396 VEGETABLE DRUGS 



Hall and Foster found thymol much less efficient than cliloroform 

 (TTl,iii per 2.2 lb. live-weight) in castor oil (§i to ii) for ridding dogs of 

 hookworm. Thymol in capsule (.13 per Kg.-gr.ii per 2.2 lb. weight) was 

 more successful against whipworms and still more successful against 

 ascarids. 



SECTION X.— VEGETABLE BITTERS. 



Gentiana. Gentian. (U. S. P.) 



Synonym.— Gentianie radix, B. P.; radix gentianae rubr« (vel lutae vel 

 majoris), gentian root, E.; radix gentianae, P. G.; racine de gentiane (de gen- 

 tiane jaune), Fr.; enzianwurzel, bitterwurzel, rother (gelber) enzian, Q. 



The dried rhizome and roots of Gentiana lutea Linng (Fam. Gentianeae). 



Habitat. — The yellow gentian is indigenous in the Alps and mountains of 

 southern and central Europe. 



Description. — In nearly cylindrical pieces sometimes branching, of variable 

 length and from 5 to 85 mm. thick; externally yellowish-brown, the rhizome 

 annulate, the roots longitudinally wrinkled; the powder is light brown or yellow- 

 ish-brown; odor strong, characteristic; taste slightly sweetish, then strongly and 

 persistently bitter. 



Constituents. — The chief one is (1) gentiopicrin (may be split into genti- 

 genin and glucose), a bitter crystalline glucoside, soluble in alcohol and water. 

 There is also (2) gentisic acid (CuHioOs), combined with gentiopicrin and gum, 

 and (3) a trace of volatile oil; (4) gentianose, a sugar. Contains no tannin. 



Incompatibles. — Iron in solution forms a black compound with the coloring 

 matter In gentian. Silver nitrate and lead salts are incompatible with gentian. 



Dose.—n., Sss-i, (15-30); C, gi-ii, (30-60); Sh. & Sw., 3i-ii, (4-8); D., 

 gr.v-xxx, (.3-2). 



PREPARATIOlfS. 



Extractum Oentiance. Extract of Gentian. (U. S. & B. P.) 



Made by maceration and percolation with water, and evaporation to a pilular' 

 consistence. 



Dose. — About one-third that of gentian. 



Pluidextractum Gentianw. Fluidextract of Gentian. (U. S. P.) 



Made by maceration and percolation with diluted alcohol, and evaporation, so 

 that 1 mil=l Gm. of the crude drug. 



Dose. — Same as gentian. 

 Tinctura Oentiance Composila. Compound Tincture of Gentian. (U. S. & B. P.) 



Gentian, 100; bitter orange peel, 40; cardamon, 10; made by maceration and 

 percolation with alcohol and water, to 1000. (U. S. P.) 



Dose.— a. & C, gi-iv, (80-120) ; D., 3i-iv, (4-15). 



Administration. — Gentian is usually given to horses, cattle and sheep 

 in powder, or to the former in the form of the compound tincture. The 

 extract is suitable for dogs when exhibited in pills. Gentian is often 

 employed as an excipient in the preparation of balls. 



Action. — The simple bitters, as gentian, are chiefly used to improve 

 the appetite. They locally stimulate the taste buds of the tongue but 

 not when given in pill or capsule. They are stomachics indirectly by 

 exciting the first secretion of gastric juice, or "appetite juice" of Paw- 

 low, who found that appetite, or the sight or smell of food, reflexly 

 started the secretion of gastric juice in dogs. Bitters should be given 

 just before (10 to 20 minutes) eating. They may lessen normal appetite 

 or cause nausea in irritable stomach. Bitters reflexly cause dilation of 

 the blood vessels in the stomach, and increase salivary as well as gastric 

 secretions. Furthermore, the bitters excite gastric and intestinal peri- 



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