ALTERATIVES. 79 



irritant similar to the mercuric chloride, but is more 

 rapidly absorbed and more rapidly eliminated. It is 

 used externally as an antiseptic, stimulant, counter- 

 irritant, and absorbent; generally as an ointment 

 with lard, vaseline, or other base, from eight to six- 

 teen per cent., with or without cantharides. The 

 " red ointment " is used for reducing and condensing 

 splints, ringbones, spavins, and other bony exostoses. 

 It penetrates deepl}^ and arrests chronic inflamma- 

 tion ; aids in the absorption of chronic enlargements, 

 indurated, strained tendons, bursse, and joints. 

 Stronger absorbent effects may be produced by com- 

 bining it with iodine. Strong red ointment must be 

 carefully used, as it causes considerable sloughing of 

 the tissues and sometimes a permanent blemish. 

 Again, when applied over a large surface, there may 

 be caused acute mercurial poisoning through absorp- 

 tion. Symptoms of "mercurialism " are salivation, 

 spongy gums, fetid breath, loosening of the teeth, 

 bluish line along margins of teeth, muscular pains, 

 fever, diarrhoea, marked anaemia, and albuminuria, 



CoLCHicuM — Meadow Saffron. 



Colchici Radix, the corm or root of colchicum 

 autumnale; Colchici Semen, the seed of colchicum 

 autumnale. Colchicum, or meadow saffron, belongs 

 to the natural order Melanthacese, and contains an 

 alkaloid, colchicine, tannic and gallic acids, sugar, 

 starch, and a resin. The seed gives the most reliable 

 preparations, and is subgiobular in shape, about one- 

 twelfth of an inch thick, slightly pointed at the hi- 



