362 PHARMACEUTICAL BACTERIOLOGY 



solutions of chemicals (as acids, alkalies, etc.) do not require sterilization 

 as they are themselves strongly germicidal. 



Alkaloidal and glucosidal solutions, and solutions of alkaloidal salts, 

 tinctures and fluidextracts, should be carefully filtered and sterilized in 

 sealed containers at a temperature of 60 C., one hour each day for six 

 days. Concentrated alkaloidal solutions may be similarly sterilized. It 

 is not advised to employ a higher temperature for these substances inas- 

 much as the decomposition changes, if any, which may take place at 100 C. 

 are not clearly understood. To be on the safe side, the lower temperature 

 (60 C.) should be employed. 



In the case of solutions or emulsions for hypodermic use, prepared with 

 oil, the oil is first to be treated with alcohol (95 per cent.) to remove the 

 oleic acid. Oily solutions of calomel, yellow oxide of mercury, lecithin, 

 and of camphor are to be prepared with sterile materials, then placed in a 

 boiling water-bath for ten minutes or in an air-bath at 100 C. An interest- 

 ing requirement is exacted by the Italian Pharmacopeia as regards the 

 glass of the containers for hypodermic injections : Ten to twelve ampuls or 

 five or six bottles are filled with a clear solution of i per cent, mercuric 

 chloride, then sealed. They are then left in an autoclave at 112 C. for 

 half an hour, at the expiration of which time no brownish turbidity should 

 be perceptible. 



Some of the points pertaining to the sterilization of alkaloidal, gluco- 

 sidal and other substances which are quite readily decomposed or altered 

 by light and heat, will be treated under ampuls. 



2. Preparation of Ampuls 



Ampuls (Lat. ampulla; Fr. ampoule; a flask) are small glass con- 

 tainers filled with medicinal substances usually in solution. These have 

 come into great prominence within recent years, due to the methods of 

 sterilization now required and practised in well regulated pharmacies. 

 Ampules are really nothing more than very small flasks, the size being 

 suited to single doses of the medicine, as a rule. They were introduced 

 into France about thirty years ago by Limousin and have now come into 

 general use in France, Italy, Spain, Holland and England. It is only 

 recently that they have come into use in the United States. C. A. Mayo 

 was among the first American writers to publish the first more complete 

 information regarding their origin, manufacture and use. (See Proc. 

 A. Ph. A., vol. 57, 1909.) They are generally adopted by the navies and 

 armies of all civilized countries, because of the advantage which they offer 

 for the preservation, storage and transportation of all manner of medicines, 

 particularly those which require sterilization and which are generally 

 wanted for immediate administration. From the standpoint of the physi- 

 cian they are wonderfully convenient and are great time savers. 



