A CYCLOPÆDIA OF PRACTICAL RECEIPTS, &c. VOLUME II (continued 23)

Pills of I′ron (Compound). Syn. Pilulæ ferri composita (Ph. L.), P. f. cum myrrhæ, L. Prep. (Ph. L.) Myrrh (in powder), 2 dr.; carbonate of soda, 1 dr.; rub them together in a warm mortar, then add of sulphate of iron, 1 dr., and again triturate; lastly, add of treacle, 1 dr., and beat all together, to form a pill mass. An excellent mild chalybeate tonic and emmenagogue, similar in its properties to ‘Griffith’s Mixture,’—Dose, 5 to 15 gr., two or three times a day.

Pills, Italian Black. Syn. Pilulæ Italicæ nigræ, P. aloeticæ ferratæ, L. Prep. (Ph. Bor.) Powdered aloes and dried sulphate of iron, equal parts; beaten up with rectified spirit, q. s., and divided into 2- or 2¹⁄₂-gr. pills. See Pills of Aloes and Iron.

Pills of Jal′ap. Syn. Pilulæ jalapæ, L. Prep. 1. (Ph. E. 1783.) Extract of jalap, 2 dr.; aromatic powder, 1 dr.; syrup, q. s.

2. (Ph. Bor.) Soap of jalap, 3 parts; powdered jalap, 1 part; beat them to a pill-mass.—Dose (of either), 10 to 15 gr.

Pills, James’s Analep′tic. Prep. 1. Antimonial powder, guaiacum, and pill of aloes with myrrh, equal parts; syrup, q. s.

2. (Cooley.) Antimonial powder (James’s), pill aloes with myrrh, and compound aloes powder, of each 2 parts; powdered ammoniacum, 1 part; beaten up with tincture of castor, q. s., and divided into 3¹⁄₂-gr. pills. A diaphoretic purge.—Dose, 2 to 4 pills.

Pills, Dr J. Johnson’s. Prep. From compound extract of colocynth, 2 dr.; calomel, ¹⁄₂ dr.; potassio-tartrate of antimony, 2 gr.; oil of cassia, 12 drops. For 4 dozen pills. An excellent alterative and diaphoretic aperient.—Dose, 1 to 3 pills.

Pills, Kaye’s. See Pills, Worsdell’s.

Pills, Keyser’s. Prep. (Guibourt.) Red oxide of mercury, 1¹⁄₂ oz.; distilled vinegar (dilute acetic acid), 1 pint; dissolve, add to the resulting solution manna, 2 lbs., and triturate for a long time before the fire, until a proper consistence is attained; lastly, divide the mass into pills of 1¹⁄₂ gr. each.

Obs. Keyser’s pills were once celebrated throughout Europe as a remedy possessing extraordinary virtue, and so highly were they prized that the method of preparing them was purchased by the French Government for the benefit of the nation. Richard, who first published a full account of them, concludes by observing that he considers this compound to be, without exception, the most effectual remedy for syphilis hitherto discovered. In this country, however, it has long sunk into comparative disuse with the faculty; probably from pills of acetate of suboxide of mercury being erroneously employed under the name, whereas, according to Robiquet, acetate of protoxide of mercury (called by him the ‘peroxide’) forms the basis of the original preparation. The dose is 1 to 2, night and morning, as an alterative; and 2 to 6, twice a day, as a sialogogue.

Pills, King’s. See Patent medicines.

Pills, Kitchener’s. Syn. Dr Kitchener’s peristaltic persuaders; Pilulæ rhæi et carui, L. Prep. From powdered Turkey rhubarb, 2 dr.; simple syrup, 1 dr.; oil of caraway, 10 or 12 drops. For 40 pills. An admirable stomachic, dinner, or laxative pill, according to the quantity taken.—Dose, 2 to 6. “From 2 to 4 will generally produce one additional motion within 12 hours. The best time to take them is early in the morning.”

Pills, Klein’s. Prep. From ammoniacum and extract of centaury, of each 1-2 dr.; Castile soap, 1 dr.; oil of amber, 3 drops. For 2-gr. pills. Stomachic, emmenagogue, and pectoral.—Dose, 2 to 6 pills.

Pills of Lac′tate of Iron. Syn. Pilulæ ferri lactatis, L. Prep. (Cap.) Lactate of protoxide of iron and powdered marshmallow root, equal parts; clarified honey, q. s. For 3-gr. pills. One of the most valuable of the chalybeates.—Dose, 1 to 2, three or four times a day.

Pills of Lactuca′′rium. Syn. Pilulæ lactucarii, L. Prep. 1. (Brera.) Lactucarium, 18 gr.; conserve of elder-berries and extract of liquorice, of each q. s. For 12 pills.—Dose, 1 to 2 pills, every three or four hours; in dry asthma, obstinate coughs without expectoration, &c.

2. (Dr Duncan.) Lactucarium, 12 gr.; liquorice powder, 20 gr.; simple syrup, q. s. For 12 pills.—Dose, 1 to 2 pills, every hour, as an anodyne, or to induce sleep.

Pills, Lartigue’s. See Pills, Gout.

Pills of Lead. Prep. 1. See Pills of Acetate of Lead.

2. (Opiated; Pilulæ plumbi opiatæ—Ph. E.; Pilula plumbi cum opio—B. P.) Acetate of lead, 6 parts; opium, 1 part; conserve of red roses, about 1 part; beat them to a proper mass, and divide this into 4-gr. pills. “This pill may also be made with twice the quantity of opium.” In hæmorrhages, obstinate diarrhœa, dysentery, spitting of blood, and other cases demanding the useDose, 1 to 3 pills, twice or thrice daily, washed down with water soured with pure vinegar.

Pills, Lee’s Antibil′ious. Prep. (‘Amer. Journ. of Pharm.’) Aloes, 12 oz.; scammony, 6 oz.; calomel, 5 oz.; gamboge, 4 oz.; jalap, 3 oz.; Castile soap and syrup of buckthorn, of each 1 oz.; mucilage, 7 oz.; beat them together, and divide the mass into 5-gr. pills. A powerful cathartic, and, from containing mercury, not adapted for frequent use. See Wyndham’s pills.

Pills, Lewis’s Al′terative and Liver. These “for the most part resemble Scott’s bilious and liver pills. They are, however, of a more drastic and powerful character, and frequently operate with considerable violence.”

Pills, Lockstadt’s. Prep. (Phœbus.) Sulphate of quinine, 3 gr.; aromatic powder, 10 gr.; essential oil of almonds, 1 drop; extract of gentian, q. s. For 10 pills.—Dose, 1 to 2, thrice daily, as a stomachic tonic; or the whole at once, before an expected attack of an ague or intermittent.

Pills, Lockyer’s. Prep. From panacea of antimony, 6 gr.; powdered white sugar, 4 dr.; mucilage, q. s. For 48 pills. Cathartic and emetic.—Dose, 1 to 4 pills.

Pills of Lupulin. (Magendie.) Syn. Pilulæ lupulini. Prep. The powder triturated forms a sufficiently tenacious mass for pills, without any addition.

Pills, Dr Lynn’s. Prep. From pill of aloes with myrrh and compound extract of colocynth, of each 1 dr.; calomel, ¹⁄₂ dr. For 4 dozen pills. Aperient and antibilious.—Dose, 1 to 3; in costiveness, biliousness, &c.

Pills of Manganese, Carbonate. (Hannon.) Syn. Pilulæ manganesii carbonatis. Prep. Dissolve separately, 17 oz. of crystallised sulphate of manganese, and 19 oz. carbonate of soda, in water, q. s. Mix the solutions and add to every 17 oz. of the liquid, 1 oz. of syrup, and allow the precipitate to subside in a well-closed bottle. Pour off the supernatant liquid, wash the precipitate with sugared water, express, mix it with 10 oz. of honey, and evaporate rapidly to a pill consistence.—Dose, from 4 to 10 4-grain pills daily, in anæmia, chlorosis, &c.

Pills of Manganese, Iodide. (Hannon.) Syn. Pilulæ manganesii iodidi. Prep. Iodide of potassium, 1 oz.; dried sulphate of manganese, 1 oz.; mix with honey, q. s. to form a pill mass; divide into 4-gr. pills.—Dose. From 1 pill daily, gradually increased.

Pills of Manganese, Malate. (Hannon.) Syn. Pilulæ manganesii malatis. Malate of manganese, 15 gr.; powdered cinchona bark, 15 gr.; honey, q. s. for 20 pills. 3 to 5 or 6 daily.

Pills of Manganese, Muriate. (Niemann.) Syn. Pilulæ manganesii muriatis. Prep. Chloride of manganese, 2 scruples; gum Arabic, 2 scruples; liquorice, 1 scruple. Mix.

Pills of Manganese, Phosphate. (Hannon.) Syn. Pilulæ manganesii phosphatis. Prep. Phosphate of manganese, 1¹⁄₂ dr.; cinchona bark, ¹⁄₂ dr.; syrup of catechu, q. s. Make into 4-gr. pills.

Pills of Manganese, Tartrate. Syn. Pilulæ manganesii tartratis. As Pills of Malate Manganese.

Pills of Manganese and Sulphate of Iron. (Hannon.) Syn. Pilulæ manganesii et ferri sulphatis. Prep. Sulphate of iron, 13 oz.; sulphate of manganese, 3¹⁄₂ oz.; carbonate of soda, 17¹⁄₂ oz.; honey, 10 oz.; syrup, q. s. to make a mass to be divided into 4-gr. pills.

Pills, Mar′tial. Syn. Pills of iron and wormwood; Pilulæ ferri Cum absinthio, P. martiales, L. Prep. (Sydenham.) Levigated iron-filings, 1 dr.; extract of wormwood, q. s. Tonic and hæmatinic.—Dose, 5 to 10 gr., twice a day.

Pills, Matthew’s. Syn. Pilulæ matthæi, P. pacificæ, L. Prep. 1. (Dr Paris.) Black hellebore, Castile soap, liquorice, opium, saffron, and turmeric, equal parts; made into pills with oil of turpentine.

2. (Ph. E. 1744.) Opium and saffron, of each 1 dr.; castor, 2 dr.; soap of turpentine, 3 dr.; balsam of copaiba (or oil of turpentine), q. s. to form a mass. Alterative and anodyne.—Dose, 3 to 10 gr.

Pills, McKinsey’s. See McKinsey’s katapotia, among Patent medicines.

Pills, Meglin’s. Syn. Pilules de Meglin, Fr. See Pills of Henbane (Compound).

Pills, Mercu′′rial. Syn. Blue pill; Pilula hydrargyri (B. P.), Pilulæ hydrargyri (Ph. L.), Pilulæ h. (Ph. E. & D.), P. mercuriales, L.; Pilules mercurielles, Fr. Prep. 1. (Ph. L.) Mercury, 4 dr.; confection of roses, 6 dr.; rub them together until globules can no longer be seen; then add of liquorice powder, 2 dr., and beat the whole together, so that a proper mass may be formed.

2. (Ph. E.) As the last; afterwards dividing the mass into 5-gr. pills.

3. (Ph. D.) As the Ph. L. formula, but taking four times the quantity of the respective ingredients.

4. (B. P.) Mercury, 2; confection of roses, 3; decorticated liquorice root, in fine powder, 1; rub the mercury with the confection of roses until metallic globules are no longer visible, then add the liquorice, and mix the whole well together.—Dose, 3 to 6 gr. as an alterative, 10 gr. as a purgative.

Obs. The remarks under ‘Mercurial ointment’ (p. 1179), for the most part, also apply here. This pill, when properly prepared, presents no globules of mercury when moderately rubbed on a piece of white paper, and immediately communicates a white stain to a piece of bright gold or copper. It possesses considerable density, and has a dark blue or slate colour. It contains 1-3rd of its weight ofDose. As an alterative, 1 to 3 gr.; as a purgative, 10 to 15 gr.; and as a sialogogue, 5 or 6 gr., or more, twice or thrice daily. To prevent it affecting the bowels, it is commonly combined with either rhubarb or opium. A blue pill taken over-night, and a black draught in the morning, is a popular remedy in bilious complaints. See Abernethy medicines.

5. (Collier.) Mercury, 2 dr.; sesquioxide of iron, 1 dr.; confection of red roses, 3 dr.; triturated, as before, until the globules disappear. An excellent extemporaneous substitute for the common mercurial pill. The addition of only a few grs. of the sesquioxide of iron to 1 oz. of conserve, renders the latter capable of rapidly killing a large quantity of quicksilver.

6. (Tyson.) Grey oxide of mercury (prepared by decomposing calomel with liquor of potassa to which a little liquor of ammonia has been added), 2 dr.; confection of roses, 6 dr.; powdered chamomiles, 1 dr.; mix. As a substitute for the College pill.

7. (‘Pharm. Journ.’) Stearin, 1 dr.; rub it in a warm mortar till it assumes the consistence of thick cream, then add of mercury, 4 dr., and again triturate until the globules disappear; next further add, of confection of roses and wheaten flour, of each 3 dr., powdered gum, 1 dr., and form the whole into a pill-mass. As a substitute for the College pill.

8. (Pilulæ hydrargyrosæ—P. Cod.) Mercury and honey, of each 6 dr.; triturate till the globules are extinguished, then add of aloes, 6 dr.; rhubarb, 3 dr.; scammony, 2 dr.; black pepper, 1 dr.; and make a pill-mass as before. Contains 1-4th part of quicksilver. Alterative and aperient.—Dose, 5 to 10 gr. Belloste’s, Barbarossa’s, Sédillot’s, and Morelot’S pills are nearly similar compounds. See Pills of Calomel and Corrosive sublimate, &c.

9. (Pilulæ unguenti hydrargyri—Biett.) Prep. Mercurial ointment, powdered sarsaparilla, 1 dr. Mix, and divide into 48 pills. From 1 to 4 daily.

10. (Pilulæ hydrargyri cum sapone—P. Cod.) Prep. Mercurial ointment, 2 dr.; soap, 4 scruples; liquorice powder, 2 scruples. Make into 3-gr. pills.

Pills, Mercurial (Arabic). Syn. Pilulæ mercuriales Arabicæ, L. Prep. Take of quicksilver and corrosive sublimate, of each ¹⁄₂ dr.; triturate them patiently together until the globules disappear; then add, of agaric, pellitory, and senna, of each 1 dr.; honey, q. s. to make a pill-mass. For 3¹⁄₂-gr. pills.—Dose, 2 a day. Employed in the ‘traitement arabique’ for the cure of obstinate cutaneous diseases.

Pills, Mercurial, Hahnemann’s. (F. H.) Syn. Pilulæ hydrargyri Hahnemanni. Prep. Hahnemann’s soluble mercury, 20 gr.; gum Arabic, 30 gr.; sugar, 30 gr. Mix, and divide into 30 pills.

Pills, Mitchell’s. Prep. Aloes, ¹⁄₂ dr.; rhubarb, 1 dr.; calomel, 6 gr.; emetic tartar, 2 gr. For 36 pills. An alterative aperient.—Dose, 2 to 4 pills.

Pills, Moat’s. Similar to Morison’s pills.

Pills, Morison’s. Prep.—a. (No. 1 Pills.) From aloes and cream of tartar, equal parts, made into a mass with either syrup or mucilage. A mild aperient.

b. (No. 2 pills.) From colocynth, 1 part; gamboge, 2 parts; aloes, 3 parts; and cream of tartar, 4 parts; made into a mass with syrup, as the last. An active purgative, often acting with great violence. Both No. 1 and No. 2 are divided into 3-gr. pills, of which 4 dozen are put into each 1s. 1¹⁄₂d. box. The proper dose of either is 1 to 3 or 4 pills; but they are often given by the Morisons in doses of 12, 20, 30, or even more, daily. For the history of these pills and their proprietors, see ‘Anat. of Quackery,’ or ‘Med. Circ.,’ ii, 9-27.

Pills of Mor′phia. Syn. Pilulæ morphiæ, L. Prep. (Magendie.) Morphine, 1 gr.; conserve of roses (stiff), q. s. For 6 (or, better, 8) pills.—Dose, 1 pill; as an anodyne or soporific.

Pills of Morphia (Compound). (Rougier.) Syn. Pilulæ morphiæ compositæ. Prep. Sulphate of morphia, 2 gr.; cyanide of potassium, 4 gr.; mucilage, q. s. Make into 24 pills; 1 every six hours, in neuralgia.

Pills, Moseley’s. Prep. Finest Turkey rhubarb, 60 gr.; Jamaica ginger, 30 gr.; sugar, 20 gr. (all in powder); tincture of rhubarb, q. s. to form a mass. For 4-gr. pills. A mild and excellent medicine, closely resembling Kitchener’s peristaltic persuaders.

Pills of Musk. Syn. Pilulæ moschi, L. Prep. (Dupuytren.) Opium, 2 gr.; musk (genuine), 8 gr.; camphor (in powder), 24 gr.; syrup, q. s. For 8 pills. Antispasmodic and stimulant.—Dose, 1 to 3, thrice daily, in low nervous affections; or the whole during the day in hospital gangrene, &c.

Pills of Myrrh. See Pills of Aloes and Myrrh.

Pills, Napier’s Neuroton′ic. Of these, like Morison’s pills, there are No. 1 and No. 2. The first is a simple stomachic aperient; the other, a stimulant tonic. They both owe their sale and reputed virtues to extensive advertising. (‘Anat. of Quackery.’)

Pills, Napoleon’s. See Pectoral Pills.

Pills, Neuralg′ia. Syn. Pilulæ antineuralgicæ, L. Prep. 1. (Marchal De Calvi.) Aqueous extract of opium, 4 gr.; sulphate of quinine, 16 gr.; powdered cinnamon, powdered orange leaves, and extract of valerian, of each 20 gr.; syrup of belladonna, q. s. For 3 dozen pills.—Dose, 1, hourly.

2. (Trousseau & Reveil.) Extracts of opium and stramonium, of each 8 gr.; oxide of zinc, 2 dr.; syrup, q. s. For 40 pills.—Dose, 1, every two or three hours, gradually increased in frequency until there is some considerable disorder of vision, &c. Both of the above should be used with care. See Pills, Meglin’s, &c.

Pills of Ni′trate of Bismuth. Syn. Pilulæ bismuthi trisnitratis, L. Prep. From trisnitrate of bismuth and powdered rhubarb, equal parts; syrup of orange peel, q. s. to form a mass. For 3-gr. pills.—Dose, 1 to 2, every two hours; as a tonic, stomachic, and antispasmodic, in dyspepsia, debility, spasms, &c.

Pills of Nitrate of Mercury. Syn. Pilulæ hydrargyri proto-nitratis. Pilules de Sainte Marie. Prep. Powder of proto-nitrate of mercury, 7¹⁄₂ gr.; extract of liquorice, ¹⁄₂ dr. Mix accurately, and divide into 60 pills.—Dose, 1, four times a day.

Pills of Nitrate of Sil′ver. Syn. Pilulæ argenti nitratis, L. Prep. 1. (St. B. Hosp.) Nitrate of silver (crystallised), 12 gr.; liquorice powder, 24 gr.; treacle, q. s. For 12 pills.—Dose, 1 pill, twice or thrice a day; in chronic epilepsy and some other spasmodic disorders.

2. (Dr A. T. Thomson.) Nitrate of silver, 6 gr.; crum of bread, q. s. (say ¹⁄₂ dr.); mix, and divide into 12 pills.—Dose, 1, every six hours.

Obs. To prevent the blue or slate coloured tinge of the skin, so often produced by the continued use of the salts of silver, 8 drops of diluted nitric acid in 1 fl. oz. of water should be taken after each pill.

Pills, Norton’s Chamomile. Prep. From aqueous extract of aloes, 1 dr.; extract of gentian, 3 dr.; mix, and drive off the excess of moisture by the heat of a water bath; then add of essential oil of chamomiles, 20 drops, and divide the mass into 60 pills. To preserve their aromatic properties, they should be kept in a dry glass bottle or a well-covered earthenware pot.—Dose, 1, as a dinner pill; or 2, night and morning, as a stomachic tonic. (‘Anat. of Quackery.’)

Pills of Nux Vom′ica. Syn. Pilulæ nucis vomicæ, L. Prep. 1. Nux vomica and aloes (both in powder), equal parts; syrup, q. s. For 3-gr. pills.—Dose, 1 to 3, twice or thrice daily, carefully watching the effects; in nervous derangement, general debility, impotence, paralysis, &c.

2. Alcoholic extract of nux vomica, 1 part; powdered sugar, 2 parts; beaten up with rectified spirit, q. s. For 2¹⁄₂-gr. pills.—Dose, 1 to 2; as the last.

3. (Mondière.) Alcoholic extract, 6 gr.; levigated black oxide of iron, 1 dr.; syrup, q. s. In atonic incontinence of urine, amenorrhœa, &c.

Pills, Odontal′gic. Syn. Pilulæ odontalgicæ, L. Prep. (Ph. Bor.) Powdered opium and extracts of belladonna and henbane, of each 10 gr.; oil of olives, 20 drops; powdered pellitory of Spain, ¹⁄₂ dr.; beat them to a mass, and divide it into 1-gr. pills; keep them in a corked phial.

Pills, Opiated Lead. See Pills of Lead.

Pills of O′′pium. Syn. Anodyne pills, Night p., Thebaic p.; Pilulæ opii (Ph. U. S.), P. o. or THEBAICÆ (Ph. E.), L. Prep. 1. (Ph. E.) Opium and conserve of red roses, of each 1 part; sulphate of potash, 3 parts; rub them together to a proper mass, and divide into 5-gr. pills.—Dose, 1 to 2 pills, as an anodyne or soporific. Each pill contains 1 gr. of opium, or double the quantity in the same pill of the previous edition of the Ph. E.

2. (Ph. U. S.) Powdered opium, 1 dr.; Castile soap, 12 gr.; water, q. s. For 60 pills. As the last.

Pills of Ox-Gall. Syn. Bile pill; Pilulæ fellis bovini, P. bilis, L. Prep. 1. From inspissated ox-gall formed into pills by the addition of any simple powder; or the harder extract beaten up with a little proof spirit. Powdered rhubarb is frequently used for the purpose. For 3-gr. pills.—Dose, 1 to 6; for constipation, flatulence, &c., arising from a deficiency of bile.

2. (Compound.) From inspissated ox-gall, 1 dr.; powdered rhubarb, ¹⁄₂ dr.; powdered ipecacuanha and capsicum, of each 15 gr.; oil of caraway, 12 drops. For 48 pills.—Dose, 1 to 4; in loss of appetite and dyspepsia, with torpor of the bowels, &c. See Constipation, Gall, &c.

Pills of Ox′ide of Gold. Syn. Pilulæ auri oxydi, L. Prep. (Magendie.) Teroxide of gold, 5 gr.; extract of mezereon, 2 dr.; mix, and divide into 60 pills. Each pill contains ¹⁄₁₂ gr. of teroxide.—Dose, 1 to 3; in scrofula, syphilis, malignant fevers, &c.

Pills of Oxide of Mercury. See Pills, Mercurial.

Pills of Oxide of Sil′ver. Syn. Pilulæ argenti oxydi, L. Prep. From oxide of silver, 6 gr.; powdered rhubarb and extract of gentian, of each 12 gr. For 1 dozen pills.—Dose, 1 pill, twice or thrice daily; in gastralgia, hæmorrhages, nervous affections, &c. Milder than the pills of nitrate of silver.

Pills of Oxide of Zinc. Syn. Pilulæ zinci oxydi, L. Prep. From oxide of zinc, powdered cascarilla, and conserve of hips, equal parts. For 3¹⁄₂-gr. pills. Tonic and antispasmodic.—Dose, 1 to 3, thrice daily; in dyspepsia, gastric or spasmodic coughs, epilepsy, chorea, &c.

Pills, Parr’s Life. Prep. Aloes, 7 lbs.; rhubarb and jalap, of each 5 lbs. (all in powder); extract of gentian, 3¹⁄₂ lbs.; soft soap, ¹⁄₂ lb.; liquorice powder, treacle, and moist sugar, of each 4¹⁄₂ lbs.; oil of cloves, 10 oz.; oil of caraway, 3¹⁄₂ oz.; mix, and beat the whole to a proper mass with syrup bottoms, q. s., and divide it into 3¹⁄₂-gr. pills. “There are about 4 dozen in each 1s. 1¹⁄₂d. box, weighing

Pills of Paullin′ia. Syn. Guarana pills; Pilulæ guaranæ, P. paulliniæ, L. Prep. 1. Paullinia mixed up with syrup of orange peel, and the mass divided into 2¹⁄₂-gr. pills.—Dose, 2 to 8.

2. (Dr Gavrelle.) Extract of guarana, 1 dr.; liquorice powder, q. s. For 40 pills.—Dose, 3 to 6, daily.

Obs. These pills are highly esteemed on the Continent as a tonic and astringent, in diseases of the bowels and bladder, in chlorosis, debility, &c.

Pec′toral Pills. Syn. Breath pills; Pilulæ pectorales, L. Prep. 1. Compound squill pill, 1 dr.; gum benzoin, ¹⁄₂ dr.; powdered ipecacuanha and extract of henbane, of each 15 gr.; syrup, q. s. For 3-gr. pills.—Dose, 2 to 4, three or four times a day; in asthmas, chronic bronchial affections, coughs, &c.

2. (Dr Copland.) Camphor (in powder), 10 gr.; ipecacuanha, 15 gr.; extract of hemlock, 1 dr.—Dose, 3 to 6 gr.; in irritating and spasmodic coughs, &c.

3. (Haggart.) Powdered ipecacuanha and squills, of each ¹⁄₂ dr.; acetate of morphia, 6 gr.; Castile soap, 3 dr.; mix, and divide into 72 pills. A most excellent medicine, at once soothing and expectorant.—Dose, 1 to 2, thrice a day, or oftener.

4. (Humphries’ Cough Pills.) From powdered ipecacuanha, 15 gr.; compound squill-pill, 1 dr.; compound extract of colocynth, ¹⁄₂ dr. For 3¹⁄₂-gr. pills.—Dose, 2 pills, night and morning.

5. (Dr Latham.) Compound powder of ipecacuanha, 1 dr.; fresh squill and gum ammoniacum, of each 20 gr.; calomel, 4 gr. For 20 pills. A most valuable pectoral and expectorant.—Dose, 1 pill, thrice daily; in bronchitis, coughs, &c., after the more active inflammatory symptoms have subsided.

6. (Napoleon’s.) From ipecacuanha, 30 gr.; squills and ammoniacum, of each 40 gr. (all in powder); mucilage, q. s. to mix. For 24 pills. It is said that this was a favourite remedy with the Emperor Napoleon I for difficulty of breathing, bronchitis, and various affections of the organs of respiration.—Dose, 2 pills, night and morning.

7. (Dr Paris.) Powdered squills, ¹⁄₂ dr.; powdered myrrh, 1¹⁄₂ dr.; extract of henbane, 40 gr.; water (or simple syrup), q. s. to mix. For 4-gr. pills,—Dose, 2 pills, night and morning. As No. 2.

8. (Ph. L. 1746.) Gum ammoniacum, 4 dr.; gum benzoin, 3 dr.; gum myrrh, 2 dr.; saffron, 1 dr.; anisated balsam of sulphur, ¹⁄₂ dr.; syrup of tolu, q. s. to mix.—Dose, 5 to 15 gr.

9. (Richter.) Assafœtida and valerian, of each ¹⁄₂ dr.; castor, 15 gr.; powdered squills and sesquicarbonate of ammonia, of each 8 gr.; extract of aconite (alcoholic), 3 gr. For 4-gr. pills.—Dose, 1 to 3 pills, night and morning; in spasmodic affections of the respiratory organs.

Pills, Perpe′tual. See Pills, Everlasting.

Pills, Peter’s. Prep. (Cooley.) Aloes, 3 dr.; gamboge, jalap, and scammony, of each 2 dr. (all in powder); calomel, 1 dr.; beaten up with rectified spirit, q. s. A powerful cathartic.—Dose, 1 to 3 pills.

Pills of Phosphorus. (B. P.) Syn. Pilulæ Phosphori. Prep. Phosphorus, 2 gr.; balsam of tolu, 120 gr.; yellow wax, 60 gr. Put the phosphorus and balsam into a wedgwood mortar half full of hot water, and when the phosphorus has melted and the balsam become sufficiently soft, rub them together beneath the surface of the water until no particles of phosphorus are visible, the temperature of the water being maintained at or near 140° F. Add now the wax, and as it softens mix it thoroughly with the other ingredients. Allow the mass to cool without being exposed to the air, and keep it in a bottle immersed in cold water. It may be softened with a few drops of rectified spirit when made into pills.—Dose, 3 to 6 gr.

Pills of Pi′perine. Syn. Pilulæ piperinæ, L. Prep. From piperine, ¹⁄₂ dr.; extract of cinchona, q. s. For 30 pills.—Dose, 1 pill, every two hours, during the intermission of an ague; also as an aphrodisiac and a remedy in piles.

Pills of Pitch. Syn. Pilulæ picis nigræ, L. Prep. From black pitch and powdered black pepper, equal parts; beaten together in a warm mortar, and divided into 4-gr. pills.—Dose, 2 pills, night and morning; in piles, &c.

Pills, Pitschaft’s Eccopro′tic. Prep. From strained aloes and disulphate of quinine, equal parts; made into 2-gr. pills. A tonic and stomachic aperient.—Dose, 2 to 4, at bedtime; in torpor of the large intestines, the dyspepsia of the debilitated, &c.

Pills of Podophyllin. Syn. Pilulæ podophyllini. Prep. Resin of podophyllin, ¹⁄₄ gr. Extract of henbane. To make one pill. One or two for a dose.

Pills of Prussian Blue. (Jolly.) Syn. Pilulæ ferri percyanidi composita. Prep. Prussian blue, 18 gr,; sulphate of quinine, 12 gr,; extract of opium, 1 gr.; conserve of roses, q. s. Mix, and make into 12 pills; 1 every three hours, in neuralgia.

Pills, Plummer’s. See Pills of Calomel (Compound).

Pills, Pu′rgative. Syn. Pilulæ purgantes, L. Prep. 1. (Dr Robinson.) Aqueous extract of aloes, 1 dr.; powdered scammony, ¹⁄₂ dr.; balsam of Peru, 10 or 12 gr.; oil of caraway, 9 or 10 drops; mix, and divide into 30 pills. A warm, stimulating aperient, highly recommended to excite the peristaltic action ofDose, 1 to 4 pills, as required.

2. (Trousseau & Reveil.) Resin of jalap, 1 dr.; scammony, ¹⁄₂ dr.; extract of colocynth, 6 gr.; excipient, as required. For 20 (or, better, 24) pills.—Dose, 1, “every two hours, in the morning, fasting, until they operate.” For other formulae see Pills, Aperient and Cathartic, and Pills of Aloes, Jalap, Colocynth, &c.

Pills of Quinine′. See Pills of Sulphate of Quinine.

Pills, Reece’s. See Pills, Chirayta.

Pills, Re′nal. Syn. Pilulæ renales, L. Prep. 1. Squills, myrrh, and digitalis, of each (in powder) 10 gr.; extract of rhubarb and mercurial pill, of each 15 gr.; powdered nitre, 20 gr.; oil of juniper, 10 or 12 drops. For 24 pills. Alterative, diuretic, and tonic.—Dose, 3 to 6, thrice a day. Hunter’s Renal Purifying Pills are similar, but omitting the mercurial pill. De Roos’ Renal Pills contain a preparation of copaiba.

Pills, Rhe′umatism. Syn. Pilulæ antirheumaticæ, L. Prep. 1. Gum guaiacum, 1 dr.; nitrate of potassia, 1¹⁄₂ dr. (both in powder); soft soap (Ph. L.), ¹⁄₂ dr.; oil of cajeput, 16 drops. For 4 dozen pills.—Dose, 2 to 6, night and morning; in chronic rheumatism, and rheumatic gout. Their action is accelerated by the copious use of lemon juice during the day.

2. (Beasley.) Extract of artichoke, ¹⁄₂ dr.; powdered sarsaparilla, 20 gr.; oil of sassafras, 1 drop. For 12 pills.—Dose, 1 pill, thrice daily.

Pills of Rh′ubarb. Syn. Pilulæ rhei (Ph. E.), L. Prep. 1. (Ph. E.) Powdered rhubarb, 9 parts; acetate of potassa, 1 part; conserve of red roses, 5 parts; mix, and divide into 5-gr. pills. A stomachic and gentle aperient, particularly useful in atonic dyspepsia.—Dose, 2 to 4 pills.

2. (Ph. U. S.) Powdered rhubarb, 6 dr; Castile soap, 2 dr.; beaten up with water, q. s., and divide into 120 pills. As the last.

Pills of Rhubarb (Compound). Syn. Aromatic pills, Balsamic laxative p., Edinburgh p., Stomachic p.; Pilula rhei composita (B. P., Ph. L.), Pilulæ r. compositæ (Ph. E. & D.), P. stomachicæ, P. aromaticæ, L. Prep. 1. (Ph. L.) Powdered rhubarb, 4 dr.; powdered Socotrine aloes, 3 dr.; powdered myrrh, 2 dr.; soft soap (Ph. L.), ¹⁄₂ dr.; oil of caraway, 15 drops; treacle, q. s. to form a mass.

2. (Ph. L. 1836.) Powdered rhubarb, 1 oz.; aloes, 6 dr.; myrrh, 4 dr.; Castile soap, 1 dr.; oil of caraway, ¹⁄₂ fl. dr.; syrup, q. s.

3. (Ph. E.) Powdered rhubarb, 12 parts; aloes, 9 parts; myrrh and Castile soap, of each 6 parts; conserve of red roses, 5 parts; oil of peppermint, 1 part; mix, and divide into 5-gr, pills. The oil of peppermint may be omitted, when so preferred.

4. (Ph. D.) Rhubarb, 1¹⁄₂ oz.; hepatic aloes, 9 dr.; myrrh and Castile soap, of each in fine powder, 6 dr.; oil of peppermint, 1 fl. dr.; treacle, 2 oz.; mix, and beat the whole to a uniform mass.

5. (Ph. U. S. & Ph. E. 1817.) Rhubarb, 8 dr.; aloes, 6 dr.; myrrh, 4 dr.; oil of peppermint, ¹⁄₂ fl. dr.; syrup of orange peel, q. s.; mix, and divide into 240 pills.

6. (B. P.) Rhubarb, in fine powder, 3 oz.; Socotrine aloes, in fine powder (some physicians prefer the aqueous extract—Squire), 2¹⁄₂ oz.; myrrh, in fine powder, 1¹⁄₂ oz.; hard soap, 1¹⁄₂ oz.; English oil of peppermint, 1¹⁄₂ dr.; treacle, by weight, 4 oz.; reduce the soap to fine powder and triturate it with the rhubarb, aloes, and myrrh; add the treacle and oil, and beat into a mass.—Dose, 5 to 10 gr.

Obs. The above are tonic, stomachic, and gently laxative; extremely useful for obviating costiveness and giving tone to the stomach and bowels.—Dose, 6 or 8 to 20 gr. The London pill is not only the most agreeable, but it keeps the best.

Pills of Rhubarb and Ca′raway. See Kitchener’s Peristaltic Persuaders (Patent medicines).

Pills of Rhubarb and Cham′omile. Syn. Speediman’s pills; Pilulæ rhei et anthemidis, L. Prep. From aloes, myrrh, rhubarb (each in powder), and extract of chamomile, of each 1 dr.; essential oil of chamomile, 10 or 12 drops. For 4-gr. pills. An excellent tonic and stomachic aperient, particularly useful in the dyspepsia and loss of appetite of hard drinkers.—Dose, 1 to 3 pills, either before dinner or at bedtime.

Pills of Rhubarb and Copa′iba. Syn. Pilulæ rhei et copaibæ, P. r. balsamicæ, L. Prep. (Swediaur.) Powdered rhubarb and gum, equal parts; balsam of copaiba, q. s.

Pills of Rhubarb and Gi′nger. Syn. Stomach pills; Pilulæ rhei et zingiberis, L. Prep. From powdered rhubarb, 1 dr.; powdered ginger, ¹⁄₂ dr.; Castile soap, 20 gr.; tincture or essence of ginger, q. s. to form a mass. For 30 pills.—Dose, 1 to 6.

Pills of Rhubarb and Ipeca′cuanha. Syn. Pilulæ rhei et ipecacuanhæ, L. Prep. From rhubarb, ¹⁄₂ dr.; ipecacuanha, 15 gr.; opium, 5 gr. (each in powder); oil of cinnamon, 6 drops; syrup, q. s. For 18 pills.—Dose. In loss of appetite and spasmodic dyspepsia, 1 to 3 pills, twice a day; in dysentery, diarrhœa, &c., to relieve tormina and tenesmus, 1 every two hours.

Pills of Rhubarb and I′ron. Syn. Pilulæ rhei et ferri (Ph. E.), L. Prep. (Ph. E.) Dried sulphate of iron, 4 parts; extract of rhubarb, 10 parts; conserve of red roses, 5 parts; beat them to a proper mass, and divide this into 5-gr. pills.—Dose, 2 to 4 pills; in the atonic dyspepsia of debilitated subjects, in chlorosis, &c.

Pills of Rhubarb and Ox-gall. Syn. Pilulæ rhei et fellis bovini, L. Prep. From powdered¹⁄₂-gr. pills. In dyspepsia and constipation dependent on a torpid action of the liver.—Dose, 2 to 6 pills.

Pills of Rhubarb and So′da. Syn. Pilulæ rhei et sodæ, P. r. comp. cum sodâ, L. Prep. (Guy’s Hosp.) Dried carbonate of soda, powdered rhubarb, and extract of gentian, equal parts. For 4¹⁄₂-gr. pills.—Dose, 2 to 4 pills; in acidity, heartburn, diarrhœa, loss of appetite, &c.

Pills, Richter’s. See Pectoral pills.

Pills, Dr Robinson’s. See Pills, Purgative.

Pills, Rudius’s. Syn. Rudius’s extract; Pilulæ rudii, Extractum rudii, L. Prep. 1. Colocynth pulp, 6 dr.; agaric, black hellebore, and turpethum root, of each 4 dr.; cinnamon, mace, and cloves, of each 40 gr.; rectified spirit, ¹⁄₂ pint; digest for 4 days, express the tincture, and evaporate it to a proper consistence for making pills. Formerly esteemed one of the most safe and certain cathartics in troublesome constipation.—Dose, 5 to 20 gr.

2. (Ph. E. 1783.) Black hellebore and colocynth, of each 2 oz.; water, 4 pints (o. w. m.); boil to a quart, strain, evaporate to the consistence of honey, and add, of aloes, 2 oz.; scammony (powdered), 1 oz.; next remove the vessel from the fire, and further add of sulphate of potassa, 2 dr.; oil of cloves, 1 dr.; and form the whole into a pill-mass. Resembles the last (nearly).

Pills, Rufus’s. See Pills of Aloes with Myrrh.

Pills of Sabadilla. Syn. Pilulæ cevadillæ. Prep. Equal parts of sabadilla and honey; make into 5-gr. pills.—Dose. For an adult, 4 to 6 pills; for a child, 1 to 2. Vermifuge.

Pills of Sa′ffron. Syn. Pilulæ croci, L. Prep. 1. From hay saffron, 1 dr.; myrrh, ¹⁄₂ dr.; oil of cajeput, 6 drops; syrup of saffron, q. s. For 36 pills.—Dose, 1 to 3 or 4, occasionally; as a stimulant in low spirits, hypochondriasis, &c.

2. (Phœbus.) Saffron, myrrh, and sulphur, equal parts; inspissated bile, q. s. For 2-gr. pills.—Dose, 2 to 12 daily; as an emmenagogue.

Pills of Sagape′num (Compound). Syn. Pilulæ sagapeni compositæ, L. Prep. (Ph. L. 1836.) Sagapenum, 1 oz.; aloes, ¹⁄₂ dr.; syrup of ginger, q. s.—Dose, 5 to 20 gr.; as a stimulant antispasmodic laxative, in dyspepsia with flatulence, flatulent colic, &c.

Pills of Sal′icin. Syn. Pilulæ salicinæ, L. Prep. From salicin, ¹⁄₂ dr.; powdered rhubarb, 20 gr.; extract of gentian, q. s. to mix. For 4-gr. pills.—Dose, 2 to 4, every three hours, during the apyrexia of intermittents.

Pills of Sandal Wood Oil. (Ebert.) Syn. Pilulæ olei santali. Prep. Oil of yellow sandal wood, ¹⁄₂ oz.; yellow wax, ¹⁄₂ oz. Melt the wax into a capsule, and weigh into it the oil of sandal wood. Mix, and stir until cold, then roll out the mass and divide it into 80 pills, by means of the pill machine or pill-tite, in the same manner as in the ordinary mass, and sprinkle with marshmallow root powder. Each pill contains about 3 gr. or about 5 drops of the oil. The excipient is unobjectionable, as it is readily soluble in the juices of the stomach.

Pills of Scam′mony (Compound). Syn. Pilulæ scammonii compositæ, L. Prep. 1. (St. B. Hosp.) Scammony, 24 gr.; ginger, 20 gr.; aloes and gamboge, of each 12 gr.; treacle, q. s.; mix, and divide into 12 pills. A powerful cathartic and vermifuge.—Dose, 1 to 3 pills.

2. (B. P.) Resin of scammony, resin of jalap, of each 1 oz.; curd soap, in powder, 1 oz.; strong tincture of ginger, 1 fl. oz.; rectified spirit, 2 fl. oz. Add the tincture and spirit to the soap and resins, and dissolve by the aid of a gentle heat, then evaporate the spirit over a water-bath until the mass has a pilular consistence.—Dose, 5 gr. to 15 gr.

Pills, Scot’s. Prep. From aloes, 9 lbs.; jalap, 3 lbs.; gamboge and ginger, of each ¹⁄₂ lb.; beaten with treacle, q. s. See Pills, Anderson’s Scot’s.

Pills, Dr Scott’s Bil′ious and Liver. Prep. (Cooley.) Compound extract of colocynth (Ph. L. 1836), 8 oz.; powdered rhubarb, 4 oz.; powdered myrrh, 2 oz.; soft soap, ¹⁄₂ oz.; oil of caraway, 2¹⁄₂ dr.; strong syrup of saffron, q. s. to form a pill-mass. “There are twenty-five 3¹⁄₂-gr. pills in each 1s. 1¹⁄₂d. box.” “It has been stated that these pills contain a minute portion of antimony.” (‘Anat. of Quackery.’)

Pills, Se′dative. Syn. Pilulæ sedativæ, L. Prep. 1. Hydrochlorate of morphia, 6 gr.; powdered sumbul, 20 gr.; alcoholic extract of Indian hemp, ¹⁄₂ dr. For 2-gr. pills.—Dose, 1 to 3, twice or thrice daily; in excessive nervous irritability, painful menstruation, &c.

2. (U. C. Hosp.) Camphor, 1 dr.; reduce it to powder by means of rectified spirit, 3 or 4 drops; add of extract of henbane, 20 gr., and divide the mass into 20 pills. To allay pain and excitement, &c.—Dose, 1 to 2 pills.

3. To either of the above, add of powdered rhubarb and extract of gentian, of each 20 gr., and divide the mass into 4-gr. pills.—Dose, 1 to 4 pills; when, besides the other symptoms, the stomach and bowels are disordered.

Pills, Sedillot’s Febrifuge. Prep. From powdered opium, 3 gr.; sulphate of quinine, 12 gr.; confection of opium, 10 gr., or q. s. For 12 pills.—Dose, 1 to 2, every second hour, during the intermission of an ague.

Pills of Sen′na. Syn. Pilulæ sennæ, P. s. compositæ, L. Prep. 1. Powdered senna, 1 dr.; extract of rhubarb, ¹⁄₂ dr.; powdered capsicum, 4 gr.; oil of juniper, 6 or 8 drops.Dose, 5 to 8 pills.

2. (Hufeland.) Powdered senna, 1 dr.; extract of dandelion, q. s. to mix. For 30 pills. As the last.

Pills, Smith’s. Prep. From powdered aloes, 4 dr.; jalap, 2 dr.; ginger and soft soap, of each 1 dr.; oil of juniper, ¹⁄₂ dr.; emetic tartar, 6 gr. For 120 pills. Laxative and diuretic.—Dose, 1 to 4, at bedtime, or early in the morning.

Pills, Dr Hugh Smith’s. See Stomach Pills.

Pills of Soap. Syn. Pilulæ saponis, P. cum sapone, L. Prep. (P. Cod.) White Castile soap, 32 parts; powdered marshmallow root, 4 parts; powdered nitrate of potassa, 1 part; beat them to a mass, and divide this into 4-gr. pills. In habitual costiveness, calculary affections, &c.—Dose, 1 to 6 pills, twice or thrice a day.

Pills of Soap (Compound). Syn. Pills of soap and opium, Laudanum pills; Pilula saponis composita (Ph. L.), Pilulæ saponis cum opio, L. Prep. 1. (Ph. L.) Opium and liquorice, of each (in powder) 2 dr.; soft soap (Ph. L.), 6 dr.; beat them to a uniform mass.

2. (B. P. & Ph. U. S.) Opium (in fine powder), ¹⁄₂ oz.; Castile soap, 2 oz.; distilled water, ¹⁄₂ fl. dr., or q. s.; reduce the soap to powder, mix it with the other ingredients, and beat the whole together, as before.—Dose, 3 gr. to 5 gr. See Pills of Opium.

Obs. The above pills contain 1-5th part of their weight in dry opium. The dose is 3 to 10 gr., in the usual cases in which the administration of opium is indicated. Mr Skey, the eminent surgeon of St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, has shown the great value of this pill in promoting the healing of obstinate ulcers, more especially those of the legs.

Pills of Soda. Syn. Pilulæ sodæ carbonatis, L. Prep. (Ph. E. 1817.) Exsiccated carbonate of soda, 4 parts; Castile soap, 3 parts; syrup, q. s. to form a mass. Antacid and slightly laxative.—Dose, 10 to 20 gr. This pill was a great favourite of the once celebrated Dr Beddoes.

Pills, Soot. (Dr Neligan.) Syn. Pilulæ fuliginis. Prep. Extract of soot, ¹⁄₂ dr.; compound galbanum pill, 1 scruple; oil of valerian, 15 minims. Make into 12 pills. Take 2 three times a day. For hysteria.

Pills, Speediman’s. Prep. (Cooley.) Aloes, 3 dr.; rhubarb, myrrh (all in powder), and extract of chamomile, of each 1 dr.; oil of chamomile, 20 drops. For 4-gr. pills. An excellent aperient, tonic, and stomachic.—Dose, 2 to 4 pills, as a purgative; 1, as a stomachic or dinner pill.

Pills, Splenet′ic. Syn. Pilulæ antispleneticæ, L. Prep. (Saunders.) Strained aloes and gum ammoniacum, of each 3 dr.; myrrh and bryony, of each ¹⁄₂ dr. For 4-gr. pills.—Dose, 3 to 5, “Extolled in amenorrhœa and hypochondriasis.” (Dr R. E. Griffith.)

Pills of Squill (Compound). Syn. Cough pills, Pills of squills and ginger; Pilula scillæ compositæ (B. P., Ph. L.), Pilulæ scillæ compositæ (Ph. D.), P. scillæ (Ph. E.), L. Prep. 1. (Ph. L.) Freshly powdered squills, 1 dr.; powdered ginger and powdered ammoniacum, of each 2 dr.; mix, add of soft soap (Ph. L.), 3 dr.; treacle, 1 dr.; and beat the whole together, so that a mass may be formed.

2. (Ph. E.) Squills, 5 parts; ammoniacum, ginger (all in fine powder), and Spanish soap, of each 4 parts; conserve of red roses, 2 parts; mix, as before, and divide the mass into 5-gr. pills.

3. (Ph. D.) Squills (in fine powder), 2¹⁄₂ dr.; ammoniacum, ginger, and Castile soap, of each (in fine powder) 2 dr.; treacle, ¹⁄₂ oz.

4. (B. P.) Squill (in fine powder), 1¹⁄₄; ginger (in fine powder), 1; ammoniacum (in powder), 1; hard soap (in powder), 1; treacle (by weight), 2, or a sufficiency; mix the powders, add the treacle, and beat into a mass.—Dose, 5 to 10 grains.

Obs. Compound squill pill is a most useful expectorant in chronic coughs, asthmas, bronchial affections, difficulty of breathing, &c.; and, combined with calomel and foxglove, and, occasionally, with croton oil, as a diuretic, &c., in dropsies. Unfortunately, however, it soon spoils; and, therefore, to be effective as a remedy, it must be recently prepared. As an expectorant, it should not be administered until the inflammatory symptoms have been subdued by purgatives or bleeding. A little powdered opium, or extract of henbane, is occasionally added, to allay irritation.—Dose, 5 to 20 gr., twice or thrice a day, accompanied by an occasional aperient.

Pills, Stahl’s. See Pills, Aperient.

Pills, Starkey’s. Prep. (Original formula.) Extract of opium, 4 oz.; mineral benzoar and nutmeg, of each 2 oz.; saffron and Virginian snake-root, of each 1 oz.; Starkey’s soap, ¹⁄₂ lb.; oil of sassafras, ¹⁄₂ oz.; tincture of antimony (Old Ph.), 2 fl. oz. Anodyne, diaphoretic, &c.—Dose, 3 to 10 gr. The formula already given under Matthew’s pills is erroneously assigned to this pill by some writers.

Pills, Mrs. Stephen’s. This once celebrated remedy for stone was prepared from the calcined shells of eggs and snails, made into 3-gr. pills with soft soap. Its active ingredients were, consequently, lime and potash.

Pills, Stim′ulant. Syn. Pilulæ stimulantes, L. Prep. 1. Capsicum, ¹⁄₂ dr.; nitrate of silver, 2 gr.; conserve of hips, q. s. For 12 pills.—Dose, 2 to 4, washed down with a spoonful of warm spirit and water, and repeated hourly until reaction ensues; in cholera, &c.

2. (A. T. Thomson.) Strychnine, 1 gr.; acetic acid, 1 drop; crum of bread, 20 gr.; mix very carefully, and divide the mass intoDose, 1 every six hours; in paralysis arising from lead.

Pills, Stoerck’s. Syn. Pilulæ conii, P. cicutæ, L. Prep. From extract of hemlock, 1 dr.; powdered hemlock, q. s. to make a mass. For 2-gr. pills.—Dose, 1 to 4, twice a day; in various glandular and visceral enlargements, pulmonary affections, cancer, scrofula, neuralgia, &c.

Pills, Stomach. Syn. Pilulæ stomachicæ, L. Prep. 1. Ipecacuanha, 10 gr.; sumbul and extract of rhubarb, of each 30 gr.; powdered quassia, 20 gr.; oil of sassafras, 6 drops; beaten up with essence of ginger (strongest), q. s. For 3-gr. pills.—Dose, 1 to 3, thrice daily; in loss of appetite, flatulence, dyspepsia, &c.

2. (Dr Hugh Smith’s.) From aloes, rhubarb, ginger (all powdered), and sagapenum, of each 1 dr.; oils of peppermint and cloves, of each 10 drops; balsam of Peru, q. s. to mix. For 5-gr. pills—Dose, 2 or 3 nightly; or 1 to 2 before dinner. For other formulæ, see Dinner, Aperient, Compound rhubarb, Aloes and Mastic pills, &c.

Pills of Sto′rax (Compound). Syn. Storax pills; Pilula styracis composita (Ph. L.), Pilulæ styracis (Ph. E.), L. Prep. 1. (Ph. L.) Prepared storax, 6 dr.; saffron and powdered opium, of each 2 dr. beat them together to a uniform mass. Contains 1-5th of its weight of opium.

2. (Ph. E.) Opium and saffron, of each 1 part; extract of styrax, 2 parts; beat them to a uniform mass, and divide this into 4-gr. pills. Contains ¹⁄₄th part of opium.

Obs. The storax is here chiefly employed to disguise the odour and taste of opium. The name of the preparation has been chosen so that the word ‘opium’ may not appear in the prescription, a point highly necessary with certain patients.—Dose, 3 to 10 gr.; as compound soap pill, and as an anodyne and expectorant in chronic coughs, &c.

Pills of Stramo′′nium. Syn. Pilulæ stramonii, L. Prep. 1. Stramonium seeds (in powder), 12 gr. (or leaves, 25 gr.); powdered camphor and extract of seneka root, of each 1 dr.; powdered savine, 1¹⁄₂ dr.; oil of cajeput, 15 drops. For 2¹⁄₂-gr. pills.—Dose, 2 to 4, thrice daily; in rheumatism, &c.

2. (Sir H. Halford.) Extract of stramonium and liquorice powder, of each 1 dr.; powdered Castile soap, 2 dr.; mucilage, q. s. to mix. For 60 pills.—Dose, 1 night and morning; in asthmas, &c.

Pills of Strych′nine. Syn. Pilulæ strychniæ, L. Prep. (Magendie.) Strychnine, 2 gr.; conserve of hips, 36 gr. (liquorice powder, q. s.); mix very carefully, divide the mass into 24 pills, and silver them.—Dose, 1 pill night and morning; in amaurosis, impotence, paralysis, &c.

Pills of Sulphate of Copper. (Brande.) Syn. Pilulæ cupri sulphatis. Prep. Sulphate of copper, 3 gr.; bread crum, 1 dr. Mix, for 24 pills; 1, three or four times a day.

Pills of Sul′phate of I′ron. Syn. Pilulæ ferri sulphatis (Ph. E.), L. Prep. 1. (Ph. E.) Dried sulphate of iron and conserve of red roses, of each 2 parts; extract of dandelion, 5 parts. For 5-gr. pills. A useful chalybeate tonic. Dose, 1 to 2, twice or thrice daily; in dyspepsia, chlorosis, amenorrhœa, &c.

2. (Ph. E. 1817.) Sulphate of iron (dried), 1 oz.; extract of chamomile, 1¹⁄₂ oz.; oil of peppermint, 1 dr.; syrup, q. s. As the last.

3. (Ph. U. S.) As No. 1, but substituting extract of gentian for extract of dandelion. For other formulæ, see Pills, Hooper’s female, &c.

Pills of Sulphate of Quinine′. Syn. Pilulæ quiniæ sulphatis, P. q. disulphatis, L. Prep. 1. Sulphate of quinine, 20 gr.; extract of gentian, 40 gr. For 20 pills.

2. (Ph. U. S.) Sulphate of quinine, 2 dr.; powdered gum, ¹⁄₂ dr.; strained honey, q. s. For 120 pills. Each pill contains 1 gr. of the sulphate or disulphate of quinine.—Dose, 1 or 2 twice a day, as a tonic and stomachic; 6 to 12, every two or three hours during the remissions of agues.

3. (B. P.) Mix 60 gr. of sulphate of quinine, and 20 gr. of confection of hips to a uniform mass.—Dose, 2 gr. to 10 gr.

Obs. Various additions are often made to the above formulæ, according to the indications, by which numerous other useful pills are produced. Thus, potassio-tartrate of antimony is frequently added in obstinate intermittents; iodide of potassium, in scrofulous affections; foxglove, in the hectic fever of phthisis; bitter tonics and aromatics, in dyspepsia, flatulence, &c.; carbonate of soda or magnesia, in acidity and heartburn; calomel, mercurial pill, in bilious affections; rhubarb and aloes, in bowelly affections; sulphate of iron and other chalybeates, in debility, amenorrhœa, and chlorosis; calomel, as an alterative, &c., &c.

Pills of Sulphate of Zinc. Syn. Pilulæ zinci suphatis, P. z. s. compositæ, L. Prep. 1. Sulphate of zinc, 12 gr.; extract of gentian, ¹⁄₂ dr.; liquorice powder, q. s. For 20 pills. In dyspepsia, epilepsy, and various convulsive diseases.

2. (Dr Paris.) Sulphate of zinc, 10 gr.; powdered myrrh, 1¹⁄₂ dr.; conserve of roses, q. s. For 30 pills.—Dose, 1 to 2, twice or thrice daily; in hooping-cough, &c.

Pills of Sulphuret of Iron. (Biett.) Syn. Pilulæ ferri sulphureti. Prep. Sulphuret of iron, ¹⁄₂ dr.; marshmallow powder, 10 gr.; syrup, q. s. Make into 20 pills; 1 to 4 pills daily, in scrofulous eruptions.

Pills, Syph′ilis. Syn. Pilulæ antisyphiliticæ, L. See the various pills of mercury, gold, &c. The pills of corrosive sublimate commonly pass under this name.

Pills, Tangore. See Pills, Arsenical.

Pills of Tan′nic Acid. Syn. Pilulæ tannini,P. acidi tannici, L. Prep. From tannic acid or tannin and powdered sugar, of each ¹⁄₂ dr.; conserve of roses, q. s. For 24 pills.—Dose, 1 or 2 pills, thrice daily, in diarrhœa; or 2 every three hours, in internal hæmorrhages, spitting of blood, &c.

Pills of Tar. Syn. Pilulæ picis liquidæ, L. Prep. From tar, 1 dr.; powdered gentian, ¹⁄₂ dr., or q. s. For 24 pills. Stimulant, diuretic, and sudorific.—Dose, 1 to 4, thrice a day; in dropsies, worms, ichthyosis, and several other skin diseases, &c.

Pills of Tarax′acum. Syn. Pilulæ taraxaci, L. Prep. 1. Extract of dandelion, 1 dr.; powdered rhubarb, q. s.; divide into 3¹⁄₂-gr. pills. In dyspepsia, &c., complicated with congestion of the liver.

2. (St Marie.) Extract of dandelion and Castile soap, equal parts; liquid acetate of potassa, q. s. to mix. For 4-gr. pills. As a diuretic in dropsy.

3. Extract of dandelion, 1 dr.; mercurial pill, 20 gr.; powdered digitalis, 15 gr.; liquorice powder, q. s. For 24 pills.—Dose, 1, afterwards increased to 2 or 3; in dropsy connected with liver disease.

Pills, Thomson’s Stomach and Liver. Prep. From extract of dandelion, 1 dr.; scammony and rhubarb, of each 15 gr. For 14 pills.—Dose, 2 pills, night and morning; in hysteria, hypochondriasis, and chronic inflammation of the liver or kidneys.

Pills of Tobacco. (Augustin.) Syn. Pilulæ tabaci. Prep. Powder of tobacco, 24 gr.; confection of roses, q. s. Mix, and form 72 pills.—Dose, 2 to 4 daily, till nausea is produced. In dropsy.

Pills, Tonic. Syn. Pilulæ tonicæ, L. Prep. 1. Sulphate of iron, ginger, and myrrh (all in powder), equal parts; conserve of roses, q. s.; mix, and divide into 4-gr. pills.—Dose, 1, twice a day; in debility, chlorosis, &c.

2. Powdered myrrh and sulphate of iron, of each 1 dr.; disulphate of quinine, ¹⁄₂ dr., powdered capsicum, 15 gr.; conserve of roses, q. s. to mix. For 60 pills.—Dose, 1 or 2, twice or thrice a day; in debility, dyspepsia, ague, &c.

3. (Dr Collier.) Tartrate of iron and extract of gentian, of each 1 dr.; oil of cinnamon, 2 drops. For 30 pills.—Dose, 3 to 6, three or four times a day. A good stomachic tonic.

4. (Dr Collier.) Oxide of zinc, ¹⁄₂ dr. (or sulphate of zinc, 20 gr.); myrrh, 2 dr.; camphor, 20 gr.; confection of hips, to mix. For 40 pills.—Dose, 1 or two pills, three times a day; in epilepsy, chorea, and other nervous disorders, debility, &c.

5. (Dr A. T. Thomson.) Rhubarb and ginger, of each ¹⁄₂ dr.; extract of chamomile, 1 dr.; divide into 30 pills.—Dose, 2 or 3, twice a day; in dyspepsia and chlorosis.

6. (Dr A. T. Thomson.) Sesquioxide of iron and extract of hemlock, of each 1 dr.; mix, and divide into 20 pills.—Dose, 1 or 2, twice a day; in fluor albus, scrofula, &c. Several other formulæ for tonic pills will be found under the names of the leading ingredients, &c. (See above.)

Pills of Turpentine. (P. Cod.) Syn. Pilulæ terebinthinæ. Prep. Venice turpentine, 1¹⁄₂ oz.; carbonate of magnesia, 1 oz. Make into 200 pills.

Pills of Vale′′rian (Compound). Syn. Pilulæ valerianæ compositæ, L. Prep. (Dupuytren.) Powdered valerian, ¹⁄₂ dr.; castor and white oxide of zinc, of each 20 gr.; syrup, q. s.; to mix. For 18 pills.—Dose, 2 or 3, thrice daily; in hysteria, hypochondriasis, chlorosis, hemicrania, &c.

Pills of Vale′′rianate of Zinc. Syn. Pilulæ valerianas, L. Prep. From valerianate of zinc and powdered gum, of each 15 gr.; conserve of hips, q. s. to form a mass. For 18 pills.—Dose, 1 pill, twice daily; in nervous headache, neuralgia, hysteria, &c.

Pills, Vallet’s. See Pills of Carbonate of Iron.

Pills, Vance’s. See Pills, Aperient.

Pills of Vera′trine. Syn. Pilulæ veratrinæ, L. Prep. 1. (Magendie.) Veratrine, ¹⁄₂ gr.; powdered gum Arabic and syrup of gum, of each q. s. to form 6 pills. (See below.)

2. (Turnbull.) Veratrine, 1 gr.; extract of henbane and liquorice powder, of each 12 gr.; mix, and divide into 12 pills.—Dose, 1 pill, every 3 hours; in dropsy, epilepsy, hysteria, paralysis, nervous palpitations, &c. This should be prepared and used with great caution.

Pills, Ward’s Red. Syn. Ward’s antimonial pills. Prep. From glass of antimony (finely levigated), 4 oz.; dragon’s blood, 1 oz.; mountain wine, q. s.; to form a mass. For 1¹⁄₂-gr. pills. Emetic. “They are recommended in obstinate rheumatism affections, in foulness of the stomach and bowels, &c. Their action is often of a very unpleasant character.” (‘Anat. of Quackery.’)

Pills, Lady Webster’s. See Pills, Dinner.

Pills, Whitehead’s Essence of Mustard. Balsam of tolu, with resin. (Dr Paris.)

Pills, Whytt’s. Prep. (Radius.) Aloes, chloride of iron, and extract of horehound, of each ¹⁄₂ dr.; assafœtida, 1¹⁄₂ dr. For 2-gr. pills.—Dose, 2 to 5, thrice daily; in leucorrhœa, chlorosis, hysteria, &c., with constipation.

Pills, Worm. Syn. Pilulæ anthelminticæ, P. vermifugæ, L. Prep. 1. Calomel, 1 oz.; sugar, 1¹⁄₂ oz.; mucilage, q. s.; mix, and divide into 240 pills.—Dose, 1 to 2, overnight, followed by a strong dose of castor oil early the next morning.

2. Gamboge, 6 gr.; calomel, 5 gr.; mucilage, q. s.; divide into 3 pills. For a morning’s dose, fasting.

3. Extract of wormwood, calomel, and powdered scammony, equal parts. For 4-gr. pills.—Dose, 1 to 2, as the last. For ascarides, and other small worms.

4. (Bresmer.) Powdered aloes and tansy seed, of each ¹⁄₂ dr.; oil of rue, 9 or 10 drops. for 12 pills.—Dose, 3 to 6, in the morning, fasting, and repeated in two or three hours.

5. (Phœbus.) Iron filings, ¹⁄₂ dr.; assafœtida, 1¹⁄₂ dr.; essential oil of tansy, 10 or 12 drops; extract of wormwood, q. s.; mix, and divide into 80 pills.—Dose, 6 pills, thrice daily.

6. (Peschier.) Ethereal extract of male fern, 30 drops; extract of dandelion, 1 dr.; powdered rhizomes of male fern, q. s. to mix. For 30 pills. In tapeworm.—Dose, 6 to 15, at bedtime; the dose being repeated in the morning, and then followed in an hour by a strong dose of castor oil.

Pills, Wordsell’s (Kaye’s). Prep. (Cooley.) Powdered aloes, gamboge, and ginger, equal parts; together with a very small quantity of diaphoretic antimony, beaten into a mass with either syrup or treacle, and divided into 2¹⁄₂-gr. pills. “There are about 4¹⁄₂ dozen pills in each 1s. 1¹⁄₂d. box.” “The dose, as given in the directions, is from 2 to 8 pills (or even 10 to 12) daily.” (‘Anat. of Quackery.’) They frequently operate with great violence.

Pills, Wyndham’s (Lee’s). Prep. (Cooley.) Aloes and gamboge, of each (in powder) 3 oz.; Castile soap and extract of cow-parsnip, of each 1 oz.; nitre, ¹⁄₂ oz. For 5-gr. pills. A powerful drastic cathartic.—Dose, 1 to 3 pills.

Pills of Zinc. See Pills of Oxide, Sulphate and Valerianate of Zinc, &c.

PILOCARPINE. Prep. Exhaust the leaves or bark of Jaborandi with 80% alcohol, to which hydrochloric acid has been added in the proportion of 8 grains per litre; distil and evaporate to the consistence of an extract. Redissolve the extract with a small quantity of distilled water and filter; treat with ammonia in slight excess, and a large quantity of chloroform. Distil off the chloroform, dissolve the residue in distilled water acidulated with hydrochloric acid, and filter. Treat afresh with chloroform and ammonia. The chloroformic solution is then shaken with water, to which hydrochloric acid is added, drop by drop, up to the quantity sufficient to saturate the pilocarpine. The foreign matters remain in the chloroform, and upon evaporation of the aqueous liquid the hydrochlorate is obtained, well crystallised, in long needles radiating from a common centre. The hydrochlorate dissolved in distilled water, and treated with ammonia and chloroform, yields the pilocarpine upon evaporation of the chloroform solution.

Pilocarpine appears under the form of a soft viscous substance; it is slightly soluble in water and very soluble in alcohol, ether and chloroform. It presents all the chemical characters of an alkaloid, and rotates the plane of polarized light strongly to the right. (Paris Pharmaceutical Society.)

PIMA′RIC ACID. A resin acid first obtained by Laurent from the turpentine of Pinus maritima (Bordeaux turpentine), by the action of hot alcohol.

PIMEN′TO. Syn. Allspice, Clove pepper, Jamaica p., Pimento berries; Pimenta (B. P., Ph. L., E., & E.), Piper caryophyllatum, P. Jamaicense, P. odoratum, PIMENTÆ BACCÆ, L. “The dried unripe berries of the allspice tree, Eugenia pimenta, from the West Indies”—B. P. “The immature fruit of Eugenia pimenta (Myrtus pimenta, Linn.)”—Ph. L. It possesses a mixed odour of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmegs, which, with its other properties, it for the most yields to alcohol, ether, and water. It is a stimulant and tonic, and is much esteemed as an adjuvant in medicines prescribed in dyspepsia, flatulence, gout, hysteria &c.; and also to cover the taste of disagreeable medicines.—Dose, 5 to 30 gr., bruised or in powder. See Essence, Oils (Volatile), Spirits, and Waters.

PIM′PLES. See Eruptions (Papular).

PINCH′BECK. A gold-like alloy of copper and zinc. See Dutch gold.

PINE APPLE. Syn. Ananas. The fruit of Ananassa sativa, a plant of the natural order Bromeliaceæ. It is astringent, esculent, and possesses a rich flavour and odour. In Europe it is chiefly used as a delicacy for the table; but in tropical climates it is said to be valuable in renal diseases. See Essence, &c.

PI′NEY TAL′LOW. Syn. Piney resin, P. dammar. An oleo-resinous substance obtained from the fruit of Vateria indica, a tree common in Malabar, by boiling it with water. It is intermediate between fat and wax, makes good soap and excellent candles. It melts at 98° Fahr. Sp. gr. ·9250 to ·9265.

PI′NIC ACID. The portion of common resin or colophony which is soluble in cold alcohol of sp. gr. ·833.

PINK. A well known shade of light red. The name is also applied to several pigments, consisting of whiting stained with liquid dyes. See Red and Yellow pigments, &c.

PINK DYE. Prep. From washed safflower, 2 oz.; salt of tartar, ¹⁄₂ oz.; cold water, 1 quart; digest for 3 hours, express the liquor, and strain it. Used as a cosmetic, and to dye silk stockings, &c., of a rose colour. The colour is brought out by afterwards applying to, or passing the articles through, water soured with lemon juice. See Saucers (Pink).

PIP′ERIN. C₁₇H₁₉NO₃. Syn. Piperina, Piperinum, L. Prep. (P. Cod.) Alcoholic extract of black pepper is treated with a weak solution of caustic potassa (1 to 100), and the residuum, after being washed with cold water, is dissolved in alcohol; the solution is next agitated with a little animal charcoal, and the filtrate is allowed to evaporate spontaneously; the product may be purified by the re-solution in alcohol and re-crystallisation.

Prop., &c. Colourless, or only slightly yellow; tasteless; inodorous; fusible; and crystallisable; insoluble in water; freely soluble in strong spirit, and in the acids; very feeblyDose, 2 to 10 gr., frequently repeated, during the apyrexia of intermittents.

Obs. An assay for its piperin is the only certain method of testing the quality of either black or white pepper. For this purpose a weighted quantity of the sample is reduced to powder, and is exhausted with alcohol of the sp. gr. ·883; the mixed tinctures are then evaporated to an extract, which is treated as above. See Pepper.

PIPES. (In confectionery.) These are formed from any of the common lozenge-masses, by rolling them into cylinders of about the thickness of a goose-quill. They are frequently medicated.

PIPETTE. A graduated glass instrument, in frequent use in the chemical laboratory, for conveying a measured quantity of fluid from one vessel to another. The pipette mostly consists of a bulb, from each end of which proceeds a straight, slender hollow stem, communicating with the bulb, and varying in length with the capacity of the instrument. Thus constructed, the lower end of the pipette can be dipped into a vessel with a narrow and long neck, such as a flask, containing a fluid, the required volume of which can be removed from it. The pipette varies in capacity from 1 to 200 cubic centimètres.

Dr Fresenius gives the following directions for its use:—“To fill a pipette with the fluid which it is intended to transfer from one vessel to another, the lower part of the instrument is dipped into the fluid, and suction applied to the upper aperture, either direct with the lips or through a caoutchouc tube until the fluid in the pipette stands a little above the required mark; the upper, somewhat narrowed, ground orifice is then closed with the point of the index of the right hand, which to that end had always better be moistened a little, and holding the pipette in a perfectly vertical direction, the excess of over the quantity required is made to drop out by lifting the finger a little. When the fluid in the pipette has fallen to the required level, the drops which may happen to adhere to the outside of the pipette are carefully wiped off, and the contents of the tube are then fully transferred to the other vessel. In this process it is found that the fluid does not run out completely, but that a small portion of it remains adhering to the glass in the point of the pipette; after a time, as this becomes increased by other minute particles of fluid trickling down from the upper part of the tube, a drop gathers at the lower orifice, which may be allowed to fall from its own weight, or may be made to drop off by a slight shake; if, after this, the point of the pipette be laid against a moist portion of the inner side of the vessel, another minute portion of fluid will trickle out; and lastly, another trifling droplet or so may be got out by blowing into the pipette through the upper orifice. Now, supposing the operator follows no fixed rule in this respect, letting the fluid, for instance, in one operation simply run out, whilst in another operation he lets it drain afterwards, and in a third blows off the last particles of it from the pipette, it is evident that the respective quantities of fluid delivered in the several operations cannot be quite equal. I prefer in all cases the second method, viz. to lay the point of the pipette whilst draining finally against a moist portion of the inner side of the vessel, which I have always found to give the most accurate corresponding measurements.”

PISTA′CHIO NUTS. Syn. Pistacia nuts; Nuces pistaciæ, L. The kernels of the fruit of Piscatia vera (Linn.), one of the turpentine trees. They closely resemble almonds, but are sweeter, and form a green emulsion with water. Used in confectionery and perfumery, and also as a dessert fruit.

PITCH. Syn. Black pitch, Boiled p., Stone p., Wood p.; Pix (Ph. L.), Pix nigra, L. “A dry bitumen prepared from liquid pitch.” (Ph. L.) The residuum from boiling tar in an open iron pot, or in a still, until the volatile and liquid portion is driven off. The volatile products principally consist of crude pyroligneous acid and oil of tar. Pitch is chiefly employed in ship-building. As a medicine, it is stimulant and tonic, and has been used internally in some skin diseases, and in piles. An ointment made of it is also extensively used in cutaneous affections of the scaly.—Dose, 10 gr. to ¹⁄₂ dr.

Pitch, Burgundy. Syn. White pitch, Burgundy pine resin; Pix Burgundica (B. P., Ph. L., E., & D.), L. “Impure resin prepared from the turpentine of Abies excelsa,” or Norway spruce fir. (Ph. L.) “A concrete resinous exudation, probably, in a great measure, from Abies excelsa.” (Ph. E.) It is chiefly used in plasters.

Obs. The importation of this substance has for some years past been gradually lessening in amount, in consequence of the substitution for it of a fictitious pitch, made by melting common resin with linseed oil, and colouring the mass with annotta or palm oil. The physiological action of the two articles is, however, considerably different, since Burgundy pitch acts upon the skin as a powerful local irritant, exciting a slight degree of inflammation, and not unfrequently producing a pimply eruption and an exudation of purulent matter. It is celebrated for its effects when employed as a plaster in all cases where warmth, support, and long adhesion to the skin, are desirable; and in the latter quality no substance equals it. The fictitious Burgundy pitch has similar properties, but in an immensely less degree.

Prepared Burgundy Pitch (Pix Burgundica præparata—Ph. L.) is ordered

Pitch, Burgundy (Facti′′tious). Syn. Pix Burgundica factitia, L. Prep. By melting good yellow resin, 1 cwt.,with linseed oil, 1 gall., and palm oil (bright), q. s. to colour. The mixture is allowed to cool considerably, and is then pulled with the hands in the same way as lead plaster is treated; after which it is placed in ‘bladders’ or ‘stands’ for sale.

Obs. The product of the above formula is the ‘Burgundy pitch’ of the shops. The ‘pulling’ or ‘working’ destroys the translucency of the resin, and imparts to it the peculiar semi-opacity of foreign Burgundy pitch. Cold water is commonly employed to cool it down. Annotta is often substituted for palm oil as a colouring substance. The addition of some of the ‘droppings’ or ‘bottoms’ of Canada balsam, Chio turpentine, oil of juniper, &c., renders this article nearly equal to foreign pitch; but in commerce this is never attempted, the aim being only the production of a lively colour with moderate toughness. A common melting-pan and fire (if clean, and carefully managed) will succeed sufficiently, but, both for safety and convenience, steam is preferable, and on the large scale, almost indispensable. A good workman can pull and put into stands or casks about 5 cwt. daily; or from 1¹⁄₂ cwt. to 3 cwt. in bladders, the latter quantity depending on the size of the bladders. (See above.)

Pitch, Can′ada. Syn. Hemlock gum, H. pitch. Similar to Burgundy pitch; but from the Abies canadenses, or hemlock spruce fir.

Pitch, Jews’. Asphaltum.

Pitch, Min′eral. Indurated mineral bitumen. See Asphaltum, Bitumen, &c.

PIT′COAL. Syn. Coal; Houille, Fr.; Steinkohle, Ger. This article has been truly described as the most valuable of all those mineral substances from which Great Britain derives its prosperity, and the one which may be regarded as the main support of the whole system of British production. It fuses the metals, it produces the steam which sets our machinery in motion, and, in short, it may be said to render all the resources of this country available for use.

The more important kinds of coal may be classified as follows:—1. Lignite or brown coal (see page 969).—2. Bituminous or caking coals. The most widely diffused and valuable of English coals. They are subdivided into: a. Caking coal. Splinters on heating, but the fragments then fuse together in a semi-pasty mass. The chief sources of this valuable variety of coal are the Newcastle and Wigan districts, b. Cherry coal or soft coal. Lustre very bright; does not fuse, ignites well and burns rapidly. Glasgow, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Nottingham, Lancashire, &c. c. Splint, rough, or hard coal. Black and glistening; does not ignite readily, but burns up to a clear hot fire. It constitutes the bulk of the great coal fields of North and South Staffordshire, and occurs in the Glasgow district, in Shropshire, Leicestershire, Warwickshire, &c. d. Cannel or parrot coal. Dense and compact, having a shelly fracture, and taking a polish like jet. Splinters in the fire, and burns clearly and brightly. Wigan and other parts of Lancashire, West Glasgow, &c. The curious deposit at Bathgate, near Edinburgh, commonly known as ‘Boghead cannel coal,’ or ‘Torbanehill mineral,’ differs considerably from the ordinary ‘cannels,’—3. Anthracite or stone-coal. The densest, hardest, and most lustrous of all kinds of pitcoal. Burns with little flame or smoke, but gives great heat. South Wales, Devonshire, &c.—4. Steam coal. Approaches nearly to anthracite. Admirably adapted for steam-vessels. South Wales, Tyne district, &c.

The quality of coal may be ascertained by either directly testing its heating power or by chemical analysis. In the investigations undertaken at the Museum of Economic Geology, under the directions of Sir H. De la Beche, and which furnished the materials for the celebrated ‘Admiralty Reports,’ three different methods were adopted for this purpose.[109] These consisted in—the determination of the quantity of water which a given weight of the coal was capable of converting into steam, the quantity of litharge which it was capable of reducing to the metallic state, and, lastly, its ultimate analysis by combustion with oxide of copper. See Organic Substances.

The quantity of sulphur in coal is another matter of importance that may be determined by chemical analysis. (See Sulphur.) The presence of more than 1% of sulphur renders coal unfit for the economical production of good light-gas, and more than 2% of sulphur renders it objectionable for use as domestic fuel. In like manner, coals containing mineral ingredients in excess are to be avoided, not merely on account of the quantity of ashes left by them, but for their tendency to vitrify upon the bars of the furnace, and to produce what is technically called ‘clinkers.’ The presence of much silica or alumina, and more particularly of any of the salts of lime, in ‘steam coal,’ is, on this account, highly objectionable.

For some further information connected with this subject, see Anthracite, Chimneys, Coke, Fuel, Gas, Lignite, Oils, (Mineral), Organic substances, &c.

PLAGUE. (Pestis). “A specific fever attended with bubo of the inguinal and other glands, and occasionally with carbuncles.”

Such is the definition of plague given in the ‘Nomenclature of Diseases’ (published in 1869), drawn up by a joint committee appointed by the College of Physicians.

More detailed accounts of the disease,petechiæ), frequently appear on the body. The carbuncle is by no means an invariable accompaniment of the disease. Dr Russell, out of 2700 cases, found only 490 in which it showed itself. He states that when carbuncle develops itself, it is distributed over the whole surface of the body with the exception of the scalp, the palms of the hands, and the soles of the feet.

“The plague may be said to assume four degrees of severity:—1. Slight fever, without delirium or buboes. 2. Fever, delirium, and buboes. 3. Fever, delirium, or coma, buboes, carbuncles, and petechiæ/e. 4. Congestive fever, fatal on the first, second, or third day, before the appearance of buboes. The fever, though usually continued, may assume the intermittent or remittent type.”[110]

There is considerable diversity of opinion as to the origin of plague. By some pathologists it is maintained that it spreads solely by contagion; by others the contagion theory is altogether repudiated, and certain local and epidemic agencies are referred to as its source; whilst others, again, adopt a medium view and, whilst not denying its contagious origin, hold that it may also be developed by endemic and epidemic causes. It bears a great resemblance to typhus.

With the exception of the outbreak of plague at Veltianka, in Astrakan, in the beginning of the current year (1879), the pestilence has not visited Western Europe during the present century an exemption which, being so obviously due to the improved sanitary and hygienic conditions of the modern European cities and towns, is a forcible illustration of how largely the power of curtailing the propagation and progress of the scourge is within the means of human control. There can be little, if any, doubt that the same total absence of drainage, and the very possible consequent contamination of drinking water, added to the narrowness of the streets, the overcrowded and badly ventilated state of the houses themselves, and the dirty habits of the inmates, which are also characteristic of those quarters of eastern cities and towns in which plague is always more or less occasionally prevalent, obtained in the fourteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth centuries, amongst European communities.

We learn, on the authority of Mr Marshall (who gets his figures from the weekly bills of mortality of the period), that during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries London was seldom free from the pestilence, and that in several years, not usually regarded by historians as plague epochs, it annually slew from less than 1000 to 4000 of the inhabitants.

Between the years 1593 and 1665, five severe outbreaks of the disease occurred in London, and the number of deaths for the respective years were as follows:—1593, 11,503; 1603, 36,269; 1625, 35,417; 1636, 10,400; 1665, 68,596. According to Sir William Petty, the average mortality during these several attacks amounted to about a fifth of the population.

That insanitary surroundings and the spread of plague, whilst sanitary ones and its decline, follow each other like cause and effect, may be emphasised by the statement of two facts:—1. The medical commissioner lately sent by the Russian government to the seat of the late outbreak of the malady in Astrakan, discovered the people dirty in their habits, living in noisome, overcrowded houses, and the atmosphere polluted with the smell of decaying fish, added to which the village was most miserably drained. 2. Ranken records that in Rajpootana plague propagated by the filthy habits of the inhabitants was for some years almost entirely obliterated by the adoption of sanitary precautions.

It may here be noticed that the Astrakan plague was associated with inflammation of the lungs, a feature which led an eminent Russian physician to adopt the opinion, that the Astrakan malady is the same as the Indian plague, which is believed to be the same disease which, under the name of ‘The Black Death,’ committed such appalling devastation in Europe, Asia, and Africa, in the fourteenth century.

In his ‘Epidemics of the Middle Ages,’[111] Hecker has told of the ravages of this ruthless pestilence, which made its appearance in

In August of the same year it broke out at Dorset, from which county it soon reached Devon and Somerset, and thence rapidly spread throughout England, slaying its thousands in its progress. In London alone it has been estimated that the mortality caused by it amounted to a hundred thousand.

Hecker assumes that in Europe its victims were twenty-five millions. These however, as well as the following figures, must only be received as approximations to the correct numbers, which, owing to the absence of any contemporary bills of mortality, cannot but be very imperfect:—

In Florence there died of the black plague 60,000

In Venice 100,000

In Marseilles, in one month 16,000

In Sienna 70,000

In Paris 50,000

In St Denis 14,000

In Avignon 60,000

In Strasbourg 16,000

In Lübeck 9,000

In Basle 14,000

In Erfurt at least 16,000

In Weimar 5,000

In Lemburg 2,500

In London at least 100,000

In Norwich 51,000

To which may be added:—

Franciscan Friars in Germany 124,434

Minorites in Italy 30,000

From the circumstance—illustrative of the religious and blind bigotry of this period—that the Jews were brutally tortured, massacred, and burnt, on suspicion of having poisoned the wells from which drinking water was drawn, it may be inferred that the wells, owing to the entire absence of drainage, which led to their contamination by sewage matters, contributed largely to the spread of the pestilence.

Of the potency of the contagion disseminated by the ‘Black Death’ Hecker records:—

“Every spot which the sick had touched, their breath, their clothes, spread the contagion; and in all other places the attendants and friends, who were either blind to their danger, or heroically despised it, fell a sacrifice to their sympathy.

“Even the eyes of the patient were considered as sources of contagion, which had the power of acting at a distance, either on account of their unwonted lustre, or the distortion which they always suffer in plague, or in conformity with an ancient notion, according to which the sight was considered as the bearer of a demoniacal excitement.

“The pestilential death of the sick, who expectorated blood, caused a terrible contagion far and near, for even the vicinity of those who had fallen ill of plague was certain death, so that parents abandoned their infected children, and all the ties of kindred were dissolved.”

There is a striking similarity between the above description, referring to the plague of 1348, and the following, which is extracted from Dr Döppner’s official medical report to the Russian government on the plague which manifested itself at Veltianka in Astrakan as lately as January, 1879. Dr Döppner, writes:—

“The necessary remedies were employed to combat the disease. I prescribed especially salicylic acid, muriatic acid, quinine, &c., but everything proved useless. Not a single patient recovered, viz. Dr Koch and six of his assistants died, the priest of the Stanitza, the Cossacks employed in burying the dead; in a word, all those who approached the persons attacked with the disease, although furnished with the means of preservation used in like circumstances, very few escaped the plague.[112]”

No case of plague has occurred in England for more than two centuries, although in 1721 it half depopulated Marseilles, and committed fearful ravages at Moscow, in 1771.

Within the present century it has appeared in Europe at the following places:—At Malta, in 1813; at Calabria, in 1816; at Corfu, in 1818; in Silesia, in 1819; and amongst the Russian troops in Bulgaria, in 1824. In Malta between 4000 and 5000 people fell victims to it.

It made its last appearance in England in 1665, and was especially fatal in London, where it carried off, as we have already seen, 65,596 people. Because of the frightful mortality it occasioned, this particular outbreak of the disease has been named by historians “The Great Plague of London.” Rapidly spreading from Westminster, where it first manifested itself, to the more closely built city, its progress increased with the warm weather, until during the sultry months of August and September it reached its height. “Thus,” writes Pepys in his diary, August 31st, 1665 “this month ends with great sadness upon the public through the greatness of the plague everywhere through the kingdom almost. Every day sadder and sadder news of its increase. In the city died this week 7496, and of them 6102 of the plague. But it is feared the true number of the dead this week is near 10,000; partly from the poor that cannot be taken notice of through the greatness of the number, and partly through the

The doors of a house infected with the plague were marked with a red cross, and on them was written the words, “The Lord have mercy upon us.” Pepys tells of the fright he experienced when he came upon two houses of this description, in Drury-lane, for the first time; and as he adds that he was compelled to buy some roll tobacco to smell and to chew, it may be concluded that this substance was at that time regarded as somewhat of a safeguard against the disease.

Large carts called nightly at the infected habitations and collecting the bodies of any dead conveyed them to pits, into which they were flung, covered with quicklime. This rude kind of burial became a necessity as the disease gained ground, because the ordinary grave-yards were full to overflowing. “This is the first time,” writes Pepys, “since I have been in the church since I left London for the plague, and it frightened me indeed to go through the church more than I thought it could have done, to see so many graves lie so high upon the churchyards where people have been buried of the plague.”

Such was the fury of the pestilence, and frequently so sudden were its attacks, that wayfarers were often assailed with it in the streets, and staggering like drunken men fell down into the road or pathways insensible or dead. Merchants in their counting-houses, clergymen in the act of reading the burial service, buyers and sellers in the market-place, were similarly assailed by the malignant malady, and it was no uncommon occurrence for the mourner at the grave of a relative or friend one day, to be himself borne to his own tomb the next. It is not improbable the infection may have been conveyed by the rapidly decaying and putrid corpse to large numbers of people, owing to the custom that prevailed of crowds of mourners attending the obsequies.

Pepys records how he saw in broad daylight two or three burials, one at the very heels of another, each followed by forty or fifty people. Furthermore, he states that one day on his way to Greenwich, during the month of August in 1665, he passed a coffin, “with a dead body therein, dead of the plague, lying in an open close belonging to Coombe Farm.”

If this exposure of plague-stricken corpses were at all general, it will readily be perceived how greatly it must have aided the propagation of the pestilence.

Another important agent in the diffusion of the plague must have been the infected clothing, whether of the dead or of those who had been in near or close contiguity to them. On this part of our subject Dr Guy, remarks:—“Nor will this surprise us if we imagine the frantic and successful efforts that must have been made by the non-infected to escape, and the temptation to servants and nurses to appropriate and remove the property of the dying and the dead. Indeed, Dr Hodges accuses the nurses of strangling their patients, and secretly conveying the pestilential taint from sores of the infected to those who were well; and he justifies his accusations ‘of these abandoned miscreants’—the Gamps and Prigs of the seventeenth century—by two instances; the one, of a nurse who, ‘as she was leaving the house of a family, all dead, loaded with her robberies, fell down dead under her burden in the streets,’ the other, of a worthy citizen who, being considered dying by his nurse, was beforehand stripped by her, but recovering again, he came a second time into the world naked.”

Lastly, in endeavouring to account for the great prevalence and excessively fatal character of this pestilence, we must not leave out of consideration one important factor—viz. fear.

We can easily conceive how powerfully the appalling incidents by which the plague was accompanied must have affected the imaginations of those who were in its midst, and thus have stimulated the fear, which, acting by its depressing mental effect, would predispose and prepare men and women for the reception of the contagion.

In ‘Pepys’ Diary’ we find a circumstance recorded corroborative of this. A certain alderman, stumbling at night over a dead body in the street, when he reaches home tells his wife of his adventure, and she is forthwith seized with the plague and dies of it. Furthermore, the belief derived from knowledge of the deadly character of the disease, operating upon the minds of those who were attacked by it, would greatly diminish the chances of their recovery, since they would most likely regard seizure and death as synonymous.

There is an old Eastern fable which tells of a traveller journeying from an infected city, and overtaking the plague, who had not long left it. The traveller accosts the plague and reproaches him for having slain thirty thousand people in the city. “You are in error there,” replied the plague, “I slew only ten thousand, fear slew the rest.”

Tropical climates are never visited by plague. In those countries which suffer from its ravages it prevails most during the hot months of the year, and its virulence and spread appear to be commensurate with increase of temperature. In northern climates it diminishes with the approach of cold weather. In Europe it has always been most fatal during the summer and autumn, and in the great

PLAICE. The Platessa vulgaris, a well-known flat fish, common to both the English and Dutch coasts. Its flesh is good, and easy of digestion, but more watery than that of the flounder.

PLANTAIN. The plantain, which belongs to the nat. ord. Musaceæ, and is a native of the East Indies, is cultivated in all tropical and subtropical regions of the world, in many of which it constitutes the principal food of the inhabitants. There are a great many varieties of the plantain, in some of which the stem is 15 or 20 feet high, whilst in others it does not exceed 6 feet. It is one of the largest of the herbaceous plants.

The fruit is sometimes eaten raw, but is more generally boiled or roasted. It contains both starch and sugar. Boiled and beaten in a mortar, it forms the common food of the negroes in the West Indies. It also constitutes the chief food of the Indians of North and South America.

Humboldt has calculated that the food produce of the plantain is 44 times greater than that of the potato and 133 times that of wheat.

The banana is a species of plantain. See Banana.

PLASMA. The liquor sanguinis. A tenacious plastic liquid, forming the coagulating portion of the blood, and that in which the corpuscles float.

PLAS′TER. (In boiling, &c.) See Mortar.

Plaster of Paris. Calcined sulphate of lime. See Alabaster, Gypsum, Lime, &c.

PLASTER. (In pharmacy.) Syn. Emplastrum, L. Plasters (emplastra) are external applications that possess sufficient consistence not to adhere to the fingers when cold, but which become soft and adhesive at the temperature of the human body.

Plasters are chiefly composed of unctuous substances united to metallic oxides, or to powders, wax, or resin. They are usually formed, whilst warm, into ¹⁄₂-lb. rolls, about 8 or 9 inches long, and wrapped in paper. When required for use, a little is melted off the roll by means of a heated iron spatula, and spread upon leather, linen, or silk. The less adhesive plasters, when spread, are usually surrounded with a margin of resin plaster, to cause them to adhere.

In the preparation of plasters the heat of a water bath, or of steam, should alone be employed. On the large scale, well-cleaned and polished copper or tinned copper pans, surrounded with iron jackets, supplied with high-pressure steam, are used for this purpose. The resins and gum resins that enter into their composition are previously purified by straining. After the ingredients are mixed, and the mass has acquired sufficient consistence by cooling, portions of it are taken into the hands, anointed with a little olive oil, and well pulled or worked until it becomes solid enough to admit of being formed into rolls. To promote the cooling of the plaster it is usual to plunge it into cold water, and to expose it to the action of the fluid by working it about under the surface, after which it is well pulled in the hands to remove the superfluous water; but this process must not, on any account, be practised on compound plasters, containing odorous substances, or substances soluble in water. These should be suffered to cool on an oiled marbled slab, until sufficiently ‘stiff’ to be formed into rolls. Many plasters, as those of lead and resin, derive much of their whiteness and beauty from the treatment just referred to. White plasters are not, however, always the best; but they are those which are most admired, and the most sought after in trade.

Plasters are preserved by enveloping the rolls with paper, to exclude the air as much as possible, and by keeping them in a cool situation. A few, as those of belladonna and ammoniacum with mercury, are commonly placed in pots. When kept for any length of time, they are all more or less apt to become hard and brittle, and to lose their colour. When this is the case, they should be remelted by a gentle heat, and sufficient oil added to the mass to restore it to a proper consistence.

The operation of spreading plasters for use requires skill and experience on the part of the operator. Various textures are employed for the purpose, of which linen or cotton cloth, or leather, are those most generally employed. Silk and satin are used for ‘court plaster.’ The shape and size must be regulated by the part to which they are to be applied.

On the large scale plasters are spread by means of a ‘spreading machine.’

Compound plasters are now much less frequently employed in medicine than formerly. Those principally in use are such as afford protection to sores and abraded surfaces, and give support to the parts. A few, however, which contain acrid, stimulating, and narcotic substances, and operate as rubefacients, blisters, or anodynes, are still retained in the Pharmacopœias.

Plaster of Ac′onite. Syn. Emplastrum aconiti, L. Prep. (Curtis.) Gently evaporate tincture of aconite to the consistence of a soft extract, then spread a very small portion over the surface of a common adhesive plaster, on either calico or leather. Mr Curtis has strongly recommended this plaster in neuralgia. A little of the alcoholic extract may be employed instead of that obtained fresh from the tincture.

Plaster, Adhe′′rent. See Plaster, Soap (Compound).

Plaster, Adhe′sive. See Plaster, Resin, Court p., &c.

Plaster, Adhesive Lime. Syn. Emplastrum adhæsivum calcareum. Prep. Soap of lime, 200 parts; boiled turpentine, 100 parts; suet, 25 parts.

Plaster, Ammoni′acal. Syn. Dr Kirkland’s volatile plaster; Emplastrum ammoniæ, E. a. hydrochloratis, L. Prep. Take of lead plaster, 1 oz.; white soap (shaved fine), ¹⁄₂ oz.; melt them together, and, when nearly cold, add of sal ammoniac (in fine powder), 1 dr. Stimulant and rubefacient. Dr Paris, who highly recommends it in pulmonary affections, employs double the above proportion of sal ammoniac. Its efficacy depends on the gradual extrication of free ammonia by the decomposition of the sal ammoniac, on which account it is proper to renew the application of it every 24 hours.

Plaster of Ammoni′acum. Syn. Emplastrum ammoniaci (Ph. L., E., & D.), L. Prep. 1. (Ph. L. & E.) Ammoniacum (strained), 5 oz.; dilute acetic acid (distilled vinegar), 8 fl. oz. (9 fl. oz.—Ph. E.); dissolve, and, frequently stirring, evaporate by a gentle heat to a proper consistence.

2. (Ph. D.) Gum ammoniacum (in coarse powder), 4 oz.; proof spirit, 4 fl. oz.; dissolve by the aid of a gentle heat, and evaporate, as before.

Obs. This plaster is adhesive, stimulant, and resolvent, and is employed in scrofulous and indolent tumours, white swellings, &c. In the Ph. D. 1826 vinegar of squills was ordered instead of distilled vinegar.

Plaster of Ammoniacum with Hem′lock. Syn. Emplastrum ammoniaci cum cicutâ, L. Prep. (Ph. E. 1744.) Gum ammoniacum, 8 oz.; vinegar of squills, q. s. to dissolve; hemlock juice, 4 oz.; gently evaporate, as before. In cancerous and other painful tumours. A better plan is to add 1 dr. of extract of hemlock to 1¹⁄₄ oz. of strained ammoniacum (previously reduced to a proper consistence with a little distilled vinegar), melted by a very gentle heat.

Plaster of Ammoniacum with Mer′cury. Syn. Emplastrum ammoniaci cum hydrargyro (B. P., Ph. L., E., & D.), L. Prep. 1. (Ph. L. & E.) Olive oil, 1 dr.; heat it in a mortar, add of sulphur, 8 gr.; triturate; further add of mercury, 3 oz.; again triturate, and when the globules are extinguished, add it to ammoniacum (strained), 1 lb. (12 oz., B. P.), previously melted by a gentle heat, and mix them well together.

2. (Ph. D.) From ammoniacum plaster, 4 oz.; mercurial plaster, 8 oz.; melted together by a gentle heat, and then stirred constantly until nearly cold.

3. (Wholesale.) Take of mercury, 38 oz.; prepared sevum, 5 oz.; triturate, as last, and add the mixture to strained ammoniacum, 10 lbs., previously sufficiently softened by a gentle heat. Possesses a fine blue colour, and is quickly made.

Obs. This plaster cannot be rolled till considerably cooled, and neither this nor the simple plaster must be put into water. It is powerfully discutient, and is applied to indurated glands, indolent tumours, &c.

Plaster, An′odyne. See Plaster, Opium, Plaster, Belladonna, &c.

Plaster, Antimo′′nial. Syn. Emplastrum antimoniale, E. antimonii potassio-tartratis, L. Prep. (U. C. Hosp.) By sprinkling tartar emetic, in very fine powder, on the surface of a spread Burgundy pitch (or common adhesive) plaster. It has been successfully applied to the nape of the neck, in the scarlatina of children; also the chest, in phthisis; and, with the addition of a little opium, in rheumatic affections of the joints.

Plaster, Arnica. (Ph. U. S.) Syn. Emplastrum arnicæ. Prep. Alcoholic extract of arnica, 1¹⁄₂ oz.; resin plaster, 3 oz. Add the extract to the plaster previously melted over a water bath, and mix it thoroughly.

Plaster, Aromatic. Syn. Stomach plaster; Emplastrum aromaticum, L. Prep. (Ph. D. 1826.) Strained frankincense (thus), 3 oz.; beeswax, ¹⁄₂ oz.; melt them together, and, when the mass has considerably heated, add, of powdered cinnamon, 6 dr.; oils of allspice and lemons, of each 2 dr. Stimulant; applied over the stomach in dyspepsia, spasms, nausea, flatulence, &c. Camphor, 1 dr., is commonly added.

Plaster of Assafœtida. Syn. Antihysteric plaster, Antispasmodic p.; Emplastrum assafœtidæ (Ph. E.), E. antihystericum, &c., L. Prep. (Ph. E.) From lead plaster and strained assafœtida, of each 2 oz.; strained galbanum and beeswax, of each 1 oz.; melted together. Antispasmodic; applied to the stomach or abdomen in spasms, hysteria, &c.; and to the chest in hooping-cough.

Plaster, Baynton’s Adhesive. Prep. From yellow resin, 1 oz.; lead plaster, 1 lb.; melted together. Recommended for bad legs, and other like sores.

Plaster of Belladon′na. Syn. Emplastrum belladonnæ (B. P., Ph. L., E., & D), L. Prep. 1. (Ph. L.) Soap plaster, 3 oz.; melt it by the heat of a water bath; add of extract of belladonna (deadly nightshade), 3 oz.; and keep constantly stirring the mixture until it acquires a proper consistence.

2. (Ph. E.) Resin plaster, 3 oz.; extract of belladonna, 1¹⁄₂ oz.; as the last.

3. (Ph. D.) Resin plaster, 2 oz.; extract of belladonna, 1 oz.

4. (B. P.) Extract of belladonna, 3; resin plaster, 3; rectified spirit, 6; rub the extract and spirit together in a mortar, and when the insoluble matter has subsided, decant the clear solution, remove the spirit by distillation or evaporation, and mix the alcoholic extract thus obtained with the resin plaster melted at the heat of a water bath, continuing the heat until with constant stirring the plaster has acquired a suitable consistence.

Uses, &c. As a powerful anodyne and antispasmodic; in neuralgia and rheumatic pains,¹⁄₂ lbs.; extract of belladonna, 1³⁄₄ lb. This plaster must not be ‘pulled’ in water.

Plaster, Berg’s Antirheumatic. Syn. Gout paper; Emplastrum antirheumaticum, Charta antirheumatica, L. Prep. By digesting euphorbium, 2 parts, and cantharides, 1 part (both in powder), in rectified spirit, 10 parts, for eight days; adding to the strained liquid, black resin and Venetian turpentine, of each 4 parts; assisting the mixture by a gentle heat. Two or three coats of the product are successively spread over the surface of thin paper. Used in gout and rheumatism. (‘Anat. of Quackery.’)

Plaster, Black. Syn. Emplastrum nigrum. Prep. Mr Sharp’s black plaster was formed by boiling together olive oil, 13 oz.; wax, 2¹⁄₂ oz.; carbonate of lead, 10 oz.

Plaster, Black Diach′ylon. See Court plaster.

Plaster of Black Pitch. Syn. Emplastrum picis nigræ, L. Prep. (Ph. Wirtem.) Black pitch, black resin, and beeswax, of each 8 parts; suet, 1 part; melted together. Rubefacient and stimulant.

Plaster, Blistering. See Plaster of Cantharides.

Plaster, Bree’s Antiasthmatic. Prep. From lead plaster, 1 oz.; olive oil, 1 dr.; melted together, and, when somewhat cooled, mixed with powdered camphor, 2 dr.; powdered opium, 1 dr., and at once spread on leather.

Plaster, Brown. Syn. Emplastrum fuscum, L.; Onguent de la mère, Fr. The butter, lard, oil, suet, and wax should be first melted together, and the heat gradually increased until they begin to smoke; the litharge is then to be sifted in, and the stirring and heat continued until the mixture assumes a brown colour; the pitch is next added, and the whole stirred for some time longer.

Plaster, Brown Diach′ylon. See Plaster of Galbanum.

Plaster, Bryony. (Boerhaave.) Syn. Emplastrum bryoniæ. Prep. Strained galbanum, 4 oz.; wax plaster, 9 oz.; olive oil, 1 oz. Melt together and add powdered bryony root, 2 oz.; flowers of sulphur, 1 oz.; Ethiops mineral, 2 dr.; stir till cold.

Plaster of Bur′gundy Pitch. Syn. Cephalic plaster, Breath p.; Emplastrum picis (B. P., Ph. L. & E.), E. p. compositum, E. p. Burgundicæ, L. Prep. 1. (Ph. L.) Prepared (strained) Burgundy pitch, 2 lbs.; prepared frankincense (thus), 1 lb.; yellow resin and beeswax, of each 4 oz.; melt them together, then add, olive oil and water, of each 2 fl. oz.; expressed oil of nutmeg (mace), 1 oz.; and, constantly stirring, evaporate to a proper consistence.