The pharmacopoeia of the Royal College of Physicians of London [1824] / A translation ... by Richard Phillips.

Date:
1824
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The pharmacopoeia of the Royal College of Physicians of London [1824] / A translation ... by Richard Phillips. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

    74/420 (page 52)
    an alkali differing from veratria, and to which they have given the name of colchicia. Colchicia is prepared by digesting the seed of meadow saffron in boiling alcohol, which dissolves an acid salt; this is to be preci- pitated by magnesia, and what is thrown down again treated with boiling alcohol, which by evaporation deposits colchicia. In this process the magnesia combines with the acid previously united w ith the colchicia, which is precipitated with the excess of mag- nesia and dissolved in an uncombined state by the second portion of alcohol. Colchicia crystallizes In slender needles; it is in- odorous, its taste is first bitter and afterwards biting, but not so acrid as veratria, from which it also differs in not exciting sneez- ing, and in being soluble in water. Hydra'te of colchicia is feebly alkaline to tests, but it com- pletely neutralizes acids and forms crystallizable salts with them, which veratria does not. Its salts have a bitter taste. The aqueous solution of this alkali precipitates a solution of chloride ofplatina. Nitric acid turns it deep violet, blue, and afterwards quickly green and yellow. It is very poisonous ; a tenth of a grain given to a cat acted violently upon it, and killed it in about twelve hours. It has not been analyzed, but like other vegetable alkalis it is probably composed of oxygen, hydrogen, azote, and carbon. Incompatibles.—Alkalis, their carbonates, the alkaline earths and their carbonates, or any substances on which vinegar is ca- pable of exerting any action. Medicinal Use.—Diuretic. Dose, f5ss to f5j in any bland fluid. It is also employed in the gout. ACETUM SCILL.E. Vinegar of Squill. Acetum Scilliticum, P.L. 1720, P.L. 1745. Acetum Scillcc, P.L. 1788, P.L. 1809, P.L. 1824. Take of Squill, fresh dried, fifteen ounces, Distilled Vinegar six pints, Proof Spirit half a pint; Macerate the Squill with the Vinegar with a gentle heat, in a covered glass vessel, for twrenty-four hours; after- wards press out the [liquor] and set it by, that the dregs may subside : lastly, add the Spirit to the clear liquor.