the spirit, and press and strain."

This decoction, which contains a gallate of veratria, is stimulant, acrid, and cathartic; but its operation is too violent for internal use. As a lotion it often proves beneficial in scabies, tinea capitis, and other cutaneous eruptions; but it requires to be used with caution, even as an external remedy.

Decoctum Geoffroeae Inermis. Edin. Decoction of Cabbage-tree Bark

"Take of cabbage-tree bark, in powder, one ounce; water, two pounds. Boil with a gentle heat down to one pound, and strain."

This decoction has the colour of Maderia wine, a disagreeable odour, and a bitter mucilaginous taste. It is given to children in doses of f 3 ij. and to adults to the amount of f ij. An overdose, or the drinking cold water during its use, produces vomiting, fever, and delirium : effects which are to be remedied by castor oil, warm water, and acids. It is seldom employed in this country.

Decoctum Guaiaci Compositum. Edin. Dub. Compound Decoction of Guaiacum

"Take of guaiacum wood, rasped, three ounces; raisins, two ounces; sassafras root, sliced, liquorice root, bruised, of each one ounce; water, ten pounds. Boil the guaiacum wood and the raisins in the water over a gentle fire down to five pounds, adding the roots towards the end of the boiling; then strain."

Syn. Decoction de Guajac composee (F.), Guajack-dekokte (G.), Decotto di Guajaco composite (I.).

This decoction derives less of its efficacy from the guaiacum than is generally imagined, a small portion of the active matter only being taken up by the water. It is, however, supposed to be useful in chronic rheumatism, some cutaneous diseases, and in syphilis during a mercurial course; but, probably, at best it is only serviceable as a demulcent. It may be taken in doses of a quarter of a pint, to the amount of O j. or O ij. in the day.

Decoctum Papaveris. Lond. Dub. Decoction of Poppy

"Take of the capsules of the white poppy, bruised, four ounces; water, four pints. Boil for a quarter of an hour, and strain."

In making this decoction, the seeds should not be rejected, as they contain a considerable portion of bland oil, which, added to the mucilage and narcotic principle of the capsule, increases the emollient quality of the decoction. It is a useful fomentation in painful swellings, in excoriations produced by the thin acrid discharge of ulcers, and those common to infants. Its efficacy is promoted by the addition of f vj. of distilled vinegar to the quantity of the decoction ordered.

Decoctum Papaveris. Lond. Dub. Decoction of Poppy

"Take of the capsules of the white poppy, bruised, four ounces; water, four pints. Boil for a quarter of an hour, and strain."

In making this decoction, the seeds should not be rejected, as they contain a considerable portion of bland oil, which, added to the mucilage and narcotic principle of the capsule, increases the emollient quality of the decoction. It is a useful fomentation in painful swellings, in excoriations produced by the thin acrid discharge of ulcers, and those common to infants. Its efficacy is promoted by the addition of f vj. of distilled vinegar to the quantity of the decoction ordered.