378 VEGETABLE DRUGS 



slum sulphate, and glucose ; 2, a fixed, bland oil, similar to that in white mustard ; 

 3, gum. 



Dose. — Same as white mustard. 



Commercial form of mustard is a mixture of black and white mustard, and 

 constitutes sinapis (B. P.). 



PHEPABATION. 



Oleum Sinapis Volatile. Volatile Oil of Mustard. (U. S. & B. P.) 



Synonym. — AUyl sulphccyanide (CsHbCNS), allyl-iso-thiocynate, oleum sinapis 

 sethereum, E.; essence de moutarde, Fr. ; aetherisches senfol, G. 



Derivation. — A volatile oil produced synthetically or obtained from black 

 mustard by maceration with water and subsequent distillation. 



Properties. — A colorless or pale yellow, limpid and strongly refractive liquid, 

 having' a very pungent and irritating odor and acrid taste. Freely soluble in 

 alcohol, ether, or carbon disulphide, the solutions being neutral to litmus paper. 

 Spec. gr. 1.013 to 1.020. 



Pkepaeation. — Linimentum Sinapis (B. P.); volatile oil of mustard, camphor 

 and castor oil. 



Action External. — Mustard quickly dilates the vessels of the skin 

 and causes hyperemia. If its application is frequently repeated^ there is 

 so much vascular irritation that transudation of serum occurs under the 

 epidermis, and blisters or even pustules are formed. Mustard induces a 

 sensation of burning in man, but is not so irritating as oil of turpentine 

 to horses, and the primary irritation is followed by partial anesthesia. 

 It is one of the most useful counter-irritants, and by this action contracts 

 vessels in the underlying parts, and relieves pain and congestion. 



In rapidly stimulating the skin, mustard reflexly excites the nervous 

 system, respiratory functions and heart. Mustard is therefore a rubefa- 

 cient, vesicant, and counter-irritant externally. 



Action Internal. — Mustard stimulates gastric vascularity, secretion 

 and motion, and promotes the appetite in small doses. Large doses occa- 

 sion vomiting in animals capable of the act. Intestinal 'peristalsis and 

 secretion are probably likewise augmented by mustard. It is thus a 

 stomachic, carminative and emetic internally, but is rarely administered 

 save as an emetic because of its pungency and the difficulty attending its 

 exhibition. Mustard is absorbed to some extent, but we are ignorant 

 concerning its ultimate fate or remote action. It is said to be a diuretic. 



Uses External. — Mustard is an extremely valuable counter-irritant 

 for relieving pain or congestion in almost any internal part. It is more 

 commonly employed in the acute respiratory disorders of the domestic 

 animals, as in laryngitis, bronchitis, congestion of the lungs, pleurisy, 

 pneumonia, to stop incessant cough, and after exposure to severe cold; 

 and the flour of mustard, with an equal amount of wheat flour, is used in 

 a very thin paste made with warm water and applied with friction to the 

 skin. Boiling water should not be mixed with mustard, nor vinegar, nor 

 alcohol, as they interfere with its action. The volatile oil of mustard is 

 a cleanly and convenient substitute for the crude drug. A small quantity, 

 diluted with olive oil, or cottonseed oil (1-15), may be rubbed into either 

 ■ side of the chest in bronchitis, pleurisy, and other chest disorders, as a 

 counter-irritant. 



After the application of mustard, the part may be bandaged, or hot 

 blankets may be placed over the body and the treatment reinforced by 

 the use of mustard on the limbs and bandaging. If mustard is employed 



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