Epitome of the Pharmacopeia of the United States and the National Formulary Part 51

=Melilotus (Melilot.), Melilot, N.F.= (Yellow Sweet Clover).--Leaves and flowering tops.

ACTION AND USES: Formerly used as a stimulant and antispasmodic and in the treatment of neuralgia especially a.s.sociated with debility. Now seldom used; no scientific indications for its use.

=MELLITA, HONEYS.=--Sweet liquids having honey as a base. For the various honeys, see under the names of the respective princ.i.p.al ingredients. For Mel Rosae, see under =Mel=; for Mel Rosae et Sodii Boratis, see under =Sodii Boras=.

=*Mentha Piperita (Menth. Pip.), Peppermint, U.S.P.=--Leaves and flowering tops.

ACTION AND USES: Carminative and flavor, used chiefly in the form of the oil and spirit, which see under =Oleum Menthae Piperitae=.

DOSAGE: 4 Gm. or 1 drachm (U.S.P.).

=Mentha Viridis (Menth. Vir.), Spearmint, U.S.P.=--Leaves and flowering tops.

ACTION AND USES: Same as those of peppermint. See =Oleum Menthae Viridis=.

DOSAGE: 4 Gm. or 1 drachm (U.S.P.).

=*Menthol (Menthol), Menthol, U.S.P.=--Obtained from oil of peppermint or other mint oils.

Colorless crystals, with a strong peppermint odor and an aromatic taste. Slightly soluble in water; very soluble in alcohol, chloroform or petroleum benzin.

ACTION AND USES: Used locally as counterirritant and a.n.a.lgesic; sometimes internally as carminative.

DOSAGE: 0.06 Gm. or 1 grain.

_Inunctum Mentholis (Inunct. Menthol.), Menthol Inunction, N.F._--Menthol (5%) and hydrous wool fat.

_Inunctum Mentholis Compositum (Inunct. Menthol. Co.), Compound Menthol Inunction, N.F._--Menthol (5%), methyl salicylate (10%) and hydrous wool fat.

_Menthol Camphoratum (Menthol Camph.), Camphorated Menthol, N.F._ (Campho-Menthol, N.F. III, Camphor and Menthol).--Camphor (47.5%), menthol (47.5%) and alcohol.

_Nebula Mentholis (Nebul. Menthol.), Menthol Spray, N.F._--Menthol (2%) in light liquid petrolatum.

_Nebula Mentholis Composita (Nebul. Menthol. Co.), Compound Menthol Spray, N.F._--Menthol (1%), camphor (1%), methyl salicylate, eucalyptol and oil of cinnamon in light liquid petrolatum.

_Petroxolinum Mentholis (Petrox. Menthol.), Menthol Petroxolin, N.F._ (Menthol Petrox).--Menthol (17%) in liquid petroxolin.

=Menyanthes (Menyanth.), Menyanthes, N.F.= (Buckbean, Marsh Trefoil).--Leaves of _Menyanthes trifoliata_.

ACTION AND USES: Obsolete bitter; no special indications for its use.

DOSAGE: 1 Gm. or 15 grains (N.F.).

=*Methylis Salicylas (Methyl. Salicyl.), Methyl Salicylate, U.S.P.= (Oleum Gaultheriae, U.S.P. VIII, Oil of Wintergreen, Oleum Betulae, U.S.P. VIII, Oil of Sweet Birch, Oil of Teaberry).--Produced synthetically or obtained from wintergreen (oil of wintergreen) or from birch (oil of sweet birch).

Colorless, yellowish or reddish liquid, with a wintergreen odor and taste. Sparingly soluble in water and miscible with alcohol and glacial acetic acid.

ACTION AND USES: Chiefly used as flavor. In sufficient amounts, antirheumatic and antipyretic.

DOSAGE: 0.75 Cc. or 12 minims (U.S.P.). May be applied externally either pure or diluted (10%) in ointment.

For absorption through the skin is best diluted with a fatty oil.

_Petroxolinum Methylis Salicylatis (Petrox. Methyl. Salicyl.), Methyl Salicylate Petroxolin, N.F._ (Methyl Salicylate Petrox).--Methyl salicylate (20%), in liquid petroxolin.

=Methylthioninae Chloridum (Methylthionin. Chlor.), Methylthionine Chloride, U.S.P.= (Methylthioninae Hydrochloridum, U.S.P. VIII, Methylene Blue).

Dark green powder or crystals with a bronze-like l.u.s.ter. Freely soluble in water and alcohol, forming a deep blue solution.

ACTION AND USES: Sometimes used as urinary antiseptic; also in the treatment of malaria and some neuralgic conditions.

In the latter use, is of doubtful value.

DOSAGE: 0.15 Gm. or 2-1/2 grains (U.S.P.).

=Mezereum (Mezereum), Mezereum, U.S.P.= (Mezereon).--A bark.

ACTION AND USES: Antiquated antisyphilitic and vesicant.

_Fluidextractum Mezerei (Fldext. Mezer.), Fluidextract of Mezereum, N.F._--Mezereum (100%). Absolute alcohol content about 70 per cent.

=MISTURAE, MIXTURES.=--Liquid preparations containing insoluble or partly soluble medicinal substances suspended in them.

For the various official mixtures, see under the names of the respective princ.i.p.al ingredients. For Mistura Adstringens, see under =Cupri Sulphas=; for Mistura Camphorae Acida, Mistura Carminativa and Mistura Glycyrrhizae Composita, under =Opium=; for Mistura Ferri Composita, under =Ferri Carbonas=; for Mistura Camphorae Aromatica and Mistura Oleo-Balsamica, under =Oleum Lavandulae=; for Mistura Pectoralis Stokes, under =Ammonii Carbonas=.

=Morphina (Morphina), Morphine, U.S.P.=--An alkaloid obtained from opium.

Colorless or white, odorless crystals or powder. Very slightly soluble in water (1:3,340) and soluble in alcohol (1:210).

ACTION AND USES: Central a.n.a.lgesic, hypnotic and respiratory sedative and depressant; also constipative. Is only slightly depressant to the circulation. Eliminated mainly through the bowels. Should not be used to control cough if this is a.s.sociated with marked expectoration. Its habit-forming power should be constantly remembered.

DOSAGE: 0.008 Gm. or 1/8 grain (U.S.P.).

=*Morphinae Hydrochloridum (Morph. Hydrochl.), Morphine Hydrochloride, U.S.P.= (Morphine Chloride).

White, odorless needles, ma.s.ses or powder. Soluble in water (1:17.5) and in alcohol (1:52).