500 
Extract  of  Guarano^  etc. 
f  Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
t     Nov.  1, 1874. 
evaporate  spontaneously  to  twelve  fluidounces ;  continue  the  percola- 
tion with  the  same  menstruum  until  two  pints  more  of  the  tincture 
are  obtained,  or  until  the  powder  is  exhausted.  Evaporate  this  by 
means  of  a  water-bath,  at  a  temperature  not  exceeding  140°,  to  four 
fluidounces.  Mix  this  with  the  reserved  tincture  and  filter  through 
paper. 
This  formula  yields  a  perfectly  reliable  preparation.  It  is  trans- 
parent, of  a  deep  reddish- brown  color  (almost  identical  in  appearance 
with  the  fluid  extract  of  gentian),  with  a  bitter,  astringent,  not  un- 
pleasant taste,  leaving  an  after-taste  on  the  palate  strongly  resembling 
that  of  coffee. 
The  menstruum  employed  in  the  above  process  is  well  calculated  to 
thoroughly  exhaust  the  drug  of  its  virtues,  and  the  proportion  of 
spirit  retained  in  the  finished  product  holds  in  perfect  solution  all  its 
soluble  active  matter.  A  sample  of  this  fluid  extract,  made  over 
three  months  ago,  is  still  in  excellent  condition,  showing  no  signs  of 
change,  and  is  entirely  free  from  deposit. 
In  an  emergency,  a  solid  extract  of  guarana  may  be  made  by  care- 
fully concentrating  the  fluid  extract,  by  means  of  a  water-bath,  to  the 
proper  consistence.  But,  as  this  medicine  is  likely  to  be  often  pre- 
scribed in  the  form  of  pills,  a  definite  formula  and  process  for  making 
a  solid  extract  should  be  made  known.  I  therefore,  after  some  ex- 
periments with  perfectly  satisfactory  results,  offer  the  following 
process,  which  affords  a  most  excellent  solid  extract  of  the  drug, 
unimpaired  by  process  of  preparation,  if  the  directions  given  for  its 
manufacture  be  observed  : 
R.         Pulv.  Paullinias,    ....  EXV1  *r07 
Glycerines,       .....  f^ss, 
Alcohol.  Fort., 
Aqufe,        .  .  .  .  .  ad  q.  s. 
Mix  three  measures  of  stronger  alcohol  with  one  of  water,  moisten 
the  powder  with  the  menstruum  and  pack  it  in  a  glass  funnel  pre- 
pared for  percolation,  and  gradually  pour  the  menstruum  upon  it 
until  one  pint  of  tincture  is  obtained.  Set  this  aside,  in  a  shallow,  open 
vessel,  in  a  warm  place.  Continue  the  percolation  with  the  same 
menstruum  until  two  pints  more  of  tincture  are  obtained,  or  until  the 
drug  is  exhausted.  Evaporate  this  by  means  of  a  water-bath,  at  a 
temperature  not  exceeding  140°,  to  a  syrupy  consistence.  To  this 
add  the  reserved  portion  and  the  glycerin,  and  continue  the  evapora- 
