212 MATERIA MEDIC A AND THERAPEUTICS. 



GUTTIFERJE. 



Cambogia GAMBOGE. A gum-resin obtained 

 from Garcinia Morella. Imported from 



Characters. Cylindrical pieces, breaking easily with a 

 smooth conchoidal glistening fracture ; colour tawny, changing 

 to yellow when it is rubbed with water ; taste acrid. 



Dose. 1 to 4 gr. 



Impurity. Starch; detected by yielding a green colour 

 with iodine. 



Composition. Gamboge contains about 73 per cent, of a 

 resinous substance, yambooic acid. C^IL^O^; 25 per cent, of 

 gum ; and about 2 per cent, of water. Gambogic acid is in- 

 soluble in water, gives the brilliant yellow colour to the gum- 

 resin, and forms salts with bases. It is less active than the 

 gum-resin. 



Preparation. 



Pilula CambogisB Composita. Gamboge, 1 ; Barbadoes Aloes, 

 1 ; Compound Powder of Cinnamon, 1 ; Hard Soap, 2 ; 

 Syrup, q. s. Dose, 5 to 10 gr. 



ACTION AND USES. 

 ' 1. IMMEDIATE LOCAL ACTION AND USES. 



Gamboge is an irritant to the stomach and bowels, causing 

 vomiting in large doses, and in medicinal doses acting as a 

 hydragogue cathartic not unlike colocynth, without being 

 cholagogue. It is seldom prescribed alone, and not often as 

 the compound pill. Such a remedy is indicated in dropsies, 

 cerebral hyperaemia, and as an anthelmintic (not to children) ; 

 but other substances have now almost completely displaced it. 



2. ACTION IN THE BLOOD, SPECIFIC AND REMOTE LOCAL ACTION 

 AND USES. 



Gambogic acid is chiefly thrown out in the liquid faeces ; 

 but part is absorbed, passes through the blood and tissues, and 

 is excreted by the kidneys. These it stimulates, causing an 

 increased flow of yellow-coloured urine. Its diuretic effect may 

 add to its value in dropsy. 



CANELLACEJE. 



Cancllac Albae Cortex GANELLA ALBA BARK. 

 The bark of Canella alba. From the West Indies. 



