COMMON MEADOW SAFFRON.
627
curing the fresh at all seasons of the year. Hence it is to be regretted'at, the Colleges have directed the latter to be employed, as it leads toanation in the mode of preparation. In practice, one part of the driedcormus may be considered equal to three parts of the fresh: for Mr.
attley ( Lond. Med. Gaz. xij. 463) says the eormus loses about 67 perCen t. of its weight in drying; and Mr. Bainbrigge (Haden, Pract. Observ.w* Cofc/i. autumn, p. 77) obtained 2 lbs. 15 oz. of dried slices from 8 lbs.
fresh cormi. The proof spirit used in preparing the acetum is for thePurpose of checking decomposition. By the action of the acetic acid one colchicina of the eormus, an acetate of this alkaloid is obtained.
1 lr C . Scudamore ( Observ. on the Use of Colcliicim) regards an aceticPreparation of colchicum as milder than the wine or tincture madefrh the same relative weights of cormi and liquids, though it is a mostlci pnt preparation in gout. He advises, as I have before mentioned,la t it should be given in combination with magnesia, by which its acidcnstruu m is destroyed (acetate of magnesia being formed), and thec iye principle of the colchicum left in the most favourable state for^frustration. The average dose is from f3ss. to f3ij.jyj Extractum \cormi] Colchici aceticum. Lond. Ed. — Fresheadow Saffron eormus, lb. j; Acetic [pyroligneous, Ed.] acid, fSiij.fruse the eormus gradually sprinkled with the acetic acid, then pressV i^' C j u ' ce > and evaporate it in an earthen vessel which is not glazed„ 1 1 lead [over the vapour bath, Ed.], to a proper consistence. Thisr frpound contains the acetate of colchicina. It is a very favouriteim " in the treatment of gout and rheumatism, and was introduced^ (e ° Practice by Sir C. Scudamore. Dr. Paris {Append, to the 8th ed. ofh > ] tarrnac °logia) observes, that he has “ found it useful in promotingCal * discharges of bile.” He occasionally combines it with blue pill,
, 0rrie h or potassio-tartrate of antimony. The dose is from gr. j. to' 1 'J • twice or thrice a day.
• • Extractum Colchici cormi, Lond.—Fresh Meadow Saffron cor-1(1 ’ ih. j. Bruise the eormus, sprinkled with a little water, in a stoneCo rt . ar > then press out the juice, and evaporate it, unstrained, to a proper1 0 Sls tence. This is a favourite preparation with Dr. Hue, of St. Bartho-bj . e ' v s Hospital, in the early stage of acute rheumatism. The dose is' jh every four hours.
^aff f ^ xy MEL [cor3ii] Colchici. Dub.—Fresh Cormus of Meadowpi r< fr') cut into thin slices, 3j.; Distilled Vinegar , Oj. ( wine measure) ;thg 11 - d Honey , by weight, lb. ij. Macerate the meadow saffron withf r ' fr^gar in a glass vessel for two days: to the liquor, strongly expressedaiixt t cormus an d filtered, add the honey, and then boil down ther 0( j Ur c to the consistence of a syrup, frequently stirring it with a woodenx he active principle of this preparation is apt to be injured byi ’ ar| d hence its strength is uncertain. It is used in gout, rlieuma-to -i’ dro P s y> an d humoral asthma,or more, twice in the day.
- n 'tiijote.—S ee Veratrum album.
The dose is 5j. gradually increased