METHOD OF PREPARING EXTRACTS AND SIRUPS 



From Plants and Roots, in a concentrated form, and by lohich they 



retain all their virtues. 



The question is frequently asked, " is there no way of obtain- 

 ing the medicinal virtues of these valuable jilants in a form that 

 would not be objectionable to the taste, and at the same time, pre- 

 serve all the active properties of the whole plant ;" in answer to 

 which, we give the substance of a letter kindly furnished us by Dr. 

 James Osgood of Boston, and published in the Western Medical 

 Reformer, a monthly journal of medical and chirugical science: 

 the letter is written by J. King, M. D., of Owings\dlle, Ky.; with 

 whom the process of extracting appears to be original. We think 

 it a very valuable acquisition to the science of medicine, and one 

 that is worthy of the attention of every physician. Dr. King re- 

 marks that "vegetable medicines are as capable of being jsrejaared 

 in diminished quantities as mineral substances, and when thus re- 

 duced, are much more effectual in their results. Thus, Iris versi- 

 color, (blue flag root,) contains resin and mucilage : in the former 

 resides the jiurgative and alterative properties ; in the latter, diu- 

 retic. Then why administer the crude root in powder, in which 

 these properties are combined with woody fibre and other inert 

 substances, when a few grains of the proper constituent will 

 answer ? The same is the case with the Cimicifuga racemosa ; (Co- 

 hosh root,) its alterative, anti-scrofulous, anti-rheumatic, emmena- 

 gogue, and other properties for which it is generally employed, 

 reside in its resin. Then certainly it is useless to administer it in 

 conjunction with tannin, galic acid, gum, &c., when a kw grains 

 of its active principle is sufficient. The medical constituent of 

 a plant is all that we require. True, there are some plants whose 

 virtues consist in the union of these constituents, but they are 

 rare. 



Vol. ii.— 4.''> 



