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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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