294 
ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 
eciges of a sheet of paper, which upon cooling will present a 
flat cake, which may be cut up into pieces of convenient 
size. 
Opiates. Divers are the preparations of opium, holding, 
more or less, some of its various principles in solution. Among 
them are those, with the proportionate activity of which, we 
are made familiar from the almost daily habit of using them. 
Others there are, so rarely employed, that we cannot always 
recall to mind the exact quantity of opium they contain. 
I have arranged the foUowing synopsis, to show at a cursory 
glance what is needed; and, at the same time, assist the 
physician in a choice of opiates. 
Preparations. 
Opium to 
the oz. 
Quantity considered 
equivalent to 1 g. opium 
gr. 
2 " 
2 " 
80 minims. 
8 *' 
60 m. 
8 " 
60 grs. 
14| » 
36 grs. 
32 " 
15 m. or 20 drops. 
37i" 
14 m. or 28 " 
48 " 
10 grs. 
60 " 
8 m. or 10 " 
68 « 
7 m. or 20 " 
5 m. 
120 " 
4 m. or 5 " 
137 *' 
3i m. or 6 " 
Syrup of poppies, Lon. Dub. Ed. analogous to 
Elixir Paregoric, U. S. E. D., contains 
" " Bateman's 
Syrup of opium, French, 
Solution of sulph. Morphiae, 1 gr., 
Ammoniated tincture of opium, 
Theriaque andromaque, Fr., 
Confection of opium, U. S., L. D., 
Black drop, U. S., 
Laudanum, U. S., L. D. E., 
Dover's powders, U. S., 
Wine of opium, U. S., 
Sydenham's laudanum, 
Magendie's solut. Morphiae, 16 grs.. 
Vinegar of opium, D., 
Rousseau's laudanum, 
Chloride of Zinc, This powerful escharotic has been 
brought into high repute lately, from the good effects expe- 
rienced by its application as a cautery in cancer and ulcerous 
affections. It is applied by means of a moistened hair pencil.* 
This salt is prepared by dissolving zinc in small fragments in 
hydrochloric acid, and evaporating to perfect dryness; it may 
likewise be prepared by distilling in a retort a mixture of 100 
parts of bichloride of mercury and 12.5 of granulated zinc. It 
* Mixed with an equal portion of oxide of zinc or sulphate of lime. 
