Apple (Bitter) (Citrullus colocynthis)

Apple (Bitter)

POISON!

Botanical: Citrullus colocynthis (SCHRAD.)
Family: N.O. Cucurbilaceae

• Description
• Constituents
• Medicinal Action and Uses
• Dosage and Preperation
• Poison and Antidotes

---Constituents---The pulp contains Colocynthin, extractive, a fixed oil, a resinous substance insoluble in ether, gum, pectic acid or pectin, calcium and magnesium phosphates, lignin and water.

---Medicinal Action and Uses---It is a powerful drastic hydragogue cathartic producing, when given in large doses, violent griping with, sometimes, bloody discharges and dangerous inflammation of the bowels. Death has resulted from a dose of 1 1/2 teaspoonsful of the powder. It is seldom prescribed alone. It is of such irritant nature that severe pain is caused if the powdered drug be applied to the nostrils; it has a nauseous, bitter taste and is usually given in mixture form with the tinctures of podophylum and belladonna. Colocynth fruits broken small are useful for keeping moth away from furs, woollens, etc.

---Dosage and Preparation---Dose of the powder, 2 to 5 grains.

It is an important ingredient in Extractum Colocynthidis Compositum, Pilula Colocynthidis Composita, and Pilula Colocynthidis et Hyosiyami.

---Poison and Antidotes---In case of poisoning by Colocynth the stomach should be emptied, opium given by mouth or rectum followed by stimulants and demulcent drinks.

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