=PASTAE DERMATOLOGICAE, DERMATOLOGIC PASTES.=--Dermatologic pastes are medicaments for external use. They are ointment-like mixtures containing starch or dextrin with glycerin, soft soap, petrolatum or lard mixed with some active medicinal agent. For the official dermatologic pastes see under the names of the principal constituents. =*Pelletierinae Tannas (Pellet. Tann.), Pelletierine Tannate, U.S.P.=--A mixture of alkaloids from pomegranate. A light yellow, odorless powder with an astringent taste. Slightly soluble in water (1:240) and soluble in alcohol (1:16). ACTION AND USES: Anthelmintic and teniafuge. DOSAGE: 0.25 Gm. or 4 grains (U.S.P.). May be administered suspended in water. Should be given on an empty stomach followed after one or two hours by brisk purging. Not more than 0.3 Gm. or 5 grains should be given. =Pepo (Pepo), Pepo, U.S.P.= (Pumpkin Seed). ACTION AND USES: Domestic anthelmintic; probably inefficient. DOSAGE: 30 Gm. or 1 ounce (U.S.P.) =*Pepsinum (Pepsin.), Pepsin, U.S.P.=--Contains a proteolytic ferment or enzyme from the stomach of the hog. White or yellowish scales, grains, or powder, having a slightly acid or saline taste and no offensive odor. Soluble in water (1:50); nearly insoluble in alcohol. Digests 3000 times its own weight of coagulated egg albumen. ACTION AND USES: Used to assist in the gastric digestion of proteins. Usually superfluous, since gastric juice generally contains sufficient pepsin to perform gastric digestion. The alcohol of the elixirs and wines may be distinctly harmful in gastric disorders, while the other ingredients of the many complex mixtures need be prescribed only when direct indications for them exist. Many of these mixtures are irrational. DOSAGE: 0.5 Gm. or 8 grains (U.S.P.). _Elixir Cinchonae Alkaloidorum, Ferri et Pepsini (Elix. Cinchon. Ferr. et Pepsin.), Elixir of Cinchona Alkaloids, Iron and Pepsin, N.F._ (Elixir Cinchonae, Ferri et Pepsini, N.F. III, Elixir of Calisaya, Alkaloidal with Iron and Pepsin).--Glycerite of pepsin (20%) and elixir of cinchona alkaloids and iron. Absolute alcohol content about 15 per cent. DOSAGE: 8 Cc. or 2 fluidrachms (N.F.). _Elixir Pepsini (Elix. Pepsin.), Elixir of Pepsin, N.F._--Glycerite of pepsin (20%), glycerin (10%), hydrochloric acid (0.4%) and aromatic elixir. Absolute alcohol content about 15 per cent. DOSAGE: 8 Cc. or 2 fluidrachms (N.F.). _Elixir Pepsini, Bismuthi et Strychninae._--See under =Strychnina=. _Elixir Pepsini et Bismuthi (Elix. Pepsin. et Bism.), Elixir of Pepsin and Bismuth, N.F._--Pepsin (0.85%), glycerin (12.5%), glycerite of bismuth (12.5%) in water and aromatic elixir. Absolute alcohol content about 10 per cent. USES: This preparation lacks the protective action of the basic bismuth salts. DOSAGE: 8 Cc. or 2 fluidrachms (N.F.).