. METHOD OF PREPARING EXTRACTS AND SIRUPS 
From Plants and Roots, in a concentrated form, and hy which they 
retain all their virtues. 
The question is frequently asked, " is there no way of obtain- 
ing the medicinal virtues of these valuable plants 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 Owingsville, 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 prepared 
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 purgative 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 few 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. u.— 45 
