Tinctura Nucis Vomicae (U. S. P.)—Tincture of Nux Vomica.
Related entry: Nux Vomica (U. S. P.)—Nux Vomica
Preparation.—"Extract of nux vomica, dried at 100° C. (212° F.), twenty grammes (20 Gm.) [309 grs.]; alcohol, water, each, a sufficient quantity to make one thousand cubic centimeters (1000 Cc.) [33 fl℥, 391♏︎]. Dissolve the extract of nux vomica (which should contain fifteen [15] per cent of alkaloids) in a sufficient quantity of a mixture of three (3) volumes of alcohol and one (1) volume of water, to make the tincture measure one thousand cubic centimeters (1000 Cc.) [33 fl℥, 391♏︎]"—(U. S. P.). This produces a very bitter, yellowish tincture, striking opalescent with water.
Test.—"If 100 Cc. of tincture of nux vomica be evaporated to dryness, and the residue tested by the process of assay given under Extractum Nucis Vomicae, it should be found to contain 0.3 Gm. of alkaloids"—(U. S. P.).
Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage.—This tincture possesses the properties of nux vomica (which see). Its extreme bitterness is a great objection to the employment of this tincture. It is occasionally employed in doses of from 5 to 10 or 20 drops, and as an external application in local paralytic affections.
Related Tincture.—TINCTURA STRYCHNINAE COMPOSITA, Compound tincture of strychnine. Take of strychnine, in crystals, 16 grains; distilled water, alcohol, each, 7 ½ fluid ounces; acetic acid, compound tincture of cardamom, each, ½ fluid ounce. Dissolve the strychnine in the alcohol and acetic acid mixed together, and then add the remaining articles. This tincture is useful in impaired spinal energy, or spinal exhaustion, whether the result of excessive study, muscular effort, sexual indulgence, masturbation, etc. It is likewise efficient in paralysis, constipation, debility of the generative organs, malarial diseases, chronic splenitis, and recent diseases of the prostate gland. It is contraindicated in irritation of the spinal nerves. Two fluid drachms of the tincture contain ⅛ grain of strychnine. The dose is from 10 to 30 drops, 3 times a day.
