Under this title the London College comprehends the _conserves_ and
_electuaries_ of its former Pharmacopœias; but in strict propriety, and
for practical convenience, the distinction between _conserves_ and
_electuaries_ ought to have been maintained. Saccharine matter enters
into each of these compositions, but in different proportions, and for
different objects. In conserves it is intended to preserve the virtues
of recent vegetables; in electuaries, to impart convenience of form. See
_Electuaria_.
CONFECTIO AMYGDALARUM. L. This preparation affords an expeditious mode
of preparing the almond emulsion; it should be used in the proportion of
a drachm to each fluid-ounce of distilled water.
CONFECTIO AROMATICA. L. _Electuarium Aromaticum_. E.D. This is a very
useful combination of various aromatics, to which the London and Dublin
colleges have added a _carbonate of lime_; this circumstance makes the
preparation a judicious constituent for the exhibition of active salts,
liable to be invalidated by the presence of acid in the stomach, but, at
the same time, rendering it incompatible with _acids_, _antimonial
wine_, &c. These observations do not of course extend to the _aromatic
electuary_ of the Edinburgh pharmacopœia. See _Form: 15, 42, 49, 125,
126_. DOSE, ℈j to ʒj.
CONFECTIO CASSIÆ. L. The ingredients of this confection are manna,
tamarind pulp, and syrup of roses. It is gently laxative, and from its
agreeable flavour is well calculated for children. The pharmaceutist, in
preparing it, must take care that he does not substitute the syrup of
the _red_, for that of the _damask_ rose; a substitution, as stated
under the head of Syrupi, not very unusual. The confection does not
ferment or become acescent. DOSE, ʒj to ℥j.
CONFECTIO OPII. L. _Electuarium Opiatum_. E. This is a combination of
aromatics with opium, intended as a substitute for the _Mithridate_ and
_Theriaca_ of the old pharmacopœias. It is highly useful in flatulent
cholic and diarrhœa, and in all cases where a stimulant narcotic is
indicated. One grain of opium is contained in grs. 36 of the London, and
in grs. 43 of the Edinburgh preparation. DOSE, grs. x to xxx.
CONFECTIO PIPERIS NIGRI. L. This preparation has been introduced into
the Pharmacopœia, on the suggestion of several eminent practitioners,
who have experienced its utility in certain cases of Piles. It is
intended to resemble WARD’S[479] PASTE, whose composition has been given
in all the former editions of this work, and according to which Formula
the committee have directed the present preparation. It is principally
useful in those cases attended with considerable debility, in
leucophlegmatic habits, and when piles arise from a deficient secretion
in the rectum. On the other hand, the composition will as certainly
prove injurious in those cases which are accompanied with erysipelatous
inflammation, and which require cooling laxatives, and a total
abstinence from all stimulants, for their cure.
CONFECTIO ROSÆ CANINÆ, olim _Conserva Cynosbati_. Its acidity depends
upon uncombined citric acid, a circumstance which it is essential to
remember when we direct its use in combination. The hip, or fruit of
this plant, beat up with sugar, and mixed with wine, is a very
acceptable treat in the north of Europe.
CONFECTIO ROSÆ GALLICÆ. _Confection of the Red Rose._ Principally used
as a vehicle for more active medicines. It is sometimes brightened by
the addition of a small proportion of sulphuric acid; this is a
circumstance of great importance, where the confection is used for
making the mercurial pill. See _Pilulæ Hydrarg_. It is a very common
excipient for pills, see _Form: 21, 59, 66, 73, 122, 160, 170_.
CONFECTIO RUTÆ, _Confection of Rue_. The principal use of this
preparation is as an ingredient in antispasmodic enemas.
CONFECTIO SCAMMONEÆ. L.D. Scammony, _two parts_, powdered cloves and
ginger, of each, _one part_, to which are added a small portion of oil
of carraway, and of syrup of roses, q. s. It is a stimulating cathartic,
and may be given in the dose of ʒss to ʒj.
CONFECTIO SENNÆ. L.E.D olim _Electuarium Lenitivum_. The ingredients of
this preparation are senna leaves, figs, tamarind pulp, cassia pulp, the
pulp of prunes, coriander seeds, liquorice root, and refined sugar. It
is gently laxative, and is an excellent vehicle for the exhibition of
more powerful cathartics. (_Form. 74, 93._) When properly made, it is an
elegant preparation, not apt to ferment, nor to become acescent; the
directions of the pharmacopœia are however rarely followed. Jalap
blackened with walnut liquor, is frequently substituted for the more
expensive article cassia; and the great bulk of it, sold in London, is
little else than prunes, figs, and jalap. I understand that a
considerable quantity is also manufactured in Staffordshire, into which
unsound and spoilt apples enter as a principal ingredient. The
preparation sold at Apothecaries’ Hall is certainly unique in
excellence. Dose, ʒij or more.
The above are the principal confections which are employed in modern
practice, for happily the shops are at length disencumbered of those
nauseous insignificant conserves, unknown to the ancients, but which
were ushered into use by the Arabian physicians, and which continued for
so many years to disgrace our dispensatories and to embarrass our
practice. The French, in their new Codex Medicamentarius, have limited
their electuaries to a number not exceeding nine; they have however made
up in complexity for deficiency in number; the _Electuarium de croco_,
which is intended to answer the same ends as our confectio aromatica,
has no less than twelve ingredients, although the force of the
combination depends entirely upon carbonate of lime, cinnamon, and
saffron; and so it is with the rest.