Syrupus Assafoetidae Compositus.
By J. J. RAMBO.
Editor of the American Journal of Pharmacy:
Allow me to call your attention to a formula for a syrup, I have for a number of years been in the habit of preparing, to obviate the great objection felt by most patients to the disagreeable smell and taste of assafoetida, and which has prevented to a great extent the more general use of this valuable drug. The formula I find to answer the purpose effectually, at the same time its medicinal qualities are enhanced by composition with syrup of wild cherry, possessing the valuable therapeutic properties of both.
| Rx. | Infusi Pruni Virginianae, | Oi. |
| Assafoetidae, | ℥i. | |
| Sacch. Albi, | ℥xxiv. | |
| Magnes. Carb. | ʒii. |
Rub the assafoetida and magnesia with the infusion gradually added, so as to make a uniform mixture and filter; to this, transferred to a bottle, add the sugar and agitate occasionally until it is dissolved. As a result we have a handsome syrup which does not differ in appearance from the syrup of wild cherry.
The property possessed by the volatile oils of bitter almonds, cherry laurel leaves, bark of wild cherry, &c., containing hydrocyanic acid, of removing the odor of assafoetida has long been known, and advantage taken of this property by M. Maheir, a French pharmaceutist, to remove the odor from mortars and bottles with which it came in contact; but I am unaware that the fact has ever been applied to its administration as a medical agent.
New York City, August 2d, 1871.
