ON SALSEPARINE. 
245 
ART. L.— ON SALSEPARINE. 
By M. Beral. 
Many pharmaceutists, among whom it is proper to cite 
Thubeuf, have been engaged upon salseparine. After having 
pointed out different methods by which this substance can be 
obtained, they have informed us of its chemical properties and 
elementary analysis. 
Having devoted myself to researches with the view of 
determining the best method in practice for the preparation 
of the essence of sarsaparilla, I became assured (several years 
ago) that sarsaparilla, when treated with cold water, furnished 
a more sapid medicine, than that which results from the 
prolonged action of boiling water, upon the same substance. 
It was in consideration of this fact, that I proposed to sub- 
stitute maceration for decoction, the practice of which had be- 
come almost universal. At that period I was convinced that 
the application of this mode of treatment for the extraction of 
the medicinal principles of sarsaparilla would secure great 
advantages for therapeutics. A great number of medical ob- 
servations have since fully justified my anticipations upon 
this subject. It is known that many physicians have obtain- 
ed effects, by the use of sarsaparilla, which have been called in 
question by numerous other practitioners. Such opposing ex- 
perience without doubt depends upon the fact, that the 
first had made use of preparations of sarsaparilla prepared 
without heat, or at a moderate temperature, and that the 
others had employed such as were made by an opposite plan. 
In pursuing my researches upon sarsaparilla, I have ascer- 
tained that this substance contains a volatile principle, and I 
have been sufficiently fortunate as to be able to isolate it. 
Having been examined with care, this principle has been 
found to be pure salseparine. 
This fact, which has escaped the researches of our predeces- 
sors, and which I believe to be of some importance in medicine, 
explains every thing, and proves, in a satisfactory manner, 
