LABORATORY GUIDE TO MATERIA MEDICA 

 AND PHARMACY 



GENERAL DIRECTIONS 



The work in this course will consist of the examination of 

 specimens, testing drugs and their more common incompatibilities, 

 dispensing medicines, manufacturing pharmaceutical preparations, 

 taking notes, occasional demonstrations and weekly quizes. 



In making tests use as small an amount of the drugs as is nec- 

 essary unless otherwise directed as to quantity. Follow directions 

 carefully and use the amounts specified. 



In case of specimens presented for examination note the form, 

 color, taste (except poisons), weight, solubility and reaction. 



Form. — Liquid or solid, crystalline or amorphous, deliques- 

 cent or effervescent. 



Color. — Light, dark, clear, cloudy. 



Odor. — Pleasant, aromatic, disagreeable, penetrating, etc. 



Taste. — Acid, salt, sweet, acrid, aromatic, pleasant, etc. 



Weight. — Comparatively heavy or light. 



Holubility. — Use a small amount of the substance in a test-tube 

 and from ten to fifteen times its bulk of distilled water and shake 

 thoroughly. If insoluble heat to the boiling point. Proceed the 

 same with alcohol, acid, alkali, chloroform or ether. 



Caution. — Care, not to ignite the inflammable liquids. 



Reaction. — Dissolve a small amount of the substance in a little 

 distilled water in a test-tube, heat gently and test the reaction with 

 red or blue litmus paper. 



In the case of solutions, the darker should be added to the 

 lighter, and the lighter to the heavier, at first only a few drops. 

 Note any change that takes place before shaking. If there is no 

 apparent result, shake the tube. If a precipitate forms, note 

 whether it increases in amount or redissolves as more of the liquid 

 is added. Note also, as far as possible, whether the results are due 

 to physical or chemical changes. 



