GRAY'S 
PRESCRIPTIONS 
A TREATISE 
ON THE ART OF READING AND COMPOUNDING 
PHYSICIANS' PRESCRIPTIONS, WITH TABLES OF 
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES, ANTIDOTES, 
ABBREVIATIONS, ETC. 
BY 
H. C. GRAY, PH. G. 
Author of "Gray's Pharmaceutical Quiz Compend," and 'Gray's Clinical Urinalysis." 
REVISED BY 
GEORGE D. OGLESBY, PH. G. 
Instructor in Pharmacy, in charge of the Dispensing Laboratory, Northwestern 
University School of Pharmacy. 
Price by mail, postage prepaid, $1.50 
FOR SALE BY 
M. M. GRAY & COMPANY 
PUBLISHERS 
T>4LBoX 593, CHICAGO, ILL. 
1906 Copyright, 1906, by 
M. M. GRAY. PREFACE. 
THIS volume was prepared and has been revised 
for the purpose of supplying a book that would 
enable young men who are unable to attend a 
School of Pharmacy to sufficiently qualify themselves 
for practical work in the prescription department of 
a first-class drug store. 
It is not a compendium, but rather an abridgment 
to that subject matter which the author deems 
essential. Care was taken with sequence of sub- 
jects rather than exhaustive treatment of them. 
There are many excellent works on Pharmacy, 
which treat Dispensing and Compounding too 
lightly; others go to such great detail that the 
beginner becomes lost in a maze of technical sub- 
jects. We have endeavored to strike a middle 
course by presenting the subjects absolutely essen- 
tial in a plain arrangement and making general 
reference thereto, taking for granted that the 
student will pursue questions of Chemistry, Materia 
Medica, etc., independently. Weights, Measures 
and Specific Gravity are subjects so necessary to be 
understood by the pharmacist that they are here 
treated at considerable length. 
Part IV is a condensed treatment of the subject 
of Toxicology, yet so arranged that it should be of 
great benefit to any one-layman, pharmacist or 
physician. While indebted to teachers whose works 
go to make the "Doctrine" we have added opinions 
and observations gained during twenty years' expe- 
rience at the prescription counter. 
But particularly I must thank my teacher and 
friend, Prof. Oscar Oldberg. 
Chicago, May 1, 1906. 
Geo. D. Oglesby. 
3 PART I. 
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. 
At the beginning of the study of pharmacy the 
first important subject demanding the student's at- 
tention is that of weights and measures. 
Weight is the measure of gravity; this measure 
is obtained by comparing the gravitating force with 
some arbitrary, yet well-known standard. 
Measure is the determination of extent, or bulk, 
and must also be ascertained by the use of standards 
or "measures." For a clear understanding of these 
terms it is necessary to use a system of comparison 
based upon a standard, the value of which is known 
definitely, and well established. 
Standards are, of necessity, all arbitrary. For 
many centuries the standards in use were closely 
related to or associated with common natural 
objects, such as the hand, foot, span, ell, pace, 
grain (of barley), etc., etc. Indeed, to this day, 
some of these values are used, but now are used, 
not as standards, but for expressing values as com- 
pared with other standards. The grain is used as 
the basis of the several systems of weight in use in 
the United States, which were brought from Europe: 
also of the systems in use in Great Britain, where 
the law was first enacted declaring that "24 grains 
5 of wheat well dried and from the middle of the ear 
do make a pennyweight and 20 pennies' weight an 
ounce, and 12 ounces a pound." 
With the rapid rise of knowledge and commerce 
it became apparent that many of such terms were 
ambiguous or indefinite and it also was desired that 
a standard be secured and adopted which would be 
not only definite, but which could be reconstructed 
by calculation, if lost or destroyed. 
Such a standard should be based upon some phys- 
ical constant, absolute fact, or scientific principle. 
After years of experiment, study and calculations 
a standard was obtained by comparison with the 
length of a second's pendulum. 
This standard, which is the basis of the systems 
in use in Great Britain and upon which those in use 
in the United States, too, are supposed to be based, 
is the standard yard. 
We have said it is based upon the length of the 
second's pendulum', that is;-a pendulum which at the 
level of the sea in the latitude of London and in a 
vacuum requires one second for a complete vibra- 
tion. Such a pendulum is of definite length and, 
under same conditions, always the same length. 
A bar of metal of that length is divided into 
391,393 spaces, 360,000 of which spaces make the 
standard yard, which then is of a second's 
pendulum, under standard conditions. 
This standard yard, then, is divided into 36 
inches, and into 3 feet of 12 inches each. These 
measures are engraved on gold studs set into a 
platinum bar, which is called the standard yard and 
is preserved in the Standards' office, a government 
department which has all the other standards of 
measure and weight for safe keeping. Another 
business of that office is to furnish copies and meas- 
6 urements of such standards. The reading of the 
measurements is effected with microscopes having 
micrometer attachments, by the use of which the 
100,000th part of an inch error can be detected. 
The standard British yard is the basis of the Brit- 
ish Imperial System of linear or long measure and 
squares upon aliquot parts or multiples of it furnish 
units of square measure, while cubes upon multiples 
or aliquot parts of the yard are used to furnish units 
for capacity measure. This, however, is not strictly 
true, for the imperial capacity or vohime measure is 
based upon the imperial gallon, which is the volume 
of 10 pounds avoirdupois (70,000 grains) of dis- 
tilled water at 62° F., barometer 30 inches. 
"Imperial weight" and "imperial volume" measure 
were established at the same time the present stan- 
dard British yard was established, and since Jan. 1, 
1825, have been legal in Great Britain. At the 
same time these systems were established other 
systems were abolished. However, the present stan- 
dard British yard is identical in value with the old 
yard, and imperial weight is the old "avoirdupois" 
under a new label. 
Imperial volume measure is entirely different, 
however, since the old apothecaries' measure was 
based upon the old English wine gallon of 231 cubic 
inches, while the present imperial volume measure 
is, as above stated, based upon the volume of 10 
pounds (70,000 grains) of distilled water in air "62° 
F., barometer 30 inches." 
It will be seen that 10 pounds or 160 ounces 
avoirdupois of water 62° F. - 160 imperial fluid- 
ounces; therefore, the imperial fluidounce is com- 
mensurate with the imperial weight ounce (avoir- 
dupois ounce) as regards water at standard 
conditions (see table page 9). The United States 
7 or apothecaries' fluid measitre bears no such relation to 
the apothecaries' weight nor avoirdupois weight (nor 
any other), as compared with water. Our United 
States fluid measure is based upon the old wine 
gallon brought here by the colonists and now abol- 
ished (since 1825) in England. 
Old wine gallon - 231 cubic inches 
New imperial " = 277.274+ " " 
The United States Commercial System of weight 
in every-day use for all commercial transactions 
(except physicians' prescriptions, precious metals 
and jewelry) is the old avoirdupois and is identical 
in value with the British imperial weight, except 
that we do not use the drachm (27|-| grains), stone 
(14 pounds), and do use 100 pounds for a "hundred- 
weight" instead of 112, and 2,000 pounds for a ton 
instead of 2,240 pounds. For weighing jewelry and 
precious metals (but not diamonds, pearls and 
"gem" minerals) the old English troy weight is 
used; for weighing drugs and chemicals, for com- 
pounding physicians' prescriptions (but not counter 
sales, etc.) a modified troy weight called apotheca- 
ries' weight is used. It differs from troy weight 
only in that the "pennyweight" of 24 grains is 
dropped and in its stead the scruple of 20 grains, 
and the drachm of 8 such scruples are used. For 
weighing pearls, diamonds and "gems" a still dif- 
ferent system is used, called pearl weight. 
Linear Measure-U. S. and Great Britain. 
12 inches = 1 foot 
3 feet = 1 yard 
In the United States now the "yard" is "stand- 
ardized" or adjusted by comparison with the stand- 
ard meter and is = meter, while in Great 
Britain it is = of a "second's pendulum/' 
8 Imperial Fluid Measure. 
Cu. in. 
Gallon. 
Pints. Ounces. 
Drachms. 
Minims. 
277.274 
= 1 = 
8 = 160 
1 = 20 
1 
= 1280 : 
= 160 : 
= 8 : 
1 
= 76,800 
= 9,600 
= 480 
= 60 
adjusted upon the volume of 70,000 grains dis- 
tilled water at 62° F. weighed in air, barometer at 
30 inches, and said to be 277.274 cu. inches. 
1 bushel = 4 pecks = 8 gallons = 32 quarts = 64 pts. 
1 peck = 2 " - 8 " =16 " 
268.8 cu. in. = 1 gallon =4 " = 8 " 
based upon the old Winchester bushel and used for 
measuring grain and vegetables, but these should 
always be weighed. 
American Dry Measure. 
U. S. Apothecaries' Fluid Measure. 
Cu. in. Gal. 
Pt. 
Fl. oz. 
Fl. dr. 
M. 
231 = 1 
= 8 
= 128 
= 1,024 = 
61,440 
1 
= 16 
= 128 = 
7,680 
1 
= 8 = 
480 
1 = 
60 
originally based upon the old English wine gallon, 
but now adjusted by weight: gallon being the volume 
of 3,785.434 grams distilled water at 4° C. in vacuo. 
Troy Weight. 
1 lb. = 12 oz. = 240 pwt. = 5,760 grs. 
1 " = 20 " = 480 " 
1 " = 24 " 
9 1 ton = 20 hundredweights = 2,000 pounds 
1 pound = 16 ounces = 256 drachms = 7,000 grains 
1 ounce =16 " = 437.5 " 
1 drachm = 27|| " 
Avoirdupois Weight. 
Apothecaries' Weight. 
lb. 1 = 512 = 3 96 = 3 288 = gr. 5,760 
2 1 = 3 8 = 3 24= " 480 
3 1-3 3 = " 60 
3 1=" 20 
Imperial Weight. 
Ton. 
Cwt. Stone. 
Lb. 
Oz. 
Dr. 
Gr. 
1 = 
20 = 
2,240 
1=8 = 
112 
1 = 
14 
1 
= 16 = 
256 
= 7,000 
1 = 
16 
= 437.5 
1 
= 27^ 
Pearl Weight. 
.8 grain = 1 pearl grain. 
3.2 grains =4 " grains = 1 carat. 
Approximate Measures. 
1 drop = 1 minim = ( 1 grain distilled, water 60° F.) 
60 drops = fl. 3 j 
1 teaspoonful = fl. 3 j 
2 teaspoonfuls = fl. 3 ji 
4 teaspoonfuls = tablespoonful = fl. | ss. 
1 wineglassful = fl. § ji 
1 teacupful = fl. 3 jv 
1 tumbler = fl. 3 vjii 
1 pint = 1 lb. av. 
2 pints = 1 liter or Kilogram of water. 
10 The linear measure of the British Imperial Sys- 
tem is the same as it was prior to the revisions in 
1825, and is identical with the American linear 
measure. 
The only weights legal in Great Britain are 
imperial or avoirdupois and the only measures are 
the imperial fluid measures (see table, page 9). 
The imperial gallon is the volume of 70,000 
grains, 10 pounds of pure water at 62° F. weighed 
in air, therefore the system is based upon weight 
and not volume. The British Parliament has 
declared the imperial gallon to be equal to 277.274 
cubic inches but there might be conditions under 
which 70,000 grains of pure water at 62° F. would 
not measure 277.274 cubic inches, but practically 
it is near enough to regard it as correct. 
The imperial pound or avoirdupois pound equals 
16 ounces of 437.5 grains each. The imperial pint 
equals 20 fluidounces, each weighs 437.5 grains 
water standard cond.; therefore the weight ounce 
and volume ounce are commensurate units with regard 
to water at 62° F.; that is;-1 ounce (avoirdupois) 
water measures 1 fluidounce; 1 imperial fluidounce 
water weighs 1 imperial ounce, but the minim does 
not weigh 1 grain, nor does the pound measure 1 
imperial pint. 
Such a diversity of systems with units of same 
and similar names but of different values, is so con- 
fusing and misleading that but for its seriousness 
the matter would be laughable; for instance, there 
are three systems of capacity measure, all different; 
four systems of weight, and all different. 
11 A pint of water weighs more than 1 lb. Troy 
A pint " " " " " 1 " Av. 
A fluidounce " " " " " 1 oz. " 
A fluidounce " " " less " 1 " Troy 
A fluidounce " " " " " 1 " Apoth. 
A fluidrachm " " " " " 1 drachm " 
1 minim " " " " " 1 grain " 
1 minim " " " " " 1 " Troy 
1 minim " " " " " 1 " Av. 
There is a common unit of weight, viz., the 
grain. 
There is no common unit of volume measure. 
There is not even a standard "grain" in the United 
States, but its value is adjusted by the "standard kilo- 
gram" a metal weight in the office of the Bureau 
of Standards at Washington, D. C., and this in turn 
is a copy of the ''''standard kilogram" weight of the 
International Metric Brireau and it is a copy of the 
"kilogramme des archives" of the French Republic; 
so, after all, our weights and measures are all based 
upon arbitrary standards whose actual values may 
equal but are not necessarily dependent upon any 
physical constant, nor does it matter whether they 
do or do not. 
12 THE METRIC SYSTEM. 
Previous to the French Revolution, the nations, 
petty states and many cities of Europe had each 
their own systems and standards of weight and 
measure and these conditions became so inconve- 
nient that a general unification seemed necessary. 
The many governments, institutions of learning 
and scientific societies, through representatives, 
met in an effort to devise a system which would be 
suitable for all and which could be universally 
adopted and would thereby displace all the various 
conflicting systems. This universal system was 
to be based upon a physical constant and was to be 
in accord with the decimal system of arithmetic. 
The result of the efforts of those scientific and 
learned persons was the Metric System. The length 
of a meridian of the earth through the poles was 
decided upon as the physical constant and an arc of 
the meridian (viz., Dunkirk to Barcelona) was 
measured and the length of the meridian calculated. 
Next, one forty millionth part of that meridian was 
called a Meter (from metros-measure). This was 
to be the unit of length measure and squares upon 
it, its decimal fraction or multiples, were to furnish 
units for square measure, and cubes upon its deci- 
mal aliquot parts or multiples were to furnish units 
of volume measure. 
The meter was divided into 10 parts, each part 
called a deci-meter, from decimzis, meaning tenth; 
13 the deci-meter was divided into 10 equal parts 
( y^ of y^ = y|o), each called a centi-meter, from 
centessimus, meaning one hundredth; and each 
hundredth into 10 parts called milli-meters, from 
millessimus = tVo* 
For greater distances, 10 Meters were to be used, 
called a Deka-meter. 
10 Deka (or 100 Meters) were to be used, called a 
Hekto-meter. 
10 Hekto (or 1,000 Meters) were to be used, called 
a Kilo-meter. 
10 Kilo (or 10,000 Meters) were to be used, called 
a Myria-meter. 
The prefixes which are used to signify multiples, 
or numbers greater than the unit, were derived 
from Greek words. For convenience in distinguish- 
ing from fractional denominations, these Greek 
prefixes are usually begun with a capital letter. The 
prefixes designating fractional parts of a unit are 
of Latinorigin; the Latin prefixes are written with 
small letters for convenience in contradistinction 
from the Greek or multiple prefixes. 
The following Mnemonic may be of aid in retain- 
ing this in the memory: Greek Increases, Latin 
Decreases. 
As above stated the squares of these fractional 
parts and multiples were to be taken for units of 
square measure and their cubes for units of capacity 
or volume measure, and of these cubes the contents 
in distilled water at its greatest density (4° C. in a 
vacuum) were to be taken as units for the system of 
weight; for example, one-tenth of the meter is 
called a decimeter and a cube whose faces each 
measure a decimeter is, of course, a cubic decimeter 
and was called a Liter. This is the standard unit of 
capacity measure and is divided into 10 deci-liters, 
14 .100 centi-liters and 1,000 milli-liters. The weight 
of this liter filled with distilled water at its maxi- 
mum density is called a kilo-gram and the part 
is called a gram. The gram is the unit of weight 
and is divided into deci-grams, centi-grams and 
milli-grams. 
This Metric System was first established by 
France during the consulate of Napoleon Bonaparte 
and the person foremost in causing it to be formu- 
lated and adopted was perhaps Count Talleyrand. 
As France gained in influence over other European 
countries, they in turn adopted the Metric System, 
but when the empire was overthrown and the old 
dynasty rulers again assumed authority, all those 
countries except Belgium discarded it. 
In 1840, however, France permanently readopted 
it, and since then all the civilized nations of the 
world, except Russia, Great Britain and the United 
States, use it exclusively; it is legal, though not 
compulsory in both Great Britain and the United 
States; Russia alone not recognizing it, but per- 
mitting its use. 
The probabilities are strongly in favor of its being 
made compulsory in al] legal transactions and com- 
merce generally, in the United States, before 
many years. 
It is destined in time to become universal; once 
learned, its advantages can not fail to be appre- 
ciated; they exist in its simplicity and the ease 
with which calculations by it may be made, and its 
agreeing with our decimal system of arithmetic. 
Any number or part of any denomination of meas- 
ure or weight in this system can be divided or 
multiplied, reduced or converted into other denomi- 
nations by simply moving the decimal point to the 
right or left. 
15 All the denominations bear the simplest relation 
to the unit of the system. 
The great convenience of direct calculation of 
values and the fact that each weight unit has at 
once a commensurate volume unit for water com- 
mends it above all our old systems, while for calcu- 
lating percentage strengths, volumetric solutions, 
specific weight and specific volume relation, the 
druggist finds it "made to order.'' 
The great trouble in getting people to learn the 
Metric System is that in childhood they have 
learned the British systems and know the value of 
the denominations expressed in these terms by 
comparison with ordinary and well-known objects, 
and also weights and measures, as 1-foot rules, 
yard-sticks, pint, quart, half gallon and gallon 
measures, etc. 
There are no such domestic measuring utensils 
with metric graduations, hence in using or trying 
to use the Metric System they figure by it but think 
by the old method, and confusion results. 
Every drug store should have a complete set of 
metric weights from the kilogram down, and meas- 
ures from the liter down. 
A few days' use of metric weights and measures 
with a reasonable amount of experience in dispens- 
ing and compounding by the system, with the 
weights and measures, will teach even the dullest 
person the mysteries of the Metric System. 
Not until one learns it this way, or has learned it 
in childhood, will he know it practically. The use 
of the system in the Pharmacopoeia is nonsensical 
if you must stop and convert each amount to the 
denominations of the British System and weigh or 
measure thereby. These calculations, usually made 
with more or less haste, are liable to result in error; 
16 We are told that °f the earth's polar 
meridian is the "theoretical" meter, but in practice 
the actual meter is the length of a "copy of a copy" 
of the original meter, which is the distance between 
two lines on a piece of metal. We are told a cubic 
decimeter is theoretically a liter, but the actual 
liter is the volume of J kilogram of water at 4° C. 
in vacuo. The theoretical kilogram is the weight 
of 1 cubic decimeter of water at 4° C. in vacuo, 
but the actual kilogram is a weight said to equal 
a certain other weight of which it is a copy- 
this other weight being kept by the International 
Metric Bureau. Whether the meter is of 
the meridian or not, matters not in practice; all that 
is necessary is uniformity, and this is insured in the 
following manner;- 
In the city of Paris is located an institution called 
the International Metric Bureau, to whose sup- 
port all governments of the earth may contribute 
and in return may obtain certified correct prototype 
measures, weights, etc., extremely accurate. Most 
all governments in turn have, at any rate the 
United States has, a Bureau of Standards where 
these prototype copies are kept and whence any 
individual, by making* proper application, may 
receive copies so closely approximating the official 
standards that the deficiency is imperceptible 
because the measurements are made so fine that 
microscopes may be used to read the results, and the 
microscopes have micrometer attachments enabling 
the detection of of an inch difference. 
17 Metric Linear Measure. 
1 Milli-meter 001 ... .Meter, abbreviated mm. 
1 Centi-meter... .01 .... " " cm. 
1 Deci-meter 1 .... " " dim 
1 Meter 1 " " M. 
1 Deka-meter... 10 " " Dm. 
1 Heckto-meter. 100 " " Hm. 
1 Kilo-meter.... 1000 " " Km. 
1 Myria-meter .. 10000.... " " Mm. 
Metric Measure of Capacity. 
1 Milli-liter 001 . .Liter, designated. .1 ml. or cc. 
1 Centi-liter ... .01 .. " " . .Icl. "10 cc. 
1 Deci-liter 1 " " . .1 dl. " lOOcc. 
1 Liter 1. .. " " ..IL. 
1 Deka-liter... 10. .. " " ..1D1. 
1 Hecto-liter .. 100. .. " " ..1H1. 
1 Kilo-liter.... 1000. .. " " ..IKI. 
1 Myria-liter.. 10000. .. " " . .1 Ml. 
Metric Weight. 
1 Milligram 001 ...Gram, abbreviated.. .1 mgm. 
1 Centigram 01 " ...legm. 
1 Decigram 1 ... " " ... 1 dgm. 
1 Gram 1. ... " " ... 1 Gm. 
1 Dekagram 10. ..." " ... 1 Dgm. 
1 Hectogram.... 100. ... " " ...IHgm. 
1 Kilogram 1000. ... " " ...IKgm. 
1 Myriagram.... 10000.... " " ... 1 Mgm. 
Here one may criticize the only feature of the 
Metric System which really merits criticism, 
namely, the great redundance of units-they are 
burdensome and confusing and quite unnecessary, 
being useless in practice in many cases. One unit 
of measure is quite enough-the meter; for capac- 
ity the liter and cubic centimeter; and for weight 
the gram and milligram are all the units really ever 
needed by the druggist. 
18 The Meter = 39.37 inches' 
The Liter = 61.023177953 cubic inches 
The Gram - 15.43235639 grains 
The Cubic Centimeter - 16.23 minims 
The Milligram = 61T°K grain 
The Liter = 33.815 U. S. fluidounces 
The Liter - 35.235 av. oz., water 62° F. 
The Kilogram - 35.23 + avoirdupois ounces 
The Kilogram = 32.15 + troy ounces 
Meter = 39.37 inches, dm. = ,1 meter. 
. •. dm. = 3.937 inches. 
Literal cubic dm., cubic dm. -1 dm.3. 1 dm.3 - 
3.937 inches3 = 3.937x3.937x3 937 = 61 023177953 
cubic inches. 
. •. 1 liter or cubic dm. =61.023+cubic inches. 
Here note the proof of the above equivalent. 
1 U. S. wine gallon = 231 cubic inches. 
1 liter (1000 cc) = 61.023+ " 
231 (the number cu. in. in 1 gallon) divided by 
61.023+(the number cu. in. in 1 liter) = 3.785434. 
.-.1 U. S. wine gallon = 3.785434 liters; 1 L = 1000 
cc., 3.785434 L = 3.785434 x 1000 cc. =3785.434 cc. 
.-. 1 U. S. wine gallon = 3785.434 cc. Here 
note the proof of the above equivalent. 
1 U. S. wine gallon = 128 apothecaries'fluidounces 
128 fluidounces = 3785.434 cc., and if 128 = 3785.- 
434,one Ap. fluidounce = T|g of 3785.434cc. =29.573- 
+cc. 
.-. 1 Apoth. fl. oz. = 29.57+cc. 
Here note the proof of the above equivalent. 
1 fl. ounce = 29.573 cc. =480 minims. If 29.573 
cc. = 480 minims, one cc. = oof 480 m. = 8A5m. 
= 16.23m. 
19 . 1 cc. = 16.23 minims. 
Here note the proof of the above equivalent. 
1 kilogram = 15432.35639 gr. 
1 gram = T^<) of 1 Kgm. 
. 1 gm.= 15.432+ grains. 
Here note the weight of 1 gm. in grains. Note 
that it is not 15 grains nor 15+ gr. nor 16 gr , but 
15.432+ gr. Upon the use of the correct equiva- 
lent depends the accuracy of the prescription work 
you do. Any one who can not learn to use it can not 
learn Pharmacy and any one who will not is unfit 
to practise. 
1 apothecary ounce = 480 gr. 
1 gm. =15.432 gr. 
480-4-15.432=31.10+ 
. •. 31.10 gm. = 1 Ap. oz., for 15.432 gr. =1 gm. 
1 grain = 7^j gm. 
480 gr. =480X77.i^2-=t/.t|^=31.10 +gm. 
Here note the proof of that equivalent and note 
that it is not 30 grams and therefore 30 gm. do 
not equal an Ap. oz. 
1 Av. ounce =437.5 grains. 
15.432 gr. = 1 gm. 
1 gr-=TT.Vy? g™. 
437.5 gr. =437.5X^1^ gm. =Ty^ gm. =28.349- 
+gm. 
.-. 1 Av. oz. = 28.35 gm. 
Note proof that it is not 30 gm. 
1 Kgm. =15432.35689 gr. 
1 Av. pound=7000 gr. 
15432.35639= 7000=2.2+. 
.1 Kgm. = 2.2+ Av. pounds. 
1 gallon=8 pints=3785.432 cc. 
1 pint = | of 3785.434 cc. =473.18 cc. 
20 .-. 1 Ap. pint=473.18 cc. 
Here note that 1 pint does not equal 500 cc. nor 
480 cc. 
1 gallon = 8 pints= 3.785433 Liters. 
If 3.785434 L.=8 pints 
1 L.= of 8 pints - - 
2.11 pints. 
. •. 1 L. =2.11 wine or U. S. or Apoth. pints. 
To Convert Metric Weights or Measures into 
those in Ordinary Use. 
Rule.-Multiply the metric quantities by the 
corresponding equivalents. Ex.-The equivalent 
of one meter is 39.37+ inches, and five meters 
= 196.85 inches: 39.37x5 = 196.85. 
To convert: 
Meters into inches multiply by 39.37 
Centimeters " " " " 0.3937 
Millimeters " " " " 0.03937 
As one liter, or 1000 Cc., is equal to 33.8149+ 
fluidounces, or 35.235+ imperial fluidounces, to 
convert: 
Liters into fluidounces multiply by 33.815 
Cubic centimeters " " " " 0.0338 
Liters " pints " " 2.11 
Liters " imperial pints " " 1.7617 
Liters " imperial gallons " " 0.2202 
Cubic centimeters " imperial fluidounces " " 0.0352 
As one gram is equal to 15.432+ grains, or 
.035235 avoirdupois ounce, or .03215 troy ounce, to 
convert: 
21 Grams into grains multiply by 15.432 
Centigrams " " " " 0.15432 
Milligrams " " " " 0.015432 
Kilograms " avoirdupois ounces " " 35.235 
Grams " avoirdupois ounces " " .035235 
Kilograms " avoirdupois pounds " "2.2 
Kilograms " troy ounces " " 32.1507 
Grams " troy ounces " " .03215 
To Convert the Weights and Measures in Ordi- 
nary Use into Metric Weights and Measures. 
Rule.-Multiply the quantity by the correspond- 
ing metric equivalent. 
As one inch is equal to 0.0254 meter, one fluid- 
ounce to 29.572 cubic centimeters, one imperial 
fluidounce to 28.3807 cubic centimeters, one grain 
to 0.0648 gram, one avoirdupois ounce to 28.3495 
grams and one troy ounce to 31.1035 grams. To 
convert: 
Inches into meters multiply by 0.0254 
Inches " centimeters " " 2.5399 
Inches " millimeters " " 25.3997 
Pints " liters " " 0.4731 
Fluidounces " cubic centimeters " " 29.572 
Imperial pints " liters " " 0.5776 
Imperial gallons " liters " " 4.5409 
Imperial fluidounces " cubic centimeters " " 28.3807 
Grains " grams " " 0.0648 
Grains " centigrams " " 6.4799 
Grains " milligrams " " 64.799 
Avoirdupois ounces " kilograms " " 0.02835 
Avoirdupois ounces " grams " " 28.3495 
Avoirdupois pounds " kilograms " " 0.4536 
Troy ounces " kilograms " " 0.0311 
Troy ounces "grams " "31.1035 
22 TABLE OF METRIC MEASURE WITH COR- 
RESPONDING EQUIVALENTS IN 
FLUID OUNCES AND 
FRACTIONS. 
Fluid ounces 
Cc. 
and fractions. 
2000 
67.628 
1900 
64.246 
1892.7 
64. 
1800 
60.865 
1774.4 
60. 
1700 
57.484 
1600 
54.102 
1500 
50.721 
1478.685 
50. 
1449.111 
49. 
1419.538 
48. 
1400 
47.339 
1389.964 
47. 
1360.390 
46. 
1330.817 
45. 
1301.243 
44. 
1300 
43.958 
1271.669 
43. 
1242.095 
42. 
1212.522 
41. 
1200 
40.577 
1182.948 
40. 
1153.374 
39. 
1123.801 
38. 
1100 
37.195 
1094.227 
37. 
1064.653 
36. 
Cc. 
Fluid ounces 
and fractions. 
1035.080 
35. 
1005.506 
34. 
1000 
33.814 
975.932 
33. 
950 
32.123 
946.358 
32. 
916.875 
31. 
900 
30.432 
887.211 
......... 30. 
857.637 
29. 
850 
28.742 
828.064 
28. 
800 
27.051 
798.490 
27. 
768.916 
26. 
750 
25.360 
739.343 
25. 
709.769 
24. 
700 
23.670 
680.195 
23. 
650.621 
22. 
621.048 
21. 
600 
20.288 
591.427 
20. 
561.900 
19. 
550 
18.598 
532.327 
18. 
23  
Fluid ounces 
Cc. 
and fractions. 
502.753 
17. 
500 
16.907 
473179 
16. 
450 
15.216 
443.606 
15. 
414.032 
14. 
400 
13.526 
384.458 
13. 
354.884 
12. 
350 
11 835 
325.311 
11. 
300 
10.144 
295.737...'.. 
10. 
266.163 
9. 
250 
8.433 
236.590 
8. 
207.016 
7. 
Cc. 
200 
Fluid ounces 
and fractions. 
6.763 
177.442 
6. 
150 
5 072 
147.869 
5. 
125 
4 227 
118.295 
4. 
100 
3.381 
90 
3.043 
8S.721 
3 
80 
2.705 
75 
2.536 
70 
2.367 
60 
2.029 
59.147 
2. 
50 
1.691 
40 
1.353 
24 TABLE OF METRIC WEIGHTS EQUIVA- 
LENT TO, FROM A GRAIN DOWN 
TO GRAIN. 
Gm. 
0.058 
Gr. 
0.057 
§ 
0.056 
0.055 
1 
0.054 
f 
0.052 
... . j 
0.049 
i 
0.045 
0.043 
i 
0.040 
t 
0.039 
3 
0.036 
0.032 
1 
0.028 
0.026 
1 
0.022 
i 
0.020 
0.016 
i 
0.013 
1 
0.012 
A 
0.011 
i 
0.009 
I 
Gm. 
Gr. 
0.008 
1 
0.007 
i 
0.0065 
1*0 
0.0054 
is 
0.0042 
iV 
0.0040 
A 
0.0036 
1*8 
0.0032 
2*0 
0.0027 
2^3 
0.0026 
21? 
0.0022 
sS 
0.0020 
s1? 
0.0018 
1 
0.0016 
3*0 
0.00135 
3*5 
0.00129 
5*0 
0.00108 
0.00101 
-63 
0.00090 
72 
0.00081 
A 
0.00065 
tJd 
25 TABLE OF METRIC MEASURE WITH 
EQUIVALENTS IN MINIMS. 
Cc. 
Minims. 
31 
503.1 
30 805 
500. 
30.190 
490. 
30 
486.9 
29.573 
480. 
29 
470.7 
28.958 
470. 
28.341 
460. 
28 
454.5 
27.725 
450. 
27.119 
440. 
27 
438.2 
26.493 
430. 
26 
422.0 
25.877 
420. 
25.261 
410. 
25 
405.8 
24.645 
400. 
24.029 
390. 
24 
389.5 
23 413 
380. 
23 
373.3 
22.796 
370. 
22.180 
360. 
22 
357.1 
21.563 
350. 
21 
340.8 
20.948 
340. 
20.332 
330. 
20 
324.6 
19.716 
320. 
Cc. 
Minims. 
19.099 
310. 
19 
308.4 
18.483 
300. 
18 
292.2 
17.867 
290. 
17.251 
280. 
17 
275.9 
16.635 
270. 
16.019 
260. 
16 
259.7 
15 403 
250. 
15 
243.4 
14.787 
240. 
14.171 
230. 
14 
227.2 
13.555 
220. 
13 
211.0 
12.938 
210. 
12.322 
200. 
12 
194.8 
11.706 
190. 
11.090 
180. 
11 
178.5 
10.474 
170. 
10 
162.3 
9.858 
160. 
9.242 
150. 
9 
146.1 
8.626 
140. 
8 
129.8 
7.393 
120. 
26 Cc. 
MinimS. 
7 
113.6 
6.161 
100. 
5.545 
90. 
5 
81.2 
4.929 
80. 
4.313 
70. 
4 
64.9 
3.697 
60. 
3.081 
50. 
3.019 
49. 
3 
48.7 
2.957 
48. 
2.896 
47. 
2.834 
46. 
2.773 
45. 
2.711 
44. 
2.649 
43. 
2.588 
42. 
2.526 
41. 
2.403 
39. 
2.341 
38. 
2.280 
37. 
2.218 
36. 
2.156 
35. 
2.095 
34. 
2.033 
33. 
2 
32.46 
1.972 
32. 
1.910 
31. 
1.848 
30. 
1.787 
29. 
1.725 
28. 
Cc. 
Minims. 
1.664 
27. 
1.602 
26. 
1.504 
25. 
1.5 
24.4 
1.479 
24. 
1.417 
23. 
1.355 
22. 
1.25 
20.3 
1.232 
20. 
1.171 
19. 
1.109 
18. 
1.047 
17. 
1 
16.23 
0.986 
16. 
0.924 
15. 
0.863 
14. 
0.801 
13. 
0.75 
12.2 
0.739 
12. 
0.678 
11. 
0.616 
10. 
0.555 
9. 
0.5 
8.1 
0.493 
8. 
0.431 
7. 
0.370 
6. 
0.308 
5. 
0.246 
4. 
0.185 
3. 
0.123 
2. 
0.06161 
1, 
27 Measuring Utensils. 
Measuring the capacity of liquids is accomplished 
by the use of vessels, the capacities of which have 
been ascertained by measuring the dimensions and 
cubing them or, if of irregular shape, measuring them 
by a measure whose capacity already is known. The 
vessel may have any one of a great variety of shapes. 
Measures are used for liquids and certain solids, 
such as grain, fruit, etc. The measure for solids 
is called dry measure and is of different value 
from liquid or apothecary measure. It is based 
upon the "dry gallon" of 268.8 cubic inches; further 
consideration is not necessary in pharmacy. Vessels 
for measuring liquids are called "measures" when 
made to measure one amount and "graduates" 
when several graduation marks indicating differ- 
ent measures are present; either may be of metal, 
glass or earthenware. Graduates are usually of 
glass and should be of flint (clear) "annealed" 
glass, because glass being a silicate, and prepared 
by fusion at high heat will be brittle or tough ac- 
cordingly as it is cooled quickly or slowly. If cooled 
quickly the crystals have not time to arrange 
themselves and divide or balance tension, and so 
are unevenly arranged and held loosely one place 
and tightly another-the crystals go on rearrang- 
ing and reforming themselves, producing severe 
strains in some parts which, of course, give way 
when the strain becomes too great. 
After glass is made, if it be heated and passed 
through a long oven very slowly from a highly 
heated portion gradually to a portion less highly 
heated and so on until cooling is effected very evenly, 
the crystals may properly arrange themselves and 
there be no excessively uneven tension. If glass be 
heated and placed in very hot oil and cooled very 
slowly similar results can be obtained. 
28 When using graduates for hot or very cold liquids, 
the graduate should be previously heated slightly or 
cooled slightly accordingly, or the surface should be 
evenly wetted inside entirely with water or a small 
amount of the liquid to be measured. 
In measuring with the graduate care must be used 
to hold graduate level and the surface of the liquid 
parallel with the line of eyesight. Cylindrical tall 
graduates are more nearly correct than short conical 
graduates because of the greater surface of liquids 
giving greater chance for error in reading the con- 
ical. The bottom of the meniscus should be at 
the line on both sides of graduate. 
Graduates are made to hold indicated amount 
Graduated tubes, called burettes^ to deliver indicated 
amount. Graduated flasks are to be had of both 
kinds. 
Weighing is effected by the use of the principle 
of the lever, whereby a standard or known "weight" 
is balanced by the mass supported upon the opposite 
arm of the lever. 
Levers are simple or compound: the simple con- 
sists of a bar resting upon a support which is fixed 
and upon which the lever is exerted by power tend- 
ing to move weight. There are three classes of 
simple levers, viz.: 
Levers. 
29 They each have two arms; that is, the dis- 
tances between the weight, power and fulcrum or 
support, severally, and the arms may be equal or 
unequal in length, and the power is equal 
to the weight if the arms are equal, and if 
unequal, then power X distance = weight X dis- 
tance; thus a small power with a long distance 
equals 
1, small weight with long distance or 
2, large " " short " 
hence. Pd = Wd and by using small power (for a 
"weight standard'' like a traveling rider on a scale 
beam) and long arm over a support you can balance 
a great weight on a short arm and by compounding 
this again upon like levers a few times, an enormous 
load can be lifted and the lengths of arms being 
known, and the power used to measure with being 
known the great weight may thus be measured. 
In the above illustration 3 simple levers are com- 
30 pounded; each is presumed to have one arm 10 
times the length of the other and a 10 pound power 
at PA lifts 10 times 10 or 100 pounds at Wt.A which, 
in turn, acting upon the second lever, becomes PB 
and acting on Wt.B lifts 1,000 pounds, which, 
becoming Pc, lifts 10,000 pounds at Wt.c, for 10 
X 10X 10X 10 = 10,000. 
Single Lever Equal Arm Knife-edge Analytical Balance. 
The single lever, equal arm, old-fashioned "bal- 
ance," when properly made, is the most nearly 
accurate weighing apparatus in use, but it is quite 
subject to injury through wear and tear, jar on 
knife edges and action of corrosive vapors, oxidiz- 
ing effect of moisture in air and friction caused by 
dust, dirt, etc., in air; to avoid these influences 
31 "box" scales are used, which are far less ac- 
curate, and box "torsion" balances are used to 
avoid all of these and the "wear" of knife edges 
upon plates. The torsion balance consists of 
apparatus utilizing the torsional force of a thread 
or thin band of metal tightly drawn between two 
fixed points, operating over a fulcrum or support 
where it is made fast. Their accuracy depends 
upon the location of the center of gravity above 
Torsion R Balance, Glass Case Removed to Show Adjusting 
Bobs and Graduated Beam and Rider. 
the point of support and almost neutralizing the 
torsional strength of the twisted wires or bands and 
yet allowing just enough unneutralized torsion so 
that it will hold the arms of the balance in equilib- 
rium. This is accomplished by the metal bobs, 
which may be screwed up or down as the balances 
require. The torsion balance is very practical and 
very nearly accurate, but can not be made absolutely 
accurate, hence the old fashioned, equal arm, knife 
32 edge balance is used for analysis where extremely 
fine results are desired. A balance of such great 
sensitiveness must be handled with care and pro- 
tected and never used for large weighings. 
For coarser weighings a coarser, stronger, and 
less sensitive balance should be used. 
A prescription balance should turn for a sixty- 
fourth of a grain and not be used for more than 30 
grains; another, for weighing 30 grains to 1 ounce, 
should turn for half a grain or less, and a "counter 
scale'' for weighing amounts larger than 1 ounce. 
33 SPECIFIC WEIGHT. 
The term "specific gravity'' is sometimes used to 
express specific weight or the relation of mass to 
volume. By this is understood the relation or ratio 
of the actual matter of a body to the volume of that 
body. It is customary to speak of the specific weight 
of a body as the ratio of its weight to the weight of 
an equal volume of water under standard conditions 
of temperature and air pressure. 
Water is taken arbitrarily as a standard, having 
the value of one, for liquids and solids; but for 
gases, hydrogen is the standard, and these stand- 
ards are used, as well as the conditions of tempera- 
ture and pressure of air, for convenience of the 
greatest number of persons and because compara- 
tively accurate results can be obtained with least 
difficulty. 
Having taken water as a standard for comparing 
we must consider whether varying conditions would 
give varying results. 
Since variations of temperature cause changes 
of bulk by increase and decrease of volume of all 
substances, and not all substances increase or 
decrease in volume in one common ratio, it is nec- 
essary to name the temperature, not only of the 
water, but of the specimen to be examined, and 
then to be accurate, air must not be allowed to 
unequally affect the specimen, for air is a fluid 
(only more rare than ordinary fluids) and exerts a 
buoyant influence upon substances immersed in it, 
34 and a bulky substance already light is made appar- 
ently lighter by being buoyed upward more, 
because it displaces more air, and the law of 
Archimedes is that "a body immersed in a fluid is 
buoyed upward by a force equal to the weight of 
fluid it displaces.'' Therefore a vacuum should 
be used; and'so it is by certain scientists, but for 
practical purposes this is not possible to any save 
very few, and it makes a very small difference in 
the specific weight of liquids and solids. Then, 
the most convenient temperature to the average 
persons likely to use it is selected by agreement 
among them. These conditions are variable in 
various countries. For absolute scientific accuracy 
4°C in vacuo at the level of the sea would be taken, 
and it is taken in some countries. 
Swiss Pharmacopoeia specifies 4°C, vacuo 
German " " 39°F, air 
British " " 15°C, " 
United States " 1890, specified 15.6°C, " 
U. S. P., Eighth Decennial Revision, Speci- 
fies 25°C air 
as compared with water under the same conditions. 
Therefore, specific weight is the number express- 
ing the comparison of the weight of a substance 
with the weight of the same volume or bulk of 
water taken as standard. 
Wt. of a body wt. of same volume of water = sp. wt. 
Wt. " " " - bulk = " " 
Mass" " " -r- volume =" " 
It is sometimes not practical to measure the vol- 
ume of a solid because of its irregular shape, but 
there are other means, indirectly, to determine its 
extent; for example, the solid may be immersed in 
water and, knowing that it must displace an 
amount equal in volume, the volume of the water 
35 may be measured and the volume of the solid de- 
termined. The solid may then be weighed and the 
water also weighed and the two 
weights compared. 
Or the body may be weighed in 
air, then suspended in water and 
its weight noted, the difference or 
loss of weight in water will equal 
the weight of an equal volume of 
water, the wt. 4-wt. of water = sp. 
wt. If the solid be not heavy 
enough to sink it may be weighted 
down: then weigh the solid + the 
weight, both in air and in water; 
then, by subtraction, find the 
weight of a volume of water equal to volume of 
the solid and the wt. of solid-4-wt. of water = sp.wt. 
Should the solid be soluble in water, 
then immerse it in a liquid which is 
a non-solvent and determine the 
specific weight as compared with 
that liquid; then multiply that result 
by the known specific weight of that 
liquid and the result will be the true 
specific weight of that solid which 
is soluble in water. 
The druggist will find it very 
much easier to take the specific 
weight of liquids, because they are 
mobile and can easily be measured 
by a graduated measure and 
are also easily weighed; so weigh 
the liquid and measure an equal 
bulk of water and weigh it 
, wt. liquid „ , 
and - -- = sp. wt. of the liquid, but it is 
wt. water r 1 ' 
Pycnometer with 
Accompanying- Tare 
Weight. 
Pycnometer 
with 
Thermometer. 
36 rendered still easier by having specially devised 
flasks, bottles, pycnometers, etc., holding a known 
weight of water at a known tem- 
perature; then merely fill the vessel, 
flask, graduated jar or 
pycnometer and wipe dry; 
then weigh, and the 
wt. liquid 
- = sp. wt. of the 
wt. water r 
liquid; or specific weight 
may be ascertained by the 
use of hydrometers, which 
are hollow vessels (usually 
of glass) having a bulb at 
one end loaded with shot or 
mercury and a long stem 
making the other end. The 
stem is hollow and when 
the apparatus is placed in 
liquid the weight causes 
it to float with the long 
stem in a vertical position. 
It is put in a very light 
liquid of known specific 
weight and loaded so as to 
sink to near the top of the 
stem in that liquid and 
the place marked on the 
stem by the surface of the 
liquid is marked; then it is 
immersed in distilled water 
at standard temperature 
(now 25° C.) and the point 
to which it sinks on the 
stem is marked; then the hydrometer is floated 
in a heavy liquid with known specific weight 
££ 
Weight 
fb^Uqui^ 
Lighter than 
a er 
Direct Sr, wt 
Hydrometer with 
Hew'aterhan 
37 Indirect Sp. Wt. Hydrometer or Alcoholometer Graduated to $ of Alcohol, also Carrying Thermometer. 
and again marked. Now suppose the 
specific weight of light liquid be known 
to be .700; water known to be 1.000; 
heavy liquid known to be 2.100; then 
the space between 1. and 
2.1 be divided into 11, 110 
or 1100 spaces and the 
space between .700 and 
1.000 be divided into 3, 30 
or 300 spaces and each 
space is called .1, .01, or 
.001 degree, then each 
mark will at once indi- 
cate the specific weight of 
the liquid it is placed in, 
by reading the figures on 
the stem at the surface of 
the liquid. 
Such an instrument is 
called a direct specific weight 
hydrometer. It might be 
prepared with a view to 
use with one kind of liquid 
only, and graduated to 
show small fractions of de- 
grees between points not 
so far distant. By that 
means greater approach to 
accuracy can be had; such 
instruments are called in- 
direct hydrometers and are 
named according to the 
liquid for which intended to be used, 
or take the name of the inventor. The 
scales of indirect hydrometers can 
be converted to specific weight by 
250 cc. Gradu- 
ated Cylinder 
38 rules accompanying them. There are a great 
many, such as Twaddell, Baume, Richter, Tralle- 
alcoholometers, lactometers, etc. But for ascertain- 
ing the specific weights of liquids the U. S. P. 
recommends the Mohr-Westphal balance, which is 
at once a very simple and extremely accurate instru- 
ment. It is constructed upon the principle that 
"a body immersed in a liquid displaces a weight of 
that liquid equal in bulk to that body"-a loaded 
glass plummet is suspended by a fine platinum 
thread from the tip end of the beam of a balance 
and the plummet is so loaded that it will sink in 
Mohr-Westphal Balance with Equipoise and Rider Weights. 
39 the heaviest liquids and yet equalize the balance 
when suspended in air. The plummet is weighed 
and its weight noted, then it is weighed in water 
and weight noted; the difference is the weight of 
water displaced by the plummet. A weight is then 
made equal to the weight of the water displaced 
and this weight attached to the tip of the balance 
beam. When both plummet and weight just bal- 
ance the instrument is in equilibrium. The beam 
is divided into 10 spaces and a rider weight equal 
in weight to the one used as a counterpoise to bal- 
ance the plummet in water, then another just 
as heavy, and another TJ5, and another as 
heavy. The plummet carries a thermometer and 
the liquid can be brought to the right temperature, 
and the plummet being made to rest in equilibrium 
when suspended in air and to require the coun- 
terpoise weight to restore that equilibrium when 
suspended in water, and water, being the standard 
for specific weight, it is called 1.000; then the coun- 
terpoise weight is considered to represent a value 
of unity or 1.000 specific weight; and the next weight 
of equal size being placed in the spaces or tenth 
divisions, on the balance arm, it is given the value 
of tenths or placed in the tenths column; the next in 
hundredths, the next in thousandths, and the next 
in ten thousandths, and so the plummet is sus- 
pended in the liquid and the weights added until 
equilibrium of the balance is obtained and the 
figures read off, placing the counterpoise weight's 
number in the unit column, the next largest to 
the right of the decimal point in tenths column, the 
next largest in the hundredths column, etc., etc. ; 
thus; 
40 41 Should the counterpoise weight be not required, 
as it will not be needed for liquids lighter than water, 
it is to be left off and the result read just the same, 
except that the largest weight's number is to be 
put in tenths column, etc., etc.; thus: 
If the liquid should be exactly twice as heavy as 
water two large weights will be required at the 
beam end. In such case the specific weight=2.000. 
Specific weight is used as an indication of the 
purity, value or strength of a substance, and in a 
great many cases is very valuable to us in judging 
that value, strength or purity, since it can be 
quickly and easily ascertained and other methods 
giving no more certain proof may require time and 
trouble in applying them. 
For example, the specific weight of alcohol of 
any strength (when mixed with water only) can be 
used to indicate that strength at any time, at that 
temperature. Any variation in the proportion of 
alcohol to the water, which is always present, will 
be indicated at once by a variation in specific 
weight. There are tables arranged for various 
liquids, giving the strengths corresponding to 
various specific weights; then, by determining the 
specific weight of, say, alcohol, ammonia solution, 
or the acids, it is only necessary to turn to the 
tables in the Pharmacopoeia and note the corre- 
sponding value or per cent, of purity. However, as 
the density of any mass varies with the tempera- 
42 ture, it is necessary to note the temperature and 
make correction according to the co-efficient of 
expansion of the substance, or, better, bring the 
substance to the proper temperature. 
Substances all expand with an increased tempera- 
ture, but not in the same ratio, and the same 
substance may have different ratios of expansion 
at different degrees of temperature. But tables 
have been arranged by experiment, and by refer- 
ring to these tables in the Pharmacopoeia we 
may take specific weight of a substance at natural 
temperature and, by using the tables, make the 
necessary corrections for the standard temperature. 
Take, for example, a piece of roll sulphur; weigh 
it in air: that is, on a pan of a balance or sus- 
pended by a thread; note the weight, say it be 100 
grams; tie to end of thread and suspend in water 
so that it does not touch the vessel and it will 
weigh 50 grams. 
It has displaced its equal bulk of water and that 
equal bulk of water weighs 50 grams because it 
pushes the sulphur upward with a force equal to its 
own weight. 100 grams-50 grams = 50 grams, and 
100 grams-4-50 = 2; hence, the specific weight of sul- 
phur is 2. 
Try it another way: say there be no balance 
suitable: then take a glass cylinder holding 250 
cc-it will hold 250 grams of water; fill it to the 
200 cc mark with water and drop in the 100 grams 
of sulphur-it will displace enough water to fill the 
cylinder to the 250 cc mark, and that proves that 
100 grams of sulphur have the same volume as 50 
grams of water, and 1004-50=2 specific weight of 
sulphur is 2. 
43 SPECIFIC WEIGHTS OF SOME OF THE MOST 
IMPORTANT DRUGS AND PREPARA- 
TIONS ARRANGED IN ORDER OF 
DENSITIES. 
Substance. 
Benzinum 
Specific Weight. 
638- 
.660 
/Ether 
716- 
.717 
Alcohol Absolutum 
790- 
797 
Spiritus Ammonias 
808 
Alcohol 
809 
Petrolatum 
820- 
.850 
Petrolatum Album 
820- 
.850 
Spiritus Glonoini 
814- 
.820 
Spiritus /Etheris Nitrosi 
823 
Oleum Aurantii Corticis 
842- 
.846 
Oleum Erigerontis 
845- 
.865 
Oleum Juniperi 
880- 
.892 
Oleum Terebinthinas Rectificatum ... 
860- 
.865 
Oleum Terebinthinas 
860- 
.870 
Oleum Limonis 
851- 
.855 
Terebenum 
860- 
.870 
Oleum Rosas 
855- 
.865 
Amyl Nitris 
.875 
Oleum Coriandri 
863- 
.878 
Oleum Myristicae 
862- 
.910 
Petrolatum Liquidum 
870- 
.940 
Oleum Lavandulas Florum 
880- 
.892 
Oleum Copaibas 
895- 
.905 
/Ether Aceticus 
883- 
.885 
Oleum Rosmarini 
894- 
.912 
Acidum Oleicum 
895 
Oleum Menthae Piperitium 
894- 
.914 
Oleum Thymi 
900- 
.930 
Aqua Ammonias Fortior 
897- 
.901 
Spiritus Ammonias Aromaticus 
900- 
.905 
44 Oleum ^Ethereum 905- .910 
Oleum Adipis 905- .915 
Oleum Sabinae 910- .940 
Oleum Amygdalae Expressum 910- .915 
Oleum Olivae 910- .915 
Oleum Eucalypti 905- .925 
Spiritus Frumenti 924- .945 
Oleum Cubebae 905- .920 
Oleum Morrhuae 918- .922 
Oleum Gossypii Seminis 915- .921 
Oleum Cajuputi 915- .925 
Spiritus Vini Gallici 925- .941 
Eucalyptol 925- .930 
Oleum Lini 925- .935 
Oleum Hedeomae .920- .935 
Oleum Menthae Viridis 914- .934 
Adeps 917 
Alcohol Dilutum 930- .936 
Acidum Sulphuricum Aromaticum 933- .939 
Oleum Tiglii 935- .950 
Copaibae 950-■ .995 
Cetaceum 938- .944 
Oleum Ricini 945- .965 
Cera Flava 951- .960 
Aqua Ammoniae ; 958- .960 
Oleum Foeniculi 953-• .973 
Cera Alba 950- .960 
Oleum Picis Liquidae 965- .970 
Oleum Chenopodii 965- .985 
Oleum Santali 965- .975 
Oleum Theobromatis 970- .976 
Oleum Anisi 980- .990 
Vinum Rubrum 975- .985 
Vinum Album 990-1.010 
Oleum Cadini 989-1.010 
Camphora 990- .995 
Tinctura Ferri Chloridi 1.005 
Acidum Aceticum Dilutum 1.009 
Oleum Sinapis Volatile 1.013-1.020 
Fei Bovis 1.015-1.025 
Acidum Sulphurosum..... 1.028 
Liquor Potassii Hydroxidi 1.046 
Oleum Pimentae 1.033-1.040 
Acidum Hypophosphorosum Dilutum 1.042 
Acidum Aceticum 1.045 
45 Acidum Hydrochloricum Dilutum 1.049 
Liquor Sodae Chlorate 1.050 
Oleum Cinnamomi 1.045-1.055 
Acidum Nitricum Dilutum 1.057 
Acidum Aceticum Glaciale 1.049-1.056 
Liquor Sodii Hydroxidi 1.056 
Oleum Caryophyli 1.040-1.060 
Oleum Amygdalae Amarae 1.045-1.060 
Thymol 1.030 
Acidum Sulphuricum Dilutum 1.067 
Oleum Sassafras ' 1.065-1.075 
Creosotum 1.072 
Acidum Hydrobromicum Dilutum 1.076 
Mel (diluted with two parts of water) 1.100 
Balsamum Peruvianum 1.140-1.150 
Acidum Hydrochloricum 1.158 
Oleum Gaultherias 1.172-1.180 
Methyl Salicylas '. 1.180-1.185 
Liquor Plumbi Subacetatis 1.235 
Acidum Lacticum 1.206 
Glycerinum 1.246 
Carbonei Disulphidum 1.256 
Syrupus Acidi Hydriodici 1.190 
Syrupus 1.313 
Liquor Ferri Tersulphatis .1.432 
Syrupus Ferri lodidi 1.349 
Mel 1.370 
Liquor Ferri Chloridi 1.315 
Acidum Nitricum 1.403 
Chloroformum 1.476 
Liquor Zinci Chloridi 1.548 
Liquor Ferri Subsulphatis 1.548 
Acidum Phosphoncum 1.707 
Phosphorus 1.830 
Acidum Sulphuricum 1.826 
Liquor Hydrargyri Nitratis 2.086 
Bromum 2.990-3.000 
lodum 4.948 
Hydrargyrum 13.535 
All at 25° C. in air as compared with water at 
same temperature. 
46 PART II. 
DISPENSING. 
The Prescription Department.-We will leave 
the general arrangement of the prescription case to 
the individual idea of each pharmacist, as there is 
no uniformity of opinion on the matter; we men- 
tion a few points which may contribute to conve- 
nience and accuracy in compounding. A separate 
closet should be attached to the case for very 
powerful and poisonous drugs, and the pharmacist 
should avoid keeping two dangerous drugs with 
similar names in close proximity to each other. 
The most important feature of the prescription 
case is the prescription balance. 
All prescription departments should be furnished 
with at least two prescription balances, one to 
be used for weighing small quantities (never over 
twenty grains), and the other for larger quan- 
tities up to the ounce. 
By keeping a balance for small quantities, its 
delicacy will be retained for a very much longer 
time than if used for all weights. 
In too many pharmacies can be seen prescription 
balances that will not turn for a quarter of a grain; 
this is due to dull bearing points, too large a weight 
having been used, or to rust or dirt being allowed 
to collect on them. 
The prescription balance should be cleaned with 
47 water, and if care is exercised nothing else is 
needed. 
It should always be enclosed in a case, pro- 
tected from the air and dust. Always before 
attempting to weigh putin a state of equilibrium. 
It is well to place pieces of paper of even weight 
on the pans, for by this means you avoid the danger 
of soiling the latter, and the substance weighed can 
be at once carried to where you wish to deposit it. 
Keep the case door closed when not in use; put 
away the weights after using them, and when 
handling weights use a pair of forceps, as perspira- 
tion from the fingers in time corrodes the metal 
weights. This applies to small weights, but is not 
necessary with larger ones. 
Utensils.-The compounding of prescriptions, 
recipes and formulas requires the use of certain 
utensils or tools. 
To be able to compound any and all prescriptions, 
quite a variety of such utensils is necessary. Every 
drug store should have plenty of graduates of all 
sizes, spatulas of steel and horn, mortars and 
pestles of different shapes for pills, solutions and 
emulsions, glass stirring rods, tiles, a pill cutter, 
pill rounder, an apparatus for sealing cachets, a 
suppository machine (desirable but not indispensa- 
ble), porcelain capsules, Florence flasks, a chemical 
thermometer, sand bath, water bath, Bunsen burner 
or spirit lamp, funnels, filtering paper, litmus paper, 
infusion mug, casserole, specific gravity bottle, 
hydrometer, test tubes and graduated burettes. 
Individual wants should be considered in select- 
ing the balance, care being taken to get one that is 
not defective; it should gravitate to of a grain 
or 1 mgm. and should not be used for large 
amounts, else it will soon become inaccurate. 
48 Select good graduates, those perfectly graduated 
and properly annealed, as well (see page 28). 
Care of Utensils.-Each and every utensil should 
have a specific place, so that when needed it can 
be found without delay. When used each article 
should be properly and perfectly cleaned and 
returned to its place. 
To cleanse vessels of adhering resinous tinctures, 
essential oils, etc., first scrub with plenty of soap 
and powdered pumice, and a little water; then, if 
necessary, use a little alcohol, but remember it is 
expensive; elbow exercise is cheaper. When col- 
lodion has been measured and before the ether has 
evaporated pour the vessel full of water when a 
film is precipitated on the surface of the vessel; the 
film contracts- so that it can be removed without 
any inconvenience. 
For cleaning graduates, mortars, tiles and spatu- 
las of oils, ointments, etc., first scrub with plenty 
of sawdust, removing all the grease possible, after 
which use soap, pumice and water; sometimes ben- 
zine is necessary; it is best used on a cloth. To 
remove iodine use ammonia water or hyposulphite 
of soda. 
All utensils should be perfectly dried after being 
washed. A graduate might be required before 
having time to dry and the adhering water would 
make a difference in the amount so measured. A 
wet graduate attracts and holds dust and grit which 
might chance to get into an eye water or hypoder- 
mic solution and do a great deal of harm. 
Books of Reference.-In compounding prescrip- 
tions it often becomes necessary to refer to books 
for information. This should not embarrass the 
beginner and does not embarrass the experienced 
49 pharmacist. Be quick, however, to find what you 
want, and don't use the book in the presence of the 
patron, as he will likely think you lack competency 
and lose confidence in you. 
Every druggist should possess a library, the more 
extensive the better, but a Pharmacopoeia, Dispen- 
satory, Medical Dictionary, a good work on Phar- 
macy, one on Materia Medica and one on Chemistry 
are absolutely indispensable to a first-class drug 
store. 
The prescription counter should, by all means, 
be as systematic in its general arrangement as 
possible; the drugs should be in alphabetical 
arrangement. A special compartment should con- 
tain the most poisonous drugs; further than this 
the requirements and convenience of each individual 
store should be the guide. 
50 THE PRESCRIPTION. 
Definition.-A prescription is construed to mean 
a formula. In the sense that the pharmacist uses 
the term, we will define it a§: An order of a physi- 
cian on a pharmacist, for a remedy to be used for 
the relief, prevention or cure of pain or disease. 
The word is derived from the Latin word prcescriptio, 
meaning I write before ^pra, before and scriptio, I 
write). 
Nomenclature.-Prescriptions are usually written 
in Latin, for various reasons. The most important 
of these reasons are: 
First; Latin is the language of science the world 
over; it being a dead or unspoken language, is not 
subject to change by the addition of new words and 
phrases, and changes in spelling, like the modern 
languages. 
Second; It is generally necessary, and always well to 
conceal the identity of the remedies or medicines 
from the family; the use of Latin accomplishes this 
practically; as the language, especially the part used 
in a prescription is understood by comparatively few. 
Third; Latin names are distinctive and exact; 
some drugs have various common names, and some 
names are used for more than one drug. Again, the 
vernacular name of a drug, and especially vegetable 
drugs, may be one thing in English and a different 
51 thing in German, French or Swedish, etc. The use 
of Latin at once obviates all these difficulties, sav- 
ing one the trouble of learning the names in all the 
different languages. 
"Humulus" is the Latinized name for hops; 
anywhere in the world if "Humulus" appears on a 
prescription it is known at once that "strobiles of 
Humulus lupulus, Linne," is the article wanted; 
thus it is seen that "Humulus" is the universal 
scientific name for the drug. The English name is 
hops; French, houblon; German, hopfen; Swedish, 
humlekottar; Danish, humle. 
By using the Latinized name the necessity of 
learning the vernacular, or common name, in all 
the different tongues is avoided. 
Fourth', It affords brevity. 
Signs Used.-The signs and symbols are the 
Metric and Apothecaries' for weights and meas- 
ures, and various abbreviations and Latin phrases 
sometimes used in writing either the directions or 
some notations in regard to the prescription, con- 
cerning only the compounder. In a chapter follow- 
ing this is a list which includes most all such signs 
or abbreviations, together with their meanings. 
52 Analysis.-For the purpose of study, a prescrip- 
tion may be considered to consist of various parts, 
viz.: 
Consisting of a 
symbol, I}, an ab- 
breviation for the 
imperative verb, 
receipe, meaning 
take th oil. In 
French prescrip- 
tions Pr. or P. is 
used and stands for 
Prenez. 
1. Superscription. 
PRESCRIPTION. 
Basis. 
Adjuvant. 
Corrective. 
Excipient or diluent. 
2. Inscription. 
3. Subscription. 
4. Signature.-Directions to the patient. 
5. Prescriber's name and the date. 
The directions to 
the compounder. 
The following is an example of a theoretical pres- 
cription: u 
Superscription- R • 
Inscription. 
Morphinae Sulphatis. ..Grs. iv. Basis. 
Tincturae Aconiti....».3/ Adjuvant. 
Syrupus Khei jii Corrective. 
Aquae ^.nisi 0. S ^iv Vehicle. 
Subscription.-Misce secundum artem. 
Signature.-A teaspoonful every three hours. 
Date and name. 4-7-95. T. B. Gray, M. D. 
The above prescription was written for facial neu- 
ralgia. The adjuvant (tr. aconite) assists the basis, 
morphine, by decreasing heart action. The syrup of 
rhubarb acts as the corrective by overcoming the 
53 constipating effect of the basis, and the anise water 
serves as the vehicle in which the rest are adminis- 
tered. 
A prescription may, however, contain the basis 
alone, or the basis with the adjuvant, or the basis 
with a simple vehicle or diluent. A single ingre- 
dient may serve a double or treble office, as in the 
case of some compound syrup or tincture. Again 
the basis may need no aid in doing its work, or cor 
rective of its action, nor any special vehicle for its 
administration. On the other hand there is no limit 
to the number of ingredients which may be used, 
provided there is something to be accomplished by 
each, and also provided there is no chemical or 
physiological incompatibility between them. 
In every day practice a great many prescriptions 
are written, some of the terms in which require 
abbreviating. The abbreviations are not objection- 
able unless ambiguous terms are used. 
The tendency is to too much brevity, or to call the 
correct name, carelessness. 
No abbreviation should ever be used where there 
could be a doubt of its meaning or where it could 
be erroneously taken for another meaning. 
54 ABBREVIATIONS THAT ARE IN- 
COMPLETE AND LIABLE 
TO MORE THAN ONE 
INTERPRETATION. 
Acid. Hydroc.. May mean Acidum Hydrochloricum or Acidum 
Hydrocyanicum. 
Aconit Aconitine, Aconiti Radix, Aconiti Folia. 
Ammon Ammonia (alkali), Ammoniac (gum resin). 
Aq. Chlor Aqua Chlori, Aqua Chloroformi. 
Aq. Fontis May often be read Aqua Fortis. 
Calc. Chlor Calcium Chloride, Chlorinated Lime. 
Chlor Chlorine, Chloroform, Chloral. 
Emp. Lyt Emp. Lytharg (lead plaster), old name Emp. 
Lyttae (blistering plaster). 
Ext. Col Extractum Colchici, Extractum Colocynthidis. 
Hyd. Chlor.... Corrosive Sublimate, Chloral Hydrate. 
Hydr Hydrargyrum (mercury), Hydras (hydrate) 
Hydriodas (hydriodate), Hydrochloras (hy- 
drochlorate). 
Hydr. Perox.. .Hydrogen Peroxide, Hydrargyri Peroxidum. 
Mist. Ammon. .Ammonia mixture, Mixture of Ammoniac (gum 
resin). 
Potass. Hyd.... Potassium Hydrate (caustic potash), Potassium 
Hydriodate (iodide of potassium). 
Sod. Hypo Sodium Hyposulphite, Sodium Hypophosphite. 
Sod. Sulph Sodium Sulphate, Sodium Sulphite, Sodium 
Sulphide. 
Sulph Sulphur, Sulphide, Sulphate, Sulphite. 
Zinci. Phosph. .Zinc Phosphate, Zinc Phosphide. 
The knowledge of Latin is a great help to the 
student in pharmacy, as well as to the dispenser; it 
is, however, not absolutely necessary. The great 
majority of druggists know nothing of Latin what- 
ever, but they learn abstractly the Latin names of 
all the drugs and also the uses and meaning of cer- 
tain Latin terms and phrases used in writing pre- 
scriptions. 
55 The following is, as far as it goes, a 
CORRECT LIST OF LATIN PHRASES 
AND ABBREVIATIONS USED IN 
WRITING PRESCRIPTIONS. 
Phrase or Word. Abbreviation. 
A, aa 
Meaning. 
.. .Of each. 
Abdomen Abdom 
.. .The belly. 
Absente febre Abs. febr 
...In the absence of 
Accurate 
fever. 
.. .Accurately. 
Ad Ad 
.. .To, up to. 
Ad duas vices Ad 2 vic 
... At twice taking. 
Ad secundum vicem :... 
.. .To the second time. 
Ad tertiam vicem 
... For three times. 
Adde, or addantur, 
addendus.addendo.Ad. or add 
...Add, or let them be 
Ad gratam a,cidita- 
tem Ad grat. acid.... 
added, to be added 
by adding. 
...To an agreeable 
Adhibendus 
sourness. 
.. .To be administered. 
Adjacens Adjan 
... Adjacent. 
Ad libitum Ad lib 
.... At pleasure. 
A d m o v e, admove- 
atur, admoveantur 
...Apply, let it be ap- 
Adstante febre Adst. febre 
plied, let them be 
applied. 
... When the fever is on. 
Adversum Adv 
... Against. 
Aggrediente febre.. .Aggred. febre.... 
... While the fever is 
Agitato vase 
coming on. 
...The vial being 
shaken. 
56 Phrase or Word. 
Abbreviation. 
Meaning. 
Aliquot 
.. .Some. 
Alter 
... The other. 
Alternis horis 
.. .Every other hour. 
Amplus . 
.. .Large. 
Ana 
.A., aa 
.. .Of t ach. 
Aqua 
■ Aq 
... Water. 
Aqua astiicta 
. Aq. astr 
... Frozen water. 
Aqua bul iens 
.Aq. bull 
.. .Boiling water. 
Aqua communis ... 
Aq. comm 
.. .Common water. 
Aqua fervens 
Aq. ferv 
.. . Hot water. 
Aqua fontalis or Ion 
tis or fonta 
Aq. font ... 
.. .Spring water. 
Aqua marina 
.Aq. mar 
.. .Sea water. 
Aqua pluvialis or 
pluviatilis 
. Aq. pluv 
... Rain water. 
Aut 
.. .Or. 
Balneum arenae.... 
.B. A 
... Sand bath. 
Balneum mariae or 
maris 
B. M 
.. . A salt water bath. 
Balneum vaporosum 
or vapons 
B. V 
... A vapor bath. 
Balsamum 
Bals 
... Balsam. 
Barbadensis 
.B. B„ B. B. S 
.. .Barbadoes. 
Bene 
.. .Well 
Bibe 
Bib 
. .. Drink. 
Bis 
. . .Twice. 
Bis in die 
. Bis in d 
.. .Twice a day. 
Bis in dies 
Bis in d 
.. ..Twice a day. 
Bolus 
.Bol 
... A large pill. 
Bulliat, bulliant 
Bull 
... Let boil. 
Butyrum 
. But 
.. .Butter. 
Caeruleus 
Caerul 
.. .Blue. 
Calefactus 
.. .Warmed. 
Calomel 
.Cal.... 
... Mild chloride of men 
cury. 
Calomelas 
...Calomel or mild 
chloride of mercury 
Capiat 
.Cap 
.. .Let him (or her) take. 
Caute.... 
.. .Cautiously. 
Charta . 
Chart 
.. . Paper. 
Chartula 
.. .Small paper. 
Cibus 
.. .Food. 
Cochlear, o r coch 
leare cochleatim.. 
Coch, Cochleat... 
... A spoonful,by spoon- 
fuls. 
57 Phrase or Word. 
Abbreviation. 
Meaning. 
Cochlear amplum.. 
.Coch, amp 
A tablespoonful. 
Cochlear magnum.. 
.Coch, mag 
....A large spoonful 
(about % an ounce.) 
Cochlear medium, or 
modicum 
.Coch, med 
....A dessert spoonful 
(about 2 flui- 
• 
drachms.) 
Cochlear parvum... 
.Coch, parv 
A teaspoonful (about 
1 fluidrachm.) 
Coctio 
. Coct 
Boiling. 
Cola 
.Col 
Strain. 
Colaturae 
.Colatur , 
To, or of, the strain- 
ed liquor. 
Colatus 
.Colat 
Strained. 
Coletur 
.Colet 
Let it be strained. 
Colentur 
.Colent 
Let them be strained. 
Collutorium 
..Collut 
.... A mouth wash. 
Collyrium 
..Collyr., Coll 
An eye wash. 
Coloretur 
Let it be colored. 
Compositus 
.Comp 
Compounded. 
Concisus 
Cut. 
Confectio 
.Conf 
... .Confection. 
Congius 
• Cong 
... A gallon. 
Conserva 
.Cons 
... .A conserve ; also 
keep (thou). 
Continuantur rem- 
Cont. rem 
... .Let the medicines be 
edia. 
continued. 
Contusus 
.... Bruised. 
Coque, coquantur.. 
Coque secundum 
.Coq 
....Boil, let them be 
boiled. 
artem 
.Coq. S. A 
Boil according to art. 
Cor, cordis 
... .The heart. 
Cortex 
.Cort 
.... The bark. 
Coxa 
... .The hip. 
Cras, crastinus 
.Crast 
.... To-morrow. 
Cras mane sumendus 
....Tobe taken to-mor- 
row morning. 
Cras nocte 
... .To-morrow night. 
Cras vespere. 
....To-morrow evening. 
Crastinus 
,... .For to-morrow early. 
Cum 
c 
....With. 
Da, detur 
. D., det 
... .Give, let be given. 
De 
... .Of or from. 
Debita spissitudo.. 
. Deb. spiss 
.... A proper consis- 
tency. 
58 Phrase or Word. Abbreviation. 
Debitus 
Decanta Dec 
Meaning. 
. Due, proper. 
. Pour off. 
Decem, decimus 
.Ten, the tenth. 
Decoctum Decoct 
. A decoction. 
Decubitus Decub 
.Lying down. 
De die in diem De d. in d.... v ... 
Dentur tales doses 
. From day to day. 
No. IV D. t. d. No. IV 
. Let 4 such doses be 
given. 
Detur in duplo 
.Let twice as much 
be given. 
Dexter, Dextra 
.The right. 
Diebus alternis Dieb. alt 
.Every other day. 
Diebus tertiis Dieb. tert 
. Every third day. 
Dilue, Dilutus Dil 
.Dilute (thou), di- 
luted. 
Dimidius Dim 
.One half. 
Directione propria. ,D. P. or direc. prop 
.With a proper direc- 
Divindatur in partes 
tion. 
aequales D. in p. aeq.k 
.Let it be divided 
into equal parts. 
Dividendus, -a, -um 
. To be divided. 
Dolor 
. Pain. 
Donee 
.Until. 
Dosis D 
.A dose. 
Durante dolore 
.While the pain lasts. 
Eadem (fem) 
.The same. 
Ejusdem Ejusd 
. The same. 
Electuarium Elect 
.An electuary. 
Emesis 
.Vomiting, 
Enema En 
An enema, a clyster. 
Enemata 
. Clyster. 
Et 
.And. 
Extende Ext 
Extende super alu- 
Spread. 
tarn mollem Ex. sup. alt. moll... 
. Spread thou upon 
soft leather. 
Extractum Ext 1 
. An extract. 
Fac, Fiat, Fiant F., Ft 
Fac pilulas duode- 
. Make, let it be made, 
let them be made. 
cim F. pil Xlj 
.Make 12 pills. 
Farina 
. Flour. 
59 Phrase or Word. 
Febre durante 
Abbreviation. 
.Feb. dur 
Meaning. 
.. During the fever. 
Febris 
. .Fever. 
Fervens 
. Ferv 
. .Boiling. 
Fiat cataplasma... 
. Ft. cataplasa 
. .Make a poultice. 
Fiat ceratum 
. Ft. Cerat 
, . Make a cerate. 
Filtra 
.. Filter (thou). 
Filtram, Filtrum. . . 
. .A filter. 
Fluidus 
.Fl 
.. Liquid. 
Formula 
.. A prescription. 
Frustillatim 
.Frust 
. .In little pieces. 
Fuerit 
.. Shall have been. 
Gargarisma 
• Garg 
. .A gargle. 
Gradatim 
.. By degr'es,grad'ally. 
Grana sex pondere. 
. .Six grains by weight. 
Granum 
. .Grain, grains. 
Gratus 
. .Pleasant. 
Gutta 
.Gtt 
. .A drop. 
Guttae 
.Gtt 
.. Drops. 
Guttatim 
. Guttat 
.. By drops. 
Guttis quibusdam.. 
.Gutt. quibusd 
. .With a few drops. 
Haustus 
. Haust 
. .A draught. 
Hebdomida 
. .A week. 
Herba 
.. An herb. 
Heri 
. .Yesterday. 
Hie, Hase, Hoc 
. .This. 
Hirudo 
. .A leech. 
Hora 
,H 
.. An hour. 
Horasomni 
. H. S. or Hor. som. 
. .Just before going to 
Hora undecima ma- 
tuna 
sleep. 
.. At the eleventh hour 
Hora decubitus.... 
.H. D 
of the morning. 
..At the hour of going 
Horis intermediis. . 
. Hor. interm 
to bed. 
..In the intermediate 
Idem 
hours. 
.. The same. 
Idoneus 
. .The proper. 
Imprimis 
.. First. 
Incide, Incisus.... 
. Inc 
. Cut (thou), being cut. 
Indies 
. Ind 
..From day to day, 
Infunde 
.Inf 
daily. 
. . Pour in. 
Infusum 
.Infus 
. .An infusion. 
60 Phrase or Word. Abbreviation. 
Meaning. 
Injectio 
An injection. 
Injiciatur 
Let a clyster be 
given. 
In plumento 
Instar 
Inter 
Internus 
Jam 
Jentaculum Jent 
Julepus, Julepum.. .Jul 
Jusculum 
.. ..In gruel. 
As big as. 
... .Between. 
.... Inner. 
.... Now. 
.... Breakfast. 
.... A julep. 
.... A broth. 
Juxta .. 
.... Near to. 
Kali praeparatum, 
potassae carbonas. Kal. ppt 
....Prepared kali, or 
carbonate o r bi- 
carbonate of pot- 
ash. 
Lac 
....Milk. 
Lana 
... .Flannel. 
Linimentum Liniment 
.... A liniment. 
Linteum 
... .Lint. 
Liquor .. .Liq 
.... A solution. 
Lotio 
... .A lotion. 
Macera Mac 
.... Macerate. 
Magnus Mag 
.... Large. 
Mane. Mane primo 
.... In the morning, very 
early in the morn- 
Manus, 
Massa, massa pilul- 
ing. 
.... The hand. 
aris 
....Amass, a pill mass. 
Medius 
Mensura 
Mica panis Mic. pan 
....Middle. 
. ... By measure, 
... .Crumb of bread. 
Minimum M. or min 
... .A minim. 
Minutum 
.... A minute. 
Misce M 
... .Mix. 
Mistura Mist 
Mitte, mittatur, mit- 
... .A mixture. 
tantur .. 
Modo praescripto.... Mod. Praesc.... 
....Send, let it be sent, 
let them be sent. 
....In the manner pre- 
scribed. 
Mora 
....Delay. 
61 Phrase or Word. 
Abbreviation. Meaning. 
More dictu 
.More die In the manner di- 
rected. 
More solito 
.Moresol In the usual manner. 
Mortarium 
Ne tradas sine 
A mortar. 
nummo 
.Ne tr. s. num Do not deliver it un- 
less paid. 
Nisi 
Unless. 
Non 
Not. 
Nox, noctis . 
Night. 
Nucha 
The nape of the neck. 
Numerus 
.No Number. 
Nux Moschata 
.A nutmeg. 
Octarius 
.O A pint. 
Octavus 
Eighth. 
Octo 
Oleum lini sineigne, 
Eight. 
Cold-drawn linseed 
oil. 
Oleum olivae opti- 
mum 
.0. 0. 0 Best olive oil. 
Omni hora, omni 
bihorio,omni quad- 
rante horse 
.Omn. hor., Omn. bih. 
Omn. quadr.hor...Every hour, every 
two hours, every 
quarter of an hour. 
Omni mane 
Every morning. 
Omni nocte 
Every night. 
Opus 
Need, occasion. 
Ovum 
An egg. 
Pannus 
A rag. 
Pars, partis 
A part. 
Partes sequales 
. P. $ Equal parts. 
Partitis vicibus 
. Part, vic In divided doses. 
Parvulus 
An infant. 
Coch, parvulum 
Coch, parv A teaspoonful. 
Parvus 
Little. 
Pastillus, Pastilium., 
A little ball of paste, 
to take like a loz- 
enge, etc. 
Pediluvium 
A foot bath. 
Per 
Through, by. 
62 Phrase or Word, Abbreviation. 
Peracta operatic em- 
Meaning. 
etici 
,.. .When the operation 
of the emitic is 
finished. 
Perdeliquium 
... By deliquescence. 
Pergo, pergere 
Phiala prius agitata.P. P. A 
... To go on with. 
...The bottle having 
been first shaken. 
Pilula 
...A Pill. 
Poculum pocillum.. .Pocul., pocill.... 
Pondere P 
... A cup, a little cup. 
... By weight. 
Ponduscivile 
...Civil weight (avoir- 
dupois weight.) 
Pondus medicinale 
...Medicinal (apothe- 
caries' weight.) 
Pone aurem 
Post singulus sedes, 
... Behind the ear. 
liquidas 
...After every loose 
stool. 
Potus 
. . . Drink. 
Praeparata 
.. .Prepared. 
Prandium Prand 
... Dinner. 
Primo mane 
.. .Very early in the 
mornjng. 
Primus 
.. .The first. 
Pro 
.. .For. 
Pro rationeaetatis 
.. .According to the age 
of the patient. 
Pro re nata P. r. n 
Pugillus Pug 
... Occasionally. 
...A pinch, a grip be- 
tween the thumb 
and first two fin- 
Pulvis, pulverizatus.Pulv 
Pyxis 
Quantum libet, or 
Quantum placet. 
or Quantum vis, or 
Quantum volueris.Q. 1., Q. p. Q. v... 
gers. 
... A powder, powdered. 
.. .A pill box. 
... As much as you 
please. 
Quantum sufficiat, or 
Quantum satis.... Q. S 
.. .As much as is suffi- 
cient. 
Quaqua hora 
... Each hour. 
63 Phrase or Word. Abbreviation. 
Quaque Q. Q 
Quartus 
Meaning. 
Each or every. 
Fourth. 
Quater 
Four times. 
Quatuor 
Four. 
Quibus 
From which. 
Quinque 
Five. 
Quintus 
The fifth. 
Quoque Q. Q 
Also. 
Quorum Quor 
Of which. 
Quotidie 
Ratio 
Recens Rec 
Recipe 5 
Redactus in pulver- 
em, redigatur in 
pulverem Red. in pulv., 
Daily. 
Proportion. 
Fresh. 
Take. 
redig. 
in pulv 
Let it be reduced to 
powder. 
Regio umbilici 
The umbicilical re- 
Reliquus 
Repetatur, repetan- 
tur Rept 
gion. . 
Remaining. 
Let it be repeated, let 
them be repeated. 
Respondere 
To answer. 
Retinere 
To keep. 
Saltern 
At least. 
Scatula Scat 
A box. 
Scilicet 
Secundum artem.se- 
Namely. 
cundum naturam..S. A., S. N 
According to art, ac- 
cording to nature. 
Secundus 
Second. 
Sedes 
The alvine evacua- 
tion. 
Semel 
Once. 
Semis Ss 
A half. 
Semidrachma Semidr 
Half a drachm. 
Semihora Semih 
Half an hour. 
Septem 
Seven. 
Septimana 
A week. 
Sescuncia 
An ounce and a half. 
Sesquihora 
An hour and a half. 
Sex 
Six. 
64 Phrase or Word. Abbreviation. 
Sextus 
Si 
Meaning. 
Sixth. 
If. 
Sic, Sic? 
So, is it so? 
Signa Sig 
Signetur nomine 
Mark thou. 
.... .Let it be written upon 
proprio 
with the proper name 
(not with the trade 
name). 
Simul 
,... .Together. 
Sine 
Without. 
Singulorum Sing 
....Of each. 
Si non valeat Si n. val 
... .If it does not answer. 
Si opus sit Si. op. sit 
.... If necessary. 
Si vires permittant.. Si ver. perm.... 
....If the strength will 
bear it. 
Sit 
Let it be. 
Solus 
... .Alone. 
Solve . .. . 
Solvo, solvere, solu- 
.... Dissolve. 
tus 
....To dissolve, dis- 
solved. 
Somnus 
Spiritus vini rectifi- 
....Sleep. 
catus 
....Rectified spirit of 
wine. 
Spiritus vini tenuis 
.... Proof spirit. 
Spiritus vinosus 
... .Ardent spirit of any 
strength. 
Statim Stat 
Stet, Stent St 
,....Immediately. 
.... Let it stand, let them 
stand. 
Stratum super strat- 
um S. S. S 
... .Layer upon layer. 
Subactus 
Subdued. 
Sub finem coctionis 
....When the boiling is 
nearly finished. 
Subinde 
... .Frequently. 
Sumat talem 
....Let the patient take 
Sume, sumat, suma- 
tur, sumantur, su- 
mendus Sum 
one like this. 
....Take (thou), let him 
take,let it be taken, 
let them be taken, 
to be taken. 
65 Phrase or Word. Abbreviation. 
Meaning. 
Summitates 
.. .The summits or tops. 
Superbibendo haus- 
tum 
...Drinking afterwards 
Supra 
this draught. 
.. . . Above. 
Tabella (dim. of tab- 
ula, a table.) Tabei 
... A lozenge. 
Tabs 
. .. Such, like this. 
Tempori dextro 
.. .To the right temple. 
Tempus temporis " " 
.. . Time or temple. 
Ter 
.. ..Three times. 
Ter in die, or ter die T. i. d , or T. d... 
.. .Three times a day. 
Tere Tre 
...Rub, 
Tero 
... .1 rub. 
Tertius 
...Third. 
Tinctura Tmct 
.. Tincture. 
Tres 
. . . Three. 
Triduum 
... Three days. 
Tritura Trit 
. .Triturate. 
T rochisci T roch 
.. . Lozenges. 
Tussis 
.. ..A cough. 
Ultimo (or Ultima) 
prmscriptus Ult. praise 
.. .The last ordered. 
Una 
... Together. 
Uncia 
.. .An ounce. 
Ut dictum Ut die 
.. As directed. 
Utendum Utend 
.. .To be used. 
Uto uti 
. . .To make use of. 
Vas vitreum 
... A glass vessel. 
Vehiculum 
... A vehicle. 
Vel 
... Or. 
Vensesectio brachii 
... Bleeding in the arm. 
Vesper, vesperis... .Vcsp 
.. .The evening. 
Vices 
... Turns. 
Vires 
.. .Strength. 
Vitellus 
....Yolk. 
Vitello ovi soiutus 
...Dissolved in the 
Vitreum, vitrum 
white of an egg. 
... Glass. 
Vomitione urgente.. Vom. urg 
...The vomiting being 
troublesome. 
66 NUMERALS. 
CARDINALS. 
ORDINALS. 
Unus 
One. 
Primus 
First. 
Duo 
.Two. 
Secundus 
Second. 
Tres 
.Three. 
Tertius 
Third. 
Quatuor 
Four. 
Quartus 
Fourth. 
Quinque 
Five. 
Quintus 
Fifth. 
Sex 
.Six. 
oextus 
Sixth. 
Septem 
Seven. 
Septimus 
Seventh. 
Octo 
.Eight. 
Octavus 
Eighth. 
Novem 
.Nine. 
Nonus 
Ninth. 
Decem 
Ten. 
Decimus 
Tenth. 
Undecim 
.Eleven. 
Undecimus.,.. 
Eleventh. 
Duodecim 
Twelve. 
Duodeci mus".. 
T welfth. 
Tredecim 
Thirteen. 
Tertius decimusThirteenth. 
Quatuordecim 
Fourteen. 
Quartus decim'sFourteenth. 
Quindecim ... 
Fifteen. 
Quintus decim'sFifteenth. 
Sexdecim 
Sixteen. 
Sextus decimus.Sixteenth. 
Septemdecim . 
.Sevente n. 
Septimus deci 
Octodecim o r 
mus 
.Seventeenth 
duo de vigintiEighteen. 
Octavus deci 
Novemdecim or 
mus 
Eighteenth. 
un de viginti 
Nineteen. 
Nonus decimus.Nineteenth. 
Viginti 
Twenty. 
Vicesimus 
Twentieth. 
Viginti unus or 
Vicesimus pri 
unus et vigintiTwenty-one. 
mus 
Twenty-first. 
Trigiuta 
.Thirty. 
Tricesimus.... 
Thirtieth. 
Quadraginta .. 
Forty. 
QuadragesimusFortieth. 
Quinquaginta . 
Fifty. 
Quinquagesim'sFiftieth. 
Sexaginta .... 
Sixty. 
Sexagesimus.. 
Sixtieth. 
Septuaginta .. 
Seventy. 
Septuagesimus 
Seventieth. 
Octoginta 
Eighty. 
Octogesimus.. 
Eightieth. 
Nonaginta .... 
Ninety. 
Nonegesimus . 
Ninetieth. 
Centum 
One hundred. 
Centesimus ... 
Hundredth. 
Ducenti....... 
Two hundred. 
Mille 
One Thousand. 
Millesimus.... 
Thousandth- 
67 PrescrlptionWriting.-The first thing necessary 
is that the physician be provided with suitable writ- 
ing materials. 
It is most advisable that he provide himself with 
proper prescription blanks giving his name, resi- 
dence and office hours, also space for a number, 
date and the patient's name. If he prefers writing 
his prescriptions in the metric system, the blanks 
should by all means have the decimal line. The 
foregoing precautions are of great assistance :- 
1st. In assisting the patient or pharmacist in 
locating the writer. 
2d. Encourages putting the patient's name upon 
the prescription, which so often prevents mistakes in 
delivering as well as in administering the medicine. 
3d. By having good, roomy blanks the necessity 
for crowding and abbreviating is obviated. 
4th. The decimal line takes the place of the deci- 
mal point, which is so liable to be misplaced or 
omitted altogether, as often happens, or of an acci- 
dental dot or fly speck on the paper altering the 
quantity. 
5th. Providing spaces for a number and date, 
greatly assists the pharmacist in filing away and 
retaining the prescription for future reference or re- 
filling, if desired. 
In writing prescriptions the physician should take 
particular pains to write plainly, that the pharmacist 
may have no trouble in understanding his wishes 
and directions as expressed therein. This is one of 
the most important matters connected with the writ- 
68 ing of prescriptions, but unfortunately physicians 
as a rule do not seem to realize that upon the legi- 
bility of the prescription depends to the greatest 
extent its chances of being properly compounded. 
Each article should be designated by its full Latin 
name and in the genitive case, unless only a certain 
number of an ingredient is to be specified, when it 
should be in the accusative. Whenever abbreviations 
are used great care should be taken to make them 
as full as possible and to write plainly. If it is 
desired that the prescription should not be refilled 
it should be so stated on the prescription, as it is 
customary with pharmacists to refill them as often 
as requested, unless otherwise directed by the physi- 
cian. When an unusually large dose of any particu- 
lar drug is written for, the quantity should be under- 
lined thus, Strychninae Sulphatis Gr., i or some other 
mark attached, to show the pharmacist that such was 
really intended. This saves much anxiety to the 
careful pharmacist and occasionally saves delay 
occasioned by seeking the writer to see if an over- 
dose has not been ordered. 
Whenever possible the physician should make 
the patient understand that the prescription is merely 
his directions to the pharmacist to prepare certain 
medicine, and is then to remain in the hands of the 
pharmacist (or words to this effect might be printed 
upon the prescription blank). This not only leaves 
the prescription where it belongs for future refer- 
ence and mutual protection of writer and dispenser 
but would to a great extent settle the long discussed 
question to whom the prescription belongs, and 
prevent its being hawked about among the friends 
of the patient, doing incalculable damage by being 
used in cases for which it was never intended. A 
copy of the prescription could be furnished the 
69 patient upon the order of the physician, where it is 
necessary, as in the case .of transient patients or 
travelers. 
In writing extempore prescriptions it is a good 
plan to first write patient's name and then the names 
of each ingredient, afterwards you decide the num- 
ber of doses to be ordered and calculate the quan- 
tity of each ingredient from that number. When 
the same amount of two consecutive substances is 
ordered the quantity is omitted after the first one, 
and "aa" is placed after the second. This means 
that the quantity following it applies to both of the 
preceding ingredients. We might say in conclusion 
that physicians should aim to render their mixtures 
as pleasant to the taste, smell and sight as possible, 
for these details go a great way toward the success 
of practitioners. 
Receiving the Prescription.-When the patron 
presents a prescription to be dispensed, accept it 
with courtesy, invite the patron to be seated and if 
possible tell him the time required before the pre- 
scription can be finished; the person may have 
errands or other business to do, and possibly may 
not be able to wait the required time. 
Where it is customary, a willingness to deliver the 
medicine should always be shown. When you make a 
promise to have a prescription ready or delivered at 
any specified time, by all means do so; there is no 
such disappointment as waiting over time for medi- 
cine which the patient's condition requires. Having 
received a prescription from a customer, the first 
duty of the pharmacist is to see that the patient's 
name is attached to it. Many pharmacists, upon 
receiving a prescription, give the customer a num- 
bered check, a duplicate of which is attached to the 
70 prescription and subsequently to the package after 
the medicine has been prepared, and serves to iden- 
tify it when delivered to the customer. The writer 
does not consider this a very good method,knowing 
of several cases in which it has failed in its purpose 
through the checks being left on the counter by the 
customer, or being otherwise exchanged. A much 
better plan is to see that the patient's name is upon 
the prescription, and when the medicine is prepared 
place the name upon the outside wrapper as well as 
upon the label; this serves to identify it thoroughly 
when delivered. Some pharmacists advocate the 
use of prescription cases, which leave the prescrip- 
tion clerk and his manipulations in full view of the 
customers, with the view, no doubt, of making an 
impression upon the public by his neatness and 
dexterity. But there are many serious objections 
to this, first of which is that customers could 
not be kept from questioning and otherwise inter- 
rupting him; then if a prescription happens to 
require a little thoughtful consideration before 
beginning manipulations, the customer is very liable 
to jump at the conclusion that you are unable to 
read it or that there is something wrong with the 
prescription. Many other objections could be of- 
fered, but we consider that the two mentioned above 
are sufficient. 
After receiving the prescription from the cus-, 
tomer and seeing that the patient's name is attached 
to it, the pharmacist should proceed to his prescrip- 
tion case at once. 1 would strongly advise against 
the perusal of the prescription in the presence of the 
customer, as this is quite liable to provoke such 
questions as, what is in it? or, what is that prescrip- 
tion for? These are questions a pharmacist should 
avoid the necessity of answering by all means pos- 
71 sible, as the pharmacist has no right to tell the cus- 
tomer the character or medicinal effect of the medi- 
cines called for by the prescription. If, however, 
such questions cannot be parried it is best to state 
frankly that professional etiquette forbids you to 
discuss the subject. The next step is to read very 
carefully the entire prescription to see that you are 
perfectly familiar with all its details, at the same 
time satisfying yourself that there is no overdose of 
any ingredient, and deciding upon the order in 
which the ingredients are to be mixed. 
Make sure that all the required ingredients are in 
stock. Next select the utensils to be used, and the 
container, which if it be a bottle, should be fitted 
with a cork, to save having one or more corks to 
put back with particles of medicine adhering to 
them. The ingredients are then carefully weighed 
or measured and mixed in the order and manner 
deemed most proper. 
Some system of checking should be used to pre- 
vent the occurrence of errors; there are many sys- 
tems in use, such as checking and recheckingby an- 
other clerk; this sounds well but sometimes there is 
no other clerk to check; mistakes sometimes hap- 
pen even when the most theoretical methods are 
practiced; a good old way is to attend strictly to 
what you are doing and do only one thing at a time; 
mistakes generally occur from absentmindedness, 
seldom when anyone has in his mind the thought 
that he is liable to make a mistake, which may 
destroy his reputation, his employer's business or 
possibly the patient's life and all three. The dis- 
pensing counter imposes grave responsibilities: they 
should not be lightly assumed by the aspiring 
young drug clerk. 
Very little can be written to assist the beginner in 
72 learning to read prescriptions, as his ability to mas- 
ter this branch of the profession depends almost 
entirely upon his general knowledge of drugs and 
his actual experience in handling physicians' pre- 
scriptions. Therefore the beginner should make it 
a constant practice to read and thoroughly master 
every prescription filled in the store each day; this 
can be done during his hours for study, and is about 
the only way to gain proficiency. 
In reading a prescription, if the name of an ingre- 
dient is somewhat obscure or doubtful, one is often 
assisted in determining it by referring to the quan- 
tity ordered, the other ingredients, or the form in 
which the medicine is to be prepared; either of these 
will sometimes suggest what the obscure item is, 
though they more often have no bearing on the mat- 
ter. If it is the quantity of an ingredient you are in 
doubt of, it can often be decided by considering the 
dose of the ingredient. For instance, where one 
is at a loss to decide whether a chaYacter is in- 
tended for a drachm or an ounce sign. 
Whenever you are not perfectly familiar with any 
article in the prescription refer freely to your dispen- 
satory or other works of reference. The pharmacist 
who considers himself so competent that this is never 
necessary is a dangerous man, and young men too 
often fail to avail themselves of this help through 
false modesty or fear of being thought incompetent. 
If more than one prescription is presented at one 
time by a customer, learn if all are for the same 
patient, if not, put names on each label; serious 
accidents have happened by neglect of this point. 
The label on a prescription should have the drug- 
gist's name and place of business, the physician's 
name, the number, the patient's name, the date and 
73 the directions, which should be written distinctly, 
avoiding all attempts at flourishing or fancy writing. 
Refilling- Prescriptions.-In this country it is cus- 
tomary to refill prescriptions on presentation of the 
container or serial number, whether presented by 
the party for whom it was written, or by some other 
person; prescriptions for poisons and abortifacient 
drugs are excepted, however, for refilling those would 
be direct violation of the criminal laws; but even in 
some cases of this kind prescriptions are refilled. 
Of course there are different opinions on the sub- 
ject of refilling prescriptions. 
We maintain that a prescription is written for 
a patient, to be used for a certain ailment, under 
certain conditions, and that the patient is not quali- 
fied to diagnose his own case, and hence is not able 
to decide what he needs, or whether he needs any- 
thing at all. 
In our opinion a physician's prescription should 
be treated as a voucher or bank check - paid, can- 
celled, and filed away for reference - and not refilled 
at all; if needed again another order could be 
written, but generally changes are advisable if not 
necessary. Custom, however, has rendered the prac- 
tice of such a plan impossible. 
When copies are asked for by the patient they 
should be freely given; the druggist has a legal 
right to the original; in cases of error, copies are 
not legal evidence, originals are. 
Neither original nor copy should be given to any- 
one except the original owner. Nobody should be 
permitted to look over the prescription file; the 
medicine often discloses the disease or affectation 
of the patient. It might sometimes be very embar- 
rassing to the patient to have outside parties, or 
74 even members of the family, know his trouoles, espe- 
cially as they have no right to such knowledge. 
In France the exposure of the prescription for 
the wife to the husband has been made grounds for 
damages (and judgment obtained) as well as crim- 
inal proceedings, which resulted in the druggist 
being severely fined. 
Keep your prescription file in a private place, 
where there will be no temptation; be careful about 
giving copies to outsiders and avoid such a position. 
Reading the Prescription.-Carelessness is one 
of the shortcomings of mankind in general, of 
physicians in particular, some physicians at least; 
errors from oversight and haste of the busy phy- 
sician are numerous, and, coming usually in their 
prescriptions where inadmissable are always perplex- 
ing; the pharmacist is compelled by moral duty and 
common law to correct such errors. He must 
always be on the lookout for discrepancies in the writ- 
ing also. The reading of prescriptions is one of the 
extempore duties of the druggist, which demands 
more than ordinary attention and care. Ability in 
this line cannot be attained except by constant prac- 
tice, and depends principally on peculiar adeptness 
in reading all kinds of penmanship, and also on a 
general knowledge of drugs and their remedial 
doses. 
Experience or practice in this line is most valu- 
able when had in a drug store in the business part 
of a large city, because a greater variety of pre- 
scriptions are to be seen from a greater number of 
physicians, while the advantage of transient trade 
is in favor of the " down-town " store. 
Travelers from foreign countries often take copies 
of prescriptions, sometimes going from place to 
75 place and having medicine compounded as needed; 
if this fact be borne in mind, it will illustrate the 
advantage of using Latin in prescription writing. 
Physicians should write on specially prepared 
blanks; the custom of the pharmacist furnishing 
such, gratis to the physician, is passing slowly but 
surely out of use. 
The propriety of such a custom is of course a 
question only in some cases; there is no harm in it 
if not abused. 
Physicians should allow their prescriptions to go 
to any drug store patronized by the patient, unless 
good reasons exist for objection. 
Drug stores should be so conducted that no phy- 
sician can have just reasons for boycotting one nor 
drumming for another. Of course the physician's 
good will and influence are to be desired, but if you 
resort to any but a strictly honorable and profes- 
sional course, your competitor goes you one better, 
and you must see his bid or lose the stake. 
Some physicians are petted, and abuse the favors 
thus obtained from the druggist. 
A person's own conscience will enable him to 
judge the proper course in each individual case. 
76 Omissions.-Very often physicians omit to specify 
the quantity of one or more of the ingredients in a 
prescription, or the number of powders, pills, etc., 
into which it is to be divided. In such cases there is 
only one course to pursue, viz., see the doctor and 
have the omissions rectified. 
Overdoses.-When a doubt arises as to an appar- 
ent overdose of some dangerous drug in a prescrip- 
tion, the pharmacist must use good judgment and 
quick decision, bearing in mind that his first duty is 
to protect the patient and next to protect himself 
and the physician, and that a physician's mistake 
does not excuse a pharmacist before the law. The 
first point is to gain time without exciting suspicion 
in the mind of the customer. This can be done by 
informing him that it will be some time before the 
medicine is prepared, and offer to deliver it or 
request him to call for it at a specified time. After 
thus disposing of the customer see the writer of the 
prescription and satisfy yourself as to* whether or 
not it should be dispensed as written. If the physi- 
cian cannot be found at the time and you consider 
it necessary to dispense the medicine, either for the 
good of the patient or to protect the physician, do 
so by reducing the dose of the dangerous ingredient 
to a safe limit and notify the physician at the earli- 
est possible moment, and any honorable physician 
will appreciate your precaution. It sometimes 
happens that even after such cases have been 
brought to the notice of the doctor he will insist that 
the dose is all right. In such cases if the pharma- 
cist still thinks it an overdose he should refuse to 
dispense it and if he has reason to consider the doc- 
tor ignorant and incompetent it becomes his duty to 
inform the customer his reasons for such refusal, 
though precaution and judgment should be exer- 
cised. 
77 The following are a few fac-simile prescriptions 
taken from every-day business. Many more and 
much worse specimens could be given but for lack 
of space. The study of them may give some idea 
of the great variety of shortcomings one must 
contend with to be a successful prescriptionist; only 
actual experience and adeptness will enable one 
successfully to cope with this part of the condition. 
It is sometime, however, impossible to read the 
scrawls intended to be a prescription; then, only 
when familiar with the hieroglyphics of the author, 
is the druggist safe, and able to divine the meaning. 
The following illustrates this statement; 
78 Prescription No. i: 
Ol. M(orrhuae, Mist.) Wampoles §vj. 
S. Tablespoonful before meals. 
Was this If, written so that the patient would need 
go to one particular store? Only the doctor knows. 
79 Prescriptions No. 2 and No. 7 are written in the 
Metric System and may be further classified as 
being according to the Gravimetric method; that is, 
they each specify so much by weight of the respect- 
ive substances. 
In some countries of Europe prescriptions are 
usually compounded by weight entirely, the phar- 
macist weighing all liquids as well as solids, and 
hence the denominations are understood to be 
grams or fractions by weight. 
It is not nearly so convenient to weigh liquids as 
solids, and certainly not so convenient to weigh 
liquids as to measure them. 
In the United States, custom rules that solids be 
weighed and liquids measured unless otherwise 
specified, and by this means practical accuracy is 
obtained. 
Prescription No. 3 represents what is called the 
Volumetric method; that is: solids weighed and 
liquids measured. 
80 Prescription No. 2 is an example of a correctly 
written prescription, by the metric system; it was 
written about 10 years ago by one of the most prom- 
inent physicians (now deceased) of Chicago, in his 
day; it was compounded by the writer for the doc- 
tor's own use. Comment is unnecessary; we might, 
however, say that if one of the busiest physicians can 
find time to write his orders clearly, and carefully, 
some who have time to spare, could employ it to 
good advantage in this direction, and at the same 
time assist the druggist, who often finds it very em- 
barrassing, as well as a great inconvenience, to spend 
ten or twenty minutes deciphering hieroglyphics. 
81 No. 3 also, shows care, neatness, and ability to 
write a prescription that is correct in every way, as 
easily as to be careless and slovenly; it is a fair 
sample of the great number written during many 
years of practice by this physician; he prefers to use 
the metric system. 
82 No. 4 Is written in Latin and is plain enough. 
It directs: 
5 Decoction of flaxseed, ounces, six. 
Water of cherry laurel, drachm, one-half. 
Muriate of morphine, grain, one, 
Syrup Simple, ounce, one. 
Mix. Write: Tablespoonful every two hours. 
83 No. 5 calls for: 
Potassii Sesqui-carbonatis 3 ss. 
Hydrastia Muriate gr. xv. 
Tannic Acid gr. v. 
Morph. Sulph gr. j. 
Aqua rosae iv. 
M. et Sig. External use as directed. 
The second article mentioned was intended for 
Berberine Hydrochlorate, but as this article was in 
trade under the wrong name when the above pre- 
scription was written, the prescription was correct. 
84 No. 6 is written negligently, the prescriber's 
time being limited: there is also a slight incompati- 
bility, viz.: Tr. F'erri Chloridi, with Syr. Glycyrrh. 
In full the prescription reads: 
5. Tint. Ferri Chloridi 3 v. 
Potassii Chloratis .. Aj 
Tint. Belladonae gtt. v. 
Glycerinum ss. 
Syr. Glycyrrhizae I jss. 
Aqua Cinnamomi ad q. s f iv. 
M. et Sig. Give a teaspoonful in water every 
four hours. 
85 No. 7 written hastily, but the experienced drug- 
gist has no difficulty in reading it. 
Grams. 
IT Kalium Jodatum 30.00 
Aqua fontis 100.00 
Syrup Sarsaparillae 70.00 
D. S. Teaspoonful twice daily. 
86 No 8 This prescription was written by a Ger- 
man physician. It shows some of the terms com- 
monly used where there is a German population; it 
reads: 
87 B Extractum Cortex peruviana regia fri- 
gida praeparata 3iv. 
Aqua distillata §iij- 
Tinctura Cortex Auranti (Amara).. §j. 
M. S. One teaspoonful three times a day. 
The first article is extract of red cinchona prepared 
by the frigid or cold process, and is an article of the 
Pharm. Germanica. 
88 No. 9 This prescription was written by the 
author of the preceding one. It reads as follows: 
B Liquor Anodyni (Hoffman's).. § i. 
Tincturae Opii Crocata gtt. xx. 
Liquor Corni Cervidae Succinati § ss. 
M. D. S. One teaspoonful at a time. 
These articles are seldom called for or found, ex- 
cept in city stores and "Deutsche Apoteken." The 
second article is a 12 per cent tincture of opium; the 
third, a solution of succinate of ammonia prepared 
from horns of the deer. 
89 No. io calls for powdered alum and cocaine, to 
be dissolved in a mixture of one-half ounce glycer- 
ine and 5% ounces of water. Cocaine (alkaloid) is 
soluble in 700 parts water; part here would remain 
undissolved. If attempt is made to dissolve by 
heat, double decomposition follows, complicated re- 
actions take place, white oily globules settle to the 
bottom, while a flocculent precipitate of aluminum- 
hydroxide remains suspended in or floats on the sur- 
face of the liquid. The solution should be filtered. 
"16 to 1" the prescriber meant to write for hydro- 
chloride pf cocaine, but he did not, and a druggist 
should not take the liberty of changing a prescrip- 
tion unless permitted by the physician. 
90 No. 11 is written plainly enough, the abbreviation, 
though, is too brief; the ounce symbol, however, makes 
up for the deficiency of effort. 
lx Morphina Murias gr. viii. 
Aqua Lauro-Cerasi fl. § j. 
M. et. Sig. Take ten drops in the morning and 
fifteen drops in the evening. 
Such prescriptions should never, under any con- 
siderations, be refilled without the doctor's order. 
We know of scores of people who have acquired 
the morphine habit by the abuse of prescriptions 
like it. The dose in this case is nearly maximum 
for an adult. 
91 No. 12 This prescription, written by a German 
physician, with directions in German, is a model 
in every way, except the penmanship, which is poor; 
any druggist would soon be able to read it, however. 
Syrup Cortex Aurahtii 3vj. 
Kalii Carbonatis 3j. 
Aqua Menthae Piperitae ^iv. 
Acidi Citrici q. s. 
Satis ad Saturat 
Kalii Bromidi 3iss. 
yEtheris (Sulphuric) 3iss. 
Liquor Bismuthi 3iiiss. 
Aqua Lauro-Cerasi 3j. 
92 This is intended as an anodyne and sedative, 
just enough citric acid is wanted to saturate the 
carbonate of potash, forming neutral potassium 
citrate, which will serve the purpose of a cor- 
rective, being slightly diaphoretic and refrigerant. 
93 No. 13 Is read: 
1$ Tinct. Nuc. Vom 31. 
Tinct. Rhei 3iii. 
Tinct. Cinch. Co. ad. |i. 
M S. 3ss every four hours in water. 
94 Prescription No. 14 is one that requires particular 
manipulation in compounding, in order to secure a 
thorough admixture of the ingredients. The tinc- 
ture of guaiac should be placed in a dry mortar and 
by adding the water, a few drops at a time, with con- 
stant trituration, a perfect solution is retained. 
95 Prescription No. 15 shows very poor writing and 
abbreviating; it is generally read as follows: 
3 Infusi (foliorum?) digitalis fv. 
Ammonii chloridi (depuratum) .. 
Spiritus aetheris nitrosi aa3ij. 
Antimonii tartratis gr. j. 
Syr. Scillae 
Syrupi morphinae. aa^ss. 
Misce 
Sig. One teaspoonful every three hours. 
However, many pharmacists contend that the fifth 
ingredient is syrup of senna, instead of syrup of 
squills. Unfortunately, we were unable to consult 
the writer. 
96 Prescription No. 16 is easily read in spite of the 
poor writing, but the pharmacist will see at a glance 
that the prescription is incompatible. 
The sodium arseniate would be converted into 
potassium arsenate with the simultaneous formation 
of sodium carbonate. A second portion of the 
potassium carbonate abstracts from the strychnine 
salt its sulphuric acid, leaving the much less soluble 
strychnine alkrdoid. Finally the mercuric chloride 
is decomposed by the potassium carbonate to give 
rise to mercuric oxide. 
The medicine when prepared would be a six ounce 
mixture, containing potassium arsenate, pure strych- 
nine alkaloid, oxide of mercury, ana a reduced 
amount of potassium carbonate. 
As this obviously is not the doctor's intention, 
he should be consulted and shown the incompati- 
bility of the prescription. 
97 Prescription No. 17 calls for half an ounce of 
rhubarb root, one ounce of senna leaves, with suffi- 
cient boiling water to make three ounces of infusion 
in which one ounce of rochelle salts and two drachms 
of extract of licorice are to be dissolved. The direc- 
tions are one teaspoonful every three hours. 
98 Prescription No. 18 should be prepared as follows: 
Place in a dry mortar six drachms of powdered 
gum arabic and as much of extract of licorice, thor- 
oughly dry, and pour on the balsam of copaiba. Mix 
well, and add at one time twelve drachms of cam- 
phor water. Continue the stirring with the pestle 
till the mixture is thoroughly homogeneous, scraping 
now and then the side of the mortar and the pestle, 
so that no balsam can escape emulsion. Now add 
more camphor water by small portions at a time, 
and finally complete the three fluid ounces as pre- 
scribed. 
99 Prescription No. 19 calls for thirty grains of per- 
manganate of potassium to be made into ten pills. 
The directions are one every four hours. For mak- 
ing these pills kaolin ointment is recommended. 
This is made from equal parts of petrolatum, paraffin 
and kaolin; the first two constituents being melted 
together, then kaolin added and stirred in until cool. 
It is said to be the only pill mass which has been 
successfully used with potassium permanganate. 
100 Prescription No. 20 calls for eight grains of ergo- 
tine and a sufficient quantity of a cacao butter to 
make eight suppositories. 
101 Prescription No. 21 is very well written, and 
would give no trouble provided one is acquainted 
with the two Latin words, "tales doses," meaning of 
such doses. In this prescription the quantities of 
the ingredients for one dose are given and the phar- 
macist instructed to make thirty such doses and put 
them in capsules. 
102 No. 22 Is a combination of favorite eclectic 
remedies. It reads as follows: 
bl. Euonymin gr. xxxv. 
Juglandin gr. xlv. 
Leptandrin gr. xl. 
Podophyllin gr. iij. 
Ol. menthae pip gtt. xx. 
Pulv. Anisi semen 
Pulv. Cardamomi semen .. 
aa gr. x. 
Ext. Hyoscyami q. s. 
(Misce) Ft. Capsul No. L. 
The fault with the above prescription is with 
the last item. Ext. Hyoscyamus is too potent a 
drug to prescribe or dispense so indiscriminately. 
103 PART III. 
COMPOUNDING IN GENERAL OF 
Physicians' Prescriptions, 
Recipes, Galenical and 
Extemporaneous Preparations. 
A prescription is the physician's order or requisi- 
tion upon the pharmacist to dispense, in a certain 
manner, some drug, preparation or extempore 
formula with directions to the patient for use or 
administration. If the prescription be for one 
single drug or preparation it is necessary only to 
weigh or measure that drug or preparation, enclose 
in the proper container,'attach the proper directions 
and deliver it, observing necessary precautions as 
to dose, etc., etc. 
If, however, it be a formula, then it becomes 
necessary at once to prepare or compound the pre- 
scription first, and to be able to do so alzvays 
properly and expeditiously is the goal of every good 
pharmacist's ambition. Ability to accomplish that 
requires a patient study in detail of all the dif- 
ferent classes of pharmacopoeial preparations, sup- 
plemented with a considerable knowledge of the 
chemical and physical properties of drugs. 
Just as with the study of any other subject, good 
results can be had more quickly and easily accord- 
ingly as we analyze and classify each separate part 
composing the whole subject. 
A definite and perfect classification of extempora- 
neous pharmaceutical preparations would be very 
difficult indeed. To begin, we may say that a 
104 medicine is a material substance administered 
internally or applied to the surface of the body to 
relieve pain, prevent disease or restore health 
impaired. We, then, would have medicines of two 
classes as to mode of administration: 
j 1. Systemic-internal 
I 2. Topical-external, 
but some medicines topically applied are neverthe- 
less absorbed into the blood and become ipso facto 
systemic medicines. 
As to origin or chemical nature we have: 
1. Organic 
2. Inorganic-mineral. 
animal 
vegetable 
Organic preparations are sometimes called galeni- 
cal preparations when no chemical process is 
required in preparing them. Many such prepara- 
tions are official, that is, formulas and directions for 
their preparation, preservation and doses are given 
in the Pharmacopoeia. Many others are given in 
pharmacopoeias of other countries, while many more 
are not given in any pharmacopoeia, yet neverthe- 
less are officinal; that means that they are so gen- 
erally used in certain parts of the country as to 
warrant druggists keeping them in stock already 
made up; but by far the greater number of pre- 
scriptions call for extempore preparations or mixtures of 
differentdrugs or preparations in proportions deemed 
most suitable for the special occasion for which the 
prescription was written, and in small amounts. 
Many times, small amounts are prescribed with 
the intention of varying the prescription from time 
to time as the patient's condition varies. 
It is evident, therefore, that another basis of 
classification must be chosen and as to form or 
consistence we have 
105 a. Powders.* 
b. Compressed 
tablets. 
c. Effervescing 
powders. 
d. Masses. 
e. Lozenges. 
f. Confections, 
g. Jellies. 
h. Pills. 
1. For In- 
ternal use. 
Solids.... 
a. Ointments. 
b. Cerates. 
c. Supposito- 
ries. 
d. Plasters. 
e. Oleates. 
f Poultices. 
g. Gauzes and 
cottons. 
2. For Ex- 
ternal Ap- 
plication. 
Prepar- 
ations. 
For Internal 
and External 
use. See p. 
145. 
Liquids. .. 
1. Solutions. 
2. Emulsions. 
3. Mixtures. 
1. Simple. 
2. Compound. 
3. Bulk. 
4. Divided doses. 
5. Triturations-tablet triturate. 
6. Species. 
*a. Powders. 
106 1. Solid preparations for internal use: 
a. Powders are: (1) Simple, if consisting of a sin- 
gle medicinal substance. (2) Compound, if consisting 
of more than one substance, and may be finely 
powdered or very coarse according to the manner 
in which they are to be used. 
Insoluble substances and powders for external 
use (dusting powders) should be as finely powdered 
as possible always, since their effect is due partly 
to mechanical action depending upon a contact of 
the largest possible amount of surface of the parti- 
cles with the tissues. 
Dusting powders are usually intended to absorb, 
and dry the surfaces to which they are applied and 
it is well known that the finer the particles of 
powder the greater will be their absorbent powers. 
Powders to be dissolved before being administered 
are best dispensed in a somewhat coarse condition, 
since granular (e. i. No. 10 po.) substances dissolve 
more easily than fine powders. 
In whatever size the particles of powder be, uni- 
formity of size is a consideratum. 
Compound powders should, of course, consist of 
drugs having as nearly as possible the same degree 
of fineness and, like simple powders, should be from 
very fine, if insoluble, to coarse or granular if to be 
dissolved before being administered. 
Drugs and chemicals can be had in the market of 
any degree of fineness desired and if used in con- 
siderable quantity should be purchased of the 
desired fineness. Smaller amounts, however, may 
be prepared as desired by trituration in mortar and 
passing through a sieve of proper size mesh. Every 
prescription department should have a set of sieves 
of sizes prescribed by the Pharmacopceia and for 
some purposes even one or two of larger mesh. 
107 Very seldom will the pharmacist find all the 
ingredients of a prescription of the same fineness; 
the coarser substances should be first reduced to 
powder of proper degree of fineness before mixing 
with remaining finely powdered substance, except 
when unnecessary. 
Certain drugs, very potent in action, when pre- 
scribed in powder form are best dispensed with an 
inert diluent or "filler" to allow Of very fine divi- 
sion of particles and principally to increase the bulk 
of powder to such extent as will enable a convenient 
and accurate division into more nearly definite 
doses (see triturations). 
If all ingredients entering into the composition of 
a compound powder are of the same degree of fine- 
ness, or if two or more fine light powders are to be 
mixed, or if a fine light and fine heavy powder are to 
be mixed, then do not triturate in a mortar, but 
mix thoroughly by shaking in a capacious bottle or 
box or pass through a sieve, after stirring together 
with a spatula. 
In using the mortar and pestle for mixing powders 
be careful to avoid triturating oxidizing agents with 
oxidizable substances or reducing agents (see 
pagel09). 
Also remember that certain crystalline substances 
containing a large amount of water of crystallization 
will not bear too muchpresszire\ and that if triturated 
with other crystalline drugs the two may liquefy in 
that water of crystallization. 
1J. Camphorae 1 gm. 
Zinci oxidi 10 " 
Amyli 20 " 
M. ft. pulv. scat, exhib. 
Powder the camphor very finely by means of a 
few drops of volatile liquid (alcohol, ether, chloro- 
108 form, etc.), add the starch in small portions, mixing 
each well, then add the zinc oxide, stir well and pass 
through a fine sieve. Zinc oxide, camphor, resins, 
alkaloids, bismuth salts, ammoniated mercury and 
many other substances when triturated in a mortar 
tend to cake and adhere either to the pestle or mor- 
tar, hence in mixing powders containing them, 
pressure should not be used, but they should be 
passed through a sieve. 
R. Plumbi Acetatis 
Zinci Sulph. 
Alumen aa 25 gm. 
M. S. Poison. 
The granulated or powdered salts may be taken, 
or if in crystalline condition, they should each be 
separately reduced to powder and mixed by stirring, 
but must not be triturated together because some 
of the water of crystallization will be set free and a 
double decomposition ensue, resulting in a wet, 
pasty mass. 
R. Rhei Pulvis. 
Magnesii Carbonas aa ji 
M. S. 3i cum aqua. p. r. n. 
The magnesium carbonate, which usually occurs 
in cubes, may easily be reduced to fine powder by 
being rubbed through a sieve, when it should be 
mixed with the rhubarb and again passed through 
the sieve. 
R. Potassii Chloras. 
Sacchari Albi. 
Acidi Tannici aa 10 gm. 
M. S. 3i sol. c, aqua pro. garg. 
Here is a strong oxidizing agent, chlorate of pot- 
ash containing oxygen easily liberated and vege- 
table substances rich in carbon prone to combine 
109 with it: if triturated with force or if struck between 
mortar and pestle the mixture might explode - 
hence it is very dangerous to mix by mortar and 
pestle method but should be mixed by stirring the 
ingredients separately pulverized, by means of a 
spatula. 
(3) Powders are dispensed in bulk, if to be taken 
in large doses, either in a box or bottle. 
(4) In papers, capsules, wafers, cachets or konseals 
if to be taken in small or divided doses. "Papers" 
(chartula-little papers) are prescribed when the 
physician wishes the doses to be divided; if the 
powder be not volatile, not deliquescent nor subject 
to ready deterioration, plain glazed white paper is 
used. On the other hand, a powder which would 
be affected by air in any manner deleterious to its 
medicinal effect or easy administration, then 
paraffined or waxed papers should be used. When 
an acid and an alkali carbonate or bicarbonate are 
to be mixed in water and given while effervescence 
is ensuing the alkaline powder is usually wrapped 
in blue paper and the acid in white and directions 
attached for their mixing. 
Hard capsules are rod-like shells of gelatine of 
two parts fitted together, used to administer bitter, 
nauseous or otherwise objectionable medicines. 
Soft capsules are ovoid or egg-shaped shells of soft 
gelatine, i. e., gelatine with a small proportion of 
glycerine to render it pliable and more soluble. 
They are not practical for enclosing powders, but 
are a very useful contrivance for oils and certain 
fluids which will not dissolve them. 
Capsules are of modern origin, prepared by 
machinery on an immense scale, but can not be 
filled satisfactorily by any machine or device yet 
invented. The filling of a hard gelatine capsule 
110 with a dry powder is so simple that nowadays it is 
the first thing learned by the drug-store boy, but 
the hand of man is the only satisfactory "machine" 
complex enough to accomplish this simple feat 
properly. 
Soft capsules have one end drawn out and termi- 
nating in a little teat which, just before the capsule 
is to be filled, is carefully cut off and melted in a 
water bath-the medicine is to be dropped into 
the soft capsule, care being taken that none gets 
upon the freshly cut surface of the capsule else it 
can not be sealed. A glass rod is dipped into the 
melted soft gelatine and dexterously drawn over 
the open mouth of the soft capsule, in such a man- 
ner that a film of gelatine will cover the opening 
which will be closed when the gelatine cools. 
Wafers are small, thin sheets of unleavened rice- 
flour and gum-arabic bread cooked quickly upon 
polished plates. Rice-flour is largely starch; the 
starch, when heated, is altered, rendered partly sol- 
uble, and the water is dried out during the cooking. 
The sheets are then cut into pieces large enough to 
wrap and enclose a small dose of powder. A plate 
is wetted, the wafer placed upon it and the powder 
placed upon the center of the sheet and the edges 
folded upward over the powder; the whole is then 
swallowed with a drought of water. 
Cachets or konseals are merely capsules of wafer 
material cooked in two concavo-convex sheets 
between which is placed the powder, after which 
the sheets are sealed together. To prepare them a 
device is required made specially for the purpose 
and consisting of a concave hopper, in which one 
sheet is placed, and in this half of the cachet the 
powder is placed, either with a spatula or a funnel. 
The other sheet is fitted into a concave hopper 
111 attached to a handle, then passed over a moistened 
cloth to dampen the edges of the wafer sheet and 
then pressed upon the other sheet, thereby enclosing 
the powder. This form of administering powders 
is very neat and dainty, if the cachet has been 
properly prepared. 
In dividing powders to be prepared as above care 
should be used that the doses be of proper and even 
amount-many pharmacists weigh each and every 
dose separately. Some weigh a sample or two and 
pattern others after them, while the great majority 
take the total mass and divide into total number of 
doses by aid of eyesight, an experienced hand and a 
good "balance-handled spatula." There seems to 
be no good reason why an experienced pharmacist 
with a carefully trained hand can not nearly approach 
accuracy that way; but beginners should first learn 
to weigh accurately, then to guess accurately. There 
being no definite dose of any medicine it may be 
readily seen that in most cases the deviation would 
be so small as to amount to nearly nothing. 
Suppose one grain of calomel, twenty-nine grains 
milk sugar, be divided into three powders, and also 
that one powder weigh nine, one ten and another 
eleven grains, the variation would be of J grain 
or grain. Instead of each dose containing one 
has $-%■, another and another and since medicine 
is given until the desired effect is obtained, regard- 
less of amount per single dose, it is plain that, 
except in special cases, relative accuracy is sufficient. 
In general, when a vitreous, crystalline or a 
potent drug is to be mixed with other drugs or a 
diluent powder or filler, the potent, crystalline or 
vitreous drug should be first placed in a suitable 
mortar (roughened wedgwood), reduced to fine 
powder, an equal amount of diluent, filler or less 
112 active drug added, trituration repeated, the whole 
loosened from sides of mortar by use of spatula and 
again an amount of drug or diluent equal to the 
combined powder already in the mortar, again 
triturating and repeating in that manner, thereby 
attaining the principal objects of uniformity of size 
and equal distribution of all the particles of the 
several constituents of the powder. 
If a liquid is to be mixed with an insoluble 
powder, then the liquid is treated just as would be 
a potent drug. In some pharmacopoeias are to be 
found a class of powders called "oil-sugars," con- 
sisting of a volatile oil and sugar. While not of 
very much importance as medicines they have some 
place, being carminative, slightly stimulant and 
pleasant flavors and are usually used as "fillers" 
with other powders. 
(5) Triturations are powders consisting of one part 
potent drug and nine parts milk sugar, in which the 
drug is finely powdered and thoroughly triturated 
until uniformly distributed throughout the whole 
mass of milk sugar: above is the strength official 
in VIII Dec. Rev. U. S. P. but many pharmacists 
keep in their prescription cases triturations of other 
proportions of potent drugs for convenience and 
accuracy in weighing, it being much less difficult 
to accurately weigh a moderately large amount 
than a very small amount. It will be found good 
pharmacy to keep such drugs as strychnine, arsenic, 
calomel, atropine, morphine, etc., in form of tritura- 
tion in definite strength and to weigh, say two grains 
of trituration instead of one-fifth grain of drug, etc. 
Other drugs, such as aconitine, colchicine, adrenalin, 
etc., one to ninety-nine, or whatever proportion is 
most convenient, yet which will not likely result 
in confusion. 
113 B. Eleterinum Igm. 
Sacch. Lactis 9 " 
M. S. Trituratio Eleterini. 
The eleterin is mixed with 1 dgm. milk sugar 
reduced to powder and thoroughly triturated; 2 dgm. 
milk sugar is next added and again triturated; the 
remaining milk sugar may now be added and tritu- 
ration continued until the eleterin is equally dif- 
fused throughout the whole mass of powder. 
From triturations of varied strengths are prepared 
tablet triturates, by varying the proportion so as to 
give the required amount of potent drug to each 
tablet and using sugar or sugar of milk, or a mix- 
ture of both (with possibly some other inert pow- 
der) enough to fill the mould. 
Tablet triturates are prepared, then, by moulding 
a triturated powder into a flat, round disc or tablet, 
Tablet Triturate Mould. 
114 the powder first having been moistened with a suit- 
able inert volatile, non-solvent liquid. 
The mould consists of two parts or plates, 
through one of which are a number of perforations, 
and into the other are fastened an equal number of 
punches so arranged that each punch fits a corre- 
sponding perforation; the perforated plate is of the 
desired thickness of the tablets. The powder is 
moistened just enough to cause the particles to be 
slightly coherent and with a spatula is pressed into 
the perforations in the plate, which has been put 
on a pill tile or smooth surface; then both sides are 
cleaned off smooth by the use of a spatula and this 
plate fitted over the plate with punches and pressed 
down until the tablets are removed. They may be 
allowed to remain on the pegs until dry, which will 
not be long, or may be carefully removed and dried 
otherwise; if too moist the tablets stick, if too dry 
they crumble. This is a very useful method of 
exhibiting divided doses of some substances, but is 
not suitable for any but potent drugs, not suitable 
for volatile drugs nor those with any tendency to 
change readily from effect of air or light. 
Similar in form to the tablet triturate, but other- 
wise different, is a class of preparations of greater 
range of application and therefore of greater impor- 
tance to the pharmacist of to-day, viz.: Compressed 
tablets. 
Arsenii trioxidi, grana unam. 
Ft. t.t. No. L. 
S. One p. p. 
Weigh one grain of arsenic trioxide, reduce to 
powder, mix with one grain milk sugar and tritur- 
ate until well mixed; add about two grains more of 
milk sugar and again triturate; continue the addition 
of increasing amounts of milk sugar until forty-nine 
115 grains have been added alternately with thorough 
trituration; by that means each grain of powder will 
contain grain of arsenic. Next moisten with a 
few drops of water and rub until a slightly damp ad- 
herent powder results; now, by means of a smooth 
spatula, rub this moist powder into the perforated 
plate of the tablet triturate mould previously placed 
on a pill tile or smooth surface; if all perforations 
are not filled calculate by proportion the amount of 
milk sugar required to fill the mould and after re- 
moving the powder from the mould mix with the 
milk sugar and again rub into the perforations of 
the mould and by means of the punches on the 
other plate remove the tablets and allow to dry. 
If too much water was used to moisten, the tablets 
will be too hard and if too little they will crumble- 
they should be just hard enough to fall upon the 
floor without breaking, but quickly go to pieces when 
dropped in water. 
(6) Species, are a class of powder preparations 
consisting of coarsely ground, cut or bruised vege- 
table drug or drugs, or one or more such drugs 
and a soluble powder, and are intended to be used to 
prepare a tea, an infusion or a decoction; therefore 
care should be used to sift out or otherwise separate 
the fine powder and reject it, since a clear infusion 
can not result from the use of a fine . vegetable 
powder. 
If a soluble powder is to be mixed with the vege- 
table drug or drugs, then such drug or drugs should 
be dampened and the fine, soluble powder sifted on, 
when upon drying it will adhere; otherwise a uniform 
mixture could not result. Teas or species are still 
much used in some places, but none are official in 
the United States at present. 
116 b. Compressed tablets. These are, as the name 
signifies, tablets made by compression with machines 
varying from the simplest hand machine, which 
will turn out a few tablets per hour, to the latest 
improved rotary machine which will compress as 
many as 120,000 tablets per hour. 
Tablets are compressed from powders either 
simple or compound and either fine or coarse. For 
rapid work the powder must be prepared first; for 
slow work on a hand machine not so much care in 
preparing the powder need be taken. 
The machines are quite varied in style of 
mechanism, but the principle is the same in all, 
namely, the subjection of a definite amount of dry 
powder to the effect of a definite pressure, this 
pressure being applied in a die between two 
punches so regulated that they approach each other 
to within a certain distance, thereby compressing 
each powder to a uniform size, and as the powder is 
fed into the die and leveled off one can readily see 
that if the powder be not uniform as to size of par- 
ticles, then there would be more powder in the die 
one time than another and hence make tablets of 
unequal weight; therefore the necessity of having 
all the powder first reduced to "granules" of even 
size and dried. 
If the substance be a crystalline chemical con- 
taining little water of crystallization all that is 
necessary is to pass it through a sieve just large 
enough in mesh to pass the particles; then a smaller 
sieve, through which the fine powder is passed and 
rejected, is used. A powder which will pass entirely 
through a No. 8 sieve, but not through a No. 12 is 
quite suitable, although very much finer, also much 
coarser may be used, depending upon size of tablet 
desired and nature of drug. If a fine powder or a 
117 number of substances are to be compressed, then all 
should be rendered uniform or as nearly so as prac- 
ticable and "granulated." 
''Granulation" is the really important part of 
tablet making and success depends upon correlating 
several important considerations, such as size of 
tablet to be made, nature of the drug or mixture, 
as to solubility, adhesiveness, chemical properties 
and the effect of heat upon it while being dried. 
No man can tell just how to make a proper granu- 
lation, describing in detail so that an inexperienced 
person might be sure of success by following direc- 
tions, but yet there are very important directions 
which are easily described and should be remem- 
bered and applied without difficulty. To begin, a 
non-adhesive substance must be rendered adhesive 
to a certain degree, and yet not too much so; for 
this purpose gums will be found available but objec- 
tionable. 
A very soluble yet non-hygroscopic substance, 
which is adhesive, but yet which will permit quick 
disintegration, is the most suitable-a mixture of 
starch paste and cane sugar used in solution to 
moisten the dry powder will answer in many cases. 
A tablet triturate is made by slightly moistening 
a fine powder with a non-solvent liquid and should 
be non-cohesive, but a granulation for a compressed 
tablet must be cohesive and moistened until a stiff 
paste results; then this paste is passed through a 
coarse sieve (Nos. 8, 10 or 12) by rubbing with 
spatula, paddle, the hand or suitable machinery. 
This paste should be stiff enough so that the parti- 
cles will "stand up" and not run together again 
when it is spread upon paper, cloth or a suitable 
place to be quickly dried. 
118 in drying, the smallest amount of heat sufficient 
to accomplish results should be the rule-some sub- 
stances like salol will stand only a slight heat. All 
granulations should be dried away from contaminat- 
ing influences of dust, dirt, noxious gases, etc. The 
moist granulate should not touch metal unless it be 
of such a nature as not to permit chemical reaction. 
If time be not too great an object the atmosphere 
will be sufficient to dry the powder without use of 
heat. 
After this granulation is made and dried, then it 
must be passed through a sieve, slightly coarser, 
and the fine powder afterward separated by a finer 
sieve, as above described. 
Some substances which require the addition of an 
adhesive agent to effect granulation, and the adhe- 
sive agent is used sparingly, and even some to 
which no adhesive agent was added before granula- 
tion are afterward found to be too adhesive to 
compress well, sticking to the machine and making 
it necessary to use a "lubricant" or dusting powder 
before feeding into the machine for compression; 
for this purpose a variety of agents are used- 
depending upon the nature of the drug. Ordinarily 
powdered starch added to the granular powder and 
properly distributed before feeding will be found 
sufficient-sometimes powdered talcum, sometimes 
boric acid is used. Even fats are used to prevent 
adhesion to dies and punches. This is either 
sprayed on the granular powder by means of a weak 
solution in ether or made into an emulsion and the 
emulsion used to moisten preparatory to granulation. 
Substances which are apt to react chemically 
should not be combined in tablet form, unless the 
product of the reaction be desired. Both tablet 
triturates and compressed tablets may be coated 
119 with sugar variously colored, but this is a more 
complicated process and is done by machinery only. 
Other coatings may be used the same as for pills, 
but are not common (see pill coating, page 132). 
c. Granular effervescing powders, salts and 
tablets consist of a drug mixed with a dry, fruit acid, 
citric or tartaric or both combined, and a bicarbonate 
(usually soda) in molecular proportion or nearly so. 
They may be prepared by either of three methods: 
(1.) Proper molecular proportions of the dry tar- 
taric acid and sodium bicarbonate are moistened 
with absolute alcohol and granulated, as in granu- 
lating for compressed tablets. 
(2.) The acid and bicarbonate separately moist- 
ened, granulated, dried and mixed, or 
(3.) Better, on a small scale, by taking 208.5 gr. 
of crystallized citric acid, 150 gr. of tartaric acid 
and 425 gr. sodium bicarbonate, intimately mixing 
the three after reducing to uniform powder, then 
transferring the whole to an oven and heating suf- 
ficient to start reaction, which results in a stiff, 
pasty mass which may then be quickly passed through 
a No. § or 6 sieve and will be dried by the time it 
cools. 
These powders may be dispensed as effervescent 
powders, without granulating; they may be also 
compressed into effervescent tablets. Since they 
are prepared with the object of effervescing and 
furnishing a solution of the resulting salt in carbonic 
acid water, which is to be taken fresh, they should 
always be dispensed in perfectly closed containers, 
air and moisture excluded, and stored in cool places. 
When dispensed, directions to use water not too cold 
for dissolving will often save future explanations, 
and doubt of person using them. 
120 R. G. E. Citrate of Lithium, 200 gm. 
(5 gr. to teaspoonful.) 
S. Teaspoonful in water 3 times a day. 
200 gm. = 200X15.432 = 3086.4 gr. 
Teaspoonful = about 90 grains G. E. salts. 
. •. 200 gm. = about 34 doses. 
34x5 gr. Lith. Cit. = 170 gr. 
Tartaric Acid H2C4H4O6x2 = 300 gr. 
Citric " H3C6H6O,H2Ox3 = 630 gr. 
Sod. Bicarb. NaHCO3x5 = 840 gr. 
Finely powdered sugar, qs. = 1146.4 gr. 
To make 34 doses @ 5 gr. each, 3086.4 gr. 
Reduce each to fine powder, mix thoroughly, put 
into dish or stone jar previously warmed and put 
into an oven with heat about 100° to 120° C or 212° 
to 250° F. After a short time part of the water of 
crystallization of the citric acid will be liberated and 
a reaction will ensue resulting in a moist paste 
which should be removed from the oven, quickly 
stirred to coarse granules or passed through a sieve 
of five to eight meshes to the inch and allowed to 
cool in dry air; the powder is then ready to bottle 
and dispense. 
d. Masses are soft solid or semi-solid preparations 
consisting of a medicinal substance and an excipient 
and are prepared or kept by the pharmacist to be 
used from which to prepare pills or lozenges, or 
they may be dispensed in bulk to be made into pills 
by the patient. 
The nature of a mass varies according to its 
intended use: for preparing lozenges they consist 
largely of sugar and gum. A pill mass, however, 
should contain no more gum than is necessary, 
since a lozenge is desired to dissolve slowly in the 
mouth while a pill is to be swallowed, and should 
121 rapidly disintegrate. Gum, particularly acacia, first 
forms around it a covering of dense mucilage and 
this protects the remainder from quick disintegra- 
tion. Two masses are now official in the United 
States, namely, mass of mercury and mass of iron 
carbonate. 
Other masses are to be prepared extemporane- 
ously. The subject will be considered more thor- 
oughly under the heading of pills (see page 126). 
e. Lozenges are distinguished by shape and com- 
position as: 
1. Troches. 
2. Pastilles. 
3. Bacils. 
4. Globules. 
5. Discs or Lamels. 
(1.) Troches are flat tablets of various shapes con- 
sisting of flavored and medicated sugar and gum cut 
from a sheet of dough previously rolled to proper 
thickness. They are intended to be dissolved 
slowly upon the tongue, thereby producing a slow 
and continued medication; hence they usually con- 
tain medicines of a mildly active nature either 
demulcent or expectorant. Sugar and gum, there- 
fore, are excipients and aid in furnishing demulcent 
properties. A lozenge mass should be softer than 
a pill mass and yet not soft enough to warp in 
drying. The mass is rolled into a sheet upon a 
board or pill tile and cut into lozenges with a punch. 
The punch differs from a biscuit cutter only in 
being smaller and more elaborate. The lozenge 
sheet is rolled on a dough board, floured and cut in 
just the same manner as a biscuit dough. 
(2.) Pastilles or drops are a kind of lozenge, usually 
shaped like a loaf and consisting largely of chocolate 
or glycerinated gelatine. They are usually prepared 
on a large scale by the manufacturing confectioner, 
122 and are of little importance in practical pharmacy. 
A chocolate cream is a type. 
(3.) Bacils are rod-like sticks prepared by roll- 
ing a mass into cylindrical strips and cutting; for 
instance, a pill pipe is placed upon the machine 
and, instead of being cut and rounded, the mass is 
pressed until it lengthens in the grove sufficient to 
fill a capsule; this, then, is a bacil: licorice bacils 
or pastilles are a common illustration. They, too, 
are a class of preparation of little importance to the 
pharmacist. 
(4.) Globules of sugar, either spheres or hemi- 
spheres of cane sugar, are prescribed by homeo- 
pathic and other physicians to be saturated with 
liquid remedies and so dispensed. The globules, 
however, are made by confectioners and not by the 
pharmacist-of course, when charging them with 
medicinal substances, water must be avoided lest 
the globule be dissolved to syrup. They should 
always be dispensed in bottles. 
(5.) Discs of glycerinated gelatine, containing 
mydriatic or myotic alkaloids, are prepared by dis- 
solving the proper proportion in water, incorporating 
with gelatine solution and then dropping one or 
more drops of the gelatine solution upon a properly 
prepared surface, when, on cooling a minute, solid 
out thin discs remain. 
These are used in ophthalmic practice, but are 
prepared by manufacturing pharmacists. Great care 
must be used in their preparation, to exclude dust, 
etc. They are sometimes called lamella and are 
administered under the eyelids. 
]$. Trochisci PotassiiChloratis gr. v ana. 
No. L. 
S. Dissolve one upon the tongue as required. 
Take of powdered chlorate of potash 250 gr., add 
123 four times its weight of sugar, one-fifth its weight 
of gum tragacanth in fine powder and carefully stir 
together, then add water sufficient to form a plastic 
mass which is to be rolled into a thin sheet and cut 
into fifty lozenges by means of a die or lozenge 
punch. 
The mass is treated like dough for biscuits and 
cut with a die similar only smaller. 
f. Confections 
\ gon™ 
Confections maybe: 
(1) Conserves (or preserves) if composed of a fresh 
drug made into a paste pulp or mass with sugar 
sufficient to preserve (G6% or less) and adhesive 
matter, if required, or 
(2) Electuaries, if composed of dried drug made 
into mass with fruit pulp, sugar, honey, glycerine, 
etc. 
At one time this class was considered very impor- 
tant, but now is not. Two confections are given in 
the present Pharmacopoeia, but both are really 
electuaries and of the two confection of rose is 
worthless either as a remedy or an excipient, and 
is probably retained from custom. Confection of 
senna is a mild laxative. It may be stated that all 
confections consist of drugs, mild in action, made 
palatable by the use of sugar, flavor, etc. The 
French and Spanish Pharmacopoeias still recognize 
a great many. One given in the French Codex has 
fifty-seven ingredients (apologies to Heinz). 
Conserves are prepared by beating the fresh drug 
with sugar, adding sufficient gum, glycerine and 
flavor, if required, rubbing the mass through a sieve 
to remove solid particles. The mass is preserved 
and dispensed in glass pots or jars and is eaten 
124 either as a candy or swallowed as a bolus, formed 
as desired by the patient. 
Electuaries are prepared by taking the desired 
fruit (dried), steaming orboiling until soft, rubbing 
through a sieve and to this adding the dried drug, 
sugar, etc., and forming a mass which is preserved 
and dispensed in the same manner as a conserve. 
A linctus is a similar preparation consisting of 
inorganic drugs mixed into a thick, pasty syrup, too 
thick to flow, and requiring the patient to lick it 
from a spoon. Such a preparation is made often from 
syrup, sulphur and cream of tartar. 
Gelatine Jellies 
Pectinous " 
Gum " 
Starch " 
or Combinations 
with which medicine 
is combined and dis- 
pensed in bulklikean 
ordinary confection, 
g. Jellies 
or the jelly is made sufficiently strong to set or 
harden when cooled. 
Jellies are used mainly to administer disagree- 
able fixed oils. Soft jellies are made into lozenges 
with which is incorporated a remedy desired to 
exert a prolonged and continuous local action on 
the mouth, tonsils, etc., hence are made to dissolve 
very slowly. 
Oil jellies may be best prepared by using isinglass 
dissolved by heat in a flavored water to which sugar 
is added. The oil is made into an emulsion and the 
two combined thoroughly and allowed to gelatinize. 
This is a very satisfactory way to administer fixed 
oils, the jelly aiding in masking the taste; it should 
be dispensed in glass jar. 
For preparing the jelly lozenges, a true gum or 
fruit pectin or other concentrated gum solution is 
mixed with syrup, flavor and medicine, evaporated 
to proper state, then poured into moulds to set, or 
125 poured upon a pan or plate where it cools and sets 
in form of a sheet, which is then cut into desired 
size. These are really lozenge confections and are 
little used and seldom prepared by the pharmacist, 
although not difficult. None are official in the 
United States, but several formulas are given in the 
French and Spanish Pharmacopoeias. The common 
old-style gum-drop is an example of the class so far 
as body is concerned. These jujubes, paste or jelly- 
gum lozenges may be dispensed in wax-paper- 
lined boxes or sprinkled with powdered sugar and 
dispensed in the ordinary glazed-paper-lined boxes. 
h. Pills may be classified as: 
1. Pills proper, when made to weigh from one to 
five grains. 
2. Boli (singular bolus), made to weigh more 
than five grains. 
3. Parvules, less than one grain, sugar coated, 
with coating colored pink or red. 
4. Granules, sugar globules impregnated with a 
liquid medicine by absorption. 
Concentric pills are made of successive layers of 
different medicines, each layer having a separate 
coating and composed of medicine of different 
therapeutic action, part to dissolve and be absorbed 
in the stomach, part in the intestines. 
A pill is a small body of medicine of such size and 
shape that it may easily be swallowed and of such 
composition that it will rapidly disintegrate in the 
presence of the fluids of the stomach or intestines, 
that its effect may be promptly produced. 
Pills are usually round or ovoid in shape and are 
usually of one to five grains' weight, but are some- 
times smaller and quite frequently larger. If 
smaller than one grain and round a pill often is 
126 called a granule, and if much larger is called a 
bolus. 
A pill is made from a mass by rolling and dividing 
it and giving each pill the proper weight and shape, 
a simple and not difficult art, but success depends 
upon the mass, and the great variety of medicines 
given in pill form and their more varied physical 
and chemical properties render the making of per- 
fect pill masses and pills the most difficult part of 
the pharmacist's practice. And, therefore, a good 
pill-maker may be considered a competent phar- 
macist. 
Any medicine not volatile, sufficiently active that 
the dose be not too bulky, and not corrosive, may 
be given in pill form. Usually this form of dosage 
is selected with the object partly of avoiding the 
disagreeable taste of the medicine and also that the 
doses be definitely divided by the pharmacist. 
Since pills should largely overcome the bad taste 
of the medicine, it follows that they are often coated 
for the same purpose, and also to perserve them 
from deterioration and to enhance their appearance, 
and occasionally to prevent their disintegration until 
they reach a particular part of the alimentary canal 
(enteric pills). 
A pill, then, is formed from a mass and a mass 
is a stiff paste of medicine and an excipient or mass- 
ing agent, which should always be inert medicinally. 
A mass must be soft enough to permit of being 
formed, cohesive enough to not crumble and firm 
enough to hold its shape when formed, and of such 
nature that when placed in water it will quickly 
disintegrate. 
Since medicines given in pill form differ widely 
in their properties, so, also, must the properties of 
the excipient differ; the excipient, of course, must 
127 furnish whatever properties the medicine lacks 
toward making a suitable mass. If the medicine 
be wet, then an absorbent excipient is used; if the 
medicine be dry, non-adhesive, then an adhesive 
excipient; if the medicine be dry and adhesive, then 
a solvent for the adhesive, etc., etc. Excipients, 
then, may be divided into two general classes: Dry 
and Liquid. 
Dry excipients may be either Fibrous, Absorbent, 
Adhesive, or Absorbent and Adhesive. 
If the medicine be quite wet and sticky, then a 
dry absorbent powder will, if carefully worked in, 
equalize the adhesiveness and form amass; such 
substances often require a fibrous excipient to 
furnish framework to prevent flattening of the pill, 
especially if it gets too warm. 
Fibrous excipients are absorbent-examples, elm 
bark, licorice, marshmallow root, etc.-but not all 
absorbent excipients are fibrous-examples, starch, 
flour, tragacanth, chalk, etc. 
If the mass be quite moist but not sufficiently 
cohesive to hold without crumbling, then a dry 
absorbent adhesive powder is used. Tragacanth is par 
excellence for this purpose. Acacia or flour, etc., 
are used, but acacia is to be avoided because of its 
property of drying so hard and resisting solution so 
long. Russian licorice root powder and powdered 
slippery elm bark are very excellent fibrous absorbent 
powders and they also have some adhesive property: 
therefore, they have a wider range of usefulness 
than any other dry excipients. 
If the medicine be dry and adhesive in nature a 
liquid suitable for developing that adhesiveness 
present is the best excipient-examples, water, 
alcohol, glycerine, glycerine and water-but if 
simply a dry powder with no adhesive property, 
128 then a moist adhesive excipient is indicated. Many 
are used, each having its peculiar property and 
should be used where that property is most suitable. 
Mucilage and syrup of acacia, syrup, honey, glucose, 
glycerite of starch, glycerite of tragacanth or glyc- 
erine may be used as indicated. As a rule, glycerine 
in small amount is always permissible in a pill mass 
because of the fact that it will not permit the pill to 
dry too hard and will, therefore, ensure disintegra- 
tion when taken. Of course these different classes 
may be combined as required. A liquid excipient 
should always be used sparingly since it must always 
be absorbed and the absorbent will increase the size 
of the. pill. 
The pill-maker should remember that the most 
important requirements of a finished pill are that it 
have the proper medicinal effect and, second, be as 
nice in appearance as possible so as to not make a 
disagreeable impression upon the mind of the 
patient. A large, ill-shapen pill may possess all 
the required medicinal properties, but often is 
revolting to the patient's tastes. 
Drugs containing some resinous substances may 
be massed with soap and water or alcohol, the 
alkaline soap aiding in therapeutic action. Some 
substances which.are administered with a purpose 
of acting on the lower bowel are combined with a 
hard resin so that solution will be slow and the pill 
reach the lower bowel before it disintegrates; such 
pills should be made with water or watery excip- 
ients-example, pill aloe and mastich. Volatile oils, 
creosote, phenols, etc., may be made into mass 
with wax, soap or, better with pure powdered 
extract of licorice and water; when wax is used 
it should be used as sparingly as possible and in 
fluid condition, adding sufficient fibrous excipient 
129 to make a firm pill; too much wax would prevent 
disintegration of pill. 
"When substances with marked chemical activity 
are to be massed, then an excipient of a negative 
nature should be used. Pills of substances easily 
affected by the air should be coated immediately. 
Oxidizing agents should not be associated with 
vegetable substances. For such articles as perman- 
ganate of potassium, silver nitrate, etc., an oint- 
ment made from equal parts kaolin, paraffin and 
petrolatum is an excellent excipient; other fatty 
excipients are cacao-butter, resin cerate, simple 
cerate, etc. 
But the most difficult part of pill making is the 
actual manipulating-a student may learn how it 
should be done but only a pharmacist becomes pro- 
ficient, because practice is necessary. A shallow, 
round-bottomed wedgwood mortar, with an extra 
long-handled pestle with a large crown that will 
fit the palm of the hand is best. Having mixed 
the ingredients properly the excipient is added 
with this purpose always in view, viz., to get a pill 
not too large, that will have a proper appearance 
and will not fail to produce proper results from 
any act or omission of the pharmacist. Small, 
firm pills require a considerable kneading of the 
mass with the pestle rather than trituration. A 
good mass should cohere sufficiently so that it will 
be detached from both mortar and pestle by the 
act of kneading upon being completed, although 
some masses can not be made to do so. A short, 
stiff-bladed spatula is best for removing the mass 
from sides of the mortar. If a mass is properly 
made a dusting powder will be scarcely necessary, 
but when necessary should be used sparingly-■ 
white powder for white pills, etc. Starch is a good 
130 white dusting powder: lycopodium, licorice powder, 
althea, etc., etc., are used. Pills are usually dis- 
pensed in pasteboard boxes, but may be enclosed 
in bottles; if so, powder should be added to absorb 
any moisture from the pills to prevent moulding. 
When the mass is made it is rolled into a cylinder 
or long "pipe" and cut on a graduated tile by means 
of a spatula, being careful that pills are uniform in 
size; or they are cut on a machine or pill cutter. 
They may be formed with the fingers and rounded 
with a finisher, or cut, formed, rounded and polished 
all by a few ingenious motions with the aid of the 
pill cutter. 
To mask the taste of pills they are sometimes 
rolled into cylinders after being divided, and 
enclosed in gelatine capsules-the capsule also 
preserves the pill from the oxidizing effect of the 
air, etc. Be careful not to get any of the medicine 
on the outside of the capsule; always wash the 
hands after making the pills and before enclosing 
in capsules. 
Pills are coated for the purposes of improving 
their appearance, preserving them, masking their 
taste and retarding solution so that the pill may 
pass the stomach and be dissolved in the intestines. 
Pill coating is an art which can be practiced to very 
little advantage by the pharmacist, as, coated, ready 
made pills can be had of nicer appearance and also 
at less cost than the pharmacist can produce them, 
unless a great number are made at one time. 
According to general requirements and exigency 
the following several kinds of coatings are applied 
to pills, viz. • 
131 1. Foil. 
2. Pearl. 
3. Varnish. 
4. Sugar. 
Pill Coatings. 
5. Gelatine. 
6. Collodion. 
7. Salol. 
8. Keratin. 
(1.) Foil coating is the oldest and simplest method 
and least used. Formerly it was common, but now 
is rare. The pills should be made slightly softer 
than usual and a conspergative not used, so that 
finished pill may be slightly adhesive when placed 
in a coater or round box with "leaf" of silver, gold 
or aluminum and shaken until coated, then rolled 
smooth with a pill rounder until polished and free 
from adhering loose particles. 
(2.) Pearl coating is so named because of the 
slight pearly appearance, but consists of an insoluble 
powder coating made to adhere by use of syrup or 
mucilage or both. The pills are dropped into a 
mortar containing syrup of acacia or other suitable 
adhesive, rotated until completely covered with the 
adhesive liquid, then rolled into a mixture of talc, 
starch, sugar of milk, chalk or some such combina- 
tion and allowed to dry, when the surplus powder is 
removed by rounding as with foil coating. 
Acacia 1. 
Sacch. Lact...5. 
Amyli 1. 
Talci.. 1. 
A good pearl coating powder 
consists of ' 
(3.) Varnish coating consists of a resin applied in 
solution in a volatile liquid, by spraying the solution 
onto the pills from an atomizer or, better, by roll- 
ing the pills in a mortar containing the resin solu- 
tion or varnish, then placing on wax paper until 
the volatile solvent has evaporated. Ether solution 
of tolu, mastic, sandaric or mixtures of these, is 
used for this purpose. 
132 (4.) Sugtir coating is done by machinery on a 
large scale and is entirely impractical for the 
retail pharmacist. So is gelatine coating, nowadays, 
because pills coated by machinery can be had better 
and cheaper than the pharmacist can possibly coat 
them on a small scale, yet neither process is impos- 
sible. In sugar coating the pills are put into a 
globular drum revolving upon an axis in an oblique 
position, thick syrup is poured upon the pills and as 
the drum revolves, becomes distributed to all parts 
of the surface of every pill. Warm, dry air evapo- 
rates the water and the constant rolling of the pills 
over each other wears the surfaces smooth by 
attrition. 
(5.) Gelatine coating is applied by dipping the pills 
into a solution of gelatine gum and glycerine or 
gelatine albumen and glycerine, or a similar com- 
bination, often containing sugar, allowing the 
adherent gelatine to dry during a rotary moving of 
the pill to prevent the solution running off or run- 
ning too much to one side of the pill. 
(6.) Collodion coating is applied like varnish 
coating to a pill which must be perfectly dry on the 
outside, otherwise the moisture precipitates the 
collodion. 
(7.) Salol coating is also applied in the same man- 
ner after being previously fused at the lowest 
possible temperature, preferably with a little resin, 
or else it may be dissolved twenty per cent, in 
ether. Salol coating may not be used upon a pill the 
excipient of which was glycerine. Salol and collo- 
dion are seldom used but are very valuable as 
extemporaneous enteric coatings. 
(8.) Keratin coating is used for enteric pills- 
pills that will pass the stomach undissolved, but 
will disintegrate in the intestines (plus bile and 
133 pancreatin, etc.). Keratin is a complex gelati - 
noid substance found in horns, hoofs, feathers, 
hair, etc., and is very difficultly soluble, being 
insoluble in water, alcohol, ether, dilute acids, 
dilute alkalies, and digestive ferments of the 
stomach. To prepare it, horn substance, in shav- 
ings, is first deprived of fats by digestion with ether; 
albuminoids are then removed by digestion in dilute 
hydrochloric acid and pepsin; wash and dissolve the 
residue in five per cent, ammonia, filter and evap- 
orate to dryness; this is then dissolved in either 
alcoholic ammonia or glacial acetic acid, accordingly 
as the substance be used with acid or alkali. The 
solution is applied to pills made with a fatty base 
and no water, by the same process as for varnish 
coating. 
2. For External Application. 
a. Ointments are solids or semi-solids, usually 
of a fatty nature, soft enough so that they may be 
spread upon the surface of the body and melted 
with body heat. Ointments are always applied 
externally, but are often used by the physician as a 
means of systemic medication since, by osmosis 
some medicines combined with a favorable base 
will pass through body tissues into the circulation 
and affect the system. Certain parts of the body 
will more readily permit of this mode of medica- 
tion, namely, the armpits and groins. Also certain 
fatty substances favor the absorption of the medi- 
cine; other fatty substances permit this to a less 
degree, while still others are non-absorb able. 
Ointments may be prepared by: 
(1.) Simple mixture of base and agent. 
(2.) Fusion of base and mixing with agent. 
134 (3.) Chemical reaction. 
and are used for: 
(1.) Protection of wounds and raw surfaces, and 
softening the skin and tissues. 
(2.) Producing a mildly irritant or stimulating 
effect upon the skin, or as an antiseptic or 
disinfectant of ulcers. 
(3.) To carry anodyne or other systemic drugs and 
aid in their absorption into the circulation. 
They, therefore, vary in composition of base as 
well as active medicine; bland protective or emollient 
ointments, not to have marked physiological effect, 
are prepared with petrolatum or a similar fatty 
hydrocarbon. 
Stimulating, irritating or rubefacient ointments 
which carry a remedy to act upon the skin should 
be prepared with a vegetable oil or mixture of vege- 
table oils, and wax or animal fat, or wax and lard; 
while ointments which are intended to affect the 
system, i. e., absorbed into the circulation, are pre- 
pared from wool-fat or lard. 
Wool-fat is a very valuable ointment base since 
it will be absorbed more readily than any other fat 
and also because it will hold in permanent admix- 
ture a very large amount of liquid, of either water, 
glycerine, alcohol or fatty nature. 
The common form in which wool-fat is used, 
' lanolin," is a preparation containing about sixty- 
five parts anhydrous wool-fat to thirty-five parts of 
water. 
All animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes 
tend to oxidize or rancidify, especially under the 
influence of air, water and heat. A fat kept free 
from water and air will keep indefinitely, but if air 
be allowed free access decomposition will soon 
begin ; oxy-oleic acid usually forms, which is of a dis- 
135 agreeable odor and is irritating to a delicate surface 
or tissue, therefore ointments should always be 
fresh. Various substances are used to prevent this 
deterioration, such as solution of resins, etc., in the 
fats, but they avail very little as compared with the 
exclusion of water and air and protection from too 
much heat. 
The only benzoinated lard which will keep is the 
dehydrated, and it will keep as long as it remains 
free from water, but not very much longer. But 
ointments are often used to apply medicines which 
must be dissolved in water, also ointments are 
sometimes prepared with water which, evaporating, 
cools and soothes feverish surfaces. 
Wool-fat will hold a very large amount of water; 
lard, also, will take up about1 fifteen percent, water, 
and other fats less; petrolatum very little. Wax, 
however, fused with the fat, will greatly increase 
the power of fat to hold water and at the same time 
tend to act as a preservative agent. 
When water is to be added to an ointment base 
of fat and wax the mixture should be fused but not 
heated too highly, the water should be at the same 
temperature, and all added at once and rapidly 
stirred until completely mixed, and no longer. 
Petrolatum., vaseline, etc., do not become rancid. 
A medicinal substance should be either dissolved 
in the base, reduced to finest powder or dissolved in 
water before being incorporated into an ointment. 
No gritty particles or lumps should ever be present 
in an ointment. 
Vegetable extracts should be made into a thin 
paste with water or water and alcohol or glycerine. 
Very often substances are prescribed together in 
an ointment which are incompatible and tend to 
form granular or gritty particles; this may some- 
136 times be prevented by making an ointment with 
each separate refractory substance and part of the 
base and afterward combining the whole into a 
smooth ointment. 
Care should always be taken that every portion 
of the ointment contains the same proportion of 
medicine: this can be insured by following the same 
method used with triturations, viz., take the medic- 
inal substance and with it mix an equal amount of 
the base, thoroughly incorporate, then add more of 
base, etc., until all is mixed. Some pharmacists 
when preparing ointments of such active agents as 
salts of mercury, etc., mix the finely powdered 
substance with some bland oil first; then, after 
thorough mixture, add the ointment base in por- 
tions. This process is excellent, but a small por- 
tion of the base, instead of the bland oil first taken, 
answers just as well and does not tend to lower the 
melting point of the ointment. Ointments should 
be firm enough to "stand up" or remain solid at 
any temperature below 90° F., otherwise they melt 
and when melted the solids would separate. 
Fats consist principally of two portions at normal 
temperature-a solid portion (stearin) and a liquid 
portion (olein) in varied proportions; if the olein 
predominates, they melt too readily and wax is usu- 
ally added to raise the melting point. 
When wax or resin is added or when a liquid and 
solid fat are to be mixed, the substance having the 
highest melting point should be fused first and at no 
higher temperature thannecessary and the others mixed 
in order of their melting point, the fused mass stirred 
sufficiently to prevent separation of the different 
portions while the mixture be cooled as rapidly as 
practicable. If violent agitation be used and con- 
tinued until the ointment becomes solid, consider- 
137 able air is incorporated-this tends to render the 
ointment lighter in color but more prone to become 
rancid. 
Ointments should be kept in a cool, clean, dry 
place remote from odors, and dispensed in glass. 
In preparing ointments, utensils should be used 
which will not react with the medicinal portions. 
Most ointments can be mixed on a tile with a steel 
spatula-especially if no water be present to enable 
reaction, but salts of mercury or silver, tannin, etc., 
should be stirred with glass, or a horn or rubber 
spatula used if there be water present. Phenols and 
some phenol derivatives, chloral and stearoptenes 
tend to liquefy fats. In such ointments sufficient 
wax may be used to raise the fusing point, or pow- 
dered starch may be used to stiffen the ointment 
without raising the melting point. 
Ointments of solid fats and powders are best 
mixed on a tile of glass, glazed porcelain or marble, 
while thin ointments and those made by incorpora- 
tion of a liquid may be made in a warm mortar. 
In addition to fatty substances other substances are 
sometimes used as ointment bases. 
Glycerite of starch, or a mixture of tragacanth, 
mucilage and glycerine, or glycerine solution of 
gelatine and oils, or soft soap, or super-fatted soaps, 
or mixtures of casein, soap and fats, each has its 
respective domain as a vehicle for ointments. 
b. Cerates are really ointments, only they con- 
tain sufficient wax not to melt at body heat, there- 
fore are used as protective dressings more than to 
exhibit medicines to be absorbed. Wax tends to 
prevent absorption. Medicinal substances should 
never be heated with unmelted fats, particularly 
vegetable substances: too high heat is apt to cause 
138 decomposition, lumping, etc., and at a high heat 
the water usually present in the medicinal vege- 
table substances will decompose some of the fat 
causing formation of irritating compounds and 
cause the ointment, further, to rapidly become 
rancid. 
c. Suppositories are solid bodies of ointment 
material made of such shape as will favor their 
being introduced into the body cavities or openings, 
and of such consistence that they will always melt 
at the body temperature. Their effect, when applied, 
is like any other ointment and their preparation is 
like that of other ointments plus the precaution that 
they must be solid at ordinary temperature but 
always melt at 98.6° F.; therefore, the choice of 
base material must be limited to such as have these 
requirements, either natural product or a mixture. 
Suppositories are made of different sizes and 
shapes according to intended use. 
Rectal, cone shaped 30 grains 
Vaginal, " " 60 " 
Urethral, pencil " 15 " 
Aural, round '' 5 " 
Nasal, wedge " 10 " 
The first three are the most common. 
Cacao-butter is the best suppository base; mix- 
tures of oil and wax or lanolin and wax or oleic 
and stearic acid may be used in proper proportions. 
Gelatine and glycerine, sodium stearate (stearin 
soap) or sodium stearate and glycerite of starch 
may also be used. All may be made by casting in 
chilled moulds from a fused mass, or if sufficiently 
firm they may be formed by the hands or com- 
pressed into dies by machines purposely made. If 
a large amount of liquid substances like glycerine 
139 is to be made into suppositories a solution of 
sodium stearate in the liquid, effected by aid of 
heat, will, upon cooling, hold the liquid and yet be 
solid enough to introduce, or molecular proportions 
of sodium carbonate and stearic acid united will 
give the same result or better. But soap is not to 
be used with salts of the metals, tannin, etc., nor 
should gelatine be so used. 
Most suppositories are made from cacao-butter, 
and. when no excipient is specified it should be used. 
As with an ointment, the medicinal substance 
should be in finest powder, contain no grit or 
lumps, the cacao-butter grated and the medicinal 
agent and part of the cacao-butter mixed perfectly, 
the remainder of the cacao-butter incorporated, the 
whole worked into a. plastic mass, rolled into a cylin- 
drical shape, cut into the desired number of parts and 
formed by hand, or the plastic mass put into a 
suitable machine and compressed in required man- 
ner, or the medicinal agent is mixed properly with 
a suitable first portion of cacao-butter and the 
remainder of the cacao-butter fused by means of a 
water bath and added, the whole stirred until inti- 
mately mixed and poured into moulds previously 
chilled. If the suppository should stick in the mould, 
lubricate mould with tincture green soap. Under 
no circumstances should the medicinal matter be 
heated with the base. Care must be exercised that 
the melted mass be almost ready to congeal before 
being poured into the moulds, which must be cold 
so that the mass will solidify before the medicinal 
portion can settle to the point of the suppository. 
When forming suppositories by hand the fingers 
should be kept well powdered with powdered starch 
to prevent the heat from them softening the sup- 
pository, and when formed the suppository may 
140 best be sprinkled with powdered starch. Lycopo- 
dium is slightly irritating to mucous membranes and 
should not be used; starch is cleaner and better. 
Suppositories should be dispensed in boxes lined 
with paraffined paper and bearing a label to "keep 
in a cool place. '' 
Glycerinated gelatine is used as an excipient or base 
for preparing many suppositories. It can be used, 
however, only by using the moulding process. 
One part by weight of gelatine is first covered 
with cold water and upon standing twenty to thirty 
minutes the gelatine is softened and absorbs con- 
siderable water. It will now dissolve if heated 
with one part glycerine, but the water must be 
carefully evaporated, when the solution is poured 
into a lubricated mould and allowed to cool and 
should be allowed to stand some time in a cool place 
until sufficiently firm. 
d. Plasters are solid masses similar to oint- 
ments, but are spread upon paper, skin or textiles 
to be applied to the skin and are of such consistency 
that they must be heated to be spread and usually 
require heat to make them adhere to the skin. 
They are composed of metallic oleates or the 
same mixed with resins, waxes, soap, etc., or rub- 
ber and the medicinal substance; or, like court- 
plaster, they consist of a textile upon the face of 
which is spread a solution of gelatine and the back 
sized with tincture of benzoin. The gelatine 
solution is sometimes medicated with a mild 
remedial agent, antiseptic or such. So-called mull 
plasters consist of an inert base spread upon mull 
cloth and this used as a body or base upon which 
medicinal matter or another plaster mass is spread. 
Ordinary plaster base or "adhesive plaster'' is 
141 lead oleate made more adhesive with rubber, two 
percent., and two percent, petrolatum added to favor 
handling. 
Common lead plaster or lead oleate is prepared 
by precipitation from solutions of lead acetate and 
sodium oleate or Castile soap. If from soap then 
there is some lead stearate present, but may be 
overlooked. The lead oleate is rolled until water is 
worked out and then wrapped in wax paper to 
exclude air; even then it spoils on the outside, 
getting brown and brittle-that portion should be 
removed. Lead plaster, when spread, rapidly 
becomes non-adhesive, hard and worthless. 
With very few exceptions plasters fail to exert 
any medicinal activity, but afford support and pro- 
tection and continue in use from former customs. 
While made now almost entirely by machinery, in 
large numbers, their preparation by the pharmacist 
at the prescription counter offers no diffiulty. 
Three utensils are necessary-first, a good, stiff, 
smooth spatula; then a water bath and a block or 
board of soft pine upon which to pin the paper, 
skin or cloth used to spread the plaster on; the 
plaster mass is just melted, the polished spatula 
dipped in hot water and used to spread the fused 
mass into a form cut from metal or cardboard and 
laid upon the cloth. The plaster, when cool, should 
be covered with paraffined paper and dispensed in a 
box or rolled loosely. 
e. Oleates are definite chemical salts of oleic 
acid and an alkaloid, or an alkaline hydroxide or a 
metallic oxide, usually with oleic acid in slight 
excess. They may be prepared by direct union of 
the two substances chosen, the reaction being 
favored by moderate heat and a little alcohol or 
142 water to start it. Or soluble oleates may be mixed 
in solution with the solution of a salt of the metal, 
using molecular proportions. The soluble oleates 
are those of the alkalies. The metallic oleates are 
the true plasters. The alkaloid oleates are sol- 
uble in excess of oleic acid and in oils, and most 
oleates are applied in the form of an ointment, being 
miscible with the various fatty substances. The 
preparation or compounding and the preserving and 
dispensing of oleates and ointments of the oleates 
are, of course, subject to the same considerations 
as are ointments. 
f. Poultices are solid or semi-solid mushes, or 
moist bundles of fabrics, hot or cold, plain or med- 
icated, used to produce anodyne, stimulant or 
vesicant effects by applying to the surface of the 
body. 
A poultice may be either a 
Cataplasm, 
Fomentation, or 
Compress. 
1. A cataplasm is a mushy, plastic, wet mass of 
farinaceous matter with or without medication, 
but hot as can be borne by the surface, and made of 
material to retain heat as long as possible and to 
be reheated when beginning to cool-examples, 
flax, bread, bran and clay cataplasms. 
An exception to the above is the cataplasm or 
poultice of mustard, which should never be pre- 
pared with hot water, but with only tepid water, 
since the water combining with a ferment in the 
mustard generates the volatile oil to which the 
action of the mustard is due, and would, if hot, 
volatilize the oil and otherwise heat would spoil the 
preparation. 
143 2. A fomentation is a woolen or other cloth which 
does not readily cool, saturated with a hot infusion 
of herbs and applied hot as can be borne. 
3. A compress is a dry, hot, or ice-cold body to 
carry heat or cold to the part to which applied, or 
it may be a wet, fibrous substance charged with 
hot or cold water or medicated solution. 
g. Medicated gauzes and cottons are prepared 
mostly by specialty manufacturers, but are some- 
times wanted of composition not obtainable ready 
made; they consist usually of sterilized cotton or 
gauze containing a certain percent, of an antiseptic 
or disinfectant agent and are used for keeping 
fresh wounds, etc., aseptic, and also to disinfect old 
sores, ulcers, etc., they may also contain glycerine 
or oil and resin to keep them soft. To prepare 
them the medicine is dissolved in ether or a suit- 
able volatile solvent; to this solution is added 
glycerine or oil and resin; the solution is then 
absorbed by the cotton or gauze and thoroughly 
diffused through it, wrung out and the preparation 
quickly dried without heat, in the dry air. They 
should be prepared with the utmost cleanliness and 
kept in tight containers. 
The proportion or percentage of medicinal matter 
must be related to the finished product, not to the 
first weight of the gauze or cotton. 
144 a. Solutions 
b. Emulsions. 
c. Mixtures. 
d. Waters. 
e Mucilages. 
/ Infusions. 
g. Decoctions. 
h. Syrups. 
i. Honeys. 
j. Elixirs. 
k. Spirits. 
1. Internal. 
All liquid prep- 
arations are 
either 
Solutions, 
Emulsions or 
Mixtures, 
but many take 
specific names 
from their in- 
tended u s e- 
striking charac- 
teristics or 
mode of prepa- 
ration. 
II. Liquid Preparations. 
a. Collodions. 
b. Liniments. 
c, Glycerites. 
d. Enemas. 
e. Gargles. 
f. Sprays. 
g. Inhalations. 
h. Baths. 
2. External. 
•3.< 
Vinegars 
Tinctures. 
Fluid Extracts. 
Oleoresins. 
,Wines- 
145 INTERNAL. 
a. Solutions 
1. Simple. 
2. Compound solutions. 
A simple or physical solution is a transparent 
liquid resulting from the homogeneous blending of 
the molecules of two substances in such a manner 
that neither alters its chemical identity. 
The substance dissolved may be either solid, 
liquid or gaseous: the dissolving substance is 
usually a liquid and called the solvent; however, 
solids may liquefy or pass into solution when 
brought together and one liquid may be dissolved 
in another. Heat, as a rule, favors solution of 
solids and liquids, but of course retards solution 
of gaseous substances. Nor is it always true of 
solids, some solids being less soluble in warm than 
in cold liquids. When the solvent is not specified 
water is always to be used. 
Solids and liquids are more easily dissolved if in 
a fine state of division and solution is aided by 
agitation, stirring, etc., since it brings fresh por- 
tions of the solvent in contact with the substance 
successively. 
Some solids dropped into a solvent will begin to 
dissolve and form a dense solution around the par- 
ticles, which protect the remaining undissolved 
portion from the remaining liquid, hence the 
necessity of agitation; particularly is this true of 
gums and most colloidal bodies, which are best 
dissolved by stirring coarse pieces with water. 
146 Scale salts of iron, scale pepsin, gums, etc., may 
be dissolved more readily if added to the solvent 
and stirred than if placed in the vessel and the 
liquid poured upon them. 
Drugs containing saponin, soap, extract licorice 
or other substances which froth should not be 
shaken with a liquid in a partly filled bottle if that 
bottle is to be filled subsequently, when such a 
condition results the froth will sometimes break if 
treated with a few drops of alcohol or potassium 
hydroxide solution. Such mixtures would better be 
made in a mortar. As a rule solids should not be 
placed in the prescription bottle and the bottle filled 
with solvent. If practicable, solution prescriptions 
should be filtered. 
Solutions should be prepared with the solvent at 
normal temperature without the use of heat, if 
practicable. Many substances are injured by heat- 
ing and this should be carefully considered, espe- 
cially with reference to organic substances. 
Solutions are saturated when no more of the sub- 
stance will be dissolved by the solvent, and a satu- 
rated solution, therefore, is of definite strength, only 
when prepared at a definite temperature, now pre- 
scribed at 25° C. by the Pharmacopoeia. 
A supersaturated solution is one containing in 
solution more substance than the solvent would 
dissolve at that temperature. Many salts will dis- 
solve to a far greater extent in warm water than in 
cool; if water is saturated at a high temperature 
with a salt, the resultant solution in some cases may 
be cooled to a lower temperature without the sepa- 
ration of the solid: usually in such a solution 
crystals will form rapidly upon slight disturbance, 
especially if a crystal of the dissolved substance 
147 be suspended or dropped in that solution. A 
mixture of solution and an excess of the substance 
which is in solution with it, does not constitute a 
supersaturated solution. 
Phenol crystals, heated, will liquefy with ten or 
five percent, of water added-this is a solution of 
water in phenol: if it be at perfect rest and allowed 
to cool slowly, it sometimes happens that upon the 
slightest touch the solution immediately solidifies 
to a mass of needle-shaped crystals. 
A percentage solution contains a certain number 
of parts by weights! the substance in solvent enough 
to make 100 parts by weight of solution. So-called 
percentage solutions are sometimes prepared by 
taking weight parts of solid and volume parts of 
liquid; such solutions, while not percentage solu- 
tions, are of value in pharmacy since liquid med- 
icines are administered by volume measures, but 
true percentage solutions can not be made that way. 
A number of solutions are official in the U. S. P. 
under the title liquores. In dispensing prescriptions 
for solids and liquids together, if possible the solid 
should be dissolved. A solution is always improved 
in appearance, transparency, etc., by being filtered; 
often, too, filtration will aid in preserving a liquid. 
To prepare a solution of a solid the solid should be 
placed in a deep mortar, pulverized if necessary, a 
portion of the liquid poured on and stirred or tritu- 
rated until no more solid will dissolve, the solution 
poured off and the operation repeated with fresh 
portions of solvent until complete solution is 
effected. 
For the purpose here deemed most practical we 
will consider a compound solution as a solution of a 
substance in a liquid solvent prepared by means of 
a third substance as a necessary auxiliary. 
148 Some substances are soluble in water or ordinary 
solvents to a limited extent, or they may be almost 
insoluble therein and yet are perfectly soluble in 
a solution of another substance, without the inter- 
change of molecules, or without chemical reaction. 
These substances when used as solvents may be 
called auxiliary solvents or compound solvents. 
Below we give a list of substances which are soluble 
to only a limited extent in water, with correspond- 
ing auxiliary solvents, by the use of which a more 
or less concentrated solution may be easily effected. 
149 SUBSTANCE. 
AUXILIARY SOLVENT. 
Acid Benzoic 
Sodium Benzoate, Phosphate, Sul- 
phate. 
Acid Boric 
Sodium Borate, Glycerine, Sugar. 
Acid Gallic 
Potassium Citrate. 
Acid Salicylic 
Borax. 
Bismuth Citrate 
Ammonia water. 
Bismuth Subcarbonate.. 
Ammonium Carbonate. 
Borates 
Boric Acid. 
Borax 
Sugar. 
Bromine 
Potassium Bromide, Sod. Bromide, 
Am. Brom. 
Calcium Hydroxide 
Sugar. 
Calcium Phosphate .... 
Acids, Ammonium Chloride. 
Chrysarobin. A 
Alkalies. 
Citrates 
Sodium, Potassium, or Ammonium 
Citrate. 
Cotton 
Ammonio-Sulphate of Copper. 
Iodine 
Potassium Iodide, Glycerine. 
Iron Carbonate 
Sugar. 
Iron Oxalate 
Iron Oxide and Hydrox- 
Oxalic Acid and other acids. 
ide 
Sugar. 
Iron Phosphate, Pyro- 
phosphate and Tar- 
trate 
Alkali Citrates and Tartrates. 
Mercury Bichloride.... 
Ammonium Chloride, Sodium Chlo- 
ride, Hydrochloric Acid. 
Mercury Biniodide 
Potassium Iodide, Sodium Thiosul- 
phate. 
Mercury Sulphate 
Mercur Ammonium 
Potassium Sulphate. 
Chloride 
Ammonium Acetate, Carbonate, or 
Nitrate. 
Pepsin 
Hydrochloric Acid. 
Phosphates 
Alkali Phosphates, Am. Acetate. 
Potassium Bitartrate. . . 
Borax and Alkalies. 
Pyrophosphates 
Alkali Pyrophosphates. 
Silver Cyanide 
Potassium Cyanide, Sodium Thio- 
sulphate, Ammonia. 
Silver Iodide 
Potassium Cyanide, Alkali Iodides. 
Tartrates 
Tartaric Acid and Caustic Alkalies. 
Zinc Carbonate 
Ammonia water. 
Zinc Oxide 
Ammonium Carbonate. 
Compound Solvents. 
150 We should carefully consider the difference 
between the meaning of the term solution, a phar- 
macopoeial preparation, and solution as used to define 
a state of aggregation of matter. As to the correct 
definition of the latter term there is much difference 
of opinion and therefore it is undefined. 
In the case of bases, acids and salts which may be 
decomposed by the electric current by passing it 
through their solutions, the positive radicle gathers 
at the negative electrode while the negative radicle 
gathers at the positive electrode, and it is further 
claimed that electrolytes (bodies capable of decom- 
position by electrolysis) when in solution are in a 
state of dissociation into their respective radicles or 
elemental particles; these particles being called ions 
and that when any salt, acid or base is dissolved in 
water it is dissociated into its respective ions, more 
or less, according to the state of dilution of the so- 
lution; complete dissociation being possible only in 
an infinitely dilute solution. And also that the color 
of a solution is the color of the ions in that solution 
and that the chemical properties are the properties 
of the ions-example, water solution of copper 
sulphate contains Cu ions and also SO ions sepa- 
rated. Upon passing the electric current through 
the solution the copper ions are deposited in a 
dissociated pure metallic state upon the negative 
electrode while the acid remains in the solution in 
contact with the positive electrode. 
A chemical solution is usually considered as a 
solution of a body in a liquid whereby a chemical 
change takes place producing a new compound 
distinct and different from the original-example, 
chalk dissolved in dilute acetic acid. But the above 
definition and example do not clearly and accurately 
define the term chemical solution. First there was 
151 a chemical reaction and immediately afterward the 
new compound formed by that reaction was 
dissolved by simple solution. If, however, carbon 
dioxide be dissolved in water carbonic acid is 
formed. When any anhydride dissolves in water 
the corresponding acid is formed. 
Crystalline solids, with water of crystallization, 
and some others when dissolved in water rapidly, 
lower the temperature by using the heat to effect 
solution. On the other hand, anhydrous salts 
capable of crystallizing with crystal water dis- 
solve with evolution of heat and a considerable 
reduction of volume. Some liquids produce the 
same phenomenon-the greater the amount of heat 
evolved the greater the reduction in volume. It 
is undoubtedly because of a physical union of the 
molecules of the substance with the water; while 
in the case of crystals containing water or those 
which will not unite chemically with it, the heat is 
nearly used up to effect solution. On the other 
hand, the formation of crystals gives off heat 
which usually is not manifested because evapora- 
tion of some liquid again utilizes it. Chloride of 
ammonium and nitrate of potassium dissolved in 
water lower temperature greatly. Ten parts of 
potassium iodide with six parts of water, by weight, 
dissolved rapidly, under certain conditions may 
cause a deposit of water on the outside of the flask 
which, upon further shaking of flask, freezes to 
ice, while beside it at same time ten parts sodium 
hydroxide plus six parts water under certain condi- 
tions may evolve so much heat as to render handling 
of flask impossible. 
Some deliquescent salts when moist will absorb 
heat while being dissolved, but if they be rendered 
anhydrous will dissolve with evolution of heat; so 
152 also will some salts which are capable of crystalliz- 
ing with water of crystallization, but which have 
been rendered anhydrous, first evolve heat while 
they combine chemically with water of crystalliza- 
tion, after which the newly formed substance 
dissolves with absorption of heat, first raising then 
lowering the temperature-example, fused calcium 
chloride. 
Solutions of some substances will, when that 
substance begins to crystallize, evolve heat. The 
thermolite bag furnishes an exaggerated but very 
useful example of the evolution of heat from the 
formation of crystals. 
There are no solvents capable of dissolving all 
substances. There are no solid substances soluble in 
all liquids. There are no substances absolutely in- 
soluble in cold solvents and yet soluble in the same 
solvents when heated. Solubility of substances 
varies very greatly: 1 part water dissolves 3 parts 
zinc chloride or tannin, but 800,000 parts are nec- 
essary to dissolve 1 part barium sulphate, and 
2,000,000 parts water for 1 part silver bromide. 
"Solubility" of substances, usually, is considered 
at 25° C. in water, and the knowledge of the relative 
solubility of many substances is a great aid to the 
pharmacist (see table, pages 154-5). 
153 Compounds. 
Those Soluble. 
Those relatively not 
Soluble. 
Special Remarks. 
Acetates 
Arsenites 1 
Arsenates J 
Benzoates 
Borates 
Bromides 
Bromates 
Carbonates 
Chlorides 
Chlorates 
Citrates 
Cyanides 
Ferricyanides 1 
Ferrocyanides J 
Gallates 
Hydroxides 
All, except 
Those of alkalies 
Nearly all 
Of alkali-metals 
All, except 
Of alkali-metals 
All, except 
All 
Of alkalies 
Of alkalies, mercury.... 
Of alkali-metals and 
alkaline earths 
Of alkalies 
Of alkalies, alkaline 
earths 
Quinine acetate.. 
All others 
Benzoic acid 
Metallic 
Pb., Hg,, Ag., Bi. 
and Sb 
All others 
JAg., Pb., BiOCl 
1 Hg 
Others 
Others 
Others 
Others 
Others 
All are soluble in HC1 and NH4C1. 
( Benzoic acid soluble in alcohol. 
S Aq. sol. sod. benzoate, phosphate, sul- 
( phate. 
Sol. in dilute inorganic acids. 
Solutions of bromides dissolve bromine- 
Decomposed by acids. 
All decomposed by all acids, save HCN. 
f AgCl sol. in sal. ammonia. 
I PbCl sol. in hot water. 
Solutions of alkali-citrates dissolve salts 
of iron, bismuth, etc. 
All are soluble in water with excess of 
Pot. Cyanide and HCN. 
Decomposed by acids liberating HCN. 
J Soluble in excess of acid. 
t Gallic acid sol. in alkali citrates. 
(Aluminum hvdroxide soluble in excess 
| KOH or NaOH. 
s Salts of organic acids, sugar, glycerine 
and gum retard precipitation of metal- 
L lie hj droxides. 
Relative Solubility of Substances in Water. 
154 Compounds. 
Those Soluble. 
Those relatively not 
Soluble. 
Special Remarks. 
Hypochlorites.... 
All 
Decompose unless preserved in excess of 
Hypophosphites. 
Iodides 
Iodates 
Of alkali 
All, except 
Others 
Ag.. Pb., Hg. and 
basic iodides 
Bi. and Cu. 
alkali. 
Prone to decompose - act as reducing 
agents. 
Decomposed by acids liberating Iodine. 
Nitrates 
Nitrites 
All, except 
All, except 
Bismuthyl nitrate 
Those of Ag., Pb. 
Decomposed by acids liberating nitrous 
acid. 
Oxalates 
Oxides 
Permanganates .. 
Of alkalies 
Alkaline earths 
All 
Others 
All others 
Soluble in dilute inorganic acids. 
Strong oxidizing agents; decomposed by 
Phosphates 
Salicylates 
Sulphates 
Sulphides 
Sulphites 
Tannates 
Of alkalies 
Of alkalies 
All, except 
Alkali-metals ' 
Alkali-metals 
Of other metals.. 
All others 
Ba., Sr.. Ca., Ag., 
Pb., Hg 
Others 
Others 
Basic tannate of 
organic matter and reducing agents. 
Soluble in dilute acids. 
Easily decomposed by acids evolving HaS. 
Soluble in acetic acid, bleach vegetable 
colors, by giving off SO2. 
Tartrates 
Valerianates 
Alkali 
Most all 
heavy metals... 
Others 
Iron, Zinc 
All are very unstable. 
Relative Solubility of Substances in Water. 
155 b. Emulsions. 
An emulsion is a liquid preparation containing 
a finely powdered insoluble solid or an immiscible 
fluid (usually oily) in a fine state of division, inti- 
mately mixed with and suspended more or less 
permanently in water, by the aid of an emulsifying 
agent, usually gum. 
There are three principal classes of emulsifying 
agents, namely: 
1. Gums. 
2. Albuminoids. 
3. Soapy substances. 
Of the gums, acacia and tragacanth are most 
common, but chondrus, cetraria, quince mucilage, 
etc., are occasionally used. Of the albuminous 
substances egg and milk are good examples, 
although various vegetable ferments and other pro- 
teolytic bodies of animal origin could be used- 
emulsin, diastase, pancreatin, ptyalin, etc., may be 
used. Egg is very efficacious as an emulsifier, 
having great power and capable of use with a 
variety of substances; also milk if greatly con- 
densed without use of heat, but both spoil rapidly 
and must be preserved with an antiseptic, or the 
emulsion consumed within a short time. 
Soaps and saponins may be used to good advan- 
tage for emulsions to be used externally, but are 
not suitable for employment with internal remedies 
except in few cases. Alkalies act by first combin- 
ing with fat or resin acids to form soap and the 
soap, in turn, acting as the agent for emulsification; 
hence they can not be used except with true fats, 
resins or oleoresins. Copaiba may be emulsified 
by using liquor potassa-but volatile oils can not. 
Egg yolk and milk are natural emulsions of oils 
by aid of albuminoid agents; in the egg, vitellin; 
156 in milk, the cream is held in suspension by casein. 
When casein is coagulated the cream separates as 
butter. In seed emulsions, oil is held in natural 
emulsion by the vegetable albuminoid ferment 
present. Gum resins have their resin emulsified by 
the gum present. 
To prepare a seed emulsion, therefore, it is nec- 
essary only to take the seed freed from the pericarp 
and triturate with small portions of water, added 
at intervals, and when finished strain out all coarse 
particles. 
A gum-resin emulsion is made from fresh, 
selected pieces of gum-resin by rubbing in a 
(warm) mortar with small portions of water grad- 
ually added, and when finished straining out the 
solid particles remaining. The principal gum- 
resin emulsions are those of ammoniac, asafoetida 
and myrrh, respectively, and since gum-resins are 
not capable of being powdered without drying 
them, whereby the volatile oil is driven off along 
with the water and usually the gum spoiled at the 
same time, it follows that powdered gum-resins are 
nearly worthless and should never be used for 
emulsions. But the great majority of emulsions 
to be prepared by the pharmacist are those of 
1. Fixed oils. 
2. Volatile oils. 
3. Resins and oleoresins. 
While emulsions may be made by aid of various 
agents, those most generally used and available 
under a greater variety of conditions are the gums. 
Gums may be used dry or in solution, as mucilage. 
There are many gums, but acacia is best and trag- 
acanth follows in value. 
Different processes are in use and while one 
person gets better results with a certain method of 
157 procedure another succeeds better with a different 
method. "Men's opinions, like their watches, vary; 
no two are just alike, yet each believes his own.'' 
As with method of procedure so with proportions 
of gum oil and water. 
Success in emulsion making depends principally 
upon a correlation of a reasonable method with a 
reasonable proportion, etc. 
We give a process which will always ensure suc- 
cess if followed carefully, and reasonable propor- 
tions of gum oil and water used. Also a proportion 
which will always ensure success with a reasonable 
method. 
Take 
No. 1. 
No. 2. 
Fixed oil. ., 
. .4) i 
( Volatile oil.. . 
. .2 
Acacia. .... 
..2 V or - 
< Acacia 
.. .2 
Water . . . . . 
..3 ) । 
( Water 
..3 
Place finely powdered acacia in a dry mortar (any 
ordinary wedgwood mortar will answer), upon it 
pour the oil and stir until evenly mixed to a uni- 
form, pasty mass and all at once add the water and 
immediately stir rapidly with the pestle (pressure 
not necessary), until a light colored, uniform paste 
results and a crackling sound is produced and no 
oil globules can be seen. This is die emulsion', it 
then may be diluted with water and other fluids 
added, but the first water is called water of emulsi- 
fication and must always be added all at once and 
in not too great a quantity, but must be sufficient 
to dissolve the gum, and the mucilage so formed by 
the solution of the gum in water should be dense 
or thick. 
One and a half times as much water as gum is a 
proper proportion-the proportion of water to gum 
is of more account than that of oil and water or oil 
158 and gum. Since oils vary in properties it follows 
that some are more difficult to emulsify, requiring 
more gum than others less difficult. 
The above proportion No. 1 will answer for any 
fixed oil-volatile oils are relatively more difficult 
to emulsify than fixed oils, hence see formula No. 2 
has an amount of gum equal to the volatile oil, yet 
the proportion of water to gum is the same and 
should be in all cases. Many volatile oils are capable 
of being emulsified with far less gum, but the above 
proportion will suffice for any volatile oil. 
Resins maybe dissolved in volatile oils and emul- 
sified, as are oleoresins, by using the same propor- 
tions as for volatile oils. 
Tragacanth is very much stronger than acacia, 
making a translucent, viscid mucilage with thirty 
times its weight of water. This mucilage is not 
a solution, however, for tragacanth does not dis- 
solve but absorbs a large amount of water; it fol- 
lows that for substances very prone to separate or 
difficult to emulsify, such as heavy, solid powders, 
some fluids like chloroform, etc., tragacanth is used 
with advantage; also in oil emulsions that are to 
be dispensed concentrated or kept for some time. 
The process is the same, but proportions vary, 
being: 
Tragacanth . . 1 
Fixed oil 16 
Water 20 
• or ■ 
Tragacanth.. 1 
Volatile oil.. 8 
Water 20 
Again, as before, water is proportioned to gum 
and should always be about twenty times as much 
and a tragacanth emulsion should be stirred longer 
than one made with acacia in order to give the 
tragacanth time to absorb the water, which it does 
somewhat slowly. 
159 Some favor this process: 
Place dry gum in dry mortar. 
" oil over gum. 
" water over oil so that it does not touch 
the gum below, then rapidly triturate until 
emulsion is formed. 
Others favor this process: 
Take gum and add water to form a thick 
mucilage; then gradually, in portions, add 
the oil, thoroughly emulsifying each portion 
before adding more. 
Both will give success if manipulation be perfect, 
but a novice is apt to fail with the first, and with 
the last it takes a very much longer time if the last 
oil be entirely extinguished. 
The water of emulsification first added must be 
water, not syrup, not glycerine, not a solution of 
acid, alkali nor salt: these substances, alcoholic 
liquids, etc., should be added after the emulsion 
has been made and first diluted as far as possible 
with plain water. 
Some profess to prefer making an emulsion in a 
bottle-we consider it a slovenly process, but it will 
answer with volatile liquids nicely. When an 
emulsion is to be so made, from dry gum, the oil 
should be placed in the bottle first and flowed over 
all parts of the surface; then the gum added and 
shaken until uniformly mixed, after which the 
water of emulsification is added and the whole 
again violently shaken until a nucleus or primary 
emulsion results, when it is gradually diluted. 
Some substances, like phenols, etc., may first be 
mixed with a bland, fixed oil, like olive or almond 
oil, and afterward emulsified. Solid fats, waxes, 
etc., to be emulsified must be melted first, but, in 
general, heat hinders emulsification. With egg 
160 yolk about two parts of fixed oil or one part of vola- 
tile oil may be emulsified. With condensed milk 
about ten times its weight of fixed oil. 
Chondrus and cetraria jellies may be used to 
emulsify in the proportions of about one part muci- 
lage to two of fixed oil or equal parts volatile 
oil. Chondrus "jelly" may be made by boiling 
a half drachm of the mass to an ounce of water, 
straining and adding one-fourth ounce glycerine or 
alcohol. First wash moss with cold water to remove 
salts, etc. 
Saponin is used in the form of tincture of quillaya 
and while having emulsifying power sufficient to 
recommend it, its acrid toxic properties condemn it 
in medicines for internal use. The object of prepar- 
ing emulsions is to overcome the disagreeable taste 
and get the substance in such form that it may 
easily be assimilated. 
Emulsions should be dispensed in wide-mouthed 
bottles when thick and always should bear a 
"shake" label, and those prepared from milk or 
egg should further be directed to be kept in a cool 
place. 
IJ. 01. Ricini f^i. 
Syrup f^ii. 
Acacia. 
Olei Gaultheria. 
Aquae aa qs f^viii. 
M. Ft. Emulsio. S. §iii h. s. 
Place the acacia (| = 4), 4 drachms, in a dry mor- 
tar, add the oil and thoroughly mix: (8 + 4 = 12: 
V = 6), so take six fluidrachms water and add all at 
once to the mixture, stir briskly until the oil disap- 
pears, a creamy liquid results and a crackling sound 
is produced; then add sufficient oil of gaultheria to 
161 flavor and gradually add the remainder of the water, 
stirring after each addition, and lastly the syrup, and 
dispense with a "shake the bottle'' label. 
01. Terebinthina Canadensis fji. 
Creosoti. 
01. Cinnamomi aa f3i. 
Sacchari Albi §ii. 
Ft. Emulsio ad f^xii. 
S. 4 cc.t.i. d. for cough. 
Place the balsam of fir in a warm, dry mortar, to 
render it more fluid; add to it the oil of cinnamon 
and creosote, add ten drachms of acacia and again 
mix, then add an amount of water equal to one and 
one-half times the acacia or two fluid ounces. Stir 
rapidly until primary emulsion is formed, then dilute 
gradually with water and lastly add the sugar 
and dispense with shake label. 
5. 01. Morrhuae fjiv. 
Spt. Vini Gallici f^i. 
Tinct. Vanillae f3i- 
Ft. Emulsio Cum ovi ad f^xii. 
S. as directed. 
Into a mortar put the yolks of two eggs, or the 
whole eggs may be used, reduce to a uniform liquid 
by beating or stirring, next add the oil in one por- 
tion and triturate until an emulsion results; trans- 
fer to a bottle; to the spirit and tincture add water 
enough so that the three will increase the volume of 
the emulsion to twelve fluid ounces. This should be 
labeled "Keep in a cool place'' and will be apt to 
spoil, hence antiseptics are sometimes added to pre- 
serve the egg. 
1$. Bitter Almonds 60 grams. 
Water to make 1000 cc. 
Boracic Acid 20 grams. 
162 Mix. Label "Almond milk for softening and 
whitening the skin." 
Soak the almonds in tepid water until the skins 
come loose. Remove the skins and to the blanched 
almonds add a small amount of water and beat to a 
smooth pulp, then add the water in portions, tritur- 
ating well after each portion is added, lastly strain 
out the almond pulp and add the boracic acid. 
Patent emulsionizing agents are to be avoided, 
being either worthless or harmful medicinally. 
No competent pharmacist need use them. 
No conscientious pharmacist will use them. 
c. Mixtures. The term mixture formerly em- 
braced seed and gum-resin emulsions, but now 
the Pharmacopoeia uses the title for a class of 
preparations containing insoluble matter in a fine 
state of division suspended in a watery fluid. Four 
are official: chalk mixture, brown mixture, rhubarb 
and soda, and Griffith's mixture. But the pharma- 
cist understands the term to have a much more 
liberal meaning, and therefore he usually desig- 
nates all liquids not transparent solutions nor emul- 
sions as mixtures. The prime object is to get a 
uniform liquid preparation containing the insoluble 
substance in a fine state of division and to accom- 
plish this and secure a mixture which, when shaken, 
will be uniform, often requires the best skill and 
ability possessed. Some solids mixed in a certain 
manner form gritty lumps or glutinous masses with 
water or other fluids, yet mixed in different order, 
will give no trouble. Again, two substances are 
to be combined which will give a precipitate, but if 
brought together properly will give a fine, bulky 
precipitate which can be, by shaking, uniformly 
distributed, while another method would give a 
163 precipitate, dense, heavy and uneven. Again, two 
liquids to be mixed, which are incompatible and 
would result in anything but the object desired, 
may however, by use of a neutral protective agent 
or diluent, be combined without trouble. Alcoholic 
tinctures of resinous substances prescribed with 
water or watery solutions of saline salts or acids 
will make very unsightly mixtures, with lumps of 
precipitated resin if improperly mixed, but often 
can be mixed in proper manner, giving a uniform 
emulsion-like liquid. Solids entering into a mix- 
ture should be in fine powder and the mixture 
so prepared that uniform dosage may be had and 
they always should bear a "shake" label when 
dispensed. 
d. Waters are water solutions of voratile sub- 
stances, usually gases or volatile oils. 
Gases are soluble in water in varying proportions, 
depending partly upon the water being kept cold 
and the gas forced into it under pressure during 
agitation. Volatile oils and other aromatic sub- 
stances are soluble to a slight degree. Usually 
volatile oils are soluble in about the proportion of 
of one percent, and this solution can be effected 
in various ways. All depends upon bringing the 
oil particles, in a fine state of division, in contact 
with the water, and this division is effected by dis- 
tributing the oil on cotton or triturating with an 
insoluble dry powder and then mixing with water, 
or the water may be made by distillation. Distilla- 
tion is not practical for the dispensing pharmacist, 
so the distilled waters, plain as well as the aromatic, 
are usually purchased from the distiller, who 
usually obtains it as a by-product from distilling 
volatile oils. 
164 By percolating water through cotton charged 
with oil a good water can be obtained, but the plan 
is poor because of the possible action of oils on the 
fingers producing soluble organic compounds. 
When an insoluble powder is used upon which to 
distribute the oil it should be dry and insohible in 
water and neutral in action toward water or volatile 
oils. Magnesium carbonate should not be used 
because it is not neutral, nor is it insoluble, it usually 
contains magnesium oxide and many oils are colored 
by its reaction. Calcium phosphate, precipitated, is 
good. Barium sulphate is more nearly insoluble, 
but care must be taken that none passes through 
the filter paper. Another good method is to take 
filter paper pulp dried, and drop the oil upon it 
and place in a strong bottle and pour on boiling 
water. All waters should be kept filtered, clear 
from deposit and no oil globules should be allowed 
to pass through the filter; this may be avoided by 
wetting the paper before beginning to filter the 
aromatic water. Aromatic waters often spoil and 
hence should be watched that they be in good 
condition. 
e. Mucilages are concentrated solutions of gums 
in water. There are two principal kinds of gums, 
arabin gums (example, acacia) and bassovin gums 
(example, tragacanth). Arabin gums are soluble, 
forming a clear, dense, viscid mucilage with water 
in the proportion of one part gum to one and a half 
water, or less water. 
Bassorin gums absorb large amounts of water, 
swell and form a sticky, pasty mass which is opaque, 
or, if very dilute, translucent. Under the influence 
of moderate heat for some time the gum is altered 
and partly dissolves. 
165 Other gums are very little used. The general 
impression is that mucilages all spoil very rapidly 
and various means are adopted to prevent them 
from souring. They do spoil readily, particularly 
when dilute, but if select gum arabic be dissolved 
in equal parts of distilled water, or not more than 
one and a half times as much water, and the bottle 
covered with a cloth of coarse mesh, or absorbent 
cotton, it may be kept fairly well. We have kept 
it six months during summer weather with no 
trouble, and never using anything to preserve but 
the density of the solution. Of course dirty muci- 
lage would be apt to develop vegetable growths 
from spores present in the foreign matter. Muci- 
lages are not used for any medicinal effect since 
they are neutral and inert, but they are used to 
emulsify oils and prevent precipitation in some 
cases and to suspend insoluble powders, etc., in 
watery liquids, and as demulcent vehicles. 
f Infusions are dilute, watery extracts of vege- 
table drugs prepared by infusion, maceration or 
percolation. They are very indefinite preparations 
because the process of extraction is not such that 
all the strength of the drug is obtained in the 
finished preparation. They are supposed to repre- 
sent five percent, of drug unless the strength is 
otherwise specified. 
Except with drugs containing a principle soluble 
in hot water, which principle is not desired 
(cinchona), or a substance is desired which would 
be volatilized or lost by using hot water (wild 
cherry) infusions are made by pouring boiling 
water upon the plant drug not in fine powder, and 
allowing it to infuse until cold, or a stated length 
of time, when the liquid is strained and water 
166 poured through to make up the required volume. 
Infusions should be prepared from coarsely ground, 
cut or bruised drug but not from finely powdered 
drug. 
g. Decoctions are weak, watery extracts of 
vegetable drugs similar to infusions in strength and 
mode of preparation, but are prepared by pouring 
cold water upon the drug, then boiling for fifteen 
minutes, or a stated time. Unless otherwise speci- 
fied decoctions are made of five parts drug to one 
hundred parts of finished preparation, but the proc- 
ess differing in that the decoction is boiled, ensures 
different results and therefore they are different in 
properties and made from drugs of different nature. 
The prolonged contact at an elevated temperature 
alters some of the plant starches and renders them 
soluble, hence decoctions are thick, mucilaginous 
liquids usually having demulcent properties. 
Neither infusions nor decoctions are permanent 
preparations, both having a tendency to spoil 
rapidly. This tendency can be overcome by adding 
alcohol, fifteen percent.; but, being preparations 
weak in medicinal properties, this addition is not 
advisable as alcohol would probably be the more 
energetic in most preparations. 
h. Syrups are concentrated solutions of sucrose 
sugar in water or liquids containing water and may 
or may not contain medicinal matter or flavoring 
agents. 
Syrups are very important pharmaceutical prep- 
arations and are important because of their prop- 
erty of aiding to overcome the disagreeable taste 
of many medicines by virtue of the sweet taste of 
sugar and also the ability of sugar and sugar 
167 solutions, when sufficiently dense, to prevent fermen- 
tation and other chemical reactions, thereby acting as 
valuable preservatives without being objectionable 
medicinally. 
Sugar is practically inert medicinally, is used by 
the system as food and when taken in grea t excess 
is promptly eliminated without bad effects. Sugar 
is not antiseptic, but in dilute solution very prone 
to "sour;" however, when the solution is quite 
dense it acts as a negative antiseptic by excluding 
all the air from the liquid and protecting the mole- 
cules of the matter from contact with oxygen of the 
air, which is always necessary for any spontaneous 
oxidation. The amount of sugar necessary to act 
as an effectual preservative, of course, varies with 
the nature of the substance, but is never greater 
than the amount necessary to form a saturated solution 
with all the water present^ with organic substance 
about sixty-five percent., but if volatile oils be pres- 
ent in quantity the amount may be less because 
volatile oils are antiseptic. Other antiseptic agents 
present will often permit of considerable reduction 
of the amount. 
When syrups begin to ferment they are worthless 
and even harmful as medicinal agents or vehicles. 
Syrup or simple syrup is therefore an important 
preparation and often gives the pharmacist trouble, 
but should not and will never if only clean utensils 
be used and the syrup be made sufficiently strong 
in sugar. There are many ways of preparing sim- 
ple syrup but only one best way and that consists of 
percolating cold water (which has previously been 
boiled or distilled) through clean sugar so that the 
percolate be a saturated solution of sugar in water. 
Loaf sugar is the best, but clean, granulated sugar 
will answer and syrup made this way will be free 
168 from dust, bluing, etc., and will keep forever at 
any natural temperature; will stand a very low 
temperature without crystallizing and may be kept 
in a warm or cool place. The percolator should 
have a large apex and the apex filled with a clean, 
coarse sponge upon which should be a thick layer 
of absorbent cotton. The sponge and cotton should 
fill the apex and occupy a space equal to about one- 
twentieth of the height of the percolator in order 
that percolation may be rapid. Neglect of this 
detail has driven many a short-sighted pharmacist 
to make syrup by boiling, which always is liable to 
revert some sugar, increasing the liability to fer- 
mentation. 
Making syrup by cold agitation is the next best 
way, but the syrup then must be filtered to remove 
paper, dust, bluing, etc., always present in sugar to 
a small extent. The percolation filters the syrup 
while it is proceeding. 
Flavoring syrups are made either by dissolving 
the flavor in syrup or in the water used to make 
the syrup or by mixing fruit juices, etc., with syrup. 
Medicated syrups are usually made by mixing 
the medicinal agent in concentrated solution with 
simple syrup or dissolving sugar in a solution of 
the medicinal substance. 
Physicians often prescribe small quantities of 
syrup with large quantities of watery liquids and in 
summer weather it is quite possible for such a pre- 
scription to be partly used, then to ferment and 
become very deleterious. Syrup and watery solu- 
tions, containing insufficient sugar should be kept 
from heat and air. Sugar aids water as a solvent 
for some substances, lime, magnesia, borax, etc., 
and prevents many precipitations if judiciously 
169 used, but it can not be used indiscriminately as an 
excipient. 
i. Honeys are really syrups made from medicinal 
agents and honey by solution or mixing. 
Honey acts like syrup but is not so sweet, the 
peculiar flavor, though due to foreign matter, is 
often in itself a desirable flavoring agent. 
j. Elixirs are aromatic spirits, sweetened with 
sugar and diluted with water* and are used as 
vehicles for masking the bad taste of medicines and 
presenting them in a form agreeable to sight as 
well. Elixirs consist of sugar, alcohol and water 
in various proportions, and small amounts of flavor- 
ing agents and medicinal matter. In addition, 
some are colored, but all should be perfectly clear, 
bright and transparent. These conditions may be 
easily imparted by proper manipulations in combin- 
ing the different materials. 
Elixirs should contain about twenty-five percent 
alcohol and twenty-five percent, sugar and flavor to 
suit. Sweet wines are often used as a component of 
elixirs; when so used their alcoholic strength should 
be fortified or increased to twenty-five percent, also 
the amount of sugar increased. The basis of all 
elixirs should be the aromatic elixir of the U. S. P. 
Since elixir is used as a vehicle diluent or filler and 
mixed with all kinds of substances, watery, acid, 
saline, etc., the volatile oils sometimes separate: 
especially are they liable to do so if the proportion of 
alcohol is lessened or that of volatile oils increased. 
The best way to make a nice, clear elixir which 
will not separate the volatile oil is this: Instead of 
dissolving the oils in alcohol, mixing the syrup and 
lastly the water, take the oils, distribute upon 
finely powdered barium sulphate or talc, make an 
170 aromatic water withit and all of the water: in this 
water dissolve the sugar by percolation and lastly 
mix the alcohol. This will remain clear and trans- 
parent, very seldom separate oil and can be made 
more readily as the water will filter much more 
rapidly. 
Elixirs may be colored red with cudbear or bright 
red with cochineal; yellow with turmeric, green with 
chlorophyl solution; olive green with chlorophyl 
and turmeric. No chemical colors should be used 
The above are harmless and very little will be 
required; indeed none are necessary. 
k. Spirits are solutions of volatile substances in 
alcohol or alcoholic liquids. Most spirits are solu- 
tions of volatile oils in alcohol and when mixed with 
watery liquids are liable to separate the oil. Some- 
times this separation may be avoided by slowly 
adding the watery liquid to the spirit instead of vice 
versa. Spirits should be kept in tightly stoppered 
containers and should be clear and transparent and 
protected from strong sunlight. 
2. Liquids-For external use. 
a. Collodions are solutions of gun cotton in a 
mixture of ether and alcohol, or the same in which 
medicinal agents are dissolved. 
Gun cotton is not soluble in alcohol nor in ether; 
but in a mixture of the two in the proportion of 
three of ether to one of alcohol it is very soluble. 
Collodions are to be applied to the surface, where 
the fluid portion rapidly evaporates leaving a serous 
and impervious film which excludes foreign con- 
taminating matter, and because of the contractile 
power exerted during evaporation collodion is used 
to draw and hold the lips of fresh cuts in place 
171 as well as to hold antiseptic dressings in place 
effectively. 
Collodion is incompatible with watery fluids, pre- 
cipitating the cotton. They are also inflammable 
and caution is necessary in handling. In medicat- 
ing collodions the medicament should be dissolved 
in the smallest possible amount of alcohol, ether or 
a mixture of them, and then added to the collodion, 
unless the substance be very soluble in the collodion. 
Collodion should not be measured in the ordinary 
graduate, but in the bottle and dispensed in cork- 
stoppered vials. It dissolves rubber stoppers and 
glass-stoppered bottles are not secure against 
evaporation. 
b. Liniments are liquid preparations of an 
alcoholic, oily or soapy nature to be applied exter- 
nally and intended to produce anodyne, stimulant 
or vesicant effects-a very popular method of medi- 
cation but very uncertain and ineffective. From a 
pharmaceutical standpoint they are also very indefi- 
nite beyond the liniments of soap, chloroform, soft 
soap, camphor and ammonia. Prescriptions for 
liniments may contain most any medicinal sub 
stance. Therefore in their preparation we can only 
use our best judgment, treating them as solutions, 
spirits or mixtures. Liniments should always bear 
the "external use only" label. 
c. Glycerites are solutions of medicinal agents 
in glycerine or mixtures of them with glycerine. 
Glycerite of starch is used as an ointment base and 
excipient. It is made by heating eight parts glycer- 
ine to 140° C. and pouring into this a mixture of ten 
parts each of starch and water, continuing digestion 
at this temperature until the starch grains in the 
172 presence of water swell to bursting, become altered 
and, entering into partial solution, form a thick, 
mucilaginous paste with the glycerine. This 
transformation must .be complete throughout and 
care must be used that the temperature be not 
above 144° C. else the glycerine may decompose; 
particularly is this decomposition liable to occur if 
a naked flame be used, and also the starch will be 
liable to char and blacken. 
Glycerine is largely used as a vehicle both in 
internal as well as external medication. It has a 
strong affinity for water, and when applied absorbs 
water through the body membranes causing deple- 
tion of adjacent tissues; it has antiseptic properties 
and is, therefore, valuable in preventing fermenta- 
tion and often will prevent chemical action between 
different substances associated in a liquid; it is a 
valuable solvent for certain substances, and being 
a dense liquid like syrup it excludes air, preventing 
oxidation of some chemical substances. 
d. Enemas are liquid preparations for injection 
into the bowels either to cause evacuation or to 
introduce nourishing or medicinal matter; they 
should always be prepared with distilled water and 
for introducing nourishment should be mucilaginous 
in consistence. 
For alvine evacuation enemas may be made 
alkaline in reaction by a small amount of soap, but 
should be filtered in all cases and are to be 
warmed to body heat before being administered. 
e. Gargles are liquid preparations to be applied 
to the mouth and tonsils by being gargled. Gargles 
are prescribed, prepared of proper strength for gar- 
gling and also to be largely diluted before being 
173 used. Care should always be used to distinguish 
this to the patient; the finished or diluted may 
bear a label '''"gargle," but the other should not, 
but instead, "caution: external use only" preceding 
the physician's directions. 
f. Sprays are solutions of medicinal agents in a 
bland liquid, water, glycerine and water or oil, and 
intended to be sprayed with an atomizer or nebu- 
lizer into the nostrils or mouth to protect or act 
through the mucous membrane. Fine oil sprays or 
nebular vapors are sometimes to be drawn by 
inhalation into the bronchii and lung cavities. Oil 
sprays should be absolutely free from water, the 
medicament in perfect solution and the oil base 
bland and neutral. Light hydrocarbon oils have 
come into extensive use for this purpose under vari- 
ous names, but have very slight solvent properties. 
Many substances which are soluble with difficulty 
in petrolatum oils may be brought into solution in 
almond oil, olive oil or pure oleic acid and mixed 
with the mineral oil afterward. Care should be 
used against rancid oil or oleic acid. Alkaloids 
form oleates with oleic acid which are soluble in 
oil. When alkaloidal salts are prescribed in oil 
sprays the corresponding amount of alkaloid usu- 
ally may be taken unless the physician objects. 
Watery sprays should be filtered so that no undis- 
solved matter be present to clog the tubes of the 
atomizer. 
g. Inhalations are fluid medicines containing 
medicament to be volatilized by heating or putting 
on hot water and inhaling the vapor; or the medi- 
cine is put into an inhaler and air is inhaled through 
the liquid, becoming charged as it goes through 
174 and carries the medicinal vapor to the bronchii 
and lungs. They are prepared in water solutions 
usually, but sometimes are very complex mix- 
tures containing resins, oils, iodine, phenols, etc. 
Alcohol should never be used in an inhalation un- 
less prescribed. 
h. Baths are liquid preparations containing 
medicinal matter to be applied to the skin of the 
whole body by being added to water with which the 
body is laved. Since they usually contain medicine, 
which is alkaline, acid or strongly disinfectant they 
all are apt to be irritant or corrosive in an undiluted 
condition. Care should be used to always affix a 
"caution" label. 
3. Tinctures, wines, vinegars, fluid extracts 
and oleoresins are not, strictly speaking, ever pre- 
pared extemporaneously, but require very careful 
consideration of plant physiology and pathology, 
plant products, solubility and manipulative details 
different from those employed at the prescription 
counter. Anything like a careful consideration of 
these preparations would require much more space 
than at our disposal here. 
175 INCOMPATIBILITIES. 
A pharmacist understands incompatibility to mean 
an unfitness of drugs for association in a medicine. 
This unfitness may be because of some inherent 
tendency of the substances to remain "unmixed" 
or rather to separate after having been combined, 
or to combine chemically, changing their properties 
and giving a new substance having objectionable 
or negative properties, or may be due to the fact 
that the medicinal effect would be entirely different 
from that desired. Therefore we may, for the pur- 
pose of studying in detail, divide incompatibility 
into three cases, viz.; 
a. Therapeutical. 
b. Pharmaceutical. 
c. Chemical. 
a. Substances are incompatible when unfitted for 
association, in a medicine; that is to say, that many 
substances which, when associated, give a result 
not ideal, are, nevertheless, not unfitted for associa- 
tion in a medicine, so long as good results are 
obtained from their administration. Two remedial 
agents having directly opposite therapeutic proper- 
ties and in sufficient proportion would, of course, 
tend to neutralize each other and give a negative 
result; such would, of course, be an exaggerated 
example of therapeutic incompatibility; but some- 
times antagonistic remedies are prescribed together, 
one subordinated to the other and intended as a 
corrective to modify the action of the other. As a 
rule, the question of therapeutics is one which prop- 
176 erly concerns the physician instead of the pharma- 
cist and while the druggist should always be careful 
that no dangerous dose or combination should 
escape attention, all he can do is to call the phy- 
sician's attention to the fact, and do so with discre- 
tion lest in zeal he may commit himself to error. 
Overdoses and poisons are not a part of the 
subject of incompatibility, but are treated in the 
chapter devoted to Toxicology and Posology (page 
192). Many theoretical so-called incompatibilities 
given in text-books are nevertheless disregarded 
by the average practitioner, who will prefer his 
results to another's theory. Substances which unite 
to form new and objectionable compounds having 
different medicinal effects are incompatible chem- 
ically, since not the original, but the new substance 
is the one producing the effect. 
b. Pharmaceutical or physical incompatibility is 
manifestly a case of immiscibility, insolubility or 
tendency to separate when mixed, but yet without 
chemical reaction, and this property of separating 
or that of not dissolving is not considered sufficient 
to unfit the substances for association unless after 
using skill and dexterity the substances still can not 
be combined so that even dosage be made feasible. 
A clear solution should be made where possible, 
but if a clear solution can not be obtained an "even 
suspension'' will answer in many cases. 
The mere fact of one substance being insoluble 
in another is not always evidence of incompatibility, 
provided that with reasonable care the different 
ingredients can be diffused so that the doses will 
be of the same amount. 
If, however, the tendency of liquids, or a solid and 
a liquid, to separate is so marked as to prevent the 
measuring of a dose before separation interferes, 
177 these substances may be considered incompatible 
and a remedy applied, or if no remedy will suffice 
they should not be mixed. 
There are four kinds of physical incompatibility 
illustrated, by 
(a} Alcoholic solutions, fluid extracts, tinc- 
tures, etc., etc., with aqueous liquids, the 
dissolved matter being precipitated by the 
change in the solvent or menstruum. Such 
precipitate will be inert or active. If inert, 
such as gum, starch or inert extractive mat- 
ter, filter out the inert matter and dispense 
the filtrate, which will contain the medicinal 
matter. 
{b) Mucilaginous and albuminous substances 
with strong alcohol, which precipitates gum 
and albumen. 
{c} Salt solutions in watery fluids, with 
strongly alcoholic liquids, the salt being 
precipitated, or when salt solutions are con- 
centrated the alcohol being precipitated, 
forming a floating layer. 
(d) Alcohplic solutions of oils with watery 
fluids, the oil being precipitated. 
Remedies.-Incompatibilities of this kind may be 
remedied in some cases or possibly avoided by 
1. Order of mixing the ingredients. 
2. Addition of protective solvents. 
3. Emulsification or suspension by means of gums 
or other viscid substances-honey, glycerine, 
sugar, etc. 
The order of mixing the ingredients is sometimes 
the most difficult problem in compounding a pre- 
scription; three general rules will apply: 
1. When strongly alcoholic liquids are to be 
mixed with watery solutions or those weaker 
178 in alcohol, dilute the stronger with the 
weaker alcoholic preparation and add the 
watery solution last; by this means a precipi- 
tate may either be avoided entirely or if it is 
formed it will be in a more finely divided 
condition so that it may be more readily 
diffused. 
2. In cases of resinous tinctures and camphor- 
aceous solutions when no protective is admis- 
sible, this order should be reversed and the 
solution poured slowly, or drop by drop added 
to the watery liquid, which must be stirred 
continually. 
3. When oils or heavy insoluble powders are to 
be dispensed in a large portion of fluid it is 
desirable to emulsify them or incorporate 
with gum or some suitable agent so as to 
avoid separation. 
Examples: 
Take Mucilage of Acacia. .. .1 part. 
Alcohol 2 parts. Mix. 
Note that gum is separated from its solution by 
alcohol. No chemical action takes place, but the 
alcohol appropriates the water; however, dilute the 
mucilage with water two parts and a considerable 
amount of alcohol may be added without precipita- 
tion of the gum, if the alcohol be added slowly and 
the mixture agitated the while. 
Take Oil of Almonds 1 part. 
Dilute Alcohol 1 " Mix. 
When fixed oils (except castor oil and alcohol) are 
shaken with water, alcohol, glycerine or mixtures 
of them, the oil breaks into fine globules and a 
seemingly uniform mixture results, but on standing 
the oil always separates. 
179 Take Tincture of Benzoin. .1 part. 
Rosewater 5 parts. Mix. 
Resin is precipitated from the alcoholic solution 
by reason of alcohol being taken up by the water 
which rejects the resin. If the water be added to 
resinous tinctures in excess the resin separates in 
masses which gather and adhere to the sides of 
container; same result if all the resinous tincture 
be added at once to the water; but if the tincture be 
added drop by drop and the mixture constantly 
stirred a milk-like emulsion may be had which 
holds most of the resin. 
Take Phenol 1 part. 
Water 8 parts. 
Glycerine 1 part. Mix. 
Carbolic acid added to water floats on the surface 
undissolved; glycerine added will not dissolve it; 
water added to carbolic acid (in excess) and lastly 
glycerine added give same result, but carbolic acid 
mixed with equal parts of glycerine forms a solu- 
tion which, in turn, is soluble in water in any pro- 
portion. 
Take Tincture of Benzoin ... 3 parts. 
Mucilage of Acacia .... 5 " 
Water 10 " Mix. 
If resinous tinctures be first mixed with muci- 
lage or finely powdered dry gum and water then 
added, the resin is precipitated in a finer state of 
division and the viscid mucilage tends to prevent 
or retard separation. Glycerine or syrup often 
gives similar results. 
Take Soluble Pyrophosphate of Iron. . 1 part. 
Any Alcoholic Tincture 10 parts. 
Mix. No solution results, but by taking sufficient 
water to dissolve the salt and dilute the alcoholic 
tincture, a clear solution will result. General 
180 practice of this procedure should be with physi- 
cian's permission unless therapeutic effect will 
surely be that indicated; that is, the druggist 
should be careful, ordinarily, not to alter a pre- 
scription from the way it was written unless with 
permission of physician or unless a better result be 
surely attained by the change. 
Take Tincture of Iodine. .. .2 parts. 
Glycerine 6 " 
Water 8 " Mix. 
In the order above written a clear solution results. 
With water in place of glycerine iodine is precipi- 
tated. Adding inert solvent to such mixtures, if 
strengths be not changed and a beneficial result obtained, 
is permissible even without consulting the phy- 
sician. Another illustration: 
Take Red Mercuric Iodide. . 1 part. 
Water 49 parts. Mix. 
No solution, but potassium iodide mixed in pro- 
portion equal to that of mercuric iodide acts as a 
solvent, and should be used. 
Take Bismuth Subnitrate. .. .12 parts. 
Water 23 " Mix. 
Bismuth subnitrate is not soluble in water, is a 
rather heavy powder and liable to settle to the 
bottom. A little powdered tragacanth, five grains 
to fluid ounce, would enable a uniform mixture to 
be made which would not separate. By careful 
observation while dispensing prescriptions of this 
nature, experience can be gained which will be of 
more value to the dispenser than anything that can 
be learned from a book. 
Take Fluid Extract Hydrastis. 
Citrate of Potassium, of each. .^ss. 
Spirit of Nitrous Ether §iii. Mix. 
181 If salts like citrate of potash and others very solu- 
ble in water but not soluble in strong alcohol be 
mixed with liquids containing both alcohol and 
water the salt abstracts the water and forming a 
dense solution sinks to the bottom, while the alco- 
holic layer floats. They will not mix. In such 
cases the physician will usually give permission to 
add water to make perhaps a double volume, clear 
solution, which may be directed in twice the sized 
dose. 
Take Fluid Extract of Pichi. .. . ?ss. 
Water §iiss. Mix. 
The resinous fluid extract would precipitate so 
that a very unsightly and uneven mixture would 
result, but if five grains of powdered tragacanth be 
first shaken in a bottle with the fluid extract, the 
water will form with it a mucilage which emulsifies 
and retains the resinous principles in suspension. 
Chemical Incompatibilities are those mani- 
fested by chemical reaction resulting in de- 
composition of one or more agent with forma- 
tion of different compounds. 
This class is the most important and the phar- 
macist is morally and legally accountable for their 
neglect. They are very persistent and almost if not 
quite impossible to overcome and avoid. The 
knowledge of chemistry is quite essential to the 
study of chemical incompatibilities. 
The rules to be observed in case of physical in- 
compatibilities apply here also. 
Recognition of chemical reaction can be effected by 
evolution of gases, change of color or appearance of 
a precipitate. Chemical reaction occurs in dry pow- 
ders as well as in the presence of liquids, though it 
progresses more slowly in the dry. 
182 incompatibilities cannot always be foretold, but 
certain rules or laws of chemistry govern them, and 
the result is always the same under like conditions. 
In chemical reactions the strongest positive radi- 
cal tends to unite with the strongest negative 
radical present. 
Double decomposition will not occur between so- 
lutions of two salts, unless, by the interchange of 
the two baselous radicals a substance will be pro- 
duced which is either insoluble or volatile. 
When a solution of a compound is brought in con- 
tact with a solution of another compound, and, by an 
interchange of radicals, an insoluble compound will 
be rendered possible, that compound will be precip- 
itated. 
When dry heat is applied to a mixture of com- 
pounds, if any volatile product can be formed by 
double decomposition, that volatile compound will 
be formed. 
Most cases of chemical incompatibility arise from 
the formation of insoluble compounds, hence the 
importance of the subject of " solubilities." 
Yet many prescriptions call for drugs which, when 
mixed, react, producing a substance insoluble, 
when the insoluble substance is the object of the 
combination, or a reaction may produce a soluble 
salt whose effect is desired and the insoluble sub- 
stance be not wanted. Again, a combination may 
produce a gas, and the gas may be desired in the 
mixture; or the gas may be not wanted. Many 
substances insoluble, and made by precipitation, 
diffuse much more readily when freshly made; and 
seem to have better effects when given in the fresh 
condition; hence prescriptions for substances which 
react to produce insoluble, new compounds should 
be so mixed in compounding that a fine precipitate 
183 will result and the mixture dispensed with a "shake 
the bottle" label. Again when, through oversight 
or other cause, the physician orders a combination 
which produces or may produce an insoluble com- 
pound and the formation of the compound be not 
the object of the physician, but a valuable part of 
the medicine, it becomes all the more necessary 
to so prepare the mixture that the precipitate may be 
evenly diffused, and to dispense with a"shake"label. 
However, it frequently happens that medicines 
are prescribed together which separately, produce 
effects desired simultaneously, but when combined 
chemically their product has an entirely different 
effect. Prescriptions which produce dangerous or 
undesirable products by all means should not be 
dispensed, and if the druggist be in doubt common 
sense will dictate that he "parry for time" and 
dispel the doubt by consulting the physician. 
The subject of chemical incompatibilities is as 
limitless as chemistry itself almost, but between 
the extremes of theory and speculation on one hand 
and indifference and ignorance on the other a phar- 
macist should ever seek the happy medium course 
and try to distinguish between the "incompatible" 
combinations which are permissible and those 
which are not permissible, the guiding principle 
being his duty that no prescription be compounded 
when harm or dangerous risk would follow, but 
under all circumstances to protect the patient, the 
physician and himself by discretion and an honest 
and honorable course in case of error or oversight. 
Nothing could do a druggist more harm in pro- 
portion to its magnitude than an indiscreet reminder 
to the physician under such circumstances. How 
embarrassing, should the physician have occasion 
afterward to correct the druggist! All mortals err! 
Following is a list of the more common substances 
considered incompatible under ordinary conditions: 
184 Substances. 
Incompatible with 
Remarks. 
Acacia in solution 
Alcohol, borax, lead salts, ferric salts, etc 
Citrates of alkalies tend to 
Acetanilid 
Nitrites in presence of acids, alkaline hydrox- 
ides 
prevent gelatinization by 
ferric salts. 
Tends to liquefywith chlor- 
al hydrate, resorcin, thym- 
ol, phenol, antipyrin. 
Salts formed may be desir- 
Acids 
Alkalies, alkaloids, carbonates, hydroxides and 
oxides of metals, salts of weaker acids, pan- 
creatin, casein, albumen, diastase 
Alcohol 
Active oxidizing agents as a rule. Albumen; 
acacia if strong alcohol. Metallic salts pre- 
cipitate from solution 
able in some cases. 
Forms iodoform with iodine 
Alkaloids 
Alkalies, iodine, iodides, bromine, bromides, tan- 
nin, mercuric chloride, potassium perman- 
ganate and oxidizing agents 
and alkali hydroxide. 
Ppt. soluble in alcohol usu- 
Amyl-nitrite 
Alcohol, oxidizing agents, light, alkalies 
ally, form water-soluble 
salts with mineral acids, 
also acetic, citric-other 
organic acids give salts 
not soluble in water but 
soluble in alcohol. 
Strychnine, digitalis, mor- 
phine, chloroform, bella- 
donna, physiological anti- 
dotes. 
Oxysulphide explodes with 
reducing agents; opium, 
alcohol, ether, physiologi- 
cal antidotes. 
Gives off CO. from soda bi- 
Antipyrin 
Acids, alkalies. nitrites if free acid present, 
haloid salts, tannin, and in general behaves 
like alkaloids 
Albumen, mucilage, tannin 
Antimony salts 
Bismuthyl-nitrate 
Sodium bicarbonate, tannin, sulphur 
Bismuth subgallate 
Barium salts 
Strong acids. 
Salts of sulphuric, phosphoric, tartaric, tannic, 
carbonic acids 
carb. 
All barium salts poisonous. 
Inconipatibles. 
185 Substances. 
Incompatible with 
Remarks. 
Butyl-chloral hydrate... 
Calomel 
Alkalies, antipyrin, camphor, thymol, menthol, 
phenol, decomposed by light in aqueous solu- 
tion 
Acids, alkalies, oxidizing agents in general, anti- 
pyrin, iodine, iodides, sulphides, chloral 
Strychnine, caffeine, atro- 
pine, antidote. 
In practice calomel often 
given with acids, chlorate 
of potash, etc.; if allowed 
to stand with these in 
presence of moisture,how- 
Carbolic acid.... 
Chloral hydrate 
Collodion, acetanilid, albumen, aqueous solu- 
tions of gelatine, oxidizing agents. 
Calomel, hot water, alkalies, organic salts of 
alkalies, permanganate of potash, alcoholic 
liquids if concentrated 
ever, becomes oxidized. 
Hydrate chloral keeps for 
years in weak alcoholic 
Chloralamid 
Alkalies. 
solutions without loss of 
Creasote 
Diuretin 
Europhen 
Essential oils 
Fixed oils 
Ichthyol 
Iodine..- 
Nitric acid, oxidizing agents. 
Strong acids. 
Oxides of metals, starches and fats, salts of mer- 
cury. 
HNOj and oxidizing agents, iodine. 
Strong alkalies, iodine. 
Acids, alcohol, alkalies, except ammonia, alka- 
loids, metallic salts. 
Fats, volatile oils, carbolic acid, sulphurous acid 
and its salts, metallic salts, tannins, starch, 
ammonia, alkalies 
medicinal virtues. 
With alcohol and alkali- 
hydroxides forms iodo- 
Iodoform 
Strong alkalies, mineral acids, nitrates, nitrites, 
tannin, oxidizing agents 
form. 
Odor overcome by balsam 
of Peru, oil turpentine, 
anise, eucalyptus, berga- 
mot, roasted coffee. 
Incompatibles. 
186 Substances. 
Incompatible with 
Remarks. 
Iron 
Alkaloids, oxidizing agents, tannins, metallic 
salts, acids. 
Alkali-carbonates, hydroxides, tannins, muci- 
lages. 
Opium, lime water and hydroxides, chlorides, 
iodides, bromides, sulphates, gums 
Iron salts 
Soluble lead salts 
Normal lead acetate misci- 
ble with acacia, basic al- 
Opium and preparations 
Tannins, metallic salts, iodine, chlorine water, 
etc 
ways precipitates. 
Strychnine, caffeine and 
atropine, physiological an- 
tidote. 
Not active at above 160° F. 
Pepsin 
Alkalies, alcohol, tannin, phenol, mercuric 
chloride. 
Acids, alcohol 
Pancreatin 
Phenacetine 
Strong acids, strong alkalies, oxidizing agents, 
carbolic acid, chloral hydrate, butyl chloral. 
Fats and volatile oils, alcohol, glycerine, alka- 
loids, sulphur, sugar, charcoal, tannin, and all 
organic bodies in presence of heat or moisture, 
FLO. 
Permanganates 
Detonates violently if tritu- 
Peru balsam 
Sulphur, iodoform 
rated with force withsome 
of these in dry. 
Solidifies. 
Salicylic acid 1 
Salicylic acid, acetyl., f 
Salol 
Iron compounds, oxidizing agents, alkalies 
Strong alkalies, camphor, phenol, thymol, resor- 
cin, monobromated camphor. 
Carbonates, phosphates, oxalates, sulphates and 
hydroxides. 
Alkalies, iron compounds, lead salts, alkaloids, 
salts of mercury, bismuth salts, oxidizing 
agents in general. 
Camphor, salol, chloral, menthol, resorcin, ace 
tanilid, phenols, resins, oxidizing agents, ni- 
trites, iodine. 
Alkali citrates, phosphates, 
and acetates increase sol- 
ubility in water. 
Strontium salts 
Tannin 
Thymol 
Incompatibles. 
187 11 Antipyrini gr. xxx. 
Liqu, Am. Acetatis 
Spir. Hither Nitrosi aaf^i. M. 
In the above prescription antipyrin will be 
decomposed by the ethyl nitrite in presence of the 
free acid in the spirit of mindereris-a characteristic 
green color is produced. This color is quite dis- 
tinctly green and will occur with antipyrin and 
spirit nitre alone, only when the nitre is old or 
spoiling; fresh neutral spirit of nitre does not pro- 
duce this color, hence the above reaction is a good 
test for both spirit nitre and antipyrin. 
Take Salicylate of Sodium 3ii. 
Water fjviiss. 
Tinct. Iron Chloride f3i. Mix. 
A deep, reddish violet color, due to the formation 
of ferric salicylate, is produced. A test for iron, 
also salicylic acid. 
Take Infusion Cinchona fjvi. 
Mercury Bichloride gr. vi. 
Potassium Iodide 3vi. Mix. 
Mercury bichloride with potassium iodide form 
mercuric iodide; with excess potash iodide a double 
salt is formed which precipitates all alkaloids; 
Alcohol in tinctures, etc., will redissolve the pre- 
cipitate. If the diluent be all of watery nature, 
alcohol up to twenty-five percent, should be added 
to dissolve the precipitate. 
Take Chloral Hydrate ^ss. 
Potassium Bromide ^ss. 
Water f^iii. 
Alcohol, qs f^vi. 
M. In concentrated alcoholic liquids chloral is 
decomposed, forming an oily, pungent, poisonous 
liquid called chloral alcoholate. This, however, 
does not form if the chloral is first dissolved in 
188 water and alcohol is not present in too great a 
proportion. 
Take Strontium Bromide ^ss. 
Mixture of Rhubarb and Soda . .. f^iv. 
Mix. 
Bicarbonate of soda decomposes the bromide of 
strontium forming sodium bromide and precipitates 
insoluble strontium carbonate and carbon dioxide 
is given off. 
Take Ichthyol f?ss. 
Water f^ss. 
Alcohol qs ^viii. M. 
Alcohol precipitates ichthyol. 
Take Balsam Peru 10 gm. 
Sulphur 10 " 
Lard 40 " M. 
If balsam peru and sulphur be triturated or 
rubbed together, gritty granular lumps, very hard 
and objectionable, form. If part of lard is used to 
make an ointment with balsam and the remainder 
with the sulphur a smooth ointment can be made. 
Explosive or detonating mixtures are some- 
times inadvertently prescribed. The following, 
taken from actual prescriptions, are dangerous and 
some have caused serious accidents: Potassium 
chlorate and other chlorates with organic matter 
are, under certain conditions, capable of igniting 
the matter. If water be absent and the substance 
be of a combustible nature an explosion is very apt 
to result. 
A mixture of hypophosphite of lime, chlorate of 
potassium, and lactate of iron exploded and nearly 
killed the prescription clerk who was compound- 
ing it. 
Even the simple trituration of calcium hypo- 
189 phosphite is dangerous. A young pharmacist was 
killed by an explosion which was caused by the 
shaking of a solution of this substance. Physicians 
not infrequently order a solution of chromic acid in 
glycerine. But when the acid is added quickly and 
all at once to the glycerine, a readily explosive sub- 
stance may be formed. 
The combination of iodine and preparations of 
ammonia must be made cautiously, as iodide of 
nitrogen may be formed, which explodes on the 
slightest touch. Indeed, one ought to be very 
careful in ordering and compounding mixtures in 
which easily reducible substances enter, such as 
the chlorates, the hypophosphites, the nitrates, 
preparations of iodine or ammonia, chromic acid, 
glycerine, permanganate of potash, etc. 
Ex.: 
1. Potassii Chloratis. 
Sodii (Vel Calcii) Hypophosphitis. 
Aqua. 
M. Dangerous. 
2. Potassii Chloratis. 
Tr. Ferri Chloridi. 
Glycerini. 
M. If diluted with water no trouble will occur, 
but if not it may explode upon being warmed. 
3. 3- Potassii Chloratis. 
Pulvis Catechu. M. 
M. Dangerous. 
4. IJ. Chromii Tri oxidi. 
Glycerini. 
Diluted with water it is safe; not diluted it is 
dangerous, and if alcohol be brought in contact, 
flame usually results from the oxygen given off by 
the oxide, or "chromic acid.'' 
190 5. 3. Lactis Sulphuris. 
Antimonii Sulphidi Auratum. .aa gr. iii. 
Zinci Valerias gr. i. 
Potassii Chloratis " ii. 
M. Triturate and it is sure to explode. 
6. Antim. Sulphidi Aurat. 
Sodii Chloratis. 
M. Ignites upon slight trituration. 
7. hl. Potassii Chloratis. 
Acidi Tann. 
Glycerini. 
Aqua. 
M. Dissolve tannin in glycerine, the chlorate 
in the water and mix solutions. 
8. Acidi Nitrici- 
" Hydrochlorici. 
Tinct. Nucis Vomicae. 
Will explode after a while unless left unstoppered 
9. B. Argenti Oxidi. 
Morphina Hydrochloridi. 
Ext. Gentianae. 
M. Will likely take fire after standing or while 
L sing mixed. 
10. Argenti Nitratis. 
Acidi Nitrici. 
Alcohol. 
^Ether. 
Will ignite if open; if confined will explode. 
191 PART IV. 
TOXICOLOGY. 
General Remarks.-The responsibilities which 
are attached to the profession are manifested in the 
reading and dispensing of difficult and doubtful pre- 
scriptions, plainly and sometimes severely. 
The competent pharmacist must be not only a man 
of mature judgment, capable of quickly deciding 
the best thing to be done under more or less obscure 
circumstances, but be able to inspire confidence on 
the part of a patron in what he says; he must, to be 
able to guard against over-doses, be thoroughly 
posted on Posology or the principles and rules of 
dosage. He must also have considerable knowledge 
of 1 oxicology or the subject of poisons, and their 
antidotes and also be able to tell in some cases the 
symptoms manifested by particular poisons so that he 
may be able to decide what to do and what antidote 
to give. This is one of the main subjects orbranches 
of the Medical Science to be sure, but is quite im- 
portant to the pharmacist also, because he is often 
called upon when a physician cannot be had for 
hours. 
After taking a fatal dose of poison there is no 
time to be lost; the druggist is always called upon, 
being stationary. 
192 If he is not able to do something to save or re 
Heve the sufferer, he is always blamed, usually in 
a severe measure. 
The following treatise on the subject of dosage 
and Toxicology, while condensed, will be found 
quite thorough enough for the practical pharmacist; 
the more thoroughly it is mastered, the better will 
be the chances of the one who learns it to dis- 
charge the very responsible duties devolving on him, 
when brought in contact with emergency cases of 
poisoning by whatever agent or cause. 
193 DEFINITIONS. 
Toxicology is derived from two Greek words 
meaning " a treatise on poisons." It is the science 
which treats of the nature, symptoms, effects, 
doses and modes of detection of poisons. 
A poison is a substance capable of destroying 
life when taken in a small quantity; but a sub- 
stance which destroys life by mechanical means, 
e. g., powdered glass, is not, strictly speaking, a 
poison. 
Poisoning is probably the most frequent of all 
the causes of violent death at the present day. 
The effects of poisons are local and indirect. 
{a} The local action of a poison is usually one of 
corrosion, inflammation, or a direct effect on the 
sensory or motor nerves, e. g., the corrosion of 
the stomach and bowels by direct contact of 
the mineral acids and alkalies. A poison may 
act both locally, by causing inflammation of the 
stomach, and remotely, on the brain and nervous 
system. Arsenic acts in this manner. 
(£) The indirect actions of poisons are those 
which are produced on parts of the system 
remote from the part to which it was first ap- 
plied, e. g., opium taken into the stomach, fol- 
lowed by narcosis. 
194 DOSAGE IN GENERAL. 
There are numerous conditions which modify the 
action of drugs, which must be taken into consid- 
eration. 
I. Disease often fortifies the system against the 
action of drugs. In peritonitis and cerebro-spinal 
fever very large doses of opium are taken with 
benefit, then again severe pain or delerium tremens 
greatly letards the production of sleep by opium; 
spinal disease interferes greatly with purgation; 
in typhoid fever there is a wonderful tolerance to 
alcohol. Nevertheless, considering the system 
capable of tolerating large doses of certain drugs, 
under certain conditions, never give the drug in 
such doses as would cause death in health. 
II. Habit and Mode of Life have a marked influ- 
ence on the blood, either causing plethora or 
anaemia, and they also ward off the action of cer- 
tain drugs. 
If a man becomes accustomed to the use of cer- 
tain narcotics, such as opium or alcohol, they will 
lose to some degree their power of action. 
Thus the opium eater only obtains quietude 
and ease by taking a dose sufficiently large to 
kill an ordinary person. 
Again, a person who is hardened to exposure 
and work in the open air requires a much larger 
dose to affect the system than those who lead a 
sedentary life. 
195 III. Idiosyncrasy.-This is important, but cannot 
be foreseen. A patient should always be asked 
about his peculiarities in regard to taking drugs. 
Some are affected by the tonic influences of even 
minute doses of arsenic, some are salivated by a 
minute dose of a mercurial, some are poisoned by a 
very small amount of turpentine. Others cannot 
take quinine, opium, belladonna nor the iodides, 
and with still others dilute solutions of cocaine 
applied to the mucous membranes will cause 
severe toxic symptoms. These idiosyncrasies are 
innumerable and should always be kept in mind. 
IV. Sex.-Men as a rule bear larger doses of medi 
cines than women. Of course in women during 
pregnancy or at the menstrual period strong drugs 
should be avoided. 
V. Age.-Children and old people are more easily 
affected by most drugs, especially the narcotics, 
than adults in the prime of life, but they bear 
larger doses of purgatives in proportion. The 
following rules for dosage, with relation to age 
can be used: 
(a) Dr. Young's is probably the best and most 
generally useful; it is : add 12 to the age 
and divide the age by the result. Thus a child 
of three years of that of the adult. 
At the age of twenty-one years the full dose is 
given. 
(£) Dr. Cowling's rule is : divide the patient's 
next birthday by 24; thus at three years the 
dose would be or £ of that of the adult, five 
years, or 11 years, || or etc. 
(c) Prof. Clarke has proposed a rule that is 
based on relative weights. Taking the aver- 
age weight of an adult at one hundred and 
fifty pounds, for whom the appropriate dose 
196 is one or one drachm, the dose of the drug 
must be increased or diminished in proportion 
of the weight of the patient to that number of 
pounds. This proportion is represented by 
a fraction whose numerator is the patient's 
weight and whose denominator is 150. If a 
child at birth weighs ten pounds, the propor- 
tionate dose for it would be Ts°o or A- A 
child at two years weighing twenty pounds, 
would require j2^ or about % of an adult dose. 
A person whose weight is two hundred pounds 
should have Ts 0 or of an average adult dose. 
(d) Dr. Lauder-Burton proposes the following 
rule for calculating the dose for a child, in the 
metric system. Multiply the next birthday 
by four and divide the result by one hundred; 
or what is the same thing, multiply the full 
dose by the child's next birthday, then by four 
and remove the decimal point two places to 
the left. Thus if the dose for an adult be one 
gramme, that for a child of three years will 
be .160 gm. 
VI. Constitution.-As a rule, the larger and more 
robust the individual, the less easily he is influ- 
enced by drugs. 
197 POISONS IN GENERAL. 
I. Symptoms in General.-There rarely tai.' to be 
shown signs of the poison taken. Poisoning may 
be acute or chronic; we will here only consider 
the former, as this only will interest the pharma- 
cist at the time being. The symptoms which 
should lead to suspect acute poisoning are: 
(#) Sudden occurrence of severe and alarming 
symptoms in a person previously in good 
health. 
(b) Several members of a family suddenly taken 
ill simultaneously, after partaking of the same 
food. 
(r) Rapid course toward a fatal issue. 
II. Treatment in General.-If taken into the 
stomach, 
(a) Empty the stomach by means of stomach 
pump if not a corrosive poison; stomach tube 
or emetics. 
(^) Antidotes. 
i. Chalk to neutralize mineral acids and 
oxalic acid. 
2. Alkaloids are rendered less soluble if 
astringents containing tannin are given. 
(^) Counter poisons: 
i. As atropine, which acts in opposition 
to morphine. 
2. All these are best administered hypoder- 
mically, as they are absorbed in a pure 
state and more rapidly. 
198 (d} Protect the stomach, if irritants were taken, 
by administering mucilaginous drinks, or 
some bland fixed oil. 
(£) Relieve pain with morphine, if not contra-in- 
dicated. 
(/) Relieve convulsions, if poisoned by strych- 
nine, with: 
I. Chloroform. 
2. Chloral hydrate. 
199 I. Corrosive. 
II. Irritant. 
III. Neurotic or 
IV. Gaseous. 
Poisons are 
I. CORROSIVE POISONS 
Include: 
1. Corrosive sublimate. 
2. Concentrated mineral acids. 
3. Oxalic acid. 
4. Alkalies, viz., hydroxides of potassium, sodium, 
ammonium, as well as their carbonates. 
5. Acid, alkaline and corrosive salts of metals. 
6. Phenol or carbolic acid. 
A. Symptoms.- 
1. Metallic, acid or caustic burning sensations 
which extend from mouth to the stomach; 
this is rapidly followed by vomiting. 
2. The vomit contains blood and tissue frag- 
ments. 
3. Abdomen tender and extended by gas. 
4. High fever. 
5. Tissues of mouth more or less destroyed. 
6. Death may take place in a few hours or in a 
few months from starvation brought about 
from stricture of the oesophagus. 
B. Treatment.- 
1. Gently wash out stomach with stomach tube. 
2. Demulcents to protect the stomach, such as 
mucilages, oils, eggs and milk. 
3. Opiates for pain. 
200 CORROSIVE SUBLIMATE. 
A. Symptoms.- 
I. Metallic, coppery taste, 
2. Deglutition retarded or swallowing prevented. 
3. Burning pain of oesophagus and stomach. 
4. Violent vomiting, first mucous, then bilious, 
then bloody. 
5. Severe abdominal pain and tenderness. 
6. Profuse diarrhoea, later small mucous bloody 
stools. 
7. Breath fetid and offensive. 
8. The urine is diminished or it may be sup- 
pressed; it may contain albumen or even be 
bloody. 
9. Symptoms of collapse in two or three hours. 
(^) Small, frequent, irregular pulse. 
(^) Pinched, anxious face. 
(c) Cold extremities. 
(d) Fainting. 
(e) Convulsions. 
(/) Coma. 
(£•) Death. 
B. Fatal dose and period.- 
I. The minimum fatal dose (for an adult) can be 
taken at three grains, although much larger 
quantities have been taken and vomited or 
neutralized. 
201 2. Life is usually prolonged, from one to five days, 
although death has occurred in one half hour. 
C. Treatment.- 
1. Promote vomiting by warm diluent drinks. 
2. Albumen or white of an egg beat up with water 
given freely. The white of an egg will neu- 
tralize 4 grains of corrosive sublimate if 
taken at once. Do not use too much egg 
albumen as an excess will re-dissolve the 
compound formed. 
3. In the absence of egg, gluten or wheat flour in 
the form of paste should be freely given, 
4. Give milk freely. 
5. Sweet oil. 
6. Morphine hypodermically. 
A. Symptoms.- 
I. Same as corrosive sublimate except: 
(^) Accompanied by more intense thirst. 
(b) Constipation, sometimes. 
(f) Coughing and difficult respiration. 
2. Sulphuric acid stains the tissues black. 
3. Nitric acid stains the tissues yellow. 
4. Hydrochloric acid stains the tissues gray or 
white, with the formation of a false mem- 
brane. 
B. Fatal dose and period.- 
1. The fatal dose of sulphuric acid for an adult 
is a fluid drachm. Death usually occurs 
within 24 hours. 
2. The fatal dose of nitric acid for an adult is 2 
fluid drachms, although larger doses have 
been taken. Death usually occurs within 24 
hours. 
MINERAL ACIDS. 
202 3. The fatal dose of hydrochloric acid for an 
adult is half an ounce. Death varies from a 
few hours to many weeks. 
C. Treatment.- 
1. Administer alkalies or their carbonates in solu- 
tion in water or milk, such as the bicarbonate of 
potassium or sodium, chalk, whiting or soap. 
2. Give diluent demulcents copiously, such as 
barley water, oil, flaxseed tea, etc. 
3. Do not use stomach pump, as you may perfo- 
rate the oesophagus or stomach. 
A. Symptoms.- 
I. Same as corrosive sublimate, plus:- 
(#) Acute pain in the back of the head. 
(Z>) Intense thirst. 
(f) Distressing cough. 
(d) Accelerated respiration. 
(^) Swelling of the tongue. 
(/) Depressed heart action. 
(g) Patient may suddenly fall unconscious 
immediately after taking the poison, 
with almost complete paralysis and 
numbness. 
(/z) Collapse early and marked. 
(z) The urine contains crystals of oxalate of 
lime, albumen and tube casts. 
B. Fatal dose and period.- 
I. Three drachms usually prove fatal, although a 
drachm is known to have caused death. 
2. It usually proves fatal within an hour. 
C. Treatment.- 
I. Chalk and magnesia mixed with milk. 
2. Lime water and oil, 
OXALIC ACID. 
203 3. Opium, to relieve pain. 
4. Alkalies and their carbonates should not be 
used because they form soluble poisonous com- 
pounds with the acid. 
A. Symptoms.- 
i. Abdominal pains. 
2. Vomiting. 
3. Bloody purging. 
4. Suffocation may cause death. 
5. Convulsions. 
6. Coma. 
7. Death. 
8. Intellect may be clear to the last, or stupor 
and finally coma may develop. 
B. Fatal dose and period.- 
1. Death may occur in five minutes due to oedema 
of the larynx. If the patient survives sev- 
eral hours, recovery may occur, but death at 
times occurs from the organic lesions which 
have been produced. 
C. Treatment.- , 
1. Weak solution of vinegar. 
2. Lemon juice. 
3. Citric or tartaric acid administered cautiously. 
4. Demulcent drinks. . 
AMMONIA. 
ALKAL1ES-OTHER THAN AMMONIA. 
Under this heading come potassium and sodium 
hydroxides, their carbonates, lime, etc. 
A. Symptoms.- 
Like those of ammonia poisoning. 
B. Fatal dose.- 
Indefinite. 
204 C. Treatment.- 
1. Dilute vinegar or lemon juice should be used 
freely. 
2. Give oil and demulcents freely. 
3. Give opium to relieve pain. 
4. Stimulants to overcome depression. 
A. Symptoms.- 
1. Same as the mineral acids, plus:- 
a. Pupils are contracted. 
b. Breath smells like carbolic acid. 
c. Temperature falls rapidly. 
d. Mouth white and hardened. 
e. Labored respiration. 
f. Coma and death. 
2. The urine is of an olive green color. 
B. Fatal dose and period.- 
1. One-half ounce has several times caused death; 
a little over a drachm has caused death in 
one case. 
2. Patients usually live from one to ten hours, 
but death may occur in ten minutes. 
C. Treatment.- 
1. Immediately give large doses undiluted whisky 
or other liquor, or dilute alcohol. 
2. Stomach pump must be employed; emetics 
are useless because of paralysis of stomach. 
3. Give sulphate sodium or magnesium freely. 
4. Albumen and demulcents. 
5. Syrup of lime. 
6. Solutions of soap. 
7. Oil useful for external applications. 
8. Stimulate to overcome depression: - 
a. Inhalations of oxygen. 
b. Hypodermic injections of ether, etc. 
CARBOLIC ACID. 
205 II. IRRITANT POISONS. 
Include: - - 
1. Metallic irritants and their compounds.- 
Arsenic. 
Lead. 
Copper. 
Zinc. 
Nitrate of silver. 
Phosphorus. 
Iodine. 
2. Vegetable Irritants.- 
Elaterium. 
Gamboge. 
Aloes. 
Colocynth. 
Croton oil. 
3. Animal irritants.- 
Cantharides. 
Symptoms in General.- 
i. Slower in their action than the corrosives. 
2. Burning pain in the mouth, throat, and oesoph- 
agus, with a feeling of pressure, then a burn- 
ing pain in the region of the stomach, which 
is increased by pressure. 
3. Thirst, nausea and vomiting. 
4. Distention and tenderness of abdomen. 
5. Profuse diarrhoea.' 
6. Collapse. 
7. Death. 
206 A. Symptoms.- 
i. In about half an hour the patient feels de- 
pressed. 
2. Burning pain and tenderness on pressure in the 
region of the stomach. 
3. Nausea and vomiting. 
4. Purging, bloody and offensive. 
5. Thirst. 
6. F'eeble, rapid or irregular pulse. 
7. Cold clammy skin. 
8. Bloody urine. 
9. Convulsions. 
10. Coma. 
11. Death. 
B. Fatal dose and period.- 
1. Two grains is probably the minimum fatal dcse. 
2. Death usually takes place in from 12 to 72 
hours. 
C. Treatment.- 
1. Emetics-sulphate of zinc, ipecac or mustard 
in water. Stomach pump if at hand. 
2. Warm diluent drinks. 
3. Hydrated sesquioxide of iron with magnesia 
given in large doses and frequently repeated. 
4. Castor oil. 
ARSENIC. 
A. Symptoms.- 
r. Like arsenic, plus:- 
(a) Blue line on gums where they join the teeth. 
(b) Lead in the urine. 
(c) Usually constipation instead of diarrhoea. 
(d) May have severe pain in the joints and limbs 
and cramps. 
LEAD. 
207 0 Lead colic pains in the region of the umbili- 
cus, nausea, vomiting, etc. 
B. Fatal dose and period.- 
i. All the salts of lead are poisonous except the 
sulphate, which is insoluble. 
2. Acute lead poisoning is rare, except by acci- 
dent, but chronic lead poisoning occurs quite 
frequently. 
3. The minimum fatal dose of all the salts of lead 
is very uncertain. 
4. The fatal period is also very uncertain, varying 
from a few hours to a few days. 
C. Treatment.- 
1. Emetics, as sulphate of zinc. 
2. Milk and white of eggs. 
3. Sulphate of magnesia. 
4. Castor oil. 
COPPER. 
A. Symptoms.- 
i. Like arsenic, plus:- 
(a) Usually begin about fifteen minutes after 
taking the poison, but they may not 
appear for two hours. 
(£) The vomit is greenish or bluish. 
(c) Strong copper taste in the mouth. 
{d} Excessive salivation and bronchial secre- 
tions are characteristic. 
(e) Death may occur in a few hours preceded 
by syncope, paralysis, delirium and anaes- 
thesia. 
(/) Jaundice is always present if the patient 
lives twenty-four hours. 
B. Fatal dose and period.- 
I. The fatal dose is uncertain, an ounce of the sul- 
208 phate has proved fatal and half an ounce of 
the subacetate. 
2. Death usually takes place in from four to twelve 
hours. 
C. Treatment.- 
I. Emetics or stomach pump. 
2. Whites of eggs stirred up with a little water, 
given repeatedly. 
3. Milk. 
4. Yellow prussiate of potash. 
5. Soap or a fixed alkalie. 
6. Opium to relieve pain. 
ZINC. 
A. Symptoms.- 
i. Like copper, plus. 
(a) Dilated pupils. 
(b} Coma. 
(r) Death. 
B. Fatal dose and period.- 
I. Sulphate of zinc in a dose of from % to I ounce 
will cause death. Death usually takes place 
within fifteen hours. 
2. The fatal dose of chloride of zinc is not known. 
Death may take place within four hours, but 
it may take months. 
C. Treatment.- 
i. Emetics or stomach pump. 
2. White of egg. 
3. Milk. 
4. Diluent drinks. 
5. Opium for pain. 
209 A. Symptoms.- 
I. Like arsenic, plus:- 
(^) Insensibility. 
(£) Violent convulsions. 
(r) Dilated pupils. 
(d) Great muscular weakness. 
(/) Paralysis. 
(/) Disturbed respiration. 
(jr) Discoloration of lips and skin, first white, 
then black. 
(A) Vertigo. 
(i) Brownish or blackish vomit. 
(/) Coma. 
(£) Death. 
B. Fatal dose and period.- 
i. The fatal dose varies; death has been caused 
by 30 grains. Recovery has taken place 
after an ounce had been taken. 
C. Treatment.- 
1. Emetics. 
2. Common salt in large quantities. 
3. Milk in large quantities. 
NITRATE OF SILVER. 
PHOSPHORUS. 
A. Symptoms.- 
i. Like arsenic, but it takes from three to twelve 
hours for first symptoms to appear. In addi- 
tion to these symptoms we have:- 
(a) Vomit at times smells of phosphorus. In 
early part is luminous in the dark. 
(£) Vomiting stops on second or third day, 
and begins again with the jaundice, when 
it becomes of a dark color, due to the 
mixture with the blood. 
210 (^) Tongue is white or very red. 
(<Z) Loss of appetite. 
(?) Thirst. 
(/) There.is usually fever followed by subnor- 
mal temperature. Urine scanty, albumi- 
nous, and may contain sugar. 
(£•) Nervous symptoms develop after jaundice 
is present. 
2. Delirium. 
3. Coma. 
4. Death. 
B. Fatal dose and period.- 
1. Less than a grain has proved fatal. 
2. Death usually takes place in from one to five 
days. 
C. Treatment.- 
1. Emetics, albuminous and demulcent drinks 
with hydrate of magnesia. 
2. Copper sulphate. 
3. "French" oil of turpentine. 
4. Animal charcoal. 
5. Nitrate of silver. 
6. Stimulants. 
IODINE. 
A. Symptoms - 
i. Very few deaths are recorded as caused by it. 
2. Burning heat in the throat, oesophagus and 
stomach. 
3. Severe pain in the abdomen. 
4. Vomit smells of iodine; is of a yellowish colcr, 
except when it consists of starchy substance, 
in which case it is blue; sometimes it is 
mixed with blood. 
211 5. Purging, which may show the presence of 
iodine. 
6. Pulse small and frequent. 
7. Pallor. 
8. Lessening or suspension of urine, dark brown 
and rich in iodine. 
9. Eruptions on the skin about the fourth day. 
10. Headache and giddiness. 
11. Thirst and anxiety. 
12. Convulsions 
13. Collapse. 
14. Death. 
B. Fatal dose and period.- 
1. Twenty grains has caused death. 
2. Death usually takes place within ten days. 
C. Treatment.- 
1. Starch in water. 
CROTON OIL. 
A. Symptoms.- 
i. Violent vomiting. 
2. Purging. 
3. Symptoms of collapse. 
B. Fatal dose and period.- 
1. Thirty minims have caused death. 
2. Two and one-half drachms have caused death 
in four hours. 
3. Recovery took place, after taking two and one- 
half drachms, in fourteen days, after severe 
vomiting, purging and collapse. 
C. Treatment.- 
1. Emetics. 
2. Demulcent drinks. 
3. Morphine hypodermically. 
4. Symptomatic. 
212 CANTHARIDES. 
A. Symptoms.- 
1. Like arsenic, plus: 
(a) Great thirst. 
(^) Dry throat. 
(r) Dull heavy pains in the loins. 
(<7) Constant desire to urinate, with great pain, 
passing only a few drops of bloody urine. 
(e) Priapism in men and swelling and heat of 
the labia in women. 
(/) Bloody diarrhoea. 
(^j May be salivation 
(A) Syncope. 
(i) Convulsions. 
(7) Coma. 
(£) Death. 
B. Fatal dose and period.- 
1. Twenty-five grains of the powder and an 
ounce of the tincture, each have caused 
death within two weeks. 
C. Treatment.- 
1. Emetics or stomach pump. 
2. Demulcent drinks. 
3. Opium per rectum. 
4. Stimulants. 
Include.- 
i. Aconite. 
2. Alcohol. 
3. Belladonna. 
4. Chloral hydrate. 
5. Chloroform. 
6. Cocaine. 
7. Cocculus, 
III. NEUROTIC POISONS. 
213 8. Colchicum. 
9. Conium. 
10. Hydrocyanic acid. 
11. Mushroom. 
12. Opium. 
13. Physostigma. 
14. Ptomaines. 
15. Strychnine. 
ACONITE. 
A. Symptoms.- 
I. Come on in a few minutes. 
2. Throat dry. 
3. Tingling and numbness of lips, throat and 
tongue. 
4. Nausea and vomiting. 
5. Pain and tenderness of abdomen. 
6. Numbness and anaesthesia become general. 
7. Vertigo. 
8. Dimness of vision. 
9. Tinuitus aurium-may be deaf. 
10. Frothing of mouth. 
11. Weakness-unable to walk. 
12. Slow, feeble pulse. 
13. Labored breathing. 
14. Cold clammy skin. 
15. Dilated pupils. 
16. Pale features. 
17. Mind is usually clear. 
18. Death may be sudden. 
19. Slight convulsions. 
B. Fatal dose and period.- 
1. Five grains of the extract and eighty minims of 
the tincture have each caused death. 
2. Death occurs within five hours. 
214 C. Treatment.- 
1. Empty the stomach-emetics or stomach 
pump. 
2. Dorsal decubitus, elevate feet. 
3. Stimulate, alcohol, ether, digitalis hypoderm- 
ically and inject ammonia into the veins. 
4. Artificial respiration. 
5. Nitrite of amyl inhaled. 
ALCOHOL. 
A. Symptoms.- 
I. Usually come on in a few minutes. 
2. Giddiness. 
3. Confusion of mind. 
4. Staggering. 
5. Incoherent talking. 
6. Stupor. 
7. Coma. 
8. Face pale or red. 
g. Pupils are usually dilated. 
10. Breath smells of alcohol or aldehyde. 
11. Jerky movement of limbs. 
12. Labored breathing. 
B. Fatal dose and period.- 
I. Fatal dose indefinite. 
2. Death may occur in one half hour, or the 
patient may appear well, and later die in 
convulsions. 
0. Treatment.- 
1. Empty stomach-emetic or stomach pump. 
2. Dash cold water over head. 
3. Fresh air. 
4. Electricity. 
5. Ammonia. 
6. Coffee. 
215 A. Symptoms.- 
i. Usually come on in from one-half to two hours. 
2. Heat and dryness of mouth and throat. 
3. Difficult swallowing. 
4. Respiration accelerated. 
5. Pupils dilated. 
6. Face flushed. 
7. Nausea and vomiting, 
8. Rapid pulse. 
9. Talkative delirium. 
10. Convulsions. 
11. Stupor. 
12. Coma. 
13. Death. 
B. Fatal dose and period.- 
1. One-half to three quarters of a grain of atro- 
pine is the minimum adult lethal dose. 
2. Death usually takes place within twenty-four 
hours. 
C. Treatment.- 
1. Empty stomach-emetics or stomach pump. 
2. Tannic acid given freely. 
3. Pilocarpine hypodermically. 
4. Draw urine. 
5. Stimulate the circulation and respiration, by: 
(a) Heat and mustard externally. 
(b) Alternate hot and cold douches. 
(c) Artificial respiration. 
(d) Whisky and ammonia hypodermically. 
BELLADONNA. 
CHLORAL HYDRATE. 
A. Symptoms.- 
i. Deep sleep. 
216 2, Pulse slow and feeble. 
3. Respiration slow. 
4. Face pale. 
5. Coma. 
6. Death. 
B. Fatal dose and period.- 
1. Thirty grains has caused death. 
2. Recovery has taken place after the ingestion 
of over an ounce. 
C. Treatment.- 
1. Similar to that of opium poisoning. 
2. Alcoholic and external stimulants used freely. 
3. Artificial respiration. 
4. Inhalation of oxygen. 
5. Strychnine hypodermically. 
6. Atropine. 
7. Coffee. 
8. Ammonia. 
A. Symptoms.- 
I. By the mouth- 
(zz) Nausea and vomiting. 
{b} Colicky pains in abdomen. 
(r) Insensibility. 
(d) Convulsions. 
(f) Dilated pupils. 
(f) Flushed face. 
(g) Full and oppressed pulse. 
B. Fatal dose and period.- 
i. By the mouth- 
(a) One half ounce has often caused death. 
2. By inhalation-: 
(zz) Thirty drops has caused death in one 
minute. 
CHLOROFORM. 
217 (^) Fifteen drops has caused death in a short 
time. 
C. Treatment.- 
I. By the mouth- 
(/z) Empty the stomach-emetic or stomach 
pump. 
(^) Stimulate, digitalis, strychnine, etc. 
2. By inhalation- 
(a) Withdraw the chloroform. 
(b) Fresh air. 
(r) Cold affusions to face and chest. 
(d) Elevate feet. 
(e) Draw tongue out of mouth to facilitate 
respiration. 
(/) Strychnine and digitalis hypodermically. 
(g) Artificial respiration. 
COCAINE. 
A. Symptoms.- 
i. Great restlessness and nervous excitement. 
2. Accelerated pulse, but it may be slow and 
feeble. 
3. Respiration increased in frequency. 
4. Muscular twitchings or mild convulsions. 
5. May be nausea and vomiting. 
6. Pupils are dilated. 
7. May have violent epileptiform convulsions. 
8. Consciousness is usually lost.. 
9. May have mania with hallucinations and 
delusions. 
10. Death. 
B. Fatal dose and period.- 
1. Twenty-four grains per rectum proved fatal. 
2. Twenty drops of a 4 per cent solution, given 
218 hypodermically to a girl of twelve years, 
caused death in forty seconds. 
3. One drachm of a 20 per cent solution, in- 
jected into the urethra, caused death in 
fifteen minutes. 
C. Treatment.- 
1. Emetics. 
2. Digitalis, strychninae and morphine, hypoder- 
mically. 
A. Symptoms.- 
i. Usually occur within half an hour. 
2. Loss of voluntary power. 
3. Nausea and vomiting. 
4. Severe abdominal pain. 
5. Faintness and confusion of mind. 
6. Dimness of vision. 
7. Excessive thirst. 
8. Pulse weak. 
9. Respiration slow and labored. 
B. Fatal dose and period.- 
1. Fatal dose indefinite. 
2. Death may occur within half an hour, 
C. Treatment.- 
1. Emetics. 
2. Demulcent drinks. 
FISH BERRIES. 
COLCHICUM. 
A. Symptoms.- 
I. Nausea, retching, and uncontrollable vomiting. 
2. Violent purging. 
3. Griping abdominal pain. 
4. Burning pain in the throat and stomach. 
219 5. Pulse first frequent and feeble, later rapid and 
thready. 
6. Cold, clammy, pale or livid skin. 
7. Consciousness is preserved until the last. 
8. Collapse. 
9. Delirium and convulsions may be present. 
B. Fatal dose and period.- 
1. Half an ounce of the wine of the root, forty-five 
grains of the dried bulb, and a tablespoonful 
of the seeds have each proved fatal. 
2. Death usually occurs within 24 hours. 
C. Treatment.- 
1. There is no known antidote. 
2. Emetics or stomach pump. 
3. Strychnine. 
4. Digitalis hypodermically. 
5. Caffeine. 
6. Demulcent drinks. 
7. Castor oil. 
CONIUM. 
A. Symptoms.- 
I. Headache. 
2. Disturbed vision. 
3. Dilated pupils. 
4. Gradual paralysis of the extremities. 
5. Eyes are kept shut. 
6. Pulse at first diminished, later increased. 
7. Death from paralysis of respiration. 
8. Should death be delayed there may be con- 
vulsions, coma, delirium, and paralysis of the 
sphincters. 
B. Fatal dose and period.- 
1. One drachm of conium is usually a fatal dose. 
2. Death usually takes place within three hours. 
220 0. Treatment.- 
1. Emetics. 
2. Castor oil. 
3. Strychnine hypodermically. 
4. Digitalis. 
5. Whiskey. 
A. Symptoms.- 
I. Come on almost immediately. 
2. General paralysis. 
3. Respiration is prolonged and forced. 
4. Pulse is imperceptible. 
5. Eyes glassy and prominent. 
6. Pupils dilated. 
7. Odor of prussic acid upon the breath. 
8. Unconsciousness. 
9. Violent convulsions. 
IO. Death. 
B. Fatal dose and period.- 
I. Fifty minims of the official acid may be consid- 
ered the adult lethal dose. 
2. Death usually occurs within ten to fifteen min- 
utes. 
C. Treatment.- 
1. Elmpty stomach. 
2. Atropine hypodermically. 
3. Alternate hot and cold douches. 
4. Ammonia by mouth, inhalation and injection 
into the veins. 
5. Chlorine by mouth, inhalation and external ap- 
plication. 
6. Artificial respiration. 
7. A mixture of ferrous and ferric sulphate pre- 
ceded by a cream of carbonate of magnesium 
and water. 
HYDROCYANIC ACID. 
221 AGARIC-POISONOUS MUSH- 
ROOM. 
A. Symptoms.- 
1. Usually appear within half an hour. 
2. Violent vomiting and purging. 
3. Abdominal pains. 
4. Dimness of vision. 
5. Dilated pupils. 
6. Delirium. 
7. Stupor. 
8. Coma. 
9. Trembling. 
10. Convulsions. 
11. Death. 
C. Treatment.- 
1. Emetics. 
2. Daturine hypodermically. 
3. Chloroform in 30 drop doses. 
4. Morphine. 
5. Strychnine. 
6. Digitalis. 
OPIUM. 
A. Symptoms.- 
i. Giddiness. 
2. Stupor. 
3. Clammy skin. 
4. Slow full pulse. 
5. Itching of nose. 
6. Drowsiness. 
7. Coma. 
8. Slow stertorous breathing. 
9. Contracted pupils (pin point.) 
10. Reflexes abolished. 
II. Death from respiratory failure. 
222 B. Fatal dose and period.- 
I. Four grains may be considered the minimum 
adult lethal dose. 
2. Death usually takes place in from seven to 
twelve hours. 
C. Treatment.- 
I. Empty stomach-emetics or stomach pump. 
2. Draw urine. 
3. Atropine hypodermically. 
4. Permanganate of potassium hypodermically. 
5. Strychnine. 
6. Caffeine. 
7. Cocaine. 
8. Electricity. 
9. Cold affusions. 
10. Artificial respiration. 
II. Keep in motion. 
PHYSOSTIGMA. 
A. Symptoms.- 
i. Giddiness. 
2. Lessened heart action. 
3. Muscular tremor. 
4. Muscular flaccidity-falls to the ground. 
5. Pupils contract. 
6. Respiration slow, irregular and stertorous. 
7. Reflexes abolished. 
8. Voice is completely lost. 
9. Body temperature is slightly elevated. 
10. Vomiting and purging may be present. 
11. Convulsions may be present. 
12. Consciousness is retained. 
13. Death from paralysis of respiration. 
B. Treatment.-- 
I. Empty the stomach-emetics or stomach pump. 
223 2. Dry heat externally. 
3. Atropine hypodermically, gr., 1/60 every two 
hours until three doses have been given. 
STRYCHNINE. 
A. Symptoms.- 
I. Usually appear within one half hour. 
2. Restlessness and general uneasiness. 
3. Twitching of the muscles and jerking of the 
limbs and head. 
4. Violent tetanic convulsions of the whole body 
5. During contraction of the muscles of the chest 
and abdomen, respiration is arrested. 
6. Face is livid and congested. 
7. Eyes prominent and staring. 
8. Pupils dilated. 
9. Pulse rapid and feeble. 
10. Consciousness is retained. 
II. Great thirst. 
12. Death from paralysis of respiration. 
B. Fatal dose and period.- 
1. Half a grain is the smallest fatal adult dose. 
2. Recovery has taken place after taking fort) 
grains. 
3. Death usually takes place within an hour. 
C. Treatment.- 
1. Empty the stomach-emetic or stomach pump. 
2. Chloroform by inhalation for convulsions. 
3. Potassium bromide with chloral hydrate in 
large doses every half hour. 
4. Atropine, when chloroform fails. 
5. Nitrite of amyl by inhalation. 
6. Artificial respiration. 
7. Paraldehyde. 
224 IV. GASEOUS POISONS. 
Include: 
1. Carbonic acid gas. 
2. Carbon monoxide or illuminating gas. 
3. Chlorine and bromine gases. 
4. Coal-illuminating gas. 
5. Sulphuretted hydrogen gas. 
CARBONIC ACID GAS. 
A. Symptoms.- 
1. Stertorous breathing. 
2. Oppression. 
3. Flushed face. 
4. Eyes protrude. 
5. Swollen tongue. 
6. Feeble pulse. 
B. Treatment.- 
1. Fresh air. 
2. Alternate hot and cold douches to chest. 
3. Friction of limbs and trunk. 
4. Artificial respiration. 
5. Stimulate-strychninae, digitalis, etc. 
CARBON MONOXIDE OR ILLUMIN- 
ATING GAS. 
A. Symptoms.- 
i. Headache. 
2. Pressure in region of temples. 
3. Vertigo. 
4. Ringing in the ears. 
5. Tendency to sleep. 
6. Loss of muscular power. 
7. Impaired vision. 
8. Labored breathing. 
225 9. Rapid feeble pulse. 
10. Vomiting. 
11. Coma. 
12. Convulsions. 
13. Death from asphyxia; this usually occurs 
within two hours. 
B. Treatment.- 
1. Fresh air. 
2. Artificial respiration. 
3. Alternate hot and cold douches. 
4. Stimulate. 
5. Electricity. 
CHLORINE AND BROMINE GASES. 
A. Symptoms.- 
I. Violent convulsive cough. 
2. Bloody expectoration. 
3. Spasm of the glottis. 
4. Darting pains through the chest. 
5. Sneezing. 
6. Profuse flow of tears. 
7. Pneumonia in severe cases. 
8. Dyspnoea. 
q. Death from asphyxia. 
B. Treatment.- 
1. Fresh air. 
2. Inhalation of warm aqueous vapor of ammo- 
nia to form ammonium chloride. 
3. Chloroform. 
4. Narcotics. 
COAL GAS-ILLUMINATING GAS. 
A. Symptoms.- 
i. Headache. 
226 2. Confusion of intellect. 
3. Vertigo. 
4. Nausea and vomiting. 
5. Loss of consciousness and insensibility. 
6. Complete prostration. 
7. Convulsions. 
8. Death from asphyxia. 
B. Treatment.- 
1. Fresh air. 
2. Artificial respiration. 
3. Alternate hot and cold douches. 
4. Stimulate. 
5. Electricity. 
SULPHURETTED HYDROGEN GAS. 
A. Symptoms.- 
i. Sense of fullness and pain in the stomach. 
2. Vertigo. 
3. Nausea. 
4. Loss of muscular power and consciousness. 
5. Escape of blood from the mouth. 
6. Body cold. 
7. Face livid. 
• 8. Pupils dilated and fixed. 
9. Convulsions. 
10. Coma. 
11. Death from asphyxia. 
B. Treatment.- 
1. Fresh air. 
2. Friction. 
3. Warmth. 
4. Stimulate-strychnine, digitalis, etc. 
227 A. Symptoms.- 
i. These usually come on within thirty-six hours 
of partaking of the poisonous meat, sausage, 
milk, shell fish or fish. 
2. Languor and ill health, 
3. Loss of appetite. 
4. Nausea. 
5. Gripping pains in abdomen; diarrhoea and 
vomiting. 
6. May be chilliness or rigor. 
7. Headache, giddiness or faintness. 
8. Cold sweats. 
9. Stools offensive and of a dark color. 
10. Muscular weakness pronounced. 
11. Intense thirst. 
12. Tongue coated. 
13. Temperature 101 to 104. 
14. Pulse IOO to 125. 
15. Collapse. 
16. Death. 
B. Treatment.- 
1. Symptomatic. 
2. Calomel. 
3. Stimulants. 
4. Demulcents, 
5. Baths. 
6. Food to be given cautiously. 
PTOMAINES. 
228 POSOLOGICAL TABLE, 
OR 
A LIST OF MEDICINAL DRUGS 
WITH DOSES. 
The doses here given are the ordinary adult 
doses. 
The hypodermic dose is usually about one half 
the ordinary dose. 
The dose per rectum is from one and a half to 
two or three times the ordinary dose except strych- 
nine and possibly a few other drugs. 
Absinthe, 15-80 gr. 
Acetanilid, 3-20 gr. 
Acid, Acetic, 15-30 min. 
Arsenous, gr. 
Benzoic, 10-30 gr. 
Boric, 10-30 gr. 
Carbolic, 1-3 gr. 
Citric, 10-40 gr. 
Formic, 3-5 min. 
Gallic, 3-30 gr. 
Hydrobromic Dil, %~2 f 3 . 
Hydrochloric, 5-10 min. 
" dil. 10-30 min. 
Hydrocyanic, 1-5 min. 
Lactic U. S. P., J^-2 f 3. 
Nitric dil. 5-30 min. 
Nitro hydrochloric, 2-5 min. 
" " dil., 10- 
30 min. 
Oxalic, j£-l gr. 
Phosphoric, 3-7 min. 
" dil., 5-40 min. 
Salicylic, 5-20 gr. 
Sulphuric dil., 10-20 min. 
" arom., 5-20 min. 
Tannic, 3-10 gr. 
Tartaric, 5-25 gr. 
Valerianic, 2-5 min. 
Aconite, J^-2 gr. 
Aconite leaves, 1-2 gr. 
Aconitine, gr. 
Acontin, gr. 
Agaricin, gr. 
Aletrin, %-2 gr. 
Allium (garlic), 15-60 gr. 
Aloes, Barbadoes, ^-10 gr. 
Aloes, Socotrine, 2-20 gr. 
Aloin, %-2 gr. 
Alum, 10-60 gr. 
Aluminum hydrate, 1-10 gr. 
229 Ammoniac, 5-25 gr. 
Ammonium bromide, 5-60 gr. 
Ammonium carbonate, 5-15 
gr. 
Ammonium chloride, 5-30 gr. 
Ammonium iodide, 3-10 gr. 
Ammonia, water of, (10^), 10- 
30 min. 
Ammonium valerianate, 2-10 
gr. 
Amyl nitrite, 2-4 min. 
Aniline, 1-2 gr. 
Anise, 10-30 gr. 
Anthemis, 30-120 gr. 
Antifebrim, 3-20 gr. 
Antimony and potash tartrate, 
%-3 gr. 
Antimony oxysulphide, 1-3 gr. 
Antipyrine, 3-20 gr. 
Apiol, 2-5 min. 
Apomorphine, muriate, 
gr- 
Argentic nitrate, gr. 
Argentic oxide, %-2 gr. 
Arnica flowers, 10-20 gr. 
Arnica root, 5-20 gr. 
Arsenic, bromide, gr. 
Arsenic, chloride, gVA gr. 
Arsenic, iodide, 2^-% gr. 
Assafcetida, 5-60 gr. 
Atropine, gr. 
" sulphate, gr. 
Aurum, chloride, gr. 
Auriiet sodii chloridum, 
gr. 
Balsam Peru, 10-30 min. 
Balsam copaiba, 5-60 min. 
Berberine, %-5 gr. 
Berberine sulphate, 1-10 gr. 
Belladonna leaves, 1-3 
" root, 1-3 gr. 
Bismuth citrate, 1-5 gr. 
Bismuth salicylate, 5-10 gr. 
Subcarbonate, 10-60 gr. 
Subgallate, 5-30 gr. 
Subnitrate, 5-100 gr. 
Tannate, 5-30 gr. 
Bromoform, 1-5 min. 
Bryony, 10-60 gr. 
Buchu, 15-60 gr. 
Butyl-chloral, 5-10 gr. 
Caffeine, 1-3 gr. 
" citrate, 1-5 gr. 
Calcium, bromide, 5-60 gr. 
Carbonate, 5-40 gr. 
Chloride, 1-15 gr. 
Hypophosphite, 5-25 gr. 
Iodide, 5-20 gr. 
Phosphate, 10-40 gr. 
Sulphite, %-5 gr. 
Calumbo, 5-30 gr. 
Camphor, 1-10 gr. 
Camphormonobromate, 1-5 gr. 
Cannabis indica, 2-5 gr. 
Cannabine tannate, 1-10 gr. 
Capsicum, 3-5 gr. 
Castanae, %-2 dr. 
Catechu, 10-30 gr. 
Caulophyllum, 5-25 gr. 
Caulophyllin, %-2 gr. 
Cerium oxalate, 1-5 gr. 
Chenopodium, 10-25 gr. 
Chloral, 5-25 gr. 
Chloroform, 2-30 min. 
Cimicifuga, 10-30 gr. 
Cinchona, 30-60 gr. 
Cinnamon, 10-30 gr. 
Coca, 15-60 gr. 
Cocaine, %-2 gr. 
Codeine, %-6 gr. 
Codeine sulphate, %-6 gr. 
Colchicine, Ti-o-s1®. 
Colocynth, 1-8 gr. 
Colocynthin, %-l gr. 
Conium, 2-5 gr. 
Convallaria, 5-30 gr. 
Creosote, 1-20 gtt. 
Crocus, 5-30 gr. 
Copper Arsenite, T^-l gr. 
" Subacetate, gr. 
230 Copper Sulphate (emetic), 
10 gr. 
Cubeb, %-3 dr. 
Cundurango, 20-40 gr. 
Daturine, ^mAgr. 
Decoctions, base dose on per- 
centage of drug. 
Digitalis, %-3 gr. 
Digitalin, ArA gr. 
Duboisine, 
Elaterium, A~% gr. 
Elaterine, g^-A grain. 
Elixirs, dose based on per- 
centage of drug. 
Emetine, An-% gr. 
Ergot, 15-60 gr. 
Ergotine, 2-5 gr. 
Eucalyptol, 5-30 min. 
Eucalyptus, ^-1 dr. 
Euonomin, 2-5 gr. 
Euonymus, 60-120 gr. 
Europhen, 1-5 gr. 
Exalgine, 1-5 gr. 
Extracts and Fluid Extracts, 
dose based on drug strength 
of preparation. 
Fei Bovis, 3-10 gr. 
Frangula, %-2 dr. 
Galls, J^-l dr. 
Gelsemium, 5-10 gr. 
Gelsemine, A"A gr. 
Gelsemine, hydrochlorate, 
Sulphate, 
Tartrate, aa Au ~A gr. 
Gentian, 5-30 gr. 
Ginger, 10-30 gr. 
Glycerine, 10 min.,-2 dr. 
Goesypium, 1-5 gr. 
Gossypium, bark of root, 15-60 
gr- 
Grindelia, 15-60 gr. 
Guaiac, resin, 5-30 gr. 
Guaicol, ^-1% gr. 
" carbonate, 5-60 gr. 
Guarana, %-l dr. 
Haemogallol, 2-6 gr, 
Haemoglobin, 1-3 gr. 
Hellebore, 4-16 gr. 
Helonias, 5-15 gr. 
Homatropine hydrobramate 
1^71 A gr' 
Hydrastis, 30-60 gr. 
Hydrochinon,5-10 gr. 
Hyoscine hydrobromate, 
gr' 
Hyoscyamin, %-l gr. 
Hyoscyamine, gr- 
Hyoscyamus, 5-15 gr. 
Ichthyol, 3-10 gr. 
Ignatia, 1-2 gr. 
Infusions-dose based on per 
centage of drug. 
Inula, 15-60 gr. 
Inulin, 1-3 gr. 
Iodoform, %-5 gr. 
Iodine, %-l gr. 
Ipecac, ^-30 gr. 
Iris, 10-30 gr. 
Iron reduced, 1-5 gr. 
Iron, Acetate, 3-10 gr. 
Bromide, %-2 gr. 
Carbonate, 5-15 gr. 
Chloride, 1-3 gr. 
Citrate, 3-5 gr. 
and potash tartrate,10-30 gr., 
and quinine citrate, 3-10 gr., 
and strychnine citrate, 
1-3 gr. 
Ferrocyanide, 2-5 gr. 
Iodide, 1-5 gr. 
Phosphate, 5-10 gr. 
Pyrophosphate, 2-5 gr. 
Subcarbonate, 5-30 gr. 
Sulphate, 1-5 gr. 
Valerianate, %-2 gr. 
Jalap, 10-30 gr. 
Kamala, 1-2 dr. 
Kino, 5-30 gr. 
Kola, 5 gr.-2 dr. 
Koussoo, 2-3 dr. 
231 Krameria, 5-30 gr. 
Lactucarium, 5-60 gr. 
Lead acetate, 1-5 gr. 
Leptandra, 15-60 gr. 
Lithium benzoate, 10-30 gr. 
" bromide, 5-25 gr. 
" carbonate, 3-15 gr. 
" citrate, 10-30 gr. 
" iodide, 1-8 gr. 
" salicylate, 10-30 gr. 
Lobelia, 1-10 gr. 
Lupulin, 5-15 gr. 
Macrotin, J^-2 gr. 
Magnesia, light, 5-60 gr. 
heavy, 5-20 gr. 
Magnesia, carbonate, 1-3 dr. 
" sulphate, 4-12 dr. 
Manganese, binoxide, 2-10 gr. 
" hypophosphite, 
10-30 gr. 
Mass of mercury, 3-10 gr. 
Matricaria, 15-60 gr. 
Menthol, 1-5 gr. 
Mercury, chloride, (ic) 
gr- 
Mercury, chloride (ous), 
sWO gr. 
Mercury, Iodide, (ic) ^5-% gr. 
Iodide, (ous) J^-2 gr. 
Tannate, %-l% gr. 
With chalk, 3-10 gr. 
Methyl, salicylate, 1-5 min. 
Mezereum, 5-15 gr. 
Morphine, gr. 
Morphine, acetate, gr. 
Other salts of morphine 
gr. 
Naphthaline, 2-10 gr. 
Naphtol, 2-15 gr. 
Naphtol, Alpha, %-5 gr. 
Narceine, gr. 
Narcotine, 2-10 gr. 
Nicotine, gr. 
Nitroglycerine, y^^ gr. 
Nux vomica, gr. 
Oil, Almond, bitter, % min. 
Almond, sweet, % oz. 
Cajeput, 1-5 min. 
Castor, 1 dr.-l oz. 
Cinnamon, 1-5 min 
Cloves, 1-5 min. 
Copaiba, 5-15 min. 
Croton, J^-2 min. 
Cubebs, 5-15 min. 
Erigeron, 5-30 min. 
Eucalyptus, 5-15 min. 
Juniper, 5-15 min. 
Lavander, 1-5 min, 
Linseed, 30 min. 1 oz. 
Morrhuae, 2-8 dr. 
Olives, 1-16 dr. 
Peppermint, 1-5 min. 
Phosphorated, 1-5 min. 
Rue, 1-4 min. 
Savine, 1-5 min. 
Sandalwood, 5-30 min. 
Sassafras, 1-5 min. 
Turpentine, 5-120 min. 
" rectified, 5-30 min. 
Thyme, 1-5 min. 
Oleoresin capsicum, %-l min. 
" cubeb,5-30 " 
" ginger, %-2 " 
" lupulin, 3-5 " 
" malefern, 20-60 " 
" pepper, ^-2 " 
Opium, %-2 gr. 
Pancreatine, 5-15 gr. 
Papaverine, gr. 
Paraldehyde, 1-3 gr. 
Pariera brava, 30-60 gr. 
Pelletierine, 2-8 gr. 
" tannate, 5-10 gr. 
Pepsin, 1-20 gr. 
Phenacetine, 5-25 gr. 
Phosphorus, gr. 
Physostigma, %-2 gr. 
Physostigmine and salts of, 
Sr- 
Phytolacca, 5-30 gr. 
232 Picrotoxine, gr. 
Pilocarpine salts, ^-1 gr. 
Pilocarpus, 5-60 gr. 
Piperazine, 5-8 gr. 
Piperine, 1-10 gr, 
Pix Liquida %-l dr. 
Podophyllin, gr. 
Podophyllum, 5-30 gr. 
Potash acetate, 5-60 gr. 
" bicarbonate, 10-60 gr. 
" bitartrate, 1-8 dr. 
" bromide, 10-60 gr. 
" carbonate, 10-30 gr. 
" chlorate, 5-15 gr. 
" citrate, 15-60 gr. 
" and soda tartrate, %- 
1 oz. 
" hypophosphite, 5-30 
gr-. 
" iodide, 5-60 gr. 
" permanganate, % - 2 
gr- 
Propylamine, 1-2 gr. 
Pulsatilla, 1-5 gr. 
Quassia, 10-30 gr. 
Quinine 1-30 gr. 
" acetate, 2-20 gr. 
" arsenate, gr. 
" bisulphate, 1-20 gr. 
" citrate, 1-20 gr. 
" hydrobromate, 1-20 
gr. 
" hydrochlorate, 1-20 
gr.. 
" iodide, 1-5 gr. 
" phosphate, 1-20 gr. 
" salicylate, 2-30 gr. 
" sulphate, 2-30 gr. 
" tannate, 2-5 gr. 
" valerianate, 1-3 gr. 
Resorcine, 3-10 gr. 
Rhamnus, purshiana,15-60 gr. 
Rhubarb, 5-30 gr. 
Rhustoxicodendron, 1-5 gr. 
Rumex, %-l dr. 
Savine, 5-20 gr. 
Salicine, 5-30 gr. 
Salipyrin, 10-25 gr. 
Salol, 3-15 gr. 
Salophen, 5-15 gr. 
Sanguinaria, 2-30 gr. 
Sanguinarine, %-2 gr. 
" nitrate, % gr, 
Santonine, X_2 gr. 
Scoparius, 15-60 gr. 
Scilla, 1-3 gr. 
Scillitoxin, gr. 
Senega, 10-20 gr. 
Senna, 15-120 gr. 
Serpentaria, 10-30 gr. 
Soap (U. S. P.), 5-30. 
Sodium acetate, 10-40 gr. 
arsenate, gr. 
" benzoate, 10-60 gr. 
" bicarbonate, 10-60 gr. 
bromide, 10-60 gr. 
" carbonate, 5-15 gr. 
" citrate, 5-15 gr. 
" hypophosphite, 5-20 
gr-. 
iodide, 5-60 gr. 
nitrate, 10-30 gr. 
phosphate, 15-240 gr. 
salicylate, 5-60 gr. 
sulphate, 1-8 dr. 
sulphate dried,%-4dr. 
" sulphite, 10-60 gr. 
Sparteine sulphate, gr. 
Spigelia, 15-120 gr. 
Stillingia, 15-60 gr. 
Stramonium leaves, 1-5 gr. 
" seed, 1-3 gr. 
Strontium bromide, 
" iodide 
" lactate 
Strophanthin, gr. 
Strychnine and salts, to 
gr. 
Sulfonal, 5-30 gr. 
Sulphur, 15-90 gr. 
5-10 gr. 
233 Sumbul, 30-60 gr. 
Syrups-base dose on drug 
strength.. 
Tanzy, 15-60 gr. 
Taraxicum, 15-240 gr. 
Terebene, 3-10 min. 
Terebinthina Canadensis, 5-30 
min. 
Terpine hydrate, 2-10 gr. 
Thein, 1-3 gr. 
Thiol, 2-10 gr. 
Thymol, %-2 gr. 
Tinctures-base dose on per- 
centage. 
Trillin, 2-4 gr. 
Trionol, 5-20 gr. 
Triticum, 1-8 dr. 
Urethane, 10-40 gr. 
Uva Ursi, 15-60 gr. 
Valerian, 10-30 gr. 
Veratrin, %-% gr. 
Veratrine, gr. 
Veratrum viride, 1-5 gr. 
Viburnum, 15-60 gr. 
Wines-base dose on strength, 
Xanthoxylin, 1-2 gr. 
Xanthoxylum, 5-30 gr. 
Xylol, 10-40 gr. 
Zinc, Acetate, Bi-2 gr. 
Bromide, 1-2 gr. 
Oxide, 1-5 gr. 
Phosphide, gr. 
Sulphate, i-3 gr. 
Sulpho Carbolate, 1-3 gr. 
Valerianate, J^-2 gr- 
234 INDEX. 
PAGE 
Abbreviations used in writing 
prescriptions 55-67 
Aconite poisoning 214 
Agaric " 222 
Alcohol " 215 
Alcoholometer 38 
Alkali poisoning 204 
Ammonia " 204 
Arsenic " 207 
Balances 31-33 
Balance, The Mohr-Westphal... 39 
Baths 175 
Belladonna poisoning 216 
Cachets Ill 
Calabar-bean poisoning 223 
Capsules 110-111 
Cataplasms 143 
Carbolic acid poisoning 205 
Cerates 138 
Chartulse 110 
Chloroform poisoning 217 
Classification of preparations ... 106 
Coatings for pills 131-133 
Cocaine poisoning 218 
Colchicum " 219 
Collodions 171 
Colors for elixirs 171 
Commensurate units 11 
Compounding in general 104 
Compound solvents 150 
Compressed tablets 118 
Confections 124 
Conium poisoning 210 
Conserves 124 
Copper poisoning 208 
PACE 
Corrosive poisons 200 
" sublimate poisoning.. 201 
Croton oil poisoning 212 
Decoctions 167 
Dispensing 47 
Discs 122 
Dividing of doses 112 
Dosage 195 
" Rules for Computing.... 196 
Dose table 229 
Electuaries 124 
Elixirs 170-171 
Emulsions 156-162 
Emulsionizing agents 156 
Enemas 173 
Enteric pills 134 
Excipients for pills 128 
Fishberry poisoning 219 
Fomentations 143 
Gargles 173 
Gaseous poisons 215 
Globules 122 
Glycerites 172 
Graduated cylinder 38 
Grain 5 
Granulated effervescing powders 
120-121 
Granulations for compressed 
tablets 118 
Honeys 170 
Hydrocyanic acid poisoning 221 
Hydrometers 37 
Imperial system of measure and 
weight 7-9 
Incompatibility 176-191 
235 page 
Incompatible substances, Table 
of 185-187 
Infusions 166 
Inhalations 174 
Iodine poisoning 211 
Ions 151 
Irritant poisons 206 
Jellies 125 
Keratin pill coating 134 
Lamels 122 
Lead poisoning 207 
Levers 29 
Lever balances 30-31 
Liniments 172 
Liquid preparations classified.. 145 
Liter, The 13 
Lozenges 122 
Masses 121 
Measures, Tables of 5-8-9 
Meter, The 13 
Metric System 13 
Mineral acids 202 
Mixtures 163 
Mohr-Westphal Balance 39-41 
Morphine poisoning (see opium), 222 
Mucilages 165-166 
Neurotic poisons 213 
Oil-jellies 125 
Oil-sugars 113 
Ointments 134-138 
Oleates 142 
Omissions from prescriptions... 77 
Opium poisoning 222 
Overdoses 77 
Oxalic acid poisoning 203 
Pastilles 122 
Pearl coating for pills 132 
Phosphorus poisoning 210 
Pills 126-133 
PAGE 
Pill coating 131 
Pill excipients 128 
Plasters 141 
Poisons 194 
Powders 107-110 
Prescription, The 51-54 
Prescriptions, Facsimiles of .... 79 
Prescription writing 68-69-80 
Prescriptions, Refilling of 74 
Prescription reading 75-76 
Prussic acid poisoning 221 
Rules for doses 196 
Seconds' pendulum 6 
Silver poisoning 210 
Solutions 146-152 
Solubility, Variations of 153 
" Tables of 154-155 
Solvents, compound 150 
Species 116 
Specific gravity 34-42 
Spirits 171 
Sprays 174 
Standards 5 
Standard yard 6 
Strychnine poisoning 224 
Suppositories 139-140 
Tables of weight and measure. .8-12 
Tables of specific weight 44-46 
Tablets, Compressed 117 
Tablet triturates 114-115 
Toxicology 193-194 
Triturations 113 
Troches 122 
Utensils 48 
Waters 164 
Weight 5 
Weight, Tables of 10 
Young's Rule for Doses 196 
Zinc poisoning 209 
236 An Investment 
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is ... . 
lai^oi $5 
|| paid for a copy of 
IMIlM the 
Mh 
Era Formulary 
^!^^|||||||^^ (5,ooo Formulas) 
WITHIN its pages are working directions for making hun- 
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800 Formulas for Unofficial Pharmaceutical Preparations. 
417 Formulas for Proprietary Preparations. 
1,013 Formulas for Toilet Preparations. 
456 Formulas for Veterinary Remedies. 
772 Formulas for Family Medicines. 
495 Formulas for Household and Domestic Articles. 
389 Formulas for Technical and Industrial Processes. 
202 Formulas for Paints, Varnishes, Stains, etc. 
456 Formulas for Miscellaneous and Otherwise Unclassified Articles. 
Price $5.00 per copy, delivered to any part of the United States. 
D. O. HAYNES & CO., Publishers, 
90 William Street. NEW YORK. Do Not Attempt to 
Pass an Examination 
Before a Board or College of Pharmacy 
until you have thoroughly posted yourself 
on what you will he examined.^«Maa, 
Gray's PharmasBLlical Quiz Gomptnd 
FOURTEENTH EDITION 
(Based on the U. S. Pharmacopoeia, 8th Dec- 
ennial Revision) is designed for this purpose. 
In this work the whole subject of Pharmacy 
in which one should be informed in order to 
pass an examination, is condensed so that it 
can be learned in a very short time. It is a 
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