OCR Text |
Show 568 SPEARMINY. mixed with each other, or the dearer sophisticated with the cheaper, without any possibility of discovering the abuse by any trials of this kind: and, indeed, it would not be of much advantage ta the purchaser, if he had infallible criteria of the genuineness of every individual oil. It is of as much importance that they be good, as that they be genuine; for genuineoils, from inattentive distillation, and long andcareless keeping, are often weaker, both in smell and taste, than the common sophisticated ones. The smell and taste seem to be the only certain test of which the nature of the thing will admit. If a bark should havein every respect the appearance af good cinnamon, and should be proved indisputably to be the genuine bark of the cinnamon tree; yet if it want the cinnamon flayour, or has it but in a low degree, we reject it; and the case is the same with the oil. It is only from use and habit, ar comparisons with specimens of knownquality, that we can judge of the goodness, either of the drugs themselves, or of their oils. Most of the volatile oils, indeed, are too hot and pungent to be tasted with safety; and the smell of the subject is sa much concentrated in them, that a small variation in this respect is not easily distinguished ; but we canreadily dilute them to any assignable degree. A drop of the oil may be dissolved in spirit of wine, or receiyed on a bit of sugar, and dissolved by that ins termedium in water. The quantity of liquor which it thus impregnates with jts flavour, or the degree of flavour which it com. municates to a certain determinate quantity, will be the measure of the degree of goodness ofthe oil. Comrounp Inruston or Spearmint. (Infusum Menthe Viridis Compositum. ) Take of the leaves of spearmint, dried, two drachms; boiling water, as much as will afford six ounces of the infusion, when filtered : Digest for half an hour, in a covered vessel; strain the liquor when cold, and then add of Dauble refined sugar, two drachms ; Oil of spearmint, three drops, dissolved in Compound tincture of cardamums, half an ounce. PEPPERMINT. MENTHA PIPERITA. Class XIV. Didynamia. Order I, Gymnospermia. Essent. Gen. Coar, Same asthe last. Srec. Cuan. Flowers capitate: Leaves ovate, petiolate: Stamens of the corolla very short, EE DESCRIPTION. Risestwo feet in height. Leaves egg-shaped, serrated, pointed, of a dark green, standing in pairs, upon footstalks, Flowers purple, produced in terminal spikes. HISTORY, This species of mint is also perennial, and a native of Britain, whereit is cultivated in very great quantities, for the sakeofits Mix. essential oil. It flowers in August and September. ‘The leaves have a strong, rather agreeable smell, and an intensely pungent, This infusion is slightly stimulating and diaphoretic, and forms aromatic taste, resembling that of pepper, and accompanied with a very agreeable herb tea, which may be used in any quantity ix diet, or as a vehicle for more active remedies. @ peculiar sensation of coldness. Its predominant constituents are essential oil and camphor, both of which rise in distillation, and are combined in whatis salled oil of peppermint. |