DRAUGHT

Syn. Haustus , L. A single dose of liquid medicine, usually dispensed in one-and-a-half-ounce or two-ounce phials. Draughts are almost exclusively extemporaneous compounds, and differ from ‘mixtures’ only in containing one dose; whereas mixtures contain several. The latter have now very generally superseded draughts among all but the higher cla es, when the dose is to be frequently repeated. Draughts po e the advantages of extreme convenience, and, from only one phial being opened at a time, of preserving the preparation better than when it is exposed to the air by the frequent removal of the cork. They are usually taken from a wine-gla , which they about 2 ⁄ 3 rds fill. In the preparation of draughts the same precautions are observed as are pointed out under Mixture ; regard being had to the increased volume of the dose. The ingredients of a six-ounce mixture, for example, containing (say) 12 doses, may be equally distributed among a dozen draught phials, after which each may be filled up with distilled water, or any other simple vehicle. In most cases a little syrup may be advantageously added. In many instances no addition will be required, the doses of each form of preparation being the same. The following are useful formulæ, which will serve as examples for others of the cla . The number might be easily multiplied, and, indeed, might be extended so as to include 3 ⁄ 4 ths of the whole materia medic a; but such a plan would lead to usele repetitions, and occupy much space. See Mixture , Prescribing , .