520 
PHARMACEUTICAL MEETING. 
Liquor Atropial — Liquor atropice and liquor atropice sulphatis are nei¬ 
ther of them satisfactory preparations. The formula for the former will not 
yield a perfect solution of the alkaloid, and the quantity of spirit it contains is 
such that it frequently causes a considerable amount of irritation when this 
solution is dropped into the eye. The objection to liquor atropice sulpliatis is, 
that beino- a difficult salt to crystallize, the authorities have given a formula for 
its preparation that yields it in a colloid state. In this condition its composition, 
as found in commerce, is very variable, on account of the different states of hy¬ 
dration in which it may exist when “ evaporated to dryness,” and the necessary 
long-continued application of heat, I think, partially decomposes it; as thus ob¬ 
tained, it is generally deliquescent on exposure to the air, whereas, in the crys¬ 
talline condition it is not so. Being thus unstable and indefinite, it will not 
yield a solution of uniform strength. . . 
I would suggest that the two formulae be blended into one, giving directions 
for the solution to be made by dissolving 4 grains of the pure alkaloid in an 
ounce of distilled water, using, as a solvent, diluted sulphuric acid .in sufficient 
quantity to neutralize it. Taking liquor strychnia as a precedent, it might be 
named simply liquor atropice. It would be the same strength as the present 
liquor atropice , and slightly stronger than liquor atropice sulphatis. 
I have been in the habit of making liquor atropice sulpliatis m this manner 
and I find that practically 52 grains of the alkaloid, which I estimate are equal 
to 1 drachm of the sulphate, require from 60 to 65 minims of diluted sulphuric 
acid, with the addition of water, heat being applied, to form 15 ounces of a neu¬ 
tral solution of B. P. strength. Thus prepared, I have not. observed m it any 
liability to undergo decomposition, but have not tested it for any great length 
The Prussian and Austrian Pharmacopoeias make officinal the crystallized 
sulphate of atropine, giving no formula for its preparation * They merely de¬ 
scribe the crystals, their characters and tests. I suppose that in Germany it is 
an article of commerce in this condition, but from its mode of preparation, ne¬ 
cessarily much more costly than the alkaloid itself. . 
The solutions of active medicinal agents in the present Pharmacopoeia, have 
been made of the uniform strength of 1 grain in 120 minims ; as there is a ten¬ 
dency to decimalize the proportions, I think it would be preferable to have them 
containing 1 per cent, of the active ingredient. Ihe French Codex has how¬ 
ler’s solution of this strength. . , . . . ,, , , . 
Mucilago TragacantHjE.— The manipulation directed in the formula for 
mucilaqo tragacanthce does not yield satisfactory results. The particles of the 
powdered gum swell so rapidly when moistened, and their cohesion in this con¬ 
dition is such, that before each can be sufficiently separated to obtain its por¬ 
tion of the fluid, they get agglutinated into masses, the centres of. which gene¬ 
rally consist of dry powder, that, in preparing it in quantity, it takes days 
before the gum is “ perfectly diffused through the fluid. 
A better plan, adopted by many dispensers for making it extemporaneously, 
is the folio win" :—Put the powdered tragacanth into a dry bottle, capable of 
holding double the quantity of mucilage required, and moisten it with a little 
* “Prismata gracilia, tenuia, nitida, in aere constantia, in aqua et in spiritu vini facile som- 
possessing these properties - 
I have suggested will be unnecessary. I have not been able to meet with any that was not 
deUauescent! and, although I find, since writing the above, that the microscope does reveal 
traces of a crystalline formation in some samples, yet even these I consider were anj thing but 
definite in composition. 
