Tinctures

Tinctures are defined by Sir Robert Christison to be 'solutions of vegetable and animal drugs, and sometimes of mineral substances in spirituous liquids.' The spirit most commonly employed is proof-spirit (see ALCOHOL, Vol. I. p. 133): sometimes rectified spirit is used, and occasionally ether. Ammonia is sometimes conjoined with the spirit, in which case the solution is termed an ammoniated tincture. The choice between proof and rectified spirit depends on their respective solvent powers over the active principles of the drugs employed. The ether and ammonia are principally used for their antispasmodic properties.