Mel, B. and U.S.P. Honey. - A saccharine secretion deposited in the honeycomb by Apis mellifica, the hive-bee.

Characters. - When recently separated froni the honeycomb, it is a viscid translucent liquid, of a brownish-yellow colour, which gradually becomes partially crystalline and opaque. It has a peculiar heavy odour, and a very sweet taste.

Composition. - Chiefly glucose and levulose.

Impurities. - Starch, common salt, sulphates, grape sugar, and other foreign substances.

Test. - Water boiled with it for five minutes and allowed to cool does not become blue or green with the solution of iodine (absence of starch).

If 1 part of honey be dissolved in 4 parts of water, a clear solution should result, which should not be rendered more than faintly opalescent by a few drops of test-solution of nitrate of silver (chloride), or of nitrate of barium (sulphate). If a small portion of honey be diluted with 1 volume of water and then gradually mixed with 5 volumes of absolute alcohol, it should not become more than faintly opalescent and should neither become opaque, nor deposit a slimy substance at the bottom and along the sides of the test-tube. When incinerated in small portions at a time, in a platinum crucible, it should not leave more than 0.2 per cent. of ash (any larger percentage of ash and failure to respond to the preceding tests indicating the presence of glucose or other foreign admixtures).

Officinal Preparations.

B.P.

Dose.

Mel Depuratum (melted and strained).......

Ad lib.

Of Mel Depuratum -

Mel Boracis....................................................................

Oxymel (honey 40, acetic acid 5, water 5).....

1 fl. dr.-l fl. oz.

,, Scillae.................................................................

Confectio Piperis...........................................................

,, Scammonii...................................................

,, Terebinthinae ..............................................

U.S.P.

Mel Despumatum (warmed and strained) ......

Confectio Rosae ............................................................

Mel Rosae ....................................................................

Use. - It is slightly laxative - chiefly used as a vehicle. Oxymel is the old-fashioned household remedy of honey and vinegar, and is used for colds and sore-throats.