QUASSIA 397 



stalsis to a slight extent. The bitters only act as tonics by their local 

 effect in facilitating the digestion and assimilation, and by increasing the 

 appetite. Externally the bitters are mildly antiseptic; while internally 

 they are inimical to intestinal parasites. 



Uses. — Gentian is serviceable in simple loss, of appetite. It is espe- 

 cially indicated in feeble gastric digestion caused by acute disease, over- 

 work, insufficient and poor food, and in that form associated with general 

 debility and anemia. In the latter state, characterized by a pasty 

 tongue, anorexia, rough coat and pallid mucous membranes, which may 

 often be co-existent with the presence of intestinal worms, powdered 

 gentian is most efficient when given to horses on the food three times 

 daily with dried ferrous sulphate. 



Tonic powder for horses or cattle. 



Ferri sulphatis exsiccati §iv. 



Pulveris gentianae Ibi. 



M. 



S. Heaping tablespoonful on feed t. i. d. 



Again, loss of appetite, general weakness, and feeble digestion oc- 

 curring in horses during convalescence from acute diseases, as influenza 

 and pneumonia, are favorably met by a combination of compound tincture 

 of gentian and whisky (1 ounce each), or by diluted hydrochloric acid 

 and the compound tincture. 



Acidi hydrochlorici diluti gi'- 



Tincturae gentianae compositae Oi. 



M. 



S. Two tablespoonfuls in water t. i. d. before 

 feeding. 



The drug is useful in atonic indigestion, or mild chronic gastric or 

 intestinal catarrh of young animals, when conjoined with sodium bicar- 

 bonate, which acts as a peristaltic stimulant (CO2), and solvent of 

 mucus. 



The simple bitters, including gentian, are contra-indicated in any 

 acute inflammation of the digestive tract, since they are mild irritants. 

 Gentian is a valuable bitter for cattle and sheep, but quinine is more 

 commonly given to dogs. 



Quassia. Quassia. (U. S. P.) 



Synonym. — Quassiae lignum, B. P.; quassia wood, bitter wood, bitter ash, E.; 

 quassie, bois amer, Fr. ; quaissienholz, G. 



Habitat. — Jamaica and West Indies. 



Description. — The wood of Picrasma excelsa (Swartz) Planchon, known in 

 commerce as Jamaica quassia, or of Quassia amara Linn6 (Fam. Simarubacew) , 

 known in commerce as Surinam quassia. 



Jamaica Quassia. — Usually in chips, raspings or shavings, occasionally in 

 small cubes or billets; yellowish-white or bright yellow, with a few light gray 

 pieces coarsely grained; fracture tough, fibrous; odor sliglit; taste bitter. 



Surinam Quassia. — The crude drug closely resembles the Jamaica variety; 

 calcium oxalate' crystals in microscopic sections few or entirely absent, thus dis- 

 tinguishing the variety from Jamaica quassia. 



Constituents. — Chiefly, quassiin (CmHuOs), a bitter, neutral principle occur- 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



