Am.  Jour.  Pharm.  ) 
March  1, 1871.  j" 
Aromatic  Sulphuric  Acid,  etc. 
123 
in  a  bright  condition  only  by  frequent  filtration.  This,  of  course,  is 
exceedingly  annoying,  and  it  is  a  reproach  to  the  progress  of  phar- 
macy that  the  formula  has  been  so  long  retained  without  material 
change.  The  old  method  of  preparing  it  by  exhausting  the  powders 
with  the  mixed  alcohol  and  acid  is  preferable  to  that  now  employed, 
as  it  gives  a  preparation  less  prone  to  deposit  by  standing.  The 
other  objections,  however,  apply  to  this  with  equal  force ;  for  the 
ingredients  alford  to  the  menstruum  principles,  which  must  of  neces- 
sity separate  upon  dilution. 
In  revising  this  formula,  w^e  should  keep  in  view  the  fact  that  the 
resulting  preparation  should  be  miscible  with  water  without  precipita- 
tion, hence  aromatics  of  an  oleoresinous  nature  cannot  be  used. 
The  following  formula  we  have  used  for  some  time,  and  have  found 
entirely  satisfactory : 
Take  of  Sulphuric  Acid,  three  troy  ounces ; 
Fluid  Extract  of  Orange  Peel,  one  fluid  ounce ; 
Red  Rose  Leaves,  two  drachms ; 
Boiling  Water,  one  fluid  ounce; 
Alcohol,  a  sufficient  quantity. 
Add  the  acid  gradually  to  half  a  pint  of  alcohol,  and  pour  the  boil- 
ing water  upon  the  rose  leaves ;  when  both  liquids  have  become  cool, 
unite  them,  add  the  fluid  extract  and  sufficient  alcohol  to  make  up  the 
measure  of  eighteen  fluid  ounces.    Mix  thoroughly  and  filter. 
Elixir  of  vitriol,  thus  prepared,  has  a  pleasant  aromatic  odor  and 
•fiavor,  and  the  beautiful  red  color  of  the  rose  leaves,  heightened  by 
the  presence  of  the  acid.  It  is  miscible  with  water  without  turbidity, 
and  a  specimen,  after  long  keeping,  has  deposited  but  a  trace  of  sedi- 
ment. 
CONFECTION  OF  SENNA.  " 
This  preparation,  when  properly  made,  is  an  excellent  laxative — 
for  habitual  constipation,  superior,  perhaps,  to  any  other  remedy.  It 
is  not  in  such  general  use  among  physicians  or  the  public  as  it  is  en- 
titled to,  and  this  probably  arises  from  the  fact  that  much  of  the  con- 
fection of  senna  of  the  market  has  little  or  no  resemblance  to  the 
officinal  article,  and  is  comparatively  worthless.  Pharmaceutically 
•considered,  the  officinal  process  yields  a  result  which  is  unobjection- 
able, save  in  two  particulars ;  first,  the  presence  of  the  powders  of 
senna  and  coriander  (and  especially  of  the  latter,  which  is  most  diffi- 
