Extractum Hamamelidis Fluidum (U. S. P.)—Fluid Extract of Hamamelis.
Related entry: Hamamelis (U. S. P.)—Hamamelis
Preparation.—"Hamamelis, in No. 40 powder, one thousand grammes (1000 Gm.) [2 lbs. av., 3 ozs., 120 grs.]; glycerin, one hundred cubic centimeters (100 Cc.) 13 fl℥, 70, 183♏︎]; alcohol, water, each a sufficient quantity. Mix the glycerin with five hundred cubic centimeters (500 Cc.) [16 fl℥, 435♏︎] of alcohol, and eight hundred cubic centimeters (800 Cc.) [27 fl℥, 251♏︎] of water, and, having moistened the powder with three hundred and fifty cubic centimeters (350 Cc.) [11 fl℥, 401♏︎] of the mixture, pack it firmly in a conical 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, first, the remainder of the menstruum, and then a mixture of alcohol and water, made in the proportion of five hundred cubic centimeters (500 Cc.) [16 fl℥, 435♏︎] of alcohol to eight hundred cubic centimeters (800 Cc.) [27 fl℥, 25♏︎] of water, until the hamamelis is exhausted. Reserve the first eight hundred and fifty cubic centimeters (850 Cc.) [28 fl℥, 356♏︎] 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.).
Description, Medical Uses, and Dosage.—(See Hamamelis). This fluid has a deep red-brown color, and the bitter and astringent taste of witch-hazel leaves. This fluid extract fully represents the virtues of hamamelis and may be employed to fulfil the indications for that drug, particularly where the action of an astringent is desired. It should not be confounded with Aqua Hamamelidis, which is often called extract of witch-hazel. Dose, from 10 to 30 minims.
