Syrup, a solution of sugar, frequently employed as a vehicle for various medicines ; forming a sweet liquor, of a thick consistence, which is made by combining saccharine matter with water, vinegar, or the juices of vegetables.

Syrups were formerly considered as medicines of considerable efficacy; but, at present, they are used chiefly for sheathing, or concealing the taste of nauseous substances ; yet, as there are certain drugs, which are peculiarly serviceable in this form, we shall give a few directions for preparing them: "First, the vessels employed ought to be well tinned, and kept perfectly clean, lest any impure matters be introduced : the sugar should be doubly refined, and dissolved in a water-bath, in the proportion of 29 oz. to one pint of water, or any other liquid : the whole is then suffered to stand for 24 hours, when the scum must be removed, the syrup be strained, and poured into a vessel, where it remains till the following day. If any saccharine crust then appear, it ought to be taken off the surface, and the liquor will be fit for use.

Syrup of Vinegar: - Let 2 1/2 pints of vinegar be boiled with 3 1/2 lbs. of double-refined sugar, till a syrup be formed. This solution is very pleasant; is often employed in mucilaginous mixtures; and, from its cheapness, is far preferable to the syrup of lemons.

Emetic Syrup consists of two drams of finely pulverized glass of antimony, and 12 oz. of Rhenish-wine : these ingredients must be digested in a gentle heat for three days, when the liquor ought to be strained through paper, mixed with double-refined sugar, and made into a syrup in the usual manner. This preparation is strongly impregnated with the emetic properties of the antimony, and is peculiarly calculated for children, on account of its agreeable taste.

Syrup of Lemon-juice: - Let five parts of double-refined sugar, and three parts of filtred lemon-juice be incorporated, so as to form a syrup. The juices of mulberries, raspberriess, and black currants, may be converted into syrup in a similar manner: they are all cooling, pleasant liquids, and may be advantageously employed for mitigating thirst in bilious, or inflammatory disorders; and also for gargling the fauces, in cases of inflammation of the mouth and tonsils.