Colchicum Autumnale.
The _Bulb_ of the Meadow Saffron.
QUALITIES. When recent it has scarcely any _odour_, but its _taste_ is
bitter, hot and acrid. CHEMICAL COMPOSITION. Its properties reside in a
milky juice, and depend upon an alkaline principle; it contains also
gum, starch, inulin, and extractive matter, which, when in solution,
undergoes a chemical change, analogous, I apprehend, to that which takes
place in the infusion of Senna, and it would appear with similar
inconvenience. Sir Everard Home ascertained that this deposit, in the
vinous infusion, excites nausea and griping, but that it may be removed
without destroying the efficacy of the medicine. The alkaline element,
similar to that of the Hellebore (_Veratria_), lately found in it,
appears to exist in combination with gallic acid. (_Annales de Chimie_,
_tom._ xiv. _Mai_, 1820.) This alkaline body would seem to display its
greatest energies by its action upon mucous surfaces; in small portions
it excites violent sneezing, and when applied to the membrane of the
stomach, immediate vomiting and purging are the result.[474] See
_Veratri radix_. The virtues of the bulb of Colchicum are very variable,
according to the place of growth and season of the year. Since the third
edition of this work, I have been favoured with some valuable
observations upon this subject by Mr. Alexander Gordon; he says that it
is in its greatest perfection from the beginning of June until the
middle of August.[475] It is also necessary to extract the virtues of
the bulb as soon as it is gathered, for although removed from the earth,
the developing process of vegetation continues, and the substance
undergoes a corresponding series of chemical changes, and finally
becomes as inert as if it had remained in the ground. It is a problem of
some importance to discover a method of destroying the vegetable life of
the bulb, without at the same time injuring its virtues, for I apprehend
that a want of attention to the above precaution frequently renders the
vinous infusion inactive. The practitioner engaged in preparing this
vegetable remedy will find some valuable directions in the third edition
of Thomson’s Dispensatory. The flower of the _meadow saffron_ is very
poisonous to cattle. SOLUBILITY. Vinegar and wine[476] are the best
menstrua for extracting its active qualities; by decoction its essential
oil is dissipated. MEDICINAL USES. It has been much extolled on the
continent as a remedy in dropsy, especially in hydro-thorax, and in
humoral asthma; its operation however as a diuretic, is less certain
than squill, although its _modus operandi_ is analogous to it, as will
be seen by referring to our new arrangement of Diuretic remedies. As a
_specific_ in gout its efficacy has been fully ascertained; it allays
pain, and cuts short the paroxysm. It has also a decided action upon the
arterial system, which it would appear to control through the medium of
the nerves. INCOMPATIBLE SUBSTANCES. In my opinion, acids, and all
oxygenated substances render the vinous infusion drastic; on the
contrary, alkalies render its principles more soluble, and its operation
more mild, but not less efficacious. Magnesia may judiciously accompany
its exhibition. DOSE of the saturated vinous infusion, the only form in
which its successful operation can be insured, fʒss to fʒj, whenever the
patient is in pain. See _Vinum Colchici_. OFFICINAL PREPARATIONS.
_Acetum Colchici_, L. _Oxymel Colchici_, D. _Vinum Colchici_, L.
_Spiritus Colchici Ammoniatus_, L. _Syrupus Colchici Autumnalis_, E.
COLCHICI SEMINA. Dr. Williams of Ipswich has lately published an account
of the efficacy of the _Seeds_ of Colchicum, which he says possess all
the virtues of the root, without its pernicious[477] qualities; the form
in which he administers them, is in that of vinous infusion.[478] He
also informs me that he has experienced considerable tonic effects from
these seeds; and that unlike other narcotic remedies they do not appear
to produce, or favour congestion in the head. The seeds ought not to be
bruised, as their virtues reside chiefly in the husk, or cortical part.