A guide to the alterations in the British pharmacopoeia, 1885 : comprising an epitome of the changes, and an account of the new preparations, their characters, uses, doses, and modes of administration; together with a therapeutical commentary / by Prosser James.

James, Prosser, 1836-1918

Date:: 1889

Credit: A guide to the alterations in the British pharmacopoeia, 1885 : comprising an epitome of the changes, and an account of the new preparations, their characters, uses, doses, and modes of administration; together with a therapeutical commentary / by Prosser James. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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$in this way, and the student will remember that the Uqiiores contain a little of the respective acid and spirit. An aqueous solution may, however, be prepared by using boiling distilled water, which will keep some time. A preservative may also be added—a minute quantity of boric or salicylic acid. About twice as much chloral as morphine will also act as a preservative. Again, if pure camphor water be used, the solution will keep indefinitely, and the same may be said of other alkaloids. This is adopted in the case of apomor- phine and ergotin, and might be more frequently used as a solvent. There is no preparation of sulphate of morphine. Its doses and uses are the same as those of hydrochlorate. LIQUOR MORPHINiE BIMECONATIS. Solution of Bimeconate of Morphine. Take of Hydrochlorate of Morphine, 9 grains ; Solution ot Ammonia, a sufficiency ; Meconic Acid, 6 grains ; Rectified Spirit, J fluid oz.; Distilled Water, a sufficiency. Dissolve the hydrochlorate of morphine in two or three drachms of distilled water, aiding solution by warmth ; then add solution of ammonia until morphine ceases to be precipi- tated ; cool; filter; wash the precipitate with distilled water until the washings cease to give a precipitate with nitrate of silver; drain; mix the precipitate with sufficient water to pro- duce an ounce and a half; add the rectified spirit and the meconic acid; dissolve. Characters and Tests.—A colourless or nearly colourless liquid. Solution of potash produces a white precipitate soluble in excess. Nitric acid gives an orange-red coloration, and neutral solution of perchloride of iron a blood-red coloration which is not changed by the addition of diluted hydrochloric acid, but is discharged by the strong acid. One fluid ounce of this solution contains aboi\t grains, equal to about \\ per cent, of bimeconate of morphine (Ci7Hi9N03,C7H407). The solution, as regards meconate ot morphine, is about the same strength as tincture of opium. A solution of bimeconate of morphine was proposed by the late Mr. Squire, as early as 1839, as possessing ii]^^ eminent degree the sedative power of the morphine./iKw^ scribed by many with success, and it was thoumt^to represent$