8 ACONITE. 



paration. When recently prepared, it varies much in strength, 

 and if a year old, is totally inert. We can hardly recommend 

 this as a domestic remedy, as its operation requires the utmost 

 vigilance of the physician. Should it, however, be resorted to, 

 the following is the method of preparing it. 



Extract of Aconite. — Bruise the fresh leaves of Aconite in 

 a stone or iron mortar, with a wooden pestle, and squeeze them 

 forcibly through a canvas bag, to obtain the juice, which must 

 afterwards be evaporated in a flat vessel, placed in boiling water 

 saturated with salt, till reduced to the consistency of honey. 

 When cold, the extract should be preserved in a glazed earthen 

 vessel, and moistened with a little spirit of wine. 



It may be employed in any of the diseases above enumerated 

 when they become obstinate and refuse to yield to the ordinary 

 remedies. Not more than half a grain should be given at first, 

 and the dose gradually increased, closely watching its effects. 

 It may be taken twice or three times in the day. The most con- 

 venient form is in pills. 



Dr. Turnbull, in his work just quoted, recommends the root* 

 of the plant to be used in preference to the leaves, as it not only 

 affords a more equal product, but contains more of the active 

 principle. He directs a tincture to be made by digesting one 

 part by weight of the powder of the dried root, in six parts by 

 measure of strong alcohol for seven days, filtering through paper. 

 The dose for adults is eight or ten drops, three times a day, 

 gradually augmented to twenty drops. 



From this tincture an ammoniated extract is prepared, which 

 is directed to be used externally by friction in paralytic cases 

 and long standing rheumatic affections. To each drachm of the 

 tincture evaporated to the consistence of an extract, are added 

 ten drops of liquor ammoniae, and after the mixture has stood 

 for a short time exposed to a gentle heat, an ointment is prepared 

 in the following manner. 



Ammoniated Extract of Aconite, 1 drachm. 



Lard 3 drachms. 



Mix. To be used by friction. 



* As the old root, after the stems have shot up and produced flowers, is de- 

 prived of much of its vigoui-, great care should be taken to select the new roots. 



