Spiritus Aurantii Compositus (U. S. P.)—Compound Spirit of Orange.
Related entries: Oleum Aurantii Corticis (U. S. P.)—Oil of Orange Peel
Preparation.—"Oil of orange peel, two hundred cubic centimeters (200 Cc.) [6 fl℥, 366♏︎]; oil of lemon, fifty cubic centimeters (50 Cc.) [1 fl℥, 332♏︎]; oil of coriander, twenty cubic centimeters (20 Cc.) [325♏︎]; oil of anise, five cubic centimeters (5 Cc.) [81♏︎]; deodorized alcohol, a sufficient quantity to make one thousand cubic centimeters (1000 Cc.) [33 fl℥, 391♏︎]. Mix them. Keep the product in completely filled, well-stoppered bottles, in a cool and dark place"—(U. S. P.).
This process is essentially that of the National Formulary (1st ed.), which comments as follows: "The essential oils used in this preparation, particularly those of orange and lemon, must be as fresh as possible, and absolutely free from any terebinthinate odor or taste. They should be diluted as soon as received, with a definite quantity of deodorized alcohol, which will retard deterioration. They should not be kept in stock, undiluted, for any length of time, or should at least be kept in bottles completely filled, and in a dark place. The alcoholic solution should be kept in the same manner. If oil of Curaçao orange of good quality can be obtained, it is advisable to use this, in place of ordinary oil of orange, as it imparts to the spirit a finer flavor"—(Nat. Form.).
Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage.—This is a pleasant carminative and flavoring agent, used chiefly, for the latter purpose, in the preparation of the official Aromatic Elixir (Elixir Aromaticum). Dose, 1 fluid drachm, well diluted with water.
Related Preparation.—SPIRITUS CURASSAO (N. F.), Spirit of Curaçao. "Oil of Curaçao orange, one hundred and sixty-five cubic centimeters (165 Cc.) [5 fl℥, 278♏︎]; oil of fennel, three cubic centimeters (3 Cc.) [49♏︎]; oil of bitter almond, three-fourths of a cubic centimeter (0.75 Cc.) [12♏︎]; deodorized alcohol, eight hundred and thirty-two cubic centimeters (832 Cc.) [28 fl℥, 64♏︎]. Mix the oils with the deodorized alcohol, and keep the spirit in completely filled and well-corked bottles, and stored in a cool and dark place. Note.—The essential oils used in this case must be as fresh as possible, and absolutely free from any terebinthinate odor or taste. Oil of Curaçao orange may be obtained without difficulty in the market, but it should be carefully examined as to its quality, immediately upon receipt, and should not be kept in stock, for any length of time, without special precautions. A still finer quality of oil of orange is that derived from Citrus nobilis, which is known in the market as oil of mandarin"—(Nat. Form.).
