"^MarXi^TL  '}  SyrupsofSquUls,  Seneka  and  Ipecac.  103 
amount  of  free  acid  of  a  different  character,  and  even  though  a  little 
polygalic  acid  should  be  removed  by  the  magnesia  the  amount  is  so 
trivial  as  to  be  of  no  importance,  and  the  objection  is  more  than 
counterbalanced  by  the  complete  removal  of  the  albuminous  and 
pectinous  deposit  which  generate  fermentation,  and  would  soon  decom- 
pose more  polygalic  acid  than  the  magnesia  removes. 
I  therefore  submit  the  following  formulae,  adhering  as  closely  to 
the  U.  S.  Dispensatory  as  practicable,  and  would  remark  that  the  use 
of  carbonate  of  magnesia  is  sanctioned  by  that  authority  in  the  case 
of  the  active  principle  of  ipecacuanha,  which  the  reader  will  see  by 
referring  to  the  method  of  preparing  impure  emetia,  U.  S.  D.,  under 
the  article  "Ipecacuanha:" 
Syrupus  Seillce  Compositus. 
Take  of  Squill,  in  moderately  coarse  powder, 
Seneka,  in  moderately  fine  powder,  each  four  troy  ounces. 
Tartrate  of  Antimony  and  Potassa,       forty-eight  grains. 
Sugar  (refined)  in  coarse  powder,  forty-two  troyounces. 
Diluted  Alcohol, 
Water,  each  a  sufficient  quantity . 
Carbonate  of  Magnesia,  sixty  grains. 
Mix  the  squill  and  seneka,  and,  having  moistened  the  mixture  with 
half  a  pint  of  diluted  alcohol,  allow  it  to  stand  for  an  hour.  Then 
transfer  it  to  a  conical  percolator  and  pour  dilated  alcohol  upon  it 
until  three  pints  of  tincture  have  passed.  Boil  this  for  a  few  minutes, 
evaporate  it  by  means  of  a  water-bath  to  a  pint,  add  six  fluidounces 
of  boiling  water,  rub  the  liquid  with  the  carbonate  of  magnesia  in  a 
mortar  till  thoroughly  mixed,  filter,  and  add  through  the  filter  suflS- 
cient  warm  water  to  make  the  filtrate  measure  twenty-two  fluidounces. 
Dissolve  the  sugar  in  the  filtered  liquid,  and,  having  heated  the  solu- 
tion to  the  boiling  point,  strain  it  while  hot.  Then  dissolve  the 
tartrate  of  antimony  and  potassa  in  the  solution  while  still  hot,  and 
add  sufficient  boiling  water,  through  the  strainer,  to  make  it  measure 
three  pints  when  cold.    Lastly,  mix  the  whole  thoroughly  together. 
Syrupus  Senegce. 
Take  of  Seneka,  in  moderately  fine  powder,  four  troyounces. 
Sugar  (refined)  in  coarse  powder,  fifteen  troyounces. 
Diluted  Alcohol,  two  pints. 
Water,  a  sufficient  quantity. 
Carbonate  of  Magnesia,  thirty  grains. 
