110 
ON ALCOHOLIC TINCTURES. 
tributable to inert gummy or mucilaginous matters, but, on 
the other hand, the tincture, with alcohol at 56° is green, 
and consequently contains chlorophylle, also an inert sub- 
stance. As in these cases there is a compensation on both 
sides, I give the preference to the alcohol that furnishes the 
greatest quantity of soluble matters, and consequently I 
should adopt alcohol at 45° in the proportion of five parts. 
15. Monkshood. 
grs. 
1 pt. 1.5 gr. by 60 gr. or 4 pts. ale. at S0° total ext. 1-98 
" 60 " 4 " 56 " 2-96 
" 75 " 5 " id. " 2-95 
" 75 " 5 (i 45 " 3*60 
" 90 « 6 " id. " 3-65 
The second and third of these extracts were rather green, 
the four and fifth were not so. 
The Codex directs alcohol at 56° for this tincture, be- 
cause aconitine existing in the plant, under the form of a 
salt, like the other alkaloids, it is consequently easily dis- 
solved in water. On this account I prefer alcohol at 45°, 
because the excess of matter taken up by the alcohol being 
0-65, is large enough not to be neglected. I should also 
adopt the proportion of five parts of this solvent, being that 
which furnishes the greatest quantity of extract. 
16. Senna. 
grs. 
1 pt. 15 gr. by 75 gr. or 5 pts. ale. at 80° total ext. 2-54 
" 60 " 4 " 56 " 3-62 
" 75 " 5 " id. " 3-70 
90 " 6 " id. " 3-69 
" 75 « 5 " 45 " 3-96 
" 90 " 6 " id. " 4 08 
The last two were very mucilaginous. 
Agreeing with the Codex, I should give the preference to 
alcohol at 56°, because it is well known that the active 
principle of senna (cathartine) is easily dissolved in alcohol 
