384 VEGETABLE DRUGS 



PREPARATION. 



Fluidextractum Zingiberis. Fluidextract of Ginger. (U. S. P.) 

 Made by maceration and percolation with alcoliol, and evaporation, so that 

 1 mil^l Gm. of the crude drug. 

 Dose. — Same as that of ginger. 



Oleoreaina Zingiberis. (U. S. P.) 

 Dose.—n., gr.xxx-3iss, (2-6); D., gr.i-v, (.06-.3). 



Action and Uses. — Ginger is chiefly administered in powder as a 

 stomachic and carminative in atonic indigestion of horses and ruminants. 

 It is frequently combined with sodium bicarbonate and bitters. Ginger 

 also aids the action of purgatives and prevents griping. The powder or 

 fluidextract should be added to magnesium sulphate when it is given in 

 full purgative doses to cattle or sheep. (See magnesium and sodium sul- 

 phate.) 



Mentha Piperita. Peppermint. (U. S. P.) 



Synonym. — Folia (herba) menthae piperitae, P. G.; menthe poivrge, Fr.; 

 pfefferminze blatter, G. 



The dried leaves and flowering tops of Mentha piperita Linng (Fam. 

 Labiatae). 



Habitat. — Indigenous in North America, Europe and Asia. 



Description. — Leaves more or less crumpled and frequently detached from the 

 stems; ovate-oblong to oblong-lanceolate, light green to purplish-brown, 1 to 9 

 cm. in length. Odor aromatic, characteristic; taste aromatic, pungent, followed 

 by a cooling sensation in the mouth. 



Constituents.— 1, a volatile oil (1 per cent.) ; 2, menthol. 



Oleum MENTHiE Piperita. Oil of Peppermint. (U. S. & B. P.) 



Synonym. — Essence de menthe poivrSe, Fr.; pfefferminzol, G. 



Properties.— A volatile oil distilled from the flowering plant of mentha 

 piperita, rectified by steam distillation, and yielding not less than 5 per cent, 

 of esters, calculated as menthyl acetate, and not less than 50 per cent, of total 

 menthol (free and as ester). A colorless liquid, having a strong odor of pepper- 

 mmt, and a pungent taste, followed by a sensation of cold when air is drawn 

 into the mouth. Spec. gr. 0.896 to 0.908. 



It forms a clear solution with an equal volume of alcohol, but becomes tur- 

 bid when somewhat further diluted. 



Constituents.— \, menthol (60-65 per cent.) ; 2, menthene, doHis, a liquid ter- 

 pene obtained by distillation. 



Dose.—n. & C, ni,xv-xxx, (1-2); D., Tl^i-v, (.06-.3). 



preparations. 

 Spiritus Menthw Piperitw. Spirit of Peppermint. (U. S. & B. P.) 

 iSfi^Ttomt/m.— Essence de menthe poivree, Fr.; Englisch pfefferminzessenz, G.; 

 spiritus menthae piperitae anglicus, P. G. 



Oil of peppermint, 100; peppermint, 10; alcohol to make 1000. Made by 

 maceration and filtration. (U. S. P.) 



Dose.—H. & C, 3ii-iv, (8-16); D., TTlxv-xxx, (1-2). 



Aqua Menthw Piperitw. Peppermint Water. (U. S. & B. P.) 

 Oil of peppermint, 2; purified talc, 15; water to make 1000. Made by tritu- 

 ration and filtration. (U. S. P.) 



Dose. — Used as vehicle in canine practice. 



Menthol. Menthol. Ci„H„OH. (U. S. & B. P.) 

 Synonym.— Mint or peppermint-camphor. 



A secondary alcohol obtained from the oil of peppermint or other mint oils. 

 Derivation.— Made from the oil of peppermint by fractional distillation; freez- 

 ing of the higher boiling point product, and crystallization. 



Properties.— ColoTless, acicular or prismatic crystals, having a strong odor 

 and taste of peppermint; when tasted it produces a sensation of warmth fol- 

 lowed by a sensation of cold when air is drawn in the mouth. Slightly so'luble 



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