302 Botanic Drugs 



PHARMACOLOGY. Squill is toxic, owing to the 

 presence of a water-soluble glucosidal substance 

 resembling strophanthin; it stops the heart in sys- 

 tole. There is also a resin and a trace of caffeine. 



Squill is a member of the digitalis group. See 

 "Digitalis." Tincture of squill has a stronger 

 action upon the heart than has tincture of digitalis; 

 especially does it produce more vaso-constriction. 



Like several others of the digitalis group, squill 

 is a gastro-intestinal irritant, causing vomiting and 

 purging. As its irritating effects upon the digestive 

 mucous membranes are marked, it is to be expected 

 that its excretion would influence the bronchial 

 mucous membrane and that of the kidney. Squill 

 is, therefore, expectorant and diuretic. 



THERAPEUTICS. As a cardiac remedy squill is 

 rarely used alone; it is combined with digitalis and 

 mercury. In cardiac dropsy the formulae containing 

 squill are peculiarly effective. In renal dropsy 

 squill should not be used; it is too irritating. 



Squill is a valuable expectorant in bronchitis and 

 emphysema, especially with tenacious sputum. In 

 irritating cough and spasmodic croup squill serves 

 well. It is combined with other expectorants, but 

 neither the syrup nor the vinegar of squill should 

 be combined with ammonium carbonate. It is 

 done, but I believe should not be. 



DOSAGE. The average dose of squill is 1^2 grains. 

 Vinegar of squill, Acetum Scillae, is given in 15- 

 minim doses, the tincture in the same dose, and 

 the syrup in 30-minim doses. Compound syrup 

 (HiVE SYRUP) is used in the treatment of croup, 

 the average dose being 30 minims, less with young 

 children. 



