MUSTARD 377 



vapor of any of the substances under consideration is inhaled in proper 

 dilution, a similar expectorant action is attained. Benzoic acid is like- 

 wise excreted by the skin and salivary glands, exciting their functional 

 activity. , 



Uses External. — The compound tincture of benzoin is a valuable 

 stimulant and antiseptic application for wounds, sores and ulcers. It is 

 often applied to the part on gauze or lint, followed by bandaging. There 

 is no better agent for treating cuts and abrasions that do not require 

 bandaging when painted on the part with a brush several times daily. 



Uses Internal, — Benzoic acid is sometimes given in powder, pill, or 

 ball, as an intestinal antiseptic, and as a remedy for rheumatism. It is 

 inferior to salicylic acid in the latter disorder. The benzoates are said to 

 be equally efficient as antiseptics and have been highly recommended in 

 diarrhea and dysentery. 



Benzoin, in the form of the tincture, and the benzoates, are service- 

 able in laryngitis, tracheitis, and bronchitis, to promote secretion and 

 antisepsis. An inhalation of the tincture (3ii-0i hot water) is also very 

 serviceable in these diseases for the same purposes. 



The benzoates are of value in pyelitis and cystitis, particularly in 

 carnivora with a normal acid urine, to acidify and disinfect the decom- 

 posing urine and stimulate the tract. They should be given with hexa- 

 methylenamine in these disorders as this drug acts most favorably in an 

 acid urine. 



SisTAPis Alba. White Mustard. (U. S. P.) 



Synonym. — Sinapis albae semina, B. P.; semen erucse, P. G.; yellow mustard 

 seed, E. ; moutarde blanche, Fr. ; weisser senf, G. 



The seed of Sinapis alba (LinnS), (Fam. Cruciferae). 



Habitat. — Southern Europe and Asia; cultivated in temperate climates. 



Description. — Sub-globular, from 1.5 to 2.5 mm. in diameter; testa yellowish, 

 nearly smooth; embryo yellowish, oily with 2 cotyledons; inodorous, taste mildly 

 pungent, acrid. The powder is light yellowish or pale brownish-yellow, develop- 

 ing a slight odor when moistened. 



Constituents. — 1, a glucoside, sinalbin (CsoH^NjSjOic), and a ferment, myro- 

 sin, 10-16 per cent. The latter converts the former, in the presence of water, 

 into the active principle of the drug, acrinyl sulphocyanide (CiHjONCS), a very 

 acrid, volatile body, sinapine sulphate (CioHjjNObHzSOi), and glucose; 2, a bland, 

 fixed oil, 25 per cent. ; 3, gum, 20 per cent. 



Dose.—H., §ss, (15); C, gss-i, (15-30); Sh. & .Sw., 3i-ii, (4-8); D., gr.x-xv, 

 (.6-1). 



Sinapis Nigka. Black Mustard. (U. S. P.) 



Synonym. — Sinapis nigrae semina, B. P. ; semen sinapis, P. G.; moutarde noire 

 (Grise), Fr.; schwarzer senf, G. 



The seed of Brassica nigra (Linn6) Koch (Fam. Cruciferae). 



Habitat. — Southern Europe and Asia; cultivated in temperate climates. 



Description. — Ellipsoidal or irregularly sphenoidal, from 1 to 1.6 mm. in 

 diameter; testa deep reddish-brown, sometimes yellowish-brown with a grayish 

 tinge, minutely pitted or reticulate; embryo greenish-yellow or dark yellow, oily , 

 with two large cotyledons; odor, when dry, slight, on moistening very irritating; 

 taste strong, pungent and acrid. The powder is light brown or greenish-brown, 

 on moistening very irritating; taste strongly pungent and acrid. 



Constituents. — 1, a glucoside, sinigrin (or potassium myronate), and a fer- 

 ment, myrosin. In the presence of water the latter converts the former into the 

 acrid, volatile, officialoil of mustard (allyl sulphocyanide, C3H5CNS), acid potas- 



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