Du Mez—The Galenical Oleoresins. 1031 
the temperature. At ordinary temperatures the degree of 
fluidity is usually such that it can be readily poured. It should 
be homogeneous and not contain a deposit of fat. 
Solubility: The oleoresin, when prepared with ether, is 
soluble in acetone, ether, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, car¬ 
bon disulphide, petroleum ether, oil of turpentine 1 and solu¬ 
tions of the caustic alkalies. It should not be soluble to any 
great extent in 90 per cent, alcohol, solubility therein indicating 
that alcohol was the menstruum used in the preparation of the 
oleoresin. 
Specific gravity: The specific gravity of the oleoresin de¬ 
termined at 25°C was found to be 0.925 to 0.932 when ether was 
the solvent employed in extracting the drug. When alcohol 
or acetone were employed for this purpose, the results were 
almost the same, whereas petroleum ether yielded a product 
of low specific gravity. The low specific gravity observed in the 
one case, where acetone was used in the preparation of the oleo¬ 
resin, was not due to the nature of the solvent, but to the 
more complete removal of the solid fats. The variation in the 
amounts of the latter retained in the finished product is thought 
to be the chief factor influencing the specific gravity of this 
preparation. In the case of the commercial samples, how¬ 
ever, the presence of unevaporated solvent must also be taken 
into consideration as is shown in the tables which follow: 
Table 33—Specific gravities of oleoresins prepared in the laboratory. 
Sample 
No. 
Date 
Observer 
Solvent 
Specific 
gravity 
1 .. 
1910 
DuMez & Netzel.. 
Alcohol. 
At 25° C 
0.932 
2 . 
Acetone. 
0.933 
0.932 
3. 
t« tt 
Ether... 
4.. 
“ 
»•. “ 
Benzine. 
0.925 
1 . 
1916 
DuMez. 
Alcohol... 
0.926 
2 . 
Acetone. 
0.919 
0.925 
0.914 
3.. 
“ 
Ether. 
4. 
“ 
*6 
Petrol, ether. 
1 King’s American Dispensatory (1900), p. 1331. 
