For the administration and advantages of this form of preparation, see
page 190. The following Officinal Formulæ offer some valuable
combinations.
PULVIS ALOES COMPOSITUS. L. Pulvis Aloes cum Guaiaco. D. It consists of
aloes _three parts_, guaiacum _two_ (=G=), and compound powder of
cinnamon _one part_ (=O=). It combines sudorific and purgative effects.
_Dose_, grs. x to ℈j. See _Form. 80_.
PULVIS ALOES CUM CANELLA. D. and P.L. 1807. Aloes _four parts_, white
canella (=E=) _one part_. It is known in the shops by the name of _Hiera
Picra_. The compound is more adapted for the form of pills than that of
powder. It is very generally used by the lower classes, infused in gin.
_Dose_, grs. x to ℈j.
PULVIS ANTIMONIALIS. L.D. Oxidum Antimonii cum phosphate Calcis. E. This
preparation was introduced into the Pharmacopœia, as the succedaneum of
the celebrated _fever powder of Dr. James_, the composition of which was
ascertained by Dr. George Pearson. (_Phil. Trans._ lxxxi. 317.) It
consists of 43 parts of the phosphate of lime, mixed, or perhaps
chemically combined, with 57 parts of oxide of antimony, of which a
portion is vitrified; and it is probable, that the difference of the two
remedies depends principally upon the quantity of oxide which is
vitrified: the specification of the original medicine is worded with all
the ambiguity of an ancient oracle, and cannot be prepared by the
process as it is described.[617] Experience has established the fact,
that _James’s Powder_ is less active than its imitation; it affects the
bowels and stomach very slightly, and passes off more readily by
perspiration; in general however the difference is so inconsiderable,
that we need not regret the want of the original receipt.[618] As it is
quite insoluble in water, it should be given in powder, or made into
pills. It is diaphoretic, alterative, emetic, or purgative, according to
the extent of the dose and the state of the patient; in combination it
offers several valuable resources to the intelligent practitioner. (See
_Form. 119, 121, 125, 129, 134_.) But it may be fairly questioned
whether this remedy has not been far too highly appreciated. Dr. James
was certainly very successful in its use, but it must not be forgotten
that he usually combined it with some mercurial, and always followed it
up with large doses of bark.
PULVIS CINNAMOMI COMPOSITUS. L. Cinnamon bark _four_, cardamom seeds
(=B=) _three_, ginger root (=B=) _two_, long pepper (=B=) _one part_. It
is principally used to give warmth to other preparations, e. g. _Pulv.
Aloes. comp_. L.D.
PULVIS CONTRAYERVÆ COMPOSITUS. L. Contrayerva, _five_, prepared shells,
_eighteen parts_ (=M=). Dose, grs. x. to xl. It is said to be stimulant
and diaphoretic.
PULVIS CORNU USTI CUM OPIO. L. Opium _one part_, burnt hartshorn
_eight_, powdered cochineal _one part_. Ten grains contain one of opium.
PULVIS CRETÆ COMPOSITUS. Prepared chalk twelve parts, tormentil root
(=G=), acacia gum (=M=), of each _six_, cinnamon bark _eight_ (=E=),
long pepper (=E=) _one part_. It is antacid, astringent, and
carminative. _Dose_, grs. v to ℈j.
PULVIS CRETÆ COMPOSITUS CUM OPIO. L. Compound powder of chalk
_thirty-nine parts_, opium _one part_. _Form. 151._
Pulvis Ipecacuanhæ Compositus. L.E.D. Ipecacuan _one part_, opium (=H=)
_one part_, sulphate of potass (=M=) _eight parts_. This combination has
been long established in practice, as a valuable sudorific, under the
name of _Dover’s Powder_. It affords one of the best examples of the
power which one medicine possesses of so changing the action of another,
as to produce a remedy of new properties; in this combination the opium
is so modified, that it may be given with perfect safety and advantage
in inflammatory affections accompanied with increased vascular action:
it would seem that whilst the opium increases the force of the
circulation, the ipecacuan relaxes the exhalant vessels, and causes a
copious diaphoresis: the sulphate of potass is also an important
ingredient, for experience has fully proved that ipecacuan and opium, in
the same proportions, have not so powerful an effect without it; its
action must be purely mechanical, dividing and mixing the active
particles more intimately, and it appears that the success of the remedy
depends very much upon its being finely powdered. _Dose_, grs. v. to ℈j,
diffused in gruel, or in the form of a bolus. (See _Form. 120, 121,
122_.) The saline constituent in the original _Dover’s Powder_, was the
result of the deflagration of nitre, and was therefore deliquescent; its
dose was as much as from 40 to 70 grains. In the _Codex_ of Paris, this
compound is directed to be prepared by melting together _four parts_ of
sulphate of potass, with an equal proportion of nitrate of potass; to
which when nearly cold is to be added, and well mixed by triture, _one
part_ of pulverized extract of opium; the powders of ipecacuan and
liquorice root, of each _one part_, are to be added last. It is evident
that the proportions of opium and ipecacuan in this combination, are
less than those in ours, and yet it is said to be more powerfully
diaphoretic on account of the nitre. An arrangement, which is indebted
for its medicinal virtue to a similar mode of operation, is presented in
_Form. 130_.
PULVIS SCAMMONIÆ COMPOSITUS. L. Scammony and hard extract of jalap, of
each _four parts_, ginger root (=E=) _one part_. The Edinburgh
preparation of the same name differs very materially in composition, its
ingredients being scammony and cream of tartar in _equal parts_.
PULVIS TRAGACANTHÆ COMPOSITUS. L. Powdered Tragacanth, acacia gum, and
starch, of each _one part_; refined sugar, _two parts_. From what has
been already stated under the head of mucilage of tragacanth, it appears
to be a superfluous, if not an injudicious demulcent; and since starch
is insoluble in cold water, the object for introducing it is not very
obvious. _Form. 120._
Powders should be preserved in opaque green bottles, as they are
materially affected by the action of light and air. Many of the compound
ones should be considered as extemporaneous, and ought to be prepared
only when they are required. The practitioner is also cautioned against
purchasing any medicine in its powdered form, for so universal is the
system of adulteration, that regular formulæ are observed in the
wholesale houses for sophisticating powders, and Mr. Gray, in his
“_Supplement to the Pharmacopœias_,” has given several specimens, under
the title of “_Pulveres Reducti_.”