CHARACTERS.-Usually in cubical or rectangular pieces from 20 to 30 mm. in diameter; externally pale grayish-brown to reddish-brown, more or less dull and porous; internally of a light brown or dull earthy color; inodorous; taste bitterish and very astringent.

COMPOSITION.-The chief constituents are (1) Catechutannic Acid, 36 to 40 per cent., the active principle, isomeric with Catechin, and converted into it by boiling or by the saliva, a red color being formed. (2) Catechin or Catechuic Acid, C21H2009+5H2O, probably inactive. Both constituents give a green precipitate with Ferric Salts. (3) Pyrocatechin or Catechol, CH(OH)2, which gives a green color with ferric chloride.

INCOMPATIBLES.-Alkalies, metallic salts, gelatin.

Dose, 1 gm. (15 gr.).

Preparation

Tinctura Gambir Composita.-Compound Tincture of Gambir. Abv. -Tr. Gambir. Co. Synonym.-Compound Tincture of Pale Catechu. Gambir, 50; Saigon Cinnamon, 25; by maceration and percolation with diluted Alcohol to 1000.

Dose, 4 mils (1 fl. dr.).

For the Therapeutics of Gambir see p. 511.

KINO

KINO. The spontaneously dried juice of Pterocarpus Marsupium Roxburgh (Fam. Leguminosa). Habitat.-East Indies.

CHARACTERS.-Small, brittle, angular fragments, usually considerably less than 15 mm. in diameter, varying in color from dark reddish-brown to reddish-black; when crushed upon a slide and examined under the microscope the angular frag: ments are more or less translucent with a glass-like, conchoidal surface, the thinner pieces having a yellowish-red or deep brownish-red color, the pieces often being marked by nearly parallel, curved and straight lines; inodorous; taste very astringent; when masticated it colors the saliva somewhat pink. Solubility.—Mostly soluble in Alcohol; partly soluble in cold water.

COMPOSITION.-The chief constituents are- —(1) Kinotannic Acid, C18H1808, 75 per cent. (2) Kinoin, a crystalline neutral principle. (3) Pyrocatechin, CH(OH)2, a substance which reduces blue copper solutions. (4) Kino red, formed from Kinotannic acid by oxidation. (5) Gum.

INCOMPATIBLES.-Mineral acids, alkalies, all metallic salts, carbonates, gelatin. Dose, 0.500 gm. = 500 milligm. (8 gr.).

Preparation

Tinctura Kino.-Tincture of Kino. Abv.-Tr. Kino. Kino, 100.

Boiling water to 1000. By boiling and decantation.

Dose, 4 mils (1 fl. dr.).

For the Therapeutics of Kino see p. 512.

HAMAMELIS

AQUA HAMAMELIDIS. Hamamelis Water. Abv.-Aq. Hamam. Synonyms.-Witch Hazel Water. A saturated aqueous liquid obtained by distilling with steam or water, the bark, twigs, smaller stems or the entire shrub of Hamamelis Virginiana Linné (Fam. Hamamelidacea) collected in the Autumn.

SOURCE. By distillation and addition of 150 parts of Alcohol to each 850 parts of distillate.

CHARACTERS.-Clear and colorless, or not more than faintly opalescent or slightly yellowish liquid having a characteristic odor and taste. Sp. gr., 0.979 to 0.982 at 25°C. (77°F.).

IMPURITIES.-Metallic and dissolved impurities, methyl alcohol, formaldehyde. For the Therapeutics of Hamamelis see p. 512.

GROUP X.-Volatile Oils and Substances Containing Them

CLASS I.-ACTING CHIEFLY ON THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM Valerian, Asafetida, Sumbul, Myrrh

VALERIANA

VALERIAN. Abv.-Valer. The dried rhizome and roots of Valeriana officinalis Linné (Fam. Valerianacea). Habitat.-Europe and Northern Asia; naturalized in England; cultivated.

CHARACTERS.-Rhizome upright, from 2 to 4 cm. in length and from 1 to 2 cm. in diameter, usually cut longitudinally into 2 to 4 pieces; externally yellowish-brown or dark brown, upper portion with stem-bases and frequently with a short horizontal branch or stolon, and from the outer surface arise numerous, slender, brittle roots; fracture of rhizome short and horny, internally light brown, with a thick bark and narrow central cylinder; odor pronounced, of valeric acid, becoming stronger on aging; taste sweetish, 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, C10H18O, and Pinene, a terpene (see p. 216). (2) Valeric Acid, C¿H9O2. 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 obtained from Amylic Alcohol, CsH12O (Valeryl Aldehyde). (3) Formic, Acetic and Malic Acids. (4) Tannic acid. (5) Resin. Dose, 2 gm. (30 gr.).

Preparations

1. Tinctura Valerianæ.-Tincture of Valerian. Abv.-Tr. Valer. Valerian, 200; by maceration and percolation with Alcohol and water

to 1000.

Dose, 4 mils (1 fl. dr.).

2. Tinctura Valerianæ Ammoniata.-Ammoniated Tincture of Valerian. Abv.-Tr. Valer. Ammon. Valerian, 200; by maceration and percolation with Aromatic Spirit of Ammonia to 1000.

Dose, 2 mils (30 m).

AMMONII VALERAS.-Ammonium Valerate. Abv.-Ammon. Valer. A compound of Ammonia and Valeric Acid having a somewhat varying composition. 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; and has a sharp and sweetish taste. It is deliquescent in moist air. Solubility. Soluble in 0.3 part of water and 0.6 part of Alcohol at 25°F. (77°F.); also soluble in Ether.

IMPURITIES.-Ammonium acetate, heavy metals.

ZINC VALERAS.-Zinc Valerate. Zn(C5H9O2)2+2H2O=303.55. It contains not less than 99 per cent. of the crystallized salt.

SOURCE. From hot solutions of Zinc Sulphate and Sodium Valerate; evaporate and Zinc Valerate crystallizes out.

CHARACTERS.—White, pearly scales, or a white powder having the odor of Valeric Acid, and a sweetish, astringent and metallic taste. On exposure to the air it slowly loses Valeric Acid and becomes partially insoluble in water. Solubility. In about 70 parts of water usually leaving an insoluble residue of basic salt; and in about 22 parts of Alcohol.

IMPURITIES.-Arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, zinc chloride and sulphate, acetate and butyrate.

INCOMPATIBLES.-All acids, soluble carbonates, most metallic salts and vegetable astringents.

ASAFETIDA. Abv.-Asafoet. Synonym.-Gum Asafetida. A gum-resin obtained by incising the rhizomes and roots of Ferula Asafætida Linné and Ferula fatida Regel, and of some other species of Ferula (Fam. Umbellifera). Habitat.— Persia, and adjacent countries. It yields not less than 60 per cent. (or if powdered, 50 per cent.) of alcohol-soluble constituents.

CHARACTERS.-In a soft mass, sometimes almost semi-liquid, or in irregular, more or less pliable masses composed of agglutinated tears of variable size imbedded in a yellowish-brown or dark-brown matrix, or in loose ovoid tears, from 1 to 4 cm. in diameter, the surface sometimes containing streaks of violet, yellowish-red or brownish-red and with a few vegetable fragments; when fresh the mass is either soft or tough, becoming hard and occasionally even brittle by drying; the surface of the freshly fractured tears is milky-white and opaque, changing gradually on exposure to a pinkish or reddish-purple or even reddish-brown;

on moistening with water, the tears become milky-white; odor persistent, alliaceous; taste bitter, alliaceous and acrid. When triturated with water, Asafetida yields a milk-white emulsion which becomes yellowish on the addition of alkalies. Resembling Asafetida.-Galbanum, Ammoniacum, and Benzoin, distinguished by their peculiar odors, which differ markedly from that of Asafetida.

COMPOSITION.-The chief constituents are- —(1) A volatile oil, 5 per cent., the most important ingredient of which is Allyl sulphide, which gives Asafetida its very unpleasant odor. (2) Gum, 25 per cent. (3) Bassorin resin, 65 per cent., which contains Ferulaic Acid, C10H1007.

IMPURITIES.-Earthy matter, calcium sulphate and carbonate, galbanum, ammoniac, rosin, foreign resins.

1. Emulsum Asafætido.-Emulsion of Asafetida. Abv.-Emuls. Asafoet. Synonym.-Milk of Asafetida. Asafetida, 40; by rubbing in a warmed mortar with water, and straining to 1000.

Dose, 15 mils, (4 fl. oz.).

2. Pilulæ Asafoetida.-Pills

of Asafetida. Abv.- Pil. Asafœt.

Asafetida, 20; Soap, 6 gm.; Water, a sufficient quantity; to make 100 pills. Each pill contains o.20 gm. (3 gr.) of Asafetida.

Dose, 2 pills.

3. Tinctura Asafoetida.-Tincture of Asafetida. Abv.-Tr. Asafot. Asafetida, 200. By maceration with Alcohol, and filtration to 1000.

Dose, 1 mil (15 M).

For the Therapeutics of Asafetida see p. 647.

SUMBUL

SUMBUL. Synonym.—Musk Root. The dried rhizome and roots of Ferula Sumbul (Kauffman) Hooker filius (Fam. Umbellifera). Habitat.-Central and Northeastern Asia.

CHARACTERS.-In transverse segments attaining a length of 10 cm. and a diameter of 7 cm.; externally light brown to dark brown, longitudinally wrinkled and showing in the upper portions a smooth, grayish, epidermal layer, occasionally with the short stem-bases attached; fracture short, fibrous, spongy; internally light yellow or brownish-yellow, arrangement of wood, irregular, and with yellowish-brown or blackish resinous patches frequently extending over the entire ends of the segments; odor peculiar, musklike; taste bitter and somewhat aromatic.

COMPOSITION.-The chief constituents are- -(1) A volatile oil. (2) Two Resins. (3) Valeric Acid. (4) Sumbulic and Angelic Acids.

Dose, 2 gm. (30 gr.),

Preparations

1. Extractum Sumbul.-Extract of Sumbul. Abv.-Ext. Sumbul. By maceration, percolation with Alcohol and water and evaporation. Dose, 0.250 gm. = 250 milligm. (4 gr.).

2. Fluidextractum Sumbul.-Fluidextract of Sumbul. Abv.Fldext. Sumbul. By percolation and maceration with Alcohol and water, and evaporation.

Dose, 2 mils (30 m).

For the Therapeutics of Sumbul see p. 648.

MYRRHA

MYRRH. Synonym.-Gum Myrrh. A gum-resin obtained from one or more species of Commiphora Myrrha (Fam. Burseracea). Habitat.-Eastern Africa and Southwestern Arabia.

CHARACTERS. In rounded or irregular tears or masses, brownish-yellow or reddish-brown, and covered with a brownish-yellow dust; fracture waxy, somewhat splintery, translucent on the edges, sometimes marked with nearly white lines; odor balsamic; taste aromatic, bitter and acrid.

COMPOSITION.-The chief constituents are (1) Myrrhin, C48H32010, a resin, 23 per cent. (2) Myrrhol, C10H140, a volatile oil, 2 to 4 per cent. (3) Gum, 60 per cent. (4) A bitter principle.

IMPURITIES.-Many varieties of gum and gum-resins.

Myrrh is contained in Pilulæ Rhei Compositæ.

Dose, 0.500 gm. = 500 milligm. (8 gr.).

Preparation

Tinctura Myrrhæ.—Tincture of Myrrh. Abv.-Tr. Myrrh. Myrrh,

200. By maceration with Alcohol and filtration to 1000.

Dose, 1 mil (15 m).

For the Therapeutics of Myrrh see p. 648.

CLASS II.-ACTING CHIEFLY ON THE BRONCHIAL MUCOUS

MEMBRANE

Terebene, Terpin Hydrate, Balsam of Peru, Balsam of Tolu, Storax,

Grindelia

TEREBENUM

TEREBENE. Abv.-Tereben. Probably C10H16-136.13. A liquid consisting of dipentene and other hydrocarbons.

SOURCE.-Obtained by the action of concentrated Sulphuric Acid on Oil of Turpentine and subsequent rectification with steam.