PREPARATION.--The pure chemical is triturated in the usual way.
(The following is by Dr. Morris Weiner, of Baltimore,
1892:)
About twelve years ago I decided to prove _Succinic acid_ (_Acidum
succinicum_). _Agricola_ mentions this acid, 1546, as _Salt of amber_.
_Boyle_, towards the close of the 17th century, was the first who
pronounced it to be acid, and _Stecker de Neuform_ confirmed this
statement, after repeated investigations, calling it a _true_ acid.
_Berzelius_ published its elemental composition, C_{4}H_{2}O_{3}.
This acid was long ago laid aside as obsolete, and not without good
reason, because since the Puritans in chemistry commenced to rule over
every laboratory of pharmacy, by trying to redistill this crude acid and
changing its yellowish color to snowy whiteness, they drove out every
trace of the _oily matter_ which alone constitutes its medical action.
The whiter this acid becomes the larger doses can be taken without any
action on the human system. Knowing that this _oil of amber_ is driven
out totally by redistillation I was compelled to prepare the crude acid
myself.
The expense is considerable. One pound of amber yields about half an
ounce of crude acid, and the glass retort, after dry distillation, must
be broken to collect the acid.
The fumes of _Acidum succinicum crudum_ are inflammable, producing
asthma, cough, sneezing, weeping, dropping of watery mucus from the
nostrils, pain in chest and headache.
None of our remedies gives a truer picture of hay fever, and since the
_oil of amber_ must be securely inclosed in the amber itself, it was but
natural to conclude that by trituration I may receive all the virtue of
the remedy.
At the same time I remembered that necklaces and earrings of amber are
considered a popular protection agent against neuralgia, colds, and even
hay fever.
Since that time I prescribed in cases of hay fever the third decimal
trituration, one or two grains dissolved in twelve teaspoonfuls of
distilled water, one teaspoonful every two hours, with the best results,
and have cured more than thirty persons, who were formerly obliged to go
to the mountains to get temporary relief. Already after the first week
most of them experienced decided relief.