Extract of Ac′onite

Syn. Extract of wolfsbane , E. of monkshood , Inspi ated juice of aconite ; Extractum aconiti (B. P., Ph. L. E. & U. S.), Succus spi atus aconiti (Ph. D. 1826), L. Prep. 1. (B. P.) Take 112 lbs. of the fresh leaves and flowering tops, bruise them, pre out the juice, heat it gradually to 130° F., and separate the green matter by a calico filter. Heat the strained liquor to 200° F. to coagulate albumen, and again filter. Evaporate the filtrate by a water bath to the consistence of a thin syrup; then add to it the green colouring matter previously separated, and stirring the whole together a iduously, evaporate at a temperature not exceeding 140° F. to a pill consistence.— Dose , 1 to 2 gr. 2. (Ph. L.) Take of fresh leaves of aconite, 1 lb.; bruise them in a stone mortar, expre the juice, and evaporate it, unstrained, to a proper consistence. The formulæ of the Ph. D. & U. S. are similar. 3. (Ph. E.) Beat the fresh leaves of aconite to a pulp, and expre the juice, then subject the residuum to percolation with rectified spirit until the latter pa es through without being materially coloured; unite the expre ed juice and the percolated tincture, filter, distil off the spirit, and evaporate in a vapour or a water bath to a proper consistence. Stronger than the preceding. Obs. A variable and uncertain preparation. Numbne and tingling follow its application to the limbs or tongue when it is of good quality.— Product. 1 cwt. of fresh leaves yield between 5 lbs. and 6 lbs. of extract. Prop. Anodyne, sudorific, and narcotic; very poisonous.— Dose , 1 ⁄ 2 gr. to 2 gr., made into a pill with liquorice powder; once or twice a day, in neuralgic pains, chronic rheumatism, glandular swellings, ., gradually and cautiously increased to 5 or 6 gr. 4. (Alcoholic; E. a. alcohol i cum , L.)— a. (P. Cod.) Aconite (in coarse powder), 1 lb.; proof spirit, 3 1 ⁄ 2 lbs. (say 2 1 ⁄ 2 pints); proceed by the method of displacement, and when all the spirit has penetrated the powdered ma , keep this covered with distilled water, until the liquid begins to cause a precipitate in falling into that which has previously pa ed through; next distil the spirit from the tincture, and evaporate the residuum to the proper consistence. b. (Ph. U. S.) Aconite 1 lb.; spirit, sp. gr. ·935 (= 13 u. p.), 1 quart, or q. s.; as last. c. (Ph. Baden.) From the tincture prepared with rectified spirit, and by either maceration or displacement. Stronger than the last two. d. (Ph. Bor.) The juice is expre ed from the fresh herb, which is then sprinkled with about 1 ⁄ 3 of its weight of water, and again pre ed; the mixed and strained liquid is evaporated in a vapour bath, at 122° to 140° Fahr., to about one half; to this, as soon as cold, an equal weight of spirit (sp. gr. ·900) is added, and after frequent agitation for 24 hours, the whole is filtered, with pre ure; the marc is treated with fresh spirit (equal to about 1-4th that first used) and again pre ed; the mixed liquors are next filtered, and are, lastly, evaporated, as before, to the proper consistence. Obs. Resembles the simple extract, but is much more powerful. It has been exhibited internally in the form of pills, and used externally, combined with ointment or spread on simple plaster.— Dose , 1 ⁄ 12 to 1 ⁄ 6 gr. every three hours. 5. (Ammoniated; E. a. ammonia tum , L.—Dr Turn bull.) Extract of aconite, 1 dr.; liquor of ammonia (strongest), 10 or 12 drops; mix. 6. (Dried); E. a. siccum , L.—P. Cod.) The expre ed juice, strained through a sieve or coarse linen, is at once, without depuration, exposed in earthen dishes, in layers of about 2 lines deep, in a stove or current of dry air, to a temperature ranging between 95° and 104° Fahr., until reduced to dryne . The dried extract is to be packed in bottles. 7. (Saccharated; E. a. saccharatum , L.) From extract of aconite (Ph. Bor.), 4 oz.; sugar of milk (in powder), 1 oz.; mix, and dry the ma in a warm place, adding sugar of milk, q. s. to make the whole equal in weight to that of the extract used (4 oz.). An excellent preparation, which keeps well. The other NARCOTIC EXTRACTS , as those of BELLADONNA , HEMLOCK , HENBANE , ., are to be treated in a similar manner. See Aconite , and below .