Epitome of the Pharmacopeia of the United States and the National Formulary Part 43

Light gray, odorless, rather damp powder, with a slightly sweet taste.

ACTION AND USES: A mild cathartic acting like calomel.

Also used in the treatment of infantile and hereditary syphilis and of syphilis in aged patients.

DOSAGE: 0.25 Gm. or 4 grains (U.S.P.), as powder.

_*Ma.s.sa Hydrargyri (Ma.s.s. Hydrarg.), Ma.s.s of Mercury, U.S.P._ (Blue Ma.s.s, Blue Pill).--Hg (about 33%) in pill ma.s.s.

USES: Mainly as cathartic.

DOSAGE: 0.25 Gm. or 4 grains (U.S.P.).

_Oleatum Hydrargyri (Oleat. Hydrarg.), Oleate of Mercury, U.S.P._--A mixture of mercury oleate and oleic acid equivalent to 25 per cent. of HgO.

USES: Alterative, antisyphilitic; rarely used.

_Petroxolinum Hydrargyri (Petrox. Hydrarg.), Mercury Petroxolin, N.F._ (Mercury Petrox).--Mercury (30%) in hydrous wool fat, oleic acid and solid petroxolin.

_*Unguentum Hydrargyri (Ung. Hydrarg.), Mercurial Ointment, U.S.P._--Metallic mercury (about 50%) and oleate of mercury (2%) with prepared suet and benzoinated lard.

USES: Especially to secure the systemic effects of mercury by inunction.

_*Unguentum Hydrargyri Dilutum (Ung. Hydrarg. Dil.), Diluted Mercurial Ointment, U.S.P._ (Blue Ointment, Hydrargyri Unguentum P.I.).--Mercurial ointment (60%) equivalent to about 30 per cent. of metallic mercury, with petrolatum.

USES: Especially in pediculosis.

=*Hydrargyrum Ammoniatum (Hydrarg. Ammon.), Ammoniated Mercury, U.S.P.= (White Precipitate).--Mercurammonium chloride, HgNH{2}Cl, corresponding to about 79 per cent. of Hg.

White, odorless lumps or powder, with an earthy, afterward styptic and metallic taste. Insoluble in water or alcohol.

ACTION AND USES: The ointment is extensively used as a cutaneous antiseptic especially for impetigo contagiosa and other pustular dermatoses and ringworm of the scalp.

Also used for removing scales of psoriasis. It may cause salivation.

DOSAGE: From 2 to 10 per cent. ointment.

_*Unguentum Hydrargyri Ammoniati (Ung. Hydrarg. Ammon.), Ointment of Ammoniated Mercury, U.S.P._ (White Precipitate Ointment).--Ammoniated mercury (10%) in white petrolatum and hydrous wool fat.

=Hydrastina (Hydrastina), Hydrastine, U.S.P.=--An alkaloid obtained from hydrastis or prepared synthetically.

White crystals or powder. Almost insoluble in water, soluble in alcohol (1:170).

ACTION AND USES: Used in the treatment of urethral and vesical catarrh and as a systemic hemostatic, especially in excessive menstruation. Its efficiency and the mechanism of its action are doubtful.

DOSAGE: 0.01 Gm. or 1/6 grain (U.S.P.).

=Hydrastinae Hydrochloridum (Hydrastin. Hydrochl.), Hydrastine Hydrochloride, U.S.P.= (Hydrastine Chloride).

White, odorless, bitter powder. Very soluble in water and in alcohol.

ACTION AND USES: Those of hydrastine.

DOSAGE: 0.01 Gm. or 1/6 grain (U.S.P.).

_Liquor Hydrastinae Compositus (Liq. Hydrastin. Co.), Compound Solution of Hydrastine, N.F._ (Colorless Hydrastine Solution).--Hydrastine hydrochloride (0.3%), aluminum chloride, calcium chloride, and magnesium chloride (each 0.3%), pota.s.sium chloride (0.1%) in glycerin and water.

USES: Complex and irrational astringent.

DOSAGE: 4 Cc. or 1 fluidrachm (N.F.).

=Hydrastininae Hydrochloridum (Hydrastinin. Hydrochl.), Hydrastinine Hydrochloride, U.S.P.= (Hydrastinine Chloride).--The hydrochloride of hydrastinine, an alkaloid obtained synthetically from hydrastine.

Yellowish, odorless crystals or powder. Soluble in chloroform (1:195); very soluble in water and alcohol.

ACTION AND USES: Hydrastinine resembles hydrastine in its action but is said to be less depressing. Hydrastinine has a p.r.o.nounced pressor effect on peripheral vessels, causing a rise of blood pressure.

DOSAGE: 0.03 Gm. or 1/2 grain (U.S.P.)

=*Hydrastis (Hydrastis), Hydrastis, U.S.P.= (Golden Seal).--Rhizome and roots, yielding not less than 2.5 per cent. of ether-soluble alkaloids, chiefly hydrastin.

ACTION AND USES: Hydrastis is an unpleasant bitter; it possesses no advantages over other simple bitters (gentian). It has been a.s.serted to have a special influence on mucous membranes favoring their nutrition and return to a normal condition. There is little or no experimental evidence to bear out the claim for any special action.

DOSAGE: 2 Gm. or 30 grains (U.S.P.).

_Extractum Hydrastis (Ext. Hydrast.), Extract of Hydrastis, U.S.P._ (Extract of Golden Seal, Powdered Extract of Hydrastis).--One Gm.

extract represents about 4 Gm. hydrastis. Yields about 10 per cent. of alkaloids.

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

_*Fluidextractum Hydrastis (Fldext. Hydrast.), Fluidextract of Hydrastis, U.S.P._--Hydrastis (100%), yielding about 2 per cent. of alkaloids. Absolute alcohol content about 55 per cent.

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

_Glyceritum Hydrastis (Glycer. Hydrast.), Glycerite of Hydrastis, U.S.P._ (Glycerite of Golden Seal).--Hydrastis (100%) yielding not less than 1.245 per cent. of alkaloids.

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

_Tinctura Hydrastis (Tr. Hydrast.), Tincture of Hydrastis, U.S.P._ (Tincture of Golden Seal).--Hydrastis (20%), yielding about 0.4 per cent. of hydrastin; in alcohol and water. Absolute alcohol content about 60 per cent.

DOSAGE: 4 Cc. or 1 fluidrachm (U.S.P.)

=*Hydrogenii Dioxidum, Hydrogen Dioxide= (Hydrogen Peroxide).--H{2}O{2}.