CHAPTER XII

SOLUTIONS, MUCILAGES, SYRUPS, AND HONEYS

SOLUTIONS

SOLUTIONS Constitute that class of pharmaceuticals defined as "aqueous solutions of non-volatile bodies." This definition is redundant, inasmuch as we say that a "solution" (the class of pharmaceuticals) is a "solution" (that is, a product of the physical phenomenon called solution, which has been discussed on p. 118). In other words, the student at the outset should get a clear idea of the three meanings of the word "solution." First, the physical phenomenon of molecular subdivision resulting in a homogeneous fluid; second, the physical group of solutions, those homogeneous fluids produced by molecular subdivision, and including such pharmaceuticals as waters, spirits, glycerites, tinctures, etc; and, third, the narrow pharmaceutic "solution," which includes only that class of physical solutions which have water as the solvent and a non-volatile body as dissolved substance.

A pharmacopoeial solution is an aqueous preparation, free from sugar (exception, Solution of Magnesium Citrate), made by the ordinary process of solution. Some writers divide this class into simple and chemical solutions, while others oppose such a distinction, claiming there is no real difference in the liquefaction occurring in, say, solution of arsenous acid and in solution of ferric acetate. The latter class of writers claim that the chemical combination occurring in the formation of a so-called "chemical solution" has nothing to do with the act of solution, the chemical reaction first occurring, then being followed by the solution of the newly formed substance or of the ions of which it is composed. (See p. 119.) There is much truth in the argument that the arsenous acid in the first solution cited above is produced by chemical reaction, as much as is the ferric acetate in the other preparation; that the fact whether the substance is dissolved at the moment of formation or after some time has elapsed makes little difference.

In this book we will divide solutions into galenic preparations (simple) solutions) and into chemical preparations (chemical solutions), for the same reason that we group all pharmaceuticals into the two classes; that in Part II. we will discuss only these preparations made without chemical action, leaving those in which a chemical action occurs for consideration in Part III.

The manufacture of solutions is simple or complex, according as the preparation is a galenic or a chemical. Galenic solutions are prepared by simply dissolving the substance in an appropriate quantity of water in either a flask or a bottle, and dissolving by agitation, or by first reducing the substance to a fine powder by trituration in a mortar, and gradually adding water to the substance in the mortar.

The preparation of the so-called "simple solutions" is an easy matter -so easy that the average druggist is grossly careless with them. They should be elegant preparations; hence the careful pharmacist is generous with his filter-paper, having all his solutions (save possibly lead water) as clear as crystal. This applies to all solutions, and especially to extemporaneous prescriptions. Have all preparations, intended to be clear, fairly sparkling, for the only method possessed by the public of judging

the skill of the pharmacist is the appearance of his preparations and the neatness of his packages.

The chemical solution, on the other hand, usually requires a high degree of skill in its manufacture, and the description of this class had best be left until we consider the substance from the chemical aspect in Part III. The following table gives a list of officials arranged as galenic or chemical:

LIQUOR ACIDI ARSENOSI-Solution of Arsenous Acid

(Liq. Acid. Arsen.-Hydrochloric Solution of Arsenic. "Solution of Arsenic Chloride")

An aqueous solution, containing arsenous acid equivalent to not less than 0.975 per cent. nor more than 1.025 per cent. of As2O3 (197.92).

Condensed Recipe.

Ingredients.-Arsenic trioxide, 10 Gm.; diluted hydrochloric acid, 50 Gm.; distilled water, enough to make 1 liter.

Manipulation.-Dissolve the acid in 250 Gm. water; boil the arsenic trioxide therein until it is dissolved. After cooling, add enough water to make 1 liter.

Remarks. This is a 1 per cent. solution of arsenous acid in water, containing 5 per cent. of diluted hydrochloric acid. The preparation was formerly called solution of arsenic chloride, it being supposed that the hydrochloric acid combined with the arsenous acid with the formation of the chloride. This view is not generally held, however, at the present time, the function of the hydrochloric acid being supposed as merely rendering the arsenous acid more soluble.

Dose.-0.2 mil (3 minims).

LIQUOR AMMONII ACETATIS-Solution of Ammonium Acetate

This useful preparation, known as Spirit of Mindererus, will be discussed on p. 452.

LIQUOR ARSENI ET HYDRARGYRI IODIDI-Solution of Arsenous and Mercuric Iodide

(Liq. Arsen. et Hydrarg. Iod.-Donovan's Solution)

An aqueous solution containing not less than 0.95 per cent. nor more than 1.05 per cent. of As13 (455.72) and not less than 0.95 per cent. nor more than 1.05 per cent. of HgI, (454.44).

Condensed Recipe.

Ingredients.-Arsenous and mercuric iodides, of each 10 Gm.; distilled water, enough to make 1 liter.

Manipulation.-Triturate the iodides with 150 mils of water until they are dissolved. Filter and wash filter with enough water to make 1 liter. For details, see U.S.P., p. 238.

Remarks. This preparation has as its synonym Donovan's Solution, and contains 1 per cent. of arsenous iodide and 1 per cent. of mercuric iodide dissolved in water. The pharmacopoeia directs that Donovan's solution should be not more than a pale yellow color; but on standing this solution becomes red, and such red solutions should not be dispensed, as it is supposed to contain traces of free iodine. This may be prevented by placing a globule of mercury in the container holding the solution. and by following the pharmacopoeial direction to store in well-filled amber bottles.

LIQUOR CALCIS-Solution of Calcium Hydroxide

This well-known preparation, commonly called Lime Water, will be considered among the other preparations of calcium (p. 468). In the present system of grouping pharmaceuticals the old Latin name Aqua Calcis is a misnomer, since its active constituent, calcium hydroxide, is a non-volatile solid, while official waters are solutions of volatile bodies.

LIQUOR CRESOLIS COMPOSITUS Compound Solution of Cresol

This new official, similar to but not identical with the patent preparations, creolin and lysol, will be discussed among the cresol derivatives. (p. 701).

LIQUOR FERRI CHLORIDI-Solution of Ferric Chloride LIQUOR FERRI ET AMMONII ACETATIS-Solution of Iron and Ammonium Acetate

LIQUOR FERRI SUBSULPHATIS Solution of Ferric Subsulphate LIQUOR FERRI SULPHATIS-Solution of Ferric Sulphate These four chemical solutions of iron will be discussed in the chapter devoted to that element (Chapter XXXI).

LIQUOR FORMALDEHYDI-Solution of Formaldehyde

This 37 per cent. solution of the gas formaldehyde, sometimes called Formalin, will be discussed under Formaldehyde (p. 585).

LIQUOR HYDROGENII DIOXIDI-Solution of Hydrogen Dioxide This largely used 3 per cent. solution of hydrogen dioxide is discussed at length on p. 370.

LIQUOR HYPOPHYSIS-Solution of Hypophysis

This new official solution will be discussed under the animal products in Chapter LI.

LIQUOR IODI COMPOSITUS-Compound Solution of Iodine

(Liq. Iodi Co.-Lugol's Solution)

An aqueous solution containing not less than 4.8 per cent. nor more than 5.2 per cent. of I and not less than 9.8 per cent. nor more than 10.2 per cent. of KI. Preserve the solution in glass-stoppered bottles, protected from light.

Condensed Recipe.

Dissolve 5 Gm. iodine and 10 Gm. potassium iodide in enough distilled water to make 100 mils.

Description.-Transparent brown liquid.

Test for Identity.—Blues starch paste. For details see U.S.P., p. 248, and Part V of this book. Assay. See U.S.P. and Part V of this book.

Remarks. The synonym of this compound is Lugol's solution, which should not be confounded with Dobell's solution (p. 191), as it was in one case when a pharmacist translated the poor writing of a physician calling for Dobell's solution into Lugol's solution, which was accordingly sprayed into the throat, with exceedingly irritating results.

Compound solution of iodine contains 5 per cent. of iodine dissolved in water by means of 10 per cent. of potassium iodide. This proves the interesting fact that while iodine scarcely dissolves in water, it is freely soluble in solution of potassium iodide.

Dose.-0.2 mil (3 minims).

LIQUOR MAGNESII CITRATIS-Solution of Magnesium Citrate This popular and valuable official, sometimes called "Purgative Lemonade," will be discussed on p. 463.

LIQUOR PLUMBI SUBACETATIS-Solution of Lead Subacetate Discussed on p. 547.

LIQUOR PLUMBI SUBACETATIS DILUTUS-Diluted Solution of Lead Subacetate

Condensed Recipe.

(Liq. Plumb. Subacet. Dil.-Lead Water)

Mix 40 Gm. solution of lead subacetate with enough previously boiled distilled water to make 1 liter.

Remarks. This official is called lead water, and contains but 4 parts of solution of lead subacetate to 100 parts finished solution; hence it is much weaker. The pharmacopoeia provides that the solution of lead subacetate be diluted with distilled water which has been previously boiled and cooled. The boiling in this case is to rid the water of its dissolved carbonic acid, for if the unboiled water is brought into contact with the solution of lead subacetate, a precipitation of lead carbonate occurs, with corresponding loss in the lead strength of the official preparation. In order to prevent the formation of this lead carbonate in the official product the pharmacopoeia directs that the solution be kept in well-filled tightly-stoppered bottles. Lead water is best dispensed opalescent, to avoid the danger of confusing this poisonous preparation with the harmless "lime water."

Medical Properties.-Used exclusively externally as a soothing wash in frost-bite, ivy-poisoning, etc. Hence no dose is given by the pharmacopœia.

LIQUOR POTASSII ARSENITIS-Solution of Potassium Arsenite LIQUOR POTASSII CITRATIS-Solution of Potassium Citrate LIQUOR POTASSII HYDROXIDI-Solution of Potassium

Hydroxide

Can best be studied among the derivatives of potassium (Chapter XXV.).

LIQUOR

SODE

See p. 376.

CHLORINATE-Solution of Chlorinated Soda

LIQUOR SODII ARSENATIS Solution of Sodium Arsenate (Liq. Sod. Arsen.)

An aqueous solution containing not less than 0.975 per cent. nor more than 1.025 per cent. of Na2HAsO, (185.97).

Condensed Recipe.

Dissolve 1 Gm. exsiccated sodium arsenate in enough water to make 100 mils.

Remarks. This is a 1 per cent. solution of sodium arsenate in water. The sodium arsenate must, however, be previously deprived of its water of crystallization; that is, it must be the exsiccated sodium arsenate of the present pharmacopoeia. This preparation is one of the four arsenical solutions directed by the pharmacopoeia, the others being solution of arsenous acid, solution of arsenous and mercuric iodides, and solution of potassium arsenite, the latter being considered among the chemical solutions.

It is well to bear in mind the strength of these four arsenical solutions, noting that while all of them are 1 per cent., it does not mean that each contains 1 per cent. of arsenic trioxide, U.S.P. Two of these, solution of arsenous acid and solution of potassium arsenite, contain 1 per cent. of arsenic trioxide; solution of arsenic and mercuric iodide contains 1 per cent. of arsenic iodide, while in solution of sodium arsenate the arsenical compound is sodium arsenate.

Dose.-0.2 mil (3 minims).

LIQUOR SODII CHLORIDI PHYSIOLOGICUS Physiological Solution of Sodium Chloride

(Liq. Sod. Chlor. Physio.-Physiological Salt Solution. Normal Salt Solution)

Condensed Recipe.

Dissolve 8.5 Gm. sodium chloride in distilled water enough to make 1 liter and then sterilize. For details, see U.S.P., p. 254.

Remarks. This new official preparation is furnished in response to a demand for a normal saline solution (p. 435). Note that the product must be dispensed in sterile condition (p. 124) and must not be used when more than forty-eight hours old.

LIQUOR SODII GLYCEROPHOSPHATIS-Solution of Sodium Glycerophosphate.-This galenic can best be discussed under Sodium Glycerophosphate (p. 437).