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MEADOW SAFFRON. 3^5
and contains 75 per cent, of the alkaloid cocaine. It is used
locally in a strength of one-tenth per cent., and appears to
possess the same qualities as carbolic acid. It has been recom-
mended in the place of muriate of cocaine.
COLCHICUM—MEADOW SAFFRON.
Source.—Colchicum root Colchici radix; Colchicum seed
Colchici semen^ the bulb and seed of the Colchicum Autumnali.
Colchicum contains tannic and gallic acids and an alkaloid
known as colchicine., which is the active principle ,• colchicum also
contains starch, sugar and gum. It has a bitter taste, and
imparts its medicinal virtues to water, alcohol, ether ; wine and
vinegar extract all its properties.
Medical Properties and Therapeutic Uses.—Colchicum, in the
forms of fluid extract, wine and tincture, increases the mucous
and glandular secretions of the stomach, intestines, liver, kidneys
and skin, and causes an increased flow of saliva, and also of
urine. A large dose may produce heat in the epigastrium,
nausea, vomiting, depression of the circulation, muscular feeble-
ness and pain in the head, large watery stools and an increased
secretion of biliary matters. In poisonous doses it produces all
the symptoms of an irritant poison, such as acute pain in abdo-
men, profuse waterv and mucous discharges, suppression of
urine, cold extremities and feeble pulse ; also muscular cramps,
in some cases. Colchicum is principally employed in gout,
when a quantity sufficient to shorten the duration of an acute
attack and reduce the swelling by an increased secretion from the
skin, intestines and kidneys, is only required. It is often
combined with an alkali, such as aromatic spirits of ammonia,
bicarbonate of potassium, or carbonate of magnesia, to increase
its effect. The active principle, colchicine., is generally more
efficacious than the crude colchicum. It is very serviceable in
rheumatic gout when combined with alkalies, and also in all
alfections dependent upon a gouty diathesis, such as constipation,
congestion of the liver, and headache from torpor of the portal
circulation. It is now rarely used in acute rheumatism, but in
chronic rheumatism it often proves serviceable. Its use is indi-
—
MEADOW SAFFRON. 3^5
and contains 75 per cent, of the alkaloid cocaine. It is used
locally in a strength of one-tenth per cent., and appears to
possess the same qualities as carbolic acid. It has been recom-
mended in the place of muriate of cocaine.
COLCHICUM—MEADOW SAFFRON.
Source.—Colchicum root Colchici radix; Colchicum seed
Colchici semen^ the bulb and seed of the Colchicum Autumnali.
Colchicum contains tannic and gallic acids and an alkaloid
known as colchicine., which is the active principle ,• colchicum also
contains starch, sugar and gum. It has a bitter taste, and
imparts its medicinal virtues to water, alcohol, ether ; wine and
vinegar extract all its properties.
Medical Properties and Therapeutic Uses.—Colchicum, in the
forms of fluid extract, wine and tincture, increases the mucous
and glandular secretions of the stomach, intestines, liver, kidneys
and skin, and causes an increased flow of saliva, and also of
urine. A large dose may produce heat in the epigastrium,
nausea, vomiting, depression of the circulation, muscular feeble-
ness and pain in the head, large watery stools and an increased
secretion of biliary matters. In poisonous doses it produces all
the symptoms of an irritant poison, such as acute pain in abdo-
men, profuse waterv and mucous discharges, suppression of
urine, cold extremities and feeble pulse ; also muscular cramps,
in some cases. Colchicum is principally employed in gout,
when a quantity sufficient to shorten the duration of an acute
attack and reduce the swelling by an increased secretion from the
skin, intestines and kidneys, is only required. It is often
combined with an alkali, such as aromatic spirits of ammonia,
bicarbonate of potassium, or carbonate of magnesia, to increase
its effect. The active principle, colchicine., is generally more
efficacious than the crude colchicum. It is very serviceable in
rheumatic gout when combined with alkalies, and also in all
alfections dependent upon a gouty diathesis, such as constipation,
congestion of the liver, and headache from torpor of the portal
circulation. It is now rarely used in acute rheumatism, but in
chronic rheumatism it often proves serviceable. Its use is indi-
