ACTION. Gently stimulant and diaphoretic; the inner bark of the elder is a hydragogue cathartic and in large doses emetic. VALERIAN.-The dried rhizome and roots of Valeriana officinalis Linné (Fam. Valerianacea). Habitat.-Europe and Northern Asia; naturalized in England; cultivated. CHARACTERS.-Rhizome from 2 to 4 cm. long, and 1 to 2 cm. thick, upright, subglobular or obconical, truncate at both ends, brown or yellowish-brown, internally whitish or pale brownish, with a narrow circle of white wood under the thin bark. Roots numerous, slender, brittle, brown with a thick bark, and slender, ligneous cord. Odor peculiar, becoming stronger and unpleasant on keeping; taste camphoraceous and somewhat bitter. Resembling Valerian.-Serpentaria, Arnica, Green Hellebore; but Valerian is known by its odor. COMPOSITION.-The chief constituents are—(1) A volatile oil, 1⁄2 to 2 per cent., consisting of Borneol, C10H1O, and Pinene, a terpene (see p. 244). (2) Valeric Acid, CH10O2. It is colorless, oily, with the odor of Valerian, and strongly acid, with a burning taste. Solubility.In 30 parts of water; readily in Alcohol and Ether. The amount of it in Valerian increases by keeping, while that of the oil decreases. It can be derived from Amylic Alcohol, CH12O (Valeryl Aldehyde). (3) Formic, Acetic and Malic Acids. (4) Tannic acid. (5) Resin. Dose, 2 gm.; 30 gr. Preparations. 1. Fluidextractum Valerianæ.-Fluidextract of Valerian. By maceration and percolation with Alcohol and Water, and evaporation. Dose, 2 c.c.; 30 m. 2. Tinctura Valerianæ.-Tincture of Valerian. Valerian, 200; by maceration and percolation with Alcohol and Water to 1000. Dose, 4 c.c.; 1 fl. dr. 3. Tinctura Valerianæ Ammoniata.-Ammoniated Tincture of Valerian. Valerian, 200; by maceration and percolation with Aromatic Spirit of Ammonia to 1000. Dose, 2 c.c.; 30 m. Unofficial Preparation. Oleum Valerianæ.-Oil of Valerian. A volatile oil obtained from the root by the usual process of distillation with water. As first procured, it is of a pale greenish color, sp. gr. 0.934, with a pungent odor of Valerian and aromatic taste; upon exposure it becomes yellow and viscid. It is readily soluble in Alcohol. Dose, .12 to .30 c.c.; 2 to 5 m. AMMONII VALERAS. Ammonium Valerate. NH,C,H,O, 118.24. It should contain not less than 98 per cent. of pure Ammonium Valerate, C,H,COONH,. SOURCE. By saturating Valeric Acid with Gaseous Ammonia, obtained from a mixture of Ammonium Chloride and Lime, and crystallization. CHARACTERS.-Colorless, or white, quadrangular plates, emitting the odor of Valeric Acid, of a sharp and sweetish taste, and deliquescent in moist air. Solubility.-Very soluble in Water and in Alcohol; also soluble in Ether. IMPURITIES. Ammonium acetate and heavy metals. ZINCI VALERAS.-Zinc Valerate. Zn(CH ̧O2)2 + 2H,O= 301.28. It should contain not less than 99 per cent. of pure Zinc Valerate, (CH, COO),Zn + 2H2O. SOURCE. From hot solutions of Zinc Sulphate and Sodium Valerate; evaporate and Zinc Valerate crystallizes out. CHARACTERS.-White, pearly scales, having the odor of Valeric Acid, and a sweetish, astringent and metallic taste. On exposure to the air it slowly loses Valeric Acid. Solubility. In about 50 parts of water, and in 35 parts of Alcohol. INCOMPATIBLES.-All acids, soluble carbonates, most metallic salts and vegetable astringents. Dose, 0.125 gm. (125 milligm.); 2 gr. Unofficial Preparations. Ferri Valerianas (U. S. P., 1890).—Ferric Valerianate. SOURCE. By precipitating a diluted solution of Ferric Sul phate, with a solution of Sodium Valerate and washing the precipitate. CHARACTERS. A dark, brick-red, amorphous powder of somewhat varying chemical composition, having the odor of Valeric Acid, and a mildly styptic taste; permanent in dry air. Solubility. Insoluble in cold water, but readily soluble in Alcohol. Dose, .06 to .20 gm.; 1 to 3 gr. Quininæ Valerianas (U. S. P., 1890).—Quinine Valerianate. CHNO2CH10O2 + H2O = 441.01. SOURCE. By decomposing Quinine Sulphate by Ammonia, combining directly with Valeric Acid, and crystallizing from a cold solution. CHARACTERS.-White, or nearly white, pearly, lustrous, triclinic crystals, having a slight odor of Valeric Acid, and a bitter taste. Permanent in the air. Solubility.-In 100 parts of Water, and in 5 parts of Alcohol. Dose, .06 to 2.00 gm.; 1 to 30 gr. Sodii Valeras.-Sodium Valerate. NaC,H,O2 = 123.77. SOURCE.-Make Valeric Acid by distilling a mixture of Amylic Alcohol, Sulphuric Acid, and Potassium Bichromate. Saturate the distillate which contains Valeric Acid, with Caustic Soda, and evaporate. Characters.—White masses of a powerful Valerian-like odor. Solubility.-Easily in both Alcohol and Ether. Dose, .06 to .30 gm.; 1 to 5 gr. ACTION. By virtue of its volatile oil it is a local irritant, a stomachic, and a reflex cardiac and nervous stimulant; sufficient doses also affect the central nervous system independently and produce stimulation and subsequent depression of the nerve-cells, the higher divisions of the central axis being more markedly acted upon than the lower. Excretion takes place chiefly by the lungs and kidneys, and in the course of this action some irritation and increased secretion may be induced in these organs. In large doses it is a gastro-intestinal irritant. USES. Syncope; flatulence, especially in hysterical conditions; nervousness, hysteria and hysterical conditions generally. COLOCYNTH. Synonyms.-Bitter Apple. Bitter Gourd. Bitter Cucumber. The peeled dried fruit of Citrullus Colocynthis, Schrader (Fam. Cucurbitacea). Habitat.-Southern and Western Asia, Northern and Southern Africa, Greece and Spain. CHARACTERS.-From 5 to 10 cm. in diameter; globular; white or yellowish-white; light, spongy; readily breaking into three wedgeshaped pieces, each containing near the rounded surface, many flat, ovate, whitish or light-brown seeds; inodorous; taste intensely bitter. The pulp only should be used, the seeds being separated and rejected. IMPURITIES.-Seeds and cortex. COMPOSITION.-The chief constituents are-(1) Colocynthin, CHO3, about 2 per cent., an amorphous or crystalline, bitter, active glucoside, readily soluble in water and Alcohol. (2) Resinous matter having the names of Citrullin, Colocynthein and Colocynthitin, insoluble in water. Dose, 0.065 gm. (€5 milligm.); 1 gr. Preparations. By 1. Extractum Colocynthidis.-Extract of Colocynth. maceration with Diluted Alcohol, expression and straining; percolation and evaporation. Dose, 0.030 gm. (30 milligm.); 12 gr. 2. Extractum Colocynthidis Compositum.-Compound Extract of Colocynth. Extract of Colocynth, 160; Purified Aloes, 500; Cardamom, 60; Resin of Scammony, 140; Soap, 140; Alcohol, 100. By melting, straining and reducing to powder. Dose, 0.500 gm. (500 milligm.); 72 gr. 3. Pilulæ Cathartica Vegetabiles.-See Mercury, p. 140. 4. Pilulæ Catharticæ Vegetabiles.-Vegetable Cathartic Pills. Compound Extract of Colocynth, 60; Extract of Hyoscyamus, 30; Extract of Jalap, 20; Extract of Leptandra, 15; Resin of Podophyllum, 15 gm.; Oil of Peppermint, 8 c.c.; Diluted Alcohol, to make 1000 pills. Dose, 2 pills. Unofficial Preparations. 1. Tinctura Colocynthidis.-Tincture of Colocynth. cent. (Alcohol). Dose, .12 to 4.00; 2 m to 1 fl. dr. 10 per 2. Colocynthinum.-Colocynthin (see above). Obtained by exhausting the Alcoholic Extract with water; precipitating the filtrate with Lead Acetate and Subacetate; treating with Hydrogen Sulphide to remove lead; filtering; precipitating with Tannin. The Colocynthin Tannate, thus formed, is dissolved in Alcohol, the Tannin thrown down by Lead Subacetate, the excess of lead separated, and the liquid digested with animal Charcoal, filtered, and evaporated. Colocynthin is a neutral yellowish powder. It is inflammable, and, boiled with diluted acids, it splits into Sugar and resinous Colocynthein. Dose, .01 to .30 gm.; % to 5 gr. 3. Citrullinum.-Citrullin. By treating with Ether the Alcoholic Extract previously exhausted by water, decolorizing with animal charcoal, evaporating to dryness, and dissolving the residue in anhydrous Alcohol. Colorless and tasteless crystals, soluble in Ether, Alcohol, or hot water. Dose, .01 to .30 gm.; % to 5 gr. |