4. (Ph. E.) Rhubarb (in coarse powder). 1 oz.; boiling water, 18 fl. oz.;
infuse for 12 hours, add of spirit of cinnamon, 2 fl. oz,; and strain
through linen or calico. Stomachic and purgative; along with neutral salts
or aromatics.
_Obs._ The infusion of the Ph. E. being fully double as strong as that of
the Ph. L. & D., must be taken in proportionate doses.
5. (Concentrated; Infusum rhei concentratum, L.)--_a._ Rhubarb (in coarse
powder), 10 oz.; rectified spirit, 1 pint; cold distilled water, 1 quart;
digest 10 days, with frequent agitation, then express the liquor, and
filter it; or proceed by the method of displacement.
_b._ Rhubarb, 3 lbs. 5 oz.; cold distilled water, 11 pints; rectified
spirit, 5-1/2 pints; as the last.
_Obs._ 1 fl. dr. of either of the above, added to 7 fl. dr. of water,
forms 1 fl. oz. of liquid, resembling, and in many points preferable to,
the infusion of the Ph. L. The above is the only way a fine,
rich-coloured, and transparent concentrated preparation can be made, that
will keep well. Should it not prove perfectly limpid, it may be clarified
in the way already mentioned.
6. (Alkaline; INFUSUM RHEI ALKALINUM, I. R. CUM POTASSÂ, L.--Copland.)
Rhubarb, 2 dr.; carbonate of potassa, 1 dr.; boiling water, 1/2 pint;
macerate for 4 hours, strain, and add of tincture of cinnamon, 1/2 fl. oz.
In dyspepsia, acidity, heartburn, &c.
=Infusion of Ro'ses.= _Syn._ INFUSUM ROSÆ, L., 1. (Simple.) From the
petals of red roses. Used as colouring and for a test; mixed with vinegar
and sweetened with honey, it forms a popular gargle in sore throat.
2. (Compound; INFUSUM ROSÆ--Ph. E. I. ROSÆ COMPOSITUM--Ph. L., I. R.
ACIDUM--B. P., Ph. D.) _Prep._--_a._ Red rose petals (broken up), 1 oz.;
dilute sulphuric acid, 1/2 oz.; boiling distilled water, 40 oz.; infuse
for half an hour with the acid and water, and strain.--_Dose_, 1 to 2 oz.
_b._ (Ph. L.) Petals of the red or damask rose (dried and pulled asunder),
3 dr.; boiling water, 1 pint; mix, and add of dilute sulphuric acid, 1-1/2
fl. dr.; macerate for 2 hours, strain off the liquor, and dissolve in it
white sugar, 6 dr. The Edinburgh form is nearly similar.
_c._ (Ph. D.) Petals, 2 dr.; boiling water, 1/2 pint; infuse 1 hour,
strain, and add of dilute sulphuric acid, 1 fl. dr.
_Obs._ A vessel or glass of stoneware should be used to make the infusion
in, as metallic vessels injure the colour of the liquid, and are also
attacked by the acid. The best plan is to add the dilute sulphuric acid to
the water before pouring it on the leaves. The infusion may be squeezed
out of the leaves with the hands.
The COMPOUND INFUSION OF ROSES is principally used as a vehicle for
sulphate of quinine, saline purgatives, and some other medicines. It is
astringent and refrigerant, and, when diluted with water, forms a pleasant
drink in febrile disorders, phthisical sweats, hæmorrhages, diarrh[oe]a,
&c. It also makes a very useful astringent gargle.--_Dose_, 1 to 4 fl.
oz.; either alone or diluted with water. It is incompatible with the
alkalies and earths, and their carbonates and their bicarbonates.
3. (Concentrated; INFUSUM ROSÆ CONCENTRATUM, L.)--_a._ Rose petals, 10
oz.; boiling distilled water, 3 pints; infuse for 2 hours, with frequent
agitation, express the liquid, strain through a clean hair sieve, and add
of dilute sulphuric acid, 4-1/2 fl. oz.; after agitation for 5 or 6
minutes, and repose for 2 or 3 hours, decant the clear portion, and filter
through paper supported on calico; next, dissolve in the liquid 1-1/4 lb.
of the finest white sugar, broken up into small lumps, but perfectly free
from dust and dirt; lastly, pour the infusion into clean, stoppered,
green-glass bottles, and, as much as possible, keep them from the light,
and in a cool place.
_b._ Rose petals, 3-1/4 lbs.; boiling water, 2 gall.; diluted sulphuric
acid, 24 fl. oz.; finest white sugar, 6-1/2 lbs.; as the last.
_c._ The same quantity of dilute sulphuric acid and cold water, as before;
mix, and infuse the rose leaves in the liquid for 48 hours, then express,
filter, and add the sugar. Product very fine, and keeps well without
becoming gelatinous.
_Obs._ This preparation is 8 times as strong as that of the Ph. L. (2,
_a_). Great care should be taken that the utensils are perfectly clean,
especially the press, if one is employed; and earthenware glazed with lead
should be avoided. The pressing should also be conducted as rapidly as
possible, to avoid the colour being injured by the iron. Clean wrought
iron does not readily injure the colour of infusion of roses before the
addition of the acid. When the last formula is adopted, strong pressure of
the leaves with the hands can alone be safely had recourse to. If the
infusion does not filter quite clear through paper, it should be set aside
for a few days, when, in general, it will be found to filter more readily
and satisfactorily. Should it be wanted for immediate sale, the addition
of the whites of 2 or 3 eggs, diluted with 2 or 3 ounces of water,
followed by violent agitation of the liquid for a few minutes, and repose
for an hour or two, will usually render it 'fine,' when it may be either
decanted, or filtered should it require it. It will now pass rapidly
through ordinary filtering paper, and at once run clear.
=Infusion of Rue.= _Syn._ RUE TEA; INFUSUM RUTÆ, L. Carminative,
antispasmodic, emmenagogue, and vermifuge. It is a popular and useful
remedy in flatulent colic, infantile convulsions, epilepsy, hysteria,
suppressed menstruation, &c.
=Infusion of Rupture-wort.= _Syn._ INFUSUM HERNIARIÆ. _Prep._ Rupture
wood, 2 dr.; boiling water, 1 pint.
=Infusion of Safflower.= _Syn._ INFUSUM CARTHAMI. _Prep._ Safflower, 2
dr.; boiling water, 16 fl. oz.; infuse for an hour.--_Dose._ A
wine-glassful, as a diaphoretic.
=Infusion of Sage.= _Syn._ SAGE TEA; INFUSUM SALVIÆ, L. 1. From the leaves
of common garden sage. Carminative and stomachic. In flatulence and
dyspepsia, and diluted with water as a drink, to lessen the nightsweats in
phthisis and fever, and to stop the secretion of milk after weaning.
2. (Compound; INFUSUM SALVIÆ COMPOSITUM, L.--Ellis.) Sage and boneset, of
each 1/2 oz.; cascarilla, 1 dr.; boiling water, 1-1/2 pint; infuse until
cold. A wine-glassful every 3 or 4 hours in hectic fever.
=Infusion of Sarsaparil'la.= _Syn._ INFUSUM SARZÆ, I. SARSAPARILLÆ (Ph. U.
S.), L. 1. From the bruised root. Dr Hancock adds 1/2 fl. dr. of
hydrochloric acid to each pint of the water employed, as a menstruum, by
which he says the efficacy of the infusion is greatly increased. At St.
George's Hospital a little liquorice root and solution of potassa is added
for the same purpose.
2. (Compound; INFUSUM SARSAPARILLÆ COMPOSITUM, L.--Ph. D. 1826.)
Sarsaparilla root (washed clean with a little cold water, and sliced), 1
oz.; lime water (cold), 16 fl. oz.; macerate for 12 hours, and strain.
Inferior to the simple infusion, since both earths and alkalies lessen the
solvent action of water on sarsaparilla. Use of both the above, similar to
that of the DECOCTION.
=Infusion of Sas'safras.= _Syn._ SASSAFRAS TEA; INFUSUM SASSAFRAS, L. From
sassafras chips. Alterative, stimulant, and sudorific; a popular remedy in
various cutaneous, rheumatic, scrofulous, and syphilitical affections.
Hufeland recommends the addition of a little liquorice root.
=Infusion of Sav'ine.= _Syn._ SAVINE TEA; INFUSUM SABINÆ, L. _Prep._
(Pereira.) Fresh savine leaves or herb, 1 dr.; boiling water, 8 fl. oz.;
infuse in a covered vessel. Stimulant, emmenagogue, and vermifuge; in
chlorosis, and suppressed menstruation depending on a torpid action of the
uterine vessels; in chronic rheumatism, worms, &c.--_Dose_, 1 to 2
table-spoonfuls, cautiously administered.
=Infusion of Sax'ifrage.= _Syn._ SAXIFRAGE TEA; INFUSUM PIMPINELLÆ, L.
From the root of burnet saxifrage (_Pimpinella Saxifraga_). Astringent; in
diarrh[oe]a, and externally as a wash to remove freckles.
=Infusion of Scutella''ria.= _Syn._ INFUSUM SCUTELLARIÆ, L. _Prep._ (Dr
Spalding.) Dried herb of _Scutellaria lateriflora_, in powder, 1-1/2
teaspoonful; boiling water, 1 pint. By teacupfuls, thrice daily, to
prevent hydrophobia.
=Infusion of Sen'ega.= _Syn._ INFUSION OF RATTLE-SNAKE ROOT, SENEKA TEA;
INFUSUM SENEGÆ (B. P., Ph. E.), I. POLYGALÆ (Ph. D.), L. _Prep._ 1. (B.
P.) Senega, bruised, 1 oz.; boiling distilled water, 20 oz.; infuse 1
hour, and strain.--_Dose_, 1 to 2 oz.
2. (Ph. E.) Senega snake-root (bruised), 10 dr.; boiling water, 1 pint;
infuse for 4 hours in a covered vessel, and strain.
3. (Ph. D.) Polygala root, 1/2 oz.; boiling water, 9 fl. oz. Stimulant,
expectorant, and diuretic, either alone or combined with ammonia; in
catarrhs, &c. See DECOCTION, EXTRACT, &c.
=Infusion of Sen'na.= _Syn._ SENNA TEA; INFUSUM SENNÆ (B. P., Ph. E.), I.
SENNÆ COMPOSITUM (Ph. L. & D.), L. _Prep._ 1. (B. P.) Senna, 1 oz.;
ginger, sliced, 30 gr.; boiled distilled water, 10 oz.; infuse 1 hour, and
strain.--_Dose_, 1 to 2 oz.
2. (Ph. L.) Senna, 15 dr.; ginger (bruised), 4 scruples; boiling water, 1
pint; macerate for an hour in a covered vessel, and strain.
3. (Ph. E.) Senna, 1-1/2 oz.; ginger, 4 scrup.; boiling water, 1 pint.
(See No. 9, _below_.)
4. (Ph. D.) Senna, 1/2 oz.; ginger, 1/2 dr.; boiling water, 1/2 pint.
Purgative.--_Dose_, 1 to 2 wine-glassfuls. It is usually given in doses of
1 to 1-1/2 fl. oz., combined with 3 to 6 dr. of Epsom salts, or other
saline purgative, under the name of 'BLACK DRAUGHT,'
_Obs._ This infusion is very apt to spoil in warm weather, to prevent
which Mr Squire recommends the addition of 1 gr. of nitrate of potassa to
each ounce.
5. (Concentrated; INFUSUM SENNÆ CONCENTRATUM, L.)--_a._ Senna, 2 lbs. 1
oz.; tepid water, 1 quart, macerate for 12 hours, frequently stirring with
a stick, and express the liquor; to the 'marc,' add of tepid water 1-1/4
pint, repeat the maceration for 3 hours, and again express the liquor with
powerful pressure; mix the infusions, and after 2 hours' repose decant the
clear portion, and evaporate it as rapidly as possible, by steam or a
chloride of sodium bath, until it measures 1-1/2 pint; pour this into a
strong bottle, and when nearly cold, add of rectified spirit, 1/2 pint;
bruised ginger, 3-1/2 oz.; macerate a week with frequent agitation, and
after repose for a few days decant the clear portion, and add dilute
spirit (1 to 4), q. s. to make the whole measure exactly a quart.
_b._ Take 8 times the quantity of senna and ginger ordered in the Ph. L.,
put them into a displacement apparatus, either alone or mixed with clean
washed sand, and transmit water, mixed with 1/4th part of rectified
spirit, through the mass, until the proper quantity of infusion is
obtained.
_c._ (Wholesale.) Alexandrian senna (best), 7 lbs.; unbleached Jamaica
ginger (finest, bruised), 3 lbs.; rectified spirit and water, of each 1
gall.; macerate for 14 days, press out the fluid, filter, and set it aside
in a well-corked bottle; then take of good East India senna, 25 lbs.; and
the 'pressings' or 'marc' from the tincture, and macerate in the least
possible quantity (10 or 12 galls.) of cold distilled water, for 12 or 14
hours, employing frequent agitation with a wooden spatula; next press out
the liquid, and again macerate the 'marc' in cold distilled water (5 or 6
galls.) for 2 hours; press, mix the two liquors, strain, heat gradually to
the boiling point, carefully separate the coagulated albumen and
afterwards evaporate as quickly as possible to exactly 9 quarts; put the
liquid at once into a vessel capable of holding 5 gallons, bung close to
exclude the air, and when nearly cold add the 'tincture' obtained from the
Alexandrian senna and the ginger; the whole must now be well agitated
together, and allowed to stand for a week, when the clear portion must be
carefully decanted into bottles (Winchester quarts) for sale.
_d._ As the last, but employing hot water, and limiting the period of the
infusions to 2 hours and 1 hour.
_Obs._ The preceding formulæ are at present employed in the wholesale
trade, by nearly all those houses that are most noted for the superior
quality of their 'CONCENTRATED INFUSIONS,' The products of the whole are
excellent. That from _c_ is very beautiful, and contains all the valuable
active matter that it is possible to extract from the ingredients, under
the circumstances. It also keeps well. The last one, like all preparations
of senna made with hot water, is apt to drop a large deposit on standing,
from which the last portion of the infusion is obtained with difficulty.
They each furnish a liquid, of which 1 fl. dr. added to 7 fl. dr. of pure
water forms 1 fl. oz. of a preparation precisely similar in medicinal
qualities to the INFUSUM SENNÆ COMP.--Ph. L.
From the extreme bulkiness of senna, it has become a practice with certain
unprincipled druggists to employ only 1/3 or 1/4 of the proper quantity of
that drug, and to add burnt sugar or treacle to bring up the consistence
and colour, and alkaline solution of gamboge to impart the necessary
purgative quality. CONCENTRATED INFUSION OF SENNA, as generally met with,
is nearly worthless. This arises from either the employment of inferior
senna, or the destruction of its active principle, by the lengthened
exposure to heat and atmospheric oxygen during its manufacture.
6. (With COFFEE; INFUSUM SENNÆ CUM CAFFEÂ, L.)--_a._ (Foy.) Senna, 2 dr.;
roasted coffee (ground), 1 dr.; boiling water and hot milk, of each 3 fl.
oz.; infuse for 12 hours (4?), and strain. For an adult; to be taken in
the morning fasting.
_b._ (Guersand and Blake.) Senna, 10 to 30 gr. (according to age); hot
coffee and hot milk at will; infuse, and when cold strain, and sweeten it
with sugar, q. s. As a purge for children.
7. (With LEMON JUICE; INFUSUM SENNÆ) LIMONIATUM, L.) From senna, 1-1/2
oz.; fresh lemon peel, 1 oz.; lemon juice, 1 fl. oz.; boiling water, 16
fl. oz.; infuse.
8. (With RHUBARB; INFUSUM SENNÆ ET RHEI, L.--Ellis.) Senna, 6 dr.; manna,
1 oz.; rhubarb and cardamoms, of each (bruised), 2 dr.; boiling water, 1
pint; infuse 1 hour and strain.
9. (With TAMARINDS; INFUSUM SENNÆ COMPOSITUM--Ph. E., SENNÆ CUM
TAMARINDIS, L.--Ph. E.) Senna, 3 dr.; tamarinds, 1 oz.; coriander seeds, 1
dr.; sugar, 1/2 oz. (if brown, 1 oz.); boiling water, 8 fl. oz.; infuse
for four hours, with agitation, and then strain through calico. Pleasanter
than the ordinary infusion of senna.
10. (With TARTAR; INFUSUM SENNÆ TARTARIZATUM, L.) From senna, 1-1/2 oz.;
coriander seeds, 4 dr.; cream of tartar, 2 dr.; boiling water, 16 fl. oz.
=Infusion of Ser'pentary.= _Syn._ INFUSUM SERPENTARIÆ (B. P., Ph. L. &
E.), L. _Prep._ 1. (B. P.) Serpentary, bruised, 1 oz.; boiling distilled
water, 40 oz.; infuse 2 hours, and strain.--_Dose_, 1 to 2 oz.
2. (Ph. L.) Serpentary or Virginian snake-root, 1/2 oz.; boiling distilled
water, 1 pint; macerate for 4 hours in a closed vessel, and strain. The
form of the Ph. E. is similar. As a stimulating expectorant and
diaphoretic; in chronic catarrhs, low fevers, agues, &c.
3. (Compound; INFUSUM SERPENTARIÆ COMPOSITUM, L.--Guy's Hosp.) Virginian
snake-root and contrayerva, of each 5 dr.; boiling water, 1 pint; macerate
2 hours, strain; and when cold add of tincture of serpentary 2 fl. oz. As
the last.
=Infusion of Simaru'ba.= _Syn._ INFUSUM SIMARUBÆ (B. P., Ph. E. & D.), L.
_Prep._ 1. (B. P.) Simaruba, bruised, 3 dr.; boiling water, 1 pint; infuse
2 hours, and strain.--_Dose_, 1 to 2 oz.
2. (Ph. E. & Ph. L., 1836.) Bark of the bitter simaruba or mountain
damson, 3 dr.; boiling water, 1 pint; macerate 2 hours, and strain.
3. (Ph. D.) Simaruba bark, 2 dr.; boiling water, 9 fl. oz. Tonic, and, in
large doses, emetic; in chronic diarrh[oe]a and dysentery, either alone or
combined with opium; and in agues, dyspepsia, &c.
4. (Compound; INFUSUM SIMARUBÆ COMPOSITUM, L.--Foy.) Simaruba bark and
wormwood, of each 2 dr.; boiling water, 1 pint; infuse for 15 minutes,
strain, and add of syrup of gentian, 1 fl. oz. In agues and dyspepsia.
=Infusion of Slip'pery Elm.= _Syn._ INFUSUM ULMI (Ph. U. S.), I. U. FULVÆ,
L. _Prep._ (Ph. U. S.) Inner bark of slippery elm (_Ulmus fulva_), 1 oz.;
boiling water, 16 fl. oz.; infuse for 2 hours, and strain. Demulcent.
=Infusion of Soap-wort.= _Syn._ INFUSUM SAPONARIÆ, L. From soap-wort root
(_Saponaria officinalis_). Aperient and demulcent; also reputed alterative
and antisyphilitic.
=Infusion of South'ernwood.= _Syn._ SOUTHERNWOOD TEA; INFUSUM ABROTANI, L.
From the herb southernwood or old man (_Absinthium Abrotanum_).
Antispasmodic, tonic, and vermifuge; in hysteria, difficult and painful
menstruation, worms, &c.
=Infusion, Stim'ulant.= _Syn._ INFUSUM STIMULANS, L. _Prep._ (Dr Paris.)
Black mustard seed (bruised), and dittander, of each 1/2 oz.; boiling
water, 16 fl. oz.; macerate for 1 hour, strain, and when cold add of
spirit of sal-volatile, 1 fl. dr.; spirit of pimento, 1/2 fl. oz.--_Dose_,
2 table-spoonfuls 3 times a day; in palsy.
=Infusion of Stink'ing Hel'lebore.= _Syn._ INFUSUM HELLEBORI F[OE]TIDI, L.
_Prep._ (Woodville.) Dried leaves of setter-wort or _Helleborus
f[oe]tidum_, 1/2 dr. (or green herb, 2 dr.); boiling water, 16 fl. oz.;
macerate 1 hour, and strain. Aperient and vermifuge; and emetic, in large
doses. It is chiefly used against the large round worms of children and
females, taken fasting.
=Infusion of Suc'cory.= _Syn._ CHICORY TEA; INFUSUM CHICORII, L. From the
dried root. Aperient, deobstruent, and tonic; either alone or sweetened
with honey or sugar.
=Infusion of Sweet Flag.= _Syn_. CALAMUS TEA, SWEET-FLAG T.; INFUSUM
ACORI, I. CALAMI AROMATICI, L. An aromatic stimulant, tonic, and
stomachic. See SWEET FLAG.
=Infusion of Tam'arinds.= _Syn._ INFUSUM TAMARINDI, L. Cooling and
laxative; in sore throat, febrile affections, &c., taken _ad libitum_. See
INFUSION OF SENNA.
=Infusion of Tan'sy.= _Syn._ TANSY TEA; INFUSUM TANACETI, L. From the
dried herb, or the green herb using double the quantity. Aromatic, bitter,
tonic, and vermifuge.
=Infusion of Tar.= _Syn._ TAR WATER, TAR TEA; INFUSUM PICIS LIQUIDÆ, AQUA
P. L. (Ph. D.), L. _Prep._ 1. (Bishop Berkeley.) Wood tar, 1 quart; cold
water, 1 gall.; stir with a stick for 15 minutes, then allow the tar to
subside, strain, and keep it in well-stoppered jars.
2. (Ph. D.) As the last. Taken to the extent of a pint daily in chronic
catarrhal and nephritic affections; also used as a lotion in chronic
cutaneous diseases, especially those of the scalp in children. See
DECOCTION.
=Infusion of Tarax'acum.= See INFUSION OF DANDELION.
=Infusion of Tobac'co.= _Syn._ TOBACCO WATER; INFUSUM TABACI, L. _Prep._
(Ph. D. 1826.) Tobacco leaves, 1 dr.; boiling water, 16 fl. oz.; macerate
for an hour. Used for enemas; in strangulated hernia, obstinate colic,
&c., observing not to administer more than one half at a time; also as a
wash to kill pediculi.
=Infusion, Ton'ic.= See INFUSIONS OF CALUMBA, CASCARILLA, GENTIAN, &c.,
also MIXTURES.
=Infusion of Sessamum.= (Dr Wood.) _Syn._ INFUSUM SESAMI. _Prep._ Two
fresh leaves of sessamum (Venne) infused in 8 oz. of cold water, form a
mucilaginous demulcent drink. Dried leaves require hot water.
=Infusion of Silk-weed.= _Syn._ INFUSUM ASCLEPIADIS. _Prep._ Bark of the
common silk-weed, 1 oz.; boiling water, 1 pint.-_Dose_, 1 oz. to 1-1/2 oz.
In cough and dyspn[oe]a.
=Infusion of Tre'foil.= See INFUSION OF BUCKBEAN.
=Infusion of Tu'lip-tree Bark.= _Syn._ INFUSUM LIRIODENDRI, L. From the
bark of the tulip tree (_Liriodendron tulipifera_). Diaphoretic,
stimulant, stomachic, and tonic; in dyspepsia, fevers, &c.; also used to
flavour liquors.
=Infusion of Tur'meric.= _Syn._ INFUSION CURCUMÆ, L. Used as a test and to
prepare test-paper. When required for keeping, about 1-7th of its volume
of rectified spirit must be added.
=Infusion of Valer'ian.= _Syn._ INFUSUM VALERIANE (B. L., Ph. L. & D.), L.
_Prep._ 1. (B. P.) Valerian, bruised, 120 gr.; boiling distilled water, 10
oz.; infuse 1 hour and strain.--_Dose_, 1 to 2 oz.
2. (Ph. L.) Valerian root, 1/2 oz.; boiling distilled water, 1 part;
infuse for an hour in a covered vessel, and strain.
3. (Ph. D.) Valerian, 2 dr.; boiling water, 9 fl. oz. Antispasmodic and
nervine; in hysteria, hypochondriasis, epilepsy, and low fevers.
4. (Compound; INFUSUM VALERIANÆ COMPOSITUM, L.) Yellow cinchona bark, 1
oz.; valerian, 1/2 oz.; boiling water, 1 pint; as before. In debilitated
nervous habits.
=Infusion of Vanil'la.= _Syn._ VANILLA TEA; INFUSUM VANILLÆ, L. _Prep._
Vanilla, 1-1/2 dr.; boiling water, 1 pint. A stimulant antispasmodic; in
hysteria, rheumatism, anaphrodisia, &c.; but chiefly used as a flavouring
for liqueurs, confectionery, &c.
=Infusion of Vittie Vayr.= _Syn._ VITTIE VAYR TEA; INFUSUM VETIVERIÆ, L.
From the roots of _Andropogon muricatus_ (VETIVER, VITTIE VAYR, or
CUSCUS). Antispasmodic, diaphoretic, and stimulant, and, when warm,
diaphoretic and emmenagogue; in rheumatism gout, slight febrile cases,
&c.; and as a prophylactic of cholera. See ESSENCE.
=Infusion of Wall-pel'litory.= _Syn._ INFUSUM PARIETARIÆ, L. From the
dried herb (_Parietaria officinalis_). Aperient, diuretic, and pectoral;
in asthmas, dropsies, calculous affections, &c.
=Infusion of Wal'nut Leaves.= _Syn._ WALNUT-LEAF TEA; INFUSUM JUGLANDIS,
L. From the fresh leaves of the common walnut (_Juglans regia_); also from
the inner wood-bark, and the green rind of the fruit. See DECOCTION and
EXTRACT.
=Infusion of Water-fen'nel.= _Syn._ INFUSUM PHELLANDRI, L. _Prep._ (Bird.)
Seeds of water-fennel, 5 dr.; boiling water, 1 pint.--_Dose_, 3 to 4 fl.
dr.; to check excessive expectoration.
=Infusion of Whor'tleberry.= _Syn._ INFUSUM UVÆ URSI, L. With alkalies,
henbane, or opium, in diseases of the urinary organs; and with sulphuric
acid and foxglove, in affections of the lungs. See DECOCTION and EXTRACT.
_Note._--Infusum Uvæ Ursi of the Brit. Pharmacop[oe]ia.
=Infusion of Wild-cherry Bark.= _Syn._ INFUSUM PRUNI VIRGINIANÆ (Ph. U.
S.), L. _Prep._ (Ph. U. S.) Wild cherry-tree bark (_Prunus Virginiana_ or
_Cerasus Serotina_), 1/2 oz.; cold water, 16 fl. oz.; infuse 24 hours, and
strain. A valuable tonic and febrifuge. Wild-cherry bark also exercises a
sedative action on the circulatory and nervous system, and is much used in
America in a variety of diseases.
=Infusion of Wild Gin'ger.= _Syn._ INFUSUM ASARI CANADENSIS, L. From the
root of wild ginger or Canada snake-root (_Asarum Canadense_). A warm
stimulant diaphoretic, in the same cases as INFUSION OF VIRGINIAN
SNAKE-ROOT.
=Infusion of Wil'low Bark.= _Syn._ INFUSUM SALICIS, L. From the bark of
the white or common willow (_Salix alba_). Astringent, tonic, and
febrifuge; often used instead of INFUSION OF CINCHONA.
=Infusion of Win'ter Green.= _Syn._ INFUSUM PYROLÆ, I. CHIMAPHILÆ, L.
Astringent, tonic, and diuretic; in dropsy, nephritic pains, and chronic
affections of the urinary organs. It blackens the urine, like uva ursi.
See DECOCTION.
=Infusion of Wood Soot.= _Syn._ SOOT TEA; INFUSUM FULIGINIS LIGNI, L.
Antacid and stimulant. A similar preparation is also made from coal-soot,
which is reputed antispasmodic and vermifuge.
=Infusion of Worm'wood.= _Syn._ WORMWOOD TEA, INFUSUM ABSINTHII, L. From
the fresh tops of the plant, or from only half the quantity of the dried
herb. In loss of appetite, dyspepsia, amenorrh[oe]a, leucorrh[oe]a, gout,
worms, &c. See BITTERS.
=INHALA'TION.= _Syn._ Inhalatio, L. In _medicine_, the drawing in or
inspiring of vapour with the breath. Inhalations (INHALATIONES) are
vapours or gases imbibed for the purpose of medicating the mucous membrane
of the air-passages. The substances that are to furnish the vapours or
fumes are put into a vessel called an 'inhaler' (see INHALER), which may
be simply a small covered pot or mug of metal or glass, furnished with a
short flexible tube, terminating in a small mouth-piece. In many cases
even this simple apparatus may be dispensed with, and the fumes inhaled by
holding the head over a vessel containing a little of the substance
furnishing them; or, as with chloroform, a little may be dropped on a
handkerchief or napkin, which is then held to the nose.
The following are the principal substances that are employed for
inhalations at the present day:--
1. Carbonic acid gas and nitrous oxide; occasionally used in phthisis, by
means of a bladder and mouth-piece.
2. Chlorine gas; exhibited by adding 5 or 6 drops of aqueous chlorine to
the water (tepid) of the inhaler, which should be, in this case, of glass;
employed in France for phthisis, but seldom used in England.