Epitome of the Pharmacopeia of the United States and the National Formulary / With Comments

by Albion Walter Hewlett; William August Puckner; Torald Hermann Sollmann; Martin I. Wilbert

*Infusum Digitalis (Inf. Digit.), Infusion of Digitalis, U.S.P.—Digitalis (1.5%), cinnamon water and water. This is an effective form of digitalis, but has no advantage over tinctures of proper potency, and is not so conveniently standardized.

Dosage: 4 Cc. or 1 fluidrachm (U.S.P.).

Pilulae Digitalis, Scillae et Hydrargyri (Pil. Digit. Scill. et Hydrarg.), Pills of Digitalis, Squill and Mercury, N.F. (Niemeyer Pills for Dropsy, Guy’s Pills).—Each pill contains digitalis, squill and mass of mercury (each 0.065 gm. or 1 grain) with clarified honey.

Uses: Popular but needlessly complex cardiac diuretic.

Dosage: 1 pill (N.F.).

*Tinctura Digitalis (Tr. Digit.), Tincture of Digitalis, U.S.P. (Digitalis Tinctura P.I.).—Digitalis (10%) in alcohol and water. May be biologically assayed by producing death in frogs. Absolute alcohol content about 70 per cent.

Dosage: 0.5 Cc. or 8 minims (U.S.P.). Physicians should specify the biologically assayed tincture.

Dioscorea (Dioscor.), Dioscorea, N.F. (Wild Yam Root, Colic Root).—Rhizome.

Action and Uses: No established indications for its use; formerly used in the treatment of “abdominal irritation.”

Dosage: 4 Gm. or 1 drachm (N.F.).