Extract of O′pium

Prep. 1. ( Aqueous extract of opium , Simple e. of o. ; Extractum opii (B. P.), E. o. aquosum (Ph. D.), E. o. purificatum , L.)— a. (B. P.) Opium in thin slices, 1 lb.; distilled water, 6 pints. Macerate the opium in 2 pints of the water for 24 hours, and expre the liquor. Reduce the residue of the opium to a uniform pulp, macerate again in 2 pints of the water for 24 hours, and expre . Repeat the operation a third time. Mix the liquors, strain through flannel, and evaporate by a water bath to a proper consistence for forming pills.— Dose , 1 ⁄ 2 to 1 gr., or more. b. (Ph. L.) Opium (powdered), 1 1 ⁄ 2 lb.; distilled water (cold), 2 1 ⁄ 2 pints; mix gradually, and macerate for 24 hours, frequently stirring with a spatula; (pre ), strain, and repeat the maceration for 24 hours with a fresh quantity (2 1 ⁄ 2 pints) of water; lastly, evaporate the (mixed) strained liquors to a proper consistence. The formulæ of the Ph. E. D. and Baden, and P. Cod., are e entially the same. c. (Ph. D. 1826.) As the last, but using boiling water, and exposing the mixed liquors to the air for 2 days, before filtering, and evaporating them. Inferior to the last. d. (Purified.) The extract, prepared with cold water, is evaporated to dryne , powdered, and redi olved in cold water; after 48 hours’ exposure, and defecation, it is decanted from the dregs, filtered, and gently evaporated, as before. Superior to any other extract of opium made. Obs. Good opium yields from 60% to 70% of its weight of extract, but much depends upon the variety used.— Dose , 1 ⁄ 4 gr. to 2 gr., as an anodyne, sedative, and hypnotic. It is le stimulating than ordinary opium. That prepared by the third formula is, indeed, scarcely inferior in its action to the salts of morphine. This extract is kept in both the hard and soft state ( EXTRACTUM OPII DURUM , E. O. MOLLE ). A solution of the former, in distilled water, with the addition of a little spirit to keep it, forms Battley’s ‘ LIQUOR OPII SEDATIVUS ,’ The Dublin formula is that adopted by the wholesale druggists. Besides the aqueous extract, there are the following preparations:— 2. ( Extractum opii liquidum , B. P.; Extract of opium .) Distilled water, 16; rectified spirit, 4. Digest the extract of opium in the water for an hour, stirring frequently; filter, and add the spirit. The product should measure 20.— Dose , 10 to 30 minims. 3. (Acetic; Extractum opii aceticum , L.—Soubeiran.) Opium, 1 oz.; distilled vinegar, 1 quart; digest 2 days (with heat), decant, filter, and evaporate. 4. (Alcoholic; Extractum opii alcohol i cum , L.—Ph. Antwerp.) From the tincture. 5. (Aqueo-alcoholic; E. opii aquo-alcohol i cum , L.—Taddei.) The opium, exhausted by spirit, is digested in warm water, and the infusion and tincture, separately filtered, are mixed and evaporated. 6. (De-narcotised; Extractum opii absque narcotina , L.— a. (P. Cod.) The aqueous extract is reduced with hot water to the consistence of a syrup, and when cold this is mixed with 8 times its volume of ether, and the whole is frequently shaken for a day or two; the ethereal solution is then decanted, and the proce repeated with fresh ether, as long as it di olves anything. The original form of Robiquet is similar. Said to consist entirely of impure MURIATE OF MORPHINE , GUM , and EXTRACTIVE . b. (M. Lamousin-Lamothe.) Aqueous extract, 4 parts; resin, 1 part; beat well together; add boiling water, 16 parts; boil to one half; add cold water, 8 parts, filter, and evaporate. 7. (By fermentation; Extractum opii per fermentationem , L.)— a. Opium and sugar, of each 4 oz.; water, 1 quart; rub together, and keep the mixture, loosely covered, in a warm situation (about 70° Fahr.), for 10 days or more; then add of cold water, 1 quart, and the next day filter and evaporate. b. (Duyeux.) From an unstrained mixture of opium, 1 part, with water, 8 parts, and a little yeast; left for a week at a temperature of 68° to 77° Fahr., and then diluted, filtered, and evaporated. Some parties have recommended quince juice as the menstruum. 8. (Roasted; Extractum opii torrefacti , L.—Guibourt.) Powdered opium is heated on a flat dish over a moderate fire, with constant stirring, as long as fumes are given off; it is then exhausted by treating it twice with 6 times its weight of water, and the mixed liquor, after filtration, is evaporated. 9. (Vinous; Extractum opii vino paratum , L.—P. Cod.) From wine of opium. The above extracts of opium (excepting the alcoholic) are regarded as le exciting than the other preparations of the drug. The dose of each is similar to that of the aqueous extract.