156 
MISCELLANY. 
The infusions are prepared in the usual way : boiling water is 
poured over the well-broken or cut substance, the contents of the vessel 
stirred up, the latter closed, the liquid allowed to become perfectly 
cold, and then filtered. 
If the Apothecary wishes to employ for the infusions, water which 
has been heated in a kettle to a boiling temperature by the steam of 
the apparatus, the vessel must be exposed to the steam for five 
minutes. 
If the quantity of the medicine, and that of the liquid to be obtained 
from it, are not prescribed by the physician (which ought only to 
occur in extraordinary cases) one drachm of the substance is taken for 
every ounce of the decoction or infusion. In order to obtain a concen- 
trated decoction, the vessel is to be left for three quarters of an hour 
to the influence of the steam; and for a very concentrated decoction, one 
hour, without increasing the quantity of the medicine. A concentrated 
infusion is prepared by increasing the substance to be infused by one- 
half of the prescribed quantity, and a very concentrated infusion by 
doubling it. — Ibid^from Bachncrh Repertorium. 
On Oleum Ricini Alcoholicum. — M. August Ostermayer a merchant in 
Munich, has received form Trieste, and ofTers for sale a sort of oleum 
ricini alcoholicum, which is much patronised in Italy. From half-an- 
ounce to one ounce, according to the age and constitution of the 
patient, is prescribed with half-an-ounce of aqua naphce, and half-an- 
ounce of syrup, cort. aurant. This oil is said to be less disagreeable to 
the taste in this form and mixture, and also to operate more effectively 
than the common ol. ricini obtained by pressure, or boiling with water. 
Dr. Buchner gives the following description of it: — the oL ricini 
alcohol, is of a very pale yellow oil colour, and somewhat turbid. 
When left standing, white Qakes and some small globules form in it, 
and which appear to arise from the presence of water. The specific 
weight is only 0.920, that of common castor oil, according to Brandes, 
Schiibler, and others, being 0.954 to 0.970. It is clear and somewhat 
thick. The ol. ric. alcohol, possesses a faint smell of alcohol, alto- 
gether void of fuselol [oil of grain] ; and a not disagreeable oily and 
alcoholic taste. If taken without syrup and aqua cort. aurant. it leaves 
behind in the throat a slight, rather persistent acrid sensation. The 
alcohol which it contains is not very strong, but it can easily be 
ignited, and then it burns with a blueish flame, leaving some particles 
of water mixed with the oil. To determine the proportion of castor 
oil, six drachms, or 360 grains of ol, ricin. alcohol, were submitted to a 
temperature of from 167° F. to 212° F., in a porcelain capsule for 48 
