Specification of Moses Poole : capsules for medicine.

  • Poole, Moses.
Date:
1856
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Specification of Moses Poole : capsules for medicine. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Poole s Improvements in Enveloping Medicines. manner in which the same is to be performed, are fully described and ascer¬ tained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawing hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked thereon (that is to say) :— The Invention consists of applying membrane to contain or envelope 5 medicines in doses suitable to be swallowed whilst contained in such envelopes. And in order that the Invention may be most fully understood, and readily carried into effect, I will proceed to explain the means employed for preparing and using animal membrane when performing the Invention. I would, how¬ ever, first remark, that medicines have been heretofore enveloped in gelatine, 10 which, although it prevents the medicine being tasted when in the mouth, the covering too quickly dissolves, and persons having taken medicines so enveloped in gelatine have soon after experienced nauseous eructations. The object therefore in using an organic substance as the material for enveloping medicines is, to prevent the medicines which are taken therein from being too 15 quickly released, the membrane resisting the humidity and heat of the stomach, and in some degree the digestive powers of the gastric juice, and thus the coverings of medicine so enveloped will not be digested till they arrive in the intestines, thereby avoiding those disagreeable sensations and nausea heretofore common when employing gelatine as the material for enveloping medicines. 20 The coverings of membrane I call capsules; the organic substance preferred is derived from the small intestine of the sheep or other herbivorous animals, and the process of preparing the same is similar to that employed by the makers of harp strings, so far as regards getting it freed from the peritonial, mucous, and external membranes. The membrane thus obtained being 25 thoroughly washed in pure water, is then cut into small lengths suitable to be converted, by a process hereinafter described, into capsules calculated to contain and envelope portions of medicine either fluid or solid. When the membrane is cut into pieces, as above described, it is desirable to immerse them in dilute sulphurous acid of the strength of one part acid and ten of 30 water; this has the effect of preserving the membrane from putrifaction for an indefinite time. Figure 1 shews a mandril used in forming the capsules which fits into holes in the board a, Figure 2, pierced with several holes to receive the lower ends of the mandrils b; the size of the mandrils (which I prefer to be of box- 35 wood) is in proportion to the size of the desired capsules. The mandrils of wood should be boiled in tallow to prevent the capsules From sticking to them. The small mandrils thus prepared are ready to be used for making capsules. The person working is to be seated before a table, having at his left a board