ACTION.

A safe antiseptic, non-irritant to the alimentary mucous membranes.

USES.

Atonic dyspepsia with fermentation and acid eructations; rheumatism; influenza; typhoid fever.

2. HYDRONAPHTHOL.

Hydronaphthol.-C1H2OH. One of the Naphthols occurring

in Coal Tar.

CHARACTERS.-Glistening, micaceous scales, having the characteristic Naphthol odor. Solubility.-Sparingly in water; freely in Alcohol and oils. The substance known in commerce as Hydronaphthol has been stated to be identical with Beta naphthol. Dose, .12 to .18 gm.; 2 to 3 gr.

ACTION.

Antiseptic.

USES.

As an internal antiseptic, and locally in ointment or powder, diluted with zinc oxide.

3. NAPHTHOL CAMPHORATUM.

Camphorated Naphthol. Synonym.-Naphthol Camphor. A homogeneous, oily liquid prepared by heating carefully one part of Beta-naphthol with two of Camphor. It is insoluble in water, and decomposes readily on exposure to light and air.

Antiseptic.

ACTION.

USES.

As a parenchymatous injection, in doses of .12 to 30 c.c.; 2 to 5 m. The undiluted fluid is well borne, but olive oil may be employed with it, if preferred.

386.61. The hydrochlorate of a synthetic alkaloid having a close chemical relationship to cocaine.

SOURCE. By the action of one molecule of ammonia upon three molecules of acetone, triacetonamine is formed. This is then transformed into triacetonamencyanhydrine by hydrocyanic acid. This compound when saponified becomes triacetonalkamin carbonic acid, ammonia being given off, when benzylated and methylated trimethylbenzoyltetramethyl-y-oxypiperidin carbonic acid -methylester or Eucaine is formed.

CHARACTERS.-Permanent shining scales containing one molecule of water of crystallization. Solubility. In about 6 parts of

water.

INCOMPATIBLES.-Caustic alkalies, alkaline carbonates and am

monia.

ACTION.

Locally anæsthetic, like cocaine; its general action consists in a marked excitation of the entire central nervous system, followed by paralysis, which under toxic doses results in death. It is relatively safer, so far as circulation and respiration are concerned, than cocaine.

USES.

The same as those of cocaine; it possesses the disadvantage of causing hyperæmia of mucous membranes, and in 2 per cent. solution may irritate the conjunctiva. It is preferable to cocaine in that its aqueous solutions are permanent and can be sterilized by heat without decomposition.

II. BETA-EUCAINÆ HYDROCHLORAS.

Beta-Eucaine Hydrochlorate.-C1HNO2 HCl. Synonyms. -Beta-Eucaine. Benzoil-vinyl-diaceton-alkamine Hydrochlorate.

SOURCE. It is the Benzoil derivative of Vinyl-diaceton Alkalamine.

CHARACTERS.-A colorless, neutral, crystalline powder. Solubility. In 28 parts of water and 14 of Alcohol.

ACTION.

The same as Alpha-eucaine, except that it does not give rise to burning sensations, pain and hyperæmia. It is considerably less toxic than cocaine.

USES.

Its field is the same as that of cocaine, but for medullary anæsthesia, while the after-effects seem no greater than with cocaine, the analgesia is not so uniform or so lasting. It is employed to a very considerable extent in ophthalmic practice.

III. THALLINÆ SULPHAS.

Thalline Sulphate.-2C,H1N (OCH2) H2SO, + 2H2O :

459.06.

It contains 76.9 per cent. of Thalline and 21.1 per cent. of Sulphuric Acid.

SOURCE.-By heating together Paramidoanisol, Paranitranisol, Glycerin and Sulphuric Acid.

CHARACTERS.-A white or whitish granular crystalline powder having a slightly Anise-like odor and a nauseous, bitter, saline and pungent taste. Solubility.—In 7 parts of water; in 100 parts of Alcohol.

Dose, .12 to .60 gm.; 2 to 10 gr.

ACTION.

It is a powerful antipyretic and germicide, and acts as a depressant to the vaso-motor system and heart, with the production of collapse and marked cyanosis; it is also said to check tissue waste and to have a marked tendency to attack the red blood corpuscles.

USES.

In 1 to 2 per cent. solutions it is useful as an injection in gonorrhoea, specially in the chronic form. It is now seldom given internally on account of the danger attending its use.

DIVISION III: SUBSTANCES DERIVED FROM THE VEGETABLE KINGDOM.

CHONDRUS.-Synonyms.-Irish Moss. Carragheen. The dried plant of Chondrus crispus (Linné) Lyngbye (Fam. Gigartinacea). Habitat.-Atlantic Ocean.

CHARACTERS.-Usually in light yellow or yellowish-white matted masses; the plant consisting of a slender, somewhat flattened base about one-half the length of the entire frond, which, after repeated forking, terminates in a number of palmately branching, somewhat enlarged, commonly emarginate, or two-lobed segments; translucent, sometimes with fruit bodies embedded near the apex of the segments; somewhat cartilaginous. It has a slight sea-weed odor, and mucilaginous, somewhat saline taste.

COMPOSITION. (1) Mucilaginous Compounds, 90 per cent. (2) Albuminoids. (3) Chlorides, sulphates and phosphates, with traces of bromides and iodides.

Dose (in decoction), 15 gm.; 4 dr.

ACTION.

Demulcent; nutrient.

USES.

Pulmonary affections; diarrhoea; dysentery; genito-urinary disorders; also used in making preparations of bone marrow.

ERGOTA.

ERGOT. Synonym.-Ergot of Rye. The sclerotium of Claviceps purpurea (Fries) Tulasne (Fam. Hypocreacea), replacing the grain of rye, Secale cereale Linné (Fam. Graminea). Ergot should be moderately dried, and not exposed to a damp atmosphere. Habitat.-Spain and Russia.

CHARACTERS.-Subcylindrical, obscurely three-angled, tapering towards both ends, but obtuse, somewhat curved, 1.5 to 3 cm. long and about 3 mm. thick; externally purplish-black, longitudinally furrowed on each side, more conspicuously on the concave side; fracture short, pinkish or reddish-white; odor peculiar, heavy; taste oily and disagreeable. COMPOSITION.-The chief constituents are: (1) Ergotine, CH2N2O3, an amorphous alkaloid, feebly bitter; soluble in Alcohol and water. (2) Ecboline, an amorphous alkaloid, slightly bitter; soluble in water and Alcohol. (3) Ergotinine, C ̧HNO, a crystalline alkaloid, slightly bitter. (4) Sphacelic Acid, known also as Sphacelotoxin, a non-nitrogenous, unstable body, insoluble in water, soluble in alkalies. It is believed to be the active agent in contracting the blood-vessels. (5) Cornutine, an active alkaloid, not only contracts the blood-vessels, but is believed to be the agent which contracts the uterus. This is the chief active constituent of alcoholic extracts of Ergot. (6) Sclerotinic, Ergotinic or Ergotic Acid, 1 to 4 per cent., soluble in water and alkalies, having ecbolic properties. This is really a mixture of Sphacelic Acid and Cornutine. (7) A fixed oil, 30 per cent. (8) Trimethylamine, to which the odor is due. (9) Tannic Acid. Many other bodies have been found in Ergot, but those given are believed to be the more important; the composition of Ergot is not yet certainly made out. Dose, 2 gm.; 30 gr.

Preparations,

1. Fluidextractum Ergotæ.-Fluidextract of Ergot. By maceration and percolation with Acetic Acid and Diluted Alcohol, and evaporation.

Dose, 2 c.c.; 30 m.

2. Extractum Ergotæ.-Extract of Ergot. Synonym.-Ergotin. Ergot, 1000; Diluted Hydrochloric Acid, 50; Monohydrated Sodium Carbonate, 8.5; Glycerin, 12; Alcohol and Water, each, a sufficient quantity. By maceration and percolation of the Ergot with Alcohol and water. The percolate is evaporated, water is added, and, after filtration, the Diluted Hydrocyanic Acid. After filtering again, the Monohydrated Sodium Carbonate