aches, neuralgia, typhoid and other fevers, diarrhoeal affections, especially when dependent on agencies affecting the nervous system, asthmatic paroxysms, and pneumonia or pulmonary congestion with weak heart.

GAMBOGE.-A gum resin obtained from Garcinia Hanburii Hooker filius (Fam. Guttifera). Habitat.-Anam, Camboja and Siam.

CHARACTERS.-In cylindrical pieces, usually hollow in the centre, 2 to 5 cm. in diameter, longitudinally striate on the surface, grayish orange-brown; fracture conchoidal, of a waxy lustre, orange-red, and somewhat porous; inodorous; taste very acrid. Powder bright yellow, sternutatory. Solubility. Not more than 25 per cent. should be insoluble in Alcohol.

COMPOSITION.-The chief constituents are- -(1) A brilliant yellow Resin, Gambogic Acid, 65 to 80 per cent. (2) Gum, 16 to 26 per cent. This is soluble, so that an emulsion of Gambogic Acid is formed with

water.

IMPURITIES. Starch, woody fibre.

Gamboge is contained in Pilula Catharticæ Compositæ.

Dose, 0.125 gm. (125 milligm.); 2 gr.

ACTION.

It is a violent hydragogue cathartic; also an anthelmintic; small and repeated doses are slightly diuretic.

USES.

As its action is somewhat uncertain, and when it does take place is very severe, it is not often prescribed except as the official pill into which it enters. It should always be given in combination with other remedies.

OIL OF THEOBROMA. Synonym.-Cacao Butter. A fixed oil expressed from the roasted seeds of Theobroma Cacao Linné (Fam. Sterculiacea). Habitat.-South America.

CHARACTERS.-A yellowish-white solid, having a faint, agreeable odor, and a bland, chocolate-like taste. Sp. gr., 0.970 to 0.976. Solubility.Readily in Ether or Benzene; also soluble in 100 parts of cold absolute Alcohol and in 20 parts of boiling absolute Alcohol.

COMPOSITION. The chief constituents are (1) Stearin. (2) Olein. (3) Theobromine, an alkaloid, C,H,N ̧O2. (4) Formic, Acetic and Butyric Acid Glycerides.

IMPURITIES.-Wax, stearin and tallow.

ACTION.

Nutrient; emollient.

USES.

By inunction to improve the nutrition of the body; to make suppositories and as a source of stearic acid.

Unofficial Preparation.

THEOBROMINÆ SODIO-SALICYLAS.

Theobromine Sodio-Salicylate.-C,H,NaN1O2 + NaC,H2O, =

361.42. Synonym.-Diuretin.

SOURCE.-By the interaction of Sodium Theobromine and Sodium Salicylate. It contains 49.7 per cent. of Theobromine. It corresponds to the Caffeine Sodio-Salicylate, the salt of Caffeine most used in Germany.

CHARACTERS.-A white powder, soluble in half its weight of warm water, the solution remaining perfect when cooled. Dose, 1 to 2 gm.; 15 to 30 gr.

ACTION.

It is a pure diuretic, acting upon the renal epithelium.

The stems of Cactus grandiflorus Linné (Fam. Cactacea). Habitat.-Tropical America; cultivated.

CHARACTERS.-Its branches, or stems, are scandent, diffuse, radicant, slightly 5 to 7 angular; areola 5 to 12 spinulose; spinules short, 4 to 6 mm. long, nearly equalling the whorl; flowers large, nocturnal, white, pleasantly and strongly fragrant; the calyx is about 15 to 20 cm. in diameter; the inside being of a splendid yellow, the outside is of a dark brown; the petals of a pure white; and there is a vast number of recurved stamens in the centre.

CONSTITUENT. It is believed to contain an alkaloid, Cactine, but this has not been satisfactorily demonstrated.

Fluidextractum Cacti.-Fluidextract of Cactus. By maceration and percolation of the fresh flowering branches with Alcohol and Water, and evaporation.

Dose, .60 to 2 c.c.; 10 to 30 m.

ACTION.

It shortens the ventricular diastole, thus quickening the pulse, and increases the blood-pressure.

USES.

Cardiac weakness (relative incompetency); simple eccentric cardiac dilatation; functional cardiac diseases; "slow heart" from over-stimulation of the pneumogastric or degeneration of the ventricular muscular wall; aortic regurgitation; convalescence from typhoid fever; dyspepsia; neurasthenia of the climacteric; sexual exhaustion. It is contra-indicated in mitral stenosis.

Unofficial Preparation.

PELLOTINUM.

Pellotine.-C13H21NO3

238.50. An alkaloid obtained from the Anhalonium Williamsii (Fam. Cactacea). Habitat.-Mexico. CHARACTERS.-The hydrochloride, which is to be found in the shops, occurs as a colorless, amorphous, intensely bitter powder. Solubility. Readily in water.

Dose, .03 to .06 gm.; 12 to 1 gr. (hypodermatically).

Hypnotic; analgesic.

ACTION.

USES.

As it is unirritating it can be given subcutaneously, and it produces a natural sleep; it has been used for the pains of locomotor ataxia and peripheral neuritis.

Canellæ Cortex.-Canella Bark. The bark of Canella alba (Fam. Canellacea) deprived of its corky layer and dried. Habitat.-South Florida and the Bahamas.

CHARACTERS.-Quills, 8 to 20 cm. long, or flattish pieces. Externally, orange-brown or buff, with sometimes remains of corky layer as silver-gray patches; whitish internally. Agreeable odor,

like Cloves and Cinnamon; bitter taste.

COMPOSITION.-The chief constituents are: (1) A volatile oil (1 per cent.), consisting of several oils, one of which is identical with Eugenic Acid, obtained from Oil of Cloves. (2) A bitter principle, Canellin. No Tannic Acid is present.

Dose, 1 to 4 gm.; 15 to 60 gr.

ACTION.

An aromatic bitter stomachic.

USES.

Used but little, and then in association with other remedies.

Damiana. The leaves of several plants, principally Bigelovna veneta Gray and Turnera microphylla De Candolle, var., aphrodisiaca (Fam. Turneracea). Habitat.-Western North America. COMPOSITION.-The chief constituents of the last as given by Rantzer are (1) A volatile oil, 1 per cent., amber-colored, having an aromatic odor, and a warm camphoraceous taste. (2) Tannic acid. (3) Two resins.

Dose, 15 to 30 gm.; 12 to 1 oz.

By

Fluidextractum Damianæ.-Fluidextract of Damiana. maceration and percolation with Alcohol and Water, and evaporation.

Dose, 2 c.c.; 1⁄2 fl. dr.