Spiritus Amygdalae Amarae. U. S.
Spiritus Amygdalae Amarae. U. S.
Spirit of Bitter Almond. Sp. Amygd. Amar. [Essence of Bitter Almond]
Related entry: Oleum Amygdala Amara
Alcoole d'essence amande amere, Fr.; Bittermandelgeist, G.
"Oil of Bitter Almond, ten mils [or 162 minims]; Alcohol, eight 'hundred mils [or 27 fluidounce's, 24 minims]; Distilled Water, a sufficient quantity, to make one thousand mils [or 33 fluidounces, 6 ½ fluidrachms]. Dissolve the oil in the alcohol, and add enough distilled water to make the product measure one thousand mils [or 33 fluidounces, 6 ½ fluidrachms]. Note: This Spirit is intended for medicinal use; it must not be used for flavoring foods." U. S.
Although the U. S. P. states that "this spirit is intended for medicinal use; it must not be used for flavoring foods" U. S., it has little medicinal virtue except for its flavor. Because of the hydrocyanic acid in the oil of bitter almond this preparation will contain approximately 0.03 per cent. of that acid and hence cannot be used incautiously. It would have been better to have replaced this spirit with a solution of benzaldehyde.
Dose, from two to eight minims (0.12-0.5 mil).
Off. Prep.—Elixir Anisi, N. F.
