Du Mez—TJie Galenical Oleoresins. 
979 
bath. Inasmuch as Kraft (1902) states that filmaron melts 
at 60 °C and undergoes decomposition at higher temperatures, 
it is thought that the pharmacopoeial directions should contain 
a warning against exceeding this temperature during distilla¬ 
tion. 
8. ) The removal of a part of the solvent by spontaneous 
evaporation as directed by the Pharmacopoeia tends to operate 
against obtaining a uniform product as the time required to 
accomplish the same varies with the temperature. If evapora¬ 
tion is allowed to proceed at a low temperature (winter tem¬ 
perature), the preparation will be exposed to the action of the 
air for a very considerable length of time and partial oxida¬ 
tion of some of the constituents will very likely result. 
The complete removal of the solvent can be accomplished 
much more rapidly by heating the preparation on a water bath, 
and without injury, if the temperature is kept below 60°C. By 
such a procedure, the above conditions are eliminated and a more 
uniform product will be obtained. 
9. ) The oleoresin should be kept in well-stoppered bottles 
as it becomes rancid on prolonged exposure to the air due to 
the hydrolysis and partial oxidation of the glycerides composing 
the fatty oil. 
10. ) For a discussion of the nature of the deposit which 
forms in the oleoresin on standing, see pages 992 and 1004 under 
“Constituents of therapeutic importance,” and under “Other 
properties. ’ ’ 
11. ) As to the propriety of the pharmacopoeial directions 
concerning the mixing of the deposit with the liquid portion 
before dispensing, there is some doubt. The question, however, 
is one which should be decided by the pharmacologist rather 
than the pharmacist and will, therefore, not be considered here. 
The use of an alkali, ammonia as suggested by Beringer 
(1892), for the purpose of facilitating the admixture of the pre¬ 
cipitate with the liquid portion should be condemned as a dan¬ 
gerous practice. The danger lies in the fact that the slightly 
soluble toxic constituents are converted into soluble compounds 
by union with the alkali and are thereby rendered readily ab¬ 
sorbable. 
Of further interest in this connection is the procedure recom¬ 
mended by Seifert (1881) and Kraemer (1884) for avoiding 
