USES. As a stomachic, carminative and emmenagogue, and to prevent the griping of purgatives. CARUM. CARAWAY.-The dried fruit of Carum Carvi Linné (Fam. Umbellifera). Habitat.-Central and Western Asia; cultivated. CHARACTERS. Oblong, laterally compressed, about 4 or 5 mm. long, usually separated into the two mericarps, which are curved, narrower at both ends, dark brown, with five yellowish, filiform ribs, and with six oil-tubes; seed plane upon the face, nearly equilaterally pentagonal in transverse section. Caraway has an agreeably aromatic odor and taste. Resembling Caraway.-Conium and Fennel. Caraway is known by its small ridges and spicy taste. COMPOSITION.-The chief constituent is the official volatile oil (see below), 5 to 7 per cent. Caraway is contained in Tinctura Cardamomi Composita. OLEUM CARI.-Oil of Caraway. A volatile oil distilled from Caraway and rectified by steam distillation. CHARACTERS.-A colorless, or pale yellow, thin liquid, having the characteristic, aromatic odor of Caraway, and a mild, spicy taste. Sp. gr., 0.905 to 0.915. Solubility. In an equal volume of Alcohol. COMPOSITION. The chief constituents are (1) Cymene, С10H1; also found in Oil of Eucalyptus (see p. 442). (2) Carvol, C11O, isomeric with Thymol (q. v.), also found in Oil of Spearmint. (3) Limonene, a terpene, C10H16; also found in Oil of Lemon (q. v.). Oil of Caraway is contained in Spiritus Juniperi Compositus. ACTION. The same as that of other aromatic volatile oils. USES. Chiefly as a flavoring agent and a carminative for flatulent colic, especially in infants. Unofficial Preparations. ANETHUM. Dill (B. P.).—The dried fruit of Peucedanum graveolens (Fam. Umbellifera). Habitat.-Middle and Southern Europe; cultivated. CHARACTERS.-Broadly oval, 12 mm. long, brown, flat, with a pale, broad membranous border. Mericarps distinct, odor and taste agreeable and aromatic. Resembling Dill.-Conium, Anise, Fennel, Caraway; but Dill is winged. COMPOSITION.-The chief constituent is the volatile oil (see below). Oleum Anethi.-Oil of Dill (B. P.). The oil distilled from Dill fruit. CHARACTERS.-Pale yellow, odor pungent, taste hot and sweetish. Sp. gr., 0.905 to 0.920. COMPOSITION.-The chief constituents are almost identical with those of Oil of Caraway (see p. 459). Dose, .06 to .25 c.c.; 1 to 4 m. ACTION. The same as that of anise and caraway. USES. Chiefly for the relief of flatulent colic and hiccough due to indigestion. OIL OF GAULTHERIA. Synonym.-Oil of Wintergreen. A volatile oil distilled from the leaves of Gaultheria procumbens Linné (Win tergreen); (Fam. Ericacea), rectified, if necessary, by steam distillation. It should be preserved like other volatile oils. Habitat.-North America, west to Minnesota, and south to Georgia. CHARACTERS.-A colorless or almost colorless liquid, having a characteristic, strongly aromatic odor, and a sweetish, warm and aromatic taste. Sp. gr., 1.172 to 1.180. Boiling point, 218° to 221° C. (424.4° F. to 429.8° F.). It deviates polarized light slightly to the left. In other respects it has the same properties and conforms to the same reactions and tests as Methyl Salicylate (see Methylis Salicylas; also Oleum Betulæ). Dose, 1 c.c.; 15 m. Preparation. Spiritus Gaultheria.-Spirit of Gaultheria. Oil of Gaulthe ria, 50; Alcohol, 950. Dose, 2 c.c.; 30 m. METHYLIS SALICYLAS. Synonym.-Arti An ester [CH1(OH)COOCH3 METHYL SALICYLATE.-CH,C,H2O2 = 150.92. ficial (or Synthetic) Oil of Wintergreen. 1:2], produced synthetically by distilling Salicylic Acid, or a Salicylate, with Methyl Alcohol and strong Sulphuric Acid. It is the principal constituent of Oil of Gaultheria or Oil of Betula; and for flavoring purposes Oil of Gaultheria, Oil of Betula, and Methyl Salicylate may be regarded as identical products. CHARACTERS. A colorless liquid, having a characteristic, strongly aromatic, wintergreen odor and a sweetish, warm and aromatic taste. Sp. gr., 1.180 to 1.185. Boiling point, 219° to 221° C. (426.2° to 429.8° F.). It is optically inactive. Solubility.-In all proportions in Alcohol, Glacial Acetic Acid, or Carbon Disulphide; sparingly in water. IMPURITIES.-Methyl benzoate, alcohol, chloroform, other volatile oils, and petroleum. Dose, 1 c.c.; 15 m. ACTION. The same as that of salicylic acid. USES. The same as those of salicylic acid. UVA URSI. UVA URSI. Synonym.-Bearberry. The dried leaves of Arctostaphylos Uva-ursi (Linné) Sprengel (Fam. Ericacea). Habitat.Northern Hemisphere, in dry and sandy or rocky places; in the United States, south to Pennsylvania, New Mexico, and California. CHARACTERS.-Very short-stalked, obovate or oblong-spatulate, coriaceous, from 15 to 30 mm. long, and 5 to 8 mm. broad, obtuse, slightly revolute on the margin, upper surface dark green, finely reticulate; lower surface slightly pubescent; odor faint; taste strongly astringent, and somewhat bitter. Resembling Uva Ursi.—Senna and Buchu. COMPOSITION. The chief constituents are (1) Arbutin, С12H1O1, a bitter, crystalline glucoside yielding glucose, hydroquinone and methylhydroquinone. (2) Ericolin, CHO, a bitter, crystalline glucoside. (3) Ursone, a tasteless neutral body. (4) Tannic Acid, 6 to 7 per cent. (5) Gallic Acid. INCOMPATIBLES.-Iron, lead and silver salts, gelatin, opium, infusion of cinchona, spirit of nitrous ether, alkalies and tartar emetic. Dose, 2 gm.; 30 gr. Preparation. By Fluidextractum Uva Ursi.-Fluidextract of Uva Ursi. maceration and percolation with Glycerin, Alcohol and Water, and evaporation. Dose, 2 c.c.; 30 m. Unofficial Preparations. Extractum Uvæ Ursi (U. S. P., 1890).-Extract of Uva Ursi. By maceration and percolation with Alcohol and Water, and evaporation. Dose, .30 to 1.00 gm.; 5 to 15 gr. Arbutina. Arbutin. (See above.) Obtained by precipitating the decoction with Lead Acetate, filtering, treating the liquid with Hydrogen Sulphide, again filtering, evaporating to the consistence of syrup, and allowing the product to stand for several days. The mother-liquor having been allowed to drain off, the resulting crystals are purified by solution in boiling water and treatment with animal charcoal. Arbutin thus obtained is in long, acicular, colorless crystals, united in tufts. Dose, .20 to .30 gm.; 3 to 5 gr. ACTION. Tonic; astringent; diuretic; large doses commonly cause vomiting and purging. It has an anti-putrefactive effect upon the urine... USES. Pyelitis; cystitis; urethritis; ardor urine in gonorrhoea; incontinence of urine; dysuria; strangury; uterine hæmorrhages. Arbutin has been successfully employed in gonorrhoea and as a diuretic in cardiac dropsy. CHIMAPHILA. CHIMAPHILA. Synonyms.-Pipsissewa. Prince's Pine. The dried leaves of Chimaphila umbellata (Linné) Nuttall (Fam. Ericacea). Habitat.-Northern Continent. CHARACTERS.-Oblanceolate, 2.5 to 5 cm. long, 8 to 18 mm. broad, sharply serrate above, wedge-shaped and nearly entire towards the base; coriaceous, smooth, and dark-green on the upper surface; paler beneath, the veins being very prominent. It is nearly inodorous, and has an astringent and bitter taste. COMPOSITION.-(1) Arbutin (see p. 462). (2) Ericolin. (3) Chimaphilin, in yellow, tasteless, volatile crystals. (4) Ursone. (5) Tannic Acid, 4 per cent. Dose, 2 gm.; 30 gr. Preparation. Fluidextractum Chimaphilæ. Fluidextract of Chimaphila. By maceration and percolation with Diluted Alcohol, and evap oration. Dose, 2 c.c.; 30 m. ACTION. Diuretic; diaphoretic. USES. Rheumatism; nephritic affections. |