Epitome of the Pharmacopeia of the United States and the National Formulary Part 4

ACTION AND USES: Astringent; local hemostatic; antidote for certain alkaloidal and metallic poisons.

DOSAGE: 0.5 Gm. or 8 grains (U.S.P.).

_Collodium Styptic.u.m (Collod. Stypt.), Styptic Collodion, N.F._--Tannic acid (20%) and flexible collodion. There is no advantage in applying tannin as collodion.

_*Glyceritum Acidi Tannici (Glycer. Acid. Tann.), Glycerite of Tannic Acid, U.S.P._ (Glycerite of Tannin).--Tannic acid (20%) in glycerin.

DOSAGE: 2 Cc. or 30 minims (U.S.P.).

_Trochisci Acidi Tannici (Troch. Acid. Tann.), Troches of Tannic Acid, U.S.P._--Each troche contains tannic acid (0.06 Gm. or 1 grain), with sugar and tragacanth, flavored with orange flower.

_Unguentum Acidi Tannici (Ung. Acid. Tann.), Ointment of Tannic Acid, U.S.P._--Tannic acid (20%), in glycerin and ointment.

=Acidum Tartaric.u.m (Acid. Tart.), Tartaric Acid, U.S.P.=--Obtained from wine lees or argol.

A white, odorless powder, with an acid taste. Very soluble in water (1:0.75) and in alcohol (1:3.3).

ACTION AND USES: Mild acid; used in the manufacture of effervescent salts.

DOSAGE: 0.5 Gm. or 8 grains, diluted.

=Acidum Trichloracetic.u.m (Acid. Trichloracet.), Trichloracetic Acid, U.S.P.=--CCl{3}.COOH.

Colorless, deliquescent crystals with a slight characteristic odor.

Miscible with water and with alcohol.

ACTION AND USES: Caustic, for the removal of warts and other skin blemishes. Used also as local hemostatic.

=Aconitina (Aconitin.), Aconitine, U.S.P.=--An alkaloid obtained from aconite.

A white, odorless powder. Very slightly soluble in water, soluble in alcohol (1:28) and in ether (1:65).

ACTION AND USES: Similar to those described under aconite. As several alkaloidal preparations of aconite, of varying activity, are sold under the name of aconitine, its use is not advisable.

DOSAGE: 0.15 mg. or 1/400 grain (U.S.P.).

_Oleatum Aconitinae (Oleat. Aconitin.), Oleate of Aconitine, N.F._--Aconitine (2%) in oleic acid and olive oil.

USES: Without advantage over aconite preparations for external application.

=*Aconitum (Aconit.), Aconite, U.S.P.= (Monkshood, Aconite Root, Aconiti Tuber, P.I.).--A tuberous root, yielding about 0.5 per cent. of ether-soluble alkaloids; also a.s.sayed biologically. Physicians should specify preparations that have been a.s.sayed biologically, since the alkaloidal a.s.say is not a reliable index of activity.

ACTION AND USES: Slows the pulse and lowers the blood pressure, but this action in therapeutic doses is uncertain.

Used in the treatment of febrile colds; also for counter-irritation, in the form of the tincture. Used also as a local anesthetic, and by some still believed to be useful in the treatment of the symptoms arising from excessive cardiac hypertrophy. Toxic symptoms may occur from local absorption.

DOSAGE: 0.03 Gm. or 1/2 grain (U.S.P.); not used as such.

_Extractum Aconiti (Ext. Aconit.), Extract of Aconite, U.S.P._ (Powdered Extract of Aconite).--Yields about 2 per cent. of ether-soluble alkaloids. Biologically a.s.sayed by producing death in the guinea-pig.

DOSAGE: 0.01 Gm. or 1/6 grain (U.S.P.). Physicians who prescribe extract of aconite should specify the biologically a.s.sayed product.

_Fluidextractum Aconiti (Fldext. Aconit.), Fluidextract of Aconite, U.S.P._--Aconite (100%), yielding about 0.5 per cent. of alkaloids.

Absolute alcohol content about 70 per cent. Biologically a.s.sayed by producing death in the guinea-pig.

DOSAGE: 0.03 Cc. or 1/2 minim (U.S.P.). Physicians who prescribe fluidextract of aconite should specify the biologically a.s.sayed product. Best to use the tincture.

_Linimentum Aconiti et Chloroformi (Lin. Aconit. et Chlorof.), Liniment of Aconite and Chloroform, N.F._--Fluidextract of aconite (4.5%), in alcohol, chloroform and soap liniment.

*_Tinctura Aconiti (Tr. Aconit.), Tincture of Aconite, U.S.P._ (Aconiti Tinctura, P.I.).--Aconite (10%) yielding about 0.05 per cent. of alkaloids, in alcohol and water. Alkaloidal a.s.say unreliable.

Biologically a.s.sayed by producing death in the guinea-pig. Absolute alcohol content about 65 per cent.

DOSAGE: 0.3 Cc. or 5 minims (U.S.P.). Physicians should specify the biologically a.s.sayed product.

=*Adeps (Adeps), Lard, U.S.P.=

Insoluble in water, and only slightly soluble in alcohol.

ACTION AND USES: Basis for ointments. Used particularly when absorption is desired.

_*Adeps Benzoinatus (Adeps Benz.), Benzoinated Lard, U.S.P._--Somewhat antiseptic and less liable to rancidity than ordinary lard.

_Unguentum (Ung.), Ointment, U.S.P._ (Simple Ointment).--White wax (20%) and benzoinated lard.

=Adeps Lanae (Adeps Lan.), Wool Fat, U.S.P.= (Anhydrous Lanolin).--Purified wool fat, freed from water.

Insoluble in but miscible with about twice its weight of water; sparingly soluble in cold alcohol.

ACTION AND USES: Basis for ointments; because of its tenacious consistency, should be mixed with some other base.

_*Adeps Lanae Hydrosus (Adeps Lan. Hyd.), Hydrous Wool Fat, U.S.P._ (Lanolin).--Wool fat with about 27 per cent. of water.

USES: Ointment used particularly when absorption through the skin is desired; mixed with white petrolatum or lard.

=Adonis (Adonis), Adonis, N.F.= (Pheasant's Eye).--The plant deprived of its root.

ACTION AND USES: Cardiac tonic of digitalis group, but of unreliable activity.

DOSAGE: 0.125 Gm. or 2 grains (N.F.).

_Fluidextractum Adonidis (Fldext. Adonid.), Fluidextract of Adonis, N.F._--Adonis (100%). Absolute alcohol content about 60 per cent.