PILULÆ ALOES COMPOSITÆ. L. Extract of Aloes, _two parts_, extract of
gentian, (=G=) _one part_, with oil of carraway; (=E=) to which syrup is
unnecessarily added. It is a useful pill in habitual costiveness.
_Dose_, grs. x to ℈j.
PILULÆ ALOES ET ASSAFŒTIDÆ. E. Powdered aloes, assafœtida (=G=) and
soap, (=L=) _equal parts_. Anodyne and cathartic; a very useful
combination in dyspepsia attended with flatulence. _Dose_, grs. x.
PILULÆ ALOES CUM MYRRHA. L. _Pilulæ Rufi._ P.L. 1745. Extract of Aloë,
_two parts_, saffron and myrrh, (=E=) _one part_, syrup, q. s. This is a
very ancient form of preparation, and is described by Rhazes. It is
stimulant and cathartic. (_Form: 11, 81, 98, 99._) _Dose_, grs. x to
℈j.[598]
PILULÆ ALOES CUM COLOCYNTHIDE. E. This pill is known by the popular name
of _Pil. Cocciæ_, κοκκὶον signifies a seed, and the term was first
applied to this preparation by Rhazes. It consists of _eight parts_ of
aloes and scammony; _four_ of colocynth; and _one part_ of oil of
cloves, (=E=) and of sulphate of potass with sulphur, olim _Sal
Polycrest_. It is more powerful in its operation than the simple aloetic
pills.
PILULÆ CAMBOGIÆ COMPOSITÆ. L. Gamboge, extract of aloe, and compound
powder of cinnamon _one part_; soap _two parts_; see _page 172_, and
_Form: 88_.
PILULÆ FERRI COMPOSITÆ. L. This combination is analogous to that of
Griffith’s mixture. _Dose_, gr. x to ℈j. _Form: 99._ They become
extremely hard by keeping. If the practitioner consult the MEDICINAL
DYNAMETER, he will observe that in order to give the same quantity of
Proto-carbonate of Iron as is contained in f℥iss of _Mist: Ferri comp:_
he must direct ℈j of this pill mass; which quantities will be seen to
contain, respectively, a grain and seven tenths of this of the
proto-carbonate, or, one grain of Protoxide, which is equivalent. It is
doubtful whether the former preparation will not prove more active, in
consequence of the saponaceous vehicle formed by the Myrrh and alkali in
a state of solution.
PILULÆ GALBANI COMPOSITÆ. L. _Pil. Gummosæ_, _P.L._ 1745. We are here
presented with a combination of fœtid gums, in which assafœtida is the
most potent article. Antispasmodic, and emmenagogue. _Dose_, grs. x to
℈j. See _Form: 10, 27, 98_.
PILULÆ HYDRARGYRI. L.E.D. _Pil. Mercuriales_. P.L. 1745, vulgo, The
_Blue Pill_. The mercury in this preparation, is not, as it was formerly
considered, in a state of mere mechanical division, but in that of a
black oxide, upon which its activity as a remedy undoubtedly depends;
for mercury in its metallic state is entirely inert with regard to the
living system. Various substances have at different times been
triturated with the mercury, for the purpose of _extinguishing_ or
_killing_ it, by effecting the mechanical division and subsequent
oxidation of its particles, as manna, melasses, &c. _Conserve of Roses_
is now generally preferred for this purpose, although Swediaur suspects
that the astringent principle of this conserve invalidates the effects
of the mercury, “I have,” says he, “given these pills to several
patients for a long time, without any symptom of salivation.” Mr.
Abernethy observes in his surgical works, that the _Pilulæ Hydrargyri_
are uncertain in their effects; and that some of the students at the
hospital on examining them, and different parcels of the conserve of
roses, say that the sulphuric acid may be discovered in each. Nor is it
improbable that in making the conserve for sale, some of this acid may
be added to brighten the colour; and if so, the mercurial pill which is
made from it may contain in varying proportions, some of that highly
deleterious compound, the _sub-sulphate of mercury_. When any of the
gums are employed for _killing_ the metal, the pills soon become hard
and brittle, and after some time the mercury is liable to run into its
metallic state. The pill-mass, when rendered thinner by the addition of
a little water, and extended on a piece of paper, ought not to exhibit
any metallic globules; in this examination, however, we must be careful
not to be betrayed by the fallacious appearance which is frequently
presented by small crystals of saccharine matter. The relative
proportion of mercury contained in the mass can be ascertained only by
its weight. The _blue pill_ is made at Apothecaries’ Hall by a very
ingenious machine actuated by steam, and which rubs as well as rolls the
materials, and it is said the pill thus made is more active than that
produced in the ordinary way. MED. USES. It is by far the best form for
the internal exhibition of mercury; where it is intended to act upon the
system as an alterative, it should be administered in doses of from grs.
iv to vj; if it occasion any action on the bowels, it may be conjoined
with opium; sometimes a few grains of rhubarb, exhibited every morning,
will impart such a tone to the intestines, as to enable them to resist
the mercurial irritation. In cases where the form of pill is
objectionable, it may be readily suspended by the aid of mucilage, in
some aqueous vehicle; when exhibited in doses of grs. x to ℈j, it acts
as a mild but efficient purgative. _Form: 79, 106._ One grain of mercury
is contained in three grains of the mass; the proportion of metal, or
oxide, in any other given quantity, is shewn at once by the Dynameter.
For the specific effects of mercury, see _Ung. Hydrarg_.
PILULÆ HYDRARGYRI SUB-MURIATIS COMPOSITÆ. L.E. Olim _Plummer’s Pills_.
They consist of _one part_ of calomel and precipitated sulphuret of
antimony (=H=) and _two parts_ of guaiac (=E=) made into form with
spirit. It is a very useful alterative, especially in cutaneous
eruptions and in secondary syphilitic symptoms, particularly when
affecting the skin. _Dose_, grs. v to x. Should their exhibition affect
the bowels, the addition of a small proportion of Opium may be added.
PILULÆ OPIATÆ. E. Opium _one part_; extract of liquorice, _seven parts_;
Jamaica pepper, _two parts_. It is however a compound of questionable
propriety.
PILULÆ RHEI COMPOSITÆ. E. Rhubarb, Aloes, and myrrh, with oil of
peppermint. When such a combination is indicated, it is better to
prescribe it extemporaneously: for the mass, by being kept, will become
less efficacious.
PILULÆ SAPONIS CUM OPIO. L. _Pil. Opii_. P.L. 1787. By substituting soap
for extract of liquorice, these pills are now rendered more soluble in
the stomach, and are consequently more efficient. Five grains contain
one of opium.
PILULÆ SCILLÆ COMPOSITÆ. L. A stimulating expectorant: but as squill is
always impaired by keeping, it ought to be considered as an
extemporaneous combination. It is surely injudicious thus to multiply
our officinal formulæ, but it is difficult, on such occasions, to run
counter to popular opinion. _Form: 104._
PIMENTÆ BACCÆ. L.E. Pimento. D.