Extractum Gentianae (U. S. P.)—Extract of Gentian.
Related entry: Gentiana (U. S. P.)—Gentian
Preparation.—"Gentian, in No. 20 powder, one thousand grammes (1000 Gm.) [2 lbs. av., 3 ozs., 120 grs.]; water, a sufficient quantity. Moisten the powder with four hundred cubic centimeters (400 Cc.) [13 fl℥, 252♏] of water, and let it macerate for 24 hours; then pack it in a conical percolator, and gradually pour water upon it until the infusion passes but slightly imbued with the properties of the gentian. Reduce the liquid to three-fourths of its bulk by boiling, and strain; then, by means of a water-bath, evaporate to a pilular consistence"—(U. S. P.).
Description, Medical Uses, and Dosage.—Extract of gentian is a tenacious, shining, dark-brown or blackish product, very bitter to taste, but pleasant in odor. The principles are extracted by cold water, while the starch and pectin remain in the powder. By subsequent boiling the albuminous matter is separated. This extract is a tonic, and may be used wherever this indication is present, either alone or in conjunction with other tonics. The dose is from 1 to 10 grains.
Extractum Gentianae Fluidum (U.S. P.)—Fluid Extract of Gentian.
Preparation.—"Gentian, in No. 30 powder, one thousand grammes (1000 Gm.) [2 lbs. av., 3 ozs., 1.20 grs.]; diluted alcohol, a sufficient quantity to make one thousand cubic centimeters (1000 Cc.) [33 fl℥, 391♏]. Moisten the powder with three hundred and fifty cubic centimeters (350 Cc.) [11 fl℥, 401♏] of diluted alcohol, and pack it firmly in a cylindrical percolator; then add enough diluted alcohol to saturate the powder and leave a stratum above it. When the liquid begins to drop from the percolator, close the lower orifice, and, having closely covered the percolator, macerate for 48 hours. Then allow the percolation to proceed, gradually adding diluted alcohol, until the gentian is exhausted. Reserve the first eight hundred cubic centimeters (800 Cc.) [27 fl℥, 25♏] of the percolate. Distill off the alcohol from the remainder by means of a water-bath, and evaporate the residue to a soft extract; dissolve this in the reserved portion, and add enough diluted alcohol to make the fluid extract measure one thousand cubic centimeters (1000 Cc.) [33 fl℥, 391♏]"—(U. S. P.).
Description, Medical Uses, and Dosage.—This extract has a dark reddish-brown color, is translucent and free from sediment, and transparent in thin strata. It possesses the taste and odor of gentian. Tonic, and may be given in doses of from 1/2 to 1 fluid drachm, which represent 1/2 to 1 drachm of gentian root. It may be variously combined with other agents to meet particular indications. For instance, should an aperient tonic, with antacid properties be desired, the following form may be used: Take of fluid extract of gentian, 2 fluid ounces; fluid extract of rhubarb, 2 fluid drachms; bicarbonate of potassium, 1 drachm; tincture of ginger, 2 fluid drachms. Mix. One fluid drachm of this mixture will be equal to about 40 grains of gentian, 6 of rhubarb, and 3 of bicarbonate of potassium. If a chalybeate tonic is desired, the following may be employed. Take of citrate of iron and quinine, 1 drachm; water, 6 fluid drachms; dissolve, and add fluid extract of gentian, 2 fluid ounces. A fluid drachm of this mixture will represent about 45 grains of gentian, and 3 grains of citrate of iron and quinine (Wm. Procter, Jr.). Dose, 1 to 10 grains.
Extractum Gentianae Fluidum Compositum.—Compound Fluid Extract of Gentian.
Preparation.—Take of gentian, in coarse powder, 16 troy ounces; bitter orange peel, coriander seeds, of each, in coarse powder, 4 troy ounces; water, alcohol, each, a sufficient quantity. Macerate the gentian in 2 1/2 pints of water for 12 hours, and introduce it into a percolator; allow the infusion to pass slowly, adding water at intervals until 5 pints of the liquid have passed. Evaporate this to 10 fluid ounces. Macerate the orange peel and coriander seeds in a mixture of 8 fluid ounces of alcohol, and 4 fluid ounces of water for 12 hours; introduce them into a percolator, and add gradually a sufficient quantity of diluted alcohol to displace 12 fluid ounces of tincture. Evaporate this to 6 fluid ounces by a gentle heat, 48.8° C. (120° F.), add it to the solution of gentian while hot, and strain. When finished, the fluid extract should measure a pint (Wm. Procter, Jr.). This formula can be simplified to advantage by mixing the powders and percolating in the usual manner.
Description, Medical Uses, and Dosage.—The compound fluid extract of gentian is a colored, thin, syrupy liquid. In the preparation of it I should prefer prickly ash berries to the coriander, both on account of their flavor and well-known influence on mucous tissues. Tonic and carminative, and may be given in doses of from 1/2 to 1 fluid drachm (J. King).
King's American Dispensatory, 1898, was written by Harvey Wickes Felter, M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D.
