Extractum Colocynthidis (U. S. P.)—Extract of Colocynth.
Related entry: Colocynthis (U. S. P.)—Colocynth
Preparation.—"Colocynth, dried, and freed from the seeds, one thousand grammes (1000 Gm.) [2 lbs. av., 3 ozs., 120 grs.]; diluted alcohol, a sufficient quantity. Reduce the colocynth to a coarse powder by grinding or bruising, and macerate it in thirty-five hundred cubic centimeters (3500 Cc.) [118 fl℥, 167♏] of diluted alcohol for 4 days, with occasional stirring; then express strongly and strain through flannel. Pack the residue, previously broken up with the hands, firmly in a cylindrical percolator, cover it with the strainer, and gradually pour diluted alcohol upon it until the tincture and expressed liquid, mixed together, measure five thousand cubic centimeters (5000 Cc.) [10 O, 9 fl℥, 33♏]. Distill off the alcohol from the mixture by means of a water-bath; evaporate the residue to dryness, and reduce the dry mass to powder. Extract of colocynth should be kept in well-stoppered bottles"—(U. S. P.).
Medical Uses and Dosage.—Used chiefly in preparing the compound extract. As water extracts a large amount of mucilaginous and other inert material, the proportion of water should never be greater than that above directed. This extract is laxative and cathartic, according to the dose employed. Dose, from 1/2 to 2 grains.
Extractum Colocynthidis Compositum (U. S. P.)—Compound Extract of Colocynth.
Preparation.—"Extract of colocynth, one hundred and sixty grammes (160 Gm.) [5 ozs. av., 282 grs.]; purified aloes, five hundred grammes (500 Gm.) [1 lb. av., 1 oz., 279 grs.]; cardamom, in No. 60 powder, sixty grammes (60 Gm.) [2 ozs. av., 51 grs.]; resin of scammony, in fine powder, one hundred and forty grammes (140 Gm.) [4 ozs. av., 411 grs.]; soap, dried and in coarse powder, one hundred and forty grammes (140 Gm.) [4 ozs. av., 411 grs.]; alcohol, one hundred cubic centimeters (100 Cc.) [3 fl℥, 183♏]. Heat the aloes, contained in a suitable vessel, on a water-bath, until it is completely melted; then add the alcohol, soap, extract of colocynth, and resin of scammony, and heat the mixture at a temperature not exceeding 120° C. (248° F.), until it is perfectly homogeneous, and a thread taken from the mass becomes brittle when cool. Then withdraw the heat, thoroughly incorporate the cardamom with the mixture, and cover the vessel until the contents are cold. Finally, reduce the product to a fine powder. Compound extract of colocynth should be kept in well-stoppered bottles"—(U. S. P.). This is the standard cathartic of tradition and authority. Devised before the discovery of resin of podophyllum, the expensive drug scammony, was introduced into it. Experience seems to demonstrate that not only may it be economically replaced by this resin, but with advantage to the effectiveness of the resultant extract.
Medical Uses and Dosage.—Compound extract of colocynth is an active cathartic, and may be employed in all cases where catharsis is indicated. From the difficulty with which pure scammony can be obtained in this country, I would suggest as a substitute for it in the above formula, resin of podophyllum, in powder, one-fourth the amount of scammony resin named, and which, by no means, lessens the value or efficiency of the preparation. If a little good extract of hyoscyamus or one part of capsicum, or of oil of cloves, be added to the formula, it will tend very much to prevent any griping or other unpleasant action. This compound extract may be especially used in constipation, torpor of the liver, headache, etc., in doses varying from 3 to 20 grains (J. King).
King's American Dispensatory, 1898, was written by Harvey Wickes Felter, M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D.