i888.] 



NEW-YORK MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY, 



25 



English chemist got negative results, on examining an old sample 

 a few months ago. 



The reason, why tinctures containing alcohol, and fluid 

 extracts containing glycerine, took so largely the place of infu- 

 sions and decoctions, probably resides in the fact, that alcohol 

 and glycerine are antiseptic, and protect for an indefinite period 

 their solutions from infection. A number of proprietary syrups, 

 and so-called fluid extracts, prepared by men badly posted in 

 pharmacy, cannot be kept long when the bottle is open. Doc- 

 tors often order these in their prescriptions. If you are among 



Fig. 5.— From Muriate of Morphia. 



those who do so, and you find them bacteria-laden and mouldy, 

 blame yourself only. Elixirs, like wines and tinctures, contain 

 enough alcohol to protect them against these growths. With 

 solutions of alkaloids and their salts, other methods of protec- 

 tion must be resorted to, or they must be prepared in small 

 quantities, and as needed. Camphor-Water, Chloral, Corrosive 

 Sublimate, Salicylic Acid, Boric Acid and Benzoic Acid are a 

 few of the antiseptics now used. The two last are probably the 

 best, all things considered. Such alkaloids as Strychnine and 



