356 MATER i A MEDIC A AND THERAPEUTICS. 



From ^Lcetum Scillce are prepared : 



a. Qxymel Scillse. 5 of the Acetum with 8 of Honey. 



Dose, | to 1 fl.dr. 



b. Syrupus Scillgs. 1 of the Acetum with 2 of Sugar. 



Dose, % to 1 fl.dr. 



2. Pilula Scillse Composita. Squill, 1 J ; Ginger, 1 ; Ammonia- 



cum, 1 ; Hard Soap, 1 ; Treacle, 2. Dose, 5 to 10 gr. 



3. Pilula Ipecacuanhas cum Scilla, 1 in 7. Dose, 5 to 10 gr. 



4. Tinctura Scillsa. 1 in 8. Dose, 15 to 30 min. 



ACTION AND USES. 



The action of this important drug so closely resembles 

 that of digitalis, that it is unnecessary to give it in detail. The 

 student is therefore referred to all that is said respecting digi- 

 talis (page 310), and will apply it to squill. Briefly, it produces 

 the same increase of vigour and diminution of frequency of the 

 cardiac action ; the same contraction of the peripheral vessels 

 and rise of pressure, followed by relaxation commencing in the 

 renal arterioles ; and therefore the same kind of diuresis. 



Squill is employed in the same class of cases as digitalis, 

 most frequently in combination with this drug, diuretics being 

 most active when given together. It must not however be 

 given continuously, but with occasional intermissions, when it 

 is more actively diuretic and less irritant to the stomach and 

 kidney. 



Two properties, however, distinguish squill from digitalis, 

 and have to be carefully observed : 



1. Squill is much more irritant to the stomach and in- 

 testines than digitalis, causing vomiting and purging in full 

 doses, and very liable to produce dyspepsia even in medicinal 

 quantities. It is thus a drug which must often be withheld 

 when most clearly indicated, one of the first principles of 

 therapeutics being never to derange the stomach. 



2. Squill is a powerful expectorant. This action is pro- 

 bably a remote local one, the scillain stimulating the bronchial 

 wall during excretion, as it irritates the gastro-intestinal wall 

 during absorption, in this respect resembling ipecacuanha 

 (emetin) and senegin. It is much employed as a stimulant 

 expectorant in bronchitis, when the indication is to increase 

 the local circulation and secretion, and accelerate the removal 

 of the products. It is therefore suitable for chronic cases, 

 especially if the right ventricle be secondarily affected, as it 

 strengthens the heart and promotes diuresis. It is contra-indi- 

 cated in acute bronchitis, in interesting contrast to ipecacuanha 



