Extractum Hyoscyami Fluidum (U. S. P.)—Fluid Extract of Hyoscyamus.
Related entry: Hyoscyamus (U. S. P.)—Hyoscyamus
Preparation.—"Hyoscyamus, in No. 60 powder, one thousand grammes (1000 Gm.) [2 lbs. av., 3 ozs., 120 grs.]; alcohol, water, each, a sufficient quantity to make one thousand cubic centimeters (1000 Cc.) [33 fl℥, 391♏︎]. Mix two thousand cubic centimeters (2000 Cc.) [67 fl℥, 301♏︎] of alcohol with one thousand cubic centimeters (1000 Cc.) [33 fl℥, 391♏︎] 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 hyoscyamus is exhausted. Reserve the first nine hundred cubic centimeters (900 Cc.) [30 fl℥, 208♏︎] of the percolate, and evaporate the remainder, at a temperature not exceeding 50° C. (122° F.), 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.—This forms an elegant and durable preparation of hyoscyamus. In percolation the fluid should be allowed to pass very slowly, that thorough exhaustion of the leaves may take place. It has a very deep greenish-brown hue, and, the narcotic odor of henbane. This extract possesses all the virtues of hyoscyamus, and may be given wherever the influence of the plant is desired. The dose is 5 minims, increased cautiously to 30 minims, or until the desired action is obtained.
