Cusso. .241 



Composition. The prune contains sugar, malic acid, and a 

 purgative principle. 



Prune is contained in Confectio Sennae, 1 in 12. 



ACTION AND USES. 



The prune is nutritive, demulcent, and slightly laxative, 

 It may be ordered as an article of diet in habitual constipation. 



L.aurocerasi Folia OTTF.RP.V-TMTTRTCT. LEAVES. 

 The fresh leaves of Primus Laurocerasus. The 

 Common or Cherry Laurel. 



Characters. Ovate-lanceolate or elliptical, distantly toothed, 

 furnished with glands at the base, smooth and shining, deep 

 green, on strong short footstalks ; emitting a ratafia odour when 

 bruised. 



Composition. Cherry laurel leaves yield by distillation a 

 variable amount of hydrocyanic etc id, and a volatile oil, by a pro- 

 cess of decomposition resembling that just described in the 

 bitter almond. Neither emulsin nor ordinary amygdalin have, 

 however, been demonstrated in the leaves, but a resinoid body, 

 which yields with emulsin hydrocyanic acid, and is called 

 " amorphous ami/adalin." 



Preparation. 



Aqua Laurocerasi. 1 in 1 \ by distillation. Incompatibles, 

 metallic salts. Dose, 5 to 30 min. 



ACTION AND USES. 



Cherry-laurel water possesses the action of hydrocyanic 

 acid, and is also a flavouring agent. The strength of the drug 

 in this very powerful substance is so uncertain that its use 

 ought to be avoided. See Acidum Hydrocyanicum Dilutum. 



Cusso Kousso. The flowers and tops of Brayera 

 anthelmintica. Collected in Abyssinia. 



Characters. Flowers small, reddish brown, on hairy stalks, 

 outer limb of calyx five-parted, the segments oblong or oblong- 

 lanceolate, reticulated, with a fragrant odour and a disagreeable 

 acrid taste. 



Composition. Kousso contains a volatile oil, tannic acid, gum, 

 Q 8 



