124  Fluid  Extracts  of  the  New  Fharmacopceia.     { "^""MaT'iSr'"" 
water,  which  strength  was  also  recommended  by  the  Philadelphia 
•College  of  Pharmacy;  a  sample  thus  prepared  in  December,  1879, 
now  contains  rather  more  than  a  moderate  precipitate,  it  being  about 
one-quarter  of  an  inch  deep  in  a  four  ounce  bottle,  but  is  otherwise  in 
good  condition,  of  a  deep  red  color,  and  perfectly  transparent  in  thin 
layers. 
ExTRACTUM  Gelsemii  Fluidum. — Fluid  Extract  of  Gelsemium. — 
For  this  preparation  the  Pharmacopoeia  of  1870  directed  alcohol 
(sp.  gr.  835),  the  present  Pharmacopoeia  also  directs  alcohol.  The  Phila- 
<ielphia  College  of  Pharmacy  recommended  diluted  alcohol  as  the 
menstruum,  and  a  sample  thus  prepared  in  December,  1879,  now  con- 
tains a  slight  precipitate,  but  is  otherwise  in  good  condition ;  it  is  pro- 
bable, however,  that  the  officinal  menstruum  is  the  best  for  this  prepa- 
ration. 
ExTRACTUM  Gentians  Fluidum. — Fluid  Extract  of  Gentian. — 
For  this  preparation  the  Pharmacopoeia  of  1870  directed  a  menstruum 
oomposed  of  alcohol,  eight  fluidounces,  glycerin,  three  fluidounces, 
m\d  water,  five  fluidounces,  finishing  the  percolation  with  diluted 
alcohol,  and  adding  one  fluidounce  of  glycerin  to  the  dilute  percolate 
before  evaporation.  The  present  Pharmacopoeia  directs  diluted  alcohol, 
iind  the  Philadelphia  College  of  Pharmacy  recommended  the  same. 
A  sample  thus  prepared  in  December,  1879,  now  contains  only  a  very 
moderate  precipitate,  which  formed  soon  after  its  preparation ;  in  every 
other  respect  it  is  in  good  condition.  As  the  menstruum  for  the  solid 
^extract  of  gentian  is  water  alone,  it  is  quite  probable  that  a  weaker 
spirit  than  diluted  alcohol  would  have  answered  for  the  fluid  extract. 
ExTRACTUM  Geranii  Fluidum. — Fluid  Extract  of  Geranium. — 
For  this  preparation  the  Pharmacopoeia  of  1870  directed  a  menstruum 
oomposed  of  alcohol,  eight  fluidounces,  glycerin,  three  fluidounces, 
and  water,  five  fluidounces,  finishing  the  percolation  with  diluted 
alcohol,  and  adding  one  fluidounce  of  glycerin  to  the  dilute  percolate 
before  evaporation.  The  present  Pharmacopoeia  directs  diluted  alco- 
hol, with  ten  per  cent,  of  glycerin  in  the  first  one  hundred  parts  of  the 
menstruum  ;  the  Philadelphia  College  of  Pharmacy  recommended  the 
.same,  and  a  sample  thus  prepared  in  December,  1879,  kept  very  well 
for  a  long  time,  and  has  now^  only  a  moderate  precipitate ;  but  about 
one-third  of  the  lower  portion  of  the  fluid  extract  has  become  of  a 
slightly  gelatinous  character,  this  however  readily  mixes  with  the  re- 
mainder, and  then  it  presents  a  rather  fair  appearance.  Another 
