78 
MISCELLANY. 
30 seconds are necessary for obtaining this result. It remains only to 
remove the apparatus, to wash the part, and to tear away with a pair of 
nippers the epidermis, which comes off easily and in one piece. 
The dressing is according to the object in view,— to the indications of 
the endermic method for example. — Chemist from Bull, de Therap. 
Preparation of Syrup of Gentian. By M. E. Tauvel. — Syrup of Gen- 
tian prepared according to the Codex, loses its transparency a few days 
after its preparation, and becomes very turbid, after some time. This 
syrup, already disagreeable to take on account of its great bitterness, is 
still more repugnant to the patient, because it has not that agreeable as- 
pect to the eye which seems to contribute greatly to ameliorating its bad 
taste. 
With the view of obtaining a syrup of gentian which retains its trans- 
parency without its medicinal properties being weakened, I have 
adopted the following process for above a year, and it always gives a 
good product : 1 have preserved the proportions of the Codex : — 
Gentian Root in coarse powder 48 grams. 
Cold water qs. 
Simple Syrup 1,500 " 
The gentian is lixiviated in the displacement apparatus with a suffi- 
cient quantity of cold water ; the operation is stopped as soon as the 
liquid which flows out appears less charged. The liquor is filtered and 
briskly mixed with the boiling syrup brought to such a consistence that, 
the liquor being added to the syrup, the latter marks 30° of the areo- 
meter. 
By this process, syrup of gentian retains its transparency for an in- 
definite period : it is quite as bitter, and more aromatic, and possesses 
more odour than that of the Codex. I have some which has been pre- 
pared more than six months, which is as limpid as on the first day. 
I have made it comparatively — 1st, according to the Codex ; 2d, with 
extract; 3d, by the method which I point out. That of the Codex pre- 
sents the objection already noticed, that of becoming turbid. That mode 
with extract preserves its liquidity, but it is less odorous than the two 
others. I need not repeat what I have said concerning the third. 
It is known that gentian root is a substance which very difficultly 
yields to lixiviation, on account of its viscidity; but with a few pre- 
cautions, by sifting the powder very finely, the difficulties are easily 
overcome. —-Chemist. 
