BOTANIC MATERIA MEDICA, 385 
odor and a bitter taste. The cochineal contains 
carminic acid, fats, salts and muctlage, and is 
anti-spasmodic, diuretic and stimulating in its 
effects. It is more used as a dye and coloring 
matter than as a medicine for the cure of dis- 
ease. Dose from 1 to 15 grains (0.06 to 1.0. 
gram). 
Fel Bovinum, Ox Bile, Ox Gall.—Obtained 
from the gall-bladder of the bos taurus: class 
Mammalia, and the order Ruminantia. This 
substance is mixed when fresh with double its 
volume of alcohol, and allowed to stand some 
ten or twelve hours. It.is then evaporated over 
a water bath to the consistence of solid extracts. 
After this process the gall is said to be purified, 
and occurs as a yellowish green substance of 
the consistence of an extract, with a faint and 
peculiar odor. Taste is at first sweet, after 
which intensely bitter and nauseous. Bile is 
the secretion which emulsifies all the fatty mat- 
ters taken in as food, and therefore may be called 
a natural solution of soap. Bile contains sau- 
rocholic and glycocholic acids, in combination of 
the sa/ts of sodium, cholesterin, phosphates, bili- 
rubin and mucus, 
The medical properties of the purifled ox bile 
or gall are tonic and laxative, and it is given in 
doses of 5 to 60 grains (0.03 to 4) grams, For 
further account see some late work on organic 
chemistry. | 
Glycerinum, Glycerin or Glycerine.—This 
substance is obtained from all the fats and fixed 
oils, with the exception of spermaceti. It was 
first discovered by Scheele in 1789, and called 
