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DOSE.-Ten to twenty-three grains, two-thirds of a gramme to a gramme and a half (0.64 to 1.5).

LITHII BENZOAS.-Benzoate of Lithium.

LICHO. 128. A white powder, or small shining scales, permanent in the air, odorless, or having a faint benzoin-like odor; of a cooling and sweetish taste, and a faintly acid reaction. Soluble in 4 parts of water and 12 parts of alcohol at 15°.

The salt is a new introduction to the Pharmacopoeia, and not of long use in medicine. It is intended for use in gout and the uric acid diathesis, on the ground that the transformation of benzoic into hippuric acid takes place at the expense of nitrogenous material which would otherwise become uric acid, thus rendering benzoic acid as useful, though for other reasons, in the uric as in the phosphatic diathesis. Besides this, the lithia forming the most soluble known urate, will neutralize such uric acid as may be formed. The salt possesses the advantage over the acid alone that it is better borne by the stomach, if it is necessary that it be administered for a long time. Iron may be advantageously added in prescription to neutralize the anemiating effect of a prolonged alkaline treatment. It might also be used for antiseptic purposes like other benzoates.

DOSE.-Eight to thirty grains, one-half to two grammes, in

solution or in wafers.

AMMONII BENZOAS.-BENZOATE OF AMMONIUM.

Has probably the same action as benzoic acid, but is more soluble.

DOSE.-Ten to twenty grains, sixty to one hundred and twenty centigrammes (0.60 to 1.20), in solution.

COLCHICI RADIX.—Colchicum Root.

Colchici Cormus, Bulbus seu Tuber Colchici, Colchicum Corm-Meadow Saffron Root. E.; Bulbe de Colchique, de Safran Bâtard, Fr.; Zeitlosenknollen, G.

The corm of Colchicum autumnale, indigenous in Europe (Nat. Ord. Melantheceæ).

This root is used chiefly for the preparation of the fluid extract and wine, and is rarely used in powder or infusion.

DOSE. Two to eight grains, thirteen to fifty-two centigrammes (0.13 to 0.52).

COLCHICI SEMEN.-Colchicum Seed.

Colchici Semina-Semen Colchici-Semences de Colchique, Fr.; Zeitlosensamen, G.

Both the roots and the seeds of the plant contain the bitter amorphous alkaloid colchicine. The absorption of large doses

EXTRACTUM COLCHICI RADICIS.

159

of colchicum into the blood, no matter how it may be introduced into the system, will cause in animals severe vomiting and purging, sometimes even of blood, and, probably from loss of water, the blood becomes thick and dark-colored. After death extensive congestion of the alimentary canal and of the kidneys is found. The symptoms in man in cases of poisoning closely resemble those of cholera, intense gastro-intestinal inflammation and collapse. Externally upon man its application to the skin produces redness and a prickling sensation, and upon the tongue a sense of burning and an acrid taste.

This drug is long known to have been a useful remedy in gout, but its mode of action is still uncertain. Experience has shown, however, that its virtues are not dependent upon large but upon small doses, in acute rather than in chronic gout. The older English writers seem to be of the opinion that the relief to the paroxysm of gout unquestionably afforded by colchicum is paid for by the more speedy return. Later authorities, however, recommend that it should be given. Authorities differ as to its effect upon the organs of elimination, but it is fair to assert that moderate doses increase the elimination of uric acid and of the total organic solids of the urine, while it is not necessary to provoke purging to obtain the efficiency of the drug. The use of the remedy abates the force and diminishes the frequency of the heart's action, and thus in old age it must be given with caution, since a continued use of moderate doses required to produce the therapeutic effects of the drug may be followed by prostration and sometimes collapse; sometimes the depressing effect upon the pulse is late and persistent. The effects upon the gastro-intestinal canal may be moderated by opium. Administration with alkaline diuretics, especially lithia, is to be recommended.

DOSE.-Two to ten grains, thirteen to sixty-four centigrammes (0.13 to 0.64). The most commonly used preparation is that of wine of the root or seed, though by many the dried cormus is deemed the most efficient.

EXTRACTUM COLCHICI RADICIS.—Extract of Colchicum Root. Acetic Extract of Colchicum.

For prescription in pills. May be combined with a cathartic. DOSE.-One-half grain to two grains, three to twelve centigrammes (0.03 to 0.12).

EXTRACTUM COLCHICI RADICIS FLUIDUM.-FLUID EXTRACT OF COLCHICUM ROOT.

DOSE. Two to five minims, twelve to sixty centigrammes (0.12 to 0.60).

160

VINUM COLCHICI RADICIS.

EXTRACTUM COLCHICI SEMINIS FLUIDUM.-FLUID EXTRACT OF COLCHICUM SEED.

DOSE. Two to ten minims, twelve to thirty centigrammes (0.12 to 0.30).

TINCTURA COLCHICI.-TINCTURE OF COLCHICUM.

Teinture de Semences de Colchique, Fr.

Colchicum Seed, 15; Dilute Alcohol, 100.

May be used to obtain the peculiar effects of colchicum, although there seems no necessity for both this preparation and the wine of colchicum seed, the doses of each, as well as the alcoholic strength, being for all practical purposes the same.

DOSE.-Fifteen to thirty minims, one to two cubic centimeters, or one-fourth as many more drops as minims.

VINUM COLCHICI RADICIS.-Wine of Colchicum Root.
Zeitlosenknollenwein, G.

Colchicum Root, 40; Stronger White Wine, 100.

When made of the best material, this is one of the most active preparations of colchicum; but as the dried corms are not always good or uniform in activity its dose cannot be stated so accurately as can be done with the preparations of the seeds, but a minimum must be given to begin with, and increased until the desired physiological or therapeutic effects are produced.

DOSE.-Eight minims, or half a cubic centimeter, repeated every three hours, with the addition of a drop to each dose, until the pulse is reduced in frequency, or slight nausea or diarrhoea is produced.

VINUM COLCHICI SEMINIS.-WINE OF COLCHICUM SEED,

Colchicum Seed, 15; Stronger White Wine, 100.

This wine is of the same strength by weight as the tincture of colchicum seeds, and the DOSE is fifteen to thirty minims, one to two cubic centimeters. In reckoning by drops, it should be recollected that the drops of the tincture, being more strongly alcoholic, are somewhat smaller than those of the wine.

SECTION XI.

DIAPHORETICS.
(Or Sudorifics.)

Aia, through; popɛw, to carry.

There is no drug which is known to have any effect in in creasing the sebaceous secretion of the skin.

The perspiration, or watery (weak saline) secretion, on the contrary, is extremely subject to both external and internal stimulation, and the reverse. It is evidently controlled by nervous influences, probably acting both through the vasomotors and directly upon the secreting cells. The secretion of the perspiration is largely dependent upon the heat of the skin, but not absolutely so, since it is possible to have a hot, dry skin, well as a cold perspiration.

as

This class may be divided into several groups; of these the first may be called stimulating, including alcohol, opium, volatile oils and ethers; with some salines which have but feeble activity in this direction. The second group comprises aconite and nauseants, which depress the heart while causing diaphoresis. And, finally, the specific diaphoretics, jaborandi and heat. ALCOHOL, well diluted, as in light wines, or hot punch, exercises a very decided but short-lived effect in increasing the perspiration, often accompanied by considerable visible redness of the skin, indicating vascular dilatation.

OPIUM. (See Nervous Stimulants.)

The secretion of the skin is the only one which is increased by this drug.

Hypodermic injections of morphine may be used, but it is more common to employ the following preparations when opium is used as a diaphoretic.

PULVIS IPECACUANHÆ ET OPII.-Powder of Ipecac and Opium. Pulvis Ipecacuanha Compositus, Pharm. 1870, Dover's Powder; Pulvis Ipecacuanha Opiatus, s. Pulvis Doweri, Poudre de Dower, Fr.: Dower sches Pulver, G.

Ipecac, 10; Powdered Opium, 10; Sugar of Milk, 80.

The present directions differ from those in the last Pharmacopoeia in the use of sugar of milk instead of sulphate of potas

162

PULVIS MORPHINE COMPOSITUS.

sium. As this latter salt was of no value except to assist in the minute subdivision of the vegetable powders, the change is undoubtedly an improvement. Bromide of potassium has been suggested in place of the old sulphate or the present sugar of milk. The dose, however, is too small to have any great value. This well-known powder is supposed to represent the highest development of the diaphoretic action of opium, and is used where this effect is specially desired, as in acute rheumatism, or in the early stages of coryza or other slight febrile attack. The combination with ipecac makes it specially useful in diarrhoea and dysentery. With sensitive persons this powder is a little more likely to nauseate than opium alone.

The DOSE varies as that of opium, the increased strength of which in the present edition should not be forgotten. It is five to fifteen grains, thirty-two centigrammes to one gramme (0.32 to 1), mixed with water or syrup. It may conveniently be given in the form of pills, compressed or in the ordinary form.

TINCTURA IPECACUANHÆ ET OPII.-Tincture of Ipecac and Opium.

Liquid Dover's Powder.

This tincture corresponds exactly by weight to Dover's powder, ten parts containing one part each of opium and ipecac, and the dose must be regulated chiefly by the considerations which control the amount of opium. Too large a dose, however, may cause nausea from the ipecac.

DOSE.-Four to fifteen minims, one-fourth to one cubic centimeter. The minims closely correspond to the same number of drops.

PULVIS MORPHINE COMPOSITUS.-Compound Powder of Morphine.

Tully's Powder.

Sulphate of Morphine, 1; Camphor, 20; Glycyrrhiza, 20; Precipitated Carbonate of Calcium, 20.

This powder, though by no means new, is a recent introduc tion to the Pharmacopoeia. It is used by many physicians as a substitute for Dover's powder, and although the ipecac is supposed, in the latter preparation, to add greatly to the diaphoretic effect of the opium, it is very difficult to perceive any essential difference in the action of these two preparations. It is less. disagreeable to the taste; and, on account of its greater bulk, more easily divided into minute doses for children than Dover's powder. It should be mixed with water in a large spoon, or given in wafer.

The dose is regulated by the morphia, of which it contains one sixty-first, and is usually considered the same as that of

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