Lloyd - Elixir & Flavoring Extracts Formulae - Soil and Health Library

38. ELIXIR OF CITRATE OF AMMONIUM AND BISMUTH
WITH STRYCHNINE.
(ELIXIR OF AMMONIO-CITRATE OF BlSMUTH AND STRYCHNIA.
ELIXIR OF BlSMUTH AND STRYCHNIA.)
Elixir of citrate of ammonium with
bismuth,................................... 16 fluidounces.
Strychnine,........................................1k grains.
Acetic acid,.................................. a sufficient quantity.
Triturate the strychnine in a mortar, cautiously adding acetic
acid until the alkaloid is dissolved, then add the elixir of citrate of
ammonium with bismuth.
Each fluidrachm (teaspoonful) of the finished elixir contains
two grains of citrate of ammonium and bismuth, and about onehundredth
of a grain of strychnine as the acetate of that alkaloid.
Strychnine is incompatible with alkaline solutions, and if a
precipitate should occur while the elixir has an alkaline reaction, care
must be taken that this precipitate is thoroughly mixed with the liquid
before each dose is administered, inasmuch as the ammonio-citrate of
bismuth is incompatible with an acid, this elixir must have an alkaline
or at least a neutral reaction. However, although one and one-fourth
grains of strychnine refuse to dissolve in sixteen fluidounces of water,
it seems that the menstruum composing this elixir has the property of
holding in solution the strychnine, even though it (the elixir) is
alkaline, and thus the general incompatibility of the constituents is
overcome.
39. BITTER ELIXIR.
(ELIXIR AMARUM.)
Extract of buck-bean,................. 2 troyounces.
Extract of orange peel,...............2 troyounces.
Dissolve them in a mixture of—
Diluted alcohol,......................... 16 troyounces.
Peppermint water,.....................16 troyounces.
And add of—
Spirit of ether (Hoffman’s anodyne), 1 troyounce.
This formula is that of the German Pharmacopoeia, 1872.