Infusum Lini.—Infusion of Linseed.

Related entry: Linum (U. S. P.)—Linseed

SYNONYMS: Infusum lini compositum (U. S. P., 1870), Infusion of flaxseed.

Preparation.—Infuse, in a closed vessel, for 2 hours, 150 grains (av.) of linseed (whole), and 50 grains (av.) of liquorice-root (No. 20 powder), in 10 fluid ounces (Imp.) of boiling distilled water. Strain—(Br. Pharm.). The U. S. P., 1870, process directed flaxseed, ½ troy ounce; bruised liquorice-root, 120 grains, and boiling water, 1 pint. Macerate 2 hours and strain. The linseed should not be bruised, else the swelling of the seed will prevent straining, and as the mucilage is in the testa of the seed, bruising is wholly unnecessary.

Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage.—(See Lini Farina.) Useful in acute respiratory disorders, but the liquorice impairs its usefulness in intestinal inflammations. It may be freely used for the administration of magnesium sulphate and quinine salts, though it is employed chiefly for coloring and flavoring purposes. Buccal and faucial inflammations and ulcerations maybe washed with it, and given internally, through the sulphuric acid contained in it, it exerts some control over colliquative sweats. Dose, 1 to 4 fluid ounces.

Related entry: Rosa Gallica (U. S. P.)—Red Rose

Related Preparation.—INFUSUM ROSAE COMPOSITUM (N. F.), Compound infusion of rose. Formula number, 193: "Red rose, thirteen grammes (13 Gm.) [201 grs.]; diluted sulphuric acid (U. S. P.), nine cubic centimeters (9 Cc.) [146♏]; sugar, forty grammes (40 Gm.) [1 oz. av., 180 grs.]; boiling water, one thousand cubic centimeters (1000 Cc.) [33 fl℥, 391♏]. Pour the boiling water upon the rose, in a glass or porcelain vessel, add the acid, cover the vessel, and macerate for an hour. Then dissolve the sugar in the liquid and strain.


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