Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1886-12-10
Sorsnparilln-Pns, ond Present,

The changes in the mode Of using sarsa-
porilla represent and express the growth Of
chemical and medical science. When first
discovered by the Cunquisiadores, snrsapa-
rilla was employed by the Aztec medicine
men, in conjunction with other drugs, In
the form OF tea. Alter its introduction In
Europe and its adoption into the pharma-
cmpia OF Chrisendom, 1t was used in many
ways, 1t was boiled into tea or embro-
cation, or the boiled and soflened roots
converted into poultice; 1t was pulveriz.
ed, eaten whole or made into an elixir.
Not until the middle of this century, when
organic chemistry had developed into a
science, wns the true character Of the rene
dy discovered. II was then nscertained
that the medical virtues Of sarsnpnrilla
were due 10 delicate principle named sa'-
separin and to minute quantities of an OIL.
eo-resin and some essential oils. Thin
was vast advance upon all that had bee,
previously known. 1t insured greater cer-
tainiy In preparation, treatment ani re-
suits. Still this WAS far IRON sufficient,
Many extracts seem inert, and many pro-
duced uudesired results. These defcien-
cies and Irregularities seemed nexplicable
until DIR. j. G. Aver had finished his in
ves,igaiions into the nature and use of the
root. He found that under many condi-
tions such as overheatiug, long standing
drying, steamng, and the like, tho sa Sc
parin, oieo-resin, and essential oils were
changed into isomeric compounds or de-
siroyed altogether, and he perfected meth
nIs hv inI, Lao,
suits were obtained in preparing the ex.
tract. second and equally important
fact that he unearthed was tl,nt the eflica.
cy OF snrsaparilla was increased fifiy-fold
by combining il with other roots and
chemicals. The third and most notable
achievement was the determination Of these
auxilisries. or this triple discovery, the
compound extract called Ayers Sarsapa.
rilla was the natural consequence. Unlike
those manufacturers OF proprietary medi.
cines who either keep the secret Of their
preparations locked up in their breasts or
who profess the use of some mysterious
medicamenl never before known to the
public, DR.. Aver gave the results of hi-
work in full to the world. The action was
more than wise and polite. 1t changed
the estimate OF this medicine from that of
mere nostrum 10 n standard remedy, and
IN no doing, enabled the medical profession
to prescribe il for their patients. Prior TO
that time there were three classes OF ex-
tract oil sarsaparlla in The market. One
was popular beverage with slightly aper-
lent qualities; second contained pro-
prietury medicines of unknown compost
ton, but in which sarsaparilla was an in
gredlent, and the third consisted of poor
preparations made usually by the apothe-
cary himself in the drug store. Upon the
first class, Ayers Sarsnparilla had no ef-
feet. 1t remained the same, and is to-day
consumed in even larger quantities than
ever before. Practically it is nothing
more nor less than sweet root beer of
cooling but no medicinal character. Up
on the second md third classes it had
profound effect. The competition it pro-
duced between extracts OF unknown COM
position recommended by no one save
their manufacturers aud one whose COM
position was known TO the world, md
which was recommended by every physi-
clan and chemist, soon drove the former
ont OF existence. So that it may he safely
said that all sarsaparillas in vogue prior
to 1855 Nre now deiunct. 1t exercised
similar influence upon the home made ex-
tracts. The village drugglslsls and the
city apothecarieS from The utter lack OF ia
cilities, could moi put up MS uniform and
pure preparation, and what was more
important they could not prepare the
medicine one-hnlf a. chenply M could DIR.
j. c, Aver & Co. They struggled hard
Tor time against the new remedy. it being
very distas,cfnl to give up the filling Of
prescription which paid from 800 to $40
profit ior the retailing OF an article which
paid but twenty cents. Even to-day an
apothecary of the olden times may he
found, now and then, who still! opposes
Ayers Sarsaparilla as injuring the trade.
But those of the modern age welcome ii
a. an invaluable addition to the materia
medica, and a superb improvement up
on the home made extracts of the past
american analyst, Oct l, 1880.