ON  ACETUM  OPII  OR  "  BLACK  DROP." 
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three  ounces  and  three  quarters  opium,  instead  of  two  and  a  half 
ounces,  as  at  present. 
Having  had  occasion  recently  to  prepare  the  article,  and  desirous 
of  completing  it  in  a  short  period  of  time,  I  was  induced  to  adopt 
some  expedient  by  which  the  process  of  displacement  could  be 
effectively  applied  in  accordance  with  my  usual  method,  without 
macerating.  The  gummy  nature  of  opium  being  the  obstacle  in 
the  way,  my  first  object  was  to  find  some  substance  to  mingle  with 
the  ingredients,  that,  while  it  would  not  be  incompatible  with  the 
compound,  would  answer  the  desired  purpose  of  properly  dividing 
the  opium  so  as  to  be  completely  acted  upon  in  all  its  parts,  by  the 
menstruum.  The  Aromatics  prescribed  in  the  formula,  to  a  certain 
extent  accomplish  this  object,  but  something  is  needed  in  a  larger 
proportion  to  thoroughly  answer  the  end  in  view.  Sand  which  in 
many  cases  is  recommended,  I  have  never  found  to  answer  a  good 
purpose.  It  so  happened  in  this  instance  that  I  had  on  hand  a  lot 
of  powdered  Poppy  Capsules  designed  for  the  preparation  of 
"  Syrup.  Papav."  and  it  occurred  to  me  that  it  would  effectually 
meet  my  wants,  which  proved  to  be  the  case.  I  was  also  induced 
to  substitute  glycerin  for  sugar,  not  from  any  positive  knowledge 
that  any  advantage  would  arise  by  so  doing,  but  under  an  impression 
that  it  might  be  the  means  of  preventing,  partially  at  least,  the 
deposition  which  occurs  in  this  preparation  of  opium  after  standing 
some  time,  no  matter  how  nicely  it  may  have  been  filtered  from  the 
dregs  in  the  first  instance.  In  accordance  with  these  ideas  I  devised 
the  following  formula,  the  result  of  which,  together  with  the  residue. 
I  exhibit  samples  to  this  meeting. 
Take  of  Opium,  in  powder,  four  ounces, 
Nutmeg,  in  powder,  six  drachms, 
Saffron,  in  powder,  two  drachms, 
Poppy  Capsules,  in  powder,  two  ounces, 
Glycerin,  three  fluid  ounces, 
Diluted  Acetic  Acid,  a  sufficient  quantity, 
Mix  the  powders  intimately,  and  distribute  over  the  mixture  1| 
ounces  of  the  diluted  Acetic  Acid  and  by  means  of  the  hands  rub 
it  into  the  powder  so  as  to  dampen  it  uniformly ;  then  pack  mode- 
rately in  a  suitable  displacer;  and  having  placed  over  the  surface 
a  piece  of  perforated  filtering  paper  pour  on  diluted  Acetic  Acid 
