488  Preparation  of  Suppositories.        {^No^v-T.  ^Tr**' 
manufacture,  its  restoration  to  its  former  place  in  professional  favor 
would  doubtless  follow. 
Philadelphia,  Septemher,  1871. 
ON  THE  PREPARATION  OF  SUPPOSITORIES. 
By  Robert  F.  Fairthorne. 
Having  noticed  in  the  journals  recently  quite  a  number  of  articles 
on  the  above  mentioned  subject,  and  finding  that  the  experience  of 
the  writers  differs  from  mine  in  some  respects,  I  thought  that  I  would 
add  to  the  general  fund  by  giving  the  method  which  is  employed  in 
Mr.  Shinn's  store  for  preparing  suppositories.  The  following  plan 
has  proved  satisfactory  in  every  respect : 
The  moulds  (made  of  white  metal  and  of  the  usual  form)  are  sus- 
pended in  ice  water  by  means  of  a  perforated  tray,  which  is  supported 
on  the  surface  of  the  water.  These  are  placed  in  the  water  a  minute 
or  two  before  using,  so  as  to  become  thoroughly  chilled,  thereby  pre- 
venting the  suppositories  from  sticking. 
The  requisite  quantity  of  butter  of  cacao  having  been  weighed,  is 
cut  into  thin  slices  by  means  of  a  knife.  If  an  extract  or  other  sub- 
stance, soluble  in  water,  is  employed  as  the  medicating  ingredient,  it 
is  rubbed  up  with  a  small  quantity  of  that  liquid  and  reduced  to  the 
consistence  of  syrup.  When  this  is  accomplished,  mix  it  with  all  the 
butter  of  cacao  by  trituration.  Transfer  the  mixture  to  a  capsule 
and  heat  it  over  a  spirit  lamp,  constantly  stirring  with  a  spatula. 
When  it  is  scarcely  melted  and  about  as  thick  as  cream,  pour  into  the 
moulds.  So  much  heat  should  not  be  applied  as  thoroughly  to  melt 
the  butter,  but  only  just  sufficient  to  render  it  thin  enough  to  pour. 
The  suppositories  must  be  allowed  to  remain  at  least  fifteen  min- 
utes in  the  moulds  surrounded  by  ice  water,  after  which  they  may 
easily  be  removed  by  tapping  the  mould  on  the  counter.  They 
will  be  found  when  thus  made  to  be  hard  and  smooth.  They  keep 
well  for  several  months,  and  if  placed  in  a  moderately  cool  place,  such 
as  a  cellar,  will  remain  unchanged  even  in  the  hottest  weather. 
The  several  points  deserving  special  attention  are,  that  butter  of 
cacao  alone  will  produce  suppositories  sufficiently  hard  for  the  pur- 
poses to  which  they  are  applied  (except  when  camphor  or  other  es- 
sential oil  is  introduced  as  the  medicating  ingredient,  in  which  case 
the  addition  of  a  little  wax  or  spermaceti  is  necessary),  that  the  ex- 
