104 PHARMACOPEIAL DRUGS 



with their quality of imparting a red color to confec- 

 tionery and pastry, for which purpose, (and as the 

 source of carmine), they are still chiefly employed. 

 In domestic medicine, this drug has been commended in 

 whooping cough and neuralgic affections, but it has 

 never been seriously considered by the medical pro- 



COLCHICI CORMUS ET SEMEN 

 (Colchicum, Root and Seed) 



Colchicum Root is official in all editions of the 7. S. P. The 

 1840 edition first mentions Colchicum Seed. 



Colchicum (Colchicum autumnale) was known in 

 very early days, Dioscorides (194) mentioning its poi- 

 sonous properties. It was used as a rheumatic or gout 

 remedy by the Arabians, as noted in the writings of 

 Tragus (650), 1552, who warns his readers against its 

 use in gout. It was employed empirically in domestic 

 English medicine, but was in disfavor with the medical 

 profession, being called by them Colchicum pernicio- 

 sum, 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." (Not worthy of 

 being classed among medicinal herbs.) 



Colchicum was mentioned in the London Pharma- 

 copeia, second edition, 1618, and was given an occa- 

 sional place in subsequent editions, but was omitted 

 altogether in the editions between 1650 and 1788, after 

 which time, owing to the investigations of Storck, (617), 

 it was again given an authoritative place. 



