Dr. M'Millan's formulas and domestic guide

This tincture is purgative, tonic and emmenagogue, and is considerably employed in chlorosis and other disordered states of health in females, connected with suppressed, retained or deficient menstruation, and with a constipated state of the bowels. It may also be used as a stomachic laxa- tive in cold, languid habits, independently of menstrual disorders. The dose is from i to 2 fluid drams, repeated at intervals of 2 or 3 hours, as the case requires. TINCTURE OF ARNICA. Arnica flowers 6 ounces. Alcohol i^ pints. Water Y^ pint Dilute alcohol sufficient quantity. Mix the alcohol and water, and having moistened the arnica slightly with the mixture bruise it thoroughly through the mortar, then pack it firmly in a cylindrical percolator and pour upon it first the remainder of the mixture and afterwards sufficient diluted alcohol to make the tincture measure 2 pints. Use either alone or diluted with water, soap, liniment, etc. Tincture of arnica is often applied properly to bruises, sprains, tumors and local rheumatic pains, under the impression that it has extraordinary healing powers. It probably acts favorably in some instances as a gentle irritant. If given internally the dose would be from 30 drops to 2 drams. It would always be well for families to keep this tincture on hand as it is a valuable domestic medicine. TINCTURE OF ASSAFETIDA. Assafetida bruised 4 ounces. Alcohol 2 pints. Macerate for 14 days and filter through paper. This tincture becomes milky on the addition of water, in consequence of the separation of the resin. It posesses all the virtues of assafetida. The dose is 30 to 60 drops. It should be employed in all nervous cases and a few drops on sugar may be given with advantage to young children, in whooping-cough. TINCTURE OF GUAIAC. Guaiac in moderately coarse powder 6 ounces. Alcohol a sufficient quantity. Mix the powder thoroughly, with an equal bulk of dry sand, and pack it moderately in a percolator, cover it over with sand and pour gradually upon it alcohol, until 2 pints of the tincture is obtained. Its chief use is in rheumatism and gout, but it has been used effectually in suppression of the menses and dysmenorrhcea. Dose, i to 2 drams 3 or 4 times a day. COMPOUND TINCTURE OF GENTIAN. Gentian in moderately fine powder i ounce. Cardamom in moderately fine powder one-half ounce. Dilute alcohol a sufficient quantity. Moisten the powders, having mixed them with 1 1^ ounce of dilute alcohol, pack in a glass percolator, and gradually pour on dilute alcohol until 2 pints of the tincture is obtained. This tincture is an elegant bitter, much used in dyspepsia, and as an addition to tonic mixtures, in debilitated states of the digestive organs, or of the system generally. The dose is i or 2 drams every 3 or 4 hours. TINCTURE OF ORANGE PEEL. Bitter orange peel cut and bruised 2 ounces. Alcohol I pint. Macerate for 7 days in a closed vessel with occasional agitation, then strain, press, filter, and add sufficient alcohol to make i pint. The tincture of orange peel is used as a grateful addition to infusions, decoctions, and mixtures. Dose is i or 2 fluid drams. AMMONIATED TINCTURE OF GUAIAC. Guaiac in moderately coarse powder 6 ounces. Aromatic spirits of ammonia 2 pints.