BRITISH PHARMACEUTICAL CONFERENCE. 
186 
effects bring with them no ill consequences ; but there are still a large num¬ 
ber of cases in which individual peculiarity or untoward symptoms forbid the 
use either of opium itself or of its tincture, and in these a solution, containing 
the sedative principle, free from the stimulating properties of narcotine, and 
the irritating effects of the oleo-resin, becomes a desideratum, and we offer 
the following formula as likely to supply these requirements. Though there 
maybe some drawbacks to its use in the necessarily tedious mode of prepara¬ 
tion, we can, through the kindness of several medical friends, who have used 
the preparation largely, speak with confidence of its medicinal efficiency. 
Purified Tincture of Opium. (Strength ofP.L. 1851.) 
Y Dried Opium .... 98 oz. (tr.) 
Sp. Yini liect. 2 gall. 
Distilled Water . . . q. s. to make 8 gall, of Tincture. 
Exhaust the opium with cold distilled water, evaporate the solution to the 
consistence of soft extract, and redissolve in four gallons of distilled water. 
Set this solution aside for a few hours, until all feculence has subsided, then 
filter, and again evaporate to the consistence of treacle, and add carefully 
and gradually the whole of the spirit. When the gummy matter has per¬ 
fectly subsided, pour off”, and add as much distilled water as will cause the 
whole to measure exactly eight gallons. 
Mr. Stoddart had some acquaintance with experiments that had been made with 
codeia by the medical officers of lunatic asylums, and in the cases to which he referred 
it had not been found to act as an efficient sedative. It seemed as if no preparation of 
opium gave universal satisfaction, probably arising partly from idiosyncrasies of patients. 
A Member referring to the opiate known as “ Nepenthe,” said it was probably a solu¬ 
tion of citrate of “ opium” in sherry wine; the opinions respecting it differed widely. 
Mr. Heathfield considered that the great peculiarity of Battley’s preparation was 
the absence of the volatile principles contained in crude opium. Undoubtedly a very 
large amount of common water was used in its preparation, and the subsequent evapo¬ 
ration of this would introduce its salts into the preparation—a fact to be recollected in 
any micro-chemical researches. The extractum opii liquidum of the British Pharma¬ 
copoeia would have borne a close resemblance to Battley’s solution if the process had 
been carried further. 
Mr. Dymond thought that there was much greater uncertainty in the composition of 
crude opium than was generally supposed. He had lately met with some opium of the 
highest price which did not yield more than five per cent, of morphia. A peculiarity 
of Battley’s preparation was that it was compatible with Liquor Potassse, which preci¬ 
pitated ext. opii liq., B.P. 
Mr. Heathfield remarked, that as Battley’s solution contained 25 per cent, of spirit, 
that might redissolve the precipitate. 
Mr Tiionger stated that bad imitations of Battley’s solution occasionally found their 
way into the market. 
NOTES ON A COMMERCIAL SAMPLE OE SULPHATE 
OF QUININE. 
BY W. W. STODDART, F.G.S., BRISTOL. 
In July last I received a sample of sulphate of quinine from Dr. Attfield, 
which was forwarded for the inspection of the adulteration committee, and a 
report requested. The name of the manufacturer, as stated on the label, was 
Auguste Thil, at Paris. I could get no information from any of the leading 
drug-houses in London, in answer to inquiries respecting its commercial relation 
and importation, nor could I obtain an original bottle till a friend bought one for 
me from a druggist at Cardiff. As far as I can ascertain, it is principally sold for 
