AMPen;mA2HM  }       On  Fluid  Extract  of  Vanilla.  63 
The  principle  upon  which  this  process  is  based  is  very  simple.  In 
the  usual  mortar  process  the  cohesiveness  of  the  intermedium  has  to 
be  overcome,  it  being  directly  opposed  to  the  union  desired,  whereas, 
in  the  new,  the  same  condition  of  the  gum  does  not  occur  until 
-after  the  union,  being  then  opposed  to  their  separation. 
San  Francisco,  Cal. 
ON  FLUID  EXTRACT  OF  VANILLA. 
By  J.  B.  Moore. 
This  preparation,  though  usually  called  a  fluid  extract,  is  in  reality 
only  a  tincture  in  the  common  acceptation  of  the  term.  The  rich  and 
delightfully  aromatic  qualities  of  Vanilla  has  given  to  its  fluid  extract 
an  importance  and  popularity  unsurpassed  by  any  other  flavoring  sub- 
stance. While  it  is  indispensable  to  the  housekeeper  and  confec- 
tioner, it  is  also  of  importance  to  the  pharmacist  and  perfumer.  Alone 
or  associated  with  other  flavoring  substances,  it  is  often  employed  by 
the  pharmacist  to  conceal  or  modify  the  taste  and  odor  of  many  un- 
pleasant remedies. 
In  making  this  fluid  extract  it  is  absolutely  essential  to  the  success 
of  the  operation  that  the  vanilla  be  reduced  to  a  fine  state  of  division, 
and  it  is  in  performing  this  operation  that  the  operator  encounters  the 
greatest  difficulty.  The  peculiarly  tough  texture  of  the  shell  not  only 
renders  vanilla  very  difficult  to  powder,  but  it  also  offers  an  obstinate 
resistance  to  the  action  of  solvents,  and  unless  it  is  reduced  to  a  suf- 
ficiently fine  powder  to  enable  the  menstruum  to  exert  its  full  solvent 
power  it  cannot  be  entirely  exhausted. 
I  have  tried  during  the  last  few  years  a  variety  of  methods  of 
making  this  fluid  extract,  and  with  variable  success,  until  I  adopted 
the  following  plan,  which,  having  been  tested  by  repeated  trials  with 
uniform  success,  I  deem  of  sufficient  importance  to  offer  to  the  readers 
of  this  Journal. 
I^.  Vanilla, 
Sugar,  crushed  loaf,  aa  %  viij,  troy. 
Alcohol, 
Water,  each,  sufficient  quantity. 
Slit  the  pods  from  end  to  end  with  a  knife ;  then  take  them  in  small 
bundles,  held  tightly  between  the  fingers,  and  cut  them  transversely 
into  very  small  pieces.    Of  these,  beat  small  portions  at  a  time,  in  an 
