394 
PHARMACEUTICAL MEETING. 
structed according to both systems. But the new notation has now become so 
completely established among scientific men, especially in this country, that any 
reference to the old system has become unnecessary. 
5. Method of Representing Quantities. —In describing processes the quantities 
of ingredients may be represented either by reference to the weights aud mea¬ 
sures established in use, or the proportional quantities may be expressed in parts. 
The latter method has been adopted in several foreign Pharmacopoeias, but it 
involves the necessity of weighing liquids as well as solids; and although this 
has been the usual practice among pharmacists on the continent of Europe, 
it is not the practice in this country, and any attempt to introduce it here 
would probably meet with some opposition. If the proportions of the ingredients 
in formulae for processes could be stated in parts by weight, or in some cases, if 
it should be thought preferable, in parts by volume, one of the difficulties in the 
way of introducing a new system of weights and measures would be thus re¬ 
moved. 
6. Method of Arranging or setting out the Formulae,for Processes. —This is a point 
with reference to the construction of a Pharmacopoeia that seems to me to be of 
some importance. The formula for a process should be so constructed and ar¬ 
ranged as quickly to communicate and impress upon the mind of any person 
referring to it a knowledge of the ingredients and their proportions. A formula 
may be so arranged as to convey to the mind at a glance all the important points 
in connection with it, or otherwise arranged it may fail to convey the required 
information without repeatedly reading it over. The names of the substances 
to be used, the quantities if they can be definitely expressed, and the instructions 
for performing the process, should form separate parts of the formula, which 
should be so placed that each part is distinct from the others, aud may be 
readily examined, either alone or in connection with that to which it relates. 
The use of figures rather than words for expressing quantities will be found 
greatly to facilitate a quick perception of one of the points in a process, for a 
knowledge of which reference is frequently made. A comparison of the for- 
mulse for compound extract of colocynth as given in the present and preceding 
Pharmacopoeias will serve to indicate the difference, in regard to the points 
alluded to, caused by difference of arrangement. 
1864. 
Take of Colocynth, freed from the seed, six 
ounces ; 
Extract of Socotrine Aloes, twelve 
ounces; 
Scammony, or Resin of Scarn- 
mony, in powder, four ounces ; 
Hard Soap, in powder, three 
ounces; 
Cardamoms, freed from the cap¬ 
sules, in fine powder, one ounce; 
Proof Spirit, one gallon. 
Macerate the colocynth in the spirit 
for four days; press out the tincture, and 
add to it the extract of aloes, the soap, 
and the scammony. Distil off the spirit, 
and evaporate the residue by a water-bath 
to a pilular consistence, adding the car¬ 
damoms towards the end of the process. 
1867. 
Take of 
Colocynth Pulp.6 oz. 
Extract of Socotrine Aloes . . 12 oz. 
Kesin of Scammony . . . . 4 oz. 
Hard Soap, in powder . . . 3 oz, 
Cardamom Seeds, in fine powder 1 oz. 
Proof Spirit.1 gall. 
Macerate the colocynth in the spirit 
for four days; press out the tincture, and 
distil off the spirit; then add the aloes, 
scammony, and soap, aud evaporate by a 
water-bath until the extract is of a suit¬ 
able consistence for forming pills, adding 
the cardamoms towards the end of the 
process. 
Iu the use of figures for expressing quantities, however, it is necessary to be 
very careful in guarding against the substitution of one figure for another, both 
