206 
PHARMACEUTICAL  NOTICES. 
rated  by  expression  as  above.  When  made  by  the  last  method,  the 
infusion  contains  more  of  the  oleo-resin  of  juniper  in  suspension, 
and  is  much  less  agreeable  to  the  taste,  but  is  more  active  and 
efficient.  When  the  patient  is  troubled  with  gastric  irritability,  the 
first  infusion  is  more  appropriate.  Whichever  may  be  employed, 
the  dose  is  from  a  tablespoonful  to  a  wine  glassful,  mixed  with 
a  teaspoonful  or  more  of  cream  of  tartar,  three  times  a  day  regu- 
larly. It  is  much  better  in  prescribing  juniper  berries  and  cream 
of  tartar  for  a  patient,  to  direct  the  salt  to  be  kept  separate  from 
the  berries,  and  administered  by  measured  doses  with  the  infusion 
after  it  is  made;  because,  when  they  are  infused  together,  a  large 
portion  of  the  bitartrate  crystallizes  among  the  juniper  dregs  as 
the  infusion  cools,  and  is  lost  by  straining  the  infusion. 
PHARMACEUTICAL  NOTICES. 
By  Alfred  B.  Taylor. 
Fluid  Extract  of  Serpentaria. 
Being  desired  by  a  Physician  to  make  a  strong  Tincture  of 
Serpentaria,  a  fluid  extract  was  naturally  suggested.  The  fol- 
lowing form  was  used,  and  was  found  to  afford  a  preparation 
containing  all  the  virtues  of  the  root  in  a  very  concentrated 
state  : 
Take  of  Serpentaria,  bruised,  Ixii. 
Alcohol  and  water,  each  a  sufficient  quantity. 
Mix  the  serpentaria  with  12  oz.  alcohol,  and  allow  it  to  stand 
for  twenty-four  hours ;  then  transfer  it  to  a  percolator  and  pour 
alcohol  gradually  upon  it  until  a  pint  and  a  half  of  filtered  liquor 
is  obtained.  Place  this  in  an  evaporating  dish  and  allow  it  to 
evaporate  spontaneously  until  reduced  to  six  fluid  ounces. 
To  the  root,  exhausted  by  alcohol,  add  water,  and  displace  till  it 
is  exhausted,  or  until  about  three  pints  have  passed  ;  evaporate 
this  portion  in  a  water-bath  to  six  fluid  ounces,  mix  the  two  parts 
together  and  filter.  Each  ounce  of  this  represents  one  ounce 
of  the  root — consequently,  the  dose  of  the  root  being  from  10 
to  30  grs.,  (and  there  being  from  85  to  90  drops  in  a  fluid 
drachm  of  this  extract,)  the  dose  would  be  from  15  to  45  drops. 
*  [Note. — For  a  preparation  analogous  to  the  above,  of  half  the  strength, 
preserved  by  means  of  sugar,  and  suggested  by  Mr.  John  C.  Savery,  the 
reader  is  referred  to  vol.  23,  page  119  of  this  Journal.— Editor.] 
