586 VEGETABLE DRUGS 



alone and is rarely used in veterinary medicine. Ifc has 

 been recommended in obstinate constipation, indigestion, 

 impaction of the third stomach, and cerebral diseases of 

 cattle, combined with salts. The smaller of the foregoing 

 doses are to be employed, as the amount of the active 

 principle is variable. The gum forms an emulsion when the 

 drug is triturated with water. 



CoLOCYNTHis. Colocynth. (U. S. P.) 



Synonym. — Colocynthidis pulpa, B.P. ; coloquintida, 

 bitter apple, E.; coloquinte, Fr.; koloquinten, G. 



The fruit of Citrullus Colocynthis Schrader (nat. ord, 

 Cucurbitacese), deprived of its rind. 



Habitat. — A vine growing in North and South Africa, 

 South and West Asia, and Japan, etc. 



Description. — From 5 to 10 Cm. in diameter ; globular, 

 white or yellowish-white ; light, spongy, readily breaking 

 into three wedge-shaped pieces, each containing, near the 

 rounded surface, many flat, ovate, brown seeds ; inodorous ; 

 taste intensely bitter. The pulp only should be used ; the 

 seeds separated and rejected. 



Constituents. — 1, the chief purgative principle is colocyn- 

 thin (CseHjjOjj), 1-2 per cent. An amorphous or crystal- 

 line bitter glucoside. Soluble in water and alcohol. There 

 is also (2) an insoluble, resinous body called colocynthitin, 

 or citruUin. 



Dose. — Colocynthin — H., 3 ss.-i. (2.-4.); D., gr.|-i. 

 (.015-.06). 



Colocynth — D., gr.ii.-iii. (.12-.18). 



Elaterinum. Elaterin. C^oHjjOs. (U. S. & B. P.) 



Synonym. — Cucumis asininus, cucumis agrestis, wild or 

 squirting cucumber, E.; concombre sauvage (purgatif d'ane), 

 Fr.; springgurke essels-kiirbis, spritzgurke, G. 



A neutral principle obtained from elaterium, a substance 



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