ON SYRUP OF SARSAPARILLA. 
9 
opinion may be hazarded, that this peculiar substance rep- 
resents the acrid property of the root, and is distinct from 
the bitterness that is believed to reside exclusively in the 
bitter principle of the root, or sarsaparillin. 
From the foregoing experiments, I am induced to believe, 
that water, either cold or hot, is incompetent to exhaust the 
root of its acrid property, unless it is used in very large pro- 
portion. For by experiment 1, we see that the quantity 
directed by the Pharmacopoeia for making cold infusion 
for syrup, is quite insufficient ; and by experiment 2, that 
even after the use of three times as much water as directed 
by the Pharmacopoeia, at a temperature of 180°, a percepti- 
ble strength remained in the root. 
From experiments, it appears that by the application of 
heat, even below the boiling point, some change takes place 
between the constituents of the root, so as to render in- 
soluble in cold water or alcohol, principles that doubtless 
form its active properties. It is desirable, therefore, that 
in those preparations of this root, which are concentrated 
by evaporation, such a menstruum should be selected as would 
require the smallest quantity, and which would most rapid- 
ly evaporate at a moderate temperature. 
In comparison with water, diluted alcohol is on these ac- 
counts decidedly preferable. By this also, the extraction of 
the strength of the root being more perfect, and no insolu- 
ble precipitate occurring by the requisite evaporation to 
lessen its activity, we have a concentrated solution of the 
active principles of the root, for forming either syrup or 
extract. Diluted alcohol is, therefore, free from all objec- 
tion except the expense, and this should form no considera- 
tion when the strength of the preparation is injuriously af- 
fected by its disuse. This expense may, however, be in 
great measure avoided by distilling off the alcohol, which 
will then answer for further use. 
Of all the writers and experimenters on the proper treat- 
ment of sarsaparilla, no one, perhaps, is more entitled to re- 
