COLCHICINE. 



CAMPHOR. 



225 



COLCHICINE (continued). 



Symptoms. 



Therapeutic Doses. 



Seldom any symptoms other than 

 possible colic and diarrhea. 



Toxic Doses. 



Salivation. 



Gastro-intestinal distress. 



Nausea and vomiting. 



Purging with tenesmus. 



Great thirst. 



Depression and apathy. 



Prostration. 



Progressive ascending paralysis. 



Asphyxiation. 



Therapeutics. 



On empirical grounds solely, the preparations of Colchicum are used with as- 

 serted benefit in acute rheumatism and gout. 



Dosage. 



Tinctura Colchici Seminis, i to 2 mils. 

 Colchicina, 0.0006 to 0.0012 Gm. 



"The poisoning (from Colchicum) is one of the most painful, slow, and hopeless 

 poisonings known" (Hare). 



CAMPHOR. 



Camphor (CioHir.O = 150.98) is a stearopten derived from Cinnamomum 

 C amphora, a tree of Japan, China, Formosa, and Eastern Africa. 



Pharmacodynamics. 



Central Nervous System. Camphor produces a descending depression, possibly 

 preceded in man by cerebral stimulation. 



Muscular system not affected directly. 



Respiration. Slightly slower and deeper from centric action. 



Heart. Sometimes slightly slower ; centric action. 



Blood-pressure. Slight fall, due to vasodilator action. 



Alimentary tract is mildly irritated. 



Secretory Glands. Mildly stimulating. 



Metabolism. Camphor indirectly stimulates the leucocytes. 



Temperature is lowered in fever; mode of action is uncertain. 



Absorption is rapid from the stomach. 



Excretion. Camphor is oxidized in the tissues and eliminated in the urine in a 

 combination with glycuronic acid. 



Local Action. Camphor is slightly irritant to nerves of sensation and pain. 



