212 
BRITISH PHARMACEUTICAL CONFERENCE. 
Glycematum Tannicum, Tannic glycemate. Solution of tannic acid in 
glycerine. 
And then we might have— 
Glycemylum, Glycemyle. Synonym, —Plasma. Solution of starch in 
glycerine. 
Glycemylum Aconitije, Glycemyle of Aconitia. Solution of aconitia 
in glycemyle. 
Glycemylum Atropi^, Glycemyle of Atropia. Solution of Atropia in 
glycemyle; etc. etc.” 
♦ 
IS’ow, I think the author’s strictures upon the names glycerole, glyceride, 
and glycerate are perfectly fair, and I agree with him in thinking they ought 
not to be used, but I cannot see that the new ones he suggests are one whit 
better. In the first place, the words glycematum and glycemylum are very 
much like each other, the difference not only being slight, but being also one 
that would by no means easily fix itself in the memory of the prescriber and 
dispenser. Here are two distinct forms of remedy as different in physical 
features as an “ extract ” differs from a “ liquor ” or an “ aqua.” Why, then, 
call them by names which sound and look so much alike? I admit that gly¬ 
cemylum suggests itself as a compound word of glycerinum and amylum, but 
then that does not necessarily imply that glycemylum is solid, for unless 
heated the ingredients would remain fiuid. Put I do not at all see the ety¬ 
mological appropriateness of glycematum. A glycemate might certainly be 
a correct name for a compound of glycemic acid (did such a thing exist) and 
a base; but, as this is not intended, I can only suppose the word to be also 
a compound of glycerinum and pomatum. But that would rather suggest a 
solid, inasmuch as pomatums usually are solid. But Dr. Bedwood applied 
this term to the fiuid class of preparations. 
I cannot help thinking that the Doctor has passed over the most simple, 
the most natural, and the most correct name for these fluid glycerines. When 
we dissolve small portions of foreign substances in water, v^e call the result¬ 
ing fluids waters, aquse. A little oil of cinnamon dissolved in water consti¬ 
tutes cinnamon water, aqua cinnamomi. A little lime dissolved in water we 
call lime water, aqua calcis, etc. etc. We do not find it necessary to increase 
the mystery of the matter by talking of an “ aquate of lime,” “ aquatum 
calcis,” “ aquatum cinnamomi;” why not, therefore, call a solution of aloes 
in glycerine “aloes glycerine,”— Glycerinum Aloes, —or a solution of tannin 
in glycerine Glycerinum Tannicum ? Such a nomenclature would be too 
simple and obvious for confusion, and the whole series of medicated glyce¬ 
rines would lie together with the simple solvent at their head. 
And with regard to the solid series,—plasma and its compounds,—I can¬ 
not help thinking they had better continue to be called by the name under 
which they were introduced. As godfather to the interesting stranger, I 
may perhaps be somewhat partial; but I think the name both euphonious 
and descriptive : it implies something to be spread ; it is not more arbitrary 
than others we employ with great convenience, such as “ tinctura ” and 
“ emplastrum,” and it serves to discriminate peremptorily between the solid 
and the fluid forms of the glycerine applications. 
If, then, these preparations are honoured with places in the new Pharma¬ 
copoeia, I hope they will appear under the easily-recognized names of “ gly- 
cerina” and “plasmae.” 
Mr, Giles supported the claims of his friend Mr. Schacht to the retention of the 
original name, in preference to the suggested “improvement.” 
Mr. IiVCB concurred in this. 
