OCR Text |
Show 648 COMMON COMMON LIQUORICE. quently mouldy and spoiled. ‘The roots are very lang, about au inch thick, flexible, fibrous, externally of a brown colour, internally yellow, and, when fresh, juicy. ‘Their tasteis very sweet, combined with a slight degree of bitter when long kept in the mouth. They are prepared for use by peeling them, cutting awayall the fibres and decayed parts. It is necessary to preserve them in a very dry place, as they are extremely apt to spoil. The powder of liquorice usually sold is often mingled with flour, and perhaps also with substances not so wholesome. The best sort is of a brownish yellow colour, the fine pale yellow being generally sophisticated, and it is of a very rich sweet taste, much moreagreeable than that of the fresh root. Neumann got from 960 parts of dried liquorice, 300 alcoholic extract, and afterwards 210 watery; andinversely, 540 watery, and only 30 alcoholic. The original alcoholic extract is the sweetest. MEDICAL USE. Its predominant constituents being saccharine and mucilaginous matter, its only action is that of a mild demulcent, and as such it is frequently used in catarrh, and in complaints, which seem to arise from a deficiency mucus,. which should defend the stomach against of the food, andthe fluids secreted intoit. On account of its bulk it is rarely exhibited in more frequently in infusion or decoction, some stomach of the natural the acrimony substance, but LIQUORICE. Trocurs or Liquorice. (Trochisci Glycyrrhize. E.) Take of extract of liquorice ; gum arabic, of each, one part ; white sugar, two parts: Dissolve them in warm water, and strain; then evaporate the solution over agentlefiretill it be of a proper consistence for being formed into troches. Trosurs or Liquorice. (Trochisci Glycyrrhize. L.) Take of extract ofliquorice 5 double refined sugar, of cach, ten ounces ; ——tragacanth, powdered, three ounces: Powder them thoroughly, and make them into troches withrose water. These are both agreeable pectorals, and maybe usedat pleasure in tickling coughs. ‘The latter of these two receipts is the Refined extrac easiest and best mode of making these troches. of liquorice should be used; and it is easily powdered in the cold, after it has been laid for some days in a dry and rather warm place. ‘The solution and subsequent evaporation directed by the Edinburgh college is exceedingly troublesome, and apt + t to give them an empyreumatic flavour. Liquorice Trocues witn Orrum. (Trochisci Glycyrrhize cum Opio. E.) 1 i ake of opium, two drachms; —— tincture of Tolu, half an ounce; ——— common syrup, eight ounces ; OFFICINAL PREPARATIONS. Extract or Liquorice. (Extractum Radicis Glycyrrhize glabre.) Theliquorice root is to be boiled, in eight times its weight of water, to one half; the liquor is then to be expressed, and, after the feces have subsided, to be filtered ; it is then to be eva- porated, with a heat between 200° and 212°, until it becomes thickish; and, lastly, it is to be evaporated with a heat less than 200°, and frequently stirred, until it acquire a consistence proper for forming pills. This is made intolittle pastils or flat cakes, oftentimes bearing the impression of the places where they are made; and a bit nowandthen put into the mouth takes offthe tickling of a cough. It should be sucked to make it pleasant, as much of the juice taken at the time is unpleasant —— extract of liquorice, softened in warm water, = ~ gum arabic, in powder, of each five ounces: Triturate the opium well with the tincture, then add by degrees the syrup and extract; afterwards gradually mix in the powdered gum arabic. Lastly, dry them so as to form a mass, to be di- vided into troches, each weighing ten grains, These directions for preparing the above troches are so fall aud particular, that no further explanation is necessary; seven anda half, contain about one grain of opium. ‘These truches are medicines of approved efficacy in tickling coughs depending on the irritation of the fauces. Besides the mechanical etiect of the viscid matters in involving acrid humours, or lining and de. fending the tender membranes, the opium no doubt must have a considerable effect, by more immediately bility of the parts themselves. iinishing the irrita- |