purified cotton and then bringing it into aqueous solution by slow percolation with distilled water, which was officially directed in the Pharmacopoeia of 1880, yields aromatic waters of fine flavor, but is objectionable on account of the possible bad effects due to prolonged contact of the oils with the fingers of the operator. Aromatic waters made by distillation possess in many instances a more agreeable flavor than the aqueous solution of the corresponding volatile oils, which is probably due to the fact that, besides the volatile oil, other volatile compounds, such as acids or ethers, are present in the drug, and, passing over with the steam, remain dissolved in the condensed water. In distilling aromatic waters over a naked fire care should be taken to prevent the material from being scorched, which can be obviated by placing the drug either upon a diaphragm or in a perforated vessel or wire cage, and then suspending this in the water. A peculiar odor is observed in some waters immediately after they have been distilled and condensed in tin vessels, but not when glass vessels have been used; if the waters be exposed to the air in loosely stoppered vessels for a few days, this still-odor disappears and the natural odor of the water becomes apparent. The stronger orange-flower and rose-waters are obtained, on a large scale, often as by-products in the distillation of the respective oils; in commerce they are distinguished as of triple or quadruple strength. In order to produce a saturated solution of the oil, recourse is had to the process of cohobation or redistillation, which consists in distilling the same water two or three times with fresh portions of the flowers. In some factories saturated orange-flower and rose-waters are obtained, not as by-products, but direct from the flowers, by distilling them with relatively small quantities of water; thus triple strength water is distilled by using 3 parts of the flowers to 1 of water, etc. According to Schimmel & Co., sextuple rosewater represents the highest obtainable concentration, and rose-water prepared from more than 6 times its weight of roses will not retain the whole of its oil in solution at ordinary temperature. For the preparation of distilled water a special apparatus has been put upon the market, which is said, by those who have used it, to yield an exceptionally pure water and in considerably larger quantity than is usually expected from a still of like size. The apparatus, which is illustrated in Fig. 213, is known as the Curran water still, and can be used anywhere if gas and constant watersupply be available. The tin-lined copper boiler has a capacity of 5 gallons, and from it 4 gallons of distilled water can be obtained in about two and a half hours; this allows the first quart of distillate, carrying with it A is a tin-lined copper boiler. c is a galvanized jacket for supporting the boiler over the gas-burners, and it is attachable at B, B; it is also intended to act as a fiue to utilize the heat from the gas-burners on the sides of the boiler. H is a screw cover removable for filling or cleansing the boiler. F is the vapor-pipe from the boiler to the condensing coil, P, in the galvanized iron condensing tank, E, which is provided with an inlet for cold water at T, and an outlet for warm water at I. At G is a union for connecting the vapor-pipe with the condensing coil. s is the outlet for the condensed water, and x is the receiving vessel. Jis a perforated ring resting on the jacket, and K are vent holes in the ring through which the exhausted gases pass off. o is a removable cover for cleansing the condensing tank. R is a faucet for drawing off the water from the condensing tank. L, L, L, are the gas-burners, and N the iron frame supporting the apparatus and burners. M is a gas cock for regulating the supply of gas to the burners. all volatile matter, to be rejected, and also retains a quart of water in the boiler. The rapid vaporization of the water in the boiler is effected by means of four rose burners consuming jointly about 25 cubic feet of gas per hour, the generated heat being all utilized on the bottom and sides of the boiler, which is surrounded by a galvanized iron jacket, as shown in the illustration. The vapor-pipes passing from the boiler, and the condensing coil, are both heavily lined with pure block tin, thus avoiding contact of the water with any other metal. There is no pressure on any part of the apparatus, the vapor being condensed as fast as generated and the distillate passing rapidly into the receiving vessel. Larger sizes of the Curran water still are made for use with gas or coal, delivering, according to the manufacturers' statements, which are guaranteed, from 4 to 10 gallons of distilled water per hour. CHAPTER XIV. THE OFFICIAL SOLUTIONS OR LIQUORS. THE term Liquor is applied in the Pharmacopoeia to all aqueous solutions of non-volatile substances. In Europe the name is applied in a less restricted sense, and in England it is not even confined to aqueous solutions. Twenty-four liquors are officially recognized, and of these, 8 are made by simple solution of the medicinal agent in water, 15 involve chemical action in their preparation, and for 1 the Pharmacopoeia gives no process of manufacture. This solution-the Liquor Sodii Silicatis-is made on a large scale by manufacturers, being used extensively in the arts, and for medicinal use should be of the density officially prescribed. For two of the solutions-those of potassa and soda-double formulas are given: one a simple solution, the other a more tedious chemical process; the former plan is usually followed by pharmacists, while the latter is preferred by manufacturers. The official liquors may therefore be conveniently divided into two groups, as follows: 1. Simple Solutions.-The active ingredient is added directly to the water. Latin Name. English Name. Composition. Arsenous Acid, Liquor Acidi Arsenosi{Solution of Arsen- Diluted Hydrochloric Acid, Distilled Water, sufficient to Red Mercuric Iodide, 10 Gm. 50 Cc. 1000 Cc. 10 Gm. 10 Gm. 1000 Cc. make Saturated; contains about 0.17 per cent. of Calcium Hydroxide at 15° C. (59° F.), but the percentage decreases as the temperature rises. Liquor Iodi Compos- f Compound Solution) Iodine, itus Liquor Plumbi Subacetatis Dilutus . of Iodine (Lu- Potassium Iodide, gol's Solution). ) Distilled Water, Diluted Solution of Lead Subacetate 50 Gm. 100 Gm. 850 Gm. Solution of Lead Subacetate, 30 Cc. 970 Cc. Solution of Soda. Distilled Water. Sodium Arsenate (anhy Distilled Water, sufficient to 10 Gm. 2. Chemical Solutions.-The active ingredient is formed in the process of manufacture, as the result of chemical action. {Solution of Potassa Liquor Potassæ Liquor Potassii Arsenitis sium Arsenite (Fowler's Solu tion) Process of Manufacture. Made by dissolving 3 Gm. of ammo of Made from iron wire, hydrochloric Made by dissolving red mercuric oxide Made by dissolving magnesium carbonate in a solution of citric acid; then adding syrup of citric acid and water, and finally potassium bicarbonate. Represents about 6.25 Gm. of magnesia in 360 Cc. Made by boiling lead oxide with a solution of lead acetate. Contains about 25 per cent. of basic lead acetate. (Made by boiling milk of lime with a solution of potassium carbonate, freshly prepared from potassium bicarbonate. Contains about 5 per cent. of potassium hydroxide. Solution of Potas-Made by dissolving arsenous acid and potassium bicarbonate in boiling water and adding compound tincture of lavender. |