GENTIAN 553 



Description. — In nearly cylindrical pieces or longitudinal 

 slices, about 25 Mm. thick ; the upper portion closely annu- 

 late ; the lower portion longitudinally wrinkled ; externally 

 deep yellowish-brown ; internally lighter ; somewhat flexible 

 and tough when damp ; rather brittle when dry ; fracture 

 uneven ; the bark rather thick, separated from the somewhat 

 spongy medituUium by a black cambium line ; odor peculiar, 

 faint, more prominent when moistened; taste sweetish and 

 persistently bitter. 



Constituents.— Hhe chief one is gentiopicrin, a bitter 

 crystalline glucoside, soluble in alcohol and water. There is 

 also gentisio acid (Ci,Hi,OJ, combined with gentiopicrin, 

 sugar, gum, and a trace of volatile oil. 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.—K., 5 ss.-i. (15.-30.) ; C, 5 i.-ii. (30.-60.) ; Sh. & Sw., 

 3 i.-ii. (4.-8.) ; D., gr.v.-xxx. (.3-2.). 



PREPARATIONS. 



Extractum Gentianoe. 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. 



Fluidextractum Oentianm. Fluidextract of Gentian. (U. S. P.) 



Made by maceration and percolation with diluted alcohol, and 

 evaporation, so that 1 Cc. = 1 Gm. of the crude drug. 

 Dose. — Same as gentian. 



Tinctura Oentiance Composita. 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. (IT. S, P.) 

 Dose.— H. &C., gi.-iv. (30.-130.); 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 



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