_Accuracy_ is very desirable, but the practice of _guessing_ at the amount as pursued by some, is anything but accurate. When one makes his dilutions by putting the fluid into a vial and "_pouring it all out_," _guessing_ that he has a _drop_ left which is to medicate the ninety-nine drops of Alcohol or water, he may put in by guess, I am inclined to _guess_ that he knows nothing, _accurately_ as to what dilution he is making. (See Hull's Laura, introduction, also Jahr & Possart's Pharmacopoeia and Posology.) For if the vial is small and quite smooth there may not be a drop left, or if it is rough, there may be several drops.
Yet some physicians make their dilutions thus, and insist upon the superiority of the centecimal over the decimal attenuations.
Whatever ratio is adopted, should be _accurately_ followed. Have true scales for weighing solids, and a graduated measure marked from ten drops up to one hundred for liquids; then _always_ weigh or measure _accurately_ the medicine, as well as the substance with which it is to be attenuated.
The measure and mortar, after using them for one medicine, can be cleaned preparatory for another, with scalding water, rinsing them with purified Alcohol, then drying.
Never smoke or chew Tobacco in any place, but if you are such a _slave_ to habit, that you must do it despite your good sense and better judgment, never do either, or have tobacco or any other odoriferous substance about your person when you are preparing medicines, or they are exposed to the air. Keep the medicines excluded from the light and air as far as practicable.
Triturate the powders thoroughly for an hour or more upon each, and shake the dilution from fifty to one hundred times, more for the higher attenuations.
It is better to medicate pellets in large bottles, filling them half or two-thirds full, put in just liquid enough to wet every one, but not so as to dissolve any. Shake them until all are equally wet, and let them stand for four or five days, if practicable, shaking them up two or three times a day until all are dry.
Bilious Fever, 26 Preventive treatment of, 153
Cholera, Asiatic, 104 Preventive treatment of, 153
Diarrhoea, 14 Preventive treatment of, 154