466 MATERIA 3IEDICA 



way it is apt to inflame the membrane of the mouth. — 3Iortons 

 Manual. 



Mr. Morton has also found that a terebinthinate solution of 

 the acrid principle of croton seeds to be a powerful irritant to 

 the skin of the ox : and he has employed it in the following 

 form : — 



Croton seeds, bruised 1 oz. 



Oil of turpentine 8 ozs. 



Macerate for 14 days. 



DAFFY'S ELIXIE. A popular quack medicine, often 

 given to horses as a remedy for Hatulent colic, gripes, or fret, 

 which it sometimes cures, being composed of proof spirit, in 

 which senna, jalap, caraway seeds, and ginger have been in- 

 fused. It is by no means an eligible medicine, and should never 

 be employed in this complaint. When the remedies prescribed 

 for this disorder cannot be obtained, a pint of warm beer, with 

 grated ginger, or a glass of gin or other spirit, will be found a 

 cheaper and a more effectual remedy than Daffy's Elixir; or, 

 Avhat is still more eifectual, a pint of warm brandy and water ; 

 from four to six ounces of brandy to twelve ounces of water. 

 Hum or gin may answer the same purpose diluted with water. 

 See Carminatives. 



DEADLY NIGHTSHADE. See Belladonna. 



DECOCTIONS. — J5.rocto. These differ from infusions by 

 the substance of which the decoction is composed being acted 

 iipon by a boiling heat. Some substances, however, are decom- 

 posed by being boiled, Avhile others are rendered more easily 

 soluble, and their active principle more completely obtained by 

 this process. All volatile matter is dissipated by being boiled. 

 Decoctions can therefore only Avith propriety be composed of 

 those substances which are neither decomposed nor volatilized by 

 a boilinnf heat. 



When more than one Ingredient enters into the composition 

 of a decoction, it is sometimes desirable not to boil them altoge- 

 ther, but in succession, according to their different degrees of 

 hardness ; and, if any aromatic or volatile substance form a part 

 of the decoction, the boiling liquid should merely be poured 

 upon it, after the other menstrua have been properly decocted. 

 Decoctions should be made in vessels of sufficient magnitude 

 to prevent their boiling over, and, as they soon ferment, and 

 arc spoiled by keeping, should be used soon after they arc 

 made. They should also be strained while hot, as some of them 

 (the decoction of Peruvian Bark, for instance) deposit, on cool- 

 ing, an active and useful princii)le, from the circumstance of 

 water at a boiling temperature being able to hold a greater 

 quantity of matter in solution than \^ hen cold. As the object 



