608 VEGETABLE DRUGS 



purging and vomiting. Tannic acid is the best chemical 

 antidote, but is not wholly satisfactory. It should be used, 

 however. Demulcents (oil and egg albumin) and opium 

 relieve the local irritation, pain and purging. Stimulants, 

 as atropine, strychnine, and alcohol, together with external 

 heat, combat collapse. 



Administration. — The crude drug is not suitable for use. 

 The wine of the root is the best preparation. 



Uses. — It is difficult to estimate the therapeutic value of 

 colchicum. It is called an alterative by many authorities, 

 for want of a better term to describe a drug whose physiolog- 

 ical actions do not explain its medicinal virtues. Colchicum 

 is the most successful single remedy for gout in human 

 medicine, but does not possess so great a value in veterinary 

 practice. It is sometimes used with considerable advantage 

 in the treatment of subacute and chronic rheumatism, and in 

 that form complicating influenza in horses. 



Potassium iodidje is generally prescribed with colchicum 

 in these disorders, and also in pericarditis and pleurisy of 

 rheumatic origin. Colchicum is commonly believed to be 

 a serviceable diuretic in various diseases (although this 

 hypothesis is not physiologically substantiated). It is there- 

 fore recommended in haernaglobinsemia and swelling of the 

 legs in horses ; in cerebral congestion ; ascites ; pleural and 

 pericardial effusions, and dropsies, as an eliminative. Col- 

 chicine, subcutaneously, is especially lauded in rheumatism. 



SECTION XVII.— VEGETABLE DKUGS ACTING 

 MECHANICALLY. 



Amylum. Starch. CeH^oO^. (I^. S, & B. P.) 



Synonym. — Corn starch, E.; fecule (amidon) de froment, 

 de ble, Fr.; kraftmehl, weizenstarke, G. 



The fecuia of the seed of Zea Mays Linne (nat. ord. 

 Gramineae). 



