A conspectus of the pharmacopoeias of the London, Edinburgh, and Dublin, Colleges of Physicians : being a practical compendium of materia medica and pharmacy / By Anthony Todd Thomson.

  • Thomson, Anthony Todd, 1778-1849.
Date:
1825
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A conspectus of the pharmacopoeias of the London, Edinburgh, and Dublin, Colleges of Physicians : being a practical compendium of materia medica and pharmacy / By Anthony Todd Thomson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Wll ihe Dublin CollegeK. They aro not apt to spoil, and liiencc require loss attention to preserve them than syrups. SYRUPS. These arc saturated solutions of sugar in water, cillicr simple or united witli some vegetable principle, witli Uio view to colour, flavour, or medical virtue; but for the last intention, this is perhaps the worst of all forms for obtaining the medicinal powers of sub- stances ; and syrups are used chiefly to render tiie more active pre- parations palatable. Upon tlie whole, however, they do not even answer tliis intention well, few persons thinking tliat sweetness ren- ders a nauseous drug more palatable; and they might therefore be easily dispensed with. As they quickly ferment, and spoil, if kept in a temperature above 60, a small quantity only should bo retained in the shop for imme- diate use; and riic stock kept in a good cellar, in a temperature not exceeding 55®. They should never be used after they have begun to ferment. CONFECTIONS. Under this title, the London College comprehends the conserves and electuaries of the former London, and the present Edinburgh and Dublin Pharmacopceias. They consist of vegetable matters, beaten, when recent, into a uniform pulpy mass, with sugar ; and of vegetable and light earthy powders mixed w’ith syrup and honey. They form a class of preparations of no great activity, when com- pared with the other forms in wliich the same remedies may be given; but some vegetable matters can be thus preserved better than by dry- ing ; and they are useful as vehicles, and for giving form to more active medicines. They should be kept in closely-covered jars, to preserve their proper consistence and moisture. POWDERS. This class is the simplest, and perhaps may be thought the least objectionable form of exhibiting medicines; but, nevertliclcss, this mode of preparation is hurtful to many remedies. Some substances cannot be reduced to powder, unless very much dried; and the heat necessary to effect Uiis alters their properties ; oven the impalpable form given to powders is hurtful to some resinous substances; and if we reflect that many of tliese, when kept in the mass, have their surface altered by the action of tlie atmosphere, we shall not wonder