Tanacētum-Tanacēti-Tansy. U.S. P. Origin. The leaves and tops of Tanacetum vulgare L., a perennial herb indigenous in Europe and Central Asia, and naturalized in many parts of North America. Description and Properties.-Leaves about 6 inches (15.24 Cm.) long, bipinnatifid, the segments oblong, obtuse, serrate, or incised, smooth, dark green, and glandular; flower-heads corymbose, with an imbricated involucre, a convex, naked receptacle, and numerous yellow tubular florets; odor strongly aromatic; taste pungent and bitter. It contains a volatile oil and a bitter principle, tanacetin, besides tannin, resin, etc. Dose.-15-60 grains (1.0-4.0 Gm.), in infusion. Physiological Action and Therapeutics.-In moderate doses tansy acts as an aromatic bitter. Excessive amounts produce all the symptoms of an irritant narcotic-vomiting, purging, severe abdominal pain, loss of consciousness, convulsions, and great cardiac and respiratory weakness, death usually resulting from paralysis of respiration. The drug is regarded as an efficient remedy in amenorrhea, and is extensively employed in domestic practice in hysteria and colic, and topically for bruises, sprains, muscular rheumatism, etc. It is used in the rural districts to promote or restore menstruation, and occasionally is employed with criminal intent as an abortifacient, but usually with negative results. The drug may be given in the form of an infusion, 1 ounce to I pint (32.0 Gm.-473.17 Cc.), of which 1 or 2 ounces (30.0 or 60.0 Cc.) may be taken at a dose. The oil of tansy is occasionally prescribed in doses of 1-5 minims (0.06-0.3 Cc.). Petroselinum-Petroselini-Parsley. Origin.—The root of Petroselinum sativum (Hoffmann), Apium Petroselinum L., a plant indigenous in Southern Europe, and much cultivated for culinary purposes. Description and Properties.-The root is tapering, from 4 to 8 inches (10-20 Cm.) long, about inch (12 Mm.) thick; externally yellowish or light brown; odor aromatic; taste sweetish and aromatic. It contains a volatile oil and apiol, the chief constituent. Apiōlum—Apiōli—Apiol (UNOFFICIAL).—Origin.—A camphor obtained from the fruit of Petroselinum sativum Hoffmann. Description and Properties.-White needles, of a feeble, parsley odor. Insoluble in water, but freely soluble in alcohol and in ether. Dose.-10-15 grains (0.6–1.0 Gm.). Physiological Action and Therapeutics.-The root is carminative, laxative, and diuretic. Apiol is an active emmenagogue. Given in excessive doses, it occasions severe frontal headache, dizziness, and ringing in the ears. It causes rapid rise of bloodpressure, due to increased cardiac action and stimulation of the vaso-motor centers. APIOL, or Chapoteaut's APIOLINE, is usually prescribed, and is an efficient remedy in amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, and as an antiperiodic in malarial affections. As an emmenagogue in cases of scanty or deficient menstruation APIOLINE is very effective. The drug is best given in capsules, as prepared by Chapoteaut,' one or two capsules being taken after meals three times a day. Hedeōma-Hedeōmæ-Hedeoma. U. S. P. (PENNYROYAL.) Origin. The leaves and tops of Hedeoma pulegioides (L.) Persoon, an annual herb indigenous in North America. Description and Properties.-Leaves opposite, short-petioled, about inch (12 Mm.) long, oblong-ovate, obscurely serrate, glandular beneath; branches roundish-quadrangular, hairy; flowers in small, axillary cymules, with a tubular-ovoid, bilabiate, and fivetoothed calyx, and a pale-blue, spotted, bilabiate corolla, containing two sterile and two fertile exserted stamens; odor strong, mint-like; taste warm and pungent. Its virtues depend upon a volatile oil. Dose.-15-60 grains (1.0-4.0 Gm.) in infusion. Oleum Hedeōmæ-Ōlei Hedeōmæ-Oil of Hedeoma. U.S. P. (OIL OF PENNYROYAL.) Origin.-A volatile oil distilled from Hedeoma. Description and Properties.-A pale-yellowish, limpid liquid, having a characteristic, pungent, mint-like odor and taste. It should 1 M. Chapoteaut has prepared from the alcoholic solution of a petrol-ethereal extract a thick reddish liquid, to which he has given the name Apioline. This substance he claims to be the true active principle, and it is dispensed in capsules containing 3 minims (0.18 Cc.) each. be kept in well-stoppered bottles, in a cool place, protected from light. Dose.-2-10 minims (0.1-0.6 Cc.). Physiological Action and Therapeutics.-Hedeoma is aromatic, stimulant, carminative, and emmenagogue, while the oil is rubefacient if rubbed into the skin. The herb is given in the form of a HOT INFUSION to bring on retarded or suspended menstruation and for the relief of flatulent colic, pharyngitis, bronchitis, etc., as well as to dissipate congestions of various parts. The OIL OF HEDEOMA is an active emmenagogue, and is used to increase the rubefacient effect of various embrocations. GROUP XVII.—ASTRINGENTS. ASTRINGENTS are medicines which cause the contraction of living tissues, diminishing the amount of blood or other fluid in them, and reducing hemorrhage, or, through their constipating action, limiting the intestinal secretions as well as those from mucous membranes generally. They act chemically upon the tissues, and, when taken internally, their influence is similar to that of tonics, invigorating the various structures of the body, their principal use being, in cases of relaxed conditions of the muscles and fibers or of the mucous membranes characterized by excessive secretion. Astringents are more or less irritating, and should therefore not be employed, as a rule, in acute inflammatory conditions. There are, however, four exceptions-lead acetate or subacetate, bismuth subnitrate or subcarbonate, cerium oxalate, and silver nitratewhich are sedative astringents and would be indicated in acute inflammatory states. Astringents vary in the intensity of their action, their strength being directly proportionate to the condensation of tissue. Herein lies the chief difference between astringents and caustics. If the heavy metals be arranged according to their astringent properties, the feeblest at one extreme and the strongest at the other, it will be observed that the least astringent is the most caustic, and the most astringent the least caustic, the order being as follows: lead (astringent), iron, zinc, copper, silver, tin, mercury (caustic), lead being the most astringent and least caustic, and mercury the most caustic and least astringent. The explanation of these diverse properties is that the astringents expel the fluid from the protoplasm, contracting or constringing the tissue and causing it to occupy less space; whereas the caustics relax the eschar, reducing the space it occupies. The caustic action of a mineral salt depends both upon the nature of the base and the acid radical. In other words, the salt and the products of its action must both be somewhat soluble in water, otherwise the eschar will be firm, and the drug will therefore act as an astringent. The chlorides of the heavy metals are usually soluble, and are generally the more caustic, as, for instance, zinc chloride, mercuric chloride (corrosive sublimate), etc. Should a chloride be insoluble in water, it will not act as a caustic-as, for example, the insoluble, and consequently inert, silver chloride. Certain drugs which in a concentrated state are caustic are, if sufficiently diluted, astringent, as is the case with sulphuric acid. An astringent drug employed to check hemorrhage is called a styptic, the subsulphate of iron being extensively used as such. Astringents differ in some respects from other groups of medicines, in that they do not, as a rule, assist one another by combination. They are divisible into-(1) Vegetable astringents; (2) mineral astringents. The vegetable astringents mentioned in this group, beginning with the type, are Cinnamon also possesses considerable astringent properties, but is classed among the Aromatics. The mineral astringents, beginning with the type, are Certain salts of iron are powerfully astringent, although classed with iron under the Restoratives. Diluted sulphuric and nitric acids also possess marked astringent properties. (See Mineral Acids.) Antagonists and Incompatibles.-The vegetable astringents are incompatible with the salts of iron (ferric and ferrous), and also with the salts of lead, silver, antimony, and copper; with the alka loids, the glucosids, and gelatin; and with the alkalies and mineral acids and emulsions. Spirit of nitrous ether is incompatible with gallic acid. Synergists. Tonics and bitters, and also agents increasing waste, favor the action of vegetable astringents. VEGETABLE ASTRINGENTS. Acidum Tǎnnicum-Acidi Tănnici-Tannic Acid. U.S. P. Origin. An organic acid obtained from Nutgall. Description and Properties.-A light-yellowish, amorphous powder, usually cohering in the form of glistening scales or spongy masses; odorless or with a faint characteristic odor and a strongly astringent taste; gradually turning darker when exposed to air and light. Soluble in about I part of water and in 0.6 part of alcohol; very soluble in boiling water and in boiling alcohol; also soluble in about I part of glycerin with the assistance of a moderate heat; freely soluble in diluted alcohol and sparingly in absolute alcohol; almost insoluble in absolute ether, chloroform, benzol, or benzin. Dose.-1-20 grains (0.06-1.2 Gm.). Official Preparations. Collōdium Stypticum-Collōdii Styptici-Styptic Collodion.-Used externally and locally. (Tannic Acid, 20; Alcohol, 5; Ether, 25; Collodion, to 100.) Glyceritum Acidi Tănnici-Glyceriti Acidi Tănnici-Glycerite of Tannic Acid.-Used externally and locally. (Tannic Acid, 20; Glycerin, 80.) Trochisci Acidi Tănnici-Trochiscos (acc.) Acidi Tănnici-Troches of Tannic Acid.-Dose, I to 3 troches. Unguentum Acidi Tănnici-Unguenti Ăcidi Tănnici-Ointment of Tannic Acid.- Used externally and locally. (Tannic Acid, 20; Benzoated Lard, 80.) Physiological Action.-Externally.-Tannic acid has little if any effect upon the unbroken skin. Upon raw surfaces, however, it acts as a powerful astringent, contracting the tissues and coagulating the albumin. Urticaria and erythema sometimes follow its use. Internally.-Digestive System.-By coagulating the albumins. tannic acid imparts a dryness to the mouth, accompanied by a sensation of puckering. It partially paralyzes the sensory nerveendings, thus blunting the sense of taste. Large doses produce vomiting by an irritant action, while diarrhea, followed by constipation, may be present. |