152 
Decoctum  Zittmanni,  etc. 
J  Am.  Jour.  Phamk. 
\    April  1, 1873. 
The  various  brands  of  liquorice  examined  presented  very  marked 
differences  when  placed  side  by  side.  The  size  of  the  sticks  varied 
from»  1\  oz.  to  4  oz.  The  texture,  if  I  may  use  the  expression,  in 
the  Calabria  brands  was  not  as  fine  and  smooth  as  that  of  the  Span- 
ish, and  neither  of  these  brands  showed  the  smoothness  and  freedom 
from  grit  found  in  specimens  selected  from  the  article  manufactured 
by  M.  &  R. 
The  fracture,  which  is  generally  considered  one  of  the  best  testa 
for  liquorice,  was  brightest  in  the  American  article ;  indeed,  the  bril- 
liancy of  fracture  was  very  marked,  and  excelled  that  of  any  other 
examined  by  me.  The  next  degree  of  beauty  of  fracture  I  found  in 
the  Corigliano.  Next  in  order  of  excellence  came  the  other  brands 
of  Calabria,  and  finally,  and  worst  of  all  in  this  feature,  the  Spanish. 
The  flavor  also  varied  in  every  brand,  no  two  being  alike  in  this 
particular.  This  matter  of  flavor  is  one  of  opinion  entirely.  I  merely 
offer  my  own  for  what  it  is  worth,  and  it  is  that  "  Guzolini "  is  equal 
in  this  respect  to  "  Corigliano,"  which  is  usually  considered  the  finest ; 
"P.  &  S."  and  the  two  Spanish  brands  are  about  alike  in  flavor; 
while  the  "M.  &  R."  has  a  stronger  taste  of  liquorice  at  first,  but 
leaves  a  much  pleasanter  "after-taste"  than  any  of  them.  This 
strong  taste  in  "M.  &  R."  is  due,  I  think,  to  its  greater  degree  of 
solubility,  as  well  as  less  dryness  than  seen  in  the  imported  brands. 
There  are  many  suggestions  that  occur  to  me  in  this  connection,  to 
which,  when  opportunity  permits,  I  purpose  giving  my  attention.  Of 
one  thing,  in  conclusion,  I  feel  satisfied  :  it  is  that  the  reputation  of 
some  of  the  most  celebrated  brands  is  fictitious  when  compared  with 
some  less  known  and  esteemed,  and  that  the  domestic  article  is  very 
superior  and  should  receive  that  sanction  which  is  due  to  pure  articles 
in  pharmacy. 
DECOCTUM    ZITTMANNI;    SYRUPUS   ALTH^E^E  ;  TINCTURA 
RHEI  AQUOSA. 
By  H.  M.  Wilder. 
Decoctum  Zittmanni. 
Several  years  ago  a  physician  entered  our  store  and  asked  how  long 
it  would  take  to  make  Zittmann's  decoction.    "  Twenty-four  hours  at 
least,"  was  the  answer.    (See  Wood  and  Bache,  note  to  decoct,  sar- 
sapar.  comp.)    Upon  inquiry,  if  it  were  not  possible  to  reduce  the 
