19S 
ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 
among apothecaries, with the view to produce a very active 
preparation not liable to ferment. As this object is not ef- 
fected by adopting the process of the United States Pharma- 
copoeia, which is very liable to fermentation, we have long 
since rejected the method there directed. We have found 
that water was not the best menstruum for seneka and 
squill, and that weak alcohol was better suited for the 
extraction of their virtues. Acting under this conviction, 
we substituted alcoholic maceration in place of watery decoc- 
tion, and, after due time, filtered and evaporated it, finishing 
with the addition of the honey. In this manner we succeeded 
in obtaining an active preparation, but yet we had not over- 
come its disposition to ferment. It then occurred to us that 
the honey was the great obstacle to the attainment of our 
end, for though we tried various kinds of honey, it was so 
certain to ferment, after being made two or three weeks, that 
we could prepare only a small quantity at the time. We then 
supplied the place of honey by sugar, and our aim was ac- 
complished. Further experiments have led us, as we believe, 
to the ultimatum of success. It furnishes a beautiful syrup, 
not so highly colored as in the old way, and is very energetic. 
It acts as a ready emetic when required, while the double 
dose of such as is commonly made, often disappoints the 
nurse or physician. When carefully prepared, it will keep a 
long time without any symptom of fermentation. This is the 
formula: 
Take of 
Squill and Seneka, each, . 2 ounces. 
Diluted Alcohol, 18° B., . q. s. 
Tartar Emetic, . . . grs. 32 
Refined Sugar, . .2 pounds. 
Put the squill and seneka, reduced to very coarse powder, in 
a capsule, and saturate with the weak alcohol; a quantity that 
will just cover its surface will suffice. At the expiration of 
twelve hours, place it in a Boullay's instrument, and ope- 
rate by displacement until you obtain thirty-two ounces; then 
evaporate in a water bath to sixteen ounces; add the tartar 
