Kino. - The inspissated juice of Pterocarpus Marsupium Roxburgh (nat. ord. Leguminosae).

Habitat

East Indies.

Characters

Small, angular, dark brownish-red, shining pieces, brittle, in thin layers ruby red and transparent, inodorous, very astringent and sweetish, tingeing the saliva deep red.

Solubility

Soluble in Alcohol, nearly insoluble in Ether, and only slightly soluble in cold water.

Composition

The chief constituents are - (1) Kinotannic Acid, C18 H18O8, 75 per cent. (2) Kinoin, a crystalline neutral principle. (3) Pyro-catechin, C6H4(Oh2), a substance also found pathologically in the urine, and giving it a dark color. It reduces blue copper solutions. (4) Kino red, formed from kinotannic acid by oxidation. (5) Gum.

Incompatibles. - Mineral acids, alkalies, all metallic salts, carbonates, and gelatin.

Dose, 5 to 30 gr.; .30 to 2.00 gm.

Preparation

Tinctura Kino. Tincture Of Kino

Kino, 100; Glycerin, 150. By maceration and filtration with water, 200; and Alcohol to 1000. Dose, 1/2 to 2 fl. dr.; 1. to 8. c.c.

Action And Therapeutics Of Kino

Kinotannic acid acts like tannic acid, and therefore kino is a powerful astringent. It is used in astringent gargles, and also in diarrhoea mixtures.