ture of Senna equal in strength to the infusion which is usually prescribed. When it is considered that the! 
infusion will not keep many hours without precipitating an oxidized extract, and that it is often wanted at a .I 
minute’s notice, we think that our readers will be thankful for our apprising them of so valuable a prepa- 9 
ration, which after several trials we have ascertained to be worthy of reliance. 
Among the preparations of Senna, we may mention the infusion, the tincture, and the confection,! 
(lenitive electuary.) 
The infusion is the basis of the well-known black draught. Dr. Hooper’s receipt for this popular re- 
medy is as follows : — 
Take of Epsom Salts half an ounce. 
Infusion of Senna an ounce and a half, 
Tincture of Senna a drachm and a half. 
Syrup of Ginger a drachm, 
Compound Spirit of Ammonia twenty minims : — Mix for a draught. 
We may here mention, that a new method of making tinctures has been introduced of late years. The 
following account of it, is from the Edinburgh Pharmacopoeia of 1839. 
Tinctures are usually made by reducing the solid ingredients to small fragments, coarse powder, or fine 
powder, macerating them for seven days or upwards in proof-spirit or rectified spirit, straining the solution 
through linen or calico, and finally expressing the residum strongly, to obtain what fluid is still retained in 
the mass. A much superior method, however, has been lately introduced, which answers well for mosti 
tinctures, namely, the method of displacement by percolation [straining.] According to this process, the 
solid materials, usually in coarse or moderately fine powder, are moistened with a sufficiency of the solvent ! 
to form a thick pulp ; in twelve hours, or frequently without any delay, the mass is put into a cylinder of 
glass, porcelain, or tinned iron, open at both ends, but obstructed at the lower end by a piece of calico or 
linen, tied tightly over it as a filter ; and the pulp being packed by pressure, varying as to degree with 
various articles, the remainder of the solvent is poured into the upper part of the cylinder, and allowed ! 
gradually to percolate. In order to obtain the portion of the fluid which is kept in the residum, an ad- 
ditional quantity of the solvent is poured into the cylinder until the tincture which has passed through [ 
equals in amount, the spirit originally prescribed ; and the spirit employed for this purpose, is then re- 
covered for the most part by pouring over the residum as much water as there is of spirit retained in it, i 
which may be easily known by an obvious calculation in each case. The method by percolation, where ap- 1 
plicable, will be found much more convenient and expeditious, than the mode hitherto commonly followed, | 
and it exhausts the solid materials, in general, much more completely. As considerable practice, however,] 
is required for managing the details in different cases, more especially in regard to the degree of minuteness ■ 
of division of the solids, and the degree of firmness with which they are to be packed in the cylinder, we 
have thought it right to direct that the method by maceration, may be followed as an alternative. But the 
method by percolation is now preferred by all who have made sufficient trial of it to apply it correctly. 
“If Sene,” says Gerard, “be infused in whey, and then boiled a little, it becommeth good physicke ; 
against melancholy, clenseth the braine and purgeth it, as also the heart, lieur, milt, and lungs, causeth a I 
man to looke young, engendreth mirth, and taketh away sorrow : it cleereth the sight, strengthneth hearing, i 
and is very good against old fevers and diseases arising of melancholy.” 
“ April” says the author of the “ Flora Domestica, is described by a French poet in the colours of an 
English May; the spring, of course, being somewhat earlier in the warmer climate of France : — 
April — the hawthorn and the eglantine, 
Purple woodbine. 
Streaked pink, and lily-cap, and rose, 
- And thyme, and marjoram, are spreading 
Where thou art treading; 
And their sweet eyes for thee unclose. Remy Belleau.” 
“A considerable number of plants,” observes Dr. Aikin, “flower in this month ; in particular, many 
of the fruit-bearing trees and shrubs, the flowers of which are peculiarly termed blossoms. These form a 
most agreeable spectacle, as well on account of their beauty, as of the promise they give of future benefits, 
Hope waits upon the flowery prime. 
It is, however, an anxious time for the possessor, as the fairest prospect of a plentiful increase is so I 
often blighted. Shakespeare draws a pathetic comparison from this circumstance, to paint the delusive 
nature of human expectations. 
This is the state of man ; to-day he puts forth 
The tender leaves of hope, to-morrow blossoms, 
And bears his blushing honours thick upon him, 
The third day comes a frost, a killing frost.” 
