The Magistral Febrifuge Decoction.
Take fine powder'd Bark of Peru 2 ounces; boil in Water 1 quart to 14 ounces; strain, and to the Mass remaining having poured a quart more of Water, boil it again to 14 ounces; adding (about the middle of the second boiling) Balsam of Tolu 3 drams; Cochineal 1 scruple; when its cold strain, and having mixed both the strained Liquors together, add Syrup of Gilly-flowers 4 ounces; Oil of Nutmegs 2 drops.
A very long and consummate Coction is requisite, to extract the whole Virtue of the Cortex: I remember, when once (for Experiment-sake) I boiled it a great many times, I could not so totally exhault it, but that the eighth boiling was still manifestly bitter. That we may therefore the more effectually draw out the Virtue of this, and other such like obstinate things, its adviseable to make them (not into a gross, but) most fine Powder, and force it, with long and repeated Coction.
When Patients are so weak Stomach'd, or else Humorsome, that either they cannot or will not admit of the Bark in Substance, this Decoction useth to stand me in stead; though I acknowledge its of much more avail in Substance.
The Dose is 4 ounces every 3 or 4 Hours when the Paroxysm is off; and so is to be continued from Fit to Fit, 'till the Fever be conquer'd.
Thomas Fuller
Pharmacopeia Extemporanea 1710