A white, odorless powder, with a slightly bitter taste. Very soluble in water (1:8) and soluble in alcohol (1:22).
Action and Uses: Systemically, intermediate between those of morphine and codeine. Probably possesses no advantage over codeine. When applied to the eye it causes local hyperemia terminating in acute conjunctival edema.
Dosage: 0.015 Gm. or 1/4 grain (U.S.P.). Used as 10 per cent. ointment or solution in corneal opacity and similar conditions.
Agar (Agar), Agar, U.S.P. (Agar-Agar).—A mucilaginous substance extracted from certain seaweeds.
Nearly white, almost odorless and tasteless strips, shreds or powder, tough when damp, brittle when dry. Insoluble in cold water, but slowly soluble in hot water.
Action and Uses: Passes through the intestinal canal almost unchanged. Absorbs and retains moisture. Used in chronic constipation with intestinal atony; renders the feces soft and bulky and thus promotes peristalsis.
Dosage: 10 Gm. or 2-1/2 drachms (U.S.P.).
Agaricus (Agaric), Agaric, N.F. (White Agaric, Larch Agaric).—The fruit body of a fungus.
Action and Uses: Empirical and unreliable remedy for night sweats of phthisis.
Dosage: 0.6 Gm. or 10 grains (N.F.).