40 PHARMACY 



cial cataplasma is clay, while mucilaginous drugs, such as flaxseed, 

 are valuable for poultice bases. 



If the poultice is intended to reduce inflammation, the proper 

 base is one devoid of medical action, and the poultice wet with cold 

 water or liquid acts similarly to a cold compress. If intended to 

 act as a counterirritant, the poultice is either applied hot or is made 

 of some drug which has rubifacient properties. (Mustard poultice.) 

 Cataplasma Kaolini belongs to the class of mechanical non-medici- 

 nal poultices used for allaying inflammation. It was official in 

 the Pharmacopoeia of 1905. 



EMPLASTRA — PLASTERS 



Plasters are solid preparations containing medicinal substances 

 intended to be applied to the skin, and of sufficient adhesiveness to 

 adhere firmly. They differ from cerates in being free from fats 

 and also from the fact that cerates, when spread on cloth and ap- 

 plied are not of sufficient adhesiveness to stick firmly to the skin. 

 The bases of plasters consist of gum resins, lead plaster, resin 

 plaster, burgundy pitch, isinglass, and India rubber. In former 

 times the first named bases were often used, but the machine made 

 plasters with a rubber base have largely replaced them. 



The following are official: 



Emplastrimi Belladonnse Belladonna Plaster 



Emplastrum Cantharidis Cantharides Plaster 



Emplastrum Capsici Capsicum Plaster 



Emplastrum Elasticum Eubber Plaster 



Emplastrum Plumbi Lead Plaster 



Emplastrum Eesinse Eesin or Eosin Plaster 



Emplastrum Siaipis Mustard Plaster 



CHARTAE — PAPERS. 



These are a class of preparations in which the medicine is 

 spread upon paper or absorbed by it. There are no official papers. 

 Charta-Sinipis, Mustard Paper, was official in TJ. S. P. of 1900 and 

 Charta Potassii Mtratis in U. S. P. of 1890. 



UNOFFICIAL PREPARATIONS 



Many unofficial preparations are in so common use that it seems 

 best to include a few of them. The most common are : Tabella> — 

 Tablets (tablet triturates, compressed tablets, hypodermic tablets) ; 

 Boli — Bolus, Ball (capsules, haustus, electuary). 



TABELLAE — TABLETS 



Tablets are small disc-shaped bodies containing medicinal 

 agents. With the exception of Toxitabellce Hydrargyri Chloridi 



