496  Mixture  of  Gum  Arabic,  etc.  {^'"'fcsy^s"'" 
MIXTURE  OF  GUM   ARABIC,  AND   MIXTURE  OF  EXTRACT  OF 
LIQUORICE. 
BY  ALLEN  SHRYOCK,  PH.  G. 
[Read  at  the  Pharmaceutical  Meetings  October  i^th.) 
During  the  winter  season  no  two  preparations  are  more  in  demand 
than  powdered  gum  arabic  and  powdered  extract  of  liquorice.  For  con- 
venience and  economy  in  time,  I  have  been  in  the  habit  of  using  a 
mixture  of  gum  and  a  mixture  of  the  extract  with  glycerin,  made  as 
follows  : 
Take  of 
Powdered  gum  arabic,  or  powdered  extract  of  liquorice 
(whichever  is  desired)           ....  ^iv 
Glycerin  (previously  heated)           .           .           .  f^iv 
Mix  thoroughly,  and  add  sufficient  glycerin  to  make  the  measure  f^viii 
It  will  be  observed  that  each  Jiuidounce  represents  one-half  troy  ounce 
of  the  respective  powders  ;  consequently  the  excess  of  bulk  of  the 
fluid  preparation  can  take  the  place  of  its  equivalent  volume  of  water, 
or  syrup,  as  the  caire  may  be.  The  advantage  of  such  a  mixture  is 
evident,  saving  much  time  and  insuring  a  thorough  admixture  without 
the  use  of  moitar  and  pestle. 
Four  fluidounces  of  the  gum  arabic  mixture  added  to  twelve  fluidounces 
of  simple  syrup,  make  the  officinal  syrup  of  gum  arabic  (very  nearly). 
Whether  the  mixture  could  be  substituted  in  preparing  the  mucilage  of 
gum  arabic  is  a  question,  it  being  entirely  an  aqueous  preparation,  and 
containing  so  much  gum,  the  quantity  of  mixture  required  would  physi- 
cally change  the  condition  of  the  mucilage,  on  account  of  its  greater 
viscidity. 
With  respect  to  the  ''Pharmacopoeia,"  I  offer  these  latter  innova- 
tions with  some  little  hesitation,  even  though  the  strength  of  the  syrup 
or  mucilage  is  not  altered.  The  pharmaceutical  liberty  being  simply 
the  addition  of  glycerin,  in  order  to  secure  a  fresh,  clear  preparation  at 
a  moment's  notice. 
