USES.

As a circulatory depressant, given early, in croupous pneumonia, pleurisy, hepatitis, maniacal delirium, etc., with strong, bounding pulse and other sthenic conditions; in puerperal convulsions and the early stage of peritonitis, phlebitis and other inflammatory affections of the puerperal state; also acute rheumatism, tonsillitis, aneurism, and wounds of the head, pericardium and peritoneum.

VERATRINA.

VERATRINE.-A mixture of alkaloids obtained from the seed of Asagræa officinalis (Chamisso et Schlechtendal) Lindley (Fam. Liliacea). Habitat.-Mexico to Venezuela.

SOURCE. (1) The seed is exhausted with Alcohol, and the Alcohol recovered by distillation. (2) The residuary liquid is diluted with water to precipitate the resins and filtered. (3) Ammonia is added to the filtrate when veratrine is precipitated. (4) It is then re-dissolved, decolorized, and re-precipitated.

CHARACTERS.-A white or grayish-white, amorphous powder, odorless, but causing intense irritation and sneezing when even a minute quantity reaches the nasal mucous membrane; having an acrid taste, and leaving a sensation of tingling and numbness on the tongue; slightly hygroscopic in moist air. It should be tasted with great caution. Solubility. In 1750 parts of water, 2.2 of Alcohol, 3 of Ether, and in 1 part of Chloroform; very soluble in Benzene and Amyl Alcohol. Dose, 0.002 gm. (2 milligm.); gr.

30

Preparations.

1. Oleatum Veratrinæ.-Oleate of Veratrine. Veratrine, 2; Alcohol, 2; Oleic Acid, 50; Olive Oil, to 100.

2. Unguentum Veratrinæ.-Veratrine Ointment. Veratrine, 4; Expressed Oil of Almond, 6; Benzoinated Lard, 90.

ACTION.

The same as veratrum viride, which owes its activity to vetratrine.

USES.

Chiefly employed in the external treatment of neuralgia, myalgia, acute gout, and other painful affections.

Unofficial Preparation.

COLLODIUM AMYLE.

Amyl Colloid. Synonym.-Anodyne Colloid. The composition of this is Amyl Hydride, 480; Aconitine, 1; Veratrine, 6; Collodion to 960. It is a fluid preparation.

ACTION.

The object of this preparation is to obtain in an elegant and convenient way the local anesthetic action of aconitine and veratrine, aided by the evaporation of amyl hydride.

USES.

Sciatica, neuralgia and other painful affections.

CONVALLARIA.

CONVALLARIA.-The dried rhizome and roots of Convallaria majalis Linné (Fam. Liliacea). Synonym.-Lily of the Valley. Habitat. -United States, in the Allegheny Mountains; Europe and Northern Asia.

CHARACTERS. Of horizontal growth and somewhat branched, length variable, 1 to 3 mm. thick, cylindrical, wrinkled, whitish or pale brown, marked with few circular scars; at the annulate joint are about eight or ten, long, thin roots; fracture somewhat fibrous, white; odor peculiar, pleasant; taste sweetish, bitter, and slightly acrid.

COMPOSITION. The chief constituents are- —(1) Convallamarin, CHO2, a glucoside the active principle; a white, bitter-sweet powder, soluble in water and Alcohol. (2) Convallarin, СâНâО1, a glucoside, in acrid prisms, sparingly soluble in, but foaming with water, soluble in Alcohol, but not in Ether. This is said only to purge. Dose, 0.500 gm. (500 milligm.); 71⁄2 gr.

Preparation.

Fluidextractum Convallariæ.-Fluidextract of Convallaria. By maceration and percolation with Diluted Alcohol, and evaporation.

Dose, 0.5 c.c.; 8 m.

ACTION.

Cathartic; diuretic; at first slows the heart and raises the arterial tension, subsequently the pulse is somewhat quickened.

USES.

In the same class of cases as digitalis; it is free from most of the undesirable effects of the latter, but appears to be very unreliable.

SARSAPARILLA.

SARSAPARILLA.-The dried root of Smilax ornata Hooker, Smilax medica Chamisso et Schlechtendal, Smilax papyracea Duhamel, or a dried root known commercially as Honduras Sarsaparilla, which is probably obtained from Smilax officinalis Kunth (Fam. Liliacea). Habitat.-Tropical America, from Mexico to Brazil.

CHARACTERS. Usually more than 1 m. in length, and 4 to 6 mm.. thick; externally varying from light gray-brown and smooth, with few deep and sharp wrinkles, to dark or orange-brown and less smooth, with more and smaller wrinkles; internally showing a whitish and mealy, or somewhat horny, cortical layer, surrounding a circular wood-zone, the latter enclosing a broad pith; fracture tough; nearly inodorous; taste mucilaginous, somewhat sweetish and bitter, slightly acrid. Resembling Sarsaparilla.-Senega, which is twisted and keeled; Hemidesmus, which is cracked transversely.

COMPOSITION.-The chief constituents are (1) Parillin also named Smilacin, Parillinic Acid and Pariglin, about 0.2 per cent., an acrid glucoside, soluble in hot water and Alcohol, insoluble in Ether, closely resembling Saponin. (2) Resin. (3) Trace of a Volatile Oil. (4) Calcium Oxalate and other salts.

INCOMPATIBLES.-Alkalies.

Dose, 2 gm.; 30 gr.

Preparations.

1. Fluidextractum Sarsaparilla.-Fluidextract of Sarsaparilla. By maceration and percolation with Alcohol and Water, and evaporation.

Dose, 2 c.c.; 30 m.

2. Fluidextractum Sarsaparilla Compositum. — Compound Fluidextract of Sarsaparilla. Sarsaparilla, 750; Glycyrrhiza, 120; Sassafras, 100; Mezereum, 30. By maceration and percolation in Glycerin, Alcohol and Water and evaporation, to 1000.

Dose, 2 c.c.; 30 m.

3. Syrupus Sarsaparillæ Compositus.-Compound Syrup of Sarsaparilla. Fluidextract of Sarsaparilla, 200; Fluidextract of Glycyrrhiza, 15; Fluidextract of Senna, 15; Oil of Sassafras,

Oil of Anise, ; Oil of Gaultheria, Sugar, 650. By mixing, filtering, dissolving the Sugar, and straining with water

to 1000.

Dose, 16 c.c.; 4 fl. dr.

Unofficial Preparation.

Decoctum Sarsaparillæ Compositum (U. S. P., 1890).-Compound Decoction of Sarsaparilla. Sarsaparilla, 100; Sassafras, 20; Guaiacum Wood, 20; Glycyrrhiza, 20; Mezereum, 10. By boiling, maceration in water and straining to 1000.

Dose, 30 to 120 c.c.; 1 to 4 fl. oz.

ACTION.

It is not known to have any physiological action.

USES.

It is apparently useful only as a vehicle.

Unofficial Preparations.

ALLIUM (U. S. P., 1890).

Garlic. The bulb of Allium sativum Linné (Fam. Liliacea). Habitat.-Asia and Southern Europe, cultivated.

CHARACTERS.-Bulb subglobular, compound, consisting of about eight compressed, wedge-shaped bulblets, which are arranged in a circle around the base of the stem, and covered by several dry membranous scales. Odor pungent and disagreeable; taste warm and acrid.

COMPOSITION. The chief constituents are-(1) A volatile oil, 14 per cent., which consists of Allyl (CH) oxide and sulphide. (2) Mucilage. (3) Albumin.

Dose, 1 to 2 gm.; 15 to 30 gr.

Syrupus Allii (U. S. P., 1890).-Syrup of Garlic. Garlic, 200; Sugar, 800; diluted Acetic Acid to 1000.

Dose, 4 to 15 c.c.; 1 to 4 fl. dr.

ACTION.

It is a general stimulant, quickening the circulation, exciting the nervous system, and promoting expectoration.

USES.

Impaired digestion; chronic catarrhal and other pectoral affections.

Iris. Synonym.-Blue Flag. The rhizome and roots of Iris versicolor Linné (Fam. Iridacea). Habitat.-North America, in swampy localities.

CHARACTERS.-Rhizome of horizontal growth, consisting of joints, 5 to 10 cm. long, cylindrical in the lower half, flattish near the upper extremity, and terminated by a circular scar, annulated from the leaf-sheaths, grayish-brown; roots long, simple, crowded near the broad end; odor slight; taste acrid and

nauseous.

COMPOSITION. The chief constituents are- —(1) An acrid resin. (2) Possibly an alkaloid. (3) Fat. (4) A camphoraceous body. Dose, .60 to 2.00 gm.; 10 to 30 gr.

1. Extractum Iridis (U. S. P., 1890).—Extract of Iris. By maceration and percolation with Alcohol, and evaporation. Dose, .06 to .20 gm.; 1 to 3 gr.

2. Extractum Iridis Fluidum (U. S. P., 1890).-Fluidextract of Iris. By maceration and percolation with Alcohol, and evapo

ration.

Dose, .60 to 2.00 c.c.; 10 to 30 m.

Unofficial Preparation.

IRIDINUM.

Iridin. Synonym.-Irisin. The powdered extractive obtained from the root of Iris versicolor.