Vinum Nicotianae Tabaci. Edin. Wine of Tobacco

"Take of tobacco leaves, one part; Spanish white wine, twelve parts. Macerate for seven days, and filter through paper."

This is the only form in which tobacco can be conveniently exhibited as an internal remedy. It is given to produce diuretic and antispasmodic effect in dropsies, colica pictonum, and ileus. The dose is from x. to xxx, in any proper vehicle."

Vinum Opii. Lond. Edin. Wine of Opium

"Take of purified extract of opium, two ounces and a half; cinnamon, bruised, cloves, bruised, of each, two drachms and a half; sherry wine, two pints. Macerate for eight days (seven days, Edin.), and filter."

Vinum Opii, Dub. Wine of Opium.

"Take of Turkish opium, one ounce; bruised cinnamon bark, bruised cloves, each one drachm; Spanish white wine, a pint. Macerate for eight days, and filter."

Syn. Vin d'Opium aromatique (F.), Vino aromo Opiato (I).

The aromatics which this preparation contains are supposed to modify the action of the opium, and prevent the disturbance of the brain and nervous system, which the simple tincture is apt to induce in nervous habits, and where the head is much affected. It is intended to supply the place of the liquid laudanum of Sydenham; but that preparation contained double the quantity of opium, and 3 j. of saffron, which is altogether omitted in the formulae of the colleges.2 Mr. Ware introduced the use of this preparation, as a local application in the second stage of ophthalmia; when the inflammatory symptoms have subsided, and the vessels of the conjunctiva

1 Laudanum liquidum Sydenhami, P. L. 1720.

2 The following is Sydenham's formula : - Vini Hispanici j. Opii ij. Croci 3 j. pulv. Cinnamomi et Caryophyllarum a. a. 3j. Infundantur simul in B. M. per duas vel tres dies, donee liquor debitam consistentiam acquirat. Colitura servetur pro usu. Sydenhami Opera Omnia, Lond. 1705, p. 147.

remain turgid with blood. Two or three drops are poured into the eye every morning, until the redness be removed.

Vinum Rhei. Edin. Wine of Rhubarb

"Take of rhubarb root, sliced, two ounces; canella bark, bruised, a drachm; proof spirit, two ounces; Spanish white wine, fifteen ounces. Macerate for seven days, and filter through paper."

This wine, when newly prepared, has the same properties, and may be applied to the same uses as the tincture, but it is liable to undergo decomposition. The dose is from f ss. to f j., or more.

Vinum Veratri. Lond. Wine of White Hellebore

"Take of white hellebore, sliced, eight ounces; sherry wine, two pints. Macerate for fourteen days, and filter."

A solution of white hellebore in wine contains veratria, the active principle of the root, in which it is combined with gallic acid.1 I have no doubt that a vinous preparation of white hellebore, exhibited with due caution, would answer every purpose of the wine of colchicum. Wine of white hellebore is seldom employed.

The dose is ten minims, gradually increased to thirty.