TINCTURA ASSAFŒTIDÆ. L.D. _Dose_, fʒss to fʒj.
—— BENZOES COMP. L.E.D. _Balsamum Traumaticum_, P.L. 1745. This is a
combination of Benzoin, Storax, and Tolu, with aloes; it is regarded as
a stimulating expectorant, and has been used in chronic catarrh and
confirmed asthma, but it is now very rarely employed, except as an
application to wounds and languid ulcers. It is sold under the name of
_Friar’s Balsam_; and with respect to the use of this preparation as a
_Styptic_, the public have fallen into a serious error; fresh wounds it
must necessarily injure, not only by its stimulating qualities, but by
the separation of the resins which take place on its intermixture with
the blood; these form a substance, which absolutely prevents what is
most desirable in such case,—the sides of the wound coming in contact
and uniting by the first intention. Dose. As an internal remedy from
fʒss to fʒij, triturated with yelk of egg, or mucilage, to suspend it in
water.
TINCTURA CASTOREI. L.E. _Dose_, ♏︎xx to fʒij. See Form 20, 23, 25, 76,
97, 136.
TINCTURA CASTOREI COMPOSITA. E. This is much more active than the
preceding tincture, as it contains assafœtida, and its menstruum is
ammoniated alcohol. Dose ♏︎xv to fʒj.
TINCTURA CINCHONÆ AMMONIATA. L. In this preparation we have the tonic
powers of the bark combined with the stimulus of the Ammonia. _Dose_,
fʒss to fʒij. Acids and Acidulous Salts are of course incompatible with
it.
TINCTURA GUAIACI. L.E.D. A simple solution of guaiac. _Dose_, fʒi-fʒiij.
TINCTURA GUAIACI AMMONIATA. This is a solution of the guaiac in the
aromatic spirit of ammonia, and is consequently more stimulating than
the preceding one, and more efficacious as a sudorific: after arterial
action is properly reduced, it is certainly one of our best remedies in
rheumatism. _Dose_, fʒj to fʒij, at bed time, and its effects should be
promoted by some warm beverage. It is worthy of remark, that nitrous
acid and the spirit of nitric æther occasion an extraordinary
decomposition of these tinctures, separating the guaiacum into
coagulated masses, and imparting to the whole an intense bluish green
colour. I find that _chlorine_ has the same effect;[686] but the
sulphuric and muriatic acids produce no disturbance, although all acids
and acidulous salts must be considered as incompatible with it. If equal
parts of quick-lime and powdered guaiacum be rubbed together, and a
quantity of water be poured over them, and the mixture be allowed to
stand until it becomes fine, we shall obtain a solution of this
substance, which will mix in any proportion with aqueous vehicles
without decomposition, and to which the aromatic spirit of ammonia may
be subsequently added with effect.
TINCTURA TOLUIFERÆ BALSAMI. E.D. This is only useful as an adjunct, to
impart agreeable flavour and fragrance to other remedies.
The above tinctures, when added to water, are instantly decomposed, the
practitioner must therefore remember that when he prescribes them in
aqueous vehicles, it will be necessary to direct them to be triturated
with some viscid liquor, as mucilage, previous to the addition of the
water, in order to suspend the resinous precipitate.