^'"•May^iS^"""*}       ^cei^^c  Extract  of  Ipecacuanha.  265 
mended  the  root  to  be  macerated  in  the  acetic  acid  for  twenty-four 
hours,  then  transferred  to  a  water-bath  and  the  free  acetic  acid  driven 
off,  the  acetified  root  then  to  be  macerated  in  the  sherry.  They 
claimed  that  this  process  gives  little  trouble.  The  minimum  of  heat- 
ing is  required,  and  the  pro'duct  is  in  every  way  equal  to  that  pre- 
pared by  the  pharmacopoeial  method. 
Since  the  publication  of  their  process  they  had  examined  several 
samples  of  the  acetic  extract  as  found  in  the  market.  From  published 
statements  it  appears  that  ipecacuanha  yields  on  an  average  18  to  22 
per  cent,  of  acetic  extract,  while  the  root  yields  1.6  to  1.7  per  cent,  of 
emetine.  The  acetic  extract  should,  therefore,  contain  from  8  to  8.5  per 
cent,  of  emetine,  taking  the  average  yield  of  extract  to  be  20  per  cent. 
Nine  samples  had  been  examined ;  seven  were  in  powder  and  two 
lumpy.  Three  had  been  standardized,  two  with  a  silicate,  apparently 
kaolin,  and  one  with  what  appeared  to  be  finely  powdered  exhausted 
root.  No  sample  was  entirely  soluble  in  water,  proof  or  rectified 
spirit ;  all  were  slightly  acid.  The  yield  of  ash  varied  from  10  to  39 
per  cent.,  10  per  cent,  being  the  natural  yield.  When  volumetrically 
estimated  by  Mayer's  reagent  they  gave  the  following  results :— A= 
4-72,  B=5-19,  C=6-l,  D=7-0,  E=6-2,  F=7-l,  G=8-0,  H=5-18, 
1=5*7  per  cent,  of  emetine. 
It  therefore  appeared  that,  however  variable  the  1867  wine  might 
be  in  alkaloidal  value,  the  1886  preparation  quite  rivals  it  when  made 
from  commercial  acetic  extracts.  That  it  is  possible  to  make  an  ex- 
tract containing  the  full  amount  of  alkaloid  was  shown  by  the  fact  that 
one  of  the  samples  examined  contained  within  .5  per  cent,  of  the  max- 
imum that  could  be -obtained.  To  remedy  this  discrepancy  the  auth- 
ors recommenended  that  the  acetic  extract  should  be  standardized  to 
contain  at  least  6  per  cent,  of  alkaloid,  or  that  their  process  of  digest- 
ing the  acetified  root  be  tried,  as  it  practically  yields  the  same  result. 
Antipyrin  Haemostatic. — The  experience  of  Dr.  W.  M.  Powell, 
of  Albany,  Texas,  in  two  cases,  confirms  the  conclusions  of  Dr.  Cosati 
as  follows:  "Antipyrin  is  a  powerful  haemostatic;  superior  to  iron  per- 
chloride,  because  it  leaves  the  wound  perfectly  clean,  and  even  superior 
to  ergotin,  because  it  is  not  toxic  in  ordinary  doses;  it  is  antiseptic  as 
well  as  antipyretic,  and  its  action  is  very  prompt."  A  four-per-cent. 
solution  is  about  the  best  strength  to  apply  to  bleeding  surfaces. —  Virg.  Med. 
Monthly,  April,  1888. 
