Acetum Sanguinariae.—Vinegar of Bloodroot.
Related entry: Sanguinaria (U. S. P.)—Sanguinaria
Preparation.—Take of bloodroot, in powder, 4 ounces; diluted acetic acid, 2 pints. Macerate the bloodroot with the diluted acetic acid in a close glass vessel for 7 days; then express the liquor, filter, and add to the filtered product, alcohol (or concentrated acetic acid), 1 fluid ounce. The whole amount of fluid thus procured should measure 2 pints. This medicated vinegar may also be prepared by percolation.
History.—In this preparation diluted acetic acid is used instead of distilled vinegar. When kept well corked and in the dark, it may be preserved for a long time, though it loses its dark-red color. It is an old eclectic remedy, but a formula is now to be found in the National Formulary (see Related Preparation).
Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage.—Vinegar of bloodroot is seldom used as an emetic, except in combination with other agents of this class. Its chief employment internally is as an expectorant, hepatic, and alterative. As an external application it is useful in many cutaneous affections. Dose, from 10 to 30 drops, in some mucilage or syrup, and repeated 3 or 4 times a day.
Related Preparation.—ACETUM SANGUINARIAE (N. F.). (U. S. P., 1880). Vinegar of sanguinaria. Formulary number, 3: "Sanguinaria, in No. 30 powder, 100 grammes (100 Gm.) 13 ozs. av., 231 grs.]; diluted acetic acid (U. S. P.), a sufficient quantity to make 1000 cubic centimeters (1000 Cc.) [33 fl℥, 391♏︎︎). Moisten the powder with fifty (50) cubic centimeters [1 fl℥, 332♏︎︎] of diluted acetic acid, pack it firmly in a conical glass percolator, and gradually pour diluted acetic acid upon it until one thousand (1000) cubic centimeters [33 fl℥, 391♏︎︎] of percolate are obtained "—(Nat. Form).
