DISTILLATES, 
127 
Post macerationem per nychthemerum, destillent librse sex, in quibus solve 
Camphor® unciam imam cum dimidia et filtra. Sit limpidus, coloris expers. 
The experience of the last fifteen years seems to demonstrate that this mace¬ 
ration previous to distillation may be extended beneficially to many aqueous 
distillates, and that the time specified, a night and a day is correct: less is in¬ 
sufficient, more, where there is an astringent or bitter principle, is objectionable. 
Judging from past trials, the general rule might be deduced that nychthemerum 
maceration may be applied to all dried substances submitted to distillation, 
Pimento being excepted. Aqua Pimentse is a most unsatisfactory distillate, 
prone to rapid decomposition which it appears difficult to prevent. Filtration 
and separation of the oil have been recommended but with doubtful efficacy. 
Perhaps one of the finest distillates in British Pharmacy is Aqua Cinnamomi— 
with its full yet delicate flavour—its cordial, aromatic richness of both taste and 
smell. This alludes to true Cinnamon Water, not to the imitation. 
Aqua Cinnamomi forms an excellent illustration of the desirability of the 
nychthemerum maceration. The Pharmacopoeia directs Cinnamon to be bruised, 
forgetful that in operating on the large scale, an inconvenient quantity of 
powder would be produced. Draw over the Cinnamon directly, in literal ful¬ 
filment of the order, and having done so, test the Bark remaining in the still, 
and see if there be not sufficient reason for a different process. Twenty-four 
hours’ maceration solves the difficulty and leaves nothing to be desired. During 
both the two last outbreaks of cholera in London, no cordial restorative was 
more grateful than plain Cinnamon Water, one ounce and a half for the dose. 
Had we stooped to low Pharmacy, we should have had to answer to a higher 
authority than the British Pharmacopoeia. 
The question may have suggested itself how far is Aqua Ros® affected by 
the Nychthemerum? To which may be replied that we have no means of tell¬ 
ing. Roses are the most perishable and evanescent of flowers. They have to 
be contracted for a month or six weeks beforehand and the grower cannot regu¬ 
late his supply. The still is kept in readiness and the instant the Roses come, 
they are shot in, and distilled at once. Should two charges be delivered on the 
same day, the remaining portion is strewed in the thinnest layer possible, on 
clean flags or brickwork being occasionally watered by an ordinary garden-hose. 
One day is the extreme limit this manoeuvre may be practised and it is most 
objectionable. The Roses sweat at night and the product is inferior. Should 
the charge exceed the power of distillation, the Roses are mashed up with a 
wooden pitchfork, one pound of salt is added to six pounds of Rose (different 
operators vary this amount.) and the mass is rammed tightly into barrels. 
Practically we dislike the salt: object to its presence in the still and never 
resort to it unless in cases of necessity. 
The Compound Aromatic distillates, many of them bearing celebrated histo¬ 
rical names, base their reputation on three things, first, selection of exceedingly 
choice ingredients, secondly on the extension of the time allowed for macera¬ 
tion previous to distillation, thirdly their long storage before becoming commer¬ 
cial articles. There is manifested a distressing inquietude on the part of Phar¬ 
macists to get hold of particular formulae. Once I had in my possession a huge 
pile of recipes in manuscript, the accumulation of about two centuries. Their 
revision left on the mind the firm conviction that forms are of secondary im¬ 
portance : quality is the first requisite, the liberal hand, and mode of manipula¬ 
tion together make the second. But if a man starves his essences, and groans, 
over the costliness of drugs, he forgets that there is that withlioldeth more than 
is meet and it tendeth to poverty. On this point we shall gain instruction 
from Ancient Pharmacy. An old black letter, date 1568 called the Secrets of 
Alexis, contains many of the aromatic compounds, specially ten Odoriferous 
waters. All are made on the same plan. Take as the case may be (modern 
