418 VEGETABLE DRUGS 



phyllin must therefore exert its effect after absorption, during excretion 

 from the bowel, and about ten hours are required to produce purgation. 

 The action is exerted mainly on the duodenum, which is intensely inflamed 

 and even ulcerated in poisoning. Podophyllin owes its activity partly to 

 the presence of bile, which seems to be a solvent for it. It is probable 

 that the intestinal secretions are somewhat augmented. The fecal move- 

 ments, after medicinal doses of podophyllin, are liquid, often stained witli 

 bile, and may be accompanied by some nausea and griping. Since 

 podophyllin is an uncertain purgative, affecting different patients un- 

 equally, it should be combined with other agents when a purgative action 

 is desired; preferably calomel and aloes. The time required for the 

 action of these drugs is nearly the same as that necessary for podophyllin. 

 Podophyllin is often regarded as essentially a cholagogue, but there is no 

 sufficient evidence to warrant this assumption. 



Laxative pill for dogs. 



Resinas podophylli gr.i. 



Hydrargyri chloridi mitis gr.x. 



Aloini griii. 



M. et fiant pilulae No. x. 

 S. One pill at night. 



Administration. — Podophyllin should be given to dogs in pills; to 

 horses in ball with calomel and aloes, if purgation is desired ; or dissolved 

 in liquor potass* and diluted with water. 



Uses. — Podophyllin, clinically, appears to be particularly useful in 

 chronic constipation associated with j aundiee and hepatic disorders. The 

 result of its action is said to be more favorable when the fecal discharges 

 are dark colored, whereas calomel is more successful if the evacuations 

 are of a light hue. 



SECTION XII.— TANNIC ACID, AND DRUGS CONTAINING IT. 



Galla. Nutgall. (U. S. & B. P.) 



Si/»oji2/m.— Galls, E.; galliE, P. G.; noix de galle, galle de chSne, Fr.; gallap- 

 fel, G. 



Excrescences on the young twigs of Quercus infectoria Olivier and other 

 allied species of Quercus (Fam. Fagacew), induced by the punctures on the leaf- 

 buds and by the deposited ova of Cynips tinctoria Hartig (Order Hymenopteras) . 

 Not more than 5 per cent, of galls float in water. 



Habitat. — Levant. 



Descripijom.— Nearly globular, from 0.8 to 2.2 cm. in diameter; externally 

 blackish-olive-green or blackish-gray; heavy, sinking in water, excepting the 

 smaller galls; internally grayish or dark brown, consisting of a. central portion 

 slightly radiating and resinous, occasionally hollow and traversed by a narrow 

 radial canal extending to the exterior as shown by the perforation in the whole 

 gall; odor slight; taste strongly astringent. 



Constituents.— I, (gallo) tannic acid, 60 per cent.; 2, gallic acid, 2-3 per cent • 

 8, sugar; 4, resin. *^ ' 



PREPARATIOlfS. 



Unguentum Gallce. Nutgall Ointment. (U S & B PI 

 Nutgall, 20; Ointment, 80. (U, S. P.) 



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