Pilulae E Styrace. Dub. Storax Pills

" Take of purified storax, three drachms; soft purified opium, saffron, of each a drachm. Mix them well together, by beating." Five grains contain one grain of opium.

Syn. Pilules d'Opium (F.), Storax pillen (G.), Pillole d'Oppio (I.).

The substances with which the opium is combined in these pills do not interfere with its operation as an anodyne, but are intended chiefly to cover its odour and taste, in cases where the patient or his friends have an objection to opium; and as it is also sometimes necessary that it should not appear even in the prescription. The dose of these preparations differs, and must be regulated by the quantity of opium contained in that one which is adopted.

Pilulae Sagapeni Composiae. Lond. Compound Pills of Sagapenum.

"Take of sagapenum, an ounce; a drachn; syrup of ginger, a sufficient quantity. Beat them together into a mass."

A stimulant antispasmodic, which may prove serviceable in colic. The dose is grs. v. to grs. x.

Pilulae Scillae Compositae. Lond. Dub. Compound Squill Pills.-

"Take of fresh squill, dried and powdered, one drachm; ginger, powdered, ammoniacum, powdered, each two drachms; soap, three drachms; syrup, a sufficiency. Mix the powders together; then beat them with the soap, as much syrup being added as will give them a proper consistence."

Pjlulae scilliticae, Edin. Squill Pills.

"Take of squill root (bulb), dried, and rubbed to a fine powder, one scruple; ammoniacum, cardamom seeds powdered, extract of liquorice, one drachm. Beat them with syrup into a mass."

Syn. Pilules de Scille (F.), Pillole Squilitiche (I.).

These pills are useful expectorants in chronic bronchitis dyspnoea, and asthma; and combined with calomel and digitalis in hydropic affections. They are liable, however, to the same objections as the squill powder, the efficacy of the squill being much injured by keeping in either form; and it is perhaps better that it should be always given under an extemporaneous form, except when the tincture is used. The dose is from grs. iv. to xij., given three or four times a day.

Pilulae Subcarbonatis Some. Edin. Pills of Subcarbonate of Soda

"Take of exsiccated subcarbonate of soda, four parts; hard soap, three parts. Beat into a mass with simple syrup."

This preparation was recommended by the late Dr. Bed-does; and has been found occasionally useful.

Pilulae Sulphatis Ferri Compositae. Edin. Compound Pills of Sulphate of Iron

"Take of sulphate of iron, reduced to powder, one ounce; extract of chamomile flowers, one ounce and a half; oil of peppermint, a drachm. Beat into a mass with simple syrup."

This is an useful tonic pill, and may be given with advantage in dyspepsia and other affections in which steel is indicated. A five-grain pill will contain two grains and a half of the sulphate of iron.