Decoction of Sarsaparilla (Concentrated). Syn. Decoctum sarzæ concentratum, L. Prep. 1. (Wholesale.) Sarsaparilla (Jamaica) 101⁄2 lbs., is placed in a large and well-cleaned copper boiler, and enough boiling water added to cover it; it is then left to macerate, without boiling, for 3 or 4 hours, after which it is boiled for about an hour, and the clear liquor drawn off into another clean copper pan; the root (after it has well drained) is then washed or ‘sparged’[255] with boiling water, until the latter runs off scarcely coloured; the washings are added to the decoction, and the whole evaporated as quickly as possible to 61⁄2 pints; it is then set to cool, and rectified spirit of wine, 11⁄2 pint, further added; after agitation, the whole is set aside in a well-corked bottle, in a cool place, for a week. In a few days it is usually found as clear and brilliant as brandy, with very little sediment, and will keep for any length of time uninjured. Some manufacturers, instead of washing the root, give it a second and third water, boiling it each time and evaporating the mixed liquors.
[255] For an explanation of the operation of ‘sparging’ see page 356.
2. (Extemporaneous.) Extract of sarsaparilla, 61⁄2 oz.; water, 12 fl. oz.; dissolve, add rectified spirit, 21⁄2 fl. oz., and water, q. s. to make the whole exactly measure a pint.
Obs. 1 drachm of this decoction, mixed with 7 drachms of water, forms a similar preparation to the Decoctum Sarzæ of the Ph. L., and is now very frequently substituted for it in dispensing. See Sarsaparilla, Extracts, and below.
Decoction of Sarsaparilla (Compound). Syn. Decoctum sarzæ compositum (Ph. L. & E.), D. sarsaparillæ c. (Ph. D.), L. Prep. 1. (Ph. L.) Decoction of sarsaparilla (boiling), 4 pints; sassafras chips, guaiacum wood (rasped), and fresh liquorice root (bruised), of each 10 dr.; mezereon (root-bark), 3 dr.; boil for 15 minutes, and strain.
2. (Ph. E.) As the last, but using 4 dr. of mezereon.
3. (Ph. D.) Sarsaparilla (sliced), 2 oz., sassafras, guaiacum turnings, and liquorice root (bruised), of each 2 dr.; mezereon root-bark, 1 dr.; boiling water, 11⁄2 pint; digest for an hour, then boil for 10 minutes, cool, and strain.
4. (Extemporaneous.) Compound extract of sarsaparilla, 71⁄2 dr.; boiling water, 1 pint; dissolve.
5. (Ph. B.) Jamaica sarsaparilla, cut transversely, 21⁄2 oz.; sassafras, guaiacum turnings, bruised liquorice root, of each 1⁄4 oz., mezereon root bark 60 grains; digest them with 11⁄2 pint of boiling water in a covered vessel for an hour, then boil for 10 minutes, cool, and strain. Make up to 1 pint.
Obs. This decoction is an imitation of the once justly celebrated ‘Lisbon Diet Drink.’ It is an alterative and diaphoretic.—Dose. A teacupful, or more, 3 or 4 times a day, either along with, or after, a mercurial course; and in syphilis, scurvy, scrofula, chronic rheumatism, lepra, psoriasis, and several other skin diseases, and especially in cachexia, or general bad habit of body. During its use the skin should be kept warm. See Sarsaparilla and below.