Essence of Ergot (Ethereal)

Syn. E entia ergotæ etherea , E. secalis cornuti e. , L. Prep. 1. (Mr Lever.) Ergot (powdered), 2 oz.; rectified sulphuric ether, 2 fl. oz.; digest a week, expre the tincture, filter, and abandon the liquid to spontaneous evaporation; lastly, di olve the residuum in ether, 1 fl. oz. This is an expensive and troublesome formula. The following modification of it is both simpler and le expensive. 2. Ergot (ground), 8 oz.; ether, 16 fl. oz.; prepare a tincture as before, and by a gentle heat distil off the ether in a retort connected with a well-cooled refrigerator, until 15 fl. oz. shall have pa ed over; continue the evaporation at a reduced heat until the remainder of the ether has pa ed off; lastly, di olve the residuum, as soon as cold, in ether, 4 fl. oz. Obs. Each fl. oz. represents 2 oz. of ergot.— Dose , 10 to 30 drops as a parturifacient, taken on sugar; 3 to 5 drops as a hæmostatic and emmenagogue, in hæmorrhages, floodings, . It po e es all the acrid, narcotic principle of the ergot, but le of the hæmostatic principle than the ordinary e ence, whilst it is much more costly.