4?6 
Fluid  gly cerates. 
J  Am.  [Jour.  Pharni. 
\     October,  1909. 
Fluidglycerate  of  Nux  Vomica. — In  the  earlier  experiments 
on  this  preparation,  acetic  acid  was  added  to  the  menstruum  to 
extract  the  alkaloids.  The  resulting  product  soon  thickened  and 
eventually  became  of  a  mucilaginous  and  almost  gelatinous  con- 
sistence. In  recent  experiments,  the  acetic  acid  was  displaced  by 
either  hydrochloric,  sulphuric,  or  phosphoric  .acid.  The  prepara- 
tion made  with  phosphoric  acid  has  also  thickened  and  become 
almost  gelatinous,  closely  resembling  that  made  with  acetic  acid. 
The  product  made  with  the  addition  of  sulphuric  acid  has  deposited 
a  white  precipitate  closely  adhering  to  the  bottom  of  the  bottle. 
This  sediment  proved  to  be  calcium  sulphate,  the  calcium  salt  evi- 
dently present  in  the  drug  being  extracted  and  deposited  as  sulphate. 
This  sediment  is  readily  removed  by  decanting  the  supernatant 
liquid,  which  is  bright,  clear,  and  deep  in  color  and  has  kept  quite 
limpid  for  nearly  six  months,  with  no  sign  of  any  further  deposit  or 
thickening.  It  mixes  perfectly  clear  with  water,  syrup,  or  diluted 
alcohol,  but  strong  alcohol  renders  it  turbid.  The  average  of  two 
assays  gave  1.002  strychnine  in  100  c.c.  The  product  made  with  the 
addition  of  hydrochloric  acid  is  lighter  in  color  than  that  containing 
sulphuric  acid  and  has  remained  clear  and  limpid.  It  likewise  mixes 
clear  with  water,  syrup,  or  diluted  alcohol,  and  becomes  turbid  with 
strong  alcohol.  The  average  of  three  assays  was  0.996  strvchnine  in 
100  c.c. 
As  a  result  of  these  experiments  the  following  is  submitted  as 
an  improved  formula  for  fluidglycerate  of  nux  vomica : 
Take  of  Nux  vomica  in  No.  30  powder   100  Gm. 
Hydrochloric  acid  3    5  c.c. 
Glycerin    50  c.c. 
Water    145  c.c. 
Chloroform  water,  a  sufficient  quantity. 
Mix  the  hydrochloric  acid  with  the  water  and  glycerin  and 
moisten  the  drug  with  85  c.c.  of  the  mixture  and  pack  it  lightly  in 
a  percolator.  Pour  on  sufficient  of  the  menstruum  to  thoroughly 
saturate  the  drug  and  allow  to  macerate  for  forty-eight  hours.  Then 
percolate  slowly,  using  the  balance  of  the  menstruum  and  then  chlo- 
roform water  till  extracted.  Reserve  the  first  50  c.c.  of  the  per- 
colate, concentrate  the  remainder  on  a  water-bath  to  60  c.c.  add  the 
3  If  sulphuric  acid  is  preferred,  then  use  4  c.c.  of  sulphuric  acid  in  place 
of  5  c.c.  of  the  hydrochloric  acid  directed  in  the  formula. 
