4. (Alcoholic; Extractum colchici alcoholicum, L.—P. Cod.). As extract of Box. More active than even the acetic extract. All the preparations of colchicum are poisonous in large doses.
Extract of Colo′cynth. Syn. Extract of bitter apple; Extractum colocynthidis (Ph. L. & E.), E. c. simplex, E. c. molle, L. Prep. 1. (Ph. L.) From colocynth pulp (cut in pieces and the seeds removed), by simple maceration in cold water for 36 hours, frequently pressing it with the hands, and afterwards strongly pressing out the liquor, which must be strained before evaporating it.
2. (Ph. E.) From the decoction. This is the plan adopted at Apothecaries’ Hall, and in the laboratory generally. Many houses do not even remove the seeds.
Obs. This extract rapidly gets hard, crumbly, and mouldy by keeping. For the remedy, see observations on EXTRACT OF COLCHICUM, above.—Dose, 5 gr. to 20 gr.; as a cathartic. Colocynth pulp yields above 65% of extract.
3. (Alcoholic; Extractum colocynthidis
alcoholicum, L.)—a. (Ph. Baden.) As EXTRACT OF ANGELICA—Ph. Bad.)
b. (P. Cod.) From a tincture prepared with proof spirit. Much more active than the simple extract.—Dose, 2 to 7 gr.
4. (Dry; Extractum colocynthidis siccum, L.)—(Ph. Bor.) As the last, but using spirit of the sp. gr. ·900 (about 16 o. p.), digesting at a tepid heat, evaporating to dryness, and powdering.—Dose, 1 to 6 gr.
Extract of Colocynth (Compound). Syn. Compound extract of bitter apple, Cathartic extract; Extractum catharticum, E. colocynthidis compositum, B. P. Prep. 1. (B. P.) Colocynth free from seeds, 6; extract of Socotrine aloes, 12; scammony, or resin of scammony in powder, 4; hard soap in powder, 3; cardamoms free from capsules in fine powder, 1; proof spirit, 160. Macerate the colocynth in the spirit for four days, press out the tincture, distil off the spirit, and add to it the extract of aloes, the soap, and the scammony; then evaporate the residue by a water bath to a pilular consistence, adding the cardamoms towards the end of the process.—Dose, 2 to 5 gr., with 2 or 3 gr. of extract of hyoscyamus to prevent griping.
2. (Ph. L. 1836.) Colocynth pulp (sliced, without the seeds), 6 oz., proof spirit, 1 gal.; digest with a gentle heat for 4 days, express, strain, and add, of extract of aloes (Ph. L. 1836), 12 oz., powdered scammony, 4 oz., Castile soap (cut small), 3 oz., and evaporate (distil) to a proper consistence; adding, towards the last, powdered cardamoms, 1 oz.