Am.  Joto.  Pharm.  > 
Nov.  1, 1871.  J 
Saccharated  Tar,  etc. 
509 
arabic.  A  small  quantity  of  water  was  added  to  obtain  an  emulsion ; 
it  was  then  left  to  stand,  and  afterwards  decanted.  This  saccharated 
emulsion  had  not  the  repulsive  odor  of  the  emulsion  prepared  with 
alkali ;  it  possessed  the  odor  of  tar,  and  a  taste  neither  sharp  nor 
bitter.  It  was  miscible  with  water  in  all  proportions,  so  that,  by  es- 
timating the  quantity  of  tar  present,  a  solution  might  be  prepared 
instantaneously,  containing  any  required  quantity  of  the  active  prin- 
ciple. 
But  the  liquid  form  of  the  medicament  presentiisg  many  and  seri- 
ous inconveniences,  it  appeared  to  M.  Roussin  that  the  pulverulent 
form,  with  all  its  practical  advantages,  would  be  very  desirable.  He 
therefore  pursued  his  researches  until  he  succeeded  in  obtaining  a 
saccharate,  as  a  yel  ow  powder  only  differing  from  sugar  in  appear- 
ance by  its  color,  and  exhaling  the  balsamic  odor  of  tar.  This  prep- 
aration constitutes  a  remedy  essentially  new  in  form,  and  appears  to 
be  the  real  and  complete  solution  of  the  problem  of  Dr.  Jeannel. 
The  saccharate  of  tar  is  constant  in  its  composition.  It  contains 
4  per  cent,  of  purified  vegetable  tar.  A  teaspoonful  (5  grammes) 
thus  represents  20  centigrammes  of  tar,  and  will  suffice  for  the  prepa- 
ration of  a  litre  of  water. 
According  to  M.  Bouchardat,  30  grammes  of  tar-water  contain 
nearly  1  centigramme  of  the  principles  of  the  tar  in  solution.  This 
would  be  nearly  30  centigrammes  to  the  litre.  Soubeiran  says  that 
the  proportion  of  matter  dissolved  in  tar-water  is  so  small  that  100 
grammes  do  not  contain  4  centigrammes  (less  than  40  centigrammes 
the  litre),  and  that  patients  can  scarcely  support  the  tar-water  unless 
it  be  diluted. 
The  irritation  of  the  stomach  often  provoked  by  the  tar-water  of 
the  Codex  is  prevented  by  the  saccharate  ;  the  proportion  being  but 
4  per  cent.,  the  acridity  of  the  tar  is  covereJ.  Another  advantage,  not 
less  important,  due  to  its  pulverulent  form,  is  that  it  avoids  the  ne- 
cessity of  swallowing  a  large  quantity  of  liquid,  since  a  glass  of 
water  is  sufficient  to  dissolve  several  teaspoonfuls.  The  physician  can 
thus  augment  the  quantity  of  tar  according  to  the  necessities  of  the 
patient. 
The  pulverulent  form  has  another  valuable  advantage.  Patients 
who  are  unable  to  overcome  the  repugnance  the  odor  and  taste  of  tar 
often  provoke,  may  enjoy  the  benefits  of  this  therapeutic  agent  by 
making  up  the  saccharate  into  a  pill  with  unleavened  bread. 
