Decoction, Narcotic. Syn. Decoctum anodynum, D. narcoticum, L. Prep. (Hosp. Form.) Common nightshade (dried), 1 oz.; poppy heads, 3 in no.; water, 1 pint; boil 10 minutes, and strain. As an anodyne fomentation, used warm.
Decoction of Ni′tre. Syn. Decoctum nitrosum, D. nitratum, D. potassæ nitratis, L. Prep. 1. Nitre, 1⁄2 oz.; white sugar, 2 oz.; cochineal, 20 gr.; water, 11⁄2 pint; boil a few minutes, and strain.
2. (Hosp. Form.) Barley-water, 1 pint; nitre, 5 dr.; dissolve. Diuretic, diaphoretic, and refrigerant. A wine-glassful, frequently; in gonorrhœa, sore throat, acute rheumatism, scurvy, &c.
Decoction of Oak Bark. Syn. Decoctum quercûs (Ph. L. E. & D.), L. Prep. 1. (Ph. L. & E.) Oak bark (bruised), 10 dr.; water, 1 quart; boil down to a pint, and strain.
2. (Ph. D.) Oak bark, 11⁄2 oz.; water, 11⁄2 pint; boil 10 minutes, and strain. Astringent. Used as a gargle in ulcerated sore throat, relaxation of the uvula, &c., and as a wash, and as an injection in piles, leucorrhœa, hæmorrhages, prolapsus ani, &c.
3. (Ph. B.) Oak bark bruised, 11⁄2 oz.; distilled water, 1 pint; boil for 10 minutes, and strain.
Decoction of Oats. Syn. Water gruel; Decoctum avenæ, L. Prep. 1. (Cullen.) Oatmeal, 1 oz.; water, 3 quarts; boil to a quart, strain, and when cold, decant the clear liquid from the sediment.
2. (A. T. Thomson.) Washed groats, 4 oz.; water, 4 pints; boil to a quart. Nutritious and demulcent. Taken ad libitum, to promote the action of purgatives, and as an enema, either alone, or as a vehicle for more active substances. It is too thin for food. See Gruel.
Decoction of Parei′ra. Syn. Decoctum pareiræ (Ph. L.), L. Prep. 1. (Ph. L.) Pareira brava root (sliced), 10 dr.; water, 11⁄2 pint; boil to a pint, and strain.
2. (Sir B. Brodie.) Pareira, 4 dr.; water, 3 pints; boil to a pint, as last. The above are given in gonorrhœa, leucorrhœa, and chronic inflammation of the bladder.—Dose. Of the first, 1⁄2 to 1 wine-glassful, 3 or 4 times a day; of the second, about twice that quantity, or more. It is commonly combined with some tincture of hyoscyamus; and when the triple phosphates are present in the urine, dilute hydrochloric or nitric acid may be added. See Pareira.