^"AprZ^wTo]  Comments  on  Magendie's  Formulary.  225 
dates"  of  their  respective  elements.  It  is  stated  of  them  that  "their 
solutions  are  still  capable  of  dissolving  iodine;  thus  forming  an 
ioduretted  hydriodate."  Tincture  of  Iodine  was  made  of  a  strength 
of  48  grains  dissolved  in  i  ounce  of  alcohol.  The  loss  of  strength 
which  was  already  noted  at  that  time  in  the  tincture  as  prepared  in 
that  manner  was  explained  as  follows : 
"It  is  to  be  feared  also  that  the  iodine  may  take  up  a  portion 
of  the  hydrogen  of  the  alcohol  and  thus  be  converted  into  ioduretted 
hydriodic  acid."  That  these  were  days  when  enthusiasts  went  to 
almost  any  extreme  in  support  of  their  views  or  to  add  to  the  sum 
total  of  human  knowledge  is  shown  by  Dr.  Magendie's  statement 
that: 
"I  myself  swallowed  a  spoonful  of  the  tincture  without  further 
effect  than  a  disagreeable  taste,  which  went  away  by  degrees  after 
continuing  several  hours." 
A  formula  for  solution  of  Hydriodate  of  Potash,  thirty  six  grains 
to  the  ounce  is  given  as  well  as  a  formula  for  ointment  of  Hydriodate 
of  Potash  made  by  incorporating  29  grains  of  the  salt  with  one  and 
one-half  ounces  of  hog's  lard  (a  strength  of  about  4  per  cent.). 
The  chapter  on  Resin  of  the  Nux  Vomica  concerns  itself  with  a 
discussion  of  the  mode  of  preparation  and  uses  of  the  alcoholic  ex- 
tract of  the  drug  which  is  erroneously  called  the  "resin."  A  formula 
for  Tincture  of  Nux  Vomica  is  given  in  which  3  grains  of  dry  extract 
of  nux  vomica  are  directed  to  be  dissolved  in  one  ounce  of  alcohol. 
This  preparation  is  less  than  half  the  strength  of  the  present  standard 
tincture. 
Under  Strychnine  a  method  of  separating  and  purifying  the  alka- 
loid is  given.    It  is  stated  that: 
"It  is  supposed  that  in  the  native  state  the  strychnine  is  in  union 
with  a  new  acid,  called  by  M.  M.  Pelletier  and  Caventou,  Igasuric 
Acid  from  the  Malay  name  of  the  St.  Ignatius  Bean."  The  dose  of 
strychnine  is  given  as  one-twelfth  to  one-eighth  grain.  Formulas 
are  given  for  strychnine  pills  containing  one-twelfth  grain  of  the 
alkaloid  to  each  pill,  and  directing  the  pills  to  be  silver  coated  to 
keep  them  from  sticking  together,  the  excipient  and  vehicle  being 
conserve  of  roses.    The  translator  adds  in  commenting  upon  this: 
"We  are  accustomed  to  prevent  pills  from  sticking  together  by 
rolling  them  in  licorice  powder  or  magnesia  or  flour;  the  old  plan  of 
