AVrTi;f8H73RM'}       Emulsions  of  Cod-Liver  Oil  155 
therefore  to  be  disguised  in  order  to  make  it  palatable,  and  at  the 
same  time  to  preserve  its  virtue  unimpaired. 
For  this  purpose  acacia,  tragacanth,  and  various  other  gums  have 
been  used  for  emulsifying  the  oil,  and  some  pleasant  essential  oil  to 
cover  the  odor.  The  main  objection  found  by  physicians  to  this  mode, 
is  the  large  quantity  usually  employed  for  this  purpose.  In  making 
the  mucilago  acaciae  our  Pharmacopoeia  directs  to  use  the  acacia  in 
coarse  powder.  When  made  with  the  powdered  drug,  it  is  generally 
of  a  dirty  white  color,  owing  to  the  impurities  in  the  powder.  In 
prescriptions  where  the  quantity  of  the  oil  to  be  emulsified  is  large  in 
proportion  to  the  quantity  of  the  mucilage,  it  is  best  to  use  the  pow- 
der, incorporating  but  a  little  water,  sufficient  only  to  mix  the  gum 
thoroughly.  The  oil  is  then  to  be  added,  in  very  small  quantities  at 
a  time.  Sometimes  before  the  oil  is  all  added  it  becomes  very  thick, 
and  then  it  is  necessary  to  add  a  small  quantity  of  water. 
Emulsions  of  cod-liver  oil  are  now  being  largely  manufactured  by 
some  of  our  leading  pharmacists.  Generally  these  represent  50  per 
cent,  of  cod-liver  oil,  but  in  some  cases  fall  far  short  of  the  amount 
thus  represented. 
In  some  specimens  tried  by  the  author,  less  than  25  per  cent,  was 
found.  Besides  not  containing  the  amount  of  oil  advanced,  it  is  very 
often  made  of  the  commoner  kinds  of  oil,  the  strong  offensive  odor  of 
which  is  generally  masked  by  some  of  the  essential  oils. 
From  some  experiments  tried  I  would  select  the  following  formula 
for  an  emulsion  of  cod- liver  oil.  This  is  generally  found  to  give 
satisfaction,  and  to  remain  unaltered  for  some  time : 
Cod-liver  Oil  Mixture. 
B.    Pulv.  Acaciae,  ....  ^ii, 
Sacch.  Alb.,  .  . 
Aquae,  ....  3iv, 
Spts.  Vini  Gall.,    .  .  .  3iv, 
Syr.  Rubi  Idaei,  .  .  .  si, 
01.  Gaultheriae,     .  .  .  gtt.  xviii, 
01.  Morrhuae,  ....  sviii. 
M.  ft.  emuls. 
This  contains  about  50  per  cent.  (42  per  ct.,  by  measure,  Edit.  A. 
Jour.  Ph.)  of  oil,  and  is  a  very  pleasant  preparation. 
In  the  above  recipe  there  will  be  found  by  some  an  objection  in  the 
