Cold water extracts the more agreeable and active parts of mint in a few hours; a longer maceration extracts the grosser and less agreeable portions; hot water more quickly extracts its virtues, but if it be boiling it dissipates the aroma. Officinal Preparations. Aq. Menth. virid. L.D. Infus. Menth. comp. D. Ol. Menth. virid. L. D. Spir. Menth. virid. L.
MEZEREI CORTEX. L.E.D.
(Daphne Mezereum. Radicis Cortex.)
Mezereon.
The inner bark of this plant, when fresh, is corrosive and even vesicatory; the fruit is equally so, but neither have any smell; its virulence is counteracted by camphor. It contains, besides extractive matter, an acrid resinous substance, which, according to Plaff, bears a strong resemblance to the active principle of Cantharides. It is now seldom used except as an antivenereal remedy, or in cases of chronic cutaneous disease. Forms of Exhibition. In a decoction, made by boiling ℥ss of the bark, with an equal quantity of Liquorice root, in oiij of water down to oij; of which f℥ss may be given twice a day. From its pungency it is one of the substances used by fraudulent brewers to communicate a strong flavour to their beer. Where a discharge from issues cannot be kept up by the common means, it is said that the introduction of a little of this bark, instead of the pea, will in a few hours produce the desired effect. Officinal Preparations. Decoct. Sarsaparill. comp. L. Decoct. Daphnes. Mezerei. E. The Daphne Laureola is very generally sold for Mezereon.
MISTURÆ. L.E.D. Mixtures.
The principles upon which this form of preparation is to be constructed, are fully detailed in the first part of this work, page 199.
Officinal Mixtures.
Mistura Ammoniaci. L. This mixture is expectorant, and may be exhibited with tincture of squills, &c. (Form. 115, 136.) It is slightly curdled by vinegar, oxymel, æther, and oxy-muriate of mercury.
Mistura Amygdalarum. L. Emulsio Amygdali communis. E. Lac Amygdalæ. D. It is a useful demulcent and diluent, and forms an elegant vehicle for more active medicines. Incompatibles—Acids, Oxymel, Syrup of Squill, Spirit, and Tinctures, unless added in very small quantities, decompose this mixture; tartaric acid, super-tartrate of potass, and oxy-muriate of mercury, also disturb it. Form. 137.