SUGGESTIONS FOR THE BRITISH PHARMACOPOEIA. 
383 
TO THE EDITORS OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL. 
Gentlemen,—I have found the following modification of the B. P. formula for 
Lin. Saponis answer very well:— 
Sp. Vini Rect. 2 pints 4 oz. 
Camphors of oz. 
01. Rosmar. (e floribus) 9 fl. drachms. Dissolve. 
II Sapon. Cast. Rasse 7^ oz. 
Aquae Dest. Bullientis 16 oz. 
Digest in a wide-mouthed covered vessel in a warm place (about 90° Fahr.), 
agitating occasionally until it becomes semifluid. This will be accomplished in 
a few hours. Lastly, pour the saponaceous into the spirituous solution, and 
shake the bottle occasionally until complete solution is effected. In warm wea¬ 
ther this will take place in a very short time. 
It will be seen that the formula differs very little from the B. P., only in 
containing a little more water, and in the substitution of 01. Rosmar. Flor. for 
01. Rosmar. Ang., but the mode of preparation is altogether altered. 
I prepared some of this liniment five months ago, and up to the present time 
it has not congealed when reduced to 45° Fahr. The 01. Rosmar. Ilor. is very 
superior to the 01. Rosmar. Exot., and 1 lb. can be bought for the price of 1 oz. 
01. Rosmar. Ang. There is scarcely any difference in the odour of Lin. Saponis 
prepared with it, and I imagine in every other respect it is quite as good. 
In the case of a preparation, like Lin. Saponis, that is in such extensive de¬ 
mand and constant use, it is important that it should be supplied to the medical 
profession and the public at a moderate price; and if prepared by B. P. it cannot 
be supplied to surgeons at 3s. 6d. per lb., or retail at 4 d. per oz. 
Bin strict conformity to the B. P. is certainly desirable, and we know that 
the public will not pay an increased price for Lin. Saponis, B. P. ; therefore, 
we must either ignore the B. P. altogether, or keep two kinds, the one for 
retail, and the other for dispensing; both of these methods are, for many reasons, 
highly objectionable. 
If the Pharmacopoeia is really to be our guide in this and all other officinal 
preparations, as it most certainly ought to be, it should contain formulae 
and directions that will be likely to be strictly followed both by the wholesale 
and retail dealer, so that they may be universally adopted, and thus ensure 
uniformity in our preparations. Until such is the case, we shall, as now, be 
constantly having complaints from our customers of the different appearance, 
taste, etc., of the same preparation or medicine bought or dispensed at different 
shops ; and this is a very unsatisfactory state of thin gs, much to be regretted 
by the medical profession and pharmaceutists. 
I do not maintain or wish it to be understood from this that a £. s. d. value 
should be put on the formula; of the B. P. ; on the contrary, I consider no 
time, trouble, or exnense ought to be spared to make the best and most efficacious 
preparations that can possibly be produced. 
My object in offering this formula is merely to show how a good liniment 
may be prepared in the spirit, though not to the letter, of the B. P. 5 and in 
making it I wished to carry out the instructions therein contained as far as 
possible. 
Respecting the kind of soap to be used, I believe the mottled produces the 
best liniment , although the white is purer, and should be preferred in most other 
cases. 
Yours respectf dly, 
Amicitia. 
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