Spigelia. Carolina Pink. [Pink Root.] The root of Spigelia Marilandica; Lin. Syst., Pentandria inonogynia; native of the south and south-western parts of North America. (Not officinal.) [Officinal in U. S. P.]

Description. The root consists of a thick globular head, from which numerous thinner and tortuous fibres branch out; it has a brown colour.

Prop. & Comp. The root contains, in addition to saccharine and mucilaginous matters, a volatile and fixed oil, and a peculiar hitter principle, soluble in water. The oily and bitter matters probably give activity to the drug.

[Off. Prep. Extractum Spigeliae Fluidum. Fluid Extract of Spigelia. U. S. A tincture is obtained by percolation from sixteen troy ounces of Spigelia, and concentrated by evaporation, so that with the addition of eight troy ounces of sugar, it measures a pint.]

[Extractum Spigeliae et Sennae Fluidum. Fluid Extract of Spigelia and Senna. U. S. Fluid extract of spigelia, ten fluid ounces; fluid extract of senna, six fluid ounces; carbonate of potassa3, half a troy ounce; oil of anise, oil of caraway, each twenty minims.]

[Infusum Spigeliae. Infusion of Spigelia. U. S. Spigelia, half a troy ounce; boiling water, a pint. Prepared by maceration.]

Therapeutics. Much employed in the United States as an anthelmintic; it produces, in moderate doses, considerable cathartic action, and in some cases, peculiar narcotic effects.* It may be administered in substance, or in the form of infusion; generally combined with a purgative.

Dose. 60 gr. to 120 gr. for an adult. [For a child 3 or 4 years old, of the fluid extract 1 or 2 drachms; of the fluid extract of spigelia and senna, 1 to 2 fluid drachms; of the infusion, half a fluid ounce to a fluid ounce.]