COLOCYNTHIS. ~ 249 



3. Pilula Colocynthidis et Hyoscyami. Made like the com- 

 pound pill with \ its weight of Extract of Hyoscyamus. 

 Lose, 5 to 10 gr. 



ACTION AND USES. 

 1. IMMEDIATE LOCAL ACTION AND USES. 



Colocynth is a powerful gastro-intestinal stimulant or 

 irritant, according to the amount, causing speedy large and 

 watery evacuations of the bowels, attended by griping and 

 general depression unless its effect be covered by a carminative. 

 It is one of the most powerful of officinal purgatives, acting as 

 a hydragogue cathartic at once upon the muscular coat and 

 intestinal glands and liver, the secretions of which are rendered 

 abundant and watery. 



Colocynth is always used in combination with milder 

 purgatives and carminatives. The compound pills are exten- 

 sively employed alone, or with calomel or blue pill, as an 

 occasional purgative, to produce free evacuation of the bowels, 

 and relieve the portal system, after free living, bilious derange- 

 ment, or chronic constipation. It is less suitable as a habitual 

 purgative. Its hydragogue effect is employed in cerebral 

 congestion, where rapid " derivation " is required, and in 

 dropsies, especially ascites, either alone or as the basis of a pill 

 containing elaterium. Colocynth must be given with caution in 

 pregnancy, and entirely avoided in delicate or irritable condi- 

 tions of the stomach and bowels. 



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



Colocynthin may be taken up by the skin, enters the blood, 

 and is excreted partly by the kidneys, being, according to some, 

 a diuretic. 



Ecbalii Fructus SQUIRTING CUCUMBER FRUIT. 



The fruit, very nearly ripe, of the Squirting Cucum- 

 ber, Ecbalium Officinal-urn. 



Composition. Elaterium contains an active neutral prin- 

 ciple, elaterin, C2oH 28 O 5 , occurring in small colourless silky 

 prisms, odourless, with an intensely bitter acrid taste ; insoluble 

 in water, soluble in spirit. 



Preparation. 

 Elaterium. A sediment from the juice of Ecbalium Offici- 



