4573. Procter's Classified Formula for Making Fluid Extracts

4573.      Procter's Classified Formula for Making Fluid Extracts. In order to obtain as great a uniformity in the preparation of fluid extracts as the nature of the various drugs would permit, the following practical classification was drawn up by Professor William Procter, Jr., and submitted to the American Pharmaceutical Association, by whom the matter had been entrusted to him for investigation. In order to economize space, we give it in a somewhat condensed form. The paramount object in obtaining the fluid extract of a drag, is to extract, as far as possible, all the valuable ingredients; to condense them to some uniform standard strength, so that, for instance, each fluid ounce of the extract should contain the virtues of, and represent 1 ounce of the drug; and to leave the fluid in the best possible condition for retaining in solution the active principles of the drag. The process of percolation is adopted, as best adapted to effect the desired objects, and admitting a greater degree of accuracy than that of maceration. Glass funnels answer a good purpose, but cylindrical percolators may be employed. In either case, if the powder has been properly compacted, the menstruum, when added, passes very deliberately, by drops, and it will bo found that the proportion of the percolate which is directed to be reserved will contain nearly all of the most valuable parts of the drug. In this way the action of the heat and air is entirely prevented on the most important part of the extracted matter, and where volatile oils are concerned this fact is particularly important. The ingredients are first reduced to a powder; and, in order to ensure the required result, different degrees of fineness are recommended, suitable to the degree of solubility and other natural peculiarities of the various drugs employed. This end is attained by sifting the powder through sieves containing a certain number of meshes to the linear inch. A sieve of 40 meshes to the inch will produce a powder designated as No. 40, etc..

A new class of oleo-resinous fluid extracts has been suggested, in which the stronger aromatics have been introduced, such as cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, etc., and which possess, for certain uses, very desirable advantages from their concentration. The number of oleo-resins has been considerably increased, on the ground that they represent their respective sources more completely and in smaller bulks than in any other form of fluid or semi-fluid extracts. On account of their superior strength, they should occupy a distinct position under the name of " Olco-resins," to distinguish them more particularly from all those preparations which go by the name of fluid extracts.

4574. Class No

4574. Class No. 1, of Classified Fluid Extracts. The following substances are to be reduced to a powder of No. 60 degree of fineness; with the exception of Buchu, which should be in No. 40 powder.

Aconite Leaves.

Belladonna Leaves.

Buchu.

Digitalis (Fox glove)

Henbane Leaves.

Matico.

Thorn-Apple (Stramonium).

Valerian.

The menstruum employed is 2 pints alcohol diluted with 1 pint water. Moisten 16 troy ounces of the powdered drug evenly with 4 fluid ounces of the diluted alcohol; pack it firmly in a percolator, cover the surface of the powder with a disc of cloth (muslin, linen, lint, or any insoluble porous tissue, to prevent the disturbance of the powder); then pour on the menstruum gradually, so as to displace 3 pints; reserve the first 12 fluid ounces, and evaporate the remainder on a water-bath at 150° Fahr., to 4 fluid ounces; mix this with the reserved tincture; and, after standing 24 hours, filter through paper. The alcoholic strength of these extracts is nearly 50 per cent.