GLYCEBIN 607 



insoluble in ether, chloroform, carbon disulphide, benzin, 

 benzol, and fixed and volatile oils. Eeaction neutral. Glyc- 

 erin is a solvent for alkaloids, digestive ferments, fixed 

 alkalies, bromine, iodine, tannin, extracts, salicin, borax, 

 boric acid, carbolic acid, etc. 



Dose.—R. & C, I i. (30.); D., 3 ss.-i. (2.-4). 



PREPARATIONS. 



Qlyceritum Amyli. Glycerite of Starch. (U. S. & B. P.) 



Starch, 10; water, 10; glycerin, 80. Made by solution with heat. 



There are also oflScial glyceritea of phenol, of tannic acid (1-4), of 

 boroglycerin (31 per cent.), of hydrastis, and of phosphates of iron, 

 quinine and strychnine. 



Suppositoria Qlycerini. Suppositories of Glycerin. (U. S. P.) 

 Glycerin, 30 gm. ; monohydrated sodium carbonate, 0.5 gm. ; stearic 

 acid, 2.0 gm. Made by solution with heat and moulded into ten sup- 

 positories containing 3 gm. each. 



Action Uxternal. — Glycerin is hydroscopic, emollient, 

 sometimes parasiticidal, and antiseptic. It does not evaporate 

 or become rancid. The chief medicinal value of glycerin 

 depends upon its affinity for water, so that (in solution) it 

 keeps moist the surface to which it is applied. Pure 

 glycerin is, however, slightly irritant to the skin and may 

 cause some inflammation of raw surfaces and mucous mem- 

 branes on account of withdrawal of water from the tissues. 

 It should therefore be diluted with water for most thera- 

 peutic purposes. 



Action Internal. — Glycerin is absorbed and oxidized in 

 the body, and possesses some value as a carbohydrous 

 food. It may give rise to a substance in the urine which 

 reduces cupric oxide and renders the sugar test positive. It 

 is somewhat antiseptic in the digestive tract, and appears 

 to inhibit the formation of glycogen in the liver in some 

 cases of glycosuria. Large doses are irritant and slightly 

 purgative. Enormous quantities cause poisoning in ani- 

 mals, with the production of hemoglobinuria, muscular 

 weakness, dryness of the mucous membranes, collapse, 

 tremor, convulsions, coma and death. 



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