Syrupus Pruni Virginiana (U. S. P.)—Syrup of Wild Cherry.
Related entry: Prunus Virginiana (U. S. P.)—Wild Cherry
Preparation. —"Wild cherry, in No. 20 powder, one hundred and fifty grammes (150 Gm.) [5 ozs. av., 127 grs.]; sugar, seven hundred grammes (700 Gm.) [1 lb. av., 8 ozs., 303 grs.]; glycerin, one hundred and fifty cubic centimeters (150 Cc.) [5 fl℥, 35♏︎]; water, a sufficient quantity to make one thousand cubic centimeters (1000 Cc.) [33 fl℥, 391♏︎]. Mix the glycerin with three hundred cubic centimeters (300 Cc.) [10 fl℥, 69♏︎] of water. Moisten the wild cherry with a sufficient quantity of the liquid, and macerate for 24 hours in a close vessel; then pack it firmly in a cylindrical percolator, and pour on the remainder of the menstruum. When the liquid has disappeared from the surface, follow it by water, until the percolate measures four hundred and fifty cubic centimeters (450 Cc.) [15 fl℥, 104♏︎]. Dissolve the sugar in the percolate by agitation, without heat, strain, and pass enough water through the strainer to make the product measure one thousand cubic centimeters (1000 Cc.) [33 fl℥, 391♏︎]. Mix thoroughly. Syrup of wild cherry may also be prepared in the following manner: Prepare a percolator or funnel in the manner described under syrup (see Syrupus). Pour the percolate obtained as directed in the preceding formula upon the sugar, return the first portions of the percolate, until it runs through clear, and, when all the liquid has passed, follow it by water, until the product measures one thousand cubic centimeters (1000 Cc.) [33 fl℥, 391♏︎]. Mix thoroughly"—(U.S. P.).
Or, take of wild cherry bark, in rather coarse powder, 5 ounces; moisten it thoroughly with a sufficient quantity of water, and then introduce it, rather closely packed, into a percolator, and gradually add water until a pint of percolate has passed. Place this in a well-stopped bottle, add to it sugar, 28 troy ounces, and form a syrup by agitation. The official process is based upon that proposed by Procter and Turnpenny (1842). The glycerin present (proposed by Schnabel, in 1874) not only prevents fermentation, but obviates all danger of precipitation. This syrup has an agreeable taste and a fine brown-red color.
Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage.—This forms a handsome tonic and sedative syrup, which may be used in all cases where wild cherry bark is indicated or desired. It may be given in doses of from 1 fluid drachm to ½ fluid ounce.
