This is an ancient form of prescription; for although the term
“_Electarium_” is first used by Cælius Aurelianus, yet the ἐκλὶκτον of
Hippocrates, and the _Antidotus_, _Confectio_, _Mithridatium_,
_Diascordium_, _Opiatum_, _Orvietanum_, _Philonium_, _Theriaca_, and
_Requies_ of other authors, were all Electuaries. They differ from
_Conserves_ in this, that the sugar in the latter preparations is in a
greater proportion, and is intended to _preserve_ the ingredients;
whereas in the former, it is merely intended to impart convenience of
form; see _Confectiones_. Electuaries are in general, _extemporaneous_
preparations, composed of dry powders, formed into a proper consistence
by the addition of syrup, honey, or mucilage; when however the latter
substance is employed, the electuary very soon becomes dry and hard: and
when common syrup is used, the compound is apt to candy, and in a day or
two to grow too hard for use; this is owing to the crystallization of
the sugar; Deyeux therefore states, that the syrup should be previously
exposed to the heat of a stove so long as it forms any crystals, and
that the residual liquor, which from the presence of some vegetable acid
has no tendency to crystallize, may then be advantageously
applied;—_Melasses_ or Treacle may in some cases be employed, and from
experiments which I have repeated with some care, I am enabled to state
that the peculiar flavour of this liquid is entirely removed by a simple
operation, which consists in diluting it with an equal weight of water,
and then boiling it with about one eighth part of powdered charcoal for
half an hour, when the liquor is to be strained, and reduced by gentle
evaporation to a proper consistence;[301] and moreover it appears, that
active vegetable powders retain their characteristic qualities when
immersed in _treacle_, longer than in any other excipient.
In selecting and prescribing this form of exhibition, the following
general rules should be observed.
I. Those substances which are nauseous, deliquescent, which require to
be given in large doses, or which are incapable of forming an
intimate union with syrup, as _fixed oils_, _balsams_, &c. should
never be prescribed in the form of an electuary.
II. The quantity of syrup directed must be regulated by the nature and
specific gravities of the substances which enter into their
composition, viz.
1. _Dry Vegetable Powders_ require twice their weight of syrup, or
of honey.