Cooley's Cyclopaedia of Practical Receipts Volume Ii Part 139

The weight (size) of pills varies from 1/2 gr. to 6 gr. If heavier than this, they are called 'boluses.' Formerly, as a general rule, they were made of 5 gr. each; but pills of this weight are, in general, so large that some persons find a difficulty in swallowing them. Another disadvantage of large pills is the trouble of nicely apportioning the dose,--one pill being, perhaps, too small a quant.i.ty, and two pills the reverse. Hence, 2 to 3-gr. pills are now the favourite size with both pill-takers and dispensers, notwithstanding that 5-gr. pills are still ordered in one of the authorised Pharmacopias.

Pills are occasionally coated with gold, silver, and other substances, to render them more agreeable to the eye, or to prevent the taste of nauseous ingredients affecting the palate during deglut.i.tion. They are gilded and silvered by placing them, in the moist state, on a leaf or two of the metal in a small gallipot, and covering them in a similar manner with another leaf of metal; over the mouth of the gallipot is laid a piece of smooth writing paper, and on this the palm of the hand; a sudden and rapid circular motion is then given to the whole. If the pills are not sufficiently moist or sticky, they should be rendered so by rolling them between the fingers very slightly moistened with mucilage, before proceeding to silver them. Another method is to shake them in a similar manner with a little gold or silver dust.

Mr Haselden recommends a varnish composed as follows:--Resin[107] of tolu, 3 parts; rectified spirit, 6 parts; methylated ether, 2 parts. Well shake until all that will is dissolved. Use the clear solution. Mr Hasleden says iodide of iron pills are well preserved by this coating, and also granules of secale cornutum.

[Footnote 107: This is the substance which is left in the preparation of syrup of tolu.]

When pills are to be covered with gelatin, each pill, being stuck on the point of a very thin wire four or five inches in length, is dipped into a solution of gelatin, so as to coat it completely, and the wire is then inserted into a pin-cushion, or a vessel containing fine sand, and left until the gelatin is firm, which occurs in about a quarter of an hour; the pins may then be easily removed by simply warming them, by placing the centre of each wire for a second or two in the flame of a spirit lamp or candle. 'Sugar-coated pills' are prepared in nearly the same way, but subst.i.tuting hot and highly concentrated syrup, to which a little gelatin has been added, for a simple solution of gelatin.

The following details for coating pills with sugar are taken from the 'Chemist and Druggist,'[108]--"The pills are first varnished with the following liquids--

[Footnote 108: Dec. 15th, 1871.]

Ether 100 parts.

Bals. tolu 10 "

Colophonium 1 "

Absolute alcohol 10 "

"By first rolling them in a mortar with this ethereal solution, and then transferring to a sheet of writing paper with the sides bent upwards, shaking being continued till they are perfectly dry. Then to a small quant.i.ty of the saccharated alb.u.men (see next recipe) add a few drops of water, at the same time beating for a short while, so that a thick paste will be formed. Into this ma.s.s the pills are stirred, and when moistened on all sides, quickly poured into a wooden pill-box, which has been previously filled about one third with the finest powdered sugar obtainable, and immediately shaken, or rather rolled in a lively way with great force, separating from time to time those cohering. When no more sugar will adhere they are dried over a gentle fire, taking care not to bring them too near the stove lest they should crack. Shaking, of course, must be continued till dryness is effected."

=Alb.u.men c.u.m Saccharo.= Take the white of an egg, and in an evaporating dish beat with it as much powdered sugar, pa.s.sed through a very fine sieve, as will make rather a thick fluid. Then place it in a water bath and evaporate to dryness, stirring constantly, that no sugar may be deposited. Pulverise and set aside for further use.

M. Durden covers pills with collodion. Others have recommended for this purpose a solution of gutta percha in either chloroform or bisulphide of carbon. The ready solubility in the stomach of pills thus covered has, with justice, been questioned. Gelatin, or, still better, gelatin mixed with a little sugar, is unexceptionable in this respect; whilst it undoubtedly excludes the taste of nauseous medicines more effectually than any other substance. Mr Furley employs a thin coating of alb.u.men to render pills tasteless.

As pill-ma.s.ses are likely to get hard and brittle by keeping, an excellent plan is to keep the dry ingredients powdered and mixed together in well-corked bottles or jars, when a portion may at any time be beaten up with syrup, conserve, soap, &c.; according to the formula, and as wanted for use. The mixed ingredients in this state are technically known as 'species' or 'powder' for the respective pills.

"It is generally said that pills should be taken on an empty stomach, and at a considerable distance from a meal; but for ourselves we think that it is nearly always better to take them during a meal; first, because the stomach does not then find itself immediately under the influence of substances which, if not always dangerous, seldom fail to act more or less disagreeably; secondly, because its absorbent action is more certain; and, lastly, because they are then taken more easily." (Trousseau and Reveil.) The meal here referred to should be a light one, from which acidulous and other substances likely to interfere with the action of the remedy should be excluded. The dose should also be increased.

In the London Pharmacopia the singular number ('pilula') is now very properly employed to express the names of the officinal pill-ma.s.ses; but in the other Pharmacopias the names are given in the plural form. As the latter is almost universally adopted in speaking of magistral formulae and nostrums, we have used it in all cases, for the sake of uniformity and for ease of reference. See BOLUS EXTRACT, PRESCRIBING, and _below_.

=Pills, Abernethy's.= See ABERNETHY MEDICINES (page 6).

=Pills of Ac'etate of Lead.= _Syn._ PILULae PLUMBI ACETATIS, L. _Prep._ 1.

Acetate of lead, 20 gr.; powdered camphor, 15 gr.; conserve of roses, q. s.; mix and divide into 12 pills.

2. (Radius.) Acetate of lead and powdered mallow or liquorice root, of each 1/2 dr.; simple syrup, q. s.; divide into 18 pills.--_Dose_, 1 to 5 daily, washed down with water soured with vinegar; as a powerful astringent in haemorrhages, diarrha, the night-sweats in phthisis, &c. See OPIATED LEAD PILLS.

=Pills of Acetate of Mercury.= _Syn._ PILULae HYDRARGYRI ACETATIS, L.

_Prep._ 1. Subacetate of mercury, 18 gr.; sugar of milk (or manna), 1 dr.; mucilage, q. s.; divide into 24 pills.--_Dose._ As an alterative, 1 daily; as a sialogogue, 1 every four or five hours, or oftener; in syphilis, &c.

See KEYSER'S PILLS.

3. (Opiated--Carmichael.) Acetate of mercury, camphor, and opium, of each 30 gr.; syrup of poppies to mix. For 30 pills. Less apt to affect the stomach and bowels than the last.

=Pills of Acetate of Mor'phia.= _Syn._ PILULae MORPHIae ACETATIS, L. _Prep._ 1. Acetate of morphia, 2 gr.; sugar of milk, 15 gr.; conserve of roses, 20 gr.; for 12 pills. Anodyne, sedative, and soporific.--_Dose._ One, as required.

2. (Dr A. T. Thomson.) Acetate of morphia, 1 gr.; powdered foxglove, 6 gr.; powdered camphor, 10 gr.; powdered gum Arabic, 8 gr.; syrup of tolu, q. s.; to be divided into 6 pills. Sedative and antispasmodic.--_Dose._ One, every 3 or 4 hours; in phthisis, palpitations, spasms, &c. The hydrochlorate of morphia may be used instead of the acetate, with advantage.

=Pills of Ac'onite.= _Syn._ PILULae ACONITI, P. EXTRACTI A., L. _Prep._ (Dr Turnbull.) Alcoholic extract of aconite, 1 gr.; liquorice powder, 12 gr.; simple syrup, q. s.; mix, and divide the ma.s.s into 6 pills.--_Dose._ One pill, every 3 or 4 hours; as a powerful anodyne and sedative in excessive action of the heart, acute rheumatism, gout, neuralgia, &c. The utmost care should be taken both in their preparation and administration.

=Pills, Alibert's.= See PILLS, APERIENT.

=Pills of Aloes.= _Syn._ PILULA ALOES SOCOTRINae (B. P.), PILULae ALOETICae, PILULae ALOeS (Ph. E.), L. _Prep._ 1. (Ph. E.) Socotrine aloes (in powder) and Castile soap, equal parts; conserve of red roses, q. s. to form a pill-ma.s.s.

2. (Ph. U. S.) Powdered aloes and Castile soap, equal parts, beat into a ma.s.s, and divided into 4-gr. pills.

3. (B. P.) PILULA ALOES BARBADENSIS. _Prep._ Barbadoes aloes, in powder, 2 oz.; hard soap, in powder, 1 oz.; oil of caraway, 1 fluid dr.; confection of roses, 1 oz. Beat all together until thoroughly mixed.

_Obs._ "This pill may be also correctly made with the finer qualities of East Indian aloes, as the (true) Socotrine variety is very scarce; and many, not without reason, prefer (pure) Barbadoes aloes." (Ph. E.) The dose, as a laxative, is 5 to 10 gr.; as a purgative, 12 to 20 gr., or more. See PILLS OF ALOES AND SOAP.

=Pills of Aloes and a.s.saftida.= _Syn._ PILULae ALOeS ET a.s.sAFTIDA (B.

P.). _Prep._ Socotrine aloes, in powder, 1; a.s.saftida, 1; powdered hard soap, 1; confection of roses, 1 (1/4 confection sufficient--Squire). Mix.

Cathartic and antispasmodic.--_Dose_, 5 to 10 gr.

=Pills of Aloes (Compound).= _Syn._ PILULae ALOETICae COMPOSITae, PILULA ALOeS COMPOSITA (Ph. L.), PILULae A. COMPOSITae (Ph. D.), L. _Prep._ 1. (Ph.

L.) Socotrine aloes (in powder), 1 oz.; extract of gentian, 1/4 oz.; oil of caraway, 40 drops; treacle, q. s.; the whole to be beaten together until they form a ma.s.s proper for making pills.

2. (Ph. D.) Hepatic aloes (in powder), 2 oz.; extract of gentian and treacle, of each 1 oz.; oil of caraway, 1 fl. dr.; as the last.

_Obs._ The above is a very valuable purgative in habitual costiveness and indigestion, in all cases in which the use of aloes is not contra-indicated. The dose is from 5 to 15 gr., or more.

=Pills of Aloes (Diluted).= _Syn._ PILULae ALOeS DILUTae, L. _Prep._ 1. (Dr Marshall Hall.) Barbadoes aloes, Castile soap, extract of liquorice, and treacle, equal parts; water, q. s.; dissolve, with heat, strain, and evaporate to the consistence of a pill-ma.s.s. Resembles the PILULA ALOeS c.u.m SAPONE--Ph. L.

=Pills of Aloes and a.s.safti'da.= _Syn._ PILULae ALOeS ET a.s.sAFTIDA (Ph.

E.), L. _Prep._ (Ph. E.) Aloes (Socotrine or East Indian, powdered), a.s.saftida, and Castile soap, equal parts; beat them with conserve of red roses to a proper pill-ma.s.s.--_Dose_, 5 to 10 gr., once or twice daily, as a stomachic tonic and laxative, in dyspepsia, flatulence, &c.; and 12 to 20 gr., as a purgative in similar cases. It is extremely useful in costiveness, with flatulency, occurring in hysterical and hypochondriacal subjects. The B. P. preparation is the same as this, except that hard soap is used instead of Castile soap.

=Pills of Aloes and Gin'ger.= _Syn._ PILULae ALOeS ET ZINGIBERIS, L.

_Prep._ (Ph. D. 1826.) Aloes, 1 oz.; Castile soap, 1/2 oz.; ginger, 1 dr.; oil of peppermint, 1/2 dr.; beaten to a ma.s.s. A useful laxative in cold habits.--_Dose._ As the last.

=Pills of Aloes and Ipecac'uanha.= _Syn._ DR BAILLIE'S DINNER PILLS; PILULae ALOeS ET IPECACUANHae, L. _Prep._ (Dr Baillie.) Powdered aloes, 30 gr.; powdered ginger (finest), 45 gr.; ipecacuanha, 12 gr.; syrup of orange peel, q. s. to mix. For 24 pills.--_Dose._ One, about an hour before dinner.

=Pills of Aloes and I'ron.= _Syn._ PILULae ALOeS ET FERRI (Ph. E.), L.

_Prep._ 1. (B. P.) Barbadoes aloes, 2; sulphate of iron, 1-1/2; compound powder of cinnamon, 3; confection of roses, 4; mix (6 of confection required--Squire).--_Dose_, 5 to 10 gr.

2. (Ph. E.) Sulphate of iron, 3 parts; Barbadoes aloes, 2 parts; aromatic powder, 6 parts; conserve of red roses, 8 parts; powder the aloes and sulphate of iron separately, beat the whole to a ma.s.s, and divide this into 5-gr. pills. An excellent medicine in chlorosis, hysteria, and atonic amenorrha.--_Dose_, 1 to 3 pills daily.

=Pills of Aloes and Mas'tic.= See PILLS, DINNER.

=Pills of Aloes and Mer'cury.= _Syn._ PILULae ALOeS c.u.m HYDRARGYRO, L. See PILLS, APERIENT (8).

=Pills of Aloes and Myrrh.= _Syn._ RUFUS'S PILLS; PILULA ALOeS c.u.m MYRRHa (Ph. L. & D.), PILULae RUFI or COMMUNES (Ph. L. 1720), P. ALOeS ET MYRRHae (B. P., Ph. E.), L. _Prep._ 1. (Ph. L.) Socotrine or hepatic aloes (in powder, 1/2 oz.; saffron, myrrh powdered), and soft soap (Ph. L.), of each 2 dr.; treacle, q. s. to form a pill-ma.s.s.

2. (Ph. D.) Hepatic aloes, 2 oz.; myrrh, 1 oz.; dried saffron, 1/2 oz.; all in powder; treacle, 2-1/2 oz.

3. (Ph. E.) Aloes (Socotrine or East Indian), 4 parts; myrrh, 2 parts; saffron, 1 part; beat them to a pill-ma.s.s with conserve of red roses, q. s.

4. (Ph. L. 1836 and Ph. D. 1826.) Aloes (in powder), 2 oz.; saffron and powdered myrrh, of each 1 oz.; syrup, q. s. to form a pill-ma.s.s.

5. (B. P.) Socotrine aloes, 2; myrrh, 1; dried saffron, 1/2; confection of roses, 2-1/2 (3 are required--_Squire_). Mix. Stimulant and cathartic.--_Dose_, 5 to 10 gr.