The Common Purging Decoction.
Take Senna 3 drams; Cream of Tartar 1 dram; boil in Water 8 ounces to 3; in the strain'd Liquor dissolve Manna half an ounve; Syrup of Succory with Rhubarb 6 drams; Oil of Anniseed 1 drop, mix for a Potion to be Taken in the Morning.
It may be quickned with some Grains of powder'd Scammony, if there be occasion, for that alone may serve the Purpose, as well as Electuary of Juice of Roses, which hath nothing in it desirable for a Purge but Scammony, and therefore may be thrown by, into the common heap of abundance of old Trumpery, which we may spare in the Shop.
Perhaps the quantity of Senna may be more than needs, for Dr. Grew informs us, that 2 drams of it will impregnate 4 ounces of Water, as strongly, as if twice the quantity were infused; because the Water will bear no more of the purgative parts of that Body.
Thomas Fuller
Pharmacopeia Extemporanea 1710