PHARMACEUTICAL  NOTICES. 
19 
best  rolled  in  lycopodium,  because,  being  very  light,  extremely 
fine  and  smooth,  it  gives  the  pills  a  uniform  appearance,  and  its 
tasteless  and  inodorous  property  is  very  desirable.  Where  the 
bitterness  of  a  pill  will  be  objected  to  by  the  palate,  it  is 
well  to  roll  them  in  a  mixture  of  one  part  of  powdered  liquorice 
root,  to  two  parts  of  lycopodium,  which  will  also  give  an  even 
surface  or  coating  to  the  pill,  while  its  taste  will  be  somewhat 
disguised. 
For  quinine  pills,  however,  finely  sifted  arrow-root  ought  to 
be  employed,  as  it  preserves  their  original  white  color. 
Podophyllin. — What  is  the  correct  chemical  history  of  Podo- 
phyllin,  as  regards  its  solubility  in  menstrua,  its  relations  to  the 
alkalies,  and  other  agents,  &c,  and  why  may  it  not  be  advan- 
tageously substituted  for  extract  of  jalap  in  the  compound 
cathartic  pills,  and  for  scammony  in  the  compound  extract  of 
colocynth  ? 
To  this  question  I  would  say,  that  Podophyllin  is  neutral  to 
acid  and  alkalies ;  and  as  to  its  solubility,  its  properties  are  im- 
parted to  some  extent  to  alcohol,  diluted  alcohol,  water  and 
ether ;  but  by  combining  these  menstrua  and  forming  a  fluid  ex- 
tract, of  which  I  will  speak  presently,  a  more  satisfactory  result 
is  arrived  at. 
Podophyllin,  in  its  effects,  acts  as  an  alterative  and  cathartic, 
and  is  especially  useful  where  the  idiosyncrasy  of  a  patient's 
constitution  forbids  the  use  of  mercurial  preparations.  It 
rouses  the  liver  to  vigorous  action,  stimulates  the  kidneys,  pro- 
motes expectoration,  augments  the  glandular  functions,  and 
cleanses  the  canal  of  all  irritating  substances.  Its  dose,  in  sub- 
stance, as  a  cathartic,  is  from  one  to  three  grains  for  a  grown 
person ;  as  an  alterative,  one-fourth  of  a  grain.  I  may  as  well 
state,  that  it  is  entirely  from  observation  that  I  speak,  and 
several  physicians  have  kindly  given  it  a  trial  at  my  request, 
and  in  all  cases  with  most  satisfactory  results. 
The  fluid  extract  above  referred  to,  was  prepared  as  follows  : 
— Podophyllin,  two  ounces,  ether,  alcohol,  sp.  gr.  »848,  water, 
syrup  of  orange  peel  aa  q.  s. 
1st. — Displace  the  Podophyllin,  previously  mixed  with  an 
equal  bulk  of  sand,  with  ether,  until  it  comes  through  colorless, 
and  evaporate  it  spontaneously. 
