GELATIN CAPSULES. The gelatin capsule affords a convenient method of administer ing nauseous powders and liquids. Capsules are designated as hard and soft. FIG. 337. Capsule Moulds. They are made by dipping smooth olive-shaped moulds into a hot solution of gelatin,* allowing the coating to set and then removing. The moulds consist of olive-shaped solid heads (c) of polished bone, ivory, or metal, fixed upon rods (b) of wood, or metal, which are placed upright in perforations in a slab of wood (Fig. 337), in the back of which a handle is fixed. The moulds (olives) with the neck of the supporting rod are slightly oiled by means of a piece of cloth, secured in the base, then the frame is grasped by the handle, and the tips immersed a few seconds in the gelatin solution, which is kept at a uniform temperature (about 40° C.). On removing the moulds, the excess of solution is allowed to run off, then the moulds are rotated so as to distribute the film evenly on all sides; as soon as the mass has set sufficiently, they are put aside until cold and firm enough for removal. A knife is passed round the shank of the mould, close to the bulb, so as to separate that portion adhering to the handle. Then, by grasping the capsule lightly between two fingers it is gently removed, and placed in supports (d) for drying. The soft capsules are filled by means of a syringe with a longpointed tip, or by means of a pipette. Care must be taken that no fluid of an oily nature be allowed to drop on the upper edge of the capsule. Then by means of a camel's-hair brush, or glass rod, the open end of the capsule is sealed over with a portion of the melted composition. These soft gelatin capsules are useful for the administration of such liquids as Terebene, Oil of Turpentine, Creosote, Apiol, etc.; they are made of various shapes, as ovoid, globular-flattened, round. The small, round (hard) capsules are known as gelatin "pearls." Elastic, or soft, empty capsulest can be obtained in the market, being ovoid in shape, elastic, and filled with air. They are placed *Gelatin, P. Sugar,. Water,. 5 pts., 45 pts. Steep the gelatin in water, when soft add the gum and sugar, and heat in a covered vessel on a water-bath until dissolved. † Made by the Merz Soft Capsule Co., Detroit, Michigan. on a stick perforated with holes, the elongated tops removed with a scissors, then filled with a pipette, or syringe, and sealed. FIG. 338. The empty, hard gelatin capsules, Fig. 340, are of cylindrical shape, their capacity being indicated by various numbers. They should be filled with the powder in dry condition and not in mass form. They may be filled by grasping the longer half between the fingers, and by pressing downward with a slight rotary motion over the powder; for this purpose the powder 1gr Globular and Ovoid Elastic Gelatin Capsules. FIG. 340. 1000000 Gelatin Capsules (Empty). should be heaped; after the capsules are filled, the tops are slid over as far as possible. Care should be taken to keep the fingers dry and clean, and after filling, to carefully wipe any adhering powder from the surface of the capsule. It is, however, preferable to employ the capsule filler, which is far more cleanly and accurate. There are several forms of these in the market, among which the following may be recommended for their simplicity: The Davenport Capsule Filler, Fig. 341, consists of a funnel of light metal (plated) with a very wide rim, flattened on one side, the tube of which is short and of a size adapted to fit the size of capsule for which it is intended. A FIG. 341. Davenport Capsule Filler. plunger is provided for the purpose of forcing the powder compactly into the capsule. The Raymond Capsule Filler, Fig. 342, consists of two blocks of hard wood, in the lower one of which sockets are bored sufficiently deep to accommodate the capsules to one-half of their length. The upper block is pierced with corresponding funnel-shaped holes; this, when placed over the lower block, encloses the capsules securely. The powders are emptied into the funnel-shaped apertures and forced down by means of a wooden plunger. The upper block is then removed and the tops of the capsules slid over the filled, lower portions. The Acme Capsule Filler, Fig. 343, consists of a block of wood, with perforations for holding a dozen capsules. This block slides back and forward in a metallic case, on one end of whose upper side is placed a funnel, through which, by means of a plunger, the powder is readily introduced into the capsules. The U. S. Pharmacopoeia recognizes 9 compound powders. Glycyrrhizæ Compositus, P. Senna, 180 Gm.; P. Liquor- Laxative, Ipecacuanhæ et Opii (Dover's Powder), Jalapa Compositus, Morphinæ Compositus (Tully's Powder), . . Rhei Compositus, . ice, 236 Gm.; Washed Sul- 4 Gm.; Sugar, 500 Gm. 2-8 Gm. P. Ipecac, 10 Gm.; P. Opium, Diaphoretic, 0.3-1 Gm. P. Jalap, 35 Gm.; Potass. Cathartic, Morphia Sulphate, 1 Gm.; P. 1-4 Gm. Diaphoretic, 0.3-0.9 Gm. 0.3-12 Gm. P. Rhubarb, 25 Gm.; Magne- Laxative, Antacid, TRITURATIONES-(Triturations). These are a class of powders which contain active substances in a minute state of subdivision, obtained by trituration with sugar of milk. By means of these we can accurately regulate the doses of powerful substances. In the preparation of these powders it is advisable to employ the sugar of milk in small crystals or coarse powder, so that during the process of trituration, which is necessary to bring it to a fine powder, the medicinal ingredient may at the same time receive thorough and uniform subdivision. The following general formula is given by the U. S. Pharmacopoeia: 66 Unless otherwise directed, Triturations are to be prepared by the following formula: Take of The Substance, ten grammes, Sugar of Milk, in moderately fine powder, ninety grammes 10 Gm. 90 Gm. 100 Gm. To make one hundred grammes, . Weigh the substance and the sugar of milk separately; then place the substance, previously reduced, if necessary, to a moderately fine powder, in a mortar; add about an equal measure of sugar of milk, mix well by means of a spatula, and triturate them thoroughly together. Then add fresh portions of the sugar of milk, from time to time, until the whole is added, and continue the trituration until the substance is intimately mixed with the sugar of milk and reduced to a fine powder. TRITURATIO ELATERINI (Trituration of Elaterin). 10 Gm. 100 Gm. ELEOSACCHARA-OLEOSACCHARA (N.F.)—(Oleosaccharates). Oleosaccharates, or oil-sugars consist of sugar flavored with volatile oil or some other volatile aromatic substance. The German Pharmacopoeia directs that 1 gramme of volatile oil be added to 50 grammes of sugar in moderately fine powder, and the mixture thoroughly triturated. In France, oleosaccharates are made double this strength. The oleosaccharate of vanilla is prepared from 1 part of finely cut vanilla and 9 parts of crystallized sugar (rock candy), triturated until a fine powder results; in place of the vanilla bean, a mixture of vanillin and cumarin is often employed. Under the title of Oleosacchara, the National Formulary directs the following general formula: Volatile Oil, 1 drop. 30 grains. Triturate the sugar with the volatile oil to a fine powder. The oleosaccharates are intended as a pleasant aromatic vehicle for administering medicinal substances in powder form. Those prepared from volatile oils should be freshly made when wanted for use. Only the best quality* of fresh volatile oil should be employed. * Old resinified oils impart a bitter, unpleasant taste, as well as terebinthinate odor, to the sugar. |