PHARMACOPGIAL VEGETABLE DRUGS. 
COCCUS 
The cochineal insect, Pseudococcus cacti, is native to Mexico and 
tropical America, where it feeds on certain species of cactus. These 
insects were thence imported into the Canary Islands, where they are 
raised in large numbers, as well as in the West Indies and other coun- 
tries. They are sources of great profit to the Mexicans, who, so far 
as known, have always been acquainted with their quality of imparting 
a red color to confectionery and pastry, for which purpose (and as 
the source of carmine) they are still chiefly employed. In domestic 
medicine they have been commended in whooping cough and neuralgic 
affections, but have never been seriously considered by the medical pro- 
fession. 
COLCHICI CORMUS ET SEMEN 
Colchicum (Colchicum autumnale) was known in very early days, 
Dioscorides (194) mentioning its poisonous properties. It was used 
as a rheumatic or gout remedy by the Arabians, as noted in the writ- 
ings of Tragus (650), 1552, who warns his readers against its use in 
gout. It was employed empirically in these directions in domestic Eng- 
lish medicine, but was, however, in disfavor with the medical pro- 
fession, being called by them Colchicum perniciosum, and considered 
“very hurtfull to the stomacke.”’ Wedel (672), in 1718, held colchicum 
in great disfavor, as indicated by the following quotation: “Velut in 
fame habitum et damnatum fuit colchicum, indignum habitum inter 
herbas medicas vel officinales.” 
Colchicum was mentioned in the London Pharmacopeia, second 
edition, 1618, and was given an occasional place in subsequent editions, 
but was altogether omitted in the editions between 1650 and 1788, after 
which, owing to the investigations of St6rck (617), it was again given 
an authoritative place. 
COLOCYNTHIS 
The colocynth plant occupies the vast area extending from the 
west coast of Northern Africa (Senegambia, Morocco, and the Cape 
Verde Islands), eastward through the Sahara, Egypt, Arabia, Persia, 
Beluchistan, and through India, as far as the Coromandel Coast and 
Ceylon, touching northward the Mediterranean and Caspian Seas. At 
the Red Sea, near Kosseir, it occurs in immense quantities (239-240). 
It is also found here and there in Southern European countries, e. ge; 
Spain and the islands of the Grecian archipelago. Isloated specimens 
occur in the Cape of Good Hope, Japan, Sicily (57), and it is suggested 
that birds of passage have much to do with the distribution of the seed. 
Even from our hemisphere we have recent reports of its successful cul- 
tivation on a small scale. 
In the island of Cyprus the raising of colocynth has been a source 
of revenue since the fourteenth century, and it still forms an article of 
ae is the Pate time. 
ocynth, as already stated, is a characteristic desert plant. 
Hooker and Ball (323a) met with it in the oasis of Sicha is 
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