222 
NOTE  ON  PROPYLAMIN. 
evaporation,  it  may  reach  a  syrupy  or  extractive  consistence  without  any 
loss  of  transparency,  or  separation  of  solid  matter  :  and  if  before  all  the 
alcohol  is  dissipated,  we  add  sugar  in  the  proportion  of  ten  ounces  to  the 
pint  of  the  resulting  fluid,  we  obtain  a  perfectly  transparent  extract  which 
retains  its  clearness,  though  devoid  of  alcohol ;  yet  if  it  be  mixed  with 
water,  an  immediate  opacity  occurs  from  the  precipitation  of  resinous 
matter. 
On  the  other  hand,  the  officinal  tincture  of  rhubarb  gradually  lets  fall 
a  deposit,  which  Messrs.  De  la  Rue  and  Muller  have  recently  shown  to 
consist  chiefly  of  crysophanic  acid  and  the  three  resins  of  rhubarb,  not- 
withstanding the  menstruum  is  diluted  alcohol.  What  is  thus  true  of  rhu- 
barb applies  to  many  other  drugs,  yet  it  will  not  do  to  infer  that  because 
sugar  is  a  good  agent  for  fluid  extract  of  rhubarb,  that  therefore  all  others 
must  be  similarly  preserved.  On  the  contrary  such  substances  as  cimici- 
fuga,  jalap,  podophyllum,  etc.,  should  either  possess  a  highly  alcoholic 
menstruum,  or  contain  an  alkaline  solvent.  The  question  to  be  resolved 
is,  can  we  make  fluid  extracts  that  contain  all  the  valuable  ingredients  of 
drugs,  that  are  capable  at  the  same  time  of  resisting  the  mutual  reaction 
of  their  proximate  principles,  and  such  external  agencies  of  deterioration 
as  heat,  light,  and  oxygen,  and  thus  be  entitled  to  the  character  of  perma- 
nent preparations  ;  or  must  we,  after  all,  class  them  with  those  prepara- 
tions which  should  be  kept  but  a  moderate  period,  and  prepared  in  quanti- 
ties to  suit  the  demands  of  the  dispenser  ?  That  we  may  be  able  to  arrive 
at  this  desirable  knowledge,  let  the  brethren  south  and  north,  east  and 
west,  give  the  results  of  their  experience  as  regards  the  permanence  or 
changeableness  of  the  products  now  in  use,  as  well  as  in  the  study  of  the 
subject  in  new  aspects. — Ed.  Am.  Journ.  Pharm. 
NOTE  ON  PROPYLAMIN. 
By  William  Procter,  Jr. 
Since  noticing  this  substance  in  the  March  number,  I  have 
made  an  experimental  essay  in  obtaining  it  for  medicinal  use. 
One  quart  of  herring  pickle  obtained  from  the  top  of  the  barrel, 
was  mixed  with  an  excess  of  liquor  potassse  and  distilled  in  a 
large  flask  attached  to  a  condensing  arrangement.  The  re- 
ceiver contained  distilled  water  slightly  acidulated  with  muriatic 
acid.  The  process  was  continued  until  a  pint  of  distillate  was 
obtained,  the  contents  of  the  receiver  being  kept  slightly  acid, 
by  adding  diluted  H,C1  from  time  to  time.  The  distillate  was 
now  evaporated  carefully  until  indications  of  crystallization 
were  noticed,  when  it  was  set  a  side  to  cool.    The  mother  liquid, 
