The common aperient medicine known as black draught is made in the
following manner:
i. Take of senna leaves six drachms, bruised ginger half a drachm,
sliced liquorice root four drachms, Epsom salts two and a half
ounces, boiling water half an imperial pint. Keep this standing on
the hob or near the fire for three hours, then strain, and after
allowing it to grow cool, add of sal volatile one drachm and a half,
of tincture of senna, and of tincture of cardamoms, each half an
ounce. This mixture will keep a long time in a cool place. _Dose_, a
wineglassful for an adult; and two tablespoonfuls for young persons
about fifteen years of age. It is not a suitable medicine for
children.