Essence of Ammoni′acum

Syn. Concentrated tincture of ammoniacum ; E entia ammoniac i , Tinctura a. concent rata , L. Prep. 1. Ammoniacum (in tears), 1 lb., is bruised in a very cold marble mortar with half its weight of coarse and well-washed siliceous sand or powdered gla , and rectified spirit, 1 ⁄ 2 pint, gradually added; the trituration is continued until the whole is reduced to a smooth paste, and is then placed in a wide-mouthed bottle, and spirit of wine, 1 1 ⁄ 2 pint, further added; the whole is then digested together for a week with constant agitation, and after sufficient repose to settle, the supernatant transparent liquid is decanted into another bottle for use. 2. Gum ammoniacum, 1 lb., is reduced to a cream with boiling water, 3 ⁄ 4 pint; as soon as the mixture has cooled a little, it is placed in a strong bottle, and rectified spirit of wine, 1 1 ⁄ 4 pint, is cautiously added; the mixture is then corked down close, and the whole macerated for a few days; the bottle is next placed in a moderately warm situation, that the sediment may subside, after which the clearer portion is poured off through flannel into another bottle. Obs. This preparation is used as a substitute for the gum in substance, for extemporaneously preparing emulsion of ammoniacum, mixture of a., . It is represented to po e fully the same amount of medicinal virtue as an equal weight of the solid gum, on which account it has a considerable sale. The product of the first formula, when well managed, is a beautiful pale brownish-coloured, transparent tincture; that of the second is milky and le sightly. The preparation generally sold under the name of ‘ CONCENTRATED ESSENCE OF AMMONIACUM ’ ( ESSENTIA AMMONIAC I CONCENT RATA , L.), and represented as twice as strong as the gum in substance, is generally prepared by the first formula given above for ESSENCE OF AMMONIACUM . A stronger article may be prepared by a similar proce , by using 1 lb. of ammoniacum to a pint of the strongest rectified spirit. As, however, a clear liquid at this strength is somewhat difficult to produce, it is very seldom attempted by the druggists; they therefore generally content themselves with sending out the liquid at half the profe ed strength, leaving the label to confer the additional concentration. See Ammoniacum .