Extractum Cornus Fluidum.—Fluid Extract of Cornus.
Related entry: Cornus.—Dogwood
SYNONYM: Fluid extract of dogwood.
Preparation.—Take of dogwood bark, in coarse powder, 16 troy ounces; alcohol, 76 per cent, 4 pints; white sugar, 6 troy ounces; water, a sufficient quantity. Moisten the bark thoroughly with alcohol and let it stand 24 hours; then transfer it to a percolator, and gradually add the rest of the alcohol, returning a little of the first that passes till it runs clear. Reserve, by itself, of the first running, 4 fluid ounces; evaporate the remaining alcoholic tincture that comes through to 4 fluid ounces, and likewise set it aside. To the powder in the percolator add gradually cold water, a sufficient quantity, until the liquid that passes is but slightly impregnated with the properties of the dogwood; evaporate this latter solution to ½ pint, then add the sugar, continue the evaporation until the syrup is reduced to 8 fluid ounces, and while warm, mix in the reserved tincture and extract, and make 1 pint of fluid extract.
Medical Uses and Dosage.—Fluid extract of dogwood is tonic, stimulant, and slightly astringent. It maybe used in all cases where tonics are indicated, and will be found beneficial in female debility, leucorrhoea, etc. The dose is from ½ to 2 fluid drachms.
