294 MATER j A MEDIC A AND THERAPEUTICS. 



2. Infusum Gentianse Compositum. 1 in 80, with Orange and 



Lemon Peel. Dose, 1 to 2 fl.oz. 



3. Mistura Gentianae. 1 in 40, with Bitter-Orange Peel, 



Coriander, "Water, and Proof Spirit. Dose, |- to 1 fl.oz. 



4. Tinctura Gentianse Composita. 1 in 13^, with Bitter- 



Orange Peel, Cardamoms, and Proof Spirit. Dose. 1 to 

 2fl.dr. 



ACTION AND USES. 



Gentian possesses the action of other bitters, as descrihed 

 under Calumbce Radix. The uses made of it correspond. It is, 

 perhaps, the most extensively used and popular of all bitters, 

 because (1) it is agreeable, being very slightly aromatic ; (2) 

 its bitter is not intense, and its astringency but slight; and (3) 

 it is more stimulant to the bowels, and more disinfectant than 

 some bitters. A drawback to its usefulness is the liability of 

 the sugar which it contains to ferment in simple infusions. 



Chirata CHIRETTA. The entire plant, Ophelia 

 chirata. Collected in Northern India. 



Characters. Stems about three feet long, of the thick- 

 ness of a goose-quill, round, smooth, pale brown, branched; 

 branches opposite; flowers small, numerous, panicled; the 

 whole plant intensely bitter. 



Composition. Chiretta contains an active bitter principle, 

 chiratin, combined with ophelic acid, as well as the ordinary 

 constituents of plants. 



Substances resembling Chiretta : Dulcamara, Lobelia, Can- 

 nabis, which have no bitter taste. 



Preparations. 



1. Infusum Chiratse t 1 in 40. Dose, 1 to 2 fl.oz. 



2. Tinctura Chiratss, 1 in 8. Dose, 15 to 60 min. 



ACTION AND USES. 



Chiretta is an aromatic bitter, almost identical in its action 

 and uses with gentian ; but may be given with iron. 



CONVOLVULACE^. 



Scammoniae Radix SCAMMONY ROOT. The 



dried root of Convolvulus scammonia. From Syria 

 and Asia Minor. 



