DR. GEORGE LEE EATON 373 QEARY ST SOLIDSNER FRACESCIOCO 33 53 evaporate the remainder, at a temperature not exceeding 50° C. (122° F.), until it weighs io p. c. of the weight of the drug. Mix this with the reserved portion, and evaporate both, at the above temperature, to a pilular consistence. Or, instead of reserving part of the percolate, the whole quantity is distilled until the alcohol is recovered, and the residue is evaporated to a pilular consistence. In the case of these extracts, which are apt to become hard, five p. c. of glycerin is added, to enable them to retain their consistence." Directions for making Extract of Aconite, as directed by the U. S. Pharmacopoeia, illustrating the method for manufacturing Alcoholic Extracts: Extractum Aconiti-Extract of Aconite. Aconite, in No. 60 powder, 1000 Moisten the powder with four hundred (400) cubic centimetres of alcohol, and pack it firmly in a cylindrical percolator; then add enough alcohol to saturate the powder and leave a stratum above it. When the liquid begins to drop from the percolator, close the lower orifice, and, having closely covered the percolator, macerate for forty-eight hours. Then allow the percolation to proceed, gradually adding alcohol until three thousand cubic centimetres (3000) of tincture are obtained, or the aconite is exhausted. Reserve the first nine hundred cubic centimetres of the percolate, evaporate the remainder in a porcelain capsule, at a temperature not exceeding 50° C. (122° F.), to one hundred cubic centimetres, add the reserved portion, and evaporate at or below the above-mentioned temperature, until an extract of pilular consistency remains. Rule in regard to yield: The more aqueous the menstruum, the greater is the yield of extract; the more alcoholic the menstruum, the smaller the yield. Rule in regard to strength: This is not founded on amount of extract yielded by a given menstruum, but on amount of active constituents present in the finished product. Solid extracts are prepared either (a) From the dried and powdered drug, by extraction with a solvent, or (6) From the fresh, moist drug, by expression alone. Two degrees of consistency recognized by U. S. P.-The soft, or pilular, and the hard extract. The latter admit of being reduced to powder. There are thirty-two official Extracts which may be classed according to menstrua employed, as follows:— What are Resinæ or Resins? The official resins are solid prepations, consisting principally of the resinous principles from vegetable bodies, prepared by precipitating them from their alcoholic solution with water. There are four official resins : Resina Copaibæ (left after distilling off volatile oil). 1.3 Gm. (10 to 20 gr.). Dose 0.65 Jalapa (pouring a tincture into water). Dose, 0.13–0.33 Gm. (2 to 5 gr.). Podophylli (pouring a tincture into water acidulated with HCl). Dose 0.008-0.03 Gm. (% to 1⁄2 gr.). Scammonii (pouring a tincture, made by digesting Scammony in boil. ing alcohol, into water). Dose 0.26-0.52 Gm. (4 to 8 gr.). Effervescens Compositus (Seidlitz Powder). Glycyrrhizæ Compositus (Liquorice Powder). Ipecacuanhæ et Opii (Dover's Powder). Jalapæ Compositus. Morphinæ Compositus (Tully's Powder). Rhei Compositus. Constituents. Antimony Oxide, 33 Gm.; 55 Properties and Dose. Diaphoretic, Emetic, 0.2-0.52 Prep. Chalk, 30 Gm.; For Chalk Mixture. 50 Gm. Sodium Bicarb., 31 Gm.; Laxative. P. Senna, 180 Gm.; P. Ten P. Jalap, 35 Gm.; Potass. Laxative, 2-8 Gm. (30 to 120 gr.). Diaphoretic, 0.3-1 Gm. (5 to 15 gr.). Cathartic, 1-4 Gm. (15 to 60 Laxative, Antacid, 0.3-2 Gm. (1⁄2 to 60 gr.). TRITURATIONES-TRITURATIONS. What are Triturationes, or Triturations? A new class of powders introduced into the U. S. P. of 1880, for the purpose of fixing a definite relation between the active ingredient and the diluent. Give a general formula for their preparation, as directed by the U. S. P. Weigh the Substance and Sugar of Milk separately; then place the Substance, previously reduced, if necessary, to a moderately fine powder, in a mortar; add an equal bulk of Sugar of Milk, mix well by means of a spatula, and triturate them thoroughly together. 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. There is one official trituration : Trituratio Elaterina. Elaterin, 10 Gm.; Sug. Milk, 90 Gm. Dose, 0.03-0.04 Gm. (1⁄2 to 5% gr.). MASSE-MASSES. What are Massæ, or Masses? Pill masses are official under this name. They are kept in bulk by pharmacists. There are three official masses :Massa Copaibæ. 94 Gm. Cop. ; 6 Gm. Mag. (recently prepared): mix intimately and set aside until it concretes. Dose 0.5-2 Gm. (8 to 60 grs.). Ferri Carbonatis. 100 Gm. Sulph. Iron; 100 Gm. Carb. Sod.; 38 Gm. Clarif. Honey; 25 Gm. Sugar; syrup and distilled water, each q.s. Syrup is added to the ferrous sulphate solution and the wash water, to protect the ferrous salt against the absorption of oxygen. Boiling distilled water is employed to avoid the oxidizing action of the air which is contained in the unboiled water. "" (Coblentz.) Dose 0.2-0.5 Gm. (3 to 5 gr.). Hydrargyri. 33 Gm. Hg.; 5 Gm. Glycyrr.; 25 Gm. Althæa; 3 Gm. Glycerin; Honey of Rose, 34 Gm. Triturate the Hg with Honey of Rose and Glycerin until it is extinguished. Add, gradually the Glycyrrhiza and Althæa, and continue trituration till globules of Hg cease to be visible. Dose 0.02-0.05 Gm. (3 to 8 gr.). CONFECTIONES-CONFECTIONS. What are Confectiones, or Confections? Confections are saccharine, soft solids, in which one or more medicinal substances are incorporated, with the object of affording an agreeable form for their administration and a convenient method for their preservation. Old names, conserves and electuaries, under which they have been in use for centuries. There are two official confections: Confectio Rosa.-R. Rose, 80 Gm.; P. Sugar, 640 Gm.; Clar. Honey, 120 Gm.; Rose W., 160 Gm. Sennæ.-Sen., 100 Gm. ; Ol. Coriander, 5 Gm.; Cas. Fist., 160 Gm. ; Tamarind, 100 Gm.; Prune, 70 Gm.; Fig, 120 Gm.; P. Sug., 555 Gm.; Water, to make 1000 Gm. PILULE-PILLS. 66 What are Pilulæ, or Pills? Pills are small, solid bodies, of a globular, ovoid, or lenticular shape, which are intended to be swallowed, and thereby produce medical action.—(Remington.) Of what is a pill mass composed, and what is required of it? It is composed of ingredients and excipients. It is required that the mass be 1, adhesive; 2, firm; 3, plastic. How are excipients divided? Give a list of the principal excipients and directions when they should be used. Excipients are liquid or solid. 1. Water; use only when ingredients possess inherent adhesiveness that water will develop. 2. Syrup: adhesive. 3. Syrup Acacia: more adhesive. 4. Mucilage Acacia: most adhesive. Pills are liable to become hard and insoluble if acacia in any form is used as excipient. 5. Glycerin somewhat adhesive. It is hygroscopic and keeps pills soft. 6. Glucose very adhesive. Colorless, and non-volatile at ordinary temperature. Very valuable. 7. Honey: Good substitute for glucose, but colors white pills. 8. Extract of Malt: advantages of glucose, but possesses the disadvantage of dark color. 9. Glycerite of Starch: Glycerin—adhesiveness of starch and jelly. Thickness sometimes an objectionable feature. 10. Glycerite of Tragacanth: Similar to above. II. Remington's general excipient: Glucose, 4 oz. av.; Glycerin, I oz. av.; Acacia (pulv.), 90 grains; Benzoic Acid, I grain. Dissolve benzoic acid in the glycerin, stir in acacia, then the glucose, and let stand till dissolved. Moderate heat may be used. SOLID EXCIPIENTS. 1. Confection of Rose: Useful when it is desired to dilute active ingredients and increase bulk. 2. Bread Crumb: Used in making pills to contain croton oil, volatile oils, etc. 3. Powdered Althea: too bulky for ordinary use. 4. Soap: valuable for resinous substances. mass, but increases the solubility of resins. Not only makes excellent 5. Resin Cerate: for oxidizable substances, resins, etc. 7. Petrolatum: for oxidizable substances as above. How would you divide the mass? On a graduated pill tile, or a pill machine. The former is made of porcelain, but preferably of plate glass. In either case the pill-mass is rolled into a cylinder. In the former the mass is divided into the required number of portions with a spatula. In the latter it is divided by laying it upon the grooves of the lower board in the pill machine; the upper board is applied so that the cutting surfaces correspond with those on the lower board, and "by a slight backward and forward motion, with downward pressure, the mass is divided." How would you finish pills and keep them from adhering together? Finish them either by rolling between the thumb and finger, or rotate them under an adjustable pill finisher. To prevent them from adhering together, dust with rice flour, powdered magnesium carbonate, lycopodium, powdered althæa, or powdered liquorice root. How may pills be coated? Pills may be coated with various substances. With gold or silver, "by first placing a drop of syrup of acacia in a mortar, and after carefully spreading it over the surface with the end |