KIN

407

tive kind. Water extracts its virtues. The extract, which is the form inwhich it is used, has been long known and used in this country as an ex-cellent cathartic. As it is naturally mild in its operation, its effect maybe much increased by the addition of calomel. To obviate habitual cos-tiveness, the butternut is perhaps the best laxative that can be used. Thedose is from 10 to 30 grs.]

JUNIPERI BACCJE ET CACUM1NA. L.E.D.

(Juniperus Communis.)

Juniper Berries and Tops.

The principal constituents of these berries are mucilage sugar, andvolatile oil ; in the latter of which their di'iretic virtues reside. Formsof Kxhibition. That of an infusion, made with 3ij of the berries, to ojof hot water. Unless pains however are taken, by strong contusion, tobruise and break the seeds, the preparation will contain but little of thejuniper flavour. The bruised berries may be also triturated with sugaror -ome neutral salt, and be thus exhibited in substance, Dose Bj to Bij.Officinal Preparations Oleum Junip. L.E D. Spirit Junip. Co.L.E.D. The taste and diuretic properties of Hollands depend upon thisoil ; English gin is flavoured by oil of turpentine.

KINO. L.E.D. Kino.

CPterocarpus Erinacea.* Extractum. L. Eucalypti Resinifen. SuccusConcretus. E. Butea Frondosa. D.)

There is very considerable obscurity with regard to the history andchemical constitution of this substance ; three varieties of it are met within the shops, viz. 1, African Kino, which bears the highest price, and hasall the appearance of a natural production, slender twigs being often inter-mixed in its substance ; it is of a reddish brown colour and has a bitierishastringent taste. 2. Botany Biy Kino, has al-o the aspect of a natural pro-duction, 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 com-monly met with ; it has the appearance of a dry extract, is in small frag-ments, of a colour more nearly approaching to black than that of theothers, and has an astringent and slightly bitter taste. There is also afourth variety mentioned, viz. the East India or Amboyna, but this doesnot 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 Sub-stances, vide G dU Mr. Thomson also states a fact which 1 have reasonto consider quite correct, that the alkalies destroy the astringent proper-ties of kino All the varieties are soluble in solutions of pure potass andno precipitation takes pUce on the addition of water. Medicinal Uses.It is principally employed as an astringent, but from its liability to vary instrength, it has been very generally superseded by Catechu.t Forms op

* The plant which yields Kino ia at length satisfactorily proved to be the Pterocar-pus Erinacea : the London College have accordingly made the alteration which I an-ticipated in the former edition of this work.

t Dr. Pemberton makes the interesting statement in relation to the operation olkino upon the system, that unless Diarrhoea be actually present, "it appears to have