KINO 671 



employed in the same doses and for the same purposes as 

 catechu. 



Action and Uses.— The action of catechu is exactly like 

 that of tannic acid. The latter is preferable for external 

 use on account of its greater solubility and astringency. 

 Catechu acts more slowly and persistently in the digestive 

 tract, by virtue of its tardy solubility, and is a useful remedy 

 in diarrhoea, particularly in that of a watery or serous 

 nature. It is frequently prescribed in this disorder with 

 other synergistic agents, as opium, ginger and chalk. Finlay 

 Dun recommends the following combination : Catechu, pre- 

 pared chalk, and ginger, each three ounces ; powdered opium, 

 six drachms. Divide into eight balls, for horses; into six 

 doses suspended in starch gruel for cattle ; and into eight or 

 ten doses (given in gruel) for calves or sheep. The com- 

 pound tincture of catechu with laudanum is an equally 

 suitable combination for all animals with diarrhoea, given in 

 dronch. If there is much mucus in the faecal discharges, 

 showing a catarrhal state of the intestinal mucous membrane, 

 it is advisable to order oil, salts, or calomel before locking 

 up the bowels with an astringent. Catechu has been given 

 internally in dysentery, and to stop uterine and other 

 haemorrhages. 



Kino. Kino. (U. S. & B. P.) 



The inspissated juice of Pterocarpus Marsupium Kox- 

 burgh (nat. ord. Leguminosse). 



Habitat. — East Indies. Kino, indigenous in the West 

 Indies, is occasionally imported here. 



Properties. — Small, angular, dark brownish-red, shining 

 pieces ; brittle, in thin layers, ruby-red and transparent ; 

 inodorous, very astringent and sweetish, tinging the saliva 

 deep red. Soluble in alcohol ; nearly insoluble in ether, and 

 only slightly soluble in cold water. 



Constituents. — The most important is (1) kinotannic acid 

 (CigHigOg, 75 per cent.), resembling catechu-tannic acid, but 



