Tincture of senna

Historical preparation record

This formula was extracted from a rights-cleared historical primary source and is preserved as an archival record. Historical terminology, identity, strength and safety require modern interpretation.

Source: The medical directory : or, family physician ... Which contains an appendix and dispensatory . by Bullman, E; University of Glasgow. Library (1810), narrative-offset-165270.

Ingredients or materials as extracted

• senna: one or two jtabie, spoon- fuls every three hours ; if the pain does not abate, a blister may be applied over the part, or several leeches may be put on where the pain is most acute, or a fomentation made of chamomile flow - ers, southernwood, and featherfew, or rosemary and elder flowers, of each one handful

Method as extracted

1. Macerate according to the source passage: Take of Epsom salts, one ounce : dissolve in half a pint of warm water : add when cold, one ounce of tincture of senna : take two spoonfuls every three hours ; or take two or three of the laxative pills ; ( see appendix ) and wash down with a little weak chamomile tea or barley water ; if these will not procure a stool, take the follow* ing mixture, or half an ounce of castor oil : no Inflammation of the Bowels, Another Purging Mixture. Take of distilled spearmint water, eight ounces : of the powder of rliubarh, two drams : of kali, one dram : mix and take one or two jtabie, spoon- fuls every three hours ; if the pain does not abate, a blister may be applied over the part, or several leeches may be put on where the pain is most acute, or a fomentation made of chamomile flow - ers, southernwood, and featherfew, or rosemary and elder flowers, of each one handful ; boil in a quart of water fifteen minutes ; when the liquor is hot, flannels may be wrung out and laid over the part, and changed as they cool.

Automated publication scope

This archival record passed the strict source, formula, botanical identity and hazard gates. Automatic publication confirms record integrity and internal botanical linking; it does not establish clinical effectiveness or modern dosing safety.