(Pterocarpus Erinacea.[547] _Extractum._ L. Eucalypti Resiniferi.
_Succus Concretus._ E. Butea Frondosa. D.)
There is very considerable obscurity with regard to the history and
chemical constitution of this substance; three varieties of it are met
with in the shops, viz. 1. _African Kino_, which bears the highest
price, and has all the appearance of a natural production, slender twigs
being often intermixed in its substance; it is of a reddish brown
colour, and has a bitterish astringent taste. 2. _Botany Bay Kino_, has
also the aspect of a natural production, it is in more solid masses than
the former species, is less brittle (for it contains a very small
proportion of resin) and, with its astringency, has a disagreeable
sweetish taste. 3. _Jamaica Kino_, this is the one most commonly met
with; it has the appearance of a dry extract, is in small fragments, of
a colour more nearly approaching to black than that of the others, and
has an astringent and slightly bitter taste. There is also a fourth
variety mentioned, viz. the _East India_ or _Amboyna_, but this does not
appear to differ from the African variety. CHEMICAL COMPOSITION. In all
the varieties the predominant principles are tannin and extractive.
SOLUBILITY. The best menstruum is diluted alcohol. _Incompatible
Substances_, vide _Gallæ_. Mr. Thomson also states a fact which I have
reason to consider quite correct, that the alkalies destroy the
astringent properties of kino. All the varieties are soluble in
solutions of pure potass and ammonia, and no precipitation takes place
on the addition of water. MEDICINAL USES. It is principally employed as
an astringent, but from its liability to vary in strength, it has been
very generally superseded by Catechu.[548] FORMS OF EXHIBITION. Either
in substance or in the form of watery infusion, or in that of tincture.
DOSE, grs. x to ʒss. OFFICINAL PREPARATIONS. _Tinct. Kino._ L.E.D.
_Elect. Catechu._ E.D. _Pulvis Alum. co._ E.