A PREPARATION FOR MASKING THE NAUSEOUS TASTE OF MEDICINES
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Henly McLaughlin, of the City and County of
San Francisco, State of California, United States of America, Chemist, for an
Invention of "A PREPARATION FOR MASKING THE NAUSEOUS TASTE OF
MEDICINES"
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Henly McLaughlin
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th June 1882.
WILLIAM HENLY MCLAUGHLIN of the City and County of San Francisco State
of California United States of America Chemist, A PREPARATION FOR MASKING
THE NAUSEOUS TASTE OF MEDICINES
My Invention relates to a preparation which is principally useful to disguise the
bitter nauseous taste of quinine and other bitter alkaloids.
It consists of a peculiar aqueous fluid extract of an herb commonly known as
yerba santa.
The most common and best known form of this herb is the eriodyction glutinosum
but there are other forms which contain the qualities desired. it being understood
that the property which disguises the taste of quinine is not that which gives this
herb its value medicinally. The medicinal properties of the herb are expectorant
and diuretic and reside in a resin or resins found in it and which are only to be
extracted for medical use by the use of alcohol.
In order however to prepare my solution I pulverize the herb and place it in
what is known as a press percolator and with distilled water, treated until all the
soluble matter has been extracted.
In appearance the aqueous fluid is of a heavy dark brown color and it has a
slightly bitter sweetish taste. The residue of the herb from which it was obtained
may be dried, and afterwards treated with alcohol when the usual fluid extract
may be obtained having all the properties which render the herb of any value
medicinally, but these properties aro wholly distinct from those of the aqueous
solution, and they will not have the desired effect as a vehicle for disguising the
taste of quinine.

page_text: After having made the aqueous solution as above described, I add to it a small
quantity of syrup of cucalyptus and alcohol, a good proportion being
Aqueous extract of yerba santa
Syrup of eucalyptus
Alcohol
-
14 oz.
-
1 oz.
-
1 oz.
These assist in preserving the solution, and in rendering it pleasanter to the
taste, but have no effect on the property before mentioned which is inherent in
itself and appears to be due to a compound of gallo tannic acid, gum, soluble starch
and a peculiar sweet principle which is contained in it.
When mixed with this solution the bitter taste of quinine is completely
masked.
In some cases it may be found desirable to evaporate the aqueous solution of the
herb to dryness and when this is done the resulting powder will be found to be
equally effecient for use with quinine.
This powder may be redissolved in water and brought into the liquid state again
at any time.
In some cases it may be found desirable to mix this powder with the proper
proportions of quinine, so that the two may be sold in bulk to be taken either in
the dry form or to be mixed in water before being taken.
The small amount of alcohol contained in the preparation might be added to the
aqueous menstruum before percolating.
It would then still disguise quinine but would contain medicinal properties that
are not desirable in this preparation.
Flaving thus described my Invention, what
I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:-
1st An aqueous fluid or powdered extract of yerba santa, prepared substantially
as herein described.
2nd As a medium with which to disguise the bitter taste of quinine and other
alkaloids, an aqueous fluid or powdered extract of yerba santa substantially as
herein described.
3rd An aqueous fluid extract of yerba santa combined with alcohol and syrup
of eucalyptus substantially as herein described.
In witness whereof I the said William Henly McLaughlin have hereunto
set my hand and seal this First day of June A.D. One thousand eight
hundred and eighty two.
Witnesses
S. H. NOURSE,
G. W. EMERSON.
WILLIAM HENLY MCLAUGHLIN. (L.S.)