310 
PHARMACEUTICAL MEETINGS. 
(Ceratenia siliqua,) directed in the Prussian Pharmacopoeia 
as an addition to Syrupus Papaveris. 
December 2d, 1S44. 
Charles Ellis, Vice President, in the Chair. 
The preceding minutes were read and adopted. 
The committee having in charge the paper of John H. 
Ecky, informed the meeting that they were not yet ready 
to report, the author having undertaken to re-examine the 
subject. 
William Procter, Jr., presented specimens of the fruits of 
Bixa orellana, Asclepias gigantea and morinda, from Cien- 
fuegos in Cuba, whence they were brought by J. G. Hou- 
ard, Esq. 
Charles Ellis called the attention of the meeting to the 
subject of fluid extract of senna, and exhibited a specimen 
of the preparation, in form a little less concentrated than 
that usually sold, one fluid ounce and a half, representing 
an ounce of Alexandria Senna. He stated, that from va- 
rious sources he had heard complaints of the products fur- 
nished by the process published in the Amer. Journ. Pharm., 
vol. xiii. p. 290, and he suggested whether the difficulty did 
not arise from the protracted heat necessary to effect the 
great degree of concentration to which the preparation was 
carried. Other members objected to the formula because 
of the impossibility of getting water to pass through after 
diluted alcohol, when the senna is well bruised. On com- 
paring notes, it was found that some members employed 
India senna, and some the Alexandrian article, which was 
thought by Charles Ellis to account for the variableness 
before spoken of, he being decidedly of the opinion that the 
former is less active than the latter. In order to ascertain 
if this opinion be correct, William Procter, Jr., engaged to 
have extracts made with equal care from both kinds of 
senna, fairly tested in their cathartic power, and report at 
the next meeting, which was agreed to. 
Then adjourned. 
