Most drugs are not, in their natural state, suitable for administration. They are either too bulky, too nauseous, or contain noxious principles. Preparations suitable for administration are, therefore, prepared from them according to "official" pharmacopoeial directions. The doses of the various drugs and their preparations which may safely be given to an adult are taken from the "Tables for Doctors and Druggists," 2d ed., compiled by Eli H. Long, M.D.; but these doses are often not rigorously adhered to in prescribing. They vary with the purpose for which the drug is required and the age of the patient (see Doses, p. 39). The following is an account of the preparation of the pharmacopoeial preparations, and the attempt has been made to arrange the doses so as to make them easy of remembrance.

Unless otherwise specified, the preparations are for internal use.

Aceta (Vinegars)

Liquid preparations resulting from the extraction of the drug with dilute acetic acid, and filtering. The U. S. P. contains two.

Aquae (Waters)

Preparations made by impregnating water with a volatile substance.

Mostly made by triturating the substance with precipitated calcium phosphate and filtering. Those in the U. S. P. thus made are -

Three are made by distillation:

Dose.

Aqua Aurantii Florum Fortior . . indeterminate.

- Destillata.......indeterminate.

- Rosae Fortior......indeterminate.

Six are simple solutions in cold water:

Three are made by passing gases through water: