70 
Syrupus  Lactucarii. 
Am.  Jour.  Pharin» 
Feb.,  1888. 
is  necessary  for  suspension,  but  it  is  of  no  value  whatever  in  the 
emulsification  of  such  liquids  as  ether  and  chloroform,  so  that  we  are 
compelled  to  fall  back,  in  their  administration,  upon  previous  admix- 
ture with  milk,  as  each  dose  is  given  ;  a  temporary  expedient  only,  pos- 
sibly, but  one  which  has  certainly  yielded  good  results. 
SYRUPUS  LACTUCARII. 
By  Geo.  M.  Beringer,  Ph.G. 
Read  at  the  Pharmaceutical  Meeting,  January  17. 
The  formula  for  syrup  of  lactucarium  of  the  Pharmacopoeia  of 
1870  yielded  a  preparation  which,  to  say  the  least,  was  not  desirable ; 
being  unsightly,  turbid  and  not  answering  the  requirements  of  modern 
elegant  pharmacy.  The  modus  operandi,  briefly  stated,  consisted  in 
treating  one  troy-ounce  of  lactucarium  properly  comminuted  with 
diluted  alcohol  until  a  half  pint  of  tincture  was  obtained.  This  tinc- 
ture, evaporated  at  a  temperature  not  exceeding  160°F.  to  2  fluid- 
ounces,  was  mixed  with  14  fluid-ounces  of  warm  syrup. 
That  the  turpidity  and  unsightliness  of  this  preparation  was  due  to 
the  lactucerin  or  lactucone — the  caoutchouc-like  matter — was  early  re- 
cognized. In  1868,  Mr.  James  Kenworthy  recommended  that  the  tinc- 
ture be  triturated  with  powdered  pumice-stone  and  water,  and  filtered, 
and  then  decolorized  by  treating  with  animal  charcoal  before  adding 
the  sugar. 
The  same  year,  Mr.  R.  F.  Fairthorne  recommended  that  the  tinc- 
ture prepared  as  in  the  process  of  the  Pharmacopoeia  of  1870,  be 
treated  with  ether  to  dissolve  out  the  lactucerin,  the  ethereal  solution 
separated  and  the  tincture  then  mixed  with  sugar  and  water. 
In  1878,  Mr.  Lemberger  proposed  treating  the  lactucarium  with 
benzin  previous  to  its  extraction  with  diluted  alcohol,  and  submitted 
the  following  formula  for  the  fluid  extract  to  the  Committee  on  Revi- 
sion of  the  Pharmacopoeia:"^ 
Take  of 
Lactucarium  16  parts. 
Benzin   ,..  32  " 
Diluted  alcohol,  a  sufficient  quantity  
Beat  the  lactucarium  thoroughly  in  an  iron  mortar,  then  introduce 
*  Proceedings  American  Pharmaceutical  Association,  1878. 
