Syrupus Cochleariae Compositus.—Compound Syrup of Horseradish.

Botanical name: 

Related entry: Armoracia.—Horseradish

Preparation.—Take of the recent root of horseradish, grated, 2 ounces; boneset, leaves and tops, 1 ounce; Canada snakeroot, ½ ounce; boiling water, diluted acetic acid, of each, a sufficient quantity; refined sugar, 2 pounds (av.) Infuse the boneset and Canada snakeroot in ½ pint of the boiling water, and express with strong pressure, adding boiling water to the mass until ½ pint of infusion is obtained; then add the sugar. Add the horseradish to diluted acetic acid, ½ pint; let it stand for 2 days, and then express, adding diluted acetic acid to the mass until ½ pint of the acetous solution is obtained. Add this to the above syrup, and agitate until all the sugar is dissolved.

Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage.—This forms an efficient preparation for obstinate colds, catarrhs, hoarseness, and chronic irritation of the throat and fauces. The dose is from 1 to 4 fluid drachms, every 2 or 3 hours. The following compound, known as Cough or Vegetable Elixir, has been found a most beneficial agent in chronic pulmonary affections, cough, etc. To 1 gallon of good cider vinegar, add ½ pound each, of balsam of tolu and gum Arabic, dissolve by heat, and add of refined sugar 6 pounds; when all is dissolved, remove from the fire, and add of tincture of opium, 18 fluid ounces. The dose of this is a teaspoonful 3, 4, or 5 times a day, or whenever the cough is severe. Sometimes molasses or honey may be substituted for the sugar.


King's American Dispensatory, 1898, was written by Harvey Wickes Felter, M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D.