230 
PHARMACEUTICAL  GLEANINGS. 
Digest  the  bark  in  four  pints  of  diluted  alcohol,  for  24  hours  ; 
then  filter,  and  displace  the  dregs  that  remain  in  the  filter,  with 
diluted  alcohol,  acidulated  with  the  diluted  acid  until  the  liquid 
passes  nearly  tasteless.  Then  mix  the  two  liquors,  evaporate  to 
one  pint,  and  filter;  to  this  add  the  sugar  and  dissolve  without 
heat.  The  whole  measures  about  twenty  fluid  ounces,  and  a  tea- 
spoonful  (one  drachm)  represents  about  twenty-five  grains  of  the 
bark.  During  the  evaporation,  the  coloring  matter  of  the  cin- 
chona is  nearly  all  precipitated  along  with  the  resin,  which  re- 
tains a  small  portion  of  the  alkaloids." 
The  proportion  of  sulphuric  acid  is  not  mentioned,  which  is  an 
imperfection,  as,  not  being  volatilized  in  the  concentration  of  the 
tincture,  it  is  all  retained  in  the  fluid  extract,  if  inadvertently 
used  in  excess. 
G-lycerin  as  an  Internal  Remedy. — Dr.  J.  L.  Crawcour,  of 
New  Orleans,  (New  Orleans  Med.  News  and  Hosp.  Gaz.)  calls 
the  attention  of  the  medical  profession  to  the  "  special  action  of 
glycerin  on  the  economy,  and  the  perfect  safety  with  which  it  can 
be  used  as  an  internal  remedy."  He  employs  it  in  all  cases 
where  he  formerly  used  cod-liver  oil,  and  with  better  effect,  for 
it  possesses  all  the  remedial  virtues  of  the  latter  without  disor- 
dering the  digestion.  It  has  been  employed  in  phthisis  and 
scrofulous  disease  with  marked  success.  In  addition  to  its  anti- 
strumous  property,  Dr.  C.  finds  that  it  materially  aids  in  the 
assimilation  of  the  salts  of  iron,  especially  the  iodide.  The  dose 
administered  is  from  one  to  three  drachms,  three  times  daily  in 
an  ounce  of  water ;  in  from  one  to  two  drachms,  it,  in  a  short 
period,  relieves  the  cough,  improves  the  digestive  powers,  and 
increases  the  deposition  of  fat.  The  author  directs  attention  to 
the  impurity  of  much  of  the  commercial  glycerin,  and  the 
presence  of  lead  in  some  of  it,  should  be  especially  looked  to 
when  used  internally.  Dr.  Crawcour  suggests  that  hot  glycerin 
will  dissolve  phosphorus  in  the  ratio  of  two  grains  to  the  fluid 
ounce,  and  considers  the  resulting  glycerole  of  phosphorus  as 
much  superior  to  common  phosphoretted  oil.  From  the  effect  of 
this  solution  on  himself,  he  is  of  the  opinion  that  in  this  form 
phosphorus  more  readily  enters  the  circulation  and  manifests  its 
peculiar  stimulant  action.  He  thinks  10  to  30  minims  as  suffi- 
cient ;  as  a  fluid  drachm  taken  by  himself  so  disturbed  the  func- 
