4739. Concentrated Infusion of Roses

4739. Concentrated Infusion of Roses. Rose petals or leaves, 3 pounds; boiling water, 2 gallons ; infuse 2 hours, with constant agitation, then press out the liquor in a very clean tincture press, strain through flannel or a hair sieve, add diluted sulphuric acid, 24 fluid ounces, agitate well, and filter through paper supported on coarse muslin;

lastly, add 6 pounds finest white sugar broken up into small lumps, but perfectly free from dust and dirt. When dissolved, put the infusion into clean, stoppered green glass bottles, and keep it from the light in a cool place. Product very superior.

Or: Take rose leaves, acid, and cold water, as last, mix, and infuse for 48 hours in a clean, covered, earthenware vessel, then press out the liquid with the hands, filter, and add the sugar as before. Product very fine, and, keeps well. In employing the first formula, care should be taken that the utensils be perfectly clean, especially the press, and earthenware glazed with lead should be avoided. The pressing should also be conducted as rapidly as possible, to avoid the color being injured by the iron, though clean iron does not readily injure infusion of roses before the addition of the acid. Should not the infusion filter quite clear through paper, the addition of the whites of 2 or 3 eggs, diluted with 2 or 3 ounces of water, followed by violent agitation of the liquid for a few minutes, and repose for 1 or 2 hours, will usually render it fine, when it may either be decanted or filtered should it require it. It will now pass rapidly through ordinary filtering paper, and at once run clear.

4740. Elixir of Vitriol

4740.    Elixir of Vitriol. Called also aromatic sulphuric acid. In order that elixir of vitriol may be miscible with water without precipitation, aromatics of an oleo-resinous nature cannot be used. Add gradually 3 troy ounces sulphuric acid to 1/2 pint alcohol, and pour 1 fluid ounce boiling water on 2 drachms red rose leaves; when both liquids have become cool, add 1 fluid ounce fluid extract of orange-peel, and add alcohol enough to make the whole up to .18 fluid ounces. Mix and filter. Elixir of vitriol thus prepared has a pleasant aromatic odor and flavor, and the beautiful red color of the rose leaves, heightened by the presence of the acid. It is miscible with water without turbidity, and a specimen, after long keeping, has deposited but a trace of sediment.

4741. Alcoholized Sulphuric Acid

4741.     Alcoholized Sulphuric Acid. To 3 parts rectified spirits, add, very gradually, 1 part sulphuric acid. It is usually colored by letting it stand over a little cochineal. Its properties are internally refrigerant, externally caustic. As a refrigerant, it is administered in doses of 1/2 fluid drachm to 1 pint water.

4742. Cantharidal Collodion

4742.    Cantharidal Collodion. Take 8 troy ounces finely powdered cantharides, press it firmly in a cylindrical percolator, and pour on it 11/2 pints stronger ether. When 15 fluid ounces have passed, set the liquid aside in a close vessel, and continue percolation with stronger alcohol until £ pint more liquid is obtained. Set this last aside to evaporate spontaneously until reduced to 1 fluid ounce; then mix it with the reserved liquid. Next add 100 grains dry collodion cotton (see next receipt), and agitate until dissolved. (U. S. Ph.)