Individual Drugs. ABIES (Tsuga canadensis). - Southwest School of ...

The leaves and bark of the twigs of Amygdalus Persica, Linne (Nat. Ord. Rosaceae).
Native to Persia. Cultivated everywhere.
Common Name: Peach tree.
Principal Constituents.—The glucosid amygdalin, which in the presence of
water and emulsin splits into hydrocyanic acid and other bodies. Hydrocyanic acid
can be obtained from most parts of the tree.
Preparations.—1. Infusum Amygdali, Infusion of Amygdalus. Prepared by
saturating the freshly scraped inner bark of the twigs (1 ounce) in cold water (16
ounces). It must not be boiled. Dose, 1 fluidrachm to I fluidounce.
2. Specific Medicine Amygdalus. (Made from the green young twigs and
leaves.) Dose, 1 to 30 drops.
Specific Indications.—Gastric and abdominal tenderness, with
irritation and congestion, and pointed tongue with reddened tip and
edges and prominent papillae, nausea, and vomiting.
Therapy.—Used according to indications as given above, the infusion
is a reliable sedative for gastric irritation with vomiting, particularly in
children, and in the irritable stomach of phthisis. Scudder valued it in
the vomiting of cholera infantum. We believe the failure of many to
obtain results from amygdalus in vomiting is due to the use of
alcoholic preparations instead of the infusion; and the latter is of no
value unless prepared daily from the fresh green inner bark and leaves.
We have both succeeded and failed with it according to the cause of the
gastric disturbance. It is of less value for cough than wild cherry or
hydrocyanic acid. For the latter the infusion or the specific medicine
may be used.
AMYLUM.
The fecula or starch of the seed of Zea Mays, Linne (Nat. Ord. Gramineae).
(Formula: C6 H10 05).
Common Name: Corn Starch.
Description.—Irregular, angular, white masses, or a fine, white powder;
inodorous, with a slight but characteristic taste. Insoluble in alcohol and cold
water. When boiled with 15 parts of water and cooled, it yields a whitish,
translucent jelly (starch paste).
Felter’s Materia Medica - (A) - Page 24