CONTRAJERVÆ RADIX. L.E.
(Dorstenia Contrajerva, Radix.) Contrajerva Root.
The qualities of this plant are alike extracted by spirit and water; the watery decoction, however, is very mucilaginous; as it contains no astringent matter, the salts of iron do not affect it. Dose of the powdered root, gr. v. to ʒss, but it is rarely used. It is considered cordial, and diaphoretic. Has it any virtues? The Spanish Indians have long used it as an antidote to poisons; the Spanish word contrahiérba signifies antidote. Officinal Prep. Pulv. Contrajerv. co. L.
COPAIBA, L.E. (Copaifera Officinalis.)
Balsamum Copaibæ. D.
Copaiba, Copaiva, or Capivi Balsam.
Qualities. Consistence, that of oil, or a little thicker. Colour, pale golden yellow. Odour, fragrant and peculiar. Taste, aromatic, bitter, and sharp. Sp. Grav. 0·950. Chemical Composition. It is improperly denominated a balsam, for it contains no benzoic acid, but consists of resin and essential oil. Solubility. It is insoluble in water, but soluble in ten parts of alcohol, and in expressed and essential oils; with the pure alkalies it forms white saponaceous compounds which are soluble in water, forming opaque emulsions. Medicinal Uses. Stimulant, diuretic, and laxative; it seems to act more powerfully on the urinary passages than any of the other resinous fluids; hence its use in gleets and in fluor albus. Its use gives the urine an intensely bitter taste, but not a violet smell, as the turpentines do. By referring to the Synoptical arrangement of Diuretic remedies, it will appear that Copaiba is referred to Class I, 1. b. for there is reason to believe that its active principle undergoes absorption, and by coming in contact with the urinary organs, produces the medicinal effects for which it is so highly valued. Forms of Exhibition. Diffused in soft or distilled water by yolk of egg, or by twice its weight of mucilage, fʒss to every f℥j of water, forms an elegant mixture, or it may be given dropped on sugar, and in this latter form it is certainly more disposed to act on the urinary organs, than when exhibited in that of an emulsion. (Form. 156.) Dr. Chapman has proposed a new mode of exhibiting this medicine; he advises us to pour the Copaiba on half a wine-glassful of water, and afterwards to add slowly a few drops of a common bitter tincture, by which means the Copaiba will be collected in a small globule that may be easily swallowed, while its taste, so nauseous to most patients, will be entirely masked by the bitterness of the vehicle. In whatever form, however, this medicine is administered, it is extremely apt to derange the digestive organs, if long continued, and the unpleasant effects thus occasioned remain, in some cases, for a very long period.[[480]] Adulterations. A considerable quantity sold in London is entirely factitious. A curious trial took place some time since, between the owner of certain premises that were burnt down, and the Governors of the Sun Fire Office, in consequence of the latter refusing to indemnify the proprietor for his loss, because the fire had been occasioned by his making Balsam of Copaiba. This article is also adulterated with mastiche and oil; M. Bucholz asserts that if it does not dissolve in a mixture of four parts of pure alcohol, and one of rectified æther, we may infer its adulteration; rape oil is also frequently mixed with it, in which case if dropped into water, the drops will not retain their spherical form, as they invariably will, if pure.
CORNUA. L.E.D. Cervus Elaphus.
Stag’s, or Hart’s Horn.
The horns of the stag differ only from bone, in containing less of the phosphate of lime, and a larger proportion of gelatine; by boiling, they yield a clear, transparent, and flavourless jelly, in quantity about one-fourth of the weight of the shavings employed; to obtain which we should boil ℥iv in f℥vij of water, until reduced to f℥vi. Adulterations. This article is often sophisticated with the shavings of mutton bone; the fraud is detected by their greater degree of brittleness. They were formerly so much used for the preparation of ammonia, that the alkali was commonly called Salt, or Spirit, of Hartshorn.