vili. FORMS OF REMEDIES. 
one part of the tincture to ten of alcohol or water; the second, of one part 
to one hundred, etc. Dilutions and triturations are both thus compounded 
on the decimal scale, and in this form are found at the homceopathic phar- 
macies, being by the latter marked 1x, 2x, 8x, ete. The subjoined illustra- 
tions will be of service in using medicines: 
1st dilution (1x), 1 part of tincture to 10 of alcohol or water. 
2d « (2x), 1* (a3 100 “ “ 
8d «= (8x), 1 * “ 1,000 “ “ 
4th «  (4x),1 “ “ 10,000 “ “ 
Etc., etc., etc. 
It will be seen that there is a wide difference between one dilution and 
another in the amount of the drug involved. Though in some cases it may 
make no material difference in the effect whether the first or second is used, 
in others it is absolutely essential to give that which is recommended, par- 
ticularly in using very powerful or very poisonous drugs, which are to be 
administered in the high dilutions. 
TrituRATIONS.—A trituration contains a given part of the drug ground 
with stated parts of sugar-of-milk, being oviously in the form of a powder. 
the first trituration contains one part of the drug to ten of sugar-of-milk; 
the second, one part to one hundred, etc. The characters “1x,” “2x,” atc., 
are used to distinguish them. Observe the same cautions about using the 
particular trituration prescribed as were given above for Dilutions. 
Dezcoctions anp Inrusitons.—A decoction is made by boiling the med- 
icinal substance in water; an infusion, by pouring boiling water upon it and 
allowing it to cool. 
So_utions.—These are made by dissolving the medicinal substance in 
some liquid, as alcohol or water. A “saturated solution” is alcohol contain- 
ing as much of a substance as it will hold in solution. 
Lorions on Wasuxs.—These are mixtures of medicinal agents and 
water, for local use. Formulas are given on page 427. 
Crrates.—A cerate is a compound of a drug with oil or oily sub- 
stances, and formulas for the same, with the uses, are given on page 427. 
OrntuENntTs.—These are similar to cerates, and their formulas are given 
on pages 427 and 428. 
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