386 VEGETABLE DRUGS 



Anisum. Anise. (U. S. P.) 



Synonym.— Anisi fructus, B. P.; anisvert, Fr.; anis, G. 



The dried, ripe fruit of Pimpinella Anisum Linng (Fam. Umbelliferae) . 



^abiia*.— Southeastern Europe, Egypt, Western Asia; also cultivated. 



Description. — Cremocarp ovoid or pyriform, laterally compressed, from 8 to 

 (i mm. in length and from 2 to 3 mm. in breadth; externally grayish, greenisli- 

 gray, seldom grayish-brown. Odor and taste agreeable and aromatic. The powder 

 is yellowish-brown. 



No mouse-like odor should be developed when solution of potassium hydrox- 

 ide is poured upon anise (absence of Comium maculatwm). 



Constituents. — Oil of anise. 



Dose.— H. & C, §i-ii, (30-60); Sh. & Sw., 5ii-iii, (8-12); D., gr.x-xxx, (.6-2). 

 Oleum Anisi. Oil of Anise. (U. S. & B. P.) 



A volatile oil distilled from anise or from the fruit of star anise (Illicium 

 verum). 



Properties. — A colorless or pale yellow, strongly refractive liquid, having the 

 characteristic odor and taste of anise. Spec. gr. about 0.978 to 0.988. Soluble 

 in 8 volumes of 90 per cent, alcohol. 



Dose.—H., lUxx-xxx, (1.3-2); D., Tlii-v, (.06-.3). 



PREPARATIONS. 



Aqua Anisi. Anise Water. (U. S. & B. P.) 

 Oil of anise, 2; purified talc, 15; water to make 1000. (U. S. P.) Used as 

 vehicle. 



Spiritus Anisi. Spirit of Anise. (U. S. & B. P.) 

 Oil of anise, 100; alcohol, 900. (U. S. P.) 

 Dose.—D., 3i-ii, (4-8). 



Actions and Uses of Anise. 



Oil of anise resembles in action the other volatile oils. It is em- 

 ployed with olive oil or alcohol (1-10) to kill fleas or lice on dogs, rubbed 

 over the skin ; and one drop of the pure oil may be placed on the feathers 

 of fowl to cause destruction of lice. The oil is sometimes prescribed to 

 disguise the taste or odor of drugs (see potassa sulphurata), and is or- 

 (dered in cough mixtures for its expectorant properties. 



Anise fruit is given to horses and ruminants on their food — fre- 

 quently with sodium bicarbonate and ginger — to relieve mild forms of 

 indigestion and flatulence through its stomachic and carminative action. 



Cardamomi Semest. Cardamom Seed. (U. S. P.) 



Synonym. — Cardamomi semina, B. P.; fructus (vel semen) cardamomi 

 (minoris), P. G.; cardamomes, Fr. ; cardamomen, kleine kardamomen, G. 



The dried seeds of Elettaria Cardamomum (White et Maton), (Fam. Zingi- 

 beraceae). 



Habitat. — Malabar. 



Description. — Mostly agglutinated in groups of from 2 to 7, the individual 

 seeds, oblong-ovoid in outline, 3- or irregularly 4-sided, convex on the dorsal sur- 

 face, strongly longitudinally grooved on one side, from 3 to 4 mm. in length; odor 

 aromatic; taste aromatic, pungent. The powder is greenish-brown. The seeds 

 are active; the pericarp has no medicinal virtue. 



Constituents. — 1, a volatile oil, which contains a terpene (C,oH,a) known a.s 

 terpinene; 2, a fixed oil, 10-11 per cent. 



Dose. — Same as that of anise. 



A tinctura and tinctura cardamomi composita are official. They serve as 

 coloring (red) and flavoring agents, and may be employed as vehicles in doses of 

 one to two drams, in canine practice. The dose of the fluidextract is the same as 

 tliat of the drug. 



Coriandrum. Coriander. (U. S. P.) 



Synonym. — Coriandri fructus, B. P.; coriander fruit, E.; coriandre, Fr.; kori- 

 iinder, G. ; fructus coriandri, P. G. 



The dried, ripe fruit of Coriandum sativum Linn6 (Fam. Umbellif erae) . 



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