ON EMULSIONS OP CASTOR OIL. 
309 
ART. LXIL— ON EMULSIONS OF CASTOR OIL. 
By A. Manne, Pharmacien, Paris. 
To M. Chevallier, 
Sir, — Having frequently to make emulsions of Castor 
oil, either by prescription of physicians, or at the demand 
of my customers, making them in fact four or five times a 
day, I found myself in a position to make researches rela- 
tive to the best means of administering this medicine. * * * 
I have employed gum arable in different proportions, but 
have obtained emulsions either ~too thick or imperfectly 
made. The yolk of egg has otfered me an excellent emul- 
sion, but one yolk is required for every ounce and a half of 
oil. Is it not possible that the yolk of egg injures the pur- 
gative effects of the oil by its nutritive properties ? does it 
not render the purgative heavier and less supportable by 
the stomach ? These doubtful points lead me to doubt the 
utility of yolk of egg, and determined other attempts at 
finding a means of making a homogeneous emulsion, agree- 
able to the sight and more supportable by the stomach. To 
accomplish this I have had recourse to gum tragacanth, and 
the following formula has given the most satisfactory 
results. 
Formula for Purgative Emulsion of Castor Oil. 
p. Castor oil, II drams. 
Powdered tragacanth, h dram. 
White sugar, 75 grains. 
Water, 2i fluid ounces. 
Syrup of orange flowers, 6 fluid drams. , 
Mix and make an emulsion as follows : 
Triturate the tragacanth with the sugar, then add the 
syrup and agitate rapidly in a mortar until the mncllage 
2d* 
