200 



COLCHICUM. 



This preparation is next in strength to tlie tincture. Sir 

 C. Scudamore considers it as most deserving of preference 

 in any case of disease in which we are desirous of obtaining the 

 greatest share of specific agency which the colchicum pos- 

 sesses. It requires to be administered with care, for it is 

 liable to affect the stomach with sickness, and the mucous 

 membrane of the bowels with great irritation. The dose is 

 from thirty drops to a drachm and a half, given in conjunction 

 with magnesia in the effervescing draught, or with some 

 bitter infusion. The petals of the flower and the seeds possess 

 the same properties as the bulb*; hence many practitioners 

 prefer a wine prepared from the unbruised seed. 



WINE OV COLCHICUM SEEof. 



Take of Seeds of Colchicum, two ounces : 



Sherry wine two pints. 



Macerate for eight days, and filter. 



As an external application, a few fresh bulbs, sliced, bruised, 

 and mixed with a bread poultice, may be effectually applied to 

 the gouty parts. This should be repeated twice or three times 

 in twenty-four hours. 



* Dr. Thompson's Dispensatory, 8th edit. p. 300. 

 t Dr. Thompson, Lib. cit. p. 957. 



