Juniper Berries and Tops.
The principal constituents of these berries are mucilage, sugar, and volatile oil; in the latter of which their diuretic virtues reside. Forms of Exhibition. That of an infusion, made with ℥ij of the berries, to oj of hot water. Unless pains however are taken, by strong contusion, to bruise and break the seeds, the preparation will contain but little of the juniper flavour. The bruised berries may be also triturated with sugar or some neutral salt, and be thus exhibited in substance, Dose ℈j to ℈ij. Officinal Preparations. Oleum Junip. L.E.D. Spirit. Junip. Co. L.E.D. The taste and diuretic properties of Hollands depend upon this oil; English gin is flavoured by oil of turpentine.
KINO. L.E.D. Kino.
(Pterocarpus Erinacea.[[547]] Extractum. L. Eucalypti Resiniferi. Succus Concretus. E. Butea Frondosa. D.)
There is very considerable obscurity with regard to the history and chemical constitution of this substance; three varieties of it are met with in the shops, viz. 1. African Kino, which bears the highest price, and has all the appearance of a natural production, slender twigs being often intermixed in its substance; it is of a reddish brown colour, and has a bitterish astringent taste. 2. Botany Bay Kino, has also the aspect of a natural production, it is in more solid masses than the former species, is less brittle (for it contains a very small proportion of resin) and, with its astringency, has a disagreeable sweetish taste. 3. Jamaica Kino, this is the one most commonly met with; it has the appearance of a dry extract, is in small fragments, of a colour more nearly approaching to black than that of the others, and has an astringent and slightly bitter taste. There is also a fourth variety mentioned, viz. the East India or Amboyna, but this does not appear to differ from the African variety. Chemical Composition. In all the varieties the predominant principles are tannin and extractive. Solubility. The best menstruum is diluted alcohol. Incompatible Substances, vide Gallæ. Mr. Thomson also states a fact which I have reason to consider quite correct, that the alkalies destroy the astringent properties of kino. All the varieties are soluble in solutions of pure potass and ammonia, and no precipitation takes place on the addition of water. Medicinal Uses. It is principally employed as an astringent, but from its liability to vary in strength, it has been very generally superseded by Catechu.[[548]] Forms of Exhibition. Either in substance or in the form of watery infusion, or in that of tincture. Dose, grs. x to ʒss. Officinal Preparations. Tinct. Kino. L.E.D. Elect. Catechu. E.D. Pulvis Alum. co. E.
KRAMERIÆ RADIX. L. (Krameria Triandra Radix.)
Rhatany.
This root, although it has been for some time employed in medicine, has only lately found its way into the Materia Medica of the London Pharmacopœia. Its extract, which was some years ago imported into this country, is supposed to have been employed for giving astringency to Port wine. According to recent analysis the root contains a peculiar modification of Tannin, with only a trace of Gallic acid; Gum; Fecula; and certain salts of Lime. It may be used either in decoction, or tincture, the latter of which may be made by dissolving two ounces of the root in a pint of proof spirit. In all its forms it is eminently astringent. I have used it with much success in Leucorrhæa, and in uterine hemorrhages. The extract may be distinguished from Kino, to which it bears a great resemblance in appearance and taste, by being very fusible by heat, whereas Kino does not possess that character.
LICHEN. L.E.D. (Lichen Islandicus.) Lichen.
Iceland Liverwort. Iceland Moss.