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Concentrated Essence of Musk

Take of grain-musk (Tonquin or Chinese), 1 ounce avoirdupois; boiling distilled water, 1/2 Imperial pint; digest them together in a close vessel, with frequent agitation, until quite cold, then add 31 pints rectified spirit (95 per cent.), 1/2 fluid ounce liquor of ammonia (.880-.885 specific gravity), and, having closely corked or stopped the vessel and securely tied it over with bladder, digest the whole for 1 or 2 months, with frequent agita tion, in a room exposed to the sun, in summer, or in an equally warm situation in win. ter. Lastly, after repose, decant the clear portion, and, if necessary, filter it. A little essence of ambergris is commonly added to the filtrate, or, when this is not done, 1 to 2 drachms of ambergris are put into the vessel before closing it, and after adding the spirit.

Very fine. The residuum is treated with fresh spirit for an inferior quality.