Extractum Colchici Aceticum. Lond. Acetic Extract of Colchicum

"Take of fresh colchicum (cormus), a pound; acetic acid, three fluid ounces. Bruise the cormus, gradually sprinkle on the acetic acid, then express the juice, and evaporate it in an earthenware vessel, not glazed with lead, to a proper consistence."

Extractum Colchici Cormi. Lond. Extract of the bulbs of Colchicum

This extract is to be prepared in the same manner as that of Aconite.

These extracts may be used in the same cases as the other preparations of colchicum, namely, gout and rheumatism : but I have found, the wine of the seeds more serviceable than any. The dose is from gr. j. to grs. iv. every third or fourth hour.

Extractum Digitalis. Lond. Extract of Foxglove

It is prepared in the same manner as the extract of aconite

1 Brande's Manual, p. 394.

2 "Impotentiam virilem sub usu conii curatam observavi, in viro quodam plusquam quadragenario, qui omnem erectionem penis perdiderat, postinde tamen plures liberos procreavit." - Bergius Nat. Med. i. 195.

3 John Hunter proved its poisonous property by giving i. of it for a dose. The patient discontinued the remedy for a few days, and then recommenced it, with half the dose; but it proved fatal.

This extract appears to be unnecessary; and it is a more uncertain form of the medicine than the powder. The dose is from gr. ss. to grs. ij. or more.

Extractum Gentianae

Lond. Extractum Radicis Gentianae Luteae, Dub. Extract of Gentian,

1 London Med. Repos. vol. xii.

"Take of gentian sliced, two pounds and a half; boiling distilled water, two gallons. Macerate for twenty-four hours; then boil down to four pints. Strain the liquor while it is hot, and evaporate it to a proper consistence."

Extractum Gentianae Luteae, Edin. Extract of Gentian.

"Take of gentian root, any quantity. Having sliced and bruised it, pour upon it eight times its weight of boiling water. Boil down to one half, express the liquor strongly, and strain it. Evaporate the decoction immediately to the consistence of thick honey, in a bath of boiling water saturated with muriate of soda."

Syn. Extrait de Gentiane (F.), Enzian-extrakt (G.), Estratto di Gentiana

The bitter principle of gentian root is not injured by this form of preparation. The extract is inodorous, very bitter, black, shining, and tenacious. It is tonic; but it is chiefly used as a vehicle for the exhibition of the metallic oxides. The dose is from grs. x. to 3ss, given twice or thrice a day.

Extractum Glycyrrhizae. Lond. Dub. Extract of Liquorice

"Take of liquorice root, sliced, two founds and a half; boiling distilled water, two gallons. Macerate for twenty-four hours; then boil down to four pints. Strain the hot solution, and evaporate it to a proper consistence."

There is scarcely any of this extract prepared by the apothecary, the greater part of it being imported from Spain and Sicily, where it is prepared in the following manner : - The roots, when three years old, are dug up, washed, then crushed in an olive mill, which presses out the juice, in the same way as oil from olives. The roots are then boiled for four or five hours, again pressed in the olive press, and the whole juice is, lastly, slowly boiled in an iron vessel to a proper consistence, and moulded into rolls. The pure extract of liquorice, sold in the shops under the name of refined liquorice; is prepared from the impure extract of commerce, by dissolving it in water, straining and inspissating it in the usual manner. It is an useful demulcent for allaying tickling cough, as from its tenacity it hangs about and sheathes the fauces.

Officinal preparations. - Pilulae opiatae, E. Pilulae Scilliticae, E. Trochisci Glycyrrhizae glabrae, E. Trochisci Glycyrrhizae cum Opio, E.