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This page describes practices involving highly flammable materials in ways that create a serious risk of fire or explosion.
In addition, this page prescribes plants as medicine according to pre-modern medical theory. Several of the plants named are toxic, correct identification is difficult, and the doses given have no scientific basis. Do not ingest or apply any preparation described here.
In addition, this page presents medical treatment from an era before modern medicine. The remedies described are ineffective against the conditions named, and some of the ingredients or doses are harmful. Do not use them to treat any illness; consult a qualified medical professional.
This information has been left in for historical purposes but should not be acted upon.
Home › Medicated Syrups › Syrup of Ether
Syrup of Ether
The combina- and moisten them with alcohol. Let them tion of sulphuric ether with simple syrup, as stand 2 or 3 days, then put them in a steam usually prepared, is very unsatisfactory, displacement apparatus, and pass through the whether for use alone, or mixed with other vapor of 3 pints strong alcohol. Continue ingredients; a portion of the ether always the displacement with the steam of water till separates and floats on the surface of the mix- the strength is exhausted; set aside the 3 ture, bringing with it also some impurities of pints of tincture which first passed, and evapthe syrup. In pouring out a portion from orate the remaining decoctions to 1 quart; the bottle containing it, the floating layer of mix this with the tincture, add 3 quarts ether and scum will come first, unless these sugar-house syrup, and, when cold, add 1 be again mixed in by agitating the bottle.
The following improvement is taken from the Paris Codex: Provide a bottle which has a small neck inserted in the side close to the bottom (see illustration); this, as well as the upper neck, should have a closely-fitting cork. The bottle must be of a size to contain 1 pint simple syrup and 1 ounce sulphuric ether. Insert these in it and shake well 3 or 4 times a day for 6 days; after which, if allowed to repose, a thin film of ether will rise and float on the surface of the syrup, separated from it by a layer of scum. The syrup, which is now saturated with ether, can be drawn through the lower neck, as required; it will be perfectly free from impurity, and no further separation of ether will take place. 4654. Compound Syrup of Black Cohosh. Macerate 2 ounces black cohosh