AFebr0uYryTlL89^9nJ■}      Observations  on  Fluid  Acetracts.  69 
fluid  extracts  of  the  proper  quality.  There  is  also  a  very  striking  dif- 
ference in  the  color  of  the  fluids,  and  the  acetracts  are  not  altogether 
free  from  the  grumous  or  beclouded  appearance.  In  some  speci- 
mens of  the  "  acetracts,"  where  the  density  is  more  pronounced,  the 
physical  characters  of  the  respective  drugs  of  which  they  are  made 
are  not  in  evidence,  for  the  acetous  odor  prevails  uniformly,  of  course, 
and  a  usual  means  of  identity  is  thus  lost.  Now,  in  regard  to  what 
we  mean  when  we  use  the  term  strength  as  applied  to  acetracts. 
It  is  conceivable  that,  by  the  method  of  repercolation  and  reserva- 
tion, a  series  of  first  percolates  added  together  would  form  dense 
solutions. 
But  even  this  physical  state  would  not  be  a  valid  argument  in  the 
absence  of  alkaloidal  assay,  and  other  test  examination,  that  the  full 
required  medical  strength  resided  in  a  given  sample.  But  we  must 
return  to  our  original  proposition  as  to  tests  for  confirmatory  proof 
that  this  substituted  menstruum  will  afford  as  good  results  as  the 
action  of  grain  spirit. 
There  has  also  been  advanced,  the  somewhat  ingenious  idea  that 
the  acid  pickles  and  preserves  the  alkaloids  of  active  drugs.  This 
may  be  true,  and  may  be  important  also  as  a  hint  in  future  pro- 
cedure. If  the  acid  has  a  congenial  affinity  for  the  basic  substance, 
and  can  seduce  it  from  its  close  association  and  embrace,  the  active 
principle  might  be  put  in  more  permanent  form  in  all  this  class  of 
fluid  preparations — not  only  the  adoption  of  the  acetracts  into  use 
is  attended  with  some  difficulty,  but  there  is  a  certain  familiarity 
which  has  become  established  in  regard  to  the  present  class  of  fluid 
extracts  which  only  a  persistent  argument  and  presentation  of  estab- 
lished fact  could  remove.  This  whole  subject  merits  attention  and 
should  receive  it  at  the  hands  of  progressive  pharmacists — the  some- 
what more  homely  garb  in  which  these  acetracts  are  introduced  to 
us  should  not  preclude  our  forming  a  close  acquaintance  with  them 
and  if  found  worthy,  adopt  them  into  our  permanent  friendship. 
For  the  purpose  of  more  forcibly  illustrating  what  we  have  here 
said,  we  may  be  permitted  to  state  briefly  a  few  observations  which 
were  made  between  the  acetracts  and  fluid  extracts. 
Cotton  Root  Bark. — Acetract — A  fluid  of  brown  color  ;  thin,  light, 
mobile.  Percentage  of  acetic  acid  not  known.  Standard  Fluid  Ext. 
Cotton  Root  Bark  made  with  75  per  cent,  alcoholic  menstruum  is  a 
rich  colored  red,  dense  fluid ;  clear,  and  of  much  heavier  specific 
