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.”
PYRETHRI RADIX. L.E.D.