concerning her impending confinement, or of a student in reference to his examinations. In very many such cases, the use of Gelsemine, in small doses frequently repeated (gr. ter die), has seemed to remove the state of abnormal fear entirely.

GENTIANA, Gentian,-is the root of Gentiana lutea, the Yellow Gentian, one of a numerous family of plants (nat. ord. Gentianeæ), inhabiting the mountainous districts of Europe. An American species, G. Catesbæi, Blue Gentian, is considered nearly equal in value to the official species. Gentian occurs in cylindrical pieces or longitudinal slices of the root, which is 1⁄2 to 1 inch thick and several inches long, brown externally, yellowish-brown within, of faint, peculiar odor, and taste at first sweetish, afterwards persistently bitter. It contains an active, bitter glucoside, Gentopicrin or Gentianin, C20H30O12, which is crystalline and soluble in water, also an inert, amorphous body, Gentianic or Gentesic Acid, gum, considerable sugar, and a trace of volatile oil, but no tannin.

Preparations.

Extractum Gentianæ, Extract of Gentian,-aqueous. Dose, gr. j-v. Extractum Gentianæ Fluidum, Fluid Extract of Gentian,-Dose, 3 ss-j. Tinctura Gentiana Composita, Compound Tincture of Gentian,-Gentian 10, Bitter Orange Peel 4, Cardamon 1, Alcohol and Water to 100. Dose, 3 ss-ij.

Unofficial Preparations.

Infusum Gentianæ Compositum, Compound Infusion of Gentian,-contains Gentian 10, Bitter Orange Peel 22, Coriander 21⁄2, Alcohol 40, Water to 320. Dose, 3j-3j.

One dose.

Mistura Gentianæ Alkalina, Alkaline Mixture of Gentian,-Ac. Hydrocyan. Dil. miij, Sodii Bicarb. gr. xv, Infusum Gentianæ Co. to 3j. Mistura Gentianæ et Sennæ, Mixture of Gentian 3 iij, Tr. Cardamomi Co. 3j, Infusum Gentianæ Co. 3 vj.

and Senna,-Infusum Sennæ One dose.

PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION AND THERAPEUTICS.

Gentian is a simple bitter without astringency or aroma, its action corresponding to that of Calumba (see ante, page 163), but it is more apt to disagree with the stomach. In addition, like Cornus, a member of the same class, it has considerable repute as an antiperiodic and febrifuge. Gentian has been considered a valuable tonic throughout all Europe from the earliest historical times. It is highly esteemed as a stomachic tonic in dyspepsia connected with a gouty diathesis, in hysteria, jaundice, and convalescence from acute diseases and from malarial fever. The compound tincture is an excellent vehicle for cod-liver oil, and the now unofficial infusion is a good vehicle for the administration of chalybeates, mineral acids and neutral salts. The discoloration which iron salts make with gentian preparations is probably due to Gentesic Acid and not to tannin, as it contains none of the latter.

GERANIUM-GLYCERINUM.

245

GERANIUM, Cranesbill,—is the rhizome of the indigenous perennial Geranium maculatum (nat. ord. Geraniaceae). It is 2 or 3 inches long, horizontal, contorted and taberculated, with thin, fragile rootlets, inodorous, taste astringent. Its active constituents are tannic and gallic acids.

Extractum Geranii Fluidum, Fluid Extract of Geranium.-Dose, mv-zj.

Geranium is an efficient astringent, and its action corresponds with that of Tannic Acid (see ante, page 81). Having no unpleasant taste it is a useful agent for infants and others having delicate stomachs, and is a very popular domestic remedy in many parts of the country. It is especially used in diarrhoeas, dysentery, cholera infantum, hemorrhages, relaxed conditions of mucous membranes, gleet and leucorrhoea.

GLYCERINUM, Glycerin,-is a liquid obtained by the decomposition of vegetable or animal fats or fixed oils, containing not less than 95 per cent. of absolute Glycerin, C,H,(HO),, which exists in fats and fixed oils in combination with the fatty acids.

Glycerin is a clear and colorless liquid, of syrupy consistence, hygroscopic, non-drying, odorless, of warm and very sweet taste, neutral reaction, sp. gr. 1.250, soluble in water and alcohol, but insoluble in ether, chloroform and fixed oils. It dissolves Tannin, Gallic Acid, Carbolic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Bromine, Iodine, etc., and with the aid of heat metallic salts and oxides, alkaloids, etc. With strong Nitric Acid it forms Nitro-glycerin, and it reduces Potassium Permanganate, Chromic Acid and Chlorinated Lime with great violence. An impurity frequently present in it is Acrolein, formed by the use of too high a heat in its manufacture, and which is very acrid and poisonous. Glycerin is a constituent of the 6 Glycerites, Pilulæ Phosphori, Mucilago Tragacanthæ, Massa Hydrargyri, and several extracts and fluid extracts. Dose, 3j-ij, diluted.

Preparations.

Suppositoria Glycerini, Suppositories of Glycerin,-each has Sodium Carbonate, grains 42, Stearic Acid, grains 72, dissolved by heat in 90 grains of Glycerin, cooled in a mould, and wrapped in tin-foil. Used per rectum in chronic constipation.

Glycerites of Carbolic Acid, Tannic Acid, Starch, Boroglycerin, Hydrastis, Yolk of Egg, are described under the titles of their respective ingredients.

PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.

Glycerin is highly antiseptic, abstracts water from tissues with which it comes in contact, and unless pure is often very irritating to the skin. It is freely absorbed by all surfaces, cutaneous and mucous, and is decomposed in the system, passing out as formic and other acids. On the stomach it has no particular action, but in large quantities it is laxative and is said to cause the solution of the red blood corpuscles and hæmoglobinuria. The urine of persons using glycerin contains a body which acts like sugar in the copper and fermentation tests, but is not sugar. Glycerin is a good emollient and is considered nutritive by many authorities.

THERAPEUTICS.

Glycerin has been used as a substitute for Cod-liver Oil in wasting diseases, but with little benefit. It has also been tried as a remedy in diabetes, but with unsatisfactory results so far as reported, except as a

sweetening substitute for sugar in the dietary of those afflicted with that disease. It is said to be fatal to intestinal trichinæ, and to be an efficient internal remedy in acne and flatulence. In chronic constipation, most excellent results are obtained from rectal enemata of Glycerin, or from the official suppositories thereof. As a vehicle it is used for many drugs, and is a good ingredient of solutions for hypodermic use, promoting the solubility of many alkaloids and acting as an antiseptic. It is also employed to preserve and aid the action of the digestive ferments, Pepsin and Pancreatin, as well as to prevent the decomposition of vaccine lymph.

Locally it is valuable in many cutaneous affections as an emollient and softening agent. In acute coryza it gives great relief if applied by a brush or as a spray to the nasal mucous membrane. It is used on cotton to the cervix uteri as a depleting agent, and mixed with an infusion of flaxseed as an enema to relieve tenesmus in acute dysentery. With tincture of Benzoin it is an excellent application to chapped hands or lips and fissured nipples. In the external auditory canal it is usefully employed to soften cerumen, diminish the secretion of pus, deplete the tissues, and keep the surface moist.

Glycozone (Unofficial),—is claimed to be a stable compound resulting from the reaction between chemically pure glycerin and 15 times its volume of ozone; and not a mixture of hydrogen dioxide with glycerin. It is very hydroscopic, and must be kept tightly corked, to prevent deterioration. It is said to act upon diseased tissue in the same manner as Hydrogen Dioxide (which see), but more slowly; and may be used in full strength as an application to wounds and suppurating surfaces, to stimulate healthy granulations, and generally as an antiseptic surgical dressing. It is mixed with water (1 to 10) as a rectal injection; and may be administered internally, in doses of 3j-ij in a wineglassful of water, in gastric affections,—as dyspepsia, pyrosis, ulcer and catarrh of the stomach.

GLYCYRRHIZA, Glycyrrhiza, Liquorice Root,-is the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra, var. glandulifera, a plant of the nat. order Leguminosæ, native in southern Europe and Asia, but largely cultivated in many other parts. It occurs in long pieces, to 1 inch thick, longitudinally wrinkled, of a grayish-brown color externally, tawny-yellow internally, pliable and tough, and of a somewhat acrid, sweet taste. It contains a yellow, amorphous glucoside, Glycyrrhizin, C4H6O9, also Glycyrrhizic Acid, Asparagin, sugar, resin, gum, etc. Glycyrrhizin when boiled with dilute acids yield glucose and a very bitter substance named Glycyrretin.

Preparations.

36

Extractum Glycyrrhizæ, Extract of Glycyrrhiza,-is the commercial extract of the root, occurring in glossy-black rolls, of sweet, peculiar taste. Not less than 60 per cent. of it should be soluble in cold water.

Extractum Glycyrrhizæ Purum, Pure Extract of Glycyrrhiza,-made with Aqua Ammonia and Water, by percolation and evaporation to a pilular consistence. Dose, indefinite.

Extractum Glycyrrhizæ Fluidum, Fluid Extract of Glycyrrhiza,-made with Aqua Ammonia and diluted Alcohol. Dose, indefinite.

Mistura Glycyrrhizæ Composita, Compound Mixture of Glycyrrhiza,—Brown Mixture, has of the Pure Extract 3 parts, Syrup 5, Acacia 3, Tr. Opii Camph. 12, Vinum Antimonii 6, Spt. Etheris Nitrosi 3, and Water to 100. Dose, 31-3j.

Pulvis Glycyrrhizæ Compositus, Compound Powder of Glycyrrhiza,-Senna 18, Glycyrrhiza 23%, Oil of Fennel 4, Washed Sulphur 8, Sugar 50 parts. Dose, a teaspoonful.

Trochisci Glycyrrhizæ et Opii, Troches of Glycyrrhiza and Opium.-each has of Extract of Glycyrrhiza gr, ij, Powdered Opium gr., Acacia, Sugar and Oil of Anise. Lose, jij every hour.

Glycyrrhizinum Ammoniatum, Ammoniated Glycyrrhizin,—the sweet principle of Liquorice rendered soluble and therefore tasteable by Ammonia, believed to be the form in which Glycyrrhizin exists in the root. Occurs in brownish-red scales, very sweet, and soluble in water or in alcohol. Dose, gr. v-xv. Is a constituent of Velatine, for which see page 199.

PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION AND THERAPEUTICS.

Liquorice is demulcent and mildly laxative. It has an agreeable taste, and increases the flow of saliva and mucus when slowly chewed or sucked, the increased secretions acting as emollients to the throat. It is used in many pharmaceutical preparations, covering the taste of Senna, Senega, Hyoscyamus, Turpentine, Ammonium Chloride, the bitter Sulphates, and to some degree the bitterness of Quinine. The powdered extract or root is used as an excipient in pills and troches. The Compound. Mixture is an efficient expectorant, much employed in acute bronchitis and catarrhal laryngitis, but owing its power over cough mainly to the Opium contained in it. The Compound Powder is a gentle laxative, of which Senna is the most active ingredient. The Troches are used for cough, but must be carefully prescribed to children, as each troche contains gr. of Powdered Opium.

GOSSYPIUM, Cotton,-is the hairs of the seed of Gossypium herbaceum, and of other species of Gossypium (nat. ord. Malvacea), freed from adhering impurities and deprived of fatty matter. In this form it is official as Gossypium Purificatum, Purified Cotton, Absorbent Cotton, insoluble in ordinary solvents, but soluble in copper ammonium sulphate solution. Cotton-fibre is familiar in appearance to every one, but when examined microscopically, it shows as flattened, hollow and twisted bands, spirally striate, and slightly thickened at the edges. It is a modification of Cellulose, C12H10O10, and corresponds therewith in all its ordinary chemical properties.

Preparations of the Cotton Plant.

Gossypii Radicis Cortex, Cotton Root Bark,-thin bands or quilled pieces, brownish-yellow exteriorly, white interiorly, of slightly acrid and astringent taste. Dose, gr. 1x1-3). Extractum Gossypii Radicis Fluidum, Fluid Extract of Cotton Root Bark,made with Glycerin and Alcohol, by maceration and percolation. Dose, mxxx-3j.

Oleum Gossypii Seminis, Cotton-seed Oil,-the fixed oil expressed from the seeds and purified. Is yellow, odorless, of bland taste and neutral reaction, soluble in ether, but slightly soluble in alcohol. Is introduced into the pharmacopoeia for the reason that it constitutes most of the "Olive Oil" sold in foreign-shaped bottles and under foreignappearing labels. It is directed to be used in the official Liniments of Ammonia and Camphor.

Pyroxylinum, Pyroxylin, Soluble Gun-cotton, Colloxylin,-is official for the purpose of making Collodium. It is prepared by macerating Cotton in a mixture of Sulphuric and Nitric Acids, washing, draining and drying.

Collodium, Collodion,—made by dissolving Pyroxylin 3, in Ether 75 and Alcohol 25. Collodium Flexile, Flexible Collodion, Collodion 92, Canada Turpentine 5, Castor Oil 3, mixed thoroughly.

Collodium Stypticum, Styptic Collodion,-Ether 25, Alcohol 5, Tannic Acid 20, Collodion to 100. Collodium Cantharidatum, Cantharidal Collodion, Blistering Collodion,-Cantharides 60, Flexible Collodion 85, Chloroform q. s. to 100.

PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.

COTTON-ROOT is believed to be an efficient emmenagogue and oxytocic by Southern practitioners, also somewhat of a galactagogue, but experiments on pregnant animals have not confirmed this view of its action. The Oil of the seed is very bland and may be applied to all the purposes for which Olive Oil is used. Cotton itself, when freed from oily matter, is remarkably absorbent of water, and is a good agent for excluding air from injured surfaces. PYROXYLIN is highly inflammable, and explosive at 300° F. COLLODION is also inflammable, and rapidly dries on exposure to the atmosphere by evaporation of its ether, leaving a transparent film of Pyroxylin on the surface to which it has been applied; which film, if the flexible collodion be used, does not contract on drying or readily crack, making it an excellent protective application. STYPTIC COLLODION is a solution of Tannin, and is an excellent hemostatic. CANTHARIDAL COLLODION is a convenient blistering agent, suitable for cases where the patient is inclined to remove a blister if applied in the ordinary way.

THERAPEUTICS.

ABSORBENT COTTON is a valuable agent in surgical practice, being employed as an application in burns and scalds, erysipelas, articular rheumatism, etc., to exclude the atmosphere, allay pain, and when covered with oiled silk or rubber cloth to keep up local perspiration. It may be carbolated, borated or salicylated, by soaking in the respective solutions, and then used as an antiseptic dressing for wounds, ulcers, etc. It is employed by the pharmacist in funnels to filter oils, and for the preparation of the official waters.

COTTON ROOT BARK is much employed by the negroes of the Southern States in decoction as a supposed abortifacient, oxytocic and emmenagogue. It is used in the south for intensifying uterine action in normal labor, in dysmenorrhoea and amenorrhoea. A decoction, of ziv in a quart of water boiled to a pint, is the favorite preparation, administered in wineglassful doses.