COLOCYNTH — SCAMMONY 251 



States and Canada. Its active principles are two glucosides, 

 podopliyllotoxin and picropodophyllin. These are not present as 

 such in the fresh root but develop on drying. The root is best after 

 two years' drying. Podophyllin is the trade name for the resin. 

 Preparations and Doses. 



Podophyllum. H, 3j — ijss; 5 — 10. D. gr. jss — iv; 0.1 — 



0.25. 

 Fluidextractum Podophylli. Same as powdered root. 

 Besina Podophylli (Podophyllin). D. gr. %2 — ^j;0.1 — 



0.25. 



Podophyllum or its resin is a constituent of several pills. 



Podophyllum is an energetic, slow acting, irritant cathartic. Its 

 action is attended with considerable pain and griping. It was for- 

 merly believed and is still believed by some authorities to directly 

 stimulate the secretion of bile, but this is doubtful. 



Therapeutics. It is often preferred to the other hydragogues 

 and is especially useful in habitual constipation associated with tor- 

 pidity of the liver. If combined with other purgatives, only those 

 of slow action should be chosen, such as aloes, calomel, etc. Anti- 

 spasmodics, such as belladonna, should be added to prevent griping. 

 It is uncertain in action upon horses and cattle. 



B Aloini gr. % 



Cascarini gr. % 



Podophyllini gr. % 



Ext. Belladonnse gr. % 



Laxative pill for dog. 



COLOCYNTHIS 



Synonyms. Colocynth, Bitter Apple, Colocynth Pulp 



Parts used are the seeds of Citrullus Colocynthis deprived of 

 their rind. Indigenous to arid parts of Asia, Africa, and Southern 

 Europe. 



Extractum Colocynthidis. Swine, gr. ss — ij ; 0.3 ; 0.13. 



D. gr. Ys—Vi ; 0.01—0.03. 

 Extractum, Colocynthidis Compositum. Swine, gr. iv — xv; 



0.25—1. D. gr. j— viij ; 0.065—0.5. 



SCAMMONIAE RADIX 



Synonym. Scammony Root 



This is the dried root of Convolvulus Scammonia, a perennial 

 herb growing in Western Asia. Its active principle is scannnonin, 

 a resin. 

 ! I The above two drugs are drastic purgatives. Colocynth is said 



