ON ALCOHOLIC TINCTURES. 
113 
of the valerian root, I preferred alcohol at 45°, which dis- 
solves the greatest quantity of extractive matter. I also 
adopt the proportion of five parts of this solvent, for six 
parts take up no more extract. The Codex directs alcohol 
at 56°. 
21. Squills. 
grs. 
1 pt. 15 gr. by 60 gr. or 4 pts. ale. at 80° total ext. 3-89 
« 75 " 5 " id. " 7-09 
" 75 " 5 " 70 « £ 937 
" 60 " 4 " 56 " 10-21 
" 75 " 5 " id. " 10-92 
" 90 « 6 " id. " 9-66 
« 75 " 5 " 45 " 10-17 
The Codex prescribes alcohol at 56° for this substance ; I 
have not changed the strength of the alcohol, because expe- 
riment has proved to me that it is that which best dissolves 
the soluble parts of the squill, I only adopt the proportion 
of five parts, which, as we see, produces the greatest quan- 
tity of extract. 
22. Black Hellebore. 
grs. 
1 pt. 15 gr. by 60 gr. or 4 pts. alco. at 80° total ext. 3-22 
" 75 " 5 " id. " 3-20 
" 75 "5 " 56 " 4-34 
" 90 " 6 " id. " 4«37 
" 75 " 5 " 45 " 2-92 
We generally attribute the medical properties of this root 
to a compound consisting of a volatile acid and a fat sub- 
stance ; on which account alcohol at 80° has been employ - 
ed for the preparation of this tincture. But if we consider 
that, according to my experiments, alcohol at 45 c , which is 
the most capable of dissolving the gummy and extractive 
matters, nevertheless takes up much less of the soluble parts 
