RECORD OF MEDICAL SCIENCE.
MATERIA MEDICA AND THERAPEUTICS.
MEDICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON.
Saturday, December 4, 1852.—Mr. Bishop, President.
Dr. De Meric showed to the Society the saccharine capsules of
copaiba and cubebs, prepared by M. Jozeau, under the name of Copa-
hine-Mege, which have been described in a late number of this journal,
(see The Lancet, vol. ii. 1852, p. 422;) and as this was neither a
a secret nor a patented remedy, he was induced to try it in his practice.
He stated that he had found them very efficient in the treatment of
gonorrhoea, as the mouth did not perceive the taste of the copaiba, and
the stomach did not revolt against the drug. Dr. De Meric ob-
served that his patients took the capsules without repugnance, and
never complained of any gastric disturbance. He was sure that many
of the fellows would find this kind of sugar-plums very convenient in
private practice, as they could be carried in the waistcoat-pocket, and
taken at leisure. The speaker touched upon several other points,
which we need not repeat here, as they may be found in the number of
this journal alluded to above.
Mr. Chippendale wished to know whether the capsules were sold at
a high price. He asked the question because he might be inclined to
use them in his dispensary.
Dr. De Meric was not prepared to give the information required, as
he had confined himself to the pharmaceutical bearing of the matter.
But he might venture to say that M. Jozeau would probably charge
hospitals and dispensaries a very low price. He thought, at the same
time, that the capsules were more calculated for private than public
practice.
The President inquired the actual amount of copaiba and cubebs in
each capsule.
Dr. De Meric could not bring to mind the exact quantity; but we
have since been informed that it is sixteen grains of prepared copaiba
and about two grains of cubebs for each capsule.