Scilla

Squill

Squill. The bulb of Urginea maritima (Linne) Baker (Nat. Ord. Liliaceae). (IT. S. P.) Ognon marin, Fr.; Meerzwiebel, Ger.

Acetum Scillae

Vinegar of squill (oz iv—Oij.) Dose, τη xx— 3 j.

Syrupus Scillae

Sirup of squill. Dose, 3 ss— 3 j.

Syrupus Scillae Compositus

Compound sirup of squill. Hive-sirup. This preparation contains squill, senega, and tartar-emetic, the last named in the proportion of one grain to the ounce. Dose, τη v— 3 j. This is a very active preparation, due chiefly to the tartar-emetic.

Extractum Scillae Fluidum

Fluid extract of squill. Dose, τη j— τη v.

Tinctura Scillae

Tincture of squill. Dose, τη v— 3 ss.

Composition

The important constituent of squill is an acrid, bitter principle, scillitin, or skulen—which has not yet been isolated. According to Schroff, scillitin is a glucoside, and the active principle is an acrid, non-volatile substance (Flückiger and Hanbury).

Actions and Uses

The taste of squill is bitter and somewhat acrid. It is an irritant to the mucous membrane, and excites nausea, vomiting, and purging, when introduced into the stomach in a sufficient dose. Very violent gastro-enteritis may be produced by its incautious administration in large doses. A state of hyperaemia or inflammation of the gastro-intestinal mucous membrane, therefore, contraindicates its use.

The active constituents of squill diffuse into the blood. Its systemic effects are produced by application to the external integument.

Paralysis and convulsions are induced in warm-blooded animals by toxic doses; and similar cerebral symptoms occur in man, in addition to the phenomena which usually attend the action of an irritant poison. In ordinary medicinal doses squill increases the bronchial mucus and facilitates expectoration. In toxic doses rapid breathing has usually occurred. It is highly probable that a portion of the active constituents of squill is eliminated by the broncho-pulmonary mucous membrane.

Squill stimulates the functions of the kidneys and increases the urinary discharge when used in medicinal doses, but in excessive quantity it excites violent inflammation, with strangury and bloody urine. Suppression of urine may be a result of its irritating action on the kidneys.

The use of squill is confined to its expectorant and diuretic effects. The acetum and syrupus scillae enter into the composition of expectorant mixtures employed in the treatment of catarrh of the bronchial tubes, after the subsidence of acute symptoms, and the chronic forms of the disease. Squill is more particularly indicated when the sputa are tenacious, and are coughed up with difficulty. Ipecacuanha is advantageously combined with it in the more recent cases. Rx Acet. scillae, oz ss; extract, ipecac, fluid., 3 ss; tinct. opii deod., 3 j; syrup, tolutan., 3 x. M. Sig.: A tea-spoonful every two, three, or four hours. Rx Scillae, ipecac, āā, gr. vj ; ext. hyoscyami, gr. iij ; morphinae sulph., gr. ss—gr. j. M. Ft. pil. no. xij. Sig.: One pill every four hours. In chronic bronchitis with emphysema or dilated right cavities of the heart, squill is better associated with the stimulating expectorants, ammoniac, asafoetida, benzoin, etc. Rx Syrup, scillae, oz ss; tinct. opii camphor., 3 ij; ammoniac, 3 ss; syrup, tolu., 3 x. M. Sig.: A tea-spoonful as necessary. Squill is an improper remedy when there are present fever and an acute inflammatory condition of the air-passages. Squill is a very effective diuretic. Since in overdoses it will produce great irritation of the kidneys, it is inadmissible in acute affections of these organs. In dropsy caused by any of the chronic diseases of the kidneys, squill must be used with caution. As a diuretic this remedy is more especially useful in cardiac dropsy. It may be combined with digitalis or the saline diuretics. Rx Infus. digitalis, oz iijss; acet. scillae, oz ss. M. Sig.: A table-spoonful two or three times a day. Rx Digitalis,Э j; scillae, gr. x ; ext. colchici acet., Эj. M. Ft. pil. no. xx. Sig.: One pill every four or six hours. When anaemia is present, iron may be added to the above formula. Rx Acet. scillae, oz ss; liq. potassii citratis, oz iijss. M. Sig.: A table-spoonful every four hours.

Authorities referred to: Fluckiger and Hanbury. Pharmacographia. Husemann, Dr. Theod. Handbuch, zweiter Band, p. 1175. Kohler, Dr. Hermann. Handbuch, p. 515