148 



C. U. C. P. ALU^INI JOURNAL 



We likewise fail to find a specific 

 powder under the name mentioned. 

 "Taking a chance," not so much of a 

 chance as did J. G., we suggest that the 

 physician had in mind Soluble Antiseptic 

 Powder, N. F., which contains 86.6 per 

 cent, of boric acid, 12.5 per cent, of zinc 

 sulphate, as well as small amount of 

 salicylic acid, phenol, menthol and thy- 

 mol. 



III. 



Ferric valerate 



Zinc valerate 



Quinine valerate of each 20 grains 



Phosphorus 2 grains 



Mass and divide into 30 pills. 



Directions : i pill three times a day after 

 meals. 



This J. G. dispensed by mixing the 

 valerates with 30 minims of a spirit of 

 phosphorus that was labeled as contain- 

 ing 0.0012 gramme of phosphorus to 

 each mil (cc). 



We fear our friend was a bit wobbly 

 in his arithmetic. If his statements 

 given above are correct, 30 minimis (or 

 2 mils) of his phosphorus solution con- 

 tained 0.0024 gramme or 2.4 milli- 

 grammes of phosphorus. The amount 

 directed in the prescription (2 grains) 

 is about 120 milligrammes; hence he dis- 

 pensed only one-fiftieth the amount of 

 phosphorus directed. But has he copied 

 the prescription correctly? One-fiftieth 

 of a grain (4 milligrammes) of phos- 

 phorus strikes us as a rather stiff dose. 

 In fact the maximum dose is given in 

 the German Pharmacopoeia as i milli- 

 gramme. 



As to the compounding of the pre- 

 scription, we would proceed as directed 

 in the Pharmacopoeia for making pills 



of phosphorus. That is, we would mix 

 the valerates with acacia and althaea 

 and would add to the mixed powder a 

 chloroformic solution of phosphorus, 

 massing with glycerin and water. Last- 

 ly, the pills should be coated with an 

 ethereal solution of balsam of tolu, as 

 directed in making the official pills of 

 phosphorus. 



IV. 



Gobbett's Solution 100 cc. 



Use as directed externally. 



This, according to our querist, was a 

 blue fluid containing some corrosive acid 

 used, he states, for venereal ulcers. 



Our search of the literature fails to 

 show any preparation bearing the name 

 Gobbett. We wonder if J. G. has not 

 wrongly read the original prescription; 

 whether it does not call for Villate's 

 solution ; Astringent and Escharotic Mix- 

 ture of the National Formulary. 



V. 



5 grains 



Ichthyol 



Make 50 such pills. 



Our querist tried to mass this chem- 

 ical by using light magnesium oxide as 

 an absorbent powder, but found that this 

 expedient produced huge pills. This 

 problem can best be answered by citing 

 what The Art of Dispensing has to say 

 on the subject: "Sodium ichthyolate is 

 preferable for pills, as that salt is much 

 thicker than the ammonium one. The 

 best pill of all is made with magnesium 

 ichthyolate. This salt can be made by 

 heating together 120 grams of am- 

 monium ichthyolate and 15 grains of 

 freshly burnt magnesia (made into a 

 paste with 2 drams of water). Use th"e 

 heat of a water bath. A light chocolate- 



