Experiments and Observations on the Following Subjects / 1. On the preparation, calcination, and medicinal uses of Magnesia Alba. 2. On the solvent qualities of calcined Magnesia. 3. On the variety in the solvent powers of quick-lime, when used in different quantities. 4. On various absorbents, as promoting or retarding putrefaction. 5. On the comparative antiseptic powers of vegetable infusions prepared with lime, &c. 6. On the sweetening properties of fixed air.

by Thomas Henry

EXPERIMENT XIV.

A drachm of Peruvian bark, twenty grains of calcined Magnesia, and four ounces of distilled water being rubbed together during fifteen minutes, the filtered infusion resembled in appearance the simple tincture of bark, and had an intensely bitter taste, but was not strongly impregnated with the peculiar aroma of the bark.

Thus then we have an easy and very elegant method of preparing aqueous tinctures from the gum resins, and administering them in a more convenient form and in larger doses than could be done when dissolved in a spirituous menstruum; and much more agreeably than in the half-dissolved state to which they are reduced by the aid of egg or gum arabic. The Magnesia does not impart any thing to them, whereas the lime will seldom be so saturated with air but that some part of it will remain soluble in the water: and as they may be given diluted to whatever degree the prescriber chuses, considerable advantages may be expected therefrom, it being probable that they will be better enabled to pervade the very small vessels; and the heating properties of the balsams be more effectually obviated than by any other mode of preparation.

Indeed, tinctures prepared by the above method, are not calculated for officinal compositions, but for extemporaneous prescription; as most of them, except camphor, deposite a sediment when they have been kept a week or two.

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CHAP. VIII.

On the various solvent powers of QUICK-LIME in different quantities.

THE difficulty of solution in the vegetable astringents has been complained of by various writers on the Materia Medica. Water and alcohol are the menstrua in use; but great quantities of each are necessary to procure even a slight impregnation, and much heat and long boiling are said actually to destroy the astringent quality, and vegetable texture.[t] As a menstruum capable of dissolving them with greater facility appeared to be a desideratum, not only in pharmacy, but in other arts, particularly in that of dying blacks, I resolved to try Dr. Macbride's method of increasing the solvent power of water, by means of quick-lime. But as I was aware that the quantity of lime he made use of in obtaining an aqueous tincture of Peruvian bark, would be too great for the dyer's use, I wished to use only such a quantity as would be sufficiently saturated with the air contained in the vegetable, to be itself precipitated; and to compare the tinctures thus made, with a standard prepared with simple water.

EXPERIMENT XV.