Atropinae Sulphas

Plain atropine and its sulphate are frequently prescribed in pill, the doses ranging from gr.1/120 to gr.1/50 The pills are usually made 1/2 grain to 1 grain in size, and the alkaloid or its salt should be dissolved, the alkaloid in rectified spirit (1 grain dissolves in 4 minims) and the sulphate in water (soluble in its own weight). Triturate well with wheaten flour (or powdered liquorice if a white pill is not particularly desired) in the proportion of 1/2 grain to each pill, and mass with glycerin of tragacanth. A trituration of the alkaloid, prepared as mentioned on page 81, may be kept ready. This paragraph may be regarded as applicable to other alkaloids of similar potency to atropine when given in pill form.

Balsams, Oils, &C

Pill-masses are sometimes required with fluid or soft resins, fluid balsams, oils, or fats as ingredients. When the quantity of these is too large to admit of the formation of a mass by the addition of any reasonable quantity of powder, recourse must be had to wax, in the proportion of one-third up to an equal weight of wax, according to the fluidity of the stuff. The wax, with the medicament, should be melted in a dish or tube by hot water, as the application of a strong heat would be likely to depreciate the medicinal properties of the ingredients through evaporation. In using wax the dispenser must be careful that he does not bring the resulting mass to such a degree of hardness that the pills will not disintegrate in the alimentary canal- the melting-point of the mass should not be above 100° F. An ordinary pill, though much harder than a wax pill, may dissolve in the stomach, because its ingredients are soluble in water.

Balsamum Peruvianum

The following formula makes a good pill-mass: Balsam of Peru, gr. xxx.; slaked lime (in fine powder), gr. xv.; castor oil and rectified spirit, of each 2 drops. This forms a mass which does not become hard, and is of good pilular consistence. It requires to stand for an hour before being rolled out. The following prescription shows a difficulty:

Mitte xxxvj.

Starch-powder is not the best absorbent in this case, because it is too hard for pill-masses and rather retards than aids the binding of the mass. Liquorice-powder is much better. After rubbing the reduced iron to ensure fineness of division, the balsam and half its weight of black treacle are added and well beaten together. The resulting mass is soft and oily in appearance, but not crumbly, and the addition of liquorice-powder, q.s., gives the required stiffness. The small percentage of alkali in the treacle seems to combine with the resin of the balsam, thus making a good binding excipient.

Beta-naphthol. - Triturate with a fourth of its weight of kaolin before massing with tragacanth. The substance makes a pasty or liquid compound with some things, such as-

Fiat massa et divide in pilulas xij.

This masses nicely with 3 grains each of powdered acacia and althaea, and 2 grains each of powdered soap and sugar.