QUALITIES. _Form_, the dried root imported into this country is in
transverse sections; the bark is thick, and easily detached; the wood is
spongy and yellowish; the pieces are frequently perforated, evidently by
worms. _Odour_, slightly aromatic. _Taste_, bitter and somewhat acrid.
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION. Cinchonia, bitter resin, volatile oil, and starch,
in addition to which M. Planche has found a peculiar animal-like
substance; it appears also to contain Malate and Sulphate of Lime.
SOLUBILITY. Boiling water takes up about one-third of its weight, but
proof spirit appears to be its most perfect menstruum. INCOMPATIBLE
SUBSTANCES. No change is occasioned in the infusion by the solutions of
nitrate of silver, sulphate of iron, muriate of mercury, or tartarized
antimony; but precipitates are produced by the _infusion of galls, and
yellow Cinchona bark_, by _sub-acetate and acetate of lead_,
_oxy-muriate of mercury_, and _lime-water_. The infusion very soon
spoils. DOSE of the powdered root gr. xv to ʒss; of the infusion f℥iss
to f℥ij. USES. It is one of the most valuable tonics and stomachics
which we possess. It seems to be superior to many others, from not
possessing astringent, and stimulant powers, on which account it is
singularly eligible in certain pulmonary and mesenteric affections; it
may be given in combination with chalybeates, aromatics, saline
purgatives, or with rhubarb, as circumstances may require. (_Form. 34,
155._) OFFICINAL PREPARATIONS. _Infus: Calumbæ_. L. _Tinct: Calumbæ_.
L.E.D. It becomes worm-eaten by age, and, in that condition, should be
rejected. Those pieces which have the brightest colour, and the greatest
specific gravity, are the best. The root of _white briony_, tinged
yellow with the tincture of Calumba, has been fraudulently substituted
for this root.
CAMBOGIA. L. _Gamboge._ (_Stalagmitis Cambogioides._ ) Gambogia. E.D.
QUALITIES. _Form_, lumps of a solid consistence, breaking with a
vitreous fracture; _Odour_, none; _Colour_, deep yellow, bordering on
red, and becoming, when moistened, a brilliant light yellow. _Sp. Grav:_
1·221. _Taste_, slightly acrid, but which is not experienced unless it
be allowed to remain long in the mouth. CHEMICAL COMPOSITION. One part
of gum, (_Cerasin_,) and four parts of a brittle resin; but this
knowledge throws no light on the nature of its cathartic property.
SOLUBILITY. When triturated with water two-thirds of its substance are
speedily dissolved, and a turbid solution results; alcohol dissolves
nine-tenths, and forms a yellow transparent tincture, which is rendered
turbid by the addition of water; sulphuric ether dissolves six-tenths of
the substance; it is also soluble in alkaline solutions, and the
resulting compound is not rendered turbid by water, but is instantly
decomposed by acids, and the precipitate so produced is of an extremely
brilliant yellow colour, and soluble in an excess of acid. INCOMPATIBLE
SUBSTANCES. No bodies appear to produce in gamboge such a chemical
change as to destroy the chemical properties which distinguish it, but
by a mechanical admixture, its solubility and consequently its
operation, may be materially modified. Dr. Cullen found that the
inconvenience arising from its too rapid solubility, and sudden
impression upon the stomach, might be obviated by diminishing the dose,
and repeating it at short intervals as directed in _Form: 89_. FORMS OF
EXHIBITION. No form is more judicious than that of pill. Its alkaline
solution has been sometimes exhibited in dropsy, when it is said to
operate both on the bowels and kidneys. DOSE, gr. 2 to gr. 6. USES. It
is a powerful drastic cathartic, and hydragogue, very liable to excite
vomiting, and from this peculiar action upon the stomach it has been
frequently employed with success in the expulsion of teniæ (_Form:
161_.) and it accordingly enters as an ingredient into many of the
empirical compositions which are sold for the cure of tape worms.[436]
OFFICINAL PREPARATIONS. _Pil: Cambogiæ comp:_ L. There is considerable
difference in the degree of purity in which this substance occurs in the
market; it should be estimated by its clearness and brilliancy.