absorption, the system generally. Suppositories are rounded, usually elongated masses, having the active medicine combined with some substance which will retain the proper shape, as soap, spermaceti cerate, or cacao-butter. The latter substance is, perhaps, the best vehicle for remedies prescribed in this form. It is, however, rather too soft to be used without admixture. According to Dorvault, the addition of one eighth part by weight of wax imparts the proper hardness.
All difficulty of removing suppositories from the mould may be obviated by having the moulds previously dusted with lycopodium.
The mode of proportioning the doses of active ingredients has been noticed in the article Enema.
Suppository, Astringent. Syn. Suppositorium astringens (Reuss). Prep. Powdered oak bark, 2 dr.; tormentil, 2 dr.; honey, q. s. For 8 suppositories.
Suppository of Carbolic Acid. Syn. Suppositorium acidi carbolici (Ph. U. S.). Prep. Carbolic acid, 12 gr.; oil of theobroma, 348 gr.; water, q. s. Dissolve the acid in a few drops of water, and mix it with 1 dr. of oil of theobroma; then add it to the remainder of the theobroma previously melted, and cooled to the temperature of 95° F., and pour the whole immediately into moulds of 30 gr. each, standing in iced water.
Suppository of Copaiba. Syn. Suppositorium copaiba (Colombat). Prep. Solidified copaiba, 1 dr.; butter of cacao, 1 dr.; extract of opium, 1⁄2 gr.
Suppository of Elaterium. Syn. Suppositorium elaterii (St B. H.). Prep. Extract of elaterium, 2 gr.; hard soap, 10 gr.; water, q. s. Mix.
Suppository, Emollient. Syn. Suppositorium emolliens. Prep. Butter of cacao and spermaceti in equal parts; melted together.
Suppository of Iodide of Potassium. Syn. Suppositorium potassii iodidii (Mr Stafford). Prep. Iodide of potassium, 1 gr. to 4 gr.; extract of henbane, 6 gr.; extract of hemlock, 6 gr. In enlarged prostate.
Suppository, Irritant. Syn. Suppositorium irritans (Richard). Prep. Butter of cacao, 2 dr.; aloes, 4 gr.; tartarised antimony, 1 gr. To restore the hæmorrhoidal flux.