Decoction of Sarsaparilla (Concentrated Compound)

Syn. Decoctum sarzæ compos i tum con centra tum , D. sarsaparillæ c. c. , L. There is a very considerable trade done in this article, in consequence of compound decoction of sarsaparilla being taken in large doses, both alone and in combination with other remedies, and the pharma copœial preparation spoiling if kept longer than about 12 hours, in warm weather. Like the concentrated simple decoction, it is said to be of 8 times the usual strength, so that when mixed with 7 times its weight of water, it forms a similar preparation to the Decoctum Sarzæ Compos i tum,—Ph. L., for which it is very generally substituted in dispensing. Prep. 1. (Wholesale.) Sarsaparilla (red Jamaica), 96 lbs.; mezereon root (not root-bark), 9 lbs.; liquorice root (bruised), 16 lbs. The mezereon and liquorice are first laid (loosely) on the bottom of a clean copper pan, and the bundles of sarsaparilla (untied and loosened) packed over them, in horizontal layers, alternately at right angles with each other. Three or four boards, with as many iron 1 ⁄ 2 -cwt. weights, are next placed on the top of the whole. Water is now run in, to about ten inches higher than the ingredients, and heat is applied until ebullition commences. The materials are now allowed to macerate, without boiling, for 3 or 4 hours, after which the liquor is gently boiled for about an hour, care being taken to add fresh water from time to time, so as to keep the whole well covered. The decoction is next run off, and set evaporating as quickly as po ible. The ingredients are then washed with succe ive portions of boiling water, by allowing it to descend from a species of shower-bath, after the manner of ‘sparging,’ described under Brewing . [256] This is repeated until the water runs off nearly colourle , the smallest quantity being employed that will effect the object in view. The whole of the liquid is now evaporated without delay, until reduced to 8 1 ⁄ 4 galls., when, after cooling, 2 dr. of e ential oil of sa afras, di olved in 2 galls. of rectified spirit of wine, are added, and afterwards 1 pint of e ence of guaiacum. The liquid is then placed in a suitably sized barrel, set upon its head, and fitted with a small cock (not placed too near the bottom), and allowed to repose for a week, by which time it becomes clear and brilliant, and fit for sale. This is the form adopted by the large metropolitan drug-houses most celebrated for this preparation. The product that may be drawn off fit for sale is something over 10 galls. The residuum, forming the ‘bottoms,’ consists chiefly of fecula. The latter is well stirred up with 3 or 4 galls. of cold water, and allowed to settle. The clear decanted ‘washings’ are used as water or liquor in making the next batch of decoction. [256] See page 356. 2. (Extemporaneous.) Compound extract of sarsaparilla, 7 1 ⁄ 2 oz.; boiling water, 12 fl. oz.; di olve, then add of rectified spirit of wine, 2 1 ⁄ 2 fl. oz.; mix well, and further add of water, q. s. to make the whole measure a pint. Obs. To conduct this proce succe fully, several large copper pans are required; one of which (to boil the ingredients in) must be capable of containing from 140 to 150 gallons at the least, and the others must be sufficiently large to receive the liquors as they are drawn off. Those for the evaporation should be very shallow, in order that it may proceed rapidly; and the whole should be heated by steam. An excellent plan is to employ large wooden vats, and to apply the heat by means of pipes laid along the bottom, and supplied with high-pre ure steam. This method is le expensive than the use of double steam pans, as above. When e ence of guaiacum is not used, 24 lbs. of guaiacum shavings, from which the dust has been sifted, are boiled with the other ingredients, instead. Those desirous of using the proportions of the ingredients ordered by the Colleges may do so by taking eight times the given quantities, and proceeding as above. The following are special preparations:— Feltz’s Decoction of Sarsaparilla. Syn. Ap′ozem of Feltz ; Decoctum sarzæ cum ichthyocol′la , L.; Ptisane de Feltz , Fr. Prep. From sarsaparilla (sliced), 3 oz.; isingla and crude antimony (in powder), of each 1 ⁄ 2 oz.; water 5 pints; boil to one half, and strain. Used in skin diseases. Jauperand’s Decoction of Sarsaparilla. Syn. Decoctum sarzæ cum radice Chinâ , L.; Ptisane de Jauperand , Fr. Prep. (Bories.) Sarsaparilla and China root, of each 2 oz.; senna and sa afras chips, of each 1 ⁄ 2 oz.; carbonate of pota a, 1 dr.; water, 2 galls.; simmer, gently, for several hours, and strain 12 pints; when cold, decant the clear.— Dose , 2 fl. oz., two or three times daily; in scrofula, . Vinache’s Decoction of Sarsaparilla. Syn. Decoctum sarzæ cum sennâ , L.; Ptisane de Vinache , Fr. Prep. (Foy.) Sarsaparilla, China wood, and guaiacum wood, of each 1 1 ⁄ 2 oz.; crude antimony (tied in a rag), 2 oz.; water, 6 pints; macerate for 12 hours (7 in hot weather), boil to one half, add sa afras chips and senna, of each 1 ⁄ 2 oz., infuse 1 hour longer, and strain; when cold, decant the clear. Recommended in scrofula, secondary syphilis, and various cutaneous affections. Zittmann’s Decoction of Sarsaparilla. Syn. Decoctum Zittmanni , L.; Ptisane de Zittmann , Fr. Prep. 1. ( Stronger decoction ; D. Z. Forte , Ph. Bor. 1847.) Sarsaparilla, 12 oz.; water, 72 lbs. (say 5 3 ⁄ 4 galls.); digest 24 hours, then add (suspended in a bag), white sugar and alum, of each 6 dr.; calomel, 4 dr.; cinnabar, 1 dr.; boil to 24 lbs., adding towards the end of the proce , senna, 3 oz.; liquorice root, 1 1 ⁄ 2 oz.; aniseed and fennel seed, of each 1 ⁄ 2 oz.; finally strain, with pre ure and after some time decant the clear portion. The formula in the ‘Ph. Suec.’ 1845 is similar; that in the ‘Hamburg Codex’ directs only 24 lbs. of water to be used, and the whole to be reduced to 16 lbs. 2. ( Weaker decoction ; D. Z. Tenue .—Ph. Bor. 1847.) Add to the residuum (waste) of the last preparation sarsaparilla, 6 oz.; water, 72 lbs. (say, 5 3 ⁄ 4 galls.); boil to 24 lbs.; adding towards the end of the proce , lemon peel, cinnamon bark, liquorice root, and cardamoms (all bruised), of each 3 dr.; pre , strain, ., as before. In the ‘Ph. Suec.’ 1845 double the above weights of lemon peel and liquorice root are ordered, and in the ‘Hamburg Codex’ (1845) 24 lbs. of water only are ordered, and the whole is to be boiled down to 16 lbs. Obs. Both the above are used in Germany and on the Continent generally, in the same cases as those in which compound decoction of sarsaparilla is administered in England. They may be drunk almost ad libitum . A trace of mercury may be detected in the stronger decoction, when properly prepared. See Sarsaparilla .