Mixtures

MIXTURES (from the Latin miscere—to mix) (abbreviated as "mixt." in a prescription), a liquid medicinal form prescribed for oral administration using tablespoon, dessert, or teaspoon measures, usually in an amount of 100–200–400 grams and consisting of two or several liquids or of a solvent and dissolved solid substances. The solvent is most often distilled water, but aromatic waters, infusions, decoctions, syrups, and less frequently glycerin, alcohol, and oil are also used for this purpose. The composition of mixtures may include various chemical preparations, extracts, tinctures, essential oils, balsams, and others. It is necessary that the substances entering into the composition of the mixture be obtained by the patient in a soluble or easily mixable form, and that substances which mutually decompose or neutralize each other not be introduced. The mixture should, as far as possible, be transparent. In the event that the mixture contains insoluble substances or immiscible liquids, the prescription must indicate to the patient the necessity of shaking it before use. Such a mixture is called a Mixture agitanda. Failure to observe this rule can lead to the patient taking alkaloids and other toxic substances in disproportionate amounts and can sometimes cause poisoning. In order that powders and other substances be better retained in a suspended state and be more uniformly distributed in the liquid, syrups and mucilages are sometimes added, with which the added substances are first triturated in a mortar and then mixed with the mixture. It is recommended to prescribe mixtures with the simplest composition, not cluttering them with substances whose chemical and physicochemical compatibility is insufficiently studied. Usually, by "mixture" is meant a liquid mixture for internal use, but there are also mixtures for various external applications. Mixtures are adjacent to the medicinal form of solution, which consists of a solvent and a solid substance dissolved in it.