Tinctura Nucis Vomicae. Dub. Tincture of Nux Vomica

"Take of rasped nux vomica, two ounces; rectified spirit, eight ounces. Macerate for seven days; then filter."

This is a useful preparation, and may supersede the extract, being more certain in point of strength; but still it is less useful than the acetate of strychnia.

Tinctura Opii. Lond. Tincture of Opium

"Take of hard opium, powdered, three ounces; proof spirit, two pints. Macerate for fourteen days, and strain."

Tinctura Opii, sive Thebaica; vulgo, Laudanum liquidum, Edin. Tincture of Opium, or T'hebaic Tincture; commonly called Liquid Laudanum.

"Take of opium, two ounces; proof spirit, two pounds. Macerate for seven days, and filter through paper."

Tinctura Opii, Dub. Tincture of Opium.

"Take of purified hard opium in coarse powder, ten drachms; proof spirit, a pint. Digest for seven days; then strain."

Syn. Teinture d'Opium (F.), Opiums-tinktur (G.), Laudano liquido; Al-coole opiato (I.).

The strength of this tincture renders xix. equal to one grain of opium : the Dublin preparation is stronger, xiv. of it containing one grain of opium. Mr. Brande says the whole of the morphia is not taken up, for it is found in no inconsiderable quantity in the matter which remains on the filter. This tincture may be used in all cases in which opium is indicated, and is a very convenient and elegant form of giving the remedy.1 The usual dose is from x. to lx.; but in some morbid states of the habit very large doses can be borne, and are even necessary. In colica pictonum f 3 j. given before using purges facilitates their action, and renders the relief more

1 It ought to be kept in opaque bottles; as light, according to the experiments of Vogel, has the power of decomposing it. Vide Journ. de Pharm. Mai, 1815. p. 199.

speedy: in tetanus, f vss. have been given in divided doses, with advantage, in twenty-six hours.1 As an external application this tincture rubbed upon the skin produces its anodyne effects in a smaller degree, allays local pains, and assists in relaxing the spasm in lock-jaw and similar affections.

Its powers are very much increased by combining it with distilled vinegar; an acetate of morphia being thus produced: it is decomposed, and its morphia precipitated, by ammonia, potassa, soda, and their carbonates, most metallic salts, astringent vegetable infusions and decoctions.

Tinctura Opii Ammoniata

olim, Elixir Paregoricum, Edin. Ammoniated Tincture of Opium; formerly Paregoric Elixir,

"Take of opium, two drachms; benzoic acid, saffron, cut in shreds, of each three drachms; volatile oil of anise-seed, half a drachm; ammoniated alcohol, sixteen ounces. Digest for seven days, and filter through paper."

This tincture contains morphia only as long as it remains undiluted: little benefit, therefore, is derived from the opium; but it is useful in hooping-cough and spasmodic asthma. Each f 3 j. contains gr. j. of opium.