Wood Soot. Fuligo ligni, collected from chimnies under which wood is burnt. It contains sulphate of ammonia, which imparts to it its characteristic bitterness. It has been considered antispasmodic, and a tincture was formerly prepared of it.
CARDAMOMI SEMINA. L.D. ( Matonia[[452]] Cardamomum.)
Amomum Repens. E. Cardamom Seeds.
Qualities. Odour, aromatic and agreeable; Taste, warm and pungent, but unlike the peppers, they do not immoderately heat the stomach. Solubility. Water, alcohol and æther extract their virtues; the two latter most completely, and the result is transparent, whereas the watery infusion is turbid and mucilaginous. Chemical Composition. Fecula, mucilage, and essential oil. Medicinal Uses. They are carminative and stomachic, and prove grateful adjuncts to bitter infusions; they are principally employed to give warmth to other remedies. Dose of the powder, gr. vj to ℈j. Officinal Preparations. Extract: Colocynth: comp: (E) L.D. Tinct. Cardamomi, L.E.D. Tinct. Cardamom: comp: L.D. Tinct: Cinnamomi, co. (B) L.E. Tinct. Gentian, co. (G) L. Tinct. Rhei, (E) L.E.D. Tinct. Rhei cum Aloe, (G) E. Tinct. Sennæ, (E) L.D. Spir. Ether. Aromat. (B) L. Vinum Aloes Socot. (G) E. Confect. Aromat. (B) L. Pulv. Cinnamom. co. (B) L.E.D. Pil. Scilliticæ, (E) E. Infus. Sennæ. D. (E.)
Cardamom seeds should be kept within their husks, or their virtues will soon be considerably impaired; they are frequently mixed with grains of paradise, which are much hotter and more spicy, but less aromatic in their flavour.
CARICÆ FRUCTUS, L.D. Fici Caricæ Fructus, E.
The preserved Fruit of the Fig.
Qualities of the dried fig are too well known to require description. The fig consists almost entirely of mucilage and sugar. Uses. It has been already stated that the most ancient cataplasm on record was made of figs, (2 Kings, chap. xx. 7.) they are employed medicinally in many demulcent decoctions, as Decoctum Hordei comp: L.D. They are gently aperient; it is curious to learn that they constituted the chief part of the food of the ancient Athletæ.
CARYOPHYLLI. L.
(Eugenia Caryophyllata. The unopened flowers dried.)