Infusum Valerianae. Lond. Dub. Infusion of Valerian

"Take of valerian, half an ounce; boiling distilled water, a pint. Macerate for two hours, in a lightly-covered vessel, and strain."

Valerian infusion is clear, of a pale brown colour; with the odour of the valerian, and a bitterish, pungent taste. Solutions of nitrate of silver, sulphate of iron, and infusion of yellow cinchona, afford precipitates with this infusion; and are therefore incompatible in formulae with it.

Medical properties and uses. - This is an useful form of giving valerian in hysterical and nervous affections, in which the stomach will not always bear the powder. The dose may be from f jss. to f ij., twice or thrice a day.

Aqua Calcis Composita. Dub. Compound Lime-water

"Take of raspings of guaiacum wood, half a pound; liquorice root, sliced and bruised, an ounce; sassafras bark, bruised, half an ounce; coriander seeds, three drachms; lime-water, six pints. Macerate without heat for two days, and strain."

This is a very inert preparation; and, unless great care be taken to exclude the air completely from the vessel in which it is made, the lime-water will be decomposed.

Linimentum Ammoniae Sesquicarbo-Natis. Lond. Liniment of Sesquicarbonate of Ammonia

"Take of solution of sesquicarbonate of ammonia, a fluid ounce; olive oil, three fluid ounces. Shake them together until they unite."

This preparation is also a fluid soap; but the combination of the oil and alkali is less perfect owing to the carbonic acid of the sesquicarbonate. It is also much less soluble in water, and after a little time the soapy matter separates from the water. It is intended for the same purposes as the strong liniment, which can be reduced by the addition of oil; therefore, this may be regarded as a superfluous preparation.

Linimentum Aquae Calcis; Sive Oleum Lini Cum Calce. Edin. Liniment of Lime-water

"Take of linseed oil, lime-water, of each equal parts. Mix them."

1 Linimentum volatile, P. L. 1745. Linimentum ammoniae, P. L. 1787,

Linimentum Calcis, Dub. Liniment of Lime,

"Take of lime-water, olive-oil, of each three fluid ounces. Mix them them."

These are solutions of earthy soaps, formed by the chymical union of the lime and the oil. They are thick, of a white colour, devoid of acrimony; and are very advantageously applied to burns and scalds. The soapy matter separates from the water, when the liniment is kept for a little time; it is always better, therefore, to prepare it only when it is wanted.

Linimentum Camphorae. Lond. Liniment of Camphor

"Take of camphor, half an ounce; olive oil, two fluid ounces. Dissolve the camphor in the oil."

Oleum Camphoratum. Edin. Camphorated oil

"Take of camphor, an ounce; olive oil, four fluid ounces. Dissolve the camphor in the oil."

Oleum Camphoratum, Dub. Camphorated oil.

"Take of camphor, half an ounce; olive oil, two fluid ounces. Rub them together."

These solutions of camphor in fixed oil are useful embrocations to glandular swellings, sprains, bruises, and to joints affected with rheumatic pains. Mr. Ware recommends them, with the addition of half an ounce of the solution of sesquicarbonate of potassa, to be applied to the eyelids night and morning in incipient amaurosis.

Tinctura Saponis Et Opii; Vulgo, Linimentum Anodynum

Edin. Dub. Tincture of Soap and Opium; commonly called Anodyne Liniment. "Take of hard soap, sliced, four ounces;. opium, one ounce; camphor, two ounces; oil of rosemary; half an ounce; alcohol, two pounds. Digest the soap in the alcohol .for three days; then to the strained solution add the camphor and the oil, frequently shaking the mixture."

The addition of the opium to the soap liniment renders it in many cases of rheumatism and local pains more useful than the simple liniment; but a decomposition takes place, and, therefore, if any effect is particularly desired from the external application of opium, it will be obtained with more certainty by dissolving the opium in olive oil.

1 Linimentum saponaceum, P. L. 1745. Lin. Saponis compositum, P. L. 1824.

Linimentum Terebinthinae. Lond. Dub. Turpentine Liniment.

"-Take of cerate of resin, a pound; oil of turpentine, half a pint. Melt the cerate; then add to it the oil of turpentine, and mix them."

This liniment was introduced into practice by Dr. Kentish, at that time a surgeon in Newcastle, as a dressing to burns immediately after they happen, and until the loosening of the eschars. Dr. Kentish's plan was first to bathe the parts with warm oil of turpentine, and then to apply over them plasters, thickly spread, of this liniment; at the same time that he supported the strength with wine, opium, and cordials. After the life of the parts appeared to be restored, purges were given, the cordials omitted, and mild emollient dressings applied. We have had several opportunities of witnessing the good effects of this plan of treatment.1