Improvements in Suppositories.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application (in United Kingdom), 18th Mar., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 18th Mar., 1891-Accepted, 13th June, 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Suppositories.
I, ERNEST GODLOVE EBERHARDT, of 117, High Street, Indianapolis, in the
County of Marion and State of Indiana, United States of America, Inventor, do
hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN SUPPOSITORIES,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and.
ascertained in and by the following statement :---
As is well known, suppositories and such like medicinal articles generally
require a covering which will protect them from the effects of exposure. Here-
tofore they have been covered with tin-foil or some such material. Such coverings
are objectionable in many particulars. They are not only of doubtful efficiency,
but have to be carefully unwrapped when required for use, which is a comparatively
slow and tedious operation, and there is also some liability of corrosion, and
consequently danger of ill effects from their use.
The object of my said invention is to produce a covering which can be easily
and quickly removed, and which at the same time can have no possible ill effects
upon the article covered thereby.
Said invention consists in covering the article with a coating of a material
substantially impervious to the effects of exposure, and at the same time so fragile
that it may be easily broken apart and removed when it is desired to use the
suppository. Paraffine is an excellent material from which to form such a
coating, as it is easily applied by dipping the articles therein, (generally first from
one end and then from the other), and while it is firm enough to protect the
articles until they are desired for use it is still broken easily, when desired, by
pressing or twisting upon it with the thumb and finger.
Referring to the accompanying drawings, which are made a part hereof, and on
which similar letters of reference indicate similar parts,
Figure 1 is a substantially full-sized perspective view of a suppository covered
in accordance with my invention;
Fig. 2 an elevation thereof on an enlarged scale; and
Fig. 3 a central sectional view of the same.
The covering, as before stated, I prefer shall be paraffine, and it is commonly
applied to the article after it is formed ready for use by dipping said articles in the
melted paraffine, first one end and then the other. If desired, after the coating is
applied it may be scored slightly around the centre to facilitate removal, although
this is not necessary..
While paraffine has been found an excellent substance for
this covering or coating, it is obvious that many other substances or compositions
might be readily provided possessed of the same or equivalent properties, and thus
adapted for the same use with the suppository. I therefore do not desire to be
understood as limiting myself to the paraffine, but consider that all such equivalents
for the paraffine covering are included in the invention herein claimed. The
substance of the covering being brittle, when it is desired to use the suppository it
Price 6d 1

page_text: is taken in the hands between the thumbs and fingers and a gentle pressure
generally accompanied by a slight twisting motion, breaks the covering open, when
the portion of the covering upon one end is removed. The uncovered end is then
inserted in the anus, while the covered end is held between the thumb and finger.
The suppository is then forced completely into the anus, while the remaining
portion of the covering is retained by the thumb and finger.
By my improved covering not only is the suppository perfectly protected, but
all danger of corrosion is avoided, and the suppository is preserved in the best
form for use, as said covering produces a slight lubrication of its outer surface,
while the covering is capable of being easily removed whenever desired.
I am fully aware of the use of gelatine capsules as inclosures for medicinal
preparations, and of the fact that pills have been coated in various ways. My
invention, as above explained, is for a different purpose and does not include any
such devices or articles.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, declare that what
I claim is :-
A suppository provided with a covering or coating of paraffine or an equivalent
impervious but fragile material, whereby said suppository is protected and said
covering or coating may be easily broken apart and removed, substantially as set
forth.
F. W. BARKER,
Applicant's Agent.