Part 10

The standards adopted have been chosen after the examination of very many different samples of drugs, and represent the average of the amounts of active principle found in preparations made from good specimens. Thus the dose remains the same as that of the older preparation, but the prescriber is certain of always obtaining the proper effect instead of one varying from time to time with the particular batch of extract of tincture used, and the advantage of this certainty, both to the reputation of the prescriber and the health of the patient, can hardly be over-estimated.

To attain the highest standard in these as in other preparations for medicinal use, extensive scientific research and many technical experiments have been made. Long-continued researches in the Wellcome Chemical and Physiological Research Laboratories led to the issue of ‘Hemisine,’ a physiologically standardised product which presents the active principle of the medulla of the supra-renal gland in a dry, soluble state. It is perfectly stable in all climates, and permits of the instant preparation of fresh reliable solutions possessing the characteristic hæmostatic and other properties of the supra-renal gland. Similarly, as the result of researches carried out at the Wellcome Physiological Research Laboratories, crystalline salts of a specific alkaloid, which produces the characteristic effects of ergot on the blood-pressure and the uterus, have been obtained in a state of chemical purity. To this alkaloid the scientific name “Ergotoxine” has been given. In ‘Ernutin,’ Burroughs Wellcome & Co. are enabled to present a preparation of uniform potency, containing the specific active therapeutic principles of ergot, chief of which is the alkaloid ergotoxine, in a state of purity which up to the present has never been approached. It is physiologically standardised by observation of its effects on the vaso-motor functions of the sympathetic nervous system.

ACONITINE as met with in commerce has been found to vary greatly in purity, and therefore in physiological effect. It is of the utmost importance that a definite strength should uniformly attach to so powerful a drug, and this is secured in the ‘Wellcome’ Brand product, which is free from pseudaconitine and japaconitine, and from the non-toxic aconine and benzaconine.

The alkaloid ATROPINE is, under this brand, issued free from hyoscine and hyoscyamine. COCAINE and its hydrochloride are prepared in a state of purity answering fully the most rigid tests.

ALOIN (CRYSTAL). This greatly improved product is barbaloin in well-defined crystals, and is free from resin.

The bismuth salts have received much attention, a notable improvement being made in the quality of BISMUTH SALICYLATE. It is well known that there has been a lack of uniformity in the composition of this article, and that not infrequently preparations have been sold under this name which have consisted merely of a mixture of salicylic acid with the oxide or some salt of bismuth. ‘WELLCOME’ BRAND BISMUTH SALICYLATE is made from physiologically pure salicylic acid, and is uniform in composition.

The scale salt known as BISMUTH AND AMMONIUM CITRATE is a very unsatisfactory preparation. BISMUTH CITRATE (SOLUBLE), ‘WELLCOME’ BRAND, has the same therapeutic properties, but is much more stable in character. Being very freely soluble in water and yielding a bright solution, it is well adapted for the extemporaneous preparation of a solution corresponding to Solution of Bismuth and Ammonium Citrate, B.P., or for preparations in which the U.S.P. salt is used. Like the latter, which it is designed to supersede, it is not compatible with acid liquids.

BISMUTH AND LITHIUM CITRATE (SOLUBLE), ‘WELLCOME’ BRAND. This new combination, in the form of handsome colourless scales, is readily soluble in water. It is thus particularly convenient when the effects of both lithium and bismuth are desired, as in gouty dyspepsia.

BISMUTH AND IRON CITRATE (SOLUBLE), ‘WELLCOME’ BRAND, permits the sedative properties of the bismuth to be exerted on the digestive organs, while the iron, which is presented in a soluble, non-irritating and non-astringent condition, is readily absorbed to attack the anæmia which is the exciting cause in some cases of dyspepsia. The salt is in the form of yellowish-green scales, readily soluble in water.

IRON ARSENATE (SOLUBLE), ‘WELLCOME’ BRAND, differs from the insoluble amorphous powders, of indefinite composition, so often prepared under this name, in being a scale preparation readily soluble in water, and containing an amount of arsenic equivalent to 34–35 per cent. of anhydrous ferric arsenate.

A series of soluble MANGANESE SALTS and combinations of the same with Arsenic, Quinine or Strychnine are unique forms in which this chemical may be prescribed with the best effect.

The ‘WELLCOME’ BRAND salts of PILOCARPINE, as a result of prolonged and costly investigations, are free from the less active isopilocarpine and the inactive pilocarpidine with which they are usually found to be associated. The melting point indicates the high purity of these salts.

A special feature is made of QUININE SULPHATE in the convenient form of compact crystals occupying one-third the space of the bulky chemical ordinarily offered.