534 
Bashams  Mixture. 
Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
Nov.,  1891. 
which  was  to  be  added  at  the  time  the  mixture  was  dispensed.  This 
"  concentrated  "  mixture  does,  however,  not  last  much  longer  than 
the  finished  article,  precipitating  in  almost  the  same  time. 
An  increased  amount  of  acetic  acid  is,  perhaps,  the  only  remedy. 
From  a  medical*  standpoint,  the  exceedingly  slight  amount  of 
active  ingredients  is  the  main  objection,  and  frequently  physicians 
prescribe  this  valuable  remedy  extemporaneously.  Others  again, 
in  prescribing'it,  specify  "  Old  formula." 
An  older  edition  of  the  National  Dispensatory  gives  a  formula 
which  yields  a  preparation  in  medicinal  efficacy  improved  and  in 
stability  more  perfect.  It  is  nearly  3  times  the  strength  of  the  now 
officinal  article  and,  while  not  without  fault,  is  better  than  the 
pharmacopceial  preparation.    The  following  is  the  formula  : 
Iviq.  amnion,  acetatis,   Jjivss 
Ac.  acetici  dilut.,   %i 
Tinct.  ferri  chlorid.,   ^ss 
Tinct.  aurant.  cort,   ^iss 
Gtycerini,   ^  ss 
The  "  modus  operandi  "  is  similar  to  the  one  of  the  pharma- 
copoeia. When  prepared  by  this  method  the  mixture  will  be  of  a 
deep  brown,  almost  black  color,  due  to  the  action  of  the  iron  upon 
the  tincture  of  orange  peel.  If  elixir  of  orange,  U.  S.  P.,  or  better 
a  mixture  of  it  with  simple  syrup,  about  equal  parts,  be  substituted 
for  the  tincture,  the  preparation  will  be.  though  slightly  darker,  very 
similar  in  appearance  to  the  freshly  prepared  officinal  mixture.  It 
does  not  precipitate,  unless  under  certain  conditions  to  be  men- 
tioned. 
A  sample,  one  and  a  half  years  old,  has  not  shown  any  change 
as  yet. 
In  preparing  the  mixture,  a  few  points  are  to  be  observed,  viz  : 
(1)  The  solution  of  acetate  of  ammonium  should  be  freshly  pre- 
pared, care  being  taken  that  it  is  not  too  alkaline.  This  happens 
frequently,  especially  as  is  often  the  case  when  made  by  this  method, 
if  the  carbonate  of  ammonia  is  left  too  long  in  contact  with  the 
acetic  acid.  If  the  second  pharmacopceial  method  is  followed, 
namely,  mixture  of  a  solution  of  carbonate  of  ammonia  with  the 
corresponding  strength  of  acetic  acid,  more  satisfactory  results  may 
be  looked  for.  (2)  In  summer  an  increase  of  acetic  acid  often 
becomes  necessary,  as  decomposition,  especially  in  very  hot  weather 
