112 
ON ALCOHOLIC TINCTURES. 
The Codex directs alcohol at 56°, for the preparation of 
this tincture, properly calculating on the fact, that gallate 
of veratrine, to which this bulb is indebted for its proper- 
ties, is extremely soluble in water. We also know that 
wine, a vehicle containing very little alcohol, and vinegar, 
readily dissolve the active portion of this substance. I, 
therefore, give the preference to alcohol at 45°, a liquid con- 
taining twice, as much alcohol as wine ; for as we see by 
the table, five parts of this vehicle dissolve more of the ex- 
tractive matters, than five parts of alcohol at 56°, the pro- 
portion to be employed would also be five parts. 
19. White Hellebore. 
grs. 
1 pt. 15 gr. by 60 gr. or 4 pts. ale. at 80° total ext. 3-S2 
" 60 " 4 " 56 " 4-62 
" 75 " 5 " id. " 4-87 
" 90 " 6 " id. " 4-81 
" 75 " 5 " 45 " 5-15 
" 90 " 6 " id. " 5-27 
For the same reason as in the case of the bulbs of mea- 
dow saffron, I give the preference to alcohol at 45°, and in 
the proportion of five parts, rejecting to maintain the gene- 
ral rule, on account of the small excess taken up by an ad- 
ditional part of the same solvent ; the Codex prescribes alco- 
hol at 56°. 
20. Valerian l oot. 
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. " 3-03 
a 
a 
" 75 " 5 70 " 2-77 
" 75 " 5 " SO " 2-32 
" 75 " 5 " 45 " 3-46 
« 90 " 6 " id. " 3-50 
Considering that water, and consequently weak alcohol, 
completely dissolves the valerianic acid, the active principle 
