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ON SUPPOSITORIES. 
The butter of cocoa is to be melted by a gentle heat. The 
opium is then to be well rubbed up with a small quantity of the 
fluid, until thoroughly incorporated, and the remainder of the 
melted butter gradually added. When cool and slightly thick- 
ened, the mass, being well stirred, should then be poured into pa- 
per cones.* If the cocoa butter is too fluid when transferred to 
the moulds, the opium will settle to the apex of the cone, and not 
be properly diffused through the substance. When perfectly 
hard, these cones should then be pared or scraped at the base, 
until they weigh just one drachm, — giving one grain of opium to 
each suppository. Practically, therefore, it will be necessary 
to make one less than the required number, — reserving the 
parings for another operation. 
The following formula has been prescribed by Dr. Pancoast : 
Take of Cocoa Butter ^i. 
Extract of Krameria Bii. 
Powdered Opium gr.v. 
Mix and make into ten suppositories, as above. 
It is stated that cocoa butter is much esteemed in France, for 
its supposed healing qualities, and is a favorite application in 
cases of piles. With powdered galls, or tannic acid, this sub- 
stance would therefore probably form a useful substitute for the 
ordinary pile ointment. The proportions to be employed, would 
of course be regulated entirely by the physician's order. 
In Dokvault's French work on " Practical Pharmacy," sup- 
positories are described as varying from the size of the little fin- 
ger, to that of the thumb ; and weighing, from 7>\\ to siii ; (five 
to ten grammes.y The author gives as a formula for the vehicle, 
butter of cocoa melted with an eighth part, by weight, of white 
wax : or as an inferior substitute, and one less used, common tal- 
low mixed with the same proportion of wax. Soap suppositories 
are formed by simply cutting soap into convenient shapes. Sup- 
positories are also prepared from honey, by boiling down this 
substance till it becomes sufficiently hard to retain its shape. 
There are also formulae given for anthelmintic, anti-hemorrhoidal, 
astringent, emmenagogue, laxative, and vaginal suppositories; 
* These moulds should be made of sized or writing paper, and may be 
conveniently placed in shallow boxes of sand, to preserve their position. 
