GLYCYRRHIZA 429 



throat, and in not interfering with digestion. When injected into the 

 rectum in quantities of 5iv-vi for horses, or §ss-i for dogs, it often 

 causes prompt evacuation of the lower bowel. The suppositories may be 

 employed in canine practice. 



Glycyrbhiza. Glycyrrhiza. 



Synonym. — Glycyrrhizae radix, B. P.; radix liquiritiae, P. G.; liquorice or 

 licorice root, E.; rSglisse, bois de rggllsse, boix doux, raclne douce, Fr. ; siiss- 

 holz, G. 



The dried rhizome and roots of Glycyrrhiza glabra typica Regel et Herder, 

 known in commerce as Spanish licorice, or of Glycyrrhiza glabra glandulifera 

 Regel et Herder, known in commerce as Russian licorice (Fam. Leguminosce). 



Habitat. — S. Europe and W. Asia; cultivated. 



•Description. — Spanish Licorice (also known as Italian, Levant, Persian, Turk- 

 ish, or Arabian Licorice). — Nearly cylindrical, upper portion more or less knotty; 

 usually in pieces from 14 to 20 cm. or more in length and from 5 to 20 mm. in 

 thickness; externally yellowish-brown or dark brown, longitudinally wrinkled; 

 internally lemon-yellow; odor distinctive; taste sweetish and slightly acrid. 



Russian Licorice. — Nearly cylindrical, somewhat tapering, sometimes split 

 longitudinally, from 15 to 80 cm. in length and from 1 to 5 cm. in diameter; when 

 deprived of the outer corky layer, it is externally pale-yellow; internally lemon- 

 yellow; odor distinct; taste sweetish. 



Powdered glycyrrhiza is pale brownish-yellow (Spanish licorice) or pale yel- 

 low (Russian licorice). 



Constituents. — 1, a yellow, sweet, amorphous glucoside, glycyrrhizin 

 (CmHssOo), about 6 per cent., which with acids yields a bitter substance, glycyr- 

 rhetin, and glucose; 2, glycyramin; 3, asparagin, about 3 per cent.; 4, an acrid 

 resin; 5, starch; 6, glucose. 



PREPARATIONS. 



Flmdextractum Glycyrrhizce. Fluidextract of Glycyrrhiza. (U. S. P.) 

 Made by maceration and percolation with chloroform water, and evaporation, 

 with addition of alcohol and water, so that 1 rail^l Gm. of the crude drug. Dose 

 of the root or fluidextract is unimportant. 



Extractum Glycyrrhizce Liquidum. (B. P.) 

 Dose unimportant. 



Pulvis Glycyrrhizce Compositus. (U. S. P.) (See p. 411.) 



Action and Uses. — Licorice is demulcent and slightly laxative, The 

 powdered root is employed as an excipient in making electuaries, since it 

 is soothing to the throat. It is alsoi used as an excipient in the prepara- 

 tion of balls, and more or less successfully conceals, in the form of the 

 fluidextract, the taste of aloes, cascara sagrada, ammonium chloride, tur- 

 pentine, hyoscyamus and quinine sulphate. 



LiNUM. Linseed. (U. S. & B. P.) 



Synonym. — Flaxseed, E.; semence de lin, Fr. ; leinsamen, flachssaraen, G. ; 

 semen lini, P. G. 



The ripe seed of Linum usitatissimum Linng (Fara. Linacese). 



Habitat.— Most temperate climates. 



Description.-^-Ovate or oblong-lanceolate, flattened, 3 or 5 mm. long, obliquely 

 pointed at one end; externally chestnut-brown, very smooth and glossy, covered 

 with transparent, mucilaginous outer wall which swells in water; odor slight; 

 taste mucilaginous, oily. 



Ground linseed (linseed meal or flaxseed meal) should be recently prepared 

 and free from unpleasant or rancid odor. It is a grayish-yellow powder con- 

 taining brownish fragments. 



Constituents.— 1, linseed oil, 30 to 35 per cent, in the embryo; 2, gum, 15 per 

 cent, in the epidermis; 3, proteids, 25 per cent.; 4, a trace of amygdalin. 



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