Extractum Belladonnae Foliorum Alcoholicum (U. S. P.)—Alcoholic Extract of Belladonna Leaves.
Related entry: Belladonna.—Belladonna - Extractum Belladonnae Radicis Fluidum (U. S. P.)—Fluid Extract of Belladonna Root.
SYNONYM: Extractum belladonnae alcoholicum (Pharm., 1880).
Preparation.—"Belladonna leaves, in No. 60 powder, one thousand grammes (1000 Gm.) [2 lbs. av., 3 ozs., 120 grs.]; alcohol, water, each, a sufficient quantity. Mix two thousand cubic centimeters (2000 Cc.) [67 fl℥, 301♏︎] of alcohol with one thousand cubic centimeters (1000 Cc.) [33 fl℥, 391♏︎] of water, and, having moistened the powder with four hundred cubic centimeters (400 Cc.) [13 fl℥, 252♏︎] of the mixture, pack it firmly in a cylindrical percolator; then add enough menstruum to saturate the powder and leave a stratum above it. When the liquid begins to drop from the percolator, close the lower orifice, and, having closely covered the percolator, macerate for 48 hours. Then allow the percolation to proceed, gradually adding menstruum, using the same proportions of alcohol and water as before, until three thousand cubic centimeters (3000 Cc.) [101 fl℥, 212♏︎] of tincture are obtained, or the belladonna leaves are exhausted. Reserve the first nine hundred cubic centimeters (900 Cc.) [30 fl℥, 208♏︎] of the percolate, evaporate the remainder at a temperate not exceeding 50° C. (122° F), to one hundred cubic centimeters (100 Cc.) [3 fl℥, 183♏︎], mix the residue with the reserved portion, and evaporate at or below the above-mentioned temperature to a pilular Consistence"—(U. S. P.).
Description, Medical Uses, and Dosage.—This extract possesses the odor and taste of belladonna, and is greenish-brown or brownish-green in color. It is used chiefly, locally, to allay pain and to control spasm. Its internal use is the same as for belladonna. The dose ranges from 1/6 to 1/3 grain, 3 times a day.
