Cooley's Cyclopaedia of Practical Receipts Volume Ii Part 287

CITRON JUICE (SUCCUS CITRI), chiefly imported from Italy in large casks.

LEMON JUICE (SUCCUS LIMONUM), Ph. L. from lemons that spoil before they can be sold; also imported.

MULBERRY JUICE (SUCCUS MORI--Ph. L.), from the fruit of the mulberry.

ORANGE JUICE (SUCCUS AURANTII), obtained from the same source as that of lemons.

CONCENTRATED ORANGE JUICE (SUCCUS Sp.i.s.sATIS AURANTII vel AURANTIORUM) and CONCENTRATED LEMON JUICE (SUCCUS Sp.i.s.sATUS LIMONUM) are prepared by evaporating the fresh juices of oranges and lemons, either alone or mixed with sugar, and are employed as subst.i.tutes for the fruit, where the latter cannot be obtained.

2. (ALCOHOLISED VEGETABLE JUICES, PRESERVED V. J.; TINCTURES OF RECENT PLANTS; SUCCI ALCOHOLATI, L.; ALCOOLATURES, Fr.) _Prep._ _a._ The juice, obtained by powerful pressure, in the manner noticed above, is allowed to remain for 24 hours in a cold place, when the clear portion is decanted from the feculous matter which has subsided, and is then agitated with one half its volume of rectified spirit (56 o. p.); after another 24 hours the clear portion is again decanted and, if necessary, filtered through bibulous paper or linen. In this way are now generally prepared the preserved juices of aconite, belladonna, colchic.u.m (corms), hemlock, henbane, foxglove, elaterium, lactuca virosa, taraxac.u.m, &c., sold in this country.

_b._ (P. Cod.) To the fresh leaves, bruised in a marble mortar, is added an equal weight of rectified spirit, and after maceration for 15 days the whole is pressed, and the resulting tincture filtered. In this manner are prepared tinctures of the fresh leaves of aconite (tinctura aconiti c.u.m foliis recentibus), belladonna, foxglove, hemlock, henbane, strong-scented lettuce (_Lactuca virosa_), stramonium, trailing poison oak (_Rhus toxicodendron_), mugwort (_Artemisia vulgaris_), colchic.u.m (corms), squirting cuc.u.mber, white poppy, taraxac.u.m, &c., of the Paris Codex.

_Obs._ These tinctures are much more powerful, and more certain in their operation, than those prepared from the dried plants. The commencing dose is from 2 to 5 drops, the effects of which should be carefully watched.

The products of the first of the above formulae keep as well as the ordinary tinctures, and there is less waste of spirit than with the second. That of the P. Cod. is, however, preferred by M. Soubeiran, as affording more uniform products; an opinion which is questionable. Beral orders equal weights of juice and spirit; Mr Squire recommends 1/2 part; Messrs Bentley & Davenport 1/4 part (both by volume), and Mr Gieseke only 1/5 part (by weight), of spirit to 1 part of the expressed juice. The h.o.m.opathists generally go with M. Beral. "Our own experience, which has been very considerable, and extends over upwards of 16 years, leads us to prefer the proportions given in formula _a_, which are similar to those of Mr Squire. If less spirit be employed, the product is apt to suffer rapid deterioration when kept in a warm shop or surgery." (Cooley.)

3. (ETHERIZED VEGETABLE JUICES; SUCCI aeTHERIZATI,--L.; ETHeROLATURES, SUCS eTHeRES, Fr.) For these we are indebted to M. Bouchardat. They are prepared as follows: Ether is gradually added to the depurated freshly expressed juice, until, after active agitation, a thin layer of it rises to the surface on the mixture being allowed to repose for a minute or two; the whole is then set aside for 24 hours, when the supernatant ether is expertly removed by means of a pipette or syringe, and the juice is filtered; lastly, the decanted ether is returned to the filtrate, and the etherised juice is at once put into well-stoppered bottles. For use, one of the bottles is reversed, and the dose taken from the lower part, so that the ether remains behind. We find, in practice, that decantation, carefully conducted, may be subst.i.tuted for filtration; thus not only rendering the process less costly, but ensuring a more uniform product.

The etherised juices are said to retain their active properties for an indefinite period. The method has been successfully applied to the juices of aconite, anemone, black h.e.l.lebore, and hemlock, and is probably applicable to many others; but, we think, not to the juices of all the narcotic plants, as has been a.s.serted.

=Vegetable Fibres.= The following method for the identification of vegetable fibres is intended to supplement the information previously given on this subject. Its originator, M. Vetillard, applies it for distinguishing the fibres of linen, hemp, cotton, jute, China gra.s.s, and New Zealand flax. The following extract descriptive of the process is from the 'Journal of Applied Chemistry':--

"If a woven or spun fibre is to be examined it must first be disintegrated into the single fibres, and any colour or finish must be removed as completely as possible. Vertical and longitudinal microscopic sections are next made. These are rendered transparent by glycerin or chloride of calcium, and treated with tincture of iodine, made by simply dissolving iodine in a solution of iodide of pota.s.sium. The excess of this tincture is removed, a drop of dilute sulphuric acid added, and the sections examined by the aid of the microscope.

_Linen Fibre._--Bundles of similar fibres, with a fine ca.n.a.l in the centre, long, uniformly thick, and pointed at the ends. Longitudinal section; the fibres are coloured blue, the ca.n.a.l yellow. Cross section: regular polygons, loosely connected, coloured blue; centres yellow.

_Hemp._--Fibres aggravated; each fibre covered with a thin skin; coloured yellow. They are thick and less uniform than the linen fibres. The ends are thick and of the shape of spatulas, and become blue or greenish blue with iodine. Cross section: irregular polygons, firmly connected; rim yellow, the ma.s.s blue, the centre colourless.

_Cotton._--Longitudinal section: single fibres, spirally wound on their own axis, with a central ca.n.a.l and broad ends; coloured blue by iodine.

The cross sections are rounded in the shape of kidneys, and coloured blue, with yellow spots interspersed.

_China Gra.s.s._--Longitudinal section: fibres separated lengthwise, of varying thickness. The interior ca.n.a.l is often filled with a yellow granular substance, which is coloured brown by iodine. The fibre is turned blue by iodine. Cross section: irregular, with re-entrant angles, and little cohesion. The fibres are stouter than all other fibres, and are turned blue by iodine.

_Jute._--Fibres strongly coherent, the ends undulating and difficult to separate. Central ca.n.a.l wide, empty, and gently rounded at the ends; coloured yellow. Cross section: polygons strongly coherent and regular, much like those of hemp, but the central opening is larger; coloured yellow, darker at the rim.

_New Zealand Flax._--Bundles of cells of the leaves, easily separated with a needle into stiff little fibres, provided with a ca.n.a.l of uniform width.

The sides are rolled inwards, coloured yellow. The cross section resembles that of jute, but the corners of the polygons are rounded off. They are coloured yellow by iodine tincture.

=VEGETA'TION.= Vegetation (which is here employed in the sense of plants in general) is very unequally distributed over the earth's surface. Thus, towards the poles plants are found, not only in diminished numbers compared to their occurrence in warmer and more temperate regions, but also of much smaller size or stunted growth. No plants at all are met in the regions of eternal frost and snow, whilst in equatorial climes they attain to the most gigantic proportions, and are possessed of the most exquisite colours and perfumes, and yield the finest fruits. The habitat of a plant will, of course, be that on which it finds the conditions favorable to its existence and growth, in the shape of soil, climate, moisture, geographical position, &c.

=VEGETATION (Metallic).= This name has been fancifully applied to the following:--

LEAD TREE; ARBOR SATURNI. Take of sugar of lead, 1 oz.; distilled water, 1-1/2 pint; acetic acid, a few drops; dissolve, place the liquid in a clear white gla.s.s bottle, and suspend a piece of zinc in it, by means of a fine thread.

SILVER TREE; ARBOR DIANae. From nitrate of silver, 20 gr.; water, 1 fl.

oz.; dissolve in a phial, and add about 1/2 dr. of pure mercury.

TIN TREE; ARBOR JOVIS. From chloride of tin, 3 dr.; nitric acid, 10 to 15 drops; distilled or rain water, 1 pint; dissolve in a white gla.s.s bottle, and hang in it, by a thread, a small rod of zinc.

_Obs._ In the above experiments the metals are precipitated in a very beautiful arborescent form. It is curious to observe the laminae shoot out, as it were, from nothing, a.s.suming forms resembling real vegetation. This phenomenon results from voltaic action being set up between the liquid and the metal.

=VEGETO-AL'KALI.= See ALKALOID.

=VEL'LUM.= A fine kind of parchment prepared from the skins of calves, kids, and lambs. The skins are limed, shaved, washed, and stretched in hoops or other frames, where they are sc.r.a.ped and trimmed with the currier's fleshing-knife, and next carefully rubbed down with pumice stone; they are, lastly, polished with finely powdered chalk or fresh-slaked lime, and then dried. A green colour is given with a solution of crystallised verdigris, to which a little cream of tartar and nitric acid has been added; and a blue colour, with a solution of indigo. The surface is often finished off with white of egg, and subsequent friction.

The skins of sheep are commonly used for parchment; those of he-goats and wolves for drum-heads; and those of the a.s.s for battledores. The species of vellum used for church services by binders is said to be prepared from pig-skins. See POUNCE.

=VEL'VET COLOURS.= _Syn._ MAP STAINS, PAPER S.; LACCA FLUIDA, L. _Prep._ 1. (BLUE.)--_a._ Dissolve litmus in water, and add 1/3 of spirit of wine.--_b._ Dilute Saxon blue or sulphate of indigo with water. If required for delicate work, neutralise the acid with chalk.--_c._ To an aqueous infusion of litmus add a few drops of vinegar, until it turns of a full blue.

2. (GREEN.)--_a._ Dissolve crystallised verdigris in water.--_b._ Dissolve sap green in water, and add a little alum.--_c._ Add a little salt of tartar to a blue or purple solution of litmus, until it turns green.--_d._ Dissolve equal parts of crystallised verdigris and cream of tartar in water.

3. (PURPLE.)--_a._ Steep litmus in water, and strain the solution.--_b._ Add a little alum to a strained decoction of logwood.--_c._ Add a solution of carmine (red) to a little blue solution of litmus or Saxon blue.

4. (RED.)--_a._ Macerate ground Brazil wood in vinegar, boil a few minutes, strain, and add a little alum and gum.--_b._ Add vinegar to an infusion of litmus until it turns red.--_c._ Boil or infuse powdered cochineal in water containing a little ammonia or sal volatile.--_d._ Dissolve carmine in liquor of ammonia, or in weak carbonate of potash water; the former is superb.

5. (YELLOW.)--_a._ Dissolve gamboge in water, and add a little alum.--_b._ Dissolve gamboge in equal parts of proof spirit and water. Golden coloured.--_c._ Steep French berries in boiling water, strain, and add a little alum.--_d._ Steep turmeric, round zedoary, gamboge, or annotta, in a weak ley of subcarbonate of soda or potash.

_Obs._ The preceding, thickened with a little gum, are used as inks for writing, as colours to tint maps, foils, paper, artificial flowers, &c., and to paint on velvet. Some of them are very beautiful. Those containing litmus are, however, fugitive. It must be observed that those made with strong spirit do not mix well with gum water, unless somewhat diluted with water. Any other transparent colours or stains may be employed for painting on velvet, as well as the above.

=VELVET LEAF.= _Syn._ PAREIRA BRAVA, PAREIRA (Ph. L., E., & D.) L. "The root of _Cissampelos pareira_" (Ph. L.), white pareira or velvet leaf. It is tonic, aperient, and diuretic.--_Dose_, 20 to 60 grains; in chronic and purulent inflammation and extreme irritability of the bladder; in leucorrha, dropsy, ulceration of the kidney, &c.

=VENESECTION.= The practice of venesection, bloodletting, or phlebotomy, as it is variously denominated, has within the last thirty or forty years been nearly banished from medical practice. It seems very evident that prior to the above period medical pract.i.tioners were in the habit of resorting to venesection to an unwise extent, and in cases which the progress of modern pathology has shown it to be wholly inapplicable.

There are, we believe, some pract.i.tioners who, whilst admitting the evils arising from its misapplication and abuse, still advocate its occasional and judicious employment.

Because of the dangers that beset the operation when performed by a tyro, we forbear to give any particulars as to the method of carrying it out.

The veins of the arm are those always invariably opened in venesection, although the operation may be performed on many other superficial veins.

=VEN'ISON.= The flesh of several species of deer. That from good land, killed at the proper season, and eaten in a moderately fresh state, is most easily digestible, and, perhaps, the most wholesome, of all the red meats; but when it is 'high,' or in a state of incipient putrefaction, it is far from wholesome, and often poisonous.

=VENO BENO (La).= See TEA.

=VENOM.= Drs Brunton and Fayrer, who have devoted many years to the study of the nature and physiological action of snake poisons, state that there appears to be some resemblance in the action of the venom or virus of the cobra, _Naja tripudians_, and of curara, the arrow-poison of the Indians; both poisons causing death by paralysing the respiratory organs.

Dr Armstrong, who has a.n.a.lysed the cobra poison, has not been enabled to isolate from it any crystalline principle. From its reactions he concludes that its chief ingredient is an alb.u.minoid substance.

Dr Armstrong obtained a white precipitate from the poison by treating it with absolute alcohol, and also prepared an alcoholic extract from it.

He gives the following as the composition of the three substances. The alb.u.men is appended for comparison:--

Crude Alcoholic Alcoholic Alb.u.men.

Poison. Precipitate. extract.

Carbon 4355 4576 4304 535 Nitrogen 4330 1430 1245 157 Hydrogen ... 660 700 71 Sulphur ... 250 ... ...

Ash ... Traces.

"But although there is little difference between the composition of the alcoholic precipitate and extract, there is an immense difference between their physiological action, the extract being a virulent poison, the precipitate almost inert. This is notably different from what has been stated by Dr Weir Mitch.e.l.l respecting the poison of the rattlesnake, viz., that the alcoholic precipitate is active, whilst the extract is inert."[255]

[Footnote 255: "Royal Society's Proceedings," 'Pharm. Journ.']