Note 531 — PHARMACOLOGIA. (continued 4)

Many of the nostrums advertised for the cure of worms, contain Calomel as the principal ingredient, combined with scammony, jalap, gamboge, or some other purgative; they are uncertain and dangerous medicines; the method of exhibiting them in the form of lozenges (worm cakes,) is also attended with inconvenience, for the sugar and the gum generating an acid, by being kept in damp places, may considerably increase the acrimony of the mercury; besides which, the calomel is frequently diffused very unequally through the mass, one lozenge may therefore contain a poisonous dose, whilst others may scarcely possess any active matter.

Ching’s Worm Lozenges. These consist of yellow and brown lozenges, the former are directed to be taken in the evening, the latter the succeeding morning.

The Yellow Lozenges. Take of Saffron ℥ss, of water oj, boil, and strain; add of White Panacea of Mercury (Calomel washed in spirit of wine) ℔j, white sugar, 28℔, mucilage of Tragacanth as much as may be sufficient to make a mass, which roll out of an exact thickness, so that each lozenge may contain one grain of Panacea.

The Brown Lozenges. Panacea ℥ vij, resin of jalap, ℔iijss, white sugar ℔ix, mucilage of tragacanth q. s. each lozenge should contain gr. ½ of panacea.

Story’s Worm Cakes. Calomel and jalap made into cakes and coloured with cinnabar.