INFUSA.
United States Dispensatory 1926.
Compiled and edited by Ivor Hughes
INFUSIONS:
Ptisana, Tisanes, Infusions, Fr.; Infuea, P. G.;
Infusionen, Aufg�sse, G.; Infusi, It,; Infusiones, Sp.
These are aqueous solutions obtained by treating drugs with water
(without the aid of ebullition). The water employed may be hot or cold
according to the objects to be accomplished. Infusions are generally
prepared by pouring boiling water upon the vegetable substance and
macerating the mixture in a tightly closed vessel until the liquid cools.
The U. S. provides that, when not otherwise specified, infusions shall be of
5 percent, strength and gives the following general formula" for
infusions:
Infusions must be freshly made, and, when their strength is not
otherwise directed, they are; to be prepared by the following general
formula:
The Drug, coarsely comminuted, 50 Gm.; Water, a sufficient quantity to
make 1000 cc. Introduce the drug into a suitable vessel provided with a
cover, pour upon it 1000 cc. of boiling water, cover the vessel tightly, and
allow it to stand for half an hour. Then strain with pressure, and pass
enough water through the strainer to make the Infusion measure 1000 cc. If
the activity of the Infusion is affected by heat, cold water only should be
used.
Caution. � The strength of infusions
of energetic or powerful drugs should be specially directed by the
physician." U. S.
Infusions are usually prepared in glazed earthenware or porcelain vessels
fitted with covers. Vessels of block-tin are generally well adapted for the
purpose. As infusions do not keep well, especially in warm weather, they
should be made extemporaneously and in small quantities. Sterilization of
infusions by heating them to the boiling point, then preserving in bottles
which have been kept hot to destroy germs, and stoppered with sterilized
cotton, is effective, particularly if the bottles have a stopcock near the
bottom to draw the infusion when wanted.
Concentrated infusions of the strength of 50 per cent, were introduced
into the British Pharmacopoeia (1898); they are mostly made by percolation,
and were termed " Liquors." This certainly led to confusion in
nomenclature, and it is difficult to understand why they were not called
concentrated infusions, particularly as their almost universal use is for
making ordinary infusions by diluting with water. They were dropped from the
British Pharmacopoeia. 1914.
INFUSUM ALSTONIAE. Br.
INFUSION OF ALSTONIA
Alstonia, bruised, 50 grammes; Distilled Water, boiling, 1000 millilitres.
Infuse in a covered vessel for half an hour; strain while hot." Br.
Dose,
one-half to one fluidounce (15-30 cc.).
INFUSUM AURANTII. Br.
INFUSION OF ORANGE PEEL
Tisane d'Ecorce d'Orange, Fr.; Pomeranzenschalenaufguss, G.
Dried Bitter-Orange Peel, cut small, 50 grammes; Distilled Water,
boiling, 1000 millilitres. Infuse in a covered vessel for fifteen minutes;
strain while hot." Br. A grateful
stomachic.
Dose,
from one-half to one fluidounce (15-30 cc.).
INFUSUM AURANTII COMPOSITUM. Br.
COMPOUND INFUSION OF ORANGE PEEL
Tisane d'Ecorce d'Orange composee, Fr.; Pomeranzen und
Citronenschalenaufguss, G.
Dried Bitter-Orange Peel, cut small, 25 grammes; Lemon Peel, cut
small, 10 grammes; Cloves, bruised, 5 grammes; Distilled Water, boiling,
1000 millilitres. Infuse in a covered vessel for fifteen minutes; strain
while hot." Br. A grateful stomachic.
Dose ,
from one-half to one fluidounce (15-30 cc.).
INFUSUM BUCHU. Br.
INFUSION OF BUCHU
Infusum Diosmae, s. Barosmae; Tisane de Buchu, Fr. Cod.; Buchuaufguss,
G.
Buchu Leaves, freshly broken, 50 grammes; Distilled Water, boiling,
1000 millilitres. Infuse in a covered vessel for fifteen minutes; strain
while hot." Br. It has the odor, taste,
and medicinal virtues of the leaves, and affords a convenient method of
administering the medicine.
Dose, from
one to two fluid ounces (30-60 cc.).
INFUSUM CALUMBAE. Br.
INFUSION OF CALUMBA
Infusion of Columbo; Tisane de Colombo, Fr.; Kolombo-Infusion,
Kolomboaufguss, G.; Infusion de Colombo, Sp.
Calumba Root, cut small, 50 grammes; Distilled Water, cold, 1000
millilitres. Infuse in a covered vessel for half an hour; strain." Br.
The infusion of calumba is likely to spoil very quickly, especially in warm
weather: Calumba contains starch and albumen. Cold water extracts the latter
without the former; hot water the former with comparatively little of the
latter, which is partially coagulated by the heat. Both starch and albumen
are liable to spontaneous change, but the former is much the more permanent
of the two. Hence it is, according to Greenish, that the hot infusion keeps
best. Indeed, he ascribes the change which takes place in the starch of the
hot infusion chiefly to the agency of a little albumen which has escaped
coagulation. According to these views, the best plan of preparing infusion
of calumba is to exhaust the root with cold water, by which the starch is
left behind, and then to heat the infusion to the boiling point in order to
coagulate the albumen. (A. J. P., xviii, 141; from P. J.) Upon comparing
specimens of the cold and hot infusion, we have not found the results of
Greenish fully confirmed. The cold infusion appeared to keep bettor than the
hot. Nevertheless the plan of preparing the infusion above proposed is
probably the best. The infusion of calumba is not colored by salts of iron,
and may be conveniently administered in connection with them.
Dose, from
one-half to one fluidounce (15-30 cc.).
INFUSUM CARYOPHYLLI. Br.
INFUSION OF CLOVES
Tisane de Girofle, Fr.; Gew�rznelken-Infusion, Gewurznelkenaufguss,
G.
Cloves, bruised, 25 grammes; Distilled Water, boiling, 1000
millilitres. Infuse in a covered vessel for fifteen minutes; strain while
hot." Br.
The infusion of cloves affords precipitates with lime water, and with the
soluble salts of iron, zinc, lead, silver, and antimony. (Phillips.)
Dose, one
fluid ounce (30 cc.).
INFUSUM CASCARILAE. Br.
INFUSION OF CASCARILLA
Tisane de Cascarille, Fr,; Kaskarillaufguss, G.
Cascarilla, in No. 10 powder, 50 grammes; Distilled Water, boiling,
1000 millilitres. Infuse in a covered vessel for fifteen minutes; strain
while hot." Br. This infusion affords
precipitates with lime water, infusion of galls, silver nitrate, lead
acetate and sub acetate, zinc sulphate, and ferrous sulphate.
Dose, one
fluidounce (30 cc.).
INFUSUM CHIRATAE. Br.
INFUSION OF CHIRETTA
Tisane de Chirette, Fr.; Chirettaufguss, G.
Chiretta, cut small, 50 grammes; Distilled Water, boiling, 1000
millilitres. Infuse in a covered vessel for fifteen minutes; strain while
hot." Br.
Dose, from
one-half to one fluidounce (15-30 cc.).
INFUSUM CINCHONA ACIDUM. Br.
ACID INFUSION OF CINCHONA
Infusion of Yellow Bark: Infusion of Calisaya Bark; Tisane de
Quinquina jaune, Fr.; Kalisaya-Rindenaufguss, G.
Red Cinchona Bark, in No. 40 powder, 50.0 grammes; Aromatic
Sulphuric Acid, 12.5 millilitres; Distilled Water, boiling, 1000.0
millilitres. Mix the Red Cinchona Bark with the Distilled Water in a covered
vessel; add the Aromatic Sulphuric Acid; infuse for one hour; strain while
hot." Br.
Although the infusion with boiling water is more quickly prepared than the
infusion with cold water, and therefore better adapted to cases of
emergency, yet the former is a more elegant preparation, not turbid like the
latter, and at least equally efficient. We therefore prefer the process of
the U. S. Pharmacopoeia, 1890, provided it be skillfully conducted.
Dose, one
fluidounce (30 cc.).
INFUSUM DIGITALIS. U.S., Br.
INFUSION OF DIGITALIS Inf. Digit.
Infusion of Foxglove; Tisane de Digitale, Fr.; Fingerhut-aufguss,
Digitalisaufguss, G.; Infusion de digital, Sp.
The U. S. Pharmacopoeia has abandoned the antiquated direction to use "
bruised " digitalis and now agrees with the Br. in directing that the
leaves be in a powdered form, although it differs from the Br. in strength,
requiring two and a half times the proportion of drug.
Digitalis, in fine powder, 15 Gm.; Alcohol, 100 cc.; Cinnamon Water, 150
cc.; Boiling Water, 700 cc.; Cold Water, a sufficient quantity to make 1000
cc. Upon the digitalis, contained in a suitable vessel, pour the boiling
water, tightly cover, and allow it to macerate for one hour. Filter, add the
alcohol and cinnamon water to the filtrate, and pass enough cold water
through the residue on the filter to make the product measure 1000 cc. Mix
well." U.S.
Digitalis Leaves, in No. 20 powder, 7 grammes; Distilled Water, boiling,
1000 milli-litres. Infuse in a covered vessel for fifteen minutes; strain
while hot." Br.
It has long been recognized that infusion of digitalis as ordinarily made
is an unstable preparation, but according to Hatcher and Eggleston (J. A. M.
A., 1915, Ixv) this would seem to be due to bacterial action, for they find
that if bottled hot and kept stoppered, the infusion will retain its
strength for many weeks.
Many clinicians have believed that the infusion of digitalis differed in
its action to some extent from that of the tincture; especially that the
infusion was more actively diuretic. It has long been surmised that the
formerly official method of preparing infusion of digitalis did not entirely
extract the potency of the leaf; Bliss ( J. Lab. Clin. Med., 1922, vii, 225)
found that 10 samples of an infusion prepared at various retail pharmacies
showed, on the average, a potency of less than 40 per cent, of the leaf from
which they were made.
In 1910 Focke (A. Pharm., ccxlix, 323) showed that it was possible to
extract 85 per cent, of the activity of digitalis leaf with water. Weiss and
Hatcher (J. A. M. A., 1921, Ixxvi, 508) suggested a new method of preparing
an infusion of digitalis that more completely exhausted the leaf and yielded
a uniform product and which they assert maintains its activity unimpaired,
if kept hermetically sealed, for years. A method very similar to this was
adopted in the present revision of the U. S. Pharmacopoeia. As this method
more thoroughly extracts the drug the present preparation, despite the fact
the proportion of leaf has not been altered, will be found to be somewhat
stronger than the former infusion.
Dose, of the U.S. infusion, one-half to
three fluidrachms (2-11 cc.). The British infusion is much weaker and may be
given in doses
of two to six fluidrachms (7.5-22.5 cc.).
INFUSUM ERGOTAE. Br.
INFUSION OF ERGOT
Tisane de Seigle ergote, Fr.; Mutterkornaufguss, G.
Ergot, freshly crushed, 50 grammes; Distilled Water, boiling, 1000
millilitres. Infuse in a covered vessel for fifteen minutes; strain while
hot." Br.
As ergotoxin is not soluble in water this preparation does not fully
represent the virtues of ergot.
Dose, two
fluidounces (60 cc.).
INFUSUM GENTIANAE COMPOSITUM. Br.
COMPOUND INFUSION OF GENTIAN
Tisane de Gentiane composee, Fr.; Enzianaufguss, G.
Gentian Root, thinly sliced, 12.5 grammes; Dried Bitter-Orange Peel,
cut small, 12.5 grammes; Lemon Peel, cut small, 25.0 grammes; Distilled
Water, boiling, 1000. millilitres. Infuse in a covered vessel for fifteen
minutes; strain while hot." Br.
The National Formulary recognizes a compound infusion of gentian which is
made with a menstruum containing about 21 per cent, of alcohol and is more
than twice the strength of the British. The use of the alcohol is to assist
in dissolving the bitter principle, and at the same time to contribute
towards the preservation of the infusion, which, without this addition, is
very prone to spoil. The alcohol has, however, been abandoned by the British
Pharmacopoeia, and lemon peel substituted.
Dose, from
one-half to one fluidounce (15-30 cc.).
INFUSUM KRAMERIAE. Br.
INFUSION OF KRAMERIA
Infusion of Rhatany; Tisane de Ratanhia. Fr.; Ratanhiawurzelaufguss,
G.
Krameria Root, bruised, 50 grammes; Distilled Water, boiling, 1000
millilitres. Infuse in a covered vessel for fifteen minutes; strain while
hot." Br.
The infusion of rhatany is undoubtedly most efficient when prepared from the
root in a state of moderately coarse powder by the mode of percolation with
cold water, as directed in the U.S. process of 1870.
Dose, of
the infusion, from one to two fluid-ounces (30-60 cc.).
INFUSUM QUASSIAE. Br.
INFUSION OF QUASSIA
Tisane de Quassie, Fr.; Quassiaaufguss, G.; Infusion de cuasia amarga,
Sp.
Quassia Wood, rasped, 10 grammes; Distilled Water, cold, 1000
millilitres. Infuse in a covered vessel for fifteen minutes; strain."
Br.
Boiling water may be employed when it is desirable to obtain the preparation
quickly, but cold water affords a clearer infusion. The fifteen minutes'
maceration directed in the British Pharmacopoeia, considering that cold
water is used, appears to us to be too short for the exhaustion of the wood.
This preparation is used by mouth as a bitter tonic and by enema in the
treatment of seat-worms.
Dose, from
one-half to one fluidounce (15-30 cc.).
INFUSUM RHEI. Br.
INFUSION OF RHUBARB
Tisane de Rhubarbe, Fr.; Rhabarberaufguss, G.; Infuso di rabarbaro.
It.; Infusion de ruibarbo, Sp.
Rhubarb, in thin slices, 50 grammes; Distilled Water, boiling, 1000
millilitres. Infuse in a covered vessel for fifteen minutes; strain while
hot." Br.
In order that the rhubarb may be exhausted, it should be digested with the
water near the source of heat, at a temperature somewhat less than that of
boiling water. It is customary to add some aromatic, such as cardamom,
fennel seed, or nutmeg, which improves the taste of the infusion and renders
it more acceptable to the stomach. One drachm of either of these spices may
be digested in connection with the rhubarb. This
infusion may be given as a laxative, and is occasionally used as a vehicle
for tonic, antacid, or more active cathartic
medicines. The stronger acids and most metallic solutions are incompatible
with it.
Dose, one-half
to one fluidounce (15-30 cc.).
INFUSUM ROSAE ACIDUM. Br.
ACID INFUSION OF ROSES
Tisane de Rose composes, Fr.; Saurer Rosenaufguss, G.
Red-Rose Petals, dried and broken, 25.0 grammes; Diluted Sulphuric
Acid, 12.5 millilitres; Distilled Water, boiling, 1000. millilitres. Add the
Diluted Sulphuric Acid to the Distilled Water; infuse the Red-Rose Petals in
the mixture in a covered vessel for fifteen minutes; strain while hot."
Br.
The formula of the N. F. for Infusum Rosae Compositum is preferable to that
of the Br. Pharmacopoeia on account of the presence of sugar. The red rose
serves little other purpose than to impart a fine red color and a slight
rose and astringent flavor to the preparation, which owes its medicinal
virtues almost exclusively to the sulphuric acid. According to J. B. Barnes,
one part of glycerin added to eight or nine parts of infusion of rose
increases greatly its brightness and transparency. It is refrigerant and
astringent, and affords a useful and not unpleasant drink in hemorrhages and
colliquative sweats. It is much used by British practitioners as a vehicle
for saline medicines particularly magnesium sulphate, the taste of which it
serves to cover. It is also employed as a gargle in combination with more
active drugs.
Dose,
one-half to one fluidounce (15-30 cc.).
INFUSUM SCOPARII. Br.
INFUSION OF BROOM
Tisane de Genet a balais, Fr.; Besenginsteraufguss, G.
Broom Tops, dried and bruised, 100 grammes; Distilled Water,
boiling, 1000 millilitres. Infuse in a covered vessel for fifteen minutes;
strain while hot." Br. This preparation
has been introduced in place of the Decoction of Broom of the British
Pharmacopoeia of 1885. Water thoroughly extracts the virtues of broom, and
the large quantity of water in each dose aids the diuretic action.
Dose, from
one to two fluidounces (30-60 cc.).
INFUSUM SENEGA. Br.
INFUSION OF SENEGA
Tisane de Polygale de Virginie, FT.; Senegaaufguss, G.
Senega Root, in No.10 powder, 50 grammes; Distilled Water, boiling,
1000 millilitres. Infuse in covered vessel for half an hour; strain
while hot. Br.
Dose, one
fluidounce (30 cc.).
INFUSUM SENNAE. Br.
INFUSION OF SENNA
Senna Tea; Tisane de Sene, Fr.; Sennaaufguss, G.
Senna Leaves, 100 grammes; Ginger, sliced, 5 grammes; Distilled Water,
boiling, 1000 millilitres. Infuse in a covered vessel for fifteen minutes;
strain while hot." Br. We prefer the
coriander of the U. S. P. 1870 to the ginger of the British. The infusion
deposits, on exposure to the air, a yellowish precipitate, which is said to
aggravate its griping tendency; it should, therefore, not be made in large
quantities. It is customary to prescribe with it manna and some one of the
saline cathartics, which increase its efficacy and render it less painful in
its operation. (See Infusum Sennee Compositum.) The cold infusion,
especially if made by percolation from the coarsely powdered leaves, while
probably not inferior in strength to that prepared with boiling water is
said to be less unpleasant to the taste.
Dose: one
to two fluid ounces ( 30-60 cc )
Off. Prep.
Mistura Sennae Composita, Br
INFUSUM UVAE URSI. Br.
INFUSION OF BEARBERRY
Tisane d'Uv Ursi, Fr.; Barentraubenblatteraufguss, G.
Bearberry Leaves, bruised, 50 grammes; Distilled Water, boiling,
1000 millilitres. Infuse in a covered vessel for fifteen minutes; strain
while hot." Br.
Dose, from
one to two fluid ounces (30-60 cc.), three or four times a day.
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