922

Appendix.

Croton oil is generally given in the form of pill, made up with crumb of bread ;but, as in this state the oil is applied, as it were, concentrated to the stomach, Ihave given it rubbed up with mucilage of acacia gum, sugar and almond emul-sion ; in which combination its acrimony is obtunded; and its operation, whileequally certain, is much less violent than when it is exhibited in the form of pill.From the probability of even small doses producing alarming effects on somehabits, it would be well to bear in remembrance the method adopted in suchcases by the native practitioners of Hindostan.

No. VII. WINE OF COLCHICUM.

As this is certainly the best and the most manageable form in which Colchicumcan be exhibited, and it is necessary to have some standard for preparing it, Isubmit the following formula, to the profession, as one which I have found toanswer every purpose for which the medicine is prescribed.

Take of the bulbs of Colchicum t (raised in July or in August,) sliced transversely,and dried without heat, or at a temperature not exceeding I JO 0 Fahrenheit,one ounce and a half; pulverize them ; and pour upon the powder, put into a glassbottle, twelve fluid ounces of good sherry wine. Agitate the mixture twice a dayfor seven days, and then filter for use.

The dose of this wine is from lT\xx to f 3 j ; given in water only, or in com-bination with magnesia in the effervescing draught; or with infusion of cin-chona bark, or of gentian root, or any other bitter.