toxic effects similar to those of cocaine, it has been superseded to a large extent by beta-eucaine.

Beta-Eucaine Hydrochloras.-Beta-Eucaine Hydrochlorate, C1HNO, HCl. Synonyms.-Beta-Eucaine. Beta-Eucaine Hydrochloride. Benzoyl-vinyl-diaceton-alkamine.

SOURCE. It is the benzoyl derivative of Vinyl-diaceton alkalamine.

CHARACTERS.-A colorless, neutral, crystalline powder, soluble in from 27 to 28 parts of cold water-3 to 4 per cent. at the ordinary temperature of the room-and in 14 parts of Alcohol. Its solution may be sterilized by boiling without undergoing decomposition.

ACTION.

Locally anæsthetic. It appears to be fully as analgesic as alpha-eucaine, while only half as toxic. Over cocaine it has the advantages of affecting the heart, circulation and respiration much less markedly, and of not drying the corneal epithelium nor causing mydriasis or disturbed accommodation. On the other hand, it has the disadvantage of causing hyperæmia, rather than anæmia, of mucous membranes when locally applied.

USES.

As a local anææsthetic. For the eye, 1 to 2 per cent. solutions are employed; for mucous surfaces, 2 to 5 per cent. solutions.

Unofficial Preparation.

Holocaina. Holocaine. (OCH, CH, NH•C(CH,)N C H1 OC2H2)HCI. Synonyms.-Holocaine Hydrochloride.

diethoxyethenyl-diphenyl-amidine Hydrochloride.

Para

SOURCE. Obtained by combining in molecular quantities Acetphenetidine and Paraphenetidine, with the elimination of water, leaving the base-OC,H, CH,NHC · O · CH2+ H2N · CH ̧· O ·C2H, OC2H ̧· CH ̧NHC · CH ̧· N · CH ̧· O · C2H ̧ + H2O. The hydrochloride is formed by the action of Hydrochloric Acid upon this base, and this salt is the one employed in Medicine.

CHARACTERS. In colorless crystals, having a bitter taste. It is very sensitive to alkalies, even the small amount of alkali dissolved out of the glass on boiling a solution of the salt in a

test-tube being sufficient to decompose it. Solubility. In about 50 parts of water, and 6 of Alcohol.

ACTION.

Locally anæsthetic; powerfully antiseptic; it is considerably more toxic than cocaine, but does not produce any local necrosis and has no effect upon the blood-vessels.

USES.

As a local anesthetic for the same purposes as cocaine; it is largely employed in ophthalmic practice, where its peculiar value lies in the rapidity of its action and the fact that it leaves the pupil, accommodation and intra-ocular tension unaffected; its germicidal power is a further advantage. A 1 per cent. solution is generally used, and it should be prepared in porcelain (not in glass).

GUAIACUM (Guaiaci Resina, U. S. P., 1890).

GUAIAC. Synonym.-Gum Guaiac. The resin of the wood of Guaiacum officinale Linné, or of Guaiacum sanctum Linné (Fam. Zygophyllacea).

SOURCE. By melting the resin of the heartwood by fire.

CHARACTERS.-Usually in irregular masses, externally greenish-gray brown; brittle, the fracture having a glassy lustre; in recent Guaiac yellowish-green or reddish-brown; transparent in thin splinters; fusible; odor balsamic; taste somewhat acrid. The powder is grayish, turning green on exposure to air. Not more than 15 per cent. of Guaiac is insoluble in Alcohol, and the alcoholic solution becomes blue on the addition of Tincture of Ferric Chloride. Guaiacum Resin on dry distillation yields Creosol and Guaiacol, also found in Creosote (see p. 293). Resembling Guaiacum.-Myrrh, Scammony, Benzoin, Aloes, and Rosin, but these have no greenish tinge.

COMPOSITION.-The chief constituents are three resins-(1) Guaiaconic Acid, CHO (70 per cent.). (2) Guaiacic Acid, resembling Benzoic Acid. (3) Guaiaretic Acid, CHO, (about 10 per cent.). These are insoluble in water, soluble in alkalies, but precipitated on neutralization.

INCOMPATIBLES.-Mineral acids, spirit of nitrous ether, acacia, chlorine water, and metallic salts.

Dose, 1 gm.; 15 gr.

Preparations.

1. Tinctura Guaiaci.-Tincture of Guaiac. Guaiac, 200. By maceration with Alcohol, and filtration to 1000.

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

2. Tinctura Guaiaci Ammoniata.-Ammoniated Tincture of Guaiac. Guaiac, 200; by maceration with Aromatic Spirit of Ammonia, and filtration to 1000.

Dose, 2 c.c.; 30 m.

Unofficial Preparation.

Guaiaci Lignum (U. S. P., 1890).—Guaiacum Wood. Synonym.-Lignum vitæ. The heart-wood of Guaiacum officinale Linné, and of Guaiacum sanctum Linné (Fam. Zygophyllacea). Habitat.-West Indies, North and South America.

CHARACTERS.-Heavier than water, hard, brown or greenishbrown, resinous, marked with irregular, concentrated circles, surrounded by a yellowish alburnum, splitting irregularly; when heated, emitting a balsamic odor; taste slightly acrid. Guaiacum Wood is generally used in the form of raspings or turnings, which should be greenish-brown, containing few particles of a whitish color, and should acquire a dark bluish-green color on the addition of Nitric Acid.

COMPOSITION. The principal constituent is the Resin (see below), 20 to 25 per cent.

Dose, 1 to 4 gm.; 1/4 to 1 dr.

ACTION.

Diaphoretic; expectorant; laxative; emmenagogue; in large doses, a gastro-intestinal irritant.

USES.

Especially tonsillitis; chronic sore-throat; habitual constipation; chronic rheumatism; to ward off attacks of gout. It is a very disagreeable remedy.

PILOCARPUS.

Synonym.-Jaborandi. The leaflets of Pilocarpus Jaborandi Holmes or of Pilocarpus microphyllus Stapf (Fam. Rutacea), yielding, when assayed, not less than 0.5 per cent. of alkaloids. Habitat.-Brazil, near Pernambuco.

CHARACTERS. Pilocarpus Jaborandi.-Very shortly and stoutly petioluled, the blades 6 to 12 cm. long and 2 to 4 cm. broad, oblong or oval, mostly unequaled at the base, blunt and emarginate at the summit, the margin entire and narrowly revolute; yellow-green, very smooth, shining, thick and coriaceous, the reticulate venation prominent on both sides, especially beneath; strongly pellucid-glandular; peculiarly aromatic when crushed; taste bitterish, slightly salty, aromatic, later somewhat pungent and sialagogue.

Pilocarpus microphyllus.-Leaflets 1.2 to 3.7 cm. long; 0.8 to 1.6 cm. broad; the lateral without petiolules, rhomboidally oval to obovate, acute at the base, blunt and unequally emarginate at the summit; the terminal on short, margined petiolules, almost equally oval to obovate, rather narrower than the lateral; all thickish and rigid, with entire margin, smooth and dull green, finely pellucid-glandular; midrib stout, the veins rather coarsely reticulate, lightly prominent; almost odorless; taste similar to that of Pilocarpus Jaborandi.

IMPURITIES.-Leaves of species of Piper, not oval-oblong. COMPOSITION. The chief constituents are (1) A crystalline alkaloid, Pilocarpine, C1HN2O2, 4 to 1 per cent. (2) Jaborine, CHEN,O,, an alkaloid resembling in its physiological action Atropine, and therefore antagonistic to Pilocarpine. (3) Pilocarpidine, CH1N2O2, a decomposition product whose action is weaker than Pilocarpine. (4) A volatile oil, chiefly Pilocarpene, C10H19. (5) A peculiar acid. These active principles are soluble in Alcohol, but only imperfectly so in water. Dose, 2 gm.; 30 gr.

Preparation.

By

Fluidextractum Pilocarpi.-Fluidextract of Pilocarpus. maceration and percolation with Diluted Alcohol, and evapora

tion.

Dose, 2 c.c.; 30 m.

PILOCARPINÆ HYDROCHLORIDE (Pilocarpine Hydrochloras, U. S. P., 1890).-Pilocarpine Hydrochloride. C1HN2O2HCl = 242.81. Synonym.-Pilocarpine Hydrochlorate. The hydrochloride (HC1 C1 H1N2O2) of an alkaloid obtained from Pilocarpus. It should be kept in well-stoppered, amber-colored vials.

SOURCE. Obtained by exhausting Pilocarpus with Alcohol acidulated with Hydrochloric Acid, distillation and evaporation. The filtrate is treated with a slight excess of Ammonia, and a large quantity of Chloroform. The solution is agitated with water, to which Hydrochloric Acid is added to neutralization. The Hydrochloride is obtained on evaporation in crystals which are purified by re-crystallization.

CHARACTERS.-Colorless, or white, transparent crystals, odorless, and having a faintly bitter taste; deliquescent on exposure to air. Solubility. Soluble in 0.3 part of water, 2.3 parts of Alcohol, and 540 parts of Chloroform; insoluble in Ether.

INCOMPATIBLES.-Silver nitrate, mercuric chloride, calomel, gold salts, potassium permanganate, tannin, iodides and alkalies.

IMPURITY. Other alkaloids.

Dose, 0.010 gm. (10 milligm.); % gr.

PILCARPINÆ NITRAS.-Pilocarpine Nitras. CNN2O2 · HNO3 =269.20. The nitrate (NO2OH · C1HN2O2) of an alkaloid obtained from Pilocarpus. It should be kept in well-stoppered, amber-colored vials.

SOURCE. By the action of Nitric Acid.

CHARACTERS.-Colorless, or white, shining crystals, odorless, and having a faintly bitter taste; permanent in the air, containing no water