The dried tuberous roots of Exogonium Purga Bentham, yielding not less than eight per cent of total resin, but not more than one and a half per cent of the resin soluble in ether.

Habitat.—Southern United States and Mexico.

Properties.—The root is dark brown, with numerous concentric circles composed of small resin cells; fracture resinous, lustrous, not fibrous; odor slight, but peculiar, smoky and sweetish; taste sweetish and acrid.

Dose.—Pigs, 2 to 4 dr.; dogs, 1 to 2 dr.; cats, ¹/₂ to 1 dr.

RESINA JALAPA—RESIN OF JALAP

Made by maceration and percolation with alcohol, partial distillation; precipitation with water; washing and drying.

Properties.—Yellowish-brown powder, having a slight, peculiar odor, and a somewhat acrid taste. Permanent in air. Soluble in alcohol, ether, fixed and volatile oils.

Dose.—Pigs, 30 gr. to 1 dr.; dogs, 15 to 30 gr.; cats, 5 to 15 gr.

Action and Uses.—Jalap is a hydragogue cathartic, a vermifuge and cholagogue. By adding calomel to jalap its power is increased; jalap is more active than senna, but is less powerful and irritating than gamboge or podophyllum. Jalap may be given to expel round and thread worms; in torpidity of the liver, and in chronic constipation in dogs.

PREPARATIONS

PULVIS JALAPA COMPOSITUS—COMPOUND POWDER OF JALAP

Composed of jalap, 35 parts; potassium bitartrate, to make 100.

Dose.—Dogs, 15 to 30 gr.