58  Syrup  of  Wild  Cherry  Barks.  {AMFeJb0lJ?;iP8H7rM 
ascertain  the  quantity  of  narcotina  present,  the  morphia  was  treated 
first  with  chloroform,  and  then  with  ether  ;  after  drying,  the  loss  in 
weight  would  show  the  quantity  present.  In  the  table  lelow  will  be 
found  how  much  laudanum  varied  in  morphia  strength,  as  dispensed 
from  different  shops  ;  I  might  say  here  that  three  of  the  purchases 
were  made  from  houses  that  are  known  to  sell  cheap,  and  the  others 
from  reputable  sources.  Our  dispensatory  says  that  opium  shall  not 
contain  less  than  seven  per  cent,  of  morphia,  which  would  require  the 
tincture  to  contain  at  least  2-62  grains  to  the  fluid  ounce.* 
Quantity  of  Morphia  Quantity  of  Narcotina 
in  one  fluid  ounce.  in  one  fluid  ounce. 
1  3.20    ....  0.30 
2  .  3.25       ....  0.85 
3  2.90    ....  0.75 
4  .  1.60       ....  0.35 
5  2.80    ....  0.65 
6  .  2.65       ....  0.20 
7  1.50    ....  0.25 
8  .  1.65       ....  0.33 
9  3.30  ....  0.80 
10    .       .       .       .       2.65       ....  0.60 
Pottsville,  Pa.,  Jan.  14,  1874. 
SYRUP  OF  WILD  CHERRY  BARK. 
The  following  two  communications  on  the  above  subject  have  been 
received  by  the  editor : 
I  have  used  for  some  time  the  following  formula  for  syrup  of  wild 
cherry,  and  think  it  preferable  to  any  other : 
Take  of  Wild  Cherry  Bark,  in  moderately  fine  powder,  ^x, 
Bower's  Glycerin,       ....  f^viii, 
Granulated  Sugar,       .  ...  .  ftniiss, 
Water  (Distilled),        .  .  .  .  q.  s. 
*  The  Pharmacopoeia  of  1860  required  commercial  opium  to  contain  at  least 
7  per  cent,  of  morphia.  Allowing  the  opium  to  contain  20  per  cent,  of  moisture, 
tincture  of  opium  of  the  old  Pharmacopoeia  should  have  contained  not  less 
than  3"28  grains  of  morphia  in  the  fluid  ounce.  The  requirements  of  the  new 
Pharmacopoeia  for  dry  opium  are  10  per  cent,  of  morphia  when  worked  by  the 
officinal  process,  or  3  75  grains  of  morphia  for  one  fluid  ounce  of  the  tincture. 
Morphia  is  not  entirely  insoluble  in  diluted  alcohol  and  in  ether  containing 
alcohol ;  chloroform  dissolves  morphia  in  very  appreciable  quantity. — Ed. 
