46 
METHOD OF PREPARING EXTRACTS AND SIRUPS. 
" For tlie last several years I have prepared my medicines, or 
rather those of which I make the most frequent use, in such a ' 
manner, that the doses in quantity, are much smaller than usual, 
and are fully as effectual in their results, if not more so, than the 
same articles as generally administered. The object most desira- 
ble in chronic diseases, is not to shock the system by repeated 
large quantities of active medicine, as is too often the case with 
practitioners, and from which cause very few real and permanent 
cures are effected in chronic cases, but to give medicines in the 
least possible doses that may be found necessary to keep the sys- 
tem constantly under their peculiar alterative, tonic, or other 
action, and always in union with the other requisites of proper 
exercise, diet, cleanliness, &c. 
" My method of preparing these medicines depends upon the 
required active constituent or constituents of the medicine ; thus, 
with the greater part of tinctures, I prepare them saturated, instead 
of the common strength, which of course lessens the dose in quan- 
tity. * * * From some I obtain only the resin, by 
extracting all that alcohol will take up, then filter the alcoholic 
tincture, to which add an equal quantity of water, and separate the 
alcohol by distillation ; the resin sinks in the water. Thus, an ex- 
cellent hepatic is obtained from the Hydrastus canadensis in the 
dose of from one fourth to three grains ; a purgative, alterative or 
emmenagogue, from the Iris versicolor, Podophyllum peltatum, San- 
guinaria canadensis, Cimicifuga racemosa, Caulopliyllum thalic- 
tr aides, &c. 
" Sometimes I distil the alcoholic tincture to a certain quantity 
without the addition of the water, and then evaporate the remain- 
der until the residue is of the required consistence for a pilling 
extract, or powder as with Sang, canad., Aletris fai-inosa, Peonia 
officinalis, EupJiorhia ipecacuanha, Apocynum canahinuni, &c. 
" With other articles I make the alcoholic extract, as above, 
then boil the roots or herbs in water till all the virtues are obtained, 
