SUPPOSITORIES. 
225 
Alcohol  should  never  be  used  in  the  manufacture  of  supposi- 
tories where  it  can  be  avoided,  on  account  of  its  stimulating  pro- 
perties. If  ever  absolutely  necessary  in  softening  resinous  sub- 
stances, as  small  a  portion  as  possible  to  effect  the  object  should 
be  employed. 
When  the  medicinal  ingredients  are  duly  prepared  as  above 
directed,  they  are  then  to  be  well  rubbed  in  a  mortar  with  a  small 
portion  of  the  excipient,  until  thoroughly  and  uniformly  mixed  ; 
then  the  remainder  of  the  latter  is  gradually  added,  and  the 
whole  well  beat  up  and  incorporated  together,  as  in  making  pill- 
mass.  This  being  accomplished,  the  mixture  is  transferred  to  a 
capsule  or  other  suitable  vessel,  and  heated  by  means  of  a  water- 
bath  at  a  temperature  of  about  100°,  or  not  exceeding  120°,  with 
constant  stirring  during  liquefaction,  until  melted,  and  a  per- 
fectly homogenous  mixture  is  obtained,  which  should  be  allowed 
to  cool,  and,  during  refrigeration,  to  be  well  stirred  until  it  ap- 
proaches nearly  the  consistence  of  molasses,  or  as  thick  a  condition 
as  it  can  be  brought,  to  admit  of  being  poured  into  the  moulds 
without  inconvenience.  In  this  state  it  will  hold  the  medicinal 
ingredients  in  suspension  better,  and  prevent  them  from  settling 
to  the  bottom  of  the  moulds,  than  when  more  fluid,  and  thereby 
insure  a  more  uniform  diffusion  of  the  active  ingredients  throuo'h- 
out  the  suppositories,  which  is  so  important,  especially  when  very 
powerful  or  active  substances  are  among  the  ingredients  used. 
Every  care  should  be  exercised  to  give  to  each  suppository  its 
equal  share  of  activity,  and  have  it  equably  distributed  through- 
out its  substance,  in  order  that,  when  applied,  every  part  of  the 
mucous  membrane  with  which  it  may  come  in  contact  may  receive 
its  due  share  of  medication,  and  which  will  also  facilitate  ab- 
sorption. 
After  the  moulds  have  been  placed  in  their  position  in  the 
refrigerating  vessel,  and  have  remained  there  about  five  minutes, 
or  long  enough  to  have  become  ice-cold  or  nearly  so,  the  mix- 
ture, after  being  prepared  as  above  directed,  may  be  carefully 
poured  into  them,  observing  to  stir  it  occasionally  during  the 
operation ;  and  should  it  chill  too  much,  and  become  inconveni- 
ent to  pour,  it  must  be  restored  to  the  proper  fluidity  by  very 
gently  warming  it  again. 
