ON  GLYCERATE  OF  TAR. 
115 
ON  GLYCERATE  OF  TAR. 
By  J.  B.  Moore. 
This  is  an  elegant  and  potent  preparation  of  tar,  and  presents 
to  the  physician  a  very  palatable  and  desirable  form  in  which  to 
administer  that  remedy.  Being  free  from  sugar  it  is  for  many 
purposes  preferable  to  the  syrup  of  tar.  In  all  medicinal 
syrups  in  which  the  active  ingredients  bear  so  small  a  proportion 
to  the  saccharine  matter  which  they  contain,  as  is  the  case  in 
such  syrups  as  tolu,  tar,  &c.,  the  sugar  is  frequently  an  objec- 
tionable element.  These  syrups  being  generally  employed, 
owing  to  their  excitant  character  in  the  treatment  of  chronic, 
bronchial  and  pulmonary  affections,  and  to  obtain  their  full 
remedial  effects,  it  is  often  necessary  that  their  use  should  be 
persevered  in  for  a  considerable  length  of  time. 
The  prolonged  use  of  such  syrups  in  delicate,  enfeebled  and 
dyspeptic  persons,  is  very  liable  to  offend  the  stomach  and  dis- 
turb the  digestive  functions,  producing  a  feeling  of  oppression 
and  uneasiness,  accompanied  by  loss  of  appetite,  &c.,  which 
not  unfrequently  imperatively  forbid  their  continued  use.  In- 
stances of  this  kind,  I  have  no  doubt,  have  occurred  in  the 
practice  of  almost  every  medical  practitioner  whose  experience 
has  been  at  all  extensive.  Therefore,  I  think  that  the  glycerate 
of  tar  will  prove  a  valuable  remedy,  and  hope  that  it  may  merit 
the  approval  of  the  medical  profession. 
Glycerin  seems  to  be  a  good  solvent  of  the  medicinal  proper- 
ties of  tar,  and  possessing  demulcent,  alterative  and  nutrient 
properties,  serves  as  a  valuable  adjunct  to  the  latter  therapeuti- 
cally. 
I  will  now  present  the  formula  which  I  have  adopted,  after  re- 
peated trials,  as  the  most  desirable  for  the  manufacture  of  this 
preparation  : 
R.  Picis  Liquidae  (strained),  Ij.  troy. 
Magnesias  Carb.  (rubbed  to  powder  on  a  sieve),   ^^iij.  " 
Alcoholis,  fgij. 
Glycerina,  f^iv. 
Aquae,  quantum  sufficit. 
Mix  the  alcohol  and  glycerin  with  ten  fluidounces  of  water. 
