Extractum Spigeliae et Sennae Fluidum.—Fluid Extract of Spigelia and Senna.
Related entry: Spigelia (U. S. P.)—Spigelia - Senna (U. S. P.)—Senna - Fluid Extract of Spigelia. - Compound Fluid Extract of Spigelia.
Preparation.—Take of coarsely-powdered pink-root, 16 ounces (av.); senna, in coarse powder, 8 ounces (av.); white sugar, 24 ounces (av.); carbonate of potassium, 1 ounce (av.); oil of caraway, oil of anise, each, ½ drachm; diluted alcohol, a sufficient quantity. Moisten the pink-root and senna with diluted alcohol, and macerate for 48 hours. Then introduce them into a percolator, and gradually add diluted alcohol until 5 pints have passed. Evaporate this in a water-bath to 20 fluid ounces, and add the carbonate of potassium, which prevents any resinous substance from being precipitated, and also modifies the griping action of the senna. Triturate the oils with a portion of the sugar, then with the whole of it, add this to the evaporated liquid, and dissolve the sugar by a gentle heat. The whole should measure 2 pints (W. Procter, Jr.).
This fluid extract may also be prepared by mixing together fluid extract of pink-root, 5 fluid ounces; fluid extract of senna, 3 fluid ounces, dissolving in them carbonate of potassium, 2 drachms, and oils of caraway and anise, each, 10 minims (W. Procter, Jr., Proc. Amer. Pharm. Assoc., 1859, p. 276).
Medical Uses and Dosage.—This fluid extract, which is an elegant preparation, is quite a pleasant medicine, possessing both cathartic and anthelmintic properties. An adult may take half a fluid ounce or an ordinary tablespoonful or a dose; and a child 2 to 4 years old, 1 fluid drachm or a teaspoonful.
