250 EXTRACT OF SENEGA AND SQUILL. 
therefore, the proposition to prepare an extract to be used 
in the formation of the syrup may be regarded as super- 
fluous ; but yet under certain circumstances it may have its 
advantages, among which the chief would appear to be the 
greater facility of transportation in a country like our own, 
where medicines are necessarily carried great distances, in 
which case the occupation of less space in packing becomes 
important. We are no friends to violation of our Pharma- 
copoeia rules, but as our Journal is the neutral ground upon 
which all friendly propositions may be made, and the arena 
in which diversity of opinions may be stated, we look upon 
Mr. Ecky's communication as possessed of interest. — Edi- 
tor of Am. Journ. Pharm. 
ART. LIV— PREPARATION OF NARCOTIC EXTRACTS. 
By S CHE IDE MAN DEL, 
The author describes his method, which he particularly 
recommends for the preparation of these extracts in small 
quantities, as follows : — 
In this neighbourhood (Creussen) Hyoscyamus, Bella- 
donna, Digitalis, Conium, &c, grow wild. I therefore ga- 
ther the plants at the proper time, dry them carefully, and 
use them in the preparation of the extracts in the following 
manner: — 
The plant, Hyoscyamus for instance, is thoroughly dried 
in a stove by a very gentle heat, until capable of being rub- 
