383 VEGETABLE DRUGS 



antiseptic action. In human medicine, eucalyptus and its derivatives are 

 mainly of worth as substitutes for quinine in malaria, when the latter 

 drug is inadmissible. Eucalyptol may he given as a stomachic and car- 

 minative in digestive disorders with fouUsmelling fecal evacuations. 



Myerha. Myrrh. (U. S. «e B. P.) 



Synonym. — Myrrhe, F., G. 



A gum-resin obtained from one or more species of Commiphora (Fam. Bur- 

 seraceas). 



Habitat. — Eastern Africa and Southwestern Arabia, along the borders of 

 (he Red Sea. 



Descripiion.^-ln roundish or irregular tears or masses; brownish-yellow or 

 reddish-brown, and covered with brownish yellow dust; fracture waxy, somewhat 

 splintery; translucent on the edges, sometimes marked with nearly white lines; 

 odor balsamic; taste aromatic, bitter and acrid. When triturated with water, 

 myrrh yields a brownish-yellow emulsion; it is soluble in alcohol. 



Consiiiuencs. — 1, an active resinous principle, myrrhin (C^HajOio), 23 per 

 cent; 2, myrrhol (Ci„H,iO), a volatile oil 2-4 per cent.; 3, arabin, a gum, 50 to 

 60 per cent.: 4, a bitter substance. 



Dose.—k. & C, 5ii-iv, (8-15); Sh. & Sw.. 5ss-i, (2-4); D., gr.v-xxx, (..3-2). 



PREPAHATIOlfS. 



Tinduro Myrrhrn. Tincture of Myrrh. (U. S. & B. P.) 

 Made by maceration of myrrh, 200, with alcohol, and filtration to make 1000. 

 (U. S. P.) 



Dose.—H. & C, gi-ii, (30-60) ; Sh. & Sw., 3iii-vi, (12-24) ; D., .5ss-i, (2-4). 

 Tinciura Aloes ei Myrrhce. Tincture of Aloes and Myrrh. (U. S. P. 1905). 

 Made by maceration and percolation of myrrh, 100; purified aloes, 100; 

 glycyrrhiza, 100; with alcohol and water to make 1000. (U. S. P.) 



Cose.— H. & C, 3ii-iv, (60-120); Sh. & Sw., gss-i, (15-30); D., .")i-ii, (4-8). 



PilulCB Aloes. (U. S. P.) 

 Dose. — D., 2 pills (2 grains each.) 



Action and Uses. — Myrrh, externally, is a mild stimulant and anti- 

 septic by virtue of its resiu and volatile oil. It is a stomachic and carmin- 

 ative internally, exciting the appetite and increasing the secretion, 

 motion aud blood supply of the stomach and bowels. !Myrrh is eliminated 

 by the mucous membranes of the bronchial and genito-urinary tracts, and 

 stimulates and disinlectbi these parts during its excretion. The drug is 

 occasionally prescribed as a stimulating expectorant in chronic bronchitis ; 

 as a stimulant and antiseptic in chronic cystitis; also as a uterine stimu- 

 lant and emmenagogue in ammenorrhea, and in chronic leukorrhea. 



Myrrh is thought to prove beneficial in anemia, when combined 

 with iron. It assists the action of purgatives, and myrrh may be exhib- 

 ited as a laxative in the form of the tincture of aloes and myrrh. The 

 tincture forms a serviceable mouth-wash in aqueous emulsion (1-16), and 

 is sometimes employed as a stimulant and antiseptic on wounds, sores 

 and ulcers, diluted with 4 to 8 parts of water. Myrrh is administered in 

 tincture, ball or pill. 



Class 2. — Used Mainly for Their Stomachic and Carminative Action 

 Upon the Digestive Tract. 



Capsicum. Capsicum. (U. S. P.) 

 Synonym. — Capsici fructus, B. P.; cayenne pepper, African or pod pepper, 

 E.; capcique, piment des jardins, pigment rouge, poivre de cayenne, Fr.; Span- 

 isher pfeffer, G. Called commonly "red pepper," when dried and powdered. 



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