522       METHODS  OF  MAKING  MEDICINES  AGREEABLE,  ETC. 
Jellies  of  raspberry,  current,  quince,  blackberry,  etc.,  are  nice 
for  disguising  the  taste  of  powders  when  given  to  children.  A 
little  jam  or  jelly  very  nicely  covers  a  bitter  pill,  for  those 
who  have  a  peculiar  aversion  to  swallowing  them. 
Among  the  multitude  of  purposes  for  which  pure  glycerin  is 
becoming  available,  its  use  as  a  solvent  and  preservative  in 
pharmaceutical  manipulations  is  most  important ;  there  seems  to 
be  scarcely  a  fraction  as  yet  developed  of  the  uses  to  which 
this  wonderful  substance  can  be  applied  in  pharmacy. 
Its  solvent  power,  in  most  cases,  equals  that  of  alcohol  or 
water,  being  sometimes  even  greater. 
By  mixing  it  with  alcoholic  or  aqueous  solutions,  which  are 
liable  to  change,  they  are  thereby  rendered  permanent.  Solutions 
of  vegetable  matter  in  it  do  not  change  or  ferment. 
It  does  not  itself  become  rancid,  and  from  its  viscidity  it  can 
be  used  instead  of  cerate  or  oil  as  a  vehicle  for  many  substances 
used  in  embrocations. 
The  disagreeable  sulphurets  are  soluble  in  it,  and  their  solu- 
tions are  among  the  most  available  methods  of  administering 
them  ;  iodine  and  its  salts,  are  dissolved  by  it. 
Liq.  iod.  iron,  syr.  iod.  iron  and  manganese,  syr.  iod.  zinc, 
prepared  with  glycerin  are  recommended  as  elegant  and  eligible. 
Escharotics  of  the  deliquescent  kinds  are  rendered  particu- 
larly available  in  solution  in  glycerin,  their  action  is  much 
more  controllable,  and  as  the  glycerin  does  not  dry,  their 
action  is  more  persistent.  The  ter chloride  of  antimony  (cryst.) 
iodide  and  chloride  of  zinc,  nitrate  of  mercury,  chromic  acid,  etc.? 
are  among  those  suitable  to  use  in  glycerin.  It  forms  solutions 
of  the  deliquescent  salts,  of  the  sulphate  of  potassa  and  soda,  of 
the  alkaline  chlorides,  and  even  of  oxide  of  lead. 
The  salts  of  the  vegetable  alkaloids  can  be  exhibited,  dissolved 
in  this  substance,  as  embrocations  or  otherwise.  It  will  dissolve 
bin-iodide  of  mercury  in  sufficient  quantity,  so  that  J  teaspoonful 
will  contain  a  sufficient  dose.  It  is  useful  in  emulsions,  of 
copaiba  and  of  oils;  it  aids  in  covering  the  taste  of  the  nauseous 
ingredients. 
It  is  suggested  to  use  glycerin  on  account  of  its  superior  sol- 
vent power  over  fat  or  oil  in  the  extraction  of  the  active  matters 
of  the  leaves  of  savin,  stramonium,  cicuta,  dulcamara,  elder,  to- 
