Essence of Sarsaparil′la

Syn. Concentrated e ence of sarsaparilla ; E entia sarsæ ; E. sarsaparillæ ; L. Prep. 1. Sarsaparilla root (best red Jamaica), 2 3 ⁄ 4 lbs., is carefully decorticated, the bark reduced to coarse powder, and digested for a week or 10 days in sherry, 3 ⁄ 4 pint, and rectified spirit, 1 ⁄ 4 pint, with frequent agitation; after which the e ence is expre ed, and in a week the clear portion is decanted from the sediment. A very elegant preparation. 1 ⁄ 2 fl. dr. added to 7 fl. dr. of water forms 1 fl. oz. of a solution of equal strength to decoction of sarsaparilla of the Ph. L. Every fl. oz. represents the active principles of 2 oz. (= 2 oz. 85 gr. avoir.) of sarsaparilla root. In other words, it is twice as strong as the root, and 16 times as strong as the decoction. 2. Alcoholic extract of sarsaparilla, 7 oz.; sherry, 3 ⁄ 4 pint; rectified spirit, 1 ⁄ 4 pint; di olve and filter. Strength as the last. 3. (Beral.) Alcohol extract, 4 oz.; sherry wine, 1 pint; di olve and filter. About 3 fl. dr., added to water, 1 pint, form an extemporaneous decoction. 4. (Guibourt.) Alcoholic extract, 4 oz.; white wine, 1 lb. Strength the same as Nos. 1 and 2 (nearly). 5. (Hening.) Sarsaparilla (bruised), 10 oz.; distilled water, 6 pints; macerate at a temperature of 120° Fahr. for six hours and strain; repeat with the same quantity of fresh water; mix the liquors, and evaporate in china ve els at 160° Fahr. If reduced to 10 fl. oz. (or to 9 fl. oz., with 1 fl. oz. of rectified spirit added), 1 fl. dr., mixed with 7 fl. dr. of water, will be equal to the decoction of the usual strength. If reduced to 5 fl. oz. 1 fl. dr. will be equal to 2 fl. oz. of the decoction. 6. The bark separated from sarsaparilla root, 2 3 ⁄ 4 lbs., is exhausted with water as last; the liquid is evaporated as quickly as po ible, in a water bath, to 16 fl. oz., and when cold, mixed with rectified spirit, 4 fl. oz. Strength same as No. 1. 7. The infusion in No. 6 is evaporated to 10 1 ⁄ 2 fl. oz., and when cold mixed with sherry, 1 ⁄ 2 pint; in a week the clear portion is decanted from the sediment. Strength same as No. 1. Obs. The formulæ Nos. 1, 2, 6, and 7 have each in turn been extensively employed by us in the laboratory with the most satisfactory results. See Liquor of Sarsaparilla .