Extractum Eucalypti Fluidum (U. S. P.)—Fluid Extract of Eucalyptus.
Related entry: Eucalyptus (U. S. P).—Eucalyptus
Preparation.—"Eucalyptus, in No. 40 powder, one thousand grammes (1000 Gm.) [2 lb. av., 3 ozs., 120 grs.]; alcohol, water, each, a sufficient quantity to make one thousand cubic centimeters (1000 Cc.) [33 fl℥, 391♏︎]. Mix seven hundred and fifty cubic centimeters (750 Cc.) [25 fl℥, 173♏︎] of alcohol with two hundred and fifty cubic centimeters (250 Cc.) [8 fl℥, 218♏︎] 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 the eucalyptus is exhausted. Reserve the first nine hundred cubic centimeters (900 Cc.) [30 fl℥, 208♏︎] of the percolate, and evaporate the remainder to a soft extract; dissolve this in the reserved portion, and add enough menstruum to make the fluid extract measure one thousand cubic centimeters (1000 Cc.) [33 fl℥, 391♏︎]"—(U. S. P.). We prefer the following formula:
"Take of eucalyptus leaves, in moderately fine powder, 16 troy ounces; alcohol, a sufficient quantity. Moisten the eucalyptus with 6 fluid ounces of alcohol. Cork tightly in a wide-mouth bottle, and permit the mixture to stand an hour in a warm situation. Then introduce it into a cylindrical percolator, 3 inches in diameter, previously prepared for percolation, according to directions given on page 756, and press very firmly. 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 alcohol 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 3 fluid ounces of percolate. Repeat the maceration, and, in like manner, draw a third portion of 3 fluid ounces. Lastly, mix the 3 percolates. The surface of the powder must be constantly covered with alcohol from the commencement, and until the end of the process of percolation."
Description, Medical Uses, and Dosage.—(See Eucalyptus). Fluid extract of eucalyptus is dark brownish-green, or green, in color, and possesses the taste and odor of the leaves, and, as thus prepared, represents very nearly the quality of drug employed, troy ounce to each fluid ounce of the finished extract. In our experience this preparation should be made with alcohol. Water is injurious in proportion to the amount present. We, therefore, supplement the above with a formula long established in our hands and published in the supplement to the last edition of this Dispensatory. Dose, 1 to 10 minims.
