"Take of the bark of mezereon root, two drachms; liquorice root, bruised, half an ounce; water, three pounds. Boil with a gentle fire down to two pounds, and strain."

Syn. Decoction de Daphne Mezereon (F.), Scioblbastrinde-dekokte(G.), De-cotto di Daphne Mezereon (I.).

This decoction is slightly mucilaginous, and of a yellowish-brown colour; has the sweet taste of the liquorice root, with a slight degree of bitterness; and leaves in the mouth a sensation of heat and pungency, which, however, is scarcely felt until a few minutes after the dose has been swallowed.

Medical properties and uses. - This decoction was first made public by Dr. Alexander Russel1 as an appropriate remedy for venereal nodes, arising from a thickening of the periosteum; and for removing those nocturnal pains with which venereal patients are afflicted. This opinion, however, has not been supported by experience; and Mr. Pearson2 asserts, that it "has not the power of curing the venereal disease in any one stage, or any one form;" and adds, "except in an instance or two of lepra, in which the decoction conferred a temporary benefit, I have very seldom found it possessed of medicinal virtue, either in syphilis, or in the sequelae of that disease, in scrofula, or in cutaneous affections." It has been given with seeming benefit in chronic rheumatism. The dose is from f iv. to f vj. three or four times a day. .