114 
ON ALCOHOLIC TINCTURES. 
of this root than alcohol at 56°, the conclusion will be, in 
my opinion, that the last ought to be preferred, for it dis- 
solves a larger quantity than alcohol at 80°. I should even 
say that alcohol at 56°, as it more readily dissolves the ex- 
tractive matters, ought to render the solution of the fat sub- 
stances more easy, because by the disintegration of the ex- 
tractive matters, it will find itself in close contact with the 
first. Probably, also, these extractive matters once dissolv- 
ed, may assist in the solution of the others. Do we not 
every day see this effect produced, when we treat with 
water substances containing a mixture of these different 
substances? The water extract of guaiacum, for example, 
contains resin, which certainly has been removed by the 
extractive principle. 
I, therefore, give the preference to alcohol at 56° and the 
proportion of five parts, for it is evident we may neglect 
the small excess of matter dissolved by one more part of 
this solvent. 
23. Roots of Jlsarum. 
grs. 
1 pt. 15 gr. by 60 gr. or 4 pts. ale. at S0° total ext. 1-90 
" 75 " 5 " id. " 1-00 
" 60 " 4 " 56 " 3-34 
" 75 " 5 i( id. " ,3-29 
" 90 " 6 " id. " 3-30 
" 75 " 5 " 45 " 3-09 
I should adopt alcohol at 56° for this tincture, because at 
that strength it takes up more of the soluble matters, and 
the root contains rather more of the fatty principle than the 
leaves. I also recommend the proportion of five parts of 
this vehicle, although only four parts would be sufficient, 
as we see by the table. What makes me prefer this pro- 
portion, is the fact that this tincture is but little employed, 
and more particularly to avoid the inconvenience of multi- 
plying these different proportions of alcohol. 
