196 - COLCHICUM. 



Although a highly valuable agent in gout and rheumatism, 

 colchicum must be very cautiously used ; for although it has 

 been taken by many persons with the best effects, acting almost 

 as a charm in setting aside a paroxysm of the disease, it will 

 sometimes prodiice the most distressing and even fatal effects. 

 Mr. Bampfield* knew death to ensue on the following day 

 after a drachm of the wine of colchicum had been administered 

 over night, in two cases of dropsy ; yet, he asserts, that he 

 never saw such a consequence from its employment in gout; 

 Mr. Bampfield, however, in the latter disorder employed small 

 doses -f. From the observations of Dr. Bardsley J and of many 

 others, the benefit derived from colchicum seems to depend 

 upon its purgative operation. In some cases, however, it must 

 be allowed that it removes the paroxysm of gout without any 

 sensible operation. In proof of this fact Mr. Want has ad- 

 duced several cases §, and among the rest, that of the late Sir 

 Joseph Banks II; and in this opinion he is supported by Mr. 

 Lignum ^. 



As a common gout and rheumatic remedy, the following 

 formula** may be more depended on than the Eau Medicinale, 

 or any of the more simple forms in which the colchicum is 

 usually prescribed, as the ill qualities of the plant are corrected 

 by articles which, of themselves, exert a very powerful action 

 upon the matter which gives rise to that disorder. 



Take of fresh bulbs of Colchicum two ounces ; 



Avens root . . } ^ i. 



: 01 each one ounce; 



Angelica root ' 



Burdock root one ounce and a half; 



Sherry wine a quart. 



Infuse, for fourteen days, in a warm place, and then filter. 



From one tea-spoonful to two, or even three, is a dose ; but it 

 will be best always to begin with the smaller quantity, and a little 

 experience will soon teach the patient what is the precise dose 



* Obs. on the Use of Colchicum. 

 f Op. cit. Nov. 1821. 



Hospital Facts and Reports, p. 118. 



§ Lond. Med. and Phys. Journ. vol. xxxii. pp. 312, 393, 491. 

 II Idem, p. 202. 



% On the Effects of Tinct. Colch. in Gout.— Lond. Med. and Phys. 

 Journ. vol. xxxiii. p. 264. 

 ** Brit. Dom. Herb, p. 102. 



