58 
On  Quima,  etc. 
5  Am.  Joub.  Pharm.. 
I     Feb.  1, 1871. 
To  prevent  the  slightly  bitter  taste  which  begins  to  be  perceived  about 
a  half  minute  after  swallowing  the  dose,  rinse  the  mouth  with  water^ 
or  with  cold  tea,  which  is  better. 
Coffee  (if  a  good  article)  in  strong  decoction,  or  prepared  by  dis- 
placement or  in  powder,  while  it  adds  to  the  antiperiodic  effect,  dis- 
guises the  taste  of  a  large  proportion  of  the  sulphates  of  quinia  and 
cinchonia  and  like  bitters,  as  well  as  some  other  remedies,  not  im- 
pairing the  medical  properties,  and  though  not  new  it  seems  not  to 
be  generally  known.  It  is,  perhaps,  generally  known. to  have  been 
much  used  to  conceal  the  taste  of  senna  and  magnesia  sulphate,  and 
in  regard  to  quinia.  Waring  mentions  the  fact  on  page  229,  Practical 
Therapeutics.  He  says,  "  Coffee  is  of  importance  as  a  means  of  dis- 
guising the  taste  of  nauseous  medicines,  particularly  quinine,  senna 
and  epsom  salts."  It  is  to  be  remembered,  however,  that  c  weak 
preparation  will  not  do. 
R       Coffee  ^  teacupful,  Water  Oiss. 
Use  no  milk  with  it  unless  a  very  small  quantity  only  is  desired  to 
flavor ;  with  or  without  sugar  according  to  taste. 
In  relation  to  this  subject  there  is  an  important  fact  to  be  borne  in 
mind.  The  quinia  or  cinchonia  sulphate  should  be  put  in  the  coffee 
in  form  of  powder.  If  dissolved  first  with  an  acid  a  decided  bitter- 
ness will  be  perceived.  So,  in  the  case  of  anything  employed  to  con- 
ceal the  taste  of  quinia  sulphate  and  like  bitters,  use  the  bitter  in 
powder,  avoiding  an  acid  or  (with  a  few  exceptions)  any  perfect  solu- 
tion. 
Cocoa  or  chocolate,  if  the  quinia  sulphate  is  not  in  large  proportion,, 
conceals  the  taste  to  a  great  extent,  provided  it  be  used  of  a  sufficient 
strength,  as  in  the  solid  or  semi-fluid  state.  For  cinchonia  sulphate 
it  will  do  better,  since  the  taste  of  this  substance  is  not  so  difficult  to 
cover. 
A  decoction — five  minutes  boiling — of  a  certain  strength  (a  weak 
preparation  will  not  answer)  of  a  mixture  of  green  and  black  teas  (I 
have  not  succeeded  so  well  with  either  alone,  yet  there  can  be  no 
reason  why  one  will  not  do,)  after  standing  with  the  leaves  for  eight 
hours,  disguises  the  taste  of  quinia  and  cinchonia  sulphates,  though 
not  in  so  large  proportion  as  coffee.    For  this  purpose  : 
R       These  V.  gr.  xxv, — These  n.  gr.  xxxiv,  Aq.  fgiij. 
