262 
PHARMACEUTICAL NOTICES. 
after covering it near the middle with a thin layer of stiff 
cerate. Before tying over the vials, a small piece of putty 
should he put around the stopper joint, which greatly adds 
to the security of the acid. The presence of ammonia causes 
rapid decomposition in this [preparation, and hence in the 
materials and subsequent manipulation this agent should be 
avoided. It should be excluded from the light. 
Fluid Extract of Rhubarb. 
In the last number of this Journal, a formula for fluid 
Extract of Rhubarb was suggested, by which a concentrated 
solution of the soluble portion of rhubarb may be obtained, 
with sufficient sugar to act as a preservative. As the Ex- 
tract has since been employed by several physicians with 
advantage, it has been thought best to recommend the 
addition of arornatics to prevent the griping tendency of this, 
in common with other simple preparations of the drug. 
Haifa fluid ounce of tincture of ginger, holding in solution 
ten drops or more of volatile oils, as anise, fennel, etc., to 
half a pint of the fluid Extract, will be sufficient. 
Tinctures of Aconite and Wines of Colchicum. 
Some very judicious remarks were made in the October 
number of the Pharmaceutical Journal, under the caption 
of "Random Prescribing," showing the extreme looseness 
with which some English physicians prescribe active reme- 
dies for which no standard formulas exist — or in cases 
where several preparations of the same plant, or of different 
parts of the same plant, are in use. The Editor observes : 
"If it be asked how such remedies should be prescribed, 
the answer is plain : Give the formula for the tincture, solu- 
tion, etc., at the top of the prescription — a practice usually 
adopted by some medical men ; or publish the formula, and 
refer to the Journal or other work in which it is published, 
stating on the prescription the volume and page where it 
may be found. The former is the most unexceptionable 
