This section is from the book "Laboratory Manual Of Pharmacology", by A. D. Bush. Also available from Amazon: Laboratory manual of pharmacology.
Spirits are hydroalcoholic or alcoholic solutions of volatile substances; and, while the greater number are solutions of volatile oils, a few represent solutions of volatile liquids, volatile solids, and gases.
Prepare the official Spiritus Aurantii Compositus as follows: Thoroughly mix 10 mils oil of orange, 2.5 mils oil of lemon, 1 mil oil of coriander, and 0.25 mil oil of anise, with enough alcohol to make a total of 50 mils. (Keep in a cool, dark place.)
Properties of your official Spirits:
Appearance........................................................................................... | Taste ......................................................................................................... |
Color ............................................................................................................ | Utility: |
Odor ..................................................................... | Flavor for Elixir Aromaticum ....................................... |
Examine shelf samples of the following official Syrups:
Sample | Color | Odor | Taste | Utility |
Spiritus AEtheris | Mild anodyne; 4 mils | |||
Spir. AEtheris Nitrosi, Spirits of Nitre | Mild refrigerant; av. dose, 2 mils | |||
Spir. Ammon. Aromat. | Briefly stimulative; av. dose, 2 mils | |||
Spir. Aurantii Compos. | Flavor | |||
Spir. Camphorae | Counterirritant | |||
Spir. Menthae Piperita; | Carminative |
Spirits of limited utility in medicine: Spiritus Amygdalae Amarae, S. Anisi, S. Chloroformi, S. Cinnamomi, S. Juniperi, S. Juniperi Compositus, S. Lavandulae, S. Menthae Viridis, S. Glycerylis Nitratis (Nitroglycerin; dangerous to handle).
 
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