I 
478 
4 1 
through a common ftrainer. The watery decoctions infphTated, yield 
a large proportion, half of trie weight of the colocynth, or more, of 
mucilaginous extract ; which purges ftrongly, but with much lefs 
irritation, and greater fafety, than the colocynth itfelf, and appears 
be the beft preparation obtainable from this draftic d 
This very powerful and 
g cath 
is the 
of the 
Ancient Greeks, and the Alhandal of the Arabians. It was fre- 
quently employed by both in different difeafes, though not without 
an apprehenfion of danger, from the violence of its effects, of which 
twelve grains this 
inftances are related 
In dofes of 
fubftance purges with great vehemence, frequently producing 
gripes, bloody difcharges, and even difordering the whol 
Many attempts therefore have been made to correct its vim 
fyftem 
the add 
of acids, aftring 
and the like : but thefe feem to 
anfwer no other purpofe than what might be equally effected 
The beft method of abating its virulence, 
reduction of the dofe 
without diminifhing its purg 
it with gummy farinaceous 
without making any 
fe 
ems 
fubftances 
be by 
or the oily feeds, which 
alteration in the colocynth itfelf, prevents its 
refinous particles from cohering, and fticking upon the membranes 
of the inteftines, fo as to irritate, inflame, or corrode them." 
This draftic purgative has been recommended in various chronic 
comp] 
but as feveral other cathartics have 
the advantag 
of coloquintida, and may be ufed with more fafety, its ufe 
feldom reforted to, efpecially alone. Extractum colocinthidis com- 
pofitum & pi^ula* ex colocynthide cum aloe, are directed by the 
Pharmacopoeias 
See Shulz biff, de Q 
Lewis^ M. M. p. 246 
it proved fatal 
employed 
Pta 
Tulp. Obf. lib. 4. c. 26. *. 218 
Obf. p. 858 
Diofi 
d 
Edinburgh New Difpenf. by Dr. Duncan, p. 175 
i cafe in which 
obferves, that, 
L. C. 178. 
ofthma, &c 
As worms, lues venerea, cephalalgia, mania, dropfy, Gonorrhea, epilepfy, 
CROCUS SATIVUS. 
