More about pills. Some were made by grinding up leaves,
as Aloes. Frequently something had to be added to bind
the ground substance together. And very often an "excipient"an inert material, often milk sugar to make pill suitablein size.

Excipient
Ex`cip´i`ent
a. 1. Taking an exception.
n. 1. An exceptor.
2. (Med., Pharmacy) An inert or slightly active substance used in preparing remedies as a vehicle or medium of administration for the medicinal agents.