THE ALUMNI JOURNAL 131 



Syrups of U. S. P. 



Papers enough to fill a large volume have already appeared on 

 the syrups of the United States Pharmacopoeia. One writer criti- 

 cises a formula, another finds it faultless; another has difficulty in 

 preserving properly, and still another finds some unlooked for 

 chemical interaction, as in the case of the compound syrup of phos- 

 phates, which results in an unsatisfactory product ; and then to 

 counteract all these difl^erent complaints the chairman of the pres- 

 ent Revision Committee comes out boldly and declares the syrups 

 of the Pharmacopoeia to be the most permanent and elegant prep- 

 arations in the book. "If made according to official directions and 

 kept in proper condition," he says, "they are perfect products." So 

 now you may have your choice of opinions. 



Following are some of the precautions to be observed if superior 

 results are expected. Much of the difficulty is in having sugar of 

 inferior quality. The brands known as "Crystal A/' or "Confec- 

 tioners' A;" give most excellent results. Though costing a trifle 

 more, the economy is considerable. And finally, the sugar must be 

 free from moisture, made with distilled — not sterilized — water and 

 the container previously sterilized; that's the whole secret. Syrups 

 not thoroughlv saturated are also much more lia])le to fermentation. 



Superior Ammonia Liniment. 



An ammonia liniment possessing superior advantages to the one 

 now official is made by mixing Sesame oil 75 parts. Ammonia wa- 

 ter 25 parts. This preparation can be made instantaneously — is 

 snow white, perfectly homogeneous, does not separate on long 

 standing, and is less irritating than the U. S. P. preparation l^ecause 

 less alkali is employed. 



Having considerable sale for Fowler solution for veterinarian 

 practice, for a long time we were under the impression that the 

 official formula was faulty, because our finished product was always 

 more or less turbid and never of a clear reddish color. On follow- 

 ing the official directions we found that the formula was right and 

 we were in error. The coloring principle in the compound spirit 

 of lavendar is santalin, which is resinous in character. By adding 

 the tincture to the hot solution this is precipitated, causing the 

 trouble referred to. 



