ON  LIN1MENTUM  ACONITI  RADICIS. 
293 
then  divide  into  the  required  number  of  pills.  Made  in  this  way, 
a  five  grain  pill  is  not  inconveniently  large. 
Although  the  ingredients  when  mixed  form  a  fluid,  they  soon 
thicken  into  a  paste,  and  finally  become  quite  solid,  and  so  adhe- 
sive as  to  be  readily  divided  and  rolled  into  pills ;  care  must  be 
taken  not  to  allow  the  mass  to  become  too  dry  and  brittle  before 
dividing  it,  as  it  is  liable  to  do  if  allowed  to  remain  too  long. 
In  this  form  a  portion  of  the  disulphate  being  converted  into 
the  soluble  neutral  sulphate,  the  preparation  more  nearly  resembles 
the  solutions  in  composition,  and  is  believed  to  be  more  rapid  and 
certain  in  its  action. 
When  it  is  desired  to  incorporate  other  substances  in  powder 
with  the  quinine  thus  prepared,  they  should  be  added  to  the  mass 
when  it  is  just  so  soft  that,  upon  their  addition,  it  will  immediately 
assume  the  proper  consistence. 
It  is  not,  however,  advisable  to  employ  this  process  when  any 
considerable  quantity  of  other  ingredients  are  prescribed  with  the 
quinine,  unless  a  little  syrup  or  honey  is  also  added  to  prevent  the 
too  rapid  hardening  and  consequent  crumbling  of  the  mass. 
LINIMENTUM  ACONITI  KADICIS. 
By  William  Procter,  Jr. 
Take  of  Aconite  Root  in  powder  four  ounces, 
Glycerin  two  fluid  drachms, 
Alcohol  a  sufficient  quantity. 
Macerate  the  aconite  with  half-a-pint  of  alcohol  for  twenty-four 
hours,  then  pack  it  in  a  small  displacer  and  add  alcohol  gradually 
untjl  a  pint  of  tincture  has  passed.  Distill  off  twelve  fluid  ounces, 
and  evaporate  the  residue  until  it  measures  twelve  fluid  drachms. 
To  this  add  two  fluid  drachms  of  alcohol  and  the  glycerin,  and  mix 
them. 
Remarks. — This  preparation  is  intended  as  a  substitute  for 
aconitia  as  an  external  ansesthetic  application.  It  is  used  in  the 
following  manner.  Cut  a  piece  of  lint  or  muslin  of  the  size  and 
form  of  the  part  to  be  treated,  lay  it  on  a  plate  or  waiter,  and  by 
means  of  a  camel's  hair  brush  saturate  it  with  the  liniment.  Thus 
prepared  it  should  be  applied  to  the  surface,  a  piece  of  oiled  silk 
laid  over  and  kept  in  place  by  an  adhesive  edge,  or  by  a  bandage. 
