AsepH;mA2RM'}  Notes  on  Elixir  of  Pepsin,  Bismuth,  etc.  387 
Finally,  The  prevalent  view  of  the  dose  of  the  morphia  salts  which 
may  be  taken  with  impunity,  is  calculated  to  make  the  younger  gen- 
eration of  pharmacists  reckless  in  dispensing  it.  The  fact  is,  as 
stated  in  evidence  in  this  case,  that  "  one  grain  of  morphia  is  an  un- 
usual dose,  and  only  prescribed  in  very  rare  cases.v  The  lady  who 
fell  a  victim  to  what  the  Coroner's  jury  charitably  denominated  a  mis- 
adventure,  was  one  of  a  large  class  of  debilitated  persons  to  whom  one 
grain  is  a  dangerous  dose.  There  is,  moreover,  a  broad  distinction 
between  those  surgical  cases,  requiring  a  direct  and  powerful  narcotic 
to  diminish  the  shock  of  an  operation,  and  the  common  every-day  in- 
stances in  which  fractions  of  a  grain  of  morphia  are  called  for. 
NOTES  ON  ELIXIR  OF  PEPSIN,  BISMUTH  AND  STRYCHNIA. 
By  James  T.  King. 
Among  a  number  of  elixirs  occasionally  prescribed  by  physicians, 
is  the  elixir  of  pepsin,  bismuth  and  strychnia. 
From  several  experiments  reported  recently  by  Mr.  E.  Scheffer 
(Am.  Journ.  Pharm.,  August,  1872),  it  would  appear  that  the  combi- 
nation of  ammonio-citrate  of  bismuth  with  pepsin  results  in  the  pre- 
cipitation or  destruction  of  the  pepsin,  and  leaves  the  preparation  des- 
titute of  digestive  power  in  so  far  as  it  depends  on  pepsin  for  this 
power. 
This  class  of  preparations  being  non-officinal,  the  pharmacist  must 
either  purchase  them  of  the  wholesale  dealer,  adopt  one  of  the  many 
formulas  published,  or  devise  a  method  of  combining  the  ingredients 
required  in  any  given  elixir. 
For  a  year  or  more  past  I  have  dispensed  an  elixir  of  pepsin,  bis- 
muth and  strychnia,  made  by  first  thoroughly  triturating  256  grains 
Boudault's  pepsin  with  water,  then  filtering  from  the  starchy  matter, 
and  to  the  filtrate  adding  syrup,  sherry  wine,  glycerin  and  orange 
flower  water.  Next  a  solution  of  strychnia  is  made  in  water  by  the 
aid  of  a  little  citric  acid,  and  this  added  to  the  solution  of  pepsin. 
Then  64  grains  of  ammonio-citrate  of  bismuth  are  dissolved  in  water 
by  the  aid  of  gentle  heat,  and  a  few  drops  of  aqua  ammoniae  added  to 
clear  the  solution,  care  being  taken  to  use  no  more  of  the  alkali  than 
is  absolutely  necessary.  This  solution  is  added  to  that  of  the  pepsin 
and  strychnia,  making,  when  finished,  16  fluid-ounces. 
This  elixir  is  slightly  acid*  from  the  sherry  wine,  and  it  is  neces- 
But  will  it  retain  the  bismuth  salt  in  solution  ? — Ed.  Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
