Musk-seed or abelmosk tincture.—Abelmosk grains 21 ozs., best quality of alcohol 2½ quarts.
Reduce the grains to a fine powder, bring the powder into a bottle, and add the alcohol. This tincture abelmoschi fulfils its object as a fixing agent only when about one year old, when it possesses a very fine aroma.
Abelmosk grains are the seeds of a plant (Abelmoschus moschatus Mönch; Hebiscus abelmoschus, L.) indigenous to Central Africa, Arabia, and India. They are reddishgray, kidney-shaped, slightly corrugated on the surface, and of an agreeable musk-like odor. The substance producing the musk odor lies in the seed coat. The odor becomes very pronounced on rubbing the seeds between the hands.
Angelica root tincture.—Angelica root 16 ozs., best quality of alcohol 2 quarts.
Bruise or rasp the root, bring it into a bottle, add the alcohol, and shake frequently.
Orris-root tincture.—Pulverized orris root of best quality 2 lbs., alcohol of best quality 3 quarts.
Pulverize the root, bring it into a glass flask, and add the alcohol. The powder having a great tendency to ball together, it is necessary to shake five or six times daily, and continue to do so for 14 days. In straining off the tincture, it is advisable to bring the entire contents of the flask upon a close linen cloth stretched over a tin vessel. The orris-root powder remaining upon the cloth after the tincture has run off is returned to the flask, and fresh alcohol added in order to obtain a second extract.
Musk-root or sumbul-root tincture.—Sumbul root 1 lb., best quality of alcohol 2½ quarts.
Proceed in the same manner as given under angelica-root tincture.
Tonka-bean tincture.—Tonka beans 8 ozs., alcohol of best quality 3 pints.