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Etliereal  Solution  of  Quinia. 
(  Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
t     July  1, 1871. 
preparation,  I  shall  give  below  the  full  detail,  which  will  enable  any 
one  to  prepare  it  for  himself. 
The  object  of  the  solution  is  to  administer  the  alkaloid  subcutane- 
ouslj,  in  which  case  a  much  smaller  dose  is  required,  and  a  more 
speedy  action  is  obtained  than  when  administered  internally.  The 
idea  of  the  subcutaneous  use  of  quinia  naturally  suggested  itself  to 
practitioners  from  the  previous  similar  administration  of  other  alka- 
loids, especially  morphii^  sulphas  ;  but  the  neutral  sulphate  of  quinia 
not  being  soluble  to  any  useful  extent  in  water,  and  the  use  of  an 
acid  solution  being  accompanied  by  pain  and  often  severe  inflamma- 
tion, it  w^as  necessary  to  employ  the  pure  alkaloid.  And  of  all  the 
diiferent  solvents,  ether  seems  to  have  found  the  most  favor. 
By  the  way,  I  would  remark  that  the  practice  of  some  apotheca- 
ries, of  using  dilute  sulphuric  acid  in  their  solution  of  morphise  sul- 
phas, especially  Magendie's,  is  highly  reprehensible  and  denounced 
by  physicians,  on  account  of  the  pain  and  inflammation  following  its 
hypodermic  use ;  water  being  all  that  is  necessary. 
Most  authorities  state  that  1  part  of  quinia  requires  60  parts  of 
ether  for  its  solution.  This  statement  is  quite  correct,  as  far  as  the 
solution  of  the  drt/  alkaloid  is  concerned,  and  it  is  by  no  means  easy 
to  prepare  a  solution  even  of  that  strength.  But  we  may  readily  dis- 
solve the  quinia  in  ether,  either  at  the  moment  of  its  precipitation 
from  one  of  its  salts,  or  at  all  events  while  yet  in  a  moist  state.  The 
ethereal  solution  thus  obtained  may  be  concentrated  to  such  a  strength, 
that  2  minims  of  it  will  contain  1  grain  (and  even  more)  of  quinia, 
although  in  this  state  the  solution  is  too  thick  for  use,  and  too  liable 
to  solidify.  Hence  quinia  (recently  precipitated,  and  yet  moist)  may 
be  said  to  be  soluble  in  ether  in  all  proportions,  as  has  been  stated  al- 
ready by  Bussy  and  Guibourt  {Journal  de  Pharmacie  et  Chimie,)  vol. 
22, 1852,  p.  413,  414. 
The  strength  of  the  ethereal  solution,  as  employed  by  Dr.  B.  W. 
McCready  and  other  practitioners,  is  such  that  5  minims  contain  1 
grain  of  quinia. 
Preparation.  Take  364  grains  of  sulphate  of  quinia,  which  has 
been  (previously  to  weighing)  deprived  of  its  water  by  drying  it  at 
212°  F.,  mix  it  with  1  pint  of  water  and  add  to  it  just  sufficient  dilute 
sulphuric  acid  to  dissolve  it.  Filter  if  necessary,  and  wash  the  filter 
carefully.  Introduce  the  solution  into  a  4  pint  bottle  and  add  suffi- 
cient water  to  make  it  measure  32  oz.    The  next  step  is  to  precipi- 
