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DECOCTUM ALOES COMFOSITUM. 
ART. LXI. — PREPARATION OF L>ECOCTUM ALOES COM- 
POSITUM. 
Mr. Maddock:, of Tunbridge Wells, in a communication 
on this subject, alludes to the great difference which exists in 
this preparation, as obtained from different houses ; and as- 
cribes this difference to the length of time during which it has 
been kept — the aloes and myrrh being gradually deposited, 
until at last the decoction is left nearly destitute of these in- 
gredients. 
He says, " The plan I adopt is to follow the Pharmacopoeia 
implicitly, as to articles and quantities ordered ; but instead 
of boiling the saffron with the other ingrediednts, I first make 
an infusion of it in a small quantity of boiling water, which 
infusion is added to the tincture, and the almost spent saffron 
added to the other articles, to be boiled the proper time, com- 
pleting the process by an accurate attention to the quantity of 
the required product. By this means much of the flavor of 
the saffron is preserved, which, by boiling, is dissipated to a 
great degree ; but the question is, What is next to be done ? 
I would beg to suggest, that the decoction should be allowed 
to stand twenty-four hours to cool and deposit, after which it 
should be filtered through paper ; and subsequently, when- 
ever used, that the deposit that will still continue to form, 
should be as much as possible combined with the decoction 
by agitation, so that something of an uniform preparation may 
be kept by all." 
We agree with Mr. Maddock that this preparation is sub- 
ject to considerable variation, resulting not only from the de- 
gree of care which is bestowed in making it, but also from 
changes which necessarily take place, and which occur when 
no deviation has been made from the instructions of the Phar- 
macopoeia. It is very desirable, therefore, that some means 
should be devised whereby the uniformity in appearance and 
operation of this valuable medicine may be ensured. 
