Podophyllotoxin

The active principle of lodophyllum.

This is Picropodophyllin in combination with Picropodophyllic acid, and is the purgative principle of Podophyllin. White amorphous powder, insoluble in water, but soluble in alcohol and ether.

Therapeutics. As it does not interfere with the digestive organs, it does not produce the disagreeable after effects of Podophyllin. In hypodermic injections, or in pills, or dissolved in Rect.. Spirit. Dose for children, 1/100 grain; dose for adults, 1/20 to 1/8 grain. A. valuable purgative in atonic constipation. Picropodophyllin is the active, very bitter, crystaline neutral principle.

Polyporus Officinalis

(See Agaric.)

Pongamia Glabra

India, X. 0. Leguminoscæ.

Kurung or Pongamia oil, deep yellow, solid below 60° F., is used in India for skin diseases and praised by Dr. Dymock in pityriasis.

Potass. Permanganas. K2Mn208

Brilliant purple-black needle crystals; a crimson solution in water.

Therapeutics. In solution, 8 or 10 grains to 1 ounce is valuable as a disinfectant, re-oxygenating putrid organic matter, and destroying low animal and vegetable organisms. Recently used in amenorrhoea, in doses of 1 or 2 grains three times a day, a few days before the expected period. A valuable emmenagogue, according to Ringer and Murrell. To be used not in solution, but in pills of above strength, excluding in their manufacture organic substances. Also as a valuable injection for blenorrhoea; 1/2 grain to 1 ounce water.

Primus Virginiana

P. Serotina. Wild Cherry. X. America. X. 0. Rosacea.

Pale reddish-brown inner bark, easily breaking, with part of adherent outer bark, collected in autumn.

Therapeutics. Sedative to nervous system and bronchial tubes, and stimulative to digestion: a sedative and anti-spasmodic tonic; it improves the appetite and palliates the cough. Dose of fluid extract, 30 to 60 minims; of tincture, 1/2 to 2 drachms. Prunin. Powdered extractive: dose, 1 to 4 grains.