614 VEGETABLE DRUGS 



of boiling water, and in 175 parts of alcohol. Insoluble in 

 ether, chloroform, or carbon disulphide. 



PREPARATION. 



Syrupus. Syrup. (U. S. P.) 



Synonym.— Simple syiup,'E.; sirop de sucre, Fr.; weisser syrup, O.; 

 $yrupus simplex, P.G. 



Made by solution of sugar, 850; with heat in distilled water, strain- 

 ing, and addition of distilled water to make 1000. (U. S. P.) 



Molasses. (Non-official.) 



Synonym. — Theriaca, B.P. ; sacchari faex, syrupus fus- 

 cus, treacle, E.; melasse, Fr.; melasse, G. 



The brown, uncrystallizable syrup that drains away 

 from the crystals of raw sugar in the refining process. 



Action and Uses. — Sugar, syrup and molasses are demul- 

 cents, and are sometimes employed in medicated syrup or 

 electuary, for their soothing action on the throat in catarrh 

 of the upper air passages. They are liable to ferment in tho 

 alimentary canal if given continuously, with the production 

 of acidity and indigestion, so that they are not suitable for 

 general use as demulcents. Sugar, syrup and molasses are 

 mainly useful as vehicles, corrigents, preservatives, and 

 excipients in pharmacy. Sugar is utilized as a constituent 

 of powders, and syrup and molasses are excipients in the 

 preparation of balls and electuaries. Sugar increases the 

 solubility of calcium salts (see Syrupus Calcis, p. 156) and 

 protects ferrous compounds from oxidation (see Ferri Carb. 

 Sacch., p. 194). ' 



Sugar is an antiseptic, and, in syrup, prevents the fer- 

 mentation of active medicinal substances. Brown sugar and 

 molasses are laxative, in large doses, and are prescribed in 

 veterinary practice, with ginger, to aid the action of salts on 

 cattle (Oss.-i.) and sheep ( § ii.-vi.). (See Epsom salts, p. 163.)' 



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