ON ALCOHOLIC TINCTURES. 
Ill 
and water. I do not adopt alcohol at 45° although it yields 
a larger quantity of extract, because the tincture obtained 
with alcohol of this strength is so extremely viscous, that it 
is filtered with difficulty, and the excess of product obtain- 
ed is certainly only due to the mucilaginous matters, which 
are inert, and uselessly increase the mass ; the tincture pre- 
pared with alcohol at 56° is equally full flavored, and much 
less mucilaginous. I should also prefer the proportion of 
five parts of this solvent, although the quantity of matter 
dissolved is very small. 
17. Leaves of the Jlsarum. 
grs. 
1 pt. 15 gr. by 60 gr. or 4 pts. ale. at S0° total ext. 1-96- 
" 60 " 4 " 56 u 2-28 
" 75 " 5 " id. " 2-99 
" 90 " 6 " id. " 3-27 
" 75 " 5 " 45. " 3-87 
" 90 " 6 " id. " 3-69 
This substance, as we know, owes its active properties to 
a principle which is soluble in water, (citisine or cathartine,) 
and perhaps, also, to a small quantity of fat oil, and essen- 
tial oil. The citisine, being extremely soluble in water, we 
may readily perceive that weak alcohol will have the dou- 
ble advantage of dissolving this substance, and at the same 
time the greatest portion of the fatty matters which are pro- 
bably not devoid of action. 
I should, therefore adopt alcohol at 45°, as well as the 
proportion of five for the solvent, which as we see by the 
table, is that which takes up the greatest portion of the 
soluble matter. 
IS. Bulbs of the Meadow Saffron. 
grs. 
1 pt. 15 gr. by 60 gr. or 4 pts. ale. at 56° total ext. 2-56 
« 75 " 5 " id. " 2-89 
" 90 " 6 " id. " 3-29 
" 75 " 5 " 80 " 1-79 
" 75 " 5 " 45 " 3-35 
" 90 " 6 " id. " 3-30 
