This section is from the book "Recent Materia Medica: Notes On Their Origin And Therapeutics", by F. Harwood Lescher. Also available from Amazon: Recent materia medica.
Ipomĉa Turpethum. E. Indies. N. 0. Convolvulaceĉ.
Root - large, whitish, resinous when fresh, with starchy interior. The resin, about 10 % in the root, is a glucoside, and is purgative in doses of 5 to 8 grains. In French Codex, 1884.
Slippery Elm. N.America. N, 0. Ulmaeĉ, (Urtiacea).
Inner bark. Large flat tough pieces, pale brown, with heavy sickly odour, and little taste. Demulcent and mucilaginous. Excellent for poultices, or in infusion for catarrh.
Chloral- Urethan.
A combination of Chloral Hydrate and Urethan. Hypnotic. In white crystals, very bitter, and little soluble in water. To be given as chloral hydrate, than which it is said to be quicker in its action, producing a long, soothing sleep, without unpleasant after effects. Dose 15 to 40 grains, in an aromatic draught.
Crystalline in plates, of a pale lemon colour; odourless and freely soluble in water, and also in alcohol.
It reduces the quantity of urine in diabetes; dose, 1 to 2 grains.
Hydrochloride of Quinine and Urea: C21 H28 N4 03 3 H Cl + 2 H2 0 probable formula.
In hard white acicular crystals, very soluble in water.
Therapeutics. Antipyretic. It can be given internally, or especially by hypodermic injection. Its antipyretic effects are said to be well marked, without headache. From its taste not being very bitter, it is pleasant for children: a grain hypodermically is reported to have the effect of 10 to 20 grains of quinine taken internally.
Ergot of Corn, grown on Zea Mays; Corn smut. N. 0. Fungi.
Black Globose masses, sometimes two inches thick. Preferred by some to ergot of rye; employed in same doses. It stimulates the uterine fibres to quick intermittent contractions, instead of the spasms of rye ergot. Dose of fluid extract, 10 to 30 drops. It contains the crystalline alkaloid Ustilagine, white, bitter, soluble in water, and combining with acids.
 
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