Decoction of Al′oes

Syn. Compound d. of a. , Balsam of life ; Baume de vie , Fr.; Decoctum al′oës (Ph. E.), D. a. compos′itum (B. P. and Ph. D.), L. Prep. 1. (B. P.) Extract of liquorice, 1 oz.; extract of socotrine aloes, 2 dr.; powdered myrrh and saffron, of each, 1 1 ⁄ 2 dr.; carbonate of pota a, 1 dr.; tincture of cardamoms, 8 oz.; water, a sufficiency. Coarsely powder the extract of aloes and myrrh, and put them, together with the carbonate of potash and extract of liquorice, into a covered ve el, with a pint of distilled water; boil gently for five minutes, then add the saffron; let the ve el with contents cool, then add the tincture of cardamoms, and, covering the ve els closely, allow the ingredients to macerate two hours, finally strain through flannel, pouring as much distilled water over the contents of the strainer as will make the product measure 30 oz. 2. (Ph. E.) Aloes, myrrh, and saffron, of each 1 dr.; extract of liquorice, 1 ⁄ 2 oz.; carbonate of pota a, 40 gr.; water, 16 fl. oz.; boil to 12 fl. oz.; strain, and add of compound tincture of cardamoms 4 fl. oz. 3. (Ph. D.) As No. 1 (nearly), but using hepatic aloes. A warm cathartic.— Dose , 1 ⁄ 2 to 1 1 ⁄ 2 oz.; in habitual costivene , dyspepsia, jaundice, . Obs. By boiling the saffron as ordered by the Dublin and Edinburgh Colleges, nearly the whole of its fragrance is di ipated. A better plan is to macerate it in the tincture for a few days, previously to adding the latter to the decoction of the other ingredients. After the tincture has been strained off from the saffron, the latter may be washed with a little water, to remove any adhering colour and odour, and this may be added to the decoction. The addition of the tincture produces a deposit of mucilaginous and feculent matter, which has been di olved out of the liquorice, for which reason some houses omit the latter altogether, and supply its place with an equal quantity of sugar or treacle, and a little colouring. By this method the liquid, after being once obtained clear, will continue so for any length of time. 4. (Wholesale.) Solazzi juice, 1 1 ⁄ 2 lb.; kali (carbonate of pota a), 4 oz.; hepatic aloes, 5 1 ⁄ 2 oz.; myrrh (small), 5 oz.; water, 4 1 ⁄ 2 galls.; boil to 3 galls., strain through flannel, cool, and add, of compound tincture of cardamoms, 10 pints; previously digested for 10 days on saffron, 2 1 ⁄ 2 oz.; mix well, and add e ential oil of nutmeg, 15 drops; oils of ca ia and caraway, of each 10 drops; and oils of cloves and pimento, of each 5 drops; in a week decant the clear portion from the sediment, and preserve it in a cool place. 5. (Concentrated; D. a. con centra′tum , L.)— a. Lump sugar, 8 oz.; colouring, 1 ⁄ 4 pint; carbonate of potash, 2 oz.; aloes, 3 1 ⁄ 2 oz.; myrrh and saffron, of each 2 1 ⁄ 2 oz.; compound tincture of cardamoms, 1 ⁄ 2 a gall.; water, 3 pints; boil the first five in the water, until reduced to nearly one half; cool, and add the tincture, previously digested for a week, on the saffron; and proceed as above. 14 oz. of extract of liquorice may be used instead of the sugar and colouring. b. Aloes, myrrh, liquorice, and pota a (all in powder), and saffron as last; compound tincture of cardamoms, 5 3 ⁄ 4 pints; digest a fortnight, and filter. In this way a very odorous and beautiful preparation is produced, which has been much admired. The above are said to po e four times the strength of the College preparation.