Am.  Jour.  Pharm.J 
August,  lyii.  ( 
Preparation  of  Salvarsan. 
371 
THE  PREPARATION  OF  NEUTRAL  SUSPENSION  OF 
SALVARSAN/ 
By  George  M.  Beringer,  Jr. 
The  directions  for  preparing  the  neutral  suspension  of  salvarsan, 
as  given  in  the  Hterature  accompanying  the  product,  are,  apparently, 
very  simple  and  require  but  little  time  for  carrying  out ;  but  therein 
lies  a  trap.  The  modified  method  given  herewith  has  been  found 
to  yield  a  satisfactory  product. 
The  apparatus  and  material  required  are  very  simple.  There 
will  be  needed: 
One  or  two  beaker  glasses  (25  or  30  c.c), 
One  cyHndrical  measure  (10  c.c), 
Two  thin  glass  rods  with  rounded  ends, 
One  glass  mortar  (30  or  60  c.c), 
Three  pipettes  made  from  tubing  of  small  diameter. 
One  or  two  ampoules  (5  or  10  c.c  capacity). 
One  funnel  with  slender  stem. 
It  has  been  found  advantageous  to  keep  these  in  a  seamless  tin 
box  with  tightly  fitting  lid.    This  is  sterilized  in  a  gas  oven  at  a 
temperature  of  200°  C.  for  fifteen  minutes  and  allowed  to  cool  before 
using. 
In  addition,  the  following  should  be  prepared,  in  previously 
sterilized  containers : 
50  c.c.  15  per  cent,  solution  sodium  hydroxide  (in  glass-stoppered 
bottle), 
25  c.c.  solution  hydrochloric  acid  (i  part  diluted  HQ,  3  parts 
sterile  water,  in  glass-stoppered  bottle), 
200  c.c  distilled  water  (contained  in  a  flask  and  sterilized  by  boiling 
for  15  minutes), 
Phenolphthalein  test  paper. 
Salvarsan  is  sent  into  the  market  in  sealed  ampoules  containing 
.6  Gm.  The  entire  amount  is  generally  made  into  suspension,  the 
physician  dividing  the  dose,  if  need  be,  when  administering.  It  is, 
as  you  are  probably  aware,  in  the  form  of  a  hydrochloride.  This  is 
readily  hydrolyzed  by  water,  so  that  aqueous  solutions  contain  free 
acid,  which  makes  them  objectionable  for  injection.    While  it  is 
^  Read  at  tlic  meeting  of  tlie  New  Jersey  Pharmiacetitical  Association, 
June  14,  1911. 
