Complete Formulary-1-2

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P R E F ACE .

WHEN, in 1874, the first edition of FENNER'S FORMULARY (then asmall pamphlet) was issued it was the pioneer in a new field ofpharmacy, and furnished the first reliable line of formulas for elixirsan d th e so-called Elegan t P repa ra tions wh ich were t hen coming ra pidlyinto use.

Several editions of this work, each much enlarged and improved, havesucceeded each other; but all have been, necessarily, crude andimperfect, representing, as they did, the developing stage of the art ofElegant Pharmacy.

Such as they were, however, they have been received, and adopted bythe mass of American Pharmacists as the standard authority for theprepa ra tion of th is class of galen icals.

During the past decade the advance of Pharmacy and the introductionof new dru gs, chem icals a nd form s of medicine ha s been so great , th at itha s out ru n t he text-books exta nt , an d ther e has grown up a great wantand demand for. a new and complete work which shall represent thePharmacy of to-day as it is practiced throughout the land. The

Pharmacopoeias and works of authority are all too conservative representing only a small part of the preparations used. TheDispensatories a nd oth er commen ta ries on th e Ph ar ma copoeias part akeof the same general characteristics; while the Pharmaceutical Journals(which are the main repositories of unofficial formulas, the record ofnew preparations and of the advance of Pharmacy) lack the continuityand unity of purpose which is necessary to the value of books ofreference and pra ctical works on Ph ar ma cy.

What druggists want, and demand, is a work that in one volume shall

give reliable form ulas for all or most of th e pr epar at ions required in t hepolypha r-macy of th e presen t da y, an d in which t hey ar e cert ain t o find,at a glan ce, some pr actical inform at ion on all subjects conn ected with orpertaining to the practice of their profession. To make such a workrequires patient research and investigation, extended and repeatedexperiments, careful analyses and syntheses; a thorough knowledge of

Fenn ers Complete F orm ular y - Part I-II - MISCELLANEOU S FORMULA - Page 1The Southwest School of Botanical Medicine http://www.swsbm.com
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the wants, conveniences and capabilities of pharmacists, and of thepractice of pharmacy as it is in all parts of the country; an intimateacquaintance with the standard textbooks and pharmaceuticalliterature of all countries; and, last but not least, the ability to collate,compa re, conden se, classify and a rr an ge, an d th e genius a nd experience

necessary to originate and formulate, preparations useful to thoseengaged in the t ra de.

Realizing t he r equiremen ts of such a work , as well as its n ecessity, an dkn owing th e great a mount of time a nd labor necessa ry to produce it, th eauthor, with great reluctance, and only after repeated solicitation froma great nu mber of th ose who were u sing th e form er editions of Fen ner 'sFor-mulary, undertook the preparation of this volume. To embody inone book whatever is valuable to druggists of pharmacy, chemistry,materia medica, therapeutics and formulae has been his aim and

pur pose. How far it m ay fulfill th at pur pose, th ose who use it will decide.

The former editions of this work have been chiefly devoted to theElegant Pr epar at ions, su ch as elixirs, fine syrups, m edicinal wines, etc.,but it was deemed expedient in this edition to include the officialpreparations as well, and whatever else was necessary to make, as itstitle indicates, A COMPLETE FORMULARY, to which those in search ofinformation may turn, avoiding the trouble and annoyance of lookingth rough so man y books of referen ce before finding wha t th ey seek.

Many new and, as we think, valuable processes have been introduced,which are the outcome of long experience in the preparation ofmedicines, an d as su ch a re subm itted.

We have endeavored to make a volume simple, practical,comprehensive, and plain an every-day companion, counsellor andfriend. It ha s been writt en ma inly in the work shop or labora tory in themidst of th e dru gs an d opera tions which it describes or directs. As such,no claim is m ade for its litera ry excellence, but it is ea rn estly hoped th atit may contribute something of value to the practice and science of

pharmacy, and something of pleasure and profit to Pharmacists intowhose ha nds it m ay fall.

West field, N. Y., August , 1888.



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INTRODUCTORY.

IN the arrangement of the formulas in this volume the plan ofnumbering them has, as in former editions, been adopted. This methodsaves frequent repetition of the formulas, makes them convenient forreference, and at the same time more particularly designates one fromanother, as there are in many instances several preparations bearingth e sam e na me yet differing in composition.

The official prepar at ions ar e designa ted by th eir Lat in t itles as given inth e Ph ar ma copoeias; but few oth ers ar e th us distinguished, as th ey aregenerally called for or prescribed by their more common names.Prominence is also given to most of the official and to the elegantpreparations by printing them in larger type than those of lessimportance.

Whenever a ma ter ial difference exists in t he form ulas official in t he U.S. P. and those of the Br., German, French, or other leadingpharmacopoeias, the composition of the preparation as directed by thedifferent authorities is given. Also, when there is any importantdifference between the U. S. 1880 and 1870 pharmacopoeiaprepar at ions, th e same is noted in th e form ula.

In the formulas copied from other works, when the original text isfollowed, the source from which they are derived is usually mentioned;

but when formulas are collated from various sources, and re-arranged,re-written, or readjusted to suit the plan of this work, their authority isnot gener ally given, as t hey a re, most ly, pu blic propert y, ha ving becomesuch by long usa ge an d frequ ent p ublicat ion in st an dar d work s.

In conformity with the popular usage in this country the quantitiesdirected in the formulas are mostly in the commercial weight andmeasure of the U. S. The attempts to introduce metric weight.andmeasure or parts by weight of solids and liquids have not met with afavorable reception in this country, although generally used in

Cont inenta l Eu rope.

In the article on weights and measures which follows, directions will befound for readily converting weights or measures of one system intoth ose of an oth er.



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As this work is intended mainly as a formulary, the description ofpharmaceutical apparatus in general use, and the description ofmedicinal su bsta nces, except a s given u nder genera l headings, is mostlyomitted; for the same reason, the tests of chemicals, etc., are notgenerally given. A brief general description of crude medicinal

subst an ces will be foun d in PART I., an d t he gener al work ing processesemployed in pharmacy are briefly described in PART II. For furtherdescriptions, tests, etc., reference may be made to the pharmacopoeias,chem istries and oth er t echn ical work s. The medicinal u ses and doses ofmost pr epar at ions ar e briefly given u nder th eir form ulas , for convenientreference.

The formulas are, as far as is practicable, arranged in classes. Theofficial form ulas an d t hose employed in r egular pha rm acy are includedin PART III., and are classed according to their pharmaceutical

similarity, as elixirs, extracts, fluid extracts, spirits, syrups, etc.Chemical elements and radicals are noted in their alphabetical order,their salts and combinations being included under the same generalhea dings as S odium and its salts. Potassium and its salts, etc.

Standard proprietary remedies are included in PART IV., and classedaccording to their medicinal properties, uses, etc. as Ague Cures,Catarrh R em edies, Cough Rem edies, etc.

Toilet a rt icles and per fum es ar e given in PART V., an d ar e ar ra nged as

far as possible according to their uses as Hair Preparations,Ha nd kerchief Perfum es, Lotions, etc.

Miscellaneous Preparations, in which are included those not otherwiseclassified, make up Part VI., and are arranged as far as possibleaccording to their uses .

WEIGH TS AND MEASURES STANDARDS.

The United States Pharmacopoeia previous to the 1880 revision and all

standard American text-books directed troy weight and apothecarymeasure. The present revision of the United States Pharmacopoeiadirects metric weight and measure whenever definite weight andmeasure is mentioned, but parts by weight are generally directed. TheBritish Pharmacopoeia and text-books direct avoirdupois weight andequivalent fluid measure. All of the Pharmacopoeias of continental



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Eu rope direct pa rt s by weight , or m etric weight a nd m easu re.

The G r a i n is the equivalent unit of the apothecary, troy andavoirdupois systems of weight. Apothecary and troy weight correspond,th e ter ms of the form er only being used by dru ggists.

The S c r u p l e equals 20 grains. It is now seldom used, being expressedin gra ins inst ead.

The D r a ch m equals 60 grains or 1/8 apothecar y or t roy oun ce.

The O u n c e ofa p o t h e c a r y or t r o y weight equals 480 gra ins or 1/12 of

th e apoth ecar y or t roy poun d of 5,760 grains .

The O u n c e a v o i r d u p o i s weight (American commercial and Britishphar ma ceutical sta ndar d) equals 4371/2 grains or 1/16 of th e a voirdu pois

poun d of 7,000 gra ins.

The P ou n d of a p o t h e c a r y or t r o y weight equals 5,760 grains or 12ap oth ecar y or t roy oun ces of 480 gra ins.

The P o u n d a v o ir d u p o is weight (American commercial and Britishpha rm aceutical st an dar d) equa ls 7,000 gra ins or 16 avoirdupois oun ces

of 4371/2 grains.

The G r a m m e is the u nit ofm e t r i c weight. A gramme equals 10 deci-gramm es or 100 cent igra mm es or 1,000 milligramm es or 15.43 gra ins.

The Ki log r a m m e equals 1000 grammes or 35.27 av. ounces, and isequivalent to th e litr e.

A C u b i c C e n t i m e t r e of water at 4 C. (39 F.) weighs a gramme;therefore the gramme and cubic centimetre are equivalent. It equals

16 1/4 minims.

The L i t r e is the unit of metric fluid measure, and equals 1,000 cubiccent imet res , or 10 decilitres or 100 cent iliter s or 33.84 Am. fl.ounces.

The Mi n im is a variable expression of fluid measur eth e 480th par t of



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a fluid ounce. The minim of American fluid measure of water at itsgreatest density weighs about 0.95 grain, being the 480th part of theAmerican fluid ounce of 455.7 grains of water. The British minim being

the 480th part of the British fluid ounce of 437 1/2 grains of

wat erweighs a bout 0.91 grain.

The F lu i d D r a c h m equals 60 m inims or 1/8 fluid ounce.

The Am e r ic a n F l u id D r a c h m of water weighs 56.96 grains, being 1/8

of the Amer ican fluid oun ce of 455.7 grain s of wat er.

The B r i t i s h F l u i d D r a c h m of water weighs 54.68 grains, being 1/8 of

th e Brit ish fluid oun ce of 4371/2 grains of wat er.

The F l u i d Ou n c e equals 480 minims or 8 fluid drachm s.

The A m e r i c a n F l u i d O u n c e of water weighs 455.7 grains, and is 1/16

of the Amer ican pint of 7,291.1 gra ins of wat er.

The B r i t is h F lu i d O u n c e of wat er weighs 4371/2 grains, an d t herefore

corr esponds with th eir weight sta nda rd (avoirdupois) oun ce. It'is 1/20 of

th e British Imperial pint.

The P in t of Amer ican fluid m easur e (28.875 cubic inches) equa ls 7,680American minims; 7,291.1 grains of water or 16 fluid ounces of 455.7grains of wat er, at 60 F.

The Imp e r i a l P i n t of British fluid measure (34.659 cubic inches)

equals 9,600 British minims; 8,750 grains (11/4 pounds avoirdupois) of

wat er or 20 Br itish fluid ounces of 4371/2 grains of wat er a t 60" F.

The Ga l l o n of Amer ican fluid measure (231 cubic inches) equa ls 61,440Amer ican min ims ; 58,328.9 grain s of wat er or 8 Amer ican pint s.

The Imp e r i a l Ga l l o n of British fluid measure (277.274 cubic inches)equals 76,800 British minims; 70,000 grains (10 pounds avoirdupois) ofwater or 8 Imperial pints.



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The relation of weight to fluid measure as above stated is calculated fordistilled water at 15.6 C. (60 F.). The volume of water increases ordecrea ses in a r at io var ying with t he t emper at ur e. At 15.6 C. (60 F.) itsvolume is 1.000938, as compared with 1.000000, its volume at its

grea test density 4 C. (39 F .).

To convert the WEIGHTS of one system into those of another, thefollowing sim ple ru les may be obser ved : To convert

Troy to Avoirdupois,Multiply the weight in tr. ounces by 1.097 forclose,. or by 1.1 for ordinary calculations. The product is the weight inav.ounces.

Avoirdupois to Troy.Multiply the weight in av. ounces by 0.911 for

close, or deduct one tenth for ordinary calculations. The product, orresu lt, is th e weight in t r. oun ces.

Metric to Grains.Multiply th e weight in gra mm es by 15.43.

Metric to Troy Ounces.Multiply th e weight in gra mm es by 0.032.

Metric to Avoirdupois Ounces.Multiply the weight in grammes by

0.035. In ordina ry calcula tions, 281/3 gram mes a re considered equa l to 1

ounce.

Grains to Gram m es .Multiply the weight in grains by 2, and divide by13. The quotient is th e weight in gram mes.

Troy to Metric.Mult iply th e weight in t r.ounces by 31.1. The produ ct isth e weight in m etric gramm es.

Avoirdupois to Metric.Multiply the weight in avoirdupois ounces by28.35. The product is th e weight in m etr ic gramm es.

To convert the MEASURES of one system into those of another, thefollowing sim ple ru les may be obser ved : To convert

Apothecary to Imperial Fluid Measure.Multiply the measure inapothecary fl.ounces by 1.041. The product is the measure in Imperialfl.ounces.



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Imperial to Apothecary Fluid Measure.Multiply the measure inImperial fl.ounces by 0.96. The product is the measure in apothecaryfl.ounces.

Metric to Apothecary Fluid Measure.Multiply the measure in cubiccentimetres by 161/4 to reduce to minims, or by 0.034 to reduce to

fl.oun ces. The litre equ als a bout 2 pint s, 17/8 Am. fl.ounces.

Metric to Imperial Fluid Measure.Multiply the measure in cubiccent imeter s by 0.035 to reduce to Imperial fl.oun ces.

Apothecary to Metric Fluid Measure.Mult iply th e measu re in fl.oun cesby 29.53. The product is the measure in cubic centimeters. In ordinary

calculations 30 cubic centimeters equal 1 fl.ounce.

Im perial to Metric Fluid Measure.Mult iply th e mea su re in fl.oun ces by28.35. The pr oduct is th e measure in cubic cent imeter s.

HE AT M E ASUR E S.

The only scales now used to any extent for registering temperature arethose of Fahrenheit, Reaumur, and Celsius; the latter being known in

most coun tr ies a s th e Centigrade scale. The Fahrenheit scale is chieflyused in America and Great Britain, the Reaumur in Germany, and theCentigrade in France and other countries of Europe, and in scientificcalculat ions in nea rly all coun tr ies.

Thermometric scales are calculated from the expansion of mercury oralcohol in a sm all vacuu m t ube ha ving usua lly a bulb or r eservoir at th ebottom.

The CENTIGRADE scale assumes the temperature at which waterfreezes as 0, and the temperature at which it boils with the barometerat 30 inches, as 100, making 100 between the freezing and boilingpoint of wat er.

The FAHRENHEIT scale assumes the temperature at which waterfreezes as 32, an d th e temper at ur e at wh ich it boils with th e barometer



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at 30 inches, as 212, making 180 between the freezing and boilingpoint of wat er.

The REAUMUR scale, which is seldom u sed in th is coun tr y, assumes t hetempera tu re at which wat er freezes as 0, and th e temperat ur e at which

it boils with th e bar omet er a t 30 inches, as 80, mak ing 80 between t hefreezing a nd boiling point of wat er.

The following table shows a comparison of the scales from the freezingto th e boiling point of wat er:

It will be seen by the foregoing scales that a Centigrade degree is 1 4/5

Fahrenheit, or 4/5 Reaumur degrees ; that a Fahrenheit degree is 5/9

Centigrade, or 4/9 Reaumu r degrees ; an d th at a Reaum ur degree is 11/4

Centigrade, or 2 1/4 Fa hr enheit degrees.

The following rules will be found convenient for reducing or convertingone scale to an oth er :



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T o r e d u c e Ce n t i g r a d e t o F a h r e n h e it .

RULE.Multiply the given degrees Centigrade by 14/5 (9/5), and add

32 to the produ ct.

EXAMPLE.How many Fahrenheit degrees in 25 Centigrade degrees?

25 x 9/5 + 32 = 77 Fa hr enh eit degrees.

T o r e d u c e R e a u m u r t o F a h r e n h e it .

RULE.Multiply the given degrees Reaumur by 21/4 and add 32 to the

product.

T o r e d u c e F a h r e n h e i t t o C e n t ig r a d e .

RULE. Subtract 32 from the given degrees Fahrenheit and divide the

rem aind er by 14/5 (9/5).

EXAMPLE.How many Centigrade degrees in 176 Fahrenheit

degrees? 176 32 9/5 = 80 Centigrade degrees.

T o r e d u c e F a h r e n h e it t o R e a u m u r .

RULE.Subtract 32 from the given degrees Fahrenheit and divide therem aind er by 21/4 (9/4).

T o r e d u c e R ea u m u r t o Ce n t i gr a d e .

RULE.Multiply the given degrees Reau mu r by 11/4

T o r e d u c e Ce n t i gr a d e t o R e a u m u r .

RULE.Mult iply th e given degrees Cen tigrad e by 5/4

In reducing Fahrenheit to other scales, or vice versa, 32 is added or

subtr acted, becau se th e Fa hren heit scale is ma rked 32 where th e oth er



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scales are marked 0, viz., at the freezing point of water. Bear in mind

that in computing degrees below 0 Centigrade, or Reaumur, the

product of the multiplication is a minus quantity, and that adding +32

to the minus quantity is the same as taking the difference between

them. Recent American works on Pharmacy and Chemistry give both

the Centigrade and Fahrenheit degrees, so there is no reason that the

dru ggist sh ould not soon be as fam iliar with th e one a s th e oth er.

The temperature at which the specific gravity of substances is usually

taken and recorded, is 15.6 Centigrade, or 60 Fahrenheit, or 12.4

Reaumur. In making experiments or calculations that require accuracy,

this must be well understood, and the substances to be used must be

brought t o this temperat ure.

A unit of heat is the amount of heat necessary to raise a certain

qua nt ity of wat er one degree.

The Fr ench un it, called a caloric, is usua lly adopted. It is th e am oun t of

hea t requ ired t o raise one k ilo (2.2046215 lbs. avoirdu pois) of wat er one

degree centigra de ; th a t is, from 0 to 1 C.



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SP ECI F IC WEIGH T OR GRAVITY.

Specific weight or gravity is the weight of a substance compared with

the weight of an equal volume of some other substance taken as a

standard.

Distilled water at 15.6 C. (60 F.) is the standard with which all solids

an d liquids ar e compa red t o calculat e th eir specific gravity.

The specific gravity of water is expressed by unity, as 1, 1.00, 1.000,

1.0000, etc., substances heavier than water being more than a unit,

lighter t ha n wat er, less th an a -unit, expressed in decimals.

Air or hydrogen at 15.6 C. (60 F.), and the barometer at 30 inches, are

th e standa rds with wh ich gases a re compa red t o determ ine th eir specific

gravity.

As applied to pharmacy the specific gravities of solids and liquids only

are required, therefore the processes for estimating their specific

gravity, only, will be considered in t his a rt icle. For th e specific gravity of

gases our reader s ar e referred to the sta nda rd work s on Chemistr y.

Few dr uggists ar e provided with delicat e specific gravity appa ra tu s, an d

indeed it is unnecessary that they should be, for a few simple articles,

always a t ha nd, will suffice for th e dr uggists ' pur pose a s well the most

elaborate and costly apparatus. A thermometer, a thin bottle and

accurate balances or scales are all the apparatus required for finding

the specific gravity of liquids and solids, and druggists seldom need to

deter mine the specific gravity of gases.

The following a re th e simple directions for...



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CALCULATING TH E SPE CIFIC GRAVITY OF LIQU IDS.

FIRST.Take a thin bottle that will hold three or four ounces;1

paste

strips of paper on two opposite sides and weigh the bottle accurately,

marking the weight in grains,2

on one of the strips. Then weigh in the

bottle just 1000 grains of distilled water at a temperature of 15.6 C.

(60 F.) and mark the strips of paper on each side of the bottle just at

the surface of the water, when the bottle is standing perfectly level.

Mark 1000, the weight of the water, under the weight of the bottle and

add them together for the gross weight, then empty the bottle and it is

rea dy for use.

SECOND. Having brought the liquid to be calculated to the required

temperature, 15.6 C, (60F.), pour it into the bottle previously used,

un til its su rface comes just level with t he wa ter -level mar ks on th e str ips

of paper ; th en weigh it a ccur at ely, noting t he gross weight in gra ins.

THIRD. Find th e difference between t he gross weight of the first an d

second operat ions. If th e weight of th e first opera tion is great er t ha n t he

second, subtract the difference from 1000 and point off three places as

decimals. If the weight of the first opera tion is less th an th e second, a dd

th e differen ce to 1000 and point off th ree places a s decima ls.

EXAMPLE 1. The gross weight of a bottle with 1000 grains of water is

1723 gra ins; the gr oss weight of th e same volume of a liquid in t he sa me

bott le is 1671 gra ins. Wha t is th e specific gravity of the liquid ?

1 A long-necked bottle, that 1000 grains of water will fill into the neck, is the mostaccurate. Specific gravity bottles, made very light and designed to hold 100 or 1000grains, or 50, 250 or 500 gra mm es, may be obta ined of dealers in chemical ware.2 Metric weight ma y be used inst ead of grains. Grains a re ment ioned becau seAmerican dr uggists a re so mu ch more fam iliar with t his weight th an with th e metricsystem.



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17231671 = 52 differ ence.

1000 52 =0.948 specific gravity of liquid .

EXAMPLE 2. The gross weight of a bottle with 1000 grains of water is

1723 grains; the gross weight of the same volume of a liquid is 2184

gra ins. Wha t is t he specific gravity of th e liquid ?

21841723 = 461 difference.

1000 + 461 = 1.461 specific gravity of liquid.

This method of determining the specific gravity of liquids is quite

accurate, and very convenient when the bottle is once prepared. It is

also adapt ed to sma ll qua nt ities of liquids a s it can be calculat ed for 100

grains or 10 grains in the same general manner. It can be used also for

light or h eavy liquids, which is an oth er conven ience.

The Hydrometer is an instrument used for determining the specific

gravity of liquids. Ther e ar e many kinds, but n ear ly all act on th e sam e

principle, viz.: The depth to which they sink in the liquid, which is

shown by the graduated scale in the stem of the instrument. It is not

accurate enough for fine work, and cannot be used for small quantities

of liquids.

The H ydrometer is prin cipally useful for showing th e proof of spirit s, th e

degree of acids, syrups, etc., but is not adapted to the general work of

calculat ing specific gravity in th e business of th e pha rm acist.

The spirit Hydrometer will not answer for heavy liquids, nor the acid

nor syru p H ydrometer for th e light liquids.

The Government Hydrometer for spirits which has the thermometer

scale a tt ached is of mu ch va lue in est ima ting the proof of spirits .



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CALCULATING TH E SPE CIFIC GRAVITY OF SOLIDS.

The druggist is so seldom required to calculate the specific gravity of

solids, tha t m ere m ent ion, only, of th e met hods will be given h ere.

Solids heavier than water are first weighed in the ordinary way, and

then, by suspending them to one side of the balance by a fine thread,

ar e immersed in wa ter an d weighed. The ordinar y weight divided by the

loss of weight in wa ter gives the specific gra vity of the solids.

Solids lighter than waterar e first weighed, an d th en a tt ached or t ied to

some heavy metal of known weight and specific gravity; the two

substances are then weighed and immersed in water together and the

loss of weight of the lighter substance found by deducting the loss of

weight of the heavy metal, previously found, from the total loss. The

original weight of the lighter substance is then divided by its loss of

weight in water, as shown by the form er operat ion an d th e result is t he

specific gra vity of the su bstan ce.

Solids soluble in water are first weighed by the balance and then

weighed suspended in some liquid in which they are insoluble, as

Naphtha, Alcohol or Oil. The weight in the liquid subtracted from the

ordinary weight gives the loss of weight; the ordinary weight is divided

by the loss of weight thus obtained, and the quotient multiplied by the

specific gra vity of the liquid in which t he solid was weighedthis gives

th e specific gra vity of the solid.

Powdered substances are first weighed, and their weight added to that

of the specific gravity bottle and 1000 grains of water, as described for

calculating the specific gravity of liquids. The powder is then put in the

bottle and enough distilled water at 15.6 C. (60 F.) added to fill it to



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the water-level marks on the bottle. It is then weighed and its weight

subtracted from the gross weight previously obtained; this shows the

loss of waight in water. The ordinary weight of the powder is now

divided by th e toss of weight as shown by th e subt ra ction; th e quotient

is th e specific gra vity of the powder.



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P AR T I .

DRU GS AND ME DICINAL SUBSTANCES.The substances used in the art of pharmacy are obtained from every

part of the known world, and are selected from all departments of themineral, vegetable, and animal kingdoms. The mineral kingdom

contributes the greater portion, the vegetable a great variety, and the

animal a fair percentage of the substances which are known in the

comm ercial world as "Dru gs."

The collection and preparation of "drugs" for the market constitutes a

very great industry, second in importance to none of the commercial

indust ries of th e world. In t he limited spa ce which we ha ve to devote t othis subject, mere mention only of what is most important to druggists

can be m ade, as it s elabora t ion would, of itself, fill a volume.

MINERAL DRUGS.

Near ly every min era l known is, in some form , made u se of in ph ar ma cy.

Minerals and mineral salts were the first substances employed in

medicine. The science of chemistry owes its early advancement to the

researches of the alchemists and apothecaries in mineral substances,and the legends of medicine and pharmacy are mainly based upon the

wonderful powers an d qua lities at tr ibut ed to minera ls.

The collection of native mineral substances does not come within the

province of pharmacy, and at present but few mineral salts are

prepared by pharmacists. That task, which was formerly a necessary

part of the education and business of the apothecary, now being given

over to manufacturing chemists, who have better facilities andconvenien ces for doing it.

In chemistry, all elementary mineral substances are called bases or

ra dicals, from t heir property of combining with acids to form sa lts.



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The following table of elementary substances includes the minerals,

which, with th eir various combina tions a nd sa lts, compr ise a large sha re

of the so-called " chemicals " used in ph arma cy.



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I n o r g a n i c Ch e m i c a l P r o d u c t s .

The process by which substances unite to form other substances or

compoun ds is called chemical action , and the force with which they so

unite is called chemical att raction or affinity ; mineral chemical

substances are called inorganic; vegetable and animal chemical

subst an ces ar e called organic.

Inorganic Chemical products are produced by the union of mineral

bases with a cids, an d th e salts t hu s composed const itut e a large sha re of

the chemicals of pharmacy and commerce. The salts thus formed bear

the names both of the base and acid of which they are composed; for

examples, aceta te of pota ssium or pota ssium acetat e, sulphat e of iron or

ferrous sulphate, bi-chloride of mercury or mercuric chloride, etc.

The names of chemical salts are distinguished by certain prefixes or

terminations, which indicate in a measure the proportions of the

combinations. For a full understanding of these, and chemical

nomenclature in general, the reader is referred to standard words of

chemistry.

VE GE T AB L E DR UGS.

By far the greater number of substances used in medicine are of

vegetable origin. Nearly every plant that grows has at one time or

another played its part in the history of Pharmacy, and newly-

discovered ones, with "wonderful virtu es," ar e st ill being brought to light

from "lan ds beyond t he sea ."

But little at ten tion is now given by Ph ar ma cists to gath ering and curing



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vegetable drugs; that branch of the business, which was in former time

an important part of the trade of the Apothecary, being given over to

collectors and others who have better facilities for carrying it on.

Vegetable substances are, or should be, gathered at the season when

th ey cont ain t he great est a moun t of medicinal value, and ar e prepar ed

for m ar ket in var ious ways, which depend lar gely upon th e int elligence,

experience and convenience of the collectors.

A brief men t ion of cru de vegeta ble drugs, and th e met hods emp loyed for

preparing th em for t he ma rket ma y not be superfluous.

B a l s a m s .Many substances of quite different consistence and

composition are classed as Balsams. They are generally gathered by

puncturing pustular cells in the bark, or by making cuts or incisions in

th e bar k or wood of cert ain tr ees or plant s. They ar e liquid, semi-solid or

solid.

B a r k s .Barks are gathered in the early spring just after the sap has

started to flow. The bark may then be readily stripped from the

branches, trunk or root, and it contains as much or more medicinal

value t ha n at an y oth er season. The bar k from t wigs or sm all bra nches

is easiest removed by heating them over a fire and then pounding them

with a billet of wood. The trunk-bark of trees is generally removed in

slabs or strips, the outer portion being shaved or hewed off and

discarded, the inner bark only being used ; the root-bark has usually to

be shaved off. Barks are dried in the open air or by moderate heat in

kilns, evaporators, or other heating apparatus, and come into the

market in the form of quills, small slabs, stripes, or broken in small

pieces. They are then cut, crushed, ground, or powdered as desired for

sale or u se.

B e r r i e s .Un der t he comm on na me of berries a re included m an y of th e



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smaller fruits, like strawberry, raspberry, etc.; the small fleshy fruits,

like juniper, ash, and laurel, and the dry, unripe berries, like cubeb,

spice, and pepper. The juices of some berr ies ar e used, while oth ers ar e

gathered and dried by suitable heating apparatus, to prepare them for

the market.

B u d s .A few kinds of leaf-buds, like Balm of Gilead, are gathered,

dried, and u sed in m edicine; but t he t erm is usu ally used in P ha rm acy

to designate undeveloped flower-buds, of which cloves and cassie-buds

are examples. They are gathered in their proper season, and dried in

th e open air for t he ma rket .

F l o w e r s .Flowers should be gathered in their early blossoming before

they have passed their prime; many, even, are best gathered when the

buds are opening. They are usually gathered with as little of the stalk

as possible, except in the case of plants and herbs, which are gathered

ent ire at th e season of flowering. Flowers sh ould be dr ied with as litt le

exposure a s possible, and pa cked a way in a dry, cool place.

F r u i t .Fruit is a botanical name for all kinds of vegetable-growths

enclosing and including seeds; but different kinds of fruit are classed -

and named according to their peculiarities: as fleshy fruits, of which

apples and berries are examples, stone fruits, of which the peach and

cherry are examples, and dry fruits, which include nuts, capsular and

oth er dry fru its, seeds, etc. Fr uits a re genera lly gat her ed when th e seeds

are ripe, and are dried, preserved, or otherwise treated according to

their nature and use. Fleshy and stone fruits should be dried in an

evapora tor or oth er su itable drying appara tu s, while the dr y fruits ar e

either sufficiently dry when ripe, or m ay be dried in t he open a ir. Many

of the fruits are classed commercially as berries, nuts, seeds, capsules,

etc.



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G u m s a n d G u m - R e s i n s .Among the natural vegetable substances

which are collected and put upon the market, a certain class of gums

and gum-resins may be included. They are the exudations from plants

either from the stings of insects, or from incisions made for the purpose

of collecting the gum or gum-resin. The collection of gums and their

prepara tion for t he ma rket forms a very large and importa nt industry.

Besides the gums and gum-resins, there are many substances known

commercially as gums which are of an entirely different characteras

opium, which is a concreted juice, and catechu, which is properly an

extract.

H e r b s.In pharmacy herbs are understood to be the upper portion of

small plants, including the leaves, flowers and small stalks, the larger

stalks and roots being discarded. Commercially, the smaller plants,

which are gathered entire, are also classed with herbs. Herbs should

generally be gathered when in blossom, carefully dried without artificial

hea t, a nd packed away in a cool, dry place.

P la n t s .Plants, as the term is understood botanically, include all

vegetable-growths, great or small; but in pharmacy the name is

generally applied to small plants which are gathered and used entire.

They should be gathered about the season of flowering, and dried

without artificial heat.

L e a v e s .Leaves should be gathered when the plants or trees are at

their fullest prime. With plants, this is generally a little before the

flowering season ; an d with t rees and shr ubs, usu ally a litt le before t he

ripening of th e fru it. Leaves should be dried with out ar tificial hea t an d

packed a way in a cool, dry place.

N u t s .Nuts are properly classed with fruits. They are gathered when



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ripe, th oroughly dried an d prepa red in various ways for t he ma rk et.

R o o t s .Commercially considered, roots are the parts of plants which

grow in the ground; in pharmacy, however, they are divided into

several classes according to their natureas root, rhizome, rootlets,

bulb, corm us, t uber, etc., th e th ree lat ter not being properly classed with

roots. Roots should generally be gathered after the leaves are off the

plants in the fall, or before they start in the spring. The bark, only, of

many woody roots is used, while some are gathered, entire, being cut,

sliced, crushed or otherwise prepared for market. The rhizome is the

main portion of the root or rootstock, to which the rootlets, if any, are

attached. Of the roots which consist of rhizome and rootlets, some are

used ent ire, while oth ers, only th e rh izome or rootlet s ma y be used.

The bulb, corm us an d tu ber a re classed with roots comm ercially, but a re

botanically dissimilar. Bulbs are usually sliced and dried ; cormus and

tu ber m ay be sliced or dried wh ole.

S e e d s.Many of the so-called "seeds," as caraway, cardamom,

coriander, fennel, etc., are classed in pharmacy as fruit. The botanical

distinction being, tha t wh en t wo or m ore sepa ra te seeds a re enclosed by

a pericar p or en velope, the st ru ctu re is called fru it, while th e seed itself

is a single ovule, containing the embryo and its nutriment. Seeds are

generally gathered when ripe and dried if necessary by natural heat.

Some of the fruits which are commercially classed as seeds require

ar tificial hea t.

Woods .The greater part of the woods used in the drug-business are

for dyeing purposes. A few, however, are used as medicine. They are

generally furnished to druggists in chips, or shavings, or ground to the

proper finen ess for u se.



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P h a r m a ce u t ica l a n d Ch em ica l P r od u ct s .

The many products which are derived from vegetable substances may

conveniently be classed as pharmaceutical and chemical. In the former

class ma y be included such as a re genera lly prepar ed by pha rm acists in

their business, and in the latter, such as are usually prepared by the

larger ma nu factur ing chem ists. Of th e form er class , fluid extra cts, solid

extracts, tinctures, spirits, syrups, etc., and of the latter, the alkaloids

an d th eir sa lts, vegeta ble acids, alcohol and dist illed spirit s, etc., ma y be

mentioned.

ANIMAL DRUGS .

But few an imal su bsta nces, compa ra tively, ar e used in medicine, yet in

the aggregate the drugs derived from the animal kingdom form quite a

percentage of th e dru ggists' st ock.

In the early days of medicine, animal substances were used to a great

extent th e most r idiculous an d foolish use being m ade of thembut, a s

the science of medicine has emerged from its early superstitions, they

have been mostly dropped, and only such as are of known value

retained.

The fats and oils obtained from animal tissue constitute the greater

portion of animal-matter used in pharmacy. Some expensive animal

substa nces, such as mu sk a nd am bergris ar e used quite extensively in

perfumery. Pepsin, pancreatin, albumen, the meat extracts, etc., are

used internally. Cantharides is most used externally, and many other

an imal subst an ces have various u ses in medicine or ph ar ma cy.



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P h a r m a ce u t ica l a n d Ch em ica l P r od u ct s .

The pharmaceutical products prepared from animal substances are

mainly the cerates, ointments and plasters, in which animal fats and

wax ar e used as bases. Several tinctu res also ar e prepar ed from an imal

substances, such as cantharides, castor, musk, etc. The chemical

products consist mainly of a few alkaloids and their salts, and may

include pepsin, pancreat in, etc., as th ey are n ot u sua lly prepar ed except

by manu facturing establishmen ts.



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P ART I I .

WORKING P ROCE SSES.

The processes which are here noted are such as druggists do or may

employ in their business, without expensive apparatus or special

pha rm aceutical education. Man y oth er processes ar e employed by

chemists and large manufacturers which it would be needless to detail

her e, as th ey would not be used by dru ggists genera lly.

DIALYSIS.

The process by which certain substances are separated from other

substances with which they are combined in solution, by means of the

diffus ibility of liquids t hr ough a th in m embr an e, is called Dialysis.

The physical prin ciple, involved in th is opera tion, is th a t of th e diffus ion

of liquids, called endosmosis and exosm osis. Alth ough th is process is not

officinal, it may be frequently employed to advantage in pharmacy, and

it no doubt mer its more cons idera tion th an it ha s her etofore r eceived.

In pharmacy, dialysis is employed to

separate what are known as colloid (glue-

like) substances, from their combination in

solution with crysta llizable su bsta nces. This

is accomplished by means of an apparatus

ca lled a Dialyzer, a simple form of which is

here illustra ted.

This apparatus may be made by any druggist, without expense, and is

sufficient for the requirements of most retail dealers. Larger apparatus



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may be made on the same principle. It consists of an ordinary white

glass 7-inch lamp-shade, the bottom of which is covered over with

parchment paper, which is large enough to extend up the sides of the

shade nearly two inches, and which is held in place by two rubber

bands. The solution to be dialysed is placed in the apparatus thus

const ru cted, and float ed on distilled wat er, cont ained in a ny convenient

ear th enwar e vessel. (An eart hen war e milk-pan which is shown in th e

cut, is convenient for this purpose, or an ordinary wash-bowl may be

used.) The dialyzer may be suspended by a string from above, or set

upon bottles in the earthenware vessel, so that the surface of the liquid

in th e dialyzer ma y be about on a level with th e sur face of th e wat er in

th e vessel.

Parchment paper for this purpose may be made by immersing firm,

un sized pap er in a mixtur e of two mea sur es of Sulphu ric Acid with one

measure of water, and afterward washing it thoroughly with pure

water to remove all traces of acid. It may also be bought, at a small

price, of jobbers or dea lers in pha rm aceut ical appar at us .

Dialysis is applicable only to aqueous solutions, and the process is used

sometim es to obta in t he colloid, and somet imes t he cryst alloid, pr inciples

from their solutions. The colloid substances are always retained in the

floating vessel or dialyzer, while the crystalloid substances are found in

th e wat er with which th e dialysis is condu cted. In working th e process to

obta in t he colloid subst an ces, the wa ter in t he vessel should be cha nged

every day; but in work ing it to obta in t he crysta lloids, as litt le water as

is necessary for the purpose should be used, for it has subsequently to

be evaporated to obtain the crystallizable substance. Gum arabic is a

familiar example of a colloid, and sugar, of a crystalloid substance. If

they are both represented in a solution, the gum will be retained in the

floating vessel, while the sugar will gradually be transferred to the

wat er, in which it float s.



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In conducting the process of dialysis it should be continued so long as

the water in the lower vessel contains appreciable traces of the soluble

crystalloid, or other substance, which the process is designed to remove.

Dialysed iron is probably the most familiar colloid preparation made by

dialysis.

DISTILLATION.

The pr ocess of vaporizing a liquid or oth er su bstan ce, by th e aid of hea t,

and then condensing the vapor to a liquid by cold, in an apparatus

called a st ill, is kn own a s Distillat ion.

FENNER'S WATER-BATH AND STILL is

a convenient, simple apparatus for

evaporating and distilling. It consists of a

cylindrical, shallow vessel, A, into which is

fitted the shallow evaporating pan, B

(which serves as the vessel for open

evaporation, and also for evaporation

during distillation); and the conical still

top, C, in which the vapor, which rises, is

condensed during the process of distillation. This apparatus is

constructed specially for evaporating and

distilling; it is low and shallow, having a

large bottom surface, fitting it well for

rapid evaporation and distillation.

Fenn er's Wat er-bath Percolator an d St ill

may be employed for the same purposes,

but as it is constructed for percolation

also, corresponding sizes do not present

so large a surface for evaporation and



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distillation as does th e Water-bat h an d Still.

Druggists will find it a great convenience to have the Water-bath and

Still, as well as the Water-bath Percolator and Still, for they are often

both required at the sa me time.

This process is used for separating liquids of a less from those of a

greater specific gravity; for separating liquids from soluble substances

which they hold in solution; for separating volatile substances from

grosser matter with which they are associated, and for purifying and

freeing liquids from objectionable matter.

As applied to pharmacy, distillation is employed for recovering alcohol

from many preparations which are required to be concentrated by

evaporation, such as fluid extracts, solid extracts, etc., for distilling

medicina l water s an d spirits, for obtain ing ether s, essentia l oils, etc., an d

for m an y oth er pu rposes.

Although distillation is frequently directed in the Pharmacopoeia, no

advice nor instructions are given in regard to it, it being assumed that

druggists are sufficiently familiar with the process to enable them to

conduct it properly. A few suggest ions , however, may not here be a miss.

To distill medicat ed wat ers or oth er a queous subst an ces no water-bath is

required, the distillation of such liquids being more rapid, and equally

as sa tisfactory, with out it. If herbs, leaves, flowers, seeds or other similar

subst an ces a re t o be distilled, they sh ould be pr otected from cont act with

the bottom of the still by a false bottom, so that they may not "scorch,"

and sufficient water should be used with them to prevent the extract

which collects a t t he bott om from "bur nin g down." At leas t, double th e

quan tity of water th at is tak en of th e drug sh ould be used.



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To obtain oils from medicinal plants, seeds, etc., the most approved

method is to pass a current of steam through the herbs, or other

substances, by which the particles of oil are vaporized and carried over

with the steam and condensed, being afterwards gathered from the

sur face of th e wat er.

To distill or recover Alcohol or any subs tan ce of less specific gra vity tha n

water, the liquid should be placed in the water-bath and the heat

comm un icat ed to it, by hea ting the wat er sur rounding it. The boiling

point of the alcohol or other lighter liquid being lower than the boiling

point of water, it is vaporized and condensed in the still; the heavier

liquids a nd extra ctive ma tt er r emaining in th e water-bath .

When drugs are percolated with alcohol, or a partly alcoholic

menst ru um , the menst ruu m r emaining in t he dru g can be recovered by

tr an sferring th e moist dru g to th e water -bat h of th e still an d distilling in

the usual manner. If the water-bath percolator and still is used, it is

un necessary to tra nsfer th e drug, as t he st ill top can be adjust ed, heat

app lied, an d th e distillat ion completed with out fur th er tr ouble.

The process of distillation is a very important and economical one in

pha rm acy, and is mu ch less employed th an it should be.

EVAP OR ATION.

As applied to pharmacy, evaporation is the process by which, with the

aid of hea t, t he volume of liquids or oth er subst an ce ma y be reduced. It

is employed for many purposes in the practice of pharmacy, and is so

familiar to druggists, that but little need be said regarding it in this

article.

The vessels used for evaporat ing should be broad a nd low, or sh allow, to



32/53


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same t ime.

EXP RESSI ON.

The process of expression is employed more or less for many uses in

pharmacy, the apparatus and manner of working being governed by

wha t is r equired to be done.

In making tinctures, fluid extracts, etc., a considerable quantity of

menst ru um is left in th e dru g after th e percolation is completed, and it is

economy to recover it by pressure in a tincture press or other suitable

apparatus; pressure is also employed as the chief operation in some

processes for making fluid extracts (see Fluid Extracts). In choosing a

tincture press for any purpose, it is not economy to get the smallest

sizes, a one- or two-gallon press being none too large for most

pha rm aceutical work . The dru gs to be expressed should be inclosed in a

coarse burlap bag or cloth, and the pressure should be long continued

rather than too quick and forcible, that the liquid may have time to

become separ at ed from the dru gs. In pressing pulpy or mu cilaginous

drugs it is an advantage to mix them with some loose non-absorbing

material, rice chaff, for example, to facilitate the operation. Fruit juices,

in a small way, are best expressed by hand pressure, except such fruits

as lemon, ora nge, etc., which can be pressed with a lemon squeezer. In a

large way, fruit may be pressed in large wooden presses, the layer

presses being the best variety for this purpose. In using small presses

nothing is gained by trying to press too much at a time, the operation

being m ore sat isfactory in modera te quan tities.

There are several good kinds of presses to be had for pharmaceutical

pur poses, the " En ter prize" being a s convenient an d serviceable as a ny.

There are several so-called pressure percolators" now sold, but, in our

opinion, they are not convenient percolators, and they certainly fail to



34/53

do th e work of a p ress .

FILTRATION.

The process of separating insoluble matter from liquids, by means of

any substance or medium which will prevent its passage, is called

filtration.

Filtra tion, as it is employed in ph ar ma cy, is usu ally condu cted by means

of filtering paper contained in a conical receptacle called a funnel;* but

larger opera tions ar e car ried on by oth er cont rivan ces which will admit

of a more ra pid filtr at ion.

The pr ocess of filtr at ion is so fam iliar th at it n eeds no explan at ion; but a

few suggestions ar e h ere m ade for th e benefit of th e inexperienced.

*FE NNER'S SPI RAL FILTE R RACK is a convenien ce for k eeping th e filtering pa per

off the sides of the funnel when filtering. It is

ma de of tin ned steel wire, of differen t sizes to fit

different size fun nels.It is simple, cleanly, durable, efficient and

cheap. The cut shows it as it is adjusted in the

fun nel rea dy for u se.

Heat often assists the process of filtering

heavy liquids or oils. It may be conveniently

applied by putting a filter inside of Fenner's

water-bath percolator, and applying heat by

mean s of th e wat er-bat h. For supporting th e

funnel during filtration, Fenner's Funnel Rack,which is shown in th e cut , is very convenien t.

Furt her rema rks on filtering will be found in

th e ar ticle on " Economy in Per colat ing an d Filter ing," page 43.



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In filtering a liquid which cont ains a precipitat e (un less th e precipitat e

is designed to clear the liquid, as magnesia or pumice-stone are used)

the liquid should be poured carefully off and filtered first, the

precipitated portion being added after most of the liquid has passed

th rough th e filter; th is mak es th e process more rapid.

The first portion that passes through the filter should be returned to it

and re-filtered, as, when the filter is dry, it admits of the passage of

sma ll par ticles which a re r eta ined when its fibers ha ve had t ime to swell

by the a bsorpt ion of moistur e.

In filtering liquids containing albuminous or gummy precipitates, it is

also advantageous to put a coarse cotton cloth strainer on the inside of

the filter paper; this catches the precipitate or albuminous substance,

which may be removed with it, or in which it may be pressed to strain

out th e liquid, an d th us m ak e the filtr at ion m ore ra pid.

A plaited filter is generally used, except when a filter-rack is employed,

th en t he ordina ry folded (qua rt ered) filter is used.

Besides filtering through paper, other means are often employed by

druggists. Syrups and heavy liquids may be filtered through a flannel

or cott on s tr ainer , or felt filters t ha t a re m ade expressly for t his pu rpose.

Charcoal and sand, in alternate layers, are employed for filtering light

liquids when larger qua nt ities a re t o be filtered.

A little charcoal in powder, or powdered pumice-stone sprinkled in the

filter, will often assist to clear preparations that are difficult to filter

clear.



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FINE NE SS OF P OWDE R .

To properly obtain the soluble constituents of drugs by the process of

percolation, they should be so comminuted or divided that the

menst ru um ma y readily dissolve all soluble ma tt er.

To this end, different drugs are directed to be reduced to different

degrees of fineness as experience has shown to be best suited to their

nature.

The United States Pharmacopoeia has adopted the following standard

for th e fineness of powders :

Oth er d egrees of fineness th an th e foregoing ar e often directed.

It is desira ble for th e pur pose of percolation th at th e powder u sed should

be as un iform as possible, it is th erefore directed in t he P ha rm acopoeia

that "not more than a small proportion of the powder should be able to

pass through a sieve having ten meshes or more to the linear inch."Fenn ers Complete F orm ular y - Part I-II - MISCELLANEOU S FORMULA - Page 35

The Southwest School of Botanical Medicine http://www.swsbm.com


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While this direction is valuable for securing a uniform powder and

thereby promoting the process of percolation, it is, in our opinion,

un wise to specify th is limit ; for in r educing drugs t o differen t fineness of

powder by any process which druggists may command, it is obvious

th at , un less th e powder is very fine, quite a proport ion of it will be mu ch

finer t ha n t he coar sest powder which will pass th rough th e sieve ha ving

the required number of meshes to the inch. If this portion is separated

from the coarser powder by sifting, that which remains will not truly

represen t t he ent ire substa nce of th e drug from which it was pr epar ed.

In preparing a powder, therefore, for percolation the entire quantity of

drug which is taken should be reduced to a powder that will pass

through a sieve having the required number of meshes; or, if this

produces a powder too fine for successful percolation, a coarser sieve

should be used; for it is better to use a coarser powder than to remove

any portion of the drug which would be represented by the finer

powder.

For th e reasons st at ed th e powders directed in t he form ulae of th e U. S.

P., are, as a rule, too fine for successful percolation by the majority of

druggists, and better results will be secured by using about one grade

coar ser powder t ha n is designa ted.

Drugs are usually reduced to the required degree of fineness for

percolation by grinding in a drug mill, but when finer powders are

required the old, time-honored mortar and pestle comes into play. But

few druggists, however, att empt t o ma ke what ar e known in th e ma rket

as "powdered drugs." They are usually bought of reliable houses who

ma ke a business of put ting them u p.

Drugs "ground for percolation " may also be bought in the market, but

as they always come in bulk without the guarantee of a reliable house,



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they are liable to adulteration, or to be ground from old or worthless

drugs, and it is much better for the druggist to grind them himself, as

needed, from reliable cru de dru gs.

INF USION AND DE C OC T ION.

The process of INFUSION consists in steeping drugs at a temperature

below th e boiling point of wat er, in a n aqu eous or oth er m enst ru um , for

the purpose of extracting their soluble medicinal constituents. For this

purpose, "infusion pots," which cont a in a perfora ted cup or recepta cle for

the drug, which is surrounded by hot water during the operation, are

furnished by manufacturers of chemical ware. A covered granite-ware,

or earthen-ware, vessel will answer the same purpose; the water-bath

percolator is however th e best ada pted of an y appar at us for t he pur pose

of infusion, as the heat can be maintained and the liquid drawn off by

th e stop-cock wh enever it is desired. For ma king infusions, boiling water

is usually poured upon the drug and the heat continued to nearly the

boiling p oint for from one to two hours .

The process of DECOCTION consists in boiling the drugs in an aqueous

menstruum for fifteen minutes or longer to obtain their soluble

properties. This may be done in an open' or covered vessel, but the

process is now but little employed. The water-bath percolator is a very

convenient apparatus for decoctions, as the heat may be maintained to

boiling for any length of time, and the liquid then drawn off by the

stop-cock.

MACERATION.

When percolation came to be the officinal process for exhausting drugs,

maceration, the process of our forefathers, was mostly abandoned, but

we are glad to see that in the present pharmacopoeia its value is again



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recognized, and that many preparations, which have of late been made

by percolation, are now again made by maceration. In addition to this,

the new pharmacopoeia, in making most of the tinctures and some

extra cts, gives t he very m uch n eeded direction to ma cera te twent y-four

hours with a port ion of th e men str uu m before pa cking in th e percolator.

Maceration is the necessary primary step to successful percolation. It

softens the drug, dissolves its soluble properties and loads the

menstruum with them, ready to be carried away by the subsequent

process of per colat ion.

The new British Pharmacopoeia (1885) directs maceration for from

twent y-four to fort y-eight hours as a preliminar y step to percolation in

making tinctures, etc. The German, French, and other continental

European authorities direct maceration mainly for obtaining the

strength of drugs; and although percolation, when properly conducted,

has great advantages over any other process for obtaining the strength

of drugs, without ma cera tion it fails t o accomplish its full pur pose.

Whenever percolation is employed, sufficient time should be given for

maceration to loosen and dissolve the soluble properties of the drug. If

alcohol is the menstruum employed, the maceration may be conducted

after packing the percolator; but if water forms a portion of the

menstruum, the drug should first be macerated with a portion of the

men st ru um su fficient ly long t o allow it t o swell before it is packed in t he

percolator.

Any convenient covered vessel may be used for macerating drugs

designed to be percolated. For small quantities, glass, specie or salt

mouth jars, earthen-ware fruit jars, or covered granite-ware stew-pans,

ar e very convenient , even tin can s will not be injurious for most dr ugs.

Drugs to be thus macerated should be thoroughly moistened with a

portion of the menstruum and covered to prevent exposure and



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evaporation. When preparations are prepared entirely by maceration,

th e drugs should be put in a su itable glass jar or vessel, the menst ru um

added, an d be frequen tly agitat ed for severa l days.

P E RC OLATION.

The directions for percolation are very complete and minute in the

presen t ph ar ma copoeia; th ey ar e th erefore repea ted h ere in full;

"The process of percolation or displacement directed in this (1880) Pharmacopoeia

consists in subjecting a substance or substances in powder contained in a vessel

called a p ercolat or, t o the solvent action of successive port ions of menst ru um , in su ch

a manner that the liquid as it traverses the powder in its descent to the recipient,sha ll be cha rged with th e soluble port ion of it, an d pas s from t he per colat or free from

insoluble ma tt er.

"When the process is successfully conducted, the first portion of the liquid or

percolate, passing through the percolator will be nearly saturated with the soluble

const ituent s of the subst an ce tr eated; and if the qua nt ity of menstru um be sufficient

for it s exha ust ion, t he la st portion of the per colat e will be destit ut e of color, odor a nd

tast e, other tha n t hat possessed by the menstr uum itself.

"The percolator m ost su itable for t he qua nt ities cont emplat ed by th is Pha rm acopoeia

should be nea rly cylindr ical, or slight ly conical, with a fun nel-shap ed ter mina tion at

the smaller end. The neck of this funnel-end should be rather short, and should

gradua lly an d r egularly become n ar rower toward t he orifice, so that a perfora ted cork,

bearing a short glass t ube, may be tightly wedged into it from within u nt il the end of

th e cork is flush with its outer edge. The glass t ube, which m ust not protru de above

th e inner sur face of th e cork , should extend from one a nd one-eight h t o one a nd one-

ha lf inch (th ree or four cent imetr es), beyond t he out er su rface of th e cork , and should

be provided with a closely fitting rubber tube, at least one-fourth longer than thepercolator itself, and ending in another short glass tube, whereby the rubber tube

ma y be so suspended t ha t its orifice sha ll be above the su rface of the m enstr uu m in

th e percolator, a r ubber ba nd h olding it in position.



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"The dim ensions of such a percolat or, convenien tly h olding 500 gram mes of powdered

material, are preferably the following: Length of body, fourteen inches (36

cent imetr es); length of neck, t wo inches (5 cent imetr es); intern al diam eter at top, four

inches (10 centimet res) ; int erna l diameter at beginning of fun nel-sha ped end, t wo and

one-half inches (6.5 centimetres) ; internal diameter of the neck, one-half inch (12millimetr es), grad ua lly redu ced at th e end t o two-fifths of an inch (10 millimet res). It

is best const ru cted of glass, but , un less so directed, ma y be const ru cted of a d ifferen t

material.

"The percolator is prepared for percolation by gently pressing a small tuft of cotton

into the space of the neck above the cork, and a small layer of clean and dry sand is

th en poured upon the su rface of th e cott on t o hold it in pla ce.

"The powdered substance to be percolated (which must be uniformly of the finenessdirected in t he form ula , an d should be perfectly air -dry before it is weighed) is put int o

a basin, t he specified qua nt ity of menst ru um is pour ed on a nd it is t horoughly stirred

with a spatula, or other suitable instrument, until it appears uniformly moistened.

The moist powder is then passed through a coarse sieveNo. 40 powders, and those

which ar e finer, r equirin g No. 20 sieve, whilst N o. 30 powders r equire a No. 15 sieve

for this purpose. Powders of a less degree of fineness usually do not require this

additiona l treat ment after th e moistening. The moist powder is now tr an sferred t o a

sheet of th ick pa per a nd t he whole qua nt ity pour ed from it int o the percolator. It is

th en sh aken down light ly and a llowed to remain in th at position for a period varyingfrom fifteen minutes to several hours, unless otherwise directed; after which the

powder is pressed, by th e aid of a plu nger of suit able dimen sions, m ore or less firm ly,

in proport ion t o th e cha ra cter of th e powdered su bsta nce and t he a lcoholic str ength of

th e menst ru um ; strongly alcoholic menst ru a, as a ru le, permitt ing firmer packing of

th e powder t ha n t he weaker. The per colat or is now placed in a position for per colat ion,

and, the rubber tube having been fastened at a suitable height, the surface of the

powder is covered by an accurately fitting disk of filtering paper, or other suitable

material, and a sufficient quantity of the menstruum poured on through a funnel

reaching nearly to the surface of the paper. If these conditions are accuratelyobserved, the menstruum will penetrate the powder equally until it has passed into

th e rubber t ube an d ha s rea ched, in this, the h eight corr esponding to its level in t he

percolator, which is now closely covered to prevent evaporation, and the apparatus

allowed to stan d at rest for th e time specified in th e formu la.



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"To begin per colat ion, th e ru bber tu be is lowered a nd it s glass end int roduced int o th e

neck of a bottle previously marked for the quantity of liquid to be percolated, if the

percolat e is to be measu red, or of a ta red bott le, if th e percolat e is to be weighed; an d

by raisin g or lowering th is recipient , th e ra pidity of percolat ion m ay be increas ed orlessened as m ay be desirable, observing, however, th at th e ra te of percolat ion, un less

th e quan tity of ma terial t aken in opera tion is largely in excess of the ph ar ma copoeial

quantities, shall not exceed the limit of ten to thirty drops in a minute. A layer of

menstruum must constantly be maintained above the powder, so as to prevent the

access of air to its int erstices, un til all ha s been a dded, or th e requisite qua nt ity of

percolate has been obtained. This is conveniently accomplished, if the space above

the powder will admit of it, by inverting a bottle containing the entire quantity of

menstruum over the percolator in such a manner that its mouth may dip beneath

th e sur face of th e liquid, th e bott le being of such sh ape t ha t its sh oulder will serve asa cover for th e per colat or.

"When the dregs of a tincture, or similar preparation, are to be subjected to

percolation, after m acera tion with all or with th e greater port ion of th e menst ru um,

the liquid portion should be drained off as completely as possible, the solid portion

packed in a percolator, as before described, and the liquid poured on, until all has

passed from the surface, when, immediately, a sufficient quantity of the original

menst ru um should be pour ed on to displace the a bsorbed liquid, unt il the pr escribed

quant ity has been obtained."

The foregoing officinal directions cover the whole general subject of

percolation, and the remarks which follow are intended as special

consideration of improved methods, and the difficulties which may arise

in applying a genera l rule to th e tr eat men t of a var iety of subst an ces.

The fineness of powder to be used for percolation has been discussed

under the article on fineness of powders, but it may be here repeatedthat the powders directed in the formulae of the pharmacopoeia are, as

a r ule, too fine for su ccessful percolat ion, an d th at the m ass of druggists

will ha ve "bett er lu ck" to choose a grade coarser powder t ha n is specified

in t he officina l form ulae.



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Moistening the drug is discussed in the officinal process, and in the

article on maceration, and it need only be remarked that it is of great

importance to have the drug thoroughly and evenly moistened. Many

druggists are in the habit of putting the drug in the percolator and

pouring the menstruum upon it to moisten it, without even stirring it

up; this should never be done, for, frequently, a portion of the drug will

"cake" so that it will not become moistened during the entire process of

percolation. The drug should always be moistened in a basin or other

vessel, before pu tt ing into the per colat or.

Macerating before percolating is discussed in th e ar ticle on m acerat ion.

It m ay be here repeated, however, tha t when water is used as a port ion

of the menstruum for percolation, the drug should be moistened with

th e menst ru um an d allowed to ma cera te for t wenty-four hours , in order

th at it ma y swell before, inst ead of after , packing in th e percolat or.

Packing the percolator. In packing the percolator much depends upon

th e na tu re of th e drug, th e finen ess of the powder, et c. Loose, fibrous, or

bulky drugs, such as arnica, stillingia, buchu, etc., cannot be packed

very firmly, but should be made as compact as possible; heavy drugs,

such as aconite root, valerian, golden seal, etc., do not require so much

pressu re, but will pack much firm er; soft, spongy, or gum my drugs, such

as rh uba rb, colocynt h or squ ill, should not be pa cked very firm ly; coar se

powders, as a rule, should be packed more firmly than fine. The

percolator sh ould be packed from th e out side towar ds th e cent re a nd a s

evenly as possible. A disc of paper and then a cover of perforated tin

should be placed upon the surface of the powder after it is packed to

secur e th e even distribution of th e menst ru um as it is pour ed upon th e

drug. A glass or earthenware weight may be used with advantage to

hold t he dru g in its place. It sh ould genera lly be allowed to ma cera te for

some time after the menstruum is poured on before beginning to



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percolate.

The flow of percolate ma ybe regulated by th e r ubber tu be, as directed in

the officina l process ; by a loose cork in the bottom of the per cola tor; or , if

the water-bath percolator is used, by the stop-cock. The rapidity with

which th e percolate sh ould flow, depends very mu ch u pon th e na tu re of

the drug, and the quantity required to be obtained as compared with

the quantity of drug being percolated; for example, fluid extracts should

not be percolated so rapidly as tinctures, nor aconite as rapidly as

buchu.

With a certain class of drugs, the alcoholic or hydro-alcoholic

menstruum, with which the percolation is conducted, may be forced out

by adding wat er after the men stru um ha s disappeared from t he sur face

of the drug, and thereby make a saving of alcohol; but with others,

which soften or make precipitates with an aqueous menstruum, the

percolation must be conducted to the end with the same menstruum.

The menstruum remaining in the drug after percolation, may be

pressed out with a tincture press and the alcohol recovered from it by

distillation.

Dr u g s Di ffi c u l t t o P e r c o la t e .

Many drugs present difficulties to the ordinary methods of percolation

an d require special tr eat men t; this is gener ally given in th e form ulae in

which they are found ; but they may be classed in a general way as

follows :

1. Drugs that soften or make a pulpy mass upon the addition of the

menstruum, such as orange, gentian, rhubarb, squill, colocynth, etc.

Such drugs should be well moistened and macerated before packing;

th ey should be ra th er coar sely powdered an d ra th er loosely packed, an d



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the percolation, when begun, should be conducted rapidly, and

continu ed to th e end with th e same menst ruu m.

2. Gums a nd gum -resins which a gglutinat e or m ass t ogeth er when t he

men str uu m is added. These should be mixed with an equal bulk of san d,

sawdust, or rice chaff, and not packed, but placed loosely, in the

percolator, and t he percolation condu cted in t he u sua l man ner .

3. Bulky drugs, like arnica, buchu, chamomile, etc. Although these

drugs are not difficult to percolate, they absorb so much menstruum

th at th e expense of ma king th eir prepar at ions is considera bly increa sed.

These should be packed as firmly as possible, and held down in the

percolat or with a weight dur ing th e process of percolat ion.

E c o n o m y i n P e r c o la t i n g a n d F i lt e r i n g .

Much loss of Alcohol occurs by evaporation when the ordinary

percolator or filtering funnel are left uncovered during percolation or

filtration. To remedy this difficulty a simple apparatus may be

const ru cted by an y druggist who will take th e tr ouble. It is sh own in u se

in the following cut:

A , is the wooden cover, large enough to fit the top of a percolator or

fun nel; it is bound with a wooden hoop, whose lower edge projects about

ha lf an in ch below the u nder sur face of th e cover; to the wooden hoop is

tacked a piece of moderately thin-sheet rubber, so that the cover when

completed, is like a drum-head, and, when it is used to cover a

percolat or or fun nel, will ma ke, by its elast icity, an air -tight covering.

B , is a funnel tube, so bent as to prevent evaporation or access of air.

Thr ough it, fresh m enst ru um or oth er liquid may be int roduced int o th e

percolator or funnel. A glass or metal tube answers the same purpose,



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and may be stopped

with a cork. This tube

may be adjusted by

boring a hole in the

wooden cover and

punching a smaller

hole in the rubber, so

that it will fit snug

around the tu be.

C, is a rubber tube

attached at one end to

a glass tube in the

cover (which passes

through the rubber as

heretofore described),

and at the other end to

a tu be in t he st opper of

the receiving bottle.

This tube allows the

air to pass from the

receiving bottle into

the percolator, and as

the liquid fills the

bottle the air is forced

from it into the

percolat or or fun nel.

D, is a ru bber t ube at ta ched t o th e percolator t ha t conn ects with a tu be

in the stopper of the receiving bottle, through which the percolate

passes; if th e lower en d of th e percolat or is too lar ge for t he r ubber t ube,

a perfora ted cork , int o which a glass tu be is insert ed, may be placed in



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the neck of the percolator for this purpose, as is directed in the

pharmacopoeia process. By raising or lowering the percolator or the

receiving bott le th e flow of th e percolat e can be ma de more or less r ap id,

as it works on the principle of the syphon. The receiving bottle may be

made of any wide-mouth bottle, holes being bored in the cork for the

insert ion of th e tu bes to which t he ru bber tu bing is att ached.

E, shows t he per fora ted diaph ra gm of th e percolator.

With th is simple arr an gement percolation or filtra tion can be car ried on

for a ny length of tim e without exposu re or loss by evaporat ion.

WATE R-BATH P ER COLATION.

The process of water-bath percolation consists in subjecting the powder

cont ained in a percolator, sur rounded by wat er, to the a ction of a war m

menstruum during the entire process of maceration and percolation. By

the means of the water-bath the menstruum and powder are kept at

an y desired degree of hea t for an y length of time.

It is claimed for this process, that the heat employed is of great aid in

effecting the solution of the soluble constituents of the substance or

substances which are being exhausted, and therefore, that it is much

more rapid, efficient and economical than the ordinary method of

percolation.

By consulting the solubility tables, which may be found in the

pharmacopoeia and other standard works, it will be seen that the

medicinal principles of vegetable drugs (especially the alkaloids and

oth er subst an ces in which th eir value chiefly consist s), ar e from several

to several hundred times more soluble i

Complete Formulary-1-2

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