ON THE CHOICE OF FORMULA. 
123 
Triturate the calomel with the golden sulphur of anti- 
mony, then with the guaiacum, and, finally, add the alcohol 
to give the proper consistence. This mass is most frequently 
divided in pills of two grains each, sometimes of three grains, 
and rarely four; care must be taken, when a foreign order is 
executed, so as not to divide each drachm into more than 
thirty, twenty, or fifteen pills, as they may be desired to be 
of two, three, or four grains each.* 
This formula appears preferable to others: — 1st. Because 
it is the one most used, (London, Dublin, Edinburgh, Ame- 
rica, &c.) 2d. Because guaiacum possesses properties, even in 
small doses, well adapted to produce the effect desired from these 
pills, which the extract of liquorice has not; and the effect of 
a few grains of the extract of fumitory is extremely doubtful. 
3d. Because the alcohol forms, with the resin, a solution 
which dries rapidly, and which has the double advantage of 
easily uniting the mass, preserving it from humidity, and 
preventing all ulterior reaction. t 4th. Because it is the most 
convenient formula, the best proportioned and most easily 
prepared extemporaneously, since to obtain any amount 
whatever of the mass, it is easy to take one-fourth of the 
quantity of calomel, one-fourth of golden sulphur of antimony, 
and one-half of the guaiacum, without regarding the alcohol, 
* The following recipe is that given in Thatcher's Dispensatory, and 
employed by some apothecaries in the City of Philadelphia :— 
Filulae Plummeri. 
R Antim. sulph. praecip. 
Hyd. mur. raitis. aa 3iij. 
Extract Gentian. 
Sapo. Cast, na ^j. 
Let the mercury be triturated with the'sulph. prascip., then add the ex- 
tract and form a mass with jelly of soap. — Ed. 
f Lately mucilage of gum arabic has been prescribed, but the mass is 
very difficult to unite, and the moisture of the mucilage, disposes the 
calomel and golden sulphur of antimony to react upon each other, which 
it is of the greatest importance to obviate, as has been shown by M. 
Guibourt. 
