Du Mez-—The Galenical Oleoresins. 
1111 
been shown to be severe intestinal irritants. The activity of 
the volatile oil may be further accounted for by the presence 
of terpenes as these compounds are also known to be irritants. 3 
Physical Properties 
Color: When spread out in a thin layer on a while porcelain 
surface, the oleoresin was observed to be greenish-yellow in 
color. The so-called fluid apiols of commerce, preparations 
made with alcohol, are of a comparatively deep green color. 
Odor: The oleoresin has the agreeable aromatic odor of 
parsley. 
Taste: The taste is spicy like that of the drug from which 
it is prepared. 
Consistence: The oleoresin is a rather thin liquid, being of 
about the consistence of olive oil. 
Solubility: The official preparation is soluble in acetone, 
ether, chloroform, carbon disulphide and petroleum ether. It 
is almost insoluble in alcohol or water. 
Specific gravity: The specific gravities of the oleoresins pre¬ 
pared in the laboratory were found to be 0.937 and 0.940 at 25°C. 
In the making of these preparations ether and acetone, respec¬ 
tively, were employed as menstrua for extracting the drug. The 
specific gravity of the only commercial sample, conforming in its 
general properties to the official product, was observed to be 
about the same, i. e. 0.943. In the case of the other commercial 
products, the greater density is thought to be due to the use of 
alcohol in their preparation. 1 The results for the determina¬ 
tions made in the laboratory follow. 
Table 109 —Specific gravities of oleoresins prepared in the laboratory. 
Sample 
No. 
Date 
Observer 
Solvent 
Specific 
gravity 
1 
1916 
Du Mez ... 
Acetone. 
At 25° C 
0.940 
2. 
Ether... 
0.937 
3 Kehrer, Arch. f. Gyn. (1910), 90, p. 169. 
1 This statement is also based on the dark green color of the preparations 
and the fact that alcohol is the solvent mentiond in the literature in con¬ 
nection with the preparation of the so-called fluid apiols. See under "His¬ 
tory” of the oleoresin. 
