4733. Goddard's Elixir of Valerianate of Ammonia

4733.   Goddard's Elixir of Valerianate of Ammonia. Valerianic acid (from the root), 6 fluid drachms; carbonic acid water, 8 fluid ounces; red Curaçao cordial, 20 fluid ounces; orange-flower water, 8 fluid ounces; mucilage of gum-arabic, 2 fluid ounces. Saturate the valerianic acid with sufficient carbonate of ammonia diluted with the carbonic acid water, then add it to the flavoring ingredients and mucilage, and filter. Dose, a teaspoonful.

4734. Moore's Elixir of Valerianate of Ammonia

4734.    Moore's Elixir of Valerianate of Ammonia. Take of valerianic acid, 1 fluid ounce; distilled water, 24 fluid ounces; inodorous alcohol, 12 fluid ounces; simple syrup, 12 fluid ounces; peach water, 8 fluid ounces; saturated tincture of red saunders, 4 fluid drachms; saturated tincture of recent orange peel, 1 fluid ounce; oil of bitter almonds, 5 minims; and oil of sweet orange, 20 minims. Mix the valerianic acid and the distilled water, and a sufficient quantity of carbonate of ammonia to saturate the acid;

then add the other ingredients, with a sufficient quantity of caramel to impart a brownish shade to the mixture, and filter through paper.

4735. McMunn's Elixir of Opium

4735.    McMunn's Elixir of Opium. The following receipt is said to have been found among the effects of the late Dr. Chilton : Take 5 pounds of Turkey opium, cut in small pieces and dried, and put it into a large strong glass jar with a wide mouth, and pour on it sulphuric ether enough to a little more than cover it; then stop the jar tight with a glass stopper, to prevent its evaporation; set it away in a cool place, and stir it daily with a stick, so that all the lumps may be broken. At the end of a week drain off the ether, and again pour on as much more, and repeat stirring it every day for a week longer, when it may be drained off as before. Then stop the jar tight, and lay it down on its side, so that all the ether that accumulates near its mouth may be drained off, and repeat doing so until the opium is all dry. Then expose it to the open air for a few days. The sulphuric ether extracts from the opium the narcotine which is its most deleterious principle, and also deprives it of its peculiar noxious odor, so that the elixir will not smell of it thereafter. Now to free the opium of the smell of the ether, and to extract its valuable medicinal principles, boil it in water, as follows : Pour into a tin boiler 4 gallons pure soft water, and when hot (but not boiling), put in the opium, when a great ebullition will take place, which is owing to the evaporation of the ether. Then let it boil 10 or 12 minutes, occasionally stirring it, so that the lumps of opium may be all broken and dissolved. Then set it away till the next day, when it should be strained through a cloth strainer, and if there be not 4 gallons of the solution, pour on the residue of opium boiling water enough to make that quantity when it is strained and clear. When in the state of watery solution, it is better to be kept in stone crocks that will hold about 2 or 3 gallons each, and in a cool place; after standing 5 or 6 days the clear solution should be carefully dipped off into a large tin can. The skimmings and dregs should be strained, and when clear put with the other. To this 4 gallons of watery solution, add 51/2 gallons alcohol and stir the mixture thoroughly; then cover the can tight, so as to prevent evaporation. After standing a few days, the clear elixir may be carefully dipped off into another can, and the dregs at the bottom strained, and, when clear, poured into the other. After standing undisturbed for a few weeks it will be fit to use. It will be equivalent to laudanum, both in its strength and the size of its dose.