Extractum Berberidis Aquifolii Fluidum.—Fluid Extract of Berberis Aquifolium.
Related entry: Berberis Aquifolium.—Oregon Grape
Preparation.—Take of the root of Berberis aquifolium, in moderately fine powder, 16 troy ounces; of a menstruum of alcohol, 3 parts, water, 2 parts (by measure), a sufficient quantity. Moisten the powder with 6 fluid ounces of the menstruum. Cork tightly in a wide-mouthed bottle, and permit the mixture to stand an hour in a warm situation. Then introduce into a cylindrical percolator, 3 inches in diameter, previously prepared for percolation, according to directions given on page 756, and press moderately. Cover the surface of the powder with a circular piece of filtering paper, held in position with a few fragments of glass or marble, and add fresh menstruum until the percolate appears at the exit. Then cork the exit tightly; cover the percolator, and place it in a warm situation. After 24 hours, loosen the cork, and permit the percolate to pass as fast as it will drop, without running in a stream, until 4 fluid ounces are obtained. Again close the exit, macerate 24 hours, and, in a manner like unto the preceding, draw 4 fluid ounces of percolate. Repeat the maceration, and, in like manner, draw a third portion of 4 fluid. ounces. Reserve and mix the 3 percolates; then continue the percolation until 8 fluid ounces are obtained. Evaporate this latter portion until reduced to the measure of 2 fluid ounces, and mix with the reserved 12 fluid ounces. The surface of the powder must be constantly covered with the menstruum from the commencement, and until the end of the process of percolation.
Description, Medical Uses, and Dosage.—(See Berberis aquifolium). Fluid extract of Berberis aquifolium is of a yellowish-red color, odorless, or nearly go, and very bitter to the taste, and, as thus prepared, represents very nearly the quality of the drug employed, troy ounce to each fluid ounce of the finished extract. Dose, 5 to 20 drops.
