PAKT XII.

POW'DEES.

701

atioa of the scammony, and rentiers it less irritating; although,at the same time, it renders it more certain. The dose of thefirst is from grs. x. to grs. xv.; that of the second, from grs. x.to Jfs. They are chiefly used in hydropic and worm cases,and to remove mucous obstructions.

PULVIS SCILL^. Dub. Powder of Squill.

" Let squill roots (bulbs) freed from their membranous in-teguments and cut in transverse slices, be dried upon a sievewith a low degree of heat; and then reduce it to powder, whichmust be preserved in well stopped glass phials."

PULVIS SENN^ COMPOSITUS. Lond. CompoundPowder of Senna. 1

" Take of senna leaves, supertartrate of potash of each twoounces ; scammony, half an ounce ; ginger-root, two drachms.Reduce to very fine powder, the scammony by itself, and theother ingredients together; then mix the whole."

This powder is hydragogue and cathartic; but it is an in-convenient form of preparation, owing to the bulk of the dose,which is very considerable, although from 9j. to 5J. only inweight.

PULVIS SPONGES UST^. Dub. Powder of burntSponge.

" Let sponge cut into small pieces be beaten so as to freeit from little stones; then burn it in a covered iron vessel, untilit become black and friable; finally, reduce it to powder."

PULVIS ALUMINIS COMPOSITUS. Edin. Com-pound Powder of Alum.

" Take of sulphate of alum, four parts; kino, one part.Rub them together to a fine powder."

This is a powerful astringent powder, and is sometimes usedinternally in menorrhagia and diarrhoea; but is moi - egenerallyemployed as an external application. The dose is from grs. x.to grs. xv.; but it must be taken in the dry state, as the kinois decomposed by the alum, when a fluid vehicle is employed.

PULVIS TRAGACANTHiE COMPOSITUS. Lond.Compound Powder of Tragacanth.'

" Take of tragacanth powdered, acacia gum powdered,starch, of each an ounce and a half; refined sugar; three ounces.Rub the starch and the sugar together to a powder; then addthe tragacanth and the acacia gum, and mix the whole to-gether."

In this composition the starch might well be omitted, as itis insoluble in cold water. This compound powder is effica-

1 Poudre compose'e tie Senna (F.) Polvere di Sennit composta (/.)

2 Poudre composee de Tragacantlie (K) TragacanUie Giimnu pulver (G.) Polvere HiTrajieatita composta (f. )