Infusum Menthae Simplex. Dub. Simple In-fusion of Mint

"Take of dry leaves of mint, two drachms; boiling water, a sufficient quantity to leave f vj. of the infusion."

Medical properties and uses.-A common stomachic infusion.

Infusum Menthae Compositum. Dub. Compound Infusion of Mint

"Take of the leaves of spearmint, dried, two drachms, boiling water, a sufficient quantity to afford six ounces by measure when strained. Digest for half an hour in a covered vessel, and strain the liqour when cold; then add of refined sugar two drachms, oil of spearmint, three drops, dissolved in half an ounce (fluid?) of compound tincture of cardamoms. Let them be mixed."

Medical properties and uses. - This is a grateful stomachic, and is also slightly diaphoretic. It may prove serviceable in anorexia and nausea, and as a vehicle to cover the disagreeable taste of other medicines. The dose may be from f j. to f iij. or ad libitum.

Infusum Pareirae. Lond. Infusion of Pareira

"Take of pareira, six drachms; boiling distilled water, a pint. Macerate for two hours in a vessel lightly covered, and strain."

It is a useful form of the medicine in catarrhus vesicae, and other affections of the urinary, organs,especially in irritable bladder. The dose is f j. to f ij. It may be used as a vehicle for the extract.

Infusum Quassiae. Lond. Dub. Infusion of Quassia

" Take of quassia wood, chipped, two scruples; boiling distilled water, a pint. Macerate for two hours in a lightly-covered vessel, and strain"

Infusum Quassiae excelsae, Edin. Infusion of Quassia.

"Take of quassia wood, rasped, half a drachm; boiling water, eight ounces. Macerate for two hours in a lightly-covered vessel, and strain."

The active matter of quassia (quassina), taken up by water, appears to be a simple bitter. It is not altered by any of the substances usually employed as adjuncts to bitters; and by two only of the metallic salts; namely, nitrate of silver, which throws down soft, yellow flakes; and acetate of lead.

Medical properties and uses. - This infusion is a light tonic, efficacious in dyspepsia, and cases in which tonics are indicated. In hysteria it may be combined with purgatives and tincture of valerian; in atonic gout, with aromatics; and in dyspeptic affections with chalybeates, salts of zinc, or mineral acids. The dose is from f j. to f iij. twice or thrice a day.

Infusum Rhei. Lond. Dub. Infusion of Rhubarb

"Take of rhubarb, sliced, three drachms; boiling distilled water, a pint. Macerate for two hours in a lightly-covered vessel, and strain."

Edinburgh.

"Take of rhubarb root, bruised, half an ounce; boiling water, eight ounces; spirit of cinnamon, one ounce. Macerate the root with the water in a covered vessel for twelve hours; then add the spirit, and strain."

Syn. Infusion de Rhubarbe (F.), Rhabarber aufguss (G.), Infuso de Rabar-baro (I.).

These infusions differ in point of strength; the Edinburgh is rendered pleasanter by the spirituous addition. Neither of them is quite clear; and both have a reddish-brown colour, which is very much deepened by the addition of alkalies. The following substances either occasion precipitates in these infusions, or otherwise alter their properties, and are therefore incompatible in formulae with them; namely, the strong acids, carbonate of potassa, lime-water, salts of iron, and of zinc, nitrate of silver, bichloride of mercury, acetate and diacetate of lead, and tartar emetic; infusions of catechu, cinchona, and cnsparia, solution of gelatin.

Medical properties and uses. - These infusions are good forms for exhibiting rhubarb, when it is intended to act on the bowels: but they are considerably less active than the powder.

The dose of the London infusion may be from f j. to f iij. and of the. Edinburgh half the quantity, united with neutral salts or aromatics, as circumstances may direct.