Off. Prep. Extractum Ergotae Liquidum. Liquid Extract of Ergot. (Ergot, in coarse powder, one pound; ether, twenty fluid ounces; distilled water, seventy fluid ounces; rectified spirit, eight fluid ounces. The product should measure sixteen fluid ounces. Prepared by removing the oily matters by percolating with well-washed ether, digesting the marc in water at 160°, evaporating this liquid, and then adding spirit, and filtering from the coagulum which is formed.) Each fluid part of this extract represents a solid part of the drug.

[Extractum Ergotae Fluidum. Fluid Extract of Ergot. U. S. Ergot, in fine powder, sixteen troy ounces; acetic, half a fluid ounce. The acid is mixed with three pints of diluted alcohol, and with the mixture twelve ounces of tincture are obtained by percolation. This is set aside, and the ergot is then percolated with the remainder of the mixture, and with diluted alcohol, until three pints more of tincture have been obtained. This last is evaporated to four fluid ounces, and mixed with the reserved tincture.]

Infusum Ergotae. Infusion of Ergot. [Not officinal in U. S. P.] (Ergot, in coarse powder, one quarter of an ounce; boiling distilled water, ten fluid ounces.)

Tinctura Ergotae. Tincture of Ergot. [Not officinal in U. S. P.] (Ergot, bruised, five ounces; proof spirit, twenty fluid ounces. Prepared by maceration and percolation.

[Vinurn Ergotae. Wine of Ergot. U. S. Ergot, in powder, four troy ounces. Two pints of wine are obtained by percolation with sherry wine.]

Therapeutics. Ergot exercises a peculiar influence on the muscular coat of the uterus, causing powerful contractions, especially when in a pregnant state; it also acts on the muscular coats of the vessels of that organ, and apparently on those of the general system. When taken for a long period in small quantities, as in the form of bread made from ergotized grain, it produces a species of gangrene, resembling gangrena senilis, probably due to its causing obstruction of the vessels by diminishing their calibre. In large doses it induces nausea, vomiting, delirium, stupor, and even death. Its action is said to diminish the frequency and fulness of the pulse. It is most frequently employed to cause contraction of the uterus in cases of labour, and the contractions induced by it differ from the natural ones in being continued, instead of alternating with relaxations. In haemorrhage after delivery it is especially indicated, also in menorrhagia, leucorrhcea, and sometimes in amenorrhcea.

Dose. Of the liquid extract, 20 min. to 1 fl. drm.; of the infusion, 1 fl. oz. to 2 fl. oz.; of the tincture, 1/2 fl. drm. to 1 fl. drm.; of the powder, 20 gr. to 30 gr. (Infused in boiling water for about 20 minutes, and both infusion and dregs taken.)

Saccharum Album. [Saccharum. U. S.] Refined Sugar. The purified crystalline juice prepared from the stem of Saccharum officinarum; Lin. Syst., Triandria digynia; cultivated in the West Indies and other tropical climates.

Description. White or lump sugar is too familiar as an article of domestic economy to receive detailed description. It occurs in compact crystalline conical loaves, snow white, dry, scentless, and intensely and purely sweet.

Prop. & Comp. The uncrystallizable liquid forming the mother liquor from which the sugar is crystallized is molasses or treacle; the crystalline portion is clarified and refined in a manner the description of which would occupy too much space in a work of the present size. Cane sugar has the formula (C12 H11 O11); it is soluble in half its weight of cold, and in a much less quantity of hot water; a very strong and viscid solution is called syrup. Carefully crystallized from a strong solution with the addition of spirit, it forms oblique four-sided prisms, sugar candy. Heated to 365° Fah., it melts, forming a viscid liquid, which when suddenly cooled, solidifies into an amorphous transparent substance, called barley sugar. It is less soluble in water than grape sugar, and readily converted into that substance by the action of weak acids, or by fermentation.

Off. Prep. Syrupus. Syrup. (Refined sugar, five pounds; distilled water, forty ounces. The specific gravity should be 1.33.)

Therapeutics. Sugar is demulcent; its sweet taste renders it useful to cover the unpleasant flavour of some remedies. Sugar is used in the formation of the syrups of the Pharmacopoeia, and in various other preparations.

Dose. Of sugar or syrup, ad libitum.

Adulteration. Sugar is liable to contain some sulphate of lime, and also lead, from its mode of purification; but the proportion of these substances is so minute, as to be innocuous in the amount given medicinally, though not harmless when sugar is daily used in considerable quantities for domestic purposes.

Theriaca. Treacle. [Not officinal in U. S. P.] Sacchari Faex., Ph. Land. 1851. The uncrystallized residue of the refining of sugar. Prop. & Comp. Treacle occurs as a dark reddish-brown thick fluid; very sweet; sp. gr. 1.40. It consists chiefly of sugar rendered uncrystallizable by heat; it is capable of fermentation with yeast, and then yields rum by distillation. It should be free from a burnt odour and taste.

Therapeutics. Treacle acts as a slight laxative, in doses of a tcaspoonful and upwards; it is often given in combination with sulphur.