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PHS Survey on Dentition
earthen vessels filled with water and then he would splash and rub this Unconcoction onto his body. doubtedly he received the benefit of the astringent effects brought on by the tannins in the bark. Over 30 centuries ago the ancients made use of the astringent-type properties of myrrh. Myrrh was used as a sweet aroma producer also but, from all evidence obtained from pondering ancient history, myrrh was used mostly as an astringent-protective. The Bible says that God's people were instructed to make a myrrh ointment just like the "pharmacist" would make it. "Thou shalt make ... an ointment compound (myrrh) after the art of the apothecary . . .," so reads Holy Writ. 4 Myrrh 2 is the oleo-gum-resin obtained from Commiphora molmol or from other species of Commiphora. Although the claims placed on witch hazel preparations have been "playedup," it, nevertheless, possesses pronounced astringent properties. It is the product of the dried leaves of Hamamelis virginiana and contains a volatile oil and bitter principles as well as tannins. Tannic acid is an astringent drug which is obtained usually from nutgalls. It has been used in the treatment of burns, diarrhea, b ed sores,
drug statistics
S
tatistics on the types and uses of prescription and non-prescription drugs are presented in a report from the National Center for Health Sciences titled "Prescribed and Non-prescribed Medicines; Type and Use of Medicines-United States, July 1964-June 1965." Data were collected by Health Interview Survey in household interviews of a national sample of the population. Prescribed medicines are classified according to the condition for which they are prescribed and annllal costs are shown per person and per prescription medication. Largest proportion of prescribed medicines (25 percent) was for illnesses with respiratory manifestations. Average cost per prescription medication ranged from $2.70 for treatment of thyroid concHtions to $4 .70 for treatment of high blood pressure. Non-prescribed medicines are classified by type of medicine and average costs per person and distribution of costs by place of purchase are presented. Annual per person expenditures were found to be greatest for aspirin, aspirin compounds and vitamins. Copies of booklet may be purchased for 30 cents from Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. •
weeping ulcers and in the tanning of hides. Some lesser known astringents are1. zinc acetate-It exists as a crystalline substance which has a pearly luster. This product has been employed as an effective styptic. 2. lead acetate-Although this product has astringent properties, it should not be so used due to the danger of lead intoxication. 3. acetyltannic acid-This substance obtained by the acetylation of tannic ac-id is quite useful as an intestinal astringent to check diarrhea. 4. nutgall or smyrna galls-This product's only use is as an external astringent. 5. zirconium carbonate-Although this chemical powder is not widely known,it is nevertheless very effective in the treatment of dermatoses. 6. zinc oleate-This SUbstance isa water insoluble white powder which is used both as an astringent and as an antiseptic. It has value in ,t he treatment of pruritus, indolent ulcers and eczema. Usually one finds this product being u'sed in the form of an ointment. 7. zinc iodide-This 'a stringent is an agent in Talbot's Solution which found some prominence in dental practice. S. zinc phosphate-Also used in dental practice, this astringent is of value in dental-type cements . 9. zinc sulfate-This is the astringent which brings back fond memo ories to the mind of most every pharmacist. In nearly all schools of pharmacy the student-pharmacist is confronted with making White Lotion and he who has done so relishes the recollection of that warm day in the laboratory when he combined sulfurated potash with zinc sulfate!
PHS survey on dentition
A
n estimated 20.1 million (18 percent) Americans have lost all their natural teeth and women had higher percentages of total loss than men, 19.7 to 16.5, according to a report published by the National Center for Health Statistics of the Public Health Service. These and other statistics were obtained in a nationwide sampling survey of adults, ages 18-79 years, conducted from October 1959 throu gh December 1962. The number of persons without natural teeth increased rapidly with advancing age, rising from one percent among the younger men and women to about 20 percent among adults 45-54 years of age. About 50 percent of adults 65 years and older had lost all their natural teeth. Men and women with relatively low family incomes tended to lose all of their teeth earlier than those with higher earnings and total loss of teeth was also closely related to educational levels of p ersons examined according to the study. •
It is not within the scope of this article to e lucidate and expound upon all of the known 'astringents. It can be stated safely, however, that astringents 'a re widely used under many categories, ranging from the s-irnple styptic pencil through antiperspirants to antidiarrheal agents. The final recommendation ofa product remains with the pharmacist. It is left to him to use his knowledge, background and experience to furnish his patron with the utmost in professional guidance in selecting a product. • references 1. DiPalma, J.R., Drill's Pharmacology in Medicine, 3rd ed., McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, N,Y., 797( 1965) 2. Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary, 24th ed., W.B. S·a unders Co., Philadelphia, Pa., 155( 1967) 3. Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 13th ed., Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa., 846(1965) . 4. The Holy Bible, Authorized King James Version, Exodus 30: 23-35
Vol. NS8, No.2, February 1968
79
drug statistics
S
tatistics on the types and uses of prescription and non-prescription drugs are presented in a report from the National Center for Health Sciences titled "Prescribed and Non-prescribed Medicines; Type and Use of Medicines-United States, July 1964-June 1965." Data were collected by Health Interview Survey in household interviews of a national sample of the population. Prescribed medicines are classified according to the condition for which they are prescribed and annllal costs are shown per person and per prescription medication. Largest proportion of prescribed medicines (25 percent) was for illnesses with respiratory manifestations. Average cost per prescription medication ranged from $2.70 for treatment of thyroid concHtions to $4 .70 for treatment of high blood pressure. Non-prescribed medicines are classified by type of medicine and average costs per person and distribution of costs by place of purchase are presented. Annual per person expenditures were found to be greatest for aspirin, aspirin compounds and vitamins. Copies of booklet may be purchased for 30 cents from Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. •
weeping ulcers and in the tanning of hides. Some lesser known astringents are1. zinc acetate-It exists as a crystalline substance which has a pearly luster. This product has been employed as an effective styptic. 2. lead acetate-Although this product has astringent properties, it should not be so used due to the danger of lead intoxication. 3. acetyltannic acid-This substance obtained by the acetylation of tannic ac-id is quite useful as an intestinal astringent to check diarrhea. 4. nutgall or smyrna galls-This product's only use is as an external astringent. 5. zirconium carbonate-Although this chemical powder is not widely known,it is nevertheless very effective in the treatment of dermatoses. 6. zinc oleate-This SUbstance isa water insoluble white powder which is used both as an astringent and as an antiseptic. It has value in ,t he treatment of pruritus, indolent ulcers and eczema. Usually one finds this product being u'sed in the form of an ointment. 7. zinc iodide-This 'a stringent is an agent in Talbot's Solution which found some prominence in dental practice. S. zinc phosphate-Also used in dental practice, this astringent is of value in dental-type cements . 9. zinc sulfate-This is the astringent which brings back fond memo ories to the mind of most every pharmacist. In nearly all schools of pharmacy the student-pharmacist is confronted with making White Lotion and he who has done so relishes the recollection of that warm day in the laboratory when he combined sulfurated potash with zinc sulfate!
PHS survey on dentition
A
n estimated 20.1 million (18 percent) Americans have lost all their natural teeth and women had higher percentages of total loss than men, 19.7 to 16.5, according to a report published by the National Center for Health Statistics of the Public Health Service. These and other statistics were obtained in a nationwide sampling survey of adults, ages 18-79 years, conducted from October 1959 throu gh December 1962. The number of persons without natural teeth increased rapidly with advancing age, rising from one percent among the younger men and women to about 20 percent among adults 45-54 years of age. About 50 percent of adults 65 years and older had lost all their natural teeth. Men and women with relatively low family incomes tended to lose all of their teeth earlier than those with higher earnings and total loss of teeth was also closely related to educational levels of p ersons examined according to the study. •
It is not within the scope of this article to e lucidate and expound upon all of the known 'astringents. It can be stated safely, however, that astringents 'a re widely used under many categories, ranging from the s-irnple styptic pencil through antiperspirants to antidiarrheal agents. The final recommendation ofa product remains with the pharmacist. It is left to him to use his knowledge, background and experience to furnish his patron with the utmost in professional guidance in selecting a product. • references 1. DiPalma, J.R., Drill's Pharmacology in Medicine, 3rd ed., McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, N,Y., 797( 1965) 2. Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary, 24th ed., W.B. S·a unders Co., Philadelphia, Pa., 155( 1967) 3. Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 13th ed., Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa., 846(1965) . 4. The Holy Bible, Authorized King James Version, Exodus 30: 23-35
Vol. NS8, No.2, February 1968
79