This section is from the book "A Text-Book Of Materia Medica, Pharmacology And Therapeutics", by George F. Butler. Also available from Amazon: A text-book of materia medica, pharmacology and therapeutics.
Origin. - The fresh bile of Bos Taurus L.
Description and Properties. - A brownish-green or dark-green, somewhat viscid liquid, having a peculiar, unpleasant odor and a disagreeable, bitter taste. Dose. - 5-15 grains (0.3-1.0 Gm.).
Fel Bovis Purificatum - Fellis Bovis Purificati - Purified Oxgall. - Description and Properties. - A yellowish-green, soft solid, having a peculiar odor and a partly sweet and partly bitter taste. Very soluble in water and in alcohol.
Dose. - 5 - 15 grains (0.3-1.0 Gm.) [7 1/2 grains (0.5 Gm.), U. S. P.].
Physiological Action and Therapeutics. - Like bile, oxgall augments the duodenal secretions, emulsionizes fats, and increases intestinal peristalsis. It renders bile more fluid, and acts as a cholagogue and purgative. It is a useful cathartic when the stools are very offensive and of a light-clay color, indicating a deficient biliary secretion. The drug is serviceable in jaundice due to obstruction of the common duct by inspissated bile or mucus. Impacted feces are readily removed by an enema containing 15 or 20 grains (1.0-1.3 Gm.) of oxgall. The drug is an efficient intestinal antiseptic, and may be beneficially employed for that purpose in typhoid fever and intestinal fermentation.
Oxgall is usually given in pill form.
 
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