Extractum Bryoniae Fluidum.—Fluid Extract of Bryonia.
Related entry: Bryonia (U. S. P.)—Bryonia
Preparation.—Take of bryonia root, in moderately fine powder, 16 troy ounces; alcohol and water, each, a sufficient quantity. Moisten the bryonia with 3 fluid ounces of water, and permit the mixture to stand 1 hour in a well-corked wide-mouth bottle. Then intimately rub it with 6 fluid ounces of alcohol, and allow the mixture to macerate an hour as before. Introduce this, with moderate pressure, into a cylindrical percolator, 3 inches in diameter, that has been previously prepared for percolation, according to directions given on page 756. 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 a mixture of alcohol, by measure, 2 parts, 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 three percolates; then continue the percolation until 8 fluid ounces are obtained. Evaporate this latter 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 menstruum from the commencement, and until the end of the process of percolation.
Description, Medical Uses, and Dosage.—Fluid extract of bryonia is dark red in color, and, as thus prepared, represents very nearly the quality of the drug employed, troy ounce to each fluid ounce of the finished extract. The preliminary use of water in moistening this drug brings it to a condition which favors the ready permeation of the menstruum. (For uses, see Bryonia). Dose, 1 to 2 drops.
