PART IV. NOTES AND FORMULÆ. Podophyllin Pills. The following formulæ are given in the Pharm. Journ., 3rd series, ii., 78, for podophyllin pills : Misce et divide in pilulas xlviij. Each pill contains gr. podophyllum. Preparation of Bland's Pill. F. Schneider. (Pharm. Centralhalle, 1872, No. 17, page 146.) Both the salts are rubbed to a fine powder; sugar, tragacanth, glycerin, and mucilage are then added, thoroughly mixed together, and placed aside to stand for about eight or ten minutes; then the mass, having become moist, is thoroughly stirred, until it becomes plastic, after which the bean meal is added, and it is then ready to be rolled out. In the making of a large number of pills, should the last portion of the mass become too hard, it is easily softened and made of the proper consistency, by again stirring it round in a mortar, without any addition whatever. If silvering is directed, it may be commenced immediately after the last of the pills is finished. Solutions of Alkaloids in Medicated Waters. In the July number of the Amer. Journ. of Pharm., Professor Maisch mentions a case that had been brought under his notice, in which a prescription ordering sulphate of morphia, dissolved in peppermint water, having been dispensed with peppermint water made according to the United States Pharmacopoeia, by triturating the oil with carbonate of magnesia and water, it was found that the sides of the bottle, upon its being brought back for a renewal of the prescription, were covered with crystals. The crystals were collected, and, upon examination, proved to be morphia. He calls attention to the fact that the process of the United States Pharmacopoeia, above alluded to, yields in all cases a medicated water having an alkaline reaction, which is shown by the reddish-brown colour produced by it in a diluted solution of turmeric. He says, "If chloride of ammonium and ammonia water are added to such a medicated water, any soluble phosphate will, in a short time, produce a dense cloudiness and finally a precipitate. It is unnecessary to enter into the causes of the solubility of magnesia under these circumstances; the fact is a plain one, and the possibility of dangerous effects very obvious. Neutral salts of insoluble (in water) alkaloids may be dissolved in such medicated waters, but the alkaloids will be gradually precipitated in a form in which they cannot be uniformly diffused in the liquid even by agitation; hence the possibility, if the separated alkaloid does not firmly adhere to the vial, that the last dose may contain an excessive amount of a poisonous article; while, in case it should adhere with sufficient firmness, the result might be, at least, disappointment in the effects, if nothing worse, in consequence of insufficient medication." Professor Maisch thinks that this furnishes an additional and strong argument for the preparation of medicated waters by distillation: and that, where waters prepared from volatile oils by the aid of magnesia are used, it is the duty of |