THE  AMERICAN 
JOURNAL  OF  PHARMACY. 
SEPTEMBER,  1878. 
ON  AN  EFFICIENT  DRUG  PRESS. 
By  Chas.  T.  George,  Harrisburg. 
Read  at  the  meeting  of  the  Penna  Pharmaceutical  Association,  Reading,  June  ii. 
The  drug  press  is  an  important  piece  of  machinery  for  every  well- 
regulated  drug  store,  and  should  combine  the  following  qualifications 
in  order  to  make  it  a  success. 
First.  Great  power,  easily  applied. 
Second.  Cleanliness  during  operation,  and  easily  cleaned  after  being 
used. 
Third.  It  should  be  applicable  for  all  manner  of  pressing :  oils, 
alcoholic  and  water  preparations,  as  well  as  fruit  juices. 
Fourth.  Simplicity  of  structure,  in  order  to  insure  cheapness  of  repair 
in  case  of  breakage. 
The  most  powerful  press  that  suggests  itself  to  our  consideration  is 
the  hydraulic  or  Bramah  press  ;  this,  however,  has  many  qualities  cal- 
culated to  interfere  with  its  usefulness  in  a  retail  drug  store.  1st.  Its 
complicated  machinery  and  expense.  2d.  On  account  of  the  liquids 
used  in  the  production  of  power;  if  water  is  used,  it  is  apt  to  freeze 
in  winter,  and  thus  disable  the  press  ;  should  oil  or  glycerin  be  used 
instead  of  water,  it  will  add  materially  to  the  cost  as  well  as  increase 
its  filthiness. 
The  next  press  that  presents  itself  for  inspection  is  the  single  screw 
press,  where  the  screw  descends  perpendicularly  upon  a  horizontal 
block,  moving  within  a  perforated  vessel  ;  this  surrounded  by  a  vessel 
not  perforated,  but  having  a  spout  or  outlet  for  the  expressed  liquid  at 
the  bottom.  This  press  is  much  in  use,  and  deservedly  so,  on  account 
of  simplicity  of  structure  and  cheapness  ;  and  where  great  power  is 
not  required,  as  in  the  simple  expression  of  tinctures,  it  is  all  that  could 
be  desired.    The  objections  are  :    1st.  That  great  power  cannot  be 
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