Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
July,  1886. 
Tincture  of  Kino. 
335 
ever,  in  many  instances,  more  or  less  voluminous  precipitates  form. 
These  may  in  some  cases  be  simply  due  to  incapacity  of  the  solvent 
employed.  In  others,  to  reactions  among  some  of  the  extracted  com- 
ponents. In  yet  others,  to  effects  either  of  hydration  or  dehydration 
resulting  from  the  menstruum.  In  still  others,  to  changes  undergone 
by  the  menstruum  itself.  Further,  in  others,  by  septic  action,  that  is, 
alteration  resulting  from  the  original  presence  of  a  chemical  ferment. 
Yet,  further,  in  others,  as  brought  about  by  some  extraneous  agent 
of  zymotic  character,  whereby  both  medium  and  substance  are  de- 
generated. Still,  further,  in  others,  where  light  caused  disturbances. 
And,  in  others,  where  atmospheric  oxidation  produced  interferences  of 
a  radical  nature,  which  may  or  may  not  be  aided  by  light.  Whether 
the  carbonic  anhydrate  of  the  atmosphere  exerts  any  action  in  such 
connection  has  not  yet  been  ascertained. 
The  floeculent  sediment  formed  in  most  fluid  extracts  and  tinctures, 
although  occupying  considerable  space  when  in  suspension,  is  yet  but 
trifling  in  amount  and  generally  inert.  It  consists,  in  many  instances, 
of  inorganic  salts  usually  tinted  by  adhering  coloring  matter.  In 
some  cases  it  is  gummy,  albuminous  or  pectinous  in  nature,  and,  if 
of  the  latter  kind,  may  cause  some  inconvenience  in  subsequent  fil- 
tration. 
The  deposits  resulting  from  atmospheric  oxidation  are  generally 
more  abundant,  and,  in  some  cases,  so  profuse  as  to  virtually  solidify 
the  preparation. 
This  occurs  with  tincture  of  kino  as  the  writer  has  ascertained  (New 
Remedies,  July,  1879).  The  transformation  in  this  particular  in- 
stance is  not  strictly  the  production  of  a  visible  sediment  but  a  gradual 
thickening  of  the  liquid  until  wholly  firm.  Various  expedients  have 
been  suggested  to  remedy  this  difficulty.  The  present  official  process 
employs  glycerin,  which,  however,  is  as  unsatisfactory  as  all  other 
agents  previously  tried.  The  alleged  occasional  success  with  sundry 
corrigents  can  only  be  accounted  for  by  the  fact  that  there  are 
numerous  varieties  of  kino,  and  that  one  or  the  other  sort  may  not  be 
susceptible  to  this  change.  On  the  occasion  above  referred  to,  the 
writer  advised  the  exclusion  of  air  as  an  infallible  protection.  Results 
since  then  obtained  have  only  tended  to  confirm  the  efficiency  of  this 
method.  Some  samples  of  tincture,  prepared  on  the  6th  of  February, 
1880,  preserved  in  filled  two-ounce  vials,  are  at  present  in  prime  con- 
dition.    It  was  previously  observed  that  after  some  time  the  corks 
