REMARKS  ON  UNGUENTUM  MEZEREI. 
393 
Experiment  3.  One  drachm  of  the  alcoholic  extract  was  dis- 
solved in  one  ounce  of  ether.  This  solution  was  thrown  upon  a 
filter,  and  after  Alteration  and  evaporation  yielded  an  extract, 
weighing  29  grains,  and  resembling  the  alcoholic  extract  in  ap- 
pearance. 
Experiment  4.  Four  ounces  of  the  chipped  bark  was  macer- 
ated with  strong  alcohol,  and  afterwards  put  into  a  percolator, 
and  alcohol  added,  until  3  ozs.  of  tincture  had  passed.  This 
was  set  aside  and  the  percolation  continued,  until  the  alcohol 
came  through  colorless.  The  resulting  liquid  was  evaporated 
to  one  fluidounce,  and  added  to  the  three  ounces  previously  ob- 
tained, thus  making  a  fluid  extract  of  the  strength  of  an  ounce 
of  the  bark,  to  a  fluidounce  of  the  extract. 
Ointments  were  prepared  from  each  of  these  extracts.  The 
first  was  made  from  the  alcoholic  extract.  This  ointment, 
though  of  a  satisfactory  color,  was  objectionable  on  account  of 
the  specks  of  extract,  which  could  not  be  thoroughly  incorpo- 
rated with  the  simple  ointment  used,  without  the  expenditure  of 
much  time  and  trouble,  in  which  respects  it  has  but  little  advan- 
tage, save  that  of  color,  over  the  officinal  ointment. 
The  ointments  prepared  from  the  ethereal  and  ethereo-alcoholic 
extracts,  were  liable  to  the  same  objections.  So  far,  therefore, 
I  obtained  no  ultimate  advantage  from  the  preparation  of  these 
extracts,  in  so  far  as  they  related  to  the  manufacture  of  an  oint- 
ment, which  I  wished  to  render  unexceptionable. 
Finally,  however,  I  prepared  an  ointment  from  the  fluid  ex- 
tract, which  fully  realized  my  highest  expectations.  The  advan- 
tages of  this  ointment  over  the  officinal,  and  those  prepared  from 
the  solid  extracts,  are  its  uniform  consistence,  the  shortness  of 
time  required  in  its  preparation,  and  its  highly  satisfactory 
appearance.  I  would  therefore  respectfully  submit  the  follow- 
ing :— 
Formula  for  TJng.  Mezerei. 
J$  Axungiae  3xiv. 
Cerae  Albae  gij. 
Ext.  Mezerei  Fl.  giv. 
The  lard  and  wax  having  been  previously  melted  together, 
and  stirred  until  cool,  the  simple  ointment  resulting  therefrom 
should  be  triturated  with  the  fluid  extract  until  thoroughly  in- 
corporated. 
