624 VEGETABLE DRUGS 



bling veratrine and aconite ; soluble in alcohol, chloroform, 

 and ether ; 2, delphisine (CjjH^sN^O^) ; 3, delphinoidin© 

 (CjaHegNjO,) ; 4, staphisagrine (CjjHjjNOj) ; 5, a fixed oil. 



Action and ZJses.— Powdered staphisagria is employed 

 solely to kill lice (pediculi) in ointment (1-2) with benzoin- 

 ated lard or vaseline. Creolin solutions (3-6 per cent.), 

 tobacco infusions (5-10 per cent.), and oil of anise with 

 sweet oil (1-10 per cent.), are also used for the same purpose. 

 The latter mixture is an elegant preparation for pet dogs. 



The tincture of larkspur (Delphinium consolida), another 

 species of the same genus, is also a very efficient parasiticide 

 against pediculi. It contains 1 part of larkspur seeds to 16- 

 of alcohol. 



Class 4. — Used to Destroy Fleas. 



Pyeetheum. Pyrethrum. (Non-official.) 



Synonym. — Persian, Caucasian or Dalmatian insect 

 powder. 



The flowers of Pyrethrum roseum and carneum. 



Habitat. — Caucasian Mountains ; cultivated in Califor- 

 nia, U. S. 



Description. — A coarse, greenish-yellow, pungent powder. 

 Pyrethrum is the best parasiticide for fleas (pulicidse). It is 

 used more frequently to kill these parasites on cats and dogs. 

 Pyrethrum is simply dusted over the whole body or is 

 applied in the form of a tincture (1-4), diluted with 10 parts 

 of water. 



The application of Dalmatian insect powder to kittens 

 and puppies, or to dogs and cats in enfeebled condition, may 

 be attended with danger unless the powder is brushed off 

 within 10 or 15 minutes after its use. Deaths have occurred 

 in these animals following its free and careless employment. 



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