ON SUPPOSITORIES. 
211 
and soda. Now as oil of gaultheria has the same specific gravity, odor and 
taste, and combines with the alkalies and as well as with chlorine, iodine 
and bromine as does the other oil, it is by no means improbable that it 
possesses therapeutic properties, perhaps analogous, or, if distinct, yet suf- 
ficiently interesting to attract and repay the attention of the physician. 
Should the information of Mr. Heinitsh, in relation to the alleged anti- 
periodic powers of oil of gaultheria be corroborated^ will prove as valuable 
in its medicinal, as it is extraordinary and interesting in its chemical 
relations. 
SUPPOSITORIES. 
By A. B. Taylor. 
As our National Dispensatory gives no account of this valuable 
class of medicinal applications, (suppositoria) a brief notice of 
their preparation, in the "American Journal of Pharmacy," will 
perhaps be serviceable to some of its readers. Though hitherto 
but little employed in this country, suppositories have long been 
extensively used in France. They have recently, however, at- 
tracted the attention of some of our physicians, and bid fair to 
grow into much more general demand. 
They may be described as medicated compounds of a stiff con- 
sistence, designed to be introduced into the rectum, and serving 
the purposes of the ordinary clysters or injections ; (Enemata.} 
They are applicable in all cases of constipation, or of irritability, 
or inflammation of the lower intestines; and have the advantage over 
liquid injections, of more easy introduction, as well as of greater 
comfort and cleanliness ; and they may sometimes be retained, 
when liquids would not. There is, perhaps, no substance so well 
adapted to serve as the vehicle of these applications, as the butter 
of cocoa, (oleum cacao,*} as no combinations of suet, spermaceti, 
or wax, &c, combine in so great a degree the proper hardness 
or firmness of substance, with the requisite fusibility. 
The following formula, is a prescription of Dr. S, W. Mitchell 
and has been considerably used. 
Take of Cocoa Butter ^iss. 
Powdered Opium gr.xiu 
Mix and make into twelve suppositories. 
18* 
