(Polygonum Bistorta.) Bistort Root.
Qualities. This root has no odour, but is highly astringent. Chemical Composition. Its active principles are tannin and gallic acid. Med. Uses. It acts as an astringent, and is accordingly used in hemorrhages and fluxes. Dose of the root ℈j-ʒj; of a decoction f℥j-f℥ij. Combined with Calamus it has been successfully administered for the cure of intermittent fevers. See p. 167.
CALAMI RADIX. L. Acori Calami Radix. E.
Acorus. D. (Acorus Calamus). Sweet Flag Root.
Qualities. This root is full of joints, crooked, and flattened on the sides, internally of a white colour, and loose spongy texture. Odour, fragrant and aromatic. Taste, bitter and pungent, qualities which are improved by exsiccation. Chemical Composition. The principles in which its qualities reside appear to be essential oil, and bitter extractive; the root likewise contains fecula, which is copiously precipitated from its infusion by sub-acetate and acetate of lead. Watery infusion extracts all its virtues, but decoction impairs them. Spirit is also an appropriate solvent, and a resinous extract may be produced accordingly. Uses. It is not employed so frequently as it deserves;[[435]] it would be a useful addition to many of the compound infusions of vegetable stomachics. Dose. A cupful of the infusion made by adding ʒvj of the dried root to f℥xij of boiling water. It is so favourite a remedy with the native practitioners of India, in the bowel complaints of children, that there is a penalty incurred by any druggist who will not, in the middle of the night, open his door and sell it, if demanded.
CALUMBÆ RADIX. L. (Cocculus Palmatus.)
Colomba, Radix. E.D. Calumba Root.
Qualities. Form, the dried root imported into this country is in transverse sections; the bark is thick, and easily detached; the wood is spongy and yellowish; the pieces are frequently perforated, evidently by worms. Odour, slightly aromatic. Taste, bitter and somewhat acrid. Chemical Composition. Cinchonia, bitter resin, volatile oil, and starch, in addition to which M. Planche has found a peculiar animal-like substance; it appears also to contain Malate and Sulphate of Lime. Solubility. Boiling water takes up about one-third of its weight, but proof spirit appears to be its most perfect menstruum. Incompatible Substances. No change is occasioned in the infusion by the solutions of nitrate of silver, sulphate of iron, muriate of mercury, or tartarized antimony; but precipitates are produced by the infusion of galls, and yellow Cinchona bark, by sub-acetate and acetate of lead, oxy-muriate of mercury, and lime-water. The infusion very soon spoils. Dose of the powdered root gr. xv to ʒss; of the infusion f℥iss to f℥ij. Uses. It is one of the most valuable tonics and stomachics which we possess. It seems to be superior to many others, from not possessing astringent, and stimulant powers, on which account it is singularly eligible in certain pulmonary and mesenteric affections; it may be given in combination with chalybeates, aromatics, saline purgatives, or with rhubarb, as circumstances may require. (Form. 34, 155.) Officinal Preparations. Infus: Calumbæ. L. Tinct: Calumbæ. L.E.D. It becomes worm-eaten by age, and, in that condition, should be rejected. Those pieces which have the brightest colour, and the greatest specific gravity, are the best. The root of white briony, tinged yellow with the tincture of Calumba, has been fraudulently substituted for this root.
CAMBOGIA. L. Gamboge. (Stalagmitis Cambogioides. ) Gambogia. E.D.
Qualities. Form, lumps of a solid consistence, breaking with a vitreous fracture; Odour, none; Colour, deep yellow, bordering on red, and becoming, when moistened, a brilliant light yellow. Sp. Grav: 1·221. Taste, slightly acrid, but which is not experienced unless it be allowed to remain long in the mouth. Chemical Composition. One part of gum, (Cerasin,) and four parts of a brittle resin; but this knowledge throws no light on the nature of its cathartic property. Solubility. When triturated with water two-thirds of its substance are speedily dissolved, and a turbid solution results; alcohol dissolves nine-tenths, and forms a yellow transparent tincture, which is rendered turbid by the addition of water; sulphuric ether dissolves six-tenths of the substance; it is also soluble in alkaline solutions, and the resulting compound is not rendered turbid by water, but is instantly decomposed by acids, and the precipitate so produced is of an extremely brilliant yellow colour, and soluble in an excess of acid. Incompatible Substances. No bodies appear to produce in gamboge such a chemical change as to destroy the chemical properties which distinguish it, but by a mechanical admixture, its solubility and consequently its operation, may be materially modified. Dr. Cullen found that the inconvenience arising from its too rapid solubility, and sudden impression upon the stomach, might be obviated by diminishing the dose, and repeating it at short intervals as directed in Form: 89. Forms of Exhibition. No form is more judicious than that of pill. Its alkaline solution has been sometimes exhibited in dropsy, when it is said to operate both on the bowels and kidneys. Dose, gr. 2 to gr. 6. Uses. It is a powerful drastic cathartic, and hydragogue, very liable to excite vomiting, and from this peculiar action upon the stomach it has been frequently employed with success in the expulsion of teniæ (Form: 161.) and it accordingly enters as an ingredient into many of the empirical compositions which are sold for the cure of tape worms.[[436]] Officinal Preparations. Pil: Cambogiæ comp: L. There is considerable difference in the degree of purity in which this substance occurs in the market; it should be estimated by its clearness and brilliancy.