588 VEGETABLE DKUGS 



Description. — Of horizontal growth, consisting of joints 

 about 5 Mm. thick, but somewhat enlarged at the end, 

 which has a circular scar on the upper side, a tuft of about 

 10, nearly simple, fragile roots on the lower side, and is 

 sometimes branched laterally; smooth or somewhat wrinkled, 

 orange-brown, internally white and mealy, with a circle of 

 small wood bundles ; pith large ; nearly inodorous ; taste 

 sweetish, somewhat bitter and acrid. 



Constituents. — 1, a resin, podophyllin (4-5 per cent.); % 

 a coloring matter, podophyllinic acid. 



PREPARATION. 



Resina Podophylli. Resin of Podophyllum. (U. S. & B. P.) 



Synonym. — Podophyllin. 



Derivation. — Made by maceration and percolation of podophyllum 

 with alcohol; partial evaporation, and precipitation of the resin with 

 diluted hydrochloric acid; washing with water, drying. 



Properties. — An amorphous powder , varying in color from grayish- 

 white to pale greenish-yellow or yellowish-green; having a slight, 

 peculiar odor, and a peculiar, faintly bitter taste. Permanent in the 

 air. Soluble in alcohol and in solutions of potassium and sodium 

 hydrate. 



Constituents. — Chiefly podophyllotoxiu (C23H24O9 -t- 2 H2O), stated 

 to be a mixture of a purgative principle, picropodophyllin, and an 

 inert body, podophyllinic acid, associated with a coloring matter, podo- 

 phylloqueroitin , and other resins. 



Dose.—B.. & C, 3i.-ii. (4.-8.); D., gr.i.-ii. (.06-.13). 

 PilulcB Podophylli, Belladonnm et Capsici. Pills of Podophyllin, 

 Belladonna and Capsicum. (U. S. P.) 

 Dose.—D., 1 pill. 



Action.— PodoTphjllin. is a powerful though slow acting 

 cathartic. Large doses cause purging and vomiting in 

 animals, and lethal quantities occasion gastro-enteritis, 

 colic, super-purgation, with bloody fsecal evacuations, 

 convulsions and death. It acts in the same way whether 

 it is applied externally, injected into the blood, or 

 given internally. Podophyllin must therefore exert 

 its effect after absorption, and about ten hours are 

 required to produce purgation. The action is ex- 

 erted mainly on the duodenum, which is intensely in- 

 flamed and even ulcerated in poisoning. Podophyllin 



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