CUCUMIS coLocyntuis. ORD. XI. Cucurbitacee. 191 
an apprehension of danger, from the violence of its effects, of which 
various instances are related.> In doses of ten or twelve grains this 
substance purges with great vehemence, frequently producing 
violent gripes, bloody discharges, and even disordering the whole 
system, Many attempts therefore have been made to correct its 
virulence, by the addition of acids, astringents, and the like; but 
these seem to.answer no other purpose than what might be equally 
effected by a reduction of the dose. “The best method of abating 
its virulence, without diminishing its purgative virtue, seems to be 
by triturating it with gummy farinaceous substances, or the oily 
seeds, which, without making any alteration in the colocynth itself, 
prevents its resinous particles from cohering, and sticking upon 
the membranes of the intestines, so as to irritate, inflame, or corrode 
them.”* 
This drastic purgative has been recommended in various chronic 
complaints; but as several other cathartics have all the advantages 
of coloquintida, and may be used with more safety, its use is now 
seldom resorted to, especially alone. Extractum colocinthidis com- 
positum & pipule ex colocynthide cum aloe, are directed by the 
Pharmacopceias. 
» See Shulz Diss. de Colocynthide. Tulp. Obs. lib. 4. c. 26. p. 218. A case in 
_ which it proved fatal is mentioned by Plater, Obs. p. 858. And Dioscorides ob- 
serves, that, employed in the way of enema, it occasioned a bloody discharge. Lid. 
4.c. 178, 
© Edinburgh New Dispens. by Dr. Duncan, p. 175. 
“As worms, lues yenerea, cephalalgia, mania, dropsy, Gonorrhea, epilepsy, 
asthma, &c. : : 
