GINGER 503 



It may be combined advantageously witli bitters, as mix 

 vomica. Capsicum is a favorite stimulant and tonic remedy 

 — to the digestion — with bird fanciers. It is also said to 

 increase the laying of eggs when given to hens. 



Zingiber. Ginger. (U. S. & B. P.) 



Synonym. — Ingwer, G.; gingember, Fr. 



The rhizome of Zingiber officinale Roscoe (nat. ord. 

 Scitaminese). 



Habitat. — East and West Indies and India ; cultivated in 

 tropical climates. 



Description. — About 5 to 10 Cm. long, 10 to 15 Mm. 

 broad, and 4 to 8 Mm. thick ; flattish on one side ; lobed or 

 clavately branched ; deprived of the corky layer ; pale, buff- 

 colored, striate ; breaking with a mealy, rather fibrous frac- 

 ture, showing numerous small, scattered resin cells and 

 fibro-vascular bundles, the latter enclosed by a nucleus 

 sheath ; agreeably aromatic and of a pungent and warm taste. 



Constituents. — 1, a volatile oil ; 2, a resin ; 3, gingerol, 

 said to supply pungent taste, while the oil gives flavor. 



Dose.—B.., 3ii.-5i. (8.-30.); C, §i.-iv. (30.-120.); Sh. & 

 Sw., 3 i.-ii. (4.-8.) ; D., gr.v.-xv. (.3-1.). 



PREPARATION. 



Extractum Zingiberis Fluidum. Fluid Extract of Ginger. 

 (U. S. P.) 

 Made by maceration and percolation with alcohol, and evaporation, 

 so that 1 Cc. = 1 Gm. of the crude drug. 

 Dose. — Same as that of ginger. 



Action and Uses, — Ginger is chiefly administered in 

 powder as a stomachic and carminative in atonic indigestion 

 of horses and ruminants. It is frequently combined with 

 sodium bicarbonate and bitters. Ginger also aids the action 

 of purgatives and prevents griping. The powder or fluid 

 extract should be added to magnesium sulphate when it is 

 given in full purgative doses to cattle or sheep. (See magne- 

 sium and sodium sulphate, pp. 131 and 154). 



