Syrupus Sarsaparillae Compositus. U. S. Compound Syrup of Sarsaparilla. Syr. Sarsap. Co.
Related entry: Sarsaparilla - Fluidextract of Sarsaparilla - Fluidextract of Senna
Syrupus Sudorificus; Sirop de Salsepareille compose, Fr. Cod.; Sirop sudorifique, Fr.; Zusammengesetzter Sarsaparill-sirup, G.; Jarabe de zarzaparrilla compuesto, Sp.
"Fluidextract of Sarsaparilla, two hundred mils [or 6 fluidounces, 366 minims]; Fluidextract of Glycyrrhiza, fifteen mils [or 243 minims]; Fluidextract of Senna, fifteen mils [or 243 minims]; Oil of Sassafras, two-tenths of a mil [or 3 minims]; Oil of Anise, two-tenths of a mil [or 3 minims]; Methyl Salicylate, two-tenths of a mil [or 3 minims]; Alcohol, nineteen and four-tenths mils [or 314 minims]; Syrup, seven hundred and fifty mils [or 25 fluidounces, 173 minims]; to make about one thousand mils [or 33 fluidounces, 6 ½ fluidrachms]. Mix the fluidextracts and add the alcohol, in which the methyl salicylate and the oils have been dissolved. Gradually add this solution to the syrup and mix thoroughly." U. S.
An important change was made in this compound syrup in the U. S. P. 1890, through the substitution of fluidextracts and volatile oils for the drugs used in the U. S. P. 1880 process. It was further improved in the U. S. P. VIII by doubling the amount of volatile oils. The present syrup is not perfectly transparent, but the U. S. P., 1890, syrup had the same fault, The simplicity of the present formula is a welcome improvement.
In the original edition of the U S. Pharmacopoeia, published in 1820, a process for a syrup of sarsaparilla was adopted, intended to present the famous French sirop de cuisinier. This process has been variously modified from time to time, but the present preparation possesses any possible therapeutic virtues of the original preparation.
Uses.—The compound syrup of sarsaparilla is a senseless survival of an ancient superstition. As pointed out elsewhere in this work, it is improbable that sarsaparilla possesses any therapeutic virtue, and even if it did the proportion in the compound syrup is too small to exert any effect upon the system. While the syrup has a pleasant flavor, owing to the licorice and volatile oils it contains, as a vehicle it would be improved by omitting the sarsaparilla and the senna.
Corrosive sublimate, which is often given in connection with this syrup, is said to be completely decomposed by it, being converted into calomel. Samuel Kennedy (Ph. Rec., 1888, p. 201) showed that when corrosive sublimate was dissolved in this syrup precipitation invariably occurred; if an equal amount of sodium chloride was added, precipitation was greatly retarded. Lepage of Gisors, proposes as a substitute potassium iodohydrargyrate, which he has found not to undergo decomposition.
Dose, of the syrup, half a fluidounce (15 mils), equivalent to somewhat less than a drachm (3.9 Gm.) of the root, to be taken three or four times a day.
Off. Prep.—Syrupus Bromidorum, N. F.
