Am.  Jour.  Phariu.  \ 
March,  1899.  / 
Assay  of  Belladonna  Leaves. 
109 
120  c.c.  capacity  ;  the  smaller  separator  and  filter  are  then  washed 
with  the  last  ether-chloroform  extraction  and  later  by  the  use  of  5 
c.c.  of  the  mixed  solvent;  finally,  wash  the  stem  of  the  separator  and 
funnel  and  the  filter  with  about  5  c.c.  more  of  the  solvent  applied  in 
portions.  Distil  off  the  solvent  and  warm  on  the  water-bath  until 
the  odor  of  chloroform  has  disappeared ;  dissolve  in  5  c.c.  ether, 
evaporate  this,  redissolve  in  5  c.c.  ether  and  warm  until  the  odor  of 
ether  has  disappeared.  Now  dissolve  in  8  c.c.  neutral  alcohol, 
dilute  with  30  c.c.  water,  add  3  drops  hematoxylin  solution  and 
titrate  with  standardized  HQ  to  a  pure  yellow  solution.  The  hydro- 
chloric acid  used  in  all  of  this  work  was  standardized  with  fused 
sodium  carbonate  and  1  c  c.  was  found  the  equivalent  of  0-02104 
grammes  mydriatic  alkaloids. 
EXTRACTUM  BELLADONNA  FOLIORUM  ALCOHOLICUM. 
While  these  assays  were  made  the  preparation  of  the  extracts 
from  500  grammes  of  the  leaves  was  progressing.  The  powder  re- 
quired for  this  not  being  as  fine  as  needed  for  the  assays,  moisture 
determinations  of  each  lot  were  also  made.  The  Pharmacopoeia  di- 
rections as  to  the  strength  of  the  menstruum  were  followed,  but  it  was 
found  that  the  quantity  prescribed  did  not,  by  appearances,  thor- 
oughly extract  the  drug,  hence  a  quantity  about  double  that  ordered 
was  used,  and  still  the  percolate  was  distinctly  colored.  Authority 
for  this  is  found  in  the  pharmacopoeial  directions  to  continue  perco- 
lation until  a  specified  quantity  of  percolate  is  obtained  or  the  bella- 
donna leaves  are  exhausted. 
The  evaporation  of  the  percolate  at  a  temperature  not  exceeding 
500  C,  to  obtain  an  extract  of  pillular  consistence  was  a  very  tedious 
operation,  requiring  several  weeks'  time.  Using  a  weighed  evapo- 
rating dish  and  glass  rod  the  yield  of  extract  was  readily  calculated  ; 
as  soon  as  the  extract  was  obtained  of  a  firm  pillular  consistence  it 
was  weighed,  thoroughly  mixed  and  the  several  portions  needed  for 
moisture  determination  for  assays  and  for  the  plaster  weighed  off 
without  loss  of  time,  and  the  preparation  of  the  plaster  proceeded 
with. 
ASSAY  OF  THE  EXTRACT. 
Moisture  by  drying  about  2  grammes  at  ioo°  C. 
Alkaloidal  Assay . — About  5  grammes  of  the  extract  were  weighed 
into  a  beaker  and  disintegrated  by  stirring  with  small  portions  of  a 
