Masses are plastic mixtures of pilular consistence. They are made by incorporating the drug with adhesive substances, by chemical reaction, and sometimes by both processes.

The Masses are intended to be formed into pills whenever they are to be dispensed. They are therefore often called Pil., Pilulae, instead of Massa. There are only two official:

Massa Ferri Carbonatis (Vallet's Mass) sodium carb. 46, ferrous sulph., 100. honey, 38, sugar 25, syrup to 100.

By double decomposition between the Ferrous Sulphate and Sodium Carbonate ferrous carbonate is formed, which is incorporated with Honey and Sugar to prevent oxidation and to render the mixture a plastic mass. The Pill of Ferrous Carbonate (Pil Blaudii) is preferable to this mass, as in the pill the ferrous carbonate is better protected against oxidation.

Massa Hydrargyri (Blue Mass) glycyrrhiza 10, althaea 15, mercury 33. glycerin 9, honey of rose 33.

The mercury is extinguished by trituration with the rose honey and glycerin and the powdered glycyrrhiza; the other ingredients are then incorporated. The usual dose is from 5 to 10 grains (0.3-0.6).