THE 
AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OF  PHARMACY, 
JUNE,  1873. 
ON  INFUSION  OF  WILD  CHERRY  BARK. 
By  J.  B.  Moore. 
The  formula  of  the  U.  S.  Pharmacopoeia  for  the  infusion  of  wild 
cherry  bark  affords  an  unsatisfactory  preparation. 
The  infusion,  to  be  an  efficient  remedy,  should  be  carefully  made* 
and  should  represent  the  tonic  as  well  as  the  sedative  properties  of 
the  bark  ;  and,  since  water  extracts  but  a  meagre  portion  of  the  bitter 
tonic  principle  of  the  drug,  the  infusion  as  made  by  the  officinal  pro- 
cess can  be  said  to  faithfully  represent  only  the  sedative  properties. 
Moreover,  when  made  with  water  alone  as  the  menstruum,  the  infu- 
sion is  a  very  unstable  preparation,  liable  to  spoil,  in  warm  weather 
especially,  in  a  very  short  time. 
Glycerin  is  one  of  the  best  solvents  for  the  bitter  principle  of  wild 
cherry  bark  that  we  have,  and  when  associated  with  water  forms  a 
menstruum  perfectly  adapted  for  extracting  the  entire  medicinal  vir- 
tues of  the  bark ;  and  it  is  with  such  a  menstruum  that  I  propose 
making  the  infusion,  and  would  offer  the  following  formula  and  pro- 
cess, which  after  repeated  trials  has  proved  perfectly  satisfactory : 
fy.    Powd.  Wild  Cherry  Bark,  No.  60,  *ss,  troy, 
Glycerin,  fifij, 
Water,  temp.  86°, 
Water,  each  a  sufficient  quantity,, 
Moisten  the  bark  with  six  fluid-drachms  of  water,  at  the  tempera- 
ture of  86°.  Allow  the  mixture  to  stand  for  two  hours  in  an  air- 
tight vegsel,  at  about  the  same  temperature.    Then  pack  it  firmly  in 
16  ~  • 
