Extractum Sennae et Jalapae Fluidum.—Fluid Extract of Senna and Jalap.
Related entry: Senna (U. S. P.)—Senna - Jalapa (U. S. P.)—Jalap. - Fluid Extract of Senna. - Deodorized Fluid Extract of Senna.
SYNONYM: Fluid extract of antibilious physic.
Preparation.—Take of senna, in coarse powder, 16 troy ounces; jalap root, in coarse powder, 8 troy ounces; alcohol, a sufficient quantity; carbonate of potassium, 6 drachms; white sugar, 8 troy ounces; diluted alcohol, a sufficient quantity; oil of cloves, 40 minims; oil of anise, 20 minims. Mix the senna and jalap together, and add a sufficient quantity of alcohol to thoroughly moisten them, and let the mixture stand for 24 hours; then transfer it to a percolator, and gradually add alcohol, returning a little of the first that passes till it runs clear. Reserve by itself, of the first percolate, 16 fluid ounces. Then add a sufficient quantity of diluted alcohol to the residuum in the percolator, until the liquid passes but very little impregnated with the properties of the medicine; evaporate this latter solution to 4 fluid ounces, then add the sugar, the carbonate of potassium, the oils of cloves and anise, previously dissolved in a little alcohol, also the reserved tincture, and make 1 ½ pints of the fluid extract.
Medical Uses and Dosage.—This is a concentrated form of the compound powder of jalap, and may be given with safety in all cases where a purgative is required. Should any resinous matter be deposited, it must be dissolved in alcohol and combined with the extract; the addition of the carbonate of potassium is to enable the resinous matter deposited during evaporation, to be dissolved; also to aid in counteracting the griping property of the medicine. The dose for an adult is 1 fluid drachm, which is about equivalent to 1 drachm of the powder (J. King).
