The following remarks by the late Mr. Joseph Ince, formerly Lecturer on Pharmacy at the School of Pharmacy, Bloomsbury, were contributed to the treatise published in 1884:

(1) Those incompatible with any of the ingredients of the pill-mass. Thus, confection of roses must not be used to make up iron compounds ; acetic extract of colchicum must not be stiffened with magnesia.

(2) Those which make the pills either too hard or too soft.

(3) Those which unduly increase size.

Cera Flava will bind any coloured essential oil into a convenient mass;while Cera Alba is used with the colourless oils. Wax has come into disfavour for internal use. It is effectual as an excipient, but not a necessity.

Decoct. Aloes Comp. is invaluable as an excipient for pills containing aloes and gum resins. Wonderfully small quantities are required, and it is not only effective, but a brilliant, glossy appearance is communicated. Where soap is also present still smaller quantities must be employed.

Liquor Potassae has deservedly gone out of repute. Its convenience is undoubted, but its chemical action is regarded with suspicion. Pills made with it frequently become tough.

Ol. Ricini, with or without soap, forms a good excipient for camphor pills.

Pulv. Tragacanthae. - In sparing quantities, and employed with discretion, there is no more serviceable excipient. The chief caution is to allow time, for it is surprising how small quantities will prove effective. Take this difficult formula as an illustration:

M. Fiant pil. vj.

Let the camphor and extract of Indian hemp deliquesce ; add the galbanum pill, previously warmed gently; when the inevitable action has taken place add 3 grains of powdered tragacanth and beat into a mass.

Water alone may be used as an excipient, as in opium pills, but the use of water needs a very practised hand to make it successful. The mass may be as soft as paste or as hard as flint.'In medio tutissimus ibis.' The real use of water is by partial solution of the ingredients to diminish bulk, after which add the proper excipient. One drop of water or one drop of glycerin will often effect wonders in this way, and pills that otherwise would be of inconvenient size can be most elegantly dispensed.