SABINA. 351 



cated appressed leaves in four rows ; odour strong, peculiar, 

 and unpleasant ; taste acrid, bitter, resinous, and disagree- 

 able. 



Composition. Savin contains the officinal volatile oil y 

 isomeric with turpentine, Ci H l6 , colourless or pale yellow, 

 limpid, with an unpleasant odour and bitter acrid taste. 



Preparations. 

 Dose, in powder. 4 to 10 gr. 



1. Oleum Sabinse. Distilled in Britain from fresh savin. 



Dose, 1 to 5 min. 



2. Tinctura Sabinga. 1 of dried tops in 8. Dose, 15 to 30 min. 



3. Unguentum Sabjna^, 1 of fresh tops in 3|. 



ACTION AND USES. 

 1. IMMEDIATE LOCAL ACTION AND USES. 



Externally. The action of savin closely resembles that of 

 oil of turpentine, but it is more irritant, causing vesication 

 of the unbroken skin, and a profuse flow of pus from a 

 wounded surface. It was formerly used to promote the dis- 

 charge from blisters or issues, a practice now seldom resorted 

 to. It rapidly dispels small venereal warts or condylomata. 



Internally. Savin is a powerful gastro-intestinal irritant, 

 to be avoided, or only used with great caution. 



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

 AND USES. 



Oil of savin is absorbed, carried through the organs, and 

 excreted like oil of turpentine. It thus acts as a remote local 

 irritant to the kidneys and mucous membranes, especially 

 those of the genital part, causing hypersemia of the ovaries 

 and uterus, increased menstrual activity, and contraction of 

 the pregnant uterus. It has been used as an emmenagogue, 

 but requires the exercise of great care. More frequently it is 

 given as an ecbolic for criminal purposes, and then often proves 

 fatal as a gastro-intestinal irritant. 



ZINGIBERACE^:. 



Z in giber GINGER. The scraped and dried rhi- 

 zome of Zingiber officinale. From plants cultivated 

 in the West Indies, India, and other countries. 



Characters. Irregular lobed decorticated pieces, three or 

 four inches long, subcompressed, yellowish-white but not 



