Extractum Pruni Virginianae.—Extract of Wild Cherry.
Related entry: Prunus Virginiana (U. S. P.)—Wild Cherry
Preparation.—Take of wild cherry bark, in coarse powder, alcohol, a sufficient quantity. Moisten the bark with a pint of alcohol, let it stand 24 hours, then transfer to a displacement apparatus, and gradually add alcohol until it passes off nearly tasteless. Evaporate by a gentle heat, or spontaneously; too great a degree of heat will spoil the extract. Wild cherry bark yields to alcohol 22 per cent of dry, deep-red, bitter, astringent extract, containing amygdalin.
Medical Uses and Dosage.—It has been suggested that this extract may be rendered available for extemporaneous prescriptions in the following manner, so as to get the sedative power of the bark associated with all its tonic qualities, thus: Take of alcoholic extract of wild cherry bark, 2 drachms; emulsion of sweet almonds, ½ pint; triturate the extract with a portion of the emulsion till dissolved, and then add the remainder and mix. It should not be used for several hours after it is prepared. The dose is a tablespoonful, and it may be sweetened with sugar or syrup. Before administration it must be shaken, as the coagulum formed by the tannin of the extract acting on the albumen of the emulsion is not to be removed (W. Procter, Jr.).
