MENTHA PIPERITA. 



cially useful in the cholera in children. The medicine may be 

 given in infusion, but the volatile oil, either alone or in some 

 state of preparation, is generally and almost always preferred. 



There are several varieties, and all are herbaceous and odor- 

 ous, with verticillate flowers, either axillary or spiked. Several 

 of the species are officinal. 



The following are the principal preparations of this medi- 

 cine, with their uses. 



AQUA MENTHJE PIPERITA. Take of peppermint a pound 

 and a half, pour over it as much water as will prevent empy- 

 reuma during the distillation. Distil a gallon. 



Peppermint water has the flavor and taste of the plant in a 

 very considerable degree. It is sometimes used alone as a 

 carminative and stimulant, but more generally for the purpose 

 of covering the taste of other medicines. 



SPIRITUS MENTH^E PIPERITJE. Take of oil of peppermint, 

 by weight, six scruples and a half; proof spirit four pints and 

 a half; water, sufficient to prevent empyreuma. Add the spirits 

 to the oil, and pour on them as much water as will prevent 

 empyreuma, then distil with a slow fire one gallon. 



Spirit of peppermint is a useful carminative in nausea and 

 flatulence, and as an adjunct to purgative remedies. This 

 spirit has no advantage over a simple solution of the oil in 

 alcohol, and may therefore with great propriety be substituted 

 for it. The solution is usually kept in the shops under the 

 name of essence of peppermint. 



OLEUM MENTHJE PIPERITA. Obtained by submitting the 

 fresh herb to distillation with water. Its odor is strong and its 

 taste very pungent, but at the same time it impresses a sensa- 

 tion of coldness. The vapor of it applied to the eye causes 

 a feeling of coldness. Its color is greenish-yellow, or nearly 

 colorless, but it becomes white when exposed to the light, and 

 reddish by age. Four pounds of the recent plant yield from 

 one drachm and a half to three drachms and a half of the oil. 

 The product is generally less than one per cent. In a warm, 

 dry, and favorable season, the product of a given quantity of 

 the fresh herb is double that which it yields in a wet and 

 cold season. 



Oil of peppermint is a stimulant and carminative, and is 

 used occasionally as an antispasmodic. It is a common do- 

 mestic remedy in cramp of the stomach, flatulent colic, and 

 anorexia, and as a corrigent or adjuvant of other medicines. 

 The dose is from one to three drops, and is most conveniently 

 given rubbed up with sugar and then dissolved in water. 



Besides the above, there are other popular preparations of 

 peppermint extensively used. INFUSUM MENTHA PIPERITJE, 

 Peppermint tea ; ROTUL.E MENTHJE PIPERITJE, Peppermint 

 drops ; THE LIQUEUR sold at the spirit-shops as mint or pep- 

 permint is used as a cordial. 



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