LIQUIDS-TINCTURES. 43 4. BY DILUTING FLUID EXTRACTS.—“ Improper and unjustifiable, except in those few cases in which the active and desirable principles of the drug are equally soluble in alcohol and in water, or in the menstruum used for both fluid extract and infusion." DECOCTA-DECOCTIONS. What are Decocta, or Decoctions? Decoctions are liquid preparations, made by boiling vegetable substances with water. For description of various decoction vessels, see Remington's "Practice of Pharmacy.' General Official Formula.-" An ordinary decoction, the strength of which is not directed by the physician, nor specified by the Pharmacopoeia, shall be prepared by the following formula :— "Take of THE SUBSTANCE, coarsely comminuted, . 50 Gm. To make 1000 cubic centimetres, 1000 C.C. "Put the substance in a suitable vessel provided with a cover, pour upon it 1000 C.c. of cold water, cover it well, and boil for fifteen minutes; then let it cool to about 40° C. (104° F.), strain the liquid, and pass through the strainer enough cold water to make the product measure 1000 C.c. "Caution. The strength of decoctions of energetic or powerful substances should be specially prescribed by the physician." Decoctum Cetrariæ (Decoction of Cetraria). 5 Gm. Cetraria; W., to 1000 C. c. Decoctum Sarsaparillæ Compositum (Compound Decoction Sarsaparilla). Sar., 100 Gm.; Sas., 20 Gm.; Guaiac Wood, 20 Gm.; Glycyr., 20 Gm.; Mezereum, 10 Gm.; W., to make 1000 C.c. ALCOHOLIC LIQUIDS MADE BY PERCOLATION OR MACERATION. TINCTURE-TINCTURES. What is a Tincture? A tincture is an alcoholic solution of a medicinal substance. How does a Tincture differ from a Spirit? The latter, with one exception, are solutions of volatile substances in alcohol, while the former are of non-volatile substances. By what processes may Tinctures be prepared? By percolation, maceration, solution, or dilution. What menstrua are used in preparing them? Alcohol, diluted alcohol of various strengths, aromatic spirits of ammonia, or mixtures of alcohol, water, and glycerin. Give an example of a Tincture made by solution or dilution. Tr. Iodine is an example. It is made by dissolving Iodine in alcohol. Into what two general classes may Tinctures be divided? Into simple and compound Tinctures. Why is Glycerin used in Tinctures? To prevent precipitation on standing. There are seventy-one Official Tinctures, which may be classified according to percentage of active constituents as follows: Alc. 65 p., w. 20 p., gly. Dil. alcohol. Alc. 20 p., water 80 p. 3.75 or 7.5 C.c. 3.75 C.c. 0.65 C.c. 0.3-0.9 C.c. 3.75 C.c. 3.75-7.5 C.c. 7.5-11.25 C.c. 22 drops or 11 M. I fl. dr. From 1 to 2 fl. dr. Gentian 100 Gm., bitter orange | Alc. 60 p., water 40 p. peel 40 Gm., Cardamon 100 Gm. Kino 100 Gm. 3.7-7.50 C.c. I or 2 fl. dr. I or 2 fl. dr. I fl. dr. Alc. 65 p., water 35 p. Alc. 65 p., water 35 p. Sanguinaria 150 Gm.,acet.ac.20 C. c. Alc. 60 p., water 40 p. 0.6-1.25 C.c. 3.75 C.c. I fl. dr. 1.25-2.5 C.c. 1.9-3.75 C.c. Alc. 75 p., water 25 p. 0.6-1.25 C.C. Dil. alcohol. 1.25-1.9 C.c. 0.6-1.9 C.c. From 10 to 30 m. Alcohol. 1.9-3.7 C.c. 3.7-7.5 C.c. Flavor. From 30 m to 1 fl. dr. Alcohol. Alcohol. Alcohol. Alcohol. LIQUIDS-FLUID EXTRACTS. TINCTURES OF RECENT PLANTS. 47 How would you prepare the U. S. P. Tincturæ Herbarum Recentium? "These tinctures, when not otherwise directed, are to be prepared by the following formula : Take of The Fresh Herb, bruised or crushed, 500 grammes, or . 500 Gm. 1000 C.c. "Macerate the Herb with the alcohol for fourteen days, then express the liquid and filter (50 per cent. fresh herb)." VINA MEDICATA-MEDICATED WINES. What are Vina Medicata, or Medicated Wines? Medicated Wines are liquid preparations containing the soluble principles of medicinal substances dissolved in Wine. What variety of Wine does the U. S. P. of 1890 recognize officially? The U. S. P. (1890), does not recognize any special variety of Wine, but only the general classes of white and red. What amount of Alcohol should Wine contain ? Ten to fourteen per cent. 66 What is the usual dose of Wine? About 3.7 to 15 C. c., or 1 to 4 fl. dr. Vinum Album (White Wine). A pale, amber-colored or straw-colored liquid, having a pleasant odor, free from yeastiness, and a fruity, agreeable, slightly spirituous taste, without excessive sweetness or acidity. Vinum Rubrum (Red Wine). Alcoholic liquid, made by fermenting the juice of fresh, colored grapes, the fruit of Vitus Vinifera, in presence of their skins. When Red Wine is prescribed without further specification, it is recommended that a dry Wine of domestic production (such as Native Claret, Burgundy, etc.) be employed. There are eight Medicated Wines official in the U. S. P., as follows: (From Coblentz's "Handbook of Pharmacy.") EXTRACTA FLUIDA-FLUID EXTRACTS. What are Fluid Extracts? Fluid extracts are liquid alcoholic preparations of nearly uniform and definite strength, made by percolating drugs with menstrua, and concentrating a portion of the percolate, so that in each case a cubic centimetre represents the medicinal virtue of one gramme of the drug; they are mostly concentrated tinctures. What is the characteristic peculiarity of Fluid Extracts? They re |