This drug belongs to the group of resinous anhydrides of the class of vegetable, drastic, or hydragogue cathartics. Its active principle is colocynthin, a resinous glucosid. Colocynth, in the form of the crude drug, is more active than any of its constituents, and its intensity of action is enhanced by the presence of bile, which is supposed to render the drug more soluble.

After section of the vagus and splanch-nics, the drug's action still continues, suggesting that its effects are not of central origin. Following a good sized therapeutic dose of Colocynth, or a number of such, the following symptoms appear: persistent vomiting; profuse watery stools, perhaps bloody, which are very apt to be either preceded or followed by severe enteritis. An intensely painful abdominal colic is an early effect; this is so acute and severe as to cause the recipient to bend double, as this posture affords some relief from the suffering. If the poison is not promptly eliminated, nephritis is established, a condition which is usually absent, owing to the free diarrhea.

"Animals are affected in a manner similar to the human; even the rabbit is affected, an animal very resistant to drugs of this type. There has been produced in this animal an irritation of the large intestine, resulting in a severe hyperemia of the vessels of the mucosa, which became distended and packed with blood. Some inflammatory exudate also made its appearance.

Therapeutics

Colocynthis: Here we have a valuable remedy in purely neuralgic affections which have been excited by sudden chilling or cold, indigestible food, or by emotional disturbances, particularly anger. The pains of this remedy are violently paroxysmal, colicky in nature, griping, twisting, tearing in character and are relieved, temporarily at least, by firm pressure and by heat. In intestinal colic, with or without diarrhea, when the pains are as described and where they compel the sufferer to bend double for relief, or to make firm, hard pressure upon the abdomen, this medicine will be required. Even in dysmenorrhea, when the pains as above pictured are in evidence, Colocynthis will relieve.

In facial neuralgia, not due to inflammation, but where local pressure relieves the pain, the remedy is useful, and in sciatica it will often be needed. Here the pain is constrictive, spasmodic, burning and tearing, worse from cold and damp and at night; but relieved by flexing the leg on the thigh and the latter upon the abdomen, as well as by firm pressure and by heat. The pain is often so severe, that the patient is unable to find relief in any position, and the pain extends from the hip down the thigh to the knee and even to the heel. The patient at times finds some relief by lying upon the painful or affected side. The right side is, perhaps, more often affected.

No remedy, perhaps, is more often indicated in intestinal colic than Colocynthis.

Characteristic Symptoms Of Colocynth

1. Severe colicky pains, mostly around the umbilicus; is obliged to bend double, worse in any other position, great restlessness and loud screaming on changing position, worse at intervals of 5 to 10 minutes; discharge of stool or of flatus affords temporary relief.

2. Colic so distressing that relief is sought by pressing corners of tables or heads of bed posts against the abdomen.

3. Dysentery-like diarrhea, renewed each time after taking the least food or drink.

4. Urinates small quantities, with frequent urging, fetid, thick, viscid, jelly-like urine.

5. Intense boring or tensive pain in the ovary, causing her to bend double, with great restlessness.

6. Violent emotion, such as anger particularly, causes attacks of severe cramp-like and neuralgic pain.