VOL. IX.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 157 



montian laudanum, which request of mine being almost as soon granted as 

 made, I think myself bound both to own his readiness to oblige the public, and 

 to acquaint them with his way of making so considerable a medicine, as I prac- 

 tised it; though if I had received his directions in writing, they might have been 

 more full and methodical. But though I perceived that he sometimes varies his 

 preparations a little, yet that laudanum proving very successful, that was made 

 according to the annexed paper, I think it will not be amiss to keep to that; 

 which I wish could have been published before the season of the quinces were so 

 far advanced. 



Laudanum Helmontii Junioris. 



Take of opium a quarter of a pound, and of the juice of quinces four pounds 

 at the least;* the opium being cut into very thin slices, and then as it were 

 minced, to reduce it into smaller parts, is to be put into, and well mixed with 

 the liquor, first made luke-warm, and fermented with a moderate heat for eight 

 or ten days, rather more than less; then filter-)- it, and having infused in it of 

 cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, of each an ounce, J let them stand three or four 

 days more; if it be a full week, it may be so much the better; then filter <5> the 

 liquor once more, having let it boil a walme or two after the spices have been 

 put in ; this being done, evaporate away the superfluous water to the consistence 

 of an extract, or to what other consistence you please. Lastly, incorporate very 

 well with it two ounces of the best saffron reduced to fine powder. || 



According to the consistence you desire to have your medicine of, you may 

 order it so, as either to make it up into a mass of pills, in which form I have 

 caused it to be given, or keep it in a liquid form ; but in this latter case the 

 evaporation must have been made more sparingly, that after the putting in of 

 the saffron,^ it may not grow too thick. In this form the dose may be from five 

 or six drops to ten, or fewer, according to circumstances ; and of the pills a 

 somewhat less quantity is required. 



* For near five pounds would perhaps do better. — Original, 

 t Which circumstance the author often omits, though I do not. — Original. 

 X The author sometimes uses half an ounce more of each spice. — Original. 

 § Or strain it well through a canvas bag. — Original. 



II Sometimes the author instead of the powder, makes use of as much extract as can be obtained 

 from that quantity of saftVon.^Original. 

 ? Or its extract.— Original. 



