Percentage of Drugs. 80 Plumbi Subacetatis (Goulard's Cerate), camphor cerate solution lead subacetate Resina (Basilicon) . . yellow wax 15 lard 50; resin in cold weather yellow wax 12; 20 35 lard 53; resin 35 In the "Blistering Cerate" the maceration in Turpentine Oil and subsequent digestion dissolve the vesicating principle of the Cantharides, and the preparation is therefore more active. CERATUM CAMPHORE COMPOSITUM, N. F. (Camphor Ice).— Moulded into small cakes suitable for popular use as an application to excoriated surfaces. It contains very small quantities of Benzoic and Carbolic Acids. CERATUM EXTRACTI CANTHARIDIS (U. S. P. 1880).-Represents 30 per cent. Cantharides. CERATUM SABINE (U. S. P. 1880).-Represents 25 per cent. Sabine. SUPPOSITORIA-SUPPOSITORIES. Suppositories may be defined as variously shaped masses of medicated fat, possessing a consistence ensuring their quick fusion when introduced in the orifices of the body. The U. S P. defines Suppositories with reference to their weights and shapes, corresponding to their several uses-i. e. for introduction in the respective orifices of the body—as follows: Rectal, cone-shaped, should weigh 15 grains (1 Gm.). Urethral, pencil-shaped, should weigh 15 grains (1 Gm.). Vaginal, globular, should weigh about 45 grains (3 Gm.). The vehicle is Cacao Butter (Oleum Theobromatis), which possesses the property of melting at the temperature of the human body, 35° C. (95° F.), and yet remaining firm at ordinary temperatures. An addition of 10 per cent. of spermaceti has been recommended to raise the melting-point and thus give more stability to suppositories during the heated seasons of the year. The U. S. P. gives a general formula for preparing suppositories; only one Suppository is official, and this is not made from Cacao Butter. The methods of preparing suppositories are quite numerous: any process may be employed by which the product is obtained uniform in size and shape and with the medicinal ingredients thor oughly incorporated. Moulds are usually employed; the medicinal ingredients, if solid, are first reduced to powder in a mortar, and mixed with a small quantity of the grated Fat; the remainder of the Fat, previously melted and cooled to 35° C., is then gradually incorporated with this mixture, thoroughly mixed, and, if possible, without further heating, poured into the moulds, previously chilled. Another process consists in rolling the mass on a slab, cutting it as in making pills, and forming the cones with the fingers. By cold compression in a screw-press "machine," suppositories may be formed from the prepared mass. Urethral Suppositories are commonly called Bougies, or, more properly, Medicated Bougies. They are usually made with the addition of Wax, or from Glyco-gelatin mass. Suppositoria Glycerini.-Made by reaction of Sodium Carbonate 5 grains (0.3), in Glycerin 1 grains (6 Gm.), with Stearic Acid 8 grains (0.5), and heating until a solution of sodium stearate or soap is formed, which is poured into a mould. Upon cooling, the mixture gelatinizes and the suppository is wrapped in tin-foil. Uses. Upon introduction into the rectum the mass melts, and the Glycerin, acting upon the feces, produces evacuation. Rectal suppositories are usually made twice the official size, or 30 grains (2 Gm.). A formula for suppositories would be: Olei Theobromatis, q. s. (20 Gm.). Fiant suppositoriæ No. x. (2 Gm.). Each suppository would contain grain (0.01) Ext. Belladonna and grains (0.1) Tannic Acid. EMPLASTRA-PLASTERS. Plasters are mixtures of various fatty or resinous solids of such high melting-point as to be friable when cold, but rendered adhesive by the warmth of the body. The vehicles of plasters are: Lead plaster; resinous substances, made adhesive by admixture with the medicinal ingredients; and simple plasters, such as isinglass. The making of plasters does not differ materially from the process employed for ointments and cerates, since they are all prepared by melting the various substances and incorporating the medicinal substances last. The spreading of plasters, though usually done on a large scale, may be easily effected by the pharmacist with the use of a plaster iron. The thirteen official Plasters may be divided into-(1) Lead Plasters; (2) Pitch and Gum-Resin Plasters, and (3) Isinglass Plaster. (1) The most important plasters are made from Lead Plaster, or Lead Plaster mixed with Resin, the official Resin Plaster. Percentage or parts in 100. EmplastrumPlumbi (Diachylon). . . olive oil 60; lead oxide 32 mix, and add to water 10 Boil the mixture until the reaction has ceased and the plaster is of the right consistence, replacing water lost by evaporation from time to time. Emplastrum Arnicæ . . resin plaster 67; extract arnica root Capsici 33 ext. belladonna leaves 20 resin plaster, soap plaster, each 40 resin plaster, oleoresin capsicum q. s. Hydrargyri, lead plaster 70; mercury oleate 1.2; mercury 30 Containing lead plaster and pitch: Emplastrum Ferri (Strengthening). . . olive oil, 5; ferric hydrate 9 ammoniac 72; dil. acetic acid, lead plaster, to 100 Picis Burgundicæ. olive oil 5; yellow wax 15 Burgundy pitch 80 (3) Isinglass plaster (Emplastrum Ichthyocollæ; Court-plaster). —A solution of 10 Gm. Isinglass is dissolved in hot Water 120 Gm.; one-half of the solution is spread upon silk (taffeta) in successive layers, and when dry the other half of the solution is spread on in a similar manner, after first having been mixed with Alcohol 40 Gm., Glycerin 1 Gm. The taffeta is then coated on the reversed side with Tincture of Benzoin to make it waterproof and antiseptic. Unofficial Plasters of the National Formulary. Emplastrum AMMONIACI (U. S. P. 1880).-Gum-resin Ammoniac with AROMATICUM (Spice Plaster).—Consisting of Cloves, Cinna- ASAFŒTIDE (U. S. P. 1880).—Asafœtida 35 p.; Galbanum 15 FUSCUM CAMPHORATUM (Matris Camphoratum, Ph. Ger.).— PICIS CANADENSIS (U. S. P. 1880).-Canada Pitch Plaster. CHARTE-PAPERS. There are two Papers official. One is made by saturating strips of white unsized paper in a 20 per cent. solution of Potassium Nitrate and drying; the other is paper coated with Mustard, used similarly to the Plasters: Vapors from incineration as inhalant. Charta Sinapis . . oil-free black mustard, 4 Gm. in 60 sq. cm. The Mustard is freed from the fixed oil by extraction with Benzin, and mixed with a solution of India Rubber in equal volumes of Benzin and Carbon Disulphide, and spread upon Paper. This is the well-known Mustard Plaster or Mustard Paper. When applied, the paper should be immersed in lukewarm water for a few minutes, in order to render the vesicating principle active. CHARTA CANTHARIDIS, U. S. P. 1880.-Cantharidis Paper (Blistering Paper). Poultice or Cataplasm (Lat. Cataplasma, -atis).-A coarsely ground substance or mixture of substances, such as flaxseed or elm-bark, made into a mass with hot water or some other liquid, spread upon cloth or filled into porous bags, and applied to the body while hot. Fomentations (Lat. Fomentum, -i).—Porous woollen cloths saturated with hot infusion or decoction of herbs, or other hot liquids or lotions, and applied hot. Spongiopiline. A thick cloth covered with layers of sponge for the saturation and retention of medicinal agents intended for absorption, the exterior being composed of waterproof material, such as rubber. Plaster-Mull.-A thin cloth made impervious with rubber or gutta-percha tissue, upon which is spread or painted medicinal agents in the liquid form, intended for local application. Caustics or Escharotics (Gr. Escharotikos).—Substances used to destroy tissue by chemical action or by heat, either semisolid mixtures made into a paste with starch or other diluent, or chemicals fused and moulded into sticks called pencils or "crayons" (Lat. stilus, -i), to be applied directly to the skin. Moxa is the name given to small cones of combustible substances which upon incineration do not inflame, but give off an intense heat, used for cauterization when heat is desired. Bandages; Antiseptic Dressings.-The material used for bandages is cellulose in various modifications, such as cotton, linen, jute, and other fibrous substances. Aside from the mechanical support afforded, bandages also serve to keep wounds clean by absorbing and withdrawing secretions (pus) which would otherwise prove irritating, and by protecting them against extraneous matter serve to promote the healing process. These various substances may be used either plain or medicated, when they are called antiseptic. Gossypium Purificatum, U. S. P.; Absorbent Cotton.-The hairs of Gossypium herbaceum L., freed from oil and resinous substances by treatment with alkalies and bleaching agents. These hairs represent microscopic ducts in which liquids are absorbed through capillarity. The freer from oily constituents, the more readily will watery liquids be taken up and retained; hence the absorbability of cotton depends upon its purity. This is equally true with all other bandage material. Linen in the form of thin sheets, known as Muslin or Muslin |