METHOD OF PREPARING EXTRACTS AND SIRUPS. 47 



reduce it to an xtract, and then combine the alcohoHc and aque- 

 ous extracts toge ther, as with. Rutnux crispus, Solon urn dulcamara, 

 Leptandria virginica, Baptisia tinctoria. Inula helenium, Arctium, 

 lappa, Aristoli>cliia serpentaria, Berberis vulgaris, Cornus sericea, Vi- 

 burnum oxycoccus, Cyprepcdium puhcscens, Jimiperus sahina, Xan- 

 thoxylon fraxineum, Phytollacca decandria, &c. 



" With some articles I make an alkahne extract, but with only 

 those Avhich contain resin and have a drastic effect, which is made 

 by adding from time to time, during the evaporation of the alco- 

 holic tincture, and at every time when the resin begins to separate 

 from the liquid, small portions of pearlash, (carbonate potash,) and 

 continue adding it in like manner until the extract is finished; this 

 renders the article less drastic, and completely prevents it from 

 producing any nauseous or irritating sensation, as with the Iris 

 versicolor. Podophyllum pelt atum, &c. There are other articles, 

 again, where I obtain the ethereal oil or extract, and which is 

 made by saturating sulphuric ether with the article, filtering, and 

 then allowing it to evaporate spontaneously, as with Capsicum an- 

 num, Secale cornutum, Cochlearia armorica. Crocus sativa, Ictodes 

 foetida, Lycopus virginicus. Lobelia injlata, Scutellaria latcrijlora, &cc. 



" By preparing medicines as above, there is no change of the 

 virtues of the constituent principles requisite, chemically consid- 

 ered, as is the case with sulphate of quinine, and some other 

 articles, in which there is often entire decomposition, or at least, 

 new combinations ; the doses are also small in quantity, and the 

 effect much greater upon the human system, than when combined 

 with inert, woody and other substances. 



" In preparing medicinal sirups, the following will be found 

 one of the best modes : have a vessel which will hold from 40 to 

 50 pounds of plants, to which add two gallons of water, and if the 

 article contains resin, add in addition one and a half pounds of sal- 

 eratus, which must be dissolved in water before it is added ; by a 

 gentle heat gradually distil off this water, returning it, as it 



