Page 43 - My FlipBook

INCOMPATIBILITY. —
41
INCOMPATIBILITY.*
*' Incompatibility gives rise to many dangers which may in a
great measure be avoided by the use of the utmost simphcity in
prescribing. ' The tendency of the present age is toward mono-
rather than poly-pharmacy, and prescriptions with the orthodox
adjuvans and corrigens are less frequently seen than formerly.'
(Piffard.)
" This subject can only be glanced at here. The following
simple rules may help the burdened memory of the practitioner:
" Never use more than one remedy at a time, if one will serve
the purpose.
" Never use strong mineral acids in combination with other
agents, unless you know exactly what reaction will ensue. They
decompose salts of the weaker acids and from ethers with
alcohol.
*' Select the simplest solvent, diluent or excipient, you know
of, remembering that the solvent power of alcohol and water,
for their particular substances, decreases in proportion to the
quantity of the other added.
" Never combine Free Acids with hydrates or carbonates.
" Generally do not combine two or more soluble salts.
"The following more or less insoluble salts will be formed
whenever the materials of which they are composed are brought
together in solutions ; the Hydrates, Carbonates, Phosphates,
Borates, Arseniates and Tannates of most earthy and heavy
metals and alkaloids, and the metallic Sulphides ; the Sulphates
of Calcium, of Lead and of the subsalts of Mercury : the
Chlorides, Iodides and Bromides of Bismuth, Silver, Lead and
subsalts of Mercury ; the Iodides of Quinine, Morphine and
most alkaloids.
" Alkalies precipitate the alkaloids and the soluble non-alkaline
metallic salts, and (as also metallic Hydrates and Carbonates)
neutralize free acids.
" Silver Nitrate^ Lead Acetate^ Corrosive Sublimate^ Potassium
Iodide should nearly always be prescribed alone. The first with

* S. O. L. Potter, M. D.