814 
BRISTOL PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION. 
The difference between the extracts of 1836 and 1867 is confined to the substitution 
of scammony resin for virgin scammony, an alteration which most practical pharma¬ 
ceutists will consider to be a change for the worse. 
The important point is the difference in the pi'eparations of 1867 from the emi¬ 
nently successful formula of 1851. 
The pill of 1867 differs so widely from that of 1851 that we look in vain for a poii t 
of concord. If we could ascertain the objects of the propounders of the 1867 formula, 
we should probably find that they did not so much intend it to take the place of the pill 
of 1851 as to supply an authorized formula for the popular pil. coccise. Unfortunately, 
however, for ourselves, it is prescribed by the faculty, and received by their patients, 
in lieu of the similarly styled preparation of 1851, and we have the annoyance of being 
held responsible for the marked difference of its effects ; the griping properties appear 
to be due to the double proportion of scammony present. They cannot depend upon 
the presence of crude aloes as they are exhibited when aqueous extract is substituted. 
The absence of soap, which might aid the solution of the crude aloes and of the large 
quantity of scammony, is a remarkable feature, not to be excused in a pharmacopoeial 
preparation, because it was wanting in a popular medicine chiefly administered to 
robust stomachs. 
The 1867 extract differs from the 1851 pill, in the employment of scammony resin 
before mentioned, and in reverting to the use of spirituous extract of colocynth in 
place of the aqueous extract directed in the 1851 formula. It is much to be regretted 
that the Pharmacopoeia should betray an uncertainty as to the best mode of obtain¬ 
ing extract of colocynth, for which there is no reason. There can be no doubt that 
the aqueous process, when intelligently conducted, gives the best result, and is alto¬ 
gether free from any disadvantages. The diminished activity of the new' preparation, 
as compared with the 1851 pill, is, in all probability, due to this change ; and it is 
worthy of remark, that when the 1851 pill first came into use, Mr. Allchin called 
attention to its greater activity (as compared with the previous compound extract), 
and attributed it to the greater energy of the aqueous extract of colocynth. Mr. 
Allchin’s paper, which was published in the ■ Pharmaceutical Journal,’ Vol. XII. 
p. 271, will give further interesting particulars upon this part of my subject, and 
will well repay any one for the perusal. 
The following formula, which resembles in its essential features the compound pill 
of 1851, is suggested as being, in some respects, preferable to that or any other formula 
yet proposed for this important preparation :— 
Colocynth Pulp.6 
Aqueous Extract Barbadoes Aloes . . 12 
Virgin Scammony.4 
Powdered Cardamoms.1 
Hard Soap.3 
Exhaust the colocynth with water by successive maceration; operate upon suffi¬ 
cient crude aloes to yield the required amount of extract; evaporate down to suitable 
consistence; mix in the other ingredients, and cautiously reduce to the proper con¬ 
sistence. 
The percentage results from the preceding formula will be as follows :— 
Aqueous Extract Colocynth . . *J T032 
„ „ Aloes .... 53382 
Scammony (Virgin).17'793 
Cardamoms.4'448 
Soap.13345 
100-000 
* Equivalent to colocynth pulp, 26'700. 
