Am.  Jour,  Phartli.  \ 
July,  1911.  / 
Fluid  Extract  of  Echinacea. 
that  of  certain  aboriginal  tribes.  The  Sioux  Indians  are  said  to  have 
used  it  as  a  remedy  in  snake  bites,  insect  stings,  and  in  the  healing 
of  wounds.  Its  use  in  medical  practice,  to-day,  is  very  much  along 
the  same  lines.  It  is  considered  as  a  mild  counter-irritant,  stimulant 
and  antiseptic,  and  as  a  remedy  useful  in  blood  disorders,  typhus  and 
meningitis  and  likewise  recommended  externally  in  the  treatment 
of  carbuncles,  haemorrhoids,  wounds  and  impotency. 
The  fluid  extract  is  the  form  in  which  the  drug  is  commonly 
exhibited  and  its  use  certainly  merits  recognition  and  the  fixing  of 
an  oflicial  standard  therefor.  It  is  proposed  to  introduce  a  formula 
for  the  fluid  extract  in  the  National  Formulary.  In  connection  with 
the  work  of  revision  of  this  legal  authority,  the  writer  has  experi- 
mented with  various  formulas  suggested  for  this  preparation. 
The  views  of  manufacturers  consulted  showed  a  wide  variation. 
While  one  recommended  diluted  alcohol  for  the  menstruum  another 
preferred  80  per  cent,  alcohol,  and  the  recommendations  of  others 
fell  between  these  extremes.  This  difference  in  the  opinions  ot 
manufacturers  accounts  for  the  difference  existing  in  the  commercial 
products  and  shows  the  necessity  for  an  oflicial  standard. 
My  experiments  lead  me  to  the  conclusion  that  a  menstruum 
weaker  in  alcohol  than  alcohol  2  volumes,  water  i  volume,  will  not 
extract  the  drug.  A  menstruum  of  that  strength  appears  to  make 
a  fluid  extract  of  good  body  and  color  and  taste,  but  it  is  not  quite 
clear  and  some  separation  takes  place.  A  menstruum  of  alcohol 
3  volumes,  water  i  volume,  is  a  decided  improvement  over  the 
weaker  alcohol  and  shows  only  a  very  slight  tendency  to  separation. 
The  best  result  in  my  judgment  is  obtained  with  a  menstruum  of 
alcohol  4  volumes,  water  i  volume,  and  is  recommended  for  this 
fluid  extract.  To  increase  the  alcohol  beyond  this  strength  seems 
unnecessary  and  yields  a  product  lacking  in  body  and  no  more 
aromatic  than  the  menstruum  preferred. 
