486 
Syrup  of  Senna. 
(  Am.  Jouk.  Phaem, 
\    Nov.  1, 1871. 
rate  spontaneously  to  two  fluidounces.  To  the  remainder  of  the  per- 
colate add  the  sugar,  and  evaporate  it  in  a  water-bath,  at  a  tempera- 
ture not  exceeding  160°,  with  frequent  stirring,  until  the  whole  mea- 
sures, when  cold,  ten  fluidounces.  To  this  add  the  glycerin  and 
reseived  portion,  mix  well,  and  strain  through  muslin. 
If  the  percolation  is  managed  with  care,  the  reserved  percolate  will 
contain  at  least  four-fifths  of  the  active  properties  of  the  senna  and 
the  aromatic  qualities  of  the  fennel.  This,  then,  being  evaporated 
spontaneously,  and  the  remaining  portion  protected  by  the  sugar  from 
the  injurious  effects  of  the  atmosphere  during  the  concentration,  fur- 
nishes a  syrup  embodying  the  virtues  of  the  senna  and  fennel  unim- 
paired. 
One  serious  objection  to  the  process  of  the  U.  S.  P.,  1850,  was  the 
prolonged  exposure  to  heat  necessary  to  reduce  the  syrup  to  the 
"proper  consistence,"  during  which  a  great  portion  of  the  volatile  oil 
of  the  fennel  must  have  been  dissipated,  and  the  purgative  properties 
of  the  senna  in  a  measure  diminished,  while  at  the  same  time  its 
griping  tendency  was  promoted. 
This  same  objection  applies  with  double  force  to  the  present  British 
process,  presented  in  the  last  edition  of  the  U.  S.  D.  In  that  pro- 
cess about  one  hundred  fluidounces  of  infusion  are  directed  to  be  re- 
duced, by  evaporation,  to  ten  fluidounces.  It  can  well  be  imagined 
what  influence  this  torture,  as  it  were,  would  exert  upon  the  medi- 
cinal properties  of  the  senna,  if  they  are  at  all  vulnerable  to  the 
efi'ects  either  of  heat  or  atmospheric  oxygen. 
Another  very  objectionable  feature  of  the  British  syrup  is  that  of 
its  strength,  which  is  about  four  times  as  great  as  that  of  the  U.  S.  P., 
1850.  Upon  this  point.  Dr.  Wood,  in  his  comments  upon  the  process 
in  the  U.  S.  Dispensatory,  very  properly  makes  the  following  remarks  : 
"The  present  British  syrup,  which  has  superseded  the  former  syrups 
of  the  London  and  Edinburgh  colleges,  difi*ers  from  them,  as  well  as 
from  that  of  the  U.  S.  Pharmacopoeia  of  1850,  very  greatly  in 
strength,  so  that  in  prescribing  it  physicians  accustomed  to  the  doses 
of  the  former  syrups  must  be  on  their  guard  not  very  seriously  to 
overdose  their  patients."  These  remarks  are  equally  applica  ble  t 
its  use  in  domestic  practice  ;  and,  since  it  is  chiefly  given  to  children, 
its  administration  in  excessive  doses  might  be  attended  by  mischievous 
result.si 
