®)RWIULA8 FOR 
ADOPTED BY THE 
American iharmacwtical 
*• * 
AT ITS TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL MEETING, 
HELD IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA, SEPTEMBER, 1873, 
AND 
RECOMMENDED TO BE USED BY PHYSICIANS 
AND PHARMACISTS. 
SHERMAN k PHILADELPHIA. To the Medical Societies of the United States: 
At the Twenty-First Annual Meeting of the American Pharmaceutical 
Association, held in the City of Eichmond, Va., in September last, a Keport 
on Formulas for Elixirs was read, and the following resolution was then 
adopted: 
“ Resolved, That this report be adopted, with the recommendation that these 
formulas be used by the members of the Association, and that the Secretary 
be instructed to send a printed copy of this report to the medical societies of 
the Union, with the suggestion that physicians, if prescribing elixirs at all, 
prescribe only such formulas as have been adopted by this Association.” 
The undersigned takes pleasure to send herewith a copy of the above-men- 
tioned report, containing formulas for a number of so-called medicinal elixirs. 
It being desirable that even unofiicinal preparations should be uniformly made 
throughout the country, it is hoped that your honorable body may deem it 
expedient to take such action in this matter as may tend to secure this much- 
desired uniformity. 
Very respectfully, 
John M. Maisch, Phar.D., 
Permanent Secretary American Pharmaceutical Association. 
145 North Tenth Street, 
Philadelphia, December, 1873. REPORT. 
“ Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed by the 
President, to take into consideration the subject of elixirs and 
similar unofficinal preparations, in all its bearings upon phar- 
macy, and if deemed proper, to report suitable formulas for 
the guidance of the members of this Association.” 
The universal solvent has been long sought for, but has not, 
and most likely will never be found, and it is quite as unlikely 
that the formula for a simple elixir will be found which will 
afford a preparation that will meet all the requirements of a 
medicating vehicle ; yet it may be possible to meet the general 
indications of a simple elixir, by which many unpleasant 
medicines can be modified in taste and odor, and rendered 
tolerant to the most delicate stomach, without modifying or 
changing in the least their therapeutic properties. 
To arrive at most satisfactory results, a series of careful ex- 
periments were instituted, which we believe have furnished 
good results. The formulas resulting from our experiments, 
which wTe herewith have the honor to present, are accom- 
panied with corresponding preparations. It will be observed 
that this report has its restricted limits, and it is not our pur- 
pose to recommend a long list of useless combinations, which 
might savor of empiricism and tend to deceive physicians. 
In our conclusions we may be criticized by those who have 
apparently accomplished the task of constructing formulas 
for simple elixirs, as also those who have adopted such for- 
mulas. In this, however, we have no aspirations to vainglory, 6 
but have simply followed in the track of duty, performing to 
the best of our abilities the task imposed upon us. There- 
fore we invite the scrutiny of this Association, before any 
final judgment has been passed upon our work. 
Elixirs are not a new class of preparations: on the contrary, 
they are very old; and after all they remind us of the adage, 
“Nothing new under the sun.” 
We doubt very much that the elixirs of any age ever par- 
took more of the character of nostrums than those of the 
present day, and were it not for the fact that we are conscious 
that all trades, professions, and classes of men have their 
follies, we would express horror at the pharmaceutical folly, 
as manifested in the modern elixirs ; nor is there anything 
which reminds us more of the “ Mithridate” of old, or the 
“ Theriaca” of mediaeval times, than the class of pharmaceu- 
ticals known as elixirs. 
For if we examine, it will be found that almost all con- 
tributors to the elixir literature have indicated their respec- 
tive formulas by the greatest multiplicity of ingredients ; in- 
deed, they sometimes exhibit the greatest variety of remedies, 
representing the three grand divisions of nature,—animal, 
vegetable, and mineral; for instance, elixir of beef, bark, and 
iron, &c. 
The greatest commendations which we can bestow upon 
elixirs as a class is, that they are too feeble to do much harm, 
even when they contain strychnia, and that they act splen- 
didly as placebos ; particularly is this the case with those 
purporting to contain the bitter alkaloids, and are so very 
pleasant to the taste, that scarcely a particle of bitter can be 
detected. Just here your committee deem it proper to state, 
that they have not been able to overtake some of the elixir 
manufacturers, in the act of giving quinia, strychnia, and other 
bitter remedies, in clear solution, without giving at the same 
time their characteristic bitter taste. This may be for want 
of greater experience in this line, or perhaps for want of a 
more profound understanding of the pharmaceutic art, in the 
domain of elegant pharmacy ; or it may be for want of a better 7 
understanding of the demands of the medical profession and 
the public for pleasant medicines. We have endeavored (as 
the accompanying samples will attest) to place the ingredi- 
ents indicated by the formulas in the vials, while those who 
have excelled us in the art of completely masking bitterness, 
may possibly have the active principles only represented by 
the label. Indeed, we may be excused for such a conclusion, 
from the fact, that it has been discovered, that many of the 
so-called preparations of phosphate of iron are made by sub- 
stituting pyrophosphate of iron, and that many of the elixirs 
of Calisaya bark, so called, are not made with the bark, but 
from variable proportions of one or more of its salts ; ferrated 
elixir of Calisaya, and many other elixirs, stand in the same 
deceptive list. This may or may not be warranted, from the 
plea of precedence, but respect for truth and consistency 
compels an adverse judgment on our part; and to finally meet 
this pharmaceutical depravity, your committee would most 
respectfully recommend a correction of the elixir nomencla- 
ture, and when possible, to give names that will correctly 
represent the compounds in question. 
It therefore becomes necessary to drop the names elixir of 
Calisaya bark, ferrated elixir of Calisaya, and the like, unless 
made from the bark. If made with quinia or cinchonia, 
iron, &c., the name should be given so as to represent that 
the preparation is the simple elixir ferrated with quinia, or 
the name of whatever active medicines may be combined with 
the simple elixir and iron. 
It is advisable that physicians should abandon the popular 
habit of ordering A., B., and C.’s elixirs, particularly if they 
are proprietary, and the formulas withheld from pharmacists 
and physicians, which, as a rule, is unjust to the dispensing 
pharmacist, who is in most cases fully as competent to make 
the compounds secundum artem as is the special elixir man- 
ufacturer. The manufacture of preparations for, and the 
compounding of, physicians’ prescriptions, should be an open 
competition, intrusted only to thoroughly qualified pharma- 
cists. If this be granted, it is then unfair for the physician 8 
to command the pharmacist of one city to employ a pharma- 
cist in a distant city to prepare the remedies for his prescrip- 
tions, except in very remarkable cases. It is further sug- 
gested, that physicians use the simple elixir or red elixir, and 
extemporize with them such remedies and in such proportions 
as the individual cases may indicate, regardless of the beauti- 
ful appearance of the preparations, whether or not they be 
solution or mixture. The pleasant taste and odor of the simple 
elixir qualifies it pre-eminently as a vehicle for the admin- 
istration of quinia, strychnia, iron, bismuth, pepsin, &c., as 
also any of the solid and fiuid extracts. The extemporized 
elixirs should not be filtered, but always dispensed, if neces- 
sary, with the direction : “ Shake the vial before pouring out 
each dose,” as by filtration the medicinal quality of the elixir 
is sometimes sacrificed for the sake of good appearance. 
The members of the committee being absent except its 
chairman, some confusion is experienced in making this re- 
port, from the fact that two others of the committee have 
suggested some formulas, which, being at variance with our 
views, because of the multiplicity of ingredients, are omitted. 
Therefore, the report which we now have the honor to pre- 
sent, is essentially a minority report, or only that of the 
chairman of the committee. The plan which we respectfully 
recommend is similar to that adopted by Professor C. Lewis 
Diehl, which was published some time ago in the pharma- 
ceutical journals, viz., the adoption of a formula for simple 
elixir, to be used as a general medicating vehicle; and to 
fully meet the reasonable demand for elixirs, a list of formulas 
is herewith submitted, simple in construction, easy of manip- 
ulation, and believed to be fully as efficient in medicinal 
properties as are those more complex. 
In our aim at simplicity, wTe have endeavored to harmonize 
wfith the treatise of Professor Diehl on the subject, and in 
some cases have given his formulas, as will be shown by notes 
of explanation. In all cases, however, where simple elixir is 
ordered, that made from the formula given in this report is 
intended. 9 
For want of time, and owing to ill health during the early 
part of this year, the subject has not received that thorough 
attention which it deserves, and which it was our intention 
to give. Experience suggests the inexpediency of continuing 
the committee, because the members have not the convenience 
of easy communication, living as they do in remote parts of 
the country ; and, believing that one member of the Associa- 
tion, drawing his information from various sources, can make 
a more satisfactory report than the several members of a 
committee, we would advise that the committee be discharged 
from the further consideration of the subject, and that the 
whole question be referred to the Committee on Unofficipal 
Formulas. Should the Committee on Unofficinal Formulas 
give that attention to the work which it so richly merits, an 
interesting and profitable report may be expected at the next 
annual meeting of this Association. 
Should this committee act in an eclectic capacity, doubtless 
much valuable information will be gained that may be useful 
to the Committee on Revision of the Pharmacopoeia. The 
investigation should not be restricted to any particular branch 
of pharmacy, but include the entire range of unofficinal 
formulas. 
UNOPFICINAL FORMULAS. 
REPORTED BY J. F. HANCOCK. 
Compound Powder of Cochineal. 
Take of Cochineal in powder, 120 grains. 
Alum, in powder, ...... 120 grains. 
Carbonate of Potassium, ..... 120 grains. 
Bitartrate of Potassium, ..... 240 grains. 
Mix. Keep in well-stoppered vial. 
Compound Tincture of Cochineal. 
Take of Compound Powder of Cochineal, . . . 120 grains. 
Diluted Alcohol, 2 fluid ounces. 
Slightly warm the diluted alcohol and mix with the powder, macerate in a 10 
stoppered vial for twelve hours, and filter for use. This is permanent, and im- 
parts a beautiful red color to elixirs and solutions which have no acid prop- 
erties. , 
Spirit of Orange. 
Take of Oil of Sweet Orange, 1 fluid ounce. 
Stronger Alcohol, 15 fluid ounces. 
Mix. This is made in proportions to conform with the spirits of the U. S. 
P., and is a pleasant and convenient form of orange flavor. 
Simple Elixir. 
Take of Spirit of Orange, £ fluid ounce. 
Stronger Alcohol, ...... 4 fluid ounces. 
Cinnamon Water, 6 fluid ounces. 
Syrup, 6 fluid ounces. 
Mix. 
This is a turbid mixture. For many purposes it is not 
necessary to filter before using, but generally it should be 
clear, particularly when used for ph}Tsicians prescriptions, and 
in making some elixirs. Filtering-paper pulp, made by beat- 
ing scraps of chemically pure filtering-paper in a mortar, in 
the proportion of sixty grains of paper to half fluid ounce of 
water, added to sixteen fluid ounces of the elixir, agitated 
briskly for a few moments, and filtered, renders the elixir 
perfectly limpid. The paper is free from the chemical objec- 
tions urged against carbonate of magnesium, chalk, &c., which 
are frequently used as clarifying agents. 
The very pleasant taste and odor of this elixir, its freedom 
from color and chemical impurities, commends it for general 
use as a medicating vehicle. 
Red Elixir. 
Take of Comp. Tincture of Cochineal, £ fluid ounce. 
Simple Elixir, 16 fluid ounces. 
Mix. 
This is sometimes preferred as a simple elixir because of its 
beautiful color. 11 
Elixir of Calisaya Bark. 
Take of Tinct. Cinchona, U. S. P., 1870, . . .22 fluidrachms. 
Simple Elixir, . . . sufficient to make 16 fluid ounces. 
Mix and filter. This contains the virtues of two grains of Calisaya hark in 
one fluidrachm. 
Elixir of Calisaya Bark with Iron. 
Take of Elixir of Calisaya Bark, 15 fluid ounces. 
Warm Distilled Water, 1 fluid ounce. 
Citrate of Iron, soluble, ..... 128 grains. 
Dissolve the iron in the warm water and add the elixir. Filter if necessary. 
Each fluidrachm of the unfiltered elixir contains one grain of the iron salt, 
and the virtues of nearly two grains of Calisaya bark. 
Compound Elixir of Cinchona. 
Take of Compound Tinct. of Cinchona, U. S. P., 1870, 22 fluidrachms. 
Simple Elixir, . . . sufficient to make 16 fluid ounces. 
Mix and filter. If not required for immediate use, this and also the Calisaya 
elixir should stand for about twelve hours before filtering. 
Compound Elixir of Cinchona with Iron. 
Take of Compound Elixir of Cinchona, ... 15 fluid ounces. 
Warm Distilled Water, ..... 1 fluid ounce. 
Citrate of Iron, soluble, ..... 120 grains. 
Mix. Proceed as for Elixir of Calisaya with Iron. 
Elixir of Citrate of Iron. 
Take of Citrate of Iron, soluble, ..... 256 grains. 
Warm Distilled Water, ..... 1 fluid ounce. 
Simple Elixir, . ... . . .15 fluid ounces. 
Dissolve the iron in the warm water and mix with the simple elixir. Filter. 
Elixir of Pyrophosphate of Iron. 
Take of Pyrophosphate of Iron, ..... 256 grains. 
"Warm Distilled Water, ..... 1 fluid ounce. 
Simple Elixir, 15 fluid ounces. 
Make according to directions for Elixir of Citrate of Iron. 
This is the same in medicinal strength as Professor Diehl’s 
formula. 12 
Elixir of Citrate of Bismuth. 
Take of Citrate of Bismuth and Ammonium, . . 256 grains. 
Warm Distilled Water, 4 fluid ounces. 
Water of Ammonia (drop by drop), . . sufficient. 
Simple Elixir, . . sufficient to make sixteen fluid ounces 
of finished elixir. 
This is the same bismuth strength as Professor Diehl’s for- 
mula, viz., two grains of citrate of bismuth and ammonium 
in each fluidrachm. 
Elixir of Pepsin. 
Take of Saccharated Pepsin, Scheffer’s formula, . . 256 grains. 
Sherry Wine, . ...... 14 fluid ounces. 
Simple Syrup, ....... 2 fluid ounces. 
Fluid Extract of Ginger, .... 25 drops. 
Dissolve the pepsin in the wine, mix the fluid extract of ginger with the 
syrup, and mix altogether. Filter if necessary. Contains two grains of pepsin 
to the fluidrachm. 
Elixir of Valerianate of Ammonium. 
Take of Valerianate of Ammonium in crystals, . . 256 grains. 
Compound Tinct. of Cochineal, . . . fluid ounce. 
Simple Elixir, ....... 15J fluid ounces. 
Dissolve the valerianate of ammonium in two ounces of the simple elixir, 
and carefully add water of ammonia until the solution is exactly neutral to 
test-paper. Mix with the balance of simple elixir, and then add the compound 
tincture of cochineal. 
This is the formula of Professor C. Lewis Diehl, with the 
exception of the simple elixir. Notwithstanding this prepara- 
tion contains a larger quantity than usual of the valerianate 
of ammonium (two grains of the salt in each fluidrachm), yet 
its unpleasant taste and odor is effectually masked by the 
fragrance of the simple elixir. 
Elixir of Valerianate of Ammonium with Quinia. 
Take of Sulphate of Quinia, 128 grains. 
Elixir of Valerianate of Ammonium, . . 16 fluid ounces. 
Mix. Filter if necessary. Sulphate of quinia is soluble in elixir of vale- 
rianate of ammonium to twice the quantity here ordered. 13 
Compound Elixir of Sumbid. 
Take of Tincture of Sumbul (Brit. Ph. 1867),* . . 4 fluid ounces. 
Syrup, ........ 4 fluid ounces. 
. Compound Tincture of Cochineal, . . . £ fluid ounce. 
Elixir of Yalerianate of Ammonium, . . 8 fluid ounces. 
Mix. 
The elixir is slightly turbid, owing to the resin of the 
sumbul, which, if filtered out, must lessen its medicinal 
powers. This is given as a type of extemporaneous elixirs, 
which should not be filtered, but dispensed with the direc- 
tion, “ Shake the vial before pouring out each dose.” 
Elixir Pyrophosphate of Iron, Quinia, and Strychnia. 
(C. Lewis Diehl’s Formula.) 
He says: “ This requires particular manipulation, which 
precludes the use of simple elixirs. 
“ The following formula, the result of concert experiments 
of my friend, Mr. E. Scheffer, and myself, has been used by 
me since autumn, 1869, and lean recommend it as uniformly 
successful, when the manipulations are carefully conducted: 
“ Take of Sulphate of Quinia, 60 grains. 
Strychnia, 1 grain. 
Citric Acid, 5 grains. 
Stronger Alcohol, ...... 3 fluid ounces. 
Spirit of Orange, 80 minims. 
Syrup, 6 fluid ounces. 
Pyrophosphate of Iron, £ troy ounce. 
Distilled Water, 7 fluid ounces. 
Water of Ammonia, ..... sufF. quantity. 
“ Triturate the sulphate of quinia, strychnia, and citric acid together, until 
minutely divided, then add the alcohol and spirit of orange. Warm the 
syrup slightly (to about 150° F.), and add to the turhid mixture, when, upon 
stirring, the mixture becomes cleaj\ To this add the pyrophosphate of iron, 
previously dissolved in the distilled water, and finally, carefully add water of 
* This is made by macerating and displacing two and a half ounces avoir- 
dupois of powdered sumbul with proof spirit, so as to obtain one imperial 
pint fgiss., U. S. measure) of tincture.—Editor. 14 
ammonia, drop by drop, until the elixir is perfectly neutral to test-paper; 
filter. The finished preparation has a greenish-yellow color, a pleasant flavor 
of orange, and is permanent.” 
Bitter Wine of Iron. 
(James T. Shinn’s Formula, slightly modified.) 
We have had several years’ experience with the following 
formula, and it has given entire satisfaction to prescriber, 
dispenser, and consumer. 
Take of Sulphate of Cinchonia, 45 grains. 
Sulphate of Quinia, ...... 15 grains. 
Citric Acid, . 60 grains. 
Citrate of Iron, soluble, ..... 240 grains. 
Concentrated Tinct. Fresh Sweet Orange-peel, 3 fluid ounces. 
Distilled Water, ...... 3 fluid ounces. 
Sherry Wine, 8 fluid ounces. 
Syrup, ........ 2 fluid ounces. 
Dissolve the sulphates and citric acid in two .ounces of the water, and the 
iron in the remaining ounce of water : mix the two solutions, and add the other 
ingredients, previously well mixed together. 
The only change from the original formula is in the kind 
and quantity of orange flavor, for which we claim an improve- 
ment. See Proceedings of American Pharmaceutical Associa- 
tion, 1864, p. 234. 
Elixir of Gentian with Iron. 
Take of Extract of Gentian, 128 grains. 
Citrate of Iron, soluble, 128 grains. 
Distilled Water, ...... 1 fluid ounce. 
Simple Elixir, 15 fluid ounces. 
Dissolve the extract and iron in the water, warmed, and add the simple elixir : 
filter. 
Elixir of Bromide of Potassium. 
Take of Bromide of Potassium, 640 grains. 
Bed Elixir, 16 fluid ounces. 
Mix. 
This contains five grains of the salt in each fluidrachm, 
and is given as a type. The red elixir does not seem to an- 15 
swer for the elixir bromide of calcium; caramel is a more 
suitable coloring substance for the calcium elixir. We prefer 
the simple elixir in this case, and to use no coloring substance. 
Syrup of Licorice Boot. 
Take of select Licorice Eoot in moderatelycoarse powder, 4 troy ounces. 
Diluted Alcohol, ...... sufficient quantity. 
Sugar, ........ 12 troy ounces. 
Moisten and pack in a conical percolator; macerate for twelve hours, per- 
colate to exhaustion. Place the tincture over a water-bath until reduced to 
ten fluid ounces, filter, and then add the sugar ; lastly, sufficient distilled water 
to make sixteen fluid ounces of finished syrup. 
The syrup of licorice root, when carefully prepared, is more 
effectual and more convenient for masking the bitterness of 
quinia, than is the very popular “ compound elixir of taraxa- 
cum,” and being free from the stimulating influence of alcohol, 
which is present in the elixir, is well adapted for children. 
The proper proportions will be one grain of quinia (any salt 
of it), to the fluidrachm, and if those for whom quinia is 
ordered, will take the precaution to chew a small quantity of 
licorice root, previous to taking the quinia mixed with the 
syrup of licorice, in the proportions here recommended, scarcely 
any bitterness will be observed. As a matter of course, acids 
mixed with quinia and licorice syrup, will immediately de- 
velop the bitter taste. 
It has of late become fashionable to use glycerin as an 
antiseptic and solvent in elixirs, as well as other compounds 
of pharmacy, but our aversion to the general use of glycerin 
for internal administration, for various reasons, has prevented 
its introduction in our formulas. 
The results of our investigations of liquid pepsin prepara- 
tions, will not warrant the introduction of more than the one 
formula, which is really a wine of pepsin, and has been found 
useful in many cases.