THE  AMERICAN 
JOURNAL  OF  PHARMACY. 
OCTOBER,  1883. 
TINCTUEE  OF  OPIUM  (LAUDANUM). 
By  Marie  O.  Glover,  A.M.,  S.B. 
Having  had  occasion  to  collect  and  assay  samples  of  tincture  of 
opium  from  eight  of  the  principal  wholesale  drug  houses  of  New 
York,  and  an  equal  number  of  retail  drug  stores  in  Boston,  it  was 
thought  that  the  results  obtained  might,  perhaps,  be  interesting,  as 
representing  in  some  degree  the  strength  of  this  preparation  now  in  the 
market. 
The  change  in  the  strength  of  opium  preparations  recently  made  in 
accordance  with  the  U.  S.  Pharmacopoeia  of  1880  would  lead  us  to 
expect  a  greater  variation  than  usual  just  at  this  time,  although  it 
might  be  supposed  that  samples  made  according  to  the  old  standard 
would  bear  upon  the  label  some  indication  of  the  fact.  This  was, 
however,  not  found  to  be  the  case,  as  the  only  labels  giving  any  infor- 
mation in  regard  to  morphia  strength  were  those  from  wholesale 
houses,  which  stated  that  the  laudanum  was  made  according  to  the 
U.  S.  P.,  1880,  or,  in  two  instances,  that  it  contained  6  grains  to  the 
fluidounce. 
The  method  of  assay  employed  was  that  of  Fliickiger,  modified  by 
E.  K.  Squibb  ('^  Ephemeris,''  Vol.  I,  No.  1,  p.  14 ;  Amer.  Jour. 
Phar.,''  1882,  p.  244),  and  it  was  found  necessary  to  introduce  a  slight 
modification  of  this  process,  in  order  to  obtain  clean,  light-colored 
morphia. 
The  tincture  was  measured  in  every  case  at  15'6°C.  (60°F.),  50  cc. 
being  the  amount  used  in  each  assay  ;  the  weight  was  also  taken.  It 
was  then  evaporated  to  10  grams,  2*5  cc.  of  alcohol  were  added,  and 
the  mixture  stirred,  to  obtain  a  uniform  solution.  This  was  in  most 
cases  impossible,  therefore  the  mixture  was  poured  gradually  and  with 
constant  stirring  into  100  cc.  of  alcohol,  and  the  beaker  covered  and 
set  aside  until  the  supernatant  fluid  had  become  perfectly  clear.  The 
clear  fluid  was  then  decanted  through  a  filter,  the  precipitate  washed 
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