Obs. Chiretta is a pure tonic bitter, closely allied to gentian, and has been long esteemed in the East Indies as a remedy for acidity, flatulence, and dyspepsia, especially when occurring in gouty or debilitated habits. It is usually given in combination with carbonate of soda or salts of iron. The whole of the plant is employed.
2. (Concentrated; Infusum chirettæ concentratum, L.) From Chiretta, 4 oz.; for each pint of the product, prepared as either CONC. INFUSION OF CALUMBA or CASCARILLA. Eight times as strong as the common infusion.
Infusion of Cincho′na. Syn. Infusion of bark, Infusum cinchonæ, L. Prep. 1. (B. P.) Yellow cinchona (calisaya) bark, in coarse powder, 1 oz.; boiling distilled water, 1 pint; infuse for two hours in a covered vessel, and strain.
Obs. Infusion of bark is tonic and stomachic, and in very large doses febrifuge. It is an extremely useful medicine in dyspepsia, debility, and during convalescences, and is often a valuable adjunct to more active remedies. Like the decoction, it is most energetic when strained whilst hot. The addition of 1 fl. dr. of diluted sulphuric acid to the water before pouring it on the bark increases its solvent power, and, consequently the strength of the infusion.—Dose, 1 to 3 fl. oz.
2. (Concentrated; Infusum cinchonæ concentratum, L.)—a. Yellow bark (coarsely powdered), 4 lbs.; boiling water, 8 lbs.; digest for 12 hours, express the liquid, add rectified spirit, 2 lbs., and after 24 hours’ repose decant the clear portion.
b. Yellow bark (in coarse powder), 4 lbs.; cold water, 8 lbs.; rectified spirit, 2 lbs.; dilute sulphuric acid, 4 fl. oz.; mix the fluids, and either macerate the bark in them for a week in a closed vessel, or proceed by the method of displacement. Very superior.
Obs. 1 fl. dr. of either of the above, added to 7 fl. dr. of water, produces an extemporaneous infusion of cinchona resembling that of the pharmacopœia. The concentrated preparation of the Ph. L. being more than 8 times the usual strength, is placed amongst Liquors.
3. From PALE BARK:—a. (Ph. L., Infusion of pale cinchona; Infusum cinchonæ pallidæ—Ph. L.) From pale bark, as INFUSION OF CINCHONA—Ph. L.
b. (Ph. D.; Infusum cinchonæ—Ph. D.) Crown or pale bark, 1 oz.; boiling water, 1⁄2 pint; infuse 1 hour in a covered vessel, and strain through paper.
Obs. “This infusion is inferior to the preceding” (from yellow bark) “in activity, and is a very unnecessary one. It is said to oppress the stomach less than that of the other cinchona bark; the reason is obvious—it is weaker.” (Pereira.)