SCILLA. 355 



ACTION AND USES. 



The physiological action of sarsaparilla is unknown, the 

 diaphoretic and diuretic effects which follow large draughts 

 of its fluid preparations being generally referred to the water 

 alone. It is tolerated in very large doses by the stomach. 

 Smilacin is excreted in the urine. 



Great diversity of opinion exists as to the value of sarsa- 

 parilla therapeutically. Whilst the pharmacological evidence 

 is negative, as we have seen, the clinical evidence is entirely 

 discordant, some authorities considering it an alterative drug of 

 extraordinary value in syphilis, chronic skin-disease, and rheu- 

 matism, others entirely worthless. On the one hand, many 

 cases of these diseases are greatly benefited by careful treat- 

 ment, with rest, good food, baths, and abundance of warm 

 fluids alone; and, on the other hand, sarsaparilla is almost 

 always combined with other drugs, including guaiacum, sassa- 

 fras, mezereon, iodide of potassium, and mercury. If given, 

 it is indicated in old standing cases of syphilis in feeble subjects, 

 who have already suffered from the abuse of mercury or iodine, 

 and the compound decoction should be freely used. 



LILIAO&E. 



Scilla SQTTTTVT.. The sliced and dried bulb of 

 Urginea Scilla. From the Mediterranean coasts. 



Characters. Bulb pear-shaped, weighing from half a pound 

 to ten pounds ; outer scales membranous, brownish-red or white ; 

 inner scales thick, whitish, fleshy, juicy; taste mucilaginous, 

 intensely and disagreeably bitter, somewhat acrid. The dried 

 slices are white or yellowish- white, slightly translucent, scent- 

 less, disagreeably bitter; brittle, and easily pulverisable if 

 very dry, but if exposed readily recovering moisture and 

 flexibility. 



Substance resembling Scilla: Tragacanth, which is more 

 horny. 



Composition. Squill contains, besides the usual constituents 

 of plants, an active bitter glucoside scilla'in. Another substance 

 called Jcillitin is really but an extract of variable strength and 

 properties. 



Dose, in powder. 1 to 3 gr. 



Preparations. 

 1. Acetum SciHa. 1 in 8. Dose, 15 to 40 min. 



