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 *fidence they have long enjoyed. The virtue of the powder (sic) known as the Chelsea Pensioner is chiefly due to the guaiacum and sulphur it contains." In the section on gout he writes:—"The once famous Portland Powder has for long been abandoned, as has also the almost equally noted Chelsea Pensioner gout powder. One formula for the latter consisted of rhubarb, sulphur, nitre, and gum guaiacum, in equal parts. Fifteen or twenty grains of the powder were taken morning and evening in treacle. Another was powdered bark, ginger, guaiacum, aa i, cream of tartar 1 oz., flowers of sulphur 1/2 oz., to be made into an electuary with simple syrup. One teaspoonful to be taken three times a day. This is certainly not a bad combination though a nauseous one."

The following formula is given in the "Pharmacopœia Batava recusa cum notis et additamentis Medico-Pharmaceuticis," published by J. F. Niemann, in 1824:—Resin of guaiacum, rhubarb, aa ij; supertartrate of potash, 1 oz.; sublimed sulphur, 2 oz.; one nutmeg; despumated honey, 1 lb. It is evident that this "Anti-Rheumatismal Electuary," as Niemann calls it, and the Chelsea Pensioner had a common origin, and as the formula is not to be found in Niemann's previous edition, 1811, it would appear to have come into popularity between that date and 1824. So far it remains doubtful whether its composition is due to an English or a Dutch author.

An ointment thus named appeared first in the P. L. 1650. It was a compound of coral, limpet shells, quartz, white marble, white lead, and tragacanth incorporated